MIAMI- BEACH CITY.

Miami is a coastal city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. Miami is the County Seat of Miami-Dade county, the most populous county in Florida. With an estimated population of 424,662 in 2007,Miami is the largest city within the Miami Metropolitan Area, which is the seventh-largest metro area in the United States with over 5.4 million residents. The Miami Urbanized Area (as defined by the Census Bureau) was the fifth most populous Urbanized Area in the U.S. in the 2000 census with a population of 4,919,036.The United nations estimated that in 2007, Miami had become the fourth largest urbanized area in the United States, behind New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Miami is recognized as a Global City because of its importance in Finance, Commerce, Media, Entertainment, Arts and International Trade. The city is home to many company headquarters, banks, and television studios. It is an international center for popular entertainment in television, music, fashion, film, and the Performing Arts. The city's Port of MiamI is known for accommodating the largest volume of cruise ships in the world and is home to many Cruise Line headquarters. Miami is also home to the largest concentration of international banks in the United States.

Since 2001, Miami has been undergoing a large building Boom with more than 50 skyscraper rising over 400 feet (122 m) built or currently under construction in the city. Miami's skylin ranks third in the U.S., behind New York City and Chicago, and 18th in the world according to the Almanac of Architecture and Design.The city currently has the eight tallest (as well as thirteen of the fourteen tallest) skyscrapers in the state of Florida, with the tallest being the 789-foot (240 m) Four Seasons Hotel & Tower.

In 2008, Miami was ranked as "America's Cleanest City" according to Forbes Magazine for its year-round good air quality, vast green spaces, clean drinking water, clean streets and city-wide recycling programs In 2008, Miami was also ranked the 3rd-richest city in the United States and the world's 22nd-richest city in a Usb study.

LAHORE- THE CITY OF LIVINGLY PEOPLE

Lahore lying close to Wagah, the Pakistan-India border is located near the Ravi River. The city of Lahore is bounded by the Sheikhupura District on north and south covers a total area of 1,772 sq km.

The extensive motorway in Lahore bridges the distance between the cities. The large number of underpasses eases the heavy traffic in the city of Lahore. Pakistan Railways, which has its headquarters in Lahore, provides train journeys connecting all its cities as well as the neighboring countries. Allama Iqbal International Airport that operates almost all flights mainly Pakistan International Airlines serves the city.

Lahore, the second most populated city of Pakistan is visited by many national and international tourists. Due to the increase of tourism the city of Lahore is dotted with several hotels and restaurants. World class facilities, delicious Mughlai and Pakistani cuisine and comfortable rooms are the prime features of Lahore hotels.

The prominent Lahore hotels are National Hotel, Windmills Hotel, Avari Hotel Lahore, Pearl Continental, Holiday Inn and Hotel Elites.

Lahore, which has the monuments, built by the Mughal emperors gains the attention of one and all who visit the city. Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, which can be considered as the good example of Mughal-Gothic style attracts tourists from far and wide. The Badshahi Masjid and the Alamgiri Gate situated next to the Lahore Fort are also the works of Mughal kings. Minar-e-Pakistan -Tower of Pakistan is the major landmark of the city. Lahore Zoo, Hazuri Bagh Baradari, Chauburji and Shahi Mohalla also include the major interesting points in the city. Akbari Gate, Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lahore Museum, Hazuri Bagh, Iqbal Park and Lawrence Gardens are often visited by tourists.

Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand

Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand for most visitors, and it's just 50km or 40 minutes' drive from historic Helensville.

New Zealand's largest city, there are almost 400,000 people living within the city's boundary and 1.18 million in the greater Auckland area - that's about a third of the entire country's population. The city's population is expected to grow by about 50% over the next 50 years.
Built on a narrow isthmus between two island-studded harbours, Auckland is reknowned for its beauty, with 100km of coastline crammed with stunning beaches, 23 regional parks, two marine reserves and a landscape dotted with 48 volcanic cones. With all the water surrounding the region, it's no wonder Aucklanders boast the largest boat ownership per capita in the world - that's why it's called "The City of Sails".

The city has a huge range of activities and attractions to offer visitors. You can dine at more than 800 restaurants, catch awesome views from atop the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere or from one of the city's volcanic vantage points, or take in the theatre at the world-class Aotea Centre. There's the Auckland Museum, National Maritime Museum, the historic Auckland Art Gallery, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World, the Zoo.

While English is the main written and spoken language, Auckland is recognised as having the largest concentration of Polynesian people in the world, and you'll hear many people speaking Maori, or Polynesian and Asian languages.

Seasons in New Zealand are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere, with summer from December - February and winter during June - August. While conditions vary the length of the country.

cape Town- City around Sea.

CAPE TOWN: is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Cape Town. It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are situated. Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town is Africa's most popular destination for tourism.

Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony. Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in South Africa.

the city had an estimated population of 3.5 million. Cape Town's land area of 2,455 square kilometres (948 sq mi) is larger than other South African cities, resulting in a comparatively lower population density of 1,425 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,690 /sq mi).

CLIMATE :

The Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. In winter, which lasts from May to September, large cold fronts come across from the Atlantic Ocean with heavy precipitation and strong north-westerly winds. The winter months are cool, with an average minimum temperature of 7 °C (45 °F).[citation needed] Most of the city's annual rainfall occurs in wintertime, but due to the mountainous topography of the city, rainfall amounts for specific areas can vary dramatically. Newlands, to the south of the city, is the wettest suburb in South Africa.[8] The valleys and coastal plains average 515 millimetres (20 in) of rain per annum, while mountain areas can average as much as 1,500 millimetres (60 in) per annum. Summer, which lasts from November to March, is warm and dry. The Peninsula gets frequent strong winds from the south-east, known locally as the Cape Doctor, because it blows away pollution and cleans the air. The south-easterly wind is caused by a high-pressure system which sits in the South Atlantic to the west of Cape Town, known as the South-Atlantic High. Summer temperatures are mild, with an average maximum of 26 °C (79 °F). Cape Town can be uncomfortably hot when the Berg Wind, meaning "mountain wind" blows from the Karoo interior for a couple weeks in February or early March.


TOURISM:

Cape Town is not only the most popular international tourist destination in South Africa, it is Africa's main tourist destination even overtaking Cairo. This is due to its good climate, natural setting, and relatively well-developed infrastructure.[citation needed] The city has several well-known natural features that attract tourists, most notably Table Mountain,which forms a large part of the Table Mountain National Park and is the back end of the City Bowl. Reaching the top of the mountain can be achieved either by hiking up, or by taking the Table Mountain Cableway. Cape Point is recognised as the dramatic headland at the end of the Cape Peninsula.[18] Many tourists also drive along Chapman's Peak Drive, a narrow road that links Noordhoek with Hout Bay, for the views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains. It is possible to either drive or hike up Signal Hill for closer views of the City Bowl and Table Mountain.

Many tourists also visit Cape Town's beaches, which are popular with local residents. Due to the city's unique geography, it is possible to visit several different beaches in the same day, each with a different setting and atmosphere. Beaches located on the Atlantic Coast tend to have very cold water from the Benguela current which originates from the Southern Ocean. The water at False Bay beaches is often warmer by up to 10 °C (18 °F). Both coasts are equally popular, although the beaches in affluent Clifton and elsewhere on the Atlantic Coast are better developed with restaurants and cafés, with a particularly vibrant strip of restaurants and bars accessible to the beach at Camps Bay. Boulders Beach near Simon's Town is known for its colony of African penguins.Surfing is popular and the city hosts the Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition every year.

ARACAJU-CIDADE DA AMOR .

