While Bulgaria is the oldest European country by name, the Republic of San Marino, an autonomous state inside Italy's borders, is Europe's oldest independent state. It was born in the year 301 AD. As other Italian republics fought and collectively became part of Italy, San Marino was able to maintain its independence for centuries, thanks in large part to its steep geography.

Thyme can reach a height of up to 40 cm, and its stems are typically wiry or narrow in shape. The leaves alternate in pairs along these short, treelike frames (although some may be more complex). The blooms of thyme feature oval petals and corollas that resemble green-white tubes with little tubular lobes at the tips.

Although Santa Claus is a one-of-a-kind Christmas persona, many actors dress up as the festive figure each year to earn additional money. Mall Santas earn roughly $30 per hour during the holidays, but can earn up to $100 per hour for their services. However, Dan Greenleaf, a professional freelance Santa who owns his own booking agency, told CNBC that the "average hourly mid-range is roughly $150" when he's booked to attend parties, houses, or other events. And if you're very skilled at saying "ho, ho, ho," you might earn $500 per hour. Greenleaf even claims that one of his Santas was promised $1,200 by a Manhattan customer for only one hour on Christmas Day!

Popcorn has long been linked with the cinema, or more recently, the microwave, but while many of us may have questioned why popcorn pops, few of us have inquired where popcorn comes from. Thousands of years ago, the ancient peoples of the Americas cultivated the variety of maize that produces popcorn. Popcorn relics going back 6.700 years have been unearthed in Peru. So, the next time you grab a handful of your favourite food, remember to thank someone other than Orville Redenbacher.

Because of their rigid bodies, sunflowers can be used all over your house as decorations or even as bird feeders, but did you know they also make a great scrubbing pad? All those flowers are very effective at removing the grime from your favorite pots and pans. Sunflowers can be used as the ideal single-use scrubbing pad after drying.

It takes a lot of water to produce the cotton required for clothing. To put these figures in context, the amount of water required to make a t-shirt is enough to keep one person hydrated for 900 days, whereas the amount of water required to make a pair of jeans is equivalent to hosing down your lawn for 9 hours.

It's no coincidence that the Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs bears an uncanny resemblance to Lady Macbeth. Walt Disney purposefully imitated Lady Macbeth's on-screen persona, and was even quoted as picturing the Evil Queen as "a mixture of Lady Macbeth and The Big Bad Wolf."

A Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection frequently results in ulcers (H. pylori). Although it is unclear how it spreads, this bacteria is highly widespread. In the US, H. pylori infections affect close to 40% of the population. H. pylori generally doesn't cause any issues for people. Antibiotics can be useful in eradicating H. pylori when it does result in an ulcer.

Coffee beans are produced on a bush. They are a fruit because they are the pit of a berry. Beans are classified into two types: green and red. Red beans have a more pleasant aroma and are less acidic. They are used in the production of lighter coffees. Coffee beans are healthier when they have been roasted for a longer period of time. Decaffeinated coffee is produced through a chemical process that removes the caffeine from the beans. Caffeine is frequently sold to Coca-Cola, a large buyer.

As previously said, the average butterfly has a limited lifespan; even in their prime, these insects are among the most vulnerable. Staying living for as long as possible provides the butterfly with more chances to mate, and the survival of its species is critical. As a result, butterflies frequently utilize their wings as a form of defense. A butterfly's wings are frequently its best protection, either by folding to blend in with their surroundings or sporting a rainbow of colors and patterns to deter predators.

Coffee connoisseurs may not want to believe it, but it's true. If you're feeling a little peckish in the afternoon, consider eating an apple instead of buying a cup of coffee. Eating apples is a great (and healthy) way to stay energised throughout the day because of their high carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin C, and mineral content. The world's most despised vegetable is also one of the healthiest.

The wax forms an unsightly ring of hard wax around the edges when you can only melt it close to the wick. Tunneling is the term for this. All you need to do is wrap some foil around the top of your candle. After that, make a hole for the wick in the center. The hard exterior wax is encouraged to melt evenly and soften. 
To make sure the entire top layer is liquid, burn your candle for a number of hours with the foil cover on.

Fish and other marine animals wouldn't exist without algae, which forms the foundation of the marine food chain.

Astronomers have found more than a million asteroids as of right now. The majority of orbits are located between Mars and Jupiter. Thus, The Main Asteroid Belt is the name given to this area. The belt between Mars and Jupiter's orbits is where the majority of asteroids are concentrated. 
Astronomers have found more than a million asteroids as of right now. The majority of orbits are located between Mars and Jupiter. Thus, The Main Asteroid Belt is the name given to this area.

Few people are aware that the Chhath Puja Festival is held twice a year. It is observed twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Kartik Chhath is observed in October or November, while Chaiti Chhath Puja is observed after a few days after Holi.

In A.D. 363, a massive earthquake struck Petra, leveling most of the city and bringing the city's reign as a thriving and prosperous trading center to an end. Following the disaster, many Petra residents left the area, and the city was lost to the ages.

Bamboo is grass, although many of the bigger woody bamboo species resemble trees and are commonly referred to as "bamboo trees."

Rose fossils dating back 35 million years have been discovered by archaeologists. Roses are the oldest plant species to be grown for decoration, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The rose (genus Rosa, family Rosaceae) is the oldest plant species cultivated and used for decoration. According to documents dating back to AD 50, the flowers were grown in vast plantations and local hothouses to ensure a year-round supply of medicinal extracts, cooking ingredients, and ornamentation. Roses were used to decorating buildings, furniture, and people in ancient Rome, and petals were laid to create rose carpets and walkways.

Kiwi's natural fruit enzymes will exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells, leaving your complexion more radiant. Remember to apply your SPF afterward because this could make you more photosensitive.

That is correct. They can transition from one gender to another at any time. The switch is determined by which is most suitable for mating at the time. Oysters normally begin as males and mature into females. Another fascinating oyster truth is that the substrate to which it attaches itself shapes this sea species! It adheres to the surface occupied by a cluster of oysters (known as the bed) and continues to build around it.

The Dussehra celebration is known as Golu in Tamil Nadu. The idols are designed to portray a variety of scenes from their culture and heritage. Legend has it that all other Gods and Goddesses gave their powers to Goddess Durga because she needed them so much. As a result, they became motionless like statues.