What religion is associated with wearing dreadlocks?

TIEDE Chronicles: Dreadlocks and Christianity Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Dreadlocks and Christianity Christianity! That, maybe, is the problem. The term "Christianity" is so wide in its definition that it has lost its meaning. That is why issues arise that are in direct contrast to the lifestyle of a child of God, a heaven-bound human being, a straight -and-narrow road walker, etc. The very definition of that kind of person, excludes such terms as is common today in the Church. Should we say "evangelical" Christian? Or "Pentecostal" Christian? Or "tongue-speaking, spirit-filled" Christian? "The Lord knows those who are His ..." Dreadlocks and Christianity! Sounds like an oxymoron. Here are the key words associated with DREADLOCKS: Africans The Ashanti, Okomfo Anokye, In modern Ghana, dreadlocks now have a negative connotation and are associated with spiritualism that is contrary to Christianity. The warriors of the Maasai nation of Kenya. Fetish priests, sangomas, or shamans, spiritual men or women who serve and speak to spirits or deities, often wear locks. In Benin the Yoruba priests of Olokun, the Orisha of the deep ocean, wear locks. Africans brought the hairstyle with them to the Americas during the African diaspora. The Rastafarians wear locks as an expression of inner spirituality and to emphasize their identity. Their religion states that they must remain "whole". Hinduism:  Sadhus and Sadhvis, Indian holy men and women, locks are sacred, considered to be a religious practice and an expression of their disregard for profane vanity, as well as a symbol of their spiritual understanding that physical appearances are unimportant. Gangadhara Shiva captures and controls the river Ganges with his locks, Locks in India are reserved nearly exclusively for holy people - long jatas express a spiritual significance which implies the wearer has special relations with spirits, is an immortal traveler between two worlds and the master over fire: Buddhism Practicing Buddhists - dreadlocks are a way to let go of material vanity and excessive attachments. [9] In Western styles - portrayed as part and parcel of gang culture in such movies as Marked for Death. In the West, dreadlocks have gained particular popularity among counterculture , hippies, crust punks, New Age travellers, Rainbow Family - dreadlocks - symbolizing a rejection of government-controlled, mass-merchandising culture. There are many reasons among various cultures for wearing dreadlocks. Almost all agree that dreads are an expression of deep religious or spiritual convictions, a manifestation of ethnic pride, making a political statement, or simply, a fashion preference. Dreadlocks in most of the Caribbean was associated with Rastafarianism and everything that that philosophy represents: praising Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as the redeemer of mankind and renouncing Jesus Christ – Christianity’s Saviour of Man; a vegetarian diet, and, among other things, in some instances, the smoking of marijuana. Wearing dread was relegated to those who were willing to live on the periphery of society, a target for the police and other social institutions, including the Church. Today, one cannot tell by looking who subscribes to or practices Rastafarianism. Christians who wear dreadlocks cite Nazarites, Sampson, John the Baptist, even Jesus, as having long hairs and that the only way they could have maintained their long hairs was if they had them in dreadlocks. They quote Numbers 6:5 -“All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long." Sounds blasphemous but these are simply speculations. Those in opposition to Christians, especially men, wearing their hairs in dreadlocks cite Bible verses that indirectly deal with such issues. Examples of such Bible verses are: 1. Ezekiel 44:20 "They shall not shave their heads or let their locks grow long; they shall surely trim the hair of their heads." 2.


The cravat was a predecessor to what modern garment?

Cravat Cravat Cravat (n.) The predecessor to the modern necktie, the cravat was worn throughout the late 17th century until the late 19th century. Want FREE Style Advice & Updates Delivered Right To You? JOIN RMRS NOW! We value your privacy and would never spam you Related Articles: Axillary Hair and Body Odor | How Shaving Can Make You Smell Better About Antonio Antonio Centeno studied style in London, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. He is a former US Marine Officer with an MBA from UT Austin and BA from Cornell College.


"What German military tactic means ""lightning war""?"

Blitzkrieg - World War II - HISTORY.com Google Conventional wisdom traces blitzkrieg, “lightning war,” to the development in Germany between 1918 and 1939 of a body of doctrine using mobility to prevent repetition of the attritional deadlock of World War I . Soldiers such as Hans von Seeckt and Heinz Guderian allegedly perceived more clearly than their counterparts elsewhere in Europe the military potential of the internal-combustion engine combined with modern communications technology. Large formations moving on tracks and wheels, directed by radios, could rupture an enemy’s front and so disorganize its rear that countermeasures would be paralyzed. First tested in Poland, the concept reached perihelion in France and the Low Countries in 1940, when in less than six weeks the German army crushed the combined forces of four nations. Applied a year later against the Soviet Union, blitzkrieg purportedly brought the Wehrmacht to the gates of Moscow in six months. Some accounts insist that only Adolf Hitler’s incompetent interference tipped the war’s balance so far against Germany that even blitzkrieg’s most sophisticated refinements could do no more than stave off the Reich’s collapse. Seldom in the history of military thought have such elaborate interpretive structures been built on a more limited foundation. The term blitzkrieg was in fact never used in the title of a German military manual or handbook. Nor is it to be widely found in the memoirs or correspondence of German generals. The word was used in the Wehrmacht during World War II but was commonly considered to be of foreign origin. Guderian wrote in Panzer Leader that “our enemies coined the word.” The first known use of the word blitzkrieg in an English publication occurred in an article in Time magazine in September 25, 1939, discussing the Polish campaign. From there the word came into general circulation as a shorthand description of a form of war that seemed to have no convenient existing frame of reference. From Western sources it expanded into German popular military literature, and from there into history. The transmission process was facilitated by the British theorists J. F. C. Fuller and Basil Liddell Hart, who insisted that their concepts of mobile war were fundamental to the German victories of 1939-1941. Reality is at once more limited and more complex. On one level, mobile warfare was a faute de mieux improvisation that arose from the restrictions on conventional forces stipulated by the Treaty of Versailles . The German high command in the 1920s and 1930s also sought inspiration for the future in its own past–specifically in the ideas of Helmuth Karl von Moltke and Alfred von Schlieffen. Tanks, aircraft, and motor trucks were regarded as force multipliers facilitating traditional operational approaches. The aim of German military planners in both the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich was to achieve victory by enveloping enemy armies, threatening their lines of supply and communications, and forcing them to fight in an unexpected direction. The anticipated result would be quick, decisive victories for a state that since the days of Frederick the Great had been convinced of its inability to win a drawn-out war of attrition. These concepts remained tactical and operational. Grand-strategic and economic planning in Adolf Hitler’s Reich were not shaped by a doctrine of lightning war. A familiar argument is that Nazi Germany deliberately rearmed in breadth rather than depth, proposing to tailor its force mix to specific situations in the context of a diplomatic strategy designed to keep Germany’s enemies isolated from one another. However, no significant data support such a grand design. Instead, the best evidence indicates that Hitler sought rearmament in both breadth and depth, with an economy oriented to military needs as completely as possible. Instead, far from coordinating their specific preparations, the army, navy, and air force competed so intensely for scarce raw materials that as early as 1938 their demands seriously overheated the ramshackle


What stimulant does Red Bull get its name from?

Red Bull Is Dangerous? : snopes.com - - Claim:   Red Bull energy drink contains a banned, government-manufactured stimulant linked to the formation of brain tumors. FALSE Examples: [Collected on the Internet, 2000] Ever wondered what's in a can of Redbull Energy drink? The small print lists a host of ingredients and among them is Glucuronolactone, an artificially manufactured stimulant developed in the early 60's by the American Government. Glucuronolactone was first used in the Vietnam conflict to boost morale amongst GI's who were suffering from stress and fatigue, but was banned after a few years following several deaths and hundreds of cases involving anything from severe migraines to brain tumours in personnel prescribed the stimulant. That was in 1973 and Glucuronolactone is still banned for commercial consumption in America this day. The bad news is that the substance never found it's way to Europe in the early days and was therefore never banned by the EU community. An article in this months edition of the British Medical Journal has highlighted a growing number of cases reported by Doctors and Surgeons involving the very same side effects from the 70's. All of the patients examined were regular drinkers of RedBull and it is believed that the safety of Glucuronolactone is currently under review in at least three major European countries. Please pass this on to any RedBull drinkers you know, and next time you get a headache after drinking the stuff, you'll know why!   Red Bull began circulating on the Internet in March 2000. There are two claims to address here: that Glucuronolactone is the evil substance it is portrayed to be in the e-mail, and that it is one of Red Bull's ingredients. Glucuronolactone is a naturally-occurring metabolite, a carbohydrate produced by the human metabolic system. It most certainly is not "an artificially manufactured stimulant developed in the early 60's by the American Government," as is claimed in the e-mailed exhortation to foreswear the drink. Yet a can of Red Bull contains 600 mg of the substance per can, which has been suggested is 250 times a person's normal daily intake. No proof has yet emerged that this would pose a danger of any sort, but it is a large enough number in and of itself to evoke concern. Searches of The British Medical Journal fail to turn up the article described in the warning, belying the e-mail's claim that a piece on this lurking horror recently appeared there. Searches of the Food and Drug Administration's web site also fail to turn up anything about glucuronolactone, a situation unheard of even in the case of drugs or substances that are merely the subjects of questions raised by consumers, let alone ones that are "banned for commercial consumption in America." Were glucuronolactone the raging threat to mankind portrayed in the e-mail, the FDA database would be full to overflowing with articles about it. The glucuronolactone rumor is not the only one circulated about Red Bull. Other whispers state that the drink is formulated from bull testicles, or that it's been proved to be wildly addictive, or that its drinkers will test positive in drug tests after downing just half a can, or that it shivers on the verge of being banned throughout Europe. With one partial exception, all of these rumors are untrue. Some countries such as Denmark, Norway, and France initially declined to approve Red Bull for sale within their borders, citing health concerns over the beverage's high level of caffeine. However, that situation changed in 2008 when the French government acquiesced to EU regulations stating that such a product could not be banned in the absence of proof that it posed a health risk. Red Bull is the trendy drink of the moment among the dance club set. It is also expensive, and this carbonated nectar is sickly sweet. As for the second of the claims that needed to be addressed, Red Bull does contain glucuronolactone. But as we've seen, that ingredient is apparently innocuous. The beverage was originally concocted in Austria in 1987, and it was marketed as a


What vestigial organ caused the death of Harry Houdini?

