Interesting facts about Mozambique are an excellent opportunity to learn more about South East Africa. The country's territory stretches thousands of kilometers along the coast of the Indian Ocean. It has a presidential form of government with a unicameral parliament.
Interesting facts about Mozambique
Mozambique is a small and almost not visited by tourists, but a fascinating country. Wild African nature, safari tours, unusual local cuisine. And all this is adjacent to poverty and even poverty, which is found here, if not everywhere, then everywhere. However, only the most courageous tourists usually get into this country anyway, and nothing can frighten them.
1. The country of Mozambique is located in South East Africa. Its territory stretches thousands of kilometers along the coast of the Indian Ocean.
2. The area of the state is 801,590 km2. Mozambique is the 36th largest country in the world. Its dimensions are slightly larger than those of Turkey.
3. In the south, the state borders Eswatini, in the southwest with South Africa, in the west with Zimbabwe, in the northwest with Zambia and Malawi, in the north with Tanzania, and in the east with the Indian Ocean.
4. Mozambique was the first place south of the equator where a permanent settlement of Caucasian people arose.
5. The attractiveness of these territories forced the Portuguese colonizers to make it one of the earliest colonies in the world.
6. Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975, later than most African countries.
THE CAPITAL OF MOZAMBIQUE IS THE CITY OF MAPUTO
7. The capital of the state is the city of Maputo. Before independence, this city was called Lourenço Marchis.
8. The capital is the commercial and cultural center of the country.
9. Maputo boasts beautiful colonial-era architecture and attractive natural surroundings along the deep water harbor of Maputo Bay.
10. Other significant cities in this country are Beira, Quelimane, Chimayo, Tete, Nampula, and Nacala.
11. The capital of Mozambique - Maputo, is the only city with a million inhabitants in the state.
12. Less than a third of the country's population lives in cities.
13. By the way, all local beauties should be sought not in cities but national parks.
14. During the Portuguese rule, the streets of Maputo were washed with soap.
15. Mozambique was the first country in the southern hemisphere on whose territory firearms were used.
STATION TO MAPUTO
16. The station in the Mozambican capital, Maputo, was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel at the beginning of the 20th century. The building looks more like a palace with a huge copper dome than a railway station.
17. Mozambique is mainly in the tropics, and much of the coastline is subject to the regular seasonal influence of the Indian Ocean monsoon rains. The monsoon influence is most substantial in the northeast.
18. Daytime temperatures throughout the country average around 20 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures are observed from October to February and the lowest from June to July.
19. There is a presidential form of government with a unicameral parliament.
20. Graça Machel was the wife of the President of Mozambique until 1986, and 12 years after his death, she married the head of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. So she became the only woman in history to have been the first lady of two different states.
FLAG OF MOZAMBIQUE
21. Several countries in the world have weapons on their flags. However, only the flag of Mozambique depicts modern AK-47 firearms. For Mozambicans, the AK-47 symbolized the war for independence from Portugal. The flag of modern Mozambique is based on the colors and logo of the FRELIMO political party, which led the resistance to Portuguese colonial rule.
22. In 2005, a proposal was made to remove firearms from the flag, and a competition was held. However, all proposed flags were rejected by the ruling party. As a result, the AK-47 remained on the canvas.
23. The Kalashnikov assault rifle also flaunts on the coat of arms of the country, as well as on the arms of East Timor and Zimbabwe.
24. The population of Mozambique is 28,829,476.
25. The population density on the island of Mozambique is a record for Africa - more than 36 thousand people per square kilometer.
26. Mozambique can be considered a religiously divided state. Here, 28% consider themselves Catholics, 18% Muslims, 15% Christian Zionists, and 12% Protestants. And one in four Mozambicans is not a religious person.
CAHORA-BASA RESERVOIR
27. The Cahora Basa reservoir, located in the province of Tete, is the second largest artificial lake in Africa.
28. The intentions of creating this reservoir were good - it was flood control and electricity generation, but the Kahora-Basa reservoir caused significant damage to the country's ecology.
29. Wetlands have dried up on the country's territory, and many fish species have disappeared. This resulted in a decline in the Caspian buffalo population by more than 90%. The number of people of zebras, waterbucks, and other animals also decreased.
30. The Mozambique Channel, about 1760 kilometers, is the longest on the planet.
MARINE NATIONAL PARK "BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO"
31. The Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park in Mozambique, consisting of 150 islands, is considered one of the most picturesque places on the entire African continent. Divers and travelers from around the world come here to look at the ancient coral reefs and schools of tropical fish.
32. even though the official language here is Portuguese, only a part of the population speaks it, approximately 2/5. Most Portuguese speakers are concentrated in large cities, particularly in Maputo.
33. And the vast majority of Mozambicans (about 3/5) speak the Bantu language group, the Niger-Congo language. This group's most widely spoken languages are Makua, Lomwe, Sena, Tsonga, and Shona.
34. The Mozambican army has a particular sapper unit consisting of marsupial rats. It turned out that these rodents were excellent at looking for explosives and other dangerous items left in local lands after the civil war.
35. Stone church on the island of Mozambique was the first stone building built by Europeans in the southern hemisphere.
MOUNTAIN BINGA
36. The state's highest point is Mount Binga - 2436 meters.
37. Mozambique is home to Africa's largest hydropower plant, Cahora Basa, with a capacity of 2,075 megawatts.
38. Although there are Islamic communities in most cities here, most Muslims are concentrated in the northern coastal region between the Lurio and Rovuma rivers.
39. Today, this State is one of the poorest in the world. Approximately 40% of the country's population lives below the poverty line.
40. The civil war that lasted for 15 years after independence, political instability, debt crisis, and severe climatic conditions such as droughts, floods, and cyclones hindered the country's economic growth.
LAKE NYASA
41. Lake Nyasa, located between Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania, is the third deepest freshwater reservoir in the world (after Baikal and Tanganyika). The local lake ecosystem is the richest in terms of the number of species; a significant part of them are not found anywhere else on the planet.
42. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of Mozambique have been catching sea turtles on fish sticks - a rope is tied to the tail of the fish, and then the “bait” is thrown onto the shell of the nearest turtle. If the prey is vast, you must use several fish at once since one stuck can pull an animal no heavier than 30 kilograms out of the water.
