Introduction
General Knowledge becomes truly powerful when you learn things you never expected to know. These are the kinds of facts that stay in your memory and help you instantly recall answers in quizzes, interviews, and competitive exams. Instead of boring textbook lines, surprising information is remembered faster by the brain.
Here are 100 GK Facts You Didn’t Know — short, accurate, and memorable facts from science, geography, history, and the world around you.
100 GK Facts You Didn’t Know
Question 1
Which is the largest desert in the world?
Answer: Antarctica
Explanation: Although often associated with ice, Antarctica receives very little precipitation, making it the largest cold desert in the world.
Question 2
Which planet has the longest day?
Answer: Venus
Explanation: Venus takes about 243 Earth days to rotate once, which is longer than its 225-day year.
Question 3
What is the smallest bone in the human body?
Answer: Stapes
Explanation: The stapes, located in the middle ear, helps transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear.
Question 4
Which country is home to the Great Barrier Reef?
Answer: Australia
Explanation: The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, located off Australia’s coast.
Question 5
Who invented the World Wide Web?
Answer: Tim Berners-Lee
Explanation: He invented it in 1989 while working at CERN.
Question 6
Which is the fastest land animal?
Answer: Cheetah
Explanation: A cheetah can run up to 100 km/h in short bursts.
Question 7
What is the capital of Canada?
Answer: Ottawa
Explanation: Ottawa is the political center of Canada, not Toronto.
Question 8
Which gas do plants absorb?
Answer: Carbon dioxide
Explanation: Plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to make food.
Question 9
Which is the largest planet in our solar system?
Answer: Jupiter
Explanation: Jupiter is so large that all other planets could fit inside it.
Question 10
Which country has the most pyramids?
Answer: Sudan
Explanation: Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt, though they are less famous.
Question 11
Which is the deepest ocean trench?
Answer: Mariana Trench
Explanation: It reaches a depth of about 11,000 meters.
Question 12
Who discovered gravity?
Answer: Isaac Newton
Explanation: Newton formulated the law of gravity after observing a falling apple.
Question 13
What is the national animal of India?
Answer: Bengal Tiger
Explanation: It symbolizes strength and power.
Question 14
Which metal is liquid at room temperature?
Answer: Mercury
Explanation: Mercury remains liquid under normal conditions.
Question 15
What is the hardest natural substance?
Answer: Diamond
Explanation: Diamond ranks highest on the Mohs hardness scale.
Question 16
Which continent has the most countries?
Answer: Africa
Explanation: Africa has 54 recognized countries.
Question 17
What is the boiling point of water?
Answer: 100°C
Explanation: At standard atmospheric pressure, water boils at 100°C.
Question 18
Which is the longest river in the world?
Answer: Nile River
Explanation: The Nile flows through northeastern Africa.
Question 19
Who was the first man on the Moon?
Answer: Neil Armstrong
Explanation: He landed on the Moon in 1969 during Apollo 11.
Question 20
Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Answer: Mars
Explanation: Mars appears red due to iron oxide on its surface.
Question 21
Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the USA?
Answer: France
Explanation: France gifted it in 1886 as a symbol of friendship.
Question 22
What is the currency of Japan?
Answer: Yen
Explanation: The Japanese Yen is one of the most traded currencies globally.
Question 23
Which organ purifies blood in the human body?
Answer: Kidney
Explanation: Kidneys filter waste from the blood.
Question 24
Which is the tallest mountain in the world?
Answer: Mount Everest
Explanation: It stands at 8,848.86 meters above sea level.
Question 25
Which vitamin is produced by sunlight?
Answer: Vitamin D
Explanation: Skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
Question 26
Which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?
Answer: Japan
Explanation: Japan lies east of the Asian continent.
Question 27
Which is the largest organ in the human body?
Answer: Skin
Explanation: Skin protects the body from external damage.
Question 28
Who wrote the Indian National Anthem?
Answer: Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: He composed “Jana Gana Mana” in 1911.
Question 29
What is the speed of light?
Answer: Approximately 300,000 km/s
Explanation: Light travels at about 299,792 km per second in vacuum.
