10 world facts that few people know

1)Mount Everest is not the tallest mountain in the world

Many people believe that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. However, that is not entirely true. While Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, it is not the tallest mountain from base to summit. That honor belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii, which measures 10,203 meters from its base on the ocean floor to its summit.

2)Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined

Canada is home to an impressive number of lakes. In fact, the country has over 3 million lakes, which is more than the rest of the world combined. If you're a fan of water sports or just love the outdoors, Canada is the perfect destination for you.

3)The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes

The Anglo-Zanzibar War is considered the shortest war in history, lasting only 38 minutes. The war broke out on August 27, 1896, when the British Empire declared war on the Zanzibar Sultanate. The British had a powerful navy, and after just a few rounds of firing, the Zanzibar defenders surrendered.

4)The driest place on Earth is in Antarctica

The Atacama Desert in South America is often considered the driest place on Earth, but that is not entirely accurate. The title of the driest place on Earth goes to the Dry Valleys in Antarctica. These valleys are so dry that scientists use them as a model for what Mars might look like.

5)The Canary Islands are named after dogs, not birds

Many people assume that the Canary Islands are named after the bird. However, the islands are actually named after dogs. The islands were originally named "Canaria" by the Romans, which means "Island of the Dogs". The name was given because of the large number of wild dogs that roamed the islands at the time.

6)The world's largest diamond was found in South Africa

The Cullinan diamond, which weighed a staggering 3,106 carats, was discovered in South Africa in 1905. The diamond was so large that it had to be broken into smaller pieces before it could be sold. The largest piece, known as the Great Star of Africa, is now part of the British Crown Jewels.

7)The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living structure

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is often referred to as the largest coral reef in the world. However, it is much more than that. The Great Barrier Reef is actually the largest living structure on the planet, stretching over 2,300 kilometers and housing thousands of different species of marine life.

8)The world's oldest tree is over 4,800 years old

The oldest tree in the world is a bristlecone pine named Methuselah, located in the White Mountains of California. The tree is over 4,800 years old, making it one of the oldest living things on the planet. Methuselah's location is kept secret to protect it from vandals.

9)The country with the most time zones is France

While many people assume that Russia has the most time zones, that title actually belongs to France. France has 12 time zones, ranging from French Guiana in South America to the French territories in the Pacific Ocean.

10)The world's largest shopping mall is in China

The New Century Global Center in Chengdu, China is the world's largest shopping mall, covering a total area of 1.7 million square meters. The mall features a massive indoor beach, a water park, an ice rink, a 14-screen cinema, and over 1,000 stores.

In conclusion, the world is full of fascinating facts that many people are unaware of. From the tallest mountain to the driest place on Earth, the world is full of incredible wonders and surprises waiting to be discovered. By expanding our knowledge of the world, we can gain a better appreciation of the planet we live on and the incredible diversity of life that it supports.