What number of of those details concerning the world did you already know?
Avatar Hallelujah Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China.
Probably the most intriguing issues about travelling is discovering why issues are the way in which they’re as we speak. From hidden secrets and techniques to unusual phenomenons, right here’s 20 issues concerning the world which will sound absurd at first however are literally confirmed to be true details!
1) It snows within the Sahara Desert
Picture credit score: tonynetone through Flickr
Deserts are identified to have very low precipitation. And if rainfall is uncommon, wouldn’t snowfall be even rarer? Nicely, the inconceivable occurred in 2018 and the Sahara Desert was coated in a blanket of white snow. Nonetheless, the snow solely lasted for a day earlier than melting below the new solar.
The primary recorded snowfall was in 1979 — a snowstorm that lasted half an hour. Though temperatures drop to freezing within the evening, the shortage of moisture makes it virtually inconceivable to supply any snow. However who is aware of, you is perhaps fortunate sufficient to see it in your subsequent journey to the Sahara!
2) There are solely two international locations on the earth the place Coca Cola doesn’t exist
Picture credit score: @neonbrand through Unsplash
You would possibly suppose Coca Cola is one thing yow will discover anyplace on the earth however these two international locations have been in long-term US commerce embargoes — North Korea since 1950 and Cuba since 1962.
Picture credit score: Eric Lafforgue through Flickr
Nonetheless, North Korea has made its personal darkish colored soda. They name it Ryongjin Cola or ‘Cocoa Glowing’. It has the same purple packaging and cursive font, however does it have the identical nice style? 🤔 Tell us within the feedback for those who’ve tried it!
3) Sudan has probably the most pyramids on the earth (not Egypt)
Nubian Pyramids in Sudan. Picture credit score: Christopher Michel through Flickr
Egypt and pyramids are virtually synonymous, however do you know there are pyramids in Sudan too? Nubia, a area in Sudan, has 255 pyramids — twice the quantity in Egypt!
After ruling Egypt’s twenty fifth dynasty, the Nubian pharaohs fled to Sudan and fashioned the Kushite kingdom, incorporating the Egyptian tradition of their new metropolis.
Egypt’s Nice Sphinx of Giza. Picture credit score: Viajejet
The Nubian pyramids aren’t as broadly visited as these in Egypt. So likelihood is you’ll have the pyramids all to your self!
Picture credit score: @viajar_entre_viagens through Instagram
Jebel Barkal is probably the most rewarding out of the 4 most important websites. The pyramids there are well-preserved and stand beside a small mountain. Climb up the mountain simply earlier than sundown to catch beautiful views of the Nile!
4) Colombia’s brightest rainbow is in its river
Picture credit score: @micolombiaoficial through Instagram
Usually you’d discover rainbows within the sky, however the Caño Cristales, often known as the “River of 5 Colors”, beams brighter than any rainbow within the sky.
Situated in Colombia’s Serranía de la Macarena Nationwide Pure Park, this beautiful river owes its multi-coloured magnificence to the Macarenia Clavigera, a plant that lives within the riverbed. It’s finest to go to between Might to November when the river weeds blossom in yellow, blue, inexperienced and purple. They get brighter hues throughout this time because the waters are shallower, permitting extra daylight to succeed in the crops.
5) The Sahara Desert was once a tropical rainforest
Picture credit score: @crystal_mirallegro through Unsplash
The Sahara once more?! Belief me, this one’s additional cool.
The Sahara Desert is understood for being the world’s hottest desert. Nonetheless, simply 6,000 years in the past, this dry land was a lush rainforest with thick vegetation and excessive rainfall.
Though we didn’t witness the Sahara in full bloom, future generations would possibly. If the world survives the following 10,000 years, the identical fixed change in climate patterns may depart the Sahara wanting a complete lot totally different.
6) Macchu Pichu is an earthquake-proof metropolis
Picture credit score: Anton Ivanov
This historical Inca city rests on prime of two fault strains in Peru. Which means earthquakes had been anticipated occasions. So how did they dwell by way of it?
In truth, the Incans created an excellent engineering approach referred to as ‘ashlar masonry’, the place rocks are lower to suit completely collectively with out mortar. This allowed the stones to maneuver as a substitute throughout an earthquake, earlier than settling again of their unique positions. Genius or what?!
7) You could possibly stroll from Russia to Alaska (on ice)
Picture credit score: Wikipedia
Between Russia and Alaska lies the Bering Strait. When it freezes up within the winter, you may journey throughout, with 3.8km being the shortest finish.
Nonetheless, simply because it’s doable, doesn’t imply it’s authorized! Or secure, because the ocean winds are extraordinarily chilly and the ice under could shift.
