BIOT
- .io domain popular with IT startups, generating millions of dollars annually
- Land area extremely small, about half the size within Tokyo's Yamanote Line
- BIOT vehicles drive left, but base also has right-hand traffic
Trivia & Fun Facts
Learn interesting facts and conversation starters about each country.
Africa
Indian Ocean Islands 10
Cocos Islands
- Country name Cocos derives from coconut palms covering the island
- .cc domain used by far more websites than the country's population, popular in IT industry
- One of few places worldwide adopting UTC+6:30 timezone
Comoros
- Country name derives from Arabic 'Qamar' meaning 'moon'
- Comoros produces about 10% of ylang-ylang essential oil sought by world's largest perfume brands
- Grande Comore Island has no permanently flowing rivers
Mayotte
- Has one of the world's largest atoll lagoons, with nearly the entire island surrounded by an enclosed bay
- Over 95% of the island is volcanic in origin, but the last eruption was about 400,000 years ago
- In Mahorian, Mayotte is called 'Mahoré'
TAAF
- Kerguelen Islands have the alternate name "Desolation Islands."
- Antarctic research vessel 'Marion Dufresne' conducts supply voyages only a few times per year.
- World''s largest King Penguin breeding ground is in the Crozet Islands.
Heard and McDonald Islands
- Mawson Peak is Australia's highest active volcano
- There has never been permanent human habitation on the islands
- Rated as one of the world's least impacted by invasive species
Madagascar
- Madagascar supplies approximately 80% of world''s natural vanilla.
- "National bird Vanga is island endemic."
- Capital Antananarivo means "City of a Thousand Warriors."
Maldives
- The average elevation of the country is one of the world''s lowest at approximately 1.5m, with the highest point only 2.4m.
- Of the 26 atolls, Baa Atoll is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- The one-island-one-resort system enables privacy-oriented stays.
Réunion Island
- The three cirques in the island's center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are popular for helicopter tours.
- In 1952, Cilaos recorded a world record of 1,870mm rainfall in 24 hours.
- Bourbon Pointu, a rare coffee variety, originates here and is being revived as a luxury bean.
Seychelles
- The 'Coco de Mer', bearing the world's largest seeds, requires government-issued permits even for naturally fallen nuts.
- Banknotes featuring Aldabra giant tortoises and beautiful fish are popular among collectors.
- Currency code SCR stands for 'Seychelles Rupee', locally called 'rupee'.
Central Africa 11
Burundi
- One of the world's most densely populated landlocked agricultural countries.
- The three stars on the flag represent unity, labor, and progress, as well as the three ethnic groups (Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa).
- Lake Tanganyika is the world's second deepest lake and has many endemic fish species.
Cameroon
- Country name derives from Portuguese word for "shrimp"
- Mount Cameroon is still an active volcano
- Cameroon national football team has most African World Cup appearances
Central African Republic
- The red band of the flag symbolizes national unity, blue and white represent France, green and yellow represent Africa
- Central Africa's motto 'ZO KWE ZO' means 'All people are people' in Sango
- Second country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender
Chad
- Country name derives from Lake Chad, meaning 'great water' in local language.
- Flag extremely similar to Romanian flag.
- Ounianga Lakes in central Sahara are freshwater lakes remaining in world's driest area.
Congo-Brazzaville
- Brazzaville and Kinshasa across the river are the world's two closest capital cities
- One of the world's largest tropical peatlands stretches across northern Likouala Department
- Congo River rapids have high hydroelectric potential but remain undeveloped
DR Congo
- The Congo River is the world's second-largest river by discharge
- The country's land area is roughly equivalent to Western Europe
- Cobalt reserves account for approximately 65% of global total
Equatorial Guinea
- Africa's only country with Spanish as an official language.
- Capital Malabo is on Bioko Island, not on the mainland.
- Joined OPEC in 2017 as one of the newest oil-producing countries.
Gabon
- World's largest natural nuclear reactor "Oklo Natural Reactor" discovered in eastern Gabon.
- Approximately 11% of country designated as national parks.
- Forest area ratio among Africa''s highest at over 88%.
Rwanda
- Rwanda has the world's highest proportion of female MPs in the lower house (over 60%).
- Possession and sale of plastic bags have been legally banned since 2008.
- Major cities are famous for their cleanliness with virtually no litter on the streets.
São Tomé and Príncipe
- Currency code STN was introduced in 2018 with 1000:1 currency reform as "new dobra"
- Second smallest Portuguese-speaking country in the world (smallest is Cape Verde)
- Nearly 90% of electricity comes from small-scale hydroelectric and diesel combined plants
Uganda
- Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake with Uganda possessing 17% of it.
- National bird Grey Crowned Crane known for beautiful courtship dance.
- Coffee is most important export crop with about 1.5 million households engaged in small-scale cultivation.
Northern Africa 5
Algeria
- The country name derives from the capital Algiers (الجزائر), meaning 'the islands'.
- The area is approximately 6.3 times that of Japan, making it the largest in Africa.
- A rare nation where snow occasionally falls in the Sahara Desert.
Libya
- About 90% of the land is desert, but abundant groundwater is piped to coastal areas via the ''Great Man-Made River Project''
- During the Gaddafi era, the national flag was the world''s only single-color flag (all green)
- Vehicle license plates use a mix of Arabic and Western numerals
Morocco
- World's largest phosphate rock reserve country with top-class export volume
- Al-Qarawiyyin University, considered world's oldest university, founded 859
- Film "Casablanca" actually filmed little in Morocco
Tunisia
- 'Star Wars' Tatooine filmed in southern oasis region.
- Capital name Tunis and country name Tunisia share same root, but country name has added geographic suffix -ia.
- UNESCO World Heritage Carthage ruins founded by Phoenicians in 9th century BC.
Egypt
- Egyptian cotton has especially long fibers and is considered the world's finest
- Cairo Metro was Africa's first subway, opened in 1987
- The Red Sea is popular with divers, concentrating about 10% of the world's hard coral species
Southern Africa 11
Angola
- Angola has the second-largest Portuguese-speaking population after Brazil.
- The national flag motif is said to be inspired by the Soviet flag.
- Queen Nzinga is depicted on banknotes as a symbol of resistance.
Botswana
- The country name means "Land of the Tswana" in Tswana.
- "Pula," meaning rain, is a word of good fortune and is also adopted as the currency name.
- The elephant population is said to be greater than the human population.
Lesotho
- "Lesotho" means "people who speak Sesotho."
- The country's lowest point is still at 1,400m elevation, having the world's "highest lowland."
- The currency loti is pegged 1:1 to the South African rand, with similar banknote sizes and colors.
Malawi
- About 85% of population engaged in agriculture with maize flour nsima as staple
- Lake Malawi inhabited by colorful cichlids popular in aquariums
- British climatologist-named nickname "Warm Heart of Africa" became official catchphrase
Mauritius
- Mauritius is the only African country where Hindus form the majority.
- The extinct dodo was endemic to this island and is depicted on the national coat of arms.
- Air quality index ranks among the world's best, with some surveys rating it "second cleanest air in the world."
