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National Geographic Kids

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FAST FACTS
OFFICAL NAME: Republic of Iran
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Islamic republic
CAPITAL: Tehran
POPULATION: 80,840,713
OFFICAL LANGUAGE: Farsi
MONEY: Rial
AREA: 636,372 square miles (1,648,105 square kilometers)
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Elburz, Zagros
MAJOR RIVERS: Karun, Karkeh, Zayandeh

GEOGRAPHY
Iran (pronounced ee-RAHN), formerly known as Persia, is situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Arab states of the Middle East. This strategic position-and its access to the Persian Gulf in the south-have made Iran an important country throughout its history.

Much of Iran is cut off from the outside world by a beautiful but often lonely landscape. High, rugged mountains create a barrier with Iran's neighbors in the west, and the eastern region is covered by a barren, salty desert.

In Iran's north, a narrow, fertile strip borders the Caspian Sea, and in the south, lowlands rim the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Most people in Iran live along the edges of a high plateau that runs through the middle of the country.

PEOPLE & CULTURE
Strong religious beliefs have been part of Iranians' lives for thousands of years. Almost all Iranians are Muslim, or followers of Islam. The religion is central to daily life.

Iran has a long history of scholarship that has created a rich culture of art, literature, poetry, music, cuisine, and architecture. Ancient Iranian thinkers wrote influential texts on philosophy and medicine, and it was an Iranian mathematician who invented algebra. Iran's universities are among the most respected in the Middle East.

NATURE
Not long ago, Iran was home to many lions, tigers, and other big cats. Unfortunately these sleek hunters are now very rare, and some species have gone extinct. Only a handful of Asiatic cheetahs and Persian leopards remain.

Iran has several reserves and parks where wildlife thrives. One, called Kavir National Park, is located in the north-central region and is known as "Little Africa" because its plants and animals resemble those of Africa. This park is home to Iran's only cheetahs.

Iran's mountains in the north and west have dense forests that offer habitat for brown bears, wild goats, wolves, and leopards. The country's central plateau is home to deer, gazelles, hyenas, and jackals, among other animals.

Rial

Photograph by Matthew Trommer, Dreamstime

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY
Iran's government is controlled by a religious figure called the supreme leader, who is appointed by a group of Islamic clerics called the Assembly of Experts. A president, elected by the people, is second in command.

Iran has extensive oil reserves, but its economy has been hit hard by a trade ban imposed by the United States since the shah was ousted in 1979. Allegations that Iran supports terrorism and a belief that it is developing nuclear weapons has led to further isolation in recent years.

HISTORY
Iran is one of the oldest nations in the world, with a history dating back tens of thousands of years. The country's first great city, Susa, was built on the central plateau around 3200 B.C.

In 559 B.C., the Persian Empire arose in southwestern Iran and conquered the Mesopotamians and Egyptians. The empire eventually extended from the Mediterranean Sea to what is now Pakistan, but it was conquered by the Greeks in 330 B.C.

Around 260 B.C., nomads called Parni ousted the Greeks and ruled for some 500 years. The Sassanids came into power in A.D. 224, and in A.D. 642, Persia became part of the Islamic Empire. In 1501, the kings, or shahs, of the Safavid Empire began their reign.

In the late 18th century, foreign powers, including Russia and Britain, took control of parts of Persia. In 1921, a Persian army officer named Reza Khan took control and sought to end outside influence. In 1935, he renamed the country Iran. His son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, became shah in 1941.

In 1979, many Iranians who felt Pahlavi was corrupt forced him to flee, ending the reign of the shahs in Iran. Since then, religious leaders have ruled the country. The first was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, whose ten years in power were marked by a long war with Iraq and tensions with the United States and many other nations. Khomeini died in 1989, but much of those tensions still exist today.

Check out the interactive map and discover more countries.

Get Facts, Photos, and videos.

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Iran Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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FAST FACTS OFFICAL NAME: Republic of Iran FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Islamic republic CAPITAL: Tehran POPULATION: 80,840,713 OFFICAL LANGUAGE: Farsi MONEY: Rial AREA: 636,372 square miles (1,648,105 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Elburz, Zagros MAJOR RIVERS: Karun, Karkeh, Zayandeh GEOGRAPHY Iran (pronounced ee-RAHN), formerly known as Persia, is situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Arab states of the Middle East.

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National Geographic Kids

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Koalas are marsupials, related to kangaroos.

OFFICIAL NAME: Commonwealth of Australia

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal parliamentary democracy; Commonwealth realm

CAPITAL: Canberra

POPULATION: 23,470,145

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English

MONEY: Australian dollar

AREA: 2,969,906 square miles (7,692,024 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Great Dividing Range, Macdonnell Ranges

MAJOR RIVERS: Murray-Darling, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan

Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is one of the largest countries on Earth. Although it is rich in natural resources and has a lot of fertile land, more than one-third of Australia is desert.

Most Australian cities and farms are located in the southwest and southeast, where the climate is more comfortable. There are dense rain forests in the northeast. The famous outback (remote rural areas) contains the country's largest deserts, where there are scorching temperatures, little water, and almost no vegetation.

Running around the eastern and southeastern edge of Australia is the Great Dividing Range. This 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) stretch of mountain sends water down into Australia's most important rivers and the Great Artesian Basin, the largest groundwater source in the world.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Australia is one of the world's most ethnically diverse nations. Nearly a quarter of the people who live in Australia were born in other countries. They come from the United Kingdom and other European countries, but also from China, Vietnam, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Australia's warm, sunny climate and abundance of open spaces gives the population a love of the outdoors. The people are also passionate about sports, including swimming, surfing, sailing, tennis, soccer, cricket, rugby, and their own invention, Australian rules football.

Australia's ecosystem is an unusual one because of its remote location. As a result, there are many animal species that occur here and nowhere else in the world, such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala. Australia has 516 national parks to protect its unique plants and animals.

One of Australia's most amazing sites rises like an enormous whale's back from a flat red-soil desert called the Red Center. This site is called Uluru, and it is a sacred natural formation at the heart of the country. Rising 1,100 feet (335 meters) tall, it is the largest rock in the world!

Australia is home to many of the deadliest species of animals on the planet. There are 36 species of poisonous funnel-web spiders in eastern Australia. There are also 20 types of venomous snakes, including the taipan, which attacks without warning and bites repeatedly, killing its victim in minutes.

There are several types of rain forests in Australia. Tropical rain forests, mainly found in the northeast, are the richest in plant and animal species. Subtropical rain forests are found near the mid-eastern coast, and broadleaf rain forests grow in the southeast and on the island of Tasmania.

GOVERNMENT

As a commonwealth of the United Kingdom, Australia's head of state is the British monarch. Many Australians think the country should end its ties to Britain and become a republic. In a vote in 1999, Australians decided against separating from the UK, but the vote was close, and the debate continues.

Australia is an important exporter of agricultural goods like wool, wheat, beef, fruit, and wine. The country is also rich in minerals and metals and is the world's fourth largest producer of gold.

Aboriginal people arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago. They may have traveled from Asia across land bridges that were exposed when sea levels were lower. The hardy Aborigines have learned to live in the harsh conditions of the outback.

Dutch explorers first landed in Australia in 1606, and the British began to settle there in 1788. Many settlers were criminals sent to live in Australia as punishment. For a short time, the newcomers lived peacefully with the Aboriginal people. But soon, fighting broke out over who owned the land.

In 1851, gold was discovered in Australia. A rush to find riches brought thousands of new immigrants, and by 1859, six separate colonies existed. In 1901, these colonies joined to form a British commonwealth.

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Australia Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Koalas are marsupials, related to kangaroos. OFFICIAL NAME: Commonwealth of Australia FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal parliamentary democracy; Commonwealth realm CAPITAL: Canberra POPULATION: 23,470,145 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English MONEY: Australian dollar AREA: 2,969,906 square miles (7,692,024 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Great Dividing Range, Macdonnell Ranges MAJOR RIVERS: Murray-Darling, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent.

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National Geographic Kids

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The Swiss Alps are high, snow-covered mountains most of which are over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). The most famous peak is the Matterhorn which is 14,692 feet (4,478 meters) tall, but the highest peak is Dufourspitze at 15,203 feet (4,634 meters).

Scientists are concerned that glaciers in the Swiss Alps have lost a lot of ice coverage in the past 40 years. This may be related to global climate change. Rapid melting of the glaciers could cause flooding to the villages below.

Most animals in Switzerland live in the mountains. The ibex, a species of mountain goat, was hunted to near extinction in the early 1800s. The species has since been reintroduced and more than 15,000 ibex now live in the Swiss Alps. Hikers may also encounter chamois, another goatlike animal, and marmots. The forests of Switzerland are also home to deer, rabbits, foxes, badgers, squirrels, and many bird species.

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The Swiss Alps are high, snow-covered mountains most of which are over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). The most famous peak is the Matterhorn which is 14,692 feet (4,478 meters) tall, but the highest peak is Dufourspitze at 15,203 feet (4,634 meters).

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National Geographic Kids

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France Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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France, the largest country in Western Europe, has long been a gateway between the continent's northern and southern regions.

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National Geographic Kids

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Turkey is home to one of the earliest settlements in the world. Built 8,800 years ago, Catal Hoyuk was a labyrinth of 150 mud homes joined together. There were no streets in between, so people had to enter the homes through holes in the roof!

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National Geographic Kids

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In Kenya, more than 40 national parks and game reserves have been set aside for the conservation of wildlife and natural habitat.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Kenya

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITAL: Nairobi

POPULATION: 48,397,527

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Swahili, English

MONEY: Kenyan shilling

AREA: 224,081 square miles (580,367 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Aberdare Range, Mau Escarpment

MAJOR RIVERS: Athi/Galana, Tana

Even if you've never been to Kenya, chances are you know what it looks like. Kenya's savanna is familiar from movies, TV shows, books, and commercials. It's the landscape many people imagine when they think of Africa.

Kenya is located in East Africa. Its terrain rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean to mountains and plateaus at its center. Most Kenyans live in the highlands, where Nairobi, the capital, sits at an altitude of 5,500 feet (1,700 meters).

West of Nairobi the land descends to the Great Rift Valley, a 4,000-mile (6,400-kilometer) tear in the Earth's crust. Within this valley in the deserts of northern Kenya are the jade-green waters of famous Lake Turkana.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

In Kenya, more than 60 languages are spoken and there are more than 40 ethnic groups. Almost everyone there speaks more than one African language.

School is free in Kenya, but many children are too busy to go to classes. They help their families by working the land, tending cattle, cooking, or fetching water.

Music and storytelling are important parts of Kenyan culture. For centuries, tribes throughout the country have used songs, stories, and poems to pass on their beliefs, history, and customs.

Millions of people visit Kenya each year to see its endless savanna and the animals that inhabit it: elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, and more. The Kenyan government has set up more than 50 reserves and parks to protect these animals.

People seeking African wildlife usually focus on Kenya's lowland savannas. But Kenya's ecosystems also include deserts, swamps, mountain, and forests. Each region has its own mix of plants and animals that are suited to the area's particular conditions. Kenya's highland forests are home to many animals found nowhere else in the world.

GOVERNMENT

Kenya was a colony of the United Kingdom from 1920 until 1963. Since its independence, it has been a republic, with a president, a national assembly, called the Bunge, and a judiciary.

Kenya's location between the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria means that people from all over Africa and the Middle East have traveled and traded across it for centuries. This has created a diverse culture with many ethnic groups and languages.

Scientists think Northern Kenya and Tanzania may have been the original birthplace of humans. The bones of one of the earliest human ancestors ever found were discovered in Kenya's Turkana Basin.

Slavery is a big part of Kenya's history. During the 1600s and 1700s, many Kenyans were kidnapped and taken as slaves by Arabs, Europeans, and Americans. By the mid-19th century, slavery was outlawed by most countries, but by then, thousands of Kenyans and other East Africans had been taken to countries throughout the world.

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In Kenya, more than 40 national parks and game reserves have been set aside for the conservation of wildlife and natural habitat. OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Kenya FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic CAPITAL: Nairobi POPULATION: 48,397,527 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Swahili, English MONEY: Kenyan shilling AREA: 224,081 square miles (580,367 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Aberdare Range, Mau Escarpment MAJOR RIVERS: Athi/Galana, Tana Even if you've never been to Kenya, chances are you know what it looks like.

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National Geographic Kids

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Johannesburg is South Africa's most populous city.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of South Africa

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITALS: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)

POPULATION: 55,380,210

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga

MONEY: Rand

AREA: 470,693 square miles (1,219,089 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Drakensberg

MAJOR RIVERS: Limpopo, Orange

Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus. These lands are covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld, and tree-dotted plains called bushveld.

To the east, south, and west of the plateau lands is a mountainous region called the Great Escarpment. The eastern range, called the Drakensberg, or Dragon's Mountain, is filled with jagged peaks, some more than 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) high.

Interestingly, South Africa has another country within its borders. Nestled in the Drakensberg is the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Much of South Africa's water comes from the snowcapped peaks of this tiny, landlocked nation.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Many different peoples make up South Africa, each with their own language and history. The country has 11 official languages and many more unofficial ones. This colorful mix of cultures gives South Africa its nickname "rainbow nation."

South Africans are passionate about music, often using song and dance to express social and political ideas. They're also known worldwide for their skill in sports, including rugby, cricket, golf, and soccer. In 2010, South Africa became the first African nation to host the World Cup.

From aardvarks to zebras, South Africa is full of wildlife. The country takes up only about one percent of Earth's land surface, but is home to almost 10 percent of the world's known bird, fish, and plant species and about 6 percent of its mammal and reptile species.

The seas around South Africa are also crowded with wildlife. About 2,000 marine species visit South African waters at some point during the year. There's also a world-famous sardine run off the east coast each June that draws thousands of hungry sharks, dolphins, and birds.

South Africa works to preserve its wildlife with dozens of protected land and marine areas, including the famous Kruger National Park in the north, as well as nearly 9,000 privately-owned game reserves throughout the country.

Nevertheless, many of South Africa's animals are hurt by illegal hunting and loss of habitat, and dozens of species are in danger of extinction, including the black rhinoceros, the cheetah, and the African wild dog.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

South Africa has been a democratic republic since holding its first truly open election on April 27, 1994. Natural resources, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing have made South Africa the largest economy on the continent. But problems with unemployment, poverty, and AIDS present huge challenges for the government.

In northern South Africa near Johannesburg, there is a cave formation called the Sterkfontein. Within these caves, archaeologists have uncovered some of the earliest human fossils ever found. Some are more than two million years old. The find earned the region the nickname "Cradle of Humankind."

About 24,000 years ago, tribes of hunter-gatherers known as the San, or Bushmen, began moving into South Africa. Many San still live, much as their ancestors did, around the Kalahari Desert in the northwest.

In the 1400s, European ships heading to the Far East began stopping on the South African coast for supplies. In 1652, the Netherlands established the southern city of Cape Town, and Dutch farmers, called Boers, began settling in the areas around the city.

In 1806, wars in Europe left the British in control of the Cape Town colony. In 1910, the British united four colonies in the region and created South Africa. They established laws that separated whites from black South Africans, a practice of segregation called apartheid, which led to decades of conflict.

In 1963, Nelson Mandela, head of the anti-apartheid African National Congress, was given a life sentence in jail for "terrorist" activities. In 1990, after 27 years behind bars, he was freed by President F.W. de Klerk. In 1994, Mandela was elected president of South Africa and served until 1999.

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Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus.

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Kids World Travel Guide

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Interesting Singapore Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Singapore Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: almost 6 million people live in Singapore (2023)

Capital: Singapore. It's a city state!

Name: Republic of Singapore

Government: Parliamentary Republic

Languages: English, Mandarin, Tamil, Malay

Religion: majority are Buddhists or Christians

Life expectancy: 82.6 years

Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (SGD) = 100 cents

National Colours: red and while

National Flag: The red stands for brotherhood and equality, the white for purity and virtue, while the crescent moon stands for the young nation on the rise and the five stars are the ideals which are followed: democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

National Symbols: 'Miss Vanda Joaquim orchid, the Merlion (half fish, half lion)

National Anthem: Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore)

History: Singapore was founded as a British colony by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819. During World War II, from 1942 - 1945, Singapore was occupied by Japan. It became independent in 1965. Much of the country is built on sand on reclaimed land. The sand is imported mainly from Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

National Day: 9 August

Where is Singapore? Singapore Map

Singapore is an island country on the Asian continent. The country is in Southeast Asia. The country's islands are located between Malaysia and Indonesia.

On the map below you can spot where Singapore is located in south eastern Asia. The country lies 137km / 85 miles north of the equator.

A flight from Singapore to Tokyo takes 8 hours, 13 hours to London/England, 12.5hours to New York/USA.

Singapore is roughly 3.5 times as big as the city of Washington D.C. in the USA.

Singapore is also slightly smaller than the Polynesian island country of Tonga in Oceania or the Caribbean island country of Dominica.

Singapore Facts | Singapore Geography

Singapore is a city state which is connected via a bridge and a freeway to the mainland of Malaysia.

However, Singapore is not only one island! 63 islands belong to the city state and are dotted around the Singapore coastline, most of these islands are inhabited.

The largest island (after the main island) is Sentosa in the south of the main island. Sentosa Island has many resorts and family entertainment centres such as the Universal Studios, Waterworld. The historic Fort Siloso is also on Sentosa Island. There are several lovely beaches for a fun day out or a relaxing couple of days after the hustle and bustle of the city.

The highest natural point of the Singaporean island is Bukit Timah Hill with 164 metres/538 ft.

Singapore Facts
How Singapore got its name

Singapore comes from the Sanskrit name 'Singapura' which means 'lion city'. The Merlion, the country's national symbol, has been inspired by the city's name.

Actually, the name Singapura was given to the city by a Sumatran prince who ruled in the region in the 14th century. This prince encountered a strange animal when hunting. At that time his advisors believed the prince spotted a lion. However, lions never lived in this region, but tigers! Until the 1930s, tigers could be found in the wild in Singapore, now you only can see one in the city's zoo.

Singapore Facts | Singapore Attractions

Here are our favourite Singapore attractions for kids:

Marina Bay with its Gardens on the Bay: fascination modern constructions and a huge nature park including two conservatories: the flower dome and cloud forest. And don't miss the fabulous Artscience Museum (shown below).

