Yemen (al-Yaman): A Short Summary

Differentiating Facts:

1. Republic: headed by President Saleh, with Vice President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister. Still largely a tribal society. Kidnappings 1990s - present. Since 2004, Civil War between Yemeni forces and Shiite rebels, also 2009 South Yemen separatism.

2. Many population shifts in long history. Kidnappings of tourists. Ocean piracy. Rapes of refugees. Violence against women. High birth rate (average 6 babies per mother). Fastest growing country in Arabia. 46% pop. less than 15 yrs. of age. Malarial mosquitoes. Lack of vaccinations.

3. Censorship practiced. Freedom of speech, press and religion are restricted.

Historical & Geographical Facts:

1. Arabian Peninsula country in southwest Asia. 20 governates and 1 municipality. Notable cities --Capital: Sana (also sp. Sana'a & Sanaa). Shibam: "Manhattan of the Desert."

2. Pop. 23 mil. 53% Sunni, 47% Shi'a. Four Main Regions: west coastal plains, western highlands, eastern highlands, Rub Al Khali (desert) in the east. Over 200 islands, many volcanic.

3. Est. Nov. 1, 1918. Independent judiciary practices Muslim Sharia law. Britain withdrew from Aden with closure of Suez Canal in 1967. Before 1990 existed as 2 entities.

Economic Facts:

1. Currency: Rials. Long operations trading spices, timber, textiles. Strategic location on Bab el Mandeb-strait linking the Red Sea & the Gulf of Aden is one of the world's most active shipping lanes with a high risk of piracy.

2. China and Soviet Union have provided economic assistance since mid-50s. 40% Unemployment (2007). Dwindling natural resources (e.g. oil, water). Fear of economic collapse by 2017. Monetary reform programs with World Bank and IMF.

3. Neighboring Saudi Arabia has built new border control measures. Good relations with Somalia and Djibouti.

General facts:

1.  99% Muslim. Only 1% pop. non-Muslim.

2. Arabic language is used. Compulsory school attendance not enforced.

3. Khat, an evergreen shrub, chewed by men and women is deeply rooted in culture for its caffeine-like effect.

Bhutan, Kingdom of: A Short Summary

Differentiating Facts:

1) Population: 672,425. Called Land of the Peaceful Thunder Dragon in the Himalayas between India and China. Never colonized by other nations. Last remaining monarchy left in South Asia, the Wangchuck dynasty. New King, 28, crowned The Dragon King, November 6, 2008 at 8:31 a.m.*** (long-awaited). Bhutan had first democratic elections in March 2008.

2) Created the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index with four components, in 1998. “A new set of guide lines by which to govern the country, is “defined by the following four objectives: to increase economic growth and development, preserve and promote the cultural heritage, encourage sustainable use of the environment, and establish good governance.”* Accordingly, in 2006 Business Week rated Bhutan the happiest country in Asia and the eighth happiest country in the world citing a global survey conducted by the University of Leicester in 2006 referenced to as the "World Map of Happiness".^**

3) Has the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, the Gangkhar Puensum at 24, 835 ft (7,570 m)

Historical and Geographical Facts:

1) Capital and largest city is Thimphu. Very mountainous. Temperature ranges from subtropical in the south to polar in the north.

2) Fortresses (Dzong) were built (by a Tibetan military leader) in the 17^th C to defend Bhutan against Tibetans. Bhutan also had border disputes with India (and the British East India Company) but all hostilities were ended by 1865 treaties.

3) Inheritance generally follows the female line. Love marriages in urban areas common. But polygamy is often a device used to keep property contained in a family unit. One of the safest countries in the world.

Economic Facts:

1) Few embassies in Bhutan. Informal outside contact is mostly with India. “The Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007 strengthens Bhutan’s status as an independent and sovereign nation.”**

2) Per capita income is US$1,321. Currency, begun in the 1960s, is the Ngultrum, pegged to the Indian rupee (also used). The military takeover of Tibet in 1959 closed all historic trade routes over Himalayas. Most trade is with India (71.3%),

3) Economy is 80% based on agriculture, rice, buckwheat, livestock farming. Hydroelectric power to India provides revenues, as do forestry, handicrafts and alcohol. Country is 64% covered in forest. Railways are nonexistent, and roads are rugged. Banned items include tobacco and plastic bags. Television was banned until 1999.

