Did you know that there are 11 countries in the world whose names start with the letter “A”? Great news is that you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for facts about them.
In this article you’ll find some interesting facts about Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria and Azerbaijan.
Here are 22 Interesting Facts about Countries Whose Names Start With The Letter “A”
1. Did you know Buzkashi is Afghanistan‘s national sport? In this centuries-old game, two teams of horse riders compete to catch a goat, making it a challenging and enduring tradition.
2. In 2008, only 28% of rural Afghans had electricity access, one of the world’s lowest rates. By 2018, this figure had surged to 98%.
3. Before 1991, Albania had 3,000 to 7,000 cars, as private ownership was banned under communism. Only top officials and select businesses could have cars. After communism, owning a car became a status symbol, signaling the embrace of capitalism.
4. Albania belongs to NATO but not the European Union. While the lek is the official currency, Euros are widely accepted as payment across the country.
5. Did you know that the Djamaa El Djazair mosque in Algeria, completed in 2019, features the world’s tallest minaret at 265 meters? Well, now you do.
6. Algeria is comprised of 58 provinces, further subdivided into 1541 municipalities known as baladiyahs.
7. Andorra ranks as the 16th smallest country globally in terms of land area and the 11th smallest by population. Spanning just 40km from one side to the other, it covers 460 square kilometers (180 square miles) with a total population of around 85,000, encompassing citizens and residents.
8. Andorra became a member of the United Nations in 1993, waiting for 48 years, until the end of the Cold War, to avoid compromising its neutrality. In the same year, they also joined the Council of Europe, adopted a new constitution, and officially transitioned to a parliamentary democracy.
9. Did you know that Luanda, founded by the Portuguese in 1576, is the capital of Angola, with an estimated population of 2.52 million? It boasts the country’s primary port and airport and is ranked as the world’s most expensive city, surpassing European and Japanese counterparts.
10. Angola continues to grapple with clearing landmines from its civil war. Members of the British Royal Family, including Princess Diana in 1997 and her son, Prince Harry, in 2019, have visited the country to raise awareness of this ongoing issue.
11. Informally known as the “land of 365 beaches,” Antigua and Barbuda supposedly has a beach for each day of the year. Despite the presence of sharks in the surrounding Caribbean Sea, there is no documented history of shark attacks in this area. The thriving shark population is supported by abundant coral reefs and ample food sources.
12. Antigua and Barbuda offer citizenship through an investment program, and the absence of personal income tax makes it a potential tax haven.
13. Buenos Aires, established in 1536, is Argentina‘s capital and largest city, with an estimated metropolitan population of 15 million people today.
14. Argentina has a football history dating back to 1893. It hosted and won the FIFA World Cup in 1978, secured victories in Mexico in 1986 (against Germany), and in Qatar in 2022 (against France). However, in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Argentina was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany.
15. Armenia is the birthplace of the world’s inaugural church, Holy Etchmiadzin, established as the first state church in the early fourth century. It holds significance as the central hub for Armenian churches and is among the world’s renowned pilgrimage sites.
16. In Armenian schools, chess is mandatory for all students, with examinations required for this compulsory subject.
17. According to 2022 statistics, Australia is home to approximately 42 million kangaroos, marking a significant increase from around 27 million in 2009.
18. Anna Creek Station, situated in South Australia, holds the title of the world’s largest working cattle station. Encompassing 23,677 square kilometers (larger than Israel), it is home to approximately 10,000 cattle and managed by a team of eight station hands.
19. Austria is home to Europe’s oldest restaurant, the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, founded within abbey walls in 803 AD. Thriving to this day, it holds the status of the continent’s most ancient restaurant. Renowned historical figures, such as Mozart and Christopher Columbus, are believed to have experienced dining at this venerable establishment.
20. The roots of modern postcards can be linked to Austria. While the initial documented postcard was self-sent by a London writer in 1848, it was Austria that officially sanctioned the widespread use of postcards nationwide in 1869 and thereafter.
21. With an area of around 86,600 square kilometers (33,436 square miles), Azerbaijan is similar in size to Portugal or the U.S. state of Maine.
22. In Azerbaijan, tea-drinking traditions have a unique flair. Served in small glasses reminiscent of those in Turkey and Egypt, Azerbaijani tea is frequently paired with an uncommon side – jam.
Well, there you have it, 22 Interesting Facts you might known about Countries whose names start with the letter “A”. Feel free to share this knowledge with your friends on social media.
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