Image by SAIYED IRFAN A from Pixabay

The world is a strange and fascinating place, full of bizarre facts that defy logic and leave you scratching your head. From nature’s oddities to history’s quirks, here are 10 weird facts about the world that will blow your mind!

1. There’s a Town in Norway Where the Sun Doesn’t Rise for Months

Imagine waking up in complete darkness for weeks on end. In the town of Longyearbyen, Norway, the sun sets in late October and doesn’t rise again until mid-February. This phenomenon, known as polar night, happens in the Arctic Circle due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis. But don’t worry—residents make the most of it with cozy traditions and vibrant celebrations when the sun finally returns!

2. Bananas Are Berries, But Strawberries Aren’t

Botanically speaking, bananas meet all the criteria to be considered a berry, while strawberries do not. A berry must develop from a single flower with one ovary and contain seeds inside the flesh—rules that bananas follow but strawberries don’t. Meanwhile, tomatoes, kiwis, and even eggplants are also berries!

3. The Eiffel Tower Grows in the Summer

You might think of the Eiffel Tower as a solid structure, but it actually changes size with the seasons. During the summer, heat causes the iron to expand, making the tower grow by about six inches (15 cm). In the winter, it contracts back to its original height.

4. Wombat Poop Is Cube-Shaped

Yes, you read that right! Wombats, adorable marsupials from Australia, produce cube-shaped poop. Scientists believe this helps the poop stay in place instead of rolling away, which is useful for marking their territory. The shape results from variations in the elasticity of the wombat’s intestines—one of nature’s weirdest wonders!

5. There’s a Ghost Town in the U.S. With Just One Resident

The town of Monowi, Nebraska, has a population of one. Elsie Eiler, the only resident, is the town’s mayor, librarian, and bartender. She runs the local tavern and keeps the town incorporated by paying taxes to herself. Talk about wearing multiple hats!

6. There’s a Place in Canada Where Gravity Is Weaker

In Hudson Bay, Canada, gravity is slightly weaker than in the rest of the world. This anomaly was first discovered in the 1960s and is believed to be due to an ancient ice sheet that once covered the region, pressing down on the land and causing subtle gravitational changes that still persist today.

7. Octopuses Have Three Hearts and Blue Blood

Octopuses are fascinating creatures with three hearts—two pump blood to the gills, while the third pumps it to the rest of the body. Their blood is blue instead of red due to the presence of hemocyanin, a copper-based protein that helps them survive in cold, low-oxygen environments.

8. A Lake in Australia Turns Bright Pink

Lake Hillier in Western Australia is famous for its bubblegum-pink color. Scientists believe the hue comes from a type of salt-loving algae and bacteria that thrive in the lake’s highly saline environment. Unlike some seasonal pink lakes, Lake Hillier stays pink year-round!

9. There’s an Island Where You’re Not Allowed to Die

On the remote island of Svalbard, Norway, dying is technically illegal. The permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing, which could lead to the spread of diseases frozen in the ground. As a result, if someone is terminally ill, they are transported to the mainland to live out their final days.

10. Water Can Boil and Freeze at the Same Time

This mind-bending phenomenon is called the triple point—the exact temperature and pressure at which the three states of a substance (solid, liquid, and gas) exist simultaneously. For water, this occurs at 0.01°C (32.018°F) and a pressure of 0.006 atmospheres. Scientists often use this concept in laboratories to study thermodynamics.

The world is full of strange and wonderful surprises, proving that there’s always something new to learn. Which of these weird facts surprised you the most? Let me know in the comments!

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

Sometimes, you just need to unplug and escape. This past weekend, we did just that, celebrating Santiago’s birthday with a much-needed getaway from Waco. Our destination? The Devil’s Backbone—a rugged, scenic stretch of Texas Hill Country that feels like stepping into another world. We’ve now spent 16 birthdays together, traveled thousands of miles, and seen countless landscapes. The Texas Hill Country will always draw us back. No signal, no internet—just the open road, breathtaking views, and a touch of the supernatural.

Taking the Scenic Route

We didn’t rush to get there. Instead, we took the long way, winding through some of the Hill Country’s most charming towns. Our first stop was Cooper’s in Llano for some delicious Texas BBQ. Kerrville, with its rolling hills and the Guadalupe River, was the perfect spot to stretch our legs. We stopped in Fredericksburg for a bit of shopping (and maybe a little wine), soaked up the easygoing vibe of Luckenbach and paid our respects to Hondo while we were there, then finally made our way to Canyon Lake, where our lodge awaited.

The Backbone of Texas Hill Country

The Devil’s Backbone is more than just a scenic drive—it’s a place where history, mystery, and natural beauty collide. This limestone ridge stretches through the heart of the Hill Country, offering some of the most stunning views in Texas. Rolling hills, deep valleys, and rugged terrain make it feel like a land untouched by time. But it’s the stories tied to this place that make it even more fascinating.

Legends and Ghost Stories

If you spend any time near the Backbone, you’ll hear whispers—some from the wind, others from the locals. The area is steeped in legend. Some say you can hear the cries of long-lost Confederate soldiers still marching through the hills. Others speak of Native American spirits, restless from battles fought long ago. There’s even a tale of a spectral cowboy who rides along the ridge, appearing on foggy nights before vanishing into thin air.

Some of the eeriest stories involve a woman searching for her lost husband and child. They say she walks the hills, calling out for them, her voice carried by the wind. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s no denying that the Backbone has an energy that’s hard to explain. The land holds its history well, and if you listen closely, you might just hear its secrets.

A Personal Connection

This part of Texas has always been a favorite for me. Maybe it’s because I’ve been coming here for years—long before this weekend getaway. We usually come at least once a year. My kids’ Nana also lived near here for a long time, so we made plenty of visits to these hills. There’s something comforting about returning to a place that holds so many memories, where the roads feel like old friends and the landscape never fails to impress.

A Simple, Perfect Escape

We spent our time soaking in the scenery, driving with no real destination in mind, stopping whenever a view caught our eye. We walked a lot, fished a little, and just enjoyed the slower pace. No emails, no notifications—just the sound of nature and some good old-fashioned exploring.

As for the ghosts? Well, if they were there, they didn’t bother us. Maybe they were just enjoying the view too. Either way, the Devil’s Backbone gave us exactly what we needed: fresh air, open roads, and a damn good weekend.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.