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Kids learn about the Geography of Jordan. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population.

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Algeria is a country on the north coast of Africa. It is the largest country on the continent. Its history, language, customs, and Islamic religion make it a part of the Arab...

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Sudan is a country in Africa. The official name of Sudan is The Republic of Sudan. Its capital is Khartoum.

Sudan is situated in northern Africa, with an 853 km (530 mi) coastline bordering the Red Sea. It has land borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya. With an area of 1,886,068 km ² (728,215 sq mi), it is the third-largest country on the continent (after Algeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the sixteenth-largest in the world.

Sudan lies between latitudes 8° and 23°N. The terrain is generally flat plains, broken by several mountain ranges. In the west, the Deriba Caldera (3,042 m or 9,980 ft), located in the Marrah Mountains, is the highest point in Sudan. In the east are the Red Sea Hills.

The Blue Nile and White Nile rivers meet in Khartoum to form the Nile, which flows northwards through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. The Blue Nile's course through Sudan is nearly 800 km (497 mi) long and is joined by the Dinder and Rahad Rivers between Sennar and Khartoum. The White Nile within Sudan has no significant tributaries.

There are several dams on the Blue and White Niles. Among them are the Sennar and Roseires Dams on the Blue Nile, and the Jebel Aulia Dam on the White Nile. There is also Lake Nubia on the Sudanese-Egyptian border.

The amount of rainfall increases towards the south. The central and the northern part have extremely dry desert areas such as the Nubian Desert to the northeast and the Bayuda Desert to the east; in the south, there are grasslands and tropical savanna. Sudan's rainy season lasts for about four months (June to September) in the north, and up to six months (May to October) in the south.

The dry regions are plagued by sandstorms, known as haboob, which can completely block out the sun. In the northern and western semi-desert areas, people rely on the scant rainfall for basic agriculture and many are nomadic, travelling with their herds of sheep and camels. Nearer the River Nile, there are well-irrigated farms growing cash crops. The sunshine duration is very high all over the country but especially in deserts where it could soar to over 4,000 h per year.

Oil was Sudan's main export, with production increasing dramatically during the late 2000s, in the years before South Sudan gained independence in July 2011. With rising oil revenues, the Sudanese economy was booming, with a growth rate of about nine percent in 2007. The independence of oil-rich South Sudan, however, placed most major oilfields out of the Sudanese government's direct control and oil production in Sudan fell from around 450,000 barrels per day (72,000 m ³/d) to under 60,000 barrels per day (9,500 m ³/d). Production has since recovered to hover around 250,000 barrels per day (40,000 m ³/d) for 2014-15.

In order to export oil, South Sudan relies on a pipeline to Port Sudan on Sudan's Red Sea coast, as South Sudan is a landlocked country, as well as the oil refining facilities in Sudan. In August 2012, Sudan and South Sudan agreed a deal to transport South Sudanese oil through Sudanese pipelines to Port Sudan.

The People's Republic of China is one of Sudan's major trading partners, China owns a 40 percent share in the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company. The country also sells Sudan small arms, which have been used in military operations such as the conflicts in Darfur and South Kordofan.

Agricultural production remains Sudan's most-important sector, employing 80 percent of the workforce and contributing 39 percent of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Instability, adverse weather and weak world-agricultural prices ensures that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years.

The Merowe Dam, also known as Merowe Multi-Purpose Hydro Project or Hamdab Dam, is a large construction project in northern Sudan, about 350 kilometres (220 mi) north of the capital, Khartoum. It is situated on the River Nile, close to the Fourth Cataract where the river divides into multiple smaller branches with large islands in between. Merowe is a city about 40 kilometres (25 mi) downstream from the dam's construction site.

The main purpose of the dam will be the generation of electricity. Its dimensions make it the largest contemporary hydropower project in Africa. The construction of the dam was finished December 2008, supplying more than 90 percent of the population with electricity. Other gas-powered generating stations are operational in Khartoum State and other states.

Largest cities

Ethnic groups

The Arab presence is estimated at 70% of the Sudanese population and they are mostly Arabized Nubians. Others include North Sudan Nubians, Zurga(South and West Sudan), and Copts.

Sudan has 597 groups that speak over 400 different languages and dialects. Sudanese Arabs are by far the largest ethnic group in Sudan. They are almost entirely Muslims; while the majority speak Sudanese Arabic, some other Arab tribes speak different Arabic dialects like Awadia and Fadnia tribes and Bani Arak tribes who speak Najdi Arabic; and Beni Ḥassān, Al-Ashraf and Rashaida who speak Hejazi Arabic. In addition, the Western province comprises various ethnic groups, while a few Arab Bedouin of the northern Rizeigat and others who speak Sudanese Arabic share the same culture and backgrounds of the Sudanese Arabs.

The majority of Arabised and indigenous tribes like the Fur, Zaghawa, Borgo, Masalit and some Baggara ethnic groups, who speak Chadian Arabic, show less cultural integration because of cultural, linguistic and genealogical variations with other Arab and Arabised tribes.

Sudanese Arabs of Northern and Eastern parts descend primarily from migrants from the Arabian Peninsula and intermarriages with the pre-existing indigenous populations of Sudan, especially the Nubian people, who also share a common history with Egypt. Additionally, a few pre-Islamic Arabian tribes existed in Sudan from earlier migrations into the region from Western Arabia, although most Arabs in Sudan are dated from migrations after the 12th century.

The vast majority of Arab tribes in Sudan migrated into the Sudan in the 12th century, intermarried with the indigenous Nubian and other African populations and introduced Islam.

Sudan consists of numerous other non-Arabic groups, such as the Masalit, Zaghawa, Fulani, Northern Nubians, Nuba, and the Beja people.

There is also a small, but prominent Greek community.

People from Sudan are called Sudanese. About 45 million people live in Sudan. About 4 million of these live in Khartoum or in towns that are joined to it.

Arabic is the official language of Sudan, but people also speak Nubian, Nilotic and English. Many other languages are spoken in different parts of the country as well.

Most Sudanese people have Islam as their religion. A small number are Christian. Some people have other religions that are called tribal (local) beliefs.

The currency of Sudan is called the Sudanese Pound (Jinneh).

The leader of Sudan right now is President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

For several years, the Darfur conflict has been going on in Sudan. Over 400,000 people have died in it.

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Sudan is a country in Africa. The official name of Sudan is The Republic of Sudan. Its capital is Khartoum. Sudan is situated in northern Africa, with an 853 km (530 mi) coastline bordering the Red Sea. It has land borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya.

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Located in East Africa, Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. Ethiopia saw much change in the 1900s, when its ancient monarchy fell to a military...

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The Republic of the Philippines is a country of Southeast Asia. It is made up of about 7,100 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The capital is Manila. Geography The…

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Our kid-friendly Egypt profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Saint Kitts and Nevis is a country of two small islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The capital and largest city is Basseterre. Geography Saint Kitts, sometimes called...

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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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India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.

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Explore the geography and culture of Morocco through a detailed map, infographic, video, photo gallery, and fun learning activities.

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Iraq's history is full of unsettling changes. In the past 15 years alone, it has witnessed two major wars, international sanctions, occupation by a foreign government, revolts, and terrorism. But Iraq is a land where several ancient cultures left stamps of greatness on the country, the region, and the world.

Iraq is nicknamed the "cradle of civilization." Thousands of years ago, on the plains that make up about a third of Iraq, powerful empires rose and fell while people in Europe and the Americas were still hunting and gathering and living more primitive lives.

The Sumerians had the first civilization in Iraq around 3000 B.C. The first type of writing, called cuneiform, came out of Uruk, a Sumerian city-state. Around 2000 B.C., the Babylonians came into power in southern Mesopotamia. Their king, Hammurabi, established the first known system of laws.

Babylonian rule ended in 539 B.C. when the Persians took over. In A.D. 646, Arabs overthrew the Persians and introduced Islam to Iraq. Baghdad was soon established as the leading city of the Islamic world. In 1534, the Ottomans from Turkey conquered Iraq and ruled until the British took over almost 400 years later.

Iraq became an independent country in 1932, although the British still had a big influence. In 1979, Saddam Hussein and his Baath Party took control of Iraq and promoted the idea that it should be ruled by Arabs. Hussein ruled as a ruthless dictator. In 1980, he started a long war with Iran, and in 1991, he invaded Kuwait, triggering the first Gulf War.

In 2003, after years of sanctions against Iraq, the United States invaded again out of concern that Saddam Hussein was making dangerous weapons. U.S. military forces quickly reached Baghdad and threw the Baathists from power. Saddam Hussein was captured, tried for crimes against humanity, and executed.

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Iraq Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Iraq is dominated by two famous rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates.

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Here are some interesting Facts about the Netherlands for Kids which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: 17 million people live in the Netherlands (2020)

Capital: Amsterdam, with 1.2 million inhabitants

Name: Kingdom of the Netherlands

Government: Democracy, Parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Official Language: Dutch

Religion: Christians 43% (Roman Catholics and Protestants), Muslims 5%

Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents, until 2002 Dutch guilder

National Day: 27 April (King's Day - the birthday of the Dutch king Willem-Alexander who was born on this day in 1967)

National Symbols: lion (national animal), tulip (national flower) and the national colour is orange

National Flag: red, white and blue

Anthem: 'Het Wilhelmus' (The William)

Netherlands Map | Netherlands Geography

Facts about the Netherlands: The Netherlands are a small country in Western Europe bordering the Atlantic Ocean's North Sea.

The Netherlands share land borders with Germany and Belgium. The longer border is shared with Germany. There is also a border shared with France on the Caribbean island of Saint Maarten.

Please note that Netherlands on the European continent is one country of the four countries that belong to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The kingdom consists of these four countries: The Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten. The latter three are all islands in the Caribbean. There are also three other islands called Bonaire, Saba and Saint Eustacious that are located in the Caribbean Netherlands which are referred to as special municipalities of the Netherlands.

Informally people also call the country 'Holland', which, however, is not correct, as the Netherlands includes 12 provinces, and two of these are called Noord-Holland and Zu uid-Holland (North- and South-Holland).

The name 'Netherlands' means 'lowlands' as most of the country is flat land that is located slightly above or at sea level, while about one quarter of the country is even below sea level.

The landscape is thus dominated by flat land and polders (reclaimed land) and there are only some low hills in the south eastern parts of the country.

While Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands, although Den Haag (The Hague) is the seat of the Dutch government.

Facts about the Netherlands
Geography Superlatives

Here are some more facts about the Netherlands and Netherlands geography superlatives:

Amsterdam is the most populous city with a population of 1.2 million people. Other big cities in the Netherlands are: Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Eindhoven.

About half the country is located only about 1m above sea level, all other areas are lower and one quarter of the land is below sea level!

The Netherlands is one of the Benelux countries which include: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The highest point in the Netherlands is located in the southeast of the country and is called Vaalserberg at the Three-Country Point in Boven. This point is located at the border to Belgium and Germany and is 322 metres/ 1,056 ft high.

The longest river in the Netherlands is the Rhine. The Rhine river runs through the country over 1,230 km/ 764 miles.

The Lake Ijssel, also called IJsselmeer, is the largest lake in the Netherlands and is an inland bay from the Waddensea of the North Sea but was closed off by an man-made dyke.

The continental Netherlands are roughly twice the size as the state of New Jersey in the USA - or about the same size as Switzerland.

Facts about the Netherlands
Landmarks in the Netherlands

Amsterdam, the capital city, is known for its many scenic grachten, which are canals. Amsterdam has more than 100 km/ 70 miles of grachten and about 90 islands. The grachten are usually not deeper than two to three meters! And there are over 1,500 bridges throughout the city.

The Rijksmuseum, the national museum, is a top tip to visit and learn about the country's history and arts. Famous works from the Dutch Golden Age are displayed there. This means paintings from the 17th century, from famous Dutch artists such as Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Post or the typical blue pottery from Delft or tiny doll houses are exhibited there.

Rotterdam is an important port city. The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The city was also the main port in the 17th century from where Dutch explorers and emigrants started their journeys. The Maritime Museum is thus a must-visit when in town. Sadly most of the historic buildings were destroyed during World War II, but today the city is known as 'Innovation City' due to its modern architecture. Famous landmarks include Erasmus Bridge over the Maas river or the modern kubuswoningen (cube houses).

Utrecht is located on the banks of the Rhine river. This city is home to the largest university in the Netherlands. The picturesque city centre houses still many buildings from the Middle Ages. The Dom Tower of the Utrecht is the tallest belfry in the Netherlands with 122.5 m/ 368 ft.

Alkmaar and Gouda are lovely Dutch cities . Their cheese markets are great to visit. There you will be amazed by all the huge wheels of cheese that are carried to the market. In Alkmaar this market happens every Friday and in Gouda every Thursday in summer. The first historic cheese market was held in Gouda in 1395.

Flower bulb region or Bollenstreek: Vast flowerfields can be admired in North Holland. The Netherlands are famous for huge tulip fields and picturesque historic Dutch windmills. Tulip blooming season is from mid to end April. Over 1.7 billion tulips are expected to bloom in spring all over the country! The annual flower parade with huge flower floats runs from Noordwijk to Haarlem; the next one is expected to take place on 17 April 2021.

Facts about the Netherlands
Famous Dutch People

The Netherlands have a royal family. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have three daughters.

The Dutch national holiday is King's Day which is celebrated every year on 27 April.

Most people in the Netherlands live in a region called Randstad. This region includes the four cities Amsterdam Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. The north of the Netherlands, mainly Fryslan is more rural and less populated than the other regions.

Dutch people enjoy the outdoors and many are active players of soccer, field hockey or korfbal which is similar to netball and basketball. Cycling, running and swimming are also popular pastimes. In winter people also enjoy ice skating on the frozen canals.

More interesting Facts about the Netherlands and Dutch people:

"It is customary to eat everything on your plate. If you don't, it makes it look like you don't like your food. Dutch people are also quite direct."

"Before the 13th century, the Netherlands largely existed as mud flats, salt-marsh, floodbanks, brackish lakes and tidal flats with here and there small hills on which people lived. Because it was so desolate, the Netherlands was not interesting for kings, queens, princes or princesses and there were no large cities.

The people were free to begin reclaiming land by building dykes. Because there were no machines, people had to dig these dykes by hand. This is how land reclamation started. Imagine that it took up to 15 years to dig the dykes and reclaim and desilt the land!

In order to build the dykes, the people had to work together. They had to cooperate with each other and form a consensus to finish the job. At the same time, they were responsible for their own work and for their own land that they reclaimed. This fostered a high degree of personal autonomy." (by Anna van der Schaft)

Dutch Language

The Dutch language is a Germanic language and became a language distinct of German around 800 AD.

Here are some useful phrases when you visit the Netherlands or want to impress a Dutch person:

Hello = Hallo (Ha-lo)

Goodbye = Dag (Da-ge)

Please = Alsjeblieft (Als-ye-blieft)

Thank you = Dank je wel (Dank-ye-vel)

Yes = Ja (Ya) No = Nee (Nay)

(by Anna van der Schaft)

Facts about the Netherlands
The Netherlands Economy

The Netherlands constitute the sixth largest economy in Europe and the country is part of the Euro zone.

The natural resources of the Netherlands include natural gas, petroleum, limestone and peat as well as sand and salt. Dairy products, meats and vegetables are among the main agricultural products.

The Netherland's main trading partners are Germany, Belgium, France and the UK as well as China and the USA.

The main export products of the Netherlands are machinery, chemicals, fuels and foodstuff. Did you know that the Netherlands are also the world's biggest exporter of flower bouquets?

Netherlands Facts | Dutch Food

The Dutch cuisine is known for fresh and regional food, fish and seafood and cheeses.

Typical Dutch dishes include:

Bitterballen: These small round fried meatballs are a popular snack. The meatballs are much lighter than regular meatballs as they have a velvety smooth meat filling under the fried crust.

Pea soup: thick deep green pea stew is usually made from split peas.

Stamppot: Potato mash mixed with shredded greens such as kale, spinach or cabbage. This mash is usually served with smoked sausages (rook worst)

Poffertjes: Dutch pancakes are thick and small round mounds. They are made with a yeast batter and usually served simply dusted with icing sugar or with syrup

Stroopwafel: Two layers of very thin round wafer cookies that are filled with caramel syrup. The name means 'syrup waffle' and this is a very tasty sweet treat.

Pepernooten: These small honey and anise cookies or 'peppernuts' are typical biscuits eaten on Sinterklaas (Santa Clause) celebrations on 5 December. They are similar to gingerbread cookies but have a distinct licorice flavour.

Many Thanks go especially to Anna van der Schaft from St Joseph's Institution International School in Singapore who supplied some of the interesting and unique facts we mention here on this page!

Please bookmark this page and spread the word. We will add more information in the near future.

Related Pages

Picture Credits on Facts about the Netherlands: All Pictures, own and if not otherwise mentioned from sxc.hu and shutterstock.com
We hope you enjoyed reading our Facts about the Netherlands.

Facts about the Netherlands | Resources
Back from Facts about the Netherlands to Kids-World-Travel-Guide

Netherlands Tourism. "Netherlands vs Holland" Holland.com. Last accessed 3 December 2020

Central Intelligence Agency. "Netherlands." CIA WorldFactBook. Last updated 24 November 2020. Last accessed 3 December 2020

Netherlands Tourism. "The IJsselmeer" Holland.com. Last accessed 3 December 2020

Royal House of the Netherlands. "Photos." RoyalHouse.nl. Last accessed 3 December 2020

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Facts About the Netherlands | Netherlands Facts for Kids | Europe

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Here are some interesting Facts about the Netherlands for Kids which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

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Kazakhstan, a vast Central Asian nation, has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The region has been inhabited since ancient times, with nomadic tribes and sedentary civilizations flourishing along the Silk Road trade route. In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire brought its influence to the area, followed by the Kazakh Khanate's establishment in the 15th century, marking the rise of a distinct Kazakh identity. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Kazakhstan experienced colonization by the Russian Empire, leading to a gradual integration into the Russian-controlled territories. In 1920, the Soviets extended their influence into the territory, heralding an era of industrialization, modernization, and societal transformation. Under Soviet leadership, Kazakhstan witnessed rapid economic development, with the establishment of collective farms, the exploration and extraction of valuable natural resources, and the construction of key infrastructure projects. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan emerged as an independent nation. Today, Kazakhstan is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and ambitious plans for development and global engagement.

National Flag

The flag of Kazakhstan was introduced in 1992, designed to replace the flag of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. It depicts a golden sun resting above a soaring eagle on a turquoise background. Turquoise is a color rich in symbolism for the Turkic peoples of Kazakhstan. On the left, the flag contains an ornamental pattern called "koshkar-muiz" (the horns of the ram).

Geography

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, with a diverse array of landforms and biomes. The grassy steppe extends across much of Kazakhstan, and the country is home to many valuable natural resources.

World Land Mass Ranking: 9th

Highest Mountain: Khan Tengri, 7,010 m (22,999 ft)

Longest River: Irtysh, 4,248 km (2,640 mi)

Main Languages

Kazakh, Russian

Kazakhstan Population: 19,398,331 (as of 2022)

Capital City: Astana

Capital City Population: 1,350,228 (as of 2022)

Climate

Because Kazakhstan is landlocked and high in elevation, the country has an extreme climate. Hot summers are followed by extremely cold winters, and Astana is the second coldest capital city in the world. Most of the country is arid, receiving little rainfall.

Key People

Cuisine

Kazakh cuisine is a delicious blend of flavors inspired by the nation's nomadic heritage, so don't be surprised to see how often horse meat shows up in their cookbooks. Known for its hearty and meat-centric dishes, horse meat holds a special place in Kazakh cuisine. Traditional favorites like "beshbarmak" feature tender boiled meat served over flat noodles, often made with horse meat. Grilled skewered meat, known as "shashlik," and cured horse sausage called "kazy" are also popular. Kazakhstan's culinary delights extend to dairy products like fermented mare's milk known as "kumis" and refreshing yogurt-based drinks like "ayran." With an emphasis on local ingredients and warm hospitality, Kazakh cuisine offers a unique and flavorful experience.

Sports

Kazakh sports encompass a wide range of traditional and modern activities that reflect the nation's rich cultural heritage and its passion for athletic prowess. Traditional sports such as kokpar (a horseback game similar to polo), kuresh (a form of wrestling), and camel racing showcase Kazakhstan's nomadic traditions and equestrian heritage. Additionally, Kazakhstan has excelled in Olympic sports, with a particular focus on wrestling, weightlifting, and boxing, earning numerous medals on the international stage. Ice hockey and skiing are also popular winter sports, while football (soccer) enjoys a significant following. Kazakhstan takes great pride in its sports achievements, fostering a strong sense of national unity and inspiring the younger generation to pursue active and healthy lifestyles.

Culture

Kazakh culture is a vibrant fusion of nomadic, Turkic, Persian, and Islamic influences. Music, traditional clothing, and warm hospitality are integral parts of Kazakh traditions. Hospitality is highly valued, and guests are warmly welcomed with generous feasts and traditional rituals. Islam is an integral part of Kazakh culture, and religious festivals are celebrated with great fervor. The Mausoleum to Koja Ahmad Yassaui in Turkistan holds religious and architectural significance, representing the country's deep-rooted Islamic heritage. Kazakh culture is a captivating blend of tradition and modern influences that showcases the pride and diversity of its people.

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Brief History Kazakhstan, a vast Central Asian nation, has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The region has been inhabited since ancient times, with nomadic tribes and sedentary civilizations flourishing along the Silk Road trade route. In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire brought its influence to the area, followed by ...

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Tripoli, Libya's capital-and largest city-is located near the coast.

OFFICIAL NAME: State of Libya

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Interim government in transition

CAPITAL: Tripoli

POPULATION: 6,754,507

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Arabic (English and Italian are also commonly spoken)

MONEY: Libyan dinar

AREA: 647,183 square miles (1,759,540 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Tibesti, Acacus, Nafusa, Akhdar

The fourth-largest country in Africa, Libya is bigger than the state of Alaska. The country borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Tunisia and Algeria to the west, Niger and Chad to the south, and Sudan and Egypt to the east.

Libya is almost entirely covered by the Libyan Desert, a flat plateau that's part of the Sahara, the world's largest hot desert. Libya is so dry that no permanent rivers flow through its boundaries. Water may flow beneath the ground and occasionally seep aboveground into dry streambeds called wadis.

To access the water below the desert, Libya built the Great Man-Made River, a network of underground pipelines that deliver fresh water to the cities. Upon its completion in 1991, the "river" became the largest permanently flowing water source in Libya.

Most of Libya's population lives in cities along the Mediterranean Sea, where the climate is milder than the country's hot desert interior. The capital of Tripoli and Benghazi, the second-largest city, are both located near the coast.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The Berber and Arab ethnic groups make up about 97 percent of the country's population. The Berbers are considered the earliest inhabitants of the country and are thought to have arrived in Libya around 1200 B.C. Arabs began to settle in the country around 700 A.D., following the rise in popularity of the religion of Islam. Small populations of Greeks, Egyptians, and Italians live in the country as well.

Today, most Libyans speak the Arabic language, and nearly 97 percent of the country is Muslim, or followers of Islam. A small percentage of the population are Roman Catholics or Orthodox Christians.

Almost 25 percent of Libyans live in Tripoli or Benghazi. Outside of these urban centers, rural Libyans farm near desert oases, where they can access water. Deeper into the desert, animal herders follow the weather and tend to sheep, goats, and camels.

Weaving, embroidery, and metal engraving are popular arts in Libya. Other common activities include horse racing, folk dancing, and soccer, the most popular sport in Libya. Both Tripoli and Benghazi have many teams that locals enjoy watching.

Most of Libya is covered by desert, and its plants and wildlife reflect the arid conditions. Hyenas, fennec foxes, jackals, and gazelles roam the desert, and snakes, including venomous adders and kraits, slither throughout the country.

Some strips of land near the Libyan coast support native forests of pine, juniper, and cypress. The country's coastline is also home to several rare wildlife species. Loggerhead turtles and Egyptian tortoises nest on the country's beaches and share the water with many types of dolphins, including the striped dolphin. Saker falcons and marbled polecats are often spotted close to the coast.

Libya has established several national parks, natural reserves, and protected areas, including two marine refuges. The country's largest national park is El Kouf National Park, which is known for its sand dunes, wetlands, and hilly terrain. The park is home to Egyptian wolves, golden eagles, red foxes, flamingos, and other wildlife.

GOVERNMENT

Libya's government is currently in transition. It was a monarchy until 1969, when rebels overthrew King Idris I and turned the country into an authoritarian state, or a country with one or few leaders and no constitution to protect the people's rights. A council ruled the country until 1977, when Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, one of the leaders of the 1969 revolution and a council member, became the country's "Brother Leader," or unofficial ruler.

Beginning in 2010, protests spread across many North African and Middle Eastern countries in what became known as the Arab Spring. The unrest spread to Libya, and Gaddafi punished many of the protesters. His response caused a civil war and he was killed in 2011. A transitional council was created to help form a unified government in Libya.

The Libyan economy is almost entirely based on oil and gas sales, and it's a major global oil producer. The civil war, however, reduced the value of Libya's currency, the dinar, and the economy still struggles today.

Libya was first settled by the Berbers during the Late Bronze Age, around 1200 B.C. They were followed by the Phoenicians, an ancient Mediterranean civilization, who established coastal trading posts in the 7th century B.C. The Greeks later arrived in the eastern part of the country and gave the region its name: Libya. The Romans then conquered Libya and ruled the territory. Around the year 700 A.D., the Arabs took over and introduced Islam to the area.

Beginning in the 16 th century, the Ottoman Empire ruled Libya for several hundred years. First formed in 1299, the Ottoman Empire ruled a large portion of Eastern Europe and the Middle East for over 600 years. (The empire fell apart in 1923 and became the country of Turkey.)

The Ottoman Empire's reign in Libya lasted until Italy seized control of the country in 1912. The Italian rule lasted just 31 years and ended when the French and British liberated Libya during World War II in 1943. Libya officially gained its independence in 1951.

The country was ruled by monarchs until Colonel Muammar Gaddafi overthrew King Idris I in 1969. Gaddafi controlled Libya until the 2011 revolution, when he was killed in the early stages of the civil war. The country continues to rebuild its government today.

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Tripoli, Libya's capital-and largest city-is located near the coast. OFFICIAL NAME: State of Libya FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Interim government in transition CAPITAL: Tripoli POPULATION: 6,754,507 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Arabic (English and Italian are also commonly spoken) MONEY: Libyan dinar AREA: 647,183 square miles (1,759,540 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Tibesti, Acacus, Nafusa, Akhdar The fourth-largest country in Africa, Libya is bigger than the state of Alaska.

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Kids learn about the Geography of Lebanon. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population.

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Our kid-friendly United States profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Pakistan Facts for Kids

Learn some interesting information about Pakistan while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids!

Read about Pakistan's major cities, population, languages, history, currency, popular sports and much more.

Pakistan is officially called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The name Pakistan, Pak (pure) and stan (land) means 'land of the pure' in the Persian and Urdu languages.

Pakistan's land covers some 796,095 km² (307,374 mi²) about the combined land area of France and the United Kingdom.

Pakistan shares a land border with Afghanistan, China, India and Iran.

The population of Pakistan is 193 million people (193,238,868) as of July 2013. This makes Pakistan the 6th most populous country in the world.

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, however as of 2013 it was only the 9th largest city in the country with just over 1 million people.

The largest city in Pakistan is Karachi which is home to over 13 million people. It is the financial hub of the country and is a major seaport.

The Indus area which covers the majority of Pakistan was home to some of the oldest known civilizations. The Neolithic Mehrgarh people and later the Indus Valley Civilisation lived in the area as long as 9000 years ago.

Pakistan became independent in from the British Indian Empire in 1947.

Pakistan was originally made up of East and West areas split either side of India. East Pakistan rebelled with a Civil war in 1971, and, with the help of India the area gained independence from the west and become the country of Bangladesh.

The massive Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges to the North of Pakistan contain 5 of the 14 mountain peaks in the world over 8000 m (26,250 ft) high. Including the world's second highest mountain, K2 at 8611 m (28,251 ft) and Nanga Parbat at 8126 m (26,660 ft).

The national language of Pakistan is Urdu, although the official language is English. Other languages spoken include Saraiki,Punjabi, Pushto, Sindhi and Balochi.

The official currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani rupee.

Pakistan's national sport is field hockey. The country has had a lot of success in the sport having won the Olympic gold medal 3 times in 1960, 1968, and 1984, and the Hockey World Cup 4 times in 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994.

Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan. The national team won the Cricket World Cup in 1992 and were World Twenty20 champions in 2009.

The national drink of Pakistan is Sugarcane juice, called "roh" the juice is usually only sold by roadside vendors throughout the country.

For more information, check out maps of Pakistan or take a closer look at the Pakistan flag.

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Fun Pakistan Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Pakistan

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Pakistan Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Pakistan while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about Pakistan's major cities, population, languages, history, currency, popular sports and much more. Pakistan is officially called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

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The Republic of Armenia is one of the world's oldest centers of civilization. Yerevan, the capital, is also one of the world's oldest cities. Geography Armenia is located in...

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Table of Contents

horizontally striped red-white-black national flag with a green hoist triangle. The flag's width-to-length ratio is 1 to 2.

In the late 19th century the religious leader al-Mahdī (Muḥammad Aḥmad) expelled the Egyptians and British from the Sudan and established a theocratic regime. His military flags were black, red, and green. After Mahdist rule was overthrown, Britain and Egypt established a condominium over the Sudan in 1899 under the terms of which the British and Egyptian flags were to be flown equally. Many Sudanese struggled against this condominium, however; for example, in 1924 the White Flag League raised its banner in revolt.

On January 1, 1956, the Egyptian and British flags were lowered, and the new national flag of The Sudan was hoisted in their place. It had equal horizontal stripes of blue (for the Nile River), yellow (for the desert), and green (for agriculture). In 1969 an Arab nationalist regime was proclaimed, and a new flag for the country was first officially hoisted on May 20, 1970. It combines the four pan-Arab colours found in the Arab Revolt Flag and the Arab Liberation Flag, but in The Sudan there are other explanations of the symbolism. Black is associated with al-Mahdī and with the name of the country itself ( sudan in Arabic means "black"). White refers to the revolutionary flag of 1924 and suggests peace and optimism. Red recalls the martyrs in the independence struggle as well as socialism and progress. Green is a symbol of prosperity as well as of the Islamic religion, to which a majority of the inhabitants adhere. The flag was designed by Abd al-Raḥman Aḥmad al-Jali.

Whitney Smith

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Flag of the Sudan | History, Colors & Symbols

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Horizontally striped red-white-black national flag with a green hoist triangle. The flag's width-to-length ratio is 1 to 2.In the late 19th century the religious leader al-Mahdī (Muḥammad Aḥmad) expelled the Egyptians and British from the Sudan and established a theocratic regime. His military

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Flag of the United Arab Emirates Facts for Kids

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Learn Flag of the United Arab Emirates facts for kids

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Sudan is a country in Africa. The official name of Sudan is The Republic of Sudan. Its capital is Khartoum.

Sudan is situated in northern Africa, with an 853 km (530 mi) coastline bordering the Red Sea. It has land borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya. With an area of 1,886,068 km ² (728,215 sq mi), it is the third-largest country on the continent (after Algeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the sixteenth-largest in the world.

Sudan lies between latitudes 8° and 23°N. The terrain is generally flat plains, broken by several mountain ranges. In the west, the Deriba Caldera (3,042 m or 9,980 ft), located in the Marrah Mountains, is the highest point in Sudan. In the east are the Red Sea Hills.

The Blue Nile and White Nile rivers meet in Khartoum to form the Nile, which flows northwards through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. The Blue Nile's course through Sudan is nearly 800 km (497 mi) long and is joined by the Dinder and Rahad Rivers between Sennar and Khartoum. The White Nile within Sudan has no significant tributaries.

There are several dams on the Blue and White Niles. Among them are the Sennar and Roseires Dams on the Blue Nile, and the Jebel Aulia Dam on the White Nile. There is also Lake Nubia on the Sudanese-Egyptian border.

