Vatican City flag

Vatican City, officially Vatican City State, is a landlocked sovereign city-state (walled enclave) within the Italian city of Rome. With an area of only 110 acres (0.17 square miles) and a 2018 population of around 840 inhabitants, Vatican City is the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world. Also the sovereign territory of the Holy See (the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome), Vatican City is an ecclesiastical state ruled by the Bishop of Rome – the Pope. The Popes have resided in the Apostolic Palace of Vatican since 1929.

Vatican City was established as an independent state in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty, which was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparri, on behalf of Pope Pius XI and by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini on behalf of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. As of March, 2013, Vatican City is ruled by Pope Francis.

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Vatican brief history and facts

The first church, the Constantinian basilica, was built on Vatican’s current territory in 326, but it was only in 592 when Pope Gregory I accepted the role of the Bishop of Rome. Popes gradually came to govern neighboring regions and even ruled a large portion of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years. It all ended in the mid 19th century, when all of the territory belonging to the Papacy was seized by the Kingdom of Italy, forcing the Popes to use the Lateran Palace and the Quirinal Palace as habitual residence.

Vatican’s situation was resolved on 11 February 1929, when the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy was signed. The treaty established the independent state of Vatican City as we know it today. The state remained neutral during World War II and, although the city of Rome was occupied by Germany from 1943 and the Allies from 1944, Vatican City itself remained unoccupied.

Vatican City is currently the only widely recognized independent state that has not become a member of the United Nations. However, the Holy See, which is distinct from Vatican City State, has permanent observer status within the UN General Assembly. The military defense of the Vatican City is provided by Italy. Vatican City has no armed force of its own, but only a Pontifical Swiss Guard, a corps of the Holy See responsible for the security of the Pope. All Swiss Guard recruits are Catholic, unmarried males with Swiss citizenship who have completed their basic training with the Swiss Army. They are aged between 19 and 30 and at least 5 ft 9 in height. The Vatican City has no diplomatic service and no embassies on its territory. Foreign embassies to the Holy See are located in the city of Rome.

Geography of Vatican

Located within the Italian city of Rome, the Vatican City State has a total area of only 0.17 square miles (110 acres), being the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world by land mass. To have a better understanding of its size, Vatican City is about 0.7 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, DC. However, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority, beyond its walled boundary, over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castle Gandolfo. The state’s land boundaries with Italy are only two miles long and its highest point is only 246 feet high. Vatican City has a temperate climate, with mild & rainy winters and hot & dry summers.

Population of Vatican

According to a July 2017 estimate provided by the CIA World Factbook, Vatican City has a population of 839 inhabitants. This makes it one the world’s least populated states, third to only the United Kingdom’s Pitcairn Islands (population 66) and Australia’s Cocos Islands (population 596). Despite it’s small population, Vatican City ranks 6th among the world’s sovereign states and dependent territories by population density, with 4,935 people per square mile. Almost all of Vatican City’s 2018 citizens either live inside the state’s walls or serve in the Holy See’s diplomatic service in embassies around the world.

Ethnicity in Vatican

The majority of Vatican City’s 2018 population, also known as the clergy, is of Italian ethnicity (Vatican citizenship), while the Swiss Guard (composed of Swiss citizens exclusively) accounts for about 18 percent of the people living within its walled territory. According to Wikipedia, “most of the 2,400 lay workers who comprise the majority of the Vatican workforce reside outside the Vatican and are citizens of Italy, while a few are citizens of other nations.”

Religion in Vatican

Since most of its 2019 population consists of clergy people, that work in the service of the Holy See, and the Swiss Guard, that are required to be Catholic, all of Vatican’s actual citizens are followers of the Roman Catholic Church (the Catholic Church of Rome).

Language in Vatican

While it has established no official language by law, the state of Vatican City promulgates its laws and regulations by publishing them in the Italian language. On the other hand, the Holy See uses Latin for its most important official documents. However, many other languages are used within the city walls, as recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard take their oath in the language of the Swiss canton to which they belong, such as German, French or Italian.

On its official website, Vatican City uses Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish, while the official website of the Holy See adds Latin, Portuguese and even Chinese.

Economy of Vatican

The Vatican City State budget, which includes the Vatican Museums and post office, is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, by fees for admission to museums, and by publications sales. Vatican’s other “industries” include printing and production of mosaics. On the other hand, the Holy See is supported by investments, real estate and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses and various institutions. Even though is not part of the European Union, Vatican City has used the euro as its currency since 1 January 1999, based on a special agreement with the European Union.

The state does not issue euro banknotes, but issues its own Vatican Euro coins, which are rare and highly sought by collectors. The 15 million euro budget deficit recorded in 2011 prompted the Vatican to start a spending review in 2012 to determine where to cut costs. The country’s most public 2018 expenditures go to wages and other personnel costs. Despite running budget deficits and obtaining much of its money from international donations, the Vatican has often been accused of being excessively wealthy.

Flag of Thailand

Thailand, previously named Siam from 1945-1949, is located in Southeast Asia. Situated in the middle of the Indochina peninsula, Thailand is the 20^th most populous country with a total 2014 population of around 67,200,000 residents (based upon a 2013 estimate considering latest census data and the population growth rate of a little over 0.5%). Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was not colonized by the Europeans. Consequently, it played the role of a buffer state between the areas in Southeast Asia that had been colonized by the British Empire or the French. Its Head of State, King Rama IX, is the longest-reigning head of state and monarch in Thai history. Thailand’s main ethnic group is Thai, with a total of 96% of the population. This includes the native people of Thailand, and Thai/Chinese people.

History of Thailand

Temple in Thailand

Widely considered the first Thai state, Sukhothai was founded in 1238. Although this Buddhist kingdom was growing somewhat rapidly during the 13^th-15^th centuries, it was later overpowered by the kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in the 14^th century. In 1431, Ayutthaya invaded Angkor and forced the Khmer to abandon the city. Ayutthaya eventually became the one of the biggest trading centers in Asia, and frequently traded goods with its neighbor states. In 1767, the Burmese people caused the fall of the Ayutthaya kingdom. The absolute monarchy of Thailand was ended in 1932, when King Prajadhipok was forced to grant his citizens their first constitution.

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During World War II, after a battle with the Thai army that lasted around eight hours, Japanese troops were granted passage across Thailand to Malayan lands. On the 21^st of December, in 1941, Thailand and Japan formed an alliance that held a secret protocol in which Tokyo agreed to assist Thailand in regaining the Thai territories lost to the British and French forces. Shortly thereafter, on January 25^th, 1943, Thailand declared war on the United Kingdom and United States. Thailand sought to assist Japan in its war against the allies, while at the same time maintaining the Seri Thai, an anti-Japanese movement. Thailand emerged from the war as a US ally, and later underwent many decades of political instability. Thailand eventually regained control in the 1980s.

2016 Geography of Thailand

Islands in the Gulf of Thailand

A bit larger than Spain, Thailand is the world’s 51^st largest country at 198,120 square miles. The highest point in the country is Doi Inthanon, a part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range in north Thailand, at 8,415 feet above sea level. The Khorat Plateau, in the northeast of the country, is bordered by the Mekong River in the east. The Chao Phraya river valley runs into the Gulf of Thailand, in the center of the country. It is one of the sustainable resources of Thailand, as is the Mekong River. As well as being an industrial center of Thailand, the Gulf of Thailand is a big hit with tourists, as it boasts beautiful beaches and clear, shallow water. The Southern area of Thailand holds the Kra Isthmus that later widens out into the Malay Peninsula. With the most luxurious hotels of Asia surrounding its waters, the Andaman Sea is widely regarded as the most precious natural resource of Thailand. The tropical climate of Thailand owes itself to the large quantities of monsoonal rains throughout the seasons.

