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Afghanistan has a rich cultural heritage of absorbing elements of many cultures for more than 5,000 years especially those of Iran (Persia) and India. There are even some elements of Greek culture. A person is identified by their "Quam" or affiliation with a social group, and the rights and privileges associated with each group affects social interactions and politics.

Main export is dried fruit.

Traditional food consists of a variety of roast meats or meat pies (sanbuseh), stewed vegetables, rice pilaf, and a thick noodle soup (ash) accompanied by fresh fruit and a variety of yogurt-based sauces.

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In Patagonia (southern Argentina) you will find the Magellan Penguin breeding grounds at Punta Tombo and be close to the strait of Magellan (which is only about 600 miles from Antarctica!).

This country proudly features the Tango as the National Dance.

Argentinians love the game of polo, played on horseback.

Cattle ranches in this country are located in a central plains area known as the Pampas.

Buenos Aires, the capital is Argentina's largest city and has the largest port in South America.

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Australia is almost as big as the United States but only has 8% the population. Two-thirds of the population live in a handful of large cities.

This country is home to many species not often found in other parts of the world, such as wombats, Tasmanian Devils, platypuses, koalas and kangaroos.

Ayers Rock, the biggest exposed rock in the world at 1.5 miles in diameter, lies in the desert in the middle of this country.

The only continent in the world inhabited by man, that is a single, independent nation.

Australia produces 25% of the world's wool.

The first inhabitants were the Aborigines, who arrived about 40,000 years ago. Europeans did not settle in Australia until 200 years ago.

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Landlocked country bordering 5 South American countries, with two capital cities.

Travelers to the city of Comanche may be lucky to see the 30 foot high Puya Raimundi plant in bloom, which only happens every 100 years.

Simon Bolivar was known throughout South America as a great leader and liberator, who helped South America fight for independence from Spain. Bolivia was named after him.

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Brazil shares a border with every country in South America except for two.

This country is famous for its colorful, festive Carnevale celebrations.

This country is bidding to host the World Cup for Soccer in 2014, and is the home of the famous futbol player, Pele.

The official language is Portuguese in this Latin American country.

The Amazon rainforest, located in this country, is the largest rainforest in the world. It is shrinking due to human impact.

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Average rainfall in the western region sometimes reaches over 400 inches of rainfall a year, making it one of the wettest spots on earth.

Rugby (a game similar to American football) is the most popular sport in this country.

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Canada is very diverse historically and ethnically, so there is no single national culture; the melting-pot ideal of the neighboring United States is translated in Canada as something of a stew, with distinctive flavors from the hundreds of influences that make up the larger Canadian culture.

The spectacular Niagara Falls lies on the border of the US and this country.

Ice hockey is a traditional sport, and one in which Canada leads the world. Many Canadians are consider the world's best players in the sport, including Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe.

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Chad is land-locked and almost 1,000 miles away from the ocean.

Faya is one of the largest oasis towns in the Sahara desert and underground sources provide the water needed to grow dates, figs, and wheat.

Chad Cultural Centre strives to preserve national traditions and valuable cultural heritage, drawing from a rich variety of peoples and languages. There is a national museum of prehistoric and traditional artifacts. However, recent wars and famine have required more government attention towards helping the people out of poverty.

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Mysterious stone statues (moai) covered with ancient inscriptions are found scattered all over Easter Island which is governed by Chile.

The landscape of Chile is dominated by the Andes mountains, which run the whole length (more than 2000 miles) of the country.

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The Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Gabriel Garcîa Marquez in 1982, confirming Colombia's self-regard as a cultural people, since more poets than soldiers have become president of the country.

Colombia is the only country in South America that borders a Central American country (borders Panama), and has a view of both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Bogota has been called the "Athens of South America" because of its role as the nation's cultural centre. Most cultural institutions (concert halls, galleries, universities, etc) are located here.

Discovery of a 1,500-acre city in the Santa Marta area, apparently built about AD 900 by the Tairona people is helping us understand Colombia's ancient civilizations.

