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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 19, 2008 11:33:54 GMT
This thread is about the countries of our members (and visitors). We have a pretty good variety and I'd be interested to hear more about them.
Just give a brief description, a little history if you like, maybe a few photos and facts, anything you think would be interesting.
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Jatayu
Stormwind Member
Jatayu
Posts: 1,064
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Post by Jatayu on Apr 23, 2008 3:23:32 GMT
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Andan
Stormwind Member
Andan
Attempting to design a scenario
Posts: 756
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Post by Andan on Apr 23, 2008 10:04:59 GMT
Nice shots, Imperator. So India has a snowy part of a region, huh? Where's it at? Or do the snows just fall on occasion? I hail from probably the only nation in the world which had had a woman president, a half-blind president, and a corrupt president.
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Jatayu
Stormwind Member
Jatayu
Posts: 1,064
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Post by Jatayu on Apr 23, 2008 10:45:26 GMT
Nice shots, Imperator. So India has a snowy part of a region, huh? Where's it at? Or do the snows just fall on occasion? Didn't you learn in school about something called 'Himalayas' ? Lolz Let's see, that would be Sukarno, Suharto , and what's her name - Sukarno's daughter? Can't be the only country though, half blind presidents and corrupt presidents abound and many have had lady presidents too.
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Post by Basse on Apr 23, 2008 13:14:38 GMT
As far as I know I'm a full-blood Swede My mother and her parents, grand-parents and so on have been Swedes for as long as I know. My Father's side too, although my grand-father was a missionary in Brazil and half of my uncles and aunts are born Brazilians. My father has lived 25 years in Brazil and 22 in Sweden No pictures at the moment, might get some up later today/this week.
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 23, 2008 15:08:02 GMT
I might as well mention Britain/England. England was first united in 832AD by King Egbert, and even today's Queen is one of his direct descendants. Parliamentary democracy originated here in the 14th century and eventually led to to a civil war and the end of the monarchy, although it was brought back a little later. For several hundred years England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been united as Britain.
I'll post some pictures later.
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Post by Basse on Apr 23, 2008 18:00:55 GMT
I had twenty spare minutes and good weather so I took a few pictures. Most justb turned out crappy since I used the cheaper of our two cameras, but some were acceptable. More might come on demand. And, no, I'm nothing of a good photographer. The neighbourhoodA dark forestMore of the Tyringian Woods
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 23, 2008 18:36:04 GMT
Wow, that's exactly how I imagined Sweden would be. Hooray for accurate stereotypes. Is it as ridiculously cold up there as I think it is too?
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Post by jon. on Apr 24, 2008 0:41:43 GMT
Ah, the good United States of America is where I hail from. Specifically, Minnesota. Let us not forget the Fur Trade, the start of the Mississippi River, the pimple at the top of the border. Yes, I seem to live in the deciduous/prairie area. A little south of St. Paul. May not be what you see in the Minnesota Brochures, what with all the new housing (which I find annoying), but I guess it'll do.
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Jatayu
Stormwind Member
Jatayu
Posts: 1,064
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Post by Jatayu on Apr 24, 2008 2:18:47 GMT
Hey, where's the snow and ice? I thought Sweden would be covered in that.. My imagination of Sweden was something like this at best, and something like this at worst. ;D And before you can ask, I took these photos as well
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Andan
Stormwind Member
Andan
Attempting to design a scenario
Posts: 756
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Post by Andan on Apr 24, 2008 7:02:30 GMT
LOL. That explains why I never pass my Geography test back at high school. I always thought that Himalaya was on Europe. Sorry about that. I can be tremendously ignorant when it comes to studies that involve the demographics and surroundings in the nations of the world. I've got to open my eyes wider from now on.
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Post by Basse on Apr 24, 2008 14:35:11 GMT
Of course, and we have polar bears walking the streets. It's only cold in the northern part of the country right now. Around here, it's getting quite warm now, although it'll take some time before it's full spring. We do have snow throughout the country, but only for about a month every year or so. It is, at times. Like a month or two every year. Other that, you'll have to go far north to have snow during the spring and early autumn and very far if you want to see snow during the summer.