The amount of rainfall increases towards the south. The central and the northern part have extremely dry desert areas such as the Nubian Desert to the northeast and the Bayuda Desert to the east; in the south, there are grasslands and tropical savanna. Sudan's rainy season lasts for about four months (June to September) in the north, and up to six months (May to October) in the south.

The dry regions are plagued by sandstorms, known as haboob, which can completely block out the sun. In the northern and western semi-desert areas, people rely on the scant rainfall for basic agriculture and many are nomadic, travelling with their herds of sheep and camels. Nearer the River Nile, there are well-irrigated farms growing cash crops. The sunshine duration is very high all over the country but especially in deserts where it could soar to over 4,000 h per year.

Oil was Sudan's main export, with production increasing dramatically during the late 2000s, in the years before South Sudan gained independence in July 2011. With rising oil revenues, the Sudanese economy was booming, with a growth rate of about nine percent in 2007. The independence of oil-rich South Sudan, however, placed most major oilfields out of the Sudanese government's direct control and oil production in Sudan fell from around 450,000 barrels per day (72,000 m ³/d) to under 60,000 barrels per day (9,500 m ³/d). Production has since recovered to hover around 250,000 barrels per day (40,000 m ³/d) for 2014-15.

In order to export oil, South Sudan relies on a pipeline to Port Sudan on Sudan's Red Sea coast, as South Sudan is a landlocked country, as well as the oil refining facilities in Sudan. In August 2012, Sudan and South Sudan agreed a deal to transport South Sudanese oil through Sudanese pipelines to Port Sudan.

The People's Republic of China is one of Sudan's major trading partners, China owns a 40 percent share in the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company. The country also sells Sudan small arms, which have been used in military operations such as the conflicts in Darfur and South Kordofan.

Agricultural production remains Sudan's most-important sector, employing 80 percent of the workforce and contributing 39 percent of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Instability, adverse weather and weak world-agricultural prices ensures that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years.

The Merowe Dam, also known as Merowe Multi-Purpose Hydro Project or Hamdab Dam, is a large construction project in northern Sudan, about 350 kilometres (220 mi) north of the capital, Khartoum. It is situated on the River Nile, close to the Fourth Cataract where the river divides into multiple smaller branches with large islands in between. Merowe is a city about 40 kilometres (25 mi) downstream from the dam's construction site.

The main purpose of the dam will be the generation of electricity. Its dimensions make it the largest contemporary hydropower project in Africa. The construction of the dam was finished December 2008, supplying more than 90 percent of the population with electricity. Other gas-powered generating stations are operational in Khartoum State and other states.

Largest cities

Ethnic groups

The Arab presence is estimated at 70% of the Sudanese population and they are mostly Arabized Nubians. Others include North Sudan Nubians, Zurga(South and West Sudan), and Copts.

Sudan has 597 groups that speak over 400 different languages and dialects. Sudanese Arabs are by far the largest ethnic group in Sudan. They are almost entirely Muslims; while the majority speak Sudanese Arabic, some other Arab tribes speak different Arabic dialects like Awadia and Fadnia tribes and Bani Arak tribes who speak Najdi Arabic; and Beni Ḥassān, Al-Ashraf and Rashaida who speak Hejazi Arabic. In addition, the Western province comprises various ethnic groups, while a few Arab Bedouin of the northern Rizeigat and others who speak Sudanese Arabic share the same culture and backgrounds of the Sudanese Arabs.

The majority of Arabised and indigenous tribes like the Fur, Zaghawa, Borgo, Masalit and some Baggara ethnic groups, who speak Chadian Arabic, show less cultural integration because of cultural, linguistic and genealogical variations with other Arab and Arabised tribes.

Sudanese Arabs of Northern and Eastern parts descend primarily from migrants from the Arabian Peninsula and intermarriages with the pre-existing indigenous populations of Sudan, especially the Nubian people, who also share a common history with Egypt. Additionally, a few pre-Islamic Arabian tribes existed in Sudan from earlier migrations into the region from Western Arabia, although most Arabs in Sudan are dated from migrations after the 12th century.

The vast majority of Arab tribes in Sudan migrated into the Sudan in the 12th century, intermarried with the indigenous Nubian and other African populations and introduced Islam.

Sudan consists of numerous other non-Arabic groups, such as the Masalit, Zaghawa, Fulani, Northern Nubians, Nuba, and the Beja people.

There is also a small, but prominent Greek community.

People from Sudan are called Sudanese. About 45 million people live in Sudan. About 4 million of these live in Khartoum or in towns that are joined to it.

Arabic is the official language of Sudan, but people also speak Nubian, Nilotic and English. Many other languages are spoken in different parts of the country as well.

Most Sudanese people have Islam as their religion. A small number are Christian. Some people have other religions that are called tribal (local) beliefs.

The currency of Sudan is called the Sudanese Pound (Jinneh).

The leader of Sudan right now is President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

For several years, the Darfur conflict has been going on in Sudan. Over 400,000 people have died in it.

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Sudan is a country in Africa. The official name of Sudan is The Republic of Sudan. Its capital is Khartoum. Sudan is situated in northern Africa, with an 853 km (530 mi) coastline bordering the Red Sea. It has land borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya.

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The United Arab Emirates ( UAE; Arabic: الإمارات العربية المتحدة al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabiyah al-Muttaḥidah) is a country in West Asia. It is located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, while having maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. Abu Dhabi is the nation's capital, while Dubai, the most populous city, is an international hub.

The United Arab Emirates is an elective monarchy formed from a federation of seven emirates, consisting of Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Each emirate is governed by a ruler and together the rulers form the Federal Supreme Council. The members of the Federal Supreme Council elect a president (as of 14 May 2023, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan) and vice president (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan) from among their members. In practice, the ruler of Abu Dhabi serves as president while the ruler of Dubai is vice president and prime minister. In 2013, the country had a population of 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million were Emirati citizens and 7.8 million were expatriates. As of 2023, the United Arab Emirates has an estimated population of roughly 10.2 million.

Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language. The United Arab Emirates' oil and natural gas reserves are the world's sixth and seventh-largest, respectively. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the country's first president, oversaw the development of the Emirates by investing oil revenues into healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The United Arab Emirates has the most diversified economy among the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In the 21st century, the country has become less reliant on oil and gas and is economically focusing on tourism and business. UAE is considered a middle power. It is a member of the United Nations, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OPEC, Non-Aligned Movement, World Trade Organization and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). UAE is a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The oldest human traces in the Emirates date back to 7000 years BCE. The United Arab Emirates was considered a part of the historical province called "Oman", this place consists of Oman and UAE nowadays. The Emirates has more than 330 historical buildings and cultural sites, some of which have a history from the stone age. After the start of Islam a new chapter began in the area because the new ruling religion of Mekka started to spread, and so was the area of the Arabic gulf one of the first areas where the Muslim missionaries went to. During the Ummayed period, the area of the Arabic Gulf was in a stable situation and it became a global center for navigation and shipping. The Portuguese were the first who arrived in this area after the fall of Al-Andalus and started the discovery of new routes to India without passing the Islamic countries. The explorer Vasco da Gama was the first who could reach India from Europe after turning around the Cape of Good Hope and the could Portuguese controlled all the harbors in the area for more than 2 centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries could Great Britain controlled the area for political and financial reasons after the Portuguese left.

Government and politics

Main page: Politics of the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is an authoritarian federal monarchy. According to The New York Times, the UAE is "an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state". The UAE has been described as a "tribal autocracy" where the seven constituent monarchies are led by tribal rulers in an autocratic fashion. There are no democratically elected institutions, and there is no formal commitment to free speech. According to human rights organisations, there are systematic human rights violations. The UAE ranks poorly in freedom indices measuring civil liberties and political rights. The UAE is annually ranked as "Not Free" in Freedom House's annual Freedom in the World report, which measures civil liberties and political rights. The UAE also ranks poorly in the annual Reporters without Borders' Press Freedom Index. Bertelsmann transformation Index describes the UAE as a "moderate monarchy". The country got ranked 91 out of 137 states and is far below the average scoring for development towards a democracy.

Main page: Geography of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is situated in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia; it is in a location south of the Strait of Hormuz, a transit point for world crude oil.

It lies between 22°30' and 26°10' north latitude and between 51° and 56°25′ east longitude. It shares a 530-kilometre (330 mi) border with Saudi Arabia on the west, south, and southeast, and a 450-kilometre (280 mi) border with Oman on the southeast and northeast. The land border with Qatar in the Khawr al Udayd area is about nineteen kilometres (12 miles) in the northwest; it is a source of border dispute. Following Britain's military departure from UAE in 1971, and its establishment as a new state, UAE laid claim to islands resulting in disputes with Iran that remain unresolved. UAE disputes claim on other islands against the neighboring state of Qatar. The largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, accounts for 87% of the UAE's total area (67,340 square kilometres (26,000 sq mi). The smallest emirate, Ajman, encompasses 259 km ² (100 sq mi).

The coast stretches for nearly 650 km (404 mi) along the southern shore of the Persian Gulf, interrupted by an isolated outcrop of the Sultanate of Oman. 6 of the emirates are situated along the Persian Gulf, and the seventh, Fujairah is on the eastern coast of the peninsula with direct access to the Gulf of Oman. Most of the coast consists of salt pans that extend 8-10 km inland. The largest natural harbor is at Dubai, although other ports have been dredged at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and elsewhere. Islands are found in the Persian Gulf, and the ownership of some of them has been the subject of international disputes with both Iran and Qatar. The smaller islands, as well as coral reefs and shifting sandbars, are a menace to navigation. Tides and occasional windstorms further complicate ship movements near the shore. UAE has a stretch of the Al Bāţinah coast of the Gulf of Oman. The Musandam Peninsula, the very tip of Arabia by the Strait of Hormuz, and Madha are exclaves of Oman separated by UAE.

South and west of Abu Dhabi, vast, rolling sand dunes merge into the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia. The desert area of Abu Dhabi includes 2 oases with adequate underground water for permanent settlements and cultivation. The Liwa Oasis is in the south near the undefined border with Saudi Arabia. About 100 km (62 mi) to the northeast of Liwa is the Al-Buraimi oasis, which extends on both sides of the Abu Dhabi-Oman border. Lake Zakher in Al Ain is a human-made lake near the border with Oman that was created from treated waste water.

Biodiversity

Main page: Wildlife of the United Arab Emirates

The UAE contains the following terrestrial ecoregions: Al Hajar montane woodlands and shrublands, Gulf of Oman desert and semi-desert, and Al-Hajar foothill xeric woodlands and shrublands.

The climate is subtropical-arid with hot summers and warm winters. The climate is categorized as desert climate. The hottest months are July and August, when average maximum temperatures reach above 45 °C (113 °F) on the coastal plain. In the Hajar Mountains, temperatures are lower, a result of increased elevation. Average minimum temperatures in January and February are between 10 and 14 °C (50 and 57 °F). During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind known as Sharqi (i.e. "Easterner") makes the coastal region especially unpleasant. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than 120 mm (4.7 in), but in some mountainous areas annual rainfall reaches 350 mm (13.8 in). Rain in the coastal region falls in short, torrential bursts during the winter months, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily dry wadi beds.

On 28 December 2004, there was snow recorded in the UAE for the first time, in the Jebel Jais mountain cluster in Ras al-Khaimah. A few years later, there were more sightings of snow and hail. The Jebel Jais mountain cluster has experienced snow twice since records began.

Cities and landscape

Largest cities

Main page: Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

Tourism acts as a growth sector for the entire UAE economy. Dubai is the top tourism destination in the Middle East. According to the annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Dubai is the fifth most popular tourism destination in the world. Dubai holds up to 66% share of the UAE's tourism economy, with Abu Dhabi having 16% and Sharjah 10%. Dubai welcomed 10 million tourists in 2013.

The UAE has the most advanced and developed infrastructure in the region. Since the 1980s, the UAE has been spending billions of dollars on infrastructure. These developments are particularly evident in the larger emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The northern emirates are rapidly following suit, providing major incentives for developers of residential and commercial property.

The inbound tourism expenditure in the UAE for 2019 accounted for 118.6 per cent share of the outbound tourism expenditure. Since 6 January 2020, tourist visas to the United Arab Emirates are valid for five years. It has been projected that the travel and tourism industry will contribute about 280.6 billion United Arab Emirati dirham to the UAE's GDP by 2028.

Main page: Transport in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai International Airport became the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic in 2014, overtaking London Heathrow.

Salik, meaning "open" or "clear", is Dubai's electronic toll collection system that was launched in July 2007 and is part of Dubai's traffic congestion management system. Each time one passes through a Salik tolling point, a toll is deducted from the drivers' prepaid toll account using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. There are four Salik tolling points placed in strategic locations in Dubai: at Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, and along Sheikh Zayed Road at Al Safa and Al Barsha.

A 1,200 km (750 mi) country-wide railway is under construction which will connect all the major cities and ports. The Dubai Metro is the first urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula.

The major ports of the United Arab Emirates are Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, Port Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, Port Khalid, Port Saeed, and Port Khor Fakkan. The Emirates are increasingly developing their logistics and ports in order to participate in trade between Europe and China or Africa. For this purpose, ports are being rapidly expanded and investments are being made in their technology.

Main page: Culture of the United Arab Emirates

Emirati culture is based on Arabian culture and has been influenced by the cultures of Persia, India, and East Africa. Arabian and Arabian inspired architecture is part of the expression of the local Emirati identity. Arabian influence on Emirati culture is noticeably visible in traditional Emirati architecture and folk arts. For example, the distinctive wind tower which tops traditional Emirati buildings, the barjeel has become an identifying mark of Emirati architecture and is attributed to Arabian influence. This influence is derived both from traders who fled the tax regime in Persia in the early 19th century and from Emirati ownership of ports on the Arabian coast, for instance the Al Qassimi port of Lingeh.

The United Arab Emirates has a diverse society. Dubai's economy depends more on international trade and tourism, and is more open to visitors, while Abu Dhabi society is more domestic as the city's economy is focused on fossil fuel extraction.

Major holidays in the United Arab Emirates include , which marks the end of , and National Day (2 December), which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Emirati males prefer to wear a kandura, an ankle-length white tunic woven from wool or cotton, and Emirati women wear an abaya, a black over-garment that covers most parts of the body.

Ancient Emirati poetry was strongly influenced by the eighth-century Arab scholar Al Khalil bin Ahmed. The earliest known poet in the UAE is Ibn Majid, born between 1432 and 1437 in Ras Al-Khaimah. The most famous Emirati writers were Mubarak Al Oqaili (1880-1954), Salem bin Ali al Owais (1887-1959) and Ahmed bin Sulayem (1905-1976). Three other poets from Sharjah, known as the Hirah group, are observed to have been heavily influenced by the Apollo and Romantic poets. The Sharjah International Book Fair is the oldest and largest in the country.

The list of museums in the United Arab Emirates includes some of regional repute, most famously Sharjah with its Heritage District containing 17 museums, which in 1998 was the Cultural Capital of the Arab World. In Dubai, the area of Al Quoz has attracted a number of art galleries as well as museums such as the Salsali Private Museum. Abu Dhabi has established a culture district on Saadiyat Island. Six grand projects are planned, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Dubai also plans to build a Kunsthal museum and a district for galleries and artists.

Emirati culture is a part of the culture of Eastern Arabia. Liwa is a type of music and dance performed locally, mainly in communities that contain descendants of Bantu peoples from the African Great Lakes region. The Dubai Desert Rock Festival is also another major festival consisting of heavy metal and rock artists. The cinema of the United Arab Emirates is minimal but expanding.

The traditional food of the Emirates has always been rice, fish and meat. The people of the United Arab Emirates have adopted most of their foods from other West and South Asian countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and Oman. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries. Meat and rice are other staple foods, with lamb and mutton preferred to goat and beef. Popular beverages are coffee and tea, which can be complemented with cardamom or saffron to give them a distinctive flavour.

Popular cultural Emirati dishes include threed, machboos, khubisa, khameer and chabab bread among others while lugaimat is a famous Emirati dessert.

With the influence of western culture, fast food has become very popular among young people, to the extent that campaigns have been held to highlight the dangers of fast food excesses. Alcohol is allowed to be served only in hotel restaurants and bars. All nightclubs are permitted to sell alcohol. Specific supermarkets may sell alcohol, but these products are sold in separate sections. Likewise, pork, which is haram (not permitted for Muslims), is sold in separate sections in all major supermarkets. Although alcohol may be consumed, it is illegal to be intoxicated in public or drive a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in the blood.

Main page: Sport in the United Arab Emirates

Formula One is particularly popular in the United Arab Emirates, and a Grand Prix is annually held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The race takes place in the evening, and was the first ever Grand Prix to start in daylight and finish at night. Other popular sports include camel racing, falconry, endurance riding, and tennis. The emirate of Dubai is also home to two major golf courses: the Dubai Golf Club and Emirates Golf Club.

In the past, child camel jockeys were used, leading to widespread criticism. Eventually, the UAE passed laws banning the use of children for the sport, leading to the prompt removal of almost all child jockeys. Recently robot jockeys have been introduced to overcome the problem of child camel jockeys which was an issue of human rights violations. Ansar Burney is often praised for the work he has done in this area.

Football is a popular sport in the UAE. Al Nasr, Al Ain, Al Wasl, Sharjah, Al Wahda, and Shabab Al Ahli are the most popular teams and enjoy the reputation of long-time regional champions. The United Arab Emirates Football Association was established in 1971 and since then has dedicated its time and effort to promoting the game, organising youth programmes and improving the abilities of not only its players, but also the officials and coaches involved with its regional teams. The UAE qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1990, along with Egypt. It was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying, after Kuwait and Algeria in 1982, and Iraq and Algeria again in 1986. The UAE has won the Gulf Cup Championship twice: the first cup won in January 2007 held in Abu Dhabi and the second in January 2013, held in Bahrain. The country hosted the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The UAE team went all the way to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, Qatar.

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the UAE, largely because of the expatriate population from the SAARC countries, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The headquarters of the International Cricket Council (ICC) have been located in the Dubai Sports City complex since 2005, including the ICC Academy which was established in 2009. There are a number of international cricket venues in the UAE, which are frequently used for international tournaments and "neutral" bilateral series due to the local climate and Dubai's status as a transport hub. Notable international tournaments hosted by the UAE have included the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, and three editions of the Asia Cup (1984, 1995 and 2018). Notable grounds include the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in Sharjah, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) became a member of the ICC in 1990. The UAE national cricket team has qualified for the Cricket World Cup on two occasions (1996 and 2015) and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on one occasion (2014). The national women's team is similarly one of the strongest associate teams in Asia, notably participating in the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Following the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team, the UAE served as the de facto home of the Pakistan national cricket team for nearly a decade, as well as hosting the Pakistan Super League. The UAE has also hosted one full edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2020 and two partial editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2014 and 2021.

Main page: Education in the United Arab Emirates

The education system through secondary level administered by the Ministry of Education in all emirates except Abu Dhabi, where it falls under the authority of the Department of Education and Knowledge. Public schools are divided into primary schools, middle schools and high schools. The public schools are government-funded and the curriculum is created to match the United Arab Emirates' development goals. The medium of instruction in the public school is Arabic with emphasis on English as a second language. There are also many private schools which are internationally accredited. Public schools in the country are free for citizens of the UAE, while the fees for private schools vary.

The higher education system is monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education. The ministry also is responsible for admitting students to its undergraduate institutions. The adult literacy rate in 2015 was 93.8%.

The UAE has shown a strong interest in improving education and research. Enterprises include the establishment of the CERT Research Centres and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Institute for Enterprise Development. According to the QS Rankings, the top-ranking universities in the country are the United Arab Emirates University (421-430th worldwide), Khalifa University (441-450th worldwide), the American University of Sharjah (431-440th) and University of Sharjah (551-600th worldwide). United Arab Emirates was ranked 33rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, up from 36th in 2019.

Demographics

Main page: Demographics of the United Arab Emirates

According to an estimate by the World Bank, the UAE's population in 2020 was 9,890,400. Immigrants accounted for 88.52% while Emiratis made up the remaining 11.48%. This unique imbalance is due to the country's exceptionally high net migration rate of 21.71, the world's highest. UAE citizenship is very difficult to obtain other than by filiation and only granted under very special circumstances.

The UAE is ethnically diverse. The five most populous nationalities in the emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman are Indian (25%), Pakistani (12%), Emirati (9%), Bangladeshi (7%), and Filipino (5%). Immigrants from Europe, Australia, North America and Latin America make up 500,000 of the population. More than 100,000 British nationals live in the country. The rest of the population are from other Arab states.

About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban. The average life expectancy was 76.7 in 2012, higher than for any other Arab country. With a male/female sex ratio of 2.2 males for each female in the total population and 2.75 to 1 for the 15-65 age group, the UAE's gender imbalance is second highest in the world after Qatar.

Main page: Religion in the United Arab Emirates

Islam is the largest and the official state religion of the UAE. The government follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions and rarely interferes in the religious activities of non-Muslims.

Christians account for 9% of the total population of the United Arab Emirates, according to the 2005 census; estimates in 2010 suggested a figure of 12.6%. Roman Catholics and Protestants form significant proportions of the Christian minority. The country has over 52 churches in 2023. Many Christians in the United Arab Emirates are of Asian, African, and European origin, along with fellow Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. The United Arab Emirates forms part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia and the Vicar Apostolic Bishop Paul Hinder is based in Abu Dhabi.

There is a small Jewish community in the United Arab Emirates. Before 2023, there was only one known synagogue in Dubai, which has been open since 2008 and the synagogue also welcomes visitors. Another synagogue, Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue was completed in 2023 as part of the Abrahamic Family House complex in Abu Dhabi. As of 2019, according to Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, it is estimated that there are about 150 families to 3,000 Jews who live and worship freely in the UAE.

South Asians in the United Arab Emirates constitute the largest ethnic group in the country. Over 2 million Indian migrants (mostly from the southern states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) are estimated to be living in the UAE. There are currently three Hindu temples in the country. Other religions also exist in the United Arab Emirates, including Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, Baháʼís and Druze.

The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Abdullah bin Zayed, announced in 2019 the design and construction plan of the Abrahamic Family House, which will serve as an interfaith complex that houses a synagogue, mosque, and a church on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

Arabic is the national language of the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf dialect of Arabic is spoken natively by Emirati people.

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In Spanish: Emiratos Árabes Unidos para niños

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Learn United Arab Emirates facts for kids

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People have lived in what is now Russia for thousands of years. The East Slavs settled in the southwest by the ad 300s. They came from eastern Europe.

By the 800s people from Scandinavia ( Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) had entered the territory of the East Slavs. These Scandinavians are known as Varangians. The Varangians mixed with the Slavs and gave them the name Rus. The name Russia came from that name.

The town of Kyiv (also spelled Kiev) was the capital of the territory, which became known as Kyivan (Kievan) Rus. Kyivan Rus grew to be the largest state in Europe.

The Mongols and Muscovy

In the 1200s warriors from central Asia known as Mongols, or Tatars, invaded Kyivan Rus. The Mongols set up a kingdom called the Golden Horde. During the time of Mongol rule, two strong Russian states developed. Novgorod became a powerful state in western Russia. Muscovy, or Moscow, became the strongest power in the north.

In 1478 the ruler of Muscovy, Ivan III (also called Ivan the Great) conquered Novgorod. Two years later he defeated the Mongols and made the Russian lands independent. Ivan IV came to the throne in 1533. He called himself tsar (emperor) of all Russia. Ivan IV earned the title Ivan the Terrible because of his cruel and violent rule.

The Romanov Dynasty

In 1613 Michael Romanov became tsar. His family ruled Russia until 1917. Under the Romanovs, Russia became one of the most powerful states in Europe.

Peter I, called Peter the Great, became tsar in 1682. Peter added to Russia's territory and built a new capital, which he named Saint Petersburg. Catherine II, called Catherine the Great, came to the throne in 1762. She also expanded the size of Russia. Nicholas II, who became tsar in 1894, was the last of the Romanov rulers.

The Russian Revolution

In 1914 Russia entered World War I. After three years of terrible losses, the Russian people rebelled against the tsar in March 1917. Nicholas II stepped down, and the country set up a temporary government. Nicholas and his family were later executed.

In November 1917 a group called the Bolsheviks seized control of Russia. Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks set up a communist government. The new government took Russia out of World War I.

The Soviet Union

Some Russians fought a civil war against the Bolsheviks, but the Bolsheviks defeated them. In 1922 the Bolsheviks set up a new country called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union included 15 republics, or states. Russia was the largest of the new country's republics. The communist government of the Soviet Union ruled harshly at times. Millions of people died during the rule of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

By the 1980s many Soviets wanted more freedom and a better economy. The communist government could not solve the country's problems. In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed. Each of the republics became a separate country.

A New Russia

Russia formed a new democratic government that gave the people more rights and freedoms. However, the government also faced a poor economy and a number of revolts. One of those revolts took place in the southwestern region called Chechnya, which wanted independence from Russia. Russian troops fought with rebels in Chechnya until 2009, when Russia declared the fighting in Chechnya to be over. However, occasional outbreaks of violence still occurred.

Russia's longtime leader, Vladimir Putin, also targeted parts of the neighboring country of Ukraine. Ukraine had been part of the Soviet Union, and before that it had been part of the Russian Empire. In 2014 Russia sent armed men into the Ukrainian republic of Crimea. Soon after, Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and was annexed by Russia. Most countries and the United Nations condemned Russia's actions. Also in 2014 two regions of Ukraine tried to separate from the country. Rebels in the regions fought against troops from Ukraine. The fighting went on for years, and many people believed that troops from Russia were helping the rebels. In 2021 Putin began gathering Russian troops along the border with Ukraine. In February 2022 Russian forces began attacking Ukraine. Many world leaders again condemned the actions of Russia.

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People have lived in what is now Russia for thousands of years. The East Slavs settled in the southwest by the ad 300s. They came from eastern Europe. By the 800s people from Scandinavia ( Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) had entered the territory of the East Slavs. These Scandinavians are known as Varangians.

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Russia, the largest country in the world, occupies one-tenth of all the land on Earth.

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Our kid-friendly Portugal profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Most of Portugal was once covered by forests. Today, only a quarter of the country remains forested. While some native species, such as the cork tree are still common, many plants are foreign species and were introduced by humans.

Farming and hunting have reduced the numbers of wild animals living in Portugal. The common animals are boars, wild goats, fallow deer, foxes, and Iberian hares. The Iberian lynx is the most endangered cat species in the world. Portugal and Spain are working together to create open space to allow the remaining few hundred lynxes to roam freely.

The coastline is a rich habitat for crabs, clams, and oysters, and tuna, bonito, and sardines are a common catch for Portuguese fisherman.

Many migratory birds stop in Portugal while on their journey to and from central Europe to Africa and beyond.

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Portugal is the westernmost point of Europe and lies on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

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The Philippines is an Island country in Southeast Asia in the Pacific Ocean. It has about 7,600 islands. Spain ( 1521- 1898) and the United States ( 1898- 1946), colonized (controlled) the country. The capital city of the Philippines is Manila.

The Philippines and East Timor are the only nations in East Asia where most people practice Christianity. The Philippines achieved independence after the United States left in 1946.

The Philippine Islands are surrounded on the east by the Philippine Sea, on the west by the South China Sea, and on the south by the Celebes Sea. Borneo island is a few hundred kilometers to the southwest, Vietnam is to the west, and Taiwan is directly north. On the eastern side of the Philippine Sea is Palau.

Human fossils were found proving that many people settled in the Philippines for thousands of years. The Negritos crossed prehistoric land or ice to settle in the islands' land. Many groups of Austronesian people began to come to the Philippines in the first millennium, pushing the aboriginal population into the interior or perhaps absorbing them through intermarriage.

Chinese merchants arrived in the 8th century. The rise of powerful Buddhist kingdoms enabled trade with the Indonesian archipelago, India, Japan and Southeast Asia. Factional fighting among the kingdoms of Southeast Asia weakened their strength. In the meantime, the spread of Islam through commerce and proselytism, much like Christianity, brought traders and missionaries into the region; Arabs set foot in Mindanao in the 14th century. When the first Europeans arrived, led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, there were rajahs as far north as Manila, who historically were tributaries of the kingdoms of Southeast Asia. However, the islands were essentially self-sufficient and self-ruling.

The Spanish led by Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi claimed and colonized the islands in the 16th century and named it Filipinas after King Philip II of Spain. Roman Catholicism was immediately introduced. The Philippines was ruled from New Spain ( Mexico) and a trade began in the 18th century began using galleons across the Pacific Ocean. Some rebellions and violence started in the towns near the ocean and during the next three centuries because of some unfairness of the government.

In 1781, Governor José Basco y Vargas founded the Economic Society of Friends of the Country to make the Philippines independent of New Spain.

The country opened up during the 19th century. The rise of an ambitious, more nationalistic Filipino middle class and the Chinese mestizo community, signaled the end of Spanish colonialism in the islands. Enlightened by the Propaganda Movement to the injustices of the Spanish colonial government, they asked for independence. Jose Rizal, the most famous propagandist, was arrested and put to death in 1896 for acts of subversion. Soon after, the Philippine Revolution broke out, led by the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society founded by Andres Bonifacio and later led by Emilio Aguinaldo. The revolution nearly succeeded in ousting the Spanish by 1898.

That same year Spain and the United States fought the Spanish-American War, after which Spain gave up the Philippines to the United States for US$20 million. The Filipinos had declared independence by that time and the assertion of American control led to the Philippine-American War that officially ended in 1901, but fighting continued well into 1913. Between 1899 and 1913 the American-Philippines war waged, about one million Philippines and well over 5500 American soldiers (including missionaries& private contractors, military families) lost their lives, tens of thousands more were wounded. Most of the Philippine's casualties came from starvation, injuries, diseases, lack of clean living. Hostilities continued until 1914 when Philippines was promised future independence.

President William McKinley was killed by anarchist Leon Czolgosz because Czolgosz believed president McKinley was against good working people, he considered McKinley responsible for falsifying the reasons for the war, and approving and waging an illegal, devastating Philippines war.

The American regime imposed the English language as the lingua franca in the islands through free public education. The status of the country was turned into that of a US commonwealth in 1935, which provided for more self-governance.

The government of the Philippines, is similar to the Government of the United States of America. The President of the Philippines works as the head of state, the head of government, and the commander in chief of the Military of the Philippines and the armed forces. The president is elected by voting just as in America. He stays as the president for 6 years. He is the leader of the cabinet.

The bicameral Philippine legislature, the Congress of the Philippines, consists of the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives of the Philippines; members of both are elected by popular vote. There are 24 senators serving 6 years in the Senate while the House of Representatives consists of no more than 250 congressmen each serving 3-year terms.

The judiciary branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, which has a Chief Justice as its head and 14 Associate Justices, all appointed by the president.

The Philippines is a founding and prominent member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is also an active participant of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a member of the Group of 24 and one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations on October 24, 1945.

Regions and Provinces

Local Government. The parts of Philippines are "local government units" (LGUs). The province is the top unit. There are 79 provinces in the country ( 2002). In the provinces there are cities and municipalities (towns). In these municipalities there are smaller barangays (villages). The barangay is the smallest local government unit.

All provinces are in 17 regions for administration (organisation). Most government offices have regional offices for the provinces. The regions do not have a separate local government, except for the Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera regions, which have their own power (autonomous government).

Metro Manila is the most populous of the 3 defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines and the 8th most populous in the world in 2018. Census data from 2015 showed it had a population of 12,877,253 comprising almost 13% of the national population. Including suburbs in the adjacent provinces ( Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) of Greater Manila, the population is around 24,650,000. Across the country, the Philippines has a total urbanization rate of 51.2 percent.

Metro Manila's gross regional product was estimated as of 2009 to be ₱468.4 billion (at constant 1985 prices) and accounts for 33% of the nation's GDP. In 2011 Manila ranked as the 28th wealthiest urban agglomeration in the world and the 2nd in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines is an archipelago composed of about 7,641 islands with a total land area, including inland bodies of water, of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi). The 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) of coastline makes it the country with the fifth longest coastline in the world.

The Exclusive economic zone of the Philippines covers 2,263,816 km ² (874,064 sq mi). It is located between 116° 40', and 126° 34' E longitude and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N latitude and is bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The island of Borneo is located a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan is located directly to the north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are located to the south-southwest and Palau is located to the east of the islands.

Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin. The highest mountain is Mount Apo. It measures up to 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level and is located on the island of Mindanao. The Galathea Depth in the Philippine Trench is the deepest point in the country and the third deepest in the world. The trench is located in the Philippine Sea.

The longest river is the Cagayan River in northern Luzon. Manila Bay, upon the shore of which the capital city of Manila lies, is connected to Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, by the Pasig River. Subic Bay, the Davao Gulf, and the Moro Gulf are other important bays. The San Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte but it is traversed by the San Juanico Bridge.

Situated on the western fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The Benham Plateau to the east in the Philippine Sea is an undersea region active in tectonic subduction. Around 20 earthquakes are registered daily, though most are too weak to be felt. The last major earthquake was the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

There are many active volcanoes such as the Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century. Not all notable geographic features are so violent or destructive. A more serene legacy of the geological disturbances is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the area represents a habitat for biodiversity conservation, the site also contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.

Due to the volcanic nature of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. The country is estimated to have the second-largest gold deposits after South Africa giving credence to the talk that the Philippines was the Biblical Ophir and the country also has one of the largest copper deposits in the world.

Palladium, originally discovered in South America, was found to have the world's largest deposits in the Philippines too. Romblon island also possesses the most diversified, high quality and hardest marble in the world and is available in at least 7 colors mainly: brown, grey, rust, white, green, black and orange. The country is also rich in nickel, chromite, and zinc.

Geothermal energy is a product of volcanic activity that the Philippines has harnessed more successfully. The Philippines is the world's second-biggest geothermal producer behind the United States, with 18% of the country's electricity needs being met by geothermal power.

Biodiversity

The Philippines' rainforests and its extensive coastlines make it home to a diverse range of birds, plants, animals, and sea creatures. It is one of the ten most biologically megadiverse countries. Around 1,100 land vertebrate species can be found in the Philippines including over 100 mammal species and 170 bird species not thought to exist elsewhere. The Philippines has among the highest rates of discovery in the world with sixteen new species of mammals discovered in the last ten years. Because of this, the rate of endemism for the Philippines has risen and likely will continue to rise. Native mammals include the palm civet cat, the dugong, the cloud rat and the Philippine tarsier associated with Bohol.

Although the Philippines lacks large mammalian predators, it does have some very large reptiles such as pythons and cobras, together with gigantic saltwater crocodiles. The largest crocodile in captivity, known locally as Lolong, was captured in the southern island of Mindanao. The national bird, known as the Philippine eagle, has the longest body of any eagle; it generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kg (10.4 to 17.6 lb). The Philippine eagle is part of the Accipitridae family and is endemic to the rainforests of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.

Philippine maritime waters encompass as much as 2,200,000 square kilometers (849,425 sq mi) producing unique and diverse marine life, an important part of the Coral Triangle, a territory shared with other countries. The total number of corals and marine fish species was estimated at 500 and 2,400 respectively. New records and species discoveries continuously increase these numbers, underlining the uniqueness of the marine resources in the Philippines. The Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993. Philippine waters also sustain the cultivation of pearls, crabs, and seaweeds. One rare species of oyster, Pinctada maxima which is indigenous to the Philippines, is unique since its pearls are naturally golden in color. The golden pearl from the Pinctada maxima is considered the national gem of the Philippines.

With an estimated 13,500 plant species in the country, 3,200 of which are unique to the islands, Philippine rainforests boast an array of flora, including many rare types of orchids and rafflesia.

Deforestation, often the result of illegal logging, is an acute problem in the Philippines. Forest cover declined from 70% of the Philippines's total land area in 1900 to about 18.3% in 1999. Many species are endangered and scientists say that Southeast Asia, which the Philippines is part of, faces a catastrophic extinction rate of 20% by the end of the 21st century. According to Conservation International, "the country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among the top priority hotspots for global conservation."

The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate that is usually hot and humid. There are three seasons: tag-init or tag-araw, the hot dry season or summer from March to May; tag-ulan, the rainy season from June to November; and tag-lamig, the cool dry season from December to February. The southwest monsoon (from May to October) is known as the Habagat, and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (from November to April), the Amihan. Temperatures usually range from 21 °C (70 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F) although it can get cooler or hotter depending on the season. The coolest month is January; the warmest is May.

The average yearly temperature is around 26.6 °C (79.9 °F). In considering temperature, location in terms of latitude and longitude is not a significant factor. Whether in the extreme north, south, east, or west of the country, temperatures at sea level tend to be in the same range. Altitude usually has more of an impact. The average annual temperature of Baguio at an elevation of 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) above sea level is 18.3 °C (64.9 °F), making it a popular destination during hot summers.

Sitting astride the typhoon belt, most of the islands experience annual torrential rains and thunderstorms from July to October, with around nineteen typhoons entering the Philippine area of responsibility in a typical year and eight or nine making landfall. Annual rainfall measures as much as 5,000 millimeters (200 in) in the mountainous east coast section but less than 1,000 millimeters (39 in) in some of the sheltered valleys. The wettest known tropical cyclone to impact the archipelago was the July 1911 cyclone, which dropped over 1,168 millimeters (46.0 in) of rainfall within a 24-hour period in Baguio. Bagyo is the local term for a tropical cyclone in the Philippines.

The Philippines is highly exposed to climate change and is among the world's ten countries that are most vulnerable to climate change risks.

It's unit of currency is the Philippine peso (₱ or PHP).

A newly industrialized country, the Philippine economy has been transitioning from one based upon agriculture to an economy with more emphasis upon services and manufacturing.

After World War II, the Philippines was for a time regarded as the second wealthiest in East Asia, next only to Japan. In the 1960s its economic performance started being overtaken. The economy stagnated under the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos as the regime spawned economic mismanagement and political volatility. The country suffered from slow economic growth and bouts of economic recession. Only in the 1990s with a program of economic liberalization did the economy begin to recover.

Service industries such as tourism and business process outsourcing have been identified as areas with some of the best opportunities for growth for the country. Tourism however isn't nearly as successful an industry compared to other countries nearby due to the difficulty of travel across the fragmented geography of the archipelago.

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry is composed of eight sub-sectors, namely, knowledge process outsourcing and back offices, animation, call centers, software development, game development, engineering design, and medical transcription. The IT-BPO industry plays a major role in the country's growth and development. The Philippines has recently eclipsed India as the main center of BPO services in the world.

Science and technology

The Philippines has pursued efforts to improve the field of science and technology.

Research organizations include the International Rice Research Institute, an international independent research and training organization established in 1960 with headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, focusing on the development of new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques to help farmers in the country improve their lives.

The country's rich biodiversity is one of the main tourist attractions with its beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands and diving spots among the most popular tourist destinations. As an archipelago consisting of about 7,500 islands, the Philippines has numerous beaches, caves and other rock formations. Boracay has glaring white sand beaches and was named as the best island in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2012. The Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, the historic town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Magellan's Cross in Cebu and the Tubbataha Reef in Visayas are other highlights.

The Philippines is also one of the favorite retirement destinations for foreigners due to its warm climate all year round, beaches and low cost of living.

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in the Philippines is relatively underdeveloped. This is partly due to mountainous terrain and the scattered geography of the islands, but also the result of consistently low investment in infrastructure by successive governments.

Buses, jeepneys, taxis, and motorized tricycles are commonly available in major cities and towns. In 2007, there were about 5.53 million registered motor vehicles with registrations increasing at an average annual rate of 4.55%.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines manages airports and implementation of policies regarding safe air travel with 85 public airports operational as of 2014.

Expressways and highways are mostly located on the island of Luzon including the Pan-Philippine Highway, connecting the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu will be the first expressway outside Luzon, to be finished by 2021.

Rail transport in the Philippines only plays a role in transporting passengers within Metro Manila, the province of Laguna, and some parts of the Bicol Region. Freight transport was almost non-existent. As of 2019, the country had a railway footprint of only 79 kilometers, which it had plans to expand up to 244 kilometers. Railway lines that are under-construction include the 4 km Line 2 East Extension Project (2020), the 22.8 km Line 7 (2020), the 25 km Line 9 (Metro Manila Subway) (2025), and the 109 km PNR North-South Commuter Railway which is divided into several phases, with partial operations to begin in 2022. A multitude of other railway lines are planned.

As an archipelago, inter-island travel using watercraft is often necessary. This is traditionally done by small to medium-sized double-outrigger (trimaran) vessels, ranging from dugouts to plank-built vessels. Although highly diverse, they are collectively known as bangka (also baroto, baloto, or paraw; archaic: balangay, sakayan, biray, biroko, etc.). Bangka were originally propelled by sails. Since the 1970s, however, the sails have almost completely been replaced by motor engines. These motorized bangka are usually referred to as "pump boats" in Philippine English. Other traditional Filipino boat types have mostly gone extinct or are in danger of disappearing, like the once abundant casco barges and guilalo cargo ships. But the bangka remain the most ubiquitous type of watercraft in the Philippines, even in modern times, due to their stability, speed, and ability to navigate even shallow coral reefs.

The busiest seaports are Manila, Batangas, Subic, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga. 2GO Travel and Sulpicio Lines serve Manila, with links to various cities and towns through passenger vessels. The 919-kilometer (571 mi) Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), an integrated set of highway segments and ferry routes covering 17 cities was established in 2003. The Pasig River Ferry Service serves the major rivers in Metro Manila, including the Pasig River and Marikina River having numerous stops in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig and Marikina.

The people of the Philippines are known as . Filipinos are divided into many groups, the three largest are the Tagalogs, Cebuanos, and the Ilocanos. When the Philippines was a colony, the term "Filipino" used to mean the Spanish and Spanish- mixed minority. But now everyone who is a citizen/national of the Philippines is called "Filipino". Even then, it is still has the most diverse ethnic groups in Asia, the other being Indonesia. People also call Filipinos " Pinoy" for short.

Filipino and English are the official languages. Filipino is based largely on Tagalog, a native language spoken in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. The Filipino language, is a cousin of the Malay language. Other local languages and dialects are Cebuano and Ilocano and many others. English is used in government, schools and business. Other languages are Chinese which is spoken by the ethnic Chinese population and the Chinese-Filipinos. Most of the Muslims living deep in southern Mindanao and the smaller islands off of the southern Philippine mainland near Malaysia's northeastern tip. They also speak Arabic as a second language but to a very small extent. Spanish, once the official language of the Philippines in the 1970s is also spoken by a notable minority by Filipinos.

Philippine culture is a combination of Eastern and Western cultures. The Philippines exhibits aspects found in other Asian countries with a Malay heritage, yet its culture also displays a significant number of Spanish and American influences.

Traditional festivities known as barrio fiestas (district festivals) to commemorate the feast days of patron saints are common, these community celebrations are times for feasting, music, and dancing. The Ati-Atihan, Moriones and Sinulog festivals are a couple of the most well-known.

Some traditions, however, are changing or gradually being forgotten due to modernization. The Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company has been lauded for preserving many of the various traditional folk dances found throughout the Philippines. They are famed for their iconic performances of Philippine dances such as the and singkil that both feature clashing bamboo poles.

One of the most visible Hispanic legacies is the prevalence of Spanish names and surnames among Filipinos; a Spanish name and surname, however, does not necessarily denote Spanish ancestry. This peculiarity, unique among the people of Asia, came as a result of a colonial edict by Governor-General Narciso Clavería y Zaldua, which ordered the systematic distribution of family names and implementation of Hispanic nomenclature on the population. The names of many streets, towns, and provinces are also in Spanish.

The common use of the English language is an example of the American impact on Philippine society. It has contributed to the ready acceptance and influence of American pop cultural trends. This affinity is seen in Filipinos' love of fast food and American film and music. Fast food outlets are found on many street corners. American global fast food chain stalwarts have entered the market, but local fast food chains like Goldilocks and most notably Jollibee, the leading fast food chain in the country, have emerged and compete successfully against their foreign rivals.

Architecture

Spanish architecture has left an imprint in the Philippines in the way many towns were designed around a central square or plaza mayor, but many of the buildings bearing its influence were demolished during World War II. Some examples remain, mainly among the country's churches, government buildings, and universities. Four Philippine baroque churches are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the San Agustín Church in Manila, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Santa María) Church in Ilocos Sur, and Santo Tomás de Villanueva Church in Iloilo. Vigan in Ilocos Sur is also known for the many Hispanic-style houses and buildings preserved there.

The American occupation in 1898 introduced a new breed of architectural structures in the Philippines. This led to the construction of government buildings and Art Deco theaters. During the American period, some semblance of city planning using the architectural designs and master plans by Daniel Burnham was done on the portions of the city of Manila. Part of the Burnham plan was the construction of government buildings that resembled Greek or Neoclassical architecture. In Iloilo, a lot of the colonial edifices constructed during the American occupation in the country can still be seen. Commercial buildings, houses and churches in that era are abundant in the city and especially in Calle Real.

However, certain areas of the country like Batanes have slight differences as both Spanish and Filipino ways of architecture assimilated differently due to the climate. Limestones and coral were used as building materials. Idjangs or Ivatan castles were the primary shelter of the people prior to the Spanish conquest of the whole Philippines.

Philippine music has evolved rapidly due to the different influences stemming from colonialism under other countries. Before the Spanish conquest of the islands, most music was reminiscent of, or heavily influenced by, nature. Some examples of this tribal music is Koyu No Tebulul of the T'boli and Ambo Hato of the Ifugao. This genre is often accompanied by gong music and one well known instrument is the Kulintang.

During the Spanish era Rondalya music, where traditional string orchestra mandolin type instruments were used, was widespread. In the Philippines, Rondalya refers to any group of stringed instruments that are played using a plectrum or pick. Filipino instruments are made from indigenous Philippine wood; plectrums, or picks, are made from tortoise-shell. Other stringed instruments composing the standard Filipino rondalla are the 14-string bandurria found only in the Philippines, the laúd, the octavina, the Twelve-string guitar, the Ukulele, the bajo de uñas or double bass, the Guitarrón mexicano, and other Filipino-made instruments modeled and developed after the guitar. Harana and Kundiman are prevalent during this time wherein these songs are often used in courtship rituals.

Nowadays, American pop culture has a heavy hold on the Filipinos that evolved from the Spanish times when the American occupation happened. Along with Korean pop, these two are dominating the recent music scene in media. However, the revival of Spanish-influence folk music has been possible thanks to the different choir groups coming in and going out of the country, such as the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Just like the evolution of Philippine music, dance as well has been in constant change. Prior to colonial rule, the Philippines had a wide array of ethnic dances from different tribal groups. This was due mainly to the fact that Philippines is an archipelago thus the different varieties of dance developed. Both Luzon and Visayas, at first, were more akin to tribal movements until the Spanish came. Mindanao represents more of an array of Muslim inspired dances and Spanish influence was limited to the region of Zamboanga.

Universal dances in the Philippines are found at societal functions such as rituals, mimicry, life cycle and parties. During the Spanish era, most dances were accompanied by Rondalya music usually with 14-string bandurrias that the Filipinos invented or by other type of stringed instruments that locally evolved in to the culture as well.

One famous dance that is well known is called the Tinikling, where a band of Rondalya musicians play along with the percussive beat of the two bamboo poles. It usually starts with men and women acting a scene about "How rural townsfolk mingle". The dancers then graze thru the clashing of the bamboo poles held on opposite sides. The end displays the paired bamboo poles crossing each other. The Muslim version of this where bamboo poles are also used is called the Singkil.

Cariñosa is a Hispanic Filipino dance, unofficially considered as the "National Dance of the Philippines". It is a courtship dance which involves a woman holding a fan or a handkerchief, where it plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario.

Nowadays, in the Modern and Post-Modern time periods, dances may vary from the delicate ballet up to the more street-oriented styles of breakdancing to name a few.

Pottery and weaving are among the very first art forms showcasing Filipino artistic design and are evident from cave dwellings all over the country. Among these are mostly anthropomorphic earthenware jars dating from c. 5 BC to 225 AD. Weaving was mostly done by women, using fibers from abaca, pineapple, cotton, and bark to make clothes, rugs and hats. Baskets were mostly utilized to carry grain and other foods.

As a general description, the distinct value system of Filipinos is rooted primarily in personal alliance systems, especially those based in kinship, obligation, friendship, religion (particularly Christianity), and commercial relationships.

Filipino values are, for the most part, centered around maintaining social harmony, motivated primarily by the desire to be accepted within a group. The main sanction against diverging from these values are the concepts of " Hiya", roughly translated as 'a sense of shame', and " Amor propio" or 'self-esteem'. Social approval, acceptance by a group, and belonging to a group are major concerns. Caring about what others will think, say or do, are strong influences on social behavior among Filipinos.

Other elements of the Filipino value system are optimism about the future, pessimism about present situations and events, concern and care for other people, the existence of friendship and friendliness, the habit of being hospitable, religious nature, respectfulness to self and others, respect for the female members of society, the fear of God, and abhorrence of acts of cheating and thievery.

Filipino cuisine has evolved over several centuries from its Malayo-Polynesian origins to become a mixed cuisine with many Hispanic, Chinese, American, and other Asian influences that have been adapted to local ingredients and the Filipino palate to create distinctively Filipino dishes. Dishes range from the very simple, like a meal of fried salted fish and rice, to the elaborate, such as the and created for fiestas.

Popular dishes include , , , , , crispy pata, , , and . Some common local ingredients used in cooking are calamansi, coconuts, saba (a kind of short wide plantain), mangoes, ube, milkfish, and fish sauce. Filipino taste buds tend to favor robust flavors, but the cuisine is not as spicy as those of its neighbors.

Unlike many Asians, most Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks; they use Western cutlery. However, possibly due to rice being the primary staple food and the popularity of a large number of stews and main dishes with broth in Filipino cuisine, the main pairing of utensils seen at the Filipino dining table is that of spoon and fork, not knife and fork.

The traditional way of eating with the hands known as kamayan (using the washed right hand for bringing food to the mouth) was previously more often seen in the less urbanized areas. However, due to the various Filipino restaurants that introduced Filipino food to people of other nationalities as well as to Filipino urbanites, kamayan fast became popular. This recent trend also sometimes incorporates the "Boodle Fight" concept (as popularized and coined by the Philippine Army), wherein banana leaves are used as giant plates on top of which rice portions and Filipino viands are placed all together for a filial, friendly and/or communal kamayan feasting.

Various sports and pastimes are popular in the Philippines including basketball, boxing, volleyball, football (soccer), American football, both codes of Rugby football, badminton, karate, taekwondo, billiards, ten-pin bowling, chess, and sipa. Motocross, cycling, and mountaineering are also becoming popular.

Basketball is played at both amateur and professional levels and is considered to be the most popular sport in the Philippines.

In 2010, Manny Pacquiao was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s (decade) by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and World Boxing Organization (WBO). The national martial art and sport of the country is Arnis, Eskrima or Kali in some regions.

Traditional Philippine games such as luksung baka, patintero, piko, and tumbang preso are still played primarily as children's games among the youth. Sungka is a traditional native Philippine board game. Card games are popular during festivities, with some, including pusoy and tong-its, being used as a form of illegal gambling. Mahjong is played in some Philippine communities.

Sabong or cockfighting is another popular entertainment especially among Filipino men, and existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan's chronicler, first documented this pastime in the kingdom of Taytay.

The yo-yo, a popular toy in the Philippines, was introduced in its modern form by Pedro Flores with its name coming from the Ilocano language.

Other pages

Images for kids

Filipino Ilustrados in Spain formed the Propaganda Movement. Photographed in 1890.

A statue in Iriga City commemorating the mano po gesture

In Spanish: Filipinas para niños

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The country of Sudan is located in northeastern Africa, where it has many neighbors. It is bordered by Egypt on the north and Libya on the northwest. Chad lies along the western border, and the Central African Republic lies to the southwest. South Sudan, which was long part of Sudan, lies to the south. Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Red Sea extend along the eastern border. Area 710,693 square miles (1,840,687 square kilometers). Population (2023 est.) 46,392,000.

Sudan's capital is Khartoum. Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North are adjacent cities that together make up the country's largest urban area. It is located at the junction of the White Nile (a section of the Nile River) and the Blue Nile (a tributary of the Nile). The Nile Valley and its irrigated agricultural areas are the most settled part of the country.

Sudan was ruled by the British and the Egyptians from the late 19th century. It became independent in 1956. After that, Sudan had many changes in government, fluctuating between ineffective parliamentary government and unstable military rule. The country was also wracked by conflict between the different populations living in the north and the south.

Most of Sudan's people are Muslim Arabs. For more than a century, Sudan also included what is now South Sudan, whose population is largely composed of sub-Saharan African ethnic groups who follow Christianity or traditional African religions. Starting in the 1950s, rebels in the south and the Sudanese government fought two decades-long civil wars. A peace agreement finally ended the second war in 2005. In January 2011 citizens in southern Sudan voted to become independent, and on July 9, 2011, South Sudan officially seceded from Sudan.

Sudan is mostly a land of flat plains. The northern part of the country consists largely of sand- or gravel-covered desert that is part of the great Sahara. In the west wind erosion caused by the northeast trade winds has created a vast sand plain, the Qawz, with rippling sand dunes. An extensive clay plain stretches through south-central Sudan.

Plateaus and mountains are located mainly near the borders. The Red Sea Hills, the most extensive highlands in Sudan, are in the northeast. In the west near the border with Chad the volcanic Marrah Mountains rise out of the Darfur Plateau, reaching elevations between about 3,000 to 10,000 feet (900 to 3,000 meters) above sea level. The Nuba Mountains, a group of isolated hills, rise abruptly from the south-central clay plain. Uplands also line the border with Ethiopia in the southeast.

Through the middle of Sudan flows the Nile River. All streams and rivers of Sudan drain either into or toward the Nile. Its waters rise in Lake Victoria and cross Uganda and South Sudan before flowing northward through southern Sudan. When it enters Sudan, the river is known as the White Nile. The Nile's largest tributary, the Blue Nile, also flows through Sudan. From its source in the highlands of neighboring Ethiopia, the Blue Nile follows a northwestward course in Sudan. The Blue Nile joins the White Nile at Khartoum to form the main branch of the Nile, which then flows across the desert into Egypt.

Most of Sudan is characterized by a hot, dry climate. The Libyan and Nubian deserts, subdivisions of the Sahara, cover the north. Here it is dry year-round. In central and southern Sudan there are two seasons: wet and dry. Khartoum, at the edge of the desert, has significant rains only during July and August. Its annual precipitation averages between 4 and 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters). At the desert's edge precipitation is minimal and extremely variable, with droughts common. The southernmost part of the country has a longer summer rainy season, receiving some 20 to 30 inches (50 to 75 centimeters) of precipitation annually.

Temperatures in Sudan are some of the hottest in the world. The central and eastern areas have the highest mean annual temperatures, typically ranging from the mid-90s to mid-100s F (mid-30s to low 40s C). In the west and northwest of the country, the highest mean temperatures generally range from the mid-80s to mid-90s F (low to mid-30s C). The highest temperatures normally occur just before the summer rains and the coolest temperatures during the winter months of December and January. Along the Red Sea the climate is alleviated by sea breezes, and most of the rain falls during winter.

With the exception of the Red Sea Hills, northern Sudan is a vast desert with little vegetation. As the precipitation increases toward the south, the vegetation gradually increases. Most of southern Sudan consists of savannas, with short grasses and a variety of acacia trees. Large areas of Sudan's natural vegetation have disappeared because of the effects of centuries of cultivation and because of grass fires that annually may sweep across more than half the country. The advance of the desert from the north presents a further danger to plant life.

Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz

The country's wildlife includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and many kinds of antelope. Among the resident birds are bustards, guinea fowl, and storks. Reptiles include crocodiles and various lizards. Insect life is abundant. Among the domesticated animals are sheep, goats, cattle, and camels.

Sudan has several protected nature areas, including game reserves and national parks. Dinder and Radom national parks have been designated as UNESCO biosphere reserves.

Sudan is dominated by Arab Muslims. For the most part, however, these people are ethnically mixed, and many of them are physically indistinguishable from Sudanese who do not consider themselves "Arab." Moreover, the country's Arabs do not form a cohesive group, ranging from city dwellers to village farmers and pastoral nomads.

Sudan is also home to several peoples who are Muslim but not Arab. Among them are the Nubians, who live along the Nile in the far north and in southern Egypt; the Beja, pastoral nomads of the Red Sea Hills; and the Fur, who are settled farmers living in the Marrah Mountains in the far west.

The vast majority of Sudan's non-Muslim peoples live in the south. They include the Nuba, of the Nuba Mountains; and the Dinka, who live near the southern border and in South Sudan. The capital of Khartoum, in the center of Sudan, is also home to non-Muslim populations.

Arabic is the most widely spoken language in Sudan. It belongs to the Afro-Asiatic language family, as does the Bedawi language of the Beja. Most of the rest of the country's languages belong to two families of African languages: the Nilo-Saharan family and the Niger-Congo family. Since the many different peoples of Sudan speak different languages, the vast majority of Sudanese have become multilingual, with Arabic and, to a lesser extent, English as second languages.

Most of Sudan's people are Muslims, nearly all of whom follow the Sunni branch. Smaller portions of the population follow traditional animist religions or Christianity.

Sudan's population is mostly rural, with only about a third living in urban areas. The livelihood of the rural people is based primarily on agriculture and pastoral activities. Thus their way of life depends on the availability of vegetation and water resources.

In the north nomadic Arab tribes such as the Kababish wander the desert with their herds in search of the vegetation that grows after the rare desert thunderstorms. In the Nile Valley and in the irrigated Gezira (Al-Jazirah) region, the people lead a sedentary agricultural existence. The abundant sunshine, year-round growing season, and water from the Nile allow the farmers to reap multiple harvests from the land each year.

Away from the irrigated areas people depend on the annual rainy season for crop production. The low amounts and the variability of precipitation force people to grow more drought-resistant plants. In south-central Sudan many farmers earn a cash income by collecting gum arabic, the sap of an acacia tree. Gum arabic is used in the production of adhesives, candy, and pharmaceuticals.

The Khartoum metropolitan area, which also includes Omdurman and Khartoum North, is the largest urban center. It is located roughly in the center of the country. Other principal cities are Nyala, in the southwest; Port Sudan, the major port, on the Red Sea coast in the northeast; and Al-Ubayyid, in the south.

Sudan is one of the richest African countries in terms of archaeological sites. Ruins of the ancient kingdom of Kush (or Cush) are found at Gebel Barkal and associated sites in the Nile valley. These sites were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. The archaeological sites at Meroe, an ancient Kushitic city, were collectively designated a World Heritage site in 2011.

When Sudan became independent from Great Britain in 1956, it inherited a limited educational system. In the 1970s major changes in education emphasized basic literacy, and the number of primary schools was expanded. Further reforms were later introduced, including making eight years of primary education compulsory beginning at age six. As a result, the number of adults who could read and write increased from roughly 20 percent in the 1970s to more than 60 percent in the early 21st century. There is still a major shortage of schools and teachers, however. Sudan has a number of institutions for higher education. The University of Khartoum was formally established in 1956. Other universities include Al-Neelain University and Sudan University of Science and Technology, both in Khartoum. Omdurman Islamic University, which trains Muslim clerics and scholars, is in Omdurman. Arabic is the primary language used in the country's schools.

Access to health services in Sudan greatly depends upon geographic location. Most of the country's small number of physicians are concentrated in the urban areas, as are the major hospitals. Varying ecological conditions, poor hygiene, and widespread malnutrition result in a high incidence of fatal infectious diseases. The most common illnesses are malaria, measles, and tuberculosis.

Sudan is one of the poorest and least-developed countries in the world. About four-fifths of the labor force works in agriculture. The major crops that farmers raise to feed their families are sorghum and millet, grown in the rainy region of southern Sudan. Many Sudanese households keep some livestock, particularly in the rural areas. Sheep, goats, and cattle are the most commonly raised animals. Livestock are also an important agricultural export. The main cash crops include cotton, peanuts (groundnuts), sesame, gum arabic (obtained from acacia trees), sorghum, and sugarcane.

The agricultural heart of Sudan is the irrigated region between the Blue and the White Niles, known as the Gezira Scheme. One of the largest irrigation projects in the world, the scheme covers roughly 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares), providing water for more than 100,000 farmers. It was begun by the British in 1925 with a dam at Sannar on the Blue Nile to supply their textile industry with high-quality cotton. Cotton is still the principal crop in the region.

Manufacturing is not well developed. It is dominated by the processing of foods and other agricultural products, including sugar refining, cotton ginning and spinning, leather tanning, and the production of vegetable oils.

Petroleum was discovered in southern Sudan in 1977, but exploitation and development of the oil deposits were slowed by the civil war that began in the 1980s. Oil ultimately became Sudan's most valuable export. When the south seceded in 2011, however, the majority of the oil reserves fell within the borders of the newly independent South Sudan.

Gold is mined in the Red Sea Hills. In the west near the borders of Chad and the Central African Republic are uranium reserves. Sudan also has deposits of chromite, gypsum, mica, marble, and iron ore. However, most of these resources have not been extensively developed.

Sudan's principal exports are petroleum, gold, livestock, cotton, gum arabic, sesame products, and peanuts. Major imports include machinery, wheat, transportation equipment, and other manufactured products. Sudan's leading trading partners include the United Arab Emirates, China, Saudi Arabia, India, and Egypt.

Transportation in Sudan is not well developed. Most of the country's all-weather roads and railroads are in the east, linking Khartoum and the Gezira with Port Sudan on the Red Sea. A rail line also runs westward from Al-Ubayyid to Nyala, with a branch line extending to Wau, in South Sudan. Sudan is linked to Egypt by a railroad from Khartoum to Lake Nasser, the artificial lake created by the Aswan High Dam in Egypt. Port Sudan, located 850 miles (1,400 kilometers) south of Suez, Egypt, is the country's main port. Several air carriers, including Sudan Airways, the national airline, furnish domestic and international service from the major airport at Khartoum. There are a number of smaller airports, including those at Al-Ubayyid and Port Sudan.

Sudan's landline telephone network is limited and has a relatively small number of users. Cellular phone use is much more pervasive, particularly in urban areas. Internet service is available in many of the main cities and towns. Broadcast media are owned and controlled by the government. Print media has slightly more freedom and may be privately owned, though the government exerts considerable control over content.

Early History
In ancient times the land that is now Sudan was part of a region known as Nubia. From the end of the 4th millennium bc, Nubia periodically came under Egyptian rule. Sudan was part of the kingdom of Kush (or Cush), which arose in southern Nubia, from the 11th century bc to the 4th century ad. Kushite culture was strongly influenced by Egypt, especially in the use of hieroglyphs and pyramidal architecture. In the 8th century bc the Kushites invaded and conquered Egypt. The kings of Kush ruled as Egypt's 25th dynasty for less than a hundred years, however, before they were pushed back to Nubia. Soon afterward the Kushites moved their capital to Meroe, near the Nile, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of what is now Khartoum. Today, major Kush ruins are found at Meroe.

After the destruction of Meroe in ad 350 by an Ethiopian army, there eventually arose a number of Christian kingdoms along the Nile north of Khartoum. Christianity was brought into the region by Coptic missionaries from Egypt. These Christian Nubian kingdoms reached their height in the 9th and 10th centuries. They coexisted with their Muslim Arab neighbors in Egypt for centuries, until an influx of Arab immigrants brought about their collapse in the 13th-15th centuries. Two Arab sultanates eventually consolidated their control over most of what is now Sudan by the 16th century.

Egyptian and British Rule
The Arab sultanates fell under the control of Egypt, which was itself ruled by the Turkish Ottoman Empire, in 1821. By 1874 the Egyptians had conquered the entire Sudan region, including what are now Sudan and South Sudan. The slave trade was greatly expanded and pushed into what is now South Sudan. The various sub-Saharan African peoples of the south, who were primarily Christian and animist, were enslaved by the Muslim Arabs of the north. The hatred engendered by the slave trade still persists.

The Egyptians encouraged British interference in Sudan. This aroused Muslim opposition to Egyptian rule. Muhammad Ahmad proclaimed himself the Mahdi (meaning the "divinely guided") and organized a resistance movement. His followers laid siege to Khartoum and overwhelmed Anglo-Egyptian forces on January 26, 1885. The Mahdi established a Muslim state, but he died of typhus five months after the fall of Khartoum. The Mahdist state continued under his successor, who was known as the Khalifah (meaning "caliph").