Mozambique
- Only African Portuguese-speaking country that is also Commonwealth member.
- Only example in world with AK-47 automatic rifle depicted on national flag.
- Northern Cabo Delgado Province is world-class ruby production area.
Namibia
- Country name derives from Namib Desert meaning 'vast place'
- Attracts international astronomy community attention as world-class stargazing location
- Etosha National Park features iconic scenes of animals gathering on white salt pan
South Africa
- South Africa is the world's only nation with a "three-capital" system.
- One of the world's top macadamia nut exporters.
- "Miss Ples," one of the world's oldest human fossils, was discovered here.
Zimbabwe
- The spray from Victoria Falls is called 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' (smoke that thunders) in the local language.
- Great Zimbabwe stone ruins are among the largest monolithic structures south of the Sahara.
- The 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar note was the world's highest denomination circulating banknote.
Eswatini
- Country name means 'land of the Swazi people,' renamed in 2018
- Sibebe Rock is the world's second-largest monolithic granite dome
- "E" or "L" is the currency symbol, equivalent to South African Rand
Zambia
- Kagem, one of the world's largest emerald mines, is located in Zambia
- The controversial 'Zambia Space Program' attempting to launch a domestic satellite gained attention
- One of Africa's shortest borders (about 150m) exists with the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Eastern Africa 8
Ethiopia
- Country considered the birthplace of coffee, with Kaffa region as the word's origin
- Uses 13-month Ethiopian calendar running about 7 years behind Gregorian
- Daily time starts from sunrise as hour zero in unique "Ethiopian time"
Eritrea
- The capital Asmara sits at about 2,300m elevation and remains cool year-round.
- About 400 Italian-era buildings remain, earning the nickname ''Little Rome.''
- Eritrea is one of the world''s newest independent nations (1993).
Djibouti
- Lake Assal at approximately −157m below sea level is Africa''s lowest point with higher salinity than the Dead Sea
- About 60% of the population concentrates in Djibouti City
- Djiboutian Franc has been stable at fixed exchange rate with US dollar since 1980
Kenya
- Mount Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro
- Nairobi National Park is a safari destination just 15 minutes from the city center
- Many of the world''s fastest runners train around Eldoret at 2,400m elevation
Somalia
- Somalia is said to have the world's largest camel population.
- With approximately 3,300 km of coastline, it has one of the longest in Africa.
- The local word "Somali" may mean "those who go seeking milk".
South Sudan
- The youngest independent nation among United Nations member states
- The national coat of arms features the African Fish Eagle symbolizing courage and strength
- Proposed country names included "Azania" and "Nile Republic"
Sudan
- Sudan has approximately 220 pyramids remaining, more than Egypt
- The world's largest Nilotic canoe "Tankale" is still used on the Blue Nile
- The Sanganeb Atoll in the Red Sea was the first designated marine national park in the Indian Ocean
Tanzania
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, unusually retains snow near the equator.
- The nation's name combines the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
- In Serengeti, 1.5 million wildebeest undertake an annual migration.
Western Africa 18
Cabo Verde
- The country name means 'green cape' in Portuguese, referring to the cape on the coast of Senegal
- The first tropical colony where Portugal established permanent settlement in Africa
- The overseas diaspora is larger than the domestic population, with a large community in New England, USA
Benin
- Benin is said to be the first African country where incumbent president was defeated through peaceful election (1991)
- Voodoo religion spread worldwide originated from southern Benin Fon beliefs
- Cotonou port serves as logistics lifeline for landlocked Niger
The Gambia
- The smallest independent nation by area on continental Africa.
- The territory is almost entirely a narrow belt about 10 km wide from the coast.
- Home to an international airport designated as an emergency Space Shuttle landing site.
Ghana
- Ghana is a major cocoa bean exporter, with about 80% of Japan''s cocoa imports from Ghana.
- The nation name "Ghana" derives from the Ghana Empire (8th-13th century) located around present-day Mali.
- World''s largest artificial lake, Lake Volta, was created in 1965 by Akosombo Dam construction.
Guinea
- Major export bauxite accounts for about one-third of world reserves.
- Guinea contains the headwaters of West Africa's largest river, the Niger.
- Vehicle license plates in Conakry color-coded by region.
Côte d'Ivoire
- Country name means "Ivory Coast"; since 1986 requesting French name usage worldwide
- World's largest basilica Notre-Dame de la Paix has dome taller than Vatican's St. Peter's
- Cocoa production accounts for approximately 40% world share, ranking first
Liberia
- Liberia's flag resembles the Stars and Stripes, earning it the nickname "Little Stars and Stripes"
- The first African nation to elect a woman as president through popular vote
- Ranks second globally in convenience flag registry for international shipping
Mali
- The Djenne Great Mosque, the world's largest adobe brick structure, undergoes an annual mud replastering festival
- King Mansa Musa is sometimes referred to as the wealthiest person in history
- Bamako means "river of crocodiles" in Bambara
Mauritania
- One of the world's least densely populated countries, with about three-quarters of the land being desert.
- The capital Nouakchott was artificially constructed from a desert village in 1958 as a planned city.
- The "Iron Ore Train," one of the world's longest freight trains, reaches up to 3km in length.
Niger
- Niger has one of the world's highest birth rates, exceeding an average of 7 children per woman
- The country's name derives from the Niger River, though the river only flows through the southwestern part of the country
- It is the northernmost habitat of the Kordofan giraffe, known as the desert giraffe
Nigeria
- Nigeria's film industry, known as "Nollywood," produces over 2,000 films annually.
- Lagos State has a population of approximately 21 million, making it the largest urban area in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The Yoruba people have the world's highest rate of twin births.
Guinea-Bissau
- The country name includes the capital city name to distinguish it from the other two Guinea nations.
- Cashew nuts account for over 70% of total export value as the main export product.
- The Bijagós Archipelago is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Saint Helena
- Saint Helena coffee is famous as rare beans traded at world-highest prices.
- Jacob's Ladder has 699 steep steps with annual time trials.
- Tristan da Cunha is Guinness-registered as 'the world's most isolated inhabited island.'
Senegal
- Home to Cape Almadies, the westernmost point of mainland Africa.
- Dakar was the finish line of the historic Paris-Dakar Rally.
- Senegal is estimated to have around 50 million baobab trees.
Sierra Leone
- The country name originates from Portuguese 'Serra Leão' (Lion Mountain).
- The country's shape is nearly circular, earning it the nickname 'the world's roundest country'.
- Known as the setting for 'blood diamonds' mined during the civil war.
Western Sahara
- A conveyor belt over 100 km long runs from the Bou Craa phosphate mine, one of the world's largest, to the Atlantic coast.
- One of the longest-listed cases on the UN's Non-Self-Governing Territories list.
- Due to the Canary Current, coastal areas remain relatively mild with maximum temperatures around 30°C even in midsummer.
Togo
- Country name "Togo" means "village by river" in Ewe language
- Flag red symbolizes people's courage, white star represents purity and hope
- Capital Lomé market "Grand Marché" boasts West Africa's largest textile trade volume
Burkina
- Country name combines Moore word "Burkina" (upright people) with Dioula word "Faso" (homeland).
