5 Facts of China

The capital of China is Beijing

 

China is a place of amazing beauty, many curiosities and a wealth of interesting facts. Most people are familiar with China's well-known landmarks, such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, but there are a myriad of fascinating facts about China that are less known. Many inventions used in everyday life come from China, serving as a testament to the ingenuity of the Chinese people. Following are five things you might not know about China:

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The first person to invent an instrument designed to monitor earthquakes, was Chinese literary scholar and astronomer, Zhang Heng. The device was invented in the year 130 AD, and could determine the direction an earthquake moved.

2

Ice cream, a tasty treat enjoyed the world over, was an invention of the Chinese. The original creation was a combination of milk, flavorings and rice that was packed in snow. According to legend, the famous explorer Marco Polo was so delighted by the delicacy, he secured the recipe and brought it home with him when he returned to Europe.

3

Silk is a discovery of the Chinese, dating back to 3000 BC. According to legend, Emperor Huang Di's wife, Lady Xi Ling Sui, discovered a silk worm cocoon that had fallen into her tea. The heat from the tea is said to have caused the strands of the cocoon to unravel, revealing the silken thread.

4

The Chinese lantern is a symbol representing long life, with origins dating back to 250 BC. At one time, lanterns also represented the wealth of a family. To exhibit their prosperity, the wealthiest families owned lanterns of such immense size, hanging them required the assistance of several people.

5

Kites were invented by the Chinese sometime around 2000 BC. They were originally designed to create fear in their enemies during battle. Kites are also called Aeolian, meaning paper birds. It was once believed that intentionally letting go of a kite would bring bad luck.

5 Facts of Malaysia

The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur

 

Malaysia is a most unusual country, separated into two sections by the Natuna Sea. The capital is Kuala Lumpur which is not as modern as Singapore and not cosmopolitan like Jakarta. However, Kuala Lumpur has its own unique character. Except for item one on this list, if you have seen Singapore skip Kuala Lumpur. See the real Malaysia by visiting the items on my list of things Malaysian. Most possibly these are places you have never heard about before.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Kuala Lumpur is an F1 race stop with an ultra modern race facility and very modern airport to handle traffic when the F1 race comes to town.

2

Sipidan Island, Borneo is an island with nothing to say for itself except the best snorkelling in the world. For scuba divers an unmatched wall dive awaits you, 3000 feet straight down.

3

The headhunters of Borneo live in Sarawak. For hundreds of years, people rarely visited for a good reason. Those that did often never returned. Home of the wild men of Borneo, these cannibalistic tribes live off the jungle, eating only what nature and hunting provides, plus the occasional visiting European. The Malaysian National Tourist Association has tours to this area, including visits to ancient caves where death rituals take place. Tourists really have no need to worry as cannibalism is now discouraged.

4

Land of Lakawi is northwest from Malaysia in the Andaman Sea. Of ninety-nine islands, only three are inhabited. On one of the three is The Datai, the most beautiful remote resort in the world. At The Datai, you can see how Malaysians lived hundreds of years ago, but in total luxury. Most unusual is the challenging golf course with eighteen links surrounded by virgin tropical rainforest.

5

Pangkor Laut Resort was the retreat of Sultans, even until just a few years ago. It is now a magnificent and luxurious resort with visitors coming to see the virgin untouched forests and spot as many of the 100 varieties of beautiful jungle birds that live on the island and the native rainforest populated with unusual crab eating monkeys.

5 Facts of Chile

 The capital of Chile is Santiago

If you are planning to visit the country of Chile, you need to know a few important factors about the country. This is going to make it easier to travel around the country. The South American country is a rather popular tourist destination, for individuals all over the world, so as long as you have the basic understandings of the country, you should be fine while visiting.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

East Island is part of Chile, despite being over 2,000 miles off the coast. This island is one of the great mysteries of the world, as nobody really knows how the settlers came to be on the island (there isn't any other body of land near the island), and nobody knows where they all went. All that is left are the famous Moai statues and some bird man cult carvings.

2

The Real Robinson Crusoe crashed landed here. The smaller Robinson Crusoe island, is located just west of Santiago, and is the actual maroon site of the legendary individual. There is a large sculpture designed after his likeness in the middle of the island, and a few other interesting bits of information here. The island isn't a very large tourist draw, so it should be interesting to go and visit, while in the country of Chile.

