the Archives - Page 13 of 14

LARGEST 10 GREAT ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD AND THE SOURCES OF ECONOMY

by Sree DivyaOctober 21, 2020October 21, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Economy means the state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money. Economies determine how resources are distributed among members of a society, they determine the value of goods or services. The political and legal structure of a society will govern how wealth can be accumulated, how wealth and resources are distributed, and the manner of competition permitted between different participants in the economy. There are three big economic systems in use by modern governments: capitalism, socialism, and communism. We wanted to understand how the top 10 largest economies in the world measured by GDP(Gross Domestic Product). We took historical GDP figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2020.

1.United States

new york statue of liberty usa monument — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The U.S. has retained its position of being the world’s largest economy since 1871. economy of the United States is that of a highly developed country with a mixed economy. It is the world’s largest economy by nominal GDP and net wealth. U.S. Nominal GDP: $21.44 trillion – U.S. GDP (PPP): $21.44 trillion.
The size of the U.S. economy was at $20.58 trillion in 2018 in nominal terms and is expected to reach $22.32 trillion in 2020. The U.S. is often dubbed as an economic superpower and that’s because the economy constitutes almost a quarter of the global economy, backed by advanced infrastructure, technology, and an abundance of natural resources.
When the economies are assessed in terms of purchasing power parity, the U.S. loses its top spot to its close competitor China. In 2019, the U.S. economy, in terms of GDP (PPP), was at $21.44 trillion, while the Chinese economy was measured at $27.31 trillion. United States has the most technologically powerful economy in the world and its firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment. The largest U.S. trading partners are China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, South Korea, United Kingdom, France, India, and Taiwan. The nation’s economy is fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. It is the world’s largest producer of petroleum and natural gas. U.S. not only has the largest internal market for goods, but also dominates the trade in services.

2.China

photo of chinese temple — Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

China Nominal GDP: $14.14 trillion – China GDP (PPP): $27.31 trillion
China has experienced exponential growth over the past few decades, breaking the barriers of a centrally-planned closed economy to evolve into a manufacturing and exporting hub of the world. China is often referred to as the “world’s factory,” given its huge manufacturing and export base. However, over the years, the role of services has gradually increased and that of manufacturing as a contributor to GDP has declined relatively. The IMF projects a growth of 5.8% in 2020. China has experienced exponential growth over the past few decades. It is a manufacturing and exporting hub of the world. China is often referred to as the “world’s factory,” given its huge manufacturing and export base. However, over the years, the role of services has gradually increased and that of manufacturing as a contributor to GDP has declined relatively.

3.India ($12.36 T )

brown concrete india gate — Photo by Asif Methar on Pexels.com

The economy of India is characterised as a developing market economy. India was the world’s fastest growing major economy and Historically it is the largest economy in the world. The long-term growth perspective of the Indian economy remains positive due to its young population and corresponding low dependency ratio, healthy savings and investment rates, and is increasing integration into the global economy. Apart from private consumption, India’s GDP is also fueled by government spending, investment, and exports. India has one of the world’s highest number of billionaires and extreme income inequality.
According to World Bank, to achieve sustainable economic development India must focus on public sector reform, infrastructure, agricultural and rural development, removal of land and labour regulations, financial inclusion, spur private investment and exports, education and public health. India’s ten largest trading partners were USA, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Singapore, Germany, South Korea and Switzerland. India ranks second globally in food and agricultural production. India’s telecommunication industry is the world’s second largest by number of mobile phone, smartphone, and internet users. It is the world’s tenth-largest oil producer and the third-largest oil consumer.

Japan ( $5.89T )

photo of himeji castle behind white cherry blossoms — Photo by Nien Tran Dinh on Pexels.com

The economy of Japan is a highly developed free-market economy. With this low growth rate, the national debt of Japan has expanded due to its considerable social welfare spending in an aging society with a shrinking tax-base. The scenario of “Abandoned homes” continues to spread from rural areas to urban areas in Japan.
A mountainous, volcanic island country, Japan has inadequate natural resources to support its growing economy and large population, and therefore exports goods in which it has a comparative advantage such as engineering-oriented, research and development-led industrial products in exchange for the import of raw materials and petroleum. The nation’s large and varied forest resources, which covered 70 percent of the country. Japan is among the top-three importers for agricultural products in the world in total volume for covering of its own domestic agricultural consumption. The nation, therefore, built up the manufacturing and processing industries to convert raw materials imported from abroad.
Japan is the world’s largest single national importer of fish and fishery products. This strategy of economic development necessitated the establishment of a strong economic infrastructure to provide the needed energy, transportation, communications, and technology. Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market is the largest wholesale market for primary products in Japan. Although many kinds of minerals were extracted throughout the country, most mineral resources had to be imported in the postwar era. Iron ore, copper, bauxite, and alumina must be imported, as well as many forest products. Local deposits of metal-bearing ores were difficult to process because they were low grade. Deposits of gold, magnesium, and silver meet current industrial demands, but Japan is dependent on foreign sources for many of the minerals essential to modern industry. Japan lags behind other developed countries in labor productivity. Early European visitors were amazed by the quality of Japanese craftsmanship and metalsmithing. This stems from the fact that Japan itself is rather rich in natural resources found commonly in Europe, especially iron.

Germany ( $4.59T )

architecture building castle daylight — Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

It has the largest national economy in Europe. The economy of Germany is a highly developed social market economy. The top 10 exports of Germany are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, transport equipment, basic metals, food products, and rubber and plastics. The economy of Germany is the largest manufacturing economy in Europe and it is less likely to be affected by the financial downturn and conduct applied research with practical industrial value and sees itself as a bridge between the latest university insights and industry-specific product and process improvements, and by generating a great deal of knowledge in its own laboratories as well. Germany is rich in timber, lignite, potash and salt. Some minor sources of natural gas are being exploited in the state of Lower Saxony. Until reunification, the German Democratic Republic mined for uranium in the Ore Mountains.
Energy in Germany is sourced predominantly by fossil fuels (30%), followed by wind second, then nuclear power, gas, solar, biomass and hydro. Germany is the first major industrialized nation to commit to the renewable energy transition called Energiewende. Germany is the leading producer of wind turbines in the world. Germany is the world’s top location for trade fairs. Around two thirds of the world’s leading trade fairs take place in Germany. Over time, other German states joined the customs union and started linking their railroads, which began to connect the corners of Germany together. The growth of free trade and of a rail system across Germany intensified economic development which opened up new markets for local products, created a pool of middle managers, increased the demand for engineers, architects and skilled machinists, and stimulated investments in coal and iron.

Russia ( $4.52T )

gold mosque during sunset — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The economy of Russia is an upper-middle income mixed and transition economy. Russia contains over 30 percent of the world’s natural resources. Russia relies on energy revenues to drive most of its growth. Russia has an abundance of oil, natural gas and precious metals, which make up a major share of Russia’s exports. Russia is considered an “energy superpower”. It has the world’s largest proven natural gas reserves and is the largest exporter of natural gas. Russia has a large and sophisticated arms industry, capable of designing and manufacturing high-tech military equipment, including a fifth-generation fighter jet, nuclear powered submarines, firearms, and short range/long range ballistic missiles. Top military exports from Russia include combat aircraft, air defence systems, ships and submarines. the wealth held offshore by rich Russians is about three times larger than official net foreign reserves, and is comparable in magnitude to total household financial assets held in Russia.
Russia had undergone a radical transformation, moving from a centrally planned economy to a globally integrated market economy. Especially in the production of oil, gas, and electricity and in the chemical industries—there was a marked diversification in industrial output, including a limited expansion in consumer goods. Major components of the reforms included establishing privately owned industrial and commercial ventures and privatizing state-owned enterprises. To encourage privatization, the government issued vouchers to Russian citizens that enabled them to purchase of shares in privatized firms, though in practice these vouchers frequently were sold for cash and were accumulated by entrepreneurs. A commodity- and stock-exchange system also was established. For business growth, taxes on medium and small enterprises were moderated, and the government began to offer incentives for reinvesting profits into the domestic economy. By the early 21st century, the measures had begun to have a positive effect on the Russian economy, which showed signs of recovery and stable growth. Steady earnings from oil exports permitted investments in factories, and the devalued currency made Russian goods more competitive on the international market.

Indonesia ( $4.01T )

canoe on body of water with pagoda background — Photo by VisionPic .net on Pexels.com

Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It has charted impressive economic growth since overcoming the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s. The world’s 10th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, and a member of the G-20. Furthermore, Indonesia has made enormous gains in poverty reduction, cutting the poverty rate by more than half since 1999, to 9.78% in 2020. It aims to further strengthen Indonesia’s economy by improving the country’s human capital and competitiveness in the global market. The Indonesian economy has been climbing steadily higher. Indonesia is the world’s largest island country .
Indonesia is composed of some 17,500 islands, of which more than 7,000 are uninhabited. It is the 14th-largest country by land area, at 1,904,569 square kilometres (735,358 square miles). The country’s capital, Jakarta, is the second-most populous urban area in the world. In the early 21st century Indonesia was the fourth most populous in the world. The name Indonesia derives from Greek Indos and the word nesos, meaning “Indian islands”. The economy of Indonesia is the largest in Southeast Asia and is one of the emerging market economies of the world. As an upper-middle income country and member of the G20, Indonesia is classified as a newly industrialised country.

Brazil ( $3.60T )

low angle photography of a church — Photo by Dhyamis Kleber on Pexels.com

Brazil is one of the world giants of mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, and it has a strong and rapidly growing service sector. The country was heavily dependent on one or two major agricultural products, whose prices fluctuated widely on international markets. The Brazilian government in the 20th century attempted to diversify the country’s production and reduce its dependency on agricultural exports by strongly encouraging manufacturing. The government initiated several key industries, including a modern shipbuilding program, a petrochemical sector led by the huge Petrobras company, a burgeoning microelectronics and personal computer industry, and aircraft manufacturing by the Embraer corporation, including commercial jetliners, aviation and surveillance equipment, and aircraft for the Brazilian air force. It established a motor vehicle industry in the 1950s to replace U.S. and German imports and assembly plants. The government privatized dozens of financial institutions, manufacturers, and mining companies in the 1990s, including several major steel producers and the Rio Doce Valley Company.
The CVRD, Brazil’s giant mining and shipping conglomerate, was apportioned into separate mining and shipping units. The government also sold a minority of its Petrobras shares to private investors and partially opened the petroleum industry to competition. At the beginning of the 21st century, serious problems marked the Brazilian economy, aggravated by political uncertainties. Inflation, financial instability, and unemployment (or underemployment) remained constant threats, and political and financial scandals periodically erupted throughout the country. Brazil still has one of the world’s most lopsided distributions of wealth. It is a leading producer of a host of minerals, including iron ore, tin, bauxite (the ore of aluminum), manganese, gold, quartz, and diamonds and other gems, and it exports vast quantities of steel, automobiles, electronics, and consumer goods. Brazil is the world’s primary source of coffee, oranges, and cassava (manioc) and a major producer of sugar, soy, and beef.

UK ( $3.24T )

photo of person across the london bridge — Photo by Maël BALLAND on Pexels.com

The economy of the United Kingdom is a highly developed social market and market-orientated economy. In 2019, the UK was the fifth-largest exporter in the world and the fifth-largest goods importer. It also had the second-largest inward foreign direct investment, and the third-largest outward foreign direct investment. UK is one of the most globalised economies, and it is composed of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The service sector dominates, contributing around 80% of GDP, the financial services industry is particularly important, and London is the second-largest financial centre in the world. The currency of the UK is the pound sterling, which is the world’s fourth-largest reserve currency. The economy of the United Kingdom has slowly been climbing the ranks of the mostly free for the past decade. Although some economic disruptions are likely, the U.K. will also have new opportunities to expand economic freedom, especially by reducing the tax burden and government spending and pursuing new trade agreements with the United States and other countries.
UK economic output shrank by 20.4% in the second quarter of 2020, the worst quarterly slump on record, pushing the country into the deepest recession of any major global economy. Britain already faces a tough 2021 as the country battles the twin shocks of coronavirus and Brexit. But failing to secure an agreement with the United Kingdom’s biggest export market would amplify the pain. With a limited trade agreement, the UK economy is due to bounce back with growth of 4.6% in 2021 before losing some momentum between 2022 and 2024, according to IFS and Citi projections. Failing to reach a trade deal with Europe would shave as much as one percentage point off that level of growth.

10.France ($3.16T )

eiffel tower in paris france — Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com

The economy of France is highly developed and free-market-oriented. France is one of the major economic powers of the world, ranking along with such countries as the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. It included the large industrial companies such as Renault. France is also the most visited destination in the world, as well the European Union’s leading agricultural power. France IS the largest Foreign Direct Investment recipient in Europe in 2020. Paris is a leading global city and it has one of the largest city GPD in the world. Paris has been ranked as the 2nd most attractive global city in the world in 2019 by KPMG. 31 companies that are part of the world’s biggest 500 companies are existing here. It is the world’s fourth largest private oil company.
Another indicator of improved living standards is the growth of ownership of various household and consumer goods, particularly such items as automobiles and computers. Here indirect taxation in the form of a value-added tax (VAT) is relatively high. The top individual income tax rate is 45 percent, and the top corporate tax rate is 31 percent. Other taxes include a value-added tax. The overall tax burden equals 46.2 percent of total domestic income. The overall managerial environment is bolstered by France’s modern business culture, mature financial markets, skilled entrepreneurs, and well-protected intellectual property rights. The total value of exports and imports of goods and services equals 63.4 percent of GDP. State ownership is primarily concentrated in transport, defense, and broadcasting.

Tagged : 10 / and / economies / economy / great / in / largest / of / sources / the / world

LARGEST 10 GREAT HYDROELECTRIC DAMS IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF INSTALLED POWER

by Sree DivyaOctober 19, 2020October 19, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

A hydroelectric dam is one of the major components of a hydroelectric facility. A dam is a large, man-made structure built to contain some body of water. In addition to construction for the purpose of producing hydroelectric power, dams are created to control river flow and regulate flooding. In some rivers, small scale dams known as weirs are built to control and measure water flow. Dams fall into the category of retaining structures, or structures that are built to create large standing bodies of water known as reservoirs. These reservoirs can be used for irrigation, electrical generation, or water supply. Hydroelectricity is one of the fore-runners of the renewable energy industry. Here are 10 Largest hydroelectric Dams in the World in terms of installed power.

1.Three Gorges Dam, China

The Three Gorges Dam has been the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW) since 2012. In 2018, the dam generated 101.6 terawatt-hours (TWh). As well as producing electricity, the dam is intended to increase the Yangtze River’s shipping capacity. The dam is located 44km from the city of Yichang in Hubei province. The project has 34 generators, which includes 32 main generators. The other two are power generators with a capacity of 50MW each. When construction of the dam officially began in 1994, it was the largest engineering project in China. At the time of its completion in 2006, it was the largest dam structure in the world. The height of Three Gorges is about 594 feet (181 meters (m)) and the length is about 7,770 feet (2, 335 m).
The dam creates the Three Gorges Reservoir, which has a surface area of about 400 square miles (1,045 square kilometers) and extends upstream from the dam about 370 miles (600 kilometers). The gorge controls approximately one million square kilometres of drainage area and averages a runoff of 451 billion cubic metres annually. Ecology and environmental monitoring information system for the project was opened in 2007. Fish Nurturing Centre Base was also built for the conservation of Asian carp and other species through the eco-scheduling process. The official total cost of the Three Gorges Dam project was estimated as CNY203bn ($29bn).

2.Itaipu Dam, Brazil and Paraguay

The Itaipu Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Parana River located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. The volume of this Dam is 12,300,000 m3 (430,000,000 cu ft) and total capacity is 29 km3 (24,000,000 acre⋅ft). It’s location is Foz do Iguacu, ‎Hernandarias. Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam is the world’s second-largest operational hydroelectric power plant in terms of installed power. With an installed generation capacity of 14GW, the plant is operated by Itaipu Binacional and located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. Energy generated by Itaipu helps to meet the demands of the two countries. Approximately 90% of the energy generated by the plant is used by Brazil. Itaipu has 20 generating units, each with a capacity of 700MW. The dam’s reservoir, which covers an area of 1,350km² with Spanning of 170 kilometers in length.
The name “Itaipu” was taken from an isle that existed near the construction site. In the Guarani language, Itaipu means “the sounding stone”. To ensure water quantity and quality, Itaipu has created an environmental conservation area, planting more than 44 million trees. The protected areas now total over 100,000 hectares, including reserves and wildlife refuges in both countries and the biological forest corridor that protects the reservoir.Recently, Itaipu became the first hydroelectric plant in the world to have its own protected areas and supporting landscapes which are now recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Although forest conservation is an essential safety measure for water security, it also depends on other environmental priorities, especially those that relate to land use. It regularly surpasses the production of the larger dam and holds the world record for energy produced, achieving 103.1 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2016.

3.Xiluodu Dam, China

The Xiluodu Dam is an arch dam on the Jinsha River, i.e. the upper course of the Yangtze in China. It is located near the town of Xiluodu in Yongshan County of Yunnan Province but the dam straddles into Leibo County . The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and its power station has an installed capacity of 13,860 MW. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and its power station has an installed capacity of 13,860 MW. Additionally, the dam provides for flood control, silt control and its regulated water releases are intended to improve navigation downstream. Xiluodu power plant offsets approximately 150m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. It reduces the consumption of 41 million tonnes of coal for electricity generation. The Xiluodu plant generates 64bkWh of electricity a year.
The Xiluodu plant is made up of two power houses located on both sides of the dam. The power house comprises 18 Francis turbine-generators and an air-cooled generator with 855.6MVA output. The reservoir has a total storage capacity of 16.5 billion cubic yards, of which six billion cubic yards are for flood control. The construction of the dam was carried out using belt conveyors, crawler tractors, hydraulic excavators, rock trucks and wheel loaders. The water discharge structures of Xiluodu Hydropower Station are composed of 7 surface holes of the dam body, 8 deep holes and 4 spillway tunnels on the bank. The main task of flood control operation of Xiluodu Hydropower Station is to control the flood of the Chuanjiang River section and enhance the flood control standard of cities such as Yibin along the bank, while ensuring the safety of the hydro-complex project.

