Country Policy Explorer 🗺️
Every country has plans for big problems. Here is what some nations are doing right now — written so anyone in middle school can understand it.
Deep-dive policy dossiers
Japan
Asia · Capital: Tokyo
How it is run: Japan has an emperor for tradition, but the real decisions come from a parliament called the Diet and a prime minister chosen by it.
👥 People
123 million people
🗣️ Languages
Japanese
💰 Money
Japanese yen (¥)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
377,975 km² — a chain of about 14,000 islands
🕊️ United Nations
Joined the UN in 1956
💼 What it makes & sells: Cars, robots, electronics and video games
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050
🎒 School life: Students clean their own classrooms every day instead of hiring janitors.
🧩 Biggest challenge: More grandparents than grandchildren — the population is shrinking.
✨ Did you know? Japan has more vending machines per person than any other country on Earth.
- Environment
Aiming for net-zero carbon by 2050
Japan wants to stop adding extra greenhouse gases to the air by 2050. It is building more solar farms and restarting some nuclear plants to burn less coal and gas.
- Population
Paying families to help with children
Fewer babies are being born, so the government gives money and free childcare to families to make raising kids easier.
- Technology
Robots and AI in daily life
Japan funds robots that help nurses and farmers because there are not enough workers for every job.
Brazil
South America · Capital: Brasília
How it is run: Brazil is a federal republic. People vote for a president and for lawmakers in Congress, a bit like the United States.
👥 People
213 million people
🗣️ Languages
Portuguese
💰 Money
Brazilian real (R$)
🏛️ Leader
President
🗺️ Size
8.5 million km² — the biggest country in South America
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Farming, coffee, soybeans, iron ore and aircraft
🌍 Climate promise: End illegal deforestation and cut emissions 50% by 2030
🎒 School life: Many schools run in two shifts so more students fit in one building.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Protecting the Amazon rainforest while families still need jobs.
✨ Did you know? Brazil always speaks first at the UN General Assembly — a tradition since 1955.
- Environment
Protecting the Amazon rainforest
Brazil promised to stop illegal tree cutting in the Amazon by 2030 and sends rangers to catch loggers who chop trees without permission.
- Food
School meals and family farms
Schools must buy part of their food from small local farms, so students eat fresh food and farmers earn money.
- Energy
Most electricity comes from water
Big rivers spin turbines in dams, so most of Brazil's electricity is already renewable.
Kenya
Africa · Capital: Nairobi
How it is run: Kenya elects a president and a parliament, and the country is split into 47 counties that make many of their own local rules.
👥 People
55 million people
🗣️ Languages
Swahili and English
💰 Money
Kenyan shilling (KSh)
🏛️ Leader
President
🗺️ Size
580,367 km² — savannah, mountains and coastline
🕊️ United Nations
Joined the UN in 1963
💼 What it makes & sells: Tea, flowers, tourism and mobile-money technology
🌍 Climate promise: 100% clean electricity by 2030 (already over 85%)
🎒 School life: Primary and secondary school fees were removed so more kids can attend.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Droughts that dry up crops and water for animals.
✨ Did you know? Nairobi hosts the UN's global environment headquarters — the only one in Africa.
- Environment
One of the world's strictest plastic bag bans
Making, selling or even carrying a single-use plastic bag can bring a big fine. Shoppers use cloth or paper bags instead.
- Energy
Electricity from volcanoes
Kenya taps hot underground steam in the Rift Valley. This geothermal power gives the country lots of clean electricity.
- Money
Paying by phone is normal
Rules made mobile money safe and easy, so people send cash by text message even without a bank account.
Germany
Europe · Capital: Berlin
How it is run: Germany has a chancellor who leads the government and 16 states that share power with the national parliament, the Bundestag.
👥 People
84 million people
🗣️ Languages
German
💰 Money
Euro (€)
🏛️ Leader
Chancellor
🗺️ Size
357,022 km² in the middle of Europe
🕊️ United Nations
Joined the UN in 1973
💼 What it makes & sells: Cars, machines, chemicals and green energy
🌍 Climate promise: Climate neutral by 2045, five years earlier than most of Europe
🎒 School life: Teens can choose an apprenticeship and learn a paid trade instead of college.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Replacing coal and imported gas with wind and solar power quickly.
