BRITISH ISLES Attractions

• An archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean off the North- England

Western coast in continental Europe that consists the Great • Buckingham Palace • Big Ben
Britain also known as United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, • Stonehenge • London Bridge
Isle of Man and over six thousand small isles.
Wales
United Kingdom • Cardiff Castle • Pembroke shire Coast National Park
• Politics: Constitutional Monarchy current queen is Queen Elizabeth
II. North Ireland
• The Union Jack Union Jack or Union Flag Union Flag, is the national, • Tollymore Forest Park • Titanic Belfast
is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It is also used as flag of
the United Kingdom. It is also used as an official flag in some of the Scotland
smaller British official flag in some of the smaller British Overseas • Old town • Loch Ness
Territories.
UK is also known for
• Religion: Christianity
• Music • Brands
• Seasons: Winter (December-February) Spring (March-May) Summer
• Book/Movies • Establishments
(June-August) Autumn (September-November)
• Personalities • Others
• Peak Season: Mid-June to August
• Shoulder Season: April to Mid-June and September to October
Ireland The National Flag of Ireland is a vertical
• Off-Peak Season: November to March tricolor consists of vertical tricolor consist of
• Climate: cool and often cloudy, high temperatures are infrequent. Green, White and Orange. The Green, White
and Orange. The Orange stands for Irish
Countries and Capital Orange stands for Irish Protestants, Green
Wales – Cardiff England – London stands for Protestants, Green stands for
Irish Catholics and the Irish Catholics and the
republican cause and White republican cause
and White stands hope and peace between
stands hope and peace between them.

Scotland – Edinburgh North Ireland – Belfast • Capital: Dublin

• Politics: Patriarchal current president is Michael D. Higgins

Religion
• Seasons: Spring and Summer (February-April) Autumn and
• The UK’s official religion is Christianity, and churches of all, and
Winter (August-Oct)
churches of all dominations can be found dominations can be
• Religion: 87% Roman Catholic
found throughout the UK, such as throughout the UK, such as
Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, and Catholic, Protestant, Baptist,
Customs
and Methodist. The main other Methodist. The main other
• Death might be a sad occasion but in Ireland, friends and family
religions are Islam, Hinduism, religions are Islam, Hinduism,
gather and share memories and funny stories about the
Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism. Sikhism, Judaism, and
decease.
Buddhism.
• In terms of weddings, the Bride and Groom to eat some salt
(with oatmeal) on their wedding day to ward off evil spirits.
Customs
• Getting married during time of plenty, harvest is a good omen.
• Punctual
• When leaving a Church, it is not unusual for rice confetti to be
• Never jump in “queues” • Avoid eye contact
• Keep one arm’s length • Love to dip tea hurled at the betrothed, but in ancient time an old shoe was
between yourself and • A gentleman tossed over the head of the bride for luck - not so lucky if it hits
those you are speaking • Apologize right away the bride luck though
with. • Stiff upper lip • Greetings “You alright?” “What’s the story?” “Any craic?”
• “Please, Thank You, Sorry” • Reserved • Generic Answers “Fine” “Grand” “Alright”
are their magic words. • Nicknames for ladies • Never say no to tea.
• Don’t simply share their • Steering wheel is at the • Don’t ever say “bye” then hang up.
hand if you are greeting right • Calling you “Lass” or “Laddy”
family and friends.
Gastronomy
Gastronomy • Irish Breakfast • Irish stew
• Full English Breakfast • Cream/Scone and tea • Beer • Corned beef
• Fish and Chips • Roast/Sunday dinner
Traditions
Traditions • St. Patrick’s Day • St. Stephen’s Day of the Wren
• Guy Fawkes night • Christmas • Easter • Irish craft beer and gin garden
• Daylight saving time • Boxing day • Halloween tradition festival
• Shrove or pancake Tuesday • New Year’s Eve • Christmas tradition • Galway food festival
 Attractions Spain
• Giant Causeway • Cliffs of Moher • Dingle Peninsula • Capital: Madrid
• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro
Ireland is also known for
• Religion: Catholic
• Guiness • Leprechaun
• Politics: Parliamentary Monarchy
• Irish skirt and bagpipes • River Dance

Culture and Tradition

IBERIAN PENINSULA - EUROPE
Portugal • Capital: Lisbon
• Official language: Portugal
• Regional languages: Mirandese
• Politics: Unitary semi-presidential
representative democratic republic.
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• The culture of Spain is based on a variety of historical influences,
primarily based on pre-Roman Celtic and Iberian culture.
• most popular event perhaps being the "Running of Bulls" during
the Sanfermines in Pamplon
• Flamenco is the musical tradition in the country's south, in
particular in Andalusia.

