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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

ASIA North Asia (The People’s Republic of) (Cont.) “Delicious” in Mandarin Chinese: 好吃 (“fei chang hao chi”) or (The People’s Republic of) China 美味 (“mei wei”) Contributed by YangYi Food(s) and Drink(s): (); All kinds of dimsum; Cao, Haotian Wang, Spring rolls; dumplings (zong zi); ; Rice cakes; Yang Zhang, Hongshan ; Peking duck; Green tea; Moon cakes; Soy milk; Fermented Liu, Guan, Yingtong and distilled alcoholic beverages; Hot pot; Steamed buns; with Xie, Haisu Wang, ; Flower teas; tea; Huntun; Red pork; Steamed fish; Yangming Li, and Black plum juice; White wine; Yuanxiao; Twice-cooked pork (hui Zhang guo rou); Ma po tofu; duck and pancakes in Capital: Beijing Northern China; Small steamed buns, soup, Tangyuan, and in Southern China; Noodles Population: 1.3 billion Traditional : Chinese (i.e. Beijing, Sichuan) opera; (s): Taoism; Buddhism; Christianity; Catholicism; Instrumental (i.e. bamboo flute, , erhu [a two-stringed Political Leader(s): Chairman/President Hu Jingtao; Xi Jingping; bowed instrument with a lower register than jinghu], , , Premier Wen Jiabao; Wu Bangguo yangqin); Kuaiban (快板); Revolutionary (all government workers are required to sing these songs on important Communist- Language(s): Mandarin Chinese; ; Other regional dialects party related days); Folk music; Ancient bell and drum music; The depending on the city Moon Over a Fountain; Mountain Stream; Saima (instructed by Erhu); Jasmine “Hello” in Mandarin Chinese: 你好 (“ni hao”)

“Goodbye” in Mandarin Chinese: 再 (“zai jian”)

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

(The People’s Republic of) China (Cont.) (Cont.)

Sport(s): Table tennis (i.e. Ping-pong); Badminton; Volleyball; “Goodbye” in Cantonese: 拜拜 (“bye bye”) Chess; Soccer; Swimming; ; Basketball; ; ; Football “Delicious” in Cantonese: 好味 (“ho mei”)

Celebrities: ; ; ; ; ; Food(s) and Drink(s): ; ; ; Ma Yun; Lang Lang; ; Traditional Music: Canton pop Xun Lu; Zhong Guan; ; Confucius; Genghis Khan; Mao Zedong; Pandas; Ziyi Zhang Sport(s): Football and Basketball

Hong Kong Celebrities: ; Jackie Chan; Bruce Lee

Contributed by Hin Li Japan

Capital: Beijing Contributed by Daisuke Minami

Population: 7 Capital: Tokyo million Population: 130 million Religion(s): Buddhism; Religion(s): Shinto and Catholicism; Buddhism Christianity Political Leader(s): Kan Political Leader(s): Donald Tsang Naoto; Yukio Hatoyama; Ichiro Ozawa; Sadakazu Language(s): Cantonese Tanigaki

“Hello” in Cantonese: 你好 (“ni hao”) Language(s): Japanese

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Japan (Cont.) South Korea (Republic of Korea)

“Hello” in Japanese: We do not really have a word similar to Contributed by Jin Haeng Lee and Hyun Uk Jeong “hello” in Japanese. We use “o-ha-yo-u-go-za-i-ma-su” Capital: (おはよございます) for morning, “kon-ni-chi-wa” (こんにちは) for noon, and “kon-ban-wa” for evening (こんばんは). (I often hear Population: 49 million foreign people using “kon-ni-chi-wa” as “hello”, but I think it does not sound right if used in morning or evening.) You can use “yo” Religion(s): Christianity; (よ) or “oh” (お) anytime as “hi”, although they sound very Protestantism; informal. Buddhism “Goodbye” in Japanese: For “goodbye”, we say “sa-yo-na-la” Political Leader(s): (さよなら). (I would prefer using L instead of R in Japanese, President Myung Bak though it is formally R, since we do not have the pronunciation of R Lee in Japanese.) Language(s): Korean “Delicious” in Japanese: “O-i-shi-I” (おいしい) or “U-ma-I” (まい) “Hello” in Korean: “An-nyung”