Question 30
Which blood group is known as the universal donor?
Answer: O Negative
Explanation: O negative blood can be given to almost anyone.
Question 31
Which planet rotates on its side?
Answer: Uranus
Explanation: It has a tilt of about 98 degrees.
Question 32
Which country consumes the most chocolate?
Answer: Switzerland
Explanation: Highest per capita chocolate consumption.
Question 33
Which animal can regenerate its limbs?
Answer: Starfish
Explanation: Can regrow arms after injury.
Question 34
Which ocean is the largest?
Answer: Pacific Ocean
Explanation: Covers about one-third of Earth’s surface.
Question 35
Which is the hardest natural substance?
Answer: Diamond
Explanation: Highest on Mohs hardness scale.
Question 36
Which human organ can grow back after damage?
Answer: Liver
Explanation: Only organ capable of regeneration.
Question 37
Which bird lays the largest egg?
Answer: Ostrich
Explanation: Egg weighs about 1.4 kg.
Question 38
Which metal is used in thermometers?
Answer: Mercury
Explanation: Expands uniformly with temperature.
Question 39
Which country is known as Land of Thousand Lakes?
Answer: Finland
Explanation: Has about 188,000 lakes.
Question 40
Which is the closest star to Earth?
Answer: The Sun
Explanation: Provides light and energy to Earth.
Question 41
Which element has chemical symbol Fe?
Answer: Iron
Explanation: Derived from Latin “Ferrum”.
Question 42
Which organ filters blood in human body?
Answer: Kidney
Explanation: Removes waste and toxins.
Question 43
Which is the longest river in the world?
Answer: Nile River
Explanation: Flows through northeastern Africa.
Question 44
Which animal is known as Ship of the Desert?
Answer: Camel
Explanation: Can survive long without water.
Question 45
Which country is called Land of Rising Sun?
Answer: Japan
Explanation: Located east of Asia.
Question 46
Which instrument measures earthquakes?
Answer: Seismograph
Explanation: Detects seismic waves.
Question 47
Which gas is essential for breathing?
Answer: Oxygen
Explanation: Required for cellular respiration.
Question 48
Which planet is known as Red Planet?
Answer: Mars
Explanation: Due to iron oxide soil.
Question 49
Which is the largest mammal?
Answer: Blue whale
Explanation: Can reach 30 meters long.
Question 50
Which organ pumps blood?
Answer: Heart
Explanation: Circulates oxygen and nutrients.
Question 51
Which country has the largest population in the world?
Answer: India
Explanation: India recently surpassed China in total population.
Question 52
Which vitamin helps in blood clotting?
Answer: Vitamin K
Explanation: Essential for proper wound healing.
Question 53
Which is the tallest mountain in the world?
Answer: Mount Everest
Explanation: Height is 8,848.86 meters above sea level.
Question 54
Which animal is known for changing colors?
Answer: Chameleon
Explanation: Changes skin color for camouflage and communication.
Question 55
Which gas causes global warming the most?
Answer: Carbon dioxide
Explanation: Produced mainly from burning fossil fuels.
Question 56
Which is the largest continent?
Answer: Asia
Explanation: Covers about 30% of Earth’s land area.
Question 57
Which is the smallest planet in the solar system?
Answer: Mercury
Explanation: Closest planet to the Sun.
Question 58
Which country invented pizza?
Answer: Italy
Explanation: Originated in Naples.
Question 59
Which part of the plant conducts photosynthesis?
Answer: Leaf
Explanation: Contains chlorophyll for food production.
Question 60
Which animal is the king of the jungle?
Answer: Lion
Explanation: Known for dominance and strength.
Question 61
Which is the fastest bird in the world?
Answer: Peregrine Falcon
Explanation: Can dive over 300 km/h.
Question 62
Which blood cells carry oxygen?
Answer: Red blood cells
Explanation: Contain hemoglobin.
Question 63
Which ocean lies between Africa and Australia?
Answer: Indian Ocean
Explanation: Third largest ocean.
Question 64
Which device stores electrical energy?
Answer: Battery
Explanation: Converts chemical energy into electricity.
