Top 10 Richest Countries in the World

Rank	Country	Capital	Currency	GDP (Per Capita $)
1	Qatar	Doha	Riyal	100,889
2	Luxembourg	Luxembourg City	Euro	77,958
3	Singapore	Singapore	Singapore Dollar	60,799
4	Norway	Oslo	Norwegian Krone	54,397
5	Brunei Darussalam	Bandar Seri Begawan	Brunei Dollar	54,114
6	United States	Washington D.C.	US Dollar	51,704
7	Switzerland	Bern	Swiss Franc	44,864
8	San Marino	City of San Marino	Euro	42,724
9	Canada	Ottawa	Canadian Dollar	42,317
10	Australia	Canberra	Australian Dollar	41,954

Nuclear Facts

Check out our interesting nuclear facts and information for kids. Learn about nuclear power, nuclear weapons, nuclear physics, radiation, fission, fusion and much more. The word ‘nuclear’ is related to the nucleus of an atom, it is often used to describe the energy produced when a nucleus is split (fission) or joined with another (fusion). The nucleus is positively charged and found at the central core of an atom. Nuclear physics is the study of atomic nuclei and their interactions. Nuclear power uses fission to create heat and electricity. The US, France and Japan are the largest producers of nuclear power. Nuclear power provides around 14% of the world’s electricity. Nuclear power plants have a relatively good safety record but there is ongoing debate into the threat they pose, especially after widely publicized accidents at Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and Fukushima. The radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors can be difficult to dispose of safely. The military often use nuclear reactors to power their submarines and aircraft carriers. Learn more about atomic energy with our nuclear power facts. Nuclear weapons use the energy produced by fission or fusion to create destructive blasts. While many nuclear weapons have been used in testing, only 2 have been used as part of warfare. In August 1945, near the end of World War 2, the United States used atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to the death of approximately 200000 people. Enriched uranium is a crucial element of both nuclear weapons and nuclear power production. The Sun creates energy through the nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. It is believed that radiation exposure led to the death of Marie Curie in 1934. Learn more about her important research into radioactivity with our range of Marie Curie facts.

Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton is one of the most influential scientists of all time. He came up with numerous theories and contributed ideas to many different fields including physics, mathematics and philosophy. Born in England, Isaac Newton was a highly influential physicist, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, alchemist and theologian. In 1687, Newton published Philosophae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, what is widely regarded to be one of the important books in the history of science. In it he describes universal gravitation and the three laws of motion, concepts that remained at the forefront of science for centuries after. Newton’s law of universal gravitation describes the gravitational attraction between bodies with mass, the earth and moon for example. Newton’s three laws of motion relate the forces acting on a body to its motion. The first is the law of inertia, it states that ‘every object in motion will stay in motion until acted upon by an outside force’. The second is commonly stated as ‘force equals mass times acceleration’, or F = ma. The third and final law is commonly known as ‘to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Other significant work by Newton includes the principles of conservation related to momentum and angular momentum, the refraction of light, an empirical law of cooling, the building of the first practical telescope and much more. Newton moved to London in 1696 and took up a role as the Warden of the Royal Mint, overseeing the production of the Pound Sterling. Newton was known to have said that his work on formulating a theory of gravitation was inspired by watching an apple fall from a tree. A story well publicized to this very day. Famous Isaac Newton quotes include: "Plato is my friend - Aristotle is my friend - but my greatest friend is truth." "If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of Giants." "I can calculate the motions of the heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people." "I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." "Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things."

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein is perhaps the most famous scientist of all time. Both his image and brilliant work on theoretical physics live on today and he serves as an inspiration to young scientists around the world. Albert Einstein was born on the 14th of March 1879 and died on the 18th of April 1955. Born in Germany to a Jewish family, Einstein made many contributions to the field of theoretical physics. Even when very young, Einstein showed great ability in both math’s and science. He was naturally curious and had a brilliant analytical mind. Einstein worked in a patent office evaluating patents for electromagnetic devices not long after he graduated. He produced perhaps one of the most famous equations ever: E = mc² (energy equals mass multiplied by the speed of light squared). He is also well known for his theory of relativity. Special relativity being introduced in his 1905 paper “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies” before Einstein developed the theory of general relativity between the years of 1907 and 1915. Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on theoretical physics. He worked on many other influential theories and projects including: the deflection of light by gravity, the quantum theory of atomic motion in solids, Brownian motion, an explanation for capillary action and much more. Famous Albert Einstein quotes include: "Whether you can observe a thing or not depends on the theory which you use. It is the theory which decides what can be observed." "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I do know that I get most joy in life out of my violin." "Physical concepts are free creations of the human mind, and are not, however it may seem, uniquely determined by the external world." "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei was an Italian scientist who helped open the eyes of the world to a new way of thinking about the workings of our solar system and astronomy in general.

Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Italy, on the 15th of February 1564, he died on the 8th of January 1642. Galileo was a ground breaking astronomer, physicist, mathematician, philosopher and inventor. Among his inventions were telescopes, a compass and a thermometer. Galileo enrolled to do a medical degree at the University of Pisa but never finished, instead choosing to study mathematics. Galileo built on the work of others to create a telescope with around 3x magnification, he later improved on this to make telescopes with around 30x magnification. With these telescopes, Galileo was able to observe the skies in ways previously not achieved. In 1610 he made observations of 4 objects surrounding Jupiter that behaved unlike stars, these turned out to be Jupiter’s four largest satellite moons: Io, Callisto, Europa and Ganymede. They were later renamed the Galilean satellites in honor of Galileo himself. The discovery of these moons was not supported by the scientific principles of the time and Galileo had trouble convincing some people that he had indeed discovered such objects. This was similar to other ideas put forward by Galileo that were very controversial at the time. The Geocentric model of the universe which was embraced by earlier astronomers had the Earth at the center of the universe with other objects moving around it. Work by Galileo, Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler helped to supercede this theory with the more accurate heliocentric model. Such a view of the universe differed strongly with the beliefs of the Catholic Church at the time and Galileo was forced to withdraw many of his ideas and even spent the final years of his life under house arrest. Galileo refused to believe Kepler’s theory that the moon caused the tides, instead believing it was due to the nature of the Earth’s rotation (helping prove that even the smartest people can make mistakes). Famous Galileo quotes include: “In questions of science the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.” “See now the power of truth; the same experiment which at first glance seemed to show one thing, when more carefully examined, assures us of the contrary.” “Alas! Your dear friend and servant Galileo has been for the last month hopelessly blind; so that this heaven, this earth, this universe, which I by my marvelous discoveries and clear demonstrations had enlarged a hundred thousand times beyond the belief of the wise men of bygone ages, henceforward for me is shrunk into such a small space as is filled by my own bodily sensations.”

ROBO

Learn about a variety of interesting types of robots that lead the way in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence. There’s the best in Japanese robots, humanoid robots, autonomous robots and entertainment robots. Get information on popular robots such as ASIMO, AIBO, QRIO and more.