- Gold accounts for about 80% of major exports; English often more common than French at mining sites.
- Japan imports about 30% of its sesame from Burkina Faso.
Americas
Caribbean 28
Antigua and Barbuda
- "365 Beaches" is a tourism slogan meaning you can enjoy a different beach every day of the year.
- Car license plates feature the national flag and the slogan "LAND OF SEA AND SUN".
- The Crossroads Centre, a rehabilitation facility established by world-famous guitarist Eric Clapton, is located here.
The Bahamas
- The Bahamas has the world's highest water-to-land ratio, with nearly 90% being ocean.
- The Bahamian dollar has been pegged 1-to-1 with the US dollar since 1973.
- World's largest underwater blue hole "Dean's Blue Hole" reaches 202m depth.
Barbados
- Mount Gay Rum, said to be the world's oldest rum distillery, was founded in 1703.
- The national bird is unofficially recognized as the Brown Pelican, though pelican in general is widely acknowledged.
- The one-dollar coin features a flying fish.
BVI
- A Caribbean-accented "Virgin Islands Patois" is used colloquially.
- Registered offshore companies exceed 1 million cumulatively, over 100 times the population.
- Known as the "Sailing Capital of the World," international yacht events are held year-round.
Cayman
- No income tax, corporate tax, or capital gains tax exists in the Cayman Islands
- Seven Mile Beach is actually only about 6.3 miles long
- Home to a protected area for the world's rarest Blue Iguana
Cuba
- World's smallest hummingbird 'Bee Hummingbird' inhabits. Adults weigh only about 2g.
- Known as classic car heaven, 1950s American cars still serve as taxis.
- National flower is white fragrant mariposa (a type of crinum). Symbol of independence movement.
Dominica
- Home to world''s second-largest boiling lake
- Catchphrase is "swim in one river per day" as over 365 rivers flow across island
- Only Caribbean country where wild Kalinago people still reside
Dominican Republic
- Santo Domingo is home to the New World's oldest university, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
- Larimar, the world's only blue gemstone, is mined exclusively in the Dominican Republic
- Climbing Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's highest peak, is a popular 2-3 day trek
Spice Island
- The nutmeg in the flag''s center symbolizes the country being a world-class nutmeg exporter.
- The U-shaped natural harbor of the capital St. George''s is called one of the Caribbean''s finest views.
- Kirani James was the first Olympic gold medalist from an OECS member state.
Guadeloupe
- The name Guadeloupe derives from the Guadalupe Monastery in Spain
- Mount Soufrière is an active volcano also called the ''Fuji of the Caribbean''
- As one of the EU outermost regions (RUP), voting occurs in EU parliamentary elections
Haiti
- Soup Joumou eaten on New Year was "taste of freedom" permitted right after independence.
- Capital name Port-au-Prince means "Prince's port" in French.
- Haitian Blue Mountain coffee rated comparable to Jamaica's.
Jamaica
- Jamaican flag only one worldwide excluding "blue, red, white."
- One of world's shortest national anthems, playing time about 1 minute.
- Bob Marley's former residence now open as museum.
Martinique
- Columbus praised the island as "Island of Flowers (Madinina)"
- Martinique's Rhum Agricole was the world's first AOC-certified rum
- Mount Pelée is still active with 24-hour volcanic monitoring
Montserrat
- The international dialing code 664 was used in the tourist slogan with the wordplay 'Mont-i-go!'
- Many islanders have Irish ancestry, making Montserrat the only Caribbean island where St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday.
- Ships anchored in the old Plymouth port that sank due to volcanic ash are called the 'Fleet Buried in Ash'.
Curaçao
- One of world's oldest synagogues 'Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue' remains in active use.
- Queen Emma Bridge is 168m long wooden drawbridge nicknamed 'swaying lady'. Slides sideways whenever ships pass.
- Legend says pastel-colored buildings were painted after governor declared 'white walls cause dizziness'.
Aruba
- Car license plates have the island's slogan "ONE HAPPY ISLAND" printed on them
- Aloe has been cultivated since the 19th century, self-proclaimed as "world's oldest aloe export site"
- The Aruban rattlesnake is an endemic species with only about 2,000 specimens worldwide
Sint Maarten
- The island border is 16km long with free passage without checkpoints.
- Princess Juliana International Airport's runway is right above the beach, famous as a spot to stand directly under landing aircraft.
- The island's nickname is "Friendly Island," also inscribed on license plates.
Caribbean Netherlands / BES Islands
- Mount Scenery on Saba (887m) is the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- Bonaire hosts one of the few flamingo breeding sites worldwide.
- Vehicle license plates feature 'Diver's Paradise.'
Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico is known as the birthplace of the piña colada.
- The oldest Spanish-language church in the New World is Old San Juan Cathedral (circa 1540).
- The world's brightest bioluminescent bay "Mosquito Bay" is on Vieques Island.
Saint Barthélemy (St. Barth / St. Barts)
- Saint Barthélemy's nickname is "St. Barts" in American English, "St-Barth" in French.
- Gustaf III Airport, considered the island's most dangerous, has a runway of about 650m requiring hill clearance during landing.
- Almost all goods are imported, so most items including food are duty-free.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
- The world's smallest federal nation with a population less than 1/100th of Tokyo's 23 wards.
- The headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is located in the capital, Basseterre.
- Pioneer of the CBI (Citizenship by Investment) program, offering citizenship with an investment of USD 200,000 or more.
Anguilla
- Annual .ai domain registration fees account for approximately 20% of government revenue
- The island's highest point is Crocus Hill at 64m elevation
- Official language is English, but a unique English Creole is used in daily life
Saint Lucia
- Known as "the Helen of the Caribbean" because Britain and France disputed ownership 14 times.
- About one-third the size of Tokyo's 23 wards but with high biodiversity.
- The national bird is the endangered Saint Lucia parrot (Amazona versicolor).
Saint Martin
- No formal border checkpoints on the island; walk casually to the Dutch side.
- Still uses French postal code "97150."
- Pic Paradis (424m) is a scenic spot bathed in sunrise colors.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Due to the long country name, the abbreviation 'VIN' is used in international sporting events.
- La Soufrière volcano erupted explosively in 2021, forcing 20% of the island population to evacuate.
- The island accounts for nearly 80% of the world's arrowroot production historically.
Trinidad and Tobago
- Steelpan is the world's only chromatic percussion instrument made from recycled oil drums.
- Pitch Lake in southwestern Trinidad is the world's largest natural asphalt lake.
- One of the first Commonwealth countries to have both female Prime Minister and President simultaneously.
TCI
- World-class drop-off "The Wall" off Grand Turk Island, where diving glimpses 6000m-class open ocean.
- Grace Bay in Providenciales frequently tops rankings of world''s most beautiful beaches.
- Vibrant stamp issuing popular among collectors in Caribbean.
U.S. Virgin Islands
- Only left-hand traffic in U.S. territories.
- Larger duty-free allowance than U.S. mainland, famous as a shopping paradise.
