Berlin Irkutsk January temperature Gulf Stream westerly winds

Europe is unusually warm for its latitude

Nearly 22 °C

Western Europe has much milder winters than many places at similar latitudes. Berlin, for example, averages nearly 22 °C warmer than Irkutsk in January. Warm Atlantic waters and prevailing westerly winds bring milder ocean air into Europe.

One bacterium can hold up to 100,000 copies of its chromosome

Most bacteria and other prokaryotes have only one copy of each main chromosome. The giant bacterium Epulopiscium fishelsoni is very different: a single cell can contain as many as 100,000 copies.

Public sacrifice reinforced Aztec rule

Aztec rulers publicly sacrificed warriors from conquered states. These sacrifices displayed the ruling class’s claim to divine authority and deterred rebellion, helping hold together a loosely organized empire.

Like this? There’s a whole feed of it. Replace empty scrolling with things worth knowing.

Download Hence for free

Berlin Irkutsk January temperature Gulf Stream westerly winds

Europe is unusually warm for its latitude

Keep exploring