24 fascinating country facts from around the world

Here is a list of 24 fascinating facts about various countries in the world today

 1) Most People Behind Bars – United States:  When it comes to incarcerating its population, the united States is the world’s uncontested leader. The U.S. has 5%   of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s incarcerated population at 2,2 million people behind bars. China comes in second place at 1.5   million and Russia comes third at 870,000. It should be noted though that China has about 1.3 billion people, so it’s not too surprising that they’d also have one of the world’s largest number of people behind bars. Russia only has 141 million people so their percentage of incarcerated people isn’t that far off the .S. rate.

 2) Most overweight population – Nauru: With over 95% of its population overweight, the small island nation of Nauru is by the fattest country on Earth and presumably has the highest sale rates. Its obesity epidemic is primarily attributed to the importation of western fast food that coincided with an increased standard of living in the 20^th century due to the global popularity of its phosphate exports. However in truth it’s not really fast food. It’s because they’re choosing to eat more than their body needs given their level of   daily exercise, which  triggers it to store more pounds of fat than had eaten more pounds of fat than had they eaten more moderately.

 3) Most Likely to Disappear Beneath the Waves – Maldives: With all the talks of global warming and rising sea levels, it’s the residents of the Maldives that have the greatest reason to fear. With an average height of around 1.8 meters above the sea levels their nation basically screwed unless they adopt the Venice.

 4) Covers the Most Time Zones – France :  If you count everything including overseas territories, then France claims the little by covering 12 time zones. The United States would be the runner – up with 11 and then Russia with 9.

5) Road Made of Coral – Guam:  Because Guam have not  any natural sand, but rather coral, the island nation makes its asphalt using a mix of ground coral and oil rather than importing sand from abroad.

 6) Most Lakes in the World – Canada: With over 3 million lakes 9% of Canadian territory is actually fresh and over 60% of all the lakes in the world are found within its borders.

 7) Country Covered with the Highest Percentage of Desert – Libya:  With 99% of the country covered in desert, Libya is one of the most places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a single drop of rain.

 8) World’s largest Producer of Opium – Afghanistan:  Producing a whopping 95% of the world’s opium

 9) Country that produces More Oxygen than Any Other – Russia: Siberia is home to approximately 25% of the world’s forests that span an area larger than the continental United States, making Russia the largest converter of  CO2 Into breathable compounds. You win this round Russia.

 10) Almost Entirely Treeless – Haiti: On the opposite end of the spectrum is Haiti, a country that has been so badly deforested that you can tell where it   borders   the Dominican Republic by looking at a satellite image.

 11)  Last Peaceful Nation in the World – Somalia: Although for the last three years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index Somalia overlook  it this year for the top spot. This couldn’t be surprising peace and war numbers through history, in terms of the number of states/tribes/ etc.  At war or at peace  tend  to correlate well the amount of protein and food available to the populace and Somalia’s not exactly known for its food reserves and population able to afford said food. The  best way to stop revolution and war is to put food in the populace’ bellies and a roof over their heads. It’s as true today as it was 1000 years ago.

12) Most Educated People – Canada: they aren’t just about their lakes, bacon and flannels, with 50 % of its population having been educated at the post secondary level, Canada easily has the most educated populace in the world. It is followed by Israel at 45% and Japan at 44%.

Largest Country with no Farms – Singapore: Although there  are a number of small nations in the world that show no hint of having an agriculture based economy, Singapore is the largest of these urban city – states.

13) Most Languages Spoken – Papua New Guinea: Although English is its official language, only 1 – 2% of the population   actually speak it. As the most linguistically  diverse country in the world , over 820 languages are spoken in Papua new guinea or 12% of the world’s total.

14) Most Sheep per Capita – Flakland Islands (UK)  With only about 3,000 people the Flakland islands are home to approximately half – a million sheep. Not surprisingly, wool is a major export.

15) Least Densely Populated – Mongolia: At four people per square mile, Mongolia is the least densely populated country on Earth. Compare this to the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong that has the highest population density in the world with over 340.000 people per square mile.

