CKBIRC
A
H
L
Kids
VISUAL REFERENCE
OF THE
World
More than 2,500 graphs, charts, maps,
and photos that cover the most important and
interesting facts about every country on the planet!
By the Editors of
Blackbirch Press
Maps, Charts, and Graphs by
Bob Italiano
B L A C K B I R C H
W O O D B R I D G E ,
P R E S S ,
I N C .
C O N N E C T I C U T
The
CKBIRC
A
H
L
Kids
VISUAL REFERENCE
OF THE
World
More than 2,500 graphs, charts, maps,
and photos that cover the most important and
interesting facts about every country on the planet!
By the Editors of
Blackbirch Press
Maps, Charts, and Graphs by
Bob Italiano
B L A C K B I R C H
W O O D B R I D G E ,
P R E S S ,
I N C .
C O N N E C T I C U T
Africa
Asia
Europe
North
America
Oceania/
Australia
South
America
Table of Contents
How To Use This Book ........6
Africa..................................27
Asia ....................................28
Oceania ..............................29
Thematic Maps
Calendars of the World ......32
International Time Zones ..32
of the World......................38
Unique Animals of the
World ................................38
Origins of Selected Musical
Styles and Instruments ....39
Selected Wonders and
World ................................16
Europe ..............................18
World ................................39
Africa..................................19
Asia ....................................20
Currencies ........................34
Afghanistan ........................40
Oceania ..............................21
Albania ..............................42
Algeria................................43
Andorra ..............................45
Topographical Maps
Angola ................................46
World ................................24
Europe ..............................26
Argentina ..........................49
Antarctica ..........................26
Armenia..............................51
Australia ............................52
Cuba ................................108
Iran ..................................160
Austria ................................54
Cyprus..............................110
Iraq ..................................162
Azerbaijan ..........................56
Czech Republic................111
Ireland..............................164
Bahamas ............................57
Denmark ..........................113
Israel ................................165
Bahrain ..............................58
Djibouti............................114
Italy ..................................166
Bangladesh ........................59
Dominica ........................115
Jamaica ............................168
Barbados ............................63
Dominican Republic........116
Japan ................................169
Belarus................................64
Ecuador............................117
Jordan ..............................173
Belgium..............................66
Egypt................................119
Kazakhstan ......................174
Belize..................................68
El Salvador ......................121
Kenya ..............................176
Benin ..................................69
Kiribati ............................178
Bhutan................................70
Eritrea ..............................123
Kuwait..............................179
Bolivia ................................71
Estonia ............................124
Kyrgyzstan ......................180
Bosnia ................................72
Ethiopia............................125
Laos..................................181
Botswana ............................73
Fiji ....................................127
Latvia ..............................182
Brazil ..................................74
Finland ............................128
Lebanon ..........................183
Brunei ................................78
France ..............................129
Lesotho ............................184
Bulgaria ..............................79
Gabon ..............................131
Liberia..............................185
Gambia ............................132
Libya ................................186
Burundi ..............................82
Georgia ............................133
Liechtenstein ..................187
Cambodia ..........................83
Germany ..........................134
Lithuania..........................188
Cameroon ..........................85
Ghana ..............................136
Luxembourg ....................189
Canada ..............................87
Greece..............................138
Macedonia........................190
Grenada ..........................140
Madagascar ......................191
Guatemala........................141
Malawi..............................193
Chad ..................................91
Guinea..............................143
Malaysia ..........................195
Chile ..................................92
Guinea-Bissau..................144
Maldives ..........................197
China..................................94
Guyana ............................145
Mali ..................................198
Colombia ..........................98
Haiti ................................146
Malta ................................200
Comoros ..........................100
Honduras ........................147
Congo ..............................101
Hong Kong......................148
Mauritania........................202
Hungary ..........................149
Mauritius..........................203
Costa Rica........................104
Iceland..............................151
Mexico..............................204
Cte dIvoire....................105
India ................................152
Micronesia ......................206
Croatia ............................107
Indonesia..........................156
Moldova ..........................207
Monaco ............................208
Rwanda ............................255
Tanzania ..........................293
Mongolia..........................209
Thailand ..........................295
Morocco ..........................210
Togo ................................297
Mozambique ....................212
Tonga ..............................298
Myanmar..........................214
Samoa ..............................259
Namibia ..........................216
Tunisia..............................300
Nauru ..............................217
Turkey ..............................302
Nepal................................218
Turkmenistan ..................304
Netherlands ....................220
Senegal ............................264
Tuvalu ..............................305
Seychelles ........................265
Uganda ............................306
Nicaragua ........................223
Ukraine ............................308
Niger................................224
Singapore ........................267
Nigeria ............................226
Slovakia ............................268
Slovenia............................269
Norway ............................230
Uruguay ..........................317
Oman ..............................231
Somalia ............................271
Uzbekistan ......................318
Pakistan............................232
Vanuatu ............................320
Palau ................................236
Panama ............................337
Spain ................................277
Venezuela ........................322
Sri Lanka..........................279
Vietnam............................324
Paraguay ..........................239
Sudan ..............................281
Yemen ..............................326
Peru..................................240
Suriname ..........................283
Yugoslavia ........................328
Philippines ......................242
Swaziland ........................284
Zambia ............................330
Poland ..............................244
Sweden ............................285
Zimbabwe ........................332
Portugal ..........................246
Switzerland ......................287
Qatar ................................248
Syria ................................288
Romania ..........................249
Taiwan..............................290
Index....................................350
Russia ..............................251
Tajikistan..........................292
Photo Credits......................360
2. Skim the country. Look at the color bar at the top of the
page. If the color is green, it means the featured country is
in Africa. If it is orange, the country is in Europe. Use the
color key on the Table of Contents for reference.
Skimming pages is like flying over a country. There is a great deal of information about each place on every page. First, look at the flag. Compare it to
others you know. Next, look at the area and population rankings on the line
graphs. Those will quickly tell you whether you are visiting a large or small
country. So will the map. Look at the locator map to see where in the world
the country is. Then look at the map of country itself. What countries border it? What are some of the largest cities? Landmarks? Bodies of water?
Go on to the climate chart on the lower
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
left of the opening page (see right). By
12 in/30 cm
80F/27C
looking at the red line you can tell which
9 in/23 cm
60F/16C
months are hot and which are cold. (The
6 in/15 cm
40F/4C
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
months are abbreviated with letters along
0 in/0 cm
0F/-18C
the bottom of the graph.) By looking at the
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature and rainfall
blue bars, you can tell how much rain falls
each month. Now look at the pie graphs to
learn about the people, religion, exports, land, and government of the country. You should be able to see, at first glance, what the largest ethnic group
is. Or which export is the most important. Finish by looking at the photos.
These will show you something about the land and the people. By now, you
should have a good idea where you are going.
Other 11%
Garments
9%
Marine
products
10%
Re-exports
12%
Raw
sugar
30%
Bananas
14%
Orange
concentrate
14%
Exports
Romansch 1%
Italian
10%
French
18%
Other 6%
Other
Protestant 6%
Average Rainfall
1. Plan your trip. You wouldnt go on a real trip without investigating your
destination, right? The same holds true here. Before you look up an entry ask
yourself: What do I know about this country? Make a mental note of what
you think the climate, the people, and the government may be like. Then ask
yourself: What do I want to know about this country? That way, youll know
what to look for when you land on the page.
Other 4%
Baptist
10%
German
65%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
80%
Major Religions
$166 million
3. Read About the Place and the People. Begin by reading the At a Glance
box at the top left of the opening page. It will be like stepping out of the
plane onto the soil of your country. Next,
At a Glance
read the description of the country. What
Official Name: Republic of
type of landscapes does it have? What bodCosta Rica
Continent:
North (Central) America
ies of water? Large cities? Ports? Continue
Area: 19,730 square miles
your tour by reading about the people.
(51,100 sq km)
Compare their lives to yours. How are they
Population: 3,674,490
Capital City: San Jose
alike? How are they different? In larger
Largest City: San Jose (318,765)
countries, you may find more information
Unit of Money: Costa Rican colon
Major Language: Spanish (official)
about education and culture. Compare it to
Literacy: 93%
your own. Would you want to go to school
Land Use: 6% arable, 7% crops,
there? What would you do for fun?
45% meadow, 34% forest, 8% other
Natural Resources: Hydropower potential
Atlas Terms
archipelago a chain of islands
atoll a low island made of coral reefs
ethnic makeup the race or national origin of a
countrys population
exports goods sold to other countries
gulf a part of an ocean or seas extending into the
land, larger than a bay
life expectancy the average number of years people
in a country live
literate able to read and write
mountain chain a row of mountains joined together,
also called a range
Scale
ARCTIC OCEAN
1,000
km
miles
1,000
Bering
Sea
Key
Aral
Sea
Se
a
Sea of
Japan
Arabian
Sea
Bay of
Bengal
Ch
in
a
Sea
an
spi
Ca
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
So
ut
h
Parts of a Map
Coal
Petroleum
Iron ore
Tin
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Phosphate rock
Zinc
Chromite
Nickel
Tungsten
Gold
The compass rose is a group of direction arrows. The letters on a compass rose are
N for north, S for south, E for east, and W for west. North on a map always points
toward the North Pole.
The locator is a world or regional map inset on certain maps to show where that
place is located in relation to a larger area.
A map index in an atlas is an alphabetical listing of the places that appear on the
maps. Each place has a letter-number locator and the page number on which it
appears. The letter-number grid appears on the map, and forms a border around a map.
The maps in this book do not have map indexes or locator grids.
Kinds of Maps
Maps are very useful tools. They give an idea of
where things are in relation to one another. Here
are the different types of maps you can find to fit
your needs.
Globes The most accurate representation of Earth is
a circular model of the planet. One disadvantage of
globes is that only half of Earth can be seen at one time.
Globes arent easily portable either.
Flat maps These maps are called projections. A map projection is a way
of showing the round Earth on a flat surface. The most common map
projections are Robinson, Mercator, and Molleweid.
Mercator On this kind of map, lines of longitude are evenly spaced vertical lines.
Lines of latitude are parallel horizontal straight lines spaced farther and farther apart as they move away from the equator. This projection is often used
for navigation charts to plot a straight course. It is less practical for world
maps because the scale does not accurately show the size of landmasses in
relation to one another.
Political Maps A political map shows political units, such as countries, states, and
cities, and their boundaries. Political maps change as countries expand, diminish,
alter borders, or change their names. A collection of political maps can be found
on pages 1623.
Physical maps These are also called topographical maps. Topography is a word for
the physical features of Earths surface as shown in maps. Physical maps show
topography, such as mountains, rivers, and lakes. These maps can also show land
elevation and ocean depth. Contours, which appear on physical maps, are lines
that connect all points of land with equal elevation in the area shown. Reliefs
are the differences in elevation or heights of landforms as shown on physical
maps. A collection of topographical maps can be found on pages 2431.
10
world maps. The Greeks were among the few people in the ancient world who believed
the world was round. In 200 B.C.E., the Greek mathematician, Erasthones, calculated that
Earth's circumference measured 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers). Centuries later, more
advanced calculations showed that he was off by only 340 miles (547 kilometers).
In 150 C.E., during the time of the Roman Empire, the Greek cartographer Ptolemy wrote
an eight-volume work called Geography. This collection of 27 maps was the first published
work ever to use a grid system of longitude and latitude for locating places throughout the
known world. Ptolemy also felt that maps should accurately show the sizes of different
regions in relation to one another. He did this by showing a world map overview and then
Thematic Maps
Thematic maps provide information about a specific topic, such as weather. Many different types of weather can be plotted on a map, including climate, wind currents, or temperatures. Another example of a thematic map is a historical map that gives information
about events that took place in a certain location. A map of the United States that
shows the locations and dates of the major battles of the Civil War is one example of a
thematic map. A world map showing the locations of the greatest number of oil wells
would be an example of a resources thematic map. A collection of thematic maps can be
found on pages 3239.
11
a series of regional maps that could be larger or smaller depending on the area. Amazingly,
that is the way atlases are still structured today, almost 2,000 years later.
As important as Ptolemy's work was, he made several mistakes that would affect exploration and mapmaking for more than 1,000 years. Because Asia had not been explored, he
guessed at its size and made it much larger than it actually is. Ptolemy also made a mistake
in calculating the size of Earth. As a result, his world maps showed the western edge of
Europe only a small ocean away from the eastern edge of China.
No one knew that two more continentsNorth and South Americaas well as the
immense Pacific Ocean lay between Europe and Asia. This misconception is what led
Columbus to believe he had landed in Asia when he stepped ashore in the New World
in 1492.
During the Middle Ages, from 400-1450 C.E., maps such as Ptolemys were preserved by
Arabs, who explored much of Asia and Africa. As the Middle Ages ended, Europeans rediscovered the maps, and the age of European exploration began. The voyages of Columbus,
Magellan, and many other European explorers led to new and more accurate maps of Earth.
100
160
60
180
40
160
140
20
60
120
20
100
80
40
20
20
40
60
12
60
40
13
The first published collections of maps appeared in the mid-1500s. These books did not
have the word atlas in their titles, but many volumes used the word because they contained
an illustration of Atlasthe giant from Greek mythology who held the world on his shoulders. In 1585, cartographer Gerardus Mercator of Belgium published the first book that was
actually called an atlas.
Mercator is most famous, however, for the type of maps he drew. He laid out his maps in
rectangles so that the lines of latitude and longitude formed a grid. Prior to Mercator,
maps were drawn in ovals with curved lines of longitude and latitude. Mercator's map was
valuable to sailors because it allowed them to plot straight-line courses across the ocean.
The Mercator projection is the most widely used map projection today.
As exploration continued into the 1700s, new techniques and tools were developed for
surveying land, which in turn led to more accurate maps. By measuring angles and distances between points, surveyors were able to learn the shape, size, and position of an area.
The new developments in surveying helped to establish boundaries of newly explored
areas. And, for some explorers who were trained in surveying, mapmaking became a much
more accurate activity.
It wasnt until 1784, just after the American Revolution, that an American made the first
Before Mercator, maps were drawn in ovals, with curved lines of latitude and longitude.
14
map of America. Abel Buell of Connecticut created a map of the new United States that
extended as far west as the Mississippi River. The Lewis and Clark Expedition in 18041806
was the first U.S. expedition to venture into lands west of the Mississippi. During the
28-month journey, both explorers made hundreds of sketches. In 1814, Clark published a
map of the regionthe first map of the eastern and western areas of the United States.
In the late 19th century, new methods of travelthe train and later the automobile
created a booming new market for mapmakers and map publishers. Some of the first published maps, prepared by Rand McNally & Company in the 1870s, showed railroad lines in
the Midwest. With the arrival of the automobile in the early 1900s, maps became more
popular than ever. In 1917, Rand McNally published the first road maps that used numbers to identify highways.
Cartography has come a long way since the days of marking property boundaries on a
clay disk. And in the past century, change has come more rapidly than ever before.
Satellites and computers now allow cartographers to create accurate and detailed maps
more easily and quickly than has ever been possible. As much as cartography has changed,
however, the reason for mapmaking is the same as it always had been. As long as we
remain curious about our world and our place within it, we will need maps to show us
where we are going and where we have been.
15
ARCTIC OCEAN
ARCTIC OCEAN
GREENLAND
U.S.A.
(Alaska)
ICELAND
CANADA
NORWAY
DENMARK
IRELAND
UNITED
KINGDOM 1
GERM
2
16
PA C I F I C O C E A N
PORTUGAL
FRANCE 4
ITAL
14
15
SPAIN
UNITED STATES
MOROCCO
AT L A N T I C O C E A N
THE BAHAMAS
CUBA
MEXICO
HAITI
DOMINICAN REPUPLIC
JAMAICA
35
BELIZE
PUERTO 36 37
HONDURAS RICO 38
40 39
NICARAGUA
U.S.A.
(Hawaii)
GUATEMALA
EL SALVADOR
COSTA RICA
PANAMA
41
ECUADOR
KIRIBATI
ALGERIA
WESTERN
SAHARA
SENEGAL
MAURITANIA MALI
GAMBIA
GUINEABISSAU
GUINEA
SIERRA LEONE
LIBERIA
CAPE VERDE
ISLANDS
NIGE
28
29
30
32
NIGERIA
31
33
34
SO TOM
AND PRNCIPE
GABON
CONGO
BRAZIL
PERU
BOLIVIA
PA C I F I C O C E A N
CHILE
PARAGUAY
AT L A N T I C O C E A N
ARGENTINA
URUGUAY
1. NETHERLANDS
14. ANDORRA
2. BELGIUM
15. MONACO
3. LUXEMBOURG
16. LIECHTENSTEIN
30. GHANA
4. SWITZERLAND
17. MALTA
31. TOGO
5. CROATIA
32. BENIN
6. SLOVENIA
33. CAMEROON
7. SLOVAKIA
20. AUSTRIA
8. CZECH REPUBLIC
21. HUNGARY
9. MOLDOVA
22. ARMENIA
23. AZERBAIJAN
37. DOMINICA
11. ALBANIA
24. LEBANON
12. MACEDONIA
25. CYPRUS
39. BARBADOS
26. RWANDA
&
MONTENEGRO)
27. BURUNDI
THE GRENADINES
41. GRENADA
0
1,500
km
16
miles
1,500
FALKLAND ISLANDS
SWEDEN
FINLAND
Y
ESTONIA
RUSSIA
LATVIA
PA C I F I C O C E A N
LITHUANIA
POLAND BELARUS
MANY
8
UKRAINE
7
20
9
21
65
ROMANIA
LY
10
18
13
KAZAKHSTAN
BULGARIA
19
TUNISIA
TURKMENISTAN
TURKEY
25
24
ISRAEL
LIBYA
EGYPT
BHUTAN
KUWAIT
BAHRAIN
QATAR
PAKISTAN
NEPAL
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
OMAN
THAILAND
CAMBODIA
SRI LANKA
ETHIOPIA
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
UGANDA
KENYA
DEMOCRATIC 26
REPUBLIC 27
OF CONGO TANZANIA
TAIWAN
BANGLADESH
DJIBOUTI
MYANMAR
INDIA
YEMEN
SUDAN
JAPAN
SOUTH
KOREA
AFGHANISTAN
IRAN
ER
NORTH
KOREA
TAJIKISTAN
CHINA
SYRIA
IRAQ
JORDAN
SAUDI ARABIA
ERITREA
CHAD
KYRGYZSTAN
22 23
GREECE
UZBEKISTAN
GEORGIA
12
11
17
MONGOLIA
SOMALIA
MALDIVES
LAOS
VIETNAM
BRUNEI
MARSHALL
ISLANDS
PHILIPPINES
PALAU
MICRONESIA
MALAYSIA
NAURU
SINGAPORE
NEW
GUINEA
SEYCHELLES
INDIAN OCEAN
SOLOMON
PAPUA
NEW GUINEA ISLANDS
INDONESIA
TUVALU
WESTERN
SAMOA
COMOROS
ANGOLA
NAMIBIA
ZAMBIA
MALAWI
ZIMBABWE
VANUATU
BOTSWANA MOZAMBIQUE
TONGA
FIJI
MADAGASCAR
MAURITIUS
NEW CALEDONIA
AUSTRALIA
SWAZILAND
LESOTHO
SOUTH AFRICA
NEW ZEALAND
N
W
E
S
ANTARCTICA
17
ARCTIC OCEAN
Political Map:
Countries of
Europe
NO
RW
AY
FI
SW
NL
ED
AN
EN
ICELAND
ESTONIA
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
Baltic
Sea
UNITED
K I N G D O M North
Sea
L AT V I A
DENMARK
LITHUANIA
BELARUS
IRELAND
1
POLAND
GERMANY
2
8
3
AUSTRIA
6
I T A LY
15
5
10
ROMANIA
13
11
Sea
PORTUGAL
GREECE
17
Mediterranean
Sea
Key
1. NETHERLANDS
11. ALBANIA
2. BELGIUM
12. MACEDONIA
3. LUXEMBOURG
4. SWITZERLAND
& MONTENEGRO)
14. ANDORRA
6. SLOVENIA
15. MONACO
7. SLOVAKIA
16. LIECHTENSTEIN
8. CZECH REPUBLIC
17. MALTA
9. MOLDOVA
18. SAN MARINO
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA 19. HOLY SEE
10.
5. CROATIA
18
miles
1,000
Sea
1,000
km
Red
an
14
S PA I N
B U L G A R I A T U R K E Y Black Sea
(partial)
12
spi
19
Ca
18
HUNGARY
FRANCE
UKRAINE
16
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
Mediterranean Sea
TUNISIA
MOROCCO
ALGERIA
LIBYA
EGYPT
WESTERN
SAHARA
Re
MALI
Se
MAURITANIA
NIGER
GAMBIA
GUINEABISSAU
ERITREA
CHAD
SENEGAL
SUDAN
BURKINA
FASO
GUINEA
DJIBOUTI
BENIN
SIERRA
LEONE
CTE
D'IVOIRE
(IVORY COAST)
SOMALIA
NIGERIA
GHANA
ETHIOPIA
CENTRAL
AFRICAN REPUBLIC
LIBERIA
CAMEROON
TOGO
UGANDA
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
SO TOM
AND PRNCIPE
CONGO
GABON
KENYA
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
THE CONGO
(ZAIRE)
RWANDA
INDIAN
OCEAN
BURUNDI
Cabinda
(ANGOLA)
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
TANZANIA
COMOROS
MALAWI
ANGOLA
MOZAMBIQUE
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
MADAGASCAR
NAMIBIA
BOTSWANA
E
SOUTH AFRICA
(Walvis Bay)
SWAZILAND
1,000
SOUTH AFRICA
km
0
miles
LESOTHO
1,000
Scale
Political Map:
Countries of Africa
19
ARCTIC OCEAN
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
RUSSIA
Bering
Sea
Black Sea
ARMENIA
TURKEY
CYPRUS
LEBANON
ISRAEL
JORDAN
Sea
an
spi
Ca
GEORGIA
TU
Aral
Sea
UZ
BE
K
RK
EN
AZERBAIJAN
SYRIA
IRAN
IRAQ
K A Z A K H S TA N
MONGOLIA
IS
IS
TA
TA
TA J I K I S TA N
CHINA
N E PA L
ea
dS
Re
YEMEN
SOUTH
KOREA
A F G H A N I S TA N
KUWAIT
BAHRAIN
SAUDI
ARABIA
N O R T H Sea of
K O R E A Japan
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
PA K I S TA N
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
B H U TA N
BANGLADESH
TA I W A N
INDIA
M YA N M A R
U.A.E.
OMAN
Q ATA R
J A PA N
Bay of
Bengal
Arabian
Sea
THAILAND
LAOS
PHILIPPINES
South China
Sea
VIETNAM
CAMBODIA
MALDIVES
SRI LANKA
BRUNEI
M A L AY S I A
SINGAPORE
SUMATRA
BORNEO
CELEBES
JAVA
INDONESIA
INDIAN
OCEAN
1,000
km
miles
1,000
Political Map:
Countries of Asia
20
NEW
GUINEA
1,000
0
km
miles
1,000
MARSHALL
ISLANDS
PA L A U
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
PA P U A
NEW
GUINEA
NAURU
Arafura
Sea
MICRONESIA
Timor
Sea
T U VA L U
SOLOMON
ISLANDS
rie
ar
at B
INDIAN
OCEAN
G re
Gulf of
Carpentaria
Coral
Sea
rR
ee
Northern
Territory
VA N U AT U
FIJI
f
TONGA
Queensland
AUSTRALIA
Western Australia
NEW CALEDONIA
South
Australia
New South Wales
Gr
eat Aust
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Australian
Capital Territory
ra
li
an
Area of Detail
Victoria
ig
Tasman
Sea
t
TASMANIA
North
Island
South
Island
NEW ZEALAND
New South Wales
INDIAN
OCEAN
Stewart
Island
Australian
Capital Territory
Victoria
Political Map:
Countries of Oceania
21
Political Map:
Countries of
North America
1,000
km
miles
1,000
Scale
ARCTIC OCEAN
GREENLAND
W
Beaufort
Sea
Baffin
Bay
AK
E
S
Greenland
Sea
Bering
Sea
Yukon
Territory
Gulf of
Alaska
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Labrador
Sea
Hudson
Bay
CANADA
British
Columbia
Alberta
Newfoundland
Manitoba
Newfoundland
Island
Prince
Edward
Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Ontario
WA
MT
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
OR
ID
SD
WY
IA
NE
IN
IL
UT
CA
ME
Lake
Lake Huron
Lake
WI Michigan
Ontario NY
MI
Lake
Erie
PA
MN
Great Salt
Lake
NV
HI
Lake
Superior
ND
OH
U N I T E D S TAT E S
CO
OK
NM
MA
RI
NJ
VA
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
NC
SC
AR
AL
MS
1
CT
KY
TN
AZ
NH
DE
MD
WV
MO
KS
VT
Nova
Scotia
New
Brunswick
GA
LA
TX
3
FL
4
5
2
BAHAMAS
MEXICO
Gulf of
Mexico
7
9
11
Gulf of
California 10
14
13
18
Mexican States
1. Baja California
2. Baja California Sur
3. Sonora
4. Chihuahua
5. Coahuila
6. Sinaloa
7. Durango
8. Nuevo Len
9. Tamaulipas
10. Nayarit
11. Zacatecas
12. San Luis Potosi
13. Jalisco
14. Aguascalientes
15. Guanajuato
16. Quertaro
22
17. Hildago
18. Colima
19. Michoacn
20. Mxico
21. Distrito Federal
22. Tlaxcala
23. Veracruz
24. Guerrero
25. Morelos
26. Puebla
27. Oaxaca
28. Tabasco
29. Chiapas
30. Campeche
31. Yucatn
32. Quintana Roo
CUBA
12
15 16
17
19
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
31
HAITI
32
21 22
20
25 26
30
23
28
BELIZE
24
27
JAMAICA
29
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
EL SALVADOR
COSTA RICA
Caribbean Sea
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
Puerto
Rico
ANTIGUA
AND
BARBUDA
ST. LUCIA
BARBADOS
Caribbean Sea
VENEZUELA
SURINAME
G U YA N A
FRENCH GUIANA
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
PERU
BRAZIL
BOLIVIA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
PA R A G U AY
CHILE
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
U R U G U AY
ARGENTINA
N
W
E
S
Political Map:
Countries of
South America
1,000
km
miles
Scale
1,000
FALKLAND
ISLANDS
23
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
ARCTIC
OCEAN
N O RT H
AMERICA
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
SOUTH
AMERICA
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
24
ARCTIC
OCEAN
ASIA
EUROPE
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
AFRICA
INDIAN
OCEAN
AUSTRALIA
Topographical Map
of the World
A N TA R C T I C A
25
Barents Sea
ICELAND
N
W
E
S
FINLAND
SWEDEN
Norwegian
Sea
N O R W AY
Lake
Vnern
ESTONIA
Baltic
Sea
North
Sea
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
L AT V I A
DENMARK
RUSSIA
IRELAND
Europe
BELARUS
UNITED
KINGDOM
S
L P
A Po
Rhon
e
Key
Douro
PORTUGAL
AUSTRIA
HUNGARY
SLOVENIA
TS
ROMANIA
C R O AT I A
S PA I N
I T A LY
ALBANIA
MACEDONIA
Me
1,000 (305)
GREECE
dit
5,000 (1,524)
err
an
ean
Se
10,000 (3,048)
CYPRUS
300 miles/483 km
Scale
Topographical Map:
AN
TA R C T I C C I R C L
E
Antarctica
Ross
Sea
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Amundsen
Sea
Indian
Ocean
A N TA R C T I C A
South
Pole
Key
Bellingshausen
Sea
Vinson
Massif
Feet (meters)
above sea level
20 (6)
1,000 (305)
Prydz
Bay
Weddell
Sea
5,000 (1,524)
10,000 (3,048)
1000 miles/1609 km
Scale
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
M O L D O VA
Danube
B O S N I A & Y U G O S L AV I A
BULGARIA
HERZEGOVINA
20 (6)
26
iep
UKRAINE
CZECH
AT
REPUBLIC
H
IA
S L O VA K I A
SWITZERLAND
PY
R
ME
NE
TS
. ES
Dn
RP
FRANCE
Feet (meters)
above sea level
O POLAND
de
CA
r
GERMANY
BELGIUM
LUXEMBOURGS
ein
e
e
in
Rh
Topographical Map:
LITHUANIA
NETHERLANDS
Black Sea
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
Atla
n
Mou
tain
s
Mediterranean Sea
TUNISIA
MOROCCO
ALGERIA
LIBYA
WESTERN
SAHARA
EGYPT
Sahara Desert
d
Re
MALI
a
Se
Nile
MAURITANIA
NIGER
SENEGAL
e
Ni g
GAMBIA
Lake
Chad
ERITREA
CHAD
SUDAN
BURKINA FASO
GUINEA
BISSAU
GUINEA
DJIBOUTI
BENIN
NIGERIA
GHANA
SIERRA
LEONE
Lake
Assal
CTE
D'IVOIRE
LIBERIA
CENTRAL
AFRICAN REPUBLIC
TOGO
CAMEROON
Congo-Zai
re
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
SOMALIA
ETHIOPIA
UGANDA
KENYA
CONGO
SO TOM
& PRNCIPE
RWANDA
GABON
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF CONGO
(ZAIRE)
Cabinda
(ANGOLA)
BURUNDI
Lake
Mt. Kenya
Victoria
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Topographical Map:
COMOROS
ISLANDS
Lake
Malawi
ANGOLA
Africa
INDIAN
OCEAN
Lake TANZANIA
Tanganika
MOZAMBIQUE
MALAWI
ZAMBIA
Na
ZIMBABWE
NAMIBIA
Key
ib
Desert
Feet (meters)
above sea level
20 (6)
BOTSWANA
Kalahari
Desert
1,000 (305)
MADAGASCAR
SWAZILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
5,000 (1,524)
LESOTHO
10,000 (3,048)
N
W
500 miles/805 km
Scale
27
ARCTIC OCEAN
ea
ran
ter
edi Sea
Black
Sea
TURKEY
Bering
Sea
CYPRUS
JORDAN
ia
Se
SYRIA
sp
IRAQ
Ca
SAUDI
ARABIA
Persian Gulf
Aral
Sea
K A Z A K H S TA N
RUSSIA
a
Len
Sea of
Okhotsk
Ob
T U R K M E N I S TA N
IRAN
Lake Balkash
Lake
Baikal
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
Amur
MONGOLIA
U.A.E.
A F G H A N I S TA N
YEMEN
KARAKORAM RANGE
Godwin
Austen
du
In
HIM
Gan
INDIA
N E PA L
UN
TA
CHINA
IN
gt
Yan
Brahmaputra
dy
Mt. Everest
East China
Sea
ze
aw
ad
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Ir
B H U TA N
TA I W A N
BANGLADESH
g
on
ek
Bay of
Bengal M Y A N M A R
SRI LANKA
THAILAND
South
China
L A O S Sea
PHILIPPINES
VIETNAM
CAMBODIA
BRUNEI
M A L AY S I A
Key
Feet (meters)
above sea level
SINGAPORE
INDIAN
OCEAN
INDONESIA
20 (6)
1,000 (305)
W
5,000 (1,524)
10,000 (3,048)
1000 miles/1609 km
Scale
28
Topographical Map:
Asia
J A PA N
S. KOREA
AY
Arabian
Sea
N. KOREA
AL
PA K I S TA N
Sea of
Japan
ang Ho
ges
OMAN
Hu
Q ATA R
U Z B E K I S TA N
TA J I K I S TA N
KUWAIT
BAHRAIN
Yenisey
GEORGIA
ARMENIA
I S R A E LA Z E R B A I J A N
E
S
PACIFIC OCEAN
Arafura Sea
Gulf of
Carpentaria
Timor Sea
Cape
Yo rk
Coral Sea
Peninsula G
rea
tB
G R E AT S A N D Y
D E S E RT
PACIFIC
OCEAN
LP
HLANDS
Lake
Eyre
IG
L LOWLANDS
RA
ER
ef
Re
NT
AUSTRALIA
G R E AT
VICTORIA
D E S E RT
ST
FIJI
NEW CALEDONIA
r
rie
ar
EA
CE
WESTERN
P L AT E A U
VANUATU
Great
Australian
Bight
A
INDIAN
OCEAN
T
U S
RA
LI
Mt . Kos cius k o
NORTH
ISLAND
NEW ZEALAND
Bass
Strait
Tasman Sea
Southern
Alps
Tasmania
Mt. Cook
SOUTH
ISLAND
S ut he r la nd
F a lls
STEWART
ISLAND
Key
Feet (meters)
above sea level
N
W
20 (6)
S
1,000 (305)
5,000 (1,524)
10,000 (3,048)
Topographical Map:
500 miles/805 km
Oceania
Scale
29
ARCTIC OCEAN
Bering
Sea
uk
GREENLAND
Beaufort
Sea
Alaska
Baffin
Bay
on
Greenland
Sea
M t. McKinley
( Denali)
Great Bear
Lake
Gulf of
Alaska
Great Slave
Lake
Labrador
Sea
Lake
Athabasca
Fra
ser
Hudson
Bay
Y
A
ppi
ssi
La k e E
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
do
ra
Ohio
C olo
Lake
Ontario
rie
IN
Lake
Huron
TA
iss
i
UN
ga
n
Lake
Superior
U
Great
Salt
Lake
Lake Mi
ch
i
Miss our
i
Gulf
of St.
Lawrence
CANADA
I
Lake
Winnipeg
UNITED STATES
Death Valley
I
N
P
AP
AL
CH
N
W
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Gr
de
BAHAMAS
Gulf of
Mexico
MA
DR
ia
n
for
MEXICO
an
ali
fC
RRA
lf o
SIE
o
Ri
Gu
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
IE
NT
Y U CATA N
PEN IN SU LA
BELIZE
AL
Feet (meters)
above sea level
OR
Key
CUBA
JAMAICA
HONDURAS
20 (6)
1,000 (305)
GUATEMALA
EL SALVADOR
5,000 (1,524)
COSTA
RICA
10,000 (3,048)
500 miles/805 km
Scale
Topographical Map:
North America
30
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
HAITI
Caribbean Sea
PUERTO
RICO
Caribbean
Sea
Or
ino
c
VENEZUELA
GUYANA
SURINAME
COLOMBIA
A
L
N
A
FRENCH
GUIANA
A
N
ECUADOR
on
Am az
PERU
BRAZIL
Lake
Titicaca
S M
A
BOLIVIA
R
I
A
G
Z
H
TA
Pa
ran
ra
g u a y.
PARAGUAY
Pa
OCEAN
A I N
N T
S
ER
A DES
PACIFIC
CA M
uguay
Ur
ATLANTIC
M t . Ac onc agua
OCEAN
ARGENTINA
URUGUAY
P A
M P
Rio de la
Plata
CHILE
Key
Feet (meters)
above sea level
20 (6)
1,000 (305)
Vald es Pen in su la
5,000 (1,524)
10,000 (3,048)
500 miles/805 km
Scale
FALKLAND
ISLANDS
SOUTH
GEORGIA
Topographical Map:
Cape Hor n
South America
31
GREENLAND
ASIA
RUSSIA
EUROPE
CANADA
NORTH
AMERICA
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
ISRAEL
INDIA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
AFRICA
Key
SOUTH
AMERICA
INDIAN
OCEAN
Gregorian
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Hebrew
AUSTRALIA
Muslim
Hindu
Mixed
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12
AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM noon PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM
St. Petersburg
Moscow
Madrid
Los Angeles
Beijing
Cairo
Caracas
DATELINE
INTERNATIONAL
Lagos
Jakarta
PRIME MERIDIAN
Rio de Janeiro
DATELINE
-11 -10 -9
32
Calcutta
Mexico City
Buenos Aires
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
INTERNATIONAL
London
Paris
Johannesburg
Sydney
+3
+4
+5
+6
+7
+8
Religions
of the World
Key
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Protestant
Mormon
Mixed Christian
Jewish
Sunni Muslim
Shiite Muslim
Hindu
Buddhist
Key
Indo-European
Dravidian
Uralic
Altaic
Afro-Asiatic
Niger-Congo
Nilo-Saharan
Austro-Asian
Sino-Tibetan
Austronesian
Korean
Japanese
Australian Aborigine
Other groups
Information unavailable
33
N O R W AY
kroner
FINLAND
markka
ICELAND
THE
krona
NETHERLANDS
guilder
G R E AT
SWEDEN
krona
B R I TA I N
pound
DENMARK
krone
GERMANY
POLAND
Deutsche
zloty
mark
FRANCE
franc
I T A LY
PORTUGAL
JORDAN
S P A I N lira
escudo
dinar
peseta
GREECE
ISRAEL
M
O
R
O
C
C
O
AT L A N T I C
drachma
new shekel
dirham
ALGERIA
OCEAN
SAUDI
HAITI
dinar
gourde
ARABIA
riyal
CANADA
dollar
U N I T E D S TAT E S
dollar
MEXICO
new peso
VENEZUELA
bolivar
PERU
nuevo sol
BRAZIL
cruzeiro
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
CHILE
peso
ARGENTINA
new peso
RUSSIA
ruble
MONGOLIA
tugrik
SOUTH
KOREA
CHINA
won
yuan
INDIA
rupee
ETHIOPIA
D E M O C R AT I C
birr
REPUBLIC
GHANA
new cedi O F T H E C O N G O S O M A L I A
new zaire
Somali shilling
ZAMBIA
kwacha
THAILAND
baht
LAOS
new kip
INDIAN
OCEAN
SOUTH
AFRICA
rand
Key
Defense budget as a percentage
of the total economy
Less than 2%
34
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
M A L AY S I A
ringgit
AUSTRALIA
dollar
35.9%
22.9%
J A PA N
yen
Defense Budget
Key
Inhabitants per
square mile
Inhabitants per
square kilometer
Under 2
Under 1
225
110
2560
1025
60125
2550
125250
50100
Over 250
Over 100
Key
Decrease
01%
12%
23%
>3%
35
ARCTIC OCEAN
Barents
Sea
Norwegian
Sea
Labrador
Sea
NORTH
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
North
Sea
NORTH
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
Baltic
Sea
Black
Sea
Mediterranean
Sea
Sea of
Okhotsk
Caspian
Sea
Caribbean
Sea
Arabian
Sea
SOUTH
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
SOUTH
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
Sea of
Japan
Aral
Sea
South
China
Sea
INDIAN
OCEAN
Bering
Sea
NORTH
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Philippine
Sea
Coral
Sea
Tasman
Sea
Key
Tropical wet
Tropical dry
Semi-arid
Arid
Marine west coast
Mediterranean
Humid sub-tropical
Warm summer
Cool summer
Sub-arctic
Tundra
Ice cap
Highland
Upland
36
Key
Ocean
Tundra, ice
Taiga
Temperate forest
Grassland
Rain forest
Desert
Chaparral
World Biomes
GREENLAND
Key
Trade winds
Currents
w est e rli e s
NORTH
NORTH
PA C I F I C
horse latitudes
OCEAN
Kuroshio
ad
a
tr
n ort h
doldrums
tr
AFRICA
rre
nt
southe
ast
SOUTH
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
westerlies
Cu
t horse latitudes
ds
Fal
kla
nd
INDIAN OCEAN
S o ut h
Equatoria
l Current
Ag
a
ulh
southeast
trad
ew
in
horse latitudes
s
wind
de
tra
t
s
ea
th
or
AUSTRALIA
ds
u C u r r e nt
SOUTH
AMERICA
trade win
s
ind
OCEAN
Per
SOUTH
P A C I F I C horse latitudes
st
Equatorial
Countercurrent
doldrums
ea
wi
ASIA
in d
Gu
nds
eam
Str
lf
horse latitudes
de
as
w est e rli e s
NORTH
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
AMERICA
NORTH
PA C I F I C
O C E A N horse latitudes
the
nor
EUROPE
ew
erlies
Cu
rr
en
w est
horse latitudes
SOUTH
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
w e s t e rli e s
A N TA R C T I C A
37
ASIA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
North America
AFRICA
MAMMALS
Bear, polar
Cougar, Florida
Prairie dog, Utah
Puma, eastern
Wolf, gray
Wolf, red
SOUTH
AMERICA
BIRDS
Albatross, short-tailed
Crane,
whooping
Woodpecker,
ivory-billed
Australia
MAMMALS
Kangaroo, Tasmanian
forester
Wallaby, bridled
Oceans
MAMMALS
Whale, blue
Whale, humpback
REPTILES
Crocodile, American
Asia
South America
MAMMALS
Cat, little-spotted
Deer, marsh
Monkey, spider
Puma, Costa Rican
Sloth, maned
BIRDS
Condor, Andean
Falcon, peregrine
Parrot, red-browed
REPTILES
Crocodile, American
Africa
Europe
MAMMALS
Cheetah
Chimpanzee, W. African
Gorilla, mountain
Zebra, Cape mountain
MAMMALS
Bear, polar
Lynx, Spanish
Wolf, gray
MAMMALS
Bear, brown
Bear, polar
Cheetah
Dolphin, Chinese river
Elephant, Asian
Elephant, Indian
Leopard, snow
AUSTRALIA
Lion, Asiatic
Panda, giant
Rhinoceros
Tiger
Wolf, gray
BIRDS
Albatross, short-tailed
Stork, Oriental
REPTILES
Python, Indian
ARCTIC OCEAN
EUROPE
Pine marten
Chamois
White-toothed shrew
Greater horseshoe bat
Alpine marmot
NORTH AMERICA
Bald eagle
Chuckwalla
Snowshoe hare
Mountain beaver
American red squirrel
ASIA
Giant Panda
Sloth bear
Hog badger
Large Indian civet
Leopard cat
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
SOUTH AMERICA
Capybara
Guanaco
Common marmoset
Patagonian cavy
Spectacled bear
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
AFRICA
Cheetah
Giraffe
Galago
Aardvark
Meerkat
INDIAN
OCEAN
AUSTRALIA
Koala
Kangaroo
Quokka
Duckbill platypus
Echidna
ARCTIC OCEAN
Bagpipes
United Kingdom
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Cajun/Zydeco
Louisiana
Hula
Hawaii
Kodo drummers
Japan
Balalaika
Russia
Flamenco
Spain
ASIA
Gong
Tibet
Salsa
Puerto Rico
Mariachi
Mexico
Reggae
Jamaica
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Sitar
India
Talking drum
West Africa
Gamelan
Indonesia
AFRICA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
SOUTH
AMERICA
INDIAN
OCEAN
Didgeridoo
(Aboriginal)
Samba
Brazil
AUSTRALIA
Panpipes
Peru
Mbube
South Africa
Tango
Argentina
ARCTIC OCEAN
NORTH
AMERICA
Niagara Falls
Canada/United States
Sears Tower
Illinois
Grand Canyon
Arizona
Golden Gate
Bridge
California
Aztec
Temple
Mexico
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Bay of Fundy
Canada
World Trade
Center
New York
Red Square
Russia
Rock of
Gibraltar
Dome of
the Rock
Parthenon
Israel
Greece
AT L A N T I C
OCEAN
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Mount Fuji
Japan
Great Wall
China
Mount Everest
Nepal/Tibet
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
Taj Mahal
India
Petronas Towers
Malaysia
AFRICA
Great Barrier
Reef
Australia
INDIAN
OCEAN
SOUTH
AMERICA
Iguaz Falls
Brazil/Argentina
ASIA
EUROPE
Coliseum
Italy
Great Pyramids
Egypt
Panama
Canal
Panama
Machu
Picchu
Peru
Stonehenge
England
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
Ayers Rock
Australia
AUSTRALIA
Afghanistan
Land area rank
40
smallest country
Population rank
39
fewest people
BE
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
K
UR
EN
IST
TA
AN
N
A
M az ar - e S h ar if
iv
mu R e r
Kabul
H er at
Khyber Pass
er
F ar ah
I S
nd
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
miles
km
200
200
Cotton
2%
Other
29%
Karakul
wool
and hides
5%
Carpets and rugs
13%
Other
39%
Dried fruit
and nuts
51%
Exports
$80 million
40
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
Hel
ma
Kan d ah ar
iv
er
I R A N
i Riv
Rigestan
D esert
The Place
sh
u
nd
Hi
A N TA R C T I C A
Har
TAJIKISTAN
KIS
At a Glance
CH
UZ
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Permanent
pastures
46%
Forests
3%
Land Use
Afghanistan
(continued)
The People
The population
and way of life have
changed greatly
for Afghanis over
the last three decades.
Because of an ongoing
civil war, many people
have fled the country or
relocated to safer areas.
Afghanis are also very
youngalmost half are
Afghan children
under 15 years old. The
average life span in the country is
north of the Hindu Kush mountains.
45 years.
Much of Afghanistans population
There are many different ethnic
lives in rural areas. The majority
groups living throughout Afghanistan. of these residents are farmers with
The Pashtuns are the largest group
fairly small plots of land. Afghanis
and inhabit the southern and eastern
that live in urban areas consist of
areas. The Tajikswho are mostly
craftsmen, merchants, and governfarmers and craftspeoplelive in the
ment workers. The countrys capital
northeast and west. The Uzbek farmhouses about one half of the urban
ers and the Turkmen herdsmen live
population.
Uzbek 5%
Other 3%
Hazara
19%
Pashtun
52%
Tajik
21%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 1%
Shi'a Muslim
15%
Sunni
Muslim
84%
Major Religions
Education
Although elementary education is
free and officially required wherever
it is offered in Afghanistan, the
ongoing civil war disrupts most
schooling. Despite these services,
however, only about one quarter of
the countrys children attend school.
Because of this, only about one
third of the Afghanistan population
is literate. As a result of the civil
Goods Ownership
Literate
32%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
Government
Type: Transitional government
(warring factions)
Structure: None
Leader: Military leaders
Defense
40,000 army personnel
870 tanks
0 major ships
233 combat aircraft
41
Albania
Land area rank
146
smallest country
Population rank
128
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
SERBIA AND
MONTENEGRO
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Shkodr
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Adriatic
Sea
MACEDONIA
Tiran
Durrs
A N TA R C T I C A
Elbasan
ITALY
GREECE
N
0
0
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
15 in/38 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Manufactured
goods
Other
14%
15%
Crude
materials
25%
Exports
$228 million
42
miles
km
50
E
S
50
The People
The Place
100F/38C
Kor
Vlor
Miscellaneous
manufactured
articles
46%
Greek 3%
Other 2%
Albanian
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Greek
Orthodox
20%
Muslim
70%
Major Religions
Algeria
Land area rank
10
largest country (1)
smallest country
Population rank
34
most people (1)
fewest people
Mediterranean Sea
S P A I N
At a Glance
Official Name: Democratic
and Popular Republic
of Algeria
Continent: Africa
EQUATOR
Area: 919,591 sq miles
(2,381,740 sq km)
Population: 31,736,053
Capital City: Algiers
Largest City: Algiers (1,721,607)
Unit of Money: Algerian dinar
Major Languages: Arabic (official), French
Natural Resources: Crude oil, natural gas, iron
ore, phosphates
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Oran
Che
lif Ri
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
a
Atl
MOROCCO
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Annaba
Constantine
Algiers
Strait of Gibraltar
o
s M
un
Batna
ve r
ta
ins
TUNISIA
Ghardaa
Bchar
AUSTRALIA
LIBYA
A N TA R C T I C A
N
W
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
miles
km
Erg is covered by
sand dunes and has
an average altitude
between 1,300 to
2,000 feet (396 to
607 m) above sea
level. The Great
Western Erg is
also covered by
sand and has lower
elevationsit even
reaches sea level
in some places. Neither of these
areas is inhabited.
In addition to being a very dry
country, Algeria is also a fairly
mountainous one. In fact, several
mountain ranges run through the
country, separating the land into
different sections. The northern
Refined
petroleum
19%
Natural gas
31%
400
N I G E R
400
Farms / cropland 3%
Other 4%
Average Rainfall
The Place
a
r
e r t
Tamanrasset
M A L I
Algiers, Algeria
a
h
D e s
MAURITANIA
Crude
petroleum
46%
Permanent pastures
13%
Forests
2%
Other
82%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Land Use
$13 billion
43
Algeria
(continued)
The People
Approximately three-quarters of the
Algerian population are ethnically
Arab, while the other main group
consider themselves Berber. Smaller
groups within the Berber population
include the Kabyle, Shawia,
Mzabites, and the Tuareg.
The average age of Algerians is
very youngmore than 50% of the
population is under 18 years old.
Until the latter half of the 1980s,
Algeria had a very high population
growth rate. It only began to decline
as the government urged a limited
family planning program. Today
the birthrate in the country is still
fairly high28 births for every
Education
Formal education is required for
children aged 6 to 15 in Algeria.
Approximately 90% of all primary
school children and about 50% of
all secondary school children are
enrolled today. The largest groups
of children who are not in school
are girls and those living in very
rural areas. As the student population grows, Algeria is having a tough
time finding qualified teachers and
adequate school space. To help solve
the problem, almost one-quarter of
the national budget is assigned to
school funding.
White 1%
Berber
24%
Arab
75%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 1%
Sunni
Muslim
99%
Major Religions
science and technology. Some 62% of
the population is literate today.
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
105,000 army personnel
Literate
62%
960 tanks
30 major ships
170 combat aircraft
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
73
26
TVs
Cars
40
9
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
Andorra
Land area rank
199
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
EUROPE
At a Glance
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
FRANCE
AFRICA
P Y
R E
te
N
AUSTRALIA
Vali
A N TA R C T I C A
Va
lir
Andorra La Vella
Va
li
E S
Orie n t e
el
Soldeu
Encamp
W
Les Escaldes
E
S
Gr
an
S PA I N
El Serrat
r a del N
o
SOUTH
AMERICA
ra
0
0
miles
km
10
10
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other
38%
Food and
beverages 6%
Exports
Clothing
13%
Electrical
machinery
and apparatus
13%
Newspapers and
periodicals 10%
French 6% Other 3%
Other
14%
Andorran
30%
Spanish
61%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
86%
Major Religions
$47 million
45
Angola
Land area rank
23
smallest country
Population rank
71
fewest people
At a Glance
Cabinda
miles
km
250
W W
C O N G O
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
250
E
S
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Luanda
AUSTRALIA
Malange
A N TA R C T I C A
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Luena
Lobito
Benguela
Lubango
Huambo
Bie
Plateau
Menongue
ZAMBIA
Namibe
The Place
Angola is on the southwest coast of
Africa. It stretches for about 800
miles (1,287 km) between The
Democratic Republic of Congo to
the north and Namibia to the south.
Angola has an average width of
about 675 miles (1,086 km) between
its eastern boarder with Zambia and
the Atlantic Ocean.
This seventh-largest African
country is divided into three main
geographic regions. The very
narrow coastal plain runs along
Angolas Atlantic border. It only
reaches about 90 miles (150 km)
in width at its widest point. The
main vegetation in this part of the
country is palm trees.
Moving westward into the center
of Angola, the land begins to rise,
like a series of steps, into rugged
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Farms / cropland 2%
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
0F/-18C
highlands. The
N A M I B I A
largest section
called the Bie Plateaureaches
A small Angolan territory,
its highest elevation at 8,600 feet
Cabinda, is located to the north of
(2,625 m) above sea level. This
the country in Congo. Lying close
plateau makes up about one-tenth
to sea level on the Atlantic Ocean,
of Angola. Its jagged terrain has
Cabinda mostly consists of thick
produced several waterfalls and
tropical rain forests.
rapids that are
Banco Nacionale de Angola
used for hydroelectric power.
To the east of
the highlands lies
a very large plateau
that makes up
about two-thirds
of the country.
This vast area has
an average elevation between 3,300
to 5,000 feet (1,000
to 1,520 m).
Diamonds
3%
Other
22%
Mineral fuels
75%
Permanent
pastures
23%
Forests
43%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$4 billion
46
Other
32%
Land Use
Angola
The People
Angola consists of more than 90
different ethnic groups, however,
just 5 of them account for 90% of
the population. The largest group
is Ovimbundu, followed by the
Kimbundu, the Bakongo, the LundaChokwe, and the Nganguela. Most
ethnic groups coexist peacefully.
Only about one-third of Angolas
population lives in urban areas, and
the country has a population density
of just 24 people per square mile (9
per sq km). About 70% of Angolans
live in the northern section of the
country and along the coast.
Other 10%
Lunda-Chokwe/
Nganguela
15%
Bakongo
13%
Ovimbundu
37%
Kimbundu
25%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
15%
Indigenous
beliefs
47%
Roman
Catholic
38%
Major Religions
Education
Angolas education system has suffered greatly because of an ongoing
civil war. Education is supposed to be
free to citizens, and is required for
children aged 7 to 15. In 1992, an
education campaign began and student enrollment more than tripled to
just under one million. As fighting
resumed, however, many could no
longer attend classes.
