We all love the beach whether it’s a sizzling summer day or a brisk walk collecting seashells. Here are some fun facts about one of your favorite places!
- Sandy beaches are mostly made of silica (SiO2) in the form of the mineral quartz.
- Depending on the type of sediment that makes up the sand, beaches can come in many different colors such as: white, gray, gold-yellow, brown, red and black.
- Beaches became popular as tourist attractions during the 18th century. Today, beach side towns and beach resort areas are a magnet for tourist who come to sunbathe, swim, stroll the beach, build sandcastles, surf and body board.
- The ocean covers 71% of the earth’s surface.
- According to the Guinness World Records, the tallest sandcastle ever made was constructed in Connecticut, USA, in May 2011. It was 11.53 m (37 ft 10 in) tall.
- More than twice the number of people visit America’s coasts and beaches than people visiting all state and national parks combined.
- The proportion of people that go to the beach that can’t swim is roughly 1 out of 3.
- The pressure at the deepest point in the ocean amounts to more than 11,318 tons/sq. m, which is equal to one person trying to hold up 50 jumbo jets.
- Each year, governments take in $320 in taxes from beach tourists for every dollar is spends on beach restoration.
- Polls reveal that at least 44% of all Americans were planning a beach vacation.