Food(s) and Drink(s): Miso soup; Soba; Udon; Natto; Umeboshi; “Goodbye” in Korean: “An-nyung” Green tea (i.e. ryokucha, maccha); Sake “Delicious” in Korean: “Mat-it-da” or “Mat jot ta” Traditional Music: Nou and Minyou Food(s) and Drink(s): Kimchi; Bulgoggi (marinated barbecued Sport(s): Sumo-wrestling; Baseball; Soccer beef); Dduk; Shik-hye

Celebrities: Comedian and movie director Takeshi Kitano; Baseball Traditional Music: A-Li-Rang players Ichiro Suzuki and Shigeo Nagashima; Novelist Haruki

Murakami; Akiko Wada

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

South Korea (Republic of Korea) (Cont.) (Cont.)

Sport(s): Soccer and Baseball “Delicious” in Mandarin Chinese: “Hao chi”

Celebrities: Rain; Yun Ah Kim; Ki Moon Ban; Tae Hwan Park Sport(s): Baseball and Badminton

Taiwan Celebrities: Jay Chou and

Contributed by South Asia Jeniffer Capital: Contributed by Population: 23 Shivangi Pattnaik and million Amita Ramachandran

Religion(s): Capital: New Delhi Taoism and Buddhism Population: 1.2 billion

Political Religion(s): Hinduism; Leader(s): ; Christianity Current President Ma Ying-jeou; Former President (’00 – ’08) Chen Political Leader(s): Shui-bian; Su Tseng-chang; Lien Chan Manmohan Singh; Rahul Gandh; Prathibha Patil Language(s): Mandarin (s): Hindi, although each state has its own language “Hello” in Mandarin Chinese: “Ni hao” (including variations within states)

“Goodbye” in Mandarin Chinese: “Zai jian” “Hello” in Hindi: “Namaskaram”

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

India (Cont.) (Cont.)

“Goodbye” in Hindi: “Vaanga” Political Leader(s): Benigno S. Aquino III

“Delicious” in Hindi: “Ruchi” or “Nalle swad indu” Language(s): Filipino and English

Food(s) and Drink(s): Rice; (); vary across “Hello” in Filipino: “Kumusta” the country; Dosa; Palm wine; Idl; Idyappam; Puttu “Goodbye” in Filipino: “Bye” Traditional Music: Carnatic tradition in Southern India and Hindustani tradition in Northern India “Delicious” in Filipino: “Sarap”

Sport(s): Cricket and Hockey Food(s) and Drink(s): ; Adobo; ; ; ; ; Halo-halo; Sago’t gulaman Celebrities: Aishwarya Rai; Amitabh Bachan; Abhishek Bachchan Sport(s): Basketball; Volleyball; Badminton Philippines Celebrities: Lea Salonga; Manny Pacquiao; Charice Pempengco Contributed by Singapore Charmaine Runes

Capital: Manila Contributed by Zhe Yu Lee Population: 101 million Capital: Singapore Religion(s): Christianity and Population: 5 Roman million Catholicism

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Singapore (Cont.) (Cont.)

Religion(s): Buddhism; Islam; Christianity Language(s): Thai

Political Leader(s): Lee Kuan Yew; Lee Hsien Loong; Sylvia Lim; “Hello” in Thai: “Sa-wad-dee” (+ “ka” for girls and + “krub” for Chen Shaw Mao; Low Thia Khiang boys)

Language(s): English; Mandarin Chinese; Malay; Tamil “Delicious” in Thai: “A-roi” (+ “mak” for “very”)

Food(s) and Drink(s): Chicken; Rice; Skewered meats; Fishball Food(s) and Drink(s): Manprik; Long rua; Lemongrass juice noodles Traditional Music: Thai with Thai instruments Sport(s): Soccer; Badminton; Table Tennis Sport(s): Soccer; Badminton; Volleyball Thailand Celebrities: Contributed by Pukitta Chunsuttiwat Contributed by Cuong Le

Capital: Capital: Population: 90 million Population: 65 million Religion(s): None (but Buddha plays an important Religion(s): role in people’s beliefs) Buddhism Language(s): Vietnamese Political Leader(s): Prime Minister “Hello” in Vietnamese: “Chao”

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Vietnam (Cont.) (Cont.)

