Many don't know facts about or where these countries are located

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Iran.
Capital: Tehran, the largest city and political centre.
Geography: Located in Western Asia, bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Area: Approximately 1,648,195 square kilometres, making it the 17th largest country in the world.
Population: Around 90 million.
Official Language: Persian (Farsi), spoken by the majority.
Religion: Predominantly Shia Islam (about 90-95% of the population); Sunni Islam and other minorities exist.
Government: Theocratic republic with a Supreme Leader and an elected president.
Supreme Leader: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in power since 1989.
Economy: Heavily reliant on oil and gas exports; one of the world’s largest oil reserves.
Currency: Iranian Rial (IRR), though Toman is commonly used in everyday transactions.
History: Home to ancient Persia, one of the world’s oldest civilisations, with landmarks like Persepolis.
Nuclear Program: Iran’s nuclear development has been a global concern, leading to sanctions and the 2015 JCPOA (Iran Nuclear Deal).
Culture: Rich in poetry, art, and architecture, with contributions from poets like Rumi and Hafez.
UNESCO Sites: 27 World Heritage Sites, including Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square and Pasargadae.
Education: High literacy rate (over 85%) with a strong emphasis on science and technology.
Military: Maintains a significant military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Climate: Diverse, ranging from arid deserts to mountainous regions with cold winters.
Biodiversity: Home to unique wildlife, including the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah.
Sanctions: Faces ongoing international sanctions affecting its economy, particularly from the U.S. and EU.

1. Official Name: People's Republic of China (PRC).
2. Capital: Beijing.
3. Geography: Located in East Asia, bordered by 14 countries, including Russia, India, and Vietnam.
4. Area: Approximately 9,596,960 square kilometers, the third-largest country by land area.
5. Population: Around 1.425 billion (2025 estimate), the second most populous country.
6. Official Language: Mandarin Chinese (Standard Chinese).
7. Religion: Diverse; includes Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity; many are non-religious.
8. Government: One-party socialist republic led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
9. President: Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the CCP, in power since 2013.
10. Economy: Second-largest globally by nominal GDP; major in manufacturing, tech, and trade.
11. Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY), also known as Renminbi.
12. History: One of the world’s oldest civilizations, with dynasties dating back over 3,000 years.
13. Military: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is one of the largest and most modernized globally.
14. Technology: Leader in AI, 5G (e.g., Huawei), and high-speed rail; significant e-commerce growth.
15. UNESCO Sites: 59 World Heritage Sites, including the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
16. Education: High literacy rate (over 96%); home to top universities like Tsinghua and Peking.
17. Climate: Diverse, from subarctic in the north to tropical in the south (Hainan).
18. Biodiversity: Rich, with unique species like the giant panda; significant conservation efforts.
19. Culture: Influential globally through cuisine, martial arts, and traditions like Chinese New Year.
20. International Relations: Major player in UN, BRICS; Belt and Road Initiative expands global influence.

Official Name: United States of America.
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Geography: Located in North America, bordered by Canada, Mexico, and oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic).

1. Area: Approximately 9,833,520 square kilometers, the third-largest country by land area.
2. Population: Around 345 million (2025 estimate).
3. Official Language: None federally; English is predominant.
4. Religion: Diverse; Christianity is the majority, with significant non-religious, Jewish, Muslim, and other groups.
5. Government: Federal presidential republic with three branches (executive, legislative, judicial).
6. President: Donald Trump 
7. Economy: World’s largest by nominal GDP; driven by tech, finance, manufacturing, and services.
8. Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD), the global reserve currency.
9. History: Founded in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence; 50 states by 1959.
10. Military: Most powerful globally, with significant defense spending and worldwide bases.
11. Technology: Leader in innovation; home to Silicon Valley and companies like Apple, Google, and Tesla.
12. UNESCO Sites: 24 World Heritage Sites, including Yellowstone and the Statue of Liberty.
13. Education: Hosts top universities (e.g., Harvard, MIT); literacy rate near 99%.
14. Climate: Highly varied, from arctic in Alaska to tropical in Hawaii and deserts in the Southwest.
15. Biodiversity: Rich ecosystems, with species like bald eagles and unique national parks.
16. Culture: Global influence via Hollywood, music (jazz, hip-hop), and fast food.
17. International Relations: Key player in NATO, UN; strong alliances with Europe, Japan, and Israel.

Official Name: State of Israel.

Capital: Jerusalem (recognised by some countries, including the U.S.; others recognise Tel Aviv).
Geography: Located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Area: Approximately 20,770 square kilometres, one of the smallest countries in the region.
Population: Around 9.9 million 
Official Languages: Hebrew and Arabic.
Religion: Predominantly Jewish (about 74%), with Muslim, Christian, and Druze minorities.
Government: Parliamentary democracy with a prime minister and president.
Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Economy: Advanced, tech-driven economy; known as the 'Start-Up Nation' for innovation.
Currency: Israeli New Shekel (ILS).
History: Established in 1948 following the UN partition plan; rooted in ancient Jewish history.
Military: Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are among the most advanced; mandatory conscription for most citizens.
Conflicts: Ongoing tensions with Palestinians, including disputes over Gaza and the West Bank. Also Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen
Technology: Global leader in cybersecurity, AI, and agricultural tech (e.g., drip irrigation).
UNESCO Sites: Nine World Heritage Sites, including Masada and the Old City of Jerusalem.
Education: High literacy rate (near 100%) with renowned universities like Hebrew University.
Climate: Mediterranean in the north, arid in the south (Negev Desert).
Biodiversity: Diverse ecosystems, including the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.
International Relations: Strong alliances with the U.S.; normalised ties with some Arab states via Abraham Accords.