Thailand

Thailand is a country at the centre of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest.

Did you know that:
1. Thailand was actually known as Siam until 1939 (and again from 1945 to 1949).
2. Siamese cats are native to Thailand.
3. The largest living lizard is native to Thailand. The monitor lizard can grow as long as 7 feet.
4. Muay Thai boxing, Thailand’s national sport, is known as “the art of eight limbs”.
5. It is illegal to step on any Thai currency.
6. The Garuda is the national and royal symbol of Thailand.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south. It comprises two principal regions: the Oesling in the north as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland ("good country") in the south.

Did you know that:
1. Luxembourg has the highest minimum legal salary in the Europe and the second highest in the world after Australia. In 2013, it was €1,874.90 ($2,404) per month or €10.8335 ($13.89) per hour for unqualified workers over 18 - higher even than in Monaco.
2. Luxembourg contributes to the highest sale of alcohol in European GDP.
3. German is the first language which is taught in schools of Luxembourg and is also used by the Church and media. However, all the businesses and official dealings are done in French.
4. The University of Luxembourg is the only university in the country.
5. Due to its banking secrecy laws, Luxembourg has attained the reputation of a tax haven.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab state in Western Asia by land area and the second-largest in the Arab world after Algeria. It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen in the south. It is the only nation with both a Red Sea coast and a Persian Gulf coast.

Did you know that:
1. Saudi Arabia is the only place on earth where beheading, amputation of hands and limbs, and stoning are not illegal.
2. It is illegal in Saudi Arabia to practice any form of sorcery or magic. The Saudis have a police unit set up specifically for catching witches.
3. It is strictly forbidden to carry and drink alcoholic beverages in Saudi Arabia.
4. In Saudi Arabia, a liter of potable water is more expensive than a liter of oil.
5. Women are basically banned from working in Saudi Arabia. For decades, that meant women were served by men in lingerie shops, which was a bit awkward.
6. Diyya, commonly translated as “blood money,” is a system for criminals to compensate their victims’ families financially. Doing so allows the person that committed the crime to be let off from normal criminal justice. It’s a formalized way of buying one’s freedom.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north; Niger to the east; Benin to the southeast; Togo and Ghana to the south; and Ivory Coast to the southwest. Its capital is Ouagadougou.

Did you know that:
1. The official language is French, since Burkina Faso was colonized by France. Other languages spoken include Mòoré, Gourma, Fulfulde, Dioula, Tamasheq.
2. The Mossi is the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso.
3. Burkina Faso is home to 60 different ethnic groups, each with their own variety of folk music.
4. Burkina Faso is a leader in African art and culture and hosts the largest craft market in Africa.
5. The Bobo, one of the ethnic groups in Burkina Faso make large butterfly masks, painted in stripes of red, white and black which are used to invoke the deity Do in fertility ceremonies. The Mossi are known for their antelope masks. The Lobi carve wood.