Sunday 30 September 2012

Facts About the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia shares borders with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Yemen. Their primary industry is petroleum, although they also produce natural gas, iron ore, gold and copper. 90% of their export dollars are from oil. Population is 26,417,599 (Jul. 2005 est.) Life expectancy is 75.46 years. Ethnicity is 90% Arab and 10% Afro-Asian. Religion is Muslim (100%) and the language spoken is Arabic. Literacy rate is 78.8%.
The Government of Saudi Arabia is a Monarchy. The chief of state and head of government is King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982). Crown Prince and First Depuly Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud is the de facto ruler since early 1996.
The flag is gree, a traditiona color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "there is no god but God; Muhamad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saver.

Important cities in Saudi Arabia

Mecca: The birthplace of the Prophet Mohamad

Medina: To where the Prohpet moved in 622 AD.

Jubail: The biggest and most important of the eight industrial cities built by Saudi Arabia as an effort to expand their non-oil economy.

Jeddah: The location of Eve's Tomb. The name of the city could come from the word for grandmother: Jaddah.
About Mecca and Medina: Mecca and Medina are the two most holy places for Muslims.
Among the improvements added during the enlargement and renovation of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina are twenty-seven automated sliding domes in the roof which can be opened to admit light and air.
Saudi Arabia has a unique responsibility to the world of Islam since one of the Five Pillars of Islam or religious duties of every Muslim is the Pilgrimage, or Hajj, to the Holy City of Mecca once in his or her lifetime. About one million foreign visitors a year attend Al Hajj or The Pilgrimage. In 1998 more than twenty thousand buses, six thousand hospital beds and ten thousand doctors were on standby for the millions of pilgrims expected to make The Pilgrimage to Mecca. The Holy Mosque in Mecca was also the first place of worship for Muslims: "The first house of worship appointed for men was that at Bakka". Non-Muslims are not allowed to visit Mecca.

Interesting Facts about Saudi Arabia

The British explorer, Richard Burton, entered Mecca in 1853 disguised as a Muslim.
Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer of desalinated water: thirty-three plants produce nearly two million cubic meters of fresh water from the sea.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world's driest countries, with rain only in the extreme north and south.
Miswak, the root of the arak tree, is used to clean teeth.
Many of the words we use today originate from Arabic, among them alcohol, alkali, admiral and alchemy.
Colonel T.E. Lawrence, a British soldier, known as Lawrence of Arabia, helped defeat the Turks in the 1914-1918 war. His account of the campaign is written in his book, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Modern Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Company, ARAMCO, is the world's largest producer of oil. Saudi Arabia has twenty-six percent of the world's share of present oil production.
Saudi Arabia was a founding member of OPEC.
The King Fahd Causeway, linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, is fifteen and a half miles long and is the second longest causeway in the world.
The first university in Saudi Arabia was founded in 1957 and had twenty-one students; now there are seven universities and ninety-four colleges with more than one hundred and seventy thousand students.
One of the ways in which the Arab world is investing its oil revenues in growing non-oil economic enterprises can be seen in the use of information technology.
Public housing is provided for students and people with low incomes and public employees.
Saudi Arabia is a generous provider of aid to the developing world.

obama's mother was a porn star...!

according to a  documentary film, obama's mother was a porn star. Even....

US polls: Nude pics of Barack Obama’s mother circulated to voters

Nude pics of Obama’s mom sent to voters
Nude pics of Obama’s mom sent to voters
London: In what appears to be mudslinging in the US presidential polls, nude pictures of President Barack Obama’s mother has been circulated to the voters.
It has been claimed in the documentary film that once Obama’s mother had gone nude before camera.
The film ‘Dreams From My Real Father’ has been made by a right wing person who has reportedly been a long time critic of Obama.
The filmmaker has featured that woman naked in that film. He claimed that the real father of Obama was Frank Marshall Davis, a communist party worker was a poet inclined to left ideology.
It is said that marriage between Obama senior and Dunham was just an effort to camouflage the truth. The history of Obama’s family is full of lies claimed the film.
The controversial film also mentioned that the photograph was clicked at a time when the mother of Obama was pregnant.
JPN/Bureau
Latest News from World News Desk

Interesting Facts About Japan

1. Raw horse meat is a popular food in Japan.
2. Sometimes the trains are so crowded railway staff are employed to cram passengers inside.
3. For many Japanese couples Christmas is celebrated like Valentine's Day in the western world.
4. Poorly written English can be found everywhere, including T-shirts and other fashion items.
5. More than 70% of Japan consists of mountains, including more than 200 volcanoes.
6. Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is an active volcano.
7. Religion does not play a big role in the lives of most Japanese and many do not understand the difference between Shintoism and Buddhism.
8. A nice musk melon, similar to a cantaloupe, may sell for over $300US.
9. There are four different writing systems in Japan, romaji, katakana, hiragana, and kanji.
10. Coffee is very popular and Japan imports approximately 85% of Jamaica's annual coffee production.
11. Japan's literacy rate is almost 100%.
12. Sumo is Japan's national sport, although baseball is also very popular.
13. Sumo wrestlers eat a stew called Chankonabe to fatten up. Many restaurants in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo serve this nabe (Japanese word for stew).
14. Many of the western style toilets in Japan have a built-in bidet system for spraying your backside.
15. When you use the restroom in some one's home, you may need to put on special bathroom slippers so as not to contaminate the rest of the home.
16. Noodles, especially soba (buckwheat), are slurped loudly when eaten. It is often said slurping symbolizes the food is delicious, but the slurping also serves to cool down the hot noodles for eating.
17. Japan is the world’s largest consumer of Amazon rain forest timber.
18. Vending machines in Japan sell beer, hot and cold canned coffee, cigarettes, and other items.
19. When moving into an apartment it is often required to give the landlord a "gift" of money equal to two months' rent.
20. There are around 1,500 earthquakes every year in Japan.
21. In Japan it is not uncommon to eat rice at every meal, including breakfast.
22. Average life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world. Japanese people live an average of 4 years longer than Americans.
23. Japan is the largest automobile producer in the world.
24. The Japanese language has thousands of foreign loan words, known as gairaigo. These words are often truncated, e.g. personal computer = paso kon. The number of foreign loan words is steadily increasing.
25. Tsukiji market in Tokyo is the world's largest fish market.
26. Although whaling is banned by the IWC, Japan still hunts whales under the premise of research.  The harvested whale meat ends up in restaurants and supermarkets.
27. In the past men might shave their heads to apologize.
28. In the past women in Japan might cut their hair after breaking up with a boyfriend.
29. Tokyo has had 24 recorded instances of people either killed or receiving serious skull fractures while bowing to each other with the traditional Japanese greeting.
30. The first novel, The Tale of Genji, was written in 1007 by a Japanese noble woman, Murasaki Shikibu.
31. The term karaoke means "empty orchestra" in Japanese.
32. In a Sumo training "stable" the junior rikishi Sumo wrestlers must wash and bathe their senior sumo wrestlers and make sure their hard to reach places are clean.
33. Contrary to popular belief, whale meat is not a delicacy in Japan. Many Japanese dislike the taste and older Japanese are reminded of the post-World War II period when whale meat was one of the few economical sources of protein.
34. Rampant inbreeding of dogs has resulted in one of the highest rate of genetic defects in the world for canines.
35. Raised floors help indicate when to take off shoes or slippers. At the entrance to a home in Japan, the floor will usually be raised about 6 inches indicating you should take off your shoes and put on slippers. If the house has a tatami mat room its floor may be rasied 1-2 inches indicating you should to take off your slippers.
36. Ramen noodles are a popular food in Japan and it is widely believed extensive training is required to make a delicious soup broth. This is the subject of the movies Tampopo (1985) and The Ramen Girl (2008).
37. On average, it takes about 7-10 years of intensive training to become a fugu (blowfish) chef. This training may not be needed in the future as some fish farms in Japan are producing non-poisonous fugu.
38. Ovens are not nearly as commonplace as rice cookers in Japanese households.
39. Geisha means "person of the arts" and the first geisha were actually men.
40. It was customary in ancient Japan for women to blacken their teeth with dye as white teeth were considered ugly. This practice persisted until the late 1800's.
41. In ancient Japan, small eyes, a round puffy face, and plump body were considered attractive features.
42. Some traditional Japanese companies conduct a morning exercise session for the workers to prepare them for the day's work.
43. In Japan non-smoking areas are difficult to find in restaurants, including family restaurants. Many of Japan's politicians have interest in the tobacco industry so anti-smoking laws are almost non-existent.  If you are planning a trip to Japan you may want to think twice if you are sensitive to cigarette smoke.

