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

Population: 30.9 million people (2023)

Capital: Kathmandu with about 3 million inhabitants is Nepal's largest city

Motto: 'Mother and Motherland are greater than Heaven'

Government: Federal democratic republic

Language: Nepali

Religion: mainly Hinduism (81%)

Currency: 1 Nepalese or Nepali rupee equals 100 paisa

History: Nepal was a kingdom for almost 250 years and ruled by a Shah king. The first king was Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. Several small kingdoms existed in the area before. The monarchy ended in 2008. Gyanendra, former king of Nepal is regarded as the last Hindu king that ruled in the world. Nepal was never colonised by any foreign country.

National Symbols: cow (national animal), rhododendron blossom (national flower)

National Colour: crimson red

National Anthem: 'Hundreds of Flowers'

National Day: 20 September is a public holiday (Constitution Day)

President: Ram Chandra Poudel (since March 2023)

Fun Facts about Nepal

Nepal is located on the Asian continent.

The South Asian country is landlocked and borders two countries: China to the North and India to the East, South and West. The longer border is between Nepal and India.

Nepal is the largest country in the Himalayas and about the size of the state of New York/USA, about half the size of Ecuador in South America and quite a bit bigger than the three European countries Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland combined.

In Asia however, the country is quite small compared to other countries as it measures just about 800 km/ 500 miles from east to west. From North to South the smallest distance only measures about 150 km/ 93 miles.

The name of the country originates from Hindu story that referred to a wise man called Ne and the region in the Himalayas that was protected by Ne was then called Nepal.

Nepal enjoys mainly a temperate climate. The landscape is dominated by the Himalayan mountains in the north, alpine pastures, fertile valleys and temperate forests in the middle hill region and the Tarai plains in the south.

To reach Nepal it takes a 13-hours flight to Kathmandu from London/UK or a 2-hours flight from Delhi/India. The shortest flights from the USA go via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi and still take at least 21 hours!

Facts about Nepal
Nepal Geography Superlatives

Nepal's highest mountain is Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, with 8 848 m or 29 028 ft. Mount Everest is named after Sir George Everest. In the Nepali language the mountain is called Sagarmatha which means 'Forehead of the Sky' and by the local Sherpas the mountain is referred to as Chomolungma which means 'Goddess Mother of the World'

The country is known to have the widest range of elevations in the world.

The Kochi river is the highest and longest river in Nepal with 720 km/ 450 miles.

The P lains of Kechana Kalan are the lowest point of the country with only 60 m/ 196 ft.

The highest lake is Tilicho at 4 800 metres/ 15 748 ft.

Nepal has over 6 000 rivers that are either fed by snow or rain and thus the country is also referred to the 'water towers' of South Asia.

Eight of the world's fourteen highest peaks above 8 000 m/ 26246 ft. are located in Nepal: Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna.

Nepal Facts:
Landmarks and Attractions

Kathmandu: the capital city is known for the huge stupa in the city's old town centre. The Hindu stupa is decorated with prayer flag and spots Buddha eyes.

Lumbini: This town is said to be birthplace of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama who was born here in 623. See the Maya Devi Temple in the image below.

Bhaktapur: Here you can visit Changu Narayan which is the oldest temple in Nepal. The temple dates back to 464 AD and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Nepal Economy

Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Many people live in poor conditions and especially young people try to find better life in other countries. About 1 in 4 Nepali live below the poverty line.

The country in the Himalayas frequently experiences earthquakes. The latest major earthquakes in 2022 and 2015 destroyed many old temples, buildings and monuments and killed many people in the respective districts.

The economy in Nepal is mainly driven by agriculture, the textile industry and tourism. Rice is grown in Nepal in the fertile valleys.

India, China and the USA are the main trading partners.

Nepal is known as third biggest producer of ginger after India and China.

In Nepal most energy is produced by hydroelectric plants and Nepal is also called the 'Water Tower of South Asia' due to its snowcapped mountain peaks, glaciers and rivers originating in the Himalayas.

Nepal Facts | Nepali People

There are more than 100 different ethnic groups and over 90 languages are spoken in Nepal.

The Nepali are known as very welcoming people who are friendly and open towards visitors.

Religion plays an important part in the life of most Nepalis. The vast majority of the Nepali people are Hindus (80%) or Buddhists (over 15%). Nepal is the only country in the world where Hinduism was the official religion (until 2006).

The ' Namaste' gesture is the common greeting and handshakes are rarely given. For the Nepali greeting put your palms together and bow your head saying " Namaste". ' Namaste' means 'Salute to the God in you'.

Nepali ethnic people living in the Kathmandu valley are called Newars. Originally farmers and traders, they celebrate unique traditional and festivals.

The Sherpa people live mainly in the eastern and mountainous regions of Nepal. They are known for their excellent climbing skills and often work in the trekking and mountaineering industries.

New Year's Day is celebrated in Nepal according to the Nepali Calendar in April. The Nepali calendar is called Bikram Sambat and New Year's Day ' Nava Varsha' is an official holiday.

In 2023, the Nepali New Year's Day was celebrated on 14 April. The Nepali count differently and this is the Nepali year of 2079! The Nepali calendar is 56.7 years ahead of our Gregorian calendar.

Languages in Nepal
Nepali Language

The official language Nepali is spoken by about half the population, while is Maithili is spoken by many and learned as the second language. Nepali is spoken as mother language by almost half of all Nepali people. English is taught and spoken by many people as a foreign language.

The different ethnic groups also have their own languages, among them are Maithili, Bhojpuri and Tharu which are the other most spoken mother tongues. There are at least 120 languages spoken in Nepal as mother tongue!

Nepali is written in the Devanagari script.

Devanagari is also used to write the Hindi and mainly used in the Indian subcontinent. Devanagari is written left to right and has 47 main characters.

Nepal Facts
Food in Nepal

Nepali food uses similar spices as the Indian cuisine such as cumin and coriander but is less spicy than Indian food. and some ingredients that are also used in Chinese cuisine such as bamboo shoots.

Many Nepali dishes are vegetarian and do not use meat. Meat dishes are made with chicken, pork, mutton and water buffalo as cows are not slaughtered as they are considered sacred animals in Nepal.

Potatoes (aloo), roti (flatbreads) and dhedo (stiff boiled flour porridge) are common staple foods in Nepal. Another Nepali staple food is rice which is eaten with every meal.

Here are some typical Nepali dishes and traditional Nepali food:

Daal bhat: rice dish with lentil stew. 'Daal' means lentils and 'bhat' means boiled rice.

Chatamari: the thin pancake is a common snack and looks similar to a small thin pizza. Chatamari is made with rice flour and topped with chopped onions and vegetables, minced meat, egg and different spices.

Momos: steamed dumplings filled with minced meat, onions, garlic, ginger, cabbage and spices. Served with a spicy sauce called achar. Momos are a popular fast food or street food.

Pustakari: sugary sweets made with coconut, dates and peanuts

Sel Roti: similar to a doughnut, but in a thinner ring shape - usually served during festivals and celebrations

Aloo Tama: potato stew with bamboo shoots

Gundruk: green leafy vegetables that are pickled and served as accompaniment with many curries

Nepalis tend to eat two main meals, the morning meal at around seven o'clock and another meal in the evening meal around seven or eight o'clock.

Nepal Animals

Cows are considered sacred in Nepal. They can be seen wandering in the streets everywhere. It is illegal to slaughter cows in Nepal.

The spotted deer and Himalayan tahr can often be seen in the wild.

There are 26 protected mammal species in Nepal. Snow leopard, red panda and bengal tiger are among the endangered animals.

Yaks are commonly used for transporting goods in the Himalayas.

Nepal Facts: Did you know...?

Nepal has the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular or square!

Nepal Facts
Resources and Further Reading
Source for Nepal Facts page:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. "Nepal - Country Profile." . Updated in 2023. Last accessed 5 May 2023.

Central Intelligence Agency. "World Fact Book: Nepal." . Updated 2 May 2023. Last accessed 5 May 2023.

Nepal Tourism Board. "Nepal". Discover Nepal. Last accessed 5 May 2023.

Suraj Katwal. "Nepalese Food: 25 Dishes You Must Try". Stunning Nepal. 2 May 2023. Last accessed 5 May 2023.

Image Credits on Nepal Facts: shutterstock.com and wikicommons, if not otherwise stated. Go from Nepal Facts to Asia Continent Facts Back from Nepal Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide
We hope you enjoyed reading our Nepal Facts. Please bookmark this page and spread the word. We will add more information in the near future as we still have to sort through our images and stories from our recent travels.

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Nepal Facts for Kids | Nepal for Kids | Travel | Food | Animals | Geo

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Our Nepal Facts for Kids will introduce the South Asian country and give insights about geography and attractions, Nepalese landmarks, people, animals and food

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Pyramids of Egypt For Kids | Bedtime History

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Spain Facts for Kids

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

Read about the Spanish language, the highest mountain in Spain, its population, cuisine, sporting culture and much more.

The Spanish name for Spain is España.

The Spanish language is spoken in many areas of the world due to the early influence of the Spanish Empire.

Spain is located in Europe.

It is a developed country with a high quality of life.

The largest city and capital of Spain is Madrid.

The second largest city is Barcelona, which is located in Catalonia.

The population of Spain in 2023 was around 47 million.

The currency used in Spain is the Euro.

In Spain they drive on the right-hand side of the road.

It is believed that modern humans first arrived in Spain around 32000 years ago.

Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain (3718 m, 12198 ft) and an active volcano.

The Pyrenees is a mountain range that divides Spain and France.

Spain includes a number of islands including Mallorca, Tenerife, Ibiza and Gran Canaria. Many can be found in the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa.

The Spanish tourism industry is one of the largest in the world, bringing in billions of Euros into the Spanish economy.

Popular tourist destinations in Spain include Alhambra, Palacio Real, La Rambla, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Spain produces a large amount of renewable energy, including wind power and solar power.

Spain has a variety of foods and unique dishes such as paella (a type of rice dish) and tapas (a range of small snacks or appetizers).

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Spain. The Spanish men's national team won the World Cup in 2010.

The 1992 Summer Olympic Games were held in Barcelona.

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

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Fun Spain Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Spain

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Spain Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Spain while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about the Spanish language, the highest mountain in Spain, its population, cuisine, sporting culture and much more. The Spanish name for Spain is España.

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Spain facts

Sunny beaches, fascinating culture and beautiful cities - find out about one of the world's coolest countries with our facts about Spain!

Facts about Spain

OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Spain
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary monarchy
CAPITAL: Madrid
POPULATION: 47, 909, 753
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
MONEY: Euro
AREA: 505,988 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada

Spanish flag

Map of Spain

Spain: geography and landscape

Spain occupies most of Europe's Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa. To the east lies the Mediterranean Sea and Spain"s Balearic Islands. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

The interior of Spain is a high, dry plateau surrounded and crisscrossed by mountain ranges. Rivers run to the coasts, creating rich soils that are good for farming. Still, the interior of the country gets very cold in winter, and very hot and dry in summer.

The north coast of this amazing country is called "Green Spain". This is because the mild, wet climate of the region allows lush plants and trees, such as beech and oak, to flourish.

The southern and eastern coasts of Spain, from the fertile Andalusian plain up to the Pyrenees, are often swept by warm winds called "sirocco" winds. These winds originate in northern Africa and keep temperatures along the Mediterranean coast warmer than the interior.

Spain's wildlife and nature

A link between Europe and Africa, Spain is an important resting spot for migratory birds. It is also home to magnificent mammals including wolves, lynxes, wildcats, foxes and deer - and fab fish such as barbel, tench and trout can be found in the country's streams and lakes.

Sadly, many species of wildlife are under threat from habitat loss and pollution. Due to centuries of tree cutting, large forests are now only found in the north Pyrenees and the Asturias-Galicia area. River pollution is also a problem in parts of Spain, putting Spain's aquatic species at risk.

To help protect wildlife, Spain has created national parks and refuges. One protected area is Doñana National Park, a region of marshes, streams and sand dunes where the Guadalquivir River flows into the Atlantic. The park"s diversity of life is unique in Europe and includes the European badger, Egyptian mongoose and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

History of Spain

Settlers have migrated to Spain from Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean since the dawn of history. The Phoenicians, who came in the 8th century B.C., called the peninsula " Span," or "hidden land". By the first century B.C. the Romans had conquered Spain.

Spain became mostly Christian under the Romans, who were followed by Germanic tribes from Europe called the Vandals and the Visigoths. The Visigoth rulers fought among themselves, and in A.D. 711 Muslims from Africa invaded Spain.

Islamic culture spread across Spain, as Muslim rulers introduced new crops and irrigation systems, and increased trading. Mathematics, medicine and philosophy became more advanced, peaking in the tenth century - the golden age of Islamic rule in Spain.

In 1492 Christian kingdoms in northern Spain conquered the Muslims and spread the Catholic religion. Enriched by silver from the Americas, Spain grew more powerful and influential. It later lost land and power, however, in the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815.

More than 500,000 people died in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. The victorious General Francisco Franco ruled as a brutal dictator until his death in 1975. Soon after, Spain began to transform itself into a modern, industrial and democratic European nation.

Spanish people and culture

Many Spaniards share a common ethnic background - a mixture of the early inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula, the Celts, and later conquerors from Europe and Africa. Recent immigrants from North Africa and Latin America have added to the mix of people and culture, too.

Spaniards are known for their love of life and for eating and drinking with family and friends. Traditional appetizers like tapas or pintxos (the Basque Country equivalent) are popular. Regional music and dances, such as fandango and flamenco, are an important part of Spanish culture, as well as religious festivals and, of course, football - the country's national sport!

Government and economy

Spain is a constitutional monarchy, with the king and the elected president sharing the power. Spain is one of the most "decentralised" democracies in Europe - although there is a national parliament that governs the country, each of Spain's 17 regions manages its own schools, hospitals and other public services.

With vibrant, historic cities and sunny beaches, Spain attracts more tourists than any other European country, except France. In 1986 Spain joined the European Union and further modernised its economy. In addition to tourism, other important industries include machinery, shipbuilding, food, beverages, and textiles.

Credits
Map of Spain: National Geographic Maps. La Pedrera in Barcelona, Spain: Tasstock, Dreamstime. Cliffs along the Spanish coast: Albertoloyo, Dreamstime. La Tomatina festival, Spain: Iakov Filimonov, Dreamstime.

What do you think to these facts about Spain? Have you been to Spain? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Spain facts: discover the land of flamenco and fiesta! | National Geographic Kids

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OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Spain FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary monarchy CAPITAL: Madrid POPULATION: 47, 909, 753 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque MONEY: Euro AREA: 505,988 square kilometres MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada Spain occupies most of Europe's Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa.

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OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Spain

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary monarchy

CAPITAL: Madrid

POPULATION: 49,331,076

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Castilian Spanish, Basque, Catalan, and Galician

MONEY: Euro

AREA: 195,363 square miles (505,988 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada

MAJOR RIVERS: Guadalquivir, Ebro, Duero, Miño, Tajo, and Guadiana

Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa. To the east lies the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain's Balearic Islands. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic.

The interior of Spain is a high, dry plateau surrounded and crisscrossed by mountain ranges. Rivers run to the coasts, creating good farmland. Still, the interior of the country gets very hot in summer and very cold and dry in the winter. Droughts are common.

Plants and trees grow so well on the northwestern coast, in Galicia and along the Bay of Biscay, that the area is called Green Spain. Rain, trapped by the mountains farther inland, is frequent. Beech and oak trees flourish here. Numerous coves and inlets break up the coastline.

The southern and eastern coasts of Spain, from the fertile Andalusian plain up to the Pyrenees, are often swept by warm winds called sirocco winds. These winds originate in northern Africa and keep temperatures along the Mediterranean coast milder than the interior.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Many Spaniards share a common ethnic background: a mixture of the early inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula, the Celts, and later conquerors from Europe and Africa. The origins of the Basque people in the north of Spain remain unknown. Recent immigrants from North Africa and Latin America have added to the mix.

Spaniards are known for their love of life and for eating and drinking with family and friends. Traditional appetizers like tapas or pintxos, the Basque country equivalent, are popular. Regional dances and music are almost as important as soccer and religious festivals.

A link between Europe and Africa, Spain is an important resting spot for migratory birds. Spain is also home to such mammals as the wolf, lynx, wildcat, fox, wild boar, deer, hare, and wild goat. Streams and lakes shelter trout, barbel, and tench fish. But many species of wildlife face threats from habitat loss and pollution.

Due to centuries of tree cutting, large forests are now found only in the north Pyrenees and the Asturias-Galicia area. Planting new trees is difficult where sheep and goats graze. Erosion and river pollution are also problems. Spain has created many national parks and refuges, but they only cover about 7 percent of the country.

One protected area is Doñana National Park, a region of marshes, streams, and sand dunes where the Guadalquivir River flows into the Atlantic. The park's diversity of life is unique in Europe and includes the European badger, Egyptian mongoose, and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

In Spain, which is a parliamentary monarchy, the king and the elected president share the power. Although there is a national parliament, Spain is one of the most decentralized democracies in Europe. Each of its 17 regions manages its own schools, hospitals, and other public services.

With vibrant, historic cities and sunny beaches, Spain attracts more tourists than any other European country except France. Services to the tourism industry drive Spain's economy, the eighth largest in the world. In 1986 Spain joined the European Community and further modernized its economy. Important industries include mining, shipbuilding, and textiles.

Settlers have migrated to Spain from Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean since the dawn of history. The Phoenicians, who came in the 8th century B.C., called the peninsula "Span," or hidden land. By the first century B.C. the Romans had conquered Spain.

Spain became mostly Christian under the Romans, who were followed by the Vandals and the Visigoths, Germanic peoples from Europe. The Visigoth rulers fought among themselves, and in A.D. 711 Muslims from Africa invaded Spain.

Islamic culture spread across Spain as Muslim rulers introduced new crops and irrigation systems, and trading increased. Mathematics, medicine, and philosophy became more advanced, peaking in the tenth century-the golden age of Islamic rule in Spain.

In 1492 Christian kingdoms in northern Spain conquered the Muslims and spread the Catholic religion. Enriched by silver from the Americas, Spain grew more powerful. It later lost land and power in the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815.

More than 500,000 people died in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. The victorious Gen. Francisco Franco ruled as a brutal dictator until his death in 1975. Soon after, Spain began to transform itself into a modern, industrial, and democratic European nation.

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OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Spain FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary monarchy CAPITAL: Madrid POPULATION: 49,331,076 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Castilian Spanish, Basque, Catalan, and Galician MONEY: Euro AREA: 195,363 square miles (505,988 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada MAJOR RIVERS: Guadalquivir, Ebro, Duero, Miño, Tajo, and Guadiana Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa.

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Interesting Facts for Kids

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

Spain Facts

Population: 48 million people live in Spain (2021)

Capital: Madrid, with 6.7 million inhabitants

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

Government: Parliamentary Monarchy

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

Literacy: More than 98% can read and write.

Religion: 69% Christians (mainly Roman Catholics)

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

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

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

National Day: 12 October (Fiesta Nacional de España)

Spain Facts
Spain Map | Where is Spain?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spain Facts | Geography

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spain Facts | Climate in Spain

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

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

Spain Facts | Islands of Spain

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

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

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

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

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

Fuerteventura

Gran Canaria

Lanzarote

La Palma

La Gomera

El Hierro (the smallest island of the Canaries)

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

Spain Facts | Geo Superlatives

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

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

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

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

5. Largest natural lake in Spain: Lake Sanabria

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

7. Westernmost point of Spain: Kap Finisterre

8. Largest city: Madrid

9. The five biggest cities in Spain are:

Madrid with 6.7 million inhabitants

Barcelona with 5.6 million inhabitants

Valencia with more than 835,000 inhabitants

Sevilla with about 700,000 inhabitants

Zaragoza with more than 600,000 inhabitants

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

Spain Attractions for Kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spain Facts | Spanish People

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spain Facts
Famous Spanish People

Among the most well known Spanish artists are:

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

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946): Spanish composer

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

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

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

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973): painter

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

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

Rafael Nadal (born 1986): tennis player

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

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

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

Spain Facts | Spanish Language

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palabras en Español -
Spanish Words

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

Spain Facts |Animals in Spain

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

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

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

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

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

Spain Facts | Food in Spain

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

Here are some typical Spanish dishes:

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

Spain Facts | Economy

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

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

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

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

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Spain Facts for Kids | Resources

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Spain Facts for Kids | Spain for Kids | Geography | Attractions | Food

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

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The Real Animals of Madagascar | Animal Science for Kids

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Madagascar Facts for Kids

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

Read about the unique ecology of Madagascar, its languages, economy, capital city, popular pastimes and much more.

The official name of Madagascar is the Republic of Madagascar.

Madagascar is an island country, off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world.

From 1895 France governed Madagascar. In 1960, the country became a fully independent country called the Malagasy Republic. It became the Democratic Republic of Madagascar in 1975 and the Republic of Madagascar in 1993.

The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo, home to over 2 million people.

The official languages of Madagascar are Malagasy and French.

Madagascar is home to over 22 million people (22,599,098) as of July 2013.

The highest mountain in Madagascar is Maromokotro at 2876 m (9436 ft).

Madagascar is classed as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries that are considered to be home to the majority of the worlds biodiversity. Over 70% of the 250,000 wildlife species found in Madagascar are found nowhere else in the world. While 90% of the estimated 14,000 plants native to Madagascar are also found nowhere else.

The lemur is only found in the wild in Madagascar. As of 2012, there were 103 living species of lemur in Madagascar, including sub-species. The majority of these are classified as rare or endangered. Several species of lemur such as the giant lemur have become extinct in the past, mainly due to extensive deforestation.

The unique ecology of Madagascar has led some scientists to refer to the country as the "eighth continent" of the world.

Madagascar has the 3rd largest coral reef system in the world, the Toliara coral reef, off the south-western coast.

Madagascar is one of the world's main suppliers of vanilla and cloves, while coffee, lychees and shrimp are also important agriculturally. The country currently provides half of the world's supply of sapphires and produces a number of other precious and semi-precious stones.

Madagascar is a relatively poor country with approximately 70 percent of the population living below the national poverty line threshold of $1 per day.

The national sport of Madagascar is rugby, with football (soccer) also popular.

Madagascans have a number of traditional pastimes. Moraingy is a type of hand-to-hand combat, tolon-omby the wrestling of zebu cattle, is also popular in regional areas. While fanorona, is a famous a board game invented there.

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

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Fun Madagascar Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Madagascar

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Madagascar Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Madagascar while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about the unique ecology of Madagascar, its languages, economy, capital city, popular pastimes and much more. The official name of Madagascar is the Republic of Madagascar.

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Facts about Madagascar | Geography | Travel | Madagascar for Kids

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Our Facts about Madagascar provide fascinating and funny facts and trivia about the African island country.

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Madagascar's most famous animal species, lemurs, live only in Madagascar and can be found in almost every habitat on the island.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Madagascar

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Semi-presidential republic

CAPITAL: Antananarivo

POPULATION: 25,570,895

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Malagasy, French

MONEY: Ariary

AREA: 226,756 square miles (587,295 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Tsaratanana, Andringitra, Ankaratra

MAJOR RIVERS: Mangoky, Onilahy, Betsiboka, Sofia

Slightly smaller than the state of Texas, Madagascar is located approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers) east of Mozambique, a country along the southeast coast of Africa. Madagascar is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on all sides except for its western border, which lies along the Mozambique Channel. In addition to Mozambique, its closet neighbors are the Comoros Islands and the islands of Réunion and Mauritius.

Madagascar's capital city, Antananarivo, sits in the center of the island. Hills and mountains cover much of the middle of the island. At 9,435 feet (2,876 meters), Mount Maromokotro is the country's highest mountain.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Most of the country's population lives on the eastern half of the island, but many people also live in the central highlands, near the capital city of Antananarivo. Most Malagasy live in rural areas, where their daily life revolves around agriculture. A lot of them are farmers, producing rice, coffee, and other products.

Madagascar has a youthful population, with over 60 percent of its residents under the age of 25. Music is an important part of Malagasy culture. Villages often hold parties in which locals can dance or play music with things like the valiha, a guitar-like instrument considered to be the national instrument of Madagascar.

The island's cuisine has been influenced by the countries surrounding it, with Southeast Asian and African ingredients found in most dishes. The most commonly served Malagasy meal is a base of rice, called vary, served with one other ingredient of the diner's choice, called laoka. The laoka can be a vegetable or meat item, and is typically covered in sauce flavored with ginger, onion, garlic, and spices or herbs.

Almost 90 percent of the plants and animals living on Madagascar aren't found anywhere else in the world. That's because strong ocean currents have isolated the island from the African continent, so the species living there haven't traveled beyond the island's borders.

Lush rainforests, dry deserts, and grassy plains cover the island, with coral reef and mangrove forests stretching along its coastlines. Madagascar's most famous animal species, lemurs, live only in Madagascar and can be found in almost every habitat on the island. Silky sifakas, a type of lemur and one of the rarest mammals on Earth, can be found in the rainforests, along with giant leaf-tailed geckos and nocturnal aye-ayes. Spider tortoises and Dumeril's boas live in the deserts, and Madagascan plovers can be spotted flying over the island's central plains. Humpback whales and pygmy blue whales have been spotted along the island's coasts.

The species thought to be most representative of the island (other than lemurs) is the baobab tree, the national tree of Madagascar. The thick, straight trunk of the tree swells into the shape of a bottle as it collects rainwater.

Deforestation and poaching, or the illegal killing of animals, threaten much of Madagascar's habitat and wildlife. Many trees are harvested for firewood, and the loss of forest reduces where Madagascar's animals can live. And since many of the island's animals are so rare, they're highly prized by poachers.

GOVERNMENT

Madagascar is a semi-presidential republic. The public elects a president, who in turn appoints a prime minister to put together a cabinet to advise the president. Madagascar's constitution, which was written in 1992, established independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The prime minister is in charge of the legislative and judicial branches, and creates and executes laws. The president formally represents Madagascar at ceremonies around the world.

Eighty percent of Madagascar's economy is fueled by agricultural industries, including forestry and fishing. Among the island's most frequently sold agricultural products are coffee, vanilla, and sugarcane.

Humans have lived in Madagascar only for about 1,300 years. The first settlers on the island are believed to have arrived from Indonesia in Southeast Asia. For centuries, many small kingdoms ruled different areas of the island.

France invaded the island in 1883. After more than a decade of resistance from the island's kingdoms, the country officially declared Madagascar a French colony in 1896 and broke up the competing kingdoms.

After World War II, in 1947, locals fought for their independence from France in what became known as the Malagasy Uprising. In 1960, Madagascar finally became an independent nation.

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Madagascar Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Madagascar's most famous animal species, lemurs, live only in Madagascar and can be found in almost every habitat on the island.

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

Population: 38 million people (2022)

Capital: Rabat with 1.8 million inhabitants

Name: Kingdom of Morocco

Government: Parliamentary Monarchy

Language: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are official languages, while French is often spoken

Religion: Muslim 99% (Sunni)

Currency: 1 Moroccan Dirham = 100 Centimes

National Day: 30 July (Throne Day remembers the ascension of King Mohammed VI)

National Animal: lion, pentacle (five pointed star which is also known as Solomon's seal)

National Colours: red and green

The Cherifian Anthem - National Anthem: listen here

Chief of State: King Mohammed VI (since 1999)

History: Morocco gained independence from France in 1956.

Morocco Facts | Morocco Map

Morocco is located on the African continent. The North African country borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Morocco borders three countries: Algeria and Spain via the two Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla as well as Western Sahara.

On the map you can see the neighbouring countries and the location of the country's capital city Rabat.

Spain lies across the Straits of Gibraltar to the North of the country.

Please see further info about Western Sahara and this map under Page Resources below.

A flight to Morocco takes about 4-hours flight from the UK and it takes about 15-hours to fly from New York/USA.

Morocco Geography

Morocco is slightly bigger than California/USA or a bit smaller than twice the size of the UK.

The fertile coastal regions are bordered by the high Rif mountains in the North and the Atlas mountains that are separating the western coastal region from the Sahara desert.

Morocco's highest point is Jebel Toupkal, with 4 165 m or 13 664 ft. This is also the highest mountain in Northern Africa.

Morocco's longest river is the Dra with 1 100 km/683 miles in length.

The largest city in Morocco is Casablanca with 3.5 million inhabitants.

The lowlands have mild coastal climate while the interior experiences a harsh desert climate.

Morocco Facts:
Tourist Attractions in Morocco

Marrakech: This vibrant Moroccan city is Africa's "Capital of Culture" in 2020. Also known as the 'Red City', Marrakech has plenty of souks (markets), old walls and gates and gardens as well as market squares. The Jamaa el-Fnaa is said to be Africa's largest market square.

Rabat: Morocco's capital is a quirky seaside city with many modern buildings as well as French colonial buildings. Here you will also find the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas which was built in the 11th century.

Casablanca's most famous building and the best known landmark of Morocco is the Hassan II Mosque. This is the second largest mosque in Africa (after the Djama El Djazair mosque in Algiers was finished in 2019) and one of the ten largest mosques in the world.

Fez: Formerly the country's capital, this city is known for its huge ancient medina, medieval streets and numerous leather tanning factories. A medina is the walled-in city centre which includes markets, shops, eateries and housing.

Chefchaouen is known as the 'Blue City' and has a lovely relaxed feel with blue and whitewashed houses and the Atlas mountains as a backdrop.

Sahara desert dunes: A desert safari is a great way to experience the impressive sand dunes and marvel at the clear starry skies at night.

Mountain trekking in the Rif Mountains or the High Atlas Mountains is another great way to come in contact with locals.

Morocco Economy | Morocco Facts

The economy in Morocco is mainly driven by agriculture, mining, the tourism and textiles industries.

Mining plays an important role in Morocco. The main resources are phosphates, iron ore and zinc.

Argan oil is a plant oil that is extracted from the seeds of the Argan tree that grow abundantly in Morocco. Argan oil is used as a beauty oil in skincare and haircare and is also used in food.

The main trading partners of Morocco are Spain and France.

The major cities in Morocco are Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Tangiers and Marrakech.

Moroccan People

Two out of three Moroccans live in urban areas, such as the capital city or in larger towns. The eastern parts of the country are only very sparsely populated.

In rural areas, many people are poor, unemployed and some older people are illiterate. Literacy rates constantly improved vastly over the last decade and today, about 75% of the adult population can read and write properly.

Children go to primary school for six years, then they move on to middle school and high school. Nine years of basic education for children from 6 - 15 years are free and compulsory. Drop out rates from middle and high school are still high, especially in rural areas.

The most popular sports in Morocco are soccer (football) and athletics.

Languages in Morocco
Morocco Facts

Moroccan Arabic is the main working language in Morocco, the official languages are Arabic and Berber.

Tamazight, Tarifit and Tashehit are the most widely used Berber languages. Standard Arabic and French is taught as first foreign language in schools.

The Arabic spoken in Morocco is a Moroccan Arabic that is slightly different to the Standard Arabic. However, French and Standard Arabic are spoken by many people in Morocco.

English can be understood and spoken mainly by young people who learn the language in school or privately.

Food in Morocco | Facts about Morocco

A wide variety of nuts and pulses such as lentils, split peas, fava beans or chickpeas are popularly used in many dishes as are lamb and chicken. Spices, dried fruits and flower buds that are used in many dishes can also be sourced at the local markets.

Olives, citrus fruits and mediterranean vegetables such as tomatoes, as well as honey and dates are heavily used in the Moroccan cuisine.

Here are some typical Moroccan food and dishes:

Couscous: wheat semolina is cooked and usually served with stews or tagines

Tagine: also called 'Tajine', is a kind of stew prepared with mixed meat, vegetables and spices that are combined and then cooked without stirring in special clay pot that is covered with a conical hat

Mechoui: roast lamb dish

Harira: soup made with vegetables, lentils or chickpeas

Mint tea: very popular sweet tea which is served almost anywhere and anytime

Read some great Moroccan food info here
Morocco Animals

The national animal of Morocco is the Barbary lion. These big lions once roamed the areas around the Atlas mountains but unfortunately they are now extinct in the wild. Only a small number of descendants of the Barbary lions still live in European zoos.

There is a wide variety of wildlife in Morocco. On the coast you can spot dolphins and sea birds as well as porpoises.

A very special sight in Morocco are also the goats climbing Argan trees! These cleverly climbing animals can be best spotted in the region around Essaouira and Agadir. There they try to nick the fruits and happily chomp away before the fruit's harvest season in early summer.

Morocco Facts | Resources
Sources for Morocco Facts page: Image Credits on Morocco Facts: photo stock from shutterstock and wikicommons, if not otherwise stated. Please note: The territory of Western Sahara, to the south of Morocco (see map) is a disputed territory and partly occupied and annexed by Morocco since 1979. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as Western Sahara is referred to as well is recognised by 45 countries as an independent country and by most countries is seen as an territory occupied by Morocco. This is considered illegal under international law and the UN is trying hard to find a solution. The USA recognised Western Sahara as part of Morocco in 2020 under President Trump, thus we do not use the map provided by the CIA World Fact Book.
We hope you enjoyed reading our Morocco Facts. Please bookmark this page and spread the word. We will add more information in the near future as we still have to sort through our images and stories from our recent travels.

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Morocco Facts for Kids | Morocco for Kids | Morocco Travel | Geography

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

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Morocco | TheSchoolRun

Morocco is a coastal country in North Africa. The capital is Rabat and the two official languages spoken in Morocco are Arabic and Berber.

The west side of Morocco is a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, while the northern coastline is on the Mediterranean Sea.

Morocco has mountainous regions and large desert regions and is bordered by Algeria, with the Western Sahara to the south (this is a section of land that Morocco claims belongs to it and calls it its Southern Provinces; ownership of this piece of land is still under dispute though).

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Morocco | TheSchoolRun Morocco is a coastal country in North Africa. The capital is Rabat and the two official languages spoken in Morocco are Arabic and Berber. The west side of Morocco is a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, while the northern coastline is on the Mediterranean Sea.

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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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Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia, is officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand. The name means "land of the free," and in fact, Thailand has never been conquered by another country.

Until 1939 (and again from 1946 to 1948) Thailand was called Siam. It borders the countries of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Thailand lies between the Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east. The land in between has lush jungles and stunning beaches. In addition, Thailand boasts over 1,400 islands. It's a stunning country to explore.

Learn more about this beautiful country through these 10 Fun Facts about Thailand for Kids, a few of which were provided by my friend Dana Graber Ladek who is the Chief of Mission in Thailand for International Organization for Migration. You can start learning about Thailand by downloading this free printable and discovering more about the Thai flag.

1. Traveling around Thailand is full of thrills and chills.

Whether you go via an elaborately decorated cab, on a motorcycle (sometimes you'll see a couple of adults and two or three children on one), or in a tuk tuk (a three-wheeled motorized version of a rickshaw), traveling is always an adventure. Thais drive on the left side of the road like in Great Britain, India, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. So if you're from a part of the world that drives on the right side, traveling in Thailand is even more exciting.

2. Statues of Buddha and Buddhist temples are everywhere.

Thailand is filled with statues of Buddha and over 35,000 Buddhist temples. Visitors to the temples are welcomed, but it's important to dress modestly, which means no shorts or sleeveless shirts.

3. The real name for Bangkok is long and complicated.

Most of the world knows the capital of Thailand as Bangkok. It's short and simple to pronounce. However, the official name of the Thai city is much more complicated. In fact, it's the longest place name in the world. Check out this video of the pronunciation of the name and the interpretation of it. You'll be glad that the name will never show up on a spelling test!

4. Thai street food is the best!

Hungry? Thailand is known for its fabulous street food. You'll find delicious Thai favorites such as grilled meat skewers, fried chicken legs, som tam salad, and loads of noodle dishes. If you're more adventuresome (and aren't we all?), try the grilled chicken intestines, fried insects, and even fried scorpions. If you don't make it to Thailand this spring, you can still make this easy recipe at home for sticky rice with mangos, a street food favorite.

5. Thais pay attention to the head and feet.

Thais consider the head to be the most important part of the body. To show respect, Thais do not ever touch someone on the head, even a child. When they meet someone older, they bow their own head slightly to be respectful. In contrast, feet symbolize an attachment to the earth, which is a cause for human suffering. Consequently, Thais always tuck their feet under their bodies. They would never show the soles of the feet to another person or even to a statue.

6. Elephants roam in Thailand.

Thais have a special place in their hearts for elephants. If you look at the shape of Thailand, it even resembles an elephant's head. A hundred years ago, Thailand was home to over 100,000 elephants. Today the number has dwindled to 5,000. Over half of them are domesticated; the rest still live in the wild. Take this quick quiz to discover more. And then, have fun creating your own elephant craft.

7. Most males learn to be a Buddhist monk.

Up until recently, all boys before the age of 20 spent time as a Buddhist monk, even if it was only for a few weeks. While this is changing, it's still common. The belief is that it will make them better men. Females can also be monks, but it's less typical.

8. Thailand is filled with animals and birds.

If you love animals and birds, there's no better destination than Thailand. Thailand is home to about ten percent of all animal species and ten percent of all bird species on the planet.

9. Thailand is known for orchids.

Thailand is the top orchid producer in the world. It is home to 1,500 different orchid species that grow in the wild.

10. Thai is a complicated language.

English has twenty-one consonants and five vowels. In contrast, Thai has forty-four consonants and thirty-two vowels. To make it even more complicated, it has six tones, which means a single word can have multiple meanings. The language gives the new learner many opportunities for mistakes. Fortunately, Thais are very tolerant - and appreciative - of anyone who tries to speak their complicated language.
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For even more ideas, visit our blog hops from last year, 2016, 2015 and 2014. You can also follow our Asia and Australia & Oceania boards on Pinterest. Participating Blogs
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by Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia, is officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand. The name means "land of the free," and in fact, Thailand has never been conquered by another country. Until 1939 (and again from 1946 to 1948) Thailand was called Siam. It borders the countries of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

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Interesting Thailand Facts for Kids

Here are our Thailand Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: 70 million people live in Thailand (2023)

Capital: Bangkok with over 11 million inhabitants

Name: Kingdom of Thailand (former Siam)

Government: Constitutional Monarchy. The Thai chief of state is King Vajiralongkorn.

Official Language: Thai

Religion: Buddhism (95%)

Life expectancy: 76 years

Literacy rate: 93% (population over 15 years who can read and write)

National Symbol: Garuda (mythical figure that is half bird and half man)

National animal: elephant

National colours: red, white and blue

National Day: 2 July - Birthday of King Vajiralongkorn, who was born in 1952

History: Thailand's first people are the Mon and Khmer and later came the Tai, who migrated from southern China to Vietnam and then into Laos and northern Thailand. The first Thai kingdom was established in the 14th century. The country was known as Siam until 1939.

Thailand Geography | Map
Where is Thailand?

Thailand is a country on the Asian continent. The country is located in a region referred to as Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian country shares borders with four countries: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The capital city is called Bangkok.

Thailand's shape is said to resemble the shape on an axe as you can see on the map.

The Gulf of Thailand is to the Southeast of the country and the Andaman Sea to the West. Thailand has 1430 islands, of which the largest is Phuket. The island of Phuket is located in southwestern Thailand in the Andaman Sea.

The tallest mountain in Thailand is Doi Inthanon which is located in Chiang Mai. Thailand's highest mountain is 2,565 m/ 8,415 ft high.

The longest river in Thailand is the Mekong River with 4,350 km/ 2,703 miles.

Thailand is home to some of the oldest dinosaur fossils that were ever found in Southeast Asia!

Thailand is known for its colourful and vibrant cultural heritage and festivals and its stunning beaches such as Maya Bay on Phi Phi island.

Thailand is slightly larger than Spain, about a quarter bigger and longer than Italy, or about three times the size of Florida in the USA.

A flight to Bangkok takes about 12.5 hours from London/England and 17.5 hours from New York/USA.

Thailand Attractions

Here are the most popular Thailand landmarks and attractions for kids:

Bangkok: Visit the Grand Palace and temples, experience the floating markets on the canals or drive out to Khao Yai National Park for a wildlife safari. Khao Yai National Park was Thailand's first national park.

Chiang Mai: The main city in Thailand's northern region is known for traditional life and crafts as well as for its rescue and rehab centre for elephants.

Phuket: Thailand's largest island is known for its stunning beaches, lively market and colourful shophouses. Phuket is home to a big Chinese community, so you will see many Chinese shrines and Chinese restaurants and shops around Phuket City. The Nine Emperor Gods Festival, or Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held there every year. This year the festival will take place from 13 - 22 October 2023.

Ko Samui: On this island you will find popular Chaweng beach in the island's north. There are many temples and night markets.

Krabi: Railay Beach is one of the most awesome beaches in Thailand. The beach can only be reached by boat. Here you can snorkel in clear waters and admire the limestone cliffs.

Thailand Facts | Thai People

Thailand is the country with most buddhists among the country's population. About 95% of the Thai are Buddhists.

There are over 35,000 temples in Thailand! Among the most well known temples are Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple and Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha as well as Wat Arun, the temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya River that runs through Bangkok.

Over half of the population live in and around in urban areas. The biggest cities in Thailand are Bangkok, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan and Chiang Mai. Bangkok is the only city in Thailand with more than two million inhabitants.

The most popular sports in Thailand are soccer, volleyball and rugby. Thailand is also known for the Thai Boxing style called Muay Thai.

The rivers in Thailand always were and still are the place where people went to shop for food and goods. Floating markets are not only a tourist attraction but part of Thai daily life. If you want to see how Thai people shop for groceries, you must rise early in the morning to not miss out on a wonderful experience!

Good to know: In Thailand the head is considered a sacred body part, so don't touch other people's head! Don't point with your feet and don't show the soles of your feet as these are considered the lowest part of your body.

Thailand Facts | Thai Language

The official language in Thailand is Thai. The written Thai language uses symbols.

The Thai alphabet has 44 symbols for consonants and 16 symbols for vowels. The Thai language has five tones and thus is a called a 'tonal language' similar to the Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

More than 60 languages are spoken in Thailand. English is a mandatory school subject.

The traditional Thai greeting style is called ' wai'. Younger people greet older people first to show respect.

Male speakers say " sawatdi khrap" and female speakers say " sawatdi k ah". These words are accompanied by a gesture. Hands are pressed together. The fingertips pointing upwards while the head is bowed and the head touches the fingertips.

Thailand Facts | Thai festivals

Many festivals are celebrated in Thailand throughout the year such as Loi Krathong which is celebrated this year on 27 November 2023.

Thai festivals are usually related to the Buddhist religion. At Loi Krathong the people ask for forgiveness from the Mother of River.

Then the people also celebrate the Candle Festival or the Flower Alms Offering Festival. Some other festivals originated from traditional beliefs to ask for favors from the God of Rain. Popular are also Rice Blessing Ceremonies and long boat racing festivals.

Thailand Facts | Thai Food

Among the Thai staple food is rice ( khao), noodles, vegetables, sprouts, seafood and pork. Common foods sold at food stalls include chicken rice, stewed or barbequed pork, and noodles.

The Thai cuisine includes lots of fresh spices such as garlic, galangal, lemon grass, lime juice, hot chillies, peppers, coriander as well as palm sugar. Many dishes are prepared with clear fish sauce ( nam pla) and shrimp paste.

Thailand grows a large variety of exotic fruits such as mango, papaya, jackfruits, durian or langsat, which looks similar to a larger lychee, but has a sweet sour taste.

Popular Thai dishes are:

Pad Thai: These Thai-style stir fried noodles are usually prepared with soy sauce, beansprouts, chicken and fried egg.

Tom Kha Gai: This is a spicy coconut soup with chicken and lemongrass.

Khao Pad: This Thai-syle fried rice is usually not too spicy and will also be enjoyed by children.

Khao Neaow Mamuang: This dish is called also 'mango rice'. In this dish, the rice is cooked in coconut milk and served with fresh mango slices.

Tod Mun Pla: These Thai fried fish cakes are made with fish paste, curry and beans served with a sweet sour sauce and rice.

Thai dishes are mainly eaten with cutlery, spoon, fork and knife. Only Chinese-style dishes are eaten in Thailand with chopsticks.

The Thai cuisine is also known for stunning fruit and vegetable carvings.

Thailand Facts | Thailand Economy

Thailand is the second biggest economy in South East Asia - after Indonesia.

Thailand is the biggest producer and exporter of cut orchids in the world. In 2018 Thailand exported more than 50,000 tonnes of orchids. Did you know that there are about 1,300 orchid species grown in Thailand's orchid farms?

The main trading partners of Thailand are China, Japan and the USA. The main export products of Thailand are automobiles, computers, jewellery, gold and precious stones, rubber products and rice and processed food products.

Thailand Facts | Animals in Thailand

Elephants are the official national animals of Thailand. At the Elephant Nature Park near Chang Mai one can experience these majestic animals in their natural habitat. This elephant park is Thailand's largest elephant sanctuary. Here the rangers look after the elephants - and of course there are no elephant rides as elephant rides are a big no-go!

Did you know that Asian elephants have smaller ears than African elephants?

Thailand is home to rhinos, tapirs and whale sharks. These species are among the world's endangered species. Monitor lizards and other lizard species are common native animals.

Thailand Facts for Kids | Resources

Find more Thailand Facts for further research here:

Central Intelligence Agency. "Thailand." CIA WorldFactBook. Last updated 18 January 2023. Last accessed 24 January 2023

Buddha Dharma Education Association. "Largest Buddhist Populations." . Last accessed 24 January 2023

Tourism Authority of Thailand. "Thailand." Amazing Thailand. Last accessed 7 February 2022

IUCN REDlist. "Tapirs in Thailand." 3 October 2020. Last accessed 24 January 2023

Popular Pages

We hope you enjoyed reading our Thailand Facts for Kids. Make sure to bookmark this page, as we plan to add on more information to make this page even more interesting, not only for children:-)

Picture credits on this Thailand Facts page: Images by Shutterstock.com, top image for Thailand facts by Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com
Back from Thailand Facts to Kids World Travel Guide Homepage

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Thailand Facts for Kids | Thailand for Kids | Geography | Food

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Discover Thailand with our Thailand Facts for Kids. Here you will learn about the country and people, geography superlatives, Thailand landmarks and Thai food

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PEOPLE & CULTURE

About 90 percent of the people are Buddhist, but about three million Muslims live in the south near the border with Malaysia.

Thai children go to elementary school for six years. Then they may attend high school for another six years, but their families must pay for the education. Boys begin military training in ninth grade.

Food in Thailand is influenced by Chinese and Indian cultures. Most Thai dishes are spicy and many common dishes include hot chilies, lemongrass, basil, ginger, and coconut milk.

Thai farmers cultivate mulberry trees that feed silkworms. The worms create silk, which is made into beautiful silk clothing in Thailand, France, and the United States.

Bangkok is called the Venice of the East because there are 83 canals. As many as 10,000 boats full of fruits, vegetables, and fish crowd the canals and create a floating market.

The city of Bangkok is home to many impressive Buddhist structures featuring gold-layered spires, graceful pagodas, and giant Buddha statues.

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PEOPLE & CULTURE About 90 percent of the people are Buddhist, but about three million Muslims live in the south near the border with Malaysia. Thai children go to elementary school for six years. Then they may attend high school for another six years, but their families must pay for the education.

