The world is an amazing place full of so many amazing countries and cultures. There are nearly 200 countries in the world, and there is something wonderful about each and every one. From Asia to North America, each country has a unique story and facts that are not only intriguing, but fun to learn!
If you have a passion for travel, then you’re probably eager to learn more information about all the countries on your bucket list. We’ve got you covered with ten amazing facts about countries from all over the world.
- Did you know that Denmark won the title of World’s Happiest Country, according to the most recent World Happiness Report? Who wouldn’t be happy, with so many great attractions to see like the Tivoli Gardens, a famous amusement park that is perfect for any fun family outing?
- Beauty surrounds you in Canada, especially with its beautiful scenery by the water. The country has the most lakes of any country, with nearly 32,000 lakes. Around 9% of all of Canada is covered in freshwater!
- While Canada is full of beautiful lakes, the world’s driest city is located in Egypt. Aswan, Egypt collects less than 1 millimeter of rainfall annually. Ironically, “Aswan” is an old Nubian word that means “too much water.”
- Do you enjoy the game of Chess? The game is believed to have been invented in the continent of Asia, most likely in India where it was once called “Chaturanga.”
- The smallest country in the world is the Vatican, with less than half a square kilometer of land. The city-state is completely surrounded by Italy, but is its own separate nation.
- Every year, Mexico becomes home to millions of Monarch butterflies who fly away from winter temperatures in the rest of North America in what’s called the “Great Migration.”
- Rice is certainly a popular grain with nearly half of the world’s population enjoy the dish on a daily basis. China produces the most rice in the world, at nearly 208 million metric tons per year.
- Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world with 852 languages that have been spoken. Of these, 840 are still used to this day.
- The melting pot of the United States can claim fame to a number of famous ethnic culinary inventions. An American – Samuel German, created “German” chocolate, “English” muffins were invented in New York, and “Russian” dressing was created in New Hampshire, and originally contained Russian caviar.
- In addition to the four largest main islands, there are more than 4,000 smaller islands that constitute the country of Japan, one of the best places to travel to in the Spring.
At Western Union, we know you love to travel. If you should find yourself traveling around the globe, we’ve got your back to make sure you have the support you need, wherever you roam. If you’re planning on traveling soon, don’t forget to read our WU blog for great tips and tricks to make sure you make the most of your travels abroad.
