It was a misty morning in a slave market in Rome. As the extremely busy merchants and shoppers went about their daily work, a fetid stench filled the air. Pope Gregory III, who was bewildered, saw some peculiar boys. The Pope said, “Where are these boys from? I’ve never seen anyone like them.” The slave trader responded, “They’re from the island of Britain.” Generously, the humble Pope bought them to take home with him.
Unfortunately, these slaves didn’t know about the Bible. The Pope was sad and decided to convert England to Christianity. The Pope called on a devout monk named Augustine, who was accompanied by 40 other monkres.
St. Augustine of Canterbury
Resolved to preach the Bible, they intrepidly sailed to England and lived in Canterbury. Augustine fervently taught the Gospel and on Christmas of 597 AD, he baptized 1,000 people. Churches and monasteries, which were built all over the country, helped Britain become a Christain nation. Triumphantly, Augustine was extolled by being crowned Archbishop of Canterbury.
Mohammed, who didn’t like the busy city of Mecca where camels spit, people argued, and hot air burned his shoulders, often journeyed alone to the desert. On one of these peaceful trips, he wandered into a cool, dark cave. The melancholy man heard soothing music, so Mohammed looked up and spotted and felt the warm glow of what he thought was an angel. He also noticed a scroll with fiery letters. Although Mohammed was illiterate, he somehow directly read it and the instructions clearly stated that he was to be Allah’s messenger. He traveled home and told his bewildered wife about the strange event, and she encouraged him.
Modern day Mecca
The “angel” visited Mohammed more and advised him to preach to the people of Mecca. Some listened and believed, whereas others didn’t and he made extensive enemies. The prophet and his friend and follower, Abu Bakr, who were eating dinner heard irate soldiers banging violently on his door. “We should find a hiding place before those soldiers get inside,” screamed Abu Bakr. Abruptly, they fled to the nearest cave for refuge.
Evidently, there was an unbroken spider web across the entrance of the quiet cave, so the soldiers thought that if they had gone in there they would have broken it. Mohammed and his friend who were miraculously saved, were relieved. This event marked the beginning of Islam.
Main languages: Spanish, Catalan, Valencian, Galician, and Basque.
About: In 1492, multiple kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula united to form the Country of Spain.
Sagrat Cor Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.
Sri Lanka (Asia)
Flag of Sri Lanka
Capital: Colombo
Population: 21.9 Million
Size: 25,300 sq. miles
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Tallest point: Pidurutalagala 8,281 feet tall
Main religion: Buddhism 70.2%
Main languages: Sinhala and Tamil
About: Sri Lanka was made a dominion by Great Britain on February 4, 1948. It gained full independence from British rule on May 22, 1972.
Sigiriya rock in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
Sudan (Africa)
Flag of Sudan
Capital: Khartoum
Population: 44.9 Million
Size: 728,215 sq. miles
Currency: Sudanese pound
Tallest point: Mount Kinyeti 10,456 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 97%
Main languages: Arabic and English
About: On January 1, 1956, Sudan became independent from British rule. It was formerly part of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
Nubian pyramids called Jebel Barkal, in Karima, Northern State of Sudan.
Suriname (South America)
Flag of Suriname
Capital: Paramaribo
Population: 575,990
Size: 63,252 sq. miles
Currency: Surinamese dollar
Tallest point: Julianatop 4,199 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 52.3%
Main languages: Dutch, Akurio, Caribbean Hindustani, Ndyuka, and Arawak
About: On November 25, 1975, Suriname became independent from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Arya Dewaker Hindu temple in Paramaribo, Suriname. Suriname has a large population of Hindus, with 18.8% of the country being Hindu.
Sweden (Europe)
Flag of Sweden
Capital: Stockholm
Population: 10.4 Million
Size: 173,860 sq. miles
Currency: Swedish krona
Tallest point: Kebnekaise 6,879 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 66.8%
Main languages: Swedish, Finnish, Sami, Meankieli, and Romani
About: In the 12th Century, Sweden was unified by different kingdoms.
