General Knowledge – Do You Know That

This topic covers a wide-ranging mix of General Knowledge facts that appear repeatedly in the LAT 'Do You Know That' section: world records, historical dates, organisations, and current-affairs style facts about countries and leaders.

Key facts to remember:

• Paleontology is the science of the history of life; Jainism was founded by Mahavira; Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha.
• The Great Wall of China is about 1500 miles long; the three Pyramids of Egypt were built from 2700 to 2500 B.C.; the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in Italy; Rome was founded by Romulus in 753 B.C.
• Islam dawned in the 7th century in 611 A.D.; Muslim rule of Spain lasted from 711 to 1492.
• The Statue of Liberty (151 feet) is in New York; Copenhagen is rated the best city for standard of living; Dhal Lake is in Srinagar; the US President and Vice-President are elected by the Electoral College.
• The world is divided into 24 time zones; important international bodies include NAM (Non-Aligned Movement, first conference held in Yugoslavia in 1961) and SAARC (founded 1985, with 8 members, later Afghanistan joined in 2007).
• Key historical years: Syria became a republic in 1946; Hong Kong returned to China in 1997; Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa in 1994; the Berlin Wall opened in 1989; Communist China (People's Republic of China) was established in 1949; Adolf Hitler assumed power in Germany in 1933; the Bolsheviks took power in Russia in 1917; the Suez Canal opened in 1869; WWI was triggered by the assassination of an Austrian Archduke in 1914.
• Country facts: Saudi Arabia is the largest oil exporter; Afghanistan is the largest opium producer; the ostrich is the largest bird; the normal human body temperature is 98.6°F; diamond is the purest form of carbon; the USA's nickname is 'Uncle Sam'; the original inhabitants of the USA are called Red Indians.
• US Presidents: Richard Nixon is the only US President to resign; F.D. Roosevelt is the only President to serve 3 terms; John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on 4th July.

Tip: Group facts by category (history, geography, organisations, records) rather than memorising them as one long list — it makes recall far easier under exam pressure.