Fascinating facts that will change the way you see the world
These little-known fun facts are sure to change the way you see the world. From historical trivia to far-flung wonders and outright wild tidbits, they’re perfect for sparking curiosity and enriching your conversations. The fascinating animal kingdom and some surprising aspects of Spanish culture are just the beginning. Kids will also enjoy these unique facts, learning something new while being thoroughly entertained.
General facts you didn’t know
1. San Marino is the world’s oldest recorded country, established in 301 AD in Europe.
2. Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, a hill in New Zealand, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest place name.
3. Surprisingly, France’s longest land border isn’t in Europe but in South America, between French Guiana and Brazil.
4. Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
5. Incredibly, there are four cities where dying is forbidden: Longyearbyen (Norway), Itsukushima (Japan), Falciano del Massico (Italy), and Sarpourenx (France).
6. The items most commonly forgotten in hotel rooms include dirty laundry, chargers, and beauty products.
7. An estimated 25 million suitcases are lost at airports worldwide each year.
8. After a flight as long as the 18-hour journey from New York to Singapore—the world’s longest—you’ll feel immense relief when your luggage arrives!
9. The Pyramid of Chichén Itzá features 365 steps, one for each day of the year.
10. Enclaves are cities or regions of one country located entirely within another, like Llivia, a Spanish city inside France.
11. Spain’s national anthem has no lyrics, a distinction it shares with Kosovo, San Marino, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
12. According to the 2024 Gay Travel Index, Canada is the most LGBTQ+ friendly destination, followed by Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.
13. The word “tourism” originated from the travel trends among British tourists in late 18th-century Europe.
14. Believe it or not, it sometimes snows in the Sahara Desert.
15. If you’re planning a vegan-friendly vacation, you’ll be interested to know that in the sacred city of Varanasi, India, consuming meat is prohibited by law.
16. Europe’s only underwater museum is in Lanzarote, an island also famous for its natural saltwater pools.
17. The game Monopoly was created by Lizzie Magie, an anti-capitalist aiming to critique capitalism.
18. The world’s most expensive restaurant, Sublimotion, is located in Ibiza.
19. The average social circle consists of around 150 people.
20. 80% of the things we worry about never actually happen.
21. Your heartbeat syncs with the rhythm of the music you’re listening to.
22. According to the Pratfall Effect, people who make mistakes are often perceived as more attractive—a comforting thought!
23. Sierra Nevada, located in the natural park of the same name, is Europe’s highest ski resort at 3,300 meters above sea level.
24. Sylvia Plath vacationed in Benidorm, while John Lennon was arrested in Mallorca.
25. Nutmeg can have hallucinogenic properties when consumed in large quantities.
26. A single cloud can weigh about a million tons.
27. Just one drop of oil can contaminate 25 liters of water—a stark reminder of environmental fragility.
28. Plants communicate through chemical and electrical signals. When one is damaged, it releases proteins detectable by others nearby.
29. Posidonia oceanica is the world’s largest living organism; a single patch can grow up to 8 kilometers long.
30. One in ten plants grows on another plant.
31 Mayonnaise was invented in Spain.
32. Palma de Mallorca has more art galleries than any other Spanish city.
Animal facts you need to know
33. Shrimp have their hearts located in their heads.
34. Ants don’t sleep but alternate between cycles of activity and rest.
35. Due to their physiology, kangaroos cannot walk backward.
36. The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.
37. The odds of encountering a blue lobster are one in two million.
38. A blue whale’s heartbeat can be detected over three kilometers away.
39. Axolotls, endangered amphibians native to Mexico, can regenerate lost body parts.
40. Elephants communicate through infrasound, which is inaudible to humans.
41. Humans are the only animals known to blush.
42. Male seahorses carry and give birth to their young.
43. Some mammals, like the platypus, lay eggs instead of giving live birth.
44. Sea turtles have existed for over 200 million years, dating back to the Jurassic period.
45. An ostrich’s eyes are larger than its brain.
46. Lions are the most sexually active animals, mating up to 100 times a day.
47. Koalas, in contrast, can sleep up to 22 hours a day.
48. A queen bee can live for up to five years.
49. Squids have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, with diameters reaching up to 28 centimeters.
50. Corals are classified as animals, not plants.
51. Cats are unable to taste sweetness.
52. Cows form close friendships and prefer spending time with their chosen companions.
53. Squirrels unintentionally plant thousands of trees each year by burying nuts and forgetting where they placed them.
54. Owls can rotate their heads up to 280 degrees.
55. The Ibiza wall lizard is considered a symbol of the island and is believed to bring good luck.
56. Pigeons can detect and navigate using Earth’s magnetic field.
Fun facts for kids
57. Some fun facts for kids will spark their imagination, like learning that there are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way.
58. The world’s oldest tree, named Methuselah, is a 4,847-year-old Pinus longaeva located in California’s Inyo National Forest.
59. Tomatoes aren’t vegetables—they’re fruits.
60. Plant-based meat is a real and growing option.
61. The first Wednesday of February marks World Read Aloud Day.
62. It’s physically impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
63. Hippo sweat is pink, and spider blood is blue.
64. Despite their name, centipedes don’t have 100 legs—they typically have around 30.
65. Like other predators, Furbys’ eyes are located at the front of their heads.
66. Underneath their white fur, polar bears have black skin.
67. Some hotels feature water parks for endless fun.
68. A mind-blowing fact: atoms never touch.
69. The longest book ever written has 3,031 pages.
70. Alebrijes, mythical creatures from Mexican folklore, are half-human, and half-animal and even have their own annual parade.
71. The “Coco” (a legendary children’s boogeyman) really existed.
72. Dinosaurs might have had hair, although it doesn’t fossilize.
73. On the Moon, you’d weigh six times less than on Earth.
74. Earth is the only planet we know of that supports life.
75. Despite its name, Earth has more water than land.
76. Its core is soft and liquid, not solid.
77. Twenty-two recycled plastic bottles can be turned into a single T-shirt.
79. White is a combination of all colors.
80. You can create a Christmas tree out of books.
81. And here’s a festive fact to end on: Santa Claus’s iconic red suit wasn’t always red—it was originally green.