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The capital city of Brazzaville became a vital centre of contemporary African music in the 1980s.

Traditional arts include ceremonial music, dance, sculpture, and oral literature. There are two libraries in Brazzaville, and a national museum contains collections of prehistoric objects as well as traditional and modern art.ravelers to the city of Comanche may be lucky to see the 30 foot high Puya Raimundi plant in bloom, which only happens every 100 years.

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Major exports include bananas and coffee. Coffee growing plantations support around half of the population.

Nickname for Costa Rican natives is "Ticos".

Thousands of residents from the U.S. have chosen to retire in Costa Rica.

725 different species of birds live in Costa Rica.

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Part of the former Yugoslavia.

Unlike other countries that were under Communist rule in the 1900s, Croatian culture has been able to develop in continuity with the Western heritage of which it has long been a part and to which it has contributed for the last 1,000 years.

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This country is the 3rd largest producer of sugar in the world. Over 50% of this country's exports is sugar.

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. It lies just 89 miles south of the US sate of Florida.

Baseball is the national sport. Cuban baseball teams have often captured medals in the Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games.

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Landlocked country in eastern Europe.

Famous tennis players Ivan Lendl and Martina Naratilova are from this country.

This country was part of a larger country along with current day Slovakia (Czechoslovakia): they were separated in 1993.

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William Shakespeare's famous play, Hamlet, was set in the real castle of Kronborg in Helsingør. The play was inspired by an old Danish myth of the Viking Prince Amled of Jutland, and his quest for revenge for his father's death.

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Finland's hundreds of lakes were formed by receding glaciers during the Ice Age. First the ice sheets scraped deep gorges into the rock then the gorges were filled when the ice melted.

About 1/4 of Finland lies within the Arctic Circle. The region's nickname is 'The Land of the Midnight Sun'.

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France is the largest country in Western Europe.

The Louvre, one of most famous art museums in the world located in Paris, is home to the Italian painting, the Mona Lisa.

The world's most popular tourist destination; France has a plentitude of attractions and places to visit.

Modern day SCUBA equipment began with the inventions of a famous ocean explorer from this country.

iFrom the Eiffel Tower, you can look out over the famous city that is the capital of this country.

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Oktoberfest is a traditional celebration of food, drink and entertainment.

Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle was modeled after King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle, which was built in the 1800s to look like a fairytale castle from the Middle Ages, with drawbridges and turrets.

Karl Marx is a well-known German philosopher whose ideas shaped European socialist and communist thought in the late 1800s. The system of thought and beliefs known as Marxism is based on his writings.

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First nation in Africa to peacefully achieve independence from European rule, following the example of Gandhi in India.

Kente cloth originated in this country, and used to be worn only by royalty. Today, African styles have become high fashion in many countries around the world, and many are influenced by the brightly colored geometric patterns found in Kente cloth.

Formerly known as the Gold Coast, when it was under British rule.

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Though home of one of the oldest world civilizations, Greece only gained its independence (from Turkey) in 1832.

Socrates, Archimedes and Hippocrates are famous for their contributions to philosophy, mathematics and science, and lived in this country.

On the Acropolis, in this country, you will find the ruins of the Parthenon and other ancient buildings.

Crete, the largest of the Greek islands is where the Minoan civiization flourished more than 5,000 years ago.

One fifth of Greece's land area is made up of more than 2,00 islands. Only 154 are inhabited.

Birthplace of the modern Olympic Games in the late 1800s.

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A giant ice sheet covers 80% of the island, and there are only 93 miles of road built.

Greenland is the world's biggest island. Its whole population is less than 60,000.

This country is a self-governing dependency of Denmark.

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Iceland is known as the land of Ice and Fire because of its glaciers, volcanoes and hot springs.

15% of this volcanic island is covered in ice and snow year round.

Sea fishing contributes more than 70% of the economy's export income. Exports of fish are mostly to the UK and Germany.

