Facts about the countries of Central Asia. Amazing facts about Asia. Japanese ban on obesity

It may very well be that you are hearing about this for the first time.

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Asia certainly has a huge influence on Western world in many ways, but despite this, we only see a small part of what is actually happening there. Having faced the truth, we will understand that we know nothing about this amazing part of the world; it continues to remain a secret behind seven locks for us.

Here are some centuries-old traditions and modern trends from Asia that will leave you scratching your head in bewilderment.

1. Universal birthday.

Asia has influenced the Western world in many ways, but for all the enormous advantages we have received, we have hardly even scratched the surface of the cultural layer of the East.

Asia has influenced the Western world in many ways, but for all the great benefits we have received from the East, we have hardly even scratched the surface of the cultural layer of this diverse continent. From centuries-old traditions and modern trends, we have collected 10 unusual facts about Asia that leave you perplexed.

Vietnamese New Year - Every Vietnamese's birthday

Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, is celebrated annually around the end of winter and lasts three weeks.

The holiday begins on the first lunar day of the first lunar month, which usually occurs in early February or late January.

Among the many traditions of Tet - New Year in Vietnam, it is also considered a birthday celebration day for all Vietnamese people.

Along with the Koreans, the Vietnamese count their age based on the number of Tet they have lived, so a child will be officially considered one year old, even if he was born a few days before the event.

Songkran - New Year in Thailand

Continuing the theme of New Year traditions, Thai New Year is celebrated over several days lunar calendar at the very hot month in Thailand - in April.

The Songkran festival is a Thai “astrological transition”, the main attraction of which is pouring water from head to toe on everyone you meet and sprinkling talcum powder on passers-by is also not forbidden.

Initially, the celebration had spiritual connotations - water was poured on Buddha statues and people collected the water that flowed down to sprinkle it on their loved ones for good luck.

Now the rhythm of the holiday is more intense and provocative - there are large-scale fights with water pistols, which are sold on every corner, and people standing along the roads douse everyone who passes or drives by.

The largest shopping center in a ghost town

In 2005, Chinese billionaire Alex Hu Guirong began construction of the world's largest shopping mall in Dongguan, China.

Spread over more than 2.5 million square meters, the New South China Mall has a capacity of 2,350 stores, not to mention a full-size indoor slide, a 1.5-kilometer canal with gondolas and a replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

But there is one problem - no one wants to open their own store there.

Since 2005, 99% of the retail space has never been used - ever, it's just collecting dust under the baize of the roof, and the only people who really work are the security guards of this strange super center.

There is only one explanation for why the mall is unprofitable - the city where it is built - Dongguan has a population of only 10 million, the majority of whose residents are poor factory workers and take several hours to get to the mall.

North Korea celebrates its version of Christmas

In North Korea, citizens do not celebrate Christmas. Christmas in North Korea is still more an act of war than a holiday.

So, instead of joining in the Christmas festivities, North Koreans celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il's mother, who was born on December 24th.

The North Korean government maintains a tight grip on religious groups within its borders.

They continue to demonize Western influence with their patriotic Christmas cards.

In addition to Kim Jong's birthday, North Koreans celebrate Constitution Day on December 27, and on New Year's Day they hold marches in front of the Kim Il Sung Mausoleum.

Feeling of Chinese unity in one time zone

China is approximately 5,200 km wide - a fairly wide area that can cover 5 time zones.

Despite this, China has only had one national time zone since the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

The reason for this decision is Chinese policy - after the civil war they wanted to instill a sense of unity in people.

Unfortunately, in reality it looks something like this: while Beijing residents watch the sunrise at 6 a.m., the western regions of Xinjiang will not see the sun for two hours.

This system is still relevant today, although Xinjiang has taken a stand and created its own unofficial time zone, which has a two-hour difference with China's national time.

The Chinese government does not recognize this step.