Death of Houdini : snopes.com - - Claim:   Escape artist Harry Houdini died from a ruptured appendix caused by his being punched in the stomach. LEGEND Origins:   Nearly everyone familiar with world-famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, no matter how little they know about his life, knows one thing about his death: That a boastful Houdini died from trying to impress some college students with his toughness. As legend has it, Houdini was fond of explaining to his fans that by tightening his abdominal muscles he could withstand the hardest punches to the midsection a man could deliver, and one day a college student who was present when Houdini repeated his boast decided to test the claim by raining blows to the magician's midriff. The stomach punches caught Houdini by surprise before he had time to prepare himself, however, resulting in a trauma that ruptured his appendix and ultimately caused his death a few weeks later. Although some of the basic facts of this narrative are correct, its assumption of the cause and effect that led to Houdini's untimely demise likely is not. The chain of events leading up to Houdini's final passing began in mid-October 1926, while he was undertaking a series of shows in the northeastern part of North America. Despite having broken his ankle while performing his famous Water-Torture Cell escape in Albany several days earlier, Houdini, ever the trouper, kept his engagement at the Princess Theater in Montreal and opened there on 18 October 1926. The following day Houdini delivered a lecture at McGill University about exposing fraudulent spiritualists and mediums, and afterwards he stayed around to chat with various faculty members and students. A student named Samuel J. Smilovitch approached Houdini with a sketch he'd made of the escape artist; Houdini was impressed with the drawing and invited the young man to come backstage after one of his shows and do a full portrait. Smilovitch took Houdini up on his offer, bringing along his friend Jack Price to meet the magician in the lobby of the Princess Theater the morning of Friday, 22 October. They followed Houdini to his dressing room, and a few minutes later another McGill student named Joselyn Gordon Whitehead knocked on the door. What then occurred was later described by Jack Price and included in a book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Houdini was facing us and lying down on a couch at the time reading some mail, his right side nearest us. This first-year student [Whitehead] engaged Houdini more or less continually whilst my friend Mr. Smilovitch continued to sketch Houdini. This student was the first to raise the question of Houdini's strength. My friend and I were not so much interested in his strength as we were in his mental acuteness, his skill, his beliefs, and his personal experiences. Houdini stated that he had extraordinary muscles in his forearms, in his shoulders and in his back, and he asked all of us present to feel them, which we did. The first-year McGill student asked Houdini whether it was true that punches in the stomach did not hurt him. Houdini remarked rather unenthusiastically that his stomach could resist much, though he did not speak of it in superlative terms. Thereupon he gave Houdini some very hammer-like blows below the belt, first securing Houdini's permission to strike him. Houdini was reclining at the time with his right side nearest Whitehead, and the said student was more or less bending over him. These blows fell on that part of the stomach to the right of the navel, and were struck on the side nearest to us, which was in fact Houdini's right side; I do not remember exactly how many blows were struck. I am certain, however, of at least four very hard and severe body blows, because at the end of the second or third blow I verbally protested against this sudden onslaught on the part of this first-year student, using the words, "Hey there. You must be crazy, what are you doing?" or words to that effect, but Whitehead continued striking Houdini with all his strength. Houdini stopped him suddenly in th


"What word, starting with R, means ""bird of prey""?"

Birds beginning with R Birds beginning with R Fish Birds beginning with R R - It is a typical "sylvia" warbler, similar in size but slimmer than Sardinian Warbler. The adults have a plain grey back and paler grey underparts. The bill is fine and pointed, with brown legs and red eyes. The striking male has a black head and, usually, a black throat, separated by a white malar streak . Females have a pale throat, and the head is grey rather than black. Their grey back has a brownish tinge. The song is a slower, deeper rattle than that of Sardinian Warbler. Rachel's Malimbe - It has interesting breeding behaviour. The nest is build by three to four birds of which only one is female and which takes the leading role in building the nest. After the nest is finished one of the males that participated in the building chase off the other participating males. Both of the remaining couple take duty of incubating the eggs. Racket-tailed Coquette - The Racket-tailed Coquette is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. Racket-tailed Treepie - It has a velvety-black forehead of short, plush black feathers with the rest of the bird being an oily green colour, though appearing black in dim light. The tail feathers which in this species are long and broaden at the tail's end are black also with a greenish tinge, as are the wings. The iris of the bird is a turquoise-blue darkening towards the pupil to a very deep or near black. The bill, legs and feet are black. Rackettailed Roller Radde's Accentor - Its natural habitat is temperate grassland. Radde's Warbler - This is a bird of open woodlands with some undergrowth near water. The nest is built low in a bush, and eggs are laid. Like most Old World warblers, this small passerine is insectivorous. Radjah Shelduck - Both the male and female of the species are mostly white, with dark wingtips and a distinctive "collar" of dark feathers. Seen from above in flight, the birds have green bands on the tops of their wings. The female has a harsh rattle and the male has a breathy, sore-throat whistle. Raffles's Malcoha - Raffles's Malkoha is a species of cuckoo . It was formerly often placed in Phaenicophaeus with the other malkohas, but it is a rather distinct species, with several autapomorphies and sexual dimorphism . Raggiana Bird-of-paradise - The Raggiana Bird-of-paradise, also known as Count Raggi's Bird-of-paradise, is a large bird in the bird-of-paradise family Paradisaeidae. Raiatea Parakeet - Psittacus ulietanus J. F. Gmelin, 1789 Platycercus tannaensis Finsch, 1868 Psittacus fuscatus von Pelzeln, 1873 Raimondi's Yellow Finch - Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. Rain Quail - Grassland, cropped fields and scrub in the Indus valleys of Pakistan, the Gangetic plains, of the central Republic of India and parts of peninsular continental India. Mostly seen in winter further south. Rainbow Lorikeet - Rainbow Lorikeets have been introduced to Perth, Western Australia, Rainbow Pitta - An Australian endemic, the Rainbow Pitta lives in the forests of northern Australia. As with other pittas, it is a secretive and shy bird. The diet consists mainly of insects, arthropods and small animals. The female lays three to four glossy cream eggs with blotches inside its large domed nest. Rainbow Starfrontlet - The Rainbow Starfrontlet is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest. Rainbow-bearded Thornbill - The Rainbow-bearded Thornbill is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. Rajah Scops Owl - The Rajah Scops Owl is common throug


What baseball player died of ALS disease in 1941?

Yankees’ Iron Horse Lou Gehrig dies in 1941 after battle with ALS - NY Daily News Lou Gehrig, Yankees’ Iron Horse, dies in 1941 after 2-year battle with ALS  Yankees’ Iron Horse Lou Gehrig dies in 1941 after battle with ALS NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Lou Gehrig thanking fans on Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium shortly after retiring due to his ALS diagnosis.  (Daily News) Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 12:00 PM (Originally published by the Daily News on Tuesday, June 3, 1941) Lou Gehrig, the New York City boy who grew up to be one of the greatest baseball stars of all time, died at 10:10 o'clock last night at his home on Delafield Ave., Fieldston, Bronx. The one-time Iron Horse first baseman of the Yankees had been suffering for more than two years with a rare disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which hardens the spinal column and shrivels the muscles. His disease was known to be incurable. His death, nevertheless, came with shocking suddenness. Gehrig would have been 38 on June 19. Lou Gehrig ends own hitting streak, career at 2,130 games Physicians said Gehrig's condition grew critical about two months ago. The once powerful slugger, who propelled many home runs and game-winning hits for the Yankees through 15 brilliant years, began to waste away quickly. In a short time, he lost 25 pounds and was considerably under his 210-pound playing weight when death came. Toward the end, he was hardly able to speak above a whisper. At the bedside of the Hall of Fame hero was his wife, Eleanor, his father, Henry, his mother, Christina, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Nellie Twichell and Dr. C. B. Esseltyn. (New York Daily News Archives) The first visitor to the Gehrig home was Ed Barrow, Yankee president, who had a guiding hand in Lou's career. A spokesman for the family said that they had indications death was coming close about two weeks ago. Hundreds of telegrams of condolences from Lou's fellow players, baseball magnates and leaders in all lines of life poured into the home. Barrow, his shaggy-browed eyes reddened, came out on the stoop of the Gehrig home at midnight and told reporters: Lou Gehrig retires from Yankees as 'the luckiest man in 1939 "This has been such a shock to me there is very little I can say. I have lost a very dear friend and I believe Lou was equally fond of me. Although his death was expected it has come as a terrific shock. ASK PRIVATE FUNERAL Lou's old team, the Yankees, are in Detroit and Barrow was asked if they will be allowed to return to New York for the funeral, which probably will be held tomorrow. Barrow said that Mrs. Gehrig had expressed a wish the funeral be as private as possible and that "it seems hardly likely that any of the players will return to New York." (New York Daily News Archives) Private funeral services for Gehrig will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the Christ Episcopal Church, Riverdale, Bronx. Gehrig's letter to doc expressing optimism he'd beat ALS up for auction The rare disease that caused his death brought an end to his playing career and sensational streak of 2,130 consecutive games in the Spring of '39. Later on that season, on July 4, he was honored with a "Lou Gehrig Day" at the Yankee Stadium, with 61,808 fans attending. Mayor LaGuardia appointed him to the New York City Parole Commission January 1, 1940. Lou took an active interest in his new career and was a daily visitor to his office until about two months ago when physicians urged him to remain at home to save his waning strength. Mayor LaGuardia, grieved at the news, said: "He was a fine, useful public official. His death is a loss to me and to the entire country." RECORD AMAZING (New York Daily News Archives) Gehrig's list of outstanding performances is amazing. In addition to his consecutive game record some of his other baseball marks include the following: Scored five runs in game (June 12, 1928, May 3 and July 28, 1936); Most runs batted-in, season (league mark) - 184 (1931); Four home runs in game (consecutive) June 3, 1932; Three home runs in one game (3 times); Equaled league record for most games play


"Who urged San Diegans to ""stay classy""?"