4.Guri Dam, Venezuela

The Guri power project, also known as the Simon Bolivar hydroelectric power station, is located on the Caroni River in the Bolivar State of southeastern Venezuela. Installed Capacity is 10,235 MW. The power plant consists of 20 generating units of different capacities ranging between 130MW and 770MW. Surface Area of this dam is 4,250 km2 (1,641 sq mi). The Guri dam measures 532ft in height and 4,314ft in length. To free a greater proportion of the country’s petroleum for sale and export, the Venezuelan government made the bold move to transition from hydrocarbon- to hydroelectric-generated power as the country’s primary electricity source. The economic efficiency of Guri Dam’s construction can be attributed to its phased development. While other concepts called for the dam to be built to the final height at the first stage a much easier design the region would not have been able to absorb all of the generated power, making it more difficult to finance.
In addition, the compact and incremental design of the dam resulted in inexpensive power at the time approximately US$550 per kW, which attracted aluminum and iron ore smelting industries to the area. Fulfilled government’s goal to significantly decrease dependence on petroleum as a domestic power source: ability to generate more than 10,000MW and produce up to 50,000GWh per year—the equivalent of 300,000 barrels of oil per day. Alstom was awarded two contracts in 2007 and 2009 to refurbish four 400MW units and five 630MW respectively. Andritz received a contract to supply five 770MW Francis turbines for the powerhouse II of Guri in 2007. The Guri power station supplies approximately 12,900GW/h of energy for Venezuela. The plant provides approximately 50,000GW/h of energy to the country annually.

5.Belo Monte Dam, Brazil

The Belo Monte power station is owned and operated by Norte Energia. The Belo Monte hydropower project under construction on the lower reach of the Xingu River, in Para, Brazil, was installed with 9.39GW generating capacity as of September 2019. The project comprises two dams and two powerhouses, including a main powerhouse equipped with 18 Francis turbines of 611MW capacity each, and a supplemental power house with six 38.85 MW Bulb turbines. The capacity of the dam is 11,233 megawatts (MW). This Dam is the second largest hydroelectric dam in Brazil. Brazil’s rapid economic growth over the last decade has provoked a huge demand for new and stable sources of energy, especially to supply its growing industries. In Brazil, hydroelectric power plants produce over 85% of the electrical energy. The aim is to stimulate the country’s economic growth by building a huge infrastructure of roads and dams, mainly in the Amazon region. The controversial Belo Monte mega-dam in Para state has done significant socio environmental harm to the Xingu River and the indigenous and traditional people living beside it.
Important Brazilian Panel on Climate Change report warned that global warming could drop water levels all across the Amazon basin, putting hydropower in serious jeopardy. Brazil needs Belo Monte and 60 other major dam projects in the Amazon to meet its growing energy demand. Belo Monte’s 668km2 reservoir will flood over 400km2 of forest, generating enormous qualities methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than CO2. Like other big dams, Belo Monte would cause considerable direct and indirect environmental destruction. Belo Monte is only one dam complex, not a series of upstream dams. The government is aware that Belo Monte’s seasonal inefficiency can only be managed by creating more dam reservoirs upstream, allowing technicians to regulate river flows for the entire year. As such, project plans continue to point to the eventual construction of four dams in addition to Belo Monte: Altamira, Iriri, Pombal, and Sao Felix.

6.Tucurui Dam, Brazil

A more modest hydroelectric facility on a small river north of Manaus supplies that city with power. The Tucuruí Hydropower Complex situated on the lower Tocantins River in Tucurui, Para, Brazil. It involved installation of 11 generating units with 370MW capacity each. It is the first large-scale hydroelectric project in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. The installed capacity of the 25-unit plant is 8,370 megawatts (11,220,000 hp). The power station delivers electricity to the Belem town and the surrounding area. It is located about 350 kilometers from the state’s capital Belém, it caused the flooding of an area of about 3,014 km2 and displaced about 32,000 people. A case study on the social impacts of the Tucuruí dam by Fearnside (1999) reported a systematic overestimation of the plant’s benefits by public authorities, while social and environmental impacts have rather been downplayed, making it an example of Brazil’s unlearned lessons in hydroelectric development.
It notes that most generated power was used for the highly subsidized aluminum industry in Barcarena and Sao Luis. Additionally, dams disturb the flow and composition of the water within rivers and channels. Water released downstream from dams has unnaturally high energy and very little sediment, which causes “hungry water” to run forcefully, eroding the riverbeds, without sufficient sediment concentration to slow it down. This deepens the riverbed compared to the surrounding water table, which causes the ground water to rush into the channel and become surface water – a process known as incision.

7.Grand Coulee Dam, USA

The Grand Coulee hydropower project located on the Columbia River in Washington, US. The annual generating capacity of the plant is more than 24TWh. It consists of total 18 Francis turbines rated 125MW and three 10MW additional units. The Grand Coulee is an ancient river bed in the U.S. state. This area has underlying granite bedrock, formed deep in the Earth’s crust 40 to 60 million years ago. The land periodically uplifted and subsided over millions of years giving rise to some small mountains and, eventually, an inland sea. The dam has four power plants. It is 550 feet (167.6 meters) tall, measured from its foundation in solid granite, or approximately 350 feet (106.7 meters) from the downstream river surface to the top of the dam. It is 5,223 feet (1,592 meters) long, or 57 feet short of a mile. The two original power plants. The total generating capacity is 6,809 megawatts and its average annual energy output is about 2,300 megawatts, or enough power to continuously supply the needs of two cities the size of Seattle.
Hydropower accounts for 79.7 percent of Grand Coulee’s authorized purposes, the others being irrigation and flood control. While hydropower is the primary purpose of the dam today, the public desire for irrigation was the driving force behind its construction. Hydroelectric power plants provide a very efficient, renewable method of generating electricity without producing air pollution. Hydroelectricity produced electricity currently accounts for nearly 7% of the total electricity generated in the United States. However, currently less than 3% of all dams in the United States are used to generate electricity. This discrepancy presents a great opportunity to increase the use of renewable energy production through hydroelectric power. There are many factors which make hydroelectric energy a desirable alternative to the burning of fossil fuels, yet the construction and operation of hydroelectric plants also involves a number of disadvantages. These drawbacks include environmental changes which could adversely affect the health of humans and animals.

8.Xiangjiaba, China

Xiangjiaba is built on the outlet of Jinsha River canyon, which is located Yibin City of Sichuan and Shuifu County, Yunnan, China. The reservoir area is 458,800km² and the reservoir capacity is 5.163 billion cubic metres. The power plant is installed with eight units of 800MW each and comprises various structures for flood discharge, diversion, power generation, and ship lift. The Xiangjiaba is gravity dam with 162m-high and has a crest elevation of 384m. The annual generating capacity of the power plant is 30.88kWh. The Xiangjiaba hydropower facility exploits the lower mainstream water of Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. After the successful launch of the Three Gorges hydro power project in 1994, the CTG was authorised for building four hydropower plants namely Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Wudongde and Baihetan, all located either on the mainstream or on the tributaries of the Yangtze River. The power output of the Xiangjiaba hydroelectric plant is supplied to central China and east China via the 800kV Xiangjiaba-Shanghai UHVDC (Ultra High Voltage Direct Current) transmission link.
Xiangjiaba will be the third largest hydropower project in the country, after Three Gorges and Xiluodu. As an important part of China’s Great Western Development Programme, the project is expected to drive local social and economic development. It will primarily supply power to China’s central and eastern regions, while at the same time meeting power demand in the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The project Xiangjiaba hydro project includes eight turbine generator sets. Major benefits are from power generation to CO2 reduction and flood control. The Xiangjiaba hydropower project brings major flood control benefits, and its combined operation with the Xiluodu hydropower project will improve flood prevention in the downstream coastal cities of Yibin, Luzhou and Chongqing.

9.Sayano-Shushenskaya, Russia

The Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant located on the Yenisei River in Sayanogorsk, Khakassia, Russia. It is operated by RusHydro. An arch-gravity dam 242m tall and 1,066m long was constructed as part of the project. The power plant consists of ten Francis generating units with a capacity of 640MW each. It generates 23.5TWh of energy a year, of which 70% is delivered to four aluminium smelters in Siberia. It is the largest power plant in Russia and the 9th-largest hydroelectric plant in the world, by average power generation. Plant operated ten hydro turbines manufactured at the Leningradsky Metallichesky Zavod, each of which at 194-metre (636 ft) head. The destruction of the turbines and auxiliary equipment at Russia’s Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydro Power Plant in August 2009 claimed the lives of 75 workers and wrecked an indispensable source of electricity that will take years to fully restore.
The disaster, as this report explains, was predictable and preventable. technicians were operating multiple hydroelectric turbines at the plant, including Unit 2, and plant maintenance work on other equipment was continuing. About 70% of the energy generated by RusHydro goes to United Company Rusal’s aluminum smelters, which produce about 12% of the world’s aluminum. It consists of a solid left-bank dam 246.1 metres long, a power dam 331.8 metres long, a spillway dam 189.6 metres long and a solid right-bank dam 298.5 metres long. The dam supports the Sayano-Shushenskoe reservoir, with a total capacity of 31.34 km3, useful capacity of 15.34 km3 and surface area of 621 km2.

10.Longtan Dam, China

The Longtan hydropower project located on the Hongshui River in Tian’e County, Guangxi, China, is the sixth biggest in Asia. The hydroelectric power station consists of nine Francis 700MW generating units. The Longtan dam is a roller-compacted concrete gravity dam 216.5m in height and 832m in width. The dam is intended for hydroelectric power production, flood control and navigation. The dam contains seven surface spillways, two bottom outlets and an underground power station. This gravity dam more than 700 feet tall, So this is the tallest of its type in the world. The hydroelectric power station consists of 9 power generating units with a capacity of more than 17.3 billion kilowatt hours. This system of valves provides a high quality, reliable solution to the stringent requirements of one of the largest and most advanced hydroelectric generation plants of its kind, ensuring optimal utilization of available natural resources. The project is owned by Longtan Hydropower Development. The dam’s newest hydroelectric turbine was installed in 2009. The design and construction of the dam have applied the state of the art of modern RCC and it also represents the highest level of present RCC construction. After reservoir impoundment, the dam’s operation is normal and presents good performance.

Tagged : 10 / dams / great / hydroelectric / in / installed / largest / of / power / terms / the / world

THE GREAT 10 FRESH WATER LAKES IN THE WORLD BY SURFACE AREA

by Sree DivyaOctober 5, 2020October 5, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Freshwater lakes are bodies of still, unsalted water surrounded by land. They are usually found in low lying areas and are fed from streams, rivers and runoff from the surrounding area. Lake, any relatively large body of slowly moving or standing water that occupies an inland basin of appreciable size. Definitions that precisely distinguish lakes, ponds, swamps, and even rivers and other bodies of non oceanic water are not well established. Fresh water can be defined as water with less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved salts. Water is critical to the survival of all living organisms. 3% of the earth’s water is fresh. 2.5% of the earth’s fresh water is unavailable: locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps, atmosphere, and soil; highly polluted; or lies too far under the earth’s surface to be extracted at an affordable cost. 0.5% of the earth’s water is available fresh water. Here are the top 10 largest freshwater lakes by Surface Area in the world.

1.Lake Superior

Lake Superior is the Largest fresh water lake by surface area. It has taken into the account of the saline Caspian sea. Lake Superior has been described as “the most oligotrophic lake in the world.” It is also the second largest lake in the world. It is shared by the USA and Canada, also the part of the Great Lakes of North America. Lake Superion occupies an area of 82,400 square kilometers. These magnificent freshwater lakes are not only beautiful, but also essential for human survival. Lake Superior is home to 88 species of fish. Lake Superior contains 10% of all the earth’s fresh surface water. The deepest point in Lake Superior (about 40 miles north of Munising, Michigan) is 1,300 feet (400 meters) below the surface. Lake Superior has over 400 islands, the largest of which is Isle Royale, with a size of 207 square miles. The lake has an island called the Isle Royal, which contains many smaller lakes, which in turn have their own islands as well. The Lake Superior shoreline, if straightened out, could connect Duluth and the Bahama Islands.
The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is 27 feet, making it easily the cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes. Underwater visibility in places reaches 100 feet. The lake is home to many endemic species of fish, however, some have been wiped out due to overfishing and exotic species being introduced. The lake’s primary inflows are the Nipigon River, the St. Louis River, the Pigeon River, the Pic River, the White River, the Michipicoten River and the Kaministiquia River. The only outflow of Lake Superior is the St. Mary’s River. We must srtive to protect these from further degredation, for our sake, and for the sake of their intrinsic value. Water in Lake Superior is retained, on average, 191 years. Migrating birds of prey funnel down Lake Superior’s north shore in great numbers each fall. On a single day at Duluth’s Hawk Ridge as many as 100,000 birds of prey might pass by. Lake Superior rests mostly on Precambrian rock at the southern edge of the Canadian shield, the largest exposure of such bedrock on the planet.

2.Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the world’s largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake. It has 69,485 square kilometres area and is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It covers with a maximum depth of 80 m it is relatively shallow. A population of over 30 million people live in its basin. Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes and is named after Queen Victoria. There are 84 islands inside the lake itself. In Lake Victoria the water hyacinth caused a reduction in fish through de-oxygenation of water, blocking of the in flow and out-flow of the lake, and disruption in fishing activities and lake transportation in late 1990s. Water hyacinth is a fresh water plant capable of vigorous growth. It was introduced on the African continent as an ornamental plant in early 20th century, and since then has spread rampantly. This massive lake, commonly known as Nyanza, is twice the size of Wales, and forms a natural boundary between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The lake is the heart of the African continent, the source of its mightiest river, the Nile.
This mighty body of water is rich in fish life, with shimmering shoals of colourful cichlids and large Nile Perch. The ecological health of Lake Victoria has been affected profoundly as a result of a rapidly growing population, clearance of natural vegetation along the shores, a booming fish-export industry, the introduction of several exotic plant and animal species, the disappearance of about 50 % of its fish species, prolific growth of algae, and dumping of untreated effluent by several industries and human settlements. It has suffered tremendously in terms of biodiversity due to the introduction of new exotic species and water pollution. As a result, the fishing industry of the area has also suffered. The lake receives water from annual rainfall, as it lies in the tropical regions. Lake Kagera is also one of the sources of water. The lake’s outflow is the river Nile, which is most famous.

3.Lake Huron

West of Lake Michigan is Lake Huron, which is shared between USA and Canada. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 750 ft. It has a surface area of 59,600 square kilometres but has lower volumes of water than Lake Michigan. The name of the lake is derived from early French explorers who named it for the Huron people inhabiting the region. The Huronian glaciation was named due to evidence collected from Lake Huron region. The northern parts of the lake include the North Channel and Georgian Bay. Lake Huron was originally called La Mer Douce, or “the freshwater sea,” by French explorers. It has the longest shoreline of the Great Lakes. Mackinac Island is a popular tourist attraction. It is home to the Manitoulin Island, which is the largest island to be found in any lake throughout the world.
Lumbering and fishing have been important economic activities in the Lake Huron region, and many resorts line the lake’s shores. The Saginaw River basin is intensively farmed and contains the Flint and Saginaw-Bay City metropolitan areas. The lake was once home to a number of fish and other species of animals, but this has suffered due to the introduction of exotic and invasive species post colonisation. As part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the lake supports heavy commercial traffic in iron ore, grain, and limestone. The primary inflows of the glacial lake are the Straits of Mackinac, the St. Marys River. The main outflow of this river is the St. Claire River. The lake is 206 mi (331 km) long from northwest to southeast, and its maximum width is 183 mi.

4.Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Lake Michigan is the only one of the Great Lakes located entirely within one country, the United States. Dipping the toes into the freshwater and watching a Pure Michigan sunset will become a great experience in the life. It is shared, from west to east, by the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Green Bay is a large bay in its northwest and Grand Traverse Bay is in the northeast. Michigan’s western Great Lakes region benefits from a unique climate, which creates a favorable environment for growing a wealth of agricultural products. The word “Michigan” is believed to come from the Ojibwe word Michi Gami meaning “large lake”. This lake is with a water surface area of 22,300 square miles. The lake also contains numerous islands, notably the Beaver Island archipelago and the North and South Manitou Islands located between the Upper and Lower peninsulas. Approximately 100 streams flow into the lake, only a few of which are of appreciable size. The Manistee, Pere Marquette, White, Muskegon, Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph rivers enter the lake from the east.
There are 59 lighthouses that stand on the beaches of Lake Michigan as reminders of the importance of the centuries-old shipping industry, a story told well at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven. The state is a leader in many crops including blueberries, cherries, asparagus and grapes for juice and wine. Approximately 12 million people live along the shores of Lake Michigan. There are a number of beaches along the coast, and the Great Lakes are sometimes referred to as the “Third Coast” behind the Pacific and Atlantic. Some of the most popular “beach” towns on the Michigan side of the lake include St. Joseph, South Haven, Grand Haven and Holland. The water of Lake Michigan has an unusual circulatory pattern. Winds and resulting waves keep Lake Michigan from freezing over, but it has been 90 percent frozen on a number of occasions. The lake’s average water depth is 279 feet (85 meters) and its maximum depth is 925 feet (282 meters).

5.Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake With a maximum depth of 1470 m and an area of 32 900 km². Its volume of 18 880 km³ It is the second-oldest freshwater lake in the world, the second-largest by volume. It is the deepest lake in Africa and holds the greatest volume of fresh water, accounting for 16% of the world’s available fresh water. Tanganyika is considered one of the most biologically rich lakes on the planet. According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), “no place on earth holds such a variety of life.” Of the 2000 plus species found in the lake, over half are found nowhere else. At least 90% of the water influx is from rain falling on the lake’s surface and at least 90% of the water loss is from direct evaporation. The clear waters host more than 350 different species of fish and is well known for aquarium fish exports and excellent angling. The major river flowing into the lake is the Ruzizi River, formed about 10,000 years ago, which enters the north of the lake from Lake Kivu. Lake Tanganyika has a remarkably uniform temperature. The lower regions are only a mere 3° C colder than the surface.
The reason for this strange phenomenon has yet to be discovered. The lake has a complex history of changing flow patterns, due to its high altitude, great depth, slow rate of refill, and mountainous location in a turbulently volcanic area that has undergone climate changes. Lake Tanganyika is an ancient lake. Its three basins, which in periods with much lower water levels were separate lakes, are of different ages. It’s water tend to be brackish. Though fed by a number of rivers, the lake is not the centre of an extensive drainage area. The largest rivers discharging into the lake are the Malagarasi, the Ruzizi, and the Kalambo, which has one of the highest waterfalls in the world (704 feet [215 metres]). Lake Tanganyika is also an evolutionary showcase due to its great age and stability. Ninety eight percent of the lake’s cychlids (which comprise two thirds of all the lake’s fish) are unique to Tanganyika. Also endemic are all seven of its crabs, five out of the thirteen bivalve molluscs, more than half of its gastropod molluscs and eleven of its thirty three copepod crustaceans. Sport fishing is very popular here and catches include the goliath tigerfish and Nile perch.