Japanese law prohibiting excess weight

Japan is currently the thinnest industrialized country in the world and there is a good reason for this - a law against being fat.

Japanese law stipulates that men over 40 cannot have a waist larger than 85 cm; women are given a little more freedom - a waist of up to 90 cm.

Why? Official reasoning is that thin people are healthier, their blood pressure and cholesterol levels are normal.

People who fall outside the legal waist measurements should undergo counseling and start a government-approved diet.

Companies that have large numbers of overweight employees will have to pay a fine, which goes toward the healthcare of older Japanese people.

India and China make up a third of the world's population

It is well known that China has a large population, but the actual number of its inhabitants is simply staggering.

The population of Sichuan Province alone is equal to that of Greece, Portugal, Holland, Guatemala, Austria, Malaysia, New Zealand, Austria and Canada combined. And this is not the most large province, but only the fourth largest.

In fact, India and China together account for more than a third of the world's population as of 2012 - 2,500,000,000 people. And all these people fit into an area slightly larger than the United States.

Indian ritual that bestows good luck, courage and health to a baby

At the Solapur mountain temple in India, newborns are put through a ritual that is supposed to make the baby happy, strong and healthy.

Apart from hotels or restaurants that cater to Western visitors, in fact, in the whole of India it is difficult to find a bathroom that will have a roll of toilet paper - why use paper when you have a good left hand, right?

And not only eating, but also doing anything with the left hand is considered offensive, for example, passing money with the left hand or shaking hands with each other as a sign of greeting.

Chinese children are named after an important event

Russians will not be surprised by this fact; in our history and literature there is the “Heart of a Dog” and the names Vilor or Vladlen. In the 100 years since the revolution, admiration for the leaders has faded and everything has fallen into place. It is in Russia.

In 1992, China applied to host the 2000 Olympic Games. That same year, 680 Chinese named their children Aoyun, which literally translates to "Olympic Games". More than 4,000 people continued to give this name to their children over the next 15 years.

Another surge occurred when it was announced that China would host the Games in 2008.

It is not too strange for the Chinese to name their children after political events or movements. These are just a couple of ways to choose a baby name, but there are many others.

For example, according to the Chinese registry, common names are "Defend China" or "Build the Nation".

Some children are simply called: "Space Travel", with the name "Civilization" almost 300,000 Chinese now live in the country. For comparison, this is if the Russians named their daughter " Russian Federation" or "International Space Station".

The official name of North Korea is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Local population calls it “Joseon” (“Land of Morning Freshness”).

India is the "big paradise" in Asia. Exotic culture, priceless art, modern cities, national natural parks and friendly people - all this allows us to call the country excellent tourist destination with vast expanses of indescribable beauty. Until the 21st century, India managed to maintain its traditional lifestyle. The Festival of Laxmi, one of the most famous Hindu religious festivals, regularly takes place here. Laxmi is the goddess of peace and prosperity. This festival plays a significant role in the lives of many Indians. India has gone down in history as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas K. Gandhi), whose legacy is democracy. Gandhi once said: “We ourselves must become the changes we want to see in the world.”

Turkey is a Eurasian country stretching from the Asia Minor (or Anatolia) peninsula in western Asia to Thrace (Roumelia) in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. It is thanks to its strategic location that Türkiye is famous for its unique combination of eastern and western traditions. Turkey is surrounded by eight countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria. To the south of Turkey are the Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus, to the west - the Aegean Sea and its archipelago, and to the north - the Black Sea. Continue reading this article to get more interesting information about Turkey.

The Philippines (officially the Republic of the Philippines) is an archipelago of 7,107 islands lying in Pacific Ocean. This Island state in Southeast Asia is surrounded by countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau and the Republic of China. The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that does not have any neighbors with common borders on the land.

Singapore today is a developed city-state, a capital and a republic at the same time, but just 50 years ago this country was considered one of the poorest, and the majority of residents sympathized with the communists. Local political leader Lee Kuan Yew took power into his own hands and, with a handful of patriotic Saraniki, brought order to the country.

