ASIA
	Afghanistan
Formal Name: Islamic State of Afghanistan Capital: Kabul  Other Major Cities:   Population: 23.9 million Life Expectancy: 41 male, 42 female Religion:  Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15% Government:   Language(s):  Persian, Pashtu Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:  Afghani Per Capita:   20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley Useful Websites:
	Armenia
Formal Name: Republic of Armenia Capital: Yerevan Other Major Cities:   Population: 3.6 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Armenian Currency: Dram Per Capita: $670 20th Century Recap:   Useful Websites: Armgate.com/travel Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (1996 , 2000 ) Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
	Azerbaijan
Formal Name: Republic of Azerbaijan Capital: Baku Other Major Cities:   Population: 7.6 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Azerbaijani Currency: Manat Per Capita: $500 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Websites:   Must see sights/landmarks: Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower
	Bangladesh
Formal Name: People's Republic of Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka Other Major Cities:   Population: 120.4 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16% Government:   Language(s): Bengali Currency: Taka Per Capita: $230 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur The Sundarbans parjata.org
	Bhutan
Formal Name: Kingdom of Bhutan Capital: Thimphu Other Major Cities:   Population: 1.6 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Mahayana Buddhist 70%, hindu 24% Government:   Language(s): Dzongkha Currency: Ngultrum Per Capita: $400 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Websites: kingdomofbhutan.com Must see sights/landmarks:
	Brunei
Formal Name: The Sultanate of Brunei Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Other Major Cities:   Population: 300,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Malay Currency: Brunei dollar Per Capita: $14240 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Brunei.gov.bn
	Cambodia
Formal Name: State of Cambodia Capital: Phnom Penh Other Major Cities:   Population: 10.3 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Theravada Buddhist 95% Government:   Language(s): Khmer Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Riel Per Capita: $193 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: The symbol on the flag is the silhouette of Angkor Wat Temple Must see sights/landmarks: Angkor Wat Temple Complex (Siem Reap) Useful Websites: cambodia-web.net
	China
Formal Name: People's Republic of China   Capital: Beijing (Peking) Other Major Cities: Shanghai Population: 1.2 billion Life Expectancy:   Religion: Traditional beliefs 20%, Buddhist 6%, Muslim 2% Government:   Language(s): Chinese Mandarin Currency: Yuan Per Capita: $530 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Mount Taishan The Great Wall Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang Mogao Caves Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian Mount Huangshan Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa Lushan National Park Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area Old Town of Lijiang Ancient City of Ping Yao Classical Gardens of Suzhou Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing Mount Wuyi Dazu Rock Carvings Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun Longmen Grottoes Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties Yungang Grottoes Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom cnta.com chinats.com chinavista.com chinatravelservice.com chinatour.com
	Christmas Island
Formal Name: Christmas Island   Capital: Flying Fish Cove Other Major Cities:   Population: 2,871 Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government: Australian external territory Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Formal Name: Capital: West Island Other Major Cities:   Population: 555 Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government: Australian external territory Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Cyprus
Formal Name: Cyprus Island North-"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" South-"Republic of Cyprus"   Capital: Nicosia Other Major Cities:   Population: 700,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Greek, Turkish Currency: Cyprus pound, Turkish lira Per Capita: $8,956 20th Century Recap: A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport will have the status of a European citizen. EU laws, however, will not apply to north Cyprus. Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Paphos Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (1985 , 2001 ) Choirokoitia cyprustourism.org kypros.org/Cyprus/tourism.html
	Gaza Strip
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	Georgia
Formal Name: Republic of Georgia   Capital: Tbilisi Other Major Cities:   Population: 5.5 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Georgian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Lari 20th Century Recap: ~$725 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: GeorgiaEmb.org (Embassy in U.S.)
