The Unknown Nearby

A blog dedicated to learning about the countries which often go unnoticed.

[unknownnearby]

Here it is, our first infographic! It took a day longer to complete, but if the layout is well-received, we will be using it henceforth. Any feedback is appreciated. The high-res version can be found on my blog. Please <3 and share it for more. Thanks for reading :)

We have been asked to explore CAMEROON next!

[unknownnearby]

Croatia

CROATIA is a country located in Southeastern Europe. To the immediate west, lies Its coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Bordering with Slovenia to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south. Finally, the nation shares a slim border (19 km) with Montenegro, to the south. Furthermore, Croatia boasts about a thousand islands. Map.

With an overall area of approx. 56,594 km2, it is slightly smaller than Togo (or the state of West Virginia, USA) and slightly larger than Costa Rica. Zagreb Situated inland, Zagreb is its capital, where 790,000 inhabitants live. In all, Croatia has a population of 4.1 million. Source, 2018.

In terms of terrain, Croatia has lowlands on its Hungarian border, a rocky range of low mountains and highlands, known as the Dinaric Alps, extending all the way from Italy to Albania, and a glorious coastline with countless sublime islands resting nearby, in the Adriatic Sea. Source.

Croatian Kuna (HRK; kn) is its currency. US$1 equals kn6. Alternatively, £1 equals kn8.58. Both conversions were made on xe.com (17.04.2018). $ and £.

Average life expectancy is 76 years. Literacy rates near 99%.

Let’s talk Art, Food, and Music!

Art.

A prominent hub for archaic art, Croatia’s architecture is heavily influenced by Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman, and Medieval civilisations. For instance, the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built near Salona, the capital of Dalmatia (province). The Dalmatian dog breed is said to have emerged here. A rich ornamentation in interlace patterns also surfaced in the 9th Century. Honestly, Croatia is truly an artistic goldmine. Discover more.

Food.

Linked to the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is known for its seafood-heavy dishes. Surrounded by a variety of countries, it should come to no surprise that each region has its own signature dish. In Dalmatia, dishes comprise of fish, greens and seasonings like garlic, rosemary or parsley (e.g. Pasticada, Gregada, and Soparnik). Meals in Zagreb consist of meat, potatoes, root vegetables and cabbage (e.g. Strukli, Kotlovina). Similar to the cuisine in proximal central-European countries. Read more.

Music.

Croatia’s music is influenced by its location, as it lies between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. In terms of taste and popularity, pop, rock, and folk are rank highest in the charts. Else, ganga and klapa are traditional Croatian genres of music, whereby vocals (acapella) take center-stage. Learn more.

Finally, the Croatian flag (a horizontal tricolour of red, white, and blue with the Coat of Arms of Croatia in the centre).

Below is a glimpse of Dubrovnik (source), the setting used for King’s Landing, in the TV show, Game of Thrones. Bliss and vibrant. More info.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

As per a friend’s request, FINLAND shall be our next country! We will also be experimenting with a different format (info-graphic).

[unknownnearby]

Vietnam

VIETNAM, officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country located in Southeast Asia. Bordered with China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to its west. Farther west, across the Gulf of Thailand, is Thailand. Its eastern border is a coastline with the South China Sea. Farther to the east, separated by the aforementioned sea, is the Philippines. Finally, Malaysia and Singapore are situated south. Clearly, due to its notable size and shape, Vietnam has countless neighbours. Map.

With an overall area of approx. 330,385 km2 (avg. of two sources: 1, 2), it is slightly larger than Norway (or the state of New Mexico, USA) and slightly smaller than Malaysia. Hanoi is its capital, a city situated in the north, where approx. 7.5 million inhabitants live (Source, 2015). In all, Vietnam has a population of approx. 96 million, ranking as the 15th most populated country in the world (Source, 2017).

In terms of terrain, Vietnam boasts a variety of landscapes. Low, flat deltas can be found at its northernmost and southernmost regions. Highlands spread across its center. In the north, the land consists of hills and mountains. As such, the climate is tropical in the south and monsoonal in the north. Source.

Vietnamese Dong (VND; ₫) is its currency. Today, $1 equals approx. ₫22,778. Alternatively, £1 equals ₫36,652. Both conversions were made on xe.com (16.04.2018, $ and £).

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. English is rapidly becoming a well-recognised second language. French is also spoken in some households, as well as Chinese and Khmer. Source.

Average life expectancy is 74 years. Literacy rates near 94%. Source.

-

Now for Vietnam’s AFM (Art. Food. Music)!

