9 Really Unusual Deserts

Kilometers of sand, rocks, sandbanks, and sceneries evoking lunar landscapes are all about a journey in a desert and are certainly, a unique adventure. All the deserts are not the same. Here are the most unusual deserts of the world.

1. A Desert With Lagoons - Lencois Maranhenses, Brasil

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Amazingly stretched in Brazil, it is almost impossible to believe that the desert where water has no word is full of lagoons. Situated in the State of Maranhao on the north shore, this desert is in the Lencois Maranhenses National Park where white dunes and blue lagoons have a contrasting match.

12 Countries Where Penguins Are Native

Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Although all penguin species are native to the southern hemisphere, they are not found only in cold climates, such as Antarctica. In fact, only a few species of penguin live so far south. Several species are found in the temperate zone, and one species, the Galápagos Penguin, lives near the equator. The territory of Antarctica is not on  the list, because Antarctica is not a country.

1. Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)

Galapagos Penguins  photo source

There are 17 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ecuador: Humboldt Penguin and Galapagos Penguin.

* The Galapagos Penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It is the only penguin that lives north of the equator in the wild; it can survive due to the cool temperatures resulting from the Humboldt Current and cool waters from great depths brought up by the Cromwell Current.

12 Things You Didn't Know About Africa

Africa is a weird and wonderful continent. There are so many facts about Africa which we don’t really know at all. The continent of Africa possesses some unique and marvelous, biological and geological attributes. Also, the African people and the impressive amalgam of African cultures is what makes Africa a truly interesting continent.

1. Home to 55 000 Penguins

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African Penguins are endangered, with around 55 000 remaining in the world.  Roughly 4 million penguins existed at the beginning of the last century. The total population fell to 200 000 in the year 2000; ten years later, in 2010, the number was estimated to be only at 55 000. If this decline is not halted, the African Penguin is expected to be extinct within 15 years.

9 Odd Towns & Villages

1. The Village With a Population of Just One Person, USA

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Monowi's peak years were in the 1930s, when it had a population of 150. Like many other small communities in the Great Plains, it lost its younger residents to cities that were experiencing growth and offering better jobs. During the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 2; only one married couple, Rudy and Elsie Eiler, lived there. Mr. Eiler died in 2004, leaving his wife as the only remaining resident. In this capacity, she acts as Mayor, granting herself a liquor license and paying taxes to herself. She is required to produce a municipal road plan every year in order to secure state funding for the village's four street lights.

9 Interesting Ethnic Enclaves From Around the World

Ethnic enclaves are portions of a city or state that are predominately made up of one ethnic group. The residents of these enclaves often seem to live separately from the surrounding community. Yet, they are still a part of the surrounding societies.

1. Largest Japantown in the World - Liberdade, Brasil

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Liberdade is the name of a district in the subprefecture in São Paulo, Brazil. It is home to the largest Japanese community (more than 60.000 peoples) outside of Japan in the world and has been growing since the 1950s. Liberdade is São Paulo's own equivalent of Japantown in the USA. Significant populations of Chinese and Koreans also live in the district of Liberdade.

8 Smallest National Capitals in the World

The world's smallest national capitals are all either in small island nations or in European microstates. You've probably heard about larger villages than these capital cities... 

8. Valletta, Malta

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Population:  5.666 inhabitants (census 2011)

Valletta, Malta’s capital and a World Heritage site, is nothing short of an open-air museum. It is a living experience of Baroque architecture, a monument donated by the Knights of St John nearly five centuries ago.  This town is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 5.666. Valleta is strategically located on a rocky promontory between two deep harbors. Dockyards line the harbors and employ more workers than any other industry. Tourism is also an important industry.

10 Largest Cities Within the Arctic Circle

There are 10 cities with a population of around 30,000 or more which are north of the Arctic Circle (latitude 66° 33′ 44″N) and therefore have at least one day per year when the sun never rises. All of these cities are in Russia (mostly the northwest) or Norway. In contrast, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle in North America is Barrow, Alaska, with only around 4,000 people. While the cities below are quite cold, most still have a milder climate than anyplace north of the Arctic Circle in North America.