Jurong Bird Park: Admire the highest man-made waterfall (30 metres/ 98 ft high) and the numerous colourful birds and parrots in the huge aviary.

National Orchid Garden at the Botanical Garden: There are over 200 different orchid species, many are named after visitors such as Nelson Mandela, the Queen Elisabeth or even Jackie Chan!

Singapore Zoo: Don't miss a 'night safari' or 'breakfast with an orang-utan' in the zoo. The zoo is huge and over 1,000 animals can be seen at nighttime on a train ride through the parklike setting!

Bukit Timah Reserve: go for walks in this green jungle-like reserve where you can encounter monkeys, see turtles in the lake and admire the many different tree species. Actually in this nature reserve you will find more tree species than on the entire North American continent!

Singapore Grand Prix circuit: Singapore is famous for its F1 night races. But the races are so very loud, you have to protect your ears!

Visit the Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City. This is the largest fountain in the world! The huge towers around the fountain have been built in the form of a palm of a hand. This form is said to bring good fortune according to the traditions of Feng Shui.

Singapore Facts
Languages in Singapore

The official languages in Singapore are:

The national anthem's lyrics (text) are written in Malay. Almost all Singaporeans are bilingual, that means they speak English and another home language such as Malay or Mandarin or a Chinese dialect such as Hokkien.

The Singaporeans speak English with a local twist: 'Singlish' adds often a 'lah' or 'leh' at the end of a word.

Just try it out:

'Can lah' means 'Yes, it's possible.'

'Can can' means 'Yes, of course, let's do this'.

'I don know leh' means 'Somehow I do not know'

'I don need lah' means 'I really don't need this.'

'shiok' means 'cool' or 'great'

Singapore Facts |
Singapore People

Famous Singaporeans are:

Lee Kuan Yew, founding father of modern Singapore (1923 - 2015)

Ashley Islam, much celebrated fashion designer

Dick Lee, musician and Singapore's Idol judge. Listen here to his most famous song: 'Home'

Fann Wong, hollywood actress, played in 'Shanghai Nights'

Joseph Schooling, 21 year old swimmer who won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for Singapore in the 2016 olympics

Meeting friends and eating out at a food centre is a favourite past time for many Singaporeans. Singapore families like to spend their time together outdoors, skating or walking in East Coast Park or visiting any of the nature reserves of the islands.

Shopping is also a favourite past time for many Singaporeans, no wonder as Singapore is famous for its huge shopping malls along Orchard Road and the Marina Bay.

Teenagers love going to the movies or meeting up for fun karaoke sessions. Singaporean children have to study hard. Primary school usually last until 13h30 and then most kids attend extra lessons either at school or a tutoring centre and some come home only at dinner time.

Singaporean pupils are always involved in some kind of competition. In fact, Singaporean schools are record holders not only in having built the longest human domino chain, but many other records. The human chain was formed by 9234 students and was 4.2km/2.6 miles long! Another fabulous record was set by these students - building a 199.8 metre long coin chain spelling out these words:

'Never give up - your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.'

The Singaporeans love fun competitions. They also hold a world record in line dancing! 11,967 dancers participated in 2002 in this massive dance event. Read more about their fun school records here.

Singapore Festivals

Singapore Facts: The Singaporeans celebrate many festivals. Among the most popular are: Chinese New Year, Mid-autumn or Moon Festival, Christmas. For these celebrations, you will see everywhere thousands and thousands of lanterns and light decorations.

Chinese New Year is celebrated towards the end of January and in February. Here an image with typical Chinese New Year decorations in the city. In 2017, it was the 'Year of the Rooster', this is why they decorated the street crossing with this huge rooster!

2023 is celebrated as the 'Year of the Rabbit'.

Singapore Culture Tips

Chewing gum is prohibited in Singapore. You are not allowed to bring chewing gum into the country, otherwise you might get fined at customs.

October 1 is National Children's Day. On this day, children receive presents and treats - an a day off school on the Friday of this week!

When you are given a present in Singapore, receive it with both hands. Don't open the present straight away, it is polite to wait and to only open it later.

Always hand over things, such as money, gifts, credit card or business card with both hands. It is considered impolite if only one hand is used.

Singaporeans have good luck numbers: The lucky numbers are 2 and 8. So if you choose gifts, best to hand over two - or eight! And if you give children a money present on Chinese New year, think of these numbers!

Singapore Food

Singaporeans love to eat rice and rice noodle dishes. The Singaporean staple diet does not include dairy based dishes, but you will find many dishes including coconut or rice milk products.

Singaporeans love to eat out and there are many food courts or food centres all over the city. Here people come to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner or just visit for a snack during the day. Food courts are called hawker centres and the image below shows one of the most famous hawker centres in Singapore. It is called Lau Pa Sat.

Singapore Facts - Popular Singapore food:

Satay: grilled chicken or beef cubes on a stick served with peanut sauce available at many street stalls and hawker centres

Kaya Toast: popular snack or breakfast. Toast with coconut egg jam and sweet sugary topping

Roti Prata: fried flatbread served with vegetable or meet curries

Singapore Chili Crab: crab in very spicy chilli sauce

Ice Kejang: ice with red bean dessert - delicious!

Coconut Water drinks: we loved to get our fresh coconuts from the hawker centres at the East Coast park

Yu Shen Prosperity Noodles: Singaporean traditional dish to celebrate Chinese New Year

Animals in Singapore

Although Singapore is covered by large urban areas with houses and buildings, but there are more than 24 nature reserves and 5 nature parks in this tiny island nation. Wildlife in Singapore is varied and more than 390 animal species live in the nature reserves. See some animals here.

The biggest nature park, Chestnut Park, was opened in 2017 and it is bigger than 110 soccer fields! But this park is still only ¼ of the size of Central Park in New York/USA or ½ of the size of Hyde Park in London.

However, there are many hiking and biking trails in the parks in Singapore and along the city's coastline and you can encounter many bird species and of course, monkeys. But there are also some huge flying foxes in Singapore!

Singapore's flying foxes are the largest bats in the world! They have a wingspan of up to 1.5 metres/ 4.9 ft. However, these bats cannot be encountered in the busy city but on Pulau Ubin, one of the small islands of the Singapore coast.

Interesting Singapore Facts
Did you know...?

... that the lyrics (text) of the Singaporean anthem is printed on the back of the a Singapore Dollar note. The tiny text snippet is printed on the S$1000 note only!

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Singapore Facts for Kids | Useful Resources

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Picture credits on this page: Images by Shutterstock.com, top image for Singapore facts by Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com
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Singapore Facts for Kids | Geography | Food | People | Attractions

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Enjoy our Singapore Facts for Kids and learn about the tiny but powerful country in Southeast Asia, its geography, people, animals, food, attractions and more

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Dragon dances have been performed in China for over 2,000 years and are believed to bring about good fortune.

OFFICIAL NAME: People's Republic of China

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Communist state

CAPITAL: Beijing (Peking)

POPULATION: 1,397,897,720

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Standard Chinese, Mandarin

MONEY: Yuan (or renminbi)

AREA: 3,705,405 square miles (9,596,960 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Himalaya

MAJOR RIVERS: Yangtze, Yellow

Stretching 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) from east to west and 3,400 miles (5,500 kilometers) from north to south, China is a large country with widely varying landscapes. Its territory includes mountains, high plateaus, sandy deserts, and dense forests.

One-third of China's land area is made up of mountains. The tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, sits on the border between China and Nepal.

China has thousands of rivers. The Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers are the most important. At 3,915 miles (6,300 kilometers) long, the Yangtze is the world's third largest river.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

With a population of 1.4 billion, China has more people than any other country on Earth. About a third of the population lives in cities. The rest of the people live in the country.

Arts and crafts have a long history in China. Thousands of years ago the Chinese were some of the first people to use silk, jade, bronze, wood, and paper to make art. The artistic writing called calligraphy was invented in China.

Much of China's modern beliefs and philosophies are based on the teachings of a government official who lived nearly 3,000 years ago. Kongfuzi, also known as Confucius, taught people the value of such things as morality, kindness, and education.

China's diverse habitats are home to hundreds of species of animals and plants. More than 3,800 species of fish and hundreds of amphibians and reptile species live in the rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

China's forest wildlife is threatened by logging and clear-cutting (clearing the land of all trees) for farmland. Expanding deserts in the north also shrink animal habitats. The Chinese government has created more than 1,200 reserves to protect plant and animal species.

The giant panda lives in the misty mountains of southwest China and nowhere else on Earth. They eat bamboo and usually live near stands of the woody evergreen plant. Pandas have been hunted and only about 1,600 remain in the wild.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

China is an authoritarian state ruled by a very powerful central government. A huge workforce and lots of natural resources have driven economic change. This has forced the communist government to permit more economic and personal freedoms, but it has come at a huge cost to the environment.

Many experts predict that the 21st century will be the "Chinese century." Whether or not that proves to be true, there is no doubt that what happens in China will affect many other nations.

China is the home of one of the world's oldest civilizations, but it has only recently become a "modern" nation. In the last 20 years, China has changed faster than any other country in the world.

Chinese history is divided into dynasties, each of which marks the period when a line of emperors ruled. The first empire was the Qin dynasty and began in 221 B.C. The last emperor was overthrown in 1912, and China became a republic. The communist government began its rule in 1949 following a civil war with the Chinese Nationalists.

Ancient China was a land of invention. For centuries, China was way ahead of most other countries in science and technology, astronomy, and math. The Chinese invented paper, the magnetic compass, printing, porcelain, silk, and gunpowder, among other things.

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China Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Dragon dances have been performed in China for over 2,000 years and are believed to bring about good fortune.

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National Geographic Kids

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People have been living in Korea for at least 10,000 years. Archaeologists believe the ancestors of today's Koreans came from Mongolia and Siberia.

Korea's first kingdom was Old Chosun, which ruled the northwest and parts of China for more than 22 centuries. In 108 B.C. it was overthrown by Chinese armies, and three new kingdoms emerged: Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla. In the A.D. 660s, the Silla, with the help of Chinese troops, won control of the country.

By A.D. 901 Korea had once again broken into three kingdoms. In 936, a powerful noble named Wang Kon unified the country under the name Koryo. This kingdom lasted until 1392, when the Yi family seized the throne and began the Choson dynasty, which ruled until 1910.

The first Europeans to reach Korea were sailors on a Dutch merchant ship that ran aground on Jeju Island in 1656. They were held prisoner for 13 years, but one man escaped and returned home. His tales inspired European traders to go to Korea, but their ships were banned from Korean ports until the 19th century.In 1894, Japan and China sent soldiers to put down an uprising in Korea. Afterward, they and Russia fought for control of Korea, which Japan won in 1910. When Japan lost in World War II, its territories, including Korea, were taken over by the Allies. Soviet troops occupied the north while U.S. troops stayed in the south.In 1950, the communists in the north invaded the south, sparking the beginning of the Korean War. The war raged until 1953, and more than 2.5 million Koreans, Americans, Chinese, and others died. The war was never officially ended, and the Koreas remain divided.

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People have been living in Korea for at least 10,000 years. Archaeologists believe the ancestors of today's Koreans came from Mongolia and Siberia. Korea's first kingdom was Old Chosun, which ruled the northwest and parts of China for more than 22 centuries. In 108 B.C.

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National Geographic Kids

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Vietnam is a long, narrow nation shaped like the letter 's'.

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National Geographic Kids

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Without the Nile River, all of Egypt would be desert.

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National Geographic Kids

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Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa.

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National Geographic Kids

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FAST FACTS
Official Name: Russian Federation
Form of Government: Federation
Capital: Moscow
Population: 142,470,272
Official Language: Russian
Money: Ruble
Area: 6,592,772 square miles (17,075,200 square kilometers)
Major Mountain Ranges: Ural, Altay
Major Rivers: Amur, Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Volga, Yenisey

GEOGRAPHY
Russia, the largest country in the world, occupies one-tenth of all the land on Earth. It spans 11 time zones across two continents (Europe and Asia) and has coasts on three oceans (the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic).

The Russian landscape varies from desert to frozen coastline, tall mountains to giant marshes. Much of Russia is made up of rolling, treeless plains called steppes. Siberia, which occupies three-quarters of Russia, is dominated by sprawling pine forests called taigas.

Russia has about 100,000 rivers, including some of the longest and most powerful in the world. It also has many lakes, including Europe's two largest: Ladoga and Onega. Lake Baikal in Siberia contains more water than any other lake on Earth.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE
There are about 120 ethnic groups in Russia who speak more than a hundred languages. Roughly 80 percent of Russians trace their ancestry to the Slavs who settled in the country 1,500 years ago. Other major groups include Tatars, who came with the Mongol invaders, and Ukrainians.

Russia is known all over the world for its thinkers and artists, including writers like Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, composers such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and ballet dancers including Rudolf Nureyev.

NATURE
As big as Russia is, it's no surprise that it is home to a large number of ecosystems and species. Its forests, steppes, and tundras provide habitat for many rare animals, including Asiatic black bears, snow leopards, polar bears, and small, rabbit-like mammals called pikas.

Russia's first national parks were set up in the 19th century, but decades of unregulated pollution have taken a toll on many of the country's wild places. Currently, about one percent of Russia's land area is protected in preserves, known as zapovedniks.

Russia's most famous animal species is the Siberian tiger, the largest cat in the world. Indigenous to the forests of eastern Russia, these endangered giants can be 10 feet (3 meters) long, not including their tail, and weigh up to 600 pounds (300 kilograms).

Ruble

Photograph by Shutterstock

GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMY
Russia's history as a democracy is short. The country's first election, in 1917, was quickly reversed by the Bolsheviks, and it wasn't until the 1991 election of Boris Yeltsin that democracy took hold.

Russia is a federation of 86 republics, provinces, territories, and districts, all controlled by the government in Moscow. The head of state is a president elected by the people. The economy is based on a vast supply of natural resources, including oil, coal, iron ore, gold, and aluminum.

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FAST FACTS Official Name: Russian Federation Form of Government: Federation Capital: Moscow Population: 142,470,272 Official Language: Russian Money: Ruble Area: 6,592,772 square miles (17,075,200 square kilometers) Major Mountain Ranges: Ural, Altay Major Rivers: Amur, Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Volga, Yenisey GEOGRAPHY Russia, the largest country in the world, occupies one-tenth of all the land on Earth.

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https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/australia-facts.html

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Here are some interesting Australia Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Name: Commonwealth of Australia

Government: Democracy

Population: About 26.4 million (2023)

Urban Population: 90%

Capital: Canberra with 472,000 people

Language: English

Unemployment: 12%

Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($) = 100 cents

Religion: mainly Christians

Timezones: 3

National Symbols: Golden wattle (flower), opal (gemstone), green and gold (colours) and the Commonwealth Star (a seven-pointed star)

National Animals: Kangaroo, emu

National Holiday: 26 January (Australia Day)

National Anthem: Advance Australia Fair

Australia Geography
Australia Maps

Australia is an island country in the Southern hemisphere and belongs to Oceania/Australia. Australia is referred to as country and as continent as the country sits on its own continental shelf. The country is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Australia is the smallest continent of the seven continents. The continent is often referred to as Oceania. Australia is one of the largest countries in the world while Greenland is considered the biggest island in the world.

Australia is also the driest inhabited continent of the world.

Did you know that Australia is the largest country in the Southern hemisphere and the largest country without land borders?

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, after Russia, Canada, USA, China and Brazil.

The country is divided into six states (Southern Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania) and two self-governing territories: Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory (which is around Canberra, the capital city).

The country's interior consists of arid and semi-arid areas which are referred to as 'outback'. About 70% of Australia are outback, while the coastal plains are more fertile and house the majority of Australia's population. About 35% of Australia's land area are covered by deserts.

Most of Australia's population live in the eastern and southern parts of the country and along the coastline.

Australia is roughly the same size as the USA without the states of California and Texas.

Australia belongs to the Commonwealth countries. Read more here.

10 Australia Superlatives

1. The highest mountain of Australia is Mount Kosciuszko with 2,228 m/ 7,310 ft. This mountain is in the Great Dividing Range.

2. The Great Dividing Range is the longest mountain range in Australia stretching over 3,500 km/ 2,175 miles.

3. Uluru, previously referred to also as Ayers Rock, is located in the centre of the country and is the largest alone standing rock in the world.

4. The longest river of Australia is the Murray River with 2,508 km/ 1,558 miles.

5. The Great Barrier Reef in Eastern Australia is the biggest coral reef system in the world. The reef consists of more than 3,000 reefs and 900 islands. The Barrier Reef is home to over 350 species of corals and over 1,500 species of fish.

6. Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal.

7. Sydney is Australia's biggest city with more than 5 million inhabitants.

8. Australia's largest desert is the Great Victoria Basin which covers most of Western Australia and South Australia.

9. New South Wales is the most populous state of Australia. 65% of the country's population live in New South Wales.

10. The largest state of Australia is Western Australia.

More about the most famous Landmarks of Australia here.
Australia Facts | Australian Cities

The biggest cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. These cities are all located at the coast or close to the coast and are the only metropolitan cities in Australia with more than one million inhabitants.

Canberra is Australia's capital city and the only major city of the country further away from the coast. Canberra is located about 150 km/ 93 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean coastline and about 280 km/ 173 miles to the southwest of Sydney.
Read more about Australia's landmarks and attractions.
Australia Facts: Sydney is Australia's largest city with about 5 million inhabitants, which means that about 20% of all Australians live in this metropolitan city.

The main city in the country's interior is Alice Springs while Darwin is the biggest city in the Northern Territory.

Australia Facts
Australia Attractions for Kids

There are many great attractions in the country. Some of these are - listed in alphabetical order:

Adelaide: the main city in South Australia is home to about half a million people. Adelaide is surrounded by fertile agricultural land and wine regions. Did you know that Adelaide is also known for one of the largest Christmas parades in the world?

Arnhem Land: The Northern Territory is home to a large population of aboriginal people who have a deep spiritual connection with the land and proudly will share their experiences with visitors.

Australian Alps: Experience mountain landscapes with snowy mountain tops even in summer and enjoy the fascinating remote wilderness. There are lovely hiking tracks especially near lake Jindabyne.

Brisbane: the city with over two million inhabitants is the centre of the Australian Gold Coast with numerous resorts for an exciting beach holiday and a bit further to the north, there is the wonderful coral reef you cannot miss!

Great Barrier Reef: The world's largest coral reef is great for snorkelling and diving. Cairns is a popular beach resort town on the Northern Coast and Lady Elliott Island and Hamilton Island are wonderful family holiday islands.

