Often I hear accusations that some are ignorant about other countries, and for sure, it is good to have a working knowledge. So, at random, I just wrote 26 down, A-Z manner, and thought I would put three up at a time, with a few facts to cover each. Maybe even some of you have been there, and can flesh it out. Anyway, Austria came to mind, for A. Almost 90% of the population speak German, which is also the official language. In 1867, Austria and Hungary joined together to create the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This joint empire ended at the end of World War I (191. Austria joined the United Nations in 1955. The official currency is the euro. The name Austria derives from a Germanic word austro, meaning east. Over 60% of Austrias electricity is supplied by renewable sources. Winters in Austria are very cold. However, the summers can be relatively hot. The temperatures range between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius. Children enter primary school at the age of six. They spend four years in primary school and are usually taught by the same teacher for the entire time. Almost three quarters of the population are Roman Catholics. The candy PEZ was invented in Austria. The first Youth Winter Olympics will be held in Austria (in 2012). Football (soccer) is a popular sport in Austria. However, the national side has had little success over the years. And for my B, I chose Belize.. 1. Belize is one of the best places for shark viewing the best times to go are during the raining season of April July. 2. Belize has a rare breed of howler monkey that is known as one of the top ten loudest animals in the world 3. The locals in Belize have created some unique names for its natural wonders including Owl eye butterfly, the Swallow Tail Cattle Heart Butterfly, and the Red Footed Booby Bird, and the False Vampire Bat. 4. Belizes main source of revenue with almost 2 million visitors to this tiny Central American nation annually from around the world. 5. The average temperature for the coastal areas of Belize is between 79 to 89 degrees. This is an all year temperature. Since, Belize has only two temperatures with only two wet and dry seasons 6. Belize has the only known jaguar preserve in the world it is located in the cockscomb Wildlife sanctuary 7. Belize is one of the richest Mayan history locations with over 900 historic locations. 8. Belize is roughly only 180 miles long and 68 miles wide. It is a small but sparsely populated country outside the cities because of the protections it has in place for the natural wonders that are within its borders 9. Belize has such a dense population it is one of the most populous in the world for its size 10. Outside the Belize mainland is one of the worlds natural reefs known as the Belize natural reefs with 200 separate islands. 11. The waters off Belize are known to inhabit more than 400 species of subtropical fish. They are also some of the rarest varieties of fish due to them inhabiting the natural reefs off the coast. 12. Gibnut is famous cuisine in Belize it is actually a very popular rodent in Belize. Just because, it is a rodent, does not make it a delicacy. Many places serve it, and it kind of taste like tough chicken 13. One of the most popular places for home stays while traveling in Belize is in the Mayan village of Toledo 14. Belize has over 500 distinct varieties of birds more than any other country in the world 15. 2/3 of the Belizean natural forest is safe from exploitation due to strict government regulation 16. It is culturally rude to greet someone by their first name when meeting them for the first time in Belize. Always use the proper sur names names when meeting and greeting until you become familiar 17. Superstition on Good Friday prevents Belizean natives from swimming in lakes or the ocean during this time for if they do it will not provide good fortune 18. The national motto of Belize is Under the Shade, I flourish 19. Local superstition folklore includes a 3 foot evil dwarf with no thumbs. It is referred to locally as el duende, it is known to hang out in the local forest and looks for kids who try to kill the local wildlife and punishes them for their evilness. 20. Typical Belizean lunch include tamales, meat pies, seafood, cassava or beans and fish.
And my C, finally, was Chile. 1. Chile is one of only two countries in all of South America that does not border Brazil 2. Over 1/3 of the world's copper production is produced in Chile 3. Valparaiso is one of the most prosperous cities in all of Chile and is known as “The Garden City” 4. Chile has one of the longest recorded dry spells in the Atacama Desert it did not rain for 40 years. 5. The number one world exporter for Salmon is Chile, It topped the united states in the early 2000s 6. Contrary to popular belief soccer is the most popular sport in Chile 7. Along the mountainous region of Chile, there are over 1300 volcanoes and a number of them can still be active. 8. The Majority of the Chilean population lives in the capital city of Santiago, Chile 9. Chile received its independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1913 10. The “maoi” island off the coast of Chile, was annexed by Chile and renamed Easter Island in the late seventeen hundred’s 11. One of the fastest growing cities in Chile i La Serena it has grown by as much as 30 % in the last 30 years 12. The inlet at the top of Africa was part of Chile in the days of “Pangaea”. 13. Chile has the largest annual fireworks show in all of South America, In the City of Valparaiso, 14. Chile has an unusual name for a football team (soccer) they call themselves the “O’ Higgions a Patriot of Chilean rule” 15. Chiles borders also extend past the main land. Chile claims part of Antartica and the southern most island known as Joses. 16. Chile has one of the world’s largest and most deserted deserts known as “Atacama” 17. The city at the very tip of Chile called Punta Arenas it is the southern most city on a continent in the world 18. The southernmost village in the world is also in Chile Called “Puerto Williams” 19. Chile also has the One of the highest lakes above sea level in the world called “Lake Chungara” 20. The most popular tourist attraction in all of Chile is Vina del Mar 21. Chile has one of the longest coastlines in the world, but also one of the smallest at being 6500 km long and 200 km wide 22. Chile has many large cities, but the second largest is located in the north along the Bio Rivercalled Concepcion 23. The Country of Chile got its names from the native nomads that first occupied the land. The meaning of the word Chile in native tounge means “Where the land Ends”.. Seems appropriate 24. The Andes Mountains in Chile have some of the worlds largest and still active volcanos. 25. By a flaw in design, the church of Campania had doors that sung inward which caused a large wind to push them open. One day a strong wind blew the doors open. This wind knocked a candle off the podium and disrupt the meeting of worshippers. Theburning candle roared through the church which resulted in the churches destruction. More than 2500 people died in that fire
