Global Studies Research: People Groups & Countries

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  Travel Facts  |   Country Summary

COUNTRY FAUX PAS

DO: Shake hands with your right hand only. To pass things politely, touch your left hand to your right elbow and pass the object with your right hand. Dress conservatively by covering your knees, shoulders, stomach, back, and cleavage. Remove your hat and/or shoes when entering someone's home. When you meet someone, it is polite to remove your hat, bow slightly, and put your hands together in a 'prayer' position. This is particularly important when you meet monks and elders. If you're not sure how to greet someone, it's usually good to simply respond with the greeting you're given. People are usually addressed with the title "lok" for men and "lok srey" for women, followed by the first name or both the first and last name. Understand that haggling is commonplace in Cambodia, but if there's a display sign with a price on it that means the price is probably fixed. Direct eye contact should be made with people when talking to them, but only if they are your social equal. If not, you should avoid eye contact. Aside from monks, elders are given the highest level of respect in Cambodia. Always acknowledge an elder's status by allowing them to control the conversation, walk first, begin eating first, and take the lead. Before eating, wait to be told where to sit at the table. When sitting on the floor, women typically tuck their legs to the side and behind them while men sit cross-legged. You should not stretch out your feet and legs in front of others.

DON'T: Wrap a gift in white paper as white is associated with death and some consider it to be an unlucky color.  Display the soles of the feet or touch somebody with your shoes. Don't shake someone's hand with your left hand or pass food at the table with your left hand. (The left hand is usually used for cleaning yourself after using the toilet.) Don't touch anyone's head, as the head is seen as sacred. Don't step over someone who is sitting or lying down. Don't point with your index finger (it's considered rude). Instead, gesture with your right palm with all the fingers straight. No public displays of affection, although hand-holding is okay. Displays of affection, such as hugging or even hand-holding, between people of the same gender are acceptable, as they are seen as a sign of friendship. Generally, tips are not expected in restaurants or taxis, although if they're working in the tourist industry they might expect tips. Avoid criticizing or embarrassing people in public, as this may cause them to "lose face," which is seen as extremely important in their culture. Face can be given by paying someone compliments publicly. Don't begin eating until your host has taken a bite first, and wait until the eldest person has taken a bite. When seated, you should never attempt to sit higher than the eldest person in the room. When posing for a photograph, a younger person should not place their hand on an elder's shoulder. Don't bring up subjects such as war, politics, violence, or the Khmer Rouge*. Cambodia has a hard history, and many of the people might be sensitive about it. In the same vein, avoid wearing T-shirts and clothing that depict war or violence. Don't demean their culture or outdated infrastructure by cracking jokes about them. Don't equate Cambodia with other nearby countries.

*The Khmer Rouge was the name popularly given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea and by extension to the regime through which the CPK ruled in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The name had originally been used in the 1950's by Norodom Sihanouk as a blanket term for the Cambodian left. Wikipedia

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name: Kingdom of Cambodia; Kampuchea

Etymology:  The English name Cambodia is an anglicization of the French Cambodge, which is the French transliteration of the native name Kampuchea.

Capital: Phnom Penh

Nationality:  Cambodian(s)

Government Type: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Chief of State: King Norodom Sihamoni

Head of Government: Prime Minister Hun Sen

Ethnic Groups:  Khmer 97.6%; Cham 1.2%; Chinese o.1%; Vietnamese. o.1%; Other o.9%

Languages: Khmer (official) 96.3%; other 3.7%

Religions: Buddhist (official) 96.9%; Muslin 1.9%; Christian o.4%; other 0.8%

Major Infectious Diseases:

Degree of risk: very high

Food & Water-borne: Bacterial Diarrhea, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid Fever

Vector-borne: Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria

Time Difference: UTC +7 (15 hours ahead of Los Angeles, during Standard Time)

Telephone Country Code: 855

Internet Country Code: .kh

Climate:  Tropical; Rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April);  little seasonal temperature variation.

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated November, 2018.

Did You Know?

• Canada borders three oceans: the Atlantic, to the east; the Pacific, to the west; and the Arctic, to the north.
• An overwhelming majority of Canada's population lives within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of the U.S. border.
• In February 2013, the Canadian government stopped making and distributing pennies.
• Canada stretches across six time zones.

