Interesting and Unbelievable Facts

Seychelles is an island country in Africa. It consists of nearly 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean . Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa and one of the smallest in the world. Its area (451 km sq.) is less than half of Sao Tome and Principe (964 km sq.), the second-smallest country in the continent. Seychelles is also the least populated country in Africa . However, its population density (over 235 inhabitants per sq. km in 2023) is higher than most African countries. The closest country to Seychelles is Madagascar (700 miles), while Kenya (1,000 miles) is its nearest country on mainland Africa. Seychelles has the  most powerful passport  in Africa, while its global rank is 29. Holders of this passport can enjoy visa-free travel to 155 destinations worldwide. ( Source ) There are more than  150,000 giant tortoises  in Aldabra Atoll, one of the two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Seychelles. This island has the highest population of these reptiles i...

The Gobi is a cold desert in southern Mongolia and northern China. Its name derives from a Mongolian term meaning “waterless place.” The Gobi is the world’s 5 th largest desert and the 2 nd largest in Asia after the Arabian Desert. Another large desert, the Taklamakan Desert , is located to its west. Gobi Desert contains five eco-regions based on their distinct physical features and climate. These include Gaxun, Junggar, Trans-Altai, Alxa Plateau, and the Eastern Gobi. The Gobi Desert lies between several mountain ranges: Altai Mountains, Khangai Mountains, Tian Shan, Kunlun Mountains, and Altun Mountains. These mountain ranges play a vital role by creating a rain shadow effect over the Gobi. Researchers discovered stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) between 200,000 and 40,000 years ago in 2016. They also found 40,000-year-old jasper artifacts. This area in the southern Gobi Desert once had lakes and wildlife. ( Source )  Scientists have discovered ancient st...

Minks are dark brown semiaquatic mammals native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are famous for their valuable fur. Minks are nocturnal and belong to the weasel family. Their closest relatives are weasels, otters, polecats, and ferrets. Minks and  otters resemble  each other, but they have visible differences. Minks are shorter (2 feet long) than otters (4 feet long), while their tails are short and bushy compared to long and slender tails in otters. These mammals have two extant species : American mink and European mink. The American mink is larger, more aggressive, and adaptable than their European counterparts. Their most prominent feature is the white chin. The native range of the American mink is North America, while the European mink is present in many parts of Europe . However, American minks are now present outside their native range due to various fur farms in Europe, Asia , and South America. American minks now inhabit several non-native areas in Europe and Sout...

The Atacama Desert is an arid region in northern Chile. This coastal desert generally lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. The Atacama Desert is the driest place in the world , having an annual rainfall of 0.03 inches. It is the only true desert that receives less rainfall than polar deserts . Due to its arid atmosphere, scientists consider it a valuable place to find clues about life on other planets. ( Source ) The hyper-arid core of the Atacama Desert did not receive rain for 500 years. After the first recorded rainfall during the 21 st Century, the desert lost nearly 85% of its indigenous microbial species. This event can provide information about the effects of precipitation on Mars and other hyper-arid planets. ( Source ) In 2023, scientists discovered a “dark microbiome” in the Atacama while testing scientific instruments designed for Mars. These microorganisms are either non-existent on other parts of Earth or have lost their relatives in the past. ( Sou...