Kha
n Academy: The Home of Quirky, Fascinating Facts If you're the kind of person who enjoys pondering the weird and wonderful things that make our world so interesting, then you're probably already familiar with Khan Academy. Founded in 2008 by educator Salman Khan, this non-profit platform offers free, online courses in everything from math and science to history and art. However, what sets Khan Academy apart from other educational resources is its incredible range of "cold knowledge" – quirky, fascinating facts that are sure to make you stop and think. Here are just a few examples of the cold knowledge you can find on Khan Academy:
1. The highest point on Earth isn't actually Mount Everest. While Mount Everest is often referred to as the "roof of the world," it's not technically the highest point on Earth. That honor goes to a mountain called Chimborazo, located in Ecuador. Surprisingly, Chimborazo's peak is located closer to the Earth's equator, which means it's farther from the center of the planet. As a result, the force of the Earth's rotation actually flings the mountain's peak outward, making it the farthest point from the Earth's core.
2. The state of Florida is bigger than England. It may be hard to believe, but it's true: the state of Florida has a larger land area than England. Florida covers about 65,755 square miles, while England's land area is around 50,301 square miles. Of course, England has a much larger population, with over 55 million people compared to Florida's 20 million.
3. There are more possible iterations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the observable universe. If you thought chess was a complex game, just wait until you hear this: there are more possible variations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the observable universe. To be precise, the number of possible chess games is estimated to be around 10 to the power of 120 – far more than the estimated number of atoms in the universe, which is around 10 to the power of 80.
4. Humans have more bacterial cells in their bodies than human cells. It's a little unsettling to think about, but it's a fact: the human body contains more bacterial cells than human cells. In fact, it's estimated that around 90% of the cells in the human body are actually bacteria. Most of these bacteria are harmless or even beneficial, though some can cause illness or infection.
5. The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes. You may have heard of the Hundred Years' War, but have you heard of the Anglo-Zanzibar War? This brief conflict, which took place on August 27, 1896, was the shortest war in history, lasting only 38 minutes. The war was between the British Empire and the Sultanate of Zanzibar, and it ended with a British victory after the British forces bombarded the sultan's palace. These are just a few examples of the many intriguing and unusual facts you can find on Khan Academy. Whether you're a trivia buff or just enjoy learning new things, exploring the platform's cold knowledge is sure to expand your mind and spark your curiosity.