[
  {
    "name": "Japan",
    "iso2": "JP",
    "capital": "Tokyo",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "East Asia",
    "population": 125700000,
    "language": "Japanese",
    "religion": "Shinto/Buddhism",
    "currency": "Japanese yen",
    "funFact": "Japan is made up of over 6,800 islands, though only about 430 are inhabited.",
    "history": "Japan has never been colonized; its imperial line is traditionally dated to 660 BCE, making it one of the world's oldest continuous monarchies.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan"
  },
  {
    "name": "China",
    "iso2": "CN",
    "capital": "Beijing",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "East Asia",
    "population": 1412000000,
    "language": "Mandarin Chinese",
    "religion": "Folk religion/Buddhism",
    "currency": "Renminbi",
    "funFact": "The Great Wall of China is not a single wall but a network of walls stretching over 21,000 km (13,050 mi).",
    "history": "The People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War, but Chinese statehood traces back over 3,000 years.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China"
  },
  {
    "name": "India",
    "iso2": "IN",
    "capital": "New Delhi",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "South Asia",
    "population": 1417000000,
    "language": "Hindi",
    "religion": "Hinduism",
    "currency": "Indian rupee",
    "funFact": "India has the world's largest postal network, with over 150,000 post offices.",
    "history": "India gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947, ending nearly two centuries of British rule.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India"
  },
  {
    "name": "Indonesia",
    "iso2": "ID",
    "capital": "Jakarta",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 275500000,
    "language": "Indonesian",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Indonesian rupiah",
    "funFact": "Indonesia is the largest archipelago on Earth, with more than 17,000 islands.",
    "history": "Indonesia declared independence from the Netherlands in 1945, though the Dutch didn't formally recognize it until 1949.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia"
  },
  {
    "name": "South Korea",
    "iso2": "KR",
    "capital": "Seoul",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "East Asia",
    "population": 51740000,
    "language": "Korean",
    "religion": "Irreligion/Christianity",
    "currency": "South Korean won",
    "funFact": "South Korea has one of the fastest average internet speeds in the world.",
    "history": "Korea was liberated from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945, and the Republic of Korea was established in the south in 1948.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea"
  },
  {
    "name": "Thailand",
    "iso2": "TH",
    "capital": "Bangkok",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 71700000,
    "language": "Thai",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Thai baht",
    "funFact": "Bangkok's full ceremonial name is the longest place name in the world, with 168 letters.",
    "history": "Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never colonized by a European power, having skillfully played Britain and France off each other.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand"
  },
  {
    "name": "Vietnam",
    "iso2": "VN",
    "capital": "Hanoi",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 98200000,
    "language": "Vietnamese",
    "religion": "Folk religion/Buddhism",
    "currency": "Vietnamese dong",
    "funFact": "Vietnam is the world's second-largest exporter of coffee, after Brazil.",
    "history": "Vietnam declared independence from France in 1945, but full sovereignty over a unified country wasn't achieved until 1975 after decades of war.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam"
  },
  {
    "name": "Philippines",
    "iso2": "PH",
    "capital": "Manila",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 115600000,
    "language": "Filipino",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Philippine peso",
    "funFact": "The Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands and is one of the most biodiverse nations on Earth.",
    "history": "The Philippines gained independence from the United States in 1946, after nearly 400 years of Spanish rule and almost 50 years of American administration.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines"
  },
  {
    "name": "Saudi Arabia",
    "iso2": "SA",
    "capital": "Riyadh",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 36400000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Saudi riyal",
    "funFact": "Saudi Arabia has no rivers — it is the largest country in the world without one.",
    "history": "The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud, who unified the territory after decades of conquest.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Turkey",
    "iso2": "TR",
    "capital": "Ankara",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 85300000,
    "language": "Turkish",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Turkish lira",
    "funFact": "Istanbul is the only major city in the world that sits on two continents, Europe and Asia.",
    "history": "The Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey"
  },
  {
    "name": "Israel",
    "iso2": "IL",
    "capital": "Jerusalem",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 9500000,
    "language": "Hebrew",
    "religion": "Judaism",
    "currency": "Israeli new shekel",
    "funFact": "The Dead Sea, on Israel's border, is the lowest point on Earth's land surface.",
    "history": "Israel declared independence in 1948, immediately following the expiration of the British Mandate for Palestine.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel",
    "note": "Jerusalem's status as capital is internationally disputed; most countries keep their embassies in Tel Aviv."
  },
  {
    "name": "Palestine",
    "iso2": "PS",
    "capital": "Ramallah",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 5400000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Israeli new shekel",
    "funFact": "Palestine has no currency of its own — it mainly uses the Israeli shekel, with the Jordanian dinar also legal tender in the West Bank.",
    "history": "Palestine declared statehood in 1988, though it remains only partially recognized and much of its territory has been under Israeli administration since 1967.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Palestine",
    "note": "The State of Palestine designates East Jerusalem as its capital, but does not administer it; Ramallah is the seat of government in practice. Palestine is a UN observer state, recognized by most UN member states but not universally."
