INDIA

Capital New Delhi Hindi

Official languages

English

Hindi in the Devanagari script is the official language of the Union. English is an additional co-official language for Government work.[1] Assamese Bengali Bodo Dogri Gujarati Hindi Kannada Kashmiri Konkani Maithili Recognised Malayalam Manipuri Marathi Nepali Oriya Punjabi Sanskrit Santali Sindhi regional languages Tamil Telugu Urdu[4] Federal parliamentary Government constitutional republic[1] President Pranab Mukherjee Vice Mohammad Hamid Ansari President Prime Manmohan Singh (INC) Minister Speaker of the Meira Kumar (INC) House Chief P. Sathasivam[5] Justice Indian rupee ( ) (INR) Currency Tradition

Traditional Indian society is defined by social hierarchy. The Indian caste system embodies much of the social stratification and many of the social restrictions found in the Indian subcontinent. Social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, often termed as jtis, or "castes".[290] India declared untouchability illegal in 1947 and has since enacted other antidiscriminatory laws and social welfare initiatives, albeit numerous reports suggest that many Dalits ("exUntouchables") and other low castes in rural areas continue to live in segregation and face persecution and discrimination.

Cuisine
Indian cuisine features an unsurpassed reliance on herbs and spices, with dishes often calling for the nuanced usage of a dozen or more condiments;[302] it is also known for its tandoori preparations. The tandoor, a clay oven used in India for almost 5,000 years, grills meats to an "uncommon succulence" and produces the puffy flatbread known as naan.[303] The staple foods are wheat (predominantly in the north),[304] rice (especially in the south and the east), and lentils.[305] Many spices that have worldwide appeal are native to the Indian subcontinent, [306] while chili pepper, native to the Americas and introduced by the Portuguese, is widely used by Indians.[307] yurveda, a system of traditional medicine, used six rasas and three guas to help describe comestibles. Monuments
Hawa Mahal Taj Mahal Mysore Palace Victoria Memorial Charminar Sanchi Stupa Qutab Minar Gateway of India

PAKISTAN
Currency Capital Pakistani rupee (Rs.) (PKR) Islamabad Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Regional languages Saraiki, Hindko, Brahui[3][4] Government Federal parliamentary republic President Asif Ali Zardari (PPP) Prime Nawaz Sharif (PML-N) Minister Chairman of Nayyar Hussain Bukhari the House (PPP) Speaker of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq (PMLthe House N) Iftikhar Muhammad Chief Justice Chaudhry

Monuments
Tourism in Pakistan has been stated by the Lonely Planet magazine as being the tourism industry's "next big thing".[186] Pakistan, with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes attracted 1 million tourists in 2012[204] Pakistan's tourism industry was in its heyday during the 1970s when the country received unprecedented amounts of foreign tourists, thanks to the Hippie trail. The main destinations of choice for these tourists were the Khyber Pass, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Swat and Rawalpindi.[205] Tourism in Pakistan has been stated by the Lonely Planet magazine as being the tourism industry's "next big thing". [186] Pakistan, with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes attracted 1 million tourists in 2012[204] Pakistan's tourism industry was in its heyday during the 1970s CUISINE Pakistani cuisine is a blend of cooking traditions from different regions of the Indian subcontinent, originating from the royal kitchens of sixteenth-century Mughal emperors. It has similarities to North Indian cuisine, although Pakistan has a greater variety of meat dishes. Pakistani cooking uses large quantities of spices, herbs and seasoning. Garlic, ginger, turmeric, red chilli and garam masala are used in most dishes, and home cooking regularly includes curry. Chapati, a thin flat bread made from wheat, is a staple food, served with curry, meat, vegetables and lentils. Rice is also common; it is served plain or fried with spices and is also used in sweet dishes. [139][305][306] Lassi is a traditional drink in the Punjab region. Black tea with milk and sugar is popular throughout Pakistan and is taken daily by most of the population. [24][307]
TRADITION