Melbourne: The second largest city of Australia is the main city of the state of Victoria and has lots of trendy restaurants, shops and art galleries along the Yarra River.

Kakadu National Park: Experience the excitement of a real jungle in Australia's biggest national park and one of the world's most unique forests and woodlands and one of Australia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There you can also admire the Northern Territories highest waterfalls, the Jim Jim Falls.

Perth: The biggest city in Western Australia also housing about two million people is known for its cultural scene and is close to lovely Fremantle which has historic quarters to explore. And don't forget Rottnest Island where you can meet the friendly quokkas, the unique wallabies. Read more here.

Pinnacles Desert Park: Hundreds of limestone pinnacles can be seen in Nambung National Park in Western Australia. There you can also spot wild emus.
To read about Australian landmarks and the Top 10 Visitor Attractions in Australia, click here
Australia Facts | Australian People

Australia's first or indigenous people, are usually referred to as the aboriginal people of Australia. They make up 2% of Australia's population today. The indigenous Australians are said to be direct descendants of migrants from Africa who left the African continent about 75,000 years ago. They have migrated over the Australasian continent until they settled in Australia around 60,000 years ago.

Today aboriginal people live in all main cities in Australia but most of them still live in the desert areas of the Australian outback. On the image above, you can see a man playing the didgeridoo, a kind of wooden trumpet, which is really difficult to play. The aboriginal people are highly skilled in arts and crafts and share with visitors their vast knowledge about the land and the environment.

The 'outback' is the vast, dry and remote inland parts of the Australian continent. Some aboriginal people live still in the sacred area around Uluru, a huge rock formation in the centre of the continent.

Uluru was formerly referred to as Ayers Rock. Many groups of aboriginal people also live in the Northern Territory in Kakadu National Park, which they call 'Arnhem Land', the land of their ancestors.

Australia Facts | Australian Animals

Australia is home to many animal species. In fact, Australia houses more than 10% of the world's biodiversity (animals and plant varieties).

Among the most well-known Australian animals are kangaroos, wombats, koalas and the dingos.

Roadsigns in Australia warn drivers about wild animals mainly kangaroos that might cross the roads.

Kangaroos are marsupials, which means, they carry their babies in their pouches. See the cute little joey (this is how baby kangaroos are called).

Wombats are also marsupials. Wombats have sharp teeth, but are herbivores. This means they eat grasses, bark and roots. Wombats are mainly night-active, but can also be seen out looking for food on cool and overcast days, such as this wombat on the picture below.

Read more about the fascinating Australian wildlife on our special page here.
Australia Facts | Australia Quiz
Test your knowledge

Read more about Australia Popular Pages

We hope you enjoyed these updated Australian facts:-)
Image credits on Australia Facts: Shutterstock.com and own images

Resources for Australia Facts Page:
Return from Australia Facts to KidsWorldTravelGuide Homepage

Central Intelligence Agency. "Australia." World Fact Book. Last update 21 June 2023. Last accessed 30 June 2023

The Commonwealth. "Australia Facts." Commonwealth Secretariat. Last accessed 30 June 2023

The Nature Conservancy. "Meet the Quokka." NatureAustralia.org. Last accessed 30 June 2023

Tammy Solonec. Why saying 'Aborigine' isn't ok. 8 Facts about indigenous people in Australia. Amnesty International. 9 August 2015. Last accessed 30 June 2023

Australia Government. Australia Covid and Travel Information. www.australia.gov.au. Last accessed 30 June 2023

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Australia Facts for Kids | Australia for Kids | Geography | Animals

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Our Australia Facts for Kids inform about Australian superlatives, attractions and people, Australian animals and so much more

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Europe
is romantic sunset views is iconic landscapes is dramatic landmarks

Cities

Image by Colm Keating / 500px Images Image by Xavier Arnau / Getty Images Image by Rudy Denoyette / 500px Images

Welcome to France

France seduces travellers with its unfalteringly familiar culture, woven around cafe terraces, village-square markets and lace-curtained bistros with their plat du jour (dish of the day) chalked on the board.

Read More

Highlights in France

Experience France

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Biking surges in popularity worldwide

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France's best sights and local secrets, from travel experts you can trust. | France seduces travellers with its unfalteringly familiar culture, woven around cafe terraces, village-square markets and lace-curtained bistros with their plat du jour (dish of the day) chalked on the board.

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Explore Turkey holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. | A richly historical land with some of the best cuisine you will ever taste, scenery from beaches to mountains and the great city of İstanbul.

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Click the menus along the top of the website to learn different things about Kenya, like what to eat, where to stay, weather, etc...

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The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for Kenya, Africa - Local News & Top Things to Do

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Here are some interesting facts about South Africa for kids which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

South Africa Facts | Country Facts

Population: 60 million people live in South Africa (2023)

Capital city: Pretoria has 3 million inhabitants. Pretoria's nickname is "The Jacaranda City" due to the many jacaranda trees. In South Africa, the city is referred to as 'Tshwane' as the municipality changed its name in 2007. However, South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein

Name: Republic of South Africa

Government: Democracy

Languages: 12 official languages: isiZulu, Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa, siSwati, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Sepedi, isiNdebele, Setswana, Tshivenda, sign language

Religion: mainly Christians and Muslims, but also Jews and other faiths.

Currency: 1 South African Rand (ZAR) = 100 Cents

History: South Africa was colonised by British, Dutch suffered from Apartheid. Nelson Mandela came free from prison and became the first democratically elected leader in South Africa in 1994.

South Africa for Kids
South Africa Geography

South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent.

South Africa shares borders with six countries: Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe in the North, and Mozambique in the East, as well as with Eswatini and Lesotho.

South Africa encloses two landlocked African countries which are Eswatini (formerly called Swaziland) and Lesotho. Both these countries are kingdoms.

South Africa is about as big as the land area of France and Spain combined or twice the size of the state of Texas/ USA.

It takes a 12-hour flight from London/England to fly to Johannesburg or a 12-hour flight from Singapore and it takes more than 17 hours from New York/USA.

In South Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet off the Southern Cape coast.

The southernmost point in South Africa is, however, at Cape Agulhas which is roughly 120 km/ 75 miles to the east of Cape Town.

In the image to the right, however, you see Cape Point, the southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula.

South Africa for Kids
Geography

South Africa has various mountain ranges such as the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, the Magaliesberg or the Cederberg mountains.

There is a narrow coastal stretch and in the interior of the country, you will find a high plateau.

The highest mountain in South Africa is Mafadi Peak, which is on the border to Lesotho. Mafadi Peak is 3,450 m/ 11,319 ft high.

In the north of the country, you will find the Kalahari Desert which borders neighbouring countries Namibia and Botswana. The Kalahari is part of the 'highveld', the highlands of the country.

Johannesburg is the largest city of South Africa and lies on this plateau at 1,700 m/ 5,577 ft above sea level. However, most of the bigger cities such as Cape Town and Durban are located near the coast in low-lying areas.

The longest river in South Africa is the Orange River which forms also part of the border between Namibia from South Africa.

In the mountain ranges of the Drakensberg region, there is snow in winter and you even could go skiing in South Africa. Tiffindell is the most popular winter resort town. Sometimes also the higher mountain tops in the Western Cape near Cape Town receive some snow in winter. But there is no snow in the city or in the towns along the coastline. Although the snow might be enough for a snowball fight, it certainly is not enough to go skiing.

Did you know, that the Tugela Falls in South Africa are the second-highest waterfalls in the world?

The country name is often displayed as ZA which means and is Afrikaans for South Africa.

South Africa for Kids:
South Africa Attractions

Cape Town: Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, beaches. More about Cape Town attractions here.

Kruger National Park for safaris and great wildlife viewing

Sun City near Pretoria for fun and games galore with amazing wave pool and lots of things to do for the whole family

Addo National Park near Port Elizabeth for elephant-spotting

Durban for surfing and great beaches and the KwaZulu-Natal midlands for some insights into South African history

iSimangeliso (formerly St Lucia Wetlands) for wildlife viewing and unspoilt nature

Drakensberg Mountains for hiking and nearby Lesotho for skiing in Africa

South Africa for Kids: Animals

Wildlife in South Africa is abundant. There are many species of antilope such as kudu, springbok, wildebeest, impala, oryx and gemsbok. When you go on safari you can see many other South African animals like lions, elephants, giraffes and monkeys.

South Africa is home to the African Penguins and the Great White Sharks live in the ocean waters here too. Sometimes beaches are closed for bathing due to the sharks in the bays. Many beaches have shark nets. Remember to only swim in the sea where there are lifeguards on duty.

Whale watching is very popular in South Africa too and you will encounter an enormous sea life in South Africa when you go on a boat trip.

South Africa for Kids
South Africa People

South Africa is often called the 'Rainbow Nation', because there are so many different languages are spoken and different cultural traditions are lived. Below you see people of the Ndebele tribe.

South Africa is often called "The Cradle of Humankind", because archaeological artefacts, tools and human remains proof that people lived in the area more than 100,000 years ago.

The ancient San and the Khoi were the early African civilizations settling the Cape. There are only few descendants of the local San people living in remote areas in the Karoo desert and near the Cape West Coast.

The biggest South African population group, the Zulu, mainly live in rural settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, they even have a king.

Portuguese, Dutch, British, French and German explorers have traveled and populated southern Africa in the 17 th and 18 th century and therefore you can find many European influences in South Africa too.
Read more about the 11 official languages in South Africa and learn some fun South African slang words here.
Nowadays most of the people in South Africa live in or near the big cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. The rural areas are still very poor and also in the cities many people live in shantytowns or townships.

Johannesburg is the largest city and the main industrial and economic hub, while Cape Town and Durban are also large cities with more than 1 million inhabitants.

Did you know that in South Africa, cars drive on the left side of the road as they do in the UK and Australia? However, all distance and speed signs are in metres and kilometres and km/ hour and not as in England in yards and miles and miles/ hour!

South Africa for Kids
Food in South Africa

The food the people eat in South Africa is very diverse. The South African staple food for the locals is 'mealies', which is corn, and seasonal vegetables, like potatoes, beans, carrots and peas.

South Africans love their meat and game meat such as kudu and springbok are common. However, most people eat beef, chicken, lamb and ostrich with their meals. The people in South Africa love a BBQ (here called 'braai') and almost every house has got a fireplace which is called 'braai-place'.

Typical South African food:

biltong: a cured and dried meat that is a typical South African snack and similar to beef jerky. Kids love to take this as snack to school.

boerewors: Afrikaans for 'farmers sausage', is often put on the grill, formed in a curl (see image)

Read more about South African traditional food here.
Did you know that...?

... most people speak at least two or three languages, one of them usually English or Afrikaans.

... South Africa has really three capital cities. The powers are distributed between Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. The parliament meets for six months in Pretoria and the other half of the year in Cape Town.

We hope you enjoyed our information on South Africa for Kids. Read also our top 15 South Africa facts even locals often do not know here.

Popular Pages

Resources: South Africa for Kids

Central Intelligence Agency. "South Africa". WorldFactBook. Last updated 8 March 2022. Last accessed 30 March 2022

Nelson Mandela Foundation. "Mandela Day." NelsonMandelaFoundation. Last accessed 30 March 2022

South African History Online. People and Culture of South Africa. SAHistory.org. Last accessed 30 March 2022.

South African Government. "Geography and Climate" Last accessed 30 March 2022.

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Dress for the weather

Singapore's tropical climate means it's like summer all year round, with temperatures ranging from 26-34 degrees Celsius (about 78-93 degrees Fahrenheit) on average. The high humidity also means a lot of perspiration when outdoors, so pick the right clothing to wear or risk looking like a sweaty, frazzled mess throughout your trip. Plan your outdoor activities for cooler mornings, and urban walks at night when the lights come on. An umbrella is also essential, as this tropical climate swings from blistering sunshine to torrential downpours in a matter of minutes.

Be prepared to spend a little more

Singapore is ranked as one of the more expensive cities globally and traveling here can tax your budget more than exploring its Southeast Asian neighbors. However, the extra fees may be worth it because it's small enough to explore adequately in a short amount of time, and has modern conveniences and infrastructure right at your fingertips. There are plenty of free and cheap things to do for budget-conscious travelers, but ultimately, the cost of living here can be a bit shocking, especially if you arrive after spending time in the surrounding region.

Save on food at hawker centres

An easy way to save money is to skip the hipster cafes and fancy restaurants and head to the local hawker centres for a meal, where you can find Singapore's most authentic cuisine -when in doubt, just join the stall that has the longest queue. Hawker food is usually cheaper than the food in air-conditioned food courts and the centres are typically further from tourist areas, so sweating outside may be worth it. Those concerned about hygiene standards should look out for the colored placards, from A (the best) to D (a risk), displayed at each stall.

Public transport is cheap, convenient, and safe

The cheapest and easiest way to get around Singapore is via their extensive public transport system that is modern and well-maintained. Pick up a stored value EZ-Link card to use on the buses and subways; tap the reader at the start and end of your journey to automatically deduct your fare, and use apps to tell you exactly how to get to a specific location. Taxis are all metered, but you can also use ride-sharing apps like Grab if you'd rather not worry about local currency. Bike-sharing is also growing in popularity and a cheap way to get around.

An airport you want a long layover in

Consistently ranked as one of the top airports in the world, Singapore's Changi Airport is where you want to be if you have to suffer through a long layover. With the downtown area just half an hour away from the airport by public transport, it's easy for you to see the main sights quickly on your own, or if you have at least a six-hour layover, you can even join a free city tour. If you'd rather relax, know that the airport is so well-loved that locals enjoy spending their weekends here; check out their many gardens, free movie screenings, and even a swimming pool.

Know the rules

Singapore is well known for its many laws and regulations. Actions like spitting in the street, tossing your cigarette butt into a drain, or sticking your chewing gum on public property may result in a fine if you get caught. Most of the laws are common sense rules, but know that you may face harsh punishments that include incarceration and caning when it comes to infractions like vandalism. You may even face the death penalty for drug-related offences. Despite this hard stance on crime, Singapore is often rated as one of the safest countries in the world.

Partying and smoking is expensive

Singapore places a very high tax on alcohol, so getting a drink or buying a bottle in any nightlife establishment or restaurant is an expensive affair. Save money by scoping out the best happy hour deals, or get your own booze for a house party from the supermarkets for cheaper; make sure to do so before 10:30 p.m. when shops stop selling liquor. Cigarettes are also expensive in Singapore, and it's harder to smoke in public, as smoking has been banned in restaurants, clubs, and a fixed perimeter around most public transport areas; look out for the yellow smokers' box to see where you can take a legal puff.

Know the customs rules and duty-free concessions

If you're trying to get around the expensive alcohol and tobacco taxes, study the duty-free concessions, as Singapore is strict about what you can bring in, and you may face stiff fines if you're caught not following the rules. For alcohol, you can buy one liter each of spirits, wine and beer, or two liters of wine, plus one liter of beer, and vice versa. There is no concession on tobacco products; you can bring in one already-opened packet, but everything else is taxable, while e-tobacco products are banned.

Safety is high and corruption is low

In general, Singapore enjoys high safety standards. Crime is generally low, it's safe to be out on your own late at night, and bribery and corruption are not a problem. Still, you should use common sense when traveling in a cosmopolitan city, just as you would at home. For example, don't leave your items unattended.

Additional tipping not necessary

Tipping culture is not customary in Singapore and service staff generally don't expect tips, though it's welcome if you want to reward excellent service. Smaller shops and hawker centres usually charge an all-inclusive "net" fee, while there is a 7% goods and services tax for most services in shops. When it comes to dining, cafes, restaurants, and bars, you'll often be charged an additional 10% service charge on top of your bill; look for a "plus-plus" or "++" symbol on your menu.

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Survival Guide: Top 10 Tips For Traveling To Singapore

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Singapore's tropical climate means it's like summer all year round, with temperatures ranging from 26-34 degrees Celsius (about 78-93 degrees Fahrenheit) on average. The high humidity also means a lot of perspiration when outdoors, so pick the right clothing to wear or risk looking like a sweaty, frazzled mess throughout your trip.

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Here are some interesting China Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

China Facts for Kids

Population: more than 1.423 billion people live in China (2023). The majority of the people live in cities and towns.

Capital: Beijing with 21 million inhabitants is not only China's capital city but also the second biggest city after Shanghai.

Name: People's Republic of China (PRC)

Government: Republic, communist state

Languages: Mandarin or Standard Chinese (official language), while Cantonese (Yue) and Shanghainese (Wu) are among other most spoken languages

Literacy: More than 96% can read and write.

Religion: No main religion, as religious memberships are not supported by the government. Main religions are Buddhist (18%), Christian 5%, Muslim 1.8%, Taoist, Hindu and Folk Religions (22%)

Flag colors: red with five golden stars

National day: 1 October - in 1949 the People's Republic of China was formed

National symbols: dragon and giant panda

National colours: red and yellow

National anthem: 'March of the Volunteers'

History: For many centuries, China has been one of the most advanced civilisations accomplishing major scientific and artistic treasures. The Xia and Shang dynasties are considered as the oldest Chinese civilisations. Over the centuries many emporors ruled the country, the last emperor of China, the last ruler of the Qing dynasty, was Pu Yi who abdicted in 1912. In the 20th century the world was shaken by bloody wars and from 1937-1945 Japan occupied large industrial areas in China and took over the Chinese government. Since 1949 the Communist Party of China rules the country. The president of the People's Republic of China is Xi Jinping - since 2013.

Where is China? - China Map

China is located in the eastern parts of Asia and is the largest country that is entirely situated in Asia.

Chinaborders 14 countries.The countries bordering China are: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar (formerly called Burma), Laos, Vietnam and North Korea (you will find them on the map below).

China has 23 provinces including the island of Taiwan.

(Please note: Taiwan is an independent country and has its own currency and government. Taiwan is officially called "Republic of China", but not part of China, however, China sees Taiwan as part of the country and as a rebel province as Taiwan is not recognised as a sovereign state by the UN.)

There are also two SARs, which are Special Administrative Regions, that have some autonomy: Hong Kong and Macau in southern China.

China for Kids | China Geography

China is the fourth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada and the USA.

Although China is so large, there is only one timezone!

Most people in China live in the eastern parts of the country, the western parts are only sparsely populated.

The Pacific Ocean forms the natural border in the east and southeast and southwest of the country. In the west, there are the Himalayas, which is the highest mountain range in the world.

