Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park, Canada is renowned as the best location in the world to view what?

Polar Bears at Legendary Cape Churchill Polar Bears at Legendary Cape Churchill Overview Experience Itinerary Testimonials Dates Trip Overview Frontiers North is the only company in the world who can offer this unique expedition to Cape Churchill, world-renown as the best location on earth to view and photograph wild polar bears. Photographers from around the world travel with Frontiers North to Cape Churchill to capture breath-taking imagery of polar bears in the pristine environment found on the frozen tidal flats of Hudson Bay. By day we venture out on daily Tundra Buggy expeditions to see the bears as they spar and move toward the coast. By night we return to the comforts of our Tundra Buggy Lodge to enjoy warming home-cooked meals and presentations from some of the world’s top polar bear experts. Tour is led by a Frontiers North Interpretive Guide and features a Photo Specialist. This specialist-level adventure is intended for those interested in the ultimate polar bear viewing and photography expedition. Space is limited for this one-of-a-kind excursion; reserve early*. *Tour capacity for Legendary Cape Churchill is 40 guests at the Tundra Buggy Lodge; however, during the day guests are split into groups of a maximum of 10 guests per buggy to maximize space for photography opportunities. Photo: ©Derek Kyostia Book Now Request More Info The Experience This exclusive 12-day expedition is intended for those interested in the ultimate polar bear viewing and photography expedition. Day 1 Day 01 Winnipeg arrival We’ve arrived into Winnipeg for our Cape Churchill expedition and we can’t wait to start our adventure. After checking into the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, which is practically across the street from the Winnipeg airport, we head downstairs and pick up our parka, snow pants and boots, supplied to us for use during our time in Churchill by Frontiers North. In the evening we meet our Frontiers North interpretive guide and the rest of our tour group during a welcome dinner, which gives us a chance to ask questions and go over our itinerary with the guide. Day 02 Heading to Churchill It’s finally here - today we are headed to Churchill. After a very early breakfast our group boards a warm bus for the short ride to the private hangar from where our plane will depart for the 2-hour flight to Churchill. Upon arrival, we head straight out on a Churchill Town & Area Tour which comprises of an exploratory drive in the area surrounding the town of Churchill, including historical Cape Merry; the site of a crashed airplane affectionately known by locals as Miss Piggy; and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility. We take a break for lunch and enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal at one of Churchill’s family run restaurants – who knew Churchill had such incredible food? After lunch our group has time to explore the town on our own. I choose to visit the Churchill Eskimo Museum, which is home to an enormous collection of Inuit artifacts and has an incredible little gift shop where visitors can buy local Inuit art and carvings, books and other gifts.  Photo: ©Doug Ross Day 03 The Tundra Buggy Lodge We spend our first day on the tundra travelling through the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, searching out polar bears, arctic fox and hare and other northern wildlife and learning from our guide and driver about the geology and natural history of the area. In the late afternoon we cross the Hudson Bay tidal flats and cross over into Wapusk National Park. As the light begins to fade, we see the Tundra Buggy Lodge in the distance – it’s almost as if we’re approaching an isolated space station in the middle of nowhere. We board the Tundra Buggy Lodge and the feeling of isolation disappears. The welcoming lodge staff greets us warmly and we are treated to an incredible home cooked meal before settling in to our new home on the tundra. Day 04 Wapusk National Park Our day starts before first light in order to capture the beautiful tundra sunrise from the Tundra Buggy. At this time of year, the sun rises late (around 8:30am) and


The economic grouping acronym BRIC that referred to Brazil, Russia, India and China was changed to BRICS in 2011 to include what country?

Brazil, Russia, India And China - BRIC Definition | Investopedia Brazil, Russia, India And China - BRIC Loading the player... What does 'Brazil, Russia, India And China - BRIC' mean Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) refer to the idea that China and India will, by 2050, become the world's dominant suppliers of manufactured goods and services, respectively, while Brazil and Russia will become similarly dominant as suppliers of raw materials . Due to lower labor and production costs, many companies also cite BRIC as a source of foreign expansion opportunity, and promising economies in which to invest. BREAKING DOWN 'Brazil, Russia, India And China - BRIC' BRIC is an acronym for the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China combined, originally projected to be the fastest growing market economies by Jim O'Neill  of Goldman Sachs first in 2001, but most prominently in a follow up paper published in 2003. It has been speculated that by 2050 these four economies would be wealthier than most of the current major economic powers. The Goldman Sachs thesis doesn’t argue that these countries are a political alliance (like the European Union ) or a formal trading association - but states instead they have the potential to form a powerful economic bloc. The countries haven’t announced any formal trade agreement between them, but leaders of the four countries have attended summits together, and acted in concert with each others interests. BRIC or ‘Big Four’ is now also used as a more generic marketing term to refer to these four emerging economies. Columbia University has established the BRICLab , where foreign, domestic, and financial policies of BRIC members are examined. Introduction and Early Writing on BRIC  2001: In 2001 Jim O’Niell wrote a report , published by Goldman Sachs noting that Brazil, Russia, India and China’s GDP was set to rise 1.7% in the next year, and then be in a position to continue to grow. In the paper Building Better Economic BRICs O’Niell runs through four scenarios on measuring and projecting GDP adjusted for PPP . In all those scenarios, the nominal GDP assumption for the BRICs rises from the 2001 measurement of 8% in USD, to 14.2%. While weighted heavily by China, the other countries grow relative to G7 countries .  2003: Dominic Wilson and Roopa Purushothaman wrote a report " Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050 ," once again published by Goldman Sachs making the claim that by 2050 BRIC could grow to a size larger than the G6, and that it’s quite possible that the largest economies in the world by GDP may not be the richest. This set of projections are based on the assumption that policies and institutions are established to help support economic growth, which as the report states, is by no means a guarantee. Given the amount of projected growth – by Wilson and Purushothaman’s measurements up to 300% – even falling somewhat short of the potential growth of any or all members of the BRIC group would still entail a large amount of potential growth. The report shows a projected per capita income for BRIC countries in 2050 that would be lower than G6 countries with the exception of Russia.  2004: The Goldman Sachs global economics exam publish, Growth and Development: The Path to 2050 , a 158 page report going highlighting challenges and opportunities for BRIC countries.  Roughly outlined, the report highlights India’s inefficient energy grid and consumption, projects possible growth the number of people living in BRIC countries earning more than $3,000 a year up to 800 million people within a decade. Additionally the report looks at the lack of a substantial presence in global capital markets , and notes the large populations of while per capita income levels will remain lower than industrialized economies , the aggregate wealth of the BRIC countries will exceed that of the G6 partly due to the large populations of the countries. 2007: " BRICs and Beyond " is published by Goldman Sachs, a nearly 300 page report looking again at BRIC growth potential, environmental impact of the growing economies, a


With an average ground level of 1.5 meters above sea level, what Asian island nation is the lowest country in the world? (hint: it is also the smallest Asian country in both population and land area)

MALDIVIAN CONCEPT OF SELF DEFENCE- CLIMATE REFUGE MALDIVIAN CONCEPT OF SELF DEFENCE- CLIMATE REFUGE Saturday, April 23, 2011 Maldivian concept of self defence – invest in land & ensure protection against “climate refugee.” The Maldives are the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 meters (4 ft. 11 inch) above Sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet. It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 meters (7 ft. 7 inch). The lowest position of the country has made it the most vulnerable to climate change. The slightest rise in water level of the sea, the deadliest possibility of this island paradise being inundated, the tragic prospect of slightly more than 3,00,000 population, becoming “climate refugee.” Such is the gravity of the problem, that the country, under the able guidance of the youngest president Mohammed Nasheed nicknamed as ‘Anni’, has given a serious thought to Land purchase’ for an alternative homeland”, in spite of humiliating fear of losing own identity, in the absence of original homeland. Quoting Mohammed Nasheed as under will not only highlight the gravity of the identity crisis but will also reflect the multidimensional emotions of a helpless head of the nation, who desperately yet sincerely seeking a solution to save his motherland & its citizens from an unprecedented climate change, possibly caused by global worming. · Frustrated Md. Nasheed : “We do not want to leave the Maldives, but we also do not want to be climate refugee living in tents for decades.” · Helpless Md. Nasheed : “We can do nothing to stop climate change on our own and so we have to buy land elsewhere. It’s an insurance policy for the worst possible outcome.” · Provident Md. Nasheed : We intend to create a sovereign wealth fund” from the dollars generated by importing tourists, in the way that Arab States have done by “exporting oil”. Kuwait might invest in companies, we will invest in land. · Md. Nasheed in his untiring effort to save his helpless people from becoming homeless, has given an alternative solution to seek land help from Srilanka & India, citing the similarity in culture, cuisine & climate. He is even desperate to cross the continent barrier, by even moving to Austrialia & Zanzibar. Here comes the point of raising issues against these options as : · A state cannot play host to another state due to jurisdiction of sovereignty. · Is it possible that the Maldives would seek to be compensated by polluting countries for the loss of their islands ? So the big question is “whether the Maldivians be allowed to shift their homeland & in the process be shackled by the legal hazards of sovereignty & pollution ? The answer is ‘NO’ from the point of view of millions of people of SARRC Nations; incidentally Maldives is one of the members of SAARC Nations. Asia is the biggest continent & will not intend to allow one of its smallest Island country Maldives, to purchase land some other parts of the World, crossing the border of the continent, because that will hurt the magnanimity & generosity of the continent. The concept of DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) has become popular to maintain transborder peace & security among North & South Korea. There can be a debate whether VMDMZ (Voluntary modified DMZ) can be established in the transboundary spaces of Asian countries, specially, within the SAARC Nations, to provide shelter to the Maldivians, who are facing an imminent danger of being uprooted from their deserted soil, caused by unstoppable onslaught of sea waves, in near future given the wake up call has already been given by Mr. President Md. Nasheed, holding cabinet meeting under the sea. The concept of VMDMZ may be a handy tool for combating Global warming, arrived at by the mutual consent between two neighboring countries. India has always emerged as the country of peace, brotherhood, solidarity & co-operation – the foundations of SAARC Nations. As the biggest member of the SAARC Nations, Indian can show the generosity of accommodating the uproote


Among hundreds of animal paintings, the only figure of a human being appears in an engraving called Shaft of the Dead Man at what World Heritage location?

