Due to various political and geographical implications, the question is more complicated to answer than it would appear to be.

 

This seemingly easy and straightforward question is extremely controversial due to international political alignments which makes it difficult to get a uniform answer. Geographically, Eastern Europe consists of countries on the eastern side of Europe. Eastern Europe, as a term, has a socioeconomic and geopolitical angle and even scholars from the region seem not to agree on a single definition. To better understand and conclude this question, it is important to look at the different opinions about Eastern European countries.

Definitions of Eastern Europe

There are important definitions of this region, first of which is the cultural dimension which indicates that the countries of Eastern Europe have cultures influenced by Greek, Russian, Byzantine, Eastern Orthodox, and Ottoman cultures. Another definition looks at the Cold War era where the term “Eastern Bloc,” described communist countries in the region that were not part of the Soviet Union and buffered Western Europe from the USSR. Also known as the “Iron Curtain,” these countries stagnated in development. As a consequence of this history, some citizens of this region may not associate themselves with the term Eastern Europe. UN Statistics Division lists Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Romania, and Poland as countries in Eastern Europe. Other sources include Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, and Bosnia in this list as well as the Baltic countries.

Some Examples Of Countries Considered As Part Of Eastern Europe

Latvia

The Republic of Latvia is a Baltic state bordering Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Russia. It also shares a maritime border with Sweden. There are approximately 1,957,200 Latvians within the country’s 24,938 square miles’ territory. Historically, Latvia has been under different rules including Swedish, Polish, Livonian, German, and Russian as well as forced incorporation into the Soviet Union just before the onset of World War II. Latvia restored its independence in 1991 through a revolution and fully embraced democratic governance. Managing to maintain the Baltic language and identity despite centuries of foreign rule, this country also managed to hold on to its majority protestant belief while few others adopted the Catholic faith and Eastern Orthodoxy. Currently, Latvia is a member of regional bodies like the UN, NATO, EU, IMF, WTO, and the Council of Europe.

Moldova

Moldova is a landlocked country that borders Romania and Ukraine. Between the fourteenth and the nineteenth centuries, Moldova was a vassal state to the Ottoman Empire after which the Russian Empire took over the territory. As part of the dissolution of the USSR, Moldova declared its independence in 1991. Moldova has the poorest economy in Europe and it is the least visited by tourists. This country practices a parliamentary democracy with a president as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government. Moldova is a member of the UN, WTO, GUAM, and Council of Europe and it has also shown interests of joining the EU.

Romania

Between 1947 and 1989, the Socialist Republic of Romania practiced Marxist-Leninist system led by a brutal party that tortured and executed many citizens. On November 11, 1989, students and activists protested in search of reforms and after a series of protests, a revolution against the government ensued. During the revolution, 1,104 people died and the number of those wounded stood at 3,352. The revolution facilitated the trial and prosecution of some government officials while at the same time introducing major economic and political reforms.

Eastern Europe After The Fall Of The Soviet Union

After the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union, Eastern European countries rejoiced at their new social, economic, and political freedoms. The joy was, however, short-lived as internal political and economic disturbances soon cropped up. Most of these countries experienced violent political supremacy battles and border disputes. Eager to develop their systems, many citizens destroyed, replaced or discredited items of their Soviet past. With the new-found freedom, decades of ethnic animosities within the region also erupted leading to ethnic unrest and territorial disputes. Positive changes also happened during this time. One of the hallmark transformation of Eastern European countries was the opening of their doors to the west, and the rest of the world, as evidenced in the music, commerce, fashion trends, and electoral processes.

Which Countries Are in Eastern Europe?

Countries that are generally considered to be a part of Eastern Europe are Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova.

What Countries Are in Eastern Europe?

Rank	Countries
1	Russia
2	Lithuania
3	Latvia
4	Estonia
5	Romania
6	Ukraine
7	Moldvoa

Top 10 Coffee Consuming Nations

The top coffee consuming nations in the world, based on per capita consumption.

 

 

With a Starbucks on almost every corner, McDonalds converting to McCafe, and Dunkin Donuts as an integral part of many morning commutes, it's hard to believe that anyone drinks more coffee than Americans. Yet, on a per capita coffee consumption basis, the USA is medium sized beverage, in a sea of extra large coffee drinking nations.
While coffee drinking originated in Yemen in the 15th century, and the image of a Parisian cafe or a Roman espresso bar are often the first thought when it comes to the "home" of coffee drinkers, none of these nations break the top ten in terms of how much coffee each citizen consumes. So how do the countries of the world stack up when it comes to coffee consumption?

10 – Canada: 6.5 kg per capita

Canada stands out as the only non-European country to make the list of the world's top ten coffee producers. From east to west, Canadians love their coffee. Although popular chains are common across the country, every city in Canada is often home to a number of independent shops as well. The drink is so popular in this country of 33 million that the Coffee Association of Canada calls it the most commonly consumed beverage in the country.
Despite the prevalence of coffee shops in Canada, many Canadians prefer to drink their coffee at home. Cold weather and long winters have been stated as a popular pull factor, drawing residents into the allure of the hot brown beverage.

9 – Luxembourg: 6.5 kg per capita

Luxembourg may be a small country, but its love for coffee is big. This small western European country drinks around 6.5 kg per capita per year, on average. In the capital of Luxembourg City, coffee shops abound, serving both simple filter drip coffee as well as artisan drinks. Some of the espresso drinks unique to Luxembourg include a "lait Russe", or "Russian Milk", which is essentially a latte, or a "cafe gourmand", a type of espresso drink originating in French that is intended to be served with a dessert.

