Africa is the continent of extremes; although it has abundant natural resources, Africa remains the poorest and least developed continent in the world; on its territory are the hottest and driest areas on Earth and, at the same time, some of the wettest and rainiest, so but we present to you a list of curiosities about Africa, they are only some of the vast number of exciting things and data that this considerable continent possesses.
Top facts about Africa
There are 54 countries in Africa (and nine territories), with a total of over 1.1 billion people living on the continent, representing 15% of the world population.
GHANA
1. There are 196 independent states in the world. There are 54 countries in Africa. More than a quarter of the total number of existing conditions on the planet is in Africa.
2. Before the colonization of Africa, there were more than 10,000 independent states and tribes on its territory, each of which had its own unique language.
3. Africa is the hottest continent on the planet. The reason is that most of the territory lies between the tropics. On the continent there are many countries with different levels of development, breathtaking landscapes, heritage of ancient civilizations.
4. In the past, most African countries were colonies that belonged to England, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal.
5. After the Second World War, African countries began to gradually free themselves from oppression and gained their independence.
NATURE OF ETHIOPIA
6. Of all the countries in Africa, only Liberia and Ethiopia could not be colonized by Europeans, these countries could always defend their independence.
7. More than 2,000 different languages are spoken on the African mainland, but the most common language is Arabic. Over 100 million people speak Swahili.
8. Most of the states of North Africa are very underdeveloped, although Algeria and Libya are considered an exception, where there are considerable deposits of oil and gas.
9. And Morocco is known as a place where phosphorites are mined, which are necessary for the manufacture of fertilizer. Almost the entire population of North Africa is engaged in the cultivation and cultivation of agriculture: olives, dates, sugar cane and so on.
10. Libya is a state located in the very center of North Africa, it has access to the Mediterranean Sea. Basically, a large area of this area is a plain. In addition, the Western part of the state is separated from the Eastern by a chain of ridges and mountains.
LIBYA, TRIPOLI
11. Mostly, Libya is a desert country, because 90% of Libya's area is occupied by deserts. In the past, this territory was an Italian colony, but in 1951 it gained independence. It has the richest culture, which it inherited from the Byzantine Empire.
12. Morocco is an amazingly beautiful state with its contrasts and immense wealth. It was here that a small part of European traditions gave Arab culture a modern breath.
13. Morocco is the only country on the entire African continent that does not belong to a single African Union. She suspended her membership in 1984. This state is one of the main allies of America, which is not a member of NATO. In addition, it ranks 12th among the richest countries on the continent.
14. In Africa, 10 oil producers in terms of exports: Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, South Africa.
15. The only volcano with alkaline lava is located in Tanzania. Millions of pink flamingos live on the shores of the soda lake. Against the backdrop of a black lake, flamingos look especially bright and exotic.
CAPE TOWN
16. South Africa speaks 11 languages, among them: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English. Most of the population knows more than three languages, and the most popular language among Africans is English.
17. South Africa is the largest supplier of fruits in the world.
18. More than 1.5 million tourists come to South Africa every year to see with their own eyes all the uniqueness of this continent.
19. There are more Portuguese in Angola than in Portugal.
20. In Senegal there is Pink Lake - Retba.
21. The University of Timbuktu in Mali is one of the oldest universities in the world. It was founded in the 12th century.
22. Translated from Portuguese, the name "Cameroon" means "river of shrimp." About 250 different peoples live on the territory of Cameroon, each of which has its own language and dialect. Because of this, it is difficult for locals to understand each other. However, there is still a language that most residents understand - this is the language of football.
23. Cameroonians are ardent fans. Their national team, the Indomitable Lions, won the African Cup several times, and in 1990 reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
24. The largest frog in the world called Goliath lives in Cameroon.
MOROCCO, CITY OF FES
25. The African city of Fes has the oldest university in the world. It was founded in 859, not only Muslims, but also Christians studied here.
26. Lagos is the largest city on the continent. The government claims that the city has a population of about 17.5 million, but other estimates of residents put it at 21 million.
27. The Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are two completely different states. More than 80 tribes live on the territory of the Republic of the Congo. Many of the inhabitants here believe in reincarnation. They are convinced that all bad people after death become animals that run away from hunters all their lives. Good people become white Europeans.
28.The local population of the Congo has a rich and distinctive folklore, but written literature appeared only after the Second World War.
29. The western region of the mainland includes 16 states. In this part is the most populous country in Africa - Nigeria. It is home to about 200 million people.
TUNISIA
30. Tunisia is considered the smallest state among those that belong to North Africa. In 1957, this territory gained its independence from France.
31. Tunisia leads in the number of students among African countries and, as a result, holds the record for the percentage of people with higher education.
32. Tunisia is a country whose territory is located along the Mediterranean Sea. This state attracts here those people who love adventures, wonderful holidays, especially in the cold season. Thanks to the local landscapes, paragliding, various sea and mountain sports are developed here.
33. Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa.
34. Algiers has the most poisonous lake in the world. The thing is that instead of water in the lake there is ink, which is formed as a result of the decomposition of various organic compounds.
35. Algeria claims to be the largest African country in terms of area. Its area is 2,381,741 km². In second place is the Democratic Republic of the Congo with an area of 2,344,858 km².
IN THE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
36. Tarangire National Park (Tanzania) is home to unique albino lions.
37. A must-see place in Tanzania is the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, one of the 7 natural wonders of Africa.
38. It is believed that in Eritrea, Egypt and Libya are the most dangerous roads in the world.
39. The most aggressive ethnic group are the Mursi living in Ethiopia. For this tribe, fights and murders are considered commonplace, men here do not go without machine guns, and women wear necklaces made of human fingers around their necks. The Mursi tribe can be recognized by the deformed lip, which they stretch to an incredible size.
40. Benin has the largest terrestrial structure in the world, which is under the protection of UNESCO. This is a wall of moats and ramparts, the construction of which began in 800 BC. The length of this structure exceeds even the Great Wall of China.
UGANDA, KAMPALA
41. Niger, Mali and Uganda rank among the highest birth rates in the world.
42. Nigeria is the most populous country with over 145 million people.
43. South Africa has the most Grammy winners. Nollywood in Nigeria releases about 50 films every week.
44. Algeria has the highest cost of living in North Africa. And the inflation rate of 4% is the lowest among the countries of North Africa. There are more than 780 research laboratories in the country and more than 20,000 research professors reside in Algeria.
45. Sudanese people practice "ghost marriages" where a brother marries his deceased brother's wife to provide him with an heir. All children born are considered descendants of the deceased.
46. And annual grass fires in Sudan can cover more than half of the entire country.
BOTSWANA
47. Botswana has the largest population of elephants on the continent.
48. Botswana produces about 17.7% of the world's diamonds and is the world's largest producer of the most valuable diamonds.
49. Zimbabwe has the highest literacy rate in Africa.
ZIMBABWE, HARARE
50. In Zimbabwe, men with a big belly are considered rich. A large belly indicates that a person is financially stable and can afford to eat meat every day.
