What is the world's largest fish?
The harmless whale shark holds the title of largest fish, with the record being a 59 footer captured in Thailand in 1919.
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World Facts
World facts and facts about the world: places, peoples, and the details that never fit on a postcard.
370 facts on this shelf
How much energy can the sun provide?
According to the American Solar Energy Society, enough sunlight falls on the earth's surface each minute to meet world energy demand for an entire year.
The 7 wonders of the World
"Since Philon of Byzantium named the original Seven Wonders of the World in 200 B.C., the Western world has relegated them to an awed mental pedestal and then promptly forgot what was on the list.
In those centuries, six vanished.Still with us are the Pyramids at Giza
Earthquakes leveled the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon may never have existed. Crusading Maltese knights purloined blocks from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus to build a fortress.
Other Wonders met more elaborate fates. The Colossus of Rhodes was felled by earthquake, left prone by oracle's decree and hauled off on mules by invading Arab merchants. A disaffected Ephesian burned the Temple of Artemis, after which it was razed by Goths.
Caligula tried to appropriate The Statue of Zeus, and broke it. A Roman successor closed its temple, which later suffered earthquakes, landslides and fire."
Ancient crystal skulls
It is claimed that 13 ancient crystal skulls have been found with mysterious properties.
The Mitchell-Hedges family loaned the skull to Hewlett-Packard Laboratories for extensive study in 1970. Art restorer Frank Dorland oversaw the testing at the Santa Clara, California, computer equipment manufacturer, a leading facility for crystal research. The HP examinations yielded some startling results.
Researchers found that the skull had been carved against the natural axis of the crystal. Modern crystal sculptors always take into account the axis, or orientation of the crystal's molecular symmetry, because if they carve "against the grain," the piece is bound to shatter -- even with the use of lasers and other high-tech cutting methods.
To compound the strangeness, HP could find no microscopic scratches on the crystal which would indicate it had been carved with metal instruments. Dorland's best hypothesis for the skull's construction is that it was roughly hewn out with diamonds, and then the detail work was meticulously done with a gentle solution of silicon sand and water. The exhausting job -- assuming it could possibly be done in this way -- would have required man-hours adding up to 300 years to complete.
Note: 5/08, crystal skulls find themselves in the lates Indiana Jones movie!
Biggest animal in the world
The blue whale is the largest animal in the world. The largest blue whale caught was a 110-foot female. It is not
known how the angler got this beast home or how they fit it in the freezer.
what is the world's oldest animal
The oldest animal on Earth was born in 1830 Her name is Harriet, she's a Galapagos land tortoise
Blue whale massacre crustaceans
The blue whale, the worlds largest animal at 110 feet according to guiness world records eat krill, which are shrimp-like crustaceans only about an inch-and-a-half long.
Pick on somebody your own size? Not whales! An adult whale might slaughter 40 million, or 4-6 tons of these little creatures in one day!!
Amazingly, the krill population persists, but you have to assume this perpetual atrocity affects the krills ability to develop a stable society.
What is the world's largest animal?
The world's largest mammal, the blue whale, weighs 50 tons at birth. Fully grown, it weighs as much as 150 tons.
How tall is the world's tallest tree
A 379.1' Redwood in Redwood National Park is currently the world's largest tree
What is the world's healthiest animal?
Sharks apparently are the only animals that never get sick. As far as is known, they are immune to every known disease including cancer.
The world's least appealing alcohol
Chicha, an alcohol beverage which has been made for thousands of years in Central and South America, begins with people chewing grain and spitting into a vat. An enzyme in saliva changes starch in the grain to sugar, which then ferments.
The longest coldest night on earth
The darkest time of year at the North Pole is the Winter Solstice, approximately December 21. There has been no sunlight or even twilight since early October. The darkness lasts until the beginning of dawn in early March
Now you can see what's happening in the arctic at http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/gallery_np.html
The biggest brands in the world
The 3 most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca-Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.
What is the most expensive spice?
The world's most expensive spice is Saffron. The price ranges from 40$ to 60$ per ounce.
What is the world's smallest mammal?
The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand, weighing less than a penny.
What's the world's largest bird
The average adult male ostrich, the world's largest living bird, weighs up to 345 pounds.
Can you name the world's biggest octopus?
The Pacific Giant Octopus, the largest octopus in the world, grows from the size of pea to a 150 pound behemoth potentially 30 feet across in only two years, its entire life-span.
What color is a beam of white light?
A beam of white light is made up of all the colours in the spectrum. The range extends from red to violet, with orange, yellow, green and blue in between. But there is one colour that is notable by its absence, pink (or magenta, to use its official name) simply isn’t there.
Termites or humans?
The world's termites outweigh the world's humans 10 to 1.
Soccer
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world!
The longest word in the world
The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
What is the world flagpole-sitting record you ask?
In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. Suffering from the flu he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record, his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity had been cut off.
What is the world flagpole-sitting record you ask?
In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. Suffering from the flu he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record, his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity had been cut off.
The birth of the huddle
The football huddle originated at Gallaudet University (the world's only accredited four-year liberal arts college for the deaf) in the 19th century when the football team found that opposing teams were reading their signed messages and intercepting plays.
Creepy crawly fact about planet Earth
The world's termites outweigh the world's humans 10 to 1.
Energy released by a hurricane vs. a nuclear weapon
In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all the world's nuclear weapons combined.
What is the world's smallest mammel?
The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand, weighing less than a penny.
The anaconda is one big snake, and it does something unusual.
The anaconda, one of the world's largest snakes, gives birth to its young instead of laying eggs.
The world's largest living bird
The average adult male ostrich, the world's largest living bird, weighs up to 345 pounds.
Fun fact about cheetah's
The cheetah is the only cat in the world that can't retract its claws.
