The world’s new tallest building,Burj khalifa is needle shaped, which stands 818 metres (2684 feet) tall and can be seen from 95 kms away. This tower pips all its nearest rivals, including Taipei tower (508 m) in Taiwan. BurjTower is an "unprecedented" engineering marvel that was thrown open to the public.
This structure took six years to build, at a cost of more than 4 billion USD, has an observation deck on its 124th floor, ‘The Top’ with 360-degree views of the entire city. The Top will include interactive features and souvenir shops, and can be reached in 60 seconds by elevator, It is regarded as ‘The pearl of the Persian Gulf’ and ‘The jewel of the Middle East’.
Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, on Monday inaugurated the tower - originally called Burj Dubai - as Burj Khalifa in honour of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the president of the United Arab Emirates
This newly completed tower is certainly impressive with 158 usable stories, more than 50 super fast elevators, and a ground floor foyer that will house the world’s largest indoor fountain. The tower is expected to attract visitors from around the world as well as host a variety of high profile conventions and conferences.
Route Map:
Quick facts
·Designed by Adrian D. Smith, FAIA, RIBA Design Partner at Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP
·Burj Dubai’s designer Adrian Smith drew his inspiration from the Hymenocallis flower, a six-pointed desert flower that is widely cultivated in Dubai
·The tower boasts luxury apartments and offices, four swimming pools, a private library and a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani. The highest residential floor will be level 109.
·The Tower is less than 15 minutes from DubaiInternationalAirport and easily accessible to several of Dubai's landmarks and key destinations.
·Construction of the Burj Dubai started in January 2004. The building officially opened on 4 January 2010
·Burj Khalifa is surrounded by 11 hectare park, the design of the park The park has six water features, gardens, palm lined walkways, and flowring trees.
·At the centre of the park and the base of the Burj Khalifa is the water room, which is a series of pools and water jet fountains.
·In addition the railing, benches and signs incorporates images of the Burj khalifa and the Hymenocalis flower.
·Outside, and at a cost of Dh 800 million (US$217 million), a record-setting fountain system was designed by WET Design, the California based company.Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors, it is 275 m (900 ft) long and shoots water 150 m (490 ft) into the air, accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.
·Burj Dubai features sky lobbies on levels 43, 76 and 123. These spaces offer fitness and spa facilities. The lobbies on levels 43 and 76 each have a swimming pool and a recreational room for receptions and other gatherings.
·The tower contains 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 m/t of reinforced steel, 103,000 sq mts of glass and 15,5oo sq mts of embossed stainless steel.
·The weight of the empty building is 500,000 tonnes.
·Total built up area is 526,760 sq mts , of which 171,870 sq mts is residential and 27,870 sq mts is office space.
·The exterior cladding is of reflective glazing with aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels with vertical tubular fins of stainless steel. The cladding system is designed to withstand Dubai's extreme summer temperatures.
·This was completed 1325 days after excavation work started in 2004 and took 22 million man hours to complete construction.
·Elevators are the worlds fastest with 66 double deckers moving at the speed of 18m/s (40mph) . Burj tower has 110 floors.
Top 10 tallest buildings in Dubai
1.
EmiratesOfficeTower
355.00
2.
Burj al Arab
321.00
3.
EmiratesHotelTower
309.00
4.
21st Century Tower
269.00
5.
ChelseaTower
251.00
6.
The Tower
243.00
7.
Shangri-La Hotel
196.00
8.
CapricornTower
185.00
9.
MurjanTower
185.00
10.
MeskTower
185.00
Dubai Tourism:
·As Tourism is the keyword, 2003 Dubai had 2.8 million visitors, in the year of 2010 this number is expected to be well over ten million for the prime reason Dubai having fabulous architecture with a number of impressive skyscrapers, including the tallest building in the world – the Burj Dubai.
·It is a high-flying modern city that has thrived from commercial investments in recent years.
·The major attractions of Dubai are the Al Fahidi Fort, which was built in 1787 and houses the DubaiMuseum.
·Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's official residence is also impressive.
·A Royal Caribbean cruise to Dubai will take you to some of the best shopping in the world, with fabulous malls housing designer brands.
·There are also a number of adrenaline-filled activities that you can take part in, as Dubai has its own indoor ski arena and the area is renowned for its incredible scuba diving.
a nice treat is to take afternoon tea at the famous Burj Al Ara Hotel, an iconic symbol of Dubai.
·There are also desert safaris that visitors can explore the surroundings on and the nearby Nad al Sherba racetrack is worth a visit.
If you want to spend some time relaxing in Dubai then the place to visit is JumeiraBeach and Park
·Other places of interest include Dubai Marina - the world's largest manmade marina or The World, which is an archipelago of 300 manmade islands off the coast.
·The Amusement park Dubai, is a massive park that will feature life-sized animatronics dinosaurs , including Tyrannosaurus Rex. The creatures will react to visitors movements and the colour of their clothes. This land will be twice the size of Walt Disney World in Florida. AndDubai Mall the largest department store in the world of which both of them already are under construction.
·Out in the sea would now "The World" and the "Palm Deira" be visible, two gigantic projects made up of artifical islands and well under it's way of construction.
·From shopping in some of the world's largest malls, to scuba diving, going on desert safaris and seeking the cultural heritage of the area, you certainly won't be short of things to do. Explore Dubai and have a great weekend…
The SundarbansNational Park, is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the largest mangrove forest in the world. . The literal meaning of Sundarban is "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language and also has got its name from Sundari trees, found in abundance here. Sundarbans is one of the World’s largest delta region and estuarine forest.
Sundarbans is paradise for wild life with greenish dense forest adventures, with meandering rivers, springs, creeks and beautiful estuaries, this place is ruled by the unique natural beauty of its surroundings. Enthusiastic photographers, who likes to have the real panoramic region as the canvas, must come over to Sundarbans.
One who likes nature in its wildest forms, Sundarbans is the prime location which is not to be missed. Sundarbans offers a very extra ordinary view and a wild journey for a life time to recall. It is also the perfect place for the holiday makers, who desire to rest or roam around at will, to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly bestowed…
Location Sunderbans is situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, just south of Kolkata. Sunderban covers an area of 4262 sq. kms., where 70 percent is under saline water. Sunderbans is a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp forming the lower part of the Ganges Delta, extending about 260 km along the Bay of Bengal. Sunderbans spreads over 54 islands and two countries (West Bengal and Bangladesh)
Best Season:November to February
This is the ideal season, where the tigers can be seen on the river banks sunbathing.
from where Motor launch services are available for Sundarbans,
The best and only means of travelling the park is to hire a boat and float down the various lanes formed by the many flowing rivers. You can travel in any of the local boats or in luxury launches namely M.V. Chitrarekha and M.V. Madhukar, which are operated by the tourism department.
Prime Attractions of Sundarbans:
Sundarbans:
The destination is absolutely calm, quite and beautiful. The only way of seeing sunderbans is on boats. The mangrove forest is the home for various species including the royal bengal tiger. One can also be able to meet with the local tribals there. It's a combination of delta, estuary and wildlife.
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve:
This is situated in a village called Piyali, in the southern part of West Bengal state in India.Project Tiger was implemented in 1973 and later the Sundarban Tiger Reserve was demarcated over 2,585-sq. km. The core area of 1,330 sq.km has been declared a National park and has been chosen as a world heritage site. The 1980 census put the population of tiger in this reserve close to 400.
Netidhopani : At Netidhopani, the ruins of a 400 year old temple and legends lend mystery to the atmosphere. The Sajnakhali Bird Sanctuary :
The Sajnakhali sanctuary, famous for its rich avian population, is regarded as a part of the SunderbansNational Park. The kingdom of birds at Sajnekhati enchants your eyes. The most sought after sights by a bird watcher are seven colourful species of Kingfisher, white-bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curfews, Whimbrels, Sandpipers and occasional Pelican.