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 24, 2008 15:30:37 GMT
I don't know what you're sounding so smug about, that is cold . Much, much too cold for my liking (a month of snow? Good grief). Your neighbourhood is exactly how I imagined Sweden. So cute, and yet... so uncivilised. (Joke by the way)
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Matt
Stormwind Member
The Come And Go Man
Monsieur Mercredi
Posts: 1,812
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Post by Matt on Apr 24, 2008 16:05:07 GMT
I don't know what you're sounding so smug about, that is cold . Much, much too cold for my liking (a month of snow? Good grief). Your neighbourhood is exactly how I imagined Sweden. So cute, and yet... so uncivilised. (Joke by the way) Phh, you think 1 month of snow is bad? Canada is snowy typically from December 1st or so until middle of march. If we only get 3 months that is considered solid. Although it is 20 degrees today. And we typically have 10 or so 30+ degree days a year. Similar climate to Minnisota actually, where turty is from. You a Wild fan, Turty?
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 24, 2008 16:42:08 GMT
*shivers*
Fortunately for me England is warmed by the Gulf Stream, so we get unusually mild temperatures for how North we are. We get the occasional winter snow though.
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Post by Basse on Apr 24, 2008 18:32:24 GMT
In the good ol' days (aka when I was little, 1995-2002 or so) we had about 2-3 months of snow. Snowball wars and racing in the snow from before Christmas Brake to the beginning of the Spring, lovely times I though you'd say abandoned One of my dad's friends, from Brazil, visited a few years ago. He was used to the big cities and such, worked with editing clips from football games for Brazilian TV. He went out at 22.00 to get a beer, but he came back, shocked, as all shops and restaurants were closed
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Post by jon. on Apr 24, 2008 20:43:36 GMT
No, not really a fan of hockey. Contrary to Matty, we were around 60 degrees today, and rain. But yeah, we have 3 months of snow here. I'll put up pictures as soon as I find a good spot for my MacBook to sit outside. Ah, priceless. EDIT: Matty, tell me more about Canada. Surprisingly (or not), I've never left the US.
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 24, 2008 21:26:35 GMT
You are not old enough to speak about good ol' days, my little Swedish kindergartener. Turty, you're missing out. It reminds me, I once heard a statistic about the amount of Americans who don't even have a passport. It was really shockingly high for a wealthy country.
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Post by Basse on Apr 24, 2008 21:54:49 GMT
Unless you have a terrible childhood, the younger days is always the good ol' days of your life (not historically speaking)
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 25, 2008 14:44:47 GMT
Yeah, but you're supposed to wait until you're actually out of your childhood before calling them that.
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Matt
Stormwind Member
The Come And Go Man
Monsieur Mercredi
Posts: 1,812
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Post by Matt on Apr 25, 2008 19:02:12 GMT
No, not really a fan of hockey. Contrary to Matty, we were around 60 degrees today, and rain. But yeah, we have 3 months of snow here. I'll put up pictures as soon as I find a good spot for my MacBook to sit outside. Ah, priceless. EDIT: Matty, tell me more about Canada. Surprisingly (or not), I've never left the US. Being dual citizen (Canada and the US) I can make fun of either country so here in a nutshell are the differences between countries: 1. Canadians HATE Americans, but know everything about them. Americans like Canadians, but couldn't tell you anything about them. In the words of Al Capone "I don't even know what street Canada is on." 2. You have Pizza, we have Donuts. Tim Horton's coffee and donuts is somewhat of a national addiction. My American side prevails here as I prefer Krispy Kreme. 3. Tax is the ridiculous here. In some provinces (our states), sales tax is 19% (We get off here in Ontario with paying "only" 14%). 4. Health care is socialized, which IS NOT a good thing. Waiting months for surgery is not cool. You don't come out ahead anyway because you pay so much tax for government assistances and programs. 5. You don't like hockey you said. In Canada, that would be close to treason. 6. We run on a british system of government (or at least closer to that than the US). 300 seats (or so), the party that wins the most gets the Prime Minister. The Prime Minsiter gets in similar to the Speaker of the House in the US. 7. English Queen is on all coins 8. Melting pot idea in the US when it comes to immigration and cultures, Mosaic in Canada(everyone keeps their culture and it all forms "Canadian culture"). I hate the Mosaic idea, BTW. 9. If you live in Canada, thanksgiving is Mid October, and Canada Day (your Independence day) is July 1st. 10. The Canadian province of Quebec is 90% French or so. Signs are printed in french, and if you go there they might not even serve you in a restaurant if you don't at least attempt to speak French. Although a simple "Je ne parlez francais tres bien. Parlez vous anglais?" probably gets you by. Goodness I haven't taken french for almost a decade. I assume I butchered that Oh yah the rest of us normal Canadians hate Quebec's guts. They have these referendums on whether they want to separate and become their own country. Basically if you go to Canada, don't go to Quebec. Unless of course you go to a Habs game in Montreal But we established you don't like hockey. 11. Fishing is about the same as in Minnesota:p That covers the basics I guess. As far as landmarks in Canada: The falls (obviously) The CN tower (used to be the biggest) God, what a boring country I can't even think of anything else ATM.