Art.

Vietnamese art has been heavily influenced by the Chinese, seeing as the nation was invaded by its northern neighbour a total of four times through history.  As such, many practices and techniques bled into Vietnam’s early art scene. A focus on ceramics and porcelain artistry has long presided. That said, Vietnam was also colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Thus, classical, European styles and methods were absorbed by the Vietnamese.  Following the French rule, Vietnam faced a drastic shift in religions and political stance. The Vietnam War (1955-1975) unquestionably swayed the nation and an American influence soon surfaced. Western materials like oil and acrylics appeared on the scene. Learn more here.

Food.

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its highly nutritious qualities. Dishes generally include steamed rice, meat (beef and pork), tofu, and fresh vegetables. The aforementioned ingredients are often packaged into compact rolls. Other Vietnamese recipes include soups, known as Pho. Being Asian, most dishes are eaten with chopsticks and small spoons. Source.

Music.

Vietnamese music is classical and vocal, for the most part. Meaningful lyrics about love and relationships make up the majority of songs (though this is largely a human preference). Traditional instruments are string-based, few in strings (i.e. Dan Nhi, Dan Nguyet, Dan Ty Ba, Dan Tam), similar to the Western banjo. In regards to music taste, the Vietnamese tend to love rap, soft rock and Korean-Pop (aka K-Pop). Adele and Ed Sheeran consistently land in the charts. Source.

Finally, the Vietnamese flag (a red background with a large yellow star in the centre). This flag was primarily adopted by North Vietnam in 1955. The South flew a different flag (a yellow background with three red horizontal stripes). However, when both parts of the country were unified, in 1976, the North Vietnam flag was kept to embody the country as a whole. Source.

The landscape of Ha Long Bay, and its people, happy as ever. Sources: 1, 2. 

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Let’s head to Europe. Our next country shall be ... CROATIA!

[unknownnearby]

Seychelles

SEYCHELLES, officially known as the Republic of Seychelles, is a 115-island archipelago and country located off the eastern coast of the African continent in the Indian ocean. To the northwest is Somalia, to the west is Kenya and Tanzania. Further south is the island of Madagascar. Map.

With an overall area of approx. 450 km2, Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa. It is slightly smaller than Andorra and slightly larger than Barbados. Source. It also boasts a coastline of 491km. Source. Situated to the northeast of its mainland, Victoria is its capital, where 26,000 inhabitants live (Source, 2015). In all, Seychelles has a population of around 93,920 (Source, 2017). The nation was uninhabited until a small French settlement arrived on the island of Mahé, in 1770. Source.

In terms of terrain, its islands are generally made up of granite hills and coral reefs. It is also known for its narrow coasts and white sand beaches.

Seychelles Rupee (SCR; ₨) is its currency. $1 USD equals ₨13.81. Alternatively, £1 equals ₨19.38. (xe.com / 19.03.2018).

The official language in Seychelles is Seychellois Creole. As France and Great Britain fought for them some time ago, in the 19th Century, a slim minority also speak English and French. Source.

Average life expectancy is 75 years old. Literacy rates near 92%. Source.

Now for Seychelles’ AFM (Art. Food. Music)!

Art.

Seychelles’ vibrant scenery has attracted many artists over the years. A smidge of research has led us to a number of talented individuals. Namely, Michael Adams, one of Seychelles best-known artists, has also managed to replicate his country’s heart and soul in his silkscreen pieces (below, top painting). We suggest looking at his black & white artwork, too.  George Camille (below, bottom painting). His art “captures the colour and spirit of Creole life,” as cited here.

Food.

The cuisine that is uniquely Seychellois combines flavours from African, French, Chinese, Indian and English cooking. As such, common ingredients are grilled fish, lentils, breadfruit, octopus curry, bat (yes, you heard that correctly), coconut and bananas. Source.

Music.

As cited here, “It is a blend of African slave music with the dance styles of the European enslavers freely mixed with pop, blues, and even country influences.” One prime example is San Ou (La Rivière) by Dezil’, a song that became a big hit in France, in 2005. Upbeat, catchy and tropical, it’s no surprise that it caught on.

Finally, the Seychellois flag (five different coloured bands (green, white, red, yellow and blue) starting from one end and diverging towards the other end. The oblique bands symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future. The colour blue depicts the sky and the sea that surrounds the Seychelles.) Source.

Look at that shade of blue. A slice of paradise! Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Our next country shall be … VIETNAM!