QRIO Made by: Sony Height: 61cm Pronounced “curio” the name stands for “quest for curiosity” in Japanese. Purpose: To live with you, make life fun and make you happy. What can it do? Walk, talk, run, dance, recognize voices and faces, play ball games and surf the web. Features: Foot sensors so it can play soccer. Ankles with ball joints so it can walk on uneven surfaces. Picks itself up after falling and even checks itself for damage. Moves with quick, smooth movements. Check out this video of QRIO dancing.
HRP Made by: Kawada Industries Height: 1.5m Weight: 58kg Purpose: To work in human environments and use human tools. What can it do? Walk, get up from awkward positions, walk on uneven surfaces and grasp objects. Features: It can walk, crouch and get up off the floor as swiftly and smoothly as a human. Capable of working alongside humans in a range of industrial and domestic settings. Said to be the strongest and most agile of humanoid robots.
ASIMO Made by: Honda Height: 1.2m ASIMO stands for: Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, it also takes its name from robotic visionary Isaac Asimov. Purpose: Began in 1986 as a study into human movement and has since evolved into a robot capable of a wide range of tasks. What can it do? It can walk, run, turn corners, recognize hand gestures, carry objects, dance and climb up and down stairs. Features: May be the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. Can perform simple tasks, such as switching on a light switch.
PARO Made by: The Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan) Length: 45cm Weight: 2.7kg Purpose: Paro is a therapeutic toy designed to comfort those in need like the elderly and sick. Features: Responds to stroking/cuddling through special touch sensors beneath its fur and on its whiskers. Modeled on a baby harp seal. Has voice recognition and authentic seal sounds.
PaPeRo Made by: NEC Height: 38cm PaPeRo stands for: Partner-type Personal Robot Purpose: To both entertain and assist around the house. What can it do? Recognizes speech, talks, moves, responds to users, controls household devices. Features: Recognizes 650 phrases and 3000 words. Can wirelessly control your TV and surf the internet. Designed to look cute so humans feel protective rather than threatened.
AIBO Made by: Sony (Japan) Height: 27cm AIBO stands for: Artificial Intelligent Robot AIBO features a variety of senses: Touch - Feels human contact through sensors on head, back, chin & paws. Hearing - Detects sound through a pair of stereo microphones, voice recognition. Sight - Color camera, distance sensors and facial recognition. Balance - Keeps balance through acceleration sensors. Other features: AIBO possesses 5 basic instincts: Love, Search, Movement, Recharge & Sleep Each AIBO begins life as a newborn puppy, over time it will develop its own unique personality based upon how it is raised. AIBO likes to dance & play with his toys - An AIBOne and pink ball, he also likes to perform tricks with them. When AIBO is low on power he will seek out his energy station on his own. AIBO can take photos on command or whenever he chooses to, these can be sent via email or stored on his memory card. AIBO can look after you’re house when you are away, he can detect movement and sound, taking a picture and notifying you via email. As well as voice recognition, you can also communicate to AIBO using his graphics cards, these are useful when the surroundings are noisy.

Most Beautiful Countries In The World

Every country has its marvels and breathtaking landscapes, but these ten are blessed with a rare package of outstanding natural beauty and man-made wonders that enhance their territories with everything from beautiful cities to timeless villages, magnificent parks and pristine scenery. They are countries that offer a variety of sights and an abundance of inspiration from man and nature.

1 | ITALY

 
AMALFI COAST, ITALY
The world's most beautiful city, the most inspiring cultural treasures, and magnificent scenery: Nowhere else in the world will you find a bigger concentration of beauty. There'sVenice, Florence and Rome with their varied architecture, the natural masterpiece that is Tuscany with its rolling hills, vineyards and snow-peaked mountains. Then there's the perfect naturalist painting that is the Amalfi Coast or Lake Maggiore and the Alps and you get the sense that no country on Earth offers as much beauty anywhere you turn as Italy. 

2 | SPAIN

 
JAÉN (ANDALUSIA), SPAIN
The most common image of Spain is of the dreadful overdevelopment of the Costa del Sol or of the coastline of some of the Balearic Islands, but Spain is so much more than that. It's perhaps the most diverse country in the world, with everything from white Mediterranean villages to sophisticated urban centers. You won't find a city with a greater sense of individuality than Barcelona, and from the Pyrenees to Andalusia, Spain could serve as the backdrop for any kind of film, book or painting. It's also the world's most seductive country, passionate about living the good life reflected on grand plazas in even the smaller cities, in well-preserved historic centers, and in the smallest of villages perched on hilltops. To top it all off, there are some of the world's grandest, most powerful and incomparable architectural treasures, from the Alhambra to the Great Mosque of Cordoba. 

3 | FRANCE

 
CHÂTEAU DE CHENONCEAU (LOIRE VALLEY), FRANCE
Paris exudes the most perfect atmosphere of cultural grandeur but although the capital gets all the attention, France offers so much more. Villages with abundant Old World charm are all over the country, from around the magnificent Loire Valley to verdant Provence. Then there's the glamorous Riviera and if you want to see the world's greatest palace (Versailles) and museum (the Louvre), here they are. But France is also a country of world-class living in outdoor cafes, in perfectly-preserved towns and in wine-producing regions such as Bordeaux and Champagne. If that's not enough, see the majesty of Mont St. Michel, the numerous chateaux all over the country and the spectacular panorama of the Chamonix valley. 

