COUNTRY FUN FACTS
Outline Introduction Kenya fun fact Our Global spread Liberia fun fact Our official languages Mali fun fact Benin fun fact Mozambique fun fact Burkina Faso fun fact Nigeria fun fact Cameroon fun fact Senegal fun fact Chad fun fact Sierra Leone fun fact Congo fun fact Tanzania fun fact Congo Brazaville fun fact Uganda fun fact Cote D’Ivoire United Kingdom fun fact France fun fact United States of America Gabon fun fact fun fact Ghana fun fact Zambia fun fact Guinea fun fact
Introduction The UBA country fun fact e-book contains interesting and fascinating facts about the different countries UBA operates in globally. The e-book is designed to educate and enlighten staff of cultural differences, encourage cultural awareness, promote oneness in the UBA tribe, break down cultural barriers and foster an environment where we all can value our cultural differences. One Bank One Tribe One Voice
Our Global Spread As Africa’s global bank, UBA has a large These countries have different tribes, footprint across the world operating in cultures and perspectives; they speak 20 African countries: Republique du different languages (official and Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Congo indigenous). Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Cote d’lvoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, However, in UBA, we are all one Tribe! Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Regardless of geographical location, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Chad, Uganda mother tongue or country official language. and Zambia. The Bank also operates in We focus on what binds us together than the United Kingdom, the United States of what separates us: our collective purpose America and has a presence in France. – vision, mission and core values.
Our Official Languages Currently UBA has three (3) official languages namely; • English • French • Portuguese With the goal of becoming Africa’s undisputed “Number 1” bank, the need to develop a culture of multilingualism, proactively positioned to expand the language repertoire and cultural perspectives of each employee is key.
Benin fun fact Did you know that with a median age of just 17 years old, Benin has the 10th youngest population in the world?
Countries that Benin Republic shares border with: Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Nigeria Population: 12 524 285 Capital City: Cotonou Official Language: French Independence Day: August 1st, 1960 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Monuments GOHO, Place des Martyrs, Place Bayol; Chûtes de Tanekas Local Cuisine: Moyo Fish, Fish and egg Atassi, Akassa, Doko
Burkina Faso Fun fact Did you know that someone from Burkina Faso is called Burkinabé?
Countries that Burkina Faso shares border with: Cote D’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana Population: 20 870 060 Capital City: Ouagadougou Official Language: French Independence Day: 5th August Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Ruins of Loropeni, Cascades of Karfigueba, Royal Palace of Tiebele Local Cuisine: Saghbo, Jollof rice e.t.c. Natural Resources: Gold, iron, nickel, bauxite and lead
Cameroon Fun fact Did you know that Cameroon is the ninth most linguistically diverse country in the world and the second in Africa after Nigeria?
Countries that Cameroon shares border with: Chad, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Congo,Nigeria. Population: 25.2 million Capital City: Yaounde Official Language: French & English Independence Day: 20th May Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Lobé Falls, Reunification Monument , Unity Palace Local Cuisine: Brochettes, Sangah, Ndolé Natural Resources: Oil, Timber, Natural gas e.t.c.
Chad Fun fact Did you know that the country name ‘Chad’ is named after Lake chad?
Countries that Chad shares border with: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan. Population: 16,877,357 Capital City: Ndjamena Official Language: French & Arabic Independence Day: 11 August Notable Landmarks and historical sites: Ennedi dessert and Lake Ounianga Local Cuisine: Daraba, Sauce Longue, Mouleke e.t.c Natural Resources: Oil, Cotton, Livestock, e.t.c.
Congo Fun fact Did you know that the great apes such as Bonobos and eastern low land gorillas can only be found in the Republic of Congo?
Countries that Democratic Republic of Congo shares border with: Congo Brazzaville, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Republic of Central Africa. Population: 86,79 M Capital city: Kinshasa Official Language: French Independence Day: 30th June Notable landmarks and historical sites: Falls of Wagenia, Statue of Lumumba, Matadi e.t.c. Local Cuisine: Soso ya mwamba, Kosa Kosa, Makayabu Natural Resources: Gold, diamond, Copper, coal tan
Congo Brazaville Fun fact Did you know that the nickname for Congo Brazaville is “Brazza the Green”?