[unknownnearby]

Uruguay

URUGUAY, also known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, and named after the Uruguay River by the Guarani Indians (Source), is a country located in southeastern South America. It borders with Brazil to the north, Argentina to the south, and the Atlantic ocean makes up its 660 km coast to the east. Map.

At 176,215 km2 in overall area, it is the second-smallest country in South America (after Suriname). it is smaller than Cambodia (or the state of Washington, USA) and larger than Tunisia. Situated on its Atlantic coast, Montevideo is its capital, where 1.7 million inhabitants live (Source, 2015). In all, Uruguay has a population of 3.3 million (Source, 2016).

In terms of terrain, most of the country’s (at least 3/4 of it) low-lying landscape is grassland, rolling plains and low hills - ideal for cattle and sheep raising. Its coast is generally low and fertile.

Uruguayan Peso (UYU; $U) is its currency. $1 USD equals 28.87 $U. Alternatively, £1 equals 36.56 $U. (xe.com / 13.12.2016).

Uruguay’s official language is Spanish, Portunol, Brazilero (a Portuguese-Spanish mix mostly spoken on the Brazilian frontier). Source.

Average life expectancy is 77 years old. Literacy rates near 99%. Source.

Now for Uruguay’s AFM (Art. Food. Music)!

Art.

Artists are self-supporting, but receive some funding from the government and private institutions. For instance, the Ateneo de Montevideo is a meeting place for those involved in artistic and humanistic activities. A prominent exponent of Uruguayan art was abstract painter and sculptor Carlos Páez Vilaró. Sources 1, 2.

Food.

Uruguayan cuisine has a lot of European influence, especially from Italy and Spain. A lot more meat is to be expected due to the country’s abundant production of beef and milk. For instance, Asado is a popular dish made up of meats of all sorts and is considered to be a carnivore’s heaven on a plate. Then, there’s the Chivito - a traditional Uruguayan sandwich with sliced steak, ham, cheese, eggs and mayonnaise. Obviously, Uruguayans love their meat! Source.

Music.

How ‘bout a tune? Enjoy :)

Finally, the flag of Uruguay (a field of nine equal horizontal stripes alternating white and blue. The canton is white, charged with the Sun of May, from which 16 rays extend, alternating between triangular and wavy). Source.

Very few pictures of the Uruguayan people online, so, here’s their landscape, instead!

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Our next country shall be ... SEYCHELLES!

[unknownnearby]

The Gambia

THE GAMBIA, officially known as The Republic of the Gambia, is a country located in western Africa. It is entirely surrounded by Senegal, and is proximal to Guinea-Bissau to the south. Map.

With an overall area of 11,300 km2, The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa. It is slightly smaller than Qatar or Montenegro, and is slightly larger than Jamaica or Lebanon. Sources (1, 2). Situated on a panhandle at the entrance of the Gambia River, Banjul is its capital, where 504,000 inhabitants live (Source, 2015). In all, Gambia has an estimated population of 2 million. Interestingly, over 60% of the population is under 25 years old (Source, 2016).

In terms of terrain, it has grassy flood plain with Guinean mangroves covering the landscape as you move closer to the coastline. The Sudanian Savanna lies further inland. Source.

Currency-wise, Gambians use the Gambian Dalasi (GMD). Currently, the exchange rate is $1 USD / £1 GBP for 42.95 GMD / 53.29 GMD, respectively. (xe.com / 17.11.2016)

The official language is English. Other spoken languages include Wolof, Fula and other indigenous vernaculars. Source.

Average life expectancy is 65 years. Literacy rates near 55%. Source.

Now for The Gambia’s AFM (Art. Food. Music.)!

Art & Music. A link for both!

Food.

The most common food served in a Gambian home is white rice with any one of a number of spicy sauces. Domada, a peanut stew (with tomato paste, mustard, black pepper and onions) is the most popular dish. It is traditional in The Gambia to all gather round one large bowl with each person eating from the part of the bowl immediately in front of them, using their right hand. They’ve a bunch of other meals and dishes, but this link covers it very well. Source.

And finally, the flag of The Gambia (three horizontal red, blue and green bands separated by two thin white lines). Source.

And what of the morale of their people? Well, don’t these Gambian kids look cheerful? Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

MONTENEGRO was set to be our next country, nonetheless, it will have to wait; my sister has recently taking up a new job and her schedule is tight. So, with this in mind, we shall welcome URUGUAY to the stage!

[unknownnearby]

Our Apologies

Clearly, our 1-2/country/week schedule was still unrealistic on our end.

We hope to step up our game and make up for lost ground. So stay tuned!

