Geography & Culture · free reference

Europe: countries, capitals and cultures

44 countries, one section each, A to Z. Every fact lists its source, and you can share a link to any country. Territories and other places are listed after the countries.

KosovoAlbaniaAustriaBelgiumBulgariaBosnia and HerzegovinaBelarusSwitzerlandCzechiaGermanyDenmarkSpainEstoniaFinlandFranceUnited KingdomGreeceCroatiaHungaryIrelandIcelandItalyLithuaniaLuxembourgLatviaMoldovaNorth MacedoniaMontenegroNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSerbiaSlovakiaSloveniaSwedenUkraine
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Flag of Albania

Albania

#albania

Capital
Tirana[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Mountainous highlands, with a coastal lowland along the Adriatic Sea[2]
Languages
Albanian (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Albanian folk iso-polyphony, a style of group singing Tradition[4]
Landmark
Butrint UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Albania has coasts on both the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Albania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Albania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/albanian-folk-iso-polyphony-00155 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/al (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Andorra

Andorra

#andorra

Capital
Andorra la Vella[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
[2]
Landform or river
Southern slopes of the Pyrenees, where mountain streams form the Valira River[2]
Languages
Catalan (official)[2][3]
Festival or tradition
Summer solstice fire festivals in the Pyrenees (shared with France and Spain) Festival[5]
Landmark
Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Andorra uses the euro even though it is not a member of the European Union.[3]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Andorra (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Andorra (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Andorra (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/summer-solstice-fire-festivals-in-the-pyrenees-01073 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ad (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Austria

Austria

#austria

Capital
Vienna[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1][5][6]
Landform or river
The Alps, with the Grossglockner as the highest peak; the Danube drains nearly the whole country[2]
Languages
German (official)[2][3]
Say hello
Hallo HAH-loh (German) [7]
Festival or tradition
Schemenlaufen, the carnival of Imst Festival[8]
Landmark
Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn UNESCO World Heritage site[9]
Did you know?
Austria's greatest cultural contribution is in music, from composers such as Mozart and Haydn.[2]
Sources (9)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Austria (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Austria (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Austria (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Liechtenstein (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Slovenia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. Duden: hallo · www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/hallo (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/schemenlaufen-the-carnival-of-imst-austria-00726 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  9. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/at (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Belarus

Belarus

#belarus

Capital
Minsk[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Rivers including the Dnieper, Neman and Pripet, with large marshy areas along the Pripet[2]
Languages
Belarusian (official), Russian (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Vytsinanka, the traditional art of paper cutting Tradition[4]
Landmark
Mir Castle Complex UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Belarus declared its independence in 1991.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Belarus (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Belarus (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/vytsinanka-traditional-art-of-paper-cutting-in-belarus-01954 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/by (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Belgium

Belgium

#belgium

Capital
Brussels[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Forested Ardennes highlands in the south; the Schelde and Meuse rivers[2]
Languages
Dutch, French, German (all official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Carnival of Binche Festival[4]
Landmark
La Grand-Place, Brussels UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Belgium first took part in the Olympic Games in 1896, in Athens.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Belgium (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Belgium (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/carnival-of-binche-00033 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/be (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

#bosnia-and-herzegovina

Capital
Sarajevo[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[2][1]
Landform or river
Mostly mountains, drained by the Sava, Drina and Neretva rivers[2]
Languages
Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian (all official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Sevdalinka, a traditional urban folk song Tradition[4]
Landmark
Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Bosnia and Herzegovina touches the Adriatic Sea along a narrow coastal strip.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Bosnia-and-Herzegovina (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Bosnia-and-Herzegovina (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sevdalinka-traditional-urban-folk-song-01872 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ba (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Bulgaria

Bulgaria

#bulgaria

Capital
Sofia[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina)[2]
Languages
Bulgarian (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Surova folk feast in the Pernik region Festival[4]
Landmark
Rila Monastery UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Bulgaria's highest point is Musala Peak, 2,925 m (9,596 ft).[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Bulgaria (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Bulgaria (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/surova-folk-feast-in-pernik-region-00968 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/bg (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Croatia