- Easternmost Point Udall is the first sunrise spot in the U.S.
Central America 7
Belize
- Belize's flag is one of the world's only national flags depicting people.
- Banknotes have long featured Queen Elizabeth II's portrait rather than British monarchs.
- Home to the world's first jaguar preserve, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Costa Rica
- Costa Rica has no standing army, maintaining military spending near 0%.
- "Pura Vida," a national motto meaning "pure life/awesome."
- National parks and reserves occupy 26% of the country.
El Salvador
- The only Central American country without a Caribbean coastline.
- The smallest mainland country in the Americas but with the highest population density.
- First nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal currency.
Guatemala
- Quetzal tail feathers were once used as currency.
- Quetzal currency notes feature Maya numerals.
- World's largest cardamom exporter with second-highest production after India.
Honduras
- National bird is the beautiful scarlet-feathered Scarlet Macaw.
- Currency Lempira derives from 16th-century Lenca chief Lempira who fought Spain.
- World's second-largest coral reef 'Mesoamerican Barrier Reef' extends off Roatán Island.
Nicaragua
- Lake Nicaragua is one of the rare lakes in the world where freshwater sharks live.
- The country name is believed to combine indigenous chief Nicarao with Spanish for "land of abundant water."
- Nicaragua has about 40 volcanoes, including active ones; smoke can be seen even near the capital.
Panama
- Ships transit the Panama Canal from Pacific to Atlantic in an average of 8–10 hours.
- The world's largest flag of convenience country with globally ranked number-one tonnage of registered vessels.
- Geisha coffee from Boquete has achieved record prices at international auctions.
North America 5
Bermuda
- Island sand has pink tint from mixed crushed red foraminifera shells
- Somerset Bridge, said to be world's shortest drawbridge, has 56cm opening width
- Postal codes have unique format of 2 letters + 2 digits + 2 letters
Canada
- Maple leaf has 11 points but unrelated to number of provinces and territories.
- Has world's longest coastline (approximately 240,000 km).
- Self-deprecatingly calls culture of officially using "sorry" often "Canadian Apology."
Mexico
- Country with world's largest Spanish-speaking population.
- Silver production ranks among world's top, with Taxco silver crafts famous.
- National sport "Charrería" is competition of cattle and horse handling cowboy techniques.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- The only region in North America where the Euro circulates.
- Postal codes are 97500 (Saint-Pierre) and 97501 (Miquelon).
- 'Villa Cutty Sark' built from whiskey crates from the smuggling era remains.
America, U.S., USA
- The bald eagle is the national bird, but the American bison was designated the national mammal in 2016.
- Route 66 is a legendary highway called the "Mother Road".
- Corn production is the world's highest, concentrated in Illinois and the "Corn Belt".
South America 15
Argentina
- There are over 3,300 football clubs with one of the world's highest registered players per capita.
- Iguazu Falls, one of the world's three great waterfalls, consists of approximately 275 falls.
- The standard cooking level for ordering steak is "a punto (medium)".
Bolivia
- La Paz is the world's highest administrative capital, averaging over 3,600m elevation
- Salar de Uyuni spans over 10,000 km2, rivaling Japan's Honshu island
- Despite being landlocked, Bolivia maintains a navy out of longing for the lost sea
Brazil
- Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer, maintaining the top position for over 150 years
- The constellation on the flag represents the Rio sky at 8:30 AM on November 15, 1889
- Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders (2007 edition)
Chile
- Chile's national bird is the Andean condor, with a wingspan approaching 3 meters.
- The Atacama Desert, the world's driest place, has locations without rain for over 200 years.
- Some Santiago Metro stations have seismic isolation using rubber bearings for earthquake protection.
Colombia
- About 70–80% of the world's emerald supply comes from Colombia
- The national flower is Cattleya trianae, a type of orchid
- Colombia is a leading representative of "mild coffee" among the world's top three coffee varieties
Ecuador
- The country name Ecuador means "equator" in Spanish.
- The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978 were the Galápagos Islands and Quito Old Town.
- Chimborazo Mountain's summit is the farthest point from Earth's center.
Falklands
- One of world's lowest population density areas; sheep outnumber people by about 150:1
- Islanders sometimes call themselves "Kelpers" (from kelp seaweed)
- Currency banknotes feature island animals like penguins and dolphins
SGSSI
- Entire territory designated special protected area; seabird populations rapidly recovering after rat eradication completion.
- King penguin breeding ground at Salisbury Plain forms colony exceeding 100,000 individuals.
- Famous as endpoint of Shackleton expedition; explorer Ernest Shackleton''s grave is at Grytviken.
French Guiana
- Approximately 90% of EU satellite launches are from Guiana Space Centre
- Area nearly same as Hokkaido but population only about 300,000, sparse
- Currency is euro, making it the only South American area where euros come from ATMs
Guyana
- Guyana is South America's only independent nation with English as official language.
- Country name means "land of many waters" in Arawak.
- Kaieteur Falls at 226m drop and 100m width ranks among world's largest single-drop waterfalls.
Paraguay
- Paraguay's national flag is the world's only official flag with different emblems on the front and reverse.
- Guarani is one of the few indigenous languages in South America to hold official status.
- Paraguay is a top global electricity exporter, with over 90% of domestic power coming from the Itaipú Dam.
Peru
- Peru is the birthplace of potatoes, with over 3,000 varieties.
- Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons, is approximately twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
- Lima is a capital built in the desert with annual rainfall below 10mm but frequent fog.
Suriname
- Approximately 93% of the country is forest, making it one of the world's carbon-negative nations.
- Roads follow left-hand traffic, rare in South America, influenced by former British Guiana.
- Olympic gold medalist Anthony Nesty is South America's first swimming gold medalist.
Uruguay
- One of the first countries in the world to legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana under state control.
- About 70% of the population is said to drink mate tea daily, and the sight of people walking with thermos bottles is iconic.
- Montevideo's coastline features a 13km-long rambla (promenade) within the city.
Venezuela
- Venezuela's national bird is the Turpial (Venezuelan Troupial)
- Salto Angel is the world's highest waterfall with a drop of 979m
- Arepas are said to have over 100 varieties with different ingredients by region
Antarctica
Antarctica 2
Antarctic Continent
- About 70% of Earth's freshwater exists as Antarctic ice.
- Coldest temperature recorded: −89.2℃ at Vostok Station, East Antarctica (1983).
- Antarctic meteorites account for over 60% of all meteorites found worldwide.
Bouvet Island
- ISO 3166 assigns an independent country code BV/BVT, but in reality, it is an uninhabited island.
- Known as one of the most difficult DXCC entities in amateur radio, with prefix 3Y.
- 93% of the island is covered by glaciers, with helicopter landings conducted on the relatively flat lava shelf Nyrøysa on the west coast.
Asia
Central Asia 5
Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan is the world''s largest landlocked country but has a coastline along the Caspian Sea.
- Baikonur Cosmodrome, from which Yuri Gagarin was launched, is located in Kazakhstan.
- The Almaty area is famous as the homeland of the wild apple variety Seversky.
