. Official Name: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan short form: Afghanestan int'l long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan int'l short form: Afghanistan ISO Country Code: af Time: Local Time: UTC +4:30hours Country Calling Code: +93 Capital City: Kabul (population 3 million) Other Cities: Kandahar (population 226 000), Herat (population 177 000), Mazar-e-Sharif (population 131 000), Jalalabad (population 58 000), Konduz (population 57 000) Government type: Islamic Republic. Independence: 19 August 1919. Constitution: 4 January 2004. Geography: Location: Area: 652,000 kilometer² or 249,935 square mile Terrain: Landlocked; mostly mountains and desert. Climate: Dry, with cold winters and hot summers. People: Nationality: Afghan's. Population: 26,556,000 More than 3.5 million Afghans live outside the country, mainly in Pakistan and Iran, although over two and a half million have returned since the removal of the Taliban. Annual population growth rate (2004 estimated) 4.92%. This rate does not take into consideration the recent war and its continuing impact. Main ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Aimaq, Baluch, Nuristani, Kizilbash. Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%. Languages: Dari (Afghan Persian), Pashto. Literacy: 30-35% (male 51%, female 21%) Natural resources: Natural gas, oil, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron, salt, precious and semiprecious stones. Agriculture products: Opium, wheat, corn, barley, rice, cotton, fruit, nuts, karakul pelts, wool, and mutton. Industries: Small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper. Exports - commodities: opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems. Exports - partners: India 42.3%, Pakistan 29%, Tajikistan 7.6% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and other capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Imports - partners: Pakistan 38.6%, India 8.9%, US 8.3%, Turkmenistan 6.2%, China 6%, Kazakhstan 5.9%, Azerbaijan 4.9% (2015) Currency: Afghani (AFN)

. Official Name: Republika e Shqiperise short form: Shqiperia int'l long form: Republic of Albania int'l short form: Albania ISO Country Code: al, alb Time: Local Time: UTC +1hour (in Summer UTC +2hours) Country Calling Code: +355 Capital City: Tirana (Population 600 000) Other Cities: Durres (population 200 000), Shkoder (population 81 000), Vlore (population 72 000, 2005 estimated); Government type: Parliamentary republic. Constitution: Adopted by popular referendum 28 November 1998. Independence:28 November 1912 from the Ottoman Empire. Geography: Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea. Area: 28,748 kilometer² or 11,100 square mile. Terrain: Situated in the southwestern region of the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is predominantly mountainous but flat along its Adriatic Sea coastline. Highest peak: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2764 m. Climate: Mediterranean, Mild temperate--short, soft, wet winters; hot and dry summers. People: Nationality: Albanian'S Population: 2.8 million (2015) Ethnic groups: Albanian 98.6%, Greeks 1.17%, others 0.23% (Vlachs, Roma, Serbs, Montenegrins, Macedonians, Egyptians, and Bulgarians). Religions: Muslim (Sunni and Bektashi) 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, and Roman Catholic 10%. Official Language: Albanian. Literacy: 86.5%; male: 93.3%, female: 79.5% Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower. Agriculture products: Wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products. Industries: Food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower. Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco. Exports - partners: Italy 43.4%, Kosovo 9.8%, US 7.7%, China 6.2%, Greece %, Spain 4.8% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Imports - partners: Italy 33.5%, Greece 9%, China 10.1%, Germany 5.2%, Turkey 6.7% (2015) Currency: Lek (ALL) Source: Foreign Ministry and Institute of Statistics Albania and others.

. Official Name: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah short form: Al Jaza'ir int'l long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria int'l short form: Algeria ISO Country Code: dz Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +213 Capital City: Algiers (Alger, Algier) population: 3 000 000 Principal Towns: Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Blida, Setif, Sidi be Abbes. Government type: Republic Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France). Geography: Location: Northern Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the north, Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania on the west, Mali and Niger on the south, and Libya and Tunisia on the east. Area: 2.38 million kilometer² Terrain: Algeria consists of four regions: the coastal mountainous chain. Plains and high plateaus. The mountainous chain of the interior. The area of the Grand Sud with its mountainous solid masses. Climate: Mediterranean in the north, mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; dry or desert climate for the extreme south of the country; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer. People: Nationality: Algerian's. Population: 40.4 million Ethnic groups: ~ Arab 83%, Berber 17%, Touareg, European less than 1%. Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%. Languages: Arabic (official), French, Tamazight and other Berber dialects. Literacy: total population, 70%; male 78.8%, female 61% Natural resources: Rich deposits of iron ore, phosphates, lead, zinc and antimony; deposits of petroleum and natural gas. Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle. Industries: Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing. Exports - commodities: petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% Exports partners: Spain 18.8%, France 11.2%, USA 8.8%, Italy 8.7%, UK 7.1%, Brazil 5.2%, Tunisia 4.9%, Germany 4.5% Imports partners: China 15.6%, France 14.4%, Italy 9.4%, Spain 7.4%, Germany 5.6%, Russia 4.1% Currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD)

. Official Name: Principat d'Andorra Local short form: Andorra Int'l long form: Principality of Andorra Int'l short form: Andorra ISO Country Code: ad, and Country Calling Code: +376 Capital: Andorra la Vella Local Time: UTC+1hour Government: Parliamentary democracy that retains as its heads of state two Co-princes. Constitution: first written Constitution of Andorra 14 March 1993. Independence: with the signing of the Pariatges 1278-1288. Geography: Location: Southwestern Europe, on the massif of the Pyrenees between France and Spain. North: 42° 39' 15'; South: 42° 25' 38'; West: 1° 24' 34'; East: 1° 47' 19' Area: 468 sq. km (180 sq. mi) Climate: Temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers. People: Nationality: Andorran or Andorran's Population: 71,700 Ethnic groups: Andorrans, Catalans, Spaniards, French, Portuguese. Religion: Roman Catholic Official Languages: Catalan (official), Spanish and French Literacy: 99.9% Exports - commodities tobacco products, furniture. Imports - commodities: consumer goods, food, fuel, electricity. Currency: Euro (EUR) Sources: Servei d'Estudis del Ministeri de Finances, Ministeri de Turisme i Medi Ambient and others.

. Official Name: Antigua and Barbuda ISO Country Code: ag Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +1 268 Capital City: St. John's (Antigua, population 30 000) Other Cities: Codrington (on Barbuda) Government type: Constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament. Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II Independence: 1 November 1981 (from the UK) Constitution: 1981. Geography: Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico. Area: Antigua: 281 kilometer² or (108 square mile) Barbuda: 161 kilometer² or (62 square mile) Total area: 442 kilometer² or (170 square mile) Terrain: partly volcanic and partly coral, generally low-lying, with highest elevation 405 meters or (1,330 feet). Climate: Year-round tropical maritime, cooled by steady trade winds. People: Nationality: Antiguan's and Barbudan's. Population: 89,000 (2016 est) Annual population growth rate (1999): 1.1%. Ethnic groups: Almost entirely of African origin; some of British, Portuguese, and Levantine Arab origin. Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities. Languages: English. Literacy: 90% Natural resources: tourism Agriculture products: Cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock. Industries: Tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Exports - commodities: petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals. Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil. Main trading partners: USA, UK, Canada, China and other CARICOM countries. Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Official Name: República Argentina for purposes of legislation: Nación Argentina (Argentine Nation) short form: Argentina int'l long form: Argentine Republic ISO Country Code: ar, arg Time: Local Time: UTC -3hours Country Calling Code: +54 Capital City: Buenos Aires (population 3 million) Other Cities: Córdoba (population 1 350 000), Rosario (population 1 158 000), Mendoza (population 800 000 ), Santa Fe (population 360 000), Mar del Plata, La Plata, Tucuman. Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain). Constitution: 1 May 1853; revised August 1994. Geography: Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay. Area: 2.8 million kilometer² or (1.1 million square mile); second-largest country in South America. Terrain: Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border. Climate: Varied--predominantly temperate with extremes ranging from subtropical in the north to arid/sub- Antarctic in far south. People: Nationality: Argentine's. Population: 43.5 million (2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 13,153 (year) Ethnic groups: European 97%, mostly of Spanish and Italian descent; Mestizo, Amerindian or other nonwhite groups 3%. Religions: Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%. Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French. Literacy (2001): 97%. Natural resources: Fertile plains (pampas); minerals--lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron, manganese, oil, and uranium. Agriculture products: Grains, oilseeds and by-products, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock. Industries: Food processing, motor vehicles, oil refining, machinery and equipment, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals. Exports - commodities: soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat Exports - partners: Brazil 17%, China 8.6%, US 5.9% (2015) Imports - commodities: intermediate goods, machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics Imports - partners: Brazil 29%, US 14%, China 10%, Germany 5% (2015) Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS)

. Official Name: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun short form: Hayastan international long form: Republic of Armenia international short form: Armenia ISO Country Code: am Time: Local Time: UTC +4hours Daylight Saving Time (DST+5h) 28 March - 31 October Country Calling Code: +374 Capital City: Yerevan (population 1.2 million) Other Cities: Gyumri (population 121 000), Vanadzor (population 74 000) and Abovian (population 54 000), Echmiadzin (seat of the patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church). Government: Type: Republic with a presidential governing system. Head of state: President Constitution: Approved in 1995 referendum. (Text of the Constitution in PDF format) Independence: (from Turkey, the then declining Ottoman Empire) 1918; First Armenian Republic . 21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union). Geography: Location: Asia, in the southern Caucasus. Total area: 29,800 km² (11,490 square miles) Terrain: Rugged mountains and extinct volcanoes, one-third of the country is pastureland, forest and woodland cover 12 percent. Climate: Continetal, with lower temperatures and more precipitation in higher elevations. In central plateau temperature varies widely with cold winters and hot summers. People: Nationality: Armenian or Armenian's Population: 3.0 million (as of year 2015) Ethnic groups: Armenian 98%; Yezidi 1.2%; Russian, Greek, and other 0.8%. Religion: Armenian Apostolic Church (more than 90% nominally affiliated). Languages: Armenian (Hayeren) 96%, Russian, other. Literacy: 99%. Natural resources: Small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina. Agriculture products: Fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock. Industries: Diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy. Exports - partners: Russia 15.2%, China 11.1%, Germany 9.8%, Iraq 8.8%, Georgia 7.8%, Canada 7.6%, Bulgaria 5.3%, Iran 5.3% (2015) Imports - partners: Russia 29.1%, China 9.7%, Germany 6.2%, Iran 6.1%, Italy 4.6%, Turkey 4.2% (2015) Currency: Dram (AMD) (Source: Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others.)

. Official Name: Commonwealth of Australia short form: Australia ISO Country Code: au, aus Time: Time Zone: EST (Eastern Standard Time) Local Time: UTC +10hours DST from, October-March Country Calling Code: +61 Capital City: Canberra (population 347 000) Other Cities/towns: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane (Population 1.6 million) Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne (Population 3.5 million), Sydney (Population 4.2 million), Perth (Population 1.3 million) Government type: Democratic, federal-state system recognizing British monarch as sovereign. Constitution: 9 July 1900. Independence (federation) 1 January 1901. Geography: Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. Area: 7.7 million kilometer² or (3 million square miile); about the size of the 48 contiguous United States. Terrain: Varied, but generally low-lying. Climate: Relatively dry, ranging from temperate in the south to tropical in the north. People: Nationality: Australian's. Population: 24,13 million (2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 31 020 (year) Ethnic groups: European 92%, Asian 6%, Aboriginal 2%. Religions: Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 21%, other non-Christian 5%, no religion 15%. Languages: English (official), Italian 12,4%, Greek 9.2 %, Cantonese 7.9 %, only 51 000 people speaking an Australian Indigenous Language at home. Literacy: 85%. Natural resources: Bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum. Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry. Industries: Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel. Exports - commodities: coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Exports partners: China 32.2%, Japan 15.9%, South Korea 7.1%, US 5.4%, India 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Imports partners: China 23%, US 11.2%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 5.1%, Germany 4.6% (2015) Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)

. Official Name: Republik Österreich short form: Osterreich international long form: Federal Republic of Austria international short form: Austria ISO Country Code: at, aut Local Time: UTC +1hour Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2) Country Calling Code: +43 Capital City: Wien (Vienna) (pop. 1.5 million) Major Cities: Bregenz, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, Salzburg. Government: Parliamentary democracy. Constitution: 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated May 1, 1945). Geography: Location: Central Europe Area: 83,871 km² (32,382 square miles) Terrain: Alpine (64%), northern highlands that form part of the Bohemian Massif (10%), lowlands to the east (26%). Climate: Continental temperate. People: Nationality: Austrian or Austrian's. Population: 8.6 million (2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 32 962 (year) Ethnic groups: 81.1% Austrians, 2.7% Germans, 2.2% Turks; other recognized minorities include Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and Roma. Religions: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Lutheran 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 5.5, no confession 12.0%. Language: German 92%. Literacy: 98%. Economy: Natural resources: Iron ore, crude oil, natural gas, timber, tungsten, magnesite, lignite, cement. Agriculture products: Drains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber. Industries: Construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism. Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs. Exports partners: Germany 29.9%, USA 6.3%, Italy 6.2%, Switzerland 5.7%, Slovakia 4.4% (2016) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs. Imports partners: Germany 42.5%, Italy 6%, Switzerland 5.6%, Czech Republic 4.4%, Netherlands 4% (2016) Currency: Euro (EUR)

. Official Name: Azarbaycan Respublikasi short form: Azarbaycan international long form: Republic of Azerbaijan international short form: Azerbaijan ISO Country Code: az Time: Local Time: UTC +4hours (DST in Summer +5hours) Country Calling Code: +994 Capital City: Baku Other Cities: Ali Bayramli, Baki, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Saki, Sumqayit, Susa, Xankandi, Yevlax. Government: Type: Republic. Constitution: Approved in November 1995 referendum. Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union). Geography: Location: South Caucasus; bordered by Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran to the south, and Georgia and Armenia to the west. Area: 86,600 km² (33 774 square miles); includes Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh. Terrain: Caucasus Mountains to the north, lowland in the central area through which the Kura River flows. Climate: Dry, subtropical with hot summers and mild winters; forests, meadows, and alpine tundra in the mountains. People: Nationality: Azerbaijani, Azeri. Population: 9.7 million as of year 2016 Ethnic groups: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9%. Note: the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region is populated almost entirely by Armenians. Religion: Muslim 93.4% (majority Shi'a), Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox Church 2.3%, and other 1.8%. Languages: Azerbaijani 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, and other 6%. Literacy: 97%. Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina. Agriculture products: Cotton, tobacco, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats. Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles. Exports partners: Italy 26.3%, Germany 13.3%, Indonesia 7%, France 6.9%, Czech Republic 6% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Imports partners: Russia 19.9%, Turkey 16.5%, UK 8.6%, Germany 6.6%, Italy 6.3%, US 4.1% (2015) Currency: Azerbaijan Manat; beginning January 2006, 1 new Manat (AZN) = 5000 old Manats (AZM).

. Official Name: Commonwealth of the Bahamas short form: The Bahamas ISO Country Code: bs, BHS Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +1 242 Capital City: Nassau on the island New Providence. Second-largest Cities: Freeport (on Grand Bahama) Government type: Constitutional parliamentary democracy. Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK). Constitution: 10 July 1973. Geography: Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba. Area: 13,943 kilometer² or 5,383 square mile Terrain: long, low flat coral formations with some low rounded hills. Climate: Semitropical to tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream. People: Nationality: Bahamian's. Population: 370,000 (2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 19 139 (per year) Ethnic groups: African 85%, European 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%. Religions: Baptist predominant (32%), Roman Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical Protestants, Methodist, Church of God. Language: English (official); some Creole among Haitian groups. Literacy: 93%. Natural resources: Salt, aragonite, timber, arable land. Agriculture - products: Citrus, vegetables; poultry. Exports - commodities: crawfish, aragonite, crude salt, polystyrene products Exports - partners: Poland 26.3%, Cote dIvoire 20.9%, US 15.9%, Dominican Republic 14.3% (2015) Imports - partners: US 22.3%, China 14.8%, Japan 9.5%, Poland 7.7%, South Korea 7.3%, Colombia 6.8%, Brazil 5.6%, Singapore 5.5% (2015) Currency: Bahamian Dollar (BSD)

. Official Name: Mamlakat al Bahrayn short form: Al Bahrayn int'l long form: Kingdom of Bahrain int'l short form: Bahrain ISO Country Code: bh Time: Local Time: UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +973 Capital City: Manama (population 148 000) Other Cities: Al Muharraq Government: Type: Constitutional hereditary monarchy. Independence: 15 August 1971 (from the UK). Geography: Location: an archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf located off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. Area: 741 km² ( 286 square miles) Terrain: Low desert plain. Climate: Arid; mild, pleasant winters with maximum temperatures average 20-30C (68-86F); very hot and humid from May-September, with average highs ranging from 30-40 C (86-104 F). People: Nationality: Bahraini or Bahraini's. Population: 1,23 million, including 666,000 non-nationals GNI per capita PPP: $ 19 748 (year) Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%. Religions: 98% Muslim (Shi'a 70%, Sunni 30%), small Christian, Jewish and Hindu communities. Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, and Urdu are also widely spoken. Literacy: 90% Natural resources: Oil, natural gas, fish, pearls. Agriculture products: Fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish. Industries: Petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism. Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 3.6%, UAE 2.4%, US 2.2% (2015) Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 29.1%, US 9.5%, China 7.6%, Japan 6.6%, Australia 5.1%, India 4.9% (2015) Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD)

