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56 results in the libraryPage 1 of 356 results in the library · Fun facts · Page 1 of 3
Reefs occupy less than one percent of the ocean floor but support around a quarter of all marine species.
Author not specified in the imported source
Oceans · Around the World
External reference (site language): Oceans Seven ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
We have better high-resolution maps of Mars than of our own seabed, though mapping projects are closing the gap.
Author not specified in the imported source
Oceans · Around the World
External reference (site language): Oceans Seven ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The modern passport with a photo and standard booklet emerged from a 1920 League of Nations conference.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Before railways every town kept its own solar time. Standard time zones were adopted to make timetables possible.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The international date line bends around island groups so countries are not split across two calendar days.
Author not specified in the imported source
Pacific · Around the World
External reference (site language): Pacific Ocean ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The body finds it easier to lengthen a day than shorten one, so westward flights usually feel gentler.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The small bleed hole in a cabin window equalises pressure so the outer pane bears the load.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Relative humidity on a long-haul flight often drops below 20 percent, which is why you feel thirsty.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Low pressure and dry air dull sweet and salty perception, so airline meals are seasoned more heavily.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Flight recorders are painted bright orange with reflective tape so search teams can spot them.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Chicago O'Hare uses ORD from its old name Orchard Field, long after the orchard disappeared.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The hop between Westray and Papa Westray takes about a minute and a half in fair wind.
Author not specified in the imported source
Orkney, Scotland · Around the World
External reference (site language): Orkney ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Ultra-long-haul routes such as Singapore to New York run close to 19 hours nonstop.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World's longest domestic flight ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Contrails form when hot humid exhaust meets cold air and freezes, which is why they appear only at altitude.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Wings are tested to flex far beyond anything turbulence produces. The discomfort is real, the danger mostly is not.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The first duty-free shop opened at Shannon Airport in 1947 to serve transatlantic refuelling stops.
Author not specified in the imported source
Shannon, Ireland · Around the World
External reference (site language): Shannon Airport ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Wheeled luggage was only patented in 1970, and the upright rolling case with a long handle arrived in 1987.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Magnetic stripe keycards were introduced to solve the expensive problem of guests walking off with metal keys.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Some hotels skip or renumber room 420 because the sign disappears so often.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Superstition means a large share of tall buildings label the 13th floor as 14, especially in North America.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
In Chinese, Japanese and Korean the word for four sounds like death, so floors and room numbers often omit it.
Author not specified in the imported source
East Asia · Around the World
External reference (site language): East Asia ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
Tipping is expected in the United States, unusual in Japan where it can cause offence, and rounded up in much of Europe.
Author not specified in the imported source
World · Around the World
External reference (site language): World (disambiguation) ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
In Bulgaria and parts of Greece a head shake can mean yes and a nod can mean no.
Author not specified in the imported source
Bulgaria · Around the World
External reference (site language): Bulgaria ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The thumbs-up gesture is offensive in several countries, so travellers are safer with words.
Author not specified in the imported source
Middle East and West Africa · Around the World
External reference (site language): Middle East and North Africa ↗
Imported text; story or fact not individually verified. A reference may provide background only.
The missed ferry. The stranger who handed over a key. The meal that ran until midnight. If something happened to you on the road and you still think about it, send it - a few sentences is plenty, and we do the tidying up.
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