We live in a remarkable world filled with interesting and amazing facts about the people, animals, places and other information that make it special. From the biggest things on Earth to the most extreme weather, here are some of the most mind-blowing facts about our world that will leave you speechless:
The Location of the World’s Smallest Country
The tiny country of Vatican City is located within the boundaries of Rome, Italy and is just 0.44 square kilometers in size – making it the smallest recognized country in the world. This small country is home to only around 800 people, and is the home of the Pope, head of the Catholic Church. Amazingly, it’s possible to walk around its entire perimeter in just a half an hour.
The Tallest Mountain on Earth
Mount Everest, located on the Nepal-Tibet border, is the highest mountain on the face of the planet. Standing at an incredible 8,848 meters (29,029 feet), the mountain not only offers stunning views from its peak of Earth’s highest mountains, but also serves as a challenge for many mountaineers looking to conquer its daunting terrain.
The World’s Deepest Cave
Krubera Cave is the deepest known cave on Earth, located in the Arabika Massif of the Western Caucasus Mountains, in Abkhazia, Georgia. Though there have been various different attempts to explore the full length of its vast passages, to date, the deepest explored depth is 6,824 feet below the surface.
The Largest Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the biggest ocean on Earth, accounting for almost a third of the planet’s total area. It is the body of water between Asia and the Americas, and its total area reaches almost 63 million square miles.
The Greatest Migration on Earth
The Serengeti wildebeest migration is a remarkable natural phenomenon, with millions of blue wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest and zebras migrating across great distances in a vast circular route through the Serengeti–Mara eco-system. These incredible animals travel up to 800 miles each year in search of fresh grazing grounds.
The Largest Living Structure
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the east coast of Australia, is the world’s largest living structure. Stretching for 2,600 kilometers, it is not only the world’s largest coral reef system, but also one of the most biodiverse environments on the planet.
The Most Populous City in the World
Tokyo, Japan is the most populous city in the world. Home to around 37 million people and around 20 million more in its surrounding metropolitan area, this impressive city is the biggest urban area in the world and has the most millionaires of any city.
The Most Extreme Weather on Earth
Vostok Station in Antarctica is the place on the planet with the coldest temperatures ever recorded. On July 21, 1983, temperatures plunged to an incredible -89.2° Celsius (-128.5° Fahrenheit), making it one of the most extreme environments in the world.
The Longest River in the World
The Nile is the longest river in the world, stretching over 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles). It flows through 11 countries, providing life to millions of people with its abundant water and soil.
The Highest Tsunami Recorded
On December 26, 2004, the most destructive tsunami in recorded history struck the coast of many countries in the Indian Ocean, wiping out much of the land, killing over 300,000 people, and displacing millions of others in a matter of hours. One wave was recorded at an incredible 30 meters (98 feet) high.
The Largest Living Species on Earth
The blue whale is the largest living species on Earth, with some reaching 30 meters (100 feet) in length and weighing up to 200 tons. Despite their size, they feed on some of the smallest creatures on the planet: tiny shrimp-like krill of which they eat up to 8,000 pounds in a single day!
The Biggest Sources of Carbon Emissions
The burning of coal and the burning of fossil fuels account for the greatest sources of carbon emissions on the planet. These activities are the main driver of climate change, releasing millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
The Largest Living Structure in the Solar System
The Great Red Spot, located on the upper atmosphere of Jupiter, is believed to be the biggest storm in the solar system. This colossal structure is an anticyclonic storm, estimated to be around 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) wide – larger than two Earths!
The Largest Animal in the World
The blue whale, as previously mentioned, is the largest animal in the world, reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet) in length and weighing up to 200 tons. But the largest living land animal is the African bush elephant, which can reach up to 6 or 7 tons in weight and up to 4 meters (13 feet) in height!
We are fortunate to live in such a remarkable world, full of incredible creatures and special places. We hope these mind-blowing facts provide you with an appreciation for the splendid diversity of the planet, and inspire you to learn more about its amazing features.
