Mos
t people have a general understanding of basic facts and knowledge that are commonly shared among people. However, there are also many lesser-known facts and tidbits of information that many people are unaware of. Here are some examples of interesting and lesser-known pieces of information:
1. Cleopatra lived closer in time to the first moon landing than to the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, famously died in 30 BC, roughly 2500 years ago. This may seem like ancient history, but it is actually closer in time to the first moon landing in 1969 (just over 2000 years) than to the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza (which dates back to around 2560 BC, more than 2600 years before Cleopatra's reign).
2. A group of flamingos is known as a flamboyance.
Flamingos are often seen standing together in groups, especially in wetlands and other bodies of water. While many animals have unique collective nouns (such as a "herd" of cows or a "school" of fish), a group of flamingos is called a "flamboyance."
3. The shortest war in history lasted just 38 minutes.
In 1896, the African country of Zanzibar declared war on Britain. However, Zanzibar's navy was no match for the British forces, who easily defeated the African forces within just 38 minutes - making it the shortest war in recorded history.
4. Cats can make up to 100 different sounds.
Many people think of cats as quiet animals that mostly just meow. However, they are actually capable of a much wider range of vocalizations than many other domestic animals - in fact, cats can make up to 100 different sounds, including purring, trilling, chirping, growling, and more.
5. The surface area of Russia is larger than the combined surface areas of Pluto and Mercury.
Russia is one of the world's largest countries, with a surface area of more than 17 million square kilometers. By comparison, Pluto has a surface area of only about 16.7 million square kilometers, while Mercury has a surface area of just over 74 million square kilometers - meaning that the surface area of Russia is larger than both of these celestial bodies combined.
6. A person can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water.
While people can go without food for a surprisingly long time - up to six weeks in some cases - the human body requires water much more urgently. In fact, a person can typically survive for only a few days without water before severe dehydration sets in.
These are just a few examples of the many interesting and lesser-known pieces of information that are out there. Whether you're looking to impress your friends with your trivia knowledge or just curious about the world around you, there are always new and interesting discoveries to make - even in the most unexpected places.