Source: CultureGrams, ProQuest.

DOS and TABOOS

DO: Always be polite. Remove your shoes when entering someone's household.
DON'T: Pay with pennies (round up to the nearest nickel)—minting halted in 2013.  Pointing at someone with the index finger is considered rude; using the entire hand to motion to someone is considered more polite.  The "thumbs down" gesture used in the U.S. to indicate "no" is offensive in Quebec.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Canada

Etymology: the country name likely derives from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village or settlement

Capital:  Ottawa

Government Type:  federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution

Chief of State:  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Julie PAYETTE (since 2 October 2017)

Head of Government:  Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU (Liberal Party) (since 4 November 2015)

Ethnic Groups: Canadian 32.3%, English 18.3%, Scottish 13.9%, French 13.6%, Irish 13.4%, German 9.6%, Chinese 5.1%, Italian 4.6%, North American Indian 4.4%, East Indian 4%, other 51.6% (2016 est.)

Languages:  English (official) 58.7%, French (official) 22%, Punjabi 1.4%, Italian 1.3%, Spanish 1.3%, German 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, Tagalog 1.2%, Arabic 1.1%, other 10.5% (2011 est.)

Religions:  Catholic 39% (includes Roman Catholic 38.8%, other Catholic .2%), Protestant 20.3% (includes United Church 6.1%, Anglican 5%, Baptist 1.9%, Lutheran 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.5%, Presbyterian 1.4%, other Protestant 2.9%), Orthodox 1.6%, other Christian 6.3%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 1.5%, Sikh 1.4%, Buddhist 1.1%, Jewish 1%, other 0.6%, none 23.9% (2011 est.)

Time Difference:  UTC-5 (Ottawa is 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles)

Telephone Country Code:  1

Internet Country Code:  .ca

Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated March, 2020.

Travel Facts   |   Country Summary

COUNTRY FAUX PAS

DO: Make sure that you greet everyone at a social/family gathering. Any kind of large gathering of friends or family should be started by greeting every person present (oldest first if possible), and making sure to say goodbye upon leaving. This rule is more relaxed in a group of young people. When meeting a person, make sure to refer to them by ‘senor’ or ‘senorita’ along with their surname. Usually, only family members or close loved ones refer to each other by their first names. It is customary, and even expected, for you to arrive about 30-45 minutes late to events. All food should be eaten with utensils, even if the food's normally considered to be a finger food, including fruit. It's considered good manners to leave a small amount of food on your plate after you've finished eating (it means that you are full; if you clean your plate, people will assume you want more).

DON'T: Give someone the O.K. sign. It's the equivalent of giving someone the middle finger. Don't yawn in public, as it's considered rude. Fidgeting with your hands or feet, or pointing at people is considered impolite. Ecuadorians may point by puckering or pursing their lips. If you're trying to call someone over, curling your index finger toward yourself or flapping your hand toward yourself palm up is seen as seductive. If you're trying to demonstrate the height of a person, hold your hand sideways with your pinkie finger facing the ground; where the pinkie finger falls is the height that you are indicating. If you demonstrate a person's height with your palm down it means that you're showing the height of an animal.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Republic of Ecuador; Republica del Ecuador. 

Etymology:  The country's position on the globe, straddling the equator, accounts for its Spanish name.

Note:  Includes Galapagos Islands

Capital: Quito

Nationality: Ecuadorian(s)

Government Type:  Presidential Republic

Chief of State:  President Lenin Moreno Garces

Head of Government: President Lenin Moreno Garces (president is both chief of state and head of government).

Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Amerindian 7%, white 6.1%, Afroecuadorian 4.3%, mulatto 1.9%, black 1%, other 0.4% (2010 est.)

Languages:  Spanish (Castilian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2%.  Note: (Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 est.)

Religions:  Roman Catholic 74%, Evangelical 10.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.4% (includes Mormon Buddhist, Jewish, Spiritualist, Muslim, Hindu, indigenous religions, African American religions, Pentecostal), atheist 7.9%, agnostic 0.1%

Major Infectious Diseases: 

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Time Difference:  UTC-5 (3 hours ahead of Los Angeles during Standard Time);  Ecuador has two time zones, including the Galapagos Islands (UTC-6)

Telephone Country Code:  593

Internet Country Code:  .ec

Climate:  Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands.