. Official Name: Gano Projatontri Bangladesh short form: Bangladesh int'l long form: The People's Republic of Bangladesh former: East Pakistan ISO Country Code: bd, bgd Time: Local Tim: UTC +6hours Country Calling Code: +880 Capital City: Dhaka (population 12 million, metro area) Other Cities: Chittagong (population 2.8 million), Khulna (population 1.8 million), Rajshahi (population 1 million), Mymensing, Comilla, Barisal, Sylhet. Government: Type: Parliamentary democracy. Independence: 26 March 1971 (from Pakistan). Constitution: 1972 Geography: Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between India and Myanmar. Area: 144 000 km² (55 813 square miles) Terrain: Mainly flat alluvial plain, with hills in the northeast and southeast. Climate: Semitropical, monsoonal; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October). People: Nationality: Bangladeshi or Bangladeshi's. Population: (2017) 164 million. GNI per capita PPP: $ 1,998 (year) Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims. Religions: Muslim 88.3%; Hindu 10.5%; Christian 0.3%, Buddhist 0.6%, others 0.3%. Languages: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English is widely used. Literacy: 54% for males; 32% for females; a total of 43% literacy. Natural resources: Natural Gas, Lignite Coal, Limestones, Ceramic, Clay and Glass Sand, arable land, timber. Agriculture products: Rice, Jackfruit, Jute, Tobacco, Sugarcane, Pulses, Oilseeds, Spices, Potatoes, Vegetables, Bananas, Mangoes, Coconut, Tea and Wheat. Industries: Garments, Jute, Cotton, Textile, Tea, Paper, Newsprint, Cement, Fertilizer, Sugar, Engineering, Electric cables , Leather, Fish. Exports - commodities: garments, knitwear and hosiery (80% of exports revenue), agricultural products, frozen food (fish and seafood), jute and jute goods, leather Exports partners: US 13.9%, Germany 12.9%, UK 8.9%, France 5%, Spain 4.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: cotton, machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, foodstuffs Imports partners: China 22.4%, India 14.1%, Singapore 5.2% (2015) Currency: Taka (BDT) (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh)

. Official Name: Barbados ISO Country Code: bb Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +1 246 Capital City: Bridgetown Government type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II represented by a Governor General. Independence: 30 November 1966 (from the UK) Geography: Location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Area: 431 square kilometer or 166 square miles Terrain: Generally flat, hilly in the interior. Climate: Tropical; rainy season (July to November) People: Nationality: Barbadian's and Bajan's Population: 290,000 (estimated as of year 2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 17,170 (year) Ethnic groups: Black 90%, White 4%, Asian or mixed 6%. Religions: Protestant 67%, Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%. Language: English. Literacy: 99.7% Natural resources: Petroleum, fish, natural gas. Agriculture products: Sugarcane, vegetables, cotton. Industries: Tourism, sugar, financial services, information services, light manufacturing, component assembly for export. Major trading partners: Caribbean Community (CARICOM), UK, USA Exports - commodities: manufactures, sugar, molasses, rum, other foodstuffs and beverages, chemicals, electrical components. Exports partners: Trinidad and Tobago 22.5%, USA 11.8%, St. Lucia 9.2%, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 5.7%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.7%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4.4%, Guyana 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components. Imports partners: Trinidad and Tobago 39%, USA 31.1% (2015) Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD)

. Official Name: Antigua and Barbuda ISO Country Code: ag Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +1 268 Capital City: St. John's (Antigua, population 30 000) Other Cities: Codrington (on Barbuda) Government type: Constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament. Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II Independence: 1 November 1981 (from the UK) Constitution: 1981. Geography: Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico. Area: Antigua: 281 kilometer² or (108 square mile) Barbuda: 161 kilometer² or (62 square mile) Total area: 442 kilometer² or (170 square mile) Terrain: partly volcanic and partly coral, generally low-lying, with highest elevation 405 meters or (1,330 feet) Climate: Year-round tropical maritime, cooled by steady trade winds. People: Nationality: Antiguan's and Barbudan's. Population: 89,000 (2016 est) Annual population growth rate (1999): 1.1%. Ethnic groups: Almost entirely of African origin; some of British, Portuguese, and Levantine Arab origin. Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities. Languages: English. Literacy: 90% Natural resources: tourism Agriculture products: Cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock. Industries: Tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Exports - commodities: petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals. Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil. Main trading partners: USA, UK, Canada, China and other CARICOM countries. Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

. Official Name: Respublika Bielarus int'l long form: Republic of Belarus int'l short form: Belarus formerly: Belorussia, Byelorussia ISO Country Code: by Time: Time Zone: Eastern European Time Local Time: UTC +2hours (summer +3hours) Country Calling Code: +375 Capital City: Minsk Other Cities: Baranovichi, Bobruysk, Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Hrodna, Mogilev, Polotsk, Vitebsk. Government: Type: Republic (in fact a dictatorship) Independence: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union). Geography: Location: Eastern Europe. Area: 208,000 km² (80,100 square miles) Terrain: Landlocked, generally flat with thick forests, much marshland and fields. Climate: Cold winters, cool and moist summers, transitional between continental and maritime. People: Nationality: Belarusian Population: 9.5 million (2016) Ethnic groups: Belarusian (81%), Russian (11%), Polish, Ukrainian, other (8%). Religions: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Protestant, Autocephalous Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim) 20%. Language: Belarusian, Russian (official). Literacy: 98%. Natural resources: Forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay. Agriculture products: Grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk. Industries: Metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators. Exports partners: Russia 39%, UK 11.2%, Ukraine 9.5%, Netherlands 4.3%, Germany 4.1% (2015) Imports partners: Russia 56.6%, China 7.9%, Germany 4.6% (2015) Currency: Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)

. Official Name: Royaume de Belgique - Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique - België int'l long form: Kingdom of Belgium int'l short form: Belgium ISO Country Code: be, bel Time Zone: CET - Central European Time Local Time: UTC +1hour Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2) Country Calling Code: +32 Capital: Bruxelles (Brussels - population 954 460) Other Cities: Antwerp (population 445,570) Brugge (population 116,559) Charleroi (population 202,233) Gent (population 224,685) Liège (population 184,550) Namur (population 105,248) Verviers, Waterloo Government type: Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch Independence: 1830 (from the Netherlands) Geography: Location: Western Europe Area: 30,528 kilometers² or (11,786 square miles) Highest elevation: Signal de Botrange (694 meters) Climate: Temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy People: Nationality: noun: Belgian's adjective: Belgian Population: 11.2 million (2016 estimated) GNI per capita PPP: $ 31 549 per (year) Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholic (although less than 20% practicing); Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, Anglican, Greek and Russian Orthodox recognized. Languages: Dutch, French, German Linguistic regions: Dutch-speaking 58%; French-speaking 32%; legally bilingual (Brussels) 9.3%; German-speaking 0.7% Literacy: 98%. Natural resources: Coal, natural gas, construction materials, silica sand, carbonates. Agriculture products: Sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk. Industries: Engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum. Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Exports partners: Germany 16.9%, France 15.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, UK 8.8%, USA 6%, Italy 5% (2015) Imports - commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products Imports partners: Netherlands 16.7%, Germany 12.7%, France 9.6%, USA 8.7%, UK 5.1%, Ireland 4.7%, China 4.3% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)

. Official Name: Belize formerly: British Honduras ISO Country Code: bz Time: Local Time: UTC -6hours Country Calling Code: +501 Capital City: Belmopan (population 16,500 as of yer 2010 census) Other Cities: Belize City (population 57,000) Corozal (population 10,000) Orange Walk (population 14,000) San Ignacio & Santa Elena (population 18,000) Dangriga (population 9,500) Punta Gorda (population 5,000) San Pedro (population 11,000) Government type: Parliamentary democracy Independence: 21 September 1981 from the UK. Constitution: 21 September 1981. Geography: Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico. Area mainland and cayes: 23,000 kilometers² or (8,867 square miles) Terrain: plain coastline covered with mangrove swamps, low mountains in interior, highest point Doyle's Delight (1124 meters) Climate: Tropical, hot and humid. Rainy season May to November; dry season February to May. People: Nationality: Belizean's Population: 361,000 ( year 2015 estimated) GNI per capita PPP: $ 7 635 (per year) Ethnic groups: Mestizo, Creole, Ketchi, Yucatec and Mopan Mayas, Garifuna and East Indian. Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, other Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist. Languages: English (official) Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan. Literacy: 76%. Natural resources: Arable land, timber, seafood, minerals. Agriculture Products: Sugar, citrus fruits and juices, bananas, mangoes, papayas, honey, corn, beans, rice, cattle (12.7% of GDP) Industries: Garment production, food processing, tourism, construction. Exports partners: UK 30.8%, USA 18.7%, Nigeria 6.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, Ireland 4.2%, Jamaica 4.2% (2015) Imports partners: USA 26.6%, Mexico 11.7%, Cuba 10.2%, Guatemala 9%, China 7.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.6% (2015) Currency: Belizean Dollar (BZD)

. Official Name: Republique du Benin short form: Bénin int'l long form: Republic of Benin int'l short form: Benin formerly: Dahomey ISO Country Code: bj, ben Time: Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +229 Capital City: Porto-Novo (population 295 000) Largest city and economic capital is Cotonou (population 2 million) Other Cities: Abomey, Gavie, Kandi, Ouidah Government: Type: Republic under multiparty democratic rule. Independence: 1 August 1960 (fom France). Constitution: 10 December 1990. Geography: Location: Western Africa Area: 112,622 km² (43,483 square miles). Terrain: Mostly flat plains of 200 meters average elevation, but the Atacora Mountains with the highest points being Mont Sokbaro 658 m, Mont Tanekas 641 m. Climate: Tropical, average temperatures between 24 and 31 C. Humid in south; semiarid in north. People: Nationality: Beninese Population: 10 million (2013) Ethnic groups: 42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba. Religions: Indigenous beliefs (animist) 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%. Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba in the south; Nagot, Bariba and Dendi in the north. Literacy: Total population 39%; men 53%, women 25%. Natural resources: Small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber. Agriculture products: Cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001) Industries: Textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement (2001) Exports - commodities: cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood Exports partners: India 24.2%, Gabon 14.6%, China 7.2%, Niger 6%, Bangladesh 5%, Nigeria 4.9%, Vietnam 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products Imports partners: China 42.1%, USA 8.9%, India 5.7%, Malaysia 4.8%, Thailand 4.3%, France 4% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

. Official Name: Druk-yul or Druk Tsendhen, "land of the thunder dragon" int'l long form: Kingdom of Bhutan int'l short form: Bhutan ISO Country Code: bt, BTN Time: Local Time: UTC +6hours Country Calling Code: +975 Capital City: Thimphu (approx. 55,000) Other Cities: Paro, Phoentsholing, Punakha, Bumthong. Government: Type: Democratic constitutional monarchy. Previously, various laws and Buddhist values guided the relationship between the state and the people. Constitution enacted 18 July 2008. National Day: 17 December Geography: Location: Southern Asia, between China and India. Area: 38,394 km² (14,824 sq. mi.) slightly smaller than Switzerland. Terrain: Mountainous, from the Himalayas to lower-lying foothills to plains with semi-tropical forest, savannah grassland and bamboo jungles. Climate: Alpine to temperate to subtropical with monsoon season from June to September. People: Nationality: Bhutanese. Note: The Bhutanese refer to themselves as Drukpa people. Population: 760,000 (2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 3 330 (year) Ethnic groups: Bhutan has three main ethnic groups, Sharchops, Ngalongs (50%) and Lhotsampas, one of several Nepalese ethnic groups (35%), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%. Religions: The tantric form of Mahayana Bhuddhism (Drukpa Kagyupa) is state religion, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%. Languages: Dzongka (official language), English (medium of instruction), Tshanglakha, Lhotsamkha ( Nepali) and Khenkha, Sharchop. Literacy: 54% (est.). Women's literacy (est.)--20%. Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, timber, gypsum, calcium carbide. Agriculture products: Rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs. Industries: Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide. Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil Exports partners: India 83.8%, Hong Kong 10.8% (2013 est.) Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice Imports partners: India 72.3%, South Korea 6% (2013 est.) Currency: Ngultrum (BTN); Indian Rupee (INR) Source: Government of Bhutan and others.

. Official Name: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia short form: Bolivia int'l long form: Plurinational State of Bolivia Bolivia changed its official name from Republic of Bolivia to Plurinational State of Bolivia in 2009. ISO Country Code: bo, bol Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +591 Capital Cities: La Paz (administrative, seat of the government; population 800,000) Sucre (legislative/judiciary; population 300 000) Other Cities: Santa Cruz (1,500 000), Cochabamba (587,000), El Alto (860,000). Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 6 August 1825. Constitution: 1967; revised 1994. Geography: Location: West central South America Area: 1 million km² (424.164 square miles) Terrain: High plateau (altiplano), temperate and semitropical valleys, and the tropical lowlands. Climate: Varies with altitude--from humid and tropical to semiarid and cold. People: Nationality: Bolivian or Bolivian's. Population: 11.4 million (2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 3 049 (year) Ethnic Groups: Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%. Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholic; minority Protestant. Languages: Spanish (official); Quechua, Aymara, Guarani. Literacy: 85.5%. Natural resources: Tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower. Agriculture products: Soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber. Industries: Mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Exports - commodities: natural gas, mineral ores, gold, soybeans and soy products, tin Exports partners: Brazil 28.1%, Argentina 16.9%, USA 12.1%, Colombia 6.3%, China 5.3%, Japan 4.7%, South Korea 4.3% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum products, vehicles, iron and steel, plastics Imports partners: China 17.9%, Brazil 16.5%, Argentina 11.8%, USA 10.6%, Peru 6.2%, Japan 5.2%, Chile 4.6% (2015) Currency: Boliviano (BOB)

. Official Name: Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine int'l short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina int'l long form: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina abbreviations: BiH, B&H ISO Country Code: ba Local Time = UTC+1hour Country Calling Code: +387 Capital City: Sarajevo (estimated population 387,876) Official Site of the Canton Sarajevo. Other Cities: Banja Luka (estimated population 220 000); Mostar (estimated population 210 000); Tuzla (estimated population 120 000); Bihac (estimated population 50 000). Government: Type: Parliamentary democracy. Independence: 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3 March 1992). Constitution: the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - Bosnia and Herzegovina, each of the entities also has its own constitution. Geography: Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia. Area: 51,200 km² (19,768 square miles) Terrain: Mountains in the central and southern regions, plains along the Sava River in the north. Climate: Hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long severe winters; mild, rainy winters in the southeast. People: Nationalities: Bosniak (Muslim), Bosnian Croat, Bosnian Serb. Population: 3.53 million (2013) GNI per capita PPP: $ 5 827 (year) Ethnic groups: Bosniak 48%, Serb 34%, Croat 15%, other 0.5% (2000) note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam. Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10%. Languages: Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian (formerly "Serbo-Croatian"). Adult literacy rate: male 94%, female 78% Natural resources: Deposits of coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, forests, copper, chromium, lead, zinc, hydropower. Agriculture products: Wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock. Industries: Steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining (2001) Exports - commodities: metals, clothing, wood products Exports partners: Slovenia 16.5%, Italy 15.9%, Germany 12.1%, Croatia 11.5%, Austria 11.1%, Turkey 5.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemical products, fuels, food and live animals Imports partners: Croatia 19.3%, Germany 13.9%, Slovenia 13.8%, Italy 10.9%, Austria 5.7%, Hungary 5.2%, Turkey 4.5% (2015) Currency: Convertible Marka (KM; now pegged to Euro; Iso-Code: BAM) Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of Bosnia and Herzegovina State Institutions of BiH: Predsjednistvo BiH The Presidency of BiH Ministarstvo Vanjskih Poslova Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic Missions Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the US Washington DC. Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina New Delhi, India. OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Official site of OSCE's Bosnia Mission (Peace, and elections monitoring). Statistics Federalni zavod za statistiku Federal Office of Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina . Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina More statistics by the Agency for Statistics. Weather Bosna i Hercegovina METEOBIH Federalní Meteoroloskí Zavod Bosnia and Herzegovina METEOBIH Federal Meteorolocical Institute. Entity Institutions: Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine :: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Serbian Republic. Vlada Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Parlament Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine The Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska :: Serbian Republic The Serbian Republic is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Vlada Republike Srpske Republic of Srpska Government (Serbian Republic). President of the Republic of Srpska Official website of the President. National Assembly of Srpska The National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska. Maps Map of Bosnia and Herzegovina Political Map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Google Earth Google Earth Bosnia and Herzegovina Searchable map and satellite view of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Google Earth Google Earth Sarajevo Searchable map and satellite view of Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital city. Continent: Map of the Mediterranean Political Map of the Mediterranean. Map of the Balkan Peninsula Political Map of the Balkans. Map of Europe Political Map of Europe.