Ganga Sagar (Kapil Muni Ashram):
Ganga Sagar is a religiously important tirth and also has an exceptionally good beach for the tourists. Situated on an island in the Sunderbans, it holds the charms of a completely unspoilt beach on the estuary of the mighty Ganga. It can be approached from Kolkata either by road and then by vessel, or by luxury vessels taken from Kolkata.
Bhagbatpur Crocodile Project:
This is a crocodile breeding farm. This place is accessible through Namkhana.. Bhagabatput is a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodile in the world.
Piyali Piyali is the gatway to Sundarbans, 72-kms from Kolkatta by road and close to Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopani through waterways. A small river Piyali flows through the green paddy fields and mingles with river Matla. Picturesque Piyali delta makes an ideal romantic holiday destination.
Kaikhali : On your way to Sunderbans you cannot afford to missKaikhaliIsland, where nature is so alive and so colorful. An ideal picnic spot.
Kanak Kanak is one of the nesting beaches of Olive Ridley Turtles in Sunderban. The turtles migrate to the shallow coastal waters from a long distance to breed. The turtles are believed to travel upriver as far as 100 km from the sea mouth into the Sunderban.
HolidayIsland The last habitat of the Barking Deer in India is the Holiday island thronged by the tourists every year
Flora & Fauna
The variety of the forests that exist in Sunderban include mangrove scrub, littoral forest, saltwater mixed forest, brackish water mixed forest and swamp forest.The flora includes genwa, dhundal, passur, garjan and kankra. The goran trees, whose average height varies between 1.8 metres and 3.6 metres, cover almost the entire region. Besides the tiger, you can have a look at the Gangetic dolphin, little porpoise, fishing cat, Indian fox, jungle cat, small Indian civet, common grey mongoose, spotted deer, wild pig, Indian flying fox, rhesus monkey and pangolin.
Frazerganj:It is a white sand beach is entirely different from the other beaches. It can be accessed from Kolkata, and is a three hours drive. The destination is also famous for the migratory birds.
Bakkhali: A wellknown beach resort, close to Frazerganj.It’s a bird-watchers’ paradise, where you can spot casuarinas and Red Fiddle Carbs.
Mayadwip:The nesting place of the Olive Ridley Turtles.
Other tourist attractions:
Nilkamal known also as Hiron Point watching vociferous wild animals and natural beauty. Katka is another place where wind animals mare freely and also good for bird watching. Vast area of verdant valleys starting from Katka to tiger point in Kachikhali provides opportunities for adventurous wild trekking. TinKonaIsland is well known for deer and wild tiger and DublarCharIsland for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where flocks of spotted deer are frequently seen to graze.
Food and Accommodation:
Cuisine: Indian, Continental and Bengali.
The hotels and forest lodges in Sunderbans are an ideal option for the adventure lovers. Apart from accommodation and food, the Wild Safari arrangement is the element that lures the tourists in the lodges/hotels here in Sunderbans. These Hotels offers you the thrill of staying in camps amongst the wilds of the forest
Also Forest rest houses are available at Piyali, Sajnekhali and Bakkhali. Sundarbans Jungle Camp on BaliIsland also offers lodging facilities.The cruise launches MV Chitralekha and MV Sarbajaya also have lodging facility.
Travel tips: Sunderbans is approximately 5 hours away from Kolkata which includes 3 hours of road journey and 2 hours of boat ride. Do carry sunscreen to avoid tanning. A camera & binoculars is must.
