Facts about Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s top wonders as declared on the basis of world-wide poll. People from all over the voted for this renowned site located in the country of Peru (Latin America). Situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site. It is also one of the most popular tourist sites in world. Machu Picchu has been granted status of one of the most endangered sites in the world by World Monuments Fund. It is said that original residents of this place died within 100 years of its establishment because of spread of small pox.

• Machu Picchu is located at a very high altitude of 2,400 meters (7,875 ft) above sea level. The erstwhile Inca Empire used this historical place as its proud symbol. That explains why this is also called as "The Lost City of the Incas".
• Built around 1460, but later on abandoned.
• Situated on a mountain ridge, Machu Picchu looks through Urubamba River.
• It was discovered by an American Historian named Hiram Bingham in 1911.
• 1981 saw declaration of Machu Picchu as a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary.
• UNESCO gave it the status of World Heritage Site in 1983.
• Machu Picchu is built of approximately 140 structures.
• The Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana and Room of the Three Windows constitute the primary buildings of the structure.
• Polished dry stone walls in the traditional Inca style have bene used to create the structure.
• National Geographic Society is credited to make this place popular by publishing one complete issue dedicating Machu Picchu in 1913.
• Machu Picchu is one of the most popular toiurist destinations in the world.
• Intihuatana stone is said to be built as a calendar or astronomical clock.
  

Facts about India

India is a glorious land with numerous historical landmarks. India boasts of a wonderful past and captivating history. There are several fascinating facts about India which should be known to every citizen. India was termed as ‘Golden Bird’ because of its riches. Though, things changed drastically during modern days because of numerous invasions yet this culturally rich nation ahs many things to share. Indian history offers several pearls of facts hidden in the course of time.

• ·India gave rise to one of the oldest culture in world; Harappan culture in Indus Valley Civilization. Amazingly, 5000 years ago, several other cultures of that time were still comprised of nomadic forest dwellers. India was way ahead of many others.
• India is the country which gave birth to calculus, Algebra and Trigonometry. These basic fundamentals of Mathematics are gift of India to the world.
• Thinking man’s sport, Chess originated in India.
• Who was the country that gave the world Place value and Decimal value system? Of course, it’s India.
• Varanasi or Benaras is the oldest city in the world that is still inhabited today.
• Ayurveda is the foremost and oldest school of medicine and yes, it was originated in India and Father of Medicine Charaka gave it all the basic fundamentals and concepts.
• Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism took birth in India.
• The most famous exports by India is Yoga and not surprisingly during ancient times wise sages invented this art and practiced it.
• World’s first global university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. Students from world over came to study in subjects as many as 60. 4th century BC witnessed establishment of The University of Nalanda.
• Sridharacharya introduced Quadratic Equations in 11th century.
• The concept of Pythagoras Theorem and Value of ‘Pi’ was explained and calculated by Indian Budhayana mathematician.

Facts About Indian Railways

The word general knowledge has huge connotations on multiple layers. It is a term that covers everything on the planet and even celestial space. Let’s know some interesting facts about widely used Indian railways. Indian railways service is lifeline for normal Indians. Indian railways have continued to exist since more than 150 years and have served Indians faithfully. With passage of time, many new services have been introduced by Indian railways which have helped it to become even more efficient and commendable. Indian railways are the largest railway network in Asia and that’s no mean feat.

Indian railways employ more than 1.6 million people and thus becoming the largest utility employer in the world. It is also the largest railway system under one management. Other facts about Indian railways;

• More than 7,500 railway stations.
  First passenger train traveled between Bombay and Thane on 16th April 1853.
  Parsik Tunnel is the first rail tunnel.
  Dapoorie Viaduct is the first railway bridge ever created.
  Calcutta Metro was the first underground railway.
  Fleet of 7800 locomotives
  Total 40,000 coaches.
  Total wagon number stands to 3,26,000.
  National Rail Museum establishment took place in 1977.
  In 1986, First Computerized Reservation System started in New Delhi.
  Sri Venkatanarasimharajuvariapeta in Tamil Nadu is the longest station name.
  Run of First Electric Train took place on 3rd Feb 1925 between Bombay VT and Kurla
  Ib in Orissa is the shortest station name.
  Toilets in train were set up in 1891 for 1st Class & for lower classes it was in 1907.
  Kerala Express has the distinction of longest run for a daily train. It covers approximately 3100 Km in 42 hours.
  Himsagar Express has the longest run time of 75 hours.
  Trivandrum Rajdhani has longest non-stop run of 528 km.
  Kharagpur is the longest railway platform in the world.
  Longest tunnel is between Khandala and Monkey hill on Konkan Railway of 6.5 km.
  Approximately 14,000 trains run daily on Indian Railway network.
  Siliguri Railway Station has the all the three gauges.
  Howrah-Amritsar Express has maximum number of halts with 115 halts.
  

The World of General Knowledge

General knowledge refers to building knowledge base about the world. To some, it’s a complete fun whereas for others, general knowledge or GK is not that important. Here, we feel, GK plays a major part in any person’s all round development. Ever heard of frog in the wall? That’s how a man becomes when he is not aware of the events going on in the world. GK is not about memorizing details of various events of history. GK is about exploring the world, knowing in detail, thinking over events and marveling over amazing facts.

Today we live in a world where communication and information is the most important thing. Whatever one wants to know, it’s available on few clicks. This blog will aim to focus light on numerous facts associated with India and world in general. Imagine someone asking you about Gupta Empire and you would be wondering how many Indians know about several rulers and kingdoms of ancient and medieval era. Most of the people surf internet, check mails, downloads movies but have you wondered who invented computer and who first thought of internet? Where did it start?

Talk about economic recession and most of you must have heard of the great depression. But when exactly great depression took place? Love music and movies? Ever wondered when did DVD or laptop or FM start? Who invented them? Let’s hop onto the general knowledge ride and amaze yourself as well as others with your GK. You are sure to be surprised to know how much fun it is!