51. The flag of Mozambique is the only one in the world with the image of a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
52. In Mozambique, photographs of any armed forces, airports, bridges or government buildings are not allowed.
53. Namibia is the first country to include environmental protection in its constitution. About 90% of Namibia remains a natural habitat.
BENIN, PORTO NOVA
54. Benin is one of the most politically stable countries in West Africa.
55. It also has one of the highest birth rates in the world - 5 children per woman.
56. The Global Peace Index named Ghana the most peaceful country in Africa.
57. In 1991, Ghanaian Ferdy Ato Adobe set a world record by running 100 meters backwards in 13.6 seconds.
58. There are no railways in Cape Verde, but there are seven operating airports, one of which is over 3,047 meters long.
59. Côte d'Ivoire boasts the largest church in the world - Notre Dame de la Paix with an area of 30,000 m².
MALI
60. Mali has one of the highest child and maternal mortality rates in Africa.
61. Also, this country is famous for dancing in ritual masks, of which there are more than 75 types.
62. Niger has the youngest population in the world. In 2013, over half of the population of Niger (50.09%) were under the age of 14.
63. Senegal is the only country in West Africa where there have been no military coups.
SENEGAL
64. The most popular TV show in Senegal about sheep.
65. Christianity is the main religion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and is practiced by about 95% of the country's population.
66. Luanda, the capital of Angola is known as the "Paris of Africa". This name, apparently, is associated with the sophisticated culture and atmosphere of the city.
67. In Morocco, the national drink is green tea with mint leaves and sugar. This drink is served as a symbol of hospitality and it is considered an insult to refuse it.
68. Zambia is known for Victoria Falls, twice the size of Niagara Falls. Because of its spray, it rains 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the forest next to the waterfall.
69. South Africa is the only country in the world that has voluntarily abandoned its own nuclear weapons program. And also the only country in the world to host the World Cup in football, cricket and rugby.
70. In Burkina Faso, the symbol of the country is a white stallion.
71. In this country, only 1% of rural areas are electrified.
BURKINA FASO
72. Lake Lac Assal in the center of Djibouti is 10 times saltier than the Dead Sea. It is the second saltiest body of water in the world after Don Juan in Antarctica.
73. It is also the lowest point on land on the entire African continent and the second lowest on Earth after the Dead Sea.
74. Uganda is home to 11% of the country's global bird population and 50% of the world's mountain gorillas.
75. In Uganda, motorcycles are used as taxis to transport people, which are known as "Boda Boda".
76. Up to 85% of the territory of Gabon is covered with tropical forests, 11% of which are national parks. These are one of the largest natural parks in the world.
77. Ethiopia is the only African country with its own alphabet and it is called Ge'ez (geez). The alphabet has 345 letters.
MAURITIUS
78. Dodo birds once lived in Mauritius. It was they who inspired Lewis Carroll to write the book Alice in Wonderland.
79. Guinea-Bissau is the sixth largest cashew producer in the world. This is one of the poorest countries in the world.
80. Chad has the second fastest growing economy in the world.
81. In June 2016, South Sudan experienced an inflation rate of 309%, one of the highest in the world. In a country, wealth is measured by the number of livestock each family owns.
82. Mauritania was the last country to abolish slavery in 2007. The traditional standards of female beauty here are obese women who are considered beautiful, while thin women are considered sickly.
83. In the country of Eswatini (Swaziland), the last absolute monarchy in Africa and one of the few remaining in the world. King Mswati III now has 15 wives. His predecessor had 125.
GAMBIA, BANJUL
84. The official title of the President of the Gambia is Sheikh Professor Doctor President. People vote in elections in the Gambia by throwing stones into pits.
85. The ancient Egyptians were the first to have a calendar of 365 days divided into 12 months.
86. Nigeria has the highest twin birth rate in the world. It has more species of butterflies than any other country.
87. Kenyan men can have multiple wives. Hunting is prohibited in Kenya. In 2015, Kenya was ranked as the world's leading safari country.
88. The six driest places in the world are in Africa. These are: Al-Kufra in Libya, Aswan and Luxor in Egypt, Wadi Halfa in Sudan, Pelican Point in Namibia and Aoelef in Algiers.
89. Traditionally, Ethiopian parents and children do not have a family name. Most children take their father's first name as their last name.
90. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the eleventh largest country in the world and the fourth most populous in Africa. Nyiragongo Volcano is one of eight active volcanoes in the country and one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.
CHAD
91. It is better for tourists to avoid the CAR country. Staying here is dangerous, the CAR is one of the most troubled African republics. The local population is already accustomed to constant civil wars and coup d'état.
92. Also, cases of cannibalism here also do not surprise anyone. Jean Bedel Bokassa, the president of the Central African Republic from 1966 to 1976, was a real cannibal.
93. Liberia is in the top 20 most non-smoking countries in the world - 104 cigarettes per adult per year. The largest cruise ships are also registered in Liberia.
94. Among all the countries of Central Africa, Gabon is considered the richest. This is one of the oldest oil-producing states, there are more than a hundred oil fields.
95.Most of the territory of this country is covered with tropical forests with unique flora and fauna. It’s just that it’s unlikely that you will be able to capture this beauty - photography is prohibited in most places in the country.
96. Translated from Portuguese, the name "Gabon" means "Coat with a hood."
ERITREA
97. The country of Eritrea, after Egypt, ranks second in archaeological discoveries in Africa with 80,000 archaeological sites.
98. Eighteen people from Africa have been awarded the Nobel Prize. They are from Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
99. Despite being the second largest continent in the world, Africa has the shortest coastline. In Africa, 16 countries are landlocked.
100. Cameroon is often referred to as "Africa in Miniature" as it represents all the landscapes of the continent, including tropical forests, desert, swamp and savannah.
101.Egypt is best known for its pyramids, but the Republic of the Sudan has 223 pyramids of its own, twice the number of Egyptian pyramids.
LESOTHO
102. The traditional clothing of the country of Lesotho is the Basotho blanket with colorful patterns. The blanket is used not only for protection from the cold, but also as a status and cultural accessory. By the way, Lesotho has one of the scariest airstrips in the world.
103. In Togo, men and boys are allowed to walk holding hands. The Togolese wear everything on their heads and love to haggle. Here you can bargain for everything you buy in the market.
104. Somali women are not allowed to communicate publicly with men. This country is also known for its maritime piracy.
105. In the Central African Republic, one can meet local forest tribes living in low huts made of vines and covered with leaves. Education in the CAR is free and compulsory, but about half of the country's adult population is illiterate.
106. Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the second largest canyon in the world.
SUDAN
107. Sudan is located in northeastern Africa. The state has access to the Red Sea. Currently, the country is considered one of the poorest territories.
108. South Africa has three capitals (Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein).
109.SADR is the least densely populated country not only in Africa but throughout the world. Its density is approximately 1.3 people per square kilometer.
110. Tunisia has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the Matmata area, people still live in underground houses. Women can pass on their names and nationalities to their children.
