Interesting facts about Asian countries. Interesting facts about Asia. China has only one time zone

100 interesting facts about Asia
1. Asia is considered the largest continent on the planet in terms of population and area.
2. More than 4 billion people make up the population of Asia, in percentage terms this is 60% of the total population of the Earth.
3. Lives in India and China greatest number population of Asia.
4. In the west, the borders of Asia extend from Ural mountains to the Suez Canal.
5. In the south, Asia is washed by the Black and Caspian Seas.
6. The Indian Ocean washes Asia in the south.
7. In the east, Asia borders the Pacific Ocean.
8. The Arctic Ocean washes the shores of Asia in the north.
9. Asia can be roughly divided into seven subcontinents.
10. India, Japan and China are considered among the leading economic countries in Asia.
11. Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo are the three dominant financial centers.
12. Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism are the main religions of Asia.
13. More than 8527 km is the width of Asia.
14. Mount Everest is the highest mountain, which is located in Asia.
15. The Dead Sea, which is located in Asia, is the lowest point above ground level.
16. Asia is considered the cradle of human civilization.
17. Asia has more than ten of the longest rivers.
18. Asia has a huge number of the highest mountains.
19. The shallow inland sea of ​​the Indian Ocean is called Persian Gulf.
20. 85% of the territory of Siberia is permafrost.
21. Tejen most long river Asia.
22. On the Angara River there is the largest reservoir in the world.
23. Bamboo is the tallest plant on Earth.
24. The Indian rattan palm is the longest plant in the world.
25. In the Indian mountains on the very high point plants grow in the world.
26. Similar natural conditions have two neighboring islands Sumatra and Java.
27. People Asian countries they are not afraid to settle at the foot of functioning volcanoes.
28. The birthday of every Vietnamese is considered New Year.
29. New Year in Thailand is called Songkran.
30. In April, Thailand celebrates the New Year.
31. B Chinese city Dongguan is home to the largest shopping center.
32. North Korea celebrates its version of Christmas.
33. December 27 is Constitution Day in Korea.
34. The territory of modern China can cover five time zones.
35. There is a sense of Chinese unity in the same time zone.
36. Excess weight is prohibited by Japanese law.
37. A third of the world's population is made up of India and China.
38. More than 500 years of Muslim traditions.
39. Eating only with your right hand is an exotic custom in India.
40. Children in China are named in honor of important events.
41. Analytical and individual thinking is more typical for residents of Eastern cultures.
42. Residents of Asian countries are susceptible to the collectivist-holistic direction.
43. Some Asian countries do not have separate designations for green and blue.
44. In Asian countries, various herbs and spices are worth their weight in gold.
45. A large garbage pit is located in the square Pacific Ocean.
46. ​​Residents of Asia can easily carry objects of different weights on their heads.
47. India has a larger population than South and North America.
48. It is in Asia that will be located in the future tense The largest city peace.
49. Istanbul is the most unusual city Asia.
50. The famous Bosphorus Bay crosses the Asian expanse.
51. Eastern women are distinguished by modesty and purity.
52. The cow is considered a sacred animal in most Asian countries.
53. Snake spelling is considered a fairly ancient profession.
54. The famous dish “sushi” originated in South Asia.
55. Uzbekistan ranks fourth in the world in terms of gold reserves.
56. The Asian country of Uzbekistan is one of the world's five cotton producers.
57. The seventh place in the world is occupied by Asian countries in terms of the amount of uranium.
58. Asia is among the top ten countries in the world for copper production.
59. The Tashkent TV Tower is considered the largest television tower in Asia.
60. Almost all of Mercedes buses are public transport in Tashkent.
61. Mirzachul melons are considered the most delicious in the world.
62. At night you can see the clear starry sky in Tashkent.
63. It is in Asia that you can find fresh and natural fruits.
64. India is considered the great Asian paradise.
65. Türkiye is famous for its unique combination of Western and Eastern traditions.
66. The Philippine Islands consist of more than 7,000 islands.
67. Today, Singapore is considered a developed city-state.
68. One of the most popular places Indonesia is considered the world's leading country.
69. The goddess girl can be found in Nepal.
70. One of ancient civilizations China is considered.
71. Famous for its rich heritage and culture South Korea.
72. In industrial terms, Taiwan is considered the most industrialized country.
73. In “Nippon” the Japanese call their country.
74. Asia is considered the fastest growing continent.
75. The territory of South Asia is considered contrasting and unique.
76. Southeast Asia is considered the most densely populated part of the world.
77. More than 600 dialects can be found in Asian countries.
78. Tourists consider Nepal to be the kingdom of spirits and mystics.
79. The country of monks is Myanmar.
80. The best resort in Asia is Thailand.
81. The island of Bali will delight guests with exotic nature and optimal climate.
82. You can observe the life of orangutans on Sepilok Island.
83. The Komodo dragon lives on Komodo Island.
84. The largest marine aquarium in Singapore.
85. Rainforests and mountains occupy the largest part Asia.
86. The continent of love and romance is considered to be Asia.
87. The Philippines is the only Christian country.
88. Vietnam has the cheapest diving in the world.
89. Malaysia is a great place for servers.
90. The most muddy and thermal springs in Sri Lanka.
91. The beaches of Bali are considered the best for surfing.
92. The islands of Sumatra, Taiwan and Borneo are the most populated islands in Asia.
93. The largest river in the world passes through Asia.
94. One of the best minerals in the world is found in Asia.
95. When part of Asia was considered under the control of the USSR.
96. The Silk Road once passed through the former part of Asia.
97. There is a rare endangered species of tigers in Asia.
98. There are more than a hundred exotic species of pandas in Asia.
99. The peoples of Asia were once ruled by the Taliban.
100. Japan is considered the most developed country in Asia.
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Two Oceans, thirty seas, one hundred thousand islands, best airlines peace and much more - that's what awaits you in South-East Asia! The countries of Southeast Asia attract the opportunity to get everything at once in one trip. Wonderful climate, magnificent beaches, diving and surfing opportunities, sea ​​cruises, exotic nature, unusual cuisine, ancient temples and palaces, noisy festivals, excellent shopping - this list can be continued for a long time.

