EUROPE
	Albania
Formal Name: Republic of Albania Capital: Tirane Other Major Cities:   Population: 3.4 million Life Expectancy: 70 male, 75 female Religion: Muslim 70%, Greek Orthodox 20%, Catholic 10% Government:   Language(s): Albanian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: New Lek Per Capita: $1740 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Andorra
Formal Name: Principality of Andorra Capital: Andorra la Vella Other Major Cities:   Population: 64,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion: Catholic 86% Government:   Language(s): Catalan Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: French franc, Spanish peseta Per Capita: $8,956 20th Century Recap: From the 13th century Andorra has been co-governed by the French and Spanish. Skiing and duty free shopping have made this country a big tourist spot. Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Belgium
Formal Name: Kingdom of Belgium Capital: Brussels Other Major Cities: Brugge Population: 10.1 million Life Expectancy: 72 male, 79 female Religion: Catholic 75% Government:   Language(s): Dutch, French, German Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Belgian franc Per Capita: $25,820 20th Century Recap: austria was invaded during both World Wars. Still tense along the French and Flemish borders Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Formal Name: The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina   Capital: Sarajevo Other Major Cities:   Population: 3.5 million Life Expectancy: 69 male, 75 female Religion: Orthodox Catholic 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, Slavic Muslim 40%, Protestant 4% Government:   Language(s): Serbian, Croatian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Bosnian dinar Per Capita: $1540 20th Century Recap: Yugoslavia was a blend of Muslim, Croats and Serbs but dissolved into war in 1992-1995. Yugoslavia dissolved into war in 1992. The countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were formed. The country of Serbia and Montenegro was formed from the remaining area of Yugoslavia. Sarajevo was host of the Winter Olympics in 1984. Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Bulgaria
Formal Name: Republic of Bulgaria Capital: Sofia Other Major Cities:   Population: 8.8 million Life Expectancy: 68 male, 75 female Religion: Bulgarian orthodox 85%, Muslim 13%, Jewish 1% Government: Democratic Language(s): Bulgarian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Lev Per Capita: $2,130 20th Century Recap: Ruled by the Turks 1396-1878 1908 became a kingdom 1947-1989 communist rule Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: travel-bulgaria.com
	Byelorussia
Formal Name: Republic of Belarus Capital: Minsk Other Major Cities: Brest Population: 10.1 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Russian orthodox 60%, Roman Catholic 8% Government:   Language(s): Belorussian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Byelorussia ruble Per Capita: $2,160 20th Century Recap: Formerly part of the USSR, reluctantly went independent in 1991 1986 Chernobyl explosion in Ukraine has affected environment Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Croatia
Formal Name: Republic of Croatia Capital: Zagreb Other Major Cities:   Population: 4.5 million Life Expectancy: 68 male, 76 female Religion: Roman Catholic 77%, Slavic Muslim 1% Government:   Language(s): Croatian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Kuna Per Capita: $5350 20th Century Recap: Part of yugoslavia that exploded into war in 1992. Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: mint.hr
	Czech Republic
Formal Name: Czech Republic Capital: Prague Other Major Cities: 69 male, 76 female Population: 10.3 million Life Expectancy:   Religion: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Other Catholic 2% Government:   Language(s): Czech Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Czech Koruna Per Capita: $6740 20th Century Recap: Long time protests against Russia include the Prague Spring of 1968 and finally the "Velvet Revolution" of 1989 which lead to the fall of Communist USSR Vaclav Havel, a playwright previously jailed for political writings and Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, was elected president in 1989. Fun Fact: Milan Kunder among several known literary figures, hails from Prague   Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: czechcenter.com a-zprague.cz pragueiguide.com
	Estonia
Formal Name: Republic of Estonia Capital: Tallinn Other Major Cities:   Population: 1.5 million Life Expectancy: 66 male, 75 female  Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Estonian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Kroon Per Capita: $4,960 20th Century Recap: Part of the baltic states under USSR, Estonian are actually Finno-Ugric and the language is similar to Finnish Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: visitestonia.com
	Faeroe Islands
Formal Name: Faeroe Islands Capital: Torshavn Other Major Cities:   Population: 47,310 Life Expectancy: 73 male, 79 female Religion:   Government: Self governing territory of Denmark Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap: Due to the Gulf Stream current these islands actually have a mild climate for their latitude. Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: FaroeIslands.com puffin.com/travel
	Finland
Formal Name: Republic of Finland Capital: Helsinki Other Major Cities:   Population: 5.1 million Life Expectancy: 71 male, 79 female Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1% Government:   Language(s): Finnish, Swedish Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Markka Per Capita: $27,000 20th Century Recap: Ruled by Russia from 1908-1917 Joined EU in 1995 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: thekingsroad.com finland-tourism.com hel.fi/mato (Helsinki)
