"50
0 Cold Facts about Britain" is a collection of interesting and unique information about the United Kingdom. From history to culture and people, this list of surprising facts sheds light on little-known aspects of British society. Here are some of the most fascinating tidbits from the list:
1. The shortest war in history was between Britain and Zanzibar in 1896, lasting just 38 minutes.
2. In 2015, a poll found that a tenth of British youth were unsure why easter is celebrated.
3. Even though the UK only makes up 0.2% of the world's population, it has produced 14% of all Nobel Laureates.
4. There are more chickens than people in the UK.
5. The Tower of London has been a royal palace, fortress, and prison throughout its history.
6. The highest peak in the UK is Ben Nevis, rising 1,345 meters in the Scottish Highlands.
7. The world's first public iron bridge was built in 1779 and spans the River Severn in Shropshire, England.
8. During the 16th and 17th centuries, it was common for wealthy British people to keep alligators as pets.
9. Green spaces in London cover over 60% of the city's area, making it one of the greenest cities in the world.
10 The London Eye is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe at 135 meters tall. 1
1. The UK has more accents than anywhere else in the world, with over 56 regional accents in the country. 1
2. The Beatles' Abbey Road album cover was photographed on the street of the same name. 1
3. The word "embarrassment" comes from the old French term for "obstacle" and was used to describe a horse that refused to jump over a fence. 1
4. The UK has over 22,000 miles of coastline, and no point is more than 75 miles from the sea. 1
5. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his writing. 1
6. The UK is the world's largest producer of legal cannabis for medicinal purposes. 1
7. English actor Daniel Radcliffe was the youngest non-royal to receive an honor from the UK's Queen Elizabeth II. 1
8. The London Underground, known as the "Tube," is the oldest underground rail system in the world. 1
9. The first-ever international soccer match was played between Scotland and England in 187
2. 20. There are over 200 languages spoken in London, making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. 2
1. British scientists discovered hydrogen in 176
6. 2
2. The British pound is the world's oldest currency still in use. 2
3. The UK is the largest consumer of cider in the world. 2
4. Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, is believed to be over 5,000 years old. 2
5. The Queen owns all the swans in the River Thames. 2
6. The first-ever escalator was installed in Harrods department store in London in 189
8. 2
7. The White Cliffs of Dover, made up of white chalk, stretch for 10 miles along the English Channel. 2
8. The UK has the largest population of red squirrels in Europe. 2
9. The first public zoo in the world was opened in London in 182
8. 30. In the UK, it is illegal to beat or shake any carpet or rug before 8 am. 3
1. The royal family has a "Warrant of Appointment" from the Queen that certifies their official status as court suppliers of goods and services. 3
2. The UK has more Indian restaurants than India itself, with over 10,000 in the country. 3
3. The longest continuous stretch of railway tracks is between Aberdeen and Penzance in the UK, spanning over 1,000 miles. 3
4. The first-ever Christmas card was sent in the UK in 184
3. 3
5. The UK has produced 28 Formula One World Champions, making it the most successful country in the sport. 3
6. The oldest complete human skeleton, dating back over 9,000 years, was discovered in Cheddar Gorge, England. 3
7. The world's first-ever passenger railway started operating between Stockton and Darlington in 182
5. 3
8. The UK was the first country to use postage stamps, leading to the creation of the Penny Black stamp in 1840. 3
9. The world's first computer, the Charles Babbage-designed Analytical Engine, was based in the UK. 40. The world's first-ever international rugby match was held between Scotland and England in 187
1. 4
1. The Lake District National Park in England is home to the highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and the largest lake, Lake Windermere, in England. 4
2. The first-ever telephone directory in the UK was one page long and listed 248 subscribers. 4
3. In the UK, you are legally required to aid anyone who is injured in a traffic accident. 4
4. The 2012 London Olympics featured over 206 competing countries with 10,500 athletes and 31 different sports. 4
5. The London Transport Museum features over 450,000 items related to the history of transport in London. 4
6. The UK has one of the largest rail networks in the world, with over 10,000 miles of track. 4
7. The world's first-ever vending machine was invented in the UK and dispensed holy water in exchange for coins. 4
8. The Houses of Parliament in London are home to the UK's government and feature over 1,100 rooms. 4
9. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is the largest government-funded healthcare system in the world. 50. The UK is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of London. These 50 cold facts show just how impressive and unique the United Kingdom is. From its history to its people and culture, the country has countless fascinating stories to tell.