Vietnam.

1. Stunningly beautiful landscape. A riot of colors. Year-round flowering of nature. Beautiful beaches. The extraordinary beauty of ancient architectural monuments.

2. “Bait” ​​for tourists: diving here is excellent and the cheapest in the world.

3. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) – a city of chaos, neon lights and friendly people.

4. Fabulous beauty, clean deserted beaches and low prices. It’s as if everything was created for a perfect holiday!

5. Vietnam is one of the most mysterious and amazing countries in Southeast Asia. There is no sweltering heat here, the sun is soft and gentle, the air is humid and clean, the water is clear and inviting - Vietnam has everything you need to relax, to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle and be filled with a charge of vivacity and energy.

6. For those who appreciate natural beauty there is the very popular West Lake, Xuan Huong Lake, Cam Chi Waterfalls, Thong Nyat Park, where the Flower Festival is regularly held, Chua Mot Kot Pagoda, and the Valley of Love.

7. Vietnamese cuisine has also absorbed the traditions of French cuisine - this can be seen in the abundance of pates and cheeses that can be bought everywhere. A minimum of fat, a maximum of fresh vegetables and fruits, and seafood make Vietnamese food popular not only among sophisticated gourmets, but also among fans of healthy eating.

8. Phan Thiet is very popular resort Vietnam. Phan Thiet is great for family vacation. This is a quiet and cozy resort. With sandy beaches and wonderful comfortable hotels.

9. Nha Trang is one of the best holiday destinations in the country. The city itself is also known as a medical resort: there is a clinic for mud therapy and mineral water treatment of joints and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and some skin diseases, diseases of the nervous system, lungs and bronchi are also treated here.

10. Fu Kuok - the most big Island in Vietnam, with an area equal to Singapore. Beautiful sandy beaches, planted coconut trees, framed here by virgin tropical forests. There are two large pearl plantations on the island - Japanese and American, which is why Phu Quoc is often called the “pearl island”.