	France
Formal Name: The French Republic Capital: Paris Other Major Cities: Nice, Aix en Provence, Brest Population: 60.1 million Life Expectancy: 73 male, 81 female Religion: ROman Catholic 90%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 2% Government:   Language(s): French Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Franc Per Capita: $23,470 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: franceguide.com francetourism.com officialcities.org/france paris.org
	Germany
Formal Name: Federal Republic of Germany Capital: Berlin Other Major Cities: Bonn, Munich Population: 81.6 million Life Expectancy: 72 male, 78 female Religion: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37% Government:   Language(s): German Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Deutsche Mark Per Capita: $25,580 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: germany-tourism.de lodging-germany.com
	Gibraltar
Formal Name: Gibraltar Capital: Gibraltar Other Major Cities:   Population: 28,000 Life Expectancy: 72 male, 78 female Religion:   Government: British territory Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap: Located at the southern tip of spain the British have maintained military base and lately off-shore banking has grown Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: gibraltar.gov.gi
	Greece
Formal Name: Hellenic Republic Capital: Athens Other Major Cities:   Population: 10.5 million Life Expectancy: 73 male, 78 female Religion: Greek Orthodox 98% (duh!) Government:   Language(s): Greek Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Drachma Per Capita: $13,700 20th Century Recap: Birthplace of the modern Olympics, Athens hosted the 2004 summer games Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: gnto.gr athensguide.com
	Hungary
Formal Name: Republic of Hungary   Capital: Budapest Other Major Cities:   Population: 10.1 million Life Expectancy: 65 male, 74 female Religion: Roman Catholic 68%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5% Government:   Language(s): Hungarian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Forint Per Capita: $6330 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: hungarytourism.hu gotohungary.com
	Iceland
Formal Name: Republic of Iceland Capital: Reykjavik Other Major Cities:   Population: 300,000 Life Expectancy: 75 male, 80 female  Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 96% Government:   Language(s): icelandic Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Icelandic krona Per Capita: $30,810 20th Century Recap: Gained independence from Denmark in 1944 Fun Fact: Iceland has over 200 volcanoes and geysers. In Iceland people heat their house with hot water from thermal baths and have to pay for cold water Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: iceyourist.is arctic.is reyjavik.com
	Ireland
Formal Name: Republic of Ireland Capital: Dublin Other Major Cities: Belfast, Galway, Killarney Population: 3.6 million Life Expectancy: 71 male, 77 female Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Irish, English Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Irish pound Per Capita: $26,900 20th Century Recap: Northern Ireland still remains under British rule and remains a tension point for independence Dublin's economy is the fastest in Europe in the last 10 yrs. Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: ireland.travel.ie
	Kosovo
Formal Name:     Capital:   Other Major Cities:   Population:   Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government:   Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Latvia
Formal Name: Republic of Latvia   Capital: Riga Other Major Cities:   Population: 2.6 million Life Expectancy: 65 male, 75 female Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Latvian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Lats Per Capita: $4070 20th Century Recap: Independence from USSR in 1991   Fun Fact: Only 52% are ethnic Latvians   Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: latviatravel.com
	Liechtenstein
Formal Name: Principality of Liechtenstein Capital: Vaduz Other Major Cities:   Population: 30,630 Life Expectancy: 66 male, 73 female Religion: Roman Catholic 87%, Protestant 8% Government:   Language(s): German Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Swiss franc Per Capita: $31,000 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Lithuania
Formal Name: Republic of Lithuania Capital: Vilnius Other Major Cities:   Population: 3.7 million Life Expectancy: 67 male, 76 female  Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Lithuanian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Litas Per Capita: $4490 20th Century Recap: One of the Baltic states that gained independence in 1991 from USSR Russia finally withdrew in 1993   Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: tourism.lt
	Luxembourg
Formal Name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Capital: Luxembourg Other Major Cities:   Population: 400,000 Life Expectancy: 71 male, 78 female Religion: ROman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3% Government:   Language(s): Letzeburhish Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Luxembourg franc Per Capita: $43,900 20th Century Recap: Before World War II it was higher than US in per capita Headquarters for many of the EU institutions Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: etat.lu/tourism www.ont.lu luxembourg.co.uk
	Macedonia
