Czech Republic Openarms!

WE WANT TO EMBRACE THE WORLD FROM CZECH REPUBLIC!

WELCOME TO CZECH REPUBLIC OPENARMS!

St. Vitus Cathedral. Prague Openarms!

Population: 10,212,000

National Museum. Prague Openarms!

Capital: Prague; 1,170,000

Area: 78,866 square kilometers (30,450 square miles)

Wencelas Square, Prague Openarms!

Language: Czech

Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, atheist

Currency: Czech koruna

Life Expectancy: 75

GDP per Capita: U.S. $15,300

Literacy Percent: 100

Breaking a nearly 75-year union with the Slovak Republic in 1993, this independent country in Central Europe consists of the regions of Bohemia and Moravia—once part of the Great Moravian Empire formed by Slav tribes in the early ninth century. The Bohemian kingdom arose here during the tenth century, its 600-year reign a highlight of Czech history. Bohemia is a plateau surrounded by mountains, and Moravia, to the east, is mostly hills and lowlands. Austria’s Habsburgs took control of both regions at the start of the 16th century.

With the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, the Czechs and Slovaks came together to create Czechoslovakia.

Separated again in 1939, Czech lands were annexed by the Nazis during World War II, while Slovakia became a puppet state of the Germans. Communists took charge of a reunited Czechoslovakia in 1948, crushing an attempt at liberalization in 1968, only to be forced out in 1989.

After its break with the Slovak Republic, the Czech nation rapidly privatized state-owned businesses. State ownership of businesses was at about 97 percent under communism—today it is less than 20 percent. The country is also reducing its dependence on highly polluting brown coal as an energy source, turning more toward nuclear energy.

Tourism is a rapidly developing sector, and millions come to Prague to visit castles, palaces, and spas.

Although the political and financial crises of 1997 eroded somewhat the country’s stability and prosperity, the Czech Republic succeeded in becoming a NATO member in 1999 and a European Union member in 2004.

Industry: Metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments

Agriculture: Wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops; pigs

Exports: Machinery and transport equipment, intermediate manufactures, chemicals, raw materials, fuel

Argentina Openarms!

WE WANT TO EMBRACE THE WORLD FROM ARGENTINA!

WELCOME TO ARGENTINA OPENARMS!

Welcome to Iguazu Falls Openarms!

Population:      38,592,000

Denise at La Recoleta Cemetery.  It contains the graves of notable people, including Eva Perón ( Eva Duarte). Buenos Aires Openarms!

Capital:               Buenos Aires; 13,349,000

Andrea from Argentina at the Park. Buenos Aires Openarms!

Area:                     2,780,400 square kilometers (1,073,518 square miles)

The Puente de la Mujer (Spanish for “Woman’s Bridge”) is a footbridge in Puerto Madero comercial district

Language:        Spanish ( Official) , English, Italian, German, French

Milton from Chile at Recoleta Cementery. Buenos Aires Openarms!

Religion:           Roman Catholic

Paraná Openarms!

Currency:        Argentine peso

Denise in Posadas. Argentina Openarms!

Life Expectancy: 74

Denise from Argentina & Milton from Chile  at School of Law (University of Buenos Aires). Buenos Aires Openarms! 

GDP per Capita: U.S. $10,500

Denise in Mocona Falls, Argentina Openarms!

Literacy Percent: 97

Argentina, meaning “land of silver,” is a rich and vast land—second largest (after Brazil) in South America and eighth largest in the world. Its heartland is a broad grassy plain known as the Pampas (pronounced PAHM-pahs). Here Argentina’s gaucho, like the U.S. cowboy, has galloped into the country’s folklore.

The Spanish first arrived around 1516, and Argentina gained independence in 1816. The small native population died from European diseases, and today’s population is over 95 percent European. For Spanish, Italian, German, and other immigrants in the late 19th century, Argentina held great promise. Today the literacy and urbanization rates are high, the birthrate and the infant mortality rate are low, and most Argentines consider themselves middle class.

The recent past has been tumultuous. Some 30,000 people disappeared—the Desaparecidos—in the “dirty war” during the military junta’s 1976-1983 rule. In April 1982 Argentine forces invaded the British-held Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Islas Malvinas. Defeat by Britain during the 1982 Falkland Islands war loosened the military dictatorship’s stranglehold on democracy.

Since then much has been won: greater freedom of the press, tolerance of opposition, and increased foreign investment. However, a deep recession caused economic collapse at the end of 2001—followed by fragile economic growth. Unemployment plagues the economy, even as the nation enjoys the continent’s highest per capita income.

The Andes mark Argentina’s western edge, forming the boundary with Chile. The highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, Aconcagua, dominates the Andes at 6,960 meters (22,834 feet). From the Andes, gently rolling plains extend eastward toward the sea. Much of the Pampas, including a rich agricultural section, occupies this region. Northeast Argentina features rain forests and Iguazú Falls. These spectacular falls, on Argentina’s border with Brazil, drop along a 2.7-kilometer (1.6-mile) front in a horseshoe shape. South of the Pampas, dry and windswept Patagonia stretches to the southernmost tip of South America with the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia.

Industry: Food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles

Agriculture: Sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans; livestock

Exports: Edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles

Canada Openarms!

WE WANT TO EMBRACE THE WORLD FROM CANADA!

WELCOME TO CANADA OPENARMS!

Joey at Ottawa Lake. Ottawa Openarms!

Population: 32,225,000

Lydia & Joey. Ottawa Openarms!

