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In this ninth episode of The Amazing Race Season 38 (U.S. Edition), all teams departed at different times but flew on the same airplane — therefore starting this leg of the race together. Teams left ROMANIA 🇷🇴 and arrived in Athens, GREECE 🇬🇷 and quickly proceeded to Pnyx (Pnyka) Hill near the National Observatory, Parthenon, and Acropolis. This area of ancient Greek civilization 🏺 is the birthplace of democratic voting. The Amazing Race chose this setting to conduct a Double U-Turn Vote. Each team voted two teams to slow down, requiring them to complete both Detour tasks 🚧. For coming in last place in the previous episode (↗), Adam and Joseph were penalized with one U-Turn Vote. This turned out to be a trivial disadvantage for the team since the most votes were against Eric/Tucker (4 votes), Jag/Jas (3 votes), and Kyland/Taylor (3 votes). The teams of Adam/Joseph, Chelsie/Jack, and Izzy/Paige only received one vote each. Here is a team-by-team vote tally in sequential order:
→ Adam and Joseph voted against Chelsie/Jack and Eric/Tucker.
→ Eric and Tucker voted against Jag/Jas and Kyland/Taylor.
→ Chelsie and Jack voted also against Jag/Jas and Kyland/Taylor.
→ Jag and Jas voted against Eric/Tucker and Kyland/Taylor.
→ Izzy and Paige voted against Eric/Tucker and Jag/Jas.
→ Kyland and Taylor voted against Izzy/Paige and Eric/Tucker.
While there were supposed to be two teams having to complete both Detours, Jag/Jas and Kyland/Taylor both tied in votes so a tiebreaker vote was held. Just like in the first round of voting, both teams received three votes. Therefore, Eric/Tucker, Jag/Jas, and Kyland/Taylor were required to complete both Detour challenges: “Music in the Air” 🎶 and “Olives Everywhere”. In “Music in the Air,” team members chose to carry or took turns carrying a Greek laterna piano 🎹 on her or his back to a nearby town square. They performed the musical instrument and caught everyone’s attention with various shenanigans (and begging) in hopes of earning at least 10 Euros 💶 from nearby pedestrians. Jag and Jas earned €12.20 relatively quickly, Eric and Tucker earned €18.40, Kyland and Taylor earned €11.10, and Adam and Joseph earned €13.03. For the “Olives Everywhere” Detour task, teams tasted, visually identified, and memorized 10 varieties of olives grown throughout Greece. They then quizzed their newfound olive knowledge by going to a different table somewhat close by to match 10 bowls of olives with their variety name.
Visiting another hill in Greece, teams went to a place called Hill of the Muses to roll a giant ball on it. Teams were then tasked with memorizing the 24 lowercase Greek letters, and they recited them as an elderly gentleman in ancient Greek garb pointed to each letter in random order. If I was a contestant on The Amazing Race, I would have loved to complete this task because these letters are used for designating stars in almost all the constellations in the night sky! I created the Amazing Astronomy Blog (↗) to share my passion for 🔭 stargazing and learning about the cosmos 🌌. Visitors accessing the Amazing Astronomy Blog may notice lowercase Greek letter symbols (α, β, γ, δ, ε, ζ, η, θ, etc.) within constellation maps and various posts.
Now back to recapping this episode! Jag memorized the letters in alphabetical order but did not realize the elder sage was going to point to them in random order. Nevertheless, he completed this task in first place. Meanwhile, Tucker struggled at this task despite usually finishing something in first or second place. Jag and Jas arrived at the Kotzia Square Pit Stop first and met Phil — and a lady dressed as Athena. Phil gave Jag and Jas a trip to CAMBODIA 🇰🇭 including the following destinations and activities: the world-famous Angkor Wat temple, the city of Siem Reap, ATV adventures, a Cambodian culinary tour, and Ta Prohm temple. Phil noted that Jag and Jas is the first team ever to have arrived first at the Pit Stop 🏁 after being U-Turned! Chelsie and Jack arrived at the mat in second place, followed by Adam and Joseph in third, Izzy and Paige in fourth, and Kyland and Taylor in fifth. Despite being a competent team and winning in four episodes in a row, Eric and Tucker arrived last at the Pit Stop and ended their Amazing Race journey in this episode.