Most of the western parts of the country lie on the Tibetan mountainous plateau. In fact, mountains make up the majority of the landscape, dominating over 70% of the landmass.

The huge country has many different climate zones ranging from tropic zones to arctic zones.

In the north, there is the vast Gobi Desert. Deserts make up about 20% of the country.

China Facts | China Superlatives

China is the second most populous country in the world as it is home to almost one fifth of the world population.

The highest mountain on the border with China is the Mount Everest, the world's highest mountains, with 8,848 metres (29,000ft).

The longest river in China is the Yangtze River with over 6,300km (3,914miles) in length. This is also Asia's longest river.

China has the world's longest sea-crossing bridge. The Hongkong to Zhuhai-Macao bridge was opened to traffic in October 2018.

The Gobi Desert which stretches over China and Mongolia is the largest desert in Asia.

China Facts
Attractions for Kids

Great Wall of China: Walk along parts of the over 8,850 km/ 5,500 miles long Great Wall which once was the border of the old Chinese empire. The wall stretches across China from the Korean border into the Gobi desert. This is the longest wall in the world and newer archeological findings report that the entire defence works including the Great Wall and all its branches stretches over 21,000 km/ 13,000 miles! Did you know, that the name in ancient Chinese actually meant 'The 10,000-Mile Long Wall' or 'Incredibly Long Wall'?

Terracotta Warriors: See the over 5000 sculptures of life-size soldiers, made from terracotta, in Xian. The sculptures which are on one of the world's most famous archeological sites, are older than 2,000 years.

Forbidden City in Beijing: The Forbidden City houses the Palace museum with the Chinese Imperial Palace and the Summer Palace, that were still used until 1911.

Potala Palace in Lhasa/Tibet: This is where every Dalai Lama has held his official residence until the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950

Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve near Chengdu: See the pandas in their natural habitat and visit the breeding and research centre to learn more about the endangered pandas.

Guilin: The rough limestone karst mountains along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo are very picturesque. People enjoy rafting on river.

'The Bund' in Shanghai: Shanghai is the largest and most populated Chinese city with the busiest port in the world. The Bund is the megacity's main shopping and business district.

Hong Kong: Visit Victoria Harbour. Enjoy the amazing views of the skyscrapers along the shoreline or get to the top of Victoria Peak and have a bird's eye view of the city and the harbour.

Read more about awesome China family attractions and Chinese landmarks here: Landmarks in China
China Facts | Chinese People

Almost one in five people on our earth live in China, while the country is smaller than the USA. The Chinese government lifted the one-child policy in 2016, now Chinese parents are allowed to have two children.

China surpassed India in population numbers in April 2023.

Many Chinese live in the 'megacities' of the country. Megacities are cities with more than 10 million inhabitants. Six of the 33 megacities in the world are located in China.

In rural areas the living standard is still very poor and many people live there live in huts or along the rivers in stilt houses.

The Chinese love music and opera plays, although the voices of the Chinese opera singers may sound strange to our ears.

Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, is the biggest celebration on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar start at the end of January/early February each year and every year another animal sign symbolises the strength and the weaknesses. There are 12 zodiac/animal signs and thus every 12 years the animals signs start over again. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Read more here. 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon.

Children look very much forward to the Chinese New Year celebrations which are two weeks long celebrations over the new year when they get gifts, often money wrapped in red envelopes or red packets, from family and friends. Popular 'Lion Dances' also take place during this time. The dragon is the most celebrated symbol of prosperity and strength.
Which zodiac sign are you? Read more about the Chinese New Year celebrations here.

China Facts | Chinese Language

Although Mandarin Chinese is the official language, in many regions other languages are spoken such as Cantonese, Shanghainese, Hainanese or Mongolian.

The Chinese writing is done from top to bottom in little symbols or signs, called 'characters' of which an adult usually knows about 8,000 different characters. With 13 years most Chinese children can read and write 3,000 characters.

Some Chinese words good to know:

Ni hao! means Hello!

Xie Xie means Thank You

Gong Xi Fa Cai means Happy Chinese New Year

China Facts | Chinese Food

The traditional diet in China contains low amounts of protein such as meats or dairy products. Many Chinese dishes are vegetable and soya based. Chinese often eat/drink soup for breakfast and rice based dishes are eaten throughout the day.

Soy, vegetable and rice products are the most common ingrediences in Chinese dishes. Chinese mainly eat with chopsticks and drink their soups instead of eating them with a spoon as we do. Here is some typical Chinese food:

Springrolls: The fried rice paper rolls are surely the most famous food export

Chow Mein: stir-fried egg noodles with chicken strips

Tofu: soy bean curd used in many dishes

Sweet and sour pork: fried cubed pork and fried vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce often made with capsicum peppers and pineapple

Peking Duck: duck roast with crispy thin skin, often served with plum sauce

Dim Sum: Steamed dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables
Read more about Chinese Food on our new special page here: Food in China
China Facts | China Animals
Read more about endangered animals in China on our special page here: Animals in China
There are many endangered animal species living in China. Among them are the Giant Panda, the South Chinese Tiger and the Chinese Alligator.

China economy

China is part of the BRICS countries - together with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. China is already considered a world superpower by many. China's economic strength rivals that of the USA and the USA.

The country is rich in natural resources and the top producer of aluminium and iron ore, cobalt, graphite and processed copper among other minerals.

The huge Asian country is also the world's top producer of rice and beer!

The main trading partners are the USA, Japan, Australia and Germany.

Popular Pages

China Facts | Resources

Central Intelligence Agency. "China" CIAWorldFactBook. Last updated 15 August 2023. Last accessed 23 August 2023

BBC News. "World's longest sea crossing". BBC. 23 October 2018. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Maggie Hiufu Wong. "China's Top Megacities". CNN World. Updated 6 March 2019. Accessed 23 August 2023

Miriam Hoffmann. "China Family Adventure". Last accessed 2 February 2022. Great resources to learn more about China can be found on this site. The informative and well laid out website is written and maintained by a Chinese expat and her children and gives comprehensive information and important China facts.

China Highlights. Another good site for China facts and information the main attractions of China is this one. Click here. Last accessed 23 August 2023

View some great images of the Great Wall on the page of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre here. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Also find good info on TravelChinaGuide on the Great Wall here. Last accessed 23 August 2023

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Feel free to contact us if you or your school would like to join in our schools project. Looking forward to hearing from u! And enjoy learning more great China Facts soon:-)

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Seoul Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia (4K)

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Vietnam's best sights and local secrets from travel experts you can trust. | A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling.

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Here are some interesting Russia Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: roughly 144 million people (2023)

Capital: Moscow with almost 13 million inhabitants

Name: Russian Federation; short: Russia/ Rossiya

Government: federation with an authoritarian regime where the leader does not allow any protest actions against him or his government

President: Vladimir Putin

Official Language: Russian

Literacy: More than 99% can read and write.

Religion: Russian-Orthodox 20%, Muslim 15%, Christians 2%, many Russians are non-believers

National Holiday: 12 June (Russia Day)

History: The Russian Federation was created on 25 December 1991

National symbols: national anthem, coat of arms and national flag (white - blue - red). National animals: bear and the double-headed eagle. National flower: camomile

Russia Facts
Where is Russia? Russia Map

Russia stretches from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia. The country thus is a intercontinental country as it is located on both continents, the European and the Asian continents.

Russia is the largest country in the world by land area and the ninth most populous country in the world.

The 14 countries bordering Russia are: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and North Korea. The longest border is shared with China.

The country borders the Baltic Sea as well as the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea and the Siberian Sean and the Bering Sea in the furthest east.

Russia has an enclave in the Baltic, Kaliningrad which formerly was Königsberg. The Kaliningrad enclave is located between Poland and Lithuania. Kaliningrad's port is the only one of Russia's ports that is ice-free in winter!

Russia Facts | Russia Geography

Russia is a huge country that is double the size of Australia and about 1.8 times as big as the USA. Westernmost part of Russia is more populated than the other parts of Russia and it is in the western regions of Russia that most cities and towns are found.

Almost half of the country is covered in forests, however, only 14% are suitable for agricultural land due to the harsh climate.

In general, the climate is either too dry or too cold so agriculture is not possible in many regions. The climate ranges from steppe in the South to subarctic in Siberia and tundra in the polar North.

12 Russian Geo Superlatives

Here some Russia facts and geo superlatives:

Russia is the biggest country in the world and borders 14 countries. The longest border is shared with China.

Russia has more than 37,600 km (23,300 miles) of coast line.

Moscow is the largest city of the country with about 13 million inhabitants.

The highest mountain in Russia is Mount Elbrus with 5,642 m/ 15,510 ft. This is also Europe's highest mountain.

The Ural mountain ridge is the longest mountain ridge in Russia with more than 2,000 km/ 1,242 miles long and runs from North to South in the western part of Russia.

Ural's highest peak is called Narodnaja Gora and is 1,894 m/ 6,217 ft high.

The Volga is Russia's and Europe's longest river with 3,530 km/ 2,190 miles. The Volga river mouth is in the Caspian Sea.

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest lake. Russia shares this huge salt lake with Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan. This inland sea is located to the east of the Caucasus region.

The deepest lake in the world is Lake Baikal. The Russian refer to it as the 'Blue Eye of Siberia'. Lake Baikal is the biggest water reservoir in the world holding one fifth of the world's freshwater reserves. Lake Baikal holds more water than North America's Great Lakes combined!

The Lakhta Centre, owned by Gazprom, is the highest building in Russia and one of the highest skyscrapers in the world with 462 m/ 1,516 ft.

Russia has the largest community of Orthodox Christians in the world, the Eastern Orthodox community is the second largest community of Christians in the world.

Russia has 11 time zones!

Did you know that there is a region in Russia, where the geographical distance between Russia and the USA is very small. The Bering Strait separates Russia from the USA and the North American continent. There the two countries are just 82 km/ 51 miles apart!

A flight to Moscow takes almost 4 hours from London/England and 9 hours from New York/USA.

Russia Facts
Attractions and Landmarks

Moscow: Main attractions are the Red Square, the oldest and largest square in Moscow with the Lenin mausoleum, the Kremlin fortress and admire the colourful Saint Basil's Cathedral. Here you see the Kremlin Walls and the Moskva River.

The building of the Lomonosov university in Moscow is a famous landmark of the country. The university is named after mathematician and writer Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765), one of the most famous Russian scientists.

Saint Petersburg: T his port city on the Baltic Sea is the second largest city in the country with more than five million inhabitants. The city is known as the largest northernmost city with over one million inhabitants. The Neva river flows through Saint Petersburg, that formerly was also referred to as Petrograd or Leningrad in the last century. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, the city is home to the world renowned Hermitage museum of art and the Winterpalace, previously home of the Russian tzars and emperors.

Experience the 'White Nights' which are for about two weeks from mid of June. Then the sun will not set in St Petersburg and there will be daylight for 24 hours!

Sochi: The city is located on the Black Sea and a popular seaside resort. Sochi was the location for the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Trans-Siberian Railway: Take a train trip through the vast landscape. The Trans-Siberian Railway offers one of the longest rail network in the world and runs from Moscow to Vladivostok near the border to China and North Korea.

Lake Baikal is a stop on the Trans-Siberian rail route. How about a refreshing dip in the cold water of the world's deepest lake?

Kizhi Island's open-air museum in Karelia is a great adventure for the whole family. Step back in time and learn about the Karelian culture. Karelia is a region close to the Finnish border in Northwestern Russia.

Russia Facts| Russian Language

Russian is a Slavic language and it is the most widely spoken Slavic language. Ukrainian and Polish are also Slavic languages but with fewer speakers.

It is spoken in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and by many people in Ukraine. Russian is also spoken by many people as a second language in much of Eastern Europe and the Baltics as well as in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Russian is the eighth most spoken language in the world but is the second most dominant language on the internet - after English!

Russian is one of the six working languages spoken at the United Nations!

The Russian language is written with the Cyrillic alphabet which consists of 33 letters. Some letters are similar to the Latin alphabet, but some are different. For example: ' P' in Russian is pronounced 'R' in English or the ' C' is pronounced as 'S', the ' Y' is an 'U'

Until 1991, Russia belonged to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and this was commonly displayed as ' CCCP' which is pronounced as 'SSSR' in English

Most young people in Russia also learn to speak English, French or German in school.

More Russia Facts |
Russian People

Most of the Russian population lives in the westernmost part of the country that belong to the European continent. Here are the majority of the largest Russian cities such as Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Samara and Omsk.

Three out of four people in Russia live in urban centres.

The family is very important to Russians. Here most families include the grandparents, parents and children in the same household.

Children start school when they turn six years old and typically go to school for ten years. After Grade 11, students can go to study at university.

Soccer and ice hockey are the most popular sports in Russia. Soccer is referred to as ' Futbol' in Russia.

In 2014 Russia hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi and in 2018 Russia hosted the Fifa Soccer World Cup. The winner of the 2018 world championship was the national football team of France. The 2022 Soccer World Cup will be held in December 2022 in Qatar.

Russia is not a democratic country. According to the World Freedom Report 2021, Russia is declared as 'Not free' ranking with only 20 out of 100 points. The authoritarian regime of President Vladimir Putin controls the media and suppresses opponents. Corruption and crime are another threat to the country and the Russia's recent invasion of neighbouring country Ukraine caused a human crisis in the region. This only will lower Russia's "freedom" ranking in 2022.

Famous Russians

Famous Russians include:

Aleksandr Puschkin (1799-1837): poet and playwright and considered the father of modern Russian Literature. Famous works his novel written in verse called "Eugene Onegin".

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): composer. He transformed "Eugene Onegin" into a famous opera. His "Swan Lake" is one of the most famous ballets performed worldwide.

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910): Russian writer and novelist, known for his works "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina"

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): The composer is most famous for his work "The Firebird", which is a ballet.

Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968): Russian cosmonaut (that is how they call astronauts in Russia) is the first person to orbit the Earth

Maria Sharapova (born 1987): tennis player and first Russian player to win Wimbledon in 2004

Garry Kasparov (born 1963): Chess grandmaster

Russia Facts | Russian Economy

Russia is among the ten largest economies in the world and the world's third biggest gold producer after China and Australia. And Russia is one of the leading producers of natural gas and oil as well as metals.

The main agricultural products are grains, sugar beets, sunflower seeds and vegetables and fruits as well as beef and milk.

Some well known Russian companies include Gazprom, Russia's largest natural gas and oil company, Sberbank, Russia's largest bank and Aeroflot, Russia's national airline.

The country's main trading partners are China, Germany, Netherlands, Belarus and the USA.

The Russian Federation belongs to the BRICS countries. The BRICS are an association of the world's major emerging economies and include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Russia Facts | Russian Food

The Russian main dishes contain: pork and beef, lamb, chicken, fish, potatoes and root vegetables as well as porridge and bread. Sour cream accompanies many dishes.

Especially vegetable soups and stews play an important role in Russian cuisine.

Russian food is full of flavour and the Russian cuisine is as diverse as the regions in the huge country. Here is some typical Russian food:

Borscht or Red beet soup: soup made with red beets and vegetables that are cut into small pieces. This red soup is often served cold and is then blended with yoghurt or sour cream from which the soup gets its pink colour.

Soljanka: thick cabbage and vegetable soup with pickled mushrooms or vegetables that gives it a spicy flavour

Blinis: thin Russian pancakes often served with savoury or sweet fillings

Porridge: made with local cereal depending on available crops especially buckwheat, semolina and oats. It is cooked in milk for breakfast

Olivier Salad, usually known internationally as Russian salad: salad made with boiled and diced potatoes, carrots, boiled eggs and boiled chicken pieces, pickles and mixed with sour cream or mayonnaise

Shashlik: skewered and grilled lamb or chicken cubes, similar to a shish kebab or satay

Pirozhki: fried dough pockets or mini pies, that are stuffed with meats or savoury fillings, sometimes they come with apple or other sweet fillings

Salted herring: pickled vegetables and salted herring are popular starters, often served with rye bread and onions

Kulich: Russian Easter cake in form of a dome which is made with nuts and fruits and often decorated with icing

Moroshenoe: Russian ice-cream, popular even when it's cold outside

Caviar: salted or cured roe (fish eggs) from the wild sturgeon or other fish. However, black caviar is a delicacy and a costly treat which is only served on special occasions or eaten in small amounts.

Did you know? One of the rarest and most costly caviar comes from the Beluga sturgeon of the Caspian Sea. Black Beluga caviar costs up to 10,000 US dollar per kg/ 4,500 GB pounds per lb of weight! Today, caviar comes from fish farms, as wild caviar from the Caspian Sea has become illegal due to overfishing.

Russia Facts | Animals in Russia

Due to the harsh climate in many regions in Russia, wildlife is often limited. The tundra landscape is covered by snow for more than nine months every year. However, large mammals such as reindeer survive in the tundra. Reindeer are referred to by some as caribou.

Arctic foxes and polar bears can be seen in the far north, while whales and seals swim in the Arctic waters.

Steppe (grassland) mammals in southern Russia include wild boars and various antelope species.

There are several bear species such as the brown bears in the Caucasus and the Asian black bears which live in the Russian far-east.

The Siberian tiger and the Amur leopard are among the most endangered species in Russia.

Russia facts | Resources
Our Russia facts page was last amended and updated on 23 August 2023.

Russia National Tourism Portal. "Culture - Map of Russia." Russia Travel. Last accessed 23 August 2023

World Freedom Report 2021. "Russia." Freedom House. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Rob Smith. "The world's biggest economies in 2018." World Economic Forum. Published 18 April 2018. Last accessed 23 August 2023

World Gold Council "Gold production by Country" Last accessed 23 August 2023

Central Intelligence Agency. "Russia." WorldFactBook. Last updated 22 February 2022. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Anna Sorokina. "How many time zones are there in Russia?" Russia Beyond. 12 February 2019. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Dasha Fomina. "15 Traditional Meals That Remind Russians of Home." Culturetrip. 26 April 2017. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Image credits for Russia Facts: Shutterstock.com, wikicommons and own images. Lakhta tower by msupercolor/shutterstock.com and Lomonosov university by Elena Koromyslova/shutterstock.com
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Welcome to Egypt!
Egypt is the Arab Muslim country and the Egyptians tend to be very conservative with their own unique living habits, especially in rural areas, we will have to respect and comply with Muslim customs and traditions when traveling in Egypt. The following Egypt travel tips of dos and donts aim to help you enjoy a hassle-free trip to Egypt.
Egypt Travel Taboo Pointing the toe or heel or any part of foot at any person. Egypt donts

Do not go on holiday to Egypt without telling your friends or family how to reach you.

