Miscellaneous Data for the United States: Highest point:Mount McKinley, Alaska20,320 ft. (6,198 m) Lowest point:Death Valley, Calif.282 ft. (86 m) below sea level Approximate mean elevation2,500 ft. (763 m) Points farthest apart(50 states): Log Point, Elliot Key, Fla., and Kure Island, Hawaii5,859 mi. (9,429 km) Geographic center(50 states): in Butte County, S.D. (west of Castle Rock)44°58'N lat.103°46'W long. Geographic center(48 conterminous states): in Smith County, Kan. (near Lebanon)39°50'N lat. 98°35'W long. Boundaries: Between Alaska and Canada1,538 mi. (2,475 km) Between the 48 conterminous states and Canada (incl. the Great Lakes)3,987 mi. (6,416 km) Between the United States and Mexico1,933 mi. (3,111 km) Source:U.S. Geological Survey.

Extreme Points of the United States (50 States): Distance1 Extreme pointLatitudeLongitudemi.km Northernmost point: Point Barrow, Alaska71°23' N156°29' W2,5074,034 Easternmost point: West Quoddy Head, Maine44°49' N66°57' W1,7882,997 Southernmost point: Ka Lae (South Cape), Hawaii18°55' N155°41' W3,4635,573 Westernmost point: Cape Wrangell, Alaska (Attu Island)52°55' N172°27' E3,6255,833 1. From geographic center of United States (incl. Alaska and Hawaii), west of Castle Rock, S.D., 44°58' lat., 103°46' W long. If measured from the prime meridian in Greenwich, England, Cape Wrangell, Attu Island, Alaska, would be the easternmost point.

How Old Is the Grand Canyon?: The Grand Canyon may be 10 million years older than we thought. National parks and monuments Until recently, the Grand Canyon, one of the most spectacular and mysterious natural wonders of the world, was thought to be about six million years old. With improved dating techniques, geologists now believe that it actually started to form some 17 million years ago. Geologists estimated the Grand Canyon's age at six million years by using a technique called uranium-lead dating. The Grand Canyon walls are lined with a sedimentary rockcalled Redwall Limestone. Redwall Limestone can be seen where water levels have dropped, leaving behind deposits of calcium carbonate. Their results showed that six million years ago, a river started from the west and another from the east, carving a mile-deep canyon until they met in the middle and formed what is now the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Dating the Grand Canyon Uranium-lead dating allows researchers to determine the age of mineraldeposits hundreds of millions of years old. Over time uranium, which can be found in many mineral deposits, decays into lead. Uranium has a half life of 4.5 million years, which means that only half the original amount of uranium in a rock is left after 4.5 million years. Geologists can collect mineral deposits and find their age by measuring the amount of lead found in the rocks. The amount of lead tells how long the uranium has been decaying. The mineral deposits collected from the Grand Canyon walls reveal when and how fast water levels dropped. New Research In 2008, Victor Polyak led a team of geologists from the University of Mexicoto conduct new research on the Grand Canyon. They also tested minerals that line the canyon walls at different heights in order to track water levels, which allowed them to find the rate at which the canyon deepened. Polyak and his team, however, rafted, hiked, and climbed to access caves that dot the canyon's walls. Many of the caves were difficult to reach—some were hundreds of feet high. In the caves they found mineral deposits that contain larger amounts of uranium. What are mammillaries? The uranium-rich mineral deposits are called mammillaries. Mammillaries are mineral deposits that form at the top of the water table and provide a timeline of the river and canyon’s history. Mammillaries, often called "cave clouds," form just under the surface of water that has a high calcium-carbonate concentration. They leave behind formations, often ring-shaped as seen in trees and stalagmite, on existing rocks. New birth date for the Grand Canyon Polyak and his team collected mammillaries from nine sites in the Grand Canyon that were at a much higher elevation than the current water level and then used uranium-lead dating to find the age of the Grand Canyon. They found that the Grand Canyon eroded much slower on the western end than was previously thought, suggesting it is much older than six million years. Findings also showed that instead of one large river, small streams caused the erosion and they joined to make one large river, the Colorado Riverwhich runs through the Grand Canyon today, stretching 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. Source: Journal Science 7 March 2008. Web: www.sciencemag.org

Santa Ana Winds: Mysterious autumn winds that warm southern California: In autumn, we often hear about Santa Anawinds exacerbating wild fires in the western states. The fires and their path of destruction are appropriately the focus of the news stories, leaving many to ask, "What are Santa Ana winds?" A meteorological and geographic phenomenon, the Santa Ana winds blow warm air from east to west across southern Californiaeach autumn. They are named after the Santa Ana Canyon in southern California, but are often referred to as "red winds" or "devil winds." Where do they come from? The Santa Ana Winds form in Utah, Nevada, and Arizonabetween the Sierra Nevadaand Rocky Mountains. During the fall, air pressure builds in cold temperatures at high altitudes in this region and forms a drainage wind, which eventually blows down the mountains and out the Great Basintoward the southern California coastline. The winds tend to blow at 35 to 45 mph, but can gust at hurricanespeeds. Why are the winds warm? Although the winds form in cold weather at high altitudes in the mountains, they blow warm, dry air across southern California. As the winds drain out of the mountains, they descend and heat up as the air is compressed in a process called adiabaticheating. The wind also dries on its descent, often leaving its humidity below 10% by the time it reaches the coastline. During the autumn when the Santa Ana winds blow, southern California is at its warmest, often hotter than the deserts. Wildfires When wildfires burn in southern California during the Santa Ana winds, the fires are fueled by the hot, dry winds, causing even greater destruction. In October 2003, 721,791 acres burned in two weeks of wildfires in southern California, fanned by the Santa Ana winds. During wildfires in October 2007, the Santa Ana winds also contributed to the burning of 426,000 acres. Some areas saw wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, which is equivalent to tropical storm speeds. Other areas had winds traveling at category two hurricane speeds of over 100 mph. In October 2007, wind gusts were recorded at record speeds of 111 mph and temperatures reached 90 degrees with relative humidity below 10%, increasing the intensity of the fires. Although the Santa Ana winds can cause damage, they benefit the environment in other ways. The winds cause cold water to rise to the surface of the ocean, which brings nutrients to the surface. The Santa Anas also make the air in southern California more pleasant by blowing air pollution out to sea. Santa Ana Fog When the Santa Ana winds begin to recede, a fog settles over southern California in its wake. Where dry air prevailed in the lower atmosphere during the Santa Ana winds, a cool moist layer forms quickly after the winds stop, creating a dense fog.

The World's Top Tourism Destinations (international tourist arrivals): The following table shows the top ten tourism destinations according to the number and percent of tourist arrivals in each country during 2010. 2010 rankCountryArrivals (millions)Percent change 2009/2008Percent change 2010/2009 20092010 1.France76.876.8-3.0%0.0 2.United States55.059.7-5.18.7 3.China50.955.7-4.19.4 4.Spain52.252.7-8.81.0 5.Italy43.243.61.20.9 6.United Kingdom28.228.1-6.4-0.2 7.Turkey25.527.02.05.9 8.Germany24.226.9-2.710.9 9.Malaysia23.624.67.23.9 10.Mexico21.522.4-5.24.4 Source:World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world- tourism.org.

International Destinations of American Tourists, 2004: All U.S. travelersFor leisure and visiting friends/ relativesFor business and conventions Total number of travelers 27,351,00022,373,0007,713,000 International destinations visited Europe43%43%47% Western Europe404045 United Kingdom 141318 France 9109 Italy 785 Germany 669 Netherlands 335 Spain 342 Ireland 331 Switzerland 222 Austria 221 Eastern Europe444 Caribbean18209 Jamaica 552 Bahamas 443 Dominican Republic 431 Aruba 220 South America997 Brazil 223 Colombia 221 Peru 221 Central America773 Costa Rica231 Africa223 Middle East445 Asia191728 Japan 437 China 437 South Korea 224 Hong Kong 325 Taiwan 224 India 223 Philippines 222 Thailand 222 Oceania334 Australia 223 Leisure/recreational activities1 Dining in restaurants84%84%89% Shopping757867 Visit historical places515638 Visit small towns/villages434924 Sightseeing in cities434732 Touring the countryside354020 Cultural sites313520 Art gallery, museum283121 Water sports/sunbathing222612 Nightclub/dancing222516 Guided tours17208 Concert, play, musical141610 Ethnic heritage sites12138 Amusement/theme parks10125 Visit national parks10115 Casinos/gambling894 Golf/tennis666 Cruises672 Camping/hiking563 Environmental sites563 Sporting events443 Hunting/fishing332 Ranch vacations221 1. Multiple response. Source:U.S. Dept. of Commerce, ITA, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, “In-Flight Survey,” May 2005.

Current Travel Warnings for U.S. Citizens: Travel warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries listed below are currently on that list. In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, or any areas of instability. CountryMost recent warning issued Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 6/22/2011 Sudan 6/22/2011 Cote d'Ivoire 6/16/2011 Philippines 6/14/2011 Burundi 6/1/2011 Yemen 5/25/2011 Syria 4/25/2011 Uzbekistan 4/25/2011 Mexico 4/22/2011 Burkina Faso 4/19/2011 Nigeria 4/15/2011 Iraq 4/12/2011 Lebanon 4/4/2011 Algeria 3/16/2011 Mauritania 3/11/2011 Afghanistan 3/8/2011 Mali 3/2/2011 Eritrea 2/27/2011 Libya 2/25/2011 Pakistan 2/2/2011 Haiti 1/20/2011 Central African Republic 1/14/2011 Niger 1/12/2011 Nepal 1/12/2011 Kenya 12/28/2010 Somalia 12/27/2010 Saudi Arabia 12/23/2010 Colombia 12/8/2010 Guinea 12/3/2010 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11/25/2010 Chad 11/10/2010 Iran 10/8/2010 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 8/27/2010 NOTE: In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, the State Department issued a worldwide caution for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. 1. As of July 2011. Source:U.S. Department of State. Web: http://travel.state.gov.

Recently Suspended Armed Conflicts: The following wars and armed conflicts have ended. Note that this list contains significant conflicts only. Information valid through 2010. Main warring partiesYears of conflict Indonesia vs. Papua (Irian Jaya) separatists1969–2005 Indonesia vs. East Timor1975–2000 Angola vs. UNITA1975–2002 Indonesia vs. Aceh separatists1976–2005 Indonesia vs. Christians and Muslims in Molucca Islands1977–2006 Sri Lanka vs. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)1983–2010 Uganda vs. Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)1987–2010 Burundi vs. Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL)1988–2010 Sierra Leone vs. RUF1991–2002 Tajikistan vs. United Tajik Opposition (UTO)1992–2000 Angola vs. Cabinda1994–2006 Taliban vs. Northern Alliance1995–2001 Nepal vs. Maoist rebels1995–2006 Nepal vs. Maoists1996–2010 Democratic Republic of Congo and allies vs. Rwanda, Uganda, and indigenous rebels1997–2001 Ethiopia vs. Eritrea1998–2000 Chad vs. Muslim separatists (MDJT)1998–2002 Solomon Islands vs. Malaitan Eagle Force and Isatabu Freedom Movement1998–2003 Serbia and Montenegro vs. Kosovo1998–2006 Liberia vs. LURD rebels2000–2003 Fiji vs. insurgents2000 Cote d'Ivoire vs. militias2002–2008 Haiti vs. rebel groups2004–2008 Israel vs. Lebanon2006 Sources:Project Ploughshares, www.ploughshares.ca, and news sources.

U.S.-Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations: The U.S. State Department has designated these groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The table includes the name and acronym of each terrorist group and the year it was designated. Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations Date Designated Name 10/8/1997 Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) 10/8/1997 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) 10/8/1997 Aum Shinrikyo (AUM) 10/8/1997 Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) 10/8/1997 Gama’a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group) (IG) 10/8/1997 HAMAS 10/8/1997 Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) 10/8/1997 Hizballah 10/8/1997 Kahane Chai (Kach) 10/8/1997 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) (Kongra-Gel) 10/8/1997 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 10/8/1997 National Liberation Army (ELN) 10/8/1997 Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) 10/8/1997 Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) 10/8/1997 Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLF) 10/8/1997 PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC) 10/8/1997 Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 10/8/1997 Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17N) 10/8/1997 Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) 10/8/1997 Shining Path (SL) 10/8/1999 al-Qa’ida (AQ) 9/25/2000 Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) 5/16/2001 Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) 9/10/2001 United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) 12/26/2001 Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) 12/26/2001 Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT) 3/27/2002 Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB) 3/27/2002 Asbat al-Ansar (AAA) 3/27/2002 al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) 8/9/2002 Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA) 10/23/2002 Jemaah Islamiya (JI) 1/30/2003 Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ) 3/22/2004 Ansar al-Islam (AAI) 7/13/2004 Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) 12/17/2004 Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) 12/17/2004 al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) 6/17/2005 Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) 3/5/2008 Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B) 3/18/2008 al-Shabaab 5/18/2009 Revolutionary Struggle (RS) 7/2/2009 Kata'ib Hizballah (KH) 1/19/2010 al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) 8/6/2010 Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI) 9/1/2010 Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) 11/4/2010 Jundallah 5/23/2011 Army of Islam (AOI) 9/19/2011 Indian Mujahedeen (IM) 3/13/2012 Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) 5/30/2012 Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB) 9/19/2012 Haqqani Network (HQN) 3/22/2013 Ansar al-Dine (AAD) 1. As of September 2012. Source:U.S. Department of State, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.