With few trained teachers and
inadequate schools, the literacy rate
for Angolans is low. About 56% of
(continued)
Government
Literate
42%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
14
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
47
Population rank
200
206
most people (1)
fewest people
EUROPE
At a Glance
NORTH
AMERICA
N
Codrington
ASIA
Barbuda
AFRICA
LA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
TI
ri
OC
A N TA R C T I C A
ea
EA
bb
n
S
ea
St. John's
0
miles
0 km
Willikies
Antigua
10
10
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Mostly
Black
Anglican
Other
45%
Protestant
42%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$45 million
48
Roman
Catholic
10%
Argentina
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
31
fewest people
BOLIVIA
At a Glance
BRAZIL
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
U r ugu
ay
Paran
River
Cordoba
Santa Fe
Mendoza
io
p
m
a
de
URUGUAY
Pla
ta
Buenos Aires
La Plata
P a t a g o n i a
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Humid Pampas.
This region is
primarily used for
grazing sheep and
growing cereal.
The North
region of Argentina is broken into
the Gran Chaco and Entre Rios.
The Gran Chaco is a lowland area
between the Andes and the Parana
River. Because of its poor drainage,
it is the least inhabited part of the
country. Entre Rios is a strip of lowland bordered in the east by the
Comodoro
Rivadavia
N
Falkland
Islands
Chemical
products
6%
21%
Tierra del
Fuego
0
0
miles
km
400
400
Permanent crops
1%
Food and
live animals
35%
Exports
Vegetable
and animal
oils 10%
Machinery and
transport equipment
11%
W
S
Petroleum,
petroleum products
4%
Other
Average Rainfall
80F/27C
Resistencia
PACIFIC OCEAN
The Place
ANDES MOUNTAINS
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
15 in/38 cm
ra
San Miguel
de Tuchman
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
Pa
ASIA
AFRICA
Argentina is the
second-largest
country in South
America. Its varied
landscape is divided into several
different regions.
The Andean
Ushuaia, Argentina
region is located
along the countrys western border.
This mountainous area is broken into
the Northwest section and Patagonia.
In the Northwest, the Andes reach up
to 22,000 feet (6,700 m) high. As the
mountain chain reaches Patagonia,
the peaks are smaller.
The flat, grassy plains of the
Pampas make up the second region
of Argentina. The Pampaswhich
lie in the center of the countryhave
two different climates. The western
section is called the Dry Pampas
and the eastern section is called the
gu
LE
CHI
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ay R
PARAGUAY
Manufactured
products 13%
Farms/
cropland 9%
Other
19%
Forests
19%
Permanent
pastures
52%
Land Use
$25 billion
49
Argentina
(continued)
The People
Unlike most other South American
countries, the people of Argentina
are mostly of European descent.
Indian 1%
Mestizo
14%
White
85%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant 2% Other 6%
Jewish 2%
Roman
Catholic
90%
Major Religions
Many Argentines
have ancestors from
Italy or Spain.
French, Polish,
British, and German
immigrants have
also come to the
country in large
numbers. Because
of this, the native
Argentines have
become a minority
group in their own
country.
Approximately
90% of the population lives in urban
neighborhoods. In fact, about 40%
of the people live in the crowded
capital city, Buenos Aires. Argentinas
birth rate and population growth
have seen some of the slowest
increases on the continent. Life
expectancy is 75 years.
Education
Argentina has established one of the
best education systems in South
America. Children begin attending
free public school at age 5, and are
required to stay in school until they
are 14 years old. Many students
continue on to higher education
in both public and private schools.
In 1997, there were 5.2 million
students in primary school and 2.6
million students in secondary
Gauchos
50
Government
Literate
96%
Type: Republic
Structure: Multiparty democracy
Leader: President
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
16 major ships
237 combat aircraft
219
135
115
59
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Armenia
Land area rank
141
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
miles
50
GEORGIA
0
50
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Vanadzor
ASIA
Gyumri
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Ejmiadzin
AUSTRALIA
Aras River
Hr
a
km
Sevan
R.
an
zd
AZERBAIJAN
Sev
Yerevan
ana
Lak Lich
e
TURKEY
A N TA R C T I C A
AZ
N
W
ER
BA
Kapan
IJA
IRAN
Aras River
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Russian 2%
Azeri 3%
Average Rainfall
Other
42%
Mineral
products
10%
Other 2%
Other 6%
Jewelry
33%
Exports
Machinery
and equipment
15%
Armenian
93%
Ethnic Makeup
Armenian
Orthodox
94%
Major Religions
$290 million
51
Australia
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
ASIA
Great
Australian
Bight
Adelaide
li
ar
ng
Ri
ve
Brisbane
NGE
Average Rainfall
RA
ID
G
Port Augusta
Perth
NEW SOUTH
WALES
Newcastle
Sydney
Canberra
VICTORIA
N
Melbourne
E
miles
Tasman
Sea
TASMANIA
500
Hobart
Food and
live animals
20%
Crude
materials
19%
Exports
$68 billion
52
IN
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
Kalgoorlie
Petroleum, petroleum
products, and
natural gas
4%
Other
27%
Basic
manufactures
13%
QUEENSLAND
Ayers Rock
0 in/0 cm
Rockhampton
3 in/8 cm
ri
20F/-7C
ef
Mackay
T
6 in/15 cm
Bar
40F/4C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
G reat Victoria
D esert
Albany
Re
EA
9 in/23 cm
GR
60F/16C
er
Charleville
Geraldton
Coral
Sea
Townsville
Mount Isa
AUSTRALIA
12 in/30 cm
NORTHERN
TERRITORY
Alice Springs
G ibson
WESTERN D esert
80F/27C
Cairns
G reat Sandy
D esert
S
appealing climate
0
km
500
and terrain.
Located in the eastern region of the
country, the Great Dividing Range
consists of rolling hills, thick forests,
fertile soil, and a good supply of
water. This range extends from
northern Queensland down to southern Tasmania. Because of its qualities,
15 in/38 cm
Cooktown
Derby
100F/38C
at
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Gulf of
Carpentaria
Wyndham
SOUTH
AMERICA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
re
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Commonwealth of
Australia
Continent: Oceania
Area: 2,941,282 square miles
(7,617,930 sq km)
Population: 19,357,594
Capital City: Canberra
Largest City: Sydney (3,700,000)
Unit of Money: Australian dollar
Major Languages: English
Natural Resources: Bauxite, coal, iron, ore,
copper, tin
Darwin
INDIAN
OCEAN
AFRICA
Arafura Sea
NORTH
AMERICA
INDONESIA
EUROPE
At a Glance
0F/-18C
53
Other
21%
Forests
19%
Permanent
pastures
54%
Land Use
Australia
The People
The people of Australia come
from many different countries and
backgrounds. The Aborigines are
descendents of the original inhabitants of Australia who came from
Southeast Asia some 40,000 years
ago. Today they only make up 1%
of the population, or 250,000 people. Many Aborigines have moved
from their rural tribes into the cities
and towns. Adjusting to this major
life change has been very hard for
them, both financially and socially.
The majority of Aborigines live in
Queensland, New South Wales,
Western Australia, and the
Northern Territory.
In the last 25 years, Australia has
seen a very large increase of Asian
immigrants and tourists. Today,
White
95%
Other
24%
Anglican
26%
Other
Christian
24%
Roman
Catholic
26%
Major Religions
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Except for federally run schools in
Canberra, the primary and secondary
education system in Australia is run
by each individual state. Children
between the ages of 5 and 15 are
required to go to school. Attendance
rates are highsome 99% of both
primary and secondary students, as
well as 30% of tertiary students,
(continued)
Government
Literate
99%
Type: Democratic
Structure: Federal state system
Leader: Queen/Prime Minister
Literacy
Defense
90 tanks
15 major ships
125 combat aircraft
503
446
196
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
53
Austria
Land area rank
116
smallest country
Population rank
86
fewest people
EUROPE
At a Glance
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
CZECH REPUBLIC
AFRICA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Austria
Continent: Europe
Area: 31,945 square
miles (82,738 sq km)
Population: 8,150,835
Capital City: Vienna
Largest City: Vienna (1,500,000)
Unit of Money: Austrian schilling
Major Languages: German
Natural Resources: Iron ore, crude oil, timber, lead
Da
nu
SOUTH
AMERICA
Bod
en
Lak see
e
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
ITA LY
0
Other
33%
miles
R.
Exports
Graz
HUNGARY
SLOVENIA
CROATIA
50
50
Machinery
and transport
equipment
39%
$58 billion
54
M ur
Klagenfurt
Iron and
steel 6%
Road
vehicles 7%
R.
rz
M
T i r o l
SWITZ.
SLOVAKIA
Vienna
Innsbruck
A L P S
LIECH.
Vienna, Austria
Danube R
.
Linz
Salzburg
0 km
Riv
G ERMA N Y
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
be
er
AUSTRALIA
Chemical
products 9%
Other
20%
Forests
39%
Farms/
cropland
18%
Permanent
pastures
23%
Land Use
Austria
The People
Almost 99% of the population is ethnic Austrian. Small groups of
Hungarians, Croats, Czechs, and
Slovenes also live in the country,
mainly in the south and east. Many of
these minorities came to Austria as
refugees after World War II. Some
gypsy communities also make their
homes in the country.
About 55% of the population is
urban, while 45% of Austrians make
their homes in rural areas. There
are approximately 250 people per
square mile (98 people per sq km).
(continued)
Other 1%
Protestant
5%
Austrian
99%
Ethnic Makeup
None or
Other 17%
Roman
Catholic
78%
Major Religions
Austrian herdsman
Education
The Austrians have a very strong
education system, which is ranked
seventh in the world. It requires children between the ages of 6 and 15 to
attend school. Every student spends
four years in elementary school.
Students who do not plan to attend a
university will then continue with
elementary school, or go on to a
vocational school. University-bound
students will enter a secondary school
until age 18. There are currently
about 380,000 children attending elementary school and 790,000 children
Government
Literate
99%
Literacy
Defense
169 tanks
0 major ships
48 combat aircraft
475
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
413
387
181
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
55
Azerbaijan
Land area rank
114
smallest country
largest country
Population rank
87
fewest people
most people
EUROPE
At a Glance
NORTH
AMERICA
RUSSIA
ASIA
Caspian
Sea
AFRICA
GEORGIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
3 in/8 cm
iver
Astara
IRAN
W
0
miles 50
0 km 50
The People
Slightly more than half of the population lives in urban
areas. The majority of Azerbaijanisabout 80% live
in the countrys valleys and lowland areas. These areas
are easier to farm, and many are irrigated. Most of the
countrys industrial centers are also located here. About
20% of the people make their
homes in the mountains.
Culture, tradition, and education
are valued highly by Azerbaijanis.
Handicrafts, such as pottery,
copperware, metal carving, and
carpet weaving, are an important
part of the countrys heritage.
Throughout the country, people
have access to museums and art
galleries. There are also more than
President of Azerbaijan, 4,500 libraries in Azerbaijan. Most
Heydar Aleyevich Aliyev of the population is literate. Life
expectancy is 63 years.
Azerbaijan is a very young countryone-third of the
population is under the age of 14. The country also has
a high birthrate, with about 180,000 babies born each
year. About 50% of the population makes up the labor
force. Some 32% of workers are in agriculture, while
another 26% work in industry.
Petroleum
products
58%
Azeri
90%
Armenian
Orthodox 2%
Russian
Orthodox
3%
Other 2%
Muslim
93%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$789 million
56
Naxivan
20F/-7C
Aras R
Metals 3%
Other 3%
Cotton
21%
Rive
su
6 in/15 cm
TURKEY
ca
40F/4C
Baku
Aras
9 in/23 cm
Xankndi
60F/16C
Food products 7%
Machinery and
equipment
8%
12 in/30 cm
IA
Sumqayit
Krdmir
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
Gnc
100F/38C
EN
Mingevir
ss
AR
Le
Xamaz
Caucasu
Greater
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Ski
AUSTRALIA
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Bahamas
Land area rank
164
smallest country
Population rank
176
fewest people
Grand
Bahama
At a Glance
Freeport
Great Abaco
Nassau
New
Providence
Andros
Island
Cat Island
San Salvador
(Watling Island)
Long Island
W
Crooked Island
Mayaguana
AUSTRALIA
CUBA
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
The People
Most native Bahamians have ancestors who came from
Africa. A small percentage of white people also live in
the country. Life expectancy is 74 years.
During the last 30 years, many Bahamians have moved
from undeveloped areas into busy cities. About 85% of
the population lives in urban areas. There are 75 people
per square mile (30 people per sq km). Approximately
67% of Bahamians live on the island of New Providence
(mostly in Nassau). Other highly populated islands
include Grand Bahama, Great Abaco, and Long Island.
Almost half of the
Bahamian peoplesome
42%work in the
tourism industry. Another
third hold government
jobs. In rural communities, some Bahamians
work in fishing occupations. Although the
A market in Nassau
Bahamas has one of the
best economies in the
Caribbean, there are also many poor immigrant families.
Traditional Bahamian musicGoombayis similar
to African music and has a strong drum beat. The
Junkanoo parades are also a favorite in the country.
Other 13%
Average Rainfall
60F/16C
Salt 8%
Methodist 6%
White
15%
Re-exports
47%
Crayfish
32%
Exports
Great Inagua
Matthew Town
A N TA R C T I C A
12 in/30 cm
E
S
AFRICA
The Place
15 in/38 cm
ASIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
80F/27C
100
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Eleuthera
NORTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
miles
km 100
Other
Protestant
18%
Black
85%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
19%
Other 5%
Baptist
32%
Anglican
20%
Major Religions
$202 million
57
Bahrain
Land area rank
192
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Persian Gulf
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Manama
E
S
Al Muharraq
Ar Rifa
A N TA R C T I C A
Gulf of
Bahrain
Al Gharbi
Gulf of
Bahrain
Ar Rumaythah
SAUDI
ARABIA
QATAR
0
miles
10
0 km 10
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Other 10%
Average Rainfall
Aluminum
products
15%
Petroleum and
natural-gas
products 75%
Exports
$5 billion
58
Other 6%
Iranian 8%
Other
Arab
10%
Asian
13%
Bahraini
63%
Ethnic Makeup
Sunni
Muslim
25%
Shi'a
Muslim
75%
Major Religions
Bangladesh
Land area rank
95
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Brahmapu
Rangpur
AUSTRALIA
River
(P
a)
Pabna
Ri
ve
Sylhet
Nasirabad
Riv e
Brahmanbaria
Dhaka
na
Narayanganj
INDIA
Comilla
Jessore
Barisal
Khulna
gon
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J A S O N D
miles
km
100
100
he
Mouths of t
Gan
ges
MYANMAR
B a y o f B en g a l
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
s
g Hill
100F/38C
eg
Rajshahi
es
18 in/46 cm
Sirajganj
ng
120F/49C
A N TA R C T I C A
Ga
Chittagong
J F M A M J
tr
ve
INDIA
The Place
0F/-18C
Ri
AFRICA
Chitta
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Peoples
Republic of
Bangladesh
Continent: Asia
Area: 51,703 square miles
(133,910 sq km)
Population: 131,269,860
Capital City: Dhaka
Largest City: Dhaka (3.6 million)
Unit of Money: Taka
Major Languages: Bangla
(official), English
Natural Resources: Natural gas,
timber
Jamuna
At a Glance
0 in/0 cm
59
Bangladesh
(Continued)
Tea 1%
Fertilizers 2%
Raw jute 2%
Other
11%
Ready-made
garments
57%
Exports
$4 billion
Other 5%
Permanent
pastures
5%
Forests
15%
Farms/ cropland
75%
Land Use
Resources
Farm land
Forests
Pastures
Other
Light engineering
Rice
60
Bangladesh
The History
Known as Bengal, this part of Asia
was first ruled by Buddhist kings
beginning in the 8th century. Bengal
was later conquered by Muslim
invaders in the 13th century, and
much of the population converted
to Islam. In the 16th century,
Bengal became part of the Mogul
Empire. In 1642, the British East
India Company established a settlement in Bengal, and within 100
years, the country was entirely
under British rule.
The area was divided between
Pakistan and India after Indian
independence in 1947. In 1971, East
Pakistan declared its independence
as the country of Bangladesh. After
The People
Bangladesh has a very high population density. The average number
of people per square mile ranges
from 1,900 (886 people per sq km)
in most regions to 2,800 people per
square mile (965 people per sq km)
in the countrys most fertile areas.
This density is what the United
A Dhaka street vendor
(Continued)
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
101,000 army personnel
140 tanks
4 major ships
57 combat aircraft
Bangladeshi women
Other 1%
Hindu
11%
Muslim
88%
Major Religions
Other 2%
Bengali
98%
Ethnic Makeup
About 65% of the Bangladesh
population works in agriculture,
25% work in services, and another
10% are employed in mining and
industry. The average income is very
lowan engineer makes about $71
per month. Government officials
earn some of the highest incomes,
though more than half of the population lives below the poverty line.
There is 1 doctor for every 5,200
people, and the average life span for
Bangladeshis is 56 years.
61
Bangladesh
(Continued)
Education
Children in Bangladesh are not
required to attend school. For those
who do attend, education is free. The
Bangladesh school system includes
primary school, secondary school,
and higher education. Children
attend primary school from about
age 6 to 10. About 80% of primary
school-aged children attend. Because
of its poor education system, only
Literate
38%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Flooded street
62
Mini-taxis
Services
25%
Agriculture
65%
Industry
10%
Labor Force
0.4
19
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Barbados
Land area rank
201
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
Official Name: Barbados
Continent: North America (Caribbean)
Area: 166 square miles (430 sq km)
Population: 275,330
Capital City: Bridgetown
Largest City: Bridgetown (6,070)
EQUATOR
Unit of Money: Barbadian dollar
Major Languages: English
Literacy: 99%
Land Use: 37% arable, 5% meadow,
12% forests, 46% other
Natural Resources: Crude oil, fish, natural gas
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Defense: $14 million
ATLAN T IC
OCEAN
Speightstown
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Bathsheba
ASIA
Holetown
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Bridgetown
AUSTRALIA
Oistins
N
A N TA R C T I C A
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Clothing 1%
Chemicals 10%
Electrical
components 10%
miles
0 km 5
The People
80F/27C
E
S
The Place
100F/38C
Food
17%
Re-exports
24%
Other
38%
Exports
White
4%
Roman
Catholic
4%
Other
16%
Black
80%
Ethnic Makeup
Methodist
7%
Pentecostal
8%
Other
29%
Anglican
40%
Other
Christian 12%
Major Religions
$235 million
63
Belarus
Land area rank
83
smallest country
Population rank
73
fewest people
At a Glance
LATVIA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
RUSSIA
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Belarus
Continent: Europe
Area: 80,154 square
miles (207,600 sq km)
Population: 10,350,194
Capital City: Minsk
Largest City: Minsk (1.6 million)
Unit of Money: Belerusian rubel
Major Languages: Byelorusian (official), Russian
Natural Resources: Forest, peat, oil, natural gas
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Vitsyebsk
LITHUANIA
Minsk
Lida
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
100F/38C
0F/-18C
F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Castle, Belarus
POLAND
Baranavichy
Babruysk
Homyel'
Brest
Pinsk
Pripet Marsh
Mazyr
western corner.
The Central
0
miles
0
km
100
Byanrezina Plain
lies in the middle
of the country. To the south of this
wide plain are the Pripet Marshes,
the largest swamp area in Europe.
These lowlands are divided by
rolling hills and upland. Some of the
higher parts of the country are made
up of ridges formed by glaciers. The
Belarusian Ridgethe
largest ridge in the
countryruns from the
Polish border to just
north of Minsk. The
highest point in the
country is Dzyarzhynsk
Mountain at 1,135 feet
(345 m) above sea level.
The Byelavyezhskaya
Forest is located on the
countrys western border
with Poland. It is the
Other
22%
Foodstuffs
18%
Machinery
34%
Chemicals
26%
100
UKRAINE
Exports
$5 billion
E
S
Other
21%
Farms/
cropland
30%
Forests
34%
0 in/0 cm
64
Mahilyow
Hrodna
es
The Place
Orsha
Barysaw
A N TA R C T I C A
River
Dnieper
Land Use
Permanent
pastures 15%
Belarus
The People
The people of Belarus are still in a
transitional period following the
break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.
After the break-up, the economic situation in the country worsened, and a
rise in the cost of living has made life
hard for the large lower and middle
classes. There are 4.3 million people
in the work force, and 40% of them
are employed by industry and construction. Another 40% of workers
are in the service industry.
About 68% of Belarusians live in
cities while the other 32% reside in
rural areas. There are 127 people per
square mile (50 people per sq km).
The largest concentration of people
Education
Children in Belarus are required to
attend school between the ages of 7
and 16. Approximately 187,000 students are enrolled in classes today.
(Continued)
Other 2%
Other
20%
Russian
13%
Eastern
Orthodox
80%
Byelorussian
78%
Major Religions
Ethnic Makeup
Literate
98%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
50,500 army personnel
2,348 tanks
0 major ships
349 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
302
158
48
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
65
Belgium
Land area rank
140
smallest country
Population rank
76
fewest people
North
Sea
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
A
F L
NETHERLANDS
Brugge
S
E R
N D
SOUTH
AMERICA
Antwerp
G E RMA N Y
At a Glance
Gent
Brussels
Kortrijk
AUSTRALIA
Tournai
Meu
Mons
A N TA R C T I C A
se R
ive
Liege
Namur
Charleroi
S
N E
E N
D
A R
Bastogne
F R A N C E
LUXEMBOURG
N
W
0
0
Brussels, Belgium
The Place
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
100F/38C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
The northern
half of Belgium,
known as the
Anglo-Belgian
Basin, consists
of three regions.
Moving from
west to east, they
are Flanders, the
Central Plateaus,
and Kempenland.
These regions
are mostly flat coastal plains, with
a temperate climate. Winters are
cool and foggy, and the summers
are fairly mild.
The Flanders region, in the
northwestern part of the country,
has two main areas. From the coast
of the North Sea to about 10 miles
Petroleum
products
3%
Other
20%
Machinery
28%
25
25
Other
34%
Plastics 5%
Textiles 5%
Chemicals
17%
Forests
21%
Farms/
cropland
25%
Permanent
pastures
20%
Food 9%
Exports
$172 billion
66
miles
km
Land Use
Belgium
The People
(Continued)
Walloon
33%
Fleming
55%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
and other
25%
Roman
Catholic
75%
Major Religions
bakers earn about $10 an hour.
Although unemployment runs fairly
high, most Belgians save up to
20% of their annual income. Life
expectancy is 78 years.
Education
Belgians are free to choose the type
of education their children receive.
Both public and private primary and
secondary schools are popular. More
than 99% of all school-aged children in Belgium attend classes, and
the school system is ranked seventh
in the world. Depending on the
region, classes are taught in
German, French, or Flemish.
When students finish primary
school, they must choose which type
of secondary school to attend. One
type of school offers vocational train-
Government
Literate
99%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
2 major ships
133 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
516
447
398
162
19
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
67
Belize
Land area rank
150
largest country (1)
smallest country
Population rank
179
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
Official Name: Belize
Continent: North (Central) America
Area: 8,803 square miles (22,800 sq km)
Population: 256,062
Capital City: Belmopan
Largest City: Belize City (47,723)
Unit of Money: Belizean dollar
EQUATOR
Major Languages: English
(official), Spanish, Mayan
Literacy: 70%
Land Use: 2% arable, 2% meadow,
92% forests, 4% other
Natural Resources: Timber, fish
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Defense: $14 million
GUATEMALA
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
Dangriga
San Ignacio
Caribbean
Sea
ta
in
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
ay
n
ou
Punta Gorda
miles
km
50
50
A N TA R C T I C A
HONDURAS
The People
Garments
9%
Marine
products
10%
Re-exports
12%
Raw
sugar
30%
Bananas
14%
Orange
concentrate
14%
Exports
$166 million
68
Belmopan
ASIA
Other 11%
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
15 in/38 cm
Belize City
EUROPE
W
S
The Place
100F/38C
Orange Walk
NORTH
AMERICA
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Corozal
MEXICO
Other 8%
Garifuna 7%
Maya
11%
Mestizo
44%
Creole
30%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 8%
Protestant
30%
Roman
Catholic
62%
Major Religions
Benin
Land area rank
102
smallest country
Population rank
95
fewest people
At a Glance
BURKINA FASO
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
Djougou
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Other
45%
Seed
cotton 2%
ge
r R
i
GHANA
ve
NIGERIA
TOGO
Abomey
Cotonou
Porto-Novo
Ouidah
miles
km 100
100
ATLANTIC OCEAN
The People
Although Benins population is not extremely large, the
country has one of the highest population growth rates in
western Africa (3.3%). This is because the countrys birth
rate is higher than the rest of the region
while its death rate is lower. Almost half
of the country is under the age of 15.
Life expectancy is 54 years.
The majority of Benineseabout
68% of the populationlive in the
southern coastal areas. About 500,000
people are settled around the port
of Cotonou. Many reside there to
be close to the commercial part of
the country, since this is the only
large city. More than 75% of
Beninese live in rural areas. The
population decreases sharply in the
north. There are only a few villages Yaroba woman
scattered throughout this dry area.
Quality of life in Benin depends on the area in which
a person lives. In Cotonou, there are new buildings,
movie theaters, and hotels. In less developed areas, customs are much more traditional. Extended families live
together, and many aspects of daily life center around
the town marketplace.
Other 1%
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Ni
Parakou
A N TA R C T I C A
Natitingon
AUSTRALIA
The Place
80F/27C
Kandi
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
Malanville
ASIA
Cotton
yarn
50%
Exports
Crude
petroleum
3%
Christian
15%
Muslim
15%
African
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
70%
Major Religions
$192 million
69
Bhutan
Land area rank
132
smallest country
Population rank
142
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Thimphu
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
70
Other
40%
NEPAL
a
Brahmaput r
BANGLADESH
$77 million
miles
km 50
ve
50
Electricity
25%
Exports
Ri
The People
Cement 13%
Fruit and
vegetables
10%
Samdrup
Jongkhar
Phuntsholing
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
Tongsa
Tashigang
15 in/38 cm
60F/16C
I N D I A
H I
M A
L A Y A S
Paro
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
80F/27C
C H I N A
ASIA
Nepalese
35%
Bhote
50%
Ethnic Makeup
Indian- and
Nepalese-influenced
Hinduism
25%
Lamaistic
Buddism
75%
Major Religions
Bolivia
Land area rank
27
smallest country
Population rank
85
fewest people
At a Glance
os
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
dre
ASIA
Di
de
oM
AFRICA
miles
km 200
200
B R A Z I L
Ri
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
P E R U
E
S
A N TA R C T I C A
Lake
Titicaca
La Paz
Cochabamba
Alt
Santa Cruz
Sucre
no
S
D E
ipla
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Oruro
Potosi
Tarija
CHILE
PARAGUAY
ARGENTINA
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Other 5%
Soybeans 16%
Average Rainfall
Other
27%
Zinc 12%
Silver 5%
Timber 6%
Tin 6%
Natural gas
7%
Petroleum
11%
Exports
$1 billion
Gold 10%
White
15% Quechua
30%
Mestizo
30%
Aymara
25%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
71
128
smallest country
Population rank
121
fewest people
At a Glance
CROATIA
Sava River
Bihac
Prijedor
Banja Luka
Zenica
RO
Tusla
ASIA
AFRICA
Srebrenica
SOUTH
AMERICA
Sarajevo
AUSTRALIA
Gorazde
Mostar
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
100F/38C
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Not
available
Exports
$152 million
72
Adriatic Sea
0
0
miles
km
50
50
ER
(S
BI
ALBANIA
The People
The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are trying to
recover from a devastating civil war. When Bosnia
declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, both
the Croats and the Serbs wanted to divide up the new
Muslim country between themselves. Three years of
fighting followed, and tens of thousands of Bosnians
were killed. Most of the cities were also destroyed. Life
expectancy is 71 years.
The largest source of conflict in the country today
is ethnic disagreement. Before the war, the Serbs,
Bosnians, and Croatians coexisted peacefully because
the Yugoslavian government promoted cultural freedom. Now there is much bitterness between the groups.
About 2 million people have
been displaced by the war,
and more than 1 million have
fled the country.
In cities where jobs can be
found, both men and women
are employed. Women are
also expected to do all of the
housework and cooking.
Orthodox Serb and Muslim
women stay at home with
their children.
Croat
22%
Serb
40%
Muslim
38%
0 in/0 cm
EG
NORTH
AMERICA
EUROPE
Y
U
A GO
N
D SL
M AV
O
N IA
TE
N
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Botswana
Land area rank
45
smallest country
Population rank
147
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
ANGOLA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ZAMBIA
ASIA
AFRICA
Okavango
Delta
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
ho
b e R.
ZIMBABWE
Maun
Francistown
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other
34%
Diamonds
28%
Copper
Nickel 21%
17%
Exports
Selebi Phikwe
N A M I B I A
KALAHARI
DESERT
Li
p
po
Gaborone
Kanye
W
SOUTH AFRICA
0
miles
km
200
200
The People
The population of Botswana is fairly small due to the
countrys lack of water. There are just 8 people per
square mile (2.4 people per sq km). The majority of
Botswanas peopleabout 75%live in rural areas. The
eastern part of the country is the most densely populated, while the southwest and west-central areas have the
lowest population.
Many people in Botswana are poor, even though the
average personal income in the country is one of the
highest in Africa. There are few jobs, and unemployment runs as high as 40%. Because
of this, many people from Botswana
work in South African mines.
People who work in Botswana earn
a living mainly in agriculture.
The healthcare system in
Botswana is generally poorthere is
1 doctor for every 5,150 people.
The government is trying to
improve primary care for the entire
population. It now monitors the
nutritional intake of its citizens during times of drought. Almost half of
the countrys population is under 15
years of age. The average life
expectancy in Botswana is 40 years.
Kalanga,
Basarwa, and
Kgalagadi
4%
White 1%
Batswana
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous Christian
beliefs
50%
50%
Major Religions
$2 billion
73
Brazil
Land area rank
Population rank
smallest country
fewest people
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
74
Sao Luis
os
ap
aj
Fortaleza
Teresina
Imperatriz
io
ei
Belm
Natal
i sc
Macei
Fr
nc
Aracaju
Rio Sa
o
ia
Recife
Rio
Rio
Ara
Xin
gua
gu
Porto Velho
R io T oc
an
io
ti n s
ad
Marajo
Island
Santarem
PERU
Salvador
EUROPE
ASIA
BOLIVIA
Cuiaba
Braslia
AFRICA
AL
Goiania
NT
AN
SOUTH
AMERICA
Belo Horizonte
Campo Grande
Vitoria
Campinas
Ri
PARAGUAY
A N TA R C T I C A
oP
ar
an
PA
AUSTRALIA
Sao Paulo
Nova Iguau
Rio De Janeiro
CHILE
Curitiba
Florianopolis
ARGENTINA
0
0
E
S
Porto Alegre
URUGUAY
0 in/0 cm
ra
Rio Branco
ru
Pu
io
Am
ve
z on R i
EC
UA
DO
R
u ru a
R io J
Average Rainfall
40F/4C
9 in/23 cm
60F/16C
NA
Manaus
12 in/30 cm
Macap
a zo n R
i ver
Am
A
A M A Z O N I
PACIFIC
OCEAN
80F/27C
ATLANT IC
OCE A N
Rio Negro
The Place
15 in/38 cm
FRENCH
GUIANA
RI
COLOMBIA
NORTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
SU
VENEZUELA
0F/-18C
ANA
GUY
At a Glance
miles
km
400
400
Brazil
surround the
Amazon act as a
floodplain for the
mighty river. Shallow
lakes and swamps, as well as
mangrove forests, are found there.
The massive Amazon Rain Forest is
also located there. It grows along
the river delta and covers about
one-third of the country.
The Brazilian Highlandsalso
known as the Planalto Central
make up the majority of the countrys
landmass. Throughout this region,
peak elevations range from 6,000 to
9,500 feet (1,828 to 2,895 m) above
sea level. The Guiana Highlands
are located on the very northern
tip of Brazil. There, Neblina Peak
the countrys highest pointreaches
9,888 feet (3,013 m) high.
Parrot
Amazon River
Non-electrical machinery
and apparatus 9%
Iron and steel 9%
Motor vehicles 6%
Mineral ores 6%
Wood pulp, paper,
and paper products 6%
Other
Footwear and
47%
leather products 3%
Electrical machinery
and apparatus 3%
Aluminum
Coffee 4%
and related
Refined sugar and
products 3%
Exports confectionery 4%
Farms/cropland 6%
Other
14%
Permanent
pastures
22%
Forests
58%
Land Use
(Continued)
Orchid
The Great
Escarpment is a
massive fault block
that extends from
Rio de Janeiro
northward for 1,600
miles (2,575 km)
along Brazils eastern coast. It consists Tapir calf
of deep valleys and
rounded mountain peaks. South of
Rio de Janeiro, the fault line is called
Serra do Mar. This section averages
about 3,000 feet in elevation with
walls that drop straight down to the
Atlantic Ocean.
Resources
Farm land
Forests
Pastures
Other
Manufacturing
Cattle
Coffee
75
Brazil
(Continued)
The History
In 1500, after landing on the area
that is now Brazil, Portuguese
traders befriended many of the
native Indians. The area was then
used to cultivate and export sugar.
In addition to agriculture, the land
was also used for cattle ranching and
gold mining. Portugal fought with
many European countries for control of the Brazilian territory.
In 1821, Dom Pedrothe son of
Portugals prince regentarrived in
the Brazilian territory to govern the
area for Portugal. A year later, he
declared Brazils independence and
Dom Pedro
The People
With its large size and hospitable
terrain, Brazil supports a very large
population. In fact, the country has
the fifth-largest population in the
world. Most Brazilians are concentrated along the countrys eastern
seaboard. Many favelas, or poor
Other
30%
Roman
Catholic
70%
Major Religions
Black 6% Other 1%
Mixed
38%
White
55%
Ethnic Makeup
76
Government
Type: Federal republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
195,000 army personnel
546 tanks
25 major ships
273 combat aircraft
Brazil
Education
As with the many social differences
between the upper and lower classes
in Brazil, the quality of education
depends on personal wealth. Many
upper-class Brazilians send their
children to private schools in France
or Switzerland. Even middle-class
families try to send their children
to private schools within Brazil.
Poorer children attend inadequate
state-run schools that have
little funding and less-qualified
teachers.
Although the poor regions of
northeastern Brazil have about half
(Continued)
Literate
83%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Brazilian boys
Samba player
Agriculture 13%
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
Industry
38%
Services
49%
204
1
TVs
Cars
90
83
Phones
VCRs
NA
Labor Force
PCs
77
Brunei
Land area rank
170
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Brunei
Bay
AFRICA
Pekan Muara
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Kuala Belait
Pekan Seria
E
S
0
0
miles
km
MALAYS IA
20
20
The People
120F/49C
18 in/46 cm
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Petroleum
products
3%
Other 9%
Natural gas
42%
Crude
petroleum
46%
Chinese
16%
Buddism
14%
Malay
67%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$3 billion
78
Indigenous
6%
Other
11%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
and other
15%
Christian 8%
Muslim
63%
Major Religions
Bulgaria
Land area rank
103
largest country (1)
smallest country
Population rank
88
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ROMA N IA
Riv
be
u
Da n
Ruse
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Bulgaria
Continent: Europe
Area: 42,683 square
miles (110,550 sq km)
Population: 7,707,495
Capital City: Sofia
Largest City: Sofia (1,114,476)
Unit of Money: Lev
Major Languages: Bulgarian (official)
Literacy: 98%
Land Use: 43% arable, 2% permanent crop,
14% meadow, 38% forest, 3% other
Natural Resources: Bauxite, copper, lead, zinc
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Defense: $364 million
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Textiles
Other
and
37%
knitwear
3%
Food,
beverages,
and tobacco
17%
Exports
$5 billion
Shumen
KAN
SL
VI
BAL
Sliven
O
G
Ri
la
Varna
MOUNTAINS
Sofia
YU
A N TA R C T I C A
Pleven
Vratsa
AUSTRALIA
er
Black
Sea
Burgas
Stara Zagora
-R
ho
Plovdiv
dop
MACEDONIA
TU RK EY
G REECE
N
E
Aegean Sea
miles
50
0 km 50
The People
About three-quarters of the Bulgarian population lives
in cities. There are about 207 people per square mile
(74 people per sq km). While rural dwellers usually live
in single-family houses,
city dwellers live in
apartments. Bulgaria
does not have enough
urban housing. Life
expectancy is 72 years.
About 40% of the
Bulgarian people work
in industries such as
machine building,
Bulgarians in a horse-drawn carriage
metalworking, and
engineering. Another
18% of Bulgarians work in agriculture, growing crops
such as grain, oilseed, fruit, tobacco, and vegetables.
Education in Bulgaria is free, and it is required for
children between the ages of 6 and 16. Approximately
97% of primary school-aged children go to school.
They attend classes for 7 years. About 75% of secondary school-aged children attend classes. They remain in
school for 3 to 5 years, depending on what they study.
Although Bulgarians are influenced by many Western
items such as clothes and movies, much of the population still enjoys traditional folk music and dancing.
Chemicals
and plastics
26%
Machinebuilding and
metalworking
equipment
17%
Gypsy 3%
Turkish
9%
Macedonian
3%
Bulgarian
85%
Ethnic Makeup
Jewish 1%
Other 1%
Muslim
13%
Bulgarian
Orthodox
85%
Major Religions
79
Burkina Faso
Land area rank
73
smallest country
Population rank
65
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
M A L I
ASIA
R
er
ig
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
N I G E R
AUSTRALIA
Ouahigouya
Kaya
A N TA R C T I C A
Ouagadougou
ite
Wh
Koudougou
lta
R.
R.
lta
Vo
Vo
d
Re
Bobo-Dioulasso
Black Volta
Banfora
Fada-N'gourma
BENIN
N
R.
GHANA
W
E
S
TOGO
COTE D'IVOIRE
The Place
Burkina Faso is a small, landlocked
country in western Africa. Formerly
called Upper Volta, this country
consists mainly of a large plateau.
To the southwest are sandstone
plateaus. They are bordered by
the Banfora Escarpment, which rises
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Hides and
skins 9%
km 100
100
Other
15%
Other
18%
Raw cotton
42%
Gold
12%
Live
animals
19%
Exports
$298 million
80
miles
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
up to about 500
feet (150 m)
above sea level.
In the north and
northeast, rocky
hills tower above
the sand below.
The climate
in Burkina Faso
is hot and dry,
especially in the
northern part of
the country. This is because much of
the area lies in the Sahelthe outer
reaches of the Sahara Desert. The
northern vegetation is mostly shrubs
with some grasses. It is very hard to
irrigate this area because there is no
surface water. The climate in the
south, however, is more tropical. This
Forests
50%
Permanent
pastures
22%
Land Use
The People
Burkina Faso has a weak economy,
and most of the population lives in
poverty. The average shopkeeper,
for example, makes just $60 per
month. One of the main reasons for
the countrys weak economy is its
dependence on agriculture. Farming
Education
The education system in Burkina
Faso is weak and underfunded. All
schooling is free, and children aged 7
to 14 are required to attend classes.
Only about 40% of all primary
school-aged children are enrolled, and
just 9% of secondary school-aged
children attend classes. The education
system is based standard subjects, but
vocational subjects and life skills are
increasingly being emphasized.
Christian 10%
Mossi
24%
Muslim
50%
Indigenous
beliefs
40%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Government
Type: Parliamentary
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
19%
Defense
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
81
Burundi
Land area rank
147
largest country (1)
smallest country
Population rank
99
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
Lake Kivu
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
RWANDA
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Cibitoke
Bujumbura
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0
0
miles
km
50
50
Tutsi 14%
Twa 1%
Tea 8%
Coffee
81%
Hutu
85%
Indigenous
beliefs
32%
Muslim 1%
Christian
67%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$40 million
82
Bururi
Cotton 2%
Average Rainfall
60F/16C
TANZANIA
ka
nyi
nga
Ta
ke
La
12 in/30 cm
vu
The People
Ru
Gitega
CONGO
(ZAIRE)
The Place
80F/27C
Bumbanza
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
Muyinga
Ngozi
AUSTRALIA
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Cambodia
Land area rank
89
smallest country
Population rank
64
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
LAOS
THAILAND
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Angkor Wat
Siemreab
To
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
ap
Krachen
VIETNAM
Phnom Penh
Gulf of
Thailand
N
Kampot
0
miles
km
100
100
E
S
Average Rainfall
eS
Kampong Cham
The Place
nl
Batdambang
e k o n g Ri v e r
AUSTRALIA
Rubber 6%
Other
10%
Other
15%
Re-exports
50%
Logs 12%
Timber
17%
Permanent
pastures
11%
Forests
66%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Land Use
$615 million
83
Cambodia
(continued)
The People
The people of Cambodia have been
slowly rebuilding their lives since
the end of a violent civil war during
the late 1970s. More than a million
people were killed, and the economic,
healthcare, and education systems
were destroyed. Cambodia is one of
the poorest countries in the world.
Life expectancy is 48 years.
The majority of Cambodians
approximately 80%live in rural
areas. The highest concentration of
people is in the cultivated central
plains. Most work in agriculture
an industry that employs about 80%
of the country. Rural Cambodians
dress in simple, comfortable clothes.
The majority of rural homes are
made of palm leaves and bamboo.
Many of these houses are built on
Other 5%
Theravada
Buddhism
95%
Khmer
90%
Major Religions
Ethnic Makeup
Education
The fighting and upheaval during
the late 1970s destroyed much of
the education system. About 5,000
teachers survived the crisis, the rest
fled the country or were killed.
Many new teachers have been
trained and school enrollment has
greatly increased during the last
decade. Education is free in
Cambodia, and almost all primary
school-age children are enrolled.
Many adults who could not attend
classes during their youth also go to
Other 4%
Government
Literate
35%
Literacy
Defense
0 major ships
25 combat aircraft
NA
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Cameroon
Land area rank
53
smallest country
Population rank
60
fewest people
At a Glance
Lake Chad
miles
100
0 km 100
N
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
E
S
N I G E R I A
Maroua
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Garoua
C H A D
A N TA R C T I C A
Kumbo
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
CENTRAL
AFRICAN
region is a coastal
Bafoussam
REPUBLIC
er
v
i
Nkongsamba
plain that extends
R
ga
na
Sa
from the Sanaga
Kumba
Mt. Cameroon
River to the
Yaounde
Douala
southern border.
This area has an
Bight of
average elevation
Ebolowa
Biafra
of 2,000 feet (600
EQUATORIAL
GABON
m) and is covered
GUINEA
C O N G O
by a dense rain
surrounding Lake Chad. Mountains
forest. The central section of the
and volcanoes make up the western
country stretches north of the
part of Cameroon. Here, the counSanaga River. This
trys highest peak, Mount
area includes the
Cameroon, the highest point in
Adamawa Plateau
western Africa, reaches 13,435 feet
which reaches
(4,095 m). The soil in this part of
4,450 feet (1,357
the country is very fertile.
m) above sea level.
The tropical location of
The ground cover
Cameroon gives the country a hot
in this area graduclimate averaging around 80F (25
ally shifts from
C) throughout the year. The souththick forests to
ern part of Cameroon gets the most
grassy savanna. To
rain. The north has one dry season
the north, the land
and the south has two.
turns to marshes
Other 3%
Average Rainfall
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Ngaoundere
Other
25%
Cotton
4%
Coffee
7%
Aluminum
7%
Cocoa 8%
Crude
petroleum
38%
Farms /
cropland
15%
Permanent
pastures
4%
Forests
78%
Lumber
11%
Exports
Land Use
$2 billion
85
Cameroon
(continued)
The People
There are about 230 different ethnic
groups, which speak 24 different
languages, in Cameroon. The western
highlands are home to the largest
number of ethnic groupsincluding
the Bamilekea people who speak
Bantu, a language spoken mainly in
southern Africa. In general, ethnic
groups that speak Bantu-type languages are found in the southern
regions of Cameroon. In the northern
and eastern areas of the country, most
ethnic groups speak Sudanic languages. Among these groups are the
Fulani, a Muslim people who make up
10% of the population. French and
English are recognized as the official
languages of Cameroon, however,
French is the most widely spoken
non-African language. English is spoken mainly in Western Cameroon.
Education
Cameroon has one of the highest
school attendance rates in Africa.
Approximately 85% of all primary
school-aged children attend classes.
About 26% of secondary schoolaged children are enrolled in classes.
Mission schools are a very important
factor in the Cameroon education
process and are partly financed by
the government.
The University of Yaounde is the
main source of higher education in
Eastern
Nigritic
7%
Other
14%
Northwestern
Bantu
8%
Fulani 10%
Kirdi
11%
Cameroon
Highlanders
31%
Equatorial
Bantu
19%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
16%
Christian
33%
Indigenous
beliefs
51%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Unitary republic; multiparty
presidential regime
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
63%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
22
TVs
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Cameroonian woman
86
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Canada
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
ARCTIC
OCEAN
At a Glance
UNITED STATES
Tuktoyaktuk
Melville
Island
Banks
Island
Devon Island
Baffin Bay
Prince of
Wales
Island
Ba
ffi
nI
sla
nd
Victoria Island
av
is
ra
St
Great Bear
Lake
Mackenzie R.
YUKON
TERRITORY
it
Whitehorse
NUNAVUT
RO
NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES
Iqaluit
CK
Yellowknife
Hud
son S
trait
Great Slave
Lake
MO
UN
ALBERTA
Edmonton
Vancouver
Calgary
Hudson
Bay
Churchill
SA
SK
AT
CH
EW
AN
INS
Prince
George
NE
UN
DL
AN
Saskatoon
Lake
Winnipeg
QUEBEC
ONTARIO
Winnipeg
Lake
Nipigon
AFRICA
Charlottetown
Thunder Bay
EQUATOR
Quebec
Lake
Superior
SOUTH
AMERICA
UNITED STATES
0
A N TA R C T I C A
miles
km
500
500
gan
N
E
Lake Michi
AUSTRALIA
St. John's
Gulf of
St. Lawrence
Moosonee
Regina
FO
MANITOBA
EUROPE
ASIA
Labrador
Sea
Ungava
Bay
Lake
Athabasca
TA
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Victoria
NORTH
AMERICA
ICELAND
G REEN LA ND
Beaufort Sea
PACIFIC OCEAN
Ellesmere
Island
Montreal
Sudbury
Lake
Huron
Fredericton
Halifax
Ottawa
NEW
BRUNSWICK
Kingston
Toronto
Lake
Ontario
PRINCE
EDWARD
ISLAND
NOVA
SCOTIA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Windsor Lake
Erie
The Place
Canada is the second-largest country
in the world in total area, and thirdlargest in land area. It occupies
approximately 40% of the North
American continent. It is so large
that it spans six different time zones.
Canada can be divided into six
broad physical areas. The largest of
these areas is the Canadian Shield,
which makes up about half of the
country. The Shield surrounds the
Hudson Bay, reaching eastern, central, and northwestern Canada from
the Great Lakes to the Canadian
Arctic. The Shield averages less than
2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level,
but reaches 7,000 feet (2,000 m) on
the north rim.
Vancouver, Canada
Farms/cropland 5%
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
Other
59%
Motor
vehicles
23%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$209 billion
Permanent
pastures
3%
Lumber 6%
Crude petroleum 4%
Newsprint and paper
products 4%
Wheat 2%
Wood pulp 2%
Other
38%
Forests
54%
Land Use
87
Canada
(continued)
The People
Even though Canada is a huge country, it is very sparsely populated. The
population density of 8 people per
square mile (3 people per sq km),
however, is misleading. More than
three-quarters of all Canadians live
in urban areas, and almost all make
their homes in some 25 major metropolitan areas. In fact, about 75%
of all Canadians live within 250
miles (402 km) of the U.S. border.
About 62% of the population lives
in Quebec and Ontario. Another
17% of the population lives in the
Prairie provinces, 13% resides in
British Columbia, and 8% inhabits
the Atlantic provinces. Fewer than
1% of Canadians live in the
Northwest Territories.
More than one-third of Canadians
have British ancestry. More than
Other
35%
British
origin
40%
French
origin
27%
Anglican
8%
Ethnic Makeup
88
United
Church 12%
Major Religions
Education
The United Nations has ranked
Canadas overall education system
first in the world. Each province is
responsible for maintaining its own
education system. The federal government only manages education
policies for the Yukon and
Northwest Territories. Because of
this individual management, school
procedures differ among provinces.
However, most children go to
kindergarten for one year, and then
Roman
Catholic
45%
Government
Literate
97%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
114 tanks
19 major ships
140 combat aircraft
626
493
220
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Cape Verde
Land area rank
smallest country
173
Population rank
fewest people
172
At a Glance
0
Ribeira Grande
miles
km
50
50
Santo Antao
Mindelo
Sao Vicente
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Sao Nicolau
ASIA
Preguica
Sal
Castilhiano
Santa Maria
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Boa Vista
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
AUSTRALIA
Curral Velho
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Tarrafal
Maio
Maio
Fajazinha
E
Furna
Brava
Fogo
Santiago
Praia
The People
Because the country suffers from frequent droughts and
has very few natural resources, many Cape Verdeans
emigrate to Europe to find work. In fact, there are more
Cape Verdeans living outside of the country than on the
islands. About 50% of the population is under the age
of 16.
Of the Cape Verdeans that choose
to stay on the islands, about 57%
work in agriculture. But even with
some rainfall, only 4 of the 10 islands
can support crops. Most of the population lives in povertythe average
yearly income is $1,190 per person.
Health conditions on the islands are
also poor, and there are fewer than
100 doctors in the entire country.
Tuberculosis, parasitic diseases, and
bronchitis are common problems.
The average life expectancy in Cape
Verde is 70 years.
There are approximately 260 people per square mile
(99 people per sq km) in the country. About 50% of
Cape Verdes population lives in Sao Tiago. Other high
concentrations of people live on the coasts of Santo
Antao and Sao Vincente. Approximately half of the
population lives in rural areas.
Other 1%
Average Rainfall
Other
25%
Bananas
12%
Fish
and fish
preparations
63%
Exports
African
28%
Creole
71%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholicism
fused with
Indigenous Beliefs
Major Religions
$13 million
89
43
smallest country
Population rank
127
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
CHAD
Ch
ar
iR
AFRICA
E
S
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
SUDAN
Ndele
The Place
The Central African Republic lies in the middle of the
African continent on the northern edge of the Congo
River Basin. This landlocked nation is approximately
500 miles (805 km) north of the equator.
Most of the Central African Republic is located on a
low plateau that ranges from 2,000 to 2,600 feet (610 to
790 m) above sea level. The flat central plains gradually
rise in the north to an elevation of 4,600 feet (1,400 m)
at Mount Toussoro. Located to the northwest is 4,700foot (1,500-m) Mount Ngaouri, the countrys highest
point. The land also rises in the west, where the Karre
Mountains reach 4,000 feet (1,200 m). The Ubangi
River flows along the countrys southern border with
Zaire and, at 1,100 feet (335 m) above sea level, is the
lowest point in the nation.
The climate in the Central African Republic is hot
and humid. The average annual temperature hovers
around 80 F (26 C). The south receives about 70
inches (178 cm) of rain a year, and a dense rain forest
covers most of the southwest. The north, however,
receives about 8 inches (20 cm) of rain per year and is
covered by savanna grasses with few trees.
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Wood
products
15%
Bambari
Bangassou
Ub
ang
iR
iver
Bangui
Berberati
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
(ZAIRE)
CONGO
Other 8%
Diamonds
50%
Exports
miles
km
200
200
About 65% of
Central Africans live
in rural areas, and
the majority of the
population lives in
the southern and
western parts of the
country. A large
number of urban
dwellers reside in the
nations capital, Bangui.
The Central African Republics population growth rate
is offset by its high emigration and infant mortality rates.
More than 40% of the countrys population is under the
age of 15. The average life expectancy is 45 years. Many
factors contribute to this, including a lack of doctors,
insufficient food, and poor sanitation.
Agriculture employs 85% of the population and plays
a major role in the lives of the men and women in the
Central African Republic. The men of the country hunt
and trap food for their families, as well as tend to the
commercial crops. The women gather, produce, and
prepare family meals.
Religious activities are important to Central Africans.
Men, women, and children take part in church services,
religious school, and community groups.
