Author: Peter

The world’s three enclave countries are Lesotho, San Marino and Vatican City. We explore how a nation ends up entirely surrounded by another.

The most interesting facts about Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, from the playground of the ultra-wealthy to the Gem of the Antilles.

From pioneering the use of GPS in aviation to straddling the international dateline, these are the most interesting facts about Fiji.

The most interesting facts about Israel, from the lowest point on Earth to some of the world’s most disputed sites.

From a giant desert engulfing four-fifths of the country to the world’s smallest fox, these are the most interesting facts about Algeria.

The most interesting facts about North Macedonia, from the “Balkan Elvis” to the birthplace of Mother Teresa.

From the world’s largest wine cellar to one of Europe’s poorest countries, these are the most interesting facts about Moldova.

The most interesting facts about Iraq, from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to the world’s oldest form of writing.

The most interesting facts about Saint Kitts & Nevis, from US founding father Alexander Hamilton to a local stew known as “goat water”.

The most interesting facts about Bulgaria, from Europe’s oldest country and city to the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet.

A global ranking of countries most impacted by terrorism, using the latest available data from the Global Terrorism Index.

From an annual penis festival to the world’s highest density of vending machines, these are the most interesting facts about Japan.

The most interesting facts about Azerbaijan, from unique geographical features to the origins of the Vikings?

From the world’s worst football team to one of the world’s smallest countries, these are the most interesting facts about San Marino.

The most interesting facts about Belarus, from Europe’s last dictatorship to a festival where soldiers smash bricks with their heads.

The most interesting facts about Armenia, from the world’s oldest winery and leather shoe to compulsory chess lessons for school children.

The most interesting facts about Singapore, from the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to the founding of World Toilet Day.

The most interesting facts about Antigua and Barbuda, from pink-sand beaches to a mountain renamed in honour of President Obama.

The most interesting facts about Egypt, from the most visited country in Africa to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks

A global ranking of the most corrupt countries in the world according to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index.

The most interesting facts about Comoros, from enduring over 20 coups in just 40 years and the world’s largest producer of ylang-ylang.

The most interesting facts about Andorra, from the heaviest smokers in the world to the highest country and capital city in Europe.

The most interesting facts about the United Arab Emirates, from the world’s tallest buildings to “Robocop” policemen fighting crime.

The most interesting facts about Cabo Verde, from Africa’s second-most democratic country to a mysterious ghost ship carrying synthesizers.

The most interesting facts about São Tomé and Príncipe, the continent’s second-smallest country known as the “the African Galápagos”.

The most interesting facts about Albania, from the world’s first atheist state to tens of thousands of unused military bunkers.

The most interesting facts about Seychelles, from the original Garden of Eden to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises.

The most interesting facts about the Republic of the Congo, from Africa’s first Marxist-Leninist state to the Congo’s Loch Ness Monster.

From a village where men are banned to the cradle of humanity, these are the most interesting facts about Kenya.

The most interesting facts about Guinea-Bissau, from hippos adapted to saltwater, to briefly having two presidents and two prime ministers.

A ranking of countries by the prevalence of depression, measured by the percentage of the population suffering from depressive disorders.

The most interesting facts about the Maldives, from the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting to the Earth’s lowest high point.

The most interesting facts about the Dominican Republic, from cars that appear to roll uphill to fossils preserved in amber.

The most interesting facts about Morocco, including a town that’s painted blue, goats that climb trees and the world’s oldest university.

From Africa’s highest mountain to some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife, these are the most interesting facts about Tanzania.

Home to the longest river in the world and over 200 pyramids – more than Egypt – these are the most interesting facts about Sudan.

The most interesting facts about East Timor (Timor-Leste) from the first new nation of the 21st century to the world’s most biodiverse waters.

The most interesting facts about Syria, from one of the oldest civilisations on Earth to one of the world’s most dangerous countries.

