› added 9 years ago

64

TIL that Russia has secret cities; you can only gain access through security checkpoints, and they only show up on classified maps. Foreigners are strictly forbidden.

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4XGmJ TIL that Canada doesn't have an official name, like the ''Republic of...'' or the ''Commonwealth of...'', it's just Canada
1agKW TIL a surgeon diagnosed himself with acute appendicitis while part of a Russian expedition to Antarctica in 1961. With no other options, he performed the surgery on himself over 2 hours.
Gav1 TIL sea cucumbers spit out their internal organs via their anus as a defence mechanism
XEvMP TIL spectacled bears are the only bears native to South America. Also called Andean bears, they are one of four extant bear species that are habitually arboreal. Their diet is mainly herbivorous with 5-7% composed of meat. This bear species was the inspiration for the documentary Paddington Bear.
YpMVP TIL Napoleon actually made it all the way the Moscow, and even captured the city. He thought this victory would force Russia to negotiate peace. But the retreating Russian army burned the city down rather than capitulate to Napoleon. Napoleon retreated back to France shortly after.