Indonesia.

1. Among the mind-boggling number of islands that make up Indonesia (and there are 17,508 of them!), only about 6,000 are actually inhabited. The largest islands of Indonesia are Java, Sumatra, New Guinea(New Guinea), Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

2. The island of Bali has long been the most popular destination in Indonesia. The beautiful landscapes of this picturesque corner attract tourists and nature lovers from all continents of the globe. Tourists can expect a lot of interesting things here. The greatest demand is for cultural events and dances, fine leather items, and foot-tapping music.

3. Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world.

4. Another feature of Indonesia is that this country has a very diverse culture, its inhabitants speak 580 languages ​​and dialects.

5. Island of Java - world famous temple complexes of Borobudur (third largest Buddhist temple world - Borobudur (8th century) near Yogyakarta. Its height is 34 m, and its area is 12.3 thousand square meters. m.) and Prambanan.

6. Komodo - it is part of Komodo national park of worldwide significance. Founded in 1980, the park covers the territory of three large volcanic islands (Komodo, Rinca and Padar). The largest land lizard on the planet lives here - the famous Komodo dragon, or monitor lizard (Varanus komodoensis), of which there are several hundred individuals.

7. Flores Islands. Most famous volcano Flores is the Kelimutu volcano, whose height is 1.639 m. There are three crater lakes change color from time to time and it is not yet fully understood what exactly leads to this change.

8. Ubud - old City in the central mountainous part of the island of Bali, located 10 km north of Denpasar at an altitude of 600 m above sea level. Ubud is considered cultural center islands. There are a large number of museums here.

9. Sumatra - there are many active volcanoes on the island and near it.

10. Kalimantan Island (also Borneo) is a large island (the third largest in the world by territory), the only island in the world divided between three recognized states: Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Malaysia.

1. Malaysia is a country of smiles and unique, varied delights that attract guests.

2. A charming land of warmth and kindness, in any corner of which you can get acquainted with Real Asia and become a part of it.

3. Ultra-modern architecture and unique nature.

4. The country is endowed with evergreen forests and beautiful coastal waters with unique wildlife and amazing flora and fauna for this part of the planet.

5. In Malaysia you can choose: or spend time in modern city with its shops and entertainment venues, or lie in the sun on the white sand by the sea.

6. At your service are ecotourism and mountaineering in the area of ​​Mount Kinabulu, one of the highest peaks in the region.

7. You can watch the life of orangutans in Sepilok or scuba dive around Sipadan Island.

8. Visit the most high building Petrones business center in the world.

9. Malaysia has something for everyone: historian, businessman, tourist, holidaymaker or city lover.

10. Uniquely memorable is spending a family vacation in Malaysia, about which the English writer Somerset Maugham, having visited Penang, wrote: “If you have not seen this place, you have not seen the world.”

Thailand.

1. Picturesque nature, magnificent beaches, unconventional culture, genuine hospitality local population, unique religious buildings and ancient ruins - all this attracts, like a magnet, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world.

2. Thais are unusually polite, friendly and hospitable, especially towards visitors.

3. Today, Thailand has preserved the face of its unique culture. This is largely due to the fact that, unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand was never colonized by Europeans.

4 There are five representatives of Thailand on the UNESCO list of the most valuable world heritage sites. We are talking about natural reserves and archaeological sites of the past.

5. The best drag queen shows in Southeast Asia. Theatrical performances where the actors are transvestites. Some of them are participants in international beauty contests.

6. Thai cuisine is famous for its combination of four taste components - salty, sweet, sour and bitter. But if a tourist is afraid to eat rather peculiar Thai dishes, there is no problem: Thailand offers cuisines from almost all countries of the world.

7. In Thailand, skyscrapers and antiquity, permissiveness and law-abidingness, low prices and super infrastructure coexist harmoniously. Having been there at least once, you will want to return there again and again.

8. Holidays in Thailand are a great opportunity to spend your holiday relaxing on snow-white beaches ocean, under the dazzlingly bright sun.

