Turkey

Last time we learned about Russia.
Next up is Turkey!

Just like Russia, Turkey is part of both Europe and Asia
It is on the very Southeastern edge of Europe.

(from: wikipedia - turkey)

For breakfast in Turkey you might have simit, which is bread with sesame seeds.

(from: wikipedia - turkish cuisine)

There are some famous rock formations in Turkey, called the Fairy Chimneys.

(from: wikipedia - cappadocia)

An old Roman emperor called Constantine the Great built a city to be the capitol of the whole Roman empire at the time. He called it Byzantium, it was renamed Constantinople, and then renamed Istanbul.

(from: wikipedia - constantine)



Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Great Lakes (HOMES)

Russia

We just learned about the small country of Iceland.

Russia is the largest country in the world.

It is so large, that even though it's part of Europe, it's also part of Asia!


(from: wikipedia - russia)

For dessert in Russia, you might have syrniki, which is kind of like a donut!

(from: wikipedia - syrniki)

The Russians were the first to launch a satellite in space, called Sputnik 1

(from: wikipedia - russia)

Saint Basil's Cathedral is a beautiful famous church in the city of Moscow.

(from: wikipedia - russia)

One of the most famous musical composers ever was Russian Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
He wrote the famous Nutcracker ballet.

(from: wikipedia - russia)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Peninsulas

Iceland

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

Last time we learned about Belgium.

Next up is Iceland.

Iceland is an Island out in the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and North America.

(from: wikipedia - iceland)

For dinner in Iceland, you might have liver sausage called Lifrarpylsa.

(from: wikipedia - Þorramatur)

A geyser is a hole in the ground that shoots water up in the air.
One of the oldest geysers in the world is in Iceland, called Geysir.

(from: wikipedia - geysir)

There are over 200 volcanos in Iceland!

(from: wikipedia - Eyjafjallajökull)

Huldufólk is an Icelandic word that means "hidden people".
Long ago people believed that there were little elves living in Iceland, and people would even build tiny houses for them!

(from: wikipedia - huldufólk)

Belgium

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

Last time we learned about Austria.

Next up is Belgium.

Belgium is a country just North of France, and West of Germany.

(from: wikipedia - belgium)

For breakfast in Belgium, you might have a Belgian waffle!

(from: wikipedia - belgium)

You can visit a giant 335 ft tall building of an iron atom, called the Atomium

(from: wikipedia - atomium)

The saxophone was invented by Belgian musician Adolphe Sax.

(from: wikipedia - saxophone)

Hundreds of years ago, people would visit the town of Spa in Belgium, to relax in cool water springs.

(from: wikipedia - spa)

Austria

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

Last time we learned about Romania.

Next up is Austria.

Austria is a country just East of Italy, and South of Germany.

(from: wikipedia - austria)

For dinner in Austria, you might have a Wiener Schnitzel,
which is a flat piece of meat covered in breading.

(from: wikipedia - austria)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from Austria was one of the
most famous musical composers to ever live.

(from: wikipedia - wolfgang amadeus mozart)

A family of singers called the von Trapps were very famous through Austria,
and a movie called The Sound of Music was based on their life.


(from: wikipedia - maria von trapp)

Sigmund Freud from Austria is a very famous scientists who studied the way people think,
which is called psychology.


(from: wikipedia - austria)

Romania

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

Romania is located just south of the Ukraine.

(from: wikipedia - romania)

For dinner in Romania you might have a plate of sărmăluţe cu mămăligă, which is stuffed cabbage rolls, with sauerkraut and porridge.

(from: wikipedia - romanian cuisine)

If you've ever heard the story of Dracula the Vampire it's a made up story about vampires,
but there was a real person person named Dracula (he just wasn't really a vampire).
He was a prince in a part of Romania called Transylvania.

(from: wikipedia - vlad dracula)

There is even a castle there that he used to live in, called Bran Castle.

(from: wikipedia - bran castle)

There is a wild and crazy winding road in the mountains called the Transfăgărășan.

(from: wikipedia - romania)

Ukraine

We just learned about the Netherlands.

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

The largest country in Europe by size is the Ukraine.

A popular type of food in the Ukraine is Borscht!

(from: wikipedia - borscht)

The Ukraine is on the Southeastern part of Europe, right next to Russia.

(from: wikipedia - ukraine)

Famous poet Taras Shevchenko is from the Ukraine

(from: wikipedia - taras shevchenko)

Kiev Pechersk Lavra is an ancient monastery that was built almost 1,000 years ago!

(from: wikipedia - kiev pechersk lavra)

Ukranians have a special type of folk dancing
(from: wikipedia - ukranian dance)

Netherlands

We just learned about the country of Finland.

The Netherlands is a country just Northwest of Germany.
The language there is Dutch and sometimes the country is just called Holland.

(from: wikipedia - netherlands)

For dinner there you might have stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) or snert (pea soup)!


(from: wikipedia - dutch cuisine)

People visit the Netherlands to go see their windmills and tulips.


(from: wikipedia - tourism in the netherlands)

Vincent van Gogh was a famous Dutch painter.

(from: wikipedia - vincent van gogh)

Wooden shoes are also an old Dutch tradition

(from: wikipedia - clog (shoe))

Finland

We just learned about the country of Denmark

Finland is a country in Northern Europe, right between to Sweden and Russia on the other side.


(from: wikipedia - finland)

Linus Torvalds is a famous computer genius from Finland

(from: wikipedia - culture of finland)

Finland people love to sit in really hot small houses called saunas
(from: wikipedia - culture of finland)

Suomenlinna is a castle fortress in the sea that is built across six islands
(from: wikipedia - suomenlinna)

Denmark

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

We've learned about Norway and Sweden, the two other Scandinavian countries.

The third and last Scandinavian country is Denmark.
It is not on the peninsula, but is actually connected to Germany.

Denmark is the oldest kingdom in Europe, and the people there are called Danes or Danish.


(from: wikipedia - denmark)

Famous author Hans Christian Andersen was from Denmark.
He was the original writer for famous stories like Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid

(from: wikipedia - hans christian anderson)
Danish scientist Niels Bohr helped us understand how the atom works.

(from: wikipedia - niels bohr)

The famous Kronborg Castle is in Denmark

(from: wikipedia - kronborg castle)

Sweden

Let's keep learning about the countries in Europe!

Last time we learned about Norway,
and how Norway, Denmark and Sweden are all Scandinavian countries.
Sweden is also part of the Scandinavian Peninsula.


(from: wikipedia - sweden)

Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, and started the Nobel peace prizes.

(from: wikipedia - alfred nobel)

Every year Sweden builds a hotel made of ice, big enough for 100 people.

(from: wikipedia - tourism in sweden)

The type of meal where you have a table full of food to choose from
is very often called a smorgasbord, which comes from the Swedish word Smörgåsbord.

(from: wikipedia - smörgåsbord