› added 7 years ago

388

TIL that forests cover over 50% of Sweden, there are also around 100,000 lakes and over 24,000 islands throughout the country. Sweden’s right to public access laws allows these areas to be fully accessible by the public.

Read more sciencekids.co.nz

via ift.tt

ba4N TIL: Chicago, “The Windy City”, got that nickname not because of its weather, but because of its politicians bragging about the city to win the 1893 World’s Fair. Its average wind speed of 10.3 mph is not even exceptional relative to other American cities: Boston- 12.4mph, and NYC- 9.3mph.
N7Bm1 TIL powerful people are indeed more likely to take candy from a baby according to several studies. Researches at Berkeley believe power has a somewhat dehumanizing effect on people, and the powerful are more self-focused and less empathetic.
LQWvr TIL sugar beets were commercially introduced to Europe as an alternative to Indian sugar canes. As Britain blockaded sugar supplies to whole Europe in early 1800s, a different sugar route was required. During that time, Napoleon ordered in 32,000 hectares of sugar beets to be planted in France.
J1Lm4 TIL that the first item ever securely purchased over the Internet was a compact disc of Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales. It sold for $12.48 plus shipping.
J1NB8 TIL that in 2000, a British Airway flight plunged 30,000 feet in one minute after a mentally ill man stormed the cockpit and took control. The pilots subdued the man at 5,000 feet and were able to land at a nearby airport with minor injuries.