Saturday 29 September 2012

 

10 Amazing Things You Didn't Know About China





China executes three times as many people as the rest of the world

China executes three times as many people as the rest of the world
China carries out almost three times as many executions as the rest of the world put together, according to the most conservative estimate by Amnesty International. In 2008, the group confirmed 1,718 executions through news reports and public documents, but many others are not reported. Some analysts say the figure may be above 6,000. The exact number is a state secret. Many executions are done on the road using vehicles called the death vans designed by Jinguan Motors. The makers of these vans say the vehicles and injections are a civilized alternative to the firing squad, ending the life of the condemned more quickly, clinically and safely. According to them, the switch from gunshots to injections is a sign that China "promotes" human rights now.

There are already more Christians in China than Italy, and it's on track to become the largest center of Christianity in the world

There are already more Christians in China than Italy, and it's on track to become the largest center of Christianity in the world
Due to the extremely rapid expansion of Christianity in China, there are now an estimated 54 million Christians in the country, comprised of about 40 million Protestants and 14 million Catholics. Meanwhile, Italy has just 60 million people in total, of which 79% are Christian these days, which means Italy has 47.4 million Christians, that's 12% less than China. (Photo by Robert Reinlund)


Over 4000 babies in China were named "Olympic Games" while the country was getting ready for Beijing 2008

Over 4000 babies in China were named
The Beijing Olympics was more than just a point of pride for China — it was such an important part of the national consciousness that over 4,000 children have been named for the event. Most of the 4,104 people with the name "Aoyun," meaning Olympics, were born around the year 2000, as Beijing was bidding to host the 2008 Summer Games. The vast majority of people named Aoyun are male. Names related to the Olympics don't just stop with "Olympics." More than 4,000 Chinese share their names with the Beijing Games mascots, the "Five Friendlies." Chinese have increasingly turned to unique names as a way to express a child's individuality.

In a country with a population of 1.3 billion, 87 percent share the same family names.

China uses 45 billion chopsticks per year

China uses 45 billion chopsticks per year
In China, an estimated 45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks are used and thrown away annually. This adds up to 1.7 million cubic metres of timber or 25 million fully grown trees every year.


200 million people in China live on less than $1 a day

200 million people in China live on less than $1 a day
Poverty in China refers to people whose income is less than a poverty line of $1.25 per day. The poverty rate in China in 1981 was 64% of the population. Fortunately, this rate declined to 10% in 2004, indicating that about 500 million people have climbed out of poverty during this period.

Over 700 million Chinese people drink polluted water

Over 700 million Chinese people drink polluted water
China has 20% of the world's population but only 7% of global water resources. To make matters worse, 90% of cities' groundwater and 75% of rivers and lakes are polluted according to the World Bank. This means that 700 million people drink contaminated water every day.


Ice Cream and Pasta may have been created in China

Ice Cream and Pasta may have been created in China
A frozen mixture of milk and rice was invented in China around 200 BC, giving birth to ice cream. Also, a 4,000-year-old bowl of noodles was discovered at an archaeological site in western China, possibly demonstrating that China invented pasta before Italy.


Over 50% of counterfeit goods in the EU come from China

Over 50% of counterfeit goods in the EU come from China
In Europe, China was the main source country for intellectual property rights infringing articles with 54% of the total amount.CD/DVD was the top category of articles detained with a total amount of 79 million, which accounted for 44% of the entire amount, followed by cigarettes (23%) and clothing and accessories (10%).


China is not free from Europe's medieval plague yet

China is not free from Europe's medieval plague yet
In 2009 China ended a quarantine blockade around a remote northwestern town hit by pneumonic plague. The outbreak of the highly infectious disease killed three villagers around Ziketan Town in Qinghai province. But with no new infections reported for over a week, authorities decided to lift the blockade on the remote town of 10,000 in a heavily ethnic Tibetan area. China experiences sporadic outbreaks of the plague, which is typically spread by rodents and fleas and can pass easily between people.


By 2025, China will build TEN New York-sized cities

By 2025, China will build TEN New York-sized cities
The scale and pace of China's urbanization promises to continue at an unprecedented rate. If current trends hold, China's urban population will expand from 572 million in 2005 to 926 million in 2025 and hit the one billion mark by 2030. In 20 years, China's cities will have added 350 million people—more than the entire population of the United States today. By 2025, China will have 219 cities with more than one million inhabitants—compared with 35 in Europe today—and 24 cities with more than five million people. Also, 40 billion square meters of floor space will be built - in five million buildings. 50,000 of these buildings could be skyscrapers - the equivalent of ten New York Cities

Friday 28 September 2012

Facts about the United States

Ten Interesting and Unusual United States Facts


United States Facts
Death Valley is the hottest and lowest place in the United States. The elevation of Death Valley is the lowest point in the contiguous U.S. at an elevation of -282 feet (-86 m).

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world based on both population and land area. It has a relatively short history compared to other world nations, has one of the world's largest economies, and has one of the world's most diverse populations.
The following is a list of ten usual or interesting facts about the United States:

1) The United States is divided into 50 states. However state each varies in size considerably. The smallest state is Rhode Island with an area of just 1,545 square miles (4,002 sq km). By contrast the largest state by area is Alaska with 663,268 square miles (1,717,854 sq km).

2) Alaska has the longest coastline in the United States at 6,640 miles (10,686 km).

3) Bristlecone pine trees, believed to be some of the world's oldest living things, are found in the western United States in California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The oldest of these trees is in California. The oldest living tree itself is found in Sweden.

4) The only royal palace used by a monarch in the U.S. is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is the Iolani Palace and belonged to the monarchs King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. The building then served as the capitol building until Hawaii became a state in 1959. Today the Iolani Palace is a museum.

5) Because the major mountain ranges in the United States run in a north-south direction, they have a large impact on the climate of the country's various regions. The west coast for example has a milder climate than the interior because is moderated by its proximity to the ocean, whereas places like Arizona and Nevada are very hot and dry because they are on the leeward side of mountain ranges.
6) Although English is the most commonly spoken language used in the U.S. and is the language used in government, the country has no official language.

7) The tallest mountain in the world is located in the United States Mauna Kea, located in Hawaii, is only 13,796 feet (4,205 m) in altitude above sea level, however, when measured from the seafloor it is over 32,000 feet (10,000 meters) high, making it taller than Mount Everest (Earth's tallest mountain above sea level at 29,028 feet or 8,848 meters).

8) The lowest temperature ever recorded in the United States was at Prospect Creek, Alaska on January 23, 1971. The temperature was -80°F (-62°C). The coldest temperature in the contiguous 48 states was at Rogers Pass, Montana on January 20, 1954. The temperature there was -70°F (-56°C).

9) The hottest temperature recorded in the United States (and in North America) was in Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913. The temperature measured 134°F (56°C).

10) The deepest lake in the U.S. is Crater Lake located in Oregon. At 1,932 feet (589 m) it is the world's seventh deepest lake. Crater Lake was formed via snowmelt and precipitation that gathered in a crater created when an ancient volcano, Mount Mazama, erupted about 8,000 years ago.

Interesting Facts about Russia...

Russia has had a very checkered history and is a country that many people find interesting. It is a state in Northern Europe and shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It has shares sea borders with Japan and the United States. Its capital city of Russia is Moscow. Russia has a population of approximately 142,905,200 people and the official language of the country is Russian.
Facts about Russia
  • It is the largest country in the world with an area of 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi).
  • Russia is the 9th most populated country in the world.
  • Russia spans 9 time zones and spreads across the top of Asia and 40 % of the European continent.
  • It has the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources
  • The lakes in Russia contain approximately ¼ of the world’s fresh water
  • In the 18th century, Russia was the 3rd largest empire in earth’s history; it covered the area from Poland in Europe to Alaska in North America,
  • Russia was the world’s first constitutionally socialist state, as the Soviet Union (USSR).
  • Russia was responsible for the world’s first space flight and launching the first satellite.
  • For many years before Russia became a soviet state, Russia was ruled by a royal family the Tsars. They were strongly connected to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is believed to be the one true church.
  • Moscow is home to 11 million people and is Europe’s largest city
  • Russia has the world’s largest forest reserves and is known as the “lungs of Europe” and is second only to the Amazon rainforest in the amount of O2 it produces.
  • Russia is also home to the world’s largest active volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka, which has a height of 4,750 m (15,584 ft)
  • Religious icons are very important to the Russian people and many houses have at least one.