Countries that Congo-Brazzaville shares border with: Gabon, Cameroon, Centrafrique & Angola Colonial name (Kongo) Population: 5 , 93 070 Capital City: Brazzaville Official Language: French Independence Day: 15 August Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Basilique Saint-Anne, Mausoleé La gare férroviaire de pointe-noire, Tour Nabemba Local Cuisine: saka saka, Madessou, Liboke
Cote D’Ivoire Fun fact Did you know that the Ivory Coast is the world’s largest exporter of cocoa, which is used to make chocolate?
Countries that Cote D’Ivoire shares border with: Burkina Faso, Mali, Liberia, Guinea & Ghana Population: 26 378 274 hab. Capital City: Abidjan, Yamoussoukro Official Language: French Independence Day: August 7th Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Grand Bassam/ Yamoussoukro, La Baie Sirène à Grand Béréby,Kohrogo Local Cuisine: Corn flour meal paste “Cabato”, Cassava paste “Placali”, Alloco /Atttieké /roasted fish Natural Resources: gold, iron, manganese, coffee, cocoa
France Fun fact Did you know that France has more Nobel Prize winners in Literature than any other country?
Countries that France shares border with: Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Monaco and Andorra, and a maritime border with the United Kingdom Population: 67 million Capital City: Paris Official Language: French National Day: 14th of July, adopted in 1880 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Notre-Dame de Paris, Tour Eiffel, Sacré-Coeur, Grande Mosquée de Paris, Mont Blanc Local Cuisine: Fresh oysters, snails in garlic and parsil, duck liver, Rooster in red wine Natural Resources: Coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc
Gabon Fun fact Did you know that Gabon is home to a significant population of gorillas, the world’s largest primate?
Countries that Gabon shares border with: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinee , Congo Brazzaville Population: 2 230 908 Capital City: Libreville Official Language: French National Day: August 17 Landmarks & historical sites: The memorial Leon Mba; Boulevard Monument; Pongara National park Local Cuisine: Meyara(cassava leaves) Nyembwè(palm nuts) Ebah owone(Peanut package) Natural Resources: Oil, mines, wood
Ghana Fun fact Did you know that Ghana was the first country to gain independence in West Africa?
Countries that Ghana shares border with: Benin, Togo, Cote D’Ivoire Population: 31,072,940 Capital City: Greater Accra Official Language: English Independence: 6th March Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Elmina Castle,Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Cape Coast Castle Local Cuisine: Ghana Jollof, Kenkey and Fish “dorkunu”, Touzafi, Red Natural Resources: Gold, Diamonds, Bauxite, salt, silver, limestone
Guinea Fun fact Did you know that It was in the Nimba Mountains of Guinea that chimpanzees were first observed using tools to chop up and reduce food into smaller bite-sized portions?
Countries that Republic of Guinea shares border with: Sierra Leone and Liberia - South; CDI & Mali – East; Guinea Bissau, Senegal & Mali – North Population: 13 411 943 Capital City: Conakry Official Language: French Independence Day: October, 2nd Notable Landmarks & historical sites: slave port of Benty, the liana bridge, Kassa island Local Cuisine: Mango sauce, Konkoi sauce, Lafidi Natural Resources: Diamond, Gold and other metals
Kenya Fun fact Did you know that the two official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili?
Countries that Kenya shares border with: Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda Population: 53,771,296 Capital City: Nairobi Official Language: English and Swahili Independence Day: 12 December 1963 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Mount Kenya , Lake Victoria, Nakuru, Fort Jesus Local Cuisine: Githeri, Ugali, Nyama choma Natural Resources: Limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, oil, gas
Liberia Fun fact Did you know that Liberia is the only Black state in Africa never subjected to colonial rule?
Countries that Liberia shares border with: Sierra Leone, Guinea & Ivory Coast Population: 4.7 Million Capital City: Monrovia (Named After James Monroe) Official Language: English Independence Day: July 26, 1847 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Careysburg, Monrovia, Gbarnga, Marshal, Bentol Local Cuisine: Cassava Leaf, Torborgee, Potato Greens, Okra, Palm Butter Natural Resources: Diamonds, Iron Ore, Rubber, Timber
Mali Fun fact Did you know that Mali’s Great Mosque of Djenné, constructed in 1907, is the world’s largest mud-brick building?
Countries that Mali shares border with: Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Conakry Population: 20 933 072 Capital City: Bamako Official Language: French Independence Day: September 22nd Notable Landmarks & historical sites: La Grande Mosquée de Djenné, Les Falaises de Badiagara Local Cuisine: Tô, Fakouhoye, Widjila Natural Resources: Gold, Bauxite, Cotton
Mozambique Fun fact Did you know that some of the scenes from Blood Diamond starring Leonardo Di Caprio was shot in Maputo, Mozambique?