Other 11%
Sara
10%
Coffee
16%
The People
Cotton
12%
$171 million
90
Bossangoa
Bouar
Other 7%
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
100F/38C
CAMEROON
A N TA R C T I C A
Mandjia
21%
Baya
34%
Banda
27%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
24%
Roman
Catholic
25%
Muslim Protestant
25%
15%
Major Religions
Chad
Land area rank
22
smallest country
Population rank
83
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
L I B Y A
Aozou
N
W
S A H A R A
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Faya-Largeau
N I G E R
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Lake Chad
S U D A N
Abch
NDjamena
N I G E R I A
h ar
iR
iv
er
iv
L ogo n e
A N TA R C T I C A
er
Sarh
miles
200
0 km 200
Moundou
CAMEROON
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Non-indigenous 2%
Average Rainfall
Other
25%
Live sheep
and goats
5%
Live cattle
11%
Cotton
lint
59%
Exports
Sara
and
related
groups
49%
Muslim
groups
49%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
25%
Christian
25%
Muslim
50%
Major Religions
$259 million
91
Chile
Land area rank
38
largest country (1)
smallest country
Population rank
61
most people (1)
fewest people
PERU
At a Glance
0
0
miles
km
200
200
EUROPE
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
EQUATOR
Coquimbo
Valparaiso
Santiago
Rancagua
A R G
E N T
I N A
ATAC
Antofagasta
O C E
A N
E S
A N D
A N TA R C T I C A
M O U
N T
A I
N S
AMA DESERT
AUSTRALIA
Other
30%
Talca
Concepcion
Temuco
N
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Isla Grande
de Chiloe
E
S
Coihaique
Puerto
Natales
Punta Arenas
Str a i
llan
age
Tierra
Del F
uego
Wood
products
7%
Other metals
and minerals
8%
Permanent
pastures
18%
Copper
37%
Fruits
8%
Exports
$17 billion
92
BOLIVIA
Iquique
SOUTH
AMERICA
Farms/cropland 5%
Average Rainfall
Arica
ASIA
AFRICA
t of M
NORTH
AMERICA
P A C I F
I C
Other
55%
Fish and
fishmeal
10%
Forests
22%
Land Use
Chile
The People
The Chilean population is almost
entirely urban, with about 85% of
the people living in cities. About
Mapuche Indian woman
Roman
Catholic
89%
Major Religions
Amerindian 3%
Other 2%
White and
Mestizo
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Education is free in Chile. Children
are required to attend eight years of
primary school. After that, they may
choose to move on to a secondary
or vocational school. Almost all primary school-aged children attend
classes, and about three-quarters
move on to a secondary education.
In addition, private schools run by
religious or ethnic groups are very
popular in Chile. One source of
higher education is the University
(continued)
Government
Literate
95%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Literacy
119 tanks
13 major ships
110 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
201
74
50
36
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
93
China
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
EUROPE
R U S S I A
Am
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
ur
AFRICA
EQUATOR
AUSTRALIA
KA
ZA
KH
TA
Hulun Nur
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
94
R.
g
H
ua
Beijing
Chengdu
L A
Y A S
Lhasa
Chongqing
NEPA
I N D I A
miles
km
500
Jilin
Fushun
Sea
of
Japan
JAPAN
Wuxi
E a s t
Shanghai
Hangzhou
C h i n a
Ningbo
S e a
Nanchang
Nanjing
Jixi
Huainan
Fuxin
Jinzhou
Yingkou
NORTH
Tangshan
Dalian KOREA
Tianjin
Shijiazhuang
Taiyuan
Yellow
Handan Jinan
S e a SOUTH
e
KOREA
Qingdao
Hu a n g H
Kaifeng
Xian
Xuzhou
T I B E T
500
BHUTAN
Bay
of
Bengal
an
e
tz
Wuhan
Huangshi
Changsha
Guiyang
Fuzhou
Kunming
Taipei
Liuzhou
Guangzhou
TAIWAN
Shantou
Nanning
MYANMAR
(BURMA)
Hong Kong
VIETNAM
LAOS
Average Rainfall
20F/-7C
Hohhot
Baotou
Datong
Lanzhou
H
DES
GLA
BAN
6 in/15 cm
Yumen
40F/4C
ver
m Ri
9 in/23 cm
Korla
ri
Ta
PAKISTAN
60F/16C
D E
S E R T
TAJIKISTAN
The Place
12 in/30 cm
Changchun
He
80F/27C
B I
Hami
KYRGYZSTAN
15 in/38 cm
Urumqi
A N TA R C T I C A
Kashi
Qiqihar
MANCHURIA
Harbin
M O N G O L I A
Karamay
Yining
At a Glance
ive
r
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
HAINAN
S o u t h
C h i n a
S e a
S
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
China
of this areawhich consists of the
Ordos Desert and parts of the Gobi
Deserthas a harsh climate. The
Tian Shan Mountains lie in the
western part of the uplands.
The Mongolian Border Uplands
are located in the north central
part of the country. The Greater
Hinggan Mountains are there,
and the terrain is very rugged. In
the middle of the country are the
Central Highlands. This area consists of many mountains, including
the Qin Ling range with peaks of
12,000 feet (3,658 m). The hilly
Sichuan Basin, in south central
China, is one of the countrys main
agricultural areas.
In northeastern China lie the
Eastern Highlands. This region
includes the Shangdong Peninsula
and eastern Manchuria. Some
of Chinas oldest forests grow
here. To the west of the Eastern
Highlands are the Eastern
Lowlands. The lowlands extend
down the east coast to the Yangtze
River. The hilly Southern Uplands
make up southeastern China.
Farms/cropland
10%
Other
33%
Forests
14%
Other
37%
Permanent
pastures
43%
Land Use
(continued)
Inedible raw
materials 3%
Mineral fuels
and lubricants 4%
Chemicals and
allied products 6%
Exports
Machinery
and
transport
equipment
21%
Food and
live animals 7%
$183 billion
Resources
Farm land
Manufacturing
Pastures
Chemicals
Forests
Other
Oil
Rice
Tea, grown in large fields,
Tea
Sheep
95
China (continued)
The History
China's written history goes back
3,500 years. The country has one of
the worlds oldest civilizations.
China was once divided into several small states. In 221 B.C. the Qin
dynasty established an empire.
The People
China has the worlds largest populationabout 20% of the worlds
people live there. Although China
has about 100 cities with a population
of more than a million people each,
most Chinese live in small towns and
villages. Many inhabit crowded eastern China. Even though the western
part of the country accounts for half
of Chinas land area, only about 10%
of the population lives there. The
Chinese government, concerned
about its population increases, has
96
Other 5%
Han
Chinese
93%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian 1%
Buddhist
3%
Muslim 2%
Other
94%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Communist state
Structure: Executive
Leader: Premier/President
Defense
2,200,000 army personnel
8,000 tanks
102 major ships
4,970 combat aircraft
China (continued)
Popular Culture/Daily Life
Many art styles are popular in China.
Some Chinese artists even receive
money and support from the government. Communists feel that art
should represent the goals of a society.
Chinese painting began thousands
of years ago. Calligraphy, a type of
Social services 4%
Construction
and mining
7%
Other
10%
Agriculture
and Forestry
53%
Industry and
commerce
26%
Labor Force
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
27
TVs
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Education
A strong education system has always
been important in Chinese culture
and to the Communist government.
Schoolboy
Literate
82%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
97
Colombia
Land area rank
28
smallest country
Population rank
28
fewest people
At a Glance
Caribbean Sea
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Barranquilla
AFRICA
Cartagena
SOUTH
AMERICA
Monteria
AUSTRALIA
PANAMA
V E N E Z U E L A
Pereira
oR
Puerto Carreo
Bogot
AN
Popayn
Bucaramanga
Villavincencio
DE
Buenaventura
Cali
S M
O
UNT
Medellin
oc
A N TA R C T I C A
AIN
Cucuta
Orin
ASIA
Pasto
BRA ZIL
ECUADOR
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
98
PERU
0
0
miles
km
200
a
Am
200
zo
R.
Cartagena, Colombia
Farms / cropland 5%
Average Rainfall
Food 7%
Coal 8%
Other
15%
Petroleum
products
27%
Coffee
15%
Textiles
and apparel 8%
Forestry
and fisheries 10%
Exports
$11 billion
Chemicals 10%
Other
8%
Forests
48%
Permanent
pastures
39%
Land Use
Colombia
of the Andes Mountains. The mines,
farms, and factories there provide
work for most families. Only 2% of
Colombians live in the hot Eastern
Plains region.
Approximately 70% of the people
live in urban areas. The middle and
upper classes mainly inhabit the
cities. City dwellers are usually better off than rural settlers because the
urban areas offer better educational,
cultural, and medical opportunities.
Many urban residents live in nice
Bora woman
Black-Amerindian 3%
Amerindian 1%
(continued)
Black 4%
The People
White
20%
Mestizo
58%
Roman
Catholic
95%
EuropeanAfrican
14%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
The education system in Colombia
is a blend of the French and U.S.
education systems. Colombia
requires children to attend school
for at least five years, and almost all
primary-school-aged students go to
class. About half of all children go to
secondary school. It is harder to get
an education in rural areas than in
cities. Many rural schools only offer
two or three grades, and some
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
91%
Defense
Literacy
12 tanks
108
108
32
33
TVs
Cars
NA
Phones
VCRs
PCs
6 major ships
74 combat aircraft
Bogot Cathedral
Comoros
Land area rank
179
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
Mitsamiouli
G r a nde C om or e
ASIA
AFRICA
Fomboni
M ohe l i
A N TA R C T I C A
Mozambique
Channel
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
100
0
0
miles
km
50
MAYOTTE
(FRANCE)
50
The People
The majority of the Comoran population is split
between Anjouan and Grande Comoreeach island
houses about 200,000 people. Because of its small size,
Anjouan has one of the worlds highest population
densities, with about 550 people per square mile
(1,350 people per sq km).
The people of
Comoros are
extremely poor. The
nations economy
depends almost
entirely on agriculture, which employs
about 85% of the
population. About
Grande Comore
70% of Comorans
live in rural areas.
Many residents build their houses from large palm leaves.
A small group of wealthy Comorans lives in stone
houses. Many wealthier men also have several wives.
The people of Comoros suffer from many diseases
and a lack of food. There are very few doctors or medical facilities on the islands. The death rate on the island
is very high, especially among children. The life
expectancy in Comoros is 60 years.
Roman Catholic
14%
Average Rainfall
60F/16C
Ouani
Anj oua n
Domoni
Moya
AUSTRALIA
12 in/30 cm
EUROPE
The Place
15 in/38 cm
Dembeni
SOUTH
AMERICA
80F/27C
Moroni
NORTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
I N D I A N
O C E A N
Other
21%
Cloves
9%
Vanilla
43%
Ylang-ylang
27%
Exports
$11 million
Polynesian,
African, Indonesian,
Persian and
Arab groups
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
86%
Major Religions
Congo
Land area rank
63
smallest country
Population rank
132
fewest people
At a Glance
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CAMEROON
ASIA
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
AFRICA
Ousso
SOUTH
AMERICA
GABON
15 in/38 cm
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
er
iv
g
Mossendjo
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF THE
CONGO
(ZAIRE)
Brazzaville
Loubomo
Madingo-Kayes
Pointe-Noire
miles
km
200
200
The People
There are four main
ethnic groups in the
Congo. The largest
group is the Kongo,
and they live mostly in
the southwest region
near Brazzaville. The
Kongo are farmers.
The MBochi inhabit
the northern area
Congo hospital
where the savanna and
the forest meet. Many MBochi work as clerks. The
Sangha also share the northern forest region. The Teke
live in the central region of the Congo. They hunt and
fish for a living. Life expectancy is 47 years.
The Congolese population is almost evenly divided
between urban and rural areas. The population density
averages 21 people per square mile (7 people per sq km).
The densest parts of the Congo are the southeastern border near Brazzaville and the southwestern coastal area.
Economic conditions for the middle class are fairly
stableCongolese earn higher wages than workers in
most other African countries. Approximately 75% of
Congolese work in agriculture, while the other 25%
work in commerce.
Other 7%
Petroleum and
petroleum products
85%
Exports
Oyo
Con
AT LAN T I C
OCEAN
The Place
80F/27C
E
S
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
Uban
NORTH
AMERICA
gi Ri
ver
EUROPE
Other 3%
Muslim 2%
Teke 17%
MBochi
12%
Sangha
20%
Kongo
48%
Ethnic Makeup
Animist
48%
Christian
50%
Major Religions
$1 billion
101
Congo (Zaire)
Land area rank
12
smallest country
Population rank
23
fewest people
CAMEROON
NORTH
AMERICA
Official Name:
Democratic Republic
EQUATOR
of the Congo
Continent: Africa
Area: 875,520 square
miles (2,267,600 sq km)
Population: 53,624,718
Capital City: Kinshasa
Largest City: Kinshasa (2,653,558)
Unit of Money: Zaire
Major Languages: French (official), Lingala,
Kingwana
Natural Resources: Cobalt, copper, cadmium,
crude oil
Uba
ngi R
.
EUROPE
ASIA
AFRICA
Bumba
go R
iv
er
Mbandaka
SOUTH
AMERICA
CONGO
AUSTRALIA
SUDAN
Lake Albert
Con
Lake
Victoria
L. Kivu RWANDA
Bukavu
BURUNDI
GABON
A N TA R C T I C A
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
40F/4C
miles
200
0 km 200
Diamonds
17%
Other
55%
Crude
petroleum
11%
Coffee 9%
Lake
Tanganyika
Kananga
Kamina
Lake
Mweru
Likasi
Lubumbashi
E
Z A M B I A
Forests
77%
Copper 8%
Exports
$2 billion
102
N
0
0 in/0 cm
ver
ai Ri
9 in/23 cm
as
60F/16C
12 in/30 cm
TANZANIA
Kalemi
A N G O L A
80F/27C
OCEA
15 in/38 cm
IC
100F/38C
NT
Hebo
Kikwit
LA
Kinshasa
Matadi
AT
The Place
UGANDA
Kisangani
MALAWI
At a Glance
Land Use
Kimbanguist
10%
Other
10%
Roman
Catholic
50%
Muslim
10%
Protestant
20%
Major Religions
Congolese men play a board game
The People
Almost three-quarters of Congos
population lives in rural areas. The
majority of people live in the eastern
highlands and along the regions
major rivers. The country averages
50 people per square mile (21 people
per sq km), but its urban centers are
more highly concentrated.
A small wealthy class lives in the
capital, Kinshasa and enjoys some
Western-style conveniences. In
many cities, the poor live in slums
and shantytowns. The rural poor
live in small thatched huts. It is
Education
The education budget receives little
funding in Congo. Because of this,
approximately 70% of the countrys
schooling is offered by the Catholic
Church. About 78% of primary
school-aged children go to school,
but only 24% of children attend
secondary school classes.
Congo has four universities. Two
of these schools are in Kinshasa, one
is located in Lumbumbashi, and one
Bantu
and Hamitic
45%
Other
55%
Ethnic Makeup
Because treatment is often unavailable, infectious disease and death
rates continue to rise. Malaria and
AIDS are widespread throughout
Congo. About 10% of all newborns
die. The life expectancy at birth is
less than 50 years.
Government
Type: Dictatorship
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Literate
77%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
22 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
103
Costa Rica
Land area rank
129
smallest country
Population rank
124
fewest people
At a Glance
L. Nicaragua
NICARAGUA
Caribbean
Sea
Liberia
Canas
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Quesada
ASIA
Puntarenas
AFRICA
Alajuela
Limon
San Jose
Cartago
SOUTH
AMERICA
E
S
AUSTRALIA
San Isidro
P A C I F I C
OC E A N
A N TA R C T I C A
0
0
miles
km
Cortes
Golito
PA N A M A
50
50
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
104
Amerindian 1%
Chinese 1%
Black 2%
Average Rainfall
Other
45%
Fish and
shrimp 5%
Ornamental
plants, leaves,
and flowers 4%
Other 5%
Bananas
24%
Coffee
16%
Exports
$3 billion
Textiles,
clothing, and
footwear 6%
White and
Mestizo
96%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
Cte dIvoire
Land area rank
66
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
MALI
At a Glance
ASIA
AFRICA
Odienn
E
S
AUSTRALIA
Biankouma
Bouak
A N TA R C T I C A
Korhogo
GUINEA
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
BURKINA FASO
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
GHANA
Lac de
Kossou
Man
Abengourou
Daloa
Yamoussoukro
Gagnoa
LIBERIA
Agboville
Abidjan
Sassandra
y
Ivor
miles
km 100
100
Coast
Gu l f o f Guine a
ATL ANT I C
To the south, a
coastline 320
miles (515 km) long touches the Gulf
of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.
Cte dIvoire can be broken into
OCEAN
21 in/53 cm
Cotton and
cotton cloth
4%
Other
26%
Fish
products
7%
Petroleum
products
9%
Cocoa beans
and products
34%
Exports
$4 billion
Coffee
and coffee
products
11%
Wood and
wood products
9%
Other
25%
Forests
22%
Permanent
pastures
41%
Land Use
Farms/cropland 12%
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
18 in/46 cm
0 in/0 cm
105
Cte dIvoire
(continued)
The People
There are more than 60 different
ethnic groups living in Cte dIvoire.
Of the five major groups, the Baoule
live in the central region, the Agni
inhabit the east, the Senoufou are
found in the north, and the DanYacouba and Malinke live in the west.
Many Ivorians live along the
countrys coastal fringe in the south.
About 58% of the population live
in rural areas. Extended family
members usually live together in
a small group of homes in a village.
These homes are made of mud
and have thatched or metal roofs.
Cte dIvoires urban areas consist
Education
Education in Cte dIvoire is free,
and children are required to attend
classes if there is a school nearby.
Approximately 75% of elementary
aged children go to school, but only
20% of students make it to high
school. The National University
of Cte dIvoire, founded in 1958,
is in Abidjan and averages about
21,000 students a year. Many
Ivorians attend universities in foreign
Other
33%
Christian
22%
Baoule
23%
Malinke
11% Senoufou
15%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
60%
Muslim
18%
Bete
18%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
41%
Literacy
NA combat aircraft
masks of the human facial expressions and large rice spoons. The
Baoule carve masks of recognizable
people that are used mainly in
special ceremonies. The Senoufou
combine the characteristics of
antelopes, wart hogs, and hyenas
when they create their masks.
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
59
TVs
15
11
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Croatia
Land area rank
126
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
H U N GA RY
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
SLOVENIA
AFRICA
Zagreb
Karlovac
SOUTH
AMERICA
Rijeka
AUSTRALIA
Osijek
Slavonski Brod
Pula
A N TA R C T I C A
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
3 in/8 cm
6 in/15 cm
ITA LY
i a
N
40F/4C
20F/-7C
(SERBIA AND
MONTENEGRO)
YUGOSLAVIA
9 in/23 cm
lm
Split
60F/16C
12 in/30 cm
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
100F/38C
Croatia is in southern Europe. It has a 1,104-mile(1,778-km-) long southern coastline that extends along
the Adriatic Sea. In the south, a 12-mile- (20-km-) wide
part of Bosnia-Herzegovina separates a small strip of
Croatian coastline from the rest of the country.
There are two physical regions in Croatia. The
Dalmacia is the coastal region between BosniaHerzegovina and the sea. It consists mostly of rocky
cliffs. The Dalmacia has mild winters and hot summers.
The Pannonian Plains are in the northeast, near the
border with Hungary. They are mostly fertile farming
areas. The plains have bitter winters and dry summers.
The Dinaric Alps extend
down Croatias eastern border
with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here
the 6,007-foot (1,831-m)
Dinara is the countrys highest
point. A smaller coastal range
has created more than 1,000
offshore islands, as well as gulfs,
bays, and inlets.
Zagreb, Croatia
The Place
Zadar
BOSNIA
AND
HERZEGOVINA
S
0
miles
a
Dubrovnik
50
E
S
0 km 50
The People
There is a wide financial disparity in
Croatia. A small portion of the population is very wealthy, while the vast
majority of the country suffers from
poverty. The average monthly wages
in the country are about $149. Many
families have a hard time buying
basic necessities.
The main reason for this poverty
is the lack of jobsabout 17% of
workers are unemployed. About
30% of the work force is employed
by industry, 19% by government,
Croatian man
and 4% by agriculture.
About half of the population lives in cities. The most
populated cities are Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek. In
the cities, people usually live in old stone buildings. On the outskirts of town, high-rise apartments are common. Rural families often live in
one- or two-story wooden houses.
Family closeness is very important in
Croatia. Although the father is the traditional
head of the household, womens roles are more
modern in Croatia than in most other countries
in the region. Life expectancy is 74 years.
Muslim 1%
Other 9%
Serb
12%
Croat
78%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
1%
Orthodox
11%
Other 11%
Roman
Catholic
77%
Major Religions
107
Cuba
Land area rank
101
smallest country
Population rank
67
fewest people
At a Glance
UNITED STATES
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Cuba
Continent: North
(Central) America
Area: 42,803 square miles
(110,860 sq km)
Population: 11,184,023
Capital City: Havana
Largest City: Havana (2,175,995)
Unit of Money: Cuban peso
Major Language: Spanish
Natural Resources: Cobalt, iron, nickel, copper
G u l f
o f
M e x i c o
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Marianao
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Camaguey
Las Tunas
C a r i b b e a n
S e a
Holguin
Bayamo
Guantanamo
Santiago De Cuba
Cayman Islands
(U.K.)
N
E
S
miles
km 100
Other
12%
100
HAITI
JAMAICA
Other
18%
Sugar
64%
Minerals
and concentrates
11%
Exports
$2 billion
108
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
Matanzas
Santa Clara
Cienfuegos
Havana, Cuba
Havana
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Forests
24%
Farms /
cropland
31%
Permanent
pastures
27%
Land Use
Cuba
The People
Life has gotten progressively harder
for Cubans since the breakup of the
Eastern European communist bloc,
its major trading partner. There are
food shortages, and the government
has set up a rationing program to
provide people with staple foods.
Three-quarters of the Cuban
population lives in urban areas. There
are not enough houses for everyone,
and apartment buildings are overcrowded. Often, two families must
share one apartment. In rural areas
people live in bohiosthatched-roof
houses with dirt floors.
Urban residents usually work in
government agencies or factories.
This accounts for about 52% of the
workforce. In rural areas, many people are farmers. Agriculture employs
another 20% of the work force. The
average income in Cuba is about
Cuban boys
Chinese 1%
Black
11%
Other
15%
EuropeanAfrican
51%
White
37%
Roman
Catholic
85%
Major Religions
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Education is a high priority in Cuba.
The curriculum follows the MarxistLeninist system and combines manual
work with academic studies. The
government provides free schooling
for everyone, and children are
required to attend classes from ages
6 to 16. About 95% of all primary
school children and 91% of all secondary school children attend classes.
(continued)
Government
Literate
96%
Literacy
Defense
Adults can also take basic education classes. College graduates can
take special classes in
business, medicine, and
engineering.
volleyball, swimming, and
basketball are some of the
most popular. Athletic facilities and fields are free to
the public, but very few
Cubans have the sports
equipment to play. Many
children play baseball with
rocks and sticks.
Cuban music, especially salsa,
has become very popular throughout the world. A wide variety of
percussion instruments and guitars
52
23
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
109
Cyprus
Land area rank
166
smallest country
Population rank
158
fewest people
At a Glance
TURKEY
N
W
E
S
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Mediterranean Sea
ASIA
Rizokarpaso
AFRICA
Yialoussa
SOUTH
AMERICA
Kyrenia
AUSTRALIA
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Readymade
garments
35%
Citrus fruits
33%
Other
32%
Exports
$1 billion
110
Nicosia
Lefkoniko
Famagusta
f e r zone
Larnaca
Paphos
Limassol
0
0
miles
km
50
50
The People
Although both Greeks and Turks live in Cyprus, they
mostly remain separate. Greeks account for more
than three-quarters of the population and inhabit the
southern two-thirds of the island. They are Christians.
Turkish Cypriots make up about 20% of the population
and live in the northern third of Cyprus. They are
Muslims. Life expectancy is 77 years.
About 53% of Cypriots live in urban areas. Cities
have modern homes and apartment buildings made
from concrete or stone. Services and industry employ
about 85% of the
workforce. In
rural areas,
Cypriots work
mainly as farmers.
They usually live
in mud-brick
houses.
The Greek and
Turkish communities have different
school systems.
Greek Orthodox priest, Cyprus
The Greek system
is run by the Ministry of Education and children ages 5 to
15 are required to attend classes. Turkish education is run
by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Other 4%
Average Rainfall
Polis
U.
The Place
Lefka
bu
N.
A N TA R C T I C A
Morphou
Other 4%
Muslim
18%
Turkish
18%
Greek
78%
Ethnic Makeup
Greek
Orthodox
78%
Major Religions
Czech Republic
Land area rank
117
smallest country
Population rank
75
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
G ERMA N Y
AFRICA
E
S
POL A N D
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Ust nad
Labem
Liberec
Hradec
Kralove
Prague
A N TA R C T I C A
M O R A V I A Ostrava
Plzen
Olomouc
B O H E M I A
Cesk
Budejovice
Da
nu
be
Brno
SL OV A K IA
Ri
v e r
A U STRIA
miles
km
50
50
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Exports
Other
12%
Forests
34%
Farms /
cropland
43%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures 11%
$22 billion
111
Czech Republic
(continued)
The People
Most people in the Czech Republic
live comfortably and can afford
basic appliances. Some can even
Czech
94%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
13%
Major Religions
Education
The Czech Republic requires that
children attend school between the
ages of 6 and 15. These 10 years are
considered elementary education.
Students can then go on to a fouryear secondary or vocational school.
There are also two-year teaching
schools. Most educational institutions are run by the government,
but there are also about 250 private
schools in the country.
Charles University, in Prague, is
Athiest
40%
Roman
Catholic
39%
Protestant
5%
Orthodox
3%
Government
Literate
99%
Defense
Literacy
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
314
245
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
Denmark
Land area rank
134
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
miles
Alborg
50
0 km 50
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
SWEDEN
Randers
AUSTRALIA
Jutland
Herning
A N TA R C T I C A
Vejle
Kolding
Arhus
Silkeborg
Horsens
Copenhagen
Roskilde
Odense
Sjaelland
Naestved
Fyn
North
Sea
Bornholm
Lolland
Baltic Sea
POLAND
GERMANY
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Furniture 5%
Pharmaceuticals 5%
Textiles and clothing 5%
Exports
$49 billion
Other 2%
Other
Christian
2%
Other 7%
Fresh or frozen
swine meat 6%
Other
54%
0 in/0 cm
Faeroese
and Inuit
1%
Danish
96%
Ethnic Makeup
Evangelical
Lutheran
91%
Major Religions
113
Djibouti
Land area rank
151
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
166
At a Glance
ERITREA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Red
Sea
Y E M E N
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
N
W
E
S
0
0
miles
km
S O M A L I A
50
50
The People
The Djibouti population consists of two main ethnic
groupsthe Issas and the Afars. The Issas make up
about three-fifths of the population and live mainly in
the southern part of the country. The Afars account for
about two-fifths of Djiboutins and live in the northern
and western areas. About 80% of Djiboutins live in
urban areas. The population density is 67 people per
square mile (20 people per sq km).
The wealth in Djibouti is held mostly by government
employees, and much of the country is poor. The monthly
minimum wage is just $99, but some managers can earn
$4,375 monthly. A large percentage of the workforce is
unemployed. A very
large refugee population puts a strain
on the countrys
economy.
The Djibouti
health care system
is weak. There is 1
doctor for every
4,200 people, and
the average life
expectancy is 50
years of age.
Other 5%
Afar
35%
Unspecified special
transactions
72%
Exports
Djibouti
Ali Sabieh
Live
animals
15%
$40 million
114
Yoboki
E T H IOP IA
15 in/38 cm
Gulf of Aden
A N TA R C T I C A
80F/27C
Obock
Tadjoura
The Place
100F/38C
Balho
Issa
60%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian 6%
Muslim
94%
Major Religions
Dominica
Land area rank
187
smallest country
Population rank
202
most people (1)
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
Average Rainfall
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0F/-18C
Bananas
39%
3 in/8 cm
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
ib
Roseau
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
IC
60F/16C
Other 9%
Re-exports
3%
Marigot
12 in/30 cm
Portsmouth
A N TA R C T I C A
ea
La Plaine
ea
Martinique P
0
0
miles
km
e
assag
20
20
MARTINIQUE
The People
AUSTRALIA
The Place
80F/27C
Guadeloupe Passage
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
GUADELOUPE
ASIA
Manufactured
exports
49%
Protestant
15%
Black and Carib
Amerindian
Other 8%
Roman
Catholic
77%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$52 million
115
Dominican Republic
Land area rank
131
smallest country
Population rank
84
AT
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Dominican Republic
Continent: North
America
Area: 18,680 square miles
(48,380 sq km)
Population: 8,581,477
Capital City: Santo Domingo
Largest City: Santo Domingo (1,313,172)
Unit of Money: Dominican peso
Major Languages: Spanish (official)
Literacy: 83%
Land Use: 23% arable land, 7% crops, 43% meadows,
13% forests, 14% other
Natural Resources: Nickle, bauxite, gold, silver
Government: Representative democracy
Defense: $78 million
Monte Cristi
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Mao
AUSTRALIA
H i s p a n i o
l a
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
La Vega
San Francisco
De Macoris
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Other
32%
Gold 5%
Cacao 7%
Exports
$815 million
116
Cotui
OC
EA
E
S
Samana
Bonao
San Jose
De Ocoa
Santo
Domingo
San Pedro
De Macoris
Azua
Bani
Barahona
La Romana
San Crisobal
M
0
Cari
bbean Sea
a
on
miles
km
as
50
50
The People
More than 60% of Dominicans live in cities. Many
urban workers are employed in manufacturing or by
the government. Some also fish for a living. Most city
dwellers live in crowded apartment buildings. People
living in rural areas are generally farmers. They either
own their own small farms or work for large plantations. Many rural Dominicans live in shacks with straw
roofs. Government-built
bungalows, however, are
becoming more common.
Distribution of wealth
varies widely. Older families with Spanish roots are
the countrys wealthiest.
The native black population remains the poorest.
The culture in the
Dominican Republic is a
mix of African and Spanish
traditions. Well-known
ethnic music mixes Spanish
maracas and African
drumming. Baseball is
a popular sport. Life
expectancy is 70 years.
Black 11%
Average Rainfall
IC
Esperanza
Santiago
San Juan
Neiba
NT
Puerto Plata
HAITI
A N TA R C T I C A
LA
ge
At a Glance
sa
fewest people
Ferronickel
32%
Raw sugar
13%
Raw coffee
11%
Other 5%
White
16%
Mixed
73%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
Ecuador
Land area rank
72
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
C O L O M B I A
ASIA
AFRICA
Esmeraldas
Ibarra
SOUTH
AMERICA
Santo Domingo
de los Colorados
AUSTRALIA
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
A N TA R C T I C A
Quito
Manta
Ambato
Portoviejo
Guayaquil
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Galapagos
Islands
Gulf of
Guayaquil
Cuenca
Machala
P E R U
Loja
0
0
(Not in position)
miles
km
200
200
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Basic manufactures
3%
Other
Crude
17%
materials
2%
Mineral fuels
30%
Other
15%
Food and
live animals
48%
Farms / cropland
11%
Permanent
pastures
18%
Forests
56%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Land Use
$3 billion
117
Ecuador
(continued)
The People
Ecuador is a poor country. Approximately 60% of the population lives
in poverty. Economic conditions vary
by race. Most white Ecuadorans live
in cities and work in business, or they
own large farms run by managers.
They have comfortable, modern
lifestyles.
Black and mestizo Ecuadorans are
worse off. Many mestizos live along
the coast in small wooden homes.
They work as farm hands on large
plantations. Others live in the cities
and are employed as servants or
clerks. The black population lives
mostly on the northern part of the
coastmany work as fishermen.
The Indian population in Ecuador
has very little contact with any other
ethnic groups. They live mainly in
Education
Ecuador requires children ages 6 to
14 to attend school. Most schools,
however, are located in urban areas,
Spanish 10%
Black
10%
Amerindian
25%
Mestizo
55%
Roman
Catholic
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Literate
90%
Literacy
0 combat aircraft
Ecuadoran market
118
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
82
18
TVs
Cars
36
Phones
12
NA
VCRs
PCs
Egypt
Land area rank
30
smallest country
Population rank
15
fewest people
At a Glance
Mediterranean Sea
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Alexandria
Beni Suef
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
200
200
S U D A N
Farms/ cropland 2%
Average Rainfall
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
Se
6 in/15 cm
miles
km
ed
Aswan
Lake
Nasser
40F/4C
D E S E R T
T
E R
E S
9 in/23 cm
Luxor
L I B Y A N
E
Qena
N
W
SAUDI
ARABIA
er
60F/16C
iv
12 in/30 cm
SINAI
A
B I
80F/27C
Asyut
L I B Y A
15 in/38 cm
Nile R
El Minya
Suez
R A
El Giza
AUSTRALIA
JORDAN
Suez
Canal
Cairo
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
Port Said
Tanta
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
ISRAEL
Nile Delta
The Place
Other
33%
Basic
metals and
manufactures
5%
Cotton
yarn, textiles,
and clothing
13%
Petroleum
and petroleum
products
49%
Exports
Permanent
pastures
0%
Other
98%
Forests
0%
Land Use
$5 billion
119
Egypt
(continued)
Pyramids, Giza
Other 1%
The People
Most Egyptians live along the Nile
River, even though this area only
accounts for about 4% of the countrys land. There are slightly more
people living in rural areas than in
urban cities. There are also some
Bedouin nomads in desert regions.
Eastern
Hamitic
99%
Muslim
(mainly Sunni)
94%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
The Egyptian government requires
all children between the ages of 6 and
14 to attend school. Once children
reach the age of 12, however, they
can generally quit school without
difficulty. About 50% of the students
who complete the elementary level
continue on to high school. About
20% of high school graduates go to
college.
The education system in Egypt
has many problems. Urban schools
120
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
51%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
98
TVs
19
28
26
Cars
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
3,500 tanks
11 major ships
564 combat aircraft
El Salvador
Land area rank
152
smallest country
Population rank
98
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
miles
20
ASIA
0 km 20
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
LA
E
S
Metapn
H O N D URA S
Chalatenango
Santa Ana
Chalchuapa
Ahuachapan
Sensuntepeque
San Salvador
Nueva San Salvador
San Vicente
Acajutla
Zacatecoluca
Jiquilisco
I F
I C
San Miguel
Usulutan
La Union
O C
E A N
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Amerindian White 1%
5%
Average Rainfall
Other
47%
Raw
sugar 4%
Coffee
33%
Exports
$2 billion
Paper and
paper
products
7%
Clothing 5%
Pharmaceuticals
4%
Other
25%
Mestizo
94%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
75%
Major Religions
121
Equatorial Guinea
Land area rank
142
smallest country
Population rank
164
fewest people
At a Glance
Malabo
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Luba
ASIA
Bioko
SOUTH
AMERICA
A N TA R C T I C A
Ebebiyin
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
miles
km
50
GABON
Acurnam
50
The People
Wood
42%
Almost 80%
of Equatorial
Guineans live
on the mainland.
The majority
of people here
belong to the
Fang, an African
ethnic group.
Pope John Paul II greets a crowd in
Equatorial Guinea
Many people
living on the
island of Bioko are also of African descent and belong
to the Bubi or Fernandino ethnic groups.
More than 60% of the population lives in rural areas.
Most rural dwellers are farmers, but some also fish and
work in lumber camps. Urban dwellers usually work in
small factories.
The largest problem for Equatorial Guineans is the
countrys poor health system. Although improving basic
health services is a government priority, there are very few
doctors and little funding. As a result, malaria, measles, and
other infectious diseases spread quickly. The countrys
death rate is slightly higher than most African countries,
and the average life expectancy is 52 years of age.
Petroleum
products
45%
Exports
$197 million
122
Other 10%
Mostly Bubi
and Fang groups
0 in/0 cm
Evinayong
Ri o Muni
Other 7%
Cocoa 6%
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Mongomo
Mbini
Ncue
Bata
A T L A N T I C
O C E A N
80F/27C
Gu lf
o f
Gu in e a
AUSTRALIA
The Place
100F/38C
C A M E R O ON
AFRICA
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
90%
Major Religions
Eritrea
Land area rank
97
smallest country
Population rank
119
fewest people
At a Glance
SA U D I
A RA BIA
SUDAN
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
ka R.
AFRICA
Keren
Massawa
Akordat
Teseney
Asmara
G a s h Barentu
R
Mendefera
.
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
9 in/23 cm
60F/16C
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Chemical
products 3%
Machinery
and transport
equipment 4%
Manufactured
goods 19%
Dahlak
Archipelago
Y EM EN
N
W
ETHIOPIA
S
0
0
miles
km
Aseb
100
100
DJIBOUTI
The People
More than three-quarters of the Eritreans live in rural
areas. The population density is about 96 people per
square mile (32 people per sq km). Most of these
peopleabout 80% of the Eritrean populationwork
as farmers or herders. Many households have several
generations of family. Life expectancy is 56 years.
Eritreans have different cultures, different religions and
speak different languages. Most
Eritrean Family
of the groups, however, get
along. About half the countrys
people are Christian who speak
Tigrinya. They mostly live in
the central plateau.
The Muslim population
is about the same size as
the Christians, but they are
comprised of smaller ethnic
groups. Tigre-speaking
Muslims live in the northern
plain and the western lowlands. The Saho live along
the coastal plain. The Danakil
and Bilen-speaking Eritreans
inhabit the southeast part of
the coastal plain.
Eritrea is a narrow
country that stretches
along the northeast
coast of Africa. It has a
715-mile- (1,151-km)
long coastline on the
Red Sea.
Eritrea has four main
land regions. The Red
Sea Coastal Plain is in the southeast part of the country.
It is extremely dry and very hot. In fact, the regions
Danakil Depression has experienced some of the hottest
temperatures in the world.
To the west of the coastal plain is the South Central
Plateau Highland. This area makes up most of the
country. Elevations range from 6,000 to 8,000 feet
(1,830 to 2,440 m) above sea level.
Rolling hills extend to the north and west of the
highlands and average 2,500 to 4,500 feet (760 to 1,370
m) above sea level. To the northwest lies a large plain
that is bound by the Baraka and Gash rivers.
Red Sea
Bara
Other
14%
Raw
materials
30%
Food
products
26%
Exports
$71 million
Saho 3% Other 3%
Afar 4%
Tigre
and
Kunama
40%
Tigrinya
50%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 10%
Christian
45%
Muslim
45%
Major Religions
123
Estonia
Land area rank
133
smallest country
Population rank
148
fewest people
At a Glance
F IN L A N D
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Gu l f o f Fi n l an d
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Hiiumaa
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
124
Average Rainfall
9 in/23 cm
0
0
miles
km
Textiles
16%
$2 billion
50
L A T V IA
50
The People
Other
43%
Exports
RUSSIA
Tartu
Gu l f o f
Ri g a
Machinery and
equipment
16%
Metals 9%
ke
La jarv
rts
60F/16C
Vo
12 in/30 cm
Lake
Pe i pu s
Paide
Parnu
Saaremaa
Haapsalu
B alt ic
S e a
The Place
80F/27C
Narva
Tapa
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
Kohtla-Jarve
Tallinn
Food
products
16%
Other 7%
Russian
29%
Estonian
64%
Ethnic Makeup
Evangelical Lutheran,
Russian Othodox,
Estonian Orthodox
Major Religions
Ethiopia
Land area rank
26
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
ERITREA
At a Glance
Blu
e
ll
Nazret
re
at
Goba
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
if
t
R
Jima
Dire Dawa
S U
D A
N
ile
eN
y
Addis Abbaba
Debre Zeyit
ASIA
Gulf of Aden
DJIBOUTI
Dese
AFRICA
A N TA R C T I C A
Y E M E N
Gonder
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Red
Sea
Mekele
White Nile
AUSTRALIA
Lake
Turkana
UGANDA
and Eritrea.
The Ethiopian
Plateau makes up about two-thirds
of the country and is the best farmland. The plateau averages about
6,000 to 10,000 feet (1,800 to 3,000
KENYA
miles
km
200
200
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Petroleum products
3%
Other
16%
Pulses
4%
Hides
13%
Farms / cropland
13%
Other
22%
Coffee
64%
Forests
25%
Permanent
pastures
40%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Land Use
$418 million
125
Ethiopia (Continued)
The People
Ethiopia has the third-largest population in Africa. The majority of the
people live on the Ethiopian Plateau
because of its great agricultural
conditions. Harsh climate and poor
soil result in few people living in
lowland areas.
Ethiopians can be divided into
two main groups. The Semites
speak Semitic
languages and
include the
Amhara, Tigre,
and Gurage ethnic
groups. Much of
this population lives
in the northern
and central parts
of the country. The
Hamites speak
Cushitic languages
and include the
Afar, Somali, and
Oromo ethnic
groups. These people live mostly in
eastern and southern Ethiopia.
About 5% of Ethiopians are of
native African descent and live on
the countrys western border.
Approximately 87% of the people
live in rural areas. Many rural
Ethiopians live in small villages.
Their houses are made out of wood
and mud. There are some nomads
who raise livestock in rural areas,
but most are farmers. The majority
126
Afar, Somali,
Oromo
40%
Amhara
and Tigrean
32%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 3%
Indigenous
beliefs
17%
Muslim
43%
Ethiopian
Orthodox
37%
Major Religions
of the rural population is poor.
Some rural Ethiopians migrate to
cities to find work, but many urban
areas also suffer from poverty. Cities
have better health care facilities and
housing than rural areas. Life
expectancy is 41 years.
Education
Ethiopian children are required to
attend school between the ages of 6
and 13. However, less than 40% of
elementary school-aged children,
and about 15% of secondary schoolaged children, attend classes. About
1% of college-age students seeking
a higher education attend Addis
Ababa University. The school also
has smaller branches spread
throughout the country. There are
Other
19%
Sidamo
9%
Government
Literate
36%
Defense
Literacy
350 tanks
0 major ships
22 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Fiji
Land area rank
156
smallest country
Population rank
156
fewest people
At a Glance
P A C I F I C
Labasa
Vanua Levu
Savusavu
Taveuni
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Lautoka
AUSTRALIA
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Molasses 3%
Timber 6%
Koro
Sea
dav
as
u P
ke
ba
Pa
ss
ag
e
sag
Kadavu
miles
km 50
50
Other
13%
Sugar
35%
Fish 8%
Gold 10%
ag
The People
Coconut oil 1%
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Ka
uk
ss
Levuka
Viti Levu
Suva
N
The Place
80F/27C
an
Pa
La
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
O C E A N
Indian
46%
Fijian
49%
Clothing
24%
Exports
$639 million
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim Other 2%
8%
Hindu
38%
Christian
52%
Major Religions
127
Finland
Land area rank
68
smallest country
Population rank
107
fewest people
ARCT IC OCE AN
At a Glance
Official Name: Republic of Finland
Continent: Europe
Area: 117,942 square miles
EQUATOR
(305,470 sq km)
Population: 5,175,783
Capital City: Helsinki
Largest City: Helsinki (525,031)
Unit of Money: Markka
Major Languages: Finnish and Swedish (both official)
Literacy: 99%
Land Use: 8% arable, 76% forest, 16% other
Natural Resources: copper, zinc, iron ore
Government: Republic
Defense: $2.1 billion
NORWAY
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
L a p l a n d
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
White Sea
Rovaniemi
A N TA R C T I C A
RUSSIA
Oulu
SWEDEN
miles
km
100
100
ot
hn
ia
Kuopio
of
Vaasa
ul
Jyvskyl
Tampere
The Place
Lahti
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
128
Average Rainfall
0F/-18C
Lappeenranta
Pori
Chemicals
and chemical
products 10%
Paper, paper
products, and
publishing 23%
Other
27%
Espoo
Baltic Sea
$38 billion
lf
Gu
in
of F
lan
ESTONIA
The People
Most Finns live in the south, where the terrain and the
climate are more hospitable. About 30% of the labor
force is employed by public services, 21% work in
industry, and 15% work in commerce. Another 12% of
the work force is unemployed.
More than 60% of the Finnish population lives in urban
areas, and about 20% lives in the capital, Helsinki. In
cities, many Finns rent or own apartments.
Rural dwellers usually own single-family
homes, either in villages or on farms.
The Finnish government provides
its citizens with excellent social and
welfare services. A health insurance
program is provided for every Finn,
pensions for the retired, and
allowances for families. Finland
has one of the highest-ranked
school systems in the world. Life
expectancy is 77 years.
Metal
products and
machinery
40%
Other 7%
Finnish
93%
Exports
Kotka
Helsinki
Turku
Lake
Ladoga
Ethnic Makeup
Greek
Orthodox
1%
Other 10%
Evangelical
Lutheran
89%
Major Religions
France
Land area rank
48
smallest country
Population rank
21
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
UNITED KINGDOM
ASIA
BELGIUM
En
LUX.
Le Havre
Rouen
Se
ine
AUSTRALIA
Caen
Metz
Strasbourg
Paris
Brest
A N TA R C T I C A
Rennes
GERMANY
Orlans
Tours
Lo
ire
Dijon
Nantes
SWITZERLAND
AT L ANT I C
O C EAN
Limoges
Lyon
Rhone
Clermont-Ferrand
B ay o f
B i s c ay
Bordeaux
Ga
PS
SOUTH
AMERICA
h
glis
Lille
nel
n
Cha
Rhin
e
AFRICA
e
in
Se
AL
NORTH
AMERICA
ITALY
ro
nn
Bayonne
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Toulouse
Frances longest
W
E
river, begins here.
SPAIN
ANDORRA
To the southeast,
S
0
miles
100
the French Alps
0 km 100
and the Jura
Mountains are
Eiffel Tower, Paris
home to Mont Blanc, the
countrys highest point at
15,771 feet (4,807 m).
The southern part of
France includes the
Mediterranean Lowlands.
There are many farms near
the fertile Rhone Valley
of the region. In the southwest, the Pyrenees
Mountain have peaks more
than 10,000 feet (3,000 m)
tall. Corsica, located about
100 miles (160 km) off the
mainland, also belongs to
France. It has steep hills and
a rocky coastline, but crops
grow in the valleys.
Other
31%
Plastics 3%
Machinery
and transport
equipment
43%
Chemical
products 8%
Agricultural
products 15%
Exports
Nice
MONACO
Marseille
Corsica
Mediterranean Sea
Other
18%
Forests
27%
Farms /
cropland
35%
Permanent
pastures
20%
Land Use
$275 billion
129
France
(continued)
The People
North
African
3%
About 75% of the French population lives in urban areas. Many city
dwellers live in fancy old apartments.
As a result of strict regulations on
traffic, noise, and construction, city
living is mostly enjoyable but also
German 2%
Jewish 1%
Other 6%
Muslim 1%
Protestant
2%
Other 3%
Roman
Catholic
90%
French
92%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
French children between the ages of
2 and 6 may attend a free preschool
to prepare for elementary school.
The majority of children attend
public schools, but Roman Catholic
Churches also run private schools.
From ages 6 to 11, children are
required to attend elementary
school. After elementary school,
they go on to a collegea four-year
school similar to junior high. By age
15, most students enter a lyce,
which is either a high school or
130
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
99%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
1,016 tanks
60 major ships
682 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
Outdoor produce markets are common
throughout France.
421
177
21
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Gabon
Land area rank
76
smallest country
Population rank
151
fewest people
CAMEROON
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AUSTRALIA
Oyem
Libreville
Makakou
o
Og
A N TA R C T I C A
Port-Gentil
iver
e R
Lambarn
CONGO
er
SOUTH
AMERICA
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Massoukou
AT
Koulamoutou
iv
AFRICA
LA
N
Cong
T
IC
N
W
Tchibanga
miles
km
150
150
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 1%
Wood 12%
Crude petroleum
and petroleum
products 81%
0 in/0 cm
Other 9%
French 2%
Exports
$3 billion
Eshira
25%
Fang
35%
Other Bantu
29%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
2545%
Christian
5575%
Major Religions
131
Gambia
Land area rank
165
smallest country
Population rank
149
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
S E N E G A L
miles
25
0 km 25
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
ATLANTIC OCEAN
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
E
S
Bakau
Banjul
Sukuta
Brikama
Sukuta
Georgetown
Farafenni
Mansa Konko
Bansang
bia River
Kerewan
Gam
Bwiam
Basse Santa Su
S E N E G A L
G U IN E A = B I SSA U
The People
There are many different ethnic groups in Gambia. The
largest group is the Mandinka, and they tend to be most
influential in politics. The Fula make up about 18% of
the population and live mainly in
the eastern part of the country.
The Wolof live in Banjul and in
other western regions. The Jola
make up one-tenth of the population and also live in the west. The
Serahuli are nomads.
Gambia is one of the least
populated countries in Africa.
The population is growing quickly,
however, at a rate of 3.3% each
Man in a dance troupe
year. Women give birth to an
average of 6 children, and half the countrys population is
under the age of 16. The government is concerned with
the rapid population increase and is trying to institute
family planning programs. The population density is 315
people per square mile (122 people per sq km).
Health conditions are poor, and the country has high
infant mortality and death rates. Malaria, tuberculosis,
and parasitic diseases are very common. Life expectancy
is 55 years.
21 in/53 cm
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Domestic exports 7%
Ground nuts
9%
Re-exports
84%
0 in/0 cm
132
Average Rainfall
18 in/46 cm
Exports
$160 million
Serahuli Other 5%
9%
Jola
10%
Mandinka
42%
Wolof
16% Fula
18%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian
9%
Indigenous beliefs
1%
Muslim
90%
Major Religions
Georgia
Land area rank
120
smallest country
Population rank
111
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
R U S S I A
SOUTH
AMERICA
S
Sokhumi
AUSTRALIA
C a
u c
a s
u s
A N TA R C T I C A
K'ut'aisi
Black Sea
P'ot'i
Bat'umi
T U R K E Y
0
miles
Kura
Ri
ver
Gori
Tbilisi
Rust'avi
ARMENIA
50
AZERBAIJAN
0 km 50
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Azeri 6%
Average Rainfall
Other
28%
Chemicals
5%
Textiles
7%
Food
products
30%
Ferrous
metals 30%
Exports
$400 million
Other 10%
Russian
6%
Georgian
70%
Armenian
8%
Ethnic Makeup
Armenian
Apostolic
8%
Muslim
11%
Other 6%
Christian
Orthodox
75%
Major Religions
133
Germany
Land area rank
62
smallest country
Population rank
12
fewest people
At a Glance
W
E
S
B altic S e a
North S ea
Kiel
NE
TH
ERL
eR
iver
Magdeburg
Berlin
Essen
Leipzig
Dsseldorf
Cologne
Bonn
r
ive
BELGIUM
Elb
Hannover
R
ine
Rh
A N TA R C T I C A
er
er
AUSTRALIA
Bremen
Riv
SOUTH
AMERICA
er
We s
iv
Ems R
AN
DS
ASIA
AFRICA
POLAND
Rostock
Hamburg
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
SWEDEN
DENMARK
r
ve
O d e r Ri
Kassel
Dresden
Frankfurt
am Main
Wiesbaden
LUX.
Mannheim
CZECH
REPUBLIC
Nrnberg
miles 100
0 km 100
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
134
Average Rainfall
Rhi
ne R
iver
Karlsruhe
FRANCE
Electrical
machinery
and office
equipment
10%
Chemicals and
chemical products
13%
Other
25%
Machinery
and transport
equipment
50%
Exports
$521 billion
Da
e
ub
Riv
BAVARIA
er
Munich
A U STRIA
SWITZERLAND
Stuttgart
Black
Forest
Other
20%
Farms/
cropland
34%
Forests
31%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
15%
Germany
The People
Germany is the second-most
populated country in Europe. The
population density averages 605
people per square mile (230 people
per sq km). About 85% of the population lives in urban areas. Many
cities are overcrowded, and there are
housing shortages. Many urban
dwellers work in service and industry.
People in rural areas generally own
small farms. Only about 3% of the
Other 6%
Turkish
2%
German
92%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim 2%
Other
26%
Protestant
38%
Roman
Catholic
34%
Major Religions
Education
All German children must attend
school for at least 9 years. The
countrys individual states control
the education system in their districts.
In general, most elementary schools
have 4-year programs. After graduation, a child may choose between
several different types of schools. A
gymnasium is similar to junior high
school and prepares students for
college. Intermediate schools offer
some academics and some job
(continued)
Government
Literate
99%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
33 major ships
488 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
575
552
374
207
26
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
135
Ghana
Land area rank
81
smallest country
Population rank
50
fewest people
BURKINA FASO
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
A N TA R C T I C A
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
100
BENIN
TOGO
Kumasi
N
W
Koforidua
Asamankese
Accra
S
Sekondi-Takoradi
Lumber
14%
NIGERIA
Gold
45%
Cocoa
26%
Nsawam
Tema
Cape Coast
G ulf o f G uine a
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Other
24%
Forests
35%
Farms /
cropland
19%
Permanent
pastures
22%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$2 billion
136
km 100
Lake
V o l ta
Diamonds 2%
Electricity
Other
5%
8%
Average Rainfall
miles
COTE D'IVOIRE
The Place
Tamale
Ot i
lta
Black V o
Bolgatanga
ASIA
White V
olt
At a Glance
Land Use
Ghana
The People
Approximately 99% of the Ghanaian
population are black Africans, and
they are divided into more than 100
different ethnic groups. Two of the
main groups, the Akan and the
Moshi Dogamba, account for most
of the population. The Akan live
mostly in central Ghana, and the
Moshi Dogamba mainly inhabit the
Ghanaian boy
(continued)
Other
African tribes
19%
Ga 8%
Ewe
13%
Akan
44%
MoshiDagomba
16%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 8%
Indigenous
beliefs
38%
Christian
24%
Muslim
30%
Major Religions
Education
Ghana has one of the best school
systems in central Africa. Primary
and secondary education are free,
and children between the ages of 6
and 14 are required to attend
classes. About 75% of primary
school-aged children go to school,
but just 31% of secondary schoolaged children attend classes.