Kyrgyzstan
- The 40 rays on the national flag symbolize the 40 tribes united by the legendary hero Manas
- Issyk-Kul Lake never freezes in winter, meaning "hot lake" in a high-altitude setting
- The komuz is a three-stringed national instrument carved from a single piece of wood
Tajikistan
- Tajikistan's 'Tojik' said to mean 'crown'
- 93% of territory mountainous with average elevation around 3,000m
- World's longest Fedchenko Glacier (approximately 77km) in Pamirs
Turkmenistan
- Karakum Desert has some of the world's longest moving sand dune belts
- Ashgabat holds Guinness recognition as the city with the most white marble buildings
- Citizens must take HIV test when renewing passports
Uzbekistan
- One of only two 'doubly landlocked' countries in the world.
- The Registan Square in Samarkand is illuminated blue at night.
- Car license plates include a number indicating the province code.
Southern Asia 6
Bangladesh
- Cox's Bazar Beach is world's longest continuous sandy beach at approximately 120km length.
- Sundarbans largest habitat of Bengal tigers prohibits human settlement.
- National sport is kabaddi but national popularity is cricket.
Bhutan
- Maintaining forest coverage above 60% mandated by constitution as national policy.
- Environmental pioneer nation banning plastic shopping bags in 1999.
- Can also ride horses up mountain trail to Taktsang Monastery.
Sri Lanka
- National certified certificate required when taking gemstones out of Sri Lanka.
- One of first countries to introduce tea origin labeling.
- Traffic rules are left-hand drive; many Japanese used cars on roads.
India
- India's national sport is not legally defined, but field hockey is traditionally considered the national sport
- F1 circuit named Buddh International Circuit; first hosted in 2011
- Banknotes printed in 17 languages symbolizing the multilingual nation
Nepal
- The only country in the world to adopt a non-rectangular national flag.
- Altitude ranges from 70m to 8,848m, causing dramatic ecosystem changes.
- Nearly all domestic electricity is generated by hydropower.
Pakistan
- K2 is world's second-highest peak with nickname "Savage Mountain"
- National bird is chukar partridge, national animal is markhor
- World's largest salt mine Khewra Salt Mine is Himalayan salt production site
Eastern Asia 8
China
- China's high-speed rail operating distance exceeds 40,000km, world's longest.
- Sichuan Province hosts world's largest giant panda breeding research base.
- Tea leaf gongfu tea more enjoyed than tea bags throughout regions.
Taiwan
- Taiwan's vending machines offer hot canned tea
- There are over 130 hot spring locations nationwide
- Scooter ownership is among the highest in the world
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong life expectancy is world-class, exceeding 85 years
- About 90% of citizens use IC-equipped Octopus Card for daily payments
- Traditional technique of using bamboo for building scaffolding is rare worldwide
Japan
- The Imperial family is said to be the world's longest continuing monarchy, with lineage traditionally traced to Emperor Jimmu
- Shinkansen on-time performance exceeds 99%, the world's highest standard
- Vending machine density per capita is reportedly the world's highest
North Korea
- Pyongyang metro stations double as nuclear shelters and exceed 100m depth.
- In North Korea, karaoke is called "electronic organ room."
- Mount Paektu is considered a sacred mountain of the nation, appearing on currency and in songs.
South Korea
- Records world''s fastest average mobile communication speed
- Over 10,000 K-POP trainees reportedly exist
- Kimchi refrigerator penetration rate exceeds 90%
Macao
- Average life expectancy among world''s highest, exceeding 85 years
- Asia''s only region with Portuguese as official language
- Macao casino revenue several times larger than Las Vegas
Mongolia
- World's lowest population density sovereign state, with sheep and goat numbers about 10 times human population.
- Official promotion of concurrent traditional Mongolian script and Cyrillic alphabet use by 2025.
- Capital Ulaanbaatar is one of world's coldest capitals with winter average below −20°C.
Southeast Asia 11
Brunei
- Istana Nurul Iman Palace has over 1,700 rooms, one of the world's largest residential buildings.
- There is no income tax or resident tax for citizens.
- Per capita car ownership is among the highest in ASEAN.
Myanmar
- Myanmar is one of the world's top producers of jade and rubies, with Mogok rubies known as 'pigeon's blood'.
- Traffic drives on the right, but about 90% of vehicles are right-hand drive secondhand Japanese cars.
- Chinlone, a sport played with a rattan ball, is more popular on street corners than soccer.
Cambodia
- The galleries of Angkor Wat contain 800m of bas-reliefs
- $1 bills serve as the standard for rural taxi fares
- Tonle Sap Lake triples in size during the rainy season
Indonesia
- Instant noodle consumption among world's highest; Mie Goreng flavor a national dish
- World's largest palm oil producer for cooking oil, cosmetics, and biofuel raw materials
- Monas (National Monument) height of 132m designed based on independence year 1945
Laos
- The official name is often abbreviated to "Lao PDR" both domestically and internationally.
- Traffic circles are more common than traffic lights even in the capital Vientiane.
- Coffee cultivation began in the Bolaven Plateau during the French colonial period.
Malaysia
- The king is elected by nine sultans for five-year terms in a unique elective monarchy system.
- The Petronas Twin Towers, one of the world's tallest twin towers, stands 452m high.
- Malaysian language uses the Latin alphabet.
Philippines
- One of the countries with the highest SMS usage rate in the world, called the "texting capital."
- With English as an official language, it has one of the largest English-speaking populations in Asia and is rapidly growing as an international BPO hub.
- Taal Volcano is often introduced as "the world's smallest active volcano."
Timor-Leste
- The red on the flag represents struggle, black represents past oppression, yellow represents the path to independence, and the white star represents peace
- The first nation in the world to gain independence in the 21st century
- The capital Dili has only a few traffic lights
Singapore
- Sale or possession of chewing gum is prohibited except for medical purposes.
- Changi International Airport has been voted 'World's Best Airport' multiple times.
- Pioneered recycled wastewater 'NEWater' for water resource security.
Vietnam
- The red of the flag represents revolution and bloodshed, while the star symbolizes the five classes of citizens.
- Motorcycle ownership is around 50 million, exceeding the population.
- Coffee export volume is second in the world after Brazil.
Thailand
- Thailand only Southeast Asian nation never colonized by Western powers
- World's largest outdoor weekend market 'Chatuchak Market' in Bangkok
- Bangkok official name Guinness-recognized long Sanskrit phrase
Western Asia/Middle East 16
Afghanistan
- Buzkashi, considered Afghanistan's national sport, is a horseback game involving competing for a goat carcass.
- Pashtun society places great importance on "Pashtunwali," a tribal customary code.
- Kabul sits at approximately 1800m elevation, making it one of the world's highest capitals.
Bahrain
- Bahrain means "two seas" in Arabic.
- UNESCO World Heritage "Pearling Path" links sites extending out to sea with a "Pearl Trail."
- The kingdom's highest point is Jabal ad Dukhan at only 134m elevation.
Palestine
- Jericho, the city at the world''s lowest point, sits at approximately -250 meters elevation.
