Page not found – Country Gardening https://www.franciscogardening.com Tue, 26 Mar 2024 05:25:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 Types of Culture in Afghanistan https://www.franciscogardening.com/types-of-culture-in-afghanistan.html Tue, 26 Mar 2024 05:25:26 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1859 Afghanistan is a culturally diverse country with a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and customs shaped by its complex history, diverse ethnic groups, and regional influences. From the nomadic tribes of the central highlands to the urban centers of Kabul and Herat, Afghanistan is home to a wide variety of cultural expressions and practices.

Traditional Culture:

Traditional Afghan culture is deeply rooted in the customs, beliefs, and lifestyles of its various ethnic groups, many of which have been passed down through generations. Key elements of traditional Afghan culture include:

  1. Family Values: Family plays a central role in Afghan society, with strong emphasis placed on familial bonds, respect for elders, and collective decision-making. Extended families often live together in multi-generational households, providing support and solidarity.
  2. Hospitality: Hospitality is a cherished cultural value in Afghanistan, with guests being treated with utmost respect and generosity. It is customary to offer guests tea, sweets, and food upon their arrival, regardless of social status or relationship.
  3. Dress and Attire: Traditional Afghan attire varies depending on ethnic and regional affiliations. Men often wear the traditional shalwar kameez, a loose-fitting tunic paired with baggy trousers, while women may wear the burqa, chador, or colorful embroidered dresses known as kuchi.
  4. Cuisine: According to topb2bwebsites, Afghan cuisine reflects the country’s diverse cultural influences, blending elements of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian culinary traditions. Staple foods include rice, bread, kebabs, and pilaf, often accompanied by savory sauces, yogurt, and spices.
  5. Music and Dance: Music and dance are integral parts of Afghan culture, with diverse regional styles and instruments such as the rubab, tabla, and dhol. Attan, a traditional Afghan dance characterized by synchronized movements and rhythmic footwork, is often performed at weddings, celebrations, and cultural events.

Urban Culture:

Urban centers such as Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-e-Sharif are vibrant hubs of culture, commerce, and cosmopolitanism, where diverse ethnic groups and cultural influences converge. Urban culture in Afghanistan is characterized by:

  1. Modernization: Urban areas are at the forefront of Afghanistan’s modernization and development efforts, with improved infrastructure, educational opportunities, and access to amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
  2. Cultural Fusion: Urban centers serve as melting pots of cultural diversity, where people from different ethnic backgrounds come together, bringing with them their own traditions, languages, and cuisines. This cultural fusion contributes to the richness and vibrancy of urban life in Afghanistan.
  3. Arts and Literature: Urban areas are centers of artistic and literary expression, with thriving arts scenes, galleries, and cultural institutions. Afghan poets, writers, and musicians often gather in cafes and cultural centers to share their work and engage in intellectual discourse.
  4. Youth Culture: Urban youth in Afghanistan, particularly in cities like Kabul, are increasingly influenced by global trends in fashion, music, and technology. Social media platforms and internet connectivity have provided young Afghans with opportunities for self-expression and connection with the wider world.
  5. Challenges: Urban areas in Afghanistan also face numerous challenges, including overcrowding, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure. Rapid urbanization has strained resources and exacerbated social and economic disparities, leading to urban poverty and informal settlements.

Rural Culture:

Much of Afghanistan’s population resides in rural areas, where traditional ways of life are deeply entrenched and closely tied to agriculture, pastoralism, and rural traditions. Rural culture in Afghanistan is characterized by:

  1. Agricultural Lifestyle: Rural communities in Afghanistan rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, cultivating crops such as wheat, barley, and fruits in fertile valleys and river basins. Agriculture remains a central pillar of rural economies and sustains traditional farming practices passed down through generations.
  2. Nomadic Herding: Nomadic herding is practiced by some rural communities, particularly in the central highlands and mountainous regions, where nomadic tribes migrate seasonally with their livestock in search of grazing pastures. Nomadic herders maintain a strong connection to their ancestral lands and traditions, living in yurts or tents and following age-old customs.
  3. Community Cohesion: Rural communities in Afghanistan place a high value on community solidarity and mutual support, with close-knit social networks and traditional forms of governance such as jirgas (councils) playing a central role in decision-making and conflict resolution.
  4. Traditional Crafts: Rural areas are centers of traditional craftsmanship, with artisans skilled in pottery, weaving, carpet-making, and metalwork producing handmade goods using age-old techniques and materials. These crafts contribute to the cultural heritage and economic resilience of rural communities.
  5. Challenges: Rural areas face challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, as well as vulnerability to natural disasters and environmental degradation. Poverty, food insecurity, and lack of economic opportunities are persistent issues in many rural communities.

Nomadic Culture:

Nomadic tribes, such as the Kuchi and Kochi, have inhabited the remote and rugged landscapes of Afghanistan for centuries, leading a semi-nomadic lifestyle centered around livestock herding and seasonal migration. Nomadic culture in Afghanistan is characterized by:

  1. Mobile Lifestyle: Nomadic tribes move with their herds of sheep, goats, and camels across vast expanses of terrain, following traditional migration routes dictated by seasonal changes in weather and grazing conditions. This mobile lifestyle fosters a strong connection to the land and a sense of freedom and independence among nomadic communities.
  1. Livelihoods: Livestock herding is the primary livelihood of nomadic tribes, providing sustenance, income, and social status within their communities. Nomads rely on their animals for food, milk, wool, and transportation, and they have developed specialized knowledge and skills for managing their herds in harsh and unpredictable environments.
  2. Tent Dwellings: Nomadic families live in portable dwellings such as yurts or tents, which can be easily erected and dismantled as they move from one grazing area to another. These dwellings are often adorned with colorful fabrics and carpets, reflecting the nomads’ aesthetic sensibilities and cultural traditions.
  3. Social Organization: Nomadic tribes have their own social structures, customs, and norms governing community life. Tribal elders and leaders play influential roles in decision-making and conflict resolution, while kinship ties and extended family networks provide a sense of belonging and support.
  4. Cultural Heritage: Nomadic culture in Afghanistan is rich in oral traditions, storytelling, music, and folklore passed down through generations. Nomads celebrate weddings, festivals, and other communal events with traditional dances, songs, and rituals that reflect their unique cultural identity and heritage.

Challenges:

While Afghanistan’s diverse cultural landscape is a source of strength and resilience, it also faces numerous challenges that threaten its preservation and vitality:

  1. Conflict and Instability: Decades of conflict, political instability, and insecurity have taken a toll on Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, leading to the destruction of historic sites, artifacts, and cultural institutions. Conflict-related displacement and migration have also disrupted traditional ways of life and eroded social cohesion.
  2. Cultural Erosion: Rapid urbanization, globalization, and social change are contributing to the erosion of traditional cultural practices and identities in Afghanistan. Younger generations, particularly in urban areas, are increasingly exposed to Western influences and consumer culture, leading to the loss of traditional knowledge and values.
  3. Environmental Degradation: Environmental challenges such as drought, deforestation, and desertification are threatening Afghanistan’s natural resources and ecosystems, which are integral to its cultural heritage and livelihoods. Nomadic communities, in particular, are vulnerable to climate change impacts that affect grazing lands and water sources.
  4. Marginalization of Minorities: Ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan, such as the Hazaras and Sikhs, face discrimination, marginalization, and persecution, which undermine their cultural rights and heritage. Efforts to promote cultural diversity, tolerance, and inclusivity are essential for safeguarding the rights and dignity of all Afghan communities.
  5. Globalization: While globalization has brought economic opportunities and access to information, it has also contributed to cultural homogenization and the loss of indigenous knowledge and languages. Balancing the benefits of globalization with the need to preserve Afghanistan’s cultural diversity requires thoughtful policies and interventions.

In conclusion, Afghanistan’s cultural landscape is characterized by a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and customs that reflect its diverse ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity. From traditional rural communities to cosmopolitan urban centers and nomadic tribes, Afghanistan’s cultural heritage is a source of resilience, identity, and pride for its people. Despite the challenges posed by conflict, globalization, and environmental degradation, efforts to preserve and promote Afghanistan’s cultural diversity are essential for building a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous society.

]]>
Geography of Norfolk County, Massachusetts https://www.franciscogardening.com/geography-of-norfolk-county-massachusetts.html Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:11:10 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1858 Norfolk County, located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, is a region known for its diverse geography, rich history, and vibrant communities. Encompassing an area of approximately 444 square miles, Norfolk County is situated in the Greater Boston area and is characterized by its mix of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. In this comprehensive overview, we’ll explore the geography, climate, rivers, lakes, and other significant features of Norfolk County. Check homethodology to learn more about the state of Massachusetts.

Geography:

Norfolk County is bordered by Suffolk County to the north and east, Plymouth County to the south, and Worcester County to the west. The county’s geography is varied, with coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean to the east, rolling hills and woodlands in the central and western parts, and urban and suburban developments in the northern and eastern regions. The county seat is the town of Dedham.

Climate:

The climate of Norfolk County is classified as humid continental, with four distinct seasons characterized by warm summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation throughout the year. The region experiences a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream.

Summers in Norfolk County are typically warm and humid, with average high temperatures in the 70s°F to 80s°F range and occasional heatwaves bringing temperatures above 90°F. Winters are cold, with average low temperatures in the 20s°F to 30s°F range and occasional snowfall. Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with mild temperatures and variable weather patterns.

Rivers:

Norfolk County is intersected by several rivers and streams that flow through its landscape, providing habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. These rivers and streams also play a vital role in the region’s economy, providing water for agriculture, industry, and municipal use. Some of the notable rivers in Norfolk County include:

  1. Charles River: The Charles River flows through the eastern part of Norfolk County, originating in Hopkinton and flowing northeastward to Boston Harbor. The river is popular for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking and provides scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
  2. Neponset River: The Neponset River forms part of the southern boundary of Norfolk County, flowing from Foxborough to Boston Harbor. The river is known for its diverse ecosystem and provides opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and hiking along its banks.
  3. Cochato River: The Cochato River flows through the central part of Norfolk County, originating in Sharon and flowing southeastward to the Taunton River. The river is popular for fishing and offers access to several parks and nature reserves along its course.

Lakes:

While Norfolk County is primarily known for its rivers and coastal areas, there are also several lakes and reservoirs within the county that offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure. These lakes vary in size and depth and provide habitat for fish and other wildlife. Some of the notable lakes in Norfolk County include:

  1. Houghton’s Pond: Houghton’s Pond is a natural kettle pond located in the Blue Hills Reservation, near the town of Milton. The pond is popular for swimming, picnicking, and hiking and provides a peaceful retreat from the surrounding urban areas.
  2. Morse’s Pond: Morse’s Pond is a man-made reservoir located in the town of Wellesley. The pond is popular for fishing, boating, and swimming and offers scenic views of the surrounding woodlands and hills.

Blue Hills Reservation:

The Blue Hills Reservation is a large natural area located in Norfolk County, encompassing over 7,000 acres of woodlands, hills, and ponds. The reservation offers opportunities for hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities, as well as scenic overlooks with views of the Boston skyline and Massachusetts Bay.

Agriculture:

While Norfolk County is predominantly suburban and urban, there are still areas of agricultural land scattered throughout the region. Agriculture in the county includes dairy farming, crop cultivation, and horticulture, with a focus on fresh produce, flowers, and nursery products. The county’s fertile soil, moderate climate, and proximity to urban markets make it ideal for farming and gardening.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, is a region of diverse geography, rich history, and vibrant communities. From its coastal areas and rivers to its woodlands and hills, the county offers a variety of landscapes and ecosystems to explore and enjoy. Whether you’re hiking in the Blue Hills Reservation, fishing on the Charles River, or exploring the historic towns and villages of the county, Norfolk County has something for everyone to experience and appreciate in the great outdoors.

]]>
Geography of Hampshire County, Massachusetts https://www.franciscogardening.com/geography-of-hampshire-county-massachusetts.html Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:17:02 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1857 Hampshire County, located in the western part of Massachusetts, is a region of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse landscapes. From its picturesque valleys and wooded hills to its meandering rivers and pristine lakes, Hampshire County offers a wealth of geographical features to explore. In this comprehensive overview, we will delve into the geography, climate, rivers, lakes, and other notable aspects of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Check bittranslators to learn more about the state of Massachusetts.

Geography:

Location: Hampshire County is situated in the western part of Massachusetts, bordered by Franklin County to the north, Hampden County to the south, Worcester County to the east, and Berkshire County to the west. It is part of the Pioneer Valley region and lies within the Connecticut River Valley.

Topography: The topography of Hampshire County is characterized by rolling hills, fertile valleys, and forested uplands. The county is situated within the Berkshire Mountains and features a mix of agricultural lands, conservation areas, and residential communities.

Connecticut River Valley: The Connecticut River Valley runs through the heart of Hampshire County, providing fertile soils, abundant water resources, and important transportation routes for the region. The valley is home to numerous towns and cities, as well as agricultural lands, recreational areas, and wildlife habitats.

Mount Holyoke Range: The Mount Holyoke Range is a prominent geological feature in Hampshire County, running north to south along the eastern edge of the Connecticut River Valley. The range offers scenic views, hiking trails, and recreational opportunities for visitors, as well as serving as an important ecological corridor for wildlife.

Climate:

Temperate Climate: Hampshire County experiences a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons, moderate precipitation, and occasional extremes in temperature.

Temperature: Average temperatures in Hampshire County range from 20°F to 80°F (-6°C to 27°C) throughout the year, with the coldest months occurring from December to February and the warmest months from June to August.

Precipitation: Hampshire County receives an average of 40 to 45 inches (1,015 to 1,140 mm) of precipitation annually, with rainfall distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Snowfall is common in winter, with average snowfall ranging from 40 to 50 inches (1,015 to 1,270 mm) per year.

Severe Weather: Hampshire County is susceptible to severe weather events such as thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and occasional winter storms. Severe weather can pose risks to residents and property, necessitating preparedness and safety measures.

Rivers and Lakes:

Connecticut River: The Connecticut River is the most significant waterway in Hampshire County, flowing southward through the heart of the region. The river provides important habitat for aquatic life, as well as opportunities for boating, fishing, paddling, and scenic beauty along its banks.

Swift River: The Swift River is a tributary of the Connecticut River that flows through the northeastern part of Hampshire County. The river provides important water resources for the region, as well as opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.

Lakes and Ponds: While natural lakes are relatively scarce in Hampshire County, there are several man-made lakes and reservoirs in the region. These bodies of water provide opportunities for boating, fishing, and picnicking, as well as serving as important water sources for local communities.

Historic Sites and Landmarks:

Amherst: The town of Amherst, located in Hampshire County, is home to several historic sites and landmarks, including the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Amherst College campus, and the Amherst History Museum. Visitors can explore local history, culture, and architecture, as well as enjoy scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

Northampton: The city of Northampton, also located in Hampshire County, is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic downtown district, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore local galleries, shops, restaurants, and historic sites, as well as attend community events and festivals throughout the year.

Hampshire County Courthouse: The Hampshire County Courthouse, located in Northampton, is a historic landmark that dates back to the 19th century. The courthouse features impressive architecture, including a clock tower and dome, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Outdoor Recreation:

Hiking and Camping: Hampshire County offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, and nature walks. The region is home to several state parks, conservation areas, and natural reserves that provide scenic trails, campgrounds, and recreational facilities for visitors of all ages.

Fishing and Boating: With its proximity to the Connecticut River and other waterways, Hampshire County is an ideal destination for fishing and boating enthusiasts. The rivers, lakes, and ponds offer abundant opportunities to catch a variety of freshwater fish, as well as opportunities for boating, kayaking, and canoeing.

Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing: Hampshire County is a popular destination for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, with abundant populations of migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife species. The region’s forests, wetlands, and river valleys provide excellent habitat for birds and wildlife, as well as opportunities for nature photography and observation.

Conclusion:

Hampshire County, Massachusetts, is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and outdoor recreation opportunities. From its scenic rivers and fertile valleys to its historic towns and landmarks, the county provides a diverse array of landscapes and attractions to explore. Whether you’re hiking along the Mount Holyoke Range, exploring historic downtown Northampton, or birdwatching along the Connecticut River, Hampshire County has something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

]]>
Geography of Suffolk County, Massachusetts https://www.franciscogardening.com/geography-of-suffolk-county-massachusetts.html Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:32:20 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1856 Geography of Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Suffolk County, located in eastern Massachusetts, encompasses the city of Boston and several surrounding municipalities. It is the most densely populated county in the state and home to a diverse array of geographical features, including urban areas, waterfronts, parks, and historical landmarks. This article will delve into the geography, climate, rivers, lakes, and other notable aspects that define Suffolk County. Check allunitconverters to learn more about the state of Massachusetts.

Physical Features:

  • Boston Harbor: One of the defining features of Suffolk County is Boston Harbor, a natural harbor and estuary that stretches along the eastern edge of the city of Boston. The harbor is characterized by its deep water channels, islands, and peninsulas, making it a vital shipping port and recreational area. Islands such as Spectacle Island and Georges Island are part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, offering opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and exploring historic sites.
  • Charles River: The Charles River flows through Suffolk County, dividing the city of Boston from neighboring Cambridge and Watertown. The river is approximately 80 miles long and is known for its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and cultural significance. The Charles River Esplanade, a linear park along the river’s banks, offers walking and biking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas, as well as spectacular views of the Boston skyline.
  • Boston Common and Public Garden: Located in the heart of Boston, Boston Common and the adjacent Public Garden are two of the oldest public parks in the United States. Boston Common, established in 1634, is a large urban park with open lawns, pathways, and recreational facilities. The Public Garden, established in 1837, is known for its formal gardens, historic monuments, and iconic Swan Boats that ply the waters of the park’s central lagoon.

Climate:

Suffolk County experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by four distinct seasons, moderate precipitation, and occasional extreme weather events.

  • Summer: Summers in Suffolk County are warm and humid, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from the 70s to 80s°F (21-27°C). Heatwaves are common during the summer months, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 90°F (32°C). Thunderstorms are frequent, bringing heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds. Despite the heat, summer is a popular time for outdoor activities such as sightseeing, boating, and attending festivals and events.
  • Fall: Fall in Suffolk County is a beautiful season marked by cooler temperatures, crisp air, and vibrant foliage. Daytime temperatures gradually decrease, with highs ranging from the 50s to 60s°F (10-20°C), while nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s and 50s°F (4-15°C). The changing colors of the leaves attract visitors from near and far, who come to experience the county’s scenic beauty and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, apple picking, and attending fall festivals.
  • Winter: Winters in Suffolk County are cold and snowy, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from the 30s to 40s°F (0-10°C). Snowfall is common, with the county receiving an average of 40 to 50 inches of snow annually. Cold snaps can occur, bringing temperatures below freezing and occasional blizzards. Winter activities such as ice skating, skiing, and sledding are popular, as are indoor activities such as visiting museums, theaters, and restaurants.
  • Spring: Spring in Suffolk County is a transitional season marked by warming temperatures, blooming flowers, and increasing daylight. Daytime temperatures gradually rise, with highs ranging from the 50s to 60s°F (10-20°C), while nighttime temperatures remain cool. Spring is a time of renewal and growth, with trees budding, flowers blooming, and wildlife becoming active. Outdoor activities such as gardening, biking, and attending outdoor concerts and events are popular as residents emerge from winter hibernation.

Rivers and Lakes:

  • Mystic River: The Mystic River flows through Suffolk County, originating in the town of Medford and emptying into Boston Harbor. The river is approximately 7 miles long and is known for its scenic beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities. The Mystic River Reservation, a state park along the river’s banks, offers walking and biking trails, boating facilities, and wildlife viewing areas.
  • Jamaica Pond: Jamaica Pond is a freshwater kettle pond located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. It is one of the largest bodies of water in the city and a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The pond offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and picnicking, as well as walking and jogging along the perimeter trail. The pond is surrounded by parkland, including the Arnold Arboretum, offering scenic views and opportunities for birdwatching and nature photography.

Human Impact:

  • Urban Development: Suffolk County is home to the city of Boston, one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the United States. Boston is a major center of commerce, culture, and education, with a diverse population and vibrant economy. The city’s skyline is characterized by historic landmarks such as the Massachusetts State House, the Old North Church, and the Custom House Tower, as well as modern skyscrapers, museums, and cultural institutions.
  • Transportation: Suffolk County is well-connected to the rest of the region and the country by an extensive transportation network. Logan International Airport, located in East Boston, is the primary airport serving the Boston metropolitan area, offering domestic and international flights. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), commonly known as the “T,” provides public transportation services, including subway, bus, commuter rail, and ferry services, connecting Boston and its suburbs.
]]>
Geography of Imperial County, California https://www.franciscogardening.com/geography-of-imperial-county-california.html Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:46:33 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1854 Imperial County, located in the southeastern corner of California, is a region characterized by its arid desert landscape, unique climate, and important agricultural activity. The county’s geography is shaped by the Colorado Desert, the Colorado River, and the Salton Sea, contributing to a distinctive environment that influences both the local economy and lifestyle. Understanding the geography of Imperial County involves exploring its climate, topography, water bodies, and the various factors that define this sun-drenched corner of California. Check ehuacom to learn more about the state of California.

Climate: Imperial County experiences a desert climate, specifically the lower Colorado Desert variant. Summers are extremely hot, with average high temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Winters are mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 24 degrees Celsius). The region receives minimal rainfall, with the majority of precipitation occurring in the winter months. This arid climate, characteristic of the larger Sonoran Desert, shapes the county’s ecosystems and agricultural practices.

Topography: The topography of Imperial County is relatively flat, with vast expanses of desert terrain dominating the landscape. The county is part of the larger Colorado Desert, which extends into neighboring Arizona and Mexico. The Salton Trough, a geological depression, contributes to the low-lying nature of the region. The absence of significant mountainous terrain allows for expansive views and is conducive to large-scale agricultural activities.

Agriculture: Despite its arid climate, Imperial County is a major agricultural hub, known for its extensive farmlands and irrigated fields. The county’s agriculture is made possible by the presence of the Colorado River and the All-American Canal, which facilitate irrigation and support the cultivation of a variety of crops. Imperial Valley, a fertile basin within the county, is particularly renowned for its production of winter vegetables, including lettuce, broccoli, carrots, and other crops. The success of agriculture in Imperial County relies on careful water management and irrigation infrastructure.

Water Bodies: The Colorado River plays a pivotal role in shaping Imperial County’s geography and sustaining its agricultural productivity. The river serves as a primary water source for irrigation, flowing through the county’s eastern edge. The All-American Canal, a major irrigation canal branching off from the Colorado River, is a critical component of the region’s water infrastructure. Additionally, the Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, is located in the southeastern part of the county. The lake, originally formed by accidental flooding in the early 20th century, supports diverse birdlife and serves as a recreational area.

Salton Sea: The Salton Sea, covering a surface area of around 343 square miles, is a saline lake situated below sea level. It has become an essential wetland habitat, attracting migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. The lake’s creation in the early 1900s led to its designation as a vital wildlife area. However, the Salton Sea faces environmental challenges, including declining water levels, salinity issues, and ecological concerns. Efforts to address these challenges involve water management strategies and conservation initiatives to maintain the lake’s ecological balance.

Geothermal Resources: Imperial County is also known for its geothermal resources, with several geothermal power plants harnessing the Earth’s heat for electricity generation. The region’s geological characteristics, including geysers, hot springs, and geothermal reservoirs, make it conducive to geothermal energy production. This renewable energy source contributes to the county’s power supply and aligns with broader sustainability goals.

Sand Dunes: The Algodones Dunes, located in the southeastern part of the county, are a prominent geographical feature. These sand dunes cover an extensive area and are known for their shifting patterns and towering heights. The dunes, also referred to as the Imperial Sand Dunes or Glamis Dunes, attract outdoor enthusiasts for activities such as off-road vehicle recreation and sandboarding. The unique landscape of the Algodones Dunes adds to the diverse geography of Imperial County.

Historical Significance: Imperial County has a history intertwined with human efforts to transform its arid landscape into productive agricultural fields. The construction of the All-American Canal in the early 20th century, diverting water from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley, played a crucial role in the county’s agricultural development. The region’s history is also marked by the creation of the Salton Sea, a result of a major flood in 1905 that diverted the Colorado River into the Salton Sink.

Challenges and Environmental Concerns: Imperial County faces challenges related to water scarcity, environmental sustainability, and the management of its unique ecosystems. The agricultural reliance on water from the Colorado River poses concerns about water availability and efficient use. The Salton Sea’s ecological issues, including shrinking water levels and increased salinity, require careful attention and conservation efforts. Balancing the economic importance of agriculture with environmental conservation remains an ongoing challenge.

Mexicali Valley: Imperial County shares its southern border with the city of Mexicali in Baja California, Mexico. The region, known as the Mexicali Valley, shares similar climatic conditions and agricultural activities. The international border plays a role in trade, cultural exchanges, and economic interactions between the United States and Mexico.