Interestingly shaped like an orange slice (or semicircle if you prefer), Akimiski is a geographic feature in the east-central area of CANADA. It is east of the First Nation community known as Attawapiskat. The Akimiski Strait is wedged between the island and Attawapiskat. Which of the following sentences about Akimiski is false?
A — The name Akimiski means “land across the water” in Swampy Cree’s language.
B — Akimiski is a coral reef.
C — Akimiski is part of Nunavut even though it is geographically closer to Ontario.
D — Akimiski is the largest island located in James Bay.
Answer:
B — Akimiski is a coral reef.
(Akimiski is an island as referenced in answer choice D.)
Questions for this quick geography quiz are inspired by the Language of the Day series from Ethnologue (ethnologue.com). You can further test your geographic knowledge (↗) with more quizzes from GeoFact of the Day. The answers to this quiz are listed below; enjoy and good luck!
1) Which option is the Southeast Asian country where Pwo Western Karen is a threatened language with about 210,000 (and possibly decreasing) speakers?
A — MYANMAR
B — MADAGASCAR
C — UGANDA
D — TURKEY
2) With only about 280 speakers, the Hiw language is used for communication in which country in Oceania?
A — SAMOA
B — VANUATU
C — TONGA
3) Which of the following languages is not used for communication in PAPUA NEW GUINEA?
A — Opao
B — Vincentian English Creole
C — Saruga
D — Siroi
4) Which option below is the East African country in which over 3.4 million people communicate with the Nyankore (Nkore) language?
A — UGANDA
B — TOGO
C — AZERBAIJAN
D — KAZAKHSTAN
ANSWERS
Question 1:
A . . . . . Myanmar
Question 2:
B . . . . . Vanuatu
Question 3:
B . . . . . Vincentian English Creole
Question 4:
A . . . . . Uganda
Questions for this quick geography quiz are inspired by the Language of the Day series from Ethnologue (ethnologue.com). You can further test your geographic knowledge (↗) with more quizzes from GeoFact of the Day. The answers to this quiz are listed below; enjoy and good luck!
1) With about 2 million people using this language for communication, Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy is a language in which of the following countries in Africa?
A — REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
B — MADAGASCAR
C — UGANDA
2) With about 108,000 speakers and designated as a de facto language of national identity, Vincentian English Creole is used for communication in which country (the other two options are fictional word combos)?
A — SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
B — SAINT VINCENT AND THE TOBAGO
C — SAINT VINCENT AND THE BARBADOS
3) In use by about 96,300 people, Rendille is a language of which country?
A — NICARAGUA
B — UZBEKISTAN
C — KENYA
4) Which language is used for communication by about 46,000 people in BENIN?
A — Ede Ica
B — Morokodo
C — Müün Chin
5) Kioko is a threatened language is used for communication in the only Southeast Asian country listed below. Which country is the correct answer?
A — INDONESIA
B — LIBYA
C — EQUATORIAL GUINEA
6) Which language of AUSTRALIA is considered dormant and moribund since the last speaker of this language lived until the 1980s?
A — Gooniyandi
B — Umiida
C — Ngarinyman
7) Which option is a Himalayan country where Puma is a threatened language of recognized indigenous nationality used for communication by the Rai people?
A — GABON
B — DJIBOUTI
C — NEPAL
D — PALESTINE
8) Where is Oji-Cree (Oji Cree) a threatened language used for communication by multiple indigenous tribes — including the Albany, Animakee Wa Zhing, Aroland, Bearskin Lake, Brunswick House, Cat Lake, Constance Lake, and Day Star peoples?