  },
  {
    "name": "Iran",
    "iso2": "IR",
    "capital": "Tehran",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 88500000,
    "language": "Persian",
    "religion": "Islam (Shia)",
    "currency": "Iranian rial",
    "funFact": "Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, dating back over 5,000 years.",
    "history": "Iran was never formally colonized; Persian statehood stretches back over 2,500 years, and the modern Islamic Republic was founded in 1979.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran"
  },
  {
    "name": "Pakistan",
    "iso2": "PK",
    "capital": "Islamabad",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "South Asia",
    "population": 235800000,
    "language": "Urdu",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Pakistani rupee",
    "funFact": "Pakistan has the world's highest paved international road, the Karakoram Highway.",
    "history": "Pakistan was created in 1947 when British India was partitioned, gaining independence from the United Kingdom the same day as India.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Bangladesh",
    "iso2": "BD",
    "capital": "Dhaka",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "South Asia",
    "population": 171200000,
    "language": "Bengali",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Bangladeshi taka",
    "funFact": "Bangladesh hosts the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans.",
    "history": "Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a nine-month war of liberation.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh"
  },
  {
    "name": "United Kingdom",
    "iso2": "GB",
    "capital": "London",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 67000000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Pound sterling",
    "funFact": "The UK has no single written constitution — its laws come from statutes, court rulings and conventions.",
    "history": "The United Kingdom was formed by the Acts of Union — England and Scotland unified in 1707, joined by Ireland in 1801 (most of which later became independent).",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom"
  },
  {
    "name": "France",
    "iso2": "FR",
    "capital": "Paris",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Western Europe",
    "population": 68000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "France is the most visited country in the world, welcoming around 90 million tourists a year.",
    "history": "France's modern republic dates to 1792, though the current Fifth Republic was established in 1958 under Charles de Gaulle.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France"
  },
  {
    "name": "Germany",
    "iso2": "DE",
    "capital": "Berlin",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Western Europe",
    "population": 84300000,
    "language": "German",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Germany has over 1,500 types of beer and more than 20,000 castles.",
    "history": "Germany was first unified as a nation-state in 1871; the modern Federal Republic was founded in 1949 and reunified with East Germany in 1990.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany"
  },
  {
    "name": "Italy",
    "iso2": "IT",
    "capital": "Rome",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 58900000,
    "language": "Italian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.",
    "history": "Italy was unified into a single kingdom in 1861 after centuries of fragmented city-states and foreign rule.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy"
  },
  {
    "name": "Spain",
    "iso2": "ES",
    "capital": "Madrid",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 47600000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Spain produces around 44% of the world's olive oil — more than any other country.",
    "history": "Spain was unified through the 1469 marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, with the Reconquista completed in 1492.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain"
  },
  {
    "name": "Portugal",
    "iso2": "PT",
    "capital": "Lisbon",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 10300000,
    "language": "Portuguese",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Lisbon is older than Rome — it was a trading port centuries before the Roman Empire.",
    "history": "Portugal is one of Europe's oldest nation-states, with borders essentially unchanged since 1143.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal"
  },
  {
    "name": "Netherlands",
    "iso2": "NL",
    "capital": "Amsterdam",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Western Europe",
    "population": 17700000,
    "language": "Dutch",
    "religion": "Irreligion/Christianity",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "About a third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, protected by dikes and pumps.",
    "history": "The Netherlands declared independence from Spain in 1581, formally recognized in 1648 under the Peace of Westphalia after the Eighty Years' War.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands"
  },
  {
    "name": "Greece",
    "iso2": "GR",
    "capital": "Athens",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 10400000,
    "language": "Greek",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Greece has around 6,000 islands and islets, of which only about 227 are inhabited.",
    "history": "Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830 after a war of independence that began in 1821.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece"
  },
  {
    "name": "Russia",
    "iso2": "RU",
    "capital": "Moscow",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Eastern Europe",
    "population": 144000000,
    "language": "Russian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Russian ruble",
    "funFact": "Russia is the largest country on Earth, spanning 11 time zones.",
    "history": "The Russian Federation was established in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, though the Russian state traces back to Kievan Rus in the 9th century.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Poland",
    "iso2": "PL",
    "capital": "Warsaw",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Eastern Europe",
    "population": 37700000,
    "language": "Polish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Polish zloty",
    "funFact": "Poland is home to Europe's last remaining lowland primeval forest, Bialowieza.",
    "history": "Poland regained independence in 1918 after being partitioned and erased from the map by Russia, Prussia and Austria for over a century.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland"
  },
  {
    "name": "Sweden",
    "iso2": "SE",
    "capital": "Stockholm",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 10500000,
    "language": "Swedish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Lutheran)",
    "currency": "Swedish krona",
    "funFact": "Sweden's right of public access lets anyone roam, camp and forage on most land.",
    "history": "Sweden became fully independent from the Kalmar Union with Denmark in 1523 under King Gustav Vasa.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden"
  },
  {
    "name": "Norway",
    "iso2": "NO",
    "capital": "Oslo",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 5500000,
    "language": "Norwegian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Lutheran)",
    "currency": "Norwegian krone",
    "funFact": "In parts of northern Norway the sun does not set for weeks during the midnight-sun season.",
    "history": "Norway peacefully dissolved its union with Sweden in 1905, gaining full independence.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway"
  },
  {
    "name": "Switzerland",
    "iso2": "CH",
    "capital": "Bern",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Western Europe",
    "population": 8700000,
    "language": "German",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Swiss franc",
    "funFact": "Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh.",
    "history": "Switzerland traces its founding to a 1291 alliance of three cantons, with independence from the Holy Roman Empire formally recognized in 1648.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ireland",
    "iso2": "IE",
    "capital": "Dublin",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 5100000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle for its lush green landscape, fed by frequent rain.",
    "history": "Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1922 after the Anglo-Irish War, becoming a republic fully in 1949.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland"
  },
  {
    "name": "United States",
    "iso2": "US",
    "capital": "Washington, D.C.",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Northern America",
    "population": 333000000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "US dollar",
    "funFact": "The U.S. has no official national language at the federal level.",
    "history": "The United States declared independence from Great Britain in 1776, with sovereignty confirmed by the 1783 Treaty of Paris.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States"
  },
  {
    "name": "Canada",
    "iso2": "CA",
    "capital": "Ottawa",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Northern America",
    "population": 38900000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Canadian dollar",
    "funFact": "Canada has the longest coastline of any country, at over 202,000 km (125,500 mi).",
    "history": "Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 and only gained full constitutional independence from the United Kingdom in 1982.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada"
  },
  {
    "name": "Mexico",
    "iso2": "MX",
    "capital": "Mexico City",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 128900000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Mexican peso",
    "funFact": "Mexico City is sinking up to 50 cm a year because it was built on a drained lake bed.",
    "history": "Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 after an eleven-year war that began with Miguel Hidalgo's 1810 Cry of Dolores.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico"
  },
  {
    "name": "Cuba",
    "iso2": "CU",
    "capital": "Havana",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Caribbean",
    "population": 11200000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Cuban peso",
