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The world-famous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles attracts millions of visitors every year. But it is a little-known fact that when the sign was initially erected in 1923, it didn’t say only Hollywood, but HOLLYWOODLAND. Its main purpose was to advertise a new segregated housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district.

The city of Utrecht in the Netherlands celebrated the 110th birthday of British author George Orwell by placing party hats on surveillance cameras to commemorate his iconic 1984 novel.

Seoul, South Korea
In Seoul, customers can charge their cell phones using outlets in most stores. The plug-ins are open to the public in a very generous and convenient gesture.

Shanghai, China
In the 1930s, Shanghai was considered a great place for a swim. However, the YMCA’s sponsored swimming days had to be alternated between the two genders because male swimmers refused to swim with clothes on. They refused even special swimming clothes!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
You might expect Rio, with its famously stunning and crowded beaches, to be an incredibly hot place. However, with a little research, you would learn that the average low temperature there is a lovely 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) and the average high is a not unpleasant 80 degrees (26 degrees Celsius).