RankCountrySpending level: ($ billions)Per capita ($)World share (%) 1. United States$528.7$1,75646% 2. United Kingdom59.29905 3. France53.18755 4. China49.5374 5. Japan43.73414 6. Germany37.04473 7. Russia34.72443 8. Italy29.95143 9. Saudi Arabia2, 329.01,1523 10. India23.9212 11. South Korea21.94552 12. Australia313.86761 13. Canada313.54141 14. Brazil13.4711 15. Spain12.32841 Subtotal, top 15963.783 World1,158177100 1. Market Exchange Rate. 2. Data for Iran and Saudi Arabia include expenditure for public order and safety and might be slight overestimates. 3. The populations of Australia, Canada, and Saudi Arabia each constitute less than 0.5% of the total world population. Source:SIPRI Yearbook 2007,Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Significant Ongoing Armed Conflicts, 2010: The following table shows where wars and armed conflicts are raging throughout the world in 2010. Find the year that war began and the major warring parties involved by region of conflict, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Main warring partiesYear began1 Middle East U.S. and UK vs. Iraq2003 Israel vs. Palestinians1948 Yemen: Government forces vs. the rebel group Shabab al-Moumineen (The Youthful Believers)2004 Turkey: Government forces vs. the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK)1999 Asia Afghanistan: U.S., UK, and Coalition Forces vs. al-Qaeda and Taliban2001 India vs. Kashmiri separatist groups/Pakistan1948 India vs. Assam insurgents (various)1979 Philippines vs. Mindanaoan separatists (MILF/ASG)1971 Sri Lanka vs. Tamil Eelan21978 Africa Algeria vs. Armed Islamic Group (GIA)1991 Somalia vs. rival clans and Islamist groups1991 Sudan vs. Darfur rebel groups2003 Uganda vs. Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)1986 Europe Russia vs. Chechen separatists1994 Latin America Colombia vs. National Liberation Army (ELN)1978 Colombia vs. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)1978 Colombia vs. Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC)1990 NOTE: As of Oct. 2009. 1. Where multiple parties and long-standing but sporadic conflict are concerned, date of first combat deaths is given. 2. 2002 cease-fire collapsed in 2006. Sources:Project Ploughshares, www.ploughshares.ca,and news sources.

Countries with Nuclear Weapons Capability: *.Acknowledged:U.K., China, France, India, Pakistan, Russia, United States, Israel, North Korea1 *.Seeking:Syria, Iran2 *.Abandoned:South Africa constructed but then voluntarily dismantled six uranium bombs. Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine; when Soviet Union broke up, these former states possessed nuclear warheads that they have since given up and declared themselves non-nuclear weapon states. 1. North Korea tested its first nuclear device on October 9, 2006; a second test took place in 2009. The 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) recognizes five nuclear weapon states (France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) 2. In Aug. 2005, U.S. intelligence estimated that Iran would possess nuclear weapons in the next decade. In Jan. 2006, Iran announced its decision to restart nuclear research. Both Syria and Iran have undertaken questionable nuclear activities and been referred to the United Nations Security Council due to judgments of noncompliance with their IAEA safeguards agreements. Source:U.S. State Department,TIMEmagazine and the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Per Capita Foreign Aid Assistance by World's Wealthiest Countries, 2002: CountryPer capita government aidPer capita private giving Australia14¢3¢ Austria182 Belgium282 Canada172 Denmark641 Finland241 France251 Greece70.1 Germany183 Ireland286 Italy110.2 Japan20¢0.4¢ Netherlands574 New Zealand81 Norway10224 Portugal90.1 Spain111 Sweden611 Switzerland357 United Kingdom232 United States135 Source:© Center for Global Development and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. From “Ranking the Rich,”Foreign Policy,May/June 2004. Reprinted with permission.

Income Tax by Country, 2004: CountrySingle person without childrenOne-earner family with two children Australia24.3%24.3% Austria10.88.1 Belgium26.615.2 Canada17.813.9 Czech Republic11.45.3Denmark 30.6 25.4 ... Korea, South2.21.4 Luxembourg8.90.0 Mexico3.03.0 Netherlands8.58.3 New Zealand20.720.7 Norway20.918.0 Poland6.14.1 Portugal5.60.4 Slovakia7.9–5.3 Spain12.74.3 Sweden24.024.0 Switzerland9.85.1 Turkey15.415.4 United Kingdom15.98.1 United States16.52.4 Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, France,Taxing Wages, 2003–2004(copyright). FromStatistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.

World's Poorest Countries: The rankings below were published in the United Nation's 2011 Human Development Report and reflect the countries with the lowest human development. 1. Congo (Democratic Republic of the) 22. Rwanda 2. Niger 23. Djibouti 3. Burundi 24. Zambia 4. Mozambique 25. Comoros 5. Chad 26. Togo 6. Liberia 27. Uganda 7. Burkina Faso 28. Lesotho 8. Sierra Leone 29. Mauritania 9. Central African Republic 30. Haiti 10. Guinea 31. Nepal 11. Eritrea 32. Nigeria 12. Guinea-Bissau 33. Senegal 13. Mali 34. Yemen 14. Ethiopia 35. Papua New Guinea 15. Zimbabwe 36. Tanzania, United Republic of 16. Afghanistan 37. Madagascar 17. Malawi 38. Cameroon 18. Côte d'lvoire 39. Myanmar 19. Sudan 40. Angola 20. Gambia 41. Timor-Leste 21. Benin 42. Bangladesh Trends among the world's poorest countries Since 1970, there has been encouraging news emerging from developing countries. According to the UN's 2011 Human Development Report, life expectancy in developing countries had increased from 59 years in 1970 to 70 years in 2010. School enrollment climbed from 55% to 70% of all primary and secondary school-age children. Also, in the last forty years, per capita GDP doubled to more than ten thousand U.S. dollars. The World's average Human Development Index (HDI), which combines information on life expectancy, schooling and income, has increased 19% since 1990 (and 41% since 1970). This reflects large improvements in life expectancy, school enrollment, literacy, and income. Almost every country has benefited from this progress. Only three countries had a lower HDI in 2010 than in 1970. Those three countries were Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Poor countries are catching up with the wealthier countries, but not all countries made fast progress. For example, the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have progressed slowly, largely due to the HIV epidemic. Countries in the former Soviet Union have been held back by an increase in adult mortality. To illustrate the income inequality between rich and poor countries, consider these facts: about 1.75 billion people live in multi-dimensional poverty, meaning extreme deprivation in education, health, and standard of living; 1.44 billion people out of the developing world's 6.9 billion people live on $1.25 per day; 2.6 billion people are estimated to be living on less than $2 a day. Multidimensional poverty varies by region from three percent in Europe and Central Asia to 65% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Source: Human Development Reports

Gap Between Rich and Poor: World Income Inequality in 2002 Percentage share of income (poorest and richest 20% of population) See also: Current World Income Inequality Statistics To understand how many inhabitants of a country are poor, it is not enough to know a country's per capita income. The number of poor people in a country and the average quality of life depend on how equally or unequally income is distributed across the population. In Brazil and Hungary, for example, per capita income levels are quite comparable, but the incidence of poverty in Brazil is much higher. In Hungary the richest 20% of the population receives about four times more income than the poorest 20%, whereas in Brazil the richest 20% receives 30 times more than the poorest 20%. Countries with greatest inequalityGini indexLowest 20%Highest 20% 1. Sierra Leone62.91.1%63.4% 2. Central African Republic61.32.065.0 3. Swaziland60.92.764.4 4. Brazil60.72.264.1 5. Nicaragua60.32.363.6 6. South Africa59.32.964.8 7. Paraguay57.71.960.7 8. Colombia57.13.060.9 9. Chile56.73.361.0 10. Honduras56.32.259.4 11. Guinea-Bissau56.22.158.9 12. Lesotho56.02.860.1 13. Guatemala55.83.860.6 14. Burkina Faso55.14.660.4 15. Mexico53.13.557.4 16. Zambia52.63.356.6 17.Hong Kong, China52.24.457.1 17. El Salvador52.23.356.4 19. Papua New Guinea50.94.556.5 20. Nigeria50.64.455.7 21. Mali50.54.656.2 21. Niger50.52.653.3 23. Gambia50.24.055.3 24. Zimbabwe50.14.755.7 25. Venezuela49.53.053.2 26. Malaysia49.24.454.3 27. Russia48.74.453.7 28. Panama48.53.652.8 29. Cameroon47.74.653.1 30. Dominican Republic47.45.153.3 Countries with greatest equalityGini IndexLowest 20%Highest 20% 1. Slovakia19.511.9%31.4% 2. Belarus21.711.433.3 3. Hungary24.410.034.4 4. Denmark24.79.634.5 5. Japan24.910.635.7 6. Sweden25.09.634.5 7. Czech Republic25.410.335.9 8. Finland25.610.035.8 9. Norway25.89.735.8 10. Bulgaria26.410.136.8 11. Luxembourg26.99.436.5 12. Italy27.38.736.3 13. Slovenia28.49.137.7 14. Belgium28.78.337.3 15. Egypt28.99.839.0 15. Rwanda28.99.739.1 17. Croatia29.08.838.0 17. Ukraine29.08.837.8 19. Germany30.08.238.5 20. Austria31.06.938.0 21. Romania31.18.039.5 22. Pakistan31.29.541.1 23. Canada31.57.539.3 24. Korea, South31.67.539.3 25. Poland31.67.839.7 26. Indonesia31.79.041.1 27. Latvia32.47.640.3 27. Lithuania32.47.840.3 29. Spain32.57.540.3 30. Netherlands32.67.340.1 NOTE: Countries are ranked according to the Gini index (or coefficient), a measure of income inequality within a country. A country's Gini rating is between 0 and 100, with 0 indicating perfect equality and 100 indicating absolute inequality. (The U.S. rates 40.8 on the Gini index—the poorest 20% of its population receives 5.2% of income; the richest 20% receives 46.4%.) Source:World Development Index 2002,The World Bank.

Economic Statistics by Country, 2005 (N-Z): CountryGDP/PPPGDP/PPP per capitaReal growth rate (%)Inflation (%) Namibia14.23 billion7,0003.52.7 Nauru60 million5,000n.a.–3.67 Nepal39.9 billion1,4002.77.8 Netherlands499.8 billion30,5001.11.7 New Zealand101.8 billion25,2002.23.0 Nicaragua16.09 billion2,9004.09.6 Niger11.28 billion9004.50.21 Nigeria174.1 billion1,4006.215.6 Norway194.1 billion42,3003.92.1 Oman39.65 billion13,2004.30.4 Pakistan393.4 billion2,4006.99.2 Palau174 million55,80051.053.43 Panama22.76 billion7,2006.42.5 Papua New Guinea14.37 billion2,6002.91.7 Paraguay29.08 billion4,9002.77.5 Peru164.5 billion5,9006.71.6 Philippines451.3 billion5,1005.17.9 Poland514 billion13,3003.22.1 Portugal204.4 billion19,3000.32.4 Qatar$23.64 billion$27,4008.8%7.8% Romania183.6 billion8,2004.58.6 Russia1.589 trillion11,1006.411.0 Rwanda12.65 billion1,5005.28.0 St. Kitts and Nevis339 million28,8002–1.921.75 St. Lucia866 million25,40023.323.05 St. Vincent and the Grenadines342 million22,90020.72–0.45 Samoa1 billion25,60025.024.05 San Marino940 million534,60057.553.35 São Tomé and Príncipe214 million41,20046.0115.1 Saudi Arabia338 billion12,8006.10.4 Senegal20.53 billion1,8006.11.7 Serbia and Montenegro41.15 billion84,40085.9915.5 Seychelles626 million27,8002–3.04.4 Sierra Leone4.921 billion8006.31.02 Singapore124.3 billion28,1006.41.0 Slovakia87.32 billion16,1005.52.7 Slovenia43.36 billion21,6003.92.4 Solomon Islands800 million21,70025.8410.04 Somalia4.809 billion6002.4n.a. South Africa533.2 billion12,0004.94.6 Spain1.029 trillion25,5003.43.4 Sri Lanka85.34 billion4,3005.611.2 Sudan85.65 billion2,1007.011.0 Suriname2.818 billion4,1002.09.5 Swaziland5.658 billion5,0001.84.0 Sweden268 billion29,8002.70.5 Switzerland241.8 billion32,3001.81.2 Syria72.33 billion3,9004.52.6 Taiwan631.2 billion27,6003.82.3 Tajikistan8.73 billion1,2008.08.0 Tanzania27.07 billion7000.04.0 Thailand560.7 billion8,3004.54.8 Togo8.965 billion1,7001.05.5 Tonga244 million22,30021.41010.32 Trinidad and Tobago18.01 billion16,7007.06.8 Tunisia83.54 billion8,3004.33.2 Turkey572 billion8,2005.67.7 Turkmenistan39.54 billion8,0004.010.0 Tuvalu12.2 million31,10033.035.03 Uganda48.73 billion1,8004.09.7 Ukraine340.4 billion7,2002.410.3 United Arab Emirates111.3 billion43,4006.74.5 United Kingdom1.83 trillion30,3001.82.2 United States12.36 trillion41,8003.53.2 Uruguay32.96 billion9,6006.54.9 Uzbekistan48.24 billion1,8007.28.8 Vanuatu580 million42,90041.143.14 Venezuela153.7 billion6,1009.315.7 Vietnam232.2 billion2,8008.48.4 Yemen19.37 billion9002.49.6 Zambia10.59 billion9005.119.0 Zimbabwe28.37 billion2,300–7.0585.0 NOTES: Definitions: Gross domestic product (GDP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically. Purchasing power parity (PPP): The PPP method involves the use of standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied to the GDP produced in a given economy. The data derived from the 1998 method provide a better comparison of economic well-being between countries than conversions at official currency exchange rates. n.a. = not available. *First line of figures for Greek Cyprus, second for Turkish Cyprus. 1. 2004 est. 2. 2002 est. 3. 2000 est. 4. 2003 est. 5. 2001 est. 6. 1999 est. 7. 1993 est. 8. Including Kosovo. 9. Excluding Kosovo. 10. FY03/04 est. Source:The World Factbook, 2006.