111. The literacy rate in Guinea is one of the lowest in the world. In this country, men can use their wealth to take another wife.
112. In Sierra Leone, rice is the staple food consumed at almost every meal. Bones, especially chicken bones, are considered a delicacy.
113. The inhabitants of the Republic of the Congo are known throughout the world for their love of fashionable clothes. Fashion for them is art, a way to entertain people, passion and individuality. The country even has a society La Sape ("Society of creators of the atmosphere and elegant people").
CONGO
114. The country of Chad is also called the "Dead Heart of Africa" because of its proximity to deserts. Nile perch is one of the largest freshwater fish, it lives in Lake Chad and can reach up to 2 meters with a weight of up to 200 kilograms.
115. The most important meal for Libyan families is lunch, and it has great symbolic significance. Businesses, shops and schools in Libya are closed for several hours so families can get together for lunch.
116.Rwanda is considered one of the best countries with high internet connectivity in Africa. Since 2000, it has been among the five most developed countries. Registration of a business in Rwanda takes 48 hours.
117. Equatorial Guinea is the smallest African country that is a Member of the United Nations and one of the richest countries in Africa. However, the vast majority of its inhabitants live in poverty.
TANZANIA
118. In Tanzania, greeting with the left hand is considered impolite and rude. In Tanzania, the most expensive wood in the world is produced from the Mpingo tree. It is the birthplace of Mount Kilimanjaro.
119. Money of Angola (kwanza) cannot be taken out of the country.
120. Egypt is considered one of the most unusual and mysterious states, thanks to which tourists from all over the world come here. And what is most surprising, the people of the local desert were able to build not only the greatest pyramids, but also give the world toothpaste, paper, the first understanding of surgery.
EGYPT
121. Egypt - a country of ancient pyramids on the shores of the Red and Mediterranean Seas. It also has its own reserves of gas and oil.
122. Coming here, many tourists are surprised that men wear white clothes and women wear black. And all then that, dark clothes heat up faster, which makes the representatives of the weaker sex return home faster.
123.Sudan ranks 10th in terms of the number of illiterates.
124.Once upon a time, Sudan was regularly engulfed in ethnic, including religious conflicts. Such wars were facilitated by neighboring territories. Tourism is practically not developed here, so there are no hotels. But having arrived here, you can ask the locals for an overnight stay.
125. The area of modern Sudan occupies a huge part of Nubia, which was previously ruled by Ancient Egypt. And closer to the North, in the country there is a huge number of monuments dating back to those times.
Did you know that the Federal Republic of Nigeria (better known in the world as the country of Nigeria) is one of the most developed countries on the African continent today?
Interesting facts about Nigeria
And although perhaps, with its economic potential with GDP, this African country will not be able to capture the imagination of the inhabitants of the Western world, Europeans can undoubtedly be surprised by others - the traditions and way of life in Nigeria, where residents sometimes lead a very unusual way of life from the point of view of Westerners. Peace.
We have selected for our readers 20 examples of facts from Reddit about Nigeria, which people on the Web call authentic and which can be called unique to Nigeria. Some Nigerians even refer to these behaviors as the "Nigerian mentality."
1. “In Nigeria, all meetings and activities begin with prayer. They even pray before meetings of the Federal Council of the country and football matches.”
2. “More than 1 million students annually apply to universities in Nigeria, but since there are only 122 universities in the country for 206 million people, no more than 30% of applications are accepted.”
3. “Mourning at the funeral. In most regions of the country, funerals are celebrated (if the person has been successful in life and has not died at a young age). Sometimes you can't tell if it's a party or a funeral."
4. “The person standing at the door of the minibus is called agbero. People like him can stand like this in the picture all day long. Undoubtedly, they are hardy. But the job is not safe."
5. “Reluctance to have children: A married couple is expected to have a child in the first nine months of marriage. . If a couple declares their desire to remain married without children, they automatically become a source of shame for their family.”
6. “Almost all Nigerians are forbidden by their parents to eat outside the home as children. Their families specifically teach children not to take food from strangers and do it for safety purposes.”
7. “Going to a hospital here is a luxury: millions of Nigerians have never been in a hospital in their lives!”
8. “Shaking hands with parents as a greeting is a big disrespect.”
9. “Announcing your pregnancy to the public, mentioning the sex of the baby, names, and due dates are taboo among Nigerians.”
10. “It’s unacceptable to refuse food cooked by mom! If you say, "I don't want to eat this," get ready for a beating."
11. “Gifts and rewards. From a young age, we are taught that it is wrong to accept gifts or gratuities from people (especially from strangers) for good or other deeds.
12. "Because the temperature in the country is higher than usual, you can see people sleeping in the bathroom or other places where it can be cooler."
13. “Due to living conditions and financial hardship, the average life expectancy for Nigerians is 55 years. Most deaths are caused by diseases such as malaria and drinking water poisoning…”.
14. “Nigeria has the highest number of twins in the world. Don't be surprised if you keep walking around feeling like you're always seeing the same people."
15. “I would advise you not to call your friend's parents or anyone older than you by their first names. In Nigeria (and other African countries), it's disrespectful to address someone older than you by your first name."
16. Another oddity objects / things with the left hand.
17. “Nigerians call people not only by their names, but also by their titles: sir, madam, chef, teacher, doctor… If you call someone without using their title, they won’t even respond to you.
18. “Nigerians don't like having pets. We are especially surprised when foreigners keep dogs at home, while in our country dogs are used only for hunting or guarding.”
19. Ladies can propose to a guy or invite a guy on a date.
20. It is considered socially unacceptable to say: "I'm sick" or "I have no money (ruined)." Nigerians prefer euphemisms like "I'm strong", "I'm very rich".
20 features of life in different countries that surprise visitors and for the local norm
_1679515745.webp "20 features of life in different countries that surprise visitors and for the local norm")
Everything in the world is relative, including the behavior of large masses of people and even nations.
We learned some features of life in different countries
Here, explain why in one town on the night of May 1 people draw a long line from one house to another? Or how can you sit in restaurants for hours without even ordering food, just chatting with friends? This is practiced in Brazil. Yes, in fact, we have accumulated more questions ... we invite you to look at 20 examples of the features of life in different countries.
It all started with a Reddit thread by a user named SackOfPotatoSacks, who posted a message on the platform asking everyone to share something that is considered routine where they live, but is likely to be perceived as something crazy in other places.
So, examples of the features of life in different countries that surprise visitors, which is the norm for locals.
1. Canada
My city is EXTREMELY bilingual, everyone speaks English and French. You will often hear people speaking both languages in conversation, sometimes in the same sentence. In stores, most of the time people greet you in both languages and you respond in one of them, which tells them which language you prefer to speak. They say: "Good afternoon, hello!" And you say "Bonjour" in response if you want to continue in French, or "Hi" if you prefer to speak in English. It's kind of crazy.