Question 65
Which animal has the longest neck?
Answer: Giraffe
Explanation: Helps reach tall trees.
Question 66
Which gas do humans exhale?
Answer: Carbon dioxide
Explanation: Produced during respiration.
Question 67
Which instrument measures temperature?
Answer: Thermometer
Explanation: Uses mercury or digital sensors.
Question 68
Which is the largest island in the world?
Answer: Greenland
Explanation: Largest non-continental island.
Question 69
Which is the main source of energy on Earth?
Answer: Sun
Explanation: Drives climate and life processes.
Question 70
Which organ helps in digestion?
Answer: Stomach
Explanation: Breaks down food with acids.
Question 71
Which is the national bird of India?
Answer: Peacock
Explanation: Symbol of grace and beauty.
Question 72
Which country is famous for pyramids?
Answer: Egypt
Explanation: Built by ancient pharaohs.
Question 73
Which part of the atom has positive charge?
Answer: Proton
Explanation: Located in nucleus.
Question 74
Which is the longest bone in arm?
Answer: Humerus
Explanation: Upper arm bone.
Question 75
Which animal is fastest in water?
Answer: Sailfish
Explanation: Can swim about 110 km/h.
Question 76
Which is the capital of France?
Answer: Paris
Explanation: Known as City of Light.
Question 77
Which metal is best conductor of electricity?
Answer: Silver
Explanation: Highest electrical conductivity.
Question 78
Which planet has rings?
Answer: Saturn
Explanation: Made of ice and rock particles.
Question 79
Which is the largest internal organ?
Answer: Liver
Explanation: Performs detoxification.
Question 80
Which continent is completely in Southern Hemisphere?
Answer: Antarctica
Explanation: Surrounds the South Pole.
Question 81
Which is the national flower of India?
Answer: Lotus
Explanation: Symbol of purity.
Question 82
Which gas is used in balloons?
Answer: Helium
Explanation: Lighter than air.
Question 83
Which river flows through London?
Answer: Thames
Explanation: Historic river of England.
Question 84
Which is the largest ocean animal?
Answer: Blue whale
Explanation: Largest animal ever lived.
Question 85
Which animal is known for memory?
Answer: Elephant
Explanation: Excellent long-term memory.
Question 86
Which is the smallest bone?
Answer: Stapes
Explanation: Located in middle ear.
Question 87
Which country uses Yen currency?
Answer: Japan
Explanation: Official Japanese currency.
Question 88
Which star gives Earth light?
Answer: Sun
Explanation: Center of solar system.
Question 89
Which is the largest democracy?
Answer: India
Explanation: Largest voting population.
Question 90
Which is the fastest land vehicle (train)?
Answer: Maglev Train
Explanation: Can exceed 400 km/h.
Question 91
Which is the longest river in India?
Answer: Ganga
Explanation: Sacred river of India.
Question 92
Which is the largest desert?
Answer: Antarctica
Explanation: Cold desert with least rainfall.
Question 93
Which gas protects Earth from UV rays?
Answer: Ozone
Explanation: Forms protective layer.
Question 94
Which organ controls body functions?
Answer: Brain
Explanation: Central nervous system control.
Question 95
Which is the hardest rock?
Answer: Diamond
Explanation: Natural carbon crystal.
Question 96
Which country hosted 2016 Olympics?
Answer: Brazil
Explanation: Held in Rio de Janeiro.
Question 97
Which instrument measures air pressure?
Answer: Barometer
Explanation: Used in weather forecasting.
Question 98
Which is the smallest continent?
Answer: Australia
Explanation: Smallest landmass continent.
Question 99
Which is the world’s largest rainforest?
Answer: Amazon Rainforest
Explanation: Produces major oxygen supply.
Question 100
Which gas do plants need for photosynthesis?
Answer: Carbon dioxide
Explanation: Used to produce glucose and oxygen.
Conclusion
These 100 GK Facts You Didn’t Know cover science, geography, biology, and world knowledge in a simple question-answer format. Revising such surprising facts regularly improves memory, helps in competitive exams, and makes learning enjoyable. Stay curious and keep exploring new knowledge every day!