A — MONTENEGRO
B — CANADA
C — FRENCH GUIANA
D — WESTERN SAHARA
E — TURKMENISTAN
ANSWERS
Question 1:
B . . . . . Madagascar
Question 2:
A . . . . . Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Question 3:
C . . . . . Kenya
Question 4:
A . . . . . Ede Ica
Question 5:
A . . . . . Indonesia
Question 6:
B . . . . . Umiida
Question 7:
C . . . . . Nepal
Question 8:
B . . . . . Canada
Questions for this quick geography quiz are inspired by the Language of the Day series from Ethnologue (ethnologue.com). You can further test your geographic knowledge (↗) with more quizzes from GeoFact of the Day. The answers to this quiz are listed below; enjoy and good luck!
1) True or false: Southern Tiwa is a rare language used for communication in the UNITED STATES.
2) As of the year 2005, there are about 130,000 people using the Yakan language for communication — specifically 86,900 people in the province of Basilan. Which country is home to the Yakan language?
A — PAKISTAN
B — The PHILIPPINES
C — JAMAICA
3) Which of the following languages of CHINA is a nearly extinct language with only 50 communicators in the year 2012?
A — Dongxiang
B — Lawu
4) Which of the following is the language used for communication by almost 4,600,000 people (in the year 2016) in MOROCCO?
A — Central Atlas Tamazight
B — Tepinapa Chinantec
C — Oluwanga
5) True or false: Guernésiais is a language primarily found on the island of Jersey in the UNITED KINGDOM’s Channel Islands.
ANSWERS
Question 1:
True
Question 2:
B . . . . . The Philippines
Question 3:
B . . . . . Lawu
Question 4:
A . . . . . Central Atlas Tamazight
Question 5:
False . . . . . Guernsey
Questions for this quick geography quiz are inspired by the Language of the Day series from Ethnologue (ethnologue.com). You can further test your geographic knowledge (↗) with more quizzes from GeoFact of the Day. The answers to this quiz are listed below; enjoy and good luck!
1) With about 1 million people using this language for communication, Ngbaka is a language in which of the following countries?
A — DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
B — NEPAL
C — CHILE
2) With about 420,000 speakers, the Friulian language is used for communication in __________.
A — MOLDOVA
B — ITALY
C — PORTUGAL
3) In use by about 16,300 people, which of the following languages is found in NIGERIA?
A — Elege
B — Salar
C — Vinitiri
4) Which “Northern” language is used for communication by about 1,800,000 people in IRAN?
A — Northern Qiang
B — Northern Nisu
C — Northern Luri
5) One of these languages is used for communication in NEPAL and likely not in BOLIVIA. Which choice below is a language of Nepal?
A — Chácobo
B — Movima
C — Raji
ANSWERS
Question 1:
A . . . . . Democratic Republic of the Congo
Question 2:
B . . . . . Italy
Question 3:
A . . . . . Elege
Question 4:
C . . . . . Northern Luri
Question 5:
C . . . . . Raji
According to Ethnologue (↗), a total of 24 living languages are currently used for communication in the Republic of IRAQ. Arabic — particularly the standard and Mesopotamian versions — and Kurdish are Iraq's official languages. Approximately 27,200,000 Iraqis are Standard Arabic communicators, followed by Kurdish (25,354,000 people) and Mesopotamian Arabic (13,400,000 people).
● ● ● ● ● Other main languages spoken and written in Iraq are Adyghe / Adygey / West Circassian (35,000 communicators), Gulf Arabic (70,000), Judeo-Iraqi Arabic (120), Najdi Arabic (1,480,000), North Mesopotamian Arabic (7,580,000), Armenian (65,000), Assyrian / Lishana Aturaya / Neo-Syriac (153,000), Azeri / South Azerbaijani (2,050,000), Bajelani (60,000), Chaldean (110,000), Domari (23,000), Koy Sanjaq Surat / Koi-Sanjaq Sooret (820), Central Kurdish (4,000,000), Northern Kurdish (3,450,000), Southern Kurdish (150,000), Macho (125,000), Mandaic (5,200), Persian / Iranian (410,000), Sarli / Sarliya (20,000), Shabak (22,000), Syriac (810,000), and Turkmen (405,000). Population stats in parentheses represent the estimated number of language communicators in 2017, based on past data from Ethnologue.
