Widest Road in the World

Over the last few decades, the number of vehicles on road has increased manifolds all over the world. This has, in turn, evoked the need for putting in more efforts to promote road safety, and the development of roads which are WIDE enough to support the ever growing road traffic in the world is a part of this very road safety initiative. Roads with 8 and 10 lanes are no more rare occurrences, but what about roads with 20 lanes - they surely deserve to be called engineering marvels of the modern world. With quite a few claims about 'world's widest road' making the rounds, there seems to be a lot of confusion as to which is actually the widest road of them all. With all this confusion, the only way out seems to be to get more information on all these roads which are allegedly claimed to be widest - and see whether they are really wide or are mere boastful claims.

World's Widest Road

At its widest point the Ontario Highway 401 in Canada has 18 lanes in the mainline and additional 4 lanes as connecting ramps. If all these lanes are taken into consideration the total amounts to 22 lanes - thus making the Ontario Highway 401 the widest road in the world. This highway is also known as the King's Highway 401 or Macdonald-Cartier Freeway. You need not be surprised if you come across people referring to it as the four-oh-one that it is widely known as in Canada. It stretches from Windsor, in southwestern Ontario, to Quebec, in east-central Canada. Yet another interesting attribute of this road is the fact that the segment of this road which passes through Toronto - which is the largest city in Canada, is the busiest road in North America.

Cheapest Places to Live in

After a detailed thought on needs and demands, fiscal condition, long-term plans and expectations, you need to come up to a sensible conclusion, selecting the right place that also suits your requirements. The below discussion on some cheapest places to live in the world, would prove helpful in this regard. Note that the list given below is irrespective of any order or preference.

Costa Rica - Enjoy the Hot Tropics

Costa Rica is one of the cheapest places to live in the world. This beautiful country is furnished with scenic landscapes, various climatic zones, and plenty of wildlife variety. The only thing you need to keep in mind is the hot tropical climate, which might irritate some people! Generally, USD 500 - USD 700 per month would be more than enough to reside in a shared accommodation. San Jose, the headquarters of Costa Rica, is also cheap, with inexpensive transport services, low cost of living and household amenities. The further you move away from central San Jose, the cheaper life gets!

Caribbean - Sunny Days and Vibrant Nights

Caribbean is a world popular destination for tourism. Millions of tourists visit this part of the world every year! But did you know that the Caribbean is also amongst the cheapest places to live in the world. The place is full of hotels, luxury resorts, guest houses, etc., and the only forms of settlements belong to age-old groups. However, once you go there, you could find agents helping you out in finding a home for yourself. You can get a nice cottage at a mere sum of USD 25,000, which is a one-time investment!

Belize - Simply Great

Belize, located in Central America, offers a lot of natural variety along with a cheap cost of living! English being the official language, makes things simpler. Accommodation for people preferring to stay alone might cost around USD 300 - USD 500 per month, whereas, for people comfortable at sharing accommodation with a couple of folks, the deal would be more reasonable, at around USD 100 a month. Local groceries are cheap, and a tax-free living for retirees makes thing even cheaper. There's another thing, Belize receives wet and dry seasons, therefore do not expect the weather to be sunny or cloudy all the time.

Romania - Europe's Cheapest

Romania! A beautiful place, with exotic beaches, dark forests, medieval settlements and large mountains. Romania is certainly amongst the cheapest places in entire Europe. The city's capital metro Bucharest is an epitome of many samples of neoclassical architecture, and consists of many good discotheques, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, and on top of that, you could find plum brandy and cheap wines flourishing everywhere. Romania is also one of the cheapest real estate locations in the whole of Europe.

Cambodia - Rich in Culture and Tradition

Well, exotic beaches, vibrant nightlife, discotheques, and restaurants might not be the promoting features of Cambodia. However, the place is one of the prime contenders when it comes to cheap living cost! Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, has accommodation options that cost around just USD 500 - USD 600 per month, and sharing them with travelers makes them even cheaper, costing around USD 200 a month. Food is also relatively cheap, and a meal would cost you somewhere around USD 1 - USD 2. The normal means of transportation, the Tuk Tuk, is very economical too and saves you a lot of money going around the place.

Interesting Facts About China

China is one of the world's oldest civilizations. It is a state located in East Asia. The Republic of China was established on January 1, 1912. China is rich in history, culture and has contributed widely to global arts. Here are some interesting facts about China. 


