Porto Katsiki on the Ioanian Sea island of Lefkada is one of the most famous beaches in Greece and Europe in general. Translation to English means “Port of the Goat”, because before only a goat could reach this area.
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Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States of America. Situated nearly at the center of the north Pacific Ocean, Hawaii marks the northeast corner of Polynesia. While it was once a major hub for the whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, it is now economically dependent on tourism and the U.S. military. The natural beauty of the islands continues to be one of Hawaii’s greatest assets. Honolulu is the state’s capital, largest city, and cultural hub. Hawaiian and English are the official languages of Hawaii. Here are some beautiful pictures of Hawaii…..
Hawaii, almost always called the Big Island to avoid confusion – is the largest of the islands and home to Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa (the largest and one of the most active volcanoes on Earth)
Hawaii has many colorful ways of life. Some of these customs come from Pacific Islanders called Polynesians, who were the original settlers of Hawaii. Many of the people of Hawaii are of Polynesian descent. The people’s great friendliness toward tourists gives Hawaii its nickname of the Aloha State – Aloha means love in the Hawaiian Language.
Hawaii is made up of seven main islands, stretching from the majestic Big Island of Hawaii to the garden isle of Kauai. Waterfalls abound on each of the islands, as well as other beautiful sites. The entire chain of islands was formed by a single hot spot in the earth’s crust, which is currently busy building a new island off the coast of the Big Island.
Hawaii is the birthplace of big wave surfing. In the 1950’s surfers began to ride the powerful winter waves of Makaha on Oahu’s west shore and Waimea Bay on the North Shore. Big wave season in Hawaii happens roughly between November and February on Hawaii’s north shores. Some of the best surfing competitions in the world are held on Oahu’s North Shore in November and December including the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (the Super Bowl of surfing). If you’re planning to watch the pros in action, get to the North Shore early because traffic can be heavy.
Egypt has more than 100 pyramids that are spread all over the country. These pyramid structures are made up of sandstone brick. The pyramids were built for the rulers of Egypt. The first pyramid that was built in Egypt was the Pyramid of Djoser during the third dynasty. Pyramids of Giza, the oldest and only Ancient Wonder still standing, are testimony to perfection in art and design, never subsequently achieved. They were built by planners and engineers purely to serve their earthy rulers. The pyramids are the purest of constructions, built for eternity. After careful consideration, the New7Wonders Foundation designated the Pyramids of Giza – the only remaining of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World – as an Honorary New7Wonders Candidate.
Giza’s most famous archaeological site, the Giza Plateau, holds some of the most astonishing monuments in Egyptian history. Once thriving with the Nile that flowed right into the Giza Plateau, the Pyramids of Giza were built overlooking the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, which was near modern day Cairo.
The Giza Plateau is also home to many other Ancient Egyptian monuments, including the tomb of Pharaoh Djet of the First dynasty, as well as that of Pharaoh Ninetjer of the Second dynasty.
The city itself has seen some changes over time. Changes in infrastructure during the different occupations of Egypt by various rulers, including the British in the 19th and early 20th century, focused on the construction of roads, streets, and buildings in the area. It is commonly misunderstood that the Giza area is a complete desert area; however, Giza has become a thriving centre of Egyptian culture and is quite heavily populated,many facilities and buildings in the current area.
Giza saw much attention in particular to its vast amount of ancient Egyptian monuments found on the Giza Plateau, and has astonished thousands of visitors and tourists over the years. Giza’s infrastructure saw much attention from both the British government prior to the 1952 coup d’etat, as well as the current Egyptian government due to the city’s importance in tourism.
Location: Giza or Gizah is a town in Egypt on the west bank of the Nile river, some 20 km southwest of central Cairo and now part of the greater Cairo metropolis. It is the capital of the Al Jizah Governorate, and is located near the northeast border of this governorate in coordinates.
It is located right on the banks of the Nile River. Its population is 2,681,863 in the 2006 national census, the governate has 4,779,000 (1998). Its large population makes it the 2nd largest suburb in the world, tied with Incheon, Korea and Quezon City, Philippines, second only to Yokohama, Japan.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was once advocated (1884) as the location for the Prime Meridian, a reference point used for determining a base longitude.
Giza is most famous as the location of the Giza Plateau: the site of some of the most impressive ancient monuments in the world, including a complex of ancient Egyptian royal mortuary and sacred structures, including the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and a number of other large pyramids and temples.
New York City is an ultra modern, stylish and a beautiful place to visit. It is an important site when it comes to business, vacations and settlement. New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world.
New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment.
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York.
Since its opening in 1883 as the then worlds longest and first steel-wire suspension bridge, it has become an iconic part of the New York skyline. A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge on a clear day affords outstanding views of the East River and the city skyline.
Times Square is renowned for its electronic billboards that cover the facades of almost every building in the square. Such is the iconic value of the electronic billboards that zoning law now requires buildings to be covered with them.
Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the eyes of the world turn to the dazzling lights and bustling energy of Times Square as the famous New Year’s Eve Ball descends from the flagpole atop One Times Square.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located on the eastern edge of Central Park. Founded in 1870 and often referred to simply as “the Met”, it’s main building is one of the world’s largest art galleries. Its much smaller location called “The Cloisters” houses the medieval art collection.