	Golan Heights
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	Hong Kong
Formal Name: Hong Kong Capital: Victoria Other Major Cities:   Population: 5.9 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Buddhist and Daoist 74%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 4% Government:   Language(s): English, Cantonese Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Hong Kong dollar Per Capita: $21,650 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: Hong Kong's old airport was so close in town that you often landed between two apartment buildings. Passengers claimed you could see into apartments. The new airport is located out of town on land filled which united two islands. Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: HKTA.com totallyhk.com
	India
Formal Name: Republic of India Capital: New Delhi Other Major Cities: Madras, Bangalore, Bhopal Population: 935.7 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Hindu 83%, Muslim 11%, Christian 2% Government:   Language(s): Hindi, English Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Rupee Per Capita: $310 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: TourismIndia.com Tourindia.com allindia.com desintationindia.com indiabuzz.com indiacity.com welcometoindia.com
	Indonesia
Formal Name: Republic of Indonesia   Capital: Jakarta Other Major Cities:   Population: 197.6 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Muslim 87%, Protestant 6%, Roman Catholic 3% Government:   Language(s): Bahasa Indonesia Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Rupiah Per Capita: $880 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: indonesia-tousim.com indo.com tourismindonesia.com bali-paradise.com travelbali.com balitravelforum.com jakarta.go.id
	Kazakhstan
Formal Name: Republic of Kazakhstan   Capital: Almaty Other Major Cities:   Population: 17.1 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Muslim 47%, Other (Mostly Russian Orthodox and Lutheran ) 53% Government:   Language(s): Kazakh Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Tenge 20th Century Recap: $1,110 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Kirghizia /Kyrgystan
Formal Name: Kyrgyz Republic   Capital: Bishtek Other Major Cities:   Population: 4.7 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Kyrgyz, Russian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Som Per Capita: $610 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Laos
Formal Name: Lao People's Democratic Republic Capital: Vientiane Other Major Cities:   Population: 4.9 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Buddhist 85%, Other (including Animist) 15% Government:   Language(s): Lao Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: New kip Per Capita: $320 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: visit-laos.com
	Macao
Formal Name: Capital: Macao Other Major Cities:   Population: 388,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government: Special territory of Portugal transferred in 1999 to Special administrative province of China Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: A short day trip from Hong Kong, Macao is best known for its casino resorts. Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: Macaotourism.gov.mo
	Malaysia
Formal Name: Malaysia   Capital: Kuala Lumpur Other Major Cities:   Population: 20.1 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Malay Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Ringgit Per Capita: $3520 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: Tourism.gov.my mnet.com.my/klonline (Kuala Lumpur) sarawaktourism.com
	Maldives
Formal Name: Republic of Maldives Capital: Male' Other Major Cities:   Population: 300,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion: Sunni Muslim 100% Government:   Language(s): Dhiveni Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Rufiyaa Per Capita: $900 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: visitmaldives.com
	Mongolia
Formal Name: Mongolia   Capital: ulan Baator Other Major Cities:   Population: 2.4 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Khalikha Mongolian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Tughrik Per Capita: $340 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: un.int/mongolia
	Myanmar
Formal Name: Union of Myanmar Capital: Rangoon (Yangon) Other Major Cities:   Population: 46.5 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Buddhist 89%, Muslim 4%, Baptist 3%, ROman Catholic 1% Government:   Language(s): Burmese Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Kyat Per Capita: $863 20th Century Recap: In 1990 the National League for Democracy (NLD) won the free elections but the military prevented them from taking power. Since then, their leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has been under sporadic house arrest and won the Nobel Peace Prize in ***. Human rights are some of the worst in the region. Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: myanmar.com
	Nepal
Formal Name: Kingdom of Nepal   Capital: Kathmandu Other Major Cities:   Population: 21.4 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3% Government:   Language(s): Nepali Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Nepalese rupee Per Capita: $200 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: As far as we know, Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular flag. Must see sights/landmarks: Kathmandu is a launching area for trips into Tibet. Useful Websites: welcomenepal.com travel-nepal.com
	North Korea
Formal Name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea Capital: Pyongyang Other Major Cities:   Population: 23.9 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government: Dictatorship Language(s): Korean Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Won Per Capita: $1390 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Pakistan