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The country of Tanzania is home to some of the most awe-inspiring natural sites in Africa, including the continent's highest mountain and the world's second deepest lake. In...

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by
Tanzania, officially United Republic of Tanzania - known in Swahili as Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania -is a sovereign state in East Africa. It borders Kenya and Uganda in the North; Rwanda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of the Congo in the West, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the South; and the Indian Ocean to the East (source: Wikipedia).

Learn more about this beautiful country through these 10 Fun Facts about Tanzania for Kids, a few of which were received from my brother-in-law who grew up, studied, and currently lives there.

#1 Swahili and English are the two official languages of Tanzania.

While there are over 120 languages spoken in Tanzania, Swahili is the primary language of the social and political sphere as well as primary, secondary and adult education. English is the language of high schools, colleges, universities, and higher courts. Julius K. Nyerere, the first president known as "Father of the Nation" ( Baba Wa Taifa), was the one who unified the language system in Tanzania.

#2 Tanzania has 2 capital cities.

Dar Es Salaam is the former capital which still retains most of the government offices, and it is the largest city in the county.

Dodoma is the present capital where the Presidential office and a few government ministries are located.

#3 Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

It is the tallest mountain that stands by itself and doesn't belong to a mountain range. It is also the highest peak in Africa.

#4 Over 1/4 of the land belongs to wildlife parks and conservation areas.

The size of this area is as big as Germany and Belgium combined!

#5 The colours on the Tanzanian flag have different meanings:

Green: natural resources of the country.

Yellow: mineral deposits found in Tanzania.

Black: people of Tanzania whose majority is black African.

Blue: water bodies across the land.

#6 Zanzibar is not a country.

It is, however, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, with its own capital and a president.

It is also the birthplace of Freddie Mercury.

#7 Tanzania is a family-oriented nation.

During major holidays and vacations, Tanzanians prefer to spend time with family and close friends.

#8 Tanzanians are very polite and friendly.

People take pride in being polite and there are several mandatory greetings. For example, younger people greet older ones by saying " Shikamoo" (which literally translates as "I'm under your feet"), to which older ones always reply " Marahaba " ("Not too many times"). If you start a conversation without a greeting you are considered too proud and cold. So always have a smile and have some small talk ready when you start a conversation with a Tanzanian!

#9 Food in Tanzania is very diverse.

Ugali, beans, meat, cassava, and small fish ( dagaa) are some of the popular foods among Tanzanians.

#10 Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country.

Other popular sports are basketball and rugby.
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10 Fun Facts About Tanzania for Kids - Multicultural Kid Blogs

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by Tanzania, officially United Republic of Tanzania - known in Swahili as Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania -is a sovereign state in East Africa. It borders Kenya and Uganda in the North; Rwanda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of the Congo in the West, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the South; and the Indian Ocean to the East (source: Wikipedia).

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OFFICIAL NAME: United Republic of Tanzania
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
CAPITAL: Dodoma
AREA: 947,300 square kilometres
POPULATION: 47,173,000
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Kiswahili or Swahili, English
MONEY: Tanzanian shilling
FLAG:

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and includes the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Situated just south of the equator, Tanzania is bordered by the Indian Ocean and eight countries - Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

This beautiful country is home to Mount Kilamanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. Three of the largest lakes on the continent are also found in Tanzania - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika in the west and Lake Nysa in the southwest.

Tanzania's population includes around 120 different African tribal groups. The largest group is the Sukuma, who live in the north-western part of the country, south of Lake Victoria.

The country's earliest people were hunters and gatherers, who inhabited the land as far back as 5000BC. Around 800AD, traders moved to the country from India, Arabia and Persia (present day Iran), creating a diverse mix of peoples and cultures.

Today, about 90 percent of Tanzanians live in the rural areas and live off what they can grow on the land. In more recent years, however, people have started to migrate from the countryside to developing towns and cities.

A range of different religions are followed across Tanzania. Approximately one third of the population are Muslim, one third are Christians, and the remaining third follow traditional African religions.

The country's favourite sports are football and boxing.

Tanzania has lots of amazing wildlife! Some of Africa"s most famous mammal species are native to this beautiful country, including the wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses can be found along riverbanks and the shores of lakes, and giant turtles live off the coast, too!

Tanzania has a number of important national parks and nature reserves - such as the Selous Game Reserve, where one of the largest populations of elephants live, and The Gombe Stream National Park, where animal expert Dr Jane Goodall carried out her famous research on chimps in their natural habitat. The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's oldest and most popular park for tourists, is home to over 1.7 million wildebeest and about a million other animals.

Sadly, many of Tanzania's wildlife species are endangered or threatened due to illegal poaching.

Tanzania has a president, who is the head of the country. Presidents are elected through a General Election, held once every five years. Zanzibar has its own President, assembly and laws.

Tanzania's national and political capital is a city called Dodoma, located in the centre of the country. Until 1974, the capital was Dar es Salaam, on the east coast of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam is still the country's biggest and richest city, and many government offices remain there.

African tribes have lived in the area that is now Tanzania for thousands of years. In the 18th century, Arab traders used the native people as slaves. During this time, Zanzibar became the centre for the Arab slave trade.

From 1890, Britain controlled Zanzibar, and Germany controlled Tanganyika (today an area in mainland Tanzania), until Britain gained full control of the region following World War II. In 1964 the i ndependent nation of Tanzania formed when Zanzibar and Tanganyika merged as one.

Some of the world's oldest human settlements have been found in Tanzania, at a site called Olduvai Gorge. The hundreds of fossilised bones and stone tools excavated here, are over two millions years old! These fossils have been important in the study of human evolution.

Photos an illustrations: Getty Images UK
Words from kids.nationalgeographic.com
Figures accurate at time of publication, August 2015

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Country Fact File: Tanzania! - National Geographic Kids

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OFFICIAL NAME: United Republic of Tanzania FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic CAPITAL: Dodoma AREA: 947,300 square kilometres POPULATION: 47,173,000 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Kiswahili or Swahili, English MONEY: Tanzanian shilling FLAG: Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and includes the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.

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Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version Download sample
See the fact file below for more information on the country of Turkey or alternatively, you can download our comprehensive worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
General Information:

Capital: Ankara

Population: 70,413,958 (July 2006 est.)

Government: Republican parliamentary democracy

Money: Turkish lira (YTL); old Turkish lira (TRL) before 1 January 2005

Climate: Temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in the interior

Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, Kabardian.Note: there is also a substantial Gagauz population in the European part of Turkey

Fun Facts

The world's oldest shipwreck was found in Kas. It is currently on display at the Submarine Archaeology Museum.

The world's most precious silk carpet is stored in the Mevlana Museum, which is located in Konya.

The first ever coins known to man were discovered in Sfard during the seventh century, B.C.

The first ever university is located in Harran.

Istanbul was the capital of three empires for 2,000 years: the Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine Empires.

Carpets are very important in Turkish culture. Seen as religious symbols, they are used in mosques.

It is said that name of the country Turkey come from an Italian word "Turchia", which was used to refer to Anatolia - Turkey's Asian portion - as early as the 12th century. The

Turks didn't use the name Türkiye (Land of the Turks) officially until the republic was established in 1923.

The father of the Turks is Gazi Mustafa Kemal, a.k.a. Atatürk. The founder of modern Turkey was born in 1881 in what was then the Ottoman city of Selanik, now Salonika, in Greece.

The first Christian church to be built in Antioch, Turkey, was the Cave Church, or Grotto, of St. Peter that was built between 1098 and 1268 A.D.

The oldest known human city is Çatalhöyük in Turkey, which shows signs of settlement from the 7th century B.C.

The stones found at Göbekli Tepe in Turkey in 1994 are considered the world's first temple and one of the most important archaeological sites ever discovered.

Turkey is home to the world's oldest sporting event, grease wrestling, which is also its national sport. Wrestlers cover themselves with olive oil and attempt to either pin their opponents on the ground or lift them up and walk three steps. The first grease wrestling game was hosted in 1362.

One of the world's earliest civilizations, the Hittites, flourished in Turkey around 1600 B.C. They were among the first people to work iron and use a system of writing.

Turkey is the birthplace of historical figures such as Aesop; Homer; St. Paul; King Midas; Galen, a noted physician, surgeon, medical researcher and philosopher in the Roman Empire; and Herodotus, the father of history.

Establishment Of Modern Turkey:

The aftermath of World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire prompted the establishment of the Turkish national movement.

It was led by Mustafa Kemal, a military commander who distinguished himself during the Battle of Gallipoli in the Turkish War of Independence.

On November 1, 1922, the newly founded Turkish parliament formally abolished the Sultanate, thus ending 623 years of Ottoman rule.

Turkey was a neutral country during World War II, hence, keeping relative peace within its territory.

Turkey is a democracy. Ever since Turkey became the Republic of Turkey after WWI, the country has been a parliamentary democracy. There is a president of the republic, but he is largely a figurehead and symbolic in nature.

True executive power lies with the prime minister, who is elected when his party holds the majority in Parliament, much like Great Britain. Voting rights begin for both sexes at the age of 18, and every citizen is free to vote.

Geography

Turkey is a transcontinental Eurasian country. Asian Turkey, which includes 97 percent of the country, is separated from European Turkey by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles.

Turkey is divided into seven geographical regions: Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean.

Turkey's Black Sea coastline stretches for 1,650 km. That's the same distance as Paris to Berlin.

Istanbul is the world's only city spanning two continents and only 3% of Turkey is in Europe.

Turkey Worksheets

This bundle includes 10 ready-to-use Turkey worksheets that are perfect for students to learn about Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, which is a contiguous transcontinental parliamentary republic largely located in Western Asia, with the portion of Eastern Thrace in Southeastern Europe.
This download includes the following worksheets:

Turkey Facts

Quick Quiz - Truth of Bluff

Of Turkish Origin - Mark the Source

The Longest Word - Word Creator

Turkish Symbols

Hagia Sophia - Coloring

Proverbs - I Translate

The Founder - Autobiography

Tasty Kebab - How to 101

Touring Turkey

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Turkey Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 12, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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Turkey Facts, Worksheets, Climate, Geography & History For Kids

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Turkey is a contiguous transcontinental parliamentary republic largely located in Western Asia, with the portion of Eastern Thrace in Southeastern Europe. Click to see the fact file below for more information on the country of Turkey or alternatively, you can download our comprehensive worksheet pack.

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The Republic of Turkey lies partly in Asia and partly in Europe. For centuries Turkey was the heart of two great empires-the Christian Byzantine Empire and the Islamic...

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

About 4,000 years ago, the Hittites created an empire in the central part of what is now called Turkey in Anatolia. They ruled for hundreds of years. The Trojan War took place when the Hittites were losing power. The ruins of the city of Troy are believed to be in the city of Hissarlik in Anatolia.

King Midas ruled western Turkey around 700 B.C. In 334 B.C., Alexander the Great took Anatolia under Macedonian Greek rule until Rome took over and Anatolia became part of Roman Asia Minor. In A.D. 330, Constantine became the Roman emperor and formed a new capital called Constantinople. After the fall of the Roman Empire it became part of the Byzantine Empire.

The city of Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453 and Turkey became part of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, the country was invaded by Greece, which led to the Turkish war of Independence in 1920, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 1923, the Turkish assembly declared Turkey a republic.

The city formally became Istanbul in 1923. Turkey became a secular country, meaning there is a separation between religion and government. Women gained the right to vote in 1934.

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

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All About Auroras: Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis for Kids - FreeSchool

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Finland is a wild, northern country that borders Russia. The people who live here call their country "Suomi." For hundreds of years, Sweden ruled Finland. Then Russia ruled it. Finally, in 1917, Finland gained independence.

Finland has its own culture and language, which is different from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Forests cover most of the country and many people work as loggers. Children in Finland don't start school until they are seven, yet their test scores are very high.

Fun Facts about Finland for Kids

The capital of Finland is Helsinki.

The President of Finland is Sanna Marin

Finland has 117,610 square miles of land.

5,542,517 people live in Finland (data taken 2018)

People speak Finnish and Swedish.

Most people are Christian.

The government is a multiparty democracy.

The dollar is the Euro (currency).

99 percent of adults can read.

People in Finland can expect to live 81.2 years.

At 1324 m Halti is the highest mountain in Finland.

Flowing for 550 km Kemijoki is Finland's longest river.

Santa Claus has his workshop in Lapland, Northern Finland.

Finland Vocabulary

Learn More All about Finland

Here's a great video for kids all about Finland:

A video documentary showcasing a change in lifestyle and culture in Finland.

Finland Q&A

Question: What do people like to do in Finland?

Answer: The sauna was created here. A sauna is a wooden room that is filled with steam. Families sit in saunas to relax and cleanse their bodies.

___________

Answer: Finland is surrounded by water on three sides. There are also 50,000 lakes in the country.

Map of Finland

Here's a map of the country of Finland and all its cities and villages. Zoom in to get into street level or zoom out to see other countries around Finland! You can see the terrain, but also see the roads, images of the buildings and even take a 3D tour through the streets of the cities of Finland, as though you are actually there!

Enjoyed the Easy Geography for Kids all about Finland info? Take the FREE & fun all about Finland quiz and download FREE Finland worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Finland is a wild, northern country that borders Russia. The people who live here call their country "Suomi." For hundreds of years, Sweden ruled Finland. Then Russia ruled it. Finally, in 1917, Finland gained independence. Finland has its own culture and language, which is different from Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

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Junior Jetsetters Finland Facts for Kids CHRISTMAS EDITION

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Interesting Finland Facts for Kids

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

Finland Facts

Population: 5.5 million people live in Finland (2019)

Capital: Helsinki with over 648 000 inhabitants

Name: Republic of Finland, in Finnish: Suomi

Government: Republic, parliamentary democracy

Languages: Finnish (88%) and Swedish

Religion: mainly Christians (more than 71% are Evangelical Lutheran)

Life expectancy: 78 years (men) and 84 years (women)

Currency: 1 Euro (€) = 100 cents

National Symbols: Swan (national bird), brown bear (national animal), lily-of-the-valley (national flower), silver birch (national tree)

National Day: 6 December (Independence Day)

National Flag: The flag colours depict the blue of the lakes and the white of the snow. The anthem called 'Maame' (meaning 'Our Land')

: Finland was settled already around 200 BC. In 12th century invaded by the Swedes and christianised. It was first a province and later Grand Duchy of Sweden. In the 17th and 18th century Russians claimed the territory and Finland was made an autonomous Grand Duchy of Russia. Finland gained its independence on 6 December 1917.

Finland Geography
Where is Finland? - Finland Map

Finland is a country in northern Europe. Finland belongs to the Scandinavian countries which also include Norway and Sweden. It is the easternmost country of the Scandinavian countries.

Finland borders Sweden to the West, Norway to the North, Russia to the East and the Baltic Sea to the South, Southwest and Southeast.

Finland is slightly smaller than Norway or Germany or Montana/USA. Finland's land area is about half the size of Texas/USA. The country is among Europe's most sparsely populated countries with Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

A flight to Helsinki takes a three hours from London/UK, or eight hours from New York/USA.

The highest point in Finland is the Halti on the border to Norway in Lapland. It is 1 324m/ 4 344 ft high.

The longest river in Finland is called Kemijoki.

Helsinki is the northernmost capital city of continental Europe.

Finland is among the most forested countries in the world. Finland is the most forested country in Europe.

Finland has over 187 000 lakes and is the country with the most lakes. Finland has the largest lake district in Europe.

Finland borders three countries: Norway, Sweden and Russia with the longest border shared between Finland and Russia.

As Finland is one of the most northern countries and the area extends into the Arctic region, you can experience the Northern lights and Midnight sun in Finland.

Finland Facts | Finland Economy

Finland's natural resources include timber, iron ore, copper and zink. Hydroenergy is the main energy source in Finland.

About 72% of the country is covered by forests, lakes and moors. Agriculture is mainly limited to the coastal regions.

Wood and paper are among the most dominant export products as are manufactured goods and technology.

The main trading partners of Finland are Sweden and Germany.

Among the biggest Finnish companies are Nokia, which is one of the world's largest network equipment manufacturers, and engineering company KONE which many will know from their elevators or moving walkways.

Whilst the capital city Helsinki is the largest city of Finland, other big cities include Espoo, Turku, Tampere and Oulu. The interior areas are sparsely populated, with most inhabitants living in the Southern parts of the country or along the coastline.

Finland is the only Scandinavian country that uses the Euro as their currency, while all other Nordic countries have not joined the European monetary union or opted out of the Euro (as Denmark did).

Finland Attractions and Landmarks

Here are our favourite Finland attractions for kids:

Helsinki: The capital and main cultural city of Finland is nicknamed "Daughter of the Baltic". Helsinki Cathedral, which is also referred to as St Nicholas Cathedral overlooks together with the Government Palace and the University building the city's huge main square called Senate Square. Sederholm House is known as the oldest building in Helsinki, built in 1757. Today, the popular City Museum is located in the building.

The capital of Finnish Lapland is home to the Santa Claus Village. The northern town of Finland is also the center of the husky sledding and snowmobile safaris and here you can go exploring on arctic circle hiking trails. This is also a good place to marvel at the northern lights (also called Rovaniemi:aurora borealis) in winter. In summertime, from early June to early July the sun does not set and midnight sun can be experienced.

Tampere: The city in the interior of southern Finland is known for its arts scene and science museums. Great visits for families include the open-air museum that offers insights into life of the Finnish workers in the last century or the Labour museum that displays a huge steam engine, the Spy museum with displays of the world's most famous spies or the Moomin Museum that focuses on original sketches of Tove Jansson.

Rauma: This southwestern town is one of the oldest towns in Finland and a UNESCO World Heritage site for its wooden buildings.

Turku: The medieval fortress dates back to the 13th century. In the old town, the market hall and the many museums are worth many a visit.

A strong Swedish influence can be experienced in the old centre of this city. Vaasa is known for its Swedish community and maritime history which can be learned in various museums. such as the open-air museum at Brage.

Finland Facts| Languages

The official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish. Finnish belongs to the finno-ugric languages and together with the Hungarian language is often said to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.

Whilst the mother tongue of the vast majority people in Finland is Finnish, there are minor groups of Swedish speakers. Some other minority languages such as Sámi (or Saami) or Karelian are registered as official languages in some regions too.

Three of the ten Sámi languages that are still spoken in Finland. The indigenous language in Finland is called Sami - which includes several Sámi languages. In Finland there are about 10,000 speakers of the Sámi language.

Finland Facts | Finland People

The Sámi people are Finland's indigenous people. Some of the Sámi also live in Sweden, Norway and Russia and count in total about 75,000 people. Did you know that the Sámi people are the only recognised indigenous people in the EU area?

There are only few Sámi-language schools in Finland, but more and more schools offer bilingual education so that the languages do not die out. Finland is ranked as one of the best countries for its strong education system.

Finnish school children go to school in the mornings and usually join clubs in the afternoon. A long tradition in Helsinki schools is the participation in the annual magazine written and produced by primary school children from grades 1 to 6 to support local charities. The magazine called Kevätpörriäinen (Buzzing Spring Bee) first appeared in 1949 and is created every spring, it is sold in schools and by school children who raise funds for charitable causes.

Ice hockey, ice skating and cross-country skiing are popular sports in winter. Finnish pastimes in the summer months include swimming, various watersports and fishing.

Most families have their own sauna at home or in their apartment block, some visit public saunas as well. There are about 1.5 million saunas in the country - with 5.5 million inhabitants!

Famous Finnish People | Famous Finns

Famous Finns are:

Kimi Räikkönen: Formula One World Champion

Mika Häkkinen (nicknamed "The Flying Finn): Formula One World Driver

Tove Marika Jansson (1914 - 2001): comic strip author, painter and illustrator, famous for the Moomin characters and comics

Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957): Finnish composer and violinist

Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877): Finland's most celebrated poet, playwright and patriot. Runeberg wrote of the text of the Finnish anthem. Finland celebrates Runeberg Day on the anniversary of the poet's birthday 5 February.

Finland Facts | Finland Animals

The Finnish national bird is the whooper swan which is also featured on the Finnish 1 euro coin.

The national animal is the brown bear. There are still about 2 000 of these fascinating mammals roaming around freely in Finland. The male bears can weigh up to 300kg and hunt mainly deer and elks (moose). The eastern borderlands are the best places to see bears in their natural habitat.

In Finland you can also see caribou and reindeer which roam freely in the countryside.

Finland Facts | Food in Finland

Typical Finnish food includes:

Kalakukko is considered the national dish of Finland. It consists of fish, pork and bacon baked inside a bread dough. Finns drink buttermilk with this dish.

Ruisreikäleipä: round flat disk of bread. This Finnish rye bread has a hole in the middle and is lighter and softer than German rye bread

Hernekeitto: pea soup consists of mushed peas cooked with onion and mustard. Sometimes pork or minced meat is added. Traditionally eaten every Thursday, it is still served on this day in many Finnish restaurants. Thick sweet pancakes that have been baked in the oven and are then topped with jam are usually served as desert after the soup.

Runebergintorttu: known as Runeberg Cakes: cake and bread crumb pastry is baked in tray similar to the usual muffin mould but higher, topped with raspberry jam- originally created by Runeberg's wife Fredrika.

Interesting Finland Facts
Did you know...?

... that many Finns own holiday homes in the countryside. They visit their holiday cabins or cottages which are called mökki after Midsummer, which is usually celebrated between 20th and 26th June. In 2020, Midsummer will be celebrated with bonfires on 20 June. There they spend their time with swimming in the nearby lakes, hiking, cycling or fishing and barbecues.

Finland Facts for Kids
Useful Resources

Finland Promotion Board. "A Guide to Finnish Customs and Manners." This is Finland. Accessed 6 December 2019

Finland Promotion Board. "A Finnish Poet and his Pastry". This is Finland. Accessed 6 December 2019

Institute for the Languages of Finland. "Languages of Finland." Kotus.fi. Accessed 6 December 2019

Central Intelligence Agency. "Europe: Finland." World Fact Book. Update 26 October 2019. Accessed 6 December 2019

Finland Facts | Related Pages

We hope you enjoyed reading our Finland Facts for Kids. Make sure to bookmark this page, as we plan to add on more information to make this page even more interesting, not only for children:-)
Picture credits on this page: Images by SXC.hu and Shutterstock.com Return from Finland Facts to Kids World Travel Guide Homepage

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Finland Facts for Kids | Finland for Kids | Geography | Attractions

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

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Finland's capital city, Helsinki, sits on the country's southern coast alongside the Gulf of Finland.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Finland

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary republic

CAPITAL: Helsinki

POPULATION: 5,571,665

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Finnish, Swedish

MONEY: Euro

AREA: 130,558 square miles (338,143 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Scandinavian Mountains

MAJOR RIVERS: Kemi, Luiro, Muonio, Oulu, Teno, Torne

Finland is part of Scandinavia, a geographical region in northern Europe, and shares land borders with Norway, Sweden, and Russia. The Baltic Sea borders the country to the south and southwest. The coastline in this part of the country is speckled with nearly 180,000 small islands. Finland's remote northern province, known as Lapland, sits above the Arctic Circle.

The Finnish landscape is mostly flat, though the Scandinavian Mountains stretch into the northwestern part of the country. Finland is heavily forested, with over 70 percent of the country covered by thick woodlands. Called "land of a thousand lakes," Finland actually has 187,888 of them.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

A majority of the people living in Finland were born and raised in the country, and nearly 90 percent of the population speaks Finnish. Finland is also home to the Sami, a herding people once known as the Lapps. They live in Lapland, where they herd reindeer.

Many Finnish cultural customs reflect its forested landscape. While other European cultures historically viewed forests as dark and threatening, the Finns see forests as places of shelter and adventure. Today, many Finns have second homes in the woods to escape city life.

