Did you know ... ? Founded as the Aztec capital (1325), Mexico City is the Western Hemisphere’s oldest capital city. The city’s heaviest buildings are sinking four to 12 inches a year. Mexico City has more taxis than any other city, nearly 90,000. The Zocalo (640K square feet) is the
Did you know ... ? Melbourne originated as a tent city of 50 settlers in 1835. Little Penguins are about 12 inches tall, the world’s smallest penguin species. Melbourne is the only city with five international-standard sports facilities near downtown. From 1901 to 1927, Melbourne was the capital of Australia.
Did You Know? Marseille is the oldest city in France (2,600 years). La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, named for Marseille, was originally called “War Song of the Army of the Rhine.” Paul Ricard created the popular Ricard pastis in Marseille (1932). Fernando Rey, the lead French character in “The
Did You Know? Imelda Marcos once served as governor of Metro Manila. Manila Bay was the site of the decisive battle that helped the U.S. gain control of the Philippines in 1898. Metro Manila encompasses 17 cities and municipalities, including the capital. The Philippine legislature meet outside Manila. Las Pinas
Did You Know? The first programmable computer was built at Manchester University (1948). Charles Rolls and Henry Royce created Rolls-Royce Ltd. over lunch at Manchester’s Midland Hotel (1904). Manchester University’s Ernest Rutherford was first to split the atom (1917). In the early 1920s, the Manchester Exchange controlled almost half the
Did you know ... ? King Phillip II established Madrid as the capital of Spain in 1561. In the 17th century, Madrilenos used the elegant Plaza Mayor as a bullring. Madrid is north of Denver. The Prado art museum was originally designed to be a natural history museum. At the
Did You Know? The Mount Pilatus Cog Railway is the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. The Chapel Bridge, originally built in 1333, is Europe’s oldest preserved wooden bridge. The “Lion Monument” honors Swiss Guards killed serving the French king during the French Revolution. Lucerne was the first town to join the
Did You Know...? The Langham, London was the world’s first hotel with elevators when it debuted in 1865. The Tate Modern is housed in the former Bankside Power Station. Big Ben is the name of a bell not the tower it is in. The Thames flows past 3,000 acres of
Did You Know...? The Beatles first performed together at a local horticultural society dance (1962). The world’s oldest intercity railway linked Liverpool and Manchester in 1830. The local Birkenhead Park influenced Frederick Law Olmstead’s designs for New York’s Central Park. The warship Shenandoah surrendered in Liverpool in late 1865, the
Did You Know? Lisbon’s name comes from Olissipo, which is based on Phoenician words for enchanting port. Lisbon is north of San Francisco The melancholy music called fado originated 200 years ago in Lisbon’s brothels and taverns. Lisbon is said to be built on seven hills. The Vasco de Gama
