50 Interesting Facts that You Probably Don't Know About

Aside from joy, freedom and experiences, other reasons most of us travel are to see unfamiliar place and to go to places other than our own. To know how different their cultures are from ours. Be amazed on how they kept and maintained their heritage all these years.  And the most important, a chance to compare their current economic status to our own. 

Other people travel for fun or as part of their job, but they still have to know the proper cultural etiquette of a specific country. You might be doing something that is acceptable to one country but offensive to another.  It's very important to know some facts about your host country to avoid offending their people.

They said everyone knows that Turkey is famous for sandy beaches and clear seas, and they they have excellent ski resorts. I didn't!

Here's a collection of some of the most unusual and amazing facts from around the world that will your probably didn't know and will blow your mind!

1. Saudi Arabia
Has no rivers! This is one of the only country in the world that doesn't have any rivers. Saudi Arabia lacks permanent rivers due to the extreme heat and dryness of rains. Whatever water Saudi Arabia possesses is largely in underground aquifers, which are largely thousands to millions of years old, and in desalination plants that make seawater drinkable as fresh water.

• No permanent rivers: Saudi Arabia lacks any natural, flowing rivers. 
• Desert environment: The country's arid desert landscape contributes to the lack of rivers.
• Water sources: Saudi Arabia relies on groundwater from aquifers and desalination plants to meet its water needs.
• Seasonal watercourses: Although there are no permanent rivers, some areas may experience temporary water flow in "wadis" which are dry riverbeds that fill up during rare rainfall. 
  

2. Falkland Islands (Island Mavinas)
Sheeple City! On these remote islands, sheep outnumber people by at least 200 to 1. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a remote South Atlantic archipelago. With rugged terrain and cliff-lined coasts, its hundreds of islands and islets are home to sheep farms and abundant birdlife.

• The Falkland Islands have a population of around 2,600 people, but are home to nearly 500,000 sheep. 
• This means that there are about 153 sheep for every person on the islands.
• The islands' landscape is dominated by grassland and heath, which is used for grazing sheep and cattle.
• Sheep farming has been a major part of the Falkland Islands' economy since the 1870s.
• The islands' economy has diversified to include tourism, fisheries, and agriculture. 
  

3. Russia
Hotel Supreme! In the Muscovite district of Islamailovo, you will find a hotel that boasts 7,500 beds and 5.000 rooms. In 2006, AZIMUT Hotels was established and is the largest Russian hotel chain, with over 70 hotels and health resorts in more than 45 cities. It has a total room capacity of about 11,400 rooms.

4. Switzerland
Hotel Elite! With 4 bedrooms and 12 marble bathrooms, The Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson will set you back a cool GBP40,000 a night.

• Royal Penthouse Suite at Hotel President Wilson: This 1,680 square meter suite is the world's largest room and costs over $80,000 per night. It has 12 bedrooms, marble bathrooms, and a panoramic terrace with views of the Alps. 
• Royal Mansion Penthouse at Atlantis the Royal: This penthouse in Dubai costs $100,000 per night.
• The Empathy Suite at Palms Casino Resort: This suite in Las Vegas costs $100,000 per night.
• Lover's Deep Submarine: This submarine in Saint Lucia costs $222,000 per night.
• The Royal Villa at Grand Resort Lagonissi: This villa in Athens, Greece costs $50,000 per night. It's designed for royal and prestigious guests.
• The Penthouse at The Mark Hotel: This penthouse in New York has over 10,000 square feet and a 2,500 square foot balcony. 
  

 5. Malaysia
Hotel Grand! The largest hotel as of 2020 is located in Malaysia, the First World Hotel. The hotel has more than 7,351 rooms across two towers. 

• Located in the Titiwangsa Mountains in central-western Malaysia.
• Part of the Genting Highlands Resort, which includes a theme park, shopping malls, theaters, and a casino.
• Popular destination for leisure and gaming enthusiasts
  

6. United States of America
A Nation of High Flyers! Did you know in the USA, there are always at least 61,000 people flying on planes? That's more than the population of a small city!

• In 2021, the United States had the most airline passengers in the world.
• In 2023, the world's airlines carried 4.4 billion passengers, with 1.8 billion international passengers and 2.6 billion domestic passengers.
• The Air Transport Action Group estimates that 5 billion passengers will fly in 2024.
  