In 2006, two adventurers set out from Alaska to cross the frozen path on foot. They crossed 90km in 15 days earlier than they had been detained in Russia for violating immigration legal guidelines.
*Professional-tip: Don’t do it!
8) China has just one timezone
Having a single timezone is okay if the solar rises and units on the similar time for everybody. Nonetheless, as Beijing is making ready to go to mattress at midnight, of us in Xinjiang are simply starting to look at the sundown.
That’s fairly wild contemplating how China is sort of the dimensions of the US, which has six timezones! Apparently, China didn’t all the time function on Beijing time. Beijing Normal Time was solely established in 1949 — a call by Chairman Mao Zedong within the title of nationwide unity.
Earlier than that, in 1912, there have been 5 recognised timezones that had been 5 and a half to eight and a half hours previous Greenwich Imply Time.
Fortunately, working round one timezone is however a gentle inconvenience to the Chinese language. Nonetheless, travellers planning to backpack by way of China ought to put together for his or her physique clocks to get just a little confused 🤪
Learn additionally: 2-Week China Itinerary — Rail Journey Throughout Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou
9) San Fransisco’s Golden Gate Bridge ‘speaks’
This is among the newer details concerning the world. In June 2020, San Francisco’s beloved Golden Gate Bridge began talking up about some amendments made to the railings on the bike path. Actually.
San Franciscans reported listening to eerie sounds from a number of kilometres away!
Metropolis officers defined it to be a case of excessive winds passing by way of the brand new handrails. The bridge is safer for customers when it faces much less wind resistance. Due to this fact, the sound is an effective signal that sturdy winds are passing by way of the bridge easily!
10) You’ll be able to go on a safari in Sri Lanka
Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons
Kenya isn’t the one safari expertise — there’s one other place nearer to house that’s half the value with its personal set of fantastic wildlife!
Lower than 4 hours away, in charming Sri Lanka, is Asia’s very personal Safari. On the open plains of Yala Nationwide Park, you’ll spot elephants, leopards, and even aquatic birds!
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Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons
Or go to Wilpattu Nationwide Park to see axis deer and sloth bears! 🦌
The very best time to go to can be between March and October — water ranges are decrease and also you’ll see extra animals come out to drink.
Picture credit score: @alexmustard1 through Instagram
One other cool reality about Sri Lanka is the annual sightings of migrating Blue Whales! Between December to April, witness the most important animals on the earth feed on krill within the Southern Coast.
The whales normally hand around in the waters by Mirissa. You’ll go the city on the way in which to Yala Nationwide Park, so why not pop in for some whale watching earlier than your safari journey!
11) An actual-life Spirited Away bathhouse exists in Tainan
Picture credit score: @hsingfang20 through Instagram
Jiufen, Taiwan, is popularly generally known as the mountain village that impressed Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. Nonetheless, down south in Tainan has a real-life reproduction of the famed bathhouse.
Situated within the Breezy Valley Artwork Village is the Breezy Village Guesthouse. It intently resembles the enduring bathhouse, particularly with Yubaba greeting you on the entrance — don’t offend her or she’ll flip you right into a pig! 🐷
For those who’re an enormous Miyazaki fan, add each areas to your subsequent Taiwan journey!
Learn additionally: 8D Taiwan Itinerary: Insider’s Information to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung through THSR
12) Thailand has a pageant to understand their monkeys
Each final Sunday of November, this pageant in Lopburi celebrates the Monkeys in a Monkey Buffet Competition.
In response to Sanskrit folklore, a heroic Monkey helped Prince Rama save his bride-to-be from the clutches of a ten-headed demon.
The resident monkeys of the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple are handled to 4,000 kilograms of fruits, greens, and Thai desserts — what an expansion! Locals additionally costume up as monkeys and carry out for his or her esteemed friends as they gobble down their royal feast.
Picture credit score: Chaiwat Subprasom through Reuters
This occasion is open to the general public however guests be warned — the monkeys can get aggressive and can steal something they get their palms on!
Learn extra: Month By Month Information to 26 Most Epic Festivals Round The World
13) You’re all the time seven years behind in Ethiopia
St. George Church, Lalibela, Ethiopia. Picture credit score: Mulugeta Wolde through Unsplash
Right here’s probably the most mindboggling details concerning the world — after we welcomed 2020, Ethiopia was solely 4 months into 2012 🤯
Identical to the Gregorian calendar (the one most of us are on), the Ethiopian calendar marks Christ’s start as the start line. Nonetheless, following alternate calculations of the annunciation of Christ, the Ethiopian calendar is seven to eight years behind.