The name Aracaju is of indian origin. "Ara" is macaw, and "caju" is cashew, fruit native from Brazil. Aracaju is a place where there used to abund macaws and cashew trees.Aracaju is the capital of Sergipe, the smallest Brazilian State by area. On the seaside, it has beautiful beaches, such as Atalaia Nova on Santa Luzia island, and the continent lively beach Robalo. The city offers sailings, museums and an oceanarium. Its Festas Juninas event is famous, known as Forró Caju. During the event, thousands of tourists visit the city attracted by dance exhibitions from squadrons and popular music. Near, there is a Projeto Tamar (Tamar Project) base, an entity that aims the sea turtles preservation. There are several restaurants that serve the most typical dish of the region - the salted meat

Aracaju was founded in 1855. It is a planned city, designed to be the new capital of Sergipe, in replacement of the old capital, São Cristovao. The city was built near the estuary of River Sergipe.Aracaju has its place on the nation's tourism route with attractions that include a revitalized shoreline, with catamarans - boats with special hulls for sailing in calm water - to explore the city's numerous mango groves, rivers and beaches.

The sea is a constant presence in Aracaju. The most famous beach in the state is Atalaia Velha, where there are numerous bars, restaurants, playgrounds, sports pitches and kiosks; there is also the Praia do Robalo which, with its creeping vegetation, coconut groves and dunes, is different from the other beaches chiefly because of the warmer waters.
Aracaju in the map of Brazil
Atalaia beach, on Santa Luiza island, is vast and has almost wild and primitive places with coconut palms and little dunes. It's a good stroll option, as the access to the island involves a brief but pleasant crossing by boat. On continent, you can enjoy lively beaches, such as Robalo. On Atalaia beach, the most urbanized beach, there are hotels, restaurants and leisure and sport equipments.

Shanghai- Future's Business Icon.

In China there is a saying that 'Xian has witnessed 2,000 years of history, Beijing has witnessed 1,000 years of history while Shanghai bears witness to the last 100 years.' For anyone who is interested in the history of modern China, Shanghai serves as an ideal starting point. Regarded as the 'Oriental Pearl', the city has a unique and important place in modern China and its rich heritage is worthy of exploration.

Yesterday's Shanghai:

Shanghai, Hu for short, is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River, a position that led to frequently unwelcome intervention from foreigners seeking to impose their exports on the Empire during the nineteenth century. However, in the 1920s and the 1930s, Shanghai became an important international trade center. With its advantaged natural conditions, rapid development and splendid oriental culture, Shanghai was famed as the 'Oriental Paris' and attracted many entrepreneurs and established businesses. In addition, many foreign scientists, literary figures and artists chose to live, give lectures or just experience the Chinese charm in Shanghai. They included Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Bernard Shaw and the poet RabindranathTagore, to name but a few. However, by the middle of the 20th century, the glory of the city was in decline.

Today's Shanghai:
Having suffered the ravages of war, turmoil and economic crisis, the fortunes of Shanghai have been revived thanks to the great Reform and Opening Up since 1978. A favorable national policy, efficient administration, regular market mechanism and a large number of talents have come together to enhance by leaps and bounds the city's economic development in recent years.

Now over 300 of the world's top 500 enterprises have opened branches in Shanghai, while many have their research and development centers or headquarters there. Pudong New Area has developed in just five years, and Lujiazui in Pudong has become one of the foremost world class financial and trade zones in Asia. Skyscrapers such as Jinmao Tower and Shanghai Global Financial Center dominate the skyline, while landmark constructions like Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Pudong International Airport and Shanghai International Convention Center offer the finest and best of modern facilities.

ROME- LOVELY PLACE TO VISIT.

Rome: is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populous city, with over 2.7 million residents in a municipality of some 1,285.3 km2 (496.3 sq mi), while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat to be 3.46 million. The metropolitan area of Rome is estimated by OECD to have a population of 3.7 million.It is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber river.
Rome's history as a city spans over two and a half thousand years, as one of the founding cities of Western Civilisation. It was the centre of the Roman Empire, which dominated Europe, North Africa and the Middle East for four hundred years from the 1st Century BC till the 4th Century AD. Rome has a significant place in Christianity and is the present day home of the Roman Catholic Church and the site of the Vatican City, an independent city-state run by the Catholic Church as an enclave of Rome.
As one of the few major European cities that escaped World War II relatively unscathed, central Rome remains essentially Renaissance and Baroque in character. Rome is the third-most-visited tourist destination in the European Union, and its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.As a modern city it has been capital of the unified Italy since 1870, and grew mainly in two periods either side of World War II.

Parks and gardens:
Public parks and nature reserves cover a large area in Rome, and the city has one of the largest areas of green space amongst European capitals.The most notable part of this green space is represented by the large number of villas and landscaped gardens created by the Italian aristocracy. While many villas were destroyed during the building boom of the late 19th century, a great many remain. The most notable of these are Villa Borghese, Villa Ada, and Villa Doria Pamphili.
Rome has a number of regional parks of much more recent origin including the Pineto Regional Park and the Appian Way Regional Park There are also nature reserves at Marcigliana and at Tenuta di Castelporziano.

Music:
Rome is an important centre for music. It hosts the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (founded in 1585), for which new concert halls have been built in the new Parco della Musica, one of the largest musical venues in the world. Rome also has an opera house, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, as well as several minor musical institutions. The city also played host to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1991 and the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2004.

CITY OF JOY- LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas (Spanish for The Meadows) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for the number of casino resorts and associated entertainment. A growing retirement and family city, it is the 28th most populous city in the United States with an estimated population by the U.S. Census Bureau of 603,093 as of 2008. The estimated population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area as of 2007, was 1,836,333.

Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. With the growth that followed, at the close of the century Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in the 20th century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century). The city's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and this image has made Las Vegas a popular setting for films and television programs. Outdoor lighting displays are everywhere on the Las Vegas Strip and are seen elsewhere in the city as well. As seen from space, the Las Vegas metropolitan area is the brightest on Earth.

The name Las Vegas is often applied to unincorporated areas that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and near the Las Vegas Strip. This 4 mi (6.4 km) stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard is partly in the Las Vegas city limits, but mainly in the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester, and continues partly into unincorporated Enterprise.

CULTURE:

On the first Friday of each month, the "First Friday" celebration is held which exhibits the works of local artists and musicians in a section of the city's Downtown region now called the "Arts District".
The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, also known as the Las Vegas Zoo, exhibits over 150 species of animals and plants.
The $485 million Smith Center for the Performing Arts (currently under construction) will be located downtown in Symphony Park. The center will be appropriate for Broadway shows and other major touring attractions as well as orchestra, opera, and dance performances.
The city also hosts annual events like the Helldorado Days (Las Vegas).

TOURISM:

The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos. The most famous hotel casinos are located on Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the Las Vegas Strip. Many of these hotels are massive, carrying thousands of rooms, with their large adjoining casino areas. There are many hotel casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large hotels and casinos are also located somewhat off the Strip but adjacent to it, as well as in the county around the city.
Some of the most notable casinos involved in downtown gaming are on the Fremont Street Experience which was granted variances to allow bars to be closer together, similar to the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego

BUENOS AIRES- CIDADE DA ARGENTINA.

Buenos Aires is a great metropolis with 11 million inhabitants and one of the largest in the world. It is also one of the most elegant and busy cities in South America and is in some way the essence of the variety of the Argentinean.

Whilst of modern construction and dynamic activity, it has managed to preserve old traditions and charming corners. The atmosphere, the individual personality of each of its neighbourhoods (barrios), the cordiality of its people and the wide selection of its cultural and commercial opportunities, fascinates one.