    "funFact": "Classic 1950s American cars are still common on Cuban streets after decades of trade embargo.",
    "history": "Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898, though the U.S. controlled the island until it became a formal republic in 1902.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba"
  },
  {
    "name": "Guatemala",
    "iso2": "GT",
    "capital": "Guatemala City",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 17400000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Guatemalan quetzal",
    "funFact": "Guatemala's currency, the quetzal, is named after its national bird.",
    "history": "Guatemala gained independence from Spain in 1821 as part of the Federal Republic of Central America, becoming fully separate in 1841.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala"
  },
  {
    "name": "Costa Rica",
    "iso2": "CR",
    "capital": "San José",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 5200000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Costa Rican colón",
    "funFact": "Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and invests the savings in education and health.",
    "history": "Costa Rica gained independence from Spain in 1821, along with the rest of Central America.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica"
  },
  {
    "name": "Panama",
    "iso2": "PA",
    "capital": "Panama City",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 4400000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Panamanian balboa",
    "funFact": "The Panama Canal lets ships pass between the Atlantic and Pacific, saving an 8,000-mile trip.",
    "history": "Panama gained independence from Colombia in 1903, with U.S. support tied to construction of the Panama Canal.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama"
  },
  {
    "name": "Jamaica",
    "iso2": "JM",
    "capital": "Kingston",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Caribbean",
    "population": 2800000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Jamaican dollar",
    "funFact": "Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music and the genre's global ambassador, Bob Marley.",
    "history": "Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, ending over 300 years of British colonial rule.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica"
  },
  {
    "name": "Brazil",
    "iso2": "BR",
    "capital": "Brasília",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 215300000,
    "language": "Portuguese",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Brazilian real",
    "funFact": "The Amazon rainforest, mostly in Brazil, is the most biodiverse place on the planet.",
    "history": "Brazil declared independence from Portugal in 1822, uniquely becoming an empire rather than a republic at first.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil"
  },
  {
    "name": "Argentina",
    "iso2": "AR",
    "capital": "Buenos Aires",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 46200000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Argentine peso",
    "funFact": "Argentina is home to both the highest and lowest points in the Southern Hemisphere.",
    "history": "Argentina declared independence from Spain in 1816, led in part by liberator José de San Martín.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina"
  },
  {
    "name": "Colombia",
    "iso2": "CO",
    "capital": "Bogotá",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 51900000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Colombian peso",
    "funFact": "Colombia has more bird species than any other country on Earth.",
    "history": "Colombia gained independence from Spain in 1819 following Simón Bolívar's campaign, initially as part of Gran Colombia.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Peru",
    "iso2": "PE",
    "capital": "Lima",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 33700000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Peruvian sol",
    "funFact": "Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel, sits about 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level in the Andes.",
    "history": "Peru declared independence from Spain in 1821, with Spanish forces finally defeated at the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru"
  },
  {
    "name": "Chile",
    "iso2": "CL",
    "capital": "Santiago",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 19600000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Chilean peso",
    "funFact": "Chile's Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on Earth — some areas have never recorded rain.",
    "history": "Chile declared independence from Spain in 1818 after a war led by Bernardo O'Higgins and José de San Martín.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile"
  },
  {
    "name": "Venezuela",
    "iso2": "VE",
    "capital": "Caracas",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 28300000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Venezuelan bolívar",
    "funFact": "Venezuela is home to Angel Falls, the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft).",
    "history": "Venezuela was among the first Spanish colonies to declare independence, in 1811, though it wasn't secured until Bolívar's victory in 1821.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ecuador",
    "iso2": "EC",
    "capital": "Quito",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 18000000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "US dollar",
    "funFact": "Ecuador is named after the Equator, which passes through the country.",
    "history": "Ecuador gained independence from Spain in 1822 as part of Gran Colombia, becoming a fully separate republic in 1830.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador"
  },
  {
    "name": "Bolivia",
    "iso2": "BO",
    "capital": "Sucre",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 12100000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Bolivian boliviano",
    "funFact": "Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, turning into a giant mirror when wet.",
    "history": "Bolivia gained independence from Spain in 1825 and is named after liberator Simón Bolívar.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Uruguay",
    "iso2": "UY",
    "capital": "Montevideo",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 3400000,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Uruguayan peso",
    "funFact": "Uruguay was one of the first countries to generate nearly all its electricity from renewables.",
    "history": "Uruguay declared independence from Brazil in 1825, with its sovereignty guaranteed by an 1828 treaty between Argentina and Brazil.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguay"
  },
  {
    "name": "Egypt",
    "iso2": "EG",
    "capital": "Cairo",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "North Africa",
    "population": 110900000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Egyptian pound",
    "funFact": "The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest human-made structure for nearly 4,000 years.",
    "history": "Egypt gained nominal independence from the United Kingdom in 1922, though British influence persisted until the 1952 revolution.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt"
  },
  {
    "name": "Nigeria",
    "iso2": "NG",
    "capital": "Abuja",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 218500000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Islam/Christianity",
    "currency": "Nigerian naira",
    "funFact": "Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and home to Nollywood, a top-three film industry by output.",
    "history": "Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, uniting dozens of distinct ethnic nations under one flag.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria"
  },
  {
    "name": "South Africa",
    "iso2": "ZA",
    "capital": "Pretoria",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 60000000,
    "language": "Zulu",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "South African rand",
    "funFact": "South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.",
    "history": "South Africa became a self-governing dominion of the United Kingdom in 1910 and a fully independent republic in 1961.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa"
  },
  {
    "name": "Kenya",
    "iso2": "KE",
    "capital": "Nairobi",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 54000000,
    "language": "Swahili",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Kenyan shilling",
    "funFact": "Kenya's Maasai Mara hosts the annual wildebeest migration, one of nature's greatest spectacles.",
    "history": "Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 after years of the Mau Mau uprising.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ethiopia",
    "iso2": "ET",
    "capital": "Addis Ababa",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 123400000,
    "language": "Amharic",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Ethiopian birr",
    "funFact": "Ethiopia follows its own calendar with 13 months and is roughly 7–8 years behind the Gregorian one.",
    "history": "Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country, having never been colonized except for a brief Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Morocco",
    "iso2": "MA",
    "capital": "Rabat",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "North Africa",
    "population": 37500000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Moroccan dirham",
    "funFact": "The medina of Fez is one of the world's largest car-free urban areas.",
    "history": "Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, with Spain relinquishing its remaining protectorate zones soon after.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ghana",
    "iso2": "GH",
    "capital": "Accra",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 33500000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Ghanaian cedi",
    "funFact": "Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from colonial rule, in 1957.",
    "history": "Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African colony to gain independence, from the United Kingdom, in 1957.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana"
  },
  {
    "name": "Tanzania",
    "iso2": "TZ",
    "capital": "Dodoma",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 65500000,
    "language": "Swahili",
    "religion": "Christianity/Islam",
    "currency": "Tanzanian shilling",