16) Most Tanks – Russia: it is a strange title to hold, but Russia has by far the most tanks of any army in the world (21,000). Unfortunately for the motherland most of these outdated machines are tributes to its past, and although outnumbered (16,000), the United States has a much advanced tank inventory.

17) Least Rivers – Saudi Arabia: Sounds a bit strange doesn’t it?  For a country as a big as Arabia there has to be at least some sort of flowing water. Well, there isn’t.  Most of their fresh water  comes from desalinization plants underground reservoirs.

18) Youngest Population of Any Country – Niger: generally the worlds youngest country is determined by calculating the portion of the population that is younger than 15. Presently it is Niger that holds this distinction with a roughly half of its population having barely reached puberty (49%). As about 801% of it’s landmass is covered in desert, apparently the only thing to do  these days is make babies.

19) Highest Percentage of Land Covered in Jungle – Suriname: With 91% of its land covered in jungle Suriname’s half – a – million residents live primarily along the coast near the capital. Only 5%  of  the population live in land.

20) Most of its Citizens Living Abroad – Malta: After some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta experienced significant   emigration. It was so significant that are now more Maltese living abroad that within the country itself.

21) Smaller than Central Park in New York City – Monaco:  Although Vatican City is smaller than Monaco, unlike Monaco it doesn’t have any permanent residents which leaves as the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world smaller than Central park.

22)Fastest Disappearing Nation – Ukraine: With a natural decrease in population of 8% annually, between now and 2050 Ukraine is expected lose around 30% of its people.

23)Oldest Sovereign State – Egypt: This largely depends upon your definition of a sovereign state but if you are going by first acquisition of sovereignty then Egypt would be the first  country in the world to achieve sovereignty based upon the formation of the first dynasty in 3100 BC.

24)Most Diverse Country – India:  In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse country in the world, or the runner – up.

Venice, Italy

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. It is located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon which stretches along small   shoreline, between the mouths of   the Po and Piave Rivers.  Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting. Its   architecture   and   its    artworks. The city in its entirety  is listed as a World Heritage Site along with its lagoon.

Venice is the capital   of Veneto region.  The name is derived from the ancient Venetian People who inhabited the region by the 10yh century BC. The city historically was the capital of the Republic of Venice. It has been known as the   “La Dominante”, “Serenissima”, “Queen of the Adriatic”, “City of Masks”, “City of Water”, “City of Bridges”, “The Floating City”, and “The City of Canals”. Venice is one of the most romantic cities of Europe.

The republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of   Lepanto, as well as  a very important center of commerce and art in the 13^th century up to the 17^th century. This made Venice a wealthy city throughout most of the history. it is also known for its several important artistic movements, especially the Renaissance Period. Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music, and it is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi.

Although there   are no historical   records that   deal   directly   with the    founding of  Venice, tradition  and  the  available evidence have led several historians to agree that the original population of Venice consisted of refugees from Roman cities near Venice and from the undefended countryside, who were fleeing successive wave of Germanic and Hun invasions. Some late Roman sources reveal the existence  of fishermen on the islands in the original marshy lagoons.

Beginning in 166 – 168 the Quadi and Marcomani destroyed the main center in the area, the current   Oderzo. The Roman defenses were again overthrown in the early 5^th century by the Visigoths and some 50 years later by the Huns led by Attila. The last and most enduring immigration into the north of the Italian peninsula was that of the Lombard in 568, leaving the Eastern Roman Empire a small trip of   coast in the current Veneto, including Venice. The Roman Byzantine territory was organized as the Exarchate of Ravenna, administered   from that ancient port and overseen by a viceroy appointed by the Emperor in    Constantinople, but Ravenna and Venice were connected only by sea routes and with the Venetians  isolated position came increasing autonomy. New ports were built. In 726 the soldiers and citizens of the Exarchate rose in a rebellion over the iconoclastic controversy at the urging of poe Gregory II. In 751 the Lombard king Aistulf conquered most of the Exarchate of Ravenna, leaving Venice a lonely and increasingly autonomous byzantine outpost. During this period the seat of the local Byzantine governor was   in   Malamocco.