In summary, the geography of Imperial County, California, is characterized by its arid desert climate, flat topography, extensive farmlands, and unique water bodies such as the Colorado River and the Salton Sea. The region’s success in agriculture, energy production, and recreational activities is closely tied to its geographical features. As Imperial County navigates challenges related to water management and environmental conservation, a thoughtful and sustainable approach will be crucial for ensuring the long-term well-being of both its ecosystems and communities.

]]>
Geography of Crook County, Oregon https://www.franciscogardening.com/geography-of-crook-county-oregon.html Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:45:03 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1850 Crook County, located in central Oregon, is characterized by diverse landscapes that include high desert plains, forests, and river valleys. The county’s geography, climate, water features, and natural attractions contribute to its unique identity. Understanding the geography of Crook County involves exploring these elements that shape the region’s ecosystems and outdoor opportunities.

Geography:

Topography and Landforms: According to Homosociety, Crook County is situated in the eastern part of the Cascade Range, and its topography reflects the transition from the mountainous terrain to the high desert. The county features a mix of high plateaus, valleys, and forested areas. The elevation varies, with the Cascade Mountains in the west reaching heights of over 9,000 feet, gradually descending towards the eastern high desert plains.

Notable landforms include the Ochoco Mountains, the Crooked River Canyon, and the expansive Crooked River Grassland.

Climate:

Crook County experiences a semi-arid climate, typical of central Oregon. The climate is characterized by warm summers, cold winters, and relatively low precipitation. The rain shadow effect from the Cascade Mountains contributes to the arid conditions in the eastern part of the county.

Summer temperatures can range from the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures often drop below freezing. The climate influences the types of vegetation found in the region and contributes to the prevalence of high desert landscapes.

Rivers and Waterways: The Crooked River, a tributary of the Deschutes River, flows through Crook County, shaping the landscape and providing a vital water source. The Crooked River Canyon, known for its scenic beauty, showcases the geological formations carved by the river. Prineville Reservoir, located along the Crooked River, is an important water storage facility.

Additionally, the Deschutes River forms part of the county’s western boundary, contributing to the region’s hydrology and offering opportunities for recreation.

Lakes and Reservoirs: Crook County is home to several lakes and reservoirs that enhance its water resources and recreational appeal. Prineville Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the county, provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. Other smaller lakes, such as Ochoco Reservoir and Walton Lake, contribute to the diversity of water-based activities.

These bodies of water serve both recreational and practical purposes, supporting local ecosystems and water management.

Flora and Fauna:

The county’s flora and fauna are adapted to the high desert environment and diverse ecosystems. Sagebrush and juniper dominate the arid landscapes, while Ponderosa pine forests thrive in the higher elevations. Wildflowers can be found in abundance during the spring and early summer.

Wildlife in Crook County includes mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and a variety of bird species. Conservation efforts aim to protect the region’s biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of native plants and animals.

Agriculture:

Agriculture is an important economic activity in Crook County, particularly in the irrigated areas along the Crooked River. The fertile soils support the cultivation of crops such as hay, alfalfa, and grains. Cattle ranching is also prevalent, with the county’s high desert plains providing grazing land for livestock.

The intersection of agriculture and natural landscapes contributes to the county’s rural character and economic stability.

Urban and Rural Environments:

Prineville, the county seat, serves as an urban center with government offices, businesses, and community services. It is the largest city in Crook County and is known for its historic downtown and outdoor recreational opportunities. Despite its urban amenities, Prineville retains a connection to the surrounding natural landscapes.

The rural areas of Crook County consist of small towns, ranches, and open spaces. The balance between urban and rural environments reflects the county’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty while fostering economic development.

Cultural and Historical Sites:

Crook County has cultural and historical sites that reflect its pioneer history and cultural heritage. Prineville’s downtown area features historic buildings that showcase the architectural styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Bowman Museum in Prineville provides insights into the region’s history, including exhibits on Native American cultures and the settlement period.

Historic sites, such as the Ochoco Ranger Station, highlight the county’s role in forestry and natural resource management.

Outdoor Recreation:

The diverse geography of Crook County offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities. The Ochoco National Forest, encompassing a significant portion of the county, provides hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The Ochoco Mountains offer trails for hiking and horseback riding, allowing visitors to explore the scenic landscapes.

Prineville Reservoir State Park and Walton Lake State Park are popular destinations for boating, fishing, and camping. The Crooked River Canyon Scenic Drive provides stunning vistas of the river and geological formations.

Technology and Data Centers:

In recent years, Crook County has seen an influx of technology-related industries, particularly data centers. Companies have chosen the region for its climate, infrastructure, and renewable energy sources. The Prineville area is known for hosting major data centers, contributing to the county’s economic diversification.

The coexistence of technology industries with the county’s natural landscapes reflects the region’s adaptability to economic changes.

Transportation and Connectivity:

Crook County is connected by a network of highways, including U.S. Route 26 and U.S. Route 126, providing access to neighboring regions and larger cities. The county’s road infrastructure facilitates travel within the region and supports the transportation of agricultural products.

While the county does not have a major airport, residents can access air travel through nearby airports in larger cities for regional and international flights.

Conclusion:

Crook County, Oregon, with its high desert plains, river valleys, and forests, stands as a region shaped by its natural resources and cultural heritage. The Crooked River, Prineville Reservoir, and the intersection of agriculture and technology contribute to the county’s identity, offering a mix of economic activities, outdoor recreation, and historical charm. As residents and visitors explore the diverse landscapes, engage in outdoor pursuits, and learn about the county’s history, they become part of the dynamic tapestry that defines the unique geography and heritage of Crook County.

]]>
Geography of Cumberland County, Maine https://www.franciscogardening.com/geography-of-cumberland-county-maine.html Mon, 04 Mar 2024 04:17:12 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1849 Geography of Cumberland County, Maine

Cumberland County, located in the southwestern part of Maine, is a region of diverse landscapes, rugged coastline, and vibrant communities. Encompassing approximately 1,216 square miles, the county is known for its rocky shores, rolling hills, pristine lakes, and historic towns. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the intricate details of Cumberland County’s geography, including its climate, rivers, lakes, and notable landmarks.

Geographical Features:

According to historyaah, Cumberland County’s landscape is characterized by its varied topography, which includes coastal plains, forested hills, and inland lakes. The county is situated within the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of Maine, which extends along the state’s coastline and is known for its sandy beaches, rocky shores, and scenic islands.

The southern part of Cumberland County is dominated by the Casco Bay region, which features numerous islands, peninsulas, and tidal marshes. The northern part of the county is characterized by the rolling hills and forests of the Maine Highlands, which offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Climate:

Cumberland County experiences a humid continental climate, with four distinct seasons characterized by warm summers and cold winters. The region’s climate is influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which moderates temperatures and brings moisture-laden air masses that can result in significant precipitation.

Summer temperatures in Cumberland County can be mild, with highs averaging in the 70s°F to 80s°F (21-27°C), while winter temperatures are cold, with highs averaging in the 20s°F to 30s°F (-6 to -1°C) and lows often dropping below freezing. The county receives moderate precipitation throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts in the spring and fall.

Rivers and Waterways:

Cumberland County is intersected by several rivers and waterways that flow through its scenic landscapes, providing vital habitats for wildlife and offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and recreational activities. The Presumpscot River, one of the county’s major waterways, meanders through the southern part of the region, providing access to Casco Bay and the surrounding wetlands.

In addition to the Presumpscot River, Cumberland County is home to several other notable rivers and streams, including the Royal River, the Fore River, and the Saco River. These waterways not only support local ecosystems but also play a vital role in transportation, recreation, and the region’s economy.

Lakes and Reservoirs:

Cumberland County is dotted with numerous lakes and reservoirs, which offer scenic beauty and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Sebago Lake, located in the western part of the county, is one of the largest lakes in Maine and a popular destination for fishing, boating, and water sports.

In addition to Sebago Lake, Cumberland County is home to several other picturesque lakes and reservoirs, including Long Lake, Panther Pond, and Highland Lake. These water bodies provide tranquil settings for swimming, picnicking, and wildlife viewing, surrounded by the county’s natural beauty and scenic landscapes.

Notable Landmarks:

Beyond its natural features, Cumberland County boasts several notable landmarks and attractions that showcase its rich history and cultural heritage. Portland, the county seat, is home to the Portland Head Light, a historic lighthouse located at Cape Elizabeth. The lighthouse, which dates back to 1791, is one of the oldest in the United States and a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastline.

Another iconic landmark in Cumberland County is the Old Port district in downtown Portland. The district features cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a vibrant mix of shops, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

In conclusion, Cumberland County, Maine, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and cultural heritage. From its rugged coastline and scenic lakes to its historic lighthouses and vibrant downtowns, the county’s geography reflects the timeless allure of coastal New England. Whether exploring its picturesque landscapes, sampling its fresh seafood, or discovering its rich maritime history, Cumberland County invites visitors to experience the charm and beauty of Maine’s southwestern coast.

]]>
Inle Lake, Myanmar https://www.franciscogardening.com/inle-lake-myanmar.html Fri, 10 Feb 2023 07:23:48 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1561 Inle Lake is surrounded by high mountains, and there are 17 villages on its shores. Artificial floating plantations made of hyacinth roots and algae plow the surface of the lake – peasants arrange beds and grow tomatoes on them. And in the large backwaters of the lake, water buffalo bathe – huge, but quite harmless. In the middle of the lake, the Jumping Cats Monastery was built on stilts, where only six monks live today – and they really tame and train cats. Once every five days, the natives arrange a floating market on the lake, gathering on boats in one heap. You can buy almost everything there: souvenirs, papyri, fruits, marine life, rugs embroidered with gold and silver threads, horsehair lacquer boxes (from 5 USD), teak wood carvings (around 15 USD). See citypopulationreview.com for weather information.

The best time to visit Inle Lake is September-October, when boats glowing with bright lights fill the lake for three weeks on the occasion of the sacred Paungdo U festival.

How to get there

From Bagan can be reached by bus. You can rent a minibus for 70000-80000 MMK. You can also take a bus from Yangon to Taunggyi passing through Bago. The cost is about 20000 MMK.

How to navigate

From the west, Ruau Rd stretches along the lake, which starts from the People’s Park and goes into the Yangon-Pyi highway, and from the east – Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd from Kandoji Lake to the airport. On the east side, the buildings of the embassies of Bangladesh, Cambodia and the Sedona Hotel are located. Behind the lake is the 34-meter Kaba Aye Pagoda, or Peace Pagoda.

Cuisine and restaurants

At Phaung Daw Pyan Street, there is a small family cafe where the menu contains only pancakes flavored with various fillings: vegetables, fish, chicken, cheese, jams, condensed milk and fruits. The cost of a serving is 1500–3500 MMK. Surprisingly good homemade yogurt, especially with honey. There is a cafe right next to the Teakwood guesthouse.

You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, traditional lanji skirts, sweets in Yawnghwe village. A paradise for gluttons: from early morning until late at night, cauldrons of soups and vogues with fried meat are boiling on the streets. The most delicious Shan noodle soup, fresh river fish barbecue, coconut buns, bean patties and peanut cakes.

Attractions and attractions Inle

Near the lake, between two mountain ranges, the town of Nyaung Shwe is stuck, the starting point for traveling on the lake for all tourists. Almost the entire built of wood, undersized town is saturated with the atmosphere of the Wild West. You can stay at the Paradise Hotel, where a bungalow will cost 40 USD per night. Here you can rent a boat and start exploring the lake. Hikers will appreciate hiking in the mountains. A four-hour climb up the mountain, visiting the tracery villages of the White Pa-O tribe along the way, lunch at the monastery at the highest point of the area, a walk through the bamboo forest and again descending to the lake, from where a helpful motor boat takes you back to the city – a day full of impressions and self-satisfaction, secured.

A feature of this area is floating gardens.

The wooden temple in Nyaung Shwe, built of teak wood, is the oldest temple in Myanmar.

5 things to do in Inle Lake

  1. To make sure that the inhabitants of the coastal villages know how to skillfully control the oars with their feet.
  2. Stay overnight in an exotic “floating” hotel on stilts. The cost of a double room is from 80 USD. You can get there in an hour by boat from Nyaung Shwe Pier.
  3. Float in the hot springs near the town of Nyaung Shwe.
  4. Watch how clothes are made from lotus stems and other plants at a mini factory in Nyaung Shwe. Here you can also buy unusual clothes with national ornaments.
  5. It is good to buy an antique sword or dagger from the early 20th century, which can be bought at local markets for all sorts of things for 20-35 USD.

Maitau village

The Maitau village is built on the water, instead of streets and avenues there are canals, cute houses stand on stilts. The traditional life of the Burmese here is visible in full detail. On the mountain you can find a small forest monastery with an excellent viewing platform, and on the bridge leading to the village, local women in colorful robes crowd in the evenings, meeting tired husbands from fishing. There is a small cafe for tourists, the souvenir shop is constantly replenished with products made by the hands of local residents.

Indane Village

In the village of Indein, the Indein Monastery is guarded by a winding canal because the oldest stupa, over two thousand years old, is of great historical value to the Burmese. To get here, you need to take a boat up one of the channels in the western part of the lake.

Iwama village

The village of Iwama turns into the busiest place on the lake once every five days: there is a thriving boat trade. There is even a danger of getting stuck in a water “cork”. But it is better to buy souvenirs on the shore, where the assortment is larger, and prices are more readily discounted.

Temple Phaung Daw Oo

Temple Phaung Daw Oo, in the sanctuary of which five small figures of Buddha live, plastered with golden petals of tourists and pilgrims beyond recognition. Tranquility and silence are the main attractions of this area.

Inle Lake, Myanmar

]]>
How to Get to Colombia https://www.franciscogardening.com/how-to-get-to-colombia.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 07:40:54 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1558 There is no direct flight to Colombia from Russia and the CIS countries. You can use the flights of European airlines with connections in European cities. For example, Air France (via Paris) or Iberia (via Madrid). The duration of the flight, excluding docking, is 16-17 hours. According to petwithsupplies, Bogota is one of the largest cities in Colombia.

Visa to Colombia

Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Colombia if the period of stay in the country does not exceed 90 days. They won’t ask for medical insurance when crossing the border either, but you shouldn’t fly to South America without it.

Customs

Import and export of national and foreign currencies is not limited. An amount over 10,000 USD or its equivalent in another currency must be declared.

Persons 18 years and older are allowed duty-free import of 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 50 grams of tobacco, 2 bottles of strong alcoholic beverages, as well as perfumes – within the limits of personal needs.

The import of vegetables, plants or materials of plant origin, meat and meat products, firearms and ammunition is prohibited (requires a permit from the local police), as well as objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value.

The export of drugs and narcotic substances, skins and stuffed animals, objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value is prohibited. When exporting wool and leather products, jewelry, local souvenirs, jewelry and emeralds, you must present a receipt from the store where these products were purchased, as well as an export stamp (for emeralds and jewelry made of gold or platinum).

Diving enthusiasts should be aware that the waters off the coast of the country are home to several varieties of sharks and many venomous sea creatures.

Useful phone numbers

Embassy of Colombia in Moscow: st. Burdenko, 20; tel.: (499) 248-30-17, 248-30-84; Web site

Embassy of Russia in Bogotá: Carrera 4, 75-02, Apartado Aereo 90600; tel.: (1) 212-18-81, 212-55-60; Web site

Unified Rescue Service: 119 or 112, Police: 156, Fire Department: 119, Ambulance: 132

Tourist safety in Colombia

The security situation in the country is quite difficult. Colombia has for many years held the sad “record” of the country with the highest number of kidnappings in the world. On the other hand, many foreigners live in the country without fear for their lives. The fact is that most of the local guerrilla groups kidnap people for political and economic reasons, so there is no use for them from kidnapping foreigners.

But still, to ensure personal safety when traveling around the country, it is recommended not to leave the city (especially at night), and also not to travel around the country on evening or night buses. When traveling around the city in the evening, it is better to use the services of officially licensed taxis. In addition, crowded places and street demonstrations should be avoided.

All kinds of narcotic drugs are circulating throughout the country, so “gifts” from strangers in the form of drinks or cigarettes should be avoided at all costs: they can be stuffed with drugs or “borracero” – a sedative drug often used to put the victim to sleep for the purpose of robbery.

The easiest way to avoid dangerous areas in Colombia is to ask the locals about them in advance. Standard precautions will not hurt either: it is recommended to keep your passport and money in the hotel safe. You should not openly wear expensive jewelry or watches, you should not demonstrate expensive photo or video equipment “in public”. It is also necessary to carefully check all the currency received during the exchange or change – an incredible amount of counterfeit dollars is printed in the country.

Finally – a few words about the natural dangers of Colombia, waiting for tourists. The climate in the country is quite hot, and solar radiation, especially in the mountains, is very intense. Therefore, it is necessary to use sunscreen, wear hats and light cotton clothing. Diving enthusiasts should be aware that the waters off the coast of the country are home to several varieties of sharks and many venomous sea creatures. When swimming, it is better to use wetsuits, and always wear special shoes before entering the sea on the “wild” beach.

Climate of Colombia

Most of the country is dominated by an equatorial and subequatorial climate with slight temperature fluctuations throughout the year. In the highlands of the Cordillera, the climate is mountainous, in the foothills it is close to tropical (on the western slopes) and equatorial.

The average monthly air temperature in low-lying areas and on the ocean coast is about +29 ° C almost all year round, in mountainous regions (at altitudes of 2000-3000 m) – from +13 to +16 ° C, higher along the slopes of the Cordillera – about +12 ° C in the summer months (from May to August), the rest of the time from +16 to +9 °C.

In winter, Bogota is quite warm (January temperature is about +20 °C, at night it can drop to +11 °C) and dry. Summer (March to October) is relatively cool (+16 °C) and rainy. At the end of summer, frosts are not uncommon in the surrounding mountains, and in August – hurricane winds.

The water temperature on the Caribbean coast is from +20 to +26 ° C all year round. The Pacific coast is a little cooler – the average water temperature there is from +18 to +25 ° C, depending on the region.

Actual information: weather forecast for the main resorts of Colombia for the coming days.

Beaches

Ocean waters (especially the Pacific coast) are very turbulent – there are quite strong currents and many zones of turbulence. Therefore, you should choose places for swimming carefully. Tidal currents are also quite strong off the coast of Colombia. At low tide, gentle zones are formed with a bunch of shells, algae and just garbage. In the Caribbean, the tidal bands are usually quite narrow (from 0.5 to 4-5 m), but on the Pacific coast they can reach 10-40 m in width.

The beaches of Cartagena and Santa Marta are distinguished by dark silver sand, while the beaches of San Andres and Providencia have fine white sand.

How to Get to Colombia

]]>
Busan, South Korea https://www.franciscogardening.com/busan-south-korea.html Fri, 30 Dec 2022 03:22:34 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1555 The second largest city in South Korea with more than three and a half million inhabitants, Busan is best known for its magnificent beaches, hot springs, national parks in the surroundings and vibrant port city life. Sailors from all over the world give Busan a unique “crossroads of the Earth” atmosphere. However, Busan is not at all as cosmopolitan as it might seem at first glance – compared to Seoul, it is charmingly shy in a provincial way, and the “pale-faced” tourist here will be furtively examined, giggling among themselves. Among the local attractions are a huge fish market, easily giving odds to Tokyo, the magnificent Pomosa Buddhist temple and, of course, excellent beaches, rightfully considered one of the best in Korea.

Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of South Korea is 51.74 million (2021).

How to get to Busan

From Seoul to Busan, you can get domestic flights of Korean Airlines or Asiana – the sides rise into the air every half hour, the flight time is 1 hour. The destination is served by Seoul Gimpo Airport (not Incheon). From Russian cities, you can fly directly to Busan from Vladivostok, and from Busan, in turn, it is easy to fly to Jeju – flights depart approximately once an hour, and about an hour will also have to be spent on the way.

You can get from Busan Airport to the city center by light subway (about an hour on the way), Limousine Bus airport shuttle buses (a little slower, a ticket will cost 9000 KRW) or municipal buses for only 1400 KRW. A taxi to Busan city center during the day will cost approximately 16,000 KRW.

The Korean capital and Busan are also connected by rail. The journey on the KTX high-speed train will last about three hours; Trains depart from Seoul Station every half hour to an hour. A ticket will cost approximately 70,000 KRW. Fans of the rhythmic “tudukh-tudukh” are also invited to slowly get to Busan on a regular Saemael train in 4.5 hours, and for fans of this type of transportation, on a “turtle” Mugungwa train, in 5.5 hours!

How to navigate in the city

Busan is a huge city divided into 16 districts. Of interest to tourists are: central Busanjingu with all the pleasant “chips” of the heart of the city, somehow – a lot of restaurants and shops and an active nightlife; Tonnegu – old and prestigious, famous for its huge spa complex; Huendegu, where the best beaches of the city and tourist attractions are concentrated, as well as Geumjong, where the temple complex of Pomos is located.

What to ride

Busan’s transport system is developed to a solid five. The city’s services include metro, light rail, municipal buses, taxis and bicycles. The Busan Metro has four lines, and its stations are conveniently located at all sites that can arouse tourist interest. The fare is from 1400 to 1600 KRW depending on the distance; a day pass with no limit on the number of trips will cost 5,000 KRW, and a ticket for a week and 20 trips will cost 21,000 KRW. Seats for elderly passengers and pregnant women can be occupied, but if they are in your field of vision, you must immediately give up your seat.

Unbelievable but true, a taxi ride in Busan often takes less time than a similar subway ride.

The light rail (purple subway line) should be used to travel from/to Gimhe Airport. The bus route network covers all of Busan and goes beyond. A trip with cash will cost 1300 KRW, on country express trains – 1900 KRW. Destinations are marked in English.

In addition, there are a lot of taxis in Busan – they can be found at taxi ranks, called by phone or simply stopped on the street. The first two kilometers will cost 3300 KRW, then every 300 meters of the path will run 150 KRW. At night, the rate is 20% more expensive. When getting into a taxi, you should definitely make sure that the driver has turned on the meter.

You can also rent a bicycle to get around Busan (on the beaches of Haeundaegu, tourists can do this for free upon presentation of proof of accommodation at the hotel, only a deposit is charged). But it’s not very convenient to explore the city on your own two feet – it is very large and, in addition, it is located on the hills.

Cuisine and Restaurants in Busan

The main pride of the Busan “chefs” is the mass of fish and seafood dishes. Among the traditional dishes is Daegutan, a thick cod soup with vegetables, which is customary to eat in the restaurants of the alma mater, the Haeundaegu beach area. It is also worth trying the local version of Japanese puffer fish, also cooked in the form of a soup called bokguk. Establishments that serve the poisonous creature are marked with a sign depicting a spiny fish inflated like a balloon. Well, pancakes with seafood and donne green onions are suitable as a beach snack.

Busan is famous for its raw fish dishes, an analogue of Japanese sushi. The best restaurants of this specialization are located in the multi-storey Millak Town Raw Fish Center on Kwanalli Beach. The products here are not just fresh, but sometimes alive – do not be surprised to see a moving octopus on your plate.

Busan, South Korea

]]>
San Nicolau, Cape Verde https://www.franciscogardening.com/san-nicolau-cape-verde.html Fri, 23 Dec 2022 12:31:15 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1553 Sao Nicolau is a picturesque island located in the northern part of Cape Verde, 50 km long and 25 km wide. In the distant past, powerful volcanic activity was observed on the island, which gave San Nicolau a mountainous terrain. The highest point of the island is Mount Monte Gordo (Monte Gordo, 1304 m).

Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of Cape Verde is 561,901 (2021).

The capital is the city of Ribeira Brava. The major city is Tarrafal.

How to get to San Nicolau

Preguiça Airport, located 5 km southeast of the capital, receives domestic flights from TACV from Praia (Santiago), Sala and São Vicente. Taxi fare to Ribeira Brava ~ 400-600 CVE, public transport ~ 100 CVE.

The Sotavento e Barlavento ferries anchor at Tarrafal port twice a week from Mindelo (Sao Vicente). The Tarrafal ferry runs to Santiago twice a week.

Transport

Buses run throughout the day from the capital of Ribeira Brava to Tarrafal and Juncalinho, as well as between Tarrafal and the northern coast of the island, fare 220 CVE.

Taxi fare from Ribeira Brava to Fajã ~ 1000 CVE, to Tarrafal – 2000 CVE.

San Nicolau Hotels

You can stay at the Ribeira Brava and Tarrafal pensions, as well as at the Tarrafal 3 * hotel with 200 rooms.

Beaches

The black sand beach of Tarrafal is rich in iodine and titanium and is recommended for the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. The best beach on the island is Baixo Rocha.

