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Russia Has 11 Time Zones but Used to Have Only Nine
Russia spans 11 time zones, more than any other country. In 2010 Dmitry Medvedev reduced them to nine to boost economic efficiency, but the change was so unpopular it was reversed in 2014.
Why It’s Fascinating
When it is midnight in Kaliningrad, it is already 10 AM in Kamchatka. The failed time zone experiment shows that even authoritarian governments cannot override the sun — human biology and daily life are bound to the rotation of the Earth.
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Approximately 109 billion humans have ever been born throughout history. With nearly 8 billion alive today, the living represent about 7 percent of all humans who have ever existed.
Nauru Is the Only Country in the World with No Official Capital
The tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru has no official capital city. Government offices are scattered across the island, mainly in the Yaren district, but no capital has ever been formally designated.
Lesotho Is the Only Country Entirely Above 1,000 Meters
Every point in Lesotho sits above 1,000 meters in elevation, making it the highest low point of any country on Earth. Its lowest elevation is 1,400 meters — higher than the highest point in many nations.
More People Speak French in Africa Than in France
Over 140 million people across 31 African countries speak French, compared to about 67 million in France itself. By 2050, Africa is projected to be home to 85 percent of the world's French speakers.
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