Four greatest contributions to civilization stem from ancient China are the invention of the compass, the invention of papermaking, the invention of gunpowder, and the invention of printing.
The border between Canada and the United States is the world’s longest border: 5,525 miles - including 1,538 miles between Canada and Alaska.
Canada is the second largest country (3,855,103 square miles) in the world behind Russia, and it also has more inland waters and lakes than any other country.
In 2010, 59.8 million visitors came to the U.S., most of them came from:
1. Canada 20.0 million;
2. Mexico 13.5 million;
3. U.K. 3.9 million;
4. Japan 3.4 million;
5. Germany 1.7 million;
6. France 1.3 million;
7. Brazil 1.2 million;
8. S. Korea 1.1 million;
9. Australia 0.9 million; and
10. Italy 0.8 million.
Great Wall of China was the biggest military construction on earth. It was built between the 7th and 4th centuries BC in China, and is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 359.7 km
(223.5 mi) of trenches and 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers.
There were about 36.8 million flights carried over 2.4 billion people to around the world in 2010.
There were 94 aircraft accidents, 23 of those were fatal, and number of people killed by these accidents was 786 in 2010; there was one accident for every 1.6 million flights.
Around 21 percent of all aircraft accidents in 2010 is runway excursion, which is caused by an aircraft that goes off the runway during takeoff or landing.
The black box carried on an airplane is actually painted bright orange to make it more visible in an aircraft's wreckage.
It is a tough stainless metal-and-plastic case containing two recorders, and is installed in the rear of the aircraft. The black box records information about airspeed, direction,
altitude, accelerations, engine thrust, rudder, and spoiler positions from sensors that are located around the aircraft.
The U.S. has 503 airports, each serves at least 2,500 passengers a year.
China has added about 40 airports in the last decade alone, bringing its total to 166. The top eight airports commanded about half of all passenger traffic.
The top three -- Beijing,
Guangzhou and
Shanghai's Pudong -- handled half of all cargo traffic.
Hong Kong, the world’s most expensive city, has the most Rolls Royce’s per capita.
If you're connecting to the ship's onboard cell tower, you'll pay roaming fees around $5 per minute.
Under new federal rules that go into effect in March 2010, airlines must provide adequate food and potable water for passengers within two hours of an aircraft being delayed on the tarmac.
Airlines have to get aircrafts in the air within three hours, or allow the passengers off. The new rules apply to U.S. airlines and domestic flights. The new regulations authorize fines of as much as $27,500 per passenger for violations.
Starting June 1, 2009, adult U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the
Caribbean (17 nations) to have the U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other document approved by the
Department of Homeland Security. This is the second phase of
the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
The fee for tourist visa (L Visa) issued to a U.S. citizen, who comes to China for sightseeing or visiting family members or friends or for other personal affairs,
is $130 while the fee for citizens of other countries is $30. And it seems increasingly likely that China does not welcome American people visiting its country.
In 2008, there were 79.3 million people visiting
France, while 58 million and 57.3 million people visited the
United States and
Spain, respectively. The next lines are
China (53 million),
Italy (42.7 million), and
United Kingdom (30.2 million).
AirTran passengers are permitted one carry-on bag and one personal item. The first checked bag costs $15; a second is $25, a third $50.
Alaska Airlines
charges each passenger $15 for the first bag and $25 for a second bag for
bags checked at the airport for travel within the Continental U.S. or between
the Continental U.S. and Alaska. The third bag incurs a $50 fee.
American Airlines charges each passenger $25 for the first bag and $35 for a
second bag for bags checked at the airport for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It charges $100 per piece for the 3rd, 4th and 5th checked bags and $200 per piece
for the 6th checked bag and any additional pieces.
Continental Airlines charges each passenger $25 for the first bag and $35 for a
second bag for bags checked at the airport for travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Online payments are discounted $2-$3.
Delta Airlines charges each passenger $25 for the first bag and $35 for a
second bag for bags checked at the airport for travel within the U.S. Online payments are discounted $2-$3.
Hawaiian Airlines charges each passenger $25 for the first bag and $35 for a
second bag for bags checked at the airport for travel within the Continental U.S. or between the Continental U.S. and Hawaii. Online payments are discounted $2-$3.
JetBlue passengers are allowed to carry one bag (without charge). The second checked bag requires a $30 fee. The third bag incurs a $50 fee.
Southwest Airlines allows two free checked bags per customer. The 3rd through 9th bags will incur a charge of $50 per piece
Spirit Airlines is the only airline that charges up to $45 for carry-on-bags that don't fit under a seat. It also charges each passenger $25 ($19 online) for the first bag, $25 for a
second bag, and $100 for a third bag for travel within the U.S. Spirit does not guarantee it has space for the second or third checked bag.
United Airlines charges each passenger $25 for the first bag and $35 for the
second bag for bags checked at the airport for travel within the U.S. Oversize bags (beyond 50 lbs) incur a fee of $175, and overweight bags are assessed $125.