✨ Did you know? University is free in Germany — even for students from other countries.
- Energy
The 'Energiewende' switch to wind and solar
Germany closed its nuclear plants and is trying to run mostly on wind and sunshine, with a goal of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
- Education
Learn a trade while you study
Teenagers can join apprenticeships where they work at a company a few days a week and go to school the rest.
- Recycling
Deposit on bottles
You pay a little extra for a drink and get the money back when you return the empty bottle to a machine.
Canada
North America · Capital: Ottawa
How it is run: Canada is a parliamentary democracy. Voters choose members of parliament, and the leader of the winning party becomes prime minister.
👥 People
40 million people
🗣️ Languages
English and French
💰 Money
Canadian dollar (C$)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
9.98 million km² — second-largest country in the world
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Energy, forests, farming and technology
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero by 2050 with a rising price on carbon pollution
🎒 School life: Students in many provinces learn both English and French from a young age.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Wildfires and thawing permafrost as the Arctic warms fast.
✨ Did you know? Canada has more lakes than every other country on Earth combined.
- Health
Public health care for everyone
Doctor visits and hospital stays are paid for by taxes, so families do not get a bill when a child gets sick.
- Climate
A price on carbon pollution
Companies pay for the pollution they create. Some of that money is given back to families to help with bills.
- People
Welcoming many new immigrants
Canada plans how many newcomers it invites each year to help fill jobs and grow towns.
India
Asia · Capital: New Delhi
How it is run: India is the world's largest democracy. Hundreds of millions of people vote for a parliament, which picks the prime minister.
👥 People
1.43 billion people — the most of any country
🗣️ Languages
Hindi, English and 20+ other official languages
💰 Money
Indian rupee (₹)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
3.29 million km² from the Himalayas to tropical beaches
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Software, medicines, farming and film
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero by 2070 and 500 GW of clean power by 2030
🎒 School life: Free school lunches feed more than 100 million students every school day.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Giving clean air, water and power to a huge, fast-growing population.
✨ Did you know? India runs the world's largest election — over 900 million people can vote.
- Energy
Huge solar power targets
India is building some of the biggest solar parks on Earth, aiming for 500 gigawatts of clean power by 2030.
- Education
Free school until age 14
A law says every child from 6 to 14 must get free schooling near their home.
- Technology
A digital ID for everyone
Almost everyone has a digital ID number used to get benefits, open bank accounts and prove who they are.
New Zealand
Oceania · Capital: Wellington
How it is run: New Zealand's parliament is elected with a mixed system, so even small parties win seats and have to work together.
👥 People
5.2 million people
🗣️ Languages
English, te reo Māori and NZ Sign Language
💰 Money
New Zealand dollar (NZ$)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
268,021 km² across two main islands
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Dairy, sheep, tourism and film-making
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero carbon by 2050 and 100% renewable electricity
🎒 School life: Schools teach te reo Māori so the language of the first people keeps growing.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Keeping rivers clean while farming stays a big part of the economy.
✨ Did you know? New Zealand was the first country where women won the right to vote, in 1893.
- Climate
Counting emissions from farms
Cows and sheep burp methane, a strong greenhouse gas, so New Zealand is the first country planning to charge farms for it.
- Nature
Predator Free 2050
The country wants to remove rats, stoats and possums that eat native birds like the kiwi.
- Wellbeing
A 'wellbeing budget'
Instead of only counting money, the budget also measures if people are healthy and happy.
Norway
Europe · Capital: Oslo
How it is run: Norway has a king for ceremonies and a parliament called the Storting that makes the real laws.
👥 People
5.5 million people
🗣️ Languages
Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk) and Sámi
💰 Money
Norwegian krone (kr)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
385,207 km² of fjords and Arctic coast
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Oil and gas, fishing, shipping and hydropower
🌍 Climate promise: Cut emissions 55% by 2030 and be a low-emission society by 2050
🎒 School life: Kids get lots of outdoor time — even in snow — because of 'friluftsliv'.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Selling oil abroad while promising to go green at home.
