10 strange things in the world that you might not know

 

1. The world's largest ball of paint is in Alexandria, Indiana. It weighs over 4 tons and is 12 feet in diameter.

   Opens in a new window Becoming Better

   World's largest ball of paint

2. There is a town in Japan called Inuyama that has over 2,800 cats. The town is known as the "Cat Town of Japan" and is home to a number of cat cafes, shops, and restaurants.

   Opens in a new window Japan Guide

   Inuyama, Japan

3. There is a country called Liechtenstein that is completely surrounded by Switzerland. Liechtenstein is the sixth smallest country in the world, with a population of just over 38,000 people.

   Opens in a new window Wikipedia

   Liechtenstein, Europe

4. There is a lake in Bolivia called Lake Titicaca that is the highest navigable lake in the world. Lake Titicaca is located at an altitude of 12,500 feet and is home to a number of islands, including the Isla del Sol, which is believed to be the birthplace of the Incas.

   Opens in a new window Wikipedia

   Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

5. There is a tree in California called the General Sherman Tree that is the largest tree on Earth by volume. The General Sherman Tree is located in Sequoia National Park and is over 3,000 years old.

   Opens in a new window National Park Service

   General Sherman Tree, California

6. There is a town in Italy called Matera that is built into a cliffside. Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

   Opens in a new window Italy

   Matera, Italy

7. There is a country called Kiribati that is made up of over 330 islands in the Pacific Ocean. Kiribati is the only country in the world that is entirely located in the tropics.

   Opens in a new window Britannica

   Kiribati, Pacific Ocean

8. There is a desert in Chile called the Atacama Desert that is one of the driest places on Earth. The Atacama Desert has not received any measurable rainfall in over 400 years.

   Opens in a new window National Geographic

   Atacama Desert, Chile

9. There is a cave in Mexico called the Cave of Crystals that is home to some of the largest crystals in the world. The crystals in the Cave of Crystals are up to 30 feet long and weigh over 55 tons.

   Opens in a new window C&EN - American Chemical Society

   Cave of Crystals, Mexico

10. There is a waterfall in Venezuela called Angel Falls that is the highest waterfall in the world. Angel Falls is over 3,200 feet tall and can be seen from space.

    Opens in a new window Britannica

    Angel Falls, Venezuela

These are just a few of the many strange and wonderful things that can be found in the world. So next time you're feeling bored or unchallenged, take a look around and see what you can discover. You might be surprised at what you find!