Uber Launches in San Diego, Time to Stay Classy Uber Launches in San Diego, Time to Stay Classy June 8, 2012 Posted by Ryan Graves When I decided to leave San Diego for college in the Midwest, it was an utterly terrifying decision. By chasing the youthful goal of “seeing the world,” I risked never returning to California. When I stayed in the Midwest after college (for a girl of course), some whispered, “he’ll never get back.” Finally, after ten years of bouncing around, I’ve finally managed to return home to pay my dues to my native San Diego. No, it’s not a move home (yet!) but rather to deliver “America’s Finest City” the “World’s Finest Transportation System”. I really can’t think of a better homecoming. The Duck City When I first dropped in to San Diego to start hiring our team, I was quickly frustrated. I was expecting to find folks pumped about being a part of a rapid growth startup.  On the surface it felt like folks just wanted to avoid hard work, like it was some sort of epidemic, an ‘ambition drought.’  I was crushed at this realization. But we kept digging, talking with entrepreneurs, real estate folks,  biotech and mobile tech geeks about the innovations San Diegans are bringing to market and the rising stars getting it done. And finally, it hit us like a wave crashing on our heads. There’s no ambition drought.  It’s just that San Diego is a duck! Let me explain. When you look at a duck, on the surface things are super chill, very laid back and relaxed. What’s more difficult to see is what’s going on under the surface. This duck is paddling ferociously with an incredible intensity, and yes, even passion.  I realized that like San Diego, Uber is also a duck. Beneath the surface we have some crazy  math and logistics . We have an operations organization that is hustling into the wee hours to ensure that Uber delivers on the promise of being ‘Everyone’s Private Driver’. Yet, on the surface, Uber delivers one of the most elegant, and relaxing experiences you’ll find in transportation. Surely, one that San Diego has not yet experienced. Fortunately, Uber’s San Diego team is shaping up to fit a similar mold, pretty chill at first glance, but in the office, out of sight, this team can hustle! A City of Transplants It doesn’t take much time in San Diego to realize it’s a city of transplants who migrated West to find ‘the good life’. In fact, 80% of its residents, come from somewhere else. Us natives probably notice it the most. Nothing is more entertaining than watching that guy from Boston paddle through the surf in the dead of winter in trunks and a t-shirt. Kook. Nothing is more frustrating than watching the herd of RVs roll West on the 8 to invade us for the summer. Frickin’ Zoni’s. But at this point we’re used to sharing the beaches; we’re used to sharing the half-filled stands at Petco when the Padres lose 0-1 to the Diamondbacks; we’re used to sharing the Gaslamp with hoards of tourists fresh off of one of those Titantic-esque cruise ships. The transplants and tourists and even the Zoni’s are all part of who San Diego is, and whether they’ve come to retire, join the Navy, or catch a few waves and join the search for the good life, they bring a ton of flavor to Ron Burgundy’s, “San Diaaago”.   San Diego’s Newest Transplant So, today Uber is officially launching in San Diego. In telling friends and family about the pending launch the initial responses I got were skeptical, “Why San Diego?” I answered by asking a few pointed questions, and highlighting a few interesting data points… When was the last time you didn’t worry about whether 2, 3, or 4 drinks would put you over the legal limit driving home? When was the last time parking was easy at any destination throughout the city (Beaches, Downtown, Mission Bay, etc.)? When was the last time you even considered taking a car on a date vs driving yourself? Didn’t you move to San Diego to live the good life? There seems to be so many hassles… The bottom line is that San Diego is a massive, wealthy, party-friendly city that is constrained by the very limited transpor


Forwards I'm heavy but backwards I'm not. What am I?

Forward I'm Heavy @Fly A ton is 2,000 lbs. That’s heavy. The word ton backwards is literally the word not (n-o-t). Make sense? Adilene Aguilera says


What is the westernmost major city on mainland Europe?

Political Map of Portugal - Ezilon Maps Portugal Map - Political Map of Portugal Zoom Map Description: The Political Map of Portugal showing names of capital cities, towns, states, provinces and boundaries with neighbouring countries. Portugal Facts and Country Information... Portugal    lies in the southwestern Europe on the Iberian    Peninsula. It is the westernmost nation that is situated    in the mainland Europe. On its east and north, Portugal    is surrounded by Spain and on its west it is surrounded    by the Atlantic Ocean. It is a high Human Development    Index and it is also the fourteenth most peaceful nation    in the world. Even though the Gross domestic product or    GDP of Portugal is not high, it is ranked 19th nation in    the world with a high quality of life. The people in Portugal are mostly Roman Catholics, with    more than 80% of the population following Roman    Catholicism. The language that is spoken in the country    is Portuguese.  In fact, Portugal has one single religion    (Catholicism) and it also has one single language. Of    course, foreign languages are also spoken by some of the    population. The automobile industry, the software    industry and the service industry are important for the    country’s economy. Fishing is considered to be an    important activity in the country. Portugal Largest Cities are: Lisbon, Porto, Amadora, Braga, Setubal, Coimbra, Queluz, Funchal, Madeira, Cacem and also Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal is also a    popular tourist destination and in the year 2006, it    attracted 12.8 million tourists from all around the    world. In fact, the tourism industry of Portugal    accounts for 5% of its GDP.


What country do Legos come from originally?

LEGO Toy Bricks First Introduced (1958) LEGO Toy Bricks First Introduced LEGO Toy Bricks First Introduced LEGO Toy Bricks.  ©2004 The LEGO Group 20th Century History Expert By Jennifer Rosenberg LEGO Toy Bricks First Introduced (1958): The company that makes the famous, little, plastic, interlocking bricks known as LEGO started as a small shop in Billund, Denmark. Established in 1932 by master carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen who was aided by his 12-year-old son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, the company made wooden toys, stepladders, and ironing boards. It wasn't until two years later that the business took the name of LEGO, which came from the Danish words "LEg GOdt," meaning "play well." Over the next several years, the company grew exponentially. From just a handful of employees in the early years, LEGO had grown to 50 employees by 1948. The product line had grown as well, with the addition of a LEGO duck, clothes hangers, a Numskull Jack on the goat, a plastic ball for babies, and some wooden blocks. In 1947, the company made a huge purchase that was to transform the company and lead it to world fame. In that year, LEGO bought a plastic injection-molding machine, which could mass produce plastic toys. continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States By 1949, this machine was producing about 200 different kinds of toys, including Automatic Binding Bricks, a plastic fish, and a plastic sailor. The Automatic Binding Bricks were the predecessor of the LEGO toys of today. In 1953, the Automatic Binding Bricks were renamed LEGO Bricks and in 1958, these bricks underwent a slight change in their design, which transformed them into the LEGO Bricks we know today. Also in 1958, Ole Kirk Christiansen passed away and his son Godtfred became head of the LEGO company. By the early 1960s, LEGO had gone international, with sales in Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, and even Lebanon. Over the following decade, more countries started to sell LEGO toys, including the United States in 1973. In 1964, for the first time, consumers could buy LEGO sets, which included all the parts and instructions to build a particular model. LEGO later introduced themed lines of LEGO, including town (1978), castle (1978), space (1979), pirates (1989), Western (1996), Star Wars (1999), and Harry Potter (2001). For over half a century, these small, little, plastic bricks have sparked the imagination of children around the world and LEGO remain one of the world's most popular toys.


What city can be found across the English channel from Dover?

Hover Speed Ferries | Cheap Ferry Tickets & Cross Channel Ferries   Hover Speed Ferries Hoverspeed is one of the quickest ferry crossings for the English Channel from Britain to mainland Europe. The ferry line offers twelve daily sailings departing from Dover and arriving at the Calais ferry port. A second route is offered from Newhaven to Dieppe. This ferry sails twice a day. The Dover to Calais crossing has a total duration of one hour, while the crossing from Newhaven to Dieppe lasts a total of two hours. Hoverspeed’s entire fleet is comprised of Seacat and Super Seacat ferries; some of the fastest ferries available. The sailing across the English Channel is aimed at being convenient, speedy, and comfortable. Hoverspeed accommodates over 2.5 million passengers every year and is known for providing the fastest available ferry crossing from Britain to France. Calais sits in Northern France and is the shortest nautical distance point between Britain and France. The city, which overlooks the Strait of Dover, is a port town known for its charming old architecture. The old town is built on an artificial island with bridges connecting it to the city centre and the rest of France. On a clear day, Calais can be seen from Dover. Dieppe is another French city which can be accessed via ferry across the English Channel. Hoverspeed runs a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, which takes about two hours to reached across the English Channel. The city is situated on the Petitcodiac river and is becoming one of the largest cities in the region, boasting the largest regional international airport, as well as large shopping centres and an amusement park. Departure schedules to both ports can be found online. Reservations on Hoverspeed ferries can be made by contacting them by internet, phone, or by visiting a ticket office at the port of departure. During peak holiday times it is advisable to get a reservation prior to departure, and for passengers who plan to board with a vehicle.