Formal Name: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Capital: Skopje Other Major Cities:   Population: 2.2 million Life Expectancy: 70 male, 74 female Religion:   Government:   Language(s): no official language Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Macedonian denar Per Capita: $790 20th Century Recap: Tensions run high with Greece due to historical disputes over Great Macedonia in Northern Greece Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Malta
Formal Name: Republic of Malta Capital: Valletta Other Major Cities:   Population: 400,000 Life Expectancy: 74 male. 78 female Religion: Roman Catholic 98% Government:   Language(s): Maltese, English Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Maltese lira Per Capita: $9,260 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: Maltese language is actually a mix of arabic due to its location and history Visiting tourists number twice the population Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: visitmalta.com
	Moldova
Formal Name: Republic of Moldova Capital: Chisinau Other Major Cities:   Population: 4.4 million Life Expectancy: 66 male, 72 female Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Moldovan Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Moldovan leu Per Capita: $870 20th Century Recap: Once part of Romania it was ruled by USSR from 1940-1991 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Monaco
Formal Name: Principality of Monaco Capital: Monaco Other Major Cities:   Population: 31,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion: Roman Catholic 95% Government:   Language(s): French Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: French franc Per Capita: $11,000 20th Century Recap: Finances changes dramatically when Prince Charles III opened a casino in 1863 turning it into a tourist destination and banking center Fun Fact: American Actress Grace Kelly became Princess Grace when she married Prince Ranier of Monaco   Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: monoco-congres.com monoco.mc/usa
	Montenegro
Formal Name: Serbia and Montenegro 20th Century Recap: Formerly part of Yugoslavia, this country is now called Serbia and Montenegro. Click here for Serbia Montenegro.
	Norway
Formal Name: Kingdom of Norway Capital: Oslo Other Major Cities:   Population: 4.3 million Life Expectancy: 73 male. 80 female Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 88%, Government:   Language(s): Norwegian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Norwegian krone Per Capita: $26,480 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: Gro Harlem Brundtland became the first female prime minister in 1981 Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: tourist.no norway.org
	Poland
Formal Name: Republic of Poland Capital: Warsaw Other Major Cities:   Population: 38.4 million Life Expectancy: 67 male, 76 female Religion: Roman Catholic 95% Government:   Language(s): Polish Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Zloty Per Capita: $5270 Per Capita:   20th Century Recap: Gained independence from USSR in 1989. Pope John Paul II (Karol Woytila) is widely credited with helping the Polish people to united and create the solidarity movement. Fun Fact: Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was awarded the Nobel PEace Prize in 1983 fro his work in fighting communism.   Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: polandtour.org krakow.pl/wk/en
	Portugal
Formal Name: Republic of Portugal Capital: Lisbon Other Major Cities:   Population: 9.8 million Life Expectancy: 71 male, 78 female Religion: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 1% Government:   Language(s): portuguese Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Escudo Per Capita: $12,130 20th Century Recap: 1974 bloodless coup. Joined EU in 1986 Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: portugalinsite.pt portugal.org
	Romania
Formal Name: Romania Capital: Bucharest Other Major Cities:   Population: 22.8 million Life Expectancy: 67 male. 73 female Religion: Romanian orthodox 70%, Greek Catholic 3%, Roman Catholic 6%, Protestant 6% Government: Democratic Language(s): Romanian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Leu Per Capita: $2,300 20th Century Recap: Formerly part of the Ottoman, Russian and Hapsburg empires, ROmania became a kingdom in 1878. After World War II it became communist. Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu ruled from 1965 until 1989 when he was overthrown and executed by firing squad (shown on TV). Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: tourism.ro rotravel.com
	San Marino
Formal Name: Republic of San Marino Capital: San Marino Other Major Cities:   Population: 24,000 Life Expectancy: 73 male. 79 female Religion: Roman Catholic 96% Government:   Language(s): Italian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Italian lira Per Capita: $8545 20th Century Recap: Self ruled since the 4th century, it's divided into 9 castles or districts Fun Fact: After Nauru, San Marino is the smallest republic in the world Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Scotland
Formal Name: Scotland   Capital:   Other Major Cities:   Population:   Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government: Scotland is part of the United Kingdom but has its own parliament? Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap:     Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:  visitscotland.com seeglasgow.com
	Serbia and Montenegro