Another popular Finnish tradition is taking a sauna-steaming in a superheated room-and then jumping into an icy lake. The country of some five million people is home to about 1.5 million saunas. Much of the population has saunas in their home, and many big companies have saunas for their employees. Finnish saunas are almost always constructed with wood from birch trees.

Finns pride themselves as being the global capital of heavy metal music. They boast more than 50 metal bands per 100,000 people-that's more metal bands per person than any other country in the world. The country hosts a number of metal music festivals every year, mostly during the summer.

Finland is located so far north that much of the country receives nearly 24 hours of sunlight during the summer. But the winters are freezing and start in December and can last until May, with 24-hour sunless nights. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, can be seen in the Lapland region of Finland regularly in the fall, winter, and spring.

Lapland is home to Finland's largest national parks. Nearly 30 percent of the region is protected by the government, and the barren landscape is occupied mostly by reindeer and the Sami people.

Finland's forests are primarily filled with Scots pine, Norway spruce, and birch blanket trees. Brown bears, elk, gray wolves, wolverines, and lynx (the only wild cat species in the country) all roam the woods. Finland's coastal islands are home to numerous species of seabirds, like the Arctic tern and black-backed gull.

Ducks and other waterfowl live in the thousands of lakes scattered throughout the country. The endangered Saimaa ringed seal, one of just three lake seal species in the world, is found only in the Saimaa lake system of southeastern Finland.

GOVERNMENT

Finland is a parliamentary republic. The parliament (called Eduskunta) is the legislative branch of the government; it's led by a president, who-along with parliament members-is elected by the public. The president appoints a prime minister to lead the cabinet, which is the executive branch. The prime minister is the head of the government, but the president is the head of the armed forces. In 2003, Finland made history when both their president and prime minister were women, the first time that had happened in Europe.

Finland had been one of the best-performing economies in Europe before 2009, but recently an aging population has slowed down the exchange of goods and money in the country. Currently over 75 percent of the labor force works in the service industry, such as in hotels and restaurants. The country's top business is manufacturing, particularly in the wood, metals, and electronics industries.

The first inhabitants of present-day Finland arrived about 9,000 years ago. Those early people were the ancestors of Lapland's current Sami herders.

For much of the Viking era (A.D. 793-1066), many countries fought for control of Finland. During this time, the Finns supplied furs to Vikings, who passed through the country on their way to Russia. When the Viking era ended in the 11th century, both the Russians and the Swedes tried to claim Finland. The conflict between Russia and Sweden evolved into a religious rivalry, resulting in the pope-the head of the Catholic Church-declaring Finland a Swedish territory in 1120. Finland remained a part of Sweden until 1809, when Russia won control of the country.

More than a hundred years later, in 1917, Finland finally declared independence from Russia after the Russian Revolution, when Russian citizens overthrew their leader to form an elected government. Finland has remained an independent country ever since.

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Finland Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Finland's capital city, Helsinki, sits on the country's southern coast alongside the Gulf of Finland. OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Finland FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary republic CAPITAL: Helsinki POPULATION: 5,571,665 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Finnish, Swedish MONEY: Euro AREA: 130,558 square miles (338,143 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Scandinavian Mountains MAJOR RIVERS: Kemi, Luiro, Muonio, Oulu, Teno, Torne Finland is part of Scandinavia, a geographical region in northern Europe, and shares land borders with Norway, Sweden, and Russia.

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

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Here you can learn all about the continent of Europe! It includes a wide variety of facts and info on very interesting countries which you can learn about below.

Some of these we are sure you have heard of already - Germany, Italy, Ireland and many more.

There may be others that are new to you though, so let's dive in!

Some popular countries include Germany and Italy, but you can explore all of Europe below!

Germany is one the largest countries in Europe, and has one of the biggest economies not only in Europe but also the world.

Its most famous cities include Berlin and Munich, but did you know that Germany is also full of rivers and forests!

Italy is probably one of the most famous and most popular countries on Earth! Pasta, pizza, Pisa!

From its amazing food to its beautiful scenery and friendly people, Italy sure is a beautiful country. Learn all about it.
French Flag Facts
Learn all about the fascinating history of the flag of France.

European Countries List:

Europe History

More on Europe

More on Geography.

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Europe Facts and Information (Fun for Kids in [year])

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Europe Facts and Information Here you can learn all about the continent of Europe! It includes a wide variety of facts and info on very interesting countries which you can learn about below. Some of these we are sure you have heard of already - Germany, Italy, Ireland and many more.

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Poland is a large country in Eastern Europe. It has borders with seven other European countries and a population of almost 40 million people. The people of Poland speak Polish and are known as Poles and most of them are Roman Catholics ( Christians).

Poland has a rich history and culture. Due to its location at the centre of Europe, the country has had a turbulent history and suffered many years of invasion and war.

Today Poland is known for its music, food and beautiful cities.

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Poland is a large country in Eastern Europe. It has borders with seven other European countries and a population of almost 40 million people. The people of Poland speak Polish and are known as Poles and most of them are Roman Catholics (Christians). Poland has a rich history and culture.

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Things to do in Poland: Tourist hints and tips (Baron Grindwal)

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FAST FACTS
OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Poland
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
CAPITAL: Warsaw
POPULATION: 38,346,279
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Polish
MONEY: Zloty
AREA: 120,728 square miles (312,685 square kilometers)
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Carpathians, Sudetens
MAJOR RIVERS: Vistula, Oder

GEOGRAPHY
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.

PEOPLE AND 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.

NATURE
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.

Zloty

GOVERNMENT AND 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.

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FAST FACTS OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Poland FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic CAPITAL: Warsaw POPULATION: 38,346,279 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Polish MONEY: Zloty AREA: 120,728 square miles (312,685 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Carpathians, Sudetens MAJOR RIVERS: Vistula, Oder GEOGRAPHY Poland is located at the heart of the European continent.

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We really don't think you or your kids will have a problem getting interested in Italy. There's no shortage of things to know about this old, artistic and cultural country. But still, we thought it would be helpful to create a list of fun facts about Italy to share with your kids, while you're traveling or before you go, to keep their interest sparking and alive.

Italy Facts

1. Italy looks like a high-heeled boot jutting into the Mediterranean Sea. The boot seems to be kicking a weirdly shaped ball: the island of Sicily.

2. The country is made up of twenty regions, which often speak in their own dialect of Italian and eat their own regional food dishes.

3. Italy's biggest cities are Rome, Naples and Milan. Florence, Pisa and Venice are a few other Italian cities that are known around the world for their beauty. Read: 15 Places to Visit in Italy

4. Italian is Italy's official language, which has its roots in the ancient and dead language of Latin. If you listen while people are speaking, the language can sound like a song. Many expressions in Italian are accompanied by hand gestures with very specific meanings.

5. Italians celebrate many holidays, and they like to get together with their family to eat big meals. The two most important are Christmas and Ferragosto, on August 15, when everyone heads to the beach. Easter is also a very popular holiday in Italy. Many people come to gather in St. Peter's Square in Rome to see and listen to the Pope. Read: What To Eat in Italy During Easter

Rome History

6. Rome is Italy's capital city and was founded on April 21, 753 BC. That makes the city more than 2,500 years old!

7. Rome was also the capital of the Roman Empire, which was-about 2,000 years ago-the most powerful and rich empire around. The city was full of people who came to worship at the city's famous temples, to shop in its busy shopping streets and to live in its apartment buildings, many of the same things that people in Rome do today.

8. After the Roman Empire fell, Rome became the capital of Christianity. The Pope is still based in Rome, actually in the Vatican City, which is one of the smallest countries in the world.

9. Italy bursted with artistic talents during the years called the Renaissance, 1400-1500s. These were the years of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael, great painters, sculptors and inventors who changed art forever. You can see their famous works throughout Italy and beyond.

10. Italy only became a country in 1861, 150 years ago.

Italian Food Facts

11. Most Italians eat pasta at least once a day. But that doesn't mean they eat the same thing every day! There so many ways to eat pasta, with a variety of different toppings and sauces, that they never get bored.

12. Each region in Italy has it's favourite ways to eat pasta. In Rome, two classics are the carbonara (with eggs and pancetta, which is like bacon) and the cacio e pepe (with cheese and pepper).

13. Pizza was invented in Naples, Italy. There are two classic types of pizza: one topped with a simple red sauce and is called marinara (or rossa) and the other, topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella, is called the margherita after Queen Margherita. But there are many more toppings in Italy than these two. Read: Where To Find the Best Pizza in Rome

14. Italians eat seasonally, which means the food that is on their dinner table is influenced by what vegetables are growing in the fields. For instance, winter is the time for artichokes and summer is the time for green beans and eggplant.

15. Most people in Italy shop in several stores and outside markets for their food, not one big supermarket. They buy their bread from the baker, their vegetables from the farmer, their meat from the butcher. It might take a long time to do the grocery shopping, but it ensures that all the food is fresh and extra delicious. Read: Italian Food Is More Than Just Pizza & Pasta

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Contact This post contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. info(at)e atingeurope.com with Blog Enquiry in the subject title for any feedback or requests for a topic you want us to cover. Voted one of the best things to do in Rome, Eating Italy Food Tours offer tours in Rome through the city's oldest and most characteristic neighborhoods.

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15 Fun and Interesting Italy Facts for Kids

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Fifteen fun facts about Italy to make your family trip more interesting and enjoyable for your kids

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When you think of Italy, what springs to mind? The Leaning Tower of Pisa? Yummy pizza and pasta, perhaps? Well, there's a lot more to this incredible country, gang - see for yourselves with our fascinating facts about Italy ...

Official Name: Italian Republic
Form of Government: Republic
Capital: Rome
Population: 60, 606, 230
Official Language: Italian
Money: Euro
Area: 301,277 square kilometres
Major Mountain Ranges: Alps, Apennines
Major Rivers: Po, Adige, Arno, Tiber

Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula that juts out of southern Europe into the Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea and other waters. Its location has played an important role throughout its history.

The sea surrounds Italy, and mountains crisscross the interior, dividing the land into regions. The Alps cut across the top of the country and are streaked with long, thin glacial lakes. From the western end of the Alps, the Apennines mountains stretch south down the entire peninsula.

West of the Apennines are wooded hills that are home to many of Italy's historic cities, including Rome. In the south are hot, dry coastlands and fertile plains where olives, almonds, figs and other crops are grown.

For 22 centuries, Italians and their ancestors have hunted wild animals, cleared fields and grazed livestock. As a result, forests that once covered large areas of the country are gone. But the country's remote places still have wilderness largely untouched by humans. The lower slopes of Italy's Alps remain covered with thick forests, and above these woodlands are meadows where specially adapted wildflowers bloom.

Amongst the amazing mammals found in Italy are the Eurasian lynx, Italian wolf, Roe deer and Etruscan shrew - the smallest land mammal in the world! Sadly, however, human activity and habitat loss has put much of Italy's awesome animals under threat. To help protect them, National Parks have been set up, such as Abruzzo National Park - the only place in the world where the critically endangered Marsican brown bear can be found.

Throughout Italy, millions of beautiful birds stop to rest during their annual migration to Africa.

Italy's location on the Mediterranean linked it with the trade routes of the ancient civilisations that developed in the region. With the city of Rome's rise to power, the Italian peninsula became the centre of a huge empire that lasted for centuries.

Italy's first societies emerged around 1200 BC. Around 800 BC, Greeks settled in the south and a civilisation called the Etruscans arose in central Italy.

By the sixth century BC, the Etruscans had created a group of states called Etruria. Meanwhile, Latin and Sabine people south of Etruria merged to form a strong city-state called Rome.

Etruscan kings ruled Rome for nearly a hundred years. But the Romans kicked out the Etruscans in 510 BC and went on to conquer the whole peninsula. They then set out to build a vast empire which, at its greatest extent in AD 117, stretched from Portugal to Syria to Britain to North Africa. Pretty huge, eh?

The first sole emperor of Rome, Octavian, took power in 27 BC and took the name Augustus Caesar. The empire flourished for more than 400 years, but by the fourth century AD it was in decline. In 395, the empire was split in two, and in 476, Germanic tribes from the north toppled the last emperor.

In the 12th century, Italian city-states began to rise again and grow rich on trade. But Italy remained a patchwork of territories, some of which were controlled by foreign powers. Beginning in 1859, an uprising forced the foreigners out, and in 1861 the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed.

In 1914, Italy took the side of the United Kingdom and the United States in World War I, but was left in poverty at war's end. Benito Mussolini and his Fascist Party rose to power soon after, promising to restore Italy to its former glory. He ruled as a dictator and entered World War II on the side of Germany and Japan. In the final days of the war in 1945, Mussolini was captured and executed.

Throughout history, Italian art, architecture and culture have had an influence around the world. Famed Italian painters include Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Italy is also at the heart of the Catholic Church, which is governed from the Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome.

The family is at the centre of Italian society. Young people often live at home until they are in their 30s, even if they have a job. When parents retire, they often go to live with their children.

Italians are also known for their love of food! Many Italian dishes have become popular worldwide, such as their famous pizza Margherita, spaghetti Bolognese and super-tasty tiramisu!

In Italy, politics can often be exciting and noisy. Crowds gather in the streets to protest government policies or to show support for their party.

Since World War II, Italy has enjoyed an economic transformation. Industry grew, and by the mid-1960s, Italy had become one of the world's leading economies. Today, the country's main exports include machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, plastics and clothing. Tourism is also an important part of Italy's economy, with millions of people visiting every year to enjoy the country's famous cities, historical buildings and beautiful beaches!

Map of Italy: National Geographic Maps. Ancient ruins, Italy: Horst Gossmann, Dreamstime. Florence Cathedral: Dmitry Rozhdestvenskiy, Dreamstime. Fresh pasta: Stevanzz, Dreamstime. St. Peter's Square, Vatican City: Viorel Dudau, Dreamstime.

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Italy facts: check out this beautiful country! | National Geographic Kids

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When you think of Italy, what springs to mind? The Leaning Tower of Pisa? Yummy pizza and pasta, perhaps? Well, there's a lot more to this incredible country, gang - see for yourselves with our fascinating facts about Italy ...

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10 Interesting Facts about Italy - Fun Facts for Kids | Educational Videos by Mocomi

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

Population: About 61 million people live in Italy (2023)

Capital: Roma (Rome) with 4.3 million inhabitants

Name: Repubblica Italiana (Italian Republic) or simply: Italia, Nickname: 'Bel Paese' which means beautiful country

Government: Democracy, Republic

Language: Italian. Official minority languages are German, French and Ladin in some regions in Northern Italy

Literacy: More than 98% can read and write

Religion: mainly Christians (80%, of theses most are Roman Catholics)

Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents, before 2001: Italian Lira

History: Rome was founded in 753 BC by the twins Romulus and Remus. The Roman Empire was founded in 27 BC and Augustus Caesar proclaimed himself emperor of Rome in 31 BC. After the Roman Empire broke down in 395 AD, there were many separate kingdoms and city states. Italy became one nation only in 1861. Since then the country also includes the islands of Sicily and Sardegna. The 'Kingdom of Italy' lasted from 1861 until 1946. During the Second World War, Italy's Prime Minister Benito Mussolini sided with the German Nazi regime. The Italian Republic was formed in 1946.

Prime Minister: Giorgia Meloni (since 2022)

National Day: 2 June (Festa della Repubblica)

National Symbols: Italian grey wolf (national animal), red rose or white lily (national flowers) and the white five-pointed star with a thin red border line

Flag: 'Tricolore' with green, white and red coloured vertical bands. The flag colours are said to represent these virtues: hope (green), faith (white), and charity (red)

Italy Facts
Where is Italy?

Italy is a country in Southern Europe. The country is located on a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Adriatic Sea borders the eastern side of the peninsula while the Ligurian Sea and the Thyrrenian Sea border the western coastline of Italy. The Ionian Sea is to the south of the peninsula.

Italy borders six countries: France, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Vatican City and San Marino. Both, Vatican City and San Marino, are enclaves within Italy as you can see on the map.

Italy Map

The country is easy to recognize on any world map, as the country is shaped like a high-heeled boot, as you can see on the map above. The island of Sicily could be imagined as a ball, so that it looks like the boot is kicking a ball, don't you think?

Italy is slightly larger in size than the three countries of the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium combined or about as big as the state of Arizona/ USA.

A flight to Italy's capital city Rome takes roughly 2.5 hours from London/ UK and about 8 hours from New York/ USA.

Italy Facts | Italy Geography

Italy has more than 7,600 km/ 4,722 miles of coastline as the peninsula is located for a large part in the Mediterranean sea.

Italy is popular for its many picturesque ports, scenic lakes and sandy beaches.

Italy has two bigger islands, Sicily to the south and Sardegna to the west.

Two islands of Italy, Lampedusa and Lampione, are located far to the south and are closer to Africa than to Italy. Both islands are on the African continental shelf.

There are many smaller islands such as Capri, Ischia and Elba which are all to the west of mainland Italy.

The main cities in Italy are Roma/Rome, Milano/Milan, Firenze/Florence and Napoli/Naples.

The Alps and the Apennines are the two main mountain ranges in Italy. About 40% of the country is covered by hills and mountains.

In the North, the mountain range of the Alps separates Italy from the other European countries France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

The highest mountains of Italy can be found in the Alps. The Dolomites are a part of the Alps mountain range in Italy's north and many of the peaks are above 3,000 m/ 9,843 ft high!

There are many lakes in northern Italy, in the centre of the country, the landscape flattens, this flat area is called the Po Valley.

The Apennines mountain range run all the way down the boot and separates the eastern and the western regions of Italy.

And did you know that in Italy, there are still active volcanos?

In the South of Italy you will find Italy's three active volcanoes: Vesuvius near Naples, Etna on Sicily and Stromboli off the Coast of Italy.

Italy Facts | Italy Geography Superlatives

Here are some fascinating Italy facts that are always good to know:

Italy's largest island is Sicily. This island is also the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The biggest city of the country is Rome with 4.2 million people.

The highest mountain peak in Italy is Monte Bianco, better known as Mont Blanc, which is 4,807 m or 15,776 ft. high.

The longest river in Italy is the Po River in Northern Italy with a length of 652 km/ 405 miles.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in northern Italy and famous for the winds that attract many surfers to its shores.

The longest border to any neighbouring country is shared with Switzerland. This border is 698 km/ 434 miles long.

The Etna is the most active volcano in Europe. It is located on the island of Sicily.

And again, remember, Italy surrounds two of the world's smallest countries! These are San Marino in Northern Italy, which is also the oldest republic in the world, and Vatican City in Rome, the smallest country in the world.

Italy Facts
Italy Attractions for Kids

Rome: Italy's capital city is a wonderful place to learn about the Romans and ancient history. There are so many historic sites in the city that is nicknamed 'Eternal City' and you must visit historic monuments as as the Foro Romano (Forum Romanum) with its ancient Roman ruins or the Colosseo.

Venice: This Northern Italian city is often referred to as 'Lagoon City' or 'The City of Masks'. The Italian name of the city is Venezia. Venice is famous for its canals, bridges and gondolas. The city is built on 120 islands and is known for its colourful carnival.

Pisa: The city on the river Arno is famous for its duomo and the leaning tower. One just must experience the Leaning Tower of Pisa which dates back to the 12th century. The bell tower of the main cathedral of the city is as fascinating as the colourful decorated churches.

Ravenna: The city is famous for the ancient colourful mosaics that decorate the city's churches. The extensive mosaic decorations date back to the 5th century and are fascinating artworks to explore. The city was once on of the main centres of Roman Christian art.

Tuscany: The Tuscany is a popular tourist region with scenic countryside in central Italy. The rolling hills invite for hiking trips and there are lovely medieval towns such as San Gimignano, Lucca or Montepulciano. The capital of the Tuscany region is Florence.

Florence: This city in Tuscany called Firenze in Italian is known for its arts museums and historic churches, Renaissance art and architecture. Many of the great Italian artists such as Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci once lived in this city.

Dolomites/Dolomiti and Italian Alps: The provinces in Northern Italy are renowned for fabulous skiing, hiking and mountainside holidays. You should also to visit South Tyrol's capital Bolzano. In the city's Natural History Museum you can marvel at Oetzi, a mummy from the Ice-age.

Alberobello: This small town is located in Apulia (Puglia in Italian). This town in southern Italy is known for its historic stone huts with cone hat-roofs. These unique houses are called trulli.
Read here about the most famous Italian landmarks and attractions here.

Italy Facts | Italian People

Italy is quite densely populated, with most people living in the country's northern regions. The Po Valley, also referred to as Padan Plain, is an area with many industrial centres. Almost half of Italy's population live in the Po Valley. The Po Valley's biggest cities include Milan (Milano), Modena, Turin (Torino) and Verona.

Milan is the main industrial centre of Italy and also known to be one of the world's fashion capitals.

Italians lead a modern lifestyle especially in the urban centres but they also celebrate century-old cultural traditions. Famous festivals that are celebrated annually are the carnival celebrations before Lent. In Venice, these are said to originate in the 12th century.

The Palio in Siena is dating back to 1644 when the first horse race in the city's main square was held.

And of course, Italians love soccer! The admittedly quite brutal Calcio storico match is still played and celebrated in Florence once a year. C alcio means soccer in Italian.

The Italian soccer league is followed by many Italians abroad too: Inter Milan, Lazio Roma and Juventus Turin are just some of the Italian soccer teams which are favoured by Italians.

Soccer, skiing, cycling, surfing or motor racing are just some of the sports Italians have very strong interest in.

The family is very important for Italians, where there are still many big families including grandparents, parents and children in the household.

Italians love their food, which is usually prepared freshly by ' la mama', the mother, or the nonna, the grandmother.

In the afternoon or evening it is common to meet up with family and friends on the piazza. The piazza is the main square of the village or town.

Italy Facts | Famous Italians

Italians are famous for their inventions and discoveries. The Italian explorers Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci explored many places in the Americas while Marco Polo travelled extensively in Asia.

Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist and artist who was the first to prove the world is round and not flat.

Alessandro Volta, was the prioneer who did studies in electricity, hence the name 'Volt' describing a unit of electricity.
More Italy Facts about Famous Italians for Kids: Explorers, Inventors and more

Did you know that Italians also invented the piano and the thermometer?

Italy Facts | Italian Language

Italian is a Romance language and the language roots are in the Latin language. Italian is very close to French, as 89% of the vocabulary are shared, and 82% is shared with the Spanish vocabulary.

Italian is an official language not only in Italy but also in Switzerland, San Marino and Vatican City.
Italy Facts: 10 useful Italian words and terms
The Italian alphabet consists of 21 letters only. The letters j, k, w, x and y do not exist, except for lean words, that means words that originate in another language.

The pronunciation is soft and very melodic and so the language is used in opera and also popular by young pop music artists.

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

In remote rural villages in Italy's northern regions, some of the older people, however, do only speak a little Italian and still mainly use a regional language such as German in the Alto Adige or French in the Valle d'Aosta or the unique Ladino (Ladin) language in the Trentino.

Italy Facts | Italy Economy

Italy is one of the original six founding countries of the European Union with Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Read more about the European Union here.

Italy's extreme northern regions and most parts in Southern Italy are used for agriculture. In the North the main produce are dairy products and grains, while in the south mainly fruits and olives are harvested.

Italy also has a lot of industry especial in the country's north around Milan. Among the famous Italian brands are: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Fiat (car manufacturers), Gucci, Prada (fashion) and Ferrero (food - Nutella) or Barilla (food - spaghetti and pasta).

The main trading partners of Italy are Germany, France, the USA and China.

Italy Facts | Italian Food

The Italian main dishes often contain pork and beef, seafood as well as potatoes, rice and pasta (wheat and egg noodles) products and of course, tomatoes.

is surely one of the most famous exports and in Italy pizza is usually baked in a wood-fired oven. Italian pizza is very thin, but loaded with fresh vegetables or thinly sliced ham, salami, artichokes or olives.