8 – Belgium: 6.8 kg per capita

When you think of Belgium, visions of waffles and beer may dance in your head, but Belgium has a long history of pairing their national obsession with chocolate with their 1.35 cups of coffee per day.As a former colonial power in Africa, Belgium was able to feed its demand for coffee by growing the plant in the Congo and Rwanda. Today, with coffee shops in every town, it's easy to grab a quick cup to accompany the world-famous waffles that are the nation's answer to a donut.

7 – Switzerland: 7.9 kg per capita

Like many countries making this list, coffee is a social activity in Switzerland. Espresso-based drinks are particularly popular in this central European country, including the "caffè crema", a type of espresso drink similar to an Americano that is said to have originated in Switzerland near the Italian border. Unlike many of its Scandinavian counterparts, filter coffee is less popular amongst the Swiss.
For the average Swiss who drinks up to five cups a day, coffee can be an expensive pastime, as a cup of coffee in a cafe can be as high as 3.5 US dollars.

6 – Sweden: 8.2 kg per capita

In Sweden, there is a concept known as "fika", which literally means "to have coffee". Within this concept, the pairing of cookies or pastries is implied. A variety of situations can qualify as a "fika", whether it be a break during the working day or a social gathering. The one important common denominator is that there is coffee involved.
Many Swedes take their coffee very seriously, to the point where it is not only a beverage in the country, but a way of life. Although coffee can certainly be enjoyed in the comfort of one's home, alone, coffee is for the most part a social interaction. In major cities like the capital of Stockholm, coffee shops, chains and independent locations alike, can be found in abundance.

5 – Netherlands: 8.4 kg per capita

In 1616, the Dutch were the first Europeans to obtain live coffee trees, brought back from Mocha, Yemen by Pieter van der Broecke. The beans from these coffee bushes were then used to begin Dutch coffee cultivation, with the colonies of Java and Suriname eventually becoming major suppliers of coffee to Europe.
Nowadays coffee houses in Amsterdam are well known for serving coffee alongside another specialty item, marijuana, but don’t let that cloud your vision, coffee culture is still strong and rich in the Netherlands. On average the Dutch drink 1.84 cups per day.
Coffee is served in the home for "Koffietijd" (Coffee Time), usually with cookies and cakes. Interestingly the coffee culture is somewhat split between the north and south and along religious lines. The north was traditionally populated with Protestants who prefer to serve coffee with only one cookie, seen as a gesture of modesty. In the south, traditionally populated by Roman Catholics, Koffietijd typically includes "vlaai," a large sweet pie.

4 – Denmark: 8.7 kg per capita

If the Nordic nations are the kings of Coffee, this nation is appropriately the Danish Prince of the hot brown drink. Residents of the kingdom sip about 1.46 cups of coffee per day.
Like other Scandinavians, coffee in Denmark traditionally is served at each meal and becomes the central focus during special occasions, served with cookies, cakes, and small sandwiches. Danes rank slightly better on another statistic, having the 6th most expensive coffee in the world, so each of those 1.46 cups cost them a pretty krone. So grab a Danish-made Bodum coffee press and some aptly named danishes, and dream about spring in Copenhagen.

3 – Iceland: 9 kg per capita

There must be some correlation between cold climates and a cup of coffee - perhaps it adds a perfect touch of coziness to staying inside on a cold, dark day. Like its other northern European counterparts, the island country of Iceland enjoys, on average, 5 cups of coffee a day per person!
In the capital city of Reykjavik, you won't find coffee giants like Starbucks or Second Cup. However, there is no shortage of smaller, independent coffee shops scattered across the city, many in close radius to one another. In case there was any question whether or not Iceland takes its coffee drinking seriously, the country hosts competitions which place baristas and roasters against one another, in a quest to find the country's highest quality brew.

2 – Norway: 9.9 kg per capita

Like most European countires, coffee in Norway was first made popular among the wealthy in the early 18th century. Even though Norway was a relatively poor country, being ruled by Denmark at the time had its benefits; in this case, lots of cheap java.
Kaffe is typically served black at breakfast, and with dessert after dinner. Norwegians also commonly invite people over specifically for coffee, served with cakes and pastries. The average Norwegian drinks nearly 2 cups of coffee a day, which means the roughly 5 million people of the nation consumed a combined 36,472,000kg in 2012. If you are ever in rural Norway don’t forget to try "karsk", a cocktail made with weakly brewed coffee and a hefty helping of vodka or moonshine. Don’t worry, if it's too strong you can always light it aflame to burn off some of the alcohol!

1 – Finland: 12 kg per capita

If you’ve ever met a Finn you know that the national average of 12 kg per capita is probably on the low end for most in Finland. If you were to take children out of the calculation, the national average would rise even higher!
Coffee is typically consumed all day, every day, and coffee breaks are required by most workers' unions. Special occasions and post-church luncheons are celebrated with a coffee table - a buffet of cold sandwiches, breads, cookies and cakes, and of course endless "khavi".
The most popular coffees in Finland are very light roasts, much lighter than anywhere else in the world. This probably originated early on when Finns would purchase green coffee berries to roast themselves at home. The traditional Finn way of brewing coffee is a variation on Turkish coffee where water and coffee grounds are brought just barely to a boil repeatedly.
The Finnish coffee culture may stem from varying influences such as Lutheran work ethic, Swedish rule, and several prohibitions on coffee, but one thing is for sure: coffee isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you are ever invited to a Finnish home prepare to be met with hot pots of coffee - just don’t ask for decaf, it's virtually non-existent in this Nordic country.

