The Amazing World

Homonymns and Homophones

2011-06-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

In linguistics, a homonym is, in the strict sense, one of a group of words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings.

A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning.

These are words that are spelled differently and have different meanings, but are pronounced the same.

Can you think of any more? Can you draw a picture that shows the different meanings of the words?

ad (a commercial) add (a sum)aisle (a walkway), I'll (I will), isle (an island)
ant (an insect), aunt (a relative)
aye (means yes), eye (what you see with), I (yourself)
ball (a round toy), bawl (to cry)
band (a musical group), banned (not allowed)
be (to exist), bee (an insect)
bear (an animal), bare (with nothing)
bite (to chomp on), byte (computer term)
boar (an animal), bore (give birth or to make bored)
brake (to stop), break (to damage)
by (next to), bye (saying when you leave), buy ( to purchase)
capital (head od a state or upper case letter), capitol (government building)
cellar (basement), seller (person who sells)
cereal (breakfast food), serial (in order)
choose (to pick), chews (to grind between your teeth)
clause, claws (animal nails)
colonel (an army official), kernel (a piece of corn)
creak (a noise), creek (a small river)
cymbal (an instrument), symbal (a thing that represents another thing)
days (one part of the week), daze (daydream)
dear (someone that is special to you), deer (an animal)
die (to pass away), dye (to change color)
doe (a female deer), dough (a flour mixture)
fair (light coloring, equal, or a place with rides), fare (payment)
flea (an insect), flee (to run away)
flour (what bread is made of), flower (part of a plant)
for, four (a number), fore (a golf term)
gnu (an animal), new (not old), knew (to have known)
grate (slice into pieces), great (large or good)
groan (a noise when hurt), grown (to have gotten bigger)
hair (on your head), hare (a rabbit)
hall (a walkway), haul (to pull or carry)
hay (what horses eat), hey (a saying)
heard (to hear), herd (a group of animals)
higher (up further), hire (to employ)
hoarse (no voice), horse (an animal)
hole (a pit), whole (all of something)
hour (time), our (belonging to us)
idle (doing nothing), idol (a thing that is worshiped)
in (not out), inn (a place to stay)
knight (a royal guard), night (not day)
knot (tied together), not (excluding)
know (to be familiar with), no (not yes)
knows (to be familar with), nose (body part)
lead (a metal), led (to bring something somewhere)
loan (to let someone borrow), lone (by itself)
made (created), maid (a person that cleans)
mail (letters), male (a boy)
meat (a food), meet (to come together)

mind (your brain or to listen to), mined (extracted)moose (an animal), mousse (for hair or a dessert)
morning (in the AM), mourning (a time of sadness)
muscle (body part), mussel (sea creature)
naval (belonging to the navy), navel (belly-button)
nay (no), neigh (sound a horse makes)
none (nothing), nun (a religious woman)
oar (for rowing), or (instead of), ore (a mineral)
oh (a saying), owe (to have debt)
one (a number), won (to get something for winning)
pail (a bucket), pale (light colored)
pain (hurts), pane (w indow part)
pair (two), pair (a fruit), pare (cooking term)
patience (to wait), patients (people seeing a doctor)
pause (to stop), paws (animal feet)
peace (not fighting), piece (a bit)
peak (the top), peek (to look)
pedal (on a bike), peddle (to sell)
plain (ordinary), plane (what you fly)
poor (no money), pore (skin opening), pour (to dump liquid)
pray (to speak to a God), prey (a victim)
prince (royalty), prints (paintings or finger marks)
principal (school), principle (main)
rain (weather), reign (to rule)
raise (to lift), rays (beams of light)
rap (to knock or music), wrap (to enclose)
read (words), red (a color)
right (correct or not left), write (put words on paper)
role (a part in a play), roll (to push or tumble)
sail (boat), sale (a discount)
sea (a body of water), see (look)
sew (to create), so
shore (the beach), sure (positive)
slay (to kill), sleigh (a snow vehicle)
soared (flew), sword (a weapon)
stake (a piece of wood), steak (meat)
steal (to take), steel (a metal)
suite (a luxury room), sweet (sugary)
tail (animal part), tale (story)
tea (a drink), tee (a golf ball holder)
tense (nervous), tents (shelters for camping)
their (belonging to them), there (a place), they're (they are)
threw (to have thrown), through (finished)
to, too (also), two (a number)
toad (frog), towed (to have pulled)
vain (self-centered), vein (a blood vessel)
waist (your middle), waste (to throw away needlessly)
wait (stop), weight (measurement)
wear (to put on your body), where (place)
weak (not strong), week (time)
your (belonging to you), you're (you are)

Fun Facts about Ice Cream and You

2011-06-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

It takes about 50 licks to lick away one scoop of ice cream!

Of all the days of the week, most ice cream is bought on Sunday!

Kids aged 2-12 and adults over 45 eat the most ice cream!

More men (13%) admit to licking their ice cream bowl clean than women (8%)!

Vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip are the most popular ice cream flavors!

Chocolate syrup is the most popular ice cream topping!

5% of ice cream eaters share their ice cream with their pet!

Lilies

2011-06-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

Lilies are the most regal of all flowers - true garden aristocrats. Stunning in cut arrangements, potted, naturalized, or in formal gardens, lilies are favorites of florists, landscape designers, and home gardeners alike. Lilies are as easy to grow as any other perennial if you select varieties that are suited to your growing region and follow a few simple rules.

Tips for growing lilies including choosing varieties, soil and climate requirements, planting instructions, and a discussion of growth habits and propagation.

Modern breeding techniques have produced an incredible variety of lilies, tall or short; in distinctive forms, upright or candelabra; and stunning colors ranging from pure white through creams and pastels, pinks, yellows, oranges, golds, and vivid reds. All are equally lovely, so making choices for your garden will be difficult.

Lilies grow from scaly bulbs. The bulbs are planted in autumn, either September, October, or November, depending on your growing region. Ideally, the bulbs are sold with roots attached. Since they are never completely dormant, they should be planted as soon as you bring them home. Lilies are very attractive planted in groups. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 10 inches, then moisten the ground where the bulbs are to be planted to promote immediate root growth. Plant large bulbs (those 3 inches or more in diameter) at least 10 inches apart covered with 4 or 5 inches of soil. Cover smaller bulbs with about 3 inches of soil. Water the bulbs after planting to settle the soil. In colder growing regions, mulch the ground above the bulbs after freezing weather.

Most lilies grow best in region 8 northward through the warmer areas of region 4. Lilies do poorly in the desert southwest. In the western sections of growing regions 9 and 10, lilies should be planted where they will receive afternoon shade. While they do not require special soil, lilies must not be planted in any location where water will stand on the bulbs. A porous, rapid-draining soil is best. If your soil contains too much clay, add sand, moistened peat moss, or compost to increase porosity. It has been said that lilies, like clematis, "prefer their heads in the sun and their feet in the shade." The best location is one in sun or light shade among ground covers such as vinca or ferns.

Lilies respond well to ample feeding. In spring and early summer, apply a complete fertilizer or a combination of organic nutrients that provide adequate amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Water thoroughly. Shoots sometime emerge in early spring before the last frost. If a heavy frost or freeze is predicted, cover the lilies so the buds will not be ruined. Do not cultivate deeply around your lilies since there are feeder roots near the surface of the soil that can be easily damaged.