According to Ethnologue (↗), a total of 315 living languages are currently used for communication in GABON, the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ("Kinshasa Congo"), and the REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ("Brazzaville Congo"). A relic of France's controversial African colonization, the official language for all three countries is French. You will find that some languages listed below are present in all three Central African nations. Figures in parentheses are estimates of the number of communicators within each country.
● ● ● ● ● Gabon's 43 prominently communicated languages include Baka, Bekwel, Benga, Bubi, Duma, Fang (350,000 communicators), French (over 1 million), Kota, Lumbu, Mahongwe, Mbangwe, Mbere, Myene, Ndumu, Ngom, Njebi, Punu (160,000), Sake, Sangu, Sira, Tchitchege, Teke-Tege (95,000), Tsaangi, Tsogo, Vili, Vumbu, Wandji, Wumbvu, and Yasa.
● ● ● ● ● The DR Congo's 210 languages include Aloro (Alur; 750,000 communicators), Asoa, Aushi, Avokaya, Bali, Baloi, Banda (Togbo-Vara), Bangala (3,500,000), Bangba, Bangi, Bangubangu, Barambu, Bemba (300,000), Bembe (255,000), Bendi, Bera, Bhele, Bila, Binji, Boko, Bolia, Boma, Bomboma, Budu, Budza (230,000), Bushoong, Buyu, Bwa (Kibua; 200,000), Bwile, Chokwe (505,000), Congo (Koongo; over 8,000,000), Congo Swahili (over 9,000,000), Ding, Dongo, Efe, Enya, Foma, French (6,100,000), Fuliiru (400,000), Furu, Gilima, Gobu, Hamba, Havu (510,000), Hema, Hemba, Holoholo, Hunde (200,000), Kakwa, Kanyok (200,000), Kaonde, Kela, Kélé, Kinyarwanda (250,000), Kituba (Kikongo; 5,000,000), Komo (400,000), Kusu, Kwese, Lalia, Lega-Mwenga, Lega-Shabunda (400,000), Lele, Lendu (750,000), Lengola, Lese, Libinza, Ligenza, Lika, Lingala (2,050,000), Lobala, Logo (225,000), Lombi, Lombo, Luba-Kasi (Tshiluba; 7,000,000), Luba-Katanga (Kiluba; 1,500,000), Lugbara (850,000), Luna, Lusengo, Lwalu, Mabaale, Mamvu, Mangbetu (620,000), Mayekyeka, Mayogo, Mba, Mbala (230,000), Mbandja (355,000), Mbo, Mbole, Mituku, Mongo-Nkundu (400,000), Mono, Mpuono, Nande (910,000), Ndaka, Ndo, Ndobo, Ngando (220,000), Ngbaka (over 1,000,000), Ngbaka Ma’bo (Bouaka), Northern Ngbandi (250,000), Southern Ngbandi, Ngbundu, Ngelima, Ngiti, Ngombe, Ntomba, Nyali, Nyanga, Nyanga-li (Linyanga-le), Nzakara, Omi, Pagibete, Pambia, Phende (420,000), Poke, Ruunde, Sakata, Salampasu, Sanga (435,000), San Salvador Kongo (540,000), Seba, Sengele, Shi (655,000), Sonde, Songe (1,000,000), Songo, Songomeno, Suku, Taabwa (270,000), Tagbu, Talinga-Bwisi, Teke-Ibali, Tembo, Tetela (750,000), Tiene, Wongo, Yaka (700,000), Yakoma, Yamongeri, Yansi, Yela, Yombe (670,000), Zande (730,000), and Zimba.
● ● ● ● ● Finally, the Republic of the Congo's 62 languages include Aka, Akwa, Beembe (100,000 communicators), Bekwel, Bobangi, Bomitaba, Bomwali, Bongili, Doondo, Fang, French (over 2,500,000), Kako, Kituba (1,490,000), Koongo, Kota, Kunyi (117,000), Laari (135,000), Likuba, Likwala, Lingala (182,000), Mbaka (Ngbaka Ma'bo; 135,000), Mbandja, Mbere (90,000), Mboko, Monzombo, Mpyemo (Bimu), Ngungwel, Njebi, Ombamba, Pomo (Pol), Soundi (Suundi; 185,000), Teke-Eboo, Teke-Fuumu, Teke-Ibali, Teke-Kukuya, Teke-Tege, Teke-Tsaayi (100,000), Teke-Tyee, Tsaangi, Vili, Wumbvu, Yaka, and Yombe.
