What do the following phrases have in common?

1. A HUG AND A KISS

2. FAIR AND SQUARE

3. TAKES PAINS

4. SUNKEN YACHT

5. CATCH IN A LIE

6. AS PER USUAL

7. INFORMAL TALKS
8. GARDEN MARKET

HINT:

It has to do with hidden words.

Answer:

Hidden in each phrase is the name of a country.

1. UGANDA

2. IRAN

3. SPAIN

4. KENYA

5. CHINA

6. PERU

7. MALTA
8. DENMARK

Credit: NY Times Crossword - Feb. 19, 2012

James F. C. Burns - CORE O' NATIONS

NOTE: See also WORLD GEOGRAPHY