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Top ten most beautiful places in the world: amazing pictures

By Gautam Pradeep on Saturday, November 21, 2009

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We live in a world blessed with sights that are beautiful beyond words. Every human being dreams of and possesses a desire to visit those places in their lifetime. Living in modern cities with high-rise buildings, we tend to miss out on what mother-nature has to offer and some of the man-made structures par excellence.

Look at these places and you will see beauty that fills the eye and warms the heart. It is not only inappropriate to just pick a few places from the huge expanse of the world but also humanly impossible.

They say that ‘beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder,’ and there are perhaps other places that have touched your heart. For this reason, we do not claim that these places we are bringing to you are the best, but they are certainly among the most beautiful places of the world.

The Grand Canyon, United States

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

A steep gorge by the Colorado River, Arizona in United States, this has the most enjoyable scenery. It is 277 miles in length, 4 to 18 miles in width and about a mile in depth. Scientists are of the opinion that the canyon has been created by the Colorado River over a six million year period.

The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Overlook

canyon_viewpoint

Native Americans built settlements in the caves within the canyon before the emigration of Europeans. It was also considered to be a site of pilgrimage by the Pueblo people. The first recorded visit to the Grand Canyon by the Europeans was in 1869. Although, it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is known for its extremely huge size and beautifully intricate landscape. The Grand Canyon National Park is said to be one of the first National Parks in the United States and attracts more than five million visitors a year. Weather conditions in the Grand Canyon vary a great deal between seasons as well as elevation. While winter snow is experienced by the higher elevated forested rims, the inner gorge has a desert temperature because of the low elevation.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia is the world’s largest coral reef. It has the distinction of being placed in the World Heritage as well as the National Heritage lists.

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

With more than 600 islands and coral cays, the reef covers more than 300,000 sq. km. Corals make up the several reefs and cays and are responsible for a huge variety of sea life in the reef; including green turtles, several varieties of whales and dolphins, dugong, about 4000 types of mollusk, 1500 different species of fish as well as a beautiful colored bird life with 200 species. The Great Reef Marine Park is a huge tourist attraction with more than a couple of million tourists visiting the area each year. Sporting includes activities such as reef sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling amongst several others.

Cape Town, South Africa

Aptly called “heaven on earth,” this beautiful town at the tip of the African continent, with small roads surrounded by huge mountains, makes a person feel small; showing how marvelous and dominating nature can actually be.

Cape Town at Night

Cape Town

Cape Town

The Cape Dutch style buildings depict the architectural heritage of the place. Beauty abounds in the black clouds that seem to pay homage to Table Mountain at all times. Cape Point, Signal Hill, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island, Rhodes Memorial and the beaches are some of the famous tourist attractions. Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town is famous for its natural floral kingdom as well as its harbor. This town is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South Africa, with its wine tasting day trips, whale watching and dolphin watching.

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal in India is one of the wonders of the world and is one of the most beautiful mausoleums constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Located in Agra, white marble is used in the creation of this symbol of love and is considered to be the pinnacle of the famous Mughal architecture.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Story goes that the emperor was grief stricken when he lost his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took several thousands of craftsmen, artisans and about twenty years to construct it. The masons, stonecutters, carvers, inlayers, calligraphers, painters and others were brought from the entire empire as well as from Iran and Central Asia. Semi-precious stones were used for inlay ornamentation. It later became the mausoleum of Shah Jahan too. This is a huge tourist attraction with one to two million tourists visiting it every year.

Canadian Rockies, Canada

The majestic Canadian Rockies are the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky mountains. They are a visitor’s wonderland and the playground for western Canada. They are older than the American Rockies and are formed from over thrusting.

Canadian Rockies

Canadian Rockies to Moraine Lake

Glacier at Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies house five national parks, out of which four of them along with other provincial parks form a combination of a single UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of beautiful mountain landscapes, lakes, canyons, waterfalls, glaciers, peaks, limestone caves as well as fossils. Mount Robson is the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies and climbing it is considered a challenge. These beautiful mountains are a haven for hikers and walkers alike.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu in Peru, which means ‘Old Peak,” is one of the most enigmatic ancient sites in the world. According to legend, Machu Picchu was a long time ago considered to be a sacred place. The credit for the creation of the extraordinary city goes to the Inca people who have erected many stone structures and turned the place into an art form.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Two thousand feet above the Urubamba river, these ruins consist of baths, temples, palaces and about 150 houses, all very well preserved. These gray granite structures, some of which weigh more than 50 tons are so perfectly sculpted that they are nothing less than architectural genius. They were rediscovered by a Yale archaeologist in 1911. The ethereal beauty, the workmanship and history of the place attracts millions of tourists each year.

The Pyramids, Egypt

The Egyptian pyramids are massive monuments with a square base and four triangular sides rising up to a point. There was a lot of curiosity associated with the pyramids as to their formation, whether it was natural.

Egypt

Egyptian Pyramids

Pyramids of Egypt

sphinx_and_pyramids

However, the Egyptians started constructing them after 2700 B.C. and were built as tombs for the Pharaohs. The most well-known and the largest pyramids of Egypt are the Pyramids at Giza which are said to be the largest ever built, and the Great Pyramid at Giza took 23 years to complete for about a work force of 30,000. About 118 pyramids have been identified and are very popular with people from all over the world.

Petra, Jordan

Described by the UNESCO as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage, Petra is an archeological site on the slope of Mount Hor. It is one of the new wonders of the world and is famous for its rock cut architecture.

Petra

Petra

Petra Attraction

Ed Deir Petra

This site was kept hidden till 1812 when it was discovered by a Swiss explorer. It was said to have been prepared by God for the Jewish people. Petra once flourished under the Roman empire but a rapid decline began with the Arabian trade being taken elsewhere. Then an earthquake caused a lot of destruction. Tourists throng the place to get a glimpse of the ruins of this beautiful city.

Great Wall of China, China

One of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China is a man-made structure that was constructed over two thousand years ago and took about 100 years to complete. The vastness of this project brings to light the immense capabilities of man.

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

The constructions started in the 5th Century B.C. It is actually many walls put together and stretches over 4,000 miles and was constructed to protect the Chinese Empire from the Xiongnu people in the north. The wall was initially built of stone, grass, earth and wood, but bricks were used once the production started. It is believed that about 2-3 million Chinese died as part of this project.

The Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina-Brazil Border

Heralded as the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, the Iguazu Waterfalls are a true wonder of nature. They are located at the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. While the Argentinean side allows visitors to walk right around the water or explore the National Park; the Brazilian side is known for its panoramic views and splendor.

The Iguazu Waterfalls

The Iguazu Waterfalls

The Iguazu Waterfalls

First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, upon seeing these falls is claimed to have exclaimed “poor Niagara.” The area of the falls provides ample opportunities for rock climbing as well as water sports. Iguazu has the distinction of having the greatest annual flow when compared to any other falls in the world.

With all these and many more beautiful places that exist in our world, we are lost for choice and the only way to decide on the places to visit is to follow the heart. While some may love the tranquility of water, others may bury themselves deep in the architectural miracles or the serenity of a small town.
Source: Dirjournal.com

Fossils of Dinosaurs Egg is on SALE

By Gautam Pradeep on Thursday, September 03, 2009

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A fossilized dinosaur egg nest, with embryos still inside their shells, is seen in a handout image from auctioneers Bonhams and Butterfields. The exceptionally well-preserved 65 million year-old fossilized dinosaur nest with some broken eggs exposing tiny skeletons is up for auction in Los Angeles on Sunday. The nest of raptors, fierce predatory dinosaurs, is expected to fetch between 180,000-200,000 U.S. dollars. A close-up image of a fossilized dinosaur egg nest, with embryos still inside their shells, seen in a handout image from auctioneers Bonhams and Butterfields. The exceptionally well-preserved nest is up for auction in Los Angeles on Sunday. A close-up image of a fossilized dinosaur egg shell, with the embryos still inside, seen in a handout image from auctioneers Bonhams and Butterfields. An exceptionally well-preserved 65 million year-old fossilized dinosaur nest with some broken eggs exposing tiny skeletons is up for auction in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Wonderful pictures of Pokhara Nepal : a piece of heaven

By Gautam Pradeep on Thursday, April 16, 2009

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Pretty View from the plane above the Himalayas near pokhara.

CLICK HERE FOR MANY WONDERFUL PICTURES OF POKHARA

A girl with 'DOKO': in a remote village of pokhara.

A nice view from Fewa lake boat pokhara.

Peace Pagoda : Pokhara

Seti River gorge :one of the mysterious location in pokhara.

Paragliding in pokhara. So joyful moment.

Machhapuchhre Himal (Fishtail mountain) is the hat of pokahara.

Gupteswor Gupha(cave) is also attraction of Pokahara

Devis Fall : a mysterious place in pokhara kaski.