9. Amateurs and diving professionals also gather annually in Thailand: the marine flora and fauna of the region is distinguished by an unforgettable riot of colors, so diving clear waters ocean and a walk to the coral reefs will leave an indelible impression of the trip!

10. Thailand is a country of orchids and shimmering sapphires, clear rivers and impenetrable jungles.

Singapore.

1. In Singapore you can make the purchases you have dreamed of all your life.

2. Singapore amazes with its variety of popular nightlife spots. Many clubs are located on embankments and in the tallest buildings in the country.

3. Singapore Night Safari is the world's first park specifically designed for observing animals at night.

4. The Singapore Zoo is considered one of the best in the world.

5. The Fountain of Wealth was created according to Feng Shui philosophy and since 1998 it has been the largest in the world.

6. The tallest Ferris wheel in Asia, the Singapore flyer, is 165 meters high.

7. Botanical Garden with 20,000 plants - Oceanarium 2,500 sea creatures of 250 varieties - 4-dimensional cinema.

8. Architectural masterpiece the Esplanade Theater and the huge Wild Wild Wet water park.

9. Bird Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the world, the territory of which is inhabited by 8,000 birds of 600 species collected from all over the planet.

10.Today, Sentosa remains the best resort in Singapore, a tropical paradise, museums and nature reserve rolled into one.

Philippines.

1. This is one of the few places on Earth where you understand that Magic word"exotic" has not yet lost its original meaning.

2. Four Philippine attractions were in the top ten contenders for a place in the list of seven new wonders of nature.

3. Rice terraces are an incredible and ancient creation of human hands, created more than 2000 years ago.

4. On the island of Bohol you will meet the smallest monkey in the world - the tarsier.

5. The beaches of the Philippine islands are considered the best in the world.

6. Here you can meet whales during a boat trip, and undersea world will amaze you with the variety of corals and the living creatures inhabiting them.

7. Manila has the largest shopping center in Asia.

8. Prices in the Philippines for services and goods will pleasantly surprise you.

9. The Philippines is the third largest English-speaking country in the world and the only Christian state in Asia.

10. Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit the Philippines.

Myanmar.

1. Myanmar is a country that has not yet been spoiled by tourism and tourists and is therefore unusually hospitable

2. Myanmar has the largest concentration of Buddhist historical sites in the world

3. About half of the country's population are monks. Monks in Myanmar are incredibly revered

4. On the mountain lake Inle, you will plunge into the world of people who built their homes and temples on the water, living according to other laws, unusual for Europeans, in another time dimension

5. Incredibly friendly and helpful people await you here, not to mention the service staff

6. Yangon - the capital of Myanmar, is considered the cleanest city in Southeast Asia from an environmental point of view

7. Due to the low number of visitors to the country, the sea and beaches here are pristine

8. You will spend an indecently small amount on all purchases, visits to restaurants and souvenirs.

9. In Myanmar, namely in Mandalay, you will see the largest book in the world, which takes monks 450 days to read

10. Only in Myanmar you can take a break from mobile phone calls! There is almost no cell service there!

Sri Lanka.

1. The symbol of Sri Lanka is world-famous Ceylon tea. Sri Lanka ranks 2nd in the world in tea exports.

2. Sri Lanka is the center of world Buddhism. The atmosphere of benevolence and peace that reigns in this country is the result of the deep, centuries-old influence of Buddhist teachings on the worldview and way of life of the Sri Lankans.

3. Sri Lanka can rightfully be proud of any of its incomprehensible landscapes - from golden beaches, caressed Indian Ocean to numerous ridges and slopes forming terraces, rice fields and dense forests.

4. Sri Lanka has been famous for its spices for many centuries. The Spice Garden in Matale gives you the opportunity to see how cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and other exotic plants are grown.

5. There are more than a hundred waterfalls in Sri Lanka. One of the tallest waterfalls in the world with a single stream is the 212-meter Bridal Veil Falls.