Countries that Mozambique shares border with: Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland. Population: about 28.5 million Capital City: Maputo Official Language: Portuguese Independence Day: June 25 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Maputo’s Fortress, Cahora Bassa, Mozambique Island Local Cuisine: caril de camarao, lagosta, arroz com matapa
Nigeria Fun fact Did you know that the Ikogosi spring located in Ekiti state brings forth both cold and warm water? The warm water is about 70 degree Celsius at the source and 30 degree Celcius at the confluence where it mixes with the cold water.
Countries that Democratic Republic of Nigeria shares border with: Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean, Benin. Population: 206,139,589 Capital City: Abuja Official Language: English Independence Day: October 1st Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Olumo Rock, Erin-Ijesha waterfalls, Jabi Lake,National Theatre Local Cuisine: Nkwobi, Tuwo shinkafa, Amala & gbegiri, Ofada rice etc Natural Resources: Limestone, Crude oil, iron ore, coal e.t.c.
Senegal Fun fact Did you know that Senegal is the only West Africa state that has not experienced a violent military coup?
Countries that Senegal shares border with: Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Atlantic Ocean Population:16.209.125 Capital City: Dakar Official Language: French Independence Day: April 4 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Djoudj National Bird Park,Casamance, Saint-Louis, Goree Island Local Cuisine: Le Thieboudieune, Yassa Poulet, Kaldou Natural Resources: Arabic gum, marble, iron, salt
Sierra Leone Fun fact Did you know that the modern state of Sierra Leone is one of Africa’s smallest republics?
Countries that Sierra Leone shares border with: Liberia and Guinea Population: 8,106,735 Capital City: Freetown Official Language: English Independence Day: April 27th Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Bounce Island, Sierra Leone National Museum,Outamba Kilimi National Park, Banana Island, Maroun Church Local Cuisine: Cassava Leaves, Lafidi Rice , Foo Foo Natural Resources: diamonds, rutile, bauxite, gold, iron ore, limonite, platinum, chromite
Tanzania Fun fact Did you know that the shortest war in the world was fought in Tanzania?.
Countries that Tanzania shares border with: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo DRC Population: 61,085,878 Capital City: Dodoma Official Language: Swahili and English Independence Day: December 9 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Mount Kilimanjaro, Stone town of Zanzibar, Oldupai Gorge, Songo Mnara Local Cuisine: Ugali(maize porridge), Pilau, Samaki e.t.c. Natural Resources: Gold, Diamond, Iron, Coal, Nickel e.t.c.
Uganda Fun fact Did you know that in Uganda, grasshoppers are widely eaten and served as a delicacy either boiled or deep-fried?
Countries that Uganda shares border with: South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Population: 46,165,294 Capital City: Kampala Official Language: English Independence Day: October 9 Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Nile River Local Cuisine: Rolex (Rolled Eggs), Kikalayi (Fried pork), Muchomo (Roasted meat), Katogo.
United Kingdom Fun fact Did you know in the UK, the Queen sends personalized birthday cards to those celebrating their 100th birthday every year?
Countries that England shares border with: Wales, Scotland, and adjacent Northern Ireland (just above Ireland) making up the United Kingdom (UK). Population: 67,094,000 Capital City: London Official Language: English National Day: St George’s Day in England, St Andrew’s Day in Scotland, St David’s Day in Wales and St Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland. Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Waterfell Castle, Tower of London, Cardiff Castle e.t.c Local Cuisine: English fry up, Haggis, Black pudding, Welsh rarebit, e.t.c. Natural Resources: Land, forestry,crop, livestock, oil &gas, fossil fuels.
United States Fun fact Did you know that the current U.S. flag was designed by a high school student – Robert G. Heft?.
Countries that United States shares border with: Canada, Alaska, Russia, Mexico Population: 328.2 million Capital City: Washington D.C. Official Language: English Independence Day: Fourth of July or July 4th Notable Landmarks & historical sites: Statue of Liberty, Rev, Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial, Museum of African American History, White House, The Capital Local Cuisine: Pizza, Burgers, Steak, Pasta Natural Resources: Metals, minerals
Zambia Fun fact Did you know that Zambia was named after the fourth biggest river in Africa ‘Zambezi’?
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