The Teutonic Order's Castle at Malbork is the world's largest castle in terms of land area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was originally erected in the 13th century as a Teutonic castle and stronghold. In that regard, Poland is home to a whopping 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
Have you ever visited a salt mine? When you travel to Poland with Trafalgar, we will take you to the 800-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the world's oldest. It's known as the Underneath Salt Cathedral of Poland, and when you go 135 metres (440 feet) underground with your guide, you'll witness chambers, sculptures, salt chandeliers, and an entire church sculpted from rock salt. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been producing salt continuously since the 13th century until 2007, and the history and unique carvings of this salt mine will leave you speechless.
Algeria is home to the greatest stretch of the Sahara Desert, which also serves as the world's largest hot desert, excluding the Arctic and Antarctica. Furthermore, the Sahara Desert covers roughly 80% of Algeria, covering a total area of 1,905,392 km2.
Only 17 nations are classified as "megadiverse," according to Conservation International. Each has a diverse range of species, many of which are unique to the area. And Madagascar is one of them, due in large part to its lengthy period of isolation from humanity. It is home to more than half of the world's chameleons and dozens of lemur species.
An ultra-luxurious lodge has been opened on Nosy Ankao, the biggest of five islands off Madagascar's northeast coast. Miavana (only accessible by helicopter) is a destination for "blue safaris," which include opportunities to see turtles, whales, and dolphins, as well as scuba diving and fishing. There's also a fantastic spa. But start saving now - doubles start at £3,220 per night.
Algeria's national animal is the large eared fennec fox, which is always lovely. These little foxes, native to the Sahara Desert and the Sinai Peninsula, only weigh 1.5-2 kilogrammes and are known for their enormous ears. They are every bit as adorable as they sound. These adorable critters are so popular in Algeria that they are not only the national animal, but also the nickname for the country's football team, Les Fennecs.
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a 500-year-old burial site, the Atsinanana woods, which are home to numerous rare ape and lemur species, and the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, a labyrinth of limestone that spans a large portion of the island's western half. It's a jumble of twisted canyons, caverns, tunnels, and spires that's largely undiscovered. Because of the peculiar geology, there are indigenous species that have developed to live amid the karst skyscrapers.
Because of the island's hidden coves and the absence of European powers for centuries, Madagascar was once a secure sanctuary for hundreds of pirates. Captain James Misson allegedly established an anarchist colony (Libertatia) there in the late 17th century, whereas Ile Sainte-Marie, four miles off Madagascar's east coast, was simply referred to on maps as "the island of pirates" at the time. When they weren't robbing treasure, countless brigands, including Captain Kidd, found refuge there. Some are buried in the cemetery on the island.
it’s estimated that there are only around 250 of the Saharan cheetah left on earth. The majority of which are found in Algeria and are regarded to be the world's rarest and most elusive carnivores. In comparison to their other counterparts, they are distinguished by a shorter coat and a paler colour.
The World Happiness Report, which strives to "redefine the growth narrative to put people's well-being at the heart of government initiatives," ranks Finland first among 156 nations, followed by Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. According to the report, Madagascar is the 14th unhappiest country in the world. It's hardly surprising that it's one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita GDP of $1,554 (ranking 179th out of 187 nations) and an average life expectancy of only 65.5 (in the UK, it's 81.2).
Fans of the Flashman novel series may have heard about Ranavalona. During her 33-year reign, she prevented European attempts to acquire control of Madagascar, but she also concentrated her efforts on mercilessly destroying Christians, neighbouring kingdoms, and political competitors. Purges were so extensive, as was the exploitation of slave labour to build a massive palace and public works projects, that the island's population plummeted from five million to 2.5 million between 1833 and 1839. The tangena torture, in which the accused was poisoned and then forced to eat three pieces of chicken skin, was one method Ranavalona kept order. The inability to vomit all three parts, or death, showed culpability. Others were just t
At 7,500 feet, Chile's Atacama Desert is the driest region on Earth, with a bizarre terrain. Some areas of the region have never seen rain, and the Desert is likely the oldest desert on the planet. The desert stretches over 1,000 kilometres between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, covering an area of 363,000 square kilometres.