Attractions and attractions San Nicolau

For many years, the island has been the cultural capital of the archipelago and the literary cradle of Cape Verde. Here, in 1936, their own literary movement “Claridade” (“clarity”) was born, the participants of which were the writers Baltazar and Manuel Lopes, Jorge Barbosa and others.

One of the interesting sights of the island is the Rotcha Scribida rock, where you can see ancient writings, the content of which has not yet been deciphered. There is a belief that these inscriptions were left by people who visited the island before it was discovered by Portuguese sailors. Currently, the inscriptions are in a rather poor condition, because they are not protected from the external environment in any way.

In the capital of the island, of interest is the parish church of Señora Nossa, built at the beginning of the 18th century, the ancient home of the Cape Verde Seminary. It is worth visiting the fortress built in the bay of São Jorge in the early 19th century, the fishing village of Preguiça.

Trekking in the mountains of São Nicolão, sport fishing (departure from the ports of Tarrafal and Preguiça), boat trips on the bay of Baía de São Jorge (the boat can be found on Carriçal beach), walks in the picturesque valleys of Fajã and Ribeira da Prata.

San Nicolau, Cape Verde

]]>
History of Highways in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, Pennsylvania https://www.franciscogardening.com/history-of-highways-in-the-philadelphia-metropolitan-area-pennsylvania.html Fri, 16 Dec 2022 13:50:01 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1551 The history of the highways in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania got off to a false start in the 1930s, from which it never quite recovered.

Early years

According to Ablogtophone, Philadelphia was one of the first major cities in the United States. In 1890 they broke through the barrier of one million inhabitants, which grew to 2 million in 1950. To cope with this population growth, a plan was rolled out in 1932 for an extensive system of parkways in and around the city, modeled on the parkways in New York City from the mid-20s by Robert Moseswere built. The design standards were therefore borrowed from the second-generation parkways of the early 1930s in New York, with grade-separated intersections, a park-like setting and classic natural stone viaducts over the highway. At the time, this was seen as primarily a recreational road network, because Philadelphia was relatively compact at the time and long-distance commuting was not yet widespread.

The Delaware Valley, as the conurbation is also called, lacked a strong and powerful person like New York had with Robert Moses. None of the proposed parkways were built in the 1930s, while New York City already had a 240-mile highway network in the late 1930s. A network of expressways for mixed traffic also failed to get off the ground, with the result that the region did not have a single motorway until the Second World War. The economic depression contributed to this, although it seemed to affect New York less than Philadelphia. During World War II, priorities were elsewhere, including New York, and no highways were built.

The first highways

Immediately after the Second World War, a network of motorways was started. However, the parkway designs were abandoned as they proved obsolete after World War II in New York City, especially due to the increase in commuter and freight traffic, which the parkways were not designed for. The first freeway to open was outside of Philadelphia, in the then largely rural area across the Delaware River. US 130 in New Jersey was expanded into a highway over a length of 10 kilometers in 1948. This would later become Interstate 295. This short stretch of motorway, however, would remain the only part that was completed in the 1940s. However, they started with another important project, theNew Jersey Turnpike, which would run through New Jersey south and east of Philadelphia. Modeled after the German Autobahn and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, 71 kilometers of the highway from Pennsville to Mount Holly were completed in 1951, directly forming a through bypass of Philadelphia. That same year, the New Jersey Turnpike reached as far as the New York City metropolitan area.

The highway network around Philadelphia also began to take shape in the 1950s, with strong population growth in Montgomery County, Bucks County and the Camden region of New Jersey necessitating the construction of a highway network. In 1954, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension opened, later I-276 extending the Pennsylvania Turnpike north of Philadelphia along. In 1956 this toll road connected to the New Jersey Turnpike. Also in 1954, the first section of the Schuylkill Expressway, later part of I-76, opened. However, this was outside of Philadelphia, in an area called Valley Forge, around King of Prussia and Consohocken, two industrial towns north of the city.

However, the first freeway within Philadelphia’s city limits did not open until 1959, when the Schuylkill Expressway was extended south over the banks of the river of the same name. A year earlier, in 1958, the first seven miles of the Fort Washington Bypass, once intended to extend into downtown Philadelphia, opened. In 1958 and 1959, State Route 42 in New Jersey was completed in two phases, which would later form the major Atlantic City Expressway with bridges over the Delaware to Philadelphia.

Despite this, the early section of the highway network was disordered and fragmented, with major projects primarily outside the city of Philadelphia. The first highways appeared around Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, in the late 1950s.

Interstate Highways

In the 1960s, the construction of the Interstate Highways took off, also in and around Philadelphia. These highways were eligible for 90% federal funding and were therefore no longer dependent on the whims of local governments. In 1961, the Roosevelt Expressway (US 1), an east-west highway through the north of the city, was started. However, more than 4 kilometers would never be built. The 1960s also saw the significant expansion of Interstate 295 in New Jersey to accommodate the rapid population growth there. The first section of Interstate 95 opened in Pennsylvania in 1962in the city of Philadelphia, which would be built in the following years as the city’s main highway, over the banks of the Delaware River. In 1964, the Atlantic City Expressway opened, creating a through highway between Philadelphia and the Atlantic City coastal resorts on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast.

In 1963 and 1966, all of what is now Pennsylvania State Route 63, a four-mile highway in the north of the city, was completed. However, this one would forever remain a short highway to nowhere, intended to connect to the never-built Roosevelt Expressway and further north. In 1967, part of US 202 opened in Pennsylvania around West Chester. This highway was intended as an outer bypass to the west and north of the city. This also turned out to be one of the many projects in Pennsylvania that was only partially built. In 1967, two sections of US 422 also opened in Pennsylvania, a new highway from Philadelphia to Reading. The toll-free section of Interstate 95 in Delaware was built in 1967 and 1968, so that the region was also opened up from the southwest after the Delaware Turnpike opened in 1963. The last achievement of the 1960s was the opening of the first section of State Route 55 in New Jersey, which runs due south from Philadelphia. The first part, however, opened the furthest from Philadelphia, at Port Elizabeth.

Further expansion & turning point

The 1970s saw the shaky start of Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania, which was to form a western bypass from Philadelphia, toward Scranton. Only 4 kilometers were completed, only to be left useless for the next two decades. In the early 1970s, State Route 55 in New Jersey was extended in stages to Philadelphia, and in 1973 it ran to Malaga. In the mid-1970s, it was also decided that the Somerset Freeway, part of Interstate 95 in New Jersey, would not be built between Trenton and New Brunswick. In response, the ring road around Trenton was closed on the north side and compensation was paid from the federal government for not building the highway. In 1974 the first part of theInterstate 195 in New Jersey, which ran from Trenton to the east coast around Neptune.

In the mid and late 1970s, fragments of I-95 were also delivered through Philadelphia, but for a long time left a missing link between Philadelphia and the city’s airport. One of the major turning points in highway construction around the city was July 1, 1977, when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation froze all funding for planned highways. This proved the death knell for countless projects in and around Philadelphia, the consequences of which are still visible to this day. The city suffered from the inefficient highway network, often substandard and with far too little capacity. From the north and northwest, a suburban area with a population of 1 million continued the Schuylkill Expresswaywith 2×2 lanes the only motorway into the city. In response to the city’s poor accessibility, a number of sub-centers developed north of the city, most notably King of Prussia and Norristown. Philadelphia also suffered a decline, with the city losing 400,000 residents between 1960 and 1980, a trend that continued for a long time thereafter. In 2008 the city had 600,000 fewer inhabitants than in 1960, after which it started to grow cautiously. Cities such as Trenton and Camden also lost, along with Philadelphia, with skyrocketing crime and large-scale vacancy. As a result, Philadelphia lost a significant portion of its tax base, making financing infrastructure projects even more difficult than it already was.

Difficult further construction

Because most of the planned motorways were canceled in 1977, the congestion on the limited amount of existing motorways and the underlying road network took on draconian forms. In 1980, Interstate 676 was extended from downtown to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to Camden. A typical example of the compromises that had to be made at the time, through traffic on this connection has to go through a series of traffic lights. US 422 was completed in 1984 and 1985, creating an alternative to the Pennsylvania Turnpike between King of Prussia and Reading. State Route 55 was completed in New Jersey in 1986 and 1989, and the last stretch of Interstate 95 opened in Pennsylvania in 1989.After three decades of construction, the city finally had its main artery connecting the northeast to the southwest.

In 1987, after 17 years, a very short section of Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania was completed. The rest, however, had to wait until 1991, when a western bypass of the city was first created, after 4 decades of planning and litigation. 1991 also saw the completion of the first section of State Route 1 in Delaware, the new toll road that would connect the capital Dover with the suburbs of Wilmington (and Philadelphia). This highway was completed in phases during the 1990s, until the last section opened in 2003. In 1995, the missing link on US 30 in Pennsylvania was completed, completing an east-west highway through the northwest suburban area.

In 2014, construction began on an interchange between I-95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) in Bristol. This allowed I-95 to continue on from Maine to Florida, as I-95 originally ended in Trenton on I-295 heading south again. The construction of the junction took no less than 8 years, although few buildings need to be demolished. The first phase of the project opened on September 24, 2018 , finally establishing I-95 as a through route through the region. The cost was $650 million. Even before the project was completed, I-95 was rerouted through the south side of Trenton. The old route along the west side of Trenton has been renumbered I-295.

Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, Pennsylvania

]]>
Palawan and Panglao, Philippines https://www.franciscogardening.com/palawan-and-panglao-philippines.html Fri, 09 Dec 2022 06:21:28 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1549 Palawan

Holidays on the island of Palawan, popular among divers, can be briefly described as follows: expensive, but high-quality solitude in the bosom of nature. Palawan is a mini-archipelago of one large and many small islands, depending on the choice of a particular local resort, the airport of arrival and the class of hotels change. Travelers who prefer to spend their holidays exclusively below the beach line should also familiarize themselves with this material: “ Diving in Palawan ”. See JIBIN123 for Philippines customs regulations and visa requirements.

The best time to relax here is December-May, but from June to November there are prolonged showers.

One of the James Bond films, Tomorrow Never Dies, was filmed in Palawan.

How to get to Palawan

Plane Manila – Palawan Island (about an hour), then by car or boat to the hotel.

Palawan beaches

The main “trick” of Palawan is the protected area of ​​El Nido (El Nido) in the north of the archipelago. Two of the 39 rocky islets with luxurious beaches, mostly uninhabited, are occupied by respectable eco-hotels surrounded by stunning nature – rare representatives of exotic species of flora and fauna and more than 100 species of birds live in the forests of El Nido.

Honda Bay is an ideal place for diving and snorkelling. On the islet of Arreceffi is the chic resort of Dos Palmas. The same travelers, who have a limited wallet, settle in the city of Puerto Princesa (Puerto Princesa), from where the deserted beaches of the bay can be reached by boat in half an hour. The best place for diving is Tubbataha reef, 180 km from the island. Dive boats operate from March to May and can be rented in Puerto Princesa. Also from the city you can go on eco-hiking or an 8-kilometer trip along the underground river.

Entertainment and attractions of Palawan

The main attraction of the island is an extended network of many caves connected by an underground river. Together with the surrounding rainforest, it is part of the St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park. In addition, the old capital of the island of Taytay is of interest, as well as 1780 islets and reefs, considered one of the best dive sites in Asia.

In Puerto Princes, it is worth visiting the Palawan Museum in Mendoza Park, the Rodriguez Butterfly Farm, the Crocodile Institute and the unique “prison without walls” 23 km north of the city.

The Tabon cave complex includes about 200 caves and grottoes, but only seven are open to tourists. Fossil remains of humanoid creatures dating back to about 24 millennium BC have been found here. e. But in the wildlife sanctuary, Ursula Island in the south of the archipelago, you can see a rare mammal – a graceful sea cow.

Desert island trips, trekking, canoeing in the lagoons, snorkeling and diving.

Panglao

Panglao (Panglao) – a small island with gorgeous beaches, located near Bohol, directly opposite the capital of the island, the city of Tagbilaran. This popular resort is famous for its underwater life, excellent dive sites and hotels for every taste and budget. With his “big brother”, Bohol, he is connected by a bridge and a highway.

There are no ATMs in Panglao, but most large hotels offer their guests the so-called “cash back” from their card. However, for this simple operation, they take a very non-acidic commission, so it is better for reasonable travelers to take care of a sufficient amount of “cash” in advance, back in Tagbilaran.

How to get to Panglao

From the airport and the Bohol pier to Panglao can be reached for 15-20 USD by taxi or for 7-10 USD by colorful tuk-tuk (20-25 minutes).

Panglao beaches

At the resort, you should choose between Alona Beach – an 800-meter strip of white sand with a bunch of world-class hotels, restaurants and dive centers, which is well-deservedly popular among outdoor enthusiasts – and two kilometers of Doljo Beach., an almost deserted area without shops and bars, but with clean sand and a gently sloping seabed.

Entertainment and attractions of Panglao

A full day excursion to the Chocolate Hills will cost tourists 55-65 USD. On your own, you can walk to a pretty temple in the city of Panglao or the Hinagdanan caves in the north of the island. In addition, many hotels on Alona Beach offer their guests to go on a sea excursion “Good morning with dolphins”.

The island has a full-fledged tourist office where you can not only exchange currency or traveler’s checks and get the necessary information, but also buy souvenirs.

Diving in Panglao

There are at least four worthy dive sites near the island: Kalipayan, Cape Arko, Napaling and Tangnan Face.

Kalipayan is popular because of its convenient location: it is located near Alona Beach and pleases beginners with minimal currents. Covered in corals, gorgonians and sponges, Kalipayan also offers night diving and snorkelling, surrounded by schools of colorful reef fish and sleek black-skinned divers.

Arco Point (aka Cape Arco and Hole in the Wall, Hall-in-the-Wall) is a small cave in the wall, where the entrance is at around 8 and the exit is 18 meters. There you can see a lot of fish, moray eels and sea snakes, as well as soft corals. The current is weak.

Napaling in the north of Panglao will certainly appeal to fans of drift diving. However, sometimes they arrange snorkeling there, and even diving from the shore, which, however, is not very convenient: there are difficulties with returning to the shore. Nudibranch clams, sponges, barracudas, soft and hard corals are found at this site.

The wall of Tangnan or Tangnan Wall in the west of the island is pitted with many caves and cracks that serve as homes for large groupers. There are several fans of gorgonians, sponges, soft and hard corals, barracudas.

Resting on Panglao, you should definitely swim to the islands of Balicasag, Pamilacan or Cabilao. The cost of one dive there is about 25 USD, equipment rental will cost 7-9 USD (for snorkeling – 6-7 USD), and an Open Water certificate can be obtained for 300 USD.

Panglao, Philippines

]]>
New Jersey: Garden State https://www.franciscogardening.com/new-jersey-garden-state.html Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:11:39 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1536 New Jersey is a state of the United States. The nickname is the “Garden State” The capital is Trenton. With a population of 8.9 million on an area of ​​22,000 km2, it is the most densely populated state in the United States. The almost 9 million inhabitants of New Jersey enjoy the best of both worlds: they live opposite the metropolis of New York, but also a short distance from wonderful beaches. Many fruits and vegetables eaten in New York are grown in New Jersey, hence the nickname “Garden State”.

History

According to growtheology, New Jersey was created from the Swedish colony of New Sweden, at the mouth of the Delaware River in southwestern New Jersey. The population of this was small and consisted mainly of Finns in addition to Swedes. After having been in Swedish possession for about 17 years, the area was conquered in 1655 by the Dutch from the colony of New Netherland located further to the north. New Jersey started on March 12, 1664 as a private colony of the British Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley. New Jersey was one of thirteen colonies that rebelled against British rule. During the American Civil War, the state sided with the North.

In 1876, inventor Thomas Edison established his laboratory in Menlo Park. He would make many inventions here such as the light bulb, the film camera and the phonograph. In 1893 he started a film studio.

At the end of the 19th century, Atlantic City became a popular destination for tourists and day trippers because of its casinos. The famous promenade was built where people could stroll.
From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island, part of New York Harbor but located in New Jersey, was the main entry point for European immigrants into the country. Many settled in New Jersey resulting in a diverse population.

Geography

New Jersey is on the Atlantic Ocean. It borders New York State to the north and Pennsylvania and Delaware to the west. The entire western border is formed by the Delaware River. The main city is Newark, which is actually an entity with the city of New York. Other places in New Jersey are capital Trenton and gambling city Atlantic City.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City used to be often referred to as the Las Vegas of the East. Many casinos have gone bankrupt in recent years, making them unable to compete with the casinos and hotels in Las Vegas. Fortunately, Atlantic City has more to offer, you walk here on America’s oldest boulevard. The Atlantic City boardwalk was built in 1890.

Sights

After Atlantic City it is nice to visit Princeton. Here is one of the best universities in the world, Princeton University of the same name. The admission requirements here are strict, but everyone is allowed to take a look at the university campus.

The southernmost town in New Jersey is Cape May, in this old seaside town you will find old Victorian houses and you look out over the beautiful sea. You can even spot whales here.

Garden State

HOLIDAY INN HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

The Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights-Meadowlands is located just minutes from a variety of sporting venues, including New Meadowlands Stadium, which hosted the 2014 Superbowl. A free shuttle service to area attractions is provided.

The Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights-Meadowlands offers a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi-Fi and a seasonal outdoor pool. The on-site restaurant, Gabriel’s Grille & Bar, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Meadowlands Retail & Entertainment Center entertainment complex and Paramus Shopping Center are easily accessible via the free shuttle service (within a 3 mile radius of the hotel). The Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights-Meadowlands is also within driving distance of New York City.

HARRAH’S ATLANTIC CITY

Featuring over 175,000 square feet of casino space, this high-rise Atlantic City hotel is a 7-minute drive from the Boardwalk.

Guests at the Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City can dine at one of 11 restaurants, including a food court and fine dining options such as Martorano’s, Oshi Modern Asian Kitchen and Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse.

Rooms at Harrah’s Resort have large windows. A wake-up service and room service are available to guests on weekends.

The hotel features an indoor tropical pool with cabanas, which transforms into Xhibition nightclub at night. It also has a seasonal family pool on the 4th floor of the Harbor Tower.

At Atlantic City’s Harrah’s, shopping options include Waterfront Shops, which offer jewelry, clothing, and cookware. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Atlantic City Country Club and a 17-minute drive from Seaview Golf Club in Galloway.

JETTY MOTEL CAPE MAY

Located across from the beach, this Cape May motel is a 5-minute walk from Lake View Park. The motel offers an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi.

All rooms at The Jetty Motel are air-conditioned.

Laundry facilities and free on-site parking are available at the jetty.

Cape May Point and Lighthouse are 3 miles from Jetty Motel. Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery is a 15-minute drive away.

]]>
Sudetenland, Poland https://www.franciscogardening.com/sudetenland-poland.html Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:36:33 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1534 The Sudetenland is the second largest mountain system in Poland. Its highest point is Mount Snezhka (1603 m) in the Krkonoše mountain range (Giant Mountains). More than a dozen resorts have been opened in the Sudetes – mountain climatic, balneological, and, of course, ski resorts. The most famous among them are the ski resorts Zelenets, Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba, the oldest Polish health resorts Cieplice-Slańské-Zdrój and Kudova-Zdrój, as well as Löndek-Zdrój, Polanica-Zdrój, Dushniki-Zdrój and Swieradow-Zdrój. Check liuxers for customs and traditions of Poland.

How to get there

The nearest airports are located in Warsaw and Wroclaw. The railway network connects Wroclaw with Szklarska Poreba and Kudowa Zdrój. Trains arrive in Duszniki-Zdrój from Warsaw. There is no direct railway connection with Zelenets – you can get to the resort by taxi from Dushniki.

There are regular buses to Karpacz from Jelenia Góra (7-10 PLN, 1 hour). In July and August, daily buses connect Karpacz with Szklarska Poręba (15-25 PLN, 50 min). From Wroclaw there is a regular connection to Kudowa-Zdrój.

The prices on the page are for December 2021.

By car

Szklarska Poręba is easily accessible via the national road 3/E65, which connects northern and southern Europe. Highway E67, connecting Wrocław with Kudowa-Zdrój, and national road No. 8 lead to Zieleniec. Along the way, the cities of Łagiewniki, Ząbkowice-Śląskie, Kłodzko, Polanica-Zdrój, Duszniki-Zdrój flash by, immediately after which you should turn left from the E67 highway towards the Greens.

Resorts Sudetes

The Szklarska Poreba resort is located at the foot of the Szrenica mountain (1362 m) in the valley of the Kamenna river. The resort is located at an altitude of 440-886 meters above sea level between the Karkonosze in the south and the Jizera Mountains in the west. The ski complex is represented by 5 pistes with a total length of more than 20 km and 6 lifts located on the slopes of Mount Shrenica. One of the tracks with a length of 2080 m officially certified by the FIS for holding international ski competitions.

Zelenets is the largest ski resort in the Kłodzko River Valley, located at an altitude of about 950 m above sea level in the Orlické Mountains. 30 lifts unite the local slopes into a single network with a total length of about 15 km.

The ski complex Karpacz is represented by 7 lifts, 6 slopes of varying difficulty and a springboard, which is used as an observation deck in summer.

Treatment

The once independent resort town of Ceplice-Slańské-Zdrój has been a district of the town of Jelenia Góra since 1976 to the present day. The healing springs of Ceplice were known to the ancient Slavic tribes, but their discovery is attributed to Prince Boleslav the High. Documentary mention of Ceplice dates back to the second half of the 13th century. At the end of the 18th – beginning of the 19th centuries. Ceplice hosted many eminent guests, including Johann Wolfgang Goethe, the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III and his wife, John Quincy Adams, Hugo Kollontai, Jozef Wibicki and Princess Isabella Czartoryzska. The resort provides treatment for traumatic and orthopedic diseases, rheumatism, osteoporosis, as well as diseases of the nervous system, kidneys and urinary tract.

Kudowa-Zdrój is the oldest resort located at an altitude of 390-440 m above sea level at the foot of the Park Mountain in the chain of the Table Mountains. The first mention of Kudovskie waters dates back to 1636, when bathing facilities were built. Currently, 8 springs have been opened in Kudov, and clinics specialize in the treatment of diseases in the field of cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, overweight and the musculoskeletal system. Thanks to its location, Kudova is an ideal place for hiking, cycling, and, in addition, it is a starting point for exploring the nearby surroundings – the Table and Orlicke Mountains.

A kilometer north of Kudova is an unusual chapel (Kaplica Czaszek), the walls and ceiling of which are decorated with human skulls and bones.

Nearby is the town of Wambezhyce, popular among pilgrims with the miraculous figure of Our Lady of Wambezhytsia, as well as the Baroque basilica.

Entertainment and attractions in Sudetenland

Karpacz is a typical mountain town located at the foot of the Śnieżka mountain. The resort is comfortably located in the wide valley of the Lomnica River at an altitude of 480-885 meters above sea level. The central axis of Karpacz is a street that stretches for 7 km to the Bierutowicka pass, located at an altitude of 820 meters. In the center of the resort is the Museum of Sports and Tourism, the exposition of which is dedicated to the places of pagan worship, treasure hunts and the activities of laboratory assistants and herbalists. And in the city Toy Museum there is a collection of dolls and toys of the founder of the Wroclaw Mime Theater Henryk Tomaszewski. And, nevertheless, the main trump card of Karpacz is sports tourism.

Krkonose National Park

On the territory of the Krkonoše there is a national park of the same name, founded in 1959. The park covers an area of ​​55 sq. km, of which 17 km² are under strict protection. Most of the park, about 33 sq. km, consists of forest. In 1992, the Polish Krkonoše Park, together with the neighboring Czech National Park, founded in 1963, was recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve within the framework of the Man and the Biosphere program.

The Krkonoše lies on the watershed of two rivers, the Elbe and the Oder, thus separating the basins of the Baltic and North Seas. Many streams and streams originate in the park, forming entire waterfalls, the largest of which is located in the Polish part of the park – this is the Lomnichka waterfall, falling from a 300-meter height. About 200 bird species and 60 mammal species inhabit the park; There are 2 species of fish, 6 species of amphibians and 6 species of reptiles. Moufflons brought here at the beginning of the 20th century give a special attraction to the park.

For tourists in the Krkonoše, 112 km of footpaths, 10 lifts and 12 guest houses are equipped. The “headquarters” of the park is based in the city of Jelenia Góra.

Sudetenland, Poland

]]>
Shenyang, China https://www.franciscogardening.com/shenyang-china.html Fri, 18 Nov 2022 15:33:45 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1532 Looking at the northeastern part of China, it can be noted that the density of settlements there is much lower than in the southern regions. But this is no reason to dismiss the territory adjacent to the borders of Mongolia, Russia and North Korea from the tourist accounts. And, in particular, its largest city, the capital of Liaoning province Shenyang. People come to this metropolis of 8 million to see three monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List at a time, to get acquainted with the special culture and cuisine of the North, which differ significantly from the general Chinese. And, of course, to admire again how quickly the Chinese economy is developing in Shenyang, and skyscrapers grow like mushrooms after rain.

