Trivia #2

1. France – 86.9 million visitors
According to a report published by the World Tourism Organization, France received more visitors than any other country in the world in 2017. More than 86.9 million visitors came to France to see such world-famous attractions as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and the Arc de Triomphe. Many of these major attractions are located in the capital city of France, Paris, which is also among the largest cities in Europe by population.

2. Spain - 81.8 million visitors
Tourism is a major industry in Spain, contributing nearly 11% to the national GDP of the country. The majority of visitors to Spain come from European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany. Between the historical cities and towns of the country like Barcelona and Madrid, the world-class resorts at the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of the country, the popular festivals like the Carnival and the Running of the Bulls, 15 national parks, well-developed winter tourism facilities, and a bustling nightlife, Spain is a hotspot of tourist attractions. 13 Spanish cities are also regarded as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attracting foreign visitors with their unique charm and significance.

3. United States - 76.9 million visitors
The United States is a vast country serving a large number of attractions to global travelers. Many of the U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas thrive with tourists all year round. Major natural attractions within the country include the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, the Alaskan subarctic wonders, Hawaiian beaches and more. In 29 states of the country, the tourism industry is among the first three industries generating the maximum number of employment opportunities. The US receives the greatest number of foreign tourists from Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom and its domestic tourism industry is also highly active.

4. China - 60.7 million visitors
The land of the Great Wall of China, the Five Sacred Mountains, the Shaolin Temple, the Huangguoshu Waterfall, the Forbidden City, the Three Gorges, and other naturally, culturally and historically important sites, China is indeed one of the most coveted tourist destinations in the world. The country received 55.6 million foreign visitors in 2014 and profited from a foreign exchange income of $45.8 USD in 2010. China’s tourist numbers are estimated to increase rapidly in the coming years with the World Trade Organization (WTO) estimating that by 2020 the country will rank number one in the worldwide tourism sector

5. Italy - 58.3 million visitors
For many, Italy is one of the dream destinations of their life. With 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, innumerable cultural artifacts, buildings, and archaeological sites from the Roman Empire and the Renaissance periods, along with the quaint Alpine villages and towns in the north of the country and fascinating Mediterranean coasts to the south, Italy is justifiably the 5th most visited country in the world. Some of its most visited cities include Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan, each with their unique attractions, history, culture and cuisine. Italy consistently ranks amongst the world's most-visited countries

6. Mexico - 39.3 million visitors
Mexico, a large country found in North America, is well-known for its pristine beaches and world-class resorts. In recent decades, the tourism industry in the country has experienced a whirlwind of substantial growth. With its wealth of culture and UNESCO World Heritage sites, it's no wonder to see why travelers love Mexico. The vast majority of visitors come from its neighbors to the north, Canada and the United States, although an increasing amount of travelers from Europe and Asia also pay a visit to the country.

7. United Kingdom - 37.7 million visitors
With a long and interesting history, as well as rich culture and well developed tourism facilities and infrastructure, the United Kingdom ranks as the 7th most visited country in the world. Tourists in the United Kingdom can generate an income of around $17.2 billion USD for the country. The majority of visitors arrive from other parts of Europe while tourists from the United States and Canada form the second largest group of foreign visitors to the country. The domestic tourism industry in the country is also thriving. London is the most visited city in the United Kingdom, and the Tower of London is the most popular attraction in the entire country.

8. Turkey - 37.6 million visitors
Turkey is a well-known tourist destination for its many seaside resorts with coastline on both the Mediterranean Sea and Aegean Sea. The country also has a variety of historical sites including ancient monasteries and ruined cities. The city of Antalya is considered to be the country's tourism capital, although Istanbulis also popular for its many museums, bazaars, and historical sites. Although Turkey reached 41.2 million visitors in 2014, the tourism sector dropped substantially in the following years. Due to intense advertising, tourist numbers began to rise in 2017.

9. Germany - 37.5 million visitors
Germany receives a high number of tourists from all across the globe as well as from within the country. The tourism industry in Germany is estimated to contribute 4.5% towards the national GDP and 2 million employment opportunities are created based on travel and tourism related job requirements. Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are among the most-visited cities in the country. Visitations to the country for educational and business purposes is also quite common. Several protected areas within Germany, such as the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, and the Jasmund National Park, also attract millions of tourists every year.

10. Thailand - 35.4 million visitors
With its sunny, sandy beaches, tropical islands, rich wildlife, archaeological sites, temples and monasteries, Thailand is a global tourist hot spot. The vibrant and lively festivals of country, the thriving nightlife, world-class shopping facilities, and delectable Thai cuisine, are all major tourist attractants in the country. It is estimated that directly and indirectly, tourism generated revenue contributes nearly 20.2% of the national GDP of the country. It is also assumed that by 2032, Thailand will be receiving around 100 million visitors.

- World Tourism Organization

C. Bill Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer; born September 21, 1950 in Wilmette, Illinois.

D. Pacific Ocean - 63,800,000 sq m

The Pacific Ocean covers an area of about 63,800,000 square miles and is the world’s biggest ocean. Its area represents 46.6% of the world's total water surface. The Pacific is located between Asia, Australia, Americas, and Antarctica, forming a coastline of 135,663 kilometers. The Pacific Ocean also has two divisions, the North and the South Pacific Ocean, which are separated by the equator. The ocean has an average depth of 3,970 meters and a volume of 669,880,000 per cubic kilometers, which makes up about half of the Earth’s total water.

D. Ecuador

The official currency in Ecuador is the American dollar. All fees, charges, and store prices throughout the city of Quito are noted with United States currency. The old currency, known as the sucre, stopped being used in 2000. Travelers from the U.S. won't have to exchange money when visiting Ecuador. Ecuadorian coins have different symbols but are of equivalent value to U.S. coins — there are nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. You may have difficulty breaking larger bills in smaller towns. If possible, bring smaller bills to rural areas.

A. Cambodia enjoys 28 public holidays per year, the highest number of public holidays in the world.

A public holiday, a national holiday, or a legal holiday are terms meaning nothing more than a day in a year that is set aside to be a non-working day that has been established by the rule of law. There are many countries across the globe enjoying the privilege of having a large number of public holidays. These holidays generally constitute the anniversary of an important historical event, or religious celebration, or a holiday falling on a certain day of the week or following some calendar system, such as the Chinese or Lunar Calendar. The celebration of a particular day in a country, like the Children’s Day in Turkey, may also be marked as a public holiday at a different time than the same day is celebrated elsewhere.

Important Public Holidays From Around The World

1. Cambodia tops the list for the most public holidays with 28 public holidays observed annually.
2. Sri Lanka follows with 25.
3. India and Kazakhstan with 21,
4. Colombia, the Philippines and Trinidad and Tobago with 18
5. China and Hong Kong with 17

- www.worldatlas.com