DO YOU KNOW

The types of climates

There are mainly five types of climates that exist all over the world. They are known as tropical, sub-tropical, mid latitude, high latitude and high altitude climates.These different types of climates are constantly being studied by climatologists.

In order to study them, instruments such as thermometers, rain gauges and barometers are used. Now, let’s see where these climates are found; tropical climate is found between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitudes, sub-tropical between 30 degrees and 40 degrees, both north and south.

Mid latitudes between 40 degrees and 60 degrees north and south latitudes, high latitudes beyond 60 degrees north and south. High altitude climate is found on the high mountainous regions of the world. Going by these facts, can you tell what type of climate is found in our country?

How scent develops in the flower

There are many flowers like gardenias, jasmins, roses and lavender that give out a lovely fragrance. We all love the sweet smell of such flowers. But, do you know how this scent develops? It is developed as a result of the essential oils present in the flower.

When this oil evaporates it spreads the fragrance everywhere.The scents differ from one flower to another depending on the different types of volatile oil present in the various flowers.

However, essential oils are found not only in flowers, but also in the leaves, roots, bark, fruits and seeds. For instance, in lemons and oranges, the oil is found in the fruits, in cinnamon in its bark and in almonds it is in the seeds.

How the marathon originated

Way back in 490 BCE, Greece was at war with the Persians. And according to records, a Greek soldier named Pheidippides ran a distance of about 25 miles from a place called Marathon to Athens in order to inform the Athenians about the outcome of the battle with the invading Persians.

The run had been exhausting as the area between these two places had been filled with hills and other obstacles. After telling the people of the success of the battle, Pheidippides had dropped dead. When the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, a race of approximately the same length was held in commemoration of this Greek soldier.

Since the original run commenced from Marathon, this race was known as the Marathon. During the initial few Games of the Modern Olympics, the distance was the same. However, in 1908 at the request of the British Royal Family it was altered; the Marathon commenced at he Windsor Castle so that the Royal Children could witness the start.

As the distance from the Windsor Castle to the Olympic Stadium was 42,195 metres (or 26 miles and 385 yards), this length was made the standardised length of the Marathon in 1924.