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated November, 2018.

COUNTRY FAUX PAX

DO: Always use please, thank you, and sorry, as manners are highly valued. Do your best to be discreet; drawing attention to yourself or being loud is seen as rude. Be very polite while "queuing" (waiting in line); be patient, don't complain about the length of the line, and absolutely don't cut. Tip a lower amount for waiters and waitresses than you would in the U.S. Tipping too much can look like you're showing off. Understand that pubs are not the same as bars, and are really more like social gathering places than a place to drink.

DON'T: Give someone the "V sign" with the palm facing toward yourself. This is the equivalent of giving someone the middle finger. However, if you do the sign with the palm facing outward it's perfectly acceptable, and is interpreted the same way as our "victory" sign. When you haven't heard someone correctly, don't say "what?" when you've misunderstood, as it's considered rude. Instead, say "excuse me," "sorry," or "beg your pardon." Don't try to make small talk with a stranger on the subway, and don't stand on the left side of an escalator, as that side is intended for walking. Don't attempt to mimic a British accent. Don't be afraid to jaywalk, as it is legal in England, and it's quite common.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; United Kingdom; UK

Etymology:  self-descriptive country name; the designation "Great Britain," in the sense of "Larger Britain," dates back to medieval times and was used to distinguish the island from "Little Britain," or Brittany in modern France; the name Ireland derives from the Gaelic "Eriu," the matron goddess of Ireland (goddess of the land)

Note: Includes Rockall and Shetland Islands; the island of Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales

Capital:  London

Nationality:  Briton(s); British

Government Type:  Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Chief of State:  Queen Elizabeth II; Heir Apparent Prince Charles

Head of Government:  Prime Minister Theresa May

Ethnic Groups:  white 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)

Languages:  English

Note: the following are recognized regional languages: Scots (about 30% of the population of Scotland), Scottish Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland), Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales), Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland), Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 people in Cornwall) (2012 est.)

Religions:  Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7% (2011 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases: NA

Time Difference:  UTC 0 (8 hours ahead of Los Angeles during Standard Time)

Telephone Country Code:  44

Internet Country Code:  .uk

Climate:  Temperate; Moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated November, 2018.

Did You Know?

• The first Olympics were held in Olympía (Olympia) in 776 BC.
• Ochi Day commemorates the day in 1940 that the Greeks said ochi (no) to the Axis Powers and entered World War II on the side of the Allies.
• Mount Olympus is the highest point in the country, at an elevation of 9,570 feet (2,917 meters).
• People have lived in the capital city of Athína (Athens) for over seven thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Religion

Greek Orthodox Christianity is the state religion, and the Greek Orthodox Church (a branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church) receives government subsidies. Between 81 and 90 percent of Greeks claim membership in the Greek Orthodox Church. Religion is an inseparable part of the Greek way of life; however, most people do not attend church regularly, except on holidays or other special occasions. Older people tend to go to church more frequently than young people, and women tend to go more than men. Eastern Orthodox principles are taught in the schools.

The Eastern Orthodox Church has been independent of the Roman Catholic Church since the Great Schism in 1054. It is directed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (in Istanbul, Turkey); the Greek Orthodox Church also follows a religious council called the Holy Synod that is headed by the archbishop of Greece.

Around 2 percent of the people (mostly those of Turkish origin) are Muslim; there are also small groups of other Christians and Jews. Jewish communities are located in Thessaloniki and Athína (Athens). Most of Greece's immigrant population is either Muslim or Roman Catholic. Religious freedom is generally respected in Greece.

General Attitudes

Many Greeks see themselves as individualistic, brave, and hardworking. While Greece's older generations value family, religion, tradition, and education, the younger generation tends to view status and friends as also very important. Greeks are very proud of their cultural heritage, which they view as being central to Western civilization. They are usually eager to import trends and technology but may also be wary of outside powers such as the European Union or powerful foreign countries.

Personal Appearance

Greeks generally wear clothing influenced by Western European fashions. Fashionable clothing is popular among the younger generation and has become essential for working professionals. Rural and older people generally prefer to dress more conservatively. Greek women often wear dresses. Traditional costumes are worn at folk festivals and on special occasions. Older women in rural areas often wrap scarves around their heads.