- Nablus is famous as the birthplace of kunafa, a cheese pastry with molasses.
- The Dead Sea has approximately 30% salt concentration, where people float and can read books—a classic photo opportunity.
Iran
- Persian carpet origins date back over 2,500 years
- Surface temperatures exceeding 70°C recorded in Dasht-e Lut, world's largest salt desert
- Approximately 90% of world saffron production share
Iraq
- Baghdad's Mutanabbi Street famous as "Book Street"
- Ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets record world's oldest beer recipe
- Oud is considered ancestor of Western lute and guitar
Israel
- Dead Sea is approximately 430m below sea level, world's lowest point
- National bird is hoopoe, not hooded crow
- Startup companies per capita said to be world's highest
Jordan
- The Dead Sea is approximately -430m below sea level, the lowest point on Earth''s surface.
- ''Sand art bottles''—pictures drawn in bottles with colored sand—originated in Jordan.
- Petra was the filming location for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Kuwait
- The Kuwaiti Dinar is the world's highest-valued currency unit.
- Domestic gasoline prices are about one-third of those in Japan.
- Kuwait Towers, completed in 1979, is a landmark that doubles as a water tower.
Lebanon
- The cedars of Lebanon are mentioned in the Old Testament and were once exported as building material for Egyptian pyramids.
- The Bekaa Valley is one of the birthplaces of wine, with grape cultivation dating back to pre-Christian times.
- Mobile phone penetration exceeds the population; owning two or more SIMs is common.
Oman
- 1 Omani Rial worth approximately 2.6 USD, world-class high-value currency.
- Khanjar depicted on national emblem is symbolic dagger adult men insert in waistband at ceremonial occasions.
- Ibadi majority rather than Sunni mainstream in Islamic countries is almost unique to Oman worldwide.
Qatar
- The only country in the world whose English name begins with Q.
- LNG export volume has long been among world's highest, serving as a major supplier to Japan and Korea.
- The only Paris Fashion Association branch in the Persian Gulf, with flourishing fashion promotion.
Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest oil companies, often competes for the world's highest market valuation.
- Women's driving was officially permitted in 2018.
- About 95% of the country is arid land, with no rivers running through it.
Syria
- Damascus is considered one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
- Hummus, famous in Arab cuisine, is said to originate from here.
- Syrian olive oil has been known as trade commodity since ancient times.
UAE
- UAE nationals are about 13% of total residents with majority being foreign workers
- World's tallest building "Burj Khalifa" is 828m
- Abu Dhabi sovereign fund ADIA has world-leading assets under management
Turkey
- Turkish ice cream (dondurma) is sticky from goat milk and salep
- Taught domestically as one of world's three major cuisines
- Bosphorus Bridge can be crossed on foot one day every October
Yemen
- The port of Mocha is one of the world's oldest coffee export ports.
- Jabal an-Nabi Shu'ayb, the Arabian Peninsula's highest peak, stands at 3,666m.
- Yemeni Sidr honey is traded as one of the world's finest honeys.
Europe
Central Europe 8
Austria
- Austrian postal codes are 4 digits, with the first digit indicating the state.
- Vienna's tram network exceeds 180km, among the world's largest.
- Coffee house culture is registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Czechia
- World''s highest per capita beer consumption
- Pilsner beer originated in the western city of Plzeň in 1842
- Prague Castle is registered in Guinness as one of the world''s largest ancient castle complexes
Hungary
- One of world's oldest metros "Budapest Metro Line 1" opened 1896
- Capital has over 100 springs, called "thermal capital"
- Rubik's Cube invented by Budapest-born architect Ernő Rubik
Liechtenstein
- One of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world
- Abolished standing army in 1868, currently maintains no military
- More registered corporations than population
Poland
- About 70% of the world's amber comes from the Baltic coast, with Gdańsk as its distribution center called the "Amber Capital."
- Copernicus was from Toruń and published "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres" advocating heliocentrism in 1543.
- Per capita apple consumption is among the highest in Europe, earning it the nickname "Cider Paradise."
Slovakia
- Has the world's highest per capita automobile production.
- Traditional vertical flute "fujara" is a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
- Bratislava is the only European capital within walking distance of two national borders.
Slovenia
- Slovenia has one of the world's highest numbers of beehives per capita, earning it the name "beekeeping kingdom"
- The world's first stand-up pedal boat "SUP" was patented domestically
- Predjama Castle is one of the world's largest cave castles integrated with a cave system
Switzerland
- International postal prefix CH derives from Latin Confoederatio Helvetica.
- Wristwatch exports account for about half of global market share.
- Home nuclear shelter prevalence rate is world's highest.
Northern Europe 9
Denmark
- Said to be nation officially using world''s oldest flag
- Over 50% bicycle commute rate in metropolitan area
- About 40% of surnames end with -sen patronymic form
Faroe Islands
- The number of sheep on the islands is said to be about 1.7 times the human population.
- All postal codes start with FO- followed by three digits.
- There was a period when traffic lights existed only in the capital Tórshavn.
Finland
- About 75% of the country is forest, with the highest paper recycling rate in Europe.
- Over 180,000 lakes, called the "Land of a Thousand Lakes."
- Coffee consumption per capita is among the world''s highest (approximately 10kg per year).
Åland
- Differs from mainland Finland in having Swedish as the sole official language.
- EU member region but excluded from customs union, enabling duty-free shopping on ferries.
- Has Europe''s smallest professional soccer league team IFK Mariehamn.
Greenland
- The World Heritage Ilulissat Ice Fjord discharges over 20 billion tons of icebergs daily into the sea
- The highest point on the island, Gunnbjørn Fjeld, is the Arctic''s highest peak at 3,694m
- The capital Nuuk has a population of about 19,000, one-third of the total population
Iceland
- Ranked first in Global Peace Index continuously since 2008
- Icelandic is the modern language closest to ancient Norse
- Phone books are sorted by first name due to patronymic naming system
Norway
- About 20% of nationals own electric vehicles, with some years reaching 90% EV share in new car sales
- About 17 hours by night train from Oslo to Bodø in the Arctic Circle
- Postal codes are 4 digits, with 0001 assigned to the Royal Palace
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Estimated polar bear population is about three times the human population
- Svalbard Global Seed Vault stores agricultural genetic resources on a global scale
- Importing cats as pets is prohibited to protect wild birds
Sweden
- Holds Riksbank, the world's oldest central bank.
- Pant deposit refund machines Pantamera return bottle deposits.
- Founding country of IKEA; store meatballs are national food.
Southern Europe 11
Andorra
- Less than half of the population holds "Andorran" nationality, with many foreign residents.
- The country's area is less than half that of Tokyo's 23 wards, yet total ski lift length exceeds 300 km.
- Domestic postage is free, with the unusual system of joint delivery by French and Spanish postal services.
Cyprus
- The island name is the origin of the word copper (cuprum), known as a copper source since ancient times
- Vehicles drive on the left side, a remnant of British colonial rule
- The only EU member state that is both in the Eurozone and Commonwealth
Gibraltar
- Gibraltar''s Barbary macaques are Europe''s only wild monkeys.