The world's fastest bird
The fastest bird is the Spine-tailed swift, clocked at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour.
The world's fastest snail
The fastest moving land snail, the common garden snail, has a speed of 0.0313 mph.
The world's most poisonous octopus
The worlds most smallest octopus, the Blue Ring, is also the worlds most poisonous.
What is the highest point on earth?
The highest mountain in the world is not Mt. Everest. The Earth is not perfectly round, it is like when you roll a piece of silly putty in a ball and squish the top a little bit. Therefore, the equator is popped out. Seeing as how the Himalayas are some ways away from the equator, although Mt. Everest is highest above sea level, the highest point on Earth is somewhere in the Andes in South America
Libya was transformed in the 60s by what resource?
Libya had one of the lowest standards of living in the world until the oil boom of the 1960s.
Proof that football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the world
At World Cup 2010 2.72 million tickets will be sold.
What was the best political joke of 2006?
According to about.com and their top 25 funny jokes "I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message that no matter what happens to America she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo-ops in the world." --Comedian Stephen Colbert, roasting Bush at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Our favorite: “To the vice president's credit, he did own up to it (shooting hunting partner in the face). On FOX News he said the fault was his, he can't blame anybody else. Boy, it's amazing, the only time you get accountability out of this administration is when they are actually holding a smoking gun." --Bill Maher
What do yeti & sasquatch, & bigfoot have in common?
Bigfoot, Yeti & Sasquatch refer to the same mysterious man / ape beings which have been reported around the world from the Pacific Northwest in the united states to the Canadian wilderness, to the slopes of the Himalayas, and to the forests of Siberia.
What was the battle of Normandy anyways?
The Battle of Normandy was the decisive battle of World War II fought in the summer of 1944 between the Allied nations and German forces. The Normandy Invasion, or D-Day, is the largest ocean-based invasions in history with nearly three million troops participating. The battle stretched from the English Channel to Normandy, France in German-occupied Western Europe.
No big men in the black widow world
Male black widow spiders are half the size of the female or smaller. Female black widows can get as long as 55mm or 2.165 inches.
What was the first national park in the US?
Yellowstone became the first US national park in 1872, and it is widely considered the first national park in the world.
When did China lose its title as the world's most populous country?
China was the world's most populous country for centuries until India passed it in 2023.
What is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world?
China's Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is the world's largest hydroelectric power station by installed capacity, at about 22,500 megawatts.
What is the most spoken native language in the world?
Mandarin Chinese has more native speakers than any other language on Earth, close to a billion people.
Which country has the largest population in the world?
India became the world's most populous country in 2023 and has more than 1.4 billion people.
What share of the world's wild tigers live in India?
India is home to about 75% of the world's wild tigers. Its 2022 census counted roughly 3,682 of them.
When did the world's first high-speed train line open?
Japan's Shinkansen "bullet train" opened in 1964, just before the Tokyo Olympics. It was the world's first high-speed rail line.
What is the tallest mountain in Japan?
Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest mountain at 3,776 meters, and it is an active volcano. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
Which country has one of the longest life expectancies in the world?
Japan consistently ranks at or near the top of the world for life expectancy, at around 84 years.
What is one of the oldest companies in the world?
Japan's Kongō Gumi, a temple construction company founded in 578 CE, is one of the oldest continuously operating companies in history.
Which country has the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy?
Japan's imperial family is considered the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world, with traditional records tracing the line back more than 1,500 years.
Where was the world's first underground railway?
The London Underground opened in 1863 and was the world's first underground railway. Its first trains were pulled by steam engines.
Who invented the World Wide Web?
British scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 while working at CERN in Switzerland.
What is the most visited country in the world?
France is the most visited country in the world, drawing roughly 100 million international tourists a year.
Why was the Eiffel Tower built?
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. It was originally meant to be temporary, and many Parisian artists hated it at first.
What is the most visited art museum in the world?
The Louvre in Paris is the world's most visited art museum. It is home to the Mona Lisa and was originally a royal palace.
What was the Reinheitsgebot?
The Reinheitsgebot, a Bavarian law from 1516, said beer could only be made from water, barley, and hops. It is one of the oldest food-safety laws in the world.
How many FIFA World Cups has Germany won?
Germany has won the FIFA World Cup four times: in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014.
Which country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country, with more than 60 sites.
Which independent countries are located inside Italy?
Two independent countries sit completely inside Italy: Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, and San Marino.
What is the tallest active volcano in Europe?
Mount Etna in Sicily is the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
What is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest country in the world by area.
Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?
Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times, more than any other country: in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
Which country produces the most coffee?
Brazil has been the world's largest coffee producer for more than 150 years and grows about a third of the world's coffee.
What is the largest carnival in the world?
Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is considered the largest carnival in the world and draws millions of people into the streets each year.
What is the largest tropical wetland in the world?
The Pantanal, located mostly in Brazil, is the world's largest tropical wetland and is one of the best places on Earth to see jaguars in the wild.
What is the largest country in the world by area?
Russia is the largest country in the world, covering about 17.1 million square kilometers, more than one-ninth of Earth's land.
What is the deepest lake in the world?
Lake Baikal in Siberia is the deepest lake in the world at about 1,642 meters. It holds around 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water.
What is the longest railway line in the world?
Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world. It runs about 9,289 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok.
Who founded the Hermitage Museum?
The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg traces its founding to 1764, when Catherine the Great began collecting art. It is now one of the largest museums in the world.
What is the second-largest country in the world by area?
Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area, behind only Russia.
Which country has the most lakes?
Canada has more lakes than any other country, with an estimated 60% of all the lakes in the world.
Which country produces the most maple syrup?
Canada produces about 70% of the world's maple syrup, and most of it comes from the province of Quebec.
What is the longest international border in the world?
The border between Canada and the US is the longest international border in the world, stretching about 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles).
Which country has the most Spanish speakers?
