World Facts

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Los Angeles County, California, U.S.A. is home to shorelines, mountains, and one of the largest cities in the world.

Most Populous Counties In The United States

According to official US Census Bureau Estimates from 2014, 4 of the top 10 are in California, which is also the most populous state in the U.S.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Unicorn of Scotland and red lion rampant on the medieval scottish stone wall

Did You Know That Scotland’s National Animal Is The Unicorn?

The mythical creature has long been a symbol of purity, healing, and, interestingly enough, of Scotland.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Left: The first successful powered flight of the Wright Flyer in 1903. Right: Armstrong takes the first human steps onto the moon in 1969.

Did You Know Only 66 Years Separated The First Successful Plane Flights And Moon Landings?

The Wright Brother's revolutionary feat in 1903 was followed by that of Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin in 1969.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Contemporary Londoners, such as these young Britons, are an increasingly diverse mix of people from different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.

Did You Know London's Population Is Just Now Returning To Pre-World War II Levels?

London's resurgence in population has been largely fueled by immigrants from former British overseas possessions.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Nobody likes getting a speeding ticket, but in some parts of the world it can be a bigger pain in the neck (and wallet!) than in others.

Did You Know That Speeding Tickets Can Cost Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars In Finland?

In Scandinavia and certain other parts of the world, traffic violation fines are allocated based on income, and thus wealthy individuals incur hefty speeding fees.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Climate change-related flooding fosters the growth of bacteria, as well mosquitoes and their larvae (pictured), which serve as disease vectors.

Is Climate Change Making Us More Vulnerable To Infectious Diseases?

According to health experts, changes in global climatic patterns are increasing the risks associated with spreading a number of diseases.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Changes in climatic and hydrologic patterns are shifting the disparity between the Earth's accepted magnetic and geographic Poles at a rate never before seen.

Did You Know That The North Pole Is Moving As The Earth Becomes More Off Balance?

NASA scientists contend that climate change is shifting the Earth's surface water, and moving the North Pole towards England in the process.

April 25, 2017 12:31

As it would turn out, it is not only human funerals that crows and ravens are associated with, as they hold some of their own.

Did You Know Crows Hold Funerals For One Another?

What could be the reasoning behind these macabre birds apparently performing such somber ceremonies?

April 25, 2017 12:31

The Rarest Plants On Earth

Only a handful of each of these unique plants can be found living anywhere on our globe today.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Teenage access to, and education regarding the use of, contraceptives is an important part of maintaining low teen pregnancy rates.

Countries With The Lowest Teen Pregnancy Rates

Teen pregnancy rates are particularly low in parts of East Asia and Europe as compared to global norms.

April 25, 2017 12:31

For many rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, electricity can seem well beyond one's grasp.

Countries With The Least Rural Electrification

The lowest levels of rural electricity access are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Modern irrigation and chemical application systems have allowed many farmers in desert regions to produce bounties on former wastelands.

Countries Growing The Most Cereal Crops Per Hectare

Good climates and modern farming methods allow farmers in certain parts of the world to get the most out of their land.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Although nobody wants to be struck by a natural disaster or man-made calamity, many countries fail to take the right steps to mitigate their effects.

Worst Countries At Reducing Disaster Risk

These countries fall far behind global standards in reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Damage caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Best Countries At Reducing Disaster Risk

Each of these 10 nations earns a gold star when it comes to mitigating disaster risk.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Particulate emissions in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan have detrimental effects on the nation's economic output.

15 Countries With The Highest Relative Productivity Losses From Particulate Emissions

Poor environmental health can devastate worker productivity, especially in the developing world.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Lasting from 1983 to 2005, the Second Sudanese Civil War saw Sudan lose its largest oil fields to the newly independent South Sudan, a major economic blow.

10 National Economies Least Dependent On Exports

Relative to GDP, these countries have the lowest share of their value added by the export of goods and services.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Ships being loaded in Hong Kong Harbor to transport exports all around the globe.

15 Countries With The Most Export-Driven Economies

In these parts of the globe, producing goods and services for consumers abroad keeps national economies humming.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Eastern Libyan cities and towns in Cyrenaica, such as the one pictured above, were struck especially hard by the recent civil war in the country.

12 Countries With The Worst GNI Growth Per Capita

In today's global economy, there are developed and developing countries alike struggling to achieve GNI per capita growth.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Countries Where Teachers Are Paid Small Shares Of Secondary School Budgets

In certain places, large portions of secondary education budgets are used for financial aid to students, scholarships, uniforms, school supplies, and similar needs instead of paying staff.

April 25, 2017 12:31