6.Lake Baikal

Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It is the largest freshwater lake by volume in the world, containing 22–23% of the world’s fresh surface water With 23,615.39 km3 (5,670 cu mi) of fresh water. It contains more water than the North American Great Lakes combined. With a maximum depth of 1,642 m (5,387 ft) Baikal is the world’s deepest lake. It is considered among the world’s clearest lakes. Baikal is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, many of which are endemic to the region. It is also home to Buryat tribes, residing on the eastern side of the lake, raising goats, camels, cattle, sheep, and horses, where the mean temperature varies from a winter minimum of −19 °C to a summer maximum of 14 °C. Known as the ‘Galapagos of Russia’, its age and isolation have produced one of the world’s richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science. It is home to approximately 1,700 to 1,800 endemic plant and animal species. Lake Baikal has historically played a large role in the Russian imagination.
It represents the unspoiled beauty of Russia and is sometimes referred to as the Sacred Sea. It attracts more than 500,000 tourists a year. The lands around Lake Baikal are generally warmer than the rest of the area because large bodies of water have a moderating force. There are 27 mostly uninhabited islands in Lake Baikal. More than 300 streams and rivers feed into Lake Baikal, but the Angara River is the only outlet. It carries out about 60 cubic km (15.8 trillion gallons) of water per year into the Yenisei River. During the summer, when the lake is full of melted ice from the Siberian mountains, it is sometimes possible to see more than 130 feet (39 m) down. The stunning clarity is the result of the melted ice’s purity, plankton that eat floating debris and a lack of mineral salts in the lake , according to Baikal World Web. There are several theories about what could have caused the unification, including sinking earth, falling rocks, erosion and earthquakes. Likely, it was a combination of all factors. Lake Baikal is in a rift valley and up to 2,000 earthquake tremors are detected each year.

7.Great Bear Lake

Great Bear Lake, lake in northern Fort Smith region and southeastern Inuvik region, Northwest Territories, Canada, lying astride the Arctic Circle. The Great Bear Lake is a lake in the Canadian boreal forest. It is the largest lake entirely in Canada. The fourth-largest in North America, and the seventh-largest in the world. The name originated from the Chipewyan language word satudene, meaning “grizzly bear water people.” The Sahtu Dene people are named after the lake. Grizzly Bear Mountain on the shore of the lake also comes from Chipewyan, meaning, “bear large hill.” Irregular in shape and containing many small islands, Great Bear Lake is roughly 200 miles (320 km) long and 25–110 miles (40–175 km) wide and has a maximum depth of 1,356 feet (413 m). Its area of 12,096 square miles (31,328 square km) makes it the largest lake entirely within Canada and the fourth largest in North America. The 70-mile- (113-kilometre-) long Great Bear River, which drains the lake westward through marshes into the Mackenzie River, forms an important transportation link during its four ice-free months.

8.Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift System, located between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique. It is the fourth largest fresh water lake in the world by volume. Lake Malawi is between 560 and 580 kilometers long and about 75 kilometers wide at its widest point. The lake has a total surface area of about 29,600 square kilometers. The lake is 706 m at its deepest point. This is the third largest and second deepest lake in Africa. Lake Malawi is a meromictic lake, meaning that its water layers do not mix. The property is an area of exceptional natural beauty with the rugged landscapes around it contrasting with the remarkably clear waters of the lake. Lake Malawi is globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its outstanding diversity of its fresh water fishes.
The property is considered to be a separate bio-geographical province with estimates of up to 1000 species of fish half occurring within the property, estimated as the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world. Endemism is very high: of particular significance are the cichlid fish, of which all but 5 of over 350 species are endemic. The lake contains 30% of all known cichlids species in the world. The property is also rich in other fauna including mammals, birds and reptiles. There are five villages included within enclaves inside the property. Here the soil is poor and crop failure frequency is high. Collaboration with the governments of Tanzania and Mozambique needs to be maintained and strengthened for the long term protection and management of the entire lake ecosystem, and consideration of the potential for its extension is required.

9.Great Slave Lake

Great Slave Lake is the second-largest lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is also the deepest lake in North America at 614 metres (2,014 ft), and the nineth-largest lake in the world. It covers an area of 28,568 km2 (10,502 sq mi) in the southern part of the territory. The lake shares its name with the First Nations peoples called Slavey of the Dene family by their enemies the Cree. This place gets in our soul. It’s the endless water and endless land. It’s that feeling you get when you take off from civilization with the roar of twin otter engines in your ears – and the freedom you feel once you arrive. Great Slave has been at the heart of history, culture and recreation in the Northwest Territories. Every year some 5,000 trophy fishers come North, many bound for the Great Slave’s North Arm and East Arm. Because the lake is clean and cold, fish keep near the surface in summer. Yellow Knife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, is an isolated mining town built on gold and now sustained by diamonds—an outpost of civilization surrounded by a vast, austere landscape of rock and tundra and water—most notably, the enormous Great Slave Lake, on whose shore the city is built. Yellowknife Bay shelters a fleet of more than two-dozen houseboats, all brightly painted and lovingly adorned. Residents run their floating homes on some combination of solar power and batteries. This pretty, nautical neighbourhood even hosts its own version of a drive-in film festival, albeit with canoes and kayaks. The lake is fed by several rivers, of which the Slave River from the south is the most important, and is drained to the west by the Mackenzie River, which eventually empties into the Arctic Ocean. Many of these communities depend on the lake for its abundance of fish, which helps drive the fishing and tourism industry.

10.Lake Erie

It forms the boundary between Canada (Ontario) to the north and the United States (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York) to the west, south, and east. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. The major axis of the lake extends from west-southwest to east-northeast for 241 miles (388 km), and the lake has a maximum width of 57 miles. Approximately twelve million people live in the watershed, including seventeen metropolitan areas with more than 50,000 residents. The lake provides drinking water for about eleven million of these inhabitants. At its deepest point Lake Erie is 210 feet (64 metres) deep. The lake was named by the Erie people, a Native American people who lived along its southern shore. The tribal name “erie” is a shortened form of the Iroquoian word erielhonan, meaning long tail. The total area of the lake’s drainage basin is 30,140 square miles (78,062 square km), exclusive of surface area, which is 9,910 square miles.
Numerous new cleanliness and wellness policies and procedures have been put into place throughout the region to ensure that our guests not only have a fun and memorable visit, but a safe one. A place where time moves a little slower, loved ones feel a little closer and there’s a Great Lake between you and your worries. From island hopping to birdwatching, record-breaking roller coasters to water parks, wineries to dockside dining, plus hidden gems that keep the fun going all year long. Algae can persist for weeks during summer by blooms carried by winds and currents eastward through the lake. Eighty percent of Lake Erie’s total inflow of water comes through the Detroit River. Eleven percent is from precipitation (rain and snow). The remaining nine percent comes from the other tributaries

Tagged : area / by / fresh / great / in / lakes / surface / the / water / world

THE GREAT LARGEST 10 LIBRARIES IN THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE COLLECTION OF ITEMS

by Sree DivyaOctober 3, 2020October 3, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Library is a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution. Libraries are knowledge powerhouses. They have served as the major source of knowledge transfer generation after generation regardless of the time barrier. If you get the chance to visit some of the world’s largest libraries, you’ve never seen so many books in all your life. The world has excelled in all walks with the help of knowledge that has been preserved in bookish form and stored in world’s biggest libraries. Here we bring to you a list of 10 of the world’s largest libraries based on the collection of books that each one of them possesses.

1.Library Of Congress

It is located in Washington, D.C., the Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and the largest library in the world. Collection of books are 162 million. Its collection was growing at a rate of about two million items per year. It is established in April 24, 1800. The John Adams Building, completed in 1939, received its current name in 1980 to honour the president, who is in 1800 signed the act of Congress establishing the library. The Adams Building was built in Art Deco style and faced with white Georgia marble. The Library of Congress is the largest library of the world in terms of number of items stored and shelf capacity. It officially serves the United State Congress for research purposes. The collection includes more than 32 million catalogued books and other print materials in 470 languages, more than 61 million manuscripts, over 1 million US government publications, 1 million issues of world newspapers, 33,000 bound newspaper volumes, 500,000 microfilm reels, more than 120,000 issues comic book, 5.3 million maps, 6 million works of sheet music, 3 million sound recordings, more than 14.7 million prints and photographic images including fine and popular art pieces and architectural drawings.
Some of those materials include one of the smallest books in the world (you have to turn the pages with a needle). James Billington served as the Librarian of Congress in Washington, D.C., from 1987 to 2015. He earned his doctorate from Oxford University. The Library of Congress serves members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress, other government agencies, libraries throughout the country and the world, and the scholars, researchers, artists, and scientists who use its resources. It is the national centre for library service to the blind and physically handicapped, and it offers many concerts, lectures, and exhibitions for the general public. The continued growth of the collection in a wide variety of formats during the 1980s and ’90s necessitated the off-site relocation of some materials to storage facilities in Fort Meade, Maryland, and to the Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation Center in Culpeper, Virginia, the library’s state-of-the-art facility for audiovisual preservation.

2.British Library, UK

British Library, national library of Great Britain, formed by the British Library Act (1972) and organized by July 1, 1973. British Library serves as the national library of United Kingdom which is located in London. It is also the second largest library of the world. Collection of books are more than 150 million in this library.The British Library holds more than 25 million printed books as well as hundreds of thousands of periodicals, microfilms, rare manuscripts, and titles in electronic form. Its special offerings include the Oriental and India Office Collections, the National Sound Archive, printed music, a map library, and philatelic materials. The British Library adds some 3 million items every year occupying 9.6 kilometres of new shelf space. There is space in the library for over 1,200 readers. In over 400 languages including books, magazines, manuscripts, maps, music scores, newspapers, patents, databases, philatelic items, prints and drawings and sound recordings. The British Library is a major research library, with items in many languages and in many formats, both print and digital.
An interesting fact about the British Library is that it will take you 80,000 years to see the entire collection if you are seeing 5 items daily. Their impressive collection includes handwritten Beatles lyrics and an original draft of Chapter 10 and 11 from Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Telling the stories from over 3000 years of human experience, the treasures from our collection include everything from ancient Chinese oracle bones, Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels and Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook to the Beatles’ lyrics and musical scores by Beethoven, Handel and Chopin. The British Museum library was long housed in the main building of the British Museum, in Bloomsbury, London. The centrepiece of the British Museum library was the huge round dome-ceilinged Reading Room, which was designed by Sydney Smirke in association with the librarian Anthony Panizzi and completed by 1857. The museum (with its library) was founded in 1753 on the basis of the collections of Sir Hans Sloane; Edward and Robert Harley, earls of Oxford; and Sir Robert Cotton. As the library holdings grew in the 20th century, additional space was acquired in Bloomsbury, and annexes were opened at Bayswater and other London locations. In 1962 the National Lending Library for Science and Technology was established at Boston Spa, Yorkshire. The Newspaper Library became part of the British Library in 1973. It is classified as a Grade I listed building “of exceptional interest” for its architecture and history..

Library And Archives Canada

Collection of books are more than 54 million. Canada’s national library, located in Ottawa, acquires and preserves Canada’s documentary heritage. The Dominion Archives was founded in 1872 as a division within the Department of Agriculture and was transformed into the autonomous Public Archives of Canada in 1912 and renamed the National Archives of Canada in 1987. The design is the direct result of an unprecedented public co-design process that asked Ottawa residents, Indigenous communities, and Canadians from across the country to provide inspiration at every stage. The National Library of Canada was founded in 1953. In 2004, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) combined the functions of the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada. LAC’s stated mandate is:
• to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations;
• to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada as a free and democratic society;
• to facilitate in Canada co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge;
• to serve as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.
Among its collection, plenty of antique photos are existed. LAC’s holdings include the archival records of the Government of Canada, representative private archives, 20 million books acquired largely through legal deposit, 24 million photographs, and more than a petabyte of digital content. Some of this content, primarily the book collection, university theses and census material, is available online. In homes, schools and libraries across Canada, people are looking for evidence of what it means to be a Canadian. ARCHIVESCANADA.ca is a gateway to archival resources found in over 800 repositories across Canada – it’s your gateway to Canada’s collective memory.

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is in Manhattan and it’s the fourth largest library in the world. As of 2010, the research collections contain 44,507,623 items (books, videotapes, maps, etc.), while the branch libraries contain 8,438,775 items. It is a private, non-governmental, independently managed, nonprofit corporation operating with both private and public financing. Collection of books are more than 53.1 million. The collections have been organized into more than 100 major topics, ranging from “Accents and Dialects” to “Women’s Studies” with others such as “Baseball,” “Computer Science,” “Gay and Lesbian Studies,” “Immigration,” “Judaica,” “Theatre,” and “U.S. History” in between. Very often, the expendable products of bygone ages are viewed today as treasures, and the Library’s stacks of old newspapers, including the long-defunct New York Atlas, have provided endlessly rich material for scholars and writers. The building is also home to the Library’s historic children’s materials, including the original stuffed animals that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh children’s classics, as well as circulating collections for children.
In combination with the lending collections, it is the most comprehensive library collection ever brought together for the free use of the public. The library has branches in the boroughs of the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island and affiliations with academic and professional libraries in the New York metropolitan area. The New York Public Library also has four research libraries, which are also open to the general public. The “New York Public Library” name may also refer to its Main Branch, which is easily recognizable by its lion statues named Patience and Fortitude that sit either side of the entrance. The branch was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and designated a New York City Landmark in 1967. Today the Library continues to make major investments in its most distinctive collections, especially in unique primary source materials.

Russian State Library

Collection of books are more than 44.4 million. The Russian State Library was established in 1862, and even has a nickname: “Leninka.” It is located in Moscow. It was named the V. I. Lenin State Library of the USSR from 1925 until it was renamed in 1992 as the Russian State Library. The library has over 275 km of shelves. There are items in 247 languages of the world, the foreign part representing about 29 percent of the entire collection. The Russian State Library (RSL) is the largest library in Russia, the fifth largest library in the world. It was a part of the Moscow Public and Rumyantsev Museums. Now the Russian State Library stores in its holdings books, documents and artefacts. More than 800 thousand people visit the library annually and about 100 thousand new library tickets are issued. There are 36 reading rooms in the RSL, where more than one and a half thousand people can work at the same time. Any citizen of Russia or other state above 14 years old can become a user of the Library.
It is important for the Library not only to enlarge its collections, but also to make them as accessible as possible, paying attention to the preservation of rare and valuable editions. Access to copyrighted documents is only possible from the Library premises. At the end of 2014 by the decision of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation the Russian State Library was appointed the operator of the National Electronic Library (NEL). NEL is a modern project aimed at free access of readers to the collections of key Russian libraries through the integrated portal and search system. The Library is developing and looking for new forms of interaction with the reader. The best and the most interesting of the RSL collections is demonstrated at exhibitions. In 2016 the Russian State Library opened the new museum space for major exhibitions Ivanovsky Hall. On traditional events of LibraryNight, LibraryDay and Open Doors Day experts and everyone are welcome to acquaint with the work of the Library.

National Diet Library

The National Diet Library is located in Tokyo. It was established in 1948 for the purpose of assisting members of the National Diet of Japan, in researching matters of public policy. Collection of books are more than 41.88 million in this Library. The library is similar in purpose and scope to the United States Library of Congress. The National Diet Library has been actively working on digitization of its collections. The National Diet Library (NDL) consists of two main facilities in Tokyo and Kyoto, and several other branch libraries throughout Japan. It is organized on the system of the U.S. Library of Congress, serving legislators and the nation at large through various major divisions and 35 branch libraries. It is Japan’s only national deposit library and also the country’s parliamentary library. The “Digital Library from the Meiji Era”, which was opened to the public in 2002, carries full-text digital images of about 127,000 volumes of 89,000 titles of the books published in the Meiji era (1868-1912). In addition, it has been promoting copyright clearance and digitization of most of the books published in the Taisho era (1912-1926).
The National Diet Library is the successor of three separate libraries: the library of the House of Peers, the library of the House of Representatives, both of which were established at the creation of Japan’s Imperial Diet in 1890; and the Imperial Library, which had been established in 1872 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. National Diet Library, Japanese Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan, is combining the libraries of the upper and lower houses of the Diet with the collections of the former Imperial Library. The “Web Archiving Project (WARP)” is a project to preserve information gathered from the Internet for the sake of future generations. We have collected, selected Internet resources with license agreements, and provided about 1,500 online periodicals and 1,900 websites.

Bibliotheque Nationale De France

Paris is the home of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, a national repository of everything published in France and home to the beautiful Oval Reading Room. Collection of books are more than 40 million in this Library. It contains a portion of the modern manuscripts and archive documents like brochures, programs, screenplays, press clippings, typescripts, correspondences, letters, autographs on performing arts and music from the Richelieu-Louvois Library. Books and periodicals kept in the storage and on the shelves. Documents in audio format (78 rpm recordings, phonograph records, compact discs, and audio cassettes), video format (videotapes and videodiscs), multimedia and electronic formats (CD-ROMS, DVD-ROMS, video games etc.). It contains Objects: brass, carved wood, lithographic stones, fabrics etc. It also contains Iconographic documents: prints, photographs, posters and Printed and handwritten sheet music.
Throughout its history, it has always performed the task of collecting and preserving national and global collections in its care, in any form, for the benefit of all. It is digital library, Gallica was launched in 1997. It is one of the oldest in the world, located in Paris. On the site Francois-Mitterrand, a building whose four angular towers symbolize four open books, overlooking the banks of the 13th arrondissement of Paris, more than 15 million books and printed works are preserved. The garden can be found in between the 4 towers: it can be seen from all over the Library, but entry is not permitted.

National Library Of Russia

The National Library of Russia is in St Petersburg, and has been digitizing many titles — over 80,000 titles are available to view electronically. The Imperial Public Library was established in 1795 by Catherine the Great. Collection of items are more than 36.5 million in this Library. The National Library of Russia in Saint Petersburg ,is not only the oldest public library in the nation, but also the first national library in the country. It has the second richest library collection in the Russian Federation, a treasury of national heritage, and is the All-Russian Information, Research and Cultural Center. Over the course of its history, the Library has aimed for comprehensive acquisition of the national printed output and has provided free access to its collections. It is known as the Imperial Public Library. The idea of a public library in Russia emerged in the early 18th century but did not take shape until the arrival of the Russian Enlightenment.
The cornerstone of the foreign-language department came from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the form of Załuski’s Library (420,000 volumes), nationalized by the Russian government at the time of the partitions. The Polish-language books from the library (numbering some 55,000 titles) were returned to Poland by the Russian SFSR in 1921. For five years after its foundation, the library was run by Comte Marie-Gabriel-Florent-Auguste de Choiseul-Gouffier. The stocks were arranged according to a specially compiled manual of library classification. In 1810, Emperor Alexander I approved Russia’s first library law stipulating, among other things, that two legal copies of all printed matter in Russia be deposited in the Library.

