15 Most Interesting Facts About

Introduction:

There are many strange and incredible facts out there that you’ve probably never even heard of. Did you know that the snail can sleep for up to three years, or that the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most dangerous races in the world? Here, we reveal a selection of 15 of the most fascinating and interesting facts from around the world. Read on to learn more!

Fact 1: Japan has more pet cats than people.

It’s estimated that Japan has at least 30 million pet cats, compared to just 25 million people. Owning a pet cat is an especially popular pastime in Japan, perhaps due to the fact that cats symbolize good luck and fortune in the Japanese culture. In addition, Japan is also home to some of the most ‘purrfectly’ unusual and popular breeds, such as the fluffy and people-loving Munchkin cat.

Fact 2: There are more twin births every year than ever before.

Statistics show that the number of twin births has doubled in the past three decades. This is likely due to an increase in double IVF treatments, as well as older mothers being more likely to conceive twins than younger mothers. Worldwide, Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births, with 33 out of every 1,000 births producing twins.

Fact 3: The world’s largest spider is the size of a dinner plate.

The Goliath bird-eater, which can be found in rainforests in the northern part of South America, holds the title of the world’s largest spider. It has a record leg span of up to an impressive 11 inches, which is big enough to cover an entire dinner plate. Although its name suggests otherwise, this spider rarely eats birds.

Fact 4: The Grand Canyon could fit the entire population of the United States.

The Grand Canyon is an amazing natural wonder. The size of this incredible natural attraction is hard to fathom, but did you know that the Grand Canyon is big enough to fit the entire population of the United States? The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep in some parts.

Fact 5: Men smile more than women.

Studies have shown that men are more likely to smile more than women. According to the research, men often display more facial gestures of happiness than women, regardless of the age or country of origin. A possible explanation for this is that women are more selective in displaying their emotions, in comparison to men.

Fact 6: Dolphins can stay awake for two weeks.

Dolphins are incredibly intelligent creatures, but did you know that they can actually stay awake for up to two weeks straight? Because dolphins don’t have eyelids, they can’t close their eyes to enter a sleeping state, as most other animals do. Instead, dolphins rest one half of their brain at a time, allowing them to still be alert and attentive while also catching a few ‘z’s.

Fact 7: Sailors used to keep cats on ships to prevent rats.

Back in sailing times, rats were common stowaways on ships. To keep the animals away, many sailors opted to bring along cats, as these felines have a natural hunting instinct to keep rats at bay. By the 19th century, cats were a common pet for many sea voyages.

Fact 8: Cockroaches can live for a week without their heads.

A cockroach’s head can be chopped off and the insect can still keep living for up to a week. This is possible due to the fact that a cockroach’s essential organs are in its body, not inside its head. While the insect is undoubtedly doomed in the long-term, it can survive and operate for a short while without its head.

Fact 9: Bacteria have survived in outer space.

In 2008, scientists sent a sample of Deinococcus Radiodurans — a bacteria species known for its extreme radiation-resistance — into outer space to test its longevity in a low-gravity environment. Amazingly, the bacteria was able to survive and kept multiplying in space. This showed how resilient and hardy things can be even in the most extreme conditions.

Fact 10: Apples are 25% air.

You might think an apple is dense and solid, but in fact, this firm fruit is actually almost 25% air! An apple is made up of mostly water, at 84%, but also cellulose and pectin – a substance that makes the structure of the fruit become 10-20% air. This means that an apple is made up of solid, liquid, and gas components.

Fact 11: The human body has enough iron to make a nail.

Iron is a vital mineral for the human body, as it improves the oxygenation of blood and other body cells. Believe it or not, an average person has enough iron in their body to actually make a small nail! Men have around 4.7 grams of iron in their bodies, while women have 3.5 grams.

Fact 12: Jellyfish are the world’s oldest living organism.

Jellyfish have been around for over 650 million years, making them one of the oldest forms of life on Earth. The Turritopsis nutricula jellyfish is unique, as it can actually transform itself back into an immature state when it is damaged or aging. This jellyfish species can live royalty; it will likely never die!

Fact 13: The Empire State Building takes around 1 lightning strike per minute.

One of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Empire State Building, actually takes around one lightning strike per minute during a thunderstorm – quite remarkable! To ensure the structure stays safe during bad weather, the Empire State Building is fitted with lightning rods on each spire, which helps to direct any lightning safely to the ground.

Fact 14: 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct.

Scientists estimate that around 99% of all species that ever lived on Earth are now extinct. A majority of these extinctions happened more than 10,000 years ago, most likely due to large ecological changes around this time as the Earth began to warm up.

Fact 15: The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most dangerous races in the world.

The Monaco Grand Prix is an annual Formula 1 race that takes place in Monaco. It’s one of the most iconic events in the world of motorsport. As the track is very narrow and winding, the race is often considered one of the most dangerous on the calendar.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering these 15 fascinating facts from around the world. From cats in Japan and snakes in islands, to bacteria in space and nails made from iron – it’s safe to say that we are just scratching the surface of the vast wealth of fascinating facts out there!