. Official Name: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland ISO Country Code: bw Local Time: UTC +2hours Country Calling Code: +267 Capital City: Gaborone (pronounced ha-bo-ro-neh), population 213,000 Other Cities: Francistown (population 101,805 ), Selebi-Phikwe (population 49,017), Molepolole (population 47,094), Kanye (population 36,877), Serowe (population 33,335), Mahalapye (32,407), Lobatse (population 32,075), Maun (population 31,260), Mochudi (population 30,671). Government: Type: Republic, parliamentary democracy. Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK). Geography: Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa. Area: 582,000 km² (224,710 square miles) Terrain: Desert and savanna, predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest. Climate: Mostly subtropical, warm winters and hot summers. People: Nationality: Motswana singular, Batswana plural Population: 2.2 million (2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 10 866 (year) Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%; Kalanga 11%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Himbukush, Basarwa ("Bushmen"), Khoi ("Hottentots"), whites 10%. Religions: Christianity 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%. Languages: English (official), Setswana, Ikalanga. Literacy: 68.9%. Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver. Agriculture products: Livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts. Industries: Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles. Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles Exports partners: United Kingdom 85.2%, South Africa 17.3%, China 5%, Zimbabwe 4.5% (2013) Imports partners: United Kingdom 24%, South Africa 23.4%, Namibia 10.9%, Nigeria 10.1%, Israel 5.0% (2013) (Source: Central Statistics Office CSO Botswana) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Currency: Pula (BWP)

. Official Name: Republica Federativa do Brasil short form: Brasil international long form: Federative Republic of Brazil international short form: Brazil ISO Country Code: br, bra Local Time: Brazil lies within 4 different time zones. Southern Brazil uses daylight saving time from October until February: +1 hour Country Calling Code: +55 Capital City: Brasilia (population 2.1 million) GDF - Governo do Distrito Federal The Federal District Government (in Portuguese) Other Cities: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife, Porto Alegre, Curitiba Government: Type: Federative Republic. Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) Geography: Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Area: 8.5 million kilometer² or (3 290 000 square miles) slightly smaller than the USA Terrain: Dense rain forests in northern regions including the Amazon Basin; semiarid along the northeast coast; mountains, hills, and rolling plains in the southwest, including Mato Grosso; and coastal lowland. Climate: Mostly tropical or semitropical with temperate zone in the south. People: Nationality: Brazilian. Population: (in 2017) 207 million. GNI per capita PPP: $ 8,745 per year Ethnic groups: Brazil's population is derived from three main ethnic sources. To the original inhabitants (Indians) were added successive waves of Europeans (mainly Portuguese) and Africans (mostly from the sub-Saharan west coast, belonging to the Bantu and to the Sudanic (Yoruba) ethnic groups) Religion: Roman Catholic (80%) Language: Brazilian Portuguese. Literacy: 81% of adult population. Natural resources: Iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, gemstones, oil, wood, and aluminum. Brazil has 12% of the world's fresh water. Agriculture products: Brazil is the biggest exporter of coffee, soybeans, beef, sugar cane, ethanol and frozen chickens. Other products: wheat, rice, corn, cocoa, and citrus. Industries: Textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment. Exports - commodities: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles Exports partners: China 19%, USA 13%, Argentina 6.8%, Netherlands 5.4% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics Imports partners: China 17.9%, USA 15.6%, Germany 6.1%, Argentina 6%, South Korea 6.1% (2015) Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)

. Official Name: Negara Brunei Darussalam short form: Brunei ISO Country Code: bn Time: Local Time: UTC +8hours Country Calling Code: +673 Capital City: Bandar Seri Begawan Other Cities: Kuala Belait, Seria, Temburong, Panaga, Tutong. Government: Type: Malay Islamic Monarchy. Independence: 1 January 1984. Constitution: 1959. Geography: Location: Southeastern Asia, on the island Borneo bordering the South China Sea and Brunei Bay. Area: 5,765 km² (2,226 square miles). Terrain: East--flat coastal plain rises to mountains; west--hilly lowland with a few mountain ridges. Climate: Equatorial tropical; high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall. People: Nationality: Bruneian or Bruneian's. Population: 417,200 (2015) Ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, other indigenous groups. Religion: Islam. Languages: Malay, English, Chinese; Iban and other indigenous dialects. Literacy: 94.7%. Natural resources: Oil and natural gas. Agriculture products: Rice, vegetables, fruits; livestock, forestry, fish. Industries: Petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction. Exports - commodities: mineral fuels, organic chemicals Exports partners: Japan 35.9%, South Korea 14.8%, Thailand 10.8%, India 9.8%, NZ 5.6%, Australia 5% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and mechanical appliance parts, mineral fuels, motor vehicles, electric machinery Imports partners: Singapore 27.9%, China 25.3%, Malaysia 12.4%, UK 10.6%, South Korea 4.9% (2015) Currency: Bruneian Dollar (BND)

. Official Name: Republika Bulgariya short form: Bulgariya int'l long form: Republic of Bulgaria int'l short form: Bulgaria ISO Country Code: bg, bgr Time: Time Zone: EET Local Time: UTC +2hours (summer +3hours) Country Calling Code: +359 Capital City: Sofia (population 1.3 million) Other Cities: Plovdiv (population 370 000), Varna (population 350 000). Government: Type: Parliamentary Republic. Independence: 1908 (from the Ottoman Empire) Geography: Location: Southeast Europe Area: 111,000 km² (42,857 square miles) Terrain: with large mountainous areas, fertile valleys, plains, coastline along the Black Sea. Climate: Temperate continental, mild summers and cold, snowy winters. People: Nationality: Bulgarian Population: 7.15 million (2015) Ethnic Groups: Bulgarian 84%, Turkish 10%, Roma 5%. Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 83%, Muslim 12%, Language: Bulgarian Literacy: 98.6% male: 99.1% female Natural resources: Bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land. Agriculture products: Vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets. Industries: Electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel. Exports - commodities: clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels. Exports partners: Germany 12.5%, Italy 9.2%, Turkey 8.5%, Romania 8.2%, Greece 6.5%, France 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials Imports partners: Germany 12.9%, Russia 12%, Italy 7.6%, Romania 6.8%, Turkey 5.7%, Greece 4.8%, Spain 4.8% (2015) Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

. Official Name: Burkina Faso short form: Burkina formerly Upper Volta ISO Country Code: bf Time: Local Time: UTC (+-0; no UTC/GMT offset) Country Calling Code: +226 Capital City: Ouagadougou (population 1 million) Other Cities: Bobo-Dioulasso (population 450,000), Koudougou (population 90,000), Banfora, Dori, Fada N'Gourma, Ouahigouy. Government: Type: Parliamentary Republic Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France). Constitution: 11 June 1991 formally adopted; amended April 2000. Geography: Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana. Area: 274,200 km² (106,000 square miles). Terrain: Savanna; brushy plains and scattered hills. Climate: Sahelian; pronounced wet and dry seasons. People: Nationality: Burkinabe (accent on last e). Population: 19 million (2016) Ethnic groups: 63 ethnic groups among which are Mossi (almost half of the total population), Bobo, Mande, Lobi, Fulani, Gourounsi, and Sénoufo. Religions: Muslim 55%, Christian 25%, Traditional beliefs 20%. Languages: French, Mooré, Dioula, Fulfuldé, others. Literacy: 30% Natural resources: Manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt. Agriculture products: Cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Industries: Cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold. Exports - commodities: gold, cotton, livestock Exports partners: Switzerland 53.3%, India 14.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum Imports partners: Cote dIvoire 23.1%, France 11.1%, Togo 7.5%, China 4.8%, Ghana 4.6% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

. Official Name: Republika y'u Burundi Republic du Burundi Republic of Burundi short form: Burundi formerly: Urundi ISO Country Code: bi, bdi Time: Local Time: UTC +2hours Country Calling Code: +257 Capital City: Bujumbura (population 300 000) Other Cities: Cibitoke, Muyinga, Ngozi, Bubanza, Gitega, Bururi. Government: Type: Republic; democratically elected, post-transition government established 26 August 2005. Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium). Geography: Location: East-central Africa south of the Equator. Area: 27,834 km² (10,746 square miles) Terrain: Hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains. Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m Climate: Tropical equatorial, with wet and dry seasons, temperature varies with altitude. People: Nationality: Burundian(s). Population: 10.11 million (2016) Ethnic groups (estimated): Hutu 85%; Tutsi 14%; Twa 1.0%. Religions (estimated): Roman Catholic 60%-65%; Protestant 10%-15%; traditional beliefs 15%-20%; Muslim 5%. Languages: Rundi (Kirundi), and French (offiocial), Swahili (trade and governmental language) Literacy: 37% Natural resources: Nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower. Agriculture products: Coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides. Industries: Light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components. Exports - commodities: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Exports partners: Germany 12.3%, Pakistan 10.7%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 10.7%, Uganda 8.1%, Sweden 7.8%, USA 7.1%, Belgium 6.3%, Rwanda 4.6%, France 4.4% (2015) Imports - commodities: capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Imports partners: Kenya 15%, Saudi Arabia 14%, Belgium 9.9%, Tanzania 8.3%, Uganda 7.3%, China 7.1%, India 4.9%, France 4% (2015) Currency: Burundi franc (BIF)

. Official Name: Preah Réachéanachâkr Kâmpuchea short form: Kampuchea int'l long form: Kingdom of Cambodia int'l short form: Cambodia Former: Khmer Republic, Kampuchea Republic ISO Country Code: kh, khm Local Time: UTC +7hours Cambodia does not operate Daylight-Saving Time (TBC) Country Calling Code: +855 Capital: Phnom Penh (population 1.2 million) Other Cities: Ta Khmau, Battambang, Serei Saophoan, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Poipet, Kampot. Government: Type: Constitutional Monarchy The Royal Cambodian Government (RCG), a constitutional monarchy formed on the basis of elections internationally recognized as free and fair, was established on 24 September 1993. Head of State: His Majesty Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni. Geography: Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Area: 181,035 km² (69,900 square miles) Terrain: Central plain drained by the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) and Mekong and Bassac Rivers. Heavy forests away from the rivers and the lake, mountains in the southwest (Cardamom Mountains) and north (Dangrek Mountains) along the border with Cambodia. Climate: Tropical monsoon with rainy season June-Oct. and dry season Nov.-May. People: Nationality: Cambodian's, Khmer Population: 14.6 million (2013) GNI per capita PPP: $ 2 116 (year) Ethnic groups: Cambodian 90%; Chinese and Vietnamese 5% each; Burmese, small numbers of hill tribes like Chams and Khmer Loeu. Religions: Thearavada Buddhism 95% (official); Islam, Christianity, animism, atheism. Languages: Khmer (official) spoken by more than 95% of the population; some French still spoken; English increasingly popular as a second language. Literacy: 35%. Natural resources: abundant natural bio-diversity, oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential. Agriculture products: Rice, rubber, corn, coffee, vegetables, cashews, tapioca. Industries: Tourism, textiles and garments, Beverage, Food Processing, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining. Exports - commodities: clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear Exports partners: USA 23.1%, UK 8.8%, Germany 8.2%, Japan 7.4%, Canada 6.7%, China 5.1%, Vietnam 5%, Thailand 4.9%, Netherlands 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, fabrics, vehicles, wholesale yarn, cigarettes, electrical communications equipment and medicine. Imports partners: Thailand 28.7%, China 22.2%, Vietnam 16.4%, Hong Kong 6.1%, Singapore 5.7% (2015) Currency: Riel (KHR)

. Official Names: Republique du Cameroun (fr) Republic of Cameroon (eng) short form: Cameroun/Cameroon formerly: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon ISO Country Code: cm Time: Local Time: UTC +1h Country Calling Code: +237 Capital City: Yaounde (population 1.1 million) Other Cities: Douala, major seaport and commercial capital (population 1.3 million), Garoua (population 424,312), Maroua (population 409,546), Bafoussam (population 319,457), Bamenda (population 321,490), Nkongsamba (population 166,262), and Ngaoundere (216,300). Government: Republic; with a strong central government dominated by president. Independence: 1 January 1960 (for areas formerly ruled by France) and 1 October 1961 (for territory formerly ruled by Britain). Constitution: 2 June 1972, last amended in January 1996. Geography: Location: Central West Africa bordering the Bight of Biafra (part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean) Area: 475,650 km² (183,650) square miles). Terrain: Northern plains, central and western highlands, southern and coastal tropical forests. Highest peak: Mt. Cameroon (13,353 ft.). Climate: Northern plains, the Sahel region-semiarid and hot (7-month dry season); Central and western highlands where Yaounde is located-cooler, shorter dry season; southern tropical forest-warm, 4-month dry season; Coastal tropical forest, where Douala is located--warm, humid year-round. People: Nationality: Cameroonian's; French noun and adjective Camerounaise. Population (as of 2016): 24 million Ethnic groups: About 250. Religions: Christian 53%, Muslim 22%, indigenous African 25%. Languages: French and English (both official) and about 270 African languages and dialects, including pidgin, Fulfulde, and Ewondo. Literacy: 75% Natural resources: Oil, timber, hydroelectric power, natural gas, cobalt, nickel. Agriculture products: timber, coffee, tea, bananas, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, pineapples, cotton. Industries: Petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, and cotton. Exports partners: China 16.7%, India 15.7%, Spain 6.2%, Belgium 6.1%, France 6.1%, Portugal 5.6%, Netherlands 5%, Italy 5% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food, cereals, fish. Imports partners: China 27.9%, Nigeria 13.9%, France 10.9%, Belgium 4.1% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

. Official Name: Canada ISO Country Code: ca, can Actual Time: Halifax Local Time: UTC -4hours Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Iqaluit Local Time: UTC -5hours Winnipeg Local Time: UTC -6hours Calgary, Yellowknife Local Time: UTC -7hours Vancouver Local Time: UTC -8hours Map of Canada's time zone anomalies. Country Calling Code: +1 Capital City: Ottawa (population 1 million) Other Cities: Toronto (population 4.5 million) Montreal (population 3.4 million) Vancouver (population 2.0 million) Calgary (population 1 million) Quebec (population 500 s000) Government: Type: Confederation with parliamentary democracy. Independence:1 July 1867 (from the UK) Constitution: The amended British North America Act of 1867 patriated to Canada on 17 April 1982, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and unwritten custom. (Constitution Act of 1982) Geography: Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north. Area: 9.9 million kilometers² or (3.8 million square miles) second-largest country in the world. Terrain: as vast as the country is, it offers many different landscapes, mountains, prairies, deserts, artic tundra, glaciers, valleys, foothills, rivers and lakes. Climate: Varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north. People: Nationality: Canadian's. Population: 36.3 million (as of year 2017) GNI per capita PPP: $ 34 444 per year Ethnic groups: British descent (28%), French descent (23%), Italian descent (3%), aboriginal peoples (2%), plus significant minorities of German, Ukrainian, Dutch, Greek, Polish and Chinese. Religions: Religion: Catholic (45%), Protestant (36%) and minorities from most of the world's major religions. Languages: English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), and 53 native languages. Literacy: 97-99% of population aged 15 and over. Natural resources: Iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower. Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish. Industries: Transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products, petroleum and natural gas. Exports - commodities: motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum Exports partners: USA 76.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods Imports partners: USA 53.1%, China 12.2%, Mexico 5.8% (2015) Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

. Official Name: Republica de Cape Verde short form: Cape Verde international long form: Republic of Cape Verde international short form: Cape Verde ISO Country Code: cv, CPV Time: Local Time: UTC -1hour Country Calling Code: +238 Capital City: Praia (population 100 000) on the island Sao Tiago (Santiago) Other Cities: Mindelo (population 68,000) Government: Republic. Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal). Constitution: 1982; revised 1992, 1995, and 1999. Geography: Location: Group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean some 500 km from the west coast of Africa (Senegal). Area: 4,033 km² (1,557 square miles) Terrain: Rugged volcanic islands. Highest point: Mt. Fogo 2 829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) Climate: Tropical dry, with two seasons. Dry season: November to July, tempered by trade winds. Rainy season: August to October. People: Nationality: Cape Verdean(s). Population: 525,000 (2015 census) Ethnic groups: Creole (mixed African and Portuguese), African, European. Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant. Languages: Portuguese (official); Crioulo (a blend of Creole Portuguese and West African) Literacy: 76%. Natural resources: Salt, pozzolana (tuff), limestone. Agriculture products: Bananas, corn, beans, sugarcane, coffee, fruits, vegetables, livestock products. Industries: Fish and fish products, food and beverages, ship repair, furniture, metal products, tourism. Exports partners: Australia 83%, Spain 8.6% (2015) Imports partners: Portugal 29.9%, Australia 26.4%, Netherlands 11.2%, Spain 5.6%, China 5.6% (2015) Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)

. Official Name: République Centrafricaine French abbreviation: RCA Sango: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka int'l form: Central African Republic formerly: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire English abbreviation: CAR ISO Country Code: cf Time: Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +236 Capital City: Bangui (pop. 700 000) Other Cities: Berberati, Bouar, Bambari, Bangassou, Bossangoa, Mbaiki, and Carnot. Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France). Geography: Location: landlocked country in Central Africa, almost the precise center of Africa. Area: 623,000 km² (242,000 sq. mi.) Terrain: Rolling plain 600 meters-700 meters (1,980 ft.-2,310 ft.) above sea level; scattered hills in northeast and southwest, mainly savannah in the north and equatorial forest in the south. The Oubangui river, which forms the southern border and flows through the capital Bangui and then south to the Congo basin, is an important transport route. Climate: Tropical, ranging from humid equatorial in the south to Sahelo-Sudanese in the north; hot, dry winters with mild to hot, wet summers. People: Nationality: Central African(s). Population: 5 million (2011 UN est.) Ethnic groups: More than 80; Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandja 13%, Mboum 7%, M'baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%. Religions: Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, indigenous beliefs 35%. Languages: French (official), Sangho (national). Literacy: 50% Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil. Agriculture products: Timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, foodcrops, livestock. Industries: Diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles. Exports partners:Norway 52.2%, China 14.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.3% (2015) Imports partners:Norway 39.6%, France 6.8%, US 4.6% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

. Chad is the fifth largest country in Africa and ranks second among Sahelian countries after Sudan. Chad’s land surface presents a dramatic variety of geographic contrasts. The vast northern third is located in the Sahara Desert and is sparsely populated, home to just 1 percent of Chad’s population. The whole central swath is in the Sahel, with average annual rainfall ranging from 150 to 600 mm. Both N’Djamena, the capital, and Lake Chad are found in this region. Lake Chad is fed by the country’s two main rivers, the Chari and the Logone. It is the largest body of water in the Sahel and a major center of economic activity for the region. However, due to erratic variations in the region’s climate and overexploitation of the rivers that feed it, this shallow lake (1.5 m deep on average) has shrunk to a small fraction of its 1960 size. Chad’s population lives mainly in the southern part of the country, in the more humid Sudanian climate zone, where average annual rainfall ranges between 600 and 1,300 mm. Southern Chad has the largest, relatively intact expanses of wooded savannas and woodlands of any of the Sahelian countries. Discovery of artifacts and fossils in northern Chad— especially the 7-million-year-old Toumaï skull from a hominid that is regarded as one of the oldest species in the human lineage — attests to the archaeological and historical richness of the country. Traditionally, Chad’s economy has been based on farming and livestock, but in the last decade the economy has changed dramatically from the oil boom. Besides oil, there are also significant deposits of gold, marble, and sodium carbonate.