Leh, (3505 m) the capital of Ladakh is a fascinating destination. Age-old monasteries, quaint lanes, colorful markets and stunning views of the Himalayas, make Leh an exotic destination. Leh is where your adventure in Ladakh begins. You can go trekking through the mountainous terrain of Ladakh, enjoy a game of polo in a high altitude arena or watch an archery contest where local residents compete in a contest that remains unchanged by time. The two of the world’s most powerful mountain ranges – the Karakoram and the Great Himalayas – make Ladakh a much preferred adventure destination. Mountaineering, white water rafting and wildlife tours are other adventurous attractions of Leh Ladakh India. With all its majesty and amazing sceneries, Leh valley attracts tourists from all over the world, to its lap all through the year… Location: Leh is the capital of Ladakh, which is a district of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh is located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in the extreme north of India. The valley of Ladakh is situated at quite a high altitude, which varies from one place to the other. Infact, the geographical location of Ladakh ranges from 9,000 ft high at Kargil to 25,170 ft high at Saser Kangri, in the Karakoram Range. Due to its high altitude, Ladakh experiences a very cold climate, where even the summer temperatures rarely exceed 27 deg C.
Air Indian Air Lines operates regular flight to Leh from Delhi, twice a week between Leh to Jammu and once a week from Srinagar. Jet Airways Operates daily flight between Leh to Delhi.
Road There are two overland routes the Srinagar to Leh road remains open from early June to November. The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation operates regular deluxe and ordinary bus services.
INTERNAL TRANSPORT
The Taxi ( car/gypsy) are available for hire on fixed point -to-point tariff, For visit to the newly opened areas of Nubra, Changthang and Dah-Hanu , it is mandatory to engage the services of the registered /recognized travel agency for making all the requisite arrangements including internal transport.
Places of Interest:
There are a number of places to see in Ladakh. Some of the Prime Attractions are
Leh:
It’s a well known tourist spot with an airstrip, above 50 kms from Upshi.The roads leads to Khardung la (in north) and to Kargil (in west). Tourism, H.P. SRTC and J&K SRTC operate Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and LEH. The bus journey between Leh and Manali takes about 19 hours or two days with an overnight halt in camps at Serchu or Pang. Gypsy and jeep taxis are also available, both at Manali and Leh.
The Nubra valley:
The Nubra valley lies in the north of leh and is accessible over the Khardungla pass, 5600 Mtrs, which is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The valley is on the trade route from leh to Khangar via Samsar and Karakoram passed. Apart from unparraled trekking opportunities, the valley has several Buddhist Gompas. Diskit Gompa is 350 years old and is situated on the highest point near the village in which there are about 120 Resident Buddhist Monks.
Kargil:
Kargil, 204 kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east, is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district of same name. Kargil serves as an important base for adventure tours in the heart of Himalayas. It is also the take off station for visitors to the erotic ZanskarValley. Kargil mainly serves as an ideal base station for adventure activities like trekking, mountaineering, camping, river rafting etc. In high HimalayanValleys.
ZanskarValley:
This main valley is approximately 300 kms long and is ringed by mountains. This is an isolated Buddhist land, wedged between the main Himalayas and the Zanskar range.. Access to it is therefore over one of the high passes. ZanskarValley presents the World with Buddhist monasteries, mountain passes, glaciers and breathtaking landscape. This region can be visited by Trekking, but this is not easy. The treks are often rough & steep, the passes high and the climate - extreme. There are some strenuous treks starting from LahaulValley through the Zanskar region and ending in Padum or further to Lamayuru and Leh.
DrassValley: DrassValley is an enchanting valley formed by the DrassRiver which rises in the Machoi glacier near the famous ZojilaPass. The river is joined in its course by many other rivers and streams flowing in from snowfields. The river Shigar flowing in from the north drains into the DrassRiver. As the snow melts in summer the volume of this river rises considerably The terrain is characterized by rock and stones with the occasional greenish patches formed by willow and groves. The short summer season in the DrassValley begins in May.
IndusValley: This valley is located at a height of 3500 m, and is sand-witched between the ZanskarRange on its South and the LadakhRange on its North, This is the geographical backbone, and the historical heartland of Ladakh. The bulk of the population resides along the Indus. Its main attraction is the numerous Buddhist monasteries, quaint villages, fairs, festivals and bazars.