Meanwhile, the British had occupied Egypt. They wanted to keep rival European powers out of the Nile Valley. Sudan had been under the rule of the Khalifah for about 12 years when the British invaded to protect the Nile from French forces. A decisive battle occurred at Omdurman on September 2, 1898, when the British-using machine guns and artillery-killed about 10,000 Mahdist fighters and lost only 48 of their own men.

After the British conquest, Sudan was ruled jointly by the British and the Egyptians as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Sudanese nationalism gradually redeveloped, and on January 1, 1956, Sudan became independent.

Independent Sudan
The government of the new country was dominated by Muslim Arabs from the north. The mainly Christian and animist African peoples of the south (which is now the separate country of South Sudan) were largely excluded from the country's administration. A group in the south had begun to rebel against the government in 1955. Civil war broke out, with southern resistance increasing as the government took measures to foster the spread of Islam and the Arabic language throughout the country. The war lasted until 1972 and caused the deaths of more than half a million people-primarily from malnutrition and disease.

After a series of civilian and military governments, power was seized in 1969 by Colonel Gaafar Mohamed el-Nimeiri. He ruled the country for 16 years. Initially Nimeiri had popular support, his major accomplishment being the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement that ended the civil war.

Civil war between southern rebels and the government began again in 1983. A combination of the war, desperate economic conditions brought on by drought, and a crippling foreign debt resulted in Nimeiri's dictatorship being overthrown in 1985.

Sudan under Bashir
A democratic civilian government emerged after elections in 1986. The dominant political movement was the Umma party. The prime minister elected in 1986 was Sadiq al-Mahdi, the great-grandson of the Mahdi and a former prime minister (1966-67). A new coalition government was formed in March 1989 as a step toward ending the civil war. In June Mahdi was overthrown in a military coup by the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCC), led by Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir. The civil war raged on.

Upon seizing power, the RCC abolished the constitution, the National Assembly, and all political parties and trade unions and ruled by decree. The RCC was controlled by the National Islamic Front (NIF), a Muslim fundamentalist political party. In 1990 Bashir survived a failed coup attempt. In 1993, as part of a transition to civilian rule, the RCC appointed Bashir president and then disbanded. However, the NIF remained in firm control of the government. The NIF later became the National Congress Party (NCP). The first presidential and legislative elections since the 1989 coup were held in 1996. Bashir won the presidency and was also reelected in 2000.

A new constitution approved by referendum in 1998 called for Islamic law, Shariʿah, to be the basis for the country's laws and regulations. It also lifted the ban on political parties. Later that year, however, a power struggle between Bashir and the leader of the National Assembly led the president to dissolve the legislature. Soon thereafter Bashir declared a state of emergency.

Following his reelection in 2000, Bashir faced grave problems ranging from the civil war to widespread famine. Drought and flooding left hundreds of thousands of people without food or shelter in 2001. Experts estimated that by 2005 some 4.5-5 million people had been displaced by the civil war.

In early 2005 the government and the southern rebels finally signed a peace agreement. The agreement set forth a new interim constitution and guidelines for sharing power. It also allowed for southern Sudan to be administered separately and called for a referendum on independence for that region to be held in six years. Sudan's interim constitution established a two-house legislature, consisting of the National Assembly and the Council of States. It also provided for the president to be elected to a five-year term, renewable once. Islamic law was maintained, though relaxed penalties were allowed for non-Muslims.

In the meantime, a separate conflict in the Darfur region in western Sudan had begun in 2003. Rebels launched an insurrection to protest the Sudanese government's neglect of the western region and its non-Arab population. In response, the government supported Arab militias to fight against the rebels in Darfur. The militias, however, also terrorized the civilians in the region and prevented international aid organizations from delivering food and medical supplies. Despite a 2004 cease-fire, by 2007 the conflict had left hundreds of thousands of people dead and more than two million displaced.

Because of the Darfur crisis, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Bashir in March 2009, charging him with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Bashir's popularity in Sudan, however, remained unchanged. In April 2010 he was reelected president.

In January 2011, following the terms of the 2005 peace agreement, southern Sudanese citizens voted on the referendum for southern independence. An overwhelming majority chose to secede from Sudan. Southern independence was scheduled for six months in the future. Many important issues regarding the division of the country remained unresolved, however, including the sharing of its oil wealth and the new borders. Fighting broke out in two oil-rich border areas, the disputed region of Abyei and the state of Southern Kordofan. Although technically in the north, Southern Kordofan was home to thousands of people who had fought for the south during the civil war. Agreements signed in June called for the withdrawal of troops from both Abyei and Southern Kordofan. As scheduled, on July 9 South Sudan officially became a new country, and Sudan was no longer the largest country in Africa.

In the years following the south's secession, Sudan continued to be challenged by ongoing rebel activity in Darfur and the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The government often used brutal campaigns to quell resistance, deploying air bombardment, tanks, and sophisticated weaponry. Bashir had vowed to defeat rebel opposition by 2015. However, the national army did not possess the resources or the capability to do so, given the degree of public support for the rebels in their strongholds. The ongoing conflict led many Sudanese to flee from their homes. By the end of 2014 about 650,000 people had sought refuge in Ethiopia, Chad, and Egypt. Another 1,873,000 were internally displaced.

Bashir had promised to step down from office at the end of his current term. He changed course in October 2014 when he accepted the NCP's nomination as the party's presidential candidate in the 2015 elections. Later that year the ICC prosecutor announced that she was suspending the investigation of the case against him in regard to criminal action in Darfur. She did this because the United Nations (UN) Security Council was not taking any action to compel Bashir and other defendants to appear in court. In April 2015 Bashir was reelected by a landslide. The election results were dismissed by the opposition, which claimed the polls lacked credibility.

Against the backdrop of a deteriorating economy, Sudanese citizens began to stage large antigovernment demonstrations in late 2018. Many protesters openly called for Bashir to step down. The demonstrations continued for weeks, sometimes turning violent when protesters and security forces clashed. Bashir declared a state of emergency on February 22, 2019. He dissolved the central and state governments. In the following days, he appointed military leaders to the state governorships and named a new prime minister. He also banned unauthorized rallies. Protests continued, nonetheless. While Bashir made additional gestures, such as resigning as head of the NCP and reshuffling his cabinet, he refused to step down from the presidency.

On April 6, 2019, thousands of demonstrators marched to the compound in Khartoum that housed the military headquarters. There they began a mass sit-in that lasted for days. Although security forces attempted to use violence to disperse the crowds, some segments of the military intervened to protect the protesters. On April 11 the military announced that it had removed Bashir from power, dissolved his government, and placed him under arrest. In a televised statement, Sudan's defense minister indicated that a military council would oversee a transitional government for a period of two years, after which elections would be held for a new civilian government. Protesters, however, rejected plans for a military-led transition and demanded that a civilian transitional government be formed instead.

Later Developments
In the months that followed, talks between civilian groups and military leaders regarding the composition of a new transitional government continued. Mediation efforts were led by Ethiopia and the African Union. A power-sharing agreement was finally signed in August 2019. Under the agreement a transitional Sovereignty Council, comprising military and civilian representatives, took power. The Sovereignty Council was expected to rule until democratic elections, scheduled for 2022, were held. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who had been heading the military-led transition council, was named president. Abdalla Hamdok, selected by the civilian groups' alliance, was appointed prime minister. Bashir, meanwhile, had been charged with corruption-related acts and was convicted in December 2019. He still faced other charges, including those in connection with the death of demonstrators protesting against his rule earlier in the year.

Tensions remained high between the military and civilian leaders. The level of tension increased in the aftermath of an attempted coup by Bashir loyalists in September 2021. The military subdued the attempt but placed the blame for it on civilian leaders. In the protests that followed, some demonstrators called for the military to oust the civilian representatives from the government. Others called for the military to respect civilian rule and the democratic transition.

On October 25 the military launched a coup with the backing of Burhan and other top military officials. Hamdok and other cabinet ministers were arrested. Burhan dissolved the Sovereignty Council, declared a state of emergency, and pledged to hold new elections in 2023. In Khartoum, Omdurman, and other locations across the country, protesters rallied against the coup. The next day Burhan claimed the military took the actions that it did in order to avoid a civil war. Protests continued, however. Meanwhile, the military coup was widely condemned on the international stage.

Burhan soon formed a new Sovereignty Council, of which he was head. On November 21, 2021, he and Hamdok signed an agreement that reinstated Hamdok as prime minister. Hamdok was allowed to form his own government but agreed to share power with the military.

Hamdok eventually resigned in January 2022. Over the next year, negotiations for the transition to a civilian-led government made little progress. In 2023 a rivalry developed between Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti). Hemedti led an unofficial military group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Clashes between Burhan's military forces and Hemedti's RSF erupted in April. Fighting between the rival sides occurred in Khartoum and elsewhere, leading to a humanitarian crisis for civilians.

Dau, John Bul, and Akech, Martha Arual. Lost Boy, Lost Girl: Escaping Civil War in Sudan (National Geographic, 2010). Hay, Jeff, ed. The Crisis in Darfur (Greenhaven, 2011). Jeffries, Corina. Sudan (Cavendish Square, 2022). Powell, Jillian. Sudan (Franklin Watts, 2013).

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The country of Sudan is located in northeastern Africa, where it has many neighbors. It is bordered by Egypt on the north and Libya on the northwest. Chad lies along the...

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For a long time the area of the United Arab Emirates was divided into many different tribal groups and kingdoms. In the late 1700s the Al-Qawasim was one of the most powerful tribal groups. The Al-Qawasim developed an extensive trading network in the lower Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. They also raided foreign ships, including those of Britain and India. In response, the British Navy attacked and defeated the Al-Qawasim in 1819.

Eventually, the British took control of the whole area. In the 1800s the main tribal rulers signed peace agreements, or truces, with Great Britain. The region then became known as the Trucial States. It included seven kingdoms, or emirates.

The economy of the emirates changed after 1958, when oil was discovered in the area. The leaders of the emirates used the money they earned from selling the oil to make improvements to their lands. The British left the region in 1971. Six of the emirates then joined together to form the United Arab Emirates. In 1972 the seventh emirate joined the country.

In 1971 the United Arab Emirates became a member of an important regional organization called the Arab League. That year the emirates also joined the United Nations. In 1981 the United Arab Emirates joined five neighboring countries- Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait -to form the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, all the countries of the GCC opposed Iraq. To help free Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates provided troops and let Western military forces set up bases within the emirates.

Since the 1990s the country has worked to encourage visitors to travel to the area. The emirates have built new ports, rail lines, airports, and hotels and restaurants. The country has also made changes to its government to make it more inclusive. The rulers of each emirate makeup the Federal Supreme Council. They are not elected. But a group called the Federal National Council serves as advisers to the rulers. In 2006 the government began allowing certain people in the country to vote for some of the members of the Federal National Council.

From 2011 the United Arab Emirates helped other countries resist the popular uprisings that were part of the Arab Spring. The emirates sent troops to Bahrain and money to Bahrain and Oman to help their governments with the uprisings. The United Arab Emirates also began to take a more active role in regional military affairs. In 2014 it joined the campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, a terrorist organization. The next year the United Arab Emirates helped fight rebels in Yemen. It also played a major role in trying to reduce the role of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Qatar. In 2018 the United States and the Taliban met for peace talks in Abu Dhabi.

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For a long time the area of the United Arab Emirates was divided into many different tribal groups and kingdoms. In the late 1700s the Al-Qawasim was one of the most powerful tribal groups. The Al-Qawasim developed an extensive trading network in the lower Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

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Interesting UAE Facts for Kids

Here are our easy to read UAE Facts for Kids which were researched by kids and edited by us.

The UAE or United Arab Emirates are truly awe inspiring! With the Expo 2020 in Dubai was postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis, it will be finally opening on 1 October 2021 and therefore want to share with you what makes the UAE such a great place to visit.

Here some fascinating facts about the country on the Arab peninsula for you. Enjoy!

UAE Facts at a Glance

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

Name: United Arab Emirates

7 Emirates of the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain

Population: about 10 million people live in the UAE (2021)

Capital City: Abu Dhabi (The Arabic word abu means 'father' and dhabi means 'gazelle'). The name thus means 'Father of the Gazelle' and according to a folk tale refers to the hunting of gazelles in the region.

Language: Arabic

Literacy: About 94% can read and write

Religions: mainly Muslims 76%, Christians 19%

Currency: 1 Emirati dirhams = 100 fils

Government: Federation of monarchies, there are no political parties in the emirates

National Anthem: Ishy Bilady "Long live my Nation"

National Symbols: green, white, red and black (national colours) and golden falcon (national animal)

National Day: 2 December

History: The UAE gained independence from the UK on 2 December 1971.

UAE Geography | UAE Map

Where are the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? The UAE are located in the Middle East, on the Western Asian continent.

The UAE shares borders with two countries: Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The UAE consist of a federation of seven emirates. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate as it accounts for 84% of the total land area of the federation. Abu Dhabi is also home to the capital city also called Abu Dhabi.

Dubai is the second biggest emirate and the economic hub of the region. Dubai is also known for its three manmade archipelagos, two were designed to look like a palm tree, and one to resemble a world map.

The UAE's national airline is called 'Etihad' and based in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE. 'Emirates' which is the largest airline in the Middle East, and also one of the largest in the world, is also based in the UAE but in the emirate of Dubai, which is one of the seven emirates.

A flight to Dubai takes roughly 14 hours from either New York/USA or Sydney/Australia and almost 8 hours from London/UK.

UAE Facts | UAE Geography

The United Arab Emirates are situated on the Arabian peninsula and border the Persian Gulf. In size, the UAE are slightly smaller than the US state of Maine or slightly bigger than South Carolina/USA.

The country has mountains in the eastern part and a dry desert with rolling sanddunes in the centre.

The landscape is generally barren and dry, even along the coastal plain bordering the Persian Gulf.

The UAE have a dry desert climate and temperatures can easily reach more than 40°C/ 104°F in summer. Natural hazards include sand storms, dust storms and haze.

UAE Facts | Geo Superlatives

The highest mountain of the UAE is Jabal Yibir, which is also referred to as Jabal Al Mebrah in the Al Hajar mountains. The highest peak stands at 1,727 m/ 5,666 ft above sea level. The Jabal Jais mountains which are partly located in the UAE are also very high, however, the highest peak of this mountain range which is higher than Jabal Yibir is located in neighbouring Oman.

The UAE do not have a freshwater lake, but there are several oases in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Al Ain is known as one of the world's oldest settlements.

Dubai is home to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa with 829 m/ 2,722 ft. in height.

Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital city is not only known as the UAE's capital city and home to one of the biggest mosques in the world but also for holding Formula 1 races and the Ferrari World Themepark with the world's fastest rollercoaster! One rollercoaster ride there takes you from 0 to 240 kmh in only 4.9 seconds!

The Gold Souk is the largest gold market in the world. It is located in the Deira business district of Dubai.

Dubai Mall is known to have the world's largest collection of fashion brands under one roof!

UAE Landmarks and Attractions

Among the most popular landmarks of the UAE are:

Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in Dubai, is the highest building in the world and then there are also the majestic Emirates Towers.

Burj al Arab, is known for its architecture as the building does resemble a huge sail.

Palm Jumeirah, the palm island with luxury resorts that spot an Aquaventure park and many family entertainment venues.

Dubai Creek is best explored on a dhow cruise or on a traditional a bra, the traditional commuter taxi.

Traditional souks where you can buy souvenirs, spices and jewellery and don't forget to haggle!

Desert Conservation areas will provide fantastic desert safari adventures complete with camels rides and 4x4 sand safari. Or maybe watch a popular camel race?

Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain/Abu Dhabi is a great site to learn about the culture and history of the settlement in an desert oasis.

UAE Facts | Economy

The UAE's natural resources are natural gas and oil. The UAE ranked sixth in the world for reserves of natural gas and crude oil in 2019.

The main trading partners of the UAE are India, China, Japan, Iran, the USA and Oman. The main exports are natural gas and crude oil as well as dried fish and dates.

The vast majority of the Emirati live in urban areas. The biggest cities in the UAE are:

Dubai with about 3 million inhabitants

Sharjah with 1.7 million inhabitants

Abu Dhabi with 1.5 million inhabitants.

UAE Facts
Emirati | People of the UAE

Most people in the UAE (85%) live in the three largest emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. In the United Arab Emirates, people of many different cultures and backgrounds have found their new home.

Many foreigners live in the United Arab Emirates. Only about 12 % of all people in the UAE are Emirati.

The majority of people living in the UAE are foreigners and expatriates, i.e. people from around the world who come to the UAE for work. Indians are the largest foreign group, followed by foreigners from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Arabic is the predominant language in the UAE. The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters and is written from right to left. English is the second most spoken language in the country and used widely as you can see in the image.

Soccer and cricket are among the most popular sports, however, many Emirati have a passion for spectatorsports such as car racing, falconry and camel racing.

The traditional dress worn by Emirati men is called k handura, a white long tunic, while women usually wear the abaya, a black garment covering the whole body and head.

When visiting the emirates you should respect the traditional dress code and cover your body when out and about. Beach wear or strappy tops and shorts are only to be worn at the beach or hotel resort. When going to the mall girls and women always should cover their shoulders and their knees.

UAE Facts | Religion in the UAE

The majority of Emiratis are Muslims and follow or practice Islam (76%). Islam is not only the largest religion, but also the state religion in the UAE. However, the government is tolerant towards people practising other faiths although it strongly resists the spreading of other religions.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the country. This mosque has 82 domes and the main dome is the largest of its kind in the world! In this mosque you can also admire the world's largest carpet and the world's largest chandelier in the main prayer hall.

Designers, artisans and builders as well as material were sourced all over the world. The marble was sourced in Italy and India, carpets used wool from Iran and New Zealand, the chandeliers were designed in Germany with Swarovski crystals from Austria and using a lighting system from the UK - just to name a few countries who contributed to this fabulous building.

As in all Muslim countries, the work week in the UAE runs from Sundays to Thursdays and most offices are closed on Fridays. In 2021, the Muslims will celebrate the holy month of Ramadan from 12 April until 12 May.

UAE Facts | UAE Food

In the UAE rice, fish and lamb or chicken meat are considered the main staple food. Pork is not permitted for Muslims so it is not commonly found or eaten.

Spices such as cardamon, coriander, caraway seeds, cloves, saffron and cinnamon give the Middle Eastern dishes a distinctive taste.

During Ramadan people eat the traditional iftar meal after sunset. This second meal, after breakfast before sunset, is eaten when breaking the fast in the evening. The iftar meal usually includes a large variety of dishes including hearty soups, lentil or meat stews, salads and flatbread with dips such as hummus and baba ganoush as well as dates and sweet desserts.

Popular dishes in the UAE include:

Machboos: lunch dish made with slow cooked lamb or chicken, rice, dried lemon and spices

Kabab: skewers of chicken or goats meat, marinated and grilled and served with rice or flatbread.

Baba Ganoush: mashed grilled aubergines (also called brinjals or eggplants) with garlic, lemon juice and sesame paste, usually eaten with flat bread

Fareed: typically made during Ramadan, this meat and vegetable stew is usually cooked made with potatoes, marrows, carrots, lamb or chicken

Lukaimat: deep-fried light dough balls which are served with date syrup

UAE Facts | Animals

Desert animals such as camels and gazelles live in the hot and dry desert areas of the UAE.

In the UAE you will might also catch a glimpse of Arabian oryxes, the Arabian red fox or Arabian hare. Especially if you head to one of the conservation areas such as Al Maha or the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. More commonly found are sand geckos and lizards.

Other Popular Pages

Picture Credits for UAE Facts: Shutterstock.com and own images if not otherwise stated. Many thanks go to Mohamed Rayan from GEMS Our Own Indian School in Dubai for sending through some corrections!
UAE Facts
Recommended Reading

Central Intelligence Agency. "United Arab Emirates." CIA World Fact Book. Last updated 23 August 2021. Last accessed 27 August 2021

United Arab Emirates Government. "About the UAE: Fact Sheet." Last accessed 27 August 2021

The National UAE. "Dubai Expo 2020: All you need to know." The National. Last updated 15 April 2019. Last accessed 27 August 2021

Visit Dubai. "Call of the Wild. Dubai's Desert Wildlife." Dubai Tourism. 24 August 2020. Last accessed 27 August 2021

The National UAE. "The Best Foods to eat and avoid during iftar and suhour." The National. Last updated 5 June 2017. Last accessed 27 August 2021

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UAE Facts for Kids | United Arab Emirates Facts | Geography | Travel

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Our UAE Facts will provide info about the United Arab Emirates for kids and tell you all about the Arab country's geography, people, landmarks and more

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We're off to a place of towering sky scrapers, beautiful beaches, breath-taking canyons, cool cowboys and mega movie stars! Fancy joining? Then check out our fab facts about the USA...

Official Name: United States of America
Population: 324, 057, 300
Form of Government: Constitution-based federal republic
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Area: 9, 826, 630 square kilometres
Major Mountain Ranges: Rocky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains
Major Rivers: Mississippi, Missouri, Colorado
Languages: English, Spanish
Money: U.S. dollar

The United States of America (often referred to as the USA, or simply the US) is the world's third largest country in size (after and ) and the third largest in terms of population (after and ). Located in North America, the country is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Along the northern border is Canada, and along the southern border is Mexico. There are 50 states and the District of Columbia.

More than twice the size of the European Union, the United States has high mountains in the West and a vast, central plain. The lowest point in the country is in Death Valley, which sits 86m below sea level, and the highest peak is Mount McKinley, standing a whopping 6,198m tall.

The landscape varies across this large country - from the tropical beaches of Florida to the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, from the rolling prairie lands and barren deserts in the west to the huge areas of dense wilderness in the north. Interspersed throughout are the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon, the majestic Yosemite Valley and the mighty Mississippi River.

The wildlife is as diverse as the landscape. Mammals such as American Buffalo once roamed freely across the plains, but today can only be found in protected areas. The largest carnivores are black bears, grizzlies and even polar bears, which live in the northernmost state of Alaska.

The United States works to look after its wildlife, with nearly 400 areas protected and maintained by the National Park Service, and many other parks in each state. The bald eagle, today a protected species, is the national bird and symbol of the United States.

For centuries, native peoples lived across the vast expanse that would become the United States of America.Some of these indigenous tribes spent their time moving freely around the huge continent, while others settled in particular areas and formed large permanent communities.

Each of these tribes developed their own cultures, celebrations and ceremonies. Many native people continue to follow these traditions today, as a way to remember their heritage and celebrate who they are.

In the early 17th century, settlers moved from Europe to the ' New World', established colonies and displaced the native peoples. Later, in the 18th century, the settlers fought for their independence from Britain and formed a union of states based on a new constitution. The nation continued to expand westward and, although the country is a relatively young nation, it has become a global power since declaring independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.

You can read more about the British Empire and how it changed the world, in our British Empire facts.

Throughout its history, the United States has been a nation of immigrants. The population is diverse with people from all over the world seeking refuge and a better way of life. The country is divided into six regions - New England, the mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West.

European settlers came to New England in search of religious freedom. These states are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the city of Washington, D.C. These industrial areas attracted millions of European immigrants and gave rise to some of the East Coast"s largest cities - New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

The South includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. These states all struggled in the years following the American Civil War, which lasted from 1860-1865.

The Midwest is home to the country"s agricultural base and is called the 'nation"s breadbasket". The region comprises the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The Southwest is a beautiful stark landscape of prairie and desert. The states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas are considered the Southwest, home to some of the world"s great natural marvels, including the Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns.

The American West, land of the iconic western cowboy and rolling plains, is a symbol of the pioneering spirit of the United States. The West is diverse, ranging from endless wilderness to barren desert, coral reefs to tundra, Hollywood to Yellowstone National Park. The states of the West include Alaska, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Citizens over the age of 18 years old vote to elect the President and Vice President of the United States every four years. The president lives in the White House in the capital city of Washington, D.C.

The part of the government that makes the country's laws, controls the money and decides if the USA should go to war is called the Congress. There are two houses of Congress - the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 members, two from each of the 50 states, and each serves a six-year term. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 representatives, who must be elected every two years.

The Supreme Court is the branch of the government that interprets the laws of the USA. It is the highest court in the country and made up of nine justices, who are each picked by the president and must be approved by Congress.

Advances in the past hundred years have established America as a world leader economically, militarily and technologically. The USA's important exports include petroleum products, aircrafts, vehicle parts and medical equipment, and the country's big imports include cars, industrial machinery, computers and crude oil.

Credits

USA map: National Geographic Maps. Picture of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri: pawel.gaul, iStockphoto. Picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California: espiegle, iStockphoto. Picture of Zion Canyon in Utah: bjul, Shutterstock. Statue of Liberty in New York City: Stuart Monk, Shutterstock. All other pictures: Getty Images UK.

What do you make of our USA facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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USA facts: get ready for the lowdown on the Land of Opportunity! - National Geographic Kids

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USA facts: learn all about the United States of America, with facts about the US government, history, wildlife, culture and geography, plus a USA map.

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USA Facts for Kids | USA for Kids | Geography | Landmarks | People |

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Our USA Facts for Kids provide informative and fun facts about the USA and tell your students what they really should know about the USA

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India for Kids | India Facts for Kids | Geography | People | Animals

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Our India for Kids page will tell you all about incredible India, the country and its people, landmarks, animals, food and so much more

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Algeria (official name: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria) is a country in the Western part of North Africa. The capital city is Algiers. It is the largest country in Africa. The name is from the city of Algiers. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Tunisia in the northeast, Libya in the east, Niger in the southeast, Mauritania and Mali in the southwest, Western Sahara in the west and Morocco in the northwest.

Algeria has had people since 10.000 BC. This can be seen in Tassili National Park. By 600-BC, Phoenician were at Tipasa. The first Muslim Arabs came to Algeria in the mid- 7th century. Many people chose this religion.

In the 11th century the Arab tribes of Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym were installed between Tunisia and eastern Algeria ( Constantois). The famous mathematician, Fibonacci (1170-1250) lived in Algeria as a teenager. This is where he learned the Hindu-Arabic number system and realized it was simpler to use. In the 1500s and 1700s the Spanish Empire ruled a lot of Algeria. Algeria was made part of the Ottoman Empire in 1517. Pirates worked from the Barbary Coast. They took people to sell as slaves.

France ruled Algeria starting in 1830. In 1954, the National Liberation Front (Front de Libération Nationale or FLN) wanted freedom from France. They fought a war. It became independent from France in July 5, 1962. In 1963 Ahmed Ben Bella became the first President of Algeria.

The Algerian Civil War started in 1991. It ended in 2002. After many people protested, like in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, the government stopped the state of emergency on 24 February 2011.

A large part of southern Algeria is the Sahara Desert. The Aures and Nememcha mountain ranges are in the north. The highest point is Mount Tahat (3,003 m).

Official languages are Arabic and Berber. French is widely spoken too.

Population

Algeria's population is about 39.5 million people. There are over 40 cities with more than 100,000 people.

There are 48 provinces (since 1983) in Algeria, they are:

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Algeria including Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad, the first capital of the Hammadid empire; Tipasa, a Phoenician and later Roman town; and Djémila and Timgad, both Roman ruins; M'Zab Valley, a limestone valley containing a large urbanized oasis; also the Casbah of Algiers is an important citadel. The only natural World Heritage Sites is the Tassili n'Ajjer, a mountain range.

Images for kids

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Algeria (official name: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria) is a country in the Western part of North Africa. The capital city is Algiers. It is the largest country in Africa. The name is from the city of Algiers.

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Armenia is a country on the continent of Asia. The capital city of Armenia is Yerevan. World Land Mass Ranking: 142nd. Langauges include Armenian (official) as well as Assyrian, Russian, Greek, and Kurdish.

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Armenia (officially called the Republic of Armenia) is a country in the western part of Asia. Its capital city is Yerevan. Armenia received its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Armenia touches Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

There are some minorities living in Armenia, such as Greek, Russian, and other minorities, and more than 90% of the people are ethnic Armenians. Also, the Armenian Apostolic Church, is by far the largest religion in the country. There is a small amount of other Christians, Muslims and atheists.

Armenia is the place that some Christians believe Noah's Ark landed, and Noah's family settled. The Armenian name for Armenia (Hayastan) means Land of Haik. Haik was the name of a great-great-grandson of Noah.

Throughout history, Armenia's size has changed many times. Today Armenia is much smaller than it was once. In 80 BCE, the Kingdom of Armenia covered parts of what is today Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and, of course, Armenia.

Armenia is landlocked in the South Caucasus. It is between the Black and Caspian Seas. The country is bordered on the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan, and on the south and west by Iran and Turkey.

It covers an area of 29,743 square kilometres (11,484 sq mi). The land is mostly mountains, with fast flowing rivers and few forests. There are hot summers and cold winters.

Armenia is divided into ten provinces and the capital city of Yerevan. As of 2007, Armenia includes 915 communities. 49 are considered urban and 866 are considered rural. For a list of communities see List of settlements in Armenia.

Largest cities

Armenia has many cities. Here is a list of the ten biggest ones:

The climate in Armenia is markedly continental. Summers are dry and sunny, lasting from June to mid-September. The temperature fluctuates between 22 and 36 °C (72 and 97 °F). However, the low humidity level mitigates the effect of high temperatures. Evening breezes blowing down the mountains provide a welcome refreshing and cooling effect. Springs are short, while falls are long. Autumns are known for their vibrant and colorful foliage.

The Armenian economy heavily relies on investment and support from Armenians abroad. Before independence, Armenia's economy was largely industry-based - chemicals, electronics, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textile - and highly dependent on outside resources. The republic had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy.

Agriculture accounted for less than 20% of both net material product and total employment before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. After independence, the importance of agriculture in the economy increased markedly.

Armenian mines produce copper, zinc, gold, and lead. The vast majority of energy is produced with fuel imported from Russia, including gas and nuclear fuel (for its one nuclear power plant); the main domestic energy source is hydroelectric. Small amounts of coal, gas, and petroleum have not yet been developed.

Demographics

Armenia has a population of 3,238,000 (2008 est.) and is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. There has been a problem of population decline due to elevated levels of emigration after the break-up of the USSR. The rates of emigration and population decline, however, have decreased drastically in the recent years, and a moderate influx of Armenians returning to Armenia have been the main reasons for the trend, which is expected to continue. In fact Armenia is expected to resume its positive population growth by 2010.

Ethnic Armenians make up 97.9% of the population. Yazidis make up 1.3%, and Russians 0.5%. Other minorities include Assyrians, Ukrainians, Greeks, Kurds, Georgians, and Belarusians. There are also smaller communities of Vlachs, Mordvins, Ossetians, Udis, and Tats. Minorities of Poles and Caucasus Germans also exist though they are heavily Russified.

Armenian is the only official language even though Russian is widely used, especially in education, and could be considered as de facto "second language". 94% of adult Armenians consider it important that their children learn Russian.

Music and Dance

Instruments like the duduk, the dhol, the zurna and the kanun are commonly found in Armenian folk music. Artists such as Sayat Nova are famous due to their influence in the development of Armenian folk music.

One of the oldest types of Armenian music is the Armenian chant which is the most common kind of religious music in Armenia. Many of these chants are ancient in origin, extending to pre-Christian times, while others are relatively modern, including several composed by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet.

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Armenia (officially called the Republic of Armenia) is a country in the western part of Asia. Its capital city is Yerevan. Armenia received its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Armenia touches Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. There are some minorities living in Armenia, such as Greek, Russian, and other minorities, and more than 90% of the people are ethnic Armenians.

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National anthem of JordanThe Middle Eastern nation of Jordan is a small state with an ancient history. The country's full name is the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan. The capital and largest city is Amman.

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Our kid-friendly country profile introduces the geography and culture of Jordan through a map, infographic, photo gallery, learning activities and more!

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Brief History Jordan, located in the Middle East, has a rich history influenced by various civilizations. During the Iron Age, the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites established kingdoms in present-day Jordan. These kingdoms interacted with ancient Israel and were mentioned in biblical texts. In the 1st century CE, the Roman Empire expanded its influence into the … Continue reading “Jordan”

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Grab your suncream, shades and snorkels, gang - because we're heading Down Under with these fab Australia facts!