    "funFact": "Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.",
    "history": "Tanzania formed in 1964 when Tanganyika (independent from the UK in 1961) united with Zanzibar (independent in 1963).",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzania"
  },
  {
    "name": "Algeria",
    "iso2": "DZ",
    "capital": "Algiers",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "North Africa",
    "population": 44900000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Algerian dinar",
    "funFact": "Algeria is the largest country in Africa, with the Sahara covering over 80% of its land.",
    "history": "Algeria gained independence from France in 1962 after an eight-year war that killed hundreds of thousands.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria"
  },
  {
    "name": "Senegal",
    "iso2": "SN",
    "capital": "Dakar",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 17300000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Dakar gave its name to the famous Dakar Rally, which originally finished in the city.",
    "history": "Senegal gained independence from France in 1960, briefly as part of the short-lived Mali Federation.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegal"
  },
  {
    "name": "Australia",
    "iso2": "AU",
    "capital": "Canberra",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Australasia",
    "population": 26000000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Australian dollar",
    "funFact": "Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure visible from space.",
    "history": "Australia federated as a commonwealth in 1901 and gained full legislative independence from the United Kingdom with the Statute of Westminster and the 1986 Australia Act.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia"
  },
  {
    "name": "New Zealand",
    "iso2": "NZ",
    "capital": "Wellington",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Australasia",
    "population": 5100000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity/Irreligion",
    "currency": "New Zealand dollar",
    "funFact": "New Zealand has more sheep than people, by a ratio of roughly five to one.",
    "history": "New Zealand became a dominion in 1907 and adopted full independence from the United Kingdom in 1947.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand"
  },
  {
    "name": "Fiji",
    "iso2": "FJ",
    "capital": "Suva",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Melanesia",
    "population": 900000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Fijian dollar",
    "funFact": "Fiji is an archipelago of more than 330 islands, of which about a third are inhabited.",
    "history": "Fiji gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1970.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji"
  },
  {
    "name": "Papua New Guinea",
    "iso2": "PG",
    "capital": "Port Moresby",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Melanesia",
    "population": 10000000,
    "language": "Tok Pisin",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Papua New Guinean kina",
    "funFact": "Papua New Guinea has over 800 living languages — the most linguistically diverse country on Earth.",
    "history": "Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea"
  },
  {
    "name": "Iceland",
    "iso2": "IS",
    "capital": "Reykjavik",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 380000,
    "language": "Icelandic",
    "religion": "Christianity (Lutheran)",
    "currency": "Icelandic króna",
    "funFact": "Iceland runs almost entirely on renewable geothermal and hydroelectric power.",
    "history": "Iceland became a fully independent republic in 1944, dissolving its union with Denmark during World War II.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland"
  },
  {
    "name": "Finland",
    "iso2": "FI",
    "capital": "Helsinki",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 5500000,
    "language": "Finnish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Lutheran)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Finland has about 188,000 lakes and is nicknamed 'the land of a thousand lakes'.",
    "history": "Finland declared independence from Russia in 1917, amid the chaos of the Russian Revolution.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland"
  },
  {
    "name": "Austria",
    "iso2": "AT",
    "capital": "Vienna",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Central Europe",
    "population": 9000000,
    "language": "German",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Vienna has been ranked the world's most liveable city multiple times.",
    "history": "Austria became a republic in 1918 after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and regained full sovereignty in 1955 when Allied occupation ended.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria"
  },
  {
    "name": "Belgium",
    "iso2": "BE",
    "capital": "Brussels",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Western Europe",
    "population": 11700000,
    "language": "Dutch",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Belgium produces over 220,000 tonnes of chocolate a year and has more than 1,100 chocolatiers.",
    "history": "Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830 following the Belgian Revolution.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium"
  },
  {
    "name": "United Arab Emirates",
    "iso2": "AE",
    "capital": "Abu Dhabi",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 9400000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "UAE dirham",
    "funFact": "Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at 828 m (2,717 ft).",
    "history": "The United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 when seven emirates united after the United Kingdom withdrew from the Gulf.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates"
  },
  {
    "name": "Singapore",
    "iso2": "SG",
    "capital": "Singapore",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 5900000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Buddhism/Christianity/Islam",
    "currency": "Singapore dollar",
    "funFact": "Singapore is one of only three surviving city-states in the world.",
    "history": "Singapore gained independence from the United Kingdom via merger with Malaysia in 1963, then became a fully separate republic in 1965 after being expelled from the federation.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore"
  },
  {
    "name": "Malaysia",
    "iso2": "MY",
    "capital": "Kuala Lumpur",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 33900000,
    "language": "Malay",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Malaysian ringgit",
    "funFact": "The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004.",
    "history": "The Federation of Malaya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957; Malaysia was formed in 1963 by merging with Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Nepal",
    "iso2": "NP",
    "capital": "Kathmandu",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "South Asia",
    "population": 30500000,
    "language": "Nepali",
    "religion": "Hinduism",
    "currency": "Nepalese rupee",
    "funFact": "Nepal contains eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest.",
    "history": "Nepal was never colonized, having successfully resisted British expansion, though it ceded some territory after the 1814-16 Anglo-Nepalese War.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal"
  },
  {
    "name": "Mongolia",
    "iso2": "MN",
    "capital": "Ulaanbaatar",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "East Asia",
    "population": 3400000,
    "language": "Mongolian",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Mongolian tögrög",
    "funFact": "Mongolia is the most sparsely populated sovereign nation on Earth.",
    "history": "Mongolia declared independence from Qing China in 1911 and secured it with Soviet backing in 1921.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Kazakhstan",
    "iso2": "KZ",
    "capital": "Astana",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Central Asia",
    "population": 19400000,
    "language": "Kazakh",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Kazakhstani tenge",
    "funFact": "Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country.",
    "history": "Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the last Soviet republic to declare independence.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ukraine",
    "iso2": "UA",
    "capital": "Kyiv",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Eastern Europe",
    "population": 43800000,
    "language": "Ukrainian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Ukrainian hryvnia",
    "funFact": "Ukraine is the largest country located entirely within Europe.",
    "history": "Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 following a referendum with over 90% support.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine"
  },
  {
    "name": "Czechia",
    "iso2": "CZ",
    "capital": "Prague",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Central Europe",
    "population": 10500000,
    "language": "Czech",
    "religion": "Irreligion/Christianity",
    "currency": "Czech koruna",
    "funFact": "Czechia has the highest beer consumption per person of any country in the world.",
    "history": "Czechoslovakia gained independence from Austria-Hungary in 1918; it peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic"
  },
  {
    "name": "Hungary",
    "iso2": "HU",
    "capital": "Budapest",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Central Europe",
    "population": 9600000,
    "language": "Hungarian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Hungarian forint",
    "funFact": "Budapest sits on over 100 thermal springs and is known as the 'City of Spas'.",
    "history": "Hungary became independent in 1918 as the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved at the end of World War I.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary"
  },
  {
    "name": "Denmark",
    "iso2": "DK",
    "capital": "Copenhagen",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 5900000,
    "language": "Danish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Lutheran)",
    "currency": "Danish krone",
    "funFact": "Denmark is often ranked among the happiest countries in the world.",
    "history": "Denmark is home to one of the world's oldest continuous monarchies, with a kingdom traceable to the 10th century.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark"