43. Since the Portuguese ruled the country for almost 500 years, they left a significant imprint on the cuisine of Mozambique. Mainly in this country, cassava (a tuberous starchy root vegetable) and cashew nuts were grown (once Mozambique was the largest producer of these nuts).
44. The Portuguese brought bay leaves, onions, garlic, paprika, chili peppers, sweet peppers, grapes, corn, rice, millet, and much more to this state. These same products are included in the circle of staple foods of the Mozambican people.
45. Meat in the markets of Mozambique is a rarity. You can buy it not always and not everywhere, and the quality, in any case, raises some doubts.
46. Although most Mozambicans (over 80%) are engaged in agriculture, almost 90% of the fertile land available to the State remains uncultivated.
47. Petrol stations in Mozambique cities are often located on the first floors of multi-story residential buildings.
48. Food in Mozambique is usually cooked on an open fire, even in good restaurants.
49. Mozambique is a country almost not visited by tourists. There are no famous resorts here, but Mozambican waters are not as dangerous as Somali ones.
50. Only the most courageous tourists usually come to this country, who are attracted by the wild African nature, safari tours, and unusual local cuisine.
The Marshall Islands is a small state lost in the endless ocean. Few people in our country were closely interested in him, and it was completely in vain - this is the land of insane beauty.
The islands were discovered by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century and were explored by British Captain John Marshall (1788), from whom they received their name. Between 1885 and 1914 they were under German protectorate, and during World War II the area was part of the Japanese first line of defense. In 1944 the islands were conquered by the Americans, who administered them until 1990, when the country gained its independence. On Bikini and Enewetak Islands, the U.S.A. they conducted nuclear experiments.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an island state in the Pacific Ocean, north of the Equator, between the Caroline and Hawaii archipelagos, with an area of 181 km.
The territory of the country occupies several hundred islands (32 atolls, 867 reefs), arranged in two rows: Ralik in the west and Ratak in the east.
The climate is equatorial, determining a tropical (tree) vegetation, dominated by banana and palm trees, but also a fauna rich in birds, fish.
Bemorepanda collected some more interesting facts:
1. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is actually under the control and jurisdiction of the United States.
2. The archipelago, on which the republic is spread, includes 5 islands and 29 atolls.
3. The Marshall Islands were discovered in 1526.
4. The land area of this state is about 181 square kilometers.
5. Nuclear weapons were tested on two atolls.
6. There are no nature reserves in the Marshall Islands.
7. There are paved roads only on the two largest atolls of the archipelago.
8. The maximum height of the Marshall Islands above sea level is ten meters.
9. The country gained independence only in 1983.
10. It is here, on the Kwajalein Atoll, that the world's largest lagoon is located.
11. In the northern part of the archipelago, the climate is so arid that it receives about the same amount of precipitation as in the American deserts.
12. The Marshall Islands have two official languages - Marshall and English.
13. The currency of the Republic is the US dollar.
14. 98% of the population of the islands are Marshalls.
15. The Marshall Islands maintains diplomatic relations with many countries. With Russia too.
16. Also the Marshall Islands is a member of the United Nations.
17. Subsidies from the United States and other countries account for a large share of the state
budget.
18. On the territory of the Marshall Islands there are more than two thousand kilometers of highways.
19. Internet and mobile phones are available in the two largest atolls, but they are very poorly distributed.
20. The Marshall Islands publishes two newspapers, one private and one public.
21. The country's islands are significantly distant from each other.
22. In total, the Marshall Islands is home to just over fifty thousand people.
23. The most popular sport in the country is basketball.
24. In 2008, athletes from the Marshall Islands took part in the Olympic Games for the first time, but did not take prizes.
25. There are only two hospitals in the country.
The fact that nature is the best artist has long been known to everyone. But in addition to stunningly beautiful and unusual plants and animals, she also created a lot of natural phenomena, the sight of which is simply breathtaking. Moreover, some of them can be observed only in a certain place or, for example, once a year.
The Eye of the Sahara, the Forest of Knives and other wonders of mother nature.
And since most of us, with all our desire, cannot visit all corners of the planet and see everything with our own eyes, we at 1Gai.ru have prepared a selection of the most amazing natural phenomena on Earth. We emphasize once again: a person has nothing to do with all these miracles (that is, they did not arise as a result of human activity), therefore they are called natural.
1. Light poles, Canada
This incredible phenomenon occurs when ice crystals are suspended in the air due to extreme cold. They then react with every light source around and create this stunning look.
2. Lenticular clouds
Lenticular clouds are amazing everywhere, but especially when they hang over the Mayon volcano crater in the Philippines!
It is said that lenticular (lenticular) clouds are mistaken for UFOs because many of them are in the shape of a "flying saucer". They don't usually form over low or flat terrain, so many people may have never seen them before and don't know they might exist.
3. Striped icebergs, Antarctica
When you think of Antarctica, white icebergs usually come to mind; probably the last thing you'd expect are colorful icebergs with blue, green, yellow and even brown stripes - and yet, that's exactly what you can see in some parts of Antarctica.
Different colors can form under different conditions, but generally speaking, they appear because certain layers of ice form under specific conditions.
For example, blue streaks are most common and appear when cracks fill with water and freeze so quickly that no bubbles form. Conditions change and part of the ice is deposited "normally" while other times it is deposited without bubbles, creating alternation.
The green appears because the freezing water is extremely rich in algae, hence the color. The brown, yellow and even black streaks are caused by sediment collected along the way as the ice sheet slid down the slope.
However, regardless of color, ice is deposited in different ways. Sometimes there is one color and one stripe, sometimes there are several color stripes.
4. Moonlight rainbow, Hawaii
Commonly known as lunar rainbows, they differ from regular rainbows in that they are created by the rays of the moon rather than the sun.
Aside from the difference in light source, their formation is the same as that of solar rainbows: they are caused by the refraction of light in many drops of water, such as a rainstorm or a waterfall, and are always located in the opposite part of the sky from the Moon relative to the observer.
Lunar rainbows are much fainter than solar rainbows due to less light reflected from the Moon's surface. Since the light is usually too weak to excite the cone color receptors in human eyes, it is difficult for the human eye to distinguish colors in the lunar rainbow. As a result, the lunar rainbow often appears white. However, its colors appear in long exposure photographs.
5. Rainbow Eucalyptus
When you look at them, it seems that they are painted with an artist's brush. Probably the only reason these trees exist is to be living works of art!
The rainbow eucalyptus is an evergreen tree with lance-shaped, silver-green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers. Usually reaches a height of 60-75 m and has a trunk up to 2.4 m in diameter. The most stunning feature is the trunk, which grows iridescent bark in shades of green, blue, orange, red and purple. As it grows, the bark flakes off in strips, revealing new colors and patterns, and its beauty is constantly changing.
6. Bismuth crystals
Bismuth has a low melting point - 271°C. When it hardens, it expands to form crystals. Artificially grown bismuth crystals form the structure of a spiral staircase. This shape is due to the faster growth rate at the edges compared to the interior. Bismuth metal is a white-silver metal with a reddish-pinkish tint.
However, when oxidized, bismuth crystals acquire a bewitching iridescent color. The colors of the rainbow are due to the different thicknesses of the oxide layer formed on the surface of the crystal, causing light waves of different wavelengths to interfere with each other.
7. Lunar halo
The moon's halo, or lunar halo, is an optical illusion that causes the moon to be surrounded by a large, bright ring. This striking and often beautiful halo around the Moon is caused by the refraction of moonlight by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.
Essentially, these suspended or falling pieces of ice mean that the atmosphere turns into a giant lens, causing arcs and halos to appear around the moon or sun, depending on whether the effect occurs at night or during the day, respectively.
The effect is so striking that it has given rise to much folklore and superstition, and has been used, not entirely unsuccessfully, to predict the onset of bad weather.
It looks like a huge eye, doesn't it?
8. Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Most of these caves are found in Australia and New Zealand, although there is also a similar cave in Alabama. The most famous are the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, formed over 30 million years ago.
9. Northern Lights
While the northern lights may seem like pure magic, they actually appear when electrically charged particles from the sun react with atoms in the upper atmosphere. Expect to see it on a frosty night!
And now a little more about the nature of the occurrence of this phenomenon. At any moment, the sun is ejecting charged particles from its corona or upper atmosphere, creating what is called the solar wind. When this wind collides with the Earth's ionosphere or the upper atmosphere, the aurora is born. In the Northern Hemisphere, this phenomenon is called the Northern Lights, and in the Southern Hemisphere, the Southern Lights.
These particles are deflected towards the Earth's poles by our planet's magnetic field and interact with our atmosphere, releasing energy and causing the atmosphere to fluoresce.
The bright colors of the northern lights are due to the chemical composition of the Earth's atmosphere.
10. Sky Mirror, Bolivia
This is the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. The views there are quite surreal! The Salar de Uyuni is often referred to as the "Mirror of the Sky". It is so vast and bright white that American astronaut Neil Armstrong is said to have mistaken it for a huge glacier visible from space.
Total area 10,582 sq. km makes it the largest salt marsh in the world. In certain seasons, a thin layer of water turns the plains into a dazzling reflection of the sky. In addition, it also contains 50-70% of the world's known lithium reserves.
If you ever want to visit there, be prepared for altitude sickness as the Sky Mirror is over 3,600 meters above sea level. And if you plan to stay for a while, you need a lot of warm clothes and a sleeping bag, because at night the temperature drops sharply.
11. Dirty Thunderstorms of Sakurajima, Japan
A dirty thunderstorm is a rare and fearsome phenomenon caused by powerful volcanic eruptions. Lightning bolts shoot out from an erupting volcano in a dirty thunderstorm, making this one of the most terrifying yet breathtaking sights. More than 200 cases of volcanic lightning have been recorded over the past two centuries, but scientists still do not fully understand the dynamics of this unique phenomenon.
In recent years, volcanic activity has been reported over many volcanoes around the world, such as Mount Augustine in Alaska, Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland, and Taal in the Philippines. However, in the ash plume of Japan's Sakurajima volcano - one of the most active volcanoes in the world - volcanic lightning occurs more often than on any other volcano.
12. Desert roses
Despite its name, the desert rose is not a rose, but a rose-like gypsum mineral formation. They can be observed in arid sandy areas that are periodically flooded. They combine sand, salt and gypsum crystals.
These crystals form when water evaporates, and they are often prism-shaped that grow up to one meter. Crystals are affected by erosion, salt, sand, and other elements in the desert, giving them their petal shape. Larger crystals tend to contain more salt.
Desert roses often appear in clusters, making them look like a bouquet of flowers.
13. Fiery rainbow round-horizontal shape
When sunlight or moonlight is refracted by air ice crystals, icy halos are formed that mimic fiery rainbows.
14. Frozen ice bubbles, Canada
Methane bubbles form in bodies of water when dead organic matter (plants and animals) enters the water and sinks to the bottom, and bacteria living there feed on them. When they dissolve, methane gas is released, which rises to the surface in the form of bubbles, but turns into floating white bubbles when it comes into contact with frozen water and ice crystals.
The methane bubbles completely burst in the summer when they reach the surface, and the methane is released into the atmosphere, but in the winter, when the lake freezes, the ice traps the bubbles as they approach the surface.
Methane is produced in thousands of lakes across the Arctic, and as impressive as it sounds, it is fraught with future environmental problems as global temperatures rise and permafrost melts, allowing the material to thaw even further. This increases the release of methane into the Earth's atmosphere, which is of concern to climate scientists.
The fact is that methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and it is about 25 times more efficient at capturing heat than carbon dioxide. Therefore, increasing its content will lead to higher levels of global warming.
15. Lake Hillier, Australia
We know from geography lessons that bodies of water are marked in blue on the map. But nature loves to be weird, as is the case with Lake Hillier in Western Australia.
With only 600 meters in length, it will not impress you either with its size or with the variety of fish that inhabit it. But it will amaze with its pink color. The reason for its unique color is still a topic that is not fully understood by scientists, although most suspect that this is due to the presence of Dunaliella salina microalgae.