Culture and Tradition Gastronomy

• Soccer, futebol, is the most popular sport in Portugal. The oldest • Gazpacho • Croquettes
• Spanish omelets/tortilla • Turrón
club, Boavista, after the Porto neighborhood of the same name,
• Pisto
was founded in 1903.
• Saints Anthony (12th-13th), John (23rd-24th), and Peter (28th-
Attractions
29th)
Historical Nature UNESCO World
• Saint Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11, part of a
• The Great Mosque of • Somiedo Heritage Site
three-day period called Saint Martin’s Summer. Cordoba (Mezquita) Natural Park • Las Médulas
• January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated by some. • Merida Roman Theatre • Lagunas de • GUERNICA
• The Royal Palace of Ruidera (GERNIKA): PEACE
Gastronomy Madrid MUSEU
• ALHEIRA DE MIRANDELA • BIFANAS
• SERRA DA ESTRELA • CHICKEN PIRI-PIRI Do’s
CHEESE • Try some Spanish phrases.
• CALDO VERDE • Be patient.
• Open any gifts you receive in front of the giver.
Attraction • Do get ready to be a second-hand smoker if you are not smoker.
Historical Nature UNESCO World Heritage • Always dress in an appropriate and stylish manner.
• Guimarães • Ponta da Site
• Eat tortilla or cake with fork only.
• Mosteiro dos Piedade • Cultural Landscape of Sintra
Jerónimos • Monastery of Batalha
Don’ts
• São Jorge Castle (Lisbon)
• Capela Dos Ossos • Expect people to speak English.
• Expect to find spicy food in Spain
Do’s • Don’t be offended.
• Consider how you dress and present yourself. • Don’t flash your belongings.
• speak respectfully and politely. • Don’t wear beachwear off the beach.
• Show respect for Catholicism and the Christian tradition. • Don’t try to do anything important between 14:00 and 16:00.
• Follow the rules. • Don’t expect much silence.
• Keep the place clean, light, functioning, as it was before you came
in. Trivia
• Attempt to speak to in Portuguese. • The first modern ‘novel’ is attributed to a Spaniard.
• Remember the number 112. • DON QUIXOTE
• Spain has 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Don’ts
• Don’t assume that “my country, my culture, my language” is how
SCANDINAVIA
things are supposed to be globally.
• Capital: Copenhagen
• Avoid comparing Portugal to Spain. Denmark
• Peak season: May – June, when the– June, when the spring
• Do not boast about yourself. is in full swing.is in full swing. September – October, when
• Giving tips in bars and restaurants. the– October, when the fall colors take over.
• Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and
Trivia Roman Catholic 3%, Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and
• Portugal is the oldest country in Europe. Portugal has had the same Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%Muslim 2%.
defined borders since 1139, making it the oldest nation-state in
Europe. Society and Culture
• Alfonso Henriques was proclaimed the first King of Portugal in 1139 • Denmark is an egalitarian society.
and the country remained a kingdom for almost 800 years • Most Danes are modest about their own accomplishments and are
thereafter, until 1910. more concerned about the group than their own individual needs.
• Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries. • Women are highly respected in business and generally receive equal
• Established the first global empire, becoming one of the world's pay and have access to senior positions.
major economic, political and military power. During this period, • Working mothers can easily arrange flexible hours.
today referred to as the Age of Discovery. • They expect courteous behavior from everyone.
• Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention to Culture
yourself. • Icelanders are naked and unafraid.
• Children are raised to be independent from an early age. • There are no Surnames.
• Most are put in day care centers at about 1 years old. • Parents leave their babies sleeping outside.
• Marriage is not a prerequisite to starting a family.
Attractions
Etiquette and Customs • Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis
• Greetings are casual, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and • Landmannalaugar
a smile. • Gullfoss Waterfall
• Shake hands with women first.
• Danes give gifts to family and close friends for birthdays and
Christmas. Norway • Capital: Oslo
• If invited to a Danish home for dinner, bring flowers, good quality • Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 86%
chocolates or good quality wine. (state church), other Protestant and
• Check to see if you should remove your shoes before entering the Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none
house. and unknown 10%
• Peak season: March-May
• Danes enjoy showing off their homes since they have usually done
the decorating themselves and are proud of their accomplishments.
Society and Culture
• Wait to be told where to sit.
• Many families consist mainly of the nuclear family.
• hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating
• Marriage is not a prerequisite to starting a family.
• Women may take up to one year's maternity leave at 80% pay or 10
Attractions
months at 100% pay.
• Egeskov castle • Colorful Old Port of Nyhavn
• If a woman decides to stay home with pre-school children, she
• Staten Museum
receives a monthly stipend from the government.
• Norwegians view themselves as egalitarian people whose culture is
• Capital: Helsinki based on democratic principles.
• Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian • They like people for themselves and not for the status of the person.
Finland
Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 11%, none • Jante's Law teaches people to be modest and not 'think big'. It is
9%, other 1%% demonstrated in most people's refusal to criticize others.
• Peak Season: February and March are still Norwegians try to see all people as being on equal footing.
snowy March are but with much longer
days. The Tenants of Jante Law
• You shall not think you are special.
Society and Culture • You shall not believe you are smarter than others.
• Very modest and downplay their own accomplishments • You shall not believe you are wiser than others.
• Humble and modest as virtues • You shall not behave as if you are better than others.
• Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention • You shall not believe that you know more than others.
to yourself. • You shall not believe that you can fix things better than others.
• Serial conversation is the rule. Interrupting is rude. • You shall not laugh at others.
• Sauna has a special role in the domestic life of Finns. • You shall not believe that others care about you.
• You shall not believe that you can teach others anything.
Etiquette and Customs
• Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to Attractions
bring a dish. • Svalbard • Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen)
• Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after • Lillehammer
a meal is served.
• If you are invited for coffee and cake, there may be as many as 7
cakes to sample. • Capital: Stockholm
• Bread and shrimp are the only foods eaten by hand. SWEDEN • Religion: Lutheran 87%, other (includes
• When passing salt and pepper shakers, put them on the table Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim,
within the person's reach. Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%.
• Peak Season: Mid-November, Christmas at
Attractions Liseberg opens in Gothenburg. This event
attracts more and more foreign in
• Soumenlinna Fortress • Roveniemi and the arctic
Gothenburg.
Culture
• Behaviors in Sweden are strongly balanced towards ‘lagom’ or
• Capital: Reykjavik
Iceland ‘everything in moderation’.
• Religion: Evangelical Lutheran Church of which
92.2% other Lutherans constitute 3.1%, Catholics 0.9 • Either the mother or father is entitled to be absent from work until
percent, other Lutherans constitute 3.1%, Catholics their child reaches 18 months old.
0.9 percent, and others 3.8%.and others 3.8%. • Either parent has the right to reduce their workload by 25% until
• Peak season: Mid-October - March perfect time their child reaches 8 years old.
seeing the Northern Lights. • Anyone travelling to Sweden will notice the family friendly
environment of most restaurants and other such
Traditions establishments.
• Christmas • Twelfth Night • Are punctual as it is considered extremely impolite if you are rude.
• New Year’s Eve • Bondadagur
• Dress smartly as to otherwise would be considered disrespectful to
the hosts.
• Do not ask to see the rest of the house.
• knife in the right hand and fork in the left. When eating, keep your
hands in full view, with your wrists on top of the table.
• Women may also kiss men, but men never kiss other men.
• Titles are very important and denote respect
• Punctuality is a sign of respect.
• Dress conservatively and elegantly.
• In some houses you may be asked to remove your shoes.

Attractions Tourist Destinations

• Gamla Stan • Vasa Museum • Schonbrunn Palace
• Hallstatt
Hungary
• Capital: Budapest
CENTRAL EUROPE
• Religion: 54.2 Christian, 38.9
Catholics
Czech Republic • Capital: Prague • Language: Hungarian
• Climate: Spring (march-may) Summer • Currency: Forint (HUF)
(June-august) fall (September-
October) Winter (November-march)
• Religion: 39.8 atheist, 39.2 Roman Traditions and Customs
Catholics • Holidays
• They celebrate name days.
Traditions and Customs • Easter
• Easter or “Velikonoce” (great nights)
• bottle of wine and/or flowers are deemed to be the ideal small Tourist Destinations
gifts when visiting homes and are always appreciated. • The Danube
• November 2 is All Saints’ Day • Tihany
• December 5 an exciting holiday for kids reminding that
Christmas is near.
GERMANY
Tourist Destinations • Capital: Berlin
• Old town square • Religion: Christianity
• Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague orloj • Language: German

Poland Values
• Capital: Warsaw • Germans place a high priority on structure, privacy and
• Religion: Roman Catholic punctuality.
• Germans are stoic people who strive for perfectionism and
precision in all aspects of their lives.
• They do not admit faults, even jokingly, and rarely hand out
Traditions and Customs
compliments.
• Krakowiak a polish dance
• Oberek is a fast, vivacious dance in time. The word “oberek” is
Gastronomy
derived from “obrot” meaning “to turn”.
• They love rich, hearty cuisine. • Bratwurst, a form of
• Christmas tradition is sharing thin pieces of wafer (‘oplatek’) • Pork is the most consumed meat. sausage.
• Smigus-dyngus (wet Monday) • Schweinshaxe (braised pork • Beer is the most popular
hock) alcoholic beverage.
Tourist Destinations
• Wawel Royal Castle Tourist Destinations
• Wilanow Palace or Wilanowski Place • Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate
• Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom)

Austria SWITZERLAND
• Capital: Bern
• Capital: Vienna • Religion: Christian
• Religion: Christianity • Language: Romansh, French, German,
• Language: German and Italian