Chile is the fifth largest wine exporter and the ninth largest producer. Not just any wine, but some of the greatest and finest selections of wines have been made in Chile since the first wine vines were planted in the region in 1554 by Spanish Conquistadors. Chile has about 1,200 kilometres of viticulture valleys in 14 distinct districts, producing over 10 million hectoliters of wine every year. Make sure you visit Chile Wine Country!
Chile, with slightly over 1300 volcanoes, is one of the countries with the most, and many of them are currently active. Cerro Arul, Cerro Hudson, and Villarrica are three of Chile's most visible and historically active volcanoes. They are all composite volcanoes, sometimes known as stratovolcanoes. Climbers from all around the globe like putting their abilities to the test on climbs up these volcanoes.
Chile has one of the world's longest coastlines, stretching for around 6500 kilometres. It is, nevertheless, one of the world's narrowest, having a width of little over 200 kilometres. The majority of the most well-known beach resorts, or balnearios, are located in central Chile, ranging from El Norte Chico south past the metropolitan district to the northern limits of Region VII, Region del Maule. Chile has a moderate Mediterranean climate, with warm to hot days and cold nights in the summer.
Madagascar is vast. It is 226,917 square miles in size, making it the world's fourth biggest island (and bigger than Spain, Thailand, Sweden and Germany). In comparison, the United Kingdom is just 93,410 square miles. Which of the following is the world's biggest island? To discover out, take the quiz below.
The most impressive artificial paradise, with a length of 1,000 yards, an area of 20 acres, and a maximum depth of 115 feet, can be found in Algarrobo city on the Pacific coast. It was named by the Guinness Book of Records as the World's largest swimming pool, with a length of 1,000 yards, an area of 20 acres, and a maximum depth of 115 feet. It can contain nearly 66 million gallons of crystal clean saltwater. The pool opened in December 2006 after five years of building work at a cost of about one billion dollars ($US) and an annual maintenance cost of roughly two million.
The country's native bird, the hooded pitohui, may be found throughout Papua New Guinea. The hooded pitohui bird, on the other hand, is one of the world's few deadly birds. As a result, hunters are concerned about preserving the birds since they destroy numerous parasites and are beneficial to the ecology. Hunters like these birds' distinct qualities as well. You're unlikely to stumble across one by mistake, so there's nothing to worry about, but it's interesting to know about!
You definitely wouldn't recognise Greece if someone called it by its official name at first, but that's part of what makes it so fascinating! Hellas or Hellada is how the Greeks refer to their country, and the Hellenic Republic is the official name.
Since 3500 BC, the Greeks have been cultivating olives. On the island of Crete, it all began. For thousands of years, olives have been an important element of the Greek diet, and the ancient Greeks even referred to olive trees as sacred. Greece is now the world's third-largest producer of olive oil (after Spain and Italy) and has more olive types than any other country. already drooling
Greece is a historic country, and it was in Athens that the concept of citizens participating in government formation was created. Here's a fun fact: democracy is derived from the Greek terms demos (people) and rule (rule) (kratos).
Many of us are aware that Papua New Guinea is densely forested, but did you realise it also possesses the world's third largest rainforest? Papua New Guinea contains a 288,000 square kilometre rainforest, ranking third after the Amazon and Congo Rainforests. One of the finest little-known truths of Papua New Guinea is that there is no shortage of adventure!
The yo-yo was invented in Greece in 500 BC, according to information I found during my research. The yo-yo is commonly thought to have originated in China, but it was first recorded in Greek history.
What could be better than dedicating one day of the year to yourself? Having two of them! Many Greek names are derived from religious saints, each of whom is commemorated by the church on a particular day. People with the same name as the saint are wished a happy name day on that day, and a party is thrown with family, friends, and even neighbours. Marios and Marias, for example, have two name days each year!
The evil eye has become a popular piece of jewellery in a variety of cultures, but it has a much deeper meaning for the Greeks. Many Greeks wear this token for security as well as aesthetic reasons, as it is thought to protect you from any curses that an angry person may throw your way. It is always preferable to be safe than sorry.
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