Which Countries Drink the Most Coffee?

The top three coffee-drinking countries in the world are Finland, Norway, and Iceland.

Top 25 Coffee Consuming Nations

Rank	Country	Coffee Consumption (Kg per Person Per Year)
1	Finland	12.0
2	Norway	9.9
3	Iceland	9.0
4	Denmark	8.7
5	Netherlands	8.4
6	Sweden	8.2
7	Switzerland	7.9
8	Belgium	6.8
9	Luxembourg	6.5
10	Canada	6.5
11	Bosnia and Herzegovina	6.2
12	Austria	6.1
13	Italy	5.9
14	Brazil	5.8
15	Slovenia	5.8
16	Germany	5.5
17	Greece	5.4
18	France	5.4
19	Croatia	5.1
20	Cyprus	4.9
21	Lebanon	4.8
22	Estonia	4.5
23	Spain	4.5
24	Portugal	4.3
25	United States	4.2

Top 10 Wettest Places On Earth By Annual Rainfall

The wettest places on Earth, Mawsynram and nearby Cherrapunji in India, are known for their lush greenery and visited by tourists from around the world.

           

Rainfall patterns vary widely across the world and are dependent on several factors. The topography of the land, nearness to water bodies, latitude, prevailing temperatures, wind patterns, etc., all act together to influence the volume of precipitation in a place.

The Wettest Places In The World

Mawsynram, India

Mawsynram, located in the Meghalaya State in India, is the wettest place in the world. It receives an annual rainfall of 11,871 millimeters. The mountainous terrain of the surrounding land forces the northward-moving warm moist monsoon winds coming from the Bay of Bengal to converge over Mawsynram. The Khasi Hills where Maysynram is located is directly in the path of this airflow. Uplift over these hills by vigorous winds blowing in the region constantly cools down the vapor bearing clouds which then fall in the form of rain. The high rainfall makes the region have numerous rivers and waterfalls. The dwellers of Mawsynram have adapted to the wet conditions and never leave the house without an umbrella. The residents make basket-like covers with reeds to block out the rain as they work in the fields. December and January are the driest months in Mawsynram when the rainfall can trickle down to around 60 millimeters.

Cherrapunji, India

Cherrapunji is located only 15 kilometers from Mawsynram in Meghalaya. It is the second wettest place in the world. Cherrapunji receives an annual rainfall of 11,777 millimeters. The region stands at 4500 feet above sea level on the Khasi Hills and receives its rainfall from the monsoon winds blowing in from the Bay of Bengal. During the summer season, temperatures can rise as high as 23 degrees Celsius and dip down to as low as 7 degrees Celsius in the winter months.

Tutunendo, Colombia

Tutunendo is a municipality in Colombia in South America. It receives extremely heavy rainfall and is the world's third wettest place. Persistent, apparently constant clouds and rain shape the climate of this place. Autumn is the wettest time of the year in Tutunendo. During the driest months of the year, February and March, precipitation still occurs about 20 days a month. Throughout the year, the skies remain cloudy with only three to four hours of sunshine each day.

Cropp River, New Zealand

Cropp River is a river flowing for 9 km in New Zealand before draining into the Whitcombe River. The Cropp River region recorded 1,049 millimeters of rainfall on December 12th to 13th, 1995, the highest ever registered in New Zealand in 48 hours. It is the fifth rainiest place on Earth.

Other Extremely Wet Destinations

Other wet places in the world in regard to the amount of rainfall they receive are San Antonio de Ureca, Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea, which receives 10,450 millimeters of rainfall annually; Debundscha, Cameroon, Africa (10,299 millimeters); Big Bog, Maui, Hawaii (10,272 millimeters); Mt. Waialeale Kauai, Hawaii (9,763 millimeters); Kukui, Maui, Hawaii (9,293 millimeters); and Emei Shan, Sichuan Province, China (8,169 millimeters).

Where is the Rainiest Place in the World?

Mawsynram, located in the Meghalaya State in India, is the wettest place in the world with an annual rainfall of nearly 500 inches.

The Ten Wettest Places In The World

Rank	Place	Location	Average Annual Rainfall
1	Mawsynram	Meghalaya State, India	11,871mm
2	Cherrapunji	Meghalaya State, India	11,777mm
3	Tutunendo	Colombia, South America	11,770mm
4	Cropp River	New Zealand	11,516mm
5	San Antonio de Ureca	Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea	10,450mm
6	Debundscha	Cameroon, Africa	10,299mm
7	Big Bog	Maui, Hawaii	10,272mm
8	Mt Waialeale	Kauai, Hawaii	9763mm
9	Kukui	Maui, Hawaii	9293mm
10	Emei Shan	Sichuan Province, China	8169mm

The Richest Countries In South America

Today, Uruguay is the richest country in South America with a per capita income of $17,164.89.

The economy of the South American continent represents the economy of the 12 nations and 3 territories of the continent housing a total population of about 410 million. Initially, after attaining independence, most South American nations used the Import Substitution economic policy. The policy was implemented from the 1930s to the 1980s. It was implemented with the objective of growing domestic businesses which were at that time not competitive and at par with international industries. However, the policy led to a debt crisis in the continent and the countries fell farther behind the Western countries in economic development.
The real growth of the South American economies began in the 1990s when the countries adopted the Free-Market economy system which helped the countries overcome the debt crisis. At present, agriculture, mining, and forestry are the major South American industries. Here is a list of the richest countries of South America by per capita income.