2016 Education and Economy of Thailand

School Children in Thailand

The education systems of Thailand are quite successful, and the country boasts a high level of literacy. Children are required by law to attend school up to the age of 14, although free schooling is provided up until the child is 17. One educational matter that could use some work is that of establishing acceptable curricula for the primary and secondary schools. The approved curricula changes so quickly that often times, teachers do not even know what they are supposed to be teaching the students. Approved textbooks cannot be written and published quickly enough to ease the troubles. Despite all of this, the education of Thailand has seen major improvements since 2001, and the average IQ has now risen to around 98.59, depending on the area of the country.

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Thailand’s economy, which is heavily reliant on exporting goods, boasted a growth rate of 12.4% annually between 1985 and 1996, which is the highest the world has ever recorded. Thailand is the 4^th richest nation of Southeast Asia, and boasts the 2nd largest economy of Southeast Asia. Thailand’s exports increasingly raise in value, and is currently at $105 billion annually. The major exports in 2013 are rice, cars, rubber, jewelry, textiles and footwear, electrical appliances and cars. At a rate of over 6.5 million tons annually, Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice, making it the country’s most important crop. 49% of the labor force of Thailand is employed in agriculture. Largely due to the country’s adopting more industrialized farming methods, the agricultural employment level has dropped to 21% of the population since 1980. The national currency of Thailand is the Baht (฿).

2016 Culture, Language and Religion of Thailand

Thai culture places great importance on the family, in which children are taught to always honor and obey their parents. Courtesy in all its forms is highly important; being polite and respectful with others while at all times remaining in control. Angry confrontations are completely unacceptable and actually viewed as violence. This is due in large part to the effects of their Buddhist religion which is practiced by over 90% of the population. Buddhism teaches the belief of reincarnation whereby a person has many lives based upon the lessons learned in previous lives. Other Christian religions do practice in Thailand. For instance, the 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses states that over 3,600 of their members worship there.

The Thai Language Alphabet

The main language spoken in Thailand is, of course, Thai. The Thai language has 44 consonants in the syllabic writing system and includes many words from the Pali, Old Khmer and Sanskrit languages. Other moden languages spoken in Thailand include Malay, Lao, Chinese and English. In 2013, English is increasingly being taught in schools and universities and is widely used in business and commerce. This makes communication for English-speaking tourists with the Thai population much easier.

2016 Thailand Tourism

Top tourists destinations in the Land of the Smile continue to be Bangkok (the Gateway to Southeast Asia), Phuket, Ko Tarutao, Ayuthaya Historical Park, Ko Chang (2nd largest island in Thailand, bordering Cambodia), Phang Nga Bay, the Grand Palace of Bangkok, the Similan Islands in the western Andaman Sea (best diving in Thailand and possibly the world), Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Railay Beach (or Rai Leh) with its cliffs overhanging the tropical sea, Koh Tao (Turtle Island) which is another top SCUBA diving destination, and the most recent are the Phi Phi islands (including Ko Phi Phi, Phi Phi Ley, Maya Beach and Monkey Beach) which has exploded onto the tourism scene for good reason.

We will be publishing more fun facts about Thailand as well as why you should visit this beautiful island nation soon in 2016!

Seychelles flag

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is a small country in the Indian Ocean. Located about 932 miles east of mainland Africa and northeast of Madagascar, Seychelles is actually an archipelago consisting of 115 islands. Its territory measures only 174 square miles, which makes it one of the world’s smallest nations – ranked 199th. Population-wise, Seychelles is home to almost 91,000 inhabitants, making it the Earth’s 198th most populous state. Seychelles has a coastline of 305 miles and its capital and current largest city is Victoria (about 27,000 people).

Brief history of Seychelles

The first people to arrive in the uninhabited archipelago of Seychelles are said to have been Austronesian seafarers and later Maldivian and Arab traders. European presence in the islands has been recorded starting 1502, when Portuguese Admiral Vasco da Gama passed through the region. The islands were also used by pirates, as they were a transit point for trade between Asia and Africa. Under French control since 1756, the islands came under British order in 1810 and became a crown colony at the beginning of the 20th century (1903).

Seychelles gained independence as a republic within the Commonwealth in 1976, but the country’s first president was ousted a year later, during a coup d’etat. Seychelles became a socialist one-party state after the 1979 constitution was established and until 1991. Since 1993, when a new constitution was approved, Seychelles is a unitary representative presidential republic. At the time of writing, Seychelles is ruled by President James Michel and Vice-President Danny Faure. The country is now part of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Geography of Seychelles

Located in the Indian Ocean – about 932 miles east of mainland Africa and northeast of Madagascar – Seychelles is an archipelago consisting of 115 islands. It has an area of 174 square miles – 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC – and ranks 199th among the world’s largest nations by land mass. Seychelles is divided into twenty-five administrative regions that comprise all of the inner islands. Known as the Greater Victoria, eight of the districts make up the capital of Seychelles, while another 14 districts are considered the rural part of the main island of Mahe. The Outer Islands, a coral formation of islands that’s not on the shallow Seychelles Bank, are not considered part of any district.

Seychelles has a humid climate that’s classified as part of the tropical rain forest. Temperature varies little throughout the year – from 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. March and April are the hottest months, while May to November is more pleasant with southeast trade winds. High winds are rare as most of the islands are located outside the cyclone belt. However, a tropical cyclone caused torrential rain, flooding and landslides that destroyed hundreds of houses in January 2013.

Population of Seychelles

The CIA World Factbook’s July 2013 estimate says Seychelles has a total current population of 90,846 inhabitants and a density of 522 people per square miles, which makes it one of the world’s smallest nation by population – ranked 198th. Seychelles was inhabited by about 36,000 people in 1950 and around 45,000 in 1963, which means total population in the islands has doubled in 50 years. About 90 percent of the people live on the main island of Mahe, while most of the rest live on Praslin and La Digue. The remaining smaller islands are either sparsely populated or uninhabited. As of, the Republic of Seychelles has a population growth rate of 0.9 percent and a birthrate of 14.85 births/1,000 population. Life expectancy is rated at only 69.4 years for males and 78.76 years for females, which means a population total of 74 years. Sex ratio is estimated at 1.04 males/female, while net migration rate is 1 migrants/1,000 population.

Largest city in Seychelles

The capital and largest city in Seychelles is Victoria. Sometimes referred to as Port Victoria, the city is is located on the north-eastern side of Mahe island and is home to about 26,000 people, more than a quarter of the country’s total population. Served by an international airport since 1971, Victoria’s main attractions Vauxhall Clock Tower replica, the Courthouse, the Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of History, and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market. Seychelles’ next major cities (with population a little over 4,000) are Anse Boileau, Bel Ombre and Beau Vallon.

Ethnicity in Seychelles

Being populated by immigrants who have arrived in the islands the past 300 to 400 years, Seychelles has various mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese and Arab ethnic groups that account for about 70 percent of the total population. Indo-Seychellois, or descendents of Indians that arrived on the islands as slaves, represent about six percent of the population.

Religion in Seychelles

According to the 2002 census, the dominant religion in Seychelles is Christianity, with over 82 percent being counted as Roman Catholic, 6.4 percent are Anglican, while 4.5 percent are of other Christian denominations. Additional religions include Hindu (2.1%), Muslim (1.1%), other non-Christian faiths (1.5%), unspecified religion (1.5%) and no religion (0.6%). A small perecentage of the Seychellois people still believe in an ancient spiritistic religion called Ahrjuje. According to the 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, about 340 of their members practice their religion in the Seychelles which is known for religious freedom.

