Namakwa

 region in the north-western part of Northern Cape Province in South Africa near the town of Springbok is called Upland Nama, or colloquially Namakwa. Kamiesberg located between mountains and sea, with nothing seemingly privileged position for most of the year, is known for its beautiful wild flowers, most bulbs blooming during the coming spring.

Floral carpets attract in August and September of tourists from all over the world. Namakwa daisies with one of the greatest natural attractions of South Africa. The town of Springbok (10.4 thousand.) Was established with the discovery of rich deposits of copper, and something that is very rare, sources of drinking water. Today is an important center serving the nearby copper mines and diamonds. In the 20 Springbok twentieth century there were many Jews, the synagogue where the rest turned out in a small but interesting museum. A few years ago, has become a major attraction Goegap nature reserve, located about 15 km east of Sprigbok. Areas where alluvial diamonds mined are closed and the sale of the precious stones only deal with licensed agents.

In the season of blooming flowers view is breathtaking. Crowds of tourists come here to admire about 4000 species of plants. Most of the flowers are protected for their risk of breaking a heavy fine. The best time to admire the plants is between 10 and 16 hours Most flowers open only in the sunshine and the sun rotates. Therefore, it is best to visit the plateau with the sun on the back to be able to fully enjoy the beauty of plants.

I would recommend going Spektakel ride, here at the highest point extends to the majestic views of the river Buffels and all the way to the village Kleinzee. Now you can go down a new asphalt road into the valley, turn left on Komaggas, left on Soebatsfontein and left again at the crossroads in the middle of green meadows sapphire, which is part of the Namaqua National Park.

Other areas around the Namaqua National Park is very sparsely populated. The largest group of whites (Afrikaners) involved in the production of sheep and a strain belonging to the Namaqua Hottentots.

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde plateau length of 32 kilometers and 24 kilometers wide. It stands 2300 meters above sea level and 600 meters above the plain. Millions of years ago the wallwas a deep fissure, and many caves and grottoes, which then were hidden city - CliffPalace.

In the sixth century, the Anasazi (the name of the tribe was given by the Indians, and means those who came before us) have built their headquarters here. The houses weremade ​​of clay, and the only entrance was on the roof. Near the dwellings were circularbuildings called Kivas, which were used for religious purposes.

People Anasazi had probably 50 thousand people, and lived the area of the current state of New Mexico and Arizona in the USA. They were involved in growing corn, beans,pumpkins, and breeding turkeys. They manufactured cotton materials and thecharacteristic black and white decorated pottery, they also built the canals and reservoirsthat provide water settlements.

Anasazi left the city at the end of the thirteenth century and probably went to the south andgave birth to the Hopi people, who now lives a similar area of ​​the United States. The reason for the change of location was probably prolonged drought.

Cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde discovered in 1888 by two farmers: Charlie Mason and his son Richard Wetherhill. Currently the settlement is located in the Mesa Verde National Park.

Lake Asphalt

When the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh landed in Trinidad in the West Indies in 1595, was the first European who heard about the Tierra de Brea or Pitch, where there are large deposits of tar (bitumen or asphalt). It's strange, but fascinating place, probablywith the largest deposits of tar in the world, is now known as Trinidad Lake Asphalt.


Lake covers an area of ​​44 hectares and is 82 m deep. Created 50 million years ago from the decaying remains of sea creatures.As a result of this process produced the hydrocarbons that pass through permeable rocks. Later, the movement of rocks, was elevated to the surface, and the sun burnt them on it so hard crust that you can walk on it.


Asphalt on the surface of the lake creates a dark platinum, and in the hollows between them is collected rain water. The lake is in constant motion, because the asphalt moves from the center outwards. As a result of gas evolution, from time to time hear a strangegurgle.

Caves Frasassi

Frasassi Gorge in Ancona (Italy), with a length of 3.2 km, was carved by rapidly flowing from the Apennines to the sea the riverSentino. The gorge is surrounded by steep limestone walls, dotted with the entrances to the caves.


In 1971, a team of speleologists exploring the area discovered a unique, 13 km system of caves and passageways. This system, known as the Grotta Grande del Vento (Great Cave of Wind) extends into the Apennines.

The explorers were surprised by the magnificent view of the transparent pools, stationary water and muddy banks of limestonecaves with sculptures, reminiscent of the frozen crystals. Some forms of dripstone look like lace curtains, delicate flowers or candles.Some are almost transparent, others sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow.

Lofoty

Lofoten is an archipelago in the Norwegian Sea in the north-west coast of Norway, separated from the mainland by the Strait ofVestfjorden. He is known for its exceptional beauty, and also one of the world's largest thermal anomalies.


The largest islands of Lofoten are Austvågøy, Gimsøy, Vestvagoy, Flakstadøya and Moskenesøya, and the overall land area of the archipelago is 1227 km ².

While lying in the Lofoten area is the Arctic Circle where temperatures are much higher than in other places of similar latitude. The main reason for this anomaly is a warm sea current flowing from the west of Europe - the Gulf Stream (Gulf Stream) and itsextension - North Atlantic Current.

