Caitriona Maria

The most interesting facts about Cuba, from its infamous leftist revolution to the bee hummingbird – the world’s smallest bird.

The most interesting facts about Mauritania, from the last country in the world to abolish slavery to the world’s longest train.

The most interesting facts about Lebanon, from one of the world’s oldest countries to a capital city once known as the “Paris of the East”.

The most interesting facts about Tajikistan, from the world’s second-highest road, the Pamir Highway, to a capital city called Monday.

The most interesting facts about South Sudan, from Africa’s newest nation and decades of conflict to “mega-herds” of migrating wildlife.

The most interesting facts about Togo include once being known as the “The Slave Coast” and having its first president assassinated.

The most interesting facts about Nigeria, from the twins capital of the world to Nollywood – the world’s second-largest film industry.

The most interesting facts about Tunisia, from the northernmost point of Africa to triggering a wave of revolutions across the Arab World.

The most interesting facts about Liberia, from Africa’s oldest republic to pygmy hippos known as “water cows”.

The most interesting facts about Libya, from an ancient crossroads of civilisations to bizarre natural phenomena in the Sahara Desert.

The most interesting facts about Zambia, from the world’s largest curtain of falling water to near-blind rats that can sense magnetic fields.

The most interesting facts about Yemen, from the origins of mocha coffee to a rare species of tree grown from the blood of a dragon.

The most interesting facts about Turkmenistan, from a president nicknamed “The Turkmenator” to a fire pit called the “Door to Hell”.

From the richest man who has ever lived to the world’s largest mud-brick structure, these are the most interesting facts about Mali.

The most interesting facts about Barbados, from the world’s oldest rum to the home of Rihanna and some of the world’s best cricketers.

The most interesting facts about Kuwait, from remote control camel racing to one of the richest populations in the world.

The most interesting facts about Malawi, from one of the planet’s largest and deepest lakes to selling the presidential jet to raise funds.

The most interesting facts about Samoa, from jumping back and forth over the International Dateline to the origins of tattoos.

The most interesting facts about Senegal, from killer hippopotamuses, Africa’s Mecca and Africa’s tallest statue.

The most interesting facts about Qatar, from the world’s richest country to a giant teddy bear and a dedicated falconry market.

Home to the “African Che Guevara” and one of the world’s youngest populations, these are the most interesting facts about Burkina Faso.

From the world’s hungriest country to superb star-gazing, these are the most interesting facts about the Central African Republic.

The most interesting facts about Benin, from the “Venice of Africa” and reverence for snakes, to the largest intact eco-system in West Africa.

The most interesting facts about the Marshall Islands, from hosting dozens of nuclear weapons tests to the world’s largest shark sanctuary.

The most interesting facts about Laos, from a tragic history, one of the world’s last communist states and a collection of over 2,100 stone jars.

The most interesting facts about Cameroon, from a poisonous lake to the world’s largest frog that builds its own ponds using rocks.

From the mysterious Tree of Life to the world’s largest underwater theme park, these are the most interesting facts about Bahrain.

The most interesting facts about Indonesia, from the world’s smelliest plant to the largest packet of instant noodles ever created.

The most interesting facts about Haiti, from the world’s first black-led republic to the birth of a unique religion and the origin of zombies.

The most interesting facts about the Solomon Islands, from an island named after US President Kennedy to a giant rat that fell from a tree.

The most interesting facts about Micronesia, from giant crabs, a colour-blind island and the world’s longest-running humanitarian airlift.

The most interesting facts about Burundi, from a man-eating crocodile called Gustave to a tragic history of genocide and war.

The most interesting facts about Brunei, from the world’s biggest palace to the monument built for the billionth barrel of oil.

Interesting facts about Vanuatu include bungee jumping, worshipping a British prince and being one of the world’s happiest nations.

Africa’s richest woman, a rediscovered antelope and an immense waterfall are among the most interesting facts about Angola.

No capital city and a devastating phosphate mine are just two of the most interesting facts about Nauru, one of the world’s smallest countries.

The most interesting facts about Uzbekistan, from one of the planet’s worst environmental disasters to the crossroad of the world’s cultures.

The most interesting facts about Palau, from millions of harmless jellyfish to stone monoliths known as the ‘Easter Island of Micronesia’.

The most interesting facts about Papua New Guinea include isolated tribes, the world’s first gardeners, cannibalism and a poisonous bird.

No ATMs and no army are just two of the most interesting facts about Tuvalu, one of the smallest and least visited countries in the world.

The most interesting facts about Honduras include the magnificent Mesoamerican Reef, ancient Mayan ruins and the 100-hour “football war”.

From nuclear tests and vanishing islands to the first country to celebrate the New Year, these are the most interesting facts about Kiribati.

From the world’s longest beach to the most densely populated country, these are the most interesting facts about Bangladesh.

