Around the World in the Hetzel Kitchen

Location : North of the US Area : Almost 10 million sq km; 2nd largest in the world          Slightly larger than the US Borders : Canada is the world's largest country that borders only one country Population : Over 34 million; 37th largest in the world                   About 90% of the population is within 160 km of the US border Net Migration Rate : 5.65/1000 population; 15th highest in the world Capital : Ottawa Life Expectance at Birth : 81.38 years; 12th highest in the world Trade : Have a substantial trade surplus with the US, who takes about 3/4 of Canadian exports each year Source: CIA Factbook There are a number of things that I like about Canada and that make this post exciting.  One: I have been there!  Numerous times, in fact.  I can think of at least four.  Two trips with the family, once to see some plays in Stratfor...

Background : Formerly two separate entities called French Cameroon and British Cameroon Location : Western Africa, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Area : Over 475,000 sq km; 54th largest in the world           Slightly larger than California Population : Almost 19.75 million; 58th largest in the world Capital : Yaounde Noun : Cameroonian Religion : 40% follow indigenous beliefs (CIA Factbook)  Wikipedia claims differently... Cuisine : Varied, due to their "crossroads" location Economy : Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems confronting other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterpris...

Location : Southeast Asia; between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Area : Over 180,000 sq km; 90th largest in the world          Slightly smaller than Oklahoma Population : Over 14.7 million; 66th largest in the world Capital : Phnom Penh Ethnic Groups : 90% Khmer Exports : Hong Kong is their top partner Khmer Rouge : This regime, led by Pol Pot, is said to be responsible for killing around 2 million people, one-third of the contemporary population (mid 1970's).  According to Wikipedia: They immediately evacuated the cities and sent the entire population on forced marches to rural work projects. They attempted to rebuild the country's agriculture on the model of the 11th century, discarded Western medicine, and destroyed temples, libraries, and anything considered Western. Source: CIA Factbook , Wikipedia I have been more excited for Cambodia than any other country in a long time.  First of all THANK YOU GOD t...