Mexico has the largest Spanish-speaking population in the world, more than Spain itself.
When was Chichén Itzá named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World?
The ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
What is the largest pyramid in the world by volume?
The Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico is the largest pyramid in the world by volume, even bigger than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza. It is so overgrown that it looks like a hill.
What is the world record for the most tennis balls held in a dog's mouth?
A Golden Retriever named Finley set a Guinness World Record in 2020 by holding six tennis balls in his mouth at once.
Why was the German Shepherd Dog renamed during the World Wars?
Anti-German feelings after WWI led the AKC to drop "German" and call the breed simply the "Shepherd Dog," and in Britain it became the "Alsatian." The AKC restored the original name in 1931, while the UK Kennel Club didn't fully return to "German Shepherd Dog" until 1977.
What did Americans call Dachshunds during World War I?
During WWI, the Dachshund's German roots made it unpopular in the US, and some people even rebranded the breed as "liberty pups" to dodge anti-German feelings.
Which Poodle won Best in Show at Westminster in 2020?
A black Standard Poodle named Siba won Best in Show at the 2020 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, one of the most prestigious titles in the dog world.
How strong is a Beagle's sense of smell?
Beagles have about 220 million scent receptors in their noses, which makes them among the best sniffers in the dog world and explains why they're always following their noses.
Which Bulldog holds the world record for skateboarding through a human tunnel?
A Bulldog named Otto set a Guinness World Record in 2015 in Lima, Peru, by skateboarding through the legs of 30 people lined up in a human tunnel.
What is the longest domestic cat on record?
A Maine Coon from Italy named Barivel was measured at about 3 feet 11 inches (120 cm) long, earning the Guinness World Record for the longest living domestic cat in 2023.
When did the CFA grant the Ragdoll championship status?
The Cat Fanciers' Association granted the Ragdoll full championship status in 2000, and within about two decades it had climbed to become one of the most popular breeds in the world.
How did World War II affect the Abyssinian breed?
The Abyssinian population in Britain dropped dramatically during WWII, and breeders had to work hard afterward to rebuild the breed.
How did World War II affect the British Shorthair?
The British Shorthair population dropped sharply during WWII, and breeders afterward crossed them with Persians and other breeds to rebuild their numbers.
What is the largest cat species in the world?
The tiger is the largest cat species on Earth. Large male Amur (Siberian) tigers can weigh over 600 pounds, which makes them bigger than lions.
Which country has the most wild tigers?
India is home to roughly three-quarters of the world's wild tigers, more than 3,000 according to its most recent national census. The Bengal tiger is also India's national animal.
Where do Asiatic lions live?
The only wild Asiatic lions left in the world live in and around Gir Forest in Gujarat, India, after the subspecies nearly went extinct in the early 1900s.
How fast can a racehorse run?
A Thoroughbred named Winning Brew set a Guinness World Record in 2008 by running about 44 miles per hour over a quarter mile, the fastest speed recorded for a racehorse.
What is the most endangered wolf?
The red wolf is one of the world's most endangered canines, and only a small population of fewer than about 30 survives in the wild in eastern North Carolina.
What is the largest fish in the world?
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and can grow longer than 40 feet, but it feeds mostly on tiny plankton and is harmless to humans.
What is the "loneliest whale"?
The "52-hertz whale" is an unidentified whale that calls at an unusually high frequency other whales may not respond to, which earned it the nickname "the loneliest whale in the world."
What is the difference between Old World and New World monkeys?
Monkeys are split into Old World monkeys from Africa and Asia and New World monkeys from Central and South America, and only some New World monkeys have prehensile tails that can grab things.
What is the smallest monkey?
The pygmy marmoset of South America is the world's smallest monkey and weighs only about 3 to 4 ounces as an adult.
What is the largest monkey?
The mandrill is the world's largest monkey and also one of the most colorful mammals, with a bright red and blue face.
What is the longest snake in captivity?
A reticulated python named Medusa from Kansas City holds the Guinness World Record for the longest snake ever in captivity, measuring about 25 feet long.
What is the most venomous snake?
Based on venom strength in lab tests, the inland taipan of Australia is the most venomous land snake in the world, but it's shy and rarely bites people.
How many people die from snakebites each year?
The World Health Organization estimates that snakebites kill between about 81,000 and 138,000 people every year, mostly in rural parts of Africa and Asia.
How many people watched the first Moon landing on TV?
An estimated 600 million people around the world watched the Apollo 11 Moon landing on TV, one of the largest audiences in history at the time.
How many Gutenberg Bibles survive today?
Gutenberg printed about 180 copies of his Bible around 1455, and only about 49 are known to survive today, making them among the most valuable books in the world.
How did the Mona Lisa become so famous?
The Mona Lisa became world-famous partly because it was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia. The two-year disappearance made headlines everywhere until it was recovered.
How long was the Great Pyramid the tallest structure in the world?
The Great Pyramid was the tallest human-made structure in the world for about 3,800 years, until England's Lincoln Cathedral spire surpassed it in the early 1300s.
Which Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still exist?
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing.
Where was a Magna Carta kept during World War II?
During WWII, the Lincoln Cathedral copy of the Magna Carta, which happened to be in the US for the 1939 World's Fair, was stored for safekeeping at Fort Knox alongside the US gold reserves.
Has a piece of the Wright Flyer been to other worlds?
Pieces of the original Wright Flyer have traveled to the Moon on Apollo 11 and to Mars on NASA's Ingenuity helicopter.
What is the East Side Gallery?
The East Side Gallery is the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, about 0.8 miles long, and is covered in murals painted by artists from around the world.
Where can you see pieces of the Berlin Wall?
Pieces of the Berlin Wall are on display around the world, including at presidential libraries, museums, and public spaces in the US.
Is the internet the same thing as the World Wide Web?
The internet and the World Wide Web aren't the same thing. The internet is the global network of connected computers, while the web is a system of pages and links that runs on top of it.
Why was the World Wide Web made free?
CERN released the World Wide Web software into the public domain in 1993, and Tim Berners-Lee chose not to patent it, which helped the web spread worldwide.
How many people use the internet?
About 5.5 billion people, roughly two-thirds of the world's population, use the internet, according to the International Telecommunication Union.
Who is Jiro Ono?
Jiro Ono is a famous Tokyo sushi chef who became world-famous through the 2011 documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi."
Where was the ice cream cone popularized?
The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
Which country produces the most cocoa?
Côte d'Ivoire produces about 40% of the world's cocoa, more than any other country.
How many servings of instant noodles are eaten each year?
People around the world eat about 120 billion servings of instant noodles each year.
Which curry topped CNN's list of the world's best foods?
Massaman curry was ranked first on CNN's 2011 list of the world's 50 best foods.
Where did Japanese gyoza come from?
Japanese gyoza came from Chinese jiaozi and became popular in Japan after World War II.
Why is the Ford F-Series so profitable?
The Ford F-Series is one of the most profitable vehicle lines in the world, and its sales would make it a major company on its own if it were separate from Ford.
Who saved Volkswagen after World War II?
After WWII, British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst restarted Beetle production at the damaged Wolfsburg factory, which helped save Volkswagen.
Which SUV sold the most worldwide in 2019?
The Toyota RAV4 was the world's best-selling SUV in 2019.
When was the Ford Mustang introduced?
The Ford Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair.
Is the Ford Mustang the best-selling sports car in the world?
Ford says the Mustang is the world's best-selling sports car.
What military vehicle did the Jeep Wrangler come from?
The Jeep Wrangler descends from the Willys MB used by the military in World War II.
What was the best-selling car in the world in 2023?
The Tesla Model Y was the world's best-selling car in 2023, the first time an electric vehicle took that title.
Why was the Ferris wheel invented?
George Ferris built the first Ferris wheel for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago as America's answer to the Eiffel Tower.
How did papermaking spread to the Islamic world?
Papermaking spread from China to the Islamic world in the 700s, and the city of Samarkand became an important early center for making paper.
What is the Extremely Large Telescope?
The Extremely Large Telescope being built in Chile's Atacama Desert will have a main mirror about 39 meters across, which will make it the largest optical telescope in the world.
What is the fastest steam locomotive?
The British locomotive Mallard set the world speed record for a steam locomotive in 1938, reaching 126 miles per hour.
Is steam still used to make electricity?
Most of the world's electricity is still made with steam, because coal, nuclear, and many natural gas power plants boil water to spin steam turbines.
When was smallpox eradicated?
The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, making it the first human disease wiped out by vaccination.
How many lives have vaccines saved?
A 2024 study led by the World Health Organization estimated that vaccines have saved about 154 million lives over the past 50 years.
Did "The War of the Worlds" broadcast cause mass panic?
Orson Welles's 1938 radio drama "The War of the Worlds" reportedly caused mass panic, but historians now think the panic was greatly exaggerated by newspapers.
What was a "CrackBerry"?
"CrackBerry," a nickname for addictive BlackBerry phones, was Webster's New World College Dictionary's word of the year in 2006.
What is the most popular sport in the world?
Soccer, called football in most countries, is the world's most popular sport, with an estimated fan base of several billion people.
Who hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup?
Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.
Which country has won the most World Cups?
Brazil has won the men's FIFA World Cup five times, more than any other country.
Who is the only player to win three World Cups?
Brazilian legend Pelé is the only player to win three men's World Cups, in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
How did a dog find the stolen World Cup trophy?
When the original World Cup trophy was stolen in England in 1966, a dog named Pickles found it wrapped in newspaper under a hedge in London.
Was the Jules Rimet trophy ever recovered after being stolen in Brazil?
The original World Cup trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, was stolen again in Brazil in 1983 and has never been recovered.
When was the first Women's World Cup?
The first FIFA Women's World Cup was held in China in 1991, and the US won the title.
Which sport has the second-largest fan base in the world?
Cricket is often ranked as the world's second most popular sport, with an estimated fan base of over two billion, largely in India and South Asia.
When did the Indian Premier League start?
The Indian Premier League (IPL), a fast-paced T20 cricket league, launched in 2008 and quickly became one of the richest sports leagues in the world.
What is the oldest tennis tournament?
Wimbledon, first held in 1877, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
Who introduced sponge rubber paddles?
Japan's Hiroji Satoh won the 1952 world championship with a sponge-covered paddle, which changed the game.
When was the first Hockey World Cup?
The first men's Hockey World Cup was held in Barcelona in 1971.
What was the Curse of the Bambino?
The Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920. The "Curse of the Bambino" supposedly kept Boston from winning the World Series until 2004.
How did rugby get its name?
Rugby gets its name from Rugby School in England. According to legend, student William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it in 1823, and the Rugby World Cup trophy is named after him.
When was the first Rugby World Cup?
The first Rugby World Cup was held in 1987.
Why was Nelson Mandela's 1995 rugby moment important?
South African President Nelson Mandela wore a Springboks jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, a symbol of national unity.
How big is California's economy?
If California were its own country, its economy would rank among the five largest in the world.
What is the tallest tree in the world?
The tallest known tree in the world is a coast redwood in California named Hyperion, which stands about 380 feet tall.
How many of the world's almonds come from California?
California grows about 80% of the world's almonds.
Where do alligators and crocodiles live together?
The Everglades in South Florida is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side in the wild.
How big is Walt Disney World?
Walt Disney World in Florida, which opened in 1971, covers about 25,000 acres, roughly the size of San Francisco.
How many languages are spoken in New York City?
New York City is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world, with an estimated 800 or more languages spoken.
What is the tallest mountain from base to peak?
Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the tallest mountain in the world from base to peak, more than 33,000 feet when measured from the ocean floor.
When was the Space Needle built?
Seattle's Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair.
Where was Pluto discovered?
Pluto was discovered in 1930 at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, which in 2001 became the world's first International Dark Sky City.
What was the tallest building in the world from 1973 to 1998?
Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world from 1973 to 1998.
What was the first skyscraper?
The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1885, is often called the world's first skyscraper.
What is Cahokia?
Cahokia Mounds in Illinois was the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Is Big Ben the name of the clock tower in London?
Big Ben is actually the nickname of the giant bell inside London's famous clock tower. The tower itself was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
What is the oldest underground railway in the world?
The London Underground opened in 1863, making it the oldest underground railway in the world.
What is the City of London?
The City of London is a separate area of about one square mile inside greater London, with its own Lord Mayor and police force.
Why are ravens kept at the Tower of London?
At least six ravens are kept at the Tower of London because of a legend that the kingdom will fall if they ever leave.
How many rooms does Buckingham Palace have?
Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 78 bathrooms.
What is "The Knowledge"?
London's black cab drivers must pass "The Knowledge," a test of about 25,000 streets, and studies found it physically enlarges part of their brain's memory center.
Who founded London?
London was founded by the Romans around 47 AD as a settlement called Londinium.
Why does the prime meridian run through London?
The prime meridian, the line of 0° longitude, runs through Greenwich in London, which was chosen as the world's reference point in 1884.
How many people died in the Great Fire of London?
The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed most of the medieval city, but only a handful of deaths were officially recorded.
How many languages are spoken in London?
London is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world, with an estimated 300 or more languages spoken.
Was the Eiffel Tower supposed to be temporary?
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair and was supposed to be torn down after 20 years, but it was saved because it was useful as a radio antenna.
Does the Eiffel Tower grow in summer?
The Eiffel Tower can grow about six inches taller in summer because its iron expands in the heat.
What is the most visited museum in the world?
The Louvre in Paris is the most visited art museum in the world.
What is in the Paris Catacombs?
The Paris Catacombs hold the remains of about six million people, moved from overcrowded cemeteries in the late 1700s.
How are Paris's neighborhoods numbered?
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts, that spiral outward from the center like a snail shell.
Where is Point Zéro in Paris?
Point Zéro, a bronze marker in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral, is the official spot from which all road distances in France are measured.
When did Notre-Dame reopen after the fire?
Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened in December 2024, about five years after a 2019 fire destroyed its roof and spire.
Was there ever a fake Paris?
During WWI, France began building a fake Paris outside the city with lights to trick German bomber pilots.
Does Paris have its own Statue of Liberty?
Paris has a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty on Île aux Cygnes, an island in the Seine River.
What is Paris syndrome?
"Paris syndrome" describes the shock some visitors, especially from Japan, feel when the real Paris doesn't match their romantic expectations.
What is the largest metropolitan area in the world?
Greater Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with about 37 million people.
What was Tokyo's original name?
Tokyo was originally called Edo and was renamed in 1868, when it became Japan's imperial capital.
What is the Shibuya Crossing?
Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world, with crowds crossing from all directions at once.
Which city has the most Michelin-starred restaurants?
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world.
What is the busiest train station in the world?
Tokyo's Shinjuku Station is the world's busiest train station, used by about 3.5 million people a day.
What are oshiya?
Tokyo train stations have employed "oshiya," or "pushers," whose job is to gently cram passengers onto packed rush-hour trains.
What is the tallest tower in the world?
Tokyo Skytree, at 634 meters, is the tallest tower in the world.
What happened to Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market?
Tokyo's famous Tsukiji wholesale fish market moved to a new site in Toyosu in 2018.
How many times has Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics?
Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964 and 2021. The 2021 Games were delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who was Hachikō?
Hachikō was a loyal dog who waited at Tokyo's Shibuya Station for his owner every day for nearly 10 years after the owner died, and his statue there is now a famous meeting spot.
Which country is inside Rome?
Vatican City, the world's smallest country, is completely surrounded by the city of Rome.
What happens to coins thrown in the Trevi Fountain?
About €1.4 million in coins is tossed into Rome's Trevi Fountain each year, and the money goes to the Catholic charity Caritas.
Where does "all roads lead to Rome" come from?
The saying "all roads lead to Rome" comes from the Roman Empire's huge road network, which centered on a golden milestone in the Roman Forum.
How many people could the Colosseum hold?
The Colosseum in Rome could hold about 50,000 spectators.
What is special about the Pantheon's dome?
The Pantheon in Rome, completed around 125 AD, still has the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.
When was Rome founded?
According to legend, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BC, by Romulus, and the city still celebrates its birthday on that date.
How many fountains are in Rome?
Rome has around 2,000 fountains, more than any other city in the world.
Where is Rome's famous cat sanctuary?
Rome's Largo di Torre Argentina, the ruins where Julius Caesar was killed, is home to a famous cat sanctuary.
Why does Rome put SPQR on manhole covers?
Rome still stamps "SPQR," Latin for "the Senate and People of Rome," on manhole covers and public buildings.
Why is Rome called the Eternal City?
Rome is called "the Eternal City" because ancient Romans believed it would last forever.
Can Washington, DC residents vote for president?
Washington, DC isn't a state, and its residents couldn't vote for president until the 23rd Amendment was ratified in 1961.
Who designed Washington, DC?
French-born engineer Pierre L'Enfant designed the original street plan for Washington, DC.
Why are there no skyscrapers in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC has no skyscrapers because of the Height of Buildings Act of 1910, which limits building heights based on the width of the street.
Where did Washington, DC's cherry trees come from?
Washington, DC's famous cherry trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.
What is the largest library in the world?
The Library of Congress in Washington, DC is the largest library in the world.
Why is the Washington Monument two colors?
The Washington Monument changes color about 150 feet up because construction stopped for over 20 years, and builders later used stone from a different quarry.
Do Smithsonian museums charge admission?
The Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC are free to visit.
What do Washington, DC license plates say?
Washington, DC license plates say "End Taxation Without Representation" to protest the city's lack of a voting member in Congress.
Who helped survey Washington, DC?
Benjamin Banneker, a free Black astronomer and mathematician, helped survey the boundaries of Washington, DC.
How many rooms does the White House have?
The White House has 132 rooms.
How many rooms does the Forbidden City have?
Legend says Beijing's Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms, but surveys count about 8,700.
Which city has hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics?
Beijing is the only city to host both the Summer Olympics, in 2008, and the Winter Olympics, in 2022.
What does "Beijing" mean?
"Beijing" means "northern capital," while "Tokyo" means "eastern capital."
What are hutongs?
Hutongs are Beijing's traditional narrow alleyways.
What is Peking duck?
Peking duck, roasted duck with crispy skin, is Beijing's most famous dish.
What is the Temple of Heaven?
Beijing's Temple of Heaven is where emperors prayed for good harvests, and it's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Can you visit the Great Wall from Beijing?
Popular sections of the Great Wall, like Badaling, are a short trip from Beijing.
How big is Tiananmen Square?
Tiananmen Square in Beijing is one of the largest public squares in the world.
What happened to the Peking Man fossils?
The Peking Man fossils, found near Beijing at Zhoukoudian, disappeared in 1941 and have never been found.
Which city has the longest name in the world?
Bangkok's full ceremonial name is the world's longest place name, according to Guinness World Records.
What do Thai people call Bangkok?
Thai people call Bangkok "Krung Thep," which means "City of Angels."
Which city gets the most international visitors?
Bangkok has frequently ranked as the world's most visited city by international travelers in the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.
Is Bangkok sinking?
Bangkok is sinking by about one to two centimeters a year.
What is the Emerald Buddha made of?
The Emerald Buddha at Bangkok's Grand Palace is actually carved from jade.
How big is the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho?
The Reclining Buddha at Bangkok's Wat Pho is 46 meters long.
How was the Golden Buddha discovered?
Bangkok's Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit, made of about 5.5 tons of solid gold, was discovered in 1955 when its plaster covering cracked.
Why was Bangkok called the "Venice of the East"?
Bangkok was once called the "Venice of the East" because of its many canals.
Are there monitor lizards in Bangkok's parks?
Bangkok's Lumpini Park is home to monitor lizards.
What is unique about Thailand's history?
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized by a European power.
Does Berlin have more bridges than Venice?
Berlin has more bridges than Venice.
Who invented currywurst?
Herta Heuwer is credited with inventing currywurst in Berlin in 1949.
What is the Ampelmännchen?
The Ampelmännchen, the little hat-wearing figure on East German traffic lights, became a beloved symbol of Berlin.
What is the "Pope's revenge"?
When sunlight hits the ball of Berlin's TV Tower, it reflects in the shape of a cross, which Berliners nicknamed the "Pope's revenge."
How big is Berlin compared with Paris?
Berlin covers about nine times the area of the city of Paris.
When was the Brandenburg Gate built?
Berlin's Brandenburg Gate was completed in 1791.
What is Museum Island?
Museum Island in Berlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What happened to Tempelhof Airport?
Berlin's Tempelhof Airport closed and is now a park.
Where was the döner kebab popularized?
The döner kebab was popularized in Berlin in the 1970s.
When did Berlin become Germany's capital again?
Germany voted in 1991 to move its capital from Bonn back to Berlin, and the government moved in 1999.
Which is the highest capital in the EU?
Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union.
What is the oldest restaurant in the world?
Botín in Madrid, open since 1725, is the world's oldest restaurant according to Guinness World Records.
Where is Kilómetro Cero?
Kilómetro Cero, in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, is the point from which Spain's road distances are measured.
What is the Prado?
Madrid's Prado Museum is one of the world's greatest art museums.
How big is Madrid's Royal Palace?
Madrid's Royal Palace is the largest royal palace in Western Europe, with about 3,400 rooms.
Why are people from Madrid called "gatos"?
People born in Madrid are nicknamed "gatos," Spanish for "cats."
What is Madrid's famous bear statue?
Madrid's famous statue of a bear and a strawberry tree is the city's symbol.
Why is there an Egyptian temple in Madrid?
Madrid's Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain.
What time do people eat dinner in Madrid?
People in Madrid often eat dinner around 9 or 10 p.m.
What stadium does Real Madrid play in?
Real Madrid plays at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
What does "Kremlin" mean?
"Kremlin" means "fortress" in Russian.
Why are Moscow's metro stations so fancy?
Many of Moscow's metro stations, like Komsomolskaya, were designed to look like palaces.
Were the architects of St. Basil's Cathedral blinded?
A legend says Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects of St. Basil's Cathedral so they could never build anything as beautiful, but historians consider it a myth.
Why is it called Red Square?
Red Square's name comes from the Russian word "krasnaya," which once meant "beautiful."
What is the Tsar Bell?
The Tsar Bell in Moscow is the largest bell in the world, but it has never been rung.
Is Lenin's body still on display?
Vladimir Lenin's body has been displayed in a mausoleum on Moscow's Red Square since 1924.
When was the Bolshoi Theatre founded?
Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre was founded in 1776.
Is Moscow the largest city in Europe?
Moscow is the largest city in Europe by population within its city limits.
What is the tallest freestanding structure in Europe?
Moscow's Ostankino Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in Europe.
What is GUM?
GUM is a famous department store on Moscow's Red Square.
What does "Cairo" mean?
Cairo's Arabic name, "Al-Qahira," means "the Victorious."
How big is Cairo?
Greater Cairo is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Africa.
What is the Grand Egyptian Museum?
The Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza is the largest museum in the world devoted to a single civilization.
Why is Cairo called the City of a Thousand Minarets?
Cairo is nicknamed the "City of a Thousand Minarets" because of its many mosques.
How old is Al-Azhar University?
Cairo's Al-Azhar University, founded in the 970s, is one of the oldest universities in the world.
Do people live in Cairo's City of the Dead?
People live among the tombs in Cairo's City of the Dead, a huge historic cemetery.
What is the Cairo Tower shaped like?
The Cairo Tower is designed to look like a lotus plant.
How old is the Khan el-Khalili bazaar?
Cairo's Khan el-Khalili bazaar dates back to the 1300s.
Are the Pyramids of Giza near Cairo?
The Pyramids of Giza sit on the edge of greater Cairo.
When did Cairo's metro open?
The Cairo Metro opened in 1987 as the first metro in Africa.
Is Amsterdam the seat of the Dutch government?
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, but the government sits in The Hague.
Does Amsterdam have more bikes than people?
Amsterdam has more bicycles than people.
How many canals are in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has about 165 canals, and its historic canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is Amsterdam built on?
Much of Amsterdam is built on wooden piles. The Royal Palace alone rests on 13,659 of them.
Why are Amsterdam's houses so narrow?
Amsterdam's houses are narrow because property taxes were once based on width, and many have hooks on top for hoisting furniture.
Where is the Anne Frank House?
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam preserves the hidden annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary.
Where is "The Night Watch"?
Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" hangs in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.
Where does Amsterdam's name come from?
Amsterdam's name comes from a dam built on the Amstel River.
How many bikes are pulled out of Amsterdam's canals?
About 12,000 to 15,000 bikes are pulled out of Amsterdam's canals each year.
Where was the first stock exchange?
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, which began trading Dutch East India Company shares in 1602, is considered the world's oldest stock exchange.
What happened to the Gros Michel banana?
The Gros Michel was the world's main export banana until a fungus called Panama disease wiped out plantations in the 1950s, and the Cavendish replaced it.
Which country grows the most bananas?
India is the world's largest banana producer, though most of its bananas are eaten at home rather than exported.
How many varieties of apples are there?
There are about 7,500 varieties of apples grown around the world.
Which country grows the most oranges?
Brazil is the world's largest producer of oranges.
Where is the world's oldest known winery?
The world's oldest known winery, about 6,100 years old, was found in the Areni-1 cave in Armenia.
How many grape varieties are there?
There are about 10,000 grape varieties in the world.
Which country grows the most watermelons?
China grows the most watermelons in the world.
Which country grows the most mangoes?
India grows the most mangoes in the world.
Where is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World?
Plant City, Florida, calls itself the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
Which country exports the most pineapples?
Costa Rica is the world's largest exporter of pineapples.
Which country exports the most blueberries?
Peru has become the world's largest exporter of blueberries.
Where is the Blueberry Capital of the World?
Hammonton, New Jersey, calls itself the Blueberry Capital of the World.
Which country grows the most avocados?
Mexico grows the most avocados in the world.
Which country grows the most lemons?
India is one of the world's top lemon producers.
Where is the Cherry Capital of the World?
Traverse City, Michigan, calls itself the Cherry Capital of the World and hosts the National Cherry Festival.
Which country grows the most sweet cherries?
Turkey grows the most sweet cherries in the world.
What is the Haber-Bosch process?
The Haber-Bosch process turns nitrogen from the air into ammonia for fertilizer, and it helps feed about half the world's population.
Which country produces the most silver?
Mexico produces the most silver in the world.
Which country produces the most uranium?
Kazakhstan produces the most uranium in the world.
Which country produces the most copper?
Chile produces the most copper in the world.
What happened at Lourdes?
In 1858, a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous reported visions of Mary at Lourdes, France, which became one of the world's most popular pilgrimage sites.
What is Our Lady of Guadalupe?
Our Lady of Guadalupe refers to visions of Mary reported by Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, and her basilica in Mexico City is one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.
Who is the best-selling female recording artist?
Madonna is recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling female recording artist of all time.
Who is the most performed playwright?
Shakespeare is the most performed playwright in the world.
Why did Mark Twain go bankrupt?
Mark Twain went bankrupt after investing in a failed typesetting machine and paid off his debts with a lecture tour around the world.
What did Hemingway do in World War I?
Ernest Hemingway was an ambulance driver in World War I and was wounded.
Did Tolkien fight in World War I?
J.R.R. Tolkien fought in the Battle of the Somme.
How old is the jaw harp?
The jaw harp is one of the world's oldest instruments, and bone jaw harps about 4,000 years old have been found in China.
What did Alfred Hitchcock say about Zadar, Croatia?
Alfred Hitchcock reportedly said Zadar, Croatia has the most beautiful sunset in the world.
What is the largest musical instrument in the world?
The Great Stalacpipe Organ is the world's largest musical instrument.
Do we see the world upside down?
The lens of the eye projects images onto the retina upside down, and the brain flips them right side up.
Who has the longest tongue?
Nick Stoeberl holds the Guinness World Record for the longest tongue, at about 10.1 centimeters.
Why did Monet donate his water lily murals?
Claude Monet donated his giant water lily murals to France as a monument to peace after World War I.
How important is the potato as a crop?
The potato is one of the world's most important food crops, after rice, wheat, and corn.
Which country grows the most tomatoes?
China grows the most tomatoes in the world.
Which country grows the most carrots?
China grows the most carrots in the world.
Where is the Carrot Capital of the World?
Holtville, California, calls itself the Carrot Capital of the World.
What is the Salad Bowl of the World?
