Amazing and Interesting Facts About China

The most populous and one of the oldest and largest countries in the world is China. Here are some of the most unusual and weird facts about this country whose ancient name is Cathay.

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1.) China has a population of 1.33 billion people. If all the Chinese people sit side by side, they will be able to encircle the Earth 33 times.

2.) The Cattle population of the world is almost equal to the Chinese population. So if you are going to serve each Chinese a Big Mac, 60 million kilos of beef will be needed. That is approximately 600,000 cattle with an average weight of 1,000 kg each. 3.) It will take approximately 6 years for all the Chinese to consume all the beefs in the world if each one of them will consume 1 Big Mac a day.

4.) If all the Chinese and Indians will eat a Big Mac a day, they will consume around 100 million kilos of beef a day. That would mean slaughtering about 1 million cows with an average weight of 1,000 kg.

5.) If this is the case, within a period of 3 years, the world will be running out of beef supply. Luckily, almost all Indians do not eat beef due to religious prohibitions.

6.) If all the Chinese people will stand side by side, their total length will reach 1 ½ times the average distance of the Moon from the Earth.

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7.) The total length of the Chinese people sitting side by side is 151, 076 times the height of the highest point of the Earth- Mount Everest.

8.) The total length of all the Chinese people standing side by side is equivalent to 121,841 Marianas Trenches.

9.) Chinese children’s favorite pet is Cricket. Cricket fighting is a popular amusement in China.

9.) Do you know that 85% of the artificial Christmas trees in the world are Chinese manufactured? In addition, 80% of toys of the world are also China made.

10.) China has an active Army of 2,285,000 making it the largest number of active troop in the world. It also has 510,000 reserves, army 660,000 with a total of 3,455,000

11.) If the average height of a Chinese is 1.5 meters and each one of them will stand over the head of the other, their total height will reach 2,005,077,023 meters. That is 5 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

12.) The youngest parents ever in the world were Chinese. The couples were 9 and 8 years old and lived in China in 1910.

More articles by this author: Nobert Bermosa

10 Most Popular Exotic Foods in The World

From East to West, these are top 10 most exotic foods in the world.

Whether at home or in fine dining restaurants, we want only the best foods to be serve in our table. We always have our choices, be it Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, American dishes or European dishes. Whatever it may be, we always crave for a sumptuous ones. But, what if you are given a chance to pick 10 dishes around the world and have it on your menu, what would constitute your list? Below are 10 popular exotic foods in the world that you may include in your list.

Tamale

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A traditional Mexican dish that is done by putting together combining a corn dough (masa) stuffed with sweet or savory filling and steamed until firm. Pork and chicken are the two most commonly used fillings, in either red or green salsa or mole. So popular among Mexican that in the country alone, there are close to a thousand ways on how to prepare a tamale dish. One popular variation, the tamal de dulce, is done by adding pink-colored sugar to the dough and filling it with raisins or other dried fruit.

Kimchi

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Native to Korea, Kimchi is a pickled dish out of fermented vegetables spiced with varied seasonings. A traditional banchan, or side dish, Kimchi comes in different varieties like: the baechu (Chinese cabbage) variety, pa-kimchi (made with scallions), ggakdugi (made with cubed radish), and oisobagi (a cucumber kimchi mix hot and spicy seasoning). The common seasonings used in making Kimchi include ginger, brine, onions, scallions and and aekjeot (fish sauce). However, one can add or replaced existing ingredients depending on the type of kimchi being made.

Wasabi

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Wasabi is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages, horseradish and mustard. Similar to hot mustard, Wasabi’s hotness produces vapors that irritate the nasal passages more than the tongue. This sizzling hot dish is best served with sushi or sashimi, and soy sauce.

Borscht

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Europeans simply love Borscht, a red-colored soup made with beet as its main ingredient. Borscht can be prepared and served in two ways; hot and cold. Though both variants use beets, hot borscht is more like a stew with added ingredients such as cabbage, beans, cucumber, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes or onions, mushrooms, and meats (chicken, pork, or beef). On the other hand, cold borscht is prepared by boiling together chopped young beets and raw chopped vegetables (radishes or cucumbers). After cooling them down, sour cream or soured milk is added to the soup.

Bouillabaisse

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Another popular fish soup, Bouillabaisse is made by mixing together several kinds of cooked fish (scorpion fish, sea robin and European conger), shellfish (sea urchins, mussels, small crabs or octopus), and vegetables. To make it more savory, the soup is flavored with variety of herbs and spices are added like fennel seeds, saffron, bay leaf, garlic, basil and orange zest.

Read full article: 10 Most Popular Exotic Foods in The World

The Best of Japan: The Three Majestic Flatland Mountain Castles!

