Adam Johnson's 'The Orphan Master's Son' is set in North Korea. It follows the journey of a man navigating the state's propaganda, prison camps, and hierarchy.

Eleanor Catton won the 2013 Booker Prize for 'The Luminaries' at age 28. It is also the longest novel (832 pages) to win the prize, set during the New Zealand gold rush.

The Persian New Year, Nowruz, falls exactly on the Vernal Equinox (usually March 20 or 21).

The structure was the tomb of Mausolus, a satrap in the Persian Empire. It was so magnificent that his name became the generic term for grand above-ground tombs.

Launched by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is a massive global development strategy involving infrastructure investment in nearly 150 countries.

She holds dual citizenship and was recognized on this prestigious list.

Mohsin Hamid served as a judge for the prize.

Nadeem Aslam is a British-Pakistani novelist known for his poetic prose in books like 'The Wasted Vigil'.

Intizar Hussain was a celebrated Urdu writer known for his short stories and novels like 'Basti'; he was the first Pakistani to be a finalist for this award.

Alice Munro was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 and is celebrated for her mastery of the short story.