Cuba

Population: 11,236,444
GDP per capita: $9,700
Capital with Population: Havana's population is 2,328,000

Did you know?
1.The Cubans refer to their island as 'El Cocodrilo' - viewed from above Cuba is believed to resemble a crocodile.
2. When Christopher Columbus first stumbled upon Cuba in 1492 he thought he had landed in China.
3. Despite being a world apart politically, Cuba is only 90 miles away from the US.
4. US law does not forbid US citizens to travel to Cuba - they're just not allowed to spend any money there! - effectively meaning a travel ban.
5. As well as producing some of the world's finest cigars - Cuba also has a knack of producing great sports stars, particularly in boxing, athletics and baseball.
6. In something of a paradox Cuba has one of the best health care systems in the world. The average life expectancy of around 76 years is comparable with that of the UK and US and one of its most successful exports is that of medical technology. Cuban scientists have developed vaccines for hepatitis-B and meningitis-B.


Cuisine

• Western cuisine makes wider use of eggs, particularly omelettes (such as tortilla de papa) and fried eggs (huevos à la habanera, fried eggs served over white rice and fried plantains). 
• Fish dishes are also common, especially in coastal areas, and although Cuba has a well-developed lobster fishing industry, it is used very sparsely. Aside from Cuba's present economic condition, which makes lobster an unreachable food for most families, Cuban cuisine was always of inland origin, therefore fish and sea products are as commonly used as in coastal areas, where crab is another common food staple. Popular fish recipes are enchilado (shrimp, fish, crab or lobster in a sauce that, despite its name, contains no chili), and à la vizcaína, a tomato-based sauce of Basque origin used to cook bacalao (salted cod).
  Other Spanish dishes can be found in Cuba, such as the paella, arroz con pollo (chicken cooked with yellow rice much like a paella), and the empanada gallega (which is similar to an English meat pie). 
• While western Cuba is heavily influenced by its European roots, eastern Cuba (the old Oriente province) is influenced by African and Caribbean cuisines. Perhaps the biggest contribution is the Congrí oriental, which is cooked red beans and rice. This is due to the close proximity to the other Spanish-speaking islands, where red beans are more prevalent than black beans. 
• Many foods from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico can be found in eastern Cuba with their own twists. One example would be the mofongo (called fufú de plátano in Cuba), which is mashed plantains stuffed with pork, chicken, or seafood. The name "fufu" comes from Western Africa.

Famous Cubans
Cuban literature is most famous for its poetry and essays. The influential Afro-Cuban tradition has been explored by Cuban scholars, most notably by Fernando Ortiz (1881–1916), jurist and ethnographer. Another leading writer was José Antonio Saco (1797–1879), author of a six-volume history of slavery.
Ernesto Lecuona (1896–1963) was a composer of popular music
Juan José Sicre (b.1898) is Cuba's outstanding sculptor. 
Camilo Cienfuegos (d.1959).
Cubans notable in literature include poet Nicolás Guillén (1902–89) and playwright and novelist Alejo Carpentier y Valmont (1904–80).
Alicia Alonso (b.1921), a noted ballerina, founded the National Ballet of Cuba.



Many people would be surprised how many Cuban Americans in the United States have achieved fame in the world of entertainment. While there are many more who fit this category, below are just a few of the most well known.

• Desi Arnaz may be one of the most famous Cuban Americans to achieve fame in the entertainment industry. Born in Santiago, Cuba, Arnaz moved to the United States to be a part of the big band movement. While his original career was in music, his break into film came when he met and married Lucille Ball. Soon thereafter, the couple became the stars of the television show “I Love Lucy.” In addition, Arnaz and his wife established Desilu Productions.
• In modern times, the well-known actor, Andy Garcia is a Cuban American who has achieved fame. Garcia was born in Havana, with the name of Andres Arturo Garcia Menendez. Garcia moved to the United States at a young age and eventually became a well established actor, starring in such films as “The Godfather Part III,” “When a Man Loves a Woman,” and “The Lost City.”
• Further famous Cuban Americans in the entertainment industry include Eddie Cibrian, Rosario Dawson, Daisy Fuentes, Eva Mendes, Cesar Romero, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
• Gloria Estefan began her career in her home of Havana Cuba. However, she went on to become one of the most established Latin singers in the United States. Throughout her career, Estefan has taken home seven Grammy’s, and her songs have reached top one hundred billboards time and again. Her music, which includes a significant Latin influence, includes such well known pieces as “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” and “Anything for You.” 
  