From ancient Mayan ruins, active volcanoes and alarming crime statistics, these are the most interesting facts about El Salvador.

From ancient nomadic culture to one of the world’s greatest empires, these are the most interesting facts about Mongolia.

The most interesting facts about Azerbaijan, from unique geographical features to the origins of the Vikings?

From the world’s worst football team to one of the world’s smallest countries, these are the most interesting facts about San Marino.

The most interesting facts about Belarus, from Europe’s last dictatorship to a festival where soldiers smash bricks with their heads.

The most interesting facts about Antigua and Barbuda, from pink-sand beaches to a mountain renamed in honour of President Obama.

The most interesting facts about Singapore, from the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to the founding of World Toilet Day.

The most interesting facts about Somalia include a gigantic coastline, prehistoric rock paintings and a tragic and troubled history.

The most interesting facts about Armenia, from the world’s oldest winery and leather shoe to compulsory chess lessons for school children.

The most interesting facts about Kyrgyzstan include an epic poem, a rich nomadic culture and the World Nomad Games.

From an annual penis festival to the world’s highest density of vending machines, these are the most interesting facts about Japan.

From one of the oldest continuous civilisations to the nose job capital of the world, these are the most interesting facts about Iran.

The most interesting facts about Vietnam, from outstanding natural beauty to one of the most deadly conflicts in history.

From rich flora and fauna to a tragic history, these are the most interesting facts about the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Interesting facts about Saudi Arabia, from the birthplace of Islam and a dangerous driving stunt known as “sidewalk skiing”.

From a giant desert engulfing four-fifths of the country to the world’s smallest fox, these are the most interesting facts about Algeria.

The most interesting facts about Ghana include a history-making 10-year-old DJ and a world record for running backwards.

The most interesting facts about Mexico, from ancient civilisations home to the world’s largest pyramid to its sinking capital city.

The last sherpas of Europe, a ‘Clapping Tower’ and the ‘Cage of Shame’ are some of the most interesting facts about Slovakia.

From ancient stilt houses to the man who swam the Amazon River, these are the most interesting facts about Slovenia.

From Europe’s youngest country to one of just two nations with a map on its flag, these are the most interesting facts about Kosovo.

Though the modern age has greatly changed the world, many landmarks of medieval beauty remain. Castles and cathedrals, monasteries and fortresses, and even the foundational roads and buildings in some cities reflect life centuries ago. With UNESCO currently supporting an … Read More

In a world of modern marvels, it may seem impossible that some could imagine details centuries earlier. And yet, there are many instances of individuals predicting the future, some so specific that it feels rather eerie. The Moon Landing In … Read More

People from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds often have different ideas about what is wrong and what is right—what is illegal and what is legal. These different moral concepts lead to legislation that may seem strange and even bizarre to … Read More

From ‘the smoke that thunders’ to the capital city of the legendary Queen of Sheba, these are the most interesting facts about Zimbabwe.

From Europe’s oldest restaurant to the world’s largest castle by land area, these are the most interesting facts about Poland.

From the world’s oldest pet cat to the only capital city to straddle two nations, these are the most interesting facts about Cyprus.

From the inventor of jeans to the world’s first decorated Christmas tree (maybe), these are the most interesting facts about Latvia.

The most interesting facts about Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, from the playground of the ultra-wealthy to the Gem of the Antilles.

A ranking of the angriest countries in the world according to the latest Global Emotions Report published by Gallup

From a town still haunted by vampires to a gruesome tower made of skulls, these are the most interesting facts about Serbia.

The most interesting facts about Taiwan, from a toilet-themed restaurant to garbage trucks that play classical music.

A global ranking of countries most impacted by terrorism, using the latest available data from the Global Terrorism Index.

A global ranking of the most corrupt countries in the world according to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index.

A ranking of countries by the prevalence of depression, measured by the percentage of the population suffering from depressive disorders.

We take a look at the world’s 21 countries that don’t have an army, from tiny island nations to states who abolished their militaries.

A global ranking of the most powerful cities in the world, according to the Mori Memorial Foundation’s latest Global Power City Index.

Ranking the safest cities in the world, according to the latest Safe Cities Index report from The Economist Intelligence Unit.

A ranking of OECD countries with the highest minimum wage, measured by hourly and annual wage, using the latest available data from the OECD.

A global ranking of countries that drink the most alcohol, measured by alcohol consumption per capita, using the latest available data.

The tallest flagpole in the world is the Jeddah Flagpole, located in Saudi Arabia. Erected in 2014, the flagpole stands 171m (561ft) high.

A global ranking of the worst countries for air pollution, measured by the number of deaths per 100,000 people of a given country.

A global ranking of the world’s hungriest countries, using the latest report from the Global Hunger Index (GHI).