Depending on the variety, blooms begin in May and continue through September. For cut arrangements, the blooms will last longer if the buds are cut when they are fully colored. Be aware that cutting more than one-third of the length of the stem will weaken the bulb for next year. Remember, the more foliage this year, the more blossoms you will have next year. When blooming is over, cut off the developing seed pod but leave the stem and all the leaves.

Lilies can be propagated by using scales from the bulbs or with bulblets produced on the underground stem. Either method requires two to three years for a bulb to reach sufficient size to produce a bloom. Non-hybrid lilies can also be propagated from seed, but that method should be left to the experts.

Some of the best lilies for beginners are the coral lily, madonna lily, regal lily, tiger lily, showy lily, Olympic hybrids, Aurelian hybrids, and mid-century hybrids.

Lilies add rich colors and splendid form to almost any landscape. From the classic to the ornate, they will delight your senses and enhance your gardening experience.

Types of Lilies

But which lilies to choose???

The catalogs, with their pages and pages of breathtaking pictures and tempting descriptions, are a marvelous confusion of exciting possibilities. Some are easier than other…some bloom earlier…or later. Some need full sun…others prefer a bit of shade. If you are looking for a list of good lily varieties to grow in your garden, be sure to visit the NALS Popularity Poll page.
We can’t tell you about each one, but there is a Horticultural Classification that arranges the various types of lilies into broad groups according to parentage, further classified by flower shape.

Asiatic Hybrids – Horticultural Division 1

The asiatic hybrids are among the earliest to bloom, and also the easiest of lilies to grow! You can plant these lilies almost anywhere…especially in brightest sunshine with lots of gay garden plants for company. They have the broadest color range of any division, including whites, pinks, plums, yellows, oranges, and reds. Their flowers can be upfacing, outfacing, or pendant, and generally are not scented.
Technically speaking, Division 1 lilies are hybrids derived from such species as L. tigrinum, L. cernuum, L. davidii, L. maximowiczii, L.x macultum, L. x hollandicum, L amabile, L. pumilum, L. concolor, and L. bulbiferum.

Martagon Hybrids – Horticultural Division 2

Along with the earliest of the asiatics, blooms another entirely different group called the martagons, or martagons hansonii hybrids. These are tall lilies with many little down-facing flowers and whorled leaves. Martagons appreciate some shade, and are quite decorative in the woodland garden. Though it might take them a year to adjust to a new garden, once established, the martagons will thrive for years. Yellow, white, pink, lavender, light orange, deep dark red are the colors most often seen, often with whimsical freckles and spots.

Division 2 lilies include hybrids derived from such species as L Martagon, L hansonii, L medeoloides, and L tsingtauense.

Candidum Hybrids – Horticultural Division 3

Division 3 includes hybrids derived from such as L candidum, L chalcedonicum, L monadelphum, and other related European species, but excluding L Martagon.This division includes very few entries, and they are not easily found in commerce.

American Hybrids – Horticultural Division 4

There are many native lilies in North America…and the western species have been used to create some very beautiful and graceful lilies. The bulbs are unique…made up of little jointed scales, and the blooms like bouncy bright balloons on swinging curved pedicels. Division 4 lilies can be challenging outside of the western United States and Canada, but their unique beauty certainly makes them worth trying. With growing conditions that suit them, which includes a cool light soil and dappled shade, they can rapidly make impressive clumps.
Division 4 includes hybrids derived from North American species, such as L pardalinum, L humboldtii, L kelloggii, and L parryii.

Longiflorum Hybrids – Horticultural Division 5

This division includes hybrids derived from L longiflorum and L formosanum. These hybrids are generally elegant white trumpets, easily raised from seed, but not particularly hardy in the garden.

Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids – Horticultural Division 6

To some people, no lily is a real lily unless it is a trumpet! Who can deny that a trumpet lily is like no other plant in the garden…tall, stately, serene and magnificent…with huge waxy flowers full of fragrance? And colors…not only pure glistening white, but bright gold, yellow, chartreuse, pink, plum, and apricot are available…some with backs of brown or purple or iridescent green!

Aurelians are hybrids that include Lilium henryi in their ancestry. L. henryi is a rugged species that has tightly recurved orange or yellow flowers, giving the aurelians a wide range of flower shapes and colors.

Trumpets and aurelians bloom in mid to late season, and their huge flower heads may require staking. They may also require a mulch in cold winter areas, and some protection from late spring frosts… but these little services are amply repaid by the long season of spectacular, fragrant bloom.

Division 6 includes hybrids derived from L luecanthum, L regale, L sargentiae, L sulphureum, and L henryi.

Oriental Hybrids – Horticultural Division 7

Lilies of this exotic group are not among the easiest to grow, particularly in hot summer areas. But you will try them…we know! Often called “Stargazers “, these lilies have huge flowers with wonderful fragrance… in shades of white, pink, salmon, and crimson. Give them partial shade, plenty of water, humus rich soil that is slightly acid, and mulch for a cool root run.

Division 7 includes hybrids derived from L auratum, L speciosum, L nobilissimum, L rubellum, L alexandrae, and L japonicum.

Miscellaneous Hybrids – Horticultural Division 8

Division 8 includes hybrids that are not provided for in any previous division, including crosses between divisions. “Orienpets”, hybrids between Division 7 (oriental) and Division 6 (trumpet & aurelian) lilies are a prominent example, and you will surely want to include them in your garden. They combine the beautiful flower shape and color of the orientals …with the ruggedness and dependability of trumpets and aurelians. They are much better suited to hot summer areas than the orientals, and …more resistant to winter cold.

Species – Horticultural Division 9

Species lilies are wild lilies. Native lilies occur in North America, Europe, and especially Asia…Japan, China, Burma, & India. It is from these wild lilies that breeders have created their magnificent hybrids for our gardens. Species lilies oftentimes possess a delicate charm that appeals to many people, and many of the species make fine garden plants…while others are a real challenge to grow.

A Close-up View of the Wildflower "Sweet Pea"

2011-06-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

(Lathyrus latifolia)

Over the last few years, I have systematically searched for wildflowers in the vicinity of my home. Many species are ubiquitous. What surprises me is the number that grow in only one location. I often wonder what strange phenomenon led to their occurrence in a particular spot. The sweet pea plants studied in this article grow in an area less than one square metre in the dappled shade of a stand of male staghorn sumac trees. The plants bloom every year in early June, about a metre from the sidewalk shown in the image below.

Unless you are looking carefully, the flowers may go unnoticed, since the nearby grass and weeds are taller, and surround them. The blooms are two to three centimetres in diameter, and grow on straggly stalks to a height of no more than twenty five centimetres.

The peas belong to the family Fabaceae. Many of the members of this family have become important commercial or ornamental crops, for example: edible peas and beans, clover, and sweet peas. The sweet pea is native to Europe, but has been naturalized over most of North America. Other common names for the species are the “everlasting pea” or the “perennial pea”. The image that follows shows the two oval leaves joined by a short stalk to the main stem. Two additional tiny leaflets are positioned at the joining point, (called the axil).

A group of immature sweet pea buds can be seen below. Each bud displays a calyx composed of five pointed greensepals (modified leaves). It is interesting to note that a tiny green filament-like thread grows out from the point of intersection of each bud’s stem to the main stem.

As the buds increase in size, they begin to show pink colouration.

Just before blooming, the buds display their natural bright red colour.

The large outer petal that will form the flower’s “banner” (see later), opens to reveal the inner petals of the flower.

