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Which is the smallest planet in the solar system?

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. Located closest to the Sun, it is also the fastest planet in our solar system, travelling at a speed of nearly 47 kilometres per second. In fact, the closer a planet is to the Sun, the faster it travels. Mercury completes one circle around the Sun in just about 88 Earth-days.

When observed from its surface, the Sun would appear more than three times as large as it does when viewed from Earth, and the sunlight is as much as seven times brighter. But despite this proximity to the Sun, Mercury is not the hottest planet in our solar system- it is Venus. The reason for this is Venus’ dense atmosphere.

Another interesting aspect of Mercury is that the Sun appears to rise briefly, set, and rise again from some parts of the planet’s surface due to its elliptical and egg-shaped orbit, and sluggish rotation. The same phenomenon happens in reverse during sunset.

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Why is the Bee Hummingbird unique?

The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird on the planet. The males often grow only up to 55 millimetres, weighing about 1.95 grams, whereas the females grow up to 61 millimetres from beak to tail, weighing about 2.6 grams. Bee Hummingbirds are an endemic species that are found in all parts of the main island of Cuba and the many islets and islands that make up the Cuban archipelago.

Visiting more than 1500 flowers in a day, these tiny birds feed on nectar, and sometimes on insects and spiders. In this process, they pick up and transfer pollen to their beak and head. An interesting aspect about them is that they feed on the flowers without landing on them-instead, they hover in the air while feeding and as a result of this constant flapping of wings, they need to eat every few minutes. Up to 15 per cent of their time is spent eating.

The downside of being the world’s smallest bird is that they are particularly vulnerable to being attacked by other species that consider them similar to insects due to their size. Because of this, they have to watch out for larger birds, mongooses, bees, wasps, frogs, fish, and even spiders. Just like most other species, human activity has also led to a decrease in their number. They are not yet considered an endangered species, but are classified as “near threatened”.

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Why was the Arctic Ocean, the smallest of all oceans, in the news recently?

The Arctic Ocean, which is the smallest of the world’s oceans, lies close to the North Pole. Along with its marginal seas the Chukchi, East Siberian, Laptev, Kara, Barents, Greenland, and Beaufort, the Arctic Ocean has the least-known basins and bodies of water in the world’s oceans due to its remoteness, difficult weather, and perennial or seasonal ice cover.

About four million people live in the Arctic region. Many of them are indigenous groups that have thrived in this harsh climate for hundreds of years. They rely mostly on the ocean resources for surviving this harsh climate and generate livelihood through these activities. Fishing, sealing, whaling, and other activities are their livelihood means. The U.S., Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Russia all have territories that reach into the Arctic Ocean.

The Arctic Ocean is in the news these days because of its effects on global warming. Rising temperatures in the Arctic are expected to cause large amounts of fresh melt-water to enter the north Atlantic, an event that will possibly disrupt global ocean current patterns. This will lead to drastic changes in the Earth’s climate. When the extent of sea ice diminishes and the sea level rises, the effect of storms (such as the Great Arctic Cyclone of 2012) on open water increases. Reduced sea ice also leads to increased human-animal conflicts. It will, for example, cause polar bears to search for new sources of food, forcing them to move into human territories. Since December 2018, the archipelago of Novaya Zemlya has been under a mass invasion of polar bears, and in February 2019, a state of emergency was declared there. Dozens of polar bears were entering homes, public buildings, and inhabited areas in search of food. All this led to the Arctic Ocean being in the news.

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Which is the smallest island nation?

The world’s smallest republic as well as the smallest island nation is Nauru. Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, this island is about 1,300 km to the northeast of the Solomon Islands. Its closest neighbour is the island of Banaba in Kiribati, which is about 300 km to the east. Nauru does not have an official capital, but its government offices are located in the district of Yaren.

People from Micronesia settled here around 1000 BCE, and Nauru was made a colony by the German Empire in the late 19th century. After World War I, the League of Nations authorised Australia, New Zealand, and the Kingdom to jointly administer Nauru. Later, during the Second World War, it was occupied by Japanese troops. After the war came to an end, the country became a part of the United Nations trusteeship and gained its independence in 1968. It became a member of the Pacific Community (PC) in 1969.