Economic Statistics by Country, 2005 (A-M): CountryGDP/PPPGDP/PPP per capitaReal growth rate (%)Inflation (%) Afghanistan$21.5 billion1$80018.0%16.31% Albania18.97 billion4,9005.52.4 Algeria233.2 billion7,2006.04.7 Andorra1.84 billion124,00014.013.41 Angola45.93 billion3,20019.117.7 Antigua and Barbuda750 million211,00023.020.43 Argentina518.1 billion13,1008.712.3 Armenia13.46 billion4,50013.9–0.2 Australia640.1 billion31,9002.52.7 Austria267.6 billion32,7001.92.3 Azerbaijan37.92 billion4,80026.412.0 Bahamas6.098 billion20,2003.51.21 Bahrain15.83 billion23,0005.92.7 Bangladesh304.3 billion2,1005.76.7 Barbados4.745 billion17,0004.1–0.54 Belarus70.68 billion6,9008.08.0 Belgium325 billion31,4001.52.7 Belize1.778 billion16,8003.83.0 Benin8.553 billion1,1003.53.2 Bhutan2.9 billion41,40045.343.02 Bolivia25.95 billion2,9004.04.9 Bosnia and Herzegovina22.89 billion6,8005.31.4 Botswana17.24 billion10,5004.58.3 Brazil1.556 trillion8,4002.45.7 Brunei6.842 billion423,60041.710.91 Bulgaria71.54 billion9,6005.54.5 Burkina Faso16.95 billion1,3004.53.0 Burundi5.654 billion7001.114.0 Cambodia30.65 billion2,2006.04.3 Cameroon40.83 billion2,4002.81.5 Canada1.114 trillion34,0002.92.2 Cape Verde2.99 billion6,2005.51.8 Central African Republic4.784 billion1,1002.23.65 Chad14.79 billion1,5006.05.5 Chile187.1 billion11,3006.03.2 China8.859 trillion6,8009.91.9 Colombia337.5 billion7,9005.14.9 Comoros441 million26003.03.0 Congo, Dem. Rep. of40.67 billion7006.59.01 Congo, Rep. of4.631 billion1,3008.02.0 Costa Rica$44.68 billion$11,1004.0%13.8% Côte d'Ivoire28.52 billion1,6001.02.0 Croatia55.76 billion11,6004.03.2 Cuba39.17 billion3,5008.04.2 Cyprus*16.85 billion21,6003.72.5 4.54 billion7,135110.69.11 Czech Republic199.4 billion19,5006.02.0 Denmark188.1 billion34,6003.41.9 Djibouti619 million21,30023.522.02 Dominica384 million45,5004–1.041.05 Dominican Republic63.73 billion7,0009.34.3 East Timor370 million140011.011.81 Ecuador56.9 billion4,3003.93.1 Egypt303.5 billion3,9004.94.3 El Salvador31.24 billion4,7002.84.7 Equatorial Guinea25.69 billion50,20018.65.0 Eritrea4.471 billion1,0002.015.0 Estonia22.29 billion16,7009.64.0 Ethiopia62.88 billion9008.96.0 Fiji5.38 billion6,0001.71.62 Finland161.5 billion30,9002.21.2 France1.816 trillion29,9001.41.9 Gabon9.535 billion6,8002.11.5 Gambia3.024 billion1,9005.58.8 Georgia15.56 billion3,3007.08.0 Germany2.504 trillion30,4000.92.0 Ghana54.45 billion2,5004.315.0 Greece236.8 billion22,2003.73.8 Grenada440 million25,00022.522.85 Guatemala56.86 billion4,7003.29.1 Guinea18.99 billion2,0002.025.0 Guinea-Bissau1.185 billion8002.34.02 Guyana3.549 billion4,600–2.55.5 Haiti14.15 billion1,7002.015.2 Honduras20.59 billion2,9004.29.2 Hungary162.6 billion16,3004.13.7 Iceland10.57 billion35,6005.74.1 India3.611 trillion3,3007.64.6 Indonesia865.6 billion3,6005.610.4 Iran561.6 billion8,3006.116.0 Iraq94.1 billion3,400–3.040.0 Ireland$164.6 billion$41,0004.7%2.7% Israel154.5 billion24,6005.21.3 Italy1.698 trillion29,2000.11.9 Jamaica12.17 billion4,4001.512.9 Japan4.018 trillion31,5002.7–0.2 Jordan26.8 billion4,7006.15.0 Kazakhstan124.3 billion8,2009.27.4 Kenya37.15 billion1,1005.212.0 Kiribati79 million80051.552.55 Korea, North40 billion1,7001.0n.a. Korea, South965.3 billion20,4003.92.6 Kuwait44.77 billion19,2004.83.5 Kyrgyzstan10.65 billion2,1002.04.2 Laos12.13 billion1,9007.210.0 Latvia30.29 billion13,20010.25.9 Lebanon23.69 billion6,2000.52.4 Lesotho5.124 billion2,5000.84.7 Liberia2.755 billion1,0008.015.04 Libya65.79 billion11,4008.5–1.0 Liechtenstein1.786 billion625,000611.061.05 Lithuania49.21 billion13,7007.52.6 Luxembourg30.74 billion55,6003.73.6 Macedonia16.03 billion7,8003.70.5 Madagascar16.36 billion9005.110.0 Malawi7.524 billion600–3.015.4 Malaysia290.2 billion12,1005.32.9 Maldives1.25 billion23,9002–5.55.6 Mali13.56 billion1,2006.04.52 Malta7.926 billion19,9001.02.8 Marshall Islands115 million52,30051.051.85 Mauritania6.891 billion2,2005.57.04 Mauritius16.09 billion13,1003.05.6 Mexico1.067 trillion10,0003.03.3 Micronesia277 million3,90021.022.02 Moldova8.175 billion1,8007.112.0 Monaco870 million27,00030.931.93 Mongolia5.242 billion1,9006.29.5 Montenegro2.412 billion3,800n.a.3.41 Morocco138.3 billion4,2001.82.1 Mozambique26.03 billion1,3007.07.8 Myanmar (Burma)78.74 billion1,7002.925.0

Economic Statistics by Country, 2005 (A-M): CountryGDP/PPPGDP/PPP per capitaReal growth rate (%)Inflation (%) Afghanistan$21.5 billion1$80018.0%16.31% Albania18.97 billion4,9005.52.4 Algeria233.2 billion7,2006.04.7 Andorra1.84 billion124,00014.013.41 Angola45.93 billion3,20019.117.7 Antigua and Barbuda750 million211,00023.020.43 Argentina518.1 billion13,1008.712.3 Armenia13.46 billion4,50013.9–0.2 Australia640.1 billion31,9002.52.7 Austria267.6 billion32,7001.92.3 Azerbaijan37.92 billion4,80026.412.0 Bahamas6.098 billion20,2003.51.21 Bahrain15.83 billion23,0005.92.7 Bangladesh304.3 billion2,1005.76.7 Barbados4.745 billion17,0004.1–0.54 Belarus70.68 billion6,9008.08.0 Belgium325 billion31,4001.52.7 Belize1.778 billion16,8003.83.0 Benin8.553 billion1,1003.53.2 Bhutan2.9 billion41,40045.343.02 Bolivia25.95 billion2,9004.04.9 Bosnia and Herzegovina22.89 billion6,8005.31.4 Botswana17.24 billion10,5004.58.3 Brazil1.556 trillion8,4002.45.7 Brunei6.842 billion423,60041.710.91 Bulgaria71.54 billion9,6005.54.5 Burkina Faso16.95 billion1,3004.53.0 Burundi5.654 billion7001.114.0 Cambodia30.65 billion2,2006.04.3 Cameroon40.83 billion2,4002.81.5 Canada1.114 trillion34,0002.92.2 Cape Verde2.99 billion6,2005.51.8 Central African Republic4.784 billion1,1002.23.65 Chad14.79 billion1,5006.05.5 Chile187.1 billion11,3006.03.2 China8.859 trillion6,8009.91.9 Colombia337.5 billion7,9005.14.9 Comoros441 million26003.03.0 Congo, Dem. Rep. of40.67 billion7006.59.01 Congo, Rep. of4.631 billion1,3008.02.0 Costa Rica$44.68 billion$11,1004.0%13.8% Côte d'Ivoire28.52 billion1,6001.02.0 Croatia55.76 billion11,6004.03.2 Cuba39.17 billion3,5008.04.2 Cyprus*16.85 billion21,6003.72.5 4.54 billion7,135110.69.11 Czech Republic199.4 billion19,5006.02.0 Denmark188.1 billion34,6003.41.9 Djibouti619 million21,30023.522.02 Dominica384 million45,5004–1.041.05 Dominican Republic63.73 billion7,0009.34.3 East Timor370 million140011.011.81 Ecuador56.9 billion4,3003.93.1 Egypt303.5 billion3,9004.94.3 El Salvador31.24 billion4,7002.84.7 Equatorial Guinea25.69 billion50,20018.65.0 Eritrea4.471 billion1,0002.015.0 Estonia22.29 billion16,7009.64.0 Ethiopia62.88 billion9008.96.0 Fiji5.38 billion6,0001.71.62 Finland161.5 billion30,9002.21.2 France1.816 trillion29,9001.41.9 Gabon9.535 billion6,8002.11.5 Gambia3.024 billion1,9005.58.8 Georgia15.56 billion3,3007.08.0 Germany2.504 trillion30,4000.92.0 Ghana54.45 billion2,5004.315.0 Greece236.8 billion22,2003.73.8 Grenada440 million25,00022.522.85 Guatemala56.86 billion4,7003.29.1 Guinea18.99 billion2,0002.025.0 Guinea-Bissau1.185 billion8002.34.02 Guyana3.549 billion4,600–2.55.5 Haiti14.15 billion1,7002.015.2 Honduras20.59 billion2,9004.29.2 Hungary162.6 billion16,3004.13.7 Iceland10.57 billion35,6005.74.1 India3.611 trillion3,3007.64.6 Indonesia865.6 billion3,6005.610.4 Iran561.6 billion8,3006.116.0 Iraq94.1 billion3,400–3.040.0 Ireland$164.6 billion$41,0004.7%2.7% Israel154.5 billion24,6005.21.3 Italy1.698 trillion29,2000.11.9 Jamaica12.17 billion4,4001.512.9 Japan4.018 trillion31,5002.7–0.2 Jordan26.8 billion4,7006.15.0 Kazakhstan124.3 billion8,2009.27.4 Kenya37.15 billion1,1005.212.0 Kiribati79 million80051.552.55 Korea, North40 billion1,7001.0n.a. Korea, South965.3 billion20,4003.92.6 Kuwait44.77 billion19,2004.83.5 Kyrgyzstan10.65 billion2,1002.04.2 Laos12.13 billion1,9007.210.0 Latvia30.29 billion13,20010.25.9 Lebanon23.69 billion6,2000.52.4 Lesotho5.124 billion2,5000.84.7 Liberia2.755 billion1,0008.015.04 Libya65.79 billion11,4008.5–1.0 Liechtenstein1.786 billion625,000611.061.05 Lithuania49.21 billion13,7007.52.6 Luxembourg30.74 billion55,6003.73.6 Macedonia16.03 billion7,8003.70.5 Madagascar16.36 billion9005.110.0 Malawi7.524 billion600–3.015.4 Malaysia290.2 billion12,1005.32.9 Maldives1.25 billion23,9002–5.55.6 Mali13.56 billion1,2006.04.52 Malta7.926 billion19,9001.02.8 Marshall Islands115 million52,30051.051.85 Mauritania6.891 billion2,2005.57.04 Mauritius16.09 billion13,1003.05.6 Mexico1.067 trillion10,0003.03.3 Micronesia277 million3,90021.022.02 Moldova8.175 billion1,8007.112.0 Monaco870 million27,00030.931.93 Mongolia5.242 billion1,9006.29.5 Montenegro2.412 billion3,800n.a.3.41 Morocco138.3 billion4,2001.82.1 Mozambique26.03 billion1,3007.07.8 Myanmar (Burma)78.74 billion1,7002.925.0

Death Penalty Outlawed (year): *.Albania (2000) *.Andorra (1990) *.Angola (1992) *.Argentina (2008) *.Armenia (2003) *.Australia (1984) *.Austria (1950) *.Azerbaijan (1998) *.Belgium (1996) *.Bhutan (2004) *.Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997) *.Bulgaria (1998) *.Burundi (2009 ) *.Cambodia (1989) *.Canada (1976) *.Cape Verde (1981) *.Colombia (1910) *.Cook Islands (2007) *.Costa Rica (1877) *.Côte d'Ivoire (2000) *.Croatia (1990) *.Cyprus (1983) *.Czech Republic (1990) *.Denmark (1933) *.Djibouti (1995) *.Dominican Republic (1966) *.Ecuador (1906) *.Estonia (1998) *.Finland (1949) *.France (1981) *.Gabon (2010) *.Georgia (1997) *.Germany (1949) *.Greece (1993) *.Guinea-Bissau (1993) *.Haiti (1987) *.Honduras (1956) *.Hungary (1990) *.Iceland (1928) *.Ireland (1990) *.Italy (1947) *.Kyrgyzstan (2007) *.Kiribati (1979) *.Latvia (2012) *.Liechtenstein (1987) *.Lithuania (1998) *.Luxembourg (1979) *.Macedonia (1991) *.Malta (1971) *.Marshall Islands (1986) *.Mauritius (1995) *.Mexico (2005) *.Micronesia (1986) *.Moldova (1995) *.Monaco (1962) *.Montenegro (2002) *.Mozambique (1990) *.Namibia (1990) *.Nepal (1990) *.Netherlands (1870) *.New Zealand (1961) *.Nicaragua (1979) *.Niue (n.a.) *.Norway (1905) *.Palau (n.a.) *.Panama (1903) *.Paraguay (1992) *.Philippines (2006) *.Poland (1997) *.Portugal (1867) *.Romania (1989) *.Rwanda (2007) *.Samoa (2004) *.San Marino (1848) *.São Tomé and Príncipe (1990) *.Senegal (2004) *.Serbia (2002) *.Seychelles (1993) *.Slovakia (1990) *.Slovenia (1989) *.Solomon Islands (1966) *.South Africa (1995) *.Spain (1978) *.Sweden (1921) *.Switzerland (1942) *.Timor-Leste (1999) *.Togo (2009) *.Turkey (2002) *.Turkmenistan (1999) *.Tuvalu (1978) *.Ukraine (1999) *.United Kingdom (1973) *.Uruguay (1907) *.Uzbekistan (2008) *.Vanuatu (1980) *.Vatican City (1969) *.Venezuela (1863) Death Penalty Outlawed for Ordinary Crimes2(year) *.Bolivia (1997) *.Brazil (1979) *.Chile (2001) *.El Salvador (1983) *.Fiji (1979) *.Israel (1954) *.Kazakhstan (2007) *.Latvia (1999) *.Peru (1979) De Facto Ban on Death Penalty3(year)4 *.Algeria (1993) *.Benin (1987) *.Brunei (1957) *.Burkina Faso (1988) *.Cameroon (1997) *.Central African Republic (1981) *.Congo (Republic) (1982) *.Eritrea (n.a.) *.Gambia (1981) *.Ghana (n.a.) *.Grenada (1978) *.Kenya (n.a.) *.Korea, South (1997.) *.Laos (n.a.) *.Liberia (n.a.) *.Madagascar (1958) *.Malawi (n.a.) *.Maldives (1952) *.Mali (1980) *.Mauritania (1987) *.Morocco (1993) *.Myanmar (1993) *.Nauru (1968) *.Niger (1976) *.Papua New Guinea (1950) *.Russia (1999) *.Sierra Leone (1998) *.Sri Lanka (1976) *.Suriname (1982) *.Swaziland (n.a.) *.Tajikistan (n.a.) *.Tanzania (n.a.) *.Tonga (1982) *.Tunisia (1990) *.Zambia (n.a.) Death Penalty Permitted *.Afghanistan *.Antigua and Barbuda *.Bahamas *.Bahrain *.Bangladesh *.Barbados *.Belarus *.Belize *.Botswana *.Chad *.China (People's Republic) *.Comoros *.Congo (Democratic Republic) *.Cuba *.Dominica *.Egypt *.Equatorial Guinea *.Ethiopia *.Guatemala *.Guinea *.Guyana *.India *.Indonesia *.Iran *.Iraq *.Jamaica *.Japan *.Jordan *.Kuwait *.Lebanon *.Lesotho *.Libya *.Malaysia *.Mongolia *.Nigeria *.North Korea *.Oman *.Pakistan *.Palestinian Authority *.Qatar *.St. Kitts and Nevis *.St. Lucia *.St. Vincent and the Grenadines *.Saudi Arabia *.Singapore *.Somalia *.South Sudan *.Sudan *.Syria *.Taiwan *.Thailand *.Trinidad and Tobago *.Uganda *.United Arab Emirates *.United States *.Vietnam *.Yemen *.Zimbabwe NOTE: n.a. = date not available. 1. If death penalty was outlawed for ordinary crimes before it was outlawed in all cases, the earlier date is given. 2. Death penalty is permitted only for exceptional crimes, such as crimes committed under military law or in wartime. 3. Death penalty is sanctioned by law but has not been the practice for ten or more years. 4. Year of last execution.Source:Amnesty International.

