1

Toilet paper capital of the world

Image: Erik Mclean

It may sound like a peculiar thing to be proud of, but if the first splinter-free toilet paper in the world had been created in your town, chances are you would be just as delighted by this local achievement.

Until the early 1900s, cheap mail-order publications were the economical wipe of choice. But in 1935, a Green Bay paper producer developed a method of "linenizing" paper, which made toilet paper both softer and "splinter-free."

2

Leap year capital of the world

Image: Waldemar

While it might seem like a good reason, the twin towns of Anthony, New Mexico, and Anthony, Texas, were not actually founded on February 29.

In 1988, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce who had a February 29 birthday proposed a community festival on that date . Since then, the celebration has grown each year to include events and a popular parade.

3

Earmuff capital of the world

Image: Jad M.

Earmuffs are essential in cold climates, and the citizens of Farmington, Maine, are well aware of this. That’s why the town celebrates Chester Greenwood Day every first Saturday in December, honoring the local inventor of the handy device.

4

Lost luggage capital of the world

Image: Marija Zaric

Did you know that all lost and unclaimed luggage from U.S. airlines ends up in a single location? Scottsboro, Alabama, is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center , which, since 1970, has sold, donated, or recycled these items for the public, making it the only lost-luggage retailer of its kind in the country.

5

Speed capital of the world

Image: Marc-Olivier Jodoin

If speed is the measure by which a place is judged, being called the "world capital of speed" might not be such an unreasonable claim. Northwestern Utah is home to a massive, 30,000-acre expanse of barren salt flats where the Bonneville Speedway is located.

This stretch is used for extreme motorsports, and several land speed records have been set here, earning the area its famous title.

6

Shark attack capital of the world

Image: Wai Siew

This infamous title goes to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. According to the International Shark Attack File—a scientifically verified database of global shark attacks—this town is indeed the Shark Attack Capital of the World, and anyone who has swum here has likely been within 10 feet of a shark.

Fortunately, shark attacks along this central Florida coastline rarely prove fatal, and the number of incidents has declined in recent years, likely due to changing migration patterns of the blacktip shark.

7

Barbed wire capital of the world

Image: Daniel Eledut

Barbed wire was not invented in La Crosse, Kansas, but it certainly plays a significant role in the town’s history. Much of this product passed through the midwestern town after its invention in the late 1800s, becoming an important part of La Crosse’s settlement and agricultural development.

By the 1960s, La Crosse had become a major hub for barbed wire collectors , leading to the establishment of the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum .

8

Corn cob pipe capital of the world

Image: Daniel Gregoire

While pipes may not be as ubiquitous as they once were, corn cob pipes are even rarer these days. But in Washington, Missouri, these corncob products are still a popular item.

In 1869, a local woodworker invented the pipe , and its success led to a whole roster of corn cob pipe manufacturers. Today, the only factory in the world still solely dedicated to making these pipes is located in Washington, Missouri.

9

Decoy capital of the world

Image: Susan Weber

It took a lot of wooden ducks to earn this town the title of Decoy Capital of the World. At one point, more wooden ducks and geese were carved here than anywhere else on Earth.

Originally used strictly to lure waterfowl for hunters, these decoys have since become collectors’ items and treasured works of art. In 1986, the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum opened to preserve the town’s historical and cultural legacy.

10

Carpet capital of the world

Image: Juli Kosolapova

If you think most carpets are still made in the Middle East, think again. Approximately 90% of the world’s carpet comes from the city of Dalton, Georgia . More than 30,000 people are employed in its massive carpet industry—impressive considering the city’s population is just under 35,000.

11

Cow chip throwing capital of the world

Image: Jonas Koel

If tossing a piece of dried cow manure like a Frisbee sounds like your idea of fun, Beaver, Oklahoma, is the place to be. Every April, the town hosts the world’s largest cow chip throwing competition.

12

Farm toy capital of the world

Image: tommao wang

Farm toys may disappear once there are no kids in the house—but not in Dyersville, Iowa, the Farm Toy Capital of the World. This town is home to the National Farm Toy Museum , which houses the largest collection of its kind and attracts approximately 30,000 visitors each year.

1

Jawn

Image: Salonagility.com Daniel

If you spend time chatting with someone from Philadelphia, this word will probably come up. "Jawn" is a unique term that can refer to just about anything: objects, people, or places.