The most interesting facts about Equatorial Guinea, from one of the world’s wettest places to a corrupt dictator with a playboy son.

The most interesting facts about North Korea, from “three generations of punishment” to a metro system that doubles as a nuclear bunker.

The most interesting facts about South Korea, from a sex-themed park called Jeju Love Land to one of YouTube’s most-watched videos.

Ancient ruins, a tank graveyard and one of the oldest human skeletons, these are the most interesting facts about Eritrea.

We take a look at the world’s 21 countries that don’t have an army, from tiny island nations to states who abolished their militaries.

A global ranking of the most powerful cities in the world, according to the Mori Memorial Foundation’s latest Global Power City Index.

Ranking the safest cities in the world, according to the latest Safe Cities Index report from The Economist Intelligence Unit.

A ranking of OECD countries with the highest minimum wage, measured by hourly and annual wage, using the latest available data from the OECD.

The most interesting facts about the Gambia, from washing in a sacred crocodile-infested pool to using marbles to vote in elections.

The most interesting facts about Gabon, from “the land of the surfing hippos” and “Africa’s Last Eden” to 400,000 years of history.

The most interesting facts about Sierra Leone, from a history intertwined with slavery to a giant cotton tree in its capital city.

The most interesting facts about Grenada, from the world’s first underwater sculpture park to the local legend of a bottomless lake.

A global ranking of countries that drink the most alcohol, measured by alcohol consumption per capita, using the latest available data.

The most interesting facts about Ivory Coast – or Côte d’Ivoire – from the “Paris of West Africa” to the largest church in the world.

The most interesting facts about Trinidad and Tobago, from the world’s hottest chilli pepper to the first black winner of Miss Universe.

The most interesting facts about Afghanistan, from persistent instability and conflict to a country that is rich in history and culture.

We take a look at the countries along the Silk Road, the ancient network of trade routes that connected China with the West.

The most interesting facts about Guinea, from Africa’s first million-selling single to chimpanzees who use tools to chop fruit.

The most interesting facts about Saint Lucia, from the world’s only drive-in volcano to the sole country named specifically after a woman.

From idyllic islands to the only country to have all five vowels in its name, these are the most interesting facts about Mozambique.

The most interesting facts about the Philippines, from a world-record for breastfeeding to the Selfie Capital of the World.

The most interesting facts about Uganda, from an array of natural wonders to the “Butcher of Uganda” at the centre of a dark history.

The most interesting facts about Cuba, from its infamous leftist revolution to the bee hummingbird – the world’s smallest bird.

The most interesting facts about Niger include its very own dinosaur – the Nigersaurus – and the world’s highest mud-brick minaret.

The most interesting facts about Malaysia include its megadiverse flora and fauna and the largest roundabout in the world.

One of the world’s least developed countries and a fierce beauty pageant for men, these are the most interesting facts about Chad.

A ranking of the world’s most developed countries using the latest Human Development Index (HDI).

A global ranking of the heaviest smokers in the world, measured by the number of cigarettes smoked per person per year.

The most interesting facts about Lebanon, from one of the world’s oldest countries to a capital city once known as the “Paris of the East”.

The longest beach in the world is located in Bangladesh. Cox’s Bazar boasts up to 125km of unbroken sandy beach.

The most interesting facts about Togo include once being known as the “The Slave Coast” and having its first president assassinated.

The most interesting facts about South Sudan, from Africa’s newest nation and decades of conflict to “mega-herds” of migrating wildlife.

In 1981, Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery. But the West African nation still has a long way to go.

The tallest flagpole in the world is the Jeddah Flagpole, located in Saudi Arabia. Erected in 2014, the flagpole stands 171m (561ft) high.

The most interesting facts about Tajikistan, from the world’s second-highest road, the Pamir Highway, to a capital city called Monday.

The most interesting facts about Jamaica, from the world’s fastest human to a religious movement that worships a former Ethiopian emperor.

The most interesting facts about Mauritania, from the last country in the world to abolish slavery to the world’s longest train.

