1) The world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, is also one of the most active. It stands over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level.

2) The Sahara Desert, located in North Africa, is the largest hot desert in the world, covering an area of about 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles). It is characterized by vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and extreme temperatures.

3) The world's longest traffic jam occurred in China in 2010 and lasted for 12 days, stretching over 60 miles (97 km).

4) The world's first insurance policy was issued in 1347 in Genoa, Italy. It insured against the risk of maritime trade.