20 Interesting Facts That You (Probably) Didn’t Know (April 25, 2023)
The world we live in is an incredibly fascinating place, filled with countless wonders and hidden gems. No matter how much we learn, there's always something new waiting to be discovered. So, whether you're a trivia buff or just curious about the world around you, you're in the right place! We've scoured the globe to bring you 20 interesting facts you (probably) didn't know.
From mind-blowing scientific discoveries to lesser-known historical events, these tidbits of knowledge are sure to pique your interest and expand your understanding of the world. So buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey filled with surprises and awe-inspiring information!
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1
The world's smallest mammal
The bumblebee bat weighs less than a penny and measures about 1.1 inches in length. These tiny creatures are native to Thailand and Myanmar, where they inhabit limestone caves. Despite their small size, they have a wingspan of up to 6.7 inches and can fly at impressive speeds.
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2
Saturn's rings are made of ice
Saturn's rings are made primarily of ice particles, with some rock mixed in. They are incredibly thin, only about 30 feet thick on average. Despite their delicate appearance, these rings span up to 175,000 miles in width. Scientists believe that the rings formed from the remnants of a shattered moon or other celestial bodies.
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3
You can visit an underwater museum
There is an underwater museum called MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) located off the coast of Isla Mujeres and Cancún in Mexico. This unique museum features over 500 life-sized sculptures submerged in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The sculptures, made from materials that promote coral growth, serve a dual purpose: as an artistic attraction for divers and snorkelers and as an artificial reef to support marine life.
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4
Honey never spoils
Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible. The natural preservatives and low water content in honey give it an incredibly long shelf life.
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5
The tallest tree
The tallest tree in the world is a coast redwood named Hyperion, located in Redwood National Park in California. Standing at an astounding 379.7 feet tall, Hyperion is taller than the Statue of Liberty and would dwarf even a 30-story building. The exact location of the tree is kept secret to protect it from vandalism.
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6
A town called Hell
There is a town in Norway called Hell. While the name might suggest otherwise, Hell is actually a picturesque village with a population of around 1,600 people. The town's name comes from the Old Norse word "hellir," which means "overhang" or "cliff cave."
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7
First baseball game ever
The first recorded game of baseball was played in 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey. The game, which took place at Elysian Fields, was played between the New York Base Ball Club and the Knickerbockers. The New York club won the game, 23 to 1.
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8
Kangaroos can't moonwalk
Kangaroos are unable to walk backward. Due to their unique anatomy, with large hind legs and a long, muscular tail, they can only move forward. However, they are excellent jumpers and can cover up to 30 feet in a single leap.
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9
The world's largest cave
The world's largest known cave is Hang Son Doong in Vietnam. Discovered in 1991, the cave is over three miles long, 660 feet high, and 490 feet wide. Inside the cave, there's even a river, a jungle, and unique ecosystems that have evolved in isolation.
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10
Bananas are berries!
Bananas are actually berries, while strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are not. Botanically, a berry is a fleshy fruit produced from a single ovary. Bananas meet this definition, whereas the aforementioned "berries" do not, as they come from multiple ovaries.
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11
Chess is insanely complex
There are more possible iterations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the known universe. The number of potential moves in a chess game is estimated to be around 10^120, while the number of atoms in the observable universe is approximately 10^80. This astounding fact showcases the incredible complexity of the game.
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12
Ancient vending machine
The first recorded vending machine dates back to ancient Egypt. Invented by the Greek engineer and mathematician Hero of Alexandria, it dispensed holy water in exchange for a coin. The machine worked by using a lever system to release the water when a coin was inserted.
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13
An old pair of socks
The oldest known pair of socks, dating back to the 4th century CE, were designed to be worn with sandals. Discovered in Egypt, these socks were made from wool and featured a split-toe design to accommodate the sandals' thong strap.
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14
The smallest bone
The smallest bone is located in the human ear. Called the stapes, this bone is part of the middle ear's three tiny bones (ossicles) and is crucial for transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The stapes measures only about 2.5 to 3.3 millimeters in length.
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15
world's longest fence
Australia is home to the world's longest fence, known as the Dingo Fence or Dog Fence. Originally built in the 1880s to keep dingoes away from fertile land, it stretches over 3,480 miles from the eastern to the southern coast of the continent.
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16
Big heart
A blue whale's heart is so large that a person could swim through its arteries. The heart of a fully-grown blue whale can weigh up to 1,300 pounds and is approximately the size of a small car. The aorta, the main blood vessel, has a diameter of about 9 inches.
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17
shortest war in history
The shortest war in history took place between Britain and the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1896. Lasting only 38 to 45 minutes, the Anglo-Zanzibar War was sparked by a dispute over the succession of the Zanzibar Sultanate. British forces emerged victorious after a brief bombardment of the palace.
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18
Super Squirrel Strength
Squirrels can lift heavy objects relative to their size. These small, furry creatures are known for their incredible agility, but they also possess surprising strength. Some squirrels have been observed carrying objects as heavy as their own body weight or even heavier, which is quite impressive considering their small stature.
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19
Bubble Wrap Popping Fun
Originally intended as wallpaper. Bubble wrap, the stress-relieving and ever-popular packing material, was initially designed to be a trendy form of textured wallpaper. In 1957, inventors Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes created bubble wrap by sealing two shower curtains together, but it wasn't until they discovered its potential as a packing material that it became a global sensation.
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20
Thank god for modern Dentistry
Ancient Romans used urine as mouthwash. In Ancient Rome, urine was a valuable commodity due to its ammonia content, which made it an effective cleaning agent. Romans used it to whiten their teeth and freshen their breath, believing that the ammonia would help keep their teeth healthy. While it may sound unappealing to modern sensibilities, urine was a surprisingly effective dental hygiene tool in the Roman Empire.
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