 

10 Things You Didn't Know About Space Exploration

The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik I in 1957 is credited with launching the U.S. space program. In the past 20 years, the space shuttle has launched 3 million pounds of cargo, transported more than 600 passengers and pilots, cumulatively spent more than three years in flight, and logged more than 366 million miles. Here are some other interesting facts about the U.S. space program:
1. There is no set number of people in an astronaut candidate class; NASA selects its candidates on an as-needed basis. To even apply to be an astronaut, candidates must have completed 1,000 hours of flying time in a jet aircraft.
2. A spacesuit weighs approximately 280 pounds—without the astronaut—and it takes 45 minutes to put it on.
3. Snoopy, from the Peanuts comics, is the astronauts' personal safety mascot.
4. Explorer 1, launched on Jan. 31, 1958, was the first artificial satellite sent into space by the United States. It orbited Earth every 115 minutes, and its cargo included a cosmic ray detector designed to measure the radiation environment in Earth's orbit.
5. Each space shuttle astronaut is allotted 3.8 pounds of food per day. Foods are individually packaged and stored for ease of handling in zero gravity. Foods are precooked or processed, so as to require no refrigeration, and are either ready to eat or can be simply prepared by adding water or by heating. The only exceptions are fresh fruit and vegetables, which are stowed in the fresh-food locker; without refrigeration, though, carrots and celery must be eaten within the first two days or they will spoil. Available condiments include salt, pepper, taco sauce, hot pepper sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard.
6. A manned rocket reaches the moon in less time than it took a stagecoach to travel the length of England.
7. America's first space station was Skylab, which was longer than a 12-story building and contained almost 12,000 cubic feet of living space.
8. Although it may appear to be flying backward, the flag on the shuttle is positioned so as to appear as though it's flying alongside the ship; this is done to be in accordance with the regulation for displaying the U.S. flag on a national vehicle so that the star field is positioned at the front of the vessel (or the nose cone end of the shuttle).
9. Flying American flags to space originated with the flight of the first American astronaut, Alan Shepard, in 1961. Elementary students from a Cocoa Beach, Fla., school purchased the flag for Shepard to carry onboard; the flag was rolled up and placed between cables behind Shepard's head inside his Freedom 7 Mercury spacecraft. Onetime NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin said, "The American flags are a patriotic symbol of our strength and solidarity and our nation's resolve to prevail."
10. It takes six hours for a space shuttle, aboard a crawler-transporter, to make the trip from the vehicle assembly building to the launch pad preceding a mission.

Interesting Facts about Indian Films and Indian Cinema

indian cinema
The Indian Film Industry is the largest film industry in the world. Out of the various film industries in the country Bollywood alone (Mumbai based film industry) is known to produce more than 800 to 1000 films a year.
What many people do not know is that Bollywood was born in 1899 with the production of a short film which is 11 years before Hollywood’s birth later in 1910 with a Biography melodrama. Bollywood has a worldwide audience of 3 Billion and in terms of viewer ship, it overtook Hollywood in 2004 and has been leading ever since.
Here are some more interesting Facts about Indian Cinema and its Films:

India’s First Talkie Film

March 14, 1931 was a historic day for Indian cinema. Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Movietone released Alam Ara (Light of the Universe), the first full-length Indian talkie film at the Majestic cinema in Bombay. Alam Ara was made under the banner of Imperial Movietone. It was produced and directed by Ardeshir Marwan Irani. The film was based on a successful Parsi play of the same name, written by Joseph David. The star cast of Alam Ara included some of the popular stars of the silent era like Prithviraj Kapoor, L.V. Prasad, W.M. Khan, Master Vithal and Zubeida.

First Color Film Made in India

The trend of colour films began very late in India. Kisan Kanya was a 1937 Hindi feature film which was directed by Moti B. Gidvani and produced by Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Pictures. It is largely remembered by the Indian public on account of it being India’s first indigenously made colour film. The storyline of the film featured an exploitative landlord and a good peasant Ramu who is accused of murdering the landlord. The film had 10 songs, which were released by Gramophone Records.

Film with Most Number of Songs

Indra Sabha with 71 songs is the film with most number of songs. The film was made in 1932 by Madan Theatres and the director of the film was J.J. Madan. The plot of the film revolves around a benevolent king whose moral character is tested by celestial powers. They cause an apsara (a fairy) to appear before the king as a fallen woman begging for mercy.
Indra Sabha was based on a play written by Sayed Aga Hasan Amanat. The film had two singers
Master Nissar and Jehanara Kajjan. The other cast of the film included Abdul Rehman Kabuli and Mukhtar Begum.

First Indian to Get an Oscar

Bhanu Athaiya was the First Indian to Get an Oscar. She won the award for the Best Costume Designer for Richard Attenborough’s film Gandhi in 1982. Bhanu Athaiya has been associated with the Hindi Film Industry for more than 50 years. She was born as Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye in Kolhapur in Maharashtra. She married Satyendra Athaiya, a poet and lyricist for Hindi. The marriage ended in separation and Bhanu never remarried. Some of the other notable films for which Bhanu has worked are:
Swades (2004), Lagaan (2001), 1942 A Love Story (1994), Karz (1980) and lots more.

Longest Hindi Film Song

The song Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon in the film by the same name is the longest Hindi film song. The length of the song is 20 minutes and the song is featured in three installments in the film. The song is sung by Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan, and Kailash Kher and is written by Sameer. The music of the song is composed by Anu Malik. The movie Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon is directed by Anil Sharma and the star cast of the film includes Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, and Divya Khosla. Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon belongs to the genre of patriotism and the basic plot of the film revolves around the theme of fight against terrorism.

Highest Paid Indian Actor

While this fact is still debate able it has been recently said that Akshay Kumar is charging a whopping Rs.20-22 Crore (Rs. 20,00,00,000/ 200 million Rupees) for his next film overtaking India’s highest paid actor Rajnikanth who has been charging Rs.16 Crore per film following the runaway success of ‘SHIVAJI – THE BOSS’.
Akshay’s starred in Nikhil Advani’s big budget adventure flick ‘CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA’ which depicts a part of the actor’s life and cost a whopping Rs 100 crore making it one of the most costliest films made so far!
Akshay Kumar also tops off another list at No.1 as Bollywood’s Highest Tax Payer for 2008 – 09

Longest Indian Movie

LOC : Kargil  at 4 hrs 25 min is the Longest Indian movie made so far. The story is of Indian soldiers fighting in Kargil and being remembered by their family and features a big star cast. In an effort to give each cast member a back story, LOC:Kargil became a tedious, song-filled production with no real highlight except the dubious distinction of being the longest Hindi film ever.
Mera Naam Joker at 4 hrs 14 min is a close second.

Longest Running Indian Film in Cinemas

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has become a milestone, which is yet to be achieved by anyone even after a decade. It has completed 700 weeks of undeterred run at Mumbai’s Minnerva theatre a couple of years back. It was released nationwide on October 20, 1995. The film was directed by Aditya Chopra, and starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Amrish Puri. Earning over Rs 580 million in India and Rs 175 million overseas, the film became the biggest Bollywood hit of the year, as well as one of the biggest Bollywood hits of all time. The movie remains the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema.
Sholay was the second longest running Indian movie. It ran for 5 years continuously and the theatres screening it always had the houseful board in front of it for that period.
357_tendulkar
 