  Cuba will have an exhibit at the festival this year. Come check them out September 4th and 5th, 2010 at Southridge Mall!
  

Brazil

Borders:
Brazil borders 10 countries
1) Guyana

2) Suriname

3) Venezuela

4) Colombia

5) Bolivia

6) Peru

7) Argentina

8) Paraguay

9) Uraguay

10) French Guiana

Population: 192,272,890

GDP per capita: $10,513

Capital with population:
Brasilia - 2,051,146

Did You Know?

• Brazil is one of the biggest countries of the world and the most populous countries in Latin America. It is officially known as Brasil or Republica Federtiva do Brasil.
• The capital of Brazil is Brasilia and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the world. This city was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, who was considered to be one of the best architects in the world.
• Christ the Redeemer, the 130-feet tall statue that overlooks Rio de Janeiro, is one of the seven wonders of the contemporary times. This sculpture is the symbol and icon of Brazil.
• Apparently, Brazil has the 2nd highest Christian population in the whole world!
• The only soccer team in this world to have won the prestigious ‘World Cup’ 5 times is Brazil's soccer team. Brazil is also the birthplace of one of the best soccer players of this century, Pele.
• One of the most beautiful stadiums of the Third World is the Maracana Stadium, built in 1950 and located in Rio de Janeiro.
• The world’s best and most delicious coffee is produced in Brazil.
• The Amazon Rainforest, which is located in Brazil, is the world’s largest rainforest and covers an area of 2.3 million square miles.
• The main industries in Brazil are those of textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment.
• Brazil also has a substantial amount of agricultural production. Coffee, soybean, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa and citrus are the main agricultural products grown in Brazil.
• Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada, the famous erudite personality of Brazil, composed the verses of the Brazilian anthem. The anthem is believed to be hard to understand, even by literate Brazilians, as there are many rare words and several complex sintatic constructions in the anthem.
• Brazil doesn’t have any official religion. Around 74% of the Brazilian population comprises of Roman Catholics. Besides, a number of diverse evangelical cults are also represented, as are animist beliefs (more so, in the Afro-Brazilian religion of candomblé).
• It is common in the country to kiss women on both their cheeks while meeting them or taking their leave, in informal situations. Between men, handshaking is customary and normal European courtesies are followed.
• In Brazil, flowers are an acceptable gift, while visiting someone on a meal, or on arrival. Another custom comprises of frequent offers of tea and coffee to the visitors.
• During the hot weather, people wear casual wear. The mode of dress is indicated on invitations for more formal occasions. 

Cuisine:
The country's gigantic geographic scope creates regional differences in the cuisine, and no single dish can encompass and represent the national palate.

Rice and beans (above) is an extremely popular dish, considered basic at table; a tradition Brazil shares with several Caribbean nations.

Salgadinhos (above) are small savory snacks (literally salty snacks). Similar to Spanish tapas, these are mostly sold in corner shops and a staple at working class and lower middle-class familiar celebrations.

 Pizza is also extremely popular. It is usually made in a wood-fire oven with a thin, flexible crust, very little sauce, and a number of interesting toppings. In addition to the "traditional" Italian pizza toppings, items like guava jam and cheese, banana and cinnamon, catupiry and chicken, and chocolate are available. Many Brazilians enjoy putting ketchup on pizza, and even mayonnaise, mustard, and olive oil may be added.

