Viva Kids World When in Rome, pay as the Romans do
Level of knowledge: professional
The most important currency in the world
-
The US dollar, followed by the euro, yen, and the British pound, is the most important currency in the word, and it is very well known. It is also used as money in movies quite often. Have you ever seen the US dollar anywhere?
-
One US dollar is worth about as much as one Swiss franc. The Swiss franc is broken down into coins called rappen or centimes. The coins that make up a US dollar are called cents. For example, something you buy could have a price of 2 dollars and 50 cents.
-
Other countries also have currencies called the dollar. For example, the Australian dollar in Australia and the Canadian dollar in Canada. The currencies used in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Namibia, and Singapore are also named the "dollar." But that doesn't mean that every dollar is valid everywhere. Each country has its own dollar.
Level of knowledge: expert
What currency experts know
1. There are many different currencies used around the world. A currency is the money used by people in a particular country.
2. The world's most important currencies are the dollar, the euro, the yen, and the British pound.
3. When you exchange one currency for another, the amount you receive for your money depends on the exchange rate.
Also exciting
-
The money lent out
Hurray! The Viva Kids gang's tree house is finally finished. It seemed to take forever, and it was really expensive. Where in the world do people get the money to buy a real house? -
About notes and coins
No one needs Laura's stickers. So nobody wants to swap with her. What was it like back when people only used bartering? Is that why they invented money? -
The fake bank robbers
Sophie discovers two big, scary men at the automated teller machine on the other side of the road. Surely they don't want to rob the ATM?
Level of knowledge: master
Laura's travel diary
Laura loves foreign countries. She could sit in front of her globe looking at the world for hours. Her favorite country is Haiti – it's such a pretty name. Laura has learned that their currency is called the gourde.
Laura has already managed to collect coins from ten different countries. Laura then draws all the coins in her travel diary. Even though she has not yet visited every country, once she does go there, she will know immediately what currency they use. While flipping through her travel diary today, Laura asked herself: "Can people also be happy when they don't have a lot of money?"
Yes, your own currency!
How about your own currency, one that is valid only between you and your friends or maybe at home for your family? Create your own currency, and use it to buy and sell things amongst your family and friends – your morning snack or help with your chores, for instance. What would you like to call your currency?