OUR COUNTRIES …OUR COUNTRIES …

ROMANIAROMANIA“ “ THE LAND OF THE LAND OF CHOICECHOICE… THE LAND OF … THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIESOPPORTUNITIES…!” …!”

DESCRIPTIONDESCRIPTION RRomania is a country located in Southeastern and Central omania is a country located in Southeastern and Central

Europe, Europe, bordering on the Black Sea. Almost all of the bordering on the Black Sea. Almost all of the Danube Delta is located within its territory. Romania shares Danube Delta is located within its territory. Romania shares a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to the northeast, and Bulgaria to the Republic of Moldova to the northeast, and Bulgaria to the south. In 2007, Romania joined the European Union. the south. In 2007, Romania joined the European Union. Romania has the 9th largest territory and the 7th largest Romania has the 9th largest territory and the 7th largest populationpopulation among the European Union member states. Since among the European Union member states. Since 2000, Romania has attracted increasing amounts of foreign 2000, Romania has attracted increasing amounts of foreign investment, becoming the single largest investment investment, becoming the single largest investment destination in South-eastern and Central Europe. According destination in South-eastern and Central Europe. According to a 2006 World Bank report, Romania currently ranks 49th to a 2006 World Bank report, Romania currently ranks 49th out of 175 economies in the ease of doing business. out of 175 economies in the ease of doing business. Additionally, the same study judged it to be the world's Additionally, the same study judged it to be the world's second-fastest economic reformer (after Georgia) in 2006. second-fastest economic reformer (after Georgia) in 2006. Due to its location, Romania is a major crossroad for Due to its location, Romania is a major crossroad for International economic exchange in EuropeInternational economic exchange in Europe..

NATIONALITIESNATIONALITIESAlthough nearly 90% of Although nearly 90% of

the romanian citizens are the romanian citizens are of Romanian nationality, of Romanian nationality,

there are also other there are also other ethnic groups that live in ethnic groups that live in

our country. The our country. The Hungarians make up 6.6% Hungarians make up 6.6%

of the total population, of the total population, the vast majority of them the vast majority of them

living in the historical living in the historical region of Transylvania region of Transylvania (Érdely). (Érdely). The historical The historical

background made it background made it possible for the possible for the

Hungarians to settle Hungarians to settle mostly in the Eastern part mostly in the Eastern part

of Transylvania, where of Transylvania, where they still make up the they still make up the

majority of the majority of the inhabitants. inhabitants.

The next important minority population are the Germans. The next important minority population are the Germans. Most of them, just like the Hungarians , live in Transylvania Most of them, just like the Hungarians , live in Transylvania (Siebenbürgen), only in the Western, Central and Southern (Siebenbürgen), only in the Western, Central and Southern part of this region. Although nowadays their number has part of this region. Although nowadays their number has decreased tenfold, the mayor of one of the most important decreased tenfold, the mayor of one of the most important cities from Romania – Sibiu/Hermannstadt is a native Saxon cities from Romania – Sibiu/Hermannstadt is a native Saxon and he was recently proposed to assume the PM’s office. and he was recently proposed to assume the PM’s office. The Germans from Romania have managed to attract a The Germans from Romania have managed to attract a great deal of Austrian, German, Swiss but also French, great deal of Austrian, German, Swiss but also French, Spanish and Italian investors. Spanish and Italian investors.

Another important minority, making up nearly 1.1% of the Another important minority, making up nearly 1.1% of the total population are the Rroma. Business opportunities with total population are the Rroma. Business opportunities with rromas are in the constructions sector as well as in the rromas are in the constructions sector as well as in the handmade artifacts’ industry.handmade artifacts’ industry.

The Lipovans, a Russian speaking minority, constitute The Lipovans, a Russian speaking minority, constitute another important minority that lives in Romania. The another important minority that lives in Romania. The geographical area where they can be found is the Danube geographical area where they can be found is the Danube Delta. Delta.

Greeks, Turks and Tatars also live in the South-Eastern part Greeks, Turks and Tatars also live in the South-Eastern part of Romania, while nationalities like the Serbs, Croats and of Romania, while nationalities like the Serbs, Croats and Italians are mainly present in the Western part of the Italians are mainly present in the Western part of the country, in the historical region of Banat. country, in the historical region of Banat.

CROATIACROATIA

POSITIONPOSITION CroatiaCroatia is situated close to densely is situated close to densely

populated and industrially developed populated and industrially developed European countries. Many internationally European countries. Many internationally important transport routes cross Croatia. important transport routes cross Croatia. The importance of the geographical position The importance of the geographical position ofof the Republic of Croatiathe Republic of Croatia is also enhanced is also enhanced by the by the Adriatic Sea, the northernmost gulf Sea, the northernmost gulf of the Mediterranean which is the closest to of the Mediterranean which is the closest to the central part of the European continent.the central part of the European continent.

