Interesting Geographic Facts in US and around world

• Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain on Earth:
  • Mount Everest may be the tallest mountain above sea level, but Mauna Kea in Hawaii is taller from its base at the bottom of the Pacific
  • Mauna Kea is 13,769 feet above sea level, but 32,880 feet from its base
• Mexico City is sinking into the Earth:
  • Mexico City is sinking around 3.2 feet every year
  • It has sunk an unbelievable 32 feet over the last 60 years due to the consumption of groundwater
• The Philippines has more than 7,600 islands:
  • The Archipelago of the Philippines is home to more than 7,641 islands
  • This is more than the previously believed 7,107 islands
• Alaska is both the westernmost and easternmost part of the United States:
  • Alaska is the westernmost state of the United States
  • Due to its large size, it also stretches far to the west, making it the easternmost part of the country as well
• Island-ception in the Philippines:
  • In the Philippines, there is an island in the middle of a lake, which is on an island in a lake, that's on an island
  • Vulcan Point is an island inside Main Crater Lake, which is situated on Volcano Island, which is located in Lake Taal on the island of Luzon
• Morning and night happen at the same time in Russia:
  • Russia has 11 time zones out of the 24 in the entire world
  • This means that while it is morning on one side of the country, it is evening on the other side
• The Sargasso Sea has no coasts:
  • The Sargasso Sea is the only sea without any coasts
  • It is surrounded by four ocean currents and has no land
• Mount Augustus is the largest rock in the world:
  • Mount Augustus in Australia is not a mountain, but a massive rock
  • It stands more than 2,300 feet tall and is more than twice the size of Ayers Rock

• Great Barrier Reef: A Heart in the Ocean:
  • The Great Barrier Reef, spanning 1,429 miles of Australia's coastline, has a heart-shaped reef that was first spotted in 1955.
  • The heart is 55 feet in diameter and is part of the Hardy Reef in Whitsunday's.
• Mount Everest Isn't the Closest Mountain to the Moon:
  • Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is closer to the moon than Mount Everest by 1.5 miles.
  • This is because Earth is not a sphere, but an oval inflated in the middle, and the equator pushes Mount Chimborazo higher.
• Africa: Spanning All Four Hemispheres:
  • Africa covers the north, south, east, and west hemispheres, making it the only continent to do so.
  • It covers 12 million square miles and is home to 54 countries, with Algeria being the largest.
• The Abundance of Water on Earth:
  • More than 71% of the planet is covered in water, but humans can only consume 0.007% of it.
  • Only 2.5% of the water is freshwater, and of that, only 1% is readily accessible.
• A Piece of England in North Carolina:
  • A piece of land in Ocracoke, North Carolina, is leased forever to England as a cemetery and memorial for the sailors of the HTM Bedfordshire.
  • The sailors perished during World War II, and four bodies washed ashore and were buried in the leased cemetery.
• The Journey of the Mississippi River:
  • The Mississippi River, measuring 2,348 miles, would take a drop of water 90 days to travel from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
  • It passes through or borders ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
• The Country with the Longest Official Name:
  • The United Kingdom officially has the most characters in its name - the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
  • Previously, Libya held the record with Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma.
• Snow in Unexpected Places:
  • Hawaii, known for its tropical climate, receives snow on its tall volcanoes, such as Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Haleakala.
  • Australia's Alps, along the border of New South Wales and Victoria, receive more snowfall than the Swiss Alps due to their proximity to the coast.

• Los Angeles Is East Of Reno, Nevada:
  • The city of Los Angeles, California is actually East of Reno, Nevada.
  • Los Angeles is around 86 miles east of Reno.
• Istanbul Is The Only Major City That Rests On Two Continents:     
  • Istanbul is a major city located in both Europe and Asia.
  • The city is divided by the Bosphorus Strait and is known for its historical center.
• Russia Has The Coldest Inhabited Place On Earth:
  • Oymyakon, Russia is the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth.
  • The region reached a staggering low of -96.16 degrees Fahrenheit in 1924.
• Russia And China Touch 14 Countries Each:
  • Russia borders 14 countries including Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, and Ukraine.
  • China borders 14 countries including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
• Sudan Has More Pyramids Than Egypt:
  • Sudan has nearly twice the amount of pyramids compared to Egypt.
  • There are between 200 and 255 known pyramids in Sudan.
• Red Features A Total Population Greater Than The Gray:
  • Southern California has a greater population than the gray areas on the map.
  • Coastal states and the eastern seaboard are more densely populated.
• Texas Doesn't Look All That Big Compared To Africa:
  • Texas is dropped down on top of Africa, it looks about the size of one of the countries.
  • Africa is 45 times larger than Texas.
• Light Pollution Throughout The Continental United States:
  • Middle and northwest America have substantially less light pollution than the coastal states east of the Mississippi River.
  • Around 80 percent of North Americans can't see the Milky Way due to light pollution.

