WonderWhyCatalonia is an autonomous community of Spain that has been in the news recently after it held an independence referendum on the 1st of October, despite being ruled illegal by the Spanish courts. 4 weeks later, Catalan unilaterally declared their independence from Spain.
In this video I attempt to explain the situation, by first looking at the history of Catalonia and how it became part of Spain, including its modern history and independence movement, right up until the present day. I look at what would an independent Catalonia look like.
Catalonia Independence Referendum ExplainedWonderWhy2017-11-06 | Catalonia is an autonomous community of Spain that has been in the news recently after it held an independence referendum on the 1st of October, despite being ruled illegal by the Spanish courts. 4 weeks later, Catalan unilaterally declared their independence from Spain.
In this video I attempt to explain the situation, by first looking at the history of Catalonia and how it became part of Spain, including its modern history and independence movement, right up until the present day. I look at what would an independent Catalonia look like.
Music: Odd Numbers · Curtis Cole🇰🇿 Kazakhstan national anthem failsWonderWhy2024-07-30 | Well that's embarassing!Is This the Most Dangerous Sporting Event? 🧀WonderWhy2024-07-26 | Cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill
Videos supplied by Getty ImagesBeware the Australian horses!WonderWhy2024-03-22 | Read the full report here: https://files.ncis.org.au/2023-06/Fact%20sheet%20-%20FS20-01%20-%20Animal-related%20deaths%20in%20Australia.pdfLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogochWonderWhy2024-03-16 | ...How Samoa skipped a whole dayWonderWhy2024-03-08 | ...The country that gave us the .tv domainWonderWhy2024-03-01 | ...February 30th was a real dateWonderWhy2024-02-23 | ...Chinese Calendar 60-Year Cycle ExplainedWonderWhy2024-02-09 | Calendars Around the World: youtube.com/watch?v=REvKJmvuAEc
Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemicChinese Zodiac Full 60-Year Cycle - 4 HOUR LOOP (with Chinese music)WonderWhy2024-02-09 | Happy New Year! 🐉
Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic (Full track list coming soon)The Most Complex International Borders in the World - Part 4WonderWhy2023-12-26 | Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: go.nebula.tv/wonderwhy
In this 4th episode of the Most Complex International borders, I look at the surprising complications in Lake Malawi, then look at parts of Europe that are part of two countries, and finish by looking at the dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
In this video, I take a look at how Ukraine's bid to join the EU. Looking into a bit of the history of Ukraine, the process of joining, and how long it might be until it might happen.
Additional imagery credit: www.president.gov.ua EU CommissionThe Baby That Changed Irelands ConstitutionWonderWhy2023-09-12 | Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: go.nebula.tv/wonderwhy
In this video, I look at the complicated story of how one baby caused a legal and diplomatic crisis in the EU, leading Ireland to changing its constitution.
Select image/footage from Getty ImagesHow Many Countries Are There in the World? (2023)WonderWhy2023-06-23 | Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: go.nebula.tv/wonderwhy
In this video, a re-make of my first ever video, uploaded June 23, 2013, I ask the seemingly simple question: how many countries are there in the world? Turns out the answer is a bit more complicated than it seems!
Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:57 Holy See & Palestine 4:51 Kosovo 7:04 Taiwan 12:32 United Kingdom 14:29 Netherlands 15:19 Denmark & French Polynesia 15:55 Free Association 16:59 Unrecognised countries 17:57 Secession movements 19:32 How many countries are there? 20:52 10-year anniversary bonus video
In this video, I take a look at the current demographic crisis that is ongoing in Israel. The judicial reform that's been in the news lately might be an early sign of what's to come. The country will likely become more and more polarised as the demographics of the country change, and the population of the country become divided on what the future of the country should be.
Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:48 Jews 1:52 Jewish state 2:46 Arabs 4:04 Democratic state 5:35 Secular state 7:26 Status Quo 10:45 Religious fertility rates 12:28 Russian Jews 14:52 Settlements 17:09 Religious Zionists 21:17 2023 judicial reform 23:30 International relations 24:24 Conclusion 24:59 Companion video over on Nebula
Support the channel: patreon.com/wonderwhy Join the Discord: discord.gg/DpZ2Z2RuDE10 Numbers to Understand the Population of TomorrowWonderWhy2023-03-31 | Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Be well informed. Download the free Ground News app at https://ground.news/wonderwhy
In this video, I look at 10 numbers to explain the population changes that are projected between now and the year 2100
At long last, Winners & Losers has returned! Finally it's time for CITIES, after many years of comments suggesting it as a topic. This one was surprisingly difficult, given how loose the definition of a city can be, and the inconsistencies that this causes.
CATEGORIES 0:00 Intro 1:08 Population 6:17 Population Density 10:17 Global Cities 13:28 Safety 16:27 Air Pollution 18:34 Most Liveable 20:05 Lightning Round
Select image/footage by Getty ImagesThe WORST Predictions From HistoryWonderWhy2022-10-31 | Sign up for a free daily newsletter at: morningbrewdaily.com/wonderwhy
In this video, I take a look at some of my personal favourite predictions made throughout history that have truly aged horrbily with time. This video was inspired by the absurd prediction that the US would collapse in 2010 and be split among various other countries.
Secitons: 0:00 US collapse 5:23 Columbus 8:20 The War That Will End War 11:26 Peace for our time 14:01 Flying Machines 16:31 Internet's impact
A video looking at why a country might take the decision to change its flag. It can be done for any number of reasons, whether it be a regime change, independence, and something entirely unique to that country's situation.
A look a few examples of countries that have changed their flag, starting with South Africa, and the change made after an end to apartheid. I also look at the USA, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and finally Japan.
Select imagery by Getty ImagesHow the War in Ukraine Will EndWonderWhy2022-06-10 | Sign up to CuriosityStream for just $14.79 for a whole year: http://curiositystream.com/wonderwhy Also get access to Nebula through the bundle deal.
In this video, I look at how the war in Ukraine might come to an end. After first looking at a few quick scenarois, I focus mostly on a diplomatic solution to ending the conflict and the main points of contention that will need to be addressed. These can be divided into 6 different points:
0:00 Intro 2:07 Ukrainian neutrality 4:05 Security guarantee and disarmament 6:00 Denazification of Ukraine 8:17 Suppression of the Russian language in Ukraine 12:21 The Donbas and the two breakaway republics 14:20 Crimea
Be sure to check out RealLifeLore's Modern Conflicts series on Nebula, and Apocolypse Stalin on CuriosityStream for a deeper understanding of the conflict.
Maps built with GEOlayers and MapTiler75 Useless Facts About Countries of the WorldWonderWhy2021-12-31 | Sign up to CuriosityStream for just $14.79 for a whole year: http://curiositystream.com/wonderwhy Also get access to Nebula through the bundle deal.
A follow up to A Fun Fact About Every Country in the World. The best of the rest of the facts I had left over. 75 more interesting facts from countries of the world. Obviously not every country is included in this video. Many people were dissapointing that I didn't do the individual countries of the UK, plus Kosovo and Palestine. So I included them here.
Be sure to check out my director's commentary over on Nebula! https://nebula.app/videos/wonderwhy-country-fun-facts-directors-commentary
Maps built with GEOlayers and MapTilerThe Country That Didnt Want IndependenceWonderWhy2021-09-30 | Get access to Nebula/CuriosityStream with a bundle deal for just $14.79 per year: curiositystream.com/wonderwhy
The story of how Singapore suddenly and unexpectedly became independent in 1965, after a failed merger with its neighbor. Against all odds, Singapore has become one of the most prosperous nations on the planet today, despite not even wanting independence in the first place.
Footage/images courtesy of Getty ImagesWhy the President of France is Prince of AndorraWonderWhy2021-05-29 | The President of France is Prince of Andorra - but why? In this video I look at the rather unique country of Andorra and its history to becoming a co-principality.
