Author Archives: factcheck.org

The world population of Caribou is about 5 million. Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game

A giraffe’s feet are 12 inches wide; its legs are 6 feet tall. Source: San Diego Zoo

There were 66 nuclear power plants in the United States in 2007. Source: Energy Information Administration

The word "smallpox" comes from the Latin word for "spotted" and is a reference to the bumps that appear on the body of a person who has the disease. Source: Food and Drug Administration

About 19 percent of the total net electricity generated in the United States comes from nuclear power. That’s about equal to the amount of electricity used in California, Texas and New York, the three most populous states. Source: Energy Information Administration

About 92 percent of the coal used in the United States is used for generating electricity. Source: Energy Information Administration

Glaucoma damages the eye’s optic nerve and is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Source: National Library of Medicine

On this date in 1804, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueled with pistols in Weehawken, N.J. Source: PBS

On this date in 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state. Source: Wyoming Chambers of Commerce