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In ancient times (over 2,500 years ago), the area known today as Iran was called Persia, with deep cultural traditions and broad literary culture.ndlocked country bordering 5 South American countries, with two capital cities.

Iran's economy is closely tied to its natural resources: oil and gas.

Today, daily life in modern Iran is closely interwoven with Shi'ite Islam, as reflected in the country's art, literature, and architecture.

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Mesopotamia, an ancient term for a region of modern day Iraq is often referred to as the "cradle of civilization". It was a very fertile area favorable for agriculture, so abundant that people could live there year round (and avoid migrating like nomads to find food). Such stability led to construction of cities and government, and the birth of civilization as we know it.

In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein, a brutal leader. The war is still raging in many areas of Iraq.

Iraq is one of the world's major oil producers.

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The Republic of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom until 1921 when it became an independent country.

U2 is only one of many popular music bands from this country.

Legends say that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, located in this country, you will become extremely articulate and people will agree with everything you say, even if it is nonsense.

St. Patrick's Day and the color green are very popular in this country.

The capital of this country was home to Oscar Wilde, George Moore and the Duke of Wellington.

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A relatively new country, Israel was founded in 1948 as a homeland for Jewish people. Israel has been in conflict with its neighbors since its formation. The Palestinian people seek their own homeland in a part of Israel.

The surface of the Dead Sea, located in this country is the lowest point on earth, at 1,312 feet below sea level.

Jerusalem, located in this country, is a recognized holy place for three major world religion.

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The longest bridge in the world, the Akashi Kaikyo bridge, is located in this country.

Okonomiyaki is Japanese pizza.

Many of today's electronic and entertainment products, including Pokemon, originated in this country.

In this country there are many clubs for writing poetry in the haiku style.

Tokyo, the world city with the largest population, is the capital of this country.

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Kenya has many national parks and reserves to protect its rich wildlife. The Samburu National Reserve is one of the larger nature reserves in Kenya. Visitors go on "safaris" to see lions, zebras, giraffes, elephants and other animals in their wilderness habitat.

There are 3 major ethnic groups in Kenya, predominantly represented by the Bantu, the Kikuyu and the Massai languages.

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Mali is a landlocked underdeveloped country plagued by frequent droughts and famines. Almost half of Mali is in the Sahara Desert.

Timbuktu was once the richest commercial cities in Africa and also featured a prestigious university, during the middle ages. 500 years ago over 1 million people lived there. Now, it is considered a lost city.

 

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The native people of this region are known as the Moors. Moorish society is a mixture of Arab and Muslim heritage. They possess a rich and varied folklore, and religious studies, poetry, and music flourished in society at the height of their glory. Goldsmithing is also a traditional art.

Mauritania is mainly desert but its Atlantic Ocean coastline offers rich fishing grounds.

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Fez was once the capital of this country. Distinctive red conical felt hats topped with a dark colored tassel became popular in this area and were named after the city that originated them. The Fez is commonly seen in eastern and southern Mediterranean countries. The brimless style of the Fez allows the wearer to easily touch his head to the floor during the daily prayers practiced by Muslims. The earliest versions of the fez were encircled at the base with a long turban, though this style was abandoned when the hat was adopted for use in Turkey.

The colorful old markets in this country, famous for selling items such as expertly woven carpets and antique tribal jewelry, are known as "souks" or bazaars.

The city of Casablanca is the largest in this country, provided the fictional setting for the classic movie of the same name.

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The Netherlands (from the word meaning low-lying land in Dutch) has no high hills or mountains. Around one fourth of its land is below sea level so many dams and dikes are needed to keep it abouve the North Sea and rivers.

Anne Frank hid with her family in this country during World War II, and documented her daily life in her world famous diary.

Windmills and tulips are the visual imagery typically associated with this country.

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The Maori are indigenous people of New Zealand, and are of Polynesian origin. They are known for intricate wood carvings and full-face tatooing (for male warriors).

Rugby (a game similar to American football) is the most popular sport in this country.