Language in Seychelles

The Seychelles constitution recognizes no less than three official languages – Seychellois Creole, French, English. Seychellois Creole, a French-based creole language also known as Kreol and Seselwa, is the most commonly spoken language in the archipelago, being spoken natively by about 95 percent of the population. Because Seychelles was a British for 166 years (until the 1976), English has remained the main language used in business and by government officials. The French language was introduced before the British rule and has survived thanks to the privileged position of neutrality the French minority benefited from under the Crown.

Economy of Seychelles

As with most archipelago nations, tourism and fishing are the largest economic activities. According to the CIA World Factbook, the tourist sector provides more than 70 percent of hard currency earning and employs about 30 percent of the labor force. Main exports include canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra and petroleum products to countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy. By GDP over purchasing power parity, Seychelles ranks 188th in the World with $2.35 billion in 2012, while GDP per capita by PPP is at $25,600 – 61st in the world – above Greece, Portugal, Argentina or Russia.

Basic History of Montenegro

The name “Crna Gora”, Montenegro in Montenegrin language, dates from the 13th century and refers to a highland region in province Zeta, in Serbia. Later, the region became a medieval state and kept existing until 1496, when the region fell under the Ottoman Empire rule. But, even if it was part of the Ottoman Empire, Montenegro was able to maintain a level of autonomy. Between 16th and 19th centuries, Montenegro existed as a theocracy and was ruled by bishop princes until 1852, when it became a secular principality. At the Congress of Berlin, which was held in 1978, Montenegro was recognized as an independent sovereign principality. During World War I, Montenegro was on the Allies side. After World War I, it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which later, in 1929, became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After World War II, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia became the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Montenegro was one of its constituent republics. In 1992, when the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia dissolved, Montenegro federated with Serbia and formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and after 2003 the two states became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The country officially restored its independence on 3 June 2006, after a referendum held in May. In order to hold the referendum, Montenegro invoked its right underneath the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro and carried out a vote on independence from the state union.

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Geography of Montenegro

Strategically located in Southeastern Europe, along the Adriatic coast, Montenegro is divided into 21 municipalities. It has a total surface of 5,019 square miles, which makes it the 162nd largest country in the world. The climate in Montenegro is Mediterranean, with a hot dry weather during summers and autumns and with heavy snowfalls inland during relatively cold winters. Its terrain consists mostly of highly bended coastline, but also of narrowed coastal plains and high limestone plateaus and mountains. The lowest point in Montenegro is in the Adriatic Sea, while the highest peak is Bobotov Kuk (8,314 feet). It has natural resources such as hydroelectricity and bauxite, but is also a victim of natural hazards like destructive earthquakes. Regarding environment, Montenegro has some current issues like pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas (such as Kotor).

Population of Montenegro

Montenegro has a total population of 653,474 people and a density of 125 inhabitants per square mile, in accordance to a July 2013 estimate provided by CIA World Factbook. The last population census which was held in Montenegro took place in 2011 and showed a total population of 625,266 people. Despite a negative population growth recorded in 2013, of -0.56%, Montenegro’s population has increased with 28,208 people between 2011 and 2013. Literacy rate of the total population in Montenegro is of 98.5%, 99.4% for males and 97.6% for females, while unemployment rate in youth ages 15-24 is 37%, 35.5% for males and 40% for females. Life expectancy at birth of the total population was in 2011 of 74.50 years, 72.13 years for males and 77.00 for females. Birth rate, as estimated in 2013, is of 10.75 births/1,000 population, while death rate is of 9.17 deaths/1,000 population. Sex ratio of the total population is of 0.99 male(s)/female, as stated by the 2013 estimate. According to a projection conducted at the Vienna Institute of Demography of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Montenegro’s population will reach around 600,000 people in 2030 and the same number in 2050.

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Largest city in Montenegro

The capital and the largest city in Montenegro is Podgorica. In Montenegrin language, Podgorica means “under the small hill”. Podgorica has a total population of 185,937 and a density of 300 inhabitants per square mile. However, Montenegro’s Constitution mentions that Cetinje, a town of an enormous spiritual and historical value to Montenegro, is the Old Royal Capital. Cetinje has a population of about 18,482 and a density of 50 inhabitants per square mile. The next largest cities in Montenegro after Podgorica are Niksic, with 72,443 poople, Bijelo Polje, with 46,081 people, Herceg Novi, with 30,864, and Pljevlja, with 30,786 people.

Ethnicity in Montenegro

Montenegrin peoples are the dominant ethnic group in Montenegro and account for 44.98% of the total population, as stated by the 2011 census. Serbs account for 28.73%, Bosniaks account for 8.65%, Albanians for 4.91%, Muslims for 3.31%, Croats for 0.97%, and others or unspecified account for 8.45%. On the other hand, another census, which was held in 2003, showed that Montenegrin accounted for 43%, Serbian for 32%, Bosniak for 8%, Albanian for 5%, and other, including Croats, Roma (Gypsy), and Muslims, for 12%.

Religion in Montenegro

Historically, Montenegrins have been members of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is governed by Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral. More precisely, Serbian Orthodox Christianity is the dominant and the most popular religion in Montenegro, practiced by 72.07% of the total population. There is also The Montenegrin Orthodox Church, but it has not been recognized. The other religious groups in Montenegro have guaranteed rights, but are separate from the state: Islam/ Muslims (19.11%), Catholics (3.44%), atheists (1.24%), Christians (0.24%), Adventists (0.14%), Agnostics (0.07%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (0.02%), Protestants (0.02%), Buddhists (0.02%), other (1.02%), and without declaration (2.61%). The 2003 census revealed that the population of Montenegro was 74.2% Orthodox, 17.7% Muslim, 3.5% Catholic, 0.6% of other religions, 3% of unspecified religion, and 1% atheist.

Language in Montenegro

The official language in Montenegro is Montenegrin, while Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian are official regional languages, according to the October 2007 Constitution. Even though at the 2011 census Serbian was declared the mother tongue of the majority of the population, Montenegrin language is the mother tongue of those who are under 18. According to the 2011 census, 42.88% of the total population speaks Serbian, 36.97% speaks Montenegrin, 5.33% speaks Bosnian, 5.27% speaks Albanian, 2.03% speaks Serbo-Croatian, 0.83% speaks Roma, 0.59% speaks Bosniak, and 0.45% speaks Croatian. Other languages used in Montenegro are Russian, Serbo-Montenegrin, Macedonian, Montenegrin-Serbian, Hungarian, Croatian-Serbian, Slovene, and Romanian. English and German are the most spoken foreign languages. Adversely, the 2003 census showed that Serbian was spoken by 63.6% of the total population, Montenegrin by 22%, Bosnian by 5.5%, Albanian by 5.3%, and %, unspecified (including Croatian) by 3.7%.

Economy in Montenegro

With and economy based mostly on services (87.9%), industry (11.3%), and agriculture (0.8%), Montenegro is transitioning to a market system economy. Among the institutional changes that have to be made is the privatization of the state-owned enterprises, which are unprofitable and weigh on public finances. In 2012, Montenegro’s GDP was of $7.461 billion, almost at the same value as the GDP in 2011 ($7.458 billion) and in 2010 ($7.226 billion). Unlike previous years, for instance, 2011, when it managed to have a 3.2% economic growth, and 2010, when it had a 2.5% economic growth, in 2012 it had a 0% economic growth. With a GDP per capita of $12,000, 6.6% of the Montenegrin live under World Bank’s poverty line. Montenegro’s main goal is to join the European Union (EU) and the European Council (EC) granted candidate country status to Montenegro at the session held in December 2010, so the negotiations begun in June 2012. In order to join the EU, Montenegro has to fight unemployment, regional disparities, corruption, and organized crime.