In what micronation would one find the district of Monte Carlo?

Monaco Districts | Monaco Follow @monacoupdate Monaco Districts In 1917 the municipalities in Monaco were merged into just one municipality (commune) and there is no real distinction between the State and City of Monaco. The responsibilities of the government and of the municipality are somewhat different though. According to the constitution of 1911, the Principality of Monaco was divided into three municipalities and today divided into 10 wards. Monaco Monaco, the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean, known as the Rock of Monaco, or simply Le Rocher (the Rock), where the Prince’s Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, The Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum are located. The Rock is also host to some 50 small boutiques offering souvenirs and local arts and crafts as well as charming restaurants with a large selection of regional cuisines. The former municipality of Monaco is now the ward of Monaco-Ville. Monte Carlo Monte Carlo, the principal residential and resort area which include the famous Monte Carlo Casino and Hotel de Paris among other landmarks. Built starting in 1870, during the reign of Charles III, Monte Carlo occupies the old Spelugues plateau. This area contains the largest concentration of stores and features one of the most beautiful shopping centers in Europe. The former Monte Carlo municipality consists of the following wards: Monte Carlo / Spélugues (Boulevard Des Moulins – Avenue de la Madone) La Rousse / Saint Roman (Boulevard Princess Charlotte – Park Palace) La Condamine La Condamine is the northwest section which include the port area, Port Hercule and is featuring the most commercial activities attracting merchant ships whose cargoes could be negotiated. La Condamine is the oldest commercial quarter of the Principality of Monaco and also hosts the Condamine market. The former La Condamine municipality consists of the following districts; La Condamine (Plati – Pasteur – Boulevard Charles III) Les Révoires (Hector Otto – Honoré Labande) including Jardin Exotique de Monaco Moneghetti / Boulevard de Belgique (Bvd Rainier III – Bvd de Belgique) Fontvieille Fontvieille named based on an ancient spring found there and is the economical and industrial area. It is a newly constructed area reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s and was added as fourth ward. In 1905 a brewery, a flour mill and a chocolate plant among other industries were located in Fontvieille. Today the modern 22 hectare area is populated by numerous businesses, residents as well as some 80 stores. The traditional quarters of Monaco are; Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, Monte Carlo and Fontvieille. These four quarters plus Moneghetti are now defined by the Monaco Department of Tourism as the five modern geographic areas in the Principality of Monaco. The 10 wards in the Principality of Monaco Monaco Wards Below a list of the ten wards as mapped above (the numbering is for illustration purposes only): 01 – Monte Carlo / Spélugues 02 – La Rousse / Saint Roman 03 – Larvotto/Bas Moulins 09 – Moneghetti/ Boulevard de Belgique 10 – Saint Michel


From what sea does the United Kingdom extract most of its crude oil?

Oil Trading | Crude Oil Trading and Oil Futures Trading Oil Trading Important: This page is part of archived content and may be outdated. Crude oil trading has been used since ancient times but the invention of the internal combustion engine and the growth of the automobile industry saw its value rise. Once a way was found to extract the oil at a viable rate the market grew, encouraging traders to speculate on oil prices. Today, crude oil trading is the basis of a global industry that encompasses its extraction, refinement and economic consumption, providing employment in many industries. Crude oil is used in the production of numerous chemical products such as plastics, fertilisers and solvents and is essential in maintaining our modern lifestyles. As a result, despite concerns about oil being a non-renewable resource many countries depend heavily upon it. Since significant oil reserves are found in only a few countries, the market price of crude oil can be affected by national and international politics. Any change in major foreign policy needs to be considered by traders, along with economic factors, when trying to predict future oil prices. One recent example is the United States war in Iraq. Crude oil is traded in barrels against the US dollar, and access to the internet enables traders to buy and sell hundreds of barrels of oil in a transaction through the MT4 trading terminal or any other in house developed trading platform. Similar to forex trading markets247.com charges no commission to customers that engage in oil trading; besides the spread between the buy and sell rates. Facts regarding Oil Trading Oil is essentially a form of energy. A trader in the oil market must be fully aware that demand is often limitless while supply is always inadequate. Knowing and understanding about the supply and demand of crude oil is critical when trading oil. OPEC oil producing countries such as Iran, Nigeria and Venezuela are reaching peaking point of their oil production. In non-OPEC countries such as Mexico and others in the North Sea, the oil production is nearing the peaking point too. A fact states that oil production will continue to peak in the near future however eventually. The oil supply will decrease while the demand will tend to rise increasingly.   Crude oil can be defined as a combination of naturally occurring hydrocarbons. The mixture is refined to generate diesel, fuel oil, jet fuel, gasoline and kerosene. Diesel – traded as Platts ULSD Diesel 10ppm CIF North West Europe (NWE) or CIF Mediterranean Fuel oil – mostly traded as Platts 1% or 3.5% sulphur content fuel oil. Jet Fuel – generally Platts Jet fuel CIF NWE. In Asia this is referred to as Jet Kerosene and trades as Platts Jet Kerosene Depending on the content and origin of the crude oil, it is named individually and is categorized according to each ones measure of gravity (API). The API can represent heavy or light crude. If it is light, it will create a higher yield of valuable gasoline more than heavy crude would. The sulphur content of crude oil is just as important as it represents whether or not the costs of the oil can meet the environmental standards in the consuming countries. Crude oil with low sulphur content is sweet crude and crude oil with high sulphur content is sour crude. Nevertheless, sweet crude is popularly sought after because it commands a higher price. The lower refining costs are what give sweet crude a higher price command. Oil Producing Countries The main five countries that produce amounts of oil are: Saudi Arabia – 10.6m bbl per day Russia – 6.7m bbl per day United States – 8.3m bbl per day Iran – 4.2m bbl per day China – 3.9m bbl per day The majority of Crude oil comes from its two main sources of production; West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent. Each producing geographic location is important as each one determines the transportation cost to the closest refinery. The derivative locations also hold various standards of liquidity. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) – generates light, sweet crude oil that is distributed to Cushing,


What language has two written forms: Bokmål and Nynorsk?

Norwegian Verbs | NorwegianClass101.com sign up with Facebook Norwegian Verbs There is no standard spoken form of Norwegian, though the language does have two official written forms, Bokmål and Nynorsk, as well as two unofficial forms. These written forms are independent from the spoken forms of the language, of which there is no one standard or official form as people speak their own dialects in virtually every circumstance. Research has indicated that the majority of people, when given the option and regardless of the dialect those people generally use when speaking, use Bokmål as their written form. Norwegian verbs from both official written forms are quite similar, and all forms are largely mutually intelligible from one another. Bokmål is the written version that is most frequently taught to those learning Norwegian as an additional language to their native tongue. Norwegian verbs are not conjugated for the purpose of indicating the person or number of the subject. Rather, these words are inflect to demonstrate tense and mood. Specifically, verbs within the Norwegian language are inflected to demonstrate past tense, present tense, indicative mood, and imperative mood. In situations in which other moods or tenses must be demonstrated the verbs must be combined in the past participle or infinitive form with auxiliary verbs. In terms of conjugation and inflection, Norwegian verbs are rather simple. They can all be classified as either regular verbs or irregular verbs. When approaching a regular verb the conjugation will be reliant on how the verb stem ends. There are four classifications for the purpose of conjugating regular verbs. These are: • Those verbs in which the infinitive form ends in a stressed vowel. • Those verbs in which the verb stem ends in a diphthong. • Those verbs in which the verb stem ends in a single consonant. • Those verbs in which the verb stem ends in a series of more than one consonant. There are only a few verbs that can be conjugated into the subjunctive mood. In Bokmål, as well as Standard Østnorsk, there is an additional form of the infinitive and present tense. This is the passive form. The other official written form, Nynorsk, has only a passive infinitive and in this form of the language this verb form is used much less frequently. In some spoken dialects of the language Norwegian verbs in the indicative form can also be conjugated into number, though there are no instances in which there is conjugation into person.


What was St. Petersburg called between 1924 and 1991?