Interesting Facts About China

• Many commodities of everyday use were invented by the Chinese. Papyrus was found in China. It was from Papyrus that paper was created.
• The art of printing was first invented and then fine-tuned by the Chinese. The early lodestone was also invented in China. It is a common knowledge that gunpowder was first made in China, though it is a misconception that the Chinese used it only for festivals and crackers. The Chinese had various weapons working on gunpowder.
• Other notable inventions include the wheelbarrow, cast iron, the iron plough, the suspension bridge, the parachute, compass, matches, raised relief maps, the propeller, the cross bow and the cannon. The Chinese were also the first to use natural gas as fuel. The Chinese astronomers were the first to make notes about the Supernova.
• Calligraphy is one of the major arts of China, and has recently entered the western world. Chinese literature existed since around 1000 BC.
• The Chinese also invented various musical instruments, such as the pinyin, zheng, qin, sheng, xiao and the pipa.
• The establishment meant an end of the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty in China. The total population of China is more than one billion. It is the most populated country in the world. Around a fifth of the world's population resides in China.
• China has mostly mountains and plateaus in the west and lower lands in the east. The main rivers in China are the Huang He and the Yangtze. Another important river is the Amur, which flows in the north east.
• The first dynasty in China was named Xia and it was considered mythical until recent excavations were considered mythical. The second Chinese Dynasty was Shang. The Shang Dynasty was then invaded by the Zhou, which ruled China from the twelfth to the fifth century.
• The first rebellion in China took place during the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC. It was also the dynasty to unify the whole of China and set up the post of the Emperor, along with standardizing the Chinese language. It was followed by the Han Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms and the short-lived Sui Dynasty. The Tang and Song Dynasties also ruled over China, until the Mongol leader Kublai Khan formed the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty was overthrown in 1368, giving way to the Ming Dynasty in 1644.
• The first emperor of China was Shi Huang-Ti. He is remembered in China for his ruthlessness and harsh laws, and most notably his burning of books circa 213 BC. He also built a network of around two hundred and seventy palaces, which were linked by tunnels.
• At the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1947, constitutional rule was established, with the Communist Party of China controlling Mainland China. Mao Zedong led the Communist Party of China.
• China has about fifty-six recognized ethnic groups in itself, with the biggest ethnic group being the Han. Altogether, there are around hundred ethnic groups. China is a secular and atheist country, although it does offer religion on a personal basis as well as supervised religious organizations, like Buddhism, Taoism and the immortal Confucian mentality. Around three percent of the Chinese population are Christians, while about two percent follow the ways of Islam.
• Beijing is the capital of China and is one of the most populous cities in the world. It is China's political, educational, cultural and military hub. The largest city of China is Shanghai.
• There are between 7 and 13 main regional groups in China. The most spoken language is Mandarin, followed by Wu, Cantonese and Min.
• China has also etched its name in the world of sports. Historians are of the opinion that football has originated in China. The Chinese are well-known for their martial arts.
• The Giant Panda is China's most loved animal. Pandas are also considered symbols of bravery.
• The Phoenix is the most important bird in Chinese mythology. It represents the feminine power of the empress.
• The Chinese consider red as their lucky color. Red is a symbol of happiness for them and is commonly used at Chinese festivals, weddings, birthdays and other festive occasions.
• The Chinese calendar dates back to 2600 BC and is based on the cycles of the moon.
• The Chinese National Day is celebrated on 1st October and is a holiday in China.
• The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world, built by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is the largest engineering project ever carried out in the history of mankind.
• The Grand Canal of China is the oldest and longest canal in the world.

The Guiness Book Of Records - How It Appeared

On 4 May in 1951,  Sir Hugh Beaver, who was the owner of "Guiness" beer company, went on a shooting party in the North Slob, by the River Slaney in County Wexford, Ireland. One of friends opened a conversation of the fastest bird in Europe and they began to argue. Hugh decided to search for that information in books but understood that there wasn’t such information in books yet, and thought that it would be better to have a book of Records where everybody can find answer to any question.

In 1955, he released his first book "The Guinness Book Of Records" and in the same year this book became is one of the UK bestsellers

Buford - The City With Only 1 Population

Buford is a city in the United States and there lives only one man - Dan Salmon who is both cleaner and seller in the only store as well as the major. In 1866 there lived about 2000 people, but over time all of them left the city to seek for omfortable life. In 2008 Dan’s son also left the city and Dan stayed the ONLY man in the whole city.

Fascinating Facts About Dubai

Dubai, located in the southern Persian Gulf on the Arabian peninsula, is both a city and an emirate in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Being strategically located, it has been an important trading hub since ancient times. An emerging leader in world economy, Dubai also has lots to offer to its tourists and is also a booming real estate market. Imposing architecture and sophisticated culture make Dubai one of the most beautiful tourist hot spots of the world. Below is a list of interesting facts about Dubai, that you may not know yet.