General Facts:

1) Age-old code of conduct and use of language (Dzongkha) are promoted. Law requires Bhutanese dress in public areas, and for formal wear.

2) Literacy rate is 59.5 %. Median age is 22.3 years, and life expectancy is 62.2 years. Previous King stepped down (retired) at age 52.

3) Religion is ¾ Vajirayana Buddhism, and ¼ Hinduism (roughly) and they co-exist peacefully. Nepalese immigrants to Bhutan, forced out in the 1990s, have been resettled in America. Archery, darts, shot put are national sports. Cricket, football increasing.

Source: * http://wikitravel.org/en/Bhutan

** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan

***http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/06/bhutan-nepal

Cambodia, Kingdom of: A Short Summary

Differentiating Facts:

1) Cambodia is best visited between November and January (or March). Rainy monsoon season runs from May to October. Tourism expanded to 4 mil in 2007. There are still border disputes with Thailand.

2) 90% of Cambodians are Khmer in origin. Schools and universities are often funded by France. Cambodian French, a dialect used by the government is being replaced with English as a business language.

3) Wide variety of plants (including rices) and wildlife. Rice self-sufficiency returned in 2000. Rainforest fell from 70% of Cambodia in 1970 to 3.1% in 2007.

Historical and Geographical Facts:

1) Also briefly known as Kampuchea (1975-1979). Largest city is Phnom Penh. It is the successor state of the powerful Khmer and Buddhist Empire of the 11thC to 14^th C. centered in Angkor. Angkor Wat, a major tourist draw, is a religious temple, a reminder of Cambodia’s past as a major regional power.

2) Geography is dominated by the Mekong River and (Lake) Tonle Sap. Most of the country is less than 330 ft (100 m) above sea level, although the center has the highest mountain, Phnom Aoral, elev. 5,948 ft (1,813 m).

3) Bombings during the Vietnam War and dislocations (and genocide) during the Civil War of 1975 created widespread famine and need for reconstruction. "As events in the 1980s progressed, the main preoccupations of the new regime were survival, restoring the economy, and combating the Khmer Rouge insurgency by military and by political means."*

Economic Facts:

1) Main industries are tourism (quickly expanding), fish, textiles, timber and construction. Has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. In 2005, oil and natural gas were discovered, and could affect revenues in 2011.

2) Much of the countryside lacks basic infrastructure, because of years of political instability and severe repeat flooding. There are limited rail lines, and highways and bridges are improving. Automobiles, waterways, ports and airports are having increasing use.

3) Stability has been aided by Japan, France, West Germany, Canada and Australia (and others), but not as much by the United States and Great Britain due to Cambodia's relationship with China, one of its greatest trading partners. Some foreign aid is thought to be channeled into personal accounts, and more transparency is required to achieve greater prosperity.

General Facts:

1) Politics are conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary representative democracy. King Norodom Sihanouk has been involved with running the country since 1953 (much of the time) as either King or Prime Minister. In 2004, he abdicated the throne and was replaced by King Norodom Sihamoni (selected by a nine-member throne council).

2) UNICEF designates Cambodia as the third most land-mined country in the world. Considered among the world’s most corrupt country on most lists, 2^nd most in South East Asia (with Myanmar) after Laos.

3) Median age is 20.6 years, and half of the population of 14 million is less than age 25.

Further travel information is available at Wikitravel.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Cambodia




Source: http://www.google.com/search?q=cambodia+wiki&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS267US268

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Kampuchea

Vietnam, the Socialist Republic: A Short Summary

Differentiating Characteristics:

1) Agricultural civilization based on wet rice cultivating is modernizing. Influenced by China, Vietnamese emphasize the values of filial duty, education and self-betterment

2) Controlled media. Tourism and the film media are expanding.

3) Long notable for stilt dwellings, bronze tools and drums, betel-nut chewing and teeth-blackening.

