Did You Know...? The worst earthquake in Europe’s recorded history destroyed Sicily’s Messina and killed an estimated 100,000 (1908). Opera composer Vincenzo Bellini was born in Sicily (1801) as was the dramatist Luigi Pirandello (1867). Sicilian poet Giacomo da Lentini is credited with creating the sonnet form, in the 13th
Did you know ... ? The Ciarraighe Celtic people gave their name to County Kerry. The first transatlantic cable station was located on County Kerry’s Valentia Island. The movies “Ryan’s Daughter” (1970) and “Far and Away” (1992) were shot in County Kerry. Fungi, a Dingle Bay resident since 1983, has
Did You Know...? Quebec is twice the size of Texas, three times the size of France. Sixty percent of Quebecois speak only French; 80% have French ancestry. The snowmobile was invented in Quebec, by Joseph-Armand Bombardier. The world’s largest caribou herds (close to 1 million) roam Nunavik in Arctic Quebec.
Did You Know? Medieval popes planted the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. Van Gogh was in Arles when he lost an ear, whether intentionally or by accident. The Val d’Enfer (Valley of Hell) was reputedly the inspiration for the setting of Dante’s “Inferno.” Artist Paul Cezanne was born in Aix-en-Provence (1839); novelist Emile
Did You Know...? Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province and most densely populated. Jacques Cartier discovered the island in 1534. The Island was named Prince Edward in honor of Queen Victoria’s father. Approximately 11% of the population speaks French. “Anne of Green Gables” was published in 1908. Anne of
Did You Know...? The Panama Canal’s Caribbean entry/exit point is north and west of the Pacific entry/exit point. An estimated 28,000 workers died during French (1880s) and U.S. projects to construct the canal. The 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain was born in the Canal Zone. Roughly 268 million cubic
Did You Know...? More than 100 billion tons of seawater move in and out of the Bay of Fundy daily. In Nova Scotia, one is never more than 35 miles from the sea. Nova Scotians are called bluenosers, believed to refer to the local blue potatoes. Nova Scotia tops all
Did You Know? There are 10.5 square miles for every person in the Northwest Territories. North America's first diamond mine opened in 1998 near the territory’s Lac de Gras. Great Slave Lake, 2,014 feet deep, is the deepest lake in North America. Ulukhaktok is home to the continent’s northernmost golf
Did You Know ... ? Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen in 1431. More than 130,000 troops landed in Normandy on D-Day (1944), history’s largest one-day amphibious invasion. Samuel de Champlain sailed from Honfleur for Canada where he founded Quebec City (1608). Normandy is considered the
Did You Know ... ? The Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan was a setting for the 1978 mystery, "Death on the Nile." The missing obelisk at Luxor Temple is at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Luxor's huge Karnak Temple extends over almost 300 acres. It took five years
