An enormous number of visitors from all around the world attend the annual Kolkata International Book Fair. The book fair is the nirvana that book enthusiasts around the world have been waiting for, with little magazine stands and foreign bookstores.

Persian rugs are among the earliest varieties of oriental rugs; the earliest one that has been discovered is estimated to have been made in the 4th (or 5th) Century B.C. These rugs have gained notoriety and recognition for centuries due to their recognizable patterns and warm, rich colors. Genuine Persian rugs are handcrafted, and their creation can take weeks or even months with the assistance of several people. However, the final products are unique, endearing, and robust rugs. Currently, wool or cotton is used to make the majority of Persian rugs, but older rugs were occasionally made with silk. Despite producing a beautiful appearance, using silk made these rugs more expensive and less sturdy.

On occasion, hypnosis is shown on television. It's usually part of a plot where the hypnotised person loses control and becomes a "puppet." In reality, people in a relaxed state of hypnosis are fully conscious. They should be able to hear, understand, and remember what the hypnotist says. There should be no worries about being hypnotised and made to cluck like a chicken or sent on a murder spree. They are simply experiencing deep relaxation as a result of their concentrated attention.

The typhoon season lasts from May to November, and Hong Kong has a very effective infrastructure in place to deal with these intense tropical storms. A T1 signal implies that a storm is on its way. Then a T3 indicates that the storm intensifies, so schoolchildren and the elderly should stay home. Winds up to 180km/h swirl across the city during a T8 or T10, closing businesses and public transportation.

A goat herder in Ethiopia is said to have discovered coffee in the 1500s. He noticed his goats munching on coffee cherries. He noticed a change in their behaviour after that; they gained a lot of energy and didn't sleep at night. The herder informed the local monks of his findings. They realised they could stay up all night praying after making their own drink from coffee beans. The news quickly spread to other Ethiopian monks and then to the rest of the civilised world.

The colour is a result of an antioxidant called anthocyanin, a naturally occurring pigment that is great for blood pressure control and eye health. Additionally a great source of fibre and vitamin C are blueberries.

This is referred to as the Triple Boil, and at that temperature, water exists as a gas, a liquid, and a solid all at the same time. It need highly precise circumstances, so don’t even think of doing it at home. Have you had your fill of amusing scientific facts?

Poland is the EU's top candle manufacturer as of 2018. All candles manufactured in the EU were worth €619 million to it, or 38% of the total. 10% of the value of candles produced in the EU in 2018 was produced by Germany, which comes in second, and Italy, which comes in third (source: Eurostat). 
Chinese, American, and Vietnamese candles were the most common imports from non-EU nations.

Hawaiian art and culture have a rich history of mythology and folklore, and one of their scariest tales is that of the Hukai’po, which translates to “Spirit Ranks.” Also known as Nightmarchers, the Hukai’po are thought to be ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors who come out on sacred nights to reenact old battles, toting archaic weapons, helmets, cloaks, and raised torches. Anyone in their path risks harm, though it is suggested that you may be spared if you show proper respect to the marchers.

The colour of a chicken's earlobes—yes, chickens have earlobes—is a good predictor of the colour of the eggshell it will lay. Chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs, whereas chickens with red or brown earlobes lay brown eggs.

The scent of chocolate induces theta brain waves, which result in relaxation. In fact, research done at Hasselt University throughout Belgium found that when the aroma of chocolate was dispersed in bookstores, book sales increased, particularly for romantic novels. Yes, relaxation! Chocolate also includes tryptophan, which the brain needs to make serotonin, a hormone that induces feelings of well-being. So eating chocolate actually makes you happier!

In Arizona, a law was brought into effect after a public menace case in 1924. A merchant used to allow his donkey to sleep in a bathtub and when the town flooded, the donkey was washed a mile down the valley. The donkey survived, but locals spent a lot of time and manpower to save the animal. This law was passed shortly after.

The tongue is basically measured from the epiglottis to the tip. And it has been found that the average length of the tongue in males is 3.3 inches and that in females is 3.1 inches. Moreover, as per the Guinness World Records, an American Man called Nick Stoeberl holds the record for longest tongue with a length of 3.97 inches. So, how long is your tongue??

Contrary to popular belief, termites are actually fairly hygienic creatures. Despite living almost entirely in mud, they all work together to practise good hygiene. Like cats, termites groom one another in an effort to get rid of parasites and other harmful bacteria. Although it may seem pointless, maintaining proper grooming is essential to the colony's survival because staying clean prevents the spread of deadly diseases.

There are numerous competing theories. One idea holds that because people are more likely to drink lots of water on a hot summer day, they absorb more nutrients during the summer. Another idea holds that because exposure to sunlight increases the production of vitamin D in your body, your nails grow more quickly as a result.

The majority of animal species in the Antarctic eat krill, and some, like the Adélie and chinstrap penguins, rely almost entirely on it for nutrition. Even the teeth of crabeater seals are specially designed for consuming krill. Furthermore, according to recent studies, humpback and fin whales, whose populations are now stabilised after centuries of whaling, consume a combined 2 million metric tonnes of krill annually from a small area close to the Antarctic Peninsula where the majority of the world's commercial krill fisheries are based.

The Vatican is the world's smallest nation, with an area of only 0.44 square kilometres and a population of only 825 people. It is most likely the only country in the world where you can walk around in less one hour. What makes it even more intriguing is that it is located within the city of Rome.

When most people hear the word "hypnosis," they immediately think of stage hypnosis. This is the popular show in which a hypnotist selects seemingly random people, puts them to sleep, and then forces them to perform hilarious (and somewhat mean) tricks for laughs. Stage hypnosis, as entertaining as it is, has little to do with clinical hypnosis. The latter is a recognised form of therapy that assists people in overcoming various ailments through a relaxed mind and strategic suggestion.

Although there are numerous steps in the treatment process for asthma, an albuterol inhaler is always the first thing a doctor suggests. Albuterol can be a lifeline for people with asthma, but it's typically used to manage existing symptoms.

The music of Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem, dates back to between 1569 and 1572. This makes it the oldest melody used in a country’s national anthem, although it did not become the official Dutch anthem until 1932. 

The lyrics were also written at least 400 years ago and they refer to “Dietse Bloed”, an old word for Nederlands (Dutch).

According to legend, the addition of candles to cakes began in Ancient Greece, where cakes were made in the shape of a moon for the Goddess of the Moon, Artemis.The moonlight was reflected in the candles, and the smoke lifted the devotee's prayers to Artemis. It's also said that when we blow out the candles on birthday cakes, the smoke carries our wishes away to be granted. You don't want to be blowing out those birthday candles in Venezuela, where it's customary to try to push the birthday girl/face boy's into the cake after the candles have been extinguished. At the very least, they get to try the cake first!

The fight against air pollution must include tax breaks for cars with low and zero emissions. Massive investments in environmentally friendly public transportation and better-integrated walking and cycling routes are also necessary to encourage people to abandon their cars altogether.

Iguanas have a lifetime of 12-15 years on average. A healthy iguana, on the other hand, may easily live for more than 20 years if properly cared for. Iguanas are generally long-lived reptiles that may bring years of entertainment to their owners.