Famous Brazilians
Gisele Bundchen

The tall, thin supermodel who wears dead animals, causing animal rights activists to haunt her wherever she goes.
Helo Pinheiro

The original Girl from Ipanema, as a teenager she used to walk past Tom Jobim and Vincet de Moraes in a bar in Ipanema and, dying of love, they wrote the bossanova classic “Garota de Ipanema” in her honour.Of course, not having an agent she didn’t cash in too well on the success and so eneded up posing for Playboy with her daughter a few years ago. A close family.
Pele

The greatest footballer that Brazil, perhaps the world, has ever seen. A world cup winner. now he coaches the young and features from time to time in the Brazilian paparazzi press.
Joao Gilberto
 
Known throughout the world for his classic version of the Girl from Ipanema with Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto was the original Mister Bossanova, with a lullaby voice that brings the classic air of saudade to everything he sang.

Brazil is a very interesting country, go visit some time!

Argentina

Borders
Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile.

Population
40,134,425

GDP per capita
$14,560

Capital with Population
Buenos Aires: 3,050,728

Did You Know?

• Argentina declared independence from Spain on the 9th of July, 1816.
• Current President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was the first woman President to be elected in Argentina.
• Argentina is the 30th largest country in the world by population, with just over 40 million people.
• The official currency of Argentina is the peso.
• Argentina was one of the first countries to have radio broadcasting. The first broadcast was made on the 27th of August, 1920. Only twenty people had a receiver at the time!
• Average life expectancy in Argentina is 76 years.
• About 10% of people living in Argentina have private health cover.
• Argentina has a very good literacy rate- 97.6%. This ranks them at equal 58th in the world.
• The official language of Argentina is Spanish, although many people speak Italian and German. Some indigenous populations still speak their native languages.
• Pato is the official national sport of Argentina. It is a combination of polo and basketball.
• Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Argentina.
• A major export of Argentina is wine.
• Like animated films? The world’s first animated films were made and released in Argentina, by a man named Quirino Cristiani in 1917.
• The Teatro Colón, located in Buenos Aires (the capital and largest city of Argentina), is one of the great opera houses in the world.
• Argentina loves movies! They have one of the highest rates of movie watching in the world. They enjoy watching both locally made movies and Hollywood movies.
• The Argentine government has estimated that 750,000 people living in Argentina are illegal immigrants.
• 20% of the population (according to the 2001 census) lack indoor running water and/or indoor plumbing.
• Argentina produces a lot of honey, soybeans, sunflower seeds, maize and wheat.
• Crocodiles live in Argentina.
• The hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in South America have occurred in Argentina.
• Argentina is divided into 23 provinces.
• There are about 70,000 members in the Argentine armed forces.

Cuisine

Chimichurri

Chimmichurri is a variant of green sauce, though there is a red version as well, also used as a marinade, for grilled meat. It is originally from Argentina and Uruguay, but is also used in countries as far north as Nicaragua and Mexico
It comes from 'Jimmy McCurry', an Irishman who is said to have first prepared the sauce. He was marching with the troops of General Jasson Ospina in the 19th century, sympathetic to the cause of Argentine independence. The sauce was popular and the recipe was passed on. However, 'Jimmy McCurry' was difficult for the native people to say. Some sources claim Jimmy's sauce's name was corrupted to 'chimichurri', while others say it was changed in his honor.

Empanadas

Argentine empanadas are often served at parties as a starter or main course, or in festivals. Shops specialize in freshly made empanadas, with many flavors and fillings.
The dough is usually of wheat flour and lard with fillings differing from province to province: in some it is mainly chicken in others beef (cubed or ground depending on the region), perhaps spiced with cumin and paprika, while others include onion, boiled egg, olives, or raisins. Empanadas can be baked (more common in restaurants and cities) or fried (more common in rural areas and at festivals). They may also contain ham, fish, humita (sweetcorn with white sauce) or spinach; a fruit filling is used to create a dessert empanada. Empanadas of the interior regions can be spiced with peppers. Many are eaten at celebrations.
Lots Of Meat

Argentines are famous for their high protein diet, particularly beef. Grilled meat from the asado (barbecue) is a staple, with steak and beef ribs especially common. Chorizo (pork sausage), morcilla (blood sausage), chinchulines (chitterlings), mollejas (sweetbread), and other parts of the animal are enjoyed. In Patagonia, lamb and chivito (goat) are eaten more than beef. Whole lambs and goats can be seen on the asado. Chimichurri, a sauce of herbs, garlic and vinegar, is often used as an accompaniment (most Argentines have a relatively delicate palate and do not include chili in their version of chimichurri).

