Things You Wouldn’t Believe About These Countries

#1 Covers the most time zones

If you count everything, including overseas territories, then France claims the title by covering 12 time zones. The United States would be the runner-up with 11 and then Russia with 9.

With its overseas territories, France uses 12 different time zones, the most of any country in the world.

#2 Most people behind bars

The United States has 2.2 million people behind bars it has 5% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s incarcerated population.

#3 World’s largest opium producer – Afghanistan

Producing a whopping 95 percent of the world’s opium, not even more than 10 years of occupation by American forces have slowed down the industry.

#4 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.

Scientists have long warned that the paradise island state - a popular tourist destination for Britons - will soon be reclaimed by the oceans due to rising sea levels caused by global warming.

The former president of the predominantly Muslim nation even looked into buying land in neighbouring South Asia to rehome his people when the inevitable happens, so imminent is the country’s impending doom.

The author states: “The island nation of Maldives is in extreme danger of sinking due to rising sea levels.”

#5 Most overweight population – Nauru

Nauru is the world's fattest country, with an average BMI of 34 to 35. Located in the South Pacific it is the smallest island nation, with a population of less than 10,000.

With over 95% of its population being overweight, the small island nation of Nauru is by far the fattest country on Earth

Obesity has grown as a result of the importation of Western foods paid for with proceeds from phosphate mining. The most popular dish is fried chicken and cola.

#6 World's thinnest - Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the world's thinnest nation, with an average BMI of 20.5 for women and 20.4 for men. Rice is the staple diet and millions go without enough to eat. More than half of children - more than 9 million - are underweight and have stunted growth.

#7 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.

The United States territory of Guam has no railways or freeways, nor does it have a merchant marine. The largest port is Apra Harbor, which serves almost all commercial traffic including cruise, cargo and fishing vessels. There are smaller harbors located on the island (most notably one in Hagatna and one in Agat) which serve recreational boaters. Roads are primarily paved by a coral/oil mixture that when it gets wet, the oil tends to float to the surface of the roads making them dangerous. This is one of the reasons the speed limit on most of the island is 35 mph.

#8 Has 350 sheep for every person – Falkand Islands (UK)

The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a remote South Atlantic archipelago. With rugged terrain and cliff-lined coasts, its hundreds of islands and islets are home to sheep farms and abundant birdlife.

With only about 3,000 people the Falkland Islands are home to approximately half a million sheep. Not surprisingly wool is a major export.

#9 Oldest sovereign state – Egypt

This largely depends upon your definition of a sovereign state but if you are going by the 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.

#10 Most lakes in the world – Canada

Canada is home to the most lakes in the world, but it turns out we don't know a lot about them.

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

#11 Least likely place to meet your neighbor – Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country situated between Russia to the North and China to the south in Northern Asia with a geographic area of 1,564,116 km2 (603,909 sq mi). This makes it the 19th largest country in the world. According to the CIA World Facebook, the July 2015 estimated population of Mongolia was 2,992,908 people. This population total makes it the 138th most populous country in the world.

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.

#12 Largest number of tanks – Russia

It is a strange title to hold, but Russia has by far the most tanks of any army in the world (21,000). While the developmental T-14 Armata captures the spotlight, the bulk of Russia’s armoured forces consists of upgraded T-72B3 main battle tanks. Other tanks like the T-90 and the legacy T-80U are still relatively rare. Nonetheless, Russia’s current armoured force meets Moscow’s requirements even without the Armata—which is both expensive and potentially unneeded. In fact, Russia might get more bang for the buck by addressing the two key weaknesses of its armor—a new gun design and new ammunition.