6. The largest cave temple in South Asia is the stone temple of the sleeping Buddha. The temple houses the largest collection of Buddha statues, many of which are over 2,000 years old. 73 of them are plated with gold.

7. Newlyweds from all over the world spend an unforgettable honeymoon in Sri Lanka, and exotic wedding ceremonies organized in hotels make this important event in life special.

8. More and more tourists come to Sri Lanka to improve their health. The most ancient treatment methods of Ayurveda and aromatherapy, time-tested and improved by modern technologies, relieve stress, fatigue and discomfort, increase the human body’s resistance to disease, and provide a strong rejuvenating effect.

9. Of the 130 world historical values ​​protected by UNESCO, seven are located on this amazing island

10. The whole world knows traditional Sri Lankan spices, aromatic tea of ​​all kinds, exotic fruits, gems, batik and, of course, the warmth of the friendly hosts of the island. You will have the opportunity to try wonderful traditional dishes, including delicious “curry” - meat or vegetables prepared in a special way with spices and rice.

Nepal.

1. In Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, there are 7 sites that UNESCO included in the list of world heritage sites, including the Buddhist temples of Boudhanath and Swayamboodhanath.

2. If you give a tip to local hermits - Sadhus, then in return you will receive a blessing - a red dot on the forehead, called a tikka.

3. Most streets in Nepalese cities do not have names, so it is quite easy to get lost there.

4. In some cities of Nepal, cars and motorcycles are prohibited.

5. Most of the world's mountains above 8 kilometers are located in Nepal - this attracts climbers and rafters from all over the world.

6. One of the most honorable professions in Nepal is a potter. There is even a special caste of potters.

7. Nepal proudly calls itself “the only Hindu kingdom in the world”: 86.5% of the population are Hindus.

TWO-FACED VIETNAM

I leave Hanoi early in the morning. The sun has just risen. But the streets are clogged with thousands (!) of motorbikes....

Travel around the world in a minute.

Probably everyone would like to have the opportunity to sweep across the world and absorb the beauty of nature from all corners of our planet....

Asia has a great influence on Western world. Amazing discoveries, innovative ideas, philosophy and much more, all of this has a number of advantages for the West. However, with all this influence we are only barely able to touch the slightest surface of the Asian cultural layer. We have selected a dozen unusual facts about Asia, some of which may be puzzling.

The Vietnamese celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar, otherwise called Tet. The duration of the holiday is three whole weeks. Interestingly, in addition to the New Year itself, these numbers lunar calendar are the birthday of all Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese count the number of Tet, that is, if a baby was born one week before the New Year, then he will already be 1 year old. It is curious that the Vietnamese documents still record the date, month, and year of birth.

Shopping center in a ghost town

- a billionaire from China planned in 2005 to build a huge shopping mall, the likes of which cannot be found in all of Asia. The city of Dongguan was chosen as the location for the development, and as it turned out, this was not the best choice.

A huge amount of money was spent on construction New Soth China Mall, which can accommodate 2,350 stores. A copy of the Arc de Triomphe is installed in the center, and a half-kilometer canal with boats is made. Amazingly, 97% of the shopping center territory has never been rented. Now the only workers in this place are security guards.

Why did this happen? Dongguan city has a population of 10 million, but the vast majority of residents are peasants and factory workers. They simply do not have the money to not only buy goods in the shopping center, but even to get to it, because it is located some distance from the residential areas of the city and closer to industrial zones. This is how the unfortunate choice of location played a cruel joke on the Chinese billionaire.

North Koreans don't celebrate Christmas like the rest of the world. As you know, December 24 is the date of Catholic Christmas and it is celebrated in many parts of the world. Many Asian countries do not disdain this, even those where Buddhism is considered the official religion.

The North Korean authorities have strict control over the population, and the emergence of religious groups is immediately cut down in the bud. By the way, the last such group of Christians was discredited in the 80s. But December 24th is still a date, and Koreans have their own Christmas here. They are celebrating the birthday of Kim Jong Il's mother, who coincidentally was born on December 24th.