3

The public transportation system in Santiago is rather lacking. There is a public train that moves about areas of the city, but it shuts down while business hours are not running. This means, if you have a dinner date, or someplace to arrive to early in the morning, you are out of luck, as it does not run. You are able to take a taxi instead, but only use a metered taxi. Negotiating taxi rates almost never results in a cheaper drive.

4

Chile is one of the safest countries in all of South America. It also has one of the best economically run plans in the country too.

5

Chile is an excellent stopping point, if you plan on visiting Antarctica. The southern most tip is close enough for short range plans and boats to depart, allowing you to see the worlds most southern continent.

5 Facts of Chad

The capital of Chad is N'Djamena

 

Chad is an African country found at the heart of the Sahara desert hence some people refer to it as 'Africa's Dead Heart'. However there are some things about this country that very few know about. The following are 5 things which you may not know about it.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The estimated number of people is about 11 million. Part of Chad's population is concentrated in the capital city while the rest is found in the rural areas. Of this entire population almost 50% is made up of children below 15 years. The life expectancy of the country was estimated at 47,2 as at 2005.

2

Chad is a very religious country. Islam has the most followers followed by Christianity where Roman Catholics are the most of all Christians. Islam has also incorporated some few African practices hence its called Sufism and Tijaniyah locally. A few of the people follow Animism and a very minor percentage of them are atheists.

3

The staple food of Chad residents is millet which is made into several dishes and sauces. Music is still the traditional style of music as they have disdained modern music. Authors here almost always write about political oppression which was very diverse and almost all literature is politically controlled. Football is the sport played by very many people even at international levels though wrestling and basketball are gaining more popularity currently.

4

The currency of Chad is the Central African Franc. You are required to change your money at the airport if you are visiting the country. Credit cards are used in very few of the places that you might be interested to visit within the country. If you are carrying a traveler's cheque this can only be cashed at the BIAT bank in N'Djamena the capital city.

5

In terms of tourism, Chad hosts very many visitors every year especially from March to May and from December to February. There are many places to visit such as the mountains which offer adventurous rock climbing challenge to travelers. There are many good hotels for the visitors to lodge while there.

5 Facts of Central African Republic

The capital of Central African Republic is Bangui

 

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country that is located in Central Africa. It borders Sudan to the northeast, Chad to the north, South Sudan to the south east and the Democratic Republic of Congo to its south. It covers about 240,000 square miles in area and has a population of an estimated 4,4 million people. The capital city of Central African Republic is Bnagui. Two thirds of the country lies Ubangi river basin while the remaining third on River Chari's basin.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The country is landlocked meaning that it does not have a coastline. Much of its land consists of flat rolling plateau savannah. At 240,000 square miles, the Central African Republic is the world's 42nd largest country. It has am 8% of forest cover which is much dense in the south region.

2

The CAR as it is abbreviated relies mostly on agriculture to support its economy. The most common foods cultivated in the Central African Republic are; cassava, peanuts, maize, millet, sorghum and maize among others. The GDP of the country is just over 3%. The country's largest import partner in international trade is South Korea by 20% followed by France and Cameroon among others.

3

In 1960, the population of the Central African Republic was just 1, 232,000. However, many years after independence, the population has quadrupled to 4,422,000 according to 2009's estimates by the United Nations. The country is divided into 80 ethnic groups which make up the several languages that are ethnic. The largest is Baya by 33%, Banda by 28%, Mandjia and Sara among others respectively.

4

Most of the people in Central African Republic are Christians forming 80% of the entire population. The other part of the population is believed to be affiliated to indigenous beliefs. However, there are Muslim followers who make about 10% of the population as well. This has enabled many missionary groups to set up projects in the region.

5

There is free public education in Central African Republic and it actually compulsory for children between 6 years and 14 years. However, almost half of the adult population is considered illiterate.

5 Facts of Cayman Islands

The capital of Cayman Islands is George Town

 

The capital of Cayman Islands is George Town

Are you thinking of heading to the Cayman Islands' Here are five things you might not know about these gorgeous isles.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The Cayman Islands are a small group of islands located south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. They are only 480 miles south of Miami, Florida. Three islands make up the Caymans: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The islands have a total area of only 100 square miles. The highest elevation is less than 152 feet above sea level, above Spot Bay on Cayman Brac.

2

According to the 2010 census, about 55,000 people live in the Caymans. The capital, George Town, is also the largest city, having over 36,000 inhabitants. These islands have a tropical marine climate. Warm, rainy summers make up the wet season from May through October. The dry, relatively cool winters make the Caymans an ideal place for a winter trip. Hurricane season runs from July to November.

3

The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory. Its highest official is the Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Duncan Taylor, CBE. He was appointed to his post by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Cayman Islands have their own currency that was issued first in 1972, the Cayman Island dollar, abbreviated CI$. Cayman Island dollars come in notes of denominations of CI$1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100. The coins are issued in units valued at 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents.

4

The Cayman Islands' national tree is the silver thatch palm; its national bird is the Grand Cayman parrot. The national flower of the Caymans is the wild banana and the national anthem is 'Beloved Isle Cayman,' written by the late Leila Ross-Shier. Mrs. Ross-Shier was an organist in the Presbyterian Church who composed 'Beloved Isle Cayman' in 1930 and sang it for years to a guitar. Her performance made it popular enough to be adopted as the national anthem.

5

The Caymans were sighted by Christopher Columbus in May 1503, during his final voyage to the Western Hemisphere. He first called them Las Tortugas, after the many seas turtles he saw. Later, he renamed them the Cayman Islands after the caimans, a native word for the alligators inhabiting the islands.

5 Facts of Cape Verde

The capital of Cape Verde is Praia

 

The republic of Cape Verde is an island country located in central Atlantic. This country is spanning an archipelago of a total of 10 islands and it is located 570 kilometers off the West African Coast. All the islands of the country are of volcanic origin and have a combined are of 1500 square meters. Three of the islands are fairly flat; these are Sal, Boa and Maio. They are also sandy and dry while the remaining seven are rocky and have more vegetation than others.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The islands were previously inhabited after being colonized the Portuguese in the 15th century. They were used for slave trade in the Atlantic because of the geographical location advantage. Some of the famous people who visited the islands were Sir Francis Drake who was a corsair under the British crown and Charles Darwin who was on an expedition in 1832.

2

Due to the isolation of Cape Verde, there are a number of endemic species of birds and reptiles all which are endangered by the encroachment of humans and human development. Some of the endemic species of birds include Alexander's Swift birds, the Bourne's Heron, Rosa Lark, the Cape Verde Warbler and the Iago Sparrow. These islands are also breeding areas for sea birds.

3

The common and most successful tourist attraction in Cape Verde is bird watching. This is due to the various numbers of species of birds that reside in the islands. There are at least 4 unique species of birds in Cape Verde. The islands also have great views and beaches for tourists who want to enjoy the waters of the Atlantic.

4

Cape Verde is common with turtle watching because of the many sand dunes that are formed besides the beaches that form great places for the turtle eggs and nesting. It is also interesting to know that every year from May to September, 3000 loggerhead turtles come from ashore on Cape Verde's beaches.

5

Anyone who wants to have a legal marriage in Cape Verde it is possible. However, it is required that the tourists be there for over 30 days before getting married

5 Facts of Canada

The capital of Canada is Ottawa

 

One of the most peaceful and nature loving countries in the world is the great country of Canada. It is also one of the must cultural diverse countries in the entire world, which help to make this an exceptional country to live in and a fantastic country to visit. It has one of the strongest economies in the world and the crime rate is one of the lowest in the world. Even with all this there are also some interesting things you may have never known about this great country in the north.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Canada is the second largest country in the world, just behind Russia. Even with its large size it has the fourth lowest population density in the world, averaging just three people per square kilometers. Of those residents, more then half of Canada's residents were born in other countries.

2

Canada is the country that has some of the most useful inventions known to man. These remarkable inventions include basketball, the light bulb, the electric range, the electron microscope, the telephone, standard time, the ever popular television, the zipper, and the very first snowmobile. With so small of a population these are amazing feats.

3

Canda is home to some of the most unique cities in the entire world. Montreal is known as the city of churches and actually has more churches then homes. Toronto has a population of about five million extremely smart people. There are more residents with college degrees then in any other city in the world.

4

The climate and terrain also has some unique and interesting characteristics to it. Most of the country is covered in snow for more then six months a year. Among this cold snowy land is one desert and it is 15 miles long and has a boardwalk so the residents can avoid walking on it.