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 25, 2008 19:09:43 GMT
Can you give some information on the United States as well please? I've never been (going to New York and DC next January, but after that it will probably be years before I even think of going again) and don't know what it's really like. I have some fun stereotypes, but it'd be nice to have something more accurate.
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Matt
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The Come And Go Man
Monsieur Mercredi
Posts: 1,812
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Post by Matt on Apr 25, 2008 19:38:50 GMT
Can you give some information on the United States as well please? I've never been (going to New York and DC next January, but after that it will probably be years before I even think of going again) and don't know what it's really like. I have some fun stereotypes, but it'd be nice to have something more accurate. The thing with the US is it is just that, United States. Every region of the US is so vastly different that they are like separate countries. New York (the state not the city) is where my US roots are from, but my city is Buffalo (yes, home of the chicken wing), not NYC. The two cities in the same state (about an 8-10 hour drive) are so different it is funny. Americans are generally not very globally aware, to put it nicely. I never saw it as a bad thing, but it isn't good either. I guess when you are the best country in the world, who cares about the rest? That can be a bit of the attitude. Americans are more patriotic as well when compared to most countries. Generally I would say Americans are way more friendly than most people, and certainly don't hold it against you if you are from another country, even if they haven't a clue about your nation. Americans are a LOT more conservative than stereotypes would lead one to think. Most of that liberal lifestyle stuff is California or whatever. Outside of the major cities, the country is vastly Republican (our party for Conservatives). The big US cities have the rather famous ghetto sections, a lingering effect from slavery (ghettos are 99% black, it isn't segregation, it is just a cycle of poverty that is rather slow to change). The truth is they are WAY less prominent than 10-20 years ago, especially in NYC which has really been cleaned up. Back to the different regions, if you go to Boston people talk with an almost English accent, the south has its famous accent, and New Yorkers have there stereotypical way of talking. DC would be a far better place to get an accurate idea of an American accent than most places. Everything is really, really cheap in the US. Minimum wage is less than most countries too though, although in the end cost of living is very low in the US. NYC will be freezing in January. DC as well, but to a lesser extent. I wouldn't know because I do not do a lot of traveling, but most people tell me that the pace of life is so much faster and hectic in North America than Europe. If there is anything in particular you want to know I will see what I know. Although I haven't ever been to DC, and was only in NYC for a short time.
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Post by Basse on Apr 25, 2008 20:03:16 GMT
Correct, it's "Je ne parle pas bien francais. Parlez-vous anglais?" Write some stereotypes of Sweden and I'll try to prove them true or false
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 25, 2008 20:12:28 GMT
Thanks, very interesting. This is completely contrary to my expectations. To look at a map it seems like USA is split into built up areas (East coast), endless plains, desert and forest. It is a common cause for consternation over here why there are so many American states when we can't see the difference between most of them. This is quite often the case in the UK as well (not that it stops us calling Americans ignorant ). In fact we can sometimes be very patronising (not me personally) about former colonies and countries defeated by Britain in the long ago past. I dislike this a lot, as I don't think it's the best representation of British values, which I hold dear. Actually, it's probably the worst. Is it? I study Politics at the moment and I get the impression it's fairly evenly split what with Bill Clinton and the Democrats looking reasonably strong at the moment. Until they started this ridiculous civil war, it looked to me like they'd walk the presidential elections. You might find this curious, but slavery is actually one of the reasons some British people pour scorn on America. Particularly Southern Americans. And all after we built an entire empire on it. Haha, do you mean an actual English accent, or the one that Americans think we have? I see supposedly English characters in American films and it's hilarious. Now this I can appreciate. Let me tell you, it's an absolute pleasure to earn in GB Pounds and spend in US Dollars. One example for you: If you want an average detached house in the UK it will set you back £340,000, equivalent to about $780,000. In areas such as mine it's a lot more, and in London it's absolutely ridiculous. Depends where you go I suppose. Places like Salzburg and Venice are slow, while London is arguably the most important financial capital in the world (it recently overtook New York in many financial measures). Damn. I'll remember to pack warm clothes then. Thanks. I might just call you on that. Some stereotypes of Sweden: 1. It's practically deserted. 2. Everything is provided by the government. 3. There are no big cities. 4. You have very beautiful women. 5. Wild animals are free to roam the streets. 6. Elk meat is considered a delicacy. 6. You have outdoor saunas all year round. 7. You all live in cute little log cabins.
