YOU WOULDN"T BELIEVE!

There are approximately 196 countries in the world as of this writing. So while you may consider yourself to be a knowledgeable global citizen, and we’re sure you are, given the dynamic and complex nature of our planet there are certain to be at least a couple facts on this list that you will find surprising.  Here are 9 things that you wouldn’t believe about these countries.  Captions came with the photos.

Most likely to disappear beneath the waves – Maldives
With all the talks of global warming and rising sea levels, it is the residents of the Maldives that have the greatest reason to fear. With an average height of around 1.8 meters above sea level their nation is the lowest on Earth.

Most overweight population – Nauru
With over 95% of its population being overweight, the small island nation of Nauru is by far the fattest 

country on Earth. Its obesity epidemic is primarily attributed to the importation of western fast food 

that coincided with an increased standard of living in the 20th century due to the global popularity 

of its phosphate exports. It’s almost non sequitur…almost.

Roads made of coral – Guam
Because Guam doesn’t have any natural sand, but rather coral, the island nation makes its asphalt 

using a mix of ground coral and oil rather than importing sand from abroad.

Has 350 sheep for every person – Falkand Islands ( UK )
With only about 3,000 people the Falkland Islands are home to approximately half-a million 

sheep. Not surprisingly wool is a major export.

Oldest sovereign state – Egypt
This largely depends upon your definition of a sovereign state but if you are going by first acquisition of sovereignty then Egypt would be the first country in the world to achieve sovereignty based upon the formation of the first dynasty in 3100 BC.

Most lakes in the world – Canada
With over 3 million lakes, 9% of Canadian territory is actually fresh water and over 60% of 

all the lakes in the world are found within its borders.

 

Least likely place to meet your neighbor – Mongolia
At 4 people per square mile Mongolia is the least densely populated country on Earth. Compare 

this to the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong that has the highest population density in the world 

with 340,000 people per square mile.

Most diverse country in the world – India
In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, 

ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse countries in the world, or the runner-up.

Smaller than Central Park in New York City – Monaco
Although Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq mi) than Monaco (.8 sq mi), unlike Monaco it doesn’t 

have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as the smallest permanently inhabited nation 

in the world…smaller than Central Park .

Fun --

CHOICES

YOU CAN LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE....
~ You say "the city" and expect everyone to know you mean Manhattan.

~ You have never been to the Statue of Liberty or the
Empire State Building.

~ You think Central Park is "nature,"

~ You've worn out a car horn.

YOU CAN LIVE IN MAINE WHERE….
~ You only have four spices: salt, pepper, ketchup,
and Tabasco.

~ Halloween costumes fit over parkas.

~ Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than
eight buttons.

~The four seasons are: winter, still winter, almost
winter, and construction.

(This true, Pegi?)