25 Things You Wouldn't Believe About These Countries
Depending
upon your definition, and whether or not you count Taiwan, there are
'approximately' 196 countries in the world as of this writing. So while
you may consider yourself to be a knowledgeable global citizen, and I
am sure you are, given the dynamic and complex nature of our planet
there are certain to be at least a couple of facts on this list that
you will find surprising. Here are 25 things that you wouldn't believe
about these countries.
25) Covers the most time zones – France
If
you count everything, including overseas territories, then France
claims the title by covering 12 time zones. The United States would be
the runner-up with 11 and then Russia with 9.
Because
Guam doesn’t have 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.
24) Most likely to disappear beneath the waves – Maldives
With all the talks of global warming and rising sea levels, it is the residents of the Maldives that have the greatest reason to fear. With an average height of around 1.8 meters above sea level their nation is the lowest on Earth.23) Most overweight population – Nauru
Nation of Nauru is by far the fattest country on Earth. Its obesity epidemic is primarily attributed to the importation of western fast food that coincided with an increased standard of living in the 20th century due to the global popularity of its phosphate exports. It’s almost non sequester… almost.22) Roads made of coral – Guam
Because
Guam doesn’t have 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.
21) Has 350 sheep for every person – Falkland Islands (UK)
With
only about 3,000 people the Falkland Islands are home to approximately
half-a million-sheep. Not surprisingly wool is a major export.
20) 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.
9) Almost entirely treeless - Haiti
20) 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.
19) Most lakes in the world – Canada
With
over 3 million lakes 9% of Canadian territory is actually fresh water
and over 60% of all the lakes in the world are found within its
borders.
18) Least likely place to meet your neighbor – MongoliaAt
4 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 340,000
people per square mile.
17) Largest number of 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 more advanced tank
inventory.
16) The Land of no rivers - Saudi Arabia
Sounds
a bit strange doesn’t it? For a country as big as Saudi 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 or underground
reservoirs.
15) 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 roughly half of its population having
barely reached puberty (49%).
14) Most diverse country in the world - India
In
almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically,
racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either
the most diverse countries in the world, or the runner-up.
13) Fastest disappearing nation - Ukraine
With
a natural decrease in population of .8% annually, between now and 2050
Ukraine is expected to lose around 30% of its people.
12) Most of it's citizens live abroad - Malta
After
some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta
experienced significant immigration. It was so significant that there
are now more Maltese living abroad than within the country itself.
11) Smaller Than Central Park in New York City - Monaco
Although
Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq MI) than Monaco (.8 sq MI), unlike
Monaco it doesn't have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as
the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world…smaller than
Central Park.
10) Almost entirely covered in jungle - Suriname
18) Least likely place to meet your neighbor – MongoliaAt 4 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 340,000 people per square mile.
17) Largest number of 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 more advanced tank
inventory.
16) The Land of no rivers - Saudi Arabia
Sounds
a bit strange doesn’t it? For a country as big as Saudi 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 or underground
reservoirs.
15) 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 roughly half of its population having
barely reached puberty (49%).
14) Most diverse country in the world - India
In
almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically,
racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either
the most diverse countries in the world, or the runner-up.
13) Fastest disappearing nation - Ukraine
With
a natural decrease in population of .8% annually, between now and 2050
Ukraine is expected to lose around 30% of its people.
12) Most of it's citizens live abroad - Malta
After
some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta
experienced significant immigration. It was so significant that there
are now more Maltese living abroad than within the country itself.
11) Smaller Than Central Park in New York City - Monaco
Although
Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq MI) than Monaco (.8 sq MI), unlike
Monaco it doesn't have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as
the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world…smaller than
Central Park.
10) Almost entirely covered in jungle - Suriname
Sounds a bit strange doesn’t it? For a country as big as Saudi 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 or underground reservoirs.
15) 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 roughly half of its population having
barely reached puberty (49%).
14) Most diverse country in the world - India
In
almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically,
racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either
the most diverse countries in the world, or the runner-up.
13) Fastest disappearing nation - Ukraine
With
a natural decrease in population of .8% annually, between now and 2050
Ukraine is expected to lose around 30% of its people.
12) Most of it's citizens live abroad - Malta
After
some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta
experienced significant immigration. It was so significant that there
are now more Maltese living abroad than within the country itself.
11) Smaller Than Central Park in New York City - Monaco
Although
Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq MI) than Monaco (.8 sq MI), unlike
Monaco it doesn't have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as
the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world…smaller than
Central Park.
10) Almost entirely covered in jungle - Suriname
In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse countries in the world, or the runner-up.
13) Fastest disappearing nation - Ukraine
With
a natural decrease in population of .8% annually, between now and 2050
Ukraine is expected to lose around 30% of its people.
12) Most of it's citizens live abroad - Malta
After
some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta
experienced significant immigration. It was so significant that there
are now more Maltese living abroad than within the country itself.
11) Smaller Than Central Park in New York City - Monaco
Although
Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq MI) than Monaco (.8 sq MI), unlike
Monaco it doesn't have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as
the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world…smaller than
Central Park.
10) Almost entirely covered in jungle - Suriname
After some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta experienced significant immigration. It was so significant that there are now more Maltese living abroad than within the country itself.
11) Smaller Than Central Park in New York City - Monaco
Although
Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq MI) than Monaco (.8 sq MI), unlike
Monaco it doesn't have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as
the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world…smaller than
Central Park.
10) Almost entirely covered in jungle - Suriname
With 91% of it's land covered in jungle Suriname's half a million residents live primarily along the coast near the capital. Only 5% of the population (mainly indigenous people) live inland.
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 (Haiti is on the left in the
photo above).
8) 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 (take Vatican City for example),
Singapore is the largest of these urban city states.
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although
English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With
50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With
99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid
places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a
single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although
for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country
in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in
this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
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 (Haiti is on the left in the
photo above).
8) 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 (take Vatican City for example),
Singapore is the largest of these urban city states.
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although
English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With
50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With
99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid
places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a
single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although
for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country
in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in
this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
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 (Haiti is on the left in the
photo above).
8) 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 (take Vatican City for example),
Singapore is the largest of these urban city states.
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although
English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With
50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With
99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid
places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a
single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although
for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country
in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in
this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
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 (Haiti is on the left in the
photo above).
8) 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 (take Vatican City for example),
Singapore is the largest of these urban city states.
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although
English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With
50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With
99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid
places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a
single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although
for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country
in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in
this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
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 (Haiti is on the left in the
photo above).
8) 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 (take Vatican City for example),
Singapore is the largest of these urban city states.
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although
English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With
50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With
99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid
places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a
single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although
for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country
in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in
this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
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 (Haiti is on the left in the
photo above).
8) 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 (take Vatican City for example),
Singapore is the largest of these urban city states.
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although
English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With
50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With
99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid
places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a
single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although
for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country
in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in
this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
8) Largest country with no farms - Singapore
7) Most languages spoken - Papua New Guinea
Although English is it's 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 total.
6) Most educated people - Canada
With 50% of it's 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%.
5) The 'country desert' - Libya
With 99% of the country covered in desert Libya is one of the most arid places in the world and in some regions decades may go by without a single drop of rain.
4) Least peaceful nation in the world - Somalia
Although for the last 3 years Iraq has been ranked as the least peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, Somalia overtook in this year for the top spot.
3) Produces most of the world's oxygen - 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.
2) World's largest opium producer - Afghanistan
Producing a whopping 95% of the world's opium, not even 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.
1) Most people behind bars - United States
No comments!
Tags: unbelieble, countries
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