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March 27, 2013

The Natural Wonders Of South America

There is an incredible level of diversity throughout the lands of South America, both geographically and culturally. As a continent, its level of biodiversity is incredibly high thanks to a wide range of habitats including rain forests, rivers, mountains, and deserts being spread throughout its nations.
The Amazon rain forest, a large portion of which is located in the South American country of Brazil, is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. It is the largest rainforest and features the Amazon River, the largest river by volume on the planet. There are several different animal species that can only be found in South America including the anaconda, piranha, vicuna, llama, tapir, and jaguar. The Galapagos Islands, which are located off the coast of Ecuador, are also home to many endangered species that are not found anywhere else on the planet. More than 97% of those islands are conserved as a national park and are protected from damage that could be done by humans or harmful tourism practices.

South America contributes to world heritage in many ways since it is home to a long list of remarkable aspects of nature. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall on Earth; much farther south in the continent you can also find Iguazu falls, an amazing waterfall cascade on the border of Brazil and Argentina, which has been named one of the New Seven World Natural Wonders. The Atacama Desert, also found in South America, is the driest place on Earth. Lake Titcaca, on the border of Bolivia and Peru, is the highest navigable lake in the world. This is just a short list of the many natural wonders that South America offers to the world’s heritage.

March 24, 2013

Middle East Religious and Linguistic Heritage

The Middle East is a term that is often interchanged with the Near East to describe the area of Western Asia that is generally centered on the Arabian Peninsula. This relatively small region is home to the world’s most noteworthy religions and several common languages.

The history of the Middle East, or Near East, can be traced far back into ancient times due to the fact that this area has always been a center of events that have an international impact. When it comes to religion, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity were all originated in this area by ancient peoples. Although they are the three most commonly mentioned religions from the Middle East, others exist including Zoroastrianism, Mandaeism, the Druze faith, and the Baha’i faith. There are many lands and architectural structures throughout this region that have been a source of contention between different religious groups for centuries due to their importance in different faiths and belief systems which constitute a considerable part of world heritage.

Another way in which the Middle East has contributed to world heritage is through language. Arabic is the most widely spoken languages in the area although there are many dialects of this tongue. Other languages that can be heard spoken by large ethnic groups include Persian, Berber, Turkish, Kurdish, and Urdu. Some European languages, such as English and French, are being taught in schools in the area and are even used as the principle spoken language in some parts of this culturally diverse region. The Middle East has a wealth of cultural, linguistic, and religious history to share with the world.

March 21, 2013

Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska


Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is commonly known as ‘The Heart of Alaska’. It does not only composed mountains of the wilderness but also the region of Dall sheep the preserve of the threatened species.

The place was also well-known as the grassland of mammoths thousands of years ago (11,000 to 13,500). It is breathtakingly superb, beautiful and spectacular because of its untamed landscapes, snow peaked Mt. McKinley, Aurora Borealis or Northern lights, Gold Panning, Wonder Lake, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, young grizzly bears, foxes, lynxes, black bears, beavers, wolverines, hoary marmots, arctic ground squirrels, bull mooses, caribous, snowshoe hares, martens, and other animals like birds (i.e. Artic Warblers, wheaters, ptarmigan, pine grosbeaks, gyrfalcon, owls, hawks, golden eagle). The Denali National Park and Preserve has 6 million acres of land, the tallest peak of 20,320 ft, with 2,500 ft treeline, willows, spruces, shrubs, more than 450 of flowering species (i.e. Bluebell, gentian, Fireweed, lupine, goldenrod), mosses, fungi, algae, grasses, ferns, wild blueberries, soap berries, and so forth.

During summer time, there are roughly over 400,000 travelers that wish to catch a glimpse of Mt. McKinley. There are many bus rides ('Traveling 'Green') on Park Road that you could catch if you wish to have a trip. You could see the amazing scenery, the wildlife and the solitude that you want. There are park newspapers wherein you could find the guidelines if you plan for a trip during summertime. Plus, the web pages could give you some useful tips for your 'green adventure'. You would find that you would have a great summer adventure that you’ve been looking for.