Historical and Geographical Facts:

1) Under Chinese control until 10^th C, successive dynasties followed by French in mid-19^th C. became part of French Indochina in 1885. Invaded by Japanese in WWII. First Indochina War 1946-1954, between Soviet-backed Viet Minh and French forces. Communists gained ground until Vietnam War ended with a communist victory in 1975 (see also Laos).

2) Postwar, humanitarian crisis occurred caused by collectivization of private lands and businesses and widespread arrests. Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978 to remove Khmer Rouge and relied again on Soviets when China invaded North Vietnam. Ravaged by war, reformed in a big shift by communist leaders in 1986, economy revived with privatizations and grew fast. Diplomatic ties returned by 2000, joined World Trade Organization in 2007, and the United Nations Security Council in 2008.

3) Larger than Italy, almost the size of Germany. Pop. 86 mil. Mostly hills and mountains, level land: 20%. Mekong Delta changes in size naturally. Monsoonal climate: winter or dry season is roughly from November to April. Has established many conservation areas, for the study of species diversity.

Economic Facts:

1) Achieved recent rapid growth in agricultural (rice, coffee, tea, cashew nuts, fish and rubber) and industrial production, construction, housing, exports and foreign investments. Vietnam is still a single-party state while transitioning to a market economy.

2) The role of the military has reduced substantially since the 1980s. “Although the state remains officially committed to socialism as its defining creed, the ideology's importance has substantially diminished since the 1990s.”*

3) The road system is the most popular form of transportation, by bicycle, scooters, and motorcycles. Public bus operated by private companies offer long-distance travel. Automobiles are booming and causing congestion. Waterways and seven ports are significant.

General Facts:

1) Buddhism became the dominant religion. Traditional wedding is the most important celebration, with traditional garments worn.

2) In 1804, King Gia Long named it “Viet” (for a large ethnic group) and “Nam” for “the south” (as opposed to China, “the north”).

3) English study is obligatory in most schools. There is a state-controlled network offering free instruction only until age 11, then it is private. Sports are popular. Vietnam has its own art, theater, dance, literature and music.

*Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam

Laos, Lao People's Democratic Republic: A Short Summary

Differentiating Characteristics:

1) Home of significant large wildlife, the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur, the Asian elephant, historically called the Lan Xang, “Land of a Million Elephants” from the 14^th to 18^th C.

2) Opium poppy is an important crop. “During the Vietnam War, the vast majority of the opium produced in Laos was consumed by US soldiers” – Wikipedia.

3) Not a free press society: all newspapers are published by the socialist republic government including two foreign language papers. While Internet cafes are common in urban centers, the government censors content and controls access.

Historical and Geographical Facts:

1) Laos was dragged into the Vietnamese War (1970s) and suffered from bombings and heavy loss of life. In 1975, King Savang Vatthana abdicated and later died in captivity, after which Laos became a communist country with military leadership. In its current ideology, "the [communist] party would allow economic freedom and a degree of cultural freedom but would not allow anyone to question the rule of the party over the country."*

2) Lao monarchies ruled until 18^th C Siamese suzerainty. Laos became a French protectorate in the 19^th C, Japanese during WWII, and then French again until 1955. The U.S. Dept of Defense then replaced French support of the Royal Lao Army, supported (unsuccessfully) the South Vietnamese invasion of Laos and a Civil War between the Royal Laotian government and communist Pathet Lao.

3) Mountainous country. Monsoonal climate. 21% of the nation’s area is parkland.

Economic Facts:

1) Vietnam cut off Laos from trade with China and other countries except Vietnam in late 1970s. Economic restrictions relaxed in 1980s with admission in ASEAN in 1997. U.S. established Normal Trade Relations with Laos in 2005.

2) Agriculture accounts for half of GDP and 80% of employment, although only .34% of land is planted with arable crops, and 4.01% of Laos has arable land. 77% of households are self-sufficient in rice. Laos may have the largest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

3) IMF and foreign investment give important aid in food processing and mining of gold and copper. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the country. Currency: Kip.

General Facts:

1) Laos lacks adequate infrastructure, no railroads, limited communications. Pick-up trucks with benches are used for both long-distance and local public transport.

2) Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture, predated by “lam” the dominant style of folk music, accompanied by the “khaen”, a bamboo pipe.

3) The ‘s’ is Laos is silent. Laos rhymes with "wow". Lao is the name of the language and the “Lao” economy. “Laotian” is an inclusive political term concerning citizenship, rather than the Lao ethnic group.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_People%27s_Revolutionary_Party

Thailand: A Short Summary

Differentiating characteristics:

1) Name was Siam until 1939. Had able rulers and was not colonized from outside.

2) Respect for elders essential to Thai’s spiritual practices as well as daily lifestyles. Social hierarchy important. Greeting “wai” offered first by youngest and visitors as a sign of respect: fingertips pointing upwards as the head is bowed to touch face to hands.

3) Religion is 95% Buddhist. Hospitality and generosity are also important.

Historical and geographical facts:

1) Thailand, a constitutional monarcy, means “Land of the free”. Has never been colonized by a European power, is a regional buffer state and an American ally. On December 23, 2007, achieved democracy with a King and Prime Minister, a 1997 constitution and elected government (after quelling organized military resistances).

2) Size of California, world’s 50^th largest country. North: mountainous, center: flat, south: Kra Isthmus and Malay Peninsula.

3) Tropical climate characterized by wet monsoons mid-May to September, dry, windy monsoons November to mid-March. Southern isthmus is always hot and humid.

Economic facts:

1) World’s No. 1 exporter of rice (jasmine is their favorite), also manufacturing electric appliances, computer parts and automobiles. Currency: Baht. Thailand has an “Immemorial tradition of trade”.*

2) Buddhism and temples are tied to lives of Thais. Sons are often educated with monks. Government provides free education through grade 12, and there is a private system as well.

3) Books are revered. Thailand has the largest newspaper market in South East Asia.

General facts :

1) Bangkok, capital and largest city pop: 10,061,726. Recent geological surveys suggest that the giant tsunami that hit Thailand and the South Pacific region December 26, 2004 was a one-in- 600-year event.*

2)” English, on the increase at least in quantity if not in quality”** is a mandatory school subject, but fluent speakers remain low, especially outside cities.

3) Years are numbered B.E. (Buddhist Era) in education, civil service, government, newpapers. Banking, industry are increasing use of Western year. 2008 is 2551 B.E.

*http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-10-29-tsunami_N.htm?csp=34

**Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand

Demonyms, Ethnonyms and Euphemisms

Wikipedia makes much use of descriptive words to describe different groups of populations and languages that I find quite fascinating to learn:

Demonym: from the Greek 'demos', populace, often used by geographers, denoting the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place.

Someone called a Briton has genetic ancestors from Britain, while anyone holding a British passport is considered British.

The Franks settled France, but its' citizens are French.

Ethnonym: from the Greek 'ethnos', name, is the name given to a given ethnic group, and can be divided into exonyms where the name of the ethnic group has been created by another group of people [ say, Germans ] and autonyms where the name is created and used by the ethnic group itself [ say, Deutsch ].

Ethnonyms can become political, and evolve from acceptable to unacceptable [ say, Gypsy
has referred to the Roma ]. Other examples include Vandal, Bushman, Barbarian and Philistine.

Euphemism: from the Greek for 'good/well' and 'speech/speaking', is the substitution of a less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener; or in the case of doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker. Someone who died, 'passed away' .

Comedians make jokes of euphemisms and intend for them to be funny. Also used in job titles,
for example, a 'transparent-wall maintenance officer' is a 'window cleaner'.

The Euphemism Treadmill: In a well-known linguistic process known as pejoration, recently dubbed the "euphemism treadmill" by Steven Pinker, euphemisms often evolve into taboo words. [ 'toilet room', replaced by U.S. 'bathroom' and U.K. 'water closet' became U.S. 'restroom' and U.K. 'W.C.' ].

Adults used to be 'mentally retarded' but are now 'mentally challenged'.

Wikipedia says that a similar progression occurred with:

lame → crippled → handicapped → disabled → physically challenged → differently abled

( 'Lame', having faded in use, reportedly has been revitalised as a slang word meaning 'not living up to expectations').