Do not touch during a conversation, which is not usually appropriate unless the people having the conversation are very close to each other. In general, there is little to no touching between opposite sex during conversations or in public places. Do not hug and kiss in public.

Do not wear sleeveless tops and short skirts or shorts on the streets or in markets. Swimsuits and bikinis are acceptable in hotel pools and cruise ships or in the Red Sea towns.

Do not offer alcohol or pork to your local Egyptian guests unless you know for sure that they consume it. Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, although it's available in shops. Most Muslims do not eat pork and believe pork is unclean.

Do not eat communal food with your left hand, as this is used for personal hygiene. The right hand is used for greeting, eating, and passing objects.

Do not be offended if your Egyptian host turns on the TV when you visit. It is a kind of hospitality saying you are welcome in our house. The TV is a sign of wealth.

Do not cross your legs in front of the master of the house or any other elder person, which is thought to be very impolite in Egypt. Do not point the foot at any person.

Do not wear trainers for walking in desert as the sand will get inside the lining and make the show too tight. Sandals and boots are better.

Do not forget to take enough money with you on your daily outings. Take a large number of single dollar bills. It's very difficult to find single Egyptian Pounds.

Do not get into a taxi without asking the price first or use a meter counter.

Do not walk around alone if you are a woman.

Do not eat and drink or smoking in public places on Muslim fasting days.

Do not drink alcohol. Islamic countries are against alcohol, while eating at the restaurant, ask the tour leader if you can drink.

Do not take photographs of local Egyptian without prior permission. Do not take the military restricted areas and government agencies.

Do not forget to give some tips to waiters, tour guides, drivers and the room cleaners as an expression of satisfaction with the services, otherwise they will be greatly offended.

Egypt dos

Do learn a few Arabic words so that you can ask for help when needed. "Say-eeda" is "hi", "Shok-ran" is "thank you".

Do handshake in certain circumstances. Cheek kissing is acceptable if closely related, but the most common greeting would be a slight bow of the head and a greeting of "salaam aleikum" which should be replied to with "waaleikum us salam". It is taboo for religiously observant men to touch women and vice-versa.

Do keep your valuables and all your important documents in a safe place.

Do negotiate before getting in a cab or on a camel. Do negotiate price on all merchandise.

Do prepare some sweets as a gift when visit an Egyptian house, according to local customs.

Do make an attempt to take off your shoes when entering a Muslim house unless you are told not to. The house is where they pray, so some kind of sacred ground.

Do wash your hands before entering the table. Do use your right hand when eating. Do not expect to have knife and fork. Eating with your hands is quite acceptable in Egypt.

Do let the master of the house to have the first bite when dinning with the Egyptian, unless he invites you to have a nib before him.

Do take two or more vehicles when making a long trip into the desert.

Do ask to see the camels first on a camel journey and do check out when hiring a guide with vehicles. The desert is recognized by all as a serious place to have a breakdown and almost all guides go well prepared.

Do watch out and plan on drinking between 1 and 3 litres of water a day in winter in addition to any tea, coffee or soup. In summer you can expect to last less than three days without water. In winter, it's much longer, probably a week. It is the very lack of water that makes the desert a dangerous place to make a mistake.

Do stock up on sun cream to avoid sunburn, especially between 11am and 2pm, especially in summer time. Do wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes and head.

Do keep an eye on your groups departure time, and let the people you are with know where you are going so they know how long you will be.

Do have a map or guide book close at hand always. Do hire a driver and a tour guide when you have extra time on your own.

©2010 traveltaboo.com

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Egypt Travel Tips - DOs and DONTs | Egypt is the Arab Muslim country and the Egyptians tend to be very conservative with their own unique living habits, especially in rural areas, we will have to respect and comply with Muslim customs and traditions when traveling in Egypt.

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Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Spain Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Spain Facts

Population: 48 million people live in Spain (2021)

Capital: Madrid, with 6.7 million inhabitants

Name: Reino de España (Kingdom of Spain), short form: España

Government: Parliamentary Monarchy

Languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician, Basque

Literacy: More than 98% can read and write.

Religion: 69% Christians (mainly Roman Catholics)

Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents, before 2001 Spanish peseta

National Symbol: National flag and coat of arms, the short-toed eagle (national bird), red carnation (national flower), the bull (national animal). The official Spanish anthem "La Marcha Real" (the Royal March) is one of only four anthems in the world without lyrics.

History: From 711 to 1492 Islamic Moors ruled in Spain. In 1492 Christopher Columbus reaches America and the Spanish rulers start forming their empire, building colonies in the Americas. In the 16th century Spanish kings also ruled over many European countries: Portugal, Netherlands, parts of France, Germany, Italy and Austria. The Spanish Civil War rages in Spain from 1936 to 1939 when dictator General Franco takes over the country. In 1975 Franco dies and Juan Carlos I becomes King of Spain. In 2014, his son Felipe followed him on the throne.

National Day: 12 October (Fiesta Nacional de España)

Spain Facts
Spain Map | Where is Spain?

Spain is a country in southwestern Europe on the Iberian peninsula.

Spain borders the countries Portugal, Andorra, France and the UK with Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory. The longest border is shared with Portugal.

Spain also shares borders with Morocco, as the two Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla are located within Morocco.

Spain is separated from the African continent by the Straits of Gibraltar. This passage connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. Gibraltar is a British overseas territories and thus belongs to the UK.

The narrowest point of the Straits of Gibraltar between the two continents Europe and Africa is 14.3 km/ 8.9 miles wide.

The Spanish nation is divided in 17 autonomous communities which are regions where people have their own regional government.

Spain is slightly larger than twice the size of the United Kingdom and about twice the size of the state of Oregon in the USA.

A flight to Madrid/ Spain takes about 2.5 hours from London/ England and 7 hours from New York/ USA.

Spain Facts | Geography

Spain borders the Mediterranean Sea in the South and East and the Atlantic Ocean in the Northwest.

Spain is the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France.

In the North, the Pyrenees mountain ranges form a natural border with the tiny country of Andorra and with France. To the west of Spain is Portugal.

The three largest cities in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and the second largest city of the European Union countries - after Berlin in Germany.

Other popular tourist destinations are Malaga in Andalusia and Santiago de Compostela in Galicia as this town is the endpoint of the famous Camino pilgrimage trail.

Spain not only occupies land area on the European mainland. The Balearic islands Formentera, Ibiza, Menora and Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea belong to Spain as well as the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Spain Facts | Climate in Spain

The climate in Spain varies considerably between the different regions. In the northern mountainous regions the climate is alpine and the interior experiences a hot and arid climate, still most of the country appreciates a temperate and mild climate.

The climate in the southwestern parts is semi-arid while the northwestern parts experiences an oceanic climate. On the Canary islands the climate is subtropical and semi-arid.

Spain Facts | Islands of Spain

Here are some more interesting facts regarding the islands of Spain:

The Balearic Islands lie roughly 80 km/ 50 miles of Spain's easter coastline in the Mediterranean Sea. The four islands belonging to the Islas Baleares (Balearic Islands) are:

The Canary Islands lie roughly 100 km/ 62 miles off the African continent's coastline or to the west of Morocco. The islands were formed by volcanic eruptions of the Canary hotspot.

The seven largest islands belonging to the Islas Canares (Canary Islands) are:

Tenerife (the largest and most populous island of the Canary islands)

Fuerteventura

Gran Canaria

Lanzarote

La Palma

La Gomera

El Hierro (the smallest island of the Canaries)

There are several other much smaller islands. More than 2 million people live on the Canary Islands.

Spain Facts | Geo Superlatives

1. Longest river: Rio Ebro with 910 km/ 566 miles. Please note that the Tagus which is the longest river on the Iberian peninsula only passes through Spain over 716 km/ 446 miles.

2. Highest mountain of Spain: El Teide on Tenerife (Canary Islands) with 3,718 m/ 12,198 ft. El Teide is a dormant volcano and the world's third tallest volcano that is located on an ocean island

3. Highest mountain on the Spanish mainland: Mulhacén with 3,479 m/ 11,414 ft.

4. Largest island: Mallorca which is one of the Balearic Islands

5. Largest natural lake in Spain: Lake Sanabria

6. Largest saltwater lagoon: Mar Menor, which is also considered as the largest salt lake in Europe

7. Westernmost point of Spain: Kap Finisterre

8. Largest city: Madrid

9. The five biggest cities in Spain are:

Madrid with 6.7 million inhabitants

Barcelona with 5.6 million inhabitants

Valencia with more than 835,000 inhabitants

Sevilla with about 700,000 inhabitants

Zaragoza with more than 600,000 inhabitants

10. Southernmost point of Spain and the European mainland: Punta de Tarifa

Spain Attractions for Kids

Madrid: Spain's capital city is known for the royal palace and the Prado museum which is on the most important fine arts museums in the world. There some of the greatest paintings of European artists are displayed. Plaza de Cibeles with its fabulous fountain is another one of the main landmarks of the city.

Barcelona: Explore the amazing buildings designed by artist and architect Gaudí such as the iconic landmark Sagrada Familia, the unfinished basilica, or the colourful mosaics in Park Guëll.

The beach is close to the city centre and the Barceloneta suburb is the most popular beach suburb of Barcelona. More than 500,000 visitors from all over the world visit this popular beach every summer. Did you know that Barcelona is ranked as one the best beach cities in the world?

Valenc ia: The city which was once founded by the Romans, is famous for the annual Las Fallas spring festival in March which features giant puppets, fireworks and the Spanish national dish called Paella. The futuristic 'City of Arts and Sciences' complex with its awe inspiring exhibitions is much worth a visit as well.

Santiago de Compostela: The university town in northwestern Spain is famous for the shrine of apostle St James the Great, called Santiago in Spanish. The Camino pilgrimage route leads from the French border over 800 km/ 500 miles through northwestern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. Over 200,000 people take the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago or the 'Way of St James' every year.

Granada: The city located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains is known for the majestic Alhambra palace and fortress. At this UNESCO world heritage site you can learn about Spanish history and the Spanish Islamic art while admiring the Arabic decorations and colourful mosaics.

The Pyrenees: The high mountain range in northeastern Spain is popular for hiking and skiing.

Spain Facts | Spanish People

Most of the people in Spain live along the coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Significant cities in the interior are the capital city Madrid and the cities Zaragoza and Sevilla. About 80% of the Spaniards live in urban areas.

Spain has her own royal family who lives in the royal place, the ' Zarzuela Palace', outside of Madrid. Felipe VI is the King of Spain since 2014. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have two daughters.

The Royal Palace, Palacio Real, in the city of Madrid is the place where official functions take place.

Many Spanish people are soccer fans. The top soccer clubs are: Real Madrid and Barça (FC Barcelona).

Spain is known for its Andalusia, in many towns and villages people dance the flamenco for special festivities. Some of the best flamenco dancers are said to be the Romani people ('flamenco dance. In gitanos' in Spanish). The gitanos arrived to Spain in the 15th century and still conserve their own language and traditions. In the image you can see girls performing the flamenco at a fiesta (festival) in Seville.

Spain is also known for many festivals, such as the ' Tomatina' and the 'Running of the Bulls', that attract thousands of participants and visitors.

The 'Tomatina' festival in the small town of Buñol, to the west of Valencia, is the world's biggest food fight, as the people throw tomatoes at each other. The festival takes place every year in August, but the event only takes one hour, as the people throw tomatoes at each other.

Another famous spanish festival takes place in the town of Pamplona in Northern Spain. The highlight of the festival is the 'Running of the Bulls'. Six bulls are chasing people who try to run away in front of the animals. Bullfights also are popular events in the arenas of several cities, but are banned in others.

The people of Tarragona gather every two years for the Concours de Castells Festival in October where participants build tall human towers.

The competition includes four teams of athletes from the city and in total more than 40 teams from all over Spain. Sometimes the human towers reach up to 11 metres! Read more here.

As summers get very hot in the Spanish cities of the inland, many Spaniards flock to the seaside during summer holidays or visit the mountainous villages in the north of the country.

Spain Facts
Famous Spanish People

Among the most well known Spanish artists are:

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616): Spanish author of 'Don Quixote'

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946): Spanish composer

Joan Miró (1893-1983):Spanish sculptur and painter

Salvador Dalí (1904-1989): Spanish painter who created surrealist paintings such as this one with the clock faces slipping down.

Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926): You can experience many of his great works in Barcelona, especially in the fascinating Parc Guëll and the still unfinished cathedral 'Sagrada Familia'. Read more here.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973): painter

Julio Iglesias (born 1943) and his son Enrique Iglesias (born 1975): both singers and songwriters

Fernando Alonso (born 1981): Formula One racing car driver

Rafael Nadal (born 1986): tennis player

Julio Iglesias (born 1943) and his son Enrique Iglesias (born 1975): both singers and songwriters

David de Gea (born 1990): soccer player/goal keeper, currently playing for Manchester United

Read more about famous people in Spain on our separate page here:

Spain Facts | Spanish Language

Spanish is the world's second-most spoken native language. Spanish is spoken in Spain and in the South American countries, among them Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.

Which language is spoken in Spain? Castilian Spanish is spoken in all 17 regions, but other languages and dialects are spoken in various regions of the country:

Castillian Spanish is recognised as 'typical' Spanish and is spoken across the country of Spain.

Catalan is spoken in the region around Barcelona, and the province of Cataluña, as well as in Valencia. This language reads and sounds quite different to Castilian Spanish.

Basque is spoken in the Basque Country in the north of Spain

Galician is spoken in Galicia, in Spain's northwest.

Palabras en Español -
Spanish Words

The Spanish language uses inverted question marks and exclamation marks and letters that use symbols on them, such as the ñ that has an accent called ' tilde' and is used in words such as España

Spain Facts |Animals in Spain

In Spain you easily encounter mules and merino sheep especially in the highlands and in many place you will see are lizards and geckos.

The Mediterranean or Iberian lynx, however, is almost extinct. The lynx is the most endangered cat in the world. There are only a few surviving mammals left in the South of Spain and Portugal.

Other protected animals are the Iberian wild boar, the Iberian fox, the Iberian wolves and the Cantabrian brown bear.

The short-toed eagle is Spain's national bird.

The region of Andalusia is home to the Andalusian horses which are known for their speed and strength.

Spain Facts | Food in Spain

The main dishes in Spain usually contain potatoes, rice, fish, meat, beans, chickpeas and a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Olive oil is one of the main ingredients in the Spanish cuisine. Garlic, paprika (called pimentón) and bread are used in most savoury dishes.

Here are some typical Spanish dishes:

: Hot and very thick chocolate drink with sweet fried pastry (as you can see on the right). A popular weekend breakfast - not only in Madrid.

Spain Facts | Economy

Did you know, that Spain is the world's top olive oil producer?

Spain produced a whopping 1.8 million tons of olive oil in 2018 and about 1.2 million tons in 2020. The main region for olive oil production is Andalusia. Spain is said to have the most olive trees in the world.

Machinery, clothing, cars and petroleum products are the main export products of Spain. Citrus fruit peel, nuts and melons are among the top agricultural products as well.

France, Germany and Italy are the main trading partners of Spain.

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Spain Facts for Kids | Resources

Images on Spain Facts for Kids: shutterstock, sxc.hu, wikicommons and own images.

Thanks a lot to Leyre, Leo and Carla for adding and checking content on this page.

Please continue to share your info and expand this Spain Facts for Kids section. Your support is much appreciated. Contact us here for any collaborations, additions or corrections.
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Spain Facts for Kids | Spain for Kids | Geography | Attractions | Food

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Our Spain Facts for Kids you will provide plenty of fun facts about Spain. Explore Spain through children's eyes: geography superlatives, animals, food and more

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In Hunan Province, in South Central China, sits Zhangjiajie, a large prefecture-level city containing spectacular landforms and parks. These include Tianmen Mountain and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which encompasses the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and more. The region is famous for its towering quartzite cliffs, said to have inspired the filmmakers of the 2009 film Avatar. While Wulingyuan was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the area has seen recent development to accommodate and attract tourists, including the construction of glass-bottomed walkways and bridges, cable-car systems, and observation elevators. Here, a collection of images of the soaring landscape around Zhangjiajie.

View this page Hints: full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

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Travel Monday: A Photo Trip to Zhangjiajie

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In Hunan Province, in South Central China, sits Zhangjiajie, a large prefecture-level city containing spectacular landforms and parks. These include Tianmen Mountain and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which encompasses the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and more.

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VLOG with Focus geography theme of Place. (Good section on food too!)

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Singapore Travel Vlog 2018  | HAUSOFCOLOR

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Here are some interesting South Korea Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

South Korea Facts at a Glance

Population: Almost 52 million people live in South Korea (2023). The majority of the people live in the province surrounding Seoul in the north west of the country.

Capital: Seoul with 10 million inhabitants

Government: Presidential Republic

Official Language: Korean

Literacy: More than 95% can read and write.

Religion: Main religions are Christianity (27%) Buddhism (15%), however many practise Confucianism regardless of their religious beliefs

Currency: 1 South Korean Won equals 100 Jeon

: National Anthem Aegukga ('Patriotic Song')

National Symbols: T aegeuk (yin yang symbol).ational emblem G ukjang includes the yin yang symbol and the national flower combined. The National Flag is called Taegukki, the national colours are red, white, blue and black.

National Flower: Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon or Hibiscus syriacus)

National Animal: Siberian tiger

History: For many centuries, South Korea was an independent kingdom, but after 1905 the country was ruled by the Japanese. After Japan surrendered to the USA after the Second World War in 1945, Korea gained independence again, but the country soon was split between South Korea (which is largely supported by the USA) and communist North Korea along the 38 degrees latitude. Since 1953 South Korea's economy expanded successfully, while the people in North Korea are very poor and the relations between the two Koreas are very strained.

National Holiday: 15 August (Liberation Day)

President: Yoon Suk Yeol (since May 2022)

Where is South Korea? - South Korea Map

South Korea is located in Eastern Asia and sits on the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The only land borders are with North Korea with which South Korea shares the Korean peninsula.

The Korean peninsula is surrounded by the West Sea/Yellow Sea, the South Sea/East China Sea and the East Sea/Sea of Japan.