As the 9th century Japanese poet Murasaki Shikibu said, “It is difficult to find a person who truly understands you. Usually people judge only by their own standards.” The hardest thing for us to understand is the Japanese themselves.

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India has it all - from saris to spicy dishes, beautiful beaches and abundant snowfall! In this article, we will tell you interesting and surprising facts about India that will give you a better understanding of different cultures and the lifestyle of this country.

Indonesia is considered one of the most popular destinations in the world today. The name "Indonesia" comes from the Latin word "Indus" ("India") and the Greek "nesos" ("islands"). Indonesia became popular in the 1900s. Now this beautiful country ranks fourth among the most visited countries in the world. In this article you can read interesting information about Indonesia.

In Nepal, goddess girls are often found. They are the living embodiment of Goddess Taleju. To become a goddess, you need to pass a competitive selection based on 32 parameters. The one who has passed the selection lives in the palace without experiencing any problems. But as soon as the girls begin menstruation, they are expelled from the palace.

Asia is associated in our minds with many exotic pictures, diversity national cultures and the obscure traditions of the peoples living on its territory.

Asia still remains the most mysterious part of the world, whose secrets have been tried for many centuries by scientists from different countries peace. The most contradictory traditions and principles of existence have long been combined in the latitudes spread under the sultry sun. Every Asian country, every tribe and nationality has long-standing historical traditions, which are often very difficult for Europeans to understand.

1. “Traditional” winter holidays in North Korea

It's hard to find a person who doesn't like the Christmas holidays. All over the world, the approach of December is associated with the imminent arrival of winter's tale and waiting for gifts. But North Koreans are deprived of the pleasure of gathering for family holiday meals on winter Christmas evenings. For them, Christmas is no different from other days. While Catholics and Orthodox Christians from all over the world rejoice at the birth of Jesus Christ and admire the colorful Christmas lights in the windows of houses and shop windows, the streets of the cities of North Korea are filled with darkness and sadness. During this period, local residents are obliged to remember with sorrow the “eternal president” - Kim Il Sung, who died in 1994.

Celebrating Valentine's Day is also prohibited. In general, the issue of religiosity in this country is posed quite harshly. Anyone who values ​​his own life will not openly talk about God. Instead of traditional religious holidays On December 24, Koreans celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il’s mother, and the celebration of the “General’s Birthday” on February 16 replaces Valentine’s Day for them.

2. The happiest children are in India

Legends about the harshness of Spartan upbringing have long since sunk into oblivion. It would seem that today democracy reigns in most countries, and all national canons concerning the education of the younger generation have long been adapted to the Convention on the Rights of Children. Surely many have heard about the Spartan tradition of throwing off high cliff newborns with physical defects. Who would have thought that the terrible ritual has “survived” to this day. In India, in one of the temples in the Solapur district, there is still a tradition of throwing small children from a tower. But today such actions are motivated by other goals. The baby’s parents absolutely calmly hand over their child to the temple minister, who, after reading the prayer, throws the child onto a blanket spread out at the foot of the fifteen-meter tower. The other attendants, who hold the veil taut, must catch the baby.

It is believed that after such a ritual the child will grow up healthy and happy. This is a local tradition that scares not only European parents, but also residents of other Indian regions.

3. Chinese children with great destinies

The Chinese are a very interesting and unusual people, constantly striving for self-development and self-improvement. It is not surprising that they instruct their children on the “true path” from the very first days of life. In China, it is believed that a correctly chosen name promises a child a great and bright future. That is why the widespread use of names such as “Civilization”, “Rise China”, “Great Country”, “Defender of China” is not considered something unusual.

The Chinese also have a tradition of giving children names depending on large-scale events taking place. For example, when the country applied to host the Olympic Games in 2000, most newborns were named “Olympian,” “Olympic Games,” or “Winner.”