“Goodbye” in Vietnamese: “Tam biet” (or “Chao”) Language(s): ; Punjabi; Sindhi; Pushto; Balochi; English (although very few people are fluent in English, in a typical “Delicious” in Vietnamese: “Ngon” sentence, up to half of the words may be in English)

Food(s) and Drink(s): Pho; Rice cakes; Nem “Hello” in Urdu: “Assalaam alaikum” (Response to this greeting Traditional Music: Nhac tru is: “Walaikum as-salaam”)

Sport(s): Soccer “Goodbye” in Urdu: “Khuda hafiz”

Celebrities: Dam Vinh hung and My Tam “Delicious” in Urdu: “Zaiqaydaar” (although not commonly used) West Asia Food(s) and Drink(s): Tandoori chicken; Chicken tikka; Rogan gosht; Saag; Nihari; ; Sarson da saag; Daal makhani; Bhujia; Pakistan Qeema; Sajji; Chargha; Daal chawal; Qorma; Koftay; Lassi; Sherbat; Rooh afza Contributed by Asad Zaidi Traditional Music: Classical; Ghazal; Qawwali; Sufi; Folk; Filmi; Capital: Islamabad Sufi rock; Bhangra

Population: 175 million Sport(s): Cricket; Football (i.e. American soccer); Gilli danda; Field hockey; Polo; Squash Religion(s): Islam Celebrities: Former cricket captain and current politician Imran Political Leader(s): Asif Khan; Singer Ali Azmat; Singer Atif Aslam; Video jockey and Ali Zardari; Yousuf Raza actress Mahira Khan; Model Aamina Haq; Comedian Faisal Gilani; Maulana Fazal-ur- Qureshi; Standup comedian Sami Shah; Photographer Tapu Javeri; Rahman; Imran Khan; Nawaz Sharif; Shahbaz Sharif Singer Hadiqa Kiyani; Actor Shan; Talk show host Ayesha Tammy Haq

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

AMERICA Canada (Cont.) North America Food(s) and Drink(s): Timbits; Butter tarts; ; Canadian back bacon; Tourtierre; Beaver tail (not real beaver tail); Maple Canada syrup Sport(s): Ice hockey; Ice skating; Curling; Lacrosse; Rugby; Contributed by Basketball; Baseball YangYi Cao Celebrities: Justin Bieber; Avril Lavigne; Celine Dion; Rachel Capital: McAdams; Mike Myers; Nelly Furtado; Wayne Gretzky Ottawa

Population: 3.4 million Contributed by Religion(s): Damion Protestantism Prendergast and Catholicism Capital: Kingston

Political Leader(s): Stephen Harper; David Johnston; Queen Population: 2.8 Elizabeth II (in theory) million

Language(s): English and French Religion(s): “Hello” in French: “Bonjour” or “Salut” Christianity

“Goodbye” in French: “Au revoir” Political Leader(s): Prime Minister Bruce Golding

Language(s): English and English Creole (Patois)

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Jamaica (Cont.) Mexico (Cont.)

“Hello” in English Creole: “‘Ello” Religion(s): Catholicism

“Goodbye” in English Creole: “Lata” Political Leader(s): Felipe Calderon Hinojosa

“Delicious” in English Creole: “Nyam good” Language(s): Spanish; Nahuatl; Zapoteca; Mixteca; more than 60 minority languages Food(s) and Drink(s): Ackee and saltsih; Rice and peas; Lemonade; Rum; Coconut water “Hello” in Spanish: “Hola”

Traditional Music: and Dancehall “Goodbye” in Spanish: “Adios”

Sport(s): Football (i.e. American soccer); Netball; Cricket; Track “Delicious” in Spanish: “Delicioso” and field; Tennis; Basketball; Field hockey Food(s) and Drink(s): Mole; Tequila; Quesadillas; Agua de frutas; Celebrities: Bob Marley; Vybz Kartel; Beenie Man; Sean Paul; Mondongo; Jamaica water Beres Hammond; Movado; Damian “Jr. ” Marley Traditional Music: Ranchero music; Mariachi; Son Jarocho; Jarabe Mexico Tapatio

Contributed by Sport(s): Soccer and Hector Celebrities: Frida Kahlo; Octavio Paz; Vicente Fernandez; Andrea Bautista Aniceto de la Parra; Diego Rivera; Gael Garcia Capital: Mexico

City

Population: 107 million

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Trinidad and Tobago South America

Contributed by Leia Cozier Contributed by Jeniffer Yuan Capital: Port of Capital: Brasilia Population: 1.3 million Population: 190 million