The country has four institutions
of higher learningthe University
of Ghana, the University of Science
Government
Literate
65%
Defense
Literacy
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
15
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
137
Greece
Land area rank
96
smallest country
Population rank
69
fewest people
BULGARIA
Adriatic
Sea
At a Glance
MACEDONIA
Drma
ITALY
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Corfu
ASIA
Xnthi
Thessaloniki
ALBANIA
N
W
Ionnina
Lrisa
Aegean
S e a Lesbos
AFRICA
TU RK EY
SOUTH
AMERICA
Agrinion
Ionian
AUSTRALIA
Athens
Ptrai
Sea
Peloponnesus
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
138
Average Rainfall
Other
31%
Cotton
4%
Minerals
4%
Petroleum
products
9%
Rhodes
S e a
The Place
Rdos
M e d i t e r r a n e a n
Textiles
26%
Food
26%
Exports
$10 billion
Khania
0
miles
km 100
Iraklion
Crete
100
Other
12%
Forests
20%
Farms /
cropland
27%
Permanent
pastures
41%
Land Use
Greece
The People
Other 2%
Muslim 1%
Greek
Orthodox
98%
Greek
98%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
Public education is free in Greece.
Children between the ages of 6 and
15 are required to attend school.
Elementary school has 6 grades,
as does the high school program.
More than 99% of elementary
school-aged children attend class,
and 97% of secondary school-aged
children go to school.
There are 16 universities and
colleges in Greece. The largest
institutions include Aristotelian
(Continued)
Government
Type: Parliamentary republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
95%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
195
172
94
4
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
21 major ships
351 combat aircraft
Grenada
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
208
197
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
P e ti te
M a rti n i q u e
Hillsborough
AFRICA
Carriacou
W
ea
SOUTH
AMERICA
ea
AUSTRALIA
Ronde
A N TA R C T I C A
ri
Victoria
G r e na da
Grenville
St. Georges
IC
0
0
miles
km
10
10
The People
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
The Place
Other
29%
Clothing 6%
Bananas 9%
Re-exports
11%
Fish
16%
Exports
$24 million
140
Other Protestant
Sects 33%
Cocoa
beans
15%
Nutmeg
14%
Mostly African
Ethnic Makeup
Anglican
14%
Roman
Catholic
53%
Major Religions
Guatemala
Land area rank
104
smallest country
Population rank
63
fewest people
At a Glance
W
E
S
Flores
MEXICO
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Caribbean
Sea
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Quezaltenango
A N TA R C T I C A
miles
Mazatenango
100
H ON D U RA S
Jutiapa
Escuintla
0 km 100
Lake Atitlan
Puerto Barrios
Lake
Izabal
Coban
AUSTRALIA
PACIFIC OCEAN
The Place
BEL IZE
EL SA L V A D OR
is covered mostly by tropical rain forest. There are also some grassland
areas. Lake Izabal, the countrys
largest lake, lies in the eastern part of
the region. The Northern Plain is the
least developed part of Guatemala.
The Highlands extend from east to
west across the center of the country.
The tallest mountain in Central
AmericaVolcan Tajumulco
reaches an elevation of 13,845 feet
(4,220 m). Guatemalas longest river,
the Motagna, also begins in this area
and flows for 250 miles (402 km).
The Pacific Lowlands are in the
south. The region is mainly farmland,
with cotton and sugar cane plantations. Many of the countrys rivers
flow through the lowlands before
draining into the Pacific Ocean.
The temperatures of Guatemalas
tropical climate vary by elevation.
Lower regions reach around 80 F
(27 C) throughout the year, while the
highlands rarely exceed 70 F (21 C).
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Other 5%
Average Rainfall
Farms /
cropland
17%
Coffee
23%
Other
52%
Exports
Sugar
10%
Bananas 8%
Vegetable
seeds 4%
Legumes 3%
Forests
54%
Permanent
pastures
24%
Land Use
$3 billion
141
Guatemala
(continued)
The People
Two main groups characterize the
Guatemalan populationIndians
and Ladinos. These groups are
based loosely on ancestry, but
Indians may adopt the Ladino way
of life and vice versa. People are
placed into one of these groups
depending on how they live, what
language they speak, and what
clothes they wear.
Indians account for about 44% of
the countrys population. They are
Amerindian
44%
Mestizo
(Ladino)
56%
Ethnic Makeup
part of individual
communities, not
tribes. Most speak
one of the many
Maya Indian
languages. Although
many Indian communities speak the same Mayan Indian Girls, Tikal, Guatemala
languages, they rarely
associate with each other. Indians are
Most Ladinos are of mixed
usually poor and have little access to
Spanish ancestry and make up about
education or health care. They live in 56% of the population. They are
rural areas or small towns.
designated mainly by their income
and social class. Ladinos belong to
the lower, middle, and upper parts of
society. Most, however, are farmers
and are as poor as the Indians. Many
Roman Catholic,
Ladinos live in cities or towns, and
Protestant, Traditional
Mayan
have better access to medical services
and educational opportunities. The
Ladino population is growing faster
Major Religions
than the Indian population. Life
expectancy is 56 years.
Education
The education system in Guatemala
is poor due to shortages of schools
and teachers. Children between
the ages of 7 and 13 are required
to attend class, but only 55% of
primary school-aged children do so.
Government
Literate
56%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
142
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
45
TVs
27
Cars
16
NA
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Guinea
89
Population rank
fewest people
SENEGAL
ig
GUINEA-BISSAU
R.
fi n
Siguiri
an
Ba
Lab
ka
Ri
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
er
iv
er
AFRICA
Bok
A N TA R C T I C A
R.
IC
N
W
on
Di
Kankan
Kindia
Conakry
SIERRA
LEONE
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Guinea
Continent: Africa
Area: 94,927 square
miles (245,860 sq km)
Population: 7,613,870
Capital City: Conakry
Largest City: Conakry (654,000)
Unit of Money: Guinean franc
Major Languages: French (official)
Literacy: 36%
Land Use: 2% arable, 22% meadow, 59% forest,
17% other
Natural Resources: Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold
Government: Republic
Defense: $43 million
MALI
amb
G
ASIA
r a ni
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ve
At a Glance
Macenta
E
0
miles
km
LIBE RIA
100
100
The People
Diamonds
6%
Coffee
9%
Indigenous beliefs
7%
Christian
8%
Other 10%
Other 9%
Bauxite
43%
Sosso
20%
Fula
40%
Malinke
30%
Gold 13%
Exports
$748 million
Alumina
16%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
85%
Major Religions
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Fish 3%
0 in/0 cm
143
Guinea-Bissau
Land area rank
143
smallest country
Population rank
150
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
SENEGAL
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
Canchungo
A N TA R C T I C A
Bafat
Bissau
Gab
G
eb
a
Farim
Ri
ve
r
SOUTH
AMERICA
N
W
IC
GUINEA
Cati
0
0
miles
km
50
50
The People
Other 3%
Papel
7%
Cashews
86%
Exports
$26 million
144
Christian 5%
Other 16%
Balanta
30%
Mandinga
13%
Fula
20%
Manjaca
14%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
45%
Indigenous
beliefs
50%
Major Religions
Cotton 5%
Lumber
6%
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Guyana
Land area rank
85
smallest country
fewest people
At a Glance
AT
Morawhanna
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Co-operative
Republic of Guyana
Continent: South America
Area: 83,000 square miles
(214,970 sq km)
Population: 697,181
Capital City: Georgetown
Largest City: Georgetown (72,049)
Unit of Money: Guyanese dollar
Major Languages: English (official)
Literacy: 98%
Land Use: 2% arable, 6% meadow, 84% forest,
8% other
Natural Resources: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, timber
Government: Republic
Defense: $7 million
LA
NT
IC
AFRICA
OCE
AN
Georgetown
SOUTH
AMERICA
New Amsterdam
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Linden
Corriverton
F REN CH G U IA N A
Population rank
V E N E Z U E L A
Es
seq
W
miles
S U R IN A M E
River
uibo
Apoteri
Biloku
100
0 km 100
B R A Z I L
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
Other 12%
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Amerindian 6%
Sugar
26%
Timber
9%
Bauxite
15% Rice
16%
Gold
18%
Exports
Other 1%
Mixed
12%
Black
32%
East
Indian
49%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
9%
Hindu
33%
Other 1%
Christian
57%
Major Religions
$546 million
145
Haiti
Land area rank
144
smallest country
Population rank
94
fewest people
CUBA
ATLANTIC OCEAN
e
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
a
AUSTRALIA
in
Gonaves
Golfe de la
Gonve
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
9 in/23 cm
Essential
oils 7%
on
Saint-Marc
ite
Hinche
Ri
ve
Les Cayes
Port-au-Prince
Jacmel
E
S
C a r i
b b e a n
Sea
miles
km
50
50
The People
Most Haitians are black Africans who live on the coast
and in the mountain valleys. These areas are popular
because of their rich soil and farming potential. Most
Haitians are farmers and have less than 2 acres (0.8 ha)
of land. They raise food for
their families and sell any
extra produce. Many farmers
also travel to the Dominican
Republic and Cuba to work
on large plantations. Farmers
usually live in one-room mud
huts with thatched roofs.
Approximately 5% of the
population is mulatto, a mix
of black and white ancestry.
Mulattos have a great deal
more money than most black
Haitian woman
Africans and belong to the
upper classes. Some work as
doctors and lawyers, and many have modern houses
and luxuries.
Health care is a problem for poor Haitians. Most
cannot afford medical attention and rely on voodoo,
or folk, treatments. There is 1 doctor for every 7,000
people. The average life expectancy is 51 years.
Other
Protestant 6%
Other 4%
Baptist
10%
Other
22%
Clothing
48%
Coffee 8%
Black
95%
Roman
Catholic
80%
0 in/0 cm
Handicrafts
15%
Exports
$90 million
146
tib
Petit-Gove
N
Other 5%
60F/16C
Ar
Jrmie
12 in/30 cm
Limbe
Ile de la
^
Gonave
The Place
15 in/38 cm
Gros Morne
A N TA R C T I C A
80F/27C
Cap-Hatien
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
Port-de-Paix
ASIA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
At a Glance
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Honduras
Land area rank
100
smallest country
Population rank
97
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
BELIZE
C a r i b b
e a n
ASIA
Sea
AFRICA
Puerto Corts
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Trujillo
La Ceiba
El Progreso
Olanchito
Puerto Lempira
Macuelizo
A N TA R C T I C A
AL
EM
Santa Rosa
de Copn
AT
GU
Tegucigalpa
EL SALVADOR
PAC
Juticalpa
Comayagua
Danl
Nacaome
Choluteca
IFI
C O
CE
NICARAGUA
0
AN
miles
km
100
100
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other
29%
White 1%
Other 3%
Coffee
32%
Bananas
20%
Exports
Mestizo
90%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
97%
Major Religions
$1 billion
147
Hong Kong
Land area rank
184
smallest country
Population rank
93
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
C H I N A
ASIA
Sham
AFRICA
ver
n Ri
Chu
Fanling
SOUTH
AMERICA
S
AUSTRALIA
Yuen Long
Tuen Mun
A N TA R C T I C A
Tsun Wan
New Kowloon
Kowloon
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
6 in/15 cm
40F/4C
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
148
miles
km
10
10
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
The People
80F/27C
Hong
Kong Island
SOUTH
CHINA SEA
The Place
100F/38C
Victoria
Lantau
Island
Other
33%
Clothing
33%
Office
machines 6%
Textile
fabrics 7%
Electrical
machinery 14%
Exports
$181 billion
Watches and
clocks 7%
Protestant
4%
Chinese
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
5%
Other
17%
Buddhist
and
Daoist
74%
Major Religions
Hungary
110
Population rank
77
fewest people
At a Glance
CZECH REPUBLIC
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
UKRAINE
SLOVAKIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Miskolc
AUSTRALIA
Gyor
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Budapest
Debrecen
Szombathely
N
AU
Szkesfehrvr
Keckemt
Danube
Lake
Balaton
SLOVENIA
CROATIA
E
S
Szeged
ROMANIA
Pcs
Average Rainfall
ST
RIA
A N TA R C T I C A
YUGOSLAVIA
miles
km 50
50
Other 5%
Food and
live animals
18%
Other
15%
Manufactured
goods
Machinery
47%
and transport
equipment
26%
Exports
Forests
19%
Permanent
pastures 13%
Farms /
cropland
53%
Land Use
$16 billion
149
Hungary
(continued)
The People
Hungary averages about 280 people
per square mile (110 people per sq
km). About 65% of the population
lives in urban areas. Many cities
experience housing shortages. City
dwellers usually live in apartments
or one-family homes. Many rural
families live in small stucco houses.
Approximately 60% of
Hungarians work in services. Some
of these jobs include engineering,
education, and health care. Another
Other 7%
Lutheran
5%
Calvinist
20%
German 3%
ing for modern equipment and necessary supplies. The average life
expectancy is 71 years. More than
two-thirds of Hungarians are
Roman Catholic.
Other 3%
Gypsy 4%
Roman
Catholic
68%
Major Religions
Education
Hungarian children between the ages
of 6 and 16 are required to attend
school. The government runs most
schools, and they are free. Some
private schools are run by religious
groups. After completing 8 years of
primary school, students may enter
one of 3 types of schools. A 2-year
vocational school offers job training.
A 3-year skilled worker training
school provides more comprehensive
Hungarian
90%
Ethnic Makeup
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
99%
Literacy
185
180
50
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
Iceland
Land area rank
106
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
G r e e n l and
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Iceland
Continent: Europe
Area: 38,707 square
miles (100,250 sq km)
Population: 277,906
Capital City: Reykjavik
Largest City: Reykjavik (103,020)
Unit of Money: Icelandic krona
Major Languages: Icelandic (official)
Literacy: 100%
Land Use: 23% pastures, 1% forests, 76% other
Natural Resources: fish, hydroelectric power
Government: Constitutional republic
Defense: No armed forces
Sea
it
AFRICA
ra
SOUTH
AMERICA
Hsavik
en
safjrdhur
AUSTRALIA
Akureyri
Seydhisfjrdhur
A N TA R C T I C A
Vatnajkull
Glacier
Keflavk
N
W
15 in/38 cm
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
miles
km 50
50
A T L A N T I C
Aluminum
10%
Other Protestant
and Roman Catholic
3%
Fish
and fish
products
73%
Descendants
of Norwegians
and Celts
0 in/0 cm
N
E A
O C
Other 17%
Average Rainfall
80F/27C
The People
The Place
100F/38C
Hafnarfjrdhur
E
S
Hfn
Reykjavk
Exports
$2 billion
Ethnic Makeup
None 1%
Evangelical
Lutheran
96%
Major Religions
151
India
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Ind
Srinagar us
AFRICA
miles
km 200
200
N
W
EQUATOR
C H I N A
SOUTH
AMERICA
S
AUSTRALIA
PAKISTAN
At a Glance
Ludhiana
Meerut
A N TA R C T I C A
New Delhi
du
In
Ga
nge
Jaipur
Jamnagar
Vadodara
Rajkot
Narmad
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
152
Guwahati
Imphal
Gan
ges
Bombay
Jabalpur
BANGLADESH
Calcutta
Nagpur
Ulhasnagar
Godavar
Pune
MYANMAR
(BURMA)
Varanasi
hna
B a y
i R.
Sholapur
Kris
Jamshedpur
a R.
Surat
Hyderabad
Vishakhapatnam
R.
o f
B e n g a l
Hubli
Arabian
Sea
Bangalore
Madras
Mangalore
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Patna
utra
map
Brah
Dhanbad
Bhopal
Indore
Ahmadabad
80F/27C
BHUTAN
Allahabad
Coimbatore
15 in/38 cm
Lucknow
Kanpur
Jodhpur
The Place
100F/38C
N EPA L
Agra
Laccadive
Sea
Cochin
Andaman
Islands
Tiruchchirappalli
Andaman
Sea
Madurai
SRI LANKA
INDIAN OCEAN
Nicobar
Islands
India (continued)
spot in the country, Kanchenjunga,
is 28,208 feet (8,598 m) high and
located near the Nepal border.
The Northern Plains extend from
the edge of the Himalayas for about
1,500 miles (2,400 km) to central
India. They vary from 150 to 200
miles (240 to 320 km) wide. The
rich soil in the Northern Plains
enables farms to thrive there. The
Ganges River, which is sacred to
most Indians, flows through the
northern part of this region out to
the Bay of Bengal. The Thar Desert
is located to the west.
Indias southern peninsula is
called the Deccan Plateau. Many
mountain ranges surround this area.
To the north, the Satpura Range
Leather
products 5%
Other
21%
Other
16%
Agricultural
products
19%
Chemical
products 7%
Forests
23%
Diamonds
and jewelry
17%
Cotton yarn,
fabrics and thread 8%
Machinery and
metal products 11%
Exports
Garments
12%
Permanent
pastures 4%
Farms/
cropland
57%
Land Use
$34 billion
Ladakh, India
Resources
Farm land
Forests
Pastures
Other
Manufacturing
Textiles
Engineering
Chemicals
Cattle
Rice
Tea
153
India
(continued)
The History
The Indus-Valley civilization existed
in present-day India between 2600
B.C.E. and 2000 B.C.E. The Aryans
invaded the area around 1500 B.C.E.
and began the Sanskrit and Verdic
religions. These beliefs eventually
evolved into Hinduism. Buddhism
spread through India in the 6th
century B.C.E.Under King Asoka, the
population slowly became unified.
Many different countries influenced Indias early development.
Vasco da Gama came to India in
1498 and established Portuguese
The People
Government
Type: Federal republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
980,000 army personnel
2,400 tanks
40 major ships
844 combat aircraft
Dravidian
25%
Indo-Aryan
72%
Ethnic Makeup
Sikh 2%
Other 2%
Christian 2%
Muslim
14%
Hindu
80%
Major Religions
India
Education
Children ages 6 through 14 are
entitled to a free education. About
98% of primary school-aged children go to school. Less than half of
all secondary school-aged children
receive further education. Once
children are about 10 years old,
many parents remove them from
school to work on the family farm,
(continued)
Industry
15%
Services
18%
Agriculture
67%
Labor Force
Literate
52%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
27
TVs
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
155
Indonesia
Land area rank
16
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
S o u t h
C h i n a
S e a
VIETNAM
Andaman
Sea
PHILIPPINES
THAILAND
St
r
Natuna
AL
cc
A
SI
Simeulue
SINGAPORE
Su
m
at
Pakamburu
Pontianak
ra
Kap u a
Padang
Jambi
Siberut
Palembang
Telukbetung
nd
I A
N
E
0
Java
miles
km
New Guinea
Ujungpandang
ng
m
rta aya
Se aka
b
ra
r
Su
Su
ta
r
ka
gy
Jayapura
Seram
a
ar
Ba
Celebes
S e a
Jakarta
g
un
Halmahera
Samarinda
Balikpapan
Banjarmasin
J a v a
Enggano
I N
.
s R
g
lan
Bali
B a n d a
S e a
Aru
Tanimbar
Sumbawa
Sumba
Yo
O C
E A N
Manado
Borneo
sar
Nias
C e l e b e s
S e a
SIA
AY
AL
M
AY
I F
I C
Flores
Kupang
Ti
or
Arafura Sea
M
al
a
Medan
BRUNEI
Str
a it
of
Ma
ka
ai
t
Torres Str.
O C
E A N
300
T i m o r
S e a
AUSTRALIA
300
EUROPE
At a Glance
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
EQUATOR
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Village, Indonesia
156
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
The Place
Indonesia (continued)
four long peninsulas and is very
mountainous, with peaks reaching
10,000 feet (3,00 m) high.
The Lesser Sundra Islands consist
of the islands between Bali and
Timor. Indonesia only controls the
western part of Timor. Many of the
Lesser Sundras are mountainous.
The islands in the west have tropical
rain forests, but the islands to the
east have drier grasslands.
The Molucca Islands are located
in the northeastern part of
Indonesia. The largest island there
is Halmahera, which covers 6,870
square miles (17,790 sq km). It is
mountainous with dense forests.
This group also includes many coral
reefs and small islands.
Indonesias climate is hot and
humid, with an average annual temperature of about 80 F (27 C).
Heavy rains fall from December
through March, and dry weather
lasts from June to October. Borneo
and Sumatra receive the most rain,
while the Lesser Sundras receive
the least.
Other
47%
Footwear
6%
Textiles
and garments
21%
Wood
products
16%
Exports
Electronics
10%
Other Farms/
14% cropland
17%
Permanent
pastures
7%
Forests
62%
Land Use
$53 billion
Resources
Farm land
Manufacturing
Oil
Engineering
Cattle
Forests
Chemicals
Pastures
Rice
Other
157
Indonesia
(continued)
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
214,000 army personnel
331 tanks
15 major ships
73 combat aircraft
The People
Indonesia has the fourth-largest
population in the world. The country
averages about 282 people per
square mile (111 people per sq km).
Java is the most densely populated
island and has many industrial cities.
Although it only accounts for about
7% of the countrys total land area,
the island has about 60% of the
total population. Many city dwellers
live in modern houses or apartments. Large cities have skyscrapers
and bustling commercial districts.
About 65% of Indonesians live in
rural areas. They typically live in
small villages and work as farmers.
Many people live in traditional houses
158
History
Hindu priests had a strong influence
over the islands in the 1st century C.E.
Muslims invaded the area in the 13th
century, and most of the population
had converted to Islam by 1400. The
Dutch arrived in the late 16th century
and set up the Dutch United East
India Company to control the valuable spice trade. After a brief period of
British rule, Indonesia was made a
part of the Dutch kingdom.
During World War II, Japan
took control of the islands. When
Muslim
87%
Major Religions
Other
25%
Javanese
45%
Malay 8%
Madurese 8%
Sundanese 14%
Ethnic Makeup
Indonesia
Education
Indonesia requires children to
attend school for 9 years, and parents must pay a small fee for this
service. Children usually begin
school around the age of 7. Primary
school lasts for 6 years, and almost
100% of students attend. Junior secondary school is for 3 years, and
senior secondary school continues
for an additional 3 years. About half
of all secondary school-aged
children attend junior classes, and
about 30% go to senior classes.
Schools in some areas experience
teacher and textbook shortages.
Approximately 8% of college-aged
(continued)
Literate
84%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Sisters, Bali
Musicians, Java
Other
34%
Transport and
communications
4%
Construction
5%
Agriculture
44%
Labor Force
Manufacturing
13%
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
55
TVs
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
159
Iran
Land area rank
18
smallest country
Population rank
17
fewest people
ARMENIA
At a Glance
AZERBAIJAN
Caspian
Sea
TURKEY
NORTH
AMERICA
TURKMENISTAN
Ardabil
ASIA
AFRICA
Mashhad
SYRIA
Qom
Bakhtaran
AUSTRALIA
IRAQ
Esfahan
Ahvaz
A N TA R C T I C A
Abadan
N
W
S A U D I
A R A B I A
miles
km
200
200
Pe
rs
ia
Kerman
Zahedan
Bandar 'Abbas
G
ul
QATAR
f Hor
it o
ra
z
St
U. A. E.
Shiraz
KUWAIT
Gulf of Oman
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Farms / cropland
11%
Petroleum
products
75%
Other
55%
Permanent
pastures
27%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$19 billion
160
Land Use
Forests
7%
PAKISTAN
SOUTH
AMERICA
AFGHANISTAN
Tehran
Tabriz
EUROPE
Iran
Sunni Muslim
10%
(continued)
Other 1%
Shi'a Muslim
89%
Major Religions
Kurd 7%
Gilaki and
Other
Mazandarani
10%
8%
The People
Iran is made up of several different
ethnic groups. The Persians are the
largest group and account for about
half of the population. They mainly
live in the northern and central parts
of the country and speak Farsi. The
Azeris make up about one-fourth of
the population. They live in the
northwest and speak Turkic languages. Almost all Iranians belong to
the Shia Muslim sect.
More than 55% of the people live
in urban areas. Tehran and Esfahan
Persian
51%
Azerbaijani
24%
Ethnic Makeup
The standard of living is fairly
low in Iran. Over the last 20 years,
imports have declined. Unemployment is high, and the wealthy oil
business is controlled by a small
elite. The government is also struggling to keep up with the medical
needs of the growing population.
Life expectancy is 70 years.
Education
Iran requires children between the
ages of 6 and 14 to attend school.
Elementary schooling is free, but
there are fees for secondary education. About 97% of children attend
primary school. After completion,
students are monitored for 3 years
to determine what type of program
they will study in high school.
These programs include vocational,
science, and academic. About 53%
of secondary school-aged children
Government
Literate
72%
Defense
Literacy
1,440 tanks
7 major ships
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
66
35
TVs
Cars
41
Phones
13
NA
VCRs
PCs
161
Iraq
Land area rank
56
smallest country
Population rank
44
fewest people
T U R K E Y
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Mosel
M
E
SOUTH
AMERICA
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Karbala
JORDAN
miles
Ba'qubah
Al Hillah
Al Amarah
An Nasiriyah
Basra
100
KUWAIT Persian
Gulf
0 km 100
IRA N
Baghdad
An Najaf
S A U D I
A R A B IA
Karkuk
Oil
90%
Other
79%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$NA
162
es
Ar Ramadi
Syrian
Desert
Other 10%
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
ia
80F/27C
15 in/38 cm
ph
rat
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
.
s R
S Y R IA
R.
The Place
AUSTRALIA
Irbil
AFRICA
i
T i gr
ASIA
Land Use
Iraq
The People
Due to the extreme conditions in
the northeast and southwest, about
three-quarters of the Iraqi people
live in the southern plain between
the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Many large cities are located in this
region, as well as the countrys capital, Baghdad.
About 75% of Iraqis live in urban
areas. This number has been increasing as more and more people leave
Persian 3%
Other 3%
Sunni
Muslim
34%
Turkish 2%
Kurdish
16%
Shi'a
Muslim
63%
Major Religions
Education
Children in Iraq can attend school
for free. Primary school lasts for
6 years, and about 96% of the
children attend. About 47% of
secondary school-aged children go
to school. In several rural areas,
education facilities are not available.
About 14% of college-aged Iraqis
attend a university. There are 6 universities in the country, which are
Arab
79%
Ethnic Makeup
(continued)
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
58%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
68
56
34
TVs
Cars
Phones
13
NA
VCRs
PCs
163
Ireland
Land area rank
121
Population rank
123
smallest country
fewest people
Nort
At a Glance
EUROPE
ASIA
AFRICA
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Food
18%
0 in/0 cm
164
Average Rainfall
9 in/23 cm
Exports
$55 billion
AT
LA
Castlebar
Irish
Sea
Athlone
Dublin
no
nR
Galway
Sh
an
60F/16C
Manufactured
Other
goods
23%
5%
12 in/30 cm
IT
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
el
100F/38C
IN
NORTHERN
IRELAND
nn
Sligo
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
IC
SOUTH
AMERICA
hC
ha
Carlow
nn
Waterford
Killarney
ha
el
Limerick
NORTH
AMERICA
Cork
St
.G
eo
rg
e'
0
0
miles
km
50
50
The People
A little more than half of the Irish population lives in
urban areas. Although most people live in houses, apartments are becoming more popular. Most houses are
made of brick or concrete. They range in size from 4 to
7 rooms. People in rural areas have also been converting
to these types of houses from the traditional thatchedroof cottages.
Employment plays a major role in the quality of life in
Ireland. The most common areas of employment include
manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.
Unemployment, however,
affects about 12% of the
workforce. The government
has been working to solve
this problem, but many Irish
emigrate to Great Britain
and the United States.
The Roman Catholic
Church influences much of
Irelands way of life. Along
with the Church of Ireland,
Irish man
it controls most of the
countrys schools. The
Churchs views also influence many people. Life
expectancy is 77 years.
Machinery and
transport
equipment
35%
Chemical
products
19%
Other 5%
Irish
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Anglican
3%
Other 4%
Roman
Catholic
93%
Major Religions
Israel
153
Population rank
fewest people
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
Sea of Galilee
Haifa
EQUATOR
Nahariyya
ASIA
SYRIA
GOLAN
HEIGHTS
AFRICA
The Place
0F/-18C
LEBANON
Mediterranean Sea
At a Glance
Nazareth
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Hadera
Nablus
Tel Aviv-Yafo
Bat Yam
Holon
Ashdod
A N TA R C T I C A
Ashqelon
The People
Gaza
GAZA
Petah Tiqwa
WEST
BANK
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Hebron
Dead Sea
STRIP
The Israeli population is
Beersheba
overwhelmingly urban,
Dimona
with more than 90% of
Negev
the people living in urban
Desert
J ORD A N
areas. There are about
N
715 people per square
W
E
mile (272 people per sq
E G Y P T
km). The Mediterranean
S
coast is the most populated
0
miles 30
0 km 30
part of the country, and
Elat
Gulf of
the Negev Desert has the
Aqaba
fewest people.
Many urban residents live in apartments. Because
Israels cities are so crowded, housing shortages and
traffic congestion are common. Many cities have skyscrapers and modern buildings. In rural areas, many
people live on kibbutzim. These are government-run
communities in which people work together in agriculture or business, and receive free food, education, and
medical care. Life expectancy is 78 years.
More than 80%
Children in Jerusalem, Israel
of Israelis are Jews.
About 2.5 million
Jews have moved
to Israel since its
founding more
than 50 years ago.
The government
provides temporary
jobs and housing
for all new Jewish
immigrants.
Machinery and
Food, beverages
transport equipment
and tobacco
30%
4%
Other
19%
Rubber and
plastic
4%
Apparel
Diamonds
5%
26%
Chemical
products
Exports
19%
$21 billion
Christian 2%
Muslim
Other 2%
(mostly Sunni)
14%
Other
(mostly Arab)
18%
Jewish
82%
Ethnic Makeup
Judaism
82%
Major Religions
165
Italy
Land area rank
71
smallest country
Population rank
22
fewest people
AUSTRIA
SWITZERLAND
At a Glance
Trieste
Verona
Venice
Po
Milan
Turin
FRANCE
Genova
SLOVENIA
Bologna
Florence
Ancona
EUROPE
Perugia
ASIA
Corsica
AFRICA
VATICAN CITY
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
166
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
Ad
ri
at
ic
Se
Foggia
Bari
AUSTRALIA
Sassari
S a r di ni a
A N TA R C T I C A
Cagliari
0
miles
Naples
Salerno
Taranto
Ty r r h e n i an
Se a
100
0 km 100
Palermo
Mediterranean Sea
ALGERIA
BOSNIA
Rome
SOUTH
AMERICA
CROATIA
SAN MARINO
Pisa
NORTH
AMERICA
The Place
HUNGARY
Sicily
Reggio di
Calabria
Catania
N
W
E
S
TUNISIA
Metal and
processed
metal
7%
Clothing
7%
Textiles
8%
Other
26%
Machinery
and transport
equipment
42%
Exports
$251 billion
Chemicals
10%
Other
21%
Forests
23%
Farms /
cropland
41%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures 15%
Italy
Venice waterway
The People
Italy has a fairly large population.
There are 505 people per square
mile (188 people per sq km). The
most crowded areas are the northwest cities of Liguiria and
Lombardy, and the southern region
of Campania. The mountain areas
of the north and south have the
fewest people.
More than 65% of Italians live in
Education
Children between the ages of 6 and
14 are required to attend school.
About 90% of children go to public
school. Elementary school lasts for 5
years, and about 96% of the primary
school-aged children attend. Three
years of junior high school follow,
and about 80% of the children go to
class. There are several types of senior high schools, and most last for 4
or 5 years. All students who graduate
(continued)
Other 4%
Italian
94%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 2%
Roman
Catholic
98%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
97%
Defense
Literacy
175,000 army personnel
438
90
11
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
1,319 tanks
41 major ships
369 combat aircraft
Jamaica
Land area rank
162
smallest country
Population rank
135
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
C a r
i b b
e a
n
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
S e
a
AUSTRALIA
Falmouth
Montego Bay
E
S
Port Maria
A N TA R C T I C A
Savanna La Mar
Port Antonio
Mandeville
Spanish Town
May Pen
Kingston
Portmore
Port Morant
a r
i b
b e
a n
S e a
miles
km
30
30
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Exports
$1 billion
168
Mixed
7%
Other 3%
Black
90%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
(including
spiritual
cults)
35%
Roman
Catholic
4%
Protestant
61%
Major Religions
Japan
Land area rank
61
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
CHINA
RUSSIA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Hokkaido
AFRICA
Sapporo
EQUATOR
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Hakodate
A N TA R C T I C A
NORTH
KOREA
S e a
o f
J a p a n
Akita
Sendai
Niigata
The Place
SOUTH
KOREA
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Nagano
Kanazawa
H o n s h u
Tokyo
Matsue
Chiba
Yokohama
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Kobe
Nagoya
Osaka
Kita-kyushu
Matsuyama
Fukuoka
Shikoku
Nagasaki
Kyushu
P A
Kagoshima
0
miles
100
I F
N
W
E
S
0 km 100
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
0 in/0 cm
169
Japan
(continued)
hills. A thin
peninsula
extends from
the southwestern part
of Hokkaido.
Above this
peninsula lies
the Ishikari
Plain. This
large lowland
region is used
mainly for
agriculture.
Kyushu
measures
14,114 square
miles (36,554
sq km). A mountain chain extends
down the center of the island and is
covered by a dense forest. Hills
Kyoto, Japan
Electrical
machinery
26%
Other
44%
Motor
vehicles
12%
Chemicals
7%
Textiles
2%
Iron and
steel products
4%
Exports
$421 billion
Scientific and
optical equipment
5%
Other
19%
Farms/cropland
12%
Permanent
pastures
2%
Forests
67%
Land Use
Resources
Farm land
Forests
Pastures
Other
Manufacturing
Textiles
Engineering
Chemicals
Sheep
Rice
170
Japan (continued)
History
The Yamato clan were the first
recorded rulers of Japan. They
loosely controlled other large families in the area around 400 C.E. The
area was influenced greatly by
China throughout the 700s, and set
up a similar court system. In 1192,
the Minamoto clan took power and
set up a military government. The
military dictator was called a
shogun. A line of shoguns ruled
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy
Structure: Executive
Leader: Emperor/Prime Minister
Defense
151,000 army personnel
1,160 tanks
81 major ships
450 combat aircraft
The People
About 80% of all Japanese live on
the island of Honshu. Most people
live in the mountain valleys. The
second-most-populated island is
Kyushu, home to 11% of the
Japanese people. Many cities are
located in the northwest. Hokkaido
is home to about 5% of Japanese.
Many of the island's residents work
in dairy farming, fishing, and
forestry. Only 3% of the population
lives on Shikoku. Most live in the
north, where the land meets the Sea
of Japan.
More than three-quarters of the
Japanese people live in urban areas.
Big cities, especially Tokyo, are
Grandfather with his grandson
Other 1%
Japanese
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
16%
Shinto and
Buddhist
84%
Major Religions
171
Japan
(continued)
Education
Education is a top priority in Japan.
Children attend 6 years of elementary school, usually followed by 3
years of junior high school. Almost
the entire primary school population goes to school, while about
96% of junior high school children
do. Students spend much of their
time in schoolthey even attend
schools for half a day on Saturday.
Their summer vacations last from
late July through August.
Many students study hard to
attend prestigious private high
Agriculture 6% Government 3%
Utilities
7%
Literate
99%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Goods Ownership
610
NA
TVs
172
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Industry
33%
Services
and trade
50%
Labor Force
Jordan
Land area rank
113
smallest country
Population rank
108
fewest people
LEBANON
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Machinery
2%
Other
27%
rra
ite
M
Exports
$2 billion
IRAQ
Syrian
Desert
Irbid
Al Mafraq
Az Zarqa'
As Salt
ISRAEL
Amman
Dead
Sea
SAUDI ARABIA
Al Karak
N
W
EGYPT
Ma'an
S
0
Al 'Aqabah
miles
km
100
100
The People
Most of the population inhabits
the highlands in the northwest.
The country has a population
density of 160 people per square
mile (50 people per sq km).
About three-quarters of
Jordanians live in urban areas.
Many city people live in modern homes or apartments with
electricity and running water.
Although some areas are quite
crowded, living conditions are Jordanian girl
good. Many
urban dwellers work in industry and
services. Life expectancy is 73 years.
In rural areas, homes are made
from mud and stone, or concrete blocks.
Many rural dwellers are farmers, while
some work in mining and construction. A
small number of Jordanians are Bedouin
nomads. They wander the country with
herds of sheep and camels.
In their free time, many Jordanians
enjoy sports. Some popular athletics are basketball,
soccer, and martial arts. Folk dancescalled debkeand
family gatherings are also popular.
Chemical
products
26%
Re-exports
19%
Fruits,
vegetables,
and nuts 6%
Phosphate
fertilizers 10%
AUSTRALIA
ed
A N TA R C T I C A
nea
SOUTH
AMERICA
SYRIA
n R.
AFRICA
Jorda
n Se
a
ASIA
Potash 10%
Circassian
1%
Armenian 1%
Arab
98%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian 4%
Sunni Muslim
96%
Major Religions
173
Kazakhstan
land area rank
smallest country
55
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
R U S S I A
ASIA
AFRICA
S
Rudnyy
AUSTRALIA
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Other
43%
Coal 5%
Kzyl-Orda
Taldykorgan
Almaty
UZ
Shymkent
BE
KI
Exports
C H I N A
KYRGYZSTAN
ST
AN
TURKMENISTAN
$6 billion
174
Aqtau
Average Rainfall
60F/16C
Ust'-Kamenogorsk
L. Balqash
Aral
Sea
12 in/30 cm
Semipalatinsk
Qaraghandy
Aral'sk
Se
80F/27C
Atyrau
ian
15 in/38 cm
R.
Astana
Aktyubinsk
sp
Ca
100F/38C
Pavlodar
Ural R.
Ural'sk
A N TA R C T I C A
sh
ty
Ir
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
ga
Vol
miles
km 400
400
Forests
4%
Refined
copper
10%
Rolled
ferrous metal
10%
Grain 8%
Other
16%
Farms /
cropland
23%
Permanent
pastures
57%
Land Use
Kazakhstan
The People
Slightly more than half the population
lives in urban areas. City dwellers live
in modern houses or apartments.
Many women are employed outside
the home, and may work as teachers,
doctors, or sales clerks. About 42%
of Kazakhstanis live in rural areas.
They usually reside in houses in villages that do not have running water.
Many rural dwellers are farmers. A
small part of the population are
nomadic dwellers. They carry their
portable homes, called yurts, from
place to place.
Families are very important in
Education
Schooling is free in Kazakhstan, and
children between the ages of 7 and
17 are required to attend. Classes
are taught in both Kazakh and
Russian. Primary school lasts for
three years, and about 92% of the
children in that age group attend.
Secondary school begins at age 11
and lasts for 7 years. About 91% of
secondary school-aged children
Other 7%
Russian
35%
(continued)
Protestant
2%
Kazakh
46%
Other 7%
Muslim
47%
Russian
Orthodox
44%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
attend. There are more than 50 colleges and universities in the country,
and about 8% of students attend.
The largest schools include Kazakh
State University and Qaraghandy
State University.
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
98%
Literacy
Kazakhstani girl
278
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
116
43
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
175
Kenya
Land area rank
47
smallest country
Population rank
36
fewest people
S U D A N
At a Glance
E T H IOP IA
EUROPE
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
176
O
N
Mombasa
0
0
miles
km
200
200
Tea
18%
Other
54%
0 in/0 cm
T A N Z A N I A
E
IN
IA
Farms / cropland
8%
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
Nairobi
Machakos
The Place
Ta
Rive
Lake
Victoria
Meru
Nyeri
Nakuru
S O M A L I A
Eldoret
Kisumu
A N TA R C T I C A
Marsabit
UGANDA
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
at Rif
t Valley
Lodwar
ASIA
AFRICA
Gre
NORTH
AMERICA
Lake
Turkana
Exports
$2 billion
Other
25%
Coffee
15%
Fruits and
vegetables 5%
Petroleum
products 5%
Cement 2%
Hides and skins 1%
Forests
30%
Permanent
pastures
37%
Land Use
Kenya
Kenyan girl
The People
About 75% of Kenyans live in rural
areas. The country's population density is about 130 people per square
mile (48 people per sq km). Almost
three-quarters of Kenyans live in the
fertile highlands. The dry plains are
scarcely populated. They are home
mostly to nomads and shepherds.
Many of Kenya's rural dwellers
are farmers. They raise crops and
animals for their own food, and
some have extra to sell. Many
Education
Although Kenyan children are not
required by law to attend school,
most at least attend primary school.
Only about 25% of secondary
school-aged children attend classes.
Many Kenyan parents send their
children to school with the hope
that they will have an easier time
finding work with an education.
Government-run schools
are free and are located in most
parts of the country. In areas with
(continued)
Meru
6%
Kisii
6%
Other
16%
Kamba
11%
Kalenjin
12%
Kikuyu
22%
Luo
13%
Luhya
14%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 2%
Muslim 6%
Indigenous
beliefs
26%
Protestant
38%
Roman
Catholic
28%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
78%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
15
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
76 tanks
0 major ships
28 combat aircraft
Kiribati
189
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
N
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of
Kiribati
Continent: Oceania
Area: 277 square miles
(717 sq km)
Population: 94,149
Capital City: Tarawa
Largest City: Tarawa (25,154)
Unit of Money: Australian dollar
Major Languages: English (official), Gilbertese
Literacy: 98%
Land Use: 51% permanent crops, 3% forest, 46% other
Natural Resources: Phosphate
Government: Republic
Defense: No budget, Australia and New Zealand
provide protection
AFRICA
E
S
Ter ai n a
Ta bua e ra n
Weston Point
SOUTH
AMERICA
b
il
AUSTRALIA
e
K irim a ti
(C hristm a s)
la
n
d
s
Temaraira
B an ab a
London
Is
Bairiki
Binoinano
A N TA R C T I C A
rt
Tekarahan
Tar awa
Nikumanu
Tanyah
s
l
Phoenix
Islands
a
n
d
Lakina
P A
C I F I
C
O C E A N
C a roline
V ostok
0
0
miles
km
500
F lint
500
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Other 6%
Re-exports
27%
Average Rainfall
Seaweed
4%
Fish and fish
preparations
6%
Copra
63%
Exports
$7 million
178
Almost all
Micronesian
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
41%
Roman
Catholic
53%
Major Religions
Kuwait
Land area rank
157
smallest country
Population rank
144
fewest people
At a Glance
I R A N
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
I R A Q
Bubiyan
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Kuwait City
AUSTRALIA
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 11%
Average Rainfall
As Salimiya
Persian
Gulf
Shu'aybah
N
W
S A U D I
A R A B I A
Mina Sa'ud
E
S
0
0
miles
km
25
Al Wafra
25
The People
Almost all of the Kuwaiti population is
urban. The majority of the people live
near or on the coast. Most people live
in and around Kuwait City. The average
population density is 300 people per
square mile (116 people per sq km).
Because of solid profits from the
oil industry, Kuwait enjoys a healthy
economy. The government provides
free medical care to everyone in the
country, including foreign citizens. Life
expectancy is 77 years. To take advanKuwaiti Elder
tage of these good benefits and continuous work, many people have moved to Kuwait.
Palestinians have been the largest immigrant group,
although many left during the Persian Gulf
War in 1991. Because of this large influx of
foreigners, Kuwaitis have become a minority in their own country.
For the last 50 years, Kuwaiti women
have enjoyed more freedom and opportunities than women in other Middle
Eastern countries. Although they cannot
vote, Kuwaiti women earn college degrees
and work outside the home.
Iranian 4%
Other 7%
South
Asian
9%
Petroleum
89%
Hawalli
Al Fuhayhil
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
Al Jahrah
Faylakah
Other
Arab
35%
Kuwaiti
45%
Other 15%
Shi'a
Muslim
40%
Sunni
Muslim
45%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$15 billion
179
Kyrgyzstan
87
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
K A Z A K H S T A N
ASIA
Tokmak
SOUTH
AMERICA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Oil
and gas
10%
Machinery
11%
Other
21%
Exports
$506 million
180
h i z
Kirg
UZ
Range
Ysyk-kol
Balykchy
Karakol
Naryn
BE
KI
Naryn
ST
Dzhalal-Abad
AN
Osh
n
i e
a n
S h
C H I N A
N
W
T A J I K I S T A N
0
0
miles
km
100
100
The People
The way of life in Kyrgyzstan varies by ethnic group.
Kyrgyzstani make up about half of the population. They
are Muslims, and speak Kyrgyza Turkic language.
Most Kyrgyzstani live in rural areas and work as farmers
or herders. They are organized into tribes that are
further broken down into clans. Each clan consists of
descendants of an ancestor from the father's heritage.
Older clan members are respected and lead the tribe.
People often marry members of their clan, and extended
families live together
in one house. Homes
are usually made out
of mud bricks.
Ethnic Russians
are the second-largest
group and make up
about 18% of the
population. They
mainly live in urban
areas, and reside in
concrete apartments or
stucco homes. Many
Russians work in technology and industry.
Other ethnic groups in the country include Uzbeks,
Ukrainians, and Germans. Life expectancy is 64 years.
Food products
20%
Metals
18%
Bishkek
Talas
AUSTRALIA
Light
industrial
products
20%
Uzbek
13%
Russian
Orthodox
20%
Other
17%
Russian
18%
Kirghiz
52%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 5%
Muslim
75%
Major Religions
Laos
Land area rank
79
smallest country
largest country
102
Population rank
fewest people
most people
C H IN A
At a Glance
Phongsali
MY A N MA R
(BU RMA )
Luang
Namtha
Louangphrabang
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Xiangkhoang
AFRICA
E
T
Vientiane
e
g Riv
T H A IL A N D
A N TA R C T I C A
Savannakht
er
South
China
Sea
Saravan
Pakx
S
0
0
on
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Gulf of
Tonkin
miles
km
200
KAMPUCHEA
200
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Lao Soung
9%
Average Rainfall
Other
24%
Coffee
8%
Electricity
9%
Wood
products
39%
Exports
Garments
20%
Lao
Theung
22%
Other 1%
Lao
Loum
68%
Ethnic Makeup
Animist
and other
Buddhist
40%
60%
Major Religions
$313 million
181
Latvia
Land area rank
124
smallest country
largest country
Population rank
139
fewest people
most people
At a Glance
Official Name: Republic of Latvia
Continent: Europe
Area: 24,749 square miles
(64,100 sq km)
EQUATOR
Population: 2,404,926
Capital City: Riga
Largest City: Riga (856,281)
Unit of Money: Lat
Major Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian,
Russian
Literacy: 99%
Land Use: 27% crops, 13% permanent pasture,
46% forest, 14% woodland
Natural Resources: amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Defense: $65 million
Lake
P e ip us
Baltic
Sea
ESTONIA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Valmiera
Aluksne
Riga
Kuldiga
Jelgava
Liepaja
A N TA R C T I C A
AUSTRALIA
We
ster
nD
vin
a
Jekabpils
Riv
er
Rezekne
Daugavpils
LITHUANIA
W
SSI
Gu lf of
Riga
Ventspils
SOUTH
AMERICA
RU
AFRICA
E
0
miles
km
50
BELARUS
50
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other
33%
Machinery
and apparatus
10%
Forestry
products
24%
Textiles
17%
Exports
$1 billion
182
Food and
agricultural
products 16%
Ukrainian
3%
Other 6%
Russian
30%
Latvian
57%
Byelorussian
4%
Ethnic Makeup
Lutheran,
Roman Catholic,
Russian Orthodox
Major Religions
Lebanon
Land area rank
163
smallest country
largest country
Population rank
125
fewest people
most people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Tripoli
ve
Al Hirmil
ro
ra
ne
AUSTRALIA
nt
an
SOUTH
AMERICA
es
Ri
ea
AFRICA
ASIA
er
Ba'labakk
it
Juniyah
Beirut
Zahlah
l
l
S Y R I A
a
a
Lit
e
Sidon
an
Baabda e r
iv
R
ed
A N TA R C T I C A
Tyre
W
0
0
miles
km
20
20
ISRAEL
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Armenian Other 1%
4%
Christian
30%
Arab
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
70%
Major Religions
183
Lesotho
Land area rank
139
smallest country
largest country
Population rank
140
fewest people
most people
At a Glance
S OU T H
A F R IC A
N
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
Leribe
S
SOUTH
AMERICA
Teyateyaneng
AUSTRALIA
Mokhotlong
Maseru
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
184
Mohales
Hoek
Or
r
a n ge R i v e
Quthing
A F RICA
miles
km
50
50
The People
Almost the entire Lesotho population is black Africans,
known as the Basotho. Most people live in villages of
less than 200 people. Villages include a meeting place
for the men, a church, and a school. Families build their
huts around their cattle pens. Homes are usually made
out of mud or sod and have thatched roofs. Some
wealthy Basotho live in stone houses. Most villagers
paint designs on their doors.
Most Basotho are farmers who raise crops and
livestock on the land around the village.
The village land is owned by
everyone, and the village chief
assigns a plot to each person.
Farmers with the most cattle
are considered wealthy. Women
do most of the demanding
work, such as planting and
harvesting crops, building
the home, and cooking.
The men plow the fields
and tend to the animals.
Almost half of the male
population travels into South
Africa in search of work. Life
expectancy is 52 years.
Wool 5%
Other
19%
Food
and live
Clothing
animals
55%
6%
Footwear
7%
Furniture 8% Exports
$218 million
S OU T H
0
Other 1%
Average Rainfall
Mafeteng
Sotho
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous beliefs
20%
Christian
80%
Major Religions
Liberia
Land area rank
108
smallest country
largest country
Population rank
131
fewest people
most people
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
GUINEA
ASIA
SIERRA LEONE
AFRICA
Zelimai
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Tubmanburg
Iron ore
55%
Exports
$667 million
Indigenous
African tribes
95%
Ethnic Makeup
0
0
IC
miles
km
ve
ve
Ri
os
st
St
CTE D'IVOIRE
Zwedru
av
al
Buchanan
Greenville
100
Harper
100
The People
The vast majority of Liberians are black Africans, and
can be divided into two main groups. Native Africans
have ancestors who have lived
in the country for hundreds of
years. Americo-Liberians are
descendents of African
Americans from the United
States who returned to Africa
in the 1800s. The native
Africans account for about
95% of the population. They
can be divided into 16 different
ethnic groups, such as the
Kpelle in central Liberia and
the Bassa who inhabit the
coast. Some smaller groups
include the Gio, Kru, Mandingo, and Krahn. Each
ethnic group has its own customs, languages, and territory. Americo-Liberians make up the remaining 5% of
the population and live mostly in coastal towns.
A little less than half of Liberians live in urban areas.
In cities, most people live in small houses and have
electricity. In rural areas, people live in
small villages without electricity or
39 in/100 cm
running water. Life expectancy is
32 in/81 cm
60 years.
Christian
10%
Muslim
20%
Indigenous
beliefs
70%
Major Religions
Rubber
28%
Harbel
River
Logs and
timber
8%
Americo-Liberian 5%
h
Jo
Gold 2%
Other 5%
Diamonds 2%
Gbarnga
ul
Monrovia
The Place
a
.P
Ce
St
A N TA R C T I C A
e
Riv
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
At a Glance
0 in/0 cm
185
Libya
17
largest country
106
Population rank
fewest people
most people
At a Glance
TUNISIA
Mediterranean Sea
Tripoli
Al Khums
Az Zawiyah
Surt
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Darnah
Banghazi
Misratah
Gharyan
Tobruk
Ajdabiya
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Sabha
AUSTRALIA
Marzuq
S a h a r a
EGYPT
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Crude petroleum
100%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$9 billion
186
N
W
N I G E R
E
0
0
miles
km
200
SUDAN
C H A D
200
The People
Although the population density is just 8 people per
square mile (3 people per sq km), towns and cities are
fairly crowded. To avoid harsh desert conditions, about
80% of Libyans crowd along the Mediterranean coast.
This area is also important
for agriculture, which
employs about 18% of the
population.
About 85% of Libyans
live in urban areas. This
number has been slowly
increasing for the last 50
years. The big cities have
skyscrapers and apartment
buildings. Many neighborhoods are crowded, and
usually immediate family
members live together.
Urban dwellers may work in industry, services, or
government. Life expectancy is 76 years.
In rural areas, most people live in small villages.
Their homes are made from stone or brick. Many
homes have just one room. It is also common for
extended families to share the same home. Some rural
dwellers are nomads, who constantly move their flocks
to find green pastures.
Other 3%
Average Rainfall
Al Jawf
A L G E R I A
Berber
and Arab
97%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 3%
Sunni Muslim
97%
Major Religions
Liechtenstein
Land area rank
220
Population rank
213
smallest country
largest country
fewest people
most people
At a Glance
Ri
ve
r
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Exports
E
S
Eschen
A U STRIA
Schaan
S W IT Z E R L A N D
Vaduz
Triesen
Balzers
0
0
miles
km
The People
The people of Liechtenstein are overwhelmingly
urbanmore than 85% live in cities. The population
density averages 495 people per square mile (198 people
per sq km). Although agriculture was once the main
source of income for many Lichtensteiners, today it only
accounts for about 10% of the work force. Industry and
services employ most people now.