Also, 'shell shock' and 'PTSD' are the same concept:

Shell shock (World War I) → battle fatigue (World War II)→ Operational exhaustion (Korean War) → Post-traumatic stress disorder (Vietnam War)

Certain euphemisms are controversial. 'Visually impaired' could mean any one of 'blind', 'having partial eyesight' and 'having uncorrected poor vision'.

Other euphemisms are innuendo if they are understood by two people, but not a third listening.

Others common in certain circles (such as the medical field, where 'myocardial infarction' means 'heart attack') are a type of jargon.

Not always euphemisms, but profane words and expressions in English tend to be taken from three areas: religion, excretion and sex.

In many languages, words that mean "swear word" are used as exclamations instead of the actual swear word [ say, sacre in French ].

Three antonyms (opposites) of euphemisms are dysphemism [ 'snail mail' for post office mail rather than email], cacophemism, which uses vulgarities [ 'sucks' is now a milder epithet] and power words, used in arguments to make a point seem more correct, uses presuppositions, and appeals to emotions rather than logic (asking a teenager, why did you stay out that late?)

Wikipedia has many more fine examples, no doubt added by readers. It is quite an interesting exercise to learn who lives where. Where does a Leopolitan come from? (answer: Lviv, Poland).

NEPAL

Here are three differentiating characteristics:

1) Popular with mountaineers, Nepal contains eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Annapurna and Mount Everest (which it shares with Tibet/China to the north).

2) The modern formation of the Himalaya Range in Nepal has very intense microseismic activity.

3) Nepal is the only modern nation with Hinduism as its official religion, although it also has a strong Buddhist tradition.

Here are three historical and geographical facts:

1) A landlocked country in South Asia, Nepal's capital is Kathmandu. It is the largest city with around 1.5 million of the national population of almost 30 million. The country is now divided into 14 zones and three areas: the mountains, the hills and the lowlands (Siwalik and Terai regions).

2) Populated for over 9,000 years, Nepal was a monarchy from 1768 until very recently.
Its Gurkha army astounded the British in the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1815-6 with their valor, fierceness and ruthlessness. Its long-running civil war (1996-2006) resulted in the abolition of royal rule in December, 2007. The formation in May, 2008 of a federal democratic republic including government representation of the former Maoist rebels, has been led by President Yadav since May, 2008.

3) The word "Nepal" is likely, according to scholars, derived from Nepa, referring to the Sanskrit word for the Newar Kingdom in the Kathmandu valley. According to folklore, it could refer to the country looked after by a Hindu sage called "Ne" or it could be from the word "Ne" in Tibetan meaning wool and "pal" meaning house.

Here are three economic facts:

1) Nepal exports mainly carpets, clothing, leather and jute goods and grain. Natural resources are an area for future development. Agriculture accounts for 40% of Nepal's GDP, services 41% and industry 22%.

2) Nepal needs to improve its infrastructure and receives foreign aid from many other countries, such as India, Japan, the U.K., the U.S., and China. Poverty is acute and the average income is less than $470/year. Hospitality and tourism have been stifled by recent political events. Half of the working-age population are unemployed. Many citizens of Nepal move to India, the Gulf countries and Malaysia to work.

3) The currency, the Nepalese rupee has been tied to the Indian rupee at a 1.6 exchange rate for many years. The Nepali year begins mid-April and is divided into 12 months. Saturday is the official weekly holiday and the official language is Nepali, spoken by half the population.

Here are three general facts:

1) Nepal's flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape. The top triangle represents the Shah ruling faction, and the lower triangle signifies the Rana family, or that "Nepal will continue to exist as long as the sun and the moon".

2) Nepal experiences five seasons a year: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring (according to Wikipedia).