2

Sneakers

Image: Luis Felipe Lins

If you're going to the gym today, make sure you bring your workout clothes and water bottle. Don't forget your tennis shoes, which, by the way, people in the US Northeast often call "sneakers"!

3

Ope!

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

When you drop a glass or accidentally step on the dog's tail, "ope!" is the perfect word to say. In the Midwest, especially in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota, people use this expression whenever something surprising or a small accident happens. It's like a version of "Oops!"

4

Bubbler

Image: Deborah L Carlson

Have you ever drunk from a "bubbler"? If you're from New England, we're sure you have, because that's what people in that region call drinking fountains. If you didn't know this fact, don't worry! A study found that only 18% of people use this original and creative term.

5

Sugar

Image: Jonah Pettrich

This term is better known than the last one, so you've probably heard it before. In the southern US, when you kiss someone—either on the lips or on the cheek—you're giving them "sugar." So sweet!

6

Wicked

Image: Josh Rakower

While for most Americans, "wicked" means something evil, that's not the case for the people of Massachusetts. In the Bay State, residents use "wicked" as an intensifier to describe something cool or awesome. Instead of saying their food is "really good", they say: "Our Clam Chowder is wicked good."

7

Gnarly

Image: Collin

Coming from surfer culture, "gnarly" is West Coast slang for something exciting, intense, or really cool. It was originally used to describe big, rough waves, so it can also mean "challenging."

8

Ayuh

Image: Jon Tyson

If you've ever asked a question and got "ayuh" as an answer, chances are you were in Maine. Locals there use this expression, pronounced "a-yuh," to say "yes." It might sound odd to outsiders, but for Mainers, it's everyday talk!

9

Ragamuffin

Image: Tim Mossholder

You definitely don't wanna be called a "ragamuffin." Why? Well, in the southern part of the country, this term refers to someone who looks dirty or messy. In other words, a "ragamuffin" is someone who doesn't look their best.

10

Grinder

Image: Mae Mu

Sandwiches have many nicknames in different parts of the U.S., and New England is no exception! In Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, this delicious staple is called a "Grinder."

1

New York’s many names…

Image: ian dooley

Did you know that New York has had several names throughout its history? The first documented European visit to New York Harbor was in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian explorer who claimed the area for France and named it Nouvelle Angoulême (New Angoulême), after the French city located on the banks of the Charente River.

Almost a century later, English explorer Henry Hudson rediscovered New York and claimed it for the Dutch East India Company, who christened Manhattan Island as Nieuw Amsterdam (New Amsterdam). In 1664, due to the war between The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the British took over the area and renamed it New York , as a tribute to King Charles II's brother, James, Duke of York.

2

…and nicknames

Image: Artem Zhukov

In addition to its various official names, New York City has earned a good number of nicknames over the years. For example, Canvas Town, The Empire City, The City of Churches, Second City of the World, The Melting Pot, The City that Never Sleeps, The Center of the Universe, The City So Nice They Named It Twice, The Five Boroughs, and Metropolis, among many others.

But perhaps the most iconic New York City monikers are Gotham —coined by writer Washington Irving in 1807— and, of course, The Big Apple . In May 1921, sportswriter John Joseph Fitz Gerald of the New York Morning Telegraph first used The Big Apple in a feature on horse racing. As he later explained, that was the way New Orleans grooms' referred to New York City. Later, in the 1970s, an advertising campaign revived the nickname, and the rest is history.

3

National capital

Image: Cornelius Tiebout, artist and engraver of the original; this copy engraved by Hatch & Smillie and printed by J. &. G. Neale., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Given its cultural, political, and financial richness, it's curious that New York is not the capital of the United States. However, although it was only for five years, at one point in history it became a reality. Between January 11, 1785, and August 12, 1790, The Empire City served as the last capital under the Articles of Confederation and the first capital under the U.S. Constitution .

While the capital resided in New York, the representatives of Congress met in Federal Hall, a building located close to the current site of the Wall Street Stock Exchange. In fact, this is where George Washington was sworn in as president in 1789. However, a year later the Residence Act established the temporary seat of government in Philadelphia until the construction of the new capital, Washington, DC, was completed. Congress met for the first time in its new and current location on November 17, 1800.