South Korea has a coastline of about 2413 km/ 1500 miles in length. The capital city of South Korea is Seoul.

South Korea is roughly the size of England or Portugal and about ⅓ of the size of Germany. South Korea is slightly smaller than the US state of Pennsylvania or seven times smaller than Texas!

South Korea Geography

South Korea is a mountainous country, with about 70% of the land covered by hills and mountains. Nam-san or Nam mountain overlooks the capital city of Seoul.

Seoul is the largest city of the country with about 10 million inhabitants.

The highest mountain of South Korea is Halla-san, also called Mount Halla, with a height of 1950 m/ 6400 ft. Halla-san is a shield volcano and one of three volcanic mountains on the Korean peninsula. South Korea sits on the 'Ring of Fire' where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Halla-san is an active volcano, however, it has not erupted in many centuries. The mountain is located on the island of Jeju.

Jeju is the largest South Korean island and located to the south of the peninsula. It has a moderate climate and is a popular holiday destination. There are more than 3000 islands mainly off the southern and western coastlines of South Korea.

Nakdong River is the longest river in South Korea. It is 510 km /320 miles long. The river passes through the cities Busan and Daegu in the southeastern part of the country.

Chungju Lake is the largest lake in South Korea. This lake in central South Korea is not a natural lake as it has been created by flooding of the valleys after the construction the Chungju dam.

The biggest cities in South Korea are:

Seoul - 10 million inhabitants

Busan (Pusan): 4.5 million inhabitants

Incheon (Inch'on): 2.8 million inhabitants and

Daegu (Taegu): 2.3 million inhabitants

South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced countries and the educational standards are high. Below you see a photo of Incheon, which is the third populous city in South Korea. The city's international airport is the largest in South Korea and one of the busiest transport hubs in Asia.

South Korea experiences a temperate climate with cold winters and mild summers with often heavy rainfalls.

South Korea for Kids
Attractions

﻿Seoul is the country's capital and largest city. It is situated by the Han River. A quarter of South Korea's population live in Seoul and the surrounding area. Myeong-dong, the main shopping district of the capital city, is a busy shopper's paradise with glittering lights and billboards. In the background you can see Korea's tallest building, the Lotte World Tower.

Bukchon Hanok Village, on the other hand, is the preserved old quarter and traditional Korean village you simply must see. Here you will also find Gyeongbokgung Palace. The former main royal palace was built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty.

, or Jeju island Jeju-do in Korean, is the country's largest island and one of the most popular Korean holiday destinations. With a mild climate and numerous possibilities to go hiking in the mountains, many come to visit the island, marvel at the rock cliffs and see the famous landmarks Halla-san or Sunrise Peak. Or one can enjoy lazing at the fabulous beaches, as there are lots of activities for the whole family.

Busan is a large port city in the southern part of the country. In South Korea's second biggest city, you can do your shopping and temple tours but also relax at some stunning beaches.

And there you will be close to fascinating mountains too ! The national park surrounding Koreas second highest mountain Jiri-san is only about three hours from the city of Busan.

Another great place to marvel at nature is Seorak-san National Park for its breathtaking mountains with its snowcaps. There is also the huge Great Unification Buddha statue which weighs over 108 tons and is 14.6 metres /48 ft high.

Pyeongchang is a winter resort in the north eastern region of South Korea. The city hosted the Winter Olympics 2018.

The city is a popular winter holiday resort and has all kinds of sports activities to offer and accommodation options are varied and plentiful. Did you know that the Olympic mascot, a white Siberian tiger, was called Soohorang?

People who visit Seoul can travel to Pyeongchang via the Korean bullet train.

South Korea Facts | Korean People

Most Koreans (81%) live in urban areas of the country. The lowlands around the capital city Seoul and Incheon are home to the majority the South Koreans.

The people in rural areas are still much poorer and many live a simple life.

Many Koreans practise Confucianism which is an old tradition in many Asian countries. Confucianists follow the teachings of Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius who told his pupils to lead a simple life, do good and respect each other.

South Korea Facts | Lunar New Year

Koreans celebrate the new year twice! The New Year celebration are on 1 January as most countries do and for Lunar New Year which is celebrated in February each year. 2021 was the year of the ox, 2022 was the year of the tiger and 2023 is the year of the rabbit. Read more facts about Chinese New Year here. The new lunar year starts in 2023 on Sunday 22 January.

Children always look forward to the Lunar New Year celebrations which are three days long. Over the new year children get gifts, often money wrapped in red envelopes or red packets, from family and friends. People in Korea will wear their traditional costumes, such as the hanbok, for national and regional cultural festivals.

South Korea Facts | Music

Korean pop music, also called k-pop, has become famous worldwide especially after PSY's 'Gangnam Style' YouTube hit in 2013. Gangnam refers to the city of Seoul.

South Korea Facts | Korean Language

Although Korean (also called Hangul) is the official language, in many regions people speak Korean dialects. Children learn Korean and English in school and most people speak English fairly well. Some schools offer Chinese Mandarin classes as well.

The Korean alphabet has 24 letters and the language does not have any articles and does not follow a word order. The language is similar to Mandarin and Japanese in that that it is written and read from top to bottom and from left to right.

Korean is the language of both countries: South Korea and North Korea. Apart from using a slightly different accent and some dialects, the Koreans can understand and communicate with each other.

South Korea Facts | Economy

South Korea is one of the biggest economies in Asia and among the four 'Asian Tiger Countries' which also includes Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong.

The main trading partners are China, USA, Japan, Germany and Vietnam. Big Korean companies are Samsung, Hyundai, LG Electronics and Lotte Group.

Coal, graphite and lead are among the main natural resources of South Korea.

South Korea Facts | Landmarks

Apart from the famous Korean landmarks we have already mentioned above, the Gyeongbokgung palace, the Confucius statue and Jeju island, there are also these six Korean landmarks that you should know about as well.

Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in Korea. With 123 storeys and is the fifth highest building in the world.

The Sungnyemun city gate is part of the old Fortress wall of Seoul. This is South Korea's National Treasure No. 1. The Southern Gate is one of the eight gates of the old fortress wall and also referred to as Namdaemun.

Another national treasure, the huge Emille bell was cast in 771 AD to honour King Seongdeok. This bell is the largest bell in Korea and weighs almost 19 tons! It is displayed today in the National Museum of Gyeongju.

King Sejong the Great was another famous historic figure in Korean history. The fourth monarch of the Joseon dynasty ruled in the 15th century. The statue is one of the most iconic landmarks of Seoul and stands next to the Gyeongbokgung palace complex.

The water pavilion in the Palace gardens, called Gyeonghoeru in Korean, is a famous sight and landmark of the country.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza has a very futuristic design and was planned by famous architect Zaha Hadid. This is the cultural hub of Seoul's Fashion district and includes part of the fortress wall, various exhibition halls, the history museum and art galleries as well as sports facilities.

South Korean Facts | Korean Food

Many Korean dishes are rice, vegetable, soya and meat based.

Sesame seeds, chillis, kimchi and rice products are the most common ingredients in Korean dishes. Koreans mainly eat with spoons and metal chopsticks. The spoon is used for rice, stews and soups only. Here is some typical Korean dishes:

traditional dish made with fermented vegetables such as cabbage or leafy greens and chillis

spicy chicken stir-fry with sweet potatoes, rice cakes and vegetables

grilled meat and vegetable dish

Jajangmyeong: very popular street food consisting of noodles, vegetables, fried pork or seafood in a thick black bean sauce.

Bibimbap: mixed rice with four to six different vegetables and often served with an egg that might be fried and sunny side up or raw as is shown below.

South Korea Facts |
Korean Animals

There are many endangered animal species living in South Korea. Among them are the Siberian tiger, the Amur leopard, the golden eagle, the lynx and the Siberian musk deer.

Below you see animal statues at Heading Yonggungsa temple in Busan. These animals depict the twelve Zodiac signs.

South Korea Facts | Resources

Life in Korea. "Cultural Spotlight." Life in Korea. Last accessed 25 January 2023

Russell Holloway. "Korean Culture." Korean Language. Last accessed 25 January 2023

Mimsie Ladner. "10 Animals native to South Korea and where to see them. Culture Trip. 22 June 2017. Last accessed 25 January 2023

Central Intelligence Agency. "South Korea." CIA World Fact Book. Last updated 18 January 2023. Last accessed 25 January 2023

Ministers of the Interior and Safety. "National Symbols." South Korean Government. Last accessed 25 January 2023

Please bookmark our page if you are interested in South Korea Facts for Kids as our page will be updated regularly. Feel free to contact us if you or your school would like to join in our schools project and provide more South Korea Facts. Looking forward to hearing from you! And enjoy learning more great South Korea Facts soon:-)
Picture credits in main text on South Korea Facts: shutterstock.com; image of Dongdaemon by Trabantos/shutterstock Back from South Korea Facts to Asia Facts Return from South Korea Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage

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Click the menus along the top of the website to learn different things about Turkey, like what to eat, where to stay, weather, etc...

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The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for Turkey, Asia - Local News & Top Things to Do

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Things to do in Vietnam - A Travel Guide

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The tunnels were used to move troops and supplies during the Vietnam war.

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EXPLORING & CRAWLING THROUGH THE CU CHI TUNNELS! // HCMC DAY 3 | VLOG 36

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National Geographic

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Ghana is located in West Africa and is sandwiched between Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Togo.

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South Africa's Information

Land Area

1,214,470 km ²

Water Area

4,620 km ²

Total Area

1,219,090km ² (#24)

Population

54,300,704 (#25)

Population Density

44.71/km ²

Government Type

Parliamentary Republic

GDP (PPP)

$739.00 Billion

GDP Per Capita

$13,500

Currency

Rand (ZAR)

More Information

South Africa

Largest Cities

Cape Town (3,433,441)

Durban (3,120,282)

Johannesburg (2,026,469)

Soweto (1,695,047)

Pretoria (1,619,438)

Port Elizabeth (967,677)

Pietermaritzburg (750,845)

Benoni (605,344)

Tembisa (511,655)

East London (478,676)

Archeologists report evidence that humans have inhabited Southern Africa for more than 100,000 years. Over many modern centuries assorted African tribes moved steadily south to populate the country we now call South Africa.

Bantu peoples began migrating across sub-Saharan Africa from the Niger River Delta around 2,500 years ago, and arrived in South Africa in small waves setting up small villages.

By 1200 AD a trade network emerged, and the premise of a sacred leadership took hold. Then, in 1487, Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese explorer, became the first European to land in southern Africa.

However, it wasn't until 1652, a century and a half after the discovery of the Cape Sea Route, that the Dutch East India Company founded a station at what would later become Cape Town.

The Dutch used the port primarily to transport slaves from India, Indonesia and Madagascar to be used as laborers for the colonists.

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, Cape Town soon became a British colony. Many of the original Dutch settlers (the Boers) as well as some Flemish, German and French interests moved north to found their own republics.

The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred additional wealth; speculators poured in and that unfortunately intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants.

The Boers continually resisted the growing British encroachments, but they were defeated in the second Boer War (1899-1902) - a lengthy conflict involving large numbers of troops from many British possessions.

Eight years after the Second Boer War came to an end the Union of South Africa was created from the Cape and Natal colonies. By 1931 the union successfully gained independence from the United Kingdom, and in 1934 the United Party was formed, as the South African Party and National Party merged to form reconciliation between Afrikaners and English-speaking "whites."

The Union entered World War II as an ally of the United Kingdom, subsequently dividing the party down the middle (as the National Party strongly opposed this decision).

At wars end, the National Party was elected power, and the new government classified all citizens into three races - each with their own rights and limitations. This became known as apartheid.

In 1961 South Africa became an independent republic, but to its great discredit, the government continued its official policy of racial segregation. In 1990, after three decades of brutal racial policies and the oppression of civil rights, the South African government began dismantling their discriminative laws and democratic elections were held in 1994.

The country's first multiracial election in 1994 was won by Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) party. Mandela retired in 1999 and Thabo Mbeki, the deputy president, won the presidency in a landslide vote.

Mbeki easily won the election again in 2004, but in 2008, under pressure, Mbeki resigned and the Parliament elected Kgalema Motlanthe as interim president until the 2009 elections. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma was elected as the President in the 2009 general election.

Since the end of apartheid, unemployment has been very high. Many attribute this problem to the current government's policies and failure to achieve monetary and fiscal discipline, as well as the AIDS pandemic sweeping across Sub-Saharan Africa.

On the positive side, South Africa remains a popular tourist destination, and brings in over 850,000 tourists a month (200,000 of which come from outside the African continent).

In 2010 the country became the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup, an event that brought hundreds of thousands of visitors into the country, and successfully boosted the economy.

South Africa Trivia

Trending on WorldAtlas

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Land Area 1,214,470 km 2 Water Area 4,620 km 2 Total Area 1,219,090km 2 (#24) Population 54,300,704 (#25) Population Density 44.71/km 2 Government Type Parliamentary Republic GDP (PPP) $739.00 Billion GDP Per Capita $13,500 Currency Rand (ZAR) More Information South Africa Largest Cities Cape Town (3,433,441) Durban (3,120,282) Johannesburg (2,026,469) Soweto (1,695,047) Pretoria (1,619,438) Port Elizabeth (967,677) Pietermaritzburg (750,845) Benoni (605,344) Tembisa (511,655) East London (478,676) Archeologists report evidence that humans have inhabited Southern Africa for more than 100,000 years.

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Maps of Ghana!

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Ghana Map / Geography of Ghana / Map of Ghana - Worldatlas.com

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Printable map of Ghana and info and links to Ghana facts, famous natives, landforms, latitude, longitude, maps, symbols, timeline and weather - by worldatlas.com

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Background: Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. He was succeeded by John KUFUOR.
Government type: constitutional democracy
Capital: Accra
Currency: 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas

Geography of Ghana

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W
Area:
total: 238,540 sq km
land: 230,020 sq km
water: 8,520 sq km
Land boundaries:
total: 2,093 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
Coastline: 539 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 7%
permanent pastures: 22%
forests and woodland: 35%
other: 24% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: dry, dusty, harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts
Environment - current issues: recent drought in north severely affecting agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water.
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake; northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)

More Geography

People of Ghana

Ghana's population is concentrated along the coast and in the principal cities of Accra and Kumasi. Most Ghanaians descended from migrating tribes that probably came down the Volta River valley at the beginning of the 13th century. Ethnically, Ghana is divided into small groups speaking more than 50 languages and dialects. Among the more important linguistic groups are the Akans, which include the Fantis along the coast and the Ashantis in the forest region north of the coast; the Guans, on the plains of the Volta River; the Ga- and Ewe-speaking peoples of the south and southeast; and the Moshi-Dagomba-speaking tribes of the northern and upper regions. English, the official and commercial language, is taught in all the schools.

Primary and junior secondary school education is tuition-free and mandatory. The Government of Ghana support for basic education is unequivocal. Article 39 of the Constitution mandates the major tenets of the free, compulsory, universal basic education (FCUBE) initiative. Launched in 1996, it is one of the most ambitious pretertiary education programs in West Africa. Since 1987, the Government of Ghana has increased its education budget by 700%. Basic education's share has grown from 45% to 60% of that total.

Population: 21,029,853 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41.18%
15-64 years: 55.35%
65 years and over: 3.47%
Population growth rate: 1.79%
Birth rate: 28.95 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 10.26 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: -0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 56.54 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.24 years
male: 55.86 years
female: 58.66 years
Total fertility rate: 3.82 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic groups: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8%
Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 64.5%
male: 75.9%
female: 53.5% (1995 est.)

SOURCES: The World Factbook, U.S. Department of State

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Background: Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties.

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National Geographic Kids

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People first came to Japan about 30,000 years ago. At the time, the main islands were connected to Siberia and Korea by bridges of dry land, so people crossed on foot. The first society, called the Jomon culture, arose about 12,000 years ago. Around the same time, the Ainu people arrived by boat from Siberia.

The Jomon and Ainu survived for thousands of years, hunting, fishing, and gathering plants. In 300 B.C., the Yayoi people came to Honshu Island from Korea and China. They were skilled weavers, tool makers, and farmers who began cultivating rice in flooded paddy fields.

In 660 B.C., Japan's first emperor, Jimmu Tenno, came to power. Emperors controlled Japan until the 12th century A.D., when military rulers, called shoguns, took control and ruled by might.

Europeans first arrived in Japan in 1543, bringing guns and Christianity. In 1635, the ruling shogun closed Japan to foreigners and forbade Japanese to travel abroad. This isolation lasted more than 200 years. In 1868, the shoguns were overthrown and emperors returned. This was a time of great change and modernization for Japan.

During World War I (1914-1917), Japan fought on the side of the U.S. But on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed the United States navy fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the U.S. entered World War II. From 1941-1945, Japan's military leaders fought against the U.S. and the allied forces. In August 1945, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing about 115,000 people. Japan surrendered a few days later.

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People first came to Japan about 30,000 years ago. At the time, the main islands were connected to Siberia and Korea by bridges of dry land, so people crossed on foot. The first society, called the Jomon culture, arose about 12,000 years ago. Around the same time, the Ainu people arrived by boat from Siberia.

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Japan's Information

Land Area

364,485 km ²

Water Area

13,430 km ²

Total Area

377,915km ² (#61)

Population

126,702,133 (#10)

Population Density

347.62/km ²

Government Type

Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

GDP (PPP)

$4,930.00 Billion

GDP Per Capita

$38,900

Currency

Yen (JPY)

More Information

Japan

Largest Cities

Tokyo (8,336,599)

Yokohama (3,574,443)

Osaka-shi (2,592,413)

Nagoya-shi (2,191,279)

Sapporo (1,883,027)

Kobe (1,528,478)

Kyoto (1,459,640)

Fukuoka-shi (1,392,289)

Kawasaki (1,306,785)

Saitama (1,193,350)

Steeped in centuries of Asian culture and history, Japan, an archipelago of 4 major and over 4,000 smaller islands, is a mostly mountainous country with only 15% of its land cultivable. Japan has a population of 127,368,088.
As a result of the shortage of land, its largest cities ring the coastline. The mammoth metropolis of Tokyo, and the other major cities along the Pacific Ocean are home to most of its people.
The first ever recorded mention of Japan was made in the first century AD. By 710 AD its first permanent capital was founded.

At the turn of the 8th century, the Nara period developed, pushing Japan into a golden age, and inspiring a wave of Buddhist art and architecture.