✨ Did you know? Nearly 9 out of 10 new cars sold in Norway are electric.
- Transport
Almost every new car is electric
Electric cars get lower taxes, free parking and toll discounts, so most new cars sold in Norway are electric.
- Money
Saving oil money for the future
Money earned from oil goes into a giant savings fund so future generations still benefit.
- Family
Long paid leave for new parents
Parents share almost a year of paid time off after a baby is born, and dads must take part of it.
Every UN nation & territory 🌐
All 250 recognised nations and territories, including the 194 United Nations member and observer states you can represent.
AfghanistanKabul · Southern Asia✨ Afghanistan sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
Åland IslandsMariehamn · Northern Europe✨ Åland Islands sits in Northern Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
AlbaniaTirana · Southeast Europe✨ Albania is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
AlgeriaAlgiers · Northern Africa✨ 🇩🇿 is the flag of Algeria. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is DZ.
American SamoaPago Pago · Polynesia✨ The capital of American Samoa is Pago Pago — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
AndorraAndorra la Vella · Southern Europe✨ Andorra is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
AngolaLuanda · Middle Africa✨ Angola is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
AnguillaThe Valley · Caribbean✨ Anguilla is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Antarctica— · Antarctic✨ The capital of Antarctica is — — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Antigua and BarbudaSaint John's · Caribbean✨ Antigua and Barbuda shares its part of the world with Aruba. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
ArgentinaBuenos Aires · South America✨ Argentina is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🌊 Famous spot: Iguazú Falls
ArmeniaYerevan · Western Asia✨ Armenia is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
ArubaOranjestad · Caribbean✨ 🇦🇼 is the flag of Aruba. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is AW.
AustraliaCanberra · Australia and New Zealand✨ Australia sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🎭 Famous spot: Sydney Opera House
AustriaVienna · Central Europe✨ Austria sits in Central Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
👑 Famous spot: Schönbrunn Palace
AzerbaijanBaku · Western Asia✨ 🇦🇿 is the flag of Azerbaijan. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is AZ.
BahamasNassau · Caribbean✨ 🇧🇸 is the flag of Bahamas. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is BS.
BahrainManama · Western Asia✨ 🇧🇭 is the flag of Bahrain. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is BH.
BangladeshDhaka · Southern Asia✨ Bangladesh shares its part of the world with Afghanistan. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🕌 Famous spot: Sixty Dome Mosque
BarbadosBridgetown · Caribbean✨ Barbados is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
BelarusMinsk · Eastern Europe✨ Belarus is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
BelgiumBrussels · Western Europe✨ Belgium is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🏰 Famous spot: Grand-Place
BelizeBelmopan · Central America✨ Belize is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
BeninPorto-Novo · Western Africa✨ The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
BermudaHamilton · North America✨ Bermuda is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
BhutanThimphu · Southern Asia✨ Bhutan sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
BoliviaSucre · South America✨ Bolivia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
Bosnia and HerzegovinaSarajevo · Southeast Europe✨ 🇧🇦 is the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is BA.
BotswanaGaborone · Southern Africa✨ 🇧🇼 is the flag of Botswana. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is BW.