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 25, 2008 20:24:49 GMT
Our parliament, the building is called Westminster Palace. It is illegal to wear a suit of armour inside, or die whilst you are inside. If you do die, you will be moved from the scene before pronounced dead. The Queen, who has been ruling for more than fifty years and is still very popular. Trying to kill or remove her from the throne was the last crime that could still get you the death penalty. The Tower of London. An extremely old castle and prison, well known for its many executions over the years and the inevitable hauntings. There is a superstition that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, then London will be destroyed. In recent years, the ravens have had their wings clipped to prevent them flying away, and there is a reserve batch in case some of them fall ill. During the Blitz in the 1940s almost all of the ravens died from shock due to the bombing, by the end there was only one survivor. So if you believe the legend, Britain was only one raven away from losing the war. The Crown Jewels are also kept here, and have been for 700 years. In that time they have been stolen only once, by Colonel Blood (no joke) who barely managed to escape the Tower itself before he was caught. It is illegal for them to leave Britain. Possibly the most famous door in the world, this is where the UK Prime Minister lives while he/she is in office. When it was cleaned once it was discovered that 10 Downing Street was originally yellow brick, but had been stained black by the soot and smoke of the Industrial Revolution. It was then painted black to keep the same appearance. Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official home although it is said that it is one of her least favourites. Nelson's Column. A monument to a celebrated admiral who defeated the French and Spanish fleet against all the odds. Possibly the most famous King or Queen of England. Queen Victoria is famous for ruling over one quarter of the earth, being very old and overweight and not being amused. Another famous Englishman. Some people believe he was actually Queen Elizabeth the first in disguise, but given that he lived longer than her it seems unlikely. A photo of the last time England won the football world cup. We've been trying to do it again ever since, but with no luck. Hope springs eternal though. London in the 1960s. Most tourists are expecting something like this, with streets crowded with old fashioned double decker buses and black taxi cabs. Tower Bridge. St Paul's Cathedral. The Whispering Gallery at the top is cleverly designed so that you can hear a whisper from anywhere along it as clearly as if they were standing right next to you. Westminster Abbey, near the parliament. You can't see it in this picture, but not far away there is someone who has lived on the pavement in a tent since 2003 to protest against the Iraq war. He's a tourist attractions in his own right these days. A couple of years back, the government tried to kick him off with a law passed just for him, but he got to stay in the end. The British Museum. This is where we store everything that we stole back in the empire days. Egyptian mummies, bits of the Parthenon, it's all here.
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Post by Basse on Apr 25, 2008 20:30:07 GMT
1. Except for the northern parts, with several miles between each town, it's false. There are lots of villages, small towns etc. spread out pretty much everywhere in the southern half of the country. Less and less the farther north you get, but overall it's false. 2. Most hospital care, care for elders and children etc, yes. There are private dentists, schools as well, although they're in minority. 3. Depends on what you mean with big. If big means with over a million, we have one (Stockholm). There are big cities, but they're big in comparison to the average, not the rest of the world. 4. Sure, but all countries have that don't they? 5. False. On smaller roads it happend that elks/deers run across the road, but things the network of roads being shared between cars and animals is, well, just wrong 6. Having eaten it, I can say it's delicious. But it's not extremely expensive. Not cheap like pork but nothing exclusive for the nobility 7. Don't think I've ever seen an outdoor sauna. They migth have some far north, but not in the parts I've been to. 8. Haha, false. There's a big variety in house constructions, from close-to-artwork to apparments, and yes, a few log cabins, not all common though
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Post by Julius CMXCIX on Apr 25, 2008 20:40:06 GMT
By delicacy, I don't mean something only for the rich. More like a speciality. You have no idea how amused I am that you Swedes actually eat elk meat. What?? Next you'll be telling me you don't wear Viking hats with horns on! Question: How close are you to what you'd call countryside? I am privileged in this country to live right next to a lake, but there are places where's there no actual countryside for miles and miles. There is almost nowhere in the country where there is no sign of civilisation (the Yorkshire moors and Scottish highlands are exceptions).
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Post by Basse on Apr 25, 2008 20:58:41 GMT
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Post by Basse on Apr 25, 2008 21:05:56 GMT
If you ask a Stockholmian, I'm on the countryside right now. But it's 10 kilometres to the nearest lake, at which we used to live before. The forests around here would be the closest you get to untouched countryside, although most have man-made paths. I wouldn't want to live in a big city for long. A week or two, on vacation. I'd miss walking in the forest in total peace and calm after a few weeks Only at special sports events, such as games vs any other country
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