http://www.checkmycity.com/2226-London-England-Notting-Hill-North-Kensington.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/DsrvJNSBqE5E2HCPn3zJ.jpg London England Notting Hill-North Kensington http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/DsrvJNSBqE5E2HCPn3zJ.flv 46 Notting Hill-North Kensington is a district in west London. Notting Hill is a popular destination for its lively market, gorgeous streetscapes, interesting history and diverse population. It has acheived a level of fame from the eponymously named Hugh Grant film, the world famous Portobello Road market and of course from the annual carnival. The area was rural until the 19th century when it was developed as an upper-middle class suburb with quite large homes. During the early 20th century, these large homes were divided into low cost housing which often degenerated into slums. In the 1950s, many Caribbean immigrants settled in the area. In the 1960s it attracted musicans and artists and Portobello Road became the centre of English hippy culture. Portobello Road still hosts a very eclectic weekly market and is also home to a similarly off-beat set of permanent shops. The Notting Hill carnival was first staged in 1964 as a way for the local Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions. After some rough times in the 1970s and 1980s when it became associated with social protest, violence and huge controversy over policing tactics, this is now Europe's largest carnival/festival event and a major event in the London calendar. It is staged every August over the Bank holiday weekend. During the 1980s, the Notting Hill proper area of the district was largely gentrified although areas in the north west of the district at Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park remain deprived and run down. In local mythology, these more recent residents of Notting Hill are assumed to live from trust accounts, giving rise to the practice of classifying locals as either Rastafarians or Trustafarians. Further west from Notting Hill providing a natural buffer between the north and south of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is Holland Park. This is the least well known of London's Royal Parks and locals would like to keep it that way. A real a gem of a park which is off the tourist tail but very much worth a visit. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/DsrvJNSBqE5E2HCPn3zJ.flv 561 2010-02-08T10:55:43-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2225-London-England-Hyde-Park.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/0rWCiVoN2TK4VVwFSv1Y.jpg London England Hyde Park http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/0rWCiVoN2TK4VVwFSv1Y.flv 51 South Kensington-Chelsea is a district of central London. This district is defined as the southern part part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBK C). It includes the area south of the Royal Parks commonly known as High Street Kensington and South Kensington west to Earl's Court and Olympia and south to Sloane Square and Chelsea. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens combine to form the largest green space in metropolitan London and provide a real oasis in the heart of this vast city. South Kensington hosts four of London's largest and finest museums and is also home to the venerable Imperial College. High Street Kensington leads to a long line of shops and department stores, offering a less hectic version of Oxford Street as well very upmarket stores in Knightsbridge. Sloane Street connects Knightsbridge to Chelsea via Sloane Square and is lined with luxury brand boutiques. Chelsea is a extensive riverside area of London that extends broadly from Sloane Square in the east to the World's End pub in the west and down to the River Thames. The King's Road marks the main thoroughfare of Chelsea. The whole of the district contains some of the most expensive residential property in the world but is a little more downmarket towards its western edges. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/0rWCiVoN2TK4VVwFSv1Y.flv 103 2010-02-08T10:43:10-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2224-London-2008---Leicester-Square.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/k0y0GiInilt40OXDAhKx.jpg London 2008 - Leicester Square http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/k0y0GiInilt40OXDAhKx.flv 51 Finally I succeeded getting to London after my one day delay in Salzburg. After arriving late on May 9, 2008, I got a good night's sleep at the Zetter Hotel, a hip boutique hotel in the Clerkenwell area. The next day, after a delicious breakfast, my travel partner Andrea and I got going early to start our discoveries. We walked past historic medieval St. John's Gate and admired the Victorian era Smithfield Market. From here I took my first ride on the Tube (London's famous subway system) to the historic St. Pancras Railway Station which is now the terminal for the Eurostar Trains, connecting London with the Continent. We then walked over to neighbourhing King's Cross Railway Station where we checked out Platform 9 3/4 of Harry Potter fame. Our next destination was the Portobello Market, an ecclectic mix of fresh vegetables, fruit, baked goods, enticing aromas from all sorts of delicious freshly made street food, funky clothes, furs and antiques. After our interview with Michael Williams, one of the organizers of the Notting Hill Carnival (a Caribbean-style carnival and Europe's biggest street party) we walked through the serene streets of Notting Hill and Kensington before we embarked on a brief tour of Little Beirut, a heavily middle-Eastern influenced area on Edgeware Road. A tube ride later we arrived at Hyde Park Corner where to my disappointment nobody was giving any speeches or ranting about anything. Only two older gentlemen were sitting on two soap boxes and taking a rest, maybe exhausted from an earlier discourse. After a brief stroll through Hyde Park, which was full on sun worshippers, we tubed it to London's Financial District where we checked out various classicist bank and stock exchange buildings, the stunning Victorian era Leadenhall Market, the Lloyds Building, a postmodernist masterpiece by Richard Rogers, which has all the piping on the outside, and the Gherkin, the famous cucumber shaped Swiss Re building. Our walk continued to another historic train station: the Liverpool Street Railway Station from where we took a train to Walthamstow Village to do an interview with the owner of Eat 17, a restaurant and deli that serves really cool waffles (among many other things), where I had a supremely delicious spinach risotto. Our final stop for the day was a walk around Leiceister Square that included London's Theatre District, Chinatown and hustling and bustling Piccadilly Square. I simply couldn't believe how packed the streets of London's entertainment area were, we could hardly walk... yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/k0y0GiInilt40OXDAhKx.flv 141 2010-02-08T10:40:21-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2223-London-England-travel-Piccadilly-Circus.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/wWYPGhafDQk4JZA01yVi.jpg London, England travel: Piccadilly Circus http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/wWYPGhafDQk4JZA01yVi.flv 59 Piccadilly Circus and surrounding area of central London slideshow. Walking about: the fun things to see. Piccadilly Circus is close to major shopping and entertainment areas in a central location at the heart of the West End of London. Its status as a major traffic intersection has made Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting point and a tourist attraction in its own right. Walking around London. Royal Academy of Art Courtyard. Copyleft music by Aray. More than a day trip from Thornbury Castle, and certainly worth the travel! (You can view this video, and other travel videos in full-size and near-DVD quality, travel stills and more at www.jpmeyer.com). Thornbury Castle is part of the von Essen Group of hotels, a private collection of individual country house hotels in the UK, each with a distinctive style and character of its own according to www.vonessenhotels.co.uk, but we think of it as Real People having Real Fun! yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/wWYPGhafDQk4JZA01yVi.flv 136 2010-02-08T10:34:24-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2222-Delphine-Tours-Miami-Beach.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/ofekvZ42Nh1Bmu3wYEXi.jpg Delphine Tours Miami Beach http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ofekvZ42Nh1Bmu3wYEXi.flv 96 Miami Beach is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The city was incorporated on March 26, 1915. It is located on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; the Bay separates Miami Beach from the city of Miami, Florida. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of Miami, despite being a distinct municipality. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 87,933. 55.5% of the population was foreign born. A 2005 population estimate for the city was 87,925. Miami Beach has been one of America's pre-eminent beach resorts for almost a century. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ofekvZ42Nh1Bmu3wYEXi.flv 107 2010-02-07T09:04:12-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2221-Biscayne-Bay-Miami.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2Gtsa4gGpCGhnjy3eBEh.jpg Biscayne Bay, Miami http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2Gtsa4gGpCGhnjy3eBEh.flv 65 Biscayne Bay (Bahía Vizcaína in Spanish) is a lagoon that is approximately 35 miles (56 km) long and up to 8 miles (13 km) wide located on the Atlantic coast of south Florida, United States. It is usually divided for purposes of discussion and analysis into three parts: North Bay, Central Bay and South Bay. North Bay lies between Miami Beach barrier island from Miami on the mainland. It has been severely affected over the last century by raw sewage releases, urban runoff, shoreline bulkheading, dredging, the creation of artificial islands and the loss of natural fresh water flow into the bay. However, water quality has steadily improved since regular monitoring began in 1979. North Bay accounts for only 10% of the water area of the bay. Central Bay is the largest part of the bay. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Safety Valve, a series of shallow flats separated by tidal flow channels, stretching from the south end of Key Biscayne to the Ragged Keys at the north end of the Florida Keys. It has been adversely affected primarily by bulkheading, urban runoff discharged by canals, and the loss of natural fresh water flow. South Bay is nearly as large as Central Bay, and is the least affected by human activities, although it also suffers from the loss of natural fresh water flow. South Bay is separated from the Straits of Florida by the northernmost of the Florida Keys, and includes Card sound and Barnes Sound. It is connected to Florida Bay through a few small channels. The first bridge across Biscayne Bay was the 2.5 mile wooden Collins Bridge built by John S. Collins and Carl G. Fisher. The toll bridge was the longest wooden bridge in the world when it was completed in 1913 at the southern terminus of the Dixie Highway. The Collins Bridge was replaced in 1925. In modern times, the Venetian Causeway follows the same route along the artificial Venetian Islands. The MacArthur, Julia Tuttle, 79th Street and Broad causeways connect Miami to Miami Beach, and the Rickenbacker Causeway connects Miami to Key Biscayne. The Card Sound Bridge connects the mainland in the Homestead, Florida area to the northern part of Key Largo. The bay makes up part of Biscayne National Park. Seven remaining houses of Biscayne Bay's Stiltsville settlement are now within the boundaries of this National Park which was established in 1980. Much of Biscayne National Park was designated as a National Monument in 1967. Card Sound and Barnes Sound lie within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The bay has been known by several names. Juan Ponce de Leon called it Chequescha in 1513. Pedro Menéndez de Avilés called it Tequesta in 1565. The British, during their occupation of Florida, called the bay Cape River, Dartmouth Sound, and Sandwich gulph. Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda related that a sailor from the Bay of Biscay called the Viscayno or Biscayno had lived on the lower east coast of Florida for a while after being shipwrecked, and a 17th century map shows a Cayo de Biscainhos, the probable origin of Key Biscayne. The bay was known as Key Biscayne Bay in the 19th century, finally shrinking to Biscayne Bay late in the 19th century. The bay is also home to Florida International University's Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Virginia Key. It was seen in the music video for The Lonely Island's I'm On A Boat. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2Gtsa4gGpCGhnjy3eBEh.flv 40 2010-02-07T09:01:49-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2220-South-Beach-Lummus-Park-Miami-Florida.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/pQbIj1g3WAp1QZ1nSHHU.jpg South Beach Lummus Park Miami Florida http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/pQbIj1g3WAp1QZ1nSHHU.flv 96 There are two Lummus Parks located in Miami-Dade County, Florida: One is in the City of Miami on the Miami River, and was built in 1909. It was a conventional inner-city open space and recreation park, and was the favorite winter playground for many years for French Canadian tourists, who would displace the local area park users for the winter months. The other, and more well-known, is on the Atlantic Ocean in the City of Miami Beach, and when redesigned and improved in the mid-1980s, it became the seed project for the redevelopment of what is now the Ocean Drive Deco District of SoBe (South Beach) from 5th to 15th Streets along Ocean Drive. The Miami Beach park initially became the location for many scenes from the television series Miami Vice, and its 20' wide Deco inspired three colored sidewalk, now faded to natural concrete, was the North American homage to Brazilian Landscape Architect Roberto Burle Marx's oceanfront walk along Copacabana Beach near Rio de Janeiro. The Miami Beach park, and the Deco streetscape along Ocean Drive continues to be featured in Miami location shots for television and movies, and can be seen in recent episodes of the USA Network's Burn Notice. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/pQbIj1g3WAp1QZ1nSHHU.flv 38 2010-02-07T08:56:57-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2219-Miami-Florida-Super-Bowl-host.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/zhibKIdpDcBtXo4OyGJZ.jpg Miami Florida, Super Bowl host http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zhibKIdpDcBtXo4OyGJZ.flv 71 Blessed with year-round mild climates and unrivaled ocean access, America’s southernmost resort city is also a sought-after international recreation destination. Ranked the nation’s #1 Healthiest City by Natural Health Magazine in 2002, Miami caters to action-oriented visitors from around the globe with some of the world's top golf, tennis and sporting facilities. Add sparkling waters that are a magnet for boating enthusiasts, fishermen, divers and water sports aficionados to the equation and it is easy to see why Miami is a number one choice for active travelers of all ages and skill levels. But where to start? Miami’s streets are often busy, some of its attractions often attract crowds, and a few days can leave more to choose from than you have time to include, so knowing the active options in advance—and how to manage your time and movements—is essential Miami planning. Making the best use of what time you have by knowing where your points of interest are can help you save more of your energy for the activities this city offers. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zhibKIdpDcBtXo4OyGJZ.flv 341 2010-02-07T08:53:13-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2218-Beautiful-England-Pictures-Nature-Monuments-Travel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/nbGlHgqfPvsJyjr5H0wu.jpg Beautiful England Pictures, Nature, Monuments, Travel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/nbGlHgqfPvsJyjr5H0wu.flv 88 Showing amazing England pictures, travel pictures, slideshow, big ben, Pics of England. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/nbGlHgqfPvsJyjr5H0wu.flv 155 2010-02-06T13:56:55-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2217-travel-to-Europe-Romania-Transylvania.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/5N3Y55eCB5vbBazuAjfj.jpg travel to Europe Romania Transylvania http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/5N3Y55eCB5vbBazuAjfj.flv 96 VIDEO TRAVEL,Europe travel, tourism visiting cities and historic medieval monuments, Romania, Transilvania, medieval castles, - from www.globalldb.com-video media presentation Europe presentation from globalldb video media yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/5N3Y55eCB5vbBazuAjfj.flv 559 2010-02-06T13:48:24-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2216-Sydney-Australia-Sydney-opera-House-Ferries-Luna-Park-Movies.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/x2SOoRLYOnR12w1YwlNd.jpg Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Ferries, Luna Park Movies http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/x2SOoRLYOnR12w1YwlNd.flv 94 Sydney Australia Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Ferries, Luna Park, and harbour Travel Photos and Music Jennifer Treur © 2008 - yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/x2SOoRLYOnR12w1YwlNd.flv 173 2010-02-06T13:31:46-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2215-Travel-France-Paris-French-Riviera-Paris-Europe--Brussels-Movies.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/irz05SjRxBlFS2UwzyDB.jpg Travel France Paris French Riviera Paris Europe Brussels Movies http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/irz05SjRxBlFS2UwzyDB.flv 91 Traveling France, europe. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/irz05SjRxBlFS2UwzyDB.flv 166 2010-02-06T13:14:31-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2214-Las-Vegas-Nevada.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/gzca41Ga1oTUClI1IBcB.jpg Las Vegas Nevada http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gzca41Ga1oTUClI1IBcB.flv 198 Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for the number of casino resorts and associated entertainment. A growing retirement and family city, it is the 28th most populous city in the United States with an estimated population by the U.S. Census Bureau of 558,383 as of 2008. The estimated population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area as of 2008, was 1,865,746. Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. With the growth that followed, at the close of the century Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in the 20th century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century). The city's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and this image has made Las Vegas a popular setting for films and television programs. On the other hand, Las Vegas also has the highest number of churches per capita of any major U.S. city. Outdoor lighting displays are everywhere on the Las Vegas Strip and are seen elsewhere in the city as well. As seen from space, the Las Vegas metropolitan area is the brightest city on Earth. The name Las Vegas is often applied to unincorporated areas that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and near the Las Vegas Strip. This 4 mi (6.4 km) stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard is mainly in the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester, and continues partly into unincorporated Enterprise. The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the hotels. The most famous hotel casinos are located on Las Vegas Boulevard on the portion of that road known as the Las Vegas Strip. These larger casinos are located outside of the city. Many of these hotels are massive, providing thousands of rooms, with their large adjoining casino areas. There are many hotel casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large hotels and casinos are also located somewhat off the Strip, as well as in the county around the city. As of 2009, total number of hotel rooms in Las Vegas was over 140,000. Some of the most notable casinos involved in downtown gaming are on the Fremont Street Experience which was granted variances to allow bars to be closer together, similar to the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gzca41Ga1oTUClI1IBcB.flv 234 2010-02-04T06:24:52-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2213-San-Pedro-de-Atacama-Chile.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/4LE0tShYMftTi4jNQvrV.jpg San Pedro de Atacama Chile http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/4LE0tShYMftTi4jNQvrV.flv 60 San Pedro de Atacama is a Chilean town and commune in El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region. It is located east of Antofagasta, some 100 km (60 mi) southeast of Calama and the Chuquicamata copper mine, overlooking the Licancabur volcano. It features a significant archeological museum, the R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum, with a large collection of relics and artifacts from the region. Native ruins nearby now attract increasing numbers of tourists interested in learning about pre-Columbian cultures. Tourists also visit for other popular activities including sandboarding and stargazing, with the views of the stars from the Atacama unrivalled across the continent. San Pedro de Atacama grew, over centuries, around an oasis in the Puna de Atacama, an arid high plateau, its first inhabitants were the Atacameños who developed basketworks and ceramic pottery crafts that can be now be appreciated by tourist in the several souvenir shops as typical products of San Pedro de Atacama. There are various activities for tourist and adventurers in the San Pedro de Atacama area: trekking, climbing, archaeological sightings, exploration tours in natural landscapes and even sand boarding in the desert. Because of its altitude, a brief period of acclimatization may be required. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/4LE0tShYMftTi4jNQvrV.flv 267 2010-02-04T06:19:47-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2212-Valencia-Spain.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/xfDngYulAO2mST4zgxQD.jpg Valencia Spain http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/xfDngYulAO2mST4zgxQD.flv 74 One of the biggest cities in Spain, and among the most livelies. It is located at the Mediterranean sea, and you will find beaches right in the very heart of it. During the summer-months it is heavily visited by tourists, and if you want to spend holidays at the beach, with fantastic possibilities for any kind of sports (golf, diving, cycling, tennis, etc. are all very popular here) and a boiling nightlife, together with an ample cultural offer, then Valencia is the place for you. Important trade fairs confirm Valencia's position as one of the most dynamic cities in Spain, as does the spectacular Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the City of Arts and Sciences, a newly constructed area of the city boasting extravagant architecture. After all that probably you will get hungry , and you have the chance to try Spain's most famous food right where it was born: Paella Valenciana. Then Valencia is of course the city where El Cid, Spain's national hero, fought against the Moors, and popular festivals in the city and many villages around still remind of this epoch. In recent years, important international sports events like the America's Cup and the Formula 1 Grand Prix on a street circuit at the city's port have put Valencia more than ever on the world map. The best itineraries to discover monuments, museums, and everything else that makes Valencia worth a visit ... yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/xfDngYulAO2mST4zgxQD.flv 399 2010-02-04T06:13:22-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2211-Belgrade-Beograd-Serbia-Europe.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/kpSWLcIKpIrUIbVtjRob.jpg Belgrade Beograd Serbia Europe http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/kpSWLcIKpIrUIbVtjRob.flv 177 Belgrade – meaning 'White City' – is the capital of the Republic of Serbia. Various styles of architecture dominate the city, while its recent resurgence as the leading hub in south-eastern Europe make it a must see destination. Belgrade is the capital of the Republic of Serbia and is, as such, the country's largest city with a population of about 2,000,000 people. It lies on the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The city has a long history, dating back to the 4th century BC, when the area was settled by Celtic tribes. Later on, it became the Roman city of Singidunum, and relics of that era can still be seen in the city, particularly at Kalemegdan Fortress. As it entered the Byzantine Empire, Belgrade saw many conflicts, including invasion by the Ottoman Empire, until Serbia finally became independent in the 1800s. After the First World War, Belgrade became the seat of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (in 1928, the country changed name to Kingdom of Yugoslavia) until its collapse, and it saw violence again in 1999 with NATO's bombing campaign. This often violent history and outside influence has colored much of Belgrade's evolution, which is evident in its culture and architecture. Often caught between the hammer and anvil of clashing empires, the city has taken on a unique character, reminiscent of both Austrian and Turkish influences, with a unique set of Communist elements thrown in as Yugoslavia was expelled from the Eastern Bloc in 1948. Yet, the city has its own spirit, and in it can be found some not only unique features, but also a healthy joie de vivre in its café culture, nightlife and often Mediterranean flavor in its view of life. Whilst there isn't much by way of ethnic or cultural diversity in Belgrade, in terms of different migrant populations – compared to other European cities – there are minority communities (largely Roma and Chinese), as well as people from other former Yugoslav republics, such as Bosnia, Croatia and Fyrom. There is also a small expat community. Cultural events from round the world, however, are starting to be increasingly common, particularly in the spring and summer months, thanks in no small part to both local arts and culture organizations, as well as foreign embassies/cultural centers. These attract a good deal of local attention, and will help in raising the city's profile as a cultural hotspot. Belgrade is an energetic city re-discovering its tourism potential. One great new magazine, White City is a must read for anyone who plans on visiting. They call themselves an urban magazine but it's a great lifestyle magazine written in English for both locals and foreigners. It's available at any place that sells magazines in Belgrade. Belgrade has an extensive public transport network, covering almost all areas of the old city, Novi Beograd, Zemun and other out-lying areas. The network itself consists of a large fleet of busses, trolley buses and trams - 1,000 vehicles to be exact, but even this is not enough, and public transport in Belgrade is always crowded during rush hour. Tickets for the public transport network cost 42 RSD when purchased at a kiosk (known locally as a trafika), or 80 RSD when purchased from the driver. All tickets must be validated in manually-operated stamping machines inside the vehicle. Transport authorities routinely check tickets for validation – particularly at peak hours on major lines – and an infraction can land you with an uncomfortable fine. If you are going to spend an extended period in Belgrade, and intend to use public transport a lot, than you can buy passes that range from 15 days to 1 month. Those must be purchased at the public transport department, and can be somewhat difficult for foreigners to acquire, since the process is long (filling out forms with most of your personal information) and attendants do not speak English. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/kpSWLcIKpIrUIbVtjRob.flv 323 2010-02-03T03:51:44-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2210-Travel-Serbia-Europe.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/gX4rpodmqzwYnRbclaZw.jpg Travel Serbia Europe http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gX4rpodmqzwYnRbclaZw.flv 234 Serbia Serbian is a country that was a founder and one of six republics forming the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is in the Balkans, in Southern Europe. It is surrounded by Montenegro to the south, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, Kosovo to the southwest, Bulgaria to the southeast, Croatia to the northwest, Hungary to the north, Macedonia to the south, and Romania to the northeast. It controls one of the major land routes from Central Europe to Turkey and further on to the Near East. Serbia is a lovely country, open for tourism all year round. In summer tourists love spending their time in Belgrade and enjoy the nature of many national parks throughout the country. In winter tourists are warmly welcomed to mountain resorts (one of the most popular being Kopaonik [featured on BBC as one of the best ski destinations in Europe]). There are also many spa resorts such as Sokobanja, Niška Banja and Vrnjačka Banja. Serbs are warm people especially towards tourists. Most Serbs speak some English (seniors, however, are more likely to speak German and/or French), so you will be able to find your way around by asking directions. Most tourists come to Serbia in the summer and you can often hear German, Italian, French and English in the streets of Belgrade, while Slovenian tourists pour for New Year hollidays. Extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills. Although the region around the town of Mionica has been known for some earthquakes in recent years, these were by no means destructive. The first Serbian state was formed in the mid 9th century, expanding by the mid 14th century to an empire comprising most of the Balkans. In 1389, Serbs lost a decisive battle in the Kosovo field against Ottoman empire. Serbia managed to preserve its freedom for another seventy years only to be finally overwhelmed by the Turks in 1459. An uprising in the early 1800s that grew in the full scale war (War of Restoration) led to the restoration of Serbian independence in 1815. The 1914 Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia following the asassination of Archduke Ferdinand by an ethnic Serb high school student precipitated the first World War. In its aftermath,in 1918, victorious Serbia gatherd all south Slav lands (Croatia, Slovenia, Slavonia, Dalmatia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, and Montenegro)into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes; The country's name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Invasion and occupation by Germany and Italy in 1941 was resisted by Yugoslav Army in fatherland (Chetniks), commanded by Lt.-Gen Dragoljub Mihajlović and communist led guerilla (partisans) who eventually started fighting each other as well as the invaders. The partisans, commanded by Field-Marshal Josip Broz Tito emerged victorious and formed a provisional governement that abolished monarchy and proclaimed republic in 1946 after a dubious referendum. At the end of the war nearly all ethnic Germans left the country. Although pro-Communist, J.B. Tito's new government successfully steered its own delecate path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In the early 1990s, post-Tito Yugoslavia began to unravel along ethnic lines: Slovenia, Croatia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia all split from the Yugoslav Union in 1991; and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. All of efforts to preserve Yugoslavia were ultimately unsuccessful and bloody civil wars broke out in Croatia and in Bosnia. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in 1992. Slobodan Milosevic was elected the first president of Serbia. In the late 1990s, the conflict with the Albanian separatist movement in Kosovo led to a NATO bombing campaign and direct intervention, which left the placement of Kosovo under UN administration. Slobodan Milosevic, by this time elected for the president of the federation, lost Federal elections in the fall of 2000 to Vojislav Kostunica. The country reestablished its membership in the OUN and started preparations to join the EU. In 2002, the republics of Serbia and Montenegro began negotiations to forge a looser relationship, which led first to the name change of the nation to Serbia and Montenegro, then culminated in Montenegro declaring independence in June 2006. More recently Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence, however this act remains unrecognised by Serbia and most other countries. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gX4rpodmqzwYnRbclaZw.flv 533 2010-02-03T03:42:19-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2209-Travel-Macedonia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/3YrhoGNjWDS1LCKqKgh0.jpg Travel Macedonia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/3YrhoGNjWDS1LCKqKgh0.flv 113 The Republic of Macedonia (accepted in the UN under the provisional reference the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), is a landlocked country in the Balkans. It is bordered by Serbia and the disputed region of Kosovo to the north, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, and Greece to the south. The constitutional name of the country is Republic of Macedonia and it is usually called simply Macedonia, despite the disambiguation concerns of the neighboring Greeks in the Greek province Macedonia and the official provisional name the country has under UN. The country controls a transportation corridor from Central Europe to Greece and the Greek port of Thessaloniki on the Aegean Sea. While easily accessible from all points abroad, and boasting all the amenities of the Western world, the Republic of Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm, amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries. The majority population is Slavic and Orthodox but there is also a significant Albanian Muslim minority. Therefore, one can expect a wonderful mix of architectural and ethnic hertitage. The country represents the Balkans in the truest sense, consisting of a fascinating mix of Slavic, Albanian, Turkish. Macedonia is a country with many ethnic minorities. There is still some ethnic tension between Albanians and Macedonians, so this is a subject best avoided. Macedonia is dotted with beautiful Orthodox churches, monasteries, and Ottoman mosques. The territory of the Republic of Macedonia has a proud history. Being under the Ottomans for 500 years caused legendary Macedonian revolutionaries such as Goce Delcev, Nikola Karev, and Pitu Guli to lead uprisings to free Macedonia. Macedonia has been part of many countries, but until its incorporation into Yugoslavia by Tito in 1945 it was never acknowledged as an administrative state. Macedonia prospered under Tito's rule, especially when the capital Skopje was rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1963 and the Yugoslav government invested heavily in the subsequent infrastructure rebuilding. This may explain why many Macedonians are somewhat nostalgic for Tito's Yugoslavia. International recognition of Macedonia's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what Greece considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over the use of Macedonia in the name. Greece is now the largest investor in the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia's large Albanian minority (about 25%), an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension. There were also tensions during the last parliamentary elections on the 2nd of June 2008, although they happened between supporters of the two biggest rival Albanian political parties. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/3YrhoGNjWDS1LCKqKgh0.flv 112 2010-02-03T03:25:12-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2208-Veles--Macedonia-Europe.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/XlKJSAOeMS1JQxen5nns.jpg Veles Macedonia Europe http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/XlKJSAOeMS1JQxen5nns.flv 109 Veles is a city in the center of the Republic of Macedonia on the Vardar river. The city of Veles is the seat of Veles Municipality. The city named before the Balkan Wars, it was a township (kaza) with the name Köprülü in Uskub sandjak, vilayet, Ottoman empire for 600 years. The city is named after a Slavic god Veles. After World War II, the city was known as Titov Veles after Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito, but the 'Titov' was removed when Macedonia became an independent nation. Cars registered in Veles were identified by the code TV (Titov Veles), which was changed as late as 2000 to VE. The area of present-day Veles has been inhabited for over a millennia. In antiquity, it was a Paionian city called Bylazora, and contained a substantial population of Thracians and possibly Illyrians. It was a Bulgarian city in the First Bulgarian Empire and the Second Bulgarian Empire late it was part of the Serbian Empire in the early 1300s and the town governor was Knez Oliver during the time of Emperor Dusan, it was part of Konstantin Dragas realm in 1355-1395[2]. Before the Balkan Wars, it was a township (kaza) with the name Köprülü in Uskub sandjak, vilayet, Ottoman empire. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/XlKJSAOeMS1JQxen5nns.flv 263 2010-02-03T03:23:08-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2207-ohrid-Macedonia-Europe.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/rmkGLJDkIGsSmnV4bTs2.jpg Ohrid Macedonia Europe http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rmkGLJDkIGsSmnV4bTs2.flv 98 Ohrid is a city on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid in the Republic of Macedonia. It has about 42,000 inhabitants, making it the seventh largest city in the country. The city is the seat of Ohrid Municipality. Ohrid is notable for having once 365 churches, one for each day of the year and has been referred to as a Jerusalem. The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. It is located southwest of Skopje, west of Resen and Bitola, and east of Elbasan and Tirana in Albania. In 1980, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In Macedonian, and the other South Slavic languages, the name of the city is Ohrid. In Albanian, the city is known as Ohër or Ohri. Historical names include the Latin Lychnidus or the Greek names Lychnidos, Ochrida and Achrida, the latter two of which are still in modern usage. The earliest inhabitants of the widest Lake Ohrid region were the Bryges and Encheleans. During the Roman conquests, towards the end of III and the beginning of II century BC,the Greek Dassaretae and the region Dassaretia were mentioned, as well as the town of Lychnidos. The existence of the ancient town of Lychnidos is linked to the Greek myth of the Phoenician prince Cadmus who, banished from Thebes, in Boetia, fled to the Enchelei and founded the town of Lychnidos on the shores of Lake Ohrid. The Lake of Ohrid, the ancient Lacus Lychnitis, whose blue and exceedingly transparent waters in remote antiquity gave to the lake its Greek name; it was still called so occasionally in the Middle Ages. It was located along the Via Egnatia, which connected the Adriatic port Dyrrachion (present-day Durrës) with Byzantium.According to recent excavations by Macedonian archaeologists it was a town way back at the time of king Phillip II of Macedon. They allege that Samuil's Fortress was built on the place of an earlier fortification, dated to 4th century B.C. Archaeological excavations (e.g., the Polyconch Basilica from 5th century) prove early adaptation of Christianity in the area. Bishops from Lychnidos participated in multiple ecumenical councils. The Bulgarians conquered the city in 867. The name Ohrid first appeared in 879. Between 990 and 1015, Ohrid was the capital and stronghold of the Bulgarian Empire. From 990 to 1018 Ohrid was also the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. After the Byzantine conquest of the city in 1018, the Bulgarian Patriarchate was downgraded to an Archbishopric and placed under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. The higher clergy after 1018 was almost invariably Greek, including during the period of Ottoman domination, until the abolition of the archbishopric in 1767. At the beginning of the 16th century the archbishopric reached its peak subordinating the Sofia, Vidin, Vlach and Moldavian eparchies, part of the former Peć Patriarchate (including Peć itself), and even the Orthodox districts of Italy (Apulia, Calabria and Sicily), Venice and Dalmatia. As an episcopal city, Ohrid was an important cultural center. Almost all surviving churches were built by the Byzantines and by the Bulgarians, the rest of them date back to the short time of Serbian rule during the late Middle Ages. Ohrid is credited as being the likely birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, which was most probably created by St. Clement of Ohrid that further reformed the Glagolic alphabet created in turn by the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius. Bohemond and his Norman army took the city in 1083. In the 13th and 14th century the city changed hands between the Despotate of Epirus, the Bulgarian, the Byzantine and the Serbian Empires. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rmkGLJDkIGsSmnV4bTs2.flv 59 2010-02-03T03:15:42-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2206-Republic-of-Macedonia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2aVoCbkmBM4PEkaejvci.jpg Republic of Macedonia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2aVoCbkmBM4PEkaejvci.flv 142 Macedonia officially the Republic of Macedonia is a country in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991. It became a member of the United Nations in 1993, but as a result of a dispute with Greece over its name, it was admitted under the provisional reference of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, sometimes abbreviated as FYROM. Today's Republic of Macedonia occupies the western half of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. Historic Macedonia was defeated by Rome and became a Roman Province in 148 B.C. After the Roman Empire was divided in A.D. 395, Macedonia was intermittently ruled by the Byzantine Empire until the Ottomans took possession of the land in 1371. The Ottoman Turks dominated Macedonia for the next five centuries, until 1913 when the region of Macedonia was with the Treaty of Bucharest. The territory of today's country got Serbia, while the rest Greece, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1918 it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later renamed in Kingdom Yugoslavia. When the Second World War finished again it was formed a Yugoslav federation in which was included the Socialist Republic of Macedonia - the main predecessor of the Republic of Macedonia. In 1991 the country got independent. A landlocked country, the Republic of Macedonia is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south and Albania to the west. The country's capital is Skopje, with 506,926 inhabitants according to a 2004 census. Other cities include Bitola, Kumanovo, Prilep, Tetovo, Ohrid, Veles, Štip, Kočani, Gostivar and Strumica. It has more than 50 lakes and sixteen mountains higher than 2,000 m (6,562 ft). Macedonia is a member of the UN and the Council of Europe. Since December 2005 it has also been a candidate for joining the European Union and has applied for NATO membership. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2aVoCbkmBM4PEkaejvci.flv 238 2010-02-03T03:00:16-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2205-oklahoma-City-Life.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/T2vrdwAeYS02YcmphL5l.jpg Oklahoma City Life http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/T2vrdwAeYS02YcmphL5l.flv 125 Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's estimated population as of 2008 was 551,789, with an estimated metro-area population of 1,206,142. In 2008, the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area had a population of 1,275,758 residents. Besides the core Oklahoma County, Oklahoma City's city limits extend into Canadian, Cleveland, and Pottawatomie counties, though much of those areas are rural or suburban. The city ranks as the seventh-largest city in the United States by land area which includes consolidated city-counties; it is the largest city in the United States by land area whose government is not consolidated with that of a county (or, in the case of Alaska, a borough). The city is the largest city and metro area in population of the traditional 'plains states' as well as the South Central United States outside of Texas. Oklahoma City is an important livestock market, featuring one of the top livestock markets in the world.[8] Oil, natural gas, and petroleum products are a major product of the economy, as the city is situated in the middle of an oil field, with oil derricks even on the capitol grounds. Several prominent Energy companies are headquartered in Oklahoma City. The city has varied light and heavy industries, Tinker Air Force Base and the Federal Government are also vital sources of employment. The city was founded during the Land Run of 1889. The deadliest U.S. domestic terrorist attack before Sept. 11, 2001 was the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building by Timothy McVeigh. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/T2vrdwAeYS02YcmphL5l.flv 558 2010-02-02T04:00:17-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2204-Auburn-Nebraska.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/BLbb5dpfOGxDZTIORAkW.jpg Auburn Nebraska http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BLbb5dpfOGxDZTIORAkW.flv 95 Auburn is a city in Nemaha County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,350 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Nemaha County[3]. The City of Auburn is actually an incorporation of two towns. Calvert and Sheridan combined to form Auburn in 1882, in part to have the voting power to wrestle the county seat away from Brownville, Nebraska, a village located nine miles east. The incorporation was successful, and in 1883, Auburn was named the county seat. The only person to be elected to the United States Congress as a member of the Prohibitionist Party, Charles Hiram Randall, was born in Auburn on July 23, 1865. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BLbb5dpfOGxDZTIORAkW.flv 190 2010-02-02T03:42:38-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2203-Travel-Fairbury-Nebraska.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/ePBP3RbPHAk4ppdY1Fo3.jpg Travel Fairbury Nebraska http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ePBP3RbPHAk4ppdY1Fo3.flv 136 Fairbury is at the heart of the Oregon Trail. Many settlers passed through the area on their way to conquer the west. The deep ruts left by their wagons are still visible today. Rock Creek Station, just southeast of town along the Oregon Trail, was an important way station for those traveling the trail. Nebraska proved to be the most difficult and deadly portion of the journey, so rested animals and provisions were important. It was here that Wild Bill Hickock began his infamous gunslinging career, by shooting a man over a money dispute. The story became legend as dime novels and Harper's Bazaar told of a wild tale of murder and intrigue along the Trail. James B. Mattingly, a frontiersman and freighter from Kentucky, first settled in gage County, Nebraska, but with the coming of the settlers and the prospects of a railroad being planned along the Little Blue River, he gave up on freighting and built a small saw mill along the banks of the Little Blue to take advantage of the town site opportunities. Woodford G. McDowell, a capitalist from Fairbury, Illinois also foresaw the advantages of a railroad coming through Nebraska and came to claim 160 acres. Each gave 80 acres of land for a town site, the north and south streets from First to Eighth, and the east and west streets from A to H streets. Right in the middle they left a block for the Public Square, half on Mattingly's land and half on McDowell's. They close McDowell's Illinois town of Fairbury for a name and thus was born the city of Fairbury, Nebraska in the year 1869. Fairbury was a town built on speculation. The early pioneers were the first to recognize Fairbury's potential by platting a town in anticipation of the railroad. With the coming of the railroad came explosive growth and prosperity, a place where people could test their ideas and launch their dreams. The Rock Island Railroad Depot is a symbol of the importance of the railroad to Fairbury's history. Now a Railroad Museum, many rail enthusiaists come to study the history and locate friends and relatives who worked for the railroad by searching the archives located there. Fairbury, at the turn of the century, was home to the Campbell Bros. Circus. At one time, the Campbell Bros. Circus was the second largest circus in the world, featuring many daring acts and exotic animals. From 1885 to 1913, the circus winter-quartered in Fairbury and each spring, at the beginning of it's show season, a circus parade was held downtown featuring juggling acts, acrobats, circus animals and a daring hot air balloon launch. The circus traveled by train throughout the country and was the model by which many modern-day circus acts are patterned after. A full-scale mural featuring the circus parade is located downtown on the historic square. Fairbury's large inventory of historic buildings were built during the 1920's and most still exist today. Fairbury's downtown historic district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, boasting one of the largest inventories of historic buildings in the Midwest. Fairbury posesses 116 blocks of brick streets, and the streets themselves are also listed in the Register. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ePBP3RbPHAk4ppdY1Fo3.flv 148 2010-02-02T03:09:48-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2202-Travel-North-Platte-Nebraska.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/xUdLcbfKgxEHMAJgAcES.jpg Travel North Platte Nebraska http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/xUdLcbfKgxEHMAJgAcES.flv 141 North Platte is a city in Nebraska. With a population of just under 25,000, North Platte is the largest community in Lincoln County, located in west central Nebraska. In November of 1868, the rails of the Union Pacific Railroad reached the location of what is now known as North Platte. Situated between the North and South Platte rivers, just west of the confluence, the town was named by a flip of a coin to determine between North Platte and South Platte. North Platte was incorporated as a city in 1873. In 1882, Col. Wm. F. Cody, known to the world as Buffalo Bill, responded to the calls of local civic leaders and produced an Independence Day celebration known as the Old Glory Blowout. He later developed this into his famed Wild West Show which toured throughout the world. The home he built while living in North Platte, known as Scouts Rest Ranch, is now a state historical park and is open to tour. North Platte could have gone the way of many small towns in rural Nebraska, becoming a sleepy backwater, except for native Bill Jeffers. Jeffers rose from a call boy for Union Pacific, to become president of the railroad. He chose his home town of North Platte to build a reclassification yard. Union Pacific's Bailey Yard is now the largest railroad classification yard in the world. Nearly 4,000 employees service more than 150 trains per day, totaling nearly 15,000 rail cars. During World War II, North Platte became famous for the North Platte Canteen. Volunteers met in early December 1941 at the Depot to greet what they thought was a train load of local troops headed for war. When the train stopped, it turned out to be carrying boys from Kansas instead of North Platte. After they got over their disappointment, townspeople offered all of the goodies they had collected to the Kansas boys. From this humble beginning, on Christmas day 1941, the North Platte Canteen opened it's doors. For the next 52 months, volunteers met every single troop train that came through town, day or night. By April 1, 1946, this all-volunteer effort had served more than 6.5 million service personnel. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/xUdLcbfKgxEHMAJgAcES.flv 473 2010-02-02T02:38:32-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2201-Visit-omaha-Nebraska.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/VBfUqPEmsiNOOwQ2c2IN.jpg Visit Omaha Nebraska http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/VBfUqPEmsiNOOwQ2c2IN.flv 149 Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, which is in the United States of America. It is on the Missouri River border with Iowa, along US Interstates 29 and 80. Omaha is a unique city, as it has the highest number of millionaires per capita in the nation, as well as the highest number of restaurants per capita. Conversely, it also has one of the highest rates of African Americans living under the poverty line. It is still quite racially divided, with the affluent west side and Midtown being predominantly white, the south side Latino, and the northeast side African American. Residents are universally friendly and polite, and Omaha has a well-deserved reputation for hospitality. Omaha has an expansive museum scene. Joslyn Art Museum has works by El Greco, Degas, Monet and Renoir and an extensive ancient Greek pottery display. The Joslyn also has works by the famed Dale Chihuly. Other art galleries include the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, which consists of three separate galleries in a warehouse-style studio. In addition to the latter, many other art galleries can be found throughout the Old Market. Strategic Air and Space Museum is a large, indoor museum with warplanes from America's past and and often has traveling exhibits relating to aerospace and technology on display. For the younger ones, there is always the Omaha Children's Museum, which has an art center, science center, and a mock grocery store. Durham Western Heritage Museum is a renovated art deco-style train station and is believed to be the best example of art deco in the country with exhibits such as the Byron Reed Coin and Document Collection, The Trans-Mississippi Exposition Gallery, restored train cars, a teepee, an earth lodge, and more. Union Pacific Museum details the beginnings of the Union Pacific Railroad and the role it played in westward expansion and has artifacts dating back to the 1860s. Omaha has many unique landmarks. Malcom X Birthsite[25] is located in North Omaha. His home no longer exists, but a marker stands on his former address. Joslyn Castle, as it is known, is the Scottish-Baronial style home of two of Omaha's most respected citizens and boasts four stories and 35 rooms. Tours are available to the public. Mormon Trail Center has various monuments, including part of the route the Mormons took. The site known as the Winter Quarters marks the pioneers' winter camp of 1846, and 359 Mormons are buried in a nearby cemetery. Gerald R. Ford Birth Site and Gardens pay homage to the late U.S. president. Twice destroyed by fire, the gardens stand where his house was. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/VBfUqPEmsiNOOwQ2c2IN.flv 60 2010-02-02T02:27:25-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2200-Carcassonne-Castle-France.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/Qc23KApzWOJhca5GgciU.jpg Carcassonne Castle France http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Qc23KApzWOJhca5GgciU.flv 194 Carcassonne (Occitan: Carcassona) is a fortified French town in the Aude département, of which it is the prefecture, in the former province of Languedoc. It is separated into the fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, the ville basse. The folk etymology – involving a châtelaine named Carcas, a ruse ending a siege and the joyous ringing of bells (Carcas sona) - though memorialized in a neo-Gothic sculpture of Mme. Carcas on a column near the Narbonne Gate, is of modern invention. The fortress, which was thoroughly restored in 1853 by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. First signs of settlement in this region have been dated to about 3500 BC, but the hill site of Carsac – a Celtic place-name that has been retained at other sites in the south – became an important trading place in the 6th century BC. The Volcae Tectosages fortified the oppidum. Carcassonne became strategically identified when Romans fortified the hilltop around 100 BC and eventually made it the colonia of Julia Carsaco, later Carcasum (the process of swapping consonant is a metathesis). The main part of the lower courses of the northern ramparts dates from Gallo-Roman times. In 462 the Romans officially ceded Septimania to the Visigothic king Theodoric II who had held Carcassonne since 453; he built more fortifications at Carcassonne, which was a frontier post on the northern marches: traces of them still stand. Theodoric is thought to have begun the predecessor of the basilica that is now dedicated to Saint Nazaire. In 508 the Visigoths successfully foiled attacks by the Frankish king Clovis. Saracens from Barcelona took Carcassonne in 725, but King Pepin the Short (Pépin le Bref) drove them away in 759-60; though he took most of the south of France, he was unable to penetrate the impregnable fortress of Carcassonne. A medieval fiefdom, the county of Carcassonne, controlled the city and its environs. It was often united with the County of Razès. The origins of Carcassonne as a county probably lie in local representatives of the Visigoths, but the first count known by name is Bello of the time of Charlemagne. Bello founded a dynasty, the Bellonids, which would rule many honores in Septimania and Catalonia for three centuries. In 1067 Carcassonne became the property of Raimond Bernard Trencavel, viscount of Albi and Nîmes, through his marriage with Ermengard, sister of the last count of Carcassonne. In the following centuries the Trencavel family allied in succession either with the counts of Barcelona or of Toulouse. They built the Château Comtal and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. In 1096 Pope Urban II blessed the foundation stones of the new cathedral, a Catholic bastion against the Cathars. Carcassonne became famous in its role in the Albigensian Crusades, when the city was a stronghold of occitan cathars. In August 1209 the crusading army of Simon de Montfort forced its citizens to surrender. After capturing Raymond-Roger de Trencavel, imprisoning him and allowing him to die, Montfort made himself the new viscount. He added to the fortifications. Carcassonne became a border citadel between France and the kingdom of Aragon (Spain). In 1240 Trencavel's son tried to reconquer his old domain but in vain. The city submitted to the rule of the kingdom of France in 1247, and King Louis IX founded the new part of the town across the river. He and his successor Philip III built the outer ramparts. Contemporary opinion still considered the fortress impregnable. During the Hundred Years' War, Edward the Black Prince failed to take the city in 1355, although his troops destroyed the Lower Town. In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees transferred the border province of Roussillon to France, and Carcassonne's military significance was reduced. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Qc23KApzWOJhca5GgciU.flv 117 2010-02-01T06:48:21-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2199-Ashford-Castle-Ireland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/JQQfaLWc1lKA1TfqYbOB.jpg Ashford Castle Ireland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/JQQfaLWc1lKA1TfqYbOB.flv 100 Ashford Castle is a medieval castle near Cong in County Mayo, Ireland on the shore of Lough Corrib. The castle was built in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family following their defeat of the O'Connors, the Royal House of Connacht, who are still extant in the person of the O Connor Donn. The de Burgos would build several such castles throughout the province, including one on the mouth of the River Corrib around which was to grow the City of Galway, but Ashford would remain their principal stronghold in the vastness of a wild and untamed province. The principal legacy of the native O'Connors is to be seen at the gates of the estate in the form of the magnificent Romanesque Augustinian Abbey of Cong. It is in this abbey that Ireland's last High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair died and from which came the greatest relic of his Court, the Cross of Cong, created to hold a piece of the True Cross and now in the National Museum of Ireland. After more than three and a half centuries under the de Burgos, whose surname became Burke or Bourke, Ashford passed into the hands of a new master, following a fierce battle between the forces of the de Burgo's and those of the English official Sir Richard Bingham, Lord President of Connaught, when a truce was agreed. In 1589, the castle fell to Bingham, who added a fortified enclave within its precincts. In 1715, the estate of Ashford was established by the Browne Family (Baron Oranmore), and a lodge in the style of a 17th-century French chateau was added to the medieval splendour of the castle. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/JQQfaLWc1lKA1TfqYbOB.flv 155 2010-02-01T06:44:59-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2198-Puerto-Rico-Isla-Linda---Puerto-Rico-Pretty-Island.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/jhoaXP1PZMQn3IeyneBJ.jpg Puerto Rico Isla Linda - Puerto Rico Pretty Island http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/jhoaXP1PZMQn3IeyneBJ.flv 135 Música y paisajes de La Isla del Encanto Puerto Rico. Borinquén - Music and landscapes of The Island of the Captivation Puerto Rico. Borinquén yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/jhoaXP1PZMQn3IeyneBJ.flv 415 2010-01-31T11:42:32-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2197-Puerto-Rico-el-Paraiso-de-Dulzura---Puerto-Rico-the-Paraiso-of-Sweetness.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/mDHhjVKYZHmxgSbTdaMm.jpg Puerto Rico el Paraiso de Dulzura - Puerto Rico the Paraiso of Sweetness http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/mDHhjVKYZHmxgSbTdaMm.flv 83 Música y paisajes de La Isla del Encanto Puerto Rico. Borinquén - Music and landscapes of The Island of the Captivation Puerto Rico. Borinquén yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/mDHhjVKYZHmxgSbTdaMm.flv 273 2010-01-31T10:46:43-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2196-Puerto-Rico-No-Desmayes---Puerto-Rico-No-Fainting.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/QF5GdqZWocoPXwpws2oL.jpg Puerto Rico No Desmayes - Puerto Rico No Fainting http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QF5GdqZWocoPXwpws2oL.flv 80 Música y paisajes de La Isla del Encanto Puerto Rico. Borinquén - Music and landscapes of The Island of the Captivation Puerto Rico. Borinquén yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QF5GdqZWocoPXwpws2oL.flv 302 2010-01-31T09:36:32-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2195-London-England-travel-Big-Ben-Parliament-Westminster-Bridge.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/QPO1XJpZDP0HqQkQM3Uj.jpg London, England travel: Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Bridge http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QPO1XJpZDP0HqQkQM3Uj.flv 192 London, England travel: Big Ben, Parliament and eating ice cream while walking across Westminster Bridge. More than a day trip from Thornbury Castle, and certainly worth the travel! (You can view this video, and other travel videos in full-size and near-DVD quality, travel stills and more at www.jpmeyer.com). Thornbury Castle is part of the von Essen Group of hotels, a private collection of individual country house hotels in the UK, each with a distinctive style and character of its own according to www.vonessenhotels.co.uk, but we think of it as Real People having Real Fun! yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QPO1XJpZDP0HqQkQM3Uj.flv 145 2010-01-30T08:08:57-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2194-Travel-Croatia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/3vZAYr5rIdhTXRHx0o0s.jpg Travel Croatia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/3vZAYr5rIdhTXRHx0o0s.flv 137 Croatia (Croatian: Hrvatska) is a country in the Balkans on the east side of the Adriatic Sea, to the east of Italy. It is surrounded by Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the north, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, Serbia in the east, and Montenegro to the south. The Croats settled in the Balkans in the early 7th century and formed two principalities: Dalmatia and Pannonia. The establishment of the Trpimirović dynasty ca 850 brought strengthening to the Dalmatian Croat Duchy, which together with the Pannonian principality became a kingdom in 925 under King Tomislav. In 1102, Croatia entered into a personal union with the Hungarian Kingdom. After the 1526 Battle of Mohács the reliquiae reliquiarum (remnants of the remnants) of Croatia became a part of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1527. Croatian lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became an independent communist state under the strong hand of Marshal Tito. When Croatia declared independence in 1991 it took four years of sporadic but bloody war before Yugoslav army left Croatia. Under UN supervision the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The conflict resulted in a mass exodus of the native Serbian minority (to Bosnia and Serbia) which had inhabited portions of Croatia for centuries. Prior to the war of independence, Croatia's Serbian minority made up around 15% of the overall population. Visitors now to Croatia's more popular towns would see little physical evidence of this violence. Croatia's coastal areas are especially stunning, and have the hybrid charm of Eastern European and the Mediterranean. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/3vZAYr5rIdhTXRHx0o0s.flv 373 2010-01-30T08:03:26-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2193-Wisconsin-USA.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/oMrY1Vv4j0lBBXNliyIy.jpg Wisconsin USA http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oMrY1Vv4j0lBBXNliyIy.flv 135 Wisconsin is a state in the Midwest in the United States of America. Wisconsin borders Illinois, and Iowa to the south, Minnesota to the west, and Michigan to the north. To the east lies the long Lake Michigan shoreline and in the northwest a smaller Lake Superior shoreline. Wisconsin is known nationwide for its dairy heritage, or as America's Dairyland. Being home to two Great Lakes, thousands of inland lakes and waterways, the state could easily be called the nation's waterworld instead. The southern portion of the state is mainly agricultural and urban while the northern half is mostly rural and forested and is more similar in appearance to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The central region acts as a transition zone with both forests, farm land and small cities. The state's largest city and urban area is Milwaukee located in southeastern Wisconsin. In south-central Wisconsin lies the state capital Madison. Green Bay is listed as the state's third largest city. Wisconsin is a popular Midwestern travel destination both in the summer yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oMrY1Vv4j0lBBXNliyIy.flv 33 2010-01-30T07:53:37-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2192-Antalya-Turkey.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/MeUGcQeivwcmsel2CXU3.jpg Antalya, Turkey http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MeUGcQeivwcmsel2CXU3.flv 173 Antalya Province is located on the Mediterranean coast of south-west Turkey, between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean sea. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MeUGcQeivwcmsel2CXU3.flv 60 2010-01-29T11:42:17-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2191-Tijuana-Mexico---A-Travel-Guide.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/0WewcqsULTEfNxWqndMY.jpg Tijuana, Mexico - A Travel Guide http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/0WewcqsULTEfNxWqndMY.flv 176 Tijuana (pronounced /ˌtiː.əˈwɑːnə/;[2] Spanish pronunciation: [tiˈxwana]), is the largest city of the Mexican state of Baja California, situated on the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to its sister city of San Diego, California. Tijuana is the westernmost city in Mexico, however, the westernmost population center is located in Isla Guadalupe. Tijuana is considered by the Mexican government to be the most dominant regional center in northwestern Mexico. According to the 2005 census, the Tijuana metropolitan area was the sixth-largest in Mexico, with a population of 1,483,992, and one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico. Tijuana forms part of the San Diego-Tijuana Metropolitan Area, the total population of which has been estimated to be just over 5 million in 2009,[3] making it the 22nd largest metropolitan area in the Americas[4] and the largest bi-national metropolitan area that is shared between US and Mexico. It is estimated that the two border crossings in Tijuana account for 300,000 daily border crossings. The land where the city of Tijuana would be built was originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay, a tribe of Yuman-speaking hunter-gatherers. Europeans arrived in 1542, when the explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo toured the coastline of the area, which was later mapped in 1602 by Sebastián Vizcaíno. In 1769, Juan Crespí documented more detailed information about the area that would be called the Valley of Tijuana. Junípero Serra founded the first mission of Alta California in San Diego. More settlement of the area took place near the end of the mission era when José María Echendía, governor of the Baja California and Alta California, awarded a large land grant to Santiago Argüello in 1829. This large cattle ranch, Rancho Tía Juana (Aunt Jane Ranch), covered 100 km2 (40 sq mi). In 1848, as a result of the Mexican-American War with the United States, Mexico lost all of Alta California.The majority of the 1,000 families living in Alta California stayed there, and the rest went south back into Mexico. Because of this Tijuana gained a different appearance and reason on the International Border. The area was populated by ranches. After the Mexican American War, Tijuana developed a new social economic structure, as a consequence of the new border line the Valley of Tijuana acquired different uses. That were farming, livestock grazing, and transit area prospectors.[5] 1889 marked the beginning of the urban settlement, when descendants of Santiago Argüello and Augustín Olvera entered an agreement to begin development of the city of Tijuana. The date of the agreement, July 11, 1889, is recognized as the founding of the city.[6] Tijuana saw its future in tourism from its inception. From the end of the 19th century to the first decades of the 20th, the city attracted large numbers of Californians coming to Mexico for trade and entertainment. The California land boom of the 1880s attracted the first big wave of tourists, who were called excursionists and came looking for echoes of the famous novel Ramona, by Helen Hunt Jackson. In 1911, during the Mexican Revolution, revolutionaries claiming loyalty to Ricardo Flores Magón attacked and took over the city for shortly over a month. Federal troops soon arrived and, combined with local loyal militia known as the defensores de Tijuana, routed the rebels, who fled back across the line and were promptly arrested by the U.S. Army. This event is a source of much local controversy, and the rebels are almost universally reviled in Tijuana as filibusteros. In 1915, the Panama-California Exposition brought a great number of visitors to the neighboring California city of San Diego. Tijuana took the opportunity to attract these tourists south of the border with a Feria Típica Mexicana - Typical Mexican Fair. This fair included curio shops, regional fo yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/0WewcqsULTEfNxWqndMY.flv 372 2010-01-29T09:30:27-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2190-Umaid-Bhawan-Palace-Jodhpur-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/GbnGrtJSdLENWqJsTgCv.jpg Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/GbnGrtJSdLENWqJsTgCv.flv 94 Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the great palaces of India and one of the largest residences in the world -- set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this golden-yellow sandstone monument was conceived on the grandest possible scale, in the fashionable Art Deco style of that time. After 15 years in construction, the 347-room palace was finally completed in 1943 -- and has served as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family since. Designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. Its majestic 105-foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/GbnGrtJSdLENWqJsTgCv.flv 79 2010-01-29T09:13:51-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2189-Devi-Garh-Udaipur-Rajasthan-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/rKAwegMjvUIR1SGvDlep.jpg Devi Garh, Udaipur Rajasthan India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rKAwegMjvUIR1SGvDlep.flv 111 Devi Garh Palace is a heritage hotel and resort, built in the 18th century Devi Garh palace in the village of Delwara, nestled in the Aravalli hills, 28 km northeast of Udaipur, Rajasthan and forms one of the three main passes into the valley of Udaipur. Today, it is one of India's leading luxury hotels, and Frommer's Review, while calling it the best hotel on the subcontinent, stated that Devi Garh is more than beautiful, it is inspiring.. In 2008, it was featured in Lifestyle Channel Discovery Travel and Living series, 'Dream Hotels' spread over five continents, other two Indian hotels that made it to the list of 55, were Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, and Rambagh Palace, Jaipur. The principality of Delwara was given out to one of the lieutenant of Maharana Pratap, after the 'Battle of Haldighati' in 1576. First a rudimentary palace was built by Raghudev Singh II, which was later revamped a few years later in 1760s for a royal visit of the Maharani of Udaipur. The seven-storeyed hilltop fort palace in Rajasthani architecture was built in the 1760s. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rKAwegMjvUIR1SGvDlep.flv 30 2010-01-29T09:11:49-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2162-The-Ancient-Siam-City-Thailand.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/VDKC0iHqxykU0ypl1Km1.jpg The Ancient Siam City, Thailand http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/VDKC0iHqxykU0ypl1Km1.flv 215 16th century French travelers reported that the Siamese capital Ayutthaya was the most beautiful city in the East, rivaling Paris itself. Their detailed accounts described Siam as a land of fabulous temples and traditions set in pleasure garden surroundings. Since then the mention of Siam has inspired visions of a lush Far Eastern paradise...a land of of great Kings and Queens, gilded palaces, complex culture and intricate handicrafts. The truth about Siam is every bit as exotic as the fantastic accounts Westerners have related for 400 years. And more. Today, the essence of Siam lives in the hearts and minds of sixty million Thai citizens and millions of enamored visitors alike. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/VDKC0iHqxykU0ypl1Km1.flv 325 2010-01-28T07:37:16-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2161-Ancient-Kiato-Greece.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/fif4mo1BG5jKMxZKxFK0.jpg Ancient Kiato Greece http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fif4mo1BG5jKMxZKxFK0.flv 134 Kiato (Greek, Modern: Κιάτο, Ancient/Katharevousa: Κιάτον) is a coastal town in Greece that is agricultural-based. The town is located in the northern part of the prefecture of Corinthia in the Peloponnese, Greece. Kiato is located in a sandy area which features lemon trees, orange trees, and other fruit-bearing trees. It has a lot of touristic activity mainly in the summer. The ancient name of Kiato was Sikyon and the municipality of Sikyona is named after this place. In the antiquity it had a great prosperity, especially from the middle of the 2nd century BC. Kiato is linked with GR-8 and the Elissos river flows near the centre of Kiato. It also serves a junction on a road linking to Stymfalia and Levidi to the southwest. On the same road 2 km south is GR-8A/E55 (Athens - Patras), E94 eastbound with its exit at the 109th km. Kiato is located almost halfway between Patras and Athens. It is located approximately 30 km (old distance, 25 km) NW of Corinth, about 111 km W of Athens, about 110 km E of Patras, 98 km E of the Rio-Antirio bridge and about 40 km NE of Stymfalia. Groves surround Kiato while fruit and vegetable farming areas lie to the southeast and parts near Kiato. Forests lie within the shorelines to the east and west and some to the south and along the hills. The hills lie to the south. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fif4mo1BG5jKMxZKxFK0.flv 228 2010-01-28T07:14:35-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2160-Ancient-Acre-Israel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/grNzYqXwCCL2LCGpnpdF.jpg Ancient Acre, Israel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/grNzYqXwCCL2LCGpnpdF.flv 134 Acre (Hebrew: עַכּוֹ‎, Akko; Arabic: عكّا‎, ʻAkkā) also Akko, is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel. It is situated on a low promontory at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Acre had a population of 46,000 at the end of 2007. Historically Acre has been regarded as the key to the Levant due to its strategic coastal location. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in Israel. The name Aak, which appears on the tribute-lists of Thutmose III (c. 16th century BC), may be a reference to Acre.[citation needed] The Amarna letters also mention a place named Akka. In the Bible, (Judges 1:31), Akko is one of the places from which the Israelites did not drive out the Canaanites. It was in the territory of the tribe of Asher. According to Josephus, Akko was ruled by one of Solomon's provincial governors. Throughout the period of Israelite rule, it was politically affiliated with Phoenicia rather than the Philistines. Around 725 BC, Akko joined Sidon and Tyre in a revolt against Shalmaneser V. About two-thirds of Acre's population is Jewish, and Arab citizens of Israel constitute about one-third. According to public figures from among this community, almost 70 percent of the residents in the old Mandatory district near the Old City are Arab. Only about 15 percent of the current Arab population in the city descends from families who lived there before 1948. Schools for Arab citizens have been underfunded, and by 2000 there was only one Arab elementary school in the city. Ethnic tensions erupted on October 8, 2008, turning into five days of violence after an Arab citizen drove through a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood during Yom Kippur. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/grNzYqXwCCL2LCGpnpdF.flv 323 2010-01-28T07:10:34-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2159-Plovdiv-Bulgaria---Ancient-City.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/n3AwrchYVvQAh3VksLVR.jpg Plovdiv, Bulgaria - Ancient City http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/n3AwrchYVvQAh3VksLVR.flv 126 Plovdiv (Bulgarian: Пловдив) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria with a population of 380,683. One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years. It is the administrative center of Plovdiv Province in southern Bulgaria and three municipalities (Plovdiv, Maritsa and Rodopi) and Bulgaria's Yuzhen tsentralen planning region (NUTS II), as well as the largest and most important city in Northern Thrace and the wider international historical region of Thrace. The city is an important economic, transport, cultural and educational center. Known in the West for most of its history by the Greek name Philippopolis, it was originally a Thracian settlement before becoming a major Roman city. In the Middle Ages, it retained its strategic regional importance, changing hands between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. It came under Ottoman rule in the 14th century. In 1878, Plovdiv was made the capital of the autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia; in 1885, it became part of Bulgaria with the unification of that region and the Principality of Bulgaria. Plovdiv is situated in the southern part of the Plovdiv Plain on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some of which are 250 m high. Because of these seven hills, Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as The City of the Seven Hills. Plovdiv is host to economic and cultural events such as the International Fair Plovdiv, the international theatrical festival A scene on a crossroad, the TV festival The golden chest. There are many remains preserved from Antiquity such as the Ancient amphitheatre, Roman odeon, Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene and others. Plovdiv was given various names throughout its long history. It was originally a Thracian settlement by the name of Eumolpias. Philip II of Macedon conquered the area in 342-341 BC and renamed the city Philippoupolis (Greek: Φιλιππούπολις), of which the later Thracian name for the city, Pulpu-deva, is a reconstructed translation. After the Romans took control of the area, the city was named Latin: Trimontium, meaning the Three Hills. During the Middle Ages the city was known as Philippoupolis in Byzantine Greek and Paldin (Пълдин) or Plavdiv (Плъвдив) in Old Bulgarian, variations of the town's earlier Thracian name. The city was known as Philippopolis in Western Europe well into the early 20th century. The city was known as Filibe in Turkish during the Ottoman Empire. The asteroid (minor planet) 3860 Plovdiv is named after the city. It was discovered by the Bulgarian astronomer Violeta G. Ivanova on 8 August 1986. Plovdiv Peak (1,040 m/3,412 ft) on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is also named after Plovdiv. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/n3AwrchYVvQAh3VksLVR.flv 351 2010-01-28T07:04:11-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2158-Ancient-City-Registan-Samarkand-Uzbekistan.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/4UyJFvgdyrtWbCbK0CRv.jpg Ancient City Registan Samarkand Uzbekistan http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/4UyJFvgdyrtWbCbK0CRv.flv 142 The Registan was the heart of the ancient Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The name Registan means Sandy place in Persian. It is said, the sand was strewn on the ground to soak up the blood from the public executions that were held there until early in the 20th century. The Registan is where Tamerlane stuck his victims’ heads on spikes, and is where people gathered to hear royal proclamations, heralded by blasts on enormous copper pipes called dzharchis. But it obviously could be only before the first of charming historical buildings had been constructed, because Tamerlane died in 1405. Three madrasahs of the Registan are: Ulugbek Madrasah (1417-1420), the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619-1636) and the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1646-1660). Madrasah is a Moslem clergy academy. The Ulugh Beg Madrasa has its imposing portal with lancet arch facing the square. The corners are flanked by the high well-proportioned minarets. Mosaic panel over the entrance arch is decorated by geometrical stylized ornaments. The square-shaped courtyard includes a mosque, lecture rooms and is fringed by the dormitory cells in which students lived. There are deep galleries along the axes. Originally the Ulugbek Madrasah was a two-storied building with four domed darskhonas (lecture room) at the corners. The madrasah was one of the best clergy universities of the whole Moslem Orient of the 15th century. Abdurakhman Djami, a prominent poet, scientist and philosopher studied there. Ulugbek (Ulugh Beg) himself gave lectures there. During Ulugbek's government the Madrasah was a centre of secular science. In the 17th century the ruler of Samarkand Yalangtush Bakhodur ordered the construction of the Sher-Dor and Tillya-Kori madrasahs. The Sher-Dor (Having Tigers) Madrasah was designed by architect Abdujabor. The decoration of the madrasah is not as refined as that on the 15th century - golden age of Samarkand architecture. Anyway, the harmony of large and small rooms, exquisite mosaic decor, monumentality and efficient symmetry - all these put the structure among the best architectural monuments of Samarkand. Ten years later the Tillya-Kori Madrasah was built, the name means Gilded. It was not only the place of training students, but also it played the role of grand mosque. It has two-storied main facade, vast courtyard fringed by dormitory cells with four galleries along axes. Mosque building (see picture 6) is situated in the western section of the courtyard. The main hall of the mosque is abundantly gilded. The Registan Ensemble is a wonderful combination of the structures built at different times. Extensive restoration works are in the process. To the east of Tillya-Kori Madrasah the mausoleum of Shaybanids, 16 c., is located (see picture). The real founder of Shaybanid power was Muhammad Shaybani - grandson of Abu'l Khair. In 1500, with the backing of the Chaghataite Khanate, then based in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Muhammad Shaybani has conquered Samarkand and Bukhara from their last Timurid rulers. The founder of the dynasty then turned on his benefactors and in 1503 took Tashkent. He captured Khiva in 1506 and in 1507 he swooped down on Merv (Turkmenistan), eastern Persia, and western Afghanistan. The Shaybanids stopped the advance of the Safavids, who in 1502 had defeated the Akkoyunlu (Iran). Muhammad Shaybani was a leader of nomadic Uzbeks. During the ensuing years they substantially settled down in oases of Central Asia. The Uzbek invasion of 15 c. was the last component of the today's Uzbek nation ethnogeny. The ancient trading dome Chorsu is situated right behind the Sher-Dor. Now it is well restored. The existence of the trading dome at this place confirms the information that Registan was medieval Samarkand's commercial center and the plaza was probably a wall to wall market. During the Soviet era, the site was restored, which included digging down 3 meters to its original level to expose the buildings' full height. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/4UyJFvgdyrtWbCbK0CRv.flv 237 2010-01-28T06:57:24-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2157-Ancient-Herefordshire-England.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/njrvdiSvJObZHymnPIdI.jpg Ancient Herefordshire England http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/njrvdiSvJObZHymnPIdI.flv 120 Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately 16 miles (26 km) east of the border with Wales, 21 miles (34 km) southwest of Worcester, and 23 miles (37 km) northwest of Gloucester. With a population of 54,842 people, it is the largest settlement in the county. The name Hereford is said to come from the Anglo Saxon here, an army or formation of soldiers, and the ford, a place for crossing a river. If this is the origin it suggests that Hereford was a place where a body of armed men forded or crossed the Wye. The Welsh name for Hereford is Henffordd (or Caerffawydd, meaning Beach Fortress). Hereford Cathedral dates from 1079 and contains the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world dating from the 13th century which was restored in the late 20th century. It also contains the world famous Chained Library. An early town charter from 1189 granted by Richard I of England describes it as 'Hereford in Wales'. Hereford has been recognised as a city since time immemorial, with the status being reconfirmed as recently as October 2000. It is now known chiefly as a trading centre for a wider agricultural and rural area. Products from Hereford include: cider, beer, leather goods, nickel alloys, poultry, chemicals and cattle, including the famous Hereford breed. The city was the home of the British Special Air Service (SAS) for many years, although the Regiment relocated to nearby Credenhill in the late 1990s. Hereford railway station opened in 1854 on the Welsh Marches Line. Hereford was founded in around AD 700 and became the Saxon capital of West Mercia. The present Hereford Cathedral dates from the 12th century. Former Bishops of Hereford include Saint Thomas de Cantilupe and Lord High Treasurer of England Thomas Charlton. The city gave its name to two suburbs of Paris, France: Maisons-Alfort (population 54,600) and Alfortville (population 36,232), due to a manor built there by Peter of Aigueblanche, Bishop of Hereford, in the middle of the 13th century. Hereford, a base for successive holders of the title Earl of Hereford, was once the site of a castle, Hereford Castle, which rivalled that of Windsor in size and scale. This was a base for repelling Welsh attacks and a secure stronghold for English kings such as King Henry IV when on campaign in the Welsh Marches against Owain Glyndŵr. The castle was dismantled in the 1700s and landscaped into Castle Green. After the Battle of Mortimer's Cross in 1461, during the Wars of the Roses, the defeated Lancastrian leader Owen Tudor (grandfather of the future Henry VII of England) was taken to Hereford by Sir Roger Vaughan and executed in High Town. A plaque now marks the spot of the execution. Vaughan was later himself executed, under a flag of truce, by Owen's son Jasper. During the civil war the city changed hands several times. On 30 September 1642 Parliamentarians led by Sir Robert Harley and Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford occupied the city without opposition. In December they withdrew to Gloucester because of the presence in the area of a Royalist army under Lord Herbert. The city was again occupied briefly from 23 April to 18 May 1643 by Parliamentarians commanded by Sir William Waller but it was in 1645 that the city saw most action. On 31 July 1645 a Scottish army of 14,000 under Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven besieged the city but met stiff resistance from its garrison and inhabitants. They withdrew on 1 September when they received news that a force led by King Charles was approaching. The city was finally taken for Parliament on 18 December 1645 by Colonel Birch and Colonel Morgan. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/njrvdiSvJObZHymnPIdI.flv 233 2010-01-28T06:50:48-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2156-Ancient-City-of-Bagan.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/zxmpmGRtluzz1pF4nPDM.jpg Ancient City of Bagan http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zxmpmGRtluzz1pF4nPDM.flv 112 Bagan formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma. It is located in the dry central plains of the country, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Mandalay. Bagan was submitted to become a UNESCO heritage site but many speculate of politics as partly the reason for the exclusion. UNESCO does not designate Bagan as a World Heritage Site. The main reason given is that the military junta (SPDC) has haphazardly restored ancient stupas, temples and buildings, ignoring original architectural styles and using modern materials which bear little or no resemblance to the original designs. The junta has also established a golf course, a paved highway, and built a 200-foot (61-m) watchtower in the southeastern suburb of Minnanthu. The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles. The majority of its buildings were built in the 1000s to 1200s, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in AD 874 that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of Anawrahta. In 1057, King Anawrahta conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen and all of these were made good use of in order to transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism a kind of state religion, and the king also established contacts with Sri Lanka. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Thai and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential Saddanīti, a grammar of the language of the Tipiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zxmpmGRtluzz1pF4nPDM.flv 390 2010-01-28T06:47:08-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2155-Ancient-Jiaohe-Ruins.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/CX3Yq22qaWYCJ0YtzUra.jpg Ancient Jiaohe Ruins http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/CX3Yq22qaWYCJ0YtzUra.flv 80 The Jiaohe Ruins is an ancient Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan, Xinjiang province, China. Both the Nara National Cultural Properties Research Institute and the Xinjiang Cultural Relics Bureau have been cooperating in a joint venture to preserve the ruins of the site since 1992. From the years 108 BC to 450 AD the city of Jiaohe was the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom concurrent with the Han Dynasty, Jin Dynasty, and Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. It was an important site along the Silk Road trade route leading west, and was adjacent to the Korla and Karasahr kingdoms. From 450 AD until 640 AD it became Jiao prefecture in the Tang Dynasty, and in 640 AD it was made the seat of the new Jiaohe County. From 640 AD until 658 AD it was also the seat of the Protector General of the Western Regions, the highest level military post of a Chinese military commander posted in the west. Since the beginning of the 9th century AD it had become Jiaohe prefecture of the Uyghur Khaganate, until their kingdom was conquered by the Kyrgyz soon after in the year 840. The city was built on a large islet (1650 m in length, 300 m wide at its widest point) in the middle of a river which formed natural defenses, which would explain why the city lacked any sort of walls. Instead, steep cliffs on all sides of the river acted as natural walls. The layout of the city had eastern and western residential districts, while the northern district was reserved for Buddhist sites of temples and stupas. Along with this there are notable graveyards and the ruins of a large government office in the southern part of the eastern district. It was finally abandoned after its destruction during an invasion by the Mongols led by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. The site has been protected by the PRC government since 1961. There are now attempts to protect this site and other Silk Route city ruins. The Silk Route is applying for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins of Jiaohe are mentioned in the mystery novel Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station, by Dorothy Gilman. One of the world's architectural wonders hides in Yarnaz Valley, 10 kilometers west of Turpan. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30 meters. The largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world, Jiaohe is 1,650 meters by 300 meters at its widest; with an area of 220,000 square meters. Jiaohe was the capital of the former Cheshi State. An Indian proverb says, 'Intelligence is bound to exist where two rivers meet'. Jiaohe, meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet, is such a place. According to historical records it was home to 700 households, 6500 residents plus 865 soldiers. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/CX3Yq22qaWYCJ0YtzUra.flv 26 2010-01-28T05:32:11-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2154-The-Ancient-City-of-Gaochang.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/QjYpgkpfcS5eXOxFiQkN.jpg The Ancient City of Gaochang http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QjYpgkpfcS5eXOxFiQkN.flv 138 Gaochang is the site of an ancient oasis city built on the northern rim of the inhospitable Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China. A busy trading center, it was a stopping point for merchant traders traveling on the Silk Route. The ruins are located 30 km southeast of modern Turpan. Gaochang was built in the 1st century BC. It was an important site along the Silk Road. It was burnt down in wars in the 14th century. Old palace ruins and inside and outside cities can still be seen today. Gao Chang is located in present-day Xinjiang Province, 30km from Turpan. It played a key role as a transportation hub in western China. There is some documented history surviving today, perhaps stories passed on through oral tradition exist to detail the history. The archaeological remains are just outside the town at a place originally called Idykut-schari or Idikutschari by local residents (see the work of Albert Grünwedel in the external links below). The site is otherwise known in early published reports as Chotscho, Khocho, or Qoco. Artistic monuments of the city have been published by Albert von Le Coq (see external link below). In 439, remnants of the Northern Liang fled to Gaochang led by Juqu Wuhui and Juqu Anzhou where they would hold onto power until 460 when they were conquered by the Rouran. There were more than ten thousand Han Chinese households in Gaochang, and the Rouran appointed a Han named Kan Bozhou as their vassal King of Gaochang in 460. At this time the Gaoche was rising to challenge power of the Rouran in the Tarim Basin. The Gaoche king Afuzhiluo killed Kan Shougui and appointed a Han from Dunhuang, named Zhang Mengming, as his own vassal King of Gaochang. Gaochang thus passed under Gaoche rule. Later, Zhang Mengming was killed in an uprising by the people of Gaochang and replaced by Ma Ru. In 501, Ma Ru himself was overthrown and killed, and the people of Gaochang appointed Qu Jia of Jincheng (in Gansu) as their king. Qu Jia at first pledged allegiance to the Rouran, but the Rouran khaghan was soon killed by the Gaoche, and he had to submit to Gaoche overlordship. Later, when the Göktürks emerged as the supreme power in the region, the Qu dynasty of Gaochang became vassals of the Göktürks. In 640, Gaochang was annexed by the Chinese Tang dynasty and renamed Xizhou. From the mid fifth century until the mid seventh century there existed four independent kingdoms in the narrow Turpan basin. These are known as the Kan Family, Zhang Family, Ma Family, and Qu family. In the second year of Tang Zhen Guan (628 AD), the famous monk Xuanzang passed through Gaochang. In the 13th year of Tang Zhen Guan (640 AD), Gaochang county was established. According to documents from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Qara-hoja referred to Gao Chang as Halahezhuo and Huozhou. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QjYpgkpfcS5eXOxFiQkN.flv 67 2010-01-28T05:20:09-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2153-Tiwanaku---Tiahuanaco-the-ancient-city-Bolivia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/IxJGDhxiwFjejvyontRR.jpg Tiwanaku - Tiahuanaco the ancient city Bolivia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/IxJGDhxiwFjejvyontRR.flv 148 Tiwanaku (Spanish: Tiahuanaco and Tiahuanacu) is an important Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia. Tiwanaku is recognized by Andean scholars as one of the most important precursors to the Inca Empire, flourishing as the ritual and administrative capital of a major state power for approximately five hundred years. The ruins of the ancient city state are near the south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca in the La Paz Department, Ingavi Province, Tiwanaku Municipality, about 72 km (44 miles) west of La Paz. The site was first recorded in written history by Spanish conquistador and self-acclaimed “first chronicler of the Indies” Pedro Cieza de León. Leon stumbled upon the remains of Tiwanaku in 1549 while searching for the Inca capital Collasuyu. Some have hypothesized that Tiwanaku's modern name is related to the Aymara term taypiqala, meaning stone in the center, alluding to the belief that it lay at the center of the world. However, the name by which Tiwanaku was known to its inhabitants has been lost, as the people of Tiwanaku had no written language. The area around Tiwanaku may have been inhabited as early as 1500 BC as a small agriculturally-based village. Most research, though, is based around the Tiwanaku IV and V periods between AD 300 and AD 1000, during which Tiwanaku grew significantly in power. During the time period between 300 BC and AD 300 Tiwanaku is thought to have been a moral and cosmological center to which many people made pilgrimages. The ideas of cosmological prestige are the precursors to Tiwanaku's powerful empire. Tiwanaku’s location between the lake and dry highlands provided key resources of fish, wild birds, plants, and herding grounds for camelidae, particularly llamas. The Titicaca Basin is the most productive environment in the area with predictable and abundant rainfall, which the Tiwanaku culture learned to harness and use in their farming. As one goes further east, the Altiplano is an area of very dry arid land. The high altitude Titicaca Basin required the development of a distinctive farming technique known as flooded-raised field agriculture (suka kollus). They comprised a significant percentage of the agriculture in the region, along with irrigated fields, pasture, terraced fields and qochas (artificial ponds) farming. Artificially raised planting mounds are separated by shallow canals filled with water. The canals supply moisture for growing crops, but they also absorb heat from solar radiation during the day. This heat is gradually emitted during the bitterly cold nights that often produce frost, endemic to the region, providing thermal insulation. Traces of landscape management were also found in the Llanos de Moxos region (Amazonian food plains of the Moxos). Over time, the canals also were used to farm edible fish, and the resulting canal sludge was dredged for fertilizer. The fields grew to cover nearly the entire surface of the lake[citation needed] and although they were not uniform in size or shape, all had the same primary function. Though labor-intensive, suka kollus produce impressive yields. While traditional agriculture in the region typically yields 2.4 metric tons of potatoes per hectare, and modern agriculture (with artificial fertilizers and pesticides) yields about 14.5 metric tons per hectare, suka kollu agriculture yields an average of 21 tons per hectare. Significantly, the experimental fields recreated in the 1980s by University of Chicago´s Alan Kolata and Oswaldo Rivera[8] suffered only a 10% decrease in production following a 1988 freeze that killed 70-90% of the rest of the region's production. This kind of protection against killing frosts in an agrarian civilization is an invaluable asset. For these reasons, the importance of suka kollus cannot be overstated. As the population grew occupational niches were created where each member of the society knew how to do their job and relied on the elites of the empire to provide all of the commoners with all the resources that would fulfill their needs. Some occupations include agriculturists, herders, pastoralists, etc. Along with this separation of occupations, there was also a hierarchal stratification within the empire. The elites of Tiwanaku lived inside four walls that were surrounded by a moat. This moat, some believe, was to create the image of a sacred island. Inside the walls there were many images of human origin that only the elites were privileged to, despite the fact that images represent the beginning of all humans not only the elite. Commoners may have only ever entered this structure for ceremonial purposes since it was home to the holiest of shrines. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/IxJGDhxiwFjejvyontRR.flv 516 2010-01-28T05:08:38-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2152-Ancient-Roman-City-of-Leptis-Magna-Libya.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/ZX0hCvc5beQpcwkob04K.jpg Ancient Roman City of Leptis Magna Libya http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ZX0hCvc5beQpcwkob04K.flv 155 Leptis Magna also known as Lectis Magna (or Lepcis Magna as it is sometimes spelled), also called Lpqy or Neapolis, was a prominent city of the Roman Empire. Its ruins are located in Al Khums, Libya, 130 km east of Tripoli, on the coast where the Wadi Lebda meets the sea. The site is one of the most spectacular and unspoiled Roman ruins in the Mediterranean. The city appears to have been founded by Phoenician colonists sometime around 1100 BC, although it did not achieve prominence until Carthage became a major power in the Mediterranean Sea in the 4th century BC. It nominally remained part of Carthage's dominions until the end of the Third Punic War in 146 BC and then became part of the Roman Republic, although from about 200 BC onward, it was for all intents and purposes an independent city. Leptis Magna remained as such until the reign of the Roman emperor Tiberius, when the city and the surrounding area were formally incorporated into the empire as part of the province of Africa. It soon became one of the leading cities of Roman Africa and a major trading post. Leptis achieved its greatest prominence beginning in 193, when a native son, Lucius Septimius Severus, became emperor. He favored his hometown above all other provincial cities, and the buildings and wealth he lavished on it made Leptis Magna the third-most important city in Africa, rivaling Carthage and Alexandria. In 205, he and the imperial family visited the city and received great honors. Among the changes that Severus introduced were to create a magnificent new forum and to rebuild the docks. The natural harbour had a tendency to silt up, but the Severan changes made this worse, and the eastern wharves are extremely well preserved, since they were hardly used. Leptis over-extended itself at this period. During the Crisis of the Third Century, when trade declined precipitously, Leptis Magna's importance also fell into a decline, and by the middle of the fourth century, large parts of the city had been abandoned. Ammianus Marcellinus recounts that the crisis was worsened by a corrupt Roman governor named Romanus during a major tribal raid who demanded bribes to protect the city. The ruined city could not pay these and complained to the emperor Valentianian. Romanus then bribed people at court and arranged for the Leptan envoys to be punished for bringing false accusations. It enjoyed a minor renaissance beginning in the reign of the emperor Theodosius I. In 439, Leptis Magna and the rest of the cities of Tripolitania fell under the control of the Vandals when their king, Gaiseric, captured Carthage from the Romans and made it his capital. Unfortunately for the future of Leptis Magna, Gaiseric ordered the city's walls demolished so as to dissuade its people from rebelling against Vandal rule. The people of Leptis and the Vandals both paid a heavy price for this in 523 when a group of Berber raiders sacked the city. Belisarius recaptured Leptis Magna in the name of Rome ten years later, and in 534, he destroyed the kingdom of the Vandals. Leptis became a provincial capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (see Byzantine Empire) but never recovered from the destruction wreaked upon it by the Berbers. It was the site of a massacre of Berber chiefs by the Roman authorities in 543. By the time of the Arab conquest of Tripolitania in the 650s, the city was abandoned except for a Byzantine garrison force. Today, the site of Leptis Magna is the site of some of the most impressive ruins of the Roman period. In June 2005, it was revealed that archaeologists from the University of Hamburg had been working along the coast of Libya when they uncovered a 30 ft length of five colorful mosaics created during the 1st or 2nd century. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ZX0hCvc5beQpcwkob04K.flv 572 2010-01-28T04:56:50-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2151-Ancient-city-of-David.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/wwuDvmmDa3eOZy0psAH4.jpg Ancient city of David http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/wwuDvmmDa3eOZy0psAH4.flv 98 The City of David, also known as the Ophel (Hebrew: העופל‎, perhaps meaning fortified hill) is the name of the narrow promontory beyond the southern edge of Jerusalem's Temple Mount and Old City, with the Tyropoeon Valley (valley of the cheesemakers) on its west, the Hinnom valley to the south, and the Kidron Valley on the east. The previously deep valley (the Tyropoeon), which separates the Ophel from what is now referred to as the Old City of Jerusalem, currently lies hidden beneath the debris of centuries. Despite the name, the Old City of Jerusalem dates from a much later time than the settlement in the City of David, which is generally considered to have been the original Jerusalem. Traditionally, the name City of David applied to the area inside the ancient fortifications, while the name Ophel applied to the area between the end of the city wall and the Temple Mount. Securely-dated archaeological remains establish that there was a substantial, fortified city on this hill in the Middle Bronze Age, 1800-1550 BCE. A massive, 3,700-year-old stone wall was discovered by archaeologists in 2009. It is believed to have been built by the Caananites to protect the vulnerable passage from the top of the hill to the spring tower below. It is equally certain that there was a large, prosperous, fortified city on this site in the late Iron Age, eighth and seventh centuries BCE. This is the period that corresponds to the biblical Kings Hezekiah through Josiah and the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar II. The period of the tenth and ninth centuries, corresponding to the biblical Kings David and Solomon, is the subject of an intense scholarly dispute, as well as of ongoing archaeological investigations. A city wall dating to no later than the twelfth century BCE has been uncovered, and neither its existence nor the existence of a fortified city at that date are in dispute. On one side of the controversy are those who maintain the plausibility or validity of the Biblical account of a conquest by troops under King David who, as described in the Bible, capture the city not by breaching the walls, but by climbing upwards through the ancient water system at the Gihon Spring. The supposition is that the Israelites continued to use the intact Jebusite walls. On the other side of the controversy are those who maintain that insufficient artifacts have been found to establish an Israelite presence before the late ninth century, and that the Israelite presence, if there ever was one, was a small settlement in an unfortified place. The 2005 discovery by Eilat Mazar of a Large Stone Structure, which she dated to the tenth century, would be evidence of buildings in Jerusalem of a size appropriate to the capital of a centralized kingdom at that time. Others, however, most notably Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University, argue that the structure could, for the most part, be from the much later Hasmonean period. Other major archaeological finds include the Pool of Siloam, the Jerusalem pilgrim road, the palace of Queen Helena of Adiabene and the Jerusalem Water Channel. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/wwuDvmmDa3eOZy0psAH4.flv 113 2010-01-28T04:50:17-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2150-The-Ancient-City-of-Amarna-Nefertiti-City.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/WhMoQqlAY3lj3X50saKO.jpg The Ancient City of Amarna, Nefertiti City http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/WhMoQqlAY3lj3X50saKO.flv 109 The site of Amarna (commonly known as el-Amarna or incorrectly as Tel el-Amarna; see below) (Arabic: العمارنة al-‘amārnah‎) is located on the east bank of the Nile River in the modern Egyptian province of Minya, some 58 km (38 miles) south of the city of al-Minya, 312 km (194 miles) south of the Egyptian capital Cairo and 402 km (250 miles) north of Luxor. The site of Amarna includes several modern villages, chief of which are el-Till in the north and el-Hagg Qandil in the south. The area contains an extensive Egyptian archaeological site that represents the remains of the capital city newly–established and built by the Pharaoh Akhenaten of the late Eighteenth Dynasty (c. 1353 BC), and abandoned shortly afterwards. The name for the city employed by the ancient Egyptians is written as Akhetaten (or Akhetaton – transliterations vary) in English transliteration. Akhetaten means Horizon of the Aten. The area was also occupied during later Roman and early Christian times, excavations to the south of the city have found several structures from this period. The frequent designation Tel el-Amarna for the city is inaccurate: nowhere do the ancient remains constitute a mound of eroded architecture that would warrant the description of a Tell (Arabic: hill), so common elsewhere in the region. Cyril Aldred notes that the name Tel el-Amarna is a misunderstanding of the name for one of the modern villages near the ruins, Et Til el Amarna. The name Amarna itself comes from the name of a tribe of nomads, the Beni Amran, who left the Western Desert in the 8th century to settle on the banks of the Nile along this stretch. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/WhMoQqlAY3lj3X50saKO.flv 168 2010-01-28T04:38:50-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2149-Ancient-Ephesus-Turkey.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/ZrhfrTnR2qaeurT4lkyT.jpg Ancient Ephesus Turkey http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ZrhfrTnR2qaeurT4lkyT.flv 143 Ephesus (Ancient Greek Ἔφεσος, Turkish Efes) was an ancient Greek city on the west coast of Anatolia, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire; ranking behind Rome, the empire's capital.[1][2] Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it the second largest city in the world.[2] The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BCE), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Temple was destroyed in 401 CE by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom.[3] Emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Küçük Menderes). Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation.[4] The Gospel of John may have been written here.[5] It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard. Today's archaeological site lies 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Selçuk, in the Selçuk district of İzmir Province, Turkey. The ruins of Ephesus are a favorite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from Adnan Menderes Airport and via the port of Kuşadası. Ephesus was an important center for Early Christianity from the AD 50s. From AD 52-54, Paul lived here, working with the congregation and apparently organizing missionary activity into the hinterlands.[23] He became embroiled in a dispute with artisans, whose livelihood depended on selling the statuettes of Artemis in the Temple of Artemis (Acts 19:23–41). He wrote between 53 and 57 AD the letter 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (possibly from the Paul tower close to the harbour, where he was imprisoned for a short time). Later Paul wrote to the Christian community at Ephesus, while he was in prison in Rome (around 62 AD) Anatolia was associated with John,[24] one of the chief apostles, and the Gospel of John might have been written in Ephesus, c 90-100.[25] Ephesus was one of the seven cities addressed in Revelation (2:1–7), indicating that the church at Ephesus was still strong. Two decades later, the church at Ephesus there was still important enough to be addressed by a letter written by Bishop Ignatius of Antioch to the Ephesians in the early 2nd century AD, that begins with, Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fullness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory (Letter to the Ephesians). The church at Ephesus had given their support for Ignatius, who was taken to Rome for execution. The house of the Virgin Mary, about 7 km (4 mi) from Selçuk, is believed to have been the last home of Mary, mother of Jesus. It is a popular place of pilgrimage which has been visited by three recent popes. The Church of Mary close to the harbor of Ephesus was the setting for the Third Ecumenical Council in 431, which resulted in the condemnation of Nestorius. A Second Council of Ephesus was held in 449, but its controversial acts were never approved by the Catholics. It came to be called the Robber Council of Ephesus or Robber Synod of Latrocinium by its opponents. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ZrhfrTnR2qaeurT4lkyT.flv 107 2010-01-27T09:06:51-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2148-Ancient-city-Sabratha-Libya.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2ewhQykYHwUviLQETgtm.jpg Ancient city Sabratha Libya http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2ewhQykYHwUviLQETgtm.flv 131 Sabratha, Sabratah or Siburata (Arabic: صبراتة‎), in the Az Zawiyah District in the northwestern corner of modern Libya, was the westernmost of the three cities of Tripolis. From 2001 to 2007 it was the capital of the former Sabratha Wa Surman District. It lies on the Mediterranean coast about 65km (40 miles) west of Tripoli (ancient Oea). The extant archaeological site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Ancient Sabratha Sabratha's port was established, perhaps about 500 BC, as a Phoenician trading-post that served as a coastal outlet for the products of the African hinterland. Sabratha became part of the short-lived Numidian Kingdom of Massinissa before being Romanized and rebuilt in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. The Emperor Septimus Severus was born nearby in Leptis Magna, and Sabratha reached its monumental peak during the rule of the Severans. The city was badly damaged by earthquakes during the 4th century, particularly the quake of AD 365. It was rebuilt on a more modest scale by Byzantine governors. Within a hundred years of the Arab conquest of the maghreb, trade had shifted to other ports and Sabratha dwindled to a village. Besides its magnificent late 3rd century theatre that retains its three-storey architectural backdrop, Sabratha has temples dedicated to Liber Pater, Serapis and Isis. There is a Christian basilica of the time of Justinian and also remnants of some of the mosaic floors that enriched elite dwellings of Roman North Africa (for example, at the Villa Sileen, near Al-Khoms). However, these are most clearly preserved in the coloured patterns of the seaward (or Forum) baths, directly overlooking the shore, and in the black and white floors of the Theatre baths. There is an adjacent museum containing some treasures from Sabratha, but others can be seen in the national museum in Tripoli. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2ewhQykYHwUviLQETgtm.flv 427 2010-01-27T07:19:35-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2147-Ancient-Homeric-Troy.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/KJrufLO0osmqWf4svdlE.jpg Ancient Homeric Troy http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/KJrufLO0osmqWf4svdlE.flv 106 Troy (Greek: Τροία, Troia, also Ἴλιον, Ilion; Latin: Trōia, Īlium; Hittite: Wilusa or Truwisa) was a city, both factual and legendary, best known for being the focus of the Trojan War, as described in the Epic Cycle and especially in the Iliad, one of the two epic poems attributed to Homer. Trojan refers to the inhabitants and culture of Troy. Metrical evidence from the Iliad and the Odyssey seems to show that the name Ἴλιον formerly began with a digamma (Ϝίλιον): this was later proved by the Hittite form Wilusa. Today it is the name of an archaeological site, the traditional location of Homeric Troy, Turkish Truva, in Hisarlık, Anatolia, close to the seacoast in what is now Çanakkale province in northwest Turkey, southwest of the Dardanelles under Mount Ida. A new city of Ilium was founded on the site in the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. It flourished until the establishment of Constantinople and declined gradually during the Byzantine era. In 1865 an English archaeologist, Frank Calvert, excavated trial trenches in a field he had bought from a local farmer at Hisarlık, near Truva and in 1868 a wealthy German businessman, Heinrich Schliemann, after a chance meeting between the two men in Çanakkale town, also began excavating in this area. Later excavations revealed several cities built in succession to each other. One of the earlier cities is generally identified with Homeric Troy. While such an identity is disputed, the site has been successfully identified with the city called Wilusa in Hittite texts; Ilion (which goes back to earlier Wilion with a digamma) is thought to be the Greek rendition of that name. The archaeological site of Troy was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1998. Ancient Greek historians placed the Trojan War variously in our 12th, 13th, or 14th century BCE: Eratosthenes to 1184 BCE, Herodotus to 1250 BCE, Duris of Samos to 1334 BCE. Modern archaeologists associate Homeric Troy with archaeological Troy VII. In the Iliad, the Achaeans set up their camp near the mouth of the river Scamander (presumably modern Karamenderes), where they had beached their ships. The city of Troy itself stood on a hill, across the plain of Scamander, where the battles of the Trojan War took place. The site of the ancient city is some 5 km from the coast today, but the ancient mouths of alleged Scamander, some 3,000 years ago, were about that distance inland, pouring into a large bay which formed a natural harbour, but has since been filled with alluvial material. Recent geological findings have permitted the reconstruction of how the original Trojan coastline would have looked, and the results largely confirm the accuracy of the Homeric geography of Troy. Besides the Iliad, there are references to Troy in the other major work attributed to Homer, the Odyssey, as well as in other ancient Greek literature. The Homeric legend of Troy was elaborated by the Roman poet Virgil in his Aeneid. The Greeks and Romans took for a fact the historicity of the Trojan War and the identity of Homeric Troy with the site in Anatolia. Alexander the Great, for example, visited the site in 334 BCE and made sacrifices at tombs there associated with the Homeric heroes Achilles and Patroclus. In November 2001, geologists John C. Kraft from the University of Delaware and John V. Luce from Trinity College, Dublin presented the results of investigations, begun in 1977, into the geology of the region. They compared the present geology with the landscapes and coastal features described in the Iliad and other classical sources, notably Strabo's Geographia, and concluded that there is a regular consistency between the location of Schliemann's Troy and other locations such as the Greek camp, the geological evidence, descriptions of the topography and accounts of the battle in the Iliad. Further work by John Kraft and others was published in 2003. After the 1995 find of a Luwian biconvex seal at Troy VII, there has been a heated discussion over the language that was spoken in Homeric Troy. Frank Starke of the University of Tübingen recently demonstrated that the name of Priam is connected to the Luwian compound Priimuua, which means 'exceptionally courageous'. The certainty is growing that Wilusa/Troy belonged to the greater Luwian-speaking community, although it is not entirely clear whether Luwian was primarily the official language or in daily colloquial use. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/KJrufLO0osmqWf4svdlE.flv 103 2010-01-27T07:03:42-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2146-Ancient-Siam---Mueanf-Boran-Thailand.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/W1qRpVeTSZOc5dpTkQFp.jpg Ancient Siam - Mueanf Boran Thailand http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/W1qRpVeTSZOc5dpTkQFp.flv 94 Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City)(Mueang Boran) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant and spreading over 200 acres (0.81 km2) in the shape of Thailand. The founder's original idea was to create a golf course with miniatures of Thailand's historically significant structures spread around the course. During his research he found most structures being severely damaged over time and decided instead of creating new miniatures to save the original structures when possible or re-creating them full size or scaled down. Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Situated close to the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan province, the 320-hectare city features 116 structures of Thailand's famous monuments and architectural attractions. The grounds of Ancient Siam correspond roughly to the shape of the Kingdom, with each of the monuments lying at their correct places geographically. Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down. The replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy. Outstanding works include the former Grand Palace of Ayutthaya (destroyed in the Burmese invasion of 1767), Phimai Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Wat Khao Phra Viharn on the Cambodian border. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/W1qRpVeTSZOc5dpTkQFp.flv 578 2010-01-27T07:01:16-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2145-Ancient-City-of-PingYao.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/PTaZC31aQTnu2FqlCZHa.jpg Ancient City of PingYao http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/PTaZC31aQTnu2FqlCZHa.flv 95 This is Ping Yao, a city in the ShanSHi Province of China. The fortified town dates back to the Ming Dynasty. And remains intact. Ping Yao is a rare example of a city where remnants of the Ming and CHing Dynasties are well preserved. The townscape has remained unchanged for 600 years. Here, several traditional houses surround a garden they stand very close together. During the Ming Dynasty, Ping Yang bustled with merchants. The city was full of shops packed with merchandise from across China. This is an old liquor house. The Chinese liquor known as Huang Jiu, or Yellow Liquor, is still produced here using traditional brewing techniques. The city became a centre for exchanging money during the CHing Dynasty. Banking boosted development. Ping Yang became known as the Wall Street of the East. This is the Ri Sheng Chang building, or Sunrise Property, founded in 1823. It was the first draft bank in China. The founder Lei Lutai worked as an accountant for a local dye shop. He started to use a draft payment method instead of cash to settle payments with distant business partners. Merchants - by using this method - were freed from the risks and burdens of carrying cash. The draft certificate had watermarks to prevent forgery. The banks safe was placed beneath this fenced area. A ladder was used to deposit and withdraw cash. Those who became wealthier built luxurious houses and high walls to protect their homes. The courtyard here is surrounded by four buildings. The architectural style is known as Four Section Compound. A wealthy familys home might even have two or three courtyards. Financiers in Ping Yao gained influence. Some even handled CHing government finances But, after the fall of CHing Dynasty, their power declined and the city with it. Ping Yao today has a vibrant tourist industry. The city walls - bequeatherd by merchants past - are a valuable asset. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/PTaZC31aQTnu2FqlCZHa.flv 165 2010-01-27T06:49:57-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2144-Ancient-City-Jerusalem-Israel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/QSDrdyUfxcqW4IAw0U4m.jpg Ancient City Jerusalem Israel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QSDrdyUfxcqW4IAw0U4m.flv 109 Jerusalem (Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם‎ (audio) (help·info), Yerushaláyim; Arabic: القُدس (audio) (help·info), al-Quds) is the capital of Israel and, if including the area and population of occupied East Jerusalem, its largest city in both population and area, with a population of 763,800 residents over an area of 125.1 km2 (48.3 sq mi). Located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern edge of the Dead Sea, modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond the boundaries of the Old City. The city has a history that goes back to the 4th millennium BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Jerusalem is the holiest city in Judaism and has been the spiritual center of the Jewish people since c. 1000 BCE, when David the King of Israel first established it as the capital of the Jewish Nation, and his son Solomon commissioned the building of the First Temple in the city. Jerusalem contains a number of significant Christian sites, and although it is never mentioned explicitly in the Qur'an, Islam regards Jerusalem as its third-holiest city. Despite having an area of only 0.9 square kilometer (0.35 square mile), the Old City is home to sites of key religious importance, among them the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque. The old walled city, a World Heritage site, has been traditionally divided into four quarters, although the names used today—the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters—were introduced in the early 19th century. The Old City was nominated for inclusion on the List of World Heritage Sites in danger by Jordan in 1982. In the course of its history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. Today, the status of Jerusalem remains one of the core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem has been repeatedly criticized by the United Nations and related bodies, and Palestinians demand East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. In the wake of United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 (passed in 1980), most foreign embassies moved out of Jerusalem, although some countries, such as the United States, still own land in the city and pledge to return their embassies once political agreements warrant the move. The Semitic root of the name Jerusalem is sometimes thought to be s-l-m meaning peace, harmony or completeness. A city called Rušalimum or Urušalimum appears in ancient Egyptian records as one of the first references to Jerusalem. These Egyptian forms are thought to derive from the local name attested in the Amarna letters, e.g: in EA 287 (where it takes several forms) Urusalim. The form Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) first appears in the book of Joshua. This form has the appearance of a portmanteau (blend) of yerusha (heritage) and the original name Shalem and is not a simple phonetic evolution of the form in the Amarna letters. Some believe there is a connection to Shalim, the beneficent deity known from Ugaritic myths as the personification of dusk. Another suggested etymology is Jerū-šālēm, the first part of which possibly means settlement or fortress (thence The Abode of Shalim). Typically the ending -im indicates the plural in Hebrew grammar and -ayim the dual thus leading to the suggestion that the name refers to the fact that the city sits on two hills. However the pronunciation of the last syllable as -ayim appears to be a late development, which had not yet appeared at the time of the Septuagint. In Greek and Latin it is transliterated Hierosolyma (Ιερουσαλήμ). To the Arabs, Jerusalem is al-Quds (The Holy). Zion initially referred to part of the city, but later came to signify the city as a whole. Under King David, it was known as Ir David (the City of David). yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QSDrdyUfxcqW4IAw0U4m.flv 505 2010-01-27T06:30:08-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2143-Bashan-the-ancient-city-of-Israel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/s0OU4GAbdApst5VSXoxd.jpg Bashan the ancient city of Israel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/s0OU4GAbdApst5VSXoxd.flv 145 Bashan or Basan (Hebrew: הַבָּשָׁן‎, ha-Bashan, meaning the light soil; Latin: Basan) is a biblical place first mentioned in Genesis 14:5, where it is said that Chedorlaomer and his confederates smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth, where Og the king of Bashan had his residence. At the time of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Og came out against them, but was utterly routed (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-7). This country extended from Gilead in the south to Hermon in the north, and from the Jordan river on the west to Salcah on the east. Along with the half of Gilead it was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:29-31). Golan, one of its cities, became a city of refuge (Joshua 21:27). Argob, in Bashan, was one of Solomon's commissariat districts (1 Kings 4:13). The cities of Bashan were taken by Hazael (2 Kings 10:33), but were soon after reconquered by Jehoash (2 Kings 13:25), who overcame the Syrians in three battles, according to the prophesy of Elisha (19). From this time Bashan almost disappears from history, although we read of the wild cattle of its rich pastures (Ezekiel 39:18; Psalms 22:12), the oaks of its forests (Isaiah 2:13; Ezekiel 27:6; Zechariah 11:2), the beauty of its extensive plains (Amos 4:1; Jeremiah 50:19), and the rugged majesty of its mountains (Psalm 68:15). Soon after the conquest, the name Gilead was given to the whole country beyond Jordan. After the Exile, Bashan was divided into four districts: - Gaulonitis, or Jaulan, the most western - Auranitis, the Hauran (Ezekiel 47:16) - Argob or Trachonitis, now the Lejah - Batanaea, now Ard-el-Bathanyeh, on the east of the Lejah, with many deserted towns almost as perfect as when they were inhabited. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/s0OU4GAbdApst5VSXoxd.flv 215 2010-01-27T05:50:38-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2142-Pingyao-China-Ancient-City.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/PGEGQKhUWCgxULdpRTxL.jpg Pingyao China Ancient City http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/PGEGQKhUWCgxULdpRTxL.flv 196 Pingyao (Chinese: 平遥; pinyin: Píngyáo) is a Chinese city and county in central Shanxi province, China. It lies about 715 km from Beijing and 80 km from the provincial capital, Taiyuan. During the Qing Dynasty, Pingyao was a financial center of China. It is now renowned for its well-preserved ancient city wall, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pingyao still retains its city layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, conforming to a typical bagua pattern. More than 300 sites in or near the city have ancient ruins. Preserved Ming- and Qing-style residences number close to 4,000. The streets and storefronts still largely retain their historical appearance. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the county belonged to the kingdom of Jin. It was part of the kingdom of Zhao in the Warring States Period. In the Qin Dynasty, it was known as Pingtao. During the Han Dynasty, it was known as Zhongdu county. In 1986, the People's Republic of China designated Pingyao as one of the Chinese Historic and Cultural Cities. It became a World Heritage Site in 1997, included also the outlying Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple. Pingyao still retains its city layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, conforming to a typical bagua pattern. More than 300 sites in or near the city have ancient ruins. Preserved Ming- and Qing-style residences number close to 4,000. The streets and storefronts still largely retain their historical appearance. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the county belonged to the kingdom of Jin. It was part of the kingdom of Zhao in the Warring States Period. In the Qin Dynasty, it was known as Pingtao. During the Han Dynasty, it was known as Zhongdu county. In 1986, the People's Republic of China designated Pingyao as one of the Chinese Historic and Cultural Cities. It became a World Heritage Site in 1997, included also the outlying Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/PGEGQKhUWCgxULdpRTxL.flv 285 2010-01-27T05:45:23-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2141-Caral-the-ancient-city-in-Peru.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/cFcba3LdKItdAQJV2NK5.jpg Caral the ancient city in Peru http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/cFcba3LdKItdAQJV2NK5.flv 104 Caral is a large settlement in the Supe Valley, near Supe, Barranca province, Peru, some 200 km north of Lima. Caral is the most ancient city of the Americas and possibly of the entire world, and is a well-studied site of the Caral civilization or Norte Chico civilization. Caral was inhabited between roughly 2600 BCE and 2000 BCE, enclosing an area of 66 hectares. Caral was described by its excavators as the oldest urban center in the Americas, a claim that was later challenged as other ancient sites were found nearby. Accommodating more than 3,000 inhabitants, it is the best studied and one of the largest Norte Chico sites known. Paul Kosok discovered Caral (Chupacigarro Grande) in 1948, but it received little attention until recently because it appeared to lack many typical artifacts that were sought at archeological sites throughout the Andes at the time. Archaeologist Ruth Shady further explored the 5,000 year-old city of pyramids in the Peruvian desert, with its elaborate complex of temples, an amphitheater and ordinary houses. The urban complex is spread out over 150 acres (607,000 m²) and contains plazas and residential buildings. Caral was a thriving metropolis at roughly the same time that Egypt's great pyramids were being built. The main pyramid (Spanish: Pirámide Mayor) covers an area nearly the size of four football fields and is 60 feet (18 m) tall. Caral is the largest recorded site in the Andean region with dates older than 2000 BCE and appears to be the model for the urban design adopted by Andean civilizations that rose and fell over the span of four millennia. It is believed that Caral may answer questions about the origins of Andean civilizations and the development of the first cities. Among the artifacts found at Caral are a knotted textile piece that the excavators have labeled a quipu. They argue that the artifact is evidence that the quipu record keeping system, a method involving knots tied in rope that was brought to perfection by the Inca, was older than any archaeologist had previously guessed. However, the artifact is orders of magnitude simpler than later Inca quipu, and it is thus doubtful that it was produced as part of a robust accounting system. Indeed, many archaeologists have actually questioned whether or not it is a recording device at all. No trace of warfare has been found at Caral; no battlements, no weapons, no mutilated bodies. Shady's findings suggest it was a gentle society, built on commerce and pleasure. In one of the pyramids, they uncovered 32 flutes made of condor and pelican bones and 37 cornets of deer and llama bones. They also found evidence of drug use and possibly aphrodisiacs. One find revealed the remains of a baby, wrapped and buried with a necklace made of stone beads. Caral spawns 19 other pyramid complexes scattered across the 35 square mile (80 km²) area of the Supe Valley. The find of the quipu indicates that the later Inca civilization preserved some cultural continuity from the Caral civilization. The date of 2627 BCE is based on carbon dating reed and woven carrying bags that were found in situ. These bags were used to carry the stones that were used for the construction of the pyramids. The material is an excellent candidate for dating, thus allowing for a high precision. The site may date even earlier as samples from the oldest parts of the excavation have yet to be dated.[3] The town had a population of approximately 3000 people. But there are 19 other sites in the area (posted at Caral), allowing for a possible total population of 20,000 people for the Supe valley. All of these sites in the Supe valley share similarities with Caral. They had small platforms or stone circles. Shady (2001) believes that Caral was the focus of this civilization, which itself was part of an even vaster complex, trading with the coastal communities and the regions further inland – as far as the Amazon, if the depiction of monkeys is any indication. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/cFcba3LdKItdAQJV2NK5.flv 150 2010-01-27T05:40:04-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2140-Ancient-city-of-Angkor-Cambodia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/HJBoEz5I0HEp4vd4bZEZ.jpg Ancient city of Angkor Cambodia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/HJBoEz5I0HEp4vd4bZEZ.flv 102 Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer empire, which flourished from approximately the ninth century to the thirteenth century. The word Angkor is derived from the Sanskrit nagara (नगर), meaning city.[1] The Angkorian period began in AD 802, when the Khmer Hindu monarch Jayavarman II declared himself a universal monarch and god-king, until 1431, when Ayutthayan (Thai) invaders sacked the Khmer capital, causing its population to migrate south to the area of Phnom Penh. The ruins of Angkor are located amid forests and farmland to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap) and south of the Kulen Hills, near modern-day Siem Reap (13°24′N, 103°51′E), and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples of the Angkor area number over one thousand, ranging in scale from nondescript piles of brick rubble scattered through rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, said to be the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored, and together, they comprise the most significant site of Khmer architecture. Visitor numbers approach two million annually. In 2007, an international team of researchers using satellite photographs and other modern techniques concluded that Angkor had been the largest preindustrial city in the world, with an elaborate system of infrastructure connecting an urban sprawl of at least 1000 square kilometres to the well-known temples at its core. The closest rival to Angkor, the Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala, was between 100 and 150 square kilometres in total size. Although its population remains a topic of research and debate, newly identified agricultural systems in the Angkor area may have supported up to one million people. The Angkorian period may be said to have begun shortly after 800 A.D., when the Khmer King Jayavarman II announced the independence of Kambujadesa (Cambodia) from Java and established his capital of Hariharalaya (now known as Roluos) at the northern end of Tonle Sap. Through a program of military campaigns, alliances, marriages and land grants, he achieved a unification of the country bordered by China (to the north), Champa (now Central Vietnam, to the east), the ocean (to the south) and a place identified by a stone inscription as the land of cardamoms and mangoes (to the west). In 802, Jayavarman articulated his new status by declaring himself universal monarch (chakravartin) and, in a move that was to be imitated by his successors and that linked him to the cult of Siva, taking on the epithet of god-king (devaraja).[5] Before Jayavarman, Cambodia had consisted of a number of politically independent principalities collectively known to the Chinese by the names Funan and Chenla. In 889 CE, Yasovarman I ascended to the throne. A great king and an accomplished builder, he was celebrated by one inscription as a lion-man; he tore the enemy with the claws of his grandeur; his teeth were his policies; his eyes were the Veda. Near the old capital of Hariharalaya, Yasovarman constructed a new city, called Yasodharapura. In the tradition of his predecessors, he also constructed a massive reservoir called a baray. The significance of such reservoirs has been debated by modern scholars, some of whom have seen in them a means of irrigating rice fields, and others of whom have regarded them as religiously charged symbols of the great mythological oceans surrounding Mount Meru, the abode of the gods. The mountain, in turn, was represented by an elevated temple, in which the god-king was represented by a lingam. In accordance with this cosmic symbolism, Yasovarman built his central temple on a low hill known as Phnom Bakheng, surrounding it with a moat fed from the baray. He also built numerous other Hindu temples and ashramas, or retreats for ascetics. Over the next 300 years, between 900 and 1200, the Khmer empire produced some yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/HJBoEz5I0HEp4vd4bZEZ.flv 263 2010-01-27T05:31:27-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2139-The-Legend-of-Dwarka---Ancient-City.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/P1IFHifaEiRwnwmd3X2E.jpg The Legend Of Dwarka - Ancient City http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/P1IFHifaEiRwnwmd3X2E.flv 118 Dwarka pronunciation (help·info) (Hindi: द्वारका), also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality located in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state in India. Dwarka (Dvaraka in Sanskrit - used in this article when referring to the city in a historical context), also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country. The legendary city of Dvaraka was the dwelling place of Lord Krishna. It is believed that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dvaraka has submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to be built in the area. The temple has a five storey tower which was built by Sambha, who is the grandson of Lord Sri Krishna. The city is believed to be built by Vishwakarma, who is a celestial architect in Hinduism. The temple is made of limestone and sand. There is a flag hoisted in the temple tower five times each day, which waves in the air beautifully welcoming the pilgrims. The structure of the temple is quite complicated. There are two gateways: Swarga Dwar, where pilgrims enter, and Moksha Dwar, where pilgrims exit. From the temple one can view the Sangam (confluence) of River Gomati flowing towards the sea. In Dwaraka, there are also shrines for Vasudeva, Devaki, Balarama and Revati, Subhadra, Rukmini Devi, Jambavati Devi and Satyabhama Devi. There is a special temple for Rukmini Devi on the way to Bet Dwarka temple. Bet Dwaraka can be reached by boat. It is also the temple which is like the palace where Lord Shri Krishna had ruled. A similar deity of Lord Dwarakanath is also kept in Bet Dwaraka. The temple looks like a palace and has many Shrines for Lakshmi Narayana, Trivikrama, Jambavati Devi, Satyabhama Devi and Rukmini Devi. The city derives its name from word dvar meaning door or gate in the Sanskrit language. Dwarka is considered to be one of the holiest cities in Hinduism and one of the 4 main dhams along with Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram. The city is especially respected by Vaishnavas. The Jagatmandir temple which houses the Dwarkadhish, a form of Krishna is also located in Dwaraka. Nageshwar Jyotirling, one of the 12 holy shrines of Lord Shiva, is located near Dwaraka. Dwarka is also the site of Dwaraka Pītha (also known as Sharada Pītha), one of the four cardinal mathas established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Puri and Jyotirmath. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/P1IFHifaEiRwnwmd3X2E.flv 211 2010-01-27T05:14:43-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2134-Ancient-City-Dion-Pieria.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/bJYDhdUtue3qcSB0JEht.jpg Ancient City Dion, Pieria http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/bJYDhdUtue3qcSB0JEht.flv 121 Dion (Greek, Modern: Δίο Dio, Ancient/Katharevousa Δίον Dion) is a municipality and village in the Prefecture of Pieria, Macedonia, Greece, best known for its archaeological site and archaeological museum. Zeus was honored at the ancient city of Dion located at the foot of Mount Olympus. It is located 15 km. SW of Katerini, 425 km to the north of Athens and 65 km to the north of Larissa. The village owes its name to the important sanctuary dedicated to Zeus (Dias , of Zeus), leader of the gods who dwelt on Mount Olympus; as recorded by Hesiod's Catalogue of Women, Thyia, daughter of Deucalion, bore Zeus two sons,Magnes and Makednos, eponym of Macedonians, who dwelt here in Pieria at the foot of Mount Olympus. The ruins of the ancient city lie within the modern city's boundaries. The first mention of Dion in history comes from Thucydides, who reports that it was the first city reached by the Spartan general Brasidas after crossing from Thessaly into Macedon on his way through the realm of his ally Perdiccas II during his expedition against the Athenian colonies of Thrace in 424 BC. According to Diodorus Siculus, it was Archelaus I who, at the end of the 5th century BC, gave the city and its sanctuary their subsequent importance by instituting a nine-day festival that included athletic and dramatic competitions in honor of Zeus and the Muses. In modern times, Dion used to be a village called Malathria. In October 1992, it became a municipality, and the municipality now encompasses several villages including Kondariotissa, Vrondou, Karitsa, and Dion. The municipality is called Dimos Diou or the Municipality of Dion, and the administrative center is in the village of Kondariotissa. The site of ancient Dion was first identified by the English traveler William Martin Leake on December 2, 1806, in the ruins adjoining the village of Malathria. He published his discovery in the third volume of his Travels in Northern Greece in 1835. Léon Heuzey visited the site during his famous Macedonian archaeological mission of 1855 and again in 1861. Later, the epigraphist G. Oikonomos published the first series of inscriptions. Nevertheless, systematic archaeological exploration did not begin until 1928. From then until 1931, G. Sotiriadis carried out a series of surveys, uncovering a 4th-century BC Macedonian tomb and an early Christian basilica. Excavations were not resumed until 1960 under the direction of G. Bakalakis in the area of the theatre and the wall. Since 1973, Professor D. Pandermalis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has conducted archaeological research in the city. Dion is the site of a large temple dedicated to Zeus, as well as a series of temples to Demeter and to Isis (the Egyptian goddess was a favorite of Alexander). Alexander assembled his armies in Dion before beginning his westward wars of conquest. In 2006, a statue of Hera was found built into the walls of the city. The statue, 2200 years old, had been used by the early Christians of Dion as filling for the city's defensive wall. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/bJYDhdUtue3qcSB0JEht.flv 156 2010-01-27T04:50:45-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2133-Perspolis-The-richest-ancient-city-ever.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/JoqMt3FWGPPlrDfPwexc.jpg Perspolis, The richest ancient city ever http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/JoqMt3FWGPPlrDfPwexc.flv 110 Persepolis (Pārsa, Modern Persian: تخت جمشید/پارسه, Takht-e Jamshid or Chehel Minar, UniPers: Taxte Jamšid) was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. Persepolis is situated 70 km northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid) and Parseh. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC. To the ancient Persians, the city was known as Pārsa, which means The City of Persians. Persepolis is the Greek interpretation of the name Πέρσης πόλις (Persēs polis: Persian city). UNESCO declared the citadel of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979. Archaeological evidence shows that the earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC. André Godard, the French archaeologist who excavated Persepolis in the early 1930s, believed that Cyrus the Great chose the site of Persepolis, but that Darius the Great built the terrace and the great palaces. Darius ordered the construction of the Apadana Palace and the Council Hall (the Tripylon or three-gated hall), the main imperial Treasury and its surroundings. These were completed during the reign of his son, King Xerxes the Great. Further construction of the buildings on the terrace continued until the downfall of the Achaemenid dynasty. The first westerner to visit the ruins of Persepolis was Antonio de Gouveia, from Portugal, who wrote about cuneiform inscriptions following his visit in 1602. His first written report on Persia, the Jornada, was published in 1606. The first scientific excavations at Persepolis were carried out by Ernst Herzfeld and Erich F Schmidt representing the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Excavations were conducted for eight seasons beginning in 1930 and included other nearby sites. Herzfeld believed the reasons behind the construction of Persepolis were the need for a majestic atmosphere, a symbol for their empire, and to celebrate special events, especially the “Nowruz”. For historical reasons, Persepolis was built where the Achaemenid Dynasty was founded, although it was not the center of the empire at that time. Persepolitan architecture is noted for its use of wooden columns. Architects resorted to stone only when the largest cedars of Lebanon or teak trees of India did not fulfill the required sizes. Column bases and capitals were made of stone, even on wooden shafts, but the existence of wooden capitals is probable. The buildings at Persepolis include three general groupings: military quarters, the treasury, and the reception halls and occasional houses for the King. Noted structures include the Great Stairway, the Gate of Nations (Xerxes the Great), the Apadana Palace of Darius, the Hall of a Hundred Columns, the Tripylon Hall and Tachara Palace of Darius, the Hadish Palace of Xerxes, the palace of Artaxerxes III, the Imperial Treasury, the Royal Stables and the Chariot House. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/JoqMt3FWGPPlrDfPwexc.flv 629 2010-01-27T04:46:22-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2132-Ancient-City-Petra-Jordan.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/zARo4SklJzulRCL4VcTH.jpg Ancient City Petra Jordan http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zARo4SklJzulRCL4VcTH.flv 112 Petra (Greek πέτρα (petra), meaning rock; Arabic: البتراء, Al-Batrāʾ) is a historic and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that has rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourism attraction. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and a World Heritage Site since 1985. Petra was chosen by the BBC as one of the 10 places you have to see before you die. The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as a rose-red city half as old as time in a Newdigate Prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage. Pliny the Elder and other writers identify Petra as the capital of the Nabataeans, Aramaic-speaking Semites, and the centre of their caravan trade. Enclosed by towering rocks and watered by a perennial stream, Petra not only possessed the advantages of a fortress, but controlled the main commercial routes which passed through it to Gaza in the west, to Bosra and Damascus in the north, to Aqaba and Leuce Come on the Red Sea, and across the desert to the Persian Gulf. Excavations have demonstrated that it was the ability of the Nabataeans to control the water supply that led to the rise of the desert city, creating an artificial oasis. The area is visited by flash floods and archaeological evidence demonstrates the Nabataeans controlled these floods by the use of dams, cisterns and water conduits. These innovations stored water for prolonged periods of drought, and enabled the city to prosper from its sale. Although in ancient times Petra might have been approached from the south via Saudi Arabia on a track leading around Jabal Haroun (Aaron's Mountain), across the plain of Petra, or possibly from the high plateau to the north, most modern visitors approach the site from the east. The impressive eastern entrance leads steeply down through a dark, narrow gorge (in places only 3–4 m (9.8–13 ft) wide) called the Siq (the shaft), a natural geological feature formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks and serving as a waterway flowing into Wadi Musa. At the end of the narrow gorge stands Petra's most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh (popularly known as the Treasury), hewn into the sandstone cliff. A little further from the Treasury, at the foot of the mountain called en-Nejr, is a massive theatre, so placed as to bring the greatest number of tombs within view. At the point where the valley opens out into the plain, the site of the city is revealed with striking effect. The amphitheatre has been cut into the hillside and into several of the tombs during its construction. Rectangular gaps in the seating are still visible. Almost enclosing it on three sides are rose-colored mountain walls, divided into groups by deep fissures, and lined with knobs cut from the rock in the form of towers. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zARo4SklJzulRCL4VcTH.flv 114 2010-01-27T04:35:19-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2131-Herculaneum-Ancient-City-Italy.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/oegMjWkkruWR1D0J5uOs.jpg Herculaneum Ancient City Italy http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oegMjWkkruWR1D0J5uOs.flv 147 Herculaneum (in modern Italian Ercolano) is the ruins of an ancient Roman town destroyed by volcanic pyroclastic flows in 79 AD, located in the territory of the current commune of Ercolano, Italy. Its ruins can be found at the co-ordinates 40°48′21″N 14°20′51″E / 40.80583°N 14.3475°E / 40.80583; 14.3475, in the Italian region of Campania in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. It is most famous for having been lost, along with Pompeii, Stabiae and Oplontis, in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius beginning on August 24, 79 AD, which buried them in superheated pyroclastic material that has solidified into volcanic tuff. It also became famous as the source of the first Roman skeletal and physical remains available for study that were located by science, for the Romans almost universally burned their dead. Since the discovery of bones in 1981, some 150 skeletons have been found, most along the sea shore — the town itself, being effectively evacuated. Herculaneum was a smaller town with a wealthier population than Pompeii at the time of their destruction. Ancient tradition connected Herculaneum with the name of the Greek hero Herakles (Hercules in Latin and consequently Roman Mythology),[1] an indication that the city was of Greek origin. In fact, it seems that some forefathers of the Samnite tribes of the Italian mainland founded the first civilization on the site of Herculaneum at the end of the 6th century BC. Soon after, the town came under Greek control and was used as a trading post because of its proximity to the Gulf of Naples. The Greeks named the city Herculaneum. In the 4th century BC, Herculaneum again came under the domination of the Samnites. The city remained under Samnite control until it became a Roman municipium in 89 BC, when, having participated in the Social War (war of the allies against Rome), it was defeated by Titus Didius, a legate of Sulla. After the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the town of Herculaneum was buried under approximately 20 meters (50-60 feet) of lava, mud and ash. It lay hidden and nearly intact for more than 1600 years until it was accidentally discovered by some workers digging a well in 1709. From there, the excavation process began but is still incomplete. Today, the Italian towns of Ercolano and Portici lie on the approximate site of Herculaneum. Until 1969 the town of Ercolano was called Resina, and it changed its name to Ercolano, the Italian modernization of the ancient name in honour of the old city. The inhabitants worshipped above all Hercules, who was believed to be the founder of both the town and Mount Vesuvius. Other important deities worshiped include Venus, who was believed to be Hercules' lover, and Apollo. The catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius occurred on the afternoon of August 24, 79 AD. Because Vesuvius had been dormant for approximately 800 years, it was no longer even recognized as a volcano. Based on the archaeological excavations on the one hand and two letters of Pliny the Younger to the Roman historian Tacitus on the other hand, the course of the eruption can be reconstructed. At around 1pm on August 27, Vesuvius began spewing ash and volcanic stone thousands of meters into the sky. When it reached the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere, the top of the cloud flattened, prompting Pliny to describe it to Tacitus as a stone pine tree. The prevailing winds at the time blew toward the southeast, causing the volcanic material to fall primarily on the city of Pompeii and the surrounding area. Since Herculaneum lay to the west of Vesuvius, it was only mildly affected by the first phase of the eruption. While roofs in Pompeii collapsed under the weight of falling debris, only a few centimetres of ash fell on Herculaneum, causing little damage but nonetheless prompting many inhabitants to flee. Because initial excavations revealed onl yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oegMjWkkruWR1D0J5uOs.flv 569 2010-01-27T04:29:29-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2130-London-Heathrow-Airport-England.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/sPzsTYtcyjjgAJrYB1hw.jpg London Heathrow Airport England http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sPzsTYtcyjjgAJrYB1hw.flv 146 airport in terms of international passenger traffic. It is the world's second busiest airport in total passenger traffic and the United Kingdom's largest and busiest airport. It is also the busiest in the European Union in terms of passenger traffic and the second busiest in terms of traffic movements. The airport is owned and operated by BAA, which also owns and operates five other UK airports, and is itself owned by ADI Limited, an international consortium, which includes Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and GIC Special Investments, that is led by the Spanish Ferrovial Group. Heathrow is the primary hub for BMI, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Located 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) west of Central London, Heathrow was designed to have six runways in three pairs but now has two parallel main runways running east-west and five operational terminals. The site covers 12.14 square kilometres (4.69 sq mi). Terminal 5 was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 March 2008 and opened to passengers on 27 March 2008. Construction of a new Terminal 2 complex to replace the terminal building and adjacent Queen's Building began in 2009; the first phase is expected to open in 2014. Beginning in 2007 and completing in 2009, Terminals 3 and 4 have undergone major refurbishments. In November 2007 a consultation process began for the building of a new third runway and was controversially approved on 15 January 2009 by UK Government ministers. Heathrow Airport has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P527) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction. Heathrow is located 12 NM (22 km; 14 mi) west of central London, near the southern end of the London Borough of Hillingdon. The airport stands on a parcel of land that was designated part of the London Metropolitan Green Belt. To the north, the airport is surrounded by the built-up areas of Harlington, Harmondsworth, Longford and Cranford. To the east are Hounslow and Hatton, and to the south are East Bedfont and Stanwell. To the west, the M25 motorway separates the airport from Colnbrook in Berkshire. The airport's location to the west of London, and the east-west orientation of its runways, means that airliners usually approach to land directly over the city. Other leading European airports, such as those at Madrid, Frankfurt and Paris, are located north or south of their cities, to minimise the overflying problem. Another disadvantage of the site is that it is low-lying, at 83 feet (25 m) above sea level, and can be prone to fog. Heathrow is one of six airports serving the London area, along with Biggin Hill, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Southend and City although only Heathrow, Biggin Hill and City Airports are located within Greater London. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sPzsTYtcyjjgAJrYB1hw.flv 337 2010-01-27T04:05:31-06:00 1.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2129-Los-Angeles-International-Airport-California.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/yiBGTpBubjNhon5sPAJo.jpg Los Angeles International Airport California http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/yiBGTpBubjNhon5sPAJo.flv 97 Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX) is the primary airport serving Los Angeles, California, the second-most populated metropolitan area of the United States. It is often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters usually pronounced individually. LAX is located in southwestern Los Angeles in the neighborhood of Westchester, 16 mi (26 km) from the downtown core. With 59,542,151 passengers in 2009, LAX is the seventh busiest airport in the world and is served by direct flights to North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. The airport is a major hub for both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines and a focus city for American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Air New Zealand and Virgin America. It also serves as an international gateway for Delta Air Lines. The airport also functions as joint civil-military facility, providing a base for the United States Coast Guard and its Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles facility, operating 4 HH-65 Dolphin helicopters. LAX is the busiest airport in California in terms of flight operations, passenger traffic and air cargo activity, followed by San Francisco International Airport (SFO). LAX is also the only U.S. airport to serve 3 or more international destinations with ridership of 1 million passengers or more per year (Tokyo-Narita, London-Heathrow, Taipei). Although LAX is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles Area, the region relies on a multiple airport system because of its vast size. Many of the area's most well-known attractions are closer to alternative airports than to LAX; for example, Hollywood and Griffith Park are closer to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, while Disneyland, the Honda Center, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, and other Orange County attractions are closer to John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Long Beach Airport is closer to some of the coastal attractions known to Southern California like Palos Verdes and Huntington Beach, and LA/Ontario International Airport is closer to the major cities of the Inland Empire, Riverside and San Bernardino. The airport occupies some 3,500 acres (5 sq mi; 14 km2) of the city on the Pacific coast, about 15 mi (24 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. LAX is one of the most famous locations for commercial aircraft spotting, most notably at the so called Imperial Hill area (also known as Clutter's Park) in El Segundo from which nearly the entire South Complex of the airport can be viewed. Another famous spotting location sits right under the final approach for runways 24 LR on a small grass lawn next to the Westchester In-N-Out Burger restaurant, and is noted as one of the few remaining locations in Southern California from which spotters may watch such a wide variety of low-flying commercial airliners from directly underneath a flightpath. The airport's coastal location renders it liable to low lying cloud or fog conditions requiring flights to be occasionally diverted to LA/Ontario International Airport in Ontario, San Bernardino County 47 mi (76 km) to the east. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/yiBGTpBubjNhon5sPAJo.flv 368 2010-01-27T03:57:00-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/2128-Frankfurt-Airport-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/gnZSWPXqVfBn3W2tSwLg.jpg Frankfurt Airport Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gnZSWPXqVfBn3W2tSwLg.flv 173 Frankfurt is the heart of central Germany and as such, it is the national transportation hub. It has excellent connectivity between railways, airlines and motorways. Reaching and leaving Frankfurt is easy. Frankfurt Airport (IATA: FRA) is among the busiest in Europe — second in passenger traffic after London Heathrow (LHR) — and one of the busiest airports in the world. Frankfurt is the banking center of Germany and hosts numerous international trade fairs. Therefore all major airlines and all airline alliances fly frequently to Frankfurt and connects it to every continent and major city in the world. The German flagcarrier Lufthansa is the main airline in Frankfurt and offers the best connections. The airport has today two terminals (Terminal 3 is under construction). Terminal 1 is the home of Lufthansa and the Star Alliance airlines (All other airlines depart from Terminal 2!). Terminal 1 is separated into Concourses A, B and C. Terminal 1 is a multi-level maze with poor signage changing entries due to ongoing construction work due to insufficient capacity. Lufthansa tries to ease the confusion, therefore Business Class passengers (+ Gold Silver Star Alliance Card Holders) have a designated check in area in Terminal 1 A. First class passengers of Lufthansa Swiss Int'l Airlines (+ LH HON Circle card holders) are allowed to check-in in the separate First Class terminal next on the right side of Terminal 1 with an own driveway. All Star Alliance economy class travelers are checked in in Terminal 1B 1C. The terminals are connected to each other by the Sky Train on landside. The restrooms near the gates are during peak hours insufficient for the size of the airport accommodating only one to three users at a time, so go early or hold it until you're on your plane. The departure gates themselves have some of the most innovative seating around, with bench seats facing many directions and cafe-style tables and chairs for those who wish to whip out their laptops (sans coffee, alas). Passengers requiring special assistance should be advised that they might have to descend several flights of stairs to get to a bus that takes them to the plane, rather than disability-friendly ramps, so talk to the gate agent early if stairs are a problem. Want to shower after a long flight? Terminal 1 has public showers for €6 (includes towel, foot mat, shower gel, and hair dryer). One location is in the B Departures area, in the Shopping Boulevard, across from TUMI. The other is in the secure area of B Concourse (good for transit passengers), Level 2, near gate B 30 and the duty free shopping. The airport has a long visitor terrace on top of terminal 2 (adults €4). It also offers 45-minute airside(!) bus tours (adults €6, hourly from 11 (holidays) or 1-4PM, ticket booth is at the bridge between terminal 1 and Frankfurt Airport Centre, follow signs and information for Flughafen Erlebnisfahrten (Airport Experience Tour). Recommended for aviation enthusiasts. The airport is connected to downtown Frankfurt by taxi, bus (Line 61 to Frankfurt Südbahnhof (Frankfurt South Station), and most easily by S-Bahn (fast commuter trains). To get to the city, take lines S8 or S9 direction Offenbach Ost or Hanau at the Regionalbahnhof (regional train station) in Terminal 1 (entrances in section A and B): interactive route planner. The lines S1-6/8/9 travel through the cornerstone of the system, an underground tunnel (the Citytunnel) through central Frankfurt. If you want to change to long-distance trains get off at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof(Frankfurt Central Station) or Frankfurt Südbahnhof (Frankfurt South Station), if you want to go downtown, get off at Frankfurt Taunusanlage, Frankfurt Hauptwache or Frankfurt Konstablerwache, which are in the heart of the city. The ride from the airport to the central station takes 14 minutes. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gnZSWPXqVfBn3W2tSwLg.flv 493 2010-01-27T03:52:41-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1929-Travel-Guide---Turkey.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/JYM4f0cPMWhPegpUQckw.jpg Travel Guide - Turkey http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/JYM4f0cPMWhPegpUQckw.flv 110 A helpful travel guide for anyone planning on visiting the culturally diverse country of Turkey. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/JYM4f0cPMWhPegpUQckw.flv 149 2010-01-27T02:44:52-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1928-Barcelona-Spain-Travel-Guide.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/UOIxay3fOKgJzMyKrCKr.jpg Barcelona Spain Travel Guide http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/UOIxay3fOKgJzMyKrCKr.flv 140 A walk through the history of Barcelona The first human settlements in Barcelona date back to Neolithic times. The city itself was founded by the Romans who set up a colony called Barcino at the end of the 1st century BC. The colony had some thousand inhabitants and was bounded by a defensive wall, the remains of which can still be seen in the old town. For over 200 years, Barcelona was under Muslim rule, and, following the Christian reconquest, it became a county of the Carolingian Empire and one of the main residences of the court of the Crown of Aragon. The fruitful medieval period established Barcelona's position as the economic and political centre of the Western Mediterranean. The city??s Gothic Quarter bears witness to the splendour enjoyed by the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries. From the 15th to 18th centuries Barcelona entered a period of decline, while it struggled to maintain its economic and political independence. This struggle ended in 1714, when the city fell to the Bourbon troops and Catalonia??s and Catalans?? rights and privilegeswere suppressed. A period of cultural recovery began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the development of the textile industry. During this period, which was known as the Renaixen??a, Catalan regained prominence as a literary language. The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout Barcelona city, culminating in its landmark Eixample district, which showcases some of Barcelona??s most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau, or modernista, buildings. The Catalan Antoni Gaud??, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as the Casa Mil? (known as La Pedrera, the Catalan for stone quarry), the Casa Batll?? and the Sagrada Fam??lia church, which have become world-famous landmarks. The freedoms achieved during this period were severely restricted during the Civil War in 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship. With the reinstatement of democracy in 1978, Barcelona society regained its economic strength and the Catalan language was restored. The city's hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games gave fresh impetus to Barcelona's potential and reaffirmed its status as a major metropolis. In 2004, the Forum of Cultures reclaimed industrial zones to convert them into residential districts. An example of the renewed vigour with which Barcelona is looking towards the 21st century. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/UOIxay3fOKgJzMyKrCKr.flv 90 2010-01-26T03:44:52-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1927-Visit-Toledo-Spain.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/l5G1ukSjn43MYAXbGeCt.jpg Visit Toledo Spain http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/l5G1ukSjn43MYAXbGeCt.flv 114 Overview As a former capital of Spain with a well-preserved history of relentless splendor, Toledo has come to enjoy a prestigious status as a National Monument and a World Heritage Site bestowed upon it by the UNESCO in 1987. Nearly all the different stages of Spanish art are represented through some hundred attractions in the city which altogether make Toledo a sparkling jewel of the Iberian peninsula. Its beauty was first depicted and introduced to the world by El Greco's paintings, and that graceful image with which Toledo is often automatically associated has been immortalized since. If you would like to spend your vacation in a city of culture packed with sights, sounds and senses, Toledo is definitely a place to go. History The Iberians had long used Toledo as a fortified urban zone before the Romans conquered it in 192 B.C. By the 7th century, the Visigoths completely subdued the peninsula and made Toledo the capital of Spain from 587 A.D. until the Moors took over in 711 A.D. Under the Moorish rule, the Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together peacefully and the city even prospered until Alfonso VI of Castilla re-captured the city for the Christian monarchs in 1035. It thence became a thriving capital of the empire. Unfortunately, by the 16th century the empire had grown so much that Toledo's small size became incompatible with the ever growing need to expand, hence Felipe II decided the capital be moved to Madrid. Since then Toledo was plunged into a state of decline until it was made the regional capital of the Autonomous Community of La Mancha in the 1970s. Geography Climate Toledo lies about 70 km southwest of Madrid on a hill and can easily be reached from the country's capital. It is bounded on three sides by the Tagus River Gorge on the plain of the New Castille. Its inland location results in some extreme climate. Summer in Toledo can be warm, sometimes even hot especially in late summer (July and August) when the temperatures often hover above 30? C. Winter is cold and occasional snowfalls are common. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/l5G1ukSjn43MYAXbGeCt.flv 82 2010-01-26T02:55:52-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1926-Visit-Alhambra-Palace-Spain.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/aQHJSl4wtfGOeBWPULR4.jpg Visit Alhambra Palace, Spain http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/aQHJSl4wtfGOeBWPULR4.flv 147 The Alhambra (Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء‎, Al-Ḥamrā' , literally the red one), the complete form of which was Calat Alhambra (الْقَلْعَةُ ٱلْحَمْرَاءُ, Al-Qal'at al-Ḥamrā' , the red fortress), is a palace and fortress complex constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus, occupying a hilly terrace on the southeastern border of the city of Granada, now in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court, the site became a Christian palace. Within the Alhambra, the Palace of Charles V was erected by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1527. After being allowed to fall into disrepair, the Alhambra was rediscovered in the 19th century. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions and exhibits the country's most famous Islamic architecture, together with Christian 16th-century and later interventions in buildings and gardens. Alhambra has no overall design and its layout is disorganised, with some rooms at odd angles to each other – a result of the site's many construction phases from the original 9th century citadel to the 16th century palace of Charles V.[1] The terrace or plateau where the Alhambra sits measures about 740 metres (2,430 ft) in length by 205 metres (670 ft) at its greatest width. It extends from west-north-west to east-south-east and covers an area of about 142,000 square metres (1,530,000 sq ft). Alhambra's most westerly feature is the alcazaba (citadel); a strongly fortified position. The rest of the plateau comprises a number of palaces, enclosed by a relatively weak fortified wall, with thirteen towers, some defensive and some providing vistas for the inhabitants. The river Darro passes through a ravine on the north and divides the plateau from the Albaicín district of Granada. Similarly, the Assabica valley, containing the Alhambra Park on the west and south, and, beyond this valley, the almost parallel ridge of Monte Mauror, separate it from the Antequeruela district. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/aQHJSl4wtfGOeBWPULR4.flv 97 2010-01-26T02:17:52-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1925-Travel-Austria-The-mining-village-of-Arzberg.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/QftYx4mvYy0h0caeuPXY.jpg Travel Austria The mining village of Arzberg http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QftYx4mvYy0h0caeuPXY.flv 127 Travel Austria The mining village of Arzberg yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/QftYx4mvYy0h0caeuPXY.flv 118 2010-01-26T10:10:10-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1924-Austria-Travel-Hallstatt.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/M0AXItpzuEYR2YViERju.jpg Austria Travel: Hallstatt http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/M0AXItpzuEYR2YViERju.flv 166 The earliest proof of human presence in the area around Hallstatt is a cleverly drilled bone of a cave bear dated around 12000BC. There is indication of settlement in this region from as early as the Neolithic Stone Age. Stone axes (5000BC) are proof of the prehistoric mining of salt. The first winning of salt by miners, assisted by the newly discovered bronze, took place around 1200BC - and the world's oldest salt mine was born. The miners of primeval times had invented fur-skin bags with a cleverly devised carrying system to transport pieces of broken salt. Another new material arrived in Europe around 800BC: iron. Our knowledge of the Iron Age also comes from excavations - the burial grounds in the upper Salzberg valley being especially rich. Due to the unique finds at the Hallstatt burial grounds, the Early Iron Age (800BC - 400BC) is called The Hallstatt Period. At that time the Illyrians, a people from the East, arrived in Europe. They were cattle breeders, traders and miners, and also great artists, as shown by a variety of burial objects. Around 400BC the Celts invaded the Illyrian settlements, and only in the inaccessible mountain regions were the Illyrians able to maintain their position. The newly founded kingdom of Norikum was the first state in what became Austria. In 303BC a massive landslide destroyed the settlement and temporarily put an end to mining in the so-called East group. Hallstatt museum The new World Heritage Museum in Hallstatt is an event for the whole family. During an impressive travel through time, the visitor learns about the history of the salt mine village of Hallstatt from the beginning of human history to the promotion of Hallstatt region to World Heritage of Humanity. On the adventurous tour through the museum, you travel back 7000 years in history and learn about benchmark dates, for example the Iron Age, worldwide known as Hallstatt Culture (named after Hallstatt village), and coining events like the fire of 1750 after which Hallstatt looked very different. The exhibition draws a bow from the Illyrs, Celts and Romans to important salt traders and simple people. The exhibition shows numerous original finds from Hallstatt's tomb field, but also impressively describes many aspects of life such as religion, everyday-life culture and tourism. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/M0AXItpzuEYR2YViERju.flv 173 2010-01-26T08:11:15-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1923-The-Salzkammergut-Main-Square-St-Wolfgang-Austria-Travel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/BdTStMSqtXPckYcVNLqG.jpg The Salzkammergut Main Square-St. Wolfgang Austria Travel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BdTStMSqtXPckYcVNLqG.flv 158 The Salzkammergut is a resort area located in Austria. It stretches from City of Salzburg to the Dachstein mountain range, spanning the federal states of Upper Austria (80%), Salzburg (7%), and Styria (13%). The main river of the region is the Traun, a tributary of the Danube. The name Salzkammergut means Estate of the Salt Chamber and derives from the Imperial Salt Chamber, the authority charged with running the precious salt mines in the Habsburg empire With its numerous lakes and mountains, the Salzkammergut offers many opportunities to take part in water sports, bathing, hiking, cycling and golf as well as relaxing around lakes such as the Grundlsee or Toplitzsee. The Katrinalm, an alpine pasture, is found near Bad Ischl. Typical Salzkammergut culinary specialities include dishes such as Kaiserschmarrn (cut-up and sugared pancake with raisins), Krapfen (similar to doughnuts) or Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Large parts of the region were listed as a World Heritage Site in 1997, with the description: Human activity in the magnificent natural landscape of the Salzkammergut began in prehistoric times, with the salt deposits being exploited as early as the 2nd millennium B.C. This resource formed the basis of the area's prosperity up to the middle of the 20th century, a prosperity that is reflected in the fine architecture of the town of Hallstatt. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BdTStMSqtXPckYcVNLqG.flv 85 2010-01-26T09:11:52-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1922-The-pilgrimage-church-of-Maria-Trost-Austria-Travel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/rte3llJnbwhDPCuwfp45.jpg The pilgrimage church of Maria Trost-Austria Travel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rte3llJnbwhDPCuwfp45.flv 145 Raabklamm (Raab Gorge) Austria. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rte3llJnbwhDPCuwfp45.flv 167 2010-01-26T05:11:11-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1921-Travel-Potsdam-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/hMv4dNIwhuVWYLixbOfy.jpg Travel Potsdam Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/hMv4dNIwhuVWYLixbOfy.flv 146 Potsdamer Platz is a symbol of both the past and the future for Berlin, Germany. During the 1920s and 1930s, Potsdamer Platz was a bustling and important Berlin attraction in not just Germany, but in all of Europe. Public transportation was routed through Berlin Potsdamer Platz and there were more caf??s, movie theaters, and bars than you could count. However, in 1943, during the second World War, Potsdamer Platz was reduced to rubble during Allied bombing raids. The square became no-mans land between the Russian, American, and British quarters of the city. Potsdamer Platz was completely destroyed in 1961 with the building of the Berlin Wall. However, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz became the site of a massive construction effort during the 1990s. Including the original square, as well as several nearby blocks, Berlin Potsdamer Platz was redeveloped. The blueprint was to create multiple landmark towers, a shopping arcade, some residential buildings and an entertainment center. The goal was to turn Potsdamer Platz back into a commerce center and into one of the best tourist attractions in Germany. They succeeded magnificently. Upon visiting this Berlin attraction, youll notice several large buildings dominating the view. Both the Debis Tower and the Sony Center are attention-grabbers with their towering height and graceful architecture. The Sony Center contains an Imax theater. Nearby, the Kohlhof building has a high observation deck--providing a remarkable view of Berlin Potsdamer Platz. Film lovers will delight in Potsdamer Platz. Approximately forty screens are available across three different cinemas. Also available in this Berlin attraction is a film academy and museum. Both the shopping arcade and entertainment center have rejuvenated the area around Berlin Potsdamer Platz. Due to its historical significance, first as a major square and later as no-mans land, it is still more like one of the many tourist attractions in Berlin than a typical German square, however, the increased construction of residential buildings nearby is aiding in the return of Berlin Potsdamer Platz as one of Europes foremost squares. Over 70,000 visit Potsdamer Platz each day, which has surprised the harshest of critics, and making this one of the biggest tourist attractions in Berlin. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/hMv4dNIwhuVWYLixbOfy.flv 526 2010-01-25T01:44:50-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1920-Travel-and-Adventure-Cologne-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/iVfyhQlctYLEi5WIZ5lD.jpg Travel and Adventure Cologne Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/iVfyhQlctYLEi5WIZ5lD.flv 163 Cologne, or Koeln, Germany is the fourth largest city in the country behind Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne rests along the Rhine river. Initially founded by the Roman Empire, Cologne is one of Germany's oldest cities. Each year many tourists are attracted to Cologne Germany travel due to its fascinating history. When you visit Cologne Germany you're sure to be enchanted by the blend of Romanesque churches, simple post-war buildings, and classic modern architecture. Like many of the other cities of Germany, Cologne suffered many air raids during World War II (262 in total). It was the site of the first 1,000 bomber raid by the Royal Air Force as well. As a result of such heavily focused fire, many of the old buildings were destroyed. However, efforts have been lead to reconstruct these buildings, including the twelve Romanesque churches in order to draw more to visit Cologne Germany. Many who look to Cologne Germany travel for visiting historic monuments; the majority of the classic buildings have been restored. However, what draws most to visit Cologne Germany is its cathedral. Known as K??lner Dom, this popular landmark is the unofficial symbol for the city. Construction began in 1248 A.D., but it took over 600 years to complete this mammoth gothic church. Its twin towers are 157 meters (515 feet) tall and the church is 144 meters (472 feet) long. The cathedral is under the control of the Roman Catholic Church and is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne. For a time it held the honor of the world's tallest structure until the Washington Monument was finished. However, the cathedral remains the tallest Gothic edifice in the world and is an essential part of Cologne Germany history. Another piece of Cologne Germany history that has made the city bears its namesake: Eau de Cologne. The perfumed water was first created in Cologne during the 18th century by an Italian merchant who had moved to Germany to make his fortune. Initially it was marketed as a cure-all before eventually evolving into what we commonly know cologne as today. Adding to Cologne Germany history are its numerous museums. Of particular note is Schokoladen Museum which is dedicated solely to the process of chocolate making and includes state of the art methods. If you've got a sweet tooth, you won't want to miss it. If you're looking for Cologne Germany travel and want take in the city from a distance, an hour tour on the Rhine is the perfect solution. You'll find plenty of these cruises between April and October. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/iVfyhQlctYLEi5WIZ5lD.flv 125 2010-01-26T02:14:15-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1919-Travel-Dresden-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/sV0DZtyKmjUiVVAnJYKu.jpg Travel Dresden Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sV0DZtyKmjUiVVAnJYKu.flv 119 Dresden Germany is the capital city of the state of Saxony and sits in an area that races back human habitation to the Neolithic period. In approximately 600 B.C., Germanic tribes settled in the Elbe river region. These settlers left about a thousand years later, making way for the Slavonic peoples who eventually founded Drezdany??a settlement where Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) currently stands. It's from Drezdany that the later settlement of Dresden would derive its name. There are some sections of the city ??Zschertnitz and Gompitz??that show its Slavonic roots. Dresden's rich cultural heritage makes it a popular tourist site in Germany. Perhaps the best way to start off a trip through Dresden is by taking a walk through the Old Town. Many of the main tourist attractions in Dresden Germany can be found under a mile from there. Old Town suffered heavy damage during World War II, but since reunification, efforts have been undertaken and Old Town is in the process of being restored to its former elegance. Some of the highlights of Dresden travel include its many historic structures. Built during the 18th century, Zwinger Palace today houses several museums and contains more than 2000 paintings; the foremost among the paintings is the famous Sistine Madonna by Raphael. One can also find other relics of Saxony inside. Another of the popular tourist attractions in Dresden Germany is the Semper Opera House??a building that exemplifies neo-renaissance architecture. It was destroyed by fire in both 1869 and 1945, but the building that stands there today is an exact replica. Typically the only performances you'll see here are classic opera. If you're looking for contemporary works, you're best served to check out the Kleine Szene Theater. The Frauenkirche is definitely one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dresden Germany. Designed by Dresden's architect??George B??hr a master of the Baroque style??n the 18th century, the church featured an usually large 314 foot high dome. The dome weighed 12,000 tons and contained no internal supports. However, the Frauenkirche was destroyed during World War II. Reconstruction was attempted throughout the years, but it wasn' until 1993 that the revival actually began. The price was steep, over $200 million, but by 2004 the outside of the church had been restored. The inside was due to be finished just in time for the city's 800 year anniversary. Upon completion, the Frauenkirche further cemented its status as a great tourist site in Germany. Perhaps the single greatest hardship suffered by the citizens of Dresden, Germany was the firebombing that took place toward the end of World War II. On Valentine's Day, 1945, Allied planes carpet bombed the Altstadt (Old Town). Dresden was not considered militarily strategic, but the allies unleashed a bombing campaign because the Soviet army was merely fifty miles east of the city. The bombing was to aid the advance of the Red Army. The goal was to create a fire storm amidst the factories and buildings and prevent German resistance. However, ideal weather conditions caused a massive inferno that gutted tens of thousands of buildings. Yet it is because of this damage, and the subsequent attempt at revival, that makes Dresden a popular tourist site in Germany. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sV0DZtyKmjUiVVAnJYKu.flv 283 2010-01-26T02:14:15-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1918-Salamanca-Spain-Tour.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/Fbbsm1TOiRyAyKuKSzHZ.jpg Salamanca Spain Tour http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Fbbsm1TOiRyAyKuKSzHZ.flv 151 Salamanca is considered one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. Through the centuries the sandstone buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow that has given Salamanca the nickname La Ciudad Dorada, the golden city. This golden glow is unique in Spain and is due to the Villamayor Stone, a type of sandstone coming from a quarry situated in Villamayor, a village close to Salamanca. The Plaza Mayor is the central square in the city and is known as the living room of the Salmantinos (Salamancans). It was constructed by Andr??s Garc??a de Qui?ones at the beginning of the 18th century. The plaza has a capacity of 20,000 people and is surrounded by shaded arcades. The plaza was originally a venue for bullfights but is currently used primarily for concerts. The plaza is regarded as one of the finest squares in Europe. Next to Main Square we can see the Central Market of Salamanca with typical fresh products of Spain The old Romanesque cathedral was founded in the 12th century. The dome that covers its crossing springs from a double arcade that is daringly pierced with windows, a distant reflection of Hagia Sophia. The mass of four pinnacles at the outside corners counter the thrust of the dome's weight. The thrust of the vaulting is borne by four massive pinnacles. The vault of the apse was frescoed by the Early Renaissance painter Nicolas Florentino. The adjoining new cathedral was built in stages from 1509 and combines Late Gothic architecture, particularly in the interior, with the Renaissance style called Plateresque. It was still being finished in 1734. In the treasury is the bronze crucifix that was carried into battle before El Cid. The Augustinian monastery contains the tomb of the count and countess de Monterrey, by Alessandro Algardi. Since 1996 Salamanca has been the designated site of the archive of the Spanish Civil War (Archivo General de la Guerra Civil Espa?ola). This archive was assembled by the Francoist regime, selectively obtained from the administrative departments of various institutions and organizations during the Spanish Civil War as a repressive instrument used against opposition groups and individuals. The socialist government moved the Catalan part of the archive to Barcelona in 2006 despite opposition from the local authorities and popular protests. Salamanca's mayor, Julian Lanzarote (PP), changed the name of the street where the archive is located from Gibraltar to El expolio (the plundering) in February 2006. Salamanca also has many museums of interest, one of which is Art Nouveau and Art Dec?? Museum Casa Lis. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Fbbsm1TOiRyAyKuKSzHZ.flv 201 2010-01-25T10:14:13-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1917-Video-Travel-Spain-Toledo---Salamanca.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/ybj2r2JOctR3bBtVrbfc.jpg Video Travel Spain Toledo - Salamanca http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ybj2r2JOctR3bBtVrbfc.flv 124 Salamanca is a city in western Spain, the capital of the province of Salamanca, which belongs to the autonomous community of Castile and Leon (Castilla y Le??n). The Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It lies about 200 km west of Madrid and 100 km east of the Portuguese border. With a population around 160,000 and with its metropolitan area the population rises to more than 200.000, also it is necessary to count the resident students, it is the third most populated city in Castile and Leon, following Valladolid. Salamanca is known both for its monumental sights and the University of Salamanca, which was founded in 1218 and is the oldest university in Spain and the fifth oldest western university. With its 30,000 students, the university is, together with tourism, the economic engine of the city. Salamanca is also known for the teaching of the Spanish language; in this field, Salamanca supplies 16% of the market within Spain and attracts thousands of foreign students. The city was founded in the pre-Ancient Rome period by the Vacceos, a Celtic tribe, as one of a pair of forts to defend their territory near the Duero river. In the third century BCE, Hannibal laid siege to the city. With the fall of the Carthaginians to the Romans, the city of Helmantica, as it was known, began to take more importance as a commercial hub in the Roman Hispania due to its favorable location. Salamanca lay on a Roman road, known as the Via de la Plata, which connected it with Emerita Augusta (present day M??rida to the south and Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga) to the north. The Roman bridge dating to the first century, was a part of this road. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the Alans established in Lusitania, and Salamanca was part of this region. Later the city was conquered by the Visigoths and included in their territory. The city was a already an episcopal see, and signatures of bishops of Salamanca are found in the Councils of Toledo. Salamanca surrendered to the Moors, led by Musa bin Nusair, in the year 712 CE. For years this area between the south of Duero River and the north of Tormes River, became the main battlefield against the Muslim invaders. The constant fighting of the Kingdom of Le??n first, and the Kingdom of Castile and Le??n later against the Caliphate depopulated Salamanca and reduced it to an unimportant settlement. After the battle of Simancas (939) the Christians resettled this area. After the capture of Toledo by Alfonso VI of Castile in 1085, the definitive resttlement of the city took place. Raymond of Burgundy, instructed by his father-in-law Alfonso VI of Le??n, led a group of settlers of various origins in 1102. One of the most important moments in Salamanca's history was the year 1218, when Alfonso IX of Le??n created the University of Salamanca. Soon it became one of the most significant and prestigious academic centres in Europe. In 1551 the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ordered an inquiry to find out if the science of Andreas Vesalius, physician and anatomist, was in line with the Catholic doctrine. Vesalius came to Salamanca that same year to appear before the board and was acquitted. In the Peninsular War of the Napoleonic campaigns, the Battle of Salamanca, fought July 22, 1812, was a serious setback for the French, and a mighty setback for Salamanca, whose western quarter was seriously damaged. The battle which raged that day is famous as a defining moment in military history; many thousands of men were slaughtered by cannon fire in the space of only a few short hours. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ybj2r2JOctR3bBtVrbfc.flv 539 2010-01-25T11:15:52-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1916-Rothenburg-Germany-Romantic-Medieval-Town.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/GJS3V0OtTL1uxqLwfCps.jpg Rothenburg Germany: Romantic Medieval Town http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/GJS3V0OtTL1uxqLwfCps.flv 122 Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany - that beautiful little town on the Romantic Road is for tourists the epitome of German cities. The Altstadt (old town) of Rothenburg Germany is a patchwork of winding cobbled lanes lined with picturesque half timbered houses. Massive towers like R??derturm and the intact city walls form a ring around Rothenburg Germany and you can walk on top of it to get great views over the city and the Tauber valley. No other town in Germany brings you closer to the spirit of the Middle Ages - especially the medieval festivals like the so called Master's draught let you truly get in touch with its moving history. If you like to get some impressions of this festival Master's draught, start the slidshow on the right side and see the pictures of Rothenburg. What makes Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany even more exciting is its reputation as town of eternal Christmas. All year round lots of shops offer beautiful handcrafted Christmas gifts and souveniers. In December the town gets realy crowded, because nobody wants to miss the famous Christmas Market, one of the most romantic ones in Germany. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/GJS3V0OtTL1uxqLwfCps.flv 180 2010-01-25T04:44:52-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1915-Travel-Black-Forest-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/dANVU1nAYuYOSJHDYeZu.jpg Travel Black Forest Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/dANVU1nAYuYOSJHDYeZu.flv 97 The Black Forest region ('Schwarzwald') is essentially known for three distinctive features: its highlands, scenery and woods, the typical Black Forest Gateau ('Schwarzw??lder Kirschtorte') whose success is based on tasty cherry schnapps and the traditional cuckoo-clock. The name black forest was quite accurate in earlier times, when the forest was impenetrable though profitable - wood, silver and ore were the foundations of the Black Forest's inhabitants comparable wealth. When the wood trade began to falter clock-making stepped in and has been a successful industry for the Black Forest ever since the 17th century. Another famous feature of the Black Forest region are the traditional hats with their enormous pompoms called 'Bollenhut'. They are particularly distinctive among Germany's traditional costumes. The hat is famous all over the world even though it was originally worn in only three parishes of the Black Forest region and on special occasions only. The Black Forest region is blessed with a particularly rich mythological landscape. It is said to be haunted by werewolves, sorcerers, witches and the devil in differing guises. Helpful dwarves try to balance the scales. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/dANVU1nAYuYOSJHDYeZu.flv 131 2010-01-25T01:44:52-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1914-Baden-Baden-Germany-Baths.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/sYJaUfFAYzgANsOOwuRX.jpg Baden-Baden Germany: Baths http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sYJaUfFAYzgANsOOwuRX.flv 191 Baden-Baden is the most picturesque of all the German bathing towns. The city offers many options for sports enthusiasts. Golf and tennis are both popular in the area. Horse racing fans enjoy the international racing season each August at nearby Iffezheim. The countryside is ideal for hiking and mountain climbing. In the winter Baden-Baden is a skiing destination. The springs of Baden-Baden have been known for more than 2,000 years, and their composition resembles that of the Roman baths of the 3rd century. The water at the baths of Caracalla-Therme spa is rich in sodium chloride, and comes from artesian wells 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) under the Florentiner Mountain. The Spielbank casino is more than 200 years and the oldest of its type in Germany. Dostoyevsky is said to have written The Gambler after he lost his money and even his shirt here. The rooms were designed in the style of a French ch??teau. There is a picturesque 18-hole golf course in Fremersberg. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sYJaUfFAYzgANsOOwuRX.flv 220 2010-01-25T01:44:51-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1913-Germany-s-Neuschwanstein-King-Ludwig-s-Fairytale-Castle.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/ssasvqf5vWAmLHvSqNn3.jpg Germany's Neuschwanstein: King Ludwig's Fairytale Castle http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ssasvqf5vWAmLHvSqNn3.flv 170 Many people are familiar with the alluring fairytale Castle of Neuschwanstein as it has graced the cover of many travel brochures, been featured in airline advertisements and is the inspiration for Disney??s Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is also famous as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang castle. Set against a picturesque mountain backdrop, on a rugged cliff, Neuschwanstein Castle (Neuschwanstein Schloss) is every child??s fantasy of what a castle looks like. It??s no wonder that the castle on Disney??s logo bears a little resemblance to it. Neuschwanstein Castle was built between 1869 and 1886 for the eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria. As the king wrote in a letter to Richard Wagner, Neuschwanstein was intended to ??embody the true spirit of the medieval German castle??. It is believed that King Ludwig was inspired by Wartburg Castle in Thuringia which he visited in 1867 and the Singers?? Hall (Sangersaal) is modelled on Wartburg Castle??s singing room. The Dining Room and all other rooms in the castle are opulently decorated with paintings and intricately carved wood panels and furniture, all of which bear witness to the skill and artistry of the craftsmen during that time. After King Ludwig??s death in 1886, the castle was opened to the public. It??s indeed ironic that King Ludwig built Neuschwanstein to take refuge from the world and yet some 50 million people have visited the castle since his death. Ludwig??s most magnificent creation now takes pride of place in Germany??s ??castle country??. To get to the castle, you??ll have to make a 30-minute walk from the village of Hohenschwangau. Be sure to buy your ticket from the Hohenschwangau Ticket Center at no. 12 Alpseestrasse before you set off. There is no ticket desk at the castle itself and you??ll not be allowed entry without a ticket. If you don??t fancy walking, you can always take a horse-drawn carriage from Hohenschwangau which will take you part of the way up. Whilst in the area, it is also worth taking time to explore the surrounding area with its waterfalls, limestone gorges and mountain trails. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/ssasvqf5vWAmLHvSqNn3.flv 224 2010-01-25T01:44:49-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1912-Malaysia-Borneo-Travel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/IJBCMHiuMNhPYQuYbvG2.jpg Malaysia Borneo Travel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/IJBCMHiuMNhPYQuYbvG2.flv 128 Borneo, the third largest island in the world, was once covered with dense rainforests. With swampy coastal areas fringed with mangrove forests and a mountainous interior, much of the terrain was virtually impassable and unexplored. Headhunters ruled the remote parts of the island until a century ago. In the 1980s and 1990s Borneo underwent a remarkable transition. Its forests were leveled at a rate unparalleled in human history. Borneo's rainforests went to industrialized countries like Japan and the United States in the form of garden furniture, paper pulp and chopsticks. Initially most of the timber was taken from the Malaysian part of the island in the northern states of Sabah and Sarawak. Later forests in the southern part of Borneo, an area belonging to Indonesia and known as Kalimantan, became the primary source for tropical timber. Today the forests of Borneo are but a shadow of those of legend and those that remain are highly threatened by the emerging biofuels market, specifically, oil palm. Oil palm is the most productive oil seed in the world. A single hectare of oil palm may yield 5,000 kilograms of crude oil, or nearly 6,000 liters of crude, making the crop remarkably profitable when grown in large plantations ?? one study that looked at 10,000 hectare-plantations suggests an internal rate of return of 26 percent annually. As such, vast swathes of land are being converted for oil palm plantations. Oil palm cultivation has expanded in Indonesia from 600,000 hectares in 1985 to more than 6 million hectares by early 2007, and is expected to reach 10 million hectares by 2010. Despite this outlook, there has recently been some positive conservation news out of Borneo. In February 2007, the governments of Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia agreed to protect roughly 220,000 square kilometers (85,000 square miles) of tropical forest in the so-called Heart of Borneo. Environmental group WWF was particularly active in the establishment of the protected area. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/IJBCMHiuMNhPYQuYbvG2.flv 389 2010-01-25T01:44:48-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1911-Travel-to-Malacca-Malaysia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/buAMPgKyABuohqzNM3eq.jpg Travel to Malacca, Malaysia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/buAMPgKyABuohqzNM3eq.flv 106 It is traditionally believed that the history of Malaysia began with the founding of Malacca in 1400 by Parameswara, a Sumatran prince. Thereafter, the state flourished under the Malacca Sultanate and eventually became the region's largest emporium attracting traders from as far as China, India, Arabia and Europe. Malacca came under successive colonial eras when it was conquered by the Portuguese in 1511, followed by Dutch rule in 1641 before the British took over in 1824. All these foreign influences have over the years transformed the state into a cultural melting pot. The Portuguese and Peranakan communities have until today remained a distinctive featUre of society in Malacca. In the light of its rich historical past, Malacca has been officially declared the 'Historical City of Malaysia'. Famous historical sites in the state include the A Famosa, Stadthuys, St. Paul's Church, St. John's Fort and the Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat mausoleums. The Cultural Museum, an elaborate reconstruction of the ancient palace of the Malacca Sultanate, provides fascinating insights into Melaka's glorious past. The nightly Light and Sound Show at Padang Pahlawan (Warriors' Field) re-enacts in dramatic fashion, the state's historical past. Antique lovers will find Jonker Street with its myriad of shops to be an intriguing place to hunt and bargain for treasures of the past. Beyond the appeal of its historical past, Malacca offers a wide range of sights and leisure activities for a truly worthwhile holiday. Pulau Besar and Pulau Upeh are two popular island retreats easily accessible from Malacca. While in Malacca, enjoy an exciting experience of the city on a tnshaw or take a bullock cart ride for the fun of it. Sample the mouth-watering culinary mix of nyonya and Portuguese dishes and other local delicacies. Ayer Keroh, just outside the city of Malacca, is situated in a vast forest reserve, and is a major tourist recreational spot.Attractions here nelude the Malacca Zoo, Mini Malaysia, Mini ASEAN, a golf resort, hotels, a butterfly farm and a crocodile farm. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/buAMPgKyABuohqzNM3eq.flv 332 2010-01-25T01:44:47-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1910-Langkawi-Malaysia-Travel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/mLAndEVaVeXoUGnhsosH.jpg Langkawi Malaysia Travel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/mLAndEVaVeXoUGnhsosH.flv 106 Langkawi is an archipelago consisting of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, south of Thailand, 30km off the mainland coast of northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the border of Thailand. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi Island), 478.5 square kilometers, with an estimated population of 100,000. The only other inhabited island is Pulau Tuba. The name Langkawi has two possible origins. First, it is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, itself a version of the Malay negari alang-kah suka (the land of all one's wishes), centered in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of Langgasu as being founded in the 1st century AD. Second, it could be a combination of the Malay words 'helang', meaning eagle and 'kawi', meaning reddish-brown or strong, in old Malay. Langkawi eventually came under the influence of the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the British, which held the state until independence, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi. Langkawi remained a sleepy backwater until 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism and improve the lives of the islanders. The following boom was spectacular and now Langkawi figures on most every European travel agency's radar. Sheltered by the mountainous backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi escapes the northeastern winter monsoon entirely and enjoys sunny skies in winter when the eastern provinces are flooded. Coupled with natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage and craggy mountain peaks - but hampered by inaccessibility - the island was at one time touted as Malaysia's best-kept secret. The 10,000 hectares of Langkawi and its 99 islands were declared a Geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2007. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/mLAndEVaVeXoUGnhsosH.flv 374 2010-01-25T01:44:46-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1909-Travel-India-Agra-Fort.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/RKlmyRWFoeUqxChmUzNr.jpg Travel India Agra Fort http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/RKlmyRWFoeUqxChmUzNr.flv 131 Ever since Babur defeated and killed Ibrahin Lodi at Panipat in 1526, Agra played an important center of Mughal Empire. Akbar chose this city on the bank of River Yamuna as his capital and proceeded to build a strong citadel for the purpose. It is said that he destroyed the damaged old fort of Agra for the purpose and raised this grand group of monuments instead in red sandstone. Started in 1565, it took eight years and thirty-five lakh rupees to complete its construction and is second only to Taj in Agra. Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr supervised the construction of this building. One of the large fortified residences built at various strategic points of Mughal Empire; it had over five hundred buildings, as mentioned by Abul Fazal in his chronicles. Most of the buildings added later use marble as the chief construction material. At the time of Akbar, River Yamuna touched the fort and thus, a number of ghats were built here. Some of these ghats were meant to load and unload goods transported through river and other covered passages were for use by the harem inmates only. Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It is the most important fort in India. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. The legend is that Shah Jahan built the beautiful Taj Mahal for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Unlike his grandfather, Shah Jahan tended to have buildings made from white marble, often inlaid with gold or semi-precious gems. He destroyed some of the earlier buildings inside the fort in order to make his own. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort, a punishment which might not seem so harsh, considering the luxury of the fort. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/RKlmyRWFoeUqxChmUzNr.flv 563 2010-01-25T01:44:45-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1908-Travel-India-Mosque-of-Fatehpur-Sikri-and-Dargah-of-Sheikh-Salim-Chisti.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/RkorIMYVaX0XB01HPb1b.jpg Travel India-Mosque of Fatehpur Sikri and Dargah Of Sheikh Salim Chisti http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/RkorIMYVaX0XB01HPb1b.flv 112 Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. Though the court took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years because the water supply was unable to sustain the growing population. The surviving palace and mosque are a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site itself is a ghost town. Akbar had inherited the Mughal Empire from his father Humayun and grandfather Babur. During the 1560s he rebuilt the Agra Fort and established it as his capital.He had a son and then twins, but the twins died. He then consulted Salim Chishti the sufi saint who lived as a recluse in the small town Sikri near Agra. Salim predicted that Akbar would have another son, and indeed one was born in 1569 in Sikri. He was named Salim to honor the saint and would later rule the empire as Jahangir|Emperor Jahangir. The following year, Akbar, then 28 years old, determined to build a palace and royal city in Sikri, to honor Salim Chishti.The name, Fateh is Arabic in origin and means victory, also in Urdu and Persian language.It is at Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels or Navaratnas, were born. The legendary musician Tansen is said to have performed on an island in the middle of the pool Anup Talao. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/RkorIMYVaX0XB01HPb1b.flv 596 2010-01-25T01:44:44-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1907-Flavours-of-India-A-travel-to-Thalakaveri.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/40nTfI3wnVJOVieAaue0.jpg Flavours of India: A travel to Thalakaveri http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/40nTfI3wnVJOVieAaue0.flv 115 Talakaveri, is the place that is generally considered to be the source of the Kaveri River. It is located in the Brahmagiri hill (not to be confused with the Brahmagiri range further South) near Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, Karnataka, 1,276 m. above sea level. However, there is not a permanent visible flow from this place to the main rivercourse except during the rainy season. A tank or kundike has been erected on a hillside, at the place that is said to be the origin. It is also marked by a small temple, and the area is frequented by pilgrims. The Kaveri River originates as a spring feeding this tank, which is considered to be a holy place to bathe on special days. The waters are then said to flow underground to emerge as the river some distance away. The temple has been renovated extensively by the state government recently[2007]. Talakaveri is about 8 km away from Bhagamandala and 48 km from Madikeri. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara, which denotes the link between Kavery and Sage Agasthya. The legend goes that, the Kaveri river was held in a Kamandalu (a container of sacred water) by Sage Agasthya. Vinaayaka (Lord Ganesha) took the form of a crow and perched on the kamandalu of Agasthya when Agasthya was meditating. When Agasthya realised this, he shooed away the crow. But the Divine Crow tipped the kamandalu and toppled it. Out poured Kaveri which started flowing. The crow disappeared and in its place stood a small boy. Agasthya thought that the boy was playing some prank and clenching both his fists, went to pound the head of the small boy. But the boy escaped and Agasthya gave chase. Finally the boy vanished and Lord Ganesha showed Himself to Agasthya. Agasthya was aghast at the realisation that he had just tried to knock the head of Ganesha Himself. As atonement, he knocked his own head with both of his clenched fists. The link between Kaveri and Ganesha also extends to Srirangam as well, in Lord Ganesha's role in setting up the Ranganatha temple there. The temple at Tirumukkudal Narasipura (confluence of Kabini (aka Kapila river, Kaveri and invisible Spatika Sarovara (Crystal Lake)) is also dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara. On Tulasankramana day (the first day of Makara Masa month, according to the Hindu calendar, which normally falls in mid October) thousands of pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace to witness the rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at a predetermined moment. The tula snanam (Sacred bath in the Tula month) is observed across pilgrim towns in Kaveri's banks. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/40nTfI3wnVJOVieAaue0.flv 394 2010-01-25T01:44:43-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1906-7-Wonders-of-India-orchha.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/m0ArLjg5NMTjHs4Tk3sN.jpg 7 Wonders of India: Orchha http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/m0ArLjg5NMTjHs4Tk3sN.flv 98 Orchha today is a sleepy little hamlet but it was once the capital city of the mighty Bundelkhand Empire. From time immemorial, Bundelkhand has been an important destination for all sorts of tourists and travellers. The famous Chinese pilgrim, Hiuen Tsang, visited the area in the 7th century a.d. and gave a vivid account of the kingdom of ??Jejakabhuti??, which corresponds to modern day Bundelkhand and a small part of Bagelkhand as well. Foundation of Orchha Orchha as it stands today, was founded in the 16th century a.d. by the Bundela chieftain, Rudra Pratap. The Bundelas were a warrior tribe who traced their ancestry to a medieval Rajput prince who sacrificed his life for the mountain goddess, Vrindavasini. In return, the goddess proclaimed that henceforth, he and his descendants would be known as ??Bundelas??, or ??those who gave blood??. The Orchha Bundelas are said to be chiefs of the Bundela clan settled all over the plains of North India. Main Charms of The Town Although Orchha was never really a very affluent place, that did not deter the fiercely proud Bundelas from undertaking ambitious projects. Orchha??s legacy has been captured in stone and frozen in time, a rich legacy to all ages. The remarkable proportions of the exteriors are matched by the grandeur of the interior-rich repositories of Bundela art. The richness of its palaces, temples and cenotaphs is reflected in the gently flowing water of the Betwa River. The Picturesque Site of River Betwa The beautiful River Betwa on whose banks the city of Orchha is founded, is a picturesque site, with its monuments dotting the landscape on either side of the river. Jahangir Mahal The most notable is the Jahangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris (domed pavilions). From here, the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular. The richness of the Jahangir Mahal contrasts nicely with the austere beauty of the Raj Mahal, built by Madhukar Shah who was a religious-minded person. The last of the trio of palaces which embellish the Orchha fort is the Rai Parveen Mahal, built in the 17th century for Rai Parveen, the talented and artistically inclined lover of Orchha??s king, Raja Indrajit Singh (see Rai Parveen Mahal under Places of Interest for more). Temple Attractions of the three main temples, the Laxminarayan Temple is a curious mix of fort and temple architecture. Most of its walls are decorated with murals, some with secular themes. On the other hand, the Ramaraja Temple is unusual in that here, Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (the Hindu Preserver of the Universe), is worshipped as a ruler, and the building is actually a palace. The holy triad is completed by the Chaturbhuj Temple that is adorned with lotus emblems and other religious symbols. Other sites worth visiting in Orchha are the shrines of Siddh Baba ka Sthan, Jugal Kishore Temple and the Janaki and Hanuman Mandirs. Two famous memorials also dot Orchha ?? Hardol??s Samadhi, which has a tragic mystique about it, and the Shaheed Smarak, which commemorates the freedom fighter, Chandrashekhar Azad, who lived and worked in hiding in Orchha in 1926 and 1927. On the outskirts of Orchha is the Jaraika Math Temple, dedicated to Laxmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth. Art Architecture Orchha is known for its elegant architecture and its unique sequential development of domes, brackets, pillars, arches and ledges. The domes that crown the monuments of Orchha are primarily hemispherical, but in some buildings, one comes across palanquin-shaped domes. The brackets are found mainly in two varieties: elephant-shaped ones that you can see in the Jahangir and Raja Mahals, and serpentine b yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/m0ArLjg5NMTjHs4Tk3sN.flv 231 2010-01-25T01:44:42-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1905-Visit-Mamallapuram-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/TFXnS0oIdQSbvhGzuBiT.jpg Visit Mamallapuram India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TFXnS0oIdQSbvhGzuBiT.flv 115 Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram is located around 60 kms south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It is a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas. It is believed to have been named after either the demon king Mahabali, or the Pallava king Mamalla. Mahabalipuram has various historic monuments built mostly between the 7th and the 9th century. The most famous monument here is the Shore Temple, which looks absolutely mesmerizing when lit by moonlight. This historical city has been crowned as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Most of the monuments here are rock-cut and monolithic. They represent the early phases of Dravidian architecture wherein Buddhist elements of design can be seen clearly. There are cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples found here. The pillars are of the Dravidian order and the sculptures are excellent examples of Pallava art. The majestic Mahabalipuram, invokes a certain kind of mystery, with its sculptural extravaganza depicting strong artistic temperament of the Pallavas who were the pioneers in South Indian art. Attractions at Mahabalipuram Your travel vacations to Mahabalipuram, the beautiful beach city located on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon is going to be a life time experience. Mahabalipuram is a blessed combination of history, good beaches and hassle-free tourism. It is known for its group of pleasing rathas and the dramatically carved relief depicting Arjuna's Penance. The magnificent Shore Temple, built by king Rajasimha in the 7th century, is an outstanding temple that has the shrines of both Shiva and Vishnu. The Varaha Cave another major attraction which is one of the many rock-cut caves in Mahabalipuram. The Krishna Mandapam, one of the most visited places, has a bas-relief of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill on his fingertips. ?? Nearby Excursions Mahabalipuram travel guide offers excellent excursion opportunities in the city. It makes a complete Golden Triangle circuit of South India along with Chennai and Kanchipuram. People who visit Chennai and Kanchipuram definitely come to this beautiful place also. Kanchipuram, located around 65 km from Mahabalipuram is famous for some of India's finest silk saris. The Kanchi weavers definitely deserve a beautiful ode !This small and dusty town of kanchipuram is popularly called the 'Golden Town of a Thousand Temples'. It is famous for the Kamakshi, Varadarajaswami, and Kailasanathar temples, some outstandingly beautiful temples. Vedanthangal another worth visiting destination is renowned for a bird sanctuary, which is one of India's largest sanctuaries. The Covelong beach here is famous for its golden sand and other historical monuments. The Crocodile Bank at a distance of 14 kms and Muttukadu around 21 kms away from Chidambaram are also worth a visit. ?? Events and Festivals On your travel trip to Mahabalipuram participate in diverse festivals celebrated by the locals.Among the festivals celebrated in Mahabalipuram, Pongal is the most important. It is one of the most auspicious festivals for the Tamils. It is celebrated in mid-January every year. The festival is celebrated with gaiety and joy not only in Tamil Nadu but also in most parts of South India. Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is a perfect occasion for the dance lovers, who can enjoy the performances of the artists from all parts of the country. This festival is celebrated in the month of January/February every year. The Shore Temple is the venue of this festival and the music from the musical instruments along with the music created by the natural surroundings provides an overwhelming experience. The Sthalasayana Perumal temple festivals, Masimagam and Brahmothsavam, are held in the month of March. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TFXnS0oIdQSbvhGzuBiT.flv 551 2010-01-25T01:44:41-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1904-India-Travel---India-Population.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/shNe2knDhBL54tNX0Tbg.jpg India Travel - India Population http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/shNe2knDhBL54tNX0Tbg.flv 123 Population of India . Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world's land area, it supports over 15% of the world's population. Only China has a larger population. Almost 40% of Indians are younger than 15 years of age. About 70% of the people live in more than 550,000 villages, and the remainder in more than 200 towns and cities. Over thousands of years of its history, India has been invaded from the Iranian plateau, Central Asia, Arabia, Afghanistan, and the West; Indian people and culture have absorbed and changed these influences to produce a remarkable racial and cultural synthesis. Religion, caste, and language are major determinants of social and political organization in India today. The government has recognized 18 languages as official; Hindi is the most widely spoken. Although 83% of the people are Hindu, India also is the home of more than 120 million Muslims--one of the world's largest Muslim populations. The population also includes Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis. The caste system reflects Indian occupational and religiously defined hierarchies. Traditionally, there are four broad categories of castes (varnas), including a category of outcastes, earlier called untouchables but now commonly referred to as dalits. Within these broad categories there are thousands of castes and subcastes , whose relative status varies from region to region. Despite economic modernization and laws countering discrimination against the lower end of the class structure, the caste system remains an important source of social identification for most Hindus and a potent factor in the political life of the country. India Population : The 1991 final census count gave India a total population of 846,302,688. However, estimates of India's population vary widely. According to the Population Division of the United Nations Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, the population had already reached 866 million in 1991. The Population Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) projected 896.5 million by mid-1993 with a 1.9 percent annual growth rate. The United States Bureau of the Census, assuming an annual population growth rate of 1.8 percent, put India's population in July 1995 at 936,545,814. These higher projections merit attention in light of the fact that the Planning Commission had estimated a figure of 844 million for 1991 while preparing the Eighth Five-Year Plan (FY 1992-96; see Population Projections, this ch.). India accounts for some 2.4 percent of the world's landmass but is home to about 16 percent of the global population. The magnitude of the annual increase in population can be seen in the fact that India adds almost the total population of Australia or Sri Lanka every year. A 1992 study of India's population notes that India has more people than all of Africa and also more than North America and South America together. Between 1947 and 1991, India's population more than doubled. Throughout the twentieth century, India has been in the midst of a demographic transition. At the beginning of the century, endemic disease, periodic epidemics, and famines kept the death rate high enough to balance out the high birth rate. Between 1911 and 1920, the birth and death rates were virtually equal--about forty-eight births and forty-eight deaths per 1,000 population. The increasing impact of curative and preventive medicine (especially mass inoculations) brought a steady decline in the death rate. By the mid-1990s, the estimated birth rate had fallen to twenty-eight per 1,000, and the estimated death rate had fallen to ten per 1,000. Clearly, the future configuration of India's population (indeed the future of India itself) depends on what happens to the birth rate (see fig. 8). Even the most optimistic projections do not suggest that the birth rate could drop below twenty per 1,000 before the year 2000. India's population is likely to exceed the 1 billion mark before the 2001 census. The upward population in India spiral began in the 1920s and is reflected in intercensal growth increments. South Asia's population increased roughly 5 percent between 1901 and 1911 and actually declined slightly in the next decade. Population increased some 10 percent in the period from 1921 to 1931 and 13 to 14 percent in the 1930s and 1940s. Between 1951 and 1961, the population rose 21.5 percent. Between 1961 and 1971, the country's population increased by 24.8 percent. Thereafter a slight slowing of the increase was experienced: from 1971 to 1981, the population increased by 24.7 percent, and from 1981 to 1991, by 23.9 percent (see table 3, Appendix). Population in India density has risen concomitantly with the massive increases in population. In 1901 India counted some seventy-seven persons per square kilometer; in 1981 there were 216 persons per square kilometer; by 1991 there were 267 persons per square kilometer--up almost 25 percent from the 1981 population density (see table 4, Appendix). India's average population density is higher than that of any other nation of comparable size. The highest densities are not only in heavily urbanized regions but also in areas that are mostly agricultural. Population of India growth in the years between 1950 and 1970 centered on areas of new irrigation projects, areas subject to refugee resettlement, and regions of urban expansion. Areas where population did not increase at a rate approaching the national average were those facing the most severe economic hardships, overpopulated rural areas, and regions with low levels of urbanization. The 1991 census, which was carried out under the direction of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (part of the Ministry of Home Affairs), in keeping with the previous two censuses, used the term urban agglomerations . An urban agglomeration forms a continuous urban spread and consists of a city or town and its urban outgrowth outside the statutory limits. Or, an urban agglomerate may be two or more adjoining cities or towns and their outgrowths. A university campus or military base located on the outskirts of a city or town, which often increases the actual urban area of that city or town, is an example of an urban agglomeration. In India urban agglomerations with a population of 1 million or more--there were twenty-four in 1991--are referred to as metropolitan areas. Places with a population of 100,000 or more are termed cities as compared with towns, which have a population of less than 100,000. Including the metropolitan areas, there were 299 urban agglomerations with more than 100,000 population in 1991. These large urban agglomerations are designated as Class I urban units. There were five other classes of urban agglomerations, towns, and villages based on the size of their populations: Class II (50,000 to 99,999), Class III (20,000 to 49,999), Class IV (10,000 to 19,999), Class V (5,000 to 9,999), and Class VI (villages of less than 5,000; see table 5, Appendix). The results of the 1991 census revealed that around 221 million, or 26.1 percent, of Indian's population lived in urban areas. Of this total, about 138 million people, or 16 percent, lived in the 299 urban agglomerations. In 1991 the twenty-four metropolitan cities accounted for 51 percent of India's total population living in Class I urban centers, with Bombay and Calcutta the largest at 12.6 million and 10.9 million, respectively (see table 6, Appendix). In the early 1990s, growth was the most dramatic in the cities of central and southern India. About twenty cities in those two regions experienced a growth rate of more than 100 percent between 1981 and 1991. Areas subject to an influx of refugees also experienced noticeable demographic changes. Refugees from Bangladesh, Burma, and Sri Lanka contributed substantially to population growth in the regions in which they settled. Less dramatic population increases occurred in areas where Tibetan refugee settlements were founded after the Chinese annexation of Tibet in the 1950s. The majority of districts had urban populations ranging on average from 15 to 40 percent in 1991. According to the 1991 census, urban clusters predominated in the upper part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain; in the Punjab and Haryana plains, and in part of western Uttar Pradesh. The lower part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in southeastern Bihar, southern West Bengal, and northern Orissa also experienced increased urbanization. Similar increases occurred in the western coastal state of Gujarat and the union territory of Daman and Diu. In the Central Highlands in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, urbanization was most noticeable in the river basins and adjacent plateau regions of the Mahanadi, Narmada, and Tapti rivers. The coastal plains and river deltas of the east and west coasts also showed increased levels of urbanization. The hilly, inaccessible regions of the Peninsular Plateau, the northeast, and the Himalayas remain sparsely settled. As a general rule, the lower the population density and the more remote the region, the more likely it is to count a substantial portion of tribal (see Glossary) people among its population (see Tribes, ch. 4). Urbanization in some sparsely settled regions is more developed than would seem warranted at first glance at their limited natural resources. Areas of western India that were formerly princely states (in Gujarat and the desert regions of Rajasthan) have substantial urban centers that originated as political-administrative centers and since independence have continued to exercise hegemony over their hinterlands. The vast majority of Indians, nearly 625 million, or 73.9 percent, in 1991 lived in what are called villages of less than 5,000 people or in scattered hamlets and other rural settlements (see The Village Community, ch. 5). The states with proportionately the greatest rural populations in 1991 were the states of Assam (88.9 percent), Sikkim (90.9 percent) and Himachal Pradesh (91.3 percent), and the tiny union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (91.5 percent). Those with the smallest rural populations proportionately were the states of Gujarat (65.5 percent), Maharashtra (61.3 percent), Goa (58.9 percent), and Mizoram (53.9 percent). Most of the other states and the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were near the national average. Two other categories of India's population that are closely scrutinized by the national census are the Scheduled Castes (see Glossary) and Scheduled Tribes (see Glossary). The greatest concentrations of Scheduled Caste members in 1991 lived in the states of Andhra Pradesh (10.5 million, or nearly 16 percent of the state's population), Tamil Nadu (10.7 million, or 19 percent), Bihar (12.5 million, or 14 percent), West Bengal (16 million, or 24 percent), and Uttar Pradesh (29.3 million, or 21 percent). Together, these and other Scheduled Caste members comprised about 139 million people, or more than 16 percent of the total population of India. Scheduled Tribe members represented only 8 percent of the total population (about 68 million). They were found in 1991 in the greatest numbers in Orissa (7 million, or 23 percent of the state's population), Maharashtra (7.3 million, or 9 percent), and Madhya Pradesh (15.3 million, or 23 percent). In proportion, however, the populations of states in the northeast had the greatest concentrations of Scheduled Tribe members. For example, 31 percent of the population of Tripura, 34 percent of Manipur, 64 percent of Arunachal Pradesh, 86 percent of Meghalaya, 88 percent of Nagaland, and 95 percent of Mizoram were Scheduled Tribe members. Other heavy concentrations were found in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 79 percent of which was composed of Scheduled Tribe members, and Lakshadweep, with 94 percent of its population being Scheduled Tribe members. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/shNe2knDhBL54tNX0Tbg.flv 77 2010-01-25T01:44:40-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1903-Kedarnath-Uttarakhand-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/MsFIuUIDUoJg0FxKMyBu.jpg Kedarnath Uttarakhand India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MsFIuUIDUoJg0FxKMyBu.flv 97 Kedarnath is a Hindu holy town located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is a nagar panchayat in Rudraprayag district. The most remote of the four Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3584m above sea level near the head of river Mandakini, and is flanked by breathtaking snow-capped peaks. Kedarnath hosts one of the holiest Hindu temples, the Kedarnath Temple, and is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims from all over the world, being one of the four major sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. Kedarnath is named in honor of King Kedar who ruled in the Satya Yuga. He had a daughter named Vrinda who was a partial incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She performed austerities for 60000 years. In honour of her, the land is named Vrindavan. However, Kedarnath and its temple exist from the Mahabharata Era when the Pandavas are supposed to have pleased Lord Shiva by doing penance there. There are 2 ways to reach Kedarnath: 1) By foot for a steep 14 km trek through a paved path (horses or palanquins are available for rent) from Gaurikund, which is connected by road from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and other known hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttarakhand 2) Through air travel. Recently government has started Pawan Hans Helicopter Service from Agastyamuni and Phata to Kedarnath. The fare is reasonable. The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (April end or first week of May) and closes on Bhai Duj (October end or 1st week of November) due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold weather during winter. Gaurikhund is 75 km from Rudraprayag. In between Rudraprayag and Kedarnath there are several places of pilgrimage such as Agastyamuni, Ukhimath, Phauli- Pasalat Devi Maa, Bamsu (Lamgoundi) Vanasur, Maa Kali at Kalimath, Trijugi Narayan (7 km from Son Prayag) (Where Lord Shankar got married to Goddess Parwati from when the fire of hawan kund is still alive) and Kashi Vishwanath at Guptakashi. There are several guest houses in Kedarnath like Birla House, Sanjay Shukla Lodge, Maharastra Mandal, Kali Kamali Dharmasala etc. All of them have nominal charges and provide lodging as well as food. pooja /prasad (shukla pooja prasad center near birla mangal niketan) In Kedarnath Udak Kund is located. It is written in Kedar Khand of Shiv Mahapuran that the water of Udak Kund is mixture of all the 5 Oceans and always remain fresh even when kept for many years. The holy water of Udak Kund is used for purification rituals. Hans Kund, Bharo Nath, Navdurga Mandir, Shankaracharya Samadhi, Ishaneswar Mahadev Temple, Ret Kund, Panch Ganga Sangam, Chaurwari Taal now known as Gandhi Sarowar, Bashuki Taal are also places to visit here. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MsFIuUIDUoJg0FxKMyBu.flv 44 2010-01-25T01:44:39-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1902-Visit-Badrinath-Temple-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/TeYiVkwNkg3KqkfDaCxT.jpg Visit Badrinath Temple India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TeYiVkwNkg3KqkfDaCxT.flv 83 Badrinath temple, sometimes called Badrinarayan temple, is situated along the Alaknanda river, in the hill town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand state in India. It is widely considered to be one of the holiest Hindu temples, and is dedicated to god Vishnu. The temple and town are one of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. It is also one of the 108 Divya Desams, holy shrines for Vaishnavites. The temple is open only six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), due to extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. Several murtis are worshipped in the temple. The most important is a one meter tall statue of Vishnu as Lord Badrinarayan, made of black Saligram stone. The statue is considered by many Hindus to be one of eight swayam vyakta keshtras, or self-manifested statues of Vishnu. The murti depicts Vishnu sitting in meditative posture, rather than His far more typical reclining pose. In November each year, when the town of Badrinath is closed, the image is moved to nearby Jyotirmath. The temple is approximately 50 ft (15 metres) tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows. A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha grha, or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings. Badrinath Temple at MorningThe main shrine area houses the black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan, sitting under a gold canopy, under a Badri Tree. There are fifteen more murtis around the temple that are also worshipped. These include murtis of Nara Narayana, Narasimha (the fourth incarnation of Vishnu), Lakshmi, Narada, Ganesha, Uddhava, Kubera, Garuda (the vehicle of Lord Narayan), and Navadurga. Hard sugar candy, Tulsi, and dry fruits are the typical prasad offered at Badrinath temple. The Tapt Kund hot sulphur springs just below the temple are considered to be medicinal??many pilgrims consider it a requirement to bathe in the springs before visiting the temple. The springs have a year-round temperature of 45 degC. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TeYiVkwNkg3KqkfDaCxT.flv 58 2010-01-25T01:44:38-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1901-Religioius-Rishikesh-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/J1VTDUhHywtTjGAKNs0d.jpg Religioius Rishikesh India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/J1VTDUhHywtTjGAKNs0d.flv 142 Rishikesh, a most tranquil place in northern Uttar Pradesh, surrounded by hills and bisected by the wide and sluggish Ganges, is often claimed as the `Yoga Capital of the World'. Back in the 1960s Rishikesh gained instant fame as the site where The Beatles came to stay with their guru, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is an excellent place to meditate and study yoga. Rishikesh is also a good starting point for treks to Himalayan pilgrimage centres such as Badrinath, Kedarnath , Gangotri, Yamnotri.It is rightly called the gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre. It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh, hence the name. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally recognized as centers of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. An international yoga week is organized here every year by U.P. Tourism between 2nd and 7th of February. For the adventurous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on the Ganga. The climate here is continental type but its location in the foot hills gives it a pleasant weather throughout the year. One can visit Rishikesh any time of the year. The town of Rishikesh lies in the foothills of the Garhwal region. It is the gateway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point for pilgrim routes to the four dhams of Uttarakhand -- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Ganga flows through the town and is worshipped here. After this it descends to the plains at Haridwar.The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages. The road to the north from Rishikesh leads to Narendra Nagar(named after Maharaja Narendra Shah) and beyond to Tehri. These roads branch off and reach the upper parts of Garhwal. At Rishikesh, Ganga leaves the mountains and joins the plains for her long journey. Rishikesh is not only an attraction for pilgrims but it also attracts foreigners who want to know about Hinduism, who want to spend some time close to the Lord. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/J1VTDUhHywtTjGAKNs0d.flv 218 2010-01-25T01:44:37-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1900-Haridwar---Land-of-Gods.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/jE4cR2FkCOuhrjYbYOkQ.jpg Haridwar - Land of Gods http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/jE4cR2FkCOuhrjYbYOkQ.flv 91 Haridwar - the land that signifies god. It is one of the twelve most holiest places revered by Hindus and also believed to be one amongst the seven cities touched by god. Numerous legends are associated with every holy spot in Haridwar and that is what makes every bit all the more captivating. An ancient city, it finds mention in most old scriptures like in the writings of first millennium Chinese traveller, Hyuen Tsang. At no time of the year you will find it devoid of any devotees. Reasons are many. For one, Haridwar is the place where Ganga first enters the plains. It is one of the four venues of Kumbh Mela (Nasik, Prayag and Ujjain being the other three) which is held once at each of these locations in twelve years. It is also the location of some of the ancient schools of tradition, the original kind of gurukuls, where ayurveda is taught. The entire landscape is dotted with Siddhapeeths and Shaktipeeths as well as old and new temples. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/jE4cR2FkCOuhrjYbYOkQ.flv 136 2010-01-25T01:44:36-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1899-Boat-ride-on-Ganges-River-at-Rishikesh---Haridwar-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/aVeDqLelqr5fZNOHJKcO.jpg Boat ride on Ganges River at Rishikesh - Haridwar India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/aVeDqLelqr5fZNOHJKcO.flv 117 Haridwar located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the north Indian state of Uttaranchal represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is an ageless pilgrimage destination, held in reverence for centuries. Several temples and ashrams are found in this town and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a comletely different world. Once known as Gangadwara, Haridwar (and Rishikesh) represents the gateway to the Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Haridwar has very rich ancient religious and cultural heritage. In the ancient scriptures of India, this place is well known by the name of Mayapur. This city is also well known for many other things apart from the holy river Ganges. Besides this, Kumbh fair is organised at the interval of every 12 years in this city in which about 1 crore pilgrims from all over the world participate. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/aVeDqLelqr5fZNOHJKcO.flv 140 2010-01-25T01:44:35-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1898-India-Ganges-River-Kashmir.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/12NKxjxoLkUXYJJNg1rO.jpg India Ganges River Kashmir http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/12NKxjxoLkUXYJJNg1rO.flv 120 The Ganges is a major river in the Indian subcontinent flowing east through the eponymous plains of northern India into Bangladesh. The 2,510 km (1,557 mi) long river begins at the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand in the central Himalayas and drains into the Bay of Bengal through its vast delta in the Sunderbans. It has enjoyed a position of reverence since millenia among India's Hindus, by whom it is worshipped in its personified form as the goddess Ganga (see below). The Ganges and its tributaries drain a large and fertile basin with an area of about one million square kilometres that supports one of the world's highest density human populations. The Ganges originates in the Himalayas after the confluence of six rivers ?? Alaknanda meets Dhauliganga at Vishnuprayag, Mandakini at Nandprayag, Pindar at Karnaprayag, Mandakini at Rudraprayag and finally Bhagirathi at Devaprayag (from here onwards, it is known as Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Out of the five, the Bhagirathi is held to be the source stream originating at the Gangotri Glacier at an elevation of 7,756 m (25,446 ft). The streams are fed by melting snow and ice from glaciers including glaciers from peaks such as Nanda Devi and Kamet. After travelling 200 km through the Himalayas, the Ganges emerges at the pilgrimage town of Haridwar in the Shiwalik Hills. At Haridwar, a dam diverts some of its waters into the Ganges Canal, which links the Ganges with its main tributary, the Jamuna. The Ganges which till this point flows in a south-western direction now begins to flow in a south-eastern direction through the plains northern India. From Haridwar the river follows an 800 km (500 mi) winding course passing through the city of Kanpur, before being joined by the Yamuna from the southwest at Allahabad. This point, known as the Sangam, is a sacred place in Hinduism. According to ancient Hindu texts, at one time a third river, the Sarasvati River, met the two rivers at this point. Joined by numerous rivers such as the Kosi, Son, Gandak and Ghaghra, the Ganges forms a formidable current in the stretch between Allahabad and Malda in West Bengal. On its way it passes the towns of Mirzapur, Varanasi, Patna and Bhagalpur. At Bhagalpur, the river meanders past the Rajmahal Hills, and begins to change course southwards. At Pakaur, the river begins its first attrition with the branching away of its first distributary, the River Bhagirathi, which goes on to form the River Hooghly. Close to the border with Bangladesh, the Farakka Barrage, built in 1974 controls the flow of the Ganges, diverting some of the water into a feeder canal linking the Hooghly to keep it relatively silt-free. After entering Bangladesh, the main branch of the Ganges is known as Padma River until it is joined by the Jamuna River the largest distributary of the Brahmaputra. Further downstream, the Ganges is fed by the Meghna River, the second largest distributary of the Brahmaputra and takes on its name entering the Meghna Estuary. Fanning out into the 350 km (220 mi) wide Ganges Delta, it empties out into the Bay of Bengal. Only two rivers, the Amazon and Congo have a higher discharge than the combined flow of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Surma-Meghna river system. Until the end of the 18th Century, the Ganges River separately discharged into the Bay of Bengal a few kilometers west of the Meghna Estuary. The Brahmaputra River flowed to the east of the Madhupur Tract (upland) and after joining with the Meghna River their combined flow fed into the estuary following approximately the same alignment as the present Lower Meghna River. Between the end of the 18th Century and early 19th Century, the Brahmaputra River increased its diversion via the Jamuna River and joined with the Ganges at Aricha. This change was hastened by the 1897 earthquake. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/12NKxjxoLkUXYJJNg1rO.flv 407 2010-01-25T01:44:34-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1897-Amber-Rajput-Palace-Jaipur-Rajasthan-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/BFuLBvmppjn2VnbuYwQV.jpg Amber Rajput Palace Jaipur Rajasthan India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BFuLBvmppjn2VnbuYwQV.flv 102 Majestic Amber Fort narrates the silent tales of valor and bravery of great Rajput Kings. Characterized by architectural splendor and Rajputana legacy, the fort is a superb specimen of Rajput architecture. The stunning fort represents a blend of Hindu and Mughal style of architecture. History echoes in the ruins of decayed edifice. Amber Fort was built in 1592, by Raja Man Singh I. The fort complex was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh, commander in Chief of Akbar's army and was completed by his descendant, Raja Jai Singh I. It is all built in white marble and red sandstone. Amber fort was modified by successive Rajput rulers for the next 150 years. The stunning architecture of this magnificent fort is worth praising. Interiors adorned with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings mesmerizes the visitors. Further Maotha Lake situated in the front of fort enhances the beauty of it. The fort seems to be more attractive because of the lake, as it forms a beautiful crystal image on the still water. Marvelous Fort is ornamented in Mughal and Hindu style of decoration and offers warm and tranquil ambiance. Fascinating artistic and intricate work on the walls of the fort is beyond the scope of words. Exquisite paintings depicts the temperament of the Rajput rulers, who were adventure enthusiasts, revolutionary and self-indulgent. The inside halls are adorned with minute mirror work and intricate carvings. Enjoy the immense beauty of Amber Fort with a royal Elephant ride. A ride on the back of colorful painted elephant is the best way to explore the charm of this opulent fort, that offers kingly feelings. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BFuLBvmppjn2VnbuYwQV.flv 167 2010-01-25T01:44:33-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1896-Visit-Jaisalmer-Rajasthan-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/nlVRufQ42DFLMhxQAWBJ.jpg Visit Jaisalmer Rajasthan India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/nlVRufQ42DFLMhxQAWBJ.flv 89 The History of Jaisalmer has a charm of its own. Like all other cities of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer too has its own glorious past to boast about. History of Jaisalmer draws heavily from the history of the Rajputana. The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja choose Trikut hill as the new site for his fort. This was because he thought that his previous abode at Luderwa (16 km from present Jaisalmer) was vulnerable towards possible enemy assault. In medieval times, Jaisalmer continued to be on the focus of the masses because of its location. It falls in the way of one of the two routes, which connected India from Persia, Egypt, Africa and the west. The Bhatti Rajput rulers were still in line. They were the sole guardian of the city and thus mustered enough wealth through taxes levied on the passing caravans, of which there was no scarcity. For many years Jaisalmer remained out of bound from the foreign rulers partly because of its location and partly because of its relief. In the mid Thirteenth century, Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Turk-Afghan ruler of Delhi laid the siege over the city. He was apparently upset with the Bhatti Rajput rulers because they stopped and looted one of his caravans containing royal coffer which was on its way to Sind. The siege lasted for around 9 long years and when the fall seemed eminent the Rajput womenfolk of the city committed Jauhar (self Immolation to avoid disgrace). It is said that Duda, the son of Raja Jaisimha, fought vehemently in the battle but was overpowered after the fierce hand to hand combat. He died fighting. His descendants continued to rule the city. Though they had a cordial relation with the Mughal rulers in Delhi, they fought unsuccessfully with Emperor Humayun. Emperor Shah Jahan gave the right of governance to Sabala Simha, who had the royal patronage and had shown remarkable valor to win the Battle of Peshawar. In the modern era, Jaisalmer was still a tough nut to crack and was the last among the Rajputana royals to sign the 'Instrument of Agreement' with the British establishment. Even that was achieved after long hours on the negotiation table and after much cajoling from the British establishment in India. In the year 1947, royals signed the agreement to remain in just independent India. Since then it has developed itself into a major tourist destination as well as a cultural hub of the western India. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/nlVRufQ42DFLMhxQAWBJ.flv 556 2010-01-25T01:44:32-06:00 2.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1895-Rajasthan-Tour-travel-Incredible-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/briIAhRxqdV0Ubw2qx5o.jpg Rajasthan Tour travel Incredible India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/briIAhRxqdV0Ubw2qx5o.flv 123 Rajasthan, state (2001 provisional pop. 56,473,122), 132,150 sq mi (342,269 sq km), NW India, bordered on the west by Pakistan. The capital is Jaipur; other large cities are Ajmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Udaipur. In the west of the state is the Thar (Indian) Desert, which is sparsely inhabited by pastoral nomads. In the east is part of the upland region of the Deccan, where, with the aid of irrigation, millet, wheat, and cotton are grown. The state's cultivated acreage has increased through irrigation projects, including the Indira Gandhi Canal, opened in 1984. The Aravalli Hills cross the state from the northeast to the southwest; they produces salt, lead, zinc, marble, coal, mica, phosphate, and gypsum. Handicrafts are Rajasthan's leading industry. Hindus comprise about 75% of the population, which also includes Muslims, Jains, and native peoples. Rajasthani and Hindi are the principal languages. The state was formed in 1948 from several former principalities of Rajputana. Other small areas were added in 1949, 1950, and 1956. Rajasthan is one of the strongholds of the conservative Hindu Bharatiya Janata and Janata Dal political parties, which are supported by many former Rajput princes. The state has numerous famous Buddhist, Jain, and Mughal monuments. In 1974 the desert region of Rajasthan was the site of the underground explosion of India's first nuclear device. Rajasthan is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to an elected unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by India's president. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/briIAhRxqdV0Ubw2qx5o.flv 276 2010-01-23T01:44:32-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1894-Travel-Goa-India.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/kGGBbkAKlnaM2bgeePus.jpg Travel Goa India http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/kGGBbkAKlnaM2bgeePus.flv 92 Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it soon thereafter. The Portuguese overseas territory existed for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961. Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot. The name Goa came to European languages from the Portuguese, but its precise origin is unclear. In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names such as Gomanta, Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Govem, and Gomantak. The Indian epic Mahabharata refers to the area now known as Goa, as Goparashtra or Govarashtra which means a nation of cowherds. Gopakapuri or Gopakapattanam were used in some ancient Sanskrit texts, and these names were also mentioned in other sacred Hindu texts such as the Harivansa and the Skanda Purana. In the latter, Goa is also known as Gomanchala. Parashurambhoomi is a name that the region is referred to in certain inscriptions and texts such as the Puranas. In the third century BCE, Goa was known as Aparantha, and is mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy. The Greeks referred to Goa as Nelkinda in the 13th century. Some other historical names for Goa are Sindapur, Sandabur, and Mahassapatam. The state is divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa. Panaji is the headquarters of the north Goa district and Margao of the south district. Each district is governed by a district collector, an administrator appointed by the Indian government. The districts are further divided into eleven talukas ?? Talukas of North Goa are Bardez, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Sattari and Tiswadi, the talukas of South Goa are Canacona, Mormugao, Quepem, Salcete and Sanguem. Headquarters of the respective talukas are Mapusa, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Valpoy, Panjim, Chaudi, Vasco, Quepem, Margao and Sanguem. Goa's major cities include Vasco, Margao , Mormugao, Panaji and Mapusa. The region connecting the first four cities is considered a de facto conurbation, or a more or less continuous urban area. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/kGGBbkAKlnaM2bgeePus.flv 342 2010-01-22T01:44:32-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1893-Introduction-to-India-Travel.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/pplOG3m1omnTGnIUlZKW.jpg Introduction to India Travel http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/pplOG3m1omnTGnIUlZKW.flv 90 Nearly five thousand years back flourished India's first major civilisation along the Indus River valley. The twin cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa now in Pakistan were ruled by priests and held the rudiments of Hinduism. These civilisations are known to possess a sophisticated lifestyle, a highly developed sense of aesthetics, an astonishing knowledge of town planning and an undecipherable script language. The Indus civilization at one point of time extended nearly a million square kilometres across the Indus river valley. It existed at the same time as the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Sumer but far outlasted them. Surviving for nearly a thousand years the Indus valley civilisation fell to tectonic upheavals in about 1700 BC, which caused a series of floods. The coming of the Aryans around 1500 BC, gave the final blow to the collapsing Indus Valley civilisation. At the dawn of Vedic ages the Aryans came in from the North and spread through large parts of India bringing with them their culture and religious beliefs. The Four Vedas or the important books of Hinduism were compiled in this period. In 567 B.C. the founder of the Buddhist Religion Gautama Buddha was born. During this time lived Mahavira, who founded the Jain Religion. The Indian subcontinent is full of caves and monuments devoted to these religions and are worth a visit. Two hundred years later, in the 4th century B.C., Emperor Ashoka, one of the greatest King of Indian history, led the Mauryan Empire to take over almost all of what is now modern India. This great leader embraced Buddhism and built the group of monuments at Sanchi (a UNESCO world heritage site). The Ashoka pillar at Sarnath has been adopted by India as its national emblem and the Dharma Chakra on the Ashoka Pillar adorns the National Flag. They were followed by the Guptas in the north, while in the south part of India several different Hindu empires, the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Cheras spread and grew, trading with Europe and other parts of Asia till the end of the 1100s. Christianinty entered India at about the same time from Europe. Legend has it that St. Thomas the Apostle arrived in India in 52 A.D. Even earlier than that people of the Jewish religion arrived on India's shores. In approximately the 7th century A.D. a group of Zoroastrians, or Parsees, landed in Gujarat and became a part of the large mix of religions in India today, each of which adds its important and distinctive flavour. In the 15th century Guru Nanak laid the foundation of the Sikh religion in Punjab. In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian. According to five thousand years of recorded history. From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify the geography. The food, clothing and habits of an Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/pplOG3m1omnTGnIUlZKW.flv 184 2010-01-21T01:44:32-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1892-Panama-Travel-and-Tourism.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/kfnd2YqJQaWdZAFibSTC.jpg Panama Travel and Tourism http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/kfnd2YqJQaWdZAFibSTC.flv 86 According to the CIA World Factbook, Panama has an unemployment rate of 5.6%. According to the ECLAC, the poverty rate is 28.6% as of 2006 and is expected to decline to 11% by 2009, in spite of the Global financial crisis of 2008 - 2009. Also, an alimentary surplus was registered in August 2008, and infrastructure works are progressing rapidly. On the Human Development Index Panama is ranked at number 58 (2008). The International Monetary Fund has predicted that Panama will be the fastest growing economy in Latin America in 2009. It was the second fastest growing economy in Latin America in 2008, after Peru. Since taking office in 1994 President Ernesto Perez Balladares advanced an economic liberalization program designed to liberalize the trade regime, attract foreign investment, privatize state-owned enterprises, institute fiscal discipline and privatized its two ports in 1997 and approved the sale of the railroad in early assets. Panama joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and a banking reform law was approved by the legislature in early 1998 and dismantled the Central bank. After two years of near stagnation the reforms began to take root; GDP grew by 3.6% in 1997 and grew by more than 6% in 1998. The most important sectors which drove growth were the Panama Canal and the shipping and port activities of The Colon Free Zone which also rebounded from a slow year in 1996. Panama's economy is mainly based on a well developed service sector heavily weighted towards banking, commerce, tourism, trading and private industries, because of its key geographic location. The handover of the Canal and military installations by the United States has given rise to some construction projects. A referendum regarding the building of a third set of locks for the Panama Canal was approved overwhelmingly (though with low voter turnout) on 22 October 2006. The official estimate of the building of the third set of locks is US$5.25 billion. The canal is of economic importance since it pumps millions of dollars from toll revenue to the national economy and provides massive employment. The United States had a monopoly over the Panama Canal for 85 years. However, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977 began the process of returning the canal to the Panamanian government in 1999. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/kfnd2YqJQaWdZAFibSTC.flv 187 2010-01-20T01:44:32-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1891-Panama-Travel-Video.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/KEGb5rCCJPl24ZtUPJuf.jpg Panama Travel Video http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/KEGb5rCCJPl24ZtUPJuf.flv 98 Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (Spanish: Rep??blica de Panam??; pronounced is the southernmost country of both Central America and, in turn, North America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The capital is Panama City. Panama is an international business center, and has the third or fourth largest economy in Central America. It is also the fastest growing economy and the largest per capita consumer in Central America. There are several theories about the origin of the name Panama. Some believe that the country was named after a commonly found species of trees. Others believe that the first settlers arrived in Panama in August, when butterflies abound, and that the name means many butterflies in indigenous tongue. The best known of these versions is that a village populated by fishermen originally bore the name Panam??, after a beach nearby, and that this name meant many fish. Captain Antonio Tello de Guzm??n, while exploring the Pacific side in 1515, stopped in a small indigenous fishing town by the name of Panama. This was communicated to the Crown and in 1517 Don Gaspar De Espinosa, a Spanish Lieutenant, decided to settle a front post there. In 1519, Pedrarias D??vila decided to establish the Empire's Pacific city in this site. The new settlement replaced Santa Mar??a La Antigua del Dari??n, which had lost its function within the Crown's global plan after the beginning of the Spanish exploitation of the riches in the Pacific. Blending all of the above together, Panamanians believe in general that the word Panama means abundance of fish, trees and butterflies. This is the official definition given in Social Studies textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education in Panama. Some believe the word Panama comes from the Kuna word Bannaba which means distant or far away. Kunas are one of the native tribes of the Latin American nation. Ultimately, the etymology of the word Panam?? is not very clear. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/KEGb5rCCJPl24ZtUPJuf.flv 61 2010-01-20T01:44:31-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1890-Travel-Nicaragua.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/gDlefEe3eR3gusSpeCRW.jpg Travel Nicaragua http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gDlefEe3eR3gusSpeCRW.flv 86 In 1502 Nicaragua was inhabited by over a million indigenous Indians when Christopher Columbus stopped briefly along its Caribbean coastline. Twenty years later the Spanish had established permanent settlements here in their on-going colonization efforts across the Americas, and over time, most of its original people were decimated. The Spanish colony of Nicaragua was ruled from the Spanish empire's regional capital of Guatemala, with one exception - as the British influenced (or controlled) much of its Caribbean coastline, an area inhabited by Miskito (Mosquito) Indians. After the overthrow of the Spanish King by Napoleon, Nicaragua and others declared their independence from Spain in 1821. Then, Nicaragua, as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras formed the United Provinces of Central America, but that federation quickly dissolved, and Nicaragua became an independent republic in 1838. As factions fought for control of this new country, the U.S. inserted its considerable stabilizing power, and in fact invaded Nicaragua on many occasions. In the early 20th century, the U.S. Marines left, and Nicaragua quickly fell under the repressive four-decade regime of the Somoza family. Strong resistance to that brutal regime began in the late 1970s, organized by the Sandinista National Liberation Front. The Sandinistas eventually took control of the country, instigated land reforms, as well as important health and literacy changes. The U.S. remained unhappy with the Somoza family's removal and the Reagan administration supported a heavily armed counterrevolutionary movement against the Sandinistas. They were called the Contras and they terrorized the countryside and inflicted great damage to the already weak economy. The Contras were secretly funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with revenues from the sale of weapons to Iran (Iran-Contra Scandal). Well, the civil war ended in 1990, but Nicaragua, all but destroyed by decades of fighting, would soon be dealt another tragic blow. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch arrived and became the worst natural disaster in Nicaragua's history; killing over 10,000 people, with more than 40,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and most bridges and roads simply washed away. In 2004, most of Nicaragua's international debt was forgiven by the World Bank, and though the country still struggles to survive, there is much optimism in this beautiful, yet fragile land. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gDlefEe3eR3gusSpeCRW.flv 61 2010-01-20T01:44:30-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1889-Dubrovnik-Croatia-Travel-Video.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/AmWzjOozHBDOxE0igrXy.jpg Dubrovnik, Croatia-Travel Video http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/AmWzjOozHBDOxE0igrXy.flv 95 A city of southern Croatia on a promontory jutting into the Adriatic Sea. A port and popular tourist resort, it was a center of Serbo-Croatian culture and literature in medieval times. Port city, Croatia. It is situated on the southern Adriatic coast southwest of Sarajevo. Founded in the 7th century by Roman refugees, it came under Byzantine rule after the fall of Rome. It acknowledged Venetian suzerainty (1205 ?? 1358) but remained largely independent and became a mercantile power. It was known as a centre of Slavic literature and art in the 15th ?? 17th centuries. Subjugated by Napoleon I in 1808, it was passed to Austria in 1815 and to Yugoslavia in 1918. It was bombed by the Serbs (1991 ?? 92) during Croatia's struggle for independence. The old city, enclosed by medieval city walls, contains 14th-century convents and the 15th-century Rector's Palace. Dubrovnik (d?'br??vn??k), Ital. Ragusa, city (1991 pop. 49,728), in extreme S Croatia, on a promontory of the Dalmatian coast in the Adriatic Sea. It is a port and tourist and cultural center, with some light industries. Dubrovnik was founded as Ragusium in the 7th cent. by Romans fleeing Slav incursions. Later, however, Slavic people settled in the city, which became a link between the Latin and Slavic civilizations. Ragusa became a powerful merchant republic (the term argosy derives from its name); although it was a protectorate of the Byzantine Empire until 1205, of Venice until 1358, of Hungary until 1526, and of the Ottoman Empire until 1806, it remained virtually independent until it was abolished in 1808 by Napoleon I and included in the Illyrian provs. The Congress of Vienna assigned (1815) it to Austria, and in 1918, as Dubrovnik, it was included in what became (1929) Yugoslavia. The medieval city was a center of south Slavic culture and literature. It suffered a severe earthquake in 1667 but retains much medieval architecture, notably its walls and forts, customshouse, mint, 15th-century rector's palace, and Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, with one of the oldest (1317) pharmacies in Europe. The city was heavily damaged in fighting that followed Croatia's secession from Yugoslavia in 1991, but much of the damage was repaired, and the tourism industry largely revived, by 2000. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/AmWzjOozHBDOxE0igrXy.flv 67 2010-01-20T01:44:29-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1888-Travel-Prince-Edward-Island.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/0QYhubGRralnoiKbCHQ4.jpg Travel Prince Edward Island http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/0QYhubGRralnoiKbCHQ4.flv 147 A province of southeast Canada consisting of Prince Edward Island in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. It joined the confederacy in 1873. The island was discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and named ??le St. Jean by Samuel de Champlain in 1603. It was renamed in 1798 after Edward, Duke of Kent (1767-1820), the father of Queen Victoria. Charlottetown is the capital and the largest city. Population: 136,000. Prince Edward Island was ceded by France in 1763, becoming a separate colony in 1769. It was called St John's Island until 1799. Although the dominion of Canada was planned at a conference in Charlottetown, the island's capital, in 1864, Prince Edward Island remained aloof until 1873. Agriculture and fishing have long dominated the economy. Since earliest settlement, fishing has been important, yielding an abundance of lobsters, oysters, halibut, mackerel, and herring. Livestock, fruit, and vegetables are produced, and potatoes are exported. Because of the lack of raw materials and cheap sources of power, manufacturing is largely limited to food processing, such as the making of butter and cheese and the canning of pork and lobsters. There has been little diversification of the economy, but the tourist industry has grown. Sites and events associated with Anne of Green Gables, the story by islander Lucy Maud Montgomery, draw many visitors, and the Confederation Bridge is expected to greatly increase tourism. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/0QYhubGRralnoiKbCHQ4.flv 62 2010-01-20T01:44:28-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1887-Travel-Canada-Travel-Victoria.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/sIZS1kgrFYLzQhTcNdWq.jpg Travel Canada Travel Victoria http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sIZS1kgrFYLzQhTcNdWq.flv 131 Victoria, British Columbia is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and is the capital city of Canada's most westerly province. Airline and ferry service connects greater Victoria to BC's lower mainland and Washington State. Victoria, Canada is known around the world for its beautiful architecture, lovely parks and gardens and breathtaking ocean views. Victoria is Canada's most British city. Double-decker buses and old elegant hotels help contribute to its old world charm. From Victoria, the west coast beaches and rain forests can easily be reached. The Gulf Islands northeast of Victoria are also a popular destination for recreation and touring. The Comox Valley, to the north, is also a popular tourist destination. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/sIZS1kgrFYLzQhTcNdWq.flv 62 2010-01-20T01:44:27-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1886-Playboy-Playmate-Bridget-loves-Croatia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/a1PylK0JBfDYjZPHhT3C.jpg Playboy Playmate Bridget loves Croatia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/a1PylK0JBfDYjZPHhT3C.flv 218 Nicknamed the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik, has a wealth of attractions for visitors. The city's seafront location, coupled with its beautiful and historic old town, is helping Dubrovnik make a come back to its top spot as a destination in the Dalmatia area. Situated at the edge of the Adriatic Sea in the very south of Croatia, Dubrovnik is rich in history and natural beauty. With bays, beaches, steep cliffs and dense woodland areas, Dubrovnik's landscape is unexpected. Although severely damaged in the attack by the Serbs and Montenegrins in the fall of 1991, Dubrovnik's impressive medieval architecture and its beautiful Mediterranean landscape still remain. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/a1PylK0JBfDYjZPHhT3C.flv 60 2010-01-20T01:44:26-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1885-Croatia-Istria-Umag---Travel-Destination.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/MQBldjYsECugPYoJDbCw.jpg Croatia Istria Umag - Travel Destination http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MQBldjYsECugPYoJDbCw.flv 148 Umag is a picturesque small Mediterranean town - harbour, the Croatian gate to Europe, the first tourist destination you come across on arrival to the northern part of the Adriatic coast. Umag has excellent road and air connections with all large towns in the world (at only 50 nautical miles from the famous Venice!). It is located in an attractive bay with one of the most prestigious ACI marinas awarded the Blue Flag. Its natural beauties, the history and tradition of the old town of Umag and of the surrounding Istrian area, a warm Mediterranean climate with an abundance of sunshine during most months of the year and high quality hotels, campsites, apartments and bungalows make Umag an ideal vacation place for the whole family. The history of Umag is exceptionally interesting: In ancient times it was discovered by Roman aristocracy who adopted it for their summer residence.The town has preserved parts of the town walls and defence towers, Renaissance and Baroque houses and churches, the most famous among them being the parish church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and the church of St. Peregrine. Umag is a widely known site of the international ATP tennis tournament, which has been successfully organized since 1990. The Arena in Pula, the Roman amphitheatre is located in the centre of Pula. It was built in 1st century BC and took its present form in 1st century when it could seat about 20,000 spectators. It served for gladiator fights that took place in it until 5th century. Due to Umag??s stormy history the buildings from the Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages were completely destroyed. The present historical core has inherited the urban structure of the Middle Ages. There are numerous reminders of that era: wall remains, Venetian villas and above all, picturesque narrow streets. The one that is best preserved is also the oldest one ?? the west tower now housing the Museum of Umag, keeper of a valuable collection of archaeological artefacts found on the site of the town of Umag. Not far from Umag, on the Rosazzo promontory there is a small, very old Church of St. Peregrine. It was built by the inhabitants of Umag to mark the spot where, during the Diocletian era. Between Savudrija and Umag during low tides a small 200 m long and 50 m wide promontory and a pile of stones rise from the sea: These are the only remains of the ancient Castle of Sipar from the 5th century. The town of Siparis existed here during the Roman era, a proof of this being the foundations of villas and houses, mosaics, marble, ceramic, urns and coins found in this location, all dating from the era of Constantine and Valerius. Sipar was totally plundered and destroyed in 876 by the Neretvian pirates led by the Ban Domagoj and never regained its previous significance. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MQBldjYsECugPYoJDbCw.flv 72 2010-01-20T01:44:25-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1884-travel-to-Vianden-Castle-Luxembourg.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/4S4C0MjkKUwayMJXWeNj.jpg Vianden Castle Luxembourg http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/4S4C0MjkKUwayMJXWeNj.flv 106 Vianden is a town in Luxembourg. Vianden Castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries on the foundations of a Roman 'castellum' and a Carolingian refuge. It is one of the largest and most beautiful feudal residences of the romanesque and gothic periods in Europe. Vianden (Luxembourgish: Veianen) is a commune with city status in the Oesling, north-eastern Luxembourg, with over 1,500 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/4S4C0MjkKUwayMJXWeNj.flv 239 2010-01-20T01:44:24-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1883-travel-to-Place-Stanislas---Nancy-France.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2QtJOZUfYDVwHob0DZhE.jpg Place Stanislas - Nancy France http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2QtJOZUfYDVwHob0DZhE.flv 133 Town square, Stanislas statue pointing to the north, fountains and wrought iron gates in the two northern corners. Built by Stanislas, Duke of Lorraine and former King of Poland, in the 18th century. The surrounding buildings are all in a single, classic style, adding to the grandeur of the square. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2QtJOZUfYDVwHob0DZhE.flv 45 2010-01-20T01:44:23-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1882-travel-to-The-Grand-Duchy-of-Luxembourg.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/cIStUCUvN5swn2fPXfzy.jpg The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/cIStUCUvN5swn2fPXfzy.flv 157 The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a landlocked country in the Benelux bordered by Belgium, France and Germany, lying at the crossroad of Germanic and Latin cultures. It is the only Grand Duchy in the world and is the second-smallest of the European Union member states. With a successful steel, finance and high technology industry, a strategic location at the heart of Western Europe, more natural beauty than you might expect given its size, and as one of the top three richest countries in the world, Luxembourg enjoys a very high standard of living and has prices to match! Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a Grand Duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, Luxembourg was one of the major battlefields of the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945, a story well documented in the museum at Diekirch. The state ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/cIStUCUvN5swn2fPXfzy.flv 78 2010-01-20T01:44:22-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1881-travel-to-Bruxells-Belgium.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/KjXhYrDWVS4TbY3RLod0.jpg Bruxells Belgium http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/KjXhYrDWVS4TbY3RLod0.flv 141 Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. As headquarters of many European institutions, Brussels might also be considered something of a capital for the European Union. Being at the crossroads of cultures (the Germanic in the North and the Romance in the South) and playing an important role in Europe, Brussels fits the definition of the archetypal melting pot, but still retains its own unique character. Population of the Brussels metropolitan area is just over 2 million. As Brussels became the capital city of a new country in the 19th century, the old town was destroyed to make way for brand new ministries, palaces, schools, army barracks and office blocks all built between 1880 and 1980. Unfortunately, that is why such a disappointingly small historic centre (one square and four adjacent streets) was preserved, and why most tourists only visit Brussels as an afterthought. Travellers concentrate on the classic top 4 of Belgium :Bruges, Kemmelberg, Kortrijk and Oostende. Brussels operates as a bilingual city where both French and Dutch are official languages. Thus all the streets have two names, which can sound totally different. For example, the Main Square is called both la Grand Place and de Grote Markt. Although French is the lingua franca, West-Flemmish can be very useful, especially in the European District. English is also widely understood, but not always widely spoken. You can see what's going on in Brussels by picking up a copy of local free city rag Zone 02. Another good free listings paper is Agenda, which is distributed together with the dutch-language weekly Brussel Deze Week and has the notable advantage of being published in three languages (English, Dutch, French). Both of these are distributed in caf??s and bars around the city. If you're looking for a good party, online listing Net Events (French and Dutch) and Ready2Move, are a good place to start. Brussels Agenda is the official cultural and entertainment agenda of the City of Brussels and the francophone M??diatheque have a website featuring the upcoming concerts in Brussels and the rest of Belgium. Be aware, however, that their listings page is specialised so it only features the concerts the M??diatheque staff are interested in. The most widely read English magazine is The Bulletin which, apart from covering Belgian and EU news, also offers arts and lifestyle stories, as well as in-depth events listings and a TV guide. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/KjXhYrDWVS4TbY3RLod0.flv 263 2010-01-20T01:44:21-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1880-travel-to-Belgium-Europe.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/GotlpEs2xtgaVRMreqs2.jpg Belgium Europe http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/GotlpEs2xtgaVRMreqs2.flv 116 Belgium is a low-lying country on the North Sea coast in the Benelux. With the majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of the Belgian capital of Brussels, and as a member of the long-standing international Benelux community, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. Its immediate neighbors are France to the southwest, Luxembourg to the southeast, Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north. Belgium is a densely populated country trying to balance the conflicting demands of urbanization, transportation, industry, commercial and intensive agriculture. It imports large quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactured goods, mostly to the EU. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830. It was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II and has many war graves near the battle zones, most of them are around Ieper (in English archaically rendered as Ypres, with Yperite another name for mustard gas due to intensive use there in WWI). It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/GotlpEs2xtgaVRMreqs2.flv 192 2010-01-20T01:44:20-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1879-travel-to-Ghent-Belgium.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/yqbNSgzkWUzLPhJN2yyz.jpg Ghent Belgium http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/yqbNSgzkWUzLPhJN2yyz.flv 139 Ghent is a city in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium. Ghent (Gent in Dutch; Gand in French) is a city with a population of a quarter of a million. Its size and position allow the inhabitants to enjoy a city with an interesting crossover between open cosmopolitanism and the quiet atmosphere of a provincial town. Ghent is thriving as many young people choose to live here instead of in the narrow-minded countryside or the crowded and disintegrating city centers of Brussels and Antwerp. Ghent is a city of history. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Europe, in some quarters considered second only to Paris (the Italian peninsula excluded). The impact of this rich past can be clearly seen when viewing the imposing architecture of churches and the houses of rich traders. The whole of the city center is restored in this fashion, and still breathes the atmosphere of a thriving late-medieval city state. As the city council made the center free of cars, it is now a very welcoming and open area, which does not fail to impress even the people who live there. Ghent is also a university city with more than 50,000 students. As such, its streets are filled with young people. But, unlike Leuven, another university town in Flanders, youth is not the only category of people living there. There is an interesting mixture of foreigners who came to live there, or artists, amongst the native people of Ghent. Interestingly, other than the smaller provincial cities or the bigger city of Antwerp, this mixture makes the people more tolerant and open-minded. This atmosphere seeps into every aspect of city life. Many people of Ghent truly see the place like home, and are very proud to live there, seeing it as a place that will always welcome them back home. Have a look at the official website of Tourism Ghent for more information Visit Gent. Ghent provides an excellent and affordable sample of Flemish cuisine, which in the eyes of the locals is one of Europe's finest as it combines French delicacy with German sturdiness. Try some local specialties like mussels, spare ribs or 'stoverij' (a kind of tender meat cooked for three hours in dark beer with a brown gravy) with Belgian fries. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/yqbNSgzkWUzLPhJN2yyz.flv 218 2010-01-20T01:44:19-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1878-travel-to-Kathmandu-Nepal.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/xjHHxf2IFnt22j4iOJgF.jpg Kathmandu Nepal http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/xjHHxf2IFnt22j4iOJgF.flv 223 Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is now a hub for independent travelers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. Visas are available on arrival for citizens of most countries, and one passport-sized photograph is required. To complete the process, you must pay a fee: Transit ($5), 15 day ($25), 30 day ($40) or 90 day ($100.) Make sure that you fill in all of the forms and keep your departure card for when you want to leave. Facilities for taking passport-sized photographs are available near the immigration desk, though it saves a lot of time if they are prepared before arrival. SAARC nationals are exempt from visa fees. There are no trains to Kathmandu, renting a car without a driver is not a reasonable option. You can hire bikes in Kathmandu and ride up, but you need to be brave. Alternatively, catch a bus. Check with other travelers to find a safe bus line (Green Line Golden Travels have been recommended), some are quite dangerous and travel at stupid speeds through mountain passes. Many hotels will pick you up from the airport if you give them advanced notice. Otherwise, you can use a pre-paid taxi (the stand is on your right as you come out of baggage reclaim/arrivals.) The first thing many visitors may notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of street names (except for major roads such as Tri Devi and Ring Road) and address numbers. In most cases directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market) or a noteworthy building such as a temple or restaurant. In the tourist district of Thamel, the Kathmandu Guest House and Hot Breads bakery are two main landmarks. It is possible to get across the city by foot, but it is not always a pleasant walk and you may want to consider a rickshaw for anything more than wandering around a specific area. Rickshaws are bicycle driven; the motorized ones have been banned from the valley in a bid to check rising pollution. Rickshaws can hardly be found outside the tourist area of Thamel, however, since they are mostly only used by the tourists. Negotiate on a price before you get in, if you can't agree, just look for another driver. Prices go up after dark and in less busy areas. Taxis are easy to find; they park near all major streets and have fare-meters. The day rate should start at 10 NPR and tick over at 4.80 NPR; after 9PM, at 15 NPR ticking over at 7.20 NPR. The meter is your best bet if you are not confident enough to negotiate. After 11PM, taxis can be harder to find outside Thamel. There are also buses and taxis for longer trips within the valley, ie Patan and Bakhtapur, and can be used for trips in town. It should be possible to hire a taxi for considerably less than 300rs one-way to Patan and 1,000-3,000rs to Bakhtapur from Thamel or the airport. For longer trips and to hire them by the day negotiate with the driver. See below for tips on traveling outside of the valley. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/xjHHxf2IFnt22j4iOJgF.flv 177 2010-01-20T01:44:18-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1877-travel-to-oslo-the-capital-of-Norway.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/vzpPwptYJmqFaqKzajYa.jpg Oslo the capital of Norway http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/vzpPwptYJmqFaqKzajYa.flv 147 Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, and the third largest city of Scandinavia. Following the latest reform of January 1, 2004, the city is divided into fifteen boroughs (bydeler) that are to a considerable extent self governed. Each borough is responsible for local services not overseen by the City Council, such as social services, basic healthcare, and kindergartens. For convience, and as most of the boroughs do not contain that much of interest, the city can be divided into five larger districts. Oslo is the demographic, economic and political centre of Norway. As a tourist destination Oslo is overshadowed by the natural landscape of more rural parts of the country, and the other large cities like Bergen and Trondheim which tend to be more typically Norwegian. Nevertheless, Oslo has plenty of sights, good nightlife and is worth seeing. The history of the city can be traced back over 1,000 years, although according to the chronicles of Snorre Sturlason, Oslo was founded in 1048, by the king Harald Hardr?de. The city became capital of Norway around 1300, but lost its privileges during the Danish-Norwegian union from 1348 to 1814. In 1624, a fire devastated old Oslo, and the city was moved some kilometres west to gain protection from the fortress at Akershus. The city was renamed Christiania, after the danish king Christian IV, a name that remained until it was officially renamed on January 1st 1925 to Oslo. Traces have been found close to [Ekeberg] indicating settlement as far back as 10,000 bc. After the devastating 1624 fire, old Oslo (around the mouth of river Aker) was largely abandoned and the ruins converted to farmland. Today, a few church ruins are still visible under the Ekeberg hill (across the water from the new operahouse, between road E18 and the railway). Beyond these ruins there are virtually nothing remaining of medieval Oslo. Ironically, the new city Christiania was established outside the borders of Oslo, and 'Oslo' remained the name of the small, surviving settlement outside the new city borders. During Christiania's rapid expansion in the 19th century, as the capital of a new state, the site of original Oslo (old Oslo, or 'Gamlebyen') was included in the city. Due to the rapid inclusion of surrounding agricultural areas in the 19th century, a large number of remains from the city's farming history is still clearly visible in place names and farm houses. Nice parks like St. Hanshaugen is the remain of original pastures and sources of firewood for the city's inhabitants. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/vzpPwptYJmqFaqKzajYa.flv 61 2010-01-20T01:44:17-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1876-travel-to-Plock-Poland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/WACHgkGaPO1NsWzyPQcN.jpg Plock Poland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/WACHgkGaPO1NsWzyPQcN.flv 165 Plock is a town of 127 000 inhabitants (agglomeration of 203 000) located in central Poland. The town is situated on the river Vistula (Wisla in Polish). Plock is of special interest to fans of Art Nouveau, or secesja in Polish. If you are looking for an undiscovered tourist attraction away from the main touristic corridors, P?ock is a good bet. Silent, picturesque, interesting. Recommended for a day or two. Public transport in P?ock seems not to work properly, and there is no transparent bus network schedule. Buses are old with no air conditioning. They mostly do not go directly to the historic center. Schedules are not convenient. While in the city center, walking is the best transport mode, although the distances are long. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/WACHgkGaPO1NsWzyPQcN.flv 514 2010-01-20T01:44:16-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1875-travel-to-Legnica-Poland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/Jrd1JvEVEkaxIx0bKuhj.jpg Legnica Poland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Jrd1JvEVEkaxIx0bKuhj.flv 117 Legnica (German: Liegnitz) is a city on the Kaczawa river in south-western Poland. According to official figures for June 2009, it has a total population of 104,393. The city was formerly known in Polish as Lignica; it was officially renamed Legnica in 1946, after it had passed to Poland from Germany following World War II. Since 1999 Legnica has been part of Lower Silesian Voivodeship (from 1975 to 1998 it was the administrative seat of the former Legnica Voivodeship). The city constitutes a separate urban gmina and city county, as well as being the seat of Legnica County (which surrounds but does not include the city). After the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II, Liegnitz and all of Silesia east of the Neisse river was transferred to Poland following the Potsdam Conference in 1945. The German population was expelled from between 1945 and 1947 and replaced with Poles and, as the medieval Polish name Lignica was considered archaic, the town was renamed Legnica. The transfer to Poland decided at Potsdam in 1945 was officially recognized by East Germany in 1950, by West Germany under Chancellor Willy Brandt in the Treaty of Warsaw signed in 1970, and finally by the reunited Germany by the Two Plus Four Agreement in 1990. By 1990 only a handful of Polonized Germans, pre-war citizens of Liegnitz, remained of the pre-1945 German population. The city was only partly damaged in World War II. After 1965 most parts of the preserved old town with its precious town houses were demolished, the historical layout of a city was abolished and the city was rebuilt in modern forms. From 1945 to 1990, during the Cold War, the headquarters of the Soviet forces in Poland, the so-called Northern Group of Forces, was located in the city. This fact had a strong influence on the life of the city. For much of the period, the city was divided into Polish and Soviet areas, with the latter closed to the public. These were first established in July 1945, when the Soviets forcibly ejected newly arrived Polish inhabitants from the parts of the city they wanted for their own use. The ejection was perceived by some as a particularly brutal action, and rumours circulated exaggerating its severity, though no evidence of anyone being killed in the course of it has come to light. In April 1946 city officials estimated that they were 16,700 Poles, 12,800 Germans, and 60,000 Russians in Legnica. The last Soviet units left the city in 1993. In the 1950s and 1960s the local copper and nickel industries became a major factor in the economic development of the area. Until the winter of 2003, the longest osobowy (standard railway train stopping at every station, in contrast to fast and express trains) train service in Poland ran from Katowice to Legnica. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Jrd1JvEVEkaxIx0bKuhj.flv 136 2010-01-20T01:44:15-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1874-travel-to-Lodz-Poland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/OltaKrZFo3eQAO0fxrxD.jpg Lodz Poland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/OltaKrZFo3eQAO0fxrxD.flv 143 Lodz is Poland's third biggest city and an important industrial centre. The city, dubbed the Polish Manchester, has been famous for its textile industry, flourishing especially during the fin de si??cle. The movie Promised Land based on a novel by the Nobel laureate WLadysLaw Reymont, depicts those times. Lodz is the capital of the Lodzkie Voivodship. The exact origin of the city's name is unknown, however, the word Lodz translates to boat in English. This is referred to in the emblem and when you hear the dwellers of Lodz (Lodzianin (men) Lodzianka (women) Lodzianie (plural)) calling themselves the boat people. A settlement on the area of present-day Lodz was first established in the 14th century and in 1423 it has been granted a town charter, along with the right to have a marketplace. However, the real development of Lodz starts with the industrial era at the beginning of the 19th century when the city was chosen to be the heart of the rapidly-growing textile industry. The population of Lodz soared from some 4k people in the 1830s and 40k in 1865 to over 300k inhabitants at the turn of the century, which was an unprecedented growth on a worldwide scale. The rapid development of Lodz in the second half of the 19th century was brought about by the rise of enormous industrialist fortunes. New inhabitants, craftsmen and merchants came to Lodz; markets and town fairs came to life. The profits obtained from prosperous textile mills opened up practically unlimited possibilities for their owners. The city residences became expressions of the riches and power of the local tycoons. They were usually situated next to the owner's factory. Andrzej Wajda's movie The Promised Land portrays Lodz's 19th century heyday. Ever since the industrial revolution bringing a massive influx of workforce, Lodz has been a city almost equally divided between four cultures - Polish, Jewish, German and Russian. The day before the outbreak of World War II, Lodz was inhabited by approximately 672,000 people, among whom 35% were of Jewish faith and some 15% were ethnic German. During the Nazi occupation, Lodz was incorporated directly into the Third Reich. The city was renamed to Litzmannstadt, and Piotrkowska Street was called Adolf-Hitler-Strasse. Although the city was not destroyed in the aftermath, the material losses were serious as the machinery, raw materials and finished goods have been taken away by the fleeing Nazis. The day before the liberation, about 80,000 Germans left Lodz in panic. At the beginning of 1945, the number of population was estimated at 300,000. In recent years, Lodz was seemingly forgotten by the government, investors, and travelers in favor for other cities, such as Krakow, Warsaw, and Wroclaw. As a result, there's a strange atmosphere in Lodz ??? streets are littered with cracks and potholes, soviet architecture can be the norm in some areas, and for a city of 760,000 aglomeration 1.428,000 there doesn't seem to be much, at first glance ??? compared to Warsaw , which are revered for their many qualities. However, there are signs of this changing now with Lodz campaigning and redesigning itself as a up-and-coming destination. To accomplish this, Lodz has been capitalizing on it's film history ??? Lodz is jokingly referred to as the HollyLodz of Poland ??? by creating and hosting several film festivals. Lodz has also begun actively campaigning to be the European Capital of Culture in 2016. Lodz today may not have the glitz and glamour of its heyday, however there is a certain charm to Lodz in its partially renovated fa??ades and leitmotivs, not to mention its large artistic traditions, even if not immediately evident. With a little bit of persistence, you'll see the magic Lodz has to offer. For a different and eye-opening experience of the world and its cultures, Lodz is certainly a recommended destination. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/OltaKrZFo3eQAO0fxrxD.flv 403 2010-01-20T01:44:14-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1873-travel-to-Bonn-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/OeqQydUdmsU2GyehWsGg.jpg Bonn Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/OeqQydUdmsU2GyehWsGg.flv 143 Bonn was the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and lies on the river Rhine some 20 km south of Cologne. The city remains a popular choice for large-scale exhibitions and conferences. Bonn is best known culturally as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Population 315,000. Bonn's beginning dates between 13 - 9 BC when Romans began building roads, bridges, and fortresses at a location known as Bonna. One well documented event was the maryrdom of two Thebaean legionaries. The Thebaean Legion was an all Christian legion, which refused to worship the emperor as a god. As punishment, the Thebaean Legion's commander, Mauritius was executed in St. Moritz as were many other Thebaean legionaries including Cassius and Florentius, Bonn's patron saints, who were martyred at the location of the present-day M?nster basilica. After the Romans left, the town had a very tumultuous history. Bonn has been destroyed and pummeled on so many occasions that it nearly became a pastime. Norman invaders were the first to burn the town to the ground in 881 and again in 892. In 1198, King Philip of Swabia and Duke Heinrich von Brabant layed siege to Bonn. In 1244 Konrad von Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne ordered Bonn to be fortified. The reasons for fortrification may have been for the Archbishop's protection as he had apparently begun fighting with Cologne's leaders and often resided in Bonn after the dispute. In 1288 under Sigfried II von Westerburg the archbishopric was transferred from Cologne to Bonn, which has since been transfered back to Cologne. In 1582 Archbishop Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg converted to Calvinism and refused to give up his position as elector. In February of 1583 Waldburg married and was in April of the same year excommunicated by Pope Gregory XIII. After the Truschessian War Gebhard fled to Strassbourg, but not before Bonn felt the rapture of Bavarian troops, who blew up the Godesberg (the archbishop's residence) with 1,500 pounds of gun powder. While the town survived the Thirty Years war Bonn was completely destroyed in 1689 as a result of the War of the Grand Alliance. In December 1770 Bonn's most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven, was born on Bonngasse. Bonn is probably best known as Beethoven's birth place and this fact is well advertised by the city despite Beethoven's vehement disgust towards his hometown. Beethoven spent some time in Vienna hoping to study with Mozart, but after his mother's death he was forced to return to Bonn for five years to raise his two younger brothers since his alcoholic father was unable to. In 1792 Beethoven returned to Vienna and never came back to Bonn. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/OeqQydUdmsU2GyehWsGg.flv 201 2010-01-20T01:44:13-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1872-travel-to-osnabrueck-Germany.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2cLbmhHwezjQ3SGeMBIO.jpg Osnabrueck Germany http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2cLbmhHwezjQ3SGeMBIO.flv 122 Osnabrueck is a city in Lower Saxony. Osnabrueck is a typical mid-sized German town. It is home to around 160,000 people and a recent survey proved them to be the most content citizens in Germany. Osnabrueck has seen its share of history and war. It was the ultimate city where the 30 Years War ended and over 2/3 of the city was then destroyed in World War II. The city is most easily navigated by city/regional bus. The Stadwerke Osnabruck operates standard daytime as well as NachtBus (night) service on Friday and Saturday. The have an online trip planner as well as digital signs as bus stops to inform you of the current predicted wait time. Fare information is posted inside all shelter and most bus operators speak some English. Tickets are bought from the bus operator of from vending machines on the Neumarkt. Bus operators are obliged to give change if you over-pay in cash. Some Osnabrueckers choose to ride a bicycle to move themselves through the city. While utilizing the red-colored cycling lanes in Osnabr?ck one should exert much caution. These lanes are often narrow, at street level, and/or shared with the city buses and taxis. This leads to a least one bicyclist death a year in Osnabr?ck. Please do use your best judegment and walk your bike on the sidewalk if you feel uncomfortable. Aditionally there are many places where bicycles (and all cars) are forbidden in the city center. If you are riding on a street where there are no cars, be sure to double check that bicycles are not forbidden, because the police will stop you. The Osnabruecker Rathaus (city hall) played a key role in the end of the 30 years war. In celebration with the authorities in nearby M?nster, a peace treaty was signed. The Felix Nusbaum Museum is an art gallery dedicated to the Osnabrueck native, Felix Nussbaum, a Jewish painter who was executed at Auschwitz during the World War 2. Heger Tor and the neighbor old city are remnants of an earlier manifestation of Osnabrueck. Two-thirds of the city was flatted during World War II, so, there are limited remnants of original pre-war buildings. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2cLbmhHwezjQ3SGeMBIO.flv 216 2010-01-20T01:44:12-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1871-travel-to-Hurghada-Egypt.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/MJOTOiTxzRYc2XTMFXHT.jpg Hurghada Egypt http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MJOTOiTxzRYc2XTMFXHT.flv 122 Hurghada is a resort town on the Red Sea Coast of Egypt. On the West bank of the Red sea, Hurghada become (mainly since the early 1990) more popular with East European and Russian tourists. Being a modern town, Hurghada lacks any historical or noteworthy sites, but is useful for its ferry and air connections to the rest of the region. Coral reefs can be found offshore, but compared to the Sinai, they are damaged and of poor quality. The town itself comprises almost completely of large all inclusive resorts overlooking the beaches. Hurghada also has a reputation for being quite sleazy, and Eastern European prostitutes abound. There are however some good options to tour the surrounding beautiful Eastern Desert, and water sports are available. Of course, the main reason to visit Hurghada is for the beautiful Red Sea, which is excellent for diving or snorkeling. If you aren't licenced to dive, it is often possible to snorkel and see incredible coral reefs and hundreds of varieties of tropical fish just 10 meters from the beach. Again, either your hotel will have dive escorts on site, or they can arrange a scuba diving expedition with guides. In late March, the water is still quite cold (21 Celsius), so a wet suit is necessary, and even snorkeling in a bathing suit is too cold after about 10 minutes. It is also windy in late March; sustained 20 MPH are common. Make sure your Beach resort Hotel provides wind screens on the Beach. Hurghada has a variety of activities for those who enjoy the sea and the beach. Activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, para sailing, jetskis. You can also ride a glass boat (a boat with a glass bottom) where you can see the amazing coral reefs and underwater scenery. For those of you who want to have a desert adventure you can also ride motorbikes or beach buggies into the desert. Hurghada offers many activities not to be found anywhere else on Earth. Quad-biking hundreds of miles into the Sahara desert for tea with a Bedoin tribe, then camel-riding across Biblical plains to see remote and ancient wonders; diving and snorkeling around a vibrant and colourful coral reef; boat trips to the unpopulated Big and Little Gifton islands; swimming in the warm sea; good shopping; excellent and varied cuisine from across the world... if you were to choose to stay in your hotel complex for the duration of your break, you'd miss out on so much more than you bargained for. Those new to Egypt will find Karkaday (a drink made from an infusion of hibiscus, served hot or cold and reputed to have many health benefits) and Chi (local version of tea, usually served in a glass) offered everywhere. Both are delicious, and will usually come replete with a smoke on a sheesha pipe, known in the West as a Hookah. Sheeshas are used for smoking molasses tobacco in various flavours, with the smoke passing through water before inhalation through a long tube attached to the bowl. Although they may resemble a device used to smoke illicit substances in the west, (i.e, a bong), sheesha contains nothing illegal. Visits to Cairo and Luxor, and indeed multi-stop breaks, are popular from Hurghada. Sharm-El-Sheikh and the Sinai peninsula (containing two of the oldest Christian temples in the world, St Catherine's and St Anthony's) is but a short hop away. Cruise across the Red Sea to the uninhabited island of Giftun surrounded by magical coral gardens. Enjoy a lazy day on the white sand or swim amongst the coral reefs. This great day trip is hard to skip when you're in Hurghada, so don't miss out! yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MJOTOiTxzRYc2XTMFXHT.flv 91 2010-01-20T01:44:11-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1870-travel-to-The-Ring-of-Kerry-Ireland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2tvOoGCAXAAv1H1b3dSd.jpg The Ring of Kerry Ireland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2tvOoGCAXAAv1H1b3dSd.flv 181 The Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. The route covers the 179 km circular road (N70, N71 and R562), starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin. Popular points include Muckross House (near Killarney), Staigue stone fort and Derrynane House, home of Daniel O'Connell. Just south of Killarney, Ross Castle, Lough Leane, and Ladies View (a panoramic viewpoint), all located within Killarney National Park, are major attractions located along the Ring. A more complete list of major attractions along the Ring of Kerry includes: Gap of Dunloe, Bog Village, Rossbeigh Beach, Cahersiveen Heritage Centre, Derrynane House, Skellig Experience, Staigue Fort, Kenmare Lace, Moll's Gap, Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, The Blue Pool, Ross Castle, Ogham Stones, St Mary???s Cathedral, Muckross Abbey, Franciscan Friary, Kellegy Church, O???Connell Memorial Church, Sneem Church and Cemetery, Skellig Michael, Beehive Cells and the Stone Pillars marking an important grave. There is also an established walking path named The Kerry Way, which takes its own route, and a signposted Ring of Kerry cycling path which uses older quieter roads where possible. The Kerry Way roughly follows the scenic driving route of the Ring of Kerry. There are numerous variations to the route taking in St. Finian's Bay and Valentia Island which the official driving ring misses (the official cycling route takes in Valentia island). The Ring of Kerry has much to offer in terms of attractions. Not only does it have some of Europe's finest beaches, but also offers the Gap of Dunloe, Bog Village, Derrynane House, the Skellig Experience Valentia Island, Molls Gap, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and Ross Castle. The Ring is a popular day trip and numerous bus companies offer trips during the summer months. As the narrow roads make it difficult for tour coaches to pass, all tour buses run in an anti-clockwise (or counter-clockwise) direction, traveling via Killorglin first. It is recommended that car owners travel in the opposite direction, going first to Kenmare to avoid delays caused by tour buses. In 2008 satellite navigation systems were blamed for directing bus drivers in a clockwise direction around the route. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2tvOoGCAXAAv1H1b3dSd.flv 61 2010-01-20T01:44:10-06:00 4.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1869-travel-to-Dromoland-Castles-Ireland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/vkGsulJjuPm11nh5mOdR.jpg Dromoland Castles Ireland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/vkGsulJjuPm11nh5mOdR.flv 118 Dromoland Castle is a castle, now a luxury hotel with golf course, located near Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. The present building was completed in 1835. However the first building constructed here seems to have been a 15th or early 16th century tower house and is recorded as being erected by Thomas, the son of Shane Mac Anerheny. There were at least three houses on the site, at various times, called Dromoland. While Dromoland later became residence of eight generations of the O'Brien family, early records suggest that the area was also occupied by other local Gaelic families, such as the McInerney family during the 16th century. According to the historian James Frost, Dromoland translates as the Hill of Litigation. In 1551 Dromoland was listed in the will of Murrough O'Brien. He was first Tanist and in 1543 had been granted the title of first Earl of Thomond by Henry VIII. Murrough bequeathed Leamaneh Castle to his third son Donough MacMurrough O'Brien. He also gave him the castle and lands at Dromoland. In 1582 Donough was hanged in Limerick on charges of rebellion. The government decided that all his property would be forfeited to the Queen. Sir George Cusack, the sheriff, took possession of Dromoland. Some years later, Turlough O'Brien killed Cusack and various O'Briens attempted to re-possess Dromoland. The fourth Earl of Thomond claimed to have sole ownership and tried to exclude Donough's son, Conor MacDonough O'Brien. The outcome of this dispute is unclear. In 1604 when Conor O'Brien died he left Dromoland to his son, Donough MacConor O'Brien. Donough, whose mother was Slany O'Brien, was then only about eight years old. A legal battle ensued between the fourth Earl and Slany O'Brien. The dispute was settled by arbitration in 1613. The Earl, by now Lord Thomond, became owner of Dromoland on payment of ??132.13.4. in compensation to Slany O'Brien. When Donough was older, he refused to abide by the settlement. By 1614 a William Starkey was leasing Dromoland from Lord Thomond. By 1628 Lord Thomond was dead and Donough continued the dispute through the Court of Wards and Liveries in Dublin. In 1629 Donough was granted entry on all the manors, lands and tenements of his late father on payment of a fine. However, Dromoland was not listed among the many properties named, and it rested with the Earls of Thomond for another fifty years. The fifth Earl did transfer two other properties to Donough as compensation. Robert Starkey, son of William, was in residence at Dromoland when the rebellion of 1641 began. It seems that he either fled the area or sublet the property. In 1642 Col. Conor O'Brien of Leamaneh, son of Donough and husband of Maire Rua, seized the castle along with a Captain McInerhenny, the leaders of the Irish force, who surprised the guards through help of Starkey's assistant Moran. Conor was killed in battle in 1651. His eldest son Donough, born to Conor and Maire Rua in 1642, was heir to Leamaneh Castle and to the family claim on Dromoland. In addition, Donough inherited large landholdings from his half-brother, William O'Neylan (O'Neillan) (1635-78) of Dysert, to whose father Daniel, Marie Rua had been married from 1634 until his untimely death in 1639. Robert Starkey resumed the lease and in 1666 Dromoland was sub-leased to Colonel Daniel O'Brien from Carrigaholt Castle. Three years later, it was assigned to Thomas Walcott of Moyhill. Finally, in 1684 the freehold was assigned to Donough O'Brien. At this time Dromoland was a modest house. The original tower house seems to have been added onto during Starkey's time, before Donough moved in from Leamaneh. Through the years visitors to Dromoland have written various descriptions of it. Sir Donough, 1st Baronet, died in 1717. During his time at Dromoland, it was described as a handsome Grecian Building. Donough's son Lucius also died in 1717 so Edward, son of Lucius, became 2nd Baronet. This first Sir Edward O'Brien decorated the house with pictures and carvings. He also had designs drawn up for a new house. Thomas Roberts and yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/vkGsulJjuPm11nh5mOdR.flv 80 2010-01-20T01:44:09-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1868-travel-to-Carcassonne-France.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/tY3GxJkUrXQdqZ0CjngV.jpg Carcassonne France http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/tY3GxJkUrXQdqZ0CjngV.flv 100 Carcassonne (Occitan: Carcassona) is a fortified French town in the Aude d??partement, of which it is the prefecture, in the former province of Languedoc. It is separated into the fortified Cit?? de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, the ville basse. The folk etymology ??? involving a ch??telaine named Carcas, a ruse ending a siege and the joyous ringing of bells (Carcas sona) - though memorialized in a neo-Gothic sculpture of Mme. Carcas on a column near the Narbonne Gate, is of modern invention. The fortress, which was thoroughly restored in 1853 by the theorist and architect Eug??ne Viollet-le-Duc, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. Carcassonne was struck from the roster of official fortifications under Napoleon and the Restoration, and the fortified cit?? of Carcassonne fell into such disrepair that the French government decided that it should be demolished. A decree to that effect that was made official in 1849 caused an uproar. The antiquary and mayor of Carcassonne, Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille, and the writer Prosper M??rim??e, the first inspector of ancient monuments, led a campaign to preserve the fortress as a historical monument. Later in the year the architect Eug??ne Viollet-le-Duc, already at work restoring the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, was commissioned to renovate the place. In 1853, works began with the west and southwest walling, followed by the towers of the porte Narbonnaise and the principal entrance to the cit??. The fortifications were consolidated here and there but the chief attention was paid to restoring the roofing of the towers and the ramparts, where Viollet-le-Duc ordered the destruction of structures that had encroached against the walls, some of them of considerable age. Viollet-le-Duc left copious notes and drawings at his death in 1879, when his pupil Paul Boeswillwald, and later the architect Nodet continued the rehabilitation of Carcassonne. The restoration was strongly criticized during Viollet-le-Duc's lifetime. Fresh from work in the north of France, he made the error of using slates and restoring the roofs as pointed cones, where local practice was traditionally of tile roofing and low slopes, in a snow-free environment. Yet, overall, Viollet-le-Duc's achievement at Carcassonne is agreed to be a work of genius, though not of strictest authenticity. Fortification consists of a double ring of ramparts and 53 towers. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/tY3GxJkUrXQdqZ0CjngV.flv 68 2010-01-20T01:44:08-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1867-travel-to-Dubrovnik-Croatia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/fBTNYpKkwTRjdxGh1HJI.jpg Dubrovnik Croatia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fBTNYpKkwTRjdxGh1HJI.flv 114 Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Dalmatia, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the center of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its population was 43,770 in 2001 down from 49,728 in 1991. In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The prosperity of the city of Dubrovnik has always been based on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages, as the Republic of Ragusa, also known as the fifth Maritime Republic (together with Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa and Venice), it became the only eastern Adriatic city-state to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries. Although demilitarized in 1970s with a purpose to prevent it from war devastation forever, in 1991 after the breakup of Yugoslavia it was besieged by Serb-Montenegrin forces for 7 months and heavily damaged by bombing. In Croatian, and all other Slavic languages, the city is known as Dubrovnik; in Italian as Ragusa, its historical name, in Greek as Raiyia (????????????) or Ragousa (??????????????). The current Croatian name was officially adopted in 1918 after the fall of Austria???Hungary. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fBTNYpKkwTRjdxGh1HJI.flv 67 2010-01-20T01:44:07-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1866-travel-to-Machu-Picchu-Peru.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/rUeONMxY1IGQhCTUwonK.jpg Machu Picchu Peru http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rUeONMxY1IGQhCTUwonK.flv 113 Machu Picchu is high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, and Peru is one of South Americas most magnificent and authentic countries. Machu Picchu was once a royal palace built by an Incan ruler. Machu Picchu sits like a mysterious city eight thousand feet above the sea. Peru??s most famous site, Machu Picchu, is more than Peru??s. Machu Picchu is one of the wonders of the world with its two hundred buildings and cloud covered beauty. About twelve hundred people lived in Machu Picchu, and Peru has done an exceptional job of preserving Machu Picchu. Professional Inca architects built Machu Picchu with granite blocks and bronze tools. The Inca architects at Machu Picchu were so advanced that the thinnest of knife blades can't be forced between the stones. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/rUeONMxY1IGQhCTUwonK.flv 78 2010-01-20T01:44:06-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1865-travel-to-Grenada.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/nKzeCftDZrbOe05mjLKg.jpg Grenada http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/nKzeCftDZrbOe05mjLKg.flv 124 One of the best Caribbean Island vacation jewels is the island of Grenada, about 90 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Grenada is the Caribbean at its best, a perfect Caribbean family travel vacation. A perfect Caribbean vacation for hikers, bikers, ecologically sensitive travelers and all adventure travelers. This Travel Video PostCard on Grenada in the West Indies presents Grenada's perfect Caribbean beaches and elegant places to say, beautiful Caribbean resorts. Grenada, the Caribbean wonder, is called spice island to those who know it. The Travel Video PostCard takes you to the cinnamon and nutmeg trees, the all-spice plants, mangoes, bright green avocados and bright yellow bananas. St. Georges, the capital of Grenada in the Caribbean has an exciting spice market and there are great shops in St. Georges, perfect for a family trip or family vacation in the Caribbean. The fish are fresh here in this paradise of an island and the spices and Caribbean cuisine are unmatched. Grenada has well preserved coral reefs, and plenty of long, graceful beaches. Foods aren't the only important aspect of Grenadian culture. Music, dance, and festivals are also extremely important. Soca, calypso, and reggae set the mood for Grenada's annual Carnival activities. The spice island of Grenada in the Caribbean is filled with the scents of cinnamon, clove and other spices grown here on this lovely and friendly piece of Caribbean paradise.One of the best Caribbean Island vacation jewels is the island of Grenada, about 90 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Grenada is the Caribbean at its best, a perfect Caribbean family travel vacation. A perfect Caribbean vacation for hikers, bikers, ecologically sensitive travelers and all adventure travelers. This Travel Video PostCard on Grenada in the West Indies presents Grenada's perfect Caribbean beaches and elegant places to say, beautiful Caribbean resorts. Grenada, the Caribbean wonder, is called spice island to those who know it. The Travel Video PostCard takes you to the cinnamon and nutmeg trees, the all-spice plants, mangoes, bright green avocados and bright yellow bananas. St. Georges, the capital of Grenada in the Caribbean has an exciting spice market and there are great shops in St. Georges, perfect for a family trip or family vacation in the Caribbean. The fish are fresh here in this paradise of an island and the spices and Caribbean cuisine are unmatched. Grenada has well preserved coral reefs, and plenty of long, graceful beaches. Foods aren't the only important aspect of Grenadian culture. Music, dance, and festivals are also extremely important. Soca, calypso, and reggae set the mood for Grenada's annual Carnival activities. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/nKzeCftDZrbOe05mjLKg.flv 61 2010-01-20T01:44:05-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1864-travel-to-Xochimilco-Mexico.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/01xxpVbu3tfH3x2FlOwn.jpg Xochimilco Mexico http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/01xxpVbu3tfH3x2FlOwn.flv 109 Xochimilco is one of the sixteen delegaciones or boroughs within Mexican Federal District. It is located within Mexico City, 28 kilometres (17 mi) south of the city center. To the north it has borders with Coyoac??n, Tlalpan and Iztapalapa; to the west with Tl??huac; and to the southeast with Milpa Alta. It covers an area of 122 km2; it is the third biggest delegaci??n. Xochimilco is better known for its extended series of canals ??? all that remains of the ancient Lake Xochimilco. Xochimilco has kept its ancient traditions, even though its proximity to Mexico City influence that area to urbanize. Movies such as Mar??a Candelaria (1940) have given that area a romantic reputation where all inhabitants travel in colourful trajineras (Xochimilco boats) between chinampas covered with flowers. Today, agriculture is an important but minor activity???the canals representing only a small fraction of their former extent, Chinamper??a (chinampa-related activities). It was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. The name Xochimilco comes from Nahuatl, and means flower field place. First settlements are dated around the late Pre-Classic period (B.C.200-A.D.250). This suggests that their culture was related to that of Cuicuilco, one of the first urban settlements in the southern Valley of Mexico. However, just as with the rest of the valley, during the Classical period most of the population concentrated in the city of Teotihuacan, northeast of Texcoco Lake. Most of the Xochimilco territory was abandoned and subject to the city of the gods (Teotihuacan). After the falling of Teotihuacan, the Xochimilco area welcomed some of their inhabitants along with other Chichimec tribes from the north of Mesoamerica. Chichimecs abandoned their original places because of a severe drought at the end of the Classical period. Also, Chichimecs had recently received an increased number of immigrants from northern Mesoamerican tribes, whose culture was nomadic and bellicose. One of the migrant tribes that arrived to Xochimilco was the Xochimilcas, who penetrated into the heart of Mesoamerica between the 10th and 14th centuries. They founded the ceremonial centre of Cuailama in the 10th century (today Santa Cruz Acalpixca). A number of prehispanic hieroglyphs in the nearby mountain range have been found which are believed to be related to ceremonial rituals. Xochimilcas extended along Xochimilco lakeshore and the isles of Tl??huac and Mixquic towards the mountain range of Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin. It is believed that the Xochimilcas invented the chinampa and founded the city of Xochimilco. It has also been suggested that it was just an improvement to a technique previously introduced; the technological peak was achieved during the 11th and 14th centuries thanks to Nahuatlacas tribes. Chinampa is an agricultural practice originally from lake regions in the center of Mexico. They were built by staking large reed mats and fencing them with wattle, piling mud gathered from the bottom of the lake at low tide, and planting willow trees, which grew fast and put down deep roots, to anchor them. Mexicas considered the Xochimilcas distant relatives like many of the neighbouring towns of the Valley of Mexico lakes, sharing the same mythic origin (Chicomoztoc). Legend has it that after leaving Aztl??n, Mexicas were accompanied by a tribe whose glyph identifies Xochimilco. However, when Mexicas arrived to the Valley of Mexico, Xochimilcas were already established in the south. Mexicas declared war on the chinampa towns of Xochimilco and Tl??huac because they were mercenaries of Coxcox, Culhuac??n's tlatoani (nowadays Iztapalapa). In 1323 Mexicas defeated Xochimilco???s tlatoani, Acatonalli, and joined Culhuac??n politics; they were now free from Culhua control. Ilancueitl, Coxcox's daughter, was given as a bride to Mexicas ruler as an alliance symbol. However, Mexicas gave her in sacrifice to Xipe Totec, and this renewed hostilities with Culhuac??n, which allied with Tecpanecas from Azcapotzalco and defeated Mexicas in 1367. In 1376, Mexicas co yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/01xxpVbu3tfH3x2FlOwn.flv 133 2010-01-20T01:44:04-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1863-travel-to-Tulum-Mexico.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/wLZeCZUNdrEaOSZcyv3m.jpg Tulum Mexico http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/wLZeCZUNdrEaOSZcyv3m.flv 109 Tulum is on the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico. It is one of the earliest resorts in Mexico, offering a place of worship and solitude for the Mayan Kings, clergy and Gods in early times. The tropical beach backdrop is the main attraction of this picturesque, much-visited small ruin on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. Shortly after your arrival, you will understand why early Mayans picked this beautiful place to relax. Be prepared for LOTS of people and tour groups at the archaeological site. To avoid the crowds, it is best to stay overnight and visit the ruins early in the morning before the buses arrive, or later in the afternoon. Morning is recommended since you can catch spectacular vistas when the sun is rising over the Caribbean. What most folks really need to know, and only manage to figure out once there, is the fact that there are really three different areas all referred to as TULUM only minutes away from each other, not close enough though to walk to and from. Tulum Pueblo sits split by highway 307 running South-North. El Pueblo, as referred to by locals, is home to most workers of the tourist industry and where many of the stores, supermarkets, two bus stations, inns, hostels and small hotels are found. This section of town has a definite feel of existing mostly to cater to the Tulum ruins. Tulum pueblo is indeed a destination for shopping, great restaurants, a modest night life, booking tours, banking, shopping for food, local vegetables, fruits, cafes, and local flavor. Do not miss it !. Tulum Playa nests along the coastline that leads into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere [Ecological Reserve], the Caribbean white sandy beaches to the east, an impressive mangrove wetland reserve to the south. Tulum Playa embraces many of the fancier, ecological, boutique and spa hotels, and it has a decent to excellent selection of restaurants and night spots. There are also a number of affordable beach front cabana-type lodging locations. Walk the beach and simply step in and inquire about accommodations and rates. You will be surprised and delighted. It should be noted most of these establishments are Eco-friendly and do not provide electricity past midnight. Toilet paper can not be flushed and it is asked that water and other resources be used sparingly. The hotels in Tulum aim to keep Tulum as it is and stop the ecological problems that have already taken hold in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. If you are staying on the beach and trying to save money, it is wise to stock up on food and drinks in the pueblo. There are not too many restaurant options on the beach, and the ones that are operational are comparatively quite expensive. You may encounter problems if you try to make phone calls from the beach. Payphones are sparse and often broken, and they are all owned by one company. These phones require you to purchase a special proprietary card of at least 100 pesos, and the cards cannot be used at regular payphones. A better alternative is to use a normal payphone in the pueblo, or use a Mexican cellphone (There is reception on the beach, but make sure to recharge in the pueblo beforehand). Taxis have a near monopoly on transport to and from the playa. Buses come from time to time, but hitchhiking can also get you where you need to go. Tulum Ruinas is the archaeological site where the Maya ruins of Tulum stand. It is conformed by a-mile-long road leading into the ruins from highway 307. The road is flanked by several restaurants, a commercial area geared to one-day visitors, a huge parking lot, a small bus station that operates part-time and a handful of middle range hotels. Organized tours are also available from a variety of companies, including Tours Aldebaran. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/wLZeCZUNdrEaOSZcyv3m.flv 121 2010-01-20T01:44:03-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1862-travel-to-Teotihuacan-Mexico.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/BOwLWmfUBPhqR5ZfujBk.jpg Teotihuacan Mexico http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BOwLWmfUBPhqR5ZfujBk.flv 113 Teotihuacan is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico, containing some of the largest pyramidal structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Apart from the pyramidal structures, Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous colorful, well-preserved murals. At its zenith in the first half of the 1st millennium CE, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. At this time it may have had more than 200,000 inhabitants, placing it among the largest cities of the world in this period. The civilization and cultural complex associated with the site is also referred to as Teotihuacan or Teotihuacano. Although it is a subject of debate whether Teotihuacan was the center of a state empire, its influence throughout Mesoamerica is well documented; evidence of Teotihuacano presence, if not outright political and economic control, can be seen at numerous sites in Veracruz and the Maya region. The ethnicity of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan is also a subject of debate. Possible candidates are the Nahua, Otomi or Totonac ethnic groups. Scholars have also suggested that Teotihuacan was a multiethnic state. The city and the archaeological site were located in what is now the San Juan Teotihuac??n municipality in the State of M??xico, Mexico, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of Mexico City. The site covers a total surface area of 83km?? and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/BOwLWmfUBPhqR5ZfujBk.flv 112 2010-01-20T01:44:02-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1861-travel-to-Bali-Indonesia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/Fka5awsT05eL4htOSWnu.jpg Bali Indonesia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Fka5awsT05eL4htOSWnu.flv 105 Bali may be small in size you can drive around the entire coast in one long day ??? but its prominence as a destination is huge, and rightfully so. Ask travellers what Bali means to them and you???ll get as many answers as there are flowers on a frangipani tree. Virescent rice terraces, pulse-pounding surf, enchanting temple ceremonies, mesmerising dance performances and ribbons of beaches are just some of the images people cherish. Small obviously doesn???t mean limited. The manic whirl of Kuta segues into the luxury of Seminyak. The artistic swirl of Ubud is a counterpoint to misty treks amid the volcanoes. Mellow beach towns like Amed, Lovina and Pemuteran can be found right round the coast and just offshore is the laid-back idyll of Nusa Lembongan. As you stumble upon the exquisite little offerings left all over the island that materialise as if by magic, you???ll see that the tiny tapestry of colours and textures is a metaphor for Bali itself. And those are just some of the more obvious qualities. A visit to Bali means that you are in the most visitor-friendly island of Indonesia. There are pleasures of the body, whether a massage on the beach or a hedonistic interlude in a sybaritic spa. Shopping that will put ???extra bag??? at the top of your list. Food and drink ranging from the freshest local cuisine bursting with the flavours of the markets to food from around the globe, often prepared by chefs and served in restaurants that are world class. From a cold Bintang at sunset to an epic night clubbing in Kuta, your social whirl is limited only by your own fortitude. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Fka5awsT05eL4htOSWnu.flv 88 2010-01-20T01:44:01-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1860-travel-to-Amsterdam-Holland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/DXw5axFsP1DhwOMOcAiW.jpg Amsterdam Holland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/DXw5axFsP1DhwOMOcAiW.flv 102 In 2009 Amsterdam is an Art City. The city is brimming over with cultural attractions. There are a tremendous range of remarkable exhibitions for you to visit. The Hermitage Amsterdam reopened and the new Stedelijk Museum will be opening its doors to the public in 2010. Amsterdam has always been a leading cultural centre, with top attractions such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. The opening of the Hermitage Amsterdam and the impressive range of exclusive exhibitions will make a visit to Amsterdam an absolute must in 2009. Hermitage Amsterdam is the most important branch of the internationally renowned museum of the same name in Saint Petersburg. The renovated Stedelijk Museum has one of the most valuable collections of modern art in the world. After a long period of renovation work, this unsurpassed institute for modern art will once again have its own place in Amsterdam in 2010. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/DXw5axFsP1DhwOMOcAiW.flv 231 2010-01-20T01:44:00-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1859-travel-to-Edinburgh-United-Kingdom.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/eKeg2sDpld0Rh3iZfbOb.jpg Edinburgh United Kingdom http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/eKeg2sDpld0Rh3iZfbOb.flv 117 The beautiful city of Edinburgh is an enchanting place for a winter white break. With vibrant Christmas and New Year celebrations, excellent shopping and New Year favourites like J M W Turner???s stunning watercolour collection at the National Galleries - you???ll be spoilt for choice! What???s more, the surrounding coast and countryside of East, West and Midlothian is perfect for bracing beach walks and invigorating rambles along the Pentland Hills and country parks like Beecraigs near Linlithgow. Indulge yourself indoors too with a warming visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience or Edinburgh's lowland malt distillery, Glenkinchie, in Pencaitland, East Lothian. You'll be spoilt for choice with the vast array of places to eat with our many eatscotland eateries throughout the area, offering seasonal, locally sourced produce. Think tasty berries and hearty puddings! To keep you entertained, winter presents a full programme of events from the Sound of Music at Edinburgh???s Playhouse to Mary King???s Ghost Fest in March 2010. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/eKeg2sDpld0Rh3iZfbOb.flv 227 2010-01-20T01:44:01-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1858-travel-to-Beijing-City-China.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/oWwYdmyfLk14nHIDb1PS.jpg Beijing City China http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oWwYdmyfLk14nHIDb1PS.flv 102 King Wu was the first to declare Beijing the capital city in 1057 BC. Subsequently, the city has gone by the names of Ji, Zhongdu, Dadu, and finally Beijing when the Ming Dynasty Emperor ChengZu chose the name in 1421. Before 1949, Beijing was known as Peking by the Western world. After 1949, the city's name returned to Beijing, as it is known today. Since the early 1980s when China initiated economic and market reforms under the late Deng Xiaoping, Beijing has become a truly modern, international city. Beijing City is an independently administered municipal district. She is situated in the northeastern part of China at an elevation of 43.5m above sea level. The climate in Beijing is of the continental type, with cold and dry winters and hot summers. January is the coldest month (-4 Celsius), while July the warmest (26 Celsius). Beijing has a whole area of 16808 sq km (about 6500 sq mi), stretching 160 kilometres from east to west and over 180 kilometres north to south. 38% of it is flat land and 62% mountains. She has 16 districts and 2 counties with Dongcheng, Xicheng, Xuanwu, Chongwen, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan in or close to the Beijing city proper and Fangshan, Mengtougou, Changping, Tongxian, Shunyi, Daxing, Huairou, Miyun, Pinggu and Yianqing in the outer suburbs. Population in Beijing is about 17 million. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oWwYdmyfLk14nHIDb1PS.flv 223 2010-01-20T01:44:02-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1857-travel-to-Copenhagen-Denmark.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/Hx5yXGt4PynqrssqvE2o.jpg Copenhagen Denmark http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Hx5yXGt4PynqrssqvE2o.flv 136 Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and what a million Danes call home. This friendly old girl of a town is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the ??resund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. You'll feel you've seen it all in a day, but could keep on discovering more for months. The two big hubs are Central Station (da: Hovedbaneg?rden/K??benhavn H) with S-trains, intercity trains and buses, and N??rreport Station with S-trains, metro, regional trains and buses. Travel by train, bus and metro can be scheduled electronically through rejseplanen.dk. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Hx5yXGt4PynqrssqvE2o.flv 195 2010-01-20T01:44:03-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1856-travel-to-Mongolia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/13k5gf3EljLldFiPVliu.jpg Mongolia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/13k5gf3EljLldFiPVliu.flv 90 Lonely Planet author Michael Kohn recommends Mongolia as the kind of country where you can just turn up and be guaranteed adventure. Not a surprise when nomad culture is alive and their hero is Ghengis Khan. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/13k5gf3EljLldFiPVliu.flv 185 2010-01-20T01:44:04-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1855-travel-to-Penang-Malaysia-Travel-Video.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/G5ob3tfANPWpKfVJooNM.jpg Penang Malaysia Travel Video http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/G5ob3tfANPWpKfVJooNM.flv 184 Nick Vivion visits Penang, Malaysia and finds it to be one of the best food destinations in the world. From savoury to sweet he reckons Penang is a food paradise of epic proportions. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/G5ob3tfANPWpKfVJooNM.flv 186 2010-01-20T01:44:05-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1854-travel-to-Ho-Chi-Minh-City-Lonely-Planet-Travel-Video.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/MWXtovguZcN33jTiwOT0.jpg Ho Chi Minh City Lonely Planet Travel Video http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MWXtovguZcN33jTiwOT0.flv 190 After getting food poisoning in India and basically fasting for a week, I was starving, and on the hunt for delicious Vietnamese delicacies. The goal was to spend the entire day satiating my hunger, breakfast, lunch, dinner, desert and coffee. I had a mission on this one epic day to fill my empty belly in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Produced by Anton Seim for Lonelyplanet.tv yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/MWXtovguZcN33jTiwOT0.flv 315 2010-01-20T01:44:06-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1853-travel-to-Jackson-Wyoming.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/aKZwMbLXN3TLGZx1tgl3.jpg Jackson Wyoming http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/aKZwMbLXN3TLGZx1tgl3.flv 78 Jackson is in Northwest Wyoming, close to the south end of Grand Teton National Park. It is the gateway to two of the United States' best-known national parks, Grand Teton itself and nearby Yellowstone. Many famous people maintain vacation homes in and around this area. The combined elements of beautiful mountain scenery, Old West heritage, tourist traps and celebrity residents give this small town a unique atmosphere both cosmopolitan and frontier. The terms Jackson and Jackson Hole are often mistakenly interchanged. Jackson is the name of the town, while Jackson Hole refers to either the greater valley area, the Jackson Hole Ski Resort, or the airport. While most tourists don't know the difference, it can be a sore spot for the locals. Be aware that Jackson transforms from a popular ski town during the winter into an all-out tourist mecca during the summer. Meanwhile, in the spring and fall seasons, the town can feel empty as only the 6,000 or so year-round residents remain (and many of them may leave during this time as well) and many of the hotels and restaurants close for the season. Each of the seasons have their pluses and minuses depending on the visitor's expectations and desires, but it pays to know what time of year is best for what activity, especially in Jackson's unique high-altitude environment. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/aKZwMbLXN3TLGZx1tgl3.flv 113 2010-01-20T01:44:07-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1852-travel-to-Keystone-South-Dakota.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/fKgQaluaALASsQqOWQx5.jpg Keystone South Dakota http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fKgQaluaALASsQqOWQx5.flv 81 Keystone is a tiny town in the Badlands and Black Hills region of South Dakota. It is notable as the nearest site to popular Mount Rushmore National Memorial that has full accommodations for the traveler, although they are achieved at the price of a tourist trap veneer. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fKgQaluaALASsQqOWQx5.flv 425 2010-01-20T01:44:08-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1851-travel-to-Hanoi-City-Vietnam.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/NRbbKseR5BUWXHqZNzSn.jpg Hanoi City Vietnam http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/NRbbKseR5BUWXHqZNzSn.flv 115 Hanoi city (1997 est. pop. 3,500,800), capital of Vietnam, on the right bank of the Red River. It is the transportation hub of the country, with two airports and rail connections to Kunming, China, as well as to the main Chinese system centering on Beijing; it is also linked by rail with Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City. Manufactures include machine tools, plywood, textiles, chemicals, matches, automobiles, tires, building materials, and handicrafts. The city is known for its European-style public squares and tree-lined boulevards. It is also a cultural center; in the city are the National Univ. (formerly Hanoi Univ.), the National History Museum, the Revolution Museum, and several historic monuments, including the Temple of Literature, the Mot Cot Pagoda, and the Temple of the Trung Sisters. Hanoi became (7th cent.) the seat of the Chinese rulers of Vietnam. Its Chinese name, Dong Kinh or Tong King, became Tonkin and was applied by Europeans to the entire region. Hanoi was occupied briefly by the French in 1873 and passed to them 10 years later. It became the capital of French Indochina after 1887. The French developed Hanoi industrially, centering railway repair shops and small processing industries there. Occupied by the Japanese in 1940, Hanoi was liberated in 1945, when it became the seat of Vietnam's government. From 1946 to 1954, it was the scene of heavy fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces. After the French evacuated Hanoi in accordance with the Geneva Conference (July, 1954), the city became the capital of North Vietnam. Under the North Vietnamese it was greatly expanded industrially. During the Vietnam War its transportation facilities were continually disrupted by the bombing of bridges and railways, which were, however, immediately repaired. The city remained remarkably intact despite heavy U.S. bombings, although widespread destruction occurred after the massive attacks of Dec. 18-30, 1972, when many nonmilitary targets, including the French embassy and large residential areas, were hit. Much of the civilian population had been evacuated and factories had been dismantled and reassembled in forested and rural areas. After the cease-fire, much of the machinery was returned and functioned again in ruined structures. Hanoi was established as the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on July 2, 1976. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/NRbbKseR5BUWXHqZNzSn.flv 193 2010-01-20T01:44:09-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1850-travel-to-New-York-City---obscure-Travel-Spots.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/jEvWjxBBtLJXmHQFVXNC.jpg New York City - Obscure Travel Spots http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/jEvWjxBBtLJXmHQFVXNC.flv 82 Most people have heard a lot about New York's big monuments and attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Broadway. But beyond the well-known hotspots, New York's five boroughs hide a wealth of fun activities. So check out what's off the brochure in the Big Apple. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/jEvWjxBBtLJXmHQFVXNC.flv 83 2010-01-20T01:44:10-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1849-travel-to-Brooksville-City-Florida.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/zkN4BbdLvMoSCTfX4Pug.jpg Brooksville City Florida http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zkN4BbdLvMoSCTfX4Pug.flv 105 Brooksville is an incorporated city in Hernando County, Florida, in the United States. It is the county seat of Hernando County. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city has historic homes along cobble stone covered streets. Rogers' Christmas House and Village has been a tourist attraction in Brooksville since 1978. It has five southern homes with fireplaces moved and arranged to form a traditional Christmas village setting. Each house is filled with classic Christmas collectibles from Christopher Radko, Swarovski Crystal, Goebel, Fontanini, Anri, Department 56 and others, and ornaments from Egyptian Museum Glass, Raz, Pacific Rim, Kringles, Snowbabies, North Star and others. There is also a Native American Outpost in a log cabin. The Brooksville Business Alliance has sponsored the annual Brooksville Founders Week Celebration since 2006. There is a monthly live music performance, antique car show, and other events. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/zkN4BbdLvMoSCTfX4Pug.flv 149 2010-01-20T01:44:11-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1848-travel-to-Blyth-Northumberland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/bHLpcePMFUElk3JNJgyv.jpg Blyth, Northumberland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/bHLpcePMFUElk3JNJgyv.flv 121 Blyth is a town and civil parish in southeast Northumberland, England. It lies on the coast, to the south of the River Blyth and is approximately 21 kilometres (13 mi) northeast of Newcastle upon Tyne. It has a population of about 36,000. The port of Blyth dates from the 12th century, but the development of the modern town only began in the first quarter of the 18th century. The main industries which helped the town prosper were coal mining and shipbuilding, with the salt trade, fishing and the railways also playing an important role. These industries have largely vanished, but the port still thrives, shipping paper and pulp from Scandinavia for the newspaper industries of England and Scotland. The town was seriously affected when its principal industries went into decline, and it has undergone much regeneration since the early 1990s. The Keel Row Shopping Centre, opened in 1991, brought major high street retailers to Blyth, and helped to revitalise the town centre. The market place has recently been re-developed, with the aim of attracting further investment to the town. The Quayside has also seen much redevelopment and has been transformed into a peaceful open space, the centrepiece of which is a sculpture commemorating the industry which once thrived there. On the opposite side of the river are the nine wind turbines of the Blyth Harbour Wind Farm which were constructed along the East Pier in 1992. They were joined in 2000 by Blyth Offshore Wind Farm, which is composed of two turbines situated 1.0 kilometre (0.62 mi) out to sea. Blyth is also home to the non-League football club Blyth Spartans, famed for their 1978 giant-killing feats in the FA Cup. Held every July, the annual Blyth Town Summer Fair takes place in and around the market place and hosts many attractions, such as music performances, arts and crafts exhibitions, fairground rides and children's entertainment. The Blyth Town Christmas Fayre is also held in the market place and features a similar range of family entertainment. Close to the town centre is a small, 300 seat theatre called the Phoenix Theatre where several local drama groups perform. It also hosts travelling companies, rock bands and comedy shows. There were once four cinemas in Blyth, but with the closure of the Wallaw in 2004 there are now none. The others???The Central, The Essoldo and The Roxy???were all closed down in the 1960s and 1970s. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/bHLpcePMFUElk3JNJgyv.flv 149 2010-01-20T01:44:12-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1847-travel-to-Venice-Italy.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/vcVPlMwJjyYCuvodNCeI.jpg Venice Italy http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/vcVPlMwJjyYCuvodNCeI.flv 124 City (pop., 2004 est.: 271,663), capital of Veneto region, northern Italy. Built on a lagoon, Venice encompasses some 118 islands, the whole 90-mi (145-km) perimeter of the lagoon, and two industrial mainland boroughs. Refugees from northern invasions of the mainland founded settlements in the 5th century AD that were built uniquely on islands as protection against raids. Venice was a vassal of the Byzantine Empire until the 10th century. Beginning with control of a trade route to the Levant, Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202 ??? 04) as ruler of a colonial empire which included Crete, Euboea, the Cyclades, the Ionian Islands, and footholds in Morea and Epirus. In 1381 it defeated Genoa after a century-long struggle for commercial supremacy in the Levant and eastern Mediterranean. In the 15th century, with the acquisition of neighbouring regions, the Republic of Venice became an extensive Italian state. It gradually lost its eastern possessions to Ottoman Turks, with whom Venice fought intermittently from the 15th to the 18th century; it gave up its last hold in the Aegean in 1715. The republic dissolved and the territory was ceded to Austria in 1797. Incorporated into Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy in 1805, it was restored to Austria in 1815. A revolt against Austria (1848 ??? 49) eventually resulted in Venice being ceded to Italy in 1866. It suffered little damage during World War II, but flooding along its many miles of canals caused severe damage in 1966. The waters of the lagoon rise and flood the city on a regular basis, complicating efforts to preserve its architecture, which includes Italian, Arabic, Byzantine, and Renaissance forms. There are some 450 palaces and homes of major historic importance in Venice. Notable among its 400 bridges is the Bridge of Sighs (built c. 800) and among its churches St. Mark's Basilica. Most of the city's workers find employment in tourism and related industries, though Venice also plays a key market role within the vibrant economic system of the Veneto region. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/vcVPlMwJjyYCuvodNCeI.flv 65 2010-01-20T01:44:13-06:00 5.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1846-travel-to-Sausalito-City-California.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/eVMnxREXwjkGlZmG3Y0U.jpg Sausalito City California http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/eVMnxREXwjkGlZmG3Y0U.flv 99 Sausalito was once the site of a Coast Miwok settlement known as Liwanelowa. The branch of the Coast Miwok living in this area were known as the Huimen (or as Naci??n de Uimen to the Spanish). Early explorers of the area described them as friendly and hospitable. According to Juan de Ayala, To all these advantages must be added the best of all, which is that the heathen Indians of the port are so faithful in their friendship and so docile in their disposition that I was greatly pleased to receive them on board. Such placidity was likely a contributing factor to their complete displacement, which took place within the span of a few generations. As historian Jack Tracy has observed, Their dwellings on the site of Sausalito were explored and mapped in 1907, nearly a century and a half later, by an archaeological survey. By that time, nothing was left of the culture of those who had first enjoyed the natural treasures of the bay. The life of the Coastal Miwoks had been reduced to archaeological remnants, as though thousands of years had passed since their existence. Due to its location at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito receives a steady stream of visitors via the bridge (auto and bicycle traffic) and a ferry service from San Francisco. It retains one of the few ungated marinas in the Bay Area that attracts visitors. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/eVMnxREXwjkGlZmG3Y0U.flv 650 2010-01-20T01:44:14-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1845-travel-to-New-York-City-USA.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/EXBN4NnD0UPIsGqTl2mb.jpg New York City USA http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/EXBN4NnD0UPIsGqTl2mb.flv 161 The Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps???New York is a city of superlatives: America's biggest; its most exciting; its business and cultural capitals; the nation's trendsetter. The city seems to pull in the best and the brightest from every corner of the country. The city's ethnic flavor has been nuanced by decades of immigrants whose first glimpse of America was the Statue of Liberty guarding New York Harbor and by large expatriate communities such as the United Nations headquartered there. Just minutes from the multimillion-dollar two-bedroom co-op apartments of Park Avenue, though, lies some of the most dire urban poverty in America. But the attendant crime that affects New Yorkers and visitors alike has seen a continued dramatic reduction from 1993 to 2004???NYC has a murder rate half that of cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, in part as the result of a concerted effort by local agencies. But for all its eight million residents, New York remains a city of neighborhoods, whether it's avant-garde Greenwich Village, bustling Harlem, the ultra-sophisticated TriBeCa, or one of the ethnic enclaves such as Little Italy or Chinatown. And a cleaner, brighter, safer New York is attracting people from around the world who are coming to enjoy the city's renaissance. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/EXBN4NnD0UPIsGqTl2mb.flv 64 2010-01-20T01:44:15-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1844-travel-to-Kuala-Lumpur-Malaysia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/Bjg2za5heaDzwNPNHARi.jpg Kuala Lumpur Malaysia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Bjg2za5heaDzwNPNHARi.flv 98 Kuala Lumpur City (pop., 2000 prelim.: 1,297,526), capital of Malaysia. Founded as a tin-mining camp in 1857, it was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1895, of the independent Federation of Malaya in 1957, and of Malaysia in 1963. It was designated a municipality in 1972. The most important Malay city on the Malay Peninsula, it is a commercial centre and the site of the Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest buildings when they were completed in 1998. Its educational institutions include the University of Malaya and a branch of the National University of Malaysia. In 1999 government offices began moving to the new administrative centre at Putrajaya just south of Kuala Lumpur. The city was founded in 1857 by Chinese tin miners and superseded Klang. In 1880 the British government transferred their headquarters from Klang to Kuala Lumpur, and in 1896 it became the capital of the Federated Malay States (see Malaysia). Under the leadership of Sir Frank Swettenham, streets were enlarged, modern building materials were used to build offices and new structures, and construction began on the Klang-Kuala Lumpur Railway. In 1957, British rule ended, and Kuala Lumpur became the capital of the independent Federation of Malaya. The city became the capital of Malaysia in 1963 and it and the surrounding area were designated a federal territory in 1974. The new administrative capital, Putrajaya, is south of Kuala Lumpur. In 1999 several government offices, including that of the prime minister, moved there, and in 2001 Putrajaya became a federal territory. The new city is part of a projected Malaysia Multimedia Supercorridor, a high-tech business zone intended to stretch from the Petronas Towers to the international airport. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/Bjg2za5heaDzwNPNHARi.flv 205 2010-01-20T01:44:16-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1843-travel-to-Bucharest-the-capital-of-Romania.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/NBPHQks1uINFjarTRMuq.jpg Bucharest the capital of Romania http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/NBPHQks1uINFjarTRMuq.flv 91 Bucharest - The capital and largest city of Romania, in the southeast part of the country on a tributary of the Danube River. Founded in the 14th century, it soon became a fortress and a center for trade between Wallachia and Constantinople. City (pop., 1997: 2,057,512), capital of Romania. Excavations have revealed evidence of prehistoric settlement. The site gained importance when the rulers of Walachia moved there in the 14th century. Vlad III built a fortress there in the 15th century to ward off invading Turks; they eventually took it and made it their Ottoman Walachian capital in 1659. In the 19th century civic unrest helped force the union of Walachia and Moldavia, and Bucharest became the capital of the new Romanian state in 1862. Occupied by the Soviet army after World War II, it came under communist control. During the 1980s it was the scene of political demonstrations against the government of Nicolae Ceausescu that resulted in his overthrow and execution. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/NBPHQks1uINFjarTRMuq.flv 234 2009-12-02T01:44:32-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1842-travel-to-Prague-Czech-Republic---Timelapse.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/2ndw2hbDkUp0dMhMUWos.jpg Prague Czech Republic - Timelapse http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2ndw2hbDkUp0dMhMUWos.flv 157 The capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, in the western part of the country on the Vltava River. Known since the 9th century, it was a leading cultural and commercial center by the 14th century and came under Hapsburg rule in 1526. Prague was the capital of Czechoslovakia from the country's formation in 1918 until its dissolution in 1993. Population: 1,190,000. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/2ndw2hbDkUp0dMhMUWos.flv 70 2009-12-02T01:44:31-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1841-travel-to-Tokyo-Japan.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/oS0ZJPm0wgnLNeWjjzH5.jpg Tokyo Japan http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oS0ZJPm0wgnLNeWjjzH5.flv 104 In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary speed to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US. Today, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, Japan is the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China. Two notable characteristics of the post-war economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. In October 2007 Japan's longest post-war period of economic expansion ended after 69 months and Japan entered into recession in 2008, with 2009 marking a return to near 0% interest rates. The 10-year privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and insurance facilities as Japan's largest financial institution, was completed in October 2007, marking a major milestone in the process of structural reform. The Japanese financial sector was not heavily exposed to sub-prime mortgages or their derivative instruments and weathered the initial effect of the global credit crunch, but a sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan further into a recession. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Debate continues on the role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/oS0ZJPm0wgnLNeWjjzH5.flv 370 2009-12-02T01:44:30-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1840-travel-to-Rotterdam-Holland.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/CXUoGmnSsCsN2WsbioKu.jpg Rotterdam Holland http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/CXUoGmnSsCsN2WsbioKu.flv 151 Rotterdam is a municipality and city in the Dutch province of South-Holland, situated in the west of The Netherlands and part of the Randstad. The municipality is the second largest in the country (behind Amsterdam), with a population of approximately 600,000 people. The city has 1.3 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe. From 1962 to 2004, it was the world's busiest port; then it was superseded by Shanghai. Rotterdam is known as a city of architecture. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture. When you want to combine a unique experience with a great view over the city of Rotterdam, you can make a (tandem)skydive at Skydive Rotterdam. At Skydive Rotterdam (also called The Flying Dutchman) you can book a tandem skydive or do a complete skydiving course and jump from a hight of 3 or 4 kilometers. It's the only skydiving school in the Randstad area and the only place in the Netherlands where you can jump over a a major city like Rotterdam. When the weather's good you will have a spectacuair view over the Rotterdam skyline and other parts of the Randstad area, all the way to the coastline. An airplane can be rented at reasonable rates at Rotterdam Aiport at Happy Wing. Nice tours above the city, its ports or the coastline are on offer. On summer Sundays, it is possible to lower yourself down from the Euromast. On last Sundays of summermonths you can glide down in 15 seconds on a wire (tokkelen). Both: Not for the faint of heart! Check the website of Heightspecialists. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/CXUoGmnSsCsN2WsbioKu.flv 142 2009-12-02T01:44:29-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1839-travel-to-Rapid-City-South-Dakota.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/TlNgcOjNEpISCYgEGJsO.jpg Rapid City South Dakota http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TlNgcOjNEpISCYgEGJsO.flv 144 Rapid City is in the Badlands and Black Hills region of South Dakota. It is a convenient base for travel on to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Badlands and the Black Hills National Forest. Rapid City is often referred to as just Rapid by locals. Many people choose to use a personal vehicle, but this is not necessary. All of downtown Rapid City's attractions are walkable. To reach other places, such as the Rushmore Mall, one can use the Rapid Ride System from the Milo Barber Transit Center. There are four loop routes featuring buses going in both directions about every 70 min. around each loop. Fare is $1 and includes a transfer. If you want to travel before 6 AM or after 6 PM you will have to take a taxi. There are plenty in Rapid City for your needs. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TlNgcOjNEpISCYgEGJsO.flv 147 2009-12-02T01:44:28-06:00 3.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1838-travel-to-Prague-Czech-Republic.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/TLFpgSyCAqmPMFkxAZpf.jpg Prague Czech Republic http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TLFpgSyCAqmPMFkxAZpf.flv 117 Prague Castle. The biggest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness World Records, which rises above the city offering beautiful views of the areas below. Also on site is the St. Vitus Cathedral with its lookout tower, the Castle Picture Gallery, several palaces and museums and the beautiful Royal Garden, among other attractions. You can also watch the Presidential Guard, and the changeover of the guards on duty on the hour. The entrance for St. Vitus Cathedral is free, but the queue may be long (1 hour). A Prague castle ticket is 350 CZK and audioguide a further 350 CZK. This is a large amount for an audioguide, but it lets you skip the St. Vitus queue. Do not confuse this Prague Castle which dominates the city and is in the Hrad?any area with Prague Castle Blahutovo which is in the Kbely suburb. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/TLFpgSyCAqmPMFkxAZpf.flv 183 2009-12-02T01:44:27-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1837-travel-to-Zhuhai-China.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/RhEPnjluTkNOnzHXWuCh.jpg Zhuhai China http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/RhEPnjluTkNOnzHXWuCh.flv 131 Zhuhai is the name of a city, and Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in Guangdong Province, China. The name means Pearl Sea; Zhuhai is where the Pearl River flows into the South Sea. Zhuhai is known for its beautiful long coastline, waving palm trees, open spaces, low population density, and its many islands; Zhuhai's nicknames are the city for lovers and the city of a hundred islands. Zhuhai serves as the gateway to Macau, as a tourist destination for Chinese, and as a playground for hedonistic Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan visitors who come for Zhuhai's very colorful nightlife and available female companionship at mainland prices. Located in the Pearl River Delta, Zhuhai borders Jiangmen to the northwest, Zhongshan to the north, and former Portuguese colony Macau to the south. By sea, former British colony Hong Kong and Shenzhen are just across the bay to the east. The provincial capital Guangzhou is about 150 km to the north. The Zhuhai area has been inhabited for thousands of years. Until the 1970s, Zhuhai was a group of fishing villages with a population of around 100,000. Since 1980, when it was designated a Special Economic Zone by the central government, Zhuhai has expanded to include nearby areas and is now a fast-growing modern city with well over a million inhabitants. However, it is still not as large and developed as neighboring cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Zhuhai's northern districts of Jinding and Tangjia, as well as the western district of Doumen, are less developed factory-driven areas that retain a deeper working-man, salt-of-the-earth quality. Zhuhai is one of China's cleanest and prettiest cities, and received numerous accolades for its excellent ecological development efforts. In 1998, it was awarded the International Award for Best Practices in Improving Living Environment by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements. It is also commonly agreed to be one of the best cities in China to retire in. With a low population density compared to other larger cities in China, Zhuhai is unsurprisingly greener. Parks and open spaces dot the cityscape, and waving palm trees line the extensive coastline and many of the major streets. The weather in Zhuhai is sub-tropical. Temperature varies between 10C/50F degrees in winter (Dec to Feb) to a hot and humid 35C/95F degrees in summer (Jun to Sep). Typhoons are also a possibility in summer. The best times to visit are during spring and fall. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/RhEPnjluTkNOnzHXWuCh.flv 381 2009-12-02T01:44:26-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1836-travel-to-Portsmouth-Hampshire-England.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/fV4vc4YXTiBThYqnWSMP.jpg Portsmouth Hampshire England http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fV4vc4YXTiBThYqnWSMP.flv 110 Portsmouth (pronounced ports-muth, and nick-named Pompey) is a city that is well worth a visit for those interested in British Naval history or British history in general. It is on the south coast of England, close to Southampton and The Isle of Wight. The majority of the city of Portsmouth lies on Portsea island (though it is separated from the mainland only by a roughly 30-metre-wide stretch of sea water so is perhaps more accurately thought of as a peninsula) on the southern coast of England. Historically, Portsmouth has always been an important naval port and builds on its rich heritage with memorials, museums, trails and the fascinating Historic Dockyard. Portsmouth has four miles of seafront (including pebbled beaches) and the distinctive Spinnaker Tower. Portsmouth is also a university city, and so has a large student population. Portsmouth has an approximate population of 190,200 people and is the most densely populated city in the UK, outside of certain parts of London. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fV4vc4YXTiBThYqnWSMP.flv 137 2009-12-02T01:44:25-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1835-travel-to-Atlanta-Georgia-USA.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/HKVKHgvO1vxEWF5Tp0Ev.jpg Atlanta Georgia USA http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/HKVKHgvO1vxEWF5Tp0Ev.flv 113 Atlanta is the vanguard of the New South, with the charm and elegance of the Old. It is a city that balances southern traditions with sleek modernism. In Atlanta, the peach trees are plentiful and the tea is sweet, yet this city boasts three skylines and the world???s busiest airport. Atlanta has been burnt to the ground and built back up; it has seen the horrors of war and felt the pain of droughts and floods. Atlanta knows rebirth and endurance though, perhaps better than any other city. Atlanta was host to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, gave birth to the greatest figure of the civil rights movement, is the beloved capital of the state of Georgia, and has become the enduring leader of the American South. Located on the Piedmont Plateau in the Northern Georgia, Atlanta is located almost entirely in Fulton County, while a part of the city limits extends into Dekalb County. The area size of the city limits is only 132 sq mi (343 km??), but Metro Atlanta which includes 28 counties has an area of 8,376 sq mi (21,693.7 km??). The Chattahoochee River, which forms the Northwestern boundary of the city limits of Atlanta, is a major source of water throughout the metro area. Aside from the river, the topography of Atlanta is assorted with rolling hills, forests, lakes and ponds, and granite Stone Mountain to the east. Atlanta began taking substantive shape in 1837 when the Western Atlantic Railroad selected the site as the Southern end of its tracks. The town was called Terminus until 1843 when it was renamed Marthasville after the daughter of Gov. Wilson Lumpkin. In 1847, the city was renamed Atlanta, supposedly a feminine form of Atlantic probably created by an engineer with the Western Atlantic. The city was incorporated in 1847. By the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Atlanta was a major railroad hub, manufacturing center, and supply depot. But, in 1865, in order to cripple transportation between the South and the North, Union General William T. Sherman's army burned all of the railroad facilities, almost every business and more than two-thirds of the city's homes to the ground during his infamous March to the Sea. Atlanta lay in ruins, the only major American city ever destroyed by war. Atlanta's first resurgence began soon after. Within four years of Sherman's attack, the Georgia capital was moved from Milledgeville to Atlanta and a drive to attract new business was underway. In the meantime, college and universities began to open, telephones were introduced, and trolleys began to roll. In 1895, the Cotton States and International Exposition in Piedmont Park showed 800,000 visitors and residents that Atlanta was headed in a new direction and braced for the 20th century. By the late 1920s, a downtown business sector had taken shape, giving Atlanta much of the distinct pattern it maintains today. At the same time, Atlanta Alderman (and later Mayor) William B. Hartsfield campaigned long and hard to convince the city to turn a vacant racetrack into an airport. Today, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest airport, with more than 80 million annual passengers. While the city continued its economic surge, it also became known as the City Too Busy to Hate. Atlanta and Georgia preempted much of the strife associated with the 1950s and '60s by taking the lead in the Southeast in strengthening minority rights. The city's strongest identification with the movement was through its native son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Much has been accomplished in the last 25 years to elevate Atlanta to world-class status. An efficient public transportation system, MARTA, was put in place; Underground Atlanta was added to the entertainment map; the Georgia World Congress Center made the city a convention hub; the Georgia Dome was built in 1992; and Philips Arena was built in 1999. From July 20 through August 4, 1996, all eyes were on Atlanta as it hosted the Centennial Olympic Games. The city successfully hosted the biggest Olympic Games ever, showcasing itself to 2 million people in person and 3. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/HKVKHgvO1vxEWF5Tp0Ev.flv 139 2009-12-02T01:44:24-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1834-travel-to-Istanbul-Turkey.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/YfxaaZxoiXwO0webZgrP.jpg Istanbul Turkey http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/YfxaaZxoiXwO0webZgrP.flv 146 Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul's population is estimated to be between 12 and 19 million people, making it also the largest in Europe and one of the largest cities in the world. Istanbul is one of three European Capitals of Culture in 2010. Expanding the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium by the order of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the imperial city of Constantinople was for nearly a thousand years the last remaining outpost of the Roman (later termed Eastern Roman or Byzantine) Empire. It was finally conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II on May 29th, 1453, an event often used to mark the end of the Middle Ages. It was the nerve center for military campaigns that were to enlarge the Ottoman Empire dramatically. By the mid 1500s, Istanbul, with a population of almost half a million, was a major cultural, political, and commercial center. Ottoman rule continued until it was defeated in WWI and Istanbul was occupied by the allies. When the Republic of Turkey was born in 1923 after the War of Independence, Kemal Atat?rk moved its capital to the city of Ankara. However, Istanbul has continued to expand dramatically; today its population is approximately 16 million and increases at an estimated 700,000 immigrants per year. Industry has expanded even as tourism has grown. It continues to be a city that creates its own history at the intersection where both continents meet. With its long history at the center of empires, Istanbul offers a wealth of historic and religious places to take in. The bulk of these are located in Sultanahmet-Old City, including the Hagia Sophia, Topkap?? Palace and the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque). Galata has the Galata Tower and the Galata Whirling Dervish Hall, while the Bosphorus has a number of waterside palaces where where you can admire what money could buy in times gone by. These places are all on the must-see list of Istanbul. Other districts also have a number of less significant, but interesting nonetheless, sights. Church of St. Savior in Chora is an example of a church somewhat out of the traditional center, but is an absolute must see. Mindblowing frescoes and mosaics cover the entire inside of this church. An impressive section of Theodosian walls is right next to the church. Long ignored for their bad connotation with the Tulip era of 1700s, a period of ostentation and costly parties conducted by state elite amidst large gardens full of tulips (and also when the first bulbs were introduced to the Netherlands from Istanbul, by the way), which was later accused of economic destruction and the eventual dissolution of Ottoman Empire, tulips have regained much of their former popularity in the last decade and now serve as some sort of symbol of both Istanbul and the whole Turkey. They bloom around April and May and while they can be seen on many avenues of the city wherever there is enough space for planting at the sides and the centre strip of the road, if you are after admiring and/or photographing large patches of tulips with relatively exotic varieties, head to Sultanahmet Park and G?lhane Park in Sultanahmet; Emirgan Park near the northern Bosphorus neighbourhood of Emirgan; or Caml??ca Hill in Asian Side. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/YfxaaZxoiXwO0webZgrP.flv 79 2009-12-02T01:44:23-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1833-travel-to-Santiago-de-Chile.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/gITdRqDgdShMREcac3rs.jpg Santiago de Chile http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gITdRqDgdShMREcac3rs.flv 114 Santiago de Chile is the capital and economic center of Chile. With its many museums, events, theaters, restaurants, bars and other entertainment and cultural opportunities, it is also the political and cultural center of the country. Its central location in the country makes it a great base for visiting other areas, and it is possible to ski in the nearby Andes and later be on the beach, all in the same day. Santiago is a fast growing city located in the central valley of Chile between the Andes mountain range to the east and the Cordillera of the Coast to the west. Its metropolitan area has more than six million inhabitants. See: Parque Metropolitano - This vast park is home to Cerro San Crist??bal. From the top there is a beautiful view over the city and, on a clear day, the Andes. The summit can be reached by funicular ($900 one way, $1600 return), cable car, or a long hike. In the park there is also a botanical garden, zoo and two swimming pools. Pope John Paul II visited its summit in 1987. Plaza De Armas - The capital's main plaza, also the site of the national cathedral and main post office. Not very clean but otherwise an interesting area of major historical importance. Santiago Centro - The Centro (Downtown) area is a nice place for a stroll down some of its major Paseos (streets turned pedestrian walkways), but be aware of pickpockets. Cerro Santa Lucia - A park with fountains and stairs leading up to the top. The summit has a great view of all but the skyscraper-obscured city center. Charles Darwin visited this peak at one point in his travels. La Chascona - One of three homes of the famous poet Pablo Neruda, La Chascona (meaning tangle-haired woman, after his third wife) is in the artistic Bellavista neighborhood. The house is filled with lots of quirky artifacts collected by Neruda throughout his life, as well as artwork by some of his famous friends. Tours are given in English, French ($3500) and Spanish ($2500). yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/gITdRqDgdShMREcac3rs.flv 102 2009-12-02T01:44:22-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1832-travel-to-Cuzco-Peru.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/bDx1DX0MTOoB22seEOCx.jpg Cuzco Peru http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/bDx1DX0MTOoB22seEOCx.flv 130 Cuzco (also Cusco, or Qosqo in Quechua), located in the Southern Sierras is a fascinating city that was the capital of the Incan Empire. Cuzco is a Unesco World Heritage Site and is one of Peru's most visited cities as it is the largest and most comfortable city from which tourists can begin visits to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and other Incan sites in the region. Cusco is a beautiful city with well preserved colonial architecture, evidence of a rich and complex history. The city itself represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and by merely walking the streets one sees the layers of history. Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop Inca walls line the square, while the modern tourist nightlife flourishes in their midst. The city is surrounded by a number of ruins, the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman, the site of the 1536 battle in which dozens of Pizarro's men charged uphill to battle the forces of the Inca. Nowadays, Cuzco is known for its indigenous population--often seen on the streets in traditional clothing--and its substantial tourist-fueled night life. The centre of Cuzco is small enough to walk around, although you will probably need to catch a bus or taxi to the bus station, Sacsayhuam??n or airport. Beware about walking around at night alone and/or drunk, robberies have often been reported. Taxis are very common in Cuzco. Officially they cost 2-4 soles depending on distance. Call Alo Cuzco Taxis Often many drivers are not locals. Beware when using taxis at night; robberies have been reported in collusion with taxi cab drivers, at certain times radio taxis may be the safest option. The driver might also try to extort a hefty sum of money (15 soles) for a short ride if you don't haggle before - which is likely if you're just arriving at night at the bus terminal and want to avoid the hoards of touts. Just pay 5 soles and leave it at that. If you are staying in Cusco for a long time, the Combis are a cheap and reliable form of transportation. These are the Volkswagen vans and small buses with names like Imperial, Batman, or Zorro. It costs about 60 centimos to ride them. If you are unsure if a certain combi will take you where you want to go, just ask. They will call out the stops as they go and if you want to get off, you just yell Baja!, as in, I want to get off! They run until 10PM. But if you are a fan of lots of personal space, this may not be the best option for you, as they tend to be quite full. Carry your backpack in front of you. For large groups, a tourist bus can be very convenient to get to places like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Check with one of the many local travel agencies. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/bDx1DX0MTOoB22seEOCx.flv 69 2009-12-02T01:44:21-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1831-travel-to-Damascus-Syria.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/b5h5zYt1oEiuPQtcdhad.jpg Damascus Syria http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/b5h5zYt1oEiuPQtcdhad.flv 112 Damascus is the capital of Syria and its largest city, with about 4.5 million people. Established between 10,000 to 8,000BC, Damascus is credited with being the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world. The old-walled city, in particular, feels very ancient and largely consists of a maze of narrow alleys, punctuated by enigmatic doors that lead into pleasing, verdant courtyards and blank-faced houses. The old city still has an authentic medieval feel to it, although this is vanishing fast due to the increasing tourist traffic as the city continues to be highlighted as an attraction. Life however, goes on in the old-walled city, which is still the religious and social center of the city. The Souq al-Hamidiyya, a broad street packed with tiny shops, is entered through columns from a Roman temple built on a site that had been occupied by an even older temple. The souqs themselves smell of cumin and other distinctive spices and you can find passages dedicated to everything from leather and copper goods to inlaid boxes and silk scarves. At the end of Souq al-Hamidiyya stands the great Umayyad mosque; this building with three minarets is an architectural wonder. It was a Greek temple (one can still see ancient Greek carvings on the gate at the Southern wall), then a Roman temple, a church, then a mosque and a church together, and finally a mosque until now. All the symbols are still pretty much there and some Christian drawings can still be very clearly seen on the walls inside. The mosque contains the grave of John the Baptist (for Muslims, prophet Yahya) inside the main lounge. Women are asked to be to cover their hair, arms and legs. Abayas(full-body covers) can be rented near the entrance for 20SP. This is one of the few big mosques in the Islamic world where foreigners are welcome to enter. At the other end of Souq al-Hamidiyya is a fort-like section of the extant city wall that is the Citadel (but make sure to visit Aleppo's Citadel for a truly amazing experience). Nearby, you can visit the Mausoleum of Salah al-Din, known in the west as Saladin, the chief anti-crusader. There's a great statue of him on horseback right next to the citadel, which will make you gasp. If you walk all the way around it, there are two dejected Frankish knights underneath the horse's slightly lifted tail. These two knights are identified by inscriptions as Guy de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem, and Reynald de Chatillon, lord of Kerak, an important fortress in the Holy Land. Both were captured during Salah al-Din's definitive victory at Hattin; Guy was imprisoned in Damascus and eventually released, but Reynald was executed as punishment for his many atrocities. The October War Panorama is out in the suburbs but accessible by minibus or taxi. It's about US$7 to get in and well worth it. It was built with the help of the North Korean Government and the influence shows. There is an exhibit of military hardware outside. English-speaking guides are available. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/b5h5zYt1oEiuPQtcdhad.flv 165 2009-12-02T01:44:20-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1830-travel-to-Mexico-City-Guide.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/DM3FEgV2AgWtB0WnsrIb.jpg Mexico City Guide http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/DM3FEgV2AgWtB0WnsrIb.flv 247 Mexico City (Spanish: M??xico, Ciudad de M??xico, or D.F. (pronounced deh eh-feh)) is the Capital of Mexico, and one of the world's largest and most populated cities. The greater Mexico City metropolitan area is one of the world's largest and most populated, with an estimate of about 20 million people living in the region. It is shaped roughly like an oval of about 60 by 40 kilometers, built on the dry bed of Lake Texcoco, and surrounded on three sides by tall mountains and volcanoes such as the Ajusco, the Popocatepetl and the Ixtlacihuatl. Mexico City proper (with an estimated population of between 8 to 9 million) is in the Federal District (Spanish: Distrito Federal or D.F.), a federally-administered area (that is, not part of any Mexican state) which acts as the capital of Mexico. The rest of the metropolitan area extends beyond it into Mexico State, which surrounds D.F. on three sides. Legally and practically speaking, Mexico City is the same as the Federal District, and that is where most tourists will spend the majority of their time when visiting or staying in the city. Downtown Mexico city is very decentralized with both high-rise and low-rise buildings, unlike American cities' skylines.Mexico City is divided up into 16 delegaciones, similar to the boroughs of New York, which in turn are divided into colonias (neighborhoods), of which there are about 250. Knowing what colonia you're going to is essential to getting around, almost all locals will know where a given colonia is (however, beware that there are some colonias with duplicate or very similar names). As with many very large cities, the structure is relatively decentralized, with several parts of the city having their own miniature downtown areas. However, the real downtown areas are Centro, the old city center, and Zona Rosa, the new business and entertainment district. The city is located 2200 meters above the sea level. Some people not used to high places have experienced difficulty when breathing, however these symptoms fade a few minutes after arrival. Difficulty breathing due to pollution, however, can potentially last a bit longer. Skyline of Reforma skyscrapersMexico City's night life is like all other aspects of the city; it's huge. There is an enormous selection of venues: clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, and variations and combinations thereof to choose from. There is incredible variation, from ultramodern lounges in Santa Fe and Reforma, to centuries-old dance halls in Centro and Roma. There are also pubs in Tlalpan and Coyoac??n and clubs of every stripe in Insurgentes, Polanco, Condesa and the Zona Rosa. Also, when going out, check the date, since this is an important indicator of how full places will generally be, and how long you might have to wait to get in. Salaries are usually paid twice per month, the 30th/31st-1st, and the 14th-15th. On or right after these dates is when most Mexicans will go out, especially if pay day coincides with a weekend. In the more expensive places, people might leave for Acapulco or vacations farther afield during the summer and long weekends. Mexican weekends, in the sense of when it's common to go out drinking, are Thursday night to Sunday morning, and sometimes throughout Sunday. The origins of Mexico City date back to 1325, when the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan was founded and later destroyed in 1521 by Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes. The city served as the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Spain until the outbreak of the Independence War in 1810. The city became the capital of the Mexican Empire in 1821 and of the Mexican Republic in 1823 after the abdication of Agustin de Iturbide. During the Mexico - U.S. war in 1847, the city was invaded by the American army. In 1864 the French invaded Mexico and the emperor Ferdinand Maximilian of Hapsburg ruled the country from the Castillo de Chapultepec and ordered to build Avenue of the Empress (today's Paseo de la Reforma promenade). Porfirio D??az assumed power in 1876 and left an outstanding mark in the city with many Europe yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/DM3FEgV2AgWtB0WnsrIb.flv 59 2009-12-02T01:44:19-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1829-travel-to-Tampa-Florida.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/fYHCXCdsKFdDYJWHV1ps.jpg Tampa Florida http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fYHCXCdsKFdDYJWHV1ps.flv 80 The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city in the greater West Central Florida region. Tampa is situated on the north shore of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida. Saint Petersburg lies west of the bay, while Bradenton is on the southern shore. The downtown business center of the city is on the north shore of Hillsborough Bay (a small bay within Tampa Bay which is bordered by the eastern shore of Tampa Bay and the small peninsula of South Tampa) and Ybor City lies just to the east. MacDill Air Force Base is on the southern tip of South Tampa, while the city also extends to the north all the way to the newly incorporated area of New Tampa. The Tampa Bay area was visited by many Spanish explorers, beginning with Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528. However, no long term permanent settlements were created until 1824 when the US federal government created a reservation for north Florida Seminole Indians. At the same time, the US created Fort Brooke to oversee the reservation as well as protect the strategic harbor. The 1880s saw the town's first population boom. In 1883, phosphate was discovered in the area, spurring the development of the mining and shipping industries in the area. Shortly after, Henry B. Plant completed work on his railroad linking Tampa to Jacksonville. He began promoting Tampa as a holiday spot and built the grand Plant Hotel as a luxury resort destination. In 1886, Vicente Martinez Ybor opened Tampa's first cigar factory in Ybor City which encouraged the immigration of many Spanish, Cuban and Italian (primarily Sicilian) workers. During the Spanish American War at the turn of the century, Tampa was the main port of departure for troops heading for Cuba. During this time, the Plant Hotel was converted into officer's accommodations, housing the Rough Riders and Teddy Roosevelt. In more recent times, MacDill Air Force Base was created in 1939 and the University of South Florida in 1956. Over the course of the Twentieth Century, Tampa has grown into the center of a large metropolitan area; it now hosts the regional headquarters of many international companies, has acquired numerous professional sports teams, and has even bid for the summer Olympics. Tampa has a growing economy and serves as a major port. Among others, Raymond James, Home Shopping Network, Outback Steakhouse, and a major portion of Citigroup are all headquartered in Tampa. Tampa's major industries today are phosphate mining, shipping, citrus processing, shrimping, and tourism. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fYHCXCdsKFdDYJWHV1ps.flv 161 2009-12-02T01:44:18-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1828-travel-to-Houston-Texas-USA.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/fHxAOKpk0TsfydHSuGze.jpg Houston Texas USA http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fHxAOKpk0TsfydHSuGze.flv 96 Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States. It is huge, both in population and in land area. Urban sprawl is a term tailor-made for this city, due to Houston being the largest unzoned city in the country. Houston is a multicultural city home to some of the nation's largest Asian, Arab and Latin American populations. But its culture is not limited to diverse population ??? it also boasts a world class symphony and theater district that includes a full-time ballet company and opera. Houston is the largest city in the United States without any appreciable zoning. While there is some small measure of zoning in the form of ordinances and land use regulations, real estate development in Houston is only constrained by the will and the pocketbook of real estate developers. Traditionally, Houston politics and law are strongly influenced by real estate developers; at times, the majority of city council seats have been held by developers. What this means to visitors is that Houston covers a larger land area with less population than might otherwise be expected. The city is primarily built on the energy industry and nearly everyone owns a car and drives everywhere they go. However, the city is becoming more dense and walkable, particularly in the Midtown/Montrose areas. With a few exceptions, almost everything to see or do is in Houston's urban core inside the 610 Loop and more specifically in between downtown, the Galleria, and the Texas Medical Center. yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/fHxAOKpk0TsfydHSuGze.flv 123 2009-12-02T01:44:17-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1827-travel-to-Trpanj-Croatia.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/YhG2nGFA4zzEBVOAvJF5.jpg Trpanj Croatia http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/YhG2nGFA4zzEBVOAvJF5.flv 114 Trpanj is a town and municipality of Dubrovnik-Neretva County in south eastern Croatia. According to the 2001 census, Trpanj has a population of 871. Croats make up 93.11% of the population. There is more than one theory about the origin of the name Trpanj. According to one, the name was derived from the Croatian verb trpjeti, meaning to suffer. Another theory draws the origin of the name from an Ancient Greek word for sickle, which is the shape formed by the cliffs surrounding the town's harbor. According to a third theory, the name was derived from the name of the ancient fortification called Tarpano or Tarponio, the remains of which can still be seen on the hill overlooking the harbor. Finally, the sea cucumber is called a trp in Croatian, leading some to make the connection. Places to see: On the small hill just above he port was a fortress of a considerable size, and it northern walls are especially well preserved. The total length of the walls is 60 m. The location, plan and wall construction indicate that it was built in the late antiquity, probably in the time of the Byzantine emperor Justinian who built a series of fortresses along the Croatian coast to protect maritime commerce, after having driven out Goths out of Dalmatia. The fortress has not yet been analyzed by archeologists. A staircase and path that lead to the fortress and the observatory was built in 1936 although it is presently hard to gain access to due to residential buildings that make it less obvious. Church of St. Peter: Until 1922, remains of the oldest church of St. Peter ???on the shore?? could be found in the park in front of the former fire station. In front of the church was a walled cemetery where burials were carried out until 1904. The church had all the details of pre-Romanesque construction just like mot Croatian churches built between the 9th and 12th centuries. It was 4.62 m long, 3.8 m wide and about 5 m high. This early Middle Ages church was elongated probably in the baroque era, with a wider nave. Hence the original church became simply the altar section of a larger church. The stone arch that was inserted where the old church met the expansion, was done in a shallow relief and the stones from this arch were later used in 1957 in the renovation of the church of St. Roko. From the visit archives of the Ston Bishop Ambroz Gu?eti?? from 4 July, 1621 it is known that the church has a bell tower with bells but it is empty. It has no roof or doors. The bishop ordered the town to restore the church so that it may again be put to use. The roof had probably burned down in 1591 during a pirate attack which were frequent in that year. The same bishop consecrated a restored church and urged the residents to keep the main altar in good condition. He only mentioned the main altar as other altars were the responsibility of the individual families that had built them. Hence it can be found in records that don Agostino di Agostino in his will read on 14 August, 1679 instructs his brothers to decorate and take care of his altar in the church. At the end of August 1679 the church was inspected again and new orders were given to continue the restoration that had not yet been done to satisfaction. The Trpanj born bishop D?ivo Natali inspected the church in 1684 and forbade mass services till main altar renovations were not carried out. The Trpanj people often left money for the church in their wills as can be seen in old archives. When the church became a ruin, it was used as a cemetery, so that the original 9th century chapel reappeared but with no doors which accelerated its ruin. Two altars from the church, entrance stones and the classical Rosetta stone were moved to the church of St. Michael. The 4th altar was moved in 1857 to the church of Lady of Carmen. Church of St. Roko: The church of St. Roko, protector from leprosy, was built in the first half of the 17th century over the remains of an older church on the highest hill overlooking Trpanj and the Neretva channel. The 1621 bishop???s visitation does not mention the churc yes http://www.checkmycity.com/flvplayer.swf?file=http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/YhG2nGFA4zzEBVOAvJF5.flv 599 2009-12-02T01:44:16-06:00 0.0 http://www.checkmycity.com/1826-travel-to-Kuwait-City-Guide.html http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/thumbs/G44CetCEwzcyDdVEbtZX.jpg Kuwait City Guide http://www.checkmycity.com/uploads/G44CetCEwzcyDdVEbtZX.flv 145 Kuwait City (Arabic: Al Kuwayt) is the capital of the country with the same name. Kuwait City is a bustling metropolis of high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, wide boulevards and well-tended parks and gardens. Its seaport is used by oil tankers, cargo ships and many pleasure craft. Its most dominant landmarks are the Kuwait Towers. The main residential and business areas are Salmiya and Hawalli. The main industrial area is Shuwaikh within the Al Asimah Governorate. The main palaces are As-Seef Palace in the old part of Kuwait City where the Emir runs the daily matters of the country, the government headquarters is in Bayan Palace; while the current Emir stays in