Nauru’s constitution offers fundamental rights and freedoms for individuals. The country has a government that combines parliamentary and presidential systems. Its parliament has members elected by Nauruan citizens aged 20 and older, and it serves a tenure of three years unless dissolved by a vote of no confidence. This parliament elects the president, who acts as the head of both the state and the government. Nauru accepts aid from Australia and is sometimes called a client state of Australia.

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Which is the smallest country?

If one visits the Vatican, one would be surprised to see that this small country, which is spread across just 110 acres, has its own telephone system, post office, astronomical observatory, radio station, gardens, banking system, and pharmacy. Vatican even has a contingent of Swiss Guards, who are responsible for the personal safety of the Pope since 1506. This marvel of a city is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state.

Situated on the west bank of the River Tiber, Vatican is an enclave in Rome. It is a religious state and is ruled by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome. The most important people in this country are the Catholic clergy, who have come to serve Vatican from various countries of the world.

Being the smallest country, it has to import all of its supplies including food, water, electricity, and gas. There is no income tax here and there are no restrictions on the import or the export of funds from Vatican. Its unique economy is made possible by the sale of postage publications, stamps, tourist mementos, and collecting fees for admission to museums.

World famous religious and cultural sites form the major attractions of this city. The St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum are some of them. Celebrated paintings and sculptures can be found in these buildings.

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Is Australia the smallest continent?

Australia is the smallest continent in the world and includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and portions of Indonesia), the Aru Islands, Ash-more and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other offshore continental islands. The country of Australia is however a single landmass and encompasses most of the continent. The Australian continent is sometimes referred to as an island continent as it is surrounded by oceans.

Papua New Guinea, which is a country within the Australian continent, is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries. It is also mostly rural, as only 18 per cent of its people live in urban areas. It is estimated that West Papua, a province of Indonesia, has over 44 uncontacted tribal groups. Australia, which forms the largest landmass in the continent, is an urbanised region that is also the world’s 14th-largest economy with the second-highest human development index globally. Canberra is Australia’s capital and is located in the southeast between Sydney and Melbourne, which are the more significant economic and cultural centres of Australia.

Australia’s ecosystem is unusual due to its remote location and is home to many animal species that occur nowhere else in the world. This list includes the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala. Australia has 516 national parks, which protect its rare plants and animals.

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What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Titivate’?

Meaning: A verb, titivate means to make something attractive. It can be used for an object or for a person as well and refers to improving the appearance using small changes.

Origin: The word is believed to have been derived from the word tidy. It may have been formed using a combination of ‘tidy’ and ‘renovate’.

Usage: The minister announced his plans to titivate the rehabilitation centre at the meeting.

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What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Binge’?

Meaning: The word binge refers to a period of excessive indulgence in an activity, especially eating, drinking, and now watching content as well.

Origin: The word binge is noted in British writer Arthur Benoni Evans “Leicestershire Words, Phrases and Proverbs”, originally published in 1848. In this, the word is said to be a dialect verb for “to soak in water a wooden vessel, that would otherwise leak,” to make the wood swell. Evans adds that it was later extended locally to refer to excessive drinking (“soaking”).

 The sense of binge-eating started around World War 1, while binge-watching made its foray in 1996.

Usage: He binge-watched all the episodes of the series in the last three days.

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What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Atone’?

Meaning: This verb means to make to make amends: to provide or serve as reparation or compensation.

Origin: Atone has its roots in the idea of reconciliation and harmony. It grew out of the Middle English phrase ‘at on’ meaning ‘in harmony’. When atone joined modem English in the 16th century, it meant “to reconcile,” and suggested the restoration of a peaceful and harmonious state between people or groups. Today, this word specifically implies addressing the damage or disharmony caused by one’s own behaviour.

Usage: James tried to atone for the wrong doings of his youth by devoting his life to helping others.

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