Greetings

Greeks are often physically expressive in their greetings. Friends and relatives hug and kiss upon meeting, while others shake hands. Men often slap each other's back or arm at shoulder level instead of shaking hands.

People use a variety of verbal greetings; the situation dictates the greeting they choose. One term meaning "Good morning" is Kaliméra. "Good evening" is Kalispéra. Close friends and family members call each other by first name, but acquaintances and strangers are generally addressed by their title ("Doctor," "Professor," "Mrs.," etc.) followed by the surname. In urban areas, people do not greet strangers they pass on the street. Villagers briefly greet passing strangers in rural areas. When getting on an elevator, one usually nods at the others present and might give a short, general greeting.

Gestures

Gestures frequently are used among Greeks of a similar social status; using some gestures with superiors or elders may be improper. To indicate "no," one tilts the head backward; nodding the head slightly forward means "yes." Pointing a finger at someone is impolite; it often indicates a threat or contempt. Directing an open palm with the fingers spread at another person is called moútza and is severely insulting.

Visiting

Ancient Greeks believed a stranger might be a god in disguise and were therefore kind to all strangers. This tradition of hospitality continues today. In small towns, friends and relatives commonly drop by unannounced. However, in urban areas it is polite to inform friends and family before visiting them. Greeks customarily enjoy inviting friends to their homes for dinner or for special occasions—such as New Year's Day. Christmas and Easter present opportunities for family gatherings. Home visits are common and most popular during the holiday season; traditionally, on other nights, it was more common for friends to meet at local taverns.

Invited guests usually bring a gift to the hosts, such as flowers, a bottle of wine, or pastries. All guests, invited or unannounced, are offered refreshments. A cup of coffee is most common, but other drinks, a homemade fruit preserve, or pastries are also popular. If Greek hosts insist several times about anything (that a guest stay longer or eat more, for example), they usually are sincere, and guests try to accommodate them so as not to hurt their feelings.

A Greek may smile not only when happy but also sometimes when he or she is angry or upset. People use their hands a great deal in conversation, both to accompany and to replace verbal expressions. A person may release a puff of breath through pursed lips to ward off the jealousy of the "evil eye" after he or she has given or received a compliment. Some Greeks, especially those who live in rural areas, may also try to ward off the evil eye by repeating a short saying or performing a small ritual and prayer at home.

Eating

Greeks usually eat a light breakfast of tyropita (egg and cheese pastry) and coffee on the way to work or yogurt with fruit and cereal. Traditionally, lunch was the main meal of the day and was served in the early afternoon (between noon and 2 p.m.). However, because of changing work schedules, gathering for a meal at midday is no longer possible for many families. Dinner is frequently the main meal and is often eaten as late as 8 or 9 p.m. Leaving the table before everyone has finished eating is usually considered impolite. Greeks are careful to finish all the food on the plate so as not to insult the cook. Taking second helpings is the best way to show appreciation for the meal and to compliment the hostess.

Many Greeks enjoy going out to eat, but it can be expensive, especially if eating fish from the Mediterranean. At restaurants, a group will often order many different dishes to share. At tavernas (traditional Greek restaurants), people may choose their meals from a display. Service is often included in the bill, so tipping is not standard in most restaurants. People may round up the price of the meal and leave the change as a tip, or they may leave a more substantial tip in a formal restaurant.

Family

Structure

Greece's birthrate was comparatively high a few generations ago; however, its birthrate has dropped to one of the lowest in Europe. Both urban and rural families tend to have one or two children. The family unit is a high priority in Greece; it is vital that no member bring shame or dishonor to the family. Extended families often live close to each other in rural areas, but this is less often the case in urban areas.

Parents and Children

In rural areas and among lower-class families, most children are expected to work in the fields or in the family business. Adults traditionally disciplined their children firmly, often using corporal punishment, but the practice is changing. Parents usually spend a large portion of their income on clothing, feeding, and educating their children. Many Greek parents believe it is their duty to provide for a good education, and they will always help their children if they can. They ordinarily support their children financially after they've become adults. Parents, in turn, expect their children to support them later in life. If parents die, the oldest child usually helps younger siblings finish their education and get out on their own.

Children may live with their parents well into their thirties or until they marry. Some newlywed couples live with their parents or in-laws until they can afford a home of their own. Young couples in urban areas often try to live close to their parents; they frequently turn to their parents for babysitting, especially because of a shortage of daycare centers.