Interesting Stories and Facts about Sachin

Submitted by i.srivastava@rediffmail.com
Here are some interesting stories for all the god’s fan….
1.Sachin was given a pair of pads by his cricket hero Sunil Gavaskar when he was a schoolboy – and he made his Test debut for India against Pakistan aged just 16-years old in 1989 wearing those very pads…..
2.Like loads of other cricketers, Sachin is pretty superstitious – he’ll always put on his left pad before his right whenever he’s getting padded up……
3.“He hasn’t spent Diwali at home since we got married. But it really doesn’t matter that it’s Diwali… any time he spends at home is great!” – Anjali, his wife, told once…
Once in a BBC interview when asked about his dream women, Sachin answered ‘my wife’ without batting an eyelid.
4.”He scored a fantastic 148 in Shane Warne’s debut Test in Sydney and then followed it up with another century at Perth, one of the toughest pitches in the world, where Indians have traditionally struggled. The value of his hundred increased because all the other Indian batsmen struggled.
His weakness is the fact that he is so talented. His adrenaline pumps strongly when he walks out to bat with the noise of the crowds. You can’t hear yourself think with that noise.
I would pay $1000 to watch Sachin bat.
To score a 148 at Sydney – and that too when you are 18 — was out of the ordinary though the wicket was a lot like the ones you encounter in India, flat with lots of runs for the taking…….”
The above facts are told by Allan Border.
5.The entire cricket world is convinced of one thing : Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the world’s best batsman. Not just for his extraordinary skill, not just for his ability to tear even the most formidable of bowling attacks to shreds; but also for a rare never-say-die spirit, an insatiable hunger for runs and victory, a desire to dominate the opponent ; commitment, dedication …
These are what the little champion has built his reputation on. ..
6.Tendulkar was a person who would never show any disrespect to the national flag..He respects the national flag most and had even sought permission to use the tricolour on his helmet……
It’s not the riches or the records but the love for the game that keeps the world’s richest cricketer going day after day. It is his hard work, determination, temperament & dedication for the country that keeps him charged….
7.Tendulkar, now in his eighteenth year in international cricket says, ”I still play… because I still love the game.” ”I would like to clarify this. It’s not about records. It’s all about loving the game and enjoying being out there in the middle. That is extremely special to me and far bigger than breaking records or creating new ones.”
”Creating records happens after you’ve gone on the cricket field, but you’ve got to find a reason to go on the cricket field, and for me the reason is very clear.”
”From the age of three I’ve loved this sport and I’ve never thought about scoring the most number of centuries or runs in international cricket. Everyone enjoys breaking records, I’m enjoying it too, but that is not the reason for playing cricket.”
“Whatever level you reach, getting better never stops”-Sachin.
Tendulkar said ”When I started playing, I always wanted to be regarded as one of the best and the idea was that when I stopped playing, people would remember my name. Being regarded as one of the best players is always a good feeling, and that drives you, it refuels you completely. You want to be on top of your game all the time and push yourself harder and harder. There’s a huge responsibility and it is a great challenge. I love that,” he added…..
8.Some quotes by GOD himself……
My big sister gave it to me after returning from a trip to Kashmir, which is known for its high-quality willows. It wasn’t the best bat, but it was like a piece of gold to me. I used to imagine myself batting for India, hitting fours and sixes, the people cheering.
I used that bat until it broke ..
I was the only one supporting John McEnroe — everyone used to call me “Mac” because I styled myself on him. I made my father buy me the same headbands and sweatbands and even grew my hair long. You wouldn’t believe the pictures of me from that time. I was also extremely naughty. Very, very difficult to handle. …I had a nanny who used to run after me virtually 24 hours a day, because I never wanted to go home
My father, who died in 1999, was never a cricket fan, not at all. He was a writer and a poet: he taught Marathi, my mother tongue, at the local university. But he understood exactly how to get the best out of me. He always encouraged me and told my mother that he had full faith in me. It was probably reverse psychology, but as I got older I felt like I could not misuse that trust. He warned me against taking short cuts and told me to just keep playing, despite the ups and downs. My parents taught me that it is important to live every day of your life with grace and honour.When it came to choosing between cricket and going to university, he said: “You can play cricket, I know that is your first love, so go for it.”
Of course, my parents were extremely happy when I became the youngest player to play for India, at 16. ..
Cricket is something very, very special to me. It has never been about owning this or that car and the other things that come with this life.. An obsession with money or worldly matters was always thumbed down. My only dream was to wear the Indian cap and the Indian colours. In that respect, my childhood dreams have come true…..
Having children brings back all my old childhood memories, wonderful years. Now, every minute is measured and calculated. I still dream — without dreams, life is flat, you stagnate. I don’t go to the temple every morning, but I do pray. I thank God for everything he has given me, because life has been very good to me.
9.Chappell should remember how Tendulkar has achieved his greatness and carried the weight of expectations of a billion people since the age of 16, Jadeja said. He added “When tendulkar enters the field, the crowd says-SACHIN! SACHIN! This is something what every cricketer wants”..
Sachin Tendulkar, the brightest star in the world of cricket has achieved his greatest prices with his intellectual and skilful cricketing brains..
SACHIN dreamt a world of superstars and great triumph and he achieved it..
At the age of 10 he walked to the field at 6 am with a cricket bag bigger than him for the practice. At the age of 11 he moved with his paternal uncle to get trained in cricket by the most renowned coach Ramakanth Achrekar. ..
10.Billions of hearts weep…..on the day when Sachin (GOD) retire.
Indians wish that day never comes. It would be one of the most disappointing days of our life. Ever since Indians started watching cricket, it was Sachin, Sachin & only Sachin who made them feel cricket so special. Sachin is only responsible for making cricket a religion in India. They haven’t experienced watching cricket without Sachin. Whether he was injured/rested, there was always a ray of hope that he comes back to team soon. But after retirement, he will never be backing………..If anyone wants to achieve anything in life, Sachin is the best example for them.
I feel most people find it hard to digest that Sachin will no more be a part of Indian cricket…….on that day, isn’t it?
JUST imagine that day, when Sachin plays his last game. He comes to bat for the last time, and everybody in the stadium claps & the chants of SACHIN!!! came for the last time after he gets out, while walking back to the pavilion, the entire crowd gives him a stand awaition. Many of them will be in tears, millions of eyes wet watching their hero play for the last time. An era ends. The end of a legend came……..The bond between every generation breaks. Would you miss Sachin a lot? I think most of people would say “YES”. The saddest day of Indian cricket- when genius retires…LOVE YOU SACHIN!!!
11.From the early 90s to the early years of the new millennium represented the decade of Brian Lara, Richardson, Martin Crowe, Steve and Mark Waugh, Mathew Hayden, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Gary Kirsten and Rahul Dravid. But there can be any doubt that the No.1 batsman in the world for a decade now has been Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. .
But figures, however important they may be, are something that Tendulkar’s achievement should not be measured by. He should be judged by the manner of his batting & that is what Bradman did.
Symbolized by Sir Bradman naming him in his dream team of all time. The team in which Tendulkar is the only Indian player.
He has scored runs on slow pitches of the subcontinent, fast tracks of West Indies, bouncy wickets in Australia and South Africa and in whirling conditions in New Zealand and England.
The thought of having Tendulkar as an opponent gives bowlers bad dreams. No batsman has inflicted such psychological damage to bowlers at any time in the world like Tendulkar did to Shane Warne!!!(Warne said Tendulkar is my nightmare).
His technique is so well organized that he is able to encounter any delivery with ease and comfort, giving the impression of having all the time in the world to play the stroke, the hallmark of the greatest of batsmen.

Thursday 27 September 2012

interesting Goddard Facts and Firsts
 
Did You Know That...

  • Goddard was established on May 1, 1959.
  • Goddard was NASA's first space flight center.
  • Goddard employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors
  • Goddard is located approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA.
  • The center is named for Dr. Robert H. Goddard, the pioneer of modern rocket propulsion in the U.S.
  • Goddard is the largest combined organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to increasing knowledge of the Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe via observations from space in the U.S.
  • Goddard is a major laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft.
  • Goddard is a one-stop. Missions are designed here, and satellites are built here.
  • Home of Physics Nobel Prize Winning scientist John Mather for his work on the COBE mission.
  • Goddard operates spaceflight tracking and data acquisition networks.
  • Goddard develops and maintains space and Earth science data information systems.
  • Goddard develops and maintains satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  • Goddard co-manages the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite with the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA).
  • The Landsat Program is a series of Earth-observing satellite missions jointly managed by NASA Goddard and the U.S. Geological Survey.
  • Goddard has launched over 290 missions over a period of 50 years.
  • Goddard's cadre of scientists is larger than any other institution.
  • Goddard has developed more planetary instruments than any other institution on Earth.
  • Goddard has led space communications since the inception of human spaceflight.
  • Goddard developed and manages the largest civilian information system in the world.
  • Goddard has over 40 years of experience managing the development of NOAA’s weather satellites.
  • Wallops has launched over 16,000 suborbital and orbital missions.
  • Goddard has built and operated more research satellites dedicated to the study and protection of our home planet than any other institution in the world.
Think That's Cool?

How about THIS???

