Country Policy Explorer 🗺️
Every country has plans for big problems. Here is what some nations are doing right now — written so anyone in middle school can understand it.
Deep-dive policy dossiers
Japan
Asia · Capital: Tokyo
How it is run: Japan has an emperor for tradition, but the real decisions come from a parliament called the Diet and a prime minister chosen by it.
👥 People
123 million people
🗣️ Languages
Japanese
💰 Money
Japanese yen (¥)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
377,975 km² — a chain of about 14,000 islands
🕊️ United Nations
Joined the UN in 1956
💼 What it makes & sells: Cars, robots, electronics and video games
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050
🎒 School life: Students clean their own classrooms every day instead of hiring janitors.
🧩 Biggest challenge: More grandparents than grandchildren — the population is shrinking.
✨ Did you know? Japan has more vending machines per person than any other country on Earth.
- Environment
Aiming for net-zero carbon by 2050
Japan wants to stop adding extra greenhouse gases to the air by 2050. It is building more solar farms and restarting some nuclear plants to burn less coal and gas.
- Population
Paying families to help with children
Fewer babies are being born, so the government gives money and free childcare to families to make raising kids easier.
- Technology
Robots and AI in daily life
Japan funds robots that help nurses and farmers because there are not enough workers for every job.
Brazil
South America · Capital: Brasília
How it is run: Brazil is a federal republic. People vote for a president and for lawmakers in Congress, a bit like the United States.
👥 People
213 million people
🗣️ Languages
Portuguese
💰 Money
Brazilian real (R$)
🏛️ Leader
President
🗺️ Size
8.5 million km² — the biggest country in South America
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Farming, coffee, soybeans, iron ore and aircraft
🌍 Climate promise: End illegal deforestation and cut emissions 50% by 2030
🎒 School life: Many schools run in two shifts so more students fit in one building.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Protecting the Amazon rainforest while families still need jobs.
✨ Did you know? Brazil always speaks first at the UN General Assembly — a tradition since 1955.
- Environment
Protecting the Amazon rainforest
Brazil promised to stop illegal tree cutting in the Amazon by 2030 and sends rangers to catch loggers who chop trees without permission.
- Food
School meals and family farms
Schools must buy part of their food from small local farms, so students eat fresh food and farmers earn money.
- Energy
Most electricity comes from water
Big rivers spin turbines in dams, so most of Brazil's electricity is already renewable.
Kenya
Africa · Capital: Nairobi
How it is run: Kenya elects a president and a parliament, and the country is split into 47 counties that make many of their own local rules.
👥 People
55 million people
🗣️ Languages
Swahili and English
💰 Money
Kenyan shilling (KSh)
🏛️ Leader
President
🗺️ Size
580,367 km² — savannah, mountains and coastline
🕊️ United Nations
Joined the UN in 1963
💼 What it makes & sells: Tea, flowers, tourism and mobile-money technology
🌍 Climate promise: 100% clean electricity by 2030 (already over 85%)
🎒 School life: Primary and secondary school fees were removed so more kids can attend.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Droughts that dry up crops and water for animals.
✨ Did you know? Nairobi hosts the UN's global environment headquarters — the only one in Africa.
- Environment
One of the world's strictest plastic bag bans
Making, selling or even carrying a single-use plastic bag can bring a big fine. Shoppers use cloth or paper bags instead.
- Energy
Electricity from volcanoes
Kenya taps hot underground steam in the Rift Valley. This geothermal power gives the country lots of clean electricity.
- Money
Paying by phone is normal
Rules made mobile money safe and easy, so people send cash by text message even without a bank account.
Germany
Europe · Capital: Berlin
How it is run: Germany has a chancellor who leads the government and 16 states that share power with the national parliament, the Bundestag.
👥 People
84 million people
🗣️ Languages
German
💰 Money
Euro (€)
🏛️ Leader
Chancellor
🗺️ Size
357,022 km² in the middle of Europe
🕊️ United Nations
Joined the UN in 1973
💼 What it makes & sells: Cars, machines, chemicals and green energy
🌍 Climate promise: Climate neutral by 2045, five years earlier than most of Europe
🎒 School life: Teens can choose an apprenticeship and learn a paid trade instead of college.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Replacing coal and imported gas with wind and solar power quickly.