The Italian (variety of noodles) is renowned worldwide and there are more than 200 different shapes.

Pizza: probably the most famous Italian dish, pizza was is said to have been invented in Napoli (Naples in English) around the year 1860

Spaghetti: long thin pasta/noodles served with a large variety of topping or sauce

Calzone: this folded-up pizza bread is filled with tomatoes, ham, cheese and all kinds of other filling

Pesto: a thick green sauce made with olives, basil or other herbs and olive oil, pine kernels and parmiggiano, which is an Italian hard cheese

Gelato: ice-cream is another famous Italian invention

Lasagna: this layered pasta dish is made with layers of pasta sheets, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and mince meat

Mozzarella: Italian soft cheese balls, that originally were made mainly from buffalo milk, but today mozzarella is often made with cow's milk

Italians love their food and many dishes are based on fresh vegetables and seafood too. There are delicious sweet cakes in Italy, such as (a yeast cake with raisins), p anforte (a hard and flat fruit cake) and almond cookies such as .
Read more about Italian Food here.
Here is some typical Italian food:

Did you know that Italians eat spaghetti only with a fork and don't use a spoon?

Italy Facts | Animals in Italy

One third of all European animal species can be found in Italy. The country also houses half of all plant species that grow in Europe.

There are over 4,770 endemic species in Italy. Endemic means that these animal species are native and only exist in Italy. There are about 100 mammal species and over 500 bird species. Among the species that you might encounter are the unique Sardinian deer and the Corsican hare.

There are 20 national parks in Italy and 16 Marine Reserves to ensure the protection of threatened species such as the Italian shark or the Italian wolf, the national animal.

Italy Facts for Kids: Sheep are held mainly in Southern Italy and donkeys still help farmers in remote villages as they are trained to carry heavy loads over steep terrain.

Brown bears are protected in Italy. There are only few bears left in the wild now.

In the Alps you will very likely see marmots, a ground squirrel species, which call each other with very high pitched calling sounds. And if you are very lucky you might even spot a lynx, a wild cat with little hair tuffs on the ears!

Resources for Italy Facts

Central Intelligence Agency. "Italy." WorldFactBook. Last updated 22 March 2023. Last accessed 29 March 2023

Città di Venezia. "Carnevale di Venezia." . Last accessed 29 March 2023

Italia Agenzia Nazionale Turismo "Italia." . Last accessed 29 March 2023

Popular Pages | Italy for Kids

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Italy Facts for Kids | Italy for Kids | People | Geography | Food

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Our Italy Facts for Kids will provide facts about Italy, the country and the people, animals, food and so much more. Enjoy exploring Italy with us!

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Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula that juts out of southern Europe into the Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and other waters.

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The largest island in the world, Greenland is a land of bitter cold and midnight sun, a place where the northern lights can be seen year-round, and where ancient folk traditions exist in harmony with modern life. The island lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, within the Arctic regions. More than four fifths of Greenland lies buried under an ice sheet that has an average depth of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). Its people live only on the rocky coastal fringe, chiefly in the southwest. The capital of Greenland is Nuuk. The city is also referred to by its Danish name, Godthåb. Greenland is part of the country of Denmark but is mostly self-governing. Area 836,330 square miles (2,166,086 square kilometers). Population (2019 est.) 56,100.

Lying to the northeast of continental North America and almost wholly within the Arctic Circle, Greenland is subject to intense cold and terrible blizzards. Glaciers flow from Greenland's icy mountains and discharge a billion tons of ice into the sea every year. Many of these enormous icebergs are carried into the lanes of ocean travel. The Jakobshavn Glacier, often moving 100 feet (30 meters) a day, is among the world's fastest glaciers.

Greenland's major physical feature is its massive ice sheet, which is second only to Antarctica's in size. The ice sheet reaches a maximum thickness of about 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) and covers more than 700,000 square miles, or nearly 85 percent of Greenland's total land area.

Some sections of Greenland have enough soil and warmth to support tundra vegetation and small trees. In general, however, the climate of Greenland is bleak and Arctic. Seven species of land mammals-polar bears, musk-oxen, reindeer, Arctic foxes, snow hares, ermines, and lemmings-can be found on the island. Seals and whales are found in the surrounding waters and were formerly the chief source of nourishment for the Greenlanders. Cod, salmon, flounder, and halibut are important saltwater fish, and the island's rivers contain salmon and trout.

The largest ethnic group in Greenland are native Greenlanders, who are Inuit, or Eskimo, with a mixture of European blood. They make up about 90 percent of the population. Most of the rest of the people are Danish, most of them born in Denmark. Evangelical Lutheranism is the official religion, and Greenlandic (an Inuit language) is the official language. All children are required to attend school for nine years, and literacy is virtually 100 percent. Although it is possible to grow potatoes and other hardy vegetables, Greenlanders must import much of their food, clothing, and other necessities.

In spite of hundreds of years of Scandinavian influence, many of the island's people continue to practice traditional cultural activities. Folk arts, especially soapstone carving and drum dancing, are extremely popular. Houses were formerly built of stone and sod, but wood, which must be imported, is the modern building material. A few Inuit build igloos for the winter or when traveling.

Most of the labor force works in the public sector or in other services, including tourism. Fishing and the production and canned fish and fish products remain important industries. The raising of sheep and reindeer and the production of animal skins, furs, and hides are also significant. The chief exports are fish and fish products and gold. Lead, zinc, silver, coal, and cryolite were mined at various times, and deposits of molybdenum, uranium, copper, diamonds, and other minerals have been discovered.

Roadways in Greenland are limited to short stretches of ice-free coastal areas, and dogsleds and snowmobiles are used inland. Shipping and air service are the principal means of transport. Greenland has a sophisticated telecommunications network, as well as a military communications network associated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the North American radar defense system.

Greenland is officially a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark. In 1979 the Danish government granted home rule to the island. In accordance with this, Greenland remains subject to the Danish crown, and each Greenlander is a Danish citizen, enjoying equal rights with all other Danes. Under an expanded home rule agreement, which took effect in 2009, Greenland assumed greater control of its government. Although Denmark administers the island's foreign relations and defense, Greenland manages virtually all of its domestic affairs, including economic development, education, taxes, the social welfare system, and criminal justice.

The center of power in Greenland is the Landsting, a parliament whose 31 members are elected to four-year terms by all adults 18 years of age and older. The Landsting elects the prime minister (usually the leader of the majority party) and the other members of the Landsstyre, a council that assumes the island's executive responsibilities. Greenland's voters also elect two representatives to the Danish parliament, the Folketing.

Using financial grants from Denmark, Greenland's government provides its citizens with a wide range of welfare services, including free health care. These social services have greatly improved Greenland's health conditions.

Migrations of Inuit peoples into Greenland began in about 3000 bc. In ad 982 Erik the Red, a Norwegian, sailed to Greenland and in 986 founded a colony there. He called the frozen wasteland Greenland in order to encourage immigration. From Greenland his son Leif Eriksson sailed westward, becoming the first European to discover the coast of North America. In 1261 the colony came under Norwegian rule. Contact with the colony ended in the 15th century. The island was rediscovered late in the 16th century by English explorers. In 1721 Hans Egede, a Scandinavian missionary, began a modern colony. When Norway and Denmark dissolved their union in 1814, Greenland was not mentioned, so Denmark kept it.

In 1917 Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the United States in exchange for recognition of Danish claims to Greenland. Denmark officially proclaimed sovereignty over Greenland in 1921. Norway continued to press its case and, in 1931, formally annexed the coastal region north of Scoresby Sound. In 1933 the World Court decided in favor of Denmark.

After the Germans invaded Denmark in World War II, the United States took responsibility for Greenland's defense. In 1951 Denmark and the United States signed an agreement for the common defense of the island. The United States built an air base at Thule (now Dundas) during the war. In 1953 Denmark made Greenland part of the Danish kingdom.

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The largest island in the world, Greenland is a land of bitter cold and midnight sun, a place where the northern lights can be seen year-round, and where ancient folk traditions exist in harmony with modern life. The island lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, within the Arctic regions.

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

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

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The world's largest island is known for its immense glaciers.

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Japanese Traditions for Kids

Our Japan for Kids page will show 12 interesting Japanese traditions which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Do you remember some of the Japanese national Symbols? The national flag of Japan includes the red circle of the rising sun, the national flower of Japan are cherry blossoms and the koi is recognised by many as the national fish. You will find the national symbols in many of the traditional culture and art forms of Japan.

In case you have not seen our 'Japan Facts for Kids' yet, please see our facts about Japan as they provide a good introduction. Click here to read.

Now let's start with some fun Japanese traditions and we are sure there are some you might have come across already.

1. Origami | Japan for Kids

Origami is the traditional way of folding paper. The word ' origami' originates from the Japanese terms ' ori' meaning 'folding' and ' gami' meaning 'paper'. One of the best known creations of the traditional Japanese origami is the paper crane.

Paper folding traditions emerged in China already in the 10th century, however, the Japanese developed the origami tradition further as an entertainment art from the 16th century.

The traditional origami technique uses two-coloured paper squares. Origami paper is usually white on one side and coloured or patterned on the other side. The origami paper is lighter than normal copy paper and comes in various sizes.

The traditional Japanese origami designers use special washi paper that is tougher than commonly used paper as it is made from wood or bark. Easy origami include the bunny, fish, boat or the easy hat origami. See some great and easy-to-do examples here.

2. Sudoku | Japan for Kids

Sudoku are logic games and number puzzles with 9x9 grids in 3x3 boxes that we all believe were invented in Japan.

However, number place games or 'magic square' games were already popular in the 19th century in France.

The Sudoku game as you will probably know it, was first published in Japan in 1984. However, the US-American puzzle inventor Howard Garns had initially started developing these number puzzles. His logic number game led to the development of the modern sudoku game in 1979.

The name ' s oduko' originates from the Japanese language and is an abbreviation of a longer term meaning 'numbers must remain single'.

3. Sushi | Japan for Kids

Sushi are seasoned rice bites or skilfully crafted rice rolls that usually contain raw fish slices. The most traditional sushi types are n igiri. Nigiri includes raw fish, seafood or vegetables which is based on a oval shaped bed of sushi rice. Maki rolls which are rice rolls with raw fish, seafood, vegetable or even fruit are also very popular.

Sushi is typically eaten with wasabi, a green and very spicy radish paste, pickled ginger and soy sauce.

The pink coloured pickled ginger is usually eaten to lessen the spiciness of the wasabi and to clean your palate to allow for a fresh taste of the special flavour of your next sushi bite. Sushi is usually eaten with chopsticks, however some sushi such as nigiri can be eaten by hand.

Sushi is often said to originate from Chinese seafarers, however, eating sushi is commonly referred to as Japanese tradition. The word ' sushi' mean 'sour or seasoned rice' in Japanese. The Japanese name for 'raw fish' is ' sashimi'.

4. Pokémon | Japan for Kids

Pokémon belongs to the Japanese pop culture just like sushi to the Japanese cuisine.

These Japanese fantasy creatures or pocket monsters with special abilities are known worldwide since the late 1990s. They are very popular in Japan. There are various video games, movies, toys and trading cards that feature the now more than 800 characters of the Pokémon universe.

The yellow coloured pocket monster called 'Pikachu' is one of the most well-known characters and the mascot of the Pokémon company.

There are more than twenty Pokémon films and the Pokémon characters are also used in manga and anime series. Pikachu is one of the main and most loved animated characters in Japanese pop culture.

The Japanese word ' pokémon' means 'pocket monster'.

Manga are Japanese cartoons or comics. Manga include also graphic novels which are story books consisting of comics. There are manga with all kind of different content. Among the popular manga themes are action, science-fiction, romance, sports and animal manga.

Most of the Japanese comics or cartoons are designed and printed only in black and white although there are more and more colourful manga are published now as well. If you love manga, you should definitely visit the International Manga museum in Kyoto. Read more here.

The word ' manga' originates from the Japanese and means 'pictures' and in the Japanese language refers to all different kinds of cartoons, comics, and animations.

Very popular manga characters and stories will sometimes be made into anime.

6. Anime | Japan for Kids

Anime are Japanese animation films made from either hand-drawn or computer-designed animations.

In Japan entertaining action animés such as Pokémon are popular since the 1990s. These include animal anime such as Chi's Sweet Home or Doraemon. Some of the characters of Doraemon you can see below.

The first animated film clips in Japan we shown already in 1917. Today anime can include all kinds of animation of science fiction, fantasy stories as well as animal and sports anime such as Haikyuu. In this popular Japanese sports animation a small boy who wants to become a famous volley ball player is the main character.

The word ' anime' originates from the word 'animations' and in Japanese the word 'anime' refers to all kinds of animations and animated media, not only those created in Japan.

7. Samurai | Japan for Kids

Japanese warriors were among the most wealthy and most respected people in the Japanese society in medieval times. Samurai belonged to the military and were high ranking officers who were allowed to even wear two swords.

Kusunoki Masashigewho lived in the 13th century is remembered in Japan as the ideal samurai for his loyalty, courage and virtue.

The influence of the samurai heritage can also be seen in Japanese art and culture. S amurai were often not only fighters but also painters, writers or philosophers and were ranked at the top of the Japanese society as they were among the most educated Japanese during the Edo period (1603-1867).

The word ' samurai' means 'those who accompany the noble men'. However, in Japan samurai are referred to as b ushi which means 'warrior'.

Female fighters existed as well, the were called ' onna-bugeisha'. These woman warriors were usually spouses of the warriors but they also were powerful and could train and fight.

8. Geisha | Japan for Kids

Geishas are women who perform the traditional Japanese arts. Geishas are well respected in Japan as they can entertain, perform tea ceremonies, can dance, sing or recite poetry.

A geisha traditionally wears a kimono, decorative hair pieces and traditionally also a white painted face. The faces were usually painted white as geishas usually work at night and thus their faces could be recognised more easily in the darkness.

Today there are still geishas and the profession is one which a young woman has to train for, the apprentice geisha is called maiko.

Gion with its townhouses is known as the district in Kyoto where one can still watch how the young geishas learn the traditional dances and play the traditional instruments or how a traditional Japanese tea ceremony is celebrated.

9. Tea Ceremony | Japan for Kids

Tea ceremonies were more commonly celebrated in Japan around the 12th century after Buddhist monks had introduced this ancient tradition in Japan when coming back from their travels to China.

The traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony involves a specific preparation and presentation of tea. The tea used in this ceremony is green tea, made usually with stone ground and powdered tea leaves and is called matcha.

Special traditional tea utensils are used during the preparation of the thick tea and thin tea.

The Japanese tea ceremony follows a special ritual during which the host and visitors sit on a tatami mat on the floor of the tea room.

This ceremony traditionally includes wearing a kimono or formal wear. Sometimes light dishes are served during a tea ceremony. A traditional tea ceremony can take several hours.

10. Ikebana | Japanese Traditions

The art of flower arranging is an considered an art form in Japan.

Leafy greens, mosses, branches and flower stems are used as well as flowerhead and blossoms in making the perfect piece.

The first flower arranging school was established in the 7th century. Buddhists left flower offerings at their shrines and at altars, but today the tradition includes creating decorative pieces for homes.

The word ' ikebana' originates from the Japanese ' ikeru' meaning 'to arrange flowers and be alive' and ' hana' meaning 'flower'.

11. Karate | Japan for Kids

Karate is a popular Asian martial arts that spread throughout Japan and the world since the 1920s. This kind of martial arts was practised in Japan as early as the 14th century as it was brought to the Japanese island of Okinawa by visitors from China.

Karate includes several fighting styles and today is practised as self-development, self-defence or combat sport.

Gichin Funakoshi is usually seen as the father of karate as he developed the Shotokan-karate style which is popular around the world.

Karate uniforms are called ' karategi' and are white and loose fitting. The skills level and dan ranks are demonstrated with belts worn in various colours. Usually beginners start with a white belt and dedicated and highly skilled martial artists don a 'black belt'.

The word ' karate' means 'empty hand' or 'China hand' and refers to the martial arts coming from China. The Japanese word ' te' means 'hand'.

Among other popular martial arts coming from Japan are Judo, Jujutso and Aikido.

12. Omiyage | Japan for Kids

Souvenir giving is traditional in Japan, so remember to take a gift for your colleague, teacher or friend when coming back from a trip abroad. Little beautifully wrapped boxes with gifts called omiyage are given to family, friends and even colleagues and teachers as presents.

The souvenirs are usually typical for the region or country the person visited. Therefore visits to local gift shops are important for many Japanese tourists.

The word ' omiyage' means 'souvenir' in English.

Typical souvenirs are sweets, cookies and chocolates as well as local traditional delicacies.

Popular Pages

Useful Resources

Find more Japan for Kids resources for further research here:

Madelyn Collins. "10 Kid-Friendly Anime You Won't Have To Turn Off In Front Of Your Parents." Comic Book Resources. 25 March 2020. Last accessed 1 March 2022

Roka Akor Restaurants. "A Simple Guide To Eating Sushi for Beginners." . 2 November 2018. Last accessed 1 March 2022

Japan National Tourism Organisation. "Gion - Kyoto Attractions." Japan Travel. Last accessed 1 March 2022

Japan Objects. "The Art of Samurai." Japan Objects. Updated September 2019. Last accessed 1 March 2022

Japan Guide. "Tea Ceremony." Japan Guide. Last accessed 1 March 2022

"Five Things You Need To Know About Omiyage." Guidable. Last accessed 1 March 2022

Ikebana International. "Ikebana - Chapter Activities." . Last accessed 1 March 2022

We hope you enjoyed reading our page about Japanese traditions in Japan for Kids. Please bookmark our site as we update and expand our pages regularly. Mata ne as the Japanese say or 'see you again'. :-)
comPicture credits on this page: Images by Shutterstock.com
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Japan for Kids | Traditions & Culture | Geography | Japan Facts

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Our Japan for Kids page will introduce children to popular Japanese words and explain fascinating Japanese traditions such as manga, origami, samurai and so much more

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Official Name: Japan
Form of Government: Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary government
Capital: Tokyo
Population: 126, 048, 450
Official Language: Japanese
Money: Japanese yen
Area: 377,835 square kilometres
Major Mountain Ranges: Japanese Alps
Major Rivers: Biwa, Inawashiro, Kasumigaura

Japan is an archipelago, or string of islands, on the eastern edge of Asia. There are four main islands - Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. There are also nearly 4,000 smaller islands, too! Japan"s nearest mainland neighbors are the Siberian region of Russia in the north, and Korea and China farther south.

Almost four-fifths of Japan is covered with mountains. The Japanese Alps run down the centre of the largest island, Honshu. The highest peak and Japan's most famous mountain is Mount Fuji, a cone-shaped volcano considered sacred by many Japanese.

Japan can be a dangerous place. Three of the tectonic plates that form the Earth"s crust meet nearby and often move against each other, causing earthquakes. More than a thousand earthquakes hit Japan every year. Japan also has about 200 volcanoes, 60 of which are still active.

The Japanese people have a deep affection for the beauty of the landscape. The ancient Shinto religion says natural features like mountains, waterfalls and forests have their own spirit or soul.

Japan is home to some wonderful wildlife! Some of the country's most incredible creatures include the sika deer, red-crowned crane, stellar's sea eagle and one of the coolest critters on the planet...the Japanese macaque monkey!

Most of Japan is covered by countryside - but with more than 100 million people living in such a small place, sadly, wildlife has suffered. Although pollution is now tightly controlled, over the years, road building and other human activities have harmed natural habitats. Today, about 136 species in Japan are listed as endangered.

Off the coast of this incredible country, the warm Tsushima Current flows from the south into the Sea of Japan, where it meets a colder current from the north. As a result of the mixing of different waters, the seas around Japan are very rich in fish and other sea life. Cool!

People first came to Japan about 30,000 years ago. At the time, the main islands were connected to Siberia and Korea by bridges of dry land, allowing people to cross on foot. The first society, called the Jomon culture, arose about 12,000 years ago. Around the same time, the Ainu people arrived by boat from Siberia. The Jomon and Ainu survived for thousands of years, hunting, fishing and gathering plants.

In 300 B.C., the Yayoi people came to Honshu Island from Korea and . The Yayoi were skilled weavers, tool makers and farmers, and they were the first people in Japan to cultivate rice in flooded paddy fields.

In 660 B.C., Japan's first emperor, Jimmu Tenno, came to power. For many years following, Japan was governed by a string of emperors, until the 12th century A.D. when military rulers, called shoguns, took control by force.

Europeans first arrived in Japan in 1543, bringing with them a range of new technologies and cultural practices, including the Christian religion. But in 1635, the ruling shogun closed Japan to foreigners and forbade Japanese to travel abroad, beginning a state of isolation that would last more than 200 years. In 1868, the shoguns were overthrown and emperors returned. This was a time of great change and modernisation for Japan.

During (1914-1917), Japan fought on the side of the Allies (Britain, , Belgium, Russia and the USA). But in World War II, Japan's military leaders sided with the Axis powers, joining forces with and .

The Japanese are famous for their willingness to work very hard. Children are taught to show respect for others, especially parents and bosses. They learn to do what"s best for their family or company and worry less about their own needs.

Japanese cuisine consists of lots of rice, fish and vegetables. With little fat and lots of vitamins and minerals, their food is very healthy. It's believed their nutritious diet is what makes the Japenese, on average, one of the longest living populations in the world!

Japan is the only country in the world with a reigning emperor. Emperors have no real power, but they are still respected as a symbol of the country's traditions and unity.

World War II devastated Japan's economy, but the Japanese people's hard work and clever innovation turned things around. Today, Japan has the third largest economy in the world. The country's high-tech industry makes some of the most popular electronic products and vehicles in the world.

Image credits

Japanese garden: Pod666, Dreamstime. People in a busy shopping district: Sean Pavone, Shutterstock. Japanese Shinto shrine: Sean Pavone, Dreamstime. All other images: Getty Images UK

What did you make to these cool facts about Japan? Let us know in a comment, below!

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Facts about Japan: Learn about Japan, with facts about Japanese history, economy, culture and geography, including a map of Japan and the Japanese flag

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Learning about different cultures is always a good thing, and the internet brings so many opportunities for exploring other countries and customs with your children. We have tried on this page to bring you a real mix of activities and links all about Japan for kids, from learning activities to easy Japanese-themed crafts, so that you can pick and choose and find something that is just right for your child.

Over 35m people live in Japan's capital city, Tokyo, and its outskirts!

Learn about Japan

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan actually consists of 6,852 islands, although the largest four of them make up 97% of the country's land area. Japan has the tenth largest population in the world.

The Japanese name for Japan is Nippon, which means "sun origin". That is why Japan is known as the "Land of the Rising Sun".

The highest point in Japan in Mount Fuji, at 3,776m. 70% of the country's land is mountainous, and there are over 100 active volcanoes.

A beautiful pagoda with Mount Fuji in the distance

Japan is on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has many volcanoes. There are over 1500 earthquakes a year, and some of them can be devastating - such as the huge 2011 earthquake and resultant tsunami.

The ancient warriors of Japan were known as the Samurai. We have Samurai activities here.

Japan is an industralised nation and, in the second half of the 20th Century, began to produce some of the world's most advanced cars and electronic goods such as cameras, computers and televisions. Think of companies like Toyota and Honda, Sony and Nintendo, Canon and Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba. Japan is also a world leader in the exciting field of robotics.

Japanese food has become very popular around the world in recent years, and many people now enjoy sushi and sashimi (raw fish) and tempura (deep-fried seafood and vegetables in batter).

The national sport of Japan is Sumo Wrestling. Japan also created many martial arts such as Karate, Judo, Jujutsu and Aikido.