Pakistani society is largely hierarchical, emphasising local cultural etiquettes and traditional Islamic values that govern personal and political life. The basic family unit is the extended family,[278] although there has been a growing trend towards nuclear families for socio-economic reasons. [279] The traditional dress for both men and women is the Shalwar Kameez; trousers and shirts are also popular among men.[24] The middle class has increased to around 35 million and the upper and upper-middle classes to around 17 million in recent decades, and

power is shifting from rural landowners to the urbanised elites. [280] Pakistani festivals like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Ramadan are mostly religious in origin. [278] Increasing globalisation has resulted in Pakistan ranking 56th on the A.T. Kearney/FP Globalization Index.[281]
SRILANKA

Capital Official languages Currency Government TRADITION

Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Sinhala Tamil Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) Unitary Semipresidential democratic socialist republic Mahinda Rajapaksa D. M. Jayaratne Chamal Rajapaksa Mohan Peiris[1]

President Prime Minister Speaker of the Parliament Chief Justice

The culture of Sri Lanka dates back over 2500 years. [283] It is influenced primarily by Buddhism and Hinduism.[284] According to Islamic folklore, Adam and Eve were offered refuge on the island as solace for their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.[285] The island is the home to two main traditional cultures: the Sinhalese (centred in the ancient cities of Kandy and Anuradhapura) and the Tamil (centred in the city of Jaffna). In more recent times, the British colonial culture has also influenced the locals. Sri Lanka claims a democratic tradition matched by few other developing countries.[285]
CUSINE

Dishes include rice and curry, pittu, Kiribath, wholemeal Roti, String hoppers, wattalapam (a rich pudding of Malay origin made of coconut milk, jaggery, cashew nuts, eggs, and spices including cinnamon and nutmeg), kottu, and hoppers.[287] Jackfruit may sometimes replace rice and curries. Traditionally food is served on a plantain leaf. Middle Eastern influences and practices are found in traditional Moor dishes, while Dutch and Portuguese influences are found with the island's Burgher community preserving their culture through traditional dishes such as Lamprais (rice cooked in stock and baked in a banana leaf), Breudher (Dutch Holiday Biscuit), Bolo Fiado (Portuguese-style layer cake), and Gumbo Lillas (Dutch style honey coated sweet treats).
MONUMENTS

BBuddha Jayanthi Chaithya

EE. L. Senanayake Children's K cont.Koch Memorial Clock

Buduruvagala

DDawson Tower

IIndependence Memorial Hall NNaka Vihara KKandy Clock Tower OOld Colombo Lighthouse

JAPAN

Capital and largest city Official languages

Tokyo None[1] Aynu itak

Ryukyuan languages Eastern Japanese Western Japanese

Recognised regional languages

Government Currency
TRADITION

several other Japanese dialects Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy Emperor Akihito Prime Shinz Abe Minister Yen () / En ( or ) (JPY)

Japanese culture has evolved greatly from its origins. Contemporary culture combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America. Traditional Japanese arts include crafts such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, swords and dolls; performances of bunraku, kabuki, noh, dance, and rakugo; and other practices, the tea ceremony, ikebana, martial arts, calligraphy, origami, onsen, Geisha and games. Japan has a developed system for the protection and promotion of both tangible and intangible Cultural Properties and National Treasures.[191] Sixteen sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, twelve of which are of cultural significance.[91]

Cuisine
Japanese cuisine is based on combining staple foods, typically Japanese rice or noodles, with a soup and okazu dishes made from fish, vegetable, tofu and the like to add flavor to the staple food. In the early modern era ingredients such as red meats that had previously not been widely used in Japan were introduced. Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonality of food,[207] quality of ingredients and presentation. Japanese cuisine offers a vast array of regional specialties that use traditional recipes and local ingredients. The Michelin Guide has awarded Japanese cities more Michelin stars than the rest of the world combined.
[208]

MONUMENTS

Awaji Yumebutai

Children's Peace Monument Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots

Hiroshima City Ebayama Museum of Meteorology Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Reconciliation (Josefina de Vasconcellos) Ryozen Kannon

