50 Fun Facts About Countries of the World

What is the capital city of Japan?

Tokyo has been the capital of Japan since 1868, when the emperor moved there from Kyoto. It is the most populous metropolitan area in the world.

Which country has the largest population in the world?

India surpassed China as the world's most populous country in 2023, with over 1.4 billion people. China held that title for decades prior.

Which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?

Japan is called the Land of the Rising Sun because the country's name in Japanese (Nihon/Nippon) literally means 'origin of the sun.'

What is the official currency of the United Kingdom?

The Pound Sterling (GBP) has been the currency of the United Kingdom for centuries. The UK chose not to adopt the Euro when it was introduced.

Which South American country is the largest by area?

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world, covering about 8.5 million square kilometers — nearly half the continent.

What is the capital city of Australia?

Canberra is the capital of Australia. It was purpose-built as the capital in the early 20th century to resolve a rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne.

Which country's flag features a red circle on a white background?

The flag of Japan, called Nisshoki or Hinomaru, features a red disc representing the sun centered on a white background.

In which country would you find the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is located in Paris, France. It was built in 1889 for the World's Fair and has become the most iconic symbol of France.

Which European country is shaped like a boot?

Italy is famously shaped like a boot, kicking the island of Sicily. This distinctive shape makes it one of the most recognizable countries on a map.

What is the official language of Brazil?

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, a legacy of Portuguese colonization starting in 1500. Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.

Which country has the most time zones?

France has the most time zones of any country (12), due to its overseas territories spread across the globe, from the Caribbean to the Pacific.

What is the smallest country in the world by area?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world at just 0.44 square kilometers (about 110 acres). It is an independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy.

Which African country was formerly known as Abyssinia?

Ethiopia was historically known as Abyssinia. It is one of the oldest nations in the world and was never colonized during the Scramble for Africa (except for a brief Italian occupation).

What is the capital of Canada?

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, located in Ontario on the border with Quebec. Many people mistakenly guess Toronto, which is the largest city but not the capital.

Which country is the only one to span both Europe and Asia as a transcontinental nation with its largest city on two continents?

Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, literally straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus strait. While Russia also spans both continents, no Russian city sits on the continental divide.

Which country's flag is the only national flag that is not rectangular?

Nepal's flag consists of two stacked triangles, making it the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular or square.

What currency is used in Japan?

The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the official currency of Japan. It is one of the most traded currencies in the world after the US Dollar and Euro.

Which Central American country has no army?

Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948 after a civil war. The funds previously allocated to the military were redirected to education and healthcare.

Which is the only country in the world named after a woman?

Saint Lucia is named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse, making it the only country named after a historical woman. It was named by French sailors who arrived on her feast day.

What is the capital of South Korea?

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, home to about half of the country's population in its greater metropolitan area.

Which country produces the most coffee in the world?

Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer, responsible for about a third of all coffee produced globally. It has held this position for over 150 years.

Which country has the longest coastline in the world?

Canada has the longest coastline in the world at approximately 202,080 km, due to its vast Arctic archipelago and thousands of islands along three oceans.

What is the only country that borders both France and Brazil?

Suriname borders both France (via French Guiana, an overseas department of France) and Brazil. This makes France and Brazil neighbors through South America.

Which Asian country was never colonized by a European power?

Thailand (formerly Siam) was never colonized by a European power, serving as a buffer state between British Burma and French Indochina. It is the only Southeast Asian country to avoid colonization.

What is the capital of New Zealand?

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, located at the southern tip of the North Island. Auckland is the largest city, but Wellington has been the capital since 1865.

Which European country is the world's largest exporter of chocolate?

Germany is the world's largest exporter of chocolate by value, surpassing Belgium and Switzerland. While Belgium and Switzerland are famous for chocolate quality, Germany leads in export volume.

Which country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, with 59 sites as of 2024. China is a close second with 57 sites.

What is the most widely spoken language in India?

Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India, with about 57% of the population speaking it. India has 22 officially recognized languages under its constitution.

Which country is home to the ancient city of Petra?

Petra is located in southern Jordan. This ancient Nabataean city, carved into rose-red cliffs, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Which Scandinavian country is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun?

Norway is commonly called the Land of the Midnight Sun because in its northern regions, the sun does not set for up to 76 consecutive days during summer.

Which country has more pyramids than Egypt?

Sudan has approximately 200-255 pyramids, more than Egypt's roughly 130. The Nubian pyramids at Meroe are smaller but far more numerous than Egypt's famous pyramids.

What is the national currency of South Africa?

The South African Rand (ZAR) takes its name from the Witwatersrand, the ridge where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found.

Which is the only country in the world that has a square flag?

Switzerland's flag is the only sovereign state flag that is square (Vatican City's is also square). The red flag with a white cross has been Switzerland's emblem since the medieval period.

Which country has the highest population density in the world?

Monaco has the highest population density of any country, with about 26,000 people per square kilometer. The tiny city-state on the French Riviera is just 2.02 sq km.

Which country was the first to give women the right to vote in national elections?

New Zealand granted women the right to vote in national elections in 1893, making it the first self-governing country to do so.

What is the largest country in Africa by area?

Algeria is the largest country in Africa at approximately 2.38 million square kilometers. After South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011, Algeria took the top spot.

Which country's name means 'equator' in Spanish?

Ecuador literally means 'equator' in Spanish. The country is named for its position straddling the equator on the west coast of South America.

Which two countries are doubly landlocked (surrounded entirely by landlocked countries)?

Liechtenstein (bordered by Switzerland and Austria) and Uzbekistan (bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) are the only two doubly landlocked countries.

Which country has the most official languages, with 11?

South Africa has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, and seven others. This reflects the country's diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

What is the capital of Turkey?

Ankara has been the capital of Turkey since 1923, when Ataturk moved it from Istanbul as part of his modernization reforms. Istanbul remains the largest city.

Which country is the world's largest island nation by area?

Indonesia is the world's largest island nation, spanning over 17,000 islands across 1.9 million square kilometers. It is also the fourth most populous country in the world.

Which country's capital city, Thimphu, is one of the few in the world without traffic lights?

Bhutan's capital Thimphu has no traffic lights. Traffic is directed by police officers in booths at intersections. A traffic light was installed once but removed because residents preferred the human touch.

Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States?

France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship and shared democratic ideals. It was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.

Which country has the world's oldest continuously operating university?

Morocco is home to the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, founded in 859 CE. It is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution.

What is the capital of Mongolia?

Ulaanbaatar (meaning 'Red Hero') is the capital of Mongolia and home to nearly half the country's population. It is the coldest capital city in the world.

Which country consumes the most tea per capita?

Turkey has the highest per capita tea consumption in the world, at over 3 kg per person per year. Turkish tea culture centers on black tea served in distinctive tulip-shaped glasses.

Which country is the newest sovereign state in the world, gaining independence in 2011?

South Sudan became the world's newest sovereign state on July 9, 2011, after a referendum in which 98.83% voted for independence from Sudan.

Which country has the most islands in the world?

Sweden has approximately 267,570 islands, the most of any country in the world. Most are uninhabited rocky outcrops along its extensive coastline and in its many lakes.

Which landlocked South American country has a navy?

Both Paraguay and Bolivia maintain navies despite being landlocked. Bolivia's navy patrols Lake Titicaca and rivers, and commemorates the loss of its coastline to Chile in the 1879 War of the Pacific.

Which country's national anthem has no official lyrics?

Spain's national anthem, the 'Marcha Real' (Royal March), is one of only four national anthems in the world with no official lyrics. Various lyrics have been proposed over the centuries but none were adopted.