The Pacific Ocean Accommodates the World's 20 Most Populous Countries The Pacific Ocean, despite often looking small on maps due to being squeezed along the edges, actually houses the world's 20 most populous countries. This vast body of water has ample space for these nations, offering a surprising amount of room for their populations. These geographical curiosities highlight the unique positioning of countries around the Pacific Ocean, showcasing how this expansive body of water plays a significant role in accommodating a large portion of the world's population.

The Top 10 Longest Land Borders in the World Three out of the top 10 longest borders globally are in Russia, setting a record. The USA-Canada border holds the top spot, stretching 8,893 kilometers, followed by the Russia-Kazakhstan border at 7,644 kilometers. The Chile-Argentina border ranks third at 6,691 kilometers. In the fourth position is the border between Mongolia and China, covering 4,630 kilometers, marking a significant drop in length from the top three borders.

Global Trade in Pasta and Noodles Residents of the United States import pasta and noodles worth 1.62 billion dollars yearly. Even more pasta is shipped to Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Italy leads the exports with 4.37 billion dollars, followed by China and South Korea, each exporting noodles just over a billion dollars annually.

Countries With Diplomatic Missions of North Korea North Korea has the most diplomatic missions in Russia and China, with 3 each. Specifically, they have an embassy in Moscow and consulates in Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. In Pakistan, North Korea maintains an embassy along with a consulate, and they have embassies in various European countries. Additionally, North Korean missions are operational in countries like the USA and within international organizations. This presence shows that North Korea is not as diplomatically isolated from the world as it might appear.

The World's Largest Gold Mines by Production Volume The leading gold-producing mines are located in Nevada, USA, and Muruntau, Uzbekistan, with both yielding a staggering 2.7 million ounces (76.5 tonnes) of gold each in 2024. Following closely are the Indonesian Grasberg mine, producing 1.9 million ounces, and the domestic Olimpiada mine, yielding 1.4 million ounces. In fifth place is another Uzbekistan deposit. Surprisingly, Uzbekistan and Indonesia share the top spot for the number of mines in the top 10, with each country having two mines on the list.

Gold's Diverse Uses Over half of the world's gold production is allocated to the jewelry industry. A significant portion also goes to bars, coins, central banks, and investments through ETFs. Surprisingly, despite stable jewelry demand, gold continues to set new price records, highlighting its enduring appeal as a reliable asset for wealth preservation during uncertain times.

Government Travel Advice for Dutch Citizens In the official travel recommendations for Dutch citizens, Russia is classified as "orange" (travel only when necessary), unlike many Western countries where travel to Russia is strongly discouraged. France shares the same "yellow" level as Mexico, most of Latin America, southern Africa, and a significant portion of Asia.

Countries Where Ethnicity Was Asked in 21st Century Population Censuses In the modern era, asking about a person's ethnicity or race is often viewed as inappropriate in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe. Most countries outside of Eastern Europe have removed questions about ethnicity from their population censuses. However, countries like the United Kingdom and the USA, along with nations influenced by British culture, continue to include ethnicity-related inquiries. In Eastern Europe, as well as in many Asian and Latin American countries, asking about ethnicity is common practice. Conversely, the absence of such questions in Africa is primarily due to the limited availability of censuses rather than a lack of interest in ethnic demographics.

The Closest Erupting Volcano to Various Points on Earth For residents of the European part of Russia, the nearest active volcano would be Italy's Stromboli. In the eastern part of the country, it would be Shiveluch, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Karymsky, or Japan's Mount Aso. In Indonesia, Malaysia, and Central American countries, simply moving a little can lead you to another volcano zone. And another. And yet another! Why is that? Because the Pacific Ring of Fire is in all its glory!

Countries with the Longest High-Speed Rail Networks China leads the ranking with an operational high-speed rail network spanning 25,000 miles, with additional lines under construction and planned for a total of 40,000 miles. Spain follows in second place with 2.3 thousand miles of operational tracks, while Japan, France, and Germany trail behind. India is set to secure the second spot when including ongoing and proposed projects, with the U.S. ranking third. In contrast, the U.S. ranks 20th globally, with 671 miles of high-speed rail networks under construction and in the planning stages, without any completed tracks as of now.