Brazilian flag

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is a country located in South America that occupies most of the continent’s eastern and central part. Brazil is the largest country in both South America and the Latin American region. It’s the world’s fifth largest country, both by geographical area, with 3.28 million square miles, and by population, with about 201 million inhabitants. Bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, Brazil has a land boundary of 10,492 miles and a coastline of 4,655 miles. Brazil is also the largest Lusophone country in the world, which means it’s the largest Portuguese speaking nation on Earth. Along with Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome & Principe and East Timor, Brazil is part of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. It’s capital city is Brasilia, with around 4 million people, while the largest city, Sao Paolo, is home to almost 20 million inhabitants.

Brief history of Brazil

Excavations made in the Amazon basin have revealed pottery that’s about 8,000 years old, according to radiocarbon dating, while the earliest tribes to inhabit Brazil are believed to go back as much as 10,000 years. Brazilian history was marked by several wars and large-scale military actions between the land’s indigenous nations until year 1500, when the Portuguese arrived. They unknowingly brought European diseases with them, to which many indigenous groups were feeble due to lack of immunity, that killed whole tribes. The colonization of Brazil commenced in 1534 under King Dom Joao III of Portugal and in 1815 the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves was established.

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Brazil became an independent empire in 1822 and a republic on November 15, 1889. The country was mostly led by military dictatorships until the end of World War II and its economy and industrial sectors grew remarkably during the 1950s. Political upheaval continued at a fast pace until the late 1990s, when Brazil finally gained political stability. In 2013, the South American country was affected by numerous street protests, mainly against corruption and new stadium project for the 2014 soccer World Cup. At the time of writing, Brazil is a federal presidential constitutional republic led by President Dilma Rousseff and Vice-President MIchel Temer. Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, the Latin Union, the Organization of Ibero-American States, the Organization of American States, Mercosul and the Union of South American Nations.

Geography of Brazil

With a total area of 3,287,612 square miles, Brazil occupies a large area along the eastern coast of South America and much of the continent’s central part. It’s the world’s fifth largest country and the largest territory in South America by total landmass. It’s also the only country in the world that lies on the equator while having contiguous territory outside the tropics. Brazil borders Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and French Guyana to the north, Colombia to the northwest, Bolivia and Peru to the west, Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest, Uruguay to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The highest point in Brazil is the Pico da Neblina (at 9,823 feet), while the lowest is the Atlantic Ocean (at sea level). The Federative Republic of Brazil is comprises 26 States, one Federal district (which contains the capital city Brasilia). They are further divided into over 5,564 municipalities. Brazilian climate is mostly tropical, but equatorial, semiarid, highland tropical, temperate and subtropical climates are also present due to the country large area. Temperatures average 77 degrees Fahrenheit while rainfall differs depending on regions, extreme in the interior northeast and less frequent and poor in the semiarid climatic region.

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Population of Brazil

According to a July 2013 estimate provided by the CIA World Factbook, Brazil is inhabited by a total population of 201,009,662 people, which makes it the world’s fifth most populous country, after China, India, the United States and Indonesia. On the other hand, density is rated at only 61.5 people per square mile – ranked 192nd on Earth – similar to that of Peru and Sweden. Brazilian population has grown more than ten times since 1900, when the country was inhabited by about 17.5 million people. Compared to 2010, population has increased about 4.2 percent and estimates claim it will grow to reach 208 million in 2030. By 2040, total population will decrease to about 205.6 million inhabitants. By 2070, Brazil will be surpassed by Nigeria and Indonesia. For 2013, Brazil has a population growth rate estimated at 0.83 percent, a birthrate of 14.97 births/1,000 population and a death rate of 6.51 deaths/1,000 population. Life expectancy is at 69.48 years for males, 76.74 years for females, and a total population average of 73.02 years. Sex ratio is estimated at 0.98 males/female, while net migration rate is -0.17 migrants/1,000 population.

Largest city in Brazil

The largest city in Brazil in 2018 is Sao Paolo, with a total population of 19.9 million people and a density of 6,396 people per square mile. It’s also the largest city in the souther hemisphere and the Americas and the world’s seventh largest city by population. Sao Paolo has the largest economy by GDP among Latin American and Brazilian cities and is home to several important monuments, including the Latin American Memorial, the Museum of the Portuguese Language, and the Museum of Art. Important high profile events include the Sao Paulo Art Biennial, the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix, Sao Paulo Fashion Week and the world’s largest gay pride parade. Sao Paolo is also the birth place of famed Formula One driver and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna. The next largest cities in Brazil are Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, capital city Brasilia, Fortaleza and Belo Horizonte.

Ethnicity in Brazil

Ethnic groups in Brazil are divided into white (49 percent), brown/mixed (43 percent), black (7 percent), Asian (0.6 percent), and Amerindian/Indigenous (0.3 percent). According to the National Indian Foundation, Brazil is home to about 67 different uncontacted tribes, the largest number of such peoples in the world. The brown population, also called Pardo, consists of caboclos, mulatos and cafuzos. Most immigrants that live in present-day Brazil have come from Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, China, Japan and the Middle East.

Religion in Brazil

Christianity is the country’s predominant religion, with 64.6 percent being Catholics and 22.2 percent being Protestants. According to the 2010 census, 8 percent of the population have no religion, while 2 percent practice diverse forms of Spiritism. Other groups (3.2 percent) include other Christian denominations, Afro-Brazilian religions, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Amerindian religions.

Language in Brazil

Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language in Brazil, being used by 99 percent of the population. However, the country’s inhabitants speak or sign no less than 210 languages, of which 180 are indigenous (although only 0.02% of the total population actually speaks indigenous languages). Minority languages include Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese and English. The former is more common in border areas and schools, while the other are spoken by European and Asian immigrants.

Economy of Brazil

Brazil has a strong economy in 2018 compared to the other South American countries, with well-developed agricultural, manufacturing, mining and service sectors. According to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy by market exchange rates and the seventh largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). Now part of the five BRICS emerging economies – together with Russia, India, China and South Africa – the country has been expanding its presence in international financial and commodities markets since 2003. Brazil has the fourth largest car market in the world and is currently exporting, besides automobiles, transport equipment, iron ore, cofee, soybeans, and footwear. Main export markets are China, the United States, Argentina and the Netherlands. Imports consist of machinery, electrical equipment, chemical products, oil and electronics, mainly from China, the United States, Argentina, Germany and South Korea.

Brunei flag

Brunei, officially known as the Nation of Brunei or the Abode of Peace, is a country in Southeastern Asia. Brunei is a constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy) and it borders Malaysia and the South China Sea. With a total area of 2,226 square miles, it is slightly smaller than Delaware. By surface, it is the 173rd largest country in the world. Brunei is home to about 415,000 people and has a density of 174.4 inhabitants per square mile. By population, it is ranked 174th in comparison to the world. The capital and the largest city in Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan, with a population of approximately 276 thousand people.

Basic History of Brunei

Between the 15th and the 17th centuries, Brunei had an influential period when it took control over the coastal areas of southern Philippines and of northwest Borneo. Due to internal bitter conflicts over royal succession, piracy, and colonial expansion of great European powers, Brunei entered a period of decline until 1888, when it became a British protectorate. Brunei managed to become independent from Britain in 1984. Being ruled by the same family for over six centuries, Brunei is now an Islamic Monarchy controlled by sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and crown prince Al-Muhtadee Billah.