Liechtenstein is one of the richest countries in the world, and its
citizens enjoy a high standard of
living. Many foreignersalmost
35% of the populationcome to
the country to benefit from its
financial stability. The state welfare system provides good benefits,
and the healthcare system offers
advanced care. Schooling is free
and required for 8 years.
The population increases by
about 1% every year. Women have
an average of 1.6 children, and
about 20% of the population is
under the age of 15. The life
expectancy is 75 years for men and
80 years for women.
Chemical
products
Other
8%
16%
Other
Machinery
finished
47%
goods
12%
Metal
products
17%
Rhi
ne
SOUTH
AMERICA
Ruggell
Other 12%
Alemannic
88%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
7%
Other 13%
Roman
Catholic
80%
Major Religions
$2 billion
187
Lithuania
122
largest country
Population rank
126
fewest people
most people
At a Glance
Gulf of
Riga
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
LATVIA
AFRICA
E
S
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
188
Average Rainfall
Prepared
foods
6%
Other Textiles
27% 15%
Base metals
9%
Exports
$3 billion
Siauliai
Panevezys
N e m a n R i v er
Kaunas
Vilnius
RUSSIA
(Kaliningrad Oblast)
Alytus
0
0
miles
km
BELARUS
POLAND
50
50
The People
Lithuanians make up about 80% of the countrys
population. Other ethnic groups in Lithuania include
Russians, Polish, and Byelorussians. There is very little
ethnic tension. Most residents are Roman Catholic.
About 70% of Lithuanians live in urban areas.
The population density is 150 people per square mile
(55 people per sq km). Most people work in industry,
construction, agriculture, and forestry. The
economy is stable, and
the traders in the
capital city, Vilnius, are
quite wealthy. The elite
can afford expensive
luxury items.
The countrys health
care system is adequate.
There is 1 doctor for
every 230 people.
Growing water and air
pollution are problems
and have caused an
increase in respiratory diseases and cancer. Life expectancy
is 69 years. The population grows by about 1% each year.
Education is required between the ages of 6 and 16.
Chemicals
12%
Mineral
products
12%
Live
animals
8%
Klaipda
Baltic
Sea
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Birzal
Telsiai
Machinery
11%
Polish
8%
Russian
9%
Other 3%
Lithuanian
80%
Ethnic Makeup
Mostly
Roman Catholic,
Lutheran,
Russian Orthodox
Major Religions
Luxembourg
Land area rank
177
smallest country
most people
At a Glance
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
Ptange
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Luxembourg
le
Ri
ve
Differdange
Esch
A N TA R C T I C A
FRANCE
Dudelange
0
0
miles
km
20
20
The People
Almost 90% of Luxembourgers live in urban areas. The
majority reside in the south, which is more developed
and industrialized than the north. The countrys population density averages 403 people per square mile (164
people per sq km). The busiest area is in the south center
around the capital city. Other urban dwellers live in
smaller towns. Because of the heavy concentration of
people in the southwest, the government has tried to
relocate some industries
to rural areas to balance
the population. In the
rural north, people live in
small villages. Their
houses are traditionally
made of stone.
Approximately 37%
of the Luxembourg
population is foreignborn. The most common
ethnic groups include
Portuguese, Italians, and
French. The country has a very low birthrate, and the
native-born population cannot keep up with the available
jobs. Most people are employed in trade, government,
and industry. Life expectancy is 78 years.
Chemicals
5%
Food
7%
Textiles
7%
Grevenmacher
AUSTRALIA
Other 12%
Average Rainfall
60F/16C
Echternach
.
tte R
AFRICA
12 in/30 cm
i
re R ver
Alze
ASIA
The Place
15 in/38 cm
Diekirch
EUROPE
SOUTH
AMERICA
80F/27C
GERMANY
er
Clervaux
NORTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
Our Riv
BELGIUM
se
fewest people
largest country
168
Mo
Population rank
Plastics
14%
Portugese, Italian,
French and Other
37%
Luxembourgers
63%
Machinery
55%
Exports
Protestant
and Jewish 3%
Roman
Catholic
97%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$7 billion
189
Macedonia
Land area rank
149
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
YUGOSLAVIA
BULGARIA
AFRICA
Kumanovo
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Skopje
Tetovo
A N TA R C T I C A
Titov Veles
Gostivar
Va
r
da
r
R
iv
er
Prilep
Lake
Dojran
ALBANIA
Lake
Ohrid
Bitola
W
miles
20
Lake
Prespa
GREECE
S
0 km 20
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
190
Average Rainfall
Other
Chemical
27%
products
6%
Raw
materials
8%
Food
products 11% Exports
$1 billion
Manufactured
products
35%
Machinery
13%
Serb 2%
Other 4%
Gypsies 3%
Turkish
4%
Albanian
22% Macedonian
65%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 3%
Muslim
30%
Eastern
Orthodox
67%
Major Religions
Madagascar
Land area rank
46
smallest country
Population rank
58
fewest people
At a Glance
COMOROS
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Antsiranana
ASIA
AFRICA
el
ha
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
qu
bi
am
M
Antsirabe
R.
g o ky
oz
M ania R.
Morondava
M an
Fianarantsoa
I A
Toliara
miles
km 200
200
Tolanaro
O n i l a hy R .
Farms / cropland
5%
Average Rainfall
Tomasina
Baobab trees
The Place
Antananarivo
BI
ok a R .
Mahajanga
t si b
ZA
Be
A N TA R C T I C A
nn
AUSTRALIA
C E
A N
SOUTH
AMERICA
Other
44%
Sugar 2%
Cotton fabrics
3%
Other
14%
Coffee
18%
Vanilla
17%
Shrimp
13%
Exports
$493 million
Cloves and
clove oil
3%
Forests
40%
Permanent
pastures
41%
Land Use
191
Madagascar
(continued)
The People
Madagascar is populated by several
ethnic groups of mixed Indonesian
and black African descent. People
living in the highlands are most
closely related to Indonesians.
Muslim 7%
Christian
41%
Indigenous
beliefs
52%
Major Religions
Mostly
Malayo-Indonesian
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Most Malagasy children attend primary schools, and about 20% attend
high school. Students are required to
go to school for 5 years. Although
there are some public schools,
Protestant and Catholic missions
also educate many young people.
The University of Antananarivo,
founded in 1961, is Madagascars
major university. About 4% of the
countrys students continue on to
higher education.
Government
Literate
80%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literacy
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
20
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Malawi
Land area rank
109
smallest country
Population rank
70
fewest people
At a Glance
Karonga
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Mzuzu
ASIA
AFRICA
Z A M B IA
SOUTH
AMERICA
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
E
S
Kasungu
M OZA M BIQU E
Lilongwe
Zoma
mile (837-km ) long and 50- to 100mile (80- to 160-km ) wide plateau.
Malawi has fertile soil, with about
one-third of it used for growing
crops. Mountains, grasslands,
forests, and savanna cover most of
Cotton
1%
Tea
7%
Other
22%
e
ir
am
be
zi
Blantyre
Sh
Ri
ve
A N TA R C T I C A
Nkhotakota
AUSTRALIA
Z IM B A B W E
The Place
T A N ZA N IA
asa
Lake Ny
miles
100
0 km 100
Farms /
cropland
18%
Permanent
pastures
Forests
20%
39%
Other
23%
Tobacco
63%
Sugar
7%
Exports
Land Use
$405 Million
193
Malawi
(continued)
The People
Most of Malawis people are black
Africans belonging to the Bantu
groups. The major members are
Chewa (in the central region),
Nyanja (in the south), Tumbuka (in
the north) Yao (southeastern border),
and Ngoni (in lower northern and
lower central regions). A small number of Europeans and Asians also live
in the country. Malawi has a population density of 227 people per square
mile (88 people per sq km). Life
expectancy is 36
years.
Malawi is a poor
country. Nearly
90% of the population lives in rural
villages. Most
inhabit round or
Lake Nyasa
oblong houses with
mud walls and thatched roofs.
Although only one-third of the land
is suitable for farming, its economy is
mostly based on agriculture. Both
Indigenous beliefs 5%
Mostly Chewa,
Yao, Chieoka, Tonga,
Tumbuka, Ngoni
and Nyanja
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
20%
Muslim
20%
Protestant
55%
Major Religions
Education
About 52% of children ages 5 to 13
attend primary school. Only 2%,
however, continue on to secondary
school. More boys (73%) than girls
(60%) attend school regularly.
Malawi has a university system
comprised of polytechnic and agriculture colleges and a university.
The University of Malawi in Zomba
is the countrys major university.
Malawis overall literacy rate is
Government
Literate
56%
Defense
Literacy
194
NA tanks
56%. About 72% of males are literate, while about 42% of females are
literate.
Fisherman, Malawi
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
NA
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Malaysia
Land area rank
64
smallest country
Population rank
48
fewest people
Gulf of
Thailand
PHILIPPINES
W
THAILAND
it
M
al
ac
ASIA
ca
Sibu
R ajan g R.
Johor Baharu
Kuching
Borneo
SINGAPORE
Su
AFRICA
SARAWAK
Seremban
of
SABAH
Miri
Natuna
Str
ait
ra
NORTH
AMERICA
Kuantan
Kinaba tan g
BRUNEI
Kuala Lumpur
Kelang
EUROPE
g R.
at
ra
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Sandakan
an
Kuala Terengganu
MALAYA
St
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Bharu
George Town
Taiping
E
S
S o u t h C h in a
S e a
an
P ah
VIETNAM
miles
200
0 km 200
Ma
ka
sar
At a Glance
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
high mountains in
the interior. Sabah has
lowlands in its eastern
section and mountains
along the northern coast.
Malaysias highest
peakMount Kinabalu
at 13,455 feet (4,101 m)
stands here. The
countrys two longest
riversthe Rajang and
Kinabatanganare also
in East Malaysia.
Malaysias climate is
generally hot and humid
year round. Some 8,000
species of flowering
plants thrive in
Malaysias coastal mangrove forests and lowland
tropical forests. The
worlds largest flower
the rafflesiagrows in
East Malaysia.
Average Rainfall
Animal and
vegetable oils
7%
Mineral
fuels
7%
Basic
manufactures
9%
Farms /
Other
cropland
17%
15%
Other
9%
Machinery
and transport
equipment
55%
Exports
Forests
68%
Land Use
$78 billion
195
Malaysia
(continued)
The People
West Malaysia is 7 times more
densely populated than East
Malaysian woman,
Kota Baharu,
Malaysia
Other 9%
Indian 7%
Hindu
7%
Chinese
26%
Malay
and other
indigenous
58%
Buddhist
18%
Government
Literate
84%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
4 major ships
120 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
144
99
97
58
NA
TVs
196
Muslim
53%
Major Religions
Education
Other 4%
Chinese
faiths
11%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian
7%
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Maldives
Land area rank
smallest country
210
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
W
Faadhippolhu Atoll
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Arabian
Sea
ASIA
E
S
Male` Atoll
AFRICA
Male`
Laccadive
Sea
Ari Atoll
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Mulaku Atoll
A N TA R C T I C A
Hadhdhunmathi Atoll
N
E
D
A
Huvadhu Atoll
N
0
N
Addu Atoll
miles
100
0 km 100
Gan
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Dried
skipjack
tuna
11%
Apparel
and clothing
17%
Other Canned
fish
23%
28%
Exports
$59 million
Yellowfin
tuna
21%
Sinhalese, Dravidian,
Arab, African
Sunni Muslim
100%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
197
Mali
Land area rank
24
smallest country
Population rank
68
fewest people
At a Glance
miles
200
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
0 km 200
ASIA
Taoudenni
AFRICA
A L G E R I A
E
S
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Tessalit
Araouane
A N TA R C T I C A
M A U R IT A N IA
Tombouctou
Se
ne
ga
lR
.
Gao
ger
Ri
ver
Sgou
er
BURKINA
FASO
v
Ri
er
Ni
ig
N
L
GA
NE
SE
Bamako
GUINEA
N I G E R
Mopli
Kayes
NIG ERIA
Sikasso
BENIN
CTE D'IVOIRE
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Farms/cropland
2%
Average Rainfall
Gold
15%
Other
9%
Live animals
20%
Raw cotton
and cotton
products
56%
Other
67%
Permanent
pastures
25%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$473 million
198
Land Use
Forests
6%
Mali
Mali woman
The People
Mali has several African ethnic
groups. The main groups are the
Mande, Peul, and Voltaic. A nomadic
group, the white Tuaregs, roams the
Sahel and Sahara. Malis minority
Education
All children ages 7 to 16 must
attend school. About 20% of Malis
primary school age children go to
school, and 7% of students attend
secondary schools.
Students can continue on to
higher education. Bamako, the
capital, has schools of administration, medicine, and engineering.
Many students attend colleges and
universities in France and Senegal.
(continued)
Songhai 6% Other 5%
Tuareg and
Moor
10%
Mande
50%
Voltaic
12%
Peul
17%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
9%
Christian 1%
Muslim
90%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
31%
Defense
Literacy
NA army personnel
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
39
TVs
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
199
Malta
Land area rank
smallest country
209
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
N
Victoria
Nadur
Gozo
NORTH
AMERICA
Comino
EUROPE
ASIA
AFRICA
Mellieha
SOUTH
AMERICA
Malta
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
miles
Sliema
Valletta
Birkirkara
ed
Paola
it
er
ra
ne
an
Rabat
Zejtun
Birzebbuga
Se a
0 km 5
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
Other 2%
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Machinery and
transport equipment,
clothing and footwear.
Printed matter
Maltese
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
0 in/0 cm
$2 billion
200
Roman
Catholic
98%
Major Religions
Marshall Islands
Land area rank
smallest country
219
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Bikini Atoll
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Wotho
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
Maloelap
Atoll
i n
Namu Atoll
N
W
a i
n
Wotje Atoll
Kwajalein
Atoll
Majuro
I F
I C
O C
E A N
E
0
miles
km
Jaluit
Mili
150
150
The People
People inhabit 24 of the atolls of the Marshall Islands.
Almost half of the population lives on Majuro Atoll,
the countrys capital. About 20% of the people live on
Ebeye Island in the Kwajalein Atoll. Most people live in
wooden or cement houses with iron roofs.
The country has a population density of 973 people
per square mile (375 people per sq km) and a population
growth rate of 3.9%. Life expectancy is 65 years.
The Marshall Islands economy is highly dependent
on assistance from the United States government. The
country imports food,
clothing, and other
items from the U.S. It
has few natural
resourcesit imports
many more goods than
it exports. Agriculture,
fish processing,
tourism, and handicrafts are the islands
largest industries. Its
main commercial
crops are coconuts,
tomatoes, melons,
and breadfruit.
Other 3%
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Likiep
l i
k
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
R a
t a
k
Rongelap Atoll
Enewetak Atoll
Other
41%
Pet fish
2%
Chilled
fish
39%
Exports
Crude
coconut oil
18%
Micronesian
97%
Ethnic Makeup
Mostly
Protestant
Major Religions
$18 million
201
Mauritania
Land area rank
29
smallest country
Population rank
134
fewest people
At a Glance
A L G E R I A
EUROPE
ASIA
WESTERN
SAHARA
AFRICA
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Fish and
fish products,
Iron ore, Gold
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$494 million
202
ATLAN
TIC
S a h a r a
N
Nouadhibou
Atar
E
S
M A L I
Nouakchott
Kiffa
Rosso
Senegal
Kadi
R.
The Place
Zourat
OC
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
SOUTH
AMERICA
SENEGAL
Ni
0
0
miles
km
ger
R.
200
200
The People
About 70% of Mauritanias people are Maursdescendants of Arabs and Berbers. The Maurs are divided into
two main groupswhite Maurs and black Maurs. These
two terms refer to social status rather than skin color.
The white Maurs, the higher class, are divided into two
groupsthe warriors and the marabout (saintly). About
30% of the people are black Africans belonging to several different ethnic groups, including the
Toucouleur, the Fulbe, the Soninke, the
Wolof, and the Banbara. Mauritanias
major religion is Muslim.
About 80% of the countrys total population lives in the south. Approximately
20% of the people are nomads. Life
expectancy is 44 years for women and 47
years for men. The population grows at an
annual rate of 2.52%
The countrys economy is based on agriculture, with 63% of the people working
as farmers and livestock herders. Mining is
another important industry. Iron ore accounts for 50%
of the countrys exports. Mauritania has an unemployment rate of 23%. About 10% of Mauritanias children
attend elementary school. Fewer attend secondary
school.
Black
30%
Mixed
Maur and
Black
40%
Maur
30%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
100%
Major Religions
Mauritius
Land area rank
180
smallest country
Population rank
152
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Goodlands
SOUTH
AMERICA
Triolet
AUSTRALIA
Port Louis
Centre De Flacq
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Sugar
23%
Quatre Bornes
Vacoas
Rose Belle
Chemin Grenier
I N
D I
A N
Souillac
O C E A N
Maheboug
0
0
miles
km
10
10
The People
Mauritius has one of the highest population densities
in the world at 1,499 people per square mile (579
people per sq km). The country has had problem with
overpopulation since the 1960s. The two main ethnic
groups are Indo-Mauritian and Creole. About 60% of
the population lives in rural areas, in
houses with concrete or wood walls and
corrugated roofs. Nearly one-third of
the people are under 15. Life expectancy
is 71 years.
Sugar is Mauritiuss most important
industry. More than 30% of all workers
grow, harvest, or process sugarcane.
Nearly 90% of all farmland is used for
growing sugarcane. Textile production
and tourism are also important industries. The country has an unemployment
rate of 2% and supports one of the
strongest economies in Africa.
About 90% of children are enrolled in
primary education. Students can move
on to secondary education and then to college. The
University of Mauritius, founded in 1965, offers classes
in agriculture, technology, education, and administration. About 2,000 students are enrolled there.
SinoMauritian
3%
Clothing
54%
Curepipe
Creole
27%
FrancoMauritian
2%
Other 3%
Muslim
17%
IndoMauritian
68%
Christian
28%
Hindu
52%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$2 billion
203
Mexico
Land area rank
15
smallest country
Population rank
11
fewest people
At a Glance
Tijuana Mexicali
Ensenada
U N IT E D
200
S T A T E S
o
Ri
a
Gr
e
nd
Hermosillo
lf o
Gu
Chihuahua
fC
Los Mochis
nia
for
ali
Monclova
Nuevo Laredo
Torreon
Culiacan
Monterrey
Durango
E
S
G u l f
o f
M e x i c o
Matamoros
F
C
Cuidad
Victoria
Tampico
San Luis
Potosi
Merida
Leon
Queretaro
Poza Rica
Guadalajara S a n t i a
go R
Campeche
Pachuca
.
Morelia
Jalapa
Mexico City
Puebla Veracruz
Villahermosa
Cuernavaca
BELIZE
Coatzacoalcos
Ba ls as
Aquascalientes
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
miles
0 km 200
Ciudad
Juarez
Tepic
ASIA
AFRICA
R.
SOUTH
AMERICA
Acapulco
Oaxaca
AUSTRALIA
Tapachula
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Mexico has six main land regions:
the Mexican Plateau; the Gulf
Coastal Plain; the Pacific Coastal
Lowlands; the Southern Highlands;
the Chiapas Highlands; and the
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Acapulco, Mexico
Other 3%
Manufactured
goods
82%
Other
22%
Forests
26%
Farms /
cropland
13%
Permanent
pastures
39%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$110 billion
204
Land Use
Mexico
The People
More than half of Mexicos people
are mestizos. Europeans are the next
largest group, and live mainly in
urban areas.
Indians inhabit rural areas, such
as the Yucatan Peninsula and
Chiapas Highlands. About 95% of
the people speak Spanish. More
than 50 Indian languages, however,
including Maya, Mixtec, Nahuatl,
Otomi, Tarascan, and Zapotec are
(continued)
Mestizo
60%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
6%
Other 5%
Roman
Catholic
89%
Major Religions
Education
Children ages 6 to 14 must attend
school in Mexico. After kindergarten, a student has 6 years of elementary school and then 3 years of
basic secondary school. After that,
students can continue on to a 3 year
upper secondary school and then go
on to college.
About 85% of children attend
school and 80% finish elementary
school. About 40% complete basic
secondary school. Few attend upper
secondary school or college.
Government
Literate
90%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
5 major ships
101 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
127
97
69
27
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
205
Micronesia
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
190
191
fewest people
At a Glance
Guam
(U.S.)
miles
km
250
250
E
S
Colonia
Yap
Ulithi
Namonnuito
Atoll
C a r
o l i
n e
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
I s l
a n d
s
ASIA
Palikir
Truk
Islands
Ponape
Satawan Atoll
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
P A
C I
F I C
AUSTRALIA
O C E A N
A N TA R C T I C A
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Other 3%
Average Rainfall
Other
24%
Coconut
oil 15%
Fish
23%
Bananas
Copra 19%
19%
Exports
$73 million
206
Nine Micronesian
and Polynesian
Groups
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
47%
Roman
Catholic
50%
Major Religions
Moldova
Land area rank
137
smallest country
Population rank
116
fewest people
At a Glance
Edinet
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Ribnita
Orhei
miles
km
50
50
U K RA IN E
Dn
Balti
Pr
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
iv
Chisinau
ive
r R
ut
SOUTH
AMERICA
est
er
Tighina
Tiraspol
A N TA R C T I C A
R OM A N IA
N
W
Cahul
E
B l a c k
S e a
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Exports
$816 million
Gagauz Other 4%
4%
Russian
13%
Moldavian/
Romanian
65%
Ukrainian
14%
Ethnic Makeup
Jewish 2%
Eastern
Orthodox
98%
Major Religions
207
Monaco
Land area rank
246
smallest country
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
miles
km
1/2
1/2
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Monte-Carlo
S
Port of Monaco
N
W
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
ea
ed
The People
About one-seventh of Monacos population is
Monegasquenative to Monaco. More than half of the
people are French, while the rest are Americans,
Belgians, British, and Italians. Life expectancy is 78 years.
Many wealthy people from other countries move to
Monaco because it has no income tax. Monaco has an
annual population growth rate of 0.4%.
Monacos state religion is Roman Catholicism, and
the church runs its primary schools, a high school, and a
music academy.
Tourism is
important to
Monacos economy. About
600,000 tourists
visit the country
each year.
Commerce and
manufacturing
are also important industries
Outdoor cafe in Monaco
and account for
two-thirds of Monacos income. Many foreign companies have their headquarters in Monaco because of its
low taxes.
Other Machinery
32%
27%
Carpeting
13%
Handicrafts
11%
Exports
$ NA
208
Fontvielle
e
it
Other 5%
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Monaco
E
80F/27C
La
Condamine
The Place
100F/38C
Larvotto
F R A N C E
ea
At a Glance
fewest people
Population rank
Organic
chemicals
17%
Other
21%
Italian
16%
Monegasque
16%
French
47%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
Mongolia
Land area rank
19
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
Uvs Lake
Erdenet
Hovd
M
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Altay
n t
a i
n s
Bayanhongor
Dalandzadagad
ert
Gobi Des
N
AUSTRALIA
E
S
A N TA R C T I C A
80F/27C
Choybalsan
Darhan
Ulaanbaatar
NORTH
AMERICA
Snbaatar
Ulaangom
EUROPE
Lake
Baykal
R U S S I A
-20F/-30C
136
0
0
C H I N A
miles
km
400
400
The People
Mongolia has one of the lowest population densities in
the world, but one of the highest rates of population
growth in Asia. The countrys population density is
about 4 people per square mile (1.5 people per sq km)
and its rate of increase is 1.54%. The life expectancy
is 61.
Mongolias population is mostly made up of Mongols.
Other groups include the Kazakhs, Chinese, and
Russians. Mongolian is the official language, but several
dialects are spoken in the country. Most people speak
the Khalkha dialect. Lamaism (a form of Buddhism) and
Shamanism are the main
religions.
Most Mongolians live
on livestock farms, which
are large ranches with
small towns in the center.
The main buildings
include houses, offices,
stores, and medical posts
for people and animals.
Many people raise
livestockmostly
sheepfor a living.
Mining is a developing
industry in the country.
Live animals
Other 10%
Metals and 3%
finished
products
4%
Mineral
Textile
products
products
59%
24%
Russian
Chinese 2%
Other 2%
2%
Kazakh
4%
Mongol
90%
Muslim 4%
96%
Tibetan Buddhist
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$418 million
209
Morocco
Land area rank
55
smallest country
Population rank
37
fewest people
S P A I N
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AUSTRALIA
O
A N TA R C T I C A
Khouribga
Beni Mellal
T
A
Canary
Islands
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
miles 100
0 km 100
Other 7%
Consumer
goods
20%
Food &
beverages
61%
Exports
$7 billion
210
A L G E R I A
0
0 in/0 cm
W
S
Phosphates
12%
Average Rainfall
80F/27C
Fez
Agadir
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
Oujda
Rabat
Casablanca
Marrakech
Fez, Morocco
Ttouan
WESTERN SAHARA
The Place
Mediterranean Sea
Strait of Gibraltar
Tangier
AFRICA
Other Farms /
11% cropland
Forests
22%
20%
Permanent
pastures
47%
Land Use
Morocco
The People
Almost all Moroccans are of mixed
Arab and Berber descent, and most
are Muslims. Arabs make up about
65% of the population. Morocco
has a population density of 175 people per square mile (68 people per
sq km). It has an annual population
growth rate of 1.89%. Life
expectancy is 69 years.
Moroccan woman
(continued)
Arab-Berber
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 1%
Muslim
99%
Major Religions
Government
Literate
44%
Education
Morocco provides free elementary
and high school education.
Moroccan children are required to
attend 6 years of school. Attendance
in rural areas is low, however,
because of a lack of schools and
teachers. Many rural boys stay home
to help farm the land. Also, some
Moroccans believe it is not impor-
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
75
39
TVs
Cars
43
Phones
18
NA
VCRs
PCs
211
Mozambique
Land area rank
35
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
ZAMBIA
T A N Z A N IA
Lake Nyasa
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
Nacala
WI
A N TA R C T I C A
Nampula
Za
Tete
m
be
zi
iv
er
Quelimane
Z IM B A B W E
Beira
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
Xai-Xai
Maputo
0
0
miles
km
200
200
E
S
Average Rainfall
80F/27C
I N D I A N
O C E A N
er
15 in/38 cm
iv
100F/38C
imp
op
Ocean. The
o
country has 1,535
miles (2,470 km)
of coastline.
SOUTH
Mozambique
AFRICA
is divided into
SWAZILAND
two regionsthe
lowlands in the
south and the highlands in the
north. The
lowlands,
which are less
than 600 feet
(200 m) above
sea level, consist of a wide,
flat plain and
cover most of
the country.
The highlands
are quite
mountainous.
Mozambiques
highest peak
Mount Binga
Nampula, Mozambique
Pemba
Lichinga
J F M A M J J A S O N D
AUSTRALIA
LA
The Place
MA
SOUTH
AMERICA
oz
C am
h
b
a
n iq
n
el ue
Other
22%
Other
29%
Shrimp
43%
Petroleum
2%
Copra 4%
Sugar 4%
Cashew nuts 6%
Cotton
12%
Exports
$226 million
212
52
Forests
18%
Permanent
pastures
56%
Land Use
Mozambique
The People
Most of Mozambiques population
consists of Bantu-speaking Africans.
Other groups include Arabs,
Europeans, and Pakistanis. The
largest ethnic group is the MakuaLomwe. They make up about 40%
of the population. Portuguese is the
official language, however, very few
citizens speak it.
Mozambican woman
(continued)
Indigenous
tribal groups
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
20%
Christian
30%
Indigenous
beliefs
50%
Major Religions
Education
Mozambiques civil war has devastated its school system. More than
3,000 schools closed during the
fighting. About 63% of children
attend elementary school with 8%
of those students continuing on to
secondary school. The government
is currently trying to build up the
school system and enroll more
students. A university was founded
in 1962 in Maputo.
Most Mozambicans cannot read
Government
Literate
40%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
80 tanks
0 major ships
43 combat aircraft
Myanmar
40
Population rank
27
fewest people
At a Glance
hm
Bra
apu
tra
Mekong
iv
er
INDIA
dw
in
CHINA
in
SH
Monywa
ASIA
Pakokku
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Sittwe
AUSTRALIA
Mandalay
Taunggyi
we
River
NORTH
AMERICA
en
Sal
DE
EUROPE
LA
Rive
NG
Ch
BA
a d dy
I r r aw
LAOS
Prome
A N TA R C T I C A
Henzada
Pegu
24 in/61 cm
21 in/53 cm
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Basic
manufactures
5%
Other
16%
Inedible crude
materials
28%
Farms/cropland 16%
Food and
live animals
51%
Permanent
pastures
1%
Other
34%
Forests
49%
0 in/0 cm
214
Average Rainfall
18 in/46 cm
Isthm
us o
f Kr
a
Bay
the Western
Bassein
Rangoon
of
Mountain Belt, and
THAILAND
Kyaikkami
Bengal
the Central Belt.
The Eastern
Mountain System
Andaman
separates the counSea
try from Thailand,
N
Laos, and China.
Gulf
W
E
This area features
of
0
miles
200
Thailand
the long
S
0
km
200
Tenasserim Coast
and the hilly Shan Plateau. The
Western Mountain belt has an area of (20C) in January and 85F (29C)
thick forests along Myanmars border
in July. The rainy season lasts from
with India and a group of low mounlate May to October. Average
tainsthe Arakan Yomato the
rainfall varies from area to area.
south. The Central Belt includes
Mandalay receives about 30 inches
Myanmars tallest peakHkakabo
(76 cm) of rain a year, while the
Raziwhich rises to 19,296 feet
Tenasserim Coast receives 200 inches
(5,881 m). The Central Belt also con- (510 cm). The heavy rains are
tains the Irrawaddy river valley. The
brought by monsoons. The cool
Irrawaddy River is Myanmars major
season lasts from late October to
transportation route.
mid-February. The hot season lasts
Myanmar has a tropical climate
from late February to mid-May.
with three seasonsrainy, cool, and
Temperatures can rise as high as
hot. Temperatures average 68F
100F (38C).
Andam
an Isla
nds
The Place
Exports
Land Use
Myanmar
Animist beliefs 1%
Muslim 4%
Other 2%
Christian
4%
Indian 2%
Mon 2%
Chinese 3%
Rakhine 4%
Burman
68%
Shan 9%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
The People
The people of Myanmar are called
Burmese. Most are Buddhists. The
Burmans are Myanmars largest
Education
Education is free in Myanmar.
Children are required to attend
between the ages 5 and 9. Ten years
of schooling are offered.
The country has arts and sciences
universities in Yangon and
Mandalay. Myanmar also has three
medical schools and a technical
institute. There is a shortage of
teachers in the country.
Other 5%
Karen 7%
Buddhist
89%
(continued)
Government
Literate
83%
Defense
Literacy
2 major ships
91 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
215
Namibia
Land area rank
34
smallest country
Population rank
146
fewest people
Average Rainfall
0 in/0 cm
$1 billion
216
E
S
200
200
Keetmanshoop
Va
al
R.
SOUTH AFRICA
O r a n g e Ri ver
The People
About 90% of Namibias population is black, 7% is white.
The country has many different ethnic groups. The
Ovambo make up about half the population. They live
in northern Namibia in a region called Ovamboland.
Namibia has a population density of 6 people per square
mile (2 people per square km). About two-thirds of the
population lives in rural areas. Life expectancy is 41 years.
Most people living in Namibia fish, grow crops, or raise
livestock for a living. Some work in copper or diamond
mines. Most whites
hold administrative
jobs in urban areas.
Whites generally
have higher incomes
than blacks.
The countrys
official language is
English, but most
blacks speak one
Classroom in Windhoek, Nambia
of the 15 African
languages spoken in the country. About 80% of the
people are Christians. Enjoying musicsome of which
has been influenced by German culturedancing, rock
painting, engraving, and sculpture of toys, religious
figures, and masks are popular activities.
Exports
t
e r
D e s
J F MA M J J A S O N D
miles
km
Lderitz
0F/-18C
3 in/8 cm
Rehoboth
6 in/15 cm
B O TSWA N A
40F/4C
20F/-7C
9 in/23 cm
Walvis Bay
IC
60F/16C
Windhoek
Swakopmund
12 in/30 cm
E
BW
BA
M
ZI
N
LA
AT
The Place
Otjiwarongo
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
15 in/38 cm
Z amb e z i
R.
Tsumeb
SOUTH
AMERICA
80F/27C
Okav ango
AFRICA
K un e n e R .
ASIA
100F/38C
ZAMBIA
A N G OL A
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
At a Glance
Damara
8%
Herero
8%
Kavango
9%
Other
tribes
19%
Ovambo
50%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
20%
Other
Christian
30%
Lutheran
50%
Major Religions
Nauru
Land area rank
233
Population rank
223
smallest country
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Ronave
AFRICA
Anna
Anabar
SOUTH
AMERICA
S
AUSTRALIA
Ijuw
Uaboe
The Place
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 13%
Average Rainfall
Nauru is a small, oval island in the Pacific Ocean located about 2,580 miles (4,160 km) southwest of Hawaii,
and 40 miles (65 km) south of the equator. It is the
third-smallest country in the world.
Most of Nauru is plateau covered with phosphates.
Buada Lagoon is in the southern center of the island
and is surrounded by fertile land. There is also an area
of fertile land along the coast. The island has an average
elevation of 200 feet (61 m).
Nauru has a hot and
humid climate, which is
cooled by trade winds.
Temperatures range from
76F (24C) to 93F
(34C). About 80 inches
(200 cm) of rain fall a
year, although sometimes
there are droughts.
Vegetation is limited to
coconut palms, pandanus,
and brush and scrub
hardwood. Most plants
grow on the coast.
100F/38C
Phosphates
87%
0 in/0 cm
Phosphate
stockpile
A N TA R C T I C A
Exports
$25 million
Yangor
Buada
Lagoon
Anibare
Bay
Yaren
I F
I C
miles
km
O C
E A N
The People
About 58% of Naurus population are Nauruanspeople of mixed Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian
descent. Most are Christian and speak mainly Nauruan
and English. The rest of the
population comes from
Kiribati, Tuvalu, China,
Australia, and the Philippines.
These people come to mine
phosphates. Most people live
along the coast.
The government provides
Nauruans with low-rent
homes. There are 2 hospitals
and 11 clinics that provide free
medical care. Life expectancy
is 67 years.
All children from ages 6 to
17 must attend school. The
country has 5 nursery schools,
an elementary school, a high
school, a Roman Catholic mission school, and a teacher training college. The government pays the expenses of students who attend college
abroad. Some students attend boarding schools in
Australia. Nauru has an literacy rate of 99%.
Chinese
8%
Other
Pacific
Islanders
26%
European 8%
Nauruan
58%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
33%
Protestant
67%
Major Religions
217
Nepal
Land area rank
94
smallest country
Population rank
40
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
miles
km
100
100
ASIA
C H IN A
SOUTH
AMERICA
Dipayal
A N TA R C T I C A
i m
Jomsom
ar
na
AUSTRALIA
iv
er
AFRICA
li
Nepalganj
Pokhara
l a
y a
s
Kathmandu
Mt. Everest
Bhaktapur
Lalitpur
Janakpur
N
W
Dharan
Biratnagar
E
S
IN D IA
Ganges Ri
ve
r
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Food and
live animals
9%
Miscellaneous
manufactures
33%
Basic
manufactures
52%
Other
26%
Farms/
cropland
17%
Forests
42%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$419 million
218
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
15%
Nepal
The People
Most Nepalese are of Indian descent.
Some people are of Tibetan descent
while others are of Indian-Tibetan
descent. Nepal has a population density of 454 people per square mile
(175 people per sq km). It has an
annual population increase of 2.3%.
Most Nepalese live in small
villages that have two-story houses
made of stone or mud-brick. About
90% of the people earn their living
by farming. Other Nepalese work as
blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and tailors.
Some work in the merchant trade,
Newars, Indians,
Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars,
Tamangs, Sherpas
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Nepal has both primary and secondary schools. More children in urban
areas attend school than those in
rural areas, and more boys than girls
go to school.
Nepal has one university
Tribhuwan Universitywhich was
(continued)
Muslim 3%
Other 2%
Hindu
90%
Major Religions
founded in 1918. It has a main
campus in the capital, Kathmandu,
and other campuses throughout the
country.
Nepal has an average literacy rate
of about 28%. About 3 times more
men than women can read and write.
Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy
Structure: Executive
Leader: King/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
28%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Buddhist boys
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
NA
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
219
Netherlands
Land area rank
136
smallest country
Population rank
59
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Groningen
N o r t h
S e a
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
220
Average Rainfall
80F/27C
The Hague
Arnhem
Rotterdam
Dordrecht
Breda
Nijmegen
G ERM A N Y
Tilburg
Eindhoven
0
0
miles
km
40
B E L G IU M
Maastricht
40
er
15 in/38 cm
Enschede
Utrecht
Riv
100F/38C
Apeldoorn
Leiden
ine
Amsterdam
Haarlem
A N TA R C T I C A
Rh
The Place
AUSTRALIA
E
S
The Netherlands has a mild climate with cool winters and warm
summers. Temperatures average
60F (16C) in the summer and
30F (-1C) in the winter. The
country receives about 25 inches
(63 cm) of precipitation a year.
Other
35%
Clothing
1%
Iron and steel
2%
Petroleum products
4%
Machinery
24%
Food
17%
Exports
$203 billion
Chemicals
and chemical
products
17%
Other
31%
Forests
10%
Farms /
cropland
28%
Permanent
pastures
31%
Land Use
Netherlands
The People
The Netherlands is one of the most
densely populated countries in the
world with a population density of
980 people per square mile (378
people per sq km). Life expectancy
is 78 years.
About 88% of the people live in
urban areas. About 40% of the people live in the two coastal provinces
Amsterdam flower market
Education
All children ages 5 to 16 must
attend school. The educational
system consists of both public and
private schools. The majority of
students attend private schools.
The Netherlands has several different types of high schools, which
train students for university study or
a job. The University of Amsterdam
is the countrys largest university.
The oldest university is Leiden
University, founded in 1575.
(continued)
Dutch
96%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 2%
Roman
Catholic
34%
Unaffiliated
36%
Protestant
25%
Muslim
3%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy
Structure: Executive
Leader: Queen/Prime Minister
Literate
99%
Defense
Literacy
740 tanks
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Rotterdam, Netherlands
19 major ships
183 combat aircraft
New Zealand
Land area rank
74
smallest country
Population rank
122
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
ASIA
AFRICA
Auckland
SOUTH
AMERICA
Hamilton
Rotorua
T a s m a n
S e a
AUSTRALIA
New Plymouth
North
Island
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
222
Average Rainfall
Food
and live
animals
46%
Basic
manufactures
25%
Exports
$19 billion
Napier
Westport
N
Wellington
So
ut
Al
ps
Christchurch
South Timaru
Island
r
he
Greymouth
Palmerston North
NORTH
AMERICA
Dunedin
Invercargill
C
0
0
Stewart Island
miles
km
200
200
The People
About 85% of New Zealanders were born in the countrymost descendants of British settlers. New Zealands
largest minority group is the Maori, people of Polynesian
descent. Most people speak English with an accent that is
similar to a British accent. The country has a population
density of 37 people per square mile (14 people per sq
km). Life expectancy is 78 years.
New Zealand is known for its high standard of living.
Nearly 70% of families own their own homes, and almost
every family has a car. Most people live in single family
houses. People in larger cities inhabit high-rise apartment
buildings. About 65% of the population works in services,
25% in industry, and 10% in agriculture.
Equal rights are
important to New
Zealanders. In 1893, it
became the first country
in the world to give
women the right to vote.
Sports are popular in
New Zealand. Camping,
hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, yachting,
swimming, cricket,
rugby, and tennis are
favorite activities.
Asian &
Pacific
Islanders Other 7%
4%
Maori
10%
European
79%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
Protestant
3%
Baptist
2%
Other
33%
Methodist
5%
Presbyterian
Anglican 18%
24%
Roman
Catholic
15%
Major Religions
Nicaragua
Land area rank
99
smallest country
Population rank
112
fewest people
At a Glance
H O N D U R A S
Ocotal
Jinotega
Matagalpa
Esteli
Chinandega
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Len Lake
Managua
AFRICA
Managua
Juigalpa
Masaya
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Granada
ea
S
Ca
ri
bb
ea
n
EL
SALVADOR
ito Co
ast
Puerto Cabezas
Mosqu
Bluefields
W
Rivas
S
Lake Nicaragua
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
A N TA R C T I C A
COSTA RICA
miles
km
100
100
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other
34%
Raw
sugar
6%
Beef
7%
Coffee
18%
Exports
$635 million
Crustaceans
11%
Black 9%
White
17%
Amerindian 5%
Mestizo
69%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant 5%
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
223
Niger
Land area rank
21
smallest country
Population rank
72
fewest people
At a Glance
miles
ASIA
km
200
A L G E R I A
AFRICA
S a h a r a
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
M A L I
rR
ge
Ni
Agadez
A
IN
RK O
B U FAS
Niamey
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
224
Other
28%
Cowpeas
5%
Zinder
Lake
Chad
N I G E R I A
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
W
Maradi
Dosso
Tahoua
BENIN
The Place
C H A D
0F/-18C
LIBYA
200
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Permanent
pastures 7%
Forests
2%
Uranium
53%
Livestock
14%
Exports
$188 million
Other
88%
Land Use
Niger
Merchant, Niger
The People
About 98% of Nigers population is
black African. Non-black minorities
include a white ethnic group called
the Tuareg and a few Asian peoples.
The major black ethnic groups are
the Hausa, Djerma-Songhai, Kanuri,
and Fula. The Hausa make up more
than half of the population. They live
in the south and work as farmers.
The Djerma-Songhai live in south-
(continued)
Djerma
22%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs & Christian
20%
Muslim
80%
Major Religions
Education
Many areas in Niger do not have
schools. The government runs the
public schools. There are also
Quranic schools, which teach
Muslim beliefs. Nomadic groups use
tent schools. The school moves with
the nomads as they move.
About 25% of primary-schoolage children attend school and less
than 10% of students ages 12 to 17
attend secondary schools. Nigers
major university is the University at
Niamey, founded in 1973.
Government
Literate
14%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
59
TVs
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
225
Nigeria
Land area rank
31
smallest country
Population rank
10
fewest people
Sokoto
Lake
Chad
Katsina
Kano
Kumo
Kaduna
BENIN
Jos
Ni
ASIA
Ogbomosho
Ibadan
AUSTRALIA
Benin City
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Uyo
CAMEROON
0
0
miles
km
Other
Forests 8%
12%
Crude petroleum
95%
Exports
200
200
Other 3%
$15 billion
226
Port Harcourt
0 in/0 cm
R.
W
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Cocoa beans
1%
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Rubber 1%
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
u
en
Lagos
A N TA R C T I C A
g
Riv e r
Osogbo
SOUTH
AMERICA
Abuja
er
AFRICA
The Place
Maiduguri
Zaria
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
C H A D
N I G E R
At a Glance
100F/38C
Farms /
cropland
36%
Permanent
pastures
44%
Land Use
Nigeria
Nigerian children
The People
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. It has a population
density of 346 people per square
mile (133 people per sq km). The
countrys rate of population increase
is almost 3%. Nearly half the population is under 15 years old. Life
expectancy is 54 years.
There are more than 250 ethnic
groups in Nigeria. The three largest
groups are the Hausa in the north,
Yoruba in the southwest, and Ibo in
the southeast.
Hausa
21%
Other
29%
Fulani
11%
Ibo
18%
Yoruba
21%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous beliefs
10%
Christian
40%
Muslim
50%
Major Religions
robes. The men also wear short, full
jackets with shorts or pants and
small round caps. Women sometimes wear scarves tied like turbans.
Government
Education
Nigeria does not have enough
schools or teachers for its children.
About 15 million students attend
elementary school and about 3.5
million attend secondary school.
Nigeria has 30 universities. More
than 330,000 students attend college. Ahmadu Bello University in
Zaria is the largest university.
Nigeria has a literacy rate of 57%.
(continued)
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: Chairman of the
Provisional Ruling Council
Literate
57%
Defense
62,000 army personnel
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
210 tanks
1 major ship
92 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
29
TVs
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
North Korea
Land area rank
98
smallest country
Population rank
49
At a Glance
ve
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
e
Tu m
AFRICA
C H IN A
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Ya
lu
Kanggye
Kimch'aek
S e a
o f
J a p a n
Hamhung
Sinuiju
Hungnam
Wonsan
P'yongyang
Namp'o
Korea
Bay
Haeju
Kaesong
Yellow Sea
as Siberian fir,
spruce, pine, and
cedar, cover about
half the country.
North Koreas
major rivers are the
491-mile- (790-km-)
long Yalu and the
324-mile- (521-km-)
long Tumen.
North Korea has
a cool, temperate
climate with long,
cold winters and
wet summers. The
country has an average temperature of
47F (8C). Most
of North Koreas
rain falls in the
summerabout 40
inches (102 cm).
Typhoons sometimes
occur in September
and August.
SOU TH KOREA
Fishery
products
17%
Other
23%
Minerals
48%
Agriculture
27%
Farms/
cropland
16%
Forests
61%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$912 million
228
iv
N
W
Other 8%
Average Rainfall
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Ch'ongjin
er
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
RUSSIA
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea
Continent: Asia
Area: 46,768 square miles
(120,540 sq km)
Population: 21,386,109
Capital City: Pyongyang
Largest City: Pyongyang (2,741,260)
Unit of Money: North Korean Won
Major Languages: Korean (official)
Natural Resources: Coal, lead, tungsten
0F/-18C
fewest people
Land Use
miles
km
100
100
North Korea
The People
Most people in North Korea are
Korean. There are small groups of
Chinese and Japanese in the country.
Korean is the official language.
After the Korean War in 1953,
the government tried to make the
country more industrialized. About
two-thirds of North Koreans live in
urban areas, with the coast the most
populated region. Many work in
government-run factories. Most live
in one or two room apartments.
Few people own cars. Those living
Korean
100%
Buddhism
and Confusianism,
some Christianity
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
North Koreas elementary school
system is made up of grades 1 to 4,
and its senior middle school goes
from grades 5 to 10. Students must
receive government permission to
Literate
99%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
(continued)
Government
Type: Communist
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Premier
Defense
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
14
11
NA
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
229
Norway
Land area rank
67
smallest country
Population rank
115
At a Glance
0
0
200
Bare
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ARCTIC OCEAN
200
Hammerfest
ASIA
Narvik
L A P
L A N
D
SOUTH
AMERICA
Alta
Tromso
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
eg
ia
Mo
ni
LA
th
FI
N
Gu
lf
of
Bo
EN
ED
Bergen
SW
Trondheim
w
or
N
A N TA R C T I C A
nts S
ea
Kirkenes
IA
SS
RU
miles
km
Se
fewest people
Oslo
North Sea
Stavanger
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other
16%
Baltic
Sea
ESTONIA
LATVIA
The People
More than half of Norways population lives in the south
near the capital, Oslo. About 75% live in urban areas, and
most people live in apartments. Wealthier Norwegians,
however, own single-family homes. About
25% of the population lives in rural areas,
mainly in the southeast. People living in rural
areas have farmhouses with modern conveniences. Life expectancy is 78 years.
About 71% of the labor force works in
services, 23% in industry, and 6% in fishing, agriculture, and forestry.
Children ages 7 to 16 must go to school.
Elementary school lasts 6 years, and both
junior high and senior high last 3 years.
Students can then continue on to college.
Sports are an important part of Norwegian life. Skiing
is the most popular sport. Many learn how to ski before
they start school. Ice-skating, soccer, and swimming are
also Norwegian favorites.
Fuels
and fuel
products
54%
Norwegian
95%
Other
Christian
4%
Other 8%
Evangelical
Lutheran
88%
0 in/0 cm
Machinery
11%
Exports
$49 billion
230
Ska
Kristiansand
it
k Stra
gerra
Lapp 1% Other 4%
Average Rainfall
Drammen
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Oman
82
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
BAHRAIN
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Pe
rs
ia
ASIA
Gu
QATAR
AFRICA
lf
Strait of
IRA N
rmuz
Ho
Musandam
Peninsular
SOUTH
AMERICA
Suhar
AUSTRALIA
G ulf o f O m a n
UNITED ARAB
Ar Rustq
EMIRATES
Muscat
Nazw
Sur
A N TA R C T I C A
S A U D I
0
0
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Khaluf
Duqm
Arabian
Sea
Salalah
Y E M E N
INDIAN OCEAN
The People
Nearly 90% of Omans people are Arabs and almost all
are Muslims. Other ethnic groups include Africans,
Indians, Iranians, and Pakistanis.
Oman has a population density of 31 people per
square mile (11 people per sq km). It has an average
yearly population increase of 3.4%.
The life expectancy is 71 years.
Omanis living in rural areas
inhabit houses made of concrete
blocks, wood and palm thatch, or
dried mud or stone. Nomads live in
tents. Many city dwellers live in 1or 2-story houses with enclosed
courtyards.
Most people living in coastal
areas work on date palm plantations
or fish for a living. Farmers in interior sections grow dates, fruit, and
grain. People living in the city work in the petroleum
industry or as government officials, laborers, merchants,
or sailors.
The majority of Omani men wear white robes and
turbans. Women usually wear long black dresses over
their colorful clothes. Some women also wear black veils
to cover their faces.
a l i
l K h
' A
)
b
t
u
R
s e r
( D e
200
200
The Place
100F/38C
miles
km
A R A B IA
Petroleum
80%
African, Indian,
Iranian, Pakistani
10%
Other Muslim
& Hindu
25%
Arab
90%
Ibadhi Muslim
75%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$8 billion
231
Pakistan
Area rank
36
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
TURKMENISTAN
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
Mingaora
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
In
Peshawar
A N TA R C T I C A
J he
AFGHANISTAN
Lahore
Quetta
us R
iver
Faisalabad
Multan
tl
ej
u
S
Bahawalpur
BA
IS
LUCH
TA
In
N
Sukkur
INDIA
The Place
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
232
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
Rawalpindi
R
.
i
R
av
m
R
lu
Gujranwala
IRAN
Hyderabad
es
N
W
ar
t
er
Th
du
Islamabad
CHINA
ASIA
Karachi
0
Arabian Sea
Pakistani farmer
miles
km
200
200
Pakistan
Arabian Sea. This area is quite fertile. The Baluchistan Plateau in the
southwest is dry and rocky and has
few plants. The Thar Desert in the
southeast extends into northwestern
India.
Pakistan has a dry climate with
hot summers and cool winters.
Rainfall varies by region, but the
Cotton 2%
Fish 2%
Other
Leather
12%
goods
4%
Rice 6%
Ready-made
garments
21%
(continued)
Textile
fabrics
53%
Exports
$8 billion
Farms/
cropland
28%
Other
61%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
6%
Forests
5%
Resources
Farm land
Forests
Pastures
Other
Manufacturing
Textiles
Light Engineering
Chemicals
Cattle
Grains
233
Pakistan
(continued)
The History
The Indus Valley civilization formed
in what is now Pakistan around 2500
B.C.E. By 1700 B.C.E. the civilization
had collapsed and during the next
1,000 years many people from Asia
came to the region. The Persians took
over in 500 B.C.E. and then, in the
300s B.C.E., emperor Chandragupta
Maurya gained control and made the
region part of the Mauryan Empire.
Soon after, the Greeks took over, then
the Afghans, Parthians, Kushands,
and finally the Arab Muslims in 1000
C.E. The Mughal Empire, which
included India, was established in
1526. In the 1700s, Persians and
The People
Pakistans population is made up of
many cultural groups. The main
difference between the groups is
language. Urdu is the countrys official language, however, less than
10% of the people speak it as their
main language. The Punjabis are
the largest group and speak different
dialects of Punjabi. Other ethnic
groups include the Sindis, Pashtuns,
Mohajir, and Baluch. Refugees from
Pakistani mother and child
Government
Type: Federal Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
520,000 army personnel
2,050 tanks
20 major ships
430 combat aircraft
Major Religions
Baluch
5%
Mohajir
8%
Other 7%
Punjabi
50%
Sindi
15%
Pashtun
15%
Ethnic Makeup
Pakistan
(continued)
Literate
38%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Education
Pakistani children are not required
to go to school. The country has a
shortage of schools, teachers, and
teaching materials.
The school system is made up of
elementary school from grades 1 to
5, middle school from grades 6 to 8,
and high school from grades 9 to
10. After high school, students can
attend intermediate college for
2 years to prepare for college.
Pakistans 3 largest universities are
Other
19%
Agriculture
47%
Services
17%
Industry
17%
Labor Force
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
16
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
235
Palau
Area rank
197
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Konrei
AFRICA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Other
15%
Copra
16%
Koror
A N TA R C T I C A
W
S
Ngardololok
0
0
miles
km
I
Peleliu I.