According to Ethnologue, people in the United Republic of TANZANIA communicate with a total of 175 "living languages" throughout the country. As of 2017, there are no official national languages — there would be too many choices to choose from! Tanzanian languages are mostly derived from African, Indic (Indian/South Asian), and European influences. Most languages correspond with its namesake ethnic group or tribe. With over 100,000 communicators each, major languages include Asu (500,000 writers/speakers), Bena (670,000), English (4,000,000), Fipa (195,000), Gogo (1,930,000), Gujarati (250,000), Hangaza (200,000), Haya (1,740,000), Hehe (1,080,000), Iraqu (a.k.a. Mbulu; 462,000), Jita (205,000), Kagulu (241,000), Kerewe (Ekikerebe or Urukerebe; 100,000), Kikwaya (Kwaya; 115,000), Kuria (Kurya; 430,000), Langi (410,000), Luguru (692,000), Luo (140,000), Masai (613,000), Machame (300,000), Makhuwa-Meetto (Chimakua, Emakhua, and Makhuwa; 518,000), Makonde (1,320,000), Mambwe-Lungu (295,000), Matengo (150,000)...
...Mochi (Chaga and Moshi; 597,000), Mwera (469,000), Ndali (150,000), Ndendeule (110,000), Ngindo (220,000), Ngoni (170,000), Ngulu (132,000), Nilamba (613,000), Nyakyusa-Ngonde (1,080,000), Nyambo (400,000), Nyamwezi (1,320,000), Nyaturu (801,000), Nyiha (246,000), Omani Arabic (195,000), Pogolo (185,000), Rufiji (200,000), Safwa (158,000), Shambala (664,000), Shubi (153,000), Suba-Simbiti (113,000), Sukuma (7,300,000), Sumbwa (191,000), Swahili (47,000,000), Tanzanian Sign Language (278,000), Vunjo (300,000), Yao (566,000), Zanaki (100,000), Zigula (355,000), and Zinza (138,000). The Aasáx, Akie, Gweno, Ngasa, Segeju, and Zaramo languages are considered dying and near-extinct because of low native-speaker populations. At least three languages are considered extinct with no native communicators: Kw'adza and Mosiro.
There are over eighty (80) ethnic groups in the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, which may not be surprising considering that fellow African countries have even more — for instance, Nigeria boasts over 250! There are a few majority ethnic groups representing most of Central African Republic's population. They include the Baya people (one-third of the country), Banda (about one-fourth), Mandjia (about 13%), and Sara (10%). Minority groups include the Mboum people (7%) as well as the M'Baka and Yakoma tribes, both comprising approximately 4% of Central African Republic's population. These groups of people usually communicate in Sangho or their particular tribal language. Nationally spoken but not designated an official language like French is, Sangho is currently classified and known as a Ngbandi-related Creole language.
People and Places
Natives of Macau are mostly ethnic Chinese. Some residents are Macanese, meaning they have Portuguese ancestry. Residents originally from Portugal comprise a minority in Macau. Official languages are Chinese and Portuguese, and a local dialect called Macanese Portuguese is spoken. Macau's population density of about 21,000 residents per square mile or over 54,200 residents per square mile means it is the most densely-populated territory in the world, surpassing all countries' population densities. With an average life expectancy greater than 84 years in 2015, Macau has some of the world's most longest-living humans on average. Macau consistently ranks first or somewhere nearby in global life expectancy statistics.
Communities in Macau include Coloane, Cotai, Macau, Santo António, São Lázaro, São Lourenço, and Taipa. Serving residents and visitors with aerial transportation, Macau International Airport is located on a “runway peninsula” in the South China Sea. The International Air Transport Association airport code for Macau is MFM. Macau boasts strong finance and gambling industries, featuring multiple finance firms and popular casinos. Several sport venues include the East Asian Games Dome and Macau Stadium. Beaches such as Cheoc Van Beach on the south shore provide a tranquil setting for fun activities. The currency used by Macau's people is the Macanese Pataca, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MOP.