5

The country of Canada shares a border with the U.S, which is not only the longest in the world it is also the only unprotected one. Canada and the U.S have a great relationship and Canada produces so much excess energy that it gladly shares it with its southern neighbor.

5 Facts of Cameroon

The capital of Cameroon is Yaoundé

 

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Cameroon has an extremely diverse range of religions amongst its population. Two-thirds of its people are Christian, with one-fifth Muslim and many other religions represented. The West of the country is largely Protestant; the east and south are predominantly Catholic; but there remain southern groups who follow African animist practices, believing in witchcraft, which is outlawed by the government.

2

Cameroon gained its independence from France on 1st January 1960, 2:30am. After 1919, the country had been split into French Cameroun and British Cameroons. This governance was highly controversial, with political resistance put down by French forces. Following independence, on 1st October 1961 British Cameroons was reunited with French Cameroun to create the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Today, the country is governed by a President, who has very wide-ranging powers to form policy, govern agences, issue orders to the army, and arrange treaties. He is elected every seven years by popular vote.

3

Cameroon is home to the world's most endangered language. It became the object of considerable international attention through the efforts of language preservation websites. Busuu, a Southern Bantoid language, has just eight speakers left in the world, and efforts are now being taken to preserve the language for future speakers in the region, as linguists study its structure and grammar. Many more languages in the region are also in danger of disappearing, as the population becomes increasingly colonised by more widely-spoken languages.

4

Cameroon is one of the most geographically various countries in the world. It is larger than the state of California, stretching nearly 500,000 sq km, making it the 53rd largest country in the world. However, unlike other countries of a similar size, it has an extremely diverse geography: coastal, mountainous, rainforest, savanna and grasslands. It exhibits every major climate type, often in extremes.

5

Cameroon is home to the world's second wettest region. Dubuncha, situated at the foot of the Cameroon Mountains. Annual rainfall levels average at 400 inches roughly twenty times that recorded in England.

5 Facts of Cambodia

The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh

 

The country of Cambodia is often most well-known for its role in Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge genocide. However, today Cambodia is a stable and tourist-friendly nation, ready to share its ancient culture and beautiful temples with the outside world. Still, after decades of strife and secrecy, many are unfamiliar with this small, yet beautiful, nation. Below are five interesting facts you may not have known about Cambodia.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The most popular tourist destination in Cambodia is Angkor Wat, a massive temple built in the 12th century. Angkor Wat has undergone extensive restoration during the last few decades and is, to this day, still used as a Buddhist temple. Tourists can take guided tours of the temple, or wander on their own to enjoy the stunning art and architecture.

2

Cambodia had a rough 19th century. First, as a French Colony, Cambodians fought for their independence and right to democracy, only to then be taken under the control of a Communist dictatorship after being bombed in the Vietnam War. The genocide that followed is still a heavy scar on the nation's psyche, although Cambodia has been a peaceful constitutional monarchy since 1999.

3

Most think of Cambodia's lush rainforests when considering its geography, but the nation also has nearly 300 miles of tropical coast. Tourists can snorkel, fish, or simply soak up the sun on the white sands. Other popular natural attractions include jungle treks and elephant riding.

4

The vast majority of Cambodians are Buddhist. In fact, many young citizens spend at least a few months living as monks before heading out into the world. Because of the centuries of Buddhist tradition in the nation, there are many temples to visit. One of the most popular is Ta Prohm, ruins overgrown by hundreds of years of jungle encroachment.

5

Despite its troubled past, Cambodia is now a growing nation. There are five times as many births as deaths in the country, and recent economic gains from tourism and natural resources have bolstered the economy. With a young population and stability at last, Cambodia hopes to become a prosperous nation in the coming years.

India Demographics Profile 2012

Population

1,205,073,612 (July 2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.7% (male 187,450,635/female 165,415,758)
15-64 years: 64.9% (male 398,757,331/female 372,719,379)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 30,831,190/female 33,998,613) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 26.2 years
male: 25.6 years
female: 26.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.312% (2011 est.)

