A
B
Australia's largest bridge is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Completed in 1932, it contains 50,000 tonnes of steel. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the widest long-span bridge in the world but not the longest. A 510.5 m bridge in New York is 1.5 metres longer.
Australia's longest bridge is the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, with an overall length of 2,582.57 m. It cost $220 million and was opened in 1978. |
D
Diamond is the hardest natural substance. Because of this, diamonds are the longest-lasting of all precious stones.
Diamonds are crystals formed from carbon. They were formed millions of years ago by the great heat and pressure beneath the earth's crust. Most diamonds are found in Africa diamonds are also mined in Russia, India, and South America, and a recent large discovery has been made in Western Australia. |
E
Everest is the world's highest mountain. It rises 8.9 kilometres above sea level. Everest is a peak in a great range of mountains called the Himalayas, which are found to the north of India.
On 29 May 1953, Tensing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first men to climb Mount Everest. |
F
The most expensive film or movie ever made was Star Trek. It was first shown in December 1979, and cost $US46 million to make.
More films have been made about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes than any other character. 61 different actors have played the famous detective in 175 films. Walt Disney one more Oscars, the highest American award for films than any other person. |
G
The largest ape is the gorilla a large male gorilla weighs 204 kg and stands 1.8 m tall. Gorillas live in Africa.
Gorillas look very fierce but they're really shy, friendly creatures. Gorillas eat many kinds of leaves, buds, bark and fruit. |
H
Racehorses are the most valuable of all animals. Huge sums of money have been paid for champions. The highest price ever was $US36.4 million for a horse called Conquistador Cielo.
The world's largest and smallest horses were both owned in the United States of America. The largest weighed 1.44 tonnes, the smallest only 34 kg.
The oldest horse ever known was called old Billy. He lived for 62 years.
The world's largest and smallest horses were both owned in the United States of America. The largest weighed 1.44 tonnes, the smallest only 34 kg.
The oldest horse ever known was called old Billy. He lived for 62 years.
I
The largest iceberg ever cited was 335 kilometres long and 97 kilometres wide. This gigantic chunk of ice, which had an area nearly half that of Tasmania, was sighted in the South Pacific Ocean.
Icebergs are very great danger to ships. In 1912 the liner Titanic, which was at that time the largest learner in the world, collided with an iceberg and sank. 1,500 people perished in the disaster.
Icebergs are very great danger to ships. In 1912 the liner Titanic, which was at that time the largest learner in the world, collided with an iceberg and sank. 1,500 people perished in the disaster.
J
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It is 318 times as massive as Earth.
The surface of Jupiter cannot be seen from Earth because of the thick cloud. Most scientists think Jupiter is a huge bowl of hot liquid with no solid surface.
Jupiter is covered in swirling cloud stripes and has enormous storms like the Great Red Spot, which has been going on for hundreds of years.
Jupiter has 79 moons.
The surface of Jupiter cannot be seen from Earth because of the thick cloud. Most scientists think Jupiter is a huge bowl of hot liquid with no solid surface.
Jupiter is covered in swirling cloud stripes and has enormous storms like the Great Red Spot, which has been going on for hundreds of years.
Jupiter has 79 moons.
K
L
The largest liner ever built was the Queen Elizabeth. She was 314 metres long and weighed 82,998 tonnes.
Built in the 1930s, she carried tens of thousands of passages across the Atlantic between Southampton and New York. During World War II she served as a troopship.
Queen Elizabeth made her last voyage in 1968 and, in 1970, was moored in Hong Kong harbour. Plans were in made to convert her into a marine university but she was destroyed by fire in 1972.
You may be wondering what the difference is between cruise ships and liners.
Ocean liners are typically constructed to undertake transcontinental voyages between specific ports, for example, a journey from Sydney, Australia to New York in the USA.
Cruise ships are used for shorter trips closer to land that may touch many ports.
Built in the 1930s, she carried tens of thousands of passages across the Atlantic between Southampton and New York. During World War II she served as a troopship.
Queen Elizabeth made her last voyage in 1968 and, in 1970, was moored in Hong Kong harbour. Plans were in made to convert her into a marine university but she was destroyed by fire in 1972.
You may be wondering what the difference is between cruise ships and liners.
Ocean liners are typically constructed to undertake transcontinental voyages between specific ports, for example, a journey from Sydney, Australia to New York in the USA.
Cruise ships are used for shorter trips closer to land that may touch many ports.
M
Mount Waialeale, on the island of Kayla in Hawaii, is the wettest place on earth. The mountain's average yearly rainfall is 11,430 mm.