3) Nepal is culturally varied with unique traditions in music, dance, folklore, cuisine and architecture. The largest Shiva temple in the world, the Pashupatinath Temple is where Hindus come from all over the world for pilgrimage.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal

Tibet

TIBET

Here are three differentiating characteristics:

1) Tibet has an average elevation of 16,000 ft, the highest region on Earth, a plateau region in Central Asia, and is often referred to as the “Roof of the World”

2) Several rivers have their source in the Tibetan Plateau, the Yangtze, Yellow, Indus, Mekong, Brahmaputra, Ganges, Salween and Yarlung Tsangpo. Their glaciers provide Asia with much of its water.*

3) The Tibet Autonomous Region’s population of 5,400,000 is 0.5 percent of China’s population.*

Here are three historical and geographical facts:

1) Tibet’s general history begins (604-50 CE) with the rule of Songtsan Gampo who
ruled Tibet as a kingdom and united parts of the Yarlung River Valley. If we jump to 1751, Chinese Emperor Qianlong installed Dalai Lama as the spiritual and political leader of Tibet.
Since 1951, Tibet has been under China’s control, considered the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), although India and Republic of China (formerly Taiwan) also claim part.
On March 10, 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India where there are now with him thousands of Tibetan monks and supporters in favor of Tibetan cultural autonomy.
Repeatedly, the Dalai Lama has exhorted for Tibetan autonomy from the Chinese “to protect their culture”.

2) “The issue of the proportion of the Han Chinese population in Tibet is a politically sensitive one” (from Wikipedia). While the population of Tibet is primarily Tibetans, other groups include Menba (monpa), Lhoba, Mongols and Hui Chinese. There are also many Tibetan dialects, such as Kham, Amdo, Sherpa. China will not allow independent human rights organizations into Tibet or to meet with Tibetans. (Many Tibetans cannot understand each other’s dialects). According to USA Today (Aug 5, 2008), thousands of Tibetans are now "undergoing "patriotic education" campaigns to denounce the Dalai Lama".

3) The Tibetan Plateau includes the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest on Nepal’s border. Lhasa is the capital city and contains Potala Palace, most important example of Tibetan architecture. Lhasa has this 1,000 room former palace of the Dalai Lama (though smaller than the over 8, 700 room Palace of the Forbidden City in Beijing*) and his summer residence, Norbulingka. Lhasa also contains significant temples and monasteries, Jokhand and Ramoche. Shigatse, Gyantse and Chamdo are among the next largest cities.

Here are three economic facts:

1) The Tibetan economy is dominated by subsistence farming, of livestock raising and crops of barley and wheat. Tourism brings in the most income from the sale of handicrafts and is actively promoted by authorities. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the first to link the region (to China) was opened in 2006. There are thought to be many undeveloped minerals in the mountains.

2) Unemployment is high and an unequal taxation system worsens poverty in rural areas.

3) By the 1850s Tibet had banned all foreigners and has denied Tibetans most rights, such as self-determination, freedom of speech, assembly, movement, expression, travel. Access to housing, education and health remain unfulfilled. It ranks lowest of China’s 31 provinces , and ranked 153 of 160 countries on the Human Development Index.

Here are three general facts about Tibet:

1) Bon, the ancient religion of Tibet is extremely important to their daily lives. Tantric Buddhism is also practiced.

2) Tibetan music is religious and involves chanting in Tibetan or Sanskrit.

3) “Tibet” is derived possibly from the Arabic Tubbat ( derived via Persian from the Turkic Toban for “the heights”) , or from the people of northeast Tibet, the Tubut, or the Muslim writers from the 9^thC Tubbett, Tibbat, or the People’s Republic of China, tubo. Many Tibetans go by one name only.

Sources:

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet

*www.nytimes.com/edlife

AFGHANISTAN

Today I studied Afghanistan and found these three differentiating characteristics:

1) Afghanistan is a landlocked and mountainous country in South-Central Asia. Large parts of the country are dry, subject to minor earthquakes and fresh water supplies are limited.

2) Revenue in Afghanistan is mostly taken from customs, as income and corporate tax is negligible.

3) Some private investment projects are starting to pick up steam, such as the "City of Light Development" in Kabul following a century or more of unstable transfers of power.

Here are three historical and geographical facts:

1) Afghanistan's Total Population is 32,738,376. Kabul is the capital city with over one million residents. Other cities in order of size are Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, Jalalabad, Ghazni and Kunduz. The country is divided into 34 provinces.