Japan has played host to the Olympics three times. In 1964 Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics, and will do again in 2020. In 1972 and 1998 Japan hosted the Winter Olympics.

Location of Japan

This map shows the location of Japan, highlighted in red, on a simplified map of Asia. You can find the printable version of this map here.

Our Japan Activities and Crafts

More Ideas for Your Japan Topic

The arrival of cherry blossom in Spring in Japan is a signal for getting outdoors, enjoying picnics and visiting parks with friends and family.

Blossom Crafts

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Learning about different cultures is always a good thing, and the internet brings so many opportunities for exploring other countries and customs with your children. We have tried on this page to bring you a real mix of activities and links all about Japan for kids, from learning activities to easy Japanese-themed crafts, so that you can pick and choose and find something that is just right for your child.

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Japan Facts for Kids | Japan Geography | Famous Japanese | Food | Asia

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Read our updated Japan Facts and be informed about the most important facts about this fascinating country and its people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Canada is the world's second largest country by total area (the first is Russia) and is located in the northern part of the continent of North America. This enormous country has the longest coastline in the world, with the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Ocean on three sides of it. It shares a southern border with the United States of America.

The weather in Canada ranges from temperate in the south to subarctic and arctic in the north, where snow can be deep for up to six months of the year.

Famous for amazing natural landscapes, the national sport of ice hockey and making delicious maple syrup, Canada has blended the culture of the Inuit and First Nations people with the descendants of the English and French settlers. The country has two official languages, English and French.

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Canada is the world's second largest country by total area (the first is Russia) and is located in the northern part of the continent of North America. This enormous country has the longest coastline in the world, with the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Ocean on three sides of it.

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

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Canada  - 9 Facts About Canada for Kids - Learn With Mrs.B

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Official Name: Canada
Form of Government: Federal parliamentary state
Capital: Ottawa
Population: 36,307,820
Official Language: English, French
Money: Canadian dollar
Area: 9,970,610 square kilometres
Major Mountain Ranges: Rockies, Coast, Laurentian
Major Rivers: St. Lawrence, Mackenzie

Canada is one seriously huge place! Measuring 4,600km from north to south, the country spans more than half the Northern Hemisphere. And at a whopping 5,500km from east to west, it stretches across six time zones! A vast, rugged land, Canada is the second largest country in the world (being the largest) but only 0.5% of the world's population live there.

Canada has a varied landscape, with majestic mountains, rolling plains, forested valleys, and beautiful blue rivers and lakes. The Canadian Shield, a hilly region of lakes and swamps, stretches across northern Canada and has some of the oldest rocks on Earth.

In Canada's far north lies the frozen . Here, ice, snow and dominate the landscape. Brrrrrr! Despite the cold, harsh climate, Native Canadians, called First Nations people, live in this region, where they hunt and fish for food.

Canada's remote north and extensive forests are home to lots of wonderful wildlife, from bears, wolves, deer, mountain lions, beavers and bighorn sheep, to smaller animals such as 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 (open grasslands) in the south are home to American buffalo and pronghorn antelope. And in the sprawling evergreen forests of northern Canada, moose and black bears are amongst the amazing animals that can be found. Even farther north, herds of reindeer and musk ox roam the cold, bare tundra.

Canadians work hard to protect their native wildlife, and the country has 41 national parks and three marine conservation areas. Nevertheless, species like wolves, lynx and Atlantic fish have faced threats from overhunting and overfishing.

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 explorer Leif Eriksson reached Newfoundland, Canada. He tried to establish a settlement, but it didn't last long.

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 continued and 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 - and Manitoba joined soon after. In 1931, Canada became an independent nation.

Following numerous territorial changes over the years, today Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories.

In some ways Canada is many nations in one. Descendants 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 recognised and is seen as a symbol of Canadian culture.

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.

Image credits

Map of Canada: National Geographic Maps. Picture of Telus World of Science in Vancouver, Canada: Dan Breckwoldt, Dreamstime. Picture of building in Victoria, British Columbia: Chrishowey, Dreamstime. All other pitcures: Getty Images UK.

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Official Name: Canada Form of Government: Federal parliamentary state Capital: Ottawa Population: 36,307,820 Official Language: English, French Money: Canadian dollar Area: 9,970,610 square kilometres Major Mountain Ranges: Rockies, Coast, Laurentian Major Rivers: St. Lawrence, Mackenzie Canada is one seriously huge place! Measuring 4,600km from north to south, the country spans more than half the Northern Hemisphere.

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Interesting Canada Facts

Here are some interesting Canada Facts for Kids which were choosen and reseached by kids especially for kids.

Population: 40 million people (2023)

Capital: Ottawa 1.4 million inhabitants

Name: Canada, originally from Iroquois name 'kanata' which means settlement or village

Government: Federal parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy

Official Languages: English, French

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics and Protestants)

Currency: 1 Canadian Dollar (CAD) = 100 Canadian cents

National Anthem: O Canada!

National Colours: Red and white

National Symbols: Maple leaf, red and white flag, maple tree (national tree), beaver (national animal)

History: Canada's biggest bay, Hudson Bay, was discovered in 1610. Since the 16th century, both French and English kings have ruled over the country. Canada gained independence from Britain in 1867. Today, Queen Elizabeth II of England is still the head of state and the Queen of Canada.

Government: The prime minister is Justin Trudeau.

National Day: 1 July is Canada Day

Canada Facts for Kids|
Canada Geography

Where is Canada? Canada is a large country in the northern hemisphere. The country belongs to the North American continent. Canada borders the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the North.

Canada shares a land border with the United States of America in the south and in the northwest. There it borders Alaska which is the largest state of the USA.

Did you know that Canada and the USA share the longest international border in the world? The Canada - USA border is 8,891 km/ 5,525 miles long. The longest part of the border is shared with the US-state of Alaska and this stretch is more than 2,475 km/ 1,538 miles long.

Canada Facts for Kids
Canada Geo Superlatives

Canada is known for its many lakes. There are about three million lakes in Canada, according to the WorldFactBook Canada houses more lakes than all countries in the world combined!

Canada is the second largest country in the world, after Russia. The capital city of Canada is Ottawa.

Canada is among the ten most sparsely populated countries in the world. More than half of the population live in the Canadian provinces Ontario and Quebec. About 90% of the people in Canada live within 160 km/ 100 miles of the US-Canada border. Close to the border there are also the main urban areas such as Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada housing about seven million people.

Canada's longest river system is the McKenzie River in the country's Northwest Territories. The river is 4,241 km/ 2,635 miles long and the McKenzie River is the largest river flowing from North America into the Arctic.

The largest lake that is entirely in Canada is Great Bear Lake. Lake Superior, the largest lake in North America, is shared with the United States of America.

The highest mountain in Canada is Mount Logan with 5,959 m/ 9,551 ft. Mount Logan is located in Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory at the border with Alaska. This mountain is also the second highest peak of the North American continent - after Mount Denali. Kluane National Park is known for its extremes and not only is home to Canada's highest peak and the largest ice fields in Canada but also to the most grizzly species in North America.

Canada shares the largest waterfalls of the world by water volume. These are the Niagara Falls on the border to the USA.

Canada is home to 17 UNESCO world heritage sites. These include amongst others the fascinating Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta where once 35 species of dinosaurs lived, the historic district of Old Québec, the Rocky Mountains national park and the sacred site of Writing-on-Stone/ Áísínai'pi, where the indigenous Blackfoot people left their rock art, engravings and spirit messages on the sandstone walls.

Canada Facts for Kids:
Canada is great for families!

Canada is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. There are many attractions for Canada visitors and kids will love to explore the amazing nature and learn about the Canadian wildlife.

There are 48 national parks and national reserves in Canada, the largest of these is Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta. Banff National Park which is Canada's most popular park is also the oldest national park of the country and exists since 1885.

Canada family trips can include great day hikes or canoe trips in the national parks. In winter, families can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other winter fun activities such as tobogganing in the mountains.

Among the most popular ski resorts are Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta and Whistler in British Columbia. But these resorts can also be enjoyed in summer! For example, you can walk over the Cloudraker Skybridge on Whistler Peak in summer. This suspension bridge makes for an awe-inspiring adventure!

Canada's big cities also have lots to offer to families travelling with kids with fascinating museums and wonderful city parks that invite to great outdoor activities such as cycling, climbing, sledging or iceskating.

Canada Facts for Kids
Canada Attractions

Here are our favorite Canada attractions for kids:

Vancouver: The main city in the western parts of the country is great for outdoor sports as well as indoor explorations. Here you can find many attractions for children which include the Maritime Museum and the Science Museum as well as the fantastic Grouse Mountain Skyride or doing the cliff walk and crossing the Capilano River over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Niagara Falls: One of Canada's biggest tourist attractions, they were formed in the last Ice Age. The Niagara Falls are the largest waterfalls in Canada by volume of water.

Quebec City: The Old Town was founded already in 1608. You must see the Frontenac castle buildings from the 18th and 19th century and in winter have fun on the ice slide!

Toronto: The CN Tower and the Roger's Center are great attractions in this city at the shores of Lake Ontario. The CN Tower is actually the tallest freestanding structure in the western hemisphere, while Roger's Center is a huge stadium and spots the world's first retractable roof.

Banff National Park: For amazing wildlife spotting, but make sure to watch your belongings, as bears tend to chew up everything they find laying around, such as stray hiking boots;-) We had our experiences...

Canada Facts for Kids | Canada Economy

Canada is the third largest oil reserve holder after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. The province of Alberta leads in the production of oil and natural gas in Canada.

Canada is the leader in uranium mining. And uranium is used in nuclear power plants for producing electricity. The world's largest uranium mine is located near Cigar Lake in Saskatchewan.

The province of Saskatchewan is also the main agricultural province in Canada. Here farmers grow 45% of Canada's grains such as wheat, canola, flax or rye.

Canada is one of the world leaders of hydro electricity which uses the power of the water to produce electricity.

Canada is a huge timber producer and second in the world in regards to the sawn softwood production -after the USA. This includes timber or lumber planks or furniture wood. Lumber is the North American term for timber.

The USA and China are the main trading partners of Canada.

Canada Facts for Kids | Canada People

The majority of Canadians (82%) live in urban centres of the country. Most of the Canadian families have roots in England and France, as during the French and British colonised the country and thus many families immigrated into Canada. About one third of the Canadian refer to themselves as Canadian. Almost 40% of the Canadians refer to belonging to the English, Scottish or Irish ethnic groups and about 13% are refer to belonging to the French ethnic group.

Canada has two official languages: English and French. Almost half of the population can speak both languages. The majority of Canadians speak English as first language, but French is the main language in the Quebec province. In Quebec also almost half of the population is bilingual, which means that they are able to speak both languages fluently.

Almost 90% of all Canadians live within 160 km/100 miles of the Canada - USA border!

Life expectancy at birth is 83 years

Literacy Rate is 99%

Among the aboriginal people in Canada are the Métis, the First Nations People and the Inuit.

The indigenous people in northern Canada are called 'Inuit'. Today, only 5 in 100 Canadians refer to themselves as belonging to the 'Inuk' (one of the Inuit people).

The inuit live today in modern houses but still build igloos, especially when hunting. The inuit children go to the community's schools, but there are no universities in the North. So if the children decide to go on studying, they have to leave their communities and move to university cities. In the Inuit language, writing text was only begun in the 19th century before they mainly used symbols for writing.

Canada Facts for Kids
Animals in Canada

Among the animals you will most likely encounter on your Canada travels will be moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and the muskox, which is a wild bison.

Find 25 more fun facts about Canada here:

Other popular pages

Canada Facts for Kids | Resources

Canada Facts for Kids References include:

Central Intelligence Agency. "Canada." WorldFactBook. Last updated 27 May 2022. Last accessed 8 June 2022

BBC News. "Canada Country Profile.". 1 February 2019. Last accessed 8 June 2022

Government of Canada. "Culture, History and Sport." Canada.ca 15 May 2020. Last accessed 2 March 2022

The Canadian Encyclopaedia. "Geography Quiz." Historica Canada. Last accessed 8 June 2022

Government of Canada. "O Canada." Last accessed 8 June 2022

TravelAlberta. "Banff National Park." TravelAlberta. Last accessed 8 June 2022

Megan Wilson. "Insider's First Look: The Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge." The Whistler Insider. 5 July 2018. Updated 3 May 2022. Last accessed 8 June 2022

Parks Canada. "Ten Animals You Might See When Visiting Canada's Protected Areas." Government of Canada. Last updated 9 November 2021. Last accessed 8 June 2022

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We hope you enjoyed reading out Canada Facts for Kids. Make sure to bookmark this Canada Facts for Kids page, as we plan to add on more information. Feel free to contact us if your school would like to work on a school project about Canada (animals, food, people, traditions, games, sport etc.) with us.
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Canada Facts for Kids | Facts about Canada | Family Travel | Geography

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Our updated Canada facts for kids will provide lots of interesting facts about Canada with info about people and country, geo superlatives, animals and more.

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

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Argentina Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Argentina is a vast country located in the southern part of South America.

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Get the lowdown on one of Latin America's coolest countries with our fascinating Argentina facts!

Argentina facts

OFFICIAL NAME: Argentine Republic
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal republic
CAPITAL: Buenos Aires
POPULATION: 42, 782, 320
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, English, Italian, German, French
MONEY: Argentine peso
AREA: 1,073,518 square km

Argentinian flag

Map of Argentina

Argentina: geography and landscape

Argentina is a vast country located in the southern part of South America. It is the second largest country in South America after Brazil, and the eighth largest country in the world.

To the west, the towering Andes mountains create a natural 5,142km high border with Chile, and the eastern border of the country is the Atlantic Ocean. In the northern region, the country shares borders with Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay, and the eastern border is the Atlantic Ocean.

To the east of the Andes, the interior of the country is flat, fertile grassland. This area, called the Pampas, is the agricultural heartland of Argentina.

Northeast Argentina features rainforests and Iguazu Falls. Located on Argentina's border with Brazil, this spectacular waterfall descends along a 2.7km front in a horseshoe shape. Sadly, as the country develops it is being affected by deforestation and pollution.

Altogether, the country is divided into four regions - the Andes, the Pampas, the north and Patagonia, which covers the southern part of the country.

Nature and wildlife in Argentina

Argentina is super-rich in animal species. The coast of Patagonia is home to elephant seals, fur seals, penguins and sea lions. Sharks, orcas, dolphins and salmon swim in the waters off the Atlantic coast.

The north of Argentina is home to flamingos, toucans, turtles, tortoises, and crocodiles and caimans, too! There are also many large cat species such as the cougar, jaguar and the ocelot.

Patagonia is a sparsely populated area rich in natural resources and wildlife, including herons, condors, pumas, tortoises and guanacos - elegant animals closely related to llamas and alpacas.

The history of Argentina

The Spanish arrived in 1516 and ruled the country for 300 years. In 1806, a British force overpowered Spanish military in Buenos Aires (Argentina's capital city) and attacked the Falkland Islands, also called the Malvinas Islands. Local residents later recaptured the capital, but never regained control of the Falklands. These events led to the loosening of Spain's grip on the country, and in 1816 Argentina claimed its independence.

In 1946, Juan Peron became president due to his popularity with the working class. His wife, Eva (known as Evita), formed a foundation and gave out money and benefits to the poor. She became a symbol of hope to all the poor people of Argentina, and her death in 1952 was considered a great tragedy. Three years later, Juan Peron was forced out of office after he tried to increase his powers.

Following many violent years and near civil war, Peron was re-elected president in 1973 and his new wife, Isabel, became vice president. Peron's sudden death in 1974 meant Isabel became president, and soon after, the country's economy fell apart.

The military took control of the country in 1976, triggering what's known as the " dirty war ". Between 1976-1983, one of the most violent and devastating periods in Argentina's history, 20,000-30,000 revolutionaries or sympathisers (those who opposed Argentina's military rule) were killed.

In 1982, the president of Argentina, General Leopoldo Galtieri invaded the Falkland Islands off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean thinking the British wouldn't put up a fight. But Galtieri miscalculated, and British forces won an easy victory. After the defeat, the country moved toward democracy and civilian rule.

Argentine people & culture

Unlike many other South American countries, such as Peru and Ecuador, Argentina has fewer native people and a large population of people who came from Europe. In fact, around 95% of Argentina's population are of European descent, mostly from Italy, Spain and Germany. Much of the native population died from diseases brought in by Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Nearly half of the population live in the area around Buenos Aires. This beautiful city is sometimes referred to as the " Paris of South America " because of its European influences.

Football is the favourite sport in Argentina, and the country has produced some of the world's most famous players, such as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Gauchos, like American cowboys, have become a symbol of the open plains of the Pampas region. Historically they were brave - and often unruly! - country people devoted to lassoing and raising cattle and horses.

Argentina's government & economy

The country is a federal republic, and there have been several democratically elected presidents after many years of political turmoil.

Despite periods of economic problems in the 20th and early 21st centuries, Argentina is today one of the wealthiest Latin American countries. It benefits from rich natural resources - including oil, silver and copper - and a well-educated population.

Argentina's main industry is agriculture, and the country exports many different foods around the world, such as beef, citrus fruits, soybeans and corn. Tourism is fast becoming an important part of Argentina's economy, too, with thousands of people visiting this cool country every year!

Image credits: Argentina map: National Geographic Maps. Buenos Aires at night: Gonzalo Azumendi, Photo Library. Street with colorful buildings: Tom Cockrem, Getty Images. Musicians and a couple dancing the tango: Getty Images. Guanacos, Plaza de Mayo and Iguazu Falls: Getty Images UK

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Argentina facts! | National Geographic Kids

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Get the lowdown on one of Latin America's coolest countries with our fascinating Argentina facts! OFFICIAL NAME: Argentine Republic FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal republic CAPITAL: Buenos Aires POPULATION: 42, 782, 320 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, English, Italian, German, French MONEY: Argentine peso AREA: 1,073,518 square km Argentina is a vast country located in the southern part of South America.

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

Population: About 46 million people live in Argentina (2023)

Capital: Buenos Aires has a population of about 15 million people

Name: Republica Argentina or Argentine Republic, Argentina means 'land of silver'

Government: Democracy, Republic

Language: Spanish, Italian, English, German, French and indigenous languages

Literacy: 98% can read and write

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 92%)

Currency: 1 Argentine peso = 100 centavos

National Flag: blue and white, with a yellow sun on the white band

National Symbols: Sun of May - sun with a face symbol

History: Spanish explorer Juan Diaz visits the area now called Argentina and claims it for the Spanish crown. In 1535 Buenos Aires is founded by Pedro de Mendoza. Only in 1816, Argentina gained independence from Spain. In 1880 Buenos Aires became capital of Argentina. In the next fifty years from 1880 onwards Argentina was one of the richest nations. In 1982 Argentina went to war with Britain to try to get the Falkland Islands but this was unsuccessful for the Argentines.

President: Alberto Fernández since 2019. Next general elections are in October 2023

Argentina Facts | Argentina Map

Where is Argentina? Argentina is located on the South American continent and borders five countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. The longest border is shared between Argentina and Chile.

This is the world's eight largest country and second largest country of South America after Brazil.

To the east of Argentina is the Atlantic Ocean and in the north east there is also the border to Uruguay. To the west are the Andes which form a natural border with Chile. In the north, Argentina borders Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.

Argentina is a huge country and the landmass covers as much land area as the African countries of Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique combined! Argentina's land area would fit about three times into the land area of USA.

A flight to Buenos Aires from London takes about 14 hours, and takes about 11 hours from New York.

Argentina Facts | Geography

Flat grassy plains that cover most of central and northern Argentina. Most of the pampas is used to heard cattle and sheep which there are more than humans.

The pampas in Argentina are generally just flat fertile plains. The word ' pampas' is a word from the Quechua Indians language and means 'flat surface'.

To the south of Argentina is an archipelago called the The Tierra del Fuego. Tierra del Fuego is a group of islands at the southern tip of Argentina. The biggest island of the Tierra del Fuego is Isla Grande which is also the biggest island in South America.

The Tierra del Fuego has high mountains and very cold weather as it is quite close to Antarctica. Tierra del Fuego is split between Chile and Argentina.

Patagonia is northern part of the Tierra del Fuego and consists of dry pampas vegetation and also has high mountains and huge glaciers such as the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Patagonia has a very cold climate.

The Andes are a huge mountain range, the longest in the world, that also mark the natural border between Chile and Argentina.

Argentina Geo Superlatives

Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and is part of the Argentine Andes. Aconcagua mountain has a height of 6,962 meters/ 22,841 ft. and this is also the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere.

Argentina's longest river is the Paraná River, which forms a natural border between Paraguay and Argentina

The largest lake is called Largo Argentino. This is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. The deepest point is 500 m/ 1640 ft deep.

The Laguna de Carbon spots the lowest point in the western Hemisphere with -105 m/ 345 ft.

Argentina Facts
Attractions for Kids

Buenos Aires: The capital city and most populous city with cafes, restaurants and the tango. Places to see in Buenos Aires include the la Boca district with its colourful buildings, or the city centre.

Córdoba: This is the second largest city in Argentina and it is also one of the oldest cities in Argentina.

Mendoza Wine Region: This beautiful area with the Andes mountains in the background has the best wines in Argentina and is one of the biggest wine producing areas in the world.

Argentine Andes Mountains: The place to go for outdoors if you want to ski, hike, climb. You will enjoy the many outdoor activity in the Argentine Andes.

Iguazu Falls: Located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, about ⅔ of the waterfalls belong to Argentina. These waterfalls are among the largest waterfalls in the world and stretch over 2.7 km/ 1.6 miles. The falls are actually a series of 275 falls.

Perito Moreno Glacier: This world famous glacier is in Patagonia and stretches a distance of 30 km/ 18 miles and has an area of 250 sq km/ 97 sq miles.

Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia: It is fascinating to experience unspoilt nature. And visit the southernmost large settlement, Ushuaia.

Ibera Wetlands: The second biggest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil, this is a huge swampland lots of mammals and birds such as capybaras and alligators.

Nahuel Huapi: The oldest national park of Argentina is located in northern Patagonia which is popular with hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Argentina Facts
Animals in Argentina

There are other animals such as armadillos, king penguins and capybaras.

There are huge numbers of sheep and cattle in the pampas regions and also horses are common. In Argentina there are also native snakes such as the tropical rattle snake or the crossed pit viper, both of them are very poisonous.

In Tierra del Fuego, there is a vast range of wildlife especially along the coastline.

Argentina Facts
Argentina People

One third of the population in Argentina live in the capital city Buenos Aires. 92% of the people live in urban centres, which means cities and towns.

The biggest cities in Argentina are Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario and Mendoza. Patagonia is only sparsely populated.

In Argentina, herders on horseback called 'gauchos' look after the large herds of cattle or sheep.

In Argentina, kids go to either free public schools or attend private schools which can be really expensive. In private schools pupils wear a uniform, often complete with tie and blazer, whereas at public schools the pupils all have to wear a white lab coat over their dress so they look alike. Children either attend school during the morning shift from 8am-1pm, afternoon from 1pm-6pm or some might even be required to sit in school during a night shift.

The sports that are the most popular in Argentina are soccer (called , basketball, rugby and tennis. The national sport, however, is called ' pato' and is similar to polo.

Pato is played on horseback with the rider holding a net in the hand. However, few play the national sport as it is an expensive sport. Soccer is the most popular sports activity and Argentina has won the world cup two times. There are famous soccer stars such as Maradona, Messi and others.

Argentina Economy

Argentina is the world's biggest exporter of soybean meal and the third biggest exporter of both corn and raw soybeans.

Natural gas is the main energy source used for power production in the country. Argentina has the world's second largest reserve of shale gas - after the USA - and the 4th largest reserve of shale oil.

Argentina also produces lithium, which is one of the main mineral used in battery storage systems.