4. Features of Hindu etiquette

It is noteworthy that Hindus hold cutlery and eat only with their right hand. The right hand is always considered clean, and the left hand is always considered dirty. Taking food with your left hand is considered a sign of bad taste. This tradition is associated with hygienic features: it is with the left hand that Hindus wash their body, washing away impurities from it.

5. The Japanese ban on obesity

There are practically no obese people among the Japanese. It is very difficult to meet even a person with a heavy figure on the street, because the Japanese strictly adhere to generally accepted canons in nutrition, thereby caring not only about appearance, but also about physical health.

The legislation of this country has established criteria for people over 40 years of age. The waist circumference of a man should not be more than 85 centimeters, and for women - 90 cm. People whose physical parameters exceed these indicators are forced to attend consultations with nutritionists and limit themselves in food.

6. The “longest” city in the world

Many people love sunny Thailand and are happy to go to Bangkok for their next vacation. Those who are lucky enough to visit a sultry and exotic country believe that they know everything about Thailand and its capital. Imagine their surprise when they learn that Bangkok has another name, consisting of 147 letters of the Latin alphabet. Thanks to his long name the city even got into the Guinness Book of Records.

7. Vietnamese New Year

Everyone is looking forward to the New Year. This holiday is associated with the beginning of a new life, which will begin after the birth of the New Year. The word “birth” is taken literally in Vietnam. There, along with the New Year celebration, it is customary to celebrate the birthdays of all people at the same time. It is believed that if a person has lived to see the New Year, then one year can be safely added to his length of service.

8. After World War II, ordinary fast food saved the Japanese from starvation

Although the trend of healthy eating is gaining more and more popularity every year, people’s addiction to the usual fast food has not been canceled. Instant noodles remain among the favorite fast food products. Few people know that this product was invented by the Japanese Andro Momofuki in 1958. It was in this Asian country that instant noodles solved many post-war food problems. It is noteworthy that initially this product was not very popular, but as soon as the Japanese appreciated it, the “fashion” for consuming analogues of modern “doshirak” quickly spread throughout the world.

9. The Japanese figured out how to solve the problem with pets

Due to hygiene reasons, authorities prohibit residents of some Asian countries and cities keep animals at home. Fans of four-legged friends have found a wonderful way out of the situation. Animal cafes are gaining popularity in Japan and Taiwan. Feeling the need to pet a cat or play with a dog, a person can simply come to a cafe, where he will be given a choice of a pet with whom he can play as much as he likes.

10. Where did the fashion for buying piggy banks come from?

Today, the piggy bank not only performs its traditional function, but also creates coziness in the room. But not every owner of such a toy knows where and under what circumstances the fashion for piggy banks arose. The answer lies in the traditions of some exotic Asian countries. The fact is that even the ancient Chinese considered the pig a symbol of family and financial prosperity. In addition, in Malaysia and Indonesia, archaeologists have found small figurines of pigs that owners kept in their houses. Later, people came up with the idea of ​​cutting a hole in the “symbol of prosperity” and storing money there.

Geographic data.

Türkiye is located in the eastern hemisphere. Its area is 779,452 square meters. km. Part of Turkey's territory - 97% - is located in Asia and 3% in Europe. Geographical feature Turkey is located at the crossroads of important routes connecting Europe with Asia since ancient times. Nowadays, highways and railways run through the territory of Turkey, connecting Europe with many Asian countries.

On three sides it is washed by seas: in the north - the Black Sea, in the west - the Aegean, in the south - the Mediterranean. In the southern part of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn Bay there is one of the most beautiful cities peace and most Big city Turkey - Istanbul (formerly Constantinople).

Minerals.

There are more than 100 types of minerals in Turkey. The country has many types of ore, mining, chemical, fuel and energy raw materials. First of all, we should mention tungsten, copper ores, borates, marble, coal, etc. Turkey accounts for 25% of the world's mercury reserves.

Climate.