. Official Name: República de Chile short form: Chile int'l long form: Republic of Chile ISO Country Code: cl Time: Local Time = UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +56 Capital City: Santiago (population metropolitan area est. 6 million) The legislative body operates in Valparaíso. Other Cities: Concepcion-Talcahuano (population 840 000) Vina del Mar-Valparaíso (population 800 000) Antofagasta (population 245 000) Temuco (population 230 000) Government type: Republic. Independence: 18 Sept 1810 (from Spain) Constitution: Promulgated 11 September 1980; effective 11 March 1981; amended in 1989, 1993, and 1997. Geography: Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru. Area: 756,100 kilometers² or (291,931 square miiles) Terrain: Desert in north; fertile central valley; volcanoes and lakes toward the south, giving way to rugged and complex coastline; Andes Mountains on the eastern border. Climate: Arid in north, Mediterranean in the central portion, cool and damp in south. People: Nationality: Chilean's Population: 18 million (estimated from year 2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 11 537 per year Ethnic groups: Spanish-Native-American (mestizo), European, Native-American. Religions: Roman Catholic 69.9%; Protestant 15%. Languages: Spanish. Literacy: 95.8%. Natural resources: Copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower. Agriculture products: Grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, wine, garlic, asparagus, beans, beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber. Industries: Copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles. Exports partners: China 26.3%, US 13.2%, Japan 8.5%, South Korea 6.5%, Brazil 4.9% (2015) Imports partners: China 23.4%, US 18.8%, Brazil 7.8%, Argentina 4% (2015) Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)

. Official Name: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhong Guo int'l short form: China (traditional Chinese: 中國; simplified Chinese: 中国; Pinyin: Zhōngguó int'l long form: People's Republic of China abbreviation: P.R.C. (People's Republic of China) ISO Country Code: cn, chn Local Time: UTC +8hours (China extends across five times zones, but the country uses a single time zone.) Country Calling Code: +86 Capital City: Beijing (Municipality population 19,6 million) Other major Cities: Shanghai (municipality population 23 million) Tianjin (municipality population 13 million) Hong Kong (urban population 6.8 million) Wuhan (urban population 4.4 million)Guangzhou (Canton, urban population 4.1 million) Shenyang (urban population 4 million) Chongqing (municipality population 28.8 million) Harbin (Ha'erbin, urban population 2.6 million) Chengdu (urban population 2.3 million) (population figures 2011) China's 20 most populated cities Government type: Communist party-led state Constitution: 4 December 1982. Head of state: President Xi Jinping Independence: Unification under the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty 221 BC; Qing (Ch'ing or Manchu) Dynasty replaced by a republic on 12 February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949. Geography: Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Total area: 9.6 million kilometer² or about 3.7 million square miles third largest country in the world, slightly smaller than the US and almost as large as the combined nations of Europe. Terrain: Plains, deltas, and hills in east; mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west. Climate: From tropical in south to subarctic in north. People: Nationality: Chinese Population: 1,367 million people (as of year 2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 6193 (per year) Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.6%; beside the Han population China recognizes fifty-five minority nationalities which comprise 8.4 percent of China's total population among them are: Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uygur, Yi, Mongolian, Tibetan, Buyi, Korean and other nationalities. Religions: Officially atheist; Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity. Language: PuTongHua (Mandarin) Wu (spoken in Shanghai) Yue (Cantonese) plus other dialects like Min, Hakka (Kejia), Gan and Xiang. Chinese is spoken by more people than any other language in the world. Literacy: 81% Natural resources: Coal, iron ore, crude oil, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, world's largest hydropower potential. Agriculture products: Rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed, pork, fish. Industries: Iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications. Exports partners: USA 18%, Hong Kong 14.6%, Japan 6%, South Korea 4.5% (2015) Imports partners: South Korea 10.9%, USA 9%, Japan 8.9%, Germany 5.5%, Australia 4.1% (2015) Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY)

. Official Name: Republica de Colombia conventional long form: Rebublic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia former: United States of Colombia ISO Country Code: co Local Time: UTC -5hours Country Calling Code: +57 Capital City: Bogotá formerly Santa Fe de Bogotá, (pop. about 6 million) Other Cities: Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena. Government type: Republic Independence: 20 July 1810. Geography: Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama. Area: 1.134 million kilometer² or (440,000 square miiles) fourth-largest country in South America. Terrain: Flat coastal areas, with extensive coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, three rugged parallel mountain chains, central highlands, and flat eastern grasslands. Climate: Tropical on coast and eastern plains, cooler in highlands. People: Nationality: Colombian's Population: 49 million (as of year 2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 7 303 (per year) Ethnic groups: Mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Religion: Roman Catholic 90%. Language: Spanish Literacy: 93% in urban areas, 67% in rural areas. Natural resources: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nickel, gold, silver, copper, platinum, emeralds. Agriculture products: Coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp. Industries: Textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds. Exports partners:US 27.5%, Panama 7.2%, China 5.2%, Spain 4.4%, Ecuador 4% (2015) Imports partners:US 28.8%, China 18.6%, Mexico 7.1%, Germany 4.2% (2015) Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)

. Official Name: Union des Comores (French) Udzima wa Komori (Comorian) short form: Comores int'l long form: Union of the Comoros int'l short form: Comoros Hist. name: Djazaïr Al Qamar (Islands of the Moon) ISO Country Code: km, com Time: Local Time: UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +269 Capital City: Moroni (population 60,000) Other Cities: Mutsamudu (population 20,000) Fomboni, Mamoutzou. Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France, Mayotte remains under French administration). Constitution: Adopted by referendum on 23 December 2001. Geography: Location: Southern east Africa, group of islands at the Mozambique Channel which separates Madagascar from the African continent. Area: 2,171 km² (838 square miles) Major islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mayotte (administered by France), and Moheli. Terrain: Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills. Highest point: Le Kartala (an active volcano; 2360 m) Climate: Tropical marine. People: Nationality: Comorian or Comorian's. Population: 770,000 (2015) Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava. Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%. Languages: Shikomor (Comorian, a Swahili-Arabic blend), Arabic, French, Swahili. Literacy: 57%. Natural resources: Few natural resources. Agriculture products: Vanilla, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cassis, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Industries: Tourism, perfume distillation. Exports partners: India 28.7%, France 17%, Germany 8.7%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Singapore 6.6%, Netherlands 6.1%, Mauritius 5.3% (2015) Imports partners: China 18.9%, Pakistan 16.2%, France 14.7%, UAE 11.3%, India 6.3% (2015) Currency: Comoran Franc (KMF)

. Official Name: République Démocratique du Congo abbreviation: RDC former: ZaÏre, Congo belge int'l long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo abbreviations: DROC, DRC also in use: Congo Kinshasa, DR Congo former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire ISO Country Code: cd Time: Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +243 Capital City: Kinshasa (population 6.5 million) Other Cities: Bandundu, Bukavu, Goma, Kananga, Kindu, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Matadi, Mbandaka, Mbuji-Mayi. Government: Type: Republic; transitional regime highly centralized with executive power vested in the president. Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium). Constitution: 18 February 2006 Geography: Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola Area: 2,344,858 km² (905 000 square miles) Terrain: Varies from tropical rainforests to mountainous terraces, plateau, savannas, dense grasslands, and mountains. Highest point: Pic Marguerite 5 110 m on Rwenzori Range's Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley). Climate: Equatorial; ranges from tropical rainforest in the Congo River basin, hot and humid in much of the north and west, cooler and drier in the south central area and the east. People: Nationality: Congolese Population: 71 million (2015) Ethnic groups: More than 200 African ethnic groups; the Luba, Kongo, and Anamongo are some of the larger groupings of tribes. Religions: Chrisinity 70%, other sects and traditional beliefs 10%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%. Languages: French (Official). National languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba. Literacy: 64% Natural resources: Cobalt, copper, Columbite-tantalite (coltan) refined, coltan becomes tantalum, niobium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber. Agriculture products: Coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products. Industries: mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair. Exports partners: China 43.5%, Zambia 25%, South Korea 4.9%, Belgium 4.8% (2015) Imports partners: China 20.6%, South Africa 17.7%, Zambia 12.3%, Belgium 6.9%, Zimbabwe 5.1%, India 4.7% (2015) Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF)

. Official Name: République Démocratique du Congo abbreviation: RDC former: ZaÏre, Congo belge int'l long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo abbreviations: DROC, DRC also in use: Congo Kinshasa, DR Congo former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire ISO Country Code: cd Time: Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +243 Capital City: Kinshasa (population 6.5 million) Other Cities: Bandundu, Bukavu, Goma, Kananga, Kindu, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Matadi, Mbandaka, Mbuji-Mayi. Government: Type: Republic; transitional regime highly centralized with executive power vested in the president. Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium). Constitution: 18 February 2006 Geography: Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola Area: 2,344,858 km² (905 000 square miles) Terrain: Varies from tropical rainforests to mountainous terraces, plateau, savannas, dense grasslands, and mountains. Highest point: Pic Marguerite 5 110 m on Rwenzori Range's Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley). Climate: Equatorial; ranges from tropical rainforest in the Congo River basin, hot and humid in much of the north and west, cooler and drier in the south central area and the east. People: Nationality: Congolese Population: 71 million (2015) Ethnic groups: More than 200 African ethnic groups; the Luba, Kongo, and Anamongo are some of the larger groupings of tribes. Religions: Chrisinity 70%, other sects and traditional beliefs 10%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%. Languages: French (Official). National languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba. Literacy: 64% Natural resources: Cobalt, copper, Columbite-tantalite (coltan) refined, coltan becomes tantalum, niobium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber. Agriculture products: Coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products. Industries: mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair. Exports partners: China 43.5%, Zambia 25%, South Korea 4.9%, Belgium 4.8% (2015) Imports partners: China 20.6%, South Africa 17.7%, Zambia 12.3%, Belgium 6.9%, Zimbabwe 5.1%, India 4.7% (2015) Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF)

. Official Name: República de Costa Rica short form: Costa Rica int'l long form: Republic of Costa Rica int'l short form: Costa Rica ISO Country Code: cr, CRI Time: Local Time: UTC -6hours Country Calling Code: +506 Capital City: San José (population 354 600, greater metropolitan area 2.1 million) Other Cities: Puntarenas (population 103 000) Limon (population 90 000) Government: Type: Democratic Republic Independence: 15 September (1821 from Spain) Constitution: 7 November 1949 Geography: Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea in the north-east and the North Pacific Ocean in the south-west, between Nicaragua and Panama. Area: 51,100 kilometer² or (19,729 square miiles) Terrain: Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes. Climate: Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands. People: Nationality: Costa Rican's Population: 4.8 million (estimated as of year 2015) Ethnic Groups: European and some mestizo 94%, African origin 3%, Chinese 1%, indigenous 1%, other 1%. Religions: Roman Catholic 69%, Protestant approx. 18%, none 12%, others 1%. Languages: Spanish, with a southwestern Caribbean Creole dialect of English spoken around the Limon area. Literacy: 96% Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, forest products, fisheries products. Agriculture products: Coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber. Industries: Microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products. Exports partners: USA 33.6%, China 6.2%, Mexico 4.6%, Nicaragua 4.3%, Netherlands 4.2%, Guatemala 4% (2015) Imports partners: USA 45.3%, China 9.8%, Mexico 7.1% (2015) Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC)

. Official Name: Republika Hrvatska short form: Hrvatska int'l long form: Croatia int'l short form: Republic of Croatia former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia. ISO Country Code: hr, HRV Time: Time Zone: Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +385 Capital City: Zagreb (population 780 000) Other Cities: Split (population 189 000), Rijeka (population 144 000), Osijek (population 115 000), Zadar (population 72 000), Dubrovnik (population 44 000). Government: Parliamentary Democracy. Constitution: Adopted 12 December 1990. Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia). Geography: Location: Croatia is situated between central and eastern Europe bordering the Adriatic Sea between Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Area: 56,594 km² (21,851 sq. mi.) Terrain: Rocky coastlines, flat plains along Hungarian border, densely wooded mountains, lakes, and rolling hills. Climate: In the north it is continental, Mediterranean along the coast, and a semi-highland and highland climate in the central region. People: Nationality: Noun: Croats, adjective Croatian Population: 4.2 million (2015) Ethnic groups: Croat 90%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) Religions: Catholic 88%, Orthodox 4.5%, Slavic Muslim 1.3%, others 6.5%. Languages: Croatian (South Slavic language, using the Roman script). Literacy: 98% Natural resources: Oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower. Agriculture products: Wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products. Industries: Chemicals, machine tools, fabricated metal, steel products, aluminum, electronics, paper, wood products, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism. Exports - commodities: transport equipment, machinery, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels. Exports partners: Italy 13.4%, Slovenia 12.5%, Germany 11.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.9%, Austria 6.6%, Serbia 4.9% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and lubricants; foodstuffs. Imports partners: Germany 15.5%, Italy 13.1%, Slovenia 10.7%, Austria 9.2%, Hungary 7.8% (2015) Currency: Kuna (HRK)

. Official Name: Republica de Cuba short form: Cuba int'l long form: Republic of Cuba ISO Country Code: cu, CUB Time: Local Time: UTC -5hours Country Calling Code: +53 Capital City: Habana (Havana, population 2 million) Other major Cities: Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Santa Clara, Holguin, Guantanamo, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Pinar del Rio. Government: Type: Communist state; current government assumed power by force January 1, 1959. Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902). Geography: Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Florida Area: 109,886 km². (42,427 square miles) Terrain: Flat or gently rolling plains, hills; mountains up to 2,000 meters (6,000 ft.) in the southeast. Climate: Tropical, moderated by trade winds; dry season (November-April); rainy season (May-October). People: Nationality: Cuban or Cuban's Population: 11.4 million (2014); 70% urban, 30% rural. Ethnic groups: 51% mulatto, 37% white, 11% black, 1% Chinese (according to Cuban census data). Language: Spanish. Literacy: 95%. Natural resources: Nickel, cobalt, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber. Agriculture products: Sugar, tobacco, citrus and tropical fruits, coffee, rice, beans, meat, vegetables. Industries: Sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals. Exports partners: Canada 17.7%, Venezuela 13.8%, China 13%, Netherlands 6.4%, Spain 5.4%, Belize 4.7% (2015) Imports partners: Venezuela 31.8%, China 17.6%, Spain 10%, Brazil 4.8% (2015) Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP)

. Official Name: Kypriake Demokratia (Greek), Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turk.) short form: Kypros (Greek), Kibris (Turk.) int'l long form: Republic of Cyprus int'l short form: Cyprus (the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), only recognized by Turkey) ISO Country Code: cy Local Time: UTC +2hours Summer Time (DST) UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +357 Capital City: Nicosia (Lefkosia) (population 197 800) Other Cities: Larnaca, Limassol (Lemesos) Famagusta, Paphos, Kyrenia, Morphou. Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 16 August 1960 (from the UK). Constitution: 16 August 1960. Geography: Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. Area: 9,251 km² (3,572 square miles) Terrain: Central plain with mountain ranges to the north and south. Climate: Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. People: Nationality: Cypriot or Cypriot's. Population: 848,000 (2015 census) Ethnic groups: Greek (77%), Turkish (18%), Armenian and other (4%). Religions: Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Maronite, Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox. Languages: Greek, Turkish, English. Literacy: about 99%. Natural resources: Copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment. Agriculture products: Potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables, poultry, pork, lamb, kids, dairy. Industries: Food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products. Currency: Greek Cypriot area: Beginning 1 January 2008, the Cyprus Pound (CYP) was replaced by the euro; Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish Lira (TRL) Exports partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Imports partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited

. Official Name: Ceska Republika short form: Cesko int'l short form: Czechia int'l long form: Czech Republic formerly part of Czechoslovakia. National motto: Pravda vítezí. (Truth prevails) ISO Country Code: cz, cze Time Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) Local Time = UTC +1hour Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2hours) Country Calling Code: +420 Capital City: Prague (Praha, Prag; population 1.2 million; Metro: 1.9 million). Other Cities: Brno (400,000), Ostrava (population 310,000, Plzen, (Pilsen population 172,000) Government: Parliamentary Republic. Independence: The Czech Republic was established 1 January 1993 (former Czechoslovak state established 1918). Constitution: Signed 16 December 1992. Geography: Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany. Area: 78,864 km² (30,449 square miles) Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country. Climate: Temperate; mild summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters, west winds prevail. People: Nationality: Czech or Czech's. Population: 10.56 million (2016) Ethnic groups: Czech (90.4% or 9.25 million); Moravian (more than 380,000 people); Slovak (193,000); Roma (171,000); Silesian ethnicity (11,000 people); Polish (52,000); German (39,000); Ukrainian (22,000) and Vietnamese (18,000). Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant. Language: Czech, Slovak. Literacy: 99.8%. Natural resources: Coal, coke, kaolin, lignite, magnesite, timber, uranium. Agriculture products: Wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry. Industries: Metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments. Exports partners: Germany 32.4%, Slovakia 9%, Poland 5.8%, UK 5.3%, France 5.1%, Austria 4.1% (2015) Imports partners: Germany 30%, Poland 9%, China 8.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Netherlands 5%, Austria 4.1% (2015) Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)

. Official Name: Kongeriget Danmark short form: Danmark int'l long form: Kingdom of Denmark int'l short form: Denmark ISO Country Code: dk, DNK Time: Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) Local Time: UTC +1hour Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2) Country Calling Code: +45 Capital City: Copenhagen (population 0.5 million in Copenhagen and 1.8 million in the Copenhagen region) Other Cities: Aarhus (population 289 000) Odense (population 184 000) Aalborg (population 162 000) Government type: Constitutional Monarchy. Constitution: 5 June 1953. Geography: Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) Area: 43,094 kilometers² or (16,638 square miles) Terrain: Low and flat or slightly rolling hills; highest elevation is 173 meters (568 feet) Climate: Temperate. The terrain, location, and prevailing westerly winds make the weather changeable. People: Nationality: Dane's or Danish. Population: 5.6 million (as of year 2015) Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, German, Inuit, (Greenland) Faroese. Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 84.3%. Catholics, Jews, other Protestant denominations, and Muslims account for approximately 5%. Languages: Danish, some German, Faroese, Greenlandic. English is the predominant second language. Literacy: 100% Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand. Agriculture products: Barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish. Industries: Iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills. Exports - commodities: machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills. Exports partners: Germany 17.8%, Sweden 11.6%, US 8.4%, Norway 6.3%, UK 6.3%, Netherlands 4.4%, China 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods. Imports partners: Germany 20.4%, Sweden 12.3%, Netherlands 8.1%, China 7.3%, Norway 6.1%, UK 4.4% (2015) Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)

. Official Name: République de Djibouti Arabic: Jumhuriyah Jibuti short form: Djibouti int'l long form: Republic of Djibouti former: Territoire Français des Afars et des Issas (French Territory of the Afars and Issas), French Somaliland. ISO Country Code: dj Time: Local Time: UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +253 Capital City: Djibouti (City) Other Cities: Dikhil, Arta, Ali-Sabieh, Obock, Tadjoura. Government: Type: Republic. Constitution: Ratified September 1992 by referendum. Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France). Geography: Location: Northeast coast of the Horn of Africa on the Strait of Mandeb, which separates the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Area: 23,200 km² (8,880 square miles) Terrain: Coastal desert and plateau separated by central mountains. Climate: Torrid and semi-arid, fresh season, from October to April (average 25°). People: Nationality: Djiboutian or Djiboutian's Population: 850,000 (2016 est.) Ethnic groups: Somalis (Issaks, Issas, and Gadaboursis) 60%, Afars 35%, Ethiopians,Arab, French, and Italian. Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%. Languages: French and Arabic (official); Somali and Afar widely used. Literacy: 65%. Natural resources: Gold, clay, granite, marble, minerals (salt, perlite, gypsum, limestone), petroleum, geothermal areas. Agriculture products: livestock, fishing, fruits, vegetables. Industries: Banking and insurance (12.5% of GDP), transportation (Djibouti harbour), tourism, construction, agricultural processing, salt. Exports partners: Somalia 79.7%, USA 5.4%, Yemen 4.6%, UAE 4% (2015) Imports partners: China 41.8%, Saudi Arabia 14.2%, Indonesia 5.9%, India 4.3% (2015) Currency: Djiboutian Franc (DJF