Croatia

#croatia

Capital
Zagreb[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Adriatic coast, with part of the Dinaric Alps in the central mountain belt[2]
Languages
Croatian (official)[2]
Food
Decorated gingerbread from northern Croatia[4]
Festival or tradition
Sinjska Alka, a knights' tournament in Sinj Festival[5]
Landmark
Old City of Dubrovnik UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Croatia declared its independence in 1991.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Croatia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Croatia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/gingerbread-craft-from-northern-croatia-00356 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sinjska-alka-a-knights-tournament-in-sinj-00357 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/95/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Czechia

Czechia

Also: Czech Republic[4]

#czechia

Capital
Prague[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[4]
Landform or river
The Bohemian Massif, a ring of mountains around the Bohemian Plateau[2]
Languages
Czech (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Puppetry (shared with Slovakia) Tradition[5]
Landmark
Historic Centre of Prague UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Czechia is landlocked: it has no coastline.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic · mzv.gov.cz/baku/en/about_the_czech_republic/country_name_the_czech_republic_has_its.html (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Czech-Republic (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Czech-Republic (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/puppetry-in-slovakia-and-czechia-01202 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cz (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Denmark

Denmark

#denmark

Capital
Copenhagen[2][3]IBGE atlas spelling; the Brazilian form "Copenhague" still needs a source (Priberam gives the European Portuguese "Copenhaga").
Neighbors (land borders)
Greenland and the Faroe Islands are self-governing dependencies of Denmark (Britannica); see territories.[4][1]
Landform or river
The Jutland peninsula and an archipelago to the east; Zealand and Funen are the largest islands[2]
Languages
Danish (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Nordic clinker boat building and sailing Tradition[5]
Landmark
Kronborg Castle UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Denmark has a coastline of about 7,300 km (4,500 miles).[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Denmark (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Denmark (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Germany (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/nordic-clinker-boat-traditions-01686 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/dk (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Estonia

Estonia

#estonia

Capital
Tallinn[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
A mainland with many lakes, forests and rivers, and some 1,500 islands and islets in the Baltic Sea[2]
Languages
Estonian (official)[2]
Food
Mulgi puder, mashed potato with barley from the Mulgimaa region[4]
Festival or tradition
Song and dance celebrations (shared with Latvia and Lithuania) Festival[5]
Landmark
Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Estonia has some 1,500 islands and islets.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Estonia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Estonia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/cooking-and-eating-mulgi-puder-traditional-mashed-potato-with-barley-in-the-mulgimaa-region-estonia-02081 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/baltic-song-and-dance-celebrations-00087 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ee (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Finland

Finland

#finland

Capital
Helsinki[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Thick forests and thousands of lakes[2]
Languages
Finnish and Swedish (both national languages)[2]
Festival or tradition
Kaustinen fiddle playing Tradition[4]
Landmark
Fortress of Suomenlinna UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Sauna culture in Finland is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.[6]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Finland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Finland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kaustinen-fiddle-playing-and-related-practices-and-expressions-01683 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/fi (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sauna-culture-in-finland-01596 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of France

France

#france

Capital
Paris[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
European land borders only. French Guiana (part of France) borders Brazil and Suriname.[1][4]
Landform or river
The Alps and the Pyrenees mountains, and wide plains[2]
Languages
French (official)[2]
Say hello
Bonjour bohn-ZHOOR (French) [5]
Food
Baguette bread[6]
Festival or tradition
Fest-Noz, a festive gathering with traditional dances of Brittany Festival[7]
Landmark
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay UNESCO World Heritage site[8]
Did you know?
France includes the Mediterranean island of Corsica.[2]

Read the full France guide

Sources (8)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/France (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/France (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Monaco (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Larousse: bonjour · www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/bonjour (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/artisanal-know-how-and-culture-of-baguette-bread-01883 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/fest-noz-festive-gathering-based-on-the-collective-practice-of-traditional-dances-of-brittany-00707 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/80/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Germany