Fortuitously, travellers aren’t affected by the distinction whereas they’re there. Trendy-day Ethiopia understands the Gregorian calendar and makes use of each calendars interchangeably. However for those who’re holding receipts for reimbursements, the date printed would possibly make it seem to be your journey was years in the past. To not fear although, all you need to do is convert your dates!
Essentially the most attention-grabbing variations are the yearly holidays — in contrast to the remainder of the world, Ethiopia celebrates New Years on September eleventh and Christmas on January seventh (in Gregorian calendar).
14) France is probably the most visited nation with 89 million annual vacationers
Based mostly on Singapore’s standard journey locations, I’d suppose both Japan or Thailand to be probably the most visited nation.
Surprisingly, earlier than COVID-19 made journey take a backseat, France was probably the most visited nation on the earth. Aside from exploring the town of affection, many travellers additionally go by way of it on their approach to Italy and Spain.
Is France one of many locations you propose to go to as soon as borders reopen?
15) These bats in Thailand are the world’s tiniest mammals
Don’t they appear to be french bulldogs with wings? Picture credit score: Matt Reinbold through Flickr
This could most likely be on the listing of cutest details concerning the world. Within the limestone caves of Sai Yok Nationwide Park are the world’s tiniest bats (and mammals)! Bat soup jokes apart, aren’t they lovable? 😍
The main points get even cuter — they develop as much as 33mm and weigh solely 2g. That’s solely 1mm larger than Singapore’s 50 cent coin!
They had been first found in 1973 by Kitti Thonglongya, a Thai biologist, and are often known as Kitti’s hog-nosed bat.
16) In Sweden, you may order Macs on skis
Picture credit score: Per-Olof Forsberg through Flickr
In Sweden, you don’t want a automobile to order from the drive-thru. However, you’ll want a pair of skis.
Everybody will get the Macadee munchies, particularly in adverse levels with boards in your toes. That’s why Sweden has blessed skiers with McSki since 1996 — the one ski-thru McDonald’s on the earth! Nothing warms you up greater than a field of nuggies after a troublesome day on the slopes. 🍟
17) There’s a village within the Netherlands with no streets, solely canals
Picture credit score: Mohamed Nedal through Fb
Venice isn’t the one city that will get round primarily by boat. Inside Giethoorn Village within the Netherlands, there are not any streets, solely footpaths and over 6km of canal.
The picturesque village is full of rustic cottages and surrounded by tall bushes — identical to a fairytale! Guests can both kayak by way of the scenic neighbourhood or trip a motorbike on the footpaths.
18) There’s a rock in Australia that’s larger than Ayer’s Rock Uluru
Picture credit score: @carnarvonvisitorcentre through Instagram
Once we discuss huge rocks in Australia, the famed Uluru is normally what involves thoughts — you may even see it from house!
Nonetheless, there’s a fair larger rock on the town. Mount Augustus is 2 and a half instances the dimensions of Uluru, and you need to drive 54km to get round it!
However on the finish of the day, Uluru nonetheless is the biggest single rock formation on the earth, often known as a monolith whereas Mount Augustus’ huge stature could also be composed of many layers of sand and gravel.
For those who’re planning to street journey in Western Australia, be sure you cease by this huge boy!
19) New Zealand has the steepest residential space on the earth
Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons
San Francisco is named a metropolis of slopes, with its steepest avenue angling up at 27°. For those who suppose that’s steep, strive residing on Baldwin Avenue in New Zealand.
The residential avenue in Dunedin gained the Guinness World Report with its 38° slope. The sharp incline makes all the homes appear to be they’re sunken into the bottom. Don’t take our phrase for it, however we’re positive the residents have thighs of metal.🦵🏻
20) In Hawaii, you may expertise sunny seashores and snowy mountains on the identical island
This is among the extra fascinating details concerning the world — finest for final!
Hawaii solely has two seasons — Summer time and Winter however it really has eight of the world’s 13 climates! At sea stage, the temperate hardly ever rises above 32°C or drops under 16°C however within the mountains of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala, it snows fairly usually!
Learn extra: 13 Causes Why Everybody Ought to Go to Honolulu, Hawaii
Uncover extra loopy details concerning the world
These attention-grabbing details concerning the world make us realise how rather more there may be to be taught and discover. Hopefully, because the world slowly recovers from COVID and borders reopen, we get to examine some locations off our bucket listing within the coming 12 months. Within the meantime, we will begin planning our subsequent journey whereas ready for journey to be secure once more!
Even with all of the well-known sights on our bucket listing, there are various loopy issues around the globe we’ve but to find. I stay up for the day I contact a liquid rainbow or expertise 10 totally different climates all in the identical a day!
Did any of those details concerning the world intrigue you? Share them with your pals and tell us within the feedback under how they react 🤪