Fascinating Facts about Dubai

• The word Dubai may have evolved from the word Daba, which means to creep, referring to the process by which the Dubai Creek slowly flows inland. Another interesting version is, the poet Ahmad Mohammad Obaid claims that Dubai got its name from the same word, Daba, which also refers to a swarm of locusts.
• Dubai had a flourishing pearl business, which collapsed with the advent of the First World War and the Great Depression.
• Dubai is a part of the Arabian Desert, but is topographically different from it. It is dotted with sandy deserts, where wild grasses and palm trees grow. To the east of the city lie the sabkha, coastal plains covered with salt, which see an abundant growth of desert hyacinths.
• Every year, in spring and fall, over 300 bird species migrate through Dubai.
• Dubai experiences extremely arid and hot climates, with the mercury shooting as high as 104^oF. Average precipitation is not more than 140 mm annually. Summers are prone to severe sandstorms, locally known as shamal, which can last for days on end, and reduce visibility.
• The Al Maktoum dynasty has ruled Dubai since 1833. Dubai does not follow the federal judicial system of the United Arab Emirates.
• The culture and dress code in Dubai is much more diverse and liberal than the other emirates of the UAE. Though music, arts, and food have a distinct Arabic and Bedouin influence, the large influx of foreigners visiting and working in Dubai have left their indelible mark on the place, which is evident in the cosmopolitan culture of the society. Traditionally, men wear a kandura, a long white robe, that reached up to the ankles, and is either woolen or made from cotton. Women can be seen wearing the abaya, a black garment worn over the clothes.
• Dubai has stringent behavioral laws in place, and kissing and dancing in public is considered illegal. It is imperative that Muslim religious restrictions be obeyed by non-Muslims as well.
• Dubai has world-famous shopping malls, and tourists flock here regularly to enjoy the Dubai Shopping Festival. The Dubai Mall is the seventh largest mall in the world, and the city is called the Shopping Capital of the Middle East.
• On either side of Dubai Creek, lie commercial districts known as souk. These districts are traditionally famous for the exchange of commodities, which were brought in by Arabian cargo vessels known as dhows from east Asia. Visit a souk to get a feel of true Dubai shopping, where customers bargain heavily.
• Dubai is famous for its gold market, and the Gold Souk itself has over 250 gold shops! It is said that one in every five persons in Dubai buys at least five pieces of jewelry annually.
• Dubai is home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure on the earth, at a height of 2,717 feet. This towering edifice also currently boasts of the highest restaurant, highest mosque, highest nightclub, and the highest outdoor observation deck in the world! Quite a feat, isn't it? Wait, there's more. If you happen to visit Dubai on new year's eve, this hotel will put up a brilliant display of fireworks, the highest of its kind currently in the world!
• The tallest residential building in the world, the 23 Marina is also located in Dubai. The world's tallest hotel, the Rose Tower or Rose Rayhaan, is also found in Dubai, standing tall at 1,092 feet.
• The Burj Al Arab, built in the shape of a dhow sail, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, and the fourth tallest, is built on an artificial island, nearly 280 feet from Jumeirah beach. One of its restaurants, Al Mahara, features a massive seawater aquarium, made of acrylic glass. The entry to this restaurant is through a simulated submarine voyage. Another noteworthy fact, the lobby of this hotel is taller than the Statue of Liberty!
• The Dubai Mall, part of the Burj Khalifa, is the biggest shopping mall in the world by total area. It houses the Aquarium and Discovery Center, which has the unique distinction of holding the world record for the largest acrylic panel.
• The Mall of the Emirates features Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort, with an area of 22,500 square meters. There's also the Snow Park, the largest indoor snow park in the world, with an area of 3,000 square meters.
• Palm Islands, an artificial group of islands, are being constructed using land reclamation techniques, in Dubai. Once completed, these islands will be the biggest archipelago ever made and will house residential beachfront properties, luxury hotels, theme parks, entertainment centers, malls, sporting facilities, and much more.
• The Dubai International Airport is the 5th busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic, and the 8th busiest cargo airport in the world. Terminal 3 of the airport is the single largest building, by floor space.
• You do not need to pay personal and income tax in Dubai!
• Interestingly, Dubai lacks street addresses!
• Over 80% of Dubai's population consists of foreigners.

England Facts: Interesting Facts About England

England, home to the world's largest financial center, has many interesting places and facts that one should know. It is the largest and the most populated country as compared to all the constituents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It is northwest to Continental Europe. England covers almost two-thirds of the southern areas of the island of Great Britain. Now, let us know some facts about England.