Lascaux - New World Encyclopedia Lascaux Next (Laser) Lascaux cave painting of aurochs Discovered in 1940, Lascaux is a series of caves in southwestern France (near Montignac) that is famous for the numerous Paleolithic cave paintings contained on its walls. In 1979, the caves at Lascaux were designated a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage site, along with 147 prehistoric sites and 24 painted caves located in the Vézère Valley. Contents 7 Credits Due to concerns over deterioration of the paintings, the caves were closed to the public, and only qualified researchers were given permission to enter. A replica was constructed to allow visitors to experience and appreciate these magnificent Stone Age artworks, which link us to our ancestors of long ago, without endangering the original paintings. History Map of Lascaux cave The Lascaux caves were discovered by chance on September 12, 1940 by seventeen year-old Marcel Ravidat, accompanied by three of his friends: Jacques Marsal, Georges Agnel, and Simon Coencas. Word traveled quickly, and it was not long before leading archaeologists were contacted. Abbé Henri Breuil , a prominent archaeologist, was one of the first to study the site, where he found bone fragments, oil lamps, and other artifacts, as well as the hundreds of paintings and engraved images. There was a great deal of public interest in the paintings at Lascaux, and the caves drew a great number of visitors. Included among those fascinated by the art of "primitive" human beings was Pablo Picasso . To his amazement, however, the paintings produced thousands of years ago were not primitive in comparison to contemporary art. On leaving the cave he is said to have exclaimed "We have learned nothing in twelve thousand years." [1] After World War II , the site entrance was enlarged and the floors lowered to accommodate the nearly 1,200 tourists per day who came to see the art of Paleolithic man. By 1955, the paintings had begun to show signs of deterioration due to the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled by visitors as well as moisture and other environmental changes that occurred when the caves were opened, and so the site was closed to the public in 1963. The paintings were restored, and are now monitored with state of the art technology. Unfortunately, though, fungi , molds , and bacteria have entered the caves and threaten to destroy the paintings and engravings. [2] Soon after the caves were closed to the public, construction was begun on a painstakingly exact replica of a portion of the caves, located only 200 meters from the original caves. Called "Lascaux II," the replica opened in 1983. Copied down to the texture of the rock, this nearly identical replica allows a large number of people to experience the cave paintings without posing a threat to their longevity. Exact replicas of individual paintings are also displayed in the nearby Center of Prehistoric Art at Thot. Inside the Caves of Lascaux The Lascaux caves contain nearly 2,000 painted and engraved figures. There are animals, human figures, and abstract signs. Notably, though, there are no images of landscapes or vegetation. The Great Hall of the Bulls Great Hall of the Bulls Upon entering the caves, there is an initial steep slope, after which one comes into the Hall of the Bulls. The walls of this larger rotunda are covered with paintings of stags , bulls , and horses . Except for a small group of ochre stags, three red bovines, and four red horses, the figures are all painted in black. Did you know? There is a prehistoric cave painting of a " unicorn " in the Hall of Bulls The first image in the Hall of the Bulls is that of "the Unicorn," named because of the way the two horns in profile view appear almost to be one large horn, like the mythical unicorn . In front of the "unicorn" is a herd of horses and an incompletely drawn bull. Three large aurochs, an extinct type of wild ox , can be found on the opposite side of the chamber. Most drawings in the Hall of the Bulls consist of pictorial representations


What wild American feature begins at Springer Mountain in Georgia and ends at Katahdin in Maine for a total distance of 2,175 miles?

Appalachian Trail in Georgia - GeorgiaTrails.com Appalachian Trail in Georgia Georgia Trails Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail begins in Georgia at Springer Mountain and leaves the Peach State 79 miles later at Bly Gap. The rugged, often rocky terrain reaches a height of more than 4400 feet and never dips below 2500 feet. The high point of the trail is at Blood Mountain (4,461 ft.) while the low point is Dicks Creek Gap (2,675 ft.) Access to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail is by foot from Amicalola Falls State Park . History of the Appalachian Trail Springer Mountain sign The conservation movement in America was launched from Teddy Roosevelt's "Bully Pulpit" shortly after the turn of the 20th century. In the northeast numerous proposals had been made prior to 1921 to create a "super" trail. "An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning" by Benton MacKaye was published in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects in October of 1921. The original proposal was for a footpath to run from the highest point in the northern Appalachians(Mt. Washington, New Hampshire) to the highest point in the southern Appalachians(Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina). Within a year work began on "America's Footpath." First completed was the section that ran from Pennsylvania to Connecticut across the new Bear Mountain Bridge. By 1925 the dream began to move towards reality with the creation of the Appalachian Trail Conference. The proposed route was extended to run from Maine to Georgia, originally to "Cohutta" Mountain. Since little was known by the developers about the North Georgia mountains they planned the trail from maps. Roy Ozmer, woodsman and friend of Georgia Ranger Arthur Woody was put in charge of exploring the area from Virginia to Georgia.  These men felt that Mount Oglethorpe, east of Jasper, was a better choice for the end of the Appalachian Trail. Once the route in Georgia from Bly Gap to Mount Oglethorpe was established, Woody assisted personally and assigned Forest Service employees to assist in the construction which was completed in 1931. In 1937 the trail was completed with the clearing of the last 2 miles between Spaulding and Sugarloaf Mountains in Maine. At the time the trail stretched from Mount Katahdin in Maine's Baxter State Park to Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia. The trail, as envisioned, was a "sky-line" trail, going from high-point to high-point, along the highest route available. National Scenic Trails Georgia ATC During the next few years the trail fell into disrepair because of hurricanes, war and neglect. In 1938 a hurricane that swept up the coast did heavy damage to America's "First Trail." The connection of the Skyline Drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 1940's displaced a section of the trail 120 miles long. Slowly, portions of the trail were being reclaimed by nature. In the early 1950's interest renewed in the trail. The designation of the Appalachian Trail as a National Scenic Trail was a long political battle lasting 15 years, ending with President Lyndon Johnson signing the National Trails System Act in 1968 . This act, originally intended to protect the land near the Appalachian Trail was rewritten to include any footpath designated as a National Scenic Trail. Today "America's Trail" and others in the National Scenic Trail System, with few exceptions, are on land that is federally protected. Overview of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia Sunset on the Appalachian Trail From its start 8 miles north of popular Amicalola Falls on Springer Mountain, the Appalachian Trail winds north past mountains with names like Blood, Trey and Big Cedar and through gaps named Addis, Neels and Woody. Snow is not uncommon on the Trail beginning in October and cold weather is a concern through April. Late fall is hunting season, so special care must be taken during that time. The trail is a microcosm of the natural history of the North Georgia mountains. It follows the high eastern ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. Much of the trail is covered with snow in the winter. Spri


Francophonie is an international organization of 56 member states where there is a notable affiliation with the French language. What is the largest country in this group?

Organisation internationale de la Francophonie - Ghana Articles Ghana Articles Home | Articles | Ghana Articles | Organisation internationale de la Francophonie Organisation internationale de la Francophonie By Curtis M 19/11/2011 16:10:00 Font size: Francophonie is an international organization of politics and governments with French as the mother or customary language, where a significant proportion of people are francophones (French speakers), or where there is a notable affiliation with the French language or culture. Formally known as the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) or the International Organization of the Francophonie, the organization comprises 56 member states and governments, 3 associate members, and 16 observers. The term francophonie (with a lower case 'f') also refers to the global community of French-speaking peoples, comprising a network of private and public organizations promoting special ties among all Francophones. In a majority of member states, French is not the predominant native language. The prerequisite for admission to the Francophonie is not the degree of French usage in the member countries, but a prevalent presence of French culture and language in the member country's identity, usually stemming from France's colonial ambitions with other nations in its history. French geographer Onésime Reclus, brother of Élisée Reclus, coined the word Francophonie in 1880 to refer to the community of people and countries using the French language. Francophonie was then coined a second time by Léopold Sédar Senghor, founder of the Négritude movement, in the review Esprit in 1962, who assimilated it into Humanism. The modern organization was created in 1970. Its motto is égalité, complémentarité, solidarité ("equality, complementarity, and solidarity"), alluding to France's motto. Started as a small club of northern French-speaking countries, the Francophonie has since evolved into a global organization whose numerous branches cooperate with its member states in the fields of culture, science, economy, justice, and peace. History The Convention which created the Agency for Cultural and Technical Co-operation (Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique) was signed on March 20th, 1970 by the representatives of the 21 states and governments under the influence of African Heads of State, Léopold Sédar Senghor of Senegal, Habib Bourguiba of Tunisia, Hamani Diori of Niger and Prince Norodom Sihanouk. The missions of this new intergovernmental organization, based on the sharing of the French language, are the promotion of the cultures of its members and the intensification of the cultural and technical cooperation between them, as well as the solidarity and the connection between them through dialogue. The Francophonie project ceaselessly evolved since the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Co-operation, it became the intergovernmental Agency of the Francophonie (Agence intergouvernementale de la Francophonie) in 1998 to remind its intergovernmental status. Finally in 2005, the adoption of a new Charter of the Francophonie (la Charte de la Francophonie) gives the name to the Agency of international Organization of the Francophonie (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie). Structure         Boutros Boutros-Ghali (Egypt) : 16 November 1997 - 31 December 2002         Abdou Diouf (Senegal) : 1 January 2003 - present Abdou Diouf, the former president of the Republic of Senegal, is the Secretary General of the Francophonie since January 1st, 2003. He was reelected on September 29th, 2006, for a second mandate during the Summit of the Francophonie of Bucharest, and elected again in 2010 at the Summit of the Francophonie of Montreux for another mandate running until December 31st, 2013. The Secretary General of the Francophonie is elected during the Summit. He is the keystone of the institutional device and of the Francophonie and leads the organization. He is the spokesperson and the official representative internationally of the political actions of the Francophonie. The S


The artificial Gatun Lake that was created between 1907 and 1913 forms a major component of what water body?