Grandparents normally have an active role in raising their grandchildren. The elderly are respected; they are traditionally addressed by courteous titles and served first at meals. Greeks care for their elderly parents at home when possible. If the parents must live in a home for the elderly, their children take care of all arrangements and make frequent visits.

Gender Roles

Greek society traditionally has been dominated by males. Men commonly consider it a matter of personal honor to fulfill obligations to their families and others. Traditionally, women were responsible for childcare and housework. Traditional gender roles are still observed, though younger fathers in urban areas are more likely to participate in household chores and in raising the children; fathers in rural areas rarely help with these tasks. Both men and women in rural areas traditionally do farm work.

In recent generations, women (especially in urban areas) have gained greater rights, and an increasing number of women are pursuing careers outside the home. They have leadership roles in business, civil service, and other professions. However, many Greek women face challenges such as gender inequality, especially in the workplace, and domestic violence. 

Source: "Albania." CultureGrams Online Edition, ProQuest, 2020

Last updated February, 2021.

Did You Know?

• The Olancho Forest Reserve, a pine forest preserve in northeastern Honduras, is about the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut.
• The great Maya Empire flourished in what is now Honduras until about AD 800.
• Touching the finger below the eye indicates caution.
• The Honduran currency, the lempira, is named after the native chief Lempira, who fought against Spanish conquerors.

Source: CultureGrams, ProQuest

DOS & TABOOS

Do: A handshake is an appropriate greeting for men. Urban women are usually greeted with a kiss on the cheek, except in business settings, where a handshake may suffice. Rural women greet one another by placing one hand on the upper arm of the other woman.  Waving the index finger to say “no.” Clasping both hands indicates strong approval. Touching the finger below the eye warns caution, and a hand placed under an elbow usually means someone is thought to be stingy. People commonly point with their lips or chin because  Beckon by waving the hand with the palm facing down. Snap your fingers to express enthusiasm or hurry.  When dining keep both hands (but not elbows) above the table. At finer restaurants, a 10 to 15 percent tip is appropriate; tips are not necessarily expected at less formal restaurants. One usually says Buen provecho (Enjoy your meal) at the table before a meal. A person approaching or passing a table in a restaurant may also say Buen provecho to the people at the table.

Don't:  Pointing or beckoning with the index finger is rude.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Republic of Honduras

Etymology: the name means "depths" in Spanish and refers to the deep anchorage in the northern Bay of Trujillo

Capital:  Tegucigalpa; note - article eight of the Honduran constitution states that the twin cities of Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela, jointly, constitute the capital of the Republic of Honduras; however, virtually all governmental institutions are on the Tegucigalpa side, which in practical terms makes Tegucigalpa the capital

Nationality: Honduran(s)

Government Type:  presidential republic

Chief of State:  President Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (since 27 January 2014

Head of Government:  President Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (since 27 January 2014)

Ethnic Groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%

Languages:  Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects

Religions:  Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 41%, atheist 1%, other 2%, none 9% (2014 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases:

Degree of risk:  high (2020)

Food & Water-borne:  bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vector-borne:  dengue fever and malaria

Time Difference:  UTC-6 (Honduras is 1 hour ahead of Los Angeles)

Telephone Country Code:  504

Internet Country Code:  .hn

Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated March, 2020.

COUNTRY FAUX PAS

DO: Remove your shoes and hats when entering someone's household or a temple. Greet family elders at a gathering and address them with salutations. When addressing an elder or a stranger, use the formal version of the pronoun, "AAP" (formal you), rather than the informal "TUM" or "TOO" (you). When greeting someone, place your palms together and say "Namaste." Always accept hospitality; eat whatever has been offered to you, and when the host insists on a second helping say yes, otherwise they assume you do not like the food. Take photographs of people or objects only after receiving permission. Women should always dress with their shoulders and legs covered; pants are okay, but not shorts, unless they cover the knee. Refrain from wearing extremely figure-hugging or skin-baring clothes. Men should always wear a shirt in public and avoid shorts away from beach areas.