7. Indonesia
Volcano Mania! Indonesia has Indonesia has the most active volcanoes in the world. There's a total of 127 active volcanoes with 55  that have been active since 1960. Millions of people going about their daily lives within danger zone. Brave or what?

• Indonesia is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• The majority of Indonesia's volcanoes are located on the Sunda Arc, a 3,000 km long chain.
• Indonesia's most active volcanoes are Kelut and Mount Merapi on the island of Java.
• Indonesia has had the highest number of eruptions resulting in fatalities, damage to arable land, debris flows, tsunamis, lava domes, and pyroclastic flows.

8. France
The Most Popular! France remains the world's top tourist destination, consistently drawing visitors with its rich culture, historic landmarks, and culinary fame. Over 100 million tourists traveled to France in 2023, contributing approximately $68.5 billion in tourism receipts, which averages to about $686 per visitor.

Why France is Popular?

• Attractions: The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Palace of Versailles, and Disneyland Paris.Landscapes: The beaches of the Côte d'Azur, the countryside of Provence, Normandy, and Brittany.
• Food: Internationally recognized gastronomy.
• Culture: Rich history and cultural legacy 
  

9. Singapore
No Farms! While no country is completely devoid of any form of farming, Singapore is widely considered the country with the least amount of farmland due to its small size and predominantly urban landscape, making it the closest to having "no farms" in practical terms.

• Limited land area: Singapore has a very small landmass, leaving little space for agriculture.Urban development: Most of the land is dedicated to urban development, with high-rise buildings and infrastructure.
• Minimal farming: While some small-scale urban farming initiatives exist, they are not significant enough to consider Singapore a farming country.

10. Canada
Lake Central! Canada is considered to have the most lakes in the world. This is due to its large size and northern location, which is where glacial waters are found.

• Colder climates and areas with lots of glacial activity tend to have more lakes.
•  Scientists are constantly reclassifying bodies of water as new evidence is presented by satellite or other forms of advanced geographical imagery.

11. Hum (Croatia)
Smallest Settlement! According to most sources, the smallest settlement in the world is considered to be Hum, a village located in Istria, Croatia. It is often referred to as the "smallest town" and has a very small population.

• Location: Situated in the Istria region of Croatia.Notable feature: Known for its compact size, with a main street that can be walked through in a few minutes.
• Population: Although exact numbers can vary, it is generally considered to have only a handful of permanent residents

12. Ageria
Made of Sand! The country with the most desert land is Algeria, as the majority of its territory is covered by the Sahara Desert, making up over 90% of the country.

• The Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert in the world, spans across several North African countries, but Algeria has the largest portion of its land within the desert.
•  Due to its vast size, Algeria has a significantly larger desert area compared to other countries in the region.
  

13. Maldives
How Low? Maldives is considered the lowest lying country on Earth, with most of its islands sitting less than 1 meter above sea level, making it extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels.

• The average natural ground level in the Maldives is only around 1.5 meters above sea level. 
• Due to its low elevation, the Maldives is highly susceptible to the impacts of rising sea levels, posing a significant threat to its existence.
• The Maldives is comprised of a chain of coral atolls, which are naturally low-lying islands.

14. Jordan
Very Low! The Dead Sea, which is located in both Jordan and Israel, has the lowest point on Earth. The Dead Sea is 414 meters below sea level.

• The Dead Sea is a salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley.
• It's the lowest body of water on Earth and one of the saltiest.
• The Dead Sea's high salt concentration causes people to float in the water.
• The Dead Sea is shrinking because some water from the Jordan River is diverted.

15. Norway
Go Green! Over 99% of electricity produces in Norway is clean and renewable due to their extensive use of hydropower.

16. Haiti
Trees-less? Due to extensive deforestation, Haiti, which borders the Dominican Republic has practically no trees left.

17. Papua New Guinea
Tongue Twister! Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world, with over 840 languages spoken. This is more than double the number of languages spoken in Europe.

18. Tonga
Land of the Heavy! Over 71% of the adults on Tonga are obese, the highest rate of any country in the world. The island country in the South Pacific has a total population of 106,000.

19. China
Brick in the Wall! The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world. It stretches for thousands of miles across northern China.

• Length: The Great Wall is estimated to be 8,852 kilometers long.Construction: The wall was built over centuries by emperors to protect China's northern border. It's made of earth, stone, and rice. And is is made up of a series of walls, watchtowers, and fortresses.
• History: Construction began in 300 B.C.E. and was completed during the Ming Dynasty.
• Purpose: The wall was built to defend against enemy attack and to help with trade.
• Visiting: Beijing is a good starting point for visiting the Great Wall.
  