Land Features
Land reclamation projects in historic and modern times increased Macau's area. Macau is not stopping anytime soon, as the GeoFact of the Day Blog map above shows areas proposed for future land reclamation. A recent, ambitious project connected the islands of Coloane and Taipa to a reclaimed area, where the city of Cotai now sits on. The Cotai land reclamation area is heavily developed. Connected to the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea is situated south and east of Macau. Macau is found southwest of the Pearl River Delta. The Porto Exterior bay separates the Macau Peninsula in the north to the amalgamation of islands in the south.
Forming the southern triangular wedge of South America, the countries ARGENTINA, CHILE, PARAGUAY, and URUGUAY have a variety of peoples and languages - too many to list all of them on a blog post! Therefore, this post is focused on official languages and other widely spoken languages. In all four countries, Spanish is the official language.
Argentina: Other widely spoken languages include Quechua, Mapuche, English, Italian, German, and French.
Chile: Other languages include Araucanian, Quechua, and Mapuche.
Paraguay: Guaraní is an official language alongside Spanish. Two of Paraguay's many languages include Guaná and Sanapaná.
Uruguay: Portuñol/Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish) is another spoken language.
The capital of JORDAN, a Middle East country located east of Israel, northwest of Saudi Arabia, and south of Syria, is Amman. Jordan's eastern panhandle is to the left of Iraq. The Jordan River and the salty Dead Sea are to the left of Jordan and right of Israel. The ancient city of Petra is a famous ancient city and archaeological site in Southern Jordan. Topographically, Jordan is mostly desert land, especially in the east. The official language is Arabic, while English is also spoken. Lastly, most Jordanians are Arabs and believe in Islam.
With a population larger than 5 million, SLOVAKIA is an Eastern European country of which the northern border is defined by the Carpathian Mountains. While there are some towns like Čadca and Skalica in valleys situated alongside the mountain range, almost all of the population lives in more southern parts of Slovakia. Likewise, the fertile Danube River Valley area in Southern Slovakia is a center of population. The capital, Bratislava, is located besides the western border with Austria near the Danube River.
Ethnicity, Languages, and Religion
Slovakia is mainly a homogeneous country, which means that a vast majority of people belong to the same ethnicity. According to the Statistics Section in the Hammond World Atlas (Sixth Edition), 86% of the population is of Slovakian ethnicity, followed by Hungarian at 11% and Roma at 2%. The remaining 1% of course belongs to ethnicities with very small populations in Slovakia. The official language is Slovak, while Hungarian is also spoken - mainly by Hungarians living in Slovakia, of course! Christianity is the dominant religion; around 60% are Roman Catholics, 8% are Protestants, and 4% worship the Orthodox tradition.
***Source for Percentages: Hammond World Atlas, Sixth Edition. Hammond World Atlas Corporation, 2010.
According to the Statistics Section in the Hammond World Atlas (Sixth Edition) and other sources in print and on the web, 700 indigenous languages are spoken in the Oceanic country of PAPUA NEW GUINEA. The official languages are Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English. Other spoken languages include pidgin English (mixes English with another language) and Motu. Papua New Guinea is north of Australia's Cape York, south of the Federated States of Micronesia, and east of Indonesia. Visit my Papua New Guinea post to learn more!
***Source: Hammond World Atlas, Sixth Edition. Hammond World Atlas Corporation, 2010.
Located in West Africa, BENIN is a small and vertically skinny country west of Nigeria and east of Togo, another skinny country. The capital, Porto-Novo, is located near the Atlantic Ocean coast and above a river that runs parallel to the coastline. Over 60% of the population has less than $2 per day to live off of as of 2011, according to the National Geographic atlas cited below. The population is expected to grow more than 100% by the year 2050. The percent of people living in urban areas is relatively low, but may rise as people continue to go to cities like Porto-Novo and Cotonou to find better economic opportunities. The largest sector of the economy is services. The official language is French, but Fon and Yoruba — among other languages — are present as well.