Religion(s): Roman Religion(s): Roman Catholicism; Catholicism Hinduism; Islam; Political Leader(s): Christianity Current President Dilma Political Leader(s): Kamla Bissesar Vana Rousseff and Former President (’03 – ’11) Luiz Language(s): English (official); Hindustani (dialect of Inácio Lula da Silva Hindi); French; Spanish; Chinese Language(s): Portuguese Food(s) and Drink(s): chicken and in a ; Pelau shark and baked saltfish; Stewed chicken with pigeon peas and “Hello” in Portuguese: “Olá” callaloo “Goodbye” in Portuguese: “Oi” Traditional Music: Calypso; Steelband; Soca; Rapso; Chutney “Delicious” in Portuguese: “Delicioso/a” or “Gostoso/a” (fusion styles) Sport(s): Football (i.e. American soccer) Sport(s): Cricket; Football; Golf; Hockey Celebrities: Ivete Sangalo and Gisele Bündchen Celebrities: Singer Nicki Minaj; Actor Geoffrey Holder; Actor Lorraine Toussaint 10

Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Paraguay (Cont.)

Contributed by Jose Caballero Ciciolli Sport(s): Soccer

Capital: Asunción Celebrities: Cindy Taylor; Leryn Franco; Jose Luis Chilavert; Berta Rojas Continent: South America

Population: 6.5 million

Religion(s): Catholicism

Political Leader(s): President Fernando Lugo

Language(s): Spanish and Guarani

“Hello” in Spanish: “Hola”

“Goodbye” in Spanish: “Chau”

“Delicious” in Spanish: “Delicioso”

“Hello” in Guarani: “Maitei”

“Goodbye” in Guarani: “Jajoecha peve”

“Delicious” in Guarani: “Heterei”

Food(s) and Drink(s): Terere (mate); Asado; Mbeju; Sopa Paraguaya

Traditional Music: Polca Paraguaya and Guarania

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

AFRICA

Ghana Ghana (Cont.)

Contributed by Traditional Music: Drum ensembles with accompanying Yasmin Evans- instruments, such as flutes, and hilife Totoe Sport(s): Football

Capital: Celebrities: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan; First President of Accra Ghana Dr. Kwame Nkrumah; Chelsea footballer Michael Essien; Population: Author Ama Ata Aidoo; Boxer Azumah Nelson; Osibisa 23 million Kenya Religion(s): Contributed by Christianity John Onyango Political Sankara Leader(s): John Atta Mills Capital: Nairobi Language(s): Akan (Twi, Fante…) Ga and Ewe Population: 39 “Hello” in Ewe: “Ete sen?” million

“Goodbye” in Ewe: “Bye” Religion(s): Christianity; Food(s) and Drink(s): Fufu; Banku and tilapia; ; Islam; Kelewele (spicy fried plantain); Shito (); various stews Indigenous and soups

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Kenya (Cont.)

Political Leader(s): Mwai Kibaki; Raila Odinga; Uhuru Kenyatta; Contributed by Antsa William Ruto; Musalia Mudavadi; Charity Ngilu; Martha Karua Randriamihaja

Language(s): Swahili; Indigenous languages; English Capital: Antananarivo “Hello” in Swahili: “Jambo” Population: 19 “Goodbye” in Swahili: “Tuonane” million

“Delicious” in Swahili: “Tamu sana” or “Ladha” Religion(s): Food(s) and Drink(s): Githeri; ; Samaki Christianity

Traditional Music: Ohangla; Rhumba; Mugiithi Language(s): Malagasy and French Sport(s): Football; Athletics; Rugby; Basketball “Hello” in Malagasy: “Manao ahoana” Celebrities: Eric Wainaina; Suzanne Owiyo; Paul Tergat; Tegla Lorupe “Goodbye” in Malagasy: “Veloma”

“Delicious” in Malagasy: “Matsiro” Food(s) and Drink(s): Rice and Rice juice

Traditional Music: Hira gasy

Sport(s): Soccer

Celebrities: Professor Rakoto Ratsimamanga (who has already passed away)

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Mauritius Morocco

Contributed by Contributed by Rhyan Foo Kune Myriem Benkirane

Capital: Port Louis Capital: Rabat

Population: 1.2 Population: 31 million million

Religion(s): Religion(s): Islam Hinduism; Christianity; Islam; Political Leader(s): Buddhism King Mohammed VI

Political Leader(s): Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam Language(s): Arabic and French

