The post 4 Things You Didn’t Know About the Philippines appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>175 Languages
There are around 175 languages spoken in the country. 171 of them are considered “living” and four are the tribal dialects nobody speaks anymore. The official languages are Filipino and English. This is the fifth largest English-speaking country in the world, right behind the U.S., India, Pakistan, and the U.K.
Basketball
Basketball is extremely popular in the Philippines. Hoops are everywhere, men often wear NBA jerseys, and many young people train. They have the second oldest professional league in the world, younger only than the NBA.
Coconut
The Philippines is the number one producer of coconut. Their coconut is exported around the world, which is about 19.5 million tons every year!
Manila
The country’s capital, Manila, is officially the city with the highest population density on the planet. It’s insane when you think about it, but over 1.6 million residents live on 24 square miles! The metropolitan area of Manila, which consists of several other cities, counts nearly 13 million residents.
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]]>The post 3 Facts You Didn’t Know About Belgium appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Three Languages
Belgium is divided into three regions and has three official languages. Residents of different areas speak Dutch, French, and German. Most of them speak Dutch—more precisely, a dialect called Flemish, and French, while only a small group speaks German.
Flat Country
Belgium doesn’t have many mountains or even hills. The highest point of the country is at 694 meters (2.277 ft). The Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) are also known as Low Countries because most of their land is below or slightly above sea level.
(@travel.in.belgium)Bicycles
There are many cyclists around Belgium. Most people own bikes and use them for short-distance trips. This is healthy, saves money on gas, and reduces traffic. It’s easy to bike everywhere because there are lanes, parking spaces, and traffic lights specifically for cyclists. Cycling is also a popular sport in Belgium. Still, cities like Brussels and Antwerp have some of the worst traffic jams in Europe!
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]]>The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Moldova appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Moldovan Wine is Great
Moldova is known for its wine industry and the Moldovan wine is excellent. The Mileștii Mici underground wine cellar holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest wine cellar in the world.
Not Many Tourists
Moldova is one of the least visited countries in Europe. Five years ago it was the #1 least visited country in the continent. Ironically, that’s what makes it increasingly popular with tourists who want to avoid crowds and see something different, so it lost its infamous title.
National Dish
Moldova’s national dish is porridge, locally known as mămăligă. It’s made from yellow maize flour and traditionally served as a side to stews and meat dishes. It’s often topped with cottage cheese, sour cream, and even pork rind. It’s humble but very tasty and satisfying—a perfect comfort dish. You can even find it in the fancy restaurants, as well as in any Moldovan home.
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]]>The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Bangladesh appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The Biggest Mangrove Forest
The biggest mangrove forest in the world is located in Bangladesh. The Sundarbans forest is protected by Unesco. It covers 539 square miles and contains three wildlife sanctuaries. Many endangered species live in this biodiverse place which makes it internationally recognized and appreciated.
Third-Longest Beach
Bangladesh is probably not your typical beach vacation destination, but Cox’s Bazar Beach is the third-longest in the world. It spreads over 75 miles and the only bigger beaches are Praia do Cassino in Brazil and Ninety Mile beach in Australia. The beach is sectioned and among the most popular spots to visit are Laboni Beach, Humchari Beach, and Inani Beach.
700 Rivers
Can you imagine a country with around 700 rivers? Bangladesh is that country, and the three longest rivers in Asia are located there. A lot of water means plenty of greenery, which allows for the rich flora and fauna—Bangladesh’s wildlife is impressive. You can book an overnight boat trip on a paddleboard ferry called The Rocket, which offers a spectacular experience.
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]]>The post 3 Interesting Facts About Cameroon appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
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(@mrguy_letsgothere)Africa In Miniature
Cameroon is known as “Africa in Miniature” because it’s very diverse in landscape and culture. Every plant and animal that exists in Africa can be found in Cameroon. It’s actually one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Cameroon is also linguistically diverse. The official languages are English and French, but there are around 280 languages spoken in the country. The average person may have to speak six languages on a regular day.
Oldest Forest In Africa
The oldest forest in Africa is the Korup National Park Forest, a 60 million years old forest located in Cameroon near the Nigerian border. It’s home to around 4500 herbs, 600 tree species, and numerous animals like chimps, leopards, buffalos, and many more.
Football
Cameroon’s national football team is one of the best in Africa. They qualified for FIFA six times and participated in the World Cup five times. Their greatest success was in 1990 when they made it to the quarterfinals.
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]]>The post 3 Facts You Didn’t Know About Edinburgh Castle appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The Castle Sits Atop a Volcano
Edinburgh Castle was built on a hill known as Castle Rock, a volcanic plug that formed following an eruption 350 million years ago. No need to worry—it is no longer at any risk of erupting.
The Scottish Crown Jewels Were Lost In the Castle for Years
After the Union of Scotland and England in 1707, the regalia worn by Scottish monarchs at coronations, known as the Honours of Scotland, were locked in a chest in Edinburgh Castle and forgotten about for nearly a century. They were finally rediscovered by Sir Walter Scott in 1818 and have been on display in the castle since then.
The Castle Was Altered By the KGB
In the 16th century, King James IV of Scotland had small holes built into the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle so that he could spy on his courtiers’ conversations. When Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev visited Scotland in 1984, the KGB insisted that the holes be bricked over before his arrival.
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]]>The post Fun Facts About The Eiffel Tower You Didn’t Know appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>1. Eiffel Tower was built in the 19th century, in 1889, as the entrance arch for the World’s fair.
2. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, whose company was in charge of the building. Mr. Eiffel also had an apartment for himself at the top of the tower.
3. The Tower was made of iron and weights around 10,000 tons, while it is approximately 320 meters high, which varies due to temperature changes.
4. The Eiffel Tower has a French nickname; La Dame de Fer, which means the iron lady.
5. The famous structure was going to be demolished in 1909, but was kept because it was repurposed as a giant radio antenna.
6. The Eiffel Tower was originally intended for Barcelona, Spain, however, it was rejected.
7. There are 20,000 light bulbs placed on the Eiffel Tower.
8. There are more than 30 replicas of the Tower all around the world.
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]]>The post Why New Orleans is a Must-Visit, Quirky Destination appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The French Quarter Isn’t That French
The city was indeed formed by the French, it was named after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans in 1718. However, the Quarter was built during the Spanish rule. Many streets stillbeare French names, paying homage to the city’s origins, but the dominating architectural themes are Spanish.
New Orleans Is The Birthplace Of Jazz Music
Jazz was born with a drum, and not with a horn. It was the first city that allowed slaves to own an instrument. The famous trumpeter, composer, singer, occasional actor and one of the most influential figures in jazz, Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans.
The City If Famous for its Cuisine
New Orleans has a very unique and diverse cuisine. Beignets and soups made of turtle and alligator are local specialties.
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