Finally, the brilliantly coloured blooms are revealed. The upper-most petal has a noticeable vertical groove. This petal forms the “banner” or “standard”of the flower. Beneath the banner are two lateral petals referred to as “wings”. It is these wings that cause the flower’s structure to be called papilionaceous, (like a butterfly). Finally, beneath the wings are two petals joined to form the “keel”. This keel encloses the reproductive structures of the flower.

A side view gives a different perspective . Notice how the two wing petals effectively cover the top portion of the keel.

Although the flowers in my location are deep red dappled with white, the colour may range from red through pink to (rarely), white.

While photographing a sweet pea flower, I was struck by the elegant form of this remarkable bloom!

Photographed from the back, the flower shows a lighter colouration, and the five-pointed green calyx at the base of the petals is visible.

If the two petals forming the keel are gently removed by pulling on them, the reproductive structures hidden beneath are revealed. Ten orange-brown anthers (male pollen producing organs), supported by white filaments, surround the single hairy green pistil formed by the stigma (female pollen accepting organ) supported by a sturdystyle. The flower structure of the sweet pea allows only one type of insect - the bee, to pollinate it. The nectar in a flower is stored just over the filaments of the anthers. As the bee enters the flower, its mass pulls down the keel, and the anthers and stigma move up to touch the underside of the bee’s body. The bee gets the nectar, and in so doing, becomes coated with pollen.

Under the microscope, an anther can be seen to have many spherical to ellipsoidal pollen grains on its surface.

A photomicrograph of the tip of the pistil shows both the oval green stigma, and the hairy, lighter green style that supports it. Many pollen cling to both stigma and style.

Pollen grains are irregular in shape.

The cellular structure of the banner petal shows both red and white cells in its makeup.

Pea flowered plants have the ability to obtain, (or “fix”) nitrogen from the atmosphere by using soil bacteria (Rhizobium). It is this capability that makes such plants useful, both in the environment, and to farmers, by increasing soil fertility.

Beautiful places in SriLanka

2011-06-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

all 16 photos

Most beautiful fishes

2011-06-30T20:07:00.001-07:00

10. African Cichlids

First off, cichlids is pronounced “Sick-Lids”. African Cichlids are fish found in Three lakes in Africa; Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria. The Victorian Species are less numerous and usually less colorful than the others. These fish usually grow to about six or seven inches long, with the exception of the Frontosoa Species, which grow to about twelve to fourteen inches in length. Fortunately, these fish are freshwater, and easy to raise in a home aquarium, the only requirement being that they have water with a higher pH level and plenty of hiding spots (they can be quite aggressive!). There are also species of Cichlids that live in the Amazon Basin, but these get much larger and are much more aggressive than their African relatives.

9. Parrot fish

Named Parrot fish because of their calcareous bird-like beaks. Parrot fish use these beaks to crush and eat the small invertebrates that live in coral. Much of the sand and sea floor of coral reefs are actually remains of meals from the parrot fish, they chew the coral, eat the invertebrates and spit out the leftover calcium. Like Cichlids, There are many individual species of Parrot fish, with varying degrees of color and patterns.

8. Regal Tang

Ever since “Finding Nemo” came out, these fish are usually referred to as “Dory Fish” by children. Tangs belong to a family of fish called Surgeon fish, who possess a small, retractable calcareous blade toward their tail fin. This blade is mainly used for defense, they extract it and rub against an attacker, in an effort to fend it off.

7. Coral Beauty

A small angelfish, usually available at your local pet store, they really are a fish one needs to see in person to have a full appreciation of their color. These fish are usually keepable in any marine aquarium and are very hardy.

6. Flame Angel

A close relative of the Coral Beauty, the Flame Angel has some of the boldest color of any fish I’ve seen. As with the Coral Beauty, these fish are usually easily available and affordable, but from my experience are a bit more fickle than the Coral Beauty.

5. Koi

Yeah sure, most of the Koi you have seen are probably nothing more than orange or white. However, there are many (probably close to or more than 100) color variations of Koi (Just pick up a Koi trader’s magazine the next time you’re at a bookstore). Koi can comer in many colors, including orange, red, white, gold, and black. Certain patterns are sought after by avid Koi collectors, some of whom will pay thousands of dollars for a single fish.

4. Moorish Idol

One of the most difficult fish to keep in a home aquarium (and very expensive as well), to most aquarists these fish are the pinnacle of the hobby. You may think you’ve seen them before, but you’re probably getting them confused with another species, the Bannerfish (also known as the False Idol). In eight years of the hobby, I’ve only ever seen these fish for sale in shops on three occasions.

3. Lion fish

Probably one of my favorite fish of all time, the Lionfish (or Zebrafish) is a fascinating species, and is easy to become mesmerized by one when watching it swim. The spines you see on its back possess a painful and powerful venom. Thankfully the Lionfish is somewhat docile and not a fast swimmer, but all aquarists who own one must take extra care when cleaning their tank.

2. Discus

Another freshwater species, Discus are probably the single most beautiful species of Freshwater fish. They are also probably the most expensive Freshwater species, second only to the Koi or the Arowana. A small 3 inch juvenile can be anywhere from $50-$80. There are many color variations of Discus, most of which are simply breathtaking. Although they are Freshwater species, they do require more experience and care than some Saltwater fish.

1. Mandarinfish

Beautiful Tulip Farm Pictures of The Netherlands

2011-06-30T20:02:00.001-07:00

Beautiful lavender farm

2011-06-30T00:39:00.000-07:00

The lavenders (Lavandula) are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. An Old World genus, distributed from Macaronesia across Africa, the Mediterranean, South-West Asia, Arabia, Western Iran and South-East India. It is thought the genus originated in Asia but is most diversified in its western distribution.

The genus includes annuals, herbaceous plants, subshrubs, and small shrubs. The native range extends across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, Arabia and India. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens worldwide, they are occasionally found growing wild as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range. However, since lavender cross-pollinates easily, there are countless variations within the species. The color of the flowers of some forms has come to be called lavender.

Lavender is a pale tint of violet. It applies particularly to the color of the flower of the same name. The color lavender might be described as a medium violet or a light pinkish purple. The complementary color of lavender is olive.

Most Beautiful Airports in the World

2011-06-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

1. Terminal 3, Beijing International Airport

The world’s most beautiful airports aren’t just for show, they also bring heightened functionality. These airports will not only dazzle you their design may also help you get to your gate on time.

2. Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan

3. Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong

4. Marrakech Menara Airport, Morocco

5. Incheon International Airport, South Korea

6. Denver International Airport

7. Sondika Airport, Bilbao, Spain

8. Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay

9. TWA Terminal, John F. Kennedy Airport, New York City

10. Terminal 4, Barajas Airport, Madrid

10 Most Amazing Ghost Towns

2011-06-30T00:10:00.001-07:00

KOLMANSKOP (Namibia): Buried in sand

Kolmanskop is a ghost town in southern Namibia, a few kilometres inland from the port of Lüderitz. In 1908, Luederitz was plunged into diamond fever and people rushed into the Namib desert hoping to make an easy fortune. Within two years, a town, complete with a casino, school, hospitaland exclusive residential buildings, was established in the barren sandy desert. But shortly after the drop in diamond sales after the First World War, the beginning of the end started. During the 1950's the town was deserted and the dunes began to reclaim what was always theirs.

Soon the metal screens collapsed and the pretty gardens and tidy streets were buried under the sand. Doors and windows creaked on their hinges, cracked window panes stared sightlessly across the desert. A new ghost town had been born.