Language(s): French; Creole; English (official) “Hello” in Moroccan Dialect: “Salamalikoum”

“Hello” in Creole: “Allo” “Goodbye” in Moroccan Dialect: “Biss’lama”

“Goodbye” in Creole: “Salam” “Hello” in French: “Bonjour”

“Delicious” in Creole: “Mari bon” “Goodbye” in French: “Au revoir”

Food(s) and Drink(s): “Delicious” in French: “Delicieux”

Traditional Music: Food(s) and Drink(s): Couscous; Tajines; Tea

Sport(s): Football Sport(s): Football

Celebrities: Kaya Celebrities: Singer Abdelhadi Belkhayat and Comic Gad Elmaleh 14

Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

South Sudan South Sudan (Cont.)

Contributed by Traditional Music: Diverse folk music that reflects the diverse Joy Minalla cultures represented by the 100 plus ethnic groups in the region Daniel Sport(s): Wrestling; Mock battles; Soccer; General athletics Capital: Juba Celebrities: Chicago Bulls basketball player Luol Deng; Tallest Population: 8.3 basketball player in Guinness Book of World Records Manute Bol; million Syracuse Orange basketball player Kueth Duany (disputed) Swaziland Religion(s): Christianity; Contributed by Ioannis Islam; Traditional religions Sophocleous and Siyabonga Ndwandwe Political Leader(s): President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Vice President Riek Machar Capital: Mbabane

Language(s): Arabic and English Population: 1.2 million

“Hello” in Arabic: “Salaam aleikum” Religion(s): Christianity “Goodbye” in Arabic: “Widhaahan” Political Leader(s): King Mswati III “Delicious” in Arabic: “Ledhif” Language(s): Siswati and English Food(s) and Drink(s): Kissra; Asseeda; Fulmasir; Tabaldi; Aradaib; Karkadai or Kerekede (hibiscus tea); Merisa; Guddaim “Hello” in Siswati: “Unjani” or “Sawubona”

“Goodbye” in Siswati: “Usalakahle”

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Swaziland (Cont.) Tanzania (Cont.)

“Delicious” in Siswati: “Nca” (slang term) or “Kwehla “Goodbye” in Kiswahili: “Kwaheri” esiphundvu” “Delicious” in Kiswahili: “Tamu” Food(s) and Drink(s): Porridge; Chicken intestines; Spinach; Traditional brew; Mahewu; Emasi; Umcombotsi; Sintjangabomu Food(s) and Drink(s): Ugali (made of corn flour and eaten along with stew, meat, fish, or any other [preferably salty] sauce); Traditional Music: Gospel music and Makhoyane Siginci Bholoja Makande; Ndizi; Zakupikwa

Sport(s): Soccer; Cricket; Netball; Sibhaca Traditional Music: Modern ; (has Islamic roots); Ngoma Za Asili (with varying choreography from tribe-to- Celebrities: KrTC, Psycholution, and Innovate tribe)

Tanzania Sport(s): Football (i.e. American soccer); Netball; Volleyball; Basketball; Marathons Contributed by Agnes Navuri Biswalo and Francis B. Gwandu Celebrities: Freddie Mercury and Deputy Secretary General of the Capital: Dodoma UN Asha Rose Migiro Population: 43 million

Religion(s): Christianity; Islam; Indigenous beliefs

Political Leader(s): President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and Prime Minister Mzengo Pinda

Language(s): Kiswahili (Swahili) and English

“Hello” in Kiswahili: “Habari” or “Mambo” (which is responded to with “Poa” or “Shwari”)

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

EUROPE

Albania Albania (Cont.)

Contributed by Food(s) and Drink(s): Different types of meat dishes, particularly Lorela Paco and lamb; different types of ; very widespread vegetable use in Iris Vrioni southern Albania; Olive oil; Spices; Lemon; Fish in coastal cities; Wine; ; Cognac Skenderbej; Byrek; Raki Capital: Tirana Traditional Music: Folk Population: 3.6 million Sport(s): Football; Weightlifting; Basketball