The pink color of the lake is less pronounced when viewed from the surface, but very noticeable from above. However, unlike other pink lakes around the world, its water is still bright pink even when in a glass!
16. Marble Caves, Chile
These incredible caves took about 6,000 years to form and it was the waves that gave them these breathtaking shapes.
They are entirely of marble and are believed to have been "built" by the waters of the lake. One of the most amazing features of the marble caves is their ability to change color with the seasons. These color changes also depend on how high or low the water is because the colors of the marble are reflected off the water.
Visitors who visit in the spring will notice softer or darker blues compared to when the glaciers melt, with colors ranging from cobalt blue to white and pink. Chilean travel experts advise that the best time to visit the marble caves is from November to February, because the melting ice gives the pristine water an enchanting turquoise color.
17. Relief Danxia, China
Minerals are magical, as are their colors. Just look at this place!
These mountains are formed by red sandstones and conglomerates, mainly from the Cretaceous period. In simple words, a layer of several multi-colored sandstones and minerals remained compressed for more than 24 million years and turned into these mountains.
Due to its uniqueness, the Danxia Relief has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.
18. Sand Waves, Arizona
The "waves" are intersecting patches of sandstone turned into rocks that used to be dunes in Arizona. Their age exceeds 190 million years. The dunes grow vertically and horizontally; over time, moderate erosion caused by wind and rain gives them an undulating appearance.
Many describe dune walking as a very strange experience, surreal and dizzying, or, in some cases, described as a drug-induced walking dream. Even though the stones have hardened, they are still susceptible to damage. Only 20 visitors a day can walk through the gorge; permits are required for this. They are issued through online lotteries and personal lotteries.
19. Great Blue Hole, Belize
This giant sinkhole off the coast of Belize formed during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower. The hole is circular, 318 m across and 124 m deep.
Its area is 70,650 square meters. In 2012, the Discovery Channel ranked the Great Blue Hole number one on their list of "The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth". Not surprisingly, the hole attracts scuba divers from all over the world.
20. Blue Volcano, Indonesia
Although it seems completely otherworldly, the Kawah Ijen volcano is absolutely real! It acquires this color due to the large amount of sulfur dioxide - it shimmers blue when in contact with air at temperatures above 360 ° C.
In fact, this blue glow, uncharacteristic of a volcano, is not the lava itself.
Lava — molten rock that comes out of the ground at ultra-high temperatures — is not much different in color from the lava of other volcanoes, which differ slightly in their mineral composition, but are bright red or orange in their molten state. But in Kawah-Ijen, together with lava at high pressures and temperatures (sometimes exceeding 600 ° C), an extremely large amount of sulfur dioxide is released.
Under the influence of oxygen present in the air and ignited lava, sulfur burns easily, and its flame turns bright blue. There is so much sulfur there that at times it runs down the rock when it burns, giving the impression that blue lava is flowing down the side of the mountain. But because the blue is only the flame, and not itself, it is a cluster of about 40,000 interconnected basalt columns, formed as a result of the eruption of an ancient volcanic fissure. The tops of the columns form steps that lead from the foot of the cliff and disappear under the water.
21. Road of the Giants, Ireland
Most columns are hexagonal, although some have four, five, seven, or eight sides. The highest of them are about 12 meters high, and the thickness of the solidified lava in the rocks in some places is 28 meters.
It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.
22. Cenote Angelita, underwater river, Mexico
Cenote Angelita (water-filled cave) is located on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. When fresh surface water meets open saline groundwater, an underwater river is formed. Different density levels in the two bodies of water cause them to stratify. The result is a breathtaking fusion of the two habitats.
Visiting this cave is not an easy task. The first 20 meters it is filled with clear water, and then it becomes more and more muddy. Diving into the cave takes place up to 55 meters below the surface, so it is considered suitable only for very experienced divers.
23. Vymeobrazny clouds
This magical cloud structure is an amazing sight that can usually be seen after a tornado.
Vymeobraznye clouds (they are also called mammatus, which means "chest cloud" because of the sacs hanging under the base of the cloud) have a specific cellular shape.
Cells are usually about half a kilometer in size, most often sharply defined, but sometimes with blurred edges. Their color is usually gray-blue, like the main cloud, but due to direct sunlight, they may appear golden or reddish.
24. Socotra Dragon Tree, Yemen
They must remember dinosaurs! This evergreen species is so named for its dark red resin, known as "dragon's blood".
The leaves of the dragon tree are found only at the ends of the youngest branches; all leaves are shed every 3 or 4 years before new ones appear at the same time. Its fruits are small, fleshy berries containing 1 to 4 seeds. As they develop, they change color from green to black, and when ripe they turn orange.
25. Waterfall of eternal fire
This is not entirely natural: a small waterfall in upstate New York, near the Canadian border, is fraught with a significant surprise - a fiery stream 0.2 meters high.
Behind the waterfall, there was a natural gas leak that fuels the flames. Although tourists relight it if they notice it has gone out, it is protected enough by the falls to remain constantly lit.
Mexico is a country famous for its fantastic beaches and Mayan and Aztec ruins and pyramids. But this country full of history has much more to offer and this is the reason why it is tenth in the list of preferences of tourists around the world, when it comes to spending the holidays. Here are seven of the most beautiful and popular things about Mexico.
Mexicans represent a combination of over 50 different indigenous groups. This means that almost all Mexican citizens have indigenous blood flowing through their veins. The inhabitants of this country are very friendly and proud of the culture and heritage of their country.
Mexican food is famous all over the world, but the offers are much more varied than decattacos, fajitas, burritos, hot peppers, beans and tomatoes. In fact, the basis of most Spanish dishes is corn. The people here have been making corn tortillas for centuries, for which they have used varieties grown in the country. But you will also find other excellent dishes with vegetables, seafood and meat.
And many other interesting things you can find out today with Bemorepanda. We collected 50 pictures and facts about Mexico, a unique country!
1. Burritos and tacos are national and very popular food here, based on tortillas made from corn, wheat and even cactus flour. The second component is meat, chicken or vegetables and necessarily beans, all seasoned with a hot chili sauce.