How to get to Shenyang

There are no direct flights from Moscow to Shenyang. But the city has excellent communication with the more popular air carriers Beijing and Guangzhou. From the airports of these cities, China Southern Airlines and Air China fly to Shenyang, travel time is 1.5 hours and 3 hours 40 minutes, respectively. Shenyang Airport (the largest in northeast China) is located 22 km from downtown and is connected to it by regular bus service. After 40 minutes, the shuttle arrives at the railway station. A trip to the city by taxi (official service cars are on duty at exits No. 2-6 and 8-14) will cost 20-50 CNY.

Transport

According to Wholevehicles, the public transport system in Shenyang is more than 140 bus routes, including night ones, and the subway, consisting of two lines. A taxi ride around the city costs 15-20 CNY plus 1 CNY fuel surcharge. Parking on the streets is mostly free, but there are also paid guarded parking lots. You can also travel around Shenyang on bicycles – there is a wide network of rental stations.

Shenyang Hotels

Shenyang is an important economic and tourist center, so the city has a large number of hotels of any level: simple and clean hotels for business travelers and with elements of traditional style for tourists. A standard room in a five-star hotel costs 450-660 CNY per day, you can check into a 4 * hotel for 250-410 CNY, “three rubles” are easy to find for 150-200 CNY. For a bed in a hostel they will ask 35-70 CNY, and local residents rent apartments for 105-420 CNY.

Cuisine and restaurants

Rich traditions and centuries-old cooking skills create the charm of Shenyang’s culinary heritage. Almost every dish served in local restaurants is accompanied by a legend about its origin. Once the Han Chinese ruled this region, but in addition to them, many national minorities lived here. Therefore, there are many dishes, for example, of Manchu and Muslim origin.

Typical culinary specialties of Shenyang: laobian meat-filled dumplings, which are steamed, boiled or fried; smoked goubangzi chicken with surprisingly tender meat; stuffed pie “lyaoshan haicheng” with spices; Yangya is an egg pie.

Dinner in a good restaurant will cost 30-40 CNY per person without alcohol. In fast food establishments, you can have a bite for 8-10 CNY.

Attractions Shenyang

The key location of Shenyang as the northern capital of China could not but be reflected in the richness of its architecture. Therefore, it is not surprising that the city has three monuments from the UNESCO World Heritage List and many not so large-scale, but no less valuable.

Mukden Palace is the second residence of Chinese emperors after the Forbidden City in Beijing. The huge complex is interesting not only for its magnificent architecture, but also for its excellent museum exposition.

Shenyang Beiling is a huge park in the north of the city, on the territory of which is the 17th century Zhaoling Tomb, the resting place of Huang Taiji, the second emperor of the Qing Dynasty (12 Taishan Road). There are several more royal tombs here, but they are not so famous. In addition to the mausoleums, the park is notable for its small architectural forms – arches, decorative columns and sculptures of an elephant, horse, camel and others. Entrance to the park is paid, 50 CNY, in the evening – free of charge. This is what local pensioners use, arranging mass physical education classes here.

Another park with a royal mausoleum from the UNESCO List is Shenyang Dongling, or Fuling (Dongling Road). It is located in the eastern part of the city, here is the tomb of Emperor Nurkhatsi. The tomb was built in the early 17th century in the traditional Manchu style. In the courtyard of the complex there are numerous stone statues of tigers, lions, camels, horses. Entrance: 42 CNY.

Of interest is the Liaoning Provincial Museum – the largest institution of its kind in northeast China (off. site in English). Written monuments from the Manchurian past of the country are stored here, including selected texts in Chinese and the rarest examples of lost Khitan writing.

Worth a visit is the Shenyang Museum of Steam Locomotives (64 Zhonggun Bei Street). His collection includes 16 cars from the United States, China, Russia, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.

Shenyang, China

]]>
Things to Do in Bruges, Belgium https://www.franciscogardening.com/things-to-do-in-bruges-belgium.html Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:40:05 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1530 According to Animalerts, the medieval city of Bruges is one of the most visited places in Belgium. The historic city has a lot of cultural heritage, which means that tourists from both home and abroad visit the city en masse. It is not for nothing that the historic city center of Bruges is on the UNESCO World Heritage List in its entirety. Anyone who visits the center of Bruges will notice that the city center has managed to retain its appearance to a very large extent. Modern times have merged in a beautiful way with the old buildings, streets and squares. However, Bruges is more than just a collection of beautiful buildings, squares and streets. Above all, it is a city where Burgundian life still occupies an important place. As befits a good Burgundian, you can fully enjoy delicious food and drinks in Bruges. Bruges is a mecca for chocolate lovers. You can buy delicious chocolate products from more than fifty local chocolatiers here!

When compiling the top 10 sights of Bruges, we tried to make a nice mix of various highlights that you can see and experience in the city. We hope to help visitors to Bruges in this way to make their day or longer stay in Bruges a great experience.

Bruges’ Top 10 Things to Do

#1. Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde

Several old beguinages can still be admired in Belgium and the Netherlands. In Bruges you can visit one of the most beautiful remaining beguinages. The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerdeconsists mainly of white painted small houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. This court can only be reached via the Wijngaardbrug. At house number 1 is a museum where you can see how they used to live in these houses around the 17th century. Today the sisters of the Order of St. Benedict live there. It is located on a beautiful lake (Minnewater) where beautiful white swans swim around. During a visit to the beguinage, tranquility and respect for the privacy of the residents is a must. Admission is only open during the day and admission is free.

#2. Cruise

Bruges is also known as the “Venice of the North”. This is due to the small canals (called Bruges canals) that run through the city with the most beautiful and romantic bridges over it. A cruise through these “veins” of Bruges, is therefore a very popular attraction. In a boat trip of about half an hour you can admire the most beautiful places of Bruges from a completely different side. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the history of Bruges and the sights you pass by. You can board the bus at five different locations every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the winter period, no boat trips are organized. It is not possible to reserve individual tickets in advance. You can only buy tickets on site.

#3. History

To be fair, not everyone likes museums. A problem that museums regularly have to deal with is telling a story in an interesting way. That’s her in the Historiumsucceeded. There they managed to process an important part of the history of Bruges, the Golden Age, in a beautiful creative way in an interactive story. The way they do that is so impressive that you feel like you’re there. This time travel takes you to the Bruges of Jan van Eyk; the painter who was active in Bruges in the first half of the fifteenth century. At the end of your visit you can drink a good pint in the Duvelorium or enjoy a beautiful view from the panorama terrace over the most beautiful square in Bruges: the Grote Markt.

#4. Basilica of the Holy Blood

On the beautiful Burg is the Basilica of the Holy Blood. This Roman Catholic basilica is beautifully decorated on the inside. The most important piece is the reliquary of the Holy Blood. Every year, the relic forms the center of the Holy Blood Procession, which is held on Ascension Day. This day it is very busy around and in the basilica. But this special religious building is also a popular attraction in Bruges during the rest of the year. The double chapel was originally built between 1139 and 1149 and has since undergone several restorations and adjustments. This has created a nice mix of architectural styles.

#5. Belfry

A belfry is a medieval tower that was mainly built in the southern Netherlands, in the area that now mainly falls within Belgium. A belfry is not attached to a church. It functioned within the cities as a sign of the power of the sheriff and aldermen. You can think of a belfry as a sort of medieval status symbol. The belfry of Bruges is one of the most beautiful belfries in existence. This stone belfry was built in the thirteenth century as part of the stone cloth and trade halls that replaced the former wooden halls. Fires and expansions have made the tower look like a mishmash.

For a fee you can climb the 366 steps of the halletoren, as the belfry is called. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtakingly beautiful view of the city of Bruges and, in clear weather, of the surrounding area. A visit to the belfry is not suitable for people with a physical or visual impairment. There is no elevator.

#6. Groeninge Museum

Bruges has several museums, of which the Groeninge Museum is an absolute highlight. This is the Bruges museum of fine arts. The museum has an extensive collection of Belgian and specifically Flemish paintings. Here you can enjoy six centuries of art history from the Low Countries. The highlights of this art museum are the Flemish Primitives. Works by Hieronymus Bosch, Albert Cuyp, Jan Provoost and Jan van Eyk are on display. In addition to the permanent collection, there is room for temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions are of international allure.

#7. Brewery De Halve Maan

Belgium is known for the delicious beers that are brewed here. Bruges once had dozens of beer breweries. That was in the days when drinking beer was safe from a health perspective than drinking water. Those times are long gone. Now that beer only plays the role of stimulant and delicacy, the number of active breweries within the city limits of Bruges is limited to two: Bourgogne des Flandres and De Halve Maan. Both breweries can be visited. The tour of De Halve Maan Breweryis one of the most popular sights in Bruges. During a visit to the brewery on Waldplein, you will learn everything about the history of this company started by Henri Maes, about the beer brewing process and about De Halve Maan’s beer brands, such as Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik.

A remarkable part of the brewery is the double beer pipeline that opened in 2016 and runs through the city. The 3.2 kilometer long pipeline connects the brewery with the bottling plant located on the Waggelwater. In this way, both the Brugse Zot and the Straffe Hendrik can be transported without having to drive tankers through the city. This is a strong example of how you can make processes greener.

A tour of De Halve Maan Brewery takes about 45 minutes, after which adults can drink a Brugse Zot Blond, Brugse Zot Dubbel or Straffe Hendrik Tripel. This is included in the ticket price.

#8. Museum-Gallery Xpo Salvador Dalí

The Spanish painter Salvador Dalí is considered one of the leading surrealist artists in the world. You don’t have to travel all the way to the Dalí Museum in his former home in the Spanish town of Figueres to enjoy Dalí’s works. You can also do that in the Museum-Gallery Xpo Salvador Dalí, which is located in the center of Bruges. This art museum, dedicated to Dalí, is located in the city halls. You can view famous graphic works and sculptures by Salvador Dalí in a sensational setting that is completely in line with the world of this famous artist.

#9. Large market

The Grote Markt (or simply Markt, which is its official name today) is the oldest and most characteristic square in Bruges. This is where the historic center of Bruges shows itself from its best side: impressive medieval buildings, beautiful Flemish facades and numerous cozy terraces provide the atmospheric image of Bruges that is so often captured in photos. The Markt is more than a thousand years old and has had different faces in its history. Many of the buildings that now surround the Markt date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The hall with the belfry is the oldest existing building on the Grote Markt.

In the center of the square is the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck. Inaugurated in 1887, this monument pays tribute to the two folk heroes who were important in 1302 in the Flemish resistance against the French king.

The Market (or Grote Markt) is the starting point of various tours through Bruges. For example, the horse-drawn carriages are ready for a romantic ride through the streets of historic Bruges, you can board the minibus of City Tour Brugge that shows you the most beautiful places in the city in a fifty-minute tour or you can join one of the guided walks through Bruges.

#10. Steenstraat

Shopping is one of the most popular activities that visitors to Bruges do during their visit to this West Flemish capital. The Steenstraat is the most important shopping street in Bruges. He is regularly compared with the famous Meir of Antwerp. Unfortunately, the main similarity is that many of the stores are branches of larger chains. Fortunately, there are still some gems to be found among the well-known brands, such as the famous chocolate shop The Chocolate Line of the famous chocolatier Dominique Persoone. The Steenstraat also shows many beautiful facades and forms the connection between the Grote Markt and ‘t Zand. Sights along the Steenstraat are St. Salvator’s Cathedral and Simon Stevinplein.

Bruges, Belgium

]]>
Landmarks of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain https://www.franciscogardening.com/landmarks-of-jerez-de-la-frontera-spain.html Fri, 04 Nov 2022 05:15:46 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1528 South of Portugal lies the Spanish province of Cadiz, containing the town of Jerez de la Frontera. The city is well known as the sherry capital, the Andalusian horse breed and for the traditional flamenco dance. And the climate of Jerez de la Frontera is also extremely pleasant. Together, this makes Jerez de la Frontera a great holiday destination for young and old. In the spring, the ‘Feria del Caballo’ is lavishly celebrated. This horse fair gets everyone on their feet and often also in traditional costume. All kinds of shows are performed by riders on horseback and there is a lot of drinking, music, laughter and eating. It is therefore seen as the most important party in Cadiz. At the end of the summer, the place is completely devoted to the harvest for making the delicious sherry. This is celebrated with the ‘Wine Harvest Festival’, which is accompanied by fun markets and even a fair. In the city you will see many traditionally dressed people stomping grapes with their feet, giving a performance on horseback, dancing flamenco or otherwise showing a piece of Spanish culture. In addition, you can visit a nice zoo in Jerez de la Frontera, experience the wine culture in one of the many bodegas or do you prefer a museum that allows you to delve more into the history of the region. In any case, Jerez de la Frontera has plenty to offer.

Top 10 things to do in Jerez de la Frontera

#1. Alcazar
According to Allunitconverters, the palatial Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera is one of the city’s most important monuments. The architecture from the twelfth century can best be described as Almohad or Arabo-Andalusian style as you see it a lot in Morocco. The current appearance was mainly obtained during the eighteenth century. The fort was so neglected that a considerable renovation had to take place to make it presentable again. The order for this came from the nobleman Lorenzo Fernandez de Villavicencio and Benitez. The Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera consists of a minaret, a mosque, Arab baths, the Royal Pavilion, a former pharmacy, the palace, a courtyard and surrounding gardens. The Alcázar is open to visitors.

#2. Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestra
The Andalusian horses ‘Caballo andaluz’ are famous worldwide. It even belongs to the oldest race horse breeds in the world. Many breeds are also derived from these Andalusian horses. It is therefore not surprising that the riding school ‘Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestra’ has a prominent place in society. The driving school was founded around 1973 and even obtained the royal title in 1987. International dressage competitions are regularly held at a high level. But most visitors come for the shows that are performed there. The riders are usually dressed in eighteenth century clothing and the music is mostly classically oriented. The horses even learn to dance.

#3. Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera
The magnificent Roman Catholic Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera was built in the twelfth century. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, considerable restorations took place. The title of cathedral was obtained in the 1980s. The Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera is built in Gothic style. The front facade features a triple door topped with statues and baroque motifs. In the cathedral you can admire various religious works of art, such as the statue of ‘La Virgen Niña’ by Zurbarán. The dome of this cathedral is richly decorated on the inside and has several sculptures on the outside.

#4. Museo de Relojes
In the palace of the time ‘Palacio del Tiempo’, an impressive clock museum is located. Thanks to the Andrés de Ribera Foundation, the extremely valuable collection has now expanded to more than three hundred clocks from the Netherlands and abroad. The collection is therefore divided into seven rooms with titles such as: Patio Bienvenida, Salon Luis XV, Sala Azul, Sala Oro, Sala Púrpura, Sala Verde and Sala Aturo Paz. In addition, there are various other art objects and you can follow workshops. Fairs and parties are regularly organized in the museum’s hotel. You can also discover the history of sherry.

#5. Bodegas
In Jerez de la Frontera you can visit very nice and pleasant bodegas. Drinking a glass of Sherry is therefore part of the culture in this part of Andalusia. Only the wine from this region can call itself sherry. The name is actually derived from Jerez. It is worth recommending to visit Gonzalez Byass bodega. Through an hour and a half tour you get a look behind the scenes of a sherry producer who has been around for many years. Already at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Jerez belonged to the top of the wine industry. Around 1835, the Gonzalez Byass family started as a wine producer and grew to become a leader in the export of Tío Pepe Sherry. The grounds of this family now consist of a bodega including a building designed by Gustav Eiffel. Various sherries that are intended for export ripen here. In yet another building, the production process is explained step by step. And eventually you arrive in an attractive room where you can finally taste the delicious sherry. The tour naturally ends in style, namely in the shop. And eventually you arrive in an attractive room where you can finally taste the delicious sherry. The tour naturally ends in style, namely in the shop. And eventually you arrive in an attractive room where you can finally taste the delicious sherry. The tour naturally ends in style, namely in the shop.

#6. Flamenco
The flamenco dance style is deeply rooted in Spanish culture. Particularly those in the Andalusian culture. In Jerez de la Frontera there are several dance schools where you can participate for one or more lessons. During the Festival de Jerez in February/March you can even see this exuberant dance being performed in several places in the city. If you would like to attend a Flamenco show, there are also plenty of options. La Taberna Flamenco, Tablao Flamenco Puro Arte and Bodega Casa del Marqués are excellent starting points. Optionally, you can of course enjoy delicious tapas during the performance, perhaps accompanied by a glass of sherry.

#7. Estadio Municipal de Chapín
The stadium of Jerez de la Frontera is a popular multifunctional sports complex. It was inaugurated in 1988 with a match between Xerez CD and Real Madrid CF. Estadio Municipal de Chapín is used for football matches, equestrian events, concerts and many other sports. It can accommodate more than twenty thousand spectators, many of whom come from the region. Estadio Chapin is also home to football club Xerez CD.

#8. Museo Arqueológico Municipal de la Frontera
Right on the Plaza del Mercado is the most beautiful museum in the city. Museo Arqueológico Municipal de la Frontera is an archaeological museum with cultural exhibits, objects and paintings from, for example, the Neolithic period, the Roman Empire and Islamic and medieval objects.

#9. Circuito Permanente de Jerez
Formula I enthusiasts should definitely take a look at Circuito Permanente de Jerez. This race track is located in the middle of the sherry area of ​​Jerez de la Frontera. Previously, Formula I competitions were held several times. The track is also used as a test track by many teams. In addition, motorcyclists and cyclists also compete on the track. Check the link below for the most up-to-date agenda.

#10. Montes de Propio de Jerez
The nature reserve Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales is located for the most part in the province of Cadiz. The seven-hectare Montes de Propio de Jerez is a small part of this and is located in Jerez de la Frontera. Studies have shown that this nature reserve contains several medicinal plants and other botanical values. The area is ideal for beautiful and adventurous walks.

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

]]>
Eggner’s Ferry Bridge, Kentucky https://www.franciscogardening.com/eggners-ferry-bridge-kentucky.html Sun, 30 Oct 2022 04:58:01 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1525 Eggner’s Ferry Bridge
Eggner’s Ferry Bridge
Spans Kentucky Lake
Lanes 2×2
Total length 1,065 meters
Main span 112 meters
Bridge deck height ? meter
Opening 25-03-1932 / 08-04-2016
Traffic intensity 2,900 mvt/day
Location Map

According to iamaccepted, the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge is an arch bridge in the United States, located in the state of Kentucky. The bridge spans Kentucky Lake in the western part of the state.

Characteristics

Eggner’s Ferry Bridge is a steel arch bridge with two arches that bend towards the center and guyed in a network. The bridge has a clearance of 153 meters and a vertical clearance of 18 metres. The bridge deck is 22.5 meters wide, with 2×2 lanes and a bicycle/footpath. US 68 and State Route 80 cross the bridge. Alternative bridges are more than 20 miles away. The bridge is toll-free.

History

The Eggner’s Ferry Bridge (1932-2016).

Original Bridge (1932)

The bridge opened to traffic on March 25, 1932, spanning the Tennessee River. The original bridge was a 1,065-meter steel truss bridge with a main span of 112 meters. The bridge had two narrow lanes. Later in the 1930s, plans were made to dam the Tennessee River about 20 miles north of the bridge, creating Kentucky Lake, the largest reservoir in the eastern United States. When the dam was largely completed in 1943, the bridge was temporarily closed to raise the bridge piers, and thus adjust the bridge to the new water level. There was a ferry service temporarily. The bridge reopened in February 1944, and the dam was completed shortly after.

Collapse (2012)

On January 26, 2012, there was a collision with the bridge, and one of the main spans collapsed into the water. There were no injuries, but some vehicles were able to stop just in time. The bridge was then repaired in four months and was reopened on May 25, 2012. The detour during the closure was 60 kilometers.

Replacement (2016)

A replacement of the bridge had already been planned before the collision due to the age of the bridge, which was 70 years old at the time of the collision. The replacement was originally planned for 2017, but has been accelerated between early 2014 and early 2016. The new bridge opened to traffic on April 8, 2016. The new bridge has 2×2 lanes and cost $131 million. The project coincided with the replacement of the Henry Lawrence Memorial Bridge over Lake Barkley, 12 kilometers to the east. Both bridges have an identical design and dimensions. The new bridge is a network arch bridge with a passage width of 153 meters. On July 25, 2016, the old bridge was blown up.

Traffic intensities

2,900 vehicles cross the bridge every day.

Hal Rogers Parkway

HR 9006
Get started London
End Hazard
Length 91 mi
Length 147 km
Route
Somerset

London

Manchester

Big Creek

Hyden

Hazard

Hazard

According to acronymmonster.com, the Hal Rogers Parkway is a parkway in the United States, located in the state of Kentucky. The road forms a super two in southeastern Kentucky, from Somerset via London to Hazard and is 147 kilometers long.

Travel directions

The Hal Rogers Parkway begins as part of State Route 80 and runs for 50 kilometers from Somerset to London. This part is a single-storey road that partly has 2×2 lanes. The Hal Rogers Parkway then forms the northern bypass of the regional town of London in southeastern Kentucky. Here is a connection to Interstate 75. The road then heads east and is a super two. It is actually a limited-access road, with very few intersections and occasional grade separated connections. The road leads through strongly hilly and densely wooded area, with narrow valleys. There are only a few villages along the route. The road turns into State Route 80 at Hazard, a 2×2 divided highway to Pikeville.

History

The Hal Rogers Parkway opened to traffic in November 1971 as a toll road between London and Hazard. A grade-separated bypass of London was originally planned, but it was never built. The parkway was originally called the Daniel Boone Parkway, but was renamed in 2003 after Hal Rogers (1937), a US congressman who was instrumental in paying the toll. The road also became toll-free in 2003.

The Hal Rogers Parkway is the only parkway and former turnpike in Kentucky to be a super two. Other parkways are actually freeways.

The original Hal Rogers Parkway began in London, in 2015 the route was extended westward on existing State Route 80 to Somerset, where it connects to the Cumberland Parkway. This created a longer east-west connection called the ‘parkway’, although in practice this has highly variable design standards.

Future

The Hal Rogers Parkway is seen as part of the future Interstate 66, which is to form an east-west highway through southern Kentucky.

Traffic intensities

7,800 vehicles and 5,300 vehicles between Manchester and Hazard run daily between London and Manchester.

Hal Rogers Parkway

]]>
US 24 and 41 in Michigan https://www.franciscogardening.com/us-24-and-41-in-michigan.html Fri, 28 Oct 2022 18:22:12 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1522 US 24 in Michigan
US 24
Get started Erie
End Clarkston
Length 78 mi
Length 126 km
Route
Ohio

Monroe

Newport

Taylor

Detroit

Southfield

Pontiac

Clarkston

According to existingcountries.com, US 24 is a US Highway in the US state of Michigan. Forming a north-south route through the southeastern part of the state, the road begins at the Ohio border at Toledo and then parallels Interstate 75 to the Detroit metropolitan area. In Detroit, the road forms the mighty Telegraph Road. The road ends at Clarkston on I-75. The route is 126 kilometers long.

Travel directions

The Telegraph Road in Detroit.

In the northernmost suburbs of Toledo, US 24 crosses the Michigan border in Ohio and parallels Interstate 75 along the west bank of vast Lake Erie. The road then passes through Monroe and shortly thereafter crosses I-275, Detroit ‘s western bypass. It does not take long before one reaches the first suburbs of Detroit. The road soon has 4 lanes without a center divider and then runs straight to the north, as Telegraph Road. From Taylor it is a wide urban arterialwith 2×3 lanes and traffic lights. Further north there is often a fourth lane northbound. The road here serves the first suburbs west of Detroit and the westernmost neighborhoods of the city. You then cross the Interstate 94 via a SPUI connection.

The US 24 is then a wide road with 3 to 4 lanes in each direction and has a central reservation. In Dearborn, the US 12 crosses grade- separated. Interstate 96 is crossed in Redford. The road then continues through Detroit’s westernmost neighborhoods and crosses Grand River Avenue. Shortly after, comes the cloverleaf with 8 Mile Road, the cultural divide between Detroit’s run-down neighborhoods and the more affluent suburbs to its north. The road then passes through the Southfield suburb and intersects Interstate 696, an east-west highway through the northern suburbs. The road then also has 2×3 lanes and runs through the affluent suburb of Bloomfield. US 24 then forms the western bypassfrom the town of Pontiac and the road then runs through Waterford to Interstate 75 in Clarkston.