. Official Name: Republica Dominicana Dominican Republic ISO Country Code: do Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +1 809, or 829 and 849 Capital City: Santo Domingo (population 3 million) Other Cities: Santiago de los Caballeros (population 690 548) Government type: Representative democracy. Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Restoration of independence, 16 August 1863. Constitution: 28 November 1966, amended 25 July 2002 Geography: Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, east of Haiti, between Cuba and Puerto Rico. the north of Caribbean Sea to south of the North Atlantic Ocean. Area: 48,310 kilometers² or (18,652 square miles) Terrain: Highlands and mountains with fertile valleys. Climate: Maritime semitropical, with an average yearly temperature of 26°C (78°F) People: Nationality: Dominican's Population: 9.9 million (estimated from year 2015) Ethnic groups: European 16%, African origin 11%, mixed 73%. Religion: Roman Catholic 95%. Language: Spanish. Literacy: 83%. Natural resources: Nickel, bauxite, gold, silver. Agriculture products: Sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs. Industries: Tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco. Exports - commodities: gold, silver, cocoa, sugar, coffee, tobacco, meats, consumer goods Exports - partners: USA 42.5%, Haiti 16.5%, Canada 8.1%, India 4.8% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: USA 42%, China 9.2%, Venezuela 5.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.5%, Mexico 4.4% (2015) Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)

. Official Name: Republika Demokratika Timor Loro Sa'e [Tetum] Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] short form: Timor Loro Sa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: East Timor ISO Country Code: .tl, tls (.tp has been phased out) Time: Local Time: UTC +9hours Country Calling Code: +670 Capital City: Dili Other Cities: Baucau, Dare. Government: Type: Parliamentary democracy. Independence: 28 November 1975 (from Portugal). Restoration of independence: 20 May 2002. (from Indonesia) Constitution: March 2002. Geography: Location: Southeast Asia, on the southernmost edge of the Indonesian archipelago, northwest of Australia. Area: 14,874 km² (5,742 square miles) Terrain: Mountainous. Highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m Climate: Tropical; hot, semi-arid; rainy and dry seasons. People: Nationality: Timorese. Population: 1.2 million (in 2015) Religion: Catholic 96 %. Languages: Portuguese, Tetum (official); English, Bahasa Indonesia (working languages). Literacy: 41%. Natural resources: Gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble. Agriculture products: Coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla. Industries: Printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth. Exports partners: Indonesia 100% (2005) Exports - commodities: Coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports. Currency: US dollar (USD)

. Official Name: República del Ecuador short form: Ecuador int'l long form: Republic of Ecuador ISO Country Code: ec, ecu Time: Local Time: UTC -5hours Actual Time: Mon-Sept-3 15:26 Country Calling Code: +593 Capital City: Quito (population 1.4 million) Other Cities: Cuenca, Guayaquil (largest city in Ecuador) Government: Republic. Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain). Constitution: 10 August 1998. Geography: Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru. Area: 283,561 km² (109.483 square miles) Terrain: Jungle east of the Andes, a rich agricultural coastal plain west of the Andes, high-elevation valleys through the mountainous center of the country and an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. Climate: Varied, mild year-round in the mountain valleys; tropical, hot and humid in coastal and Amazonian jungle lowlands. People: Nationality: Ecuadorian or Ecuadorian's. Population: 16.7 million (2017) Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 65%, Indigenous 25%, Caucasian and others 7%, African 3%. Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (95%), but religious freedom recognized. Languages: Spanish (official), indigenous languages, especially Quichua, the Ecuadorian dialect of Quechua. Literacy: 90% Natural resources: Petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower. Agriculture products: Bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp. Industries: Petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals. Exports - commodities: petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, wood, fish Exports - partners: USA 39.5%, Chile 6.2%, Peru 5.1%, Vietnam 4.3%, Colombia 4.3% (2015) Imports - commodities: industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods Imports - partners: USA 27.1%, China 15.3%, Colombia 8.3%, Panama 4.9% (2015) Currency: US Dollar (USD) Ecuador in numbers More statistical data for Ecuador.

. Official Name: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah Short form: Misr Int'l short form: Egypt Int'l long form: Arab Republic of Egypt former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) ISO Country Code: eg, egy Actual Time: Mon-Sept-3 22:27 Local Time: UTC +2hours Egypt does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST) since 2011 Country Calling Code: +20 Capital City: Cairo (al-Qa hirah) (pop. estimated 19 million in metropolitan area) Other Cities: Alexandria (population 6 million), Aswan, Asyut, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia Government: Type: Republic run by a Military junta Independence: 1922 (from the UK) Constitution: 1971 Geography: Location:Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip Area: 1 million square kilometers (386 000 square miles) Terrain: mostly Desert, except the Nile valley and delta. Climate: Dry, hot summers; moderate winters People: Nationality: Egyptian or Egyptian's Population: 92.4 million (2017) Ethnic groups: Egyptian, Bedouin Arab, Nubian Religions: Sunni Muslim 90%, Coptic Christian Languages: Arabic (official), English, French Literacy--total adult: 55.2%, male: 66.6%, female: 43.6%. Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc. Agriculture products: Cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats. Industries: Textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals. Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals, processed food Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 9.1%, Italy 7.5%, Turkey 5.8%, UAE 5.1%, USA 5.1%, UK 4.4%, India 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels Imports - partners: China 13%, Germany 7.7%, USA 5.9%, Turkey 4.5%, Russia 4.4%, Italy 4.4%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2015) Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

. Official Name: República de El Salvador short form: El Salvador international long form: Republic of El Salvador international short form: El Salvador ISO Country Code: sv, slv Time: Time Zone: Local Time: UTC -6hours Country Calling Code: +503 Capital City: San Salvador (population 600 000). Other Cities: Santa Ana (population 237 000), San Miguel (population 222,000), Ahuachapán (population 100 000), Soyapango (population 222,096), La Union. Government: Type: Republic. Independence: on 15 September 1821 (from Spain). Constitution: 20 December 1983. Geography: Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean in the south, between Guatemala and Honduras. Area: 21,041 km² (8,123 square miles). Terrain: Mountains separate country into three distinct regions--southern coastal belt, central valleys and plateaus, and northern mountains. Climate: Semitropical, tropical on coast; temperate in uplands, distinct wet and dry seasons. People: Nationality: Salvadoran or Salvadoran's. Population: 6.4 million (2015) Ethnic Groups: mixed Indian and Spanish 90%, indigenous 1%, Caucasian 9%. Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestants Languages: Spanish. Literacy: 75-80% Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land. Agriculture products: Coffee, sugar, livestock, corn, poultry, and sorghum Industries: Food and beverage processing, textiles, footwear and clothing, chemical products, petroleum products, electronics. Exports - commodities: offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures Exports - partners: USA 47.1%, Honduras 13.9%, Guatemala 13.6%, Nicaragua 6.6%, Costa Rica 4.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity Imports - partners: USA 39.4%, Guatemala 9.6%, China 8.1%, Mexico 7.4%, Honduras 5.7% (2015) Currency: Salvador Colon (SVC) and US Dollar (USD)

England, birthplace of Shakespeare and The Beatles, is a country in the British Isles bordering Scotland and Wales. The capital, London, on the River Thames, is home of Parliament, Big Ben and the 11th-century Tower of London. It's also a multicultural, modern hub for the arts and business. Other large cities are Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and the university centres of Oxford and Cambridge. Capital: London Area: 130,395 km² Population: 55.62 million (2017) ONS UK Currency: Pound sterling Official language: English

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Eritrea is a northeast African country on the Red Sea coast. It shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The capital city, Asmara, is known for its Italian colonial buildings, like St. Joseph's Cathedral, as well as art deco structures. Italian, Egyptian and Turkish architecture in Massawa reflect the port city's colorful history. Notable buildings here include St. Mariam Cathedral and the Imperial Palace. Capital: Asmara Official languages: None (see working languages) Recognised national languages: Tigrinya; Beja; Arabic; Tigre; Kunama; Saho; Bilen; Nara; Afar; English; Other languages: Italian Currency: Eritrean nakfa

. Official Name: Eesti Vabariik short form: Eesti int'l long form: Republic of Estonia int'l short form: Estonia former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. ISO Country Code: ee, EST Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) Local Time: UTC +2hours DST from March - October (UTC+3hours) Country Calling Code: +372 Capital City: Tallinn (population 398 500) Other Cities: Tartu (101 190); Narva (67 752); Kohtla-Jarve (46 765); Parnu (44 781); Viljandi (20 509) Government type: Parliamentary Democracy. Constitution: On 28 June 1992 Estonians ratified a constitution based on the 1938 model, offering legal continuity to the Republic of Estonia prior to Soviet occupation. Geography: Location: Eastern Europe, bordering Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia. Area: 45,227 kilometers² or (17,462 square miles) Terrain: Estonia is a green land, forests cover around half of the country. Flat, average elevation 50m. Steep limestone banks and 1 521 islands mark the coastline. Land use: 9.5% arable land, 47,4% forest and woodland, 22% swamps and bogs, 21.5% other. Coastal waters are somewhat polluted. Climate: Temperate, with four seasons of near-equal length. People: Nationality: Estonian's Population: 1.3 million (estimated as of year 2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 16 461 (year) Ethnic groups: Estonians 65%, Russians 28%, Ukrainians 2.5%, Belarusians 1.4%, Finns 0.9%, other 2.2%. Religions: Lutheran, the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox, subordinated to Constantinople, the Estonian Orthodox, subordinated to the Moscow Patriarchate, Baptist. Languages: Estonian (eesti keel), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish. Literacy: 99%. Natural resources: Oil shale, phosphorite, limestone, blue clay. Agriculture products: Potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish. Industries: Engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information technology, telecommunications. Currency: Euro Exports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 34%, food products and beverages 9%, mineral fuels 9%, wood and wood products 10%, metals 7%, furniture 9%, vehicles and parts 6%, chemicals 5% (2015 est.) Exports - partners: Sweden 18.8%, Finland 16%, Latvia 10.4%, Russia 6.7%, Lithuania 5.9%, Germany 5.2%, Norway 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 28 %, mineral fuels 11%, food and food products 10%, vehicles 9%, chemical products 8%, metals 8% (2015 est.) Imports - partners: Finland 14.5%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 9%, Sweden 8.5%, Latvia 8.3%, Poland 7.4%, Russia 6.1%, Netherlands 5.5%, China 4.8% (2015)

. Official Name: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik short form: Ityop'iya int'l long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. int'l short form: Ethiopia abbreviation: FDRE former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa. ISO Country Code: et, ETH Time: Ethiopian Standard Time: UTC +3hours Ethiopia does not operate Daylight-Saving Time. Country Calling Code: +251 Capital: Addis Ababa (population 3 million) Largest Cities: Dire Dawa (180,000), Harar (138,000), Dessie (105,000), Nazret (100,000), Bahir Dar (95,000), Awassa (90,000) Government: Federal parliamentary democracy. New constitution adopted in 1995. Geography: Location: Horn of Africa bordered by the Sudan on the west, Somalia and Djibouti on the east, Eritrea on the north and Kenya on the south. Area: 1.1 million kilometers² or (440 000 square miles) about twice the size of Kenya, France or Texas. Terrain: Rugged mountains, flat-topped high plateaus, deep river canyons, rolling plains and dry low lands. Climate: Temperate in the highlands; tropical in the lowlands; dry season from October through May; wet season from June to September. People: Nationality: Ethiopian's Population: 90 millions (estimated as of year 2015) Ethnic groups (est.): comprised of seventy-eight nations of which the Amhara and the Oromo constitute the majority, Oromo 35%, Amhara 30%, Tigre 6%-8%, Somali 6% Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox Christian 45%-50%, Muslim 40%, Protestant 5%, Animic Languages: Amharic (official), Afan Oromo, Tigrinya, Gurage, Somali, Arabic and about 80 other local languages. English (major foreign language taught in schools) Ethiopian alphabet: Geèz Natural resources: Small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower. Agriculture - products: Cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat; hides, cattle, sheep, goats. Industries: Food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement. Exports - commodities: coffee (27%, by value), oilseeds (17%), edible vegetables including khat (17%), gold (13%), flowers (7%), live animals (7%), raw leather products (3%), meat products (3%) Exports - partners: Switzerland 14.3%, China 11.7%, USA 9.5%, Netherlands 8.8%, Saudi Arabia 5.9%, Germany 5.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and aircraft (14%, by value), metal and metal products, (14%), electrical materials, (13%), petroleum products (12%), motor vehicles, (10%), chemicals and fertilizers (4%) Imports - partners: China 20.4%, USA 9.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, India 4.5% (2015) Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

. Official Name: Republic of the Fiji Islands short form: Fiji ISO Country Code: fj, fij Time: Local Time: Summer UTC + 13hours Country Calling Code: +679 Capital City: Suva on the island of Viti Levu (pop. 167,000) Government: Type: Parliamentary Democracy. Independence (from U.K.): 10 October 1970. Constitution: July 1997 (suspended May 2000, reaffirmed March 2001). Geography: Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean. Area: 18,333 km² Terrain: Mostly mountains of volcanic origin or varied, dense tropical forest. Climate: Tropical maritime; only slight seasonal temperature variation. People: Nationality: Fiji Islander; adjective: Fiji Population: 870,000 (in 2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 6 282 (year) Ethnic groups: Indigenous Fijian 54%, Indo-Fijian 40%. Religion: Christian 52% (Methodist and Roman Catholic), Hindu 33%, Muslim 7%. Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindi. Literacy: 93%. Natural resources: Timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower. Agriculture products: Sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish. Industries: Tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries. Exports - commodities: sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil, mineral water Exports - partners: USA 13.4%, Australia 10.2%, Samoa 6.7%, Tonga 5.9% (2015) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Imports - partners: China 16.2%, South Korea 15.7%, New Zealand 14%, Australia 13.4%, Singapore 8.7%, France 7% (2015) Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)

. Official Name: Suomen tasavalta - Republiken Finland short form: Suomi - Finland int'l long form: Republic of Finland int'l short form: Finland ISO Country Code: fi, FIN Time: Time Zone: Eastern European Time Local Time: UTC +2hours Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +3hours) Country Calling Code: +358 Capital City: Helsinki (population 560,500) Other Cities: Espoo (population 213,000) Tampere (population 195,500) Vantaa (population 178,500) Turku (population 173,000) Government type: Constitutional republic. Independence: 6 December 1917 (from the Russian Empire) Constitution: 17 July 1919, 1 March 2000. The new Finnish Constitution Geography: Location: Northern Europe Area: 338,145 kilometers² or (130,558 square miles) Terrain: Low but hilly, more than 70% forested, with more than 60 000 lakes. Climate: Northern temperate. People: Nationality: Finn's or Finnish. Population: 5.5 million (estimated as of year 2017) Ethnic groups: Finns, Swedes, Lapps, Sami, Roma, Tatars. Religions: Lutheran 89%, Orthodox 1%. Languages: Finnish 93%, Swedish 6% (both official); small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities. Literacy: 100% Natural resources: Timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone. Agriculture products: Barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish. Industries: Metal products, electronics, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing. Exports - commodities: electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber Exports - partners: Germany 13.9%, Sweden 10.1%, USA 7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Russia 5.9%, UK 5.2%, China 4.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, computers, electronic industry products, textile yarn and fabrics, grains Imports - partners: Germany 17%, Sweden 16%, Russia 11%, Netherlands 9.1%, Denmark 4.1% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)

. Official Name: Republique Francaise short form: France int'l long form: French Republic int'l short form: France ISO Country Code: FR - FRA - .fr Time: Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) Local Time: UTC +1hour DST: March - October (UTC +2hours) Country Calling Code: +33 Capital City: Paris The Romans called her Lutetia. Major Cities: Bordeaux, Cannes, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse Other Cities in France List of links to official French city sites. Government type: Republic. Constitution: The Constitution of 4 October 1958. Geography: Location: Central western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain. Area: 551,500 kilometers² or (220,668 square miles) largest west European country. Terrain: Mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east. Climate: Generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral. People: Nationality: French. Population: 64 million (estimated as of year 2016) Ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Sub-Saharan African, Indochinese, and Basque minorities. Religion: Roman Catholic 90%. Language: French. Literacy: 99%. Economy: Natural resources: Coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish. Agriculture products: Wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; and fish. Industries: Machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing, and tourism. Exports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, and beverages. Exports partners: Germany 15.9%, Spain 7.3%, USA 7.2%, Italy 7.1%, UK 7.1%, Belgium 6.8% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals. Imports partners: Germany 19.5%, Belgium 10.7%, Italy 7.7%, Netherlands 7.5%, Spain 6.8%, USA 5.5%, China 5.4%, UK 4.3% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)

. Official Name: République Gabonaise short form: Gabon int'l long form: Gabonese Republic ISO Country Code: ga Time: Local Time: UTC +1hour Country Calling Code: +241 Capital City: Libreville (population 700,000) Other Cities: Port-Gentil (136,000), Masuku-Franceville (110,000), Lambaréné (25,000), Mouila, Tchibanga, Makokou, Koulamoutou, Port-Gentil, Oyem. Government: Type: Republic; multiparty presidential regime. Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France). Geography: Location: Western central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Area: 267,667 km² (103,347 square miles) Terrain: Narrow coastal plain; hilly and heavily forested interior (about 80% forested); some savanna regions in east and south. Climate: Hot and humid with two rainy (February - May main rainy season) and two dry seasons (May - September main dry season). People: Nationality: Gabonese Population: 1.5 million (2010 UN estimate) Ethnic groups: Over 40 ethnic groups: Fang (34%), Bapounou (22%), M'Bete (14%), Bandjabi (11%), Bakota (6%), and Myene (5%). Religions: Christianity, Muslim, animist. Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi. Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower. Agriculture products: Cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish. Industries: Petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile. Exports - commodities: crude oil, timber, manganese, uranium Exports partners: Japan 21.7%, USA 10.7%, Australia 9.7%, India 8.8%, China 8.5%, Spain 6.3%, France 4.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.2% (2013) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials Imports partners: France 21.8%, Cote dIvoire 16.6%, China 10%, Belgium 5.6%, US 5.5%, Netherlands 5.1% (2013) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine Francs CFA (XAF)