Buenos Aires, close to the splendid countryside surrounding it, is the great cosmopolitan doorway to South America. The Capital Federal, bounded by the Rde la Plata and its tributary the Riachuelo, plus the ring roads of Av. General Paz and Av. 27 de Febrero, consists of 47 distinct barrios, some of them very small and others quite large. These barrios have clearly defined limits, but informal boundaries are rarely congruent and often contradictory -the line between Palermo and Recoleta, for instance, is often indistinct, while Av. Cordoba boundary between Balvanera and Recoleta/Barrio Norte so rigidly demarcates two very distinct parts of the city that every porte (as inhabitants of the port capital are known) who crosses the street recognizes the division. Porte use the term microcentro for the area north of Av. de Mayo and east of Av. 9 de Julio, a sector that includes the Florida and Lavalle peatonales (pedestrian malls), Plaza San Martin and the important commercial and entertainment areas along Avs. Corrientes, Cordoba and Santa Fe. In fact, this also comprises parts of the barrio of Retiro and the area popularly known as Congreso, which overlaps the barrio of Balvanera. Barrio Norte, for that matter, is not a formal barrio but rather a neighborhood that comprises mostly residential parts of Recoleta and Retiro.

The major divisions are the microcentro and Av. de Mayo, Congreso and Corrientes, San Telmo and Constituci La Boca, Retiro, Recoleta and Barrio Norte, and Palermo and Belgrano (including the 'Costanera', which provides access to the Rio de la Plata). The capital's traditional focus of activity is the Plaza de Mayo, opposite the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Both the Catedral Metropolitana (cathedral) and portions of the original Cabildo (colonial town council) are also here, at the east end of Av. de Mayo. Street names change, and street numbers rise, on each side of Av. de Mayo, while numbers on east-west streets rise from zero near the waterfront. The broad Av. 9 de Julio forms a second north-south axis, simultaneously encompassing Cerrito and Carlos Pellegrini north of Av. de Mayo, and Lima and Bernardo de Irigoyen south of Av de Mayo. It runs from Plaza Constituci󮠩n San Telmo to Av. del Libertador in Recoleta, which continues to the city's exclusive northern suburbs and their spacious parks.

JEDDAH- City of Red Sea.

Jeddah is a large, cosmopolitan port city on the Red Sea, and the main starting point of pilgrimages to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Known as the Paris of Arabia, Jeddah also offers beaches, shopping districts, historic sights, golf courses and excellent possibilities for diving. Approximately 2.5 million foreign pilgrims visit Jeddah every year. Located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is the second largest city and the main commercial center of the country. It is the wealthiest city in the Middle East, with a cosmopolitan mix of inhabitants that is the result of over thousand years of pilgrims from all over the Islamic world coming to Jeddah to reach the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Jeddah is the most liberal city in Saudi Arabia, where a strict interpretation of Islam is followed, but religion still affects many parts of the society and daily life in the city. Prayer calls stop all other activity five times a day, and weekends are being celebrated from Thursday and Friday. Jeddah hosts a great number of restaurants and cafés, but as many forms of other entertainment are banned, do not expect to find a great deal of nightlife in Jeddah.

Sights and activities in Jeddah: shopping, diving & golf coursesJeddah is a large city that offers plenty of sights and activities. The old city, called Al-Balad, located in the southern side of the modern city center has plenty of traditional multi-story houses built from coral stone. Many of the old buildings, such as the Naseef House, have been preserved and act as museums. The old city also contains a popular bazaar, Souq al-Alawi. Shopping in Jeddah is very good, and the city contains many traditional souqs as well as a myriad of modern designer shops and glamorous shopping malls. Besides the historic Naseef House, the museums in Jeddah include an archaeological and ethnological museum, a municipal museum and an arts heritage museum. Jeddah is home to the tallest fountain in the world, named King Fahid Fountain. The long seaside avenue, Corniche connects the city together and offers nice beaches, cafés, seaside resorts and sculptures. Diving in Jeddah is excellent, as the Red Sea offshore to the city is filled with beautiful coral reefs with abundant marine life. There are diving and snorkeling excursions available. Jeddah also has many public recreational parks, as well as a water park of Sail Island and a theme park called Al-Shalal. Golf in Jeddah is popular entertainment, and there are several good golf courses near the city. Desert excursions by four-wheel drive cars are also available. Jeddah also hosts an annual festival with many games and activities from water skiing to art exhibitions and music.

BEIRUT- THE CITY OF LIGHTS.

Known as the "Cultural Capital of the Arab World," "Paris of the East," and "The City of Lights," Beirut is the capital, chief port, and primate city of Lebanon. Once regarded as the center for economic, social, and cosmopolitan life, Beirut suffered many loses during the civil war from 1975 to 1990. This site attempts to explore the many different aspects of Beirut as well as the effects of the civil war on the city.

The capital and largest city of Lebanon, Beirut has a metropolitan area of 26 square miles. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Beirut has established itself as one of the leading port cities in the Middle East.

CLIMATE AND REGION:

Beirut has a wide range of geographical regions. The city is situated atop two hills, the Al-Ashrafiyah and the Al-Musaytibah, which meet to create a triangular peninsula protruding into the Mediterranean Sea. The As-Sahil, a coastal plan, borders the two mountains to the east and extends into the north from the mouth of the Nahr Al-Kalb, the Dog River, and in the south from the entrance of the Nahr Ad-Damur, or the Damur River. Beirut’s subtropical climate produces hot, humid summers and mild winters. Beirut’s rainy season, which occurs from mid-autumn to early spring, produces the majority of the annual rainfall, an average of 36 inches. In mid-winter, the average mid-day temperature rises to 62º F and reaches 51º F in the night. Beirut’s average temperature in the summer is approximately 73º F.

Considered to be the most Westernized city of the Middle East, Beirut has survived almost complete destruction numerous times but has managed to retain the reputation of being a haven for liberalism and social acceptance. Even after 15 years of civil war in which Beirut was pushed to the brink of total devastation, the city is in the process of reconstruction and re-establishing itself as the "Paris of the Middle East."

CAIRO- CITY OF PYRAMIDS.

Cairo lies on the banks of the Nile River in the north of Egypt. the geographical coordinates if the city are Latitude 30°2' N, Longitude 31°13' E. with a population of close to 8 million people and a total area of 214 sq km, Cairo is one of the densest populated cities of the world.

Cairo International Airport serves the city. The city holds the credit of being the only African city to have Metro system. The Cairo Transportation Authority handles all other transportations in the city like bus system. Citicab is the other public transport facility in the city.

Cairo hotels offers divers lodging options carrying from resorts to luxury hotels and from stylish neighborhoods near the River Nile and the Pyramids to small scale hotels including hostels. Dusit Thani Lakeview, Four Seasons At Nile Plaza, Conrad, Nile Hilton and Le Meridien Pyramids are some of the most prominent and famous Cairo hotels.

Egyptian Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the major tourist attraction in the city. Many monuments and historical artifacts attract tourists to the city. People gather in the city, which has several malls and theaters like Citystars, the second largest mall in the world where anything under the sun can be obtained. The city has 18 cinemas and an amusement park.

The skyscrapers in the city including Nile City Towers, The National bank of Egypt towers, The Fairmont Cairo, New Cairo City Towers and The New Saudi Arabian Embassy Tower catch the sight of the visitors. El-Gamaa Bridge, Tahrir Square, Sphinx, and Marriot Palace Cairo are the other interesting spots in the city.