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Geography of Brunei

Strategically located in Southeastern Asia, near the South China Sea (which links Pacific and Indian Oceans), Brunei is close to vital sea lanes. Divided into 4 districts (Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, and Tutong), Brunei has two parts physically separated by Malaysia. More precisely, Brunei is almost an enclave within Malaysia. With a total area of 2,226 square miles, Brunei is the 173rd largest country in the world. Its climate is tropical, with rainy, hot, and humid weather. In east, Brunei’s terrain consists of coastal plains and mountains, while in west it has hilly lowlands. The lowest point in Brunei is in the South China Sea, while the highest peak is Bukit Pagon (6,070 feet). Brunei’s natural resources are natural gas, petroleum, and timber, while natural hazards like earthquakes, typhoons, and severe flooding are rare. Regarding environment, Brunei has current issues like seasonal smoke/haze which has resulted from forest fires in Indonesia.

Population of Brunei

Brunei has a total 2013 population of 415,717 people and a density of 174.4 inhabitants per square mile, according to a July 2013 estimate provided by CIA World Factbook. By population, Brunei is the 174th most populated nation on Earth. Another estimate, from July, 2011 showed Brunei’s population was of 401,890, of which 76% lived in urban areas. With a population growth of 1.67%, as it was estimate din 2013, from 2011 to 2013 Brunei’s total population has increased with 13,827 people. The last census held in Brunei was in 2011 and showed a total population of 393,372 persons, 203,149 males and 190,223 females. The literacy rate in Brunei is 95.4%, 97% for males and 93.9% for females, school life expectancy is of 15 years, 15 years for males and 16 years for females, while education expenditures are of 3.3% of GDP. Birth rate is of 17.63 births/1,000 population, death rate is of 3.43 deaths/1,000 population, while life expectancy is of 76.57 years, 74.28 years for males and 78.97 years for females. Net migration rate is of 2.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population and sex ratio of the total population is 1 male(s)/female. According to a projection made by United Nations, Brunei’s population will reach 561,194 in 2030.

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Largest city in Brunei

Located on the northern bank of the Brunei River, Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and the largest city in Brunei. Bandar Seri Begawan is home to a total population of 276,608 and has a density of 3,610 inhabitants per square miles and a total area of 38.75 square miles. The next largest cities in Brunei are Kuala Belait, with a total population of 64,409 people, Seria, with a population of 31,178 people, Tutong, with 19,151 people, and Bangar, with 3,536 people.

Ethnicity in Brunei

As stated by the 2011 census, Malays are the largest group in Brunei and number 258,465 persons. The next largest ethnic groups in Brunei are the Chinese, numbering 40,534, followed by other races, numbering 94,373 persons. Adversely, a 2004 census revealed that Malay is the most numerous ethnic group in Brunei, accounting for 66.3% of the total population, followed by Chinese, accounting for 11.2%, Indigenous (groups of the Malay race: Bisaya, Brunei, Belait, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut , and Tutong) accounting for 3.4%, and smaller ethnic groups that make up the rest of the population (19.1%). The largest amount of people lives in Brunei-Muara District (279,924 persons). The next most populated districts in Brunei are Belait District, with 60,744 people, Tutong District, with 43,852 people, and the Temburong District, with 8,852 people.

Religion in Brunei

The official and the dominant religion in Brunei is Islam, practiced by two-thirds of the total population (67%). Other religions practiced in Brunei are Buddhism (13% of the total population, mainly Chinese), Christianity (10% of the total population), Freethinkers (7%, mostly Chinese). Even though Chinese practice forms of religions which include elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, in official censuses they present themselves as atheists. About 2% of the people living in Brunei are followers of the indigenous religions.

Language in Brunei

Brunei’s official language is Malay, while Melayu Brunei (Brunei Malay) is the principal spoken language. Melayu Brunei is 84% cognate with standard Malay and it’s rather divergent from the standard language and the rest of the dialects. Other languages spoken in Brunei are Chinese, Bahasa Rojak (used on some popular radio shows and by the public), Dusun, Iban, Kedayan, Murut, and Tutong. English is the most spoken foreign language. It is used in business and it is taught in schools, from primary to tertiary education.

Economy in Brunei

Because it benefits from extensive natural gas fields and petroleum, Brunei has one of the highest GDPs per capita in Asia: $55,300 in 2012, $55,400 in 2011, and $55,000 in 2010. As for the GDP, Brunei managed to a $22.04 billion in 2012, to a $21.76 billion in 2011, and to a $21.29 billion in 2010. Despite the world financial crisis, Brunei had a 1.3% economic growth in 2012, a 2.2% growth in 2011, and a 2.6% growth in 2010. Also, the unemployment maintained at a very low level: 2.6% in 2011 and 2.7% in 2010. As for long-term challenges, Brunei’s government aims to a diverse economy within gas sector and oil, but also to new sectors.

Luxembourg flag

Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country located in western Europe. Bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany, Luxembourg has a total area of 998.6 square miles, which makes it the world’s 179th country by land mass. Also, the Duchy is home to a little over half a million inhabitants and ranks 173rd among the world’s countries and independent territories by population. The nation’s capital and largest city is Luxembourg, with about 100,000 residents.

Basic History of Luxembourg

The history of Luxembourg begins in 963 with the acquisition of Lucilinburhuc (the Luxembourg Castle) through an exchange act with the abbey of St.Maximin in Trier. The town gradually developed around the fort and became the center of a state of great strategic value. In 1437, the House of Luxembourg sold the territory to Philip the Good of Burgundy and was later occupied by the Bourbons, Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns and the French. Luxembourg became a Grand Duchy and gained independence from the French Empire in 1815 following the Treaty of Paris but it was only in 1839 when its full independence was established by First Treaty of London.

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During World War I, Luxembourg was invaded and occupied by Germany, but was allowed to maintain its independence. During World War II, Luxembourg was again invaded by Nazi Germany and was unable to maintain its policy of neutrality, being annexed to the Third Reich in 1940. Luxembourg was liberated in 1944 and became a founding member of the United Nations a year later, and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and, in 1999, it joined the Euro Area, adopting the Union’s currency.

Present day Luxembourg is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy ruled by Henri – Grand Duke of Luxembourg – and Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

Geography of Luxembourg

Slightly smaller than Rhode Island, Luxemburg has total area of 998.6 square miles and ranks 179th among the world’s countries and dependent territories. The Grand Duchy has 223 miles of land boundaries, of which 92 miles are shared with Belgium, 86 miles are shared with Germany, and 45 miles are shared with France. More accurate, Luxembourg borders the German Bundesländer of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland to the east and the French région of Lorraine to the south, and the Belgian Walloon Region, including the province of Liege.

Luxembourg consists of two main regions: the Oesling in the north as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south. The highest point in Luxembourg is Kneiff, with 1,837 feet. The country has an oceanic climate, which is marked by wet late summers. According to the 2012 Environmental Performance Index, Luxembourg is one of the world’s best performers in environmental protection, ranking 4th out of 132 assessed nations.

Population of Luxembourg

According to a July 2013 estimate provided by the CIA World Factbook, Luxembourg has a population of 514,862 people, which makes it the world’s 173rd country by total population. By density, Luxembourg ranks 63rd among the world’s sovereign states and dependent territories with 515 people per square miles. The last population census in Luxemoburg took place in 2011 and showed a total population of 518,000 people. As of 2013, Luxembourg’s population growth rate is of 1.13%. Life expectancy at birth of the total population is 79.88 years, 76.64 years for males and 83.33 years for females. Birthrate in Luxembourg is 11.72 births/1,000 population, death rate is 8.52 deaths/1,000 population, while sex ratio is 0.97 male(s)/female.