History

US 24 was created in 1926. The northern terminus was for a long time the city of Pontiac, but was slightly extended to I-75 at Clarkston in 1987. The road was built in the 1920s as a western bypass of Detroit. In 1945 the divided highway opened from the Ohio border to Erie. The section through the western suburbs of Detroit is known as the Telegraph Road. Here the first Michigan Left was realized at the intersection with 8 Mile Road on the outskirts of Detroit. The Telegraph Road became more famous in 1982 as the song of Dire Straits.

Traffic intensities

The road handles a fair amount of traffic, including outside Detroit, some 6,000 vehicles between Toledo and Monroe and 20,000 vehicles between Monroe and the southern suburbs of Detroit. The section called Telegraph Road is extremely busy for a single storey road with 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles per day. About 28,000 vehicles drive at the end of the road off I-75.

US 41 in Michigan

US 41
Get started Menominee
End Copper Harbor
Length 279 mi
Length 449 km
Route
Wisconsin

Menominee

powers

Escanaba

gladstone

Rapid River

marquette

ishpeming

Alberta

Houghton

Copper Harbor

According to anycountyprivateschools, US 41 is a US Highway in the US state of Michigan. The road follows a somewhat distinctive route through the “Upper Peninsula” in the north of the state and runs both east-west and north-south and is therefore also 449 kilometers long.

Travel directions

US 41 at Marquette.

US 2/41 at Escanaba.

At Menominee, US 41 in Wisconsin crosses the Michigan border, coming in from Green Bay and Milwaukee. The road then heads due north for more than 60 kilometers, slowly inland from Lake Michigan. The area consists of a mix of fields and forests, with low hills. At Powers, the road merges with US 2 coming west from Iron Mountain. This is followed by a double numbering of almost 60 kilometers. The road then heads east, passing the towns of Escanaba and Gladstone, and has 2×2 lanes around those towns as well. At Rapid River, US 41 continues north and turns US 2off towards St. Ignace in the east. The road then runs through the interior of the Upper Peninsula, running from the shores of Lake Michigan to that of Lake Superior. The coast of the latter lake can be reached after about 70 kilometers, at the town of Marquette, where the road has 2×2 lanes for a while. The road then turns back to the west, starting a route of about 90 kilometers to the west. This area already looks more Nordic with forests and little agriculture. US 141. ends at the village of Albertafrom Iron Mountain and turns north on the road. The route that US 41 follows here is significantly different from the route via US 2 and US 141, and through traffic from Wisconsin to Hougton should therefore not follow US 41. The road then runs along Keweenaw Bay, a bay of immense Lake Superior, and after about 50 miles the road reaches the town of Houghton, the northernmost major town in Michigan. The road then turns east again, crossing a large island to Fort Wilkins State Park, the northernmost portion of mainland Michigan. From there one can take another ferry to the Isle Royale, an island off the coast of Ontario in the north.

History

US 41 was created in 1926. The northern terminus has always been Copper Harbor. The road follows a rather illogical route across the Upper Peninsula (UP) via Marquette and Houghton.

Traffic intensities

The road is generally quite quiet. Between Menominee and the US 2 there are about 5,000 to 3,000 vehicles, and the double numbering with the US 2 has 6,000 to 9,000 vehicles. Between Gladstone and Marquette there is a dip of 1,600 vehicles, but between Marquette and Ishpeming there are 34,000 vehicles, quite busy for a relatively remote area. There will be fewer and fewer vehicles to the north, dropping from 4,000 west of Ishpeming to 900 vehicles at the end.

US 41 in Michigan

]]>
Virginia History https://www.franciscogardening.com/virginia-history.html Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:57:22 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1516 The Virginia Colony is the first colony of the thirteen American colonies. The name Virginia refers to the “Virgin Queen” (“Virgin Queen”) Elizabeth I of England. Originally the name referred to a much larger area, namely the coastal area explored by Sir Walter Raleigh ‘s expedition of 1584 and the hinterland as far as the Mississippi. Jamestown was founded in 1607, the oldest permanent English settlement in the New World that is still inhabited. King Charles IIgave Virginia, which had remained loyal to the monarchy throughout the English Civil War, the nickname “The Old Dominion”.

According to watchtutorials, the English settlers arrived during a period of great drought and scarcity of food, which led to conflicts with the native population, the Indians. As the English population grew and moved more and more inland, conflict intensified. This led to the first fighting, but a marriage between John Rolfe and the Powhatan princess Pocahontas temporarily restored peace. In 1622, a surprise attack by the Powhatan on Jamestown took place, killing a quarter of its population. This was the first of the American Indian Wars and went down in history as the Jamestown Massacre. In 1667the Bacon Rebellion took place in which a group of small farmers launched attacks on the Indians on their own initiative in order to take land. It brought them into conflict with Governor William Berkeley and eventually they attacked the capital Jamestown and set fire to much of the city. Bacon also drafted a statement denying the king’s power and additional troops were sent from London for both reasons.

In 1693 a university was founded in Williamsburg, the College of William & Mary, the second oldest university in the United States after Harvard. The colony owed its first economic boom to tobacco cultivation. In the late 18th century, cotton started to become the main export product. For tobacco cultivation, the planters first recruited white workers (“indentured labourers”), who did not differ much in status from slaves during their contract period, but after seven years were given complete freedom and then usually started a small farm themselves. Around 1700, however, the planters mainly made use of imported blacks, who were imprisoned for lifecontinued slavery. Virginia thus became a slave state, where 30 to 40% of the population consisted of black slaves.

Virginia was one of thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the 18th century. Three of the main Founding Fathers came from Virginia, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Patrick Henry was a lawyer and ardent advocate of American independence, and he famously delivered a speech in 1775 with the closing sentence Give me Liberty, or give me death! (Give me freedom or give me death!). He would later be elected governor twice. In 1781, inYorktown fought the last battle in the American Revolutionary War.

Virginia became the tenth state of the United States on June 25, 1788 . Its first president, George Washington, owned Mount Vernon, a Virginia plantation that is now a museum. The Virginia territory then ran all the way to the Mississippi and Ohio, but the western part was renamed the new state of Kentucky in 1792.

One of Southampton County ‘s largest slave revolts took place in 1831, led by the slave Nat Turner. More uprisings took place, two of them led by white abolitionists, John Brown and George Boxley. Because Virginia’s economy was largely dependent on slave labor, not only in agriculture but also in mining and manufacturing, the state sided with the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War. The western part of the state consisted mainly of smaller farms and there were far fewer slaves here. This area seceded and became the stateWest Virginia. A large number of battles took place in Virginia, including the First Battle of Bull Run. In 1864, Virginia rejoined the federation under a new constitution. It eventually provided for the end of slavery, and parliament became the ninth state to ratify the amendment to the US constitution that established this. On the basis of this constitution, a system of public education was also built up from 1870; until then, only children from wealthy families attended private schools. By August 1871, 2,800 public schools had been established and 3,000 teachers had been appointed.

In March 1924, the Virginia General Assembly passed a racial law that went beyond anything the United States has known in this area. The Racial Integrity Act made the usual distinction between whites and non-whites, but labeled anyone non-white who had even one non-white ancestor. Under the direction of magistrate Walter Plecker, archives and population registers were scoured to screen “suspicious” white families for “miscegenation”. In 1958, the couple married Loving, a black woman and a white man. Mixed marriages were banned in Virginia at the time and in order to get married, the marriage took place in Washington DC. The couple was sentenced to one year in prison in Virginia. The case was eventually referred to the Supreme Court in 1967, which ruled that intermarriage is legal throughout the United States and the conviction must be reversed. This event is still celebrated on June 12, Loving day. In 1990, Douglas Wilder took office as governor, becoming the first African-American governor in the US.

Virginia was also hit during the attacks on September 11, 2001, when a plane crashed into the Pentagon.

Virginia History

]]>
US 40 and 54 in Missouri https://www.franciscogardening.com/us-40-and-54-in-missouri.html Thu, 27 Oct 2022 15:36:00 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1520 US 40 in Missouri
US 40
Get started Kansas City
End St. Louis
Length 255 mi
Length 410 km
Route
Kansas

Kansas City

Independence

Marshall

Boonville

columbia

Fulton

Warrenton

Wentzville

Chesterfield

St. Louis

Illinois

According to watchtutorials, US 40 is a US Highway in the US state of Missouri. The road forms an east-west route through the center of the state and is largely double -numbered with Interstate 70. The road runs from Kansas City to St. Louis and is 410 kilometers long.

Travel directions

The road is mostly double numbered with I-70 and I-64. See Interstate 64 in Missouri and Interstate 70 in Missouri for the main topic.

The road separates from I-70 or I-64 in two spots;

  • between Exit 7 and Exit 24 through Kansas City and Independence, US 40 forms the Corporal Michael E. Webster Memorial Parkway.
  • between Exit 101 and Exit 121, US 40 parallels I-70 through Boonville with a bridge over the Missouri

History

In the early years of vehicular traffic, in 1918 a slightly more northerly route via Richmond, Carrollton, Moberly and Mexico was advertised as the “path of least resistance” for traffic between Kansas City and St. Louis. This was an early auto trail. Today these are several state routes. The advantage of this route was that it remained entirely north of the Missouri River, while the later US 40 crossed it at Boonville with a bridge built in 1924.

According to Citypopulationreview, US 40 was created in 1926. In 1932, the Daniel Boone Bridge opened over the Missouri River west of St. Louis. US 40 has been almost completely replaced by the construction of Interstate 70. The first part of this opened in 1958 just west of St. Louis. In 1967, the last stretch, the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis, opened. US 40 was also built through the western suburbs of St. Louis in the 1960s, but this section was renumbered as I-64 from 1988, making US 40 secondary. By 2009, the conversion from US 40 to I-70 at Wentzville was completed, and this entire stretch was renumbered I-64.

Express Highway in St. Louis

In St. Louis, the so-called ‘Express Highway’ was the predecessor of US 40 and I-64. This was the first highway-like road connection in the city. At the time, the city had more than 800,000 inhabitants. The original Express Highway was a 6-kilometer stretch of 2×2 lanes with grade separated intersections between Market Street near Downtown St. Louis and Clayton Road. On July 19, 1937, the first section opened between Vandeventer Avenue and Kingshighway Boulevard. The road was sunken and had a narrow profile. This was actually not a full-fledged highway. The speed limit was 30 mph until 1938, then 45 mph. The Express Highway was renamed the Red Feather Highway in 1948. In 1959, the Red Feather Highway was connected in the west to the new highway to the Daniel Boone Bridge west of St. Louis. Virtually nothing remains of the original ‘Express Highway’, the road was upgraded to a full-fledged freeway in the 1960s.

Traffic intensities

The section parallel to I-70 in Kansas City has 12,000 to 20,500 vehicles and 7,500 vehicles just at the end.

The section through Boonville has 6,500 vehicles and 2,000 vehicles further east.

US 54 in Missouri

US 54
Begin Deerfield
End Louisiana
Length 280 mi
Length 450 km
Route
Kansas

Nevada

Eldorado Springs

Preston

Camdenton

Jefferson City

Fulton

Mexico

Bowling Green

Louisiana

Illinois

US 54 is a US Highway in the US state of Missouri. The road forms an east-west route through the center of the state, from the Kansas border at Deerfield through the state capital Jefferson City to the Illinois border at Louisiana. Except for the part around Jefferson City, the road largely has a secondary function. The road is 450 kilometers long.

Travel directions

The interchange between US 50, US 54, and US 63 in Jefferson City.

The Champ Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River near Louisiana, Missouri.

US 54 between Jefferson City and Fulton.

At Deerfield, US 54 in Kansas enters the state of Missouri from Fort Scott and then continues for 15 miles to Nevada, a town on US 71. The area is still fairly flat at first, but becomes hillier towards the east with more forest. The road is single-lane and runs through an agricultural area, quite far from major cities. Collins crosses SR-13, a main route from Springfield to Richmond. The road passes through the Ozark Mountains, the largest mountain region in the central United States. At Preston you cross the US 65.

The route then goes more to the northeast, through hilly and wooded area, through an area with many reservoirs, of which the Harry S. Truman Reservoir and the Lake of the Ozarks are the largest. From Roach the road has 2×2 lanes and passes through a large nature reserve. The road crosses several tributaries of the Lake of the Ozarks, a winding reservoir. The road passes the town of Eldon and after a while reaches the capital Jefferson City. The city is not that big but it is the main hub in central Missouri.

US 54 is a 2×2 lane highway through Jefferson City. At the center you cross US 50 and US 63. One crosses the Missouri River here and US 54 then runs as a highway past Fulton to Interstate 70. US 54 is a 2×2 divided highway until the town of Mexico, then narrows to a single lane and runs through northeast Missouri. This area is initially undulating, but then becomes flatter with much less forest and many meadows. The road continues to Bowling Green where it intersects with 2×2 US 61. Then you come through the hills around the Mississippi River and the road descends to Louisiana, after which the US 54 in Illinoiscrosses the Mississippi River and proceeds to Griggsville to terminate at Interstate 72.

History

US 54 was created in 1926. The route has not changed substantially in Missouri since then. The US 54 is somewhat secondary in character in Missouri, and only serves the capital Jefferson City. In 1928 the Champ Clark Bridge opened over the Mississippi River near Louisiana. In August 1955, the first Jefferson City Bridge opened over the Missouri River. In 1991 an identical but slightly wider second span opened.

Traffic intensities

Every day, 3,500 vehicles cross the border into Kansas, which remains low with 1,500 to 3,000 vehicles due to the Ozark Mountains. The area around the Lake of the Ozarks is a bit busier with up to 30,000 vehicles at Osage Beach. 15,000 vehicles pass through Jefferson City and 49,500 vehicles cross the Missouri River daily. Up to I-70 there are 12,000 vehicles, after that about 3,500 vehicles. Some 3,800 vehicles cross the Illinois border every day.

US 54 in Missouri

]]>
State Route 495, 55 and 7 in New Jersey https://www.franciscogardening.com/state-route-495-55-and-7-in-new-jersey.html Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:18:45 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1518 State Route 495 in New Jersey
SR-495
Get started North Bergen
End New York
Length 4 mi
Length 6 km
Route
Kennedy Boulevard

Park Avenue

Lincoln Tunnel

Manhattan

According to act-test-centers, State Route 495 or SR-495 is a state route in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway runs from North Bergen to New York, and includes the Lincoln Tunnel. The highway is 6 kilometers long.

Travel directions

The highway begins at Interstate 95 in North Bergen. One immediately crosses the SR-3. The highway has 2×3 lanes, and it runs deep through Union City. In Weehawken, a 360 degree turn is made to enter the Lincoln Tunnel. This Lincoln Tunnel goes under the Hudson, and ends in Midtown Manhattan. The tunnel is a toll tunnel, and is 2.5 kilometers long. The toll costs are $8 eastwards, and due to the outdated toll gates, the wait can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

History

Work on the Lincoln Tunnel began in 1934. The highway was opened to traffic in 1937. The original design envisaged 2 tunnel tubes, but work on the second tube was halted in 1938 and resumed in 1941. Due to the Second World War, completion was delayed by two years. The second tube opened in 1945. In 1957 a third tunnel tube opened. There are 6 lanes in total available. The middle tube has one bus lane, which is the most cost-effective in the United States, between 6:15 AM and 10:00 AM, 1,700 buses use the tube.

Traffic intensities

121,000 vehicles use the Lincoln Tunnel every day.

Lane Configuration

From Unpleasant Lanes
I-95 Tunnel 2×3
Tunnel Manhattan 2×2

State Route 55 in New Jersey

SR-55
Get started Port Elizabeth
End Deptford Twp
Length 40 mi
Length 65 km
Route
Port Elizabeth

Millville / Cumberland

Downtown Millville

Millville

Bridgeton

Vineland

Brotmanville

Malaga

Franklinville

Clayton

glassboro

pitman

Fairview

→ Camden / Atlantic City

According to liuxers, State Route 55 or SR-55 is a state route in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway connects the south of the state with the metropolitan area of ​​Philadelphia. State Route 55 forms a north-south connection and is entirely a highway. State Route 55 is 40 miles long.

Travel directions

State Route 55 begins at Port Elizabeth in a densely forested area. You pass the towns of Millville and Vineland, where Vineland is a regional center. The highway has 2×2 lanes and runs through relatively densely populated rural areas. The first suburb of Philadelphia follows after 50 kilometers. The highway has 2×2 lanes until the end where the road merges with State Route 42 towards Camden and Philadelphia. It is not possible to travel to Atlantic City through this interchange.

History

In the mid-1950s, two highway connections were proposed between the bridges in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. One of these was State Route 42 and Atlantic City Expressway, the other State Route 55. State Route 55 was initially planned as a toll road.

Construction of the motorway began in 1965 and the first section opened in 1969 between Port Elizabeth and South Vineland over a distance of 12 kilometers. In 1972 the part around Vineland followed for 8 kilometers and in 1973 to the US 40 at Malaga over a length of 12 kilometers. After that, the opening further north took longer. In 1986, the section between Pitman and State Route 42 opened for seven miles. The last section opened in 1989 between Malaga and Pitman over 23 kilometers.

There were plans to extend State Route 55 to the Garden State Parkway at Sea Isle City. After Hurricane Katrina there were expectations that it would be built more quickly, because the urban area around Cape May does not have a good evacuation route. In the end, this turned out to be of little priority.

Opening history

from nasty length date
Port Elizabeth Vineland (South) 12 km 00-00-1969
Vineland (South) Vineland (north) 8 km 00-00-1972
Vineland (north) Malaga 12 km 00-00-1973
pitman State Route 42 11 km 00-00-1986
Malaga pitman 23 km 00-00-1989

Traffic intensities

State Route 55 is not very busy, increasing from 25,000 to 65,000 vehicles per day from the Vineland region to State Route 42.

State Route 7 in New Jersey

SR-7
Get started Jersey City
End Nutley
Length 5 + 4 mi
Length 9 + 7 km
Route
Jersey CityKearny

Belleville

Belleville

Nutley

State Route 7 or SR-7 is a state route in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The road forms a route through the urban area in the northeast of the state and formally consists of two parts, from Jersey City to Belleville and a portion from Belleville to Nutley. State Route 7 is 9 and 7 kilometers long.

Travel directions

The original Wittpenn Bridge over the Hackensack River (replaced 2021).

State Route 7 begins at Tonnele Circle in Jersey City. This is a complex junction and roundabout with US 1 and US 9. The first 2 miles is a highway-style road between Jersey City and Kearny. This part has a large lift bridge over the Hackensack River. State Route 7 then passes under Interstate 95 and crosses the county boundary at Kearny and North Arlington. The road then crosses the Passaic River and ends in the town of Belleville.

The second part starts a short distance from the first part and runs from south to north. The road here forms a four lane road through Belleville and a wide two lane road through Nutley. State Route 7 then ends in Nutley on Kingsland Road, just before State Route 3.

History

State Route 7 follows the historic Belleville Turnpike through the swamps between Jersey City and Belleville, which opened as a turnpike in 1759. In the 1927 renumbering of state routes in New Jersey, the number State Route 7 was assigned to a route from Jersey City to Paterson. The north end has been changed a number of times since then, ending at its current terminus in Nutley since 1953.

Bridges over the Passaic River in Belleville were built in 1790, 1841, and 1915. The current Belleville Turnpike Bridge opened to traffic in 2002.

The Wittpenn Bridge was built over the Hackensack River in Jersey City between 1927 and 1930. This enormous lifting bridge was opened to traffic on November 5, 1930. Between 2011 and 2021, this bridge was replaced for $500 million. The new bridge opened to traffic on October 2, 2021.

Traffic intensities

50,000 vehicles cross the Wittpenn Bridge in Jersey City every day.

State Route 55 in New Jersey

]]>
History of Russia https://www.franciscogardening.com/history-of-russia.html Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:04:36 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1491 From the 6th century, the Khazars (groups of Turkic and Iranian peoples who moved north) began to subjugate the Finno-Ugric and Slavic population living in the area of ​​today’s western Russia. The Khazars created a prosperous empire that covered most of present-day Ukraine and southern Russia, and in 737 established a new capital, Itil, near the mouth of the Volga to the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, the Vikings, making exploratory expeditions from Sweden, carved out a trade route from the Baltic to the Black Sea and Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) using the Dnieper River (the Dnieper trade route). First they founded Novgorod in the north and then advanced south and built Kiev. A number of Slavic tribes gradually united around this city, forming the powerful state of Kievan Rus. In 965, the strong Kiev prince Svyatoslav (died in 972) finally defeated the Khazars. In 988 Svyatoslav’s son Vladimir (960–1015) accepted the Christian faith. This event created strong bonds with the Greek Byzantine Empire, whose civilizing influences played a fundamental role in creating a distinctive Russian cultural identity.

According to Sunglasseswill, the reign of Vladimir I Svyatoslavovich and his son Yaroslav the Wise (1019–1054) was the period of greatest prosperity of Kievan Rus. However, the frequent raids of belligerent southern neighbors caused her constant trouble. In 1235, a new threat appeared from the east, when Tatar and Mongol invaders began to advance from the Asian steppes. The Mongol invasion of Russia was extensive and devastating. The Mongols burned cities and expelled their populations, slaughtered captives, and exacted tribute.

Northwest-lying Novgorod escaped Mongol raids, but had to face attacks from Swedes and Germans from the west. The legendary Novgorod prince Alexander Nevsky (1220–1263) eventually defeated his enemies in two major battles; one was fought against the Swedes on the Neva River in 1240, the second against the Germans in 1242 on the frozen Lake Čudské. By that time, however, the Mongols had already reached Europe and founded the Golden Horde empire, which had its capital in Sarajbat (near the Caspian Sea).

While the eastern regions of Kievan Rus’ remained under Mongol rule, the western part was occupied by Lithuania and Poland. However, at the end of the 13th century, a new powerful state began to grow. When Alexander Nevsky’s son Daniil Alexandrovich (1276–1304) became Prince of Moscow, he founded a dynasty of Muscovite rulers who ruled for the next three centuries until 1598. During this period, Moscow expanded rapidly, especially during the reign of Ivan III (Ivan the Great, 1440 –1505), who finally freed the Moscow region from Mongol servitude in 1480.

In 1472, he adopted the title “Ruler of all the Rus” and introduced the double-headed eagle emblem. In 1547, his grandson Ivan IV. (Ivan the Terrible 1530–1584) crowned the first Tsar of Russia.

The young tsar overcame the Khanate of Kazan and began a great Russian expansion to the east. Within half a century, Siberia was conquered, and in 1649 Jermak’s Cossacks reached the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

After the death of Ivan’s son Fyodor I (1557–1598), the Tatar nobleman Boris Godunov ruled as regent. His reign was a period of many uprisings in Russia and became known as the “Time of Troubles” (1595–1613); a period of famine, a total of 18 civil wars and rebellions, including the invasion of Poland, ended when Mikhail Romanov (1596–1645), the first representative of a dynasty that ruled Russia continuously until 1917, was elected Tsar.

Peter. I. called the Great (1672–1725), led by the desire to “open up to the West” and Europeanize his country, founded the new capital, Petersburg, at the mouth of the Neva River into the Gulf of Finland. With his military successes, the introduction of Western technology and harsh government reforms, he was able to transform Russia into a major European power. The expansion of the country’s influence and its Europeanization continued even under the reign of the German-born empress Catherine II. The Great (1729–1796).

Catherine’s grandson Alexander I (1777–1825) was at war with Napoleonic France for most of his reign. Although the defeat of Napoleon made Russian heroism famous, Russian society remained feudal and the Crimean War (1853–1856) revealed the backwardness of its industry. Alexander II (1818–1881) abolished serfdom and sought social and administrative reforms. However, the discontent of the Russian intelligentsia continued to grow and culminated in his assassination in 1881.

During the reign of Alexander II. Russia conquered the Caucasus and Kazakhstan and penetrated deep into Central Asia. Around 1900, it ruled a vast multinational empire that reached the borders of Persia, Afghanistan, India and China. After the disastrous war with Japan (1904–1905), domestic unrest forced Tsar Nicholas II. (1868–1916) to agree to the establishment of a Duma, or parliament. However, as it turned out, this concession was not enough and came too late.

The situation worsened further after 1914 when Russia entered World War I. Millions of people died in the fighting, the economy collapsed and the food supply was seriously threatened. In March 1917, following an uprising in St. Petersburg, the Tsar was forced to abdicate in favor of the Provisional Government. In November 1917, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (born Ulyanov, 1870–1924) seized power in a coup that overthrew the Provisional Government. Lenin immediately ended Russia’s participation in the war at the cost of major concessions and decided to distribute land to the peasants. A period of devastating civil war and intervention followed (1918–1922), ending in 1922 with the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

After Lenin’s death, Josif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, known as Stalin (1879–1953), won the power struggle by ruthlessly eliminating his rivals. In 1928, he announced the first five-year plan: a stage of intensive industrialization and forced collectivization of Russian agriculture. As a result, agricultural production fell and the subsequent famine in Ukraine in 1932 caused the death of millions of people. Many who opposed Stalin’s policies were executed or deported to Siberian labor camps. In 1934, Stalin began the systematic liquidation of all his political opponents, including top military officials. It is estimated that about 8 million people died in the mass terror of 1936-1938.