. fficial Name: Republic of The Gambia short form: The Gambia former: Senegambia; federation with Senegal (1982-1989) ISO Country Code: gm Time: Local Time: UTC Country Calling Code: +220 Capital City: Banjul (population 35 000, with suburbs 500 000) Other Cities: Serrekunda (population 200 000), Basse Santa Su, Georgetown (Jangjang-bureh), Juffureh. Government: Type: Civilian. Independence: 18 February 1965 (from the UK). Constitution:16 January 1997. Geography: Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean surrounded by Senegal. Area: 11,300 sq. km. (4 360 square miles) Terrain: Flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by low hills. Climate: Tropical; hot rainy season (June to Nov.); cooler, dry season (Nov. to May). People: Nationality: Gambian(s). Population: 1.9 million (2015 UN estimate) Ethnic groups: Mandinka 40%, Fula 18%, Wolof 14%, Jola 10%, Serahule 9%, Serere 8%, Krio/Aku Marabout, Manjago, Bambara. Non-Gambians 13% of the population. Religions: Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, animists. Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula (Pulaar), Jola, other indigenous languages. Literacy: 38% Natural resources: Fish, titanium, tin, zircon, silica sand. Agriculture products: Peanuts, rice, millet, sorghum, fish, palm kernels, vegetables, livestock, forestry. Industries: Peanut products, construction, telecommunications, brewing; tourism. Exports - commodities: peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels Exports - partners: China 47.6%, India 27.2%, France 5.9%, UK 4.9% (2015) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment Imports - partners: China 34.2%, Brazil 8.1%, Senegal 6.9%, India 5.7%, Netherlands 4.8% (2015) Currency: Dalasi (GMD)

Georgia is a southeastern U.S. state whose terrain spans coastal beaches, farmland and mountains. Capital city Atlanta is home of the Georgia Aquarium and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times. The city of Savannah is famed for its 18th- and 19th-century architecture and leafy public squares. Augusta hosts the Masters golf tournament. Capital: Atlanta Abbreviation: GA Zip code: 30627 Population: 10.52 million (2018) Points of interest: Georgia Aquarium, Rock City Gardens, MORE

. Official Name: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland int'l long form: Federal Republic of Germany int'l short form: Germany former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich. ISO Country Code: DE - DEU - .de Time zone: Central European Time (CET) Local Time: CET = UTC +1hour Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2hours) Country Calling Code: +49 Capital City: Berlin Former (transitional) Capital City: Bonn Major Cities: Bremen (population 543 000) Dortmund (population 592 000) Dresden, Düsseldorf (population 568,000) Essen (population 603 000) Frankfurt (population 644 000) Hamburg (population 1.7 million) Hannover (population 516 000) Köln (population 964 000) München (population 1.2 million) Stuttgart (population 582 000) Government type: Democratic-parliamentary federal state Founded: 1949 (Basic Law, Constitution, promulgated on 23 May 1949) On the 3rd October 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic unified in accordance with Article 23 of the FRG Basic Law. Geography: Location: Central Europe bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea in north. Area: 357 031 kilometers² or (137 850 square miles) Terrain: Low plain in the north; high plains, hills, and basins in the center and east; mountainous alpine region in the south. Highest mountain: Zugspitze 2 962 m. Climate: Generally moderate continental climate without sustained periods of cold or heat, maritime climate in the North, in the South mountain climate in the Alpine regions. People: Nationality: German's Population: 81,7 million (estimated as of year 2015) Ethnic groups: Primarily German; Danish minority in the north, Sorbian (Slavic) minority in the east; 8.2 million foreign residents, 10% of the population (2015) Religions: Protestants (27.9 million) Catholics (27.3 million) approximately 3.2 million Muslims. Language: German, second languages: English, French, Turkish. Natural resources: Coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land. Agriculture products: Potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry. Industries: Among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles. Exports - commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, metals, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and plastic products. Exports partners: USA 9.6%, France 8.6%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6.6%, China 6%, Italy 4.9%, Austria 4.8%, Poland 4.4%, Switzerland 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, data processing equipment, vehicles, chemicals, oil and gas, metals, electric equipment, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agricultural products. Imports partners: Netherlands 13.7%, France 7.6%, China 7.3%, Belgium 6%, Italy 5.2%, Poland 5%, USA 4.7%, Czech Republic 4.5%, UK 4.2%, Austria 4.2%, Switzerland 4.2% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)

. Official Name: Republic of Ghana short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast ISO Country Code: gh Time: Time Zone: Local Time = UTC (+-0; no UTC/GMT offset) Country Calling Code: +233 Capital City: Accra Other Cities: Kumasi (estimated population 1 million ), Tema (estimated population 500,000), Sekondi-Takoradi (estimated population 370,000). Government: Type: Multiparty Democracy. Independence: 6 March 1957. Constitution: Entered into force 7 January 1993. Geography: Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. Area: 238,391 km² (92,100 square miles). Terrain: Plains and scrubland, rainforest, savanna. Climate: Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north. People: Nationality: Ghanaian or Ghanaian's. Population: 28.3 million (2016) Ethnic groups: Akan, Ewe, Ga, Moshi-Dagomba. Religions: Christian 69%, Muslim 15%, traditional and indigenous beliefs 9%. Languages: English (official), Akan (which includes Asante Twi, Akwapim Twi, Akyem, and Fanti) 49%, Mole-Dagbani 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga-Adangbe 8%, Guan 4%, others 10%. Literacy: 70% Natural resources: Gold, timber, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish. Agriculture products: Cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber Industries: Mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building. Exports - commodities: oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticultural products Exports - partners: India 25.2%, Switzerland 12.2%, China 10.6%, France 5.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, refined petroleum, foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 32.6%, Nigeria 14%, Netherlands 5.5%, USA 5.4% (2015) Currency: Cedi (GHC)

. Official Name: Elliniki Dhimokratia short form: Ellas or Ellada int'l long form: Hellenic Republic int'l short form: Greece former: Kingdom of Greece ISO Country Code: gr, grc Time: Time Zone: EET - Eastern European Time Local Time: UTC +2hours DST from March - October; UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +30 Capital City: Athens Greater Athens (population 3 566 000) Athens Municipality of Athens - local government cultural executive body. Other Cities: Thessaloniki (750 000), Piraeus (880 000), Patras (170 000), Larissa (113 000), Iraklion (132 000). Government: Type: Parliamentary republic. Independence: 1830 (from the Ottoman Empire). Constitution: 11. June 1975, amended March 1986, April 2001. Geography: Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey. Area: 132,000 km² (51,146 sq. mi.). Terrain: Mountainous interior with coastal plains; 1,400 plus islands. Highest point: Mytikas on Mount Olympus Climate: Mediterranean; mild, wet winter and hot, dry summer. People: Population: 11,5 million (as of 2016) Languages: Greek 99% (official); Turkish (Northern Greece), English. Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%. Literacy: 95%. Natural resources: Bauxite, lignite, magnesite, oil, marble; Agriculture Products. Agriculture products: Wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products. Industries: Tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum. Exports - commodities: food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Exports - partners: Italy 11.2%, Germany 7.3%, Turkey 6.6%, Cyprus 5.9%, Bulgaria 5.2%, USA 4.8%, UK 4.2%, Egypt 4% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Germany 10.7%, Italy 8.4%, Russia 7.9%, Iraq 7%, China 5.9%, Netherlands 5.5%, France 4.5% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)

Greenland is a massive island and autonomous Danish territory between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Much of its land surface is covered in ice. Most of its small population lives along the ice-free, fjord-lined coast, particularly in the southwest. Its northerly position, largely above the Arctic Circle, results in natural phenomena such as summer’s midnight sun and winter’s Northern Lights. Capital: Nuuk Population: 56,171 (2017) World Bank Continent: North America Points of interest: Northeast Greenland National Park, MORE Official language: Greenlandic

. Official Name: Grenada Amerindian Name: Camerhogne ISO Country Code: gd Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Actual Time: Mon-Sept-3 16:37 Country Calling Code: +1 473 Capital City: Saint George's (estimated population 33 000) Government: Type: Constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament. Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK). Constitution: 19 December 1973 Coming into operation 7 February 1974. Geography: Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago, and south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Area: 344 km² (133 sq mi) Terrain: Three volcanic islands (Grenada and the smaller islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique) with mountainous rainforest. Climate: Tropical; tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. People: Nationality: Grenadian or Grenadian's. Population: 107,000 (2015) Ethnic groups: African descent (75%), some South Asians (East Indians) and Europeans, trace Arawak/Carib Indian. Religions: Roman Catholic, various Protestant denominations, Islam, Rastafarianism. Languages: English (official). Literacy: 95% Natural resources: Timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors. Agriculture products: Bananas, cocoa, spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables. Industries: Food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction. Exports partners: Saint Lucia 12.7%, USA 12.2%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.7%, Netherlands 7.9%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 7.8%, Dominica 7.8%, Germany 7.1%, France 4.6% (2004) Imports partners: Trinidad and Tobago 29.6%, USA 27.8%, UK 4.8% (2004) Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

. Official Name: République de Guinee local short form: Guinee international long form: Republic of Guinea international short form: Guinea former: French Guinea ISO Country Code: gn, GIN Local Time: UTC +0hour Country Calling Code: +224 Capital City: Conakry (populaiton 1.5 million). Other Cities: Guéckédou (populaiton 350 000), Boké (populaiton 300 000), Kindia (populaiton 280 000), N'Zérékoré (populaiton 300 000), Macenta (populaiton 280 000), Mamou, Kankan (populaiton 270 000), Labe (populaiton 250 000). Government: Type: Military regime. Independence: 2 October 1958. Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April 1984. In December 2008 following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup to seiz power. He suspended the constitution as well as political and union activity. Geography: Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Area: 245,860 sq. km. (95,000 sq. mi.) Terrain: Generally flat along the coast and mountainous in the interior. The country's four geographic regions include a narrow coastal belt; pastoral highlands (the source of West Africa's major rivers); the northern savanna; and the southeastern rain forest. Climate: Tropical. Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with a northeasterly Harmattan, a dry and dusty West African trade wind.. People: Nationality: Guinean or Guinean's Population: 10.6 million (2015) Ethnic groups: Fulani 40.3%; Malinke 25.8%; Susu 11.0%; Kissi 6.5%; Kpelle 4.8%, other ethnic groups 11.6%. Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian, traditional beliefs. Languages: French (official); Eight national languages, Soussou (Susu, in coastal Guinea), Peulh (Fulani, in Northrn Guinea), Maninka (Upper Guinea), Kissi (Kissidougou Region), Toma and Guerze (Kpelle) in rain forest Guinea; plus various ethnic groups with their own language. Literacy: 28% to 35%. Natural resources: Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, water power, uranium, fisheries. Agriculture products: Rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber. Industries: Bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries. Exports - commodities: bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Exports - partners: India 22.5%, Spain 8.2%, Ireland 7.3%, Germany 6.2%, Belgium 5.5%, Ukraine 5.3%, France 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 20.4%, Netherlands 5.4%, India 4.4% (2015) Currency: Guinea Franc (GNF)

. Official Name: República da Guiné-Bissau short form: Guiné-Bissau international long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau international short form: Guinea-Bissau formerly: Portuguese Guinea (until 1974) ISO Country Code: gw, GNB Time: Local Time: UTC (no GMT time offset) Country Calling Code: +245 Capital City: Bissau Other Cities: Bolama (former capital of Portuguese Guinea until 1941) Bafata, Gabu, Canchungo, Farim, Cacheu. Government: Type: Republic, multi-party since 1991. Independence: 24 September 1973 (proclaimed unilaterally); 10 September 1974 (de jure from Portugal). Geography: Location: Western Africa, between Guinea and Senegal, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. Area: (including Bijagós Archipelago): 36,000 km² (14,000 sq. mi). Regions: Oio, Tombali, Cacheu, Bolama, Quinara, Biombo, Bafata, Gabu. Terrain: Almost all of Guinea-Bissau is low-lying and bathed daily by tidal waters that reach as much as 62 miles (100 kilometres) inland; savanna in the east. Climate: Tropical; generally hot and humid; rainy season (Jun - Nov) People: Nationality: Bissau-Guinean or Bissau-Guinean's Population: 1.54 million (2016) Ethnic groups: Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%, others 16%. Religions: Indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%. Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, French, many indigenous languages: Balanta-Kentohe 26%; Pulaar 18%; Mandjak 12%; Mandinka 11%; Pepel 9%; Biafada; Mancanha; Bidyogo; Ejamat; Mansoanka; Bainoukgunyuno; Nalu; Soninke; Badjara; Bayote%; Kobiana; Cassanga, Basary. Literacy: 40% Natural resources: Fish and timber. Deposits of bauxite and phosphate are not exploited; offshore petroleum. Agriculture products: Cashews, tropical fruits, rice, peanuts, cotton, palm oil. Industries: Very little industrial capacity. Exports - commodities: bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Exports - partners: India 22.5%, Spain 8.2%, Ireland 7.3%, Germany 6.2%, Belgium 5.5%, Ukraine 5.3%, France 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 20.4%, Netherlands 5.4%, India 4.4% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

. Official Name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana short form: Guyana former: British Guiana ISO Country Code: gy, GUY Time: Local Time: UTC -4hours Country Calling Code: +592 Capital City: Georgetown (population 250 000) Other Cities: Linden (population 29,000) and New Amsterdam (population 18,000) Government: Type: Republic within the Commonwealth. Independence: 26 May 1966; Republic, 23 February 1970. Constitution: 1980 Geography: Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Area: 215,000 sq. km. (83 000 square miles) Terrain: Coastal plain, inland highlands, rain forest, savanna. Climate: Equatorial tropical. People: Nationality: Guyanese Population: 748.000 (2012) Ethnic groups: East Indian origin 49%, African origin 32%, mixed 12%, Amerindian 6%, White and Chinese 1%. Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%. Languages: English, Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (primarily Carib and Arawak). Literacy: 96.5% of adults who have attended school. Natural resources: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish. Agriculture products: Sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimp. Industries: Bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining. Exports - commodities: sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Exports - partners: USA 33.5%, Canada 17.9%, UK 6.7%, Ukraine 4.3%, Jamaica 4% (2015) Imports - commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Imports - partners: USA 24.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 24.1%, China 10.8%, Suriname 9.5% (2015) Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)

. Official Name: Repiblik Dayti - République d'Haïti short form: Dayti (Haitian Creole), Haïti int'l long form: Republic of Haiti int'l short form: Haiti ISO Country Code: ht Time: Local Time: UTC -5hours Country Calling Code: +509 Capital City: Port-au-Prince (population 2 million) Other Cities: Cap Haitien (pop. 600 000), Cayes, Gonaïves, Jacmel, Saint-Marc, Jérémie. Government: Type: Republic with an elected government. Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France). Constitution of the Republic of Haiti: March 1987. Geography: Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Area: 27,750 km² (10,714 square miles) Ile de la Gonave and Ile de la Tortue comprise Haiti's principal offshore territories. Terrain: Rugged mountains with small coastal plains and river valleys, and a large east-central elevated plateau. Climate: Tropical, semiarid, high humidity in many coastal areas, mountains in east cut off trade winds. People: Nationality: Haitian or Haitian's Population: 10 million (2010) Ethnic groups: African descent 95%, African and European descent 5%. Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16%, voudou (voodoo) practices pervasive, recognized by the government since 2003. Languages: Creole and French (official). Literacy: 50% (est.) Natural resources: Bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble. Agricultural Products: coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, cacao, sorghum, pulses, other fruits and vegetables. Agriculture products: Coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum, wood. Industries: Sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts. Currency: Gourde (HTG)

. Official Name: República de Honduras short form: Honduras international long form: Republic of Honduras ISO Country Code: hn Local Time: UTC -6hours Country Calling Code: +504 Capital City: Tegucigalpa (population 850 000); metropolitan area 1.2 million. Other Cities: San Pedro Sula the industrial capital of Honduras, (population 500 000); metropolitan area over 1 million. Government: Type: Democratic constitutional republic. Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 1982. Geography: Location: Central America/Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua. Area: 112,492 km² (43,433 square miles) Terrain: Mountainous. Climate: Tropical to subtropical, depending on elevation. People: Nationality: Honduran or Honduran's Population: 8.5 million (2015) Ethnic groups: 90% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European); others of European, Arab, African, or Asian ancestry; and indigenous Indians 7%. Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority. Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects. Literacy: 72%. Natural resources: Timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower. Agriculture-products: Bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp. Exports - commodities: coffee, apparel, coffee, shrimp, automobile wire harnesses, cigars, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber Exports - partners: US 36%, Germany 8.7%, El Salvador 8.5%, Guatemala 6%, Nicaragua 5.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: communications equipment, machinery and transport, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: US 35.2%, China 13.6%, Guatemala 9.2%, Mexico 6.6%, El Salvador 5.1% (2015) Currency: Lempira (HNL)

. Official Name: Hong Kong in Chinese: 香港 conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local short form: Xianggang local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu Dependency status: special administrative region of China (SAR) ISO Country Code: hk, HKG Local Time: UTC +8hours Country Calling Code: +852 Government type: since 1 July 1997 a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with its own constitution (the Basic Law) Geography: Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Area: 1,100 kilometers², Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and numerous small islands. Terrain: Hilly to mountainous, with steep slopes and natural harbor. Climate: Tropical monsoon. Cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall. People: Population: 7.4 million (estimated as of year 2017) Ethnic groups: Chinese 95% and the other is 5% Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Languages: Yue (Cantonese Chinese) and English are official. Literacy: 92% Natural resources: Outstanding deepwater harbor. Agriculture products: Fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, pork. Industries: Textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks. Exports - commodities: electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material Exports - partners: China 53.7%, US 9.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is reexported) Imports - partners: China 49%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 6.1%, US 5.2%, South Korea 4.3% (2015) Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

