Kids Encyclopedia

System of government: Federal Republic Capital: Washington, D.C. Location: In the central part of North America, bounded by the Atlantic in the east, Canada in the north, the Pacific in the west and Mexico in the south National composition: Non-Hispanic whites make up 63 percent of the U.S.; Hispanics, 17 percent; blacks, 12.3 percent; Asians, 5 percent; and multiracial Americans, …

Country: Belgium System of government: Constitutional Monarchy Capital: Brussels (Bruxelles or Brussel) Location: In western Europe, facing the North Sea and bordering France in the south, Luxembourg and the Federal Republic of Germany in the east, and the Netherlands in the north Area: 30,513 sq km National composition: Flemings in the north, Wallons in the south; Brussels is a bilingual …

System of government: Republic of Uzbekistan Capital: Tashkent Location: Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, located mainly between the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers. Bordered by Kazakhstan to the north and northwest, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east and southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. Area: 448,978 sq km National composition: Multi-ethnic nation …

Country Name: Venezuela System of government: Federal Republic Capital: Caracas (pop. 3,510,000) Location: In northern South America on the coast of the Caribbean and the Atlantic, bordered by Guyana, Brazil and Colombia Area: 912,050 sq km Population: 32,000,000 National composition: Mestizos (75%), creoles (15%), Amerindians, Europeans Religion: Roman Catholic Official language: Spanish Currency: bolivar = 100 centesimos Administrative divisions: 20 …

Basil — Basil (Ocimum basilicum) of the Family Lamiaceae, is also known as Sweet Basil or Tulsi. It is a tender low-growing herb that is grown as a perennial in warm, tropical climates. Basil is originally native to India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It is prominently featured in varied …

Tiger – The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a mammal of the Felidae family, the largest of four “big cats” in the Panthera genus. Native to much of eastern and southern Asia, the tiger is an apex predator and an obligate carnivore. Reaching up to 4 metres (13 feet) in total length and weighing up to 300 kg (660 pounds), tigers …

Country Name: Argentina System of government: Federal Republic Capital: Buenos Aires (pop. 3,500,000; metropolitan area 9,910,000) Location: In the south-eastern part of South America on the Atlantic, bordered by Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Argentina controls the eastern half of the Tierra del Fuego Area: 2,766,889 sq km Population: 40,091,359 (2010 census) National composition: Argentinians of various pure and …

Country Name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago System of government: Republic, member of the Commonwealth Capital: Port of Spain (pop. 63,000; metropolitan area 380,000) Location: On the islands of Trinidad and Tobago and five smaller islands in the Caribbean Sea off the northern coast of South America Area: 5,130 sq km Population: 1,317,714 (2010 estimate) National composition: Mainly blacks and Indians …

Country Name: South Korea System of government: Republic Capital: Seoul Location: Southern half of the Korean Peninsula, including adjacent islands in the Yellow Sea and Korea Strait Area: 98,484 sq km National composition: Koreans; some Chinese and others Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity Official language: Korean Currency: Won = 100 jeon Administrative divisions: 8 provinces, 1 special autonomous province, 6 metropolitan …

Penguin — Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of Sea life caught while swimming …