  },
  {
    "name": "Qatar",
    "iso2": "QA",
    "capital": "Doha",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 2700000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Qatari riyal",
    "funFact": "Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first ever held in the Middle East.",
    "history": "Qatar gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar"
  },
  {
    "name": "Cambodia",
    "iso2": "KH",
    "capital": "Phnom Penh",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 16700000,
    "language": "Khmer",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Cambodian riel",
    "funFact": "Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world.",
    "history": "Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Sri Lanka",
    "iso2": "LK",
    "capital": "Colombo",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "South Asia",
    "population": 22100000,
    "language": "Sinhala",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Sri Lankan rupee",
    "funFact": "Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to elect a female head of government, in 1960.",
    "history": "Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1948.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka"
  },
  {
    "name": "Tunisia",
    "iso2": "TN",
    "capital": "Tunis",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "North Africa",
    "population": 12300000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Tunisian dinar",
    "funFact": "Tunisia is home to the ancient city of Carthage, a former great power that rivaled Rome.",
    "history": "Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Libya",
    "iso2": "LY",
    "capital": "Tripoli",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "North Africa",
    "population": 7000000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Libyan dinar",
    "funFact": "Libya has the largest proven oil reserves in Africa.",
    "history": "Libya gained independence in 1951, the first country to achieve independence through the United Nations, after Italian colonization ended in World War II.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libya"
  },
  {
    "name": "Sudan",
    "iso2": "SD",
    "capital": "Khartoum",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "North Africa",
    "population": 46000000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Sudanese pound",
    "funFact": "Sudan is home to the Nubian pyramids, with more pyramids than Egypt.",
    "history": "Sudan gained independence in 1956 from joint British-Egyptian rule.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ivory Coast",
    "iso2": "CI",
    "capital": "Yamoussoukro",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 27000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer of cocoa, supplying about 40% of global cocoa.",
    "history": "Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_Coast"
  },
  {
    "name": "Mali",
    "iso2": "ML",
    "capital": "Bamako",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 22000000,
    "language": "Bambara",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Mali was home to the Mali Empire, which controlled important trans-Saharan trade routes and was renowned for its wealth in gold.",
    "history": "Mali gained independence from France in 1960, briefly federated with Senegal beforehand.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali"
  },
  {
    "name": "Niger",
    "iso2": "NE",
    "capital": "Niamey",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 26000000,
    "language": "Hausa",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Niger is home to the W National Park, one of the largest protected wildlife areas in West Africa, shared with Benin and Burkina Faso.",
    "history": "Niger gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger"
  },
  {
    "name": "Guinea",
    "iso2": "GN",
    "capital": "Conakry",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 14000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Guinean franc",
    "funFact": "Guinea has the world's largest reserves of bauxite, the primary ore from which aluminum is extracted.",
    "history": "Guinea gained independence from France in 1958, the first French colony in Africa to do so after voting against a new French constitution.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea"
  },
  {
    "name": "Sierra Leone",
    "iso2": "SL",
    "capital": "Freetown",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 8500000,
    "language": "Krio",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Sierra Leonean leone",
    "funFact": "Sierra Leone was founded in 1787 as a home for freed slaves, with its capital Freetown named after their freedom.",
    "history": "Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone"
  },
  {
    "name": "Benin",
    "iso2": "BJ",
    "capital": "Porto-Novo",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 13000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Benin is considered the birthplace of Vodou (often called Voodoo), a spiritual practice that influences the culture and religion of the region.",
    "history": "Benin (then Dahomey) gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin"
  },
  {
    "name": "Togo",
    "iso2": "TG",
    "capital": "Lomé",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 9000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Togo is one of the smallest countries in Africa, measuring only about 579 kilometers (360 mi) from north to south.",
    "history": "Togo gained independence from France in 1960, having earlier been a German then French/British-administered territory.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togo"
  },
  {
    "name": "Burkina Faso",
    "iso2": "BF",
    "capital": "Ouagadougou",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 22000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "West African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Burkina Faso means 'land of honest people' in the local Mossi and Dioula languages.",
    "history": "Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta) gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkina_Faso"
  },
  {
    "name": "Gambia",
    "iso2": "GM",
    "capital": "Banjul",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "West Africa",
    "population": 2500000,
    "language": "Wolof",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Gambian dalasi",
    "funFact": "Gambia is the smallest independent country in mainland Africa, nearly surrounded by Senegal.",
    "history": "The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Uganda",
    "iso2": "UG",
    "capital": "Kampala",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 48000000,
    "language": "Luganda",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Ugandan shilling",
    "funFact": "Uganda is home to the source of the White Nile River and has the second-highest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world.",
    "history": "Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda"
  },
  {
    "name": "Rwanda",
    "iso2": "RW",
    "capital": "Kigali",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 14000000,
    "language": "Kinyarwanda",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Rwandan franc",
    "funFact": "Rwanda is known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills' due to its rolling terrain and lush green landscape.",
    "history": "Rwanda gained independence from Belgium in 1962.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda"
  },
  {
    "name": "Somalia",
    "iso2": "SO",
    "capital": "Mogadishu",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 18000000,
    "language": "Somali",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Somali shilling",
    "funFact": "Somalia has the longest coastline of any African country, stretching along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.",
    "history": "Somalia formed in 1960 when British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland each gained independence and united.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Eritrea",
    "iso2": "ER",
    "capital": "Asmara",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 6000000,
    "language": "Tigrinya",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Eritrean nakfa",
    "funFact": "Eritrea is one of Africa's youngest nations, having gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war.",
    "history": "Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war and a UN-supervised referendum.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrea"
  },
  {
    "name": "Djibouti",
    "iso2": "DJ",
    "capital": "Djibouti",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "East Africa",
    "population": 1000000,
    "language": "Somali",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Djiboutian franc",
    "funFact": "Djibouti is located at the gateway to the Red Sea and houses a major strategic port serving the wider region.",
    "history": "Djibouti gained independence from France in 1977.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti"
  },
  {
    "name": "Cameroon",
    "iso2": "CM",
    "capital": "Yaoundé",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Central Africa",
    "population": 28000000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Central African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Cameroon is known as 'Africa in miniature' due to its geographical and cultural diversity, from rainforests to deserts.",
    "history": "Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960, with the southern part of British Cameroons joining a year later.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameroon"
  },
  {
    "name": "Democratic Republic of the Congo",
    "iso2": "CD",
    "capital": "Kinshasa",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Central Africa",
    "population": 99000000,
    "language": "Lingala",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Congolese franc",
    "funFact": "The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the world's second-largest rainforest after the Amazon, covering over 2 million square kilometers (772,000 sq mi).",
    "history": "The Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960, following brutal colonial exploitation dating back to King Leopold II's personal rule.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo"