Stockholm city hall in Stockholm, Sweden.
Switzerland (Europe)
Flag of Switzerland
Capital: Bern
Population: 8.5 Million
Size: 15,940 sq. miles
Currency: Swiss franc
Tallest point: Monte Rosa 15,203 feet tall
Main religion: Chritain 66.5%
Main languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh
About: Switzerland was founded circa 1300, but it became a federal state September 12, 1848.
Skyline of Lucerne, Switzerland.
Syria (Asia)
Flag of Syria
Capital: Damascus
Population: 17.5 Million
Size: 71,500 sq. miles
Currency: Syrian pound
Tallest point: Mount Hermon 9,323 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 87%
Main languages: Arabic 90-100%
About: On May 14, 1930, Syria was granted its own state by France, but on April 17, 1946 it gained full independence from France.
The ancient city of Palmyra, in Tadmur, Syria.
Tajikistan (Asia)
Flag of Tajikistan
Capital: Dushbane
Population: 9.5 Million
Size: 55,300 sq. miles
Currency: Somoni
Tallest point: Mount Garmo 21,637 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 98%
Main languages: Tajik, Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Shughni
About: On September 9, 1991, when the Soviet Union dissolved, Tajikistan became independent from the USSR.
Rudaki Park, Dushbane, Tajikistan.
Tanzania (Africa)
Flag of Tanzania
Capital: Dodoma (Or Dodoma City)
Population: 61.1 Million
Size: 365,756 sq. miles
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
Tallest point: Mount Kilimanjaro 19,341 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 63.1%
Main languages: Swahili, English, and Arabic
About: On December 9, 1961, Tanzania became independent from Great Britain, but it was then called Tanganyika. On April 25, 1977, it adopted its current constitution and became known as Tanzania.
Mount Kilimajaro, in Northeast Tanzania. It is the largest mountain in Tanzania and in the continent of Africa, standing at 19,341 feet tall.
Thailand (Asia)
Flag of Thailand
Capital: Bangkok
Population: 69.9 Million
Size: 198,120 sq. miles
Currency: Baht
Tallest point: Doi Inthanon 8,415 feet tall
Main religion: Buddhism 93.5%
Main languages: Thai, Isan, Kam Mueang, Pak Tai, and Malay
About: On June 14, 1932, there was a coup d’etat in Thailand, forcing a constitutional monarchy on the old monarch. And in April 2017, their current constitution was established.
Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Togo (Africa)
Flag of Togo
Capital: Lome
Population: 8.6 Million
Size: 21,925 sq. miles
Currency: West African Franc (CFA Franc)
Tallest point: Mount Agou 3,235 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 43.7%
Main languages: French, Ewe, and Kabiye
About: On April 27, 1960, Togo became independent from France. It was formerly part of French Togoland.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, in Lome, Togo.
Tonga (Australia and the Pacific)
Flag of Tonga
Capital: Nuku’alofa
Population: 100,651
Size: 289 sq. miles
Currency: Pa’anga
Tallest point: Unnamed Location on Kao Island 3,389 feet tall
Main religion: Chritstain 98%
Main languages: English and Tongan
About: On June 4, 1970, Tonga became independent from Great Britain.
‘Eau Island, Tonga.
Trinidad and Tobago (North America)
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago
Capital: Port of Spain
Population: 1.3 Million
Size: 1,981 sq. miles
Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar
Tallest point: El Cerro del Aripo 3,080 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 63.2%
Main languages: English
About: On August 31, 1962, Trinidad and Tobago became independent from the United Kingdom.
Fort King George, in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago.
Tunisia (Africa)
Flag of Tunisia
Capital: Tunis
Population: 11.7 Million
Size: 64,170 sq. miles
Currency: Tunisian dinar
Tallest point: Jebel ech Chambi 5,066 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 98% (Mandated)
Main languages: Arabic, Berber, and French
About: Tunisia gained independence from France on March 20, 1956, and it became a Republic on July 25, 1957. It was formerly part of French West Africa.
