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    1. Switzerland: Switzerland is a landlocked central European country with a population of 6,586,000 and Bern as its capital. Four languages are spoken in this country: German, French, Italian and Romansh. A highly industrialized country, Switzerland exports watches, jewelry, precision tools and instruments, textiles and chemicals. Tourism and international banking are its major industries.

    Switzerland maintained an armed neutrality in both the world wars. In 1986 voters rejected a proposal to join the United Nations.

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    2. Berlin: Berlin was the capital of Germany from 1871 to 1945. Since the Second World War it has been divided into East Berlin (formerly the Russian zone, now capital of East Germany) and West Berlin (a state of West Germany). West Berlin contains 12 districts of the original city and is divided into British, French and US zones. East Berlin contains 8 districts of the old city. Up until 1989 the Berlin Wall separated both halves of the city. Now the cities and two countries have been reunited into one Germany.

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    3. In England children finish school at the ages of 16 to 18. At this age they either get a job and become a member of the work force, or go on to college. The legal age for adulthood is 18. This enables one to marry without parental permission, to buy alcoholic beverages, and to participate in many other privileges given only to “adults”.

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