BCG / C-LS / gr8ss1w01-06

Name: _________________________________________
Grade 8
Roll No.: _____ Div.: ____ Date ____ /____ / _______ social
2021-22 2022-23 studies
2023-24 2024-25 Topic: The World - Content Sheet
02
2025-26
Wkst No.

Countries around the world

The UN recognizes 195 countries around the world today. Our global map
keeps changing thanks to geopolitical forces. Entire nations come and go rapidly.
There are nations like Tibet, whose status as a country is still in dispute.

Some countries change names, others split into separate entities, and many have
lost their sovereignty after being taken over by another country. These are some
of the countries that have been last added South Sudan, Kosovo, East Timor
and Palau.

Since the ancient civilizations, countries, nations and territories have changed
their status and boundaries
Here are some recounts from history

Mesopotamia

What do the concept of time,

math and the wheel have in
common? All were birthed in
Mesopotamia, a region that,
at various times, encompassed
many different ancient nations.
The name “Mesopotamia”
roughly translates to “between
two rivers,” - its location within
the Tigris–Euphrates river
system. Its most famous city
and capital, Babylonia, is considered the birthplace of literature and writing,
and was home to mythical hanging gardens listed among the world’s Seven
Wonders. The region fell around the 7th century AD; today, its land is occupied
by modern-day eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and most of Iraq. In recent
years, Iraq has opened up some ancient Babylonian ruins to visitors. But only
about 2 percent of the ancient city has been excavated.
 Basutoland

When King Moshoeshoe I asked the British

for help in fighting off invaders in the 19th
century, he did not expect the British to
colonize his lands. But that’s exactly what
happened.

In 1868, Basutoland, until then an

independent African Kingdom, became
a British colony renamed the Territory
of Basutoland. The kingdom remained
intact for the next 100 years, until it gained
independence from Britain in 1966 and
became Lesotho.

Today, Lesotho is ruled by a constitutional monarchy, complete with a royal

family. Along with the Vatican and San Marino, it is one of only three countries
in the world to be completely surrounded by another country, in this case South
Africa.

Ceylon

The history of this island-state dates back to

the late 6th century BC, when the Sinhalese
arrived. The group lived peacefully on the island
until a southern India dynasty seized power
and established the Tamil kingdom in the 15th
century.

But the conquering was far from over: Over the

next two centuries, Ceylon was occupied by the
Portuguese and then the Dutch, until ceding to
British control in 1796. The British ruled until
Ceylon became independent in 1948. Finally, in 1972, the nation-state adopted
the name Sri Lanka, meaning “great and beautiful island,” which – of course
– it still goes by today. This fascinating history has made Sri Lanka one of the
world’s most culturally diverse nations. Three languages are used in the country:
Sinhalese, Tamil and, because of its British rule, English. Britain’s influence is
also seen in one of Sri Lanka’s most popular sports: cricket.
 BCG / C-LS / gr8ss1w01-06

Name: _________________________________________
Grade 8
Roll No.: _____ Div.: ____ Date ____ /____ / _______ social
2021-22 2022-23 studies
2023-24 2024-25 Topic: The World - Content Sheet
03
2025-26
Wkst No.

East Germany and West Germany

Following WWII, Germany was

divided into two independent
countries – East Germany and
West Germany – with the Soviets
occupying the East, and the U.S.
and other allied forces the West.
In 1961, the construction of the
Berlin Wall solidified this division,
standing as a powerful symbol of
global conflict.

It took nearly 30 years for the

wall to finally be abolished, in 1990, and for reunification to happen, helping to
usher in the end of the Cold War.

A visit to Berlin promises a fascinating glimpse into this history. The East Side
Gallery, a portion of the wall featuring over 100 large-format paintings, serves
as a stunning symbol of hope, and is not to be missed.

East Side gallery

The following countries have a long and varied history. Research and write
3 to 4 historical facts about these countries.

1. Russia - _______________________________________________________

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2. Kenya - _______________________________________________________

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3. Vietnam - ______________________________________________________

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