A couple of old buildings are still standing and some interiors like the theatre is still in very good condition, but the rest are crumbling ruins demolished from grandeur to ghost houses.

PRYPIAT (Ukraine): Chernobyl workers' home

Prypiat is an abandoned city in the "zone of alienation" in northern Ukraine. It was home to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant workers, abandoned in 1986 following the Chernobyl disaster. Its population had been around 50,000 prior to the accident.

Until recently, the site was practically a museum, documenting the late Soviet era. Apartment buildings (four of which were recent constructions not yet occupied), swimming pools, hospitals and other buildings were all abandoned, and everything inside the buildings was left behind, including records, papers, TVs, children's toys, furniture, valuables, and clothing, etc. that any normal family would have with them. Residents were only allowed to take away a suitcase full of documents, books and clothes that were not contaminated. However, many of the apartment buildings were almost completely looted some time around the beginning of the 21st century.[citation needed] Nothing of value was left behind; even toilet seats were taken away. Some buildings have remained untouched. Many of the building interiors have been vandalized and ransacked over the years. Because the buildings are not maintained, the roofs leak, and in the spring the rooms are flooded with water. It is not unusual to find trees growing on roofs and even inside buildings. This hastens deterioration, and due to this, a 4-story school partially collapsed in July of 2005.

SAN ZHI (Taiwan): a futuristic resort

in the North of Taiwan, this futuristic pod village was initially built as a luxury vacation retreat for the rich. However, after numerous fatal accidents during construction, production was halted. A combination of lack of money and lack of willingness meant that work was stopped permanently, and the alien like structures remain as if in remembrance of those lost. Indeed, rumors in the surrounding area suggest that the City is now haunted by the ghosts of those who died.

After this the whole thing received the cover-up treatment. And the Government, who commissioned the site in the first place was keen to distance itself from the bizarre happenings. Thanks to this, there are no named architects. The project may never be restarted thanks to the growing legend, and there would be no value in re-developing the area for other purpose. Maybe simply because destroying homes of lonely spirits is a bad thing to do. San Zhi can also be seen from an aeriel view here.

CRACO (Italy): a fascinating medieval town

Craco is located in the Region of Basilicata and the Province of Matera. About 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Taranto at the instep of the “boot” of Italy. This medieval town is typical of those in the area, built up with long undulating hills all around that allow for the farming of wheat and other crops. Craco can be dated back to 1060 when the land was in the ownership of Archbishop Arnaldo, Bishop of Tricarico. This long-standing relationshop with the Church had much influence over the inhabitants throughout the ages.

In 1891, the population of Craco stood at well over 2,000 people. Though there had been many problems, with poor agricultural conditions creating desperate times. Between 1892 and 1922 over 1,300 people moved from the town to North America. Poor farming was added to by earthquakes, landslides, and War - all of which contributed to this mass migration. Between 1959 and 1972 Craco was plagued by these landslides and quakes. In 1963 the remaining 1,800 inhabitants were transferred to a nearby valley called Craco Peschiera, and the original Craco remains in a state of crumbling decay to this day.

ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE (France): the horror of WWII

The small village of Oradour-sur-Glane, France, is the setting of unspeakable horror. During World War II, 642 residents were massacred by German soldiers as punishment for the French Resistance. The Germans had initially intended to target nearby Oradour-sur-Vayres and mistakenly invaded Oradour-sur-Glane on June 10th 1944. According to a survivor’s account, the men were herded into barns where they were shot in the legs so they would die more slowly. The women and children, who had been held in a church, all perished when their attempt to escape was met by machine-gun fire. The village was razed by the Germans afterward. Its ruins still stand today as a memorial to the dead and a reminder of the events that took place.

GUNKANJIMA (Japan): the forbidden island

This island is one among 505 uninhabited islands in the Nagasaki Prefecture of Japan about 15 kilometers from Nagasaki itself. It is also known as "Gunkan-jima" or Battleship Island thanks to its high sea walls. It began in 1890 when a company called Mitsubishi bought the island and began a project to retrieve coal from the bottom of the sea. This attracted much attention, and in 1916 they were forced to build Japan’s first large concrete building on the island. A block of apartments that would both accommodate the seas of workers and protect them from hurricanes.

In 1959, population had swelled, and boasted a density of 835 people per hectare for the whole island (1,391 per hectare for the residential district) - one of the highest population densities ever recorded worldwide. As petroleum replaced coal in Japan in the 1960’s, coal mines began shutting down all over the country, and Hashima’s mines were no exception. In 1974 Mitsubishi officially announced the closing of the mine, and today it is empty and bare, with travel currently prohibited. The island was the location for the 2003 film ‘Battle Royale II’ and inspired the final level of popular Asian videogame "Killer7".

KADYKCHAN (Russia): memories of the Soviet Union

Kadykchan was one of many small Russian cities that fell into ruin when the Soviet Union collapsed. Residents were forced to move to gain access to services like running water, schools and medical care. The state moved them out over a period of two weeks, and they were taken to other towns and provided with new housing. Once a tin mining town of 12,000 people, the city is now desolate. In their hurry to leave, residents left their belongings behind in their homes, so you can now find aging toys, books, clothing and other objects throughout the empty city.

KOWLOON WALLED CITY (China): A lawless city

The Kowloon Walled City was located just outside Hong Kong, China during British rule. A former watchpost to protect the area against pirates, it was occupied by Japan during World War II and subsequently taken over by squatters after Japan’s surrender. Neither Britain nor China wanted responsibility for it, so it became its own lawless city.

Its population flourished for decades, with residents building labyrinthine corridors above the street level, which was clogged with trash. The buildings grew so tall that sunlight couldn’t reach the bottom levels and the entire city had to be illuminated with fluorescent lights. It was a place where brothels, casinos, opium dens, cocaine parlors, food courts serving dog meat and secret factories ran unmolested by authorities. It was finally torn down in 1993 after a mutual decision was made by British and Chinese authorities, who had finally grown wary of the unsanitary, anarchic city and its out-of-control population.

FAMAGUSTA (Cyprus): once a top tourist destination, now a ghost town

Varosha is a settlement in the unrecognised Republic of Northern Cyprus. Prior to the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, it was the modern tourist area of the city of Famagusta. For the last three decades, it has been left as a ghost town. In the 1970s, the city was the number one tourist destination in Cyprus. To cater to the increasing number of tourists, many new high-rise buildings and hotels were constructed.

When the Turkish Army gained control of the area during the war, they fenced it off and have since refused admittance to anyone except Turkish military and United Nations personnel. The Annan Plan had provided for the return of Varosha to Greek Cypriot control, but this never happened, as the plan was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters. As no repairs have been carried out for 34 years, all of the buildings are slowly falling apart. Nature is reclaiming the area, as metal corrodes, windows break, and plants work their roots into the walls and pavements. Sea turtles have been seen nesting on the deserted beaches.

By 2010, the Turkish Cypriot administration of the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus plan to reopen Varosha to tourism and the city will be populated as one of the most influential cities in the north of the island.

AGDAM (Azerbaijan): once a 150,000 city of people, now lost

The eerie city of Agdam, Azerbaijan was once a thriving city of 150,000 people. It was lost in 1993 during the Nagorno Karabakh war; though the city was never the setting of combat, it fell victim to vandalism while occupied by Armenians. The buildings are gutted and empty, with only the graffiti-covered mosque remaining intact. Agdam residents have moved to other areas of Azerbaijan, as well as into Iran.