The most interesting facts about Vietnam, from outstanding natural beauty to one of the most deadly conflicts in history.

The most interesting facts about Nigeria, from the twins capital of the world to Nollywood – the world’s second-largest film industry.

The most interesting facts about Libya, from an ancient crossroads of civilisations to bizarre natural phenomena in the Sahara Desert.

The most interesting facts about Tunisia, from the northernmost point of Africa to triggering a wave of revolutions across the Arab World.

The most interesting facts about Turkmenistan, from a president nicknamed “The Turkmenator” to a fire pit called the “Door to Hell”.

The most interesting facts about Liberia, from Africa’s oldest republic to pygmy hippos known as “water cows”.

The most interesting facts about Yemen, from the origins of mocha coffee to a rare species of tree grown from the blood of a dragon.

The most interesting facts about Dominica, from a frog known as the “mountain chicken” to the world’s second-largest boiling lake.

The most interesting facts about Zambia, from the world’s largest curtain of falling water to near-blind rats that can sense magnetic fields.

The most interesting facts about Rwanda, from the Land of a Thousand Hills to one for the world’s most gender-equal countries.

A global ranking of expenditures on health per capita expressed in international dollars at purchasing power parity (PPP).

The most interesting facts about Barbados, from the world’s oldest rum to the home of Rihanna and some of the world’s best cricketers.

The best countries for gender equality, measured by the relative gaps between women and men across society.

Interesting facts about Saudi Arabia, from the birthplace of Islam and a dangerous driving stunt known as “sidewalk skiing”.

From the richest man who has ever lived to the world’s largest mud-brick structure, these are the most interesting facts about Mali.

A global ranking of the worst countries for air pollution, measured by the number of deaths per 100,000 people of a given country.

From rich flora and fauna to a tragic history, these are the most interesting facts about the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A global ranking of the world’s hungriest countries, using the latest report from the Global Hunger Index (GHI).

From the world’s hungriest country to superb star-gazing, these are the most interesting facts about the Central African Republic.

Countries ranked by life expectancy at birth, measured by years, using the latest available data from the World Bank.

Home to the “African Che Guevara” and one of the world’s youngest populations, these are the most interesting facts about Burkina Faso.

Countries ranked by net migration, measured by net total of migrants during a five-year period, using the latest data from the World Bank.

From a sport with a headless goat to a rich history of space exploration, these are the most interesting facts about Kazakhstan.

The most interesting facts about Qatar, from the world’s richest country to a giant teddy bear and a dedicated falconry market.

The most interesting facts about Senegal, from killer hippopotamuses, Africa’s Mecca and Africa’s tallest statue.

The most interesting facts about Malawi, from one of the planet’s largest and deepest lakes to selling the presidential jet to raise funds.

The most interesting facts about Kuwait, from remote control camel racing to one of the richest populations in the world.

A global index of countries with the highest fertility rates, measured by total births per woman, using the latest data from the UN.

Countries ranked by freedom of press, using the latest evaluation of the level of freedom available to journalists around the world.

The most interesting facts about Benin, from the “Venice of Africa” and reverence for snakes, to the largest intact eco-system in West Africa.

The most interesting facts about Samoa, from jumping back and forth over the International Dateline to the origins of tattoos.

From one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations to the nose job capital of the world, these are the most interesting facts about Iran.

The most interesting facts about the Marshall Islands, from hosting dozens of nuclear weapons tests to the world’s largest shark sanctuary.

A global ranking of CO2 emissions by country, measured by metric tons per capita, using the latest data available from the World Bank.

The most interesting facts about Brunei, from the world’s biggest palace to the monument built for the billionth barrel of oil.

The most interesting facts about Burundi, from a man-eating crocodile called Gustave to a tragic history of genocide and war.

The most interesting facts about the Solomon Islands, from an island named after US President Kennedy to a giant rat that fell from a tree.