- Residents call themselves Llanitos.
- City roads total just 50 km, yet internal mountain military tunnels span similar length.
Greece
- Greek shipowners control approximately 20% of the world''s merchant fleet tonnage.
- Greece has over 15 times more olive trees than people.
- Ancient artifacts excavated are displayed as-is within Athens metro stations.
Vatican
- The only country entirely registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
- Vatican-issued Euro coins are extremely limited and traded at high prices.
- Postal cancellation is reputedly faster than Rome's among locals.
Italy
- Espresso consumption per capita among world's highest.
- About one-quarter of country registered as World Heritage Sites.
- Ferrari headquarters located in Maranello, population roughly 10,000.
Malta
- The George Cross on the national flag was awarded by the British King honoring the courage of residents during World War II
- Maltese is the world's only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet, though Arabic-based
- The name of the Maltese dog breed originates from Malta Island
Monaco
- Monégasque nationals comprise only about 32% of residents
- One of the world's lowest police-to-resident ratios
- Absence of income tax attracts wealthy individuals worldwide
Portugal
- Portugal produces approximately 60% of the world's cork stoppers
- Portuguese has about 260 million native speakers
- The pre-Euro currency escudo meant "shield"
San Marino
- The fifth smallest country in the world, yet issues uniquely designed euro coins.
- The F1 'San Marino GP' was actually held at Imola, Italy.
- Average life expectancy is among the world's highest: 82 years for men, 85 for women.
Spain
- The central yellow stripe of the flag is twice the width of the red stripes, an unusual ratio
- Spain has over 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of 2024, second only to Italy
- Spanish is the second most spoken native language in the world
Eastern Europe 18
Albania
- In Albanian, the country name Shqipëri means "Land of the Eagles"
- Coffee shop density is among the highest in Europe
- Over 170,000 bunkers built during the Hoxha era remain throughout the country
Azerbaijan
- About half of the world's mud volcanoes are concentrated near Baku
- The 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix street course reaches maximum speeds exceeding 360 km/h
- The Karabakh horse is considered one of the world's oldest breeds but is rare with only about 1,600 horses
Armenia
- Armenian alphabet unique script created by Saint Mesrop Mashtots in 405.
- World's oldest winery ruins excavated at Areni Cave.
- Serial code ".am" popular with overseas companies as music streaming "am" domain.
Bosnia
- Bosnian coffee follows Turkish style, served with sugar cubes and lokum
- 1984 Winter Olympics was first hosting by socialist country
- Neum's coastline about 20km, second shortest coastal nation in world
Bulgaria
- Bulgaria produces about 70% of the world's rose oil.
- The yogurt bacterium L. bulgaricus is the only bacterial species named after a country.
- Ancient Roman ruins called Serdica lie beneath Sofia's underground.
Belarus
- Over 45% of the land is forest, sometimes called the 'lungs of Europe'
- The ultra-large dump truck BelAZ-75710 with a loading capacity of 450 tons is one of the world's largest
- As the birthplace of IT companies, Viber and World of Tanks were born in Minsk
Croatia
- The necktie (cravat) originated from 17th-century Croatian cavalrymen's scarves serving the French court.
- Opening of Pelješac Bridge eliminated border crossing through Neum exclave.
- Croatian Latin alphabet includes five diacritical marks like Č, Ć, Ž.
Estonia
- Estonia was the first country to implement internet voting for national elections in 2005.
- Company registration takes as little as a few minutes, with 99% of administrative procedures completed online.
- Children receive programming lessons starting from first grade.
Georgia
- World''s oldest winemaking traces discovered in eastern Georgia earthenware "qvevri."
- Capital name Tbilisi derives from "warm springs" with sulfur springs in city.
- Europe''s highest permanent settlement is Ushguli village in Svaneti (over 2,100m elevation).
Latvia
- Riga''s Old Town boasts approximately 800 Art Nouveau buildings, one of the world''s finest collections
- The world''s widest waterfall, Venta Rumba (249m wide), is located in the western Kurzeme region
- Internet speed ranks among the top in the EU with widespread public Wi-Fi
Lithuania
- Vilnius Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has Europe''s highest density of Baroque architecture.
- Europe''s geographical center point is officially recognized in Purnuškės village north of Vilnius.
- Basketball called the "second religion" since consecutive European Championship wins in 1937 and 1939.
Moldova
- Underground wine cellar Mileștii Mici over 200km long, world''s longest
- About 75% of domestic farmland is highly fertile black soil chernozem
- Domain ".md" popular abroad as medical sites prefer using it
Montenegro
- International vehicle registration code is MNE, not ME.
- Country name derives from Italian meaning 'black mountain.'
- Rare non-EU nation using euro without own currency.
Romania
- The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is considered the world's largest administrative building, constructed during the Cold War era
- Romania ranks among EU's top countries for average internet speed
- Vlad Țepeș, the model for Count Dracula, was an actual ruler of Wallachia
Russia
- The Moscow Metro is known as "underground palaces" due to its luxurious decorations
- Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, has water clarity exceeding 40 meters
- The Trans-Siberian Railway spans approximately 9,300 km, taking 7 days to complete
Serbia
- 17 Roman emperors were born in present-day Serbian territory.
- The Saint Sava Cathedral, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches, has over 7,000m² of interior mosaics.
- Serbian is a rare language that uses both Cyrillic and Latin scripts equally.
Ukraine
- Ukraine is world-leading sunflower oil exporter with sunflower as national flower
- Kyiv Metro's "Arsenalna Station" is world's deepest at 105.5m
- Hoverla mountain summit has trident-shaped monument
North Macedonia
- Lake Ohrid, formed approximately 3 million years ago, is one of Europe's oldest lakes and harbors over 200 endemic species
- The addition of 'North' to the country name in 2019 was the result of a historic agreement with Greece
- Skopje's Stone Bridge was built in the 15th century during the Ottoman Empire
Western Europe 10
Belgium
- Belgium has over 2,000 chocolate artisans with annual exports exceeding 600,000 tons
- Over 1,500 Belgian beer brands, among the world's highest
- One of the countries issuing the world's oldest paid stamps, "Brabant Lion"
France
- Eiffel Tower was initially built as 20-year temporary structure
- Baguette weight and length are legally regulated
- Louvre Museum collection exceeds 380,000 items
Germany
- Germany has approximately 1,300 breweries with over 6,000 beer varieties.
- Speed-unlimited sections remain on the Autobahn highways.
- The world''s oldest zoo is Berlin Zoo (opened 1844).
Republic of Ireland
- Irish harp playing is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list
- Dublin is designated a UNESCO City of Literature
- World's first officially mandated time zone "Dublin Mean Time" was used until 1916
Luxembourg
- Per capita GDP among world''s highest, but about half of workers commute from neighboring countries.
- About 45% of population foreign nationals, EU''s outstanding internationality.
- First country worldwide to make public transport free nationwide from 2020.
Netherlands
- Average Dutch height is about 183cm for men, among world's tallest.
- About 26% of land is below sea level, protected by over 3,500km of dykes.
- Bicycle count exceeds population at about 23 million units.