✨ Did you know? University is free in Germany — even for students from other countries.
- Energy
The 'Energiewende' switch to wind and solar
Germany closed its nuclear plants and is trying to run mostly on wind and sunshine, with a goal of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
- Education
Learn a trade while you study
Teenagers can join apprenticeships where they work at a company a few days a week and go to school the rest.
- Recycling
Deposit on bottles
You pay a little extra for a drink and get the money back when you return the empty bottle to a machine.
Canada
North America · Capital: Ottawa
How it is run: Canada is a parliamentary democracy. Voters choose members of parliament, and the leader of the winning party becomes prime minister.
👥 People
40 million people
🗣️ Languages
English and French
💰 Money
Canadian dollar (C$)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
9.98 million km² — second-largest country in the world
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Energy, forests, farming and technology
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero by 2050 with a rising price on carbon pollution
🎒 School life: Students in many provinces learn both English and French from a young age.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Wildfires and thawing permafrost as the Arctic warms fast.
✨ Did you know? Canada has more lakes than every other country on Earth combined.
- Health
Public health care for everyone
Doctor visits and hospital stays are paid for by taxes, so families do not get a bill when a child gets sick.
- Climate
A price on carbon pollution
Companies pay for the pollution they create. Some of that money is given back to families to help with bills.
- People
Welcoming many new immigrants
Canada plans how many newcomers it invites each year to help fill jobs and grow towns.
India
Asia · Capital: New Delhi
How it is run: India is the world's largest democracy. Hundreds of millions of people vote for a parliament, which picks the prime minister.
👥 People
1.43 billion people — the most of any country
🗣️ Languages
Hindi, English and 20+ other official languages
💰 Money
Indian rupee (₹)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
3.29 million km² from the Himalayas to tropical beaches
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Software, medicines, farming and film
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero by 2070 and 500 GW of clean power by 2030
🎒 School life: Free school lunches feed more than 100 million students every school day.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Giving clean air, water and power to a huge, fast-growing population.
✨ Did you know? India runs the world's largest election — over 900 million people can vote.
- Energy
Huge solar power targets
India is building some of the biggest solar parks on Earth, aiming for 500 gigawatts of clean power by 2030.
- Education
Free school until age 14
A law says every child from 6 to 14 must get free schooling near their home.
- Technology
A digital ID for everyone
Almost everyone has a digital ID number used to get benefits, open bank accounts and prove who they are.
New Zealand
Oceania · Capital: Wellington
How it is run: New Zealand's parliament is elected with a mixed system, so even small parties win seats and have to work together.
👥 People
5.2 million people
🗣️ Languages
English, te reo Māori and NZ Sign Language
💰 Money
New Zealand dollar (NZ$)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
268,021 km² across two main islands
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Dairy, sheep, tourism and film-making
🌍 Climate promise: Net-zero carbon by 2050 and 100% renewable electricity
🎒 School life: Schools teach te reo Māori so the language of the first people keeps growing.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Keeping rivers clean while farming stays a big part of the economy.
✨ Did you know? New Zealand was the first country where women won the right to vote, in 1893.
- Climate
Counting emissions from farms
Cows and sheep burp methane, a strong greenhouse gas, so New Zealand is the first country planning to charge farms for it.
- Nature
Predator Free 2050
The country wants to remove rats, stoats and possums that eat native birds like the kiwi.
- Wellbeing
A 'wellbeing budget'
Instead of only counting money, the budget also measures if people are healthy and happy.
Norway
Europe · Capital: Oslo
How it is run: Norway has a king for ceremonies and a parliament called the Storting that makes the real laws.
👥 People
5.5 million people
🗣️ Languages
Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk) and Sámi
💰 Money
Norwegian krone (kr)
🏛️ Leader
Prime Minister
🗺️ Size
385,207 km² of fjords and Arctic coast
🕊️ United Nations
Founding UN member, 1945
💼 What it makes & sells: Oil and gas, fishing, shipping and hydropower
🌍 Climate promise: Cut emissions 55% by 2030 and be a low-emission society by 2050
🎒 School life: Kids get lots of outdoor time — even in snow — because of 'friluftsliv'.