A global ranking of the world’s most obese countries, drawing on the latest data available from the World Health Organisation.

A global index of countries by murder rate, measured by intentional homicides per 100,000 people, using the latest UN data.

A global ranking of CO2 emissions by country, measured by metric tons per capita, using the latest data available from the World Bank.

The most interesting facts about Haiti, from the world’s first black-led republic to the birth of a unique religion and the origin of zombies.

The most interesting facts about Indonesia, from the world’s smelliest plant to the largest packet of instant noodles ever created.

The most interesting facts about Cameroon, from a poisonous lake to the world’s largest frog that builds its own ponds using rocks.

From the mysterious Tree of Life to the world’s largest underwater theme park, these are the most interesting facts about Bahrain.

The most interesting facts about Laos, from a tragic history, one of the world’s last communist states and a collection of over 2,100 stone jars.

The most interesting facts about Micronesia, from giant crabs, a colour-blind island and the world’s longest-running humanitarian airlift.

The most interesting facts about Palau, from millions of harmless jellyfish to stone monoliths known as the ‘Easter Island of Micronesia’.

The most interesting facts about Uzbekistan, from one of the planet’s worst environmental disasters to the crossroad of the world’s cultures.

No capital city and a devastating phosphate mine are just two of the most interesting facts about Nauru, one of the world’s smallest countries.

Interesting facts about Vanuatu include bungee jumping, worshipping a British prince and being one of the world’s happiest nations.

No ATMs and no army are just two of the most interesting facts about Tuvalu, one of the smallest and least visited countries in the world.

Africa’s richest woman, a rediscovered antelope and an immense waterfall are among the most interesting facts about Angola.

From nuclear tests and vanishing islands to the first country to see in the New Year, these are the most interesting facts about Kiribati.

The most interesting facts about Papua New Guinea include isolated tribes, the world’s first gardeners, cannibalism and a poisonous bird.

From the world’s longest beach to the most densely populated country, these are the most interesting facts about Bangladesh.

The most interesting facts about Guatemala include a rich indigenous culture and one of the most important sites in Mayan civilisation.

The most interesting facts about Honduras include the magnificent Mesoamerican Reef, ancient Mayan ruins and the 100-hour “football war”.

From ancient Mayan ruins, active volcanoes and alarming crime statistics, these are the most interesting facts about El Salvador.

From ancient nomadic culture to one of the world’s greatest empires, these are the most interesting facts about Mongolia.

From violent volcanoes, immense lakes and a fascinating history, these are the most interesting facts about Nicaragua.

The most interesting facts about Panama include a canal that links oceans and one of the largest rainforests in the world.

The most interesting facts about Kyrgyzstan include an epic poem, a rich nomadic culture and the World Nomad Games.

The most interesting facts about Somalia include a gigantic coastline, prehistoric rock paintings and a tragic and troubled history.

The most interesting facts about Zimbabwe include the ‘the smoke that thunders’ and the capital city of the legendary Queen of Sheba.

The most interesting facts about Tonga include the International Dateline, migrating humpback whales and volcanic islands.

The most interesting facts about Suriname include corrupt officials, an enormous rainforest and some truly bizarre wildlife.

The most interesting facts about Venezuela include the world’s tallest waterfall, megadiverse flora and fauna and an everlasting storm.

The most interesting facts about Ghana include a turbulent history, butterflies and a world record for running backwards.

Outstanding biodiversity and a unique bare-knuckle fighting sport are just two of the most interesting facts about Madagascar.

With the highest unclimbed peak in the world and its unusual way of measuring prosperity, these are the most interesting facts about Bhutan.

From a gargantuan desert, an unparalleled array of wildlife and ancient rock art, these are the most interesting facts about Botswana.

Home to the breathtaking Great Blue Hole and an enormous barrier reef, these are the most interesting facts about Belize.

From spectacular waterfalls and unique wildlife to tales of the lost city of El Dorado, these are the most interesting facts about Guyana.