• Size Comparison of New Zealand and the United Kingdom:
  • New Zealand is 3,558 percent larger than the United Kingdom.
  • Both countries are similar in size.
• Metric System Vs. Imperial System:
  • The United States and two other countries still use the imperial system.
  • Rest of the world uses the metric system.
• Forests in America:
  • America is home to 8 percent of the world's forests.
  • Forests are densely populated in the northwest and east of Mississippi River.
• Abandoned Railways in the United States:
  • Railways played a significant role in America's construction.
  • Most abandoned railways are located in the east, slowly expanding west.
• Flamingos in the Wild:
  • Flamingos can be found in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and southern America.
  • Flamingos tend to stand on one leg, possibly to retain body heat.
• California Vs. Italy Size Comparison:
  • California is larger in area than Italy.
  • California is 74.61 percent the size of Italy.
• Population Distribution in Middle America:
  • Most people live on the eastern and western seaboard.
  • The majority of middle states have a smaller population.
• Highway System in the United States:
  • The United States has a total of 157,724 miles of highways.
  • Highways are maintained by state and local governments.
• Australia Vs. The United States Size Comparison:
  • The United States is 1.3 times larger than Australia.
  • Australia has a smaller land area than the United States.
• Population Density in the United States:
  • The population density of each state determines its size on the map.
  • Alaska is shrunk down while states like California and Florida remain similar in size.
• Size Comparison of China and the United States:
  • China is slightly larger than the United States in terms of surface area.
  • China is the most populated country in the world.
• Hudson Bay Vs. Cuba Size Comparison:
  • Hudson Bay is significantly larger than Cuba.
  • Cuba appears tiny when compared to Hudson Bay.
• Population Comparison of LA County with Other US States:
  • LA County has a population of 10 million, out-populating a majority of US states.
  • North Carolina and Georgia population sizes are similar to LA County.

• Greenland vs South America:
  • Greenland has an area of 2,166,086 sq km, while South America has an area of 17,840,000 sq km.
  • South America is 8.2 times larger than Greenland.
• Problem with World Maps:
  • Translating a three-dimensional planet into a two-dimensional map can lead to countries appearing larger or smaller than they are.
  • Maps must choose between representing the shape or size of regions.
• Continents' Movement:
  • Continents move at an average rate of 20 millimeters per year.
  • This is equivalent to the rate at which fingernails grow.
• Australia's Width:
  • Australia's width is approximately 2,485 miles.
  • The Moon's equatorial diameter is about 2,160 miles, making Australia slightly wider than the Moon.
• Mt. Thor's 105-Degree Cliff Face:
  • Mt. Thor on Baffin Island has a steep, 105-degree cliff face.
  • It is the site of the world's longest purely vertical drop.
• Shrinking Dead Sea:
  • Over 1,000 sinkholes have formed in the Dead Sea, causing it to shrink.
  • These sinkholes threaten the aquifers and surrounding hotels.
• Vatican City: The Smallest Country:
  • Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.
  • It has an area of just 0.19 square miles and a population of 800-900 people.
• Iceland's Growing Landmass:
  • The middle of Iceland is growing by about two centimeters every year.
  • This is due to the drifting of tectonic plates.
• San Francisco and Los Angeles' Future:
  • The San Andreas fault is pushing southern California northward toward San Francisco.
  • It will take an estimated 10.6 million years for them to be close neighbors.
• Italy's Landlocked Neighbors:
  • Vatican City and San Marino are landlocked within Italy's borders.
  • San Marino is one of the oldest republics and reflects Italy's history of city-states.
• America's Largest Cities in Alaska:
  • Sitka, Alaska, is the most vast city in the United States with an area of 2,870 square miles.
  • Other large cities in Alaska include Juneau, Wrangell, and Anchorage.

Fun with Keyboard Shortcut Keys

1. Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow. This key command can magically rotate your monitor screens to 180 degrees. It would be very interesting to see someone try to log in to their PC and be surprised by an upside down screen. It would be pretty funny to see someone get dumbfounded by this shortcut. But do keep in mind is that this key only works with computers who have Intel graphics chipsets and may not work on all PCs.
   
2. Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen. This amusing shortcut is a great way to both irritate and puzzle your friends; this command turns on the high contrast visibility setting on any computer set.
   
3. Ctrl + F4. You can use this shortcut to sneak-up and wreck havoc on your pals who are working on just about any MS Office program. This shortcut immediately exits the document that is currently running and will most probably upset the victim. So be ready to run away just in case he or she gets violent.
   
4. Windows + M. This command is a bit more advanced than the one above, because aside from shutting your current program, it also closes all your opened programs in a blink of an eye. Again, be ready to run or to defend yourself when executing this prank.
   
5. Windows + D then Alt + F4 then press enter. This command is at the top rung when it comes to instantly closing programs. What does it do? Well, it just closes any version of windows as soon as you enter the shortcut, which makes it a very effective pal irritant.
   
6. Ctrl + H. If you are at your friend’s place and have access to his or her computer, you can use this keyboard shortcut to get easy access to his or her browsing history. Be warned though, that this can reveal way too much information about your friend, so be ready for anything before trying this out.
   