10. Kirovsk, Russia

Kirovsk at night  -  photo source

11 Leaning Towers From Around the World

A leaning tower is a tower which, either intentionally, due to errors in design, construction or to subsequent external influence, does not stand perpendicular to the ground. This list is about these unusual buildings.

As a start, here is an infographic a structural engineer can get behind: leaning towers. The Economist provides this nice visualization of several famous cases. For example, Big Ben is leaning north-west by 0.26 degrees, or 17 inches and Germany’s Leaning Tower of Suurhusen is at an angle of 5.19 degrees. We will enumerate several more cases... Read on to learn more about each leaning tower.

Snowiest Places in Africa

1. Lesotho - Africa's Coldest Country

Malealea Village, Lesotho  photo source

This country covers 30,355 sq km (11,720 sq mi). It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) in elevation. Its lowest point of 1,400 metres (4,593 ft) is thus the highest in the world. Lesotho is the coldest country in Africa. Lesotho’s June temperatures hover around 0 Celsius and regular heavy snowfall is common in the higher mountain ranges. 

18 Breathtaking Photos of Natural Forces

An undersea volcano erupts off the coast of Tonga, sending plumes of steam, ash and smoke up to 100 meters into the air, on March 18, 2009, off the coast of Nuku'Alofa, Tonga. (photo source - Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

Unique & Bizarre Lakes From Around the World

1. Lakes of Varying Colors - Kelimutu Lakes, Indonesia

Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai and Tiwu Ata Polo   photo source

Kelimutu is a volcano, close to the town of Moni in central Flores Island of Indonesia containing three summit crater lakes of varying colors. The first lake is named Tiwu Ata Mbupu (lake of people spirits), the second is named Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (lake of young people spirits), and the third is Tiwu Ata Polo (lake of fortune tellers spirits). 

10 Unusual Facts About Global Warming

1.Global Movement of Plants and Animals

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A recent study of nearly 2.000 species of plants and animals discovered movement toward the poles at an average rate of 3,8 mil (6,1 km) per decade. Similarly, the study found species in alpine areas to be moving vertically at a rate of 20 ft (6,1 m) per decade in the second half of the 20th century.

Top 9 Tallest Mountains in the Solar System

Following are the tallest mountains on various planets of the Solar System. Heights are given base to peak.

9. Arsia Mons, Mars > 9 km (5,6 mi)

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Arsia Mons is 270 miles (approximately 435 kilometres) in diameter, almost 12 miles high (more than 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) higher than the surrounding plains), and the summit caldera is 72 miles (approximately 110 km) wide. It experiences atmospheric pressure lower than 107 pascals at the summit. Except for Olympus Mons, it is the biggest volcano in volume. Arsia Mons has 30 times the volume of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, the largest volcano on the Earth.

11 Interesting Facts About Antarctica

1. No Polar Bears in Antarctica

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Polar bears do not live in Antarctica at all. They live in the Artic. Penguins inhabit much of Antarctica, but there is no chance of a penguin encountering a polar bear in the wild. Polar bears are native to areas such as Canada's Northern Territories, Alaska, and other such areas. It is too cold in Antarctica and there for there are no polar bears. But lately, scientists debate moving polar bears to Antarctica as Arctic melts.

10 Extreme Places on Earth

1. Highest Point Accessible by Vehicle

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In Tibet, the stark Semo La road is over 20,000 feet (6.100 m) high and takes you through hauntingly beautiful vistas and a treacherous mountain pass. Word has it that Marsimik La is the highest road on earth; but it all comes down to what one might consider an accessible road. Semo La can be used by vehicles. Authorities believe there may be other, higher roads, even more remote, but so far they have not been documented.

10 Deepest Rivers in the World

This is a post about the 10 deepest rivers in the world. Although the research data is not the most thorough, we would like to hear your opinion on the topic, whether you agree or disagree with us. The reason why We wrote this post, is because We have studied a lot about the rivers across the world and We enjoy learning more about different rivers in each country. This top 10 of the world's deepest rivers was made according to their maximum depth measured in meters.