Thank you for reading, and g’day,

- Thomas & co.

[unknownnearby]

Update: 1-2 countries/week, Our Slow & Steady Schedule

Good afternoon, readers!

After much reflection, we have decided to review 1 or 2 countries a week.

At first, it was easy to research a different country every day, we very much looked forward to it. Nevertheless, the workload was tricky to fit into our busy schedules. Other projects have also arisen and our priorities have shifted.

Our thirst for worldly knowledge remains, though The Unknown Nearby (TUN) will likely span over the next couple of years. We’re in no rush. We would rather take it slow and steady. That said, we might push for greater numbers on the odd week when we’ve more time on our hands.

Thank you for reading, and have a fantabulous Sunday,

- Thomas & co.

[unknownnearby]

Jordan. *Mom’s Request*

JORDAN, officially known as The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country located in the Middle East, in western Asia. It borders with Israel to the west, Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, and Saudi Arabia to the south. The Red Sea constitutes its most southwestern border. Map.

At 89,210 km2 in overall area, the country’s size is comparable to Portugal, Serbia or Azerbaijan. Situated in the northwestern region, Amman is its capital, where 1.15 million inhabitants live (Source, 2015). In all, Jordan has a population of 8.1 million (Source, 2015).

In terms of terrain, Jordan comprises of desert plateaus in the east and highland areas in the west. The Great Rift Valley also notably separates the eastern and western banks of the Jordan River. Source.

Currency-wise, Jordanians use the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Currently the exchange rate is $1 USD / £1 GBP for 0.71 JOD / 0.88 JOD, respectively. (xe.com, 15.11.2016)

The official language is Arabic, though English is understood among upper and middle classes. Source.

Average life expectancy is 75 years. Literacy rates near 95%. Source.

Time for Jordan’s AFM (Art. Food. Music.)

Art.

The government promotes cultural festivals, encourages the revival of handicrafts, and takes steps to preserve the country's archaeological and historical heritage. Source.

Crafts such as pottery, jewellery, embroidery, carpets, mosaics, and traditional costumes are also found around Amman are some of the finest glass blowers who continue to create fabulous glass objects in styles typical of the region. The nomadic Bedouin's flocks of sheep are fine providers of wool, woven on small looms, and made into all types of goods. Source.

Food.

Rated among the finest in the world, Jordanian cuisine, while unique, is part of the Arabian culinary heritage. Food in the Arab world is more than simply a matter of nourishment. Feasting is a preoccupation and food is often at the centre of social customs. Source.

Dishes will satisfy even the health conscious, as many of them are prepared with grains, cheese, yogurt, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables. Rice, flat breads, legumes, olives, lamb or chicken, yogurt, vegetables and fruits are the staples for most meals. In addition, rice is the major ingredient of many dishes. Source.

Music.

Traditional Arabic music is based on a five-tone scale, unlike our Western seven-tone system. The rhythms are elaborate. Songs often tell stories of family, honour, love and death. Most instrumentalists accompany a vocalist rather than playing on their own, and improvisation is common. Some Arabic instruments include the oud (similar to a lute), the mizmarmujwiz or nay (both types of flute), the rababah (a type of violin with one string), and the gerbeh (like bagpipes). Small drums, played on the lap, are used to keep the rhythm. American pop and rock music is popular with younger Jordanians. Source.

We wouldn’t forget to include a song, would we? ;)

Finally, their flag (horizontal black, white, and green bands - connected by a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star in the middle). Source.

A bunch of happy Jordanian kids. Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

As stated previously, here, MONTENEGRO will be our next country of choice - as per my sister’s request!

[unknownnearby]

Bhutan

BHUTAN, officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a country located in the eastern Himalayas in south Asia. It borders China to the north and India to the south, east and west. Map.

With 38,400 km2 in overall area, it is slightly smaller than Denmark or the Netherlands, and is slightly larger than Belgium. However, estimates vary among different sources. Situated on its western side, Thimphu is its capital, where 152,000 inhabitants live. In all, Bhutan has a population of approx. 750,000. Source.

It is characterised by highly mountainous and rugged terrain (thanks to the Himalayas nearby), extensive forests, abundant rains, and rivers. It is one of the Biodiversity hot spots of the world. Bhutan is often recognised as being the "Switzerland of Asia" since its shape, area and mountainous location are comparable to that of Switzerland. Source.

In terms of official currency, Bhutan has two: the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) and the Indian Rupee (INR). $1 USD equals 67.85 BTN/INR. (xe.com / 14.11.2016).