Sann Shrine

CHINA

Capital Official languages

Beijing[a] Standard Chinese[3] Mongolian

Tibetan Uyghur Zhuang

Recognised regional languages

Government Currency

President Premier Congress Zhang Dejiang Chairman Conference Yu Zhengsheng Chairman Renminbi (yuan) () (CNY)

various others Single-party socialist state Xi Jinping[c] Li Keqiang

TRADITION
Since ancient times, Chinese culture has been heavily influenced by Confucianism and conservative philosophies. For much of the country's dynastic era, opportunities for social advancement could be provided by high performance in the prestigious Imperial examinations, which were instituted in 605 AD to help the Emperor select skilful bureaucrats. [437] The literary emphasis of the exams affected the general perception of cultural refinement in China, such as the belief that calligraphy, poetry and painting were higher forms of art than dancing or drama. Chinese culture has long emphasized a sense of deep history and a largely inward-looking national perspective.[24] Examinations and a culture of merit remain greatly valued in China today. In recent years, a number of New Confucians have claimed that modern democratic ideals and human rights are compatible with traditional Confucian values.
[438]

Cuisine
Main article: Chinese cuisine Chinese cuisine is highly diverse, drawing on several millennia of culinary history. The dynastic emperors of ancient China were known to host banquets with over 100 dishes served at a time,[446] employing countless imperial kitchen staff and concubines to prepare the food. Such royal dishes gradually became a part of wider Chinese culture. China's staple food is rice, but the country is also well known for its meat dishes. Spices are central to Chinese cuisine.

MONUMENTS

Major Historical and G cont. Cultural Site Protected Guishan Guanyin of at the National Level the Thousand Hands and Eyes Anti-Seismic M Monument Mao Zedong Statue (Chengdu) Erqi Memorial Tower Memorial of Tao xingzhi Fu Baoshi Memorial

Shaohao Tomb Sun Yat Sen Memorial House Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Guangzhou) Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Wall

UNITED KINGDOM

Capital and largest city Official languages

London English[1][2] Irish

Scottish Gaelic Scots Ulster-Scots Welsh

Recognised regional languages

Government Currency
TRADITON

Cornish[nb 3] Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with federal elements Queen Monarch Elizabeth II David Prime Cameron Minister MP Deputy Nick Prime Clegg Minister MP Pound sterling (GBP)

The culture of the United Kingdom has been influenced by many factors including: the nation's island status; its history as a western liberal democracy and a major power; as well as being a political union of four countries with each preserving elements of distinctive traditions, customs and symbolism. As a result of the British Empire, British influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies; including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. The substantial cultural influence of the United Kingdom has led it to be described as a "cultural superpower."[386][387]
CUSINE

Modern British (or New British) cuisine is a style of British cooking which fully emerged in the late 1970s, and has become increasingly popular.[citation needed] It uses high-quality local

ingredients,[citation needed] preparing them in ways which combine traditional British recipes with modern innovations, and has an affinity with the Slow Food movement. It is not generally a nostalgic movement, although there are some efforts to re-introduce pre20th-century recipes. Ingredients not native to the islands, particularly herbs and spices, are frequently added to traditional dishes (echoing the highly spiced nature of much British food in the medieval era).[citation needed]
MONUMENTS

War Memorials Trust Ancient Monuments Society AT6 Monument Bolan's Rock Shrine

L
Exeter War Memorial Hall of Memory, Birmingham In Memoriam 2014

H N

List of King George V Playing Fields in the United Kingdom National Playing Fields Association

Mango - plant profile

The plant
Mango trees can grow up to 40 m high and are topped with a rounded canopy of foliage. They may live for more than 100 years. In plantations they are usually grafted onto the roots of smaller trees so that they can't grow as tall. There are hundreds of mango cultivars distributed throughout the world, of which Asia and India have over 500 and perhaps even 1000.

Image: A flowering mango tree growing in India. Leaves - long and leathery. They have fibres which 'crackle' when they are crushed. They contain a chemical called mangiferin, or 'Indian Yellow' which was used as a dye. Flowers - both male and female and are beautifully fragrant.

Fruits - the skin may be green, yellow, or red. The fruits have a small point, known as the beak. It is cultivated for its edible orange-coloured flesh. The seed within is large and flattened. Wild ancestors of mangos originated in a region around northeast India and

Bangladesh. Mangoes have spread throughout Asia and are now cultivated throughout the tropics.