2. Freshly squeezed juices, as well as various soft drinks sold on every corner, are very cheap, but be careful - ice is generously put there or diluted with water of unknown origin.
3. Fruits on the streets are sold peeled and cut, in plastic bags. Before selling them, they are offered to be sprinkled with chili powder with sugar on top - for hot lovers.
4. Homemade ice cream, which can be found on sale, is sold without packaging, and what looks like chocolate chips may turn out to be chili peppers. Even when buying ice cream you need to clarify - "no spicy pliz" =).
5. Tequila (full name of Santiago de Tequila) is the name of the Mexican city in which the main production of the drink of the same name is located.
6. Blue agave is the plant from which Tequila is made, contrary to popular belief that it is made from cacti. Blue agave belongs to the asparagus family and looks like a small bush with thorns, which is probably why the stereotype about cacti appeared.
7. Tequilero - this is the name of a tequila specialist.
8. Popular local sweets: apple and other fruit candy - in the form of toffee and in the form of cubes; candied coconut in lime; Juchela-shaped sweet beans with chili.
9. Boiled corn is also a popular delicacy here - you can buy the whole cob or already peeled in a glass. The seller, in addition to corn, adds salt, mayonnaise to the glass, sprinkles with cheese and squeezes lime juice onto all this mash. And for the ear and for the glass the price is the same - a little more than a dollar.
10. Corn here is generally a universal product - it is eaten raw, boiled and grilled; it is used for making tortillas, stew, yogurt and even corn ice cream with pieces of corn.
11. Meat in villages is often sold without refrigerators - despite the heat, it simply hangs on a hook.
12. In large supermarkets, sellers work in gauze bandages.
13. Mexican Groupon is very developed in large cities - interesting offers are often found, promotions will appeal to discount fans. We bought coupons in a cafe more than once, booked a hotel room (3 nights for the price of two), paid for an "extreme tour" with a 75% discount, a visit to a crocodile farm for 50% and a segway tour for 30% of the tour cost.
14. The sand on the Caribbean coast of coral origin is very fine, white and hardly gets hot. In 40 degrees heat, you can walk barefoot on it.
15. The water in the Caribbean Sea is very warm, about 25-28 degrees all year round.
16. The underwater museum with four hundred sculptures located at a depth of about 2 to 10 meters is located near Cancun. Divers who are bored with tropical fish and coral reefs will surely like it.
17. The beaches of Cancun and Tulum are among the ten best beaches in the world according to TripAdvisor.
18. Cenotes are natural wells or small lakes that the Mayans used as sources of water and places for sacrifices, they will surely appeal to snorkelers. Most cenotes are located in caves with many bizarre stalactites and stalagmites. The water there is crystal clear and pleasantly cool, well suited for relaxing from the heat outside.
19. Iguanas of different colors and sizes are very common in villages and small towns in Mexico.
20. Official taxis in Mexico City have a state license with a photo of the driver on the glass. To avoid misunderstandings, it is recommended that you check the photo with the person driving.
21. Taxis in Mexico City differ in safety classes. The safer - the more expensive, but generally it is quite cheap. For 3 or 4 people, it is often more profitable to take a taxi than to travel by public transport.
22. The cost of local calls from a pay phone does not depend on the duration of the call. For example, an unlimited city call will cost 3 pesos (25 cents).
23. Mexico City is located in the mountains, at an altitude of 2240 m, so if you are flying from the coast or lowland parts, prepare to wear a sweater or jacket at the exit from the airport. It is warm during the day and quite cool in the morning and evening.
24. The metro in the capital of 20 million, in comparison with St. Petersburg and Moscow, is relatively uncrowded, even at rush hour.
25. In addition to the name, each metro station has a picture designation - this is done especially for those who cannot read.
26. There are parking lots for bicycles at some metro stations - many people get to the station by bike, hang it on special handrails in the lobby in front of the turnstiles and then go by metro.
27. Many merchants can be found in the metropolitan subway - both spreading their goods in the passages, and moving along the wagons. In funny, howling voices, like a church priest singing psalms, they offer to buy a variety of goods - food, clothing, shoes, souvenirs, etc. - often like ours "three for a dozen" =).
28. The sellers of music discs are visible, or rather heard the most. They enter the carriage with a backpack-column behind their backs and turn on a CD with hits so that they can be heard at the next station.
29. Free bike rental - a special city program for tourists operates in Mexico City. Bicycle hotspots are located close to many attractions.
30. Metrobus is a special type of transport in the capital, something between the metro and the bus. Outwardly this is a bus, but it consists of two parts and travels, most often, along a dedicated lane. The entrance to it is carried out through turnstiles at specially equipped stops.
31. The first subway car is intended for disabled people and women - such a separation is a forced measure of the state to protect women from the harassment of hot Mexicans.
32. There are a lot of currency exchange offices in tourist places, but it is best to change the currency in banks - the rate is always better. You must have a passport with you.
33. Double names are the norm for local people (for example, Addi Maria or Carlos Antonio). This has nothing to do with the parents, just at birth they give not one name, but two at once.
34. Medical care for the Mexican population is free, but, as the locals themselves say, it is of very poor quality, so if you want normal conditions and assistance, you need to go to a private clinic.
35. Education is also almost completely free. Various social programs are provided for schoolchildren - up to free meals and uniforms. The universities pay decent scholarships, but many still do not want to study - they go to work.
36. Quinceañera - one of the important events in the life of a Mexican girl, symbolizing the entry into adulthood. Quinceañera is celebrated on the 15th anniversary and is usually celebrated on a grand scale - with a ceremony in the church, flowers, gifts, professional photography and video filming, dancing and live music. The guests and the hero of the occasion dress in expensive outfits and jewelry to match the wedding.
37. The numbering of streets and houses in cities is very curious - streets are named by numbers: Calle 1, Calle 2. And even numbers go perpendicular to odd ones, and the address is listed as "Calle 2, house 56, between Calle 1 and Calle 3". This is very convenient and allows you to quickly find the desired street and house on it, even without having a map at hand.