***Credit for Statistics: National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World. Second Edition. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2011.
Achieving independence on Saturday, July 9th, 2011 after 99% of southern Sudan people voted in a referendum to form a sovereign country of their own, the landlocked Republic of SOUTH SUDAN is currently the world’s newest country and is located at the confluence of East Africa and North Africa. The introduction of South Sudan to the world meant that Sudan is no longer Africa's largest country. South Sudan borders six countries: Central African Republic located to the west, Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R. Congo) to the south, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Sudan to the north, and Uganda to the south. The currency of South Sudan is the South Sudanese Pound, and its ISO 4217 currency code is SSP. 100 Piasters equal one South Sudanese Pound. The Sudanese Pound (SDG) currency was used for several months after achieving independence from Sudan.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● Based on the GeoFact of the Day Blog’s 2016 estimate, South Sudan’s total population hovers around 11.15 million. The national capital is located at Juba, home to about 375,000 residents. Other cities and towns scattered throughout South Sudan include Ayod, Gumbiel, Kapoeta, Malakal (a once-thriving city destroyed by civil wars), Nyamllel, Paloich, Popiu, Raga, Tonga, and Waw. There are about 68 ethnic groups and native languages present in South Sudan. Major ethnicities and languages include Acholi, Anuak, Avokaya, Baka, Bari (600,000 people), Beli, Didinga, Dinka (1,370,000), Gbaya, Jur Modo (also known as Jur, or Modo), Kakwa, Lango, Lopit, Luwo, Mabaan, Mandari, Morokodo, Mündü, Murle, Ndogo, Nuer (800,000), Olu'bo, Otuho, Reel, Shilluk, Toposa, Uduk, and Zande (450,000). English is South Sudan's official language, while Sudanese Arabic and Sudanese Creole Arabic are other widely communicated languages. Over 80% of South Sudanese citizens adhere to native religions and traditions, while others are mostly Christian or Islamic.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Especially compared to Sudan, South Sudan possesses thousands of forested acres and also gained access to oil resources – but currently lacks the infrastructure required to properly refine and distribute this money-making commodity. Several national parks attempt to protect forests from natural resource exploitation and animal poaching. These parks include Boma National Park, Nimule National Park, and Southern National Park. The mighty White Nile river flows north to south in eastern South Sudan, bypassing communities such as (from north to south) Geiger, Ar Rank, El Galhak, Paloich, Kodok, Malakal, Bor, Malek, Tombe, Terakeka, Lado, Juba, and Kajo-Kaji. The Qanat Junqoley (Qanāt Junqalī) canal provides a shortcut to shorten the winding river, signifying the importance of boat-based transportation in surrounding communities. South Sudan's highest point is Mount Kinyeti, standing at an elevation of 3,187 meters (over 10,455 feet) near Uganda. Kinyeti is the Imatong mountain range's prominent peak, and its located is west of the Didinga Hills and east of Juba.
This post was comprehensively updated on August 25th, 2016.
Achieving full independence from the United Kingdom in 1979, SAINT LUCIA is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea and the Lesser Antilles archipelago. More specifically, Saint Lucia is situated in the Windward Islands — the Lesser Antilles southernmost extent. Saint Lucia is north of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and south of Martinique. Saint Lucia’s currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XCD. Citizens annually celebrate the Saint Lucian Independence Day on February 22nd.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Saint Lucia’s population in the year 2020 is about 181,800 and is ranked 191st among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Saint Lucia’s national capital is Castries, which has more than 60,000 inhabitants. Other cities and communities include Canaries, Choiseul, Dennery, Desruisseaux, Grand Anse, Gros Islet, Laborie, Marquis, Micoud, Mon Repos, Praslin, Soufrière, and Vieux Fort. The official language is English, but about 87% of the population speaks Saint Lucian French Creole. An Arawakan language confirmed extinct in the 1920s, Island Carib was widely spoken among native people in Saint Lucia and other Caribbean islands in the Lesser Antilles. Over 95% of religious adherents are Christian, followed by Spiritists (1.7%), Hindus (0.9%), and Muslims (0.45%).