Most amazing places in the world

2011-06-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche[wiki], the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress, and then meditated in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls.
The monastery, formally called Taktshang Goemba, was built in 1692 and reconstructed in 1998 after a fire. Now, the monastery is restricted to practicing Buddhists on religious retreats and is off-limits to ordinary tourists.

Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world. The all-white, highly ornate structure gilded in mosaic mirrors that seem to shine magically, is done in a distinctly contemporary style. It is the brainchild of renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Actually, the temple is still under construction. Chalermchai expects it will take another 90 years to complete, making it the Buddhist temple equivalent of the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain!

Prambanan

Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia. The temple was built in 850 CE, and is composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones.

Nearly all the walls of the temple are covered in exquisite bas relief carvings, which narrate stories of Vishnu’s incarnations, adventures of Hanuman the Monkey King, theRamayana [wiki] epic and other legends.

Though not the biggest temple in Indonesia (Borobudur is larger – see below), Prambanan makes up in beauty and grace for what it lacks in size.

Shwedagon Pagoda

No one knows exactly when the Shwedagon Paya [wiki] (or Pagoda) in Myanmar was built – legend has it that it is 2,500 years old though archaeologists estimate that it was built between the 6th and 10th century.

Now, when people say "golden temple" they usually mean that the structure is golden in color. But when it comes to the Shwedagon Pagoda, golden literally means covered in gold! In the 15th century, a queen of the Mon people donated her weight in gold to the temple. This tradition continues until today, where pilgrims often save for years to buy small packets of gold leafs to stick to the temple walls.

As if all that gold wasn’t enough, the spire of the stupa or dome is covered with over 5,000 diamonds and 2,000 rubies (there’s even a 76 carat diamond at the very tip!). And oh, the temple housed one of the holiest relics in Buddhism: eight strands of Buddha’s hair.

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven [wiki] is a Taoist temple in Beijing, the capital of China. The temple was constructed in 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (who also built the Forbidden City) as his personal temple, where he would pray for good harvest and to atone for the sins of his people.

The Temple’s architecture is quite interesting: everything in the temple, which represents Heaven, is circular whereas the ground levels, which represent the Earth, are square.

Chion-in Temple

Chion-in Temple [wiki] was built in 1234 CE to honor the founder of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, a priest named Honen, who fasted to death in the very spot. At one point in time, the complex had 21 buildings but due to earthquakes and fire, the oldest surviving building is from the 17th century.

Visitors to the Chion-in Temple must first pass through the largest gate in Japan: the two-story San-mon Gate. The temple bell is also a record setter: it weighs 74 tons and needs 17 monks to ring it during the New Year celebrations.

Another interesting feature of the Chion-in Temple is the "singing" floor of the Assembly Hall. Called a uguisu-bari or nightingale floor, the wooden planks were designed to creak at every footstep to alert the monks of intruders!

Borobudur

In the 19th century, Dutch occupiers of Indonesia found a massive ancient ruin deep in the jungles of Java. What they discovered was the complex of Borobudur, a gigantic structure built with nearly 2 million cubic feet (55,000 m³) of stones. The temple has nearly 2,700 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Until today, no one knows for sure when and why it was built, nor the reason for its complete abandonment hundreds of years ago. Some scholars believe that Borobudur is actually a giant textbook of Buddhism, as its bas reliefs tell the story of the life of Buddha and the principles of his teachings. To "read," a pilgrim must make his way through nine platforms and walk a distance of over 2 miles.

Golden Temple

The Harmandir Sahib (meaning The Abode of God) or simply the Golden Temple[wiki] in Punjab, India is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism. For the Sikhs, the Golden Temple symbolizes infinite freedom and spiritual independence.

The site of the Temple began with a small lake that was so peaceful that even Buddha came there to meditate. Thousands of years later, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism also lived and meditate by the lake.

Construction of the Golden Temple began in the 1500s, when the fourth Guru of Sikhism enlarged the lake that became Amritsar or Pool of the Nectar of Immortality, around which the temple and the city grew. The Temple itself is decorated with marble sculptures, gilded in gold, and covered in precious stones.

Vishnu Temple of Srirangam

The Temple of Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple [wiki]), in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli (or Trichy), is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world (Ankor Wat is the largest of all temple, but it is currently non-functioning as a temple – see below).

The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, one of three Gods in Hinduism. Legend has it that a long time ago, a sage rested and put down a statue of Vishnu reclining on a great serpent. When he was ready to resume his journey, he discovered that the statue couldn’t be moved, so a small temple was built over it. Over centuries, the temple "grew" as larger ones were built over the existing buildings.

The temple complex is massive: it encompasses an area of over 150 acres (63 hectares) with seven concentric walls, the outermost being about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long! The walls demarcate enclosures within enclosures, each more sacred than the next, with the inner-most enclosure is forbidden to non-Hindus.

The Temple of Srirangam is famous for its gopurams or entrances beneath colorful pyramids. The temple has 21 gopurams total, with the largest one having 15 stories and is nearly 200 feet (60 m) tall.

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon

Last but definitely not least is the largest temple in history and the inspiration to countless novels and action movies of Hollywood: Ankor Wat.

Angkor Wat [wiki] was built in the early 12th century in what is now Cambodia. The world famous temple was first a Hindu one, dedicated to Vishnu. In the 14th or 15th century, as Buddhism swept across Asia, it became a Buddhist temple.

The Western world’s got a glimpse of Angkor Wat when a 16th century Portuguese monk visited the temple and eloquently described it as "of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of." His words still rang true today.

Tourists visiting Angkor Wat usually also visit the nearby ruins of Angkor Thom andBayon [wiki], two fantastic temples that serve as the ancient capital of Khmer empire.

Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

Potala Palace [wiki], built on top of the Red Mountain in Lhasa, Tibet, China was built by the first emperor of Tibet in 637 CE. The current palace was re-constructed in the mid-1600s by the fifth Dalai Lama.

The Palace consists of two main buildings, the Potrang Karpo (White Palace) and Portrang Marpo (Red Palace). It was the chief home of the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama until he was forced to flee to India when China invaded Tibet in 1959. It is now a state museum.

Jokhan Temple [wiki] is the spiritual center of Lhasa and is considered the most important and sacred temple in Tibet. The temple was built in 642 CE and has since housed the single most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism: a statue of Gautama Buddha [wiki], the founder of Buddhism.

The city of Lhasa has three concentric paths that pilgrims use to walk to Jokhang Temple. Many actually prostrate themselves along these routes in order to gain spiritual merit!

Varanasi

Varanasi in India is not a temple, but ais ctually a famous Hindu holy city, located at the banks of the Ganges River. It is, however, often called the "City of Temples," where almost every road crossing has a nearby temple. A center of pilgrimage (as many as a million pilgrims visit Varanasi each year), the city has links to Buddhism and Jainism as well.

Optical Illusion

2011-06-29T04:18:00.001-07:00

How steady are your eyes? Stare at the center of this circle. simply gaze
into the cross in the center and try not to move.

If done right, the outer circles should appear to eventually fade or disappear completely. Give it a try!

Bathroom Floor

2011-06-29T04:15:00.000-07:00

IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY....

YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING....... AND THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM.... You open the door....
NOW, REMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR!

TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY.....DOESN'T IT?

Math Humour

2011-06-29T04:10:00.001-07:00

Q: What did zero say to eight?
A: Nice belt!!

