Things you didn't know about (insert your countries name)

[Mags 112]

Indiana ~

In Gary, Ind., persons are prohibited from attending a movie house or other theater and from riding a public streetcar within four hours of eating garlic.

Bathing is prohibited during the winter.

It is against the law to eat ice cream in the local airport with a fork.

what??

I find that if you don't bathe for 6 months and THEN sit at an airport eating ice cream with a fork, that no one will come near enough to arrest you.

[almaty 19]

Philippines

The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands lying between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Even though the Philippines lies just north of the world's largest Muslim state, Indonesia, it is about 94 percent Christian—mostly Roman Catholic. About five percent of Filipinos are Muslim, mostly living on the islands of Mindanao and Palawan—islands closest to the Muslim countries of Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth.

Modern day Filipinos are of Austronesian descent, although there is a minority of Filipinos with Spanish, Mexican, American, Chinese, Arab, and Indian ancestry.

A former Spanish and United States colony, the Philippines has many affinities with the Western world including Spain and Latin America due to three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, and Filipino and English are the official languages.

I read where all the native languages have origins from what is now Taiwan, which is very interesting.

kazakhstan..

kazakhs are the minority there...

Brother Dean, who are the majority?

it is the only country, where the majority of the ethnic group population is less than 50%..about 45-46% kazakhs..the next largest groups is 28% russian..then tatars, chechens, germans, chopf##ks, whistling peckerheads, etc...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Philippines

The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands lying between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Even though the Philippines lies just north of the world's largest Muslim state, Indonesia, it is about 94 percent Christian—mostly Roman Catholic. About five percent of Filipinos are Muslim, mostly living on the islands of Mindanao and Palawan—islands closest to the Muslim countries of Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth.

Modern day Filipinos are of Austronesian descent, although there is a minority of Filipinos with Spanish, Mexican, American, Chinese, Arab, and Indian ancestry.

A former Spanish and United States colony, the Philippines has many affinities with the Western world including Spain and Latin America due to three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, and Filipino and English are the official languages.

Oo got any more guys? I really want to learn more about the Phils...

I know they still use servants there. I was a bit shocked by it when I got there. Jinky's family has a househelper - a boy who's about 18 with no real formal education. He cooks, he cleans, he runs errands. They pay him but I don't think it's much.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Now I know that this will shatter everyone's perception of good ole' Germany but the Oktoberfest is NOT a German tradition. Nor are Lederhosen anything that is to be associated with Germany.

[wong_watkins 1]

Hong Kong

- The Hong Kong International Airport has been voted the best airport in the world for the past 3 years.

- After being the colony of the Great Britain for over 100 years, HK finally reverted to Chinese Sovereignty on July 1, 1997.

- Even though being a part of China now, China and Hong Kong are "One country, but with two systems".

- Hong Kong is 6 times the size of Washington DC and has the population of over 7 million people.

- The first case of "charcoal burning" suicide took place in HK.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Now I know that this will shatter everyone's perception of good ole' Germany but the Oktoberfest is NOT a German tradition. Nor are Lederhosen anything that is to be associated with Germany.

wwhhhaattt????? i was hoping to go to germany simply because of oktoberfest! :

Daniel

:energetic:

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Now I know that this will shatter everyone's perception of good ole' Germany but the Oktoberfest is NOT a German tradition. Nor are Lederhosen anything that is to be associated with Germany.

wwhhhaattt????? i was hoping to go to germany simply because of oktoberfest! :

Daniel

:energetic:

Sorry bro. You can certainly catch the Oktoberfest in Munich. It does take place there - and only there. Once you've had your slice of Munich and Bavaria, you should venture into Germany too.

[broma25 2]

Ok - Here is Pennsylvania

Nickname: Keystone State - During colonial times Pennsylvania was the middle colony of the original 13 colonies. It held the colonies together like the "keystone" in a window or door arch.

Background: Pennsylvania was settled in 1643. Philadelphia was our state capital during the Revolutionary War and York was the first capital of the United States.

State name’s meaning: Penn’s Woods (after Admiral William Penn's father)

Motto: Virtue, Liberty and Independence

Important Documents: Several important documents were written in Pennsylvania

The Constitution of the United States

The American Declaration of Independence

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Flower: Mountain Laurel

Tree: Hemlock

Bird: Ruffed Grouse

Animal: Whitetail Deer

Insect: Firefly

Dog: Great Dane

Beverage: Milk

Fish Brook Trout

Fossil: Phacops Rana

Ship: United States Brig Niagara

[Tinker 0]

Arkansas, US

AN old law that states a man can beat his wife in Little Rock provided he does it with a stick no bigger than 3 inches across and not more than once a month.

hmmmmm no where does it say you can't beat him back with a frying pan twice a month

The house isn't in Little Rock anyway , he's outta luck

Edited May 16, 2007 by Tinker

[almaty 19]

Now I know that this will shatter everyone's perception of good ole' Germany but the Oktoberfest is NOT a German tradition. Nor are Lederhosen anything that is to be associated with Germany.

wwhhhaattt????? i was hoping to go to germany simply because of oktoberfest! :

Daniel

:energetic:

i wanted to put on a snazzy set of Lederhosen...and dance with a big breasted st pauli girl look a like at the oktoberfest

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

- The Hong Kong International Airport has been voted the best airport in the world for the past 3 years.

Hong Kong airport is where other airports want to do when they die

[metta 0]

I know they still use servants there. I was a bit shocked by it when I got there. Jinky's family has a househelper - a boy who's about 18 with no real formal education. He cooks, he cleans, he runs errands. They pay him but I don't think it's much.

That is the reason, diplomats and NGOs and UN employees love third world postings. With EU and US payrates, folks can live like royalty. A lifestyle replete with cook, gardener, house servants and still stack away much of your salary into savings.

A friend of mine, working for WHO lived a very nondescript life in a two BR apartment in downtown Geneva when I visited him there. Now he is in India and his lifestyle has moved many notches up:)

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

i wanted to put on a snazzy set of Lederhosen...and dance with a big breasted st pauli girl look a like at the oktoberfest

Dean, if you're looking for St. Pauli girls, you need to travel to the opposite end of Germany. Those are typically found in the Hamburg district with the same name. And be careful, they can teach you trick or two...

[MissStacey 1]

Quebec- Birthplace of Poutine.

[mybackpages 0]

Arabs are a minority in Morocco. 70% of the poplulation are Amazigh (or Beber).

The Amazigh language is over 4000 years old.

In Morocco you can vacation at the beach, ski in the mountains, stay in 5 star hotels in the Sahara or shop ike crazy.