10. The Mississippi River ~ 61 meters (200 ft)

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10 Unusually Shaped Islands Worldwide

Some of the natural islands, when viewed from the air, have a very strange shape and remind us of some things we've already seen it somewhere. This is our list of 10 unusually shaped islands from around the World, enjoy the post.

1. Dolphin, Iran

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The dolphin shaped Qeshm Island, by far the largest of all islands in this part of middle east ( with more than 75000 inhabitants and more than twice the size of Bahrain or Singapore), is situated about 22 km (13,7 mi) far from Bandar Abbas at the entrance of the Azure waters of Persian Gulf in the strait of Hormoze. It occupies an area of 1500sq km (580 mi). From the Geology point of view, Qeshm Island is on the wrinkled region containing the Zagros mountain range most of whose hills and heights are of the calcareous type with sharp cuts.

The Top 9 Most Inhospitable Places in the World

We tend to take our surroundings for granted. You're probably reading this in relative comfort - you don't need to wear breathing apparatus, you're within a few steps of a cold drink and you aren't at the beck and call of a totalitarian regime bent on oppressing its population. The Tripbase team have drawn up a list of the most horrendous places to live, in order from dreadful to impossible. We have nothing but respect for the hardy human beings who make their homes in the most brutal places on Earth.

9. Yakutsk, Russia

Yakutsk, February (temperature about -20-(-30))  photo source

Corfu - European Emerald Island

Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu peripheral unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The municipality includes the island Corfu and the smaller islands Ereikoussa, Mathraki and Othonoi. The principal city of the island and seat of the municipality (pop. 33,886) is also named Corfu.


Paleokastritsa

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Every American State Through a Beautiful Photo

Alaskan forest near Canada - US border  photo source

8 Unusual Modes of Transportation Around the Globe

1. Floating Bus - Hippo, Canada

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A Hippo is a unique 40 passenger vessel that offers land and water tours of Toronto. Come splash into Lake Ontario on our "Bus that Floats!" 

14 Strange & Interesting Facts Worldwide

1. Sudan Has More Pyramids Than Egypt

Sudanese pyramids  photo source

Sudan has more pyramids than any other country on Earth - even more than Egypt. There are at least 223 pyramids in the Sudanese cities of Al Kurru, Nuri, Gebel Barkal and Meroë. They are generally 20 to 30 metres (65 -100 ft) high and steep sided.

8 Weirdest Vacations

1. A Vacation Where You Can Swim With Pigs, Bahamas

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Swimming with dolphins? You can go one better! Visit the paddling porcines in Big Major Cay or Staniel Cay and jump in for a dip if you're brave enough. They won't bite-well, as long as you don't whisper "BLT" within earshot.

7 Countries That Have the Largest Domesticated Animal Population (by species)

1. Largest Dog Population in the World, USA

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The american people are the greatest dog lovers on the planet. USA has a dog population of more than 70 million dogs.

Presenting the Most Terrible Road, Airport, Railroad, Bridge...

This is our list of some most terrible traffic routes. Enjoy the post!

1. The Most Terrible Road in the World, Bolivia

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The North Yungas Road is a 61 to 69 km road leading from La Paz to Coroico (Bolivia's capital, to the Amazon region) in the Yungas region of Bolivia.

Top 9 Strange Streets in the World

1. Shortest Street in the World , Ebenezer Place – Scotland

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Ebenezer Place, in Wick, Caithness, Scotland, is credited by the Guinness Book of Records as being the world's shortest street at 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in). In 2006 it surpassed the previous record (5.2 m, 17 ft) set by Elgin Street, Bacup, Lancashire. The street has only one address: the front door of No. 1 Bistro, which is part of Mackays Hotel.

11 Weirdest Post Offices Around the World

While post offices are usually associated with long lines and inefficient service, that doesn't necessarily mean they should be totally kept off the travel itinerary.