30
Angaur I.
30
The People
About 70% of Palauans live on Koror Island and most
work for government agencies. The rest of the people
live in rural villages throughout the islands. Many of
these people work as farmers, but are only able to grow
enough food to feed their
families and make a small
profit. The most popular
foods in Palau are seafood and
taro, a starchy, edible underground root.
Palau has a population
density of 106 people per
square mile (40 people per
sq km). It has an annual population increase of 1.3%. Life
expectancy is 67 years.
Most of the population
speaks both Palauan and
English. Children ages 6 to
14 must attend school. The
country has a literacy rate of
92%. About 75% of the people
are Christians, and 25% of
Palauans follow a local religion called Modekngei.
Modekngei
25%
Fish
29%
Garments
21%
Polynesian,
Malayan,
and Melanesian
Christian
85%
0 in/0 cm
Handicrafts
19%
Exports
$14 million
236
Melekeiok
Babelthuap I.
Airai
Mukeru
80F/27C
Ngatpang
AUSTRALIA
The Place
100F/38C
Galap
Ngardmau
SOUTH
AMERICA
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Panama
Area rank
118
smallest country
Population rank
133
fewest people
At a Glance
A T L A N T I C
Caribbean Sea
E
S
COSTA
RICA
Ga
tun
e
Lak
Cristbal
Panama Canal
La Chorrera
Coln
San Miguelito
Panama City
Balboa
David
La Palma
Santiago
Yaviza
ira
Chitr
EUROPE
Gulf of
Panama
ASIA
NORTH
AMERICA
N
W
Tu
O C E A N
AFRICA
COL OM BIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
AUSTRALIA
miles
50
0 km 50
A N TA R C T I C A
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
White
10%
Average Rainfall
Other
40%
Bananas
33%
Clothing
Shrimp
3%
14%
Fish products
4%
Exports Coffee
6%
$592 million
Amerindian 6%
BlackAmerindian
14%
Mestizo
70%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
15%
Roman
Catholic
85%
Major Religions
237
54
smallest country
Population rank
110
fewest people
P A C I F I C
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Bis
Admiralty Islands
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
$3 billion
238
Madang
New Britain
Goroka
New
N
W
To r r e s Str ai t
E
AUSTRALIA
Bougainville
Kieta
Lae
Gu in ea
Daru
Solomon
Sea
Port
Moresby
Trobriand Islands
Woodlark Island
D'Entrecasteaux
Louisiade Archipelago
Coral
Sea
0
0
miles
km
200
200
The People
About 98% of Papua New Guineas people are
Melanesiansdark-skinned people with curly hair.
Most people live in villages and work as farmersabout
64% of the labor force works in agriculture. About 40%
of the people live in the interior valleys.
Papua New Guinea has a population density of 28
people per square mile (10 people per sq km). The annual rate of population
increase is 2.5%. Life
expectancy is 58 years.
More than 850
languages are spoken
in New Guinea. Most
people use languages
called lingua francas
to communicate with
each other. The main
two are pidgin
English and Motu.
Approximately
65% of children go
Papua New Guinea boy in traditional dress
to school until they
are 12. About 20%
of the population has attended high school. Nearly 81%
of men and 63% of women can read and write.
Cocoa beans 1%
Other 6%
Coffee 6%
Palm oil 6%
Crude oil
32%
Concentrates
12%
Gold
23%
Copper ore
and timber 14%
Exports
Bismarck
Sea
Wewak
INDONESIA
AUSTRALIA
rk
Arc
h
Ne ipela
go
w
Ire
lan
d
Rabaul
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
O C
E A
N
ma
Roman
Catholic
22%
Melanesian
(Papuan, Negrito,
Micronesian,
Polynesian)
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
34%
Protestant
44%
Major Religions
Paraguay
Area rank
59
smallest country
Population rank
101
fewest people
B OL IV IA
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Capitn Pablo
Lagerenza
ASIA
B R A ZIL
Doctor
Pedro P. Pea
om
o P
ar
Concepcin
o R
i
ay
ve
lc
Ri
Pi
A N TA R C T I C A
Ri
AUSTRALIA
Paraguay
G ra n
C h a c o
SOUTH
AMERICA
an
AFRICA
ve r
W
Asuncin
Villarrica
Lambare
iv
er
Fernando de la Mora
A R G E N T IN A
Pilar
0
miles
100
Para
na
0 km 100
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Processed
meats
5%
Vegetable
oil 7%
Oilseed
cakes 8%
Timber 9%
Mestizo
95%
Exports
Cotton fibers
21%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
90%
Major Religions
$1 billion
239
Peru
Area rank
20
smallest country
Population rank
38
fewest people
At a Glance
C O L OM B IA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
E C U A D O R
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Iquitos
Talara
Am
A N TA R C T I C A
az
on
Rive
Piura
Chiclayo
B RA ZIL
Trujillo
Pucallpa
Chimbote
Lima
Huancayo
Ayacucho
Cuzco
Ica
C
E
Lake
Titicaca
Arequipa
B OL IV IA
Callao
Tacna
W
E
0
Cuzco, Peru
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Highlands, extend
the length of the
country. The
highlands consist
of grassy narrow
valleys and
plateaus.
Huascaran, an
extinct volcano, is
the areas highest peak at 22,205 feet
(6,768 m). Few trees grow in the
highlands. Lake Titicaca, Perus
largest lake, is in the southern highlands. At 12,507 feet (3,812 m)
above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the
highest navigable lake in the world.
Rain forests and jungles lie east of
Other
36%
Copper
and copper
products
23%
Textile yarn
and fabric
3%
CH IL E
200
Clothing
and accessories
4%
Lead products 4%
Other
10%
Fish meal
fodder
13%
Zinc
products 7%
Exports
$6 billion
240
0 km
200
Farms/ cropland 3%
Average Rainfall
miles
Coffee 5%
Petroleum and
derivatives 5%
Permanent
pastures
21%
Forests
66%
Land Use
Peru (continued)
The People
Peru has more Indians than any other
country in South America. About
45% of Peruvians are Indians. People
of mixed Indian and white ancestry
make up the next largest group at
37%. About 15% of the population is
of white ancestry. A number of
Peruvians have Japanese ancestry.
The country has a population
density of 54 people per square mile
(20 people per sq km) and an annual
population increase of 1.9%. Life
expectancy is 70 years.
Most of the population lives in
cities or towns. Many people work in
agriculture, mining, quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and services.
Rural families live in one-room
houses. Some have adobe walls and
thatch or tile roofs while other houses
have twig or bamboo walls and thatch
roofs. Many lower-class families in
Other 5%
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
Other 3%
White
15%
Education
Peruvian children ages 6 to 12 must
attend school. Many rural children
do not attend school, however,
because there is a shortage of
schools and teachers. Almost all
Peruvian school children
Ethnic Makeup
mainly whites, live in single-family
houses with enclosed patios or highrise apartments.
Peru has a literacy rate of 89%.
About 95% of men and 83% of
women can read and write.
Literate
89%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Amerindian
45%
Mestizo
37%
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
95
17
TVs
Cars
31
Phones
22
VCRs
NA
PCs
241
Philippines
Area rank
70
smallest country
Population rank
13
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Laoag
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
PA
CI
Luzon
AUSTRALIA
FI
Baguio
A N TA R C T I C A
miles
km
C O
CE
Manila
Lucena
Naga
Legaspi
Batangas
Mindoro
AN
Phi l i ppi ne
Se a
Angeles
Quezon City
S o u t h
C h i n a
S e a
200
200
E
S
Calbayog
Samar
Panay
Iloilo
Tacloban
Ormoc
Leyte
Gulf
Bacolod
Cebu
Puerto
a n Princesa
The Place
The Philippines, in the southwest
Pacific Ocean, is made up of more
than 7,000 islands. The 11 largest
islands make up 95% of the countrys
area. Less than half of the islands
have names. There are three main
groups of islandsthe northern
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Boracay, Philipines
group, which is
w
la
Pa
made up of the
two large islands
Luzon and
Mindoro; the
central group,
MALAYSIA
which is a group
of 7,000 islands
called the Visayan Islands; and the
southern group, which consists of
400 islands that are part of the
Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago.
Most larger islands have volcanic
mountains. The nations highest
peakMount Apo at 9,692 feet
(2,954 m)is on Mindanao Island.
Earthquakes sometimes occur on
the islands. The countrys largest
lakes are Laguna de Bay in Luzon
and Lake Sultan Alonto in
Mindanao. Most of the countrys
rivers flow during the rainy season,
which lasts from June to February.
The Philippine Trench, which is off
the northeast coast of Mindanao, is
Other
39%
Woodcraft and
furniture 2%
Electronics
40%
Exports
$34 billion
242
Cagayan De Oro
Iligan
Mindanao
Davao
Zamboanga
C e l e b e s
S e a
Other
19%
Farms/
cropland
31%
Forests
46%
Computer
peripherals 2%
Ignition wiring sets 2%
Coconut oil 3%
S u l u
S e a
Garments
12%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
4%
Philippines (continued)
The People
People live on 900 of the countrys
islands. The people of the Philippines
are called Filipinos and are descendants of Indonesians and Malaysians,
known as Malays. Chinese make up
the second largest ethnic group in
the country.
The Philippines has a population
density of 701 people per square
mile (270 people per sq km) and an
annual population increase of 2.2%.
Life expectancy is 66 years.
Education
Children ages 7 to 12 must attend
school. The first 2 years of school
are taught in the local dialect , then
Filipino and English are introduced.
Almost all private schools, as well as
high schools and universities, teach
in English.
More than 30% of students attend
collegemostly private or religious.
The University of the East is the
countrys largest university.
Other 3%
Christian
Malay
91%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
5%
Protestant
9%
Roman
Catholic
83%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
Literate
95%
Literacy
1 major ship
41
TVs
17
14
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Poland
Area rank
69
smallest country
Population rank
30
fewest people
Baltic Sea
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
L ITH U A N IA
Gdansk
AFRICA
Olsztyn
SOUTH
AMERICA
Szczecin
AUSTRALIA
Bialystock
Bydgoszcz
Zielona Gora
Od
er
R.
Wroclaw
Ldz
N
Radom
ul
UKRAINE
0
SLOVAKIA
The Place
Poland is a large country in central
Europe with a northern coastline on
the Baltic Sea. Polands coastal lowlands, along the Baltic coast in the
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Chemicals 8%
Mineral
fuels and
lubricants
8%
Food 9%
Exports
100
100
Forests
29%
Farms /
cropland
48%
Machinery
21%
Miscellaneous
manufactured
articles 21%
miles
km
Other
10%
$26 billion
244
Other 5%
Manufactured
goods 28%
E
S
Krakow
CZECH
REPUBLIC
Lublin
st
Katowice
Czestochowa
Gilwice
BEL A RU S
Warsaw
iver
ta R
GERMANY
R.
Poznan
A N TA R C T I C A
R i v er
ug
ar
RUSSIA
(Kaliningrad Oblast)
ASIA
Vi
At a Glance
Permanent
pastures
13%
Land Use
Poland
The People
Most people in Poland are Poles
descendants of Slavic tribes. The
countrys largest minority groups are
Byelorussians, Germans, and
Ukrainians. Most people speak
Polish, which is related to Czech,
Slovak, and other Slavic languages.
Poland has a population density
of 320 people per square mile (123
people per sq km) and an annual
population
increase of
0.01%. Life
expectancy is
73 years.
Polish families in the cities
live in 2- or
3-room apartments.
Families in
rural areas live in small brick or
wooden cottages.
About 30% of the countrys labor
force works in industry and construction, 26% in agriculture, and
44% in services. Poland has an
unemployment rate of 12%.
Most of the people in Poland are
Roman Catholic. The country has
thousands of Roman Catholic
churches and religious instruction
(continued)
Other 1%
Polish
98%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 5%
Roman
Catholic
95%
Major Religions
Education
Polish children ages 7 to 15 must go
to school. Most attend public schools,
however, some students go to private
schools. After finishing elementary
school, students can continue on to a
vocational school or a 4-year secondary school. Secondary students can
then move on to college, but must
pass an entrance exam to be admitted.
Poland has 12 universities and
many specialized schools. The
University of Krakow, also called Jagiellonian University, was founded in
1364 and was Polands first university.
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
99%
Literacy
Defense
137
137
36
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
5 major ships
412 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
292
1,752 tanks
NA
PCs
Portugal
Area rank
111
smallest country
Population rank
78
fewest people
At a Glance
N
OC
EA
N
Braga
AZ O RE S
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Ponta Delgada
ASIA
AFRICA
A T L
AN
TIC
AUSTRALIA
M ADE I RA I S L ANDS
A N TA R C T I C A
Funchal
Porto
Douro Ri
ver
S
Covilha
Coimbra
Tagus Ri
Fatima
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
246
Average Rainfall
iana R
Guad
Lisbon
Setbal
SPA IN
Beja
Sines
Faro
ver
Portalegre
miles
The Place
km
100
100
Other
33%
Chemicals
and chemical
products
5%
Cork and
wood products
6%
Textiles
and clothing
26%
Other
20%
Machinery
21%
Forests
36%
Exports
$24 billion
Footwear
9%
Farms /
cropland
35%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
9%
Portugal
Portuguese fisherman
The People
Portuguese are a mixture of many
groups, including Celts, Greeks, and
Romans. Black Africans make up the
countrys only minority group.
About one-third of Portuguese live
in or near Lisbon and Porto. Most of
the population lives in rural areas.
Many villagers make a living by fishing
Education
Portuguese children must attend
school between the ages of 6 and 15.
Many students leave school before
they are 15 and get jobs to raise
money for their family. Several areas
in the country have no high schools.
Portugal has 10 universities.
The largest university is Lisbon
University. Less than 2% of the
people go to college.
The countrys literacy rate is 85%.
(continued)
Portuguese
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
1%
Other 2%
Roman
Catholic
97%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
85%
Defense
Literacy
14 major ships
97 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
263
225
176
86
4
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
247
Qatar
Land area rank
161
smallest country
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
in
fewest people
ASIA
BAHRAIN
AFRICA
of
Al Khawr
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Fertilizer
12%
Steel
24%
Oil
57%
Exports
$6 billion
248
Gul
f
SAUDI
ARABIA
Doha
Ar Rayyan
Al Wakrah
Umm Bab
N
W
Umm Said
E
0
miles
km
25
As Salw
25
The People
Approximately 40% of Qatars population is Arab. More
than two-thirds of the countrys people were born in other
countries. Native-born inhabitants are called Qataris. Most
work in the cities or in oil fields. Many people move to
Qatar from other Arab countries to work in the oil fields.
Oil is one of the countrys most important exports.
Most of the population lives
in or near Doha in houses or
apartments. Qataris prefer to
wear traditional Arab clothes,
but some wear Western styles.
Most people practice Islam.
Qatar has a population
density of 139 people per
square mile (54 people per sq
km). Its population increases
at an annual rate of 3.35%.
Life expectancy is 72 years.
Qatars population has one
of the highest average
incomes per person in the
world due to the countrys great oil wealth. The government provides free health care and housing for the poor.
Children ages 6 to 16 must attend school. Qatar has
about 160 schools. The countrys literacy rate is 79%.
Other 5%
Iranian
10%
0 in/0 cm
Dukhan
Other 7%
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
lf
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
100F/38C
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
ia
SOUTH
AMERICA
P
Al Khawayr
Ba
hr
a
Population rank
Other
14%
Arab
40%
Pakistani
18% Indian
18%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
95%
Major Religions
Romania
80
Population rank
47
fewest people
At a Glance
SLOV A K IA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
U K R AIN E
ASIA
AFRICA
Ri
100
iv e r
Olt R
v er
Ri
miles
km
Ial o
er
Braila
lps
nian A
Ploiesti
sylva
Craiova
0
ns
Tran
v
t Ri
ai
IA
SYLVAN
Sibiu
Brasov
Ji
Y U G OSLA V IA
nt
Resita
Sire
ou
Timisoara
ver
Bacau
TRAN
VA
A N TA R C T I C A
ia
Cluj
Arad
ut
Iasi
th
Oradea
LD
Pr
pa
AUSTRALIA
ar
H U N G A RY
Botosani
SOUTH
AMERICA
Bucharest
an
100
ube
mit
a R.
Rive
Constanta
Black
Sea
BU LG ARIA
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Transylvania, Romania
Other
47%
Textiles
21%
Mineral
products
9%
Chemicals
9%
0 in/0 cm
Other 6%
Average Rainfall
Exports
Machinery 8%
Footwear 6%
Forests
29%
Farms /
cropland
44%
Permanent
pastures
21%
Land Use
$8 billion
249
Romania
(continued)
Romanian farmer
The People
Approximately 89% of the people
are Romanians. The next largest
group are Hungarians at 9%. Other
ethnic groups include Germans,
Gypsies, Turks, and Ukrainians.
Rural Romanians live in 2- or
3-room wooden cottages. Many decorate their homes with handmade
rugs, woodcarvings, plates, and
Education
Romanian children must go to
school from ages 6 to 16. Students
attend elementary school for 8 years
and then take tests to determine
what they will study in secondary
school. Nearly 50% of students take
vocational classes, which prepare
them to work on farms or in factories. Some students are trained in
the arts and teaching. The top 5%
of elementary school graduates take
classes that prepare them for college.
250
Romanian
89%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
6%
Other
18%
Roman
Catholic
6%
Romanian
Orthodox
70%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
97%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
99
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
1,843 tanks
7 major ships
402 combat aircraft
Russia
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
Chukchi Sea
Franz Josef Land
SWEDEN
A
FINLAND
aya
Nov
White Sea
POLAND
U.S.
ait
g Str
East
Siberian
Sea
Revolyutsii I.
Murmansk
Barents
Sea
Baltic Sea
Kaliningrad
Berin
Wrangel
New Siberian
Islands
Bolshevik I.
ly
Zem
Bering
Sea
Kara Sea
Leptev Sea
St. Petersburg
Archangel'sk
Vologda
t a
n
Kirov
Voronezh
ga
Vol
Samara
Don
Volgograd
Ufa
Perm
Magadan
Yakutsk
Nizhnevartovsk
Yekaterinberg
Ir
sh
na
Sea of
Okhotsk
R.
Ye
ty
Le
Chelyabinsk
Kuril Islands
nis
Sochi
Astrakhan
ey
Amu
al
yk
ke
Ba
an
spi
Ca
0
0
miles
km
500
Irkutsk
Chita
Khabarovsk
Ulan Ude
500
JAPAN
CHINA
TA
AN
IS
ST
EN
KI
BE
RK
UZ
TU
IRAN
ur
Aral
Sea
KAZAKHSTAN
Sakhalin Island
Se
Novosibirsk
Lena
Krasnojarsk
R.
Omsk
La
Bl ack Sea
Rostov
Kazan'
Saratov
Ye nis ey
Nizhny
Novgorod
UKRAINE
Norilsk
Syktyvkar
Moscow
Yula
Yaroslavl
i n
ga
Vol
Len a R.
BELARUS
MONGOLIA
CHINA
Vladivostok
At a Glance
Sea of
Japan
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
EQUATOR
Official Name: Russian
Federation
Continent: Asia
Area: 6,562,078 square
miles (16,995,800 sq km)
Population: 145,470,197
Capital City: Moscow
Largest City: Moscow (13,200,000)
Unit of Money: Ruble
Major Languages: Russian
Natural Resources: Oil, natural gas, coal
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
The Place
0 in/0 cm
251
Russia
(continued)
Moscow, Russia
Exports
Other
42%
Forests
46%
Land Use
$87 billion
Resources
Cattle
Farm land
Forests
Manufacturing
Engineering
Chemicals
Oil
Grains
Pastures
252
Other
Textiles
Engineering is an important
part of Russias economy
Russia
History
Russia became a state in the 800s,
formed by Slavic peoples. For hundreds of years the country was ruled
by czars, or emperors, and czarinas,
or empresses. Russian leaders had
absolute power. Mongols ruled the
The People
Most of Russias people are ethnic
Russians, however, more than 100
minority groups also live in the
country. The largest groups are the
Tatars, Ukrainians, Chuvash,
Bashkirs, Byelorussians, Mordvins,
Chechens, Germans, Udmurts,
Mari, Kazakhs, and Armenians.
Small Siberian groups, such as
Aleuts, Chukchi, Inuit, and Koryaks,
inhabit areas in the far north.
Russia has a population density of
22 people per square mile (8 people
per sq km). Life expectancy is
66 years.
About 75% of Russians live in
urban areas, mainly in the west.
About 35 cities have populations
higher than 500,000. More than 4
million people live in Moscow and
St. Petersburg. People living in the
cities inhabit small apartments in
high rise buildings. Many cities have
housing shortages. Many families
may share kitchens and bathrooms.
Sometimes cities also face shortages
of food and goods.
(continued)
Guard, Russian
Air Force
Government
Type: Federation
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Premier and
Chairman
Defense
670,000 army personnel
19,000 tanks
308 major ships
2,150 combat aircraft
Chuvash 1%
Ukrainian
3%
Other
10%
Tatar
4%
Russian
82%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
25%
Russian
Orthodox
75%
Major Religions
253
Russia
(continued)
Education
Russian children ages 6 to 17 must
attend school. Elementary education
consists of 9 primary and intermediate grades. When students finish
the ninth grade they can enroll in a
Russian schoolgirls giving flowers to their teachers on the first day of school.
Literate
98%
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
254
NA
Labor Force
Goods Ownership
313
105
60
28
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
Rwanda
148
smallest country
Population rank
91
fewest people
At a Glance
C O N G O
( Z A I R E )
Byumba
Gisenyi
Lake
Kivu
SOUTH
AMERICA
Kabaya
AUSTRALIA
Kigali
Kibuye
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
6 in/15 cm
40F/4C
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Hides and
skins 5%
Tea
10%
Other 11%
E
S
er
Exports
40
40
The People
Rwanda is one of the most crowded countries in Africa.
It has a population density of 711 people per square mile
(274 people per sq km). The country has an annual population increase of 2.5%. Life expectancy is 42 years.
Approximately 80% of the people belong to the Hutu
ethnic group. About 19% are Tutsi and less than 1% are
Twa. Several wars have occurred between the Hutu and
Tutsi over control of the government. In 1994, the Tutsi
gained control of the government.
Many Rwandese farm for a living, however, most
only grow enough food to feed their families. Major
crops include bananas, beans,
cassava, sweet potatoes, and
sorghum. About 93% of the
labor force works in agriculture, 5% in government and
services, and 2% in industry
and commerce.
Most people are Roman
Catholic, however, some practice traditional African religions.
The Roman Catholic Church
runs most of the elementary and high schools. Children
must attend school from ages 7 to 15, however, there are
not enough classrooms for all the students.
Twa 1%
Indigenous beliefs
& Other
25%
Muslim
1%
Hutu
80%
0 in/0 cm
miles
km
B U R U N D I
Tutsi
19%
Coffee
74%
Ak
iv
iR
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
Butare
Kibungo
Aka g e
siz
100F/38C
N
Ru
Cyangugu
Kanazi
a n yaru
Riv e r
Gitarama
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Ngarama
Ruhengeri
a R
iver
ASIA
AFRICA
I A
A N
N Z
T A
NORTH
AMERICA
EUROPE
ger
Aka
UGANDA
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
65%
Protestant
9%
Major Religions
$62 million
255
212
Population rank
211
smallest country
fewest people
At a Glance
Sandy Point
Town
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
AUSTRALIA
S
N
W
Newcastle
A N TA R C T I C A
Nevis
Charlestown
E
0
miles
0 km
The People
Almost all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are descendants of black Africans brought to the islands by British
sugar plantation owners in the 17th century. About 65%
of the countrys people live in villages along the coasts.
Most rural inhabitants work on small farms, sugar cane
estates, or large coconut farms. About 35% of the people live in urban areas. Basseterre, the capital of St.
Kitts, is the chief urban center. Charlestown is the
largest town
on Nevis. The
government runs
a nationwide
health-care system that provides
basic care. Life
expectancy is 68
years. Most people live in wooden
houses and wear
western-style
clothing. Children
must attend
school from the
ages of 5 to 17.
Other
14%
Sugar
40%
Machinery
47%
Mostly Black
Other
22%
Roman
Catholic
7%
Moravian
9%
Exports
$39 million
256
A
a
0 in/0 cm
Basseterre
St. Kitts
AFRICA
The Place
80F/27C
Cayon
ASIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
0F/-18C
Sadlers
Ethnic Makeup
Anglican
33%
Methodist
29%
Major Religions
St. Lucia
Land area rank
193
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Gros Islet
AFRICA
Castries
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
I C
Anse La Raye
A N TA R C T I C A
a
r
Dennery
Soufriere
Micoud
a
n
N
Choiseul
W
0 miles
N
E A
O C
Vieux Fort
0 km 5
E
S
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other 7%
Coconut oil
17%
Bananas
28%
Cocoa
20%
Clothing
28%
Exports
$80 million
East Indian
White 1%
3%
Mixed
6%
Black
90%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
7%
Anglican 3%
Roman
Catholic
90%
Major Religions
257
St. Vincent/Grenadines
Land area rank
208
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
Chateaubelair
Georgetown
Kingstown
Calliaqua
0 km 5
I
N
a
5
Ashton
Charlestown
Canouan
miles
Lovell Village
Mustique
i n
e s
b
b
i
r
a
C
0
Port Elizabeth
Bequia
e a
A N TA R C T I C A
S e
a
AUSTRALIA
St. Vincent
SOUTH
AMERICA
Union I.
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Eddoes and
dasheens
2%
Other
33%
Re-exports
6%
Packaged rice
10%
Bananas
35%
Exports
$46 million
258
Packaged
flour
14%
Mostly Black,
Amerindian,
European
Other
19%
Roman
Catholic
19%
Anglican
42%
Methodist
20%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Samoa
176
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
Official Name: Independent State of Samoa
Continent: Asia
Area: 1,100 square miles (2,850 sq. km)
Population: 179,058
Capital City: Apia
Largest City: Apia (34,260)
Unit of Money: tala
Major Languages: Samoan,
English
EQUATOR
Literacy: 97%
Land Use: 19% arable land, 24%
permanent crops, 47% forests
and woodland, 10% other
Natural Resources: Hardwood forests, fish
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Defense: N/A
re
Asau
Savai'i
ef
Pu'apu'a
E
S
Salelologa
Taga
Mulifanua
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Apia
ASIA
Matautu
AFRICA
Upolu
Lepa
SOUTH
AMERICA
reef
AUSTRALIA
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
0
0
miles
km
20
20
A N TA R C T I C A
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Cigarettes
3% Other
Beer
14% Coconut
5%
oil
38%
Kava
7%
Coconut
cream 23%
Copra
10%
Exports
$10 million
Euronesians 7%
Samoan
93%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian
100%
Major Religions
259
San Marino
Land area rank
226
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
12 in/30 cm
S
Domagnano
A N TA R C T I C A
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Borgo Maggioree
San Marino
ITALY
Faetano
Florentino
0
0
miles
km
The People
San Marinos people are similar to the people of northern Italy. Nearly all San Marinese are Roman Catholics
and speak Italian, and their customs are like those of
Italy. The people of San Marino are proud of their long
tradition of independence. More than 20% of San
Marinos people work in the tourist industry, which
includes hotels, restaurants, and souvenir
shops. Other people work in quarries or
in the leather or cheese industries.
Farmers raise cattle and sheep and grow
grapes and wheat. Nearly everyone
in San Marino can read and write.
The law
Castle atop Mt. Titano
requires
children
to attend
school
from the ages of 6 to 14.
After elementary and
secondary school, many
students pursue higher
education in Italy. Most
homes have a telephone,
radio, and TV. Life
expectancy is 81 years.
Other 4%
Other 2%
Lime
33%
Ceramics
13%
Chestnuts
26%
Exports
$ NA
260
Acquaviva
Chiesanuova
Wood
26%
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
AUSTRALIA
San Marino is in the Appennine Mountains of northeastern Italy, which surround it. Mount Titano, the countrys
highest mountain, is 2,478 feet (755
Sheep in lowland pasture
meters) high and has 3 peaks. On
top of each peak is a tower built
during the Middle Ages. Much of
the country, including its capital,
also called San Marino, stands on
Mount Titano. San Marino is the
second-smallest country in the
world with an area of 23 square
miles (60 square kilometers). The
countrys spectacular views, fortress
walls, cakes, wine, and colorful festivals draw thousands
of tourists every year. San Marino has a mild summer
climate, with temperatures that average about 75 F
(24 C). Winter temperatures sometimes fall below freezing. The country has an average annual rainfall of 35
inches (89 centimeters). The soil in San Marino is poor
and rocky. The mild climate and ample rainfall, however,
enable farmers to grow a variety of crops.
80F/27C
Serravalle
ITALY
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
100F/38C
La Dogana
AFRICA
nines
pe n
Ap
San Marinese,
Italian
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
96%
Major Religions
185
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
Santo Antonio
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 4%
Average Rainfall
Cocoa
96%
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Prncipe
ASIA
A
A
A N TA R C T I C A
So Tom
Santana
0
So Tom
Santa Cruz
miles
20
0 km 20
The People
About 95% of the population lives on So Tom Island.
About 90% of the population is of black African ancestry. About 10% are Portuguese or of mixed black African
and European descent, called Creoles. People of
Portuguese descent from the country of Cape Verde are
the second largest group. Many Creoles own small farms
or businesses, or work on
fishing crews or as laborers.
Some Europeans own farms
and others have jobs in
technology or management.
Portuguese is the most widely spoken language in the
country. By law, children
in So Tom and Prncipe
are required to complete
elementary school, but many
do not do so. Relatively few
children go on to high
school. The countrys women
have a higher social standing
than those in most African countries, and many occupy
respected professional and governmental positions. Life
expectancy is 65 years.
Black
90%
Roman Catholic,
Evangelical Protestant,
Seventh-Day
Adventist
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$5 million
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
261
Saudi Arabia
Land area rank
14
smallest country
Population rank
45
fewest people
At a Glance
IRAQ
ISRAEL
Pe
Tabuk
Ha'il
200
ia
E
S
IRAN
Gu
lf
BAHRAIN
QATAR
Al Hufuf
Gulf of
Oman
Riyadh
Medina
YP
Harad
ASIA
rs
Ad Damman
Buraydah
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
miles
0 km 200
KUWAIT
EG
JORDAN
U. A. E.
AFRICA
Mecca
Jiddah
At Ta'if
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
OMAN
ali
(D
SUDAN
Kh
' Al
R ub esert)
a
Abha
A N TA R C T I C A
ERITREA
Arabian
Sea
YEMEN
The Place
Saudi Arabia occupies more than
three-fourths of the Arabian
Peninsula. Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait
border Saudi Arabia to the north;
the Persian Gulf and the United
Arab Emirates to the east; Oman
and Yemen to the south; and the
Red Sea to the west. Much of the
country consists of vast deserts
where few people live and little or
nothing grows. Saudi Arabia is the
worlds leading producer of petroleum. Wealth from oil and natural
gas exports has made Saudi Arabia
a leading economic power in the
world. The landscape of Saudi
Arabia is mainly barren. Coastal
plains and rugged mountains cover
the western region. Saudi Arabias
central area is a high plateau that
has some oases where crops are
grown. Deserts hem in the plateau
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Petrochemicals
5%
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
0F/-18C
Other 6%
Farms/cropland 2%
Other
41%
Petroleum
89%
Permanent
pastures
56%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$57 billion
262
Forests
1%
Land Use
Saudi Arabia
The People
The people of Saudi Arabia trace
their origin mainly to Arab tribes. In
the past, however, many black
Arab
90%
Ethnic Makeup
Shi'a
Muslim
15%
Sunni Muslim
85%
Major Religions
Government
Education
About 80% of all Saudi
children, boys and girls, attend elementary school. About half go on to
high school. The Saudi government
provides free university education
for all citizens. Before 1960, few
women received any formal education, and almost no women held jobs
outside the home. Since then, the
government has improved educational
opportunities for women. Today,
many educated Saudi women hold
(continued)
Type: Monarchy
Structure: King rules in consultation with royal family and
Council of Ministers
Leader: King/Prime Minister
Literate
63%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
910 tanks
8 major ships
295 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
145
109
123
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
263
Senegal
Land area rank
86
smallest country
Population rank
74
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Se
AFRICA
Dagana
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
6 in/15 cm
Dakar
Exports
264
Gam
Casa mance R
Ziguinchor
bia
M A L I
River
Kdougou
GUINEA BISSAU
GUINEA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
0
0
miles
km
100
100
The People
About 95% of Senegals people are black Africans. They
belong to many different ethnic groups. The largest
ones are, in order of size, the Wolof, Fulani, Serer,
Toucouleur, Diola,
and Mandingo.
French is Senegals
official language,
but Wolof is the
most widely spoken language.
Most rural houses
in Senegal are
Senegalese schoolboys, Dakar
mud huts with
thatched roofs.
Related families often live in a close group of houses
surrounded by a wall. In cities, people live in modern
apartments. Most Senegalese men wear wide-legged
trousers and a loose-fitting cotton robe called
a boubou. Women wear colorful boubous and turbans.
Senegal faces severe health problems. Contaminated
water and food cause illness and death in the country,
especially in the rural areas. Senegal has a severe shortage of physicians. Life expectancy is 58 years. Most of
Senegals adult population cannot read or write.
Chemical
products
12%
$986 million
Kaolack
Tambacounda
Other
46%
Phosphates
3%
Diourbel
GAMBIA
Fish and
crustaceans
28%
0 in/0 cm
er
40F/4C
iv
9 in/23 cm
60F/16C
This
Mbour
12 in/30 cm
Dara
Pikine
The Place
15 in/38 cm
W
ga
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
80F/27C
ne
Sainte-Louis
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
M A U R I T A N I A
ASIA
Peanut oil
11%
Mandingo
9%
Diola
9%
Toucouleur
9%
Other 3%
Indigenous
beliefs
6%
Christian 2%
Wolof
36%
Serer
17% Fulani
17%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
92%
Major Religions
Seychelles
Land area rank
198
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Grand'Anse
ASIA
Praslin I.
AFRICA
La Digue I.
SOUTH
AMERICA
I N
AUSTRALIA
Silhouette
Island
A N TA R C T I C A
Bel Ombre
N
W
I A
N
O C
E A N
Victoria
Mah Island
E
Anse Royale
0
Takamaka
miles
50
0 km 50
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Anglican
8%
Average Rainfall
Canned
tuna
Other
25%
48%
Cinnamon
bark 1%
Exports
Petroleum
products
22%
Other fish
2%
Frozen
prawns 2%
Mixture of Asians,
Africans, Europeans
Ethnic Makeup
Other 2%
Roman
Catholic
90%
Major Religions
$56 million
265
Sierra Leone
Land area rank
119
smallest country
Population rank
103
fewest people
At a Glance
G U I N E A
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
miles
km
50
50
Kabala
AFRICA
ve
Ri
el
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
ok
Kambia
Makeni
A N TA R C T I C A
Sefadu
E
S
Freetown
Bo
er
Sembehun
Bonthe
IC
Kenema
iv
L I B E R I A
Mo
The People
Other
29%
Coffee
4%
Cocoa 5%
Re-exports 5%
Rutile 6%
Diamonds
51%
Exports
$47 million
266
Other
tribes
30%
Temne
30%
Mende
30%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
beliefs
30%
Christian 10%
Muslim
60%
Major Religions
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Creole 10%
Singapore
Land area rank
191
smallest country
Population rank
118
fewest people
At a Glance
M A L A Y S I A
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Strai
t
re
ho
o
J
Woodlands
ASIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Se
AUSTRALIA
ra
ng
oon
Harb
or
Serangoon
A N TA R C T I C A
Tuas
Katong
Jurong
Singapore
E
S
0
0
miles
km
n
Si
ga
po
St
re
ra
it
INDONESIA
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Indian 7%
Average Rainfall
Other
53%
Telecommunications
Office
apparatus 8%
machines
27%
Petroleum
products 8%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$126 billion
Electrical
apparatus 2%
Industrial
machinery 2%
Other 2%
Malay
15%
Chinese
76%
Ethnic Makeup
Buddhist,
Muslim,
Christian
Major Religions
267
Slovakia
Land area rank
130
smallest country
Population rank
104
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
ASIA
POLAND
CZECH
REPUBLIC
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Zilina
AUSTRALIA
ro
Trnava
Trencin
Ruzomberok
Presov
Hornad
Riv
r
e
er
i v Bansk Bystrica
Kosice
R
AUSTRIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Vah R
ive
Martin
UKRAINE
NORTH
AMERICA
Lucenec
Nitra
Bratislava
Komrno
er
Danube Riv
0
0
miles
km
HUNGARY
N
W
50
E
S
50
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Other Semimanufactured
Gypsy 2%
10%
products
Other 1%
Hungarian
40%
11%
Slovak
86%
Exports
$9 billion
268
Machinery
19%
Ethnic Makeup
Orthodox
4%
Protestant
8%
Other
18%
Roman
Catholic
60%
Atheist
10%
Major Religions
Slovenia
Land area rank
154
smallest country
Population rank
145
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
HU
ASIA
NG
AFRICA
AUSTRIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Maribor D r
Ptuj
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
Mineral
fuels
1%
Food
3%
Chemicals
11%
LY
100F/38C
A
IT
Ljubljana
S a va River
Celje
N
W
Nova Gorica
E
S
Kocevje
CROATIA
Prian
0
Adriatic
Sea
miles
20
0 km 20
The People
About 90% of the people are Slovenes, a Slavic people
who speak Slovenian. Most Slovenes also speak another
language, usually German, Italian, Serbo-Croatian, or
English. About half of the people live in rural areas,
usually in single-family homes with steep roofs. Many
city dwellers live in high-rise apartment buildings. Most
adults can read
and write.
Children attend
8 years of elementary school and 4
years of secondary
school. Slovenia
has 2 universities
and many other
institutions of
higher education.
Festivals play an
important part in
Slovenian life.
Every February,
people in northeastern Slovenia hold a Kurenti festival,
during which they dress up in animal masks and perform rituals to drive away the evil spirits of winter.
Life expectancy is 75 years.
Other
25% Machinery
31%
Basic
manufactures
Exports 29%
$8 billion
Murska
Sobota
a R iver
Kranj
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
av
AUSTRALIA
AR
Serb 2% Other 3%
Muslim
Croat
1%
3%
Other
27%
Muslim
1%
Slovene
91%
Ethnic Makeup
Lutheran
1%
Roman
Catholic
71%
Major Religions
269
Solomon Islands
145
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
Choiseul
Vella Lavella
Ne
ASIA
Gizo
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Santa Isabel
Ge
Munda
(T org
he ia
New
Sl So
Georgia
un
ot
)
d
O C
E A N
Buala
Auki
Honaira
E
S
Aola
Guadalcanal
S o l o m o n
S e a
N
W
Avuavu
Kirakira
0
0
miles
km
San Cristobal
100
100
The People
Cacao beans 3%
Other 3%
Copra 4%
Palm oil
products
10%
Timber
Fish
products
products
59%
21%
Exports
$168 million
270
I F
I C
Malaita
A N TA R C T I C A
AUSTRALIA
The Place
80F/27C
Kia
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
Polynesian
4%
Melanesian
93%
Ethnic Makeup
Seventh-Day
Adventist
10%
United
Church
11%
Other 9%
Anglican
34%
Baptist
17%
Roman
Catholic
19%
Major Religions
Somalia
Land area rank
42
smallest country
Population rank
90
fewest people
At a Glance
Gulf of Aden
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
DJIBOUTI
ASIA
Boosaaso
AFRICA
Berbera
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Hargeysa
Bender
Beyla
A N TA R C T I C A
ETHIOPIA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Other
38%
Agricultural
products
51%
Live
camels &
cattle
4%
Bananas Exports
7%
$130 million
O
N
A
Mogadishu
Merca
N
I
Chisimayu
0
0
miles
km
200
200
Other 3%
Average Rainfall
80F/27C
er
15 in/38 cm
iv
Beledweyne
ve
a Ri
Nomads, Somalia
100F/38C
Jubb
Galcalo
e
K E N Y A
The Place
ell
abe
Sh
Farms/cropland
2%
Forests
26%
Permanent
pastures
69%
Land Use
271
Somalia
(continued)
The People
About 95% of Somalias people share
the same language, culture, and
religion. They are sharply divided,
however, according to traditional
clan groupings. Most Somalis belong
to 1 of 4 clans known as the Samaal.
Samaal are primarily nomadic
herders. Members of 2 other clans,
Somali men
272
Other
15%
Somali
85%
Ethnic Makeup
Sunni
Muslim
100%
Major Religions
Government
Education
Less than 20% of all Somali children attend school. More than 75%
of Somalias adult population cannot
read or write. The countrys literacy
rate is one of the lowest in the
world partially due to the fact that
Somali only became a written language in 1972. In addition, years
of fighting and starvation have led
to the widespread collapse of the
educational system. There are,
Literate
24%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
14
TVs
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
South Africa
Land area rank
25
smallest country
Population rank
26
fewest people
NAMIBIA
NORTH
AMERICA
0
0
EUROPE
miles
km
200
200
ASIA
im
po
MOZAMBIQUE
BOTSWANA
AFRICA
Pietersburg
Pretoria
SOUTH
AMERICA
Johannesburg
Soweto
R.
al
Va
Welkom
AUSTRALIA
r
e
AT
LESOTHO s
Durban
n
e
k
Umtata
r a
D
W
Beaufort West
Uitenhage
East
London
Oudtshoorn
Cape Town
Port Elizabeth
LA
De Aar
NT
IC
O
C
E
N
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
N
E
S
I N D I A N
O C E A N
SWAZILAND
Upington
Kimberley
O r a n g e River
Bloemfontein
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
River
po
At a Glance
Base metals
and metal
products
15%
Gold
20%
Other
48%
Exports
Food
7%
Gem
diamonds
10%
Forests
7%
Other
15%
Farms/cropland
11%
Permanent
pastures
67%
Land Use
$31 billion
273
South Africa
(continued)
The People
South Africas population includes
descendents of Africans, Asians, and
Europeans. From the late 1940s to
the early 1990s, South Africas government enforced a policy of racial
segregation called apartheid that
categorized the people into four
main racial groups: (1) black, (2)
Coloured
9%
White
13%
Black
75%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim 2%
Traditional
beliefs
28%
Hindu 2%
Christian
68%
Major Religions
Education
Until 1991, students in each racial
group were required by law to attend
separate public schools. Since then,
many black children have begun to
attend previously all-white public
schools. About 90% of whites, 85%
of Asians, 75% of Coloureds, and
65% of blacks can read and write.
All South African children ages 7
through 16 are required to attend
school. Until 1981, the law did not
require any black children to go to
school. That year, the government
274
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
82%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
250 tanks
3 major ships
243 combat aircraft
146
101
95
21
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
South Korea
Land area rank
107
smallest country
Population rank
25
fewest people
At a Glance
NORTH KOREA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Ch'unch'on
AFRICA
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
S e a
o f
J a p a n
Ch'ungju
Taejeon
A N TA R C T I C A
Yellow
Sea
N
Taegu
Ulsan
R.
Pusan
it
E
S
miles
km
100
100
Asia. More than 3,000 mostly uninhabited islands lie off the southern
and western coasts. Including the
Mineral
fuels
3%
Kunsan
Kwangju
100F/38C
Tonghae
AUSTRALIA
The Place
Kangnung
Seoul
Inche'on
SOUTH
AMERICA
Naktong
Manufactured
goods
21%
JAPAN
Other
13%
Other
17%
Chemicals
7%
Cheju
Farms/
cropland
21%
Permanent
pastures
1%
Machinery
52%
Forests
65%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
Land Use
$130 billion
275
South Korea
(continued)
The People
Education
Confusianism Other 1%
3%
Buddhist
47%
Christian
49%
Major Religions
Korean
100%
Ethnic Makeup
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Acting
Prime Minister
Defense
520,000 army personnel
Literate
98%
2,050 tanks
43 major ships
Literacy
276
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
258
207
77
49
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Spain
51
Population rank
29
fewest people
Bay of Biscay
At a Glance
FRANCE
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
La Corua
ASIA
Bilbao
AFRICA
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
L
E
miles
km
uad
R io G
Majorca
ia n a
Palma
Valencia
Mlaga
Cdiz
Strait of Gibraltar
t
di
er
ra
a
ne
Se
ALGERIA
200
200
MOROCCO
Santa Cruz
de Tenerife
Las Palmas
The Place
J F M A M J J A S O N D
PORTUGA
IC
LA
AT
0
Tagus River
Sevilla
S
0
Barcelona
Madrid
Crdoba
N
W
Zaragoza
Salamanca
NT
A N TA R C T I C A
R.
Rio Douro
OC
AUSTRALIA
ANDORRA
ro
Valladolid
EA
SOUTH
AMERICA
60F/16C
Eb
Other
59%
Transport
equipment
20%
Agricultural
products
13%
Other
8%
Forests
32%
Farms/
cropland
39%
Permanent
pastures 21%
Exports
Machinery
8%
Land Use
$95 billion
277
Spain
(continued)
The People
Before the 1960s, the people in each
region of Spain, such as Andalusia in
the south or Galicia in the northwest, felt greater loyalty to their
region than their country and had
little contact with Spaniards in other
regions. Today, Spain is an industrial
Roman
Catholic
99%
Major Religions
278
Castillian
Spanish
72%
Ethnic Makeup
Education
All children from ages 6 through 13
are required to attend school in Spain.
Many children quit school when they
reach 14, however, and the number of
students decreases at each successive
grade. Students attend primary school
for 8 years and secondary school for 3
years. They must take an additional
year of special study before entering a
university. The government controls
most of Spains primary and secondary
schools. But there are also Roman
Gyspsy 1%
Other 2%
Government
Type: Parliamentary monarchy
Structure: Executive
Leader: King/President of the
Government
Literate
96%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
389
294
121
8
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Spanish boy
668 tanks
26 major ships
161 combat aircraft
Sri Lanka
Land area rank
123
smallest country
Population rank
51
fewest people
INDIA
EUROPE
tr
lk
AFRICA
Pa
ASIA
ai
Jaffna
SOUTH
AMERICA
Mullaittivu
AUSTRALIA
Gulf
of
Mannar
A N TA R C T I C A
Trincomalee
Anuradhapura
Puttalan
Batticaloa
N
W
Matale
Kandy
Negombo
Colombo
O C E A N
NORTH
AMERICA
Moratuwa
Kotte
Ratnapura
Badulla
I N
D I A
N
At a Glance
Kalutara
0
0
The Place
Sri Lanka is an island country about
20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of
miles
km
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
50
50
Natural
rubber
3%
Rubber
products
4%
Gems
6%
Other
25%
Clothing and
accessories
49%
Tea
13%
Exports
Galle
Hambantota
Other
32%
Farms/
cropland
29%
Forests
32%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
7%
$4 billion
279
Sri Lanka
(continued)
The People
The people of Sri Lanka belong to
several different ethnic groups. The
Buddhist monk
Moor 7% Other 1%
Tamil
18%
Sinhalese
74%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian
8%
Hindu
15%
Buddhist
69%
Major Religions
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
90%
Defense
NA army personnel
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
32
TVs
10
11
15
Cars
Phones
VCRs
NA
PCs
Hindu temple
280
Muslim 8%
Government
Education
Education is highly-valued in Sri
Lanka and is free from kindergarten
through the university level. Sri
Lanka has 8 universities. Most
Sri Lankans 15 years of age or older
can read and write, and the country
has one of the highest literacy rates
among the Asian nations. Sri
Lankas schools are considered the
best of any non-industrial nation.
Sudan
11
Population rank
33
fewest people
At a Glance
NORTH
AMERICA
E G Y P T
L I B Y A
EUROPE
Lake
Nasser
ASIA
AFRICA
Port Sudan
R.
ea
ile
N
Libyan
Desert
AUSTRALIA
Atbarah
Omdurman
Kassala
A N TA R C T I C A
Khartoum
ERITREA
Wad Medani
El Obeid
N
Blue
Al Fashir
il e
Ri
ve
C H A D
ETHIOPIA
Waw
CENTRAL
AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Juba
S
C O N G O
( Z A I R E )
0
0
miles
km
400
K E N Y A
UGANDA
400
Camel, Sudan
Farms/cropland 5%
Cotton
19%
Sheep
& lambs
14%
Gum Sesame
seeds
arabic
12% 13%
Other
29%
Average Rainfall
ed
SOUTH
AMERICA
Peanuts
5%
Gold
8%
Exports
Other
30%
Forests
19%
Permanent
pastures
46%
Land Use
$620 million
281
Sudan
(continued)
The People
About 50% of Sudans people are
Arabs, who make up the countrys
largest ethnic group. Some are
descended from Arab immigrants.
Others belong to Sudanese groups
that gradually adopted the Arabic
Sudanese tribesmen
Indigenous
beliefs
25%
Major Religions
Beja 6%
Black
52%
Ethnic Makeup
Government
Type: Transitional
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
46%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
61
TVs
282
Other 3%
Arab
39%
Education
The government provides children
with free elementary education for
6 years, but only about half of the
children attend school. After elementary school, students may attend
junior secondary schools for 3 years.
Qualified students then may enter a
4-year school for agriculture, commerce, or teacher training; or they
may attend a 3-year senior secondary school to prepare for entering a
university. About 3% of all Sudanese
Sunni
Muslim
70%
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Suriname
Land area rank
91
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
A T L A N TIC
Nieuw
Nickerie
ASIA
AFRICA
Wageningen
Paramaribo
Nieuw
Amsterdam
Groningen
Paranam
SOUTH
AMERICA
OCE
AN
Moengo
Albina
Kwakoegron
AUSTRALIA
Brokopondo
A N TA R C T I C A
Asidonhopo
FRENCH
GUIANA
GUYANA
N
W
0
0
miles
km
100
E
S
100
B R A Z I L
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Bananas 3%
Other 1%
Petroleum 3%
Average Rainfall
Aluminum
9%
Rice 10%
Shrimp
& fish
10%
Black
10%
Exports
Indigenous beliefs
5%
Creole
31%
Hindu
Muslim
27%
20%
Roman
Catholic Protestant
25%
23%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
South
Asian
37%
Alumina
64%
$434 million
Other 7%
Indonesian
15%
283
Swaziland
158
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
N
E
S
Piggs Peak
SOUTH
AFRICA
Mbabane
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Manzini
ASIA
Usutu
AFRICA
Big Bend
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Hlathikulu
Nhlangano
Lavumisa
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
20
The People
About 9 out of 10 people in Swaziland are black Africans.
Most people farm and raise livestock and speak siSwati,
a Bantu language. Swazi
farmers prize
their cattle and
respect people
with herds.
When a Swazi
man marries,
his family gives
his wifes family
cattle. Swazi
Children, Mbabane, Swaziland
men may have
more than 1
wife. The traditional family includes a man, his wives,
his unmarried children, and his married sons and their
families. Each family lives in a separate homestead.
Traditional Swazi clothing is made of animal skins,
leather, or brightly colored fabric. Swazi also wear
beautiful beaded ornaments. Today, most Swazi wear
Western-style clothing. Each Swazi man belongs to
a special age group organized by the local leader.
Different age groups have special parts in Swazi ceremonies. Life expectancy averages 58 years.
Citrus fruits 2%
Asbestos 2%
Paper and
paper products 2%
Cotton yarn 6%
European 3%
Other
46%
Sugar
15%
Exports
$893 million
284
miles
SOUTH
AFRICA
0 km 20
Wood and
wood products
18%
Canned fruits 2%
Siteki
E
QU
MI
ZA
MO
OCEAN
smallest country
IND
IAN
Refrigerators
7%
African
97%
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous
Christian
beliefs
60%
40%
Major Religions
Sweden
Land area rank
58
smallest country
Population rank
82
fewest people
0
EUROPE
L A P
L A N
D
ASIA
AFRICA
km
200
200
CE
IC
ia
eg
ia
hn
Skelleftea
ot
Lulea
or
A N TA R C T I C A
Se
AUSTRALIA
IA
AN
SS
Kiruna
SOUTH
AMERICA
D
AN
NL
FI
Umea
of
Ostersund
Sundsvall
miles
RU
NORTH
AMERICA
ul
At a Glance
E
S
Gavle
Uppsala
Stockholm
rebro
ESTONIA
Norrkping
Go
tla
nd
LATVIA
ic
Jnkping
ea
Linkping
Goteborg
Kristianstad
DENMARK
Stockholm, Sweden
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
LITHUANIA
Farms/cropland 7%
Average Rainfall
Malmo
Other
24%
Other
29%
Iron & steel
products
6%
Permanent
pastures
1%
Machinery
47%
Forests
68%
Chemicals 9%
Paper products 9%
Exports
Land Use
$84 billion
285
Sweden
(continued)
The People
Sweden is one of the most sparsely
populated countries of Europe. Most
people live in urban areas, which are
mainly in the central and southern
parts of the country. Most Swedes
are descendants of ancient Germanic
tribes, and are closely related to the
Danes and Norwegians. The Lapps
are a large ethnic group in Sweden.