Since it was established in 1959, Goddard Space Flight Center has stayed on the cutting edge of development and technology. This is due to the many extraordinary people, government and contractors, that work or have worked at Goddard over the past 50 years.
  • First Earth photo from satellite. (Vanguard II)
  • First successful weather satellite. (TIROS I)
  • First passive communications satellites. (Echo I/II)
  • First Earth-orbiting spacecraft launched by an all-solid rocket. (Explorer 9, Scout rocket)
  • First privately-built communications satellite. (Telstar I)
  • First international satellite. (Ariel 1)
  • First geosynchronous communications satellite. (Syncom I)
  • First operational trans-Atlantic communications satellite, for Comsat Corp. (Intelsat I)
  • First satellite launch from mobile sea-based platform. (San Marco II)
  • First gravity gradient satellite control system. (ATS II)
  • First pictures of the Sun in UV wavelengths. (OSO-IV)
  • First X-ray satellite. (Explorer 42) Explorer 42 was one of three Small Astronomy Satellites that provided the first X-ray maps. Launched Dec. 12, 1970, Explorer 42 catalogued more than 200 X-ray sources and found the first evidence for a black hole.
  • First geostationary weather satellite. (SMS A)
  • First Earth Resources Technology (remote sensing- Landsat) satellite. (ERTS A)
  • Pioneered Get-Away Special low-cost Shuttle experiment concept. (STS-4 1982)
  • First satellite repaired in space. (SMM 1984)
  • First space-based observations of ozone layer/hole. (Nimbus 7)
  • Pioneered satellite-based tracking and data relay system. (TDRSS)
  • First satellite to observe cosmic background radiation from early universe. (confirm big bang theory) (COBE)
  • Pioneered SMEX satellite concept
  • First image of the global biosphere, to include ocean phytoplankton and land vegetation. (SeaWifs 1998)
  • First celestial survey in the Extreme Ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. (EUVE)
  • First satellite to explore very rapid changes in x-rays from pulsars to black holes. (RXTE)
  • First use of satellite tracking data to improve our knowledge of Earth's gravity field, learning we have a pear shaped world. (Minitrack on Vanguard l)
  • First transfer of a liquid cryogen in space. (SHOOT, 1993, demonstrated the feasibility of on-orbit replenishment of stored cryogens such as liquid oxygen)
  • First measurement of the global ozone amount from space. (BUV, Nimbus)
  • First measurements of aerosols from space. (TOMS, 1979)
  • First detection of volcanic SO2 from space. (El Chichon, TOMS, 1982)
  • First space mission dedicated to observing and understanding tropical rainfall, more than 2/3's of all rainfall on Earth. (TRMM)
  • First three axis stabilized Geostationary Weather satellite. (GOES l)
  • First to use a Lagrangian point orbit: the International Sun-EarthExplorer-3 halo orbit about the L1 Lagrangian point of the sun-earth system (1978). The SOHO and ACE spacecraft are currently using such orbits.
  • First spacecraft to encounter a comet: the International Cometary Explorer intercepted Comet Giacobini-Zinner on September 11, 1985, following a lunar-swingby within 80 miles of the lunar surface.
  • First observations of the Earth's magnetic fields.
  • First electrically neutralized spacecraft (POLAR) equipped to observe the Earth's polar cap and lobe plasma environments.
  • First spacecraft (POLAR) making simultaneous images of the earth's auroral zones.
  • ATS-6 provided first satellite communications with aircraft. (PLACE experiment).
  • ATS-6 provided first satellite television communications for teaching college courses.
  • ATS-6 provided first satellite television communications for medical treatment in remote locations (medical treatment of Eskimos in Alaska).
  • ATS-3 demonstrated first satellite supported communications with ships at sea. (GE experiments with ships).
  • The first satellite to provide everyday coverage of Earth's radiation environment for more than 25 years. (IMP 8)
  • First satellite in lunar orbit. (Explore 35)
  • First radio astronomy spacecraft. (RAE)
  • Largest antenna erected in space, 460 meters tip-to-tip. (RAE)
  • First use of multiple spacecraft to track solar disturbances traveling through interplanetary space. (ISEE-3, Ulysses, WIND).
  • First measurement of water vapor, Ethane and Methane, in comets. (with NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory and Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea, HI)
  • Discovery of x-ray Emission from Comets (with ROSAT and EUVE satellites)
  • First circumnavigation of Antarctica by a balloon in January 1989.
  • First use of the internet for real-time science data operations which occurred during the first encounter of a comet by ISEE-3/ICE. (Sept. 1985)
  • First images of host galaxies ray bursts. (Hubble Space Telescope/STIS)
  • First in-orbit repair of an astronomical optical system. (Hubble Space Telescope)
  • First observation of the eerie ultraviolet light from Earth's upper atmosphere. (Sounding Rocket)
  • First ultraviolet images of galaxies. (sounding rocket)
  • First space observatory for use by all astronomers. (IUE)
  • First extremely sharp extreme ultraviolet image of the solar corona. (TRACE)
  • First spacecraft to make comprehensive measurements of the Earth's environment of particles, fields and radiation. (OGO I)
  • First spacecraft to explore the boundary of Earth's magnetosphere. (Explorer X)
  • First spacecraft to explore the Earth's bow shock in the solar wind. (IMP 1)
  • First test on ion drive in space. (ATS-6)
  • First global image of the Earth's biosphere that includes ocean phytoplankton and land vegetation (SeaWiFS 1998)
  • First spacecraft over 35,000 pounds to be taken to space by the space shuttle. (Compton Ray Observatory)
  • Nimbus 7: First imagery of the surface of the earth though clouds. (Nimbus 7 SMMR)
  • Nimbus 7: First all-weather observations of the amount of sea ice on the polar oceans on a regular basis. This is one of the most reliable indicators of climate change, and will permit us to determine whether or not the climate is warming, cooling, or merely oscillating with a long-term period. (SMMR)
  • First tracking and data relay constellation developed and launched by Goddard
  • First spacecraft stationed in a libration-point orbit. (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3/ISEE-3)
  • First real-time warning system for geomagnetic storms. (ISEE-3)
  • First use of multiple lunar swingbys for orbital control in the Earth-Moon System. (ISEE-3)
  • First encounter with a comet. (ISEE-3)
  • NASA's original Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-1), launched from the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-6) in April 1983, went from almost being "lost in space," to a remarkable example of the agency's "can do, never quit" attitude. On April 4, TDRS-1 celebrates 20 years of outstanding service and "firsts."
  • NASA/GSFC Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) Network Firsts
    • 1964: First successful demonstration of SLR to Beacon Explorer 22-B satellite at GSFC (3 m ranging)
    • 1968-1976: NASA, CNES, and SAO SLR systems carried out first meter level global geodetic and gravity field measurements using reflectors on remote sensing satellites
    • 1969: NASA Apollo 11 mission places first retroreflector array on Moon to begin international Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) effort.
    • 1975-1976: CNES and NASA launched first passive satellites dedicated to SLR (Starlette and LAGEOS) to begin modern space geodetic era
    • 1975-1979: NASA builds up SLR network for POD support of GEOSAT and SEASAT ocean altimetric missions (10 - 20 cm ranging).
    • 1979-1993: NASA Crustal Dynamics Project (CDP) provides focus for further technology development (1 cm ranging) and international cooperation in defining contemporary tectonic plate motions, regional crustal deformation, Earth Orientation Parameters, Earth gravity field etc.
    • 1992-present: Various US and European remote sensing missions (e.g. ERS-1 & 2, TOPEX/Poseidon, GFO) rely heavily on centimeter orbits provided by SLR. NASA provides the world’s data most precise data and until budget cuts in 2003, provided half of the global SLR data.
    • 1998-present: GSFC selected as the Central Bureau (CB) for the new International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS). The CB is responsible for overseeing global operations of 40 international stations providing cmaccuracy orbits for 20 artificial satellites (and the Moon) and ensuring that all ILRS stations, operations, data, and analysis centers adhere to ILRS standards.
 