Australia facts

OFFICIAL NAME: Commonwealth of Australia
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal parliamentary democracy
CAPITAL: Canberra
POPULATION: 23, 856, 103
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English
MONEY: Australian dollar
AREA: 7,692,024 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Great Dividing Range, Macdonnell Ranges
MAJOR RIVERS: Murray-Darling, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan

Australian flag

Map of Australia

Australia: geography and landscape

Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth, and the only country that covers an entire continent. 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. The famous outback (remote rural areas) contains the country's largest deserts, where there are scorching temperatures, little water and almost no vegetation. In the northeast, there are dense rainforests where lush vegetation grows.

Running around the eastern and southeastern edge of Australia is the Great Dividing Range. This 3,700-kilometre stretch of mountain sends water down into Australia's most important rivers and the Great Artesian Basin, the largest groundwater source in the world.

Australia's amazing nature!

Australia's ecosystem is an unusual one. Because of its remote location, many animal species that occur here are found nowhere else on Earth, such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna and koala. Australia has 516 national parks to protect its unique plants and animals.

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

Australia also boasts the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island, which stretches over 120km along the southern coast of Queensland. You can check out our cool fascinating Fraser Island facts, here!

One of Australia's most amazing sites is called Uluru (or Ayers Rock) - a sacred natural rock which rises like an enormous whale's back from a flat red-soil desert called the Red Centre. Standing a massive 335 metres tall, it's one of the largest rocks in the world!

Did you know Australia is home to many of the deadliest species of animals on the planet? There are 36 species of poisonous funnel-web spiders found in this incredible country and 20 species of venomous snakes, including the world's most venomous snake - the taipan. This slithery reptile releases enough venom in one bite to kill 100 people. Yikes!

Australian history

Aboriginal people arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago. It's believed they travelled 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 came as a result, bringing thousands of new immigrants to the country. By 1859 six separate colonies existed, and in 1901 these colonies joined to form the Federation of Australia.

Australia: people and 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. Many come from the United Kingdom and other European countries, as well as from China, Vietnam, North Africa and the Middle East.

Australia's warm, sunny climate and abundance of open spaces give 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 government and economy

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 and fruit. The country is also rich in minerals and metals and is the world's fourth largest producer of gold.

Picture Credits: Opera House in Sydney Harbour, Australia: Xvaldes, Dreamstime. People swimming at Bondi Beach, Australia: Dan Breckwoldt, Dreamstime. Picture of people snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Liverbird, Dreamstime. All other images: Getty Images UK

What do you think of these cool facts about Australia? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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Australia facts for kids: let's head down under! | National Geographic Kids

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Learn fascinating facts about Australia, from Australian history, culture, wildlife and geography, stunning pictures plus, see a map of Australia!

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Explore the geography and culture of Australia through a detailed map, video, photographs, infographic, activity menu, books, and more.

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Aboriginal peoples lived in Australia for at least 45,000-50,000 years before Europeans arrived. They came from Asia by boat or by land that is now underwater. Aboriginal peoples lived in groups that had their own language, culture, and traditional lands. These lands, known as Country, were central to the survival of each group. The people knew how to protect and use the environment of their specific Country. This is what Europeans encountered when they first landed on Australia.

Portuguese and Spanish explorers may have landed in Australia in the 1500s. In the 1600s several Dutch explorers reached the continent. They included Dirck Hartog and Abel Tasman. Hartog discovered the west coast, and Tasman sailed along the southern tip of what is now called Tasmania. Because of all these voyages, the Dutch named the continent New Holland in 1644. But they did not settle there.

William Dampier, an English pirate turned explorer, landed on the west coast twice in the late 1600s. In 1770 Captain James Cook landed in southeastern Australia and claimed it for Great Britain. He named the region New South Wales. Others later explored the continent further, including Matthew Flinders, who suggested the name Australia.

First Fleet and Settlement

Captain Cook thought that New South Wales was a good place for settlement. At the time, England's prisons were overcrowded. So the English government decided to send prisoners to Australia to start a penal colony-a place where criminals are sent to live.

Captain Arthur Phillip was in charge of the First Fleet. He led 11 ships carrying about 200 marines, a few free settlers, more than 700 convicts, food stores, and farm animals. The trip took eight months and conditions were very hard. They reached Australia in January 1788 and settled in a bay that they named Sydney Cove. Phillip became the first governor of the colony.

Convicts and settlers worked to clear land and to establish farms. They were not used to the climate, which was different from England, so the colonists struggled to survive. But soon more convicts and settlers arrived. The settlement grew bigger and stronger. In the 1800s other parts of the country were settled. Some were also penal colonies. In 1851 the discovery of gold drew thousands of new immigrants to Australia. The settlements grew and became colonies separate from New South Wales. They became Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia.

The flood of settlers nearly wiped out the Aboriginal population. Many Aboriginal people died while fighting for their land or from European diseases.

Independence and War

By the late 1800s the six separate colonies each had an elected assembly. In 1901 they became states when they joined together to form a federation. The new Commonwealth of Australia had a national parliament and six state parliaments. It kept ties with Britain, however, as part of the British Commonwealth (a group of former British colonies).

When World War I began, Australians fought alongside the British Army. Many Australians died during the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915. Australia also supported Britain when World War II began in 1939. In the 1940s the Japanese attacked several Australian cities. Their airplanes bombed Darwin, and submarines fired on Sydney. After the war Australia's population grew rapidly. Many immigrants came from war-torn Europe.

Recent Events

In the 1970s Australia started to focus less on Europe and more on its Asian neighbors. Many Asian immigrants arrived, and trade increased between Australia and Asian countries.

In the 1990s Indigenous Australians won some rights to land. They also won more respect from white Australians. Many still face hardships, however. In 2008 the country's prime minister issued a formal apology to Aboriginal Australians for abuses they suffered under earlier Australian administrations.

The British monarch is still the head of state in Australia. Some Australians have called for change. They want the country to become a republic with a president as head of state. In 1999, however, Australians voted against a complete separation from Britain.

The main political parties in Australia are the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia, and the National Party. The Liberal and National parties shared power for much of the second half of the 1900s. In 2007 the Labor Party was elected with Kevin Rudd as prime minister. Three years later Julia Gillard took over as leader of the Labor Party. She therefore became the country's first woman prime minister.

Shortly after taking office, Gillard called for a new election, which took place in late August 2010. The results were extremely close. Neither Labor nor the Liberals won a majority in the House of Representatives. Several independent members of Parliament eventually agreed to support the Labor Party. This allowed Gillard to form a minority government in early September. In 2013, however, the members of the Labor Party voted to replace her as leader of the party. Rudd once again became the leader of the party and the prime minister.

Less than three months later, the Labor Party lost the next general election. A coalition of the National and Liberal parties, led by Tony Abbott, won the election. Rudd stepped down as leader of the Labor Party, although he kept his seat in Parliament. In 2015 Malcolm Turnbull challenged Abbott for the Liberal Party leadership. Turnbull won and became prime minister. He resigned in 2018. Scott Morrison was then elected the new leader of the Liberal Party and became prime minister.

Australia suffered several major natural disasters in the early 2000s. In early 2009 a series of bushfires killed 173 people, injured 500, and destroyed numerous homes in the state of Victoria. Almost two years later torrential rains caused massive flooding in Queensland and other states. In late 2019 and early 2020 the country faced another series of devastating bushfires. In 2021 and 2022 eastern Australia was once again devastated by flooding.

Morrison and his party were partly blamed for the bushfires and floods that occurred during his term in office. Many people thought that climate change led to the disasters and that Morrison did not do enough to combat climate change. In 2022 Morrison and the Liberal Party were voted out of office. Anthony Albanese became the new prime minister. He faced continuing problems with climate change and with the disease known as COVID-19. The disease, caused by a coronavirus, had killed more than 8,000 people since the beginning of the outbreak in 2020.

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Prime ministers of AustraliaAustralia is the only nation that takes up a whole continent. It is known for its vast Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, and its unique wildlife....

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OFFICIAL NAME: Canada

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal parliamentary state

CAPITAL: Ottawa

POPULATION: 35,881,659

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: English, French

MONEY: Canadian dollar

AREA: 3,849,674 square miles (9,970,610 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Rockies, Coast, Laurentian

MAJOR RIVERS: St. Lawrence, Mackenzie

Canada is a vast and rugged land. From north to south it spans more than half the Northern Hemisphere. From east to west it stretches almost 4,700 miles (7,560 kilometers) across six time zones. It is the second largest country in the world, but it has only one-half of one percent of the world's population.

Canada features black-blue lakes, numerous rivers, majestic western mountains, rolling central plains, and forested eastern valleys. The Canadian Shield, a hilly region of lakes and swamps, stretches across northern Canada and has some of the oldest rocks on Earth.

Canada's far north lies in the frozen grip of the Arctic, where ice, snow, and glaciers dominate the landscape. Few trees grow here, and farming is not practical. Native Canadians, called First Nations people, live in this region by hunting and fishing.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

In some ways Canada is many nations in one. Descendents of British and French immigrants make up about half the population. They were followed by other European and Asian immigrants. First Nations peoples make up about four percent of the population.

Inuit people live mostly in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Many Native Canadians live on their traditional lands, but many others have moved to cities across Canada. First Nations artwork is widely recognized and is seen as a symbol of Canadian culture.

Canada's remote north and extensive forests are home to wildlife, from bears, wolves, beavers, deer, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep to smaller animals like raccoons, otters, and rabbits. The country's lakes and rivers, which contain about 20 percent of all fresh water on Earth, are full of fish such as trout and salmon.

Canada's prairies in the south are home to bison and pronghorn antelope. Farther north are Canada's sprawling evergreen forests, which have lots of wildlife, including moose and black bears. Even farther north is the cold, bare tundra, where herds of caribou and musk ox live.

Canadians work hard to protect the native wildlife. Canada has 41 national parks and three marine conservation areas. Nevertheless, species like wolves, lynx, and Atlantic fish have been overhunted and overfished.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

The British monarch is the head of state of Canada. The monarch is represented by a governor-general, who has very limited powers. Laws are made by Canada's elected federal government, which includes a parliament and a prime minister.

Britain's Quebec Act of 1774 granted Quebec its own legal and religious rights. Despite this concession, many Quebec citizens have long sought independence. In votes held in 1980 and 1995, Quebec decided to stay in Canada. But the second vote was very close, and the debate is still alive.

Canada has provided fish, furs, and other natural resources to the world since the 1500s. Today, it is a world leader in agricultural production, telecommunications, and energy technologies. The vast majority of Canada's exports go to the United States.

The first people to come to Canada arrived between 15,000 and 30,000 years ago across a land bridge that joined Asia and North America. Around A.D. 1000, the Viking explorer Leif Eriksson reached Newfoundland, Canada. He tried to establish a settlement, but it didn't last.

In the 16th century, French and British settlers arrived. Land disputes between farmers and fur traders led to four wars between 1689 and 1763. The final war, called the French and Indian War, left the British in control of Canada, but French influence remains strong even today.

In 1867, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick combined to form a dominion with its own government, parliament, and prime minister. Manitoba joined soon after. In 1931, Canada became an independent nation.

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Canada Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Canada is a vast and rugged land. From north to south it spans more than half the Northern Hemisphere.

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Early Peoples and Exploration

For thousands of years, Inuit lived in the north and First Nations peoples lived in the south of what is now Canada. Vikings from northern Europe arrived in what is now Newfoundland about 1000 ce. The Vikings did not stay in Canada, however.

In 1497 the Italian explorer John Cabot landed in eastern Canada. Other explorers followed. In 1534 a French explorer, Jacques Cartier, entered the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. He claimed the area for France.

New France

In 1608 Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Quebec, France's first permanent Canadian colony. The French soon set up more settlements in the region, which they called New France.

Meanwhile, the British also became interested in the region. In 1670 the English started Hudson's Bay Company, which built trading posts around Hudson Bay. Over the next century Great Britain and France fought wars over the land. After defeating France in the French and Indian War in 1763, Britain claimed Canada as part of the British Empire. The British made New France into the colony of Quebec.

British North America

By the late 1700s Britain ruled Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec. Britain divided Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada in 1791.

In the mid-1800s people began to call for a union of these colonies. In 1867 Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Upper and Lower Canada (now the provinces of Ontario and Quebec) formed the Dominion of Canada. Canada now had its own federal government, although Britain kept some control.

Westward Expansion

The population of Canada increased quickly during the 1800s. As settlers moved westward, many Indigenous peoples lost their land and moved to reserves. New provinces and territories were created. The discovery of gold in the Yukon territory in 1896 brought more settlers west.

The provinces of Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia as well as Yukon and the Northwest Territories, joined Canada by the 1930s. The final province, Newfoundland, joined the country in 1949.

Independence

Canadian prime ministers

In 1982 the British Parliament granted Canada control over its constitution. The British monarch remained the ceremonial head of state, but Canada was finally an independent country.

Beginning in the 1960s many French Canadians in Quebec called for separation from Canada. The Québécois (the French-speaking people of Quebec) wanted to create a French-speaking nation. In 1995 the people of Quebec narrowly voted against separating from Canada. Many French Canadians continued to call for separation, however.

In the 1990s many Indigenous peoples asked the Canadian government to return their land to them. Canada responded by creating Nunavut, a self-governing homeland for the Inuit, in 1999. The new territory was formed from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories.

Into the 21st Century

The Liberal Party controlled the government during most of the 1990s and into the 2000s. During this time a trade agreement with the United States and Mexico brought great economic growth to Canada. The government also made major reforms to health care and legalized same-sex marriage. In 2006 control of Parliament switched to the Conservative Party after it won the most seats. Later that year the new prime minister, Stephen Harper, introduced a motion in Parliament that declared the Québécois formed a nation "within a united Canada." This made many people in Quebec happy. However, others felt it was only symbolic and did not resolve the issue.

In October 2014 the country experienced two unconnected terrorist attacks. One person was killed in Quebec and one in Ottawa. In Ottawa, the attacker entered the Parliament building, where ministers locked themselves in rooms until the terrorist was caught. These events moved Parliament to pass strict anti-terrorism legislation.

The Canadian economy experienced a downturn in 2015 when oil prices declined. The poor economy and other issues helped the Liberal Party regain power after the October 2015 election. The Liberal prime minister Justin Trudeau encouraged diversity and pledged to fight for the environment. In December 2016 Trudeau announced that there would be a five-year ban on oil drilling in Canada's Arctic waters.

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Canada is the largest country in the world after Russia. It spans six time zones and borders three oceans. The country is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. The...

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The first people to live on the banks of the Nile were hunters and fishermen, who settled there over 8,000 years ago. They learned to grow crops and raise animals, and they began to build villages and towns. They traded with their neighbors and learned to sail boats. By 3000 B.C., a civilization was established.

Around 3100 B.C., the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under a powerful king, later called a pharaoh. These kings built huge pyramids, temples, and other monuments. They also conquered other lands.

By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. Strong neighbors attacked and took over Egyptian territory. In 31 B.C., Egypt fell under Roman control. In A.D. 640, Muslim warriors took over Egypt and founded the modern capital, Cairo. They ruled for several centuries. In the 16th century, Egypt became part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

European powers played an increasing role in Egypt starting in the late 18th century. In 1882, the British invaded and occupied Egypt. The British wanted control of the Suez Canal, which linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortened the sailing trip from Asia to Europe. Egypt gained full independence from Great Britain in 1952 and took control of the Suez Canal in 1956.

Egypt and other neighboring Arab countries fought a series of wars with the Jewish state of Israel into the 1970s. In 1979 Egypt and Israel signed a peace agreement.

In 2011, a popular uprising toppled Egypt's long-time president, Hosni Mubarek. The country has held several democratic elections since 2011, but the role of the military in government remains strong.

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Egypt Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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

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The Arab Republic of Egypt is a country in the northeastern corner of Africa. Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest and most important civilizations in the world. The modern…

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Ethiopia is a country in the Horn of Africa. It has one of the most well known histories as a country in Africa and the world. Unlike other African countries, Ethiopia stayed together during the Scramble for Africa, except for 5 years when it was ruled by Italians. Ethiopia used to be called Abyssinia. The word "Ethiopia" is from the Greek word Αἰθιοπία meaning sun light burned face. BNP per capita 1370 $ (IMF) (2008).

The Kingdom of Aksum, the first known kingdom of great power to rise in Ethiopia, rose during the first century AD. The Persian religious figure Mani listed Axum with Rome, Persia, and China as one of the four great powers of his time. It was in the early 4th century that a Syro-Greek castaway, Frumentius, was taken to the court and over time changed King Ezana to Christianity, making Christianity Ethiopia's religion. For this, he received the title "Abba Selama". At different times, including a time in the 6th century, Axum ruled most of modern-day Yemen just across the Red Sea.

The line of rulers from the Axumite kings was broken a few times: first by the Jewish Queen Gudit around 950, then by the Zagwe dynasty. Around 1270, the Solomonid dynasty came to control Ethiopia, claiming that they were related to the kings of Axum. They called themselves Neguse Negest ("King of Kings," or Emperor), basing their claims on their direct relation to Solomon and the queen of Sheba.

During the rule of Emperor Lebna Dengel, Ethiopia made its first good contact with a European country, Portugal. This was a good development. When the Empire was attacked by Somali General and Imam, Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi, Portugal responded to Lebna Dengel's request for help with an army of 400 men, which helped his son Gelawdewos beat al-Ghazi and remake his rule. However, Jesuit missionaries over time offended the Orthodox faith of the local Ethiopians, and in the mid-17th century Emperor Fasilidos got rid of these missionaries. At the same time, the Oromo people began to question the Ethiopian Christian authorities in the Abyssinian territories, and wanted to keep their own religion.

All of this led to Ethiopia's isolation during the 1700s. The Emperors became figureheads, controlled by warlords like Ras Mikael Sehul of Tigray. But Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia. Ethiopian isolationism ended following a British mission that made friendship between the two nations; however, it was not until the reign of Tewodros II that Ethiopia began to take part in world matters once again.

Regions, zones, and districts

Before 1996, Ethiopia was divided into 13 provinces. Ethiopia now has ethnically based regional countries, zones, districts, and neighborhoods.

There are nine regions, sixty-eight zones and two chartered cities. Ethiopia is further divided into 550 woredas and several special woredas.

The nine regions and two chartered cities (in italics) are:

At 1,126,829 square kilometres (435,071 sq mi), Ethiopia is the world's 27th-largest country, comparable in size to Bolivia. It lies between the 3rd parallel north and the 15th parallel north and longitudes 33rd meridian east and 48th meridian east.

The major portion of Ethiopia lies on the Horn of Africa, which is the easternmost part of the African landmass. Bordering Ethiopia are Sudan and South Sudan to the west, Djibouti and Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the east and Kenya to the south. Within Ethiopia is a vast highland complex of mountains and dissected plateaus divided by the Great Rift Valley, which runs generally southwest to northeast and is surrounded by lowlands, steppes, or semi-desert. The great diversity of terrain determines wide variations in climate, soils, natural vegetation, and settlement patterns.

Ethiopia is an ecologically diverse country, ranging from the deserts along the eastern border to the tropical forests in the south to extensive Afromontane in the northern and southwestern parts. Lake Tana in the north is the source of the Blue Nile. It also has a large number of endemic species, notably the gelada, the walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf ("Simien fox"). The wide range of altitude has given the country a variety of ecologically distinct areas, and this has helped to encourage the evolution of endemic species in ecological isolation.

The predominant climate type is tropical monsoon, with wide topographic-induced variation. The Ethiopian Highlands cover most of the country and have a climate which is generally considerably cooler than other regions at similar proximity to the Equator. Most of the country's major cities are located at elevations of around 2,000-2,500 m (6,562-8,202 ft) above sea level, including historic capitals such as Gondar and Axum.

The modern capital, Addis Ababa, is situated on the foothills of Mount Entoto at an elevation of around 2,400 metres (7,900 ft). It experiences a mild climate year round. With temperatures fairly uniform year round, the seasons in Addis Ababa are largely defined by rainfall: a dry season from October to February, a light rainy season from March to May, and a heavy rainy season from June to September. The average annual rainfall is approximately 1,200 millimetres (47 in).

There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. The dry season is the sunniest time of the year, though even at the height of the rainy season in July and August there are still usually several hours per day of bright sunshine. The average annual temperature in Addis Ababa is 16 °C (60.8 °F), with daily maximum temperatures averaging 20-25 °C (68.0-77.0 °F) throughout the year, and overnight lows averaging 5-10 °C (41.0-50.0 °F).

Most major cities and tourist sites in Ethiopia lie at a similar elevation to Addis Ababa and have a comparable climate. In less elevated regions, particularly the lower lying Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands in the east of the country, the climate can be significantly hotter and drier. Dallol, in the Danakil Depression in this eastern zone, has the world's highest average annual temperature of 34 °C (93.2 °F).

Environment

Ethiopia has 31 endemic species of mammals. The African wild dog prehistorically had widespread distribution in the territory. However, with last sightings at Finicha'a, this canid is thought to be potentially locally extinct. The Ethiopian wolf is perhaps the most researched of all the endangered species within Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is a global center of avian diversity. To date more than 856 bird species have been recorded in Ethiopia, twenty of which are endemic to the country. Sixteen species are endangered or critically endangered. A large number of these birds feed on butterflies, like the Bicyclus anynana.

Historically, throughout the African continent, wildlife populations have been rapidly declining due to logging, civil wars, pollution, poaching, and other human factors. A 17-year-long civil war, along with severe drought, negatively impacted Ethiopia's environmental conditions, leading to even greater habitat degradation. Habitat destruction is a factor that leads to endangerment. When changes to a habitat occur rapidly, animals do not have time to adjust. Human impact threatens many species, with greater threats expected as a result of climate change induced by greenhouse gases. With carbon dioxide emissions in 2010 of 6,494,000 tonnes, Ethiopia contributes just 0.02% to the annual human-caused release of greenhouse gases.

Ethiopia has a large number of species listed as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable to global extinction. The threatened species in Ethiopia can be broken down into three categories (based on IUCN ratings): critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable.

Deforestation

Ethiopia is one of the eight fundamental and independent centers of origin for cultivated plants in the world. However, deforestation is a major concern for Ethiopia as studies suggest loss of forest contributes to soil erosion, loss of nutrients in the soil, loss of animal habitats, and reduction in biodiversity. At the beginning of the 20th century, around 420,000 km ² (or 35%) of Ethiopia's land was covered by trees, but recent research indicates that forest cover is now approximately 11.9% of the area.

Ethiopia loses an estimated 1,410 km ² of natural forests each year. Between 1990 and 2005 the country lost approximately 21,000 km ² of forests. Current government programs to control deforestation consist of education, promoting reforestation programs, and providing raw materials which are alternatives to timber. In rural areas the government also provides non-timber fuel sources and access to non-forested land to promote agriculture without destroying forest habitat.

Organizations such as SOS and Farm Africa are working with the federal government and local governments to create a system of forest management. Working with a grant of approximately 2.3 million Euros, the Ethiopian government recently began training people on reducing erosion and using proper irrigation techniques that do not contribute to deforestation. This project is assisting more than 80 communities.

According to the IMF, Ethiopia was one of the fastest growing economies in the world, registering over 10% economic growth from 2004 through 2009. It was the fastest-growing non-oil-dependent African economy in the years 2007 and 2008. In 2015, the World Bank highlighted that Ethiopia had witnessed rapid economic growth with real domestic product (GDP) growth averaging 10.9% between 2004 and 2014.

In spite of fast growth in recent years, GDP per capita is one of the lowest in the world, and the economy faces a number of serious structural problems. However, with a focused investment in public infrastructure and industrial parks, Ethiopia's economy is addressing its structural problems to become a hub for light manufacturing in Africa.

The Ethiopian constitution defines the right to own land as belonging only to "the state and the people", but citizens may lease land (up to 99 years), and are unable to mortgage or sell. Renting of land for a maximum of twenty years is allowed and this is expected to ensure that land goes to the most productive user.

Energy and hydropower

Ethiopia has 14 major rivers, which flow from its highlands, including the Nile. The country has the largest water reserves in Africa. As of 2012, hydroelectric plants represented around 88.2% of the total installed electricity capacity. The remaining electrical power was generated from fossil fuels (8.3%) and other renewable sources (3.6%). The electrification rate for the total population in 2013 was 24%, with 85% coverage in urban areas and 10% coverage in rural areas. As of 2014, total electricity production was 9.5 billion kWh and consumption was 6.7 billion kWh. There were 1.1 billion kWh in electricity exports, 0 kWh in electricity imports, and 2.4 million kW of installed generating capacity.

Ethiopia delivers roughly 81% of water volume to the Nile through the river basins of the Blue Nile, Sobat River and Atbara. In 1959, Egypt and Sudan signed a bilateral treaty, the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement, which gave both countries exclusive maritime rights over the Nile waters. Ever since, Egypt under international law vetoed almost all projects in Ethiopia that sought to utilize the local Nile tributaries. This had the effect of discouraging external financing of hydropower and irrigation projects in western Ethiopia, thereby impeding water resource-based economic development projects. However, Ethiopia is in the process of constructing a large 6,450 MW hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river. When completed, this Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is slated to be the largest hydroelectric power station on the continent. The Gibe III hydroelectric project already generates an estimated 1,870-MW.

Agriculture

Agriculture constitutes around 85% of the labour force. However, the service sector represents the largest portion of the GDP. Many other economic activities depend on agriculture, including marketing, processing, and export of agricultural products. Production is overwhelmingly by small-scale farmers and enterprises, and a large part of commodity exports are provided by the small agricultural cash-crop sector. Principal crops include coffee, legumes, oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, and vegetables.

Exports are almost entirely agricultural commodities (with the exception of Gold exports), and coffee is the largest foreign exchange earner. Ethiopia is Africa's second biggest maize producer. According to UN estimations the per capita GDP of Ethiopia has reached $357 as of 2011. The same report indicated that the life expectancy had improved substantially in recent years. The life expectancy of men is reported to be 56 years and for women 60 years.

Exports from Ethiopia in the 2009/2010 financial year totaled 1.4 billion USD. The country produces more coffee than any other nation on the continent.

Ethiopia also has the 5th largest inventory of cattle. Other main export commodities are khat, gold, leather products, and oilseeds. Recent development of the floriculture sector means Ethiopia is poised to become one of the top flower and plant exporters in the world.

Cross-border trade by pastoralists is often informal and beyond state control and regulation. In East Africa, over 95% of cross-border trade is through unofficial channels. The unofficial trade of live cattle, camels, sheep, and goats from Ethiopia sold to Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya generates an estimated total value of between 250 and 300 million USD annually (100 times more than the official figure).

This trade helps lower food prices, increase food security, relieve border tensions, and promote regional integration. However, the unregulated and undocumented nature of this trade runs risks, such as allowing disease to spread more easily across national borders. Furthermore, the government of Ethiopia is purportedly unhappy with lost tax revenue and foreign exchange revenues. Recent initiatives have sought to document and regulate this trade.

With the private sector growing slowly, designer leather products like bags are becoming a big export business, with Taytu becoming the first luxury designer label in the country. Additional small-scale export products include cereals, pulses, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, and hides. With the construction of various new dams and growing hydroelectric power projects around the country, Ethiopia also plans to export electric power to its neighbors.

Coffee remains its most important export product, and with new trademark deals around the world (including recent deals with Starbucks) the country plans to increase its revenue from coffee. Most regard Ethiopia's large water resources and potential as its "white oil" and its coffee resources as "black gold".

The country also has large mineral resources and oil potential in some of the less inhabited regions. Political instability in those regions, however, has inhibited development. Ethiopian geologists were implicated in a major gold swindle in 2008. Four chemists and geologists from the Ethiopian Geological Survey were arrested in connection with a fake gold scandal, following complaints from buyers in South Africa. Gold bars from the National Bank of Ethiopia were found by police to be gilded metal, costing the state around 17 million USD, according to the Science and Development Network website.

In 2011, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project was commenced. When completed, it will provide surplus energy in Ethiopia which will be available for export to neighboring countries.

Transportation

Ethiopia has 926 km of electrified 1,435 mm () standard gauge railways, 656 km for the Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway between Addis Ababa and the Port of Djibouti (via Awash) and 270 km for the Awash - Hara Gebeya Railway between Addis Ababa and the twin cities of Dessie/Kombolcha (also via Awash). Both railways are either in trial service or still under construction as of August 2017. Once commissioned and fully operational in 2018/2019, both railways will allow passenger transport with a designated speed of 120 km/hour and freight transport with a speed of ~80 km/hour. Expected travel time from Addis Ababa to Djibouti City for passengers would be less than twelve hours and travel time from Addis Ababa to Dessie/Kombolcha would be around six hours.

Beyond the first 270 km of the Awash - Hara Gebeya Railway, a second construction phase over 120 km foresees the extension of this railway from Dessie/Kombolcha to Hara Gebeya/Woldiya. It is not clear, when this section will be built and opened. A third, northern 216 km long railway is also under construction between Mek'ele and Woldiya, but it is also not clear, when this railway will be commissioned and opened. All railways are part of a future railway network of more than 5,000 km of railways, the National Railway Network of Ethiopia.

As the first part of a ten-year Road Sector Development Program, between 1997 and 2002 the Ethiopian government began a sustained effort to improve its infrastructure of roads. As a result, as of 2015 Ethiopia has a total (Federal and Regional) of 100,000 km of roads, both paved and gravel.

Ethiopia had 58 airports as of 2012, and 61 as of 2016. Among these, the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and the Aba Tenna Dejazmach Yilma International Airport in Dire Dawa accommodate international flights. Ethiopian Airlines is the country's flag carrier, and is wholly owned by the Government of Ethiopia. From its hub at the Bole International Airport, the airline serves a network of 62 international destinations and 16 domestic ones. It is also one of the fastest-growing carriers in the industry and continent.

Demographics

Ethnic groups in Ethiopia

Population in millions according to 2007 Census

Ethiopia's population has grown from 33.5 million in 1983 to 87.9 million in 2014. The population was only about 9 million in the 19th century. The 2007 Population and Housing Census results show that the population of Ethiopia grew at an average annual rate of 2.6% between 1994 and 2007, down from 2.8% during the period 1983-1994. Currently, the population growth rate is among the top ten countries in the world. The population is forecast to grow to over 210 million by 2060, which would be an increase from 2011 estimates by a factor of about 2.5.

The country's population is highly diverse, containing over 80 different ethnic groups. According to the Ethiopian national census of 2007, the Oromo are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, at 34.4% of the nation's population. The Amhara represent 27.0% of the country's inhabitants, while Somalis and Tigrayans represent 6.22% and 6.08% of the population, respectively. Other prominent ethnic groups are as follows: Sidama 4.00%, Gurage 2.52%, Welayta 2.27%, Afar 1.73%, Hadiya 1.72%, Gamo 1.49% and others 12.6%.

Afroasiatic-speaking communities make up the majority of the population. Among these, Semitic speakers often collectively refer to themselves as the Habesha people. The Arabic form of this term ( al-Ḥabasha) is the etymological basis of "Abyssinia," the former name of Ethiopia in English and other European languages. Additionally, Nilo-Saharan-speaking ethnic minorities inhabit the southern regions of the country, particularly in areas of the Gambela Region which borders South Sudan. The largest ethnic groups among these include the Nuer and Anuak.

In 2009, Ethiopia hosted a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 135,200. The majority of this population came from Somalia (approximately 64,300 persons), Eritrea (41,700) and Sudan (25,900). The Ethiopian government required nearly all refugees to live in refugee camps.

According to Ethnologue, there are ninety individual languages spoken in Ethiopia. Most people in the country speak Afroasiatic languages of the Cushitic or Semitic branches. The former includes Oromiffa, spoken by the Oromo, and Somali, spoken by the Somalis; the latter includes Amharic, spoken by the Amhara, and Tigrinya, spoken by the Tigrayans. Together, these four groups make up about three-quarters of Ethiopia's population. Other Afroasiatic languages with a significant number of speakers include the Cushitic Sidamo, Afar, Hadiyya and Agaw languages, as well as the Semitic Gurage languages, Harari, Silt'e, and Argobba languages. Arabic, which also belongs to the Afroasiatic family, is likewise spoken in some areas.

Additionally, Omotic languages are spoken by Omotic ethnic minority groups inhabiting the southern regions. Among these idioms are Aari, Bench, Dime, Dizin, Gamo-Gofa-Dawro, Maale, Hamer, and Wolaytta.