Bhutan’s official language is Dzongkha (24%), though more inhabitants speak Sharchhopka (28%) or a number of other languages (26%). Else, 22% of the population speaks Lhotshamkha. Source.

Average life expectancy is 70 years old. Literacy rates near 65%. Source.

Now for Bhutan’s AFM (Art, Food, Music)!

Art.

The arts and crafts of Bhutan that represents the exclusive "spirit and identity of the Himalayan kingdom" is defined as the art of Zorig Chosum, which means the “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”; the thirteen crafts are carpentry, painting, paper making, blacksmithery, weaving, sculpting and many other crafts. Source.

Food.

The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Chillis are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that was not spicy.

Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans. Grains such as rice, buckwheat and barley are also cultivated in various regions of the country depending on the local climate. Source.

Music.

Here’s some Bhutanese music to soothe your soul. Enjoy!

Finally, their flag (orange and yellow with a white dragon). Source.

Many Bhutanese children in neat ceremonial gowns. Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Who’s next? ... Well, I spoke to my parents moments ago, and my mom vouched for JORDAN, a country they visited very recently. I also asked my older sister to help me out - she chose MONTENEGRO. Stay tuned :)

[unknownnearby]

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, also known as Saint Vincent, is an island country located at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean sea. Its closest neighbours are Martinique and Saint Lucia to the north, Barbados to the east, and Grenada to the south. Even more southward is Venezuela, its nearest mainland country. Map.

At 389 km2 in overall area, the island is slightly smaller than Barbados and slightly larger than Grenada. To give you a better idea of its size - it can be compared to the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sources (1 , 2). Situated on its southern coast, Kingstown is its capital, where 27,000 inhabitants live (Source, 2014). In all, Saint Vincent des Grenadines has an estimated population of 102,350 (Source, 2016).

In terms of terrain, Saint Vincent des Grenadines comprises of 32 islands and about 600 rocky islets stretching south towards Grenada. The big island of Saint Vincent, volcanic in origin, is mostly mountainous and covered in lush forests, with few small rivers draining off into the Caribbean sea. Source.

Saint Vincentians use the East Caribbean dollar as their currency, though it has been pegged to the American dollar since 1976, at an exchange rate of $1 USD to 2.70 XCD. £1 equals 3.37 XCD. (xe.com, 14.11.2016)

The official language is English. In addition, French patois is spoken.

Average life expectancy is 75 years. Source. Literacy rates are undetermined.

Mhm, it’s now time for the fun stuff! The AFM: Art. Food. Music.

Art.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is defined by its humid climate and rich agriculture. Artist Nzimbu Browne embodies this with his pieces made out of the natural resources on the islands, and becomes the epitome of sustainable art in the country. But, what natural resources does Browne use?

Bananas. Yes, bananas. You heard me correctly. It’s Banana Art.

Browne creates all of his pieces out of banana leaves, the waste product of the plant that is the primary force of Saint Vincent and Grenadines livelihood. He is self-taught, and his art is both an example of sustainable ecological production but also an embodiment of the way of life on the islands, making it an authentic form of cultural representation. 

His work consists of collages depicting local scenes, and are all made up of multicolored shapes and figures cut out of the banana leaves. Browne states that he wants his work to also ‘express the festive patterns of life, stories of culture and of people struggling for self determination’. Source.

Food.

Breadfruit is just one of a veritable cornucopia of ground provisions, vegetables, fruits and spices that are farmed and harvested in Saint Vincent des Grenadines. Its uniquely shaped leaf can be seen engraved into flower pots along the bayfront of Kingstown. The breadfruit itself forms part of the country’s national dish of roasted breadfruit and fried jack fish. Source.

Music.

The music of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines includes thriving music scenes based on Big Drum, calypso, soca, steelpan and also reggae. String band music, quadrille, bélé music and traditional storytelling are also popular. Source.

Intrigued? Here’s a song by proud Saint Vincentian Alston Becket Cyrus.

Finally, their flag (light blue, yellow and green, with three green diamonds):

A beautiful Saint Vincentian woman dressed in a traditional outfit. Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Next on the list ... *drum roll* ... BHUTAN! :)

[unknownnearby]

Cambodia

CAMBODIA, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located on the Gulf of Thailand in southeast Asia. Vietnam borders the country to the south and to the east, Laos to the north, and Thailand to the northwest. Map.