I am from Montreal, Canada. — R-E-D-D-l-T
2. Ireland
I live in Dublin and when we tell people in America that we put chips in sandwiches, they laugh at us. Just try it mate. This is very good! — anon
3. Austria
In Austria during Christmas/Saint Nicholas Day we have events called "Krampusläufe" where people, mostly young (already drunk) men, dress up as demonic devil-like creatures called Krampus in fur suits, put on creepy masks and cowbells, and a lot of shows start in the streets, with a sea of fire, smoke, etc., while "Rammstein" plays in the background behind.
And they also like to whip people with cow tails... And hell, we enjoy the show, drinking hot toddy, and we even take our kids with us. - confusions0up
4. Germany
Free Sundays (Germany).
Everything, literally everything, is closed on Sundays, which is amazing, because everyone (except the most important workers, such as doctors, firefighters and police) will have a completely free day, which is great! — Rapperdonut
5. Australia
In Australian rural towns, we all had our back doors unlocked, and friends were allowed to go through the back door and make themselves a cup of tea/coffee while they waited for you to return, whatever you were doing at that moment. — Captain_Coco_Koala
6. Germany
In Eifel, Germany, on the night of May 1, people draw a long line from one house to another. It means that someone in these houses is having an affair. Every year a number of relationships fall apart because of this tradition... I love it. — definetly_not_a_duck
7. Norway
Norwegian graduates attend the traditional Ruess festival, where they wear colored overalls, rent buses or vans, and party for 17 days in a row. The party starts on April 20th and ends on May 17th, Norway's Constitution Day." — reddit
8. Australia
We experience 4 seasons day after day. The jacket is put on, the jacket is taken off, it is sunny, but it is raining, frost and wind, then again the heat ... I like to wear shorts and a down jacket combined with all extremes. Tasmania. — orceingiemsa
9. South Africa
I live near a nature reserve in South Africa. It's not that surprising to hear baboons in your backyard or spot a rhinoceros 10 meters from the fence.
One day a whole flock of baboons ran across our roof. The roof is only covered with corrugated iron, we were scared to death. — Designer_Towel
10. USA
Alligators. Just... everywhere. I live in the swampy area of Florida, and it's not uncommon to find alligators in small ponds, ditches, around pools, or just lounging in a parking lot. I have, in fact, tripped over alligators more times than I care to admit to myself. Luckily, they are quite big nerds and won't bother you unless you pester them or go near their nest. The police are even trained to deal with phony alligator calls. — SugoiBakaMatt
11. USA
I live in New Jersey and it's illegal to fill your car with gas/fuel yourself. All petrol stations are fully serviced by law. I believe that Oregon is the only state in the US that has this law. — joey_r00
12. Norway
It is normal in Norway to release two million sheep (read: ***two*** ***million*** ***sheep***) into the *wild*, with little to no care, where, by some estimates, *100 000* sheep die from injury, disease, or predators, and fe
It is normal in Norway to release two million sheep (read: ***two*** ***million*** ***sheep***) into the *wild*, with little to no care, where, by some estimates, *100 000* sheep die from injury, disease, or predators, and the farmers cry and complain about it all, and then repeat the same process again the next year and do so every subsequent year.
Is there some idiotic, stupid sheep breeding practice in Norway? Yes, yes, we follow it! — Katherine9009
13. Canada
Where I lived in Manitoba, Canada, no one had fences, mainly because when dividing the property, the city planners left the space that belonged to the city to everyone, it was just a strip of forest and the so-called Canadian shield. So almost no one put up fences because it cut off their view and access to what was basically a super cool network of nature trails all over the city. Everyone knew that once you touched the cut grass, it belongs to someone. We kids almost never walked on roads or sidewalks, we always walked on trails (although we cycled on roads, there were too many rocks on the trails for a normal kid's bike).
Of course, living in the forest had some unintended consequences. We often had bears, so I remember when I was under five, I was taught what to do if I saw a bear. And in two different years we had a mountain lion, which was much worse. The city hired someone to trap and relocate these animals, but it always took time. I remember watching the bear lie under the apple tree in our front yard and eat all the wind-blown apples for ages. — JoanOfArctic
14. Finland
Going to college, meeting your class the first week, then an introductory sauna the following week, boys and girls, all drunk and naked. Finland :3 — tasankovasara
15. Ireland
Children aged 12-14 drive tractors on the roads of rural Ireland. The legal minimum age is 16, but most farmers don't care.
EDIT: I didn't realize it was a rural thing. However, this shocks the city dwellers. — computerfan0
16. Australia
Driving 3 hours at 100 km/h and still in the middle of nowhere (Australia). In some parts of Europe, you would have crossed 3 borders in that time. — ihavefourgirlfriends
17. Wales
Moving through the mountains, they shout "mint sauce" * at the window to the sheep ...
(And fellow Welsh... Don't lie... you know you did it). — vad2004
*mint sauce served with roast lamb
18. Luxembourg
Free public transport throughout the country: buses, trains, trams. — Bipi7
19. Netherlands
The birthday party looks like this:
your living room is transformed, and a large circle of chairs with a coffee table appears in the center.
If it's an afternoon party, guests will come from 14:00 to 17:00 or from 18:00 to 21:00, but not both! There is 1 time slot for friends and 1 for family.
As a guest, you come, congratulate the birthday man, present your gift. Then you introduce yourself to the group if you are not already familiar with them. Then you walk around in a circle, shake everyone's hands and ALSO wish them happy birthday to so-and-so.
After passing through the circle, you sit on your empty chair, and now this is your place for the rest of the party.
After everyone has arrived, the birthday boy will bring you a piece of cake and a drink (usually coffee or tea). Everyone eats their own cake and talks to the person sitting next to them.
After everyone is done, they will give you a tour of the house and you will be pointed out all the new things. Now is your moment to ask some questions like "Oh, was it expensive?" and also compliment the host on how great it is.
After the tour, there will be another portion of food and drinks, snacks will be laid out on the coffee table, but you should not eat much. This is the only food that will be brought and everyone should share it.
After the guests have been there for about 3 hours, they begin to disperse. Everyone knows they have to leave but you have to act like you really want to stay longer but you just can't because the dog needs to go for a walk or something, come up with any excuse that sounds plausible.
Then repeat the cycle again in the evening with another group. On the weekend after that, invite your close friends and have a real party. — briefnuts
20. Germany
You first drink alcohol when you are about 14 years old (the editors of 1GAI.ru condemn this!). In Germany it is legal to buy beer and wine at the age of 16. Therefore, most parents do not see the problem when the first experience with alcohol occurs several years earlier. It's really hard to find a teenager here who has never tasted alcohol before. — myrjxm
The official name of this state is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The country is located in South America, its territory is 916,000 square kilometers, and its population is just over 30 million. Most live in the coastal area of the country. Europeans are believed to have first landed on the coast of modern Venezuela in 1499; they were members of a Spanish expedition led by Alonso de Ojeda. And Venezuela got its name thanks to the Italian Amerigo Vespucci; the Indian houses on stilts reminded him of his native Venice.