Religion(s): Celebrities: Mother Theresa; Robert de Niro (Albanian origin); Islam and Writer Ismail Kadare; Soprano Inva Mula; Singer Ana Oxa; Sandra Christianity Bullock (Albanian origin); James Belushi; Medicine Nobelist Ferid Murati (Albanian origin); Actress Eliza Dushku; Ex-Chief Executor Political of CIA George Tenet; World Champion Tailboxer Azem Maksutaj; Leader(s): Chess World Champion Erald Dervishi; World-Famous Architect of Prime Minister Sali Berisha; President Bamir Topi; Leader of the Semmering Railway Karl Gega; Actor Aleksander Moisiu; Opposition Edi Rama European Champion Boxer Luan Krasniqi; Present World Champion Weightlifter Daniel Godelli Language(s): Albanian

“Hello” in Albanian: “Pershendetje” “Goodbye” in Albanian: “Mirupafshim” “Delicious” in Albanian: “Shume e shijshme”

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Bulgaria (Cont.)

Contributed Sport(s): Football by Mihaela Barokova Celebrities: Dimiter Berbatov; Hristo Stoichkov; Kotoosho; Albena Denkova; Maxim Staviiski; Stefka Kostadinova; Cveti Pironkova; Capital: Kristalina Georgieva Sofia Population: 7 million Contributed by Valentino Religion(s): Grbavac Orthodox Christianity Capital: Zagreb Political Leader(s): Georgi Pyrvanov; Boiko Borisov; Sergei Stanishev Population: 4.3 million Language(s): Bulgarian Religion(s): “Hello” in Bulgarian: “Zdravei” Roman Catholicism “Goodbye” in Bulgarian: “Chao” Political Leader(s): President Ivo Josipović and Prime Minister “Delicious” in Bulgarian: “Vkusno” Jadranka Kosor Food(s) and Drink(s): Musaka; Sarmi; Shopska salata; Kufte; Language(s): Croatian Kebapche; ; Alran; Rakia; Wine “Hello” in Croatian: “Zdravo” Traditional Music: Folk

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Croatia (Cont.) Denmark (Cont.)

“Goodbye” in Croatian: “Do viđenja” Political Leader(s): Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Queen (and Head of State) Margerethe II “Delicious” in Croatian: “Ukusno” Language(s): Danish Food(s) and Drink(s): (cabbage rolled around minced meat and rice); Dalmatinski pršut (dalmatian double-smoked prosciutto); “Hello” in Danish: “Hej” Janjetina ispod peke (lamb); Rakija (40% spirit) “Goodbye” in Danish: “Hej hej” or “Farvel” Traditional Music: Folk music (i.e. Ganga, Klapa [a cappella singing], and Tamburaši) “Delicious” in Danish: “Udsøgt,” “Delikat,” “Lækker,” “Herlig,” or “Liflig” Sport(s): Football; Handball; Water polo; Basketball Food(s) and Drink(s): ; Cabbage Stew; Potatoes (i.e. Celebrities: Goran Višnjić and Rade Šerbedžija boiled, mashed, fried, deep-fried, distilled into the spirit “Akvavit”/“Aquavit,” and every other way you can possibly prepare Denmark a potato); Pickled beetroots; Pork liver paté; Herring (i.e. fried, salted, marinated, smoked); Red sausages from a “pølsevogn” Contributed by Simon (sausage wagon); Remoulade (sauce used for , breaded Sanggaard fish fillets, roast beef , and hot dogs); “Gammel Dansk” Capital: Copenhagen (“Old Danish”), a bitter liquid drunk at breakfast during special occasions like wedding anniversaries or birthdays Population: 5.5 million Traditional Music: Folk with fiddle, , and Religion(s): Evangelical Sport(s): Football (i.e. American soccer); Handball; Sailing; Lutheranism; Rowing; Horseback riding; Tennis; Badminton Christianity; Islam; Agnosticism; Atheism

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Denmark (Cont.) France (Cont.)

Celebrities: The Royal Family; Viggo Mortenson; René Dif from “Hello” in French: “Bonjour” the band Aqua; Mads Mikkelsen (actor who played Le Chiffre in Casino Royale); Lars Ulrich (drummer in the band Metallica); “Goodbye” in French: “Au revoir” Nikolaj Coster Waldau (actor in the TV-series Game of Thrones and “Delicious” in French: “Delicieux” the movies Wimbledon, Black Hawk Down, and Kingdom of Heaven); Anders Trentemøller ( producer) Food(s) and Drink(s): Cassoulet; Quiche; Cheeses; Wine; Foie gras France Traditional Music: French classical; Opera-ballet; Opera bouffon; Contributed by Camille Neale Opera comique

Capital: Sport(s): Football; Rugby; Tennis; Cycling

Population: 6.6 Celebrities: ; Vanessa Paradis; Brigitte Bardot; million David Guetta; Vincent Cassel

Religion(s): Italy Roman Catholicism Contributed by Riccardo Political Maddalozzo Leader(s): Nicolas Sarkozy Capital: Rome

Language(s): Population: French 60.5 million

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Italy (Cont.)

