Counter-intuitive or surprising facts (trivia)

[JR8]

Canada is larger than America.

I'd vouch that most Europeans don't know that!

CAN 3,855,100 Miles2
USA 3,794,100 Miles2

For people into pub quizzes and the like, CAN also has the largest water area of any country in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countries_by_land_area

p.s. It would be interesting to try and identify a counter-intuitive fact that approaches a pinnacle of counter-intuitiveness: Something you read and your response is 'Well THAT's bollocks!', but it turns out it's true, a kind of triumph of reality/fact over common/accepted perception.

[Strong Eagle]

Like this? Check out other interesting maps at: http://www.businessinsider.com.au/map-o ... ze-2013-12

Edit: Replaced image with URL - image to big to fit on SEF.


http://soiledearth.com/wp-content/uploa ... Africa.jpg

[QRM]

Kellogg's corn flakes and Graham crackers were inveted by doctors to prevent men from masturbating

[JR8]

Bulls-eye

'Russia is almost twice the size of the US
'Africa is almost twice the size of Russia'
etc

I like how such nuggets make you stop and think!

p.s. Good grief QRM! I think I'll stick to the Weetabix!

[nakatago]

Greenland is geographically North America but administered by Denmark (politically European).

[nakatago]

Kellogg's corn flakes and Graham crackers were inveted by doctors to prevent men from masturbating

The vibrator was invented to treat hysteria in women.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrator_(sex_toy)

[Max Headroom]

This will have you transfixed, mouth agape, for the duration, or your money back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8BWBn26 ... G&hl=en-GB

[singapore eagle]

How about: Edinburgh is further west than Bristol

[singapore eagle]

Istanbul is further north than New York.

More such information here: http://www.priceoftravel.com/1063/107-w ... sing-ways/

[bgd]

Countersteering - on a bike you push the bars the 'wrong way' steer left to turn right.

If you ride a bicycle you do it without realising.
If you ride a motorcylce you were probably taught it. For me it was a mind shift.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersteering

[nakatago]

There is less time between us (humans) and the tyrannosaurus than the tyrannosaurus and stegosaurus.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-n ... 40/?no-ist

also this listicle: http://www.emlii.com/a583540f/28-Puzzli ... ou-Stunned

[JR8]

How about: Edinburgh is further west than Bristol

Good one, counter-intuitive. I think you're educated 'just thinking' the UK is a vertically orientated island, but it's not.


How about
London is further north than the USA.

or

The country with the longest coastline in the world is Norway.

[aster]

Norway's eastern border stretches further east than Istanbul.

[JR8]

Ha, love it!!

[aster]

The country with the longest coastline in the world is Norway.

Only Norway actually looks at it this way. It's more a case of "Greek accounting" (not to mention including Svabald in their calculation) with two of the main sources available listing them at #7. Still impressive to be up there alongside Australia though...