Maria Hagan
Contributing since February, 2014
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23articles
Latest Articles
The 10 Richest Russians in 2014
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union of the 1990s, a large number of Russian oligarchs emerged with the privatisation of Russia. Savvy businessmen seized the moment and acquired huge fortunes fas
The 10 Most Popular British TV Shows Of All Time
Though the vast majority of programmes that flicker before our eyes on television these days are of American genus, smaller-scale British television seems to retain a unique aesthetic and a loyal foll
10 Highest Earning Country Singers In The World
Toe-tapping the night away to country dance tunes has consistently retained its charm since the music genre first emerged back in the 1920s, in the Southern states of the United States. Although it ha
America's 10 Richest Small Company CEOs
You always hear about the big American companies that dominate the global industry - but you hear far less about the small ones (if anything at all), even when it comes to the ones on the rise. It's a
The World's 10 Most Profitable Countries
Whether a company succeeds or fails is often down to a lot more than just the quality, innovation or ingenuity of the business idea that's put forward. Location is a key factor that is often overlooke
The 6 Most Extravagant Underground Cities
We've taken our habitations to great heights with skyscrapers and mountaintop settlements. But unbeknownst to many of us, several civilizations have extended beneath the ground. Fascinating and intric
The 10 Least Ethnically Diverse Universities In America
So the college experience is all about making friends and having fun while doing a little bit of study - right? Maybe. But it's also about broadening your horizons, developing your social consciousnes
10 U.S. Cities Where You're Most Likely To Find Love
When you get caught up in the busy, bustling rhythm of city life, love can often be the very last thing on your mind. Finding a partner is growing more and more difficult in the U.S., according to res
10 Best Places To Surf In The World
Summer is here at last and some of us still have yet to pull any holiday plans together. But what better way to spend the summer than hanging out in a friendly surf town, catching waves in a beautiful
Europe's 10 Cheapest Cities of 2014
Many of us dream of moving to the big, romantic European capitals; of soaking up the cosmopolitan lifestyle and buzz of these cultural hubs. At least until we realise the prohibitively extortionate da
The 10 Most Giving Countries In The World
Most of us enjoy the odd fundraiser, sponsored run, or simply popping into a local charity shop. The relatively privileged among us like to think we're socially conscious, and when we see the occasion
10 College Degrees With Worst Employment Prospects
‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ was always an easy question to answer as a kid -but somewhere along the way, the time actually came to grow up. Spaceman, superhero and ballerina were all of
The 10 Richest Counties in America
The United States is currently the 6th richest country in the world, according to data released by the International Monetary Fund. However, it is also renowned for its huge economic inequalities that
The 10 Countries With The Highest Incarceration Rates
There is a certain fascination for prison worlds, as has been demonstrated by hugely successful films such as Escape from Alcatraz and The Shawshank Redemption set in high-security jails. However, a g
World's 10 Cities Most Threatened By Natural Disaster
You need hardly open a newspaper these days to be acutely aware that natural disasters are becoming a more frequent, devastating reality with which today's global community is threatened. Many of the
The World's 5 Smallest Micronations
Beyond the reach of maps and borders, a treasure-trove of quirky, independent micro-nations await discovery. Since the 1970s, the term 'micronation' has been used to refer to an entity that claims ind
The Top 10 Richest Caribbean Islands
With summer approaching, many of us are dreaming of the soft sandy beaches and shining blue shallows promised by sunny Caribbean islands but for some lucky people, these exotic islands are home all ye
The 10 Least Active Countries In The World
Everyday idleness is an ever-growing concern. In a world where so much can be done from the comfort of an armchair or even your own bed, the vital importance of physical activity is often cast aside.
The Top 10 Most Physically Active Nations
As obesity becomes a bigger and bigger (literally!) problem throughout the world, healthy eating and physical activity have become primary government concerns. A 2012 study by The Lancet analysed the
Top 10 Biggest Drinking Nations
Cheers, Salud, Santé, Na zdraví, Kedves egeszsegere, Tervist. . . Every country has its own way of celebrating a much needed drink. However, with an estimated 2.5 million alcohol-related deaths worldw