Q: What do you call a mathematician's bird that won't eat?
A: A poly "no meal"

Q: How does one insult a mathematician?
A: You say: "Your brain is smaller than any ε > 0"

Q: Why do you rarely find mathematicians spending time at the beach?
A: Because they have sine and cosine to get a tan and don't need the sun!

Life is complex: it has both real and imaginary components.

Q: How do mathematicians induce good behavior in their children?
A: 'If I've told you n times, I've told you n+1 times...'

Theorem: Every positive integer is interesting.
Proof: By contradiction, assume that there exists an uninteresting positive integer. Then there must be a smallest uninteresting positive integer. But that's pretty interesting! Therefore a contradiction!

Q: What is purple and commutative?
A: An abelian grape...

Let epsilon be less than zero...

In some alley, a function meets up with a differential operator:
"Get out of my way - or I'll differentiate you till you're zero!"
"Try it - I'm e^x..."
"Too bad... I'm d/dy."

Top ten excuses for not doing homework:

I accidentally divided by zero and my paper burst into flames.
It was Isaac Newton's birthday.
I could only get arbitrarily close to my textbook. I couldn't actually reach it.
I have the proof, but there isn't room to write it in this margin.
I was watching the World Series and got tied up trying to prove that it converged.
I have a solar powered calculator and it was cloudy.
I locked the paper in my trunk but a four-dimensional dog got in and ate it.
I couldn't figure out whether I am the square root of negative one or i is the square root of negative one.
I took time out to snack on a doughnut and a cup of coffee. I spent the rest of the night trying to figure which one to dunk.
I could have sworn I put the homework inside a Klein bottle, but this morning I couldn't find it.

Salary Theorem: The less you know, the more you make.
Proof:
Fact #1: Knowledge is Power
Fact #2: Time is Money
We know that: Power = Work / Time
And since Knowledge = Power and Time = Money
It is therefore true that Knowledge = Work / Money
Solving for Money, we get:
Money = Work / Knowledge
Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero, Money approaches infinity, regardless of the amount of Work done

Q: What is the world's longest song?
A: "Aleph-nought Bottles of Beer on the Wall."

Q: How many mathematicians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A1: None. It's left to the reader as an exercise.
A2: None. A mathematician can't screw in a light bulb, but he can easily prove the work can be done.
A3: One. He gives it to four programmers, thereby reducing the problem to the already solved
A4: The answer is intuitively obvious

Q: Why do they never serve beer at a math party?
A: Because you can't drink and derive...

A SLICE OF PI
******************
3.14159265358979
1640628620899
23172535940
881097566
5432664
09171
036
5

Top ln(e^10) reasons why e is better than pi:

10) e is easier to spell than pi.
9) pi ~= 3.14 while e ~=2.718281828459045...
8) The character for e can be found on a keyboard, but pi sure can't.
7) Everybody fights for their piece of the pie.
6) ln(pi) is a really nasty number, but ln(e) = 1.
5) e is used in calculus while pi is used in baby geometry.
4) 'e' is the most commonly picked vowel in Wheel of Fortune.
3) e stands for Euler's Number, pi doesn't stand for squat.
2) You don't need to know Greek to be able to use e.
1) You can't confuse e with a food product.

Some famous mathematician was to give a keynote speech at a conference. When he was asked for an advance summary, he said he would present a proof of Fermat's Last Theorem -- but they shouldn't announce it. Although when he arrived, he spoke on a much more prosaic topic. Afterwards the conference organizers asked why he said he'd talk about the theorem and then didn't. He replied that this was his standard practice, just in case he was killed on the way to the conference.

An engineer thinks that his equations are an approximation to reality.
A physicist thinks reality is an approximation to his equations.
A mathematician doesn't care.

Did you hear about the teacher who was arrested trying to board an airplane with a compass, a protractor and a calculator?

He was charged with carrying weapons of math instruction.

If it's zero degrees outside today and it's supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be?

A mathematician organizes a lottery in which the prize is an infinite amount of money. When the winning ticket is drawn, and the jubilant winner comes to claim his prize, the mathematician explains the mode of payment:
"1 dollar now, 1/2 dollar next week, 1/3 dollar the week after that..."

There are two groups of people in the world:
Those that don't do math... and those that take care of them.

The Dictionary: What mathematics professors say, and what they mean by it:
Clearly: I don't want to write down all the "in-between" steps.
Trivial: If I have to show you how to do this, you're in the wrong class.
It can easily be shown: No more than four hours are needed to prove it.
Check for yourself: This is the boring part of the proof, so you can do it on your own time.
Hint: The hardest of several possible ways to do a proof.
Brute force: Four special cases, three counting arguments and two long inductions.
Elegant proof: Requires no previous knowledge of the subject matter and is less than ten lines long.
Similarly: At least one line of the proof of this case is the same as before.
Two line proof: I'll leave out everything but the conclusion, you can't question 'em if you can't see 'em.
Briefly: I'm running out of time, so I'll just write and talk faster.
Proceed formally: Manipulate symbols by the rules without any hint of their true meaning.
Proof omitted: Trust me. It's true.

Pick up lines:

1. Honey, you're sweeter than 3.14
2. I'm not trying to be obtuse, but you're acute girl.
3. You and I would add up better than a Riemann sum.
4. I'll love you from here to infinity
5. You fascinate me more then the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
6. Are you a differential function? Because I'd like to be tangent to your curves!
7. I am equivalent to the Empty Set when you aren't with me.

MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN THE WORLD

2011-06-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

1. Hong Kong: apparently having 4 of the 15 tallest towers in the world will make you the number 1 city!it is beautiful at night though, the magnificent architecture of the high rise buildings in hong kong is breath taking..

2. Chicago: ok im a little surprised since New York is the greatest city in the world in my green eyes! but Chicago was the birth of sky scrapers, surprisingly, they built the first sky scraper in chicago in 1885! the chicago park district is amazing, and the city at night, is a colorful masterpiece.

3. Shanghai: the beautiful city indeed.. although i would freak out and invest in a private jet to NOT drive over the crazy Nanpu bridge, i still cant deny its amazing. buildings are excessively tall, but beautifully designed and unique, and houses are authentic asian beauties..

4. New York: wall street, the opera house, the empire state building, lady liberty, Dylan’s candy shop!! ahhh.. New York, the home of new york cheesecake! this is MY favorite city ever.. noone knows why exactly, but NYC is the most charming city in the world. its on this list (i donno who came up with the list, i received it by email) because its versatile. the culture, the art, the music, the food, the places and faces of New York. i absolutely love it.

5. Tokyo: the most populated city by FAR! 32 million people! Technologically advanced, with great tall buildings, Japan is one of the most sophisticated asian countries, yet it still held on to its traditions. the cherry blossom festivals, the houses, the culture, the music, the geishas, its all so magical!

SO WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY ???

10 most beautiful beaches in the world

2011-06-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

10. Whitehaven, Australia

7 Kilometers of cleanest white sand beach in one of the most isolated coast in the world would certainly be sufficient for our relaxing need. Isn’t It? Sunglasses is a necessity at this beach because the sand is truly white.

Whitehaven beach, Australia

9. Tulum Beach, Mexico

One of the first resorts in Mexico. Perhaps hundreds years ago also had been used by the Mayan as a resort as well. Ever dream of swimming in the white sandy beach, calm and relax accompanied by a Background of mayan pyramid? Here your dream come true. You can also Escape into wonderful Villa La Estancia Puerto Vallarta resort and enjoy the vacation.