Ancient Roman Coliseum in the old city of El Djem, Tunisia.
Turkey (Asia)
Flag of Turkey
Capital: Ankara
Population: 83.6 Million
Size: 302,455 sq. miles
Currency: Turkish lira
Tallest point: Mount Ararat 16,584 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 82%
Main languages: Turkish and Kurdish
About: On May 19, 1919, Turkey waged the war of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. On October 29, 1923, the war was over, and Turkey declared that they were a free republic.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkmenistan (Asia)
Flag of Turkmenistan
Capital: Ashgabat
Population: 6 Million
Size: 189,660 sq. miles
Currency: Turkmenistan manat
Tallest point: Mount Ayrybaba 10,295 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 93.7%
Main languages: Turkmen and Russian
About: On October 27, 1991, Turkmenistan became independent from the USSR. On December 26, 1991, it was recognized as a sovereign state.
Ruhyyet Palace, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Tuvalu (Australia and the Pacific)
Flag of Tuvalu
Capital: Funafuti
Population: 11,646
Size: 10 sq. miles
Currency: Tuvaluan dollar
Tallest point: Unnamed Location on Niulakita Island 15 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 96-100%
Main languages: Tuvuluan and English
About: On October 1, 1978, Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom.
View of Funafuti, Tuvalu.
Uganda (Africa)
Flag of Uganda
Capital: Kampala
Population: 42.7 Million
Size: 93,065 sq. miles
Currency: Ugandan shilling
Tallest point: Mount Stanley 16,762 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 84.4%
Main languages: English and Swahili
About: On October 9, 1962, Uganda became independent from the United Kingdom.
Gaddafi Mosque, in Kampala, Uganda.
Ukraine (Europe)
Flag of Ukraine
Capital: Kyiv (Or Kiev)
Population: 41.3 Million
Size: 233,062 sq. miles
Currency: Hryvnia
Tallest point: Hoverla 6,762 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 87.3%
Main languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Belarussian, Bulgarian, and Crimean Tatar
About: On August 24, 1991, Ukraine became independent from the USSR.
St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine.
United Arab Emirates (Or UAE) (Asia)
Flag of United Arab Emirates
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Population: 9.8 Million
Size: 32,300 sq. miles
Currency: UAE dirham
Tallest point: Jebel Al-Mebrah 5,666 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 76% (Endorsed by State, but not mandated)
Main languages: Arabic
About: On December 2, 1971, became independent from the United Kingdom. It was formerly part of the Trucial States, joined with Oman.
Skyline of Dubai, the largest city in the UAE. Dubai has the tallest building in the world called the Burj Khalifa standing at 2,717 feet tall. They also built a huge artificial palm leaf (it’s upside down in this picture) to put more building and houses on.
United Kingdom (Or Great Britain) (Europe)
Flag of United Kingdom
Capital: London
Population: 67.8 Million
Size: 93,628 sq. miles
Currency: Pound Sterling
Tallest point: Ben Nevis 4,413 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 59.5%
Main languages: English, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish
About: On January 1, 1801, England, Ireland, and Scotland unified to become the United Kingdom. On December 5, 1922, Ireland split away from the United Kingdom.
View of London with Westminster Palace and Big Ben.
United States of America (North America)
Flag of the United States of America
Capital: Washington D.C.
Population: 331.4 Million
Size: 9,833,520 sq. miles
Currency: United States dollar
Tallest point: Denali (Formerly known as Mount McKinley) 20,194 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 65%
Main languages: English and Spanish
About: On July 4, 1776, the United States of America declared independence from the United Kingdom.
St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
Uruguay (South America)
Flag of Uruguay
Capital: Montevideo
Population: 3.5 Million
Size: 68,037 sq. miles
Currency: Uruguayan peso
Tallest point: Cerro Catedral 1,685 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 57%
Main languages: Spanish and Portuguese
About: On August 27, 1828, Uruguay became independent from the Empire of Brazil.
