Did You Know ...? The Grimaldis have ruled Monaco since 1297, making theirs Europe’s longest-reigning dynasty. Monte-Carlo is named for Monaco’s 19th century Prince Charles III who opened the first casino. If Prince Albert II had had no male heir, Monaco would have become French. Monegasques don’t pay income taxes;
Did you know ... ? Mexico City’s bullring, seating about 55,000, is the world’s largest. Mexico produces about a sixth of the world’s silver, making it the biggest producer. More than 5 million Mexicans speak an Indian language, such as Maya. America uses these Mexican words: canyon, corral, desperado, rodeo
Did You Know? The Martinique city of Le Diamant named a downtown street Rue Obama; it extends 472 feet. Paul Gauguin painted several Martinique landscapes during a short stay on the island (1887). Napoleon I’s consort, Empress Josephine, as born in Martinique (1763). Mount Pelee’s 1902 eruption was the 20th
Did You Know ... ? Malta claims the world’s oldest freestanding temple, Ggantija on Gozo (earliest construction: 3600 B.C.). Tradition says St. Paul was shipwrecked on Malta in about 60 A.D. The Malta archipelago, at 122 square miles, is not quite twice the size of Washington, D.C. Maltese is the
Did You Know ... ? The 1959 movie, “South Pacific,” was shot on Malaysia's Tioman Island. Malaysia’s first railway, built in 1869, was made of wood — and was soon destroyed by ants. The country’s paper money is really made of plastic. The rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, can be
Did You Know? The Saxon name for Luxembourg City was Lucilinburhuc, meaning little fortress. Luxembourg is the world’s only grand duchy (meaning headed by a grand duke). More than 60% of Luxembourg City’s inhabitants are foreigners. Luxembourg has Europe’s highest per capita income. The country’s Grand Duchess Maria Teresa was
Did You Know ... ? At the Mount Kenya Safari Club, guests cross the Equator to get to the restaurants. In Kenya, hitchhikers flag drivers by flapping their arms up and down. Roughly 3 million to 3.5 million animals move in East Africa’s annual Great Migration. Kenya is home to
Did You Know ... ? Jordan’s Queen Noor was American born; she was married to the late King Hussein. John the Baptist began and ended his ministry in Jordan; he’s the patron saint for Jordan’s Roman Catholics. Much of the 1962 movie, "Lawrence of Arabia," was filmed in Wadi Rum.
Did You Know...? There are fewer than 10,000 geisha in Japan today. Kansai International Airport sits on an artificial island that is sinking (as expected). The same family has owned the Houshi Ryokan in Awazu for 46 generations. Japan is home to 10% of the world’s active volcanoes. Also, the
Did You Know...? The ortanique, a cross between a tangerine and orange, is unique to Jamaica. Back to Africa’s Marcus Garvey and pirate Blackbeard (Edward Teach) were natives. Jamaica opened the first railway (1845) outside Europe and North America’s mainland. More than 252 bird species are found on the island;