Traditions and Customs

Traditions and Customs • Famous for its mountains, cheese, chocolate, cows, and watches.
• Food is relished and meals are celebrated.
Greetings
Etiquettes and Customs • If you’re meeting someone for the first time, stretch out your
• Greetings are formal. hand and say grüezi (hello)
• A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting. • if you meet a friend, then you kiss them three times.
• Maintain eye contact during the greeting. • The latter exchange is for women greeting women and men
• Some Austrian men, particularly those who are older, may kiss greeting women.
the hand of a female. • The boys stick with a handshake or maybe a man hug
• A male from another country should not kiss an Austrian • adieu (goodbye). • Danke (thank you)
woman's hand. • Bitte (please) • Äxgüsi (excuse me)
 Personal Space • Capital: Rome “eternal city”
• This may be the hardest thing for North Americans and Brits to Italy • Religion: 90% catholic
accept: the orderly Swiss do not believe in lining up. • Language: Italian, Germany, French,
• The Swiss also aren’t fussed about bumping into each other. and Landin
Maybe it’s because there are so many people packed into a • Political System: Parliamentary
Republican.
small country.
• Monetary Unit: Euro
• Often called as Bel Paese (beautiful
Tourist Destinations
country)
• Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon)
• Matterhorn Facts and Figures
• One of the six founding countries of the European Union.
• A European country with a long Mediterranean coastline.
GREECE Italians are highly educated
• Capital: Athens •
• Language: Greek • Italy is the 5th most populous country in Europe.
• Political System: Unitary
Parliamentary Republic Culture and Demographics
• Religion: Christian Orthodox • The famous elements of Italian culture are its art, music, style,
and iconic food.
Gastronomy Tourist Destinations • Italy was the birthplace of opera, and for generations the
• Mixed Zucchini • Santorini language of opera was Italian, irrespective of the nationality of
• Olives and Olive Oil • Meteora the composer.
• Souvlaki • Acropolis of Athens • The largest ethnic group in Italy is the Native Italian, comprising
96% of the population. The official language is Italian, while
Traditions and Customs there are a variety of areas that use primarily German, French,
• Clean Monday equivalent to Ash Wednesday and Slovene. The median age of Italy is currently at 45.5 years
• May Day involves making flower wreaths of age, with a total life expectancy of 82 years.
• Greek Weddings everyone dance and throw plates.
Gastronomy
Do’s and Don’ts • Pizza • Calamari fritti
• Do accept a greeting with 2 kisses on the cheek. • Insalata caprese • Cotdetta
• Do accept an invitation at their home. • Minestrone • Cacciucco
• Do get an Athens City Pass. • Spaghetti, Ravioli and • Tiramisu, Panna cotta
• Do tip. Lasagna • Gelato, Cappuccino
• Do speak English. • Penne all arrabbiata
• Don’t thrust the palm of your hand in front of someone’s face. • Risotto, Tortellini

Tourist Destinations
TURKEY
• Capital: Antara • Amafia Coast • Tuscany
• Language: Turkish, Kurmanji, Zazaki • Historic centre of • Venice
and Arabic Naples • Rome
• Religion: Islam • Sicily • Florence
• Politics: Parliamentary democracy • Lake como
• Capri
Culture
• Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a Tradition
day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. • In Venice they celebrate Carnivale di Venezia, a two-week party in
• The Turkish are renowned for being extremely friendly, polite early spring.
and hospitable people.
• The elderly is greatly respected in Turkey Do’s
• Try to speak the language.
Gastronomy • A lot of walking
• Borek • Kahvalti or Turkish Breakfast • Wear stylish clothing and appropriately.
• Restaurant reservation.
Tourist Destinations
• Pamukkale • Sea kayaking in Lycian Coast Don’ts
• Goreme • Eating when visiting museum
• don’t forget to ask about VAT (value-added tax)
Do’s and Don’ts • Rent a car with manual transmission if you’re not comfortable with
• Do dress appropriately it.
• Do be aware of the month of Ramadan. • Don’t be surprise to find shops closed between 1-4pm.
• Do learn some Turkish words.
• Don’t get into an argument about football with the locals. Trivia
• Don’t take pictures of people without asking permission. • Home to the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites –
more than 40.
Trivia • Italy has over 3,000 museums.
• Most Turks did not have surnames until a law was passed
requiring it in 1934.
 Malta Culture and Demographics
• Capital: Valletta
• a center of fashion, cuisine, art and architecture.
• Religion: catholic
• French culture was influenced by Celtic and Gallo-Roman
• Monetary Unit: Euro
cultures as well as Franks, a Germanic tribe.
• Language: Maltese
• Political System: Parliamentary Republic • France was initially defined as the western area of Germany
Rhineland but it later came to refer to a territory that was known
as Gaul during the Iron Age and Roman era
Facts and Figures • Most French people today are of Celtic origin. The country has
• Malta is a meeting point of cultures and languages at the center experienced large-scale immigration over the last 100 years.
of the Mediterranean.
• Malta is the largest of the three islands, stretching some 27 Gastronomy
kilometers from north to south. • Beef Bourguignon • Crème brûlée
• Malta is an ideal multinational location for efficient international • Soupe á I’oignon • Hachis Parmentier
business contacts.
Attractions
Culture • Eiffel Tower • Arc de Triomphe
• reflects various societies that have come into contact with the • Louvre Museum • Chateau de Chambord
Maltese Islands throughout the centuries, including and Pyramid
neighboring Mediterranean cultures, and the cultures of the
nations that ruled Malta for long periods of time prior to its UNESCO World Heritage Sites
independence in 1964. • Cathedrale Norte-Dame de • Palace and Park of Versailles
• The earliest inhabitants of the Maltese Islands are believed to Reims • Bordeaux, Port of the moon
have been Sicani from nearby Sicily who arrived on the island • The Mont-Saint-Michel
sometime before 5000 BC.
Doom/ Dark/ War
• They grew cereals and raised domestic livestock and, in keeping
• Oradour-sur-Glane
with many other ancient Mediterranean cultures.

Cultures and Traditions

Gastronomy
• there are few social conventions as important as greeting people
• Maltese cuisine is the result of a long relationship between the
properly.
Islanders and the many civilizations who occupied the Maltese
• French also celebrates many Christian holidays.
Islands over the centuries.
• Poisson d’Avril, or April Fish is a day for practical jokes on April 1.
• This marriage of tastes has given Malta an eclectic mix of
• The Dax Feria each year in mid-august, the town of Dax holds its
Mediterranean cooking.
feria, a large gathering mixing bullfighting and popular
• Traditional Maltese food is rustic and based on the seasons.
celebration.
• Nice Carnival – is the most important events of the French Riviera
Tourist Destinations
in the winter.
• Gozo • Megalithic Temples

Customs and Traditions Do’s

• Early career choices. Line up relevant items in front of a one- • Do say hello (“Bonjour”) upon entering an establishment before
year-old to determine their future career. If the toddler chooses you begin browsing or asking questions.
an egg, a full house is on the way. • Do dress appropriately.
• Do shake hands with acquaintances or “air kiss” those who are
Do’s and Don’ts close to you when you are greeting the person.
• Dress appropriately to visit a church. • Do kiss even two for people you meet in France and the ones
• Relax and indulge their humor. you know in France.
• Avoid boasting about your wealth. • Do pay attention to eating a bread/baguette in France.
• Swearing and blasphemy is offensive. • Do place your napkin in your lap immediately after being seated
• Be careful talking about politics, sports or immigration. and do keep your hands on the table.
• It is polite to make eye contact as you say “Sante”, which means
Trivia health in English.
• Their official languages sound Arabic. • Do learn some French phrases like, “merci” means thank you,
• They drive on left “S’il vous plait” means Please, “Excusez-moi” means excuse me,
• Malta is among the world’s smallest and most populated “Je suis perdu” means I’m Lost.
country.
• Malta does not have tax Don’ts
• The country boats some world-class architecture. • Do not take out coffee and drink it while walking down the
street.
• Do not rush your meal.
• Capital: Paris • Do not expect to get ice in your drink.
France • Language: French • Don’t plan your shopping for Sunday.
• Political System: Unitary State and Semi • Don’t call the waiter a “Garcon” as it means “boy” and in some
Presidential System. cases French see it as being a bit rude. If you want to get better
• Religion: Roman Catholic service call use “Monsieur”.
• The name comes from Latin Francia • Don’t feel obliged to leave a tip when being in restaurants.
(land of franks) • Do not sit with legs spread apart as it is considered impolite in
France.
 Trivia Lithuania
• Louis XIX was king for 20 minutes – the shortest period a king Capital:
or queen has ever reigned over a country was when Louis XIX, Vilnius
technically could claim himself as the king of France. It took
Population:
about 20 minutes before he abdicated from the throne, and he
2,794,134
never really ruled the country.
• In France it’s possible to marry a dead person. In the 50’s was
decided that should it be allowed to marry a dead person, under • The national flag of Lithuania is adopted on 25 April 1918
special circumstances. One needs to prove that there were during Lithuania's first period of independence (in the 20th
already plans on getting married, and also send a formal request century) from 1918 to 1940, The flag was then re-adopted on 20
to the president. March 1989, almost a year before the re-establishment of
Lithuania's independence and almost three years before
RUSSIA AND EASTERN EUROPE the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic
Russia
Capital: • Dalia Grybauskaitė serving as the fifth and current President of
Moscow Lithuania since 2009. She is the first woman to hold the position
and became in 2014 the first President of Lithuania to be
Population: reelected for a second consecutive term
144,500,000 • Saulius Skvernelis current Prime Minister of Lithuania.
• Population: 2,944,259