MOSCOW- UNFORGETABLE CITY.

Moscow is one of the world’s largest megacities. Its population was 10,500,000 people in October 2002, with the territory of 878,7 square kilometers. The boundary of Moscow (since 1960) corresponds to the Moscow Ring road which is situated 17-21 kilometers away from the city centre.

Local authorities are, since 1991, Moscow Mayoralty and Moscow government.

In terms of urban ecology, Moscow was claimed to be a very clean city during the stagnation period. But recently, with positive political changes, the real situation became known: air and water pollution by chemicals is rather heavy, especially in the southern and south-eastern parts of the town. This is explained by the pattern of enterprises and by the predominant winds. Moreover, information on radioactive pollution is now available, and several strongly polluted sites have been discovered. Unfortunately, they are dispersed all over the territory of the town including its public gardens and densely populated blocks of flats ("sleeping areas").

Location and Climate:

Moscow is located at 55.55'of northern latitude and 37.37' to the east of the Greenwich's meridian, in the centre of the East-European plain in the zone of mixed forests. It is intersected by the Moscow river, which takes a number of tributaries between the Oka and the Volga. The largest of the tributaries are the Yausa and Setun'.

There is a folk saying about seven hills supporting Moscow. In fact, hilly are only some parts of former Moscow area, and the highest is the south-western part of the town. Geographically, it is defined as Teplostanskaya upland; the central and eastern parts of the town's area are more flat and low, and its major part is occupied by the valley of the Moscow river with its tributaries.

The Moscow climate is moderately continental, although it is colder than in other European cities. Temperature amplitude is 28 C. The cool period of the year starts on September, 29 and ends on May, 10. Normally, the rainfall ranges within 540-650mm per year. The rainy period lasts from April to October. An estimated duration of the severe snow period is from November, 26 to April, 11. The height of the snow cover reaches 35 cm in the end of winter. Atmospheric pressure, which doesn't strongly change during the year, is 747mm. Winds in Moscow may blow in any direction, but during periods of warm weather the north-western ones prevail, while the south-western winds are proper to cool seasons.

Weather is rather unstable in Moscow, and the weather forecast service is the most common object for jokes. One of possible reasons justifying not quite reliable forecasts is considerable temperature amplitude between parts of Moscow, which may reach 10 C in spring or autumn.

People and language :

More than 8mln people are living in Moscow, and more than 11mln in Moscow with its suburbs. Initially, Russians predominated, and this is true now as well, although there are some changes in proportions between Russians, Tatars, Jews and people from the Caucasus republics. Muscovites by birth are not so numerous now. Christianity is a predominant religion in Moscow. Russian Orthodox Church is most popular, other religious societies are active: Moslems, Protestants, Old-believers, Single-believers, Judaism. Each religious confession has its own church, or synagogue, or any other house for praying, as well as a school and publishing house. ct "pure" language.

LUCKNOW- HISTORICAL CITY OFINDIA.

Lucknow’s foundations were laid in the 13th century a.d., a fairly recent date as compared to other cities in India. Lakshman Tila, the central part of the city, is believed to have been the site where a fort was built by a clan from Bijnor. By the end of the 13th century a.d., the fort had fallen into the hands of the Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur, who held it till a.d. 1476. In the 1540s, the fort was annexed by the Sultan of Delhi, Sher Shah Sur (reigned a.d. 1540-45).During the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign (a.d. 1556-1605), Oudh, as Lucknow was then called, flourished under imperial patronage. In 1724, the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, appointed Nawab Sadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk as the Governor of Oudh. Thus began the reign of the Nawabs over Oudh, which continued till the close of the 18th century a.d.

The Process of Modernizing:

The TownNawab Asaf-ud-Daula, who had his capital at Faizabad, was the last Nawab of Oudh. In 1775, he shifted his capital to Lucknow, and proceeded to ‘modernise’ the town by building numerous monuments. When the region was struck by a famine in 1784, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula offered ‘food for work’.Under his directions and funding, work began on the Bara Imambara.The generous Nawab, who employed more than 22,000 people, including nobles, adopted a dual policy of construction. During the day, the Imambara was built, and at night, the workers destroyed parts of what had been built. This was to ensure that no one remained unemployed, and the edifice was not completed too soon.

¤ Lucknow Came Under The Rule of British:

By 1854, the British, under Lord Dalhousie, had taken Lucknow. An unconcerned Nawab Wajid Ali Shah played chess while British troops entered and occupied Lucknow. By the time he realised his folly, it was too late. The British had come to stay.In 1857, India revolted against British dominion. British troops in and around Lucknow retreated to the Residency, with Indian sepoys and civilians laying siege to the complex. When Sir Colin Campbell took on the Indian forces in a bid to rescue his countrymen, the siege lasted 87 days during which cannon and small arms fire ruined the Residency.After India gained independence from the British in 1947, Lucknow was made the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Today, the city is a busy political centre, and the hometown of India’s current Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

THAR- GREAT DESERT OF PAKISTAN.

Thar and my heart are the two names of the same desert”, once wrote Mazhar-ul-Islam, the world-renowned short story writer and pioneer of a new school of short story in Urdu, Pakistan’s national language. He belongs to Punjab province, writes in Urdu, and most of his admirers belong to Sindh province of which Tharparkar district is one of the major parts with a total area of 28,170 sq. k.m.
Times back, there was a sea where the Thar is now. The geologists believe that the sea turned to a desert because of some big earthquake and stormy winds created sand dunes. But, the wrinkled-faces of old folks of Thar are there to tell the travelers a centuries old tale of a Rishi (worshiper) who’s buddua (asking something from god against someone) turned the sea dry.

Topography:
Tharparkar consists of two words, Thar means ‘desert’ while Parkar stands for ‘the other side’. Years back, it was known as Thar and Parkar but subsequently became just one word ‘Tharparkar’ for the two distinct parts of Sindh province. On the western side, Parkar is the irrigated area whereas Thar, the eastern part, is known as the largest desert of Pakistan with a rich multifaceted culture, heritage, traditions, folk tales, dances and music due to its inhabitants who belong to different religions, sects and casts. The Parkar area has been formed by the alluvial deposits of river Indus while Thar mostly consists of barren tracts of sand dunes covered with thorny bushes. The only hills of the district, named Karon-Jhar, are in the extreme south-east corner of Nagar Parkar Taluka, a part of Thar. These hills are spread over about 20 kilometers in length and attains a height of 300 meters. Covered with sparse jungle and pasturage, they give rise to two perennial springs as well as streams caused after rain.

Climate:
The Thar area has a tropical desert climate. The months of April, May and June are the hottest ones during the day. The average maximum and minimum temperatures during this period remain 41 centigrade to 24 centigrade respectively while December, January and February are the comparatively coldest months with average maximum and minimum temperatures 28 centigrade to 9 centigrade respectively. Rainfall varies from year to year. Most of the rain falls in the monsoon months between June and September whereas the winter rains are insignificant.

