October 1, 2011

Islands, Wonders Of The World, 7 Wonders, Australia, Lord Howe Islands Group

An amazing example of isolated oceanic islands, born of volcanic activity more than 2,000 m under the sea, these islands boast amagnificent topography and are home to numerous endemic species, especially birds.

Based in the South Pacific, 700 km north-east of Sydney, the house is included administratively in New South Wales. The preserve includes some 75% of the land area of  Lord Howe Island and all of  the offshore islands and rocks of significant size in the region.

These are the Admiralty Group; Mutton Bird and Sail Rock; Blackburn (Rabbit) Island; Gower Island; and Ball’s Pyramid, together with several of small islands and rocks.

The seaward boundary follows the mean high water mark and therefore excludes all littoral and marine areas. The entire island group has remarkable volcanic exposures unfamiliar elsewhere.

The main island of Lord Howe measures 10 km from north and south and is nothing more than 2 km in width. It roughly describes a crescent, enclosing a coral reef lagoon on its south-western side. The island’s topography is covered with the southerly Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird. Only a narrow isthmus of lowland country in the north-central part of the island is habitable. The northern tip consists of steep hillsides culminating in extensive sea cliffs resistant to the northern coastline.

Lord Howe Island is the eroded remnant of a large shield volcano which erupted from the sea floor intermittently for about 500,000 years in the late Miocene (6.5-7 million years ago). The island group represents the exposed peaks of a large volcanic seamount which is about 65 km long and 24 km wide and which rises from ocean depths of over 1,800 m.

Four separate series of volcanic rocks are recognized on the main island group: tuffs, breccia and basalts, with widespread intrusion of basaltic dykes.

The dominant landforming process on Lord Howe since the last of the volcanic eruptions has been marine erosion, which has cut and maintained major cliffs. Slope failure and accumulation of talus at the foot of some cliffs, particularly in the south, have modified their original shape.

Islands, Wonders Of Nature, Australia, 7 Wonders

The island supports the southern truest coral reef in the world, which is of Pleistocene to Recent Age and differs considerably from more northerly warm water reefs. It is unique in being a transition between the algal and coral reef, due to fluctuations of hot and cold water around the island.

A wide variety of vegetation types has been described for the islands, with the diversity corresponding with the range of habitats. Variable exposure to wind and penetration of salt spray appear to be the main determinants of vegetation occurrence, structure and floristic.

A population of the large forest bat occurs on the Island. No other indigenous native mammals are known. Introduced species, however, include mice, rats and goats.

There are at least 129 native and introduced bird species. Lord Howe is now the only known breeding ground for providence petrel. Fleshy-footed shearwater breeds in large numbers, with possibly half the world’s population present seasonally. Other important species breeding within the preserve include kermadec petrel, black-winged petrel, wedge-tailed shearwater, little shearwater, white-bellied storm petrel, masked booby, and red-tailed tropic bird in greater concentrations than probably anywhere else in the world.

The earliest European discovery of Lord Howe appears to have been in 1788 by the British. A small permanent settlement was established in the 19th century, subsisting on trade with passing ships. There is no recognized evidence of prior Polynesian or Melanesian discovery or settlement.

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• Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Barrier Reef Reserve System, Belize
• Kakadu National Park, Australia
• Tasmanian Wilderness, Australia

November 6, 2010

kiyomizu temple, japan, kiyomzu, Kiyomizu dera Temple, japan heritage

Much more popular Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu dera, in Japanese) is, for most of the visitors to Kyoto should do. The main hall, is constructed out of columns. Effect, will extend from the foot of the mountain is the one who was a deck.

C.E. Kiyomizu Derain, was created from several Buddhist temples and the Kiyomizu temple originally dates from the eighth century, must see.

Temple, was founded in 798 CE, and (“Kiyo mizu” means pure water) is called for where a waterfall, which is portrayed on the right.

Deran Kiyomzu best-known view, the main hall is a large patio. He makes wooden ledge on the column, and is an impressive place.

After taking in the view from the porch of the city of Kyoto – down the left – most of the tourist, walking down the waterfall below. Water, are said to have the goods to improve.

In addition to the porch and health, for to horled, Kiyomizu Dera Temple, hoping for luck in love which will bring in visitors. Jishu Jinja sub-temples, located roughly 20 meters separate the two pieces make love. If you could manage to walk together with stones, eyes, closed, you’ll find love – or like the loyal followers, I believe. (Cheating, are still allowed: Pilgrims often they are seen to be taken by the other major.)

In addition to being a world heritage site, Kiyomizu recently as a candidate for a new seven wonders of the world as was delivered.

After a visit to the temple, Sannenzaka’nın come around, resulting in a small shopping street with traditional shops and a wooden house painted. You, that it was not his way past any Michi’nin Nene’s follow this path as you can wind down, Gion’a Kodaiji – the city and enjoy the traditional geisha quarters. Is the way Gojonoto Yasaka, a five-story pagoda.