Completed in 1959, the Guggenheim’s Frank Lloyd Wright–designed museum is among the 20th century’s most important architectural landmarks. The museum’s great rotunda has been the site of many celebrated special exhibitions, while its smaller galleries are devoted to the Guggenheim’s renowned collection, which ranges from Impressionism through contemporary art.
The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Standing at 1,047 feet (319 m),[5][6] it was the world’s tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931.
Located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 art deco commercial buildings. Many artistic features are on display in its halls and gardens and on its facades.
Presented by the people of France to the USA in 1886 to celebrate its centennial, the Statue of Liberty welcomes visitors, immigrants, and returning Americans traveling by ship from it’s home on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. It commemorates the centennial of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Worldwide, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States.
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark Art Deco skyscraper in New York City, United States, at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It is 1,250 ft (381 meters) tall. Its name is derived from the nickname for New York, the Empire State. It stood as the world’s tallest building for more than 40 years, from its completion in 1931 until construction of the World Trade Center’s North Tower was completed in 1972. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in New York City.
In the heart of New York City, Central Park is host to approximately twenty-five million visitors each year who escape the sprawling and thriving metropolis for some quiet relaxation. The park contains several lakes and ponds, extensive walking tracks, two ice-skating rinks, the Central Park Zoo, the Central Park Conservatory Garden, a wildlife sanctuary, a large area of natural woods, a reservoir with an encircling running track, and the outdoor Delacorte Theater which hosts the “Shakespeare in the Park” summer festivals.
The Cathedral of St. Patrick (commonly called St. Patrick’s Cathedral) is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, and a parish church, located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in midtown Manhattan, New York City
Welcome to Dubai City, the largest and most fascinating city of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is situated on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf, in the East of the Arabian Peninsula. The state of Dubai is commonly referred to as a city and as the most modern and cosmopolitan place in the Emirates, although, due to it’s islamic culture it is also strongly based on traditions. The currency is AED or Dh: Arab Emirates Dirhams.
The country’s ruler, Sheik Mohammed, is considered to be the i nitiator and mentor of the success. His idea to focus on tourism, technologies and the expansion of commercial and corporate activity instead of relying on the decreasing amount of oil made Dubai become the fastest growing and most popular city in the world.
Dubai Museum of Middle East Modern Art. The futuristic, elegant form created by UN Studio’s design is sleek and bold in its massing leaning over passers-by as though it were the bow of an enormous ship
Dubai Museum is the main museum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is located in the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 and is the oldest existing building in Dubai.
Burj Al Arab is a 5-star luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world.
The Jumeirah Mosque is a dominant landmark of Dubai city. Built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, this stone structure is a tribute to modern Islamic architecture. While strolling through the Mosque at sunset, you will be washed in shadows by this elegant formation.
Dubai Marina is an awe-inspiring city-within-a city that delights residents with its cosmopolitan, free-spirited atmosphere and unique, invigorating lifestyle. It will be an urban centre on the water, comparable to the most exclusive waterfront developments in the world’s leading cities. Dubai Marina is unlike anywhere else in Dubai, the Middle East and even the world.
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Dubai.
Dubai Duty Free, which is currently the single largest airport retailer in the world.
Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is currently the tallest structure in the world, at 829.84 m (2,723 ft)
Emirates Concorde Hotel & Suites is located in the heart of Dubai City, on Maktoum Street. The Hotel Offers great panoramic view over the famous Dubai Creek. Only a short drive from Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek, Golf & Yacht Club, the gold and spice markets, major shopping & leisure centers.
“The four towers, ranging from 54 to 97 floors, are clustered to form a choreographed sculpture, representing the movement of candlelight”
Atlantis, the Palm is a hotel resort at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a joint venture between Kerzner International Limited and Istithmar PSJC. The resort is modelled after the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in Nassau, Bahamas.Almost everything in it is underwater themed.
Beautiful Palm Jumeirah Villa, Stunning garden home in the exclusive Palm Jumeirah, the eighth wonder of the world. Experience the true luxury holiday home of this Palm Island Villa. The villa boasts a private pool and access to a residents-only beach where you are facing the stunning Atlantis Hotel.
Jumeira Beach, named after the Jumeirah district of Dubai, is a stretch of beach ten miles south of Dubai where developers are creating large hotel resorts and luxury housing. Also built here is the Burj Al Arab (Arab Tower) hotel.
The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping mall based on total area and sixth largest by gross leasable area. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it is part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, and includes 1,200 shops
Machu Picchu (1460-1470). In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu (“old mountain”). It is located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained ‘lost’ for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.
This is amazing and we have to wonder how, why and when did they do this. From where & how do they get water…power….sewer…..?
How did they build all this?? And why..way..”up there“!!
Shanxi is a province in Northern China. It covering an area of 156,300 square kilometers, and has a continental monsoon climate. The name Shanxi literally means “mountain’s west”, which refers to the province’s location west of the Taihang Mountains. Shanxi borders Hebei to the east, Henan to the south, Shaanxi to the west, and Inner Mongolia to the north. The capital of the province is Taiyuan. [Wikipedia]
Continue reading SHANXI, CHINA: CITY BUILT IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SHAN