Did you know that... interesting math facts.,

  1. π=3.14159 26535 89793 23846 26433 83279 50288 41971 69399 37510 58209 74944 59230 78164 06286 20899 86280 34825 34211 70679 82148 08651 32823 ...
  2. A sphere has two sides. However, there are one-sided surfaces.
  3. There are shapes of constant width other than the circle. One can even drill square holes.
  4. There are just five regular polyhedra
  5. In a group of 23 people, at least two have the same birthday with the probability greater than 1/2
  6. Everything you can do with a ruler and a compass you can do with the compass alone
  7. Among all shapes with the same perimeter a circle has the largest area.
  8. There are curves that fill a plane without holes
  9. Much as with people, there are irrational, perfect, complex numbers
  10. As in philosophy, there are transcendental numbers
  11. As in the art, there are imaginary and surreal numbers
  12. A straight line has dimension 1, a plane - 2. Fractals have mostly fractional dimension
  13. You are wrong if you think Mathematics is not fun
  14. Mathematics studies neighborhoods, groups and free groups, rings, ideals, holes, poles and removable poles, trees, growth ...
  15. Mathematics also studies models, shapes, curves, cardinals, similarity, consistency, completeness, space ...
  16. Among objects of mathematical study are heredity, continuity, jumps, infinity, infinitesimals, paradoxes...
  17. Last but not the least, Mathematics studies stability, projections and values, values are often absolute but may also be extreme, local or global.
  18. Trigonometry aside, Mathematics comprises fields like Game Theory, Braids Theory, Knot Theory and more
  19. One is morally obligated not to do anything impossible
  20. Some numbers are square, yet others are triangular
  21. The next sentence is true but you must not believe it
  22. The previous sentence was false
  23. 12+3-4+5+67+8+9=100 and there exists at least one other representation of 100 with 9 digits in the right order and math operations in between
  24. One can cut a pie into 8 pieces with three movements
  25. Program=Algorithms+Data Structures
  26. There is something the dead eat but if the living eat it, they die.
  27. A clock never showing right time might be preferable to the one showing right time twice a day
  28. Among all shapes with the same area circle has the shortest perimeter

Amazing Heart Facts.....,

 

  • Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms.
  • Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue.
  • The heart pumps about 1 million barrels of blood during an average lifetime—that's enough to fill more than 3 super tankers.
  • Heart disease kills people 45-65 yrs old.
  • It is the major cause (40%) of premature death in middle-aged men, which is most tragic because of the many unfulfilled obligations and responsibilities resulting from premature death.
  • Coronary artery disease is due to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which is a slow progressive build-up of cholesterol plaque in the arteries of the heart. Most patients find out that they have heart disease when it is quite advanced. This is due to lack of understanding about how heart disease develops.
  • Your heart beats about 100,000 times in one day and about 35 million times in a year. During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.
  • 35% of all acute heart attacks are FATAL. Half of these deaths are SUDDEN and will occur within 1 hour after onset of chest pains. But contrary to popular belief, you will not have warning signs weeks before a heart attack occurs. 70% of heart attacks have NO Warning Symptoms.
  • Hold out your hand and make a fist. If you're a kid, your heart is about the same size as your fist, and if you're an adult, it's about the same size as two fists.
  • Every day, your heart beats about 100,000 times, sending 2,000 gallons of blood surging through your body
  • The Strong Contraction of Your Heart Creates Enough Pressure To Squirt Blood As Far As 30 Feet
  • When you sneeze, all your bodily functions stop even your heart.
  • Blood is about 78 percent water.
  • The heart beats about 100,000 times each day.
  • The heart weighs less than one pound. The average weight for women is eight ounces and for men, 10 ounces.
  • The heart is made up of four chambers, the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle and right ventricle.
  • The study of the human heart and its various disorders is known as cardiology.
    Women hearts beat faster than men.
    • Three years after a person quits smoking, there chance of having a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked before.
    • The human heart weighs less than a pound.
    • The human heart can create enough pressure that it could squirt blood at a distance of thirty feet.
    • The first open heart surgery was performed by Dr. Daniel Hall Williams in 1893.
    • Scientists have discovered that the longer the ring finger is in boys the less chance they have of having a heart attack.
    • The right lung of a human is larger than the left one. This is because of the space and placement of the heart.
    • The human heart beat roughly 35 million times a year.
    • Olive oil can help in lowering cholesterol levels and decreasing the risk of heart complications.
    • In a lifetime, the heart pumps about one million barrels of blood.
    • In 1967, the first successful heart transplant was performed in Cape Town, South Africa.
    • People that suffer from gum disease are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack.
    • Most heart attacks occur between the hours of 8 and 9 AM.
    • The human heart beast roughly 35 million times a year.
    • At one time it was thought that the heart controlled a person's emotions.
      • Every day 2,700 people die of heart disease.
      • During a typical human life span, the human heart will beat approximately 2.5 billion times.
      • In one day your heart beats 100,000 times.
      • For humans the normal pulse is 70 heartbeats per minute.  
      interesting, no??

 

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Top 10 Most Amazing Facts About Dreams....,


funny-facts-about-dreams-cool

Interesting Ocean Facts.....,
Area: about 140 million square miles (362 million sq km), or nearly 71% of the Earth's surface.
Average Depth: 12,200 feet (3,720 m).
Deepest point: 36,198 feet (11,033 m) in the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific.
Mountains: The ocean ridges form a great mountain range, almost 40,000 miles (64,000 km) long, that weaves its way through all the major oceans. It is the largest single feature on Earth.
Highest Mountain: Mauna Kea, Hawaii, rises 33,474 feet (10,203 m) from its base on the ocean floor; only 13,680 feet (4,170 m) are above sea level.


48 more facts about our oceans...
  1. The oceans occupy nearly 71% of our planet's surface
  2. More than 97% of all our planet's water is contained in the ocean
  3. The top ten feet of the ocean hold as much heat as our entire atmosphere
  4. The average depth of the ocean is more than 2.5 miles
  5. The oceans provide 99 percent of the Earth's living space- the largest space in our universe known to be inhabited by living organisms
  6. More than 90% of this habitat exists in the deep sea known as the abyss
  7. Less than 10% of this living space has been explored by humans
  8. Mount Everest (the highest point on the Earth's surface 5.49 miles) is more than 1 mile shorter than the Challenger Deep (the deepest point in the ocean at 6.86 miles)
  9. The longest continuous mountain chain known to exist in the Universe resides in the ocean at more than 40,000 miles long
  10. The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon is deeper and larger in volume than the Grand Canyon
  11. The Antarctic ice sheet that forms and melts over the ocean each year is nearly twice the size of the United States
  12. The average temperature of the oceans is 2ºC, about 39ºF
  13. Water pressure at the deepest point in the ocean is more than 8 tons per square inch, the equivalent of one person trying to hold 50 jumbo jets.
  14. The Gulf Stream off the Atlantic seaboard of the United States flows at a rate nearly 300 times faster than the typical flow of the Amazon river, the world's largest river
  15. The worlds oceans contain nearly 20 million tons of gold
  16. The color blue is least absorbed by seawater; the same shade of blue is most absorbed by microscopic plants, called phytoplankton, drifting in seawater
  17. A new form of life, based on chemical energy rather than light energy, resides in deep-sea hydrothermal vents along mid-ocean ridges
  18. A swallow of seawater may contain millions of bacterial cells, hundreds of thousands of phytoplankton and tens of thousands of zooplankton
  19. The blue whale, the largest animal on our planet ever (exceeding the size of the greatest dinosaurs) still lives in the ocean; it's heart is the size of a Volkswagen
  20. The gray whale migrates more than 10,000 miles each year, the longest migration of any mammal
  21. The Great Barrier Reef, measuring 1,243 miles, is the largest living structure on Earth. It can be seen from the Moon.
  22. More than 90 percent of the trade between countries is carried by ships and about half the communications between nations use underwater cables
  23. More oil reaches the oceans each year as a result of leaking automobiles and other non-point sources than was spilled in Prince William Sound by the Exxon Valdez
  24. Fish supply the greatest percentage of the world's protein consumed by humans
  25. Most of the world's major fisheries are being fished at levels above their maximum sustainable yield; some regions are severely overfished
  26. The Grand Banks, the pride of New England fishing for centuries, are closed due to overfishing
  27. Eighty per cent of all pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities.
  28. Three-quarters of the world's mega-cities are by the sea.
  29. By 2010, 80 per cent of people will live within 60 miles of the coast.
  30. Death and disease caused by polluted coastal waters costs the global economy US$12.8 billion a year. The annual economic impact of hepatitis from tainted seafood alone is US$7.2 billion.
  31. Plastic waste kills up to 1 million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish each year. Plastic remains in our ecosystem for years harming thousands of sea creatures everyday.
  32. Over the past decade, an average of 600,000 barrels of oil a year has been accidentally spilled from ships, the equivalent of 12 disasters the size of the sinking of the oil tanker Prestige in 2002.
  33. Tropical coral reefs border the shores of 109 countries, the majority of which are among the world's least developed. Significant reef degradation has occurred in 93 countries.
  34. Although coral reefs comprise less than 0.5 per cent of the ocean floor, it is estimated that more than 90 per cent of marine species are directly or indirectly dependent on them.
  35. There are about 4,000 coral reef fish species worldwide, accounting for approximately a quarter of all marine fish species.
  36. Nearly 60 per cent of the world's remaining reefs are at significant risk of being lost in the next three decades.
  37. The major causes of coral reef decline are coastal development, sedimentation, destructive fishing practices, pollution, tourism and global warming.
  38. Less than one half a per cent of marine habitats are protected -- compared with 11.5 per cent of global land area.
  39. The High Seas -- areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction -- cover almost 50 per cent of the Earth's surface. They are the least protected part of the world.
  40. Although there are some treaties that protect ocean-going species such as whales, as well as some fisheries agreements, there are no protected areas in the High Seas.
  41. Studies show that protecting critical marine habitats -- such as warm-and cold-water coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves -- can dramatically increase fish size and quantity.
  42. More than 3.5 billion people depend on the ocean for their primary source of food. In 20 years, this number could double to 7 billion.
  43. Populations of commercially attractive large fish, such as tuna, cod, swordfish and marlin have declined by as much as 90 per cent in the past century.
  44. Each year, illegal longline fishing, which involves lines up to 80 miles long, with thousands of baited hooks, kills over 300,000 seabirds, including 100,000 albatrosses.
  45. As many as 100 million sharks are killed each year for their meat and fins, which are used for shark fin soup. Hunters typically catch the sharks, de-fin them while alive and throw them back into the ocean where they either drown or bleed to death.
  46. Global by-catch -- unintended destruction caused by the use of non-selective fishing gear, such as trawl nets, longlines and gillnets -- amounts to 20 million tons a year.
  47. The annual global by-catch mortality of small whales, dolphins and porpoises alone is estimated to be more than 300,000 individuals.
  48. Fishing for wild shrimp represents 2 per cent of global seafood but one-third of total by-catch. The ratio of by-catch from shrimp fishing ranges from 5:1 in temperate zones to 10:1 and more in the tropics.

