Location is a fascinating subject that encompasses whatever from the highest peaks to the inmost oceans. It tells the story of our world and the forces that shape it. Here are the 10 most fantastic geography realities that will leave you in awe of the natural world.
1. Canada has more lakes than the remainder of the world combined
Picture: LASZLO ILYES.
Image by Christianabend.
The variety of lakes bigger than 3 square kilometers is estimated at near to 31,752 by the Atlas of Canada, of which 561 lakes have an area bigger than 100 km2, including four of the Great Lakes. All in all, a tremendous 9% of Canadas surface area is covered in freshwater.
Canada is the second biggest country on the face of the Earth, and if theres something individuals love about this North American nation, its simply how much natural charm you can discover all over. There are stunning mountains, rivers, and even beaches. Its Canadas lakes that are maybe the most intriguing– and their sheer number is mindblowing. Out of all the natural lakes on the planet larger than 10 hectares, more than 60% are located in Canada, according to a research study from McGill University.
2. After Warsaw, Chicago has the largest Polish population on the planet
Warsaw is Polands capital, having under 3 million residents, out of which 95% have Polish origins. Besides Warsaw, there isnt a single city with a bigger Polish population than Chicago, even though Poland itself numbers 37 million occupants.
Warsaw. Image by Adrian Grycuk.
Polish market in Chicago
Thats pretty mindblowing, however New York City is a completely different cosmopolitan beast altogether. In NYC, there are more Italians than in Rome, more Irish than in Dublin, and more Jews than in Tel Aviv.
Its pretty difficult to say just how much of Chicagos population is of Polish descent, with estimates ranging from 150,000 occupants to 1,9 million.
Chicago is the third biggest city in the United States, with 7.5 million people living in the city. Due to the big population of Polish descent, the architecture and culture of the city significantly resemble that of Poland. You can discover Polish theaters, markets, and even a Polish paper.
Chicago. Image by Allen McGregor.
Ladies Wearing Traditional Polish Outfits. Image by włodi
3. The biggest city worldwide is Hulunbuir, at 263,953 km2
The grasslands of Hulunbuir. Image by llee_wu
What do you think is the worlds biggest city? New York? The worlds largest city by surface area is the obscure remote city of Hulunbuir, situated deep in Chinas meadows of Inner Mongolia.
Just 2.5 million people live within Hulunbuirs huge city limitations measuring more than 263,000 square kilometers. In spite of its substantial area, Hulunbuir is developed as a prefecture-level city under Chinese law. So although there are more camels than taxis, Hulunbuir is technically an urban district whose city limitations stretch over an area about the size of Great Britain. Similarly, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, in the Australian Outback, is run by a mayor and city board despite the fact that it covers more area than Portugal. You may think this is just a silly technicality– and you may not be wrong– but like it or not, Hulunbuir is the worlds biggest city by surface area.
4. The driest place on Earth is near Ross Island, Antarctica; it hasnt drizzled there for millions of years
As you step off the aircraft, the very first thing you observe is the silence. Invite to the McMurdo Dry Valleys, the driest place on Earth.
Picture by NASA.
The McMurdo Dry Valleys are a network of valleys found in Antarcticas Victoria Land, near the McMurdo Station research base. These valleys are special due to the fact that they are the only ice-free areas on the continent and have not seen any considerable precipitation for countless years.
5. The deepest hole dug by male is over 12 km deep
The core is under this rusty, metallic cap. Photo by Rakot13
In that duration, geologists and geophysicists had only indirect proof as to what was going on in the Earths crust, and superdeep boreholes provided much-needed information for a better understanding of the underlying geology by utilizing direct observation. Even to this day, details gathered from this task is still being examined and interpreted.
The borehole also resulted in some fascinating discoveries, including a huge amount of hydrogen, so massive that the mud was actually “boiling” with it.
The Kola Superdeep Borehole has a depth of 12,261 meters– that s one and a half Everests deep, or deeper than the Mariana trench.
6. Continents move at the same rate as your fingernails grow
The rate at which the continents move is exceptionally sluggish, balancing about the same rate as your fingernails grow, about 2-3 cm per year. This may not look like much, however over countless years, it can amount to significant ranges.