  },
  {
    "name": "Gabon",
    "iso2": "GA",
    "capital": "Libreville",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Central Africa",
    "population": 2400000,
    "language": "French",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Central African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Gabon is one of Africa's most sparsely populated countries, with about 80% of its land covered in rainforest.",
    "history": "Gabon gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabon"
  },
  {
    "name": "Chad",
    "iso2": "TD",
    "capital": "N'Djamena",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Central Africa",
    "population": 18000000,
    "language": "Chadian Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Central African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "Chad is home to Lake Chad, one of the world's largest freshwater lakes, though it has shrunk significantly due to climate change.",
    "history": "Chad gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad"
  },
  {
    "name": "Central African Republic",
    "iso2": "CF",
    "capital": "Bangui",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Central Africa",
    "population": 5000000,
    "language": "Sango",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Central African CFA franc",
    "funFact": "The Central African Republic sits at the geographic center of Africa and is home to vast diamond and gold reserves.",
    "history": "The Central African Republic gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic"
  },
  {
    "name": "Angola",
    "iso2": "AO",
    "capital": "Luanda",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Central Africa",
    "population": 36000000,
    "language": "Portuguese",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Angolan kwanza",
    "funFact": "Angola is the second-largest oil producer in Africa and has significant diamond reserves.",
    "history": "Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after a 14-year independence war, followed immediately by decades of civil war.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angola"
  },
  {
    "name": "Zimbabwe",
    "iso2": "ZW",
    "capital": "Harare",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 15000000,
    "language": "Shona",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Zimbabwean dollar",
    "funFact": "Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, shared with Zambia.",
    "history": "Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) gained internationally recognized independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, following a guerrilla war against the white-minority government.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe"
  },
  {
    "name": "Botswana",
    "iso2": "BW",
    "capital": "Gaborone",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 2600000,
    "language": "Setswana",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Botswana pula",
    "funFact": "Botswana is home to the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, one of the world's largest inland deltas.",
    "history": "Botswana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana"
  },
  {
    "name": "Namibia",
    "iso2": "NA",
    "capital": "Windhoek",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 2600000,
    "language": "Oshiwambo",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Namibian dollar",
    "funFact": "Namibia is home to the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, and has some of the highest sand dunes on Earth.",
    "history": "Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990, one of the last African countries to do so.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Mozambique",
    "iso2": "MZ",
    "capital": "Maputo",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 34000000,
    "language": "Portuguese",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Mozambican metical",
    "funFact": "Mozambique has a long coastline along the Indian Ocean and is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.",
    "history": "Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after a decade-long liberation war.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambique"
  },
  {
    "name": "Zambia",
    "iso2": "ZM",
    "capital": "Lusaka",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 19000000,
    "language": "Bemba",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Zambian kwacha",
    "funFact": "Zambia is home to Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning 'The Smoke That Thunders'.",
    "history": "Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Malawi",
    "iso2": "MW",
    "capital": "Lilongwe",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 20000000,
    "language": "Chichewa",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Malawian kwacha",
    "funFact": "Malawi is home to Lake Malawi, one of the largest and most biodiverse freshwater lakes in Africa.",
    "history": "Malawi (then Nyasaland) gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi"
  },
  {
    "name": "Madagascar",
    "iso2": "MG",
    "capital": "Antananarivo",
    "region": "Africa",
    "subregion": "Southern Africa",
    "population": 28000000,
    "language": "Malagasy",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Malagasy ariary",
    "funFact": "Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island and has unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, including lemurs.",
    "history": "Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar"
  },
  {
    "name": "Vanuatu",
    "iso2": "VU",
    "capital": "Port Vila",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Melanesia",
    "population": 320000,
    "language": "Bislama",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Vanuatu vatu",
    "funFact": "Vanuatu is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent volcanic activity with several active volcanoes.",
    "history": "Vanuatu gained independence in 1980 from an unusual joint British-French condominium government.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanuatu"
  },
  {
    "name": "Solomon Islands",
    "iso2": "SB",
    "capital": "Honiara",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Melanesia",
    "population": 720000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Solomon Islands dollar",
    "funFact": "The Solomon Islands archipelago consists of nearly 1,000 islands stretching across 1,400 kilometers (870 mi) of the Pacific Ocean.",
    "history": "The Solomon Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Islands"
  },
  {
    "name": "Samoa",
    "iso2": "WS",
    "capital": "Apia",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Polynesia",
    "population": 220000,
    "language": "Samoan",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Samoan tālā",
    "funFact": "Samoa switched which side of the International Date Line it's on in 2011, skipping December 30 entirely to align its trade week with Australia and New Zealand.",
    "history": "Samoa gained independence from New Zealand in 1962, the first Pacific island nation to do so in the 20th century.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa"
  },
  {
    "name": "Tonga",
    "iso2": "TO",
    "capital": "Nuku'alofa",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Polynesia",
    "population": 100000,
    "language": "Tongan",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Tongan paʻanga",
    "funFact": "Tonga is one of the few Pacific island nations never colonized by a European power and maintains its own monarchy.",
    "history": "Tonga is the only Pacific nation never colonized, ending its status as a British-protected state in 1970.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonga"
  },
  {
    "name": "Tuvalu",
    "iso2": "TV",
    "capital": "Funafuti",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Polynesia",
    "population": 13000,
    "language": "Tuvaluan",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Tuvaluan dollar",
    "funFact": "Tuvalu is one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change due to rising sea levels, with the highest point only 5 meters (16 ft) above sea level.",
    "history": "Tuvalu gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvalu"
  },
  {
    "name": "Kiribati",
    "iso2": "KI",
    "capital": "Tarawa",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Micronesia",
    "population": 140000,
    "language": "Kiribati",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Kiribati dollar",
    "funFact": "Kiribati straddles the International Date Line and the equator, making it one of the most geographically dispersed nations.",
    "history": "Kiribati gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiribati"
  },
  {
    "name": "Federated States of Micronesia",
    "iso2": "FM",
    "capital": "Palikir",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Micronesia",
    "population": 120000,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "US dollar",
    "funFact": "The Federated States of Micronesia consists of four states spread across the western Pacific Ocean with a total area smaller than Rhode Island.",
    "history": "The Federated States of Micronesia gained independence from the United States in 1986, after decades as a UN Trust Territory.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Palau",
    "iso2": "PW",
    "capital": "Ngerulmud",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Micronesia",
    "population": 18000,
    "language": "Palauan",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "US dollar",
    "funFact": "Palau is famous for Jellyfish Lake, which is home to millions of stingless golden jellyfish found nowhere else on Earth.",
    "history": "Palau gained independence from the United States in 1994, the last UN Trust Territory to do so.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palau"
  },
  {
    "name": "Marshall Islands",
    "iso2": "MH",
    "capital": "Majuro",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Micronesia",
    "population": 42000,
    "language": "Marshallese",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "US dollar",
    "funFact": "The Marshall Islands is composed of 29 atolls and 5 islands spread across the Pacific Ocean, with Majuro being one of the largest atolls in the world.",
    "history": "The Marshall Islands gained independence from the United States in 1986.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Islands"
  },