Facts and statistics for St. Petersburg, Russia "The Venice of the North"(referring to St. Petersburg's many rivers and canals) "The Palmyra of the North" "The Northern Capital of Russia" (referring to the centuries-old rivalry between St. Petersburg and Moscow) Symbols: the Angel with a Cross (weather-vane on top of the Peter and Paul Cathedral ) the Little Ship - Korablik (weather-vane on top of the Admiralty tower ) The Seal: A sea anchor and a river anchor with a scepter - a symbol of royal power - on a red field. Local government: The Governor and the Governor's Office, The Legislative Assembly Zoning: 20 administrative districts, including satellite towns under St. Petersburg's jurisdiction Main cultural attractions: Passenger terminal on Vasilievsky Island MEMBER SERVICES


The Largest of Greece's Islands The Largest of Greece's Islands The Largest of Greece's Islands But size doesn't always matter when it comes to Greek islands Karpathos.  Nancy Ayers, used by permission By deTraci Regula Updated August 15, 2016. Greece boasts thousands of islands - but only about 200 of them are inhabited or visited by tourists. The biggest Greek islands have the advantage - most of them have been inhabited and developed since ancient times. If you fear ever getting claustrophobic on a Greek island, here are the ones likely to give you some room to wander without ever getting on a ferry. Top 20 Largest Greek Islands  1  75  195 And, since it missed the "Top 20" list by only a square kilometer, we're adding one more as a "special bonus island" : continue reading below our video Before Your Road Trip, Watch This 21 75 square miles 194 square km         The largest Greek island group is the Cyclades or Cycladic islands , also spelled Kyklades, with about two hundred small islands circling the twenty or so larger, better-known islands such as Mykonos and Santorini . Then there is the Dodecanese Island group, with twelve main islands (dodeka means twelve) and many islets, followed by the Ionian Islands , the Aegean Islands , and the Sporades . The Ionians are few in number but consist of several of the largest islands in Greece. The big island of Crete is not part of any island group, though it does have a number of satellite islands including Gavdos , which is considered to be the southernmost point of Europe. What's the Smallest Greek Island?  This is much harder to determine. There are many rocky outcroppings in Greece which don't logically count as "islands" but may show up on some lists. Even "smallest inhabited" is hard to determine since privately-owned islands can be minuscule, with just a single family residence. One island that would show up on most "smallest" lists of visitable islands would be little Levitha , inhabited by a single family who runs the sole taverna, but it is visited during the summer by yachters as it offers safe harbors in all four directions.  The tiny islet of Rho off the coast of Turkey was inhabited by a bold Greek woman nicknamed "The Lady of Rho" who used to vigorously raise the Greek flag every morning until she finally passed away at an advanced age.


What city, starting with the letter I, is the northernmost official city in the United Kingdom?

Cities in UK, Map of UK Cities, Cities in England Cardiff Map Officially known as “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, and commonly known as Britain or UK, the United Kingdom is a sovereign state which comprises of four countries - England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel, and the Irish Sea. Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK which shares a land border with another country, the Republic of Ireland. United Kingdom is a developed economy. It is the 7th largest economy of the world in terms of nominal GDP and the 8th largest by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). UK is a permanent member of the United Nations. It is a member of the European Union, the G7, the G8, the G20, NATO, the Council of Europe, Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization. Regions of the UK  : England: It is the largest and the most populous of all the four countries in the United Kingdom. England is divided into three regions - Southern England, South East England, and West Country. London is the capital of England. Scotland  : Located in the North-western Europe, Scotland is divided into - Borders, South West, North East Scotland, Central Belt, North East Scotland, Hebrides, Highlands, Orkney Islands, and Shetland Islands. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and Glasgow is the largest city in the country. Wales  : Wales lies in the mountainous western peninsula of the Island of Great Britain. Wales is bound by England to the east and the Irish Sea to the west. The country is divided into three regions - North Wales, Mid Wales, and South Wales. Cardiff is the capital and the largest city of Wales. Northern Ireland  : Northern Ireland is one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. The six counties that form Northern Ireland are - County Antrim, County Armagh, County Londonderry, County Down, County Fermanagh, and County Tyrone. Belfast is the capital and the largest city of Northern Ireland. Major Cities of the UK The major cities of the UK are :  London : The capital and the largest city of United Kingdom as well as of England, London is located on the banks of River Thames. The city has 32 boroughs. London is a one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world. Manchester : One of the largest urban areas of the UK, Manchester is a city and a metropolitan borough in the Greater Manchester, England. The city is located in the North West region of England. Liverpool : Located in North West England, Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. The city has several heritage sites. Birmingham : One of the most populous British cities, Birmingham is a city and a metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. Inhabitants of Birmingham are known as 'Brummies’. Bristol : The 6th most populous city of England, Bristol is also a unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England. People from Bristol are called ‘Bristolians’. Leeds : Considered to be a Gamma World City, Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. The University of Leeds attracts many international students. Belfast : The capital and the largest city of Northern Ireland, Belfast is the 14th largest city in the United Kingdom. Belfast is popular for being a center for the Irish linen industry and hence is nicknamed "Linenopolis". Glasgow : The largest city in the Scotland, Glasgow is the 3rd most populous city in the United Kingdom. Glasgow is gearing up to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Edinburgh : The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland and the 7th most populous city in UK. The city is famous for hosting the “Edinburgh Festival”. Aberdeen : A quintessentially Scottish city, Aberdeen is the 3rd most populous city in the country and 29th most populous in UK. Inverness : A beautiful city in the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is situated at the mouth of the River Ness. Perth :


What river travels through the capitals of four different countries?

Countries of the Danube River Basin | ICPDR - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Countries of the Danube River Basin Countries of the Danube River Basin 19 countries share the Danube River Basin, which makes it the world’s most international river basin. More than 81 million people of different cultures and languages call the Danube Basin their home, for centuries they have been interconnected through the widely ramified water system of the Danube. All countries sharing over 2,000 km² of the Danube River Basin and the European Union are contracting parties of the ICPDR. Below, you find a table with some general information on all countries that have a share in the Danube River Basin. You can also find more detailed information for those countries which are contracting parties of the ICPDR on dedicated pages: Germany - Austria - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Hungary - Slovenia - Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia - Montenegro - Romania - Bulgaria - Moldova - Ukraine . Basic information on the countries in the Danube River Basin Country


What sea lies between Italy and Croatia?

Adriatic Sea Follow @FindCroatia Adriatic Sea The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula. The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea. The western coast is Italian, while the eastern coast runs mostly along Croatia , but lesser parts belong to Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania. Major rivers joining the Adriatic are the Reno, Po, Adige, Brenta, Piave, Soča (Isonzo), Neretva. The Adriatic Sea is situated largely between the eastern coast of Italy and Croatia. The Adriatic extends northwest from 40° to 45° 45′ N., with an extreme length of about 770 km. The northern part of the Adriati sea is very shallow, and between the southern promontories of Istria and Rimini the depth rarely exceeds 46 meters. Between Šibenik and Ortona a well-marked depression occurs, a considerable area of which exceeds 180 m in depth. Search Hotels Search Check-out date From a point between Korčula and the north shore of the spur of Monte Gargano there is a ridge giving shallower water, and a broken chain of a few islets extends across the sea. The deepest part of the sea lies east of Monte Gargano, south of Dubrovnik , and west of Durrës where a large basin gives depths of 900 m and upwards, and a small area in the south of this basin falls below 1,460 m . The mean depth of the sea is estimated at 240 m. Coasts and islands in the Adriatic: Weather in Croatia Live Webcams The west shore is generally low, merging, in the northwest, into the marshes and lagoons on either hand of the protruding delta of the river Po, the sediment of which has pushed forward the coastline for several miles within historic times. The east coast is generally bold and rocky, with many islands. South of the Istrian Peninsula, the island-fringe of the east coast extends as far south as Dubrovnik. The islands, which are long and narrow (the long axis lying parallel with the coast of the mainland), rise rather abruptly to elevations of a few hundred feet, with the exception of a few larger islands like Brač (Vidova gora, 778 m) or the peninsula Pelješac (St. Ilija, 961 m). There are over a thousand islands in the Adriatic, 66 of which are inhabited. Both coasts are popular tourist destinations and many consider this sea the most beautiful in the world. Have a look at live web camera overlooking Adriatic Sea. Adriatic Sea in different languages: Croatian: Jadransko more


In what region of Spain is Barcelona located?

Barcelona Region Map: Abrera — Viver | Spain Google Satellite Maps Barcelona google satellite maps Barcelona google satellite maps image button link  map search
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What French wine region ends in the letter x?

French Wine - A Guide to the Wines of France French Wine Shop all wines from France Join the France group Perhaps no country evokes such strong associations with fine wine as does France. Its reputation has led to worldwide imitation. Many varieties that are now considered international, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, are French, and winemaking pioneers in New World regions such as California and Chile look to the great wines of France as their benchmark. France has been making wine since approximately 600 BC, and was its largest producer until it was passed by Italy in 2008.  With over 800,000 hectacres under vine, it has the largest vineyard area in the world after Spain. It is, however, the world’s largest producer of fine wines. AC wines constitute over 45 percent of its production, compared with 12 to 15 percent of Italy’s, for example. One advantage France has over other wine-producing countries is the great variety of growing climates it encompasses. Its south has a Mediterranean climate, with a warm sun that can be relied on to fully ripen grapes. Western France Read more » Perhaps no country evokes such strong associations with fine wine as does France. Its reputation has led to worldwide imitation. Many varieties that are now considered international, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, are French, and winemaking pioneers in New World regions such as California and Chile look to the great wines of France as their benchmark. France has been making wine since approximately 600 BC, and was its largest producer until it was passed by Italy in 2008.  With over 800,000 hectacres under vine, it has the largest vineyard area in the world after Spain. It is, however, the world’s largest producer of fine wines. AC wines constitute over 45 percent of its production, compared with 12 to 15 percent of Italy’s, for example. One advantage France has over other wine-producing countries is the great variety of growing climates it encompasses. Its south has a Mediterranean climate, with a warm sun that can be relied on to fully ripen grapes. Western France, which includes the Loire Valley, enjoys the mellowing influence of the Gulf Stream. In eastern France, the climate is more continental, giving us the great wine-producing regions of Burgundy, Champagne, and Alsace. Begun in 1935, France’s system of wine laws, the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, or AC, codifies the most important concept in French wine, that of terroir. Terroir refers to the unique combination of geology, climate, and vintage that gives a wine its character. In other words, wine expresses place. The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée system is overseen by the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine, or INAO. It regulates the boundaries of each region, as well as yield, winemaking and viticultural methods, ripeness and alcoholic strength, and grape varieties. The goal is typicité -- the achievement of typical expression for a particular appellation. Most wines imported into the United States from France are at the highest quality level -- the AC. These are wines labeled with the name of their appellation, such as Bordeaux or Champagne. Below this are Vin de Table and Vin de Pays. They are subject to less stringent restrictions than AC wines, but are allowed to make much less specific claims regarding the origin of the wine. Vin de Table may only be labeled with the name of the producer and the name of the country of origin; Vin de Pays can carry the name of the broader region, as well as the vintage and grape variety. Since wine expresses place, the more specific the claim of origin, the greater the prestige the wine has. France’s viticultural history has not been without its trials. In the early 1860s, the root-feeding aphid known as phylloxera was inadvertently imported from the United States. In just a few years, it wiped out the majority of France’s vineyards. When they were replanted, the French vines were grafted onto American rootstock, which is resistant to the pest. Today, France is again in crisis. With sharply falling consumptio


What capital city lies just 55 km west of Bratislava?

Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia | Slovak-Republic.org Tourist Info General Information Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia. Its population is approximately 427,000 and it is also the largest city in the country. Bratislava lies on both banks of the river Danube in southwestern Slovakia. Its originality between capitals is that it borders with two countries – Austria (Vienna 60 km apart) and Hungary. Bratislava is a political, economical and cultural centre of the country. It is a seat of the parliament, Slovak president and the executive branch of government. Several universities, museums, galleries and other important institutions have their headquaters here. It is also the home of many large businesses and financial institutions. As the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is a logical starting point for your trip. It’s also easy to reach by air, car, train or Danube River cruise/hydrofoil from Austria (2 miles) or Hungary (8 miles) or the Czech Republic (40 miles). And it’s easy to explore because it’s compact and walkable. There’s even a historic red sightseeing tram that makes a circuit of the main sights. And don’t forget to get a Bratislava City card which provides discounts on public transportation, restaurants and museums. Filled with historical monuments and relics dating back to the early Stone Age, Bratislava is both old and new. It has survived the Celts, the Romans, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Soviet domination. Bratislava is also one of the youngest capitals in Europe. Of a total population of 450,000, some 60,000 are students at three universities. This – and the diversity of people – gives the city vibrancy and dynamism. You can feel it in the extraordinary number of cafes, bars and clubs in the narrow streets, cellars and courtyards of the mostly-pedestrianized Old Town. You’ll want to spend most of your time there, soaking up both historical ambience and youthful energy . Bratislava is the most cosmopolitan, accessible city in Slovakia for Americans to visit. It has the best restaurants – with a wide selection of cuisines – the best cafes, bars, and entertainment – including operas and symphonies, folk music and dance and international pop culture. Although still inexpensive by Western standards – say, $15 for a good dinner for two including wine or beer – prices in Bratislava are the highest in Slovakia. Speaking of wine, take time to enjoy the wine villages just outside the city – vineyards start in the northern suburbs on the slopes of the Small Carpathian mountains. Bratislava has warmer temperatures and more sunshine than the rest of the country – good for grapes and good for people! The city hosts a large number of festivals and special events throughout the year featuring folk and contemporary art, wine, beer, historical re-enactments, classical music, jazz, dance, and just plain craziness (come for April Fool’s Day!). Heavily influenced throughout history by Germans, Austrians, Hungarians and its pre-WWII Jewish population, Bratislava is the most sophisticated and least typical town in the country. To get an idea of what Slovakia is all about, we recommend staying just a little longer and discover one or two other towns. Bratislava City Districts Bratislava I – Staré mesto (Old Town) Bratislava II – Ružinov, Vrakuňa, Podunajské Biskupice Bratislava III – Nové Mesto (New Town), Rača, Vajnory Bratislava IV – Karlova Ves, Dúbravka, Lamač, Devín, Devínska Nová Ves, Záhorská Bystrica Bratislava V – Petržalka, Jarovce, Rusovce, Čunovo Map Transport The Public Transport System (Mestská Hromadná Doprava – MHD) in Bratislava consists of buses (“autobus”), trolleybuses (“trolejbus” – looks like a bus, but takes electric power from overhead power lines) and trams (“električka”). There is no subway (“metro”), although it has been a subject of municipal discussions for over 20 years. The network is relatively dense and most lines operate between 5 am and midnight. During the night, there are special night lines, but they are not very frequent. If you want to travel by


What is the full name of the English city of Hull?

Hull Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms Hull Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms    Buy JPG Image » The Anglo-Saxon name Hull comes from the personal name Hull. However, the surname Hull is often derived from residence in the settlement of Hull in the county of Cheshire . In this case, the name belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Hull Early Origins     Buy PDF History » The surname Hull was first found in Yorkshire at Kingston upon Hull, more commonly known as Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire . The place is derived from the River Hull and dates back to at least 1228 [1] CITATION[CLOSE] Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) and is home to the largest parish church in England dating back to 1285. In 1642, it was the scene of the first skirmish of the English Civil War when on orders of Parliament, the Governor of Hull, Sir John Hotham (d. 1645) shut the gates of the town to King Charles I. [2] CITATION[CLOSE] Winn, Christopher, I Never Knew that about Yorkshire. Croydon: The Random House Group Limited, 2010. Print. (ISBN 978-0-09-193313-5) Hull Spelling Variations Hull Spelling Variations Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hull were recorded, including Hull, Hulle, Hulls and others. Hull Early History Hull Early History This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hull research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1665, 106 , 1635, 1624 and 1683 are included under the topic Early Hull History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hull Early Notables (pre 1700) Hull Early Notables (pre 1700) Notables of this surname at this time include: Rev. Joseph Hull (1595-1665), English preacher from Devon who led a company of 106 sailing from England to what is now known... Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hull Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hull In Ireland Hull In Ireland Some of the Hull family moved to Ireland , but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. The Great Migration The Great Migration To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hull family emigrate to North America: Hull Settlers in United States in the 17th Century Jefferie Hull, who landed in Virginia in 1617 Elizabeth and George Hull settled in Nantasket in 1630 John Hull, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 Richard Hull, who landed in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1632 George Hull, who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1633 ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.) Hull Settlers in United States in the 18th Century Thomas Hull, who landed in Virginia in 1701 Hannah Hull, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 Lydia Hull, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 Johann Hull, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741 Peter Hull, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1741 Hull Settl


What strait separates Spain from Africa?

15. Strait of Gibraltar, Atlantic Ocean/Mediterranean Sea Back     to introduction 15. Strait of Gibraltar, Atlantic Ocean/Mediterranean Sea The     Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow waterway separating the Atlantic Ocean     (bottom left) from the Mediterranean Sea (top right). This 13-kilometer-wide     waterway also separates Europe and Africa, with Spain and Gibraltar on     the left and Morocco on the right. Until the opening of the Suez Canal     in 1869, the Strait of Gibraltar served as the only access point to the     Mediterranean Sea. During World War II, naval traffic through this strait     was monitored by both Allied and Axis navies, as it served as a crucial “chokepoint” for vessels traveling between the Atlantic and     Mediterranean. High     rates of evaporation in the relatively shallow Mediterranean basin cause     the water to become saltier, and thereby denser, than the relatively fresh     Atlantic water. As Atlantic water is forced through the narrow strait     it accelerates and interacts with Mediterranean water. Internal waves     (particularly those formed at depths of 60–80 meters) develop where     these two different water masses interact. Large, tidally induced pulses     of Atlantic water entering the Mediterranean can be seen here as a series     of crescents emanating from the strait. These crescents result from interactions     of these different water masses at depth. October     1984, mission STS-41G, image 17-34-81. Location: 35°40'N, 5°40'W Image Width: 170 kilometers


◄ Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany [HD] ► - YouTube ◄ Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany [HD] ► 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. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Jan 17, 2011 Neuschwanstein Castle - HD footage, information and facts on the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle is without a doubt one of the most, if not the most beautiful castle in the world. It is the most photographed building in Germany. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to our channel. It's the most convenient way to catch our new videos! Follow the link below:


Other than the Vatican, what micronation is entirely surrounding by Italy?

