System of government: Socialist Republic Capital: Hanoi Location: In south-western Asia, on the coast of South China Sea; Vietnam has borders with China, Laos and Kampuchea Area: 329,556 sq km National composition: Vietnamese (88%), Chinese and many other minorities Religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism Official language: Vietnamese Currency: Dong =100xu Administrative divisions: 58 provinces ( in Vietnamese: tỉnh), and there are 5 …

System of government: Socialist Republic Capital: Ulan Bator Location: Mongolia is a landlocked country in Central Asia; it has borders with the Russia to the north, and China to the south, east and west Area: 1,565,000 sq km National composition: Mongols (over 90%), minorities include Kazakhs, Uighurs, Tuvinians and Chinese Religion: Lamaist Buddhism Official language: Mongolian Currency: Tugrik = 100 mongo …

System of government: Republic Capital: Seoul Location: Southern half of the Korean Peninsula, including adjacent islands in the Yellow Sea and Korea Strait Area: 98,484 sq km National composition: Koreans; some Chinese and others Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity Official language: Korean Currency: Won = 100 jeon Administrative divisions: 8 provinces, 1 special autonomous province, 6 metropolitan cities and 1 special …

System of government: People’s Republic Capital: Pyongyang Location: Northern part of the Korean Peninsula, between the Yellow and East China seas and the Sea of Japan. North Korea has borders with the Russia, China and South Korea. Area: 120,538 sq km National composition: Koreans Currency: Won = 100 chon Administrative divisions: 9 provinces and 4 independent municipalities with the status …

System of government: Constitutional Monarchy Capital: Tokyo Location: Island nation in the Pacific; the Japanese archipelago is separated from the Asian mainland by the Sea of Japan; it includes the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, the Ryukyu group, Tsushima, Bonin, Izu and Volcano Islands, as well as numerous smaller islands Area: 373,313 sq km National composition: Japanese (99%), …

System of government: British colony administered by a governor; due to revert to China in 1997 Capital: Victoria Location: Off the south coast of China, Hong Kong includes the island of Hong Kong, the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island, together with the New Territories (comprising more than 230 islands and an area on the mainland), which were leased from China …

System of government: Chinese territory under Portuguese administration Capital: Macao (Macau) Location: On southern coast of China, about 60 km from Hong Kong; Macau consists of the Macau Peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane Area: 16 sq km National composition: Chinese, Portuguese Official language: Portuguese Currency: Pataca = 100 avos The economy of Macau depends on entrepot trade …

System of government: Australian Overseas Territory Capital: Administrative centre on West Island Location: Two atolls consisting of 27 coral islands in the Indian Ocean south-west of Sumatra Area: 14 sq km National composition: Malays and Europeans The chief product of this small Australian territory is copra. The airstrip on West Island is a refueling base for flights between Australia and …

System of government: Constitutional Monarchy (Grand Duchy) Capital: Luxembourg City Location: In western Europe, enclosed by Belgium to the west, France to the south and the Federal Republic of Germany Area: 2,586 sq km National composition: Mainly Luxembourgers, some foreign nationals, including French and Italians Religion: Roman Catholic Official languages: French, Letzeburgesch Currency: Franc = 100 centimes Administrative divisions: The …

System of government: Constitutional Monarchy Capital: Brussels (Bruxelles or Brussel) Location: In western Europe, facing the North Sea and bordering France in the south, Luxembourg and the Federal Republic of Germany in the east, and the Netherlands in the north Area: 30,513 sq km National composition: Flemings in the north, Wallons in the south; Brussels is a bilingual city. There …