4

Linguistically diverse

Image: Dan Gold

Did you know that New York is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world? It’s like a modern-day Tower of Babel, which is no surprise given its nickname, The Melting Pot . It is estimated that up to 700 different languages are currently spoken in New York, many of them endangered. For example, in Queens, there is a small community that speaks Tagalog, the language on which Filipino is based. In the Bronx, on the other hand, several families still speak Laotian at home.

Alongside these lesser-known dialects, other more widespread languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, and Italian, are spoken daily by communities that migrated to New York from their native countries. And that today, after several generations, still have a relevant representation in the most cosmopolitan city on the planet.

5

First pizza

Image: Jon Tyson

Not surprisingly, the first pizzeria in the United States is located in New York. The Italian immigrants who arrived in the city at the end of the 19th century brought with them their language, customs, and of course, their delicious food. One of these immigrants, Gennaro Lombardi, used leftover dough from the bread he sold in his Little Italy grocery store to make "tomato pies," following his Neapolitan family's recipe.

This pizza was so successful that in 1905, Lombardi converted his store into a pizza place. Little by little, he adapted his pizza to American ingredients and tastes, and lo and behold in a short time he had created what we now know as New York-style pizza. Lombardi's Pizza, today one of the most legendary pizzerias in New York, is the oldest in the United States. Be sure to grab a slice next time you visit The Big Apple — you won’t regret it!

6

Golden city

Image: Zlaťáky.cz

A city of firsts and mosts, New York is also home to the world's largest known depository of monetary gold. Buried 80 feet below street level, on the bedrock of Manhattan Island, hides an incredible treasure. Established in 1924, the vault of the main building of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, located in the Financial District, stores more gold than The United States Bullion Depository, better known as Fort Knox.

As of 2024, it houses approximately 507,000 gold bars. This reserve is enclosed in a 140-ton steel-and-concrete frame protected by a state-of-the-art security system. About 98% of the gold belongs to foreign governments, while the rest is owned by the U.S. government and other financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund.

7

Unique ZIP codes

Image: William Wachter

Apart from being home to major companies, the most photographed building in the world, and getting struck by lightning about 25 times a year, the Empire State Building is also notable for having its own ZIP code: 10118.

Although located in South Midtown, the building is so large that the U.S. Postal Service needed to assign it a unique zone improvement plan—ZIP for short—to handle its high volume of mail more accurately and efficiently. To be fair, other buildings in New York also have their own ZIP codes , including 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Chrysler Building, The Pavilion, Park Avenue Plaza, and the Pennsylvania Building, among others.

8

Birding paradise

Image: Laila Zouaki

New York has something for everyone, but wildlife? Who would have thought! When it comes to fauna, New York is much more than just rats, squirrels, and cockroaches. In fact, this concrete jungle has had animals at its heart since the beginning: two beavers adorn the official city seal. But not many New Yorkers know that Central Park is one of the nation's top spots for bird-watching.

The city is located at a concentration point on the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, making it possible to observe birds year-round. In 1886, the park's first official bird census counted 121 species. Since then, 282 have been observed, including cuckoos, warblers, sparrows, owls, gulls, and Peregrine Falcons, among many others. Some of the best places in Central Park for birding are North Woods, The Ramble, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, and The Pond.

9

Times Square

Image: graphicsdays1989

The busiest street in the Big Apple owes its current name to a newspaper . Formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street, this area is now a spectacle of lights, screens, neon signs, theaters, and hordes of people. However, it was once the center of New York's horse carriage industry. For this reason, in the late 19th century it was known as Longacre Square.

In the early 20th century, The New York Times moved its offices to a skyscraper on 42nd Street. A new subway station soon followed and the area was given the name we know it by today, Times Square. Although the newspaper moved out a few years later, that building is still famous for the Times Square Ball drop on its roof every New Year's Eve.

10

Film mecca

Image: Marta Wave

Declared a National Historic Landmark, Central Park is a staple of New York City. It’s no wonder that this area, in addition to its natural beauty, is a world cultural icon. Central Park is, in fact, the most-filmed location in the world , having been featured in movies as far back as 1908.

With silver screen classics like An Affair to Remember or Breakfast at Tiffany's and modern films including Home Alone and The Avengers , more than 300 productions have chosen this 843-acre park in the heart of the bustling city to film some of the most iconic scenes in movie history. Have you ever spotted Central Park in a film or TV show? Now you won't stop seeing it everywhere!