DON'T: Eat or shake hands with the left hand, and don't give or receive anything with the left hand. Typically, the left hand is used for cleaning yourself after using the restroom. Never point with your index finger. Instead, motion with your chin or extend your hand, palm flat and skyward, at the object you're referencing. The feet are considered unclean, therefore: Don't display the soles of the feet or touch somebody with your shoes. If you accidentally touch someone with your feet, apologize immediately and touch your heart, then your forehead with your right hand. Don't step over a person sitting or lying on the floor, and don't put your feet on tables and chairs. No public displays of affection. Traditionally, women don't touch men in India when meeting and greeting them. It's okay for people of the same gender to hug socially, but not if you're the opposite gender. Don't call an "elder" or a "stranger member of the opposite sex" with just his name. While using public transport, be mindful of offering your seat to elderly people or those traveling with young children. Don't be surprised or offended if someone asks you how much you earn for a living and a host of other intimate questions, all upon first meeting. What's more, you should feel free to ask these type of questions in return. When eating or drinking you should not let your lips touch other people's food, and when drinking out of a cup or bottle to be shared with others, don't let it touch your lips, but rather pour it directly into your mouth.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Republic of India; Bharatiya Ganarajya; Bharat

Etymology:  The English name derives from the Indus River; the Indian name "Bharat" may derive from the "Bharatas" tribe mentioned in the Vedas of the second millennium B.C.; the name is also associated with Emperor Bharata, the legendary conqueror of all of India

Capital:  New Delhi

Nationality:  Intian(s)

Government Type:  Federal Parliamentary Republic

Chief of State:  President Ram Nath Kovind

Head of Government:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Ethnic Groups:  Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)

Languages:  Hindi 43.6%, Bengali 8%, Marathi 6.9%, Telugu 6.7%, Tamil 5.7%, Gujarati 4.6%, Urdu 4.2%, Kannada 3.6%, Odia 3.1%, Malayalam 2.9%, Punjabi 2.7%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.1%, other 5.6%

Note: English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; there are 22 officially recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2011 est.)

Religions:  Hindu 79.8%, Muslim 14.2%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.7%, other and unspecified 2% (2011 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases:

Degree of risk: very high

Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria

Water contact disease: leptospirosis

Animal contact disease: rabies (2016)

Time Difference:  UTC+5 (13.5 hour ahead of Los Angeles during Standard Time)

Telephone Country Code:  91

Internet Country Code:  .in

Climate:  Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated November, 2018.

Did You Know?

• Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island.
• The majority of the species of plants and animals found on the island cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
• Malagasy, an official language of Madagascar, is a unique mixture of Indonesian, African languages, Arabic, and some Malaysian.
• Every four to seven years, families participate in a turning of the bones ritual (famadhiana), in which they dig up the bones of relatives who have been buried since the last famadhiana and wrap them in new shrouds or grass mats before returning them to their burial place.
• Throughout the country, people eat with utensils, but some coastal groups eat with the right hand or using folded banana leaves as scoops.

Source: CultureGrams, ProQuest

DOS & TABOOS

Fadys (taboos) vary by village and are taken seriously; they govern such things as which foods to avoid and which days are inappropriate for certain kinds of work.

DOS:  Point with a bent index finger or with the lips.  Beckon with an outward facing palm.  When passing in front of or between people, offer apologies and/or bend slightly as if asking permission.  Eat what is served.

DON'TS:  Step over a floor mat used for eating; It is rude to beckon with an upward-facing palm, a gesture used to call dogs. Don't drop by at mealtimes.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Republic of Madagascar; formerly: Malagasy Republic

Etymology: the name "Madageiscar" was first used by the 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco POLO, as a corrupted transliteration of Mogadishu, the Somali port with which POLO confused the island.

Capital:  Antananarivo

Nationality:  Malagasy (singular and plural)

Government Type:  semi-presidential republic

Chief of State:  President Andry RAJOELINA (since 21 January 2019) (2019)

Head of Government:  Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since 6 June 2018 and re-appointed 19 July 2019)

Ethnic Groups: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Languages:  French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Religions:  Christian, indigenous, Muslim.  Superstitions are widespread and vary by region, ethnic group, village, and family. Most Malagasy believe in vintana (destiny), which brings good or bad luck based on the time and date of a person's birth.