Lake Gatun, Panama  -  Travel Photos by Galen R Frysinger, Sheboygan, Wisconsin   Gatun Dam Gatun Lake (Sp. Lago Gatï¿½n) is a large artificial lake situated in the Republic of Panama; it forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships for 33 km (20 miles) of their transit across the Isthmus of Panama.   The lake was created between 1907 and 1913 by the building of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. At the time it was created, Gatun Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world, and the dam was the largest earth dam.   power house The lake is situated in the valley of the Chagres River and is a popular tourist destination. It was formed, and the river widened and deepened, by the construction of the Gatun Dam about 10 km (6 miles) from the river's mouth in the Caribbean Sea in 1907ï¿½1913.The geography of the area was ideal for the creation of a large lake here; the hills bordering the valley of the Chagres open up widely around the area of the lake, but come together to form a gap just over 2 km (1.4 miles) wide at the location of the dam. The damming of the river flooded the originally wooded valley; almost a century later, the stumps of old mahogany trees can still be seen rising from the water, and submerged snags form a hazard for any small vessels that wander off the marked channels.   water leaving the lake Gatun Lake has an area of 425 kmï¿½ (164 square miles) at its normal level of 26 m (85 ft) above sea level; it stores 5.2 cubic kilometers (183,000,000,000 ftï¿½) of water, which is about as much as the Chagres River brings down in an average year.   With the creation of the lake many hilltops became islands. The biggest and best known of them is Barro Colorado Island , home of the world famous Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).   The lake has given its name to the Gatun structure, which may be an eroded impact crater.   note the ship passing in the lake behind the dam Southbound sailboats entering the Banana Cut on Lake Gatï¿½n have their sails set to get a boost from the trade winds.   Gatun Lake forms a major component of the Panama Canal; the lake, including the flooded arm extending up the Chagres River, makes up 32.7 km (20.3 miles) of the raised part of the waterway, the other part being the 12.6 km (7.8 miles) Gaillard Cut.   the spillway The canal follows a clearly marked route around the lake's islands, following the deeper water south from Gatun Locks, and then east. A small "shortcut" channel, the "Banana Cut", runs between the islands, providing a slightly shorter route through the lake; this is used by canal launches and yachts to cut a little time off the crossing, and to avoid the heavy ship traffic.   the warning The lake is also important as a reservoir of water for the operation of the canal locks. Each time a ship transits the canal, 202,000 mï¿½ (53 million U.S. gallons) of water is passed from the lake into the sea; with over 14,000 vessel transits per year, this represents a very large demand for water. Since rainfall is seasonal in Panama, the lake acts as a water store, allowing the canal to continue operation through the dry season.   the bridge over the spillway A major factor in water regulation is the ability of the rainforest in the lake's watershed to absorb rainfall, releasing it gradually into the lake. However, significant deforestation of the watershed has cleared away much of the vegetation, and reduced the area's water capacity. This has resulted in falling water levels in the lake during the dry season. Coupled with the massive increase in canal traffic since its opening, and the resultant increase in water usage, this is an ongoing problem for the canal. Text from Wikipedia On the Islands of Lake Gatun


A funnel cloud is nothing but condensed water droplets associated with a rotating column of wind which extends from the base of a cloud without touching the ground. If it touches the ground, what is it called?

Weather Final at University of Texas - Austin - StudyBlue What does a weather satellite show us? clouds, estimates of rain amounts What year was USA worst tornado outbreak? 1974.0 1980s, showing where and how fast rain is going What do wind profilers show us fills gap of upper level data by turning satellite to look upwards and show us speed and direction constantly Elements of weather (8) Air temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, visibility How many clouds actually precipitate? 40949.0 How are wind speeds measured? 2 minute gusts What is the circle of illumination? How often does it cross austin? boundary separating light and dark part of planet, day and night around world. Crosses austin twice/day When does day/night become more of an issue? when you get to higher latitudes over souther hemisphere, closer to the poles. When it's dark in the northpole, what does this mean? winter time, north less oriented to sun Heat budget/transfer percentages 20% scattered/reflected by clouds, 6% scattered from atm, 51% Absorbed by earth, 19% absorbed by atm and clouds, 4% reflected by surface % solar radiation scattered/reflected by clouds 0.2 % solar radiation scattered from atm 0.06 % solar radiation absorbed by earth 0.51 % solar radiation absorbed by atm and clouds 0.19 % solar radiation reflected by surface 0.04 shortwave is the suns heat to earth, longwave is earth back to space Conduction transfering heat energy through a substance, moving from hot to cold (metal vs wood spoon) Convection virtical transfer of heat through the atmosphere (saucepan steam) advection horizontal movement of heat energy (cold air from north moves to south) Radiative 3 types of scattering of radiation Rayleigh, Mei, Non-selective shortwave gasses cause blue/violet sky Mei scattering lower levels of atm of pollen, dust, smoke non selective scattering Greatest albedo variability at 3-5% water directly overhead, sun angles make difference Why is August hotter than June for summer season? heating of earth's surface is a cumulative process, builds up more in august When do lowestest temperatures on a cleary day occur? 30 minutes after sunrise What are variable gasses called? greenhouse gasses relatively easy transmission of shortwave radiation by atm with selective absorption of long wave Is it colder under clouds or clear skies after a cold front? Why? clear sky, clouds trap gases closer to earth's surface When does an object turn colder/warmer? if it radiates more energy than it absorbs, it gets colder. Radiates less than it absorbs, hotter. What is job of earth's atmosphere? finding a solar equilibrium What is a black body object? Examples. a perfect absorber or emitter of radiation, earth and sun Is earth's atm a black body? no What is earth's radiative equilibrium temperature? 0 degrees F/ -18 degrees C What is observed surface temperature of earth? 59 degrees F/15 C why is there a difference between RET and OST? atm absorbs some of the radiation, absorbs/emits radiation Energy property of a system that enables it to do work (kinetic, electrical, chemical, ect) Heat form of energy transferred between objects by virtue of temperature differences Heat capacity ratio of heat absorbed or released by a system compared ot the corresponding temperature rise/fall Does land or gulf get hotter quicker? land, water mixies heat energy to a greater depth, so its heat capacity is greater Latent heat definition heat energy required for change of state what does "latent" mean? IS evaporation/condensation heating/warming process? evaporation is cooling, condensation is warming Will you feel cooler in AZ or TX when you get out of a pool and water evaporates off your body? AZ, bc theres less humidity/moisture so it will evaporation faster. Why does evaporation cool? because water molecules are heat molecules, so it's removing heat from your body How are evaporation and condensation linked? evaporation releases water into atmosphere, contributing to release of energy in atm (condensation) What latent heat process causes turb


Juba is the capital of what autonomous African region that became an independent country on 9th July, 2011?

After Years of Struggle, South Sudan Becomes a New Nation - The New York Times The New York Times Africa |After Years of Struggle, South Sudan Becomes a New Nation Search Continue reading the main story Photo President Salva Kiir gathered with leaders from around the world to celebrate South Sudan’s independence. Credit Tyler Hicks/The New York Times JUBA, South Sudan — The celebrations erupted at midnight. Thousands of revelers poured into Juba’s steamy streets in the predawn hours on Saturday, hoisting enormous flags, singing, dancing and leaping on the back of cars. “Freedom!” they screamed. A new nation was being born in what used to be a forlorn, war-racked patch of Africa, and to many it seemed nothing short of miraculous. After more than five decades of an underdog, guerrilla struggle and two million lives lost, the Republic of South Sudan , Africa’s 54th state, was about to declare its independence in front of a who’s who of Africa, including the president of the country letting it go: Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan , a war-crimes suspect. Many of those who turned out to celebrate, overcome with emotion, spoke of their fathers, mothers, sons and daughters killed in the long struggle to break free from the Arab-dominated north. “My whole body feels happy,” said George Garang, an English teacher who lost his father, grandfather and 11 brothers in the war. Continue reading the main story By sunrise, the crowds were surging through the streets of Juba, the capital, to the government quarter, where the declaration of independence would be read aloud. Thousands of soldiers lined the freshly painted curbs, tiger patches on their arms, assault rifles in their hands. This new nation is being built on a guerrilla army — the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, whose field commanders are now South Sudan’s political leaders — and the amount of firepower here is unnerving. Advertisement Continue reading the main story By 9 a.m., the sun was dangerous. The faces, necks and arms of the people packed thousands deep around a parade stand built for the occasion were glazed with sweat. A woman abruptly slumped to the dirt and was whisked away. “She fainted because she’s happy,” said a man in the crowd. “There will be many others today.” In a column of black polished steel, one brand-new Mercedes after another, came the African leaders: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president; Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s; Meles Zenawi, prime minister of Ethiopia; Teodoro Obiang, Equatorial Guinea’s president and chairman of the African Union; Mwai Kibaki, Kenya’s president; and Yoweri Museveni, president of Uganda, among others. Video The Republic of South Sudan After more than five decades of guerrilla struggle and two million lives lost, the Republic of South Sudan, Africa's 54th state, declared its independence. By Nichole Sobecki|Vijai Singh on Publish Date July 9, 2011. . Watch in Times Video » embed But, almost inexplicably, Mr. Bashir, who for years prosecuted a vicious war to keep the south from splitting off and to prevent this very day from happening, drew the loudest burst of applause when his motorcade rolled in. “It is not happiness,” explained Daniel Atem, dressed in a suit and tie for the occasion, a miniflag flying from his lapel. “If you are talking to your enemy, you cannot say, You are bad.” But, he added, “you know what is in your heart.” From the mid-1950s, even before Sudan shook off its colonial yoke in 1956, the southern Sudanese were chafing for more rights. Sudan had an unusually clear fault line, reinforced by British colonizers, with the southern third mostly animist and Christian and the northern part majority Muslim and long dominated by Arabs. The southern struggle blew up into a full-fledged rebellion in the 1960s and then again in the 1980s, and the Sudanese government responded brutally, bombing villages and unleashing Arab militias that massacred civilians and enslaved southern Sudanese children. Many of the same scorched-earth tactics associated with the crisis in Darfur, in Sudan’s west, in the mid-2000s, were tried and te