2) Afghanistan dates from 50,000 years ago, though the modern state was created in 1747.
In the last century, it has been a monarchy, republic, theocracy and communist state. It is currently a Republic led by President Hamid Karzai who was elected in October, 2004.

3) The tribal system orders life outside metropolitan areas. Under Islamic law, every believer should bear arms for the local clan leader (Khans) and tribal chiefs, if called upon. Afghanistan is about 40% Pashtun, 30% Tajik, 8.5% Hazara, and 8.5% Uzbek.

Here are three further economic facts:

1) This mountainous country, generally traveled by bus, continues to recover and rebuild, but has excessive illegal poppy and opium trading and is subject to attack from al Qaeda. There is a great deal of poverty, poor infrastructure, and large concentrations of unexploded land mines. Afghanistan, land of the Afghans, is also subject to violent political jockeying. On the positive side: it harbors great quantities of natural metals and minerals and could export energy, oil and natural gas.

2) As of 2005, the official unemployment rate was set at 40%. There are over 70,000 police officers.

3) Literacy in 1999 was 36%. Male literacy: 51%, Female literacy: 21%. Some parents will not allow their daughters to be taught by men, and we hope this will change and improve literacy.
Poetry events are popular.

Source, and for further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan

Uzbekistan

It's a good idea to take a few minutes preferably every day to read and learn about a different country in Wikipedia, a very reliable website and one of my favorite online references.

It's a fun, sometimes time-consuming project because country entries are lengthy and it's easy to get diverted from them to other wiki sites.

For example, today I looked at Uzbekistan in Central Asia. There is a new freshman rumored to be from that country boarding at my daughter's high school in New Jersey this fall. I decided to include my favorite facts about Uzbekistan in a nutshell....


These are three unrelated facts that differentiate Uzbekistan:

1) Uzbekistan is distinguished, along with Liechtenstein, as being one of only two "double-landlocked countries" in the world. It's completely landlocked on four sides.

2) It is attractively sunny, having less than eight inches of precipitation per year!

3) It ranks as fifth most corrupt country in the world in the Corruption Index, worse than Afghanistan this year. (This is surely not socially acceptable for conversation in that country, even if true).

By the way, this is a very interesting, if controversial, annual international index:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index


Here are three historical and geographical facts:

1) Uzbekistan was formerly part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and is now part of the Commonwealth of Independent States led by President Islom Karimov.

2) Tamerlane was a military leader in the 14thC and the country dates back to the 2nd millenium B.C. Notable cities are Bukhara, Namangan and Samarkand. Today Uzbekistan has the biggest military force in Central Asia.

3) The capital is Tashkent, and it has the only subway system (with ornate, decorative clean stations) in Central Asia. Uzbekistan, the most populous country in the region, is divided into provinces.


Here are a few general economic facts about Uzbekistan:

Economic production is concentrated in commodities: Uzbekistan is now the world's sixth-largest producer and second-largest exporter of cotton,^[17] as well as the seventh largest world producer of gold. It is also a regionally significant producer of natural gas, coal, copper, oil, silver, and uranium. [boldface mine]

A February 2006 report on the country by the International Crisis Group suggests that revenues earned from key exports, especially cotton, gold, corn, and increasingly gas, are distributed among a very small circle of the ruling elite, with little or no benefit for the populace at large.^[25][26]

Uzbekistan is thought to offer "limited civil rights" and the government is hostile about developing a private sector it cannot control. Import substitution is a policy, and decreasing consumption is the general tendency caused by high taxes. The stock exchange in this emerging market is only fourteen years old and their currency is the som.

During cotton-picking season students and teachers of this country roughly the size of Morocco pick cotton for free. Their universities graduate 600,000 per year (according to Wikipedia) but the average salary is still less than $3,000/year. Cellphone use has doubled to seven million (out of a total population of 27 million) in the last six months and internet use is up. Also, a third of the country's population is younger than fourteen and the national holiday is September 1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan

Thanks, Wikipedia and thank you, dear reader, for reading this! Now you will be more prepared if you, too, should be fortunate enough to meet an Uzbek and visit Uzbekistan.