Top facts about Venezuela
The capital of Venezuela is the city of Caracas, home to over 2 million people. In the old days, Indians of the Karaka tribe lived in this place, hence the name of the city. It was founded on July 25, 1567, on the day of St. Iago Leonski. The full name of the capital of Venezuela is Santiago de Leon de Caracas. The crime rate in the capital of Venezuela is very high.
1. Venezuela is a country located in the very north of South America.
2. The full name and official country are the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
3. The name of this state means "little Venice."
4. Christopher Columbus was the first European to set foot on the territory of modern Venezuela.
5. Venezuela gained independence from Great Britain in 1830.
6. More than 28 million people live in this South American country.
CITY OF CARACAS - THE CAPITAL OF VENEZUELA
7. In the capital of Venezuela, the city of Caracas, there are a lot of cars, and there are even more traffic jams than in Moscow.
8. Venezuela, like many other Latin American countries, has a high percentage of poverty, a huge external debt and a terrible record of corruption. All these social problems are exacerbated by a number of natural disasters, in particular floods.
9. The population of this state mainly consists of four groups: mestizos (mixed Europeans and Indians), they account for about 67% of the population; whites (citizens of European origin, mainly Spaniards, Italians and Portuguese) - about 21%; blacks (persons of African and Caribbean origin) - about 10%; Indians (these are Native Americans) - 2%.
RESIDENTS OF VENEZUELA
10. These groups are mostly localized: mestizos and whites mostly live in cities; the Indians live in the hinterland of the Guianan and Amazonas; blacks live along the Caribbean coast.
11. All whites in Venezuela are a priori considered Americans. And most Venezuelans do not like Americans.
12. The official language in the country is Spanish. It appeared on the territory of Venezuela in the 16th century.
13. In addition to Spanish, there are 25 other indigenous languages spoken in Venezuela that belong to three language families: Caribbean, Arawakan and Chibcha.
14. Venezuelans consider it important to learn English, as it opens up new perspectives for them.
15. The vast majority of Venezuelans (about 90%) are Catholics. There are also significant Jewish communities in Caracas and Maracaibo. The country also has a small number of Muslims.
GENERAL SIMON BOLIVAR
16. The main national symbol in this state is the image of the famous fighter for the independence of Venezuela, General Simon Bolivar. He led the movement that liberated Venezuela and the neighboring countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia from Spanish rule.
17. The walls of almost all houses in Venezuelan cities are painted with graffiti, and most of these graffiti are drawn very professionally.
18. In general, the climate in Venezuela is hot, but at an altitude of one and a half kilometers above sea level it can be called moderate. That is why most of the major cities here were built on high ground.
19. Thermometers in this country show the temperature in degrees Celsius, and air conditioners in degrees Fahrenheit.
20. Venezuela is dominated by a patriarchal society. Men always hold important political positions and are more successful at work, while women are more housewives.
21. Patriarchy is more pronounced in the city, while in the countryside it is not so pronounced. Although, based on the constitution, men and women have equal rights.
22. The country has the largest oil reserves on the planet. Now they are more than 48 billion tons.
23. The Venezuelan economy is 95% based on the production and export of petroleum products.
24. Petrol is very cheap in Venezuela. It's practically free.
25. Thanks to subsidized policies, gasoline costs only $0.01 per liter (64 kopecks per liter). This is incredibly cheap, given the average cost of gasoline in the world - 0.97.
NATURE OF VENEZUELA
26. The country has many beautiful landscapes, there is magnificent tropical weather.
27. The government takes care of the preservation of flora and fauna. Venezuela occupies a leading position in the world in terms of environmental protection. More than 53.9% of its territories are under state protection.
28. In this regard, other countries are far behind Venezuela. For example, in the UK, only 28.4% of the territories are protected, while the global average is 14.8%.
29.Venezuela belongs to a small list of countries with a huge number of endemic animals.
30. About 23% of reptiles and 50% of amphibian species living in the territory of this country are endemic to it.
ANGEL WATERFALL
31. On the territory of this country is the highest waterfall on the planet. It's called Angel. Its height is 979 meters (and according to some sources 1054 meters). The height of continuous free fall is 807 meters.
32. This waterfall is located in the tropical forests of the Venezuelan state of Bolivar, in the Canaim National Park. Canaim Park was included in the list of UNESCO national heritage sites in 1994.
33. The Venezuelan health care system includes a large number of public and private hospitals and clinics. However, despite the fact that medical care in this state is better than in other South American countries, it is far from ideal.
34. There are still long queues of patients in public hospitals, there is a shortage of qualified personnel, who, by the way, have rather low wages.
35. This state has rather low defense spending, approximately 1.5% of the country's GDP. The Venezuelan army has about 80,000 soldiers who serve in the navy, ground forces and aviation.
LAKE MARACAIBO
36. Local Lake Maracaibo is the largest in South America.
37. In every city here you can see the square of Simon Bolivar - the man thanks to whom Venezuela gained independence.
38. The Venezuelan currency, the sovereign bolivar, was named after Bolivar.
39.Also, the airport in Venezuela is named after Simon Bolivar.
40. Statues of Simon Bolivar are found in almost all cities of the country.
41.The State provides every citizen of the country with free primary education. As for higher education, only 20-30% of the population study at universities. Higher education takes four to five years, after which you can get the degree of licenciado (Licentiate).
42. Venezuelans are famous for their sociable and cheerful nature. This is noticeable in their behavior. When meeting even strangers, Venezuelans will kiss him twice, on the right and left cheeks. Women greet both men and women in this way, while men only kiss women. A firm handshake is accepted between men, the same as we have in Russia.
43. Printed newspapers are still very popular among the citizens of Venezuela.
44. The Internet sector in Venezuela is underdeveloped. Only large companies have their own websites. Home internet here is expensive and very slow.
45. Asteroid 9357 is named after Venezuela.
46. The most popular sport in Venezuela is baseball, not football, as in all other Latin American countries.
47. At night, the movement on the streets of the cities of this country becomes extremely dangerous due to the high level of crime. In all of Venezuela, it is unlikely that you will be able to find at least one person who has never been robbed.
48. In provincial towns and villages, local residents usually deal with criminals on their own, rarely resorting to the help of the police.
49. Venezuelan girls have won more beauty pageants than girls from any other country.
50. The nature of Venezuela is amazingly beautiful, but the lack of a normal service in the European sense and the dangers that await tourists scare away most fans of eco-tourism.
40 photos (and facts) from Japan that will tell you more about this country than encyclopedias
Japan is a non-standard country, an archipelago of thousands of islands, with an unusual way of life, where people live who are not always fully understood by residents of other countries, even of the same Asian region ... let alone Europeans ... Japan is literally different for them planet!
Learned what surprises the Land of the Rising Sun
In Japan, everything is wonderful, as is nature itself with its stunning landscapes full of intricate temple gardens, bamboo groves and, of course, mountains. And that's not to mention ramen, sushi, udon, yakiniku, okonomiyaki, takoyaki and many other dishes that will delight any foodie, no matter where they come from!
