1) The Sahara Desert, located in North Africa, is the largest hot desert in the world, covering an area of about 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles). It is characterized by vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and extreme temperatures.

2) Banks play a vital role in the economy by facilitating the flow of funds between savers and borrowers, providing loans, and offering various financial services.

3) The first bank in the world, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, was established in Italy in 1472 and is still in operation today.

4) The universe is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old.