In 1941, after the outbreak of the Second World War, which caught the Soviet Union unprepared, a decisive part of the European part was occupied by Nazi Germany. Its defeat was achieved at the cost of huge sacrifices of the Russian people, which exceeded 20 million lives. In the first post-war years, the war-torn Soviet Union gained considerable international influence by creating six satellite communist regimes in the neighboring states of Central and Eastern Europe. The subsequent period of the Cold War, characterized by the development of atomic weapons and the arms race, led to the establishment of a military balance between the two major world powers, capable of destroying each other. In 1962, under Nikita Khrushchev, the world narrowly escaped war when the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to station Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev.

When Brezhnev failed to settle the growing rift between the Soviet Union and Communist China, he sought to make peace with the West. However, Brezhnev’s intensifying religious and political persecution, particularly of the Jews, caused an ebb of Western sympathy, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1980 drew widespread international condemnation.

This situation continued until March 1985, when Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Communist Party. He introduced a new, more open style of leadership, focused on rebuilding the government and the economy. In 1988, he withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan and initiated disarmament talks with the West. At home, however, he had to deal with a stagnant economy, growing differences between individual republics, growing efforts for long-suppressed national sovereignty, and ethnic conflicts that began to break out in many parts of Russia.

In the late 1980s, as communist regimes collapsed across Europe, Gorbachev requested greater presidential powers in an attempt to prevent the dissolution of the Union. Boris Yeltsin and other radical reformers warned of a “new dictatorship”. However, at the beginning of 1990, the Communist Party practically gave up its monopoly of power and, with the loss of the support of the majority of the population, also lost the ability to control events in the country. As a result, in May 1990 Yeltsin became the first freely elected president of the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile, Gorbachev’s political success in the United States and Great Britain signaled the real end of the Cold War and further arms reductions. However popular Gorbachev was abroad, his popularity at home was rapidly declining. While the first union republics were declaring their independence, Gorbachev sought to preserve some degree of central authority under the new union treaty. However, in August 1991, a group of conservative hardliners attempted to seize power. The following mass demonstrations in Moscow and Leningrad did not allow the rock communists to complete the coup. Gorbachev, who was detained under house arrest in Crimea, returned to the capital, where his position of power was already shaken by Yeltsin, who resolutely opposed the coup. The failure of the coup plotters confirmed that the authority of the Communist Party is broken and the huge monolith of the Soviet Union has begun to crumble. It was formally dissolved in December 1991, and 11 of the 15 union republics, excluding the Baltic states and Georgia, formedCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Gorbachev had no choice but to resign.

Since then, Russia has been struggling to transform its economy, reform its political system, and find a new position in world politics. Despite the immense difficulties caused by Yeltsin’s reforms, the Russian people expressed their support for his leadership in a popular referendum in April 1993. The ongoing disruption of the economy and the noticeable decline in the standard of living of the majority of the population changed the political situation again. After Yeltsin’s clashes with the conservative parliament in October 1993, the populist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the national fascist orientation, wins the following first free parliamentary elections. In 1996 Boris Yeltsin was elected in the elections, in 2000 Vladimir Putin was elected.

History of Russia

]]>
Holiday in Switzerland https://www.franciscogardening.com/holiday-in-switzerland.html Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:50:11 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1480 The most beautiful city break destinations in Switzerland

According to Smartercomputing, Switzerland is not only a nature travel destination for outdoor fans, but also offers culture lovers one or the other highlight.

If you like city breaks, these cities in Switzerland should be on your list!

Bern

Federal city of Switzerland

In addition to the absolutely picturesque cityscape , Bern offers great highlights and activities.

The old town is definitely a sight in itself and rightly belongs on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

In Bern you can wonderfully combine a city trip with outdoor activities.

Lucerne

Kitschy beautiful fairytale town

Lucerne is located directly on Lake Lucerne and is rightly described by our insiders as a “cheesy beautiful fairytale city”.

Lucerne is cozy and manageable and offers many sights. Above all the Kapellbrücke, the Spreuerbrücke and the Museggmauer.

Lucerne also combines city flair with mountains and water.

Zurich

The largest city in Switzerland

Zurich is also right on the water. The promenade offers a real holiday feeling in summer and it doesn’t feel like a big city at all.

Nevertheless, Zurich offers everything for a perfect city trip to Switzerland : exciting vantage points, cute old town streets, trendy cafes and bars, good restaurants, art galleries and museums.

Geneva

International flair

Geneva is the seat of many international organizations such as the United Nations and every second company founder in Geneva is not from Switzerland.

Geneva chocolate and watchmaking are world-renowned, and tastings and guided tours are just two of the city’s many highlights.

Basel

Art and culture capital of Switzerland

In addition to more than 40 varied museums, the city offers the most modern and diverse architecture in a small space.

New and modern buildings complement the Basel cityscape without destroying the historical charm.

Basel is definitely worth a detour.

The most beautiful holiday destinations in Switzerland

Switzerland is a paradise for outdoor fans, above all, of course, for mountaineers.

Holiday tips for the moated castle region of Switzerland

The area near Brugg is not called the moated castle of Switzerland for nothing. The three rivers Aare, Reuss and Limmat flow together here and form an enchanting landscape.

Our insider Andrina gives you the best tips for hikes and activities around the moated castle of Switzerland.

Bernese Oberland

The Bernese Oberland is worth a holiday both in summer and in winter.

Fantastic views, untouched nature , shimmering lakes and turquoise rivers and of course a remarkable mountain panorama make up the Bernese Oberland.

We are particularly fond of the Lauterbrunnen valley !

Grisons

Graubünden doesn’t mean anything to you? But surely the towns of Davos and St. Moritz and surely you also know the picture of the well-known drawbridge that leads over the Landwasser valley.

The Landwasser Viaduct is one of the most famous structures in Graubünden and offers an impressive photo motif at any time of the year.

Valais

The Valais has 300 days of sunshine a year and is therefore popular with both winter sports enthusiasts and summer vacationers.

The Valais panorama is characterized by the numerous majestic 4000m peaks on the one hand and the Rhone Valley with vineyards and southern flair on the other.

The Valais offers nature photographers many photo spots, for example the infamous Matterhorn.

Getting there

Depending on what you plan to do in Switzerland and where you come from, there are different ways to travel to Switzerland for your holiday.

Arriving in Switzerland by car

If you prefer to go on holiday in one of the rural regions or in the Swiss Alps, we recommend arriving by car. This gives you flexibility and you can easily get to the starting points for hikes and activities on site.

Attention: vignettes are compulsory on Swiss motorways and expressways . So remember to buy a vignette at one of the motorway service stations before the border.

Arriving in Switzerland by train

The train connections between Germany and Switzerland are well developed and you can quickly get to the larger cities. There is also a well-developed rail network within Switzerland , so that the cities can easily be reached by train.

Arriving in Switzerland by plane

There are three international airports in Switzerland : Zurich, Geneva and Basel-Mulhouse. Most flights are handled in Zurich.

Zurich Airport is also well connected, so you can quickly get to the surrounding cities by train.

5 facts about Switzerland

  • There are over 1,500 lakes in Switzerland, so mathematically you are never more than 16 kilometers away from the nearest lake.
  • Guinea pigs are social animals , which is why it is forbidden to keep an animal alone in Switzerland. There must be at least two .
  • All of Switzerland has about the same population as New York City .
  • The Swiss Guard protecting the Vatican in Rome is made up of 100% young Swiss under 30.
  • The Swiss are true bunker experts . The country has enough bunkers to protect everyone living in Switzerland in an emergency.

Questions

What languages ​​are spoken in Switzerland?

The official languages ​​in Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh.

What currency does Switzerland have?

In Switzerland you pay with Swiss francs (abbreviated CHF). The exchange rate is approximately 1 to 1.

Is Switzerland expensive?

Yes, the prices in Switzerland are significantly higher than in Germany , for example . For a Pizza Margherita you pay around 15 CHF, so around 15 euros. A beer will cost you around 5 CHF.

Why is Switzerland abbreviated to CH?

The CH stands for the Latin name Confoederatio Helvetica, it means Swiss Confederation.

Bern

]]>
Antelope Canyon for Tourists https://www.franciscogardening.com/antelope-canyon-for-tourists.html Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:19:07 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1476 Located 15 to 20 minutes east of Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in the area, the most-visited slot canyon in the American Southwest and the most photographed in the world. The popular photo opportunity is divided into the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, with the Upper Antelope Canyon being more popular.

“The Crack” as the Upper Antelope Canyon is also called, captivates with the play of light of the sun in spring and summer, but the changing colors in autumn and winter are also a fascinating sight. The easy accessibility of the Upper Canyon also makes it very popular for families. This is because there is no need to climb here.

You have to take into account that it can get very crowded on busy days in the higher part of the Antelope Canyon. The slot canyon is visited by numerous people, especially at lunchtime. The Lower Canyon is less crowded. However, the travelers have to cope with several stairs and ladders, which make the tours a bit more demanding.

Important: Both parts of the canyon are without exception only accessible as part of guided tours and in dry weather. During rain or thunderstorms, the slot canyon may not be entered, even with a guide. The Navajo Fee counts as entry. The park is privately owned by the Navajos, who also own the entrance fee. Please be respectful in the countryside.

  • Ask4beauty: Brief history and politics of state Arizona, covering latest population and geographical information of Arizona.

A visit to the Upper Antelope Canyon

If you want to marvel at the famous columns of light, called beams, you have to visit the Upper Antelope Canyon near the power station, preferably at lunchtime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. An incredible natural spectacle in this several hundred meters long gorge, which is reminiscent of a cathedral.

As part of a tour, there is an hour to enjoy this natural spectacle and to take one or two photos of the walls and the impressive play of light and sand. If you want twice as much time to photograph the slot canyon, you should a photographer tourbook.

The tour through the rock faces is relatively easy and manageable even for people who are not very good at walking. The walk through the area is only about 100 meters. In advance, a safari ride provided by the provider can go in a vehicle across the street from the Navajo Tribal Park Gate to the actual canyon.

A visit to Lower Antelope Canyon

Less crowds, but only a few rays of light. The Lower Antelope Canyon is often overshadowed by its higher brother. But wrongly. Because the winding slot canyon with its impressive arches is beautiful and offers a variety of shapes, motifs and colors.

The best time to visit Lower Antelope Canyon is around 9 am to 11 am in the morning and between 1 pm and 3 pm in the afternoon. During lunchtime, the beautiful colors don’t really come into their own due to the steeply falling sun. The tours into the canyon start not far from the parking lot and entrance to the canyon.

It should be noted that the Lower Antelope Canyon is on the one hand a little longer and on the other hand the entrance is only accessible via ladders and stairs. You don’t have to be claustrophobic there, even with a high number of visitors. The entrances to the part of the canyon are not half as narrow as it seems at first glance.

Guided tours of Antelope Canyon

The Antelope Canyon can in fine weather, if flash floods are not to be expected, as part of guided tours be visited. Helicopter flights to marvel at the unique natural wonder from above are also possible.

Since the number of visitors during the week and especially on the weekends is usually very high, it is worthwhile to secure the tickets for the day from home to be on the safe side. Otherwise you run the risk of standing in front of the entrance at the destination, but not being able to join any group. Reservations can be made online. The most popular time is definitely 11:30 a.m.

Interested people are also offered trips by boat or kayak to the river bank of the Antelope Canyon.

One of the better known providers is Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. Ken’s Tours, Dixie Ellis and Roger Ekis also offer tours. Combination tours are also possible, including Waterholes Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. If you want, you can visit Antelope Canyon with a detour to the Toadstool hoodoos or that Slide Rock State Park connect.

Antelope Canyon for Tourists

]]>
Worthwhile Activities in Orlando, Florida https://www.franciscogardening.com/worthwhile-activities-in-orlando-florida.html Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:34:12 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1474 Orlando is a city in the States where pleasure is essential. Accordingly, there are countless opportunities to spend entertaining days there during your stay.

  • Enjoyment: In Orlando there are countless restaurants in almost all price ranges and with different culinary directions, so that there should be something for lovers of every cuisine. The Market on South is an insider tip among fans of vegan cuisine. The Market on South is also worth a visit for people who generally consume animal products. Church Street is also home to some of the best restaurants in town, and Church Street is the ideal spot for some of the city’s nightlife.

Tip : The largest Hard Rock Café in the world is located at the Universal CityWalk. Here you can enjoy real American food.

  • Shopping: There is hardly anything in Orlando that cannot be bought. You can find just about anything here, from luxury brands like Prada or Louis Vuitton to extraordinary keepsakes like Mickey Mouse ears. Well-known shopping centers are the Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall, Pointe Orlando, Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. In the noble Mall at Millenia you will find mainly international luxury brands and many well-known stores from brands such as Apple.

The largest of the area’s shopping malls, The Florida Mall is just minutes from Orlando International Airport. There are also various shops in downtown Orlando that are well worth a visit. If you want to stroll through shops and get to know a completely different side of central Florida beyond the big shopping centers, you should definitely visit Winter Park’s Park Avenue, Thornton Park, North Orange Avenue and Kissimmee and St. Cloud with their shops. A visit to the former railway depot at Church Street Station (129 W. Church Street) should also be worthwhile for shopping enthusiasts.

  • Do sports: Thanks to the warm climate, a variety of outdoor sports are possible in Orlando. Examples include sports such as water sports, golf and tennis. Players and athletes should definitely get their money’s worth here.
  • Experience a basketball game: Have you always wanted to experience a real American basketball game from the NBA and really cheer the players on while they play? Then make sure to watch an Orlando Magic basketball game at the Amway Center during your stay. Such a game is a real experience!

The Amway Center is not only used by the Orlando Magic basketball players for their home games in the NBA, it is also used by the Orlando Predators. However, the Predators football team disbanded in 2016 due to financial problems, so it is currently not known when football players will return to the Amway Center. The players of the Orlando Solar Bears play their ice hockey matches in this multi-purpose arena.

  • Allcitycodes: Lists of all area codes of Kentucky. Also includes state overview and counties by area code in Kentucky.

In addition, concerts, shows and events for families take place regularly in the Amway Center. In the past, basketball players’ games were held in the Amway Arena. After the construction of the Amway Center, however, the Amway Arena was largely blown up in 2012 after the building had already been closed for a few years.

  • Golfing: Orlando is known as a golfer’s paradise and the city and region have numerous golf courses for passionate players. The golf courses there are world class and a lot has been done to bring the golf course and facilities for families with and without children under one roof. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, golfers are sure to have fun in Orlando.
  • Relax: If you just want to relax for a day in nature with the children, you should definitely pay a visit to Lake Eola Park in the center of Orlando. Here in Lake Eola Park with the Eola Lake of the same name, you can really relax and observe many of the state’s native animal species. To the west of Lake Eola Park is the Walt Disney Amphitheater, where concerts and other events are held, so that culture shouldn’t be neglected on vacation either. The park called Loch Haven Park is also very beautiful. Loch Haven Cultural Park is located between three lakes and is home to several theaters, including the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.
  • nightlife: Orlando offers a very varied nightlife with hip bars, dance clubs, pubs and much more. Many corresponding establishments that you can visit in the evening can be found on International Drive and along Restaurant Row. Other worthwhile destinations for party-goers are Universal CityWalk, Disney Springs and Downtown Orlando in general. The Universal CityWalk is known as “The Entertainment Capital of Orlando” and offers entertainment options including the popular CityWalk’s Rising Star Karaoke Club, where you can become a singer yourself and stand on stage with a background band and make music. In “Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom” you can enjoy cool reggae music. World famous musicians and singers perform at Hard Rock Live Orlando for entertainment. Enjoy the show!
  • Bathing fun: In Orlando and the surrounding area there are numerous water parks where you can have fun in the cool water and at least temporarily escape the humid weather. Well-known water parks are Universal’s Volcano Bay, SeaWorld’s Aquatica, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and the Typhoon Lagoon in the DisneyWorld resort. The water park in Legoland also invites adults and children to have fun in the water.

Activities in Orlando, Florida

]]>
Black Pearls in French Polynesia https://www.franciscogardening.com/black-pearls-in-french-polynesia.html Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:45:02 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1472 And nowhere else is there such a large, such black and such perfect pearl as in Tahiti and its islands. He is insanely handsome. And insanely expensive. Tourists are taken to Pearl Farms – pearl plantations, they explain in detail why even a small round pea costs about $ 200, how not to run into fake pearls and how to store a real one so that your great-great-granddaughter can flaunt it in two hundred years. In short, the point is this: only here, in the lagoons off the islands of French Polynesia, live unique oysters named Margarita, whose insides are black, not milky gray and white. It is not suitable for food and snacks with wine, but it does an excellent job of giving the usual white pearl a shade that car manufacturers call “the color of wet asphalt.” The Japanese, of course, tried to breed such oysters at home. Australians too. But nothing happened: it turned out that these Margaritas are terrible patriots, and they do not live in other seas.

According to Shoe-Wiki, some 50 years ago, black pearls grew randomly in the lagoons. That is, it could grow, but it could not – depending on whether the wave brought a happy grain of sand into the oyster, which was to become a treasure. But then a wise Chinese named Robert Wang arrived in Tahiti and set the matter on stream: they began to carefully place a white mother-of-pearl nucleolus in each suitable Margarita, observe its transformations, provide it with unhindered access to the black body… And so for 6 -8 years. Of course, this is manual, painstaking and hard work. Of course, at first it seemed to Robert Wang that the careless Polynesians could not cope with it. Of course, he made sure that his compatriots, much more diligent, fiddled with oysters. And, of course, he became fabulously rich. Now this process is led by his son, Bruno Wang. in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, there is the Black Pearl Museum, where Bruno can sometimes be found. He walks in moccasins on his bare feet and does not betray that he is a multi-billionaire.

As for the industriousness of the inhabitants of Polynesia, you should not think that they are lazy. They’re just… how can I explain it? Well, for example, here is a story: people from other islands often work in Tahiti: after all, the capital is there, life is in full swing, and the work itself finds you. But far from home, they miss their aunts, grandmothers and great-nephews terribly. And so they can do “fiou”, that is, simply disappear from the workplace for a week without telling anyone. Employers are aware of this national peculiarity and even come to terms with it: a person is not shot or fired, but they say that he is “fiou”, homesick, that is, and will soon return, meek and peaceful. It is useless to fight this local “fiou” – then you have to leave here.

And nobody wants to leave here. Nobody is leaving. Paul Gauguin is far from the only European who discovered that Tahiti is a paradise on earth, where it is difficult to get in, and even more difficult to leave, everything in you resists such a turn of events. There is no shortage of young people here, as in other parts of the world, there is no fierce struggle for survival (there is no one to fight, and the climatic conditions are as gentle as people), there is no desire to live headlong and concentrated, saving from wages, in order to go somewhere later to the islands (you are already on them), there is no need to clench your teeth and fists. Therefore, people from Europe, people from Japan, people from China and people from America often stay here forever, gradually forgetting that there is a cold on earth and a thirst for profit that exhausts the body.

Some first fall in love with these islands, and then find a husband or wife with a local residence permit. Some act in a different sequence – first fall in love with a woman. Local women strongly contribute to falling in love with them. And it’s not even that they are beautiful, although they are beautiful and very bulging – they have bulging lips, bulging breasts, bulging hips and bulging cheeks, especially when they smile, and they almost always smile. The fact is that women in Tahiti and all its islands are meek and cheerful. This rare combination of qualities is almost never found in Europe, Japan and America. And the children from such marriages turn out to be magnificent: thick local blood defeats the European one, but the European one gives sophistication to the faces. And in the evenings, beautiful children run around on the Papeete embankment, ride on folding scooters. (Scooters have come here too.

In general, Papeete is already very similar to a European city. During the day, the busyness of the work, the picturesque market, the latest cars. In the evening, dance shows, nightclubs and lights. It is impossible to imagine that just some 100 years ago, here nearby, in the Marquesas archipelago, a person was eaten for the last time – not from evil, but from good intentions. Apparently, the king of the tribe wanted to recover or grow wiser, and for this there was no better medicine than the corresponding parts of the body of a foreigner. By the way, on Moorea marae titiroa has been preserved in its original form – a sacred place where sacrifices and other great deeds were once performed. This is a large area in the rainforest, fenced with stones. In the center is a throne, two basalt blocks to support the back, and no more architectural excesses. The king sat on the throne, the tribe crowded on the sides. On the contrary, action unfolded. For especially important occasions, two handsome men were chosen, each of whom fought for the right to be sacrificed. And here’s what’s interesting: the winner was killed, and the loser was released. True, his duties now included taking care of the family of his eaten winner. And in fact, do not palm off any weaklings to God!

Black Pearls in French Polynesia

]]>
New York City Economy https://www.franciscogardening.com/new-york-city-economy.html Fri, 22 Jul 2022 10:05:49 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1470 According to Ask4beauty, the great North American metropolis (the so-called New York Metropolitan Region, NYMR) develops within three states: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. From an administrative point of view, NYMR is divided into three levels: New York City (which includes the five counties shown in the table and constitutes the city of NY itself); the metropolitan area bounded by the borders of the state of NY (to the previous five counties are added those of Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam and Sullivan); the NYMR, i.e. the entire metropolitan region including the metropolitan sections of the states of New Jersey (14 counties) and Connecticut (3 counties). At the 1990 census, the population of NY City amounted to 7,322,564, while the population outside the City was 4,635,184 inhabitants. On the same date, the NYMR population was 19,843,157, 6,079,453 living in the New Jersey section and 1,805,956 in the Connecticut section. Compared to the 1980 census, the city’s population increased by 3.5%, a very significant increase especially considering that in the previous decade the inhabitants had decreased by as much as 10.4%.

In the decade 1970-80 the population of the metropolitan region had increased from 19,742,904 residents to 19,192,781, a decline of 2.8%. In this interval only the City marked a marked loss of inhabitants, as the population of the other three components of the metropolitan region increased. Among the main causes of this population decrease is the migratory balance. The phenomena of deindustrialisation and outsourcing of the metropolitan economy and, at the same time, the high levels reached by urban rent, which hinder the emergence of new economic activities, have caused employment losses and determined the formation of a strong prevalence of flows in exit. The migratory balance has become increasingly negative, passing from −482,000 units (1960-70) to −1,162,000 units (1970-80). The deficit was heaviest in the run-down sectors of Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn, while a positive balance was recorded on Staten Island and in the southern section of Manhattan. Among the causes of this counter-urbanization (a phenomenon common to many metropolises) is also the difficulty in finding new housing, due, among other things, to the lowering of the average size of households (in Manhattan 46.6% of residents are singles).

In the decade 1980-90 the population of the metropolitan region started to increase again. This turnaround involved NY City itself, which posted a 3.5% increase. During this time, all counties turned positive, while the increase in Staten Island decreased.

Overall, over the twenty-year period 1970-90, the increase in inhabitants was modest, but internal mobility was always very high, and as in previous years, the redistribution of the population favored the less densely populated counties with the greatest characteristics. of rurality to the detriment of the central districts.

Regarding the ethnic composition, the population of NY is divided as follows (1990): whites (non-Hispanics) 3,436,541 (46.9%), blacks 2,102,512 (28.7%), Hispanics 1,783,511 (24, 4%). For the first time, whites have fallen below 50% of the city’s population. During the decade 1980-90, the Hispanic population increased by 21.2%, while the black population by 15.1%. Instead, the decrease in the white population was 11.4%.

Observing the demographic behavior of the entire metropolitan region, the increase in the Hispanic population was close to 27%, that of the black population remained just over 14%, while the decrease in the white population was equal to 4.3%. Whites predominantly reside in Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, while making up a fifth of the Bronx population. Blacks are traditionally concentrated in Harlem and the South Bronx, east of Prospect Park, in the borough of Brooklyn, and ultimately in a large area located in southeastern Queens. Hispanics, mostly from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico and other Latin American countries, are concentrated in the southern Bronx and some areas of Brooklyn. The other ethnic minorities account for 3-4% of the total population of NY City and are made up of Chinese for more than half. The Indians are about a fifth, while Filipinos, Koreans and Japanese are represented in an almost negligible measure; they mostly reside in Chinatown, in the southern section of Manhattan.

NY is the main demographic and economic center of the United States and one of the largest concentrations of political and economic power in the world. Over the last few years, however, its production system has undergone some contractions and, especially in the secondary sector, symptoms of stagnation have appeared (in many counties of the metropolitan region the unemployment rate has exceeded 5%). In the second half of the 1980s, total employment was just over 3 million units and only 460,000 were employed in the manufacturing sector.

In the city itself, small establishments of light and specialized industry predominate: packaging and clothing in the first place, construction of electric and non-electric machines, graphic-publishing industries, of scientific instruments and food. The large branches of chemistry (NY is the capital of this type of industry) and metallurgy are concentrated on the outskirts and especially along the waterways; finally, aeronautical and space constructions are located in the region.