But Japan and many of its inhabitants are in no hurry to reveal the secrets of their being and their history. We will try to open a few of them right now. What is pure truth, and what is already half-truth - it's up to you, dear readers! So here it is:
1. Kyu-Shirataki Hokkaido Station
A train station in Japan was scheduled to close, but it was noticed that only a female student used it. For her, they kept the station running until she graduated from high school.
2. Team Japan left their locker room immaculately clean after their historic victory over Germany at the World Cup
3. When you sharpen a pencil, it turns into a frilled lizard.
4. After winning the match, Japanese fans began to clean up the stadium.
5. Kano Jigoro, the legendary founder of judo
Kano Jigoro, the legendary founder of judo. Even though he was smaller in stature, he could throw large men with ease, but only after hard study and practice. On his deathbed he
asked to be buried with a white sash instead of a black one. He wanted to be remembered as a student, not as a master.
6. Totoro San
The Japanese young actress "Mana Ashida" (little Mako) was embarrassed that she couldn't pronounce Guillermo Del Toro's name, so he gave her the go-ahead to call him "Totoro san" instead of his name.
7. Stylized vending machine in the forest
Japanese vending machine, adapted to the old and the environment.
8. Japanese fan at the World Cup
Caption: "My dear boss, thank you for my 2 weeks vacation!"
9. Kuchisabishii 口寂しい
"Kuchisabishii" 口寂しい ("lonely mouth") - that irresistible desire to put something in your mouth, to chew, even when you are not hungry.
10. Japanese Bullet Train System
In the more than 50-year history of Japan's bullet train system, which has carried more than 5.3 billion passengers, not a single passenger has been killed or injured in a rail accident.
11. Doctors In Japan Prescribe 'Forest Therapy' To Treat Depression And Anxiety
In Japan, doctors prescribe "forest therapy" to treat depression and anxiety. The aroma of trees increases the activity of natural killer cells, which strengthens the immune system, which increases resistance to stress.
12. Keeping the same price for 25 years
Japanese ice cream maker Akagi Nyugyo once filmed a 60-second commercial publicly apologizing for being forced to raise the price of its popsicle from 60 yen to 70 yen for the first time in 25 years. The commercial, in which the president of the company as well as employees bowed to the audience and expressed their remorse, was broadcast on national television.
13. Hanako is the oldest recorded koi.
Born in Japan in 1751 and died on July 7, 1977 at the respectable age of 226, the Hanako koi was the oldest koi fish ever seen.
14. A Japanese diver was assigned to watch one of Japan's Shinto shrines, which is located below the surface of Tateyama Bay.
Over the decades, he befriended one sea creature that lives near the shrine, an Asian reticulated toothed wrasse named Yoriko.
15. Here are just some of the flavors of KitKat in Japan
16. Japanese lantern, also known as Chinese lantern or winter cherry, is a popular symbol of "life within death."
The "Chinese or Japanese lantern" is a popular symbol for "life within death". It blooms in winter, but when it dries up in spring, the "rind" falls off, revealing red or orange fruits that grow inside its "skeleton".
17. Mirror Selfie
This mirror selfie was taken in Japan a century ago.
18. Takeko Nakano, the last female samurai warrior, was born in 1847. She fought and died during the Boshin War in 1868 (Japanese Civil War)
Age 21 years.
19. The Japanese team left a thank you note in Japanese and Arabic.
20. Shiba Bat Curry..
21. Fukui City Temporary Road Construction
Temporary road around the landslide.
22. Nishikigawa-Seiryu Railway
In Japan, in the middle of nowhere, there is a train station that has no entrance or exit. The station is called Seiryu-Miharashi, and it is only accessible to passengers who pass through it by train. It exists only so that passengers can get off and admire the
In Japan, in the middle of nowhere, there is a train station that has no entrance or exit. The station is called Seiryu-Miharashi, and it is only accessible to passengers who pass through it by train. It exists only so that passengers can get off and enjoy the view of the Nishiki River and the surrounding forest of Honshu.
23. Deer of the city of Nara in Japan
24. Meeting Neko Kandre
25. Some of the Hosen-In, Yogen-In, Shoden-ji, Genko-an and Kosho-ji temples share the same bloody secret
In Kyoto, Japan, there are 5 temples with blood-stained ceilings. The ceilings are made from the floorboards of Fushimi Castle, where Torii Mototada and his remaining 380 samurai warriors committed suicide in 1600 after 11 days of confrontation with an army of 40,000.
26. You realize you've lived in Tokyo too long when a giant Gandumesque robot drives by on the back of a large truck.
27. Japanese Airlines employees in Vietnam bow to passengers due to flight delay due to storm
28. These roads are in the regions of Hokkaido, Wakayama, Shizuoka, Okinawa, and Gunma in Japan, and they all play different tunes.
29. Flight over Mount Fuji
30. Shii-go-san - traditional Japanese initiation ceremony on November 15
Shichi-go-san (Jap. 七五三, lit. "seven-five-three") is a traditional holiday and festival in Japan, timed every year to November 15 (in cold Hokkaido - a month earlier, to October 15). On this day, five-year-old and three-year-old boys, as well as seven-year-old and three-year-old girls, are dressed in festive clothes and taken to Shinto shrines.
31. Ice Cream Kyoto
32. Hachioji, Tokyo
Higashimachi Interchange in Hachioji, Japan.
33. Sword of Kohoki
This 12th century Japanese Koki sword, made during the Heian period, was discovered in the Kasuga taisha attic storage.
Sanctuary in Nara. This is one of the oldest samurai swords in existence, probably a family heirloom of a samurai family, passed down from generation to generation.
34. Early 1900s. "Real geisha hair" before styling
The longer the hair, the better. After World War II, geisha began to wear wigs (known as katsura) instead of styling their own hair, a trend that continues to this day. Geisha usually wear shimada-style wigs known as geigi.
35. Winter is Coming
36. Japanese athlete
Yes, she is the same person. Yui Sasaki, Japanese freestyle wrestler.
37. Ramen Noodle Serving Expert
38. In Tokyo, cycling is faster than driving on most trips under 50 minutes.
In Tokyo, a bicycle is faster than a car for most trips under 50 minutes.
39. Such a beautiful island and deer
40. Pikachu has gone to work... He's a very busy mascot in Japan
Martinique is France's island and overseas territorial community in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Lesser Antilles island chain. Its closest neighbors are the island republics of Dominica, 22 miles (35 km) to the northwest, and Saint Lucia, 16 miles (26 km) to the south. Guadeloupe, another part of overseas France, is about 75 miles (120 km) to the north. This island has incredible views and will not leave anyone indifferent to its beaches.
Amazing facts about Martinique
Travelers are always interested in interesting facts about France and its overseas department - the exotic island of Martinique. Well, this tropical resort has its little secrets!
1. Martinique is an island country in the Caribbean.
2. The island of Martinique belongs to the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles and is located in its central part.