Capital: Ottawa; 1,093,000

Area: 9,984,670 square kilometers (3,855,101 square miles)

Language: English, French

Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant

Currency: Canadian dollar

Life Expectancy: 79

GDP per Capita: U.S. $29,300

Literacy Percent: 97

Canada became The Dominion of Canada on July 1st, 1867. We officially became a country in 1982.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic parliament.

The Parliament is in Ottawa and is comprised of the House of Commons (Lower House) and the Senate (The Upper House – whose members are appointed)

The second largest country in area after Russia, Canada has coastlines on the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans, giving it the longest coastline of any country.

In area, Canada is slightly larger than the United States, but has only 11 percent as many people. It is one of the least densely inhabited and most prosperous countries.

A vast region of swamps, lakes, and ancient rock, known as the Canadian Shield, radiates out from Hudson Bay to cover half of the country; it is agriculturally poor with few people but rich in mineral deposits and forests.

The shield stretches from the Arctic to the Great Lakes and Labrador, cutting the country in half and contributing to a division between easterners and westerners.

The Canadian Shield and rugged western mountains experience subarctic climates, resulting in a near empty north—an estimated 75 percent of Canadians live within 161 kilometers (100 miles) of the U.S. border.

France pioneered settlement, but Britain gained control in 1763. In 1867 the British North America Act united English-speaking Upper Canada (Ontario) and French-speaking Lower Canada (Quebec) with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in a self-governing confederation—with independence in 1931.

Canada is a multicultural society dependent on immigration for growth. Some 28 percent are of British descent, 23 percent claim French descent (concentrated in Quebec), 2 percent are aboriginal peoples—other minorities include Italians, Germans, Ukrainians, and Chinese. Canada’s population is highly urbanized, with most people living in four areas: southern Ontario, Montréal region, Vancouver city and southern Vancouver Island, and the Calgary-Edmonton corridor.

The urban economy has a large manufacturing base, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has brought an economic boom—about 80 percent of Canada’s trade is with the U.S.

Industry: Transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products

Agriculture: Wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco; dairy products; forest products; fish

Exports: Motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment, chemicals, timber, crude petroleum

We are waiting for your pictures. You can send them to theopenarms@ymail.com

Morocco Openarms!

WE WANT TO EMBRACE THE WORLD FROM MOROCCO!

WELCOME TO MOROCCO OPENARMS!

Juan from Colombia. Casablanca Openarms!

The Kingdom of Morocco is filled with cultural and natural treasures that will not disappoint even the most adventurous traveler.

Morocco’s fascinating medieval cities like Marrakech and Fez lie in between the great Sahara Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlas Mountains make up the backbone of Morocco, this is where traditional Berber culture still thrives today.

Location: Morocco is in Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara; see map

Area: Morocco covers 446,550 sq km of land, slightly larger than California, and slightly smaller than Spain.

Capital City: Rabat

Population: Just over 32 million people live in Morocco.

Language: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, and French which is often the language of business, government, and diplomacy.

Religion: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Climate: Hot summers (June – September) and cool to cold winters (especially in the Atlas Mountains). Avoid the desert during the summer months and watch out for sand storms February to April.

When to Go: May to October for the beaches; November to April for the desert; April to October for the mountains, March to June and September to November to explore the imperial cities like Marrakech and Fes. More about “Best Time to Go to Morocco”.

Currency: Moroccan Dirham, Click here for currency converter.

Marrakech: The imperial city of Marrakech has a fascinating medina filled with tiny shops, artisans and cafe’s. Stay in a converted Riad (boutique hotel) and enjoy the delights of the main square, the Djemma el Fnaa, every evening.

Fes: The oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities, Fes is a living, breathing, chaotic and fascinating medieval city that is still brimming with energy and life. Labyrinth streets give way to gorgeous mosques and pungent tanneries.

Essaouira: A laid back coastal town with a lovely medina, excellent seafood and decent beaches has made Essaouira one of Morocco’s up and coming attractions.

Chefchaouen: A personal favorite, this little mountain town, painted in brilliant hues of blue, is relaxing and simply gorgeous.

We are waiting for your pictures. You can send them to theopenarms@ymail.com

Peru Openarms!

WE WANT TO EMBRACE THE WORLD FROM PERU!

WELCOME TO PERU OPENARMS!

The capital of Peru is Lima

Pilar from Mexico. Machu Pichu Openarms!

The area of the Peruvian territory is 1,285,215 sq km.

Cecilia from Chile. Máncora Openarms!

Peru has two official languages, Spanish and Quechua.

Peru is surrounded by Ecuador and Colombian in the north, Brazil and Bolivia in the east, Chile in the south and the Pacific Ocean in the west.

Peru’s currency is called Nuevo Sol.

Peru is known for its ancient Inca civilization and its food.

Cusco and Machu Picchu are the most visited places.

The estimated population of Peru is 29.5 million.Population under 15: 31.8%, Population over: 60: 8.1%

Life expectancy of Women: 74 yrs Life expectancy of men: 68.9 yrs

The urban population of Peru is 74.6%.

The fertility rate per women in Peru is 2.4 children.

Most Peruvians consider themselves Catholics. About 89% of the population is Catholic, 6.7% Evangelical and 4.3% other denominations.

Peru is a multi-ethnic society, it is estimated that 45% of the population is Amerindian, 15% Europeans, 37% Mestizo, 3% Asians and Africans.

The most popular sport in Peru is soccer (football in Peru).

Peru’s main exports are copper, gold, zinc, fishmeal.

Peru’s main trading partners in order of importance are United States, China, Chile, Canada.

We are waiting for your pictures. You can send them to theopenarms@ymail.com