Birth rate

20.6 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

7.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Net migration rate

-0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 30% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities - population

NEW DELHI (capital) 21.72 million; Mumbai 19.695 million; Kolkata 15.294 million; Chennai 7.416 million; Bangalore 7.079 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 46.07 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 44.71 deaths/1,000 live births 

female: 47.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 67.14 years
male: 66.08 years
female: 68.33 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.58 children born/woman (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2.4 million (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

170,000 (2009 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Nationality

noun: Indian(s)
adjective: Indian

Ethnic groups

Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)

Religions

Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

Languages

 Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9%
note: English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the most widely spoken language and primary tongue of 41% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2001 census)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 61%
male: 73.4%
female: 47.8% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2007)

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2006)

Maternal mortality rate

230 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

43.5% (2006)

Health expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2009)

Physicians density

0.599 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Hospital bed density

0.9 beds/1,000 population (2005)

5 Facts of Burundi

The capital of Burundi is Bujumbura

 

Burundi, a country in Africa about the size of Maryland, is officially known as the Republic of Burundi. While it is completely landlocked, Lake Tanganyika runs along its southwest border. Burundi was formed five hundred years ago and has experienced much political unrest between two of its major ethnic groups.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Only one other country in Sub-Saharan Africa exceeds Burundi's population density. There are 300 people per square mile. This population quota consists of three main ethnic groups--Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. Many emigrants are welcomed into the country on a regular basis as well.

2

Burundi's economy is almost entirely supported by agriculture. Ninety percent of the labor force is made up of subsistence farmers. Coffee is the main cash crop, responsible for over half of its exports in recent years. Although natural resources such as cobalt and copper exist in Burundi, farming continues to be the main industry.

3

Burundi ranks with four other countries as the poorest in the world. The country has experienced much war and disease. Lack of education also contributes to the low gross domestic product of Burundi.

4

Burundi was ruled by a king in the sixteenth century. For two hundred years, the Tutsi operated as the monarchs of the kingdom. However, when Germans and Belgians came to the region at the beginning of the twentieth century, it became part of a European colony.

5

Burundi has been in a process of reconstruction since 2006 when the UN directed its attention from peacekeeping to helping with the reconstruction. Peace negotiations continue to the present despite the history of conflict in this country. The last ceasefire was signed in 2008, and refugees have returned to the country. New conflicts have emerged with the arrival of 450,000 refugees who are now involved in property disputes.

5 Facts of Myanmar(Burma)

The capital of Myanmar(Burma) is Yangon

 

The Nation of Burma is presently known as Myanmar, and is the westernmost country in Southeast Asia. The renaming of the country remains in dispute, with some countries recognizing it and others still referring to the country as Burma. The capital city of Rangoon is now known as Yangon. The strategic location of Burma, bordering India, Bangladesh, the Tibet and Yunnan areas of China, Thailand, and Laos, will always keep the nation in the news. During World War II the country played a key role in blocking Japanese expansion and supplying allied and Chinese forces. Since the military coup of 1962, virtually all aspects of life have been controlled by the government, many political prisoners remain in jail, and sporadic clashes with ethnic groups continue. In 2010 a civilian government was formed but changes remain to be seen.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

With a population of over 58 million, Burma is one of the most populous countries in Asia with a mix of several ethnic groups. Most people live within the fertile Irrawaddy River Valley, where plenty of rice is cultivated.

2

Burma has 1200 miles of uninterrupted coastline, extending from the Andaman Sea on the south to the Bay of Bengal in the southwest.

3

Burma is among the poorest nations in the world, with a minimal health care system and no economic progress since a military coup in 1962. Burma has one of the worst human rights records in the world, where human trafficking, child labor, and lack of basic freedoms are common. The nation now remains far behind the living standards enjoyed in other Asian nations.

4

British colonial rule lasted from 1889 to Burmese independence in 1948, transforming and modernizing the social fabric of this feudal country.

5

With an elevation of over 19 thousand feet, Hkakabo Razi is the highest peak in Burma.

5 Facts of Burkina Faso

The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou

 

Burkina Faso is located in Africa in the Sahel region and is between the rainforests of the coast and the Sahara Desert. Situated on a savanna, the environment consists of brush, occasional trees and fields. Neighbors include Niger and Mali on the Northwest; the capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou. With wet and dry seasons that are very pronounced, it is about the size of the state of Colorado. Some of the lesser known facts regarding Burkina Faso include the following:

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Islam, Christianity and indigenous religion are practiced side by side with large acceptance of different beliefs. According to Wikipedia, a popular saying in the country is that 50% are Muslim, 50% are Christian, and 100% are animist.