Some worth-seeing places:
Though sand is all around in Thar. But, in the Nangarparkar, the egg-shaped hills of Karon-Jhar and the charm of its valleys coupled with some sacred places for Hindus may give unforgettable memories.
A few kilometers away in the north-western side from Nangarparkar, Hindus’ holy place Saroharo attracts its believers as hindus denote this temple to their Mahadev (the biggest god). Saroharo is on the brink of a seasonal stream and a all-season-pond where Hindus come for their rituals. Since they have faith on the presence of these hills and pond in their holy books, they throw the bones and ashes of dead bodies into whirlpool of this pond after burning them. They also celebrate Shorateri fair here every March. Above Saroharo, there is the Rishi’s aasthan (a very small room used for worship) and ten impressions of his fingers of feet. According to a belief that Rishi worshipped here for ten thousand years but finally lost his invocation by touching a young girl. (He is the same Rishi whose request to the god turned the sea into a desert.)
Gaomakhi is another aasthan, just a kilometer away in the north of Saroharo. Here the tips of two hills join each other, making the shape of a cow. A 30-feet high waterfall may be witnessed here during the monsoon season. Hindus come here too for their rituals. At the distance of a few yards in the south of Gaomakhi, here is a very deep pond named Bhemgoda. It is 20 feet wide and around 30 feet long pond that never dries up. Inchlas is another aasthan towards the south-western of Nangarparkar. Here, three streams come out of different hills. Water flows from these natural streams all the year. A tavern is here for the travelers and Hindus who visit Inchlas aasthan. Chandan Gud is a fort, built by Rana Chandan, one of the Parkar rulers, in 1859. Now, only its remains are there.

MY CITY- LARKANA. SINDH- PAKISTAN

Larkana or Larkano: is the fourth largest city located in the Northwest of Sindh Province, Pakistan, located in Larkana District. In August 2000 Larkana celebrated its hundred years of existence. It is located on the south bank of the Ghar canal, 40 miles south of Shikarpur town, and 36 north-east of Mehar.

city (1998 pop. 270,366), S central Pakistan, on the Ghar canal. Famous for the quality of its rice, it is an important grain market and a trading center for silk and cotton goods. Brass and other metalware are manufactured. The city has two colleges affiliated with the Univ. of Sind. Larkana, named for the Larak tribe that inhabited the neighboring area, is the birthplace of former Pakistani prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Remains of the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro have been uncovered c.15 mi (24 km) S of Larkana.

Famous personalities from Larkana:

There are many famous personalities who belong to Larkana city and district. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto former Prime Minister and President of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Barristor Muhammad Junejo, Mumtaz Bhutto former Chief Minister of Sindh, Murtaza Bhutto, a politician and also son of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and brother of Benazir Bhutto, Chakar Ali Khan Junejo,Safdar Abbasi, a Senator, Begum Abida Parveen, a famous Pakistani Sufi singer.Dr Abdul Nabi Khokhar Ortho and Trauma Surgeon, Muhammad Ayoub khuhro former Chief Minister Sindh,Khursheed Ahmed Junejo First District Nazim for Larkana and Ambasder to U.A.E present. Qazi Fazlullah Ubaidullah former Chief Minister of Sindh, Akhtar Ali G Qazi former Chief Minister of Sindh, Moulana Jan Mohammad Abbasi Naib Ameer (Vice President) of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. .

The History of Brazil commences in the coast of Bahia, where the first Portuguese arrived.Salvador was founded in 1534, and became the first capital of Brazil. During the cycles of sugar cane and gold, the government was centralized in Salvador.In the 17th century, the French and Dutch tried to take Salvador, like they did in other less protected spots, but they failed.Bahia is one of the states where the black influence was more profound; until today, the "blackness" of the culture is used to attract visitors. Music, dance, religion, culinary, among others, are fields were the black influence is still strong.After the economic centers to the south, Bahia lost some importance, but still is an important state. The state has vaste areas of soil good for agriculture and cattle. The first big reservoirs of Brazilian petroleum were found in Bahia; decades later, a large petrochemical complex was built near Salvador. In recent years, an agressive politics to attract investments has resulted in new factories (the most modern Ford plant in the world was built in Bahia).

"Pernambuco " City with beautiful Beaches- Brasil

In 1534, Duarte Coelho, to whom the Portuguese king donated the capitany of Pernambuco, founded the cities of Recife and Olinda, which would have ever since an important role in the Brazilian History.Duarte Coelho started the plantation of sugar cane and the production of white sugar, much popular in Europe; the cane was the anchor of the Brazilian economy for several decades.Between 1630 and 1654, the region was controlled by the Dutch, who promoted several changes in the city, which have traces until today.The decadence of the sugar and the impact of slavery abolition caused Pernambuco to participate of the several secessionist rebelions which occurred in the region.Pernambuco and Recife were an important regional center; other states north of Pernambuco had in Recife a commercial post.

Pernambuco is located near to The Atlantic, in the northwest part of Brazil. This State played an important part in the history of Brazil, particularly, during The XVII Century, in the period of the sugar cane. Its current population is: 7.918.344 hab.Pernambuco has a privileged geographic position, in terms of its proximity to Europe; such fact makes this State an entrance for international tourism. The State possesses many folkloric expressions, like its dances and different rhythms (maracatu, cuadrilla, ciranda and fandango). The capital city of Pernambuco is Recife, a modern city, plenty of high buildings and ample avenues.The ideal period to visit Pernambuco is on February, when the most stimulating carnival of Brazil takes place. This celebration occurs in the streets of Olinda, a colonial city that is placed 7 kilometers from Recife. Eco tourism by boat is recommendable in the zone, specially, through the archipelago and The Marine National Park of Fernando de Noronha.

PORTO ALEGRE- CAPITAL OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL.

Porto Alegre, the largest city in southern Brazil, is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, land of the Gauchos , and churrasco. The city, located on the Guaiba River, was founded in 1742 by immigrants from the Azores. Since the 19th century the city has received numerous from other parts of the world, particularly Germany, Poland, and Italy. Located at the junction of five rivers, it has become an important alluvial port as well as one of the chief industrial and commercial centers in Brazil. With the advent of the Mercosul accord it should grow and prosper. Products of the rich agricultural and pastoral hinterland, such as soybeans, leather, canned beef, and rice, are exported from Porto Alegre to destinations as far away as Africa and Japan. It has a population of about 1,500,000 inhabitants.

Area : 282,184 sq.km.Population : 9,163,200Capital : Porto Alegre.

Porto Alegre was founded in 1742 by immigrants from the Azores, Portugal. In the late 19th century the city received many immigrants from other parts of the world, particularly Germany, Italy, and Poland. The vast majority of the population is of European.

The city is located on a delta resulting from the junction of five rivers, officially called Guaíba Lake (popularly mentioned as a river too). Although its origins date from the mid-18th century, when immigrants from the Azores settled in the area, the city was officially established in 1742.

KEENJHAR LAKE- THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE

Thatta is home to beautiful lake called Keenjhar. Many people from the neighboring district of Karachi make weekend-trips to this aesthetic place.Kalri Lake (Urdu: کلری جھیل) or Kinjhar Lake (Urdu: کینجھر جھیل) is located in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan.Kalri Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan. It plays a substantial ecological role in the functioning of the Indus River basin. It is extremely important for a wide variety of breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds. The mid-winter waterbird counts of the late 1980s averaged 140,000 birds per winter.The Sindhi legend of Noori Jam Tamachi took place around the lake, and to this day there is a shrine in the middle of the lake marking Noor's grave. Everyday hundreds of devotees visit the shrine.

16 miles from Thatta on left side is the famous Keenjhar Lake with cottages for overnight stay. Here, the travelers can take a break, go boating, bird-watching and fishing and lit beachcombers' torches to have a session of fun and frolic at night before hitting the sacks in Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation’s (PTDC) cottages to begin again the next day.The cottages are booked through PTDC offices located in Karachi on Stratchen Road, opposite Hotel Metropole. Demand is heavier on the weekends, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Family Area may be quite busy with many families staying overnight and inter-family games and festivities are not uncommon.

MAKLI HILLS- ASIA THE LARGEST GRAVEYARD.