38. One-way traffic is organized in many cities due to the fact that most of the streets are narrow. Moreover, the direction of movement alternates - for example, on Calle 1 in one direction, and on Calle 3 - in the other. There is two-way traffic on wide streets, they are usually called Avenida - avenues.
39. Most small towns and villages are built on the same principle: a square central square, where the cathedral gathering and the police building are located, and in the middle there is a park area.
40. Tricycles are the most common form of transport in small villages. Moreover, one wheel is located at the back, and 2 - in front and on them there is a large basket in which they carry everything in a row - from firewood to people.
41. Inhabitants of very poor villages live in reed huts. Often inside such a hut, the only "piece of furniture" is a hammock.
42. Chips, biscuits and Coca-Cola - a permanent set of products, which is in every shop, in every run-down village. The Coca-Cola inscription is here on all stores.
43. Insurance with a franchise is offered by most car rental companies. Finding full coverage insurance takes hard work.
44. The difference between "automatic" and "mechanics" when renting a car, as a rule, is not very significant - usually overpaid only $ 12 per week.
45. License plates are missing on many cars - instead of them there is a "technical passport" on the rear window.
46. Imprinting - this ancient procedure had to be subjected to a bank card to pay for a rented car. A few days later, the bank blocked the card due to the fact that it was "compromised". It is not known if this is due to imprinting or simply to spending in Mexico.
47. Heavy things, especially basins, are often worn by women on their heads.
48. Policemen patrolling the streets of the city, standing in the back of an SUV - a frequent occurrence in tourist cities.
49. Corruption is very common among police officers - in case of any violation on the road, they begin to gently offer to "resolve the issue on the spot."
50. The city of the Maya Indians, Chichen Itza, which belongs to the list of "7 new wonders of the world" is located on the Yucatan Peninsula.
People became closely acquainted with koalas only 200 years ago. Still, during this time, the cute eared creature managed to become the most famous Australian animal, eclipsing even the kangaroo and one of the most famous animals worldwide. Everyone, at least once, was touched by this creature that looked like a tiny bear cub with cute ears and a curious look.
What are some interesting facts about koalas?
In nature, koalas live only in Australia, and in zoos, where they take root well, they are real stars not only because of their appearance but also because of their elegant and, at the same time, leisurely manner of moving. If there are koalas in the zoo, you can predict with a high degree of probability that the most significant number of visitors, tiny ones, will be near their enclosure. The appearance of koalas is deceptive: an angry animal in a rage can attack a person. Let's try to state a few more facts about these fascinating animals.
15. Europeans first met koalas in 1798.
One of the employees of the governor of the colony of New South Wales, John Price, reported that in the Blue Mountains (they are located in the extreme southeast of Australia) an animal similar to a wombat lives. Still, it does not live in holes but on trees. After four years, the koala remains were discovered, and in July 1803, the Sydney Gazette printed a description of a recently caught live specimen. Surprisingly, koalas were not seen by members of the expedition of James Cook in 1770. Cook's voyages were extensive, but the solitary lifestyle of koalas prevented them from making a discovery.
14. Koalas are not bears, although they are very similar.
Not only does the appearance of a funny animal contributes to the confusion. The first British settlers in Australia called the animal "Koala bear" - "Koala Bear." For former convicts and people from the lower classes of British society at the end of the 18th century, it was difficult to expect ordinary literacy, let alone biological. Yes, and scientists reached an agreement on the belonging of the koala to the class of marsupials only at the beginning of the next century. Of course, in everyday life, the combination “Koala Bear” will be understandable to most people.
13. Koala is a particular species in terms of biological classification.
The closest relatives of the inhabitants of the eucalyptus forests are wombats, but they are both in terms of lifestyle and biologically very distant from the koala.
12. Except for nature reserves and zoos, koalas live only in Australia and only on its east coast and adjacent islands.
The example of the koala clearly shows that the negative experience of settling animal species on the continent does not teach Australians at all. Having burned themselves on ostriches, rabbits, and even cats in the 20th century, they enthusiastically undertook to resettle koalas. Not only restored the deforested population of these marsupials in the state of South Australia. The koalas have been relocated to the Yanchep National Park and several islands off the northeast coast of the country. The geography of the settlement of koalas has expanded to 1,000,000 km2, but one can only hope that the slowness and good nature of koalas will help avoid the following environmental problems. Although on Kangaroo Island, where koalas were forcibly brought, their number reached 30,000, which exceeded the food supply. The proposal to shoot 2/3 of the population was rejected as damaging the country's image.
11. The maximum body length is 85 cm, the maximum weight is 55 kg.
The cost differs depending on the habitat - its color varies from silver in the north to dark brown in the south. This gradation suggests that two different subspecies live in the north and south, but this assumption has not yet been proven.
10. The diet of koalas is unique.
Not only does it consist exclusively of plant foods. Vegetation is slowly and poorly digested, forcing the animal to devote most of the day to feeding. The diet of koalas consists only of eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous to all other animals. They contain terpene and phenolic compounds, and young shoots are also rich in hydrocyanic acid. It is surprising how koalas absorb such a hellish mixture of tens of kilograms (500 g - 1 kg per day) without harming their health. After genetic research, it turned out that in the genome of these animals, there are particular genes responsible for the breakdown of poisons. The same studies showed that the tongue of koalas has unique taste buds that allow you to instantly assess the moisture content of a eucalyptus leaf - a fundamental property of its absorption. In fact, by lightly licking the leaf, the koala already knows if it is edible. And yet, even with such unique abilities, the koala spends at least 20 hours a day on food and the subsequent digestion of food in a dream.
9. The fact that a koala sleeps a lot and can sit on the same tree for days does not mean that the motor abilities of this animal are limited.
Koalas just have almost nowhere to rush. In nature, Dingoes are their enemies, but for an attack, the marsupial needs to get out into the open, and the dog gets close - a koala can quickly accelerate up to 50 km / h at short distances. During the mating season, males can arrange a bloody duel in which they will demonstrate sharpness and speed of reaction; in this case, it is better not to fall under the arm, or rather, under the long sharp claws. Also, koalas are very clever at jumping from tree to tree and even know how to swim. Their ability to climb trunks and branches and even hang on one paw for a long time has long been the hallmark of these cute animals.
