India, located in Southeast Asia, is the world's second most populous nation. Hinduism plays an important role in the cultural of the country and serves as a centripetal force. An important aspect of India is its Golden Quadrilateral: a highway network that connects the industrial, agricultural, and cultural cities of Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The capital of India is New Delhi.
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Russia
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Russia is the world's largest nation. Though large, its population is not evenly dispersed with a majority living in western cities. It's distinguised by its communist past and influence and conflict with eastern Europe countries. Its capital is Moscow.
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Israel
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Israel was founded in 1948 as a Jewish state. It is distinguished by its Jewish cultural and landscape. The Hebew language is undergoing a revival in this state. Its capital is the Holy City of Jerusalem, and experiences stife between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
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Eritrea
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Eritrea is located on the unstable Horn of Africa. The country consists of nine different ethnic groups and is almost evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Its authoritarian government strains relations with neighboring countries. Its capital is Asmara.
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Iraq
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Iraq is located in the ancient region of Mesopotamia, the fertile lowland created by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It's important to know that this was where the first cities rose. Today, Iraq benefits from its huge oil reserves. Millions of Iraqis became refugees during the 2003-2011 Iraq War. Its capital is Baghdad.
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Japan
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Japan is an island nation located east of China in the Pacific ocean. A good example of a nation-state, the Japanese are a distinct race, speak the Japanese language, share a history of feudalism, and practice Shintoism, Buddhism, and many minority religions. Tokyo, a world city, is Japan's capital.
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South Africa
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South Africa is Africa's southernmost nation and most developed economy. South Africa is noted for its diverse ethnic and linguistic composition. The government of South Africa recognizes 11 different languages. South Africa's apartheid, a system of segregation between blacks and whites, dominated the nation between 1948-1991. Its capitals are Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein.
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Saudia Arabia
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Saudia Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. Although 95% of the country is desert, it is very wealthy due to its large oil reserves. It holds Islam's most sacred city, Mecca, where millions of Muslims make prigrimage to each year. Its capital is Riyadh.
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Egypt
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Egypt is located in northeast Africa and occupies the Sinai Peninsula between Africa and Asia. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The country's population clusters around the fertile regions created by the Nile River, which also provided a paradise for the ancient civilization. Its capital is Cairo.
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Turkey
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Turkey connects Europe and Asia. European Turkey makes up 5% of the land, but the country's largest urban area, Istanbul, is located there. 99% of Turks are Muslim. Turkey strives for membership in the European Union, but its cultural and religious differences limit its chance for acceptance. Its capital is Ankara.
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Panama
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Panama occupies the narrow land bride connecting North and South America. Its most notable feature is the Panama Canal. The Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its capital is Panama City.
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Brazil
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Brazil is South America's largest country and holds the world's most extensive rain forest and river system: the Amazon. Brazil is a federal republic with 26 states and a federal capital. Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas. In 1956, the capital was moved to the interior Brasilia in order to encourage development.
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Germany
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Located in Europe, Germany is highly urbanized. Germany is the most populous country in Europe (aside from Russia), as well as its strongest economic and industrial power. Germany is unique in that it is in stage 5 of the Demographic Transition Model, with a declining birth rate. Its capital is Berlin.
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China
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China, located in East Asia, is the world's most populous nation. Its physical geography ranges from grasslands, deserts, mountains, rivers and valleys to sprawling urban metropolises. It is important to study the industrialization of the urban core on the east coast of China and its increasing role in the global economy. Its capital is Beijing.
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Afghanistan
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Located in Central Asia (Middle East), Afghanistan is a landlocked country most notable for its recent internal conflicts. Disturbed by strives for power in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries, Afghanistan has witnessed a large migration of citizens seeking refuge in other countries. Its official religion is Islam. Its capital is Kabul.