Türkiye is a predominantly mountainous country. In this regard, the country's climate is on average mountainous in nature and features continental climate. Summers in Turkey are universally hot and dry, winters are snowy and cold.

Population.

The main population of the country is Turks. The country has never conducted a population census based on ethnic composition.

More than half a million Arabs live compactly in the southeast of Turkey. In large cities, especially in Istanbul, Assyrians are also numerous. The Jews of Turkey, who make up approximately 0.1% of the population in Turkey and live in large cities, consider themselves Turks who profess Judaism. Greeks, Albanians, Georgians, Azerbaijanis and representatives of many other nations live throughout the country, mainly in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and other large cities. Several thousand Russians permanently live in Turkey.

By religion, Turks are Muslims.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey.

Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Turkey and administrative center province of the same name. The second largest city and an important political and economic center of the country.

Mausoleum of Atotürk.

Of course, the Ataturk Mausoleum is the most visited and attractive attraction in Ankara. Located on the territory of a carefully protected huge park. The best craftsmen from Egypt, Spain, Italy and Germany worked on its creation.

The features of ancient Egyptian tombs are clearly visible in the architectural details and decorative design of this structure. WITH observation platforms The mausoleum offers a magnificent all-round panorama of central part Ankara. In the halls of the Mausoleum, in addition to the tomb with the ashes of Ataturk, there are several museum exhibitions, including cars that the beloved leader of the Turkish people liked to ride in.

Ataturk died on November 10, 1938 at the fifty-seventh year of his life. The founder of the Turkish Republic, the Great Leader of the Turkish War of Liberation and the man who implemented great reforms, Ataturk spent his life fighting for the independence of the Turkish people and for Turkey to reach the level of progressive countries. It was under his leadership that Türkiye with its state system reached the level of modern civilization. The idea arose of building a mausoleum that would emphasize the greatness of this man with its entire appearance, reflecting his principles and ideas aimed at the development of the country. This was the desire of the Turkish people, mourning the loss of the Great Leader.

Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a state in southwest Asia. The capital is the city of Tehran. Iran is one of ancient states in the world. Iran is one of the most technologically developed countries in the region.

Iran has an arid climate. Along the coast of the Caspian Sea - subtropical. In the north of the country in winter the temperature often drops below 0°, in July it occasionally reaches 30°. In summer, temperatures in deserts can exceed 40°. In the west of Iran, in the Zagros Mountains, winter temperatures are almost always below 0°, with heavy snowfall and strong winds. On the plains along the coast of the Persian Gulf, winters are generally mild and summers are hot and humid.

Main cities.

Tehran is the capital and The largest city Iran and one of largest cities Asia. Political, economic, transport, trade, financial and cultural center of the country.

Mashhemd is a city in northeastern Iran, the administrative center of the Razavi Khorasan province. Population: more than 2.5 million people.

Keremj is a city in northern Iran, a suburb of Tehran, located at the foot of the Elbrus Mountains. Population - 1223 thousand inhabitants. Keredj is an important transport center through which all cargo heading to Tehran from the Caspian Sea passes.

Isfahamn is a city in Iran on the banks of the Zayandeh River, located 340 km south of Tehran. The administrative center of Isfahan province, the third largest city in Iran. Population - 1583 thousand people

Tabriz is a city of 1.4 million people near Lake Uremia in Iran, the administrative center of the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan.

Shiraz is a city in southern Iran, the administrative center of Fars province. Shiraz is located in the valley of the small Khoshk River in the Zagros Mountains at an altitude of more than 1500 meters above sea level.

Qom is a city in Iran. Population: more than a million inhabitants. Qom is the holy city of the Shiites and the city is growing rapidly. The school of Muslim theology in Qom is considered the second most important among Shiites after the school in Najaf.

Ahvaz is a city in western Iran, the administrative center of Khuzestan. Located on the banks of the Karun River. Population - about 841 thousand. An important center of the metallurgical industry.