In 828 the new city’s prestige was raised by the acquisition of claimed relics of St Mark the Envagelist from Alexandria which were placed in the new basilica. The patriarchal seat was moved to rialto. As the community continued to develop and Byzantine power waned, it led to the growth of autonomy and eventual independence.

From the 9^th century to the 12^th century Venice developed into a city state. Its strategic position at the head of the Adriatic made Venetian  naval and commercial power almost invulnerable. With the elimination of pirates along the Dalmatian coast the city became a flourishing trade center between Western Europe and the rest of  the world.

The Republic of Venice seized a number of places on the eastern shores of the Adriatic before 1200, mostly for commercial reasons., because pirates based there were a menace to trade. The Doge already carried the titles of Duke of Dalmatia and Duke of Istria. Later mainland possessions, which extended across Garda Lake as far west as the Adda River, were known as the “Terraferma” ,and were acquired partly aas a buffer against belligerent neighbors, partly to guarantee Alpine trade routes, and partly to ensure the supply of mainland wheat, on which the city depended. In Building its maritime commercial empire, the Republic dominated the trade in salt, acquired control of most of the islands in the Aegean including Cyprus and Crete and became a major power – broker in Near East.

Venice remained closely associated with Constantinople, being twice trading privileges in the Eastern  Roman Empire.  It became an imperial power following the fourth Crusade, which having veered of course  culminated in 1204 by capturing and sacking Constantinople and establishing the Latin Empire.

Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Venice always traded extensively with the Byzantine  Empire and the Muslim world. By the late 13^th century,Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe. At the peak of its power and wealth it had 36,000 sailors operating 3,300 ships, dominating Mediterranean commerce.

The Republic of Venice lost independence   when Napoleon   Bonaparte conquered Venice on 12 May 1797 during the First Coalition.  French conqueror brought to an end the most fascinating century of its history. During 18^th century Venice became   the most elegant and refined city in Europe.

Venice became Austrian territory when Napoleon Bonaparte signed the Treaty of campo Formio on 12 October 1797. The Austrians took control of the city on 18 January 1798.it was taken from Austria by the Treaty of Pressburg in  1805 and became part of napoleon’s Kingdom of Italy, but  was returned to Austria following Napoleon’s defeat in 1814, when it became part of the Austrian – held Kingdom of Lombardy – Venetia. In 1848 – 1849 a revolt briefly reestablished the Venetian Republic and Venetia became part of the newly created Kingdom of Italy.

Venice is one the most important tourist destinations in the world  for its celebrated art and architecture. The  city has an average  of 50,000 tourists a day.

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Glamis Castle is situated beside the village of Glamis in Scotland. It is the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and King Horne. It is open to the public.

Glamis Castle has been   the home of the Lyon family since the 14^th century, through the present buildings dates largely from the 17^th century. Glamis was the childhood home of   Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother    wife of   the King George VI. Their daughter Princess Margaret was born there.

The castle is protected as a category a listed building and the grounds are included on the Inventory gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens.

In 1034 AD King Malcolm II was murdered at Glamis, were there was a Royal Hunting   Lodge. By 1376 a castle had been built at Glamis,since in that year it was granted by King Robert II to Sir John Lyon, husband of the king’s daughter. Glamis has remained in the Lyon family since this time. The castle was rebuilt in the early 15^th   century.

The title Lord Glamis was created in 1445 for Sir Patrick Lyon,   grand son of Sir John. A legend tells of the 15^th century   “Earl Beardie”, who has been identified with both Alexander Lyon, 2^nd Lord Glamis (died 1486) and with Alexander Lindsay 4^th Earl of Crawford (died 1453).

John Lyon 6^th Lord Glamis, married Janet Douglas, daughter of the Master of Angus at a time when King James V was feuding with the Douglases.  In December 1528 Janet was accused of treason for bringing supports of the Earl of Angus to Edinburgh. She was then charged with poisoning her husband Lord Glamis, who had died on 17 September 1528.Eventually she accused of with craft,  and was burned at the stake at Edinburgh on 17 July 1537.James  V subsequently seized Glamis living there for some time.