Russia, the world’s largest nation, borders European and Asian
countries as well as the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Its landscape ranges
from tundra and forests to subtropical beaches. It’s famous for
Moscow's Bolshoi and St. Petersburg's Mariinsky ballet companies. St.
Petersburg, founded by Russian leader Peter the Great, has the
baroque Winter Palace, now housing part of the State Hermitage
Museum’s art collection.
Culture
• Russian culture has a rich history, strong traditions and
influential arts, especially when it comes to literature,
philosophy, classical music, ballet, architecture, painting, cinema
and animation.
Tradition
• EASTER • MASLENITSA (OLD RUSSIAN TRADITION)
• CHRISTMAS • WEDDING
• IVAN KUPALA • MATRIOSHKA DOLLS (RUSSIAN NESTING DOLLS)
Attractions
• Hill of Crosses • Trakai Island
Religion
• Religion in Lithuania is Christianity, with the largest confession
being that of the Catholic Church about 77% of the population
is Catholic according to the 2011. There are also smaller groups
of Orthodox Christians, Evangelical Lutherans, members
of Reformed churches, other Protestants, Jews and Muslims as
well as people of other faiths.
Culture
• Lithuania is a wonderful place to live and visit because it has
some wacky traditions. When ancient pagan celebrations and
Catholic traditions collide, visitors are treated to entertaining,
unique, and curious events that provide a rich learning
experience.

Customs Tradition
• Bring gifts for your Russian • No elbows on dining table • Uzgavenes or Shrove Tuesday
hosts • No yellow flowers in Russia • Goat Beauty Pageant
• Put some extra food in plate • No gifts for baby showers
• Christmas Eve Diner
• Formal greeting for everyone • No Handshakes at door
• Do not eat without seeking • No smiles and hands in
Customs
permissions pockets
• When on a date, give a girl only an odd number of flowers
Attractions • Be punctual for appointments as Lithuanians tend to value each
• Saint Basil’s Cahedral • Lake Baikal other’s time.
• Wait for a woman to extend her hand first.
Facts • Do not consume alcohol in parks, squares and other public
• Russia is the world’s largest country by area. It covers 17 million places – it is prohibited by law.
sq. km (6.6 million sq. miles), accounting for more than one • Do not kiss a person when greeting them if you do not know
ninth of Earth’s terrestrial area. them well
• Russia has the world’s longest railway. The Trans-Siberian spans • DON'T show the bottoms of your feet. It's impolite
nearly the whole country, departing Moscow in the west and
travelling to Vladivostok in the east. The entire journey is
Trivia
9,200km long (5,700mi) and would take 152 hours and 27
• Lithuanians celebrate two independence days
minutes to complete non-stop.
• Lithuania organized a unique protest in 1989 August 23.
• Moscow is home to more billionaires than almost any other city.
It has 73 billionaires and ranks behind only New York (82) and Residents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia formed 600 km long
Hong Kong (75). row of people holding hands! This event showed the world that
• Russians are the world’s fourth biggest drinkers behind Belarus, Baltic States want to be independent.
Moldova and Lithuania. This may explain why one out of five • Lithuania is known as the land of storks, the national bird for the
male deaths in Russia are alcohol related. country, with about 13,000 pairs.
• One of our favorite interesting facts about Russia is that there is • From a ranking in 2011, Lithuania ranked first worldwide for
a restaurant in Moscow staffed entirely by twins. The Twin Stars internet upload and download speed.
diner employs identically-dressed siblings and takes inspiration • Making vodka from corn was first discovered by the Lithuanians.
from 1964 Soviet film Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors.
• Lithuania is the only country in the world with its own official
scent, called the Scent of Lithuania.
Customs
• Send a list of the people who will be attending and their titles
so the Lithuanians can assemble a team of similar level people.
• Wait to be told where to sit. In many cases you will be seated
across from someone of a similar level.
• If invited to a Lithuanian's home, bring wine, flowers, or sweets
to the hostess.
• Do not give chrysanthemums - they are used in funerals. Do not
give white flowers - they are reserved for weddings.
• Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists
resting on the edge of the table.
• Try everything.
• Napkins are kept on the table, not on the lap.
• To indicate you have not finished eating, cross your knife and
fork on your plate.
• When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across
your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing
to the right.
• Toasting is generally done with hard liquor and not wine or beer
• There are marked differences between young entrepreneurs
and older businesspeople.
• Younger businesspeople generally have a less bureaucratic
approach and are eager to do what is required to close a deal.
• Lithuanians speak softly.
• They do not interrupt others while they are speaking, and
patiently wait for their turn.
Religion
• Estonia, which historically was a Lutheran Protestant nation, is
one of the "least religious" countries in the world in terms of
declared attitudes, with only 14% of the population declaring
religion to be an important part of their daily life.
Culture
• Singing is very Estonian activity; they are known to have sung
their way to freedom during the “Singing Revolution” of 1989-
1991. Also, they tend to speak softly and do not like to draw
attention to themselves.
Tradition
• Spring Day
• Walpurgis Night
• A wake was followed by a mourning period wherein saying the
name and wearing silver jewelry is avoided.
• Mourning period lasts for 6 weeks for men and 6 months for
women.
Customs
• When meeting someone make sure to stand up, offer direct eye
contact and give a nice firm hand shake.
• Titles are very important “Härra” for Mr. , “Prova” for Mrs. and
“Preili” for Ms. followed by their surname
• If invited to an Estonian’s house, a decent gift is a box of
chocolate or flowers.
• When having a meal, punctuality and dress conservatively is
expected.
• Do not discuss business while eating and avoid resting elbows
on the table
• Try to finish up everything on your plate.

Traditions Facts
• Užgavénés • Public Transportation is entirely free for residents of Estonian.
• Beauty pageant • Estonia was the first country in the world to adapt online voting-
• Lithuania Song Festival way back 2005
• 52% of the country is forest making it one of the Europe's
Food greenest countries.
• Estonia has more than 1,500 islands; one of the largest are
• Cepelinai (Zeppelins)
Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Muhu
• Fried Bread (Kepta Duona)
• According to legends, the burial place of the main god of
Ancient Scandinavians, Odin, is located on Osmussaare.
Destinations • This reflected in the Swedish name of the island Odinsholm
• Vilnius Old Town (odin's Island).
• Trakai
Trivia
• Estonia was the first country in the world to use online political
Estonia voting.
Capital: • They don't go to church
Tallinn • All Estonian schools are connected to the Internet.
• They have the biggest collection of folk songs in the world with
Population:
written records of 133,000 folk songs.
1,319,133
• And, in case you are thinking of relocating, Estonia doesn’t
accept dual citizenship.

• First adopted on 21 November 1918 after its independence, it Customs

was used as a national flag until 1940 when the Soviet Union
and Germany occupied Estonia.
• Government: Parliamentary Republic
• Kersti Kaljulaid is an Estonian politician who is the fifth and
current President of Estonia, in office since 10 October 2016.
She is the first female head of state of Estonia since the country
declared independence in 1918, as well as the youngest ever
President, aged 46 at the time of her election.
Attractions
• Jägala Waterfalls • Lahemaa National Park
• Estonian culture as an identity is very strong.
• Oral traditions especially have played a key role in preserving
traditions, stories and customs during Soviet administration.
• Singing is a very Estonian activity and the Estonians are known
to have sung their way to freedom during the "Singing
Revolution" of 1989-91
• Men should initiate greetings with women and the younger
person always greets the older person.
• The most common greeting is "tere" ("hello").
• Titles are very important. "Härra" is for Mr, "Prova" is Mrs and
"Preili" is Miss. All should be followed with the surname.
• Do not expect a tour of the house - homes are private.
• Check to see if shoes are being worn in the house.
• Do not discuss business. (Dinning Etiquette) Traditions
• Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or someone says • Calendar Traditions
"head isu" (good appetite) Koliady • Winter fest that symbolized the beginning of the
• Remember it is rude to greet someone while seated. (Jan 6 to New Year
19) • They slaughtered a pig (peasants, especially poor
ones ate meat very rarely and this fest was one of
Tradition
those periods when they could eat plenty of it)
• Independence Day
they gave their houses a proper clean-out,
• Midsummer Day
prepared new beautiful outfits and went to a
• Day of Restoration of Independence bathhouse in order to wash themselves properly
and celebrate this fest neat and tidy.
Destinations
• Lahemaa National Park Kupal’ e • Accompanied by round dancing and jumping
• Rakvere Castle (Summer through the fire
solstice fest) • Girls who want to find a fiancé weave a wreath and
Food take it down to the river
• Kalev
• Estonian Beer Maslentiza • At this period, there should be plenty of dairy
(8 weeks products on the table while to eat meat was
bef. easter) strictly forbidden.
Belarus • As a rule, there is a big scarecrow of Maslenitza
Capital: that embodies winter, which then is burnt in the
fire.
Minsk
• Pancake is a traditional dish of Belarus that one
Population: should try during this fest
9,491,800
• Family Traditions
o The brightest Belarusian ceremonial events are wedding and
christening.
Wedding 3 stages of definite sequence
1. Zapity or engagement
Culture
2. Wedding (actual celebration)
• The development of Belarusian literature, spreading the idea of
3. Post marital period (honeymoon)
nationhood for the Belarusians, was epitomized by the literary
o Svati (fiancé with his family go to bride’s
works of Yanka Kupala (1882–1942) and Yakub Kolas (1882–
house to get acquainted with her family)
1956). The works of these poets, along with several other
outstanding writers, became the classics of modern Belarusian
Christening • Families will choose Godparents, as rule
literature by writing widely on rural themes and by modernizing
among close relatives or friends, and inviting
the Belarusian literary language, which had been little used since
guests. Serving a festive table with delicious
the sixteenth century. Post independence authors in the 1990s
viands became a tradition of this fest.
continued to use rural themes widely.

Destinations
Tradition Customs
• Nesvizh and Nesvizh Castle
• Kupala Night • Photograph the KGB and train stations
• Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum
• Kalyady • Drink liquor in the street
• Maslenitsa • Park on the sidewalk
• Walk drunk in the metro
Latvia
Capital:
Attractions Riga
• Chalk Pits • Nesvuzh Castle
Population:
Facts 1,925,800
• Minks is the eternal city, it has been annihilated in 8 occasions
in turbulent European history, and every time it was rebuilt like
• The national flag of Latvia was used by independent Latvia from
Phoenix
1918 until the country was occupied by the Soviet Union in
• Minsk is older than Moscow, in fact oldest historical records
mention it even in 1067. 1940.
• Their most important national holiday is Freedom Day on May • Government: Parliamentary Democracy
9. They celebrate the end of the German Occupation during • Raimonds Vējonis is the current President of Latvia, in office
World War II since 2015. He is a member of the Green Party, part of the Union
• This is the land of potatoes, because their national cuisine has of Greens and Farmers.
over 300 potato recipes! Hell they even make pancakes from • Māris Kučinskis current Prime Minister of Latvia.
potatoes • Population: 1,920,451
• Belarus is the only European country that still has death penalty.
Tourist Destinations
Religion • Kuldiga • Rundāle Palace and Museum
• Orthodox Christianity is the main religion in Belarus. Orthodox
Christianity (over 1,000 churches)
Religion
• Protestants (over 500 communities)
• The main religion traditionally practiced in Latvia is Christianity.
• Roman Catholic (almost 400 churches
• The largest religion in Latvia is Christianity, though only about
• Jews (more than 40 Hebrew communities)
• Muslims (27 communities and 9 mosques) 7% of the population attends religious services regularly.
Lutheranism is the main Christian denomination among ethnic
 Latvians, while Roman Catholicism is most prevalent in Eastern
Latvia, mostly due to Polish influence. The Latvian Orthodox
Church is the third largest Christian church in Latvia, with
adherents primarily among the Russian-speaking minority.
Culture
• The culture of Latvia combines traditional Latvian and Livonian
heritage with influences of the country's varied historical
heritage
• They produced one of the world’s greatest (and tallest) female
basketball players
• And invented jeans
• Its booze might cure your sniffles
• It looks after its nature
• Its biggest airline is an innovator
• Its national bird knows how to shake a tail feather
• It has a World Heritage site you’ve never heard of
• They love beer

Tradition Attractions
• Jāņi (summer solstice) • Name days • Gauja National Park
• Ziemas saulgrieži (winter solstice) • Cemetery festivals • Cape Kolka

Customs Facts
• Shake hands with everyone present, maintaining eye contact. • Latvia is known as the "singing nation" as almost every citizen
Upon departure, shake hands with everyone again. has been involved with music and singing in some form or
• If you are invited to a Latvian home for dinner, do not be late. another. There is an event that is held every couple of years
• Be prepared to remove your shoes, it is a common request in called the Song Festival which brings thousands of singers from
Latvian households. across the nation.
• If you are giving flowers, give an odd number and avoid red • Latvia’s internet speeds are among the fastest in the world,
roses. averaging 13.8MB/s, compared to 11.6 in the UK, 11.9 in the US,
• Wait to be seated and do not begin eating until the hostess 7.5 in France, 3.4 in Brazil and 1.7 in Egypt.
starts. • They love their capital. Nearly 1 in 3 of Latvia’s two million
• Eat everything you are served as it is considered impolite to residents lives in the capital, Riga, sometimes described as the
leave anything on your plate. Paris of the North.
• Latvia has 12,000 rivers and 3,000 small lakes – perfect if you like
Traditions messing about in boats.
• Christmas • Latvia’s current flag design has been in use since 1280. Only
• Latvian Song Festival Denmark’s has been around longer.
• National (Patriotic) Holidays

Food Eastern Europe

• Grey Peas with Bacon • Is the eastern region of Europe. The term "Eastern Europe" still
• Bread Soup means such European countries that until the end of the Cold
War were post-Soviet states in Europe or states in Europe that
Customs once belong to the Soviet Union. Others describe Eastern
• When introducing someone, it is common to state their first and Europe as a region of predominantly Slavic cultures, but other
surname with the honorific title "kungs" for a man and "kundze" for ethnic groups live there as well.
a woman appended.
• Wait until invited to use their first name Baltic States
• Gifts need not be expensive; it is more important to buy something Latvia Lithuania Estonia
that shows you have thought about the recipient. • November 18, 1918 • March 20, • November 21,
• If you are invited to a Latvian’s house, take a box of chocolates, fruit • Livlandische Reimchronik 1989 1918
or flowers for the hostess. • Re-adopted on February • Esti Lipp
• Flowers should be given in odd numbers. 27, 1990
• Do not give red roses as they are used at funerals.
• You may be asked to remove your outdoor shoes before entering
Ukraine
the house. Capital:
• Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand Kyiv (Kiev)
and the knife in the right while eating.
• Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a Population:
particular seat. 44.9 million
• Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or you are invited to
begin.
• Note however there are differences in style between older workers Major Languages
who maintain formality and the younger generation who willingly • Ukrainian • Polish
• Russian • Hungarian
dispense with formality.
• Romanian
• Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions.
• To have one side of your card translated into Latvian is a nice touch.
Major Religion
• Titles are important. If someone does not have a professional or
Primary Religion: Other Religion:
academic title, use the honorific titles "Kungs" to address a man and
• Christianity (88.12%) • Jewish (0.75%)
"Kundze" to address a woman • Religion Sub-division: • Muslim (0.45%)
• Orthodox • Other (0.12%)
Trivia • Non-Religious (10.56%)
• It has a brutal modern history
• And it has one of the world’s oldest flags
 Customs • Capital: Tirana
Albania
• Welcoming • Gift • Government: unitary parliamentary
• Greeting • Eating constitutional republic
• Flowers • Shake hands • Language: Albanian, a dialect of
Serbo-Croatian
Tradition • Population: 3 million people as of
• Independence Day (August 24) • Victory Day (May 9) 2016.
• Holiday Epiphany (January 19) • Holy Trinity
• Day of Knowledge (September 1) • Easter Day Trivia
• MOTHER TERESA - Generally celebrated as the only Albanian to
Attractions win a noble prize
• Tunnel of Love (Klevan, Ukraine)
• Swallow’s Nest Castle (Crimea, Ukraine) • Capital: Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Government: parliamentary
representative democracy
• Language: Bosnian, Croatian,
and Serbian.
BALKAN STATES
• Population: 3.5 million
Facts and Figures
• Is ethnically rich, with three
• The Balkans, or the Balkan Peninsula, is a group of nations major ethnic groups called
located in southeastern Europe among the Balkan Mountains. Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats
This region is bordered by the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, the
Adriatic Sea, and the Ionian Sea. This region in recent years has Customs and Traditions
also become to be known as “Southeast Europe.” • Traditionally, having a coffee in Bosnia is a social event and not
• The entire region stretches over 181,000 square miles. There are something you drink on the go out of a paper cup. Bosnian
several nations that are located completely in this region. coffee is strong, thick and served from a metal pot into a
• Within the Balkan States, a number of countries are also handle-less tumbler. It usually comes with a small jar filled with
considered to be "Slavic states," and are typically defined as sugar cubes. Do as the locals do and dip a corner of the sugar
Slavic-speaking communities. These include Bosnia and cube into the coffee and nibble on it before taking a sip of
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, coffee. It softens the bitterness of the drink that way.
Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.
• Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and
Macedonia formed the former country of Yugoslavia, which was • Capital: Sofia
formed at the end of World War II and broke into separate Bulgaria • Government: parliamentary representative
countries in 1992. democratic republic
• Language: Bulgarian, a Slavic language
Language related to Macedonian.
The Balkan region today is a very diverse ethno-linguistic region, • Population: 7.1 million
being home to multiple Slavic and Romance languages, as well as • The largest ethnic group is Bulgarians, a
Albanian, Greek, Turkish, and others. Romani is spoken by a large South Slavic ethnic group.
portion of the Romanis living throughout the Balkan countries.
Customs and Traditions
• In Bulgaria the 14th of February isn’t a day of love. It’s a day to
Political System
honor all those who produce wine and of course to drink a lot
Currently all of the states are republics, but until World War II all
of it. The 14th of February marks the death of the patron saint
countries were monarchies. Most of the republics are parliamentary,
of the winemakers, also known as St Trifon, but it is also a
excluding Romania and Bosnia which are semi-presidential.
celebration that marks the beginning of spring.
Culture and Demographics
Trivia
• Starting from the foods and amazing traditional cuisine Balkan
• Bulgarians nod their head up and down to mean “no”, and shake
beholds, the production has always remained and stick to the
it from side to side for yes.
native recipes that have been cooked for centuries only by the
Balkan women. These foods may as well be served in ceramic
Tourist Destination
containers; pots, plates and ceramic glasses
• The Rila Monastery
• The Balkan people have an artistic spirit. Both men and women of
the Balkans are known for their numerous handwork and crafts,
making creations and amazing pieces out of wood, stones and
metal. Croatia
• Capital: Zagreb
• The term “Balkan” is not only used to define the geographical
• Government: parliamentary,
region, but also to define the certain mentality of the people living
representative democratic republic
across these countries. Often misunderstood, this part of the • Language: Standard Croatian
Europe has an undeniable truth: the Balkan people are warm, • Population: 4.2 million
affectionate and truly welcoming people. • 90%of whom are ethnically Croats

Gastronomy Tourist Destinations

• Punjene Paprike • Goulash • Old City of Dubrovnik
• Krka National Park
Dark Past in Balkan States: Alexander of Yugoslavia, 1921-1934.
The following countries are considered part of the Balkans:

Kosovo • Capital: Prishtina
• Government: multi-party
parliamentary representative
democratic republic
• Language: Albanian and Serbian.
• Population: 1.8 million
• About 95 percent of its
population is ethnically Albanian.
• Capital: Skopje
Macedonia • Government: parliamentary representative
democratic republic
• Language: Macedonian, a south Slavic
language closely related to Bulgarian.
• Population: 2 million
• 65% Macedonian, with about 25% Albanian
Montenegro
• Capital: Podgorica
• Government: parliamentary
representative democratic republic.
• Language: Montenegrin
• Population: 630,000
• 45% Montenegrin and 29%Serbian.
Romania • Capital: Bucharest
• Government: semi-presidential
representative democratic
republic
• Language: Romanian
• Population: 19.7 million
• 90% ethnic Romanians
• Capital: Belgrade
Serbia • Government: parliamentary
democracy
• Language: Serbian, a
standardized variety of
Serbo-Croatian.
• Population: 7 million
• 83% Serbs
Slovenia
• Capital: Ljubljana
• Government: parliamentary
representative democratic
republic
• Language: Slovene
• Population: 2.1 million
• 83% are technic Slovenians
NORTH AND EAST AFRICA
Egypt
• Capital: Cairo
• Government: Republic
• Religion:
o 94.9% Sunni Muslims
o 5.1% Christians
• Population: 99,375,741
Egypt varies from surprisingly cold to extremely hot.
Tradition and Culture
• Warmth and Hospitality • Shah’et El Mulukhiya, Mulukhiya Gasp
• Family • Burying a Weasel
• Celebrations
Tourist Destinations
• Pyramids of Giza • White Dessert
• Siwa Oasis • Temple of Philae
South Sudan
Capital: Juba
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Tradition and Culture
• Dating and Marriage
• Gender Roles
• Family
Tourist Destinations
• Nimule National Park
• Wau Cathedral
• The Sudd
Sudan
Capital: Khartoum
Religion:
• 97% Islam.
• 5% Protestants
• 3.2 Roman Catholics
Tradition and Culture
• In the north and other Muslim regions, many women cover their
heads, in accordance with Islamic custom. Women wear the
Taob. Men wear western-style clothing. Others wear the
traditional Jalabiya.
• Dining etiquette for men and women typically eat apart from
each other. They usually eating with your hands. And all
Sudanese eat with only the right hand.
Tourist Destinations
• Pyramids of Meroe
• Jebel Marra Mountains
• Red Sea
Chad
Capital: N’Djamena
Language: Arabic and French
Religion:
• Islam 55%
• Christianity 40%
63% of Chadians live a life in poverty. Due to the lack of access to basic
education, only 30% of the population know how to read and write.
Life expectancy is extremely low at only 48 years at birth. CHAD is
affected by natural disaster on a regular basis.
Tourist Spot
• Zakouma National Park
• Lakes of Ounianga
• Guelta d'Archei
 Culture • Avoid taking any photographs near sensitive political or military
Chadians are generally friendly and relaxed, but they expect sites.
foreigners to respect their customs and beliefs. Dress is informal, but • In Morocco, it is considered impolite to handle food with the left
conservative to show respect for the Muslim laws. Muslim areas are hand and to say no to meat if it is offered at a meal.
strictly segregated between woman and men. Shaking hands is
customary, and the left hand should not be used when accepting or
offering food.
MIDDLE EAST
Food
Chadian cuisine is the cooking traditions, practices, foods and What to know about Middle East?
dishes associated with the Republic of Chad. Chadians use a medium • Each Country is Unique
variety of grains, vegetables, fruits and meats. Commonly consumed • Dress Conservatively/Respectfully
grains include millet, sorghum, and rice as staple foods, commonly • Most Women Aren’t Forced to Cover Up
eaten vegetable includes akra and cassava. • Don’t Refuse Coffee
• Bye Bye Bacon/Alcohol
• Bye Bye Bacon/Alcohol
Libya • Baksheesh is Everywhere
Capital: Tripoli • Everyone is Unique –Treat Them That Way

Religion: Symbols from Middle East:

• Muslim 97%, • Aladdin's Lamp • Falcon
• Other 3% • Ankh • Genie
• Evil Eye Amulet • Khamsa
• Eye of Ra • Lotus Flower

Places that we will explore

Traditions Cultures
• Eid el Fitr • Family Life • Morocco • Lebanon • Yemen
• Liberation Day • Eye contact • Algeria • palatine • Iran
• Nalut Spring Festival • Laws and orders • Libya • Jordan • Qatar
• Egypt • Iraq • United Arab Emirates
• Sudan • Kuwait • Oman
Tourist Destinations
• Syria • Saudi Arabia • Yemen
• Cyrene, Libya • Assaraya al-Hamra, Tripoli, Libya

Customs
Saudi Arabia
• Men shake hands. A man must wait for a woman to extend her
hand first. • Capital: Riyadh
• Population: 33,876,032
• Eat only with the right hand.
• Government: Absolute
• Always leave a small bit of food on your plate when you have
Monarchy
finished to show that your host has showered you with
• Religion: Islam
generosity and abundance.
• If you are invited to a Libyan’s home bring something sweet
such as pastries, fruit or a small gift from your home country.
Traditions
• Gifts are generally not opened when received.
• Eid Ul-Fitr • Eid Ul-Adha

Customs
Morocco • Capital: Rabat
• Meeting & Greeting • Gift Giving
• Population: 36,635,156
• Naming conventions • Dining & Food
• Government: Parliamentary
• Communication style • Visiting a home
constitutional monarchy
• Personal Space • Taboos
• Religions:
o 98.7% are Muslim
Tourist Destination
o 1.1% Christians
• King’s Fountain, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
o 0.2% Jewish
• Al Tayebat International City, Jeddah
Traditions Cultures
• Gnaoua Music Festival • Tipping
• Rose Festival • Dining and Social Events Iran • Capital: Tehran
• The Fez • Women in Morocco • Population: 82,457,285
• Government: Constitutional
Tourist Destinations Monarchy
• Religion: Zoroastrianism
• Ait Ben Haddou • Jemaa El-Fnaa
Christian
• Oudaias Kasbah • Todgha Gorge
Bahai'ism
Customs in Morocco
Traditions
• Moroccans can only register names for their babies that are
• HÂJI FIROOZ
from an approved list. The list is long, but it doesn’t include
• SIZDEH BEDAR
foreign names. This is to preserve naming traditions.
• Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Morocco.
 Jordan • Capital: Amman Tourist Destination
• Population: 9,903,802 • Burj Khalifa
• Government: Parliamentary • Dubai Creek Dhow Ride
Monarchy
• Religion: • Capital: Kuwait City
o 92% Sunni Muslim Kuwait
• Population: 4,248,974
o 6% Christians • Government: Semi-Democratic
o 2 % Others and Hereditary Monarchy
• Religion:
Trivia o 65.4% Muslims
• The official name of Jordan is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. o 23.1% Shia Muslims
• Unlike the other Arab states in the Middle East, Jordan has no o 11.5% Parsi
oil of its own.
• One of the quaintest facts about Jordan is that it is considered Tourist Destination
polite to refuse the offer of a meal three times before finally • Kuwait Towers
accepting. • Grand Mosque
• Alongside Egypt, Jordan is one of only two Arab nations to have
made peace with Israel. In 1994, Jordan signed a peace treaty Algeria
• Capital: Algiers
with Israel, ending the 46-year official state of war
• Population: 42,679,018
• Government: Absolute Monarchy
Tourist Destination • Religion:
• Dead Sea • Madaba o 97.25% Islam
o 2.75% Others
• Capital: Manama
Bahrain • Population: 1,611,336
• Government: Constitutional Tourist Destination
Monarchy • Maqam Echashid
• Religion: • Martyr’s Memorial
o 70% Shi’a Muslims
o 15% Sunni Muslims SOUTH AFRICA
o 15% Jewish and South Africa • Capital: Pretoria, Cape Town,
Christians Bloemfontein
• Religion: Christian
Traditions • Peak Season:
• Henna o Summer (Dec – March)
• Ardah Dance o Autumn (April – May)
• Pearl Fishing o Spring (Sep - Nov)

Tourist Destination Etiquette and Customs

• Tree of Life
• Al Fateh Grand Mosque
Qatar
Traditions
• Garangao
Tourist Destination
• The Museum of Islamic Art
• Al Jassasiya Carvings
• Meeting Etiquette
o When dealing with foreigners, most South Africans shake
hands while maintaining eye contact and smiling.
• Capital: Doha o Some women do not shake hands and merely nod their
• Population: 2,694,849 head, so it is best to wait for a woman to extend her hand.
• Government: Constitutional o Men may kiss a woman they know well on the cheek in place
Monarchy of a handshake. Greetings are leisurely and include time for
• Religion: social discussion and exchanging pleasantries.
o 90% Shi'a Muslims
o 10% Sunni Muslims
• Gift Giving Etiquette
o in general, South Africans give gifts for birthdays and
Christmas.
o Two birthdays - 21 and 40 – are often celebrated with a
large party in which a lavish gift is given.
o If you are invited to a South African's home, bring flowers,
good quality chocolates, or a bottle of good South African
wine to the hostess

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Traditions
• Ayala Dancing
• Saluki and Falcon
• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Population: 9,541,615
• Government: Presidential, Federal,
and Despotic Monarchy
• Religion:
o 76% Muslims
o 9% Christians
• Dining Etiquette
o Arrive on time if invited to dinner.
o Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like
you to bring a dish.
o Wear casual clothes.
• Business Meeting Etiquette
o Appointments are necessary and
o should be made as far in advance as possible.
o it may be difficult to arrange meetings with senior level
managers on short notice, although you may be able to do
so with lower-level managers.
 o it is often difficult to schedule meetings from mid- • Business Etiquette
December to mid-January or the two weeks surrounding o When greeting a Namibian colleague, you may be initially
Easter, as these are prime vacation times. surprised to experience a so-called African handshake.
o Women tend to greet other women solely with words,
Tourist Attraction shaking hands only with a woman of higher seniority.
• Cape Town • Apartheid Museum o When entering the room for a meeting, it is polite to greet
everyone in the room. Even though the other participants
may be late, you should try to arrive on time.
Angola
• Capital: Luanda Tourist Attraction
• Religion: roman catholic • Etosha national park • Fish river canyon park
• Peak Season: Mid-May to
August
Zimbabwe
• Capital: Harane
• Religion: Christian
Society and Culture
• Peak Season: December to August
• The Angola People • Spirit Worship

Etiquette and Customs

• Meeting People
o The most common greeting is the handshake.
o Close friends may embrace, kiss, or offer a friendly back-
slap.
• Gift Giving Etiquette
o practiced in urban areas.
o It is not so much a part of Angolan culture and as a result
there are not many tips surrounding it.
o If you are invited to an Angolan's home, bring fruit,
flowers, or chocolates to the host.
• Dining Etiquette
o extremely hospitable and enjoy entertaining friends and
family in their homes
o In Luanda, they may also entertain in restaurants or cafés
since they have adopted more Western ideas about
socializing.
o The Angolan approach to entertaining retains much of the
Portuguese influence, including the time of dinner
invitations which are often 8 p.m.
Tourist Attraction
• Luanda • Bengula
Society and Culture
• The family in Zimbabwe
• Marriage and Dating
Etiquette and Custom
• Greetings
o Greet anyone older than yourself first. Greetings are
performed in order of age. If someone doesn’t greet you,
it may
o be because they are older than you and are waiting for
you to make the first gesture.
o The common greeting is a firm handshake with the right
hand.
o The traditional greeting involves a clap after the
handshake. The first person claps twice whilst saying
“Makadii” (‘How are you?’ in Shona).
• Business Etiquette
o Arrive on time. Though your Zimbabwean counterpart may
be late, your punctuality is likely to give a good
impression.
o Greet everyone individually, starting with the person who
is standing closest to you and so on.
o Offer and receive people’s business cards with your right
hand.

Nambia
• Capital: Windhoek
• Religion: Christian
• Peak Season: May to August
Tourist Attraction
• River Zambezi
• Victoria Falls

Tanzania
Society, Tradition, and Culture • Capital: Dodoma
• The Family in Nambia • Religion: Christian
• Nambian Society • Peak Season: June to October
• Wedding Tradition

Etiquette and Customs

• Meeting Etiquette Society and Culture
o First meetings will usually center on personal details • Tanzania Culture
(name, country of origin etc.). In turn, you should ask the • The Family Unit
same sort of questions. It makes a good impression
showing a Namibian that one is really highly educated, Etiquettes and Customs
although such revelations may seem as if one is showing • Greeting Etiquette
off. o Men greeting Men – A handshake is appropriate in most
o They also do not like to be asked: "What tribe are you?" situations. Handshakes tend to be energetic and very often
The best way to put that question today is to ask ’which linger a bit. It is also appropriate for two men to walk hand
language is your mother tongue and which region or town in hand in public.
do you come from?’ or ’Where did you go to school?’
 o Women greeting Women – A handshake and/or bow is Customs
appropriate in most situations. If you would like to show • You must take the time to ask about the person’s health, the
great respect you may also place your left hand over your health of their family, or other social niceties.
right elbow when handshaking and bowing. • Observant Muslims will not generally shake hands with
o Meetings between Men and Women – Appropriate members of the opposite sex.
greetings depend on the nature of the relationship. For all • Address people initially by their academic, professional or
others a handshake and/or bow is appropriate but it is best honorific title and their surname.
to wait for the woman to extend her hand, otherwise a bow • Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands.
or a nod of acknowledgment will suffice Never use the left hand only.
• If invited to dinner at someone’s home then bring fruit, nuts or
• Gift Giving Culture chocolates for the host.
o Gifts are nice gestures and are • Gifts from a man to a woman must be said to come from the
o appreciated but are not expected. man’s mother, wife, sister, or other female relative, never from
o A gift does not have to be something that cost a lot of the man himself.
money. Bringing something small from your country such • Gifts are not always opened when received.
as candy, a calendar, postcards, etc., is appropriate.
o Attractions
o Often any wrapped gifts will be put aside in public and only • Fortress of Abeokuta
opened later in private • Yankari Game Reserve
• Business Etiquette
o It’s best to show up on time for a meeting even though you
may end up waiting. Burkina Faso
o Higher ups are usually greeted first, then other men and Capital: Ouagadougou
lastly women.
o The person who is hosting the meeting should usually open Population: 20,107,509
and close the meeting.

Tourist Attraction
• Mount Kilimanjaro The national flag of Burkina Faso is formed by two equal
• Serengeti National Park horizontal bands of red (top) and green, with a yellow five-pointed
star resting in the center. The flag was adopted on 4 August 1984.
WEST AFRICA The flag was adopted following the coup of 1983 which brought
Religion Thomas Sankara to power.
• Religion of the region's biggest ethnic groups by population.
Islamic rules on livelihood, values, dress and practices had a Traditions/ Cultures Customs
profound effect on the populations and cultures in their • Dragon Mask Ritual • Greetings
predominant areas • Tigoung Nonma • Space and touch
• Islam - The oldest belief systems among the populations of • Burkinabe Culture • Eye contact
this region. They are spiritually but also linked to the historical
and cultural heritage of the people. Attractions
• Christianity - It is largely introduced from the late 19th century • Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque
onward, when missionaries from European countries brought • Arli National Park
the religion to the region.

Senegal
Nigeria Capital: Dakar
Capital: Abuja
Population: 15,411,614
Population: 190, 886, 311

Designed in 1959 and first officially hoisted on 1 October 1960.

Green, yellow and red are the colors of the Pan-Africanist
The flag has three vertical bands of green, white, green. The two green
movement. That pattern was replicated on Senegal's flag as a sign of
stripes represent Nigeria’s natural wealth, while the white band
unity among African countries. The quinary points of the star are said
represents peace.
to "recall the human ideogram which was displayed in the middle of
Adaptation of the winning entry from Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi in
the flag of the former Mali Federation".
a competition held in 1959. Akinkunmi was a 23-year-old student at
Green is highly symbolic within all of the country's primary
the time he designed the flag.
religions. A vertical green, yellow and red tricolor with a stylized
The original submission had a red radiating sun badge in the
depiction of a human being (referred to as a kanaga) on the centre
central white vertical band with a green vertical band on each side.
band.
After the badge was removed by the judges, the flag has remained
unchanged.
Traditions/ Culture/ Customs
• FRENCH is the official language, but really only used regularly
Traditions/ Culture
by a minority of Senegalese who were educated in colonial-style
• Evo Festival • Sunday Rice
schools of French origin.
• Three weddings
• Greetings are Appropriate when coming across local people. Mauritania
Handshaking on meeting, regardless of how many times a day Capital: Nouakchott
one meets the person, is common.
• Always accept offerings, and return hospitality with a gift of Population: 4,301,018
medicines, food for the community.

Attractions
• Niokolo-koba National Park • Petite-Côte
In 2017, a red band at the top and bottom were added to
symbolize "the efforts and sacrifices that the people of Mauritania will
Togo keep consenting, to the price of their blood, to defend their territory"
Capital: Lome
Customs
Population: 7,965,055 • Westerners, especially women, will be the target of unwanted
attention and minor harassment everywhere in the country.
• There is even a phrase in Hassiniya, ayna m’tina, meaning strong
eyes, to describe what many people feel is an agressive act. Just
because you are in a foreign country doesn’t mean that the men
The colors of the flag are meant to symbolize have carte blanche to be jerks, though.
• Red: Represents blood shed by Martyrs to gain independence • Also do not make any acts in public that would imply the fact
• White: Represents hope, star of hope that you are LGBT: Mauritania imposes the death sentence for
• Green: Represents the forests, Agriculture, nature, and overall homosexuality.
hope for the future
• Yellow: Represents natural resources of the country Attractions
• Arid plateau in Adrar
Traditions/ Culture/ Customs • Chinguetti Mosque
• Customary divisions of labor generally do not still hold in
Togo, though men do most heavy construction work.
• Women have little place in political life and less in government
programs, though there is a ministry allocated to women's and
family affairs.
• Public displays of affection are seldom. Men and boys hold
hands, but not boys and girls.
• Eating is done most often with the right hand.

Attractions
• Kpalimé (Plateaux Region, Togo)
• Koutammakou (Kara region, Togo)

Benin
Capital: Porto-Novo

Population: 10,872,298

As stated in the national anthem, the green of the flag represent

the hope of a new democracy. The red represents the courage of the
ancestors, and the yellow is for the treasures of the nation.

Traditions/ Culture/ Customs

• The rhythmic sounds of drumming can be heard at most
festivals and religious events
• The strong influence of the Voodoo religion is an important part
of Benin, which tells of healing and rejuvenating talismans
(‘fetishes’).
• As with most clothing in West Africa, the textiles are vibrant and
ornately decorated.

Attractions
• Oiudah A mixture of Portuguese and French culture
• Grand-Popo