Top 10 Deadliest Snakes in the World

Throughout the world, it is estimated there are a minimum of 1 to 2 million annual snakebite “incidences”. This number includes bites by non-venomous species. Of that number, roughly 50,000 to 100,000 bites result in fatalities worldwide. People often create lists based on the toxicity of snake venoms but generally do not to take into account other factors like clinical ability to treat, or inability to treat. Many of the world’s most venomous snakes have venoms that are very straightforward and ‘easy’ to treat effectively with the proper anti venoms. However, other species that might fall far below the so-called ‘Top 10′ cause a clinical explosion of problems for which anti venoms are not very effective. There are still other people who derive their deadly snake lists from deaths in the countries they live in, study in, or that they are just fond of. All these points of view make for tremendous confusion in Top 10 lists. We feel it is far more interesting and important to list the most dangerous and deadly snakes in the world by taking into the criteria the amount and potency of snake’s venom, caused fatalities, personality and aggressiveness into account.

1. Black Mamba – (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Black Mamba
The Black Mamba is found throughout most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and is incredibly fast, traveling at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. It’s also large; the second largest snake in Africa, averaging 8.2′ (2.5m) and getting as long as 14′ (4.5m). The Black Mamba is aggressive and territorial, characteristics not usually attributed to snakes. This snake is usually found in an olive green color – it’s the inside of its mouth that is black!
African villagers and experts alike fear the intense pain and suffering the mamba inflicts on its victims. Its poison is neuro-toxic. Unlike most poisonous snakes where the venom travels slowly through the blood stream, allowing a victim time to get treatment and to isolate the poison using a tourniquet, the black mamba’s poison goes straight for the nerves, attacking the central nervous system and shutting down major organs. Twenty minutes after being bitten you may lose the ability to talk. After one hour you’re probably comatose, and by six hours, without an antidote, you are dead.
When feeling very threatened, the Black Mamba usually delivers multiple strikes, injecting its potent neuro- and cardiotoxin with each strike, often attacking the body or head, unlike most other snakes. It can strike up to 12 times in a row. A single bite from a Black Mamba can inject enough venom to kill up to 10-25 grown men, easily killing one unless the appropriate anti-venom is administered in time. When cornered, it will readily attack. When in the striking position, the mamba flattens its neck, hisses very loudly and displays its inky black mouth and fangs. It can rear up around one-third of its body from the ground, which allows it to reach heights of approximately four feet.
In the past, the mortality rate for a Black Mamba bite was nearly 100%, the highest among venomous snakes. Now, because of the development of effective antivenin in Africa, the rate has been decreased to 75% (25% of bite victims now receive antivenin in time to be effective). Depending on the nature of a bite, death can result in as little as 30 minutes or it may take up to 120-180 minutes.
(From 10)
Venom: 9
Fatalities: 9
Personality: 8
Aggressiveness: 8
Total: 34

2. Russel Viper

Russel Viper
D. russelii, which is found in Asia throughout the Indian subcontinent, much of Southeast Asia, southern China and Taiwan. Due largest to its irritable nature, it is responsible for more human fatalities than any other venomous snake. Within much of its range, this species is easily the most dangerous viperid snake and a major cause of snakebite injury and mortality. It is a member of the big four venomous snakes in India, which are together responsible for nearly all Indian snakebite fatalities.
This snake grows to a maximum length of 166 cm (5.5 ft). The average length is about 120 cm (4 ft) on the mainland, although island populations do not attain this size.
The amount of venom produced by individual specimens is considerable. Reported venom yields for adult specimens range from 130–250 mg to 150–250 mg to 21–268 mg. For 13 juveniles with an average length of 79 cm, the average venom yield was 8–79 mg (mean 45 mg). For most humans a lethal dose is 40–70 mg.
Envenomation symptoms begin with pain at the site of the bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity. Bleeding is a common symptom, especially from the gums, and sputum may show signs of blood within 20 minutes post-bite. There is a drop in blood pressure and the heart rate falls. Blistering occurs at the site of the bite, developing along the affected limb in severe cases. Necrosis is usually superficial and limited to the muscles near the bite, but may be severe in extreme cases. Vomiting and facial swelling occurs in about one-third of all cases.
Severe pain may last for 2–4 weeks. Locally, it may persist depending on the level of tissue damage. Often, local swelling peaks within 48–72 hours, involving both the affected limb and the trunk. If swelling up to the trunk occurs within 1–2 hours, massive envenomation is likely. Discoloration may occur throughout the swollen area as red blood cells and plasma leak into muscle tissue. Death from septicaemia, respiratory or cardiac failure may occur 1 to 14 days post-bite or even later.
(From 10)
Venom: 7
Fatalities: 10
Personality: 8
Aggressiveness: 8
Total: 33

3. Egyptian Cobra – (Naja haje)

Egyptian Cobra
Image Courtesy: WikiMedia
The Egyptian Cobra is the most common cobra in Africa and is responsible for many deaths there. It typically makes its home in dry to moist savanna and semi-desert regions, with at least some water and vegetation (never in desert regions). The Egyptian Cobra may also be found in oases, agricultural grounds, hills with sparse vegetation, and grasslands. They frequent human habitat areas and often enter villages and houses, searching for prey such as rats and chickens, which feed on human garbage.
The average adult cobra is 5′ to 6.75′ (1.5-2m) in length, and some have grown to 8′. This snake preys on small mammals, lizards, toads, and other snakes, including other venomous snakes, such as the puff adder.
The average venom quantity typically reaches 175 to 200 mg in a single bite. It has the third most toxic venom of any cobra, after the Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis) and the Cape Cobra. However, the Egyptian cobra is considered to be much deadlier than the Northern Philippine Cobra or Cape cobra because it is much larger, more aggressive, and can inject more venom in a single bite. It has neurotoxic venom which affects the nervous system, stopping the nerve signals from being transmitted to the muscles and at later stages stopping those transmitted to the heart and lungs as well, causing death due to complete respiratory failure.
(From 10)
Venom: 6
Fatalities: 8
Personality: 10
Aggressiveness: 7
Total: 31