In 1543 Glamis was returned to John Lyon, 7^th Lord Glamis. In 1606 Patrick Lyon 9^th Lord Glamis, was created Warl of King Horne. He began major works on the castle.

During the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland   soldiers were garrisoned at Glamis.I n 1670 Patrick Lyon 3^rd Earl of Strathmore and King Horne returned to the castle and found it uninhabitable. Restorations took place until 1689, including the creation of a major baroque garden. John Lyon 9^th Earl of Strathmore and King Horne   succeeded in 1753 and 1767 he married Mary Eleanor Bowes, heiress to a coal – mining fortune. He set   about improving the grounds of the castle in the picturesque style in the 1770s .the south – west wing was rebuilt after a fire in the early 19^th century.

Glamis is currently the home of Michael Bowes – Lyon 18^th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne,a former army officer, who succeede to the earldom in 1987.

Burton Castle, Spain

Butron is a castle located in Gatika   in northern Spain. It dates originally from the Middle Ages, although it owes its present appearance to an almost complete rebuilding begun by Francisco de Cubas in 1878.

The castle has a fairy – tale   look about it inspired by Bavarian castle models. The present building was  created  as a hobby for its then owner and to create something which is visually spectacular rather than to produce something in which people  could actually live.

In fact it would be quite inconvenient as a home as the towers have little useful space and various parts of the castle have exterior connections which are   not   particularly apt for the wet Basque weather. The building is surrounded   by a park   which includes palms and exotic plants. This castle is the largest   existing   medieval castle in the world.

It fell into disuse and was later renovated and opened to the public. This proved to be unsuccessful and the building was closed to visitors although   the grounds remained open.

Kremlin, Moscow, Russia

The Moscow Kremlin usually referred to as simply the Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow overlooking the Moscow River to the south  Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west. It is the   best known as Kremlin and includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

The name Kremlin means fortress inside a city, and is often used as metonym to refer to the government of the Russian federation in a similar sense to how White House is used to refer to the Executive Office of the President of the United States of America. It had previously been used to refer to the government of the Soviet Union (1922 – 1991 ).

The site was continuously inhabited by Finno – Ugric peoples since the 2^nd century BC. The Slavs occupied the south – western portion of Borovitsky Hill as early as 11^th century, as evidenced by metropolitan seal   from the 1990s, which was unearthed by Soviet archaeologists in the area.  Vyatichi   built a fortified structure on the hill where Neglinnaya River flowed into Moscow River.

Up to the 14^th century, the site was known as the grad of Moscow. The word Kremlin first was recorded in  1331.

The Assumption Cathedral was the site of coronation of Russian Tsars

Grand Prince Ivan III organized the reconstruction of the Kremlin, inviting a number of skilled   architects from Renaissance Italy, like Petrus Antonius Solarius, who designed the new Kremlin wall and its towers, and Marcus Ruffus who designed the new palace for the prince. It was during his reign that three extant cathedrals of   Kremlin, the deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were constructed. The highest building of the city and Muscovite Russia was the Great Bell Tower built in 1505 – 1508   and augmented to its present height  in 1600. The Kremlin walls as they now appear were built between 1485 and 1495.

After construction of the new Kremlin   walls and churches was complete, the monarch decreed that no structures should be built in the immediate vicinity of the citadel. The Kremlin was separated from the walled merchant town by a 30 m wide moat, over which Saint Basil’s cathedral was constructed during the reign of Terrible Ivan. He added a new cathedral for his sons.  

During the Time of Troubles the Kremlin was held by the Polish forces for two years between 21 September 1610 and 26 October 1612. The Kremlin’s liberation   by Prince Dmitry and his army paved the way for the election of Mikhail Romanov as the new Tsar.

Although still used for coronation ceremonies   the Kremlin was abandoned and neglected until 1773, when  Great Catherine engaged Vasili Bazhenov to build her new residence there.