The plateau 'Cappadocia' with its spectacular landscapes, caves, and fairy chimneys is a popular tourist attraction of which country?

Cappadocia travel guide - Wikitravel By plane[ edit ] The fastest and most comfortable way of reaching Cappadocia is using the airway. There are two main airports that you can use to reach Cappadocia. One of them is Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) located in Kayseri and nearly one hour driving to the center of Cappadocia region. Turkish Airlines operates several direct (nonstop) flights from Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST) to Kayseri Erkilet Airport. There are also daily flights from Izmir into Kayseri via Istanbul. It's easy to arrange a transfer or shuttle bus from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia. The second one is Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV), which is located in Gülşehir town of Nevşehir Province. Turkish Airlines operates direct (nonstop) flight from Istanbul Ataturk to Nevsehir Kapadokya twice a day. By train[ edit ] Kayseri is on a busy railway route. It is possible to find suitable trains to Kayseri from almost all the train stations of Turkey. From Kayseri, you can take bus to go to Göreme . Get around[ edit ] Due to the very low population density which leads to limited public transportation, and spread out nature of the sites (Cappadocia is a region, not an area), one may want to consider either renting a car or hiring a tour package. You can also have a look to Mappadocia - The Map of Cappadocia , which informs about main attractions and hiking paths. See[ edit ][ add listing ] Underground Underground cities. Up to 8 stories of underground tunnels and caves in Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu (cost 15 TL each), Gaziemir , Özkonak (free, but closed as of Oct 15, 2011 until further notice) or Mazıköy .   edit Old greek houses in Sinasos Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Hiking - Following the paths along the valleys is an amazing (and free) option. Check with your hotel owner or the tourist office for a map of the area with suggested walks and trails. There are several nice loops on packed dirt, sand and rock, that maintain a constant elevation and pass through the scenic valleys. However, please be aware of your surroundings, as some less-traveled trails are frequented by packs of stray dogs who may exhibit aggression toward perceived threats. Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley - You can hike the Pigeon Valley between Göreme and Uçhisar . The 4km trail starts from the road near the Ataman Hotel on the south side of Göreme or on the paved road on the north side of the hill where Uçhisar Castle sits in Uçhisar . Both trailheads are signed. Stick to the more traveled trails and you will have no trouble finding your way on this moderately hilly hike. The path through the valley offers spectacular views of the natural cliffs and the man-made caves and passes through a few tunnels carved into the rock. You can hike Gulludere, the Rose Valleys. Follow the road out of Goreme towards the Open Air Museum and Ortahisar. Shortly after the Open Air Valley you will come to a look out point on the left. Here you can apparently find a marked rock, and from there you should apparently take the right hand trail. However if you cannot find the marked rock, just look over the edge and you should see paths marked with the word "Rose" and red arrows. Take the arrows to the right away from the paths heading to Goreme (because they point to the left and right) so that you can get good views of the valley and descend into Rose Valley II. In Rose Valley II, there are plenty caves you can explore. Notably is a 4 level one deep in the valley, on the right hand of the path if you walking away from Cavusin. As of November 2015, you may be able to ask the gentleman at the cafe at the entrance of Rose Valley II for help finding this cave, his English is all right. There are many different trails and caves to explore in this area. Afterwards, continue heading towards Cavusin. Eventually you will pass the entrance to Rose Valley I on your right. Eventually you will end up at Cavusin- the trail essentially takes you from the lookout at Ortahisar to Cavusin. If you are staying in Goreme, you can take a dolmush/mini bus back to Goreme by walking through Cavusin until yo


In Jan 2011, Sri Lanka decided to discard all references to what British colonial name of the country from its state institutions?

Sri Lanka government | Article about Sri Lanka government by The Free Dictionary Sri Lanka government | Article about Sri Lanka government by The Free Dictionary http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Sri+Lanka+government Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . Sri Lanka (srē läng`kə) [Sinhalese,=resplendent land], formerly Ceylon, ancient Taprobane, officially Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, island republic (2005 est. pop. 20,065,000), 25,332 sq mi (65,610 sq km), in the Indian Ocean, just SE of India. The capital is Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte, city (1995 est. pop. 114,000), capital of Sri Lanka. A suburb of Colombo (the former capital) previously known as Kotte, the city was designated as the future capital of the country and renamed in 1977. ..... Click the link for more information. . Colombo Colombo , largest city (1995 est. pop. 750,000) and former capital of Sri Lanka, a port on the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Kelani River. The original Sinhalese name, Kalantotta ("Kelani ferry"), was corrupted to Kolambu by Arab traders and was changed to ..... Click the link for more information. , the former capital (and still the site of many government offices), is the commercial capital and largest city. Land and People The pear-shaped island is 140 mi (225 km) across at its widest point and 270 mi (435 km) long. The narrow northern end is almost linked to SE India by Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals that, although partly submerged, present an obstacle to navigation. About four fifths of the island is flat or gently rolling; mountains in the south central area include Adam's Peak (7,360 ft/2,243 m) and rise to Pidurutalagal (8,291 ft/2,527 m), the highest point on the island. Sri Lanka has a generally warm, subtropical climate; the average lowland temperature is 80&degF; (27&degC;), but humidity is high. Rainfall, largely carried by monsoons, is adequate for agriculture, except in the subhumid north. In addition to Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte and Colombo, other important cities are Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia, Kandy Kandy , city (1995 est. pop. 108,000), capital of Central prov., Sri Lanka, on the Kandy Plateau. Once the capital of the Sinhalese Kandyan kingdom, it is now a mountain resort and market center for an area producing tea, rubber, rice, and cacao. ..... Click the link for more information. , Galle Galle , city (1995 est. pop. 87,000), capital of Southern prov., extreme S Sri Lanka, on the Indian Ocean. An agricultural market center, it exports tea, rubber, coconut oil, cloves, and other products of the surrounding region. The city has a cement factory as well. ..... Click the link for more information. , and Jaffna. The population of Sri Lanka is composed mainly (more than 70%) of Sinhalese, who are Theravada Buddhists. Sri Lankan Moors, Indian Tamils, and Sri Lankan Tamils are the largest minorities; there are also Burghers (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonists), and Eurasians (descended from British colonists). In addition to the Buddhist majority, there are Muslims, Hindus, and Christians (mainly Roman Catholics). The official language is Sinhalese (Sinhala); Tamil is a second national language, and English is commonly used in government. Economy The country's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, which now contributes less than 20% to the gross domestic product and employs about a third of the work force. The emphasis is on export crops such as tea, rubber, and coconuts (all plantation-grown). Cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, citronella, tobacco, cocoa, and coffee are also exported. Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, fruit, and vegetables are grown for local use and consumption. Petroleum refining is important, and amorphous graphite, precious and semiprecious gems, mineral sands, clay, and limestone are mined. Port construction, telecommunications, and offshore insurance and banking are also important industries. Remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad, mainly in the Middle East, contribute significant


The novel as well as the movie Girl with a Pearl Earring based on painter Vermeer's work was set in which Dutch city also known for its pottery?