One of the main attraction of Pokhara Fewa Lake(Phewa Taal)

Tourist in Fewa lake(fewa taal)

'Pokhareli Kanchhi' Tamang girls of Pokhara.
Type rest of the post here

World's Tallest Buildings: Amazing Pictures

By Gautam Pradeep on Friday, March 20, 2009

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Skyscraper Burj Dubai :United Arab Emirates


Rotating Building :Dubai

Skyscraper :Dubai

Twin Towers KualaLampur, Malaysia

Skyscraper (Taipei 101): Taipei, Taiwan

CN tower Canada

Chicago Sears Tower

Tibet : in one picture

By Gautam Pradeep on Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north of the Himalayas, and the home to the indigenous Tibetan people. With an average elevation of 4,900 metres (16,000 ft), it is the highest region on Earth and has in recent decades increasingly been referred to as the "Roof of the World".Before Tibet got into the limelight, the term Roof of the World was applied to the Pamirs.

In the history of Tibet, it has been an independent country[3], divided into different kingdoms, and a part of China each for a certain amount of time. Today it is part of the People's Republic of China (PRC) while a small part, according to the government of the People's Republic of China, the government of the Republic of China, some of their diplomatic allies, as well as scholarly and non-governmental bodies, is controlled by India. Currently, the PRC government and the Government of Tibet in Exile still disagree over when Tibet became a part of China, and whether the incorporation into China of Tibet is legitimate according to international law[4] (see Tibetan sovereignty debate). Since what constitutes Tibet is a matter of much debate (see map, right) neither its size nor population are simple matters of fact, due to various entities claiming differing parts of the area as a Tibetan region.

Machau Picchu:"The Lost City of the Incas"

By Gautam Pradeep on Thursday, December 18, 2008

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Wonder of the world :The Colosseum (Rome)

By Gautam Pradeep on Thursday, December 18, 2008

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Picture from space : Hurricane Katrina

By Gautam Pradeep on Sunday, September 14, 2008

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Hurricane : Katrina, Rita, Ike, Gustav .......so on

By Gautam Pradeep on Friday, September 12, 2008

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hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which in meteorological terms, is a storm system with a closed circulation around a center of low pressure that is fueled when moist air rises, condenses and releases heat. Producing very high winds and torrential rain, hurricanes can be catastrophic for living populations. However, hurricanes also play an important role in relieving sustained droughts and maintaining equilibrium in the environment.

Hurricanes often begin as tropical storms, strengthening according to water temperature. Strong wind damage and water damage from flooding and storm surge from hurricanes can wreak havoc on regions all over the world.

Learn more about hurricanes with the latest news articles, interactive features and more at LiveScience.com. Find out theanswers to your most pressing questions about hurricanes. What elements cause the physical structure of a hurricane to form? How does the U.S. National Hurricane Center use the latest hurricane tracking equipment to predict potential impactseach season? Is there another Katrina on the horizon? How can we better prepare for hurricanes?

Check out our pictures of hurricanes and be provided with unparalleled views of these intimidating yet awesome natural occurrences.



Niagara Falls : The example of natural beauty

By Gautam Pradeep on Friday, September 12, 2008

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Statue of Liberty: In Short

By Gautam Pradeep on Tuesday, April 01, 2008

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The Statue of Liberty, officially Liberty Enlightening the World, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and completed in July 1884. Working with dreams of the famous figure over a decade before its completion, Bartholdi produced a number of miniaturized working models. Once the design was finalized, wooden molds were made, over which copper sheets were attached and hammered into shape. The copper shell was then joined to an internal iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel, who later built the Eiffel Tower. The statue commemorates the alliance between the United States and France during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783, and was funded completely The Statue of Liberty's torch on display at the 1876 centennial in Philadelphia.through the This 1885 edition of The Globe announces the completion of the fund-raiser for Lady Liberty's Pedestal. donation of the French people. On the 4th of July, 1884, The 151 feet (46 meters) tall 225 ton Statue of Liberty was delivered to the American Ambassador in Paris. People were awed as the colossal 15-story lady towered over the four and five-story buildings surrounding her. In order to bring it to New York Harbor, The Statue of Liberty was dismantled into 300 pieces and packed into 214 wooden crates. The pieces of her torch-bearing arm alone, which had been displayed previously in Philadelphia for the 1876 centennial- filled 21 boxes.