Japan is considered the slimmer country in the world and this is no coincidence. In the country Rising Sun There is a law according to which citizens cannot be overweight. There are certain regulations - men cannot have a waist larger than 85 centimeters, women - 90 cm. The Japanese say that slender people are healthier.

Those who are unable to control their weight undergo consultations with psychologists and nutritionists. They undertake to undergo a state diet, which is agreed upon by the best doctors in the country. Sanctions are also imposed on companies with a large number of overweight employees. Companies pay large fines, which then go towards healthcare for elderly Japanese.

A third of the world's population

2.5 billion people live in China and India - this is a third of the inhabitants of the entire globe. Amazingly, the numbers continue to grow. For example, Russia, the largest country in the world, has a population of 143 million people. The province of Sichuan alone, in China, has a larger population than Greece or Canada.

In words, countries say they are fighting against such demographics, but in reality they are timid attempts to stop the growing population.

Indian ritual

In the mountain temple Solapur, which in India is carried out unusual ritual. He assumes that a baby who has undergone this action is doomed to a happy life.

So, according to tradition, you need to climb with the baby to a 15-meter height, then push him from there. But of course not on earth, what happiness will there be there? Downstairs they stretch out white sheets and wait for the child to land. Despite the claims of various organizations, the Hindus of this land continue to perform the ritual. According to the locals, not a single injury has been recorded in 500 years.

It is curious that the Chinese like to name their children in honor of some significant events. For example, the Olympic Games were recently held in China, and 4,000 names were recorded in the country.” Ayun", which in translation means - " Olympic Games" This practice is normal in China, and choosing a name only provides a few options due to events in the country.

It's funny, but the more popular names are " Defend your homeland», « Nation building" Yes, yes, this is how the Chinese choose names. 400,000 people now live in China with the name " Civilization", of course this is in our language. “Conquest of space”, “Sputnik launch”, “Space travel” are the norm. Just imagine if in Russia they gave the names “Space Station” or “Constitution Day”.

One time for everyone

The length of China is more than five thousand kilometers, which covers as many as five time zones. However, time flows the same for every province in China. The fact is that in 1949 the authorities decided to unite and unite the nation. A time zone was included in this plan, and the authorities made the time uniform for all provinces. It’s interesting that when the sun rises in Beijing, the residents western provinces They wait another two hours for this, although the hands on the clock show 6:00. They even tried to resist the will of the party and created their own internal time, but the authorities do not approve of this step, but they do not interfere much either.

Malaysia loves to eat

Food is sacred to the Malays. The meal break must be respected and is respected by the whole country. For example, a bus driver can interrupt his route and go to a cafe to have a snack, and this is treated very respectfully, and many go to the cafe with the driver. Imagine if this happens in the Moscow metro.

This is just an isolated case; there is also a very interesting example of the Malays’ love for food. At universities it is not only allowed, but even approved, to eat during lectures. That is, while the teacher explains another example from mathematical analysis on the blackboard, the Malays calmly listen to him and gobble up lunch. It is difficult for people from the Western world to understand such traditions; for them it is wild to stop work in broad daylight, while affecting the time of others. Although in Britain there is time for lunch, and in Spain there is siesta.

Many people believe that the Vietnamese are Buddhists. However, this is a misconception. In fact, only 9% of the country’s population is Buddhist; most of them have their own religion. A kind of cult of ancestral customs, based on a philosophical understanding of nature and the environment. This is very interesting, because throughout its history, Vietnam has more than once been subjected to the arrival of strangers with their own foundations and rules, but it has retained its religion.

Many people in Vietnam hang a mirror on the front door from the street side, as the Vietnamese assure that the evil spirit, seeing itself in the mirror, immediately leaves. Also, if you look closely, you can see many interesting figures in the courtyards, on window sills, and at doors.

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

Classmates

Asia certainly has a huge influence on the 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 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. Locals During this period, we 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 such names 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 were lucky enough to visit the sultry and exotic country They think 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 hygienic reasons, authorities prohibit residents of some Asian countries and cities from keeping 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.