An interesting travel expedition to three of Japan’s Majestic Flatland Mountain Castles!

Here is Part Two of a 7-part series about “The best of Japan”. In the previous part, the author deals about Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Join me now as we explore and marvel at Japan’s majestic flatland mountain castles. Himeji Castle

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Himeji Castle (”White Egret Castle”) because of its brilliant white outer walls, is another famous Japanese hilltop castle. One of Himeji City’s most visited places, the castle showcases a classic !7th century Japanese wooden castle design. It was built in 133 and the only remaining castle in Japan that retains its original features. Himeji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.



One of Japan’s iconic images, Himeji castles thrills visitors with its majestic architecture such as its 46.4 m central tower, 33m Donjon, 34.5 m wide moat, 27 ‘yagura’, 15 gates, 16 turrets, 11 corridors, and 32 earthen walls.

Tsuyama Castle

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Tsuyama Castle is a hilltop castle located in Sange, Okayama Prefecture. The castle was constructed by Mori Tadamasa in 1604 and took 13 years to finished. However, the castle was completely destroyed in 1874 during the Meiji Period. At present what is left of the castle is its 45 m high strong wall. During its glory days, Tsunama Castle was a well fortified castle and considered more beautiful than Kimeji Castle.



Today, the castle’s well preserved walls and a small turret constructed in 2005 remains a big tourist attraction.

Read full article: The Best of Japan: The Three Majestic Flatland Mountain Castles!

Natural Wonders of The World: The Krimml Falls and North Tyrol, Austria

The Krimml Falls and North Tyrol... 2 great sites to visit in Austria!

The Krimml Falls

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One of the greatest attractions in Austria is the Krimml Falls on the western edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The Krimml is the biggest waterfall in Europe and ranks in the top eight great waterfalls of the world. It falls a total distance of 380 m (1,246 ft) in three dramatic drops, each of more than 100 m (330 ft), connected by twisting rapids. The incredible thunder of the water as it comes crashing down at the rate of 7 cu m (250 cu ft) per second is truly awesome.

Krimml flows through a narrow wooded valley in the heart of a dramatically beautiful glaciated region of the eastern Alps – there are more than 300 mountains over 3,000 m (9,850 ft) high, and the tallest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner, at 3,798 m (12,460 ft). A tenth of Hohe Tauern is covered in glacial ice, the mountains are permanently snow-capped, and winter here can last for up to eight months.



The 4 km (2.5 mi) long trail to the top of the falls, the headwaters of the River Salzach, takes you through a dazzling landscape of mountain and forest, which you view through a fine haze of water, sprayed up in great clouds by the force of the Krimml. The path is extremely steep in places and it takes about one and a half hours to complete the entire route. However, it is well worth preserving to reach the viewing point at Bergerblick – you will be rewarded with an amazing sense of achievement and the most superb view.

North Tyrol

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The fairytale alpine scenery of North Tyrol is the stuff of picture books – swift mountain rivers tumbling down forested slopes, fertile pastoral valleys dotted with smallholdings and villages, ice-clad peaks and sparkling glacial lakes. This beautiful region is a sports paradise for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, with its panoramic landscapes, pure mountain air and sparkling clean bathing lakes.

Wildspitze, the second tallest mountain in Austria is 3,374 in straightforward, which makes it perfect for ice climbing. There are more than 700 other mountains over 3,000 m (9,840 ft) high, so this is great climbing territory. In winter, there is terrific downhill and cross-country skiing at world famous resorts like Kitzbuhel and St Anton am Arlberg; in the warmer months you can go white water rafting and kayaking, horse riding and mountain biking.



Above all, the scenic beauty of the landscape makes the Tyrol idyllic walking country, with more than 15,000 km (9,375 mi) of trails to roam. You will find walks at all levels of difficulty to match your fitness, and there are numerous mountain huts in which to shelter or spend the night.

The Adlerweg (Eagle Walk) is a 280 km (175 mi) route that wends its way across the Tyrol in 23 sections, with side paths branching off it and easy bypasses of the more precipitous parts. For those in search of peaceful communion with nature there is the St James Pilgrimage trail, with abbeys and monasteries that you can stay in.

Read full article: Natural Wonders of The World: The Krimml Falls and North Tyrol, Austria

The Top 20 Best Beaches in The Philippines

There are so many beautiful beaches in the Philippines most of which are not yet fully develop for tourism purposes.

Boracay, El Nido, Puerto Galera are amongst the best and most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. But have you ever heard of the Mabua Pebble Beach, Sta Cruz Island Pink Beach or Alano White Beach Resort and Sugar beach? There are so many beautiful beaches in the Philippines most of which are not yet fully develop for tourism purposes.

