1. Africa is the only continent situated in all the four hemispheres – the western, the eastern, the northern and the southern.

2. Lesotho, The Vatican and San Marino are the only three countries in the world that are surrounded entirely by only one country. Lesotho borders South Africa, The Vatican and San Marino border Italy.

3. The Greek national anthem consists of 158 verses. It is not known if there is a Greek who can sing them all by heart.

4. There is not a single river in Saudi Arabia.

5. The shortest place name in the world is Å. Villages with this name can be found both in Norway and Sweden. In the Scandinavian languages “Å” means “River”.

6. The smallest country area is that of the Vatican (2 square miles/5 square kilometers), while the largest city area is that of Hulunbuir in China (101,912 square miles/263,953 square kilometers)

7. New York drifts away from London 1 inch/2,5 cm every year.

8. Dust from Africa can reach as far as Florida.

9. The Himalayas are getting higher 0,6 inch/1,5 cm every year.

10. There is a heart-shaped coral reef in Australia.

11. Cuba is the only Caribbean country that has a railway.

12. The biggest pyramid in the world is not in Egypt but in… Mexico. It is called Cholula and is currently covered in grass.

13. All the gondolas in Venice must be black unless they are the property of a high-ranked official.

14. The name of Canada comes from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata or canada, meaning village or settlement.

15. The Transsiberian Railway in Russia crosses 3901 bridges along its way.

16. The Philippines Archipelago consists of 7107 islands.

17. Around 90% of the world population lives in the northern hemisphere.

18. Until 2002 there was an agreement between Monaco and France that if the principality doesn’t have a male heir, Monaco would lose its independence.

19. It’s forbidden for airplanes to fly over the Taj Mahal.

20. Mexico City sinks 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) a year because it was built over a lake. The city has sunk around 32 feet/10 m in the last 60 years.

21. The first city to reach 1 million inhabitants was Rome in 133 BC. London reached the line in 1810, New York – in 1875. Nowadays more than 300 cities in the world have more than a million inhabitants.

22. Amman – the capital of Jordan, used to be called Philadelphia.

23. If a man gives a woman a compliment in Togo, he should marry her.

24. Until almost the end of the 80’s there was not a single phone in Bhutan.

25. On the 18th of February 1979 it was snowing in the Sahara.

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Great Wall Marathon

How about running along one of the biggest attractions in the world? Run 42 km (26 miles) of the Great Wall Marathon in China. Despite the arduous course on the iconic Great Wall of China, you will be rewarded by its breathtaking panoramas. As the route leads you through the lower valley and into the villages, onlookers will be cheering and the festive atmosphere is a real energy boost!

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Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert

When you mention the Sahara Desert, a marathon of 251 km (155 miles) is hardly the first thing that comes to mind. What makes it even harder to believe is that under the baking sun, marathoners have to run the distance of six regular marathons in six consecutive days.

Marathon des Sables | tent86/Flickr

Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon

Where else can you run among seals, penguins, whales and icebergs? The 200 participants in Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon and their supporters have the unique opportunity to visit the ice continent and test their stamina while ticking off one of the continents from their to-race list. History and biology lectures and excursions to remote areas are among the bonuses of this trip.

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The Maldon Mud Race in the UK

Few marathon runners around the world boast the enthusiasm of those who take part in the Maldon Mud Race, along with the enormous amount of mud they get covered in. The race through the natural mud, which could easily be defined as a ‘swamp’, requires nerves of steel to complete the route of 400 m (1310 ft) – running, falling, getting up and even crawling.

The Maldon Mude Race | pg tips2/Flickr

Lake Baikal Ice Marathon, Russia

This extreme race is the regular distance of slightly more than 42 km (26 mi) but along the frozen surface of Lake Baikal, in conditions that only Siberia, Russia can offer in early March.

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Santa Speedo Run, Boston, USA

To run the annual Santa Speedo Run in Boston you need a Speedo-like bathing suit (holiday colors are preferred) and some Christmas flair (Santa hat, beard, Christmas socks, etc.). December weather in Boston is far from the temperature suitable for bathing suits, so the runners are allowed (recommended even) to have a drink or two before the run.

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