Major Infectious Diseases:

Degree of risk:  very high (2020)

Food & Water-borne:  bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vector-borne:  malaria and dengue fever

Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

Animal contact diseases: rabies

Time Difference:  UTC+3 (Madagascar is 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles)

Telephone Country Code:  261

Internet Country Code:  .mg

Climate:  tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated March, 2020.

COUNTRY FAUX PAS

DO: Understand that a casual "yes" in the Philippines is not meant to be taken as binding. Oftentimes they will say yes when the answer is actually no, just to be polite. Be prepared to be asked personal questions by strangers; this is not considered rude and is quite common. Show up a little late to social gatherings; it's rude if you're on time. If there are shoes beside the door of someone's house, remove your shoes before entering. It's customary to greet people with a smile and a handshake, but it's good if you greet the eldest or most important person first. Don't accept an invitation for anything unless it's offered a few times, as the first offer might not be sincere. Wait to be told where to sit at the table, and don't start eating until the host invites you to do so. Keep your hands above the table during dinner. Accept any refreshments offered, as refusing them is considered impolite. To indicate two of something, raise your ring and pinkie fingers.

DON'T: Refer to your host's wife as the hostess, as this has a different meaning in the Philippines. Do not lean on your arms when at the dinner table, as this is rude. Don't stand with your hands on your hips, because this means that you are angry. Never curl your index finger back and forth to beckon. This is an insult. Instead, to beckon, extend your arm, palm down, and move your fingers in a scratching motion. Do not tap someone on the shoulder to attract their attention, instead, tap them lightly on the elbow. Be careful not to insult anyone in public, as verbal assault is actually a crime for which you can be charged.

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Republic of the Philippines; Republika ng Pilipinas; Philippines; Pilipinas

Etymology:  Named in honor of King Phillip II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, who visited some of the islands in 1543.

Capital:  Manila

Nationality:  Filipino(s)

Government Type:  Presidential Republic

Chief of State:  President Rodrigo Duterte

Head of Government:  President Rodrigo Duterte (the president is both chief of state and head of government)

Ethnic Groups:  Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Languages:  Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions:  Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Major Infectious Diseases:

Degree of risk: high

Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria

Water contact disease: leptospirosis (2016)

Time Difference:  UTC +8 (16 hours ahead of Los Angeles during Standard Time)

Telephone Country Code:  63

Internet Country Code:  .ph

Climate:  Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated November, 2018.

Did You Know?

• It is believed that Togo was named after the small 15th-century lakeside village of Togodo. In the Ewe language, to means “waters” and godo means “other side.”
• Except among young urban couples, women rarely eat with their husbands.
• For recreation, most Togolese look forward to market day. They can dress up, socialize, and enjoy a festive environment as they shop for needed items or food.
• A zemidjan (motorcycle with no sidecar) is a common form of local taxi.
• Polygamy is legal and widespread, though it is less common among educated and urban women. A hierarchy exists within polygamous families: the first wife is generally given the most respect, while the last wife is at the bottom of the hierarchy.

Source: CultureGrams, ProQuest

DOS & TABOOS

Do:  Men greet one another with a hand shake, which often includes snapping their thumbs and middle fingers to make a light sound. They may greet adult women this way, but not superiors, young girls, or newly married women. When greeting a superior, a person waits for the superior to extend his or her hand first. A person kneels to greet elders or chiefs. The elder claps and offers a verbal response.Ppass items to elders with both hands. Before a meal wash both hands. Eat with the right hand. Express satisfaction when eating meat by breaking the bones and sucking out the marrow.

Don't:  Criticize others in public. Do not gesture, hand an item to a person, or eat from a communal bowl with the left hand (which is traditionally reserved for personal hygiene). Don't interrupt another adult in conversation.  Women do not engage in public discussion unless invited to do so. Young people may not burp, or cross your legs in the presence of elders, nor may they sit in a chair reserved for or just vacated by an adult.  Don't make eye contact with elders or superiors.  Don't visit during mealtime.  Women do not eat with men 

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name:  Togolese Republic; formerly: French Togoland

Etymology: derived from the Ewe words "to" (river) and "godo" (on the other side) to give the sense of "on the other side of the river"; originally, this designation applied to the town of Togodo (now Togoville) on the northern shore of Lake Togo, but the name was eventually extended to the entire nation

Capital:  Lome

Nationality:  Togolese (singular and plural)

Government Type:  presidential republic

Chief of State:  President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005)

Head of Government:  Prime Minister Komi KLASSOU (since 10 June 2015)

Ethnic Groups:  Adja-Ewe/Mina 42.4%, Kabye/Tem 25.9%, Para-Gourma/Akan 17.1%, Akposso/Akebu 4.1%, Ana-Ife 3.2%, other Togolese 1.7%, foreigners 5.2%, no response .4% (2013-14 est.)