. Official Name: Magyar Koztarsasag short form: Magyarország international long form: Republic of Hungary international short form: Hungary ISO Country Code: hu, hun Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) Local Time: UTC +1hour (Summer: UTC +2hours) Country Calling Code: +36 Capital City: Budapest (estimated population 2 million) Other Cities: Debrecen (population 220,000); Miskolc (population 208,000); Szeged (population 189,000); Pecs (population183,000). Government: Type: Republic. Constitution: August 20, 1949. Substantially rewritten in 1989, amended in 1990. Geography: Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania. Area: 93,028 km² (35,918 square miles.) Terrain: Mostly flat, with low mountains in the north and northeast and north of Lake Balaton. Climate: Temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers. People: Nationality: Hungarian or Hungarian's'. Population: 9.8 million (2015) Ethnic groups: Magyar 92%, Romany 4% (est.), German 2%, Slovak 1%, others 1%. Religions: Roman Catholic 68%, Calvinist 21%, Lutheran 4%, Jewish 1%, others, including Baptist Adventist, Pentecostal, Unitarian 3%. Languages: Magyar 98%, other 2%. Literacy: 99%. Natural resources: Bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land. Agriculture products: Wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products. Industries: Mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles. Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 53.5%, other manufactures 31.2%, food products 8.7%, raw materials 3.4%, fuels and electricity 3.9% (2012 est.) Exports - partners: Germany 28%, Romania 5.4%, Slovakia 5.1%, Austria 5%, Italy 4.8%, France 4.7%, UK 4%, Czech Republic 4% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 45.4%, other manufactures 34.3%, fuels and electricity 12.6%, food products 5.3%, raw materials 2.5% (2012) Imports - partners: Germany 25.8%, China 6.7%, Austria 6.6%, Poland 5.5%, Slovakia 5.3%, France 5%, Czech Republic 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2015) Currency: Forint (HUF)

. Official Name: Lydhveldidh Island local short form: Island international long form: Republic of Iceland international short form: Iceland ISO Country Code: is, isl Local Time: UTC +0hour Country Calling Code: +354 Capital City: Reykjavik The Municipality of Reykjavik (populaiton 112,000). Other Cities: Kopavogur (populaiton 24,950), Hafnarfjordur (populaiton 20,675), Akureyri (populaiton 15,840). Government: Type: Semi-presidential, parliamentary. Independence: 1918 (became "sovereign state" under Danish Crown); 1944 (establishment of republic). Geography: Location: Iceland is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean east of Greenland and immediately south of the Arctic Circle. Area: 103,000 km² (39,600 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Ireland. Terrain: Rugged. Highest elevation: Hvannadalshnjukur at Vatnajokull Glacier, at 2,119 meters (6,952 ft.). Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers. People: Nationality: Icelandic or Icelander's Population: 337,000 (as of year 2016) Ethnic group: Relatively homogenous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts. Religion: Evangelical Lutheran, 87%. Language: Icelandic. Literacy: 100%. Natural resources: Marine products, hydroelectric and geothermal power, diatomite. Agriculture products: Potatoes, green vegetables, mutton, dairy products, fish. Industries: Fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism. Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 40%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite (2010 est.) Exports - partners: Netherlands 26.1%, UK 11.6%, Spain 11.5%, Germany 7.4%, France 5.7%, US 5.7%, Norway 4.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: Norway 10.1%, Germany 8.6%, US 7.9%, China 7.9%, Denmark 7.1%, Netherlands 5.9%, Brazil 5.8%, UK 5% (2015) Currency: Iceland Krona (ISK)

. Official Name: Bharat Ganarajya local short form: Bharat Int'l conventional long form: Republic of India Int'l conventional short form: India ISO Country Code: in Local Time: UTC +5:30hours Country Calling Code: +91 Capital City: Delhi The Municipality of Delhi (population 21 million) Other Cities: Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (formerly Bombay, pop. 18 million) Chennai, formerly Madras (population 9 million) Kolkata (Metro Kolkata population 14 million) Bengaluru formerly Bangalore (population 8.5 million) Hyderabad (population 5 million) Ahmedabad (population 3.7 million) Government type: Federal Republic Independence: 15 August 1947 (from United Kingdom) Geography: Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Area: 3.3 million kilometers² or (1.3 million square miles) Terrain: varies from Himalayas to flat river valleys. Climate: Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north. People: Nationality: Indian's Population (estimated as of year 2017) 1,339 million urban population 27%, rural population 73%. Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid 2%. Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5%. Languages: Hindi, English, and 20 other official languages. Literacy: 65%. Natural resources: Coal, iron, manganese, mica, bauxite, chromite, thorium, limestone, barite, titanium ore, diamonds, crude oil. Agriculture products: Rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish. Industries: Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software. Exports - commodities: petroleum products, precious stones, vehicles, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, cereals, apparel Exports - partners: USA 15.2%, UAE 11.4%, Hong Kong 4.6% (2015) Imports - commodities: crude oil, precious stones, machinery, chemicals, fertilizer, plastics, iron and steel Imports - partners: China 15.5%, UAE 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Switzerland 5.3%, USA 5.2% (2015) Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)

. Official Name: Republik Indonesia short form: Indonesia international long form: Republic of Indonesia international short form: Indonesia formerly: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies ISO Country Code: id Time: Local Time: UTC +7hours to UTC +9hours Country Calling Code: +62 Capital City: Jakarta (Special Capital City Region of Jakarta), situated on the island of Java (pop. est. 8.8 million) Other Cities: Surabaya, Medan, Bandung Government: Type: Independent republic. Independence: 17 August 1945 Indonesia proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, the country became legally independent from the Netherlands. Constitution: 1945. Geography: Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Largest islands: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes), New Guinea. Area: 2 million km² (736 000 square miles) Terrain: More than 17 000 islands; 6 000 are inhabited; 1 000 of which are permanently settled. Large islands consist of coastal plains with mountainous interiors. Climate: tropical; hot, humid; cooler in the highlands. People: Nationality: Indonesian or Indonesian's Population: 258 million (2016) Ethnic groups: 45% Javanese, 14% Sudanese, 7.5% Madurese and 26% other ethnic groups. Religions: Islam 87%, Protestant 6%, Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist and other 1%. Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, akin to Malay), English, Dutch, plus 583 dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese. Literacy: 88.5 Natural resources: Petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver. Agriculture products: Rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra, poultry, beef, pork, eggs. Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism. Exports - commodities: mineral fuels, animal or vegetable fats (includes palm oil), electrical machinery, rubber, machinery and mechanical appliance parts. Exports - partners: Japan 12%, USA 10.8%, China 10%, Singapore 8.4%, India 7.8%, South Korea 5.1%, Malaysia 5.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: mineral fuels, boilers, machinery, and mechanical parts, electric machinery, iron and steel, foodstuffs. Imports - partners: China 20.6%, Singapore 12.6%, Japan 9.3%, Malaysia 6%, South Korea 5.9%, Thailand 5.7%, US 5.3% (2015) Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

. Official Name: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran short form: Iran int'l long form: Islamic Republic of Iran former: Persia ISO Country Code: ir, irn Time: Local Time: UTC +3.5hours Summer UTC +4.5hours Country Calling Code: +98 Capital City: Tehran Other Cities: Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Shiraz. Government: Type: Islamic republic. Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) Constitution: Ratified December 1979, revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership. Geography: Location: Middle East bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea. Area: 1.6 million km² (636,294 square miles) Terrain: Desert and mountains. Climate: Semiarid; subtropical along the Caspian coast. People: Nationality: Iranian or Iranian's. Population: 79 million (in 2017). GNI per capita PPP: $ 8 065 (year) Ethnic groups: Persians 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%. Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%; Sunni Muslim 9%; Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2%. Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other. Literacy: 80% Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur. Agriculture products: Wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar. Industries: Petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabrication, armaments. Exports - commodities: petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets, cement, ore Exports - partners: China 22.2%, India 9.9%, Turkey 8.4%, Japan 4.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: industrial supplies, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services Imports - partners: UAE 39.6%, China 22.4%, South Korea 4.7%, Turkey 4.6% (2015) Currency: Iranian Rial (IRR)

. Official Name: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah short form: Al Iraq international long form: Republic of Iraq international short form: Iraq ISO Country Code: iq Local Time: UTC+3hours Daylight Saving Time (DST) April - 1 Oct (UTC +4hours) Country Calling Code: +964 Capital City: Baghdad (estimated population 5 million) Other Cities: Basrah, Mosul, Kirkuk, As Sulaymaniyah, Irbil Government: The Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) assumed sovereign authority for governing Iraq on 28 June 2004. Independence: 1932 (from British mandate) Constitution: Interim constitution, 8 March 2004: "The National Assembly shall write the draft of the permanent constitution by no later than 15 August 2005." Geography: Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait. Area: 438,317 km²; about the size of California. Terrain: Alluvial plains, mountains, and desert, with many holes caused by various organizations in search for weapons of mass destruction. Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq. People: Nationality: Iraqi or Iraqi's Population: 33,330,000 (2011 est.) Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurd 15%-20%, Turkman, Chaldean, Assyrian, or others less than 5% Religions: Shia Muslim 60%, Sunni Muslim 32%-37%, Christian 3%, Jewish and Yezidi less than 1% Languages: Arabic (official); more than 70% are Arabic speakers, Kurdish (official since 28 June 2004), Assyrian, Armenian Literacy: 58%. Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur. Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep. Industries: Petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing. Currency: New Iraqi Dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004.

. Official Name: Poblacht na héireann - Republic of Ireland short form: Éire, Ireland international long form: Republic of Ireland international short form: Ireland ISO Country Code: ie, irl Time: Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Local Time: UTC +0hours Daylight Saving Time (DST): March - October (UTC +1hours) Country Calling Code: +353 Capital City: Dublin (city population 528,000 Dublin city & suburbs population 1,110,000 Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) Searchable map of Dublin. Other Cities: Cork (population 123,338), Galway (population 66 000), Limerick (population 54 000), Waterford (population 44 000). Government: Type: Parliamentary republic. Independence: 6 Decembe 1921. Constitution: 29 December 1937. Geography: Location: Northern Europe, Northwest of UK Area: 70,273 km² (27,136 square miles) Terrain: Arable 10%, meadows and pastures 77%, rough grazing in use 11%, inland water 2%. Climate: Temperate maritime, mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time. People: Nationality: Irishman, Irishwoman. or Irish. Population: 4.6 (2015) Ethnic Groups: Irish, with English minority. Religions: Roman Catholic 88.4%; Church of Ireland 3.0%; other 8.7%. Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic) Literacy: 99% Natural resources: Natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite. Agriculture products: Turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products. Industries: Food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software. Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals; foodstuffs, animal products Exports - partners: USA 23.7%, UK 13.8%, Belgium 13.2%, Germany 6.6%, Switzerland 5.5%, Netherlands 4.4%, France 4.4% (2015) Imports - commodities: data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing Imports - partners: UK 32.5%, USA 14%, France 10.2%, Germany 9.3%, Netherlands 4.9%, China 4.1% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)

. Official Name: Medinat Yisra'el short form: Yisra'el int'l long form: State of Israel int'l short form: Israel ISO Country Code: il, isr Time: Local Time: UTC +2hours Daylight Saving Time (DST) April - Oktober (UTC +3ours) Country Calling Code: +972 Capital City: Jerusalem (Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950. But nearly all countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv) Other Cities: Haifa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv Government type: Parliamentary democracy Independence: 14 May 1948 Constitution: no formal constitution Geography: Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon. Area: 22,000 kilometers² or (8,494 square miles) including the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem. Terrain: Israel has plains, mountains, deserts, and a coast. Climate: Temperate, except in desert areas. People: Nationality: Israeli's Population: 8.6 million (estimated as of year 2017) Ethnic groups: Jewish and non Arab Christians: 80%; Arabs 20%. Religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Druze Languages: Hebrew (official) Arabic (official) Russian, English Literacy: total population 95% (female 93% and male 97%) Natural resources: Timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand. Agriculture products: Citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products. Industries: High-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, diamond cutting. Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel. Exports - partners: USA 27.5%, Hong Kong 8%, UK 6.1%, China 4.9% (2015) Imports - commodities: raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods. Imports - partners: USA 13%, China 9.3%, Switzerland 7.1%, Germany 6.1%, Belgium 5.3%, Italy 4% (2015) Currency: (New) Israeli Sheqel (ILS)

. Official Name: Repubblica Italiana short form: Italia int'l long form: Italian Republic int'l short form: Italy former: Kingdom of Italy ISO Country Code: it, ita Local Time: UTC +1hour Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2ours) Country Calling Code: +39 Capital City: Rome (population 2.8 million) Other Cities: Italian Cities Government type: Republic since 2 June 1946. Constitution: 1 January 1948. Geography: Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea. Area: 301,318 kilometers² or (116,303 square miles) Terrain: Peninsula, mostly rugged and mountainous. Climate: Generally mild mediterranean; cold winters in the north. People: Nationality: Italian's Population: 60.8 million (2016) Ethnic groups: Primarily Italian, but there are small groups of German, French, Slovene, and Albanian-Italians. Religion: Roman Catholic (majority) Language: Italian. Literacy: 98%. Natural resources: Mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal, arable land. Agriculture products: Fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish. Industries: Tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics. Exports - commodities: engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco; minerals, nonferrous metals Exports - partners: Germany 12.3%, France 10.3%, USA 8.7%, UK 5.4%, Spain 4.8%, Switzerland 4.7% (2015) Imports - commodities: engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, tobacco Imports - partners: Germany 15.4%, France 8.7%, China 7.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, Spain 5%, Belgium 4.7% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR) has replaced the formerly used Italian Lira.

. Official Name: Republique du Côte d'Ivoire short form: Côte d'Ivoire int'l long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire int'l short form: Cote d'Ivoire (or Ivory Coast) ISO Country Code: ci, CIV Time: Local Time: UTC +0hour Country Calling Code: +225 Capital City: Yamoussoukro, Abidjan (the economic capital and de facto political capital) Other Cities: Bouaké, Daloa, Gagnoa, Korhogo, Man, San Pedro. Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 7 August 1960. Geography: Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia. Area: 322,500 km² (124 500 square miles) Terrain: Forested, undulating, hilly in the west. Climate: Tropical, semiarid in far north. People: Nationality: Ivoirian or Ivoirian's. Population: 22.7 million (2015) Ethnic groups: More than 60; main groups are Akan 40%, Voltaiques (Gur) 18%, Northern Mandes 17%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 3%. Religions: Indigenous 10%-20%, Muslim 35%-40%, Christian 25%-35%. Languages: French (official); five principal language groups, the main ones are Diula (Dioula), Baule (Baoulé), Dan, Anyin and Senari. Literacy: 50% Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower. Agriculture products: main export goods are coffee and cocoa beans, other products are: bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber and timber. Industries: Foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair. Exports - commodities: cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish. Exports partners: USA 8.5%, Netherlands 6.2%, France 5.6%, Germany 5.6%, Nigeria 5.5%, Burkina Faso 5.5%, Belgium 5.3%, India 4.6%, Ghana 4.4%, Switzerland 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs. Imports partners: Nigeria 21.9%, China 14.4%, France 11.4%, Bahamas, The 5% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

. Official Name: Jamaica ISO Country Code: jm, JAM Time: Local Time: UTC -5hours Country Calling Code: +1 876 Capital City: Kingston (population 630 000) Other Cities: Montego Bay (population 97 000), Negril. Government: Type: Constitutional parliamentary democracy. Independence: 6 August 1962 (from the UK). At Independence, Jamaica became a member of the Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. The Queen is represented in Jamaica by the Governor-General. Geography: Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. Area: 11,000 km² (4,247 square miles) Terrain: Mountainous, less than one-fifth of the land is relatively flat. Climate: Jamaica's climate is tropical marine. The mountainous terrain, the north-east trade winds and land-sea breezes modify the climate. People: Nationality: Jamaican or Jamaican's Population: 2.7 million (as of 2015) Ethnic Groups: multi-ethnic society, with blacks predominating - 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, Chinese 0.2%, White 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%. Religions: Anglican, Baptist and other Protestant, Roman Catholic, Rastafarian, Jewish. Languages: English (official), most Jamaicans speak an English-based dialect which is known as patois. Literacy: 80% Natural resources: Bauxite, gypsum, limestone. Agriculture products: Sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, vegetables, poultry, goats, milk, crustaceans, and mollusks. Industries: Tourism, bauxite/alumina, textiles, agro processing, wearing apparel, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications. Exports - commodities: alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, apparel, mineral fuels Exports - partners: USA 24.4%, Canada 16.5%, Russia 9.3%, Netherlands 8.9%, Iceland 7.2%, UK 6.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials Imports - partners: USA 32.6%, Venezuela 12.4%, China 12%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.1% (2015) Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD

. Official Name: Japan Local Name: Nihon (Nippon) Local Formal Name: Nihon Koku ISO Country Code: jp Local Time: UTC +9hours Country Calling Code: +81 Capital City: Tokyo Other Cities: Chiba, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Sendai, Yokohama. Government type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. Constitution: 3 May 1947. Independence: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu, held as official dogma until 1945.) Geography: Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan (East Sea), east of the Korean Peninsula. Area: 377 864 square kilometers or (145 902 square miles) Terrain: Rugged, mountainous islands. Highest peak: Mount Fuji (富士山, Fuji-san) Climate: Varies from subtropical to temperate. People: Nationality: Japanese. Population: (2016) 126.9 million. Ethnic groups: Japanese. Religions: Shinto and Buddhist. Language: Japanese (Nihongo) Literacy: 99%. Natural resources: Negligible mineral resources, fish. Agriculture products: Rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit, pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs, fish. Industries: Among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods. Exports - commodities: motor vehicles 14.9%; iron and steel products 5.4%; semiconductors 5%; auto parts 4.8%; power generating machinery 3.5%; plastic materials 3.3% (2014 est.) Exports - partners: USA 20.2%, China 17.5%, South Korea 7.1%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Thailand 4.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum 16.1%; liquid natural gas 9.1%; clothing 3.8%; semiconductors 3.3%; coal 2.4%; audio and visual apparatus 1.4% (2014 est.) Imports - partners: China 24.8%, USA 10.5%, Australia 5.4%, South Korea 4.1% (2015) Currency: Yen (JPY)

. Official Name: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah short form: Al Urdun int'l short form: Jordan int'l long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan formerly: Transjordan ISO Country Code: jo, jor Local Time: UTC +2hours Daylight Saving Time (DST) 31 March - 21 October 2005 (UTC +3hours) Country Calling Code: +962 Capital City: Amman (population 1 million) Other Cities: Irbid (pop. 281 000), Az-Zarqa (pop. 421 000) Government: Type: Constitutional Monarchy Independence: 25 May 1946 Constitution: 8 January 1952 Geography: Location Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, east of Israel Area: 89,342 km² (34,495 square miles) Climate: Mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) People: Nationality: Jordanian or Jordanian's Population 6.2 million (2012) Ethnic groups: Mostly Arab but small communities of Circassians (Adyghe), Armenians, and Kurds. Religions: Sunni Muslim 96%, Christian 4%. Languages: Arabic (official), English. Literacy: 90% Natural resources: Phosphates, potash, shale oil. Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry. Industries: Phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, tourism. Exports - commodities: textiles, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: USA 21%, Saudi Arabia 16.5%, Iraq 10.3%, India 8.7%, UAE 4.8%, Kuwait 4.4% (2015) Imports - commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 15.4%, China 12.8%, USA 6.2%, Germany 4.7%, UAE 4.2% (2015) Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

