The Colosseum in Rome (Italy) is the largest amphitheatre and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built from 2, 92, 000 cart-loads of stones and has 76 numbered gateways and 4 main entrances. It could hold an audience of 50,000.
The greatest volcanic explosion in history was the eruption of Krakatoa, Indonesia, in 1883. The explosion was heard across 8 per cent of the Earth's surface.
Almost one-eighth of the Earth's surface is dry desert and the continent with most deserts is Asia.
The worst lightning disaster, by a single bolt, occurred when a Boeing-707 jet aircraft was struck in Maryland (USA) in 1963, killing all the 81 passengers and crew ' members instantaneously.
The strongest wind ever measured on the Earth's surface, blew at 371 KMPH on Mount Washington, New Hampshire (USA).
Pentagon, the headquarters of USA's defence services, is the largest office building in the world, measuring 6, 10, 000 sq. mts., and is in Virginia (USA). This building was partially damaged by the AI-Qaeda attack on 11/09/2001.
Muscat, the capital city of Oman, has the world’s tallest lamp posts. Four of them are 63.5 m high.
Columbia in 1906 and Morioka (Japan) in 1993 have suffered the strongest earthquakes which recorded the highest ever of 8.9 Richter.
St. John Divine, the Gothic Cathedral Church of the diocese of New York (USA), is the largest Cathedral, with a plinth area of 11,240 sq. mts.
Shah Faisal Mosque, on the outskirts of Pakistan's capital city Islamabad, is the world's biggest mosque with space for 3, 00, 000 worshippers in its main prayer hall. It is shaped like a giant desert tent.
