Most commonly said but false geographical facts.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by lithuanianmafia

and I'm just as confused as to why Ottawa is the capital when it really should be Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. Makes more sense politically, although when was the last time politics made sense?

Ottawa was the compromise chosen with creation of Canada in th 1870ties. Either Montreal or Toronto would not have been eacceptable to the English speaking part or to the Quebecois. I was told this on Canada Day 2004, while in Ottawa. They did not tell you that when you (or your ancestors) came to Canada?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by d-quik

This is just a list of things I hear way too often, and I hope no one flames anyone else here.

The United States is not the largest country in the world.
No explanations here, just simply oversaid and false.

I wish you had given this explanation, because according to the latest reckoning the largest country in the world is still Russia (even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union). In other words, the quoted statement is correct.

[Coventrysucks]

Originally Posted by megotmea7

REALLY!?!

You'd be surprised at the number of times I have been asked...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Coventrysucks

To All Americans:

Just because I'm British, it doesn't mean I know the Queen.

No worries, mate, the Queen knows you

[Spastik_Roach]

We don't have pet kiwis in our backyards!!
We're not the smallest country in the world!
Auckland isn't our capital! Wellington is because its in a much more central location!

[cls12vg30]

Yeah, there's bad places in L.A., NY, Chicago, Toronto, London, or any other city on earth. Gunbattles are, no matter what people may think, NOT everyday occurrences in U.S. cities. The statistics about gun deaths are skewed because they make no distinction between an innocent being killed and gang members, drug dealers, and other criminals who have chosen that lifestyle killing each other.

But the bigger misconception is that NY and LA represent the United States. Trust me, they don't. 90% of the land area of the United States is rural, much of it in what the elitists in NY and LA call "flyover country", because the only time they see it is when they fly over it between NY and LA. The rural areas and the small towns give a much more accurate representation of the country then the most famous cities do.

[megotmea7]

very true

[The Tuner]

dubai is in the unted arab emirates, which is in the middle east, just next to saudi arabia. i hate it wen i say, "im from dubai, uae" and im asked "which state is that in?"!!

no, we do NOT use camels for transport.

not all arabs are the drunk rich playboys u hear abt.

arabic is NOT as dum as it is made to sound. i have heard over 25 or 20 different languages, but i have et to hear one which facinates me more than arabic, then french. it isnt tht loud, violent, guttural noises that u often hear.

arabs/muslims are not terrorists. duno where tht came from, n most of us here are happily not tht blind to believe everythin we hear on the news, but regardless....

oft-repeated fact: arab gals are hot.
no mistake there.

[lithuanianmafia]

Originally Posted by henk4

I wish you had given this explanation, because according to the latest reckoning the largest country in the world is still Russia (even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union). In other words, the quoted statement is correct.

Actually, Russia is the largest country in the world, followed by Canada, than China, Brazil, and than the US

[lithuanianmafia]

Originally Posted by henk4

Ottawa was the compromise chosen with creation of Canada in th 1870ties. Either Montreal or Toronto would not have been eacceptable to the English speaking part or to the Quebecois. I was told this on Canada Day 2004, while in Ottawa. They did not tell you that when you (or your ancestors) came to Canada?

Actually, Ottawa was chosen as the capital by Queen Victoria because she liked the scenery, and didn't want the major cities to fight over who'd be the dominant city. Actually Kingston, Ontario was the first capital of Canada because it was the hometown of the first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. Queen Victoria eventually made Ottawa the permanent capital.

By the way, Canada wasn't formed in the 1870's, it was 1867

[DasModell]

Geographical .. Romania is not in eastern Europe . but exactly in the Center .

[Ferrari Tifosi]

Originally Posted by cls12vg30

Yeah, there's bad places in L.A., NY, Chicago, Toronto, London, or any other city on earth. Gunbattles are, no matter what people may think, NOT everyday occurrences in U.S. cities. The statistics about gun deaths are skewed because they make no distinction between an innocent being killed and gang members, drug dealers, and other criminals who have chosen that lifestyle killing each other.

But the bigger misconception is that NY and LA represent the United States. Trust me, they don't. 90% of the land area of the United States is rural, much of it in what the elitists in NY and LA call "flyover country", because the only time they see it is when they fly over it between NY and LA. The rural areas and the small towns give a much more accurate representation of the country then the most famous cities do.

Except for Detroit, which I recently read is SIX times more dangerous than Northern Ireland. A once beautiful city that is now ruins, mostly due to lots of racial tension and the '67 riots (worst riots in the history of the US). Its a shame, I remember that when I lived in the area I wasn't allowed out the night before Halloween because of "Devils Night", where are the idiots kill and set fire to stuff. Its a really sad sight.

[lithuanianmafia]

Yeah, I had to drive thru Detroit last night cus I had to run some stuff down to Columbus Ohio on emergency. it really is a sad place.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by lithuanianmafia

Actually, Ottawa was chosen as the capital by Queen Victoria because she liked the scenery, and didn't want the major cities to fight over who'd be the dominant city. Actually Kingston, Ontario was the first capital of Canada because it was the hometown of the first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. Queen Victoria eventually made Ottawa the permanent capital.

By the way, Canada wasn't formed in the 1870's, it was 1867

This is probably the romantic explanation
You are right about 1867, but significant parts (NS,BC) joined in the 1870's.
Kingston was the capital of the joined provinces Upper and Lower Canada, from 1841 to 1844. MacDonald became premier in 1867.

[cls12vg30]

I would definitely agree that Detroit is the absolute worst city in the US. It is a cesspool. However it got that way, we'd all be better off if the city were to sink into Lake St. Clair.