Tulum Beach, Mexico

8. Mnemba Lodge, Tanzania

Most beautiful beaches in Africa continent, although not located in mainland of Africa. The trip to this beach is not easy, but if you have reached on this beach, everything seemed to be valuable with the relaxing white sand and very beautiful beach.

Mnemba Lodge, Tanzania

7. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

This beach is not so large, but this is a beach with the clearest water and cleanest blue in hawaii. Complete with view of two small islands called Mokuluas in the distance. Good Bye Waikiki!

Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

6. Kondoi, Coral beach Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa. the safest islands in the world. the door here is never locked. 3 of 10 the oldest human in the world live in these islands. Very relaxing atmosphere results from the atmosphere of a typical Japanese countryside combined with beautiful beaches. Magnificent! Just one thing need consideration, It’s expensive place.

Kondoi Coral beach, Okinawa, Japan

5. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

Bermuda is one of the most expensive place for beach tour in the world. But that didn’t stop thousands of tourists come to visit this island every year. The friendly weather, friendly calm water and waves, crystal clear water, and the pink sand make Horseshoey Bay almost unparalleled with the rest beach of this planet. This is the best beach and island in Caribbean!

Horseshoe Bay Bermuda

4. Boracay, Philippines

Boracay is an island in the Philippines that located about 200 miles south of Manila and 2 kms from the northwest tip of Panay island in the Visayas Region in Philippines. In 1990, It was elected by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and again in 1996 by the British publication TV Quick as the world’s number one tropical beach.

Boracay, Philippines

3. Anguilla

Ranked first in the top 10 World Best beaches of 2005 by the Discovery Channel Travel and Adventure certainly not a nonsense. Anguilla has it all. Quiet, clean, modern, complete with little island life that really “Carribean”.

Anguilla

2. Maldives

The best calm beach in the world. Beautiful, quiet, modern and secluded. The very rare combination found on the beaches in the world. Welcome to Maldives.

Maldives

1. Fernando De Noronha, Brazil

Fernando De Noronha, is is an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, around 220 miles offshore from the Brazilian coast.Probably the most beautiful beaches in the world where only a few people know about it. Fernando De Noronha is One of the Unesco World Heritage Site as “the most beautiful marine park in the World”.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

10 most beautiful places in the world

2011-06-29T03:22:00.000-07:00

The Grand Canyon, United States

A steep gorge by the Colorado River, Arizona in the United States, the Grand Canyon has some truly enjoyable scenery. It is 277 miles in length, 4 to 18 miles in width, and about a mile deep. Scientists believe that the canyon was created by the Colorado River over a six million year period.

Native Americans built settlements in the caves within the canyon before the emigration of Europeans. It was also considered to be a site of pilgrimage by the Pueblo people. The first recorded visit to the Grand Canyon by the Europeans was in 1869. Although it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is known for its extremely large size and beautifully intricate landscape. The Grand Canyon National Park is said to be one of the first national parks in the United States and it attracts more than five million visitors a year. Weather conditions in the Grand Canyon vary greatly between seasons as well as varying at different elevations. While winter snow is experienced by the higher forested rims, the inner gorge has a desert temperature because of the low elevation.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia is the world’s largest coral reef. It has the distinction of being placed in the World Heritage as well as the National Heritage lists.

With more than 600 islands and coral cays, the reef covers more than 300,000 sq. km. Corals make up the reefs and cays and are responsible for a huge variety of sea life in the reef — green turtles, several varieties of whales and dolphins, the dugong, about 4000 types of mollusks, 1500 different species of fish, as well as beautifully colored bird life encompassing at least 200 species. The Great Reef Marine Park is a huge tourist attraction with millions of tourists visiting the area each year. Sporting activities include reef sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, amongst others.

Cape Town, South Africa

Aptly called “Heaven on earth,” this beautiful town at the tip of the African continent, with small roads surrounded by huge mountains, makes a person feel small; showing how marvelous and dominating nature can actually be.

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal in India is one of the wonders of the world and is one of the most beautiful mausoleums constructed by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Located in Agra, white marble was used in the construction of this symbol of love, and the Taj Mahal is considered to be the pinnacle of Mughal architecture.

As the story goes, the emperor was grief-stricken when he lost his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took thousands of craftsmen and artisans, and about twenty years to construct it. The masons, stone cutters, carvers, inlayers, calligraphers, painters, and others were brought from throughout the entire empire as well as from Iran and Central Asia. Semi-precious stones were used for inlay ornamentation. It later became the mausoleum of Shah Jahan too. This is a huge tourist attraction with one to two million tourists visiting it every year.

Canadian Rockies, Canada

Machu Picchu, Peru

which means ‘Old Peak,” is one of the most enigmatic ancient sites in the world. According to legend, Machu Picchu was long ago considered to be a sacred place. The credit for the creation of the extraordinary city goes to the Inca people who have erected many stone structures and turned the place into a work of art.

Two thousand feet above the Urubamba river, these ruins consist of baths, temples, palaces, and about 150 houses, all very well preserved. These gray granite structures, some of which weigh more than 50 tons, are so perfectly sculpted that they are nothing less than works of architectural genius. They were rediscovered by a Yale archaeologist in 1911. The ethereal beauty, workmanship, and history of the place attracts millions of tourists each year.

The Pyramids, Egypt

The Egyptian pyramids are massive monuments with a square base and four triangular sides rising up to a point. There is still a lot of curiosity (and many theories) as to how the pyramids were actually constructed.

It is generally believed that the Egyptians began constructing them after 2700 B.C. and that they were built as tombs for the pharaohs. The most well-known (and the largest) pyramids of Egypt are the Pyramids at Giza which are said to be the largest ever built. It’s said that the Great Pyramid at Giza took 23 years to complete, using a work force of around 30,000 people. About 118 pyramids have been identified, and they are popular and intriguing to tourists and home researchers alike.

Petra, Jordan

Described by the UNESCO as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”, Petra is an archeological site on the slope of Mount Hor. It is one of the new wonders of the world and is famous for its rock-cut architecture.

This site was kept hidden until 1812 when it was discovered by a Swiss explorer. It was said to have been prepared by God for the Jewish people. Petra once flourished under the Roman empire but a rapid decline began with the Arabian trade being taken elsewhere. Then an earthquake caused a great deal of destruction. Tourists frequent the place to get a glimpse of the ruins of this beautiful city.

Great Wall of China, China

One of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China is a man-made structure that was constructed over two thousand years ago and took about 100 years to complete. The vastness of this project brings to light the immense capabilities of man.

The constructions started in the 5th Century B.C. It is actually not a single wall, but rather many walls put together, and it stretches over 4,000 miles. It was constructed to protect the Chinese Empire from the Xiongnu people in the north. The wall was initially built of stone, grass, earth, and wood, but bricks were used once the production started. It is believed that about 2-3 million Chinese died during the construction project.

The Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina-Brazil Border

Heralded as the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, the Iguazu Waterfalls are a true wonder of nature. They are located at the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. While the Argentinean side allows visitors to walk right around the water or explore the National Park, the Brazilian side is known for its panoramic views and splendor.

Beautiful Flowers

2011-06-29T03:08:00.000-07:00

Most Beautiful Places

2011-05-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Valley Swat- Pakistan

Swat Valley is a beautiful piece of paradise, it is the upper valley of the Swat River, which rises in the Hindu Kush range. With high mountains, green meadows, and clear lakes, it is a place of great natural beauty that used to be popular with tourists as “the Switzerland of Pakistan”.