Famous Argentine’s
Jose de San Martin

The most famous Argentine is José de San Martín (1778–1850), known as the Protector of the South, who was principally responsible for freeing southern South America from the Spanish yoke.

Diego Torres
Born in Buenos Aires in 1971 as Diego Antonio Caccia Torres, he’s an Argentine songwriter, pop singer and actor who’s been nominated for several Latin Grammy Awards. He’s the son of the Argentine singer Lolita Torres. His most famous and successful song is “Color esperanza”.

Adolfo Bioy Casares
Adolfo Vicente Perfecto Bioy Casares was born in Buenos Aires in 1914 and died in the same city in 1999. He was a famous and influential Argentine writer of fantastic, police and science fiction literature who received the Miguel de Cervantes Prize and the Alfonso Reyes International Prize in 1990. He was a close friend of Jorge Luis Borges and collaborated with him in several occasions under several pen names of which the most famous was Honorio Bustos Domecq. Borges considered him one of the greatest Argentine writers. He became part of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour in 1981 and was declared an “Illustrious Citizen of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires” in 1986. His most famous novel is “La invención de Morel” (The invention of Morel), published in 1940, and was described by Borges and Octavio Paz as “perfect”. He is considered an essential author in the comprehension of the Argentine literature of the 20th Century.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Current President of Argentina, she was elected in 2007 and received the leadership of the country after her husband, Néstor Kirchner, ended his presidential period. She was the first woman to be elected for presidency in the history of Argentina, and the second to occupy position (In 1974, María Estela Martínez de Perón “Isabelita Perón” was elected vice president and then became the president after the death of Juan Domingo Perón). In 2008, she was elected by Forbes magazine as the thirteenth most powerful woman of the world in the publication’s top 100 powerful women list.

Go Visit Argentina and try some Chimichurri!

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico has three colours on its flag-green represents hope and victory. White stands for purity. Red brings to mind bloodshed.


• Borders:

Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km

• Population:

109,955,400

• GDP per capita:

$8,051.92 per capita

• Capital with population:

Mexico City - 8,735,400
Mexico City is the largest city in the world. It was built on the site of the ancient city of Tenochtitlán.
Mexico is the fourteenth largest country in the world, and the fifth largest in the Americas. It is also the most populated Spanish speaking country in the entire world.

• Did you Know?

• Mexico is filled with vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes and has a vast history. The country is actually divided into 31 states. 
• The capital is Mexico City. 
• The country is mostly Roman Catholic and 90% practise. 
• 

Mexico is the third-largest country in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina. 
• It has the largest population of Spanish speakers in the world.
• Mexico has the world’s second-highest number of Catholics. 
• Mexican are the largest group of immigrants in the States.


• The average Mexican only finishes grading 6.


• The country gets frequent earthquakes.


• Mexico’s main industries are food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel petroleum, mining and tourism.
• Thier agricultural products are rice, beans, coffee, fruit and tomatoes.
• 

Maize-corn has been used for thousands of years and is a big part of the culture.


• Hot chocolate is the sacred drink of the Aztecs.


• The name tomato comes from the Aztec language.
• 

The popular Caesar salad is named after Caesar Cardini.


• Mayans chewed gum from the sapodilla tree thousands of years ago.
• 

Mexico introduced chocolate to the world…yum!
• 

If you love Starbucks, you won’t find one in Mexico. 
• They only have one Ben and Jerry’s too.


• Tequila is the national drink.
• 

Did you know that Mexico City sinks 10 inches each year?
• 

The currency of Mexico is the Peso.
 