20. Papua New Guinea
A Land of Few Words! Papua New Guinea has the shortest alphabet it the world. With only 11 letters: a, b, e, g, i, k, o, p, r, t and u.

21. India
Milk & Stamps? India has the largest number of Post Office as well as the most cows in the world, with 307.5 million in 2023.

22. Andorra
Get High! Andora La Vella is the highest capital in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 feet) above sea level.

10. Sweden
Island Life! Sweden has the most islands with 267,570, the majority of which are uninhabited. Even the capital of Stockholm is built across a 14-island archipelago with more than 50 bridges.

23. Greece
Love Thy Country! According to most sources, the country with the longest national anthem in the world is Greece, whose anthem, "Hymn to Liberty", contains a large number of stanzas, making it significantly longer than most other anthems in terms of lyrical length.

• Name: "Hymn to Liberty"
•  Length: Considered the longest due to its large number of stanzas
• Poet: Dionysios Solomon

24. Africa
Dr. Doolittle's Nightmare! Most people will think that the hippopotamus is the deadliest animal in Africa. Surprising as it may seem, the mosquito is the world's deadliest animal, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths in Africa each year. This tiny insect transmits malaria, dengue and the West Nile virus through its bites.

25. Iran
Ancient Tree! Iran has the 2nd oldest tree in the world. This 4,000 year old tree is regarded as a national monument.

26. Thailand
Wait for It! Bangkok has longest ceremonial name of any city in the world is held by Bangkok, Thailand. Its full ceremonial name in Thai is Krung Thep. Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

27. Spain
Oil Country! Spain produces 45% of the world's olive oil. In 2022, world production of olive oil was 2.7 million tonnes, led by Spain with 24% of the total (table).

28. Benin (West Africa)
Seeing Double! Benin in West Africa has the highest rate of twins in the world, with 27.9 twins per 1,000 births. This is due in large part to genetics, particularly among certain ethnic groups.

• A study published in PLOS ONE found that Benin has the highest rate of twins in the developing world.The global average for the countries surveyed was 13.1 twins per 1,000 births.
• The high rate of twins in Benin makes it an important area for research into the causes of twinning.
• In the predominantly rural community of Igbo-Ora in Nigeria, multiple births are celebrated and are considered special gifts from God.
• In Igbo-Ora, twins are venerated almost as deities who bring good fortune and protection.
  

29. Japan
It's not Round, It's Square! The very innovative people of Japan has developed a technique to grow square watermelons, which are mainly used for decoration and are often very expensive.

How are they grown?

• Square watermelons are grown in Zentsuji, on the island of Shikoku.They are harvested unripe and are inedible.
• The square watermelon is officially recognized by the Japanese government.

30. Guernsey
Independent Country! This tiny island belongs to the British Crown. However, it is a self-governing state, doesn't belong to the UK or EU, and has the power to issue its own currency.

31. Tuvalu
Get Rich! This tiny country in the Pacific Ocean, with a population of just 11,000, is rich enough to afford the $20,000 United Nations membership fee. How? It makes a lot money by leasing out its .tv domain.

32. Iceland
Friendlies! According to the Word Economic Forum, Iceland is the friendliest nation on earth. Iceland frequently appears in the top spots on lists of the world's friendliest countries.

• Iceland is often considered the most peaceful country in the world, which contributes to its perception of friendliness.The country's extremely low crime rate creates a sense of safety and welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
• Icelandic culture is known for its strong sense of community and inclusivity.

33. Nepal
Feminist Religion! Nepal is the only country that is widely known to worship a living goddess is Nepal where a prepubescent girl, called the "Kumari," is revered as the living embodiment of the goddess Taleju.

• Who she is: A young girl selected from the Newari Buddhist community.Why she is worshipped: Believed to be the living incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga or Taleju.
• Where she lives: The most prominent Kumari resides in a palace in Kathmandu, known as the "Kumari Ghar".

34. Jamaica
Voodoo Religion! Jamaica still practiced the voodoo religion known as Obeahism, where adherents believe evil spirits can used for both good and bad luck. It is, however, outlawed and punishable by death.

