The Kansas City metro has welcomed the world to our communities this summer! Now’s the time to learn about the world from right here at home. Whether you’re trying to avoid the increased traffic or just want some background information should you happen to meet some of our guests, CultureGrams from ProQuest can help you learn about a variety of countries and cultures.

Here is some information about our resident countries:

Algeria

Official Name: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Official Language: Arabic
Major Religion: Sunni Muslim
Capital: Algiers
Time Zone: Kansas City +6 hours

Algeria is Africa’s largest country. To put it into perspective, you could fit Texas into its boarders roughly three and a half times! Despite its size, it is one of the world’s least densely populated countries with around 45 people per square mile. To keep with our Texas comparison, Texas has roughly 120 people per square mile!

Breaking bread with your new Algerian friends? Say Bismillah (In the name of God) before digging into your Kansas City barbecue.

Explore more on CultureGrams like photos,  videos (like this one of a Soccer Victory!), recipes, and more!

Argentina

Official Name: Argentine Republic
Official Language: Spanish
Major Religion: Roman Catholic
Capital: Buenos Aires
Time Zone: Kansas City +2 hours

Argentina lies south of Brazil and east of Chile on the South American continent. Argentines should feel right at home in Cowtown as they are some of the highest consumers of beef worldwide, and gauchos, or cowboys, are important cultural symbols.

If you can, join your new Argentinian friends in a round of mate, an herbal tea shared from a communal cup.

Explore more on CultureGrams like photos, slideshows (be sure to check out the Cattle Ranch), biographies (like that of author Jorge Luis Borges), and more!

England

Official Name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Principal Language: English
Major Religion: Christian
Capital: London
Time Zone: Kansas City +6 hours

The United Kingdom is made up of the countries of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Each of these countries has their own individual team who competes in FIFA tournaments. However, only England and Scotland qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England has a proud history of soccer, contributing to its development along with boxing and tennis.

Explore more on CultureGrams like videos (check out the one on Cricket), biographies (like soccer player David Beckham), recipes, and more!

Netherlands

Official Name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Official Language: Dutch
Major Religion: Non-religious
Capital: Amsterdam
Time Zone: Kansas City +7 hours

Plan your next trip to the Netherlands for a minimum of a few months as the country boasts almost 700 museums to explore. Despite their flag colors being red, white, and blue, the unofficial color of the Netherlands is Orange in honor of the heir to the throne being styled the prince(ss) of Orange. Keep your eyes peeled at the Netherlands vs. Tunisia match – rumor has it the King and Queen of the Netherlands may be in attendance!

If you exchange Christmas gifts with your new Dutch friends, don’t procrastinate until Christmas Eve! The traditional day for giving gifts is on St. Nicholas Day on December 6.

Explore more on CultureGrams like videos (check out the Pickup Soccer Game), slideshows (there’s one about libraries!), recipes, and more!