Royal Danish Library

The Royal Library in Copenhagen is the national library of Denmark. Collection of books are more than 35.1 million in this Library and it is largest in the Nordic countries. In 2017 it merged with the State and University Library in Aarhus to form a combined national library. The combined library organisation is known as the Royal Danish Library. The “Black Diamond” is a characteristic new library building at the waterfront of Copenhagen. The building from 1999 is designed by the Danish architects Schmidt, Hammer and Lassen. The Library building is shiny, black facets mirror the sea and the sky at the harbour front. It is an extension to the Royal Library. It is founded in 1648. It houses many ancient manuscripts, notably The Gutenberg Bible and the manuscripts and letters of Hans Christian Andersen. The name refers to the prismatic sharp edges and the black marble plates and glass of the exterior, that reflects the water of the harbour. Also from the wave-like balconies of central foyer, that cuts into the building as an 24 meter high atrium, there is a panoramic view over the harbour.
The variety of cultural activities of the new building has turned The Royal Library into a central cultural centre of Copenhagen as part of the harbour promenade. The ceiling of the bridge between the old and the new is decorated by the Danish artist Per Kirkeby. In the old building of The Royal Library a Jewish museum has been designed by Daniel Libeskind in 2004 with sloping floors and light wooden interior. The seven stories of the building contain not only traditional library functions such as the four new reading rooms, but also a concert hall, exhibition galleries, bookshop, cafe and restaurant. It contains numerous historical treasures, and a copy of all works printed in Denmark since the 17th century are deposited there. A large incision cleaves the building into two formations and gives light to the atrium inside. The atrium connects the city with the sea outside as well as the old and new library buildings. The glass facade is held by iron girders weighing approximately one metric tonne per metre.

The National Library of China

The National Library of China in Beijing has many rare Chinese items such as ancient books, oracle bones and tortoise shells from the Shang dynasty, and Buddhist manuscripts from the sixth century. Collection of items are more than 35.1 million in this Library. In 1916, the library received depository library status. In July 1928, its name was changed to National Peiping Library and was later changed to the National Library. The design of KSP Jurgen Engel for the new National Library of China in Beijing was the winning entry in an international competition. It is founded in 1909. The tripartite design of the library, symbolizing the past, present and future, consists of a solid base, a glazed center section enclosing structural cores and a steel-clad volume at the top. The stone-clad plinth houses the books and documents, representing China‘s rich cultural tradition. The steel box at the top houses the digital library. Weighing 10,388 tons, the 120 × 105 m earthquake-proof steel of the roof structure is designed as a steel lattice framework. Six reinforced cores transfer this load to the base, thus enabling the column-free floating ceiling over the grand reading room.
The glazed center section accommodates the public information area, access to reading rooms, foyer and cafeteria – all activities anchored to the present. The NLC faces the challenges of readership in the technological age. The creation of the National Digital Library is part of a strategy to combat this trend and to provide integrated services that include the availability of 10,000 e-books, mobile phone enabled library services and the use of RFID technology for the ease of locating items. Web pages, e-journals, blogs and so on – that appear only electronically.” With only 20 % of the National Library’s holdings available to the public in digital form in 2008, the Digital Library will greatly increase the reach of the National Library.

Tagged : 10 / according / collection / great / in / items / largest / libraries / of / the / to / world

THE LARGEST 10 ANIMALS IN THE WORLD ACCORDING TO VARIOUS CATEGORIES

by Sree DivyaSeptember 29, 2020September 29, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Our world is full of creatures big and small, short and tall. Largest 10 animals in the world, classified by various categories such as mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians etc are given below. There’s an incredibly detailed list of some of the world’s largest organisms.

1.The Largest Animal:
The Blue Whale

photo of whale underwater — Photo by Elianne Dipp on Pexels.com

These magnificent marine mammals rule the oceans at up to 100 feet long and upwards of 200 tons. Their incredible size is only possible because of their aquatic lifestyles and the buoyancy provided by seawater. Blue whales are among the loudest animals on the planet. Blue whales live in all the world’s oceans, except the Arctic. Blue whales are among Earth’s longest-lived animals. Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant. Their hearts, as much as an automobile. Krill are considered as the main source of food for many larger animals. Blue whales reach these mind-boggling dimensions on a diet composed nearly exclusively of tiny shrimplike animals called krill. During certain times of the year, a single adult blue whale consumes about 6 tons of krill a day. Fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) may occasionally be part of the blue whale’s diet. Blue whales look true blue underwater, but on the surface their coloring is more a mottled blue-grey. Their underbellies take on a yellowish hue from the millions of micro organisms that take up residence in their skin.
The blue whale has a broad, flat head and a long, tapered body that ends in wide, triangular flukes. These graceful swimmers cruise the ocean at more than five miles an hour, but accelerate to more than 20 miles an hour when they are agitated. They emit a series of pulses, groans, and moans, and it’s thought that, in good conditions, blue whales can hear each other up to 1,000 miles away. Like all whales, blue whales are mammals and give live birth to very large calves that they nurse for six or seven months. A baby blue whale emerges weighing up to 3 tons and stretching to 25 feet. Average lifespan is estimated at around 80 to 90 years. Today, a primary threat to blue whale recovery is accidental interactions with fishing gear and with ships, but their numbers are slowly increasing. To compound their trouble, however, blue whales’ preferred food source – krill – is now fished commercially.

2.The Heaviest Land Animal in the World:
The African Bush Elephant

elephant near plants and trees — Photo by RENATO CONTI on Pexels.com

The African bush elephant is the largest of the three elephant species. They are slightly larger than their Asian cousins and can be identified by their larger ears that look somewhat like the continent of Africa. It is also known as “ecosystem engineers.” Adults reach up to 24 feet in length and 13 feet in height and weigh up to 11 tons. As herbivores, they spend much of their days foraging and eating grass, leaves, bark, fruit, and a variety of foliage. They need to eat about 350 pounds of vegetation every day. African elephants live up to 70 years. An elephant’s trunk is a strong appendage, with more than 40,000 muscles and tendons that can lift more than 400 pounds at once. Elephants are fond of water. Elephants suck water up through the trunk and then blow it into their mouths for drinking or onto their backs as a cooling mist. Elephants use their tusks to pull bark off trees, dig up roots and water holes, and for protection. Because elephants require substantial amounts of food and a large area in which to forage, habitat destruction across their range is a major threat to survival. As of late, poaching has caused the most serious damage to African bush elephant populations, with approximately 25,000 being lost every year.
The Nature Conservancy is using a comprehensive three-pronged approach to elephant protection. During the dry season, they use their tusks to dig up dry riverbeds and create watering holes many animals can drink from. Their dung is full of seeds, helping plants spread across the environment and it makes pretty good habitat for dung beetles too. In the forest, their feasting on trees and shrubs creates pathways for smaller animals to move through, and in the savanna, they uproot trees and eat saplings, which helps keep the landscape open for zebras and other plains animals to thrive. Elephant ears radiate heat to help keep these large animals cool, but sometimes the African heat is too much. Females give birth to a single calf after a 22 month gestation, the longest gestation period among mammals.

3.The Tallest Land Animal in the World:
The Giraffe

brown giraffe walking on brown grass — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal and the tallest living terrestrial animal with coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background in the world. It stands 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall and has an average weight of 1,930 kg (3,500 lb) for males and 1180 kg (1,800 lb) for females. The giraffe has an extremely elongated neck, which can be over 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length, accounting for nearly half of the animal’s vertical height. It’s prehensile tongues almost half a metre long. The tail may be a metre in length and Speeds of 50 km (31 miles) per hour can be maintained. When the giraffe lowers its head to the ground, special vessels at the base of the brain control blood pressure.
They have excellent eyesight, and when one giraffe stares, for example, at a lion a kilometre away, the others look in that direction too. Giraffes live up to 26 years in the wild. Giraffes prefer to eat new shoots and leaves, mainly from the thorny acacia tree. Cows in particular select high-energy low-fibre items. They are prodigious eaters, and a large male consumes about 65 kg (145 pounds) of food per day. Giraffes obtain most water from their food, though in the dry season they drink at least every three days. Gestation is 15 months. If lions or hyenas attack, a mother sometimes stands over her calf, kicking at the predators with front and back legs. About half of very young calves are killed by lions and hyenas.

4.The Largest Carnivora in the World:
The Southern Elephant Seal

Male Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) trying to mate with a recently weaned pup on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands.

There are two species of elephant seals, the northern and southern. The southern elephant seal is a true seal and is the largest pinniped and carnivoran in the world. Southern elephant seals live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. Southern elephant seals are grayish brown in colour and are covered with thick blubber. Southern elephants are the largest of all seals. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. But these massive pinnipeds aren’t called elephant seals because of their size. Southern elephant seals have been recorded diving up to 2,133 meters (7,000 feet) and can stay underwater for nearly two hours. Southern elephant seal diet is largely composed of squid, mollusks, krill, cephalopods, and algae.

Elephant seals were aggressively hunted for their oil, and their numbers were once reduced to the brink of extinction. Historically, southern elephant seals were hunted to very low numbers because of the value and volume of their blubber, which was rendered into oil. Fortunately, populations have rebounded under legal protections. Adult males are enormous at least six times larger than polar bears and nearly twice the size of the next largest seal that is the northern elephant seal. Southern elephant seals are open ocean predators and spend much of their time at sea. Large southern elephant seals have few predators, but killer whales, leopard seals, and some large sharks are known to feed on this species. Potential impacts of expanding Southern Ocean fisheries and ongoing climate change on the populations of this seal are not well known, so it is important to continue to study and monitor this and other Antarctic seals. Southern elephant seals breed on land but spend their winters in the frigid Antarctic waters near the Antarctic pack ice. The current population is estimated at 650,000 individuals. The larger males fight one another to establish dominance over a particular section of beach. Females give birth to a single pup each year after an 11-month pregnancy and continue to nurse their pups.

5.The Largest Land Carnivores in the World:
The Polar Bear and Kodiak Bear

brown bear in body of water during daytime — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Kodiak bear, also known as the Kodiak brown bear, sometimes the “Alaskan brown bear”, inhabits the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in southwest Alaska. The Kodiak bear, on the other hand, commonly reaches sizes of 300 to 600 kg (660 to 1,320 lb), and has even been known to exceed weights of 680 kg. Stability of the Kodiak bear population have arisen. Kodiak bear will eat a large variety of plant and animal species. When standing on its hind legs the Kodiak bear is as tall as 10 ft (3 m). Females, called sows, are typically about 20-30% smaller than males, which are referred to as boars. The largest island in the archipelago is known as Kodiak Island. It is the second-largest island in the USA and is considered the heart of the Kodiak bear’s range. With food being abundant, bears live in relatively high density and their home ranges overlap significantly. They will feed on mainly salmon during this time while building up their fat reserves for winter. Hunters frequently seek the rare species to harvest its meat or simply claim it as a trophy. Cubs are typically born about 8 months later. Young bears will remain with their mothers for about 3 years before setting out on their own. The polar bear is a hypercarnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle. It is the largest recognized subspecies or population of the brown bear, and one of the two largest bears alive today, the other being the polar bear.
There is generally much variation in size between brown bears in different areas, most usually weigh between 115 and 360 kg. a sow (adult female) is about half that size of boar(adult male). Many body characteristics of Polar bear are adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice and open water, and for hunting seals, which make up most of its diet. Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time on the sea ice. For thousands of years, the polar bear has been a key figure in the material, spiritual, and cultural life of circumpolar peoples, and polar bears remain important in their cultures. Polar bears swim in that region’s coastal waters. They are very strong swimmers, and their large front paws, which they use to paddle, are slightly webbed. Some polar bears have been seen swimming hundreds of miles from land. Polar bears live in one of the planet’s coldest environments and depend on a thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat. Polar bears live in one of the planet’s coldest environments and depend on a thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat. Under their fur, polar bears have black skin – the better to soak in the sun’s warming rays. polar bears will also consume carcasses, such as those of dead whales. Polar bears are attractive and appealing, but they are powerful predators that do not typically fear humans, which can make them dangerous.

6.The Largest Reptile in the World:
The Saltwater Crocodile

Large Australian Saltwater Crocodile lies of a river bank in Broome, Western Australia.

Saltwater crocodiles or estuarine crocodiles, are enormous creatures and the world’s largest living reptiles. The average male is 5m in length and weighs around 500kg, while females are significantly smaller, with the average female saltwater crocodile measuring a little under 3m in length and weighing less than 100kg. A huge male saltwater Crocodiles are estimated to have weighed a staggering 1500-2000kg. The animal most likely to eat a human—is the saltwater or estuarine crocodile. Saltwater crocodiles, or “salties,” as Australians affectionately refer to them, have an enormous range, populating the brackish and freshwater regions of eastern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. They are excellent swimmers. They can travel long distances by sea, sometimes as much as 900km.
They’ll feed on anything they can get their jaws on, including water buffalo, monkeys, wild boar, and even sharks. Without warning, they explode from the water with a thrash of their powerful tails, grasp their victim, and drag it back in, holding it under until the animal drowns. Saltwater crocodiles have long life spans, with many living to more than 65 years, longer than any other crocodile species. It’s possible that some saltwater crocodiles may live for over a century. Only 1% of newborn saltwater crocodiles will survive to adulthood. Australian legend has it that crocodiles sleep with one eye open – and scientists have now proved it to be true. It involves shutting down only one half of their brain at a time, keeping the other half alert to danger. The central nervous system is wired up such that the right eye remains open when the left side of the brain is awake, and vice versa. They typically feed on fish, mammals and birds, preferring to hunt at night. It is is capable of killing and eating pretty much anything that comes into its territory, including sharks and humans.

7.The Largest Amphibian in the World:
The Chinese Giant Salamander

Chinese giant salamander once had the world at its wet, stubby feet. It’s a “living fossil,” having seen the dinosaurs come and go, and it is currently the largest amphibian on the planet. It is Capable of growing nearly 6 feet in length (1.8 meters). This makes the giant salamanders one of the most evolutionarily isolated families on the amphibian tree of life, residing at the tips of a long, solitary branch. The Chinese Giant Salamader lives and breeds in large hill streams, normally in forested areas. It is a mottled grayish or greenish and brown, with a long, thick body with four stubby limbs, and a blunt head with tiny eyes (with no eye lids) behind its nostrils. Its tail makes up over half of its body length.
The Japanese giant salamander is a bit smaller than its Chinese counterpart, while North America’s largest salamander, the hellbender, may reach 28 inches (70 centimeters) in length. These three giants make up the family Cryptobranchidae. This creature lives underwater yet does not have gills—it absorbs oxygen through its skin. there could be at least five distinct giant salamander species that developed independently in isolated locations over millions of years. the main threat to Chinese giant salamanders is humans hunting them with nets and hooks. As apex predators, they are used to slurping up a wide variety of aquatic creatures, and can accidentally swallow or become tangled in lines of hooks.

8.The Largest Rabbit/Hare in the World:
The Flemish Giant

The Flemish Giant rabbit is a very large breed of domestic rabbit, normally considered to be the largest breed of the species. Flemish Giants are historically a utility breed bred for fur and meat.. The breed is also known for being docile and patient in being handled, resulting in the large animals commonly being kept as pets. The Flemish Giant is an ancestor of many rabbit breeds all over the world, one of which is the Belgian Hare, imported into England in the mid 19th century. It is one of the more popular breeds at rabbit shows because of its unusually large size and its varying colors. They come in seven colours. The National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders recognizes Black, Blue, Fawn, Light Gray, Steel Gray, Sandy, and White as the official color varieties. The male and female have different head shapes. As one of the largest breeds of domestic rabbit, the Flemish Giant is a semi-arch type rabbit with its back arch starting behind the shoulders and carrying through to the base of the tail giving a “mandolin” shape.
Flemish Giant Rabbits weigh 6.8 kilograms (15 lb) on average, through the biggest ones can weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 lb), and the longest one on record, measured about 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) long. “The American Rabbit Breeders Association Standard of Perfection” dictates that a rabbit under six months and at least 6.5 pounds is eligible for entry in the Junior class, one between six and eight months is considered Intermediate, and eight months and older must be entered as a Senior. Their originsare highly contested among Flemish Giant rabbit historins. Other giant rabbit breeds named for different places exist, including the Continental Giant, German Giant, and British Giant. Each breed differs a bit from the Flemish Giant. The Rabbit Geek website posted information about this from a rabbit show judge and member of the British Rabbit Council.

9.The Largest Bats in the World:
The Giant golden-crowned flying fox

The golden-crowned flying fox is one of the largest bat species in the world, it can be incredibly hard to find. The giant golden-crowned flying fox, also known as the golden-capped fruit bat, is a species of megabat endemic to the Philippines. It is primarily frugivorous, consuming several kinds of fig. However, its diet also includes some leaves. As it eats fruits, primarily figs, it distributes their seeds all over the forest, contributing to reforestation in the Philippines. It also will sometimes eat fruit grown for agricultural use, but only if it is near undisturbed forests. It forages at night and sleeps during the day in tree roosts. The giant golden-crowned flying fox, also known as the golden-capped fruit bat, is a species of megabat endemic to the Philippines. It is one of the largest bat species in the world, weighing up to 1.4 kg (3.1 lb)—only the Indian and great flying fox can weigh more. It has the longest documented forearm length of any bat species at 215 mm (8.5 in). Owing to deforestation and poaching for bushmeat, it is an endangered species. It is still affected by human disturbance via tourists who intentionally disturb them during the day. can be found in forest patches near human population centers, including along roads and on resort grounds. In all cases, this species enjoys having other bat neighbors, as they share their roosts with several flying fox species—most commonly the large flying fox. Local communities hunt bats for sale, sport and personal consumption. In addition, more than 90 percent of the Philippines’ old-growth forests have been destroyed, and the species has completely disappeared from several of its old roosting sites on multiple islands. It gives birth annually from April through June, with females having one pup at a time.

