Congo-Kanshasa

Basic Facts:
Population: 65.7 million
% Literacy: 65%
Life Expectancy: 57
HIV/AIDS 4.2% population
GDP per capita (PPP): $700


History:
Congo was colonized by Belgium in 1870s but was under the private control of King Leopold. By building railroads the King increased rubber harvests. By the 1880s a police army was brought into the country to encourage and intimidate locals into gathering greater amounts of rubber. Often police would cut off limbs to intimidate locals to work harder. During the next 20 years, until 1908, about 10 million local Congolese died of disease, killing or being overworked. It is estimated that the local population was cut in half during this period. Finally, bowing to international pressure, Congo was taken from the power of the king and given to Belgian elected officials. After release of the country after WWII, Mobutu gained power in 1965 and ruled as a tyrant until 1997. At which point an order to expel the tustsi ethnic group from the country on pain of death inspired a revolt and overthrow of government. By 1998 there was a second Congo War, the bloodiest war since WWII. This war ended in 2003.

Names: The country was called Ziare from 1965 to 1997, and is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo, not to be confused with the Republic of Congo.

Venezuela

Venezuela

Basic Facts:
Population: 26 mill.
President: President Chavez
Capital: Caracas
GDP per capita (PPP): 7,200
% below poverty line: 37.9
Literacy: 92%
Life Expectancy: 70 (men) 76 (women)

Random Facts:

Has the tallest waterfall in the world (Angel Falls) over 3,000 feet high.

Flag: has seven stars representing the seven states in the 1800s. The flag represents the richness, water, and blood of patriots respectively.

Called "little Venice" by the spanish (hence 'venezuela') because the locals also built their houses on stilts in coastal areas.

Italy

Italy

Basic Facts:
Population: 58 mill
Size: Slightly larger than Arizona
Life Expec.: Men(77) Women (83)
Literacy Rate: 98%
% below poverty line: NA
GDP per capita (PPP): 30,200
Capital: Rome
President of Council of Ministers: Prodi


Flag: Based off the French flag brought by Napoleon in 1797.

Culture:
In South Italy there are many hand gestures.

• to nod head upwards means "no"
• use a finger to pull down an eyelid means "you are clever"

Peru

Basic Facts:
Population: 28.6 mill
GPD per capita (PPP): 6,600
% pop. below poverty line: 54%
Size: slightly smaller than Alaska (1,200 sq km)
Av. life expetancey: men 68, women 72

Flag: Thought up by a general during one of the battles for independence (1800s). The General saw a red and white bird, hence the color scheme for the Peruvian flag.

History:
Pre 1533, home of the Inca civilization
Conquered by Spanish in 1533.
Gained independence in 1821.
1990-2000 President Fujimori
2001-2006 President Toledo (first Native American president)
2006- President Garcia

Germany

Basics:
Population: 82 mill
Size: slightly smaller than Montana
GDP per capita (PPP): $31, 900
Literacy: 99%
Life Expectancy: 76 (males) 82 (females)

Government:
Head of State: President Koehler
Head of Gov't: Chancellor Merkel
Bicameral legislature

Interesting Facts:
The population of Germany is slowly decreasing (-.03%)
West Germany contines to fund over $80 billion to East Germany each year.
The flag represents the colors of student volunteer uniforms who opposed Napoleon in 1813.

Culture:
Germans don't like ice cubes in their drinks
There are specialized schools for everything: even waitresses have 3 years of specialized schooling
Squeezing your thumb (not crossing fingers) is a sign of good luck

Finland

Finland

History: Part of Sweden from 12th to 19th centuries. Became a part of the Russian empire from 1809 to 1917 when it gained its independence. Successfully defended against the Russians in WWII (though lost some land)

Basic Facts:
Population: 5.2 mill
Life expectancy: 75 (male) 82(female)
GDP per capita: 33,500
Size: slightly smaller than Montana
Literacy Rate: 100%
% below poverty line: NA%
Capitol: Helsinki

Government:
President Halonen (head of state)
Prime Minister Vanhanen
Unicameral legislature
Judicial court chosen by the president

Interesting Facts:
There are more mobile phones than people in Finland.
There are almost 3 cell phones for each land telephone line.
Only 7% of Finland is arable
Only Scandinavian country to join the EU in 1999.

Ecuador, South America

Basic Facts:

Population: 13.5 million
Size: Slightly smaller than Nevada
President: President Correa
Literacy Rate: 91%
Av. Life Expectancy: 72(male) 78 (female)
% below poverty line: 38%
Capital: Quito
GDP per capita: $4,500

Government: Executive (president Correa), Legislative (unicamera based on PR) and Judicial which oversees the constitution.

Culture:
-Not polite to say when the guest should leave
-Can be 10 min to an hour late depending on the activity

Colombia, S. America

Colombia Basic Facts:

Capital: Bogota
Population: 44 million
Size: 1 million sq. km. or twice the size of texas
President: Alvaro Uribe Velez
GDP per capita: 8,600
Percent below poverty line: 49%
Literacy Rate: 92%

Government: President Uribe is head of government and state. legislative with senate and house of representatives, and four on the judicial court (there is a separate supreme court)

Politics: Insurgent groups include the FARC, (revolutionary armed forces of Colombia) and the ELN (national liberation army)