Unfortunately for the Naras, a smallpox epidemic between the years of 735-737 killed nearly one-third of the country's population, and by 784 the Heian period had taken over.

From the Heian era a distinctly indigenous Japanese culture was produced, one that was known for its art, poetry and prose; including the national anthem of Japan.

As the Heian period came to an end in the mid-1100s, various military clans rose to power, and the feudal Kamakura period was born.

For the next 700 years, Japan was controlled by powerful regional families (daimyo) and territorial warlords (shogun), while the emperor and traditional central government were merely confined to ceremonial affairs.

The Kamakuras found themselves fighting off repeated invasions by the Mongols, whose naval technology and weaponry were far superior. Their lucky break came in the form of a typhoon that completely ravaged the invading Mongol forces, and ultimately saved Japan from being seized.

Despite the Mongol's failed attempt at gaining control of Japan, the Japanese remained fearful of further attacks, and ultimately exhausted the country's finances on an extravagant army in order to keep up a constant state of readiness.

As a consequence, the economy faltered, and so did the Kamakuran era.

After the Kamakura shogunate was overthrown, a period of restoration occurred, known as the Kemmu Restoration, headed by Emperor Go-Daigo.

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Land Area 364,485 km 2 Water Area 13,430 km 2 Total Area 377,915km 2 (#61) Population 126,702,133 (#10) Population Density 347.62/km 2 Government Type Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy GDP (PPP) $4,930.00 Billion GDP Per Capita $38,900 Currency Yen (JPY) More Information Japan Largest Cities Tokyo (8,336,599) Yokohama (3,574,443) Osaka-shi (2,592,413) Nagoya-shi (2,191,279) Sapporo (1,883,027) Kobe (1,528,478) Kyoto (1,459,640) Fukuoka-shi (1,392,289) Kawasaki (1,306,785) Saitama (1,193,350) Steeped in centuries of Asian culture and history, Japan, an archipelago of 4 major and over 4,000 smaller islands, is a mostly mountainous country with only 15% of its land cultivable.

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Background: While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth.
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Tokyo
Currency: yen

Geography of Japan

Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E
Area:
total: 377,835 sq km
land: 374,744 sq km
water: 3,091 sq km
note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 29,751 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait
Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m
highest point: Fujiyama 3,776 m
Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 67%
other: 19% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 27,820 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere.
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: strategic location in northeast Asia

More Geography

People of Japan

Japan's population has experienced a phenomenal growth rate during the past 100 years as a result of scientific, industrial, and sociological changes, but this has recently slowed because of falling birth rates. High sanitary and health standards produce a long life expectancy.

Japan is an urban society with only about 7% of the labor force engaged in agriculture. Many farmers supplement their income with part-time jobs in nearby towns and cities. About 80 million of the urban population is heavily concentrated on the Pacific shore of Honshu and in northern Kyushu.

Metropolitan Tokyo with approximately 14 million; Yokohama with 3.3 million; Osaka 2.6 million; Nagoya 2.1 million; Kyoto 1.5 million; Sapporo 1.6 million; Kobe 1.4 million; and Kitakyushu, Kawasaki, and Fukuoka with 1.2 million each account for part of this population. Japan faces the same problems that confront urban industrialized societies throughout the world: overcrowded cities, congested highways, air pollution, and rising juvenile delinquency.

Shintoism and Buddhism are Japan's two principle religions. Shintoism is founded on myths and legends emanating from the early animistic worship of natural phenomena. Since it was unconcerned with problems of afterlife which dominate Buddhist thought, and since Buddhism easily accommodated itself to local faiths, the two religions comfortably coexisted, and Shinto shrines and Buddhist monasteries often became administratively linked. Today many Japanese are adherents of both faiths.

Population: 127,417,244 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.64%
15-64 years: 67.83%
65 years and over: 17.53%
Population growth rate: 0.17%
Birth rate: 10.04 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 8.34 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 3.88 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.8 years
male: 77.62 years
female: 84.15 years
Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Japanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Japanese
Ethnic groups: Japanese 99.4%, Korean 0.6% (1999)
Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)
Languages: Japanese
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99% (1970 est.)

SOURCES: The World Factbook, U.S. Department of State

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Background: While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the US.

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Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

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Smooth your way with a little forward planning

It is easy to feel a little overwhelmed and disoriented when you visit Japan for the first time, so find out the basics before you fly and get acquainted with the country through our helping you plan guide.

Learn a little more about Japan's customs, culture and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as its seasonal weather, geography and luggage delivery options. Many of the questions first-time travelers might have are answered here, along with insider tips and practical advice to help you navigate the country with confidence.

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Smooth your way with a little forward planning It is easy to feel a little overwhelmed and disoriented when you visit Japan for the first time, so find out the basics before you fly and get acquainted with the country through our helping you plan guide.

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20 Things to Know before visiting IRAN | Iran 2019 🇮🇷

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Iran is the land of four seasons, history and culture, souvenir and authenticity. This is not a tourism slogan, this is the reality inferred from the experience of visitors who have been impressed by Iran's beauties and amazing attractions.

Antiquity and richness of its culture and civilization, the variety of natural and geographical attractions, four - season climate, diverse cultural sites in addition to different tribes with different and fascinating traditions and customs have made Iran as a treasury of tangible and intangible heritage.

Iran is the land of four seasons, history and culture, souvenir and authenticity. This is not a tourism slogan!

Throw out any pre-conceived notion of Iran you might have. The way the media across the western world has painted the picture of Iran is not the real Iran. Iran is one of the safest countries in the world where major crime or terrorism is concerned.

Iran is one of the safest countries in the world where major crime or terrorism is concerned.

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Discover Iran 2019: explore 2500 years old civilization, glorious monuments and architecture and extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites, travel to iran, Visit Iran

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Iran is the land of four seasons, history and culture, souvenir and authenticity. This is not a tourism slogan, this is the reality inferred from the experience of visitors who have been impressed by Iran's beauties and amazing attractions.

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National Geographic Kids

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Nigeria is often called the "Giant of Africa." This name comes from the vastness of its land, the diversity of its peoples and languages, its huge population (the largest in Africa), and its oil and other natural resources.

Nigeria is a patchwork of distinctive regions, including deserts, plains, swamps, mountains, and steamy jungles. It has one of the largest river systems in the world, including the Niger Delta, the third largest delta on Earth.

Much of Nigeria is covered with plains and savannas. These tropical grasslands spread out as far as the eye can see and are interrupted here and there by trees and shrubs. The southwestern plains are home to the Yoruba people, who have lived there for thousands of years.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

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Nigeria is often called the "Giant of Africa." This name comes from the vastness of its land, the diversity of its peoples and languages, its huge population (the largest in Africa), and its oil and other natural resources. Nigeria is a patchwork of distinctive regions, including deserts, plains, swamps, mountains, and steamy jungles.

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10 Things You Should Know about Living in Lagos

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10 Things You Should Know about Living in Lagos

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The City of Lagos popularly called "Eko" by its approximately 21 million residents, Located in south-west Nigeria. Bordered by Ogun State to the north and east. To the west, it shares borders with the Republic of Benin while its southern borders lead to the Atlantic Ocean. The city wears many crowns; it is the largest city in Nigeria, one of the fastest growing cities in the world and a major world economic hub.

The city has become an important location for African cultural identity. Lots of festivals are held annually in Lagos, some of them are the Festac Fair, Eyo Festival, Lagos Black Heritage Carnival, Eko Carnival, Eko International Film Festival, Seafood Festac Festival, Lagos Photo Festival and The Lagos Jazz Series.

So you have decided to visit Lagos or you're still mauling it over and you're wondering what the city could possibly have in store for you? Wonder no more, Here's a comprehensive list for you for ALL you can expect.

1. Lagos is Divided into Two Major Parts

Lagos initially emerged as a port city with just a collection of islands. These islands are contained in the present day Local Government Areas (LGAs) of; Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin and Apapa. The increasing rate of development in the state led to the city growth toward the west of the lagoon to include areas in the present-day Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Surulere. Present day Lagos is loosely divided into two major districts;

Lagos Island is mainly a collection of islands that are separated from each other by creeks and connected by bridges. This part of Lagos is where most business activities and entertainment events in Lagos takes place. It houses most of the upscale residential areas in Lagos. The island also contains many of the city's largest wholesale marketplaces (such as the popular Idumota and Balogun Markets).The major urban islands of Lagos are Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi and Marina.

Lagos Mainland is known for its music and nightlife. Mainland local government areas include Surulere Yaba, and Ajeromi-Ifelodun. Metropolitan Lagos suburban LGAs include Agege, Apapa, Alagbado, Ikorodu, Ketu, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo and Ikeja (which is the capital of Lagos State and the location of Murtala Muhammed International Airport).

2. The Best Time to Travel to Visit

The weather in Lagos is mostly humid with a clearly defined rainy season between March and November. The climate is unmistakably tropical although the humidity is a little less in December and January due to the harmattan that dries the atmosphere.

Putting all of this into consideration, the best time to visit the city would between December and March. During this period, the weather is warm and less humid, as a result of the Harmattan winds. It is advisable to avoid the city during the rainy months; from May to October, as it is a dreary time of year to explore the city.

3. Prepare for Beautiful Sandy Beaches

The coastal city of Lagos, Nigeria has several sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean's shores. A few of such beaches are Elegushi Beach, Badagry beach, Oniru Beach, Bar Beach, Tarkwa Bay and Alpha Beach. It also has several private beach resorts including Inagbe Grand Beach Resort and several others.

4. How to Get to Lagos

Air

Lagos is served by Murtala Mohammed International Airport (or MMA as it is popularly called). The airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in Africa and the top international air passenger gateway to Nigeria. The airport is the main hub of Medview Airline and Arik Air. Other major airlines such as; British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa.Turkish Airlines, etc operate daily flights to Murtala Mohammed Airport from all over the globe.

Road

Road transportation is the most common option used by domestic travellers to get into Lagos. You may choose to make use of your private vehicle or travel with a transport company. Luxury bus operators like ABC Transport, Chisco Transport , Peace Mass Transit and Young Shall Grow Motors offer day trips from major cities in Nigeria into Lagos.The price for this bus fares ranges from N7,000 to N10,000. Trips from far locations like Abuja and Kano take up to 10-14 hours.

5. Getting around in Lagos

There are several ways to get around the bustling city.

By Bus

Lagos has one of the largest and most extensive road networks in West Africa. Various parts of the city are linked by the city's many highways and bridges. Yet its highways are usually congested during peak hours, due in part to the geography of the city, as well as to its explosive population growth.
The city of Lagos has a bus rapid transit (BRT) system which operates along eight routes using specially designated bus lanes which run through the city.

There are also other buses available known as Danfo, which travel all routes in the city.

Aside from the above mentioned, other arbitrary passenger buses exist. These uses are however not licensed by the state government. Caution is advised, should you choose to make use of them.

By Ferry

Lagos State Ferry Services Corporation runs a few regular routes between Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland. These routes are served by modern ferries and wharves. Private boats also run passenger services on the lagoon and on some creeks.

By Taxi

There are 4 major types of taxi or cabs available in Lagos. These provide different quality of comfort for the rider, are available at different locations and have varying costs. The Blue cabs are the official airport taxis, the Metro cabs provide an exclusive service and can be reached on any of their designated numbers. Yellow cabs with black stripes are taxis common to the city, they are sometimes prevented from entering private estates during late hours.
The city also has ride-hailing services like Uber, Taxify, Smart Cab and Oga Taxi. These allow people request a taxi online and are safe and convenient.

Average Cost Of Transportation in Lagos

The cost of transportation in Lagos varies greatly depending on the distance of the city and it is also unstable due to the economy of the city. The cost of public transportation ranges from N50 to N500 depending on the distance of travel. Cab fare range from N1,000 to N8,000.

6. Things to do in Lagos

To get the full experience, there are some places you absolutely have to visit and some things you must try. There are a number of shopping centres and leisure tourist attractions, rich in cultural history which the city has to offer. Tourists here will always find something to suit their tastes. Top places to visit Include:

KM 19 Lagos- Epe Expressway
Opening hours: 8.30am - 5.00pm, including weekends and public

The Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) Is a 79-hectare urban nature park extending from KM 19 along the Lekki- Epe Expressway to the outskirts of Okun Ibeju Village, Eti-Osa in Lagos Island. Access the park through the Lekki - Epe Expressway.

Things to do at Lekki Conservation Centre

401 - meter long canopy walkway: One of the most scenic attractions in Lagos, this canopy walkway is reputed to be the longest in Africa. The walkway has the entry & exit portals connecting six towers to unique view of the park's habitat

The family park

Floor games, which include Ludo, Snakes and Ladder, Chess and Draught

Six and eight seater family huts

Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island

Terra Kulture is an arts and culture centre in Lagos that consist of an indigenous art, food and literature. It houses an event centre theatre for the performing arts. Terra Kulture has been home to numerous art exhibitions, book readings, plays and language classes since its creation in 2014. Terra Kulture is also one of two art auction houses in Nigeria.

If you are a lover of art, learning and Nigerian cuisine, consider stopping by at Terra Kulture for a memorable experience.

133 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island

Silverbird Galleria is a shopping and entertainment centre located on Victoria Island. Consisting of a five-screen Cineplex and other retail, the Silverbird Galleria is an excellent relaxation spot. The Galleria is also home to various intercontinental restaurants. You will especially love the evening salsa session at the Galleria's atrium.

Kalakuta Museum

Balogun, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja

The Kalakuta Museum serves as both a museum and final resting place of the late Afrobeat icon; Fela Anikulapo Kuti. It is the go-to place for anyone interested in the life and times of the great music legend. Some of the items on display include over 3,000 of his clothing items, his musical instruments, and the room where he died in 1997. You may also food and drinks such as the local Nigerian liquor; palm wine. at the rooftop.

7. What Do When You Have Only 48 hours to Spend in the City?

The buzzing, energetic and fast-paced city of Lagos may seem a little overwhelming, especially if you only have a few days to stay. If you're in Lagos for a limited time and still want to get a good taste of what the city has to offer, we've got a helpful guide for you.

First, find a nice hotel on the Lagos Island and head over to Terra Kulture. Victoria Island is popular for its numerous financial institutions, swanky hotels, food, and awesome relaxation spots. One of those spots is Terra Kulture, a beautiful cultural and art centre located on... read more in our 48 Hours in Lagos article

8. Places to Eat

Local delicacies to try while in Lagos include; Eba and Egusi soup, Amala and Ewedu soup, Jollof rice, Ofada rice, Suya and Fried plantain (popularly called dodo). If you are looking for cheap food or would like to try local delicacies, it is advised that you try the local restaurants or bukas.

The average cost of food ranges from N250 to N10,000 per meal, depending on where you decide to eat.

Food lovers visiting the city have a lot of restaurants to pick from irrespective of the type of cuisine. Below are a few options in the Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island.

The Jazz Hole

Shop No. 168, Awolowo Rd, Ikoyi

Located in Ikoyi, the Jazz Hole serves as restaurant, cafe, music and bookstore all fused into one. A good meal at the Jazz Hole typically costs between N2,000 to N5,000 for an individual and they are open between 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Jevenik Restaurant

No 21, Isaac John Street, Ikeja
14b, Agoro Odiyan Street, Off Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island

Jevenik Restaurant, located both in Lagos Island (Victoria Island) and Lagos Mainland (Ikeja). In both locations, the restaurant offers sales and delivery of Nigerian/African dishes. A meal at Jevenik Restaurant will cost an average of N950.

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

9. Where to Shop

There are tonnes of places to shop in Lagos. If you want to shop like a real Lagosian, the open-air markets mentioned earlier are the places you should go. Some of the notable markets are;
Balogun market: known for wholesale goods
Alaba market: popular for electronics
Computer Village is the home of ICT; phones, laptops and other gadgets are purchased and repaired here.
Mile 12 market is the primary food market in Lagos.You'll be able to purchase locally made products, art, and other forms of souvenirs, along with items from all over the world. There are also various malls available in Lagos, they include;

Located at No. 1 BIS Way, Lekki, Lagos

Palms Shopping Mall comprises of 21,000 square meters of retail space. The Palms Shopping Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in the country comprising of two large department stores, a cinema, several bank and telecom outlets, local and international apparel retailers and food courts. The Palms shopping mall is ideal for window shoppers, business travellers looking for a spot and visitors travelling on vacation.

174 / 194, Obafemi Awolowo way, Alausa, Ikeja

The mall has a five-screen cinema, a department store, banks, cafes, bars, casual dining restaurants, pharmacies and ice cream shops. The mall has a five-screen cinema, a department store, banks, cafes, bars, casual dining restaurants, pharmacies and ice cream shops. This mall is wonderful for all categories of travellers and families on vacation.

10. Where to Stay in Lagos

Lagos has a wide variety of hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets. The city offers a mixture of local luxury hotels such as Eko Hotels and Suites and Federal Palace Hotel , and global chain hotels such as Intercontinental Hotel , and Four Points by Sheraton .

Budget hotels available include Sweet Life Home , The Blowfish Hotel and Tivoli Garden Hotel .

There is no better time to consider investing in real estate than now. Looking for where to buy houses in Lagos?
find out about house for sale in Ikoyi, house for sale in Lekki, house for sale in Ajah and House for sale in Ikeja.

If you are looking outside Lagos, you can find out about house for sale in Abuja.

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If you would love to explore Lagos on a budget, there are various historic places you can visit for free. All you'll need is an explorer's eye and a camera. Here are things to do in Lagos.

Unarguably the most economically active and socially diverse state in Nigeria, Lagos state is strategically positioned as the major convergence points for all other parts of the country and also the main entry point to the rest of the world. Just in case you find yourself in the city of Lagos at any time of the year, these destinations are definitely worth visiting.

Lagos offers a lot of fun things to do. Cinemas are fast becoming one of the hottest hangout places for family and friends.It offers a lot of thrilling emotions and relaxation. A movie freak or looking for a good spot to have a good time with friends and families? Here is a list of the top five cinemas to visit in Lagos.

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What is it Like to Live in Lagos? 10 Things You Should Know - Hotels.ng Guides

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The City of Lagos popularly called "Eko" by its approximately 21 million residents, Located in south-west Nigeria. Bordered by Ogun State to the north and east. To the west, it shares borders with the Republic of Benin while its southern borders lead to the Atlantic Ocean.

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The giant of Africa is often skipped on travel bucket lists but Nigeria is a fascinating country and will probably be the most memorable country you visit. If you know these things, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time!