They live in the northernmost part
of the country, in Lapland. For thousands of years, they have survived by
hunting, fishing, and tending herds
of reindeer. A large number of
people from other countries have
settled in Sweden. Swedish is a language that resembles Danish and
Norwegian. People from the three
countries can usually understand one
another. The majority of adult
Swedes speak some English and a
second foreign language as well.
Outdoor activities are popular in
Sweden. Skiing
and hockey are
the chief winter
sports. Hunting
and fishing are
also popular
activities.
Swedes also
like hiking and
camping, soccer, Crowded Stockholm street
swimming, sailrelax near one of Swedens many
ing, and tennis. Many Swedes spend
lakes or in the vast northern wildertheir vacations by the sea or on the
ness. Life expectancy is 78 years.
countrys offshore islands. Others
Finnish & Lapp
3%
Other 6%
Pentecostal 1%
Other 3%
Roman
Catholic
2%
Evangelical
Lutheran
94%
Swedish
91%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
The Swedish government requires
children from 7 to 16 years of age
to attend school. Elementary and
high school education are free for
Swedish children. The government
also operates all the universities and
most of the technical and other
specialized colleges in the country.
Many children under the age of 7
attend kindergartens run by private
individuals or organizations. The
government assists the kinder-
Government
Literate
99%
Literacy
286
Defense
Swedish friends
708 tanks
13 major ships
393 combat aircraft
419
220
22
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Switzerland
Land area rank
135
smallest country
Population rank
92
fewest people
At a Glance
F R A N C E
G E R M A N Y
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Lake Constance
AFRICA
Rhine R.
Basel
SOUTH
AMERICA
Burgdorf
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Base metals
and finished
products
9%
Precision
instruments,
watches,
& jewelry
16%
Other
17%
Thun
Interlaken
Laussane
Lake Geneva
Rh
Geneva
on
R.
LIECHTENSTEIN
Chur
In
R.
St. Moritz
A
N
Martigny
Lugano
I T A L Y
E
S
0
0
miles
km
50
50
The People
The Swiss differ greatly among themselves in language,
customs, and traditions from region to region. About
one-fifth of the people of Switzerland
are foreign-born, one of the highest
percentages of foreign-born residents
of any country in Europe. Large
groups of people from Italy, Germany,
Portugal, Spain, and the former reside
in Switzerland. Most of Switzerlands
people live in cities and towns. Swiss
children go to school from 6 through
14. Students who
plan to attend a
university may go to
one of Switzerlands
7 universities or vari- Swiss skier
ous other schools of
higher learning. All universities are
free public institutions. The mountains
of Switzerland provide grand opportunities for a variety of sports. About one
third of the nations people ski. Many
also enjoy bobsledding, camping,
climbing, and hiking in the mountains.
Life expectancy is 78 years.
Machinery and
electronics
30%
Romansch 1%
Italian
10%
French
18%
Exports
$99 billion
AUSTRIA
Luzern
Bern
Yverdon
St. Gallen
Menziken
Biel
The Place
80F/27C
Zrich
Balsthal
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
Winterthur
Chemical
products
28%
Other 6%
German
65%
Ethnic Makeup
None 9%
Other 5%
Protestant
40%
Roman
Catholic
46%
Major Religions
287
Syria
88
Population rank
56
fewest people
At a Glance
T U R K E Y
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
ig
Al Hasakah
ri
s
Aleppo
Euph
Al Ladhiqiyah
ra
Ar Raqqah
Idlib
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
Dayr Az Zawr
Sea
an
Tadmur
(Palmyra)
An Nabk
Duma
err
ane
Hims
Damascus
dit
Me
er
Tartus
LEBANON
Al Mayadin
iv
A N TA R C T I C A
Hamah
S y r i a n
D e s e r t
I R A Q
N
Al Qunaytirah
As Suwayda
ISRAEL
GOLAN
HEIGHTS
JORDAN
0
0
miles
km
100
100
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
288
Live animals
& meat
2%
Average Rainfall
Textiles
& fabrics
4%
Other
21%
Raw
cotton
6%
Fresh vegetables
and fruits
11%
Crude
petroleum
& petroleum
products
56%
Exports
$4 billion
Forests
3%
Other
22%
Farms/
cropland
32%
Permanent
pastures
43%
Land Use
Syria
The People
Most of Syrias people live in the
western part of the country. More
Other 3%
Arab
89%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian 10%
Other
Muslim
16%
Sunni
Muslim
74%
Major Religions
Government
Education
Syria provides free education for
both boys and girls. Syrian law
requires all children from 6 through
11 years old to go to school. Many
children in the rural areas do not
attend school, however, because of a
shortage of classrooms and teachers.
About 30% of all adult Syrians
cannot read or write. Higher education is provided free for Syrians at
(continued)
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Literate
71%
Defense
Literacy
4,600 tanks
58
59
9
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
3 major ships
579 combat aircraft
Syrian woman
Taiwan
Land area rank
138
smallest country
Population rank
46
fewest people
CHINA
EUROPE
Taipei
ASIA
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
290
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
it
a
tr
an
Quemoy
(Taiwan)
Hualien
T'ainan
South
China Sea
N
W
Kaohsiung
Taitung
P'ingtung
E
0
Other
37%
Transportation
equipment 5%
T'aichung
Changhua
Chiai
Synthetic
fibers 5%
Ta
iw
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Hsinchu
SOUTH
AMERICA
The Place
Chilung
T'aoyuan
AFRICA
O C E
A N
NORTH
AMERICA
P A
C I
F I
C
At a Glance
Electrical
machinery
22%
$122 billion
50
Philippine Sea
50
Nonelectrical
machinery
24%
Exports
miles
km
Plastic
articles
7%
Other
15%
Farms/
cropland
25%
Forests
55%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
5%
Taiwan
The People
Most of Taiwans residents live on its
western coast. More than 1.5 million
Taiwanese musician
Aborigine 2%
Christian
8%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Education
Other 2%
Buddhist, Confucian
and Taoist
90%
Taiwanese
84%
(continued)
Government
Literate
86%
Literacy
Defense
570 tanks
42 major ships
430 combat aircraft
116
112
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
291
Tajikistan
Land area rank
93
Population rank
96
smallest country
fewest people
At a Glance
Sy
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
r D
UZBEKISTAN
a
a
ry
ASIA
AFRICA
N
TA
ZS
Y
RG
KY
W
Khujand
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
Panjakent
Gharm
A N TA R C T I C A
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 9%
Average Rainfall
Cotton
fiber
32%
Tursunzoda
miles
km
100
100
CHINA
Murghob
m
i
Kulob
Khorugh
Farkhor
Exports
$768 million
E
S
Norak
Qurghonteppa
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
The People
Tajikistans population is mainly made up of Tajiks and
Uzbeks. Russians account for about 7% of the population, and other ethnic groups there include Tatars,
Kyrgyz, Kazaks, and Turkmen.
Many Tajikistan people have settled in the countrys
southwest valley, however most people live in rural villages. Most families in Tajikistan are large, and often,
many members of an extended family live together in
one house. Some Tajiks follow a Muslim custom that
permits a man to have as many as 4 wives.
Tajiks wear both modern and traditional clothing.
Traditional garments include loose cotton trousers, and
dark or multicolored robes for
men, and colorful, embroidered Tajik children
silk dresses for women.
Traditional Tajik foods
include rice and shashlik (lamb
or beef broiled on skewers).
Green tea is the countrys most
popular drink. Tajik children
attend school from the ages
of 6 to 17. Tajikistan has 1
university and several other
schools of higher education.
Life expectancy is 64 years.
Uzbek
25%
Other 7%
Tajik
65%
Shi'a
Muslim
5%
Other
15%
Sunni
Muslim
80%
0 in/0 cm
292
Dushanbe
Russian
3%
Aluminum
59%
The Place
Am
ry
Da
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Tanzania
Land area rank
32
smallest country
Population rank
32
fewest people
At a Glance
AFRICA
km
Mwanza
Kilimanjaro
BURUNDI
Arusha
A N TA R C T I C A
Tanga
Iringa
Mbeya
MALAW
Nyasa
Lake
ZAMBIA
Kilwa Masoko
Songea
Mtwara
INDIAN OCEAN
Dar es Salaam
N
E
Tanga
Zanzibar Zanzibar
Island
Dodoma
Sumbawanga
Moshi
Masai
Steppe
Tabora
a
yik
an
ng
Ta
ke
La
CONGO
200
200
KENYA
Musoma
RWANDA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
miles
Lake
Victoria
ASIA
UGANDA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
MOZAMBIQUE
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Farms/cropland 4%
Average Rainfall
Other
46%
Coffee
22%
Cotton
18%
Other
18%
Forests
38%
Permanent
pastures
40%
0 in/0 cm
Tobacco
4%
Exports
Cashew nuts
10%
Land Use
$760 million
293
Tanzania
(continued)
The People
Woman, Tanzania
Indigenous
beliefs 20%
Muslim
35%
Major Religions
Other 5%
Bantu
95%
Ethnic Makeup
Government
Education
The majority of Tanzanias adults
can read and write. Tanzanian law
requires children to attend 7 years
of elementary education, but only
about half of the countrys children
go to school. Very few attend high
school. Many children do not attend
school because they must work on
family farms.
The University of Dar es Salaam
294
Christian
45%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
68%
Defense
Literacy
NA tanks
structed from wooden frames plastered with mud. Some homes have
thatched roofs, while others are
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Tanzanian boys
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Thailand
Land area rank
50
smallest country
Population rank
19
fewest people
At a Glance
MYANMAR
LAOS
IE
Chiang Mai
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
Udon Thani
Phitsanulok
M
g
Uhon
Ratchathami
Nakhon
Rathchaima
Nakhon
Sawan
on
AUSTRALIA
ek
Khon Kaen
SOUTH
AMERICA
A N TA R C T I C A
Thon
Buri
Bangkok
CAMBODIA
Andaman
Sea
Chumphon
Gulf
of
Thailand
Nakhon Si
Thammarat
South
China Sea
Songkhla
Hat Yi
E
S
0
0
MALAYSIA
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Mekong River
forms most of
Thailands eastern
border with Laos.
Cambodia is
southeast.
The country
was called Siam
until 1939, when
it took the name
Thailand.
Thailand is made
up of 4 main land regions: the
Mountainous North, the Khorat
Plateau, the Central Plain, and the
Southern Peninsula. Inthanon
Other
37%
Electrical
machinery
17%
Footwear 4%
Cereals 4%
Non-electrical
machinery
14%
Live fish 5%
Other
32%
Farms/
cropland
40%
Forests
26%
Garments 5%
Exports
Plastics 4%
200
200
Rubber
products 6%
Precious
jewelry 4%
miles
km
Land Use
Permanent
pastures 2%
$51 billion
295
Thailand
(continued)
The People
Most of the people living in
Thailand are farmers and reside in
rural villages. The countrys urban
centers have expanded rapidly,
however, and almost 6 million
people live in Bangkok, Thailands
capital and largest city.
Most of Thailands people belong
to the Thai ethnic group. Chinese
make up the second largest population group. Other ethnic groups
include Malays, Khmers, Hmong,
Indians and Vietnamese. Life
expectancy is 69 years.
Village life in Thailand traditionally is based around religious and
agricultural rituals and festivals. Most
Thai villagers live in traditional
wood houses built on stilts. Middleclass Thai live in apartments,
Thai woman
Muslim 4%
Buddhist
95%
Major Religions
Other
11%
Chinese
14%
Thai
75%
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Thai law requires all children to
attend school from ages 7 to 14.
Thailands government provides free
public education, but some students
attend private schools. Very few
Government
Literate
94%
Defense
Literacy
296
Other 1%
203 tanks
10 major ships
197 combat aircraft
109
TVs
18
21
12
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Togo
127
Population rank
109
fewest people
BURKINA FASO
At a Glance
Mandouri
Dapaong
EUROPE
Sansann-Mango
ASIA
B E N I N
AFRICA
Kand
SOUTH
AMERICA
Bafilo
Bassar
AUSTRALIA
G H A N A
Tchamba
Sokod
Sotouboua
A N TA R C T I C A
N I G E R I A
N
Badou
Atakpam
E
S
0
0
Kpalim
miles
km
100
100
Tsevie
Lom
Tabligbo
Anecho
ATLANTIC OCEAN
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 1%
Average Rainfall
Coffee
6%
Re-exports
27%
0 in/0 cm
Other
13% Cotton
30%
Phosphates
24%
Exports
African
99%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim 10%
Christian
20%
Indigenous
beliefs
70%
Major Religions
$196 million
297
Tonga
188
Population rank
fewest people
Ha'apai
Group
At a Glance
Tofua
Holonga
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
'Uta Vava'u
ASIA
Neiafu
AFRICA
Late
Nomuka
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
E A N
O C
C
F I
C I
A
P
Tongatapu
N
W
Nuku'alofa
Pea
E
S
Ohonua
Eua
miles
km
50
50
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Other 8%
Squash
49%
Other
21%
Free
Wesleyan
64%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$15 million
298
Polynesian
Roman
Catholic
15%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AUSTRALIA
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
12 in/30 cm
Urea
4%
Methanol
9%
Iron
& steel
10%
n
e a
b b
C a r i
a
S e
Blanchisseuse
Redhead
$3 billion
C
Guaico
I C
G u l f
o f
P a r i a
Trinidad
Rio Claro
San Fernando
Fullarton
S e r
p e n t
' s
Siparia
E
S
M o u t h
The People
Almost half of Trinidad and Tobagos people are descendents of black Africans. Many people there speak
Trinidad English, a form of English with French and
Spanish influences. Many citizens of Trinidad and
Tobago also have Muslim and Hindu heritage. Roman
Catholics, however, form the countrys largest religious
group. Life expectancy is 70 years.
Many people in the
country play native
musical instruments
called pans, which are
made from empty oil
drums. Trinidad is the
home of a widely
known form of folk
music called calypso
as well as the popular
limbo dance.
Almost all adults
in Trinidad and
Tobago can read and
write, and local laws require all children to go to school
for 6 years. Most students go on to higher education
and some Trinidadians attend colleges and universities
in the United States.
Other Refined
20% petroleum
30%
Exports
Port-of-Spain
VENEZUELA
Arima
Tobago
Scarborough
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
80F/27C
Roxborough
20
20
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
100F/38C
miles
km
At a Glance
E A
N
Crude
petroleum
16%
Anhydrous
ammonia
11%
Mixed
14%
Other 6%
South
Asian
40%
Black
40%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
6%
Other 10%
Hindu
24%
Roman
Catholic
32%
Protestant
28%
Major Religions
299
Tunisia
Land area rank
92
smallest country
Population rank
81
fewest people
At a Glance
ITALY
Bizerte
Tunis
Bja
ASIA
Nabeul
Le Kef
Sea
ean
rran
Ma
h R
Sousse
AFRICA
Kairouan
SOUTH
AMERICA
Kasserine
AUSTRALIA
Sfax
Gafsa
A N TA R C T I C A
Nefta
Gulf of
Gabs
Gabs
Mdenine
A L G E R I A
Tataouine
L I B Y A
N
W
E
0
Monastir, Tunisia
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Other
20%
Hydrocarbons
34%
Chemicals
18%
Agricultural
products
28%
Exports
$6 billion
300
ite
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
a
ard
ed
Ariana
miles
km
100
100
Other
44%
Farms/
cropland
32%
Permanent
pastures
20%
Forests
4%
Land Use
Tunisia
The People
Almost all of Tunisias people are of
Arab or Berber descent, however
small groups of Jewish and
Christian people also reside there.
French culture has influenced many
aspects of Tunisian life, including its
architecture and food, and many
Tunisians even speak French as a
second language.
Tunisias cities are generally
divided into old and new sections.
In the past, rural dwellings in
Tunisia included many mud huts and
tents, but today, most rural houses
are made of stone or concrete.
Many people in the rural areas
continue to wear traditional Arab
clothinga turban or skullcap, and
a long, loose gown or a long coatlike garment with long sleeves
while city dwellers dress in
Western-style clothes.
Jewish 1%
Muslim
98%
Major Religions
Tunisian man, Kairouan, Tunisia
European 1%
Other 1%
Arab
98%
Ethnic Makeup
Education
Tunisias government considers
education a top priority, and puts
one-fourth of the national budget
toward it. Tunisian schools are free.
About 80% of school-age children
attend primary school and 44%
attend secondary school in Tunisia.
There are 6-year primary, 7-year
secondary, and 3-year vocational
schools in Tunisia. School is usually
taught in Arabic for lower grades
and then replaced by French for
later grades. The University of
(continued)
Government
Literate
67%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive Dominant
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
0 major ships
32 combat aircraft
75
39
TVs
Cars
43
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
301
Turkey
Land area rank
37
smallest country
Population rank
16
fewest people
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
RUSSIA
BULGARIA
ASIA
Black Sea
AFRICA
E
S
EQUATOR
SOUTH
AMERICA
Edirne
Istanbul
AUSTRALIA
Zonguldak
Dardanelles
Aegean
Sea
Lesbos
Ankara
Eskiehi
Denizli
CYPRUS
Mediterranean
Sea
SYRIA
is
Antakya
Rhodes
gr
Tarsus
Batman
Gaziantep
Eu
ph
ra
t
Ti
Antalya
Crete
Van
Konya
s
a i n
M o u n t Adana
es
IRAQ
R.
0
0
miles
km
200
200
Istanbul, Turkey
The Place
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Other
56%
Textiles
& clothing
25%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$26 billion
302
Electrical
& electronic
machinery
6%
Iron and steel
8%
Edible fruits 5%
IA
Lake Van
Malatya
T a r s u s
EN
Erzurum
Kayseri
Izmir
GREECE
hr
RM
R.
ates
Lake Tuz
A N A T O L I A
Isparta
Eup
Silvas
Trabzon
Ordu
Bursa
Balikesir
A N TA R C T I C A
Samsun
Bosporus
Sea of
Marmara
At a
GEORGIA
Other
22%
Farms/
cropland
36%
Forests
26%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures 16%
Turkey
The People
Most of Turkeys people live in cities
or towns, while a few still live on
farms or in small villages. Most
of Turkeys people are Muslims,
followers of Islam.
About 80% of Turkeys people
are descendants of the Turks.
Turkey also has several smaller
minority groups. Arabs, who are
mainly farmers, live near the Syrian
border. Caucasianspeople whose
ancestors came from the Caucasus
Mountains region just northeast of
Turkeylive in the provinces bordering the Black Sea. Greeks and
Armenians live in the Istanbul area.
More than 90% of all Turks speak
Turkish, the countrys official language, and about 6% speak Kurdish.
The rest speak Arabic, Greek, or
one of the other languages of the
minority groups.
Most wealthy Turks live in luxuri-
(continued)
Kurdish
20%
Turkish
80%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 1%
Muslim
99%
Major Religions
Education
The majority of those 15 years old
and older in Turkey can read and
write. Turkish law requires all
children to attend an 8-year primary
school until they graduate or reach
the age of 15. After graduating,
some students attend a middle
school for 3 years. Some middleschool graduates also attend a
3-year college-preparatory high
school called a lise, and others enroll
in a vocational school or begin to
work. Many lise graduates go on to
college.
Government
Literate
82%
Literacy
Defense
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
174
117
44
25
TVs
Cars
NA
Phones
VCRs
PCs
303
Turkmenistan
Land area rank
52
smallest country
Population rank
114
fewest people
KAZAKHSTAN
At a Glance
Official Name: Turkmenistan
Continent: Asia
Area: 188,456 square
miles (488,100 sq km)
EQUATOR
Population: 4,603,244
Capital City: Ashkhabad
Largest City: Ashkhabad
(517,200)
Unit of Money: Turkmen manat
Major Languages: Turkmen (official), Russian, Uzbek
Literacy: 98%
Land Use: 63% permanent pastures, 8% forests
and woodland, 3% arable land, 26% other
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal,
sulfur, salt
Government: Republic
Defense: $61 million
Kneurgench
Dashhovuz
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
UZBEKISTAN
ASIA
AFRICA
Turkmenbashi
SOUTH
AMERICA
A N TA R C T I C A
Cheleken
Nebit Dag
AUSTRALIA
Chardzhev
Kara-kala
Bakharden
Kaakhka
IRAN
N
W
Gavurdak
Ashkhabad
Caspian
Sea
E
S
0
0
miles
km
Bayramaly Kerki
Mary
Yloten
Serakhs
200
200
AFGHANISTAN
The People
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Other 11%
Average Rainfall
Cotton
20%
Natural
gas & oil
products
69%
Eastern
Orthodox
9%
Other 2%
Uzbek
9%
Turkmen
77%
Muslim
89%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$2 billion
304
Kazakh 2%
Other 8%
Russian
7%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
Tuvalu
Land area rank
232
Population rank
224
smallest country
fewest people
At a Glance
Nanumea
Atoll
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Lolua
ASIA
Nanumanga
Tonga Island
SOUTH
AMERICA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Viatupu
Island
Savave
miles
km
50
50
Funafuti
N
Funafuti
Atoll
Clothing and
footwear
30%
Other 4%
Other
40%
Copra
22%
Fruits and
vegetables
8%
Asau
Nukufetau
Atoll
The People
80F/27C
E
S
Nui
Atoll
Tanrake
Woman,
Tuvalu
100F/38C
Niutao
Island
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Kulia
Exports
Seventh-Day Adventist 1%
Other 1%
Baha'i
1%
Polynesian
96%
Church of
Tuvalu
97%
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
$165,000
305
Uganda
Land area rank
84
smallest country
Population rank
42
fewest people
At a Glance
S U D A N
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Lake
Turkana
ASIA
Arua
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
C O N G O
( Z A I R E )
A N TA R C T I C A
Albert
Ni
le
AFRICA
Gulu
Lira
Lake
Albert
Masindi
Vi
ct
Soroti
o
ri
ile
a N
Kabarole
Kampala
W
E
Lake
Edward
0
0
miles
km
Mbale
Jinja
K E N Y A
Entebbe
Masaka
Mbarara
Rukungiri
Lake
Victoria
100
100
RWANDA
TANZANIA
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Tea
2%
Cotton
2%
Other
27 %
Other
29%
Unroasted
coffee
69%
Exports
$604 million
306
Farms/
cropland
34%
Forests
28%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
9%
Uganda
The People
Ugandas population is concentrated
in its southern portion, especially
near Lake Victoria. Only 13% of
Ugandas population live in urban
areas. Kampala and Jinja are the
countrys two main cities, and other
Other
30%
Baganda
17%
Lugbara
4%
Acholi 4%
Bagisu 5%
Rwanda 6%
Karamojong
12%
Basogo
Iteso 8%
8%
Langi 6%
Ethnic Makeup
Muslim
16%
Roman
Catholic
Indigenous
33%
beliefs
18%
Protestant
33%
Major Religions
Education
Ugandas educational system was
originally modeled after Britains
and developed by missionaries.
Today, however, state and private
organizations operate Ugandas
schools. School is not mandatory,
and there are fees for enrollment.
Approximately 74% of children
attend elementary school. About
12% go on to secondary school,
and 2% receive a higher education.
Makerere University in Kampala is
(continued)
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
62%
Defense
Literacy
NA army personnel
NA tanks
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
307
Ukraine
Land area rank
44
smallest country
Population rank
24
fewest people
D
LAN
PO
EUROPE
ASIA
AFRICA
Chornobyl'
Luts'k
SOUTH
AMERICA
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
9 in/23 cm
60F/16C
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
308
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
es
SLOVAKIA
Mukacheve
Ternopil'
tr
Cherkasy
Vinnytsya
HUNGARY
Dn
ep
Kryvyy Rih
Do
Kremenchuk
ne
ts
Dnepropetrovs'k
Donets'k
Zaporizhzhya
Mykolayiv
Mariupol'
Odesa
Melitopol'
N
Sea of Azov
R OM A N IA
Simferopol'
0
miles 100
0 km 100
Sevastopol'
be
Danu
Mount Hoverla,
the countrys
highest peak. It stands 6,762 feet
(2,061 meters) tall.
The majority of Ukraine has 4
B l a c k
S e a
Ukranian house
Other
22%
Food
9%
Dn
VA
100F/38C
Kharkiv
L'vov
O
LD
MO
Kiev
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Chernihiv
P r i p e t Mar
shes
B E L A R U S
NORTH
AMERICA
At a Glance
Ferrous
metal
36%
Chemicals
10%
Mineral
commodities
Exports
11%
$15 billion
Machinery
12%
Permanent
pastures
13%
Other
9%
Forests
18%
Farms /
cropland
60%
Land Use
Ukraine
(continued)
The People
Ukraine experienced a decrease in
population of nearly 1.2 million
between 1990 and 1997, when its
death rates exceeded birth ratesa
result of environmental pollution,
poor diet, smoking, alcoholism, and
deteriorating medical care. Life
expectancy is 68 years.
Approximately 72% of Ukrainians
live in cities and towns. Ethnic
Ukrainians make up 73% of the total
population. Russians are the largest
minority group, while Jewish and
Byelorussians each make up about 1%
of the total population.
Ukraine was traditionally a
village-based country, under Soviet
rule, however, modernization and
urbanization became popular.
Presently, the western portion of
Ukraine is traditional, religious,
and Ukrainian-speaking. The east is
Education
Ukraine has a very high literacy rate,
and education is mandatory between
the ages of 6 and 15. Children are
required to attend school for 8 years.
Approximately 75% of the teachers
in Ukraine are women.
Since the country gained its independence, school curriculums have
focused on Ukrainian history and
literature, and more private and
religious schools have opened.
Ukraine has 10 universities and
several specialized academies. The
University of Kiev is the countrys
Jewish 1% Other 4%
Russian
22%
Ukrainian
73%
Ethnic Makeup
Ukranian dancers
Ukrainian Orthodox,
Protestant,
Ukrainian Catholic,
Jewish
Major Religions
have refrigerators, telephones, and
televisions, which are less common
in villages.
Sciences of Ukraine, operates several
research institutions.
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
98%
Literacy
Soccer is the most popular spectator sport in Ukraine. The countrys main leisure activity is watching
television. Ukrainians enjoy watching figure skaters and tennis matches. Oksana Baiul, Andrei Medvedev,
and Sergei Bubka are respected
Ukranian athletes. Concerts, opera,
and ballet are less accessible for
most people because they are too
expensive.
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
133
56
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
309
Population rank
138
fewest people
At a Glance
IR A N
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
er
si
an
Str a
G u
l f
AUSTRALIA
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a group of 7 independent states in the southeastern corner of the Arabian
Peninsula. Its 7 states are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,
Ras al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm al Quaiwain and Fujairah.
The Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia Gulf, Oman, and the
Gulf of Oman border the UAE.
The UAE covers 31,969 square miles (82,880 square
kilometers), most of which are desert. The highest point
is the Al Hajar al Gharbi, which stands 8,200 feet (2,500
meters) above sea level.
There are no rivers or lakes in the UAE. Wells and
recycled wastewater are used for irrigation. Ocean water
is desalinized for drinking and industrial purposes.
The weather is sometimes extreme during the summer months, when interior temperatures can reach 120
F (49 C). Annual rainfall varies from 1.7 inches (43
mm) in Abu Dhabi to 5.1 inches (130 mm) in Ras al
Khaymah. Sandstorms occur frequently in UAE.
The UAE is a major exporter of crude oil and natural
gas. Mina Jabal Ali, located in Dubai, is the worlds
largest human-made port.
Exports
$33 billion
310
OMAN
Ra's al Khayman
G ulf
of
Oman
Abu Dhabi
N
W
Ar Ruways
Al'Ayn
OM A N
S
0
S A U D I
A R A B IA
miles
50
0 km 50
The People
The UAE has a population of more than 2 million
people. The native people of the UAE are Arabic;
approximately twothirds of its non-native
population are Asians
and Iranians.
Arabic is the UAEs
official language, however English, Hindi,
Urdu, and Persian are
also spoken there.
Shopping bazaar, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Islam is the official
religion of the country.
Most of the people of the United Arab Emirates live
in cities along both coasts, although Al-Ayn has become
increasingly popular.
Less than one-fifth of the people living in the emirates are citizens. The rest are mostly primarily foreign
workers and their families. South Asians, mainly Indians
and Pakistanis, make up almost half of the population.
Because of the countrys oil wealth, citizens of the
UAE have extensive health, education, and social services.
The birth rate in the United Arab Emirates is the
lowest of all Persian Gulf states. Life expectancy in the
UAE is 75 years.
ormuz
fH
Khawr
Sharjah
Fakkan
Dubai
Al Fujayrah
Mina Jabal Ali
QATAR
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
it o
Other 8%
Emiri
19%
Arab &
Iranian
23%
South
Asian
50%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 4%
Muslim
96%
Major Religions
United Kingdom
Land area rank
78
smallest country
Population rank
20
fewest people
At a Glance
Shetland
Islands
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
C
TI
N N
A A
L
T CE
A O
ASIA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
0F/-18C
s
d
ri
b
e
H
Inverness
Aberdeen
SCOTLAND
Glasgow
Edinbugh
Londonderry
Newcastle
upon Tyne
Carlisle
NORTHERN
IRELAND
Belfast
Middlebrough
York
Leeds
and England is the
Irish
Liverpool
Sea
Manchester
largest and most
Sheffield
populous division
IRELAND
ENGLAND
Norwich
of Great Britain.
Leicester
W A L E S Birmingham
Wales is located to
Cambridge
the west, and
Oxford
Swansea
London
Cardiff
Celtic
Scotland is to the
Bristol
Sea
Thames
north of England.
Dover
Portsmouth
Northern Ireland
l
ne
0
miles
100
Isle of
an
is located in the
h
Wight
C
Plymouth
0
km
100
sh
gli
northeast corner
En
FRANCE
of Ireland, the
second largest
deposits of coal, and controls some
island in the British Isles.
oil fields in the North Sea.
The capital of the United
The climate, in general, is mild,
Kingdom is London, which is located
chilly,
and often wet. Up to 300
near the southeastern tip of England.
days each year have rainy or overThe United Kingdom covers
93,278 square miles (241,590 square cast skies. These conditions make
kilometers). Britain is densely popu- Britain lush and green, with rolling
plains in the south and east and
lated, and is highly developed in the
rough hills and mountains to the
arts, economics, sciences and techwest and north.
nology. The country has large
Other
48%
Electrical
equipment
20%
Road
Chemicals
vehicles
13%
9%
0 in/0 cm
N o rth
S ea
Dundee
Isle of
Man
E
S
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Orkney
Islands
Exports
$268 billion
Food 4%
Professional
& scientific 4%
Other
19%
Forests
10%
Farms /
cropland
25%
Permanent
pastures
46%
Land Use
311
United Kingdom
(continued)
The People
Education
Primary and secondary education
is a local responsibility in the United
Kingdom, and the Local Education
Authorities (LEA) hires teachers and
provides education to students.
Primary education is free and compulsory from age 5 to 11. LEAs also
provide secondary education for
children aged 11 to 19, which is free
and compulsory to age 16.
In most parts of the United
Kingdom, secondary schools are
open to pupils of all abilities, and students can continue past the minimum
leaving age of 16 to earn a certificate
312
Ethnic Makeup
Other
36%
Methodist
1%
Presbyterian
1%
Anglican
45%
Roman
Catholic
15%
Muslim 2%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Structure: Executive
Leader: Queen/Prime Minister
Defense
116,000 army personnel
Literate
99%
918 tanks
54 major ships
559 combat aircraft
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
433
272
27
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
United States
Land area rank
Population rank
smallest country
fewest people
Seattle
Tacoma
WASHINGTON
Mi sso uri R.
Portland
MAINE
ss
R.
Little Rock
Dallas
A
N
Ri
Gr
de
400
C E
A N
E
miles
200
Miami
THE BAHAMAS
Maui
Hawaii
0 km 100
At a Glance
Official Name: United States of America
Continent: North America
Area: 3,536,274 square miles (9,158,960 sq. km)
Population: 278,058,881
Capital City: Washington, D.C.
Largest City: New York City (7,333,253)
Unit of Money: United States dollar
Major Language: English
Natural Resources: Coal, copper, lead, molybdenum,
phosphates, uranium,
bauxite, gold, iron,
mercury, nickel,
EQUATOR
potash, silver,
tungsten, zinc,
petroleum, natural
gas, timber
EUROPE
ASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
Honolulu
0 miles 100
NORTH
AMERICA
Gulf of Mexico
HAWAII
Gulf of
Alaska
Jacksonville
FLORIDA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
400
Tallahassee
Tampa
an
km
Oahu
Savannah
Orlando
0 km 200
Anchorage
GEORGIA
Montgomery
New Orleans
Kauai
SOUTH
CAROLINA
San Antonio
Bering
Sea
ALABAMA
MISSISSIPPI
Mobile
Houston
C A N A D A
ALASKA
miles
Atlanta
Birmingham
Austin
R U S S I A
TENNESSEE
Memphis
LOUISIANA
TEXAS
Greensboro
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte
Nashville
KENTUCKY
PENNSYLVANIA
Cleveland
OHIO
Jackson
El Paso
RHODE ISLAND
CONNECTICUT
New York
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
DELAWARE
O
M
Chicago
si
ARKANSAS
Tucson
Fort Worth
NEW MEXICO
Buffalo
ie
r
.E
Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA
Missis
C
FI
CI
PA
Phoenix
n
L. O
I C
MISSOURI
ARIZONA
NEW
HAMPSHIRE
Boston
NEW YORK MASSACHUSETTS
o
tari
Kansas City
Wichita
Albuquerque
Lake
Huron
Topeka
KANSAS
Detroit
i R
er
i v
Denver
COLORADO
IG
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
ILLINOIS
INDIANA
Columbus
Washington D. C.
Indianapolis
MARYLAND
.
WEST
R
o
VIRGINIA
Richmond
St. Louis
hi
VIRGINIA
Louisville
O
Des Moines
pp
Omaha
IC
H
pi
IOWA
ip
do
Milwaukee
si
ol
a
or
Los Angeles
San Diego
is
CALIFORNIA
St. Paul
WISCONSIN
.
ri R
UTAH
NEBRASKA
sou
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Sioux Falls
Mis
Salt Lake
City
s
a i n
n t
o u
NEVADA
WYOMING
Reno
Sacramento
Minneapolis
Pierre
igan
y
c k
R o
SOUTH DAKOTA
IDAHO
Great
Salt
Lake
MINNESOTA
ONT
VERM
OREGON
Boise
Lake Superior
NORTH DAKOTA
Bismarck
L. Mich
MONTANA
The Place
The United States of America is the third largest
country in the world in population and fourth
largest country in area. Only Russia, Canada, and
China are larger in area. The United States covers
the middle of the North American continent, from
the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean
in the west. Mexico borders it to the
south and Canada to the north. The
United States also includes Alaska,
the largest state, in the northwest
corner of North America and the
Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific. The
geography of the United States ranges
from the warm beaches of Florida
and Hawaii to the frozen tundra
of Alaska. In between are the level
midwestern prairies and towering,
snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The
temperate climate of New England
contrasts with the desert climate
Statue of Liberty in
New York Harbor
United States
(continued)
Other
48%
Scientific
and precision
equipment
3%
Machinery
and transport
equipment
47%
Exports
$625 billion
Other
26%
Forests
30%
Food and
live animals
10%
Farms/
cropland
19%
Permanent
pastures
25%
Land Use
valuable minerals, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum, lie beneath
the ground and offshore in areas such
as Texas, California, Kentucky, and
Alaska. Excluding Alaska and Hawaii,
the U.S. is usually divided into seven
major regions, each made up of states
with similar geography, climate,
economy, tradition, and history. The
regions are: (1) New England, (2)
the Middle Atlantic States, (3) the
Southern States, (4) the Midwestern
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Resources
Farm land
Pastures
314
Forests
Other
Cattle
Manufacturing
Engineering
Chemicals
Oil
Grains
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
United States
The History
Until the 1500s, small groups of
Native Americans lived between the
Atlantic and Pacific. Inuit inhabited
what is now Alaska, and Polynesians
lived in Hawaii. European explorers
who arrived in the sixteenth century
saw a New World offering riches
and land. Small groups of Spaniards
settled in what is now the southeastern and western United States in the
1500s. Settlers from England and
other European countries landed
along the East Coast during the
1600s. In 1776, colonists in the East
established an independent nation
based on freedom and economic
opportunity. Westward expansion in
the 1800s spread the nations borders
across the Mississippi River, over
the prairies, to the West Coast. A
The People
The United States has often been
called a melting pot, a place where
people from many lands have come
together and formed a unified culture. White people comprise about
80% of the countrys population.
African Americans, the largest
minority group, make up about 12%
of the population. Hispanics make up
9% of the U.S. population. About
3% of the population is of Asian
descent. American Indians make up
about 1% of the population. Other
Alaskan man
(continued)
Government
Type: Federal republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
The Lincoln Memorial
Defense
Other 3% Amerindian 1%
Jewish
2%
Black
12%
White
80%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
14%
Roman
Catholic
28%
Protestant
56%
Major Religions
315
United States
(continued)
Education
The U.S. has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. About 35% of
all the children aged 3 and 4 attend
nursery schools, and about 95% of
all 5-year-olds attend kindergarten.
More than 99% of U.S. children
complete elementary school, and
about 75% graduate from high
school. Approximately 60% of high
school graduates go on to colleges
or universities. About 20% of the
countrys adults complete at least four
Private schools receive their operating funds chiefly from tuition and
contributions of private citizens.
Literate
97%
Literacy
Agriculture 3%
Services
14%
Industry
25%
Managerial,
professional
29%
Technical, sales,
administrative
29%
Labor Force
814
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
570
723
230
NA
TVs
Cars
316
Woman jogging
ming, and tennis. The arts, including motion pictures, plays, concerts,
operas, and dance performances,
attract large audiences in the United
States. Hobbies occupy much of the
leisure time of many Americans.
Popular hobbies include crafts,
gardening, stamp collecting, coin
collecting, and photography. Many
Americans take annual vacations
to lakes or seashores, mountains,
or in other recreational areas. Most
American homes have a television
set, which is on for about seven
hours a day.
Phones
VCRs
PCs
Uruguay
90
Population rank
129
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
Artigas
ASIA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
Hides &
skins
12%
Other
21%
0
0
L
M
ir
oo
im
Treinta y Tres
ag
Durazno
C
an
miles
km
Melo
r
eg
o P
ar
Carmelo
La
100
Pl
Las
Piedras
Minas
San
Carlos
ata
Montevideo
100
The People
80F/27C
Paysand
Mercedes
Ri
Tacuaremb
Ro N
The Place
100F/38C
B RA ZIL
A N TA R C T I C A
Salto
Rio U
rug
AUSTRALIA
AR
GE
NT
IN
A
SOUTH
AMERICA
W
Rivera
uay
AFRICA
NORTH
AMERICA
Unlike most South American nations, Uruguays population is primarily of European origin, and none of its
original native people remain. Some 3.3 million people
call Uruguay home. Life expectancy is 75 years.
Three-quarters of Uruguays people are Roman
Catholic. Spanish is the countrys official language,
however it is generally
spoken with an Italian
accent. Many
Uruguayans also speak
English, French, or
Italian. Portuguese is
commonly spoken in
the areas near Brazil.
Uruguay has one
of the highest rates
Montevideo, Uruguay
of literacy in Latin
America, with 97.8
percent of its adult population able to read. Uruguay
is one of the few nations in the Western Hemisphere
where all schooling, including college, is free.
Soccer is the most popular sport in Uruguay. Many
Uruguayan children enjoy playing soccer, however other
popular recreational activities include basketball, rugby,
and gaucho rodeos, called domos.
Processed
Textiles
foods
20%
4%
Vegetable
products Exports
17%
$3 billion
Mestizo
8%
Black 4%
Other
30%
White
88%
Ethnic Makeup
Jewish
2%
Roman
Catholic
66%
Protestant
2%
Major Religions
317
Uzbekistan
Land area rank
57
smallest country
Population rank
41
fewest people
At a Glance
Aral
Sea
Nukus
SOUTH
AMERICA
A N TA R C T I C A
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
0 in/0 cm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
318
miles
km
Nawoiy
KYRGYZSTAN
Andijon
Olmaliq
Quqon
Farghona
Samarqand
TAJIKISTAN
Qarshi
Termiz
100
100
AFGHANISTAN
tures sometimes
central Uzbekistan. The country
reaching as high
also has a 261 mile (420 km) shoreas 113 F (45 C). Winters, however, line formed by the southern portion
are cold, and temperatures can dip as of the Aral Sea.
low as -35 F (-37 C).
Uzbekistan is landlocked Woman in traditional dress
and covers approximately
164,245 square miles
(424,400 square kilometers). It is bordered by
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and
Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan
is mountainous in the east
and northeast. Portions of
the western Tien Shan and
Pamirs-Alai Mountains
stretch into Uzbekistan
from neighboring
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
West of the mountains,
Uzbekistan has lower
elevations. Qyzylqum, one
of the largest deserts in the
world, is located in north
Farms/cropland 10%
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
Tashkent
Bukhoro
M
E
AUSTRALIA
Chirchiq
Urganch
ASIA
AFRICA
The Place
E
S
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
K A Z A K H S T A N
Other
33%
Electricity
5%
Food
products 6%
machine-building
equipment 6%
Light
industrial
products
35%
Other
41%
Permanent
pastures
46%
Exports
$4 billion
Forests
3%
Land Use
Uzbekistan
Uzbek vendor
The People
Uzbekistan has the largest population of the former Soviet republics
in Central Asia. About 42% of
Uzbekistans people life in urban
areas.
Tatar 1%
Other 2%
Russian
6%
Uzbek
80%
Ethnic Makeup
Other 3%
Eastern
Orthodox
9%
Muslim
88%
Major Religions
Education
Education in Uzbekistan is required
up to the 9th grade. Almost all adults
can read and write. Illiteracy was
high at one time, but was almost
entirely eliminated by the Soviet
Unions emphasis on free and universal education. Today, Uzbekistans
education system is still similar to the
Soviet system, although it puts
greater emphasis on Uzbek history
and literature. Teachers are generally
paid low wages, and new textbooks
are often unavailable.
(continued)
Government
Literate
97%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
0 major ships
126 combat aircraft
Uzbek man
149
78
37
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
319
Vanuatu
159
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
E s pi r t u
S a nt o
EUROPE
ASIA
Luganville
AFRICA
miles
km
Ethnic Makeup
$30 million
Exports
Beef
& veal
14%
fat
Port-Vila
320
100
100
E r r om a ngo
T a nna
Potnarhvin
Lommti
The People
The majority of Vanuatus people are ethnic
Melanesians known as ni-Vanuatu. There are also
French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Polynesian, and
Micronesian descendents living there. Approximately
70% of Vanuatus population live on the islands of
fat, Espiritu Santo,
Erromango, and Tanna.
Vanuatus official languages are English, French,
and Bislama, a form of pidgin
English. Bislama is used as
the countrys common language of communication.
Literacy rates in Vanuatu
are low. While almost all
children attend primary
schools, about 1 in 5
Outdoor marketplace,
students continues beyond
Port-Vila, Vanuatu
the primary level.
Most of the people in
Vanuatu are Christians. About 37% of the population
is Presbyterian. Anglicans and Roman
Catholics each make up about 15%.
Life expectancy is 62 years.
Church of Christ
4%
Seventh-Day
Other
Adventists
15%
6%
Indigenous
beliefs
8%
Roman
Catholic
15% Major
Presbyterian
37%
Anglican
15%
Religions
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Melanesian
94%
Squash
5%
Timber
8%
Copra
35%
Ranon
Am br y m
Other
34%
French 4% Other 2%
M a l e k ul a
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
AUSTRALIA
P e nt e c ot e
Norsup
e w
SOUTH
AMERICA
Nasawa
NORTH
AMERICA
Limbot
Cacao
beans
4%
Sola
I l e L a k on
Vatican City
Land area rank 250
smallest country
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F MA M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
15 in/38 cm
E
S
SOUTH
AMERICA
Vatican
Museums
AUSTRALIA
Vatican
A N TA R C T I C A
Gardens
Saint
Peter's
Basilica
0
0
miles
km
0.1
Sistine
Chapel
St. Peter's
Square
ITA LY
(Rom e)
0.1
The People
AFRICA
The Place
100F/38C
N
ASIA
NA
Italians,
Swiss,
Other
Roman
Catholic
Exports
Ethnic Makeup
Major Religions
0 in/0 cm
$ NA
321
Venezuela
33
Population rank
43
fewest people
Lesser Antilles
At a Glance
Official Name: Republic of Venezuela
Continent: South America
Area: 340,556 square miles
(882,050 sq. km)
EQUATOR
Population: 23,916,810
Capital City: Caracas
Largest City: Caracas
(3,435,795)
Unit of Money: bolivar
Major Languages: Spanish (official), native dialects
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore,
gold bauxite, other minerals, hydropower,
diamonds
Maracaibo
Valencia
Cuman
Barcelona
Trujillo Barquisimeto
Mrida
ASIA
AFRICA
Trinidad
Maturin
rinoco
Rio O
San Cristobal
S e a
Isla de
Margarita
Caracas
Lake
Maricaibo
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Cabimas
C ar ib b e an
Ciudad Guayana
Ciudad
Bolivar
SOUTH
AMERICA
AUSTRALIA
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Rainfall
Ri
oO
rin
oco
E
S
0
0
miles
km
200
B R A Z I L
200
Basic metal
manufactures
8%
Other
15 %
Farms/cropland 5%
Permanent
pastures
20%
Other
41%
Crude petroleum &
petroleum products
77%
Forests
34%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$21 billion
322
G U Y A N A
Puerto Ayacucho
C OL O M B IA
Land Use
Venezuela
(continued)
Amerindian 2%
Black
10%
White
21%
Mestizo
67%
Ethnic Makeup
Protestant
2%
The People
About 67% of Venezuelans are mestizospeople with mixed European
and Native American ancestry.
About 21% are of European
descent. Venezuela is 87% urban.
The main religion is Roman
Catholicism. Other faiths include
Protestantism, Judaism, and Islam.
Some native Indian people still
practice their traditional religions.
Roman
Catholic
96%
Major Religions
Education
Education in Venezuela is free and
mandatory for children between the
ages of 6 and 15. The country has
a shortage of qualified teachers,
however, and schools are crowded
Venezuelas institutions of higher
education include the Central
University of Venezuela and Andrs
Bello Catholic University in
Caracas; the University of the
Andes, in Mrida; the University of
Other 2%
Government
Type: Federal Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
91%
Defense
Literacy
34,000 army personnel
70 tanks
8 major ships
119 combat aircraft
Goods Ownership
per 1,000 people
156
82
93
34
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
323
Vietnam
Land area rank
65
smallest country
Population rank
fewest people
At a Glance
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
C H IN A
AFRICA
er
SOUTH
AMERICA
Hanoi
Cam Pha
AUSTRALIA
Hai Phong
Nam Dinh
A N TA R C T I C A
Hue
g
Da Nang
iv
T H A IL A N D
S e a
er
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
kon
324
Hainan
Me
C h i n a
o u
t h
square miles
C A M B OD IA
Nha
(325,360 square
Trang
kilometers). The
Da Lat
Cam
Ranh
country is borN
Bien Hoa
dered by China,
Ho Chi Minh City
W
E
My Tho
Laos, Cambodia,
S
Rach Gia
Can Tho
and its entire
eastern coast is on
0
miles
100
0 km 100
the South China
Sea. The far north
and much of central Vietnam are hilly resource is its crop land, however, it
and mountainous. In central Vietnam, also has mineral resources including
gold, iron, tin, zinc, phosphate,
the narrowest part of the country,
chromite, apatite, and anthracite coal.
mountains and highlands extend to
Vietnams climate is generally hot
the coast, while Southern Vietnam is
and humid. The northern plains have
very low. Vietnams 2 major rivers
more seasonal variations and usually
are the Red River in the north and
cooler nighttime temperatures than
the Mekong River in the south.
southern areas. Rainfall is plentiful
Most lowland areas and upland
throughout Vietnam. Typhoons
valleys are planted with rice, although
sometimes hit the central coast, which
other crops grown there include
have caused loss of life and destrucbananas, coconuts, papaya, and bamtion of cropland in recent years.
boo. Vietnams most valuable natural
S
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Vinh
Qui Nhon
The Place
0F/-18C
L A OS
Gulf
of
Tonkin
Other
40 %
Rubber
3%
Clothing
8%
Crude
petroleum
20%
Coffee
11%
Rice
10%
Exports
$7 billion
Fish &
fish products
8%
Other
48%
Farms/
cropland
21%
Forests
30%
Land Use
Permanent
pastures
1%
Vietnam
The People
Vietnams people are primarily
Vietnamese, accounting for almost
90% of the countrys population.
Other ethnicities include Chinese,
Hmong, and the Tai-speaking Nung
and Tay. Southern minorities
Other 6%
Thai 2%
Chinese
4%
Vietnamese
88%
Ethnic Makeup
Other
38%
Buddhist
55%
Christian
7%
Major Religions
Education
About 94% of Vietnamese age
15 and over are literate. Education
is free and is mandatory for the first
5 years of primary school. Most of
Vietnam's children receive primary
schooling. Less than half of young
Vietnamese receive a secondary
education, however, because there
is a shortage of adequate facilities.
Vietnamese education focuses on
science and technology. Many students attend school abroad, mainly
(continued)
Government
Literate
94%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
7 major ships
190 combat aircraft
Rice paddy
38
TVs
NA
NA
NA
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
325
Yemen
Land area rank
49
smallest country
Population rank
54
fewest people
At a Glance
N
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
ASIA
Official Name:
EQUATOR
Republic of Yemen
Continent: Asia
Area: 203,850 square
miles (527,970 sq. km)
Population: 18,078,035
Capital City: Sanaa
Largest City: Sanaa (972,000)
Unit of Money: Yemeni rial
Major Languages: Arabic
Natural Resources: Petroleum, fish, rock salt,
marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel,
and copper, fertile soil in west
S A U D I
A R A B I A
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
Sa'dah
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
IT
Arabian Sea
Ta'izz
l
Aden
DJIBOUTI
an
de
b s
tra
Socotra
Gulf of Aden
it
0
SOMALIA
miles
Sanaa, Yemen
Crude minerals
2%
Mineral fuels
95%
Farms/cropland 3%
Other
63%
Permanent
pastures
30%
Forests
4%
Exports
$2 billion
100
0 km 100
0 in/0 cm
326
Al Mukalla
Zabid
June to about
57F (14C) in
January. During summer months,
monsoons are common. The average
rainfall in the highlands varies from
8 to 30 inches (303 to 762 mm), and
15 in/38 cm
100F/38C
Sayhut
Sana'a'
Al Hudaydah
ab
Say'un
The Place
Al Ghaydan
Red
Sea
A N TA R C T I C A
OMAN
a l i
a l K h
)
R u b '
t
r
e
s
( D e
SOUTH
AMERICA
Land Use
Yemen
The People
Most of Yemens people are ethnic
Arabs, although there also small
groups of Africans, South Asians,
and Europeans living there.
Thousands of refugees from the
conflict in Somalia moved to Yemen
in the early 1990s.
Virtually all inhabitants of northSchoolboys, Sanaa
Indian, Somali,
European 2%
Afro-Arab
3%
Arab 95%
Ethnic Makeup
Christian, Hindu, Jewish 3%
Shi'a
Muslim
42%
Sunni
Muslim
55%
Major Religions
Education
Yemens constitution guarantees
all citizens the right to an education,
but the system still fails to reach
a large part of the population,
especially above the primary grades.
Public schools are located in larger
towns and cities, while children in
most rural areas attend Islamic
religious schools.
Only 38% of Yemens adult population is literate.
(continued)
Government
Literate
38%
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literacy
37,000 army personnel
1,125 tanks
0 major ships
69 combat aircraft
27
13
15
NA
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
VCRs
PCs
327
Yugoslavia
Land area rank
smallest country
Population rank
67
fewest people
At a Glance
H U N G A R Y
50
Subotica
Drav
EUROPE
iv
ASIA
er
NORTH
AMERICA
miles
0 km 50
AFRICA
CROA TIA
Sa
SOUTH
AMERICA
R OM A N IA
nu
Da
Zrenjanin
e R .
Novi Sad
E
S
va
AUSTRALIA
Ri
ver
Belgrade
Pancevo
Da
nu
Smederevo
be
S E R B I A
A N TA R C T I C A
B OS N IA
Kragujevac
Cacak
Kraljevo
The Place
Yugoslavia, located on the Balkan
Peninsula in southeastern Europe, is
100F/38C
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
3 in/8 cm
20F/-7C
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
Average Rainfall
Kosovska
made up of Serbia
Mitrovica
MONTENEGRO
and Montenegro.
KOSOVO
Yugoslavias capiPec
Pristina
Podgorica
tal and largest
Prizren
city is Belgrade.