4 | AUSTRALIA

 
ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK, AUSTRALIA
Australia is more than a country, it's a continent and still more than that. It's its own world, from the Outback and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with its world-renowned stone monolith to the Kakadu National Park. It's in fact wild parks and a wide range of landscapes that make Australia so extraordinary, from the Mornington Peninsula National Park facing the open sea to the Great Barrier Reef that's one of the natural wonders of the world, to the unspoiled tropical Whitsunday Islands, but then there's Sydney and its harbor, one of the most beautiful and iconic urban areas. Australia has it all, to be admired before or after a ride down the Great Ocean Road. 

5 | GREECE

 
SANTORINI, GREECE
The Greek Islands on the blue waters of the Aegean Sea are home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches. They're the first images of the country but then there's the majestic Mt. Olympus, extraordinary Meteora, and ancient ruins around the country. WhileAthens disappoints those looking for aesthetic inspiration, Greece is a country that truly satisfies all the senses and it's understandable how the idea of so many gods originated here. 

6 | PORTUGAL

 
ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
For the pristine natural wonders of the volcanic Azores alone, Portugal would be on this list. Then there's the "floating garden" that is Madeira, the dramatic coastline and mystical capes of the mainland, the serene plains of the Alentejo with the stunningly-sited white medieval vilages of Marvão and Monsaraz, the Peneda-Gerês National Park, or the perfect collaboration of man and nature in the magic fantasy of Sintra and verdant Douro Valley. And while the old centers of Lisbon and Porto are inexplicably rundown and stubbornly neglected, it's hard to match their scenic beauty with their grand riverside settings. Everything is in a small scale but when all combined it's impressive how so much diverse beauty somehow fits in such a tiny country that seems to be a favorite of the sun. 

7 | USA

 
THE GRAND CANYON, USA
It has the ugliest cities in the developed world linked by shopping mall roads of fast food joints, car lots, billboards, cheap hotels and soulless suburbs (with populations obliviously living the American nightmare), but when it comes to nature, America really is the beautiful. There are the Hawaiian islands, the epic scale of the Grand Canyon, the extraordinarily clear waters of Lake Tahoe, California's Big Sur, the wildlife in Alaska, the breathtaking scenery of Monument Valley or of Yellowstone, Yosemite and the other great national parks, the forestland of the Great Smoky Mountains... The list of natural wonders seems to go on forever and then there's San Francisco to save the country on the offer of beauty in an urban setting. 

8 | BRAZIL

 
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
It has one of the world's most beautiful cities (Rio de Janeiro) and one of the ugliest(São Paulo) but Brazil really is blessed by nature. The Amazon is incomparable, impossible to begin to imagine its magnitude, and the horseshoe-shaped falls of Iguaçu regularly watched by a rainbow is one of the world's most breathtaking sights. The colonial baroque architecture of the northeast with their golden interiors mixed with singular traditions give it one of the world's most soulful atmospheres, and if the country's other major cities weren't so bland (Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, etc.), Brazil would actually rank higher on this list. 

9 | SOUTH AFRICA

 
TABLE MOUNTAIN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities (let's just say it's number 11 on our top 10 list), and the Kruger National Park is one of the most memorable experiences on the planet for anyone who visits. South Africa offers epic diversity of landscapes, from the Blyde River Canyon to the Drakensberg Mountains. With all of that it's almost easy to forget that it's also a country full of problems with a capital city that is best avoided, but escape to the Cape and grab your camera to photograph all in between and you'll be savoring one of the most awe-inspiring territories on the planet. 

10 | GERMANY

 
BAVARIA, GERMANY
Yes, Germany. Perhaps the world's most underrated country, Germany is a place of fairytales and architectural jewels. They're not necessarily found in the largest cities (Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, or Cologne which are more vibrant than beautiful) but Munich has its charms and smaller cities such as Dresden, Leipzig and Potsdam have been preserved or restored to fairytale eye candy. But the real storybook Germany is found all along Bavaria's Romantic Road with its wealth of unbelievable castles, in the Alps' gorgeous lakes and mountains, in the magical land of the Rhine with its vineyards or in the enchanting Black Forest. Begin to tour the country and you'll discover a land of constant surprises, from the university city of Heidelberg, to old Bremen or Bamberg, to the wonderfully preserved medieval towns of Regensburg and Rothenburg.