Germany

#germany

Capital
Berlin[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Rhine River basin, rising to the Bavarian Alps in the south[2]
Languages
German (official)[2]
Say hello
Hallo HAH-loh (German) [4]
Festival or tradition
Organ building and organ music Tradition[5]
Landmark
Cologne Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Germany's major rivers include the Rhine, the Elbe, the Danube and the Oder.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Germany (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Germany (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Duden: hallo · www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/hallo (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/organ-craftsmanship-and-music-01277 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/de (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Greece

Greece

#greece

Capital
Athens[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Pindus Mountains; Mount Olympus is the highest peak[2]
Languages
Greek (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Momoeria, a New Year's celebration in eight villages of the Kozani area Festival[4]
Landmark
Acropolis, Athens UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Greece has about 2,000 islands.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Greece (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Greece (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/momoeria-new-year-s-celebration-in-eight-villages-of-kozani-area-west-macedonia-greece-01184 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gr (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Hungary

Hungary

#hungary

Capital
Budapest[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Danube and Tisza rivers, the two most important rivers[2]
Languages
Hungarian (Magyar; official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Busó festivities at Mohács, a masked end-of-winter carnival Festival[4]
Landmark
Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Lake Balaton is the largest lake in central Europe.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Hungary (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Hungary (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/buso-festivities-at-mohacs-masked-end-of-winter-carnival-custom-00252 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/400/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Iceland

Iceland

#iceland

Capital
Reykjavík[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
No land borders[2]
Landform or river
About 200 volcanoes and large glaciers, including Vatnajökull[2]
Languages
Icelandic (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Swimming pool culture: meeting friends and neighbors at public pools Tradition[4]
Landmark
Þingvellir National Park UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir of Iceland was the first woman in the world to be elected a head of state.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Iceland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Iceland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/swimming-pool-culture-in-iceland-02249 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/is (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Ireland

Ireland

#ireland

Capital
Dublin[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[4]
Landform or river
The River Shannon draining central lowlands, with mountains along the coasts[2]
Languages
Irish (official), English (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Irish harping Tradition[5]
Landmark
Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Game or sport
Hurling, a fast field game played with a stick and ball[7]
Sources (7)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Ireland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Ireland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Northern-Ireland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/irish-harping-01461 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ie (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/hurling-01263 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Italy

Italy

#italy

Capital
Rome[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1][4][5]
Landform or river
The Alps along the north and the Apennines down the peninsula; Vesuvius and Etna are active volcanoes[2]
Languages
Italian (official)[2]
Say hello
Ciao CHOW (Italian) [6]
Food
Neapolitan pizza (the art of the Neapolitan pizzaiuolo)[7]
Festival or tradition
Celebrations with big processional structures carried on people's shoulders Festival[8]
Landmark
Historic Centre of Rome UNESCO World Heritage site[9]
Did you know?
Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna are among southern Italy's four active volcanoes.[2]

Read the full Italy guide

Sources (9)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Italy (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Italy (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Vatican-City (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/1245/ (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. Treccani, Vocabolario: ciao · www.treccani.it/vocabolario/ciao/ (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/art-of-neapolitan-pizzaiuolo-00722 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/celebrations-of-big-shoulder-borne-processional-structures-00721 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  9. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/it (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Latvia

Latvia

#latvia

Capital
Riga[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
An undulating plain of flat lowlands and hills[2]
Languages
Latvian (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Song and dance celebrations (shared with Estonia and Lithuania) Festival[4]
Landmark
Historic Centre of Riga UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Latvia lies along the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Latvia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Latvia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/baltic-song-and-dance-celebrations-00087 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/lv (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

#liechtenstein

Capital
Vaduz[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
[2][1]
Landform or river
The Rhine floodplain in the west and Alpine foothills of the Rhätikon Massif in the east[2]
Languages
German (official)[2][3]
Say hello
Hallo HAH-loh (German) [5]
Did you know?
Liechtenstein covers only about 160 square kilometers.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Liechtenstein (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Liechtenstein (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Liechtenstein (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Duden: hallo · www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/hallo (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Lithuania