The biggest trading partners of Argentina are Brazil, China, Chile and Germany.

About famous Argentine people and the Tango

Famous Argentines include former national soccer player Diego Maradona, who scored the world famous goal ("hand of god') against England in the 1986 world cup. Another famous soccer player is Leonel Messi who is celebrated currently by many as the best soccer player.

José de San Martín is an idol for many Argentines. He is the national hero who helped to free the southern parts of South America from the Spanish in the struggle for independence.

A famous Argentine invention is the tango dance, which originated in Buenos Aires at the end of the 19th century. It is interesting to know that today there are different types of tango styles, and some of the biggest dance schools were developed by dancers who come from Italian immigrant families in Argentina. Tango dancers usually tell sad stories with their dance moves.

Argentina Facts | Language

The official language used in Argentina is Spanish. Argentina is the largest Spanish speaking country in South America. Spanish is used as the official language as the Spanish brought with them the language as they arrived and settled in Argentina.

The Spanish spoken in Argentina, however, has developed differently over the centuries and sounds different to the Spanish spoken in Spain.

Indigenous languages which are spoken by many Argentines are Mapuche, Guarani and Quechua.

Other European languages such as Italian, English, German, French are also spoken by most Argentines.

Argentina Facts | Argentine Food

Typical Argentine food consists of lots of meat. Argentine Beef is known worldwide for its full flavour and tenderness. Lunch is actually the largest meal of the whole day.

Argentine people love their ' Asado' where food is typically prepared on a grill or over open fire as part of a barbecue (BBQ).

food prepared on a grill or over open fire as part of a barbecue (BBQ). On the a sado, there is usually beef, pork ribs and sausages or also lamb.

Alfajores: sweet biscuits filled with dulce de leech cream and rolled in shredded coconut shavings

Dulce de Leche: literally means sweet from milk and that is what it is, also called 'milk candy' in English. Delicious 'dulce de leche' cheesecake is made with this sweet creamy syrup. In Argentina 'dulce de leche' is made with milk, sugar and a little vanilla.

Empanadas: Deep-fried or baked stuffed pastry pockets with either a savoury (cheese, vegetable or minced chicken or beef meat) or a sweet filling (with dulce de leche or sweet potato paste for example)

: Made from 'yerba mate' which is a local herb and is then sipped through a straw which is called 'bombilla'.

Carbonada: a savory thick stew often served in a holed out pumpkin.

Argentina Facts
Recommended Reading

Sources for our Argentina Facts page:

Central Intelligence Agency. "Argentina." CIA World Fact Book. Last update 15 August 2023. Last accessed 18 August 2023

"Argentina's Colossal Perito Moreno Glacier. Twisted Sifter. 1 July 2013. Last accessed 18 August 2023

"Argentina - Famous Argentines." Nations Encyclopedia. Last accessed 18 August 2023

The Children's Visual World Atlas (2004). Sydney: Fog City Press

Earth Condensed (2010). The World Atlas. Elanora Heights: Millennium House

Image Credits on Argentina Facts page: Shutterstock.com; Corn harvest image by SobrevolandoPatagonia/shutterstock.com and own images.
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Where is India?

India is located in south Asia. The capital is New Delhi, and the language most people speak is Hindi. A person who is from India is Indian.

India is the seventh largest country in the world, and it has the second highest population after China.

A large portion of India is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. The Himalayan Mountains stretch along India's northern border, and countries around India include Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

Top 10 facts

1. About 1.2 billion people live in India.

2. The capital of India is New Delhi, but the largest city is Mumbai.

3. Hindi is the official language in India, with English as an additional official language.

4. The currency in India is the rupee.

5. The main religion in India is Hinduism. The next most popular religion is Islam; Sikhs and Christians also live in the country.

6. One of the most important Hindu festivals is Diwali, also called the 'festival of lights'.

7. Women in India wear saris, and men wear dhotis. Both are long pieces of cloth draped around the body in a certain way.

8. Cows are seen as sacred in India - nobody eats beef, and most people are vegetarians.

9. India has a very large film industry called Bollywood.

10. Animals found in India include Bengal tigers, elephants, flying foxes, lions and macaques.

Did you know?

People in India greet each other by saying 'Namaste' (pronounced na-ma-stay) which means 'I bow my head to you'.

Indian Independence Day is celebrated on 15 August. India became independent after British rule on 15 August 1947.

Many women in India wear saris, which are long pieces of cloth draped around the waist and shoulders - like a dress. Men in India where dhotis, which is another kind of long piece of cloth that is tied around the waist and between the legs - like trousers.

A popular instrument in India is the sitar, which is like a guitar but with a much longer neck.

The monsoon season in India is the time when the country has the most rain, and it can last from July to September.

The money that people in India use is called rupees - £1 is worth about the same as 85 rupees.

One of the main festivals in India is Diwali - it takes place around the end of October, and signals the start of the new year in the Indian calendar. Everyone lights lamps in their homes during Diwali, so it is also called the 'festival of lights'.

There are three bodies of water around India: the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

The main river in India is the Ganges, in the northeast of the country.

Cows are considered sacred in India, and must not be harmed. They are allowed to go where they want, and may even cause traffic jams when they walk through cities!

India is the only country in the world where both lions and tigers live.

Children in India begin school in April or June.

India gallery:

A map of India

The Taj Mahal

A woman wearing a sari

A Hindu man

Rupee notes

Henna designs on a woman's hands

The flag of India

A monkey in the town of Vrindavan

Women working in a tea plantation

Spices in an Indian market

Snake charmers

A Bollywood film

Gallery

About

The Indian flag has to be made from a special fabric called khadi. The colours and symbol each represent something - orange represents courage and sacrifice, white represents truth and purity, green represents peace and prosperity, and the symbol in the centre (Ashoka Chakra) stands for the laws of virtue (dharma).

Four religions began in India - Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Most people in India today follow Hinduism or Islam.

A paste made from henna plants is used to paint intricate designs on the skin. This is usually done for festivals, or for weddings.

The Himalayas extend across the top of India, and are about 2,400 kilometres long. The tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is part of the Himalayas.

India has a variety of terrain, including jungles, coastal plains and a desert (Thar Desert). There are 12 main rivers that flow across India, and the longest is the Ganges.

There are two archaeological sites in northwest India that are thought to be the earliest civilisations known in the country. They existed about 5,000 years ago, and are located in the region called the Indus Valley.

The period of time when India was ruled by Britain is called the British Raj. It lasted for almost a century. India was given its independence in 1947, following a nationalist movement led by Mohandas Ghandi.

Social classes in India are called castes. People who do not belong to any caste are called 'untouchables'.

India's form of government is a democracy - it is the world's largest democracy.

Indian food is characterised by lots of spices, such as cinnamon, turmeric, coriander, anise and cardamom. Each region of India produces different kinds of food.

The Taj Mahal in Agra is one of India's most famous sights. It is actually a tomb built in the 17th century to honour the wife of Shah Jahan, who died in childbirth.

India has a high level of poverty - over 30% of people in India have very little money to buy food and supplies. Poor children may have to work at a very young age to help their parents. There is a huge gap between richer people, who tend to live in the cities, and the rural poor who live in the countryside.

Names to know:

Gautam Buddha (563-483 BC) - Gautan Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. During his life, he was known for being a spiritual teacher.

Guru Nanak (1469-1539) - Guru Nakak founded Sikhism. Leaders of Sikhism are called Gurus in honour of Guru Nanak.

Mohandas Ghandi (1869-1948) - Mohandas Ghandi led a nationalist movement in India that supported independence from British rule. He was also called Mahatma, which is a title of honour. Ghandi was known for supporting non-violent forms of protest.

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) - Rudyard Kipling is an English author who spent his some of his life as a child and young adult in India. His time in India and the culture there inspired much of his writing. He is most known for his Just So Stories and The Jungle Book.

Related Videos

Just for fun...

Children's books about India

Find out more about India:

See for yourself

Explore Indian sights and landscapes on the Google Arts & Culture website

Some of India's top tourist attractions:

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Learn about India, discover fascinating facts, browse the gallery, watch videos and more

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

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of India, Bharat

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal republic

CAPITAL: New Delhi

POPULATION: 1,296,834,042

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Hindi, English, 21 others

MONEY: Rupee

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

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE: Himalaya

MAJOR RIVERS: Ganges, Yamuna, Indus, Brahmaputra

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

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

PEOPLE & CULTURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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India Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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

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Chinese New Year Information for Kids | Facts about Chinese New Year

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China Facts for Kids

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

Read about the Great Wall of China, its major cities, population, languages, rivers, animals, economy and much more.

China is officially known as the People's Republic of China.

China has a large population, with over 1.45 billion people as of 2023.

China is the 3rd largest country by area at 9,706,961 sq km (3,747,879 sq miles).

China is found on the continent of Asia. Bordering countries include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.

The summit of Mt Everest marks the border between China and Nepal.

There are many different languages spoken in China, including Mandarin, Yue, Wu, Minbei, Minnan, Xiang, Gan and Hakka.

The capital city is Beijing, while the most populated city is Shanghai. Other major cities include Chongqing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

47% of the population live in urban areas.

China experiences typhoons every year and also suffers from floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and droughts.

China has the fourth longest river in the world, the Yangtze River, which reaches 5,797km (3,602 miles) in length. It also has the sixth longest, the Yellow River, stretching 4,667km (2,900 miles).

China is the second largest economy in the world, after the United States of America.

In 2003, China became the third country to successfully send a person to space.

The Great Wall of China is the largest man made structure in the world, stretching an incredible 8,850 kilometres (5,500 miles).

Early Chinese discoveries include the invention of paper, gunpowder and the compass.

The famous Giant Panda is found near the Yangtze River in China.

Drivers use the right-hand side of the road in mainland China.

China hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing as well as the 2022 Winter Olympics.

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

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Fun China Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about China

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China Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about China while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about the Great Wall of China, its major cities, population, languages, rivers, animals, economy and much more. China is officially known as the People's Republic of China.

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2022 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger! Join in the celebrations here at National Geographic Kids with these cool facts about China, from its ancient empire to the modern day...
Facts about China

1) The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for 15 days.

2) In China, every year is represented by one of 12 animals.

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3) China's Bailong Elevator carries visitors more than 300m up a cliff's edge.

4) You can buy green-bean-flavoured ice pops in China!

5) In Ancient China, soldiers sometimes wore armour made from paper.

6) In 2010 a 2,400-year-old pot of soup was unearthed in Xi'an, China.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Imperial China primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

9) People race boats with dragon designs at a Chinese festival in the spring.

10) Chinese monal birds sometimes build nests in caves.

11) Put together, all of China's railways lines could loop around earth twice!

13) 7th-century Emperor Tang of Shang had 94 'ice men' who made him ice-cream.

15) Asiatic golden cats in the country's south sometimes communicate by spitting.

16) Developed about 5,000 years ago, the earliest chopsticks were used for cooking, not eating.

17) Hong Kong has more skyscrapers than any other city in the world.

18) Chinese white dolphins, which live off southern China, are often pink.

20) China's Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys live at a higher altitude than any other primate except humans.

21) More people speak Mandarin, a Chinese Dialect, as their first language than any other language in the world.

22) China is home to a cluster of ancient rock pillars called the Stone Forest.

23) China's Leshan Giant Buddha, a gigantic stone statue, has 5.5-m-long eyebrows!

24) China's giant pandas are good swimmers.

25) Many Chinese emperors considered themselves to be descendants of dragons.

27) Half of all pigs on earth live in China.

28) It took around 37 years to make the Terracotta Army, a set of around 8,000 clay soldiers built in Xi'an to guard an Emperor's tomb. Take a look at these super-impressive statues in the video, below!

29) Dogs get special treats on one day of the Chinese New Year celebration.

30) Chinese brides often wear red, a colour considered to be lucky.

Country fact file: China

Read our more in-depth profile on China to learn more about its secrets.

OFFICIAL NAME: People"s Republic of China

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Communist state

CAPITAL: Beijing (Peking)

POPULATION: 1,393,783,836

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Chinese, Mandarin

AREA: 9,596,960 square kilometres

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Himalayas

MAJOR RIVERS: Yangtze, Yellow

China's geography

Stretching 5,000 kilometres from east to west and 5,500 kilometres from north to south, China is one seriously huge country! It has lots of different landscapes, too, including mountains, high plateaus (areas of level high ground), sandy deserts and dense forests.

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

Chinese people and culture

With a population of over 1.3 billion, China has more people than any other country on Earth. About a third of the population lives in cities, and the rest of the people live in the countryside.

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

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

China's nature

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

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

The giant panda lives in the misty mountains of central China and nowhere else on Earth. They can usually be found in thick bamboo forests, where they feast on the leaves of this woody evergreen plant. Sadly, due to habitat loss and hunting, these beautiful bears are on the endangered species list, and it's estimated that only around 1,800 remain in the wild. Although that doesn't sound like many, panda numbers have actually grown by 17% since the 1970s - good news! You cancheck out our panda facts, here.

China's government and economy

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

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

Chinese history

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

Ancient China was a land of invention. For centuries, China was much more advanced than most other countries in science and technology, astronomy and maths. The Chinese invented paper, the magnetic compass, printing, tea porcelain, silk and gunpowder, among other things.

* Communism is a system which aims to create a society where everything is shared equally among the people.
* A republic is a form of government where the people elect their leaders to run the country

Words adapted from kids.nationalgeographic.com. Photos: Getty Images UK.

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30 cool facts about China! | National Geographic Kids

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2022 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger! Join in the celebrations here at National Geographic Kids with these cool facts about China, from its ancient empire to the modern day... 1) The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for 15 days. 2) In China, every year is represented by one of 12 animals.

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

OFFICIAL NAME: People's Republic of China

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Communist state

CAPITAL: Beijing (Peking)

POPULATION: 1,397,897,720

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Standard Chinese, Mandarin

MONEY: Yuan (or renminbi)

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

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Himalaya

MAJOR RIVERS: Yangtze, Yellow

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

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

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

PEOPLE & CULTURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

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

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

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

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

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

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China Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Stretching 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) from east to west and 3,400 miles (5,500 kilometers) from north to south, China is a large country with widely varying landscapes.

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Kenya Facts for Kids

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

Read about Kenyan national parks, agriculture, the tallest mountain in Kenya, its languages, population, natural resources and much more.

Kenya is located in East Africa, on the equator.

In 2012, the population of Kenya was estimated to be around 43 million.

Kenya is officially known as the Republic of Kenya.

The capital and largest city is Nairobi. Mombasa is the second largest city.

The two official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili, although there are dozens of other languages spoken in various parts of the country.

Kenya shares Lake Victoria, the world's second largest fresh water lake, with Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya features many national parks and wildlife reserves, with safaris being a popular activity for visitors.

Agriculture is important to Kenya's economy, especially tea, coffee and flowers.

Large animals such as lions, buffalo, leopards, elephants and rhinoceros are present in Kenya.

In Kenya they drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Kenya is named after Mt Kenya, the tallest mountain in the country (5,199 metres, 17,057 feet).

Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963.

Hydroelectricity is the largest contributor to Kenya's electricity supply.

Kenya is a developing country and half of the population live in poverty.

In terms of sports, Kenya is perhaps best known for its middle distance and long distance runners, with the country frequently producing Olympic champions.

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

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Fun Kenya Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Kenya

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Kenya Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Kenya while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about Kenyan national parks, agriculture, the tallest mountain in Kenya, its languages, population, natural resources and much more. Kenya is located in East Africa, on the equator.

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Facts about Kenya | Geography | Wildlife | People | Kenya for Kids

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Our Facts about Kenya will inform about geography and wildlife, Kenya landmarks and attractions, people and languages in Kenya, Kenyan food and so much more.

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Novaya Zemlya Rayon, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia

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Here is just some extra learning about the continents of the world.

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Seven Continents of the world - Seven continents video for kids

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Here is just some extra learning about the oceans of the world

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Oceans of the World for Kids | Learn all about the 5 Oceans of the Earth

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'Nile' - Know About The World's Longest River| Animated Geographical Facts for Kids | Longest River

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We're off on an exciting adventure to northeast Africa to learn about one of the world's most famous rivers - and you're coming with us! So grab your passport, suncream and shades, and check out our fascinating Nile river facts ...

Nile river facts

1) Found in northeast Africa, the Nile has long been recognised as the longest river in the world - stretching a massive 6,695km! There is some debate over this title, though - some scientists argue that the Amazon river in South America is longer.

2) The Nile is often associated with Egypt, but in fact, it flows through 11 countries: Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt.

3) This mighty river has two main tributaries (branches, or smaller rivers or streams) which meet to form 'the Nile'. One tributary is called the White Nile, which starts in South Sudan, and the other is called the Blue Nile, which starts in Ethiopia.

4) The Blue Nile and White Nile merge together in the city of Khartoum in Sudan. From there, the river continues to flow north through Egypt and, finally, into the Mediterranean Sea.

5) The Nile has been an important source of life for people throughout history. Around 5,000 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians relied on the Nile for fresh water, food and transportation. It also provided them with fertile land to farm on...

6) But how did the Nile allow the Ancient Egyptians to farm on dry desert land? The answer is that the river flooded every August! And when it did, all the nutrient-rich soil carried in the water spread across the river banks, leaving a thick, moist mud... Perfect for growing crops!

7) The Nile no longer floods each year, however. This is because in 1970 the Aswan High Dam was built. This huge dam controls the flow of the river to generate electricity, irrigate (water) farms and provide homes with drinking water.

8) This fascinating river remains an invaluable source of life for Egyptians to this day. More than 95% of the country's population depend on its water and live within a few miles of the river banks.

9) And it's not just important for humans - the river and its banks are home to lots of wonderful wildlife, too - including different kinds of fish and birds, as well as turtles, snakes, hippos and one of our planet's largest reptiles... the Nile crocodile!

10) Such an incredible river is cause for celebration, wouldn't you say? The Egyptians sure think so! Each year in August, they have a two-week holiday called 'Wafaa an-Nil' to celebrate the ancient flooding of the Nile - an important natural event which allowed their civilisation to grow!

What do you think of our Nile river facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Nile river facts for kids | Geography | National Geographic Kids

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We're off on an exciting adventure to northeast Africa to learn about one of the world's most famous rivers - and you're coming with us! So grab your passport, suncream and shades, and check out our fascinating Nile river facts ...

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

Population: 104 million people live in Egypt (2021)

Capital: Cairo with 21 million inhabitants

Name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Government: Presidential republic

Languages: Arabic (official language)

Literacy: 72% of the population aged 15 years and over can read and write

Religion: Muslims 90%, Christians 10%

Currency: 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 Piastres

National Day: 23 July (Revolution Day)

National Symbols: golden eagle (national animal), white lotus (national flower)

National Colours: red, white and black

National Anthem: "Bilady, bilady, bilady" ("My Homeland")

History: Already in 9000 BC hunter-gatherers had settled in the region. King Menes founded the first dynasty around 3150 BC with distinct arts, religion and customs. The New Kingdom (1550 - 1000) BC is known for the pharaohs and their tombs. Egypt became part of the Ottoman Empire after it was seized by Ottoman Turks in 1517. 1869 the Suez Canal was built and Egypt became a transport hub for the region. Egypt became independent in 1922 from the British Empire. After the Revolution in 1952, the country became a republic.

Egypt Geography | Egypt Map

Where is Egypt? Egypt is a large country in northern Africa. The capital city of Egypt is called Cairo.

Egypt is three times larger in land area than New Mexico/USA or is slightly smaller in size than three times the size of Germany.

Egypt borders the Mediterranean Sea in the North and the Red Sea in the East. The country shares borders Israel, Libya, Sudan and the Gaza Strip (Palestine).

The longest border of Egypt is shared with Sudan.

The name Egypt comes from the ancient Greek name for the county ' Aigyptos'.

Egypt is a 5-hours flight from London/UK or 12-hours flight from New York/USA.

Egypt Facts | Geography Superlatives

Egypt is a transcontinental country. The Sinai peninsula forms a land bridge between the African and the Asian continents.

The largest city of Egypt is Cairo. About 21 million people live in the metropolitan area of Egypt's capital city. Cairo is the second largest city on the African continent - after Lagos in Nigeria.

Egypt is the country with the most Arab speaking people in the world. Some also refer to Egypt as the most populous country in the Arab world.

Al-Azhar University is Egypt's oldest university. The Islam university was founded in 975 AD.

The Nile is the longest river in the world. The Nile enters the Mediterranean Sea just north of Cairo.

The Suez canal finished in 1869 connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean's Red Sea. The Red Sea is the name for the waters that surround the Sinai peninsula.

The three biggest cities in Egypt are Cairo, Alexandria and Giza.

The highest mountain in Egypt is Gabal Katrîne, also called Mount Catherine, with 2,629 m/ 8,625 ft. The highest mountain of Egypt is located on the Sinai peninsula. Nearby Saint Catherine's monastery is one of the oldest working monasteries in the world!

Most of Egypt's landscape is dominated by deserts. A few oases are dotting the desert. Egypt and Sudan are the easternmost countries of the Sahara desert.

Egypt's climate is mainly hot and dry. Rainfall occurs in the winter months when even snowfalls can be expected on the mountainsides of the Sinai peninsula.

Egypt Facts | Egypt Landmarks

Cairo: The largest city in Egypt is home to many famous Egyptian landmarks. Here you can find the Cairo Tower, the Citadel and the Egyptian Museum. In the tenth century Cairo was the centre of the Islamic world. Thus many Islamic buildings such as mosques, madrassas or hammams can be explored. The Sultan Hassan Mosque Madrassa is another iconic landmark of Cairo.

Giza: The pyramid complex of Giza is only 13 km/ 8 miles from Cairo and can even be seen from the city! The pyramids and the Great Sphinx are part of the Giza Necropolis. The Great Pyramid is the tallest pyramid and was built in Ancient Egypt around 2650 BC.

Alexandria: The second largest city in Egypt is home to more than 5 million people. The city was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. The lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos) was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This is also the location were once the Great Library, the largest library in ancient times was standing. The ancient Pompey's pillar and the sphinx are among the best known ancient monuments of Alexandria.

Luxor and Thebes: Thebes is an ancient Egyptian city that was once the capital city of Egypt during the Middle and New kingdoms. The ruins lie where today we find the city of Luxor. The Karnak temple is located in the Thebes complex. The open-air museum in Karnak contains reconstructions of the buildings and temples of the site.

Valley of the Kings: The site is located near Luxor on the western side of the Nile River. This is the location of 64 tombs and chambers that were once cut in the rocks. There the noble families and kings (pharaohs) of the New Kingdom were buried. Among the most famous tombs are those of Pharaoh Tutankhamen and Pharaoh Ramses VI.

Mount Sinai: The locals call this mountain 'Jabal Musa'. This mountain on the Sinai peninsula is considered to be the place where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.

Wadi Al-Hitan or Whale Valley: The fossils found in the 'Whale Valley' are evidence of the evolution of whales, showing the transition from land animals to ocean animals. In Egypt, there are seven UNESCO world heritage sites, six cultural sites and the Wadi-Al-Hitan, a natural world heritage site.

Sharm El Sheik on the Sinai Peninsula is one of the most popular tourist resorts of Egypt. The resort borders the Red Sea and is famous for its magnificent diving sites and stunning sandy beaches.

Egypt Facts | Egypt People

Egypt is home to the largest population in the Arab countries. Most Egyptians live in the fertile valley along the Nile river.

Almost all people in Egypt (99%) live on 5% of the land area of the country! Very few people live in oases in the desert.

In Egypt most of the people are Egyptians, smaller Ethnic groups include Turks, Greeks and the Berbers.

Islam is the state religion of Egypt. However, Egypt's population was mainly Christian until the seventh century before the county was islamised. The Egyptian muslims today are mainly Sunni muslims.