Amazon.ca:Customer Reviews: Girl With a Pearl Earring: A Novel (movie tie-in) Format: Paperback "Girl" doesn't exactly qualify as compelling fiction. It moves along at its own quiet pace, threatening stagnation at times. Chevalier's prosaic, spare style actually suits the subject matter quite well, however. It reflects Dutch society of the period, which was not about "flash," to put it mildly. The author does a superior job of depicting the straight-laced, mercantile society of late-Rennaissance Delft. She is also shrewd in her decision to focus on the barter system, the spring which provided movement to the social mechanism throughout Holland. Griet metes out small sexual favors to the butcher, Pieter, for instance, in exchange for information about her family, who have been quarantined due to an outbreak of the plague. Vermeer's mother-in-law, Maria Thins, acts as the artist's agent as well as the head of the household. She is interested primarily in the money a particular painting will bring in, rather the aesthetic result. There are some problem areas with the narrative. The chief being a matter of "willing suspension of disbelief." Griet, the narrator, at one point informs us that she can barely sign her name and that she is illiterate. At no point in the novel does she relate how she came by the ability to write her story down, and given the nature of her position later in life, it would beg credulity to see how she could have taught herself to read and write. This could easily be dismissed as artistic license, but Griet's own standards are so precise and exacting, that the flaw seems more glaring in context. One other minor negative is stylistic. Chevalier is at her best when she sticks to the straightforward prose that predominates here. Sometimes, however, she allows Griet a rhetorical flight into poetry land and the result borders on the risible, as when she mentions the smell?/sound? of a particular brick mortar. The editor just missed that one, apparently. On the whole, however, this novel is extremely well-written and Chevalier is particularly adept at delineating period and character. Format: Paperback I read another book, Girl in the Hyacinth Blue, recently and enjoyed it very much. It also concerned Vermeer, but from a much different standpoint. That book was more about his painting, this book was more about the man and his time period. I really enjoyed the story of Griet, the daughter of a blind man, who must feed her family because of he father's trade accident. (The kiln exploded at his work, and blinded him leaving him without a way to support the family of 5) Griet is thrown into a maid position for a Catholic family (her family is Protestant) in the city of Delft, Holland. The household is full of children and she must serve two mistresses, but she finds herself much more intrigued and drawn to the master of the house, Johannes Vermeer. The story tells of Griet's growing up, and her feelings for her master--she evantually sits for a painting that goes down in history as his most noted painting--a girl looking over her left shoulder, wearing a pearl earring. It is a beautiful historical fiction, I could not put it down. Chevalier is a wonderful writer, and I really look forward to her other books! Format: Paperback In The Girl With the Pearl Earring, the author uses a unique style to engage the reader. Tracy Chevalier's descriptive passages bring to life the small town of Delft in the 1600s. Griet, a new maid at the Vermeer's household paints a picture of the daily activities with an inside view into the life and times of the painter Vermeer. The relationships that Griet has to those around her show the character of a poor family trying to make ends meet, and the importance of ones station in life. Griet must choose between listening to her heart or to her duty as a daughter and a maid. Griet grew up in a small family where her father was a tile painter, until an accident in the factory took away his sight. Because of his inability to support his family, Griet must go and make money so her famil


Which scale that is used for measuring the intensity of an earthquake (not Richter!) quantifies its effects on humans, objects of nature, and man-made structures on a scale of I through XII with XII denoting total destruction?

What is used to determine placement on the mercalli scale? - Qfak.com Qfak.com What is used to determine placement on the mercalli scale? What is used to determine placement on the mercalli scale? Answers Earthquakes are measured by their intensity and magnitude. An earthquake's intensity readings are based on observed effects, for example, ground shaking and damage. An earthquake's intensity differs in separate locations, depending on the distance of the location from the earthquake's epicenter. The ranking system used to measure seismic intensity is called the Mercalli Scale. Michele Stefano de Rossi and Fran?ois to Alphonse Forel formulated the Mercalli Scale in 1878. Harry O. Wood and Frank Neumann modified it in 1931. An earthquake's magnitude reading is based on the amount of seismic energy released at the hypocenter of the earthquake. It is based on the magnitude of the earthquake waves. The ranking system used to measure earthquake magnitudes is called the Richter scale. - - - - - - - - The Mercalli intensity scale is a scale used for measuring the intensity of an earthquake. The scale quantifies the effects of an earthquake on the Earth's surface, humans, objects of nature, and man-made structures on a scale of I through XII, with I denoting not felt, and XII total destruction. The values will differ based on the distance to the earthquake, with the highest intensities being around the epicentral area. Data is gathered from individuals who have experienced the quake, and an intensity value will be given to their location. ========================= I hope this is helpful. #1


Located just 508 miles from the North Pole, Alert is said to be the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world. In which Canadian province/territory is it located?

1000+ images about Nunavut, Canada on Pinterest | Snow goose, Beluga whale and Hunt's Forward Madeleine Qumuatuq says she’s trying to get by on a little over $300 a month of income support from the Nunavut government. “It’s really not enough to live on in a good way,” she says. “It’s a very stressful life.” Qumuatuq, of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, is one of 14,000 people in Nunavut who rely on income support for their daily needs. See More


If the coastline paradox is ignored, which country in the world has the longest coastline?

Coastline Paradox - The Magiscian The Magiscian DIY maps, geoapps, discoveries … and magic in geography Search for: According to the CIA World FactBook , the ten countries with the longest coastline are the following (when we take into account Greenland and Antarctica of course): Canada 202 080 km United States 19 924 km Antarctica 17 968 km New Zealand 15 134 km China 14 500  km But, if we base our analysis on the data coming from the World Resources Institute, we get the following list: Canada 265 523 km United States 133 312 km Russia 110 310 km Brazil 33 379km Finland 31 119km This list IS VERY different from the other list. If I had taken a third source, I would have gotten a third different result… How come ? The two lists are different because the CIA World Factbook takes the countries in their different subparts: Greenland is detached from Denmark, all the overseas territories of France are measured apart from the mainland, etc. The World Resources Institute measures the coastlines of the countries INCLUDING overseas islands. This is one difference. But this is only a part of the story … The other part is the methodology used to measure coastlines. Methodology for measuring? That’s correct! Let’s take the beautiful country of Norway and let’s measure its coastline using ArcGIS Online : Norway Coastline Roughly drawn, the line indicates 3 049.1 km. The CIA World FactBook indicates 25 148 km. What ?! Ok, I was not so precise as I draw the line. Let’s make the exercise again but draw the line more precisely: Norway Coastline 2 Now we get 4 167.6 km … still far way from the 25 148 km. The methodology we use is visibly not the best one. The key here is the scale! We are drawing our line a scale which is far too small. What happens if we zoom in? Norway Coastline 3 There are a lot more details as you see! So my coastline should be drawn again by taking into account the new details that come up. Zooming in much more: Norway Coastline 4 Result? Much more details and an enormous more work for us if we want to measure the coastline! Zoom in one more time! Norway Coastline 5 So, for measuring the most precisely a coastline, do I have to take into account all the little islands, the cracks, the fjords, etc. ? THAT’S CORRECT! For my two tries to determine the length of the coastline, the first, less precise, indicated 3 049.1 km while “the little more precise” was 4 167.6 km. I would have had an even bigger number as long as I zoom on (but I have not my entire day ahead of me for digitizing the coastlines at each zoom level). What if I had measured the coastline by zooming even more in until I come to the level of atoms ? The coastline of Norway would then be infinite! This is called the coastline paradox and here we get it! Coastline Paradox By changing the zoom level, I make appear more details on the map. That’s one points. The second point, I change my degree of precision. At my first try of digitizing the coastline, I used straight lines which were about ~100km long. At my second try (more precise), straight lines were about ~50km at smallest. The more I zoom in, the more precise I can be. Precision here is the length of the straight lines I used to measure the coastline. The coastline paradox is in fact a fractal problem in which the total length becomes more and more larger as much details becomes clear as we zoom in. Here a quick example of a fractal (the Koch Snowflake): Koch Snowflake Benoit B. Mandelbrot worked on this paradox and released in 1967 a paper called “ How Long Is the Coast of Britain? Statistical Self-Similarity and Fractional Dimension “. Coastline of Britain As you can see on the picture, if the unit of measure becomes smaller, so larger become the total coastline! Just a little precision: The “B” in the name “Benoit B. Mandelbrot”, stands for “Benoit B. Mandelbrot”, which “B” stands for “Benoit B. Mandelbrot”, which “B” stands for “Benoit B. Mandelbrot”, … funny isn’t it 🙂 Conclusion The answer to the question “How long are coastlines?”  is: undefined! (if you write this answer down in your geograph


Which magnificent Tibetan landmark escaped damage during the Cultural Revolution of China in 1966 through the personal intervention of Zhou Enlai?

Potala Palace | OpenBuildings Potala Palace Our community will embrace you. References Wikipedia , licensed under the GFDL Suggestions Built / United Kingdom, London Tate Modern Extension Built / United States of America, Water Mill Parrish Art Museum View original size Report The Potala Palace (Tibetan: པོ་ཏ་ལ; Wylie: Po ta la; simplified Chinese: 布达拉宫; traditional Chinese: 布達拉宮) is located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It was named after Mount Potala, the abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara. The Potala Palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India, after an invasion and failed uprising in 1959. Lozang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the Potala Palace in 1645 after one of his spiritual advisers, Konchog Chophel (d. 1646), pointed out that the site was ideal as a seat of government, situated as it is between Drepung and Sera monasteries and the old city of Lhasa. It may overlay the remains of an earlier fortress, called the White or Red Palace, on the site built by Songtsen Gampo in 637. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum. The building measures 400 metres east-west and 350 metres north-south, with sloping stone walls averaging 3 m. thick, and 5 m. (more than 16 ft) thick at the base, and with copper poured into the foundations to help proof it against earthquakes. Thirteen stories of buildings – containing over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues – soar 117 metres (384 ft) on top of Marpo Ri, the "Red Hill", rising more than 300 m (about 1,000 ft) in total above the valley floor. Tradition has it that the three main hills of Lhasa represent the "Three Protectors of Tibet." Chokpori, just to the south of the Potala, is the soul-mountain (bla-ri) of Vajrapani, Pongwari that of Manjushri, and Marpori, the hill on which the Potala stands, represents Chenresig or Avalokiteshvara. History The site on which the Potala Palace rises is built over a palace erected by Songtsän Gampo on the Red Hill. The Potala contains two chapels on its the northwest corner that conserve parts of the original building. One is the Phakpa Lhakhang, the other the Chogyel Drupuk, a recessed cavern identified as Songtsän Gampo's meditation cave.Lozang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the modern Potala Palace in 1645 after one of his spiritual advisers, Konchog Chophel (d. 1646), pointed out that the site was ideal as a seat of government, situated as it is between Drepung and Sera monasteries and the old city of Lhasa. The external structure was built in 3 years, while the interior, together with its furnishings took 45 years to complete. The Dalai Lama and his government moved into the Potrang Karpo ('White Palace') in 1649. Construction lasted until 1694, some twelve years after his death. The Potala was used as a winter palace by the Dalai Lama from that time. The Potrang Marpo ('Red Palace') was added between 1690 and 1694. The new palace got its name from a hill on Cape Comorin at the southern tip of India—a rocky point sacred to the bodhisattva of compassion, who is known as Avalokitesvara, or Chenrezi. The Tibetans themselves rarely speak of the sacred place as the "Potala," but rather as "Peak Potala" (Tse Potala), or usually as "the Peak. The palace was slightly damaged during the Tibetan uprising against the Chinese in 1959, when Chinese shells were launched into the palace's windows. It also escaped damage during the Cultural Revolution in 1966 through the personal intervention of Zhou Enlai, who was then the Premier of the People's Republic of China. Still, almost all of the over 100,000 volumes of scriptures, historical documents and other works of art were either removed, damaged or destroyed. The Potala Palace was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. In 2000 and 2001, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka were added to the list as extensions to the sites. Rapid modernisation has been a concern for UNESCO, however, which expressed concern over the building of modern structures imme


The Merlion, an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, is used as the mascot of which tiny Asian island nation?