5. Peru - $7,002.09

Peru is the fifth richest country in South America in terms of per capita GDP. Some of the most important industries in the country include mining, manufacturing, fishing, and tourism. Peru is repeatedly cited as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, and its HDI (Human Development Index) is growing as well. The service industry, which often makes up the majority of the economy of the world's richest countries, is growing in Peru, and currently accounts for just under the country's economy.

4. Brazil - $8,967.66

Brazil, the largest country in South America by both size and population, is also the fourth richest country in the continent in terms of GDP (PPP). Brazil has a long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and is bound by most of South American countries with the exception of Chile and Ecuador.
The economy of Brazil can be described as an inward-oriented economy. The country’s economy suffered a major setback in 2013 and entered a recession the next year. It is currently recovering from the recession, though the country has pretty much re-emerged. The service sector contributes 67.0% of the GDP and the industrial sector accounts for 27.5%. Agriculture accounts for a mere 5.5% of the country’s GDP.

3. Argentina - $11,626.92

Spanning an area of 2,780,400 square km, Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world. It is the third richest country in South America in terms of GDP per capita. The country is located in the continent’s southern part where it is bordered by Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It has an extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Argentina has a population of around 43 million people.
The economy of Argentina is based on the country’s rich natural resources, export-oriented agriculture, an educated population, and a diversified industrial sector. The economic performance of the country has gone through several ups and downs in the past few decades. Currently, it is classified as a middle emerging economy.

2. Chile - $16,078.71

Chile has the richest economy in South America in terms of GDP per capita. Chile occupies a long and narrow strip of territory between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range in southern South America. Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina are the immediate neighbors of Chile. The country covers an area of about 756,096.3 square km. As of 2012, it has a population of 16,341,929.
Chile is one of the most prosperous and stable economies of the continent and the World Bank ranks the Chilean economy as a high-income economy. It is the world’s 30th most competitive country. The largest economic sectors by GDP in Chile are mining, business and personal services, wholesale, retail trade, and manufacturing. Only 4.9% of the GDP is contributed by the agricultural and allied sectors.

1. Uruguay - $17,164.89

Uruguay is the richest South American nation in terms of GDP per capita. The country is located in South America’s southeastern region where it occupies an area of about 176,000 square km. The population of the country is 3.42 million.
Uruguay has a stable economy with a literate workforce and an export-oriented agricultural sector serving as the pillars of the country’s economy. Beef and wool are the most powerful export-oriented industries in the country. Some mining activities are also carried out. Plastics are the most significant manufactured exports of the country. The telecommunications sector is also well-developed. Travel and tourism contribute to 9.4% of the country's GDP.

What are the Richest Countries in South America?

Chile is the richest country in South America, with a per capita income of $24,588. Uruguay and Argentina follow closely behind as the second richest and third richest country.

The Richest Countries In South America

Rank	Country	Per Capita GDP
1	Uruguay	17,164.89
2	Chile	16,078.71
3	Argentina	11,626.92
4	Brazil	8,967.66
5	Peru	7,002.09

The Largest Airports in the World

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is the biggest airport in the world by surface area.

Denver International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world.

 

An airport plays a crucial role in air transport and provides facilities for planes to land and take off. An airport will always have a landing area, runway, or helipad, and adjacent utility buildings like terminals and hangars. There are small airports and big airports and there are massive airports in terms of area coverage. The Middle East has some of the world’s largest airports, and King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia is by far the largest in the world. At almost 78,000 hectares, it is bigger than the adjacent country of Bahrain (76,000). The world's five largest airports are discussed below.

The World's Largest Airports

1. King Fahd International Airport - Dammam, Saudi Arabia (77,600 hectares)

King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is the largest airport in the world covering an area of 78,000 hectares. The design of the airport began in 1976 and was created by Yamsaki & Associates architects together with Aerosystems International. The construction began in 1983 and was completed in 1999 when commercial operations began.
The airport has a massive 6 story passenger terminal out of which three are for passenger processing, one for arrivals, one for departure, and one for boarding. The passenger terminal covers an area of 3,520,000 square feet and it is equipped with many customer counters, including 66 reserved for Saudi airlines and 44 for foreign airlines. The remainder of the counters are reserved for immigration and customs. The airport has a mosque built on the rooftop of the car park and has architectural designs that fuse modern style with old Islamic styles, and can accommodate 2,000 worshippers. The airport also has the royal terminal that is reserved for the royal family, senior government officials, and other foreign officials. The royal terminal covers an area of 177,000 square feet.

2. Denver International Airport - Denver, USA (13,571 hectares)

Denver International Airport (DIA) in Denver, Colorado is the world’s second largest airport by land area and the largest airport in the United States. It covers a total of 13,726 hectares. The airport has the longest public use runway in the US. DIA has the third largest domestic connection in the US and has non-stop connections throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America serving 187 destinations.
The airport was voted the best in North America for six consecutive years from 2005 to 2010 and was also named the best-run airport in America by Time Magazine in 2002. The airport serves as the main hub for Frontier Airlines and fourth-largest hub for United Airlines.

3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - Dallas, USA (6,963 hectares)

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas is the world's third largest airport by land area, with a size of 7,800 hectares. Aside from holding this title, it is also known as one of the busiest airports in the world. DFW flies to over 200 destinations across the world. The most popular destination is Los Angeles, California, followed by Chicago, Illinois. The airport is home to five terminals in total.