The 2006 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index: According to the annual survey by the Berlin-based organization Transparency International, Finland, Denmark, and New Zealand are perceived to be the world's least corrupt countries, and Somalia and Myanmar are perceived to be the most corrupt. The index defines corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain and measures the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among a country's public officials and politicians. It is a composite index, drawing on 14 polls and surveys from 12 independent institutions, which gathered the opinions of businesspeople and country analysts. Only 180 of the world's 193 countries are included in the survey, due to an absence of reliable data from the remaining countries. The scores range from ten (squeaky clean) to zero (highly corrupt). A score of 5.0 is the number Transparency International considers the borderline figure distinguishing countries that do and do not have a serious corruption problem. Countries that have significantly improved their rating since the 2006 index were Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominica, Italy, Macedonia, Namibia, Romania, Seychelles, South Africa, Suriname and Swaziland. Some of the countries that have a significantly worse rating since 2006 include Austria, Bahrain, Belize, Bhutan, Jordan, Laos, Macao, Malta, Mauritius, Oman, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand. Country rankCountry2007 CPI Score 1. Finland9.4 Denmark9.4 New Zealand9.4 4. Sweden9.3 Singapore9.3 6. Iceland9.2 7. Switzerland9.0 Netherlands9.0 9. Canada8.7 Norway8.7 11. Australia8.6 12. Luxembourg8.4 United Kingdom8.4 14. Hong Kong8.3 15. Austria8.1 16. Germany7.8 17. Japan7.5 Ireland7.5 19. France7.3 20. USA7.2 21. Belgium7.1 22. Chile7.0 23. Barbados6.9 24. St. Lucia6.8 25. Spain6.7 Uruguay6.7 27. Slovenia6.6 28. Portugal6.5 Estonia6.5 30. Israel6.1 St. Vincent and the Grenadines6.1 32. Qatar6.0 33. Malta5.8 34. Macao5.7 Taiwan5.7 United Arab Emirates5.7 37. Dominica5.6 38. Botswana5.4 39. Cyprus5.3 Hungary5.3 41. Czech Republic5.2 Italy5.2 43. South Korea5.1 Malaysia5.1 South Africa5.1 46. Bahrain5.0 Bhutan5.0 Costa Rica5.0 49. Cape Verde4.9 Slovakia4.9 51. Latvia4.8 Lithuania4.8 53. Jordan4.7 Mauritius4.7 Oman4.7 56. Greece4.6 57. Namibia4.5 Samoa4.5 Seychelles4.5 60. Kuwait4.3 61. Cuba4.2 Poland4.2 Tunisia4.2 64. Bulgaria4.1 Croatia4.1 Turkey4.1 67. El Salvador4.0 68. Colombia3.8 69. Ghana3.7 Romania3.7 71. Senegal3.6 72. Brazil3.5 China3.5 India3.5 Mexico3.5 Peru3.5 Morocco3.5 Suriname3.5 79. Georgia3.4 Grenada3.4 Saudi Arabia3.4 Serbia3.4 Trinidad and Tobago3.4 84. Bosnia and Herzgegovina3.3 Gabon3.3 Jamaica3.3 Lesotho3.3 Kiribati3.3 FYR Macedonia3.3 Maldives3.3 Montenegro3.3 Swaziland3.3 Thailand3.3 94. Madagascar3.2 Panama3.2 Sri Lanka3.2 Tanzania3.2 98. Vanuatu3.1 99. Algeria3.0 Armenia3.0 Belize3.0 Dominican Republic3.0 Lebanon3.0 Mongolia3.0 105. Bolivia2.9 Albania Iran2.9 Argentina Libya2.9 Burkina Faso2.9 Djibouti2.9 Egypt2.9 111. Eritrea2.8 Guatemala2.8 Moldova2.8 Mozambique2.8 Rwanda2.8 Solomon Islands2.8 Uganda2.8 118. Benin2.7 Malawi2.7 Mali Zambia2.7 Sao Tome and Principe2.7 Ukraine2.7 123. Comoros2.6 Guyana2.6 Mauritania2.6 Nicaragua2.6 Niger2.6 Timor-Leste2.6 Viet Nam2.6 Zambia2.6 131. Burundi2.5 Honduras2.5 Iran2.5 Libya2.5 Nepal2.5 Phillipines2.5 Yemen2.5 138. Cameroon2.4 Ethiophia2.4 Pakistan2.4 Paraguay2.4 Syria2.4 143. Gambia2.3 Indonesia2.3 Russia2.3 Togo Nigeria2.3 147. Angola2.2 Guinea-Bissau2.2 Nigeria2.2 150. Azerbaijan2.1 Belarus2.1 Congo, Republic2.1 Côte d´Ivoire2.1 Ecuador2.1 Kazakhstan Uzbekistan2.1 Kenya Bangladesh2.1 Kyrgyzstan2.1 Liberia2.1 Sierra Leone2.1 Tajikistan2.1 Zimbabwe Iraq2.1 162. Bangladesh2.0 Cambodia2.0 Central African Republic2.0 Papua New Guinea2.0 Turkmenistan2.0 Venezuela2.0 168. Congo, Democratic Republic of1.9 Equatorial Guinea1.9 Guinea1.9 Laos1.9 172. Afghanistan1.8 Chad1.8 Sudan1.8 175. Tonga1.7 Uzbekistan1.7 177. Haiti1.6 178. Iraq1.5 179. Myanmar2.0 Somalia2.0 Source:Transparency International, 2007. Web: www.transparency.or g.

Freedom in the World, 2007 Since 1978, Freedom House has publishedFreedom in the World, an annual comparative assessment of the state of political rights and civil liberties around the world. Widely used by policy makers, journalists, and scholars, the 600-page survey is considered the definitive report on freedom around the globe. The ratings reflect global events from Dec. 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2006. According to the survey, 90 countries are free. Their 3.0 billion inhabitants (47% of the world's population) enjoy a broad range of rights. Fifty-eight countries representing 1.1 billion people (30%) are considered partly free. Political rights and civil liberties are more limited in these countries, in which corruption, dominant ruling parties, or, in some cases, ethnic or religious strife is often the norm. The survey finds that 45 countries are not free. The 2.4 billion inhabitants (23%) of these countries, nearly one-half of whom live in China, are denied most basic political rights and civil liberties. In 2006, Guyana moved from Partly Free to Free, and Haiti and Nepal moved from Not Free to Partly Free. Thailand and the Republic of Congo moved from Partly Free to Not Free. The list below features only independent countries. Freedom House's separate listing of territories reveals that four territories received the lowest possible political rights rating: Chechnya (Russia), Kashmir (Pakistan), Tibet (China), and Western Sahara (Morocco); of those, Chechnya and Tibet also received the lowest possible civil liberties ratings. FREE1 *.Ranking: 1 *.Andorra *.Australia *.Austria *.Bahamas *.Barbados *.Belgium *.Canada *.Cape Verde *.Chile *.Costa Rica *.Cyprus *.Czech Republic *.Denmark *.Dominica *.Estonia *.Finland *.France *.Germany *.Hungary *.Iceland *.Ireland *.Italy *.Kiribati *.Latvia *.Liechtenstein *.Lithuania *.Luxembourg *.Malta *.Marshall Islands *.Micronesia *.Nauru *.Netherlands *.New Zealand *.Norway *.Palau *.Poland *.Portugal *.St. Kitts and Nevis *.St. Lucia *.San Marino *.Slovakia *.Slovenia *.Spain *.Sweden *.Switzerland *.Tuvalu *.United Kingdom *.United States *.Uruguay *.Ranking: 1.5 *.Belize *.Bulgaria *.Ghana *.Greece *.Grenada *.Israel *.Japan *.Mauritius *.Monaco *.Panama *.St. Vincent and the Grenadines *.South Korea *.Taiwan *.Ranking: 2 *.Antigua and Barbuda *.Argentina *.Benin *.Botswana *.Brazil *.Croatia *.Dominican Republic *.Mali *.Mongolia *.Namibia *.Romania *.Samoa *.São Tomé and Príncipe *.South Africa *.Suriname *.Trinidad and Tobago *.Vanuatu *.Ranking: 2.5 *.El Salvador *.Guyana *.India *.Indonesia *.Jamaica *.Lesotho *.Mexico *.Peru *.Senegal *.Serbia *.Ukraine PARTLY FREE1 *.Ranking: 3 *.Albania *.Bolivia *.Bosnia and Herzegovina *.Colombia *.Ecuador *.Georgia *.Honduras *.Kenya *.Macedonia *.Montenegro *.Nicaragua *.Niger *.Papua New Guinea *.Paraguay *.Philippines *.Seychelles *.Turkey *.Ranking: 3.5 *.Comoros *.East Timor *.Guatemala *.Liberia *.Madagascar *.Malawi *.Moldova *.Mozambique *.Sierra Leone *.Solomon Islands *.Tanzania *.Zambia *.Ranking: 4 *.Bangladesh *.Burkina Faso *.Guinea-Bissau *.Kuwait *.Malaysia *.Nigeria *.Sri Lanka *.Tonga *.Venezuela *.Ranking: 4.5 *.Armenia *.Burundi *.Central African Republic *.Gambia *.Haiti *.Jordan *.Kyrgyzstan *.Lebanon *.Mauritania *.Morocco *.Nepal *.Singapore *.Uganda *.Ranking: 5 *.Afghanistan *.Bahrain *.Djibouti *.Ethiopia *.Fiji *.Gabon *.Yemen NOT FREE1 *.Ranking: 5.5 *.Algeria *.Angola *.Azerbaijan *.Bhutan *.Brunei *.Cambodia *.Congo, Dem. Rep. of *.Congo, Rep. of *.Egypt *.Guinea *.Kazakhstan *.Maldives *.Oman *.Pakistan *.Qatar *.Russia *.Rwanda *.Tajikistan *.Thailand *.Togo *.Tunisia *.United Arab Emirates *.Ranking: 6 *.Cameroon *.Chad *.Iran *.Iraq *.Swaziland *.Vietnam *.Ranking: 6.5 *.Belarus *.China *.Côte d'Ivoire *.Equatorial Guinea *.Eritrea *.Laos *.Saudi Arabia *.Syria *.Zimbabwe *.Ranking: 7 *.Cuba *.Libya *.Myanmar (Burma) *.North Korea *.Somalia *.Sudan *.Turkmenistan *.Uzbekistan 1. Countries are ranked according to political rights and civil liberties on a scale from 1.0 (most free) to 7.0 (least free). Source:Freedom in the World, 2007,published by Freedom House. http://www.freedomh ouse.org /template.cfm?page=1 5.

Most and Least Livable Countries: UN Human Development Index, 2006 The Human Development Index (HDI), published annually by the UN, ranks nations according to their citizens' quality of life rather than strictly by a nation's traditional economic figures. The criteria for calculating rankings include life expectancy, educational attainment, and adjusted real income. The 2006 index is based on 2004 figures. “Most Livable” Countries, 2006 1. Norway16. France 2. Iceland17. Italy 3. Australia18. United Kingdom 4. Ireland19. Spain 5. Sweden20. New Zealand 6. Canada21. Germany 7. Japan22. Israel 8. United States23. Greece 9. Switzerland24. Singapore 10. Netherlands25.Korea, Rep. of 11. Finland26. Slovenia 12. Luxembourg27. Portugal 13. Belgium28. Cyprus 14. Austria29. Czech Republic 15. Denmark30. Barbados “Least Livable” Countries, 2006 1. Niger16. Tanzania 2. Sierra Leone17. Angola 3. Mali18. Guinea 4. Burkina Faso19. Nigeria 5. Guinea-Bissau20. Rwanda 6. Central African Republic21. Eritrea 7. Chad22. Senegal 8. Ethiopia23. Gambia 9. Burundi24. Haiti 10. Mozambique25. Mauritania 11. Congo, Dem. Rep. of the26. Kenya 12. Malawi27. Zimbabwe 13. Zambia28. Yemen 14. Côte d'Ivoire29. Lesotho 15. Benin30. Djibouti Source:Human Development Report, 2006,United Nations. Web: hdr.undp.org.

