Europe
French
Eiffel Tower - “One of the most recognizable monuments in the world. The tower is 1,083 ft tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. It is also known as the Iron Lady, receives nearly seven millions tourists a year. Gustave Eiffel, who designed the landmark, built himself a small apartment on the top level of the structure.” (Source)
Arc de Triomph - “A gigantic arch in Paris, France, that was built in the 19th century and celebrates the victories of the French army. The height of the Arc de Triomphe is 164 feet and was completed in 1836. It was built in a circle where 12 different important streets come together in Paris.” (Source)
British
Big Ben - “The clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London is often called Big Ben, but the name really belongs to an enormous bell inside the tower. The 315 feet tower of Big Ben is an important London landmark. The clock is known for being an excellent time-keeper and chimes every hour on the hour.” (Source)
Red Telephone Box - “A telephone box or phone booth is a public kiosk enclosing a payphone. It is usually an item of street furniture, though some may be inside a building. The color red was chosen to make them easy to spot.” (Source)
Double-Decker Bus - “A type of bus with two levels. In the 1920s, the first engine-powered version of the double-decker bus made its debut in London society. The red double-decker bus is one of the most iconic features of London and with good reason. Just like the London Underground, these buses are one of the faster and more efficient ways to travel in the hustle and bustle of this booming metropolis.” (Source)
Scottish
Kilt - “A ceremonial article of clothing worn in Scotland. It is made of a thick, woven fabric with a tartan (checkered) pattern. It resembles a pleated skirt except and was originally worn by men. It is first recorded in the 16th century as the great kilt, and by the 19th century it became associated with the wider culture of Scotland. Women of Scotland started to wear kilts in the 1800’s.” (Source)
Bagpipe - “A musical instrument sometimes just called "pipes". They have a bag that holds air. The player keeps the bag full of air by blowing into it with a tube or pumping it with a bellows. To make music, the bag is pressed and the air comes out through a kind of flute or "chanter".” (Source)
Spanish
Flamenco Dancer - “Flamenco is a style of entertainment with song, music and dance. It is very popular in Spain and is known worldwide. Its foundation is in Andalusia in Spain. In its evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part. The term 'flamenco' was first recorded in the late 18th century but many believe the art form is much older. Flamenco has acoustic guitar music, singing, hand claps, heel stamps, castanets. It is danced by a man and a woman in traditional Spanish costumes.” (Source)
Flamenco Hat - “Also known as a Cordoban hat, is a traditional hat that origins from the city of Córdoba in Spain. Traditionally it is worn in the larger parts of Andalusia. Flamenco dancers, men and women alike, will put on a Cordoban hat, usually in black or red, as the ultimate finishing touch to their costumes.” (Source)
Dutch
Windmills - “Dutch windmills were built originally to pump the water out from the land because the Netherlands is so flat and below sea level. With the land always getting flooded, farming was almost impossible, hence the need to force out the water by means of the windmills.” (Source)
Row Houses - “Amsterdam stands out not only because it has a unique style of row home but also because nowhere else is there such a great wealth of period homes, the oldest dating back to the 15th century. Over the next few centuries the row house would evolve into what people today most associate with Dutch architecture; the multi-story, stone facade building with a stepped front gable.” (Source)
Russian
St. Basil's Cathedral - “An Orthodox church in Red Square of Moscow, and is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia. The building, now a museum, is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible.” (Source)
Matryoshka Dolls - “Also known as babushka dolls, stacking dolls, nesting dolls, Russian tea dolls, or Russian dolls, are a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan, a long and shapeless Russian peasant jumper dress. Throughout history, the picture of the happy peasant woman who characterizes the Matryoshka symbolizes fertility.” (Source)
German
Beer Stein - “The origins of German beer steins date back to the 14th century. As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies throughout Europe shortly thereafter, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring that all food and beverage containers (like beer steins) be covered to protect their contents. A traditional beer mug made out of stoneware and the word “stein” means “stone” in German.” (Source)
Tyrolean Hat - “Also known as the Bavarian or Alpine hat, is a well-known traditional hat worn many years ago with a traditional costume. It is now a symbol of Germany and worn at local festivals and known in the tourist industry. They are usually made of felt or wool and are commonly grey, black or green in color. They often have a spray of feathers, flowers or “brush” at the side of the crown. The tradition of wearing feathers began many years ago, when hunters would pull a feather from their catch and place it in their cap. The bigger and more elaborate the feather, the better the hunter.” (Source-1) (Source-2)
Dirndl - “A traditional dress worn in southern Germany by women and girls. It was developed as the clothing of Alpine peasants between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was later adopted by the upper class in the 18th century, and started to make appearances in the nobles’ community. Even centuries after they were first introduced, the dirndl continues to represent German pride. They are often worn during Oktoberfest and other festivals celebrating German culture.” (Source-1) (Source-2)
Irish
Four-leaf clover - “The leaves of four-leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck. It's often said that Ireland is home to more four-leaf clovers than any other place, giving meaning to the phrase "the luck of the Irish." Children in the Middle Ages believed they would be able to see fairies if they carried a four-leaf clover.” (Source)
Celtic Cross - “The ‘Irish Cross’ has been present in Ireland since the early Middle Ages. As Celtic Christianity spread, the cross took on a new spiritual meaning connected to the crucifixion of Christ. It became a religious symbol connected with Christianity.” (Source)
Céilí Dancer - “A long-established dance form that originated in the 1500's and is always performed to traditional Irish music. The Ceili Dances consist of quadrilles, reels, jigs and long or round dances. These were the most native Irish traditional folk dances. It can be performed as a solo or in groups of up to twenty or more dancers. In Ireland, Irish dance is part of social dancing or may be for formal performances and competitions.” (Source)
Italian
Leaning Tower of Pisa - “The leaning Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. Famous for its unintended tilt, the 56m tower took nearly 200 years to build - work started in 1173. Five years later it started tilting. The tilt was noticeable as workers built the second floor. The shift was caused by shallow foundations of 3m and unstable subsoil.” (Source)
Pizza - “The term pizza was first recorded in the 10th century in a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italian town of Gaeta in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Modern pizza was invented in Naples about 200 years ago. It is the name for a special type of flatbread, made with special dough. It has become one of the most popular foods in the world.” (Source)
Polish
Wycinanki - “This is the Polish word for “paper cut design.” This unique Polish tradition has been a popular form of folk art since the 1900s and has since become a special, rich contribution to the artistic heritage of the world. The most traditional symbols of "wycinanki" are the spruce tree and the rooster, a symbol of the Easter season. Designs and color schemes often convey styles derived from particular regions in Poland.” (Source-1) (Source-2)
Babka Cake - “A sweet, rich bread that is traditionally served on Easter Sunday in Poland. The cake usually contains raisins and rum for flavoring, and it is glazed with a fruit-based icing. The name of the cake comes from the Polish word for grandmother, referring to the method of baking the dish in a Bundt mold, so when it is served, it is reminiscent of a grandmother's wide, fluted skirt.” (Source)
Greek
Ancient Greek Pottery - “The Ancient Greeks made pots from clay. Large pots were used for cooking or storing food and small bowls and cups were made for people to eat and drink from. Pots were also used for decoration, and when people died, they were cremated (burned) and their ashes were buried in pots.” (Source)
Parthenon - “Located on the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon was constructed at the peak of the Greek empire. Started in 447 BCE, it took nine years for the structure to be completed and an additional six to finish all of the decorative elements. The former temple was built in dedication to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”).” (Source)