The services sector maintained an upward trend. Within this sector, public and private services, cultural and administrative activities, credit and insurance institutions, real estate companies and advertising play a leading role. The financial structure has also evolved greatly and Wall Street remains the main financial center of the entire world.

From a commercial point of view, NY has reached high levels of development; parallel to the expansion of trade, transport has progressed. The port is the largest in the United States; exports products with high added value, manufactured in the metropolitan area, throughout the North-East of the United States and in the Great Lakes region; imports raw materials (oil), foodstuffs, etc. A gigantic container portwas built in Newark Bay. NY is also an important airport: through its three airports (Kennedy, Newark, La Guardia) 40 million passengers pass annually and one million tons of goods are sorted. The city is served by 4 heliports. Despite its eccentric location, NY is the main road junction on the continent: about twenty highways and expressways cross or flank the different parts of the agglomeration.

New York City Economy

]]>
What to See in Madaba (Jordan) https://www.franciscogardening.com/what-to-see-in-madaba-jordan.html Fri, 15 Jul 2022 03:31:12 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1467 According to Securitypology, Madaba is located 33 km south of Amman. Previously, the city was called Medaba and was mentioned in the Bible. The city was founded 4.5 thousand years ago and is now one of the centers of Christianity in the Middle East. Most of Madaba is now occupied by an archaeological park. The main attraction of the city is the Church of St. George in the city center, where there is a mosaic in the form of a map of Palestine, depicting the territory of the Holy Land with its surroundings. It was made in the 6th century AD and is the oldest such mosaic in the world. In the original, it consisted of 2.3 million pieces and had a size of 25×5 m. A large collection of mosaics can be seen in the Madaba Museum. There is also a collection of national costumes, jewelry and ceramics. There are ruins at the entrance to the city. Church of the Apostles. This Byzantine church was built in the 6th century AD. Here is a very interesting floor mosaic, which is known as the “Incarnation of the Sea” and which depicts a woman who emerged from the sea, surrounded by mythical aquatic creatures and animals. Madaba is famous for its woven carpets, which are sold in many shops in the city.

10 km west of Madaba lies the famous Mount Nebo. (833 m.). It is mentioned in the Bible as the place from where God showed Moses the Promised Land. The mountain has two peaks – Siyakha and Mukhayat. On Mount Siyakha, there are now the ruins of a Byzantine monastery, where you can see a 3×9 m mosaic with images of hunters and animals. Another attraction of this place is a large ornate cross with a snake, a copy of the cross that belonged to Moses. It resembles the current crosses, which depict the crucifixion.

2 km from the Jordan River near Madaba is a place called Wadi Harar where Jesus Christ was baptized and where John the Baptist preached. It is referred to in the Bible as “Bethany beyond the Jordan”. This is a world-famous place of pilgrimage, the largest number of Christians gather here during Easter. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Archaeological Park was opened in Wadi Harar, where archaeologists discovered the remains of Byzantine monasteries and monastic cells, the source of John the Baptist, whose waters fill several baths intended for baptism. The entire park is criss-crossed by hiking trails that connect the attractions of the park. The most important attraction is the complex of monasteries of John the Baptist, which was built in the 6th-7th centuries AD. on the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ and initially consisted of four monasteries. The remains of walls with paintings, columns, arches and floor mosaics have been preserved here. The very place of the baptism of Jesus Christ is already in the dried up former bed of the Jordan River. Every year, many pilgrims come to Wadi Harar in order to bow to these shrines and be baptized in the sacred waters of the source of John the Baptist.

The Dead Sea is located near Madaba.- the lowest place on the planet. In the northern part of the Dead Sea coast there are 3 resort areas – Movenpick, Dead Sea Spa Hotel and Dead Sea Holiday House, which offer their clients treatment with the waters and mud of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the most salty body of water on the planet, the salinity of its waters is 350 grams per 1 kg of water, so the water is very “dense” and resembles a thick liquid. It has a high concentration of magnesium and bromine salts, trace elements such as copper, zinc and cobalt, and its pH is 9. Dead Sea water and mud help prevent skin pathologies (psoriasis, atonic dermatitis, vitiligo, ichthyosis, scleroderma, mycoses, window, lichen planus), chronic arthritis, polyarthritis, arthrosis, neuralgia, various postural disorders, diseases of the nervous system (neurosis, asthenoneurotic conditions, bulimia or anorexia neurosis, multiple sclerosis, post-stress syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome), allergic-immunological diseases, and fight overweight and cellulite. In addition, dry, clean, highly bromine and almost dust-free air and sun rays are used in the treatment, which are filtered by an additional layer of air (the Dead Sea is located below sea level). The coast of the Dead Sea, with the exception of artificially equipped zones, is rocky. Swimming in the Dead Sea is truly amazing, because due to the high salinity of the waters, you will not even be able to dive, your body will always stay on the surface of the water. The coastal mud of the Dead Sea is considered healing, it contains many minerals, so tourists often apply it to their skin.

Not far from the Dead Sea, 25 km from Madaba, there are hot mineral springs Zarqa Main. In the waters of Zarqa Main, King Herod the Great of Judea was treated. Now a modern wellness center has been created here, which includes a hoteland a health center. This center treats diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, sinusitis, diseases of the digestive tract and the circulatory system.

On the shores of the Dead Sea is the Wadi Mujib nature reserve., which is the lowest nature reserve in the world. Its landscape is mountainous with numerous canyons. The elevation difference here reaches 1300 m. A large number of predators live here, such as caracal (desert lynx), hyena and Syrian wolf. The mountain goat, the Nubian ibex, which was practically exterminated in past centuries, is especially protected on the territory of Wadi Mujib.

Madaba (Jordan)

]]>
Gangneung (South Korea) https://www.franciscogardening.com/gangneung-south-korea.html Fri, 08 Jul 2022 05:41:51 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1462 South of Sokcho on the coast of the Sea of Japan is the city of Gangneung . This is one of the most famous seaside resorts in South Korea.

Along the northern part of the city’s coast stretches the resort area Chumun-jin. Jumun-jin Beach is surrounded by vegetation, it is usually very quiet here, since there are not so many vacationers, the coastal waters are shallow and clean, and the sand is very fine, so families with children mainly come here to relax. Not far from the beach are such natural attractions as Muryn Gorge and Guryong Waterfall, which consists of 9 small waterfalls.

According to Rctoysadvice, Central Beach the city is usually crowded with vacationers, because there are many cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues.

In the south of Gangneung, Chyeongdong-jin Beach stretches. The beach is not only a great place for people with a wide variety of preferences to relax, but also a place where, in addition to the sea, there is something to see. The local train station is located right on the beach, which allowed her to get into the Guinness Book of Records. There is a hotel on one of the mountains surrounding the beach.in the form of a ship. It’s as interesting on the inside as it is on the outside, with quaint bars, museums and exhibitions. There are several parks around Cheongdong-jin. Of interest are the picturesque Sandglass Park with a huge 8 m high hourglass and the Unification Park with a North Korean submarine captured in 1996. Also on the beach there is the Clock Museum with more than 5000 exhibits. The mountains adjacent to Cheongdong-jin are home to Hasla Nature Park and Dongmyeong Monastery.

In addition to relaxing on the beaches of the sea coast , Gangneung offers holidays on the shores of Gyeongpo Lake. There is also an organized beach around it. You can also go fishing on the lake. Gyeongpo-dae gazebo is located near the Gyeongpo lake. This is a romantic place where couples in love meet. Poems of Korean poets are stored in the gazebo. Nearby stands a monument to the soldiers who died during the Korean War and a monument to Sinsaimdan, Yulgok’s mother. Songyo-jang’s estate once stood on the shores of Lake Gyeongpo, but over time, the size of the lake has decreased and now the estate is located a little further from its shores. It was built in the 18th century and belonged to a noble Korean family. Representatives of this ode live in some buildings of the estate to this day. A visit to the estate gives an idea of the life of the elite of that time.

In the city of Gangneung in a place called Ochzhuk-khon, where thickets of black bamboo stretch, there is a house-museum of Yulgok with buildings from the beginning of the 16th century. The museum exhibits the works of the 16th century artist Sinsaimdan, whose son Yulgok became a famous politician and philosopher of his time. In addition, in the museum you can get acquainted with the life of the Korean people of the 16th century.

Northwest of Gangneung is Ode-san National Park. It was created in 1975 on the slopes of the mountain range of the same name. The park has several hotels where you can stay overnight. The highest point of the park is Pirobon Peak (1563 m). Visiting these places, you will see vast forests, lakes and waterfalls. The park is home to the Botanical Garden, founded in 1999. The garden is divided into several parts: an indoor garden with indoor plants, an ecological garden with wild plants, a herb garden with mountain flowers and herbs, and a theme garden with plants bred in honor of famous people. But the most famous park Ode-san brought ancient Buddhist monasteries built in the era of the state of Silla. There are 9 of them in total. 2 of them are the most interesting. Woljong-sa Monastery was founded in 643. It consists of 60 small temples and 8 hermitages. At the entrance to the monastery there is a huge gate, the roof of which is decorated with drawings. On the territory of the monastery complex you will see the Museum of Relics, the main exhibit of which is a stone statue of Buddha squatting (this is the only Buddha statue in the world depicting him in such a position), a 9-story pagoda and a pavilion with the remains of Buddha. 8 km north of Woljong-sa is the Sanwon-sa monastery of the second half of the 7th century. The oldest bell in South Korea is kept in the courtyard of the monastery – Sangwon-sa Dongjong (725). The bell is decorated with fine engraving. On the altar of the main temple of the monastery stands a figurine of the god of wisdom, Munsu, who, according to legend, appeared to King Sejo in the form of a child and cured him. Not far from the monastery, the remains of Buddha Shakyamuni from China are kept in a special building.

South of the Odae-san National Park are the ski resorts of Yongpyeong and Phoenix Park .. Yongpyeong means “Dragon Valley” in Korean. The resort is open all year round. Here is the longest ski slope in the country with a length of 5600 m. The elevation difference in these places ranges from 30 to 700 m. The resort offers vacationers a choice of 31 slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. Half of the slopes are illuminated at night. The slopes are served by 15 lifts, among which is a gondola lift for 6 people. For snowboarders, the resort is equipped with a half-pipe. For families with children, there is a special Snow Sledge park. The resort has ski schools, experienced instructors, several hotels, a medical office, a playground, inventory rentals, a restaurant, an Internet cafe, a nightclub and even a hippodrome. During the summer, golf courses open here. The Phoenix Park ski resort has 12 slopes of various difficulty levels ranging from 230 to 1110 m, a snowboarding area and 9 lifts, including a gondola lift. On the territory of the resort there is a ski school, a hotel, villas and small motels, equipment rental, an ice rink, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, billiard rooms, a shooting range, Korean and Chinese restaurants, a karaoke club and a children’s playground. During the summer, golf is practiced at the resort.

Gangneung (South Korea)

]]>
Sightseeing in Madrid, Spain https://www.franciscogardening.com/sightseeing-in-madrid-spain.html Fri, 01 Jul 2022 03:35:12 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1458 According to Printerhall, 50 km south of Madrid is the city of Aranjuez. (Aranjuez). The main attraction of these places is the palace and park ensemble, which served as the summer residence of the royal family. Now it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The palace and its gardens were built between the 16th and 18th centuries by architects such as Juan Batista de Toledo, Juan de Herrera and Francesco Sabatini. This is the most significant palace and park ensemble during the reign of the Habsburg dynasty. A truly picturesque place was chosen for the royal residence – this is the confluence of the Tahoe and Jarama rivers. Today, inside the Royal Palace there is a unique collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics and jewelry that belonged to the royal family. Three roads lead from the palace, along which three extensive gardens are arranged. Numerous fountains and statues are located in the gardens, as well as the Casa del Labrador, which contains a collection of paintings, and the Faluas Museum, which displays the boats on which members of the royal family walked along the Tagus River. From May to September on Saturdays and Sundays from Madrid to Aranjuez tourist “Strawberry train” runs, which will take you here in 1 hour. The train is named Strawberry Train because the area around Aranjuez is famous for its strawberries. The train is a typical late 19th and early 20th century trainset. During the trip, girls in vintage outfits will offer you to taste local strawberries. The small town of Chinchon is located 45 km southeast of Madrid. (Chinchon), whose appearance has hardly changed for several hundred years. It is the very spirit of antiquity and solitude that attracts tourists here. The center of the city is the round Plaza Mayor, bordered by the facades of houses with numerous balconies. Cozy cafes are located on the first floors of the houses. The square is the venue for major celebrations and, of course, bullfighting. In addition, churches and towers from the 18th and 19th centuries are scattered along the narrow streets of Chinchon, and the ruins of the Count’s castle from the 15th century have been preserved on the outskirts of the city. The cafes and restaurants of Chinchon and its surroundings are especially popular, offering a wide variety of Spanish cuisine.

Excursions to the protected mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama are very interesting. (Sierra de Guadarrama), which is part of the Central Cordillera mountain range. The Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range offers tourists unlimited opportunities for hiking and mountaineering. There are two significant conservation areas here: the natural park of Mount Penalara (Penalara) (2428 m, the highest point of the Sierra de Guadarrama) and the Cuenca Alta del Rio Manzanares biosphere reserve; as well as several ski centers: Puerto de Navacerrada (Puerto de Navacerrada), Valdeschi (Valdesqui) and La Pinilla (La Pinilla). These ski centers are within 100 km of Madrid. In addition, some significant cultural and historical sites are located in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

These include the city of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, located 50 km northwest of Madrid, where the Royal Monastery was built in the 16th century under King Philip II, now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the largest monastic complex in Spain (it extends over an area of ​​more than 33 thousand square meters) and one of the most significant monuments of Spain the Renaissance. It was erected in honor of the victory of the Spaniards over the French in the battle of San Quenten, as a reminder of the strength and power of the state, with the participation of architects Juan Batista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera. The monastery complex includes the Royal Palace, consisting of many halls and rooms richly decorated with frescoes and a collection of sculptures, paintings and furniture (among them is the ascetic bedroom of Philip II, where the king died); Basilica with a dome 95 m high; the Pantheons located under its altar (in one there are the tombs of the monarchs from the Habsburg and Bourbon families, in the other – the tombs of their wives and children); 9 towers and more than a dozen courtyards and galleries connecting all the buildings. In addition, tourists can visit the Library, which contains about 40 thousand manuscripts of the 15th-16th centuries, the Museum of Architecture, where documents are exhibited, telling about the history of the construction of the monastery complex, and the Museum of Painting, which presents the works of El Greco, Ribera, Titian, Tintoretto, Velasquez, Bosch and other famous painters. On the outskirts of the city of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, you can see the so-called “Chair of Philip II” (a stone block in the form of an armchair), from where, according to legend, the king watched the construction of the monastery.

13 km north of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos) – a monument carved into one of the rocks of the Sierra de Guadarrama by order of the dictator Francisco Franco in honor of those who died in the Civil War. The monument is a 150-meter stone cross with sculptural compositions, standing on a rock, inside of which there is a church. About 40 thousand soldiers and the dictator Francisco Franco are buried here. There is a monastery in front of the monument, whose monks serve in the rock church. Since 2009, the entrance to the church has been closed due to ongoing restoration work.

Sightseeing in Madrid, Spain

]]>
Pitkyaranta, Russia https://www.franciscogardening.com/pitkyaranta-russia.html Fri, 24 Jun 2022 12:51:34 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1456 According to Petwithsupplies, 50 km from Sortavala on the northeastern shore of Lake Ladoga is the city of Pitkyaranta. Its name is translated from Finnish as “long coast”. A settlement on this site was first mentioned at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries, as part of the Novgorod principality. It gained fame in the early 19th century, when copper and tin deposits were discovered in the vicinity. Already in the middle of the 19th century, several metallurgical plants were operating here. The development of deposits was carried out until the middle of the 20th century. The city was badly damaged during the Winter War with Finland. and the Great Patriotic War. Fierce battles were fought here, during which many Soviet soldiers died. Today, Pitkyaranta is a modern city with a well-developed infrastructure, which attracts many tourists. In addition, from Pitkyaranta you can go to the island of Valaam . The local history museum named after V.F. Sebin. The museum was opened in 1969 as the Museum of Military Glory. He became a local historian in 1991. It tells about the life of the Karelians, about the events of the Winter War on the territory of the region, about the history of the discovery and development of ore deposits and about the fauna of the Northern Ladoga region. The expositions of the museum are located in the Wallden house of the early 20th century. They include collections of minerals, colored glass, weapons, badges, paintings and stuffed animals.

19 km from Pitkyaranta is the military-historical complex “Valley of Heroes” (“Valley of Death”), which was erected on the site where the most fierce battles took place during the Winter War. For three months, about 100 thousand Soviet soldiers died here. In 2000, a 5-meter “Cross of Sorrow” monument was erected on the territory of the complex, moreover, it is dedicated not only to Russian, but also to Finnish soldiers who fell on the battlefield.

South of Pitkyaranta along the coast of Lake Ladoga is the village of Salmi. In the center of the village on a high hill stands the dilapidated stone church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of 1826 with a three-tiered bell tower. The church is made in the style of late classicism.

South of the village of Salmi, the village of Pogrankondushi is interesting, which for many centuries was on the border of Russia, Finland and Sweden and was a kind of “stumbling block” for these countries. In 1617, Russia and Swedenconcluded the Treaty of Stolbovsky, as a result of which these lands were ceded to Sweden. In 1618, a boundary sign was installed on the border between Russia and Sweden – Varashev stone which has survived to this day. It marked the location of the frontier between 1618 and 1721. Varashev stone stands on Cape Varetsky, 35 km southwest of the village of Pogrankondushi. It is made of pink granite. In its upper part, a cross and the date of its installation in Old Church Slavonic are engraved. A little closer to the village of Pogrankondushi there is another boundary stone, but already in 1934. This stone, made of roughly hewn red granite, marked the border between the USSR and Finland. On the east side it has the inscription “USSR”, on the west – “SUOMI”. The military operations in the vicinity of the village during the Winter War are also reminded by the nearby reinforced concrete defensive structures of 1939-1940, which were aimed at defending Russian lands from Finnish attacks.

Of the natural attractions of the Pitkyaranta region, the White Bridges waterfall stands out. It got its name from the bridges built by the Finns across the river, of which only fragments have survived today. The height of the waterfall reaches 20 m, it is one of the highest waterfalls in Karelia.

In the very south of the Republic of Karelia is one of the oldest cities in Northern Russia – Olonets. This is the ancient capital of Karelia, which is evidenced by the fact that two-thirds of the population of the Olonets region are Karelians, and most of them are Livvik Karelians, who differ significantly from Karelians in language and culture. According to one version, Olonets grew out of the medieval city of Alaborg, mentioned in the Scandinavian sagas. In ancient Russian chronicles, he was first mentioned in 1137. In the 7-8 centuries, an outpost of the Slavs was founded here, which became part of the Novgorod lands. In the late 16th and early 17th century, the area was often attacked by the Swedes. In 1649, to protect the Russian lands from the Swedes, at the confluence of the Olonka and Megrega rivers, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the wooden fortress Olonets was built. In 1721, when the Swedish border was again pushed to the north, the significance of the fortress was lost. In the middle of the 18th century, it was completely dismantled. Having lost its defensive significance, Olonets became a major trading center, supplying goods Saint Petersburg.

At the end of the 18th century, Petrozavodsk became the center of the formed Olonets province, and Olonets turned into a small provincial town. The city merchants are gradually beginning to move to St. Petersburg. Today, Olonets is one of the few cities in Karelia where historical buildings of the 19th century have been preserved. Here you can see the stone church of the Smolensk Mother of God of 1828, former merchant houses, public and administrative buildings, as well as many wooden bridges. In the center of the city there is the Olonets National Museum of Karelians-Livviks named after N.T. Prilukin. It was opened in 1959. The museum is unique in that it reveals the culture and history of the Karelians to the fullest extent. Its expositions contain ethnographic collections, the rarest objects of Christian and pagan worship, a collection of Olonets embroidery, documentary materials about the Livvik Karelians in the period from the 19th to the 20th centuries, as well as personal archives of the city’s residents. Thanks to the museum, Olonets annually hosts such festivals as “Moroz-Festival” and “Olonets Games of Santa Clauses”, where Santa Clauses come from all over the country, and “Olonia – Goose Capital”. In 2001, a unique museum of an old New Year’s toy was created at the museum.

In terms of tourism, the central part of the Olonets region, which is located just north of Olonets, is interesting. Here is the historical and cultural area “. Many historical settlements with religious groves and chapels, as well as archeological monuments, have been preserved on the territory of the region. In the eastern part of the Olonets region there is another historical region “Mikhailovskie Karely” with villages, where historical buildings have also been preserved.

50 km north of Olonets on the shore of Lake Vazhe stands the ancient Vazheozersky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. At the beginning of the 16th century, the monks Gennady and Nikifor retired here for solitude. In 1530, the first wooden church in the name of the Transfiguration of the Lord and ten cells for the brethren were erected on this site. By the 16th century, the fame of the monastery and its miracle workers spread throughout the state, and he was given a royal charter to own the lands. In the 17th century the monastery was ravaged by the Swedes and Poles, and at the end of the 18th century the hermitage was abolished. The monastery was revived in the 19th century, but under the Soviet regime it was again destroyed. A new revival of the monastery began in 1992, the buildings of the late 19th century were recreated – the Church of the Transfiguration, the gate church and the chapel on the site of the destroyed fraternal cemetery.

Pitkyaranta, Russia

]]>
Cuisine of Armenia https://www.franciscogardening.com/cuisine-of-armenia.html Fri, 17 Jun 2022 01:56:23 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1452 According to Handbagpicks, Armenian cuisine is an independent attraction of the country. One of the oldest in the world, it still preserves the centuries-old traditions of the Armenian people, deservedly considered one of the most original culinary traditions of the planet. Armenian cuisine is greens (a lot of greens!), cheeses, vegetables, meat and, of course, lavash! Hundreds of types of herbs that any Armenian housewife with rare art uses for cooking are simply considered weeds in the rest of the world. And here, without them, neither an appetizer, nor cheese, nor a meat dish is inconceivable. And at the same time, the recipe is at first glance extremely simple – the products are minimally processed, vegetable oils are practically not used, and, of course, ready meals are accompanied by a huge amount of herbs and seasonings.

From time immemorial, sour-milk “matsun” has been eaten here. and its version diluted with cold water – “tan”, all kinds of salted vegetables and herbs, twisted cheese “chechil” and soft cheese “zhazhik” with herbs and green garlic, all kinds of salads using legumes, all kinds of herbs and meat products, pilaf “plav “, as well as a wide variety of garlic seasonings. Meat dishes are especially respected – shish kebab from large pieces of meat “khorovats” (“karsi” – cooked on the grill, “khazani” – in a saucepan), shish kebab from beef and fat tail fat “iki-bir”, meat balls from beaten in a special way and boiled meat – “kufta”, round meatballs in the broth “kokolik”, the famous “tolma” and its lean version – “pasuts tolma”, the thinnest strips of boiled beef “baskyrtat”, porridge-like mass of chicken meat and wheat “arisa”, boiled lamb with peas and greens “bozbash”, “putuk”, “basturma”, fried chicken with eggplant and matsun “borani”, meat “sujukh”, absolutely unimaginable assorted liver and vegetables “tisvzhik”, “kchuch” from lamb, “pastynery”, “amich”, various pilafs – with pomegranate (“nrov plav”), with smoked fish (“plav aphtats dzkov”) or dried fruits (“chrov plav”) and etc. One of the “most Armenian” dishes is the Sevan trout “ishkhan khorovats” fried on a spit. Also good are “kutan”, “fish kchuch” and “ishkhan in wine”.

Preliminary preparation of meat is complex and multi-stage, therefore, all Armenian meat dishes have a completely unique taste. An important place on the table is occupied by soups – beef tail stew “poch”, matsyun soup “spas”, the famous soup “khash”, beef soup with dried apricots “yayni”, chicken soup “tarkhana”, rice soup with onions “chulumbur apur “, mushroom soup with rice “sunki apur”, dried apricot soup “anushapur”, cereal soups “vospnapur” and “khrchik”, fruit soups “anushapur”, “chirapur”, etc. Boiled meat, greens and indispensable pita. Armenian cuisine simply does not exist without lavash. This thin unleavened bread is still baked according to the ancient technology in clay tonir ovens. Also constantly on the table is oval or round bread “matnakash” and small durum cheese sandwiches. Local sweets and confectionery products are good – a traditional wide flatbread made of puff pastry stuffed with “gata” (kyata), “nazuk”, “yugatert”, cookies “nshablit”, “bagarj”, “shpot”, “sharots”, candied apricots ” shalakh”, dried apricots and figs, homemade halva, peaches stuffed with various nuts, sweet “sujukh”, numerous types of cookies with nuts and fruit jams, pies and various jams.