Seborga: The Micronation Inside Italy Where Time Stands Still | The Huffington Post Seborga: The Micronation Inside Italy Where Time Stands Still 09/11/2014 09:00 am ET Anneli Rufus Journalist, author of 'Unworthy,' 'Party of One', and 'Stuck.' Kristan Lawson We forget. Here at home, we forget that somewhere out there are villages where everything's closed on Sundays and finger-sized dragonflies hum, Robitussin-green, over stone walls three times older than the whole USA. Clinging to the Ligurian Alps that rear over the Italian Riviera -- which Italians call simply la Riviera because riviera, as an Italian noun, mandates no modifiers; thus all other rivieras are pretenders -- Seborga is exactly such a village. A former Roman settlement and Templar stronghold, flanked by flower fields and olive groves, crouching tile-roofed and nearly silent but for church bells and the clack of soles on stone, Seborga feels -- to the visitor nibbling grilled rabbit near its lion-headed fountain, say, or watching a torpid juggler turn his back to the faraway sparkling sea -- blessedly foreign and forgotten under sweet summer breezes or wispy winter snow. But the difference between Seborga and other sleepy villages is that Seborga calls itself a separate state, a principality inside Italy's borders not unlike Vatican City and San Marino. That the Italian government ignores these claims doesn't stop Seborga from having its own army, flag, royal family and currency. Studying the town charter during the late 1950s, local gardener Giorgio Carbone noted that a 10th-century nobleman granted in his will full sovereignty to Seborga's Benedictine monastery and about fourteen square kilometers of its surrounding territory. In 1079, Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV declared Seborga an Imperial Principality of the Holy Roman Empire with the monastery's abbot as its prince. The facts that Seborga's sale to Vittorio Amedeo II, King of Sardinia, in 1729 went unregistered and that Italy's 1861 Act of Unification doesn't mention Seborga sealed its separate status , Carbone argued. Declaring himself His Serene Highness Giorgio I, Carbone was elected Prince of Seborga by villagers in 1963 and remained head of state until he died, childless, in 2009. His successor, huge-foreheaded Swiss-born hosiery heir Marcello Menegatto, was crowned in 2010 -- after beating by 22 votes his competitor in a 156-vote villagewide election. Protected by his blue-bereted Corpo della Guardia, Prince Marcello presides over a court of white-robed knights. His German wife is Seborga's foreign minister. Queen Elizabeth of England received the pair formally in 2011. And hey, Burkina Faso has recognized Seborga as an independent state since 1998. Public buses link Seborga TXT to Bordighera on the Riviera five twisting, panoramic miles away. On the Piazza Martiri Patrioti between the 13th-century Oratory of San Bernardo and a ristobar is a sentry booth in Seborgan sky-blue and white. Check into a local bed-and-breakfast -- cozy, affordable Antico Castello partially inhabits a medieval castle in the oldest part of town -- and stroll this stairstepped, archwayed, twisty-turny, holy-grottoed honeycomb amongst Campari-sipping, scooter-driving villagers who call themselves Seborghini and, separatist or not, pay Italian taxes (in Euros) and vote in Italian elections. Seborga's separateness is part history, part fairytale fantasy which has made the ultimate leap into Japanese manga: A character in Hetalia: Axis Powers is a flirtatious, green-eyed youth named Seborga who embodies the micronation of Seborga and carries an inner tube. Palms and pines perfume Seborga's tidy, flowerpot-flanked lanes. Set into a city wall, a medieval prison cell looms menacing and dank as if awaiting its next murderer or heretic. A museum sporting some of the most astounding gramophones you'll ever see occupies one of those biscuit-beige stone buildings that huddle together tightly here as if seeking solace against the centuries. For reluctant urbanites who, back home, sit in traffic with jaws clenched, village


What sea contains the gulfs of Finland and Bothnia?

Gulf of Bothnia | gulf, Baltic Sea | Britannica.com Gulf of Bothnia Alternative Titles: Bottniska Viken, Pohjan Lahti Similar Topics Gulf of Venezuela Gulf of Bothnia, Swedish Bottniska Viken, Finnish Pohjan Lahti, northern arm of the Baltic Sea , between Sweden (west) and Finland (east). Covering an area of about 45,200 square miles (117,000 square km), the gulf extends for 450 miles (725 km) from north to south but only 50 to 150 miles (80 to 240 km) from east to west; it is nearly closed off by the Åland (Ahvenanmaa) Islands (south). Its maximum depth is 965 feet (295 metres) in the west-central portion; its average depth is only about 200 feet (60 metres). Because it receives the water of so many rivers, including the Ångerman, Ume, Lule, Torne, Kemi, and Oulu , its salinity is extremely low, and, in consequence, ice cover is maintained for up to five months in the winter. There are many small islands, making navigation difficult. The main gulf ports are Pori , Vaasa (Vasa), and Oulu in Finland and Luleå , Härnösand, Sundsvall , and Gävle in Sweden. Many coastal sawmills process the vast forest resources of the hinterland, which was formerly called Bothnia (Botten), whence the gulf’s name. Tjuvholmen island in the Gulf of Bothnia, with Sundsvall in the foreground, Medelpad province, Swed. Henrik Sendelbach Örnsköldsvik, Swed., on the Gulf of Bothnia. Petey21 in Finland: Relief ...released from the weight of the ice sheets have risen and continue to rise, and Finland is still emerging from the sea. Indeed, land rise of some 0.4 inch (10 mm) annually in the narrow part of the Gulf of Bothnia is gradually turning the old sea bottom into dry land. More about Gulf of Bothnia 2 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Article Title: Gulf of Bothnia Website Name: Encyclopædia Britannica Date Published: January 21, 2016 URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-of-Bothnia Access Date: January 20, 2017 Share


"On what river's ""left bank"" would you find the district of Saint-Germain-des-Près?"

Hotels in Saint-Germain-des-pres quarter in Paris Hotels in Saint-Germain-des-pres quarter in Paris Show Map There are thousands reasons to plan your stay in a hotel located in Saint-Germain-des-Pres quarter. It is one of the oldest quarters of Paris and you can still feel the history of this area when you walk across it. Saint-Germain quarter was built step by step around the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. The area is on the 6th and part of the 7th  arrondissement of Paris, on the south of the Seine river, between the Invalides, the Latin quarter and Montparnasse. The ambiance of the old Paris is still live in this district and it makes the area very appreciated by artists and intellectuals. Don't hesitate to walk round the Rue des Arts, the Rue de Seine or de Buci. Take a drink or a coffee in one of the numerous cafes of Saint-Germain des Pres such as the famous Café de Flore or Aux Deux Magots. The idea of Heart of Paris hotels while selecting hotels in Saint-Germain was to retain only those which restitute the charm and atmosphere of this quarter. While staying in the hotel, traveller must be able to feel he is in Saint-Germain-quarter. A choice of 2,  3 and 4 star hotels should definitely help you to find the hotel you are looking for. List of Hotels in Saint-Germain-des-pres quarter in Paris Show map


What country is found on Bulgaria's northern border?

Bulgaria - Geography GEOGRAPHY Bulgaria Table of Contents The land area of Bulgaria is 110,550 square kilometers, slightly     larger than that of the state of Tennessee. The country is situated on     the west coast of the Black Sea, with Romania to the north, Greece and     Turkey to the south, and Yugoslavia to the west. Considering its small     size, Bulgaria has a great variety of topographical features. Even     within small parts of the country, the land may be divided into plains,     plateaus, hills, mountains, basins, gorges, and deep river valleys. Although external historical events often changed Bulgaria's national     boundaries in its first century of existence, natural terrain features     defined most boundaries after 1944, and no significant group of people     suffered serious economic hardship because of border delineation.     Postwar Bulgaria contained a large percentage of the ethnic Bulgarian     people, although numerous migrations into and out of Bulgaria occurred     at various times. None of the country's borders was officially disputed     in 1991, although nationalist Bulgarians continued to claim that     Bulgaria's share of Macedonia--which it shared with both Yugoslavia and     Greece--was less than just because of the ethnic connection between     Macedonians and Bulgarians. In 1991 Bulgaria had a total border of about 2,264 kilometers. Rivers     accounted for about 680 kilometers and the Black Sea coast for 400     kilometers; the southern and western borders were mainly defined by     ridges in high terrain. The western and northern boundaries were shared     with Yugoslavia and Romania, respectively, and the Black Sea coastline     constituted the entire eastern border. The Romanian border followed the     Danube River for 464 kilometers from the northwestern corner of the     country to the city of Silistra and then cut to the east-southeast for     136 kilometers across the northeastern province of Varna. The Danube,     with steep bluffs on the Bulgarian side and a wide area of swamps and     marshes on the Romanian side, was one of the most effective river     boundaries in Europe. The line through Dobruja was arbitrary and was     redrawn several times according to international treaties. In that     process, most inhabitants with strong national preferences resettled in     the country of their choice. Borders to the south were with Greece and     Turkey. The border with Greece was 491 kilometers long, and the Turkish     border was 240 kilometers long. Topography The main characteristic of Bulgaria's topography is alternating bands     of high and low terrain that extend east to west across the country.     From north to south, those bands are the Danubian Plateau, the Balkan     Mountains (called Stara Planina, meaning old mountains in Bulgarian),     the central Thracian Plain, and the Rhodope Mountains. The easternmost     sections near the Black Sea are hilly, but they gradually gain height to     the west until the westernmost part of the country is entirely high     ground. More than two-thirds of the country is plains, plateaus, or hilly     land at an altitude less than 600 meters. Plains (below 200 meters) make     up 31 percent of the land, plateaus and hills (200 to 600 meters) 41     percent, low mountains (600 to 1,000 meters) 10 percent, medium-sized     mountains (1,000 to 1,500 meters) 10 percent, and high mountains (over     1,500 meters) 3 percent. The average altitude in Bulgaria is 470 meters. The Danubian Plateau extends from the Yugoslav border to the Black     Sea. It encompasses the area between the Danube River, which forms most     of the country's northern border, and the Balkan Mountains to the south.     The plateau slopes gently from cliffs along the river, then it abuts     mountains of 750 to 950 meters. The plateau, a fertile area with     undulating


Into what sea does the Volga River flow?