4.The Mozambique Spitting Cobra

Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Image Courtesy: Britanica
(Naja mossambica) is a type of cobra, native to Africa. In color the snake is slate to olive grey, olive or tawny brown above, with some or all scales black-edging. Below, salmon pink to purple yellowish, with black bars across the neck and ventrals speckled or edged with brown or black; young specimens sometimes have pink or yellow bars on the throat.
It is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa, second only to the Mamba. Like the Rinkhals, it can spit its venom. Its bite causes severe local tissue destruction (similar to that of the puff adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.
This snake is a nervous and highly strung snake. When confronted at close quarters this snake can rear up to as much as two-thirds of its length, spread its long narrow hood and will readily “spit” in defense, usually from a reared-up position. By doing this the venom can be ejected at a distance of 2-3 meters (5½ – 8¼ feet), with remarkable accuracy. The spitting cobra does not often actually bite despite its aggressive behavior, and also shares the same habit of feigning death to avoid further molestation.
The average length of adults is between 900mm – 1,050mm (2½-3 feet), but largest specimen actually measured was a male 1,442mm (4 feet) long. (Trelawney, Zimbabwe)
When in a confined area like a tube the reptile will bite instead of spit. This is due to its aggressiveness.
(From 10)
Venom: 7
Fatalities: 5
Personality: 5
Aggressiveness: 10
Total: 27

5.Crotalus adamanteus

Crotalus adamanteus
Image Courtesy: Picasa
Common name: eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus is a venomous pitviper species found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest (though not longest) venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake.
Inhabits upland dry pine forest, pine and palmetto flatwoods, sandhills and coastal maritime hammocks, Longleaf Pine/Turkey Oak habitats, grass-sedge marshes and swamp forest, mesic hammocks, sandy mixed woodlands, xeric hammocks, salt marshes, as well as wet prairies during dry periods. In many areas it seems to use burrows made by gophers and gopher tortoises during the summer and winter. Eastern diamondbacks can live beyond twenty years, but life expectancy in the wild is now typically shorter because of hunting and human expansion.
This species has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America. While not usually aggressive, they are large and powerful. The venom contains a thrombin-like enzyme (TLE), called crotalase, that is capable of clotting fibrinogen, leading to the secondary activation of plasminogen from endothelial cells. Although the venom does not activate platelets, the production of fibrin strands can result in a reduced platelet count, as well as the hemolysis of red blood cells. Even with this defibrination, however, clinically significant bleeding is uncommon. Nevertheless, the venom does exhibit high hemorrhagic activity. It also contains a low-molecular-weight basic peptide that impedes neuromuscular transmission and can lead to cardiac failure.
(From 10)
Venom: 6
Fatalities: 7
Personality: 7
Aggressiveness: 6
Total: 26/40

6.Inland Taipan

Inland Taipan
Image Courtesy: WikiMedia
The Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also known as the Small Scaled Snake or Fierce Snake, is native to Australia and is the most venomous land snake on Earth. It is a species of Taipan belonging to the Elapidae family. Although highly venomous, it is very shy and secretive, preferring to escape from trouble, biting only if threatened.
The Inland Taipan prefers the dry, arid climate of the Australian outback. It lives primarily in small abandoned rat burrows were it stays during the day to escape the intense heat. The Inland Taipan hunts during the early morning so that it avoids the heat of the day in the numerous small cracks and dry riverbeds, common areas for unsuspecting rodents. The Inland Taipan is a top apex predator and uses its habitat well. It traps various smaller organisms in the small cracks and crevasses to catch its prey.
The most toxic venom of any snake. Maximum yield recorded (for one bite) is 110mg. That would porbably be enough to kill over 100 people or 250,000 mice. With an LD50 of 0.01 mg/kg, it is about 10 times as venomous as a Mojave rattlesnake and 750 times as venomous as a common cobra. Inland Taipan a.k.a Fierce Snakes are known to live in holes, and feed on small rodents such as mice and rats. Despite its name, Fierce Snakes are not known to be particularly aggressive, but docile. They will strike if provoked, however, injecting their incomparably toxic venom.No fatalities have been attributed to this species, and all known bites have been to people who keep them in captivity or actively seek them out in the wild.
(From 10)
Venom: 10
Fatalities: 3
Personality: 7
Aggressiveness: 3
Total: 23

7. Australian Brown Snake

Australian Brown Snake
Image courtesy: Pixdus
(Pseudonaja textilis ), Australia. One 1/14,000 of an ounce of this vemon is enough to kill a person. The Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) – sometimes referred to as the Common Eastern Brown Snake is the world’s second most venomous land snake, native to Australia and may also be found on the peninsulas of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Eastern Brown Snakes are very fast moving and highly aggressive. When agitated, they will hold their necks high, appearing in a somewhat upright S-shape. The snake will occasionally chase an aggressor and strike at it repeatedly.
The Eastern Brown snake is diurnal (meaning it is active during the day). When highly agitated, they hold their necks high, appearing in an upright S-shape. But despite their fearsome reputation, brown snakes are reluctant to bite and react only to movement; standing still when in close proximity to one will result in it ignoring you. They are attracted to rural and farming areas, probably due to the large numbers of associated rodents. Such areas also normally provide shelter in the form of rubbish and other cover. he Eastern Brown Snake is the second most venomous land snake in the world after the Inland Taipan. Their venom is very toxic, and can be fatal; even juveniles have caused human fatalities. The venom contains both neurotoxins and blood coagulants.Eastern Brown Snakes are also aggressive. Compared to most snakes that will flee when ever possible, Brown Snakes are much more likely to stand their ground, heightening the danger in an encounter. Without medical treatment, death is highly likely.
(From 10)
Venom: 9
Fatalities: 3
Personality: 6
Aggressiveness: 4
Total: 22/40

8.Tiger Snake

Tiger Snake
Image Courtesy: ABC
Tiger snakes are a type of venomous serpent found in southern regions of Australia, including its coastal islands and Tasmania. These snakes are highly variable in their colour, often banded like those on a tiger, and forms in their regional occurrences.
Tiger snakes possess a potent neurotoxin (notexin), coagulants, haemolysins and myotoxins, and rank amongst the deadliest snakes in the world. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain in the foot and neck region, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. While antivenom is effective, mortality rate for this species is over 60% if not treated.
(From 10)
Venom: 6
Fatalities: 4
Personality: 7
Aggressiveness: 3
Total: 20

9.Python (Burmese)

Python
Image Courtesy: Blue Chameleon
Pythons are usually a non-venomous snakes. The Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a big variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Soutern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees. Wild individuals average 3.7 metres (12 ft) long,[1][2] but may reach up to 5.8 metres (19 ft).
Like all snakes, Burmese Pythons are carnivorous. Their diet consists primarily of appropriately sized birds and mammals. The snake uses its sharp rearward-pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey at the same time contracting its muscles, killing the prey by constriction. They are often found near human habitations due to the presence of rats, mice and other vermin as a food source. However, their equal affinity for domesticated birds and mammals means that they are often treated as a pest. In captivity their diet consists primarily of commercially available, appropriately sized rats, and moving up to larger items such as rabbits and poultry as they grow. Exceptionally large pythons may even require larger food items such as pigs or goats, and are known to have attacked alligators in Florida, where it is an invasive species
(From 10)
Venom: 0
Fatalities: 1
Personality: 10
Aggressiveness: 7
Total: 18

10.The Common Death Adder

Common Death Adder
Image Courtesy: AnimalPicturesArchive
(Acanthophis antarcticus), is a species of Death Adder native to Australia. It is one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia and the world. Unlike its sister species of Death Adders, the Common Death Adder is common and is not under major threat.
The Common Death Adder occurs over much of eastern and coastal southern Australia – Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It may also be found more scarce in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and the west parts of South Australia, due to its sister species of Death Adders (eg. Desert Adder).
Common Death Adders eat small mammals and birds as a primary diet. Unlike other snakes, the Common Death Adder lies in wait for its prey (often for many days) until a meal passes. It covers itself with leaves — making itself inconspicuous — and lies coiled in ambush, twitching its yellowish grub-like tail close to its head as a lure. When an animal approaches to investigate the movement, the death adder quickly strikes, injecting its venom and then waiting for the victim to die before eating it. This ambush hunting makes the death adder more of a threat to humans.
The Common Death Adder is the world’s fifth most venomous snake and probably the fastest of all Australian snakes when it comes to striking a victim. Death Adders are an ambush predator and while other snakes may attempt to flee if a human comes near a Death Adder is unlikely to, increasing the danger if not noticed.
(From 10)
Venom: 7
Fatalities: 1
Personality: 5
Aggressiveness: 1
Total: 15