The GNP of Georgia decreased by an average of 16.3% in the decade ending 1996, the current most rapid decline for a sovereign state. The GNP of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have decreased by nearly 17% over the same period; these territories have been virtually blockaded by Israel since 1993. As a result the GDP of the Palestinian entity has fallen by 30% (according to UN economists) or by 35% (according to UN statisticians) in the period 1992-8.
According to the seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, the country with the most reported rapes was the USA, where 89,110 rapes were reported for the period between 1998 and 2000. The country with the most rapes reported per capita for the same period was South Africa, with 1,195 per million people.
The record for the most random objects memorized is 470, achieved by Prijesh Merlin (India), in Kannur, India, on 23 June 2012. Prijesh Merlin recalled 470 random items in the order that they were read to him.
Most rainy days – world Mt Wai-`ale-`ale (1569m 5148ft), Kauai, Hawaii has up to 350 rainy days per annum.
The most radio DJs presenting one radio show simultaneously is 60 and was achieved by Bradford Community Broadcasting (UK) in Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK, on 31 March 2012. Each DJ spoke briefly and introduced a song of their choice, and all of the participants spoke together throughout as well.
The red-coloured bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans can resist 1.5 million rads of gamma radiation, about 3,000 times the amount that would kill a human. The bacterium survives and reproduces in environments that would be lethal for any other organism and it also resists high doses of ultraviolet radiation. The most important component of this radiation resistance is the ability of the bacteria to repair damage to its chromosomal DNA. Researchers hope that they can manipulate it in such a way that it will be able to
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The most rabbits pulled out of a magician’s hat is 300 and was achieved by Walter Rolfo and Piero Ustignani, aka Jabba, (both Italy) during the Magic Congress in Saint-Vincent, Aosta, Italy on 17 May 2008.
Since accurate sales records were introduced in the US in 1991, no R&B artist has amassed more chart-toppers than Usher (USA) with 11. The first was “You Make Me Wanna…” on 6 September 1997 and the most recent was “There Goes My Baby” on 14 August 2010.
The most push-ups using the back of the hands in one hour carrying a 40 lb pack is 663 set by Paddy Doyle (UK) at Stamina’s Boxing Martial Arts Club in Erin Go Bragh Sports Centre, Birmingham, UK, on 13 May 2008.
The record for the most revolutions of a hula hoop in one minute is 243 and was achieved by Gregory Sean Dillon (USA) and took place at Vivos Fitness, in California, USA, on 20 March 2012. Gregory used a 36 inch aluminum hoop for the record attempt and managed to spin the hoop at great speed during the one minute duration. Slow motion video footage was provided to accurately verify the exact number of revolutions.