Iceland generates 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, using hydroelectric and geothermal energy. Fossil fuels account for only 21% of energy use, due to the country’s location on an active expansion zone. Renewable energy comes from sun, wind, water, and geothermal heat. 80 countries operate wind farms with over 225,000 turbines, and Larderello, Italy […]
Lichtenstein is the world’s richest country based on GDP, with per capita wealth of approximately 122,100 international dollars in 2007. Qatar ranks second and the United States eighth. Lichtenstein has a population of 35,000 and more registered companies than citizens. It produces more casings for sausages and dentures than any other country. 100% of its […]
South Africa is the world’s largest coal consumer, with 77% of its energy consumption based on coal. China uses the most coal, but its energy consumption is 70% coal-based. The average global coal-based energy consumption is 30%, with the US at 25%. Over 5.845 million tons of coal are produced worldwide annually. Surprisingly, China is […]
Bosnia and Herzegovina has three presidents, one Bosniak, one Croat and one Serb, who serve together for four years and alternate as head of state. Other countries with collective presidencies include Switzerland and San Marino. Although many countries have a president and a prime minister, Bosnia and Herzegovina has three presidents at the same time. […]
Tropical countries are located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, with the equator at the center. Many countries in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Oceania are within this region. The climate is characterized by wet and dry seasons, with a limited range of temperatures and diverse […]
Luxembourg has the highest per capita income, according to both nominal GDP and PPP GDP rankings. Different groups offer different rankings, but Luxembourg consistently comes out on top, with the United States ranking far behind in both assessments. There are two main ways in which one can determine which country has the highest per capita […]
Foreigners seeking local driver’s licenses should research the policies of their destination country, as requirements vary widely. Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines and Vietnam have more relaxed policies, while Europe and China often have stricter requirements. Short-term travelers may benefit from obtaining an International Driving Permit, but it is important to note that it […]
The Dutch are the tallest people in the world, with an average height of 6 feet 1 inch. This is due to a combination of genetics and nutrition, including a diet high in dairy and early childhood care. The Danes are the second tallest, while Americans have decreased in stature. Being tall has its drawbacks, […]
The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on economic and social factors. Norway was rated the happiest place on Earth in 2017, while the bottom 10 countries are among the poorest. The rankings measure happiness by examining income, life expectancy, social support, generosity, freedom, and absence of corruption. Jeffrey D. Sachs wants governments to analyze […]
Venezuela has the cheapest gas prices due to government subsidies, costing about 19 cents per gallon. The US consumes the most gas, while Europe has high fuel taxes resulting in high prices. Eritrea has the world’s most expensive gas at $9.58 per gallon. The cheapest gas prices are found in Venezuela. The government subsidizes the […]
Singapore has the highest proportion of millionaire households, with over 15% having disposable private wealth of over $1 million USD. The United States has the largest number of millionaire families. Millionaires control 41% of the world’s wealth, despite only accounting for 1% of the population. The country with the highest proportion of millionaire households is […]
Turkey has the most expensive gasoline at $9.98 per gallon, with the average person spending nearly a third of their daily take-home pay on it. Norway has the second most expensive gas at $9.63 per gallon. The United States uses the most gas in the world. Turkey is the country where gasoline is the most […]
South Korea has the highest rate of accidental deaths among developed countries, with an average of 31,000 lives lost per year, including 3,000 students. The country has experienced various accidents beyond car accidents, attributed to a lack of government safety regulations. Namibia has the highest rate of vehicle fatalities, and over 1 million people die […]
Ireland has no snakes due to a legend that Saint Patrick eradicated them, but scientists believe the surrounding waters and cold climate may have prevented snakes from migrating there. India has the highest number of snakebite fatalities, while there are over 3,000 species of snakes in the world. Ireland is a European country that has […]
The UK has more tornadoes per square mile than any other country, with an annual average of 34, but they are usually weak. The Thames Valley is Britain’s Tornado Alley. The US experiences the most tornadoes, with about 1,200 reported annually, some of which can be devastating. Canada experiences far fewer tornadoes than the US. […]
China carries out the most executions, with 3,000 of the 3,682 worldwide in 2012. Only 21 countries use capital punishment, with the US being the only one in the Americas. Execution rates vary significantly between US states. The first documented execution was in Egypt in the 16th century BC. Over half of the world’s countries […]
Fort Roughs was a WWII anti-aircraft platform in international waters, later taken over by Paddy Roy Bates who declared it the Principality of Sealand in 1967. The micro-state still exists today but is officially in British territorial waters and was denied island status by the United Nations in 1994. Fort Roughs was originally erected in […]
China is the most populous nation with 1.3 billion people, followed by India. The US has a population of 314 million and India is predicted to surpass China’s population by 2025. Singapore is the most populous country per square mile. Pitcairn Islands has only 48 residents. As of December 2011, the most populous nation in […]
Japan has more pets than children, with an estimated 22 million pets compared to 16 million children. The pet population is expected to grow as couples choose pets over children due to economic reasons. The pet industry in Japan is worth $13 billion annually. Japan is a country where pets outnumber children. There are an […]
Switzerland built fallout shelters for every citizen in 1963, following its constitution. New buildings without shelters require a fee. Potassium iodide tablets are given every 10 years. The US had nuclear accidents, and the Megatons to Megawatts program used decommissioned Russian nuclear warheads. The US government owes $563 million to those affected by atomic tests […]