Iraq

The Republic of Iraq is a state in the Middle East, in the Mesopotamian lowland, in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Iraq has large oil and natural gas reserves.

The climate in Iraq is continental, with dry, hot summers and relatively rainy, cool winters, subtropical in the north, tropical in the south. Average January temperatures increase from north to south from 7 to 12? C, average July temperatures are 34? C everywhere. Annual precipitation is 50-150 mm on the plains and up to 1500 mm in the mountains. Dust storms are common in the south in summer.

Capital Baghdad.

Baghdad is located almost in the center of Iraq, on the banks of the Tigris River, not far from the mouth of the Diyala River. Natural vegetation is represented mainly by comb grass, date palm, and in the coastal zone - salt marsh grasses, reeds, reeds, and willow. The population of Baghdad before the start of hostilities with the United States was over 5 million people. However, as a result of the death of some of the city’s residents, as well as the emigration of Baghdad residents to other cities of the country and beyond, the number of the urban population has decreased significantly; there is currently no exact data. The national composition of the city's population is represented mainly by Arabs, as well as Kurds, Turks, Assyrians, Armenians, Jews, etc. State language Arabic is a widely spoken language, and Kurdish has received official status.

Syria

The Syrian Arab Republic is a state in the Middle East. The population of Syria is 20 million people. The capital is Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

The climate is generally arid. The average annual precipitation does not exceed 100 mm. average temperature in January - 7°, in July - 26.

Capital Damascus.

Damascus is the capital of Syria. One of the oldest cities in the world.

Sights of Damascus:

Sayida Zeinab Mosque

Sayida Rakaya Mosque

Umayyad Mosque - the largest mosque in Syria

Damascus Cathedral

Cathedral of the Virgin Mary

House of Saint Ananias

St. Paul's Chapel

Roman Catholic Cathedral

St. John's Church

Lavra of St. Paul

Sanctuary of St. George

Old houses

Azem Palace

Bayt al-Akkad

Maktab Anbar

Bayt al-Mamluk

Lebanon

Lebanon is a small mountainous state in the Middle East. The population of Lebanon is about 4 million people. The republic stands out in the Arab world for its extreme religious diversity.

Characteristic for Lebanon Mediterranean climate. In coastal regions, winters tend to be cool and summers are humid and hot. In winter, in the mountains the temperature drops below 0°, and snow is possible. Although the average annual rainfall in Lebanon is much higher than in neighboring countries, in the northeast, an arid climate prevails, as the mountains block the flow of moist air from the sea. Sand and dust storms occur frequently.

In ancient Lebanon, forests of Lebanese cedar grew in huge quantities, which became a symbol of the country. For centuries, trees were cut down without replanting as the main material in shipbuilding. This led to the fact that by the 20th century, only isolated islands of greenery remained in place of the richest forests.

Capital Beirut.

Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, a large sea ​​port. Beirut is the most important financial and banking center of the entire Middle East. In addition, many international organizations are based in Beirut. The population is 70% Muslim and 30% Christian.

Currently, the city center has been largely restored, and city architects are building a new Beirut with high-rise buildings, commercial complexes and cultural centers.

Jordan

Jordan - Arab state in the Middle East. About 90% is desert and semi-desert.

Tourists visiting Jordan can visit the beaches and coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba, where undersea world You can see the beauty of the Dead Sea and ancient monuments almost from the shore. But the largest number of tourists is attracted by one of the new seven wonders of the world - Petra.

Museums and libraries.

The national heritage is preserved in three small museums in Amman: the Archaeological Museum, located in the city's citadel, the Folklore Museum, located in the lower galleries of the Roman amphitheater in the city center, and the National Art Museum, which houses the work of local artists. In Madaba, the museum, which occupies several old city buildings, houses a collection of late Byzantine mosaics.