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• Tulum Ruins, Mexico
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• Maya Sites, Xel-Ha
• Maya Prehistory and Caracol

November 5, 2010

” – ”

Chichen Itza, maya civilization, mayas, mayan, aztecs, Mexico

Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological zone in the Maya region of the world. It is located 149 km from Cancun, the direction of Merida, it extends for about 2.5 km from north to south, and rose at the end of the classical period to the year 900 AD until the beginning of Post Classic in 1200. Rediscovered in 1842, is just the beginning of the century that the restoration of one of its recovery is one of the most important and valuable of the Mayan culture and basically humanity.

El Caracol or Observatory, built in the late classical period, had a camera that has allowed the observation of the vernal equinox. All this must have been fully used in the twentieth century before the arrival of the Itza, indicating the existence of important astronomical knowledge.

A significant number of pilgrimages to the city of Chichen Itza in the Maya region including Palenque, Cozumel, Izamal, there was at that time. These people left a lot of deals that have been discovered in the sacred cenote.

Later, around 1000, arriving Toltecs from central Mexico. They bring to the region the god of the "feathered serpent" known as Quetzalcoatl and referred to as Kukulcan by the Mayas. It is at this moment that the first great blend or mixture of races and cultures that occur between Mayas and Toltecs, creates a very important group that enriches enormously the religion, art and culture in the region.

Adoption of the Mayan language, this group is one of the most powerful of ancient Mexico. Through its highly developed knowledge of natural resources, astronomy, mathematics, painting, sculpture, writing and other human activities, the Maya flourished them in one of the most advanced civilizations of their time.

It is then that the next constructive phase corresponding to the flowering of the Mayan-Toltec performed, represented in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Kukulcan or El Castillo (The Castle), and all major buildings like the Temple of the Warriors The market, the platform of the Jaguars and Eagles and the Ball Game. This whole area is known as Chichen Itza or Toltec, which also includes former Sacred Cenote by means of a well-defined, large Sacbé (path) of El Castillo.

It is a temple dedicated to the Sun, the strong influence of the Toltecs, which was built over a temple in which a minor was a representative of a jaguar throne, on which rested a solar disk made of turquoise and obsidian. It is as if the Sun Temple was only based on the Jaguar.

This important architectural relationship signals a mixture of gods who do not lose their significance for the Maya-Toltec who live together in a form of colonization, it has never been attempted at any other time in human history. Chichen Itza is expanding its power throughout the Yucatan Peninsula to the year 1250, when, although there is a coherent theory, the city was abandoned to become a sanctuary for worship of the god Kukulcan, even long after the Spanish conquest.

In fact, today it remains a sacred place for many people seeking the influence of nature gods who live there. One of the biggest attractions is the observation of the equinoxes in March and 21st September 22. It is then that of a snake from El Castillo can be witnessed.

Similarly, the sound and light show held daily from 8:00 pm is a must for anyone visiting the area.The archeological site open daily from 8 am to 5:00 pm Admission is free on Sundays and are several tours that leave the big cities such as Cancun, Merida, Playa del Carmen and Chetumal or you can go directly with a rental car.

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• Mayan ruins of Mayapan
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• Palenque Mayan, Mexico
• Maya Sites, Yaxchilán

April 18, 2010

Altar : Usually a round, flat stone, these may have pictures or hieroglyphs carved into them.

Archaeology : The study of the past. It often involves digging up the remains of ancient people.

Caana : The tallest set of buildings at Caracol; Caana in Maya means “sky place.” It is made up of palaces and temples.

Caches : Something hidden, usually a pottery container with special things inside, such as jadeite or carved shell.

Caracol : An ancient Maya city; it is located just south of modern Belize, in the Yucatan in Mexico. Over 1,400 years ago (A.D. 650) the city of Caracol was the home of over 100,000 people.

Excavation : Digging to uncover the remains of buildings and artifacts.

Hieroglyphs : Also known as Glyphs; these are the Maya way of writing.

Intensive Farming : Farming that takes more work, but allows farmland to be used every year.

Jadeite : A hard green stone valued by the Maya. It was often made into jewelry.

Katun : 20 Maya years = 7,200 Kins(days)

Kin: A day.

Maya : People native to parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. From archaeology we know that they were in this area by 3000 years ago (1000BC); they are still living today.

Milpa:Also called Swidden farming. A kind of farming in which the land is cleared by burning. Land cannot be used every year with this type of farming.

Palace : A building with many different rooms; these were probably the places where wealthy people and members of the royal family lived

Santa Rita Corozal : Ancient Maya capital city located in northern Belize. It reached it height approximately 500 years ago.

Stela : A tall stone, usually carved with pictures of rulers and hieroglyphs that tell about them.

Temple : A pyramid that usually has a building on top and was used primarily for religious reasons.

Terraces : Stone walls that hold soil for farming.

Tun : A Maya year = 18 Uinals or 360 Kins(days).

Uinal : A Maya month = 20 Kins (or 20 days).

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• History of Caracol
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