Note: Togo has an estimated 37 ethnic groups

Languages:  French (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Religions:  Christian 43.7%, folk 35.6%, Muslim 14%, Hindu <.1%, Buddhist <.1%, Jewish <.1%, other .5%, none 6.2% (2010 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases:

Degree of risk:  very high (2020)

Food & Water-borne: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vector-borne:  malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

Animal contact diseases: rabies

Respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis

Time Difference: UTC 0 (Togo is 7 hours ahead of Los Angeles)

Telephone Country Code:  228

Internet Country Code:  .tg

Climate:  tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated March, 2020.

Did You Know?

• In 1965, one of the earliest known prehistoric human shelters was discovered in the town of Mezhyrich when a farmer dug up the jawbone of a mammoth.
• At 346 feet (105.5 meters) underground, the Arsenalna station in the Kyiv (Kiev) metro is one of the deepest stations in the world.
• Ukraine has numerous abandoned towns, which were evacuated during the Chornobylʹ (Chernobyl) nuclear disaster in 1986.
• Ukraine is known worldwide for the delicate art of Easter egg painting, called pysanka.
• Traditionally, honored guests would be met with gifts of bread and salt, symbolizing prosperity. While this custom is no longer observed widely, it may be practiced ceremonially when important visitors arrive in the country.

Source: CultureGrams, ProQuest

DOS & TABOOS

DO: Establish eye contact during a conversation but not constantly.  Men open doors for women; carry heavy items and offer seats,  When exiting public transportation, men get off first and offer a hand to women with whom they are traveling. Guests for dinner present hosts with flowers (only odd numbers), cakes, or candy or toys for the children.  Men stand when a woman enters the room.  When eating keep hands (not elbows) on the table. Asking for seconds honors the host; refusing additional servings is seen as a gesture of modesty.

DON'T:  Wear wrinkled or soiled clothes; Pointing the index finger is considered uncultured. To speak with your hand in your pockets or arms folded across your chest is viewed as disrespectful. Smiling at strangers can be viewed as flirtatious or strange. chewing gum while talking is improper. Don't pass an object from one person to another while standing in a doorway.  Guests do not sit on the floor or put feet on furniture. Leave food on the plate, it is considered wasteful. Do not leave hands in the lap when eating.

Source: CultureGrams, ProQuest

COUNTRY FACTS

Country Name: Ukraine; Ukrayina.  Formerly: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

Etymology: name derives from the Old East Slavic word "ukraina" meaning "borderland or march (militarized border region)" and began to be used extensively in the 19th century; originally Ukrainians referred to themselves as Rusyny (Rusyns, Ruthenians, or Ruthenes), an endonym derived from the medieval Rus state (Kyivan Rus)

Capital: Kyiv (Kiev)

Nationality:  Ukrainian(s)

Government Type: semi-presidential republic

Chief of State: President Volodymyr ZELENSKYY (since 20 May 2019)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Oleksiy HONCHARUK (since 29 August 2019)

Ethnic Groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 est.)

Languages:  Ukrainian (official) 67.5%, Russian (regional language) 29.6%, other (includes small Crimean Tatar-, Moldovan/Romanian-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities) 2.9% (2001 est.)

Religions: Orthodox (includes the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP)), Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish (2013 est.)

Note: Ukraine's population is overwhelmingly Christian; the vast majority - up to two thirds - identify themselves as Orthodox, but many do not specify a particular branch; the OCU and the UOC-MP each represent less than a quarter of the country's population, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church accounts for 8-10%, and the UAOC accounts for 1-2%; Muslim and Jewish adherents each compose less than 1% of the total population

Time Difference:  UTC+2 (Ukraine is 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles)

Telephone Country Code: 380

Internet Country Code: .ua

Climate:  temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; warm summers across the greater part of the country, hot in the south

Source: CIA World Factbook

Last updated March, 2020.