World's Most Populous Urban Agglomerations: RankNameEst. population 1.Tokyo, Japan36,932,780 2.Delhi, India21,935,142 3.Mexico City, Mexico20,142,334 4.New York, United States of America20,104,369 5.Sao Paulo, Brazil19,649,366 6.Shanghai, China19,554,059 7.Bombay, India19,421,983 8.Beijing, China14,999,554 9.Dacca, Bangladesh14,929,647 10.Calcutta, India14,283,096 11.Karachi, Pakistan13,499,702 12.Buenos Aires, Argentina13,369,921 13.Los Angeles, United States of America13,223,023 14.Rio de Janeiro, Brazil11,867,236 15.Manila, Philippines11,653,810 16.Moscow, Russia11,471,637 17.Osaka, Japan11,429,912 18.Cairo, Egypt11,031,494 19.Istanbul, Turkey10,952,950 20.Lagos, Nigeria10,788,300 21.Paris, France10,516,374 22.Guangzhou, China10,485,570 23.Shenzhen, China10,222,493 24.Seoul, South Korea9,750,693 25.Chongqing, China9,732,286 26.Jakarta, Indonesia9,629,953 27.Chicago, United States of America9,544,691 28.Lima, Peru8,950,481 29.London, Great Britain8,923,000 30.Wuhan, China8,903,018 NOTES: The definition of agglomerations varies significantly from city to city, hence the difficulty of compiling an accurate, comparative list of the world's most populous urban areas. 1. Includes metropolitan areas and surrounding urban agglomerations. Agglomerations include a central city and bordering urban areas. Some agglomerations have more than one central city (e.g., Tokyo includes Yokohama and Kawasaki).

World's 50 Most Populous Countries: 2007 This table provides figures about the 50 most populous nations on Earth, from China to Romania. RankCountryPopulation 1. China1,321,851,888 2. India1,129,866,154 3. United States301,139,947 4. Indonesia234,693,997 5. Brazil190,010,647 6. Pakistan169,270,617 7. Bangladesh150,448,339 8. Russia141,377,752 9. Nigeria135,031,164 10. Japan127,467,972 11. Mexico108,700,891 12. Philippines91,077,287 13. Vietnam85,262,356 14. Germany82,400,996 15. Egypt80,264,543 16. Ethiopia76,511,887 17. Turkey71,158,647 18. Iran65,397,521 19. Thailand65,068,149 20.Congo, Dem. Rep.64,606,759 21. France61,083,916 22. United Kingdom60,776,238 23. Italy58,147,733 24. Korea, South49,044,790 25.Myanmar (Burma)47,373,958 26. Ukraine46,299,862 27. Colombia44,227,550 28. South Africa43,997,828 29. Sudan42,292,929 30. Spain40,448,191 31. Argentina40,301,927 32. Poland38,518,241 33. Tanzania38,139,640 34. Kenya36,913,721 35. Morocco33,757,175 36. Canada33,390,141 37. Algeria33,333,216 38. Afghanistan31,889,923 39. Uganda30,262,610 40. Nepal28,901,790 41. Peru28,674,757 42. Uzbekistan27,780,059 43. Saudi Arabia27,601,038 44. Iraq27,499,638 45. Venezuela26,084,662 46. Malaysia24,821,286 47. Korea, North23,301,725 48. Taiwan23,174,294 49. Ghana22,931,299 50. Romania22,276,056 Source:U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Most Populous Cities of the World: The following tables lists the most populous cities in the world. Data includes the most recent figures available. RankCity*PopulationYear 1 Shanghai, China 17,836,133 2011c 2 Istanbul, Turkey 13,854,740 2012e 3 Karachi, Pakistan 12,991,000 2013c 4 Mumbai, India 12,478,447 2011c 5 Moscow, Russia 11,977,988 2013e 6 Manila, Philippines 11,953,140 2012c 7 São Paulo, Brazil 11,821,876 2013c 8 Beijing, China 11,716,000 2010c 9 Tianjin, China 11,090,314 2010c 10 Guangzhou, China 11,070,654 2010c 11 Delhi, India 11,007,835 2010c 12 Seoul, South Korea 10,442,426 2012c 13 Shenzhen, China 10,357,938 2010c 14 Jakarta, Indonesia 10,187,595 2012e 15 Tokyo, Japan 8,967,665 2010c 16 Mexico City, Mexico 8,873,017 2010c 17 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 8,754,000 2010e 18 Bangalore, India 8,425,970 2011c 19 New York City, United States 8,336,697 2013e 20 London 8,308,369 2012e NOTES: “c” = census figure; “e” = estimated; “p” = preliminary census figure. *Refers to the city proper, as opposed to an urban agglomeration, which would also count the surrounding urban areas in the total. Source:CIA World Factbook

Most Populous Cities of the World: The following tables lists the most populous cities in the world. Data includes the most recent figures available. RankCity*PopulationYear 1 Shanghai, China 17,836,133 2011c 2 Istanbul, Turkey 13,854,740 2012e 3 Karachi, Pakistan 12,991,000 2013c 4 Mumbai, India 12,478,447 2011c 5 Moscow, Russia 11,977,988 2013e 6 Manila, Philippines 11,953,140 2012c 7 São Paulo, Brazil 11,821,876 2013c 8 Beijing, China 11,716,000 2010c 9 Tianjin, China 11,090,314 2010c 10 Guangzhou, China 11,070,654 2010c 11 Delhi, India 11,007,835 2010c 12 Seoul, South Korea 10,442,426 2012c 13 Shenzhen, China 10,357,938 2010c 14 Jakarta, Indonesia 10,187,595 2012e 15 Tokyo, Japan 8,967,665 2010c 16 Mexico City, Mexico 8,873,017 2010c 17 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 8,754,000 2010e 18 Bangalore, India 8,425,970 2011c 19 New York City, United States 8,336,697 2013e 20 London 8,308,369 2012e NOTES: “c” = census figure; “e” = estimated; “p” = preliminary census figure. *Refers to the city proper, as opposed to an urban agglomeration, which would also count the surrounding urban areas in the total. Source:CIA World Factbook

Ethnicity and Race by Countries (part 2): East Timor Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority Ecuadormestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% EgyptEgyptian 98%, Berber, Nubian, Bedouin, and Beja 1%, Greek, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1% El Salvadormestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1% Equatorial GuineaBioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Río Muni (primarily Fang); less than 1,000 Europeans, mostly Spanish Eritreaethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% EstoniaEstonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belorussian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000) EthiopiaOromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% FijiFijian 51%, Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998) FinlandFinn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Sami (Lapp) 0.1%, Roma 0.2%, Estonian 0.2% FranceCeltic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Southeast Asian, and Basque minorities GabonBantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings: Fang, Punu, Nzeiby, Mbede (Obamba/Bateke); other Africans and Europeans 10.8%, including 0.8% French and 0.8% persons of dual nationality GambiaAfrican 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% GeorgiaGeorgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002) GermanyGerman 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, Italian 0.7%, Greek 0.4%, Polish 0.4%, other 4.6% Ghanablack African 98.5% (major tribes: Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998) GreeceGreek 98%, other 2%; note: the Greek government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece Grenadablack 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian GuatemalaMestizo (Ladino)—mixed Amerindian-Spanish ancestry—and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001) GuineaPeuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Susu 20%, smaller tribes 10% Guinea-BissauAfrican 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% GuyanaEast Indian 50%; black 36%; Amerindian 7%; white, Chinese, and mixed 7% Haitiblack 95%, mulatto and white 5% Hondurasmestizo 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% HungaryHungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001) Icelandhomogeneous mixture of Norse/Celtic descendants 94%, population of foreign origin 6% IndiaIndo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) IndonesiaJavanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26% IranPersian 51%, Azerbaijani 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% IraqArab 75%–80%, Kurdish 15%–20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% IrelandCeltic, English IsraelJewish 80.1% (Europe/Americas/Oceania-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab) (1996 est.) ItalyItalian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian- and Greek-Italians in the south) Jamaicablack 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1% JapanJapanese 99%; Korean, Chinese, Brazillian, Filipino, other 1% (2004) JordanArab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% KazakhstanKazak (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Tatar 1.4%, Uygur 1.4%, other 4.9% (1999) KenyaKikuyu 22%; Luhya 14%; Luo 13%; Kalenjin 12%; Kamba 11%; Kisii 6%; Meru 6%; other African 15%; Asian, European, and Arab 1% KiribatiMicronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% Korea, Northracially homogeneous; small Chinese community, a few ethnic Japanese Korea, Southhomogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) KuwaitKuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% KyrgyzstanKyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999) LaosLao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong (“Meo”) and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% LatviaLatvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belorussian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002) LebanonArab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% LesothoSotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3% Liberiaindigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende),

Ethnicity and Race by Countries (part 1): Find the ethnic and racial composition of every country in the world, listed alphabetically. AfghanistanPashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimaks 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, others 4% AlbaniaAlbanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2%: Vlachs, Gypsies, Serbs, and Bulgarians (1989 est.) AlgeriaArab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% AndorraSpanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) AngolaOvimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Antigua and Barbudablack, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Argentinawhite (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%; mestizo, Amerindian, other 3% ArmeniaArmenian 97.9%, Russian 0.5%, Kurds 1.3%, other 0.3% (2001) AustraliaCaucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% AustriaAustrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001) AzerbaijanAzeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999). Note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Bahamasblack 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% BahrainBahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001) BangladeshBengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998) Barbadosblack 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% BelarusBelorussian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999) BelgiumFleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Belizemestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% BeninAfrican 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 BhutanBhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% BoliviaQuechua 30%, mestizo 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) BotswanaTswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other (including Kgalagadi and white) 7% Brazilwhite 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000) BruneiMalay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% BulgariaBulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) 2% (2001) Burkina FasoMossi (over 40%), Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani BurundiHutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1% CambodiaKhmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% CameroonCameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwest Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% CanadaBritish Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, indigenous Indian and Inuit 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Cape VerdeCreole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Central African RepublicBaya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Chad200 distinct groups. North and center, mostly Muslim: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba. South, mostly Christian or animist: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa Chilewhite and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% ChinaHan Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1% Colombiamestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% ComorosAntalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Congo, Democratic Republic of theWith over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes—Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic)—make up about 45% of the population Congo, Republic ofKongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Costa Ricawhite (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Côte d'IvoireAkan 42.1%, Voltaiques (Gur) 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998) CroatiaCroat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, Bosniak 0.5%, Hungarian 0.4%, Slovene 0.3%, Czech 0.2%, Roma 0.2%, Albanian 0.1%, Montenegrin 0.1%, others 4.1% (2001) Cubamulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% CyprusGreek 77%, Turkish 18% (each concentrated almost exclusively in separate areas); other 5% (2001) Czech RepublicCzech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001) DenmarkScandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali DjiboutiSomali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Dominicablack, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian Dominican Republicwhite 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

World Capitals: Find the capitals of every country in the world and their population. CountryCity, Population AfghanistanKabul, 2,206,300 AlbaniaTirana, 353,400 AlgeriaAlgiers, 3,917,000 (metro. area), 1,742,800 (city proper) AndorraAndorra la Vella, 23,000 AngolaLuanda, 2,297,200 Antigua and BarbudaSt. John's, 23,500 ArgentinaBuenos Aires, 13,349,000 (metro. area), 2,768,772 (city proper) ArmeniaYerevan, 1,462,700 (metro. area), 1,267,600 (city proper) AustraliaCanberra, 327,700 AustriaVienna, 2,041,300 (metro area), 1,523,600 (city proper) AzerbaijanBaku, 2,118,600 (metro area), 1,235,400 (city proper), a port on the Caspian Sea BahamasNassau, 222,200 BahrainAl-Manámah, 527,000 (metro area), 149,900 (city proper) BangladeshDhaka, 12,560,000 (metro.area), 5,378,023 (city proper) BarbadosBridgetown, 98,900 BelarusMensk (Minsk), 1,769,500 BelgiumBrussels, 1,750,600 (metro area), 981,200 (city proper) BelizeBelmopan, 8,700 BeninPorto-Novo (official), 231,600;Largest city and seat of government:Cotonou 734,600 BhutanThimphu (official), 60,200 BoliviaSucre, 204,200;Administrative capital:La Paz, 1,576,100 (metro. area), 830,500 (city proper) Bosnia and HerzegovinaSarajevo, 581,500 (unofficial) BotswanaGaborone, 195,000 BrazilBrasília, 2,160,100 BruneiBandar Seri Begawan, 78,000 BulgariaSofia, 1,088,700 Burkina FasoOuagadougou, 962,100 BurundiBujumbura, 331,700 CambodiaPhnom Penh, 1,169,800 CameroonYaoundé, 1,395,200 (metro. area), 1,154,400 (city proper) CanadaOttawa, Ontario, 1,142,700 (metro. area) Cape VerdePraia, 99,400 Central African RepublicBangui, 810,000 (metro. area), 669,800 (city proper) ChadN'Djamena, 609,600 ChileSantiago, 5,333,100 (metro. area), 4,372,800 (city proper) ChinaBeijing, 10,849,000 (metro. area), 8,689,000 (city proper) ColombiaSantafé de Bogotá, 7,594,000 (metro. area), 7,185,889 (city proper) ComorosMoroni (on Grande Comoro), 60,200 Congo, Democratic Republic of theKinshasa, 6,541,300 Congo, Republic ofBrazzaville, 1,169,900 Costa RicaSan José, 1,527,300 (metro. area), 337,200 (city proper) Côte d'IvoireYamoussoukro (official), 185,600;Largest city and administrative center:Abidjan, 4,113,600 (metro. area), 3,427,500 (city proper) CroatiaZagreb, 685,500 CubaHavana, 2,686,000 (metro. area), 2,343,700 (city proper) CyprusLefkosia (Nicosia) (in government-controlled area), 197,600 Czech RepublicPrague, 1,378,700 (metro. area), 1,169,800 (city proper) DenmarkCopenhagen, 1,094,400 DjiboutiDjibouti, 383,000 DominicaRoseau, 20,000 Dominican RepublicSanto Domingo, 2,851,300 (metro. area), 2,252,400 (city proper) East TimorDili, 50,800 EcuadorQuito 1,780,700 (metro. area), 1,443,900 (city proper) EgyptCairo, 11,146,000 (metro. area), 7,629,866 (city proper) El SalvadorSan Salvador, 1,791,700 (metro. area), 504,700 (city proper) Equatorial GuineaMalabo, 92,900 EritreaAsmara, 899,000 (metro. area), 400,000 (city proper) EstoniaTallinn, 379,000 EthiopiaAddis Ababa, 2,716,200 FijiSuva (on Viti Levu), 177,300 FinlandHelsinki, 1,162,900 (metro. area), 582,600 (city proper) FranceParis, 9,854,000 (metro. area), 2,110,400 (city proper) GabonLibreville, 661,600 GambiaBanjul, 46,700 GeorgiaTbilisi, 1,440,000 (metro. area), 1,240,200 (city proper) GermanyBerlin (capital since Oct. 3, 1990), 3,933,300 (metro. area), 3,274,500 (city proper) GhanaAccra, 2,825,800 (metro. area), 1,661,400 (city proper) GreeceAthens, 3,247,000 (metro. area), 747,300 (city proper) GrenadaSt. George's, 4,300 GuatemalaGuatemala City, 2,655,900 (metro. area), 1,128,800 (city proper) GuineaConakry, 1,767,200 Guinea-BissauBissau, 296,900 GuyanaGeorgetown, 227,700 HaitiPort-au-Prince, 1,764,000 (metro. area), 1,119,000 (city proper) HondurasTegucigalpa, 1,436,000 (metro. area), 1,248,300 (city proper) HungaryBudapest, 2,597,000 (metro. area), 1,769,500 (city proper) IcelandReykjavik, 184,200 (metro. area), 114,800 (city proper) IndiaNew Delhi, 15,334,000 (metro. area), 9,817,439 (city proper) IndonesiaJakarta, 13,194,000 (metro. area), 8,389,443 (city proper) IranTehran, 7,796,257 (city proper)