3. Martinique is one of the most attractive islands in the Caribbean.
4. Beautiful beaches, cozy bays, hilly trekking paths, as well as fantastic vegetation of the tropics along the coast attract many travelers.
5. Martinique is located between Saint Lucia and Dominica. On all sides, the island is surrounded by beaches, but if the Caribbean Sea washes Martinique in the west and south, then by the Atlantic Ocean in the east and north.
6. Such a geographical location of the island attracts divers and other lovers of active water sports from all over the world.
7. Martinique is the most prosperous overseas department of France in the Caribbean. This territory has belonged to France since 1635.
8. The island's indigenous population was Caribs, Indians, whose name remained in the toponym "Caribbean Sea."
9. The island was discovered by Columbus at the end of the 15th century, more precisely, in 1493. It is believed that the history of Martinique begins from this moment.
10. Not finding gold on the island, the Spaniards left it. But the Spaniards named Martinique after one of their Catholic saints.
11. Since the Spaniards were not interested in the island with beautiful nature, the French subsequently founded the first settlement here.
12. In 1635, 90 French settlers founded the fortified Fort Saint-Pierre here, and the French colonization of Martinique began.
13. At first, the island was the property of a private company, but then it was bought by the state and from 1664 became the crown colony of France.
14. Already by the 60s of the 17th century, the Indian population of Martinique was either exterminated in wars with the French, or died from diseases brought from Europe, so the new landowners began to massively import slaves from Africa.
15. It is not surprising that local history is full of a large number of events related to the struggle of slaves for their rights and freedoms. However, slavery was abolished in Martinique only in 1848 - by decree of the Provisional Government of France in the colonies.
16. In 1870, the population of Martinique received voting rights and representation in the French Parliament.
17. And since 1946, Martinique has the status of an overseas department of France (but it is not an independent state, like French Guiana in South America).
18. Now Martinique is a wonderful resort with wonderful nature and a highly developed tourist infrastructure.
19. At one time, this island was called by Columbus "the most beautiful land in the world."
20. Martinique can rightly be called one big resort. There are many first-class hotels, excellent beaches and stunning architecture of the colonial period. All this is the hallmark of the island.
21. The largest and highest volcano on the island is Mont Pele, its height is 1397 meters. The name translates as "Bald Mountain". The volcano is located 8 kilometers from Fort Saint-Pierre, which suffered from its eruption over 100 years ago.
22. Saint-Pierre, the largest city of the island, was the first capital of Martinique, which was almost completely destroyed by the 1902 eruption of Mont Pele. Now, making tours to Martinique, you can visit Saint-Pierre and see for yourself the destructive power of volcanoes. The local museum of volcanology is open for visiting, the remains of the old theater, the ruins of the city prison and city warehouses are also interesting for tourists.
23. Nearby is the house-museum of Paul Gauguin, who lived at one time in Martinique. Some of the masterpieces of the world famous French artist Gauguin were painted in Martinique. In the house where the genius lived, a museum is now open, but, unfortunately, there are no originals of his works there.
24. The city of Fort-de-France is the modern capital of Martinique. For its architecture and originality, it is often called "Little Paris".
25. On the narrow streets of Fort-de-France, coming from the bay de Flamence and the Rivière Madame, there are a large number of mansions of the colonial period, many churches, and a well-developed network of cafes and shops.
26. Fort-de-France is also a city of parks. In the center of the city there is a large park La Savane, where there are many beautiful fountains, palm alleys and open areas for concerts.
27.From the southeast, the park is adjacent to Fort St. Louis. The streets of the city are narrow, winding, there are many cafes and restaurants, as well as historical and cultural monuments. The city also has a large number of different museums.
28. The city of Fort - de - France, the capital of Martinique and at the same time one of the largest ports, where sugar, rum and cocoa beans are exported. It is in this part of the coast that there are bays convenient for navigation - those in which there are no reefs.
29. There are many reefs around Martinique. This is inconvenient for sailors, but ideal for divers. By the way, the infrastructure for diving and sport fishing is well developed on the local coast.
30. Due to volcanic activity, the island has a difficult terrain (for which tours to Martinique are especially respected by fans of hiking trekking) and indented, with a large number of bays, coasts (this makes a beach holiday especially cozy).
31. As for the hills, they are mainly represented here by hills, but on the north side there are old volcanoes, the highest of which is almost one and a half kilometers above sea level: this is Mont Pele (which translates as "Bald Mountain"). It was his eruption at the beginning of the twentieth century that destroyed the first capital of Martinique, but since then Mont Pele has been sleeping.
32. For Martinique in 1855 - 1961, special monetary units were issued in France, which were in circulation only here. Now on the island - as well as in the metropolis - the euro is used, but in many places in Martinique, US dollars are accepted for payment.
33. The cheapest and most common form of transport among the local population is a bus. Here it is called "collective taxi". However, such a “taxi” runs only according to a schedule, and on weekends it is quite rare. Alternatively, you can use a regular taxi, but its cost is much more expensive.
34. The "golden mean" for tours of Martinique is car rental. You can rent a car almost everywhere, you only need to have a driver's license from any country in the world. The main thing to remember is that traffic on the island is right-handed!
35. Lake Etang - de - Saline - this is a great place for lovers of both active and passive recreation. The reservoir is located in the southernmost part of Martinique, 600 meters from the Caribbean Sea, as a result of which its waters are salty. The weather in this area is always sunny and warm. On the lake, you can either just sunbathe or go diving, as the nearby Strait of St. Lucia is rich in its underwater world.
36. The southernmost coast of Martinique is the Les Salines peninsula, recognized as the most beautiful place on the island due to its amazing beaches.
37. The Strait of St. Lucia, into whose waters Le Saline crashes, is famous for strong currents and a rich underwater world, which cannot but please diving fans.
38. The town of Sainte-Anne, which is the peculiar capital of the peninsula, is known for its small but very beautiful Abbey Morland square, a church built of white sandstone, and charming street architecture.
39. The Piton du Carbet mountain range is located near the Mont Pele volcano in the northern part of the island of Martinique. Despite the fact that Piton - du - Carbet is of volcanic origin, eruptions have never occurred here.
40. The length of the ridge is 80 kilometers, and it includes several peaks. The highest point of the ridge is Mount More - Pavillon, which rises at an altitude of 1197 meters above sea level. This place is perfect for lovers of mountaineering and hiking.
41. Fans of sea fishing, diving and those who like to just relax on the beach will be interested in the Presqu'il Caravel peninsula, located in the Baye du Gallon. Presqu'il Caravel is widely known for its wild beaches.
42. In Martinique, the so-called trekking routes are very popular - hiking along hiking trails. First of all, this is the Route de la Tres, which passes through the rainforest and the slopes of the Piton du Carbet peaks.
43. Its second name is the Jesuit trail. It windingly runs from the capital of Martinique - Fort - de - France to the Piton - du - Carbet mountain range. The trail passes between huge volcanic formations, past the church and the Balata botanical garden. Also, in some places, the mountain river Alma flows along it.