7. Left Alt + Left Shift then enter. This command will make your Num Lock key beep every time it is pressed. It doesn’t do any harm but it can make your friend’s computer seem broken by giving off an odd beep.
   
8. Windows key + “+” then Ctrl + Alt + F. This shortcut makes your screen bigger, which can annoy users who prefer a certain screen size.
   
9. PRT SC, Ctrl+V to make an unclick-able desktop. Press “Print Screen” on your keyboard (PRT SC) to make a screenshot of your desktop. Now go to Paint and Paste using (Ctrl+V). You will now have an image of your desktop which you must then save to your PC (not on your desktop) and save it as BMP. You’ll now have the file like this: C:/Desktop.bmp. Next, right-click on your desktop and select Properties. Select the tab Desktop and click Browse… Navigate to your screenshot and press OK to set it as your background. Right-click your desktop again and navigate to “Arrange icons by” and uncheck “Show desktop icons”. Your icons are now effectively unclickable, and the next user will probably give up in frustration.
   
10. Windows key + “+” then windows key + “-” then Ctrl + Alt + I. This shortcut can turn the colors on your monitor screen upside down; it’s another great prank to make it seem that the computer is busted.

Some of the healthiest Foods On Earth

 

Berries

    All berries are low in sugar and high in fiber. Blueberries have been shown to increase memory in lab studies, and raspberries and strawberries are loaded with ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that seems to have some anti-cancer properties, according to the American Cancer Society.

Beans

    Beans are extremely high in fiber, which helps to control weight, prevent or manage diabetes and blood sugar, and may help prevent colon cancer and protect against heart disease. The National Institute of Medicine recommends 25-38 grams of fiber a day. The average American gets only 4-11 grams. One cup of beans provides 11-17 grams. 

Nuts

    Some of the largest and most important long-term studies of diet and health have shown that eating nuts several times a week is consistent with a risk of heart attack and heart disease that is 30%-50% lower than the general population. Just one ounce of nuts--almonds, macadamia, Brazil, walnuts, pecans--eaten three to five times a week seems to be the magic number.

Wild Salmon

    Fish is the ultimate anti-aging food. Cold-water fatty fish like wild salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring contain omega-3 fats that protect the brain and the heart, improve mood, and lower blood pressure and triglycerides.

Raw Milk

    Raw, organic milk nearly always comes from grass-fed cows and contains high levels of cancer-fighting CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) as well as a rich assortment of vitamins, minerals and beneficial bacteria (like Lactobacillus acidophilus) .

Grass-Fed Meat

    Meat from grass-fed cows has a much different fat profile than ordinary supermarket meat: high in omega-3s, lower in potentially harmful omega-6s and loaded with CLA, a kind of fat known for its anti-cancer activity. A superb source of protein and vitamin B12, it's also missing the antibiotics, steroids and hormones found in the meat that comes from feedlot farms.

Eggs

    Considered by many to be nature's most perfect food, the egg is high in protein and relatively low in calories. The yolk contains choline, one of the most important nutrients for the brain, as well as lutein and xeazanthin, two critical nutrients for eye health

Brassica Vegetables

    Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale all contain plant compounds called indoles that help reduce the risk of cancer. In addition to a stunning range of vitamins and minerals, they also contain sulforaphane, an important plant chemical that helps the body detoxify health-damaging chemicals.

Apples

    Not only do they keep the doctor away, they also appear to do the same for lung cancer, diabetes and asthma. An apple contains five grams of fiber and a rich blend of nutrients including the bone-building vitamin K and the anti-inflammatory nutrient quercetin. And there's no better way to control your appetite than an apple eaten about half an hour before a big meal.

Onions and Garlic

   In an impressive number of published studies, the consumption of onions and garlic has demonstrated protective effects against stomach, prostate and esophageal cancer. Along with broccoli, tea and apples, onions and garlic are among a select group of foods found to reduce mortality from heart disease by 20%.

Pomegranate Juice

   Called "a natural Viagra" by researchers at Tel Aviv University, pomegranate juice is loaded with antioxidants. Studies show it can reduce blood pressure and plaque in the arteries. New research indicates it also slows the progression of tumors. Four to eight ounces a day is highly recommended.

Green Tea

Though all teas are great for you, green tea has a unique profile of plant chemicals that have anti-cancer activity. It's now fairly established that green tea may help prevent the following types of cancers in humans: bladder, colon, esophagus, pancreas, rectum and stomach. If that's not enough, it also appears to help with weight control.

Go Banana, Eat Banana

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest

ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium! m and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out.. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Share this with friends, if you like the banana....

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth.
Amazing fruit!!!

10 Great investing rules

1. Put all your eggs in one basket and watch that basket!
2. When the ducks quack, feed them
3. Markets make opinions, not the other way round
4. Buy low, sell high
5. When the rest of the world is mad, we must imitate them in some measure
6. During a bull market nobody needs a broker. During a bear market nobody wants one
7. Every man his own broker
8. Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent
9. A mine is a hole in the ground with a liar standing over it
10. Be diffident when others exalt, and with a secret joy buy when others think it in their interests to sell.

Interesting isn’t it.