Formal Name: Serbia and Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)) Capital: Belgrade Other Major Cities:   Population:  10.9 million Life Expectancy:  69 male, 74 female  Religion: Orthodox Catholic 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1% Government:   Language(s): Serbian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Dinar  Per Capita: $1920 20th Century Recap: Former leader Slobodan Milosevic is in The Hague currently on trial for war crimes. Yugoslavia dissolved into war in 1992. The countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were formed. The country of Serbia and Montenegro was formed from the remaining area of Yugoslavia. Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites:
	Slovakia
Formal Name: Slovak Republic   Capital: Bratislava Other Major Cities:   Population: 5.4 million Life Expectancy: 67 male, 75 female Religion: Roman Catholic 50%, Orthodox Catholic 2%, Protestant 20% Government:   Language(s): Slovak Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Slovak koruna Per Capita: $4920 20th Century Recap: 1993- independence less developed half of Czechoslovakia (see Czech Republic) Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: sacr.sk slovakia.org/tourism
	Slovenia
Formal Name: Republic of Slovenia   Capital: Ljubljana Other Major Cities:   Population: 1.9 million Life Expectancy: 69 male, 77 female Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Slovene Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Tolar Per Capita: $11,830 20th Century Recap: Yugoslavia dissolved into war in 1992. The countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were formed. The country of Serbia and Montenegro was formed from the remaining area of Yugoslavia. Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Spain
Formal Name: Kingdom of Spain Capital: Madrid Other Major Cities: Seville, Barcelona, Valencia Population: 39.6 million Life Expectancy: 73 male, 80 female Religion: Roman Catholic 99% Government:   Language(s): Spanish, Galician, Basque, Catalan Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: peseta Per Capita: $16,990 20th Century Recap: since the death of dictator Franco in 1975 Spain has made the transition to relative democracy with help of King Juan Carlos I 1986 joined the EU Fun Fact: Barcelona was the 1992 host of the Summer olympic games   Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: tourspain.es okspain.org red2000.com andalucia.org barcelona-on-line.es madridman.com
	Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Formal Name: Svalbard and Jan Mayen Capital: Longyearbyen Other Major Cities:   Population: 3,431 Life Expectancy:   Religion:   Government: Norwegian dependency Language(s):   Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency:   Per Capita:   20th Century Recap: Mostly coal mining industry made up of 9 ice covered islands Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites:
	Sweden
Formal Name: Kingdom of Sweden Capital: Stockholm Other Major Cities:   Population: 8.8 million Life Expectancy: 75 male, 80 female Religion: Evangelical lutheran 94%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 2% Government:   Language(s): Swedish Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Swedish krona Per Capita: $28,840 20th Century Recap: Joined EU in 1995 Fun Fact: Sweden has one of the most developed health care systems in the world and is a leader in women's rights The always reliable Volvo and Saabs come form Sweden. Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: visit-sweden.com gosweden.org stockholm.com
	Switzerland
Formal Name: Swiss Confederation   Capital: Bern Other Major Cities: Lucerne, St Moritz Population: 7.2 million Life Expectancy: 74 male, 81 female Religion: Roman catholic 48%, Protest 44% Government:   Language(s): German, French, Italian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Swiss franc Per Capita: $37,180 20th Century Recap: Switzerland has managed to stay neutral in every major war since 1815 Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: myswitzerland.com switzerlandtourism.com
	Ukraine
Formal Name: Ukraine   Capital: Kiev Other Major Cities:   Population: 51.4 million Life Expectancy: 66 male, 75 female  Religion:   Government:   Language(s): Ukrainian Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: karbovanets Per Capita: $1,570 20th Century Recap: independent state formed in 1918 but then overrun by Soviets and Polish forces. Finally separated from USSR in 1991 Fun Fact:     Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: ukremb.com unazone.net/kiev.html
	United Kingdom
Formal Name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Capital: London Other Major Cities:   Population: 58.3 million Life Expectancy: 73 male, 79 female Religion: Anglican 47%, Catholic 9%, Presbyterian 4%, Methodist 1%, Muslim 3% Government:   Language(s): English Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: British pound Per Capita: $28,350 20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact:   Must see sights/landmarks:   Useful Websites: travelengland.org.uk travelbritain.org visitbritain.com edinburgh.org (Also See Scotland) londontown.com
	Vatican City
Formal Name: State of the Vatican City (also known as the Holy See) Capital: Vatican     Population: 1,000 Life Expectancy:   Religion: Catholic Government:   Language(s): Italian, Latin Hello   Goodbye   Thank you   Currency: Lira Per Capita:   20th Century Recap:   Fun Fact: St Peter's basilica is built on the site of St Peter's tomb. 1506-1626 "On this rock you will build my church..." Must see sights/landmarks:     Useful Websites: vatican.va
	Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia dissolved into war in 1992. The countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were formed. The country of Serbia and Montenegro was formed from the remaining area of Yugoslavia and declared a "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". See Serbia