Bouvet Island— · Antarctic✨ Bouvet Island shares its part of the world with Heard Island and McDonald Islands. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
BrazilBrasília · South America✨ Brazil is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🗿 Famous spot: Christ the Redeemer
British Indian Ocean TerritoryDiego Garcia · Eastern Africa✨ British Indian Ocean Territory shares its part of the world with Uganda. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
British Virgin IslandsRoad Town · Caribbean✨ The capital of British Virgin Islands is Road Town — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
BruneiBandar Seri Begawan · South-Eastern Asia✨ Brunei shares its part of the world with Singapore. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
BulgariaSofia · Southeast Europe✨ Bulgaria shares its part of the world with Albania. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
Burkina FasoOuagadougou · Western Africa✨ The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
BurundiGitega · Eastern Africa✨ Burundi is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
CambodiaPhnom Penh · South-Eastern Asia✨ Cambodia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🛕 Famous spot: Angkor Wat
CameroonYaoundé · Middle Africa✨ The capital of Cameroon is Yaoundé — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
CanadaOttawa · North America✨ Canada is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
💦 Famous spot: Niagara Falls
Cape VerdePraia · Western Africa✨ The capital of Cape Verde is Praia — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Caribbean NetherlandsKralendijk · Caribbean✨ Caribbean Netherlands lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
Cayman IslandsGeorge Town · Caribbean✨ Cayman Islands is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
Central African RepublicBangui · Middle Africa✨ Central African Republic shares its part of the world with Gabon. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
ChadN'Djamena · Middle Africa✨ Chad is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
ChileSantiago · South America✨ 🇨🇱 is the flag of Chile. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is CL.
🏞️ Famous spot: Torres del Paine
ChinaBeijing · Eastern Asia✨ Because of where China sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
🐉 Famous spot: The Great Wall
Christmas IslandFlying Fish Cove · Australia and New Zealand✨ Christmas Island is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Cocos (Keeling) IslandsWest Island · Australia and New Zealand✨ Cocos (Keeling) Islands is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
ColombiaBogotá · South America✨ Colombia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🏰 Famous spot: Walled city of Cartagena
ComorosMoroni · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of Comoros is Moroni — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Cook IslandsAvarua · Polynesia✨ Cook Islands sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
Costa RicaSan José · Central America✨ Costa Rica is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🌋 Famous spot: Arenal Volcano
CroatiaZagreb · Southeast Europe✨ Croatia sits in Southeast Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
CubaHavana · Caribbean✨ 🇨🇺 is the flag of Cuba. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is CU.
🚗 Famous spot: Old Havana
CuraçaoWillemstad · Caribbean✨ Curaçao lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
CyprusNicosia · Southern Europe✨ Cyprus is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
CzechiaPrague · Central Europe✨ 🇨🇿 is the flag of Czechia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is CZ.
DenmarkCopenhagen · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
⛵ Famous spot: Nyhavn harbour
DjiboutiDjibouti · Eastern Africa✨ Djibouti is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
DominicaRoseau · Caribbean✨ Dominica is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Dominican RepublicSanto Domingo · Caribbean✨ Dominican Republic sits in Caribbean, in the northern and western half of the globe.
DR CongoKinshasa · Middle Africa✨ 🇨🇩 is the flag of DR Congo. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is CD.
EcuadorQuito · South America✨ Ecuador sits in South America, in the southern and western half of the globe.
EgyptCairo · Northern Africa✨ Egypt sits in Northern Africa, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🐫 Famous spot: Pyramids of Giza
El SalvadorSan Salvador · Central America✨ El Salvador lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
Equatorial GuineaMalabo · Middle Africa✨ Equatorial Guinea is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
EritreaAsmara · Eastern Africa✨ Eritrea lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
EstoniaTallinn · Northern Europe✨ Estonia sits in Northern Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
EswatiniLobamba · Southern Africa✨ Eswatini is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
EthiopiaAddis Ababa · Eastern Africa✨ Ethiopia is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
⛪ Famous spot: Rock churches of Lalibela
Falkland IslandsStanley · South America✨ Falkland Islands is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Faroe IslandsTórshavn · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Faroe Islands is Tórshavn — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
FijiSuva · Melanesia✨ The capital of Fiji is Suva — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
FinlandHelsinki · Northern Europe✨ Finland is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏰 Famous spot: Suomenlinna sea fortress
FranceParis · Western Europe✨ France shares its part of the world with Germany. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🗼 Famous spot: The Eiffel Tower
French GuianaCayenne · South America✨ French Guiana is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
French PolynesiaPapeetē · Polynesia✨ 🇵🇫 is the flag of French Polynesia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is PF.
French Southern and Antarctic LandsPort-aux-Français · Antarctic✨ French Southern and Antarctic Lands is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
GabonLibreville · Middle Africa✨ Gabon sits in Middle Africa, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
GambiaBanjul · Western Africa✨ 🇬🇲 is the flag of Gambia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is GM.