Languages from the Nilo-Saharan family are also spoken by ethnic minorities concentrated in the southwestern parts of the country. These languages include Nuer, Anuak, Nyangatom, Majang, Suri, Me'en, and Mursi.

Other writing systems have also been used over the years by different Ethiopian communities. The latter include Bakri Sapalo's script for Oromiffa.

Ethiopia has close historical ties with all three of the world's major Abrahamic religions. In the 4th century, the region was one of the first in the world to officially adopt Christianity as the state religion. As a result of the resolutions of the Council of Chalcedon, in 451 the miaphysites, which included the vast majority of Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia, were accused of monophysitism and designated as heretics under the common name of Coptic Christianity (see Oriental Orthodoxy). While no longer distinguished as a state religion, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church remains the majority Christian denomination. There is also a substantial Muslim demographic, representing around a third of the population. Additionally, Ethiopia is the site of the First Hegira, a major emigration in Islamic history. A town in the Tigray Region, Negash is the oldest Muslim settlement in Africa. Until the 1980s, a substantial population of Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews) resided in Ethiopia.

According to the 2007 National Census, Christians make up 62.8% of the country's population (43.5% Ethiopian Orthodox, 19.3% other denominations), Muslims 33.9%, practitioners of traditional faiths 2.6%, and other religions 0.6%. This is in agreement with the CIA World Factbook, which states that Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Ethiopia. The ratio of the Christian to Muslim population has largely remained stable when compared to previous censuses conducted decades ago. Sunnis form the majority of Muslims with non-denominational Muslims being the second largest group of Muslims, and the Shia and Ahmadiyyas are a minority. Sunnis are largely Shafi'is or Salafis, and there are also many Sufi Muslims there. The large Muslim population in the northern Afar region has resulted in a Muslim separatist movement called the "Islamic State of Afaria" seeking a sharia-compliant constitution.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is part of Oriental Orthodoxy. It is by far the largest Christian denomination, although a number of P'ent'ay ( Protestant) churches have recently gained ground. Since the 18th century, a relatively small Ethiopian Catholic Church has existed in full communion with Rome, with adherents making up less than 1% of the total population.

Islam in Ethiopia dates back to the founding of the religion in 622 when a group of Muslims were counseled by Muhammad to escape persecution in Mecca. The disciples subsequently migrated to Abyssinia via modern-day Eritrea, which was at the time ruled by Ashama ibn-Abjar, a pious Christian emperor. Also, the largest single ethnic group of non-Arab Sahabah was that of the Ethiopians.

A small ancient group of Jews, the Beta Israel, live in northwestern Ethiopia, though most immigrated to Israel in the last decades of the 20th century as part of the Israeli government's relocation missions: Operation Moses and Operation Solomon.

According to the 2007 Population and Housing Census, around 1,957,944 people in Ethiopia are adherents of traditional religions. An additional 471,861 residents practice other creeds. While followers of all religions can be found in each region, they tend to be concentrated in certain parts of the country. Christians predominantly live in the northern Amhara and Tigray regions, and are largely members of the non-Chalcedonian Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Those belonging to P'ent'ay are centered in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNP) and Oromia. Muslims in Ethiopia predominantly adhere to Sunni Islam and generally inhabit eastern and northeastern areas; particularly the Somali, Afar, Dire Dawa and Harari regions. Practitioners of traditional religions mainly reside in the nation's far southwestern and western rural borderlands, in the SNNP, Benishangul-Gumuz and Gambela regions.

Human rights groups have regularly accused the government of arresting activists, journalists and bloggers to stamp out dissent among some religious communities. Lengthy prison terms were handed to 17 Muslim activists on 3 August 2015 ranging from seven to 22 years. They were charged with trying to create an Islamic state in the majority Christian country. All the defendants denied the charges and claimed that they were merely protesting in defence of their rights.

Urbanization

Population growth, migration, and urbanization are all straining both governments' and ecosystems' capacity to provide people with basic services. Urbanization has steadily been increasing in Ethiopia, with two periods of significantly rapid growth. First, in 1936-1941 during the Italian occupation of Mussolini's fascist regime, and from 1967 to 1975 when the populations of urban centers tripled.

In 1936, Italy annexed Ethiopia, building infrastructure to connect major cities, and a dam providing power and water. This along with the influx of Italians and laborers was the major cause of rapid growth during this period. The second period of growth was from 1967 to 1975 when rural populations migrated to urban centers seeking work and better living conditions.

This pattern slowed due to the 1975 Land Reform program instituted by the government, which provided incentives for people to stay in rural areas. As people moved from rural areas to the cities, there were fewer people to grow food for the population. The Land Reform Act was meant to increase agriculture since food production was not keeping up with population growth over the period of 1970-1983. This program proliferated the formation of peasant associations, large villages based on agriculture. The act did lead to an increase in food production, although there is debate over the cause; it may be related to weather conditions more than the reform act. Urban populations have continued to grow with an 8.1% increase from 1975 to 2000. Template:Largest cities or towns of Ethiopia

Rural and urban life

Migration to urban areas is usually motivated by the hope of better lives. In peasant associations daily life is a struggle to survive. About 16% of the population in Ethiopia are living on less than 1 dollar per day (2008). Only 65% of rural households in Ethiopia consume the World Health Organization's minimum standard of food per day (2,200 kilocalories), with 42% of children under 5 years old being underweight.

Most poor families (75%) share their sleeping quarters with livestock, and 40% of children sleep on the floor, where nighttime temperatures average 5 degrees Celsius in the cold season. The average family size is six or seven, living in a 30-square-meter mud and thatch hut, with less than two hectares of land to cultivate.

The peasant associations face a cycle of poverty. Since the landholdings are so small, farmers cannot allow the land to lie fallow, which reduces soil fertility. This land degradation reduces the production of fodder for livestock, which causes low milk yields. Since the community burns livestock manure as fuel, rather than plowing the nutrients back into the land, the crop production is reduced. The low productivity of agriculture leads to inadequate incomes for farmers, hunger, malnutrition and disease. These unhealthy farmers have difficulty working the land and the productivity drops further.

Although conditions are drastically better in cities, all of Ethiopia suffers from poverty and poor sanitation. However, poverty in Ethiopia fell from 44% to 29.6% during 2000-2011, according to the World Bank. In the capital city of Addis Ababa, 55% of the population used to live in slums. Now, however, a construction boom in both the private and public sector has led to a dramatic improvement in living standards in major cities, particularly in Addis Ababa. Notably, government-built condominium housing complexes have sprung up throughout the city, benefiting close to 600,000 individuals. Sanitation is the most pressing need in the city, with most of the population lacking access to waste treatment facilities. This contributes to the spread of illness through unhealthy water.

Despite the living conditions in the cities, the people of Addis Ababa are much better off than people living in the peasant associations owing to their educational opportunities. Unlike rural children, 69% of urban children are enrolled in primary school, and 35% of those are eligible to attend secondary school. Addis Ababa has its own university as well as many other secondary schools. The literacy rate is 82%.

Ethiopians have a different naming system to the family name-based Western system. Children add the given names of their father and paternal grandfather consecutively to their own given name. For compatibility purposes, as is done in passports, the grandfather's given name is taken as a family surname, and a person's given name and his/her father's given name form the first name.

Everyone is addressed by his/her given name. In official situations, the prefixes Ato ( አቶ) is used for men; Weyzero ( ወይዘሮ) for married women; and Weyzerīt ( ወይዘሪት) for unmarried women.

Ethiopia has several local calendars. The most widely known is the Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge'ez calendar. It is based on the older Alexandrian or Coptic calendar, which in turn derives from the Egyptian calendar. Like the Coptic calendar, the Ethiopian calendar has twelve months of exactly 30 days each plus five or six epagomenal days, which comprise a thirteenth month. The Ethiopian months begin on the same days as those of the Coptic calendar, but their names are in Ge'ez.

Like the Julian calendar, the sixth epagomenal day-which in essence is a leap day-is added every four years without exception on 29 August of the Julian calendar, six months before the Julian leap day. Thus, the first day of the Ethiopian year, 1 Mäskäräm, for years between 1901 and 2099 (inclusive), is usually 11 September ( Gregorian), but falls on 12 September in years before the Gregorian leap year. Also, a seven- to eight-year gap between the Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars results from an alternate calculation in determining the date of the Annunciation of Jesus.

Another prominent calendrical system was developed around 300 BC by the Oromo. A lunar-stellar calendar, this Oromo calendar relies on astronomical observations of the moon in conjunction with seven particular stars or constellations. Oromo months (stars/lunar phases) are Bittottessa (Iangulum), Camsa (Pleiades), Bufa (Aldebarran), Waxabajjii (Belletrix), Obora Gudda (Central Orion-Saiph), Obora Dikka (Sirius), Birra (full moon), Cikawa (gibbous moon), Sadasaa (quarter moon), Abrasa (large crescent), Ammaji (medium crescent), and Gurrandala (small crescent).

Time in Ethiopia is counted differently from in many Western countries. The Ethiopian day is reckoned as beginning at 6 AM as opposed to 12 AM, concurrently with sunrise throughout the year. To convert between the Ethiopian clock and Western clocks, one must add (or subtract) 6 hours to the Western time. For example, 2 AM local Addis Ababa time is called "8 at night" in Ethiopia, while 8 PM is called "2 in the evening".

The best-known Ethiopian cuisine consists of various types of thick meat stews, known as wat in Ethiopian culture, and vegetable side dishes served atop injera, a large sourdough flatbread made of teff flour. This is not eaten with utensils, but instead one uses the injera to scoop up the entrées and side dishes. Almost universally in Ethiopia, it is common to eat from the same dish in the center of the table with a group of people. It is also a common custom to feed others in your group with your own hands-a tradition referred to as "gursha". Traditional Ethiopian cuisine employs no pork or shellfish of any kind, as they are forbidden in the Islamic, Jewish, and Ethiopian Orthodox faiths.

Chechebsa, marqa, chukko, michirra and dhanga are the most popular dishes from the Oromo. Kitfo, which originated among the Gurage, is one of the country's most popular delicacies. In addition, Doro wot is another popular food, originated from the Amhara people of northwestern Ethiopia. Tihlo (ጥሕሎ)-which is a type of dumpling-is prepared from roasted barley flour. It originated in the Tigray Region, and is now very popular in Amhara and spreading further south.

The main sports in Ethiopia are track and field (particularly long distance running) and football (soccer). Ethiopian athletes have won many Olympic gold medals in track and field, most of them in long distance running. Haile Gebrselassie is a world-renowned long distance runner with several world records under his belt. Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba are also dominant runners, particularly in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in which they hold the world records.

Other notable Ethiopian athletes are Abebe Bikila, Mamo Wolde, Miruts Yifter, Derartu Tulu, Meseret Defar, Almaz Ayana, Birhane Adere, Tiki Gelana, Genzebe Dibaba, Tariku Bekele, and Gelete Burka. As of 2012 going into 2013, the current national Ethiopian football team (Walayia Antelopes) has made itself history by qualifying for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (CAF) and more recently by reaching the last 10 African football teams in the last stage of qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Noted players include captain Adane Girma and top scorer Saladin Said.

Ethiopia has Sub-Saharan Africa's longest basketball tradition as it established a national basketball team in 1949.

Related pages

Images for kids

Aksumite currency of the Aksumite king Endubis, 227-35, at the British Museum. The inscriptions in Ancient Greek read "AΧΩMITΩ BAΣIΛEYΣ" ("KING OF AXUM") and "ΕΝΔΥΒΙΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ" ("KING ENDUBIS"), the Greek language was the lingua franca by that time so the Axumite kings used it in coins to simplify foreign trade.

Emperor Tewodros II's rule is often placed as the beginning of modern Ethiopia, ending the decentralized Zemene Mesafint ("Era of the Princes").

The Battle of Gallabat, Battle of Gundet and Battle of Gura are some of the battles for the defense of Ethiopia into which Emperor Yohannes IV led Ethiopian troops.

Haile Selassie was crowned Emperor on 2 November 1930 with the titles "King of Kings", "Lord of Lords", "Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah", "Elect of God." He took-as his regnal name -Haile Selassie I which translates to "Power of the Trinity".

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Ethiopia is a country in the Horn of Africa. It has one of the most well known histories as a country in Africa and the world. Unlike other African countries, Ethiopia stayed together during the Scramble for Africa, except for 5 years when it was ruled by Italians.

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The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis ( also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis), is a federal nation made up of two small islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is the smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere.

The capital city is Basseterre. It is on the main island of St Kitts, also called Saint Christopher. The island of Nevis has some rights of self-government and two seats in the federal parliament.

St Kitts and Nevis is about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago.

The headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is in St Kitts. That bank controls the East Caribbean dollar.

History and Politics

The two islands were part of the Leeward Islands Colony from 1871 to 1956, and of the West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962.

The Islands, plus Anguilla, got limited self-government in 1967. Anguilla objected and the Metropolitan Police were sent there in 1968 to stop rioting. Until 19 December 1980 the official name of St Kitts and Nevis was Saint Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla.

St Kitts and Nevis became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1983, Anguilla has stayed a British overseas territory.

In 1970, a movement to make Nevis separate from St Kitts started.

In 1983, the constitution set up a 15-member National Assembly. The Assembly is unicameral, that is, it only has one chamber. 3 members of the Assembly are appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The other members are elected. If the Speaker decides to stand for re-election he is automatically elected, without a contest.

Nevis is responsible for its own internal affairs. There is an eight-member Nevis Island Assembly, and an Island administration headed by the premier.

The country has two main islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis. The highest peak, at 1,156 metres, is Mount Liamuiga. There is also a smaller island named Booby Island. No one lives on Booby Island.

The islands are of volcanic origin. There are large central peaks covered in tropical rainforest. People do not live on the steeper slopes leading to these peaks. Most of the people on both islands live closer to the sea. There are many rivers coming from the mountains of both islands. These give fresh water to the people. St. Kitts also has one small lake.

The federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is divided into fourteen parishes. There are nine divisions on Saint Kitts and five on Nevis.

Cities and Towns

These are some of the more important cities and towns in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Basseterre
15,500

Capital of Saint George Basseterre and of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Cayon

3,000

Capital of Saint Mary Cayon

Charlestown
1,820

Capital of Saint Paul Charlestown and of Nevis

Dieppe Bay Town

450

Capital of Saint John Capesterre and first town ever founded in the Caribbean by France

Gingerland

2,500

Capital of Saint George Gingerland and largest town on Nevis

Newcastle

400

Location of Nevis' airport

Old Road Town

1,600

First town ever founded in the Caribbean by Britain

Sandy Point Town

3,000

Capital of Saint Anne Sandy Point and second largest town in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Cricket is common in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Top players go to the West Indies cricket team. The late Runako Morton was from Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country on Earth to ever host a World Cup event. It was one of the host venues of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The St. Kitts and Nevis national football team, also known as the "Sugar Boyz", has had some international success. They went to the semifinal round of qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in the CONCACAF region. Led by Glence Glasgow they defeated U.S. Virgin Islands and Barbados. They then lost to Mexico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Billiard Federation, SKNBF, is the governing body for cue sports across the two islands.

Kim Collins is the country's best known track and field athlete. He has won gold medals in the 100 metres at both the World Championships in Athletics and Commonwealth Games. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics he was the country's first athlete to reach an Olympic final. He and three other athletes represented St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The four by one hundred metre relay team won a bronze medal in the 2011 world championships.

American writer and former figure skater and triathlete Kathryn Bertine was given dual citizenship. She tried to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics representing St. Kitts and Nevis in women's cycling. She did not make enough points to go the Olympics.

St. Kitts and Nevis had two athletes ride in the time trial at the 2010 UCI Road World Championships. Athletes included Reginald Douglas and James Weekes.

Related pages

Official website of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis [1]

Images for kids

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The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis ( also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis), is a federal nation made up of two small islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is the smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere. The capital city is Basseterre.

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Our kid-friendly Iran profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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The Aryan people came from central Asia to what is now Iran sometime after 2000 . The two main groups of Aryans were the Medes and the Persians. The Persians took control in about 550 bce. They conquered vast territories. The Persian Empire soon stretched from North Africa to the Indus River in south Asia.

Muslim Rule

Arab conquerors brought Islam to Iran in 640. For about 850 years non-Iranian Muslims ruled Iran. Then, in 1502, the Iranian Safavid dynasty took control. A weaker dynasty, the Qajars, ruled from 1779 to the early 1900s. During the Qajars' rule Russia and Great Britain won control over parts of Iran.

The Pahlavi Dynasty

In 1921 Reza Khan, an army officer, seized control of the country. In 1925 he became shah, or king, and took the name Reza Shah Pahlavi. His reign started the Pahlavi dynasty. Reza Shah built modern schools and a railroad. He also gave Iranian women more rights.

Reza Shah's son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, took the throne in 1941. The new shah continued to make Iran more modern. However, he also used secret police to stop those who disagreed with him. Many religious leaders felt that the shah's ideas went against Islam. The government threw one of those leaders, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, out of the country in 1964.

From outside Iran, Khomeini led a revolution against the shah. Huge protests forced the shah to leave Iran in 1979.

The Islamic Republic

Khomeini then returned to Iran. He declared himself Iran's political and religious leader for life. He renamed the country the Islamic Republic of Iran. Khomeini's government enforced strict Muslim laws. It also banned Western (U.S. and European) influences. In late 1979 supporters of the revolution seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran. They took 66 Americans as hostages. Some of the hostages were released soon after that, but most were held for more than a year.

In 1980 Iraq invaded Iran, and the Iran-Iraq War began. The war ended in 1988. More than a million people were killed or injured during the war.

Khomeini died in 1989. Iran then chose a new religious leader, Ali Khamenei. Khamenei continued the government's strict policies. He worked with the country's presidents. However, Khamenei and other religious leaders still controlled much of the government.

In the 2000s, people outside of Iran became concerned that the country's leaders were pursuing a nuclear weapons program. The United Nations and others in the international community imposed sanctions on Iran. (Sanctions mean that some countries would not trade with Iran or provide Iran with aid.) The sanctions were in place for years and led to great hardships for the Iranian people. In 2016 many of these sanctions were lifted after Iran cooperated and agreed to get rid of most of its materials that could make nuclear weapons. However, the sanctions were back in place in 2018 after the United States withdrew from the agreement.

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Iran is a country of southwest Asia. For much of its history Iran was known as Persia to the outside world. However, the people of the region have called their country Iran...

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Here are some interesting Pakistan facts for kids which were chosen and researched by children especially for children.

Pakistan Facts | Country Facts

Population: 240 million people live in Pakistan (2023)

Capital city: Islamabad with 1.2 million inhabitants

Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Government: Federal Parliamentary Republic

Languages: English and Urdu

Religion: mainly Muslims (96%)

Climate: Temperate climate in the northwest, but mainly hot and dry

Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PKR)

Motto: Unity, Faith, Discipline

National Symbols: Five pointed star and crescent moon, Jasmin (national flower)

Prime Minister: Shehbaz Sharif

National Days: 14 August (Independence Day)

History: The Indus Valley civilisation developed as the first urban culture in South Asia. In 1947, India was divided into India and Pakistan.

Pakistan Facts |Pakistan Geography

Pakistan is located on the Asian continent. Pakistan also has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman of the Indian Ocean.

Pakistan borders four countries: Iran and Afghanistan, China and India.

Pakistan has 5 provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.

Pakistan sits on the borders of the Indian and the Eurasian plate and thus experiences many violent earthquakes. Attabad Lake was created in 2010 after a massive landslide.

The landscape varies widely from Indus plains and deserts to forested hills and a plateau to the rugged mountains with glaciers. Pakistan is home to five of the 14 highest independent mountains in the world!

Pakistan is about the size of the UK and France combined and slightly less than twice the size of California/USA.

Pakistan Facts for Kids
Pakistan Geography Superlatives

Pakistan is the world's fifth most populated country - after China, India, the USA and Indonesia.

Pakistan's mountain K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, after Mount Everest at 8,848 m/ 29,029 ft. K2 is also known as Mount Godwin-Austen or Chhogori and is the highest point of the Karakoram mountains.

Pakistan also has five other peaks that are over 8,000 m/ 26,246 ft and more than 100 mountain peaks that are higher than 7,000 m/ 22,965 ft.

Punjab Province is the most densely populated region in Pakistan with Lahore, the cultural hub of the country. This is also the most fertile region of the country. The region is nicknamed "Land of five rivers" and was part of the ancient Indus River Civilisations more than 4,000 years ago.

Karachi in Pakistan's South is the l argest and most populous city of the country with more than 16 million inhabitants. This city is the economic hub of Pakistan.

The longest river in Pakistan is the Indus River.

The Thar Desert is a large region in the east of Pakistan and forms a natural border to India. About three quarters of the desert are located in India.

Manchar Lake is not only the largest lake in Pakistan, but also in South Asia.

Pakistan Landmarks and Attractions

Pakistan People | Facts for Kids

Pakistan is home to the world's second largest Muslim population - after Indonesia. Islam is the state religion in Pakistan.

There are many different ethnic groups in Pakistan, with the Punjabis being the largest group and including almost half of the country's population. Over 60% of the people live in rural areas.

Over seven million Pakistanis live abroad, making up the sixth largest diaspora in the world. Diaspora means nationals living outside the country's borders.

Pakistan also has the second largest refugee population in the world and houses many Afghans, Bangladeshi, Burmese and Uyghurs within the country's borders.

The national sport is field hockey. Other popular sports are cricket, polo and soccer.

Famous Pakistani people are:

Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938): writer, he is considered the national poet of Pakistan.

Imran Khan (born 1953): former prime minister of Pakistan (2018-2022) and formerly famous international cricket player (Khan was part of the winning team in the Cricket WorldCup in 1992)

Malala Yousafzai (born 1997): activist for female education and the youngest Nobel laureate ever

Pakistan's biggest cities are:

Karachi: 16.5 million

Lahore: 13 million

Faisalabad: 3.5 million

In Pakistan, cars drive on the left side of the road as they do in the UK and Australia or neighbouring country India.

Road signs on most roads in Pakistan are in English and Urdu.

Pakistan Facts | Languages in Pakistan

Urdu and English are the official languages in the country. Although Urdu is the main language spoken in the country less than 10% of the population in Pakistan speak it as first language.

Urdu is called a lingua franca, a language that is spoken and understood by most people in the country. Urdu is closely to related to Hindi. English is the main language in all schools in Pakistan.

There are about sixty languages spoken in Pakistan. Punjabi or Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki and Balochi are the main regional languages.

Arabic is widely studied in Pakistan, as the language is used in respect to the Muslim population and teachings of the Holy Quaran.

Pakistan Facts | Animals in Pakistan

Sheep and goats are found in many regions. There are also wildcats, mongooses, porcupines, deer, civets, jackals and wild boars. The Indian pangolin can still be seen in southern plains regions and there are mugger crocodiles in the Indus river.

Snow leopards and the Indus river dolphins are amongst the rarest and most endangered species in Pakistan.

Large goats called markhor can be seen in northern with spiral shaped horns and long fur coat. The markhor is often considered the national animal.

Pakistan is one of the world's country's with the highest deforestation rates. Pollution and hunting practises massively impact the ecosystem as well.

Pakistan for Kids | Food in Pakistan

Food in Pakistan is aromatic and spicy. The dishes vary according to region, but rice and flatbreads called roti or chapati are eaten with most meals.

The dishes have influences from the Indian, British, Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines. Herbs and spices such as turmeric, chill or garam masala are used in most dishes. Chicken and mutton are the most common meats.

Lassi and black tea with milk and sugar are the most common drinks.

Typical Food in Pakistan:

Seekh-Kabab: minced meat grilled on a skewer

Shami-Kabab: minced meat and chickpea patties

Tikka: barbecued mutton, beef or chicken, served with rice of flatbread

Sajji: barbecued leg of lamb or chicken

Shorba: thick souplike vegetarian stew

Biryani: rice dish with chicken and vegetables, herbs and spices

Nihari: slow cooked meat stew is a very popular dish

roti: also referred to as chapati is a flat bread

nan: soft and thick bread baked in a clay oven

lassi: yoghurt-based drink, often spiced with cardamon or cumin and flavoured with fruit such as mango

Muslims do not eat pork, thus pork will not be served.

Fork, knife and spoons are not usually used during meals, as various kinds of nan bread are used for dipping and picking up the liquid or soft foods such as beans, stews or shorba.

Pakistan Facts for Kids Resources

Central Intelligence Agency. "Pakistan". CIA World Fact Book. Updated 11 January 2023. Accessed 17 January 2023

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. "Pakistan". Pakistan Tourism. Accessed 17 January 2023. Images on Pakistan Facts for Kids: shutterstock.com, sxc.hu and own images.

Pakistan Facts page: Many thanks go to our young writers Rania and Miraal Khan as well as Fatima Zehra. Please bookmark our page, as we will add more info from other young Pakistani writers soon.
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Pakistan Facts for Kids | Pakistan for Kids | Geography | Landmarks

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Our Pakistan Facts for Kids inform about fun facts and interesting insights about the South Asian country: geography, attractions, food, animals and much more

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Because the Netherlands has no mountain ranges or natural borders, it was not able to protect itself from invading neighbors. Foreigners occupied the country for much of its history.

The Romans, Celtic tribes, Germanic groups, Scandinavian Vikings, the Franks, Austrians, and the Spanish ruled parts of the Netherlands for centuries. In the late 1500s, the Dutch tried to overthrow their Spanish rulers. They fought in the Eighty Years' War and finally gained independence in 1648.

During the Napoleonic Wars, France 's Napoleon took over Holland and put his brother Louis on the throne. In 1814, the people claimed independence from France and for 25 years, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were joined together as one country called the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In 1839, Belgium and the Netherlands became independent and Luxembourg became independent in 1890.

During World War II, Germany occupied the Netherlands for five years and killed many people who resisted the Germans or tried to help the Dutch Jews.

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The Netherlands is a small country sandwiched between Belgium and Germany in Western Europe.

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Early History

The region was conquered by Rome more than 2,000 years ago. The area was later divided into many small states. The lands that are now the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg became known as the Low Countries. In the 1400s the Low Countries came under the control of the Hapsburg family of Austria.

The Low Countries passed to the Hapsburg rulers of Spain in the 1500s. The Dutch began fighting Spain in 1568. In 1579 the Dutch set up the United Provinces of the Netherlands. The war continued until Spain accepted Dutch independence in 1648.

In the 1600s the Dutch built a large empire around the world. They set up colonies in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. The Dutch fought many wars with England during this time.

Kingdom of the Netherlands

In 1795 the French invaded the Low Countries. After the French were defeated in 1815, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was created. Belgium and Luxembourg soon broke away to form separate countries.

The Netherlands was neutral during World War I (1914-18). However, in 1940, during World War II, the country was occupied by Nazi Germany. The Dutch fiercely resisted the Germans. Most of the country's large Jewish population were victims of the Holocaust. Allied troops finally forced the Germans out of the country in 1945, toward the end of the war.

After the war the Netherlands granted independence to its remaining colonies. They became the countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Suriname.

In 1949 the Netherlands became a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Western military alliance. The Netherlands was also an original member of the European Economic Community (now the European Union). The Hague became the center for several international organizations, including the International Court of Justice.

By the late 1900s the Netherlands had became known for its liberal social policies, such as the legal use and sale of some drugs and same-sex marriage. However, tension over immigration rose during the 2000s. By 2006 the government forced all potential immigrants to pass a test on Dutch culture and language before they could enter the Netherlands.

In the 2000s the Netherlands became very concerned about climate change. The country's low elevation leaves it more exposed than others to the danger of rising sea levels. In 2006 the Dutch government urged the EU to take on a larger role in fighting the effects of climate change.

In 2014 the Netherlands came into conflict with Russia after a plane that took off from Amsterdam was shot down over eastern Ukraine. Most of the people on board were from the Netherlands. It was determined that the plane was hit by a Russian missile. Russia did not agree with that claim.

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Early History The region was conquered by Rome more than 2,000 years ago. The area was later divided into many small states. The lands that are now the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg became known as the Low Countries. In the 1400s the Low Countries came under the control of the Hapsburg family of Austria.

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PEOPLE & CULTURE

Moroccans are Berber and Arab and most of the people are Muslim. The Berbers have been in North Africa for centuries. Many of the Berber people live in the mountains and still speak the Berber language, but today they are moving to cities to find work.

Moroccans enjoy drinking mint tea sweetened with sugar. The people take their time making tea and sipping it with family and guests. In the cities, the pace is a bit faster than in the countryside. Fifty-seven percent of the people live in cities such as Fez, Casablanca, and Marrakech, on the coastal plain.

Mosques with beautiful towers called minarets, and bazaars are common in Morocco. Medinas are the old medieval section of cities. Old fortresses called kasbahs are strong buildings built from palm-tree fibers and mud from the riverbanks.

Children are required to be in school from ages 7-15, but many children work with their parents and are not able to attend school. Many girls don't ever receive an education.

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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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The Kingdom of Morocco is the only country in Africa with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Rabat is the capital. Geography Morocco sits at the...

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Iraq is a country in southwestern Asia. Iraq borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to the south, Turkey to the north, Syria to the north-west, Jordan to the west, and Iran to the east. The capital of Iraq is Baghdad.

Iraq has been known by the Greek name Mesopotamia which means (Land between the rivers) and has been home to continuous successive civilizations since the 6th millennium BC. The region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers is often referred to as the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of writing. Iraq was part of several empires, some were Safavid, and Afsharid. During the Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I, British Empire troops conquered the Ottoman Empire provinces of Basra and Baghdad and later added the province of Mosul to make Iraq.

Most Iraqis are Shia Muslims.

From 1968 to 2003, Iraq was run by the Ba'ath Party. Saddam Hussein was the President from 1979 until the disbandment of the Ba'ath Party.

After the 1990 invasion of Kuwait many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Pakistan, and others fought to free Kuwait. Later, some agents believed to be sent by Saddam Hussein tried to kill former President George H. W. Bush with a truck bomb in Kuwait.

The March 2003 invasion of Iraq was led by American, British, Australian, Danish and Polish forces. They forced the Ba'ath Party to surrender. The publicly stated reason for the invasion was that Saddam Hussein refused to let United Nations inspectors look for suspected nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. In the past, Iraq used chemical weapons to kill people. Iraq had done research in making biological and nuclear weapons.

The country was initially split into 3 zones, the American zone, the British zone, and the Polish zone similar to the way Germany was divided in 1945. Forces from Denmark controlled areas in the British zone. A new temporary government was formed on June 28, 2004. The coalition forces were in the country.

There were many U.S., British and multi-national troops in the country until December 15, 2011 when the Iraq War had ended. Tensions between religious groups ( Shia and Sunni Muslims, as well as Christians) lead to a great deal of instability in the country.

The country area lies between two rivers; for this reason the area was called Mesopotamia in ancient ages. The rivers Euphrates and Tigris bound what is called the Fertile Crescent. Iraq also has a small coastline along the Persian Gulf, and this coastline was considered the heart of the petroleum trade in Iraq before the First Gulf War. The weather is extremely hot and dry because Iraq is far from seas and oceans and even the close ones are blocked by mountains so that the rainy wind can not reach the inlands. This region has fertile land because of the two rivers.

Iraq is divided into 18 provinces ( muhafazah).

Iraq has a large amount of oil. Iraq is the world's number four in petroleum production and the world's number two in petroleum reserves. In the past, Iraq sold much of this oil to other countries. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, the United Nations stopped Iraq from selling the oil. The United Nations later allowed Iraq to sell some oil to buy food, clothes, and medicine so the people would not suffer as much. This was called the "Oil-for-Food" program.

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Images for kids

Al-Hariri of Basra was a poet, high government official and scholar of the Arabic language, He is known for his Maqamat al-Hariri (''Assemblies of Hariri''), a collection of some 50 stories written in the Maqama style. Al-Hariri's best known work, Maqamat has been regarded as the greatest treasure in Arabic literature.

In Spanish: Irak para niños

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Iraq's history reaches back thousands of years. In about 3300 bce the Sumerians created one of the world's first civilizations in Mesopotamia. Babylonia and Assyria later became great powers in the region. Persia took control of Mesopotamia in about 540 bce. The Persians ruled until the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great took over the area in about 330 bce.