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Largest city in Luxembourg

The capital and largest city of the Grand Duchy is Luxembourg, also known as the Luxembourg City. Actually just a commune with city status, Luxembourg City has an area of 19.87 square miles, a population of only 103,641 people, and a density of about 4,700 people per square miles. Besides being the seat of the country’s government, Luxembourg City is also where several institutions of the European Union have their main premises, including the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, and the European Stability Mechanism. In 2011, Luxembourg was ranked as having the second highest GDP in the world, with a GDP (PPP) of $80,119 per capita.

The Grand Duchy’s next most populated cities are Esch-sur-Alzette (pop: 30,630), Differdange (pop: 21,869), Dudelange (pop: 18,657), Petange (pop: 15,971), and Sanem (pop: 14,545).

Ethnicity in Luxembourg

Luxembourgers make up the largest ethnicity group in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, accounting for about 63 percent of the total population. The foreign population consists of Portuguese (13.3 percent), French (4.5 percent), Italian (4.3 percent), and German (2.3 percent). Other immigrants are known to have come from Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, as well as other European countries.

Religion in Luxembourg

Even though its a secular state, Luxembourg recognizes certain religions as officially mandated religions, including Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Greek Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Russian Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Mennonitism and Islam. 87 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, including the royal family. According to Eurobarometer poll, 44 percent of Luxembourg citizens responded that “they believe there is a God”, whereas 28 percent answered that “they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force” and 22 percent that “they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force”.

Language in Luxembourg

Three languages are recognized as official in Luxembourg – Luxembourgish as the national language, and German and French as administrative languages. Luxembourgish, a Franconian language of the Moselle region (also spoken in neighboring parts of Belgium, France and Germany), is used as a native tongue by 77 percent of the population and as a second language by 13 percent of the inhabitants. 6 percent of the population use French as native language, 4 percent use German, 1 percent uses English, while 12 percent use other native languages. Some resident in Luxembourg also speak Italian, Portuguese or Serbian.

Economy in Luxembourg

Benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany, Luxembourg has a stable and high-income economy with  low inflation and a low unemployment rate. The industrial sector includes steel, chemicals, rubber, and other products, while the financial sector accounts for about 27% of GDP. In 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Luxembourg was the second richest country in the world, with a per capita GDP on a purchasing-power parity (PPP) basis of $80,119. As of April 2013, Luxembourg ranks eleventh in the world in holdings of US Treasury securities with $147 billion. In 2012, Luxembourg had a GDP by PPP of $42.92 billion, a GDP at official exchange rate of $56.74 billion and a GDP per capita of $81,100 (ranked fifth in the world).

Nigerian flag

Nigeria, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal republic located in West Africa. The country that comprises 36 states states and a Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) is bordered by Niger to the north, Chad and Cameroon on the east, and the Republic of Benin in the west, while its southern coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country With a total population of 174.5 million and ranks seventh in comparison to the world. By total area, Nigeria is the Earth’s 32nd largest state with 356,667 square miles, which translates into a density of 489.3 people per square mile. Nigeria’s capital city is Abuja, while its largest and most populous metropolis is Lagos.

Brief history of Nigeria

The oldest traces of human settlement in Nigeria dates back to the 9th century (though humans no doubt lived in Nigeria thousands of years before this), when the central part of the country was inhabited by the Nok people. The territory was divided between several kingdoms, such as Ife, Oyo or Nri, starting with the 10th century, while the 16th century brought the first Spanish and Portuguese explorers in Nigeria. The African nation became a British colony in the 19th century and a British protectorate and part of the Empire in 1901. As nationalism started growing in Africa after World War II, Nigeria also started demanding independence and eventually became a republic in October 1960. Sudden political upheaval led to several back-to-back military coups in 1966 and the Nigerian Civil War began a year later, after the Eastern Region declared independence as the Republic of Biafra. The war ended after 30 month, in January 1970, as estimates claim that between one and three million people died in the conflagration, many from disease and starvation.

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Nigeria’s political struggle continued in the 1970s through the 1990s, when the country was led by several military juntas that gained power through violent coupes. Nigeria joined OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) during the oil boom of the 1970s, but the huge revenue led to corruption within military administrations, failing to build economic stability. Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo was elected, replacing General Sani Abacha, who was found dead a year earlier. The country is now led by President Jonathan Goodluck, elected in 2011, and Vice President Namadi Sambo. Despite showing signs of improvement, Nigeria is still plagued by excessive political corruption. Nigeria is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, the International Criminal Court, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Geography of Nigeria

Located in western Africa, Nigeria has a total area of 356,669 square miles – about twice the size of California – making it the world’s 32nd largest country. It is bordered by Niger to the north, Chad and Cameroon on the east, the Republic of Benin in the west, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. It shares a 2,515-mile border with its neighbors and has a coastline of around 530 miles. The country is divided into 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory, which are further sub-divided into 774 divisions called Local Government Areas. Nigeria has a varied landscape with tropical rainforest in the far south, coastal plains in the southwest and southeast, salt water swamp, fresh water swamp, and rain forest. The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi at 7,936 feet, while main rivers are the Niger and the Benue River, both of which and empty into the Niger Delta, one of the world’s largest river deltas.

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Population of Nigeria

With a population of 174,507,539 people (July 2013 estimate by the CIA World Factbook), Nigeria the world’s 7th most populous nations. The most recent census, which was carried out in 2006, revealed that 140,431,790 people lived in Nigeria, which means the country’s population grew by 24 percent in seven years. In fact, demographers claim Nigeria will become the fifth most populous nation on Earth by 2070, surpassing Indonesia and Brazil. Current estimates indicate that Nigeria has a population growth rate of 2.54 percent – bigger than India’s, the world’s second most populous country – a birthrate of 38.78 births/1,000 population and a death rate of 13.2 deaths/1,000 population. Life expectancy, however, is one of the lowest compared to other countries – 49.35 years for males and 55.77 years for females, which translates into a population total of only 52.46 years. Sex ratio is estimated at 1.06 males/female, while net migration rate is -0.22 migrants/1,000 population.

Largest city in Nigeria

The largest city in Nigeria is Lagos, with a metropolitan area population of 7.9 million and a total population of 17.5 million. New estimates, however, claim Lagos’ population is now at 21 million, making it the largest city in Africa, though officially that title is still retained by Cairo, Egypt. Lagos, a former capital city between 1914 and 1991, is Nigeria’s most important economic center and has one of the highest standards of living compared to other cities in Nigeria and Africa alike. The country’s current capital city is Abuja, whose metropolitan area is inhabited by about 3 million people. Other big cities in Nigeria are Kano (3.5 million), Ibadan (3 million), Port Harcourt (1.9 million), Kaduna (1.6 million), Benin City (1.4 million), and Zaria (1.1 million).

Ethnicity in Nigeria

Nigeria, a country of rich ethnic diversity with varying languages and customs, is home to more than 250 ethnic groups. The largest of them are Hausa/Fulani – 29 percent, while Yoruba – 21 percent, and Igbo (Ibo) – 18 percent. Next by number of people are Ijaw – 10%, Kanuri – 4%, Ibibio – 3.5%, and Tiv – 2.5%. Edo, Ebira, Nupe, Gwari, Itsekiri, Jukun and other minorities comprise 12 percent of the total population. There are also small minorities of British, American, East Indian, Chinese, white Zimbabwean, Japanese, Greek, Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in Nigeria.

