If you were to zoom in on Google Maps, you would think that every square centimeter of the planet has been marked with motels and fast-food restaurants. However, water covers 71% of our world, and our knowledge of its underlying topography is quite restricted.
Over half of the Earth’s surface is unknown, with over 80% of the seabed still unmapped. In actuality, we have more maps of Mars.
1. The Eiffel Tower Changes Size
As most of us are aware, bridges expand and contract in response to temperature variations throughout the year. For this reason, we frequently run upon expansion joints in the road, which provide flexibility without causing surface distortion.
However, the same idea holds true for vertical constructions composed of certain metals, such as the puddled iron of the Eiffel Tower. Although its official height is 330 meters, it can vary from year to year by up to 15 centimeters. The tower also sags a little in the sun.
2. Switzerland Has the Most Michelin-star Restaurants
In absolute numbers, you would be correct to believe that France is the winner—it had 628 of them in 2023. Italy and Japan came next. Despite its relatively unknown reputation for its food, Switzerland is the world’s top eatery per capita, boasting 138 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Of course, Michelin’s legendary eating guide doesn’t cover most of the world. 2022 saw the release of the Michelin guides for Vancouver, Toronto, and Dubai.
3. Mt Everest Has Gained Height
Mount Everest’s elevation above sea level was determined to be 8839.8 meters during its initial survey in 1852. Recent surveys conducted by the Chinese and Nepalese revealed two more values, one of which was four meters lower than the other due to the absence of permanent snow on the summit.
The two nations then collaborated in 2020 and ultimately decided that Mt. Everest, including its snow crown, is 8848.86 meters high.
To read more such facts, click on the links of the articles given below:
- 5 Interesting Facts About The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
- 5 Unique Facts About World War 2 You Probably Didn’t Know
4. Some Countries Have No Army
It is commonly stated that Costa Rica is a country without an army, and it has been that way since 1948. However, more than 20 other countries lack an army. Consider attacking one of the many island states in the Pacific or Caribbean.
Iceland, a NATO member, is especially odd for not having an army. There are paramilitary groups, ceremonial guards, coast guards, and other security units in several of these nations.
5. It Isn’t 2023 Everywhere
The Persian calendar that is in use in Iran and Afghanistan dates to 1401. And in the Ethiopian calendar, only 2015. Official civic calendars are both of them. Most commonly used for religious purposes.
The more widely known Hijri or Islamic calendar can also be seen on governmental papers in many Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It is now the year 1444. In the meantime, it is 5783 in accordance with the Hebrew calendar.
6. South Africa Has Three Capitals
A few nations are unsure about their capital cities and have designated different locations for distinct purposes. Putrajaya serves as Malaysia’s administrative capital, while Kuala Lumpur serves as the country’s executive and legislative capital.
There are also two capitals in Bolivia, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and Sri Lanka. However, South Africa goes a step further and names Bloemfontein as its judicial capital, Cape Town as its legislative capital and Pretoria as its executive and administrative capital.
7. The Vatican Doesn’t Have the Highest Crime Rate
Although this is untrue, a lot of websites assert that Vatican City is the epicenter of crime. The Vatican reports most minor offenses like stealing and pickpocketing, but it has also witnessed murder, attempted assassination, and financial fraud.
Because the per-person estimate is based on the 825 permanent residents of the Vatican but ignores the millions of visitors, it is distorted. According to data from the World Population Review, the top three countries for crime are South Africa, Venezuela, and PNG.
8. France Has the Most Time Zones
An enthusiastic trivia fan should anticipate a riot if a pub quiz master declares it to be Russia. If you include the United States’ Pacific island possessions, then both countries have eleven time zones. It’s true that those are not formally a part of the USA; they are dependencies.
However, France is a country with twelve time zones, and some of its distant territories are now official departments of France, just like any other French territory.
9. Some Countries Have No Rivers
There are no permanent rivers in twenty-two countries. If you figured out that they’re either on the Arabian Peninsula, tiny European microstates like Monaco, or island states like Nauru and Tonga, then good for you.
There are just two nations that do not meet those criteria: Djibouti and Libya. Saudi Arabia, with its 2.5 million extremely dry square kilometers and wadis (or valleys) that only sometimes see water flow, is by far the largest country devoid of rivers.
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