The Fairy Meadows – Pakistan

The Fairy Meadows is a lush green plateau in foot gin of Nanga Parbat peak, Pakistan. It is the best place to view the majestic beauty of Nanga Parbat. Willy Merkl, the leader of the 1932 German-American expedition, named it Fairy Meadow due to its wonderful scenery.

Baltoro Glacier – Pakistan

he Baltoro Glacier, at over 70km long, is one of the longest in the world and continually flanked by huge rock spires. At its source at Concordia lie some of the tallest mountains in the world. It’s dangerous beauty can’t be overestimated, the scenery is amazing.

Amazon Rainforest – Amazon Basin, South America

rainforest is the thickest rainforest that spans over a billion acres and encompasses areas in Brazil (60%), Peru (13%), Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Bolivia, French Guiana and Suriname. The concentration of wildlife is very high and new species or subspecies of existing species continues to be discovered almost all the time. The majestic beauty and timelessness of this awe-inspiring tropical rainforest is indescribable in words and should be experienced.

Sognafjord (Sogne Fjord) – Norway

between steep slopes) in the world and the largest in Norway, the magnificence of this has to be experienced for the magnitude to be understood. Reaching to more than 1,300 meters below sea level and above 2,000 meters above sea level, the sparkling water, the beautiful cliff faces and the picturesque villages make this a must visit place for nature lovers.

The Himalayas – Asia

spectacle of awesome dimensions …the 3000 kilometer long towering mountain range with tiers of rock, ranges upon ranges, sky scraping peaks and canyons, is the planet’s highest mountain system and includes the world’s highest peaks; Mount Everest and K2. It stretches through Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. This is where earth meets the sky!

Yosemite Valley – California

incomparable beauty of nature changing colors with seasons and the sigh of breeze in the pines can only be experienced at Yosemite Valley (Pronounced Yo-seh-mit-tea). Yosemite Valley is part of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This alpine valley offers incredible natural beauty and is just one mile in width and eight miles long with vertical granite walls rising above 2000 feet on either side. Nine ethereal waterfalls cascade into the valley. Wilderness hiking trails are as long as 800 miles.

The Niagara Falls – Ontario, Canada and New York, United States

Massive and beautiful waterfalls on the Niagara River, they are also famous for being a source of hydroelectric power. These falls are divided into three drops; Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side. These falls are said to have been formed at the end of the last ice age. These waterfalls may not be the highest but are certainly wide and the most powerful in North America.

Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa

Hemingway described this mountain as, “as wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white,” in his book, “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.”

The roof of Africa as it is called is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and a dormant stratovolcano. The Kibo Summit at the top of the mountain is one among the few peaks of Africa that still have glaciers.

Mamanuca Islands – Fiji

beautiful islands of Mamanuca are varied; while some are small and can be walked around in a few minutes, others may take days to explore. For those who love nature and water bodies, these islands are a paradise with miles and miles of lilley snow white sand and beautiful turquoise blue beaches.

Sahara Sunset – Sahara Desert

wonderful place to see for the wide expanse of sand dunes, the sunset there is sure to take your breath away. A night spent camping on the sand dunes of this three-million year old desert, watching the sky change colors at dusk, is a dream come true for any nature lover.

Important Places in London

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The Tower of London is one of the most important attractions in the city. It was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 with the purpose of controlling the Thames and making impossible the access of enemies from the river.

Buckingham Palace is the home of the British Monarchy. It is wrapped by black, ornate, wrought iron fences decorated with gilded, royal medallions. The greatest tourist attraction is the changing of the Guard ceremony that takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Cabinet War Rooms are an important relic of the World War II. This is where crucial decisions were made regarding the war strategies for campaigns in Europe and North Africa. The Map room and the Cabinet room are the most important places, and these are preserved just the way they were during the World War.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are the most popular sights at Westminster in London. Big Ben is the most famous symbol of London, and it can be found at the end of the Parliament building.

Tate Britain can be found south from the Parliament and it has a vast collection of British art from the sixteenth century to the present day. Many famous artists such as turner, Constable, Bacon, Blake, Gainsborough and Hockney are displayed here.

Covent Garden is famous for its shops and restaurants. It is a really fun place to be, and shoppers can find really exquisite items they won’t find elsewhere in London.

The Temple Church was built by London’s “Inns of Court” in 1185. Recently the temple played a crucial role in the hugely popular novel Da Vinci Code.

The London Eye was built as part of the UK’s Millennium Celebration and it became very quickly one of the most popular attractions in London. The Eye is the largest observation wheel in the world, offering great views of the city both day and night.

The Imperial War Museum is about the United Kingdom’s history in the First and Second World Wars.

Oxford Street is the main shopping district in the City of Westminster with more than five hundred different shops, where tourists can find just about everything they would dream.

The World’s 7 Most Famous Burial Places

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7. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey has often been referred to as the most beautiful cathedral in Britain and one of the most interesting holly places in the world. Throughout history, many English monarchs have been crowned and later buried here, but not many know that aristocrats and priests that served at Westminster also rest in the chapels surrounding it.

6. Lenin’s Mausoleum

Inspired by other famous mausoleums like The Tomb of Cyrus the Great and The Step Pyramid, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular landmarks in Russia. This is where the embalmed body of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the first real leader of the Soviet Union.

Lenin’s body has been on public display from the year he died, in 1924, until present day and hundreds of thousands Russians come to pay homage to one of the world’s most controversial rulers, every year.

5. The Mausoleum of Hadrian

Known also as Castel Saint Angelo, the Mausoleum of Hadrian was built in Rome between 135 and 139. It was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian himself, as a burial place for him and his family and his ashes were placed here after his death in the year 138. The remains of his wife Sabrina and his adopted son, Lucius Aelius, are also kept in the mausoleum.

4. The Pantheon

The Pantheon is the best preserved building dating from the time of ancient Rome and its name is now applied generally to places where illustrious personalities are buried. It was built in the year 125, under the reign of Emperor Hadrian, but the design has often been credited to one of the most famous architects in history, Appollodorus of Damascus.

The Pantheon was used as a Catholic Church since the seventh century and started acting as a tomb during The Renaissance. Artists like the painter Raphael, the composer Arcangelo Corelli are buried here.

3. St. Peter’s Basilica

“The greatest of all churches of Christendom” is the burial place of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles and the first Bishop of Rome. Saint Peter is considered the most beautiful building of its age, from an architectural point and one of the holiest places in the world.

Saint Peter is believed to be buried under the altar of the basilica, along with 91 popes, artists and royalty like James Francis Edward Stuart, Roman Emperor Otto II or Queen Christina of Sweden.

2. The Great Pyramid of Giza

The only surviving structure of The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Great Pyramid of Giza was built in 20 years around the year 2560 BC, as a tomb for Egyptian King Cheops.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most famous structures in the world and, along with the other pyramids of Egypt, it makes for one of the most beautiful tourist destinations on Earth. It was the tallest building in the world for 3,800 years, an amazing performance considering when it was built.

1. The Taj Mahal

The finest example of Mughal Architecture, a complex style that combines Persian, Indian, Turkish and Islamic elements, Taj Mahal is “the jewel of Muslim art in India. It was built by Shah Jahan, emperor of the Mughal Empire, as a burial place for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The white marble dome is the most popular part of the entire Taj Mahal complex and it houses the remains of both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Blue Roses

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