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ● Saint Lucia is oftentimes known as the most mountainous island in the Caribbean region, and for a good reason based on its terrain and number of peaks/hills. Mostly located in the west and southwest, several peaks include Coubaril, Gimie, Gros (Large) Piton and Petit (Small) Piton, Houlemon, Marquis, Morton, Parasol (Umbrella), Rabot, Regnier, Tabac, and Terre Blanche. Situated 5.47 kilometers and 3.4 miles east of the Soufrière town, the tallest of these is Mount Gimie — standing about 3,120 feet and over 950 meters in elevation. Saint Lucia features over 30 rivers and streams, which mostly commence in the central, mountainous uplands and radiate towards most sides of the coastline.
Almost exactly in the center of Saint Lucia, the Roseau Reservoir is the largest lake and sits south of the John Compton hydroelectric dam. Saint Lucia has one of the most rugged coastlines of all islands in the Caribbean Sea. This leaves room for dozens of protective harbors, bays, and coves which are typically suitable for recreational boats. Prominent examples include Anse Chapeau, Anse Chastanet, Anse Cochon, Anse Ger, Anse Patience, L’Anse la Raye, Anse des Sables, Anse Violon, Black Bay, Canaries Bay, Chaloupe Bay, Choc Bay, Choiseul Bay, Dennery Bay, Epouge Bay, Fond Bay, Fond d’Or, Grand Anse, Grande Cul de Sac Bay, Laborie Bay, Louvet Bay, Marigot Bay, Marquis Bay, Pitons Bay, Praslin Bay, Rodney Bay, Roseau Bay, Savannes Bay, Soufrière Bay, Troumassée Bay, and Vieux Fort Bay. Finally, access this post (↗) for comprehensive information about rivers and streams throughout the country.
This post was comprehensively updated with more info on July 14th, 2017.
NEW ZEALAND is an Oceanic country achieving full independence on November 25th, 1947 with the signing of the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act and New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act.* Before that monumental year, New Zealand became a Dominion of the United Kingdom on September 26th, 1907. New Zealand is known for its endemic Kiwi bird species, serving as a national symbol. The island country is about 2,000 kilometers east-southeast of Australia, 2,000 km south of Fiji, and is known as Aotearoa by its native Māori people.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● Citizens are typically referred to as New Zealanders or Kiwis. New Zealand's capital is Wellington, and Auckland was the former capital until 1865. Other cities include Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Queenstown, and Rotorua. The official languages are English and Maori. Other widely communicated native and immigrant languages include Afrikaans, Arabic, Fijian, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Niue, Pitcairn-Norfolk (Pitcairn English), Pukapuka, Rakahanga-Manihiki, Rarotongan, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Tokelauan, Tongan, and Yue Chinese. Native and indigenous groups on mainland New Zealand are the Maori people, comprised of dozens of tribes (iwi). The currency New Zealanders use is the New Zealand Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is NZD.
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ● North Island and South Island are New Zealand's two main islands, and smaller islands include Chatham, D'Urville, Stewart, and Great Barrier. The South Pacific Ocean surrounds New Zealand, while the Tasman Sea separates the country from Australia. Also known as Mount Cook, Aoraki towers 3,724 meters and 12,218 feet tall and boasts the designation of highest mountain in New Zealand. The former reading was 3,754 meters and 12,316 feet until 1991, when rock and ice collapsed and started the process an abundance of erosion.
The Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau are New Zealand's island territories. They are located more than 1,000 miles northeast of New Zealand. The Cook Islands are comprised of two north and south island groupings; its capital is Avarua. Known for its collectible commemorative coins, Niue is an island surrounded by reefs. Its capital — located on the western coast — is Alofi, and other Niuean communities include Avatele, Hakupu, Huihui (Niue International Airport's location), Mutalau, Tamakautoga, Tuapa, and Vaiea. Tokelau is a capital-less territory that has three atolls; Atafu and Nukunonu are major communities.
The map was added to this post on June 26th, 2013.
* More details of New Zealand's various "independence days" can be found on this New Zealand Parliament page.
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