🧩 Biggest challenge: Selling oil abroad while promising to go green at home.
✨ Did you know? Nearly 9 out of 10 new cars sold in Norway are electric.
- Transport
Almost every new car is electric
Electric cars get lower taxes, free parking and toll discounts, so most new cars sold in Norway are electric.
- Money
Saving oil money for the future
Money earned from oil goes into a giant savings fund so future generations still benefit.
- Family
Long paid leave for new parents
Parents share almost a year of paid time off after a baby is born, and dads must take part of it.
Every UN nation & territory 🌐
All 250 recognised nations and territories, including the 194 United Nations member and observer states you can represent.
AfghanistanKabul · Southern Asia✨ Afghanistan shares its part of the world with Iran. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
Åland IslandsMariehamn · Northern Europe✨ Åland Islands is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
AlbaniaTirana · Southeast Europe✨ Albania sits in Southeast Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
AlgeriaAlgiers · Northern Africa✨ The capital of Algeria is Algiers — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
American SamoaPago Pago · Polynesia✨ American Samoa sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
AndorraAndorra la Vella · Southern Europe✨ Andorra is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
AngolaLuanda · Middle Africa✨ Angola is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
AnguillaThe Valley · Caribbean✨ Anguilla lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
Antarctica— · Antarctic✨ Antarctica sits in Antarctic, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
Antigua and BarbudaSaint John's · Caribbean✨ Antigua and Barbuda is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
ArgentinaBuenos Aires · South America✨ Argentina is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🌊 Famous spot: Iguazú Falls
ArmeniaYerevan · Western Asia✨ Armenia sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
ArubaOranjestad · Caribbean✨ The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
AustraliaCanberra · Australia and New Zealand✨ Australia shares its part of the world with Norfolk Island. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🎭 Famous spot: Sydney Opera House
AustriaVienna · Central Europe✨ Austria sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
👑 Famous spot: Schönbrunn Palace
AzerbaijanBaku · Western Asia✨ The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
BahamasNassau · Caribbean✨ Bahamas is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
BahrainManama · Western Asia✨ Bahrain is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
BangladeshDhaka · Southern Asia✨ The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🕌 Famous spot: Sixty Dome Mosque
BarbadosBridgetown · Caribbean✨ Barbados shares its part of the world with Saint Martin. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
BelarusMinsk · Eastern Europe✨ Belarus shares its part of the world with Ukraine. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
BelgiumBrussels · Western Europe✨ Belgium is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🏰 Famous spot: Grand-Place
BelizeBelmopan · Central America✨ Belize is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
BeninPorto-Novo · Western Africa✨ Benin sits in Western Africa, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
BermudaHamilton · North America✨ Bermuda is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
BhutanThimphu · Southern Asia✨ 🇧🇹 is the flag of Bhutan. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is BT.
BoliviaSucre · South America✨ Bolivia sits in South America, in the southern and western half of the globe.
Bosnia and HerzegovinaSarajevo · Southeast Europe✨ The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Sarajevo — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
BotswanaGaborone · Southern Africa✨ Botswana is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Bouvet Island— · Antarctic✨ Bouvet Island is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
BrazilBrasília · South America✨ Brazil shares its part of the world with Suriname. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🗿 Famous spot: Christ the Redeemer
British Indian Ocean TerritoryDiego Garcia · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of British Indian Ocean Territory is Diego Garcia — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
British Virgin IslandsRoad Town · Caribbean✨ British Virgin Islands is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
BruneiBandar Seri Begawan · South-Eastern Asia✨ The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
BulgariaSofia · Southeast Europe✨ The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Burkina FasoOuagadougou · Western Africa✨ Burkina Faso is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
BurundiGitega · Eastern Africa✨ Burundi is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
CambodiaPhnom Penh · South-Eastern Asia✨ Because of where Cambodia sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
🛕 Famous spot: Angkor Wat
CameroonYaoundé · Middle Africa✨ Cameroon is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
CanadaOttawa · North America✨ Canada sits in North America, in the northern and western half of the globe.