1000+ images about merlion on Pinterest | Parks, Sculpting and Singapore Forward Singapore Merlion Just do it B! : 新加坡鱼尾狮 Oringinal printable Native file size capture by 5D Mark2 : 5616 x 3744 Location : Singapore Fullerton Park, .. Camera use : Canon EOS 5D Marj2 Lens use : Canon EF 24-105 F4 L lens Exposure 4 Aperture f/11 Wanting to enjoy Singapore as well, but money is a problem? Click the pin and Learn how to overcome that with EASE! See More


According to UNESCO, which Ethiopian city is considered 'the fourth holy city' of Islam with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines?

Ethiopia: Harar, main street and food, Market in 2012 - YouTube Ethiopia: Harar, main street and food, Market in 2012 Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on May 14, 2012 Playlist Ethiopia http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=... Harar, formerly written Harrar[1][2] and known to its inhabitants as Gey, is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia, formerly the capital of Harergey and now the capital of the modern Harari ethno-political division (or kilil) of Ethiopia. The city is located on a hilltop in the eastern extension of the Ethiopian Highlands, about five hundred kilometers from Addis Ababa at an elevation of 1,885 meters. Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Harar has an estimated total population of 122,000, of whom 60,000 were males and 62,000 were females.[3] According to the census of 1994, on which this estimate is based, the city has a population of 76,378. For centuries, Harar has been a major commercial centre, linked by the trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the entire Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and, through its ports, the outside world. Harar Jugol, the old walled city, was included in the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage.[4] It is sometimes known in Arabic as "the City of Saints" ("Madinat al-Awilya"). According to UNESCO, it is "considered 'the fourth holy city' of Islam" with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century and 102 shrines.[5][6] The Fath Madinat Harar records that the cleric Abadir Umar Ar-Rida and several other religious leaders settled in Harar circa 612H (1216 AD).[7] Harar was later made the new capital of the Adal Sultanate in 1520 by the Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad.[8] The city saw a political decline during the ensuing Sultanate of Harar, only regaining some significance in the Khedivate of Egypt period. During Abyssinian rule, the city decayed while maintaining a certain cultural prestige. Today, it is the seat of the Harari ethno-political division. (Wikipedia) Category


Which land-locked country has the most official languages in the world at 34 including Spanish, Aymara and Quechua?

The Spanish Language | language, castilian, Spain | INMSOL The Spanish Language 6 April, 2011   Spanish or Castilian (español or castellano in Spanish) is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia during the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the later Medieval period. Modern Spanish developed with the readjustment of consonants (reajuste de las sibilantes) that began in 15th century. The language continues to adopt foreign words from a variety of other languages, as well as developing new words. Spanish was taken most notably to the Americas as well as to Africa and Asia Pacific with the expansion of the Spanish Empire between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries, where it became the most important language for government and trade. In 1999, there were according to Ethnologue 358 million people speaking Spanish as a native language and a total of 417 million speakers worldwide. Currently these figures are up to 400 and 500 million people respectively. Spanish is the second most natively spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese. Mexico contains the largest population of Spanish speakers. Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and used as an official language of the European Union, and Mercosur. Spanish is the second most studied language in the world, after English. Castilian evolved from Vulgar Latin (common Latin) that had been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by Romans during the Second Punic War around 210 BC, with influences from native languages such as Celtiberian, Basque and other paleohispanic languages, and later external influences, most notably Arabic of the Andalusian period. Local versions of Vulgar Latin are thought to have evolved into Castilian in the central-north of the Iberia during the 9th and 10th centuries, in an area defined by the remote crossroad strips of Alava, Cantabria, Burgos, Soria and La Rioja, within the Kingdom of Castile (see Glosas Emilianenses). In this formative stage, Castilian developed a strongly differing variant from its near cousin, Leonese, with a strong degree of Basque influence, (see Iberian Romance languages). This distinctive dialect progressively spread south with the advance of the Reconquista. Antonio de Nebrija author of the Gramática , the first Grammar of modern European languages. In the fifteenth century, Castilian underwent a dramatic change with the Readjustment of the Consonants (Reajuste de las sibilantes). Typical features of Spanish diachronic phonology include lenition (Latin vita, Spanish vida), palatalisation (Latin annum, Spanish año, and Latin anellum, Spanish anillo) and diphthongisation (stem-changing) of stressed short e and o from Vulgar Latin (Latin terra, Spanish tierra; Latin novus, Spanish nuevo). Similar phenomena can be found in other Romance languages as well. The first Spanish grammar(Gramática de la lengua castellana) — and, incidentally, the first grammar of any modern European language — was written in Salamanca, Spain, in 1492, by Elio Antonio de Nebrija. When he presented it to Queen Isabella, according to anecdote, she asked him what was the use of such a work, and he answered that language is the instrument of empire. In his introduction to the grammar, dated August 18, 1492, Nebrija wrote that “… language was always the companion of empire.” From the 16th century onwards, the language was taken to the Americas and the Spanish East Indies via Spanish colonization. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s influence on the Spanish language from the 17th century has been so great that Spanish is often called la lengua de Cervantes (“the language of Cervantes”). In the 20th century, Spanish was introduced to Equatorial Guinea and the Western Sahara, and to areas of the United States that had not been part of the Spanish Empire, such as Spanish Harlem in New York City. For details on borrowed words and other external influences upon Spanish, s


The US think tank Fund For Peace comes out with a Failed States Index every year. Which country topped the list for a fourth consecutive year in 2011?

Peace and Conflict Studies by NOVA SHSS - issuu issuu Spring 2010 SSN 1082-7307 Volume 17, Number 1 Peace and Conflict Studies Special Issue: Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, and Transformation: Voices from the Canada–EU Conflict Resolution Student Exchange Consortium Edited by Jessica Senehi, Stephen Ryan, and Sean Byrne Introduction: Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, and Transformation Jessica Senehi, Stephen Ryan, and Sean Byrne “The Problem from Hell”: Examining the Role of Peace and Conflict Studies for Genocide Intervention and Prevention Paul Cormier, Peter Karari, Alka Kumar, Robin Neustaeter, Jodi Read, and Jessica Senehi Peacebuilding in Northern Ireland: The Past, Present and Future Stephen Ryan Localizing Peace: An Agenda for Sustainable Peacebuilding Nathan C. Funk and Abdul Aziz Said Rethinking Reconciliation: The Lessons from the Balkans and South Africa Mitja Žagar The Role of the European Union as a Peace Builder: Northern Ireland as a Case Study Paul Arthur The Perception of Economic Assistance in the Northern Ireland Peace Process: The Impact of IFI and EU Peace I on Equity and Awareness Sean Byrne, Cynthia Irvin, Eyob Fissuh, and Peter Karari A Hermeneutics of Blessing as a Meta-Requisite for Reconciliation: John E. Toews’ Romans Paradigm as a Case Study Vern Neufeld Redekop EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Honggang Yang Editorial Team: Elena Bastidas, Dustin Berna, Jason Campbell, Mark Davidheiser, Alexia Georgakopoulos, Neil Katz, John Linstroth, Michele Rice, Hamdesa Tuso Senior Consulting Editor: Howon Jeong Advisory Editor: Sean Byrne Associate Editors: Alice Ackermann, Christopher Burnett, Joseph Folger, Loraleigh Keashly, Jim Hibel, Katy Hayward Technology Editor: May Peralta Assistant Editors: Julia Bilia, Natasha Rider, Richard Toumey Copy Editor: Stuart Ross EDITORIAL BOARD Sami Adwan, Bethlehem University, Palestine Chadwick Alger, Ohio State University, USA Scott Appleby, University of Notre Dame,USA Paul Arthur, University of Ulster-Coleraine, UK Jacob Bercovitch, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Celia Cook-Huffman, Juniata College, USA John Darby, University of Notre Dame, USA Morton Deutsch, Columbia University, USA Franklin Dukes, University of Virginia, USA Matthias Finger, Graduate Institute of Public Admin., Switzerland Ronald Fisher, American University, USA Linda Forcey, State University of New York, Binghamton, USA Johan Galtung, TRANSCEND, Norway Vasu Gounden, University of Durban, South Africa Adrian Guelke, Queen’s University of Belfast, UK Tamar Hermann, Tel Aviv University, Israel Herbert Kelman, Harvard University, USA Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, University of Sheffield, UK Louis Kriesberg, Syracuse University, USA John Paul Lederach, University of Notre Dame, USA Richard Little, University of Bristol, UK Neil MacFarlane, Oxford University, UK George McCall, University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA John McGarry, Queen’s University, Canada Dominic Murray, University of Limerick, Ireland Michael Nagler, University of California, Berkeley, USA Joseph Nevo, University of Haifa, Israel Hanna Newcombe, Peace Research Institute, Dundas, Canada Brendan O’Leary, University of Pennsylvania, USA Frederic Pearson, Wayne State University, USA Brian Polkinghorn, Salisbury State University, USA Dean Pruitt, State University of New York, Buffalo, USA Luc Reychler, University of Leuven, Belgium Janet Rifkin, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA Paul Rogers, University of Bradford, UK Florence Ross, NGO on Aging, United Nations, USA Marc Howard Ross, Bryn Mawr College, USA Robert Rubinstein, Syracuse University, USA Dennis Sandole, George Mason University, USA Jessica Senehi, University of Manitoba, Canada Martin Shaw, University of Sussex, UK Timothy Shaw, Dalhousie University, Canada Janice Stein, University of Toronto, Canada Lawrence Susskind, MIT, USA Ramesh Thakur, United Nations University, Japan Vibeke Vindeløv, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Raimo Vayrynen, University of Notre Dame, USA Kathleen Maas Weigert, Georgetown University, USA Tom Woodhouse, University of Bradford, UK Mitja