Lithuania

#lithuania

Capital
Vilnius[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
The border with Russia is with its Kaliningrad region (Britannica caption: "Russia to the west").[1]
Landform or river
Low plains and hilly uplands, with rivers flowing west to the Baltic Sea[2]
Languages
Lithuanian (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Song and dance celebrations (shared with Estonia and Latvia) Festival[4]
Landmark
Curonian Spit UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Making sodai, decorative straw "gardens", is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.[6]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Lithuania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/baltic-song-and-dance-celebrations-00087 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/lt (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sodai-straw-garden-making-in-lithuania-01987 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Luxembourg

Luxembourg

#luxembourg

Capital
Luxembourg[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
An extension of the Ardennes Mountains in the north[2]
Languages
Luxembourgish (national language), German and French (languages of administration)[3]
Festival or tradition
Hopping procession of Echternach Religious festival[5]
Landmark
City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Luxembourg's head of state is a grand duke.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Luxembourg (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Luxembourg (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Luxembourg (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/hopping-procession-of-echternach-00392 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/lu (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Malta

Malta

#malta

Capital
Valletta[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
No land borders[2]
Landform or river
Three inhabited islands: Malta (the largest), Gozo and Comino[2]
Languages
Maltese (official), English (official)[2][3]
Food
Ftira, a flattened sourdough bread[5]
Festival or tradition
The village festa, an annual community celebration Festival[6]
Landmark
Megalithic Temples of Malta UNESCO World Heritage site[7]
Sources (7)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Malta (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Malta (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Malta (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/il-ftira-culinary-art-and-culture-of-flattened-sourdough-bread-in-malta-01580 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/maltese-village-festa-an-annual-community-celebration-01871 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mt (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Moldova

Moldova

#moldova

Capital
Chișinău[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[2][1]
Landform or river
A fertile region between the Dniester and Prut rivers[2]
Languages
Moldovan (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Customs of the 1st of March (shared with Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Romania) Tradition[4]
Landmark
Struve Geodetic Arc (shared by 10 countries) UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
The traditional blouse with embroidery on the shoulder (altiţă) is UNESCO-listed for Moldova and Romania.[6]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Moldova (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Moldova (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/cultural-practices-associated-to-the-1st-of-march-01287 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/1187/ (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-the-traditional-blouse-with-embroidery-on-the-shoulder-alti-an-element-of-cultural-identity-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01861 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Monaco

Monaco

#monaco

Capital
Monaco[2][3]Monaco is a city-state: Britannica notes the principality is a single administrative unit with no separate capital area.
Neighbors (land borders)
[4][1]
Landform or river
A short Mediterranean coastline[4]
Languages
French (official)[4][2]
Say hello
Bonjour bohn-ZHOOR (French) [5]
Festival or tradition
Saint Devota's Day (27 January), honoring Monaco's patron saint; since 1877 a boat is burned on a pyre, followed by fireworks Religious festival[6]
Did you know?
Monaco covers only about 2.1 square kilometers.[4]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Monaco (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Monaco (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Monaco (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Larousse: bonjour · www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/bonjour (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. Gouvernement Princier de Monaco · en.gouv.mc/A-la-Une-du-Portail/Celebrations-for-Saint-Devota-s-Day (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Montenegro

Montenegro

#montenegro

Capital
Podgorica[2][3]Britannica facts: Podgorica is the capital and Cetinje is the Old Royal Capital. (The Britannica summary lists Cetinje as capital with Podgorica as administrative centre.)
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Durmitor Mountains and Mount Lovćen (1,749 m), with the Gulf of Kotor on the coast[4]
Languages
Montenegrin (official); Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian may also be used officially[2]
Festival or tradition
Boka Navy Kotor, a festive tradition Festival[5]
Landmark
Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
The name Montenegro means "Black Mountain".[4]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Montenegro (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Montenegro (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/cultural-heritage-of-boka-navy-kotor-a-festive-representation-of-a-memory-and-cultural-identity-01727 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/125/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Netherlands