1. Eiffel Tower Post Office, Paris, France

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This small post office is on the ground floor of La Tour Eiffel, so even if you're afraid of heights, it is worth a visit. You will be sure to impress with the special Eiffel Tower postmark on all your postcards.

10 Countries With Most Bicycles Per Capita

There are more than a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as automobiles. In recent years bike production had climbed to over 100 million per year (compared to 50 million cars). Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and since when have been and are employed for many uses: recreation, work, military, show, sport etc. For example in the USA, people use bikes for slimming and better feeling because cycling burns 600 calories an hour, but in China or other countries people use bikes mostly for transportation needs. For these reasons in some countries bikes are especially popular. There are top 10 countries with most bicycles per capita:

10. China

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- People: 1,342,700,000
- Bicycles: >500,000,000
- Cyclists: >37.2%

Fact: 60 percent of local cyclists in Shanghai (most populous city in China) pedal to work every day. The city is home to 9,430,000 bicycles and 19,213,200 people.

12 Weird & Interesting Facts About the United States

1. Floating Post Office in Michigan?

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Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J. W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years.

8 Unusual & Strange Walls Around the World

Walls have been built since ancient times, to mark borders, protect kingdoms and settlements, or keep out unwanted people. In more recent times, walls have also been built to serve as memorials and structures of art.

1. Chewing Gum Wall, Seattle, US

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Not all walls are controversial and divisive. Seattle's gum wall is the place for any unwanted chewing gum, a tradition which was started by people queuing for the theatre. Currently the gum on the wall stretches to several inches thick and is a slightly alternative location for wedding photographs.

16 Weird Facts From Around the Globe

1. The Only Royal Palace Used by a Monarch in the U.S.

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The only royal palace used by a monarch in the U.S. is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is the Iolani Palace and belonged to the monarchs King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. The building then served as the capitol building until Hawaii became a state in 1959. Today the Iolani Palace is a museum.

9 Famous Walls Worldwide

For a long time, especially during ancient time, walls have played an important role in marking borders and preventing enemies from invading in kingdoms and settlements. However, walls are nowadays used as memorials and state-of-the-art sculptures in addition to original functions. Below are the list of the most famous walls around the world recognized as international tourism spots.

1. The Great Wall of China

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The Great Wall of China was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang and rebuilt between the 5th century BC and the 16th century. The Great Wall of China stretching for 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500.3 miles) is one of the most famous walls in the world. Contrary to popular belief this wall has not been seen from the moon (so far) however satellites in Earth's orbit can detect its shape.

Top 10 Geography Mistakes in Movies

A lot has been written about mistakes in historical movies. But, what about geography mistakes?

10. Jurassic Park

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In the beginning of the movie we see Nedry being bribed in some sort of tourists beach bar placed in what seems to be a small town, with palm trees all around and the ocean behind it. The title when the scene begins reads “San Jose, Costa Rica”, but San Jose is actually a big city, in the center of the country, with no sea shore. You can check in the video below, after 1’05.

Top 8 Rooftop Helipads Worldwide

1. Burj Al Arab, Dubai

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The helipad of the Burj Al Arab, the landmark  of Dubai, is one of the most popular starting points of the spectacular flights over the boom town Dubai. Height of this helipad from sea is 212m (696ft), and weight of helicopter that can land on the pad is 7.5 tonnes.

10 Ancient Highways From Around the World

1. The Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail, Hong Kong, China

The Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail, Hong Kong   photo source

For centuries, people traveled along this rugged footpath between Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan in what is now Hong Kong’s New Territories. Today, both ends of the trail are embedded in a thoroughly urban sprawl of malls and traffic jams, but the middle remains a delicious haven of peace.

10 of the World's Most Mispronounced Places

Nothing can make a traveller feel more clueless than mispronouncing the name of a local destination, but it’s easily done. . .

1. Oaxaca, Mexico

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For non-Spanish speakers, the chances of mangling this one are pretty high. Just remember that there’s no “hoax” in Oaxaca and that Osaka is in Japan. The correct way to say it is “Wah-ha-ca”.