8. Koala parasites are much more dangerous than external enemies.
Many young male koalas die in fights with more experienced individuals or due to falls from trees (and they happen - a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull is often explained by the need to soften the concussion from a fall from a height). Many koalas suffer from pathogens that cause conjunctivitis, cystitis, sinusitis, and other diseases. Even with a slight long-term decrease in temperature, koalas can get pneumonia caused by a runny nose. Koalas even have their analog of AIDS, the Koala Immunodeficiency Virus.
7. The brain's weight is only 0.2% of the total weight of koalas.
Excavations, and the current size of their skulls, show that the brains of the ancestors of these animals were much larger. However, with the simplification of the diet and the disappearance of enemies, its size became excessive. Now about half of the internal volume of the koala's skull is occupied by cerebrospinal fluid.
6. Koalas breed at about the same pace as they live.
Sexual maturity occurs in the third year of their life, lasting only 12-13 years. At the same time, females mate once every 1 - 2 years, exceptionally rarely bearing two cubs, usually one. Males call them with sharp-smelling secretions of glands and characteristic cries. Pregnancy lasts a little more than a month; the cub is born very small (weighing a little more than 5 grams) and sits in the mother's bag for the first six months. He also does not come off his mother for the next six months but already outside the bag, clinging to the fur. At the age of one year, babies finally become independent. At the same time, females look for their territory, and males can live with their mothers for a couple more years.
5. Male koalas have unique vocal cords that allow them to make loud sounds of different tones.
Like humans, the voice develops with age. Young males, frightened or injured, make cries similar to the cries of human babies. The call of a mature male has a lower timbre and is more informative. Scientists believe that the screams of a koala can frighten competitors and attract females. Moreover, the tone of the cry contains information (often exaggerated) about the size of the individual.
4. Koalas survived their genocide.
At the beginning of the 20th century, they were shot by the millions; the beautiful thick fur was so valued. Hunting was banned in 1927, but the population never recovered. Later, several koala parks and even a particular hospital were organized in Australia. However, due to climate fluctuations, human deforestation, and wildfires, the koala population is constantly declining.
3. Private ownership of koalas is illegal worldwide, although there may be some kind of underground trade - the forbidden fruit is always sweet.
But to see these marsupials, it is not necessary to fly to Australia - there are koalas in many zoos around the world. They live longer in captivity than in the wild with proper nutrition and care and can live up to 20 years. At the same time, despite their low level of intelligence, they show a touching affection for the staff, having fun or being capricious like small children.
2. By the end of the 20th century, the koala surpassed the kangaroo as the animal symbol of Australia.
In 1975, a survey conducted among tourists entering the continent from Europe and Japan showed that 75% of the guests would first like to see koalas. The income from visits to parks and reserves with koalas was then estimated at $ 1 billion. The image of the koala is widely used in the advertising industry, show business, and logos around the world. Koalas are characters in many films, television shows, cartoons, and computer games.
1. Australia has an exceptional Wildlife Rescue Service.
From time to time, its employees have to rescue animals in dangerous or incidental situations. On July 19, 2018, the service crew went to the electrical substation "Happy Valley" of SA Power Networks in South Australia. The koala was stuck in an aluminum fence that he could have crawled under. Rescuers quickly released the animal, which behaved remarkably calmly. This calmness was explained simply - the unlucky marsupial had already dealt with people. On his paw was a tag saying that the koala had already been rescued once after being hit by a car.
Which animal is lazier, a koala or a panda?
The sloth shares the first place among the laziest creatures with the koala. The time of wakefulness of this marsupial animal does not exceed two hours a day, while their sleep can last from eighteen to twenty-two hours. During it, a koala can pick eucalyptus leaves from trees and eat while half asleep.
Panda belongs to the bear family. But its main difference is that it does not fall into hibernation, but it can sleep up to fifteen hours a day. This huge animal, the rest of the time, is engaged in the extraction and eating of food. Since all representatives are in enclosures due to the threat of extinction of the species, they do not have to get food on their own, so the wakefulness time has decreased significantly.
So, of course, a koala is much lazier than a panda.
The Republic of Palau is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. At least, this is how those who visit this island nation usually speak of it, admire the green islands growing from the sea surface and dive underwater, seeing with their own eyes the fantastic underwater world of Palau. It is as beautiful as the travel brochures promise.
Amazing facts about Palau
The country of Palau is, as it were, an independent state, but at the same time, as it were, not. It is associated with the United States; that is, it partially controls and undertakes, if necessary, to provide Palau with protection and patronage.
1. The Republic of Palau is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
2. This is how those who visit this island nation usually speak of it, admire the green islands growing from the sea surface, and dive under the water, seeing with their eyes the fantastic underwater world of Palau.
3. Palau is an island state in the northwest of Oceania. It occupies the extreme western part of the arc of the Caroline Islands.
4. In the west and north, the country is washed by the waters of the Philippine Sea. The country consists of 26 large and more than 300 small islands. Most of the islands are covered with evergreen tropical forests.
5. They are divided into two groups: southwestern (Tobi Islands, Sonsorol Islands, and others) and the Palau Islands proper. Most uninhabited of the 328 islands that make up the Republic of Palau.
6. In the past, the Palau Islands belonged to Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
7. The Republic of Palau received independence from the USA only in 1994, which makes it one of the youngest states in the world.
8. The official currency of Palau is the US dollar.
WATERFALLS OF PALAU
9. About 21 thousand people live in the entire Republic of Palau. This is about 600 times less than in Moscow. And from year to year, it practically does not change.
10. English here has official status on a par with Palauan, but in practice, only about 15% of the population speaks it. Primarily those who work with tourists.
11. Almost all Palauans profess various denominations of Christianity, but about 9% adhere to the Modekngei religion, which is not found in other countries. It combines elements of Christianity and traditional local beliefs.
12. The Spanish navigators called these islands “Enchanted” because they could not reach them due to storms and strong headwinds, although they tried repeatedly.
13. The climate here is one of the best on the planet - all year round, the air temperature here is from 25 to 30 degrees, give or take.