Highest Life Expectancy, 2012: The countries with the highest life expectancy (in years). 1. Monaco89.68 2.Macau84.43 3. Japan83.91 4. Singapore83.75 5. San Marino83.07 6. Andorra82.50 7. Guernsey82.240 8.Hong Kong S.A.R.82.12 9. Australia81.90 10. Italy81.86 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Life Expectancy, 2012: The countries with the lowest life expectancy (in years). 1. Chad48.69 2. Guinea-Bissau49.11 3. South Africa49.41 4. Swaziland49.42 5. Afghanistan49.72 6. Central African Republic50.48 7. Somalia50.80 8. Zimbabwe51.82 9. Lesotho51.86 10. Mozambique52.02 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Literacy Rates: The countries with the lowest literacy rate. 1. Burkina Faso23.6% 2. Mali24.0 3. Chad25.7 4. Niger28.7 5. Guinea29.5 6. Benin34.7 7. Sierra Leone34.8 8. Ethiopia35.9 9. Mozambique38.7 10. Senegal39.3 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2010.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest GDP Per Capita: The countries with the lowest gross domestic product per capita in U.S. dollars, in 2011. 1. Congo, Democratic Republic of the$300 2. Zimbabwe500 3. Burundi600 4. Liberia600 5. Somalia700 6. Eritrea700 7. Niger800 8. Central African Republic800 9. Malawi900 10. Madagascar900 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Highest Inflation: The countries with the highest inflation in 2011. 1. Belarus53.3% 2. Ethiopia33 3. Venezuela26.1 4. Argentina22 5. Guinea21.4 6. Iran20.6 7. Eritrea20 8. Yemen19.5 9. Uganda14.4 10. Vietnam13.9 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists.Source:The World Factbook, 2012.

Lowest Inflation: The countries with the lowest inflation in 2011. 1. Qatar–2.5% 2. Northern Mariana Islands-.80 3. Bahrain-.40 4. Japan-.30 5. Central African Republic.10 6. Kiribati.20 7. Switzerland.20 8. Liechtenstein.30 9. Saint Martin.70 10. United Arab Emirates.90 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists.Source:The World Factbook, 2012.

Highest Infant Mortality Rate: The countries with the highest infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 births) in 2012. 1. Afghanistan121.63 2. Mali108.70 3. Somalia103.72 4. Central African Republic97.17 5. Guinea-Bissau94.40 6. Chad93.61 7. Niger89.70 8. Angola83.53 9. Burkina Faso79.84 10. Malawi79.02 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Infant Mortality Rate: The countries with the lowest infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 births) in 2012. 1. Monaco1.8 2. Japan2.21 3. Bermuda2.47 4. Singapore2.65 5. Sweden2.74 6.Hong Kong2.9 7.Macau S.A.R.3.17 8. Iceland3.18 9. Italy3.36 10. Spain3.37 NOTE:Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Largest Countries in the World: The top ten largest countries, in square miles, in 2012. 1. Russia6,601,668 2. Canada3,855,102 3. United States3,794,100 4. China3,705,407 5. Brazil3,287,612 6. Australia2,988,901 7. India1,269,219 8. Argentina1,073,518 9. Kazakhstan1,052,089 10. Algeria919,595 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists. *Size refers to the total area of a country, which includes the land area plus bodies of water.Sources:The World Factbook, 2012.

Smallest Countries in the World: The top ten smallest countries, in square miles, as of 2012. 1. Vatican City0.17 2. Monaco0.75 3. Nauru8.11 4. Tuvalu10.04 5. San Marino23.63 6. Liechtenstein61.78 7.Saint Kitts and Nevis100.77 8. Maldives115.83 9. Malta122.01 10. Grenada132.82 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists. *Size refers to the total area of a country, which includes the land area plus bodies of water.Sources:1.The World Factbook.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Highest Population Density: The top ten most densely populated countries, in square kilometers, in 2011. 1. Monaco15,293 2. Singapore6,843 3. Holy See1,884 4. Maldives1,328 5. Malta1,287 6. Bangladesh1,199 7. Bahrain971 8. Taiwan714 9. Barbados664 10. Mauritius637 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results.Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists. †Population density calculated using population and land area.Source:The World Factbook, 2011.

Lowest Population Density: The top ten least densely populated countries, in square kilometers, in 2011. 1. Western Sahara1.85 2. Mongolia1.99 3. Namibia2.59 4. Australia2.80 5. Iceland3.08 6. Mauritania3.11 7. Suriname3.12 8. Botswana3.58 9. Libya3.67 10. Canada3.71 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists. †Population density calculated using population and land area.Source:The World Factbook, 2011.

Highest GDP Per Capita: The countries with the highest gross domestic product per capita in U.S. dollars, in 2011. 1. Qatar$98,900 2. Liechtenstein89,400 3. Luxembourg80,600 4. Bermuda69,900 5. Singapore59,700 6. Jersey57,000 7. Falkland Islands55,400 8. Norway51,600 9. Brunei49,500 10. Hong Kong49,400 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Columbus Day: Columbus, his journeys and legacy, and other great explorers and explorations Biographies of Famous Explorers Roald Amundsen Vasco Núnez de Balboa Ibn Batuta Richard Burton John Cabot Jacques Cartier Lewis & Clark Christopher Columbus James Cook Francisco Coronado Hernando Cortés Vasco da Gama Leif Ericsson Sir Edmund Hillary Henry Hudson Ponce de León David Livingstone Ferdinand Magellan Mungo Park Robert E. Peary Francisco Pizarro Marco Polo Sir Ernest Shackleton John Speke Sir Henry M. Stanley [More...] Christopher Columbus Columbus Day Timeline The first commemoration of Columbus took place in 1792 Just Where Was Columbus? Pinpointing the famous explorer's whereabouts Biography of Christopher Columbus Early years, voyages, and historical perspective Columbus's Unknown Legacy How food from the Americas revolutionized Europe Fun Stuff Crossword: Columbus Day 66 Across:* As a young man, Columbus had different occupations, such as chart maker, sugar buyer, weaver and what? Quiz: Explorers Who was the first mountain climber to summit all fourteen of the world's 8,000-meter peaks without the use of supplemental oxygen? Other Great Explorers Explorers and Explorations From the Cape of Good Hope to the South Pole, a chart of notable explorers and their explorations. Myths About Explorers Did Columbus really discover America? Who was the first explorer to sail around the world?

Science Related Questions: Electricity doesn’t move through a wire but through a field around the wire. The computer mouse was invented 30 years ago. Almost 20 years ago first test-tube baby born in England. The longest cells in the human body are the motor neurons. They can be up to 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) long and run from the lower spinal cord to the big toe. The sun is 330330 times larger than the earth. The first American space stations name was Skylab, In 1979 skylab fell on the earth in thousands of pieces fortunately all in the oceans. The Stegosaurus dinosaur measured up to 30 feet (9.1 meters). An inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain water is equivalent to 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) of dry, powdery snow. The average ice berg weighs 20,000,000 tons. The Hubble Space Telescope weighs 12 tons (10,896 kilograms), is 43 feet (13.1 meters) long, and cost $2.1 billion to originally build. The largest flying animal was the pterosaur which lived 70 million years ago. This reptile had a wing span of 36-39 feet (11-11.9 meters) and weighed 190-250 pounds (86-113.5 kilograms). There are 206 bones in the adult human body and 300 in children The most powerful laser in the world, the Nova laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA, USA, generates a pulse of energy equal to 100,000,000,000,000 watts of power for .000000001 second to a target the size of a grain of sand. The fastest computer in the world is the CRAY Y-MP C90 supercomputer. It has two gigabytes of central memory and 16 parallel central processor units. The cosmos contains approximately 50,000,000,000 galaxies. Boron nitride (BN) is the second hardest substance known to man. The only letter not appearing on the Periodic Table is the letter “J”. The seeds of an Indian Lotus tree remain viable for 300 to 400 years. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket. No matter its size or thickness, no piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times. A car traveling at 80 km/h uses half its fuel to overcome wind resistance. The typewriter was invented in 1829, and the automatic dishwasher in 1889. The wristwatch was invented in 1904 by Louis Cartier. When glass breaks, the cracks move at speeds of up to 3,000 miles per hour. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. The Earth’s equatorial circumference (40,075 km) is greater than its polar circumference (40,008 km). Flying from London to New York by Concord, due to the time zones crossed, you can arrive 2 hours before you leave. The surface speed record on the moon is 10.56 miles per hour. It was set with the lunar rover. Just twenty seconds worth of fuel remained when Apollo 11′s lunar module landed on the moon.

True Facts: The Venezuelan brown bat can detect and dodge individual raindrops in mid-flight, arriving safely back at his cave completely dry. When immersed in liquid, a dead sparrow will make a sound like a crying baby. Centuries ago, purchasing real estate often required having one or more limbs amputated in order to prevent the purchaser from running away to avoid repayment of the loan. Hence an expensive purchase was said to cost “an arm and a leg.” If you put a bee in a film canister for two hours, it will go blind and leave behind its weight in honey. At the first World Cup championship in Uruguay, 1930, the soccer balls were actually monkey skulls wrapped in paper and leather. Urine from male cape water buffaloes is so flammable that some tribes use it for lantern fuel. we can get blood from a stone, but only if contains at least 17 percent bauxite. Polar bears can eat as many as 86 penguins in a single sitting. Replying more than 100 times to the same piece of spam e-mail will overwhelm the sender’s system and interfere with their ability to send any more spam. Scuba divers cannot pass gas at depths of 33 feet or below. Manatees possess vocal chords which give them the ability to speak like humans, but don’t do so because they have no ears with which to hear the sound. In the weightlessness of space a frozen pea will explode if it comes in contact with Pepsi. Smearing a small amount of dog feces on an insect bite will relieve the itching and swelling. The typewriter was invented by Hungarian immigrant Qwert Yuiop, who left his “signature” on the keyboard. King Henry VIII slept with a gigantic axe. Human saliva has a boiling point three times that of regular water. Until 1978, Camel cigarettes contained minute particles of real camels. You can actually sharpen the blades on a pencil sharpener by wrapping your pencils in aluminum foil before inserting them. When Mahatma Gandhi died, an autopsy revealed five gold Krugerrands in his small intestine. If you part your hair on the right side, you were born to be carnivorous. If you part it on the left, your physical and psychological make-up is of a vegetarian. The world’s smartest pig, owned by a mathematics teacher in Madison, WI, memorized the multiplication tables up to 12. The “nine lives” attributed to cats is probably due to their having nine primary whiskers. Coca-Cola was the favored drink of Pharaoh Ramses. An inscription found in his tomb, when translated, was found to be almost identical to the recipe used today. Approximately one-sixth of human life is spent on Wednesdays.

Trivia Questions To Test Your IQ: General knowledge quiz questions are the best way of testing your IQ level. So, here we give you an opportunity to answer the below mentioned trivia questions to test your IQ. Below mentioned are some of the easy general knowledge questions. Try to answer these questions and is unable to answer them, go to the end of this page for answers. Questions : 1. What does `The Cherry Orchard’ have in common with old editions of `Startrek’? 2. In Australia, how is the date of Mothers’ Day calculated? 3. Which President of the USSR encouraged the policy of Glassnost? 4. What was built by inmates taken from Changi Prison Camp? 5. What is the world’s largest desert? 6. Nino Culotto was his pen-name. What was his REAL name? 7. What is the last letter of the Greek alphabet? 8. Who wrote `The Entertainer’, music made famous by the film,`The Sting’? 9. In Greek legend, what was eaten on the island of Jerba? 10. What was the name of Ulysses’ son, who grew to manhood in his absence? 11. Which Knight caused the death of the Lady of Shallott? 12. What monument occupies centre stage in Trafalgar Square? 13. Which book catapulted Germaine Greer to fame? 14. What was the classical standard language of ancient India? 15. Who directed and starred in films such as `The little Tramp’? 16. Name the three types of classical architectural column. 17. Who was Doctor Zhivago’s great love? 18. Name the commoner who ruled England in 1658-59. 19. Which ghost ship is the theme of an 1841 opera by Richard Wagner? 20. What career did the Duke of Wellington pursue after the Battle of Waterloo? 21. Which popular hymn was composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan of Opera Fame? 22. What is the literal meaning of `pince-nez’. glasses? 23. Beneath which Paris monument is the tomb of France’s unknown soldier? 24. What type of puppets are t hose whose movements are controlled by strings? 25. Which drug is best known for its use in preventing malaria? 26. Identify the 15th century British war fought by the Houses of Lancaster and York 27. Which sea is so named because it is too salty to maintain life 28. What is the most indispensable instrument in astronomy? 29. Which literary doctor owns a parrot called `Polynesia’? 30. Name the Australian singer whose first hit, in the 1960s, was `I Remember You’.`Four On The Floor’ pertain? 31. What is Sydney’s equivalent to San Francisco’s `Bay To Breakers’ footrace’? 32. Which independent island is Australia’s nearest neighbour to the west? 33. At the end of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet’, which of the principals are dead? 34. What is the name of Greg Norman’s business? 35. Name a state of U.S.A. beginning with `B’. 36. Whom did Yoko Ono marry only to lose to an assassin? 37. Wo dubbed Australia `The Lucky Country’ in one of his novels? 38. Which biblical event supports the superstition that 13 is an unlucky number? 39. How much was 240 pence in predecimal currency 40. Which comic- strip drake is a multi-billionaire? 41. What was the first event decided at the 1896 Olympics? 42. Which is the only continent occupied by one nation? 43. What inspired the convex golden disc as the Order of Australia? 44. How long does it take for light to reach the Earth from sun?