When the Statue of Liberty was finally ready to be shipped to the United States, problems across the Atlantic emerged. Emma Lazerath The pedestal on which she would be placed was no where near complete. At last on June 17, 1886, she arrived in New York Harbor, and was officially installed on a massive monument designed by Richard Morris Hunt, and built with funds raised by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer. Located on Bedloe's Island, renamed Liberty Island in 1956 by an act of Congress, the concrete and granite pedestal was surrounded by a star-shaped wall, which was part of Fort Wood, built in the early 19th century to defend New York during the War of 1812. In October of 1886, President Grover Cleveland delivered a dedication address at Liberty's dedication ceremony, during which she was finally unveiled to the American people. To complete today's image of our beautiful lady, the sonnet "The New Colossus" by American poet Emma Lazarus was inscribed in bronze at the base of the statue in 1903.

The Statue of Liberty was declared a national monument in 1924. In order to prepare for the statue's centennial year in 1986, a French-American rehabilitation project repaired and cleaned the statue, replacing the glass-and metal torch with one covered in gold leaf. Ferries from Battery Park in New York City now take visitors to Liberty Island. They can take an elevator or climb 192 steps to an observation deck at the top of the pedestal. A museum located inside the pedestal gives full detail of the history of the monument and features the original torch and flame. The full climb of 354 steps take the most ambitious visitors from the pedestal to the crown, offering breathtaking views of New York Harbor and New York City. The complete Statue of Liberty national monument also includes Ellis Island, and both Liberty Island and Ellis Island lie in Upper New York Bay.

Amazing "Leaning tower of Pisa"

By Gautam Pradeep on Monday, March 24, 2008

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Tower of Pisa no longer leans quite so much after a £20 million project to save it was hailed a complete success yesterday.


The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been straightened by 18 inches,
returning it to its position of 1838. It has been leaning since 1173


The tower, which was on the verge of collapse, has been straightened by 18 inches (45 centimetres) returning it to its 1838 position.

"It has straightened a little bit more than we expected, but every little helps," said Prof John Burland, an expert in soil mechanics at Imperial College London, who was the only British member of the 14-strong rescue committee.

He said the tower was still "very slightly moving" towards being upright, but that it had stabilised.

The tower, which has been leaning almost since building work first began in 1173, was closed to the public in 1990 because of safety fears. The 183-foot tower was nearly 15 feet off vertical and its structure was found to have been weakened by centuries of strain.

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Prof Burland said it could have collapsed "at any moment". However, it took nine years of bureaucratic wrangling before any work was done. "That was the difficult bit, getting the work going," Prof Burland said.

The last attempt at straightening the tower was carried out under orders from Benito Mussolini, who wanted it to be perfectly vertical.

Concrete was poured into the foundations, but the result was that the tower sank further into the soil. The straightening of the tower was praised by the president of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano.

"We have to pay homage to the extraordinary success of the very delicate task of saving a monumental symbol of our history and of our civilisation," he said. "Italy has at its disposal a cultural sensitivity and technical competence of the highest level."

The straightening work involved the extraction of around 70 tonnes of earth from the northern side of the tower, causing it to sink on that side. Before the digging started, the tower was anchored with steel cables and 600 tonnes of lead weights.


Prof John Burland was on the rescue committee


However, halfway through the project, concerns at the ugliness of the weights led to their removal and the tower lurched dramatically. "In one night, the tower moved more than it had averaged in an entire year," said Prof Burland. The weights were hastily reattached.

"As an engineer, I felt confident that we could meet the challenge, but there were times when I really felt we were about to lose it," Prof Burland admitted.

The tower's stonework has also been restored and tourists can clearly see the difference between its levels of limestone and marble.

"If we had not stepped in the tower would have collapsed between 2030 and 2040," said Salvatore Settis, the president of the committee. "This is crucial for the tower's stability and it was a totally Italian success."

The Italian government stepped in after a tower collapsed in Pavia in 1989, killing four people. "The experts suddenly realised that the tower at Pisa, which was similarly built and on the same sort of earth, could do the same," said Pierfrancesco Pacini, the president of the group that supervises public works in Pisa



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devis fall : attraction of pokhara

By Gautam Pradeep on Saturday, March 22, 2008

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Devis Fall (Patale Chhango)
The water flowing from Phewa Lake shows a wonderful fall. We find hollow sandy part
and a heavy fall of water within its natural trench. It looks really amazing scene of
rainbow with sunlight when a volume of water falls in the deep rocky gorge and produces the water vapour especially in summer. Gupteshwar Mahadev cave is just opposite sides of Davi’s Fall where the Hindu religion people worship a temple of their great god Mahadev inside the cave and it is cave is almost 3 km long. This cave holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. Cave has the connection
with the Davis fall gorge. It is quite interesting for exploration; it has some big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours.