In 2011, children under 14 accounted for over 25% of the world’s population, with 1.8 billion children. Many lack adequate housing, clean water, and sanitation. By 2050, adults over 60 will outnumber children. Birth rates are higher than death rates. Data compiled in 2011 indicated that children under the age of 14 made up more […]
There are different ways to measure the height of mountains, leading to debates about which is the tallest. Mount Everest is the tallest when measured from sea level, but Mount McKinley has the highest vertical rise. Mauna Kea is the tallest when measured from its base, while Chimborazo is the tallest when measured from the […]
The Denmark Strait cataract, located between Iceland and Greenland, is the world’s tallest waterfall at 11,500 feet, but it is underwater. Waterfalls can also occur beneath the waves when hot and cold water meet. There are 10 types of waterfalls, and Victoria Falls can reportedly be heard 25 miles away. In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor […]
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 […]
Scientists discovered an underground aquifer beneath the Amazon River called Hamza River, nearly equal in length and twice the width of the Amazon. It is slower and carries less water than its above-ground partner. The Amazon is the world’s largest river by water flow volume and supplies 20% of the world’s fresh water. Everyone knows […]
The Three Gorges Dam in China is the world’s most powerful hydroelectric project, generating up to 22.5 gigawatts and supplying over 10% of China’s hydroelectric power. However, concerns have been raised about its environmental impact and displacement of over 1.2 million people. The most powerful hydroelectric project in the world is the Three Gorges Dam […]
A new Gallup poll shows that the world no longer sees the United States as the ultimate power in global leadership, with a tepid 30% approval rating. Germany was seen as the top world leader by 41% of respondents, followed by China at 31%. The world’s perception of US leadership is at its lowest level […]
France is the most visited country in the world with 83 million tourists in 2012, followed by the United States with 67 million visitors. Tourists to France spend less money than those visiting the US, likely due to short-term trips from neighboring countries. The most visited country in the world is France, which had approximately […]
The Washington Monument was once the world’s tallest building, but is now the tallest free-standing masonry structure. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is currently the tallest free-standing structure, with much debate over what constitutes a building versus a structure. Other odd “tallest” winners include the Great Pyramid of Giza, Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe, and Valle de […]
The first live webcam broadcast was created in the early 1990s by computer scientists from the University of Cambridge to monitor the coffee maker in the Trojan Room. The webcam was connected to the lab’s local network via outdated technology and was shut down in 2001. The last coffee machine seen online was auctioned off […]
Italy’s Masone Labyrinth, made up of 200,000 bamboo plants covering 17 hectares, is the world’s largest labyrinth. It was built by Franco Maria Ricci, inspired by Jorge Luis Borges, and includes art galleries, a library, and overnight suites. A maze challenges walkers to find an exit, while a labyrinth is for meditation and easy wandering. […]
A virtual world is a 3D environment provided by software that can be static or dynamic. In a dynamic world, users can create and own property, making it always fresh and constantly expanding. This concept is seen in SecondLife.com, where residents can purchase land and build homes. The popularity of virtual worlds is enormous and […]
A virtual world is a computer-generated 3D environment provided by a client or software program. It can be static or dynamic, with the latter constantly changing through user intervention. SecondLife.com is an example of a dynamic virtual world where residents can purchase land and build permanent features. Private property in a dynamic virtual world gives […]
The Crystal Cave of the Giants in Mexico’s Naica mine contains selenite crystals up to 36 feet long and weighing up to 55 tons. Discovered in 2000, the cave is difficult to access due to its depth and high temperature. The mining company would like to develop it for tourism, but protecting the crystals is […]
Bao Xishun, the tallest man in the world at 7 feet 9 inches, rescued two sick dolphins by reaching into their stomachs and removing plastic. He lost the title of tallest man to Sultan Kosen in 2009. With a height of 7 feet 9 inches, Bao Xishun was recognized in 2005 by Guinness World Records […]
“The best of both worlds” refers to a situation or object that combines the advantages of two opposing things without the negative aspects. It is commonly used in marketing and advertising to sell products or services. The phrase has been in use since the late 1800s and has become a part of English idioms. It […]