March 18, 2013

Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek, Turkey


The Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek in Belek, Turkey is one of the five star hotels in the Middle East. It has 157 suites and rooms, 3 restaurants and bars, fitness center, spa, 16 private villas with pool and 2x18 holes course, which is right next to the hotel.

The hotel has various leisure and sports facilities. Its golf course is considered as the luxurious golf in the orient. For those who wish to be rejuvenated, the spa is at the guest’s disposal. The outdoor pool has a connecting lagoon, which measures 2123 m². The indoor pool is always heated if necessary. It measures 122 m². The children’s indoor and outdoor pools are 82 m². Overall, its amenities are banquets and meetings, meeting space, business center, high speed Internet connection, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools and spa facility, which offers the classical treatments and medical wellness. The available activities that can be done here aside from golfing and golf driving range are beach swimming and other activities. So, the highlights of the hotel are the beach, golfing and spa facility.

Its rooms are very spacious The location of the hotel is 45 minutes away from the center of Antalya and is only less than half an hour drive from Antalya’s airport. Therefore, the guests are not going to have a tiring and far away drive to reach the hotel. Their current package deal is 7 Nights’ Half Board wherein the double occupancy is € 605 each person while the single occupancy is € 748 that also depends on the dates.

March 15, 2013

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal

The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel is an upscale luxury hotel in Montreal, Canada. The hotel is also known under the french name Le Reine Élizabeth.
The Queen Elizabeth Hotel is located in downtown Montreal, at 900 Rene Levesque Boulevard W., with Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in the foreground. The hotel is located directly above Montreal's main train station and is connected to the underground city, a network of many walkways and subways. The Queen Elizabeth Hotel was built by the Canadian National Railway and the construction works were finished in the year 1958. The hotel was acquired later by the corporation Canadian Pacific Hotels. The company was renamed and in present-day is carrying the name Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel is the second largest Fairmont hotel in Canada and the largest hotel in the province of Quebec. The building has 21 floors and a number of 1039 rooms. Since its inauguration, the Queen Elizabeth Hotel has been the residence of many famous guests. Among the personalities who stayed there we can mention the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Mother, Prince Charles, Princess Grace of Monaco, Jacques Chirac, Indira Gandhi, Charles de Gaulle, Fidel Castro, Nelson Mandela, Mihail Gorbaciov, Jimmy Carter, Joan Crawford, Henry Kissinger, George W. Bush, the Dalai Lama and John Travolta. The place is also famous for the Bed-In interviews of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, in 1969. John recorded his first solo single, «Give peace a chance», in the Room 1742 of Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

March 12, 2013

The People And Languages Of Mexico

Mexico is home to the largest number of native Spanish speakers on the planet as well as a large number of residents who speak indigenous languages. The cultures, religions, and customs of the many indigenous people add to the wealth of Mexican culture.

An estimated 113 million people live in Mexico and the majority of them speak Spanish as their first language. However, there are many different ethnic groups which are commonly referred to under the umbrella term “Mexican”, some of which have their own languages. The majority of Mexicans have a mixed heritage of European settlers and indigenous peoples. The indigenous groups that continue to thrive in Mexico are mostly located in the southern and central parts of the country such as the Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Oaxaca. Some of the most populous indigenous groups are the Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec, Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Otomi, and Nahua. Although the history of all of these diverse groups contributes notably to world heritage, the reality is that life is difficult for many of these native populations.

Over 5% of the national population speaks an indigenous language in addition to Spanish; just over 1% of the national population speaks exclusively an indigenous tongue. This massive diversity is recognized by the government which has used the Law of Indigenous Linguistic Rights to establish national languages and recognize native languages on the same level as Spanish since 2003. The government’s National Institute of Indigenous Languages has identified 68 different linguistic groups into which it organizes 364 different variations on those tongues. Clearly, cultural and linguistic diversity is a part of world heritage that Mexico shares with the international community.

