If you're from one of the five countries that still uses the Fahrenheit scale, you know how confusing it can be to convert from Celsius when you travel. The largest country to still use Fahrenheit is the United States. Here are the four other countries that also continue to use this system.
The Bahamas
The Fahrenheit system was created in the early 18th century by German scientist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, who invented thermometers that gave consistent measurements; for the first time ever, people were able to accurately gauge the temperature of their surroundings.
Once Fahrenheit had created his accurate mercury and alcohol thermometers, he realized that he needed to design a standard temperature scale so that the devices would produce consistent results — basing his system of measurement on the freezing (32 degrees) and boiling points (212 degrees) of water.
This means that when we say that the temperature in the Bahamas ranges from 70 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees in the summer, we're describing balmy warm weather all year round.
Located off the southern coast of Florida and spreading out across 100,000 square miles of ocean, the Bahamas is a group of 700 islands. With average water temperatures of 80 degrees (Fahrenheit, of course), you'll never have to worry about a chilly dip.
Belize
Fifty years after Fahrenheit invented the first standard temperature scale, Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius decided the system needed to be simplified. Celsius based his temperature scale on multiples of 10. Under this system, water freezes at zero degrees and boils at 100 degrees.
While most English-speaking countries avoided switching to Celsius for several decades, the rest of the world began to adopt this newer, more intuitive temperature scale. Another country that has stuck with the Fahrenheit system, however, is Belize. Located in Central America between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is a biodiverse country, featuring coasts, swamps, jungles, and Central America's largest cave system.
The average temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit, with cool sea breezes that prevent the weather from getting uncomfortably hot. If you love water, Belize is a great vacation spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, and fishing. Visitors can also take hikes, explore one of the country's many caves, or go horseback riding.
Palau
Despite its somewhat unintuitive structure, there are some benefits to using the Fahrenheit system. This temperature scale is slightly more precise than Celsius. For example, to properly display the difference between 70 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit, the Celsius temperatures would have to be decimals: 21.1 and 21.7 degrees, respectively.
It's not entirely unreasonable, then, that a few countries would stick to this system. That includes Palau, located in Oceania. This collection of islands has an average annual temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and it boasts long stretches of coast, beautiful jungles, and a rich cultural history. In fact, carbon dating suggests that there was civilization in Palau as early as 3500 B.C.
The country is made up of 16 states spread across several islands, which can be traversed to via boat, road, or plane. Each state offers something unique. You might try hiking through jungles and up volcanoes on Babeldaob, the biggest island in Palau. Or, for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, take some time to snorkel in Jellyfish Lake. Because they don't need to fight off predators, the jellyfish in this lake have completely lost their sting, so you can swim alongside them without fear.
The Cayman Islands
Located in the Caribbean, there are three Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Where you choose to travel depends on what you're looking for. Grand Cayman offers an exciting cosmopolitan vibe, with restaurants and a thriving nightlife. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, on the other hand, offer some seclusion and the opportunity to connect with nature in an uncrowded setting.
The weather on the Cayman Islands ranges from 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Consider a trip on the Atlantis, a submarine that offers underwater tours of bright coral canyons, shipwrecks, and reefs, during your stay. If you're a wildlife enthusiast, spend some of your time at the Cayman Turtle Centre, which allows for snorkeling in a lagoon alongside fish and sea turtles.