14. Precipitation here is more than 3000 mm per year, and humidity averages about 80%. February and March are the driest months, while June to August is a period of prolonged tropical rains.
15. Typhoons are rare here, as Palau is outside the typhoon belt, but sometimes they still sweep over the islands (usually between June and December). The island's water temperature is about 20 ° C all year round.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PALAU
16. An important attraction is the National Museum of Palau - a good enough place to understand the national culture and history.
17. Here, you can also find several interesting natural and ethnographic exhibits: the head of a 5-meter crocodile, the largest ever caught on the islands, beads, and money from shells, sea charts from cords and sticks, carvings and other items of local history and crafts, a beautiful traditional "bai" (joint meeting center) made of wood and straw, as well as a small collection of Japanese military equipment from World War II.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM
18. The Dolphin Center near the coast of Koror, the International Center for the Study of Coral Reefs with a beautiful aquarium, deserves attention here.
19. The best resort complex in the country is Palau Pacific Resort, with an extensive range of entertainment, a first-class dive center, and a secluded resort complex Carolines Resort.
20. Here is the famous Blue Corner dive site (closer to the Rock Islands), where you can expect to meet any sea creature - there is an incredible variety of fish and crustaceans, nurse sharks, barracudas soft and hard corals.
UNDERWATER WORLD IN THE WATER WASHING PALAU
21. About 130 sharks live in the waters washing the shores of Palau. And there are about 1500 species of other fish.
22. There is no army at all in this country.
23. There are no political parties here.
24. Here is one of the natural wonders of the world, Jellyfish Lake, which several million of them exist. They have bred so much due to the lack of natural enemies and therefore have lost the ability to sting.
25. the giant bivalve mollusks in the world live in the coastal waters of Palau - giant tridacna, up to 2 meters in diameter and weighing up to 220-250 kilograms.
ANGAUR ISLAND
26. Angaur Island, or Ngeur (only 8 square kilometers), is the southernmost in the Palau group of islands. This is a somewhat mysterious and calm place with only two villages and 188 inhabitants.
27. This island became famous for its phosphate mines, which the Germans began to develop in 1909. Now, on the site of mines and quarries, green ponds serve as the home of a small colony of crocodiles.
28. By the way, this is also the only place in the country where monkeys live - macaques that escaped from the cages of German miners at one time formed an utterly independent population and feel great among the green thickets of Angaur.
29. Another unique feature of the island is the dominance of the three official languages - English, Japanese, and Angaur (Western Austronesian group), as well as the country's first casino, opened by the national congress's decision in 2003.
30. There is virtually no crime in Palau.
CITY OF KOROR IN PALAU
31. Koror - the economic center and former capital of Palau - is located on the island of the same name. Now it is a much less vibrant city compared to the time when it was dominated by the Japanese, with a leisurely Micronesian pace of life, with a complete absence of crowds and bustle.
32. Here you can still find the remains of the traditional past, but at best this city is an excellent place to relax for a day or two, no more. But from here, starting a trip to Peleliu, Angaur, the Rock Islands, and many popular dive sites is very convenient.
33. The underwater world of Palau is vibrant. The vertical walls of the rocks, sheerly going into the abyss, are covered with a variety of bright corals - these are soft corals and fans of gorgonians and openwork colonies of macroporous corals. The total number of coral species in Palau reaches 700.
34. Various invertebrates live among the corals: starfish, Gorgon's Head brittle stars, crabs and shrimps, sea urchins, colorful nudibranchs, and huge pleurobranchia. At the bottom, huge tridacnas with bright mantles of different colors are visible: emerald green, blue, and purple.
35. Various tropical fish live near coral thickets, including giant Napoleon fish. In the water column near the steep outer walls of the reefs, pelagic fish are found in large numbers: tuna, marlin, mackerel, and barracuda.
36. In the Ulong Channel - a natural channel in the barrier reef - at a depth of 20 meters on a sandy plateau at the entrance to the track, whitetip and gray reef sharks constantly swim with cleaner fish. Diving with whitetip and gray reef sharks is unforgettable.
37. Saltwater crocodiles are found in Palau, and dives with crocodiles are organized for lovers of the exotic.
38. In addition to diving in the sea, dives are organized in Lake Medusa. The jellyfish here are similar to the Black Sea corners but differ in their orange color and the fact that they have lost their stinging cells during evolution. Dives are carried out in the first set; below 10 meters, the water is toxic.
39. Just 35 kilometers south of Koror are the famous Rock Islands - one of the best places for outdoor activities in the Pacific Ocean. The mushroom-shaped limestone rocks of this island group (about 200 islets and reefs in total) are covered with a robust vegetation cap, and the waters around are considered one of the most abundant places on Earth. Therefore they serve as a recognized Mecca for divers.
40. The main points of attraction here are the famous Ngemelis coral wall, which begins at the surface of the water and goes to a depth of 300 meters with a continuous cover of sponges, soft corals, gorgonians, and giant black coral “trees.”
BEACHES ON THE ROCK ISLANDS
41. Also, on the Rock Islands, there are many snow-white shores of coral sand, caves with stalactites and underground channels, ancient petroglyphs (especially on the island of Oolong), and other traces of ancient peoples (fascinating is the quarry where stone money of the Yapese culture was made, located in a cave near Airer-Channel).
42. There is no public transport in Palau at all. All residents use their vehicles.
43. And the guests of this state have only two options - to rent a car or a motorcycle or to use a costly taxi.
44. Due to the particular historical conditions of the country, it is impossible to single out any specific local cuisine here. Most traditional island dishes are variations on recipes from Polynesian and Melanesian peoples, with a substantial admixture of Japanese, Filipino and American cuisine.
45. The main elements of the traditional cuisine of Palau are coconut milk and copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes, and all kinds of fish and seafood.
46. Diplomatic relations between Palau and Russia were established only in 2006.
47. The only products exported here are coconut meat (copra) and some seafood.
48. Theft is not universal in Palau.
49. Slightly less than 10% of residents are not literate.
50. Locals are eager to help tourists determine the best fishing spots, so marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo in a center and a half are not rare guests in the catches of sport fishing enthusiasts.