  {
    "name": "Nauru",
    "iso2": "NR",
    "capital": "Yaren",
    "region": "Oceania",
    "subregion": "Micronesia",
    "population": 13000,
    "language": "Nauru",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Australian dollar",
    "funFact": "Nauru is the smallest republic in the world by both area and population, measuring only 21 square kilometers (8 sq mi).",
    "history": "Nauru gained independence in 1968, and remains the world's smallest island nation.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauru"
  },
  {
    "name": "Afghanistan",
    "iso2": "AF",
    "capital": "Kabul",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Central Asia",
    "population": 41000000,
    "language": "Dari",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Afghan afghani",
    "funFact": "Afghanistan is home to the Hindu Kush mountains and sits at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, a crucial historical trade route.",
    "history": "Afghanistan regained full control of its foreign affairs from the United Kingdom in 1919 after the third Anglo-Afghan War, having never been formally colonized.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Myanmar",
    "iso2": "MM",
    "capital": "Naypyidaw",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 54400000,
    "language": "Burmese",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Burmese kyat",
    "funFact": "Myanmar is home to the Irrawaddy River, one of Southeast Asia's most important waterways, and thousands of golden temples.",
    "history": "Myanmar (then Burma) gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1948.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar"
  },
  {
    "name": "Laos",
    "iso2": "LA",
    "capital": "Vientiane",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Southeast Asia",
    "population": 7500000,
    "language": "Lao",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Laotian kip",
    "funFact": "Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia and is known for its ancient temples and the Mekong River.",
    "history": "Laos gained independence from France in 1953.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos"
  },
  {
    "name": "North Korea",
    "iso2": "KP",
    "capital": "Pyongyang",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "East Asia",
    "population": 25800000,
    "language": "Korean",
    "religion": "Irreligion",
    "currency": "North Korean won",
    "funFact": "North Korea is one of the most isolated nations on Earth, with limited internet access and strict government control over information.",
    "history": "North Korea was established in 1948, three years after Korea was liberated from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea"
  },
  {
    "name": "Yemen",
    "iso2": "YE",
    "capital": "Sana'a",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 33700000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Yemeni rial",
    "funFact": "Yemen is home to Socotra Island, often called the 'Galápagos of the Indian Ocean' due to its unique and endemic flora.",
    "history": "Yemen unified in 1990 from two states: North Yemen, independent from the Ottoman Empire since 1918, and South Yemen, independent from the United Kingdom since 1967.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen"
  },
  {
    "name": "Jordan",
    "iso2": "JO",
    "capital": "Amman",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 11000000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Jordanian dinar",
    "funFact": "Jordan is home to Petra, a city carved directly into rose-colored sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago.",
    "history": "Jordan gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1946.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Lebanon",
    "iso2": "LB",
    "capital": "Beirut",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 5500000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam/Christianity",
    "currency": "Lebanese pound",
    "funFact": "Lebanon is home to the Cedars of God, ancient cedar trees that appear on the country's flag and have been revered for thousands of years.",
    "history": "Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon"
  },
  {
    "name": "Iraq",
    "iso2": "IQ",
    "capital": "Baghdad",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 43000000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Iraqi dinar",
    "funFact": "Iraq is home to the ruins of Babylon, one of the most important cities in ancient Mesopotamia and a center of learning and culture.",
    "history": "Iraq gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1932.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq"
  },
  {
    "name": "Oman",
    "iso2": "OM",
    "capital": "Muscat",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 4200000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Omani rial",
    "funFact": "Oman is known for its dramatic mountainous terrain and stunning beaches along the Arabian Sea, and was a major maritime trading power.",
    "history": "Oman has been continuously independent for centuries, never formally colonized, making it one of the oldest states in the Arab world.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman"
  },
  {
    "name": "Kuwait",
    "iso2": "KW",
    "capital": "Kuwait City",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Middle East",
    "population": 4300000,
    "language": "Arabic",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Kuwaiti dinar",
    "funFact": "Kuwait is one of the world's richest countries per capita due to its vast oil reserves and is known for its modern architecture.",
    "history": "Kuwait gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait"
  },
  {
    "name": "Uzbekistan",
    "iso2": "UZ",
    "capital": "Tashkent",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Central Asia",
    "population": 34000000,
    "language": "Uzbek",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Uzbekistani som",
    "funFact": "Uzbekistan is home to Samarkand and Bukhara, ancient Silk Road cities renowned for their stunning Islamic architecture and tiles.",
    "history": "Uzbekistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Turkmenistan",
    "iso2": "TM",
    "capital": "Ashgabat",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Central Asia",
    "population": 6200000,
    "language": "Turkmen",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Turkmenistani manat",
    "funFact": "Turkmenistan is home to the Darvaza gas crater, a burning natural gas field that has burned continuously for over 50 years.",
    "history": "Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmenistan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Kyrgyzstan",
    "iso2": "KG",
    "capital": "Bishkek",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Central Asia",
    "population": 6700000,
    "language": "Kyrgyz",
    "religion": "Islam",
    "currency": "Kyrgyzstani som",
    "funFact": "Kyrgyzstan is known as the 'Mountain Country' with over 90% of its territory covered by mountains, including parts of the Tian Shan range.",
    "history": "Kyrgyzstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyzstan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Georgia",
    "iso2": "GE",
    "capital": "Tbilisi",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Caucasus",
    "population": 3700000,
    "language": "Georgian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Georgian lari",
    "funFact": "Georgia is believed to be where wine was first created, with evidence of winemaking dating back over 8,000 years.",
    "history": "Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Armenia",
    "iso2": "AM",
    "capital": "Yerevan",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "Caucasus",
    "population": 3000000,
    "language": "Armenian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Armenian dram",
    "funFact": "Armenia was the first country to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD.",
    "history": "Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, though it also briefly declared independence in 1918.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Bhutan",
    "iso2": "BT",
    "capital": "Thimphu",
    "region": "Asia",
    "subregion": "South Asia",
    "population": 775000,
    "language": "Dzongkha",
    "religion": "Buddhism",
    "currency": "Bhutanese ngultrum",
    "funFact": "Bhutan measures progress by Gross National Happiness instead of GDP and prohibits tobacco sales to protect public health.",
    "history": "Bhutan was never colonized and has been ruled by its own monarchy since it was unified in 1907.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan"
  },
  {
    "name": "Croatia",
    "iso2": "HR",
    "capital": "Zagreb",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 3900000,
    "language": "Croatian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park has 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, all colored different shades of blue and green by mineral deposits.",
    "history": "Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, a move that helped trigger the Yugoslav Wars.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Serbia",
    "iso2": "RS",
    "capital": "Belgrade",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 6600000,
    "language": "Serbian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Serbian dinar",
    "funFact": "Belgrade, Serbia's capital, sits at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers and has been destroyed and rebuilt over 40 times.",
    "history": "Serbia's independence from the Ottoman Empire was recognized in 1878; it became a separate state again in 2006 after Montenegro's split.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Slovenia",
    "iso2": "SI",
    "capital": "Ljubljana",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 2100000,
    "language": "Slovenian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Slovenia is one of Europe's greenest countries, with over 60% of its territory covered by forests.",
    "history": "Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 after only a brief Ten-Day War.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Albania",
    "iso2": "AL",
    "capital": "Tirana",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 2700000,
    "language": "Albanian",
    "religion": "Islam/Christianity",
    "currency": "Albanian lek",