Religion(s): 90% Roman Catholics; some Islam; Protestant and Contributed Orthodox minorities; 5% no religion by Clemens Pilgram Political Leader(s): Prime Minister ; President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano; Chair of the Opposition Pierluigi Capital: Bersani

Language(s): Italian, with Bilingualism (French and German) in Population: Aosta Valley and South Tirol 82 million

“Hello” in Italian: “Ciao” Religion(s): Christianity “Goodbye” in Italian: “Arriverdeci” (Catholicism “Delicious” in Italian: “Delizioso” and Lutheranism) and Islam Food(s) and Drink(s): Pizza; Pasta; Bread; White and red wines Political Leader(s): ; Christian Wulff; Philipp Traditional Music: Varies greatly throughout the country Rösler

Sport(s): Soccer; Swimming; Skiing Language(s): German

Celebrities: Valentino Rossi; Rodolfo Valentino; Laura Pausini; “Hello” in German: “Guten tag” or “Hallo” Marco Materazzi “Goodbye” in German: “Auf wiedersehen” or “Tschüss!”

“Delicious” in German: “Lecker” or “Köstlich”

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Germany (Cont.) (Lietuva) (Cont.)

Food(s) and Drink(s): Differs a lot regionally, but beers (and their Political Leader(s): President Dalia Grybauskaite; Prime Minister weaker form, Radler), sausages (of all different kinds), and breads Andrius Kubilius; Secretary of the Parliament Irena Degutiene are popular everywhere Language(s): Lithuanian (+90%); Polish; Russian Traditional Music: There are too many regional differences to go into detail, but a lot of what is now considered “classical music” “Hello” in Lithuanian: “Labas iki” comes from Germany “Goodbye” in Lithuanian: “Viso gero” or “Ate”

Sport(s): Football (i.e. American soccer) “Delicious” in Lithuanian: “Skanus”

Celebrities: Karl Benz; Marlene Dietrich; Boris Becker; The Food(s) and Drink(s): ( balls with meat Scorpions; Dieter Bohlen inside); Potato dumplings; Potato pancakes; Curd cakes; many kinds of beer; Kvass (a fermented beverage made from black bread) Lithuania (Lietuva) Traditional Music: Folk and

Contributed by Sport(s): Basketball and Pentathlon Benas Klastaitis Celebrities: Basketball players Arvydas Sabonis, Zydrunas and Modestas Ilgauskas, Arvydas Macijauskas, and Sarunas Jasikevicius; Weight- Filipavicius lifter Zydrunas Savickas; Disc-thrower Virgilijus Alekna; Ex- Capital: President

Population: 3 million

Religion(s): Catholicism and Christian Orthodoxy

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Poland (Cont.)

Contributed Traditional Music: Mazurka; Polonaise; Krakowiak by Wojciech Michno Sport(s): Soccer; ; Basketball; Boxing; Ski jumping; Fencing; Handball; Ice hockey; Swimming; Volleyball; Capital: Weightlifting Cracow Celebrities: Fryderyk Chopin; Adam Mickiewicz; Maria Population: Skłodowska (aka Marie Curie) 38 million Portugal (Portuguese Republic) Religion(s): Roman Contributed by Barbara Alexandra Borges Ribeiro Catholicism Capital: Political Leader(s): President Bronisław Komorowski and Prime Lisbon Minister from the Government Parliamentary Republic Population: Language(s): Polish 10.5 million

“Hello” in Polish: “Czesc” Religion(s): Roman “Goodbye” in Polish: “Dzien dobry” Catholicism (85%) “Delicious” in Polish: “Wysmienite” Political Food(s) and Drink(s): Bigos; ; Vodka; Kiełbasa; Barszcz; Leader(s): Żurek; Flaczki (tripe soup); Gołąbki; Oscypek; Kotlet schabowy; Prime various potato dishes; (a fast food ); Pączki; Minister Pedro Passos Coelho and President Aníbal Cavaco Silva Faworki; Gingerbread; Babka 23

Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Portugal (Portuguese Republic) (Cont.) (The Republic of) (Cont.)