Today Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, while Coptic Christians are a minority.

Languages in Egypt | Egypt Facts

Arabic is the official language in Egypt, but most the people (68%) speak a distinct Egyptian Arabic dialect.

Egyptian though is the language that was spoken in the region in ancient Egypt. The first written examples of this language date back to around 3000 BC.

Today the main foreign languages taught at school are English and French.

Egypt Facts | Egypt Economy

The main water source in Egypt is the Nile, as rainfalls are sparse. Today, the country relies mainly on irrigation systems for growing crops. The Nile waters are regulated by the Aswan dam since the 1960s.

Aswan dam is one of the world's largest artificial water reservoirs with an earthen dam wall. Prior to the building of the dam, the Nile flooded the area regularly and provided sufficient water to the communities living along the Nile. Today climate change and raising water levels are a major challenge to the country.

The main agricultural products of Egypt are fruits and vegetables, cotton, rice, corn and wheat. Egypt is known for its high quality Egyptian cotton.

The main trading partners are the United Arab Emirates, China, the UK and the USA.

Egypt is one of Africa's largest oil and natural gas producers. The country mainly exports crude oil and petroleum products, as well as agricultural products and textiles.

Food in Egypt | Egypt Facts

The Egyptian cuisine mainly uses vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, beans courgettes (zucchini), eggplants (aubergines), okra, grapes and dates as well as spices such as cumin, garlic and coriander. Vegetarian dishes are very common in the country as vegetables, fruits, rice, beans and various grains are commonly cultivated in the country. Pita bread is served with all meals. In the Mediterranean region as well as in the Nile valley, fish and seafood are available. Chicken and lamb are the most popular meats but quite expensive.

Here are some typical Egyptian dishes:

often considered the national dish, Kushari is made with rice, lentils, pasta, spices and fried onions and served with a hot and spicy tomato sauce.

Dukkah: a dip of dry ground spices, seeds and nuts that are served with pita bread for dipping into the spice mixture.

Eish balad: Egyptian pita bread is round and flat and is made with flour, water, salt and yeast

Kofta: fried round meat balls made of ground meat and spices

Molokhia: green soup made with green yute leaves, garlic, coriander and various spices

Egypt Animals

Egypt is home to many animals such as camels, donkeys, horses, sheep and goats as well as gazelles, desert lynxes and desert foxes who mainly live in the desert areas. The Nubian ibex is an endangered species and only few of these gazelles live in the rocky mountains of the Sinai peninsula.

Sea life is abundant in Egypt! Dolphins, turtles, rays and sharks are plentiful in Egypt's ocean waters. More than 1,200 species of fish, many in bright colours, and more than 300 species of corals can be found in the Red Sea which is named among the world's best diving sites.

Egypt Facts | Resources
Sources and useful Reading for Egypt Facts page:

Central Intelligence Agency."Egypt." World Fact Book. Last updated 26 October 2021. Last accessed 29 October 2021

United Nations. "Wadi Al-Hitan". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Last accessed 29 October 2021

NASA. "Aswan High Dam" Earth Observatory. 12 April 2015. Last accessed 29 October 2021

Samar Samir. "70 species threatened with extinction in Egypt." Egypt Today. 21 January 2020. Last accessed 29 October 2021

Image Credits on Egypt Facts: Ramses VI tomb by Jakub/Kyncl/shutterstock.com, Egyptian girls by Aleks333/shutterstock.com, Go from Egypt Facts to Africa Continent Facts Back from Egypt Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide various others from shutterstock.com, UNESCO world heritage centre and wikicommons, if not otherwise stated.
We hope you enjoyed reading our Egypt Facts. Please bookmark this page and spread the word.

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Egypt Facts for Kids | Egypt for Kids | Geography | Africa | Landmarks

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Our Egypt Facts for Kids will provide info about the North African country, geography, landmarks, people, animals, economy, food and much more

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Join us, ancient explorers, as we head back 5,000 years through history to discover fascinating facts about Ancient Egypt, from its ancient beginnings to Egypt today...
Discover facts about Ancient Egypt below or skip to our facts about modern-day Egypt.

Facts about Ancient Egypt

1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.

2) The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. They believed that by preserving a dead person's body - which they did through the process of mummification - their soul would live on in the afterlife forever.

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3) The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings!

4) Both Egyptian men and women wore make-up. The eye paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too!

5) Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. Yikes!

6) The Egyptian alphabet contained more than 700 hieroglyphs! Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbols by checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature.

7) Ancient Egyptians believed in more than 2,000 deities! They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! Each had different responsibilities and needed to be worshipped so that life could be kept in balance.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Ancient Egypt primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

8) Cats were considered sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians. It's thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck!

9) Love playing board games with your pals? Well, gang, so did the Ancient Egyptians! One popular game was , which was played for over 2,000 years! The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board.

10) The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and - believe it or not - toothpaste!

If you enjoyed these facts about Ancient Egypt, make sure you check out our other Ancient Egypt pages! Discover the Nile River, figure out hieroglyphics and learn about Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Country fact file: Egypt today

Incredible ancient monuments, scorching deserts and bustling cities - this ancient country is now a sprawling, modern landscape! Read on to learn about the Egypt of today...

Egyptian flag

OFFICIAL NAME: Arab Republic of Egypt
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
CAPITAL: Cairo
POPULATION: 87, 562, 261
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Arabic
MONEY: Egyptian pound, guinay
AREA: 1,001,449 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Eastern Highlands
MAJOR RIVER: Nile
FLAG:

Map of Egypt

Egypt: geography and landscape

Without the Nile River, all of Egypt would be desert. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. When this happens, floods cover the river's valleys, leaving sediments needed for trees, plants and crops to grow.

Egypt is often divided into two sections - Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the country's north coast.

Southern Egypt's landscape contains low mountains and desert. Northern Egypt has wide valleys near the Nile, and desert to the east and west. North of Cairo (Egypt's capital city) is the sprawling, triangular Nile River Delta. This fertile land is completely covered with farms.

Egypt's incredible nature

Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. The best places to see Egypt's wildlife are in its 21 protected regions, which include oases, deserts, mountains, coastal areas, river islands and wetlands.

Egyptians have always been close to the natural world. The ancient Egyptians left paintings and carvings (which can still be seen today!) of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss.

The history of Egypt

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 neighbours and learned to sail boats. By 3000 B.C., a civilisation 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 impressive monuments. They also conquered other lands.

By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. Strong neighbours attacked and took over Egyptian territory - in 31 B.C., Egypt fell under Roman control and centuries later, in A.D. 640, Muslim warriors took over Egypt. These Arab forces ruled Egypt for several centuries and founded the modern capital, Cairo.

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. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952.

Egyptian people and culture

About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim, which means they are followers of the Islam religion. About ten percent of Egyptians are Copts, one of the oldest branches of the Christian religion.

Egypt's population is growing rapidly. This puts strain on Egypt's resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. Having so many people in such a small area causes overcrowding everywhere, from schools and hospitals to apartment buildings and public transport.

Children are highly valued in Egypt, especially in rural areas where they help on family farms. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age.

Egyptian government and economy

Egypt's geography, population, history and military strength have made it highly influential in the region. Egypt is a democratic republic, although some critics claim that it is not truly democratic. Until 2005, there was never more than one presidential candidate to vote for.

Egypt's most valuable resources are oil and gas, which are exported to other countries. Other exports include metals, textiles, livestock and chemical products. Tourism is also an important part of Egypt's economy, with visitors flocking to see the famous ancient monuments and to enjoy the country's beautiful beaches.

Want to learn more about awesome ancient cultures? Then check out our Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece features. Plus, discover more amazing facts from around the world in National Geographic Kids magazine!

Image credits: Egypt map: National Geographic Maps. Mosque in Egypt: Rraheb, Dreamstime. Man pouring juice, Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. Outdoor cafe in Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. Sphinx and pyramid at Giza, Egypt: Javarman, Dreamstime. All other photographs and illustrations: Getty Images UK

Did you enjoy our facts about Ancient Egypt article? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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10 Facts About Ancient Egypt | National Geographic Kids

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Discover incredible facts about Ancient Egypt with Nat Geo Kids! Learn about the country's ancient & modern history, pyramids and more...

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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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Greece Facts for Kids

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

Read about Ancient Greece, the Olympic Games, the population, language, economy, Greek islands, mountains and much more.

The official name of Greece is the Hellenic Republic.

Greece is located in southeast Europe, close to both Africa and Asia.

In 2011 the population of Greece was around 11 million.

The capital and largest city in Greece is Athens. Other major cities include Thessaloniki, Patras and Heraklion.

Around two thirds of the Greek population live in urban areas.

Greek is the official language spoken in Greece.

Greece is a member of the European Union and uses the Euro as its currency.

Greece is a developed country with a high standard of living. Important industries include the service sector, agriculture and tourism.

Greece is a popular tourist destination and home to over a dozen World Heritage Sites.

Greece features thousands of islands, including destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos.

Greece is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.

The highest mountain in Greece is Mount Olympus, it has over 50 peaks with the highest reaching 2917 metres (9570 feet).

Ancient Greece is said to have laid the foundation for Western civilization, having a large influence on the Roman Empire and European culture.

The Olympic Games originated in Ancient Greece.

Athens most recently hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 2004.

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

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Fun Greece Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Greece

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Greece Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Greece while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about Ancient Greece, the Olympic Games, the population, language, economy, Greek islands, mountains and much more. The official name of Greece is the Hellenic Republic.

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Greece is a small country in south east Europe.

Greece has an area of mainland, which is very mountainous, and hundreds of small islands dotted around in the Aegean and Ionian seas. There are about 140 inhabited islands in Greece, but if you count every rocky outcrop, the total surges to about 3,000. The largest island is Crete which is in the Mediterranean Sea.

The highest mountain in Greece is Mount Olympus (9,754 ft.), seat of the gods of Greek mythology. Mount Parnassus (7,066 ft.) has on its lower slope the ancient site of Delphi, once dedicated to the god Apollo and famous for its oracle.

The largest city and capital of Greece is Athens, with a population of over three million.
How big is Greece?
Greece has a total area of 131.957 square kilometers (50,502 square miles). This includes 1,140 square kilometers of water and 130,800 square kilometers of land.

What is the flag of Greece like?

The National Flag of Greece consists of four white and five blue alternating horizontal stripes, with a white cross on the upper inner corner.

The flag of Greece
What is the weather like in Greece?
Greece has a warm, sunny climate with temperatures that peak at about 33 C in the summer months of June, July and August, lowering to between 13 C and 15 C from December to February.

Rainfall in Greece peaks at about 65mm in December and January, but lowers to only 6mm in July and August.

Quick Facts about Greece

Capital: Athens

Population: 10.9 million

Population density (per sq km): 80

Area: 131.957 sq km

Coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E

Language: Greek

Major religion: Orthodox Christian

Currency: Euro

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Greece is a small country in south east Europe. Greece has an area of mainland, which is very mountainous, and hundreds of small islands dotted around in the Aegean and Ionian seas. There are about 140 inhabited islands in Greece, but if you count every rocky outcrop, the total surges to about 3,000.

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Our Greece Facts for Kids provide interesting and fun facts about the country in Southern Europe, her geography, Greece landmarks and attractions and so much more.

Here are some interesting Facts about Greece which were choosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Greece Facts for Kids

Population: about 10.5 million people live in Greece (2022)

Capital: Athens with 3.1 million inhabitants

: Hellenic Republic; locally also referred to as Name Ellas or Ellada

Government: Parliamentary Republic

National Language: Greek

Religion: mainly Greek Orthodox over 80%

Literacy: 97% of the Greek population aged 15 and over can read and write

Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents (before 2001: Greek drachma)

National Anthem: Hymn to Liberty (The Greek national anthem is the longest in the world and the original text of all anthems)

National Holiday: 25 March (Independence Day)

National Symbol: Greek cross (white on blue background) and the national colours: blue and white

History: The first evidence of people living in the region date back to 270,000 BCE on the Chalkidiki peninsula. Greece is considered as the cradle of Western civilisation. Kingdoms and city states, so called polis, spread across the region from about 800 BCE. The first Olympic games were held in 776 BCE. The Athenian Empire was at its peak around 450 BCE, this is when many of the Greek monuments were built. Greece is one of the earlier members of the European community, joining in 1981 in what today is the European Union.

Greece Facts | Greece Geography

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe. The country is situated on the Balkan peninsula.

The country shares land borders with four countries: Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Please note that the name Macedonia was disputed by Greece and the country to the north of Greece changed its name to North Macedonia in February 2019

Greece is a mountainous country as you can see on the map. Mountains cover 80% of the country. The two major mountain ranges are the Pindus and the Taurus mountains.

- Click here for a larger map and satellite images. -

Greece is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The Greek coastline borders the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea as well as the Libyan and Crete Seas in the south.

The country consists of the mainland with two peninsulas called Peloponnese (in southwestern Greece) and Chalkidiki (in northeastern Greece).

Greece also includes an archipelago of about 6,000 islands with Crete being the largest island.

Greece has a mild and temperate climate with wet and colder winters and hot and dry summers.

Greece is slightly smaller in size than the state of Alabama/USA.

Facts about Greece
Geo Superlatives

Athens is known as the oldest capital city in Europe. Athens is the southernmost capital city on Mainland Europe. The city is named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.

Greece has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean with 13 676 km/ 8 498 miles and one of the longest coastlines in the world.

Crete is the largest island of Greece.

The Corinth Canal is 6 km/ 3.7 miles long and shortens the voyage across the isthmus of Corinth by 325 km/ 202 miles.

Greece is known to possess one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. The harbour of Piraeus in Athens is the largest container port in Greece.

The longest river in Greece is the river Haliacmon with 297 km/ 185 miles.

Greece's highest mountain is Mount Olympus. The mountain's Mytikas peak is the highest peak with 2,917 m/ 9,570 ft.

Lake Trichonida is the largest lake in Greece. It is located north of the city of Patras.

Greece is the third largest olive oil producer in the world - after Italy and Spain.

Greece Facts
Landmarks and Attractions

There are 18 UNESCO world heritage sites in Greece.

Among the most well known monuments of Ancient Greece are the Acropolis in Athens and the Parthenon temple, the Sanctuary of Delphi, the ruins of the Olympic stadium in Olympia and the Shrine and Theatre of Asklepios in Epidaurus.

Here are some images of the most well known Greek landmarks.

Please let us know if you have some more info, we plan to add more info here shortly.

Besides the ancient Greek monuments, Greece is known for its scenic landscapes with picturesque villages and towns such as Oia on the island of Santorini and stunning beaches such as Elafonissi Beach on the island of Crete.

The windmills on the island of Mykonos were built in the 16th century and are a prominent landmark. Mykonos, one island of the Cyclades is amongst the windiest places in Greece. The power of the wind was mainly used here to mill grains such as wheat.

Greece Facts | Greek People

About one third of the population of Greece live in the capital city Athens. The majority of Greeks (80%) live in urban centres.

Athens and Thessaloniki are the biggest cities in Greece. Only a few other cities have more than 100,000 inhabitants, these include Patras, Heraklion and Rhodes. The city of Athens has a modern and efficient public transport system and a Metro or rapid transport system. The cities Athens and Thessaloniki are connected by a speed train called the "Hellas Sprinter".

The Greek enjoy following traditions and customs such as folk music and dances. The Sirtaki is one of the most famous dances around the world and also often performed for tourists.

In Greece, children go to primary or elementary school for six years, similar to the UK. Public school education is free of charge and includes the supply of free textbooks. Schooling is compulsory until Grade 9 or the age of 15. Greek pupils learn at least one foreign language, usually English is the first foreign language for the pupils while French or German can be studied as the second foreign language.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Greece but many people also enjoy watersports or athletics.

Greece Facts | Greek Language

Καλημέρα! pronounced as Kaliméra! means 'Good Day!' in Greek. The Greek language has the longest history of any of the Indo-European languages and written records date back about 3,500 years. See how the letters are written in printed writing and cursive writing.

The Greek alphabet has letter 24 letters. Here is how to pronounce the letters.

Many Greek words have been introduced in other languages. Some of the Greek words that we use in the English language are: mathematics, physics, athletics, telephone, politics, academy, democracy and geography.

Greece Facts | Greece Economy

Greece has one of Europe's highest unemployment rates with more than one in every four Greeks being unemployed. Most people work in the services sector and were affected strongly by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism, food and textile manufacturing are among the main business sectors in Greece. One third of the Greek population work in the tourism sector.

Olives, tomatoes as well as wheat, barley and potatoes are among the main agricultural products of Greece.

Italy and Germany are Greece's biggest trading parters.

Major natural resources include iron-ore, petroleum, zinc, nickel, salt and marble.

Greece Facts | Food in Greece

The Greek cuisine is full of aroma! Fresh fruit and vegetables and seafood dominate most dishes. Spices such as oregano, thyme, mint or rosemary are added to most Greek dishes. Olive oil is used in most dishes or for dipping bread.

Mezedes are snacks that can be eaten before meals or enjoyed with drinks at the local restaurants or tavernas.

Popular food in Greece:

Choriatiki salata: This 'village' salad is what we know all over the world as 'Greek salad', made with plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese. Usually eaten with bread not with pita ;-)

Feta cheese: white soft cheese made from goats milk

dip or thick sauce made with Greek yoghurt and cucumbers, garlic, olive oil and spices

Moussaka: layered dish with aubergines (also called eggplants or brinjals) and potatoes and creamy sauce

Spanakopita: filo pastry dish with a spinach and feta filling

Souvlaki: skewers of marinated meat, usually eaten as fast food

Pastitsio: pasta dish with minced meats and white sauce, similar to the Italian lasagna

Dolmades: little parcels of rice that has been mixed with vegetables and spices and that are wrapped in vine leaves

Greece Facts | Did you know?

Greece still has a royal family. However, King Constantine II does not have any power in governing the country as the monarchy was abolished in Greece in 1974.

The royal family includes King Constantine II, born in 1940, Queen Anne-Marie, their five children and nine grandchildren.

Did you know that Constantine II is an avid sportsman? He took part for Greece in the 1960 Olympics when he achieved a gold medal in sailing before he ascended the throne in 1964. By the way, Constantine II is also the younger brother of Queen Sofia of Spain.

Popular Pages

Useful Resources for Greece Facts

This Greece facts page was last updated on 24 June 2022. Many Thanks go to Vail Gousdova from Greece for the corrections!
Image Credits on Greece Facts page: Shutterstock.com and wikipedia commons Return from Greece Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage

Angela King & Brad Cole. Geoscience News and Information. "Greece Map and Satellite Images." Geology.com Last accessed 24 June 2022

Central Intelligence Agency. "Greece". CIA World Fact Book Last updated 21 June 2022. Last accessed 24 June 2022

Greek National Tourism Organisation. "Places to Go". VisitGreece. Last accessed 24 June 2022

Elena Paravantes. "The Best Authentic Greek Salad". OliveTomato. Last accessed 24 June 2022

Greek Royal Family. "Media Center" The Greek Royal Family. Last accessed 24 June 2022

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Greece Facts for Kids | Greece for Kids | Geography | Travel | Food

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Our Greece Facts for Kids provide info about this Mediterranean country with info about landmarks and attractions, people, economy, food and much more

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Greece has the longest coastline in Europe and is the southernmost country in Europe.

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Ancient Greece for Kids | Learn all Ancient Greek history with this fun overview

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KeeKee's Big Adventures- Kids Educational Cartoons

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Eiffel Tower - Paris, France | KeeKee's Fun Facts Educational Videos for Kids

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France for Kids - Fun facts on the French travel guide for kids.

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France Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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

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Ooh la la! Ready for the lowdown on one of Europe's most amazing countries? Then check out our fascinating facts about France ...

Official Name: French Republic
Form of government: Republic
Capital: Paris
Population: 67, 092, 056
Official languages: French
Monetary unit: Euro
Area: 543,965 square kilometres
Major mountain ranges: Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central
Major rivers: Seine, Rhine and Rhône

The largest country in Western Europe, France has long been a gateway between the continent's northern and southern regions. Its lengthy borders touch Germany and Belgium in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west, and the Pyrenees mountains and Spain in the south. It also borders the Mediterranean sea in the southeast, and the Alps, Switzerland and Italy in the east.

France has a very diverse landscape. There are beautiful beaches on the southeast coast, home to the French Riviera, and towering mountains in the south and east, where the snow-capped French Alps rise to the sky. Europe's tallest peak, Monte Blanc, is found in the French Alps, standing at a massive 4,810m tall!

Wide, fertile plains dominate most of the north and west, making France the agricultural epicentre of Europe. The sprawling, forested plateau of the Massif Central - a range of ancient mountains and extinct volcanoes - occupies France"s southern interior.

France has lots of land area to provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. More than 25 percent of its territory is covered with forest, and another 50 percent is countryside or farmland.

Lowland forests are home to deer and wild boar, while the woodlands of the Alps and Pyrenees provide refuge for rare chamois antelope, ibex, brown bears and alpine hares, among many other species. The Mediterranean coastline is a stopover for millions of migrating African birds, too, including flamingos, vultures, egrets and bee-eaters.

The French government has made a broad commitment to preserving open spaces and the wildlife they contain. In fact, about ten percent of the country has been set aside as national or regional parklands and nature reserves.

There is evidence that early relatives of humans first settled in France nearly two million years ago. By 300,000 B.C., Neanderthals arose there, and by 40,000 B.C., Cro-Magnons had arrived.

Over time, Celtic tribes from central Europe moved into the region, and when the Romans occupied the territory in the second century B.C., they named it Gaul. Julius Caesar established full Roman control over Gaul in 51 B.C., but by 400 A.D. Rome was in decline. Gaul was attacked by neighbouring tribes, including Visigoths, Vandals and the Germanic Franks, from which France would eventually get its name. In 843 a treaty created the territory of West Francia, which would later become France.

Over the next thousand years, West Francia was ruled by a series of powerful kings. Several wars were fought over who would rule France, including the Hundred Years War, from 1337 to 1453. In 1789, a violent period of change called the French Revolution began, eventually ending in the overthrow of the monarchy.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a general during the French Revolution, declared himself leader of France in 1799. He began a campaign of wars with neighbouring countries, and built a large French empire that ruled over much of continental Europe. But France's domination in Europe came to an end in 1815, when Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

France later suffered great losses in both and World War II. It has since emerged, though, as an important and prosperous world power.

France is one of the oldest nations on Earth and the most ethnically diverse country in Europe. These deep and broad influences have made France a world leader throughout history in different aspects of culture, including cuisine, philosophy, music, art, film, fashion, literature and sport.

Over the years, France has been through many political crises. Its current government is a combination of presidential and parliamentary systems. The president is elected by the people and is head of state. A prime minister, chosen by the president, works with the elected parliament to pass laws.

France is among the world's largest economies. The country produces many items that other countries buy, including its most famous products - wine and cheese. Other exports include automobiles, electronics and clothing. Tourism is also a huge industry in France. More than 80 million people visit the country every year, more than any other country on Earth!

What did you make of our facts about France? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

Credits
Map of France: National Geographic Maps. Eiffel Tower on a sunny day, Paris: Silvian Tomescu, Dreamstime. Beach at the French Rivieria: Lucian Milasan, Dreamstime. Arc de Triomphe viewed from the Champs-Élysées, Paris: Giancarlo Liguori, Dreamstime. Colourful flowers in the Tuileries Garden, Paris: Victorua, Dreamstime. Glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre, Paris: Lsantilli, Dreamstime. French Alps and Palace of Versailles: Getty Images UK

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Ooh la la! Ready for the lowdown on one of Europe's most amazing countries? Then check out our fascinating facts about France ...

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France Facts for Kids | Facts about France | France for Kids | Travel

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Our France Facts for Kids include information about France for Kids, landmarks in France, geography, famous French people, French food and much more.