💦 Famous spot: Niagara Falls
Cape VerdePraia · Western Africa✨ Cape Verde sits in Western Africa, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Caribbean NetherlandsKralendijk · Caribbean✨ 🇧🇶 is the flag of Caribbean Netherlands. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is BQ.
Cayman IslandsGeorge Town · Caribbean✨ Cayman Islands is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Central African RepublicBangui · Middle Africa✨ Central African Republic is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
ChadN'Djamena · Middle Africa✨ Chad sits in Middle Africa, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
ChileSantiago · South America✨ Chile is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🏞️ Famous spot: Torres del Paine
ChinaBeijing · Eastern Asia✨ China sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🐉 Famous spot: The Great Wall
Christmas IslandFlying Fish Cove · Australia and New Zealand✨ Christmas Island shares its part of the world with Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
Cocos (Keeling) IslandsWest Island · Australia and New Zealand✨ Cocos (Keeling) Islands shares its part of the world with Norfolk Island. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
ColombiaBogotá · South America✨ 🇨🇴 is the flag of Colombia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is CO.
🏰 Famous spot: Walled city of Cartagena
ComorosMoroni · Eastern Africa✨ Comoros is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Cook IslandsAvarua · Polynesia✨ Cook Islands is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Costa RicaSan José · Central America✨ Costa Rica sits in Central America, in the northern and western half of the globe.
🌋 Famous spot: Arenal Volcano
CroatiaZagreb · Southeast Europe✨ Croatia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
CubaHavana · Caribbean✨ The capital of Cuba is Havana — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🚗 Famous spot: Old Havana
CuraçaoWillemstad · Caribbean✨ Curaçao shares its part of the world with Jamaica. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
CyprusNicosia · Southern Europe✨ Cyprus is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
CzechiaPrague · Central Europe✨ Czechia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
DenmarkCopenhagen · Northern Europe✨ Denmark is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
⛵ Famous spot: Nyhavn harbour
DjiboutiDjibouti · Eastern Africa✨ Djibouti sits in Eastern Africa, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
DominicaRoseau · Caribbean✨ Dominica is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
Dominican RepublicSanto Domingo · Caribbean✨ Dominican Republic is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
DR CongoKinshasa · Middle Africa✨ The capital of DR Congo is Kinshasa — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
EcuadorQuito · South America✨ Ecuador lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
EgyptCairo · Northern Africa✨ Egypt sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
🐫 Famous spot: Pyramids of Giza
El SalvadorSan Salvador · Central America✨ 🇸🇻 is the flag of El Salvador. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is SV.
Equatorial GuineaMalabo · Middle Africa✨ Equatorial Guinea is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
EritreaAsmara · Eastern Africa✨ 🇪🇷 is the flag of Eritrea. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is ER.
EstoniaTallinn · Northern Europe✨ Estonia sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
EswatiniLobamba · Southern Africa✨ Eswatini shares its part of the world with Lesotho. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
EthiopiaAddis Ababa · Eastern Africa✨ Ethiopia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
⛪ Famous spot: Rock churches of Lalibela
Falkland IslandsStanley · South America✨ Falkland Islands sits in South America, in the southern and western half of the globe.
Faroe IslandsTórshavn · Northern Europe✨ Faroe Islands sits in Northern Europe, in the northern and western half of the globe.
FijiSuva · Melanesia✨ Fiji sits in Melanesia, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
FinlandHelsinki · Northern Europe✨ Finland sits in Northern Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🏰 Famous spot: Suomenlinna sea fortress
FranceParis · Western Europe✨ France is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🗼 Famous spot: The Eiffel Tower
French GuianaCayenne · South America✨ French Guiana is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
French PolynesiaPapeetē · Polynesia✨ French Polynesia is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
French Southern and Antarctic LandsPort-aux-Français · Antarctic✨ French Southern and Antarctic Lands sits in Antarctic, in the southern and eastern half of the globe.
