Currencies of the World

Despite the introduction of the Euro as a common currency and a shared name for many currencies, a number of countries have unique names. With the adoption of the Euro, currencies such as the Dutch guilder, German mark, Portuguese escudo, Greek drachma, French franc, Spanish peseta and Italian lira ceased to exist. Other countries share the dollar, shilling, pound, peso and dinar. Nevertheless, many currencies have very different names.

Here is a list of currencies used by countries around the world. This list includes countries whose currencies are relatively unfamiliar.

Albania-lek
Afghanistan-afghani
Angola-kwanza
Armenia-dram
Azerbaijan-manat
Bangladesh-taka
Bhutan-ngultrum
Botswana-pula
Brazil-real
Bulgaria-lev
Cambodia-riel
Costa Rica-colon
Croatia-kuna
Czech Republic-koruna
Eritrea-nakfa
Estonia-kroon
Ethiopia-birr
Gambia-dalasi
Georgia-lari
Ghana-cedi
Guatemala-quetzal
Haiti-gourde
Honduras-lempira
Hungary-forint
Indonesia-rupiah
Kazakhstan-tenge
Kyrgyzstan-som
Laos-kip
Latvia-lats
Lesotho-loti
Lithuania-litas
Malaysia-ringgit
Mauritania-ouguiya
Mongolia-tugrik
Morocco-dirham
Mozambique-metical
Nicaragua-cordoba
Nigeria-naira
Papua New Guinea-kina
Paraguay-guarani
Poland-zloty
Romania-leu
South Africa-rand
Swaziland-lilangeni
Tajikistan-somoni
Thailand-baht
Venezuela-bolivar
Vietnam-dong
Zambia-kwacha

The reason many of the currencies on this list are relatively unfamiliar is that they are not likely to be listed in a foreign exchange rate table and are not in high demand. In many countries with weak currencies, the US dollar and Euro are very popular and can be freely used. Nevertheless, the use of a separate currency serves as a mark of sovereignty, history and pride.