December national days

Central African Republic 1 December (autonomous territory within the French Community 1958)

Trivia: French and Sangho are the two main languages of the CAR.

Myanmar 1st December (for 2010) (Beginning of student-led protests against British colonial government in 1920. Follows lunar calendar)

The food of Myanmar....

Trivia: Myanmar is one of only three countries in the world that has not adopted the metric system of measurement. The others are Liberia and USA.

Romania 1 December (Union Day, unification with Transylvania 1918)

Romanian cuisine...

Trivia: Romania is the ninth largest wine producer in the world.

Laos 2 December (National Day, people's republic declared 1975)

On the Laotian table...

Trivia: Since December 1975, the official name of Laos has actually been “Lao People’s Democratic Republic” – but to this day, everyone still calls it Laos.

United Arab Emirates 2 December (National Day, formation of federation of seven emirates and independence from the United Kingdom 1971)

Food in the UAE.....

Trivia: Emiratis are outnumbered 11 to 1 by the expatriates, who make up a whopping 91% of the population.

Saba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) 3 December

Thailand 5 December (birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej)

Thai cuisine.....

Trivia: Thailand’s name in the Thai language is Prathet Thai, which means “Land of the Free.” It is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European nation.

Spain, December 6 (1978). See Spanish Constitution of 1978.

Eating in Spain....

Trivia: The Puerta del Sol (“Gate of the Sun”) plaza in Madrid is the physical center of the country. It is marked as Km 0 for the Spanish radial road network.

Finland 6 December (Independence Day, declaration of independence from Russia 1917)

On the Finnish table...

Trivia: The Finnish language (Suomi) is an non Indo-European language belonging to the Uralic family, along with Estonian and Hungarian.

Romania 8 December (1991). See Holidays in Romania.

Romanian cuisine...

Trivia: People that enjoy a good coffee will be surprised to know that Francesco Illy, the founder of Illycaffè was born in Timisoara, Romania in1892. He also invented the first automatic steam espresso coffee machine.

Uzbekistan 8 December (1992). Constitution day of Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbek cuisine....

Trivia: In Uzbekistan, handshakes are only acceptable if it is between two men. The way to greet an Uzbek woman is by bowing to her with your right hand placed over your heart.

Tanzania 9 December (Independence Day 1962)

On Tanzanian tables.....

Trivia: Over 120 languages are spoken in Tanzania. Most of these are Bantu languages, a category of over 535 languages and dialects that are spoken throughout Africa. More facts....

Thailand December 10. Commemorates the promulgation of the first permanent constitution in 1932.

Thai cuisine.....

Trivia: Bangkok has the longest city name in the world: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit. More facts.....

Kenya 12 December (Independence Day, from the United Kingdom 1963; Republic Day, (Jamhuri Day), 1964)

The food of Kenya...

Trivia: Kenya’s Embu tribe is famous for dancing on stilts by men wearing black coats and white masks. More…

Malta 13 December (Republic Day, republican constitution of 1974)

Maltese cuisine...

Trivia: Maltese fishing boats are painted in bright colours. Also painted on them are a pair of eyes on each side at the front, a tradition which goes back to ancient Phoenician times. These are the Eyes of Osiris which are said to protect the fishing boats from evil spirits.

St Lucia 13 December (National Day, independence from United Kingdom 1979; the saint's day)

The food of St Lucia...

Trivia: St. Lucia was known as the Island of the Iguanas by the Amerindian Arawak and Carib people who are known to have been among the earliest settlers. More....

Netherlands, December 15. Koninkrijksdag (Kingdom day, signing of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands 1954)

On Dutch tables...

Trivia: The Wilhelmus is the oldest national anthem in the world: Both the words and music date from the 16th century, and in it, the Dutch king speaks of his German blood and describes his loyalty to the Spanish crown. More...

Bahrain 16 December (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1971; accession day for Amir Sh. Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa in 1961)

The food of Bahrain...

Trivia: The name ‘Bahrain’ means two seas, which is attributed to the sweet water springs and salty water in the seas that surrounds the island country. More...

Bhutan 17 December (Ugyen Wangchuck elected hereditary king 1907)

Eating in Bhutan...

Trivia: The name “Bhutan” translates to “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” It earned the nickname because of the fierce storms that often roll in from the Himalayas. More...

Niger 18 December (Republic Day, autonomous state within the French Community 1958)

The food of Niger...

Trivia: Did you know that the official language of Niger is not Swahili but French? More.....

Qatar 18 December (Official National Day; the assumption of power of Sheikh Jassem bin Mohamed al-Thani in 1878)

Qatari cuisine...

Trivia: Karak tea is one of the most popular beverages among local and expatriate residents alike in Qatar. Locals serve this delicious, milky tea infused with cardamom.

French Guyana (France) 20 December Abolition of slavery day

The food of French Guyana...

Trivia: The beaches of French Guyana are often used as turtle nesting sites, notably as one of the largest worldwide for the leatherback turtle.

Macau 20 December (Transfer of sovereignty to the PRC 1999)

Maccanese cuisine...

Trivia: Macau is the only place in China where gambling is allowed.

Réunion, France, 20 December Abolition of slavery day (regional only)

Dining in Réunion....

Trivia: The sugarcane industry dominates the economy of Reunion Island. More...

Republic of China (Taiwan) December 25 (1946). See Constitution of the Republic of China

The food of Taiwan...

Trivia: In Taiwan the garbage trucks play music to prompt people to bring their garbage to the truck. Beethoven's Für Elise can be often heard as trash is collected and during the holidays you can expect Christmas songs. More...

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