The PangongLake: This route takes the visitor past the picturesque villages of Shey and Thikse, and turns off the Indus valley by the side valley of Chemrey and Sakti. The Ladakh range is crossed by the Chang-la (18,000 feet / 5,475 M) which despite its great elevation is one of the easier passes, remaining open for much of the year even in winter, apart from periods of actual snowfall. Tangse, just beyond the foot of the pass, has an ancient temple
RohtangPass: Manali is the starting point of this dramatic journey and RohtangPass(13,000 ft/3,978 m), 51 kms away is the first important milestone on the Manali - Leh road as it is the gateway to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys.
SARCHU: Sarchu is at the other base of Baralacha - La (4892mts.), the end point of Himachal Pradesh and located on the way to Leh - Ladakh.. There are various trekking routes to Spiti, Chandertal and Zanskar start from here. The strategically important base for the Indian army and the cold desert with moonscape remains open for just four months in a year.
TsomoririLake: This is a MountainLake situated in the middle of the elevated valley of Rupshu. This valley is inhabited by a small scattered population of -Changpas- nomadic shepherds who also engage in trade and work in caravans in Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti. The Area is rich in wildlife .
DROK PA AREA: An expedition to this area takes the trekker to the picturesque villages of the Drok Pa people. Though Buddhist in religion, they are distinctly different, both racially and culturally. Two of their villages Dah and Biama may be visited. The route following the Indus after Khalaste goes past the attractive villages of Domkhar, Skurbuchan and Achinathang, set amidst fields of ripening crops and orchards of fruit trees.
Shanti Stupa : The Shanti Stupa was built by a Japanese order and was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. From the top, one can view the exotic locales nearby. The stupa is located at a distance of 3 km from the Fort Road.
ULETOKPO:
This is the most beautiful camping in the Ladakh region on the way of Spituk Monastery, which is just 5 kms from Leh town. Alchi Choskor is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground, around 69 Kms west of Leh
ShylokValley:
The ShylokValley is the valley of the river of death - ShylokRiver. Rising from the Khumdang glacier this can be approached from Shylok. The river freezes in winter forming an easy access between the Khaplu and the Nubra valleys. In summer, as the snow melts in the uplands, the river overflows its banks and inundates the surrounding plain for many kilometers, at times creating a vast marsh. During this period, the ShylokRiver has to be crossed on rafts of inflated skin.
SaltValley: The SaltLakeValley is one of the widest open areas in Rupshu. It can be approached from Leh across the Tanglang La pass. The valley has a length of about 20 km and a maximum width of about 7 km. Its average elevation is 5,000 m.
Padum:
Padum is 464 Kms. From Leh and 234 Kms away from Kargil. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Zanskar valley, today it is the administrative headquarter of the region and probably the most populace settlement of barren Zanskar region. There is a tiny market along the main road.
Shey Palace And Gompa:
Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
StokPalace and Museum: The palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewelry of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Shakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armor, weapons, precious jades and porcelain too can be seen here.
Trekking:
Leh is one among the few trekking places in north India that offers wonderful trekking trails. You can hit the route to MarkhaValley from Spituk or take the Lamayuru gompa to Chilling trek along the Zanskar river. The another popular trek that can be taken is from Likir to Temisgam. June to October is considered to be the ideal time for trekking in Leh Ladakh.
Shopping: The Yak milk chocolates and butter or a Buddhist bell is very famous. A tourist can choose from a number of items from the local market that typically depicts the culture of Ladakh people in its best.
Where to Stay:
Finding accommodations in Ladakh, India is quite easy. There are various residential options available to suit everyone's budget. Ranging from hotels to paying guest accommodation, there are a number of places to stay in Leh Ladakh. Some of the best stays are
Restaurants in Ladakh offer many kinds of cuisine including Tibetan, Korean, Chinese, and Western dishes. Enjoy a culinary adventure on tours to Ladakh with Leh Ladakh, India.
Himalaya Café - for good Tibetan fare Shangri La - offers Korean cuisine Budshah Inn - offers Chinese and Kashmiri cuisine Dreamland Restaurant - offers Tibetan, Kashmiri, Indian and Italian food. Penguin Bar and Restaurant - has a German Bakery with a wide choice of baked goods Mentokling Restaurant - offers pizzas cooked over a traditional wood-fired oven Pumpernickel German Bakery - offers lasagna and a fixed-price breakfast, as well as picnic meals.