GeorgiaTbilisi · Western Asia✨ Georgia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
GermanyBerlin · Western Europe✨ Germany sits in Western Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🏛️ Famous spot: Brandenburg Gate
GhanaAccra · Western Africa✨ 🇬🇭 is the flag of Ghana. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is GH.
🏰 Famous spot: Cape Coast Castle
GibraltarGibraltar · Southern Europe✨ Gibraltar is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
GreeceAthens · Southern Europe✨ Greece shares its part of the world with Spain. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏛️ Famous spot: The Acropolis
GreenlandNuuk · North America✨ Greenland reaches far toward the pole, so its summer days are extremely long and winter days very short.
🧊 Famous spot: Ilulissat Icefjord
GrenadaSt. George's · Caribbean✨ Grenada lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
GuadeloupeBasse-Terre · Caribbean✨ 🇬🇵 is the flag of Guadeloupe. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is GP.
GuamHagåtña · Micronesia✨ Guam is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
GuatemalaGuatemala City · Central America✨ Guatemala shares its part of the world with Nicaragua. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
GuernseySt. Peter Port · Northern Europe✨ Guernsey is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
GuineaConakry · Western Africa✨ 🇬🇳 is the flag of Guinea. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is GN.
Guinea-BissauBissau · Western Africa✨ Guinea-Bissau sits in Western Africa, in the northern and western half of the globe.
GuyanaGeorgetown · South America✨ Guyana shares its part of the world with Paraguay. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
HaitiPort-au-Prince · Caribbean✨ Haiti shares its part of the world with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands— · Antarctic✨ The capital of Heard Island and McDonald Islands is — — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
HondurasTegucigalpa · Central America✨ The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Hong KongCity of Victoria · Eastern Asia✨ Hong Kong is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
HungaryBudapest · Central Europe✨ Hungary sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🏛️ Famous spot: Hungarian Parliament
IcelandReykjavik · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
💦 Famous spot: Gullfoss waterfall
IndiaNew Delhi · Southern Asia✨ India shares its part of the world with Afghanistan. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🕌 Famous spot: The Taj Mahal
IndonesiaJakarta · South-Eastern Asia✨ Indonesia lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
🛕 Famous spot: Borobudur temple
IranTehran · Southern Asia✨ The capital of Iran is Tehran — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🕌 Famous spot: Naqsh-e Jahan Square
IraqBaghdad · Western Asia✨ Iraq sits in Western Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
IrelandDublin · Northern Europe✨ Ireland shares its part of the world with Estonia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🌊 Famous spot: Cliffs of Moher
Isle of ManDouglas · Northern Europe✨ Isle of Man sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
IsraelJerusalem · Western Asia✨ The capital of Israel is Jerusalem — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🕍 Famous spot: Old City of Jerusalem
ItalyRome · Southern Europe✨ 🇮🇹 is the flag of Italy. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is IT.
🏛️ Famous spot: The Colosseum
Ivory CoastYamoussoukro · Western Africa✨ Ivory Coast lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
JamaicaKingston · Caribbean✨ Jamaica lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
💦 Famous spot: Dunn's River Falls
JapanTokyo · Eastern Asia✨ Japan is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
⛩️ Famous spot: Fushimi Inari shrine
JerseySaint Helier · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Jersey is Saint Helier — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
JordanAmman · Western Asia✨ Jordan is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏜️ Famous spot: Petra
KazakhstanAstana · Central Asia✨ Kazakhstan is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
KenyaNairobi · Eastern Africa✨ Kenya is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🦁 Famous spot: Maasai Mara
KiribatiSouth Tarawa · Micronesia✨ Kiribati sits in Micronesia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
KosovoPristina · Southeast Europe✨ Kosovo sits in Southeast Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
KuwaitKuwait City · Western Asia✨ Kuwait is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
KyrgyzstanBishkek · Central Asia✨ Kyrgyzstan sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
LaosVientiane · South-Eastern Asia✨ Laos sits in South-Eastern Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
LatviaRiga · Northern Europe✨ Latvia is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
LebanonBeirut · Western Asia✨ Lebanon shares its part of the world with Qatar. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
LesothoMaseru · Southern Africa✨ The capital of Lesotho is Maseru — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
LiberiaMonrovia · Western Africa✨ The capital of Liberia is Monrovia — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
LibyaTripoli · Northern Africa✨ Libya shares its part of the world with Algeria. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
LiechtensteinVaduz · Western Europe✨ Liechtenstein shares its part of the world with France. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
LithuaniaVilnius · Northern Europe✨ Lithuania shares its part of the world with United Kingdom. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
LuxembourgLuxembourg · Western Europe✨ Luxembourg sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
Macau— · Eastern Asia✨ Macau shares its part of the world with North Korea. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
MadagascarAntananarivo · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
MalawiLilongwe · Eastern Africa✨ Malawi is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
MalaysiaKuala Lumpur · South-Eastern Asia✨ 🇲🇾 is the flag of Malaysia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MY.