One of the largest necropolises in the world, with a diameter of approximately 8 kilometers, Makli Hill is supposed to be the burial place of some 125,000 Sufi saints. It is located on the outskirts of Thatta, the capital of lower Sind until the seventeenth century, in what is the southeastern province of present-day Pakistan.

Legends abound about its inception, but it is generally believed that the cemetery grew around the shrine of the fourteenth-century Sufi, Hamad Jamali. The tombs and gravestones spread over the cemetery are material documents marking the social and political history of Sindh.

Imperial mausoleums are divided into two major groups, those from the Samma (1352–1520) and Tarkhan (1556–1592) periods. The tomb of the Samma king, Jam Nizam al-Din (reigned 1461–1509), is an impressive square structure built of sandstone and decorated with floral and geometric medallions. Similar to this is the mausoleum of Isa Khan Tarkhan II (d. 1651), a two-story stone building with majestic cupolas and balconies. In contrast to the syncretic architecture of these two monuments, which integrate Hindu and Islamic motifs, are mausoleums that clearly show the Central Asian roots of the later dynasty. An example is the tomb of Jan Beg Tarkhan (d. 1600), a typical octagonal brick structure whose dome is covered in blue and turquoise glazed tiles. Today, Makli Hill is a United Nations World Heritage Site that is visited by both pilgrims and tourists.

Sydney Harbour Bridge: A PART OF SYDNEY HISTORY

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most recognisable symbols of Australia. The Bridge provides a frame for one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and holds a special place in the city’s heart.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has connected the Sydney CBD with the North Shore of the harbour since it opened in 1932. It is the world’s largest (but not longest) steel-arch Bridge. It was beaten in length, by New York’s Bayonne Bridge, which is 25 feet longer and opened just four months earlier.
On major celebrations in Sydney history, like New Year’s Eve or the announcement of the Sydney Olympic Games, the Bridge has always been the focal point.
Sydneysiders gather on boats and in the coves and corners of the Sydney Harbour foreshore to watch it explode with spectacular fireworks.
New Year’s Eve celebrations are broadcast each year on news channels all around the world, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge playing a starring role.

Design:

Dr John Job Crew Bradfield is known as the ‘Father of the Bridge’ and was the man behind the concept. Bradfield prepared the general design and the NSW government awarded the construction contract to the English firm Dorman Long and Co. for the odd sum of £4,217,721, 11 shillings and 10 pence on 24 March 1924.
Sir Ralph Freeman, the consulting engineer, prepared the detailed plans. He later had a falling out with Bradfield over the question of who really designed the Bridge. But it was Bradfield’s name that went into the Sydney history books when he lent his name to the Bradfield Highway, which runs across the Bridge.
Up to 800 tenant families were relocated to make way for the approach spans of the Bridge - their homes were destroyed and the families were never compensated.

TAJ MAHAL- SIGN OF LOVE.

Taj Mahal History :
Mumtaz and Shah Jehan were married in 1612 A.D had 14 children together. The Empress Mumtaz used to accompany her husband in his military campaigns, and it was in Burhanpur in 1630, that she gave birth to her last child, after which she died. So great was the Shah Jahan's love for his wife Mumtaz, that he ordered the building of the most beautiful mausoleum on Earth for her, The Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal India - Located at Agra in Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal is one of the most splendid masterpieces of architecture in the world. It was Emperor Shah Jehan who ordered the building of the Taj Mahal, in honor of his beloved wife, Arjumand Banu who was later known as Mumtaz Mahal, which means, the Distinguished of the Palace. One of the greatest monuments of India has been listed amongst the eight wonders of the world. This monument was built in the name of love and devotion. Do you know which is this grand Mughal monument situated in the heart of India? It is the Taj Mahal. It is considered to be one amongst the eight most majestic historical structures of the world. This white marble structure was the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan’s, gift for his dead wife – Mumtaz Mahal. He loved his wife so much that he ordered for the best of artisans to create a design as there has never been, and something that cannot be replicated. Having rejected hundreds of designs he finally approved of this blue print. He is said to have personally monitored the construction of this building.

The most expensive white marble was brought to Agra. The structure combines ingredients of Persian, India, Islamic and Turkish styles of architecture. It took twenty-two years to complete the construction of this architectural wonder. As per the records twenty thousand people were employed to work on this magnanimous project, which cost the Mughal emperor thirty-two million Rupees. According to the official documents, Ustad Isa was the master architect

Between to two to four million tourists visit Agra, every year, to see this structure. World leaders ensure that visiting this global tourist spot is a part of their plan when visiting India. On her last visit to India, Lady Diana spent a long time in front of the Taj Mahal, simply admiring its grandeur.

Eiffel Tower-Paris

Most important! Walk up this metal monstrosity, and don't take the cable car! Only by slowly walking up step by step through the belly of this giant monument, can you get a real feel for its history and magnitude. A Tourist Tip! - you can take the cable car down for free - no one checks the tickets on the way down!

The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen.

There are 2 stages that you can walk up to, and to get to the very top, you need the cable car.

At each stage, you can sit down, and enjoy coffee - they do a good cappuccino!

At 300 meters (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930.
Many believe that the building is an eye sore:

"...the tower was the greatest affront not only to the architecture of Paris, but also to the eye of the Parisian, for whom its structural logic and revolutionary aesthetic language were incomprehensible.

Niagara Falls- Place to make mind Cool.

The Niagara River, as is the entire Great Lakes Basin of which the river is an integral part, is a legacy of the last Ice Age. 18,000 years ago southern Ontario was covered by ice sheets 2-3 kilometers thick. As they advanced southward the ice sheets gouged out the basins of the Great Lakes. Then as they melted northward for the last time they released vast quantities of meltwater into these basins. Our water is "fossil water"; less than one percent of it is renewable on an annual basis, the rest leftover from the ice sheets.

The Niagara Peninsula became free of the ice about 12,500 years ago. As the ice retreated northward, its meltwaters began to flow down through what became Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, down to the St. Lawrence River, and, finally, down to the sea. There were originally 5 spillways from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Eventually these were reduced to one, the original Niagara Falls, at Queenston-Lewiston. From here the Falls began its steady erosion through the bedrock.

However, about 10,500 years ago, through an interplay of geological effects including alternating retreats and re-advances of the ice, and rebounding of the land when released from the intense pressure of the ice (isostatic rebound), this process was interrupted. The glacial meltwaters were rerouted through northern Ontario, bypassing the southern route. For the next 5,000 years Lake Erie remained only half the size of today, the Niagara River was reduced to about 10% of its current flow, and a much-reduced Falls stalled in the area of the Niagara Glen.

About 5,500 years ago the meltwaters were once again routed through southern Ontario, restoring the river and Falls to their full power. Then the Falls reached the Whirlpool.

PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT.

The Egyptian Pyramids are colossal structures used by the ancient world for religious purposes. The largest and most remarkable of the pyramids occur in several groups on the west side of the Nile extending for a distance of twenty five miles reaching as far as Cairo (the capital city). The are built from hard limestone and large blocks of limestone, especially on the outside surface. They date from 3000 BC to 2300 BC. Great skill was needed to quarry these large blocks, transport them and then place them in position. The Ancient Egyptians were very well organised and they required a good understanding of technology, science and mathematics to enable them to build what has become known as one of the wonders of the ancient world.

One of the first tasks of the pyramid builders who constructed the three pyramids, was to build a track on which they could drag the large blocks from the quarry in the Arabian Hills to the River Nile where they were ferried up to the construction site. The work went on in three monthly shifts with one hundred thousand men in a single shift. It took ten years to build the track It took the same number of men twenty years to complete the Cheops pyramid. Originally the pyramids were smooth on the outside but through the thousands of years since construction this has disappeared revealing the tiers or steps underneath. Each tier is about a metre in height.

