A 2010 Newsweek poll ranked countries based on education, health, quality of life, economic dynamism, and political environment. 1. Finland 2. Switzerland 3. Sweden 4. Australia 5. Luxembourg 6. Norway 7. Canada 8. Netherlands 9. Japan 10. Denmark 11. United States 12. Germany 13. New Zealand 14. United Kingdom 15. South Korea 16. France 17. …
The top ten smallest countries, in square miles, as of 2011. 1. Vatican City 0.17 2. Monaco 0.75 3. Nauru 8.11 4. Tuvalu 10.04 5. San Marino 23.63 6. Liechtenstein 61.78 7. Saint Kitts and Nevis 100.77 8. Maldives 115.83 9. Malta 122.01 10. Grenada 132.82 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot …
The top ten largest countries, in square miles, in 2011. 1. Russia 6,601,668 2. Canada 3,855,102 3. United States 3,794,100 4. China 3,705,407 5. Brazil 3,287,612 6. Australia 2,988,901 7. India 1,269,219 8. Argentina 1,073,518 9. Kazakhstan 1,052,089 10. Algeria 919,595 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be …
The countries with the lowest life expectancy (in years). 1. Haiti 29.9 2. Angola 38.4 3. Mozambique 41.3 4. Afghanistan 44.6 5. Nigeria 47.2 6. Zimbabwe 47.5 7. Swaziland 47.9 8. Chad 47.9 9. Guinea-Bissau 48.3 10. South Africa 49.2 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead …
The month of fasting By Holly Hartman Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar-that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays “move” each year. In 2011, Ramadan begins at sundown on …
by Borgna Brunner Roman Roots The history of Valentine’s Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends. The holiday’s roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be …
The uncertain origins of a foolish day By David Johnson and Shmuel Ross April Fools’ Day sometimes called All Fools’ Day, is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the …
1921 Aug. 24, England: British dirigible AR-2 broke in two on trial trip near Hull; 62 died. 1925 Sept. 3, Caldwell, Ohio: U.S. dirigible Shenandoah broke apart; 14 dead. 1930 Oct. 5, Beauvais, France: British dirigible R 101 crashed, killing 47. 1933 April 4, N.J.: U.S. dirigible Akron crashed; 73 died. 1937 May 6, Lakehurst, N.J.: German zeppelin Hindenburg destroyed by fire at tower mooring; 36 killed. 1945 July …