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Counterintuitive facts, quiz deep dives and knowledge stories.
How Far Is Africa from Europe?
At the narrowest point, only about 14 kilometers (9 miles) separate Africa and Europe. From Tarifa in Spain you can see Morocco with the naked eye. And two Spanish cities sit on African soil.
How Many People Have Ever Lived on Earth?
About 117 billion people have ever been born. Only around 7 percent of them are alive right now. The myth that the living outnumber the dead is busted. The numbers behind this will surprise you.
How Fast Does the Earth Spin, Really?
At the equator you are spinning at about 1,674 km/h, faster than the speed of sound. At the North Pole you barely move at all. Here is why you never feel it, and why a day is not actually 24 hours long.
How Many Ants Are There on Earth?
Researchers ran the numbers in 2022: around 20 quadrillion ants live on Earth. That's 2.5 million per person. Together they outweigh every wild bird and mammal on the planet.
How Deep Is the Deepest Hole in the World?
The deepest hole in the world goes down 12,262 meters. Drilled in Russia, stopped at 180 °C. Deeper than the Mariana Trench, yet only 0.2 percent of the way to Earth's center.
How Many Stars Can You See With the Naked Eye?
Most people guess millions. The real answer is about 2,500. Across the entire sky there are only 9,096 stars bright enough for human eyes to catch.
How Fast Does Bamboo Actually Grow?
Bamboo can grow up to 91 centimeters in a single day. No other plant on Earth is faster. And bamboo is not even a tree.
How Old Is the Oldest Tortoise in the World?
Jonathan the giant tortoise is 194 years old, the oldest known land animal alive. He hatched around 1832, before photographs or telephones existed. Here is how a tortoise reaches nearly 200.
The Shortest War in History Lasted Just 38 Minutes
On August 27, 1896, the shortest war in history began and ended: Britain against Zanzibar, over in about 38 minutes. Here is how it happened and why the exact length is still debated.
How Long Is the Great Wall of China Really?
Officially, the Great Wall of China is 21,196 km long. That is more than the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole. Yet you can't see it from space. Here is what's behind the number.
Which Country Has the Longest Coastline in the World?
Most people guess Russia or Australia. Wrong: Canada has the longest coastline in the world, around 202,080 km, beating the next four countries combined.
Which Planet Is the Hottest in the Solar System?
Almost everyone guesses Mercury because it sits closest to the Sun. But the hottest planet in the solar system is Venus, at roughly 464°C. The reason is a greenhouse effect that completely ran away.