Mausoleum of Agostinho Neto

Africa is not just deserts and the poor, but also developing the town with interesting buildings. One such structure is the Mausoleum of Agostinho Neto in Luanda, Angola.


This gigantic monument was built to honor the father of independent Angola - Agostinho Neto. Agostinho Neto in the years 1975-1979 he served as first president of independent Angola. It is also the most famous poet derived from this African country.


In his reign Angola close relations with the Soviet Union and other Communist states. In these countries, a common practice was themummification of bodies of deceased leaders. Following the example of those countries also embalmed the body of Agostinho Neto.

Fasil Ghebbi

At the foot of the mountain chain of Semien, in the center of Gondar, there is a complex of castles called Fasil Ghebbi.


In this city-fortress surrounded by a wall with a length of 900 meters and an area of ​​nearly 70,000 sq ft located up to 6 locks. Each of them served as the seat of the then ruler, and was specially built for him. This practice stemmed from the tradition prevailing inEthiopia - just not proper to live in a mansion predecessor. In addition to the castles, the walls are the ruins of three churches and theremains of numerous public and private buildings.


The most famous castle complex is Fasil Ghebbi Fasilidasa castle, built in the seventeenth century. Noteworthy is also the archivebear his name. Aside from the Fasilidasa their residences have here also: Yohannes, Iyasu, Dawit, Bekafa and Mintiwab.


Its original appearance is due to the influence of Hindu monuments and Arabic. Later, with the arrival of Jesuit missionaries, thearchitecture of the buildings were gradually adapted to the style of the Baroque.


As a result of wars, earthquakes Fasil Ghebbi repeatedly underwent more or less damage. It is now restored and opened to the public. Since 1979, the complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Abu Simbel

The temple was discovered in May 1813 year by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. He found her Nubian travelingthrough the desert along the Nile about 250 miles south-east of Aswan.


The temples were built in the thirteenth century BC, during the reign of Ramses II in the years 1279 -1213 BC The interior is carvedinto the rock and has a length of 50 meters. On the walls appear reliefs depicting images of Ramses II. Among them is the reliefcommemorating the victory of Ramses II in the Battle of Kadesh. On the back wall are statues, which twice a year - 20 February and 20 October the rising sun shines. The temple dedicated to Amon-Re, Re and Ptah-Horakhte.


Next to the church is smaller, which is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and the royal wife Nefertari. Outside the stand four statues ofsitting on the throne of Ramses II and his mother, a wife and a few of the numerous descendants.


Due to the construction of High Aswan High Dam in the years 1960-1971 and the creation of Lake Nasser temple was threatenedflooding. To protect against destruction of Abu Simbel Egyptian government and UNESCO decided to move the structureapproximately 65 meters above.


The building was cut into several thousands of stone blocks weighing about 20 tons each and were transported to the designated place. Move completed in 1966, and a place where there were temples had long been flooded. All work supervised by Professor Kazimierz Michalowski, a reconstructed building retained its original orientation, so that there is still two times a year, the sunilluminates the statues.

Victoria Falls

One of the most magnificent waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls, lies on the Zambezi River, which forms the border betweenZambia and Zimbabwe. In the upper reaches of the river flows slowly through a wide, shallow valley. Already at a distance of about 50 km from the waterfall can be seen floating in the air at the height of 300 meters of water a cloud of dust. From afar is heard theroar of water sweeping. The natives call wodspad Mosi-oa-Tunja which means the smoke that thunders.


Zambezi River squeezes through barring her way deep rock crevice, forming the Victoria Falls. Rift was caused by movements ofthe earth about 150 million years ago. At its widest point measures 1690 meters waterfall.

Opposite the cliff where the water falls down, just grow another 75 m cliff. Between them is a narrow gorge at the bottom of whichwater forms a surf, called boiling Cauldron. In the further course of the river, over 72 km, there are numerous breakthroughs.

Angel Falls

In 1935, American pilot Jimmy Angel was flying over the mountains of Venezuela, in search of gold. When he found himself on theDevil's Mountain, saw some waterfalls. After two years he returned to look at them more closely. However, the plane which was flying, crashed and got stuck in a swamp. Angel and his companion for eleven days struggling through the jungle to reach thewaterfalls. Jimmy Angel did not find gold, he discovered the world's highest waterfall, which was later called his name.


Water Angel Falls, eighteen times higher than Niagara, falls from a height of 1054 m.


The first drop from the edge of the cliff to the rocky shelf, is 807 m, the second - from the rocky protrusion into the pool with a width of 152 foot of him - a further 172 m.


Tropical forest around the waterfall is so dense that the area is virtually inaccessible. During the rainy season when water levels in rivers rises significantly, you can get there by boat. During the rest of the year, the waterfall can be seen only from the ground.


Devil's Island, called by the Indians Auyan Tepui, a massive table top or plateau, were probably 65 million years ago as a result ofvertical crustal movements. Under the influence of climatic factors has eroded edge of the massif, and a visible trace of thenumerous cracks and fissures, which during the rainy season water flows.