🏙️ Famous spot: Petronas Twin Towers
MaldivesMalé · Southern Asia✨ 🇲🇻 is the flag of Maldives. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MV.
MaliBamako · Western Africa✨ Mali shares its part of the world with Liberia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
MaltaValletta · Southern Europe✨ Malta is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Marshall IslandsMajuro · Micronesia✨ 🇲🇭 is the flag of Marshall Islands. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MH.
MartiniqueFort-de-France · Caribbean✨ 🇲🇶 is the flag of Martinique. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MQ.
MauritaniaNouakchott · Western Africa✨ 🇲🇷 is the flag of Mauritania. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MR.
MauritiusPort Louis · Eastern Africa✨ Mauritius sits in Eastern Africa, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
MayotteMamoudzou · Eastern Africa✨ Mayotte shares its part of the world with Tanzania. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
MexicoMexico City · North America✨ Mexico sits in North America, in the northern and western half of the globe.
🛕 Famous spot: Chichén Itzá
MicronesiaPalikir · Micronesia✨ Micronesia lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
MoldovaChișinău · Eastern Europe✨ Moldova is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
MonacoMonaco · Western Europe✨ 🇲🇨 is the flag of Monaco. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MC.
MongoliaUlan Bator · Eastern Asia✨ Mongolia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
MontenegroPodgorica · Southeast Europe✨ Montenegro is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
MontserratPlymouth · Caribbean✨ Montserrat sits in Caribbean, in the northern and western half of the globe.
MoroccoRabat · Northern Africa✨ Morocco sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🫖 Famous spot: Jemaa el-Fnaa square
MozambiqueMaputo · Eastern Africa✨ Mozambique is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
MyanmarNaypyidaw · South-Eastern Asia✨ Myanmar is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
NamibiaWindhoek · Southern Africa✨ Namibia sits in Southern Africa, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
NauruYaren · Micronesia✨ Nauru sits in Micronesia, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
NepalKathmandu · Southern Asia✨ Nepal sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🛕 Famous spot: Boudhanath Stupa
NetherlandsAmsterdam · Western Europe✨ Netherlands is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🌬️ Famous spot: Kinderdijk windmills
New CaledoniaNouméa · Melanesia✨ New Caledonia shares its part of the world with Solomon Islands. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
New ZealandWellington · Australia and New Zealand✨ New Zealand sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🏞️ Famous spot: Milford Sound
NicaraguaManagua · Central America✨ Nicaragua is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
NigerNiamey · Western Africa✨ Niger is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
NigeriaAbuja · Western Africa✨ Nigeria shares its part of the world with Benin. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🌉 Famous spot: Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge
NiueAlofi · Polynesia✨ Niue sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
Norfolk IslandKingston · Australia and New Zealand✨ Because of where Norfolk Island sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
North KoreaPyongyang · Eastern Asia✨ North Korea is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
North MacedoniaSkopje · Southeast Europe✨ North Macedonia sits in Southeast Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
Northern Mariana IslandsSaipan · Micronesia✨ 🇲🇵 is the flag of Northern Mariana Islands. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MP.