Netherlands

#netherlands

Capital
Amsterdam[2][3][4]Amsterdam is the capital; the seat of government is The Hague (Britannica).
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The shared delta of the Rhine, Meuse and Schelde rivers; polders on the site of the former Zuiderzee[2]
Languages
Dutch (official), Frisian (second national language since 2013)[2][3]
Festival or tradition
Corso culture: flower and fruit parades Festival[5]
Landmark
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Coastal areas of the Netherlands are almost completely below sea level.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Netherlands (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Netherlands (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/corso-culture-flower-and-fruit-parades-in-the-netherlands-01707 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/nl (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of North Macedonia

North Macedonia

#north-macedonia

Capital
Skopje[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
A high plateau with mountains; lakes include Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran[2]
Languages
Macedonian, Albanian[2]
Festival or tradition
Hıdrellez, a spring celebration Festival[4]
Landmark
Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
The Macedonian region has been inhabited since before 7000 BCE.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/North-Macedonia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/North-Macedonia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/spring-celebration-hdrellez-01284 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mk (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Norway

Norway

#norway

Capital
Oslo[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
A mountainous land with large plateau regions[2]
Languages
Norwegian, Sami (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Traditional costumes, made and worn for celebrations Tradition[4]
Landmark
West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Norway is one of the largest countries in Europe.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Norway (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Norway (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-costumes-in-norway-craftsmanship-and-social-practice-02084 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/no (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Poland

Poland

#poland

Capital
Warsaw[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Vistula and Oder rivers, which flow to the Baltic Sea; the Sudeten and Carpathian mountains in the south[2]
Languages
Polish (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
The Polonaise, a traditional Polish dance Tradition[4]
Landmark
Historic Centre of Kraków UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Wieliczka and Bochnia, two royal salt mines, are UNESCO World Heritage sites.[5]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Poland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Poland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/polonaise-traditional-polish-dance-01982 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pl (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Portugal

Portugal

#portugal

Capital
Lisbon[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1][4]
Landform or river
Tagus River, which divides the country roughly in half[2]
Languages
Portuguese (official)[2]
Say hello
Olá oh-LAH (Portuguese) [5]
Festival or tradition
Winter festivities: the Carnival of Podence Festival[6]
Landmark
Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon UNESCO World Heritage site[7]
Did you know?
Fado, a style of song from Portuguese cities, is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.[8]

Read the full Portugal guide

Sources (8)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Portugal (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Portugal (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Spain (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Dicionário Priberam: olá · dicionario.priberam.org/ol%C3%A1 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/winter-festivities-carnival-of-podence-01463 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pt (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/fado-urban-popular-song-of-portugal-00563 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Romania

Romania

#romania

Capital
Bucharest[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The great arc of the Carpathian Mountains; the Danube forms most of the border with Bulgaria[2]
Languages
Romanian (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Horezu ceramics, a pottery craft Tradition[4]
Landmark
Danube Delta UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Romania joined the European Union in 2007.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Romania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Romania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/craftsmanship-of-horezu-ceramics-00610 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ro (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Russia

Russia

#russia

Russia stretches over eastern Europe and northern Asia (Britannica). Listed on the Europe page; the Asia page links here.

Capital
Moscow[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
Borders with Lithuania and Poland are through the Kaliningrad region. Mongolia and North Korea are confirmed from their own Britannica pages.[1][5][6][7][8][9]
Landform or river
The Russian Plain with the Volga River, the Ural Mountains, and the great Siberian rivers (Ob, Yenisey, Lena, Amur)[2]
Languages
Russian (official)[2][3]
Festival or tradition
Olonkho, the Yakut heroic epic Tradition[10]
Landmark
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow UNESCO World Heritage site[11]
Did you know?
Russia covers about 17,075,400 square kilometers, across eastern Europe and northern Asia.[3]
Sources (11)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Russia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Russia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Russia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Norway (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Poland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Mongolia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  9. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/North-Korea (accessed 2026-10-26)
  10. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/olonkho-yakut-heroic-epos-00145 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  11. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/545/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of San Marino