GabonLibreville · Middle Africa✨ Gabon lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
GambiaBanjul · Western Africa✨ The capital of Gambia is Banjul — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
GeorgiaTbilisi · Western Asia✨ Georgia shares its part of the world with Yemen. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
GermanyBerlin · Western Europe✨ Germany is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏛️ Famous spot: Brandenburg Gate
GhanaAccra · Western Africa✨ The capital of Ghana is Accra — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏰 Famous spot: Cape Coast Castle
GibraltarGibraltar · Southern Europe✨ Gibraltar shares its part of the world with Andorra. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
GreeceAthens · Southern Europe✨ Greece is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏛️ Famous spot: The Acropolis
GreenlandNuuk · North America✨ Greenland shares its part of the world with Canada. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🧊 Famous spot: Ilulissat Icefjord
GrenadaSt. George's · Caribbean✨ Grenada shares its part of the world with Cayman Islands. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
GuadeloupeBasse-Terre · Caribbean✨ Guadeloupe is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
GuamHagåtña · Micronesia✨ Guam shares its part of the world with Palau. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
GuatemalaGuatemala City · Central America✨ Guatemala is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
GuernseySt. Peter Port · Northern Europe✨ Guernsey sits in Northern Europe, in the northern and western half of the globe.
GuineaConakry · Western Africa✨ The capital of Guinea is Conakry — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
Guinea-BissauBissau · Western Africa✨ Guinea-Bissau is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
GuyanaGeorgetown · South America✨ Guyana is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
HaitiPort-au-Prince · Caribbean✨ Haiti is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands— · Antarctic✨ Heard Island and McDonald Islands is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
HondurasTegucigalpa · Central America✨ Honduras sits in Central America, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Hong KongCity of Victoria · Eastern Asia✨ Hong Kong shares its part of the world with China. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
HungaryBudapest · Central Europe✨ Hungary shares its part of the world with Poland. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏛️ Famous spot: Hungarian Parliament
IcelandReykjavik · Northern Europe✨ Iceland is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
💦 Famous spot: Gullfoss waterfall
IndiaNew Delhi · Southern Asia✨ The capital of India is New Delhi — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🕌 Famous spot: The Taj Mahal
IndonesiaJakarta · South-Eastern Asia✨ 🇮🇩 is the flag of Indonesia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is ID.
🛕 Famous spot: Borobudur temple
IranTehran · Southern Asia✨ Iran sits in Southern Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🕌 Famous spot: Naqsh-e Jahan Square
IraqBaghdad · Western Asia✨ Iraq sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
IrelandDublin · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Ireland is Dublin — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🌊 Famous spot: Cliffs of Moher
Isle of ManDouglas · Northern Europe✨ Isle of Man shares its part of the world with Sweden. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
IsraelJerusalem · Western Asia✨ Israel sits in Western Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🕍 Famous spot: Old City of Jerusalem
ItalyRome · Southern Europe✨ The capital of Italy is Rome — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏛️ Famous spot: The Colosseum
Ivory CoastYamoussoukro · Western Africa✨ Ivory Coast shares its part of the world with Gambia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
JamaicaKingston · Caribbean✨ 🇯🇲 is the flag of Jamaica. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is JM.
💦 Famous spot: Dunn's River Falls
JapanTokyo · Eastern Asia✨ Because of where Japan sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
⛩️ Famous spot: Fushimi Inari shrine
JerseySaint Helier · Northern Europe✨ Jersey sits in Northern Europe, in the northern and western half of the globe.
JordanAmman · Western Asia✨ Jordan shares its part of the world with Azerbaijan. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏜️ Famous spot: Petra
KazakhstanAstana · Central Asia✨ Kazakhstan sits in Central Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
KenyaNairobi · Eastern Africa✨ Kenya is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🦁 Famous spot: Maasai Mara
KiribatiSouth Tarawa · Micronesia✨ Kiribati is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
KosovoPristina · Southeast Europe✨ Kosovo is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
KuwaitKuwait City · Western Asia✨ Kuwait sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
KyrgyzstanBishkek · Central Asia✨ 🇰🇬 is the flag of Kyrgyzstan. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is KG.