Arab and Ottoman Rule

Beginning in the 100s bce, Mesopotamia spent hundreds of years as a battleground between various peoples. Muslims from Arabia conquered the area in the 630s ce. For a time Baghdad was the center of the Muslim world. Many of the greatest Muslim philosophers, poets, and writers lived there. In 1258 a central Asian group called the Mongols conquered the city. Iraq then became a land of small kingdoms. The Turks took control of the area in the 1500s. Iraq remained part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire until the 1900s.

The Republic of Iraq

During World War I (1914-18) British troops occupied Baghdad and ended Ottoman rule. After the war Iraq remained under British protection. In 1921 Iraq became a monarchy. The country achieved full independence in 1932. A revolution led by a group of army officers ended the monarchy in 1958. Iraq then became a republic.

In the 1960s and 1970s the Iraqi government faced a rebellion by the Kurds. The rebels wanted self-government. Iran aided the Kurds, which angered Iraq. The Kurdish rebellion collapsed in 1975, but occasional fighting continued into the 21st century.

Iran-Iraq and Persian Gulf Wars

Saddam Hussein became Iraq's president in 1979. A year later Iraq invaded Iran. The resulting Iran-Iraq War lasted until 1988. Neither side won a clear victory.

In 1990 Saddam ordered Iraqi troops to invade the neighboring country of Kuwait. Iraq claimed that Kuwait had been part of its territory since 1871. The invasion led to the Persian Gulf War of early 1991. In less than two months, a group of nations led by the United States pushed Iraq's forces out of Kuwait.

Ongoing Troubles

At the end of the Persian Gulf War, weapons inspectors from the United Nations (UN) entered Iraq. The inspectors wanted to make sure that Iraq destroyed some of its weapons and stopped making more. Iraq refused to cooperate with the inspectors.

The United States and the United Kingdom feared that Iraq was building illegal weapons. As a result, U.S. and British forces invaded the country in March 2003. Saddam immediately went into hiding following the initial invasion, and the foreign troops soon took control of the country. Saddam was captured by U.S. troops in December 2003 and was executed three years later. The foreign forces and Iraqi leaders then worked to set up a new government in Iraq. However, some Iraqis continued to fight the foreign troops and the new Iraqi leaders. Violence also broke out between followers of the Sunni and Shiʿite branches of Islam. U.S. forces left Iraq in December 2011.

In 2014 the terrorist group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. ISIL used extreme violence to make people follow its strict version of Shariʿah, or Islamic law. ISIL forces captured several more towns in western and northern Iraq. Iraqi and Kurdish forces, with help from other countries, drove ISIL out of most of the country by the end of 2017.

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Iraq's history reaches back thousands of years. In about 3300 bce the Sumerians created one of the world's first civilizations in Mesopotamia. Babylonia and Assyria later became great powers in the region. Persia took control of Mesopotamia in about 540 bce. The Persians ruled until the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great took over the area in about 330 bce.

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Iraq's history is full of unsettling changes. In the past 15 years alone, it has witnessed two major wars, international sanctions, occupation by a foreign government, revolts, and terrorism. But Iraq is a land where several ancient cultures left stamps of greatness on the country, the region, and the world.

Iraq is nicknamed the "cradle of civilization." Thousands of years ago, on the plains that make up about a third of Iraq, powerful empires rose and fell while people in Europe and the Americas were still hunting and gathering and living more primitive lives.

The Sumerians had the first civilization in Iraq around 3000 B.C. The first type of writing, called cuneiform, came out of Uruk, a Sumerian city-state. Around 2000 B.C., the Babylonians came into power in southern Mesopotamia. Their king, Hammurabi, established the first known system of laws.

Babylonian rule ended in 539 B.C. when the Persians took over. In A.D. 646, Arabs overthrew the Persians and introduced Islam to Iraq. Baghdad was soon established as the leading city of the Islamic world. In 1534, the Ottomans from Turkey conquered Iraq and ruled until the British took over almost 400 years later.

Iraq became an independent country in 1932, although the British still had a big influence. In 1979, Saddam Hussein and his Baath Party took control of Iraq and promoted the idea that it should be ruled by Arabs. Hussein ruled as a ruthless dictator. In 1980, he started a long war with Iran, and in 1991, he invaded Kuwait, triggering the first Gulf War.

In 2003, after years of sanctions against Iraq, the United States invaded again out of concern that Saddam Hussein was making dangerous weapons. U.S. military forces quickly reached Baghdad and threw the Baathists from power. Saddam Hussein was captured, tried for crimes against humanity, and executed.

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Iraq Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Iraq is dominated by two famous rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates.

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The Middle Eastern nation of Lebanon lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon has a large population for its small area. Problems between its Muslim and...

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The largest nation in Central Asia is Kazakhstan. It is named for the Kazakhs, a people who once roamed the region's vast grasslands. The capital is Astana. Geography...

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Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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Top 10 Facts About India! - Fun Kids - the UK’s children’s radio station

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Iraq's history reaches back thousands of years. In about 3300 bce the Sumerians created one of the world's first civilizations in Mesopotamia. Babylonia and Assyria later became great powers in the region. Persia took control of Mesopotamia in about 540 bce. The Persians ruled until the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great took over the area in about 330 bce.

Arab and Ottoman Rule

Beginning in the 100s bce, Mesopotamia spent hundreds of years as a battleground between various peoples. Muslims from Arabia conquered the area in the 630s ce. For a time Baghdad was the center of the Muslim world. Many of the greatest Muslim philosophers, poets, and writers lived there. In 1258 a central Asian group called the Mongols conquered the city. Iraq then became a land of small kingdoms. The Turks took control of the area in the 1500s. Iraq remained part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire until the 1900s.

The Republic of Iraq

During World War I (1914-18) British troops occupied Baghdad and ended Ottoman rule. After the war Iraq remained under British protection. In 1921 Iraq became a monarchy. The country achieved full independence in 1932. A revolution led by a group of army officers ended the monarchy in 1958. Iraq then became a republic.

In the 1960s and 1970s the Iraqi government faced a rebellion by the Kurds. The rebels wanted self-government. Iran aided the Kurds, which angered Iraq. The Kurdish rebellion collapsed in 1975, but occasional fighting continued into the 21st century.

Iran-Iraq and Persian Gulf Wars

Saddam Hussein became Iraq's president in 1979. A year later Iraq invaded Iran. The resulting Iran-Iraq War lasted until 1988. Neither side won a clear victory.

In 1990 Saddam ordered Iraqi troops to invade the neighboring country of Kuwait. Iraq claimed that Kuwait had been part of its territory since 1871. The invasion led to the Persian Gulf War of early 1991. In less than two months, a group of nations led by the United States pushed Iraq's forces out of Kuwait.

Ongoing Troubles

At the end of the Persian Gulf War, weapons inspectors from the United Nations (UN) entered Iraq. The inspectors wanted to make sure that Iraq destroyed some of its weapons and stopped making more. Iraq refused to cooperate with the inspectors.

The United States and the United Kingdom feared that Iraq was building illegal weapons. As a result, U.S. and British forces invaded the country in March 2003. Saddam immediately went into hiding following the initial invasion, and the foreign troops soon took control of the country. Saddam was captured by U.S. troops in December 2003 and was executed three years later. The foreign forces and Iraqi leaders then worked to set up a new government in Iraq. However, some Iraqis continued to fight the foreign troops and the new Iraqi leaders. Violence also broke out between followers of the Sunni and Shiʿite branches of Islam. U.S. forces left Iraq in December 2011.

In 2014 the terrorist group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. ISIL used extreme violence to make people follow its strict version of Shariʿah, or Islamic law. ISIL forces captured several more towns in western and northern Iraq. Iraqi and Kurdish forces, with help from other countries, drove ISIL out of most of the country by the end of 2017.

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Iraq's history reaches back thousands of years. In about 3300 bce the Sumerians created one of the world's first civilizations in Mesopotamia. Babylonia and Assyria later became great powers in the region. Persia took control of Mesopotamia in about 540 bce. The Persians ruled until the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great took over the area in about 330 bce.

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Ethiopia, one of the world's oldest countries, is located on the Horn of Africa. It is home to many rare and endangered animals and plants. Many of Africa's mountains are found in Ethiopia.

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

Population: 111 million people live in the Philippines (2021)

Capital: Manila (Metro with 14 million inhabitants)

Government: Presidential Republic

National Holiday: 12 June (Independence Day)

Language: Filipino and English

Literacy: 98% of the population over 15 years of age can read and write

Religion: Most people are Christians (92%)

Currency: 1 Philippines Peso (PHP) = 100 centavos

National symbols: three stars and sun, Philippine eagle (national bird).

National colours: red, white, blue and yellow

National anthem: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)

History: The Philippines gained independence from Spain in 1898 and on 4 July 1946 independence from the USA

Philippines Facts | Geography

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia. The archipelago is located in the Philippine Sea between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

There are 7,107 islands in the Philippines but only about 2,000 of them are inhabited. The country has a coastline of 36,289 km/ 22,548 miles and does not have land borders.

The capital city of the Philippines is Manila.

One of the ten largest island countries in the world is slightly larger than the state of Arizona/USA or about the size of Italy.

Philippines Facts
Philippines Geography for Kids

The largest island of the Philippines is Luzon. This is the northernmost island also the most populated island of the Philippines.

There are three main island groups: Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas.

The longest river of the Philippines is the Rio Grande or Cagayan River on Luzon island with a length of 505 km/ 314 miles.

The highest mountain is Mount Apo with 2,954 m/ 9,692 ft. This is a volcano located on Mindanao island.

Many active volcanoes are located on the Philippine islands. Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991 and this is considered the world's second largest eruption of the 20th century.

Philippines Facts
Attractions & Landmarks

Philippines Facts
People of the Philippines

Manila is the main business centre of the Philippines. Quezon City, however, is the biggest city with about 3 million inhabitants and located within the metropolitan city of Manila.

The metropolitan area of Manila which is located on Luzon island houses about 13% of the population, about 14 million people.

The three largest cities in the Philippines are:

Manila Metro Region: 14 million

Davao: 1.8 million

Cebu City: 1 million

Almost half of the country is used for agriculture and forests account for about one quarter of the land area.

Luzon, Cebu and Negros are the most populated islands.

Christianity is the dominant religion in the Philippines, about 80% of the people are Roman Catholics.

17% of the people live below the poverty line. 7 million children malnourished.

Schooling is compulsory in the Philippines for twelve years.

Football, volleyball, tennis, basketball and martial arts are popular sports in the Philippines. The national sport is called Arnis, this is a martial arts sport which includes stick-fighting.

Philippines Facts | Languages

Filipino and English are the official languages in the Philippines. Filipino is a standard language which is based on Tagalog.

Over 100 languages are spoken in the Philippines but nineteen regional indigenous languages are used in many communities to ease communicating with each other. Among the most spoken languages are Tagalog, Bikol, Pangasinense, Cebuano or Waray.

Philippines Facts | Philippines Economy

About 48% of the country's population live in urbanised areas or near the coast and in areas with good farmland. About one quarter of the people work in the agricultural centre.

Agricultural produce include sugar cane, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruits and rice.

Among the main resources are copper, gold, silver and nickel. The Philippines house the world's largest resources of palladium, a rare metal. Among the main export products are also sugar, coconuts, electronics, transport equipment and minerals.

The main trading partners are Japan, the USA, China, South Korea and Germany.

The Philippines are the world's second largest producer of biothermal energy.

Philippines Facts | Food in the Philippines

The Philippine cuisine is very varied and consists of rice and vegetable dishes as well as many dishes containing fish, seafood, chicken, pork or beef. Crocodile meat is sometimes considered a specialty.

Typical dishes include spices such as ginger and garlic as well as soy sauce or fish sauce and rice vinegar. Here are some typical Filipino dishes:

adobo: chicken or pork meat marinated in soy sauce, vinegar and spices such as bay leaf, peppercorn, ginger and garlic

kaldereta: beef stew usually made with bell peppers, carrots and potatoes

chicken tinola: chicken soup with green papaya

pansit: fried noodle dish with many variations

lumpia: Filipino version of a spring roll usually dunked in a sweet and sour sauce

Philippines Facts
Animals in the Philippines

The Philippines belong to the 17 megadiverse countries of our planet.

The rainforests of the Philippines house over 500 species of birds, more than a third of the bird species are not found anywhere else in the world. There are also about 100 mammal species that only can be found on the Philippines.

Many indigenous species are endangered, such as the Philippine tarsier.

Tarsiers are unique to rainforest areas, but today they only exist in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. On the Philippine islands there are only about 700 tarsiers left.

Philippines Flora

There are about 13,500 plant species with over 8,500 species of flowering plants. Over 3,000 plant species are only found on the Philippines. The Philippine rainforests are known for its unique orchids of which there are over 500 species.

Other Popular Pages

Philippines Facts - Resources

These are the resources that were used for this article about the most important Philippines Facts:

Department of Communication and Information: "Philippine Fast Facts". . Last accessed 22 May 2021

Government of the Philippines. "About the Philippines." . Last accessed 22 May 2021

Philippines Tourism. "Welcome to the Philippines." PhilippinesTourism. Last accessed 22 May 2021

Central Intelligence Agency. "Philippines". World Fact Book. Last updated 12 May 2021. Last accessed 22 May 2021

Department of Tourism. "Foodie Heaven." Its' more fun in the Philippines. Last accessed 22 May 2021

Please bookmark our page if you are interested in Philippines Facts for Kids. Our section about the Philippines for Kids will be updated regularly. Feel free to contact us if you or your school would like to join in our schools project. Looking forward to hearing from you!

And enjoy learning more great Philippines Facts soon:-)
Picture credits in main text on Philippines Facts: Return from Philippines Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage shutterstock.com

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Philippines Facts for Kids | Philippines for Kids | Geography | Travel

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Our Philippines Facts for Kids will share fun facts for kids about the Asian country, her people, attractions and landmarks, economy, animals and so much more.

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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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Tripoli, Libya's capital-and largest city-is located near the coast.

OFFICIAL NAME: State of Libya

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Interim government in transition

CAPITAL: Tripoli

POPULATION: 6,754,507

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Arabic (English and Italian are also commonly spoken)

MONEY: Libyan dinar

AREA: 647,183 square miles (1,759,540 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Tibesti, Acacus, Nafusa, Akhdar

The fourth-largest country in Africa, Libya is bigger than the state of Alaska. The country borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Tunisia and Algeria to the west, Niger and Chad to the south, and Sudan and Egypt to the east.

Libya is almost entirely covered by the Libyan Desert, a flat plateau that's part of the Sahara, the world's largest hot desert. Libya is so dry that no permanent rivers flow through its boundaries. Water may flow beneath the ground and occasionally seep aboveground into dry streambeds called wadis.

To access the water below the desert, Libya built the Great Man-Made River, a network of underground pipelines that deliver fresh water to the cities. Upon its completion in 1991, the "river" became the largest permanently flowing water source in Libya.

Most of Libya's population lives in cities along the Mediterranean Sea, where the climate is milder than the country's hot desert interior. The capital of Tripoli and Benghazi, the second-largest city, are both located near the coast.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The Berber and Arab ethnic groups make up about 97 percent of the country's population. The Berbers are considered the earliest inhabitants of the country and are thought to have arrived in Libya around 1200 B.C. Arabs began to settle in the country around 700 A.D., following the rise in popularity of the religion of Islam. Small populations of Greeks, Egyptians, and Italians live in the country as well.

Today, most Libyans speak the Arabic language, and nearly 97 percent of the country is Muslim, or followers of Islam. A small percentage of the population are Roman Catholics or Orthodox Christians.

Almost 25 percent of Libyans live in Tripoli or Benghazi. Outside of these urban centers, rural Libyans farm near desert oases, where they can access water. Deeper into the desert, animal herders follow the weather and tend to sheep, goats, and camels.

Weaving, embroidery, and metal engraving are popular arts in Libya. Other common activities include horse racing, folk dancing, and soccer, the most popular sport in Libya. Both Tripoli and Benghazi have many teams that locals enjoy watching.

Most of Libya is covered by desert, and its plants and wildlife reflect the arid conditions. Hyenas, fennec foxes, jackals, and gazelles roam the desert, and snakes, including venomous adders and kraits, slither throughout the country.

Some strips of land near the Libyan coast support native forests of pine, juniper, and cypress. The country's coastline is also home to several rare wildlife species. Loggerhead turtles and Egyptian tortoises nest on the country's beaches and share the water with many types of dolphins, including the striped dolphin. Saker falcons and marbled polecats are often spotted close to the coast.

Libya has established several national parks, natural reserves, and protected areas, including two marine refuges. The country's largest national park is El Kouf National Park, which is known for its sand dunes, wetlands, and hilly terrain. The park is home to Egyptian wolves, golden eagles, red foxes, flamingos, and other wildlife.

GOVERNMENT

Libya's government is currently in transition. It was a monarchy until 1969, when rebels overthrew King Idris I and turned the country into an authoritarian state, or a country with one or few leaders and no constitution to protect the people's rights. A council ruled the country until 1977, when Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, one of the leaders of the 1969 revolution and a council member, became the country's "Brother Leader," or unofficial ruler.

Beginning in 2010, protests spread across many North African and Middle Eastern countries in what became known as the Arab Spring. The unrest spread to Libya, and Gaddafi punished many of the protesters. His response caused a civil war and he was killed in 2011. A transitional council was created to help form a unified government in Libya.

The Libyan economy is almost entirely based on oil and gas sales, and it's a major global oil producer. The civil war, however, reduced the value of Libya's currency, the dinar, and the economy still struggles today.

Libya was first settled by the Berbers during the Late Bronze Age, around 1200 B.C. They were followed by the Phoenicians, an ancient Mediterranean civilization, who established coastal trading posts in the 7th century B.C. The Greeks later arrived in the eastern part of the country and gave the region its name: Libya. The Romans then conquered Libya and ruled the territory. Around the year 700 A.D., the Arabs took over and introduced Islam to the area.

Beginning in the 16 th century, the Ottoman Empire ruled Libya for several hundred years. First formed in 1299, the Ottoman Empire ruled a large portion of Eastern Europe and the Middle East for over 600 years. (The empire fell apart in 1923 and became the country of Turkey.)

The Ottoman Empire's reign in Libya lasted until Italy seized control of the country in 1912. The Italian rule lasted just 31 years and ended when the French and British liberated Libya during World War II in 1943. Libya officially gained its independence in 1951.

The country was ruled by monarchs until Colonel Muammar Gaddafi overthrew King Idris I in 1969. Gaddafi controlled Libya until the 2011 revolution, when he was killed in the early stages of the civil war. The country continues to rebuild its government today.

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Tripoli, Libya's capital-and largest city-is located near the coast. OFFICIAL NAME: State of Libya FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Interim government in transition CAPITAL: Tripoli POPULATION: 6,754,507 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Arabic (English and Italian are also commonly spoken) MONEY: Libyan dinar AREA: 647,183 square miles (1,759,540 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Tibesti, Acacus, Nafusa, Akhdar The fourth-largest country in Africa, Libya is bigger than the state of Alaska.

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Markets, or bazaars, are a big part of Iranian culture.

OFFICAL NAME: Republic of Iran

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Islamic republic

CAPITAL: Tehran

POPULATION: 83,024,745

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

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.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Iran Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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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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Our kid-friendly country profile introduces the geography and culture of Lebanon through a detailed map, infographic, photo gallery, activities and more!

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Pakistan is a Muslim country in southern Asia. It shares its early history with its neighbor India. Pakistan separated from India in 1947. Pakistan's capital is Islamabad....

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Kids learn about the Geography of Kazakhstan. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population.

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Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is the largest city in the country.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Poland

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITAL: Warsaw

POPULATION: 38,420,687

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Polish

MONEY: Zloty

AREA: 120,728 square miles (312,685 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Carpathians, Sudetens

MAJOR RIVERS: Vistula, Oder

Poland is located at the heart of the European continent. The country is a meeting place not only for cultures and ideas, but also for conflict and confrontation.

Poland's borders have changed many times over the centuries. Its present borders were set after World War II ended in 1945. Poland has seven neighbors: Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and Russian Kaliningrad.

Poland has a variety of striking landscapes, from the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea coast in the north and the rolling central lowlands to the snowcapped peaks of the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains in the south. Poland has more than 1,300 lakes throughout the country.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Religion is a very important part of Polish life. The majority of the population (about 87 percent) is Roman Catholic. In 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow, became the first-ever Polish pope. He took the name John Paul II and was head of the Catholic Church until his death in 2005.

Poland's large tracts of forested land provide refuge for many animals, including wild boar and the European bison, called a wisent. Once extinct in the wild, the wisent was reintroduced using animals bred in captivity. Poland's Bialowieza Forest is home to the world's largest population of these rare bovines.

Poland's forests are the ideal habitat for many of Europe's endangered species, including brown bears, wild horses, chamois goats, Eurasian lynxes, and the continent's largest population of gray wolves.

Wars and pollution, however, have taken a toll on Poland's land and have hurt the populations of animals that rely on these habitats. The government is trying to reverse the damage. There are now 23 national parks in Poland, 1,269 nature reserves, and a hundred bird sanctuaries.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

Under communism, Poland became a highly industrialized country. Mining, steelworks, and machinery production are still the major industries there.

Changing from communism to a free market economy in the 1980s caused much upheaval in Poland. Even today, though most people are better off than they were under Soviet rule, wages are low and unemployment is high. Since joining the European Union in 2004 Poland's economy has grown rapidly.

Poland's first civilization dates back to about 2000 B.C., but it wasn't until A.D. 966 that the region's tribes became united under the Slavic chief Mieszko, first prince of Polska.

In the late 1500s, Poland and Lithuania joined together and formed a large, powerful commonwealth with elected kings. By the late 1700s however, Poland had been weakened by a series of wars with its neighbors. In 1795, it was conquered and divided up among Russia, Prussia (now Germany), and Austria. Poland ceased to exist as a country for 123 years.

In 1918, after World War I, Poland was restored as a country. But just 21 years later, Germany and the Soviet Union attacked, intent on dividing Poland between them. The aggression marked the beginning of World War II and led to nearly 45 years of Soviet occupation.

In 1980, Polish workers began protesting communist rule under the now-famous union banner of Solidarity. In 1989, after nearly a decade of clashes between the government and Solidarity activists, democratic elections were held, and the country was renamed the Republic of Poland. In 1990, the Polish Communist Party was dissolved.

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Poland is located at the heart of the European continent.

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Explore the geography and culture of Russia through a detailed map, video, photographs, infographic, activity menu, books, and more.

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Our kid-friendly Poland profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Portugal is a country in Southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east.

Three groups of islands in the Atlantic Ocean are also part of Portugal: the Azores ( Açores), Madeira and the Savage Isles ( Ilhas Selvagens). The Savage Isles are a small group of uninhabited islands, administered by Madeira. Portugal claims that Olivença is also part of its territory, but it is controlled by Spain.

Portugal became its own kingdom in 1139 but was not officially recognized until 1143. The border with Spain has been almost the same since the 13th century. Fishing and trade with other countries are important here.

Portugal was important in world exploration for two reasons. Henry the Navigator, a prince from Portugal, was very interested in exploration. Inventions in navigation led to a bigger knowledge of geography.

This world exploration began the Portuguese Empire. Portugal was a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries. However, it lost a lot of money soon after this. The city of Lisbon was destroyed in an earthquake in 1755. The country was occupied during the Napoleonic Wars. It lost its largest colony, Brazil, in 1822.

In 1910, Portugal became a Republic, and in 1926, a military group took control of the country from the Portuguese 1st Republic. This began a time of rule by fascist governments that lasted until 1974. That year, a peaceful left-wing army coup, called the Carnation Revolution, happened. The coup changed how the country was run.

The next year, Portugal allowed its colonies in Africa to be on their own: Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.

East Timor in Asia declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975, and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later.

Portugal went into the European Union in 1986. Another Asian colony, Macau, became part of China

The main language of Portugal is Portuguese.

Some famous Portuguese people are D. Afonso Henriques, Henry the Navigator, Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Ferdinand Magellan, Luís de Camões, Fernando Pessoa, Amália Rodrigues, Álvaro Siza Vieira, Eduardo Souto de Moura.

Luís de Camões wrote the national poem of Portugal. It is called Os Lusíadas and was written in 1572.

The territory of Portugal includes an area in the Iberian Peninsula (referred to as the continent by most Portuguese) and two archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean: the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. It lies between latitudes 33° and 43° N, and longitudes 32° and 6° W.

Mainland Portugal is split by its main river, the Tagus, that flows from Spain and disgorges in Tagus Estuary, in Lisbon, before escaping into the Atlantic. The northern landscape is mountainous towards the interior with several plateaus indented by river valleys, whereas the south, including the Algarve and the Alentejo regions, is characterized by rolling plains.

Portugal's highest peak is the similarly named Mount Pico on the island of Pico in the Azores. This ancient volcano, which measures 2,351 m (7,713 ft) is an iconic symbol of the Azores, while the Serra da Estrela on the mainland (the summit being 1,991 m (6,532 ft) above sea level) is an important seasonal attraction for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts.

The archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores are scattered within the Atlantic Ocean: the Azores straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge on a tectonic triple junction, and Madeira along a range formed by in-plate hotspot geology. Geologically, these islands were formed by volcanic and seismic events. The last terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in 1957-58 (Capelinhos) and minor earthquakes occur sporadically, usually of low intensity.

Portugal's exclusive economic zone, a sea zone over which the Portuguese have special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, has 1,727,408 km ². This is the 3rd largest exclusive economic zone of the European Union and the 11th largest in the world.

Portugal is defined as a Mediterranean climate ( Csa in the South, interior, and Douro region; Csb in the North, Central Portugal and coastal Alentejo; mixed oceanic climate along the northern half of the coastline, Temperate Maritime (Cfb) in the mountains located in Northwestern sector (mainland) and also in some Azores islands, Semi-arid climate or Steppe climate ((BSk in certain parts of Côa region and Beja district far South), and also in Porto Santo island (BSh), Warm Desertic (BWh) in Selvagens islands, Subtropical Humid in Corvo island (Cfa), according to the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification), and is one of the warmest European countries: the annual average temperature in mainland Portugal varies from 8-12 °C (46.4-53.6 °F) in the mountainous interior north to 16-20 °C (60.8-68.0 °F) in the south and on the Guadiana river basin. There are however, variations from the highlands to the lowlands: Spanish biologist Salvador Rivas Martinez presents several different bioclimatic zones for Portugal. The Algarve, separated from the Alentejo region by mountains reaching up to 900 metres (3,000 ft) in Alto de Fóia, has a climate similar to that of the southern coastal areas of Spain or Southwest Australia.

Portugal has around 2500 to 3200 hours of sunshine a year, an average of 4-6 h in winter and 10-12 h in the summer, with higher values in the south-east and lower in the north-west.

Biodiversity

Despite the fact that humans have occupied the territory of Portugal for thousands of years, something still remains of the original vegetation. In Gerês both mature deciduous and coniferous forests can be found, an extremely rare worldwide mature Mediterranean forest remain in some parts of the Arrábida mountain and a subtropical laurissilva forest, dating back to the Tertiary period, covers its largest continuous area in the world in the Madeira main island. Due to the human population decrease and rural exodus, Pyrenean oak and other local native trees are colonizing many abandoned areas.

Boar, Iberian red deer, roe deer, and the Iberian wild goat, are reported to have expanded greatly during recent decades. Boars were found recently roaming at night inside large urban areas, like in Setubal. Protected areas of Portugal include one national park, 12 natural parks, nine natural reserves, five natural monuments, and seven protected landscapes, which include the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela and the Paul d'Arzila.

These natural environments are shaped by diverse flora, and include widespread species of pine (especially the Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea species), the English oak ( Quercus robur), the Pyrenean oak ( Quercus pyrenaica) the chestnut (Castanea sativa), the cork-oak (Quercus suber), the holm oak ( Quercus ilex) or the Portuguese oak ( Quercus faginea). Due to their economic value, some species of the genus Eucalyptus were introduced and are now common, despite their environmental impact.

Laurisilva is a unique type of subtropical rainforest, which nowadays, in Europe, is only restricted to the Iberian Peninsula: in the Azores, and in particular on the island of Madeira, there are large forests of endemic Laurisilva (the latter protected as a natural heritage preserve). There are several species of diverse mammalian fauna, including the fox, badger, iberian lynx, iberian wolf, wild goat ( Capra pyrenaica), wild cat (Felis silvestris), hare, weasel, polecat, chameleon, mongoose, civet, the occasional brown bear and many others. Portugal is an important stopover for migratory birds, in places such as Cape St. Vincent or the Monchique mountains, where thousands of birds cross from Europe to Africa during the autumn or in the spring (return migration).

Most of the avian species congregate along the Iberian Peninsula since it is the closest stopover between Northern Europe and Africa. Six hundred bird species occur in Portugal (either for nesting or during the course of migration), and annually there are new registries of nesting species. The archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are transient stopover for American, European, and African birds, while continental Portugal mostly encounters European and African bird species.

There are more than 100 freshwater fish species, varying from the giant European catfish (in the Tagus International Natural Park) to some small and endemic species that live only in small lakes (along the western portion of country, for example). Some of these rare and specific species are highly endangered because of habitat loss, pollution and drought. Up-welling along the west coast of Portugal makes the sea extremely rich in nutrients and diverse species of marine fish; the Portuguese marine waters are one of the richest in the world. Marine fish species are more common, and include thousands of species, such as the sardine ( Sardina pilchardus), tuna and Atlantic mackerel. Bioluminescent species are also well represented (including species in different colour spectrum and forms), like the glowing plankton that are possible to observe on some beaches.

There are many endemic insect species, most only found in certain parts of Portugal, while other species are more widespread like the stag beetle ( Lucanus cervus) and the cicada. The Macaronesian islands (Azores and Madeira) have many endemic species (like birds, reptiles, bats, insects, snails and slugs) that evolved independently from other regions of Portugal. In Madeira, for example, it is possible to observe more than 250 species of land gastropods.

Portugal has developed a specific culture while being influenced by various civilizations that have crossed the Mediterranean and the European continent, or were introduced when it played an active role during the Age of Discovery. In the 1990s and 2000s (decade), Portugal modernized its public cultural facilities, in addition to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation established in 1956 in Lisbon.

These include the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon, Serralves Foundation and the Casa da Música, both in Porto, as well as new public cultural facilities like municipal libraries and concert halls that were built or renovated in many municipalities across the country. Portugal is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ranking it 9th in Europe and 18th in the world.

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In Spanish: Portugal para niños

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Poland Facts for Kids | Poland for Kids | Geography | Travel | Food

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Our Poland Facts for Kids share interesting facts about Poland, geography, country and famous Polish people, food, attractions and so much more

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The islands are home to many species of flowering plants and ferns, including hundreds of species of orchids. Tall grasses have replaced the forests, which have disappeared due to logging, mining, and development.

The Philippines are inhabited by more than 200 species of mammals, including monkeys, squirrels, lemurs, mice, pangolins, chevrotains, mongooses, civet cats, and red and brown deer, among others.

The binturong, or Asian bear cat, was once prominent, but now this furry mammal is vulnerable. The tamaraw, a species of small water buffalo found only on Mindoro, is critically endangered.

Hundreds of species of birds live in the Philippines, either for all or part of the year, including peacocks, pheasants, doves, parrots, kingfishers, sunbirds, tailorbirds, weaverbirds, and hornbills. The endangered Philippine eagle, which eats monkeys, is barely surviving deforestation.

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The Philippines is an archipelago, or string of over 7,100 islands, in southeastern Asia between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

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Countries of the World | Country Facts for Kids | Geography | Travel

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Our Countries of the World Listing shares our pages with unique country facts and country superlatives | Countries from A - Z

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Welcome to World Countries for Kids website. This is a kids educational website, to learn about the geographics and demographics of all countries in the world.

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Fun Facts about Countries

Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

Have fun reading about animals in Australia, rivers in China, rainforests in Brazil, culture in Japan, business in Germany, history in South Africa and much more.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a multi-cultural country full of amazing foods, artworks, people and wildlife.