New Zealand has recently become a favorite spot to film movies with rich, rugged landscapes, such as "Lord of the Rings" and the remake of "King Kong".

There are 20 times as many sheep as there are people in New Zealand.

Today's population is a mixture of Maoris and people of British descent. The country is made up of two islands, North and South. Most people live on the North Island which has a warm, tropical climate.

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Norway has the largest fleet of merchant ships in the world. The fishing industry catches 2.6 million tons of fish every year.

Reindeer herding is still practiced in the northern Lapland region.

Nicknamed "Land of the Midnight Sun". Because of its northernmost location, during the summer months the sun does not set for 73 days.

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Pakistan was formed in 1947, when India became independent of Britain. Pakistan's name comes from the letters of their native homelands: Punjab, Afghania, Kashmir, Iran, Sindh, Tukharistan, Afghanistan and Balochistan.

Movies are popular in Pakistan. Many movies are produced each year, mostly in Punjabi and Urdu languages. The songs and music used in the films have a distinctive sound and are often broadcast on the radio or sold on CD.

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Llamas were important to the Incas over 500 years ago and they are still important today, providing a source of transportation in rural areas, and a source of wool.

The capital of the great Inca Empire was once located in this country.

The Nazca people carved mysterious lines and gigantic designs in the desert in 800 AD.

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Pope John Paul II was of Polish descent, and inspired the country to transition from communism to an independent, democracy in recent years.

Traditional Polish food includes hearty dishes such as duck soup (czarnina), red beet soup (barszcz), dumplings (pierogi), smoked salmon and eel, sausages and sauerkraut, and pork and poultry dishes often served with a sweet sauce.

Classical music festivals are very popular in Poland, particularly those honoring Romantic pianist and composer Fredéric Chopin, who was born in Poland in 1810.

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Romanian folk art features abstract or geometric designs and stylized representations of plants and animals. In embroidery and textiles, designs and color patterns are associated with particular regions of the country. Romania is especially known for the decoration of highly ornamental Easter eggs and painting on glass.

Forests cover more than one fourth of Romania and provide homes for a large range of wild animals such as wolves, wild boar, bear and lynx.

Folk melodies are preserved in the music of modern Romanian composers such as Georges Enesco.

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This country has the largest land area in the world, and is nearly twice as big as the United States.

The Russian Federation encompasses two continents and 11 time zones.

The brown bear is a national symbol of the country, as they are abundant in the many forests throughout Russia.

The headquarters for this country's government is also known as the Kremlin.

Soviet gymnasts and track-and-field athletes (male and female), weight lifters, wrestlers, and boxers are among the best in the world. Even after the collapse of the Soviet empire, Russian athletes have continued to dominate international competition in these areas.

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Singapore is both a country and a city. The island is smaller than New York City.

Its high-rise financial district is the business hub of the region.

It is one of the most prosperous and modernized Asian countries. It is very densely populated, Chinese immigrants make up 3/4 of the population.

Popular culture in Singapore is more widespread than traditional Chinese and Indian arts, and is based on many cultural influences from around the world. Malay music, which has adopted the rhythms of Western orchestras, has general appeal. Musical films that popularize Hindi and Tamil songs also have a considerable following.

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Sometimes called the "rainbow nation" South Africa is a multiracial nation in which there are 11 officially recognized languages.

About 3/4ths of the population belong to one of nine black African ethnic groups.

South Africa is the most industrially strong country in Africa. There are huge amounts of minerals in the ground.

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Flamenco originated in southern Spain in the 1700s and is an exciting mixture of dance, guitarts and percussion instruments.

When traveling in this country, you can enjoy Gazpacho, a delicious cold soup made from tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, green peppers and croutons.

Spain's culture is heavily influenced by both the Roman conquests of Western Europe, and the Muslim conquests of southern regions by the Moors. Spain's cultural mix is further enriched by a large Jewish population, and medieval Spain witnessed one of the periods of greatest cultural achievement in Jewish history.