    "funFact": "Albania is home to Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, shared with North Macedonia.",
    "history": "Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania"
  },
  {
    "name": "North Macedonia",
    "iso2": "MK",
    "capital": "Skopje",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Southern Europe",
    "population": 2000000,
    "language": "Macedonian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Macedonian denar",
    "funFact": "North Macedonia is home to Lake Ohrid, which is one of the world's oldest freshwater lakes with unique endemic fish species.",
    "history": "North Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the only former Yugoslav republic to do so without violence at the time.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Macedonia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Romania",
    "iso2": "RO",
    "capital": "Bucharest",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Eastern Europe",
    "population": 19000000,
    "language": "Romanian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Romanian leu",
    "funFact": "Romania is home to the Carpathian Mountains and is believed to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.",
    "history": "Romania formed in 1859 by uniting Wallachia and Moldavia, and gained full independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania"
  },
  {
    "name": "Bulgaria",
    "iso2": "BG",
    "capital": "Sofia",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Eastern Europe",
    "population": 6800000,
    "language": "Bulgarian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Orthodox)",
    "currency": "Bulgarian lev",
    "funFact": "Bulgaria is the world's leading producer of rose oil, producing about 70% of the global supply.",
    "history": "Bulgaria gained autonomy from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 and declared full independence in 1908.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaria"
  },
  {
    "name": "Slovakia",
    "iso2": "SK",
    "capital": "Bratislava",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Eastern Europe",
    "population": 5400000,
    "language": "Slovak",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Slovakia is home to the High Tatras mountains and has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites per capita than most European countries.",
    "history": "Slovakia became independent in 1993 in the peaceful 'Velvet Divorce' split from Czechoslovakia.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovakia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Lithuania",
    "iso2": "LT",
    "capital": "Vilnius",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 2800000,
    "language": "Lithuanian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Lithuania is home to the Hill of Crosses, a unique pilgrimage site where thousands of crosses have been placed over centuries.",
    "history": "Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR, in 1990, having also been briefly independent between 1918 and 1940.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania"
  },
  {
    "name": "Latvia",
    "iso2": "LV",
    "capital": "Riga",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 1900000,
    "language": "Latvian",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Latvia's capital Riga is known for its outstanding Art Nouveau architecture and has one of the widest waterfalls in Europe.",
    "history": "Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, having also been independent from 1918 to 1940.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Estonia",
    "iso2": "EE",
    "capital": "Tallinn",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Northern Europe",
    "population": 1400000,
    "language": "Estonian",
    "religion": "Christianity (Lutheran)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Estonia is a leader in digital innovation and e-governance, being one of the first countries to offer digital residency.",
    "history": "Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, having also been independent from 1918 to 1940.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia"
  },
  {
    "name": "Luxembourg",
    "iso2": "LU",
    "capital": "Luxembourg City",
    "region": "Europe",
    "subregion": "Western Europe",
    "population": 690000,
    "language": "Luxembourgish",
    "religion": "Christianity (Catholic)",
    "currency": "Euro",
    "funFact": "Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world per capita and is known for its medieval old town and picturesque castles.",
    "history": "Luxembourg gained independence from the Netherlands in 1839 under the Treaty of London.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg"
  },
  {
    "name": "Honduras",
    "iso2": "HN",
    "capital": "Tegucigalpa",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 10062905,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Honduran lempira",
    "funFact": "The Bay Islands off Honduras's Caribbean coast sit on the second-largest barrier reef system in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.",
    "history": "Honduras gained independence from Spain in 1821 as part of Central America's joint declaration.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honduras"
  },
  {
    "name": "Nicaragua",
    "iso2": "NI",
    "capital": "Managua",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 7142099,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Nicaraguan córdoba",
    "funFact": "Nicaragua is home to Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, which contains freshwater sharks.",
    "history": "Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua"
  },
  {
    "name": "El Salvador",
    "iso2": "SV",
    "capital": "San Salvador",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 6453549,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "United States dollar",
    "funFact": "El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and the most densely populated.",
    "history": "El Salvador gained independence from Spain in 1821.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Salvador"
  },
  {
    "name": "Belize",
    "iso2": "BZ",
    "capital": "Belmopan",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Central America",
    "population": 408487,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Belize dollar",
    "funFact": "Belize is the only Central American country with English as the official language and is home to the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.",
    "history": "Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, the last Central American country to do so.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize"
  },
  {
    "name": "Dominican Republic",
    "iso2": "DO",
    "capital": "Santo Domingo",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Caribbean",
    "population": 11056884,
    "language": "Spanish",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Dominican peso",
    "funFact": "The Dominican Republic occupies two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola and is known for its beautiful beaches and mountain ranges.",
    "history": "The Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti in 1844, having earlier been a Spanish and then Haitian-ruled colony.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic"
  },
  {
    "name": "Haiti",
    "iso2": "HT",
    "capital": "Port-au-Prince",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Caribbean",
    "population": 11402528,
    "language": "Haitian Creole",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Haitian gourde",
    "funFact": "Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first Black-led republic in the world.",
    "history": "Haiti gained independence from France in 1804 after a successful slave revolt, becoming the world's first Black-led republic.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti"
  },
  {
    "name": "Bahamas",
    "iso2": "BS",
    "capital": "Nassau",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Caribbean",
    "population": 405752,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Bahamian dollar",
    "funFact": "The Bahamas is an archipelago of more than 700 islands and cays and is famous for its crystal-clear waters.",
    "history": "The Bahamas gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1973.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamas"
  },
  {
    "name": "Trinidad and Tobago",
    "iso2": "TT",
    "capital": "Port of Spain",
    "region": "North America",
    "subregion": "Caribbean",
    "population": 1525663,
    "language": "English",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Trinidad and Tobago dollar",
    "funFact": "Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost Caribbean nation and is known for its diverse cultural heritage and Carnival celebration.",
    "history": "Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_and_Tobago"
  },
  {
    "name": "Paraguay",
    "iso2": "PY",
    "capital": "Asunción",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 6780744,
    "language": "Guarani",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Paraguayan guaraní",
    "funFact": "Paraguay is one of only a few countries in the world where an indigenous language, Guarani, is spoken by a majority of the population alongside Spanish.",
    "history": "Paraguay gained independence from Spain in 1811, one of the earliest South American colonies to do so.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay"
  },
  {
    "name": "Guyana",
    "iso2": "GY",
    "capital": "Georgetown",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 804576,
    "language": "Guyanese Creole",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Guyanese dollar",
    "funFact": "Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and is known for its pristine rainforests and biodiversity.",
    "history": "Guyana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyana"
  },
  {
    "name": "Suriname",
    "iso2": "SR",
    "capital": "Paramaribo",
    "region": "South America",
    "subregion": "South America",
    "population": 612781,
    "language": "Sranan Tongo",
    "religion": "Christianity",
    "currency": "Surinamese dollar",
    "funFact": "Suriname is the smallest country in South America and the only Dutch-speaking country on the continent.",
    "history": "Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975.",
    "wiki": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suriname"
  }
]