1.) Mabua Pebble Beach

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Yes, almost all beaches in the world are sand beaches except for the Mabua Pebble Beach. As it name implies, this definitely unique beach in the province of Surigao del Norte in Mindanao, is a pebble beach instead of a sand beach. It will surely be a unique and one-of-a-kind experience going to Mabua Pebble Beach.

This beach with smooth white pebbles and gray rock formations is located in Surigao City, the capital of Surigao del Norte – the “Gateway to Mindanao”.

2.) Pink Beach of Sta. Cruz Island

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Another unique beach in the Philippines that you should not miss is the Pink Beach of Sta. Cruz Island – the Great Sta. Cruz Island, in the City of Zamboanga in Mindanao. Access to this very rare beach is limited.

The Little Sta. Cruz Island is known for its white beach with powder-like sand.

3.) Alano White Beach Resort

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The Philippines has numerous white sand beaches one of which is the lovely and beautiful Alano White Beach Resort. This very clean beach is located in Malamawi Island, Isabela City in the province of Basilan.

4.) Pamalican Island Beaches

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Pamalican Island is world-famous for its powdery white sand beach. This small island is part of the Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea situated between the provinces of Panay and Palawan. This privately owned island by 7 Seas Resort is serviced by an airplane from Manila. The plane is used to transport tourist and supply to the resort.

Popular activities on the island include diving to the nearby 7 km² coral reef, windsurf boarding and sailing. This resort has been nominated as one of the best island resort in the world.

5.) Boracay Island

Boracay Island doesn’t need much introduction because the beaches in Boracay are superbly world-class and famous. It has been regarded many times as the “most beautiful tropical beach in the world” and has been tagged as the “best beach in the whole of Asia”. Surfing, kiteboarding, scuba diving and banana boat riding are just some of the many activities you will enjoy in Boracay.

Boracay is about 315 km south of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It can be reach by plane from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Airport in the island of Panay. From Panay Island, Boracay can be accessed by boats operating from the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Read full article: The Top 20 Best Beaches in The Philippines

10 Spectacular Natural Atmospheric Phenomena

10 spectacular natural phenomena that probably many of us will not witness in our entire lifetime!

Look up at the sky! Its a bird, its a plane… but it isn’t Superman. It’s a natural phenomenon that lights up the sky!. Read on to learn more about these wonders of the sky.

Polar Night

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Have you experienced a night of darkness that extends more than 24 hour? This spectacular natural phenomenon happens only inside the polar circle and it is called the Polar night. Since the Earth’s axis is tilted 26 degrees, certain regions of the Arctic and Antarctic Circle experience a once-a-yearof more than 24-hour of total darkness. An added treat… Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) is best seen during Polar nights!

Sun dog

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A Sundog or mock sun, is another natural optical phenomenon, occuring when bright light resembling halo appears on either the sun’s right or left side. Sun dog which may appear at any given season, and in any part of the world, is best appreciated when the sun is low in the horizon. This natural atmospheric phenomenon is formed during cold weather, when ice crystal crosses in high cirrus clouds. Sundog takes a reddish hue nearest to the sun’s edge and getting orange to blue in color further out.

Aurora Borealis

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An aurora borealis (or the northern lights), is a spectacular luminous arches of light occurring in polar sky. Aurora borealis is formed when highly-charged particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules present in the Earth’s higher atmosphere. Some of the energy are then transformed into luminous lights. Aurora borealis range in color, shapes and structures. Visible during clear nights, this spectacular natural atmospheric phenomenon occurs often during winter in places like Canada and Alaska.

Moonbow

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A moonbow or a lunar rainbow, is another spectacular but rare phenomenon to watch. It is a rainbow produced when a minimal amount of light is reflected off the moon’s surface. Moonbow is an elusive light display to catch, since its color (white) is too faint for the naked eye to see. For you to see one, factors should be take into considerations like; the moon must be in its shiniest, the presence of water vapor in the atmosphere, a dark sky, and the moon is low in the horizon. Moonbow can only be seen regularly in a few places on earth that include: Yosemite Falls in California, Cumberland Falls in Kentucky, Waimea on Hawaii. and Victoria Falls in Africa.

Midnight sun

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The opposite of polar nights during winter north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun occurs during summer months where there is a continuous 24-hours of sunlight. This natural phenomenon is due to the Earth’s 23°26′ inclination and as a result both the South and North poles are tilted toward the Sun for a period of six months. Midnight sun is best seen inplaces in the polar region such as; Alaska, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Northern Sweden, Northern Iceland and some parts of Canada.

Read full article: 10 Spectacular Natural Atmospheric Phenomena