Religion in Nigeria

As with ethnic groups, Nigeria hosts a variety of religions, although Islam and Christianity are popular among 90 percent of the inhabitants. According to the CIA World Factbook, 50 percent of the population is following Islam, 40 percent are Christians, while 10 percent believe in traditional and other minority religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Baha’i Faith, Chrislam, Hare Krisha, and Eckankar. On the other hand, a 2012 estimate says religions in Nigeria are as follows: Christianity – 49.3%, Islam 48.8%, others 1.9%. According to the 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, over 344,000 of their membership worship peacefully in Nigeria.

Language in Nigeria

If 250 ethnic groups weren’t impressive enough, then you should know that the number of languages known in Nigeria is an astounding 521, of which two are second languages and nine are extinct languages. The official language of Nigeria is English, which was spoken by a part of the population by the time the country became independent from British rule in 1960.  Nowadays, most of the population speak English and their native language. The most important native languages spoken in Nigeria are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Kanuri.

Economy in Nigeria

Classified as a mixed economy emerging market with lower middle income status by the  World Bank, Nigeria benefits from an abundant supply of oil which accounts for 40 percent of GDP and 80 percent of Government earnings. Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world, the 8th largest exporter, and holds the 10th largest proven reserves of crude oil. Nigeria also has one of the fastest growing telecommunications markets in the world and a highly developed financial services sector. By GDP over purchasing power parity, Nigeria ranks 31st in the world with $455.5 billion, while GDP per capita is at $2,800 – 180th in the world. Its main export partners are the United States, India, Netherlands, Spain and Brazil, while most imports come from China, the United States and India.

Indonesian flag

Indonesia, which in Greek means “island” from “Indos” and “nesos”, is officially known as the Republic of Indonesia. Situated in Southeast Asia (between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans), it is the world’s largest archipelagic state. Straddling the equator, Indonesia borders Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste. With a total area of 735,358 square miles, it is slightly less than three times the size of Texas. By surface, it is ranked 15th in comparison to the world. Indonesia has a population of about 251,000,000 people and a density of 322.87 inhabitants per square mile, making it the 4th most populated country in the world. The capital and the largest city in Indonesia is Jakarta, with approximately 28 million people and a density of 11,350 persons per square mile.

Basic History of Indonesia

After being colonized by the Dutch in the early 17th century and being occupied by Japan between 1942 and 1945, Indonesia declared its independence following World War II, after Japan’s surrender on 2nd of September 1945. Becoming an independent sovereign nation, though, took 4 years of intermittent negotiations, sometimes intense fighting, and UN mediation. After all these, the Netherlands accepted to transfer sovereignty in 1949. During the next period of time, Indonesia passed through whirling waters: it was a parliamentary democracy but it ended in 1957, it faced an abortive coup in 1965, while between 1967 and 1988 it was ruled by President Suharto. The first free and fair legislative elections were held in Indonesia in 1999. The country reached a historical peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh in 2005. After this, in December 2006, there were carried out democratic elections in Aceh. Regarding the situation in Papua, Indonesia faces mild armed resistance by the separatist Free Papua Movement. Today, Indonesia is a unitary presidential constitutional republic, ruled by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono.

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Geography of Indonesia

Strategically situated in Southeastern Asia, along or astride major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean, Indonesia has a total area of 735,358 square miles. By land mass, it is the 15th largest country in the world. Being an archipelago that numbers 17,508 islands, of which about 6,000 inhabited, Indonesia is divided into 31 provinces, 2 special regions, and one special capital city district. It borders Malaysia, Palau, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam to the north, India to the northwest, Australia to the south, and East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the east. Indonesia has a tropical climate, which is humid and hot, but also more moderate in highlands. Its terrain mostly consists of coastal lowlands, with interior mountains in the larger islands. The lowest point in Indonesia is the Indian Ocean, while the highest peak is Mount Carstensz (Puncak Jaya), with 16,024 feet. Indonesia is rich in natural resources, including forestry, natural gas and petroleum. Because of its geographical position, Indonesia is a victim of earthquakes, forest fires, occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, and volcanoes. Boasting more volcanos than any country in the world, Indonesia has 76 active volcanoes! Regarding the environment, Indonesia faces some current issues like air pollution in urban areas, smoke and haze from forest fires, deforestation, sewage, and water pollution from industrial wastes.

Population of Indonesia

Indonesia has a total population of 251,160,124 people and a density of 322.87 inhabitants per square mile, as stated by a July 2013 estimate provided by CIA World Factbook. Following China, India and the United States, Indonesia is the world’s 4th most populous country. The last population census that was held in Indonesia took place in 2010 and showed a total population of 237,424,363 people. In three years’ time, between 2010 and 2013, Indonesia’s population has increased with 13,735,761 people. As of 2013, the population growth rate is of 0.99%. As stated by the CIA, the degree of major infectious diseases is very high of food or waterborne diseases, but also of vectorborne diseases.

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For instance, there is a high risk of contracting typhoid fever, hepatitis A, bacterial diarrhea, malaria, and dengue fever. Life expectancy at birth of the total population in Indonesia is of 71.9 years, 69.33 years for males and 74.59 years for females, while sex ratio is of 1 male(s)/female. Birth rate is of 17.38 births/1,000 population and death rate of 6.31 deaths/1,000 population. According to a projection made the Pardee Center for International Futures at the University of Denver, Indonesia’s population will reach 280.4 million people in 2030 and 300.4 million people in 2060.

You might enjoy the video about the history of Indonesia and Java culture.

Largest city in Indonesia

The capital and the largest city in Indonesia is Jakarta, which is officially known as the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. Jakarta has a total population of 28,019,545 people and a density of 11,350 inhabitants per square mile. In accordance to CIA data, other important cities in Indonesia are Surabaya, with 2.509 million people, Bandung, with 2.412 million people, Bekasi, with 2.334 million people, Medan, with 2.131 million people, and Semarang, with 1.296 million people.

Ethnicity in Indonesia

From a total of around 300 distinct native ethnic groups, the Javanese people are the largest and the most dominant group in Indonesia, accounting for 41.71% of the total population, as stated by the 2010 national census. The next important ethnic group in Indonesia is the Sundanese, who account for 15.41% of the total population. Sundanese is followed by Malay (3.45%), Madurese (3.37%), Batak (3.02%), Minangkabau (2.72%), Betawi (2.51%), Bantenese (2.05%), Banjarese (1.74%), Balinese (1.51%), Makassarese (0.99%), and Cirebonede (0.94%). Adversely, a 2000 census showed that Javanese accounted for 40.6%, Sundanese for 15%, Madurese for 3.3%, Minangkabau for 2.7%, Betawi for 2.4%, Bugis for 2.4%, Banten for 2%, Banjar for 1.7%, and other or unspecified for 29.9%.

Religion in Indonesia
Even though the Indonesian Constitution stipulates religious freedom of the population, there are only six religions that are officially recognized by the government: Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism. However, Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, with Islam adherents accounting for 87.2% of the total population. The next important religious groups in Indonesia are Christian (9%), Hindu (2%), and Buddhist or other (2%). As for the 2000 census, Muslim accounted for 86.1%, Protestant for 5.7%, Roman Catholic for 3%, Hindu for 1.8%, and other or unspecified for 3.4%.

Language in Indonesia

Even if in Indonesia there are 742 different languages and dialects, Indonesian is the official national language. Indonesian is a form of Malay, based on the dialect of the Johor-Riau Sultanate, which was the lingua franca of the archipelago for centuries. Because it is universally taught in schools, Indonesian is spoken by nearly every person living in Indonesia. Even so, the majority of Indonesians speak at least one of the 742 languages and dialects as their native language. Out of these local languages, Javanese is the most used. According to the 2000 census, Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay) is the most used language in Indonesia. People also speak local dialects, Javanese being the most widely spoken. As foreign languages, many Indonesian people tend to speak English and Dutch.