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Fun Country Facts for Kids - Interesting Trivia & Information

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Fun Facts about Countries Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

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Jordan

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Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a sovereign Arab state in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north, Israel and Palestine to the west. The Dead Sea lies along its western borders and the country has a small shoreline on the Red Sea in its extreme south-west, but is otherwise landlocked. Jordan is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. The capital, Amman, is Jordan's most populous city as well as the country's economic, political and cultural centre.

What is now Jordan has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic period. Three stable kingdoms emerged there at the end of the Bronze Age: Ammon, Moab and Edom. Later rulers include the Nabataean Kingdom, the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. After the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in 1916 during World War I, the Ottoman Empire was partitioned by Britain and France.

The Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921 by the Hashemite, then Emir, Abdullah I, and the emirate became a British protectorate. In 1946, Jordan became an independent state officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan, but was renamed in 1949 to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Jordan is a relatively-small, semi-arid, almost-landlocked country with an area of 89,342 km ² (34,495 sq mi) and a population numbering 10 million, making it the 11th-most populous Arab country. Sunni Islam, practiced by around 95% of the population, is the dominant religion in Jordan that coexists with an indigenous Christian minority. Jordan has been repeatedly referred to as an "oasis of stability" in a turbulent region.

It has been mostly untouched from the violence that swept the region following the Arab Spring in 2010. From as early as 1948, Jordan has accepted refugees from multiple neighbouring countries in conflict. An estimated 2.1 million Palestinian and 1.4 million Syrian refugees are present in Jordan as of a 2015 census. The kingdom is also a refuge to thousands of Iraqi Christians fleeing persecution by ISIL. While Jordan continues to accept refugees, the recent large influx from Syria placed substantial strain on national resources and infrastructure.

Jordan is classified as a country of "high human development" with an "upper middle income" economy. The Jordanian economy, one of the smallest economies in the region, is attractive to foreign investors based upon a skilled workforce. The country is a major tourist destination, also attracting medical tourism due to its well developed health sector. Nonetheless, a lack of natural resources, large flow of refugees and regional turmoil have hampered economic growth.

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy and has a king. The King is the head of state, but he does not have all the power in the country. King Abdullah II has been the King of Jordan since February 1999. Most Jordanians are Muslim. There are around 200-400 000 Christians.

The tourism sector is considered a cornerstone of the economy, being a large source of employment, hard currency and economic growth. In 2010, there were 8 million visitors to Jordan. The majority of tourists coming to Jordan are from European and Arab countries. The tourism sector in Jordan has been severely affected by regional turbulence. The most recent blow to the tourism sector was caused by the Arab Spring, which scared off tourists from the entire region. Jordan experienced a 70% decrease in the number of tourists from 2010 to 2016. Tourist numbers started to recover as of 2017.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan is home to around 100,000 archaeological and tourist sites. Some very well preserved historical cities include Petra and Jerash, the former being Jordan's most popular tourist attraction and an icon of the kingdom. Jordan is part of the Holy Land and has several biblical attractions that attract pilgrimage activities. Biblical sites include: Al-Maghtas-a traditional location for the Baptism of Jesus, Mount Nebo, Umm ar-Rasas, Madaba and Machaerus.

Islamic sites include shrines of the prophet Muhammad's companions such as 'Abd Allah ibn Rawahah, Zayd ibn Harithah and Muadh ibn Jabal. Ajlun Castle built by Muslim Ayyubid leader Saladin in the 12th century AD during his wars with the Crusaders, is also a popular tourist attraction.

Modern entertainment and recreation in urban areas, mostly in Amman, also attract tourists. Recently, the nightlife in Amman, Aqaba and Irbid has started to emerge and the number of bars, discos and nightclubs is on the rise. Alcohol is widely available in tourist restaurants, liquor stores and even some supermarkets.

Valleys like Wadi Mujib and hiking trails in different parts of the country attract adventurers. Moreover, seaside recreation is present on the shores of Aqaba and the Dead Sea through several international resorts.

Jordan is the region's top medical tourism destination, as rated by the World Bank, and fifth in the world overall. The majority of patients come from Yemen, Libya and Syria due to the ongoing civil wars in those countries. Jordanian doctors and medical staff have gained experience in dealing with war patients through years of receiving such cases from various conflict zones in the region.

Jordan also is a hub for natural treatment methods in both Ma'in Hot Springs and the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is often described as a 'natural spa'. It contains 10 times more salt than the average ocean, which makes it impossible to sink in. The high salt concentration of the Dead Sea has been proved as being therapeutic for many skin diseases. The uniqueness of this lake attracts several Jordanian and foreign vacationers, which boosted investments in the hotel sector in the area.

The Jordan Trail, a 650 km (400 mi) hiking trail stretching the entire country from north to south, crossing several of Jordan's attractions was established in 2015. The trail aims to revive the Jordanian tourism sector.

Natural resources

Jordan is the world's second poorest country in terms of water resources per capita, and scarce water resources were made worse by the influx of Syrian refugees. Water from Disi aquifer and ten major dams historically played a large role in providing Jordan's need for fresh water. The Jawa Dam in northeastern Jordan, which dates back to the fourth millennium BC, is the world's oldest dam.

The Dead Sea is receding at an alarming rate. Multiple canals and pipelines were proposed to reduce its recession, which had begun causing sinkholes. The Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance project, carried out by Jordan, will provide water to the country and to Israel and Palestine, while the brine will be carried to the Dead Sea to help stabilise its levels. The first phase of the project is scheduled to begin in 2018 and to be completed in 2021.

Natural gas was discovered in Jordan in 1987, however, the estimated size of the reserve discovered was about 230 billion cubic feet, a minuscule quantity compared with its oil-rich neighbours. The Risha field, in the eastern desert beside the Iraqi border, produces nearly 35 million cubic feet of gas a day, which is sent to a nearby power plant to generate a small amount of Jordan's electricity needs. This led to a reliance on importing oil to generate almost all of its electricity.

Jordan built a liquified natural gas port in Aqaba in 2012 to temporarily substitute the supply. Jordan receives 330 days of sunshine per year, and wind speeds reach over 7 m/s in the mountainous areas, so renewables proved a promising sector. King Abdullah inaugurated large-scale renewable energy projects in the 2010s. By early 2018, it was reported that more than 500 MW of renewable energy projects had been completed. A report described Jordan as the Middle East's "solar powerhouse".

Jordan has the 5th largest oil-shale reserves in the world, which could be commercially exploited in the central and northwestern regions of the country. Official figures estimate the kingdom's oil shale reserves at more than 70 billion tonnes. Jordan also aims to benefit from its large uranium reserves by tapping nuclear energy. In 2018, the Commission announced that Jordan was in talks with multiple companies to build the country's first commercial nuclear plant, a Helium-cooled reactor that is scheduled for completion by 2025. Phosphate mines in the south have made Jordan one of the largest producers and exporters of the mineral in the world.

Many institutions in Jordan aim to increase cultural awareness of Jordanian Art and to represent Jordan's artistic movements in fields such as paintings, sculpture, graffiti and photography. The art scene has been developing in the past few years and Jordan has been a haven for artists from surrounding countries. In January 2016, for the first time ever, a Jordanian film called Theeb was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

The largest museum in Jordan is The Jordan Museum. It contains much of the valuable archaeological findings in the country, including some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Neolithic limestone statues of 'Ain Ghazal and a copy of the Mesha Stele. Most museums in Jordan are located in Amman including The Children's Museum Jordan, The Martyr's Memorial and Museum and the Royal Automobile Museum. Museums outside Amman include the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is a major contemporary art museum located in Amman.

Music in Jordan is now developing with a lot of new bands and artists, who are now popular in the Middle East. The Jerash Festival is an annual music event that features popular Arab singers. Pianist and composer Zade Dirani has gained wide international popularity. There is also an increasing growth of alternative Arabic rock bands, who are dominating the scene in the Arab World.

As the 8th largest producer of olives in the world, olive oil is the main cooking oil in Jordan. A common appetizer is hummus, which is a puree of chick peas blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. Ful medames is another well-known appetiser. A typical worker's meal, it has since made its way to the tables of the upper class. A typical Jordanian meze often contains koubba maqliya, labaneh, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, olives and pickles.

Meze is generally accompanied by the Levantine alcoholic drink arak, which is made from grapes and aniseed and is similar to ouzo, rakı and pastis. Jordanian wine and beer are also sometimes used. The same dishes, served without alcoholic drinks, can also be termed "muqabbilat" (starters) in Arabic.

The most distinctive Jordanian dish is mansaf, the national dish of Jordan. The dish is a symbol for Jordanian hospitality and is influenced by the Bedouin culture. Mansaf is eaten on different occasions such as funerals, weddings and on religious holidays. It consists of a plate of rice with meat that was boiled in thick yogurt, sprayed with pine nuts and sometimes herbs. As an old tradition, the dish is eaten using one's hands.

Simple fresh fruit is often served towards the end of a Jordanian meal, but there is also dessert, such as baklava, hareeseh, knafeh, halva and qatayef, a dish made specially for Ramadan. In Jordanian cuisine, drinking coffee and tea flavoured with na'na or meramiyyeh is almost a ritual.

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The Oval Forum of Jerash (c. 1st century AD), then member of the ten-city Roman league, the Decapolis. Seven out of the ten Decapolis cities are present in modern-day Jordan.

The earliest detailed map of the land which became Jordan, showing the travels of Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (the first European to see Petra since the Crusades) in 1822

King Hussein on 21 March 1968 checking an abandoned Israeli tank in the aftermath of the Battle of Karameh.

In Spanish: Jordania para niños

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Country Facts for Kids Archives - Facts Just for Kids

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Welcome to our Country Facts library. On this page you can access one of the largest collections of facts about countries on the internet. This is the perfect resource for students, teachers or anyone who wants to learn more about specific countries from around the world.

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Humans have lived in what is now Syria for more than 4,500 years. Some of the earliest peoples wrote on clay tablets that still exist. The tablets tell about life in Syria at that time. Many other peoples-including Egyptians, Hittites, and Assyrians-invaded Syria in its early history. Syria later was controlled by the Babylonian, Persian, and Greek empires. In 64 bce the Romans conquered Syria.

Muslim Empires

In the 600s ce Muslim Arab armies invaded Syria. Muslim empires ruled Syria for most of the next 1,300 years. However, Christian Crusaders controlled some areas between about 1100 and 1300. The last of the Muslim empires to rule Syria was the Ottoman Empire. It took control in 1516.

Independence

In 1920 France gained control of Syria. Syria won independence from France in 1946. A series of military leaders then ruled Syria.

Beginning in 1948 Syria and other Arab nations fought several wars with Israel. In 1967 Israel took a piece of land called the Golan Heights from Syria.

In the 1970s Syria sent soldiers into Lebanon during a civil war there. Syrian forces stayed in Lebanon until early 2005. In 1991 Syria fought against Iraq in the Persian Gulf War.

In 2011 a democratic movement called the Arab Spring spread to Syria. Many Syrians began to protest the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. Assad's forces used violence to try to stop the protests. Many protesters were killed, but the uprising continued. By mid-2012 it had grown into a civil war. Leaders of other countries tried to bring an end to the civil war. This effort increased in 2013, after Assad was accused of using chemical weapons against the rebels. The fighting continued, but by October 2018 Assad's forces had recaptured almost all of the territories held by rebels.

In 2013 Islamic militant groups began to take advantage of the upheaval in Syria. An extremist Islamic militant group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over eastern areas of Syria. The group imposed a strict version of Shariʿah law there. The United States and other countries helped fight ISIL's advance. By the end of November 2017 ISIL had been driven out of Syria.

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Humans have lived in what is now Syria for more than 4,500 years. Some of the earliest peoples wrote on clay tablets that still exist. The tablets tell about life in Syria at that time. Many other peoples-including Egyptians, Hittites, and Assyrians-invaded Syria in its early history.

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Afghanistan was settled around 7000 B.C. and has been in transition for most of its history. Alexander the Great conquered Afghanistan in 330 B.C. and brought the Greek language and culture to the region. Genghis Khan's Mongols invaded in the 13th century. In 1747, Pashtun elders held a council meeting called a Loya Jirga and created the kingdom of the Afghans.

The British and Afghans fought in three wars in the 19th and 20th centuries, but the Afghans finally defeated the British in 1919 and formed an independent monarchy in 1921.

In 1978, the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) seized power in the country, setting in motion a series of events that would turn the poor, mostly peaceful country into a breeding ground for terrorism. The PDPA's occupation of Afghanistan eventually led to civil war, or a war between citizens of the same country.

Afghan fighters called the mujahedin fought against the PDPA; these rebels later received aid from the United States, Pakistan, China, and Iran. The Soviet Union, now called Russia, supported the PDPA regime. Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and remained in the country until 1989. Civil war continued in Afghanistan after the Soviet departure until the fall of the PDPA regime in 1992.

After the PDPA's fall, various groups fought to gain control of the country. The Taliban emerged in 1994 and quickly began to take over cities across Afghanistan, with military support from Pakistan. During the Taliban's rule, the group was condemned by the international community for murdering innocent Afghan civilians and denying food supplies to starving citizens.

In 2001, following the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 of that year, the U.S. government demanded that the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden, the leader of a terrorist group called al Qaeda, which was based in Afghanistan. The Taliban refused. The United States and its allies then took military action in Afghanistan and drove the Taliban from power in December 2001.

Both the Taliban and al Qaeda fled Afghanistan and relocated to nearby Pakistan, where they set up political and military outposts. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, the United States and its allies worked with Afghans to set up schools, hospitals, and public facilities following the Taliban's departure. Thousands of girls-who were banned from being educated under Taliban rule-went to school for the first time. Women were free to get jobs and take part in government activities, both of which were forbidden under the Taliban.

In 2004, Afghanistan adopted its current constitution and became an internationally recognized government, electing Hamid Karzai as its first president. Under its constitution, the president and two vice presidents are elected every five years. But the government struggled to extend its authority beyond the capital city of Kabul because the Taliban forces continued to try to regain control of the country.

In 2020, the Taliban and the Afghan government began to discuss a peace treaty, and though some people were concerned that the talks wouldn't progress, U.S. president Donald Trump planned to remove U.S. troops from the country by May 2021. His successor, Joe Biden, extended the date for the withdrawal to August 31 of that year. After nearly 20 years of U.S. occupation in Afghanistan, the United States' longest war was going to end.

But the people who were concerned about the peace treaty talks stalling were right: Following Biden's official announcement in July and the start of the withdrawal of international troops, the Taliban quickly took over multiple cities by force and brought back their extreme practices. By August 15, 2021, the Taliban had taken control of all major cities, including the capital of Kabul. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and the Afghan government all but collapsed.

The United States sent military troops to the country to help the American diplomats and support staff at the U.S. embassy in Kabul evacuate safely.

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Afghanistan Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Afghanistan is located in Central Asia with Iran to the west and Pakistan to the east.

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Palestine flag

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Major trade routes crossed what is now Afghanistan thousands of years ago. The Persians and Macedonian king Alexander the Great ruled the land more than 2,300 years ago. In the 600s ce Arab invaders introduced Islam. In 1219 Genghis Khan made the area part of his Mongol Empire. Beginning in the 1300s Turkic peoples, the Mughal Empire, and the Persians ruled parts of the land.

Ahmad Shah Durrani, a Pashtun leader, unified Afghanistan under his rule in 1747. Great Britain invaded in the 1800s. After winning independence from Britain in 1919, Afghanistan continued as a monarchy. In 1973 Afghans overthrew the king. The country's new leaders made Afghanistan a republic, led by a prime minister.

Soviet Control

In 1978 Communists seized control of Afghanistan's government. The new government mistreated the Islamic majority, and civil war broke out. In December 1979 the Soviet Union sent troops to join government forces in their fight against Muslim rebels. For nearly a decade Islamic forces known as mujahideen fought the Soviets. Millions of Afghans left the country for Pakistan and Iran during that period. The Soviet Army left in 1989.

The Taliban

Various Afghan groups then fought for control. By the late 1990s a group called the Taliban had gained control over most of Afghanistan. The Taliban ruled according to a strict version of Islamic law.

The Taliban angered other countries by allowing terrorists to live in Afghanistan. When the Taliban refused to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden, the United States and its allies bombed Afghanistan in October 2001. Within months the Taliban abandoned Kabul. In 2004 Afghanistan adopted a new constitution and elected a president.

Allied forces, including troops from the United States and Britain, remained in Afghanistan to help stabilize the country and to support a strong government. The foreign troops also trained the Afghan military so that the Afghans could protect the country once the foreign troops left. The Taliban did not disappear completely, however, and they continued to fight against Afghan forces. The Afghan forces were supported by the Allied troops as well as by troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO troops left Afghanistan in 2014, and the United States began pulling out its troops several years later. In the summer of 2021 the last U.S. troops began to leave Afghanistan. The Afghan military was not able to stop the Taliban from quickly taking control of many parts of the country. In August the Taliban moved into the capital, Kabul, and took control of the whole country.

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Major trade routes crossed what is now Afghanistan thousands of years ago. The Persians and Macedonian king Alexander the Great ruled the land more than 2,300 years ago. In the 600s ce Arab invaders introduced Islam. In 1219 Genghis Khan made the area part of his Mongol Empire.

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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ( Pashto/ Dari: افغانستان), is a country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It borders Pakistan in the south and east, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, and China in the far northeast. Kabul serves as the country's capital city.

Afghanistan is currently governed by the Taliban, after the collapse of the internationally recognized Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021. In early times people passed through it with animals and other goods as it connected China and India with Central Asia and the Middle East. More recently, Afghanistan has been damaged by many years of war. This has resulted in there not being enough jobs.

The country is around 251,826 square miles (652,230 square kilometres) in size. There are 30 million people in Afghanistan. There are about 3 million Afghan refugees (people who had to leave the country) who are in Pakistan and Iran for some time. In 2011, its capital, Kabul, had about 3,691,400 people living in it.

Afghanistan has snow and glaciers in the mountains. Amu Darya is the big river.

Plants and animals

Southern Afghanistan does not have many plants because it is dry. There are more plants where there is more water. Mountains have forests of pine, fir, cedar, oak, walnut, alder, and ash trees.

Afghanistan's wild animals live in the mountains. There are wolves, foxes, jackals, bears, wild goats, gazelles, wild dogs, camels, and wild cats such as the snow leopard in the country. The birds are falcons, eagles, and vultures. The Rhesus Macaque and the red flying squirrel are also in Afghanistan.

People and culture

Many people have moved through or invaded the land of Afghanistan. Today's people of Afghanistan are known as Afghans. They have many traits passed down from these previous people.

The largest group of people are the Pashtuns. These make up about half the population. Tajiks are the second-largest ethnic group, making up about one-fifth of the population. Before the 20th century, Tajiks were called Sarts and some come from the Iranian peoples. Most Pashtuns are also related to the Iranian people. Some Pashtuns and Tajiks marry each other but at the same time, they are rivals. The third-largest group is the Hazaras. They are native to the Hazaristan area in central Afghanistan. The country's other groups include the Uzbek, Aimaq, Turkmen, Nuristani, Baloch, Pashayi, and a few others.

Dari-Persian and Pashto are the official languages of Afghanistan. Many people speak both languages. Both are Indo-European languages from the Iranian languages sub-family. They are usually written with the Arabic alphabet. Uzbek and Turkmen are widely spoken in the north, and Nuristani and Pashai are spoken in the east. Almost all Afghans follow the religion of Islam.

Afghanistan is a largely rural country. This means there are only a few major cities. About one-fifth of the population lives in cities. Kabul, the capital, is the largest city. It is south of the Hindu Kush range and alongside the Kabul River. Other cities in Afghanistan include Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, and Jalalabad. The rural population is made up of farmers and nomads. The farmers live mainly in small villages along the rivers. The nomads live in tents while moving from place to place with their animals and belongings. Some people live in the high central mountains. Some live in the deserts in the south and southwest. Millions of people left Afghanistan to get away from the wars that happened in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Most of them lived in neighboring Pakistan and Iran.

Prehistory

Archaeologists digging a cave in what is now northeastern Afghanistan (in Badakhshan), discovered that people could have lived in the country as early as 100,000 years ago. They found the skull of a Neanderthal, or early human, as well as tools from what they guess (estimate) to be 30,000 years ago. In other parts of Afghanistan, archaeologists uncovered pottery and tools that they estimate to be 4,000 to 11,000 years old. This shows that Afghans were among the first people in the world to grow crops and raise animals.

Scientists estimate that farmers and herders settled in the plains surrounding the Hindu Kush as early as 7000 BC These people may have grown rich off the lapis lazuli they found along riverbeds, which they traded to early city sites to the west, across the Iranian plateau and Mesopotamia. As farms and villages grew and thrived in Afghanistan, these ancient people invented irrigation (digging ditches for water so it flows to crops) that allowed them to grow crops on the northern Afghanistan desert plains. This civilization (an advanced state of organization) is today called BMAC ( Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex), or the "Oxus civilization."

The Oxus civilization expanded as far east as the western edge of the Indus Valley during the period between 2200 and 1800 BC These people, who were the ancestors of the Indo-Aryans, used the term " Aryan" to identify their ethnicity, culture, and religion. Scholars know this when they read the ancient texts of these people: the Avesta of Iranian people and the Vedas of Indo-Aryans.

Ancient history

Before the middle of the sixth century BC, the land was held by the Medes. Then the Achaemenids took over control of the land and made it part of the Persian empire. Alexander the Great defeated and conquered the Persian Empire in 330 BC. He founded some cities in the area. The people used Greek culture and language. After Alexander, Greco-Bactrians, Scythians, Kushans, Parthians, and Sassanians ruled the area.

Medieval history

Arabs introduced Islam in the 7th century and began spreading the new religion. In the 9th and 10th centuries, many local Islamic dynasties rose to power inside Afghanistan. One of the earliest was the Tahirids, whose kingdom included Balkh and Herat; they established independence from the Abbasids in 820. The Tahirids were succeeded in about 867 by the Saffarids of Zaranj in western Afghanistan. Local princes in the north soon became feudatories of the powerful Samanids, who ruled from Bukhara. From 872 to 999, people living north of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan enjoyed a golden age under Samanid rule.

In the 10th century, the local Ghaznavids turned Ghazni into their capital and firmly established Islam throughout all areas of Afghanistan, except the Kafiristan region in the northeast. Mahmud of Ghazni, a great Ghaznavid sultan, conquered the Multan and Punjab region and carried raids into the heart of India. Mohammed bin Abdul Jabbar Utbi (Al-Utbi), a historian from the 10th century, wrote that thousands of "Afghans" were in the Ghaznavid army. The Ghaznavid dynasty was replaced by the Ghorids of Ghor in the late 12th century, who reconquered Ghaznavid territory in the name of Islam and ruled it until 1206. The Ghorid army also included ethnic Afghans.

Afghanistan was recognized as Khorasan, meaning "land of the rising sun," which was a prosperous and independent geographic region reaching as far as the Indus River.

All the major cities of modern Afghanistan were centers of science and culture in the past. The New Persian literature arose and flourished in the area, as well as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, physics, geography, and geology. Afghanistan remained the cultural capital of Persia until the devastating Mongol invasion in the 13th century.

Recent history

Most people in Afghanistan opposed the sudden Soviet presence in their country. For nearly a decade, anti-Communist Islamic forces known as Mujahideen were trained inside neighboring Pakistan to fight the Soviets and the Afghan government. The United States and other anti-Soviet countries supported the Mujahideen. In the long war, over one million Afghan civilians were killed. The Soviet Army also lost more than 15,000 soldiers in that war. Millions of Afghans left their country to stay safe in neighboring Pakistan and Iran. In 1989, the Soviet Army withdrew the last of its troops.

The Taliban also angered other countries by allowing suspected terrorists to live freely in Afghanistan. Among them were Osama bin Laden and members of the al-Qaeda terrorist network. In September 2001, the United States blamed bin Laden for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. The Taliban refused to hand him over to the United States. In response, the United States and its allies started bombing al-Qaeda in October 2001. Within months, the Taliban abandoned Kabul, and a new government led by Hamid Karzai came to power, but fighting between the Taliban and US-led armies continued.

In December 2004, Hamid Karzai became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan. NATO began rebuilding Afghanistan, including its military and government institutions. Many schools and colleges were built. Freedom for women has improved. Women can study, work, drive, and run for office. Many Afghan women work as politicians, some are ministers, while at least one is a mayor. Others have opened businesses or joined the military or police. Afghanistan's economy has also improved dramatically, and NATO agreed in 2012 to help the country for at least another 10 years after 2014. In the meantime, Afghanistan improved diplomatic ties with many countries in the world.

In August 2021, the Cabinet of Afghanistan lost its power. Most of the country fell to the Taliban on 15 August 2021 with President Ashraf Ghani escaping the country. As of 18 August 2021, the former government's last remaining holdout is the Panjshir Valley.

Government

Since the Taliban captured Kabul on 15 August 2021, the governance of Afghanistan is disputed between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

According to Transparency International, Afghanistan remains in the top most corrupt countries list.

Interesting facts about Afghanistan

Afghanistan is officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is located in Central and South Asia.

Afghanistan used to be part of the Persian Empire.

Afghanistan used to be on the trade route to China and India. It is near what used to be the Silk Road.

It made money from the lapis lazuli, a beautiful blue mineral that is also a gemstone.

In the 7th Century, Arabs came and made Islam the religion of Afghanistan and Islamic dynasties ruled for centuries.

Afghanistan has many mountains, and it contains part of the Himalayas.

Afghanistan has a continental climate. It has hot summers and cold winters.

Southern Afghanistan is dry, so there are fewer plants.

Afghanistan used to have tigers, but because of years of war, hunting, and years of no water, the tigers are gone.

The people who live in Afghanistan are called Afghans.

Dari-Persian and Pashto are the official languages of Afghanistan.

There are few major cities in Afghanistan, but about one-fifth of the total population live in cities.

Relationship with other countries

Russia's ambassador (Dmitrij Zjirnov) had a meeting with representatives from Taliban on 18 August 2021; Russia's embassy was still in operation (or open).

An "Indian [ diplomat or] envoy to Qatar" had [at least one] meeting "with Taliban leader Stanekzai in Doha in late August", media said.

A United States "team led by" [then] "Deputy Special Representative Tom West and [a] top USAID humanitarian official" had meetings, in Qatar in October, with Afghanistani officials. Women's rights was a subject during the talks.

Norway's ambassador visited Afghanistan - and had meetings with Taliban - during a two-day visit in the middle of January 2022. Representatives of the Taliban leadership will come to Norway and meet diplomats from different countries, during 23.-25. January. Also, Norway has stopped (as of 2022's first quarter) supporting with money - (to) the authorities of Afghanistan, media said. Previously, Norwegian diplomats had at least two meetings with Taliban in Doha, in 2021's fourth quarter; There are no political talks yet (as of 2021's fourth quarter); the talks are about humanitarian aid and evacuation.

Turkey's foreign minister had a meeting (in Turkey) with "a delegation led by" foreign minister of Afghanistan, in 2021's fourth quarter.

In Russia, a meeting about Afghanistan was held on October 20; "The participants [... were] India, USA, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian" countries, media said.

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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ( Pashto/ Dari: افغانستان), is a country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It borders Pakistan in the south and east, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, and China in the far northeast.

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OFFICIAL NAME: Syrian Arab Republic

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Presidential republic

CAPITAL: Damascus

POPULATION: 20,384,316

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Arabic

MONEY: Syrian pound

AREA: 71,498 square miles (185,178 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Anti-Lebanon, Al-Ansariyyah, Jebel Bishri

MAJOR RIVERS: Euphrates, Khabur

Located in the Middle East, Syria is approximately 1.5 times bigger than the state of Pennsylvania. Bordered on the east by the Mediterranean Sea, Syria also shares borders with the countries of Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon. More than half of Syria is covered by the Syrian Desert, which stretches into several other countries in the Middle East. The Al-Ansariyyah mountains separate the desert from a narrow strip of northeastern land along the Mediterranean Sea known as the coastal plain. In the southeast, the Anti-Lebanon mountains separate Syria from Lebanon.

The Euphrates, the longest river in Western Asia, flows from Turkey through parts of Syria. A massive dam built alongside the river in north-central Syria led to the formation of Lake Assad, the country's largest lake.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Most of the Syrian population are Arab, or originally from the Arabian Peninsula and its neighboring territories. Minority groups living in the country include the Kurds, an ethnic group from a mountainous region called Kurdistan, who mostly live in northeast Syria; and the Bedouins, nomadic animal herders who move from place to place throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The majority of Syria's population lives on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea or in the Euphrates River valley.

Most Syrians are Muslim, or people who practice Islam. Some Syrians are Christians, and an even smaller part of the population follow Druze, a religion that combines Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and a few other faiths. Damascus, Syria's capital city, is considered a holy city in the religion of Islam and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. People have lived there since the second millennium B.C. It's also famous for music, especially classical Arab music.

Popular dishes in Syria include tabbouleh, a vegetarian salad made with tomato, mint, onions, and other ingredients; sujuk, or spicy fermented sausage; and shawarma, or thinly sliced meat stacked in a cone-like shape inside of pita bread. Arabic coffee is one of the most popular drinks and is typically served during family gatherings or when guests are visiting.

Syria is home to fertile plains, high mountains, and sandy deserts; however, thousands of years of human expansion have impacted the country's natural habitats. Brown bears and gray wolves are the largest carnivores that remain in the country. Striped hyenas, red foxes, caracals, and golden jackals still roam parts of Syria, but it's rare to spot many of these species.

In the desert, sand cats, golden hamsters, and venomous snakes such as black desert cobras are common, while birds of prey like bearded vultures, red kites, and white-tailed eagles can be spotted flying through Syria's mountainous regions. The Mediterranean Sea basin is considered a biodiversity hot spot-the Syrian coastline has the most diverse plant and animal life in the country. Three marine protected areas preserve plants and animals off the Syrian coast, where you can spot up to 10 different whale species, endangered Mediterranean monk seals, and loggerhead sea turtles.

Although the country does not have an official national flower, jasmine is beloved in Syria. Damascus is even known as Madinat al-Yasmin, or the City of Jasmine.

GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMY

Syria has a presidential system of government, with a president serving as head of state within the executive branch. Syria's president is elected every seven years by winning the popular vote from Syria's citizens. The president has a broad set of powers, including commanding the country's armed forces, negotiating treaties, and declaring war or states of emergency. The president also oversees the People's Council, a group of 250 elected individuals who make legislation.

Despite being a presidential republic, Syria is considered a highly authoritarian regime, or a government that gives most of the power to one person or group. That's because the al-Assad family has dominated Syrian politics since 1971. Bashar al-Assad has ruled the country as president since 2000, and his father, Hafez al-Assad, ruled the country for 30 years before him.

Petroleum, textiles, and agriculture products are some of the country's main exports, or goods sold to other countries. But an ongoing civil war in the country (see HISTORY below) has made other countries less willing to trade with Syria, and growth will be limited until the war ends.

Humans have settled in Syria for nearly 5,000 years. The earliest recorded civilization in the area was the Kingdom of Ebla, founded around 3,500 B.C. Ebla made its fortune by trading with ancient Egyptians and with nearby Mesopotamian states located by the Euphrates River.

Several empires ruled Syria during these early centuries, including the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires. Muslim Arab armies-some led by the Prophet Muhammad (the founder of Islam)-invaded Syria in the A.D. 600s. The Ottoman Empire, or what's now Turkey, seized power in the 16th century.

The Ottomans ruled Syria until France took over the country in 1920, after World War I. Finally, after nearly 30 years of French occupation, Syria declared independence in 1946. Syria and Egypt united to form what was called the United Arab Republic in 1958, but the countries split apart after just three years.

Syria and other Middle Eastern nations fought several wars with Israel in the mid-20th century. In 1967, Israel took over land located at Syria's southwest border, called the Golan Heights. The two countries continue to have border disputes today.

In 2010, a pro-democracy movement known as the Arab Spring began sweeping through countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Following Arab Spring protests in Syria over the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, a civil war broke out in the country in 2011. Assad's forces used violence to try to stop the protests, but the protests-and the violence against them-continue under his presidency. The war has pitted different Muslim sects in the country against each other and has led to the death of more than 400,000 Syrians.

Millions of Syrians have fled the country since the war started to seek a better life elsewhere. The war has destroyed many of the country's historical sites, including the city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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This Middle Eastern country is home to some of the oldest cities in the world.