10.The Largest Rodent in the World:
The Capybara

The capybara is twice that big—the biggest rodent on Earth. These impressive semi-aquatic mammals are found throughout much of northern and central South America, though a small invasive population has been seen in Florida. Capybara, also called carpincho or water hog. Like beavers, capybaras are strong swimmers. South American capybaras may be 1.25 metres (4 feet) long and weigh 66 kg (145 pounds) or more. Panamanian capybaras are smaller and weigh about 27 kg. They are shy and associate in groups along the banks of lakes and rivers. Small eyes, noses, no tail, and hairless ears are located high on their heads so that their faces remain exposed and alert when most of their body is submerged. Like other rodents, capybaras’ teeth grow continuously, and they wear them down by grazing on aquatic plants, grasses, and other plentiful plants. Their pig-shaped bodies are adapted for life in bodies of water found in forests, seasonally flooded savannas, and wetlands. Their toes are partially webbed for paddling around, and their reddish to dark brown fur is long and brittle—perfect for drying out quickly on land. Their favorite snack foods are snakes like the boa constrictor, crab-eating foxes, small cats, and birds of prey like the caracara and black vulture. Females usually have one litter of four to five young per year. Though considered to have a stable population overall, in some areas capybaras are severely threatened by people who hunt them for their skin, and some local populations have been wiped out.

Tagged : according / animals / categories / in / largest / the / to / various / world

THE LARGEST PLANETS OF SOLAR SYSTEM ACCORDING TO SIZE

by Sree DivyaSeptember 26, 2020September 26, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Our solar system consists of our star, the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity — the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, dwarf planets such as Pluto, dozens of moons and millions of asteroids, comets and meteoroids. The most recent definition of a planet was adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. It says a planet must do three things: The Sun, and everything that orbits it, is located in the Milky Way galaxy. Must orbit a star (in our cosmic neighborhood, the Sun). It must be big enough to have enough gravity to force it into a spherical shape. It must be big enough that its gravity cleared away any other objects of a similar size near its orbit around the Sun. This is a partial list of Solar System objects by size, arranged in descending order of mean volumetric radius, and divided into several size classes. These lists can also be sorted according to an object’s mass and, for the largest objects, volume, density and surface gravity, insofar as these values are available.

1.Jupiter

In our solar system Jupiter is at nearly 11 times the size of Earth and 317 times its mass with a radius of 43,440.7 miles (69,911 kilometers). Despite its size, Jupiter has the shortest day of any other planet; it only takes about 10 hours for a complete rotation. In 1610, astronomer Galileo Galilei used a new invention called the telescope to look at Jupiter and discovered the first moons known to exist beyond Earth. The discovery ended incorrect, ancient belief that everything, including the Sun and other planets, orbited the Earth. From an average distance of 484 million miles (778 million kilometers), Jupiter is 5.2 astronomical units away from the Sun. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system – more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined. Jupiter’s familiar stripes and swirls are actually cold, windy clouds of ammonia and water, floating in an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is a giant storm bigger than Earth that has raged for hundreds of years. Jupiter is the fifth planet from our Sun. Jupiter is surrounded by dozens of moons. Jupiter also has several rings, but unlike the famous rings of Saturn, Jupiter’s rings are very faint and made of dust, not ice. Jupiter spins nearly upright and does not have seasons as extreme as other planets do. Jupiter has a central core of solid material or if it may be a thick, super-hot and dense soup. It could be up to 90,032 degrees Fahrenheit (50,000 degrees Celsius).
Jupiter has the same ingredients as a star, but it did not grow massive enough to ignite. Jupiter doesn’t have a true surface. The planet is mostly swirling gases and liquids. It may also have a rocky core of heavier elements. While a spacecraft would have nowhere to land on Jupiter. Jupiter’s appearance is a tapestry of colorful cloud bands and spots. With four large moons and many smaller moons, Jupiter forms a kind of miniature solar system. Jupiter has 53 confirmed moons and 26 provisional moons awaiting confirmation of discovery. Jupiter’s four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Jupiter’s environment is probably not conducive to life as we know it. The temperatures, pressures and materials that characterize this planet are most likely too extreme and volatile for organisms to adapt to. It is on average the third-brightest natural object in the night sky after the Moon and Venus. it was named after the king of the gods in Roman mythology. In a similar manner, the ancient Greeks named the planet after Zeus, the king of the Greek pantheon. Jupiter’s immense volume could hold more than 1,300 Earths. That means that if Jupiter were the size of a basketball, Earth would be the size of a grape.

2.Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from our Sun (a star) and orbits at a distance of about 886 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) from the Sun. The rings we see are made of groups of tiny ringlets that surround Saturn. They’re made of chunks of ice and rock. Twice every 29 and a half years the great planet Saturn appears ringless. Saturn is heavily present in pop culture. Like Jupiter, Saturn is mostly a ball of hydrogen and helium. Saturn is unique among the planets with a radius of 36,183.7 miles (58,232 kilometers)and 9 times wider than Earth. If Earth were the size of a nickel, Saturn would be about as big as a volleyball. It is Surrounded by more than 60 known moons. The Saturn system is a rich source of scientific discovery and still holds many mysteries. From an average distance of 886 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers), Saturn is 9.5 astronomical units away from the Sun. One astronomical unit (abbreviated as AU), is the distance from the Sun to Earth. From this distance, it takes sunlight 80 minutes to travel from the Sun to Saturn.
Saturn has the second-shortest day in the solar system. It’s hard to imagine, but Saturn is the only planet in our solar system whose average density is less than water. The planet is mostly swirling gases and liquids deeper down. While a spacecraft would have nowhere to land on Saturn, it wouldn’t be able to fly through unscathed either. The extreme pressures and temperatures deep inside the planet crush, melt and vaporize spacecraft trying to fly into the planet. The planet is many different shades of yellow, brown and grey. Saturn’s magnetic field is smaller than Jupiter’s but still 578 times as powerful as Earth’s. Saturn’s rings are thought to be pieces of comets, asteroids or shattered moons that broke up before they reached the planet, torn apart by Saturn’s powerful gravity. Saturn’s ring system extends up to 175,000 miles (282,000 kilometers) from the planet, yet the vertical height is typically about 30 feet (10 meters) in the main rings. Saturn’s environment is not conducive to life as we know it. The temperatures, pressures and materials that characterize this planet are most likely too extreme and volatile for organisms to adapt to.

3.Uranus

Uranus was discovered in 1781 by astronomer William Herschel. The planet was named for Uranus, the Greek god of the sky. The seventh planet from the Sun with the third largest diameter in our solar system, Uranus is very cold and windy. The ice giant is surrounded by 13 faint rings and 27 small moons as it rotates at a nearly 90-degree angle. This unique tilt makes Uranus appear to spin on its side, orbiting the Sun like a rolling ball. One day Uranus takes about 17 hours to rotate and Uranus makes a complete orbit around the Sun in about 84 Earth years. Uranus is the only planet whose equator is nearly at a right angle to its orbit. With a radius of 15,759.2 miles (25,362 kilometers), Uranus is 4 times wider than Earth. If Earth was the size of a nickel, Uranus would be about as big as a softball. From an average distance of 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers), Uranus is 19.8 astronomical units away from the Sun. It takes sunlight 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel from the Sun to Uranus.

Uranus is also one of just two planets that rotate in the opposite direction than most of the planets (Venus is the other one), from east to west. Uranus is slightly larger in diameter than its neighbor Neptune. Most (80 percent or more) of the planet’s mass is made up of a hot dense fluid of “icy” materials—water, methane and ammonia—above a small rocky core. Near the core, it heats up to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit (4,982 degrees Celsius). Uranus gets its blue-green color from methane gas in the atmosphere. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and is reflected back out by Uranus’ cloud tops. Uranus doesn’t have a true surface. The planet is mostly swirling fluids. While a spacecraft would have nowhere to land on Uranus, it wouldn’t be able to fly through its atmosphere unscathed either. Uranus’ atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium, with a small amount of methane and traces of water and ammonia. The methane gives Uranus its signature blue color. Uranus has an unusual, irregularly shaped magnetosphere. Uranus’ environment is not conducive to life as we know it. Uranus has been visited only once by a spacecraft: Voyager 2.

4.Neptune

Dark, cold and whipped by supersonic winds, ice giant Neptune is the eighth and most distant planet in our solar system. Neptune has 14 known moons. Neptune’s largest moon Triton was discovered on October 10, 1846, by William Lassell. More than 30 times as far from the Sun as Earth, Neptune is the only planet in our solar system not visible to the naked eye. Neptune is our solar system’s windiest world. Neptune is the farthest planet from our Sun. Neptune is very similar to Uranus. It’s made of a thick soup of water, ammonia, and methane over an Earth-sized solid center. Its atmosphere is made of hydrogen, helium, and methane. The methane gives Neptune the same blue color as Uranus. Neptune has six rings, but they’re very hard to see. The warm light we see here on our home planet is roughly 900 times as bright as sunlight on Neptune. The ice giant Neptune was discovered in 1846. With a radius of 15,299.4 miles (24,622 kilometers), Neptune is about four times wider than Earth.
If Earth were the size of a nickel, Neptune would be about as big as a baseball. From an average distance of 2.8 billion miles (4.5 billion kilometers), Neptune is 30 astronomical units away from the Sun. From this distance, it takes sunlight 4 hours to travel from the Sun to Neptune. Neptune takes about 16 hours to rotate or spin once. And Neptune makes a complete orbit around the Sun in about 165 Earth years (60,190 Earth days). Pluto is closer to the Sun than Neptune. Scientists think there might be an ocean of super hot water under Neptune’s cold clouds. It does not boil away because incredibly high pressure keeps it locked inside. Neptune does not have a solid surface. Its atmosphere extends to great depths, gradually merging into water and other melted ices over a heavier, solid core with about the same mass as Earth. Neptune is a more vivid, brighter blue. Neptune’s winds can be three times stronger than Jupiter’s and nine times stronger than Earth’s. Neptune’s environment is not conducive to life as we know it. The temperatures, pressures and materials that characterize this planet are most likely too extreme and volatile for organisms to adapt to.

5.Earth

The name Earth is a Germanic word with a radius of 3,959 miles (6,371 kilometers), which simply means “the ground. “Our home planet is the third planet from the Sun, and the only place we know of so far that’s inhabited by living things. While Earth is only the fifth largest planet in the solar system. it is the only world in our solar system with liquid water on the surface. Just slightly larger than nearby Venus, Earth is the biggest of the four planets closest to the Sun, all of which are made of rock and metal. Earth is the only planet that has a single moon. Our Moon is the brightest and most familiar object in the night sky. The Moon is an average of 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers) away from Earth. From an average distance of 93 million miles (150 million kilometers), Earth is exactly one astronomical unit away from the Sun. It takes about eight minutes for light from the Sun to reach our planet.
As Earth orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every 23.9 hours. It takes 365.25 days to complete one trip around the Sun. That extra quarter of a day presents a challenge to our calendar system, which counts one year as 365 days. To keep our yearly calendars consistent with our orbit around the Sun, every four years we add one day. That day is called a leap day, and the year it’s added to is called a leap year. Earth is composed of four main layers, starting with an inner core at the planet’s center, enveloped by the outer core, mantle and crust. It has a solid and active surface with mountains, valleys, canyons, plains and so much more. Earth is special because it is an ocean planet. Water covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface. Earth’s atmosphere is made mostly of nitrogen and has plenty of oxygen for us to breathe. The atmosphere also protects us from incoming meteoroids, most of which break up before they can hit the surface. Earth’s global ocean, which covers nearly 70 percent of the planet’s surface, has an average depth of about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and contains 97 percent of Earth’s water. Earth has an atmosphere that consists of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and 1 percent other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide and neon.

6.venus

Similar in size and structure to Earth, Venus has been called Earth’s twin. These are not identical twins, however – there are radical differences between the two worlds. Venus is the second planet from the Sun, and is Earth’s closest neighbor in the solar system. Venus is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon, and sometimes looks like a bright star in the morning or evening sky. Average diameter of Venus is about 7,500 miles. Surface temperature is 864 degress Fahrenheit. Venus has a thick, toxic atmosphere filled with carbon dioxide. It’s perpetually shrouded in thick, yellowish clouds of mostly sulfuric acid that trap heat, causing a runaway greenhouse effect. It’s the hottest planet in our solar system.
The surface of Venus is not where you’d like to be, with temperatures that can melt lead, an atmosphere so thick it would crush you, and clouds of sulfuric acid that smell like rotten eggs. you couldn’t breathe the air, you would be crushed by the enormous weight of the atmosphere, and you would burn up in surface temperatures high enough to melt lead. The atmosphere traps the small amount of energy from the sun that does reach the surface along with the heat the planet itself releases. It is always found near the Sun. It rises and sets each day, so it has the nicknames Morning and Evening Star! Scientists found that Venus rotates backwards. This means that on Venus the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

7.Mars

Mars has a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon gases. It is frequently called the “Red Planet” because iron minerals in the Martian dirt oxidize, or rust, causing the surface to look red. Today, a science fleet of robotic spacecraft study Mars from all angles. With a radius of 2,106 miles (3,390 kilometers), Mars is about half the size of Earth. If Earth were the size of a nickel, Mars would be about as big as a raspberry. From an average distance of 142 million miles (228 million kilometers), Mars is 1.5 astronomical units away from the Sun. One astronomical unit (abbreviated as AU), is the distance from the Sun to Earth. From this distance, it takes sunlight 13 minutes to travel from the Sun to Mars. As Mars orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every 24.6 hours, which is very similar to one day on Earth (23.9 hours). Like Earth, Mars has distinct seasons, but they last longer than seasons here on Earth since Mars takes longer to orbit the Sun. On Mars the seasons vary in length because of Mars’ elliptical, egg-shaped orbit around the Sun. Mars has a dense core at its center between 930 and 1,300 miles (1,500 to 2,100 kilometers) in radius. It’s made of iron, nickel and sulfur. Surrounding the core is a rocky mantle between 770 and 1,170 miles (1,240 to 1,880 kilometers) thick, and above that, a crust made of iron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium and potassium. This crust is between 6 and 30 miles (10 to 50 kilometers) deep.

Mars formed when gravity pulled swirling gas and dust in to become the fourth planet from the Sun. The Red Planet is actually many colors. At the surface we see colors such as brown, gold and tan. Mars is home to the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons. It’s three times taller than Earth’s Mt. Everest. Mars appears to have had a watery past, with ancient river valley networks, deltas and lakebeds, as well as rocks and minerals on the surface that could only have formed in liquid water. There is water on Mars today, but the Martian atmosphere is too thin for liquid water to exist for long on the surface. The temperature on Mars can be as high as 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) or as low as about -225 degrees Fahrenheit (-153 degrees Celsius). Mars has no global magnetic field today. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. Phobos, the innermost and larger moon, is slowly moving towards Mars and will crash into the planet or break apart in about 50 million years. Scientists don’t expect to find living things currently thriving on Mars.

8.Mercury

The smallest planet in our solar system and nearest to the Sun, Mercury is only slightly larger than Earth’s Moon. It doesn’t have any moons. Mercury is the fastest planet, zipping around the Sun every 88 Earth days. With a radius of 1,516 miles (2,440 kilometers), Mercury is a little more than 1/3 the width of Earth. If Earth were the size of a nickel, Mercury would be about as big as a blueberry. From an average distance of 36 million miles (58 million kilometers), Mercury is 0.4 astronomical units away from the Sun. It takes sunlight 3.2 minutes to travel from the Sun to Mercury. Mercury’s highly eccentric, egg-shaped orbit takes the planet as close as 29 million miles (47 million kilometers) and as far as 43 million miles (70 million kilometers) from the Sun. Mercury spins slowly on its axis and completes one rotation every 59 Earth days. Mercury is the second densest planet, after Earth. It has a large metallic core with a radius of about 1,289 miles (2,074 kilometers), about 85 percent of the planet’s radius.

Mercury has a central core, a rocky mantle and a solid crust. It’s actually not the hottest. Along with Venus, Earth, and Mars, Mercury is one of the rocky planets. Mercury spins slowly compared to Earth. Mercury takes 59 Earth days to make one full rotation. It goes around the Sun in just 88 Earth days. Most of Mercury’s surface would appear greyish-brown to the human eye. Temperatures on the surface of Mercury are extreme, both hot and cold. During the day, temperatures on Mercury’s surface can reach 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius). Because the planet has no atmosphere to retain that heat, nighttime temperatures on the surface can drop to minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 180 degrees Celsius). Mercury’s environment is not conducive to life as we know it. The temperatures and solar radiation that characterize this planet are most likely too extreme for organisms to adapt to.

9.Pluto

Pluto is a complex and mysterious world with mountains, valleys, plains, craters, and maybe glaciers. Discovered in 1930, Pluto was long considered our solar system’s ninth planet. Icy Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Pluto is orbited by five known moons, the largest of which is Charon. Charon is about half the size of Pluto itself. Pluto and Charon are often referred to as a “double planet.” With a radius of 715 miles (1,151 kilometers), Pluto is about 1/6 the width of Earth. If Earth was the size of a nickel, Pluto would be about as big as a popcorn kernel. From an average distance of 3.7 billion miles (5.9 billion kilometers), Pluto is 39 astronomical units away from the sun. It takes sunlight 5.5 hours to travel from the sun to Pluto. Pluto’s orbit around the sun is unusual compared to the planets. Pluto was actually closer to the sun than Neptune. One day on Pluto takes about 153 hours. Pluto is about two-thirds the diameter of Earth’s moon and probably has a rocky core surrounded by a mantle of water ice. Interesting ices like methane and nitrogen frost coat its surface.

Due to its lower density, Pluto’s mass is about one-sixth that of Earth’s moon. Pluto’s surface is characterized by mountains, valleys, plains, and craters. The temperature on Pluto can be as cold as -375 to -400 degrees Fahrenheit (-226 to -240 degrees Celsius). Pluto’s mountains can be as tall as 6,500 to 9,800 feet (2 to 3 kilometers) and are big blocks of water ice, sometimes with a coating of frozen gases like methane. Craters as large as 162 miles (260 kilometers) in diameter dot some of the landscape on Pluto, with some showing signs of erosion and filling. The main constituent is molecular nitrogen, though molecules of methane and carbon monoxide have also been detected. Pluto’s low gravity (about six percent of Earth’s) causes the atmosphere to be much more extended in altitude than our planet’s atmosphere. Pluto has a magnetic field. There are no known rings around Pluto. Pluto has five known moons: Charon, Nix, Hydra, Kerberos and Styx. The surface of Pluto is extremely cold, so it seems unlikely that life could exist there. At such cold temperatures, water, which is vital for life as we know it, is essentially rock-like. Pluto’s interior is warmer, however, and some think there could even be an ocean deep inside.