Interesting Facts About England

• England is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. It takes its name from Angles. Angles was the name of the Germanic tribes that settled in the territory during the fifth and sixth century.
• England enjoys a temperate climate. It has rainfall all year around. The seasons are however variable in temperature. Temperature rarely falls below minus five degrees Celsius or rise above thirty degrees Celsius. The weather is therefore mild and wet, due to the prevailing wind from the Atlantic Ocean, which lies to the southwest of England.
• England is the second largest economy in Europe. It is the fifth largest economy in the world. It is also the largest of the four economies of the United Kingdom. At least a hundred of Europe's five hundred largest corporations are based in London.
• The chief sectors in England are chemical, aerospace, arms industry, pharmaceutical and the hardware industry. London, capital of England, imports materials like tea, raw sugar, timber, butter, meat and various metals. Tourism is the sixth largest industry in the United Kingdom. The epicenter of tourism is London. Tourism employs about six to seven percent of the total population.
• It exports manufactured goods, with beef being one of the main goods it exports.
• Once again, the service industry has seen a robust growth in the past few decades, heralding a decline in the manufacturing industries. England is also home to the London Stock Exchange. The London Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Europe and is the main stock exchange in the United Kingdom. The official currency of England is the Pound Sterling.
• England is one of the most populous countries in the world. It has almost thrice the population of Australia and California. Its population is only three times lesser than the population of Japan. However, England is seventy-four times smaller than the United States of America, three times smaller than Japan and fifty-nine times smaller than Australia.
• The English love their tea. They consume more tea per capita than any other country in the world. Their tea consumption is more than thrice of Japan and a whopping twenty-two times more than America or France.
• England has many cultural and other places of interest all over its territory. It was the host to the world's first ever modern Olympic Games, and not Athens as it is popularly said. The first modern Olympic Games were in Much Wenlock in Shropshire, England in 1850. The Olympic Games in Athens were held in 1896, almost half a century later.
• England also has the world's used books market at Hay-on-Wye, a small village bordering England and Wales. It's a country of high society and high tea, intellect, education and culture. Therefore, it is evident that things to do with knowledge, for example books will be found in England. The world's oldest and largest chained library lies in the Hereford Cathedral, England. This place also has the world's best preserved Mappa Mundi.
• The first building to overtake the Great Pyramid of Giza was the Lincoln Cathedral in 1280. It held the title of the highest construction ever built until 1884, though it was demolished in 1549.
• The Windsor castle is the oldest royal residence in the world still in use. It occupies more than thirteen acres of land and combines the features of a fortification, a palace and a small town.
• The world's oldest public zoo was opened in London in 1828.

Historical Facts About Big Ben

The first ever clock tower established at the Palace of Westminster was in 1288. Unfortunately, it was destroyed along with the old Palace of Westminster by the devastating fire that broke out on the fateful night of 16 October 1834. Then the chief architect of the palace Charles Barry was assigned with the contract of designing the palace and he included a clock tower in his designs. Thus, the credit for designing the Big Ben goes to Charles Barry while the cast iron dials of the clock were designed by Augustus Pugin.

The building of the tower was completed in 1856. The lower part of the tower is made of brick and stones and the upper part is made from cast iron. The spire of the tower consists of an iron frame that provides support to the heavy bells. The hour bell of the clock is named Big Ben but its remaining four quarter bells are nameless. It is said that Big Ben got its name after Sir Benjamin Hall who was the Commissioners of Works and was famous for his bulky body.

Big Ben Facts for Kids

The Big Ben is the largest chiming bell of the world. The height of the clock tower, where Big Ben is located is 316 feet and it took 13 long years to build it. The tower is slightly leaned (8.66 inches) towards northwest direction. Its inner volume is 4,650 cubic meters.

The diameter of Big Ben is 8 feet and it weighs 13.5 tons which is almost the same as that of a small elephant! The giant structure of Big Ben was built at Whitechapel Bell Foundry, in East London by George Mears. It was cast on 10th April 1858. It took almost two weeks to cool down. Then it was transported to the Westminster Palace by a horse-drawn carriage.

The four faces of the clock are at a height of 55 meters above the ground and the diameter of each of the dials is 23 feet. There is a Latin inscription with gold letters at the base of all the four clocks of the tower: "DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM". This means, "O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First".

The Big Ben chimed for the first time on 11th July 1859. The chimes of Big Ben was first broadcast by BBC radio on the New Year's Eve of 1923. Over the years, the sound of Big Ben became well-known to the BBC World Service listeners all across the world. Till date, it continues to be the focus of the New Year celebrations in the UK.

After reading all these exciting Big Ben facts that we have shared in this article, you know that it is one destination you do not want to miss while sightseeing in London. In fact, it is one of the most famous tourist attractions of the world. However, you can see the tower ONLY from outside. General public is prohibited from getting inside the tower due to security reasons. The view of the Big Ben is at its best during the nighttime when the faces of the clock are illuminated.

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