Iraqi Fun Facts
This river, along with the Tigris, helped make ancient Iraq part of the “Cradle of Civilization.”
Euphrates River
This Italian city is famous for canals instead of roads and hosts an annual carnival known for its elaborate masks.
In Japan, it’s considered polite to slurp loudly while eating this noodle soup dish.
Ramen
This massive rainforest, the largest in the world, spans multiple South American countries and produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen.
Amazon Rainforest
This black-and-white animal is known for eating bamboo and sleeping up to 14 hours a day.
Giant Panda (Panda is acceptable)
This ancient city of Iraq was once ruled by King Hammurabi, famous for one of the earliest written law codes.
Babylon
This Swiss dish is made by melting cheese and dipping bread into it; it’s traditionally shared from one pot.
Fondue
This springtime tradition involves gathering under blooming cherry trees to picnic and admire the flowers.
Hanami
This Brazilian festival is famous for samba parades, elaborate costumes, and massive street parties before Lent.
Carnival
In Japan, people sometimes celebrate this festival by throwing beans at “demons” to chase away bad luck.
Setsubun
This writing system, developed by the Sumerians in ancient Iraq, is one of the earliest known forms of writing.
Cuneiform
In this Scandinavian country, people celebrate Midsummer by dancing around a flower-covered pole called a “maypole.”
Sweden
In Japan, it’s illegal to be overweight beyond a certain waist size under this 2008 law nicknamed after a common health issue.
Metabo Law
In Bolivia, this unusual festival features people bringing real human skulls—decorated with flowers and cigarettes—to a cemetery for blessings and protection.
Día de las Ñatitas
This animal can sleep while standing, thanks to a special “stay apparatus” in its legs.
Horse
This Abbasid caliph founded Iraq’s capital in 762 CE and commissioned its original circular design, earning it the nickname “The Round City.”
Al-Mansur
In this Swiss town, residents celebrate Sechseläuten by burning a snowman effigy called the “Böögg” to predict how long winter will last.
Zurich
In many Japanese workplaces and schools, it’s common practice for employees and students to participate in this daily group exercise routine broadcast nationwide since 1928.
Radio Taiso
This high-altitude Bolivian salt flat becomes the world’s largest natural mirror during the rainy season.
Salar de Uyuni
In this country, it’s common to tip by rounding up to the nearest “sol” in restaurants, rather than giving a percentage.
Peru
This ziggurat, located in southern Iraq, is traditionally linked to the biblical story of Abraham and dates back over 4,000 years.
Ziggurat of Ur
Every year in this small Welsh town, competitors snorkel through a muddy trench in flippers and a mask.
World Bog Snorkeling Championship
In this Japanese city, a festival called Kanamara Matsuri celebrates fertility with parades featuring giant phallic sculptures.
Kawasaki
In Argentina, the 29th of each month is celebrated by eating gnocchi for good luck and placing money under the plate; this tradition is known by this Spanish name.
Día de Ñoquis
This fungus can control the behavior of insects, effectively turning them into “zombies” to spread its spores.
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis