The Akha tribe of Laos
The Akha tribe in Laos preserves its unique culture and language in virtual isolation from the rest of Laos.
Japan
Japanese culture goes back thousands of years with influences from China including its writing system and influences from Korea and Buddhism and yet Japan became a very modern country in a process that started with the opening of Japan in the 19th Century.
Manta Rays
Manta rays are found in warm water along continents and islands. They are flatter and wider than long and have fins that look like wings. They eat plankton and small fish. They swim and near water surface, propelling themselves by flapping their fins. They even leap or somersault out of the water.
The Hunza Tribe of Northern Pakistan
The Hunza people, or Hunzakuts live in northern Pakistan and also are to be found in the bordering regions of China, Tajikstan. Local legend states that Hunza may have been associated with the lost kingdom of Shangri La. The people of Hunza are known for enjoying good health and long life spans but this may […]
Bali Wedding Traditions
In Bali Indonesia, a wedding is celebrated up to three full days. Processions and three ceremonies are held for the wedding. After the wedding the bride will move in with her husband’s family. A Balinese saying is “once you marry your partner, you’ve married his family as well.”
The Island of Corsica
The French Island of Corsica the birthplace of Napoleon has switched hands many times. When the Roman Empire’s western half collapsed in the 5th century, the Ostrogoths and Vandals invaded the island that already had a history of being invaded. It soon became the March of Tuscany’s dependency and later was ruled by Pisa and […]
San Marino
Only 61 Square Kilometers San Marino is one of the smallest states in the world. It is completely surrounded by Italy and traces its origin to the early 4th century CE to St. Marinus and a group of Christians escaping Roman persecution.
Andorra
King Charlemagne recovered what is today the independent country of Andorra from the Muslims in 803. Charlemagne’s grandson, Charles II, granted Andorra to the counts of Urgel, from whom it passed to the bishops of Urgel. Andorra was later governed jointly by representatives of the Spanish bishop of Urgel and of the French head of […]
Finland
Finland was a province and later a grand duchy of Sweden. Being influenced by Swedish culture some call it a Scandinavian country but strictly speaking it borders Scandinavia but is not actually a part of it. It later became a grand duchy of Russia. It became an independent country in 1917.
Vorarlberg
Bordering with Germany, Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Vorarlberg’s culture has been influenced by its neighbors in a way that sets it apart from the rest of Austria.