Adriatic
A LBA N IA
Sea
Yugoslavia is a
MACEDONIA
smaller portion of
a larger country,
also called Yugoslavia. The name
Albania, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia
Yugoslavia means, Land of the
and Herzegovina. Yugoslavias far
South Slavs, and was chosen when
southwestern boundary is formed by
the first Yugoslav state was formed
a coastline on the Adriatic Sea. The
in 1918 to unite 3 groups of South
countrys total land area is 39,517
Slavs: Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
square miles (102,350 square kiloFrom 1946 to 1991, Yugoslavia was
meters), less than half the size of the
comprised of 6 republics. In 1991
former Yugoslavia.
and 1992, 4 republicsBosniaThe countrys major rivers include
Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia,
the Danube, Drava and Sava.
and Sloveniadeclared their indeMost of Yugoslavia experiences
pendence. After extensive fighting,
cold winters and hot summers,
Serbia and Montenegro became a
except for a narrow coastal zone in
smaller Yugoslavia.
the southwest, where the climate is
The country is bordered by
mild and rainy in the winter, and
Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria,
warm and dry during the summer.
Other
24%
Chemicals
9%
Machinery
12%
Manufactured
goods
33%
NA
Food &
live animals
22%
Exports
$3 billion
328
Leskovac
B U L G A R IA
Nis
Novi Pazar
Land Use
Education
Yugoslavian education is compulsory
from ages 7 to 15, and primary and
secondary education are both provided at no cost.
The overall literacy rate in
Yugoslavia is 93%. It is higher for
males, at 98%, than for females
(89%). Schooling differs between
ethnic groups. For example,
Albanian girls receive less schooling
than girls of other groups do, and
Albanians in general have lower
literacy rates.
The countrys leading universities
(continued)
Hungarians
4%
Other
13%
Serbs
63%
Albanians
14%
Montenegrins
6%
Ethnic Makeup
Roman
Catholic
4%
Other
12%
Muslim
19%
Orthodox
65%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President/Prime Minister
Defense
Literate
93%
Literacy
93
65
NA
TVs
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
329
Zambia
Land area rank
39
smallest country
Population rank
80
fewest people
EUROPE
C ON G O
( Z A IR E )
Kasama
AFRICA
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Ri
ua
u
Chipata
Kafu
Kabwe
Mongu
MOZA M BIQU E
Lusaka
Za
m
Lake Kariba
Victoria
Falls
NAMIBIA
BOTSWANA
Livingstone
ZIMBABWE
0
0
miles
km
200
200
Other
14%
Other
18%
Cobalt
11%
Copper
71%
Forests
39%
Permanent
pastures
40%
0 in/0 cm
Exports
$975 million
330
Farms/cropland 7%
Average Rainfall
60F/16C
Mpika
ez
i
Land Use
12 in/30 cm
80F/27C
sh
15 in/38 cm
Ri
er
be
ve
100F/38C
between 61 F
(16 C) and
70 F (21 C).
Most of the
country is covered
in grasslands and
trees. Zambias
native animals
include elephants,
lions, rhinoceroses, and
several varieties
of antelope. Rich
mineral deposits
in the countrys
copper belt,
which extends
down into
Zambia from
southern Congo
include copper,
cobalt, and other
minerals.
m
ha
Luanshya
Ri
Mufulira
Chingola
Kitwe
Ndola
Zambezi
The Place
A N G OLA
AUSTRALIA
Lake Nyasa
SOUTH
AMERICA
A N TA R C T I C A
TANZANIA
AWI
MAL
Mbala
ASIA
L. Tanganyika
Lake
Mweru
NORTH
AMERICA
ve
At a Glance
Zambia
The People
Zambians are almost all Bantuspeaking Africans, including the
Twa (Pygmies), except for a few
groups of San.
There are also a few Europeans,
white South Africans, and Asians
living in Zambia.
English is the official language of
the country, however, about 80 local
languages and dialects are also spoken
there. The Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja,
Lozi, Kaonde, Lunda, and Luvale languages are used in radio broadcasts.
Approximately 63% of the people
of Zambia are Christian. Many
Christians attend independent
churches, which combine elements of
Christianity and African religions.
The rest of the population follows
traditional religions. Old customs, like
the use of traditional medicine, polyg-
European 1%
African
99%
Zambian boys
Ethnic Makeup
Indigenous beliefs 1%
Hindu
36%
Christian
63%
Major Religions
The development of mining has
caused thousands of Zambians to
move to mining towns.
Education
School attendance has increased
substantially since Zambia became
independent in 1964. In 1995,
approximately 1.5 million students
were enrolled in primary schools,
representing 88% of school aged
children. Only 29% of secondary
school-aged children were enrolled.
The University of Zambia at Lusaka
had about 10,500 students in the
mid-1990s.
The University of Zambia opened
(continued)
Government
Type: Republic
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Literate
78%
Defense
Literacy
U.S. rate = 97%
NA major ships
NA combat aircraft
25
TVs
12
Cars
Phones
NA
NA
VCRs
PCs
331
Zimbabwe
60
Population rank
66
fewest people
At a Glance
Z A M B IA
EUROPE
NORTH
AMERICA
Zambe
zi
ASIA
AFRICA
Kariba
15 in/38 cm
80F/27C
12 in/30 cm
60F/16C
9 in/23 cm
40F/4C
6 in/15 cm
20F/-7C
3 in/8 cm
0F/-18C
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 in/0 cm
332
Chitungwiza
Mutare
Gweru
Masvingo
Bulawayo
B O T S W A N A
0
miles
100
0 km 100
masasa trees.
Animals native
to Zimbabwe include elephants,
hippopotamuses, lions, hyenas,
crocodiles, antelope, impalas,
giraffes, and baboons.
Zimbabwes climate is often
Limpopo
R.
M O
Z A
M B
I Q
U E
N
E
Harare
M a f unga bus i
R
iv
er
Hwange P l a t e a u
Kwekwe
az
.
e R
SOUTH AFRICA
Farms/cropland 7%
Average Rainfall
100F/38C
Chinhoyi
yat i
Binga
an
NAMIBIA
Victoria Falls
A N TA R C T I C A
The Place
Victoria
Falls
AUSTRALIA
Lake Kariba
SOUTH
AMERICA
Other
39%
Corn
1%
Cut
flowers
1%
Asbestos 3%
Cotton 3%
Tobacco
31%
Gold
12%
Exports
$3 billion
Ferroalloys 7%
Nickel metal 3%
Permanent
pastures
13%
Other
57%
Forests
23%
Land Use
Zimbabwe
The People
More than 11 million people live in
Zimbabwe. Life expectancy at birth
was estimated at 51 years in 2000,
down from 59 years in 1985, mainly
because of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic
that began there in the late 1980s.
Zimbabwes population is divided
into two major ethnic groups: the
Shona and the Ndebele. The Shona
make up 71% of the population, and
the Ndebele minority comprise
16%. Other ethnic groups include
Asians, Caucasians, and other
Africans. About 70% of Zimbabwes
people live in rural areas, while the
rest live in urban settings.
About 50% of the population
Education
Christian missionaries started the first
formal education in Zimbabwe, and
many schools still have strong religious affiliations. Primary education
in Zimbabwe has been universal and
compulsory since 1987. Almost half
of Zimbabwes population is school
age, and education uses approximately
20% of the governments budget.
White 1%
(continued)
African
98%
Kids, Zimbabwe
Ethnic Makeup
Other 1%
Indigenous
Syncretic
beliefs
(part Christian,
24%
part indigenous
beliefs)
Christian
50%
25%
Major Religions
Government
Type: Parliamentary Democracy
Structure: Executive
Leader: President
Defense
41,000 army personnel
Literate
85%
40 tanks
0 major ships
Literacy
52 combat aircraft
27
29
TVs
Cars
32
Phones
NA
VCRs
PCs
333
Beaufort Sea
W
CANADA
E
S
Leptev Sea
ARCTIC
OCEAN
RUSSIA
Hudson
Bay
Baffin
Bay
Kara
Sea
Svalbard
GREENLAND
Greenland
Sea
Barents Sea
Jan Mayen
ICELAND Norwegian Sea
SWEDEN FINLAND
Baltic
Sea
ESTONIA
Svalbard
At a Glance
Official Name: Svalbard
Area: 38,557 sq. mi. (62,049 sq. km)
Population: 2,416
Unit of Money: Norwegian krone
Major Languages: Russian, Norwegian
Government: territory of Norway
Jan Mayen
Uninhabited territory of Norway.
At a Glance
Official Name: Jan Mayen
Area: 144 sq. mi. (373 sq. km)
334
Polar Bear
KAZ
AKH
STA
N
Bouvet Island
Uninhabited territory of Norway
At a Glance
Official Name: Bouvet Island
Area: 22 sq. mi. (58 sq. km)
Bermuda
Faeroe Islands
Bermuda
At a Glance
At a Glance
Official Name: Bermuda
Area: 19 sq. mi. (50 sq. km)
Population: 63,503
Unit of Money: Bermudian dollar
Major Languages: English (official), Portuguese
Government: British dependent territory
AR CT IC OCE AN
French Guiana
AFRICA
Greenland
Faeroe Islands
SOUTH
AMERICA
Saint Helena
Isle of Man
Jersey
Saint Pierre & Miquelon
NORTH
AMERICA
NO RTH
ATL ANTI C
O CEAN
Bermuda
EUROPE
SOUTH
AT L ANT I C
OCEAN
N
Gibraltar
W
N
W
AFRICA
Falkland Islands
S
South Sandwich Island
SOUTH
AMERICA
E
S
Peter I Island
(continued)
Gibraltar
At a Glance
Official Name: Gibraltar
Area: 3 sq. mi. (6.5 sq. km)
Population: 27,649
Unit of Money: Gibraltar pound
Major Languages: English (official), Spanish,
Italian, Portuguese, Russian
Government: colony of U.K.
Greenland
At a Glance
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
At a Glance
Official Name: Colony of the Falkland Islands
Area: 4,699 sq. mi. (12, 173 sq. km)
Population: 2,826
Unit of Money: Falkland Island pound
Major Languages: English
Government: colony of U.K.
French Guiana
At a Glance
Official Name: Department of Guiana
Area: 34,421 sq. mi. (89,150 sq. km)
Population: 177,562
Unit of Money: French franc
Major Languages: French
Government: overseas department of France
336
Isle of Man
At a Glance
Official Name: Isle of Man
Area: 227 sq. mi. (588 sq. km)
Population: 73,489
Unit of Money: N/A
Major Languages: English, Manx
Government: British Crown dependency
Isle of Man
(continued)
Jersey
At a Glance
Official Name: Jersey
Area: 45 sq. mi. (116 sq. km)
Population: 89,361
Unit of Money: N/A
Major Languages: English (official), French
(official), Norman-French
Government: British Crown dependency
Bike riding in Jersey
Saint Helena
At a Glance
Official Name: Saint Helena
Area: 158 sq. mi. (410 sq. km)
Population: 7,266
Unit of Money: Saint Helenian pound
Major Languages: English
Government: dependent territory of U.K.
Peter I Island
At a Glance
Official Name: Peter I Island
Area: 69 sq. mi. (179 sq. km)
At a Glance
Official Name: South Georgia and South
Sandwich Islands
Area: 1,570 sq. mi. (4,066 sq. km)
Gu l f o f
Mexico
U.S.
AT L ANTI C
OCEAN
THE BAHAMAS
N
W
CUBA
r
Cayman Islands
JAMAICA
HONDURAS
HAITI
n
t i
Navassa
l l
e s Virgin Islands
Island
Montserrat
(US)
Guadeloupe
C ar i bbe an Se a
L e
s s
e r
NICARAGUA
Aruba
Martinique
A n t i l l
e s
Netherlands Antilles
COSTA RICA
PANAMA
COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA
TRINIDAD
Anguilla
At a Glance
Official Name: Anguilla
Area: 35 sq. mi. (91 sq. km)
Population: 12,132
Unit of Money: East Caribbean dollar
Major Languages: English
Government: dependent territory of U.K.
Cayman Islands
At a Glance
Official Name: Cayman Islands
Area: 100 sq. mi. (260 sq. km)
Population: 35,527
Unit of Money: Caymanian dollar
Major Languages: English
Government: British dependent territory
Aruba
At a Glance
Official Name: Aruba
Area: 75 sq. mi. (193 sq. km)
Population: 70,007
Unit of Money: Aruban florin
Major Languages: Dutch, Papiamento, English,
Spanish
Government: parliamentary democracy
Cayman Islands
338
Guadeloupe
At a Glance
Official Name: Department of Guadeloupe
Area: 659 sq. mi. (1,706 sq. km)
Population: 431,170
Unit of Money: French franc
Major Languages: French (official), Creole patois
Government: overseas department of France
Martinique
At a Glance
Official Name: Department of Martinique
Area: 409 sq. mi. (1,060 sq. km)
Population: 418,454
Unit of Money: French franc
Major Languages: French, Creole patois
Government: overseas department of France
(continued)
Netherlands Antilles
At a Glance
Official Name: Netherlands Antilles
Area: 371 sq. mi. (960 sq. km)
Population: 212,226
Unit of Money: Netherlands Antillean guilder
Major Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento,
English, Spanish
Government: autonomous part of Netherlands,
parliamentary
Puerto Rico
At a Glance
Official Name: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Area: 3,459 sq. mi. (8,959 sq. km)
Population: 3,937,316
Major Languages: Spanish (official), English
Unit of Money: U.S. dollar
Government: commonwealth associated with U.S.
Martinique vendor
Montserrat
At a Glance
Official Name: Montserrat
Area: 39 sq. mi. (100 sq. km)
Population: 7,574
Unit of Money: East Caribbean dollar
Major Languages: English
Government: colony of U.K.
Virgin Islands
Navassa Island
Uninhabited island owned by the
United States
At a Glance
Official Name: Navassa Island
Area: 2 sq. mi. (5.2 sq. km)
At a Glance
Official Name: Virgin Islands of the United States
Area: 135 sq. mi. (349 sq. km)
Population: 122,211
Unit of Money: U.S. dollar
Major Languages: English, Spanish, Creole
Government: organized, unincorporated territory
of U.S.
339
AFRICA
Mayotte
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling)
Islands
Runion
Ashmore and
Cartier Islands
I ND I AN
O C EAN
AUSTRALIA
N
W
At a Glance
E
S
Christmas Island
British Indian Ocean Territory
Uninhabited territory of U.K.
At a Glance
Official Name: British Indian Ocean Territory
Area: 23 sq. mi. (60 sq. km)
340
At a Glance
Official Name: Territory of Christmas Island
Area: 52 sq. mi. (135 sq. km)
Population: 2,564
Unit of Money: Australian dollar
Major Languages: English
Government: territory of Australia
(continued)
Mayotte
At a Glance
Official Name: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
Area: 145 sq. mi. (375 sq. km)
Population: 163,366
Unit of Money: French franc
Major Languages: Mahoran, French
Government: territorial collectivity of France
Runion
At a Glance
Official Name: Department of Runion
Area: 965 sq. mi. (2,500 sq. km)
Population: 732,570
Unit of Money: French franc
Major Languages: French (official), Creole
Government: overseas department of France
At a Glance
Official Name: Heard and McDonald Islands
Area: 159 sq. mi. (412 sq. km)
between seasons. Natural resources in the Pacifics territories include farming, bird refuges, and tropical fruits.
Midway Islands
PAC I F I C O C EAN
H AWA II
Northern Mariana
(U S)
Islands
Johnston Atoll
Wake Island
Guam
Kingman Reef
Palmyra Atoll
American Samoa
At a Glance
Official Name: Territory of American Samoa
Area: 76.1 sq. mi. (199 sq. km)
Population: 67,084
Unit of money: U.S. dollar
Major Languages: Samoan, English
Government: unincorporated and unorganized
territory of U.S.
A U STRA LIA
Jarvis Island
Baker and
Howland Islands
PA PU A N EW
G U IN EA
Tokelau
American Samoa
Cook Islands
FIJI
French Polynesia
Niue
New Caledonia
Pitcairn Islands
Norfolk Island
N
N EW ZEA LA N D
E
S
At a Glance
Official Name: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Area: 1.2 sq. mi. (3 sq. km)
At a Glance
Official Name: British Indian Ocean Territory
Area: 0.5-0.6 sq. mi. each (1.40-1.60 sq. km each)
French Polynesia
At a Glance
Cook Islands
At a Glance
Official Name: Cook Islands
Area: 93 sq. mi. (240 sq. km)
Population: 20,611
Unit of money:New Zealand dollar
Major Languages: English (official),
Maori
Government: self-governing
parliamentary democracy in free
association with New Zealand
Cook Islands
342
Guam
At a Glance
Official Name: Territory of Guam
Area: 209 sq. mi. (541 sq. km)
Population: 157,557
Unit of money: U.S. dollar
Major Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese
Government: organized, unincorporated territory
of U.S.
(continued)
Midway Islands
Uninhabited, unincorporated territory of U.S.
At a Glance
Official Name: Midway Islands
Area: 2.4 sq. mi. (6.2 sq. km)
Jarvis Island
Uninhabited territory of U.S.
At a Glance
Official Name: Jarvis Island
Area: 1.7 sq. mi. (4.5 sq. km)
New Calendonia
New Caledonia
Johnston Atoll
At a Glance
Official Name: Johnson Atoll
Area: 1.1 sq. mi. (2.8 sq. km)
Population: 1,100
Unit of money: N/A
Major Languages: N/A
Government: unincorporated territory of U.S.
At a Glance
Official Name: Territory of New Caledonia and
Dependencies
Area: 7,172 sq. mi. (18,575 sq. km)
Population: 204,863
Unit of money: Colonial Francs Pacifique
Major Languages: French, Melanesian-Polynesian
dialects
Government: overseas territory of France
Niue
Kingman Reef
At a Glance
Official Name: Kingman Reef
Area: 0.4 sq. mi. (1 sq. km)
Population: N/A
Unit of money: N/A
Major Languages: N/A
Government: privately owned and administered by
the U.S. Department of the Navy
At a Glance
Official Name: Niue
Area: 100 sq. mi. (260 sq. km)
Population: 2,110
Unit of money: New Zealand dollar
Major Languages: Polynesian dialect closely
related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Government: self-governing parliamentary
democracy territory in free association with
New Zealand
343
(continued)
Norfolk Island
At a Glance
Official Name: Territory of Norfolk Island
Area: 13.3 sq. mi. (34.6 sq. km)
Population: 1,892
Unit of money: Australian dollar
Major Languages: English (official), Norfolk
(a mixture of 18th-century English and
ancient Tahitian)
Government: territory of Australia
Tokelau
At a Glance
Official Name: Tokelau
Area: 4 sq. mi. (10 sq. km)
Population: 1,458
Unit of money: New Zealand dollar
Major Languages: Tokelauan, English
Government: territory of New Zealand
Wake Island
Northern Mariana Islands
At a Glance
Official Name: Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands
Area: 184 sq. mi. (477 sq. km)
Population: 74,612
Unit of money: U.S. dollar
Major Languages: English, Chamorro, Carolinian
Government: commonwealth associated with U.S.
Palmyra Atoll
At a Glance
Official Name: Palmyra Atoll
Area: 4.6 sq. mi. (11.9 sq. km)
Population: N/A
Unit of money: N/A
Major Languages: N/A
Government: privately owned and administered by
the U.S. Department of the Navy
Pitcairn Islands
At a Glance
Official Name: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie,
and Oeno Islands
Area: 18 sq. mi. (47 sq. km)
Population: 54
Unit of money: New Zealand dollar
Major Languages: English (official),
a Tahitian/English dialect
Government: colony of U.K.
344
At a Glance
Official Name: Wake Island
Area: 2.5 sq. mi. (6.5 sq. km)
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; U.S.
military personnel left the island, however
some civilians remain
Unit of money: N/A
Major Languages: N/A
Government: unincorporated territory of U.S.,
administered by U.S. Air Force
Paracel Islands
Uninhabited territory of China, also claimed by Taiwan
and Vietnam
At a Glance
Official Name: Paracel Islands
Area: N/A
Macao
Macao
At a Glance
Official Name: Macao
Area: 8 sq. mi. (21 sq. km)
Population: 453,733
Unit of money: pataca
Major Languages: Portuguese
Government: special administrative region of
China
Spratly Islands
Uninhabited territory that is partially claimed by China,
Malaysia, Phillipines, Taiwan and Vietnam
At a Glance
Official Name: Spratly Islands
Area: 2 sq. mi. (5 sq. km)
345
Antarctica
carbons. Antarctica contains more than 80% of the
worlds freshwater. None of its natural resources have
been mined or sold.
Antarctica is home to a variety of wildlife, including
seals, whales, and penguins. These animals are well
adapted for the icy climate they live inthe polar fish,
for example, common in Antarcticas waters, is able to
survive because it has anti-freezing agents in its blood.
Several species are unique to Antarctica, including the
King penguin.
There are no indigenous inhabitants of Antarctica.
Several research stations are located there, and staff
members are sometimes stationed temporarily. In the
summer, the population sometimes rises to more than
4,000 people representing 25 different countries; during
the winter, approximately 1,000 researchers are stationed
there. There are radio broadcast stations available in
Antarctica for communication. There are also 39 different landing facilities for airplanes. Planes must be fitted
with skis to be able to land. There are no telephones or
cars on Antarctica.
Antarctica is governed under the Antarctic Treat
Summary, which was signed on December 1, 1959.
Thirty nations signed the treaty, and another 14 countries
are considered observers. These nations have appointed
members to a panel that consults and manages Antarctica.
They meet each year to discuss environmental, scientific,
and political issues. Today, rivalries remain between these
countries, because many still wish to claim the continent
as their own. Tourism has recently become more popular
and is a growing industry.
Antarctica
346
AT L ANT I C
O C EAN
PAC I F I C
O C EAN
Bellingshausen
Sea
Weddell Sea
Penguins
Internet Sites
Visit any of these sites to learn more about your favorite
places in the world.
An Atlas of World Maps by Encarta Online
http://encarta.msn.com/maps/MapView.asp
Asiaville
http://www.asiaville.com
This site has information about Asian countries, culture,
current events, and travel.
Britannica.com
http://www.britannica.com/
This online resource has information and statistics
about countries from around the world.
CIA World Factbook-Geography
http://geography.about.com/science/geography/library/
cia/blcindex.htm
This source has figures, statistics, and data about each
country.
CD Roms
Carmen Sandiego Junior Detective Edition. The Learning
Company.
Discover the world while solving crime.
My First Amazing History Explorer. DK Multimedia. Take
a world tour across the continents.
Oceans. CounterTop Software. Discover the ocean and its
underwater life.
20th Century Day by Day. DK Multimedia. Learn the
history of the past century.
347
Index
Abidjan, Cte dIvoire, 105, 106
Aborigines, 53, 88, 291
Abuja, Nigeria, 226
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 310
Academy Awards, 312
Accra, Ghana, 136
Adamawa Plateau, 85, 86
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 125
Ad-Dukhan, 58
Aden, Gulf of, 114, 271, 326
Adriatic Sea, 42,107,166, 269, 328
Aegean Islands, 138, 139
Afar, 114, 123, 126
Africa, 19, 27
Afghanistan, 40-41, 234
Agalega, 203
Agel, Mount, 208
Agni, 106
AIDS, 81, 82, 103, 333
Air Mountain, 224
Ajman, UAE, 310
Akagera River, 255
Akan, 137
Akanyaru River, 255
Akosombo Dam, 136
Alai Mountains, 180
Al-Akhdar, Mount, 231
Al Ayn, UAE, 310
Alaska, 313, 314, 315
Albania, 42
Albert, Lake, 102, 306
Aleppo, Syria, 288
Aleut, 253
Algeria, 43-44
Algerian Sahara , 43
Algiers, Algeria, 43
Al Hajar Mountains, 231, 310
Almaty, Kazakhstan, 174
Alps, 42, 54, 107, 129, 134, 149, 187,
269, 287
Alps, Japanese, 169
Alps, Julian, 269
Alps, Southern, 222
Altai Mountains, 174, 209
Altiplano, 71
Alvernia, Mount, 57
Alzette River, 189
Amazon River, 74, 117, 240
Ambrym, 320
American Indian, 315
American Samoa, 342
Amerindian, 118, 142, 241
Amhara, 126
Amman, Jordan, 173
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 220, 221
348
Amu River, 40
Amu Darya River, 292
Amur River, 252
Anatolia , 302
Andalusia, 278
Andes Mountains, 49, 71, 92, 98, 99,
117, 240, 322
Andorra, 45
Andorra La Vella, Andorra, 45
Andros, 57
Angola, 46-47
Anguilla, 338
animals, 38
animism, 101
Anjouan, 100
Ankara, Turkey, 302
Annam Highlands, 181
Antananarivo, Madagascar, 191
Antarctica, 26, 346
Antarctic Circle, 13
Antigua and Barbuda, 48
apartheid, 274
Apia, Samoa, 259
Apo, Mount, 242
Appenines, 166, 260
Arab, 44, 202, 211, 213, 231, 248, 263,
282, 301, 303, 310
Arabian Desert, 119
Arabian Peninsula, 231, 262, 310, 326
Arabian Sea, 152, 153, 231, 232
Aragats, Mt., 51
Arakan Yoma, 214
Aral Sea, 174
Aras River, 51
archery, 303
archipelago, 8, 57, 87, 100, 108, 127,
156, 169, 270, 320
architecture, 303
Arctic Archipelago, 87
Arctic Circle, 87, 151, 285
Arctic Ocean, 251
Arctic Ocean Territories, 334
Ardennes Mountains, 66, 129, 189
Argentina, 49-50
Armenia, 51, 56
art, 167, 227, 280, 312
Artibonite River, 146
arts and crafts, 58, 86, 139, 142, 163
Aruba, 338
Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan, 304
Ashmore and Cartier Islands, 340
Asia, 20, 28
Asia Minor, 302
Asmara, Eritrea, 123
Astana, Kazakhstan, 174
Banaba, 178
Banbara, 202
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, 78
Banfora Escarpment, 80
Bangkok, Thailand, 295, 296
Bangladesh, 59-62, 312
Bangui, Central African Republic, 90
Banjul, Gambia, 132
Bantu, 103, 194, 331
Baoule, 106
Baraka River, 123
Barbados, 63
Barcelona, Spain, 278
Barents Sea, 230
Barisan Mountains, 156
Ba River, 127
Barlavento, 89
barrier reef, 68, 197
baseball, 104, 109, 116, 167, 172, 205,
237, 276, 316, 323
Bashkir, 253
basketball, 53, 65, 97, 99, 103, 104, 109,
142, 150, 167, 173, 211, 225, 237,
241, 254, 316, 317,
329
basketry, 84, 268
Basotho, 184
Bassa, 185
Basseterre, St. Kits and Nevis, 256
Bata, Equatorial Guinea, 122
Bateke Plateau, 101
batik, 196
Bauman Peak, 297
Baykal, Lake, 252
BBC, 312
Beatles, 312
Bedouin, 120, 163, 173, 289
beech tree, 189
Beijing, China, 94
Beiruit, Lebanon, 183
Bekaa Valley, 183
Belarus, 64-65
Belgium, 66-67
Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 328, 329
Belize, 68
Belize Barrier Reef, 68
Belize City, Belize, 68
Belmopan, Belize, 68
Bengal, 61
Bengal, Bay of, 59, 152, 153, 214
Benin, 69
Benue River, 226
Bequia, 258
Berber, 44, 202, 211, 300
Berlin, Germany, 134
Bermuda, 335
Berne, Switzerland, 287
Betsiboka River, 191
Bette Peak, 186
Bhote, 70
Bhutan, 70
Biafra, Bight of , 85
bicycling, 130, 135, 142, 167, 221, 225,
254, 278, 316
Bie Plateau, 46
Bight of Biafra, 85
Bikini, 201
Binga, Mount, 212
Bioko, 122
biomes, 37
Birkirkara, Malta, 200
birth rate, 58, 189
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 180
Bismarck Archipelago, 238
Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, 144
Black Forest, 134
Black Sea, 79, 133, 249, 250, 251, 302,
308
Black Volta River, 80
Blanc, Mont, 129
blizzards, 346
Blue Mountains, 168
Blue Nile River, 281
Boa Vista, 89
boat people, 148
boating, 135, 150, 221, 316
Bobo, 81
bobsledding, 287
Bodensee, Lake, 54
Bogota, Colombia, 98
Bohemia, 111
Bohemian Forest, 111
Bolivia, 71
Bolshoi Ballet, 254
Bombay, India, 152
Bomi Hills, 185
Bong Mountains, 185
Bon Pays, 189
Borneo, 78, 156, 157, 195
Bornholm, 113
Bosnia & Herzegovina, 72, 107, 328
Bothnia, Gulf of, 128, 285
Botrange, 66
Botswana, 73
Bougainville, 238
Bouvet Island, 335
bowling, 172, 316
boxing, 65, 103, 276
Brasilia, Brazil, 74
Bratislava, Slovakia, 268
Brava, 89
Brazil, 74-77
Brazzaville, Congo, 101
Bridgetown, Barbados, 63
Britain, 311
British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC), 312
British Commonwealth of Nations, 234
Cabinda, 46
Cairo, Egypt, 119
calendar, 32
California, 314
calligraphy, 97, 291
calms, 13
calypso music, 299
Cambodia, 83-84
Cameroon, 85-86
Cameroon, Mount, 85
Campania, 167
campesinos, 99
camping, 222, 245, 268, 286, 287
Canada, 87-88, 313
Canadian Shield, 87
Canary Islands, 12, 277
Canberra, Australia, 52, 53
cancer, 65, 188
Cancer, Tropic of, 13
Canouan, 258
Cape Mountains, 273
Cape Town, South Africa, 273
Cape Verde, 89, 261, 335
Capricorn, Tropic of, 13
Caracas, Venezuela, 322, 323
Carajos Shoals, 203
Cargados, 203
Caribbean region, 57
Caribbean Sea, 48, 63, 108, 115, 116,
140, 141, 146, 147, 168, 256, 257,
258, 299, 322,335
349
Carnival, 77
Caroline Islands, 206
Carpathian Mountains, 111, 149, 207,
244, 249, 268, 308, 309
carpets, 51, 56, 139, 161, 163, 211, 259
Carriacou, 140
cartography, 9
Casablanca, Morocco, 210, 211
Casamance River, 264
Caspian Sea, 56, 160, 161, 174, 252, 304
caste system, 70, 154, 327
Castries, St. Lucia, 257
Catherine, Mount, 140
Caucasian, 303
Caucasus Mountains, 56, 133, 252
Cavalla River, 185
caves, 269
Cayman Islands, 338
cays, 57
Central African Republic, 90
Central America, 68, 104, 121, 141, 147,
223, 237
ceramics, 291
Cerros de Celaque, 147
Cestos River, 185
Ceylon, 279
Chaco, 239
Chad, 91
Chad, Lake, 85, 91, 224
Chambesh River, 330
Chambi, Mount, 300
Chan, 325
chanting, 227, 272
Chapala, Lake, 204
Chari River, 91
Charlestown, St. Kitts and Nevis, 256
Chechen, 253
Chelif River, 43
Chernobyl, 65
Chewa, 194
Chiapas Highlands, 204, 205
chihuahua, 204
Chile, 92-93
Chimoio Highlands, 212
China, 94-97, 148, 217, 291, 313, 325
Chisinau, Moldova, 207
Chittagong Hills, 59, 60
Chobe River, 73
Choiseul, 270
cholera, 11, 219
Christianity, 123, 183, 243, 294, 298,
307, 300, 320, 331
Christmas Island, 341
Chukchi, 253
Chuvash, 253
Cidade de Praia, Cape Verde, 89
circumference, earths, 11
Citlaltepetl, 204
civil war, 47, 72, 84, 121, 183 , 213, 234,
350
Dominica, 115
Dominican Republic, 116, 146
Don River, 252
Donegal Mountains, 164
Douala, Cameroon, 85
Douro River, 246
Dover, Strait of, 66
Drakensberg Mountains, 184
drama, 214
Drava River, 328
Dravidian, 154
Dreketi River, 127
drought, 73, 81, 89, 210, 212, 217, 239,
271, 272, 307, 317
Duars Plain, 70
Duarte Peak, 116
Dubai, 310
Dublin, Ireland, 164
Dufourspitze, 287
Dushanbe, Tajikstan, 292
dwarf lemur, 191
dzong, 70
Dzyarzhynsk Mountain, 64
Ga, 137
Gabon, 131
Gaborone, Botswana, 73
Gafsa, Tunisia, 300
Gaizinkalns, 182
Galapagos Islands, 117
Galdhopiggen, 230
Galicia, 278
Galilee, 165
Galilee, Sea of, 173
Gambia, 132, 264
Gambia River, 132, 143, 264
gambling, 296
gamelon, 159
Gandhi, Mahatma, 154
Ganges River, 59, 153
Garifuna Indians, 147
Gash River, 123
Gatun Lake, 237
gaucho, 50
Geba River, 144
Geneva, Lake, 287
Georgetown, Guyana, 145
Georgia, 133
Gerlachovsky, Mount, 268
Germany, 134-135, 180
geyser, 151, 222
Ghana, 81, 136-137
Ghats, 153
Gibraltar, 336
Gibraltar, Strait of, 210, 277
Gilbert Islands, 178
Gimie, Mt., 257
Gio, 185
glacier, 64, 151, 230, 287
glass painting, 268
globe, 10
Gobi Desert, 95, 209
gold, 58, 273
golf, 53, 172, 274, 276, 316, 333
Gonave, Gulf of, 146
Goombay, 57
Gotland, 285
Gozo, 200
Gran Santiago, Chile, 92
Gran Valira River, 45
Grand Bahama, 57
Grand Etang, 140
Grande Comore, 100
granite, 265
grassland, 330
351
graves, 192
Great Abaco, 57
Great Barrier Reef, 52
Great Britain, 234, 307, 311
Great Dividing Range, 52, 53
Great Escarpment, 75
Great Lakes, 87
Great Rift Valley, 125, 165, 193, 255
Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, 332, 333
Greater Antilles, 168
Greater Sundra Islands, 156
Greater Hinggan Mountains, 95
Greboun, Mount, 224
Greece, 9, 138-139
Greeks, 110
Greenland, 113, 336
Greenwich, England, 12
Grenada, 140
Grenadines, 258
Grossglockner, 54
Guadalcanal, 270
Guadeloupe, 335
Guadiana River, 246
Guam, 343
Guatemala, 141-142
Guatemala City, Guatemala, 141
Guayaquil, Ecuador, 117
Guest House Hill, 185
Guinea, 143
Guinea, Gulf of, 136, 261
Guinea-Bissau, 144
gulf, 8
Gulf of Mexico, 204
Gulf of Oman, 310
Gurage, 126
Gutland, 189
Guyana, 145
gymnastics, 172, 229, 2545
Gypsy, 55, 250, 268
Haapai, 298
Haiti, 116, 146
Halmahera, 157
Hamgyong Mountains, 228
Hamite, 103, 126
handicrafts, 51, 56, 58, 78, 84, 137, 161,
163, 201, 211, 247, 272, 280, 282
Hanoi, Vietnam, 324, 325
Harare, Zimbabwe, 332, 333
hardveld, 73
Hari River, 40
Hausa, 225, 227
Havana, Cuba, 108
Hawaii, 313, 314, 315
Hazara, 41
Heard and McDonald Islands, 341
Heha, Mount, 82
Helsinki, Finland, 128
hepatitis, 137
352
Juazapines, 188
Jubba River, 271
Julian Alps, 269
jungle, 240, 281
Junkanoo, 57
Jura Mountains, 129, 287
Jutland, 113
K2, 232
Kabul, Afghanistan, 40
Kabyle, 44
Kachin, 215
Kadavu, 127
Kafue River, 330
Kaieteur Falls, 145
Kalahari Desert, 73, 216, 273
Kalenjin, 177
Kalimantan, 156
Kamaran, 326
Kamba, 177
Kampala, Uganda, 306, 307
Kanchenjunga, 153
Kanuri, 225
Kapuas River, 156
Karachi, Pakistan, 232
Kara-Darya, 180
Karagiye Depression, 174
Karakoram Mountains, 232
Karen, 215
Karisimbi, 255
Karnali River, 218
Karpas Peninsula, 110
Karre Mountains, 90
Karst, 269
Karthala, 100
Kashmir, 234
Kathmandu, Nepal, 218, 219
Kavir Desert, 160
Kazakh, 209, 253, 292, 304, 319
Kazakhstan, 174-175
Kediet Ijill, Mount, 202
Kegali, Rwanda, 255
Kempenland, 66
kendo, 172
Kentucky, 314
Kenya, 176-177
Kerry, Mountains of, 164
key, 9
Khartoum, Sudan, 281
Khmer, 84, 296, 325
Khorasan Mountains, 160
khorovody, 309
kibbutzim, 165
kickboxing, 296
Kiev, Ukraine, 308
Kagali, Rwanda, 255
Kikuyu, 177
Kilimanjaro, Mount, 293
Kimbundu, 47
353
354
Maori, 222
map index, 9
maps, 9-39
Maputo, Mozambique, 212, 213
marble, 45
Margherita Peak, 102, 306
Mari, 253
mariachi, 205
marimba, 142, 212, 213
Maroon, 283
marsh, 64, 69
Marshall Islands, 201
martial arts, 172, 173, 229, 276
Martinique, 339
Masaka, Uganda, 307
Maseru, Lesotho, 184
mask, 81, 86, 106, 226, 280
Massif De La Hotte, 146
Massif De La Selle, 146
Massif Du Nord, 146
Mauritania, 202
Mauritius, 203
Maurs, 202
Maya Mountains, 68
Mayo, Mountains of, 164
Mayombe Escarpment, 101
Mazowe River, 332
Mbabane, Swaziland, 284
Mbale, Uganda, 307
Mbarara, Uganda, 307
MBochi, 101
measles, 82, 122, 137
Mediterranean Sea, 110, 138, 165, 166,
183, 186, 200, 208, 277, 288, 300
Medvedev, Andrei, 309
Mekong River, 83, 181, 295, 324
Melanesian, 270
melting pot, 315
Mende, 266
Mercator, 10, 14
meridian, 12
Meron, Mount, 165
mesa, 204
Mesaoria, 110
Meseta, 277
Mestico, 144
Mestizo, 68, 71, 93, 118, 142, 147, 205,
223, 237, 239, 241, 323
Mexico, 204-205, 313
Mexico, Gulf of, 204
Mexico City, Mexico, 204, 205
Michelangelo, 321
Micronesia, 206
Middle Ages, 260
Middle Atlantic States, 314
Middle East, 58, 160, 162, 165, 173,
179, 183, 231, 248, 288
Midwestern States, 314
Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago, 242
Mindoro, 242
Naga, 215
Nagorno, 56
Nairobi, Kenya, 176
Naktong River, 275
Namib Desert, 216, 273
Namibia, 216
Nangnim Mountains, 228
Nanumanga, 305
Nanumea, 305
Narayani River, 218
Nassau, Bahamas, 57
Nasser, Lake, 119
Native American, 315
natural gas, 262, 300
Nauru, 217
Navassa Island, 339
navigation chart, 10
Naxcivan, 56
Nayramadlin Peak, 209
Ndebele, 333
NDjamena, Chad, 91
Neblina Peak, 75
Negev Desert, 165
Neman River, 188
Nepal, 218-219
Nepalese, 70
Netherlands, 220-221
Netherlands Antilles, 339
New Caledonia, 343
New Delhi, India, 152
New England, 313, 314
New Georgia, 270
New Guinea, 238
New Providence, 57
New South Wales, 53
New Territories, 148
New World, 315
New York City, 313
New Zealand, 222
Nganguela, 47
Ngaouri, Mount, 90
Ngoni, 194
Niamey, Niger, 224
Niari Valley, 101
Nicaragua, 223
Nicaragua, Lake, 223
Nicosia, Cyprus, 110
Niger, 224-225
Nigeria, 226-227
Niger Plains, 69
Niger River, 69, 198, 199, 224, 226
Nile River, 82, 119, 120, 281, 282, 306
Nimba, Mount, 143, 185
Niulakita, 305
Niue, 343
Niutao, 305
ni-Vanuatu, 320
nomad, 91, 120, 126, 132, 163, 173,
174, 175, 177, 186, 199, 202, 225,
231, 272, 288, 289, 319, 326, 327
Norfolk Isand, 344
North America, 22, 30
North Korea, 228-229
North Pacific Ocean, 201, 206
North Pole, 9, 12, 13
North Sea, 66, 220, 230
Northern Hemisphere, 13
Northern Ireland, 164
Northern Mariana Islands, 344
Norway, 230
Norwegian Sea, 230
Nouakchott, Mauritania, 202
Ntlenyana, Mount, 184
Nui, 305
Nukualofa, Tonga, 298
Nukufetau, 305
Nukulaelae, 305
Nung, 325
Nyala, 281
Nyanja, 194
Nyasa, Lake, 193
Oscars, 312
Osijek, Croatia, 107
Oslo, Norway, 230
Oti River, 136
Ottawa, Canada, 87
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 80-81
Our River, 189
Outback, 52
Ovambo, 216
Ovimbundu, 47
355
356
Saaremaa, 124
Sab, 272
Sabah, 195
Sahara Atlas Mountains, 43
Sahara Desert, 43, 80, 91, 119, 186,
198, 199, 202, 210
Sahel, 80, 198, 199
Saho, 123
Saigon, Vietnam, 324
sailing, 135, 286
Saint Helena, 337
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, 337
Senoufou, 106
Seoul, South Korea, 275
Serahuli, 132
Serb, 72, 328, 329
Serbia, 328
Serbia and Montenegro, 72
Serengeti National Park, 294
Serer, 264
Seria, 78
Serra da Estrela Mountains, 246
Serra do Mar, 75
Sevana Lake, 51
Seychelles, 265
Shabeelle, 271
Shamanism, 209
Sham Chun River, 148
Shan, 215
Shangdong Peninsula, 95
Shanghai, China, 94
Shannon, River, 164
Sharchops, 70
Sharjah, 310
Shawia, 44
Sherpa, 219
shifting cultivation, 196
Shikoku, 170, 171
Shire River, 193
Shkhara, Mount, 133
shoes, wooden, 221
shogun, 171
Shona, 333
Siam, 295
Siberia, 252, 253
Sichuan Basin, 95
Sicily, 166
Sierra de Bahoruco, 116
Sierra de los Organos, 108
Sierra de Neiba, 116
Sierra de Trinidad, 108
Sierra Leone, 266
Sierra Madre, 121, 204
Sierra Maestras, 108
Sigatoka River, 127
silverwork, 84
Sinai Peninsula, 119
Sindi, 234
Singapore, 267
singing, 82, 259, 294
Sinhalese, 280
Siret River, 249
Sistine Chapel, 321
Sjaelland, Denmark, 113
Skagerrak Strait, 230
skating, 167, 175, 221, 254
skiing, 93, 99, 130, 135, 222, 230, 250,
254, 268, 286, 287, 309, 316, 329
Skopje, Macedonia, 190
slash-and-burn farming, 181
slavery, 48, 63, 257, 258, 263, 266, 283,
315
Slovakia, 268
Slovene, 55, 328
Slovenia, 269, 328
slum 99, 113
soccer, 62, 65, 93, 99, 103, 104, 111,
120, 126, 130, 135, 139, 142, 150,
155, 159, 163, 167, 173, 175, 177,
205, 211, 221, 225, 227, 230, 241,
245, 247, 250, 254, 268, 272, 274,
276, 278, 282, 286, 294, 303, 309,
316, 317, 319, 323, 329
Socotra, 326
Sofia, Bulgaria, 79
Solomon Islands, 238, 270
solstice, 13
Somali, 126
Somalia, 271-272, 327
Soninke, 202
Sosso, 143
Sotovento, 89
Soufriere, Mount, 258
South Africa, 73, 184, 273-274, 284
South America, 23, 31
South China Sea, 148, 195
South China Sea Islands, 345
South Korea, 228, 275-276
South Georgia and South Sandwich
Islands, 337
South Pacific islands, 92
South Pacific Ocean, 127, 222, 259,
298, 305
South Pole, 12, 13, 346
South West Africa, 216
Southern Alps, 222
Southern Hemisphere, 13
Southern States, 314
Southwestern States, 314
Soviet Union, 65, 124, 133, 174, 253,
292, 304, 309, 318, 319
Spain, 277-278
Special Administrative Region, 148
Split, Croatia, 107
sports, 53, 65, 88, 99, 103, 104, 109,
126, 130, 139, 150, 167, 172, 173,
175, 177, 222, 230, 254,
274, 276, 316, 329
Spratly Islands, 345
Sri Lanka, 279-280
standard of living, 106, 112, 113, 187,
222, 250, 286
Stanley, Mount, 306
Stanley Pool Region, 101
starvation, 272
steppes, 251
Stockholm, Sweden, 285
storytelling, 47, 82, 84
Strait of Dover, 66
Strait of Gibraltar, 210, 277
357
Sucre, Bolivia, 71
Sudan, 281-282
Sudd, 281
Sudeten Mountains, 244
Sudety Mountains, 111
sugarcane, 63, 203
Sulawesi, 156
Sultan Alonto, Lake, 242
Sumatra, 156, 157
Sumava Mountains, 111
summer, 13
sumo, 172
suq, 211
Sre River, 189
Suriname, 283
Surma River, 60
Sutlej River, 232
Suva, Fiji, 127
Svalbard island, 334
swamp, 71, 73, 100, 101, 131, 144, 176,
185, 204, 206, 212, 226, 236, 266,
267, 281
Swaziland, 284
Sweden, 285-286
swimming, 53, 103, 109, 130, 135, 139,
150, 159, 222, 230, 250, 254, 286,
316
Switzerland, 287
Sydney, Australia, 52
Syr Darya River, 292
Syria, 288-289
Syrian Desert, 162, 173
358
Taveuni, 127
Tay, 325
TaZuta, 200
Tbilisi, Georgia, 133
tea, 194
Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 147
Tehran, Iran, 160
Tehuantepec, Isthmus of, 204
Tejo, 99
Teke, 101
television, 97, 112, 135, 254, 309, 316
Temne, 266
Tendre, Mount, 287
Tengri, Mount, 174
tennis, 53, 62, 104, 126, 130, 159, 171,
221, 222, 254, 274, 276, 286, 316
tennis, table, 97, 276
Teraina, 178
territory, 8
Texas, 314
Thailand, 295-296
Thar Desert, 153, 233
The Hague, Netherlands, 221
thematic maps, 11
Thessaly, 138
Thimphu, Bhutan, 70
Thrace, 138, 302
Tian Shan Mountains, 95, 174, 318
Tibetan Highlands, 94
Tidirhine, Mount, 210
Tien Shan Mountains, 180
Tigre, 123, 126
Tigrinya, 123
Tigris River, 162, 163
time zones, international, 32
Timor, 157
Tirane, Albania, 42
Titano, Mount, 260
Titicaca, Lake, 71, 240
Togo, 297
Togo Mountains, 297
Tokelau, 344
Tokyo, Japan, 169, 171
Tomanivi, Mount, 127
Tonga, 298
Tongariro, Mount, 222
Tongatapu, Tonga, 298
Tonle Sap , 83
topographical map, 10, 24-31
Toronto, Canada, 87
Torrid Zone, 13
Toubkal, Mount, 210
Toucouleur, 202, 264
Tour de France, 130
tourism, 45, 48, 53, 57, 139, 197, 200,
201, 203, 208, 247, 256, 257, 258,
260, 265, 268, 331, 333, 338
Toussoro, Mount, 90
track and field, 109, 211, 274
trade winds, 37
Transdanubia, 149
Transylvania, 249
Traun River, 54
tribe, 41
Triglav, Mount, 269
Trinidad and Tobago, 299
Tripoli, Libya, 186
Trobriand Island, 238
Troodos Mountains, 110
tropical forest, 71
Tropic of Cancer, 13
Tropic of Capricorn, 13
Tuareg, 44, 199, 225
tuberculosis, 89, 132, 143, 144, 219
Tugela River, 184
tugurio, 99
Tuira River, 237
tulips, 221
Tumbuka, 194
Tumen River, 228
tundra, 8, 87, 251
Tunis, Tunisia, 300
Tunisia, 300-301
Turkey, 302-303
Turkmen, 41, 292, 319
Turkmenistan, 304
Turks and Caicos Islands, 339
Tutsi, 255
Tuvalu, 217, 305
Twa, 255, 331
typhoid fever, 144
typhoon, 201, 228, 290, 324
Tyrrhenian Sea, 166
Ubangi River, 90
Udmurt, 253
Uganda, 306-307
Ukraine, 9, 308-309
Ulan Bator, Mongolia, 209
Umm al Quaiwain, UAE, 310
Union, 258
unique animals, 38
United Arab Emirates, 310
United Kingdom, 311-312
United States, 201, 206, 313-316, 325
Upolu, 259
Upper Volta, 80
uranium, 216
urban, 8
Urdu, 310
Uruguay, 317
Uruguay River, 49, 317
Uvs Lake, 209
Uzbek, 41, 180, 292, 304, 319
Uzbekistan, 318-319
Vaal River, 273
Vaalser Berg, 220
Xinjiang-Mongolian Uplands, 94
359
Photo Credits
Cover: top left, center right: PhotoDisc; op right, center left: Photospin; bottom right: Blackbirch Press archives;
bottom left: Corel Corporation; Back Cover: Corel Corporation; Pages 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 75 (bottom), 89, 94, 96
(right), 118 (bottom), 140, 145, 256, 290, 314 (bottom): PhotoDisc; pages 40, 41 (bottom), 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48, 49, 51, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 (left), 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76 (bottom), 77, 78, 79, 80, 83, 88
(top), 92, 95 (bottom), 99, 102, 104, 105, 107, 110, 111, 112 (bottom), 117, 124, 125, 127, 128 (top), 130, 132, 133,
135, 136, 137, 141, 142 (top), 146 (right), 148, 153, 154, 155 (top), 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166, 167
(top), 168, 172, 173, 178, 179, 181, 182, 187, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 196, 197, 198 (bottom), 200, 206, 208,
210, 212, 213 (top), 214, 215, 216, 218, 219 (top), 220, 221, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234,
236, 238 (left), 240, 241 (top), 242, 243, 244, 245, 247, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254 (bottom), 255, 257, 259,
262,263, 264, 267, 268, 270, 274 (top), 275, 276 (top), 277, 278 (bottom), 279, 280, 281, 282, 285, 286, 287, 288,
289 (bottom), 291, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 306, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314 (top),
315, 316, 318, 319, 320, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 330, 332, 333, 334 (right), 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 342, 343, 346
(bottom): Corel Corporation; pages 41 (top), 53, 56, 62, 64 (left), 84, 93, 97 (bottom), 98, 101, 103, 108, 109 (top),
112 (top), 118 (top), 120 (top), 126, 128 (bottom), 143, 146 (left), 147, 151, 165, 169, 170, 171, 177, 183, 199 (top),
209, 211, 213 (bottom), 219 (bottom), 235, 237, 238 (right), 239, 241 (bottom), 246, 260, 272, 308, 317, 329, 331,
345: Blackbirch Press archives; pages 50 (top), 149, 150, 160, 167 (bottom), 254 (top), 258, 276 (bottom), 278 (top),
289 (top): National Geographic Society; page 50 (bottom): Marcela Staudenmaier; pages 52, 54, 113, 129, 134, 138,
265, 346 (top): Digital Stock;; page 63 (right): Courtesy Ruder Finn Public Relations; page 65: (c)Photo
Researchers, Inc./Jeff Greenberg/MRP; pages 72, 188, 269, 328: (c)Galyn C. Hammond; pages 73, 119, 120 (bottom), 176, 273: Corbis; page 76 (top): The Library of Congress; page s81, 97 (top), 109 (bottom), 142 (bottom),
270 (right), 274 (bottom): The United Nations; page 82: (c)Photo Researchers, Inc./G. Varela/Explorer; pages 85,
86, 90, 91, 106, 123, 283, 323: (c)Victor Englebert; page 87: Courtesy The Province of British Columbia; page 88
(bottom): Courtesy Industry, Science, and Technology Canada; page s95 (top), 96 (left): China National Tourist
Office; page 100: (c)Christine Osborne/CORBIS; page 121: (c)Mike Hutchison; page 122: (c)Vittoriano
Rastelli/CORBIS; page 131: (c)The Purcell Team/CORBIS; page 139: (c)Bruce Glassman; page s144, 266, 304,
305, 307: (c)CORBIS; pages 152, 155 (bottom): Air India Library; page s174, 175: (c)Wolfgang Kaehler/CORBIS;
page 180: Courtesy Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to the USA and Canada; pages 184, 185, 202, 271: (c)John
Isaac; page 186: (c)Francoise de Mulder/CORBIS; page 195: (c)J. Apicella/CP&A; page 201: (c)Jack Fields/CORBIS; page 202: page 203: PictureQuest; pages 204, 205: Mexican Government Tourism Office; page 207: (c)Nik
Wheeler/CORBIS; page 217: US Government; page 223: (c)Wesley Bocxe/Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 248:
(c)Christine Osborne/CORBIS; page 261: (c)Robert Grossman/Africaphotos.com; page 284: (c)Bruce Leighty; page
292: Courtesy DHU; page 321: Courtesy Italian Government Tourist Board; pages 334 (left), 340, 341, 344:
Courtesy NOAA.
360