Select images by Getty ImagesFun Fact About Every Country in the World - Part 2WonderWhy2021-02-03 | Part 2 of my fun fact about every country in the world seriers! In this video it's the countries from M to Z. Part 1: youtu.be/ZPZnTAAGKvs
For my next video, I'll be doing a BONUS VIDEO featuring all the great facts that didn't make it into the main video, since I was only able to include 1 fact per video. Leave you comments down below!
Title says it all: a fun fact about every country in the world. This is Part 1 in which we look at countries from A to L. Part 2 is already in works and shouldnt be too long until it's out. Sorry for how long it's been since my last video. 2020 was a weird year.
After 7 years on YouTube I finally decided to start a Patreon, so if you'd like to help me out by supporting this channel, it would be greatly appreciated. patreon.com/wonderwhy
I also started a Discord to engage more with my viewers, and get more direct feedback and help with my videos. Come join here: discord.gg/eshPYMhMTw
Archive footage AP archiveA Geopolitical Tour of the WorldWonderWhy2020-05-31 | Thousands of educational documentaries for just $2.99 per month: curiositystream.com/wonderwhy (You'll also get access to Nebula! Be sure to watch my Working Titles episode on Friends)
A history of our knowledge of the Solar SystemCalendars Around the WorldWonderWhy2019-12-31 | This video is about different calendars from around the world and throughtout history. Starting with the changeover from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, and then moving on to the Chinese, Hebrew, Islamic, and Mayan calendars.
Time stamps - 0:42 - Afghanistan 2:07 - Antigua and Barbuda 3:20 - Australia 6:17 - Belize 8:16 - Brazil 10:17 - Canada 11:57 - China 15:22 - Denmark 18:42 - Estonia 22:20 - Germany 31:20 - Jamaica 46:21 - Nepal 46:46 - Netherlands 52:12 - Portugal 56:55 - Seychelles 58:56 - South Africa 1:06:37 - United Kingdom 1:07:05 - United States 1:10:22 - Zimbabwe 1:10:45 - S-tier flags summary 1:10:59 - F-tier summary
Thanks for watching!Fascinating Flag FactsWonderWhy2019-11-30 | This video is sponsored by Audible: http://audible.com/wonderwhy Get 3 months of Audible for just $6.95 per month - limited offer.
In this video, I look at some of the most interesting facts about the flags of the world. Vexilollogy is a passion of mine and this is a video that I have wanted to make for a while now, so I really hope you enjoy it!
Flags on beach: videvo.net/stock-video-footageThe Worlds Oldest International BordersWonderWhy2019-09-30 | Get a 30-day free trial with Audible at http://audible.com/wonderwhy or text wonderwhy to 500 500; choose 1 audiobook and 2 Audible originals per month. I highly recommend Prisoners of Geography, great for anyone interested in geopolitics.
In this video I look at some of the world's oldest international borders. While the oldest border itself is actually fairly easy, I look at some other old borders, and consider the possibility that some border may be even older than maps themselves, forged by natures long before the modern-day countries formed.
In this 4th episode of Winners and Losers, I look the some of the most iconic landmarks and naturally beautiful places on the planet. From the Great Wall of China, to Blue Mountains of Australia, and everything inbetween.
Notre-Dame footage curtiousy of AP archive.How Fungi Made All Life on Land PossibleWonderWhy2019-06-02 | In this video, I look at an unseen cornerstone of our ecosystems: fungi. Fungi are the reason why life on land exists, as they helped plants move from the ocean onto land via symbiosis.
Even to this day, fungi is an incredibly important part of nature, and also has so many different uses to human. Although the word "fungus" may conjure up negativity in some, fungus has been the driving force for evolution, and life as we know it would be possible without them.
Huge thank you to CuriosityStream for letting me use footage from their awesome documentary, The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World. Watch it free right now! curiositystream.com/wonderwhyWhy Countries Change Their NamesWonderWhy2019-05-16 | In this video, I look at why countries might want to change their names. I look at the specific cases of North Macedonia, Eswatini, Burma/Myanmar, Iran, Czech Republic, and more.