35. Palau
Jaws! The island country of Palau, was the first in the world to establish a shark sanctuary in 2009. The island nation in the Pacific Ocean declared its entire exclusive economic zone a shark sanctuary to protect sharks and their ecosystems.

How does Palau's shark sanctuary protect sharks?

• Commercial shark fishing is prohibited
• Sharks are not allowed on board boats
• Bycatch must be released alive
• Prosecution can result in two years in prison and a $50,000 fine

Why did Palau establish a shark sanctuary?

• To protect sharks and the ecosystems they support
• To prevent overfishing
• To protect tourism
  

36. The Baltic States
Hold my Hand! The longest human chain in history was the Baltic Way, which was formed in 1989 by about 2 million people. The chain stretched 675 kilometers across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

• The Baltic Way, also known as the Chain of Freedom, was a multi-national peace line.
• It connected three capitals and represented unity and freedom.
• The chain reached its longest at around 7 p.m. local time and lasted for about 15 minutes.
• The chain was an important voice in the debate on the status of former constituent republics of the Soviet Union.

37. Ladonia
Lads me Not! Despite the name, Ladonia is not a nation of lads. It is infact a rebel state within Sweden founded by Lars Vilks. It is classed as a micronation.

"We are built on freedom of speech and expression. We believe art, creativity, and open discussion are essential to a thriving society.

What began as an effort to protect a sculpture is now, 29 years later, a global community of more than 29,000 non-resident citizens who share a vision for a world where art and expression are truly valued."

38. Costa Rica
Peacefully Yours! Costa Rica is generally considered the most peaceful country in Central America, ranking high in the region and placing around the mid-range globally; with Iceland currently holding the title of most peaceful country overall.  

Regional leader:

• Costa Rica consistently ranks as the most peaceful country in Central America.

Global ranking:

• While not number one globally, Costa Rica usually appears in the top half of the Global Peace Index.

Factors contributing to peace:

• Costa Rica's stable democracy, lack of a military, and focus on social programs are often cited as reasons for its peaceful reputation.

39. Samoa
Boy Meets Girl! Part of Samoan culture permits parents to raise boys as girls. They are know as Fa'afafine, which refers to men who are raised and identify as females, and means “in the way of a woman”, and has been around since the early 20th Century. The fa'afafine community identifies as different from the lesbian and gay communities, and fa'afafine is considered a third gender.

40. Vietnam
Drink a Snake! In Vietnam, you can buy a rice wince that's been infused with whole snake. It said to improve health and vitality. Are you willing to try it?

41. Camoros
Friends for All! This small island state off the east of African coast is the only country to be a member of the African Union, Francophonie, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Aren't they friendly?

42. Turkmenistan
Bring a Pitchfork! Somewhere in the Desert of Turkmenistan, you will find the Door to Hell, a huge burning crater that been on fire for 40 years. It has a diameter of 70 meters.

43. Paris (France)
Up High! The Eiffel Tower lifts travel a combined distance of 64,000 miles a year. It sways in storms and grows a few centimeters in the summer due to the sun's heat.

44. Gibaltar
Let's Drive! Gibraltar has a high number of vehicles per person, with about 1,444 cars for every 1,000 people. This makes it one of the countries with the highest vehicle ownership in the world.

• Gibraltar has a high number of vehicles per person due to its status as a transport and distribution hub for vehicles worldwide.
• The Upper Rock area of Gibraltar has an especially high number of cars, with 82% of households owning a car or 4x4.
• Gibraltar also has the highest number of vehicles per kilometer of road in the world.

45. Colorado Plataeu (USA)
The Oldest Giant! The Fishlake National Forest is home to one of the world's oldest living organism, the Pando Tree. It's network of roots is said to be an immense 80,000 years old.

46. Spain
Is it Done Yet? The Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona is taking longer to build than the pyramids. It was started in 1882 and no, it is not done yet.

47. Philippines
Island in a Lake in an Island! In the Philippines, there’s an island in a lake in an island in a lake in an island… That’s called the Vulcan Point Island.

48. Iceland
None at All! Iceland has no mosquitoes at all. Not even one.

49. Tuvalu
Lake Central! Canada is considered to have the most lakes in the world. This is due to its large size and northern location, which is where glacial waters are found.

50. The Americas
Longest Drive! The Americas are home to The Pan-American Highway, the world's longest motor able road. The highway weave through 14 countries.

I don't know most of the countries in this list, but it's good to know about these interesting facts.