• 
At the beginning of the 21st century Mexico’s population was over 100 million!


• Mexico is the largest salt producers in the world. Along with that petroleum is their major export.


• The largest bullfighting ring is in Mexico.


• The poinsettia plant is named after Ambassador Poinsett.


• Primary school starts at 5.  Their Secondary school starts at 11 and lasts until 17.


• The Aztecs believed turquoise would protect them so they decorated their battle shields with it.


• There are fifty species of hummingbirds, several types of pelicans and other species of birds in Mexico.



• If you stand by the pyramid Chichen Itza you will hear a bird singing.
 
• 
There is a tree called the Kapoc that produces cotton like balls.
• 

The first astronomer’s convention was held in Mexico in 700A.D.
• 

Did you know Mexico has the world’s smallest volcano? It is 43 feet tall and has a staircase inside.
• 

The country has the oldest living tree in the world. It is 40 feet tall.
• 

During the two equinoxes when the sun rises and sets the pyramid “El Castillo” shows a shadow of a serpent moving along its side! That is a mathematical amazement!


• They are actually decorating swine flu masks in Mexico!
• Chichen Itza, a town surrounded by ancient Mayan ruins, is also the home basketball and soccer. The Great Ball court is where the ancient civilization competed in a game that was a mix of soccer and basketball. The teams were organized much like U.S. teams today, men were picked to represent their area as a team.
• Mexico is the world's largest producer of silver. The area known as the Silver Belt is found from Chihuahua down to Guanajuato. It is said that affordable, even cheaply priced, silver jewelry can be found in this area. In addition, most of the towns in the Silver Belt are very old, built in the colonial times when silver mining was first popular in the Americas. In fact, the colonial city of Zaratacas is built on a ravine. Its crooked, narrowed streets boggle the unaccompanied tourist.

• Bullfighting

Mexico is also known for the very controversial sport of bullfighting. There are 35 arenas in the country, including Mexico City's the Mexico City Arena. Although this may not be a form of entertainment to suit all ages, bullfighting is considered a national sport in Mexico. Don't be fooled by the segment called "baby bullfighting." It is just as gory as the main event.

Bottoms Up

Mexico City is sinking at a rate of six to 8 inches each year. The reason is that it is location over an underground river. Each year as the town pumps water out to hydrate the population, it only compounds the problem.
Mexico hosted the Summer Olympics in 1968 and the FIFA World Cup soccer championship in 1970 and 1986.

• Our thanks to the Conquistadores and the Aztecs for Mexican Food!!

When Spanish conquistadores arrived in the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (the ancient city on which Mexico City was built), they found that the people's diet consisted largely of corn-based dishes with chiles and herbs, usually complemented with beans and squash. The conquistadores eventually combined their imported diet of rice, beef, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the indigenous foods of pre-Columbian Mexico, including chocolate, maize, tomato, vanilla, avocado, papaya, pineapple, chile pepper, beans, squash, sweet potato, peanut, fish and turkey.
WALA!!!  Genius!!  Today you can travel across the US from California, Denver, Chicago, and New York.  All have their own spin of how they prepare Mexican food, but never forget the basics came from the Conquistadors and Aztecs

• Some Impressive Folks from Mexico

• Octavio Paz Lozano is considered as being one of the most prestigious, prominent and controversial poets of Spanish American literature in the second half of the twentieth century, a literary giant of contemporary Mexico.

• Luis Miramontes Was a brilliant Mexican chemist known as the co-inventor of the progestin used in one of the first two oral contraceptives.

• Guillermo González Camarena was a Mexican engineer and inventor of the color television. Displaying rare ingenuity, Camarena invented and received a patent for color television transmission system known as the Chromoscopic adapter for television equipment.

• Anthony Quinn was a two-time Academy Award-winning Mexican actor, as well as a painter and writer.

• Richard "Pancho" Gonzalez was the World No. 1 tennis player for an unequalled 8 years in the 1950s and early 1960s.