LaosVientiane · South-Eastern Asia✨ Laos lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
LatviaRiga · Northern Europe✨ Latvia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
LebanonBeirut · Western Asia✨ Lebanon is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
LesothoMaseru · Southern Africa✨ Lesotho is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
LiberiaMonrovia · Western Africa✨ Liberia is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
LibyaTripoli · Northern Africa✨ Libya is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
LiechtensteinVaduz · Western Europe✨ Liechtenstein is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
LithuaniaVilnius · Northern Europe✨ The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
LuxembourgLuxembourg · Western Europe✨ 🇱🇺 is the flag of Luxembourg. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is LU.
Macau— · Eastern Asia✨ Macau is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
MadagascarAntananarivo · Eastern Africa✨ Madagascar is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
MalawiLilongwe · Eastern Africa✨ Malawi lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
MalaysiaKuala Lumpur · South-Eastern Asia✨ Malaysia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🏙️ Famous spot: Petronas Twin Towers
MaldivesMalé · Southern Asia✨ The capital of Maldives is Malé — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
MaliBamako · Western Africa✨ The capital of Mali is Bamako — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
MaltaValletta · Southern Europe✨ Malta is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Marshall IslandsMajuro · Micronesia✨ The capital of Marshall Islands is Majuro — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
MartiniqueFort-de-France · Caribbean✨ Martinique is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
MauritaniaNouakchott · Western Africa✨ The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
MauritiusPort Louis · Eastern Africa✨ Mauritius lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
MayotteMamoudzou · Eastern Africa✨ Mayotte is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
MexicoMexico City · North America✨ Mexico is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🛕 Famous spot: Chichén Itzá
MicronesiaPalikir · Micronesia✨ 🇫🇲 is the flag of Micronesia. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is FM.
MoldovaChișinău · Eastern Europe✨ Moldova sits in Eastern Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
MonacoMonaco · Western Europe✨ Monaco is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
MongoliaUlan Bator · Eastern Asia✨ Mongolia sits in Eastern Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
MontenegroPodgorica · Southeast Europe✨ Montenegro sits in Southeast Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
MontserratPlymouth · Caribbean✨ Montserrat is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
MoroccoRabat · Northern Africa✨ Morocco shares its part of the world with Western Sahara. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🫖 Famous spot: Jemaa el-Fnaa square
MozambiqueMaputo · Eastern Africa✨ 🇲🇿 is the flag of Mozambique. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is MZ.
MyanmarNaypyidaw · South-Eastern Asia✨ Myanmar lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
NamibiaWindhoek · Southern Africa✨ Namibia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
NauruYaren · Micronesia✨ Nauru is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
NepalKathmandu · Southern Asia✨ 🇳🇵 is the flag of Nepal. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is NP.
🛕 Famous spot: Boudhanath Stupa
NetherlandsAmsterdam · Western Europe✨ Netherlands is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🌬️ Famous spot: Kinderdijk windmills
New CaledoniaNouméa · Melanesia✨ New Caledonia is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
New ZealandWellington · Australia and New Zealand✨ New Zealand shares its part of the world with Norfolk Island. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🏞️ Famous spot: Milford Sound
NicaraguaManagua · Central America✨ Nicaragua lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
NigerNiamey · Western Africa✨ Niger is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
NigeriaAbuja · Western Africa✨ The capital of Nigeria is Abuja — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🌉 Famous spot: Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge
NiueAlofi · Polynesia✨ Niue is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Norfolk IslandKingston · Australia and New Zealand✨ Norfolk Island sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
North KoreaPyongyang · Eastern Asia✨ Because of where North Korea sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
North MacedoniaSkopje · Southeast Europe✨ North Macedonia sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
Northern Mariana IslandsSaipan · Micronesia✨ Northern Mariana Islands is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
NorwayOslo · Northern Europe✨ Norway shares its part of the world with Jersey. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
⛰️ Famous spot: Geirangerfjord
OmanMuscat · Western Asia✨ Oman is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
PakistanIslamabad · Southern Asia✨ Pakistan is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🕌 Famous spot: Badshahi Mosque
PalauNgerulmud · Micronesia✨ The capital of Palau is Ngerulmud — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
PalestineRamallah · Western Asia✨ Palestine sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
PanamaPanama City · Central America✨ Panama sits in Central America, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Papua New GuineaPort Moresby · Melanesia✨ Because of where Papua New Guinea sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
ParaguayAsunción · South America✨ Paraguay is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
PeruLima · South America✨ Peru is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🏔️ Famous spot: Machu Picchu
PhilippinesManila · South-Eastern Asia✨ The capital of Philippines is Manila — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🌾 Famous spot: Banaue rice terraces
Pitcairn IslandsAdamstown · Polynesia✨ Pitcairn Islands is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
PolandWarsaw · Central Europe✨ Poland sits in Central Europe, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
🏰 Famous spot: Kraków Main Square
PortugalLisbon · Southern Europe✨ 🇵🇹 is the flag of Portugal. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is PT.