4. Orlando International Airport - Orlando, USA (5,383 hectares)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest airport in Florida as well as one of the busiest airports in the United States. It covers 5,383 hectares, making it the largest airport in the world. it primarily serves the Orlando area in Central Florida, which is a hugely popular tourist destination thanks to its massive theme parks. Over half of Florida's population can drive to Orlando International Airport in less than two hours.

5. Washington Dulles International Airport - Washington, D.C., USA (4,856 hectares)

Washington Dulles International Airport is an airport located in Virginia. The airport is 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, D.C., in Virginia's Loudoun and Fairfax counties. It is named for Secretary of State John Foster Dulles who served under President Eisenhower. The airport covers an area of 4,856 hectares and serves the area around Washington, D.C. The airport is home to 135 gates and flies to over 100 destinations.

Airports in the United States

As you can see from the table below, the United States is home to 7 of the 15 largest airports in the world. Aside from the 4 airports listed above, the United States also boasts of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas at 4,451 hectares, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago,  Illinois at 2,913 hectares, and Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah at 2,830 hectares. Although these airports might be the largest in the United States, they are not the busiest airports in the US. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has an annual passenger count of about 50 million while Denver International Airport has only 30 million.

What is the Biggest Airport in the World?

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is the biggest airport in the world by surface area. The passenger terminal of the airport covers a total of 3.5 million square feet.

The World's 15 Largest Airports By Size

Rank	Official Name	City	Country	Size of the Airport (in hectares)
1	King Fahd International Airport	Dammam	Saudi Arabia	77,600
2	Denver International Airport	Denver	United States	13,571
3	Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport	Dallas	United States	6,963
4	Orlando International Airport	Orlando	United States	5,383
5	Washington Dulles International Airport	Washington, D.C.	United States	4,856
6	George Bush Intercontinental Airport	Houston	United States	4,451
7	Shanghai Pudong International Airport	Shanghai	China	3,988
8	Cairo International Airport	Cairo	Egypt	3,625
9	Suvarnabhumi Airport	Bangkok	Thailand	3,240
10	Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport	Paris	France	3,237
11	Madrid-Barajas Airport	Madrid	Spain	3,050
12	O'Hare International Airport	Chicago	United States	2,913
13	Salt Lake City International Airport	Salt Lake City	United States	2,830
14	Amsterdam Airport Schiphol	Amsterdam	The Netherlands	2,787
15	Frankfurt Airport	Frankfurt	Germany	2,300

Why Isn't There a King of England?

Queen Elizabeth II is the current Queen of England.

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

 

Historically, kingdoms are ruled by kings and not queens. In Britain, there has always been a likelihood that a man will rule due to the primogeniture of favoring males over females regardless of who is older. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended to power on February 6^th, 1952, following the sudden death of her father King George VI. She reigns over the United Kingdom, UK territories, and the Commonwealth nations. In modern times, the duties of the monarch are largely ceremonial and diplomatic.

Origin of the Monarchy

The history of the monarchy traces back to the existence of small kingdoms of early Anglo-Saxon England and medieval Scotland. In the 10^th century, the minor kingdoms consolidated to form the Scotland and England kingdom. The kingdom gradually conquered other territories and by 1707, the Kingdom of Great Britain was created. In 1801, the kingdom became bigger with the joining of the Kingdom of Ireland. Although part of the monarchy seceded to form the Irish free state in the 1920s, the kingdom has remained steadfast.

Succession

Accession to the throne is governed by various statutes and only an Act of Parliament can alter the statutes. The immediate heir apparent takes over the throne upon the death of a sitting monarch. Accession council sits at St. James Palace and publicly proclaims the next ruler who is crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Restrictions to the Throne

Since the formation of the kingdom, there have been restrictions regarding accession to the throne based on either religion or gender. Traditionally a male was given preference over a female. A son ascends before a daughter and if the children are of the same gender then the elder inherits before the younger one. However, in 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that gender-based preference was to be abolished for any child born after October 28, 2011. Another law that was abolished was the 1701 Act of Settlement which stated that one cannot succeed the throne if he or she is married to a Catholic.

Why Isn’t There a King of England?

If the immediate former monarch the Late King George V1 had a son, then he would have ascended to the throne making England have a king. However, King George V1 who reigned between December 11, 1936, and February 6, 1952, gave birth to only two daughters named Elizabeth and Margaret. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, therefore took over as the monarch and is the current ruler. Though Elizabeth is married to Prince Philip, the law does not allow the husband to take the title of a king. The reason being Queen Elizabeth is queen regnant, having inherited the position thereby becoming a ruler in her own right.

Will There be a King in Britain in the Future?

Queen Elizabeth is currently the longest reigning British monarch having ascended to the throne in 1952. Upon the death of the queen, her firstborn, Charles, will take over the throne as long as he does not die before his mother or abdicate the position. The second born of the queen is a daughter named Ann. She and her descendants come after Charles and his descendants as heir to the throne. Charles gave birth to two sons, William who is now the second in line to accession to the throne and George.

10 Animals Found In Haiti

Examples of animals that inhabit Haiti include the West Indian manatee, Hispaniola solenodon, and greater bulldog bat.

                                                       The West Indian Manatee is found in Haiti.

