Top 10 Countries That Disappeared In The 20th Century

 New nations seem to pop up with alarming regularity. At the start of the 20th century, there were only a few dozen independent sovereign states on the planet; today, there are nearly 200! Once a nation is established, they tend to stick around for awhile, so a nation disappearing is quite uncommon. It’s only occurred a handful of times in the last century. But when they do, they completely vanish off the face of the globe: government, flag, and all. Here then, in no particular order, are the top ten countries that had their moment in the sun but are, alas, no more.

10. East Germany, 1949-1990

Created from the Soviet controlled sector of Germany after the Second World War, East Germany was probably best known for its Wall and its tendency to shoot people who attempted to cross over it. Now, it’s one (over-reactionary) thing to shoot foreigners who are trying to enter your country illegally, but these were its own people!

Basically little more than a Soviet satellite state, the collapse of the notorious Wall and, with it, the demise of the old Soviet Union brought an end to this failed experiment in Communism, and it was integrated back into the rest of Germany in 1990. Because East Germany was so far behind the rest of Germany economically, however, its reintegration with the west almost bankrupted Germany. Today, however, things are swimming along nicely, thank you. 09 more countries after the break...

10 Tallest Mountains In The Solar System

Rising sharply from a narrow summit area, these majestic mountains stand prominently above their surroundings. However, many amongst us have yet to learn the difference between the tallest and the highest mountains. Although, it sounds the same and we often confuse the two but there is a difference. The tallest mountains have the measures from the base of the mountain to its peak, whereas the highest mountains have the measures from the sea level to the peak. See the difference?

Looking our planet, into the solar system there are many mountains, peaks and ridges way taller than the mountains on the planet Earth. These extraterrestrial mountains may be a result of crater impact, high volcanic activity etc., none of which we would want happening in our home planet.

10. Makalu

The fifth highest mountain in the world above sea level at an altitude of 8,481 m above sea level and located at the Nepal-China border. The Makalu has a unique shape of a four sided pyramid and lies only 19 km southeast of Mount Everest. The first attempts to climb the mountain began in 1954. However, the first successful ascent of the summit was made in 1955 during a French expedition by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy.

10 Weirdest Guinness World Records

What is wrong with these people? That’s probably the first thing that comes to a decent mind. But these people pull these wacky and weird stunts, they have a reason and it’s none other than the Guinness World Records that makes them go an extra mile in their weirdness.

10. The Loudest Burp

Now this is disgusting, makes me want to throw up. Paul Hunn from Great Britain performed the loudest burp with an intensity 118.1 decibels. The intensity of the burp can be compared to, let’s say a pneumatic drill or an airplane taking off. Let’s hope no one else tries to break this record as for Paul himself, he can’t indulge whenever he fancies. The loudest burps occur only when Mr. Hunn eats spicy food and sucks in a lot of air. For something gross as this, it actually requires a lot of hard work for just a burp.

10 Craziest Lawsuits Of All Times

No job can be as boring as working for an insurance company, with all their claims, dry stats, boring facts to remember and then all topped with piles of paperwork. However, there are sometimes that these companies face a hilarious situation, sometimes the situation might look funny but the insurance guys won’t think so.

The craziest of claims filed by these people, the companies might have to work very hard to fill in the gaps so as not to give the most insane people a chance to make a few extra cash with their own stupidity and obnoxious stunts.

10. Tripping over your own toddler

Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas actually won this case and was awarded $80,000 by the jury, which of course was comprised of her peers and friends, for tripping over a toddler and breaking her ankle. The toddler was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were baffled when the final verdict was read out. That is understandable so, for the running toddler was Robertson’s own son. Maybe the store should now place a rack where customers must deposit their little ones.

Top 10 Weirdest Things Dipped in Gold

Hide your wife and hide your kids because the gold bug has bitten—and it’s a worldwide pandemic. People in the preliminary stage are known to ice their necks, wrists, and teeth with the shimmery metal. An insatiable hunger for all things made of gold marks a person in the most advanced stage of the bug. If you or a loved one is infected, feed your appetite by checking out the top ten weirdest things made of gold…

10. Gold Backpack

Are you a trendsetter? Do boring Jansport backpacks cramp your style? Well fear not fashion fiends! This Billionaire Boys Club backpack is sure to put more pep in your step. If its golden rays don’t make everyone turn their heads in awe, make sure to keep the price tag on. At an estimated price of $1650 (roughly the same cost to buy gold bullion), you are guaranteed to get a “DAAAAMN” everywhere you go.
Source: Diva Artist

Top 10 People with Only One Known Photograph

We love to look at pictures because it gives us a chance to remember a specific moment in time.  For this reason, family portraits are among the most cherished items in most households.  In the 1830s, the first commercially successful photographic process, the daguerreotype, was invented.  Daguerreotype photography spread rapidly across the United States in the early 1840s.  People loved the process because they were able to obtain an exact likeness of themselves and their family members for the first time, making portrait photographs extremely popular.