Volga Volga I. Introduction Volga , river in western Russia, longest and one of the most important rivers of Europe. The Volga River rises northwest of Moscow in the Valday Hills and flows 3,700 km (2,300 mi) to the southeast before emptying into the Caspian Sea near the city of Astrakhan'. It is navigable for about 3200 km (about 2000 mi), and large numbers of ships ply its waters with freight and passengers. The Volga is fed by more than 200 tributaries (about 70 of which are navigable), including the Kama, Samara, Oka, and Vetluga. Together, the Volga and its tributaries occupy a watershed covering about 1,450,000 sq km (about 560,000 sq mi), or about 40 percent of European Russia. II. Description From its headwaters in the Valday Hills, midway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the Volga flows southeast, toward Moscow, before bending northeast. Near the bend, the Volga is connected to the Moscow Canal, which flows south and joins the Moscow River north of the city of Moscow. From its intersection with the canal, the Volga continues northeast and meets the Rybinsk Reservoir. The reservoir is also served by the Volga-Baltic Waterway, which flows north and west before reaching the Baltic Sea at Saint Petersburg; and by the White Sea-Baltic Waterway, which flows north into Lake Onega and the White Sea. From the Rybinsk Reservoir, the Volga turns east and south through several more reservoirs; between the Oka River and the city of Kazan', it doubles in volume. At Kazan', west of the Ural Mountains, the Volga veers sharply south, narrowing at the city of Saratov. The river continues south until reaching Volgograd, where it turns southeast and empties into the Caspian Sea. At Volgograd, the river is connected with the Volga-Don Canal, which carries water and freight west to the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Before reservoirs were created, the upper Volga was 7 to 11 m (23 to 36 ft) deep, the middle Volga 12 to 14 m (39 to 46 ft) deep, and the lower Volga 3 to 15 m (10 to 49 ft) deep. At its widest point the river spans more than 1.6 km (1 mi). III. Economic Importance The Volga is an essential part of Russia's transportation complex, carrying more than two-thirds of all traffic on the country's inland waterways. Mechanized port facilities were first constructed along the Volga in the early 1930s; today more than 900 ports and 550 industrial docks line the river's banks. The most important port cities are Tver', Rybinsk, Yaroslavl', Nizhniy Novgorod, Kazan', Simbirsk, Samara, Saratov, Kamyshin, Volgograd, and Astrakhan'. Eight complexes combining dams, reservoirs, and hydroelectric facilities operate on the river; they are located at the cities of Uglich, Rybinsk, Gorodets, Nizhniy Novgorod, Cheboksary, Samara, Saratov, and Volgograd. Together with hydroelectric stations on a tributary, the Kama River, the Volga power facilities can produce 11 million kilowatts per hour. The Volga also supports about 70 species of fish, 40 of which have commercial value. These include the Caspian roach, herring, pike, and sturgeon. The Volga has long suffered from unregulated industrial and agricultural activities in its basin. Industrial wastes and runoff from cities and farmland have polluted it; and much of its watershed has been deforested, leading to increased erosion and silting. Irrigation extracts water in increasing amounts, which in turn lowers the Volga's flow and limits its ability to regenerate. Water extraction has also reduced the level of the Caspian Sea. Dams and hydroelectric plants have made it difficult for some of the river's fish to swim to their spawning grounds upstream. Beluga sturgeon and whitefish from the Caspian Sea in particular have suffered. In the early 1990s Russia began to address these problems through legislation and a newly created Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Regulation of logging in the Volga watershed, restrictions on the disposal of industrial waste, and artificial breeding of endangered fish species are among the measures aimed at protecting and restoring the river. IV. History The


It's the second biggest city in Northern Ireland. Some people call it Derry. What do others call it?

Derry travel guide - Wikitravel 13 Get out For other places with the same name, see Derry (disambiguation) . Derry or Londonderry ( Irish: 'Doire', meaning 'Oak Grove'), is the second city of Northern Ireland and the fourth largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin , Belfast and Cork with a population of roughly 100,000. The city has a photogenic location on the River Foyle in County Londonderry , close to County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and its ancient defensive walls are the most complete in Ireland. Understand[ edit ] The Guildhall, Derry city centre The city's name is a point of political dispute, with unionists advocating the longer name, and nationalists advocating the shorter. A common attempt at compromise is to refer to the county as "Londonderry" and the city as "Derry", but this is by no means universally accepted. Because of this, a peculiar situation arises as there is no common consensus either in politics or elsewhere as to which name is preferred; the city council is officially known as "Derry", but the city is officially recognised as "Londonderry" by the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK government. Whilst road signs in the Republic of Ireland use "Derry", alongside the Irish language translation "Doire", road signs in Northern Ireland will always read (unless vandalised) "Londonderry". Situated on the banks of the River Foyle, Derry is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and one of the oldest inhabited places in the whole island of Ireland. As they say there, 'Derry was a city when Belfast was still a swamp'. Derry's history dates back over 1,450 years, a lasting reminder of the early inhabitants of the area is the Iron Age fort, just over the border in County Donegal , known as the Grianan of Aileach . In the 6th Century St Columba/Colmcille established a monastery in Derry. Shifting ten centuries later to the Plantation of Ulster, King James I of England had the wealthy guilds of London build up the city of Derry (hence the title Londonderry) and surround it by the defensive walls that still ring the city today. These walls witnessed one of the most prominent events in the history of Derry. In 1688 the city was laid siege by the Earl of Antrim and the Catholic forces of James II, the English king who was deposed in favour of Protestant William of Orange. The settlers of the city who were protestant, barricaded themselves within the walls, when a group of apprentice boys from London on seeing the on coming forces, locked the city gates and so started the Great Siege of Derry. The siege was to be the longest in British history, lasting some 105 days, during which an estimated third of the city’s then population of 30,000 died through disease and starvation. When James II himself rode up to the city walls and lay down terms for surrender he was greeted with shouts of ‘No Surrender’. The siege was finally broken when the relief ship Mountjoy broke the boom which was laid across the River Foyle beside the city. However the legacy of the Great Siege of Derry lasted for centuries with the Catholic and Protestant communities in Derry remaining bitterly divided, something that was further fuelled by Ireland's partition in 1922. The city's close proximity to the border with the Irish Free State (later the modern-day Republic of Ireland), coupled with the city's much closer Catholic/Protestant demographic meant that conflict and outbreaks of violence were arguably worse than within Belfast. During the years of the Troubles, Derry witnessed some of the most prominent and terrible events of those times. It was on Derry's Bogside area that British soldiers shot dead 14 civil rights protesters in what became known as Bloody Sunday. The majority of the Bogside murals commemorate this tragic loss of innocents. Since the peace process in Northern Ireland, Derry is slowly emerging as an upbeat cosmopolitan city with great potential and huge tourist interest. In July 2010, Derry was awarded City of Culture for 2013. A lot of Derry’s sights are meshed with its history, the 16th Century


What is the nearest major city to the tourist attraction of Pompei?

Exploring Pompeii: A Visitor's Guide | PlanetWare Exploring Pompeii: A Visitor's Guide Pompeii Ruins Share: The ruined city of Pompeii lies at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, the volcano whose eruption in AD 79 engulfed and subsequently encased the city in six meters of ash and pumice-stone. Excavated over several centuries, what we see today, together with the neighboring site of Herculaneum, gives the finest example anywhere of a Roman town and its way of life. It's easy to see why this is one of Italy's most popular attractions for tourists. Only 16 years before its destruction, Pompeii was badly damaged by an earthquake from which its population of 20,000 had not yet finished rebuilding. At the first sign of the eruption, people began leaving, so when the final flow descended like a tidal wave, only about 2,000 people remained trapped in the city. Abandoned ever since, Pompeii started to emerge when excavations began in the 18th century and since then, about three-fifths of the total area (the city walls had a perimeter of three kilometers) have been recovered. Early excavators took everything to the museum in Naples , but archaeologists since 1911 have left artifacts in place, making the more recently excavated areas the most interesting. Expect to be surprised at how vivid an impression of ancient life you get in its homes, shops, and public places. The feeling is inescapable that when the eruption came, everyone had been in the middle of going about their normal daily business. Antiquarium Antiquarium Share: Anxious though you may be to explore this fabled city, it really is worthwhile to stop in this museum first. You'll not only find helpful interpretive displays, but you'll see many of the artifacts found during the excavations that were either too fragile or too prone to weathering to be left in place. Some of these date to long before the Roman era. Here, you'll see the implements of everyday life - rows of amphora and other vessels, furnishings, and small household and commercial items. Along with these are the plaster casts made from almost perfect molds left in the solidified ash by the bodies of those caught in the sudden destruction. As these spaces were found by excavators they were carefully filled with plaster, forming images of the victims as they tried to escape. They bring those final moments into grisly reality and make Pompeii more than just an historic relic. Forum Forum Share: The principal square of a Roman town, the Forum is enclosed by colonnades and bounded on the north by the Temple of Jupiter, rising on a three-meter base. At the corner to its right is the Macellum, a hall for selling food. Various shrines, temples, and other buildings surround the Forum -- the Shrine of the Lares, the Temple of Vespasian, a hall for selling wool, and the Curia, where the town council met. Nearby, the basilica was used as a market and a law-court. To its left, the Temple of Apollo is surrounded by 48 Ionic columns. One of the newer homes to be opened is that of Triptolemus, in front of the basilica. Dating from the second century BC, this was obviously owned by a prosperous and important family, as you can tell by its two atriums (courtyards) and two peristyles (columned garden courtyards). Theaters Theaters Share: Built into the sloping ground, the Teatro Grande (Large Theater) could seat 5,000 spectators and is used for Son et lumière shows in summer. The top row commands one of the best views of the city and Vesuvius. The adjoining Teatro Piccolo (Little Theater), better preserved and the earliest example of a roofed Roman theater, dates to about 75 BC. It would have been used mainly for musical performances. East of the Little Theater is the Tempio di Giove Meilichio and the adjacent Tempio di Iside - Temple of Isis - you can still see an inscription scratched on its walls by the French novelist Stendhal in 1817. Enter the tree-shaded Triangular Forum, intended mainly for theater-goers, through a fine arcade to get to gladiators' barracks. Inscriptions recording their successes in gladiatorial games were