Haiti is a country in the Caribbean that is located on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. While the country's terrain is varied, Haiti experiences a primarily tropical climate, and is inhabited by for several wildlife species, some of which are native to the island. The dense jungles are home to terrestrial animals such as insects, birds, snakes, and bats, while the surrounding waters are a haven for marine life. However, deforestation, rising sea levels, and erosion are a concern for the country's wildlife. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, French colonists cleared vast tracts of forest land for sugarcane plantation, while a population explosion during the 20th century resulted in further deforestation. Examples of the animals that inhabit Haiti are listed below.

Hispaniola Solenodon

The solenodon is a small, venomous, nocturnal, burrowing mammal that resembles a shrew. The rodent is native to Cuba and Hispaniola, and is only found on the two islands. The solenodon, which was first documented in 1833 in the undisturbed forest of southern Haiti, is an elusive and squeaky animal that is difficult to spot, especially during the daytime. Unfortunately, it is critically endangered, and very few sightings have been recorded over the past decade.

Hispaniolan Hutia

The Hispaniolan hutia is a large rodent that resembles a capybara or guinea pig. The animal spends time in rock crevices and trees in order to avoid predators, and as herbivorous rodents they are also occasionally found near fruit and nut trees. They are hunted for food in Cuba, where they are cooked in pots with honey and nuts. A thriving Hispaniolan hutia population exists in Guantanamo Bay due to an abundance of food and a shortage of predators. The hutia has earned the nickname "banana rats" not because the banana is the species' favorite food, but because its fecal excrement is banana-shaped.

West Indian Manatee

The West Indian manatee is one of the many forms of marine wildlife in Haiti. The mammal, which is the largest of the manatee family, previously had a conservation status of "endangered", but has since been downgraded to "threatened". The West Indian manatee inhabits the waters of the Caribbean, as well as parts of South America, Central America, and Florida.

Greater Bulldog Bat

The greater bulldog bat is distributed throughout South America and the Caribbean, and is one of the few bat species that eat fish. The bat employs echolocation to detect small water ripples and uses a pouch on its leg to scoop fish from the water. Its diet also includes shrimp and crabs. Haiti was a haven for the greater bulldog bat, but years of deforestation and habitat destruction have left the mammal threatened.

Grey-crowned Palm-tanager

The grey-crowned palm-tanager is a threatened bird species that inhabits the 10 Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Haiti. The species was previously limited to Haiti, but a small number of birds have since migrated to the Dominican Republic. The destruction of natural forests is an immediate threat to the grey-crowned palm-tanager.

Candy Cane Snail

The candy cane snail is native to the island of Hispaniola and its range is limited to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The species is a land snail that cannot survive underwater, and only lives in the Haematoxylum campechianum tree. The candy cane snail has a beautiful, striped, multi-colored shell, which makes the snail desirable for collection and sale, although the practice is unlawful.

American Crocodile

The American crocodile is distinct from the American alligator, which is common in the US state of Florida. Although the crocodile also lives in southern Florida, large populations exist throughout Latin America, especially on the island of Hispaniola. It is a formidable predator that challenges the alligator and other crocodile species in terms of size. The American crocodile was considered threatened in North and Central America during the 1980s, but its population has since recovered.

Hispaniolan Ventriloquial Frog

The Hispaniolan ventriloquial frog is native to the cloud forests of Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Additionally, the entire global population is limited to Pic Macaya National Park. Deforestation and habitat destruction are a significant threat to the frog, but it is yet to attract the attention of conservationists.

Hispaniolan Brown Racer

There are approximately 27 species of snakes in Haiti, but none is poisonous enough to fatally endanger humans. Contact between the snake and humans occurs frequently, and it is common to find snake charmers performing in cities. The Hispaniolan brown racer is the most common snake on the island of Hispaniola.

Hispaniolan Trogon

The Hispaniolan trogon bird is the national bird of Haiti and is native to Hispaniola. The bird nearly became extinct after years of hunting and habitat destruction, but conservation efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries helped to restore its wild population. However, forest degradation remains an immediate threat to the Hispaniolan trogon bird.

10 Interesting Facts About Venus

The planet Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.

Venus is the second planet from the Sun after Mercury, the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon, and the closest planet to Earth. Venus is commonly referred to as "Earth’s sister" since the two planets are similar in mass and size. The surface of Venus is hidden under a dense cloud of sulfuric gas that prevents probes from landing on its surface. Some interesting facts about Venus are described below.

Named After the Goddess of Love and Beauty

Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty because it is the brightest planet and was occasionally visible from Earth. Additionally, most features on the surface of Venus are named after female figures. Venus is visible in the morning and evening, and ancient skywatchers believed they were two separate bodies until Greek astronomers proved that they were indeed the same planet.

Venus Has No Rings or Moons

Venus and Mercury are the only planets in the Solar System without either a moon or ring. Researchers believe that the two planets had moons in their early stages of formation, but were later dislodged by the Sun’s gravity. Moons keep planets stable and protect them from rogue asteroids and comets.

Hottest Planet in the Solar System

Venus is significantly warmer than Mercury, even though the latter is much closer to the Sun. The average surface temperature on Venus is about 462 °C, while Mercury ranges from 420 °C on the brighter side to -176 °C on the dark side. The dense atmosphere, which is 96.5% carbon dioxide, traps heat, resulting in a greenhouse effect. The fast-moving winds distribute heat evenly throughout the surface of the planet.

Venus Has an Unusual Rotation

All planets spin in an anti-clockwise rotation and revolve around the Sun anti-clockwise, except Venus. The planet revolves anti-clockwise but rotates clockwise. This unusual movement puzzled astronomers until they realized that the planet was in an inverted position. It is believed that at some point in its early history, Venus collided with a massive celestial body that knocked it from the upright position.