The first use of photographic film was pioneered by George Eastman.  Eastman’s first camera was named the “Kodak” and was offered for sale in 1888.  The time period between the first photo and the first commercially sold camera (1838-1888) has become known for a large collection of rare pictures.  Many famous outlaws from the American Old West and influential personalities from the middle of the 19th century have only a few known photographs.
In some rare instances, famous historical figures are known to have only one existing photograph.  This article will examine ten famous people with only one remaining picture.  Some notable figures that were not included are Mary Seacole, Bahadur Shah II, David Owen Dodd, Ike Clanton, Moondyne Joe, Regina Jonas, Etta Place, and Louis Keseberg.

10. Karl Denke

In 1870, Karl Denke was born in Münsterberg, Silesia in the Kingdom of Prussia (now Zi?bice in Poland).  There is not a great deal of information about Denke’s life as a child, but as an adult he was well-liked in the community.  Between the years of 1918 to 1924, Denke operated a rooming house in his hometown.  His tenants affectionately called him “Papa.”  He also played the organ for the local German church.  It has since been realized that Denke led a much more sinister lifestyle.  He was a mass murderer that cannibalized the remains of over 30 people.

Top 10 Fruit Juices Good for Health

Not many people know that soursop fruit (also part of the soursop tree, ie leaves) keep hidden strength to fight cancer effectively than with treatment using medicines and chemo therapy. Unfortunately, the good news is covered up by one of world company who conduct research and wants research funding plus generous benefits go to the company, before the pharmaceutical raw materials from soursop fruit thrown into the world market. Apart from soursop fruit, there are many other fruits that have a great benefits for health. All fruits are also consumed it easier and more comfortable with processed into healthy fruit juice. 10 Fruit Juices for Beneficial to Health

Top 10 American Downtowns

As a country, the United States is probably better characterized by suburbia than by urbanity, by sprawling office parks rather than by dense commercial districts. Nevertheless, the concept of a “downtown”, or a centralized and distinct commercial district, first came into use in America, as cities developed along lines that created stark divisions between the 19th century urban core and the newer, less dense, residential neighborhoods of the 20th century.

The United States boasts countless defined city centers; some of which are small and derelict, while others are among the most impressive in the world. To further examine those commercial cores that tend towards the latter, here is a list of the top ten American downtowns. This list is based on size, vibrancy, architecture, businesses, and general aesthetics. While many smaller cities may boast impressive downtowns, this ranking focuses only on major metropolitan areas.

10. Milwaukee

Milwaukee likely has the smallest urban core on this list, a fact that certainly hurts the city’s ranking. But this lack of size is also a definite asset: the downtown area boasts upscale river walks, one of the country’s most vibrant loft districts, an impressive collection of museums and academic institutions (try the Pabst Theater if you enjoy absorbing plays while supporting one of America’s most popular home-grown brews), and, of course, easy access to the Lake Michigan beach. Furthermore, Milwaukee’s downtown is clean and easy to naviagte, with a lake-and-river setting that makes it seem like a more relaxed version of Chicago’s central core.

Top 10 Underrated Video Games of 2011

And then there were these games. Their sales ranged from “okay” to “embarrassing,” but each took creative risks that paid off. For that, they deserve recognition.

10. El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

Do you like action adventure games? Do you wish that more of them were based off of ancient Jewish religious texts? Then you’re one of the three people who played El Shaddai! The rest of you Gentiles are missing out.

El Shaddai features gorgeous visuals, satisfying combat and an incomprehensible story. You play as the Biblical figure of Enoch, who is on a quest to rescue fallen angels and save humanity. This being a Japanese video game, you accomplish this by fighting monsters with a ridiculous weapon while waving your pretty hair around. We don’t think that’s what the Book of Enoch is about, but we only skimmed it so we’re not positive.
Religious liberties aside, the game is a lot of fun. Too many artsy games sacrifice good gameplay for graphics, but El Shaddai managed to provide both. You may not have any idea what’s going on unless you’re well versed in Judaism, but you’ll be enjoying yourself too much to care.
Despite excellent reviews, El Shaddai sold poorly. Maybe gamers were turned off by the weird concept, especially since combining religion with video games is usually a recipe for disaster. Or maybe it’s because the trailer featured the quote “It’s as if Lady Gaga made a video game.” What, were they targeting the 13 year old girl demographic?

Top 10 Weirdest Fruit

If you grew up American, like me, then your typical idea of “Tropical Fruit” was bananas and the occasional kiwi. When I was a kid, Pineapples were something you rarely saw in a grocery store and mangos were something mentioned in movies or songs and I just assumed they didn’t exist for real and I just assumed Sesame Street and Don Ho were lying to me.

The internet has effectively erased the borders when it comes to things like a country’s native foods, and the global distribution of goods has brought the weird to our neighborhood food dispensaries.  Here are 10 bizarre fruits that people actually eat, that we otherwise never would have heard of.

10. Kiwano

Kiwanos are a strange melon/cucumber relative originally from New Zealand. The outside looks more like something from an 80s side-scroller than a fruit, and the inside is even more bizarre. Usually when something is that green, it is oozing out of a dead alien, and to be honest, isn’t real. But they are. When I was a kid, the commissary (the grocery store if you grew up on a military base) had them once and I talked my mother into buying one. I then spent 2 weeks staring at it, wondering if it was going to scream at me and club me to death if I tried to cut it (it didn’t).