🗼 Famous spot: Belém Tower
Puerto RicoSan Juan · Caribbean✨ The capital of Puerto Rico is San Juan — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
QatarDoha · Western Asia✨ Qatar is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🏛️ Famous spot: Museum of Islamic Art
Republic of the CongoBrazzaville · Middle Africa✨ The capital of Republic of the Congo is Brazzaville — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
RéunionSaint-Denis · Eastern Africa✨ 🇷🇪 is the flag of Réunion. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is RE.
RomaniaBucharest · Southeast Europe✨ Romania sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
RussiaMoscow · Eastern Europe✨ The capital of Russia is Moscow — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏰 Famous spot: Red Square
RwandaKigali · Eastern Africa✨ Rwanda is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Saint BarthélemyGustavia · Caribbean✨ Saint Barthélemy lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaJamestown · Western Africa✨ Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
Saint Kitts and NevisBasseterre · Caribbean✨ Saint Kitts and Nevis is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Saint LuciaCastries · Caribbean✨ Saint Lucia sits in Caribbean, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Saint MartinMarigot · Caribbean✨ Saint Martin is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint-Pierre · North America✨ Saint Pierre and Miquelon sits in North America, in the northern and western half of the globe.
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesKingstown · Caribbean✨ 🇻🇨 is the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is VC.
SamoaApia · Polynesia✨ Samoa lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
San MarinoCity of San Marino · Southern Europe✨ San Marino sits in the temperate zone, the belt where most of the world's farms and big cities are.
São Tomé and PríncipeSão Tomé · Middle Africa✨ 🇸🇹 is the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is ST.
Saudi ArabiaRiyadh · Western Asia✨ The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏜️ Famous spot: Hegra (Mada'in Salih)
SenegalDakar · Western Africa✨ The capital of Senegal is Dakar — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
SerbiaBelgrade · Southeast Europe✨ Serbia shares its part of the world with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
SeychellesVictoria · Eastern Africa✨ Seychelles is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Sierra LeoneFreetown · Western Africa✨ 🇸🇱 is the flag of Sierra Leone. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is SL.
SingaporeSingapore · South-Eastern Asia✨ Singapore shares its part of the world with Cambodia. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
🌳 Famous spot: Gardens by the Bay
Sint MaartenPhilipsburg · Caribbean✨ Sint Maarten is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
SlovakiaBratislava · Central Europe✨ Slovakia shares its part of the world with Poland. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
SloveniaLjubljana · Central Europe✨ Slovenia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
Solomon IslandsHoniara · Melanesia✨ Solomon Islands shares its part of the world with Vanuatu. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
SomaliaMogadishu · Eastern Africa✨ Somalia is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
South AfricaPretoria · Southern Africa✨ 🇿🇦 is the flag of South Africa. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is ZA.
⛰️ Famous spot: Table Mountain
South GeorgiaKing Edward Point · Antarctic✨ South Georgia shares its part of the world with Bouvet Island. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
South KoreaSeoul · Eastern Asia✨ Because of where South Korea sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
🏯 Famous spot: Gyeongbokgung Palace
South SudanJuba · Middle Africa✨ South Sudan lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
SpainMadrid · Southern Europe✨ Spain is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
⛪ Famous spot: Sagrada Família
Sri LankaColombo · Southern Asia✨ 🇱🇰 is the flag of Sri Lanka. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is LK.