Economy in Indonesia

Due to the introduction of significant reforms under the first mandate of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, including the use of Treasury bills, capital market supervision and development, and customs and tax reforms, Indonesia managed to grow more than 6% yearly between 2010 and 2012 (6.2% economic growth in 2010, 6.5% in 2011, and 6.2% in 2012). Indonesia’s GDP in 2012 was of $1.237 trillion, lower than the GDP in 2011 ($1.164 trillion) and higher than the one in 2010 ($1.093 trillion). With a GDP per capita of $5,100, 11.7% of the Indonesians still live under World Bank’s poverty line. As a result of the governments fiscally conservative policies, Indonesia operated historically low rated of inflation, a fiscal deficit below 3%, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of less than 25%. Also, Indonesia’s credit rating was upgraded to investment grade in December 2011 by Fitch and Moody’s. As for long-term challenges, Indonesia has to fight preventing terrorism, to improve education, to consolidate democracy after a period of four decades of authoritarianism, to stem corruption, to implement financial and economic reforms, to reform the criminal justice system, and to hold the police and military accountable for human rights violations. Indonesia is also notorious for stolen credit card fraud, usually with tourists as their victims.

This is an interesting video that takes a look at urban poverty in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Greek flag

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic and mostly known for the mythological stories of the Olympian gods, is a country situated in Southern Europe between Albania and Turkey, bordering the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean Sea. Greece has a total surface of 50,949 square miles and it’s slightly smaller than Alabama. By land mass, Greece is the 97th largest country in the world. The 2013 population of Greece is about 10,700,000 people and it has a density of 212 inhabitants per square mile. Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece, with a population of approximately 3.7 million people and a density of 3,319 inhabitants per square mile.

Basic History of Greece

Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1830 and during the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it kept adding new territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. During World War II, Greece was invaded by Italy in 1940 and was subsequently occupied by Nazi Germany (1941-44). After joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1952, Greece became a military dictatorship in 1967. Greek monarchy was abolished in 1974, as an effect of the democratic elections and of the referendum held then. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the European Union) and in 2001 it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. Because of the austerity measure and of the huge public debt, Greeks protested with street fights and with labor strikes. In 2012, Greece was bankrupt and was temporarily saved by money lent from creditors like Germany, Netherlands, and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite the help back then, economists ask themselves today if Greece can be saved from default considering that the Greek economy hasn’t recovered so far.

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Geography of Greece

Greece is strategically located in Southern Europe, with a dominant position in the Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits. Boasting an archipelago of about 2,000 islands, the peninsula of Greece borders Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, and Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the northeast. Divided into 13 administrative regions and one autonomous monastic state (the autonomous monastic state of the Holy Mountain), Greece has a total area of 50,949 square miles, ranked 97th in comparison to the world. Greece is often hit by earthquakes and it has still active volcanoes. For instance, Santorini (1,204 feet) has been deemed a “Decade Volcano” by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations. Although there have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana and Nisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically active. Regarding environmental issues, Greece has problems with air and water pollution. The climate in Greece is temperate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The terrain consists of mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands and covers natural resources like lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, and salt. The lowest point in Greece is the Mediterranean Sea, while the highest peak is the legendary Mount Olympus (9,577 feet).

Population of Greece

The total population of Greece numbers 10,772,967 people and has a density of 212 inhabitants per square mile, according to an October, 2013 provided by CIA World Factbook. By population, Greece is the 81st most populated nation on Earth. The last population census that took place in Greece was carried out in 2011 and showed a total population of 10,815,197 people. Between 2011 and 2013, the population of Greece decreased with 42,230 people. As for 2013, the country’s population growth rate is of 0.04%. The unemployment rate among youth ages 15-24 is of 44.4%, and literacy rate of the total population is of 96%, 97.8% for males and 94.2% for females. Even though obesity rate is of 20.1%, life expectancy of the total population is 80.18 years, 77.59 years for males and 82.93 years for females. Birth rate is of 8.94 births/1,000 population and death rate is of 10.9 deaths/1,000 population, while sex ratio of the total population is of 0.96 male(s)/female. According to a population projection issued by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, the population of Greece will reach 11,575,000 people in 2035 and 11,118,000 people in 2060.

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Largest city in Greece

Athens, one of the world’s oldest cities, is the capital and the largest city in Greece. With a total population of 3,752,973 people and a density of 44,140 inhabitants per square mile, Athens is the city of the goddess Athena (Pallas Athena/Athene). The next largest cities in Greece are Thessaloniki – 1,006,730 people, Patras – 213,984 people, Heraklion – 173,993 people, and Larissa – 162,591 people.

Ethnicity in Greece

The national census carried out in 2011 showed that Greeks are the dominant ethnic group in Greece, accounting for 94% of the total population, followed by Albanians (4%), and by other minorities (2%). A 2006 census showed that Greeks accounted for 93.76% of the total population, Albanians, for 4.32% of the total population, followed by Bulgarians (0.39%), Romanians (0.23%), Ukrainians (0.18%), Pakistani (0.14%), Russians (0.12%), Georgians (0.12%), Indians (0.09%), and other nationalities (0.65%). Another census, that was carried out in 2001, revealed that there were Greek – 93%, and other (foreign citizens) – 7%.

Religion in Greece

The Constitution of Greece recognizes Orthodox Christian faith as the “prevailing” faith of the country and guarantees freedom of religious belief for all. The official and dominant religion in Greece is Greek Orthodox, practiced by 98% of the population. 1.3% of the people living in Greece are Muslim and 0.7% of the population follows other religions. A census that took place in 2010 showed that 79% of the Greeks believe in God, 16% believe in spirit or life force, while 4% have no belief. About 30,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses worship in Greece but have historically faced intense persecution from authorities and the Greek Orthodox Church.

Language in Greece

The official language in Greece is Greek, spoken by 99% of the population. But, at the same time, in Greece are also used a number of non-official, minority languages and some Greek dialects as well as regional languages such as Cretan, Pontic, Cappadocian, Ancient, Cypriot, Maniot, Demotic, Albanian Tsakonian and Yevanic. Albanian (Arvanitika), Romany, Turkish, Macedonian Slavic, Bulgarian, Armenian language and Aromanian are minority languages. The first foreign language spoken in Greece is English, followed by German and French.

Economy in Greece

Among all European countries, Greece experienced the harshest effects due to public debt. Greece faced its most severe crisis in 2009 and in 2010 it borrowed money from banks like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and others. But these liabilities made governments like the one in Athens spend beyond its means. In 2010, Greece public debt was the second highest in the world. In 2012, after several negotiations and rapid loans, Greece agreed to an agreement which included strict conditions, including financial reforms and further austerity measures. As for numbers, Greece’s GDP in 2012 was of $281.4 billion, lower than the country’s GDP in 2011 – $300.6 billion – and than the one in 2010 – $323.6 billion. Also, Greece recorded a negative growth rate between 2010 and 2012: -6.2% in 2012, -7.1% in 2011, and -4.9% in 2010. With a GDP per capita of $24,900, 20% of the Greeks live under World Bank’s poverty line. Greece’s lenders are calling on Athens to step up efforts to increase tax collection, privatize public enterprises, and rein in health spending, and are planning to give Greece more time to shore up its economy and finances. But many investors doubt that Greece can sustain fiscal efforts in the face of a bleak economic outlook, public discontent, and political instability.

Greece is a major gateway to Europe for Asians and especially Africans which has led to clashes and racial violence.