The pyramids we built by kings as tombs or memorials of themselves and it is thought that they were started at the beginning of each reign and that the height corresponded with the length of each reign.
The pyramid of Cheops was originally 146 metres high and the technology for lifting the blocks into position was well designed.

TOWER OF PISA- ITALY.

(Tower of Pisa), one of Europe's most famous towers and designed by Bonanno Pisano, is the free standing bell tower for the adjacent cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. The work of art was built in the years 1173-1350 in 3 stages. It's 183.27 feet tall from the ground on the lowest side and 186.02 on the highest side. The walls are 8 feet thick at the base.
A little know fact is that many of the cathedrals in Italy have bell towers and many of them are leaning for one reason or another.
There are 7 bells in the tower at Pisa that are tuned to musical scale. The largest bell, cast in 1655, is three and a half tons.
Another fact is that the ground beneath the tower is soft so that even before the building was completed. it had already started to tilt. The builders tried to compensate by angling the new construction.
In 1275 architect Tomasso di Andrea da Pontedera realized that the tower could not be straightened due to the poorly laid foundation and loose substrate so many attempts were made to stop additional leaning. The tower (which leans to the southwest) has been closed at various times as engineers worked to shore up the base
The tower was closed in 1990 and re-opened in 2001. I was fortunate that while I was in Pisa I was able to climb to the top. There are 294 stairs, but as you climb, it feels more like 2094. There are no handrails and the walls have been worn smooth. The stairs have slippery groves from the thousands of feet that have gone up and down over the years. The stairs are in a very tight spiral and I think that it's harder to get down than go up.

DELHI- CAPTIAL OF INDIA.

Delhi has not always been the capital of India but has played an important role in Indian history. One of the fascinating aspects of the city has been the 'visibility' of its historic past. If not for the demands of urbanization, large portions of the city could well be earmarked as archaeological sites. This is because the rulers of the dynasties from the 13th and 17th centuries established eight cities in different parts of Delhi. The first four were towards the south where the Qutub Minar stands. The city's history dates much further back than the 13th century. Excavations have proved that the Old Fort site was inhabited 3,000 years ago. And fine pottery dating back to 1,000 BC, from the time of the Hindu epic of Mahabharata, called the Painted Grey Ware, has been found. The excavations also cut through houses and the streets of the Sultanate of Rajput, Post-Gupta, Gupta, Saka-Kushan and Sunga periods reaching down to the Mauraya dynasty (300 BC). The association of Emperor Ashoka (273-36 BC) has come to light after the discovery of the Minor Rock Edict in one of the city's districts. However, the core of the first city was created by Anangpal Tomar in the 12th century. He built Lal Kot, the first ever fort in Delhi. Prithviraj Chauhan, the successive king, added massive ramparts and gates, and constructed the Quila Rai Pithora. Today, only the ramparts are visible near Qutub Minar.

Tourists have noted that the capital of India is a mix between serene gardens and hectic city life. This diversity is also apparent in its population, where Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus live in the same area. There are plenty of art galleries and cultural centers to see, but most visitors come to view the ancient Qutub Minar mosque and the Taj Mahal-like Humayuns Tomb. Newer buildings are just as impressive, such as the lotus flower-shaped Baha'i Temple.

SEOUL- MOST POPULATED CITY.

Location: 126o59' east longitude and 37o34' north latitude

Climate: Seoul belongs to the Temperate Zone featuring four distinctive seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The yearly average temperature of Seoul is 12.9 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in Seoul tend to fluctuate throughout the year, reaching as high as 36.1 degrees Celsius in the summer and dropping as low as minus 13.7 degrees Celsius in the winter. Influenced by the North Pacific high-pressure system, Seoul has hot and humid summers with average temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius from June through September.

In the middle of summer, the city often records daily highs of over 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, Seoul is topographically influenced by the expansion of the Siberian high pressure and prevailing west wind with temperatures dropping lower than other regions on the same latitude. The rise and fall of the high pressure system causes a typical cycle of three successive cold days followed by four warmer days, relieving people from freezing temperatures.

Area: The total area of Seoul is 605.52km2, or 0.6% of the entire country. The Hangang (River) bisects the city into two parts: northern part (Gangbok) and southern one (Gangnam). Gangbok region totals 297.97km2 (49.2 %) while Gangnam is 307.55 km2 (50.8 %).

Among the 25 autonomous "gu" or wards of Seoul, the largest is Seocho-gu (47.13km2) and the smallest is Jung-gu with an area only one fifth (9.97km2) that of Seocho-gu.The expansion of the city has been curbed since the last administrative reorganization in 1973.

The lifestyles of Seoul citizens, however, have been influenced since the 1970's due to the rapid growth of satellite cities around the capital area. Bordering Cities & Counties: Gyeonggi-do: Goyang-si, Yangju-gun (county) and Euijeongbu-si to the north; Namyangju -si, Guri-si and Hanam-si to the east; Seongnam-si, Gwacheon-si and Anyang-si to the south; Gwangmyeong-si, Bucheon-si and Gimpo-si to the west.

Population: Seoul has a population of 10,321,449 individuals and 3,458,511 households as of the end of 1999. This accounts for about a quarter of the total national population. As for the proportion of male to female excluding foreigners, men (5,141,141) slightly outnumber women (5,123,119).

Five out of 25 "gus" have more than 500,000 residents. Songpa-gu has the biggest population of 668,421. In contrast, Jung-gu has a population of only 129,061. In the past 600 years since Seoul became the capital of the nation in 1394, the population of Seoul has grown 110 times.It has one of the highest population densities in the world of 17,157 persons/km2. The number of foreign residents in Seoul as of the end of 1999 is 57,189 or about 0.55 % of Seoul's total population. They include 18,763 Americans, 12,283 Chinese, and 6,332 Japanese.

There are people of more than 90 different nationalities currently residing in Seoul, forming a small global village.Origin of Name: The name of Seoul comes from the ancient word 'Seorabeol' or 'Seobeol', meaning "capital".

MOEN JO DARO- ICON OF INDUS CIVILIZATION.

The Indus Valley civilization flourished around 2,500 B.C. in the western part of South Asia, in what today is Pakistan and western India. It is often referred to as Harappan Civilization after its first discovered city, Harappa.

The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. It was not discovered until the 1920's. Most of its ruins, including major cities, remain to be excavated. Its script has not been deciphered. Basic questions about the people who created this highly complex culture are unanswered.

The Harappans used the same size bricks and standard weights for a thousand miles. There were other highly developed cultures in the area. Some are thousands of years older. Harappa was settled before the Harappans of the Indus Valley, and they were replaced by other still anonymous peoples.

In fact, there seems to have been another large river which parallel and west of the Indus in the third and fourth millenium B.C. This was the ancient Ghaggra-Hakra River or Sarasvati of the Rig Veda. Its lost banks are slowly being laid out by researchers. Along its bed, a whole new set of ancient towns and cities have been discovered.

Ancient Mesopotamian texts speak of trading with at least two seafaring civilizations - Makkan and Meluha - in the neighborhood of India in the third millennium B.C. This trade was conducted with real financial sophistication in amounts that could involve tons of copper. The Mesopotamians speak of Meluha as an aquatic culture, where water and bathing played a central role. A number of Indus Valley objects have been found buried with Mesopotamians.