United Kingdom (UK)
- London Underground is the world's oldest, opened in 1863.
- Annual tea consumption per capita exceeds 2kg.
- Many national museums like the Natural History Museum are free.
Guernsey
- .gg domain popular with esports and gaming sites.
- Island's red postboxes mix royal ciphers GR and ER historically.
- Guernsey milk is high-fat with golden tint called 'Golden Milk.'
Jersey
- Island's surroundings have world-class tidal ranges up to 12m, increasing area by nearly 30% at low tide.
- Source of New Jersey state's name.
- Jersey cattle known for producing high-fat golden milk.
Mann
- Tynwald, believed to have been established in 979, claims to be the world's oldest continuous parliament.
- Many roads on the island have no statutory speed limit for motor vehicles.
- The only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Irish Sea (designated in 2016).
Oceania
Oceania 27
American Samoa
- Located in UTC-11 time zone, earliest to end each day, resulting in −20 hour time difference with Japan.
- Pago Pago Harbor is a sunken caldera forming a natural deep-water port, historically serving as a U.S. Navy supply depot.
- Close to International Date Line but differs by one day from neighboring independent Samoa.
Australia
- About 90% of the population lives within 50km of the coast
- Sheep population is said to be about double the human population
- Uluru, the world's largest monolith, stands 348m high with a circumference of 9.4km
Solomon Islands
- The Solomon Islands are said to have the world's highest per capita consumption of sweet potatoes.
- The world's largest saltwater lagoon, Marovo Lagoon, is located here.
- Over 100 World War II shipwrecks remain, earning the nickname "Diver's Heaven."
Christmas Island
- Island name derives from December 25, 1643 when British ship arrived.
- 63% of entire island is Christmas Island National Park, home to 14 endemic crab species.
- Postage stamps have issued unique designs since Australian territory transfer in 1958, popular with collectors.
Cook Islands
- The $2 coin is triangular, a rare shape globally.
- Islands issue uniquely designed stamps popular with collectors.
- Chickens reportedly outnumber people.
Fiji
- "Bula" means "life/health" in Fijian and is a universal greeting.
- The first country to win an Olympic gold medal in rugby sevens.
- "Rainbow Reef" maintains transparency even at 40m depth and is one of the world's premier soft coral colonies.
Tahiti
- Papeete market opens around 4 AM, with locals finishing shopping before dawn.
- French Polynesia accounts for approximately 90% of the world's black pearl production.
- The kingfisher is called "tiotiio" in Tahitian and is considered a symbol of good fortune.
Kiribati
- With UTC+14, Kiribati is the first country to enter a new day.
- Christmas Island (Kiritimati) is the world''s largest atoll.
- The highest point in the country is approximately 81 meters on Banaba Island.
Guam
- The entire island can be traversed from north to south in about an hour and a half by car.
- Postal codes use the same ZIP code system as the U.S. mainland, allowing local Amazon orders.
- Many McDonald's are open 24 hours, though some close from midnight to 6 am on Sundays.
Nauru
- Territory roughly same size as Tokyo's Shinagawa ward.
- National flag's 12-pointed star represents 12 tribes, star position indicates island's actual latitude of 0°32'S.
- Domain ".nr" sometimes used for email filters as play on "no reply."
New Caledonia
- The world's second-longest lagoon is visible from satellite photos with the naked eye.
- Famous in Japan as filming location for 'The Island Closest to Heaven.'
- Road signs are in French, occasionally with Kanak language additions.
Vanuatu
- Despite being landlocked, volcanic activity is very active; Yasur volcano is 'the world's most accessible volcano.'
- One of few countries with three official languages.
- Rated 'world's happiest country' in 2006 Happy Planet Index.
NZ
- 'Kiwi' nickname for citizens derived from bird name
- First country to achieve women's suffrage worldwide (1893)
- Complete public transport smoking ban from 2017
Niue
- The .nu domain is popular internationally due to its 'now' sound in Nordic languages
- In 2003, became the world's first country to provide free island-wide Wi-Fi
- Niue license plates display 'NU' prominently instead of the island name
Norfolk Island
- Island vehicle license plates have one letter front/rear and 3 digits; "C" front/rear indicates rental car.
- Official language Norfuk is Creole mixing English and Tahitian, with about 400 daily users.
- Post office postmarks popular with collectors, special designs prepared for tourists.
Northern Mariana Islands
- Internet domain .mp is mistaken for 'multiplayer' abbreviation, popular with game companies
- Mañagaha Island is entirely a marine park, becoming uninhabited after sunset
- Saipan's seawater clarity is world-class, with mirages of distant ships appearing to float in the air
US Minor Outlying Islands
- Midway Atoll is the world's largest nesting site for Laysan Albatross, breeding about 70% of the global population
- Palmyra Atoll is the only incorporated U.S. territory with "tropical rainforest"
- Wake Island is just west of the International Date Line, nearly a day ahead of Hawaii
Micronesia
- .fm domain popular with music streaming sites, important state revenue source
- Yap Island stone money 'rai' can exceed 4m in diameter
- Chuuk Lagoon is world-leading shipwreck diving spot
Marshall Islands
- National name honors British navigator John Marshall
- 24 stars indicate number of municipalities, four long rays symbolize Christianity
- Geographical highest point about 10m above sea level, one of world's lowest countries
Palau
- Yellow circle on flag symbolizes full moon, officially unrelated to Japan's Hinomaru
- One of world's first countries to declare shark sanctuary across entire territory
- Angaur State designates Japanese as one of official languages
Papua New Guinea
- Over 800 languages are spoken, making it the world's most linguistically dense country.
- Birds of paradise are the national bird; tail feathers are used in wedding and ceremonial headdresses.
- Part of the capital's electricity is supplied by municipal waste incineration generation.
Pitcairn Islands
- Pitkern language is a mix of 18th-century English and Tahitian, spoken by only about 50 people worldwide.
- The island post office is called the "world's smallest postal service" and stamp revenue is a crucial income source.
- The island's waters are applying for international Dark Sky Reserve status; the Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye.
Tokelau
- .tk domain one of most registered ccTLDs worldwide
- No ATMs on islands; only New Zealand dollars circulate as cash
- Electricity nearly 100% provided by solar power
Tonga
- The .to domain is popular with IT startups due to its brevity and has been adopted for URL shortening services
- One of the first countries in the Southern Hemisphere to welcome the New Year
- Traditional navigation techniques in the movie 'Moana' reference Tongan culture
Tuvalu
- .tv domain license fees are major national revenue source
- Highest point 5m above sea level, world's second-lowest country
- No military; security maintained by police and coast guard only
Wallis and Futuna
- About 99% of islanders are Catholic, with Sunday mass attendance rates highest among French overseas territories.
- Car license plates are very simple with only three digits.
- The time difference with mainland France can be up to 14 hours considering daylight saving time.
Samoa
- Rare example of switching automobile traffic direction from right to left in 2009
- Moved to the west side of the International Date Line in 2011 and December 30 disappeared
- ccTLD '.ws' is sold worldwide as an abbreviation for 'WebSite'