Culture and religion Culture and religion • • Croatian traditions are based on Western society. Croats are Croatian traditions are based on Western society. Croats are

proud of their culture and celebrate annually cultural, political, proud of their culture and celebrate annually cultural, political, historical and religious event. It is common for Croatians to kiss historical and religious event. It is common for Croatians to kiss on both cheeks as part of a greeting.on both cheeks as part of a greeting. There are different types of There are different types of cuisines originating from various regions of Croatia and Bosnia cuisines originating from various regions of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.and Herzegovina. There is a strong correlation between religion, There is a strong correlation between religion, traditions and culture in the Croatian community, especially for traditions and culture in the Croatian community, especially for the elderly The majority of Croats are of Roman Catholic faith, the elderly The majority of Croats are of Roman Catholic faith, the minority being Islamic, Seventh Day Adventist, Jewishthe minority being Islamic, Seventh Day Adventist, Jewish and and Serbian Orthodox An important tradition of Catholic Croats is to Serbian Orthodox An important tradition of Catholic Croats is to abstain from meat every Friday, though custom is slowly abstain from meat every Friday, though custom is slowly diminishing. When a family member passes away, it is a custom diminishing. When a family member passes away, it is a custom for relatives to wear black clothing as a symbol of mourning.for relatives to wear black clothing as a symbol of mourning. Mass, rosary beads and prayer books highlight the importance of Mass, rosary beads and prayer books highlight the importance of faith in the Catholic Croat community.faith in the Catholic Croat community.

PECULIAR FACTSPECULIAR FACTS Much has been said about the beauty of Croatia. "Heaven on Much has been said about the beauty of Croatia. "Heaven on

Earth" has been described in many books by artists, in paintings Earth" has been described in many books by artists, in paintings and countless photographs. "God wanted to crown his creation, so and countless photographs. "God wanted to crown his creation, so on the last day he created the Croatian Adriatic from his tears, on the last day he created the Croatian Adriatic from his tears, the stars and sea breeze”, wrote an author long ago about the the stars and sea breeze”, wrote an author long ago about the splendor of this most beautiful and preserved ecological corner of splendor of this most beautiful and preserved ecological corner of the modern world. Long beaches, rocky mountains within reach of the modern world. Long beaches, rocky mountains within reach of the sea, fervent summers, untouched nature and unique city the sea, fervent summers, untouched nature and unique city monuments have turned the vacations of many travelers into an monuments have turned the vacations of many travelers into an exceptionally beautiful dream. It is often said that most travelers exceptionally beautiful dream. It is often said that most travelers by chance stumble across the Adriatic. Every other visit discovers by chance stumble across the Adriatic. Every other visit discovers more of the diversity, blessedness and hospitality of this land. It more of the diversity, blessedness and hospitality of this land. It would seem that we are not objective to those who have not would seem that we are not objective to those who have not visited this jewel of the Mediterranean. The only way to prove our visited this jewel of the Mediterranean. The only way to prove our objectivity is through ones own experience of the sea with its objectivity is through ones own experience of the sea with its thousands islands. thousands islands. 

NIGERIANIGERIA

DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the

9th most populous country in the world with an 9th most populous country in the world with an estimated population of 140 million people. estimated population of 140 million people. Nigeria is in West Africa, along the eastern coast of Nigeria is in West Africa, along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, and just north of the equator. It the Gulf of Guinea, and just north of the equator. It is bordered on the west by Benin, on the north by is bordered on the west by Benin, on the north by Niger and Chad, and on the east by Cameroon. Niger and Chad, and on the east by Cameroon. Nigeria covers an area of 356,669 square miles Nigeria covers an area of 356,669 square miles (923,768 square kilometers), or about twice the (923,768 square kilometers), or about twice the size of California. Nigeria now consists of 36 states, size of California. Nigeria now consists of 36 states, the current capital is Abuja (also called Federal the current capital is Abuja (also called Federal Capital Territory), which is not really a state, but Capital Territory), which is not really a state, but takes portions of a few different states. takes portions of a few different states.

CULTURECULTURE

Nigeria Nigeria culture people culture people are friendly and are are friendly and are very welcoming by very welcoming by

nature. There are three nature. There are three main ethnic groups in main ethnic groups in

Nigeria the Nigeria the HausaHausa, , IboIbo and and YorubaYoruba. Although . Although

these three groups these three groups have their own have their own

languages, languages, English English is is the official and main the official and main

Language.Language.

POLITICSPOLITICS PoPolitics of Nigeria take place in a framework of a federal litics of Nigeria take place in a framework of a federal

presidential representative democratic republic, whereby presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President is both head of state and head of the President is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of vested in both the government and the two chambers of the legislature, the House of Representatives and the the legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Together the two chambers make up the law-Senate. Together the two chambers make up the law-making body in Nigeria called the National Assembly. The making body in Nigeria called the National Assembly. The highest judiciary arm of government in Nigeria is the highest judiciary arm of government in Nigeria is the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Nigeria also practices Baron de Supreme Court of Nigeria. Nigeria also practices Baron de Montesquieu theory of the separation of powers. Montesquieu theory of the separation of powers.