March 9, 2013

The Ancient History Behind European Culture

Europe is the second largest continent and home to some of the most influential countries and governments in world history. From ancient times to the days of colonization to modern times steeped in globalization, the power of European culture and its ancient roots cannot be ignored.
Europe is the home of the concepts of Western culture as they were originally crafted in Ancient Greece. The ideas of Western culture – its social norms, values, philosophy, art, religion, and legal ideals – are far reaching and have impacted even countries that are traditionally rooted in Eastern culture. In the modern, globalized world the impact of Europe’s history cannot be ignored. Even the languages that have spread around the world, such as English, Spanish, and French, have their roots in the ancient languages once spoken throughout Europe.

Even though the basic customs and practices that constitute Western culture have changed dramatically through the centuries, the basic ideals that were once set forth in the ancient European nations of Greece and Rome are still common today. Europe offers world heritage in the way of amazing literature such as Shakespeare that is still treasured around the world despite being centuries old. Christianity was solidified in ancient Europe and spread throughout the Western world. Architecture was also a significant art form in ancient Greece and Rome and has become such a central part of Western European culture that even today buildings are constructed in imitation of those ancient structures. Certainly, the world has felt and continues to feel the powerful weight of Europe’s cultural world heritage in a variety of notable ways.

March 6, 2013

The Complex History Of Central America

Central America has undergone and continues to experience political change throughout its history. Since ancient times, different national and ethnic groups have sought to maintain control over various parts of this southern, isthmus region of North America.

Several pre-Columbian peoples lived and ruled in the area that is now referred to as Central America. One of the most well-known and document is the Aztec empire. Although it was centered in the area around present-day Mexico City, at certain points in its history this ancient empire wielded power over land as far south as Guatemala. The Maya empire also encompassed some of Central America and has had long lasting effects on local culture. Belize, Guatemala, and other Central American countries are still home to many ethnically and culturally Maya populations who wear traditional Maya clothing and speak the languages used by the ancient people of that culture. In recent years a greater effort has been made by these indigenous people to promote their unique cultures and customs.

When Christopher Columbus began exploring the New World he eventually discovered Central America and brought more Europeans with him. The Spanish began their efforts to conquer the Maya lands starting in the 1520’s. The Spanish and British empires struggled for land throughout the Central American region. Although the area is generally peaceful now, there are still long lasting political transformations going on in several Central American countries. Certainly these nations that have offered so much world heritage and cultural history deserve to find peace as well. The countries comprising Central America are Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Belize, and Guatemala.

March 3, 2013

The Caribbean Mix Of Island Cultures

The Caribbean Sea, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, is home to thousands of islands that make up the sub-region of North America known as the Caribbean. Other names for this region include the West Indies, or the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
Due to the fact that many island nations make up the region known as the Caribbean, there are all sorts of different cultural influences melded together in this relatively small area. There are more than 10 different distinct cultural groups that once inhabited the islands in the Caribbean; the natives of these islands today are descendants of those natives, African slaves, and European colonists. As a result, many different languages are spoken throughout these countries. The predominant languages of the region are English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Papiamento, and Haitian Creole. However, there are small groups who speak other Creole languages and dialects that were developed from native languages, African tongues, and European languages.

One of the ways in which the Caribbean contributes to world heritage is through its amazing biodiversity. On land, researchers have found a wide range of animal and plant life in everything from mountainous cloud forests to desert like cactus scrublands. A considerable portion of the world’s coral reef life can be found in the Caribbean as well. Although much damage has been done to natural ecosystems throughout the Caribbean because of human activity, eco-tourism is becoming more popular in the region and is contributing to the protection of these beautiful islands. It is hoped that these efforts will allow future generations of people from all over the world to enjoy the biodiversity of the Caribbean nations.