Random Geography Facts That Rocked Our World (15 items)

(#4) If Alaska Were Split Into Two States, They Would Be The First And Second Largest In The US

Alaska is the largest state in the United States, but most people don't realize just how big it is. Texas is the second-largest state. But if Alaska were to be divided into two, Texas would be the third largest. Alaska covers 664,988 square miles while Texas has 268,597.
(#9) The Himalayas Are Getting Taller Every Year

The Himalayas are a relatively young mountain range. They were formed between 40 and 50 million years ago at the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate. Those plates are still pushing against each other, causing the mountains to rise. Mount Everest is estimated to grow around a millimeter a year while mountains in the north of the range can grow around 10 millimeters a year.
(#1) Mexico City
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Over the last six decades, Mexico City has sunk 32 feet - and it continues to sink 3.2 feet every year. This is because the city was built atop an enormous aquifer, which is also the source of most of its water. Currently, the Mexico City consumes twice as much water from the aquifer as it replaces.

Due to land subsidence, major buildings like the Metropolitan Cathedral at Zocalo Square are now struggling to remain upright.
(#13) Ireland Has "Palm Trees"

We typically picture palm trees lining a tropical beach paradise. And while Ireland has its many charms, being a tropical getaway is not exactly one of them. Despite this, there are plants on some Irish coasts that appear so much like palm trees, they add a bit of seemingly tropical flavor.

The cordyline australis, or cabbage palm, looks like a palm tree; however, it is technically not a tree, a palm, or a cabbage. It's a plant that is native to New Zealand and became popular in Irish gardens in the 1800s. They are able to thrive in Ireland's warm ocean currents.
(#8) Australia Moves About 2.7 Inches A Year

All of the Earth's tectonic plates are continually shifting. But some move a little quicker than others. The plate that Australia sits on travels northward and with a slight clockwise rotation at a rate of around 2.7 inches a year, which leads to problems with GPS systems within the country. Every few years, those systems require an update to remain useable.
(#2) Bangladesh Has More People Than Russia, But Russia Is 116 Times Bigger

The South Asian country of Bangladesh has approximately 168,472,000 people living in about 147,570 square kilometers. Russia has has approximately 146,962,000 people living in 17,125,000 square kilometers.