2

Although it is one of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso has a stable government and is home to an important film festival every two years, the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO). This festival is one of the most exciting film venues in Africa.

3

Burkina Faso has the one of the largest elephant populations in Africa and has recently signed a West African Elephant conservation pact. Elephants in West Africa may be a different species than other African elephants according to the IUCN Species Survival Commission's African Elephant Specialist Group.

4

With a rich combination of wildlife, Burkina Faso is also home to endangered cheetahs, aardvarks, lions, baboons, warthogs and crocodiles. With streams and rivers running through the country, the crocodile has flourished. A unique animal found in the country is the giant pangolin, a mammal with a scale-like skin and appearance that resembles a reptile.

5

The name Burkina Faso, which means land of honest men, is a result of a coup in 1983 in which Thomas Sankara developed relations with Libya and Ghana. Before that time, the country was known as Upper Volta.

5 Facts of Bulgaria

 The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia

Bulgaria is a beautiful country located on the Black Sea with a rich and long history. A people called the Bulgur's inhabited the region now known as Bulgaria in 650 AD giving the modern name to the country. Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007 after meeting the strict requirements for membership. Tourism has become increasingly popular in part to the diverse interests between majestic skiing slopes in the mountains and sunbathing beaches on the Black Sea. Here are five things you might not know about Bulgaria.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

97% of Bulgarians own their own home. This is the highest private home ownership rate in the word. Interestingly, 97,9 % of privately owned homes have at least one television set; while only 93 % possess a refrigerator.

2

Earliest prehistoric man lived in what is now Bulgaria. Cave paintings from 44,000 BC exist in Bacho Kiro cave. The oldest recovered artifacts made from gold have also been located in Bulgaria. Coins, jewelry and weapons dated from 4,600 BC were found in excavated burial sites in 1972.

3

The earliest organized culture in Bulgaria was the Thracian's. Spartacus was a Thracian born in Bulgaria. As a Roman sympathizer turned gladiator slave, he led a revolt defeating the much larger Roman armies on several occasions.

4

The Rila Cross is a stature carved over twelve years by a Bulgarian Monk named Rafail until 1802 when he became blind. On the wooden cross, that stands less than 32 inches in height and 17 inches in width, are 104 scenes from the bible, as well as 650 figures.

5

The first electronic digital computer was invented by the Bulgarian John Atanassoff during the years 1937-1942. Today, there is an annual John Vincent Atanassoff award given by the Bulgarian president to honor achievement in computer engineering.

5 Facts of Brunei

The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan

 

The country of Brunei falls in the equatorial climate zone and has warm, humid weather year round. Brunei's culture is largely Muslim, and the customs of the area cultivate mannerisms that are very polite and tolerant, if somewhat formal. When visiting this country, tourists should familiarize themselves with proper etiquette, especially in business dealings, to avoid offending or upsetting locals. Though Brunei possesses a very unique society, visitors can still enjoy the comfort of many English speakers as well as familiar dining options like fast food chains.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Brunei's official name is Negara Brunei Darussalam. This translates to 'Abode of Peace.' The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan.

2

Brunei is located in Southeastern Asia on the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea. It is divided into two parts which are separated by Malaysia. Brunei shares the island of Borneo with Indonesia as well, though it does not directly border this country.

3

In 1984 Brunei won independence from Britain. It is now ruled by an absolute monarchy. The same family has been part of this monarchy for more than six centuries. In Brunei, nobility is inherited, but the sultan has the power to award a title to a commoner.

4

Brunei's thriving natural gas and petroleum fields are a major source of income for the country. Consequently, its per capita GDP is one of the greatest in Asia and the sultan of Brunei is believed to be one of the richest individuals in the world.

5

The cuisine in Brunei is heavily influenced by Singapore, Malaysia and China. Rice and noodles are staples with stewed vegetables rounding out most dishes. Alcohol has been prohibited in Brunei since 1990. Food and drink should always be handled and passed with the right hand only, as the left hand is considered unclean.