Tagged : according / great / largest / of / planets / size / solar / system / the / to

THE GREAT 10 LARGEST ISLANDS IN THE WORLD

by Sree DivyaSeptember 23, 2020September 23, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent. An island or isle is any piece of sub continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. In a river or a lake island may be called an eyot or ait, and a small island off the coast may be called a holm. Something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others. This particular place is peaceful, calm, etc., when other surrounding places are the opposite. Here are 10 largest Islands in the world based on Land mass.
1.Greenland Island

body of water near green mountain — Photo by Oliver Sjöström on Pexels.com

Greenland, the world’s largest island, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean. One of the major players is in the outdoor tourism sector in the Azores, particularly in the Sao Miguel Island, Azores Greenmark will show you the beauty of the island. The total area of Greenland is 2.16 million square kilometres (836,330 square miles), including other offshore islands. In fact, many people still have misconceptions about the beautiful Arctic nation. its name from Erik The Red, an Icelandic murderer who was exiled to the island. He called it “Greenland” in hopes that the name would attract settlers. Azores Greenmark is one of the few companies in the Portuguese islands of the Azores that combines conservation and environmental protection with an offer of touristic activities. Azores Greenmark’s mission is developing touristic activities that highlight the beauty of the natural landscapes of the Azores, its history, and traditions of the Azorean people while protecting the environment. “Humans have inhabited Greenland for more than 4,500 years.” Despite having a land size of 2.16 million square kilometres, there are no roads or railway system that connect settlements to one another. Although Greenland remains a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the island’s home-rule government is responsible for most domestic affairs. The Greenlandic people are primarily Inuit (Eskimo).
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk. Greenland extends about 1,660 miles (2,670 km) from north to south and more than 650 miles (1,050 km) from east to west at its widest point. Greenland is separated from Canada’s Ellesmere Island to the north by only 16 miles (26 km). Greenland’s deeply indented coastline is 24,430 miles (39,330 km) long, a distance roughly equivalent to Earth’s circumference at the Equator. Structurally, Greenland is an extension of the Canadian Shield, the rough plateau of the Canadian north that is made up of hard Precambrian rocks. Greenland’s major physical feature is its massive ice sheet, which is second only to Antarctica’s in size. The Greenland Ice Sheet has an average thickness of 5,000 feet (1,500 metres), reaches a maximum thickness of about 10,000 feet. These highlands notwithstanding, most parts of the rock floor underlying the Greenland Ice Sheet are in fact at or slightly beneath current sea levels. Greenland experiences about two months of midnight sun during the summer. Several species of land mammals—including polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, Arctic foxes, snow hares, ermines, and lemmings—can be found on the island. Seals and whales are found in the surrounding water. Nearly nine-tenths of Greenlander people are principally of Inuit, or Eskimo, extraction. Evangelical Lutheranism is the official religion. Greenland’s economy has long been based on fishing. Global warming has not only melted sea ice and made oil and natural gas exploration more accessible but also opened tracts of land for mineral exploitation. The midnight sun, as it is called, is a pretty cool natural phenomenon that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime. June 21, the longest day of the year.

New Guinea Island

green island in the middle of the lake during daytime — Photo by Ketan Kumawat on Pexels.com

New Guinea, island of the eastern Malay Archipelago, in the western Pacific Ocean, north of Australia. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the north, the Bismarck and Solomon seas to the east, the Coral Sea and Torres Strait to the south, and the Arafura Sea to the southwest with an area of 317,150 sq miles/821,400 sq km. New Guinea is administratively divided into two parts: its western half comprises the Indonesian propinsi (or provinsi; provinces) of Papua and West Papua (collectively, formerly called Irian Jaya); and its eastern half comprises the major part of Papua New Guinea, an independent country since 1975. To the north of the mountain chain is a deep structural trench occupied by the valleys of the Mamberamo, Sepik, Ramu, and Markham rivers. The climate of New Guinea is basically tropical, with mean annual maximum temperatures ranging between 86 and 90 °F (30 and 32 °C) in the lowlands. The Fly-Digul shelf and bordering highlands are one of the world’s wettest places and also one of the least-inhabited.
New Guinea has a rich variety of plant life, including orchids, figs, and species of false beech. Mangrove swamps are found along the coastline almost everywhere. Notable birds are the cassowary, the spectacular birds of paradise, and parrots etc. Almost the whole of New Guinea is occupied by speakers of Papuan languages, the original settlers of the island. Swidden cultivation is practiced in the forested foothills. Copper and gold are the main mineral resources of the island. One of the largest concentrations of copper in the world is at Tembagapura. Large amounts of gold also are produced at Ok Tedi. Petroleum is extracted in the Doberai Peninsula area of Papua. Natural gas has been discovered in the Fly-Kikori area in Papua New Guinea. Yams, taro, sago, and bananas are the lowland staple foods, and the sweet potato is the main highland food. Cash crops in Papua New Guinea include coffee, cacao, copra, palm oil, tea, and rubber; skyjack tuna, prawns, and timber are also exported. New Guinea was possibly occupied as early as 50,000 years ago. Linguistically, it is the world’s most diverse country, with more than 700 native tongues. Some 80% of Papua New Guinea’s people live in rural areas with few or no facilities of modern life. Radio is important in Papua New Guinea, which has scattered, isolated settlements and low levels of literacy.

3.Borneo Island

aerial view of an island — Photo by Nick Wehrli on Pexels.com

Borneo is the world’s third-largest island and the largest island of Asia with an area of 288,869 square miles (748,168 square kilometers). : Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%), and Brunei (1%). The island is politically divided among three countries: Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia to the south. Brunei is a sovereign state located almost entirely on Borneo. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. It is divided into four political regions: Kalimantan belongs to Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia; a small remaining region comprises the sultanate of Brunei. It is the only island in the world to be politically administered by three countries at a time. A little more than half of the island is in the Northern Hemisphere including Brunei and the Malaysian portion, while the Indonesian portion spans both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Borneo is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. The name Brunei possibly derives from the Sanskrit word váruṇa , meaning either “water” or Varuna, the Hindu god of rain. From neighboring islands, Borneo is north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and east of Sumatra. The island is bisected by the equator, with approximately half of its land area in the northern hemisphere and half in the southern hemisphere. The Indonesian provinces of North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan make up the southeastern part of the island. The island of Borneo is rich in natural resources. Known metal deposits include: gold, silver, copper, tin, aluminum (as bauxite), and iron ore of the island is covered by tropical forests that produce tropical timber and other forest products.
Borneo has nearly 11,000 species of flowering plants. In one 16 acre area of Borneo’s lowland forest, over 700 species of trees have been recorded. Borneo is comprised of a variety of different native tribes, each distinguishable from others by distinct language and culture. Borneo has some of the world’s most wildlife-rich equatorial rainforests, incredible landscapes (above and below the waves) and rich indigenous culture. Borneo is over three times bigger than the UK. Over 100 of the animals are endemic to Borneo, Endemic means you can only find the animal in that particular place. Examples of these animals include Proboscis monkeys, Bornean clouded leopards and Bornean rhinos. It is home to some of the world’s biggest caves. The Sarawak Chamber in Gunung Mulu National Park is the world’s largest cave chamber and capable of accommodating 40 Boeing 757 aeroplanes inside of it. Borneo has the highest peak in Southeast Asia . At 13,438ft (4,096 metres) above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain. It is home to the world’s biggest flower. The Rafflesia lives in the rainforests of Borneo and is a parasitic plant whose flower gives off a horrific smell. It’s often referred to as the “corpse flower” because of this, Whilst it produces this smell to attract insects.

Madagascar Island

landscape photograph of lake and mountains — Photo by Julius Silver on Pexels.com

Madagascar, island country lying off the southeastern coast of Africa at an area of 592,800 square kilometres (228,900 sq mi). Madagascar is the world’s second-largest island country. Famous for the wide-eyed lemurs, eccentric baobab trees, and vanilla farming, Madagascar Island throws wonderful surprises to your way. Stumble upon the great adventures and experiences in Madagascar with the help of this extensive Madagascar Island Guide. The island paradise is known for its rare wildlife, alien landscapes, and virgin coastline. Located in the Indian Ocean, the fourth largest island is a perfect destination for honeymooners, nature lovers, and thrill seekers. This red island it took humans 300,000 years to discover. It’s also called as Rainbow island. Madagascar has a population of more than 22 million inhabitants. Capital and largest city is Antananarivo.
It’s paradise for wildlife lovers. Its resident animals are more than half the world’s chameleons and dozens of species of lemur. Here thousand of birds live, most of which are endemic. Men and women wear the same clothes. It has a few World Heritage Sites. They are the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a 500-year-old burial site, the rainforests of the Atsinanana, which are home to many rare species. They consume quite a lot of marijuana. It recently abolished the death penalty. As one of the poorest places in the world, with a per capita GDP of $1,554 and an average life expectancy of just 65.5. It’s not surprising. Despite the poverty, luxury tourism has arrived. Madagascar has very few railways, just 854 kilometres of track, to be precise. Madagascar was once a safe haven for hundreds of pirates. Today the country is on a slow and steady economical and political growth path from an extremely low level. The location of Madagascar Island is also one factor that contributes towards attracting travelers to this place. A trip to these awe-inspiring places to visit in Madagascar Island will make your vacation an unforgettable experience. The landforms, the flora and fauna, the wildlife and everything that falls within is a customized package by nature.

5.Baffin Island

cabin on green grass field near lake under white clouds — Photo by Lucas Craig on Pexels.com

Baffin Island, island lying between Greenland and the Canadian mainland. With an area of 195,928 square miles (507,451 square km). Remote and virtually untouched, the world’s fifth largest island is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best places in the Arctic for expedition travel. The biggest island in Canada, Baffin Island is a grand wild landscape, the spectacular homeland of the Inuit and an accessible Arctic playground for the adventurous. Baffin Island draws the most visitors to Nunavut every year, and it isn’t hard to see. Coastal islands kilometres-high mountains, kilometres-high mountains and Steep fjords all offer different views and adventures in the great wild. The water provides another great view of these and other mythical animals, so join Adventure Canada to cruise the fabled Northwest Passage. The island was first discovered by Europeans in 1576 and was used extensively in the whaling industry. Iron-ore deposits have been found in the north, and Nanisivik, at its northwestern tip, is the site of one of the world’s northernmost mines, producing silver, lead, and zinc. The weather in Baffin Island remains relatively mild with an average temperature of 40°F (7°C). Sightings of migratory seabirds and other wildlife are high. We can enjoy stunning sunsets instead. Towering mountains as high as 7,000 feet (2,100 metres) form the backbone of the island’s geography along the north-eastern coasts. This is also where two of Canada’s largest national parks are found. The rest of Baffin Island, are a wonderful combination of spectacular fjords, numerous glaciers, steep granite peaks, and limestone cliffs. About 60% of the world’s polar bear population live in the Canadian Arctic. you might also see caribou, hare, fox, lemmings, and even the tundra grey wolf endemic to Baffin Island. There are over 100 bird species, including snowy owls, falcons, hawks, ptarmigans, and puffins. The world’s highest number of unicorn-like narwhal live and thrive in the waters of the north coast, alongside walrus and seals.

6.Sumatra Island

aerial photography of cinque terre in greece — Photo by Josh Hild on Pexels.com

An island of extraordinary beauty, it bubbles with life and vibrates under the power of nature. Sumatra, Indonesian Sumatera, Indonesian island, the second largest of the Greater Sunda Islands, in the Malay Archipelago . It is separated in the northeast from the Malay Peninsula by the Strait of Malacca and in the south from Java by the Sunda Strait. Sumatra’s climate is hot, except in the highlands, and extremely moist. Vegetation includes monster flowers (Rafflesia arnoldii), myrtles, bamboo, rhododendrons, orchids, and such trees as the Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii), palm, oak, chestnut, ebony, ironwood, camphorwood, sandalwood, and rubber-producing types. Wild and rugged, Sumatra is a blend of Mother Nature extremes, blessed with natural wealth as well as proneness to natural disasters. Volcano eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides are common headline grabbers for this one of the world’s richest ecosystems. But nobody can deny Sumatra’s beauty from the top of majestic volcanoes to the lush of the jungles and down at sea level, where idyllic deserted beaches are scattered along the island.
Some world-class diving sites in Pulau Weh and surfing in the wild Mentawai islands. You can also enjoy spicy Padang cuisines, relax on the shore of Lake Toba, bag the top of Mount Kerinci of Jambi, stop by the granite beaches of Belitung, and see dolphins at Kiluan, Lampung. The island’s animal life includes orangutans, various apes, elephants, tapirs, tigers, the two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros, gibbons, tree shrews, flying lemurs, wild boars, and civets. Three national parks on the island are Mount Leuser, Kerinci Seblat, and Bukit Barisan Selatan. Lake Toba, with an area of about 440 square miles (1,140 square km), is the largest of many mountain lakes. The island experienced a major natural disaster in late 2004 when the great Indian Ocean tsunami inundated low-lying areas along the northwest coast and adjacent islands and caused widespread death and destruction. Agricultural products grown for export include rubber, tobacco, tea, coffee, palm oil, ramie fiber, sisal, copra, betel nuts, kapok, peanuts (groundnuts), and pepper. A major portion of Indonesia’s timber comes from Sumatran forests, which also yield various oils and fibers. Sumatra and adjacent islands have reserves of petroleum, natural gas, tin, bauxite, coal, gold, silver, and other minerals.

7.Honshu Island

beach birds calm clouds — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Honshu is the largest and most populous main island of Japan. Honshu lying between the Pacific Ocean (east) and the Sea of Japan (west). It forms a northeast–southwest arc extending about 800 miles (1,287 km) and varies greatly in width. The coastline extends 6,266 miles (10,084 km). Honshu has an area of 87,992 square miles (227,898 square km). Honshu contains Japan’s highest mountain Mount Fuji of 3,776 meter peak, and its largest lake, Lake Biwa. Honshu is further broken up into five smaller regions: Tohoku in the north, Kanto to the east, Chubu in the center, Kansai in the south and Chugoku to the west. Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes are in the Chubu region, as well as tourist-favorite Takayama. Honshu is housing the great majority of its population and hosting most of the visitors as well. Due to its size, it is commonly subdivided into smaller regions. More than 104(year 2010) million people are squeezed into pockets of flat land among the many volcanoes which form a long, mountainous arc from the northeast tip to the and copper are found on the island.
The Shinano, the longest river of Japan, traverses central Honshu. Most of the rivers of the island are short and swift, feeding many small hydroelectric plants. As the historical center of Japanese cultural and political power, the island includes several past Japanese capitals, including Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura. Electronics, metallurgical, chemical, and textile industries are very important on the island, although the larger cities have diverse industries. Most of Japan’s industry is located in a belt running along Honshu’s southern coast, from Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and Hiroshima; by contrast, the economy along the northwestern Sea of Japan coast is largely based on fishing and agriculture. Agriculture is varied; rice, other grains, cotton, fruits, and vegetables are grown. The bulk of Japan’s tea and silk comes from Honshu. Japan has steadily increased the number of bridges and tunnels connecting Honshu with its other islands.

8.Victoria Island

rear view of man sitting on rock by sea — Photo by Riccardo Bresciani on Pexels.com

Victoria Island is a large island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago that straddles the boundary between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is the eighth largest island in the world, with an Area of 217,291 km2 (83,897 sq mi). It is Canada’s second largest island. It is the main business and financial centre of Lagos in Lagos State, Nigeria. Victoria Island is one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to reside in Lagos. Travellers frequently use the term Victoria Island when referring to Vancouver Island but, in this context, the name Victoria Island is a misnomer. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada, and is located on southern Vancouver Island. Whether you call this photogenic city and spectacular island by the names Victoria, Victoria Island or Vancouver Island, this beautiful and westernmost region of Canada will continue to attract over 6 million annual visitors from around the world. The romantic waterfront city of Victoria is the vacation capital of Canada, and the premier tourist spot in the Pacific Northwest, basking as it does in the mildest climate in Canada. Its British colonial heritage is still very much in evidence.
The one-time colonial outpost is alive with cosmopolitan dining, superb shopping, a colourful nightlife and a full complement of cultural offerings. Victoria Island, second largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Divided administratively between the Northwest Territories and the territory of Nunavut. The island was discovered in 1838 by Thomas Simpson, the island was named for Queen Victoria and was first explored by John Rae in 1851. Northwest Passage, historical sea passage of the North American continent. It represents centuries of effort to find a route westward from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Archipelago of what became Canada. Since the end of the 15th century, Western explorers have attempted to establish a commercial sea route north and west around the American land barrier encountered by Christopher Columbus. The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama sailed south around Africa and reached India in 1498.

Great Britain Island

city view at london — Photo by Dominika Gregušová on Pexels.com

Great Britain, also called Britain, island with an Area of 80,823 sq miles/209,331 sq km lying off the western coast of Europe and consisting of England, Scotland, and Wales. The term is often used as a synonym for the United Kingdom, which also includes Northern Ireland and a number of offshore islands. Great Britain is not a country; it’s a landmass. “Group of islands in W Europe, consisting of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Orkney, the Shetland Islands, the Channel Islands belonging to Great Britain, and the islands adjacent to these”. The largest island in the British Isles is Great Britain.
In the Middle Ages, the name Britain was also applied to a small part of France now known as Brittany. As a result, Great Britain came into use to refer specifically to the island. However, that name had no official significance until 1707, when the island’s rival kingdoms of England and Scotland were united as the Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland, meanwhile, had effectively been an English colony since the 12th century, and after the emergence of Great Britain, it remained under the influence of the British crown. In 1801 it formally joined with Great Britain as a single political entity, which became known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The notion of Europe is very old. The British Isles is the name of a group of islands situated off the north western corner of mainland Europe.

Ellesmere Island

green mountain surrounded by body of water photo — Photo by Borislav Krustev on Pexels.com

Ellesmere island is located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is believed to have been visited by Vikings in the 10th century, named in 1852 for Francis Egerton, 1st earl of Ellesmere. Ellesmere Island, largest island of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, Baffin region, Nunavut territory, Canada, located off the northwest coast of Greenland. The island, roughly 300 miles wide by 500 miles long (500 km wide by 800 km long) and covering an area of 75,767 square miles 196,236 square km. It is the third largest island in Canada, the 10th-largest island in the world and the most northerly island in the Arctic Archipelago.
The entire island is deeply incised by fjords, and the northern coast is extended by ice shelves. The land descends southward to Hazen Plateau, dominated by Lake Hazen, which is the largest lake in the polar region. Ellesmere is a true polar desert, with only 70 mm of precipitation annually in some places. More than one-fifth of the island has been turned into a national park, Quttinirpaaq National Park was created on the northern part of the island. There are numerous species of birds and several other land mammals, but coastal sea ice discourages marine mammals. According to population, there are three settlements on Ellesmere Island including Alert, Eureka, and Grise Fiord. Politically, it is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region. The Ellesmere Island Volcanics are a Late Cretaceous group of volcanoes and lavas in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of northern Ellesmere Island. Petroleum deposits have been discovered on the island.

