1) The concept of proportional representation, used in some electoral systems, aims to ensure that political parties' representation in government aligns more closely with the proportion of votes they receive from the electorate.

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

3) Meryl Streep is an American actress widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in the history of cinema. She has received a record number of Academy Award nominations and has won several awards for her roles in films such as "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Sophie's Choice."

4) 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.