44. At an altitude of 450 m above sea level, the most famous residential point is located here - the settlement of Mont Rouge. Walking along this path, between fern thickets and palm groves, you can enjoy the beauty of the local nature to the fullest.
45. The creation of the beautiful Balata Botanical Garden, famous for its huge variety of flowers, lasted 20 years. Representatives of European flora grow in the garden: pines, orchids, which are perfectly complemented by representatives of the exotic flora: dragon trees, reeds and cordilins. In total, about 3 thousand different types of trees, shrubs and flowers are represented in the Balata Botanical Garden. In addition, small ponds are broken in the garden, the water surface of which is covered with lilies and water lilies.
46. The history of the volcano Mon - Pele, the second name of which sounds like "Bald Mountain", is quite tragic. Back in the 18th century, he began to show signs of life, but they were insignificant and soon completely stopped. However, in May 1902, a serious volcanic eruption occurred, as a result of which the former capital of the island, the city of Saint-Pierre, was completely destroyed by ash and stones that escaped from the mouth of Mont-Pele. Subsequently, the Museum of Volcanology was opened in the city, and Enns-Siron Beach, which is of volcanic origin, is also located here.
47. Balata Church is located 10 kilometers from the capital of the island and is a copy of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in France. This magnificent building was erected in 1928 in the Romano-Byzantine style.
48. The building has a rectangular shape and is crowned with a dome resembling the silhouette of a basilica. Outside, the shrine is decorated with sculptures, and its interior is full of stained glass windows and mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible. The church was built on the territory of the Jardin-Balata botanical garden and is surrounded by artificial ponds with lilies and water lilies.
49. Fort Desaix is one of several structures built in the 18th century. It was intended to protect the capital of the island from attacks on the island. The fort is named after the French general Louis Charles Antoine Desaix, who took part in the Egyptian campaign of Napoleon Bonaparte.
50. Initially, the structure had an irregular pentagonal shape. During the Great Patriotic War, gold bars from the Bank of Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves of France were stored here. Today, the fort is reserved for the headquarters of the armed forces of France.
51. In the north of the island you can see beaches with black and gray sand. This is due to volcanic activity in the local mountains. The southern coast of the island is famous for its white sandy beaches.
52. Most of the population of Martinique are the descendants of African slaves who were once brought here to work on French plantations. Almost all the Indians who lived here before the arrival of the French were exterminated or fled from the island, so today they cannot be found here. Whites make up only about 5% of the island's population. Some of them are Russian-speaking diaspora. 90% of the population professes Catholicism.
53. French has the status of an official language in Martinique, but "patois" (a mixture of African dialects and French) is much more common among the local population.
54. There are no minerals in Martinique. But the island is well developed agriculture and tourism. Bananas and pineapples are grown here, and sugar and rum are also produced. And all this is exported.
55. And Martinique does not produce anything else. Meat, grain, vegetables, drinks, medicines, furniture, dishes, clothes and oil have to be imported.
56. There are not very many tropical forests left here, they are preserved only on the slopes of the mountains.
57. The nature of Martinique is generous and varied, but there are few animals in the forests. Basically, some species of rodents, snakes, as well as domestic animals predominate in the local fauna. The scarcity of the animal world is associated with the massive deforestation of tropical forests, which have survived in the wild only in mountainous regions.
58. There is an island of iguanas in Martinique - these are reptiles, huge lizards.
59. Previously, there were a lot of lizards and snakes on the island. To combat them, in the 1800s, planters brought mongooses to the island. But it did not end in anything good: the mongooses multiplied very quickly and began to devour bird eggs. Because of this, some other species of birds have been completely exterminated or endangered.
60.Park Floral is a park area located in the capital of Martinique and abounding with flowers of various kinds. A huge variety of flowers is complemented by bizarre and unique palm trees, as well as entire groves of eucalyptus.
61. In the park, you can walk for a very long time or sit on a bench and admire this colorful beauty of the surrounding nature. In addition, food fairs and shopping arcades are also located here, where you can buy products created by the hands of local craftsmen.
62. A colorful sight is the black volcanic sand beach of Enns Siron. The old villages of Enns Belleville and Le Precher, the remains of chocolate plantations, are also interesting for tourists. And for a good rest on the water, the beach in Enns Culver Bay is perfect.
63. Tourists will also be interested in seeing the building of the Scholcher Library, Saint-Louis Cathedral, visiting the Museum of the Department of Archeology and seeing the Fort-de-France Aquarium.
64. In the northern part of Martinique, the fishing town of Grand Rivière is interesting to visit with a colorful fish market and rows of fishing boats painted in bright colors. Also, the Grand Rivière offers an excellent panorama of the Martinique Strait, and in good weather you can see the distant coast of the Dominican Republic.
65. A trip to the town of Sainte-Marie, which is famous for its rum, will be interesting. At the Museum of Rum, you can taste various varieties of this drink produced in Sainte-Marie.
66. Not far from the town of Diamant, where houses are built of coral blocks, there is a small volcanic island Rocher du Diamant, with an incredibly rich underwater world (for which Rocher du Diamant received the unofficial title of "Mecca of divers" of Martinique).
67. Many tourists who decide to tour Martinique are attracted not only by the opportunity to relax on the tropical coast and dive into the Caribbean and Atlantic waters, but also by a large number of festivals, the number of which Martinique is often compared with Cuba and Brazil.
68. Some of the most colorful events of this kind are the Queen's Carnival and the Mardi Gras Carnival (“Fat Tuesday”, the last day before the start of Lent in the Catholic Church), which take place on the island in February.
69. In addition, Martinique is famous for its sports festivals and events: first of all, we are talking about Navigation Week and international competitions in yachting and windsurfing (take place from February 4 to 9), as well as surfing competitions.
70. Despite the small size of the island, several queens ruling in France, Holland and Turkey were originally from Martinique: Josephine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon I; her daughter from her first marriage, Hortense de Beauharnais, who became Queen of Holland; her distant relative Aime de Ribery (Nakshedil), who accidentally got into the harem of the Turkish Sultan Abdul-Hamid I.
71.Since tourism is the main source of income for the local population, in terms of security, Martinique is quite a calm place. However, do not lose vigilance! Street theft and fraud here, as elsewhere in the world, is a common form of crime.
72. And the main health risks while staying on the island are: inattention to solar activity on the beaches - as a result, sunburn and overheating, as well as local jellyfish are quite poisonous! One must be careful when swimming in the sea; should be protected from insect bites. Repellents must be used!
73. The southern part of the island, well developed and mastered by tourists, is quite flat. All mountains are in the north. For this reason, small waterfalls can also only be seen in the north.
74. An interesting variety of trees in Martinique is the traveler's palm. Her crown is like an open fan. The palm tree accumulates water inside the trunk, thanks to which it helps to save the afflicted from thirst.
75. Martinique is similar to the southern Mediterranean coast of France. Like some suburb of Nice.