California's Salinas Valley is called the "Salad Bowl of the World."
Which country grows the most corn?
The US grows the most corn in the world.
What is the hottest pepper in the world?
Pepper X was named the world's hottest pepper by Guinness World Records in 2023.
Where is the Chile Capital of the World?
Hatch, New Mexico, calls itself the Chile Capital of the World.
Where is the Garlic Capital of the World?
Gilroy, California, calls itself the Garlic Capital of the World.
Which country grows the most garlic?
China grows about three-quarters of the world's garlic.
Was garlic used as medicine in wartime?
Garlic was used as an antiseptic during World War I and World War II and was nicknamed "Russian penicillin."
Where is the Spinach Capital of the World?
Crystal City, Texas, calls itself the Spinach Capital of the World and has a Popeye statue.
What happened at the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions?
Swami Vivekananda became famous after his 1893 speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, which he opened with the words "Sisters and Brothers of America."
Was Iyengar named one of the world's most influential people?
Time magazine named B.K.S. Iyengar one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004.
Why is Rishikesh called the yoga capital of the world?
Rishikesh, India, is called the "Yoga Capital of the World."
What is the Adiyogi statue?
The 112-foot Adiyogi statue at Sadhguru's Isha Foundation was recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest bust sculpture in the world.
Has Sadhguru spoken at the World Economic Forum?
Sadhguru has spoken at the World Economic Forum.
When did the World Series of Poker start?
The World Series of Poker started in 1970 at Binion's Horseshoe casino in Las Vegas, and Johnny Moss was voted its first champion.
What started the poker boom of the 2000s?
In 2003, an amateur named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event and $2.5 million after qualifying through an $86 online tournament, sparking a nationwide poker boom.
What do WSOP winners receive?
World Series of Poker event winners receive a championship bracelet.
Is Solitaire in the Video Game Hall of Fame?
Microsoft Solitaire was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019.
What is the Bermuda Bowl?
The Bermuda Bowl is the world championship of bridge.
What is the most expensive Pokémon card?
In 2022, a Pikachu Illustrator card sold for about $5.3 million, setting a Guinness World Record.
Is there a Pokémon card World Championship?
The Pokémon World Championships are held every year.
What were the "little Curies"?
During World War I, Marie Curie created mobile X-ray units, nicknamed "little Curies," to help treat wounded soldiers.
When did the Golden Gate Bridge open?
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and had the longest main span of any suspension bridge in the world until 1964.
What is the tallest building in the world?
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 meters, has been the tallest building in the world since 2010.
When did the Channel Tunnel open?
The Channel Tunnel between England and France opened in 1994, and its 38-kilometer undersea section is the longest in the world.
Is the Channel Tunnel a modern wonder?
The American Society of Civil Engineers named the Channel Tunnel one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
When did the Great Wall become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The Great Wall of China became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
What is the largest power station in the world?
China's Three Gorges Dam is the largest power station in the world by generating capacity.
Does the Three Gorges Dam have a ship elevator?
The Three Gorges Dam has one of the world's largest ship lifts.
Was the Brooklyn Bridge the longest suspension bridge?
The Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened.
How much world trade goes through the Suez Canal?
About 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal.
Where did the first Ferris wheel debut?
The first Ferris wheel, built by engineer George Ferris, debuted at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago as America's answer to the Eiffel Tower.
Is steam still used to make electricity today?
Most of the world's electricity is still made by steam turbines, since coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants all work by boiling water to spin a turbine.
How many materials did Edison test for his light bulb filament?
Edison's lab tested thousands of materials as possible light bulb filaments, including plant fibers from around the world.
What was Colossus?
Colossus, built in Britain in 1943–44, was an early electronic computer used to break German military codes during World War II.
Is the internet the same as the World Wide Web?
The internet is the global network of connected computers, while the World Wide Web is a system of linked pages that runs on top of it, invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989.
What was the first website?
The first website, info.cern.ch, went online in 1991 at CERN and explained how the World Wide Web worked.
Why is the World Wide Web free to use?
CERN released the World Wide Web software into the public domain in 1993, so anyone could use and build on it without paying fees.
Who runs the GPS that smartphones use?
The GPS that smartphones use for maps is a constellation of US satellites operated by the US Space Force, and it's free for anyone in the world to use.
What is the Antikythera mechanism?
The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient Greek device often called the world's first analog computer.
What was one of the first cities?
Uruk in Mesopotamia was one of the world's first cities.
What is the longest artificial waterway?
China's Grand Canal is the longest artificial waterway in the world.
Did the Maya predict the end of the world in 2012?
The idea that the Maya calendar predicted the end of the world in 2012 was a myth. It just marked the end of a cycle.
How long was the Inca road network?
The Inca road network stretched about 25,000 miles and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Did Vikings reach North America?
Leif Erikson and the Vikings reached North America around 1000 AD, and their settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in Canada is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the oldest parliament?
Iceland's Althing, founded in 930, is one of the world's oldest parliaments.
Is Mount Hood one of the most climbed mountains?
Mount Hood is often called one of the most climbed snow-capped mountains in the world.
Where is the windsurfing capital of the world?
Hood River, in the Columbia River Gorge, is known as a windsurfing and kiteboarding capital.
What is the smallest park in the world?
Portland's Mill Ends Park, only about two feet across, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the smallest park in the world.
What is Powell's City of Books?
Powell's City of Books in Portland is the largest independent bookstore in the world, taking up an entire city block.
Where is the last Blockbuster?
The last Blockbuster video store in the world is in Bend, Oregon.
Who discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis?
Robert Koch identified the bacterium that causes tuberculosis in 1882, and World Tuberculosis Day is held on March 24, the anniversary of his announcement.
When is World Diabetes Day?
World Diabetes Day is November 14, Frederick Banting's birthday.