Topic

Geography & Places

A collection of 99 issues

The Day It Rained a Foot in 42 Minutes: The Unbelievable Story of Holt, Missouri

On June 22, 1947, Holt, Missouri, experienced a world-record rainfall, receiving an astonishing 12 inches (304.8 mm) in just 42 minutes. This unprecedented deluge, equivalent to a quarter of the state's annual rainfall, caused catastrophic flash flooding and remains an extreme meteorological event.

Not Where You'd Expect: The Surprising Story of Europe's Largest Mosque

Contrary to popular belief, Europe's largest mosque isn't in a Muslim-majority nation but in Rome, Italy. This architectural marvel, funded by international cooperation, stands as a powerful symbol of interfaith dialogue in the historic heart of Catholicism.

The Ancient Giant Under the Sea: Unveiling the World's Largest Plant, a 4,500-Year-Old Seagrass Clone

In 2022, scientists in Western Australia discovered the world's largest plant: a single Posidonia australis seagrass clone. Spanning 180km and estimated to be 4,500 years old, this resilient ancient giant thrives by cloning itself in the challenging waters of Shark Bay.

The World's Biggest Stage: How Edinburgh's Festivals Sell More Tickets Than Almost Anything on Earth

Every August, Edinburgh hosts a cultural event so vast that its combined ticket sales are surpassed only by the Olympics and the World Cup. The Edinburgh International Festival and the anarchic Fringe Festival together create the world's largest celebration of arts and culture.

When Blood Fell From the Sky: Unraveling the Mystery of Kerala's Red Rain

In 2001, Kerala, India, was drenched in mysterious red rain. Initial speculation pointed to a meteor explosion or even alien life. The incredible truth, however, was far more terrestrial: airborne spores from a local green alga, Trentepohlia annulata, colored the downpour.

An Act of Camel: The Thirsty Beast Who Cancelled an Irish Christmas Party

In 2006, an Irish Christmas party was cancelled due to an 'act of camel.' Gus, a star of the holiday show, escaped his enclosure, drank six cans of Guinness, and devoured 200 mince pies, leading to a legendary and hilarious festive fiasco at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

Swallowed Whole: The Chilling, Fully Documented Story of the Man Eaten by a Python

In 2017, the body of Akbar Salubiro was cut from the belly of a 23-foot reticulated python in Indonesia. Disturbing videos of the extraction made his death the world's only fully documented case of a human being eaten by a snake, a chilling reminder of nature's primal power.

A Town, Not a Village: The Legal Loophole That Created a Spanish Exclave in France

How did a Spanish town get stranded in France? The 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees ceded 33 'villages' to France. But Llívia, an ancient capital, held the official status of a 'town,' not a village. This clever legal distinction allowed it to remain Spanish, creating a unique European exclave.