Music by Epidemic Sound: http://epidemicsound.com/creatorBC/AD or BCE/CE?WonderWhy2019-03-31 | In this video I look the the controversy surrounding the two dating notations of BC/AD and BCE/CE. BC/AD is the traditionally Christian termonoloy, whereas BCE/CE is the more modern, "politically correct" termonology.
I look breifly at the history of how these both came to be and try to view some of the criticisms are the newer system. I try to raise valid points from both sides of the argument.
As I non-Christian myself, I don't really feel the need for the change. I think BC/AD works just fine. But that's just my opinoin, I'd love to hear yours.
Music by Epidemic Sound: http://epidemicsound.com/creatorDo We Really Need Time Zones?WonderWhy2019-03-19 | In this video, I look at the question: "Do we really need time zones?". Time zones cause a lot of problems, and in the last few years, some have called for them to be completely abolished, suggesting instead that the entire world shold just use the eact same time.
I start this video by very briefly talking about how time zones came to be, before outlining some of the potential upside to a world without time zones... I finish the video off by looking at some of the difficulties of ditching time zones, arguing that actually, it's less complicated with time zones.
This video is sponsored by Dashlane: go to dashlane.com/wonderwhy download for free, and you can get 10% off Premium with the offer code "WONDERWHY"
Much of the stock footage in this video was provided by Bigstock: http://bit.ly/bigstock-videofreetrial. Lots of great stock for a very resonable price. Go get a free trial now!Curious Capital CitiesWonderWhy2019-01-31 | A look at some curious capital cities of the world, including countries with more than one capital, no capital, disputed capitals, US state capitals, and purpose-built capitals like Washington DC.
This video is sponsored by DashlaneHow The World Map Has Changed In 100 Years (Since WWI)WonderWhy2018-11-11 | This video is brought to you by Squarespace. Get a free trial and save 10% off you first purchase at: http://squarespace.com/wonderwhy.
November 11, 2018 marks the 100 year anniversary since the end of the first world war. In this video I attempt to show how the map has changed in those hundred year!
Yet again a huge thank you to the Associated Press (and especially to the super helpful Jenny) for their continued use of their archive footage.The Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier: Cyprus Dispute ExplainedWonderWhy2018-10-30 | Cyprus, NATO's unsinkable aircraft carrier. In this video I look at how the island of Cyprus became divided through ethnic conflict and Western intervention.
Starting as far back as 1571 when the Ottoman conquest changed the demographics of the island, all the way up until the 1974 invasion the Greeks and the Turks of the island never quite managed to live together in harmony. This ethnic tension was made worse by the Cold War, and Cyprus became caught up in the world of geopolitics, in which it occupies an incredibly strategic position.
A United Nations peacekeeping force has been operating in Cyprus for over 50 years - the longest running UN force of all time. Nicosia is the last divided capital city in the world. As of yet, all attempts and negotiations to solve the dispute have failed. One can only hope that the situation is solved sooner rather than later, and without any further violence.
Archive footage courtesy of the Associated Press: http://www.aparchive.com A huge thank you to AP for permission to use their archive footage for free for this video.Why Do the Dutch Wear Orange?WonderWhy2018-08-31 | Have you ever wondered why the Dutch wear orange? Their flag is red, white, and blue - so why orange? In this video I look at this question, which may have a fairly simple answer, but there's a more to this question than first meets the eye.
This video is brought to you by Squarespace: http://squarespace.com/wonderwhy Build a beautiful website with all the tools you'll need at Squarespace. Start your free trial now and get 10% off your first purchase of a domain or website with the offer code WONDERWHY
I also look at the far-reaching influence of the colour orange, and its association with the Dutch.
I finish off by looking at a few more countries that also have national colours not on their flag.
Thanks to all my subscribers for the continued support!Holy Roman Empire ExplainedWonderWhy2018-08-09 | Looking at the origins and history of the Holy Roman Empire, assessing the claim by Voltaire that it was not holy, nor Roman, nor an empire, and finally looking at the complex hierarchical political structure of the empire.