·All visitors must ensure that they are physically fit.
·The best is to take plenty of water
·It is an absolute must to carry skin creams, lotions and chapsticks.
·One should also carry Sun Glasses, hats, Scarfs, thick cotton trousers / jeans for day use, wollen sweaters/ jackets, sports shoes, sandals with straps for rafting and evening wear and gloves.
·Films and batteries for cameras should be carried in quantity, because re-supply is not assured.
·A powerful flashlight is a must for those interested in studying monasteries, as the interiors are dimly lit.
·Photography of bridges, airfields and military installations is strictly prohibited.
·One should carry regular medicine for Diarrhoea, Gastric, Acidity, Headaches, Fever, Cold and Congestion.
We all know the difficulties of old days to travel around places. People had quite tough times in travel and collecting data to travel. Just imagine traveling by walk or on camels or horses for 100s of miles without a proper place to rest. Of course our generation is blessed to have a large number of hotels and lodges wherever we go. We have aero planes, trains, buses, cars, bikes and what not. Here are the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
You can visit the links below to take virtual tours or view still images of the new 7 wonders of the world.
The number seven was chosen because the Greeks believed it to be the representation of perfection and plenty.
Chichen Itza, is a large pre-Columbianarchaeological site built by the Maya civilization. It islocated in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula , Mexico. This site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, like ‘Mexicanised’ and reminiscent of styles, which is present in Central Mexico and Puuc Styled , which is present in the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands. The presence of central Mexican style is due to the result of cultural diffusion, and not due to the direct migration or conquest from central Mexico.
The ruins of Chichen Itza are federal property, and the site’s stewardship is maintained by Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National Institute of Anthropology and History, INAH). The land under the monuments, however, is privately-owned by the Barbachano family.
Christ the Redeemer is a statue ofJesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is considered the largest art deco statue in the world. The statue stands 39.6 metres tall, including its 9.5 metre pedestal, and 30 metres wide. It weighs 635 tons and is located at Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca ForestNational Park, atthe peak of 700 metres overlooking the city. It is one of the tallest of its kind in the world. A symbol of Catholicism, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone. The designs considered for the "Statue of the Christ" included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world.
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empiere during various successive dynasties. The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has recently concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km . This is made up of 6,259.6 km of sections of actual wall, 359.7 km of trenches and 2,232.5 km of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers.
Machu Picchu -Peru Machu Picchu , meaning “ OldPeak”,is the LostCity of the Incas, located on 8000 ft above sea level and nestled on the highest peak of the Andes Mountains, in modern Peru, South America. It lies 43 miles northwest of Cuzco at the top of a ridge, hiding it from the Urabamba gorge below. Its mountain peaks, at around 6,270 meters above sea level. This ‘Sacred Valley’ is famous for its spectacular views and photographic scenaries, a place of unforgettable sunrises and magical moonlit nights This is one of the world's archaeological jewels and South America's major travel destinations. This is situated in the middle of tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting, and was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, a professor from Yale. This LostCity is famous for the Inca architecture and is fascinating both for its history and for the natural beauty that surrounds it.
The Roman Colosseum - Italy The Roman Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of RomeItaly. It isthe largest ever built in the Roman Empire.It is one of the greatest works of Roman architectureand Roman engineering. Its construction started between 70 and 72 ADunder the emperor Vespasianand was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian’s reign (81–96). Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and its breakthrough achievements in earthquake engineering. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church as each Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession that starts in the area around Colosseum. The Colosseum is depicted on the Italian version of the five cent Euro coin.
The Taj Mahalis a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal, is considered the finest example of Mughal Architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural styles.In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and was cited as "the Jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." While the white domedmarble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauru. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.
Petra -Jordan Petra is a historic and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that has rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Its been established around 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans , it is a symbol of Jordan as well as it's 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" UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage."