San Marino

#san-marino

Capital
San Marino[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
Landlocked, on the border between the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche.[2][1]
Landform or river
Mount Titano, where the capital stands about 750 m above sea level[4][1]
Languages
Italian (official)[2]
Say hello
Ciao CHOW (Italian) [5]
Landmark
San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano UNESCO World Heritage site[1]
Did you know?
San Marino is one of the world's oldest republics.[1][4]
Sources (5)
  1. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/1245/ (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Consulate of the Republic of San Marino (UK) · www.consolatosanmarino.uk/en/?p=2 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. ENIT, Italian National Tourist Board: San Marino, a world like no other · www.enit.it/storage/202502/20250226154534_cs san marino_a world like no other_eng.pdf (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Treccani, Vocabolario: ciao · www.treccani.it/vocabolario/ciao/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Serbia

Serbia

#serbia

Capital
Belgrade[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008; Serbia does not recognize it (Britannica). Kosovo is shown as a place with a neutral note, not as a country.[1]
Landform or river
Mountains and forests in the center, low plains in the north; the Danube and Sava meet at Belgrade[2][3]
Languages
Serbian (official)[3]
Festival or tradition
Kolo, a traditional folk dance Tradition[5]
Landmark
Studenica Monastery UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Belgrade lies where the Danube and Sava rivers meet.[3]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Serbia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Serbia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Serbia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kolo-traditional-folk-dance-01270 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · whc.unesco.org/en/list/389/ (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Slovakia

Slovakia

#slovakia

Capital
Bratislava[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Carpathian Mountains; the Morava and Danube rivers form parts of the southern and western borders[2]
Languages
Slovak (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
The fujara, a long shepherd's flute, and its music Tradition[4]
Landmark
Vlkolínec UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
Slovakia became an independent country in 1993.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Slovakia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Slovakia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/fujara-and-its-music-00099 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/sk (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Slovenia

Slovenia

#slovenia

Capital
Ljubljana[2][3][4]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Mostly mountainous and wooded, with deep valleys and many rivers[2]
Languages
Slovene (official)[2][3]
Festival or tradition
Door-to-door rounds of Kurenti, a carnival custom Festival[5]
Landmark
Škocjan Caves UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Beekeeping is a way of life in Slovenia and is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.[7]
Sources (7)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Slovenia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Slovenia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Slovenia (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/door-to-door-rounds-of-kurenti-01278 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/si (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/beekeeping-in-slovenia-a-way-of-life-01857 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Spain

Spain

#spain

Capital
Madrid[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1][4][5]
Landform or river
A large central plateau, with the Pyrenees in the north[2]
Languages
Castilian Spanish (official), Catalonia, Galicia and the Basque Country also have their own official languages[2]
Say hello
Hola OH-lah (Spanish) [6]
Festival or tradition
Las Fallas of Valencia Festival[7]
Landmark
Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada UNESCO World Heritage site[8]
Did you know?
On the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands), people can talk across valleys in a whistled language called Silbo Gomero.[9]

Read the full Spain guide

Sources (9)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Spain (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Spain (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Gibraltar (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Ceuta (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario de la lengua española: hola · dle.rae.es/hola (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/valencia-fallas-festivity-00859 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/es (accessed 2026-10-26)
  9. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/whistled-language-of-the-island-of-la-gomera-canary-islands-the-silbo-gomero-00172 (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Sweden

Sweden

#sweden

Capital
Stockholm[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Mountainous Norrland covers about three-fifths of the country; Sweden has about 90,000 lakes[2]
Languages
Swedish (official)[2]
Festival or tradition
Nordic clinker boat building and sailing (shared with other Nordic countries) Tradition[4]
Landmark
Laponian Area UNESCO World Heritage site[5]
Did you know?
About 15 percent of Sweden lies north of the Arctic Circle.[2]
Sources (5)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Sweden (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Sweden (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/nordic-clinker-boat-traditions-01686 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/se (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Switzerland