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if the Holy Roman Empire existed today? This video is a collaboration was RealLifeLore, who looked at that very question. Link here: youtube.com/watch?v=SIwNRwPR0K0
MUSIC: Kevin MacLeod - Suonatore di Liuto incompetech.com/music/royalty-freeHave the British really invaded 90% of the countries in the world?WonderWhy2018-07-01 | Did you know that the British have invaded 90% of the countries all the world that exist today at some point in their history? Amazing, right? Or is it...?
I look at the claim that Britain have invaded 90% of the countries in the world in more detail to find out to what extent this is really true.
The fact originates from a book entitled "All the countries we've ever invaded and the few we never got round to", released in 2012 by Stuart Laycock. Here's a link of you're interested: amazon.co.uk/All-Countries-Weve-Ever-Invaded/dp/0752479695 Even though the book quite a bit sensationalised, and I disagree with a lot of countries that have been "invaded", I still really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in British history.
Map that I made for the video: imgur.com/dyun0EtThe Entire History of France in 23 MinutesWonderWhy2018-05-31 | Attempting to cover the history country of France in just one video! Starting with the tribal Frankish kingdoms, the rivalry with the England and the Habsburgs, the various wars France has fought, the reign of the famous Louis XIV, to the iconic French Revolution and the Napoleon, all the way to the World Wars and road to becoming the French Fifth Republic, the country that France is today.
Obviously I had to cut a LOT out, and oversimplify at times. That's a necessity for a video like this, which has been a very daunting!
This could potentially be the beginning of a new series, so I would love for some feedback on this video, and maybe even your suggestion for a future episode!Unification, Division, and Reunification of GermanyWonderWhy2018-04-27 | A lot has happened in Germany's recent history. From a collection of independent states, German became a unified country in 1871, was divided by the Allied Powers in the aftermath of WWII, and then finally, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Germany became the country that it is today.
Get a free 14 day trial and 10% off your first purchase with offer code WONDERWHY.Why Are There Two Congos?WonderWhy2018-03-06 | A short video explaining why there are two countries with very similar names. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbour, the Republic of the Congo. I also talk about some similar naming issues, as well as briefly looking at many African nations that share the same colour scheme.
In this video, I briefly touch on the European colonisation of Africa. This is a topic which I plan on doing an entire video on some day in the not too distant future.
MUSIC: Kumasi Groove Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Macedonia Naming Controversy ExplainedWonderWhy2018-02-01 | In this video I attempted to explain the incredibly complex and surprisingly controversial topic of the naming dispute between Greece, and the country that wished to call itself the "Republic of Macedonia", claiming that the name implies territorial ambitions upon its region, also called Macedonia.
I look at the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, where the name comes from and briefly look at the history of the Balkans and how we arrived at this situation, which became an issue in 1991 when the country declared its independence. More than a quarter of a century later and this dispute remains unsolved.
MUSIC: River Fire - Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-freeWinners & Losers - Episode 3: PlanetsWonderWhy2017-11-30 | After 3 long years, episode 3 of Winners and Losers is finally here with Episode 3: Planets.
In this episode I look in great detail at the sizes of the planets, compared to each other, and what Earth would be like if it were the size of the largest and smallest planets in the Solar System. I also go on to look at mass, rotation/orbital periods, moons, and axial tilt.
I look at some of the odd things about the Solar Systems, like why Venus has a day longer than its year, and why the planets actually spins backwards relative to Earth.
Music: Frozen Waltz - Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Whats the Oldest Country in the World?WonderWhy2017-08-25 | An attempt to answer the question "What's the oldest country in the world?". This question has no correct answer, but I try to suggest some potential candidates and then finally give my opinion as to which is the oldest.
I hope you enjoy the video, feel free to leave your opinion as to the world's oldest country!
Music:
'Silver Flame' - Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0The Most Complex International Borders in the World Part 3WonderWhy2017-05-02 | Part of 3 of the series in which I look at some of the changes that have happened since parts 1 and 2, then talk about new complex borders including: the panhandle of Namibia, the Caprivi Strip; the new international border of Sudan and South Sudan; the Chile-Argentina border dispute which came from ambiguous language in a boundary treaty.