15 Really Odd Geographical Facts

Our planet is filled with many wonderful geographical and geological anomalies and mysteries. So many so, that we may never truly unlock all of the secrets that nature has tucked away. This is a list of 15 of the more unusual or outright bizarre facts relating to geography, geology, and the earth.

1. Shortest Place Name

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The Shortest place name is "Å" it is located in both Sweden and Norway. In Scandinavian languages, "Å" means "river". The image above is one of the newly replaces road signs for the area – they are frequently stolen for their novelty value.

15 of America's Strangest Roadside Attractions

1. World's Largest Baseball Bat, Louisville, Kentucky

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The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Ky., includes a bat used by Joe DiMaggio during his 56-game hitting streak of 1941 along with a special area where visitors can hold game-used bats from superstars - past and present. There's even one of the bats used by Babe Ruth during his 60-home-run season of 1927. But the fun starts outside with a 68,000-pound, 120-foot tall steel bat that's a replica - a very large replica - of Babe Ruth's 34-inch Louisville Slugger.

10 of the World's Weirdest Man-Made Islands

An artificial island or man-made island is an island or archipelago that has been constructed by people rather than formed by natural means. They are created by expanding existing islets, construction on existing reefs, or amalgamating several natural islets into a bigger island. Let’s check out the 10 of strangest man-made islands.

1. Kamfers Dam, South Africa

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Kamfers Dam is a privately owned permanent water body of 400 ha (988 acre), situated to the immediate north of Kimberley, South Africa. The wetland was originally an ephemeral pan, often dry and dependent on rain water. In recent times its water level rose as it received constant runoff and treated water from the growing city of Kimberley. The dam has become a major breeding site for Lesser Flamingos since construction of an artificial island.

10 Unusual Places to Find a Church

Churches can be found in all sorts of unusual places, from atop a lonely mountainside to an isolated or even uninhabited island. Churches have been built for over a thousand years, many of them in very inaccesible places, although when they were built they were situated in the heart of a thriving community.  This article is not about unusual churches, although most of them here are, but about churches in unusual places. 

1. In a Tree - Chêne Chapelle, France

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15 Beautiful & Mystical Space Photos

1. Eagle Nebula

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These eerie, dark, pillar-like structures - part of the Eagle Nebula - are columns of cool, interstellar hydrogen gas and dust that serve as incubators for new stars - Hubble Space Telescope 1995.

9 of Strangest Attractions to See in the U.S.

1. House on the Rock, Spring Green, Wisconsin

60-metre-long promenade cantilevered over a valley  photo source

Peculiar, eclectic, kooky. It’s been described as a combination of Yoda’s cottage and Barbarella’s spaceship, a bizarre collection gathered in a house highlighted by the Infinity Room, a 60-metre-long glass-and-steel promenade cantilevered over a valley.

9 of the Most Bizarre Laws Worldwide

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. And this means that the traveler is better to follow the rules of foreign countries, no matter how absurd they might seem to be. Some of them might look to be more related to the culture of the country where you are arriving, while the others seem to make no sense at all!

1. Please, no bear wrestling in Alabama, USA

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Creating a law is a long, difficult process - which means bear wrestling must have been a really big problem in Alabama. In fact, that's how "Bear" Bryant, a man who would become the legendary University of Alabama football coach, earned his nickname.

Now you might be thinking bear wrestling is outlawed by extension of another law, maybe one barring cruelty to animals or animal fighting of any kind - be it dog, rooster or bear - but no. Alabama devotes an entire section of its legal code to bear wrestling-related offenses, which make everything from training a bear to wrestle to charging admission to a bear wrestling match a class B felony.

Unusually Beautiful Nature Pictures

Lake Powell, Glen Canyon, Utah, USA  photo source

6 Largest Solar Thermal Power Stations

6. Nevada Solar One, USA

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Nevada Solar One is a concentrated solar power plant, with a nominal capacity of 64 MW and maximum capacity of 75 MW. The project required an investment of $266 million USD and electricity production is estimated to be 134 million kilowatt hours per year.