🪨 Famous spot: Sigiriya rock fortress
SudanKhartoum · Northern Africa✨ Sudan lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
SurinameParamaribo · South America✨ 🇸🇷 is the flag of Suriname. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is SR.
Svalbard and Jan MayenLongyearbyen · Northern Europe✨ 🇸🇯 is the flag of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is SJ.
SwedenStockholm · Northern Europe✨ Sweden is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🏘️ Famous spot: Gamla Stan old town
SwitzerlandBern · Western Europe✨ Switzerland is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
🏔️ Famous spot: The Matterhorn
SyriaDamascus · Western Asia✨ Syria sits in Western Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
TaiwanTaipei · Eastern Asia✨ 🇹🇼 is the flag of Taiwan. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is TW.
TajikistanDushanbe · Central Asia✨ Tajikistan shares its part of the world with Uzbekistan. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
TanzaniaDodoma · Eastern Africa✨ Tanzania is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🏔️ Famous spot: Mount Kilimanjaro
ThailandBangkok · South-Eastern Asia✨ Thailand is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🛕 Famous spot: Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Timor-LesteDili · South-Eastern Asia✨ Timor-Leste is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
TogoLomé · Western Africa✨ Togo is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
TokelauFakaofo · Polynesia✨ Tokelau is not a full UN member state, so it doesn't get its own vote in the General Assembly.
TongaNuku'alofa · Polynesia✨ Tonga is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly — the same as every other member, big or small.
Trinidad and TobagoPort of Spain · Caribbean✨ Trinidad and Tobago shares its part of the world with Jamaica. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
TunisiaTunis · Northern Africa✨ Tunisia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
TürkiyeAnkara · Western Asia✨ Türkiye is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
TurkmenistanAshgabat · Central Asia✨ Turkmenistan is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
Turks and Caicos IslandsCockburn Town · Caribbean✨ The capital of Turks and Caicos Islands is Cockburn Town — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
TuvaluFunafuti · Polynesia✨ The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
UgandaKampala · Eastern Africa✨ Uganda is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
UkraineKyiv · Eastern Europe✨ Ukraine is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
⛪ Famous spot: Saint Sophia Cathedral
United Arab EmiratesAbu Dhabi · Western Asia✨ The capital of United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
🏙️ Famous spot: Burj Khalifa
United KingdomLondon · Northern Europe✨ United Kingdom is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
🕰️ Famous spot: Big Ben and Parliament
United StatesWashington D.C. · North America✨ United States is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
🗽 Famous spot: Statue of Liberty
United States Minor Outlying Islands— · North America✨ The capital of United States Minor Outlying Islands is — — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
United States Virgin IslandsCharlotte Amalie · Caribbean✨ United States Virgin Islands lies in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, so the sun gets very high overhead.
UruguayMontevideo · South America✨ 🇺🇾 is the flag of Uruguay. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is UY.
UzbekistanTashkent · Central Asia✨ Uzbekistan sits in Central Asia, in the northern and eastern half of the globe.
VanuatuPort Vila · Melanesia✨ 🇻🇺 is the flag of Vanuatu. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is VU.
Vatican CityVatican City · Southern Europe✨ Vatican City is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
VenezuelaCaracas · South America✨ The capital of Venezuela is Caracas — that's where the country's big decisions get made.
VietnamHanoi · South-Eastern Asia✨ Because of where Vietnam sits, the school day there starts many hours before or after yours does.
⛵ Famous spot: Ha Long Bay
Wallis and FutunaMata-Utu · Polynesia✨ Wallis and Futuna sits in Polynesia, in the southern and western half of the globe.
Western SaharaEl Aaiún · Northern Africa✨ Western Sahara is a territory linked to another country, so some decisions are made elsewhere.
YemenSana'a · Western Asia✨ 🇾🇪 is the flag of Yemen. Its country code — the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics — is YE.
ZambiaLusaka · Eastern Africa✨ Zambia is close to the line of 0° longitude, so its clocks are near the world's reference time (UTC).
ZimbabweHarare · Eastern Africa✨ The capital of Zimbabwe is Harare — that's where the country's big decisions get made.