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Tag: Fun Facts

Know the World: Saudi Arabia

All You Can Books: Travel Series

On September 23, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated their National Day.  Buildings, roads, and cars are decorated with Saudi flags, there are traditional festivals, folklore dances, songs, and friends and family come together to mark the occasion.

Saudi National Day commemorates the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz.  The visionary King had fought tirelessly to unify the country after decades of upheaval and uncertainty from warring tribes and competing interests.  King Abdulaziz, head of the Al-Saud family, was finally able to unite the country under the name Saudi Arabia on 23rd September 1930 and since then the day has been a major celebration every year.

Let us dive deeper to know about this culturally rich country

Top 10 Interesting facts on Saudi Arabia

  • Mecca and Medina are two of the holiest cities of Islam. Non-Muslims are not allowed to step foot on these holy grounds
Mecca

Arabic is the official language in the religion of Islam

  • Too Much For Michael Phelps
Why is there a lot of oil in the Middle East? Causes and Origin
Source: https://www.thirdcoastautos.com/blog/why-is-there-a-lot-of-oil-in-the-middle-east/

Saudi’s oil reserves are envied the world over and their Ghawar oil field is the largest in the world. It has enough oil to fill 4,770,897 Olympic swimming pools.  We’re pretty sure even Michael Phelps couldn’t swim that many!

  •  It is strictly forbidden to carry and drink alcoholic beverages in Saudi Arabia
  • In Saudi Arabia, a liter of potable water is more expensive than a liter of oil
  • Youth Will Rise
The Status of Children in Islam (Part 1 / 2)

The population of Saudi Arabia is overwhelmingly young.  Only 5% of the population is over 60 compared to 47% that is under 24.  With such a contrast to more aging populations (like Japan), this bodes well for the modernization of such an important country.

  • Until 2006, taking pictures of government buildings, palaces and airports were also forbidden. Until today, you can still get in trouble with the civilians – and even with some of the policemen who are unaware of the law revision – if you go around shooting pictures in plain sight
  • Sex segregation is commonplace in Saudi Arabia. Single women – whether local or foreign – are never allowed to be accompanied by a male stranger
  • In 2012, Saudi Arabia banned smoking in government offices and most public places, which includes a ban on shishas (water pipes) and prohibits the selling of tobacco to minors. Saudi statistics state that the country is the world’s fourth-largest importer of tobacco, and Saudis spend about US$8 million a day on cigarettes
  • Nikah
Nikah Nama: The most important contract goes unnoticed! Why? | by Sab's  Lounge | Medium
Source: https://medium.com/@sabamehfooz1993/nikah-nama-the-most-important-contract-goes-unnoticed-why-beb32d13c7d8

In Saudi Arabia, wedding ceremonies are held separately for men and women. However, at some point during the wedding ceremony, or after its conclusion, the bride and groom do actually get together

  • According to Forbes magazine, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah is the 8th most powerful person in the world and the world’s most powerful Muslim

Let us know in your comments below, what did you think of these amazing facts.

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Know the World: France

All You Can Books : Travel Series

France is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into, from great cities like Paris, Bordeaux, and Marseille to the prehistoric sites of the Vézère valley and Brittany’s beautiful coastline.
But how well do you really know the country?

The country also has an extremely rich history. Because of this history, France developed bizarre customs and stories that make it one of a kind.

Embrace “joie de vivre” with these fun facts about France.

TOP 10 FUN FRANCE FACTS

  • Francophone

Francophone is a person who can speak French Fluently.
Did you know how easy it is to become a ‘Francophone’? All you can books offer easy to learn language courses, which will help you in calling yourself a ‘Francophone’

  • French Toast is not French 😲

Some claim that French toast isn’t French, Neither are French fries. Fries actually come from Belgium, French Toast was actually invented by a man called Joseph French.

  • France hates ‘STOP’ signs

 France favors roundabouts over stop signs. In fact, they have about 30,000 in the country, which is more than half of all roundabouts in the world. According to studies, roundabouts reduce the overall number of collisions and the seriousness of collisions.

  • It is Illegal to Kiss on Railway Platforms

It is illegal to Kiss on France Railway Platforms to avoid delay in Train Timings. Well isn’t that an odd rule to keep things in place. But Hey! anything to get my train on time.

  • Louis XIX was king for 20 minutes

The shortest period a king or queen has ever reigned over a country was when Louis XIX, technically could claim himself as the king of France. It took about 20 minutes and he stepped down and placed his nephew in charge, and he never really ruled the country.

  • You can Marry a Dead person in France

In the 50’s it was decided that it should be allowed to marry a dead person, under special circumstances. One needs to prove that there were already plans on getting married, and also send a formal request to the President.

The one who marries a dead person will not inherit and the family of the deceased must approve the marriage as well.

  • It is Illegal to name your pigs ‘Napolean’

IN FRANCE it is illegal to name a pig Napoleon, almost 200 years after his death

Napoleon built a large empire that ruled over much of continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. He is considered one of the greatest commanders in history, and his wars and campaigns are studied at military schools worldwide.

Experts say the odd law exists because ­calling a pig after the emperor would insult a head of state.

  • Death Penalty = Guillotine (in France)

The guillotine was introduced as the official way to execute people back in 1792. It was a simple way that also let the people watch offenders get their punishment. Luckily, the death penalty was abolished in 1981.

The last execution with a guillotine in France happened in 1977 after a man from Tunisia named Hamida Djandoubi was sentenced to torture and later death.

  • France the land of Inventions

Among the many inventions, some notable ones are the hot air balloon, pasteurizer, stethoscope, and the parachute. Each of these has changed the world.

In recent years there is one particular famous French invention, namely the cell phone camera, which was first developed by Philippe Kahn, back in 1997.

  • Male impotence was considered a crime in the 17th century

Back in the 1600’s in France, it was considered a crime if a man wasn’t able to get an erection, and this was enough to let a woman file for divorce. If a married woman accused her husband of male impotence, he had to prove the contrary in front of an expert panel.

If he failed, which was understandably quite common, the man could also demand to get a second chance by having intercourse with his wife in front of a judge. Quite an obscene fact about France. The law was banished in 1677.

As you can tell, the history of France has created a rich culture. It has its quirks, just like any nation, but overall it’s a tremendous place to live and visit.

The French are well-known for the love of wine and cheese. They are also a very progressive culture that is on the cutting edge on a lot of social and environmental issues.

We hope these fun facts pique your interest in France. If you’d like to learn more about other countries be sure to check out our posts on Germany and Japan.

Be sure to check out All You Can Books and the variety of Language courses it offers :).

Until next week……

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