Language(s): Portuguese Religion(s): Orthodoxy

“Hello” in Portuguese: “Olá” Political Leader(s): Boris Tadic and Tomislav Nikolic

“Goodbye” in Portuguese: “Tchau” Language(s): Serbian

“Delicious” in Portuguese: “Delicioso” “Hello” in Serbian: “Zdravo”

Food(s) and Drink(s): Bacalhau (cod fish); Enchidos; “Goodbye” in Serbian: “Do vidjenja” with cinnamon; Caramel custard; Portwine; Aguardente; Vinho de Dão “Delicious” in Serbian: “Izvanredno”

Traditional Music: Fado; Azorean folk music; Trás-os-Montes Food(s) and Drink(s): Pljeskavica; Gibanica; Rakija

Sport(s): Football Traditional Music: Ajde Jano; Vidovdan; Jecam znjela Kosovka devojka; Zapevala sojka ptica; Sva Srbija na leti; Gusta mi Celebrities: Christiano Ronaldo; EU President José Manuel magla padnala; Svilen konac; Na Uskrs sam se rodila Barroso; Writer José Saramago; Earth circumnavigator Ferdinand Magellan Sport(s): Basketball; Water polo; Volleyball; Handball; Tennis; Football (The Republic of) Serbia Celebrities: Novak Djoković; Nikola Tesla; Mihailo Pupin; Dejan Contributed by Marko Bodiroga; Vlade Divac; Nemanja Vidić; Predrag Stojaković; Dejan Martinovic Stanković

Capital: Belgrade

Population: 7.5 million

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Spain Spain (Cont.)

Contributed Traditional Music: Celtic music with pipes in northwestern Spain by Sara and music in southern Spain (varies in the rest of the Parcero country) Leites Sport(s): Soccer; Volleyball; Basketball; Tennis; Formula 1; Moto Capital: GP Celebrities: Antonio Banderas; Penelope Cruz; Paz Vega; Javier Population: Bardem; Julio and Enrique Iglesias; Alejandro Sanz; Pedro 46 million Almodovar

Religion(s): Sweden Catholicism Contributed Political Leader(s): Left-Wing Member President Jose Luis by Kunal Rodriguez Zapatero and Right Wing Chauhan and Emma Language(s): Spanish; Galician; Catalan; Vasc Cederlund “Hello” in Spanish: “Hola” Capital: “Goodbye” in Spanish: “Adios” Stockholm

“Delicious” in Spanish: “Delicioso” Population: 9.3 million Food(s) and Drink(s): ; Spanish omelet; Fish; Seafood; Wine; Sangria (red wine, fruit, and sugar); Galician liquors (licor Religion(s): café and crema de orujo) in northwestern Spain (Galicia) Atheism and Christianity (Evangelical Lutheranism)

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Briefing Your Country ISP 2011

Sweden (Cont.) AUSTRALASIA & OCEANIA

Political Leader(s): Fredrik Reinfeldt (the social democratic party has been the leading party of Sweden for many years, although recently the has gained more support and is now Contributed by Camille Neale ruling the Swedish Parliament) Capital: Canberra Language(s): Swedish; English; Sami (language of native inhabitants); Finnish, Romani, and Yiddish (minority languages) Population: 2.3 million “Hello” in Swedish: “Hej” Religion(s): “Goodbye” in Swedish: “Hejdå” Christianity and Roman Catholicism “Delicious” in Swedish: “Utsökt” or “Läckert” Political Leader(s): Food(s) and Drink(s): Meatballs; Herring; Potato; Aquavit; Snaps Julia Gillard Traditional Music: ABBA and folk music made by bow Language(s): instruments and accordion (although this music is mostly played English during seasonal celebrations, such as Midsummer) Food(s) and Drink(s): ; Sausage rolls; Lamingtons; Wine Sport(s): Soccer; Ice hockey; Skiing; Golf; Tennis; Swimming Sport(s): AFL; Rugby; Cricket; Netball Celebrities: ABBA; Zlatan Ibrahimovic; Carola; Robin Söderling; Annika Sörenstam; Carl von Linneus; Dag Hammarskjöld; Celebrities: ; Geoffrey Rush; Mel Gibson; Naomi Alexander Skarsgård; Malin Åkerman Watts

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