NorwayOslo · Northern Europe✨ Norway is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
⛰️ Famous spot: Geirangerfjord
OmanMuscat · Western Asia✨ 🇴🇲 is the flag of Oman. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is OM.
PakistanIslamabad · Southern Asia✨ Pakistan shares its part of the world with Bhutan. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🕌 Famous spot: Badshahi Mosque
PalauNgerulmud · Micronesia✨ Palau shares its part of the world with Marshall Islands. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
PalestineRamallah · Western Asia✨ Palestine is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
PanamaPanama City · Central America✨ The capital of Panama is Panama City — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Papua New GuineaPort Moresby · Melanesia✨ Papua New Guinea is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
ParaguayAsunción · South America✨ The capital of Paraguay is Asunción — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
PeruLima · South America✨ Peru is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏔️ Famous spot: Machu Picchu
PhilippinesManila · South-Eastern Asia✨ 🇵🇭 is the flag of Philippines. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is PH.
🌾 Famous spot: Banaue rice terraces
Pitcairn IslandsAdamstown · Polynesia✨ Pitcairn Islands sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
PolandWarsaw · Central Europe✨ The capital of Poland is Warsaw — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏰 Famous spot: Kraków Main Square
PortugalLisbon · Southern Europe✨ Portugal is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🗼 Famous spot: Belém Tower
Puerto RicoSan Juan · Caribbean✨ 🇵🇷 is the flag of Puerto Rico. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is PR.
QatarDoha · Western Asia✨ Qatar is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🏛️ Famous spot: Museum of Islamic Art
Republic of the CongoBrazzaville · Middle Africa✨ Republic of the Congo shares its part of the world with Equatorial Guinea. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
RéunionSaint-Denis · Eastern Africa✨ Réunion is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
RomaniaBucharest · Southeast Europe✨ Romania is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
RussiaMoscow · Eastern Europe✨ Russia shares its part of the world with Ukraine. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏰 Famous spot: Red Square
RwandaKigali · Eastern Africa✨ 🇷🇼 is the flag of Rwanda. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is RW.
Saint BarthélemyGustavia · Caribbean✨ Saint Barthélemy sits in Caribbean, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaJamestown · Western Africa✨ Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Saint Kitts and NevisBasseterre · Caribbean✨ 🇰🇳 is the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is KN.
Saint LuciaCastries · Caribbean✨ The capital of Saint Lucia is Castries — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Saint MartinMarigot · Caribbean✨ Saint Martin sits in Caribbean, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint-Pierre · North America✨ Saint Pierre and Miquelon is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesKingstown · Caribbean✨ Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
SamoaApia · Polynesia✨ Samoa sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
San MarinoCity of San Marino · Southern Europe✨ San Marino is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
São Tomé and PríncipeSão Tomé · Middle Africa✨ São Tomé and Príncipe is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Saudi ArabiaRiyadh · Western Asia✨ 🇸🇦 is the flag of Saudi Arabia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is SA.
🏜️ Famous spot: Hegra (Mada'in Salih)
SenegalDakar · Western Africa✨ Senegal shares its part of the world with Liberia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
SerbiaBelgrade · Southeast Europe✨ Serbia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
SeychellesVictoria · Eastern Africa✨ Seychelles is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Sierra LeoneFreetown · Western Africa✨ Sierra Leone is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
SingaporeSingapore · South-Eastern Asia✨ Singapore lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
🌳 Famous spot: Gardens by the Bay
Sint MaartenPhilipsburg · Caribbean✨ Sint Maarten is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
SlovakiaBratislava · Central Europe✨ Slovakia sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
SloveniaLjubljana · Central Europe✨ Slovenia shares its part of the world with Austria. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
Solomon IslandsHoniara · Melanesia✨ Solomon Islands is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
SomaliaMogadishu · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of Somalia is Mogadishu — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
South AfricaPretoria · Southern Africa✨ South Africa is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
⛰️ Famous spot: Table Mountain
South GeorgiaKing Edward Point · Antarctic✨ South Georgia is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
South KoreaSeoul · Eastern Asia✨ The capital of South Korea is Seoul — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏯 Famous spot: Gyeongbokgung Palace
South SudanJuba · Middle Africa✨ South Sudan sits in Middle Africa, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
SpainMadrid · Southern Europe✨ Spain is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
⛪ Famous spot: Sagrada Família
Sri LankaColombo · Southern Asia✨ Sri Lanka lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
🪨 Famous spot: Sigiriya rock fortress
SudanKhartoum · Northern Africa✨ Sudan is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
SurinameParamaribo · South America✨ Suriname is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Svalbard and Jan MayenLongyearbyen · Northern Europe✨ Svalbard and Jan Mayen reaches far toward the pole, so its summer days are extremely long and winter days very short.