This doorway starts telling the story of the Indus Valley as a series of chapters. It follows the re-discovery of Harappa in the early 19th century by the explorers Charles Masson and Alexander Burnes, and the archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham in the 1870's. This work led to the the first excavations in the early 20th century at Harappa by Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni, and by R.D. Banerji at another Indus Valley city, Mohenjo-daro.

Since 1986, the joint Pakistani American Harappa Archaeological Research Project (HARP) has been carrying out the first major excavations at the site in forty years. These excavations have the shown Harappa to have been far larger than once thought, perhaps supporting a population of 50,000 at certain periods. These excavations, which continue in 1998, are rewriting assumptions about the Indus Valley. New facts, objects and examples of writing are being discovered each season.

Location of Moenjo Daro Moen-Jo- Daro is located in District LARKANA at a distance of about 28 km from Larakana and 107 km from sukkur. It lies on 27o 19' 30.36" North latitude and 68o 08' 08.77" East longitutide at an elevation of about 164 ft from sea level.

TOKYO- SEA OF PEOPLE

Visiting Tokyo for the first time can feel like visiting another planet. Tokyo is very different from Western capitals, but what really sets it apart are its people. With a growing population of over 12 million within 1,300 square kilometres, Tokyo is Japan’s largest and most densely populated city; a bustling, state-of-the-art marketplace full of energy, humanity and astonishing contrasts.
Millions of people pack the subways, sidewalks, and stores to maximum capacity every day and every hour. In some parts of the city, the streets are as crowded at 3am as they are at 3pm. With its full-force, sensory overload, Tokyo makes even NewYork City, seem like a sleepy town.
Despite its limited space for harmonious living, Tokyo remains one of the safest cities in the world, with very little crime or violence. People will go out of their way to help you. Hardworking, honest, and helpful to strangers, the Japanese people are Japan’s greatest asset.
Under Tokyo's concrete casing is a thriving cultural life. If you're interested in Japan's performing arts and traditional culture, Tokyo offers the most choice. It is full of museums, kabuki theatres, sumo wrestling and the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. Traditional kabuki thrives alongside opera, ballet and symphony, while Tokyo-dwellers are passionate about sumo, baseball and now football (soccer).

SHIRAZ-CITY OF FLOWERS

is the sixth most populated city in Iran and the capital of Fars Province and the cultural capital of Iran, The cradle Of Iran’s civilization. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Rudkhaneye Khoshk(means Dry river) seasonal river. Shiraz has a fantastic moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for more than a thousand years. The earliest reference to the city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC. In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters, thanks to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian scholars and artists. Shiraz was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781, as well as briefly during the Saffarid period. Shiraz is known as the city of poets, love and flowers. It is also considered by many Iranians to be the city of gardens, due to the many gardens and fruit trees that can be seen in the city. Shiraz has had major Jewish and Christian communities. The crafts of Shiraz consist of inlaid mosaic work of triangular design; miniature decorations made by wood, camel bones and copper called Khatam; silver-ware; pile carpet-weaving and weaving of kilim, called gilim and jajim in the villages and among the tribes. In Shiraz industries such as cement production, sugar, fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate. Shirāz also has a major oil refinery and is also a major center for Iran's electronic industries: 53% of Iran's electronic investment has been centered in Shiraz. Further more Shiraz is also home to Iran's first Solar Power Plant. Shiraz is also the most important city in Iran for IT, comunication and electronic industry

PARIS -CITY THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

The capital of France, Paris, city of lights, art, history and romance. The famous monuments such as the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the river Seine attract millions of people.

From fashion to restaurants to perfumes and shopping boulevards, wealth and curious people spend time and money on the streets such as "Champs-Elysées" and "Foche".

The Eiffel tower built by Mister Eiffel for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889, with a height of 320 meters, the tower allows a very impressive view of the city, at night it becomes a spectacular attraction lighting up the city.

Excursions on the river Seine offer a different perspective of the city. Discover the history and architecture whilst cruising and dinning.
Symbol of the power of Napoleon, who commisioned the construction, which was completed in 1836. At the foot of the Arc is the tomb of the Unkown Soilder. It is possible to visit the interior and climb some steps to have a view from the top.

MUMBAI-MERI JAAN

Ancient yet modern, fabulously rich yet achingly poor, Mumbai is India in microcosm. Once a sultry tropical archipelago of seven islands, and the Raj's brightest jewel, Mumbai was the dowry of Portuguese Princess Infanta Catherine de Braganza who married Charles II of England in 1661. Today it's a teeming metropolis, commercial hub of an old civilization seeking to find its place in the New World Order.

Forty percent of India's taxes come from this city alone, and half of India's international trade passes through its splendid natural harbour. In fact Mumbai is the very soul of human enterprise. At the city's Stock Exchange, millionaires and paupers are made overnight, and the sidewalks are crowded with vendors hawking everything from ballpoint pens to second hand mixies. Everyday, half of Mumbai's population commutes from far-flung suburbs to downtown offices, banks, factories and mills for a living.

Nearly thirteen million people live here - wealthy industrialists, flashy film stars, internationally acclaimed artists, workers, teachers and clerks - all existing cheek by jowl in soaring skyscrapers and sprawling slums. They come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and speak over a dozen tongues adding colour, flaHvour and texture to the Great Mumbai Melting Pot.

Exploring INDONESIA-MALANG.

Malang, a city awarded as the loveliest town in South East Asia during the colonial times. Until this date it has remained one of Indonesia's most beautiful cities, drifting along in an air of nostalgia. It is where old Dutch planters and civil servants used to retire to a life of ease and luxury, surrounded by hilly apple and tea plantations. It is also the departure point for an early morning trip to the magnificent Mt. Bromo.

Tugu Malang is located at the heart of the old town, looking out to the main monument of Indonesia's struggle for independence and a beautiful lotus pond park.

Tugu Malang houses a vast, priceless collection of antiques influenced by the Javanese Babah Peranakan (the hundreds-years-old mixed culture between the Chinese migrants in Java and the native Javanese). Tugu Malang is more than just a hotel; it has become most indigenous, most essential in experiencing the beautiful richness of the history of Java.

Exploring INDONESIA-BALI THE ULtiment island.

In spite of many changes caused by the rapid development of Bali's economy, local and international tourism, and communications (television, fax, pagers, GSM hand phones, Internet), the influx of people from other Indonesian islands, and the strong influence of the government and "big business" in Jakarta, the island of Bali in Indonesia is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

Bali's wide variety of attractions, the physical beauty of the island, and the year-round pleasant climate make Bali a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island".

The friendly people and the absence of any serious criminal activities guarantee visitors a totally relaxing stay – which is a very pleasant surprise for guests who repeatedly felt threatened in Barbados, Jamaica, and other "dream islands" in the Caribbean.

Exploring INDONESIA-YOGYAKARTA CITY.

Yogyakarta is one of the popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and attracts travelers from all across the globe. The useful information about Yogyakarta provides all the necessary information for the travelers while visiting this beautiful land.

Tourist Information Centre in Yogyakarta acts as a guide in exploring the major attractions of the city. Hospitals of Yogyakarta provide medical treatments thus ensuring complete safety of tourists and locals. Generally Yogyakarta is a safe place to visit in Indonesia and is very rich in its culture.

Yogyakarta useful information provides details on certain basic facts which one needs to know while visiting this city. When to Go to Yogyakarta states the appropriate time to visit this magnificent city.

Yogyakarta is a popular tourist destination in Indonesia and attracts visitors from all across the world. The attractions include temples, palaces, beautiful landscape and the innumerable festivals.