. Official Name: Qazaqstan Respublikasy short form: Qazaqstan international long form: Republic of Kazakhstan international short form: Kazakhstan ISO Country Code: kz Time: Local Time:UTC +5hours and +6hours Country Calling Code: +7 Capital City: Astana (capital, population 530 000) Other Cities: Almaty (former capital) population 1.2 million, Karaganda population 440 000, Shymkent population 370 000, Taraz population 340 000, Ust-Kamenogorsk population 310 000, Pavlodar population 300 000. Government: Type: Republic; Kazakhstan has a hybrid system of Government that combines aspects of both parliamentary and presidential systems. Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union). Declaration of sovereignty: 25 October 1990. Geography: Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea in west. Area: 2.7 million km² (1.05 million square miles); ninth-largest nation in the world; the size of Western Europe. Terrain: Extends east to west from the Caspian Sea to the Altay Mountains and north to south from the plains of Western Siberia to the oasis and desert of Central Asia. Highest peak: Kan Tengri 6995 m Climate: Continental, cold winters and hot summers; arid and semi-arid. People: Nationality: Kazakhstani. Population: 17,7 million (as of 2016) Ethnic groups: Kazakh 51.8%, Russian 31.4%, Ukrainian 4.4%, Tatar 1.7%, German 1.6%. There are over 100 other nationalities. Religion: Sunni Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%. Languages: Kazakhstan is a bilingual country. Kazakh language has the status of the "state" language, while Russian is declared the "official" language. Russian is used routinely in business; 52% of population speaks Kazakh language. Literacy: 98% Natural resources: Major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium. Agriculture products: Grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock. Industries: Oil, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials. Exports - commodities: oil and oil products, natural gas, ferrous metals, chemicals, machinery, grain, wool, meat, coal Exports - partners: China 15.1%, Russia 12.3%, France 9.2%, Germany 7.9%, Italy 6.7%, Greece 4.1% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 32.9%, China 25.9%, Germany 4.2% (2015) Currency: Tenge (KZT)

. Official Name: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya former: British East Africa. ISO Country Code: ke Local Time: UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +254 Capital City: Nairobi (population 2.1 million) Other Cities: Mombasa (population 665 000), Kisumu (population 504 000), Nakuru (population 1.2 million). Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK). Geography: Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania. Area: 580,000 km² (225,000 square miles) Terrain: From a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean in a series of mountain ridges and plateaus which stand above 3 000 meters (9 000 ft.) in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above Nairobi, opening up to a broad arid plain in the north. Mountain plains cover the south before descending to the shores of Lake Victoria in the west. Highest elevation: Mount Kenya (Kirinyaga, 5199 m) Climate: Varies from the tropical south, west, and central regions to arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast. People: Nationality: Kenyan or Kenyan's Population: 46 million (2015) Ethnic groups: African--Kikuyu 21%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 11%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 5%. Non-African--Asian, European, Arab 1%. Religions: Protestant 40%, Roman Catholic 30%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 10%, . Languages: English, Swahili, more than 40 local ethnic languages. Literacy (in English): 59%. Natural resources: Wildlife, land. Agriculture Products: Tea, coffee, sugarcane, horticultural products. Industries: Small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing; oil refining, cement; tourism. Exports - commodities: tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement. Exports - partners: Uganda 11.2%, USA 8.3%, Tanzania 8.1%, Netherlands 7.4%, UK 6%, Pakistan 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics. Imports - partners: China 30%, India 15.5%, UAE 5.7%, USA 4.8%, Japan 4.7% (2015) Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)

. Official Name: Republic of Kiribati short form: Kiribati note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss former: Gilbert Islands ISO Country Code: ki Time: Local Time: UTC +12hours Note: on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of the International Date Line. Country Calling Code: +686 Capital City: (South) Tarawa (in Gilbertese and English: Teinainano Urban Council or abr. TUC) capital and main island of the Gilbert Group (pop. 30 000) Government: Type: Republic - parliamentary democracy. Self rule granted by UK - 1971 Independence: 12 July 1979 (from United Kingdom). Constitution: 12 July 1979. US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati. Geography: Location: Oceania, Central Pacific Ocean. Area: 726 km² (280 square miles) in 32 atolls and one island. Terrain: Archipelagos of low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs. Climate: Maritime equatorial to tropical, dry season from May through October, rainy season from November through April. People: Nationality: I-Kiribati Population: 100,000 (as of year 2012; UN estimate) Ethnic groups: Micronesian 98%, some Polynesian. Religion: Roman Catholic 53%, Kiribati Protestant 39%. Languages: English (official), Gilbertese/I-Kiribati (de facto). Natural resources: Phosphate (commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979). Agriculture - products: Copra, taro, pandanus, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish. Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)

. Official Name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (D.P.R.K. or North Korea) conventional short form: North Korea local long form: 조선민주주의인민공화국 Chosŏn minjujuŭi-inmin-konghwaguk ISO Country Code: kp, prk Local Time = UTC +9hours Country Calling Code: + 850 Capital: P'yongyang Government: Type: Highly centralized communist state Independence: 9 September 1948 Constitution: 1948; 1972, revised in 1992. Geography: Location: Eastasia Area: 120,538 km² (47,000 square miles) Terrain: About 80% of land area is moderately high mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys and small, cultivated plains. The remainder is lowland plains covering small, scattered areas. Major Cities: Hamhung, Chongjin, Wonsan, Nampo, and Kaesong Climate: Long, cold, dry winters; short, hot, humid, summers. People: Nationality: Korean or Korean's Population: 25 million (2015) Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese and Japanese populations. GNI per capita PPP: $ 1 400 (year) Religions: Buddhism, Shamanism, Chongdogyo, Christian; religious activities have been virtually nonexistent since 1945. Language: Korean Literacy: 99% Natural resources: Coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower. Agriculture products: Rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs. Industries: Military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism. Exports - commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products Exports - partners: China 75.8% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain Imports - partners: China 76.4%, Republic of the Congo 5.5% (2015) Currency: North Korean Won (KPW)

. Official Name: 대한민국 - Taehan-min'guk int'l long form: Republic of Korea int'l short form: South Korea abbreviation: ROK note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer to their country. ISO Country Code: kr, kor Local Time: UTC +9hours Country Calling Code: +82 Capital City: Seoul The Municipality of Seoul (population 11 million) Other Cities: Daejeon (Taejon, population 1.3 million) Incheon (Inchon, population 2.4 million) Gwangju (Kwangju, population 1.4 million) Busan (Pusan, population 3.9 million) Daegu (Taegu, population 2.5 million) Government: Type: Republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. Liberation: 15 August 1945 from Japanese rule. Geography: Location: South Korea occupies the southern part of the Korean peninsula, the peninsula is surrounded by Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and East Sea (Sea of Japan) Area: 99,678 kilometers² or (38 375 square miles) (entire Korean Peninsula including North Korea: 222 154 square kilometers) or (85 774 square miles) Terrain: Partially forested mountain ranges separated by deep, narrow valleys; cultivated plains along the coasts, particularly in the west and south. Highest mountains in S. Korea - Hallasan on Jeju Island, 1950 m. Climate: Temperate, four distinct seasons, and heavier rainfall in the summer. People: Nationality: Korean's Population: 50.8 million (estimated as of year 2016) Population growth rate: 0.6%. Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese minority. Religions: Buddhism 46%, Protestantism 39%, Catholicism 13%, Confucianism 1%, Cheondogyo (the Religion of Heavenly Way) and others 1% Language: Korean, spoken by 70 million people and 5 million overseas Koreans. Writing system: Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, was invented by King Sejong the Great in 1443, consisting of 10 vowels and 14 consonants. Literacy rate: 97.75% (year 2000 estimated) male: 99.1%, female: 96.4% Natural resources: Limited coal, tungsten, iron ore, limestone, kaolinite, and graphite. Agriculture products: Rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish. Industries: Electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel. Exports - commodities: semiconductors, petrochemicals, automobile/auto parts, ships, wireless communication equipment, flat display displays, steel, electronics, plastics, computers Exports - partners: China 26%, USA 13.3%, Hong Kong 5.8%, Vietnam 5.3%, Japan 4.9% (2015) Imports - commodities: crude oil/petroleum products, semiconductors, natural gas, coal, steel, computers, wireless communication equipment, automobiles, fine chemical, textiles Imports - partners: China 20.7%, Japan 10.5%, US 10.1%, Germany 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.5% (2015) Currency: Korean Won (KRW)

. President: Atifete Jahjaga (2011) Prime minister: Isa Mustafa (2014) Total area: 4,211 sq mi (10,908 sq km) Population (2014 est.): 1,859,203 Capital and largest city (2007 est.): Pristina, 400,000 (2007 est.) Other large cities: Prizren, 110,000; Peja, 70,000; Mitrovica, 70,000 Monetary unit: euro (EUR); Serbian Dinar (RSD) is also in circulation

. Official Name: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt Int'l long form: State of Kuwait Int'l short form: Kuwait formerly: Qurain (before the 17th century). ISO Country Code: kw, kwt Local Time: UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +965 Capital City: Kuwait (population about 238,000) Other Towns: Ahmadi, Jahra, Fahaheel. Government: Type: Constitutional Hereditary Amirate (Constitutional monarchy) Independence: 19 June 1961 Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962. Geography: Location: Middle East, in the northwestern corner of the Arabian, or Persian Gulf. Area: 17,818 km² (about 6.880 square miles) Terrain: Flat sandy desert; no rivers or mountains. Climate: Intensely hot and dry in summers; short, cool winters with limited rain. People: Nationality: Kuwaiti or Kuwaiti's Population: 3.7 million, including non-Kuwaiti citizens (2014). GNI per capita PPP: $ 16,297 (year) Ethnic groups: Kuwaitis 1 million (30% of total), Arab, South Asian, Iranian, Southeast Asian. Religion: Islam 85% (most Kuwaiti citizens are Muslim). Languages: Arabic (official); English widely spoken. Literacy: male 82%, female 75%. Natural resources: Petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas. Agriculture products: Practically no crops; fish. Industries: Petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials. Exports - commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers Exports - partners: South Korea 14.5%, China 12.1%, India 12.1%, Japan 10.4%, US 7.6%, Pakistan 5.9%, Singapore 4.3% (2015) Imports - commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing Imports - partners: China 13.2%, US 9.6%, Saudi Arabia 7.7%, Japan 6.5%, Germany 5.1%, France 4.3%, India 4.2% (2015) Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)

. Official Name: Kyrgyz Respublikasy short form: Кыргызстан international long form: Kyrgyz Republic international short form: Kyrgyzstan formerly: Kirghizia ISO Country Code: kg Time: Local Time: UTC +6hours (Bishkek) Country Calling Code: +996 Capital City: Bishkek (formerly Frunze, 825,000) Other Cities: Osh, Cholpon Ata, Karakol. Government: Type: Republic; Bicameral parliament with 60 deputies in upper (legislative) chamber, 45 in lower (representative) chamber. Administrative divisions: 7 oblasts (singular - oblast): Batken oblast (Batken), Chui oblast (Bishkek), Jalalabad oblast (Jalalabad), Naryn oblast (Naryn), Osh oblast (Osh), Talas oblast (Talas), Yssyk-Kul oblast (Karakol). Independence: 31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union). Constitution: 5 May 1993. Geography: Location: Central Asia, landlocked, west of China south of Kazakhstan. Area: 200,000 km² (77,220 square miles) Terrain: Mountainous, Tien Shan mountain range covering approximately 95%; some desert regions. Lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m. Highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m. Climate: Dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone. People: Nationality: Kyrgyzstani. Population: 5.5 million (as of year 2012) Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%. Main religions:Islam, 75%; Russian Orthodox, 20%; other, 5%. Languages: Kyrgyz (official); Russian is de facto second language of communication. Literacy: 97% Natural resources: Abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc. Agriculture products: Tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool. Industries: Small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals. Currency: Som (KGS)

. Official Name: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao short form: Lao int'l long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic abreviation: Lao PDR int'l short form: Lao(s) ISO Country Code: la, LAO Time: Local Time: UTC +7hours Country Calling Code: +856 Capital City: Vientiane - Viangchan (population 640 000) Other Cities: Savannakhet, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Thakhek. Government: Type: Communist state. Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France). Geography: Location: in center of Southeast Asian peninsula, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam. Area: 236,800 km² (91,430 square miles) Terrain: The country has three distinct regions: rugged mountains in north, plateaus, alluvial plains. Highest peak: Phou Bia in Xieng Khouang province 2 800 m. Climate: Tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (November to April). People: Nationality: Lao. Term for Citizens: Laotian or Laotian's. Population: 6.5 million (2015) Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland): 68%; Lao Theung (upland): 22%; Lao Soung (highland) 9%, including the Hmong and the Yao; and ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese: 1%. Religions: Theravada Buddhism, animism among highland groups. Languages: Lao (official), French, various highland ethnic, English. Literacy: 53%. Natural resources: unspoilt tropical forest, timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones. Agriculture products: Rice, sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry. Industries: Tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism. Exports - commodities: wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold, cassava Exports - partners: Thailand 30.4%, China 27%, Vietnam 17.6% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods Imports - partners: Thailand 60.9%, China 18.6%, Vietnam 7.3% (2015) Currency: (New) Kip (LAK)

. Official Name: Latvijas Republika short form: Latvija international long form: Republic of Latvia international short form: Latvia ISO Country Code: lv, LVA Time: Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) Local Time: UTC +2hours DST from March - October (UTC+3) Country Calling Code: +371 Capital City: Riga (population 1.15 million metro area) Other Cities: Daugavpils (population 113 000); Liepaja (population 87 000); Jelgava (population 66 000); Jurmala (population 55 000); Ventspils (population 44 000); Rezekne (population 38 000). Government: Type: Parliamentary Democracy. Constitution: The law "On the Republic of Latvia Status as a State," passed by Parliament on 21 August 1991, provided for the reinstatement of the 1922 constitution. Geography: Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania. Area: 64,589 km² (24,937 square miles) Terrain: Fertile low-lying plains predominate in central Latvia, highlands in Vidzeme and Latgale to the east, and hilly moraine in the western Kurzeme region. Forests cover one-third of the country, with over 3 000 small lakes and numerous bogs. Climate: Temperate, maritime; wet, with four seasons of almost equal length. January temperatures average -5°C (23°F); July 17°C (63°F). People: Nationality: Latvian or Latvian's. Population: 1.95 million (as of year 2017) GNI per capita PPP: $ 12 886 (year) Major ethnic groups: Latvian 58.5%, Russians 29%, Belarusians 3.9%, Ukrainians 2.6%, Poles 2.5%. Religions: Lutheran, Orthodox, Roman Catholic. Languages: Latvian. Russian also is spoken by most people. Literacy: 99% Natural resources: Peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land. Agriculture products: Grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish. Industries: Automotive industry, railroad cars, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, electronics, synthetic fibers, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles. Exports - commodities: foodstuffs, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles. Exports - partners: Lithuania 17.8%, Russia 11.5%, Estonia 11.1%, Germany 6.3%, Poland 5.6%, Sweden 5.2%, UK 5%, Denmark 4% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles. Imports - partners: Lithuania 16.9%, Germany 11.2%, Poland 10.5%, Russia 8.1%, Estonia 7.7%, Finland 5.2%, Netherlands 4% (2015) Currency: Latvian Lat (LVL)

. Official Name: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah short form: Lubnan int'l long form: Lebanese Republic int'l short form: Lebanon ISO Country Code: lb Time: Local Time: UTC +2hours Summer (DST) UTC +3hours Country Calling Code: +961 Capital City: Beirut Other Cities: Tripoli (population 275 000) Sidon (population 110 000) Tyre (Soor) (population 60 000) Zahleh (population 68 000) Government type: Parliamentary Republic. Independence: 22 November 1943. Geography: Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria. Area: 10,452 kilometers² or (4,015 square miles) Terrain: Narrow coastal plain backed by the Lebanon Mountains, the fertile Bekaa Valley, and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, which extend to the Syrian border. Climate: Mediterranean. People: Nationality: Lebanese Population: 4.2 million (2012 UN est.) GNI per capita PPP: $ 6 205 (year) Ethnic groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%. Religions: Christian (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic, other), Muslim (Sunni, Shi'a, other), and Druze. Languages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian. Literacy: 87%. Natural resources: Limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land. Agriculture products: Citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats. Industries: Banking, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating. Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP)

. Official Name: Grand-Duché de Luxembourg short form: Luxembourg, Luxemburg, Lëtzebuerg int'l long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg int'l short form: ISO Country Code: LU, LUX, .lu Time: Local Time: UTC +1hours and on summer +2hours Country Calling Code: +352 Capital City: Luxembourg City (pop. 76,600) Other Cities: Esch-sur-Alzette (pop. 28,200), Differdange (pop. 19,000), Dudelange (pop. 17,800) Government type: Constitutional monarchy. Independence: 1839. Constitution: 1868. Geography: Location: Western Europe; landlocked. Area: 2,586 square kilometers or (999 square miles) Terrain: Continuation of slightly mountainous Belgian Ardennes in the north, in the south the hilly extension of French Lorraine plateau. Climate: Continental, mild summers and moderate snowfall in winter. People: Nationality: Luxembourger's or Luxembourgian Population: 576,000 (estimated as of year 2016) Ethnic groups: Celtic base with French and German blend; large communities of ethnic Portuguese, Italians, French, Belgians, and Germans. Religion: 87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims. Languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German (Official); English is widely spoken. Literacy: 100%. Natural resources: Iron ore, (no longer exploited), timber. Agriculture products: Dairy, wine,potatoes, wheat, fruits, forestry, animal feed crops. Industries: Banking and financial services, steel, chemicals. Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass Exports - partners: Germany 22.1%, Belgium 16.7%, France 16.6%, UK 4.7%, Italy 4.6%, Netherlands 4% (2015) Imports - commodities: commercial aircraft, minerals, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs, luxury consumer goods Imports - partners: Belgium 27.6%, Germany 22.9%, China 11.7%, France 9.5%, USA 8.4%, Netherlands 4.2%, Mexico 4.1% (2015) Currency: Euro (EUR)