English Reading Comprehension Lesson 6 – Countries

Do you want to improve your reading comprehension? This simple English article is perfect for you. Today, let’s learn about countries—what they are, why they are important, and some interesting facts about different countries while practicing your reading comprehension skills.

What Is a Country?

A country is a place on Earth where people live under the same government. A country has its own borders, laws, and often its own language and culture. Countries are sometimes called nations.

Each country has:

• A flag

• A national anthem

• A capital city

• A group of citizens (the people who live there)

There are about 195 countries in the world today. Some are very big, like Russia, and some are very small, like Vatican City.

What Makes a Country?

A place is called a country when it has:

• A government – People who make the laws.

• A population – People who live there.

• A territory – Land with borders.

• Recognition – Other countries agree it is a country.

For example, Japan, Brazil, and Canada are all countries because they have their own land, people, laws, and flags. Learning this helps you build reading comprehension while understanding global concepts.

How Are Countries Different?

Every country is different in:

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• Language: People in Spain speak Spanish, people in France speak French, and people in Japan speak Japanese.

• Food: In Italy, people love pizza and pasta. In India, they eat spicy curry. In Mexico, they enjoy tacos and burritos.

• Culture: Music, clothes, art, and holidays are different in each country.

• Weather: Some countries are hot, like Egypt, and others are cold, like Norway.

• Nature: Some countries have beaches, mountains, forests, or deserts.

All of this improves your reading comprehension by helping you learn and connect ideas.

Famous Countries in the World

Here are some popular countries you may know:

• United States

  • Capital: Washington, D.C.

  • Language: English

  • Known for: Hollywood, technology, and famous cities like New York.

• Japan

  • Capital: Tokyo

  • Language: Japanese

  • Known for: Technology, Mount Fuji, sushi, and anime.

• Brazil

  • Capital: Brasília

  • Language: Portuguese

  • Known for: Carnival, football (soccer), Amazon rainforest.

• France

  • Capital: Paris

  • Language: French

  • Known for: The Eiffel Tower, art, and delicious food.

• Australia

  • Capital: Canberra

  • Language: English

  • Known for: Kangaroos, beaches, and the Great Barrier Reef.

🗺 Countries by Continent

The world is divided into seven continents, and each has many countries.

Why Do Countries Matter?

Countries help organize the world. They create laws, provide education, healthcare, and protect their citizens. Countries also work together in groups like the United Nations (UN) to solve problems like climate change, peace, and global health.

Countries also promote cultural exchange and economic growth. They make agreements to trade goods, share technology, and support tourism. By cooperating, countries can learn from each other, improve their economies, and build strong relationships that help create a more connected and peaceful world.

Fun Facts About Countries

• Russia is the biggest country in the world.

• Vatican City is the smallest country. It is inside Rome, Italy.

• China has one of the largest population, over 1.4 billion people.

• Canada has the most lakes in the world.

• Nepal is home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain.

Learning fun facts is a great way to boost your reading comprehension and vocabulary.

What Country Would You Like To Visit?

The world is a fascinating place, full of diverse countries, cultures, and landscapes. Each country has its own unique identity, with different languages, traditions, foods, and ways of life. Understanding how countries are formed, how they work together, and what makes them special helps us appreciate the richness of our planet. From the smallest nation to the largest, every country plays an important role in the global community. Exploring and learning about countries inspires curiosity and respect for the world we all share.

Practice Time!

Start the quiz and answer these simple questions to practice your reading skills.

Practice a little bit more your English skills by watching this short video: Countries of the World

Vocabulary