1. Varanasi’s Death Rate Defies the National Average 1. Varanasi’s Death Rate Defies the National Average (image credits: wikimedia) Every year, Varanasi records a death rate that outpaces the national average, with 2024 municipal data showing 15.2 deaths per 1,000 residents, compared to India’s overall 7.3. This dramatic difference is closely tied to the city’s …
Asia
1. The Reality of Everyday Life in Pyongyang 1. The Reality of Everyday Life in Pyongyang (image credits: unsplash) Rare images from the streets of Pyongyang challenge the glossy narrative pushed by North Korean state media. Instead of modern high-rises and vibrant public spaces, photographs from 2024 reveal crumbling apartment blocks, unreliable public transportation, and …
The Economic Landscape: Growth Amidst Challenges The Economic Landscape: Growth Amidst Challenges (image credits: unsplash) Bangladesh’s economic story has been marked by both rapid progress and glaring contradictions in 2024. The country’s GDP growth rate stood at an impressive 6.9%, according to the World Bank, fueled primarily by the booming ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which …
1. The Historical Significance of Varanasi 1. The Historical Significance of Varanasi (image credits: wikimedia) Varanasi stands as one of humanity’s oldest living cities, with archaeological findings confirming settlements here for over 3,000 years. Official records from the Archaeological Survey of India highlight Varanasi’s role as an uninterrupted center of spirituality and scholarship since ancient …
The Diversity of Chinese Street Food The Diversity of Chinese Street Food (image credits: unsplash) Chinese street food is almost like a wild, living art form, always changing and full of surprises. Across China’s provinces, you’ll find an incredible range of flavors—some fiery, some sweet, some so unique that travelers are left speechless. In Chengdu, …
Stinky Tofu Stinky Tofu (image credits: pixabay) Stinky tofu, known as “chòu dòufu,” is one of China’s most notorious street snacks, immediately recognizable by its intense odor. Despite being likened to the smell of rotten cheese or even garbage, this fermented tofu is deeply beloved by locals, especially in cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, and Changsha. …
The Rise of Edible Insects in China The Rise of Edible Insects in China (image credits: wikimedia) Edible insects are rapidly becoming mainstream in China’s bustling street food markets, fueled by a surge in demand for sustainable protein sources. In 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the global edible insect market is …
The Urban Struggle: Population Density and Overcrowding The Urban Struggle: Population Density and Overcrowding (image credits: unsplash) Bangladesh continues to grapple with extraordinary levels of urban density, especially in its capital, Dhaka. With a population that surpassed 170 million in 2024, the country remains one of the most densely populated on the planet. The capital …
The City Older Than History: Varanasi’s Ancient Legacy The City Older Than History: Varanasi’s Ancient Legacy (image credits: wikimedia) Varanasi, often called the world’s oldest living city, traces its documented history back over 3,000 years. Archaeological findings confirm continuous settlement since at least 1200 BCE, and Hindu mythology claims the city’s origins go back even …
Demographics and Population Demographics and Population (image credits: pixabay) Bangladesh stands as one of the most densely populated nations on the globe, with over 170 million people calling it home in 2025. The country’s density is astonishing, averaging 1,265 individuals per square kilometer—imagine a sea of people everywhere you go. Dhaka, the capital, is a …