N.ELANGO: 2010-11-07

Monday, November 8, 2010

10 of the World's Smallest Things

1 – World’s smallest gun that fires deadly 270mph bullets

The SwissMiniGun is the size of a key fob but fires tiny 270mph bullets powerful enough to kill at close range.
Officially the world’s smallest working revolver, the gun is being marketed as a collector’s item and measures just 2.16 inches long (5.5cm). It can fire real 4.53 bullets up to a range of 367ft (112m).
The stainless steel gun costs £3,000 although the manufacturers also produce extravagant, made-to-order versions made out of 18-carat gold with customised diamond studs which sell for up to £30,000.

2 – World’s Smallest Fish

The world’s smallest fish has been discovered in the peat swamps of the Indonesian Island of Sumatra. The picture on the right shows its size against a thumb. At maturity, the fish can be about 7.9 mm in length.

3 – World’s Smallest Teddy Bear

At 5mm tall, this teddy bear by German artist Bettina Kaminski is the World’s Smallest Teddy Bear. Definitely one teddy bear that every little girl wishes for.

4 – World’s Smallest Horse

Thumbelina, officially the world’s smallest horse stands at an astounding 17 inches tall. She was born on a farm in America to a couple specialising in breeding miniature horses. Thumbelina was a dwarf among the dwarves, which her owner calls it a complete fluke. Normal horses lives to about 35 years while she is only likely to live for 17 years.

5 – World’s Smallest Dog

Tiny Pinnochio is possibly the world’s smallest dog weighing at one pound and only the size of a coke can. She had been on Oprah’s show in the past and rose to stardom. However she is not alive anymore where her owner found her dead after overeating herself to death. Here is the rant of mudpiglet regarding the ordeal of the dog.

6 – World’s Smallest Burger

This is a real edible cheeseburger made with real miniature buns and complete with a micro portion of fries…

7 – World’s Smallest Baby

Meet Amillia Taylor – or what she looked like on October 24th 2006 , when she was born as the world’s youngest surviving premature baby. Amillia was born at a Miami hospital after less than 22 weeks of development. Is there nothing more amazing than those teeny tiny translucent feet. Hold your own hand out in front of you, and imagine those feet poking through your fingers. She was 10 OUNCES when born (280 grams), and 9.5 inches (240 cm). That’s just longer than the length of your hand.

8 – Smallest Teapot In The World

The world’s smallest teapot made of ceramic is created by 73 year old Chinese renowned pottery master, Wu Ruishen. Weighing at just 1.4 grams this is no easy feat since clay would not be easy to mold at such scale and has to be functional as a teapot as well.

9 – World’s smallest known lizard

The world’s smallest known lizard, the Jaragua Sphaero or dwarf gecko, measures only 0.6in from the base of its tail to its snout. This endangered species lives in Jaragua National Park in the Dominican Republic and on Beata Island off the southern coast of Hispaniola.

10 – World’s smallest and most wondrous works of art

Born in 1957 in Birmingham, Willard Wigan MBE began his artistic life at a tender age. Suffering from dyslexia and learning difficulties, he struggled at school, finding solace in creating art of such minute proportions that it virtually could not be seen with the naked eye.
He’s sculptures are so small they can rest on the head of a pin or in the eye of a needle, like his Statue of Liberty sculpture

Beautiful Tulip Fields - Amazing Photos...

"Rainbow River" Worlds Colourful River - Florida, Photo Collection...

The Rainbow River is located in Dunnellon, Florida, USA, which is in the southwest corner of Marion County Florida, USA, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala, 100 miles northwest of Orlando and 100 miles north of the Tampa Bay area. The Rainbow River is formed by a first magnitude spring (Rainbow Springs) that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge. In addition to the springs located at the headwaters, there are many smaller springs that discharge from numerous caves, rock crevices, and sand boils the entire length of the river.

The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon Florida. The headwaters, Rainbow Springs, is the anchor for the Rainbow Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous vents that issue 400 – 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day. The Rainbow Springs State Park is a popular destination to swim, snorkel, canoe, picnic, or stroll on the walking paths to enjoy the many plants and animals that abound here.

Once named Wekiwa Creek, Blue Spring, and Blue Run, archaeological evidence indicates that the waters of The Rainbow River have attracted and sustained human inhabitants for over 10,000 years. The crystal clear water, abundant with fish, wildlife and vegetation along with the constant water temperature of 73 degrees, has attracted a number of modern day activities.

The Rainbow Springs and The Rainbow River became popular in the late 1880s when hard rock phosphate was discovered in the area. A small community called Juliette flourished near the springs during this “boomtown” era. In the 1930s the spring was developed as a tourist attraction. Sea walls, a lodge, gift shop, the waterfalls, and a reptile exhibit were developed. Under new ownership, the real heyday for the attraction occurred in the 1960s. During that time activity greatly increased with glass-bottomed boat rides, riverboat rides, log raft rides, a gift shop and cafe, an aviary, a leaf-shaped gondola/monorail system, a horse rodeo, and submarine boat tours. Not faring well when traffic began using I-75 instead of U.S. Highway 41, with many tourists heading to a new attraction called Walt Disney World, the attraction closed in 1974.

The Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an “Outstanding Florida Waterway” in 1987. The state purchased the original area that was the Rainbow Springs Attraction in 1990. Volunteers cleared the overgrown park and opened the park on weekends to the public. The Florida Park Service officially opened Rainbow Springs State Park on a full time basis on March 9, 1995.

Rainbow Springs State Park comprises 1,459.07 upland acres (which includes around 100 acres of wetlands) and 12.83 submerged acres. The most significant natural feature is the first magnitude headspring basin which produces between 400 – 600 million gallons of fresh water per day, forming The Rainbow River. The looking glass waters of Rainbow Springs come from several vents, not one large bubbling spring. The river itself supports a wide variety of fish , wildlife, and plants, many within easy viewing by visitors.In total, the park contains 11 distinct natural communities, including sandhills, flatwoods, upland mixed forests, and hydric hammocks. Visitors are able to see a variety of wildflowers in season; oak, longleaf pines, magnolia, dogwood, redbud, and hickory trees; gray squirrels, red-shoulder hawks, swallowtail kites, barred owls, whitetail deer, and a wide variety of wading birds. The relative peace and quiet of the winter season offers much for the nature enthusiast. There is an interpretive room located in the visitor center displaying historical, natural, and cultural resources of the park.