A UFO in the Sky

Venus is so remarkably bright that some initially believed it was an unidentified flying object (UFO). The brightness of Venus is attributed to the dense cloud of sulfuric and carbon dioxide gas that reflects light from the Sun, making the planet visible from Earth. The phases of Venus are visible using amateur telescopes.

Active Volcanoes

Fresh lava flows through the surface of Venus, implying that volcanic eruptions are frequent, and have been ongoing for millions of years. There are fewer craters on the surface of the planet, unlike Mercury, since the lava flow covers most of the craters. The continuous existence of active volcanoes is attributed to the planet's extreme temperatures.

Spacecraft Grave

The atmosphere and surface of Venus are intolerable to both humans and machines. The immense pressure necessitates external shields for probes, while the carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid corrode metal quickly. For example, the 880 °F temperature melts sensitive parts, rendering aircraft unusable. Russia's Venera 1 space probe lost contact with Earth and is believed to have crashed before it began transmitting feedback, while NASA's Mariner 1 also failed to communicate. Mariner 2 was able to take measurements of Venus but could not penetrate the dense atmosphere. In 1966, the Russia's Venera 3 landed on the surface of Venus but could only last for 2 hours.

Longer Day than Year

Venus takes 225 Earth days to make a complete revolution around the Sun and 243 days to complete a rotation, meaning that a day is longer than a year. The planet rotates slowly due to the Sun’s gravity, which nearly locks it in an orbital tide.

Weak Magnetic Field

Venus has a fragile magnetic field, a feature that surprised scientists who expected it to be similar to that of Earth’s. A possible reason for this is that the entire core of Venus is molten and is not cooling as expected.

Earth’s Sister

Venus is commonly referred to as "Earth’s sister" because of the similarity in size and mass. Billions of years ago, the planet had a climate similar to Earth, and researchers believe that vast oceans existed on its surface. However, extreme temperatures resulting from the greenhouse effect evaporated the water, and the surface became too harsh to sustain life.

Top 10 the Most Beautiful Flowers in the World

From wisteria to roses to tulips, we break down some for the world's most majestic flowers.

Floriculture is one of the most practiced businesses in the world. They are used to celebrate or mourn several important ocassions, and can also be used as decoration. Flowers themselves have many different symbols – for example, love is symbolized by roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums, innocence is symbolized by lilacs, daisies, and freesias and joyfulness are symbolized by Bird of Paradise flowers. Here are some of the 10 most beautiful flowers in the world.

10. Dahlia

Dahlias are bushy and colorful perennial plants that bloom summer through autumn. They were named after a botanist from Sweden called Anders Dahl. Dahlias were common in Mexico in the 16th century. They are currently grown in North America. They are termed as tuberous because they grow from small biennial tubers during spring. Growing Dahlias entails digging up tubers and storing them until the frost is over. They have different sizes and can grow up to five feet tall. Their favored environment is a moderate climate with loamy soil. There are about 42 varieties and the 18 known include peony, stellar and Water Lily. They are a source of food and are also widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

9. Gladioli

Gladioli are flowers with a unique shape, giving them the name "sword lily". During its cultivation, the gladiolus bulb must be stored until summer, when there is no frost, making March to May months suitable for their favorable growth. They are more than 23 known species. They grow to a height of up to 105 centimeters. They are popularly grown in South Africa. Gladioli are native to South Asia and the Mediterranean region. They are a symbol of moral integrity and strength.

8. Rose

Roses are sweet-smelling flowers whose stems have sharp prickles. They are the national flower of the United States of America, England, and the Maldives. They were grown by Minoans in Greece and Romans in Ancient Rome. Today, two-thirds of roses are grown in South Holland. Roses grow best in the spring season. They reproduce by cross-pollination to form rose hips which can be a source of food and oil. Rose oil extracted from the petals by steam distillation or solvent extraction has purposes in cosmetic and cookery. Roses also represent passion, romance, suffering, and peace.

7. Daffodil

Daffodils are cheerful flowers associated with the spring. They were discovered by a Greek botanist. Daffodils are majorly grown in Northern Africa, Britain, parts of Asia and in the Mediterranean region. Also known as lent lily, they are reported to grow best in cool and sunny conditions. Daffodils are a symbol of new beginnings. Daffodils can be yellow, orange, white and pink.

6. Sweet William

These are bushy flowering plants with a sweet fragrance. They are perennial but sometimes regarded as biennial in the carnation family. Sweet William flowers belong to the genus "Dianthus". They are also known as bearded pink. Their origin is in parts of Asia and Southern Europe. They thrive mostly in summer, with well-drained soil and adequate sunlight. Their habitation is based on woods and meadows. Sweet Williams are ornamental garden plants.

5. Forget-Me-Not

Forget-me-not are predominantly blue flowers. They were named in Greece although their native origin was in New Zealand. They are currently vastly grown in various regions of Europe, Asia, and America. They are a symbol of true love and memories. They can be edible. Due to their prolific ability, they are considered to be weeds when they grow in unwanted places. They can have a width up to three feet. These flowers tend to grow over water bodies. They require moisture and slight shade for growth.

4. Morning Glory

Morning glories are funnel-shaped, radiant flowers that take a maximum of about seventeen weeks to bloom. They add color to any dull place as they grow quickly and widely. They can grow up to twelve feet. They mostly grow from seeds. Morning glories require adequate sunlight to bloom. However, they die within the same day of their meaning, therefore translating to their symbol of love, affection, and mortality. Their roots were used medically to relieve constipation, indigestion, and headaches.