During the imperial period from the early 18^th and until the late 19^th century, Kremlin walls were traditionally painted white, in accordance with the time’s fashion.

Following the French invasion of Russia in 1812 the French forces occupied the Kremlin from 2 September to 11 October. When   Napoleon retreated from Moscow, he ordered the whole Kremlin to be blown up. The Kremlin Arsenal several portions of the kremlin Wall and several wall towers were destroyed by explosions and fires damaged the   Faceted Chamber and churches.

After 1851 Kremlin changed little until the Russian Revolution  on 1917. The Soviet government moved from Petrograd to Moscow on 12 March 1918 and Lenin selected Kremlin Senate as his new residence. Stalin also had his personal rooms in Kremlin.

The existing Kremlin walls and towers were built by Italian masters over the years 1485 to 1495.

Cathedral Square is the heart of Kremlin. It is surrounded by six buildings , including three cathedrals

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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco,California, USA

The Golden Gate   Bridge is a suspension bridge spanking the Golden Gate strait, the mile – wide , three – mile long channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the U.S city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to Marin County, bridging both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. The bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California and the United States of America. It has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil engineers.

The Golden Gate Bridge IS one of the most beautiful bridges and the most photographed in the world it opened in 1937 and was until 1964 the longest bridge in the world 1.300 m.

Many wanted to build a bridge to connect San Francisco to Marin County. San Francisco was the largest American city still served primarily by ferry boats. Because it did not have a permanent link with communities around the bay, the city’s growth rate was below the national average. Many experts said That a bridge   couldn’t  be built across 2.042 m strait. It had strong , swirling tides and currents, with water 113 m fogs would prevent construction and operation.

Construction began on January 5, 1933. The project cost more than $35 million, completing ahead of schedule and under budget.  The Golden Gate Bridge construction project was carried by the Mc Clintic – Marshall Construction Co. a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel Corporation founded by Howard h.

The project was finished and opened May 27, 1937. The Round House   Dinner Bridge was then included in the southeastern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, adjacent to tourist plaza which was renovated in 2012. The Round House Bridge, an Art Deco design by Alfred Finnila completed in 1938, has been popular throughout the years as a starting Point for various commercial tours of the bridge and an unofficial gift shop

Bristol Cathedral, England

 Bristol Cathedral is the Church of England in the city of Bristol, England. Founded in 1140 it became the seat of the bishop   and cathedral of the new Diocese of Bristol in 1452.

Located   on college Green across which its architecture can be seen to advantage, the cathedral presents a harmonious view of tall Gothic window and pinnacled skyline that belies the fact that it was constructed over a period of more then 700 years. The cathedral has much of interest including unique architectural features, unusual memorials and an historic organ.

Bristol cathedral was founded in 1140 by Robert Fitzharding as St Augustine’s Abbey. As the name suggests the monastic precinct housed Augustinian canons. The original abbey church, of which only fragments remain, was constructed between 1140 and 1148 in the Romanesque style, known in England as Norman. Further stone buildings were erected on the stile between 1148 and 1164.

Under Abbot David (1216 – 1234 ) there was a new phase of building., notably the construction in around 1220 of  a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, abutting the northern side of the choir. This building which still stands, was to become known as “Elder Lady Chapel”.

Under Abbot Edward Knowle, a major rebuilding of the Abbey church began. Between 1298 and 1332 the eastern part of the abbey church was rebuilt in the English Decorated Gothic style. Rebuilding appears to have ceased for about a hundred years, then, in the mid 15^th century, the transept and central tower were constructed.

Abbot John Newland (1481 – 1515 ) began the rebuilding of the nave, but it was incomplete at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. The partly built nave was demolished and the remaining eastern part of the church closed until it reopened as a cathedral the secular clergy.

Most of the medieval stonework, particularly   the Elder Lady Chapel, is made from limestone taken from quarries around Dundry and Felton with Bath stone being used in others areas. The west front has two large flanking three – stage towers. Between the towers is a deep entrance arch of six orders with Purbeck marble.

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