It covers just over 180,000 km2 in overall area, similar to Syria or Uruguay. Source. Situated at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, Phnom Penh is the capital, where 1.4 million inhabitants live. In all, Cambodia has an estimated population of 15.8 million (2016), and, incredibly, 50% of its population is under 22 years old. Source.

In terms of terrain, Cambodia’s main landscape is its jewel, comprising tropical rainforest and fertile cultivated land, with lush highlands rising in both the north east and south east. This rich, nutritious land also includes a wealth of nature, including rare and endangered species such as Indochinese tigers, Asian elephants and freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins. Source.

Cambodian Riel (KHR; ៛ ) is its currency. $1 USD equals ៛4051.19 KHR. Alternatively, £1 GBP equals ៛5058.83. (xe.com / 14.11.2016).

Cambodia’s official language is Khmer, co-official with French, with an estimate 500,000 speakers nationwide. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken in small parts around the country (400,000 speakers). Finally, Cham, a tribal language, is spoken by about 150,000 inhabitants. Source.

Average life expectancy ranges from 65-69 years, depending on your source. Literacy rates near 77%. Source.

Beyond this ... what of their art scene? Their food? Their music?

Cambodian art stretches back centuries to ancient times, but the most famous period is undoubtedly the Khmer art of the Khmer Empire (802–1431), especially in the area around Angkor and the mainly 12th-century temple-complex of Angkor Wat, initially Hindu and subsequently Buddhist. Traditional Cambodian arts and crafts include textiles, non-textile weaving, silversmithing, stone carving, lacquerware, ceramics, wat murals, and kite-making. Source.

Cambodian food might be the most overlooked in all of Asia, as it resembles Thai or Vietnamese cuisine. Prahok, a pungent fermented fish paste, is used to flavor many dishes and for expats can take some getting used to. Kroeung, a distinctive spice paste made with a base of lemongrass and galangal, is the foundation of many Cambodian dishes. Freshwater fish from the Mekong and Tonle Sap make up a large part of the Cambodian diet, as well. Source.

What music plays on Cambodian radio? Well, this. Enjoy!

Finally, their flag (blue border and red central with a large white temple). Source.

Three happy kids in Angkor. Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Our next country will be … *drum roll* … SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES!

[unknownnearby]

Mauritania

MAURITANIA, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country located in northwestern Africa. The country borders Senegal to the south, Mali to the southeast, Algeria to the northeast, and the Western Sahara to the north. Map.

With a million km2, its overall area is similar to Bolivia or Egypt. Situated on the coast (Atlantic ocean), Nouakchott is the capital, where a million inhabitants live. In all, Mauritania has a population of 3.7 million, 2.8 million of which do not have electricity. Source.

The terrain consists of a plateau with vast sand dunes. The climate is hot and dry with frequent sandstorms. In the southern region, most people engage in agriculture and livestock raising. The people in the south are settled black African farmers, whereas in the north the people have a nomadic lifestyle. Source.

Mauritanian ouguiya (MRO) is their currency. $1 USD equals 358.54 MRO, £1 GBP equals 449.39 MRO (xe.com / 14.11.2016).

Mauritanians speak Arabic (official language), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof, and French. Source.

Average life expectancy is 63 years. Literacy rates near 50%. Source.

Above were the general facts ... What of their art? And their music (1 , 2)?

Well, Mauritanian music is representative of two worlds: the devotional Islamic life of North Africa and the rhythmic energy of sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional music is very vocal and makes tremendous use of age-old instruments, as seen here (1). Astonishingly, some Mauritanian locals have merged the ancient with the novel, as seen here (2).

What of their food? And table etiquette?

People eat together in groups from a large bowl or calabash, using the right hand. People eat first and then drink cold water or sour milk mixed with cold water, juice from the hibiscus flower, or baobab juice. After lunch and dinner, it is customary to drink small glasses of green tea with sugar and mint. It is not acceptable to eat with or in the presence of one's in-laws, and eating with the left hand is forbidden. Source.

Mauritania’s flag (green background with a yellow crescent and a star; symbolising Islam). Source.

Three Mauritanian children. Source.

Sources are to be found within the text. Thanks for reading!

Our next country will be ... *drum roll* ... CAMBODIA :)

[unknownnearby]

Welcome to The Unknown Nearby!

Hi and welcome! This is The Unknown Nearby, a blog dedicated to learning about the countries which often go unnoticed. Every other day, a country will be selected at random for a closer look. Earth is made up of 196 countries, and we plan on seeing to every one of 'em. We'll be brief and add as we go along. So, let's begin with .... *drum roll* ... MAURITANIA!