3. Wisteria

Wisterias are predominantly blue flowers which grow best during autumn and winter. They require moist soil which is well-drained and adequate exposure to sunlight. They are native to Japan, Korea, North America, and China. They are a symbol of love, sensitivity, and tenderness. Chinese Wisteria is considered to be diuretic. Their colors range from white, pink, purple to blue. However, wisteria is known to be toxic and poisonous.

2. Sunflower

Because of their nativity from Mexico and North America, sunflowers are also known as Californian flowers. Current growers of sunflowers include Kenya, Ukraine, and Russia. They grow best in well-drained soils and sufficient sunlight. They are a symbol of longevity and adoration. They can grow to a height of 3 meters. Short sunflowers can be used as beds and borders while sunflower seeds are food to animals. The sunflower oil that is produced from its seeds is useful in the cooking and cosmetic industries.

1. Tulip

These are large bright flowers with different shapes, colors, and heights. They were discovered in the 17th century. Tulips symbolized the reign of the Ottoman Empire. They require moderate temperatures to thrive and are currently grown in Holland. Tulips are the national flower of Turkey. They are reported to originate from Turkey and Central Asia. There are more than 3000 species that are classified according to Blooming seasons as early, mid and late. According to their color, they are a symbol of true love, royalty, and cheerfulness.

World Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas & Trends 2019

Are you looking for some of the hottest and trendiest ideas of Christmas decoration for your home? Do you want to decorate your home in the most beautiful and elegant way this Christmas? Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations and happy occasions for many people around the world. Everyone wants to make the best preparation by decorating the homes to welcome the guests on this special occasion. You will find the countless decoration ideas for your home on Christmas but you always want to choose the best. When it comes to decorating your home for Christmas, you can choose from these ten latest and trendiest Christmas decoration ideas for 2019:

10  Brilliant and stunning blue Christmas tree 
When it comes to finding a perfect design to decorate your Christmas tree, the brilliant blue color scheme will look elegant and appealing. If you have a white colored theme in your room, the blue designed Christmas tree will be a perfect stunning choice for it. You can use silver colored glass ornaments to add more charm to your tree. It is a modern and trendy decoration for your interior.

9  Elegant combination of blue and gold 
When it comes to finding something attractive and trendy, you can choose this hot decoration idea for Christmas. The combination of blue and gold will provide the luxurious and trendy appeal to the decoration of the Christmas tree. Go for a mixture of matte and shiny ornaments to provide your Christmas tree with an exceptional look. It will be eye-catching with your modern interior in-house.

8  Blooming design of Christmas tree 
It is one of the unique ideas with which you can provide a blooming look to your Christmas tree. You just need to find some beautiful colored flowers to add to your Christmas tree. It is really stylish and trendy idea. It will also look elegant, if you add some stunning ornaments, glass bulbs and golden colored ribbons to provide the eye-catching look.

7  Classic design is always elegant 
The Classic design of decoration on Christmas is always one of the most beautiful ideas for your home. If you do not want to put many efforts into decoration but still want to make it beautiful, this classic design will be the perfect choice for you. The perfect combination of red and white decoration on the Christmas tree will remain in trend forever. It will look really attractive with your home interior whether it is classic or modern. You can add some vibrant colored lighting and star ornaments to make it more eye-catching and appealing on Christmas Eve.

6  Starry design of Christmas tree 
These days, you can find the golden colored and 3D stars to decorate your Christmas tree in a beautiful way. It is one of the wonderful designs that you can choose for this Christmas evening. To provide your tree with a more beautiful look, add the golden lighting and some beautiful glass ornaments. It will steal every eye with its charm.

5  Frosted red design of Christmas tree 
When you choose the white snowy design for your Christmas tree, the red contrast will look wonderful on it. Pick red ornaments, berries and ribbons to create the stunning look of your Christmas tree. This hot design of decoration will shine in your place on Christmas Eve. Plus, it’s a perfect match for modern home interiors according to most popular interior design trends websites.

4  All white snow design 
The complete white snowy decoration will look stellar on your green Christmas tree. If you want to give a warm welcome to your guests, this cool design will be a great choice. Add white ornaments and snowflakes on the tree. It is simple yet an attractive design to decorate your Christmas tree in 2018.

3  Glam design of Christmas tree 

Are you looking for some good decoration ideas to provide your Christmas tree with glamorous look? This design comprises the perfect color scheme of black, gold and white for the Christmas tree. To decorate it, use small sized photo frames, gold feathers and some black ornaments. It perfectly matches white colored interiors.

2  Vibrant colored attractive design 
Do you want to celebrate this special occasion of Christmas with the splash of beautiful colors? If you are looking to find some good inspiration about the trendy decorations for Christmas trees, this color design will suit you. Just collect the ornaments, bulbs, and ribbons of your favorite colors to decorate the Christmas tree. You can add several  colors to make it vibrant. The  colored lighting will add a heavenly touch.

1  The glamorous pink and white design 
When it comes to finding something gorgeous and glamorous for the Christmas tree decoration, the combination of pink and white will look angelic. You can add golden ornaments and bulbs. It will look eye-catching in a white-walls room.

 

 

These are some of the trendiest Christmas trees. You should consider the theme of your room interior before choosing any of these stunning designs as the decoration of the Christmas tree. Any of these trees would warmly welcome your guests on this special holiday.