Tagged : great / in / islands / largest / the / world

THE GREAT BEAUTIFUL MONUMENTS IN THE WORLD

by Sree DivyaSeptember 20, 2020September 20, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Monument is an object, especially large and made of stone, built to remember and show respect for a person or group of people, or a special place made for this purpose. It is an old building or place that is an important part of a country’s history. Here are Beautiful 10 Monuments in the World.

Macchu Picchu, Peru

photo of machu picchu — Photo by Chelsea Cook on Pexels.com

Machu Picchu is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. The complex of palaces and plazas, temples and homes may have been built as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a retreat for ruling elites. Its dramatic location is certainly well suited for any of those purposes. Machu Picchu is an old Inca citadel in Peru, on a 2,430-metre (7,970 ft) mountain ridge, South America. It was built in the 15th century and is 2,430 metres above sea level. It is referred to as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Bingham spent most of his life arguing that Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba were one and the same. Machu Picchu was included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The three most visible structures in Machu Picchu are the Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. The peak is accessible by trek or by train and attracts millions of visitors every year. It is necessary to preserve these monuments to ensure that even in the future, people can still marvel at their magnificence. It is located in the Machu Picchu District within Urubamba Province, part of Cusco Region, above the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of how they originally appeared. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
When an earthquake occurs, the stones in an Inca building are said to “dance;” that is, they bounce through the tremors and then fall back into place. Without this building method, many of the best known buildings at Machu Picchu would have collapsed long ago. While the Inca are best remembered for their beautiful walls, their civil engineering projects were incredibly advanced as well. You can walk up to the ruins. The steep path roughly follows Hiram Bingham’s 1911 route and offers extraordinary views of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which looks almost as it did in Bingham’s time. The climb is strenuous and takes about 90 minutes. There’s a great, hidden museum but no one goes there. For visitors conditioned to the explanatory signs at national parks, one of the strangest things about Machu Picchu is that the site provides virtually no information about the ruins. There’s more than one peak to climb. There’s a secret temple. Visitors have understood that the ruins’ natural setting is as important to the site as the buildings themselves.

2.Angkor Wat

The largest religious complex of the world by land area on a site measuring 162.6 hectares (1.626 km2 , 402 acres). The most significant monument of Southeast Asia is extensive of Angkor Wat is constructed as Hindu temple and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple, its name, which translates to “temple city”. It serves as an important tourist attraction in Cambodia. The word “Angkor” means “capital city” in the Khmer language, while the word “Wat” means “temple.” Many Buddhists believe the temple’s construction was ordered by the god Indra, and that the work was accomplished in one night. However, scholars now know it took several decades to build Angkor Wat, from the design phase to completion. Its five towers are intended to recreate the five peaks of Mount Meru, while the walls and moat below honor the surrounding mountain ranges and the sea. The heart of the temple was the central tower, entered by way of a steep staircase, a statue of Vishnu at top. This tower “was at once the symbolic center of the nation”.
One chamber in the tower has a scene showing a traditional Khmer ensemble of musical instruments known as the pinpeat, which is made up of different gongs, xylophones, wind instruments and other percussion instruments. In the same chamber, there’s also an intricate scene featuring people riding horses between two structures, which might be temples. These two paintings are among 200 that have been discovered in Angkor Wat since 2010. It consists of scores of temples, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes. For several centuries Angkor, was the centre of the Khmer Kingdom. With impressive monuments, several different ancient urban plans and large water reservoirs, the site is a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional civilization. The Deep in the forests of Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, the elegant spires of an ancient stone city soar skyward above the sprawling complex of Angkor Archaeological Park. A visit to Cambodia’s World Heritage Temples of Angkor complex is understandably high on the list for many travellers. Angkor Wat is the ultimate expression of Khmer genius is an awe inspiring temple that is stunning for both its grand scale and its incredible detail. Angkor Wat is built by Suryavarman II and is the earthly representation of Mount Meru, the Mount Olympus of the Hindu faith and the abode of ancient gods. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale and symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building.
3.potala palace

The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of 3,700m. The Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former summer palace, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. The beauty and originality of the architecture of these three sites, their rich ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking landscape, add to their historic and religious interest. “Three Protectors of Tibet are “. Chokpori, just to the south of the Potala, is the soul-mountain of Vajrapani, Pongwari that of Manjusri, and Marpori, the hill on which the Potala stands, represents Avalokitesvara. The site on which the Potala Palace rises is built over a palace erected by Songtsen Gampo on the Red Hill.
The Potala contains two chapels on its northwest corner that conserve parts of the original building. One is the Phakpa Lhakhang, the other the Chogyel Drupuk. King Srong-brtsan-sgam-po commissioned the building of a palace in Lhasa. Significantly smaller and less elaborate than its 5-square-mile (13-square-km) successor, it was named the Potala (“Pure Land” or “High Heavenly Realm”) for reasons that are not historically documented, although Mount Potala in India seems the likely source. Tibetan Buddhists acknowledge the Dalai Lama as the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara , a bodhisattva whose home was on Mount Potala. Srong-brtsan-sgam-po’s palace was later destroyed, and in 1645 the fifth Dalai Lama ordered the construction of a ne The mausoleum of the fifth Dalai Lama (the Potala’s patron), located in the west of the palace stands five stories high, is overlaid with gold, diamonds, pearls, and many other precious gems, and expresses the high honor the people had for this Buddhist saint. The new Potala was built on Mar-po-ri . It has 1,000 rooms and covers over 13 hectares (32 acres). The stone walls measure 3 meters (10 feet) thick on average. The general structure of the Potala Palace is in two parts: The Red Palace and the White Palace. The beautiful murals inside the palace are not only attractive, but also tell the story of Tibet. The golden roof on the top of the Red Palace is worth seeing. The Red Palace is the higher of the two palaces. The White Palace was home to ten successive Dalai Lamas and their courts. It became the summer residence of the Dalai Lama, and the White Palace became known as the winter estate of this saint of Buddhism. Housed within this amazing stone and wood structure are articles and artifacts from Tibetan history, religion, and culture.

4.Teotihuacan

ancient pyramid of sun under flying air balloons in teotihuacan — Photo by Jorge on Pexels.com

Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, which is located in the State of Mexico, 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of modern-day Mexico City. It was built by hand more than a thousand years before the swooping arrival of the Nahuatl-speaking Aztec. Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan began as a religious center in the Mexican Highlands around the first century CE. It became the largest and most populated center in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan was home to multi-floor apartment compounds built to accommodate the large population. The term Teotihuacan is also used for the whole civilization and cultural complex associated with the site. It is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico. Teotihuacan means “the place where the gods were created”. Teotihuacan is arranged in a grid layout that covers about 8 square miles (20 square kilometers). It contains around 2,000 single-story apartment compounds, as well as various pyramids, plazas, temples and palaces of nobles and priests. The city contains several large, important structures: The Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Ciudadela (“Citadel”) and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Surrounded by smaller pyramids and platforms, the Pyramid of the Moon is situated at the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead and faces south. Standing at 140-feet (43-meters) high with a base measuring 426 by 511 feet (130 by 156 meters), the Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest structure in Teotihuacan. “It was the largest city anywhere in the Western Hemisphere before the 1400s,” Cowgill says. “It had thousands of residential compounds and scores of pyramid-temples comparable to the largest pyramids of Egypt.” Its principal builders, evidence shows that Teotihuacan hosted a patchwork of cultures including the Maya, Mixtec, and Zapotec. The main excavations, performed by Professors Saburo Sugiyama of Aichi Prefectural University in Japan and Rubén Cabrera, a Mexican archaeologist, have been at the Pyramid of the Moon. It supports a population estimated at 125,000–200,000, making it, at the time, one of the largest cities in the world. It is the largest pre-Colombian site in the Americas and the largest and most visited cultural site.
5.Taj Mahal

ancient architecture asia building — Photo by Roney John on Pexels.com

The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal with construction starting in 1632 AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque, the guest house and the main gateway on the south, the outer courtyard and its cloisters were added subsequently and completed in 1653 AD. It was declared a winner of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Ustad-Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of the Taj Mahal. One of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world, the Taj Mahal is also one of the world’s most iconic monuments, visited by millions of tourists each year. For its construction, masons, stone-cutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from the Central Asia and Iran.
The Taj Mahal attracts 7–8 million visitors a year. More than 20,000 workers were employed from India, Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe to complete the mausoleum. An area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal is defined to protect the monument from pollution. The Supreme Court of India delivered a ruling banning use of coal/coke in industries located in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) and switching over to natural gas or relocating them outside the TTZ. The Taj Mahal is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Its recognised architectonic beauty has a rhythmic combination of solids and voids, concave and convex and light shadow; such as arches and domes further increases the aesthetic aspect. The uniqueness of Taj Mahal lies in some truly remarkable innovations carried out by the horticulture planners and architects of Shah Jahan. One such genius planning is the placing of tomb at one end of the quadripartite garden rather than in the exact centre, which added rich depth and perspective to the distant view of the monument. It is also, one of the best examples of raised tomb variety. The tomb is further raised on a square platform with the four sides of the octagonal base of the minarets extended beyond the square at the corners. The exterior of the tomb is square in plan, with chambered corners. The large double storied domed chamber, which houses the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, is a perfect octagon in plan. The exquisite octagonal marble lattice screen encircling both cenotaphs is a piece of superb workmanship. It is highly polished and richly decorated with inlay work. The borders of the frames are inlaid with precious stones representing flowers executed with wonderful perfection. The Taj Mahal is a perfect symmetrical planned building, with an emphasis of bilateral symmetry along a central axis on which the main features are placed. The building material used is brick-in-lime mortar veneered with red sandstone and marble and inlay work of precious/semi precious stones. The mosque and the guest house in the Taj Mahal complex are built of red sandstone in contrast to the marble tomb in the centre. The tomb, mosque, guest house, main gate and the overall Taj Mahal complex have maintained the conditions of authenticity at the time of inscription.
6.Great Wall of China

brown concrete wall surrounded by trees — Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

The Great Wall of China is the collective name of a series of fortification systems and one of the largest building-construction projects ever undertaken. Great Wall also contributed to the exploitation of farmland to the growth of the trade route that came to be known as the Silk Road. The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world and the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains takes in some great scenery and it can be visited by foreign travelers. The Great Wall actually consists of numerous walls, many of them parallel to each other, built over some two millennia across northern China and southern Mongolia. The height of the Great Wall is 5–8 meters (16–26 feet). The most extensive and best-preserved version of the wall runs for some 5,500 miles (8,850 km) east to west from Mount Hu near Dandong, southeastern Liaoning province, to Jiayu Pass west of Jiuquan, northwestern Gansu province. It is still one of the more remarkable structures on Earth.
The Great Wall was not just a wall. It was an integrated military defensive system with watchtowers for surveillance, fortresses for command posts and logistics, beacon towers for communications, etc. The Great Wall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Nearly all 70 percent of the total length is actual constructed wall, with the small remaining stretches constituting ditches or moats and one-fourth of its length consists solely of natural barriers such as rivers and mountain ridges. The wall’s length without its branches and other secondary sections was thought to extend for some 4,160 miles (6,700 km). This Wall is to protect from their near neighbours as they were with the threat of barbarian invasions or raids. It’s long history is more than 2,300 years. It was built in different areas by different states/dynasties to protect different territorial borders. It’s often said that the First Emperor of Qin built the Great Wall. In the Qin Dynasty, the First Emperor of Qin started the northern walls to prevent invasion from northern nations. In the Han Dynasty, the emperors extended the Great Wall far into today’s western China to protect Silk Road trade.The Rock City of Petra
Rock City of Petra located about 115 miles (185 km) southwest of Amman, Jordan, Petra was an ancient city that was literally carved into red desert cliffs. Its ornate ancient architecture and natural beauty attract people from all over the world. In these early years the Nabataeans are believed to have lived a nomadic lifestyle, and Petra was likely a place of tents and simple structures. This would change as the caravan trade developed, with Petra serving as a center of trade between Arabia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean. The trading business gained the Nabataeans considerable revenue and Petra became the focus of their wealth. The Nabataeans were accustomed to living in the barren deserts, unlike their enemies, and were able to repel attacks by taking advantage of the area’s mountainous terrain. They were particularly skillful in harvesting rainwater, agriculture and stone carving. The city reached its peak about 2,000 years ago with a population estimated at 30,000 inhabitants. This process would see people abandon their tents for more permanent stone dwellings, in some instances carving them into the cliffs. A sophisticated plumbing system would also be built with a system of channels, pipes and cisterns to bring water to the people. Petra contains numerous tombs, most of them built at the edge of the city, beyond the main street. Some were simple, containing multiple burials in an unadorned rock chamber, while others were more spectacular. The best known tomb at Petra is called the “Khazneh,” which is Arabic for the “Treasury.” It is called this because at one time local people believed it contained hidden treasure.
Petra’s ancient inhabitants maintained a rich spiritual life. Three temples located near the main street. Its walls are still preserved up to a height of 75 feet (23 meters). A person would walk up 19 stairs before coming to a landing, than another eight steps, past a series of four columns, to arrive at the temple vestibule. Another structure, known to archaeologists at the “Great Temple,” contains a small theater in a design similar to a modern-day orchestra hall. The “Rose City” is a honeycomb of hand-hewn caves, temples, and tombs carved from blushing pink sandstone in the high desert of Jordan. it’s the raw beauty of Petra that draws in so many millions of visitors – the entire city of ruins is a work of art, painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes color every hour. The elegant Silk Tomb swirls with streaks of red, blue, and ocher, while vivid mosaics still pave the floors of a Byzantine-era church. Remember that Petra spreads out for over a hundred square miles—four times the size of Manhattan. While donkeys, camels, and horse buggies can hasten travel time between highlights, most of Petra’s sites are best reached on foot.

The Rock City of Petra

ancient temple in old city with tall sandstone columns — Photo by Spencer Davis on Pexels.com

Rock City of Petra located about 115 miles (185 km) southwest of Amman, Jordan, Petra was an ancient city that was literally carved into red desert cliffs. Its ornate ancient architecture and natural beauty attract people from all over the world. In these early years the Nabataeans are believed to have lived a nomadic lifestyle, and Petra was likely a place of tents and simple structures. This would change as the caravan trade developed, with Petra serving as a center of trade between Arabia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean. The trading business gained the Nabataeans considerable revenue and Petra became the focus of their wealth. The Nabataeans were accustomed to living in the barren deserts, unlike their enemies, and were able to repel attacks by taking advantage of the area’s mountainous terrain. They were particularly skillful in harvesting rainwater, agriculture and stone carving. The city reached its peak about 2,000 years ago with a population estimated at 30,000 inhabitants. This process would see people abandon their tents for more permanent stone dwellings, in some instances carving them into the cliffs. A sophisticated plumbing system would also be built with a system of channels, pipes and cisterns to bring water to the people. Petra contains numerous tombs, most of them built at the edge of the city, beyond the main street. Some were simple, containing multiple burials in an unadorned rock chamber, while others were more spectacular. The best known tomb at Petra is called the “Khazneh,” which is Arabic for the “Treasury.” It is called this because at one time local people believed it contained hidden treasure.
Petra’s ancient inhabitants maintained a rich spiritual life. Three temples located near the main street. Its walls are still preserved up to a height of 75 feet (23 meters). A person would walk up 19 stairs before coming to a landing, than another eight steps, past a series of four columns, to arrive at the temple vestibule. Another structure, known to archaeologists at the “Great Temple,” contains a small theater in a design similar to a modern-day orchestra hall. The “Rose City” is a honeycomb of hand-hewn caves, temples, and tombs carved from blushing pink sandstone in the high desert of Jordan. it’s the raw beauty of Petra that draws in so many millions of visitors – the entire city of ruins is a work of art, painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes color every hour. The elegant Silk Tomb swirls with streaks of red, blue, and ocher, while vivid mosaics still pave the floors of a Byzantine-era church. Remember that Petra spreads out for over a hundred square miles—four times the size of Manhattan. While donkeys, camels, and horse buggies can hasten travel time between highlights, most of Petra’s sites are best reached on foot.