5 Facts of British Virgin Islands

The capital of British Virgin Islands is Road Town

 

The British Virgin Islands are a group of more than 60 islands located northwest of the Lesser Antillies and next to the United States Virgin Islands. The population of the islands is approximately 51,000 but tourism brings as many as 400,000 every year. With an average temperature of a tropical 85 degrees, the British Virgin Islands are renown for their blue water, tropical greenery and relaxing atmosphere. In addition to being a Caribbean paradise, there are a few facts you may not know about these islands.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Like cars and scooters, bicycles are required to have and display a license. Cycling is a popular mode of transportation on the islands and given the number of cyclists in the area and bicycle rental facilities, traffic laws and an ability to track every vehicle is necessary.

2

Popular exports from the British Virgin Islands include fish, rum, fruits and vegetables and oddly enough, sand and gravel.

3

Despite their consistently tropical weather, the British Virgin Islands have a tourist season that runs from December to May. This coincides with the consistently less-than-balmy weather in the United States and Europe, forcing people away from their winter blues.

4

Tourism makes up for nearly half of the revenue for the British Virgin Islands, far surpassing any exports.

5

The Ciboney Indians from the Americas were the first people to inhabit the British Virgin Islands. A century afterwards, the islands were colonized by the Arawak Indians, and then the Carib Indians from South America. A century after the colonization by the Carib Indians, Christopher Columbus discovered the islands and named them, according to legend, Las Once Mil Virgines.

5 Facts of British Indian Ocean Territory

The capital of British Indian Ocean Territory is Diego Garcia

 

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Folklore claims that seaman have been stranded on islands in the Indian Ocean throughout history. The Islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory were originally French colonies. The first settlers were slaves on the coconut plantations that were established there. The territory was transferred to the British in the Treaty of Paris in 1810. They were severed from the Seychelles in 1965.

2

The British Indian Ocean Territory has no native peoples; its indigenous culture is that of its colonizers. The largest island, Diego Garcia, is home to about 4,000 people from the United Kingdom and the United States. Most of these people are either in the military or are government contractors.

3

In 1971 the United States signed a treaty with the United Kingdom that allowed the US to build a military base on Diego Garcia. Since the island is in the Indian Ocean, and therefore near Russia, it was a good strategic move for the US to arrange to have a military presence there. In return, the US gave the UK some nuclear missiles for a discounted price.

4

No one lives on any of the other islands in the territory. When the military base was being built on Diego Garcia, all of the people living there were moved to the island of Mauritius, another territory that came into British possession after being a French colony. These people are called the Chagossians, and they have tried to sue for the right to move back to Diego Garcia, although rulings were not in their favor.

5

The British Indian Ocean Territory functions solely as a military base and thus is subject to the laws of the UK. It has no constitution or national holidays. It has a commissioner, Tony Crombie, and an administrator, Tony Humphries. Both live in England and were appointed by Queen Elizabeth II.

5 Facts of Brazil

The capital of Brazil is Brasília

Brazil has a lot of attractions that you cannot ignore. Beautiful natural features, great cities and a golden coast are just some of the few things that define this beautiful country. Just to make sure you do not get lost in all the fun and beauty, you should have the five basic facts about Brazil in mind.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The Amazon Rainforest'Considered one of the biggest rain forests in the world, the Amazon rainforest plays home to many animal and plant species. Some few native Americans also consider the forest their home and still live according to their ancient life ways in the forest.

2

The amazing Pantanal'This is a huge swamp in located in the Midwest of Brazil. Any traveler who has visited the place will testify of the beauty of the natural vegetation and wild animals that live in and around the swamp. The Pantanal covers a large area and is frequent by many travelers who love canoeing and water sports.

3

Rio de Janeiro'This is the best place to start any Brazil tour. Considered one of the world's mega cities, Rio is home to inhabitants from different backgrounds and ways of life. On one side of the city, you will easily find many famous beaches while on the other side you will find a steep mountain range. The city also has many museums and parks.

4

The Iguaca Falls'This is more than just a waterfall; it is a waterfall complex. Iguaca Falls has layers of waterfalls that descend upon each other in different directions. The waterfalls produce a roaring sound as they hit the hard jungle canopy surface below. This is one of the most visited sites in South America and one of the best tourist attraction sites in Brazil.

5

The golden coast'The coast hosts dozen of beautiful beaches. The coast was the first part of Brazil to be colonized by the Portuguese and the structures and the culture within the place still show evidence to this. The people around the coast are friendly and you can be sure of having an unforgettable time visiting.