• Diego Rivera considered the greatest Mexican painter of the twentieth century, Diego Rivera had a profound effect on the international art world. Between 1922 and 1953, Rivera painted murals in Mexico City, Chapingo, Cuernavaca, San Francisco, Detroit, New York City.

• Mario J. Molina is one of the most prominent precursors to the discovering of the Antarctic ozone hole. He was jointly awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, along with chemists Paul J. Crutzen and F. Sherwood Rowland “for his work in atmospheric chemistry concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone.

• Salma Hayek Jiménez  is one of Hollywood's most dazzling leading actresses with Mexican origin

If you have one adventureous bone in your body, visit Mexico!! “Sure, Mexico has its problems. Every place does. But the allure of its charms will cause you to ignore its blemishes. There are countless reasons for the attraction…many people are drawn by the low cost of living, but they stay because they fall in love with the colorful setting and the laidback lifestyle—and the Mexican people. 


Country Profile #1: Spain

Spain, is a member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. With an area of 504,030 km, Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France. Since January 1, 2010, Spain has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Spanish cuisine consists of a great variety of dishes which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep Mediterranean roots. Spain's extensive history with many cultural influences has led to a unique cuisine.

Tapas is the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid) In North America and the United Kingdom, as well as in select bars in Spain, tapas has evolved into an entire, and sometimes sophisticated, cuisine. In these countries, patrons of tapas restaurants can order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal.

In Spain, dinner is usually served between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. (sometimes as late as 12 midnight), leaving significant time between work and dinner. Therefore, Spaniards often go "bar hopping" and eat tapas in the time between finishing work and having dinner. Since lunch is usually served between 1 and 3 p.m., another common time for tapas is weekend days around noon as a means of socializing before lunch proper at home.

Famous Spanish People (Natives)

Actors

• Antonio Banderas
• Penélope Cruz

Musicians

• Isaac Albeniz
• Pau Casals
• Manuel de Falla
• Enrique Granados
• Joaquín Turina

Painters

• Salvador Dalí
• Francisco Goya
• Joan Miró
• Pablo Picasso
• Diego Velázquez
• Ignacio Zuloaga
• Francisco de Zurbarán

Singers

• Miguel Bosé
• Montserrat Caballé
• José Carreras
• Plácido Domingo
• Enrique Iglesias
• Julio Iglesias
  
• Alfredo Kraus
• La Pandilla
• Raphael
• Melody Ruiz Gutiérrez
• Alejandro Sanz
• Camilo Sesto
• Camarón de la Isla

Sports

• Severiano Ballesteros - Golfer
• Galo Blanco - Tennis Player
• Fermin Cacho Ruiz - Athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist
• Pedro Carrasco - World Champion Boxer
• Javier Castillejo - World Champion Boxer
• Juan Carlos Ferrero - Tennis Player
• Sergio Garcia - Golfer
• Pau Gasol - NA Basketball Player
• Luis Miguel González Lucas - Bullfighter
• Miguel Induráin - Cyclist
• Carlos Moya - Tennis Player
• José Maria Olazábal - Golfer
• Raúl - Football Player
• Carlos Sainz - Rally Driver
• Arantxa Sanchez Vicario - Tennis Player
• Cristina Sanchez - Bullfighter
• Javier Sanchez - Tennis Player

Unique things about Spain:

Tomato Fighting: Spectators from all over the world are surprised, shocked and impressed each year when they watch the spectacle of tomato fighting. The fiesta is one of the strangest of all Spanish festivals and carnivals is La Tomatina where more than 30,000 semi-naked people gather to throw tomatoes at each other before getting washed down by the hoses of the local fire brigade. It is truly an experience worth experiencing and on the top of the list of things about Spain while visiting the country.


Bull Fighting & Bull Running: In Spain the bullfight is called the Fiesta Nacional (The national Sport). Bull fighting and bull running of Spain is world famous. It tops the list for things to do in Spain. Bull fighting may be a ritualized killing and is many people’s idea of extreme cruelty, but to others the experience of a corrida is a breathtaking and dramatic view of the Spanish psyche.