Swami Vivekananda Speech: Swami Vivekananda’s Speech in Chicago which is till date considered as the best speech given on the ococasion of worlds religions meet specially in indian national language. Sisters and Brothers of America, It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings : “As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.” The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita : “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.” Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.

Strange Facts: The North Atlantic gets 1 inch wider every year. It takes approximately 12 hours for food to entirely digest. The only rock that floats in water is pumice. The first ten feet of the ocean hold as much heat as the Earth’s entire atmosphere. Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone, also set a world water-speed record of over seventy miles an hour at the age of seventy two. The United States consumes 25% of all the world’s energy. The planet Saturn has a density lower than water. So, if placed in water it would float. It takes 70% less energy to produce a ton of paper from recycled paper than from trees. Hawaii is moving toward Japan 4 inches every year. The rocket engine has to supply its own oxygen so it can burn its fuel in outer space. The average person falls asleep in seven minutes. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. Everyone’s tongue print is different. Moths have no stomach. Hummingbirds can’t walk. On average, our bodies constantly resist an atmospheric pressure of about 1 kilogram per square inch. Cheetah’s can accelerate from 0 to 70 km/h in 3 seconds. The highest temperature on Earth was 136°F (58°C) in Libya in 1922. Sunlight can penetrate clean ocean water to a depth of 240 feet. The temperature can be determined by counting the number of cricket chirps in fourteen seconds and adding 40. The moon is one million times drier than the Gobi Desert. Ten minutes of one hurricane contains enough energy to match the nuclear stockpiles of the world.

Strange Laws: It is a law offence to put livestock like cattles or pets on a school bus in Florida. In Virginia a law code of 1930 prohibits corrupt practices or bribery by any person, but it is not same on political candidates according to a statue by code of 1930. In the state of Colorado, a pet cat, if loose, must have a tail-light ! In Georgia, it’s against the law to spread a false rumor. In Missouri, a man must have a permit to shave. In Texas, it is a “hanging offense” to steal cattle. In Michigan, married couples must live together or be imprisoned. In Kentucky, it is illegal for a merchant to force a person into his place of business for the purpose of making a sale. In New York, it is against the law for children to pick up or collect cigarette and cigar butts. In New Jersey, cabbage can’t be sold on Sunday. In Singapore, to maintain clinliness it is illegal to chew gum. In Massachusetts, it is against the law to put tomatos in clam chowder. In Washington State, you can’t carry a concealed weapon that is over 6 feet in length. In New York, it is against the law for a blind person to drive an automobile. In Texas, it’s against the law for anyone to have a pair of pliers in his or her possession. A barber is not to advertise prices in the State of Georgia. In Illinois, the law is that a car must be driven with the steering wheel. In West Virginia, only babies can ride in a baby carriage. In Arkansas it is against the law to mispronounce the name of the that State. In Tennessee, it is against the law to drive a car while sleeping.

Solar System Quiz: Our solar system consists of one central star, the Sun The Solar System have nine planets named Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto Our solar system consists of more than 60 moons Our solar system consists of millions of rocky asteroids Our solar system consists of billions of icy comets The solar system is said to be over 5 billion years old. Planets are different in sizes and colors. The four planets closer to the Sun are called ‘rocky’ planets. Only two planets have (Earth and Mars) have moons The asteroid belt is a zone between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with the naked eye (Without telescope or binoculars) Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called ‘rocky’ or’ terrestial’ planets. `Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are called the gaseous planets. Jupiter and Saturn contain the largest percentages of hydrogen and helium, while Uranus and Neptune contain largest shares of ices, frozen water, ammonia, methane, and carbon monoxide. The four gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, have rings. Hubble is one of the worlds most powerful telescopes. The Sun is too bright for the Hubble Space Telescope to observe. The sun is 330330 times larger than the earth. The earth began billions of years ago as a huge ball of swirling dust and gases. Earth is only known planet where life began on 600 million years ago.

Sports Related Quiz: An avereage soccer player can run almost 5 to 7 miles in a whole ninty minutes of a socer game. Holes in a golf course must be 4.25 inches in diameter, and at least 4 inches deep and a standard golf course contains 18 holes between 100 and 600 yards length. In tennis there are most numbers of officials compare to the number of players like in tennis tournaments there are 13 officials in regards of two players. The spots on dice are called “pips. And the word ‘pip’ commonly used for a ‘spot’ or a ‘speck’. Try to add all the numbers on a roulette wheel which is usually played in the casinoand cosidered as easiest casion game, that is 1through 36, you get ’666′, the biblical number of fallen man. The world’s highest cricket ground is in Chail (HP), India, which has highest altitude of 2250 Meter of above sea level. Since 1896 from the beginning of the modern Olympics, only Greece and Australia are the pnly two nations whose athletes have taken parts in every Olympic Games. In 1935, Jesse Owens broke 4 world records in 45 minutes Fishing is the biggest participant sports in the world. Soccer is the most attended or watched sport in the world. Boxing became a legal sport in 1901. More than 100 million people hold hunting licences. The record for the most major league baseball career innings is held by Cy Young, with 7,356 innings. The first instance of global electronic communications took place in 1871 when news of the Derby winner was telegraphed from London to Calcutta in under 5 minutes. In 1898, one of the first programmes to be broadcasted on radio was a yacht race that took place in British waters. Sports command the biggest television audiences, led by the summer Olympics, World Cup Football and Formula One racing. Korfball is the only sport played with mixed teams, consisting of 4 men and 4 women. The Major League Baseball teams use about 850,000 balls per season. About 42,000 tennis balls are used in the plus-minus 650 matches in the Wimbledon Championship. A baseball ball has exactly 108 stitches, a cricket ball has between 65 and 70 stiches. A soccer ball is made up of 32 leather panels, held together by 642 stitches. The baseball home plate is 17 inches wide. Basketball and rugby balls are made from synthetic material. Earlier, pigs’ bladders were used as rugby balls. Golf the only sport played on the moon – on 6 February 1971 Alan Shepard hit a golf ball. Bill Klem served the most seasons as major league umpire – 37 years, starting in 1905. He also officated 18 World Series. The oldest continuous trophy in sports is the America’s Cup. It started in 1851, with Americans winning for a straight 132 years until Australia took the Cup in 1983. Volleyball was invented by William George Morgan of Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1895. A badminton shuttle easily travels 180 km/h (112 mph). Ferenc Szisz from Romania, driving a Renault, won the first Formula One Grand Prix held at Le Mans, France in 1906.

Interesting Facts about Dogs: Who says dogs are colour blind? This is a myth that is most associated with dogs. In short, you need to get your facts absolutely clear before adopting a pet. Dogs cannot see as clearly as humans but they are certainly not colour blind. Although the special reflecting layer behind their retina makes their eyes sparkle at night. The fact that a dog basically helped her blind master cover an area of 2000 mile Appalachian track can clear the myths. A dog can actually produce 66000 puppies in a period of six years. The paw pads are the only organs that function as sweat glands. The famous breedLundehunehas this unique feature of being able to close its ears as well as has six toes. Most celebrities, ministers like keeping pets as a symbol of status. It is a known fact that Franklin Roosevelt nearly splurged $15000 to get his Scottie taken care of in Aleutian Islands. The Russians went a step forward by training dogs during World War II. They were used as suicide bombers with mines tucked and tied to their bodies. A year old dog is as mature physically as a 15 year human being. The largest number of dogs can be seen in US followed by France. The US president Lyndon Johnson had two beagles which were named Him as well as Her. The average pet can easily live three years more than a country dog. There are many who die due to dog bite. Nearly, 15 people die in US die every year according to statistics. Most dog owners would agree to the fact that their pet curls besides them while they enjoy Television. The year 2002 saw a maximum number of people dying due to dog bites as compared to shark bites. Even the Bible has mentioned dogs nearly 14 times. There were three dogs that survived after Titanic sunk. They were a Pomeranian, Pekingese as well as Newfoundland. Even dogs face obesity issues. This really affects their health to a large extent. Even dogs get a part of their master’s will. This s very commonly observed in US. The nose prints of a dog have the same features as compared to a human finger prints. Most families in US prefer taking family pictures and videos with their pets. This amounts to nearly 70% of the entire population. Human beings are known to have kept dogs as pet as early as 12000 years ago. They were considered as a part of the family also for protection. The largest breed of dog across the globe is Wolfhound. Dogs and human beings both have prostates. Dogs simply complete an entire family as they are the major source for inspiration and entertainment.

Interesting Facts about Dogs: Who says dogs are colour blind? This is a myth that is most associated with dogs. In short, you need to get your facts absolutely clear before adopting a pet. Dogs cannot see as clearly as humans but they are certainly not colour blind. Although the special reflecting layer behind their retina makes their eyes sparkle at night. The fact that a dog basically helped her blind master cover an area of 2000 mile Appalachian track can clear the myths. A dog can actually produce 66000 puppies in a period of six years. The paw pads are the only organs that function as sweat glands. The famous breedLundehunehas this unique feature of being able to close its ears as well as has six toes. Most celebrities, ministers like keeping pets as a symbol of status. It is a known fact that Franklin Roosevelt nearly splurged $15000 to get his Scottie taken care of in Aleutian Islands. The Russians went a step forward by training dogs during World War II. They were used as suicide bombers with mines tucked and tied to their bodies. A year old dog is as mature physically as a 15 year human being. The largest number of dogs can be seen in US followed by France. The US president Lyndon Johnson had two beagles which were named Him as well as Her. The average pet can easily live three years more than a country dog. There are many who die due to dog bite. Nearly, 15 people die in US die every year according to statistics. Most dog owners would agree to the fact that their pet curls besides them while they enjoy Television. The year 2002 saw a maximum number of people dying due to dog bites as compared to shark bites. Even the Bible has mentioned dogs nearly 14 times. There were three dogs that survived after Titanic sunk. They were a Pomeranian, Pekingese as well as Newfoundland. Even dogs face obesity issues. This really affects their health to a large extent. Even dogs get a part of their master’s will. This s very commonly observed in US. The nose prints of a dog have the same features as compared to a human finger prints. Most families in US prefer taking family pictures and videos with their pets. This amounts to nearly 70% of the entire population. Human beings are known to have kept dogs as pet as early as 12000 years ago. They were considered as a part of the family also for protection. The largest breed of dog across the globe is Wolfhound. Dogs and human beings both have prostates. Dogs simply complete an entire family as they are the major source for inspiration and entertainment.

Quiz On Religion: According to a servay around 168,000 bibles are distributed in the US on any given day and its a best best selling book in the world. Christianity is considered as the world’s most widespread religion and due to its popularity a servay reveals that 50 holy bibles sold in an average minute . The Bible were written in three main languages respectively Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. The 12 disciples were not were not allowed to carry food, money, or extra clothing. The oldest almost complete manuscript of the Bible still existing is the Codex Vaticanus, dating from the first half of the 4th century, now held in the Vatican library. Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible, and lions 55 times, but domestic cats are not mentioned at all. The longest book chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, the shortest is Psalm 117. The word “God” appears in every book except Esther and Song of Solomon. The raven is the first bird mention in the Bible. It appears in Genesis 8:7, when it is sent out from the ark by Noah to see if the flood waters have abated. The second bird was a dove, in verse 8. Almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned in the Bible. Whilst the Bible is the world’s best-selling book, it’s also the world’s most shoplifted book. The word ‘Lord’ appears in the bible 7,736 times. Hinduism The dominant religion of India, Hinduism has a broad variety of forms, ranging from simple folk practices to abstruse metaphysical systems. Hindus regard the sacred texts known as the Vedas (composed around 1500 B.C.) as central to their tradition. Shaivism One of the three primary traditions of Hinduism, Shaivism focuses on the god Shiva, the lord of transformative power in the universe. Shaktism Shaktism focuses on worship of Shakti, the Divine Mother embodying the power of universal manifestation, sometimes known under her names Devi or Kali. Vaishnavism Vaishnavism focuses on Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, and his incarnations Krishna and Rama. Vaishnavism is divided into various sampradayas (sects), each of which has been founded by a particular acharaya (guru). The Vedas Meaning “knowledge” in Sanskrit, the Vedas are the oldest and most authoritative texts of Hinduism. Composed around 1500 B.C.E., they are among the world’s oldest surviving. Vedas consist of four parts. The Rig Veda contains verses of praise to the gods; the Yajur Veda discusses the requirements of ritual offerings; the Sama Veda, verses and chants for ritual offerings, and Atharva Veda, magical verses. The Upanishads Among the principal texts of the Hindu tradition, the Upanishads are metaphysical treatises that are concerned with the origin and destiny of humanity and the universe. In Old Testament times the Mediterranean Sea was called the Great Sea. Revelation, written about 95 AD, is the youngest book in the New Testament.