The national drink of the country is cognac. Cognac production in Armenia was founded just over a hundred years ago, but in such an insignificant period of time the country has gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the best producers of this drink. Armenian cognac is produced from selected grape varieties – “Mekhali”, ” which is produced both industrially and artisanally (in almost every yard) is considered a healing drink, which also has a great taste. Of the non-alcoholic drinks, without a doubt, the most famous is “tarragon” (not at all what you can buy in a plastic bottle). The country’s excellent mineral waters and fruit juices are also very popular. Coffee and tea – on every corner and excellent quality.

Armenia: Money and currency of Armenia

Money, CURRENCY AMD (international designation – AMD), equal to 100 lums. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5,000, 20,000 and 50,000 drams, as well as coins of 1, 3, 5 and 10 drams (rarely used).

Cuisine of Armenia

]]>
Visa, Currency and Food in Madagascar https://www.franciscogardening.com/visa-currency-and-food-in-madagascar.html Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:27:36 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1450 OBTAINING A VISA

According to Computerdo, Madagascar has a visa regime, the consular fee is charged in the amount of 35 US dollars, each submitted application is considered individually and the embassy may request any additional information at any stage of the application, reserving the right to refuse to issue a visa. Visa processing time is 2-3 days.

A tourist visa for up to 90 days can be issued upon arrival at the airport by presenting a passport, two round-trip tickets, and paying a fee of 13-15 euros or 17 dollars.

CURRENCY

The main monetary units of Madagascar are the Malagasy franc and the ariary. Madagascar is one of only two countries in the world (the other being Mauritania) that does not use a decimal currency. A decimal currency is a currency in which the base currency is divisible by 10, 100, and 1000, and so on. exchange units. For example, 1 US dollar is divided into 100 cents, and 1 ruble is divided into 100 kopecks. In Madagascar, 1 ariary = 5 francs, and this is unusually doubly so, as the “primary” unit is smaller than the secondary. Surprisingly, unlike the faces and cities familiar to us, Madagascar banknotes and coins depict baobabs, butterflies, lemurs and chameleons!

Credit cards (mainly Master Card) are accepted as payment by airlines, travel agencies, hotels and shops, and you can also use credit cards to get money from ATMs located near major banks.

APPROXIMATE COURSE:

1.00 USD = 1200 ariari

1.00 EUR = 1400 ariari

BANKS OF MADAGASCAR:

BNI-CREDIT LYONNAIS;

B.M.O.I-BNP PARIBAS;

BOA MADAGASCAR;

BANQUE SBM;

BFV-SOCIETE GENERALE;

UNION COMMERCIAL BANK

FOOD

All water must be considered potentially hazardous to health. In any case, whether you use water for drinking, brushing your teeth, making ice or washing your hands, it must be boiled! Only well-done meat and fish products should be eaten. Pork, salads, mayonnaise can also be hazardous to health. Vegetables must be subjected to mandatory heat treatment, and the fruits are washed and peeled.

Food in Madagascar

]]>
Sri Lanka Literature https://www.franciscogardening.com/sri-lanka-literature.html Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:10:52 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1439 According to Cellphoneexplorer, Sri Lanka is an island state in the Indian Ocean, located SE of the Indian Peninsula, from which it is separated by the Strait of Palk. Already a British possession with the name of Ceylon, independent from 1948 within the Commonwealth, in 1972 it took on its current name.

The oldest works in the Sinhalese language have reached us date back to the 10th century.: it is a literature entirely influenced by Buddhism (especially from the Buddhist canon of the Theravada school and the collection of jātaka), on the one hand a distinctly exegetical character, from another characterized by a vast production in verse with a religious background. A masterpiece of this literature is Guruḷugōmī’s Amāvatura (“The Ambrosia River”) (12th-13th century), the only prose work written entirely in eḷu, which illustrates one of the 9 qualities attributed to the Buddha and precisely that of man’s spiritual guide. Due to a 12th century writer. of which only the pseudonym (Vidyācakravarti “Universal Sovereign of science”) is known is Amṛtāvaha (“The river of ambrosia”), also called Tunsaraṇa (“The triple refuge”) as it includes 3 different works: Butsaraṇa (“The refuge of the Buddha “), Dahamsaraṇa (” The Refuge of the Law “) and Saṅgasaraṇa (” The Refuge of the Community “).

Among the poems with a religious background inspired by the “ornate style compositions” (kāvya), the oldest is Muvadevdāvata (“History of Makhādeva”, 12th century), by an unknown author. The Kavsiḷuminạ (“Gem among the poems”), due to the sovereign Parākramabāhu II (13th century) and inspired by the romantic story of King Kusa, as found in the Kusajātaka, is the most representative of the “precious” literary works (mahākāvya) of Sinhala literature. A famous poet is Toṭagamuvē Śrī Rāhula (15th century), author of the Kāvyaśekharaya (“The Supreme Poem”) which narrates the pains of love of an elderly Brahmin caused by the infidelity of his young wife. Noteworthy are the sandeśa-type poems (“messages”) that flourished between the 14th and 15th centuries. and inspired by the precious Sanskrit compositions whose theme is a “messenger” (dūta: hence their denomination of dūtakāvya).

The 19th century. marks the advent of modern literature, which from now on takes on a secular character and introduces new genres such as the novel, short story and compositions in free verse. Forerunner of the Sinhalese novelists is considered LI de Silva, author of Pavul deka (“The two families”), an accompanying novel published from 1866 to 1883. The pioneer of fiction is however P. Sirisena, author of Vāsanāvanta vivāhaya hevat Jayatissa saha Rosalin (“The happy marriage or Jayatissa and Rosalin”, 1904) and a series of detective novels. Interpreter of the transformations operating in the society and culture of his country is MM Wickremasinghe, whose works stand out for their realism, the psychological analysis of the characters and the refinement of the narrative. Another great novelist is ER Sarachchandra, also active as an essayist, playwright and screenwriter. Masters of the story are considered H. Munidasa and GB Senanayake.

According to the inspiring themes and the meters used, the poets of the modern age are divided into 4 distinct currents: the traditionalists, among which A. Rajakaruna, GH Perera, BH Amarasena, KH de Silva stand out; the purists, who employ a learned and artificial language and whose most famous representatives are M. Kumaratunga and R. Tennakoon; the moderns, referred to as the Poetic School of Columbus, who use the language of current use and are inspired by themes of everyday life: the results achieved by Sri Lanka Palansooriya, PB Alwis Perera, W. Kumaragana are noteworthy. Finally, the ultramodern poets, or Sinhalese group of free verse, who favor content aspects over formal values: among the most representative figures, GB Senanayake, G. Amarasekera and Sri Lanka Gunasinghe.

There is no theatrical tradition in Sinhalese culture; a rudimentary form of theater (nādagam) comes to life and becomes popular in the 19th century; then a genre of operetta (nūrtiya) is established, which follows the musical theater of the Parsi. The authors were, among others, CDB Jayawira Bandara, J. de Silva; while the aforementioned Sarachchandra has given life to a new musical and choreographic style of which Siṃhabahu (“He who has the strength of a lion”, 1961) offers the best example.

Sri Lanka Literature

]]>
Palestine Modern History https://www.franciscogardening.com/palestine-modern-history.html Fri, 27 May 2022 08:12:17 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1436 The collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the British administration. After the end of the First World War, the Palestine was entrusted in mandate to Great Britain and the desert region between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqabah was included in the Palestinian territory, while the area E of the al-Ghür groove was assigned in the northernmost part (Golan) to Syria (French mandate) and for the rest to Trans; Jordan (English mandate); along the Mediterranean the Palestinian borders were marked south of Gaza by the traditional border with Egypt and north of Acre by that with the French mandate of Lebanon. The commitment made by the British government – with the Balfour declaration (➔ Balfour, Arthur James) of 1917 – to facilitate in Palestine the creation of a national headquarters for the Jewish people provoked a series of protests, accidents and attacks on Jewish settlements (which resulted in a real revolt in 1936), which lasted until 1939, when Britain withdrew the initial plan, presenting a new plan for the creation, within 10 years, of a single independent Palestinian state that would guarantee the essential interests of both communities. According to Campingship, the crisis re-exploded with violence after 1945; the United Nations General Assembly approved (1947) a plan for the partition of the Palestine between a Jewish state, an Arab state and an area, including Jerusalem, to be submitted to UN trusteeship, and the termination of the British mandate by 1 August 1948. The project was rejected by the Arabs;

The Palestinian resistance. After 1948, therefore, the history of Palestine came to identify itself, to a large extent, with that of the State of Israel. Despite this situation, the Arab-Palestinian population managed to maintain a feeling of national identity and since the 1950s the Palestinians gave rise to cultural, political and military resistance. The attacks conducted by the refugee collection areas and the Israeli reprisals that followed them helped to trigger both the 1956 and 1967 wars (➔ Arab-Israelis, wars). As regards relations between Israel and the Arab states, the “Six Days” war opened the way to an ever more explicit transformation of the dispute from the original contestation of the existence of the Jewish state to the conditions for peace with it. As for the Palestinian resistance, the extent of the defeat suffered by the Arab armies and the extension of control of Tel Aviv to the entire territory of the former mandate laid the foundations for its growth and transformation. Palestinians from the eastern sector of Jerusalem became part of the Israeli Arab population: qualified as “permanent residents”, they obtained the possibility of accessing Israeli citizenship, but only a minority applied for it. All the others were subjected to a regime of military administration which excluded them from civil and political rights. This situation was aggravated in the following years by the development of a colonization process of the West Bank and Gaza through Israeli settlements, by the progressive acquisition of land and water resources by the latter and by the occupation forces, and by the repressive measures adopted by the military administration. After 1967, Palestinian resistance grew rapidly and asserted its autonomy from the Arab states.

The action of the PLO. The Palestine Liberation Organization (➔ PLO) became the unified body of the Palestinian resistance, within which all political-military groups were represented. As a kind of embryonic state, the PLO gave itself in 1964 a Constitution (Palestinian National Charter, amended in 1968), a Parliament (Palestinian National Council), a government (Executive Committee, elected by the National Council), administrative structures, health, school, cultural. The organizational and military network of the resistance was developed above all in Lebanon and, until 1970, in Jordan. Expelled from Jordan in 1971, the PLO had to concentrate most of its forces in Lebanon, which was even more exposed to the violent Israeli incursions, helping to unleash the civil war that bloodied the country (1975-91). leader, Y. ‛Arafat, chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. The latter’s program envisaged the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the entire territory of the former mandate and the armed struggle against Israel as the main means of obtaining it. Starting in 1974, however, the PLO took as an intermediate objective the establishment of an independent state in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967 (Cis; Jordan and Gaza Strip) and, while not giving up the armed struggle, it showed itself more and more willing to pursue a political and diplomatic solution to the Palestinian question. In 1974 the PLO was recognized by the UN as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and in the following years by most states and numerous international organizations; from 1976 he became a full member of the Arab League. Despite these successes, his position was weakened after 1977 by Egypt’s decision to conclude a separate peace with Israel, allowing him to recover Sinai: the Camp David agreements (1978) left the Palestinian question unresolved, but in the following years Tel Aviv was able to displace its forces towards the northern front and accentuate the pressure on Lebanon, aiming at a definitive liquidation of the PLO bases. This objective was partially achieved with the invasion of the country in 1982 and the occupation of its southern part until 1985, followed by the maintenance of Israeli control over a “security belt” in the extreme south of Lebanese territory. The organizational and military structures of the PLO were largely dispersed, the headquarters was moved to Tunis. The revolt of the Palestinian population contributed to a renewed unity of the resistance (➔ intifada) exploded in Gaza and the West Bank in 1987, which drew international attention to the serious situation of the occupied territories and relaunched the role of the PLO on the Middle Eastern scenario.

Palestine Modern History

]]>
Holidays in Greece https://www.franciscogardening.com/holidays-in-greece.html Fri, 20 May 2022 08:19:13 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1425 Is it worth vacationing in Greece?

According to toppharmacyschools.org, many tourists and tourism professionals are very fond of Greece, but it cannot be said that there are only advantages in resting there – this country also has some disadvantages.

Advantages

  • Very interesting sights;
  • Pleasant beach holiday;
  • Proximity to the European part of the country – Thailand, for example, cannot boast of this;
  • Closer culture to Russia;
  • Rest turns out to be quite budgetary;
  • It is good to have a rest with children;
  • There are opportunities for shopping, including buying a fur coat;
  • Very tasty cuisine.

Disadvantages

  • In the high season, popular resorts have a huge number of tourists;
  • The beach season is not so long, it will not work to rush “from winter to summer”;
  • Greece is located in a seismically active zone, so if you are afraid of earthquakes, you should not go there;
  • There is a language barrier, many Greeks do not even speak English, and there are often no signs in this language;
  • Some are not satisfied with the level of service in hotels, as well as the fact that they rarely have an all-inclusive system;
  • Prices may be higher than on some budget destinations.

IMPORTANT: In general, we can say that Greece is a great place for a varied holiday in the summer. Especially lovers of ancient culture will like it here. And if you are not interested in a beach holiday, then a trip to the country at the end of autumn would be an excellent option, when the weather is still good and there are few tourists.

Greece transport

The transport infrastructure of Greece is extremely developed, so buses and trains, as well as planes and ships can easily take you anywhere in this unforgettable country. The rules for using vehicles in Greece are similar to the rules of the CIS countries.

You can buy a ticket for a trip on public transport at periptores (local kiosks) or in transport using terminals. There are no bus ticket sales in Athens.

There is a metro only in Athens. The surface metro line in the capital of Greece (from the local area of Thissio to the city of Piraeus) is one of the first European metro lines. It has been operating since 1869 (for comparison, the London Underground has been operating since 1863). Currently, the metro in Athens is equipped with 3 directions (lines), one of which is ground. Single and multiple tickets are sold at the subway ticket offices and periptores.

Transport in Greece is quite convenient and affordable, but many tourists prefer to rent a car for easy travel to places of interest. The rent will depend on the class of the chosen car, the season and the level of tourists visiting the country. The driver must have an international driver’s license, be aged 25-70 and have a driving experience of 3 years or more, a credit card is recommended (optional). Private car rental companies have more relaxed requirements. Remember: the terms of the insurance policy must cover the costs of the third party and the possible theft or theft of the car.

Currency in Greece

Greece is part of the European Union, so the official currency here is the euro. One euro is equal to 100 cents (or eurocents, as many people call them). Before exchanging money in Greece for other currencies, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the current state of affairs.

Reviews about holidays in Greece

For the most part, reviews of holidays in Greece are very positive. There are almost no completely negative reviews on review sites. This is mainly due to the fact that more experienced tourists usually go to Greece, or those who know exactly what they want to get from their vacation. In Greece, it is good to relax alone, with family and with children. The beaches, streets and hotels are clean, although some note that there is some neglect outside the tourist routes. Almost everyone likes the local nature and sights.

Among the shortcomings, people mainly note the very scorching sun, the visa regime, high prices for souvenirs and some frivolous attitude of the Greeks to life. In general, these shortcomings are insignificant, so almost everyone who has been there really likes holidays in Greece.

Frequently asked questions about holidays in Greece

Question:

When is the best time to go to Greece?

Answer:

If you want to swim, then from April to the end of October, depending on the resort. If you are interested in excursions, then it is better to come in November, when it is already not hot, and there are much fewer tourists. And from mid-December to February, skiing is available on Olympus.

Question:

Can you drink tap water in Greece?

Answer:

Better not to – buy bottled water in stores.

Question:

With what currency to go to Greece?

Answer:

It is best with the euro, since it is unprofitable to exchange dollars here. You can take a bank card – there are many ATMs everywhere.

Question:

How comfortable is driving in Greece?

Answer:

Quite comfortable, the roads are good, and the drivers are polite and comply with traffic rules. This is due to the fact that the fines for violations are simply huge, so be careful yourself.

Question:

Where is the best place to buy fur coats in Greece?

Answer:

In Kastoria, Paralia Katerini, Athens, Thessaloniki. It is possible at other resorts, but they are less suited for shopping. It will be most convenient to purchase a shopping tour.

Holidays in Greece

]]>
Regions in Spain https://www.franciscogardening.com/regions-in-spain.html Fri, 13 May 2022 02:43:11 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1422 Balearic Islands

The archipelago is located in the western Mediterranean Sea. Its wealth is island resorts with heavenly beaches and excellent infrastructure: Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Fermentera. Among the many resorts in Spain, many tourists often choose the Balearic Islands.

  • ANDYEDUCATION.COM: Introduction to education system in Spain, including compulsory schooling and higher education.

Valencia

Valencia is a popular region in the southeast of the country. Tourists here are interested not only in the beaches of the Costa Blanca, but also in the cultural values of Valencia and Alicante.

Basque country

This is the name of the Spanish region, located in the north-eastern part of the country. The Basque Country is different from most of the local provinces – here the inhabitants wear national costumes, in addition, the Basque Country has a special language other than Spanish, and its own dance style.

Cantabria

This Spanish region is called “Spanish Switzerland” and is considered the richest on the planet in terms of the number of archaeological finds from the Late Paleolithic. The main attraction is the Altamira Cave, where the oldest rock paintings are preserved.

Canary Islands

According to tourists, the Canary Islands are a heavenly place off the northwest of Africa. The island of Tenerife is home to the highest point in the country – the Teide volcano, the Guimar pyramids, the Infierno nature reserve and the famous Auditorio de Tenerife concert venue.

Castile-Leon

This area is located in the northern part of Spain and is called its “breadbasket”. Among the resorts of Spain, Castile-Leon is worth highlighting, because it is here that modern ski resort areas are located, so in the cold season there is a serious influx of tourists interested in outdoor activities and winter sports.

Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and a region located in the central part of the country. Tourists come here to see local attractions: the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, Retiro Park. Here dangerous numbers of matadors are held at the largest bullring in Spain, Las Ventas. In Madrid, fans attend Real Madrid football matches.

Catalonia

The resorts of Spain are largely popular due to Catalonia and its beach areas of the Costa del Maresme, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, as well as local attractions. The capital of Catalonia – Barcelona – was founded in the II century BC and is considered an open museum.

Rioja

Rioja is a region in northern Spain that millions of people around the world associate with Spanish wines. Local vineyards are famous for their excellent harvest, which is possible due to the mild and warm microclimate of the valleys, where mountain ranges protect from winds, and river waters provide the necessary moisture. Here is the largest Wine Museum on the planet.

Murcia

Murcia is a region on the southeastern side of Spain. Tourists come here to sunbathe on the beaches with fine sand and enjoy the pleasant weather. Near the Murcia coast is the Costa Calida, famous for its resort of La Manga del Mar Menor.

Climate

The climate in Spain is Mediterranean, and this country is considered one of the hottest in Europe. The winter here is warm, the summer is sunny and hot, and in large resorts, even in winter, the temperature does not fall below +15 degrees. Although swimming is still better in the summer.

Visa to Spain

To travel to Spain, Russian citizens need a Schengen visa, which can be obtained by contacting the Spanish Visa Application Centers located in Russian cities. The list of required documents for applying for a visa to Spain is simple: internal and foreign passports, photocopies of all their pages (4 spreads per A4 sheet).

IMPORTANT: The visa fee is 35 euros, the service fee is 1450 rubles. Registration of a visa for children under 6 years old is free of charge.

You can read more about the visa regime and customs rules here.

How to get to Spain

By train

International trains go to Barcelona from Montpellier, Zurich, Milan and Paris, to Madrid – from Lisbon and Paris. There is no direct train from Russia to Spain, but you can get there with several transfers (at least two), for example, in Paris or Warsaw. Travel time will take about 62 hours. Remember: such a trip costs much more than a plane ticket.

By plane

Air Europa and Aeroflot operate daily flights from Moscow to Madrid (5 hours 10 minutes on the way) and Barcelona (4 hours 30 minutes on the way). There are about two flights per day. In addition, other airlines fly from Russia to Spain.

Last minute tours to Spain can be purchased here.

How to get to Spain

]]>
Belgium Attractions https://www.franciscogardening.com/belgium-attractions.html Fri, 06 May 2022 04:21:14 +0000 https://www.franciscogardening.com/?p=1419 Beach vacation

On the 69 km long Belgian coast you can while away the time with sailing, horseback riding, rowing, sand yachting, fishing, golf and tennis. The beach promenade is closed to traffic. The beach is mostly flat and fine sand with a slow tide range and is therefore also suitable for small children. Quiet family seaside resorts include Koksijde, Sint Idesbald and Westende. Windbreaks and beach cabins are provided by hotels, rental companies and private renters.

Museum visits

There are numerous first class museums in Belgium. The choice ranges from the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts in Brussels (website: www.fine-arts-museum.be ) – one of the best equipped art galleries in Europe – to the modern Musée Hergé in Louvain-la-Neuve (website : www.museeherge.com ) dedicated to the Belgian comic book writer and illustrator Hergé, the creator of Tintin.

  • Educationvv.com: Provides school and education information in Belgium covering middle school, high school and college education.

Gent

Gent/Gand (Internet: www.gent.be ) was an important center of the cloth trade in the Middle Ages and today has the most listed buildings in all of Belgium. A special landmark are the three famous Ghent towers: the tower of St. Nicholas Church, the massive belfry (like all Belgian belfry a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the tower of St. Baaf’s Cathedral. Peace and quiet can be found in the city’s three beguinages, which, like all beguinages in Flanders, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Minibel

Minibel is located on the grounds of Château Beloeil (website: www.chateaudebeloeil.com ), 28 km outside Tournai. Here you can admire the Brussels City Hall, the Grand Palais, the Bell Tower of Bruges, the Coo Waterfalls, the Liége Train Station and many other Belgian sights in 1:25 format. A miniature train shuttles between the château and the amusement park.

Bruges

Bruges (Internet: www.brugge.be ) is one of the most visited cities in Europe. The medieval town center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The heart of the city is the Grote Markt. From the top of the nearby Belfry you have a wonderful panoramic view of Bruges. The town hall is considered one of the most beautiful and oldest town halls in the country. The best way to explore the city is on foot, on a city tour by horse-drawn carriage or on a romantic canal cruise.

Celebrate parties

There are a number of colorful annual celebrations in Belgium, including the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage Site of Binche Carnival (website: www.carnavaldebinche.be ) in Wallonia, Bruges’ Holy Blood Processie (website: www.holyblood.com ) in Flanders and the Ommegang (procession) in Brussels, which has been taking place for over 500 years (Internet: www.ommegang.be ).

Castles in Wallonia

Belgium has the highest density of castles per square kilometer in the world. Castles, ranging from stately homes to huge fortresses, can be found all over the country, but the most beautiful of them are in Wallonia. The most interesting sites include the imposing Lavaux-Sainte-Anne moated castle, Freyr Castle with its Renaissance gardens and Bouillon Fortress, which is the largest castle in Belgium.

Liege

Liège (Internet: www.liege.be ) is an industrial city on the Meuse (Maas) and a transport hub. Many historic buildings are reminiscent of the eventful thousand-year history. The Abbey Church of St. James and the Romanesque St. Bartholomew’s Church, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Town Hall and St. Lambert’s Square are among the city’s landmarks. Also worth seeing are the Curtius Museum (coin and porcelain collection, furniture) and the Museum of Modern Art, in which works by Corot, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin and Chagall, among others, can be seen.

Tournai

Founded in Gallo-Roman times, Tournai (website: www.tournai.be ) is one of the oldest cities in the country. Like many Belgian cities, Tournai was destroyed in both world wars. However, some significant structures remained undamaged, others have been carefully restored. The main sights are the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Bell Tower, the Museum of Fine Arts and the impressive Castle of Antoing, the oldest parts of which date back to the 5th century.

Theaters of war

Ypres (Ieper) has gone down in history as one of the main battlefields of the First World War. The battlefields ofFitdale, Ypres and the Somme can be visited. Numerous memorials and museums commemorate the battles and victims of both world wars.

Snacking on chocolate

Belgium is well known for its chocolatier art. Well-known manufacturers such as Leonadis and Neuhaus offer boxes at reasonable prices. If you like it more exclusive, you can go to the boutique of the famous chocolatier Pierre Marcolini in Brussels (Internet: www.marcolini.be ). There are chocolate museums in both Brussels (website: www.mucc.be ) and Bruges (website: www.choco-story.be ).

Royal Museums of Fine Arts

The famous Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique is divided into three different areas: the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art, and the neighboring Fin-de-Siècle Museum (website: www.fine-arts-museum.be ). Works from the last five centuries and well-known artists from art history, including Rubens and Delvaux, are on display. Right next door is the Magritte Museum (Internet: www.musee-magritte-museum.be ).

Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique

]]>