Switzerland

#switzerland

Capital
Bern[2][3][4]Britannica calls Bern the administrative capital; the federal supreme court sits in Lausanne.
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
The Alps and the Jura Mountains[2]
Languages
German, French, Italian, Romansh (official; Romansh used locally)[2][3]
Festival or tradition
Basel Carnival Festival[5]
Landmark
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
The Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen show the power of the Rhine River.[3]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Switzerland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Switzerland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/basel-carnival-01262 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ch (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Ukraine

Ukraine

#ukraine

Capital
Kyiv[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1]
Landform or river
Level plains and the Carpathian Mountains; major rivers include the Dnieper (Dnipro) and Dniester[2]
Languages
Ukrainian (official)[2]
Food
Borscht[4]
Festival or tradition
Pysanka, the art of decorating eggs Tradition[5]
Landmark
Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
Ukraine is a major producer of winter wheat and sugar beets.[2]
Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Ukraine (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/USL/culture-of-ukrainian-borscht-cooking-01852 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · ich.unesco.org/en/RL/pysanka-ukrainian-tradition-and-art-of-decorating-eggs-02134 (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ua (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of United Kingdom

United Kingdom

#united-kingdom

Capital
London[2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[4]
Landform or river
A mix of hill, lowland, upland, highland and mountain regions[2]
Languages
English (official)[2]
Say hello
Hello heh-LOH (English) [5]
Landmark
Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites UNESCO World Heritage site[6]
Did you know?
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century.[2]

Read the full United Kingdom guide

Sources (6)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/United-Kingdom (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Northern-Ireland (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Merriam-Webster: hello · www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hello (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gb (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Flag of Vatican City

Vatican City

Also: Holy See[8][7]

UN observer state[8]#vatican-city

Capital
Vatican City city-state[2][3]A city-state: the capital is the country itself. Quizzes accept Vatican City.
Neighbors (land borders)
An enclave in Rome, Italy (Britannica).[4]
Landform or river
On the west bank of the Tiber River, inside Rome[4]
Languages
Italian (official), Latin (official)[5]
Say hello
Ciao CHOW (Italian) [6]
Landmark
Vatican City UNESCO World Heritage site[7]
Did you know?
Vatican City is the world's smallest independent country, about 44 hectares in area.[2]
Sources (8)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Vatican-City (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Vatican-City (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. RAE-ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: Países y capitales, con sus gentilicios · www.rae.es/dpd/ayuda/paises-y-capitales-con-sus-gentilicios (accessed 2026-10-26)
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica (facts) · www.britannica.com/facts/Vatican-City (accessed 2026-10-26)
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Italian language · www.britannica.com/topic/Italian-language (accessed 2026-10-26)
  6. Treccani, Vocabolario: ciao · www.treccani.it/vocabolario/ciao/ (accessed 2026-10-26)
  7. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (State Party page) · whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/va (accessed 2026-10-26)
  8. United Nations: Non-member States · www.un.org/en/about-us/non-member-states (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Territories and other places

These places are not UN member or observer states. Each is shown with a neutral note from the sources.

Gibraltar

#gibraltar

Status
British Overseas Territory; sovereignty claimed by Spain. Not a sovereign country.[1][2][3]
Administered by
United Kingdom[1][2][3]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1][2][3]
Sources (3)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Gibraltar (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. United Nations, Special Committee on Decolonization, GA/COL/3393 (2025): Spain and UK clash over Gibraltar's sovereignty · press.un.org/en/2025/gacol3393.doc.htm (accessed 2026-10-26)
  3. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de España: Gibraltar · exteriores.gob.es/es/PoliticaExterior/Paginas/Gibraltar.aspx (accessed 2026-10-26)

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Kosovo

#kosovo

Status
Declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Recognized by the United States and most EU members; not recognized by Serbia, Russia and other countries. Not a UN member state.[1][2]
Main city or capital
Pristina[1][2]
Neighbors (land borders)
[1][2]
Sources (2)
  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica · www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo (accessed 2026-10-26)
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (summary) · www.britannica.com/summary/Serbia (accessed 2026-10-26)

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