Formal Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan Capital: Islamabad Other Major Cities:   Population: 140.5 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Sunni Muslim 77%, Shi'a Muslim 20% Government:   Language(s): urdu Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Pakistani rupee Per Capita: $440 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: tourism.gov.pk ptl.com.pk
	Philippines
Formal Name: Republic of the Philippines Capital: Manila Other Major Cities:   Population: 67.6 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Other (Buddhist) 3% Government:   Language(s): Filipino (Tagalog), English Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Philippine peso Per Capita: $960 20th Century Recap: This island nation is made up of over 7,000 islands and is the second largest archipelago after Indonesia. Only 4600 are named and 1000 inhabited. Fun Fact: When you think of shoes, think Imelda Marcos. When the Marcos' left the Philippines over 1,000 pairs of shoes were found in their palace Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: tourism.gov.ph
	Russia
Formal Name: Russian Federation   Capital: Moscow Other Major Cities: St. Petersburg Population: 147 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Russian orthodox 75% Government:   Language(s): Russian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Rouble Per Capita: $2650 20th Century Recap: Following the dissolution of USSR Russia became a sovereign state Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: russia-travel.com moscow-guide.ru
	Singapore
Formal Name: Republic of Singapore Capital: Singapore City Other Major Cities:   Population: 2.8 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Malay, Chinese, Tamil, English Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Singapore dollar Per Capita: $23,360 20th Century Recap: Largely uninhabited it became a British territory in 1819 under the British East india company. World War II saw much fighting with the Japanese invading and finally independence was gained. Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: sg.com makansutra.com catacha.com.sg singaporeeverything.com .
	South Korea
Formal Name: Republic of Korea Capital: Seoul Other Major Cities:   Population: 45 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Mahayana Buddhist 47%, Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 11%, Confucian 3% Government:   Language(s): Korean Currency: Won Per Capita: $8,220 20th Century Recap: Under US sponsorship, Korea was split after WWII. The demilitarized zone remains the most heavily mined border in the world. Technically the Korean war (1950-53) was never settled Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks: Complex of Koguryo Tombs visitkoreaor.kr knto.or.kr nmetro.com (seoul)
	Sri Lanka
Formal Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Capital: Colombo Other Major Cities:   Population: 18.4 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Sinhalese Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: sri lanka rupee Per Capita: $640 20th Century Recap: independent in 1948 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: lanka.net/ctb
	Tajikistan (Tadzhikistan)
Formal Name: Republic of Tajikistan   Capital: Dushanbe Other Major Cities:   Population: 6.1 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Sunni muslim 80%, Shi'a muslim 5% Government:   Language(s): Tajik Currency: Tajik Rouble Per Capita: $350 20th Century Recap: reluctantly independent from USSR in 1991 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:
	Taiwan
Formal Name: Republic of China (Taiwan) Capital: Taipei Other Major Cities:   Population: 20.9 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist 93%, Christian 3% Government:   Language(s): Mandarin Chinese Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: New taiwan dollar Per Capita: $10,479 20th Century Recap: formerly known as Formosa, it was founded by Chiang Kai-Shek in 1949 who was expelled by the Beijing (Peking) communist government under Mao. Beijing refuses to acknowledge Taiwan as a separate nation and claims it under the "One China" principle. Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: tbroc.gov.tw travel.cybertaiwan.com/taipei
	Thailand
Formal Name: Kingdom of Thailand Capital: Bangkok Other Major Cities:   Population: 58.8 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Buddhist 95% Government:   Language(s): Thai Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Baht Per Capita: $2210 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: tourismthailand.org amazingthailand.cth siam.net
	Turkmenistan
Formal Name: Republic of Turkmenistan   Capital: Ashagabat Other Major Cities:   Population: 4.1 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Muslim 85%, Eastern orthodox 10% Government:   Language(s): Turkmen Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Manat Per Capita: $1650 20th Century Recap: Formerly part of Tsarist russia Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	United Arab Emirates
Formal Name: United Arab Emirates   Capital: Abu Dhabi Other Major Cities:   Population: 1.9 million Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Arabic Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: UAE dirham Per Capita: $17,500 20th Century Recap: Once reliant on pearl exports, UAE is a large oil and gas producer Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Uzbekistan
Formal Name: Republic of Uzbekistan   Capital: Tashkent Other Major Cities: Ancient Muslim cities of Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva Population: 22.8 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Muslim 78%, Other (Farsi) 22% Government:   Language(s): Uzbek Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Som Per Capita: $950 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: