I haven’t done a lot of research about the countries I will be serving in. The main reason is that I knew if I had I wouldn’t be able to stay motivated for my last semester of college. However, as the time has gotten closer to me actually leaving the country and as I am only 2 weeks away from graduation I have started to get more and more interested about basic facts for each country I will be going to. I believe it is important to know basic facts about the places one will be serving. The reason being is that you don’t want to offend the people of the country you are serving in by doing something that would be okay in your own culture, but that same thing could be offensive in their culture. So here are just a few facts that I have found!
Europe
Albania
Population: 3,020,209
Religion: 56% Muslim
Literacy Rate: 98%
Climate: cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers
Interesting Fact: Albanians nod their head up and down to mean ‘no’, and shake it from side to side for ‘yes’.
Romania
Population: 21, 729,871
Religion: 81% Eastern Orthodox
Literacy Rate: 97%
Located in Southeast Europe
Climate: Similar to U.S. 4 distinct seasons
Interesting Fact: Known for having one of the largest gypsy populations in Europe
Africa
Malawi
Population: 16. 36 million
Religion: 82% Christian
Literacy Rate: 87%
Located in Southeast Africa
Climate: Tropical
Interesting Fact: Known as the warm heart of Africa.
Zambia
Population 13 million
Religion: 75% Protestant Religion
Literacy Rate: 61% Literacy
Located in Southern Africa
Mild Climate
Interesting fact: Zambians expect friendly persons to call on them unannounced
Asia
Thailand
Population: 67,740,000
Religion: 93% Buddhism
Literacy Rate: 93%
Located in Southeast Asia’s Indochina peninsula
Climate: Tropical
Interesting Fact: A nuclear family in Thailand is rare because most people live in large extended families.
Cambodia
Population:15 million
Religion: 97% Buddhism
Literacy Rate: 73%
Located in Indochinese peninsula
Climate: Warm
Interesting Fact: It’s considered disrespectful to let your feet or soles to point at people or things,
Malaysia
Population: 26 million
Religion: 61% Muslim
Literacy Rate: 93%
Located in Southeast Asia
Climate: Tropical Rainforest
Interesting Fact: Games and past times are usually done in a community setting
South America
Ecuador
Population: 15 million
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic
Literacy Rate: 91%
Located in South America along the Equator
Climate: Warm
Interesting act: Largest exporter of Bananas
Peru
Population: 30 million
Religion: 81% Roman Catholic
Literacy Rate: 89%
Located in South America
Interesting fact: Has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara
Bolivia
Population: 10, 631,000
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic
Literary Rate: 91%
Located in middle of South America
Climate: Varies with altitude
Interesting Fact: The most dangerous road in the world is in Bolivia. Known as “The Road of Death” only 30% of all roads are paved.
Chile
Population: 17,363,894
Religion: 66% Roman Catholic
Literacy Rate: 98%
Location: South America’s western edge
Climate: Varies depending upon location in country
Interesting Fact: Soccer is Chile’s most popular sport
