Yet their yield is often twice the global average, and their scientists (one shown testing the best light for tomatoes) are trying to increase it. The densely populated Netherlands already is the world’s No. 2 food producer, behind only the United States, which has 270 times the land mass. How do the Dutch do it?

You know what else dogs can catch? Their owner’s emotions. Studies show that canines can pick up chemical and physiological cues from people that allow our moods to become “contagious.”

Related: What are animals thinking? They feel empathy, grieve, seek joy just like us.

Sumerian culture flourished for more than 2,000 years and was the dominant power in Mesopotamia. Discover more about these enterprising peoples and their numerous innovations, including the above tablet, which was created using cuneiform, the world’s first writing system.

This email was sent to: peter.hovis@gmail.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.