If you're up for an experience, Nigeria is the only country of its kind on planet Earth. Most people who have visited this West African nation have described it as an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can explore this country alone but you can also reach out to a tour operator or travel experience manager like TVP Adventures to get the most up-to-date and authentic experience. Nigeria is also often misunderstood or misrepresented so here are answers to some of the most burning questions about visiting Nigeria.

1. The energy and positivism is contagious: The people of Nigeria will leave you inspired and energized. There's a spirit of hopefulness that shows in the market hustle, the skyscrapers blossoming from land-filled areas and the way the people dance to any and everything, any and everywhere! Nigerians live as if tomorrow will be better and never truly give up. It is a coping mechanism in a country that has so much potential but has not yet harnessed enough of it.

2. Nigeria is safe: You know, as safe as most other countries in the world. The occasional kidnap or armed robbery reported in the news unfortunately comes with the baggage of any vibrant country. In the USA, shootings and bombings are a more regular occurrence than shooting and bombings in Nigeria but somehow, we still all troop to Miami in May and Florida in February. In Nigeria, a few states in the North East have been plagued with terrorist activity and this is on the decline with top-notch efforts by the Nigerian military to conquer this beast. Nigeria is a large country; 36 states, 350+ ethnic groups, thousands of natural landmarks, Africa's largest economy, home of Nollywood and Africa's best musical industry, etc. Foreigners can walk the streets without fear of abduction and with the basic travel alertness and safety precautions, you can let down your guard and explore the wonders of the country. Nigeria is as safe as any other country worth its salt.

3. Nigeria is hot: Hot and humid! You're going to the right place if you're looking for sunshine because all through the year, Nigeria is generally warm. The weather varies from place to place for instance, Jos is typically cool and Borno is typically hot. But it never snows and it is often warm enough for kids to play in the rain. The high humidity also makes it feel much hotter than it actually is and many people have air-conditioners in their cars, houses and offices to avoid the sticky sweatiness that comes with the weather. In Harmattan (the cooler, drier season that runs from late November till February or early March), the temperature drops slightly (especially in the evenings) and the trade winds bring along dryness and dust with them. Always have a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself as much as possible.

4. Everyone speaks English: Well, many people speak fluent English but everyone speaks Pidgin English. Pidgin is a local variant - I would say it is a unique language on its own - that combines local dialects, slang and some English words. No surprise, since English is the official language and most people speak it alongside one or two of 350+ local languages.

5. Nigerians are warm, friendly and loud: If you are lighter skinned or Caucasian, you might hear people call out 'oyinbo' as you walk through the market or down more bustling areas. The term is often used in an endearing manner and should not be taken as an insult or rude reference to skin color. Nigerians are vocal and in areas where people rarely see white people, they may wave or say hello! In the same markets and more bustling areas, personal space is a null concept. Most people get right up to the next person when standing in line or tap shoulders / hands of strangers to draw their attention. With loud words and very dramatic gesticulations, Nigerians may also seem like they are arguing when describing an event to one another or passionately telling a story.

6. The country is chaotic: But relax, there's order in the chaos. If Nigeria, you might recognize aspects of the country that remind you of the roughness of Delhi, New York, London or Rio. In other areas, the roads are untarred, the buildings are simple and the people lead quiet, agricultural lives. At first glance, there's no order; for instance, many people have their own generators to provide their own electricity as well as their own water supply. So, it looks like chaos when you see arbitrary police stops on roads, unclear instructions in government offices, loose security at Seme border, and unstable electricity. However, there's a formula to the chaos and with a local to explain a few things, you'll adapt to the system in no time.

7. Get ready for a meaty, spicy time: In major cities like Lagos and Abuja, you'll find every kind of food you are looking for in Nigeria - Indian, Japanese, American, French, Chinese - especially Chinese, and even Ethiopian. But what's the fun in coming to Nigerian without enjoying Nigerian food? Prepare for lots of meats, starches and spicy food. Pretty much everything in Nigeria is flavorful and often, spicy (hot). However, many places will gladly tame the pepper level of your meal if you give them a heads up. Nigerian food is a true representation of its people with an unlimited variety of options and a rich medley of flavors. Only a small number of Nigerians are vegetarian but there are many meals on most menus that do not contain meat. Remember to tell your host or server ahead of time if you have specific food requirements.

8. Give a nod to a Nigerian legend: You are sure to completely win over the hearts of Nigerians if you say a word or sentence in a local language or Pidgin English. Nigerians appreciate it when others make an effort to learn their ways. You'll get even more points if you acknowledge a Nigerian legend: Fela, Agbani Darego, Jollof Rice. Want to take it further, sing 'African Queen' by TuFace or dance 'Shoki' and watch people light up in glee. It is all about the effort.

9. Public transportation might be a struggle: There is an availability of public transport but they do not work with strict schedules and may be cramped. If you're not in a hurry and want a full experience, jump into a 'danfo' or hail a shared cab a few times. For more comfortable options, Uber and Taxify work seamlessly in Nigeria and so do local taxis. If you book a tour or custom experience, your transportation will be taken care of.

10. Money: Some cities encourage cashless transactions and so will accept cards payments in most places. These can be unreliable in smaller cities and smaller establishments. To be safe, always carry enough cash for the day (not too little to get stranded and not too much). ATMs are available throughout the country and if you have a local guide, they can handle most of the transactions for you.

11. Religion is part and parcel of everyday life: Nigeria is tolerant of all kinds of religion. However, do not expect people to separate their religious activities from those of their work lives. Even though the country is a secular state, almost half of the population identifies as Christian and a similar portion identifies as Muslim. The local traditional religions have managed to survive interspersed among Christianity and Islam. There is also thin but growing population of Hindus and other religious sects. Do not be surprised to see people praying at the start of meetings or to see how proudly Nigerians wear their religious affiliations on their cars, door posts and popular culture. The country is also well decorated with churches and mosques. You can visit some of these churches and mosques for a more robust experiences.

12. Everything is a contradiction: There is so much wealth in the country - you'll find people living lifestyles that can rival that of British royalty or American tycoons, on legitimate wealth. In the same square mile, you'll find people living in penury. In Nigeria, everything exists side by side and in seeming harmony - wealth and poverty, corruption and religion, . While these things exist simultaneously, the contradiction is often stark and visible.

13. Nigerians are flamboyant people: In Nigeria, big houses are big, parties are loud and weddings are extravagant. Compared to other African countries, Nigerians are flamboyant and often display their wealth in innocuous ways. Nigerian weddings have a life of their own and creative tour operators like TVP Adventures now offer packages for you to experience a wedding firsthand or attend a typical 'owambe' (celebration).

14. Brace for the Traffic (Lagos): If you are visiting Lagos, you'll need to brace for the traffic. Veteran Lagosians may know the short windows during which road traffic is light but most likely, you'll meet some sort of traffic during your visit. This is especially true if your accommodation is located in a separate area from your meetings, events or tours. While you crawl through, take note of the hawkers who sell everything from CDs to cold bottled drinks to air mattresses and standing fans in traffic. Lagos traffic doubles as a mobile department store. True story!

15. Take your vaccines & necessary precautions: This is a no-brainer when visiting a new country. Do not forget to visit your doctor to ensure that you are not unnecessary susceptible to tropical bugs or allergens. Nigeria is not more diseased than other countries, however, residents of a country will often be more immune to certain illnesses than visitors to that place. Take extra care to sleep with mosquito nets or lotions and drink bottled water everywhere you go.

Oh, the experiences you could get when you go to Nigeria! Is there a question about Nigeria you would like answered? Leave a comment to share something I might have missed.

Follow 'Funmi's discoveries, travel stories and guides on Instagram - @TVPAdventures. You can also book a group tour or a custom travel itinerary. 'Funmi is available for writing or travel expo opportunities.

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15 Things You Need to Know Before You Visit Nigeria.

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The giant of Africa is often skipped on travel bucket lists but Nigeria is a fascinating country and will probably be the most memorable country you visit. If you know these things, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time! If you're up for an experience, Nigeria is the only country of its kind on planet Earth.

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Japan Travel Guide - How to travel Japan

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12 Things You should Know Before Visiting Iran

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12 Things You should Know Before Visiting Iran

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12 things you should know before you visit Iran

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National Geographic

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Morocco is located in the northwest corner of Africa and is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

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Moha El-Jaw/shutterstock

Admittedly, Marrakech is tourist-heavy, but you can treat the city like your Moroccan training wheels: It's your gateway to the rest of the country. The place is largely safe and welcoming, making it a solid destination for students or women traveling solo. You can find comfortable accommodations in a riad -- a traditional guest house -- for $40 a night or so, and there will surely be staff nearby to help you navigate the city once you're settled.

And when you're ready to explore further, the coast, desert, and mountains lie just beyond Marrakech's borders. Plus, the city is your best bet for flights -- so make it your first stop.

Stuart Cox/Corbis/Getty Images

Picture alliance/getty images

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Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Morocco

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Admittedly, Marrakech is tourist-heavy, but you can treat the city like your Moroccan training wheels: It's your gateway to the rest of the country. The place is largely safe and welcoming, making it a solid destination for students or women traveling solo.

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Exploring Tehran - Top Things to do & Tips (Inside Iran, Episode 01)

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Traditional Isfahan - Things to do & Tips (Inside Iran, Episode 02)

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A famous Iranian city - near the ancient ruins of Persepolis!

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Diverse Shiraz - Top Things to do & Tips (Inside Iran, Episode 03)

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Nat Geo Kids

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The Taj Mahal, an Indian landmark, was completed in 1653.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of India, Bharat

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal republic

CAPITAL: New Delhi

POPULATION: 1,296,834,042

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Hindi, English, 21 others

MONEY: Rupee

AREA: 1,269,345 square miles (3,287,590 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE: Himalaya

MAJOR RIVERS: Ganges, Yamuna, Indus, Brahmaputra

India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. The world's highest mountain range, the Himalaya, rises in the north. The southeast is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, and the southwest is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

India's terrain varies widely, from the Thar Desert in the west to jungles in the northeast. A fertile area called the Ganges Plain covers much of northern India. This formation was created from soil that was deposited by rivers running from the Himalaya. In some places, this layer of silt is over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) deep.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Society throughout India is divided into social ranks, called castes. Caste is determined by birth and there is almost no way to change it. High castes include priests, landowners, and soldiers. So-called Untouchables have no caste and do the most menial jobs.

India is a very spiritual country. It has no official religion, but more than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu. About 13 percent are Muslim. Other religions include Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, which all began in India.

For thousands of years, since the Hindu religion first evolved, respect for animal life has been an important part of Indians' beliefs. Cows in particular are sacred and cannot be harmed. They are even allowed to wander through city streets, which often causes traffic jams!

India's varied climate zones support about 65,000 animal species, including elephants, pythons, river dolphins, and rhinos, and 12,000 types of flowering plants. It is the only country in the world with both lions and tigers. It's also a bird watcher's paradise.

On the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Here, tigers swim in the same rivers as dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles. This unique landscape is constantly under threat as sea levels rise and humans hunt illegally and clear trees for firewood.

The Himalaya mountains provide a home for some of India's rarest animals and plants. The most elusive animal is the snow leopard. Bears and black buck live lower down, and in the northeast, the tiger and one-horned rhinoceros can be found.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

India's parliamentary government was inherited from the British. After independence in 1947, one party, the Congress Party, and one family, the Nehru family, dominated politics in India for decades. Now, however, many parties compete for elected positions.

India's economy is growing so fast that experts predict it will soon become one of the world's leading markets. Indians are hard workers. And though many are poorly educated, there are many others who are highly trained college graduates.

India's earliest known civilization arose about 5,000 years ago on the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of two huge cities with brick houses, piped water, and sewer systems. Nobody knows why, but these cities, called Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, were abandoned in 1700 B.C.

The Aryan people were farmers from Central Asia who arrived in India around 1500 B.C. They spoke Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest known languages. The Vedic Scriptures, writings that form the basis of the Hindu religion, were written during the Aryan reign.

In the 200-year reign of the Gupta Empire, starting in the fourth century A.D., arts, crafts, and sciences flourished. During this time, the Indian astronomer Aryabhatta determined that the Earth revolved around the sun. This was long before the Western world accepted the theory.

Beginning in the 16th century, following a series of invasions by Muslim forces, a Mongol leader named Babur founded the Mongol Empire. The Mongols oversaw a golden age of art, literature, and architecture in India between 1527 and 1707. They built roads, mosques, gardens, and enormous tombs, including the grand Taj Mahal.

In the late 1400s, Europeans arrived in India and began setting up trading companies. In 1757, Britain gained control over most of the country. Uprisings against British rule began in 1856. In 1920, the famous Mahatma Gandhi began nonviolent protests to push the British out. In 1947, India had independence.

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India Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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The Taj Mahal, an Indian landmark, was completed in 1653. OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of India, Bharat FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal republic CAPITAL: New Delhi POPULATION: 1,296,834,042 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Hindi, English, 21 others MONEY: Rupee AREA: 1,269,345 square miles (3,287,590 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE: Himalaya MAJOR RIVERS: Ganges, Yamuna, Indus, Brahmaputra India is part of the continent of Asia.

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Do You Know India Basic Information | World Countries Information #79 - General Knowledge & Quizzes

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10 Best Places to Visit in India - Travel Video

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Traditional Indian gastronomy is a melange of spices and flavours. Akin to the subcontinent's cultural and linguistic diversity, culinary style in India varies from place to place. And every sub-cuisine has its own unique take on dishes. Some might be piquant, others less so, but they are all colourful and enticing. Here are 10 traditional Indian dishes you need to try.

Rice is a staple of south Indian cuisine and is used in most dishes, including the finger-licking masala dosa. While dosa is a generic south Indian dish, masala dosa has specific origins in coastal Karnataka. The preparation of the rice crèpe is relatively simple: rice and lentils are soaked in water for five to six hours to prepare the batter, which is then cooked on a skillet. The types of filling in masala dosa varies, but is usually a potato and onion curry dipped in chutney.

This is an aromatic lamb curry from Kashmir, although it has roots tracing back to Persian cuisine. Made with an array of spices, tomatoes, ginger and garlic, rogan josh is a mouth-watering dish that is adored all over the country. Although the recipe can vary from place to place, the essence is the same.

Biryani was introduced to Indian gastronomy by the Mughals. Among the numerous biryani styles, hyderabadi biryani stands out thanks to the method of cooking and ingredients - rice, meat (lamb or chicken), yoghurt, onions and spices give it its full-on punchy flavour.

Chaats (savoury snacks) are a mainstay of Indian street food. Popular snacks include kachori, pani puri, bhel puri and masala puri, with a base of puffed rice and peas, vegetables and spices. Chaats originated in north India, and gradually spread to every corner of the country. It's no exaggeration to say that once you've tried chaats, you'll keep going back for more.

Corn flour bread ( makki ki roti) and a mustard leaf-based dish ( sarson ka saag) together are a staple of the Punjab region. They may not look particularly enticing, but the flavours are rich and satisfying. Makki ki roti aur sarson ka saag is a nutritious dish that enjoys great prominence.

This minced meat kebab with Lucknow origins is renowned for its ingredients, which include around 150 different spices. Conventional tunde kebabs are made from buffalo meat, with variations on the recipe using chicken or mutton. Tunde ka kabab is chief among the dishes of the Awadhi cuisine, known for its ambrosial delicacies.

Streets in Maharashtra would be incomplete without the presence of vada pav sellers, such is its sway over the local gastronomy. Vada pav is a vegetarian fusion of potato patty, chilli and other spices sandwiched in a bread roll known as a pav. What began as a simple and cost-effective snack has gone on to achieve widespread popularity in India.

The people of Kerala in India are connoisseurs of beef, and the presence of this meat in Kerala's cuisine has inspired some of the state's best dishes, beef roast chief among them. Savouring the beef roast with Kerala's very own bread, parotta, is every meat eater's delight.

Northeast Indian cuisine has its own distinctive features, making it a unique culinary adventure. Smoked pork from Nagaland, for instance, incorporates intriguing elements such as bamboo plants and raja mirchi - one of the hottest chillies in the world. Smoked pork is a traditional staple food of Nagaland, and is usually consumed with rice.

Vegetarian savoury snacks in India don't come better than dhoklas, made from rice and chickpeas. The fermented rice batter is mixed with chickpeas and steamed, and is then served garnished with mustard seeds and coriander. Among the plethora of vegetarian dishes from Gujarat, dhokla is the forerunner.

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10 Traditional Indian Dishes You Need to Try

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Traditional Indian gastronomy is a melange of spices and flavours. Akin to the subcontinent's cultural and linguistic diversity, culinary style in India varies from place to place. And every sub-cuisine has its own unique take on dishes. Some might be piquant, others less so, but they are all colourful and enticing.

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Taj Mahal

Perhaps the single most famous building on the planet, the Taj Mahal is as much a monument to love as it is to death. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan constructed this magnificent mausoleum to honour his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died tragically in childbirth. Clad in pearlescent white marble, and intricately inlaid with calligraphy, semiprecious stones and intricate floral designs representing the eternal paradise, the Taj is the pinnacle of Mughal creativity, and one of the most perfectly proportioned buildings ever constructed, anywhere, ever.
Explore more

Taj Mahal

Perhaps the single most famous building on the planet, the Taj Mahal is as much a monument to love as it is to death. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan constructed this magnificent mausoleum to honour his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died tragically in childbirth. Clad in pearlescent white marble, and intricately inlaid with calligraphy, semiprecious stones and intricate floral designs representing the eternal paradise, the Taj is the pinnacle of Mughal creativity, and one of the most perfectly proportioned buildings ever constructed, anywhere, ever.
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Caves of Ajanta

They may have lived a life of austere humility, but the 2nd-century-BC monks who created the Ajanta caves certainly had an eye for the dramatic. Thirty rock-cut forest grottoes worm through the face of a horseshoe-shaped cliff, protecting some of the finest carvings ever produced from the centuries and the elements. The caverns were originally hollowed out to provide peaceful spaces for meditation and contemplation, but later generations adorned the chambers with exquisite carvings and paintings depicting the Buddha's former lives. Renunciation of the worldly life was never so serenely sophisticated.
Explore more

Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination.

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Perhaps the single most famous building on the planet, the Taj Mahal is as much a monument to love as it is to death. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan constructed this magnificent mausoleum to honour his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died tragically in childbirth.