Olympic General Knowledge: According to the legends and menuscripts the ancient Olympic Games were founded by Heracles a son of Zeus. The very first Olympic race which was organised in 776 BC was won by Corubus by profession he was a chef. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. There were 311 male but no female competitors. The first Olympic games were held in 776BC and then after that every 4 years repeatedly until 339BC. Golf is the only sport which was played on the surface of moon on 6 February 1971 when astronaut Alan Shepard hit a golf ball. In ancient olympics There were no team events, relay races or the long distance race of Marathon these events were introduced in the modern Olympics Earnier womens were not allowed in olympic games. At the first modern Olympic Games there were 311 male but no female competitors. The first ever perfect score of 10 in Olympic gymnastics was achieved at the 1976 Montreal Olympics by Romanian Nadia Comaneci, she won 3 gold medals. The youngest ever Olympian wasonly 10 years old when he competed in the 1896 Athens Olympics is a Greek gymnast Dimitrios Loundras. The record for the most Olympic medals ever won is held by Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina. Larissa Latynina won 18 medals ehich includes 9 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze after competing in three Olympics, between 1956 and 1964. Australia is one of only two countries to have participated in every one of the Modern Olympics since the Games were established in 1896. Ancient olympic racetracks were 192 meters long.

Most Spoken Languages: 1. Mandarin language – China The highest number of speakers use Mandarin language the number of speakers are crossed 1 billion plus, it is the most widely spoken language on the planet which is based in the most populated country on the planet, China. Speaking Mandarin can be really tough, because each word can be pronounced in four ways (or “tones”), and a beginner will invariably have trouble distinguishing one tone from another. To say “hello” in Mandarin, say “Ni hao” (Nee HaOW). The “Hao” is pronounced as one syllable, but the tone requires that you let your voice drop midway, and then raise it again at the end. 2. English While English doesn’t have the most speakers, it is the official language of more countries than any other language. Its speakers hail from all around the world, including the U.S., Australia, England, Zimbabwe, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, South Africa, Canada. 3. Hindustani – Number of speakers: 497 million Hindustani is the primary language of India’s crowded population, and it encompasses a huge number of dialects of which the most commonly spoken is Hindi. Many predict that the population of India will soon surpass that of China, the prominence of English in India prevents Hindustani from surpassing the most popular language in the world. To say “hello” in Hindustani, say “Namaste”. 4. Spanish Spanish is spoken in just about every South American and Central American country, Spain, Cuba, and the U.S. There is a particular interest in Spanish in the U.S., as many English words are borrowed from the language, including: tornado, bonanza, patio, quesadilla, enchilada, and taco grande supreme. To say “hello” in Spanish, say “Hola”. 5. Russian One of the six languages in the UN, Russian is spoken not only in the Mother Country, but also in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the U.S. To say “hello” in Russian, say “Zdravstvuite” (ZDRAST-vet- yah). 6. Arabic Arabic, one of the world’s oldest languages, is spoken in the Middle East, with speakers found in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. Because Arabic is the language of the Koran, millions of Moslems in other countries speak Arabic as well. So many people have a working knowledge of Arabic, in 1974 it was made the sixth official language of the United Nations. To say “hello” in Arabic, say “Al salaam a’alaykum” . 7. Bengali – Number of speakers: 211 million In Bangladesh, a country of 120+ million people, just about everybody speaks Bengali. And because Bangladesh is virtually surrounded by India, the number of Bengali speakers in the world is much higher than people would expect. To say “hello” in Bengali, say “Ei Je” (eye-jay). 8. Portuguese In the 12th Century, Portugal won its independence from Spain and expanded all over the world with the help of its famous explorers like Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator. Because Portugal got in so early on the exploring game, the language established itself all over the world, especially in Brazil where it’s the national language, Macau, Angola, Venezuela, and Mozambique. To say “hello” in Portuguese, say “Bom dia” (bohn dee-ah). 9. Malay – Indonesia Malay Language is spoken in Malaysia and Indonesia. There are many dialects of Malay, the most popular of which is Indonesian. But they’re all pretty much based on the same root language, which is the ninth most-spoken in the world. To say “hello” in Indonesian, say “Selamat pagi” (se-la-maht pa-gee). 10. French French often called the most romantic language in the world, French is spoken in countries like Belgium, Canada, Rwanda, Cameroon, Haiti and France. To say “hello” in French, say “Bonjour” (bone-joor).

Human Body Quiz: In 24 hours, An average human heart beats 1,03,689 times. In 24 hours, An average human Lungs respire 23,045 times. In 24 hours, An average human Blood flows 16,80,000 miles. An average human Nails grow 0.00007 inches in every 24 hours, . An average human Hair grows 0.01715 inches in 24 hours, . In 24 hours, An average human Take 2.9 pounds Water (including all liquids). In 24 hours, An average human Take 3.25 pounds FOOD. In 24 hours, An average human Breathe 438 cubic feet AIR. In 24 hours, An average human Lose 85.60, BODY TEMPERATURE. In 24 hours, An average human Produce 1.43 pints SWEAT. In 24 hours, An average human Speak 4,800 WORDS. In 24 hours, An average human During SLEEP move 25.4 times. The fastest human beings runs only about 30 kilometres per hour (18 miles per hour). About 10% of the world’s population is left-handed. A person afflicted with hexadectylism has six fingers or six toes on one or both hands and feet A human eye blinks over 10,000,000 times a year! The vocabulary of the average person consists of 5,000 to 6,000 words. The average person laughs about 15 times a day Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails! Never hold your nose and cover your mouth when sneezing, as it can blow out your eyeballs. People who ride on roller coasters have a higher chance of having a blood clot in the brain. Sneezing stops heart beat for a second and then continues. Shape of the backbone is important to have sufficient breathing. Like fingerprints, everyone’s tongue print is different.

General Knowledge Questions: Here we have gathered some of the general knowledge questions and answers for you to test your knowledge about the current affairs. Question : Who has been appointed the National Security Adviser by the UPA Government? Answer : J. N. Daxit Question : Who is the new Chief Minister of Karnataka? Dharam Singh Question : Who among the following has won the Miss Universe 2004 crown? Answer : Jennifer Hawkins Question : Which cricketer holds the world record of maximum number of sixes in Tests? Answer : Chris Carins (New Zealand) Question : Who has been appointed the new Chief Justice of India? Answer : Justice R. C. Lahoti Question : Which sports persons got the honour of lighting the Olympic flame at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi recently? Answer : Anjali Bhagwat Question : Which planet crossed the face of the sun (in transit) after 122 years recently? Answer : Venus Question : Which country was readmitted to the Commonwealth recently? Answer : Pakistan Question : Who won the men’s singles title of the French Open 2004? Answer : Gaston Gaudio Question : Who is India’s first Woman Grand Master in Chess? Answer : Koneru Humpy Question : How can the age of the tree be determined? Answer : Counting the annual growth rings of its stem Question : Where is the Lingaraja Temple built during the medieval period? Answer : Bhubaneswar Question : Which Delhi Sultans is known for introducing market control mechanism? Answer : Alauddin Khalji Question : Which mountain peaks of the Himalayas is NOT in India? Answer : Annapurna Question : Who is the author of the book, “The Man Who Divided India”? Answer : Rafiq Zakaria

General Knowledge Test: Below mentioned are some of the most easiest general knowledge questions answers that can help you test your IQ level. Question : What country produces Rioja wines? Answer: Spain Question : Who was the favourite daughter of Shakespeare’s King Lear? Answer : Cordelia Question : Which is the brightest star? Answer: Sirius Question : Which star has collapsed into itself? Answer : Black Hole Question : Which is the heaviest star? Answer : HDE 269810 IN Magellanic Cloud Question : Which Australkian city includes the suburbs of Cottesloe and Subiaco? Answer : Perth Question : Who discovered Oxygen in 1774? Answer : Joseph Priestly Question : Name the author of A Town Like Alice Answer : Nevil Shute Question : How many Earth years does it take Pluto to orbit the sun? Answer : 248 Question : What name is given to the central part of a fleshy fruit, containing the seeds? Answer : The core Question: What letter appears to the right of Y on a keyboard? Answer : U Question : What is it that makes soda water fizz? Answer : Carbon Dioxide Question : What disease is the Sabin Vaccine used to prevent? Answer : Polio Question : Name the actor grandfather of Drew Barrymore. Answer : John Barrymore Question : Who is the female host of the television show, Better Homes and Gardens? Answer : Noni Hazlehurst Question : Which comedian once said, “A well-balanced person has a drink in each hand”? Answer : Billy Connolly

Corporate World: Uncle Pai is a successful publisher who was associated with Amar Chitra Katha once roaringly successful children’s literature. Indra Nooyi is the top executive of Indian origin with Pepsi Cold Drinks who regarded as the 50 most powerful women in corporate America by a leading corporate magazine. Royal Dutch Shell commonly known as Shell is the biggest Petroleum Company in the world. Dhunji Rana the robust male model who have a stylish and sophisticated presence was the model for Zodiac Man for the brands indian advertising promotions. CEAT tyre company which gives cricket ratings are belongs to RPG Enterprises group is an indian company which manages various business areas such as Power, Transmission, IT, Speciality, Carbon Black, Tyre, Retail and Entertainment. Living Media India Ltd is the media group has launched India’s first electronic newspaper, or e-paper. Sunil Mittal of Bharti Telecom was an Indian businessman who has been named among businessweek’s top entrepreneurs for 2000. The beautiful Ekta Kapoor, daughter of film star Jeetendra, is a highly successful producer of television serials owns Balaji Telefilms. Epson company has the advertising punchline “The Power To Create”. Tata Finance has launched a credit card with a tie up with American Express credit card company. Stanford University Network is the first three letters of ‘Sun Microsystems’ stand for. The beer brand cobra is the most preferred as an accompaniment to India food. C. K. Prahlad the Management Guru of Indian Origin is most associateed with the phrase “Core Competence”. Maruti Udyog is the largest ‘unlisted’ company in India in terms of turnover. L. N. Mittal is the only Asian to be included in Sunday Times list of “The Wealthiest 200 in Britain since 1066″. Raymond is the Indian textile brand who proudly proclaims “Since 1925″in its advertisements. Mumbai-born Fareed Zackaria has been appointed the editor of Newsweek an international news magazine. Bombay Dyeing textile company of India is head quartered at “Neville House”. The Hollywood horror flick “Crocodile 2 Death Roll” was recently shot in Ramoji film studio in India The Department of Telecommunications (DOT has been transformed in to a corporation and namedas Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

Earth General Knowledge: Its a common perception that the earth began billions of years ago as a huge ball of swirling dust and gases. Lightning strikes about 6,000 times per minute on earth. and atleast 2000 Number of lightning strikes over the earth per second. A bolt of lightning is about 54,000°F (30,000°C) which is actually six times hotter than the surface of the sun. Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil are the five countries with the biggest area on Earth. The earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago. As the sun warms the earth’s surface, the atmosphere warms too. Some parts of the earth receive direct rays from the sun all year and are always warm. Warm air, which weighs less than cool air, rises. Then cool air moves in and replaces the rising warm air. This movement of air is what makes the wind blow. The average lightning bolt is about an inch wide and five miles long. The names of the continents all end with the same letter with which they start. Scientists believes the invertebrate life began on earth about 600 million years ago. Fish evolved about 300 million years ago on the earth. Humans began to use clothing about 70 million years ago. The first words were spoken by humans about 40 thousand years ago. Cave paintings have been identified from about 30 million years ago. pyramids were build about 4.5k years ago. the Roman empire lasted about 500 years ago, from 0 to 500 AD the Greek civilization lasted about 2k years, from about 4k years ago to 2k years ago Agricultural habits began about 11k years ago when most of the large animals had been killed. Tools began to be used about 180k years ago 100 years ago the first virus was found in both plants and animals. The oldest known fossil is of a single-celled organism, blue-green algae, found in 3.2 billion year-old stones in South Africa. Oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, waters, and atmosphere (about 49.5%)

Child General Knowledge: Childhood and teenage is the perfect age for learning and growing. Apart from involving deep into the course books, it is also important for children to know the current affairs and have a strong general knowledge. General knowledge questions, children and learning should go hand in hand at every stage of development. Following are some of the general knowledge questions for kids: Who played the role of Harry Potter in the movie Harry Potter? Daniel Jacob Who went to Harvard University at the age of 11 to study Mathematics? William James Sidis Who became the youngest chess master at the age of 12? Sergey Karjakin For children we have some of the best general knowledge questions on India. What is the frontier of India? 14,103 kms What is the estimate of population in India? 1,080,264,388 Which is the capital city of India? New Delhi What is the area of the country? 3,300,000 sq km What is the currency of India? Indian Rupee What is the population of children in India? 337,566,907 We also have some of the best general knowledge puzzles that can puzzle kids. Questions: Which would you say is heavier, a kg of cotton or a kg of gold? Answer: Both are equal Questions: A heavy tree trunk can be sawed into a 12ft long piece in one minute. How long will it take to saw it into twelve equal pieces? Answer: Eleven minutes Questions : Which is worth more, a bucket full of half a sovereign gold pieces or an identical bucket half full of 1 sovereign gold piece? Answer: A bucket full of half a sovereign gold pieces Questions: Make words from the alphabets “SITLIMBKEOPNR” Answer: sit, limb, pot, tin, ten, pen, bolt, lit, liter, no, on

Animal General Knowledge: The Earth has over 12,00,000 species of animals, 3,00,000 species of plants & 1,00,000 other species. All polar bears are left handed A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime The original name for the butterfly was ‘flutterby A cheetah does not roar like a lion – it purrs like a cat (meow) A jellyfish is 95 percent water! No two zebras have stripes that are exactly alike. There are more than 50 different kinds of kangaroos. A butterflie have 6 Legs & 2 Pair of Wings & has 12,000 eyes. Human birth control pill works on gorillas. German Shepherds bite humans more than any other breed of dog. Owl is the only bird, which can rotate its head to 270 degrees. The Swan has over 25,000 feathers in its body. Elephant teeth can weigh as much as 9 pounds. Crane sleeps standing on one leg. Shark cannot see, they are very sensitive to sound. A cat sees about six times better than a human at night because of the tapetum lucidum , a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light. A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out. Bears whose brown fur is tipped with lighter-colored hairs are called grizzly bears . Ants don’t sleep. A cheetah can run 76 kilometres per hour (46 miles per hour) Kiwis are the only birds, which hunt by sense of smell. Cassowary is one of the dangerous birds that can kill a man or animal by tearing off with its dagger like claw. The largest frog in the world is called Goliath frog.