For comparison: Perth has an average rainfall of 880 mm, Sydney 1175 mm, and Hobart 660 mm. In 1982, the mountain experienced a mind-boggling 17,348.2 mm of rain, the highest ever recorded in the area Mount Waialeale has on average 350 wet days per year.
Mount Waialeale is 1,548 metres high. Many swift-flowing streams have carved out deep canyons as they rushed down the mountain’s side to the sea.
For comparison: Perth has an average rainfall of 880 mm, Sydney 1175 mm, and Hobart 660 mm. In 1982, the mountain experienced a mind-boggling 17,348.2 mm of rain, the highest ever recorded in the area Mount Waialeale has on average 350 wet days per year.
Mount Waialeale is 1,548 metres high. Many swift-flowing streams have carved out deep canyons as they rushed down the mountain’s side to the sea.
N
O
The ostrich is the world's largest bird. It lives on the plains and in the deserts of Africa.
Ostriches grow 2.4 metres tall and weigh 106 kg. Ostrich eggs weigh up to 1.4 kg.
Ostriches eat mainly plants but occasionally they will eat lizards and turtles.
They are very fast runners and can reach speeds of 60 kilometres an hour.
Ostriches grow 2.4 metres tall and weigh 106 kg. Ostrich eggs weigh up to 1.4 kg.
Ostriches eat mainly plants but occasionally they will eat lizards and turtles.
They are very fast runners and can reach speeds of 60 kilometres an hour.
P
Q
Queen Elizabeth II holds two records as a British monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch. She reigned from 6 February 1952 until her death on 8 September 2022.
That’s 70 years and 7 months.
Queen Elizabeth was the longest-lived British monarch. She was born April 21, 1926 and lived for 97 years and 40 days.
Queen Victoria holds the record for most children by a ruling British queen. She had nine children.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch. She reigned from 6 February 1952 until her death on 8 September 2022.
That’s 70 years and 7 months.
Queen Elizabeth was the longest-lived British monarch. She was born April 21, 1926 and lived for 97 years and 40 days.
Queen Victoria holds the record for most children by a ruling British queen. She had nine children.
R
S
Sharks are the most dangerous creatures living in the sea. These fish have no natural enemies; The only thing they fear is a bigger shark. All sharks are carnivorous (meat eaters) and only 25 species out of a total of 250 have been known to attack man.
The great white is the most feared of all sharks. In 1978, a great white, 9 metres long and weighing 6350 kg, was caught by fishermen, in the Atlantic Ocean. This huge killer was 20 times heavier than a large lion.
The great white is the most feared of all sharks. In 1978, a great white, 9 metres long and weighing 6350 kg, was caught by fishermen, in the Atlantic Ocean. This huge killer was 20 times heavier than a large lion.
T
U
The universe is everything that exists - the sun, the earth, the planets, and all the billions of stars.
Scientists do not know if the universe is a specific size. Some believe it goes on forever. They believe the universe is infinite.
The universe holds the record for the largest thing that exists.
Scientists do not know if the universe is a specific size. Some believe it goes on forever. They believe the universe is infinite.
The universe holds the record for the largest thing that exists.
V
A virus is a tiny living thing that lives in the cells of another living thing. It is the smallest form of life.
There are hundreds of different types of viruses. Some cause diseases in human beings such as colds, chicken pox, measles, mumps, and COVID-19.
It is possible to see some viruses by using a powerful microscope called an electron microscope.
There are hundreds of different types of viruses. Some cause diseases in human beings such as colds, chicken pox, measles, mumps, and COVID-19.
It is possible to see some viruses by using a powerful microscope called an electron microscope.
Y
The world's most expensive yacht was built for Mr Adnan Khashoggi in 1979. It is 89 metres long, has five decks, and was built in Italy. To add to its luxury, the yacht is equipped with a helicopter and five space boats.
Probably the most famous Australian yacht is Australia II which won the America's Cup in 1983.
Probably the most famous Australian yacht is Australia II which won the America's Cup in 1983.
Z
The largest airship ever built was called Graf Zeppelin 2. This huge craft weighed 213 tonnes and was 245 metres long. A Boeing 747 jumbo jet is only 70.7 metres long.
Zeppelins took their name from their designer, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, a retired German army officer. Zeppelin was a brilliant engineer. He launched his first airship in 1900.
Zeppelins took their name from their designer, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, a retired German army officer. Zeppelin was a brilliant engineer. He launched his first airship in 1900.