SwedenStockholm · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Sweden is Stockholm — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏘️ Famous spot: Gamla Stan old town
SwitzerlandBern · Western Europe✨ Switzerland shares its part of the world with Liechtenstein. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏔️ Famous spot: The Matterhorn
SyriaDamascus · Western Asia✨ Syria is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
TaiwanTaipei · Eastern Asia✨ Taiwan sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
TajikistanDushanbe · Central Asia✨ Tajikistan is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
TanzaniaDodoma · Eastern Africa✨ Tanzania is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏔️ Famous spot: Mount Kilimanjaro
ThailandBangkok · South-Eastern Asia✨ Thailand sits in South-Eastern Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🛕 Famous spot: Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Timor-LesteDili · South-Eastern Asia✨ Timor-Leste shares its part of the world with Indonesia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
TogoLomé · Western Africa✨ 🇹🇬 is the flag of Togo. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is TG.
TokelauFakaofo · Polynesia✨ Tokelau sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
TongaNuku'alofa · Polynesia✨ Tonga sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
Trinidad and TobagoPort of Spain · Caribbean✨ Trinidad and Tobago lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
TunisiaTunis · Northern Africa✨ 🇹🇳 is the flag of Tunisia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is TN.
TürkiyeAnkara · Western Asia✨ 🇹🇷 is the flag of Türkiye. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is TR.
TurkmenistanAshgabat · Central Asia✨ Turkmenistan is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Turks and Caicos IslandsCockburn Town · Caribbean✨ Turks and Caicos Islands shares its part of the world with Puerto Rico. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
TuvaluFunafuti · Polynesia✨ Tuvalu shares its part of the world with Niue. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
UgandaKampala · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of Uganda is Kampala — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
UkraineKyiv · Eastern Europe✨ Ukraine sits in Eastern Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
⛪ Famous spot: Saint Sophia Cathedral
United Arab EmiratesAbu Dhabi · Western Asia✨ United Arab Emirates shares its part of the world with Armenia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏙️ Famous spot: Burj Khalifa
United KingdomLondon · Northern Europe✨ United Kingdom is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🕰️ Famous spot: Big Ben and Parliament
United StatesWashington D.C. · North America✨ United States is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🗽 Famous spot: Statue of Liberty
United States Minor Outlying Islands— · North America✨ 🇺🇲 is the flag of United States Minor Outlying Islands. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is UM.
United States Virgin IslandsCharlotte Amalie · Caribbean✨ United States Virgin Islands is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
UruguayMontevideo · South America✨ Uruguay is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
UzbekistanTashkent · Central Asia✨ Uzbekistan is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
VanuatuPort Vila · Melanesia✨ Vanuatu is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Vatican CityVatican City · Southern Europe✨ The capital of Vatican City is Vatican City — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
VenezuelaCaracas · South America✨ 🇻🇪 is the flag of Venezuela. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is VE.
VietnamHanoi · South-Eastern Asia✨ Vietnam is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
⛵ Famous spot: Ha Long Bay
Wallis and FutunaMata-Utu · Polynesia✨ Wallis and Futuna is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Western SaharaEl Aaiún · Northern Africa✨ Western Sahara is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
YemenSana'a · Western Asia✨ Yemen lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
ZambiaLusaka · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of Zambia is Lusaka — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
ZimbabweHarare · Eastern Africa✨ 🇿🇼 is the flag of Zimbabwe. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is ZW.