Which tiny European nation claims itself to be the oldest recorded sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world?

Which country can claim to be the World's oldest democracy? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk Which country can claim to be the World's oldest democracy? Russell Campbell, Dunedin, New Zealand Lots of them can. And do. Greece has a pretty good claim having invented the concept in the first place. However, long spells as an Ottoman colony or under military junta might put it out of the running if you're looking for longest continuously democratic country. Britain has a decent claim but it depends what you mean by democracy. As Rowan Atkinson put it in Blackadder: "take Manchester for instance. Population: 60,000. Electoral roll: 3". America frequently claims to be but this is because they define democracy so narrowly and in their own image such that on their criteria they're the worlds only democracy and on any other criteria they still aren't and never have been. Seth, Edinburgh, Scotland Perhaps Iceland can - their parliament, the Althing, is the oldest one still in use. It was formed in 930 by Vikings. Johan van Slooten, Urk, Netherlands The Native American people of the Six Nations, also known by the French term Iroquois and who know themselves as the Hau De-no Sau-nee (People of the Long Houses) claim to be the oldest living participatory democracy. Their homeland, country, nation or however you'd like to classify it as, was in the region now known as New York State, between the Adirondack Mountains and Niagara Falls. The other tribes included in the Six Nations also included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, joined in the 18th Century by the Tuscaroras, who did not have a vote. Archeological evidence indicates the Iroquois had lived on their lands for a very long time, with the earliest longhouses dated to at least 1100 A.D. Although there is no precise date for the establishment of the league, The Six Nations claim to have enjoyed a system of consensus government for over 800 years, well established long before the arrival of the Europeans. Founded to maintain peace and resolve disputes between its members, the Six Nations primary law was the Kainerekowa, the 'Great Law of Peace' which stated, simply, that Iroquois should not kill each other. They had a written constitution, laws dealing with ownership and trade routes and a funeral rite that allowed shared mourning at the passing of leaders from other tribes. From 1660, the nations combined to form a united front in negotiations with the European settlers. With the focus on maintaining peace with their neighbours, the Iroquois tribes were free to develop their predominantly agragian society. Their leaders were chosen, by their women, for their knowledge of the earth and their skills at providing for their villages. John Maguire, Dublin, Ireland A great many can claim it. It rather depends what you mean by democracy. The Isle of Man has the oldest Parliament, but it has not always been elected by universal suffrage. Did the UK have to await the extension of the franchise to 18 year olds? Or was it 1929, when women got the vote on the same terms as men - at least for Parliament, only householders voted in local authority elections at the time? Switzerland has an ancient confederation, but governments never get voted out of power, due to the permanent coaltion. The same four parties have been in power since 1959, two of them for over a century. Switzerland, like California, makes great use of direct democracy, at both confederal and cantonal level. But in some cantons women didn't get the vote until the 1970s. Australia and New Zealand were both early to give women the vote, but neither elects their Head of State. Quentin Langley, Woking UK If we mean by that, 'Which country has ensured that all adult citizens regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity, may choose reprentatives to exercise the powers of government longest?', then the answer is New Zealand. Universal adult suffrage was first established there in 1893. Fragano Ledgister, Atlanta, USA Seth, I'm surprised at you. Britain does not have a claim to being the world's oldest democracy, as i


If water bodies were left out and only land area were considered, what is the second largest country in the world after Russia?

The Water Cycle summary, USGS Water Science School Water storage in oceans: Saline water existing in oceans and inland seas The ocean as a storehouse of water The water cycle sounds like it is describing how water moves above, on, and through the Earth ... and it does. But, in fact, much more water is "in storage" for long periods of time than is actually moving through the cycle. The storehouses for the vast majority of all water on Earth are the oceans. It is estimated that of the 332,600,000 cubic miles (mi3) (1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers (km3)) of the world's water supply, about 321,000,000 mi3 (1,338,000,000 km3) is stored in oceans. That is about 96.5 percent. It is also estimated that the oceans supply about 90 percent of the evaporated water that goes into the water cycle. During colder climatic periods more ice caps and glaciers form, and enough of the global water supply accumulates as ice to lessen the amounts in other parts of the water cycle. The reverse is true during warm periods. During the last ice age glaciers covered almost one-third of Earth's land mass, with the result being that the oceans were about 400 feet (122 meters) lower than today. During the last global "warm spell," about 125,000 years ago, the seas were about 18 feet (5.5. meters) higher than they are now. About three million years ago the oceans could have been up to 165 feet (50 meters) higher. Oceans in movement If you have ever been seasick (we hope not), then you know how the ocean is never still. You might think that the water in the oceans moves around because of waves, which are driven by winds. But, actually, there are currents and "rivers" in the oceans that move massive amounts of water around the world. These movements have a great deal of influence on the water cycle. The Kuroshio Current, off the shores of Japan, is the largest current. It can travel between 25 and 75 miles (40 and 121 kilometers) a day, 1-3 miles (1.4-4.8 kilometers) per hour, and extends some 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) deep. The Gulf Stream is a well known stream of warm water in the Atlantic Ocean, moving water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic Ocean towards Great Britain. At a speed of 60 miles (97 kilometers) per day, the Gulf stream moves 100 times as much water as all the rivers on Earth. Coming from warm climates, the Gulf Stream moves warmer water to the North Atlantic. More about water storage in the oceans. Evaporation: The process by which water is changed from liquid to a gas or vapor Evaporation and why it occurs Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Evaporation is the primary pathway that water moves from the liquid state back into the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor. Studies have shown that the oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers provide nearly 90 percent of the moisture in our atmosphere via evaporation, with the remaining 10 percent being contributed by plant transpiration . Heat (energy) is necessary for evaporation to occur. Energy is used to break the bonds that hold water molecules together, which is why water easily evaporates at the boiling point (212° F, 100° C) but evaporates much more slowly at the freezing point. Net evaporation occurs when the rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of condensation. A state of saturation exists when these two process rates are equal, at which point, the relative humidity of the air is 100 percent. Condensation, the opposite of evaporation, occurs when saturated air is cooled below the dew point (the temperature to which air must be cooled at a constant pressure for it to become fully saturated with water), such as on the outside of a glass of ice water. In fact, the process of evaporation removes heat from the environment, which is why water evaporating from your skin cools you. Evaporation drives the water cycle Evaporation from the oceans is the primary mechanism supporting the surface-to-atmosphere portion of the water cycle. After all, the large surface area of the oceans (over 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by the oceans


'Pha That Lung', a large gold-covered Buddhist stupa is regarded as the most important monument and national symbol in which landlocked Asian country?

Laos - Unionpedia, the concept map Yes, please No, thanks Laos Laos ((or) ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) (République démocratique populaire lao), is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. [1] Army of the Republic of Vietnam The Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN), also known as the South Vietnamese Army (SVA), were the ground forces of the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces, the armed forces of South Vietnam, which existed from 1955 until the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Communism In political and social sciences, communism (from Latin communis – common, universal) is a social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of the communist society, which is a socioeconomic order structured upon the common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money, and the state. Comprehensive Plan of Action The Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) is a program, adopted in June, 1989 at a conference in Geneva held by The Steering Committee of the International Conference on Indo-Chinese Refugees, which was designed to deter and to stop the continuing influx of Indochinese boat people and to cope with an increasing reluctance by third countries to maintain resettlement opportunities for every Vietnamese or Laotian exile, with the threat of countries of first asylum in Southeast Asia to push-backs the asylum seekers. Conservatism in the United States Historically, the central themes in American conservatism have included respect for American traditions, support of republicanism and the rule of law, Judeo-Christian values, anti-Communism, advocacy of American exceptionalism and a defense of Western civilization from perceived threats posed by moral relativism, multiculturalism, and postmodern ridicule of traditional culture. Don Det – Don Khon narrow gauge railway The Don Det – Don Khon (sometimes spelt Don Deth – Don Khone) railway was a seven kilometre (4.34 mile) long, narrow gauge portage railway located on Don Det – Don Khon islands, part of the Siphandon (sometimes spelt Si Phan Don) or Four Thousand Islands archipelago in Champasak Province, southern Laos. Free France Free France and its Free French Forces (French: France Libre and Forces françaises libres) were the government-in-exile led by Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War and its military forces that continued to fight against the Axis powers as an Ally after the fall of France. Freedom of religion Freedom of religion or freedom of belief is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any religion. French Indochina French Indo-China (now commonly known as French Indochina) (Indochine française; សហភាពឥណ្ឌូចិន.; Đông Dương thuộc Pháp,, frequently abbreviated to Đông Pháp; Lao: ຝຣັ່ງແຫຼັມອິນດູຈີນ), officially known as the Indo-Chinese Union (Union indochinoise) after 1887 and the Indo-Chinese Federation (Fédération indochinoise) after 1947, was a grouping of French colonial territories in Southeast Asia. Geneva Conference (1954) The Geneva Conference (April 26 – July 20, 1954) was a conference which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, whose purpose was to attempt to find a way to settle outstanding issues on the Korean peninsula and discuss the possibility of restoring peace in Indochina. Glutinous rice Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa; also called sticky rice, sweet rice or waxy rice) is a type of rice grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia, which has opaque grains, very low amylose content, and is especially sticky when cooked. Hmong language Hmong (RPA: Hmoob) or Mong (RPA: Moob), known as First Vernacular Chuanqiand


Located in Micronesia and covering just 21 square kilometres, what is the world's smallest island nation?

