The World Trade Organization (WTO) officially came into existence on January 1, 1995. It replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and was established to facilitate international trade negotiations, resolve trade disputes, and provide a framework for the conduct of international trade. The WTO aims to promote free and fair trade among its member countries by establishing rules and agreements that govern global commerce. It serves as a forum for member nations to negotiate trade agreements and address issues related to trade policies and practices.

The concentration of salt in seawater (its salinity) is about 35 parts per thousand; in other words, about 3.5% of the weight of seawater comes from the dissolved salts.

Syria's capital, Damascus, is the oldest capital in existence. It is the fourth holiest city in Islam, according to some. Damascus was established in the third millennium B.C., making it one of the Middle East's oldest cities.

Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, is named after Sir George Everest, a Welsh geographer and surveyor general of India in the 19th century. Although Sir George Everest himself objected to having the mountain named after him, the proposal was accepted, and the mountain retained the name Everest. The naming was done by the Royal Geographical Society in 1865 to honor his contributions to the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, which played a significant role in mapping the subcontinent.