The motion of the continents is discussed by the theory of plate tectonics. This theory specifies that the Earths crust is made up of numerous rigid plates that walk around on the softer, more flexible layer underneath. These plates come together, move apart, and slide past each other, causing the continents to alter and move shape in time.
As you kick back and appreciate your freshly trimmed nails, have you ever wondered about the grand dance of the continents? The motion of these huge landmasses might seem imperceptible, but in truth, they shift at about the exact same rate as your fingernails grow.
7. The tallest mountain in the world is technically not Mt. Everest
Mauna Kea. Credit: Flickr.
At 8,850 meters (29,035 feet), Mt. Everest is the highest point above sea level. That distinction goes to Mauna Kea, an inactive shield volcano in Hawaii, whose base is immersed under 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) of water.
8. Sudan has nearly twice as many pyramids as Egypt
Sudan is home to 200 to 250 pyramids, compared to Egypts 130, much of which are older and bigger than the pyramids in Egypt. These pyramids were constructed by the ancient Kingdom of Kush, which existed in contemporary Sudan and Egypt from around 800 BCE to 350 CE. The Kingdom of Kush was an effective civilization that controlled a large part of the Nile valley and traded with other cultures such as Egypt.
Sudans forgotten pyramids. Credit: JSTOR Daily.
When we think about pyramids, the ancient structures in Egypt most likely come to mind. However did you know that there are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt? These lesser-known pyramids use a brand-new perspective on the rich history of ancient Africa.
The pyramids in Sudan are integrated in an unique style that sets them apart from those in Egypt. They are made of mud brick, and the smooth, sloping sides are covered in a layer of white limestone. The pyramids are likewise integrated in clusters, with several pyramids organized together to form a cemetery for a single royal family.
9. Theres an island in the Philippines in the middle of a lake, on another island thats within a lake, on an island
Thats all right, I had to read that twice too when I first found out about this mother of geographical beginnings. Lake Taal in the Philippines, which is situated on the island of Luzon, has its own island called Volcano island, where another lake is found, called Crater Lake, which contains its own island called Vulcan Point.
A photo taken from the International Space Station reveals Taal Lake with Volcano Island containing Crater Lake. The island Vulcan Point is barely noticeable. Image credit: NASA Johnson/Flickr
As uncommon as this may sound, Vulcan Point isnt the only island within a lake in an island within a lake in an island. Theres really a much bigger four-acre island within a lake system in Canada.
10. Papua New Guinea is the most multilingual country, with over 840 spoken languages
his diversity can be mainly associated to the nations location and history. The mountainous and rugged surface of Papua New Guinea has actually made it difficult for various groups to interact and communicate with each other. As an outcome, numerous neighborhoods have actually remained separated and have established their own languages.
A picture taken from the International Space Station shows Taal Lake with Volcano Island consisting of Crater Lake. As they spread throughout the islands, they brought with them their own languages and cultures.
As you take a trip through Papua New Guinea, youll quickly understand that this country differs from any other. Among the most striking distinctions is the large variety of languages spoken here– with over 840 languages, Papua New Guinea has the most languages on the planet. Why is this nation so linguistically varied?
Another aspect that has contributed to Papua New Guineas linguistic variety is the Austronesian migration. The Austronesian individuals, who originated from Taiwan and the Philippines, began to settle in Papua New Guinea around 4000 years ago. As they spread out throughout the islands, they brought with them their own languages and cultures.
Its Canadas lakes that are maybe the most interesting– and their sheer number is mindblowing. Out of all the natural lakes in the world larger than 10 hectares, more than 60% are situated in Canada, according to a study from McGill University.
The worlds largest city by surface area is the little-known remote city of Hulunbuir, located deep in Chinas meadows of Inner Mongolia.
Over time, these languages have actually diversified and evolved to become the 840 languages that are spoken in Papua New Guinea today. The Austronesian languages form the majority of the languages spoken in the country however the non-Austronesian languages also have a significant percentage.