Nauru: The World’s Smallest Island-Nation | A Traveler's Tale photography and travel interests, places, and things Nauru: The World’s Smallest Island-Nation In the middle of the Pacific Nauru seat of government at Yaren District A phosphate rock island: The beaches are strewn with ‘pinnacles’. Menen Hotel, where I stayed, can be seen at the background. Arriving  for the first time in Nauru  in 2007 (from Brisbane with a brief stopover at Honiara , the Solomon Islands ); I briefly feared that the plane would actually end up floating in the Pacific waters. The airstrip is precariously tucked along the island’s south-eastern edge, its tip almost dangling over the water. Having landed safely, the plane follows the tarmac along the cluster of government buildings at Yaren district then crosses a major street creating a funny traffic scene – commuters stopping to let a 737 jet cross the street – before we were allowed to disembark at the terminal. Formerly known as Pleasant Island , Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation , with an estimated 9,300 population in 2010 and covering just 21 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi). Originally settled by Micronesian and Polynesian people , the island was declared an independent state in 1968 after a long history of occupations/administrations by the Germans, British, Japanese and Australians. Anibare Harbor: An enclosure for small boats, also good for swimming and some morning exercises. Buada Lagoon: The biggest body of fresh water in the middle of the island Imagine a phosphate rock protruding on the Pacific’s surface — that’s what Nauru is — a phosphate rock island.  The deposits are close to the surface thus allowing simple strip mining operations to extract phosphate — the country’s main product.  Because of the huge deposits and its small population; Nauru briefly boasted the highest per-capita income enjoyed by any sovereign state in the world in early 1970s. Phosphate Mines: Located in the middle of the island, the phosphate mines are basically the only source of state revenues Too Deep: The waters around Nauru are too deep that ships’ anchors cannot reach the bottom. Bouys such as this serve as the ships’ mooring. Cantilevers: The monolithic steel structure loads phosphate to cargo ships A Monolith: The cantilever dominates the Naurun seascape I had to stay in the island for a month during my first visit and, knowing that I was living in the context of a whole country, I was always amazed that almost every destination is just close by.  I stayed at a place called Menen Hotel where, being just a few meters away from the Pacific ocean, huge waves pounding the shores at night can be unnerving. A well-paved road stretches along the whole coastline and a public bus traverses the route several times a day. We used to drive around but the more adventurous can also rent a mountain bike from the hotel and cycle to any desired destination in the island. I once joined a 7-kilometer fun run joined by school kids and, although I shamelessly walked half of the distance just taking pictures, I felt proud having walked almost halfway around a country. Waiting: A cargo ship stands by for the cantilever to pour phosphate into its bowels An early jog to Anibare harbour, just west of the Menen Hotel was what kept me busy before breakfast. The harbour has a small enclosure that protects smaller boats, mostly used for fishing tours, from the often inclement conditions of the pacific waters. The surfaces of the seawalls provide a good platform for stretching and other exercises but it is also used by local fishermen to do line fishing. On a good day, the friendly fishermen would generously offer part of their catch for a good chat. One of my favourite restaurants happened to be in the area and its enterprising Chinese operators were always happy to cook the fresh fish for me. In the Neighborhood: A short drive across the country will bring you to Capelle, the biggest grocery store in the island with products mostly coming from Australia and other countries. Just a short drive towards the center of the


Distributed across the three islands of Tutuila, Ofu-Olosega, and Ta‘ū, what is the only American national park located south of the equator?

Travel To Samoa - South Pacific Island Travel South Pacific Island Travel FIND HOTELS IN AMERICAN SAMOA & THE REPUBLIC OF SAMOA       Republic of Samoa   The Samoan Islands are a group of volcanic islands located in Polynesia, almost midway between Hawaii and New Zealand. The group consists of eight small islets and the two main islands of Savai'i and Upolu both of which make up the Republic of Samoa and the Manu'a Islands, Rose Atoll, Swains Island and the main island of Tutuila which make up the United States territory of American Samoa.  The Samoan Island's nearest neighbour is the New Zealand island territory of Tokelau 500 kilometers to their north. The islands rely heavily on tourism and there are several hotels and resorts for visitors, along with several clubs, bars, shops, markets and restaurants.   Tourists can take advantage of several activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, walking and cycling tours, surfing, game fishing, golf and various boat trips.   Travel between the Republic of Samoa and American Samoa is expensive but reliable and hassle free, with no political or cultural problems existing between the two island groups.   The islands of Samoa are characterised by their high mountains, active volcanoes and vast areas of tropical rain forests. Samoan beaches are made up of coral shells so are not the best areas for sun bathing but the seas around them are famed for their scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing.       The predominant religion of the Samoan Islands is Christian.  The currency of American Samoa is the U.S Dollar. The currency of the Republic of Samoa is the Samoan Tala. Despite being neighbouring islands the two groups are situated on either side of the international dateline with the Republic of Samoa located on time zone UTC +13 and American Samoa located on time zone UTC - 11. Therefore the islands have exactly the same time but the Republic of Samoa is one day, or twenty four hours, ahead of American Samoa.        AMERICAN SAMOA           REPUBLIC OF SAMOA        LOCAL TRAVEL  The Samoan Islands are served by two domestic airports, two international airports, four sea ports and a good local bus service.  Fagali'i Airport, located on Upolu Island, is served by flights from neighbouring Pago Pago on American Samoa. Maota Airport, located on Savai'i Island, is served by flights from Apia on Upolu island, Pago Pago in American Samoa and Asau Airport in the north of the island. Faleolo International Airport, located on Upolu Island, is served by international flights from Auckland in New Zealand, Brisbane and Sydney in Australia, Nadi in Fiji, Honalulu in Hawaii, Pago Pago in American Samoa and Maoto Airport on Savai'i Island.  Tafuna International Airport, located near Pago Pago on Tutuila Island in American Samoa is served by flights from Honalulu in Hawaii, Apia in Samoa, Faleolo in Samoa and the island of Tau in American Samoa. The four main cargo / ferry ports in Samoa are located at;  Apia Harbour on Upolu Island where there are regular ferry services to Pago Pago in American Samoa and Tokelau, Salelologa Port on Savai'i Island with regular ferry services to Apia on Upolu Island, Mulifanua Port on Upolu Island with regular services to Savai'i Island and a deep water port at Fatatogo Docks at Pago Pago in American Samoa.  Ferry journeys between Upolu Island and Savai'i Island take around one hour and ferry times between Upolu Island and Tutuila Island in American Samoa take around seven hours.   The Republic of Samoa's colourful local bus services are regular and cheap and highly recommended. There are no train services in the republic. Car hire is plentiful within the Samoan Islands, although there is little in the way of scooter, motorbike or bicycle hire, although there are organised bicycle tours.  Many rural roads travel across open streams, so caution must be taken when doing this, particularly during the rainy season. Traffic violations are not enforced as well as they should be in the Republic of Samoa with traffic congestion becoming a big problem particularly in urban are


Which French city is home to the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to early 15th centuries?

Avignon | Turtledove | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit The Great Black Deaths claimed most of the population of Europe while the Pope was based in Avignon. During this time period, a local peasant named Henri declared himself the Second Son of God and was executed for it. It was also here that the King of France and the Pope, the orchestrators of his death, were killed in an accidental building collapse on the day after Henri was put to death, which many saw as a significant omen.


Bordered on three sides by Senegal and with a small coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the west, what is the smallest country on mainland Africa?

Gambia Festival | Gambia roots Festival | Gambia Tour | Gambia travel | Banjul City Tour Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa. Flanked on three sides by Senegal, its coast is bordered in the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Although neighbored by French speaking countries, Gambia has been influenced by the British and is a member of the Commonwealth. Gambia has become a popular destination with travelers, especially European vacationers. Banjul is the vibrant capital city which features an exciting night life and bustling marketplaces. Serekunda is the center of commerce and the largest city, making it one the major sites to stop when touring Gambia. Villages found on the coastal region, including Bakau, Fajara, Kotu and Kololi are major sites for tourists who are delighted to have a holiday on a beautiful golden beach. Juffureh is a small village on the banks of the River Gambia with a rich history. It is believed to be the ancestral home of Alex Haley, the African American author of "Roots." In this famous book which later became a television mini-series, Haley described the capture of his ancestor, Kunta Kinte, who was taken from his home in Juffureh to be enslaved in America. Along with history and beautiful beaches, visitors can enjoy an eco friendly tour in Gambia.