Pemtra - ancient city. Located on the territory of modern Jordan, at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level and 660 m above the surrounding area, the Arava Valley, in the narrow Siq canyon. The territory of Petra occupies a large area. From the center, where the ruins of numerous buildings are well preserved, no longer rock-built, but built in the traditional way, from stone, it extends for several kilometers.

Capital Amman

Ammamn is the capital of Jordan and the largest city in the country. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Population: 2.5 million people.

Geography.

The city is located 65 km east of Jerusalem, on seven hills, which are represented on the Jordanian flag by a seven-pointed star.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island state on the archipelago of the same name in the Persian Gulf in South-West Asia, the smallest Arab state. Capital Manama.

Geography

Area - 620 km?.

Coastline: 161 km.

Bahrain occupies three relatively large and many small islands 16 km east of the coast of Saudi Arabia and is connected to this country by a road bridge.

Qatar is a state in southwest Asia, located on the Qatar Peninsula in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Population.

40% of the population are Arabs. There are also people from Pakistan, India, Iran, and other countries. Official language- Arabic, English is widely spoken. The state religion is Sunni Islam, Iranians are Shiites.

Almost the entire territory of the country is desert. In the north there is a low sandy plain with rare oases, covered with moving sands; in the middle part of the peninsula there is a rocky desert with areas of salt marshes; in the south there are high sandy hills. The climate is continental tropical, dry. In summer, temperatures often rise to 50 °C. The peninsula is poor in water. There are no permanent rivers; most of the water has to be obtained through sea desalination. Underground fresh water sources and oases are located mainly in the north of the country. Animal world poor, dominated by reptiles and rodents.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a state in southwest Asia in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Geography.

The United Arab Emirates occupies an area shaped like a rhinoceros horn, which protrudes into Persian Gulf from the northeastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE borders Saudi Arabia in the south and west, and with Oman in the east.

The climate of the country is tropical desert. There are often sandstorms. The temperature in summer is 35-40 degrees C, often reaching 50, and in winter in the daytime it is 20-23 degrees, colder at night, but frosts are extremely rare, precipitation is irregular.

Population.

The population of the United Arab Emirates is approximately 4.5 million people, of which ethnic Arabs make up only a third, and indigenous people make up 11%. The rest are from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other south Asian countries who immigrated to the UAE as temporary workers. 85% of people living in the country are not its citizens. Arab immigrants are represented mainly by Palestinian refugees.

Oman is a state in Southwest Asia, in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula.

Geographic data.

In the northeast of the country, along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, the coastal plain of Al Batinah, the most developed and densely populated part of the country, stretches in a narrow strip. A vast area to the west of this plain is occupied by the El-Hajar-el-Gharbi mountains. Some peaks reach 3000 m ( highest point- 3353 m). In the middle part of the country there is a low plateau, largely covered with sand. Its average height is 500 m. In the southern part of the country, Dhofar, mountains rise, the highest along the southern coast - up to 1678 m. There are no permanent rivers in Oman. All rivers have only periodic flow, mainly in winter.

Vegetation is poor. There are groves of tamarisk, fig, plane and oak in the mountains, but their total area is small. There are savannas in the foothills. In the northern and south coast there are palm groves.

In the middle part of Oman there is a desert; there are areas completely devoid of any vegetation.

The fauna is quite diverse. Lots of sand gazelles and rodents. Predators live here: striped hyena, jackal, fox. Lots of birds. There are very numerous reptiles - agamas, foot-and-mouth disease, geckos, chameleons, as well as arachnids - phalanges, scorpions.

The capital is Muscat.

Muscat is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. The territory of Muscat with its suburbs covers an area of ​​about 1500 km². Since Oman's modernization began in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructure development and urbanization, and, as is common in other cities around the world, neighboring towns have gradually merged into the metropolis.

Attractions.

Sultan Qaboos Mosque - In 1992, Sultan Qaboos decreed that his country of Oman should have its own Grand Mosque. A competition was held in 1993, construction began in 1995. Construction work took six years and four months.