Ait Ben Haddou

The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco. Located in the foothills on the southern slopes of the High Atlas in the Province of Ouarzazate, the site of Ait-Ben-Haddou is the most famous ksar in the Ounila Valley. Inside the defensive walls which are reinforced by angle towers and pierced with a baffle gate, houses crowd together – some modest, others resembling small urban castles with their high angle towers and upper sections decorated with motifs in clay brick – but there are also buildings and community areas.
The Ksar of Ait- Ben-Haddou is a perfect synthesis of earthen architecture of the pre-Saharan regions of Morocco. The earthen buildings are very vulnerable due to lack of maintenance and regular repair resulting from the abandonment of the ksar by its inhabitants. It’s citizens defected into more modern digs on the other side of the Ounila River, except for a stubborn few that remain in the formerly maje. The best way to make living is to use the spaces between the earthen walls to attract the curious visitors who come passing through each day as surely as the sun will rise into a cloudless sky above Stic ksar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Ait Benhaddou was once a major stop along the caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. This UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco is very popular among travelers. Tichka and provides you with some of the most amazing views. It is one of Morocco’s World Heritage Sites. The outside walls of mud and clay are the initial protection for the town which is built onto the side of a hill. The buildings are packed tight with narrow pathways that wind around each other and unexpectedly turn into steep staircases up to another level of construction.
9.Palcho Gompa

Palcho Gompa is a beautiful monastery located on the outskirts of Gyantse. The Kumbum is the largest stupa. The Palcho Monastery or Pelkor Chode Monastery is the main monastery in the Nyangchu river valley in Gyantse, Gyantse County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The monastery precinct is a complex of structures which, apart from the Tsuklakhang Monastery, also includes its Kumbum, believed to be the largest such structure in Tibet, that is most notable for its 108 chapels in its several floors and the old Dzong or fort. In addition, it is set in a beautiful location over the scenic valley of the Nyang Chu River. The high red-walled compound in the far north of Gyantse houses Palcho Monastery, founded in 1418. The main assembly hall is of greatest interest, but there are several other chapels to see. Gyantse town was established between the 14th and 15th centuries as a feudatory, with the Sakya sect playing a crucial overlord role. During this period, the Buddhist monuments were also built with the Dzong (the old fort) followed by the Kumbum and the Pekor monastery.
Once you walk through the massive gate in the walls to the monastery Palcho and spin dozens of prayer wheels along the sidewalk, you come directly below the great building of Tsuglakhang, you can see the biggest chorten in Tibet – Kumbum. From the roof of Tsuglakhang is a very nice view of not only neighboring giant chorten Kumbum, but also straight up of another important building Tratsang and massive fortification around the entire monastery. The most beautiful part of the tour is at the end of the ascent to Tratsang. The higher you are, the better is the view. But the best view is from the roof of the monastery building. Below you, you will see not only the entire monastery but also the old town up to the imposing fortress Gyantse Dzong. Mainly because it is one of the filming The Palcho Monastery or Pelkor Chode Monastery or Shekar Gyantse is the main monastery in the Nyangchu river valley in Gyantse, Gyantse County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The monastery precinct is a complex of structures which, apart from the Tsuklakhang Monastery, also includes its Kumbum, believed to be the largest such structure in Tibet, that is most notable for its 108 chapels in its several floors and the old Dzong or fort.
10.Amer Palace

Amber Fort consists of a series of four courtyards, palaces, halls, and gardens. Made out of sandstone and marble,. At its entrance lies the primary courtyard, known as Jaleb Chowk. It’s here that the king’s soldiers assembled and paraded themselves around. Amer is not only a city, but also a monumental palace. It’s features prominently on the list of Jaipur’s top attractions. In the Pink City of Jaipur, cradled on the top of the Aravali Hill lies the Amer Fort, one of the most magnificent palaces in India. Also commonly known as the Amber Fort, this majestic building with its maze-like passages and serpentine staircases is an architectural masterpiece and with significant importance in Indian history. Only 11 kilometres away from the capital city of Jaipur, Amer Fort is clad in pink and yellow sandstone and is a part of an extensive complex. Built by one of the most trusted generals of Akbar, Maharaja Man Singh I in the year 1592, Amer Fort served as the main residence of the Rajput Rulers.
The Amer Fort through its large ramparts, several gateways and paved paths overlooks the Maotha Lake in the town of Amer, which used to serve as the capital of the Jaipur princely state. The fort is big enough that it will take you at least two to three hours to explore it in detail, and you can also choose to avail of the audio guides to lead you through this fascinating building while explaining the history of the place. Getting an elephant ride up the stairs to the Amber Fort is also a popular tourist activity. The fort sees over five thousand visitors daily and rightfully, the Amer Fort was inducted into UNESCO World Heritage Site list as part of the “Hill Forts of Rajasthan” along with five other forts. Toward the bottom of the fort, near Maota Lake, a popular sound and light show showcases the history of Amber Fort using many special effects. Who are interested in the art of traditional block printing, those persons do not miss the Anokhi Museum near Amber Fort. The ornate mosaic Ganesh Pol’s walls are covered in intricate mirror work, using glass imported from Belgium. Amber Fort also has an open-air passage that connects it to Jaigarh Fort. Tourists can walk along it from Ganesh Pol, or be transported by golf cart. Hence, it’s also called Sheesh Mahal. Jas Mandir, has delicate floral designs with glass in them.

Tagged : beautiful / great / in / monuments / the / world

THE GREAT BIGGEST HARBOURS IN THE WORLD

by Sree DivyaSeptember 17, 2020September 17, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Harbour is an area of A place on the coast where ships may moor in shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, jetties, and other artificial structures. It is a place of haven for boats in stormy weather, can also provide some wonderful vistas. Water next to the coast, often protected from the sea by a thick wall, where ships and boats can shelter. Number of nuclear-powered submarines are laid up at a harbour. There are also some interesting old buildings to see around the Shore and at the old-world fishing harbour of Newhaven. This place is vibrant and always something happening. There are many beautiful places in the world but no harbour can touch Sydney’s. Here are our top ten Harbour views.

1.China- Shanghai Harbour

photo of building during daytime — Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

The Port of Shanghai covers an area of 3,619.6km² located in the vicinity of Shanghai, comprises a deep-sea port and a river port. The Port of Shanghai faces the East China Sea to the east and Hangzhou Bay to the south. It includes the confluences of the Yangtze River, Huangpu River and Qiantang River. The port of Shanghai became the biggest port in the world with five areas. The port also being the source for great economic activity. The Shanghai port handled 43.6 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers and 542.46 million tonnes of cargo in 2019. The Port of Shanghai is managed by publicly listed company that is Shanghai International Port Co and 44.23 percent of this shares are owned by the Shanghai Municipal Government.
Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) is responsible for operating and managing the public terminals in the port. SIPG handles domestic, national and international cargo transportation. It is also responsible for maintaining, manufacturing and leasing containers, as well as building, managing and operating port facilities. The Port of Shanghai, which originally existed as Shen or Hudu between the fifth and seventh centuries AD, was given official city status in 1297. The Shanghai port has two bulk cargo terminals and three break-bulk terminals. Due to insufficient water depth at the port’s mainland, Yangshan Deepwater Port was developed in four phases. The deepwater port, which is located in the East China Sea, is 30km from the mainland and a 32.5km-long bridge connects it to the mainland.

2.China- Ningbo-Zhoushan

white boats on body of water — Photo by Vincent Rivaud on Pexels.com

It is formed in the year 2006 as a collaborative venture between the Ningbo port and the Zhoushan port. The Ningbo-Zhoushan port is ranked the second-largest marine port and largest cargo port in the world. Totally three rivers are connecting such as the Yangtze, the Yong and the Qaintang, the port is expected to have a huge boost in the form of the construction of a new terminal. It is the busiest in the world. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China’s Zhejiang Province has more standard containers. Most of the this port trade imports raw materials and manufactured goods from North America, South America, and Oceania. The port is connected with more than 560 seaports in more than 90 countries worldwide.
The company said that improved services and strengthened cooperation with global shipping giants have facilitated the steady growth of container throughput at the port. The port has rolled out an evaluation and incentive mechanism to provide better services for shipping companies, saving cost for them and improving the work efficiency at the port. Strong growth has also been posted in the port’s sea-rail transport services, which link the port by railway with other parts of China as well as countries in central and northern Asia and eastern Europe. Container handling volume of its sea-rail transport reached 729,000 standard containers from January to November, a year-on-year increase of 33.8 percent. MPA Singapore issued circular to draw attention to ship operators when navigation through fishing vessel areas in the coastal waters of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in China. Safe navigation becomes the top priority in this areas, especially with the commence of the fishing seasons which takes place between May and September. Ningbo-Zhoushan is a large, deep-water port and city in Zhejiang Province. Zhoushan is also a Prefecture and archipelago. The city proper is on Zhoushan Island. Prefecture’s total population is over 1,15 million, of whom around 845,000 live in the districts Dinghai and Putuo.

3.Singapore –Singapore Harbour

marina bay sand s — Photo by Tiff Ng on Pexels.com

The Port of Singapore refers to the collective facilities and terminals that conduct maritime trade, and which handle Singapore’s harbours and shipping. Currently the world’s second-busiest port in terms of total shipping tonnage, it also transships a fifth of the world’s shipping containers, half of the world’s annual supply of crude oil, and is the world’s busiest transshipment port in terms of total cargo tonnage. From the Singaporean economic perspective, the port of Singapore plays a very important role as it caters to the re-export market on a mammoth scale. The Port of Singapore is not a mere economic boon, but an economic necessity because Singapore is lacking in land and natural resources. The Port is critical for importing natural resources, and then later re-exporting products after they have been refined and shaped in some manner, for example wafer fabrication or oil refining to generate revenue. The service industries such as hospitality services typical of a port of call restock the food and water supplies on ships. Ships pass between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean through the Singapore Strait. On average Singapore attracts 130,000 vessel calls annually.
The quality, efficiency, competitiveness and reliability of its port and shipping services make it the preferred international port of call. The port section contains information, guidelines and procedures on matters relating to the port and its operations. Located on the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, 30km south-west of the Port of Johor in Malaysia, the Port of Singapore offers connectivity to more than 600 ports in 123 countries. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) owns and is responsible for the growth and development of the port. The port handled 37.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers and 626.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2019. It attracts approximately 130,000 vessel calls a year, on an average, currently. The terminal is capable of handling container vessels of 130,000TEUs or more. It is transporting 50% of crude oil through this port only.

4.Netherlands-Rotterdam Harbour

scenic view of the city — Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

The world’s and Europe’s biggest port is Netherlands. It is the world’s busiest port and it is located in the city of Rotterdam in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. From 1962 until 2004, it was, now overtaken first by Singapore and then Shanghai in 2018. Covering 105 square kilometres (41 sq mi), the port of Rotterdam now stretches over a distance of 40 kilometres (25 mi). The best way to see the port is aboard a Spido. Opt for one of the boat tours, cruises or day trips and explore the special architecture of Rotterdam, its historic buildings and the breath-taking views from a fully equipped and comfortable ship. Rotterdam was the world’s eleventh-largest container port in terms of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) handled. Rotterdam has five port concessions (ports) within its boundaries. It also served as the largest port in the world for 42-years between 1962 and 2004 before it was surpassed by Singapore and Shanghai, in that order.
The Rotterdam port is the largest port in the whole of Europe. Along with more than 20 moorages and over 120 bulwarks, the Rotterdam port has nearly 95 depots disambiguated for liquid and dry cargo, cruise liners and also for vessels navigating internally. Along with this, the port also has tug boat facilities (29) and piloting boat facilities. Under the operational authority of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the port has undergone various constructional developments. The most prominent one of these constructions are the Maasvlakte 2 harbour and a tank depot known as Boltek. The port’s security systems are top-notch and meet all the requirements of the ISPS regulations set by the international maritime authority. In addition to this, screening systems for containers and television monitors to oversee the entire port have also been equipped in the port to ensure safety. Come closer to the heart of the port Europaweg 902, Rotterdam, there is a great view of the port area. From this starting point, you can take an impressive boat tour of the newest port area, operate a crane, or enjoy a 360° look behind the scenes of the port area.

5.China-Tianjin Harbour

seaport during golden hour — Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

The Port of Tianjin formerly known as the Port of Tanggu, is the largest port in Northern China and the main maritime gateway to Beijing, situated at the River Haihe. It covers 121 square kilometers of land surface, with over 31.9 km of quay shoreline and 151 production berths. The port trades with more than 600 ports in 180 countries and territories around the world. It is served by over 115 regular container lines run by 60 liner companies, including all the top 20 liners. Expansion in the last two decades has been enormous, going from 30 million tonnes of cargo and 490,000 TEU in 1993 to well beyond 400 million tonnes and 10 million TEU in 2012. Capacity is still increasing at a high rate, with 550–600 Mt of throughput capacity expected by 2015. At present it is connected to over 400 ports in nearly 200 countries across the world. The Tianjin port is the third largest port in China and the single-largest port in the Northern part of the country. The Port of Tianjin is owned by the Chinese state; however, it operates as an independent corporation with its own commercial and financial activities. The Tianjin Port Group runs nearly all Port of Tianjin operations, and it employs about 40 thousand people. The Tianjin Transportation and Port Authority (TTPA) implements state policies, laws, and regulations and licenses, audits, and certifies businesses that operate in the port, particularly the terminals. The Port of Tianjin is always open. It is a complete full-service port that handles all types of cargoes including containers, liquid and dry bulk, general cargo, and vehicles. It also serves passengers.

6.China- Guangzhou Harbour

aerial photography of brown city buildings — Photo by Irina Iriser on Pexels.com

Guangzhou Port is situated at the intersection of the three most important rivers of Dongjiang, Xijiang and Beijiang in South China. All the three rivers have the waterway, railway, expressway and air lines intersecting here, thus forming a critical transportation hub. It is the main port of focus in the Pearl River Delta Region. The port handles a range of activities which include loading and discharging, storage, bonded warehousing, container cargo services. Many agricultural, industrial and manufactured products are shipped through the port which include oil, coal, grain, chemical fertilizer,　steel, ore and automobiles. The port also provides passenger services as well as logistics services. It also played a major role in contributing to the success of the missionary hospital, the Canton Hospital.
The largest port in Southern China, the Guangzhou port enjoys connectivity with more than 300 ports in almost 100 countries. It was established on February 26, 2004 from the former Guangzhou Harbor Bureau. It was approved by the Guangzhou Municipal Government. The port also serves as the important economic and transport center for the Pearl River Delta region and Guangdong province. The port forms the mainstay for the industrial belt found in the Guangxi, Yunnan, Hunan and Jiangxi regions. The port of Huangpu also forms a part of the Guangzhou port. In 2010, the Port of Guangzhou handled 410 million tons of cargo, including 12.6 million TEUs, making it the fifth busiest port in the world for non-containerized cargo and seventh in the world for containerized cargo. The Guangzhou Port Group handled 270 million tons and 9.9 million TEUs alone. Guangzhou is one of the ten most famous port cities in mainland China. The famous ports for passenger use include Nansha Port and Panyu Lianhuashan Port. Besides, there are many ports for freight transport include Huangpu, Wuchong and Xintang.

7.China – Qingdao Harbour

Facing Japan and South Korea, the world leaders in the shipbuilding business, the Qingdao port is a natural harbour and has connectivity with over 450 ports in over 130 countries. Qingdao is a major sub-provincial city in eastern Shandong province, China. Adjoining the Yellow Sea and located at the Shandong Peninsula, the Qingdao port is ranked seventh in the list of 10 biggest ship ports. Qingdao is a major seaport, naval base and industrial centre. Qingdao port consists of four areas: Dagang port area, Qianwan port area, Guangdong oil port area and Dongjiakou port area, some 40 kilometres south of Qingdao city. The Port of Qingdao also offers a large terminal for handling iron ore. The Port of Qingdao commenced operations in 1892. It was located between the Bohai Rim port region and the Yangtze River Delta port region in the PRC and occupied a central position among ports in Northeast Asia.
The development of the Tsingtao urban space during the German-occupation (1898–1914) originated from the port. Mass urban construction began in 1898 with the relocation of Chinese dwellers along the coast. With the completion of such series of projects as wharves, Tsingtao-Jinan Railway Line, Tsingtao Railway Station and locomotive works, a city was starting to take shape.

8.China – Qinhuangdao Port

Port of Qinhuangdao is a seaport on the Bohai Sea, located in the Haigang District of urban Qinhuangdao, Hebei, People’s Republic of China. Together with the Port of Huanghua, Qinhuangdao Port is a major port for coal transportation. Qinhuangdao is the nation’s coal shipping center which is also seen as a barometer of the economy. The daily transport capacity was at least 50 vessels per day in the past. The Qinhuangdao port is mainly known for its coal transportation in the country. Statistically at present, the port is the biggest coal lading port globally and internally, accounts for nearly 50% of the country’s coal transportation between the North and the South. Qinhuangdao Port is the Group’s principal port of operation. It is an established port with an operating history of over 100years. The operation of the port is efficient and mature. It also acts as the major transiting port for Daqin Railway, whichhas the highest capacity and is the most important coal railway in China.
According to Drewry, Qinhuangdao Port is the world’s largest coal port in terms of throughput in 2012. It has a shoreline at the quay of 12.2 kilometers long, covers a land area of 11.3 square kilometers and water area of 226.9 square kilometers and is divided into eastern and western zones. Qinhuangdao Port is a natural deepwater port, is ice-free and silt-free, and has an open water and flat seabed. The port’s navigable waterways require almost no maintenance. The Group operates 50 berths in Qinhuangdao Port, including 44 berths of 10,000-tonnes and above. Among them, there are 23 coal berths, 7 oil and liquefied chemical berths, 17 general cargo berths and 3 container berths. The designed throughput capacity of Qinhuangdao Port is 226.35 million tonnes and 750,000 TEUs per year. The Group provides storage services for the cargo its handle in Qinhuangdao Port. The Group has specialized coal stacking yards, whichhave aggregate stacking capacity of 10.27 million tonnes. The Group also has general bulk stacking yards with aggregate capacity of 2.19 million tonnes. Further more, the Group operates 15 oil tanks, with a total storage capacity of 286,000 cubic meters. In addition, the Group provides a total storage capacity of 23,000 TEUs for storing containers.

9.China-Hong Kong Harbour

white and blue high rise building — Photo by chan Danny on Pexels.com

Discover the heart of Hong Kong – Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour is probably the most popular tourist area in the world. The harbor is a complex place, but the popular tourist areas are mainly in the central section. A natural harbour, the Hong Kong port has been very instrumental in the economic furtherance of the city of Hong Kong. Ranked ninth in the list of the largest marine ports in the world, the Hong Kong port is situated in the South China Sea. In the year 2010, the port accounted for 23.7 million TEUs worth of container cargo. Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal is a ferry terminal, located at China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
It is one of three cross-border ferry terminals in Hong Kong operated since 1988. Victoria Harbour is an almost ideally naturally sheltered channel between Hong Kong Island and the Hong Kong mainland. The channel is deep enough for the biggest ships and sheltered by the high mountains on Hong Kong Island from storm winds. It is also naturally curved like a semicircle around the north shore of Hong Kong Island so that high waves are blocked out. Islands to the east and south and a narrow opening on the eastern inlet further shelter the harbor. This sheltered area was one of the British Empire’s biggest military and trading ports, and it is now both the world’s premier tourist area and one of the world’s busiest commercial ports. Two big cruise ship ports bring in tens of thousands of eager shoppers and sightseers each year, and the transportation connections to the harbor area are among the world’s best and quickest. Long famous for its stunning panoramic views, the harbour is a major attraction of Hong Kong. A myriad of lights twinkles at night from the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, making Hong Kong, together with Hakodate in Japan and Naples in Italy, included in the ‘three best night scenes of the world’.

10.South Korea- Busan Harbour

boats on dock — Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com

The Port of Busan, doubles as South Korea’s largest port and its second-largest city. The 10^th biggest port in the world, the port of Busan is situated at the Naktong River and forms a major commercial gateway between the Pacific Ocean and the countries belonging to Eurasia. The Nakdong is Korea’s longest river and Busan’s Haeundae Beach is also the country’s largest. The Port of Busan was established in 1876 as a small port with strict trading between Korea, China and Japan. Today the Port of Busan consists of four ports- North Port, South Port, Gamcheon Port, and Dadaepo Port, an International Passenger Terminal and the Gamman container terminal. The North Port provides passenger handling facilities and cargo, and with Gamcheon Port’s help more cargo volumes can be handled (Ship Technology). The South Port is home to the Busan Cooperative Fish Market which is the largest fishing base in Korea, and it handles 30% of the total marine volume. Busan Port handled cargo containing fertilizers, meat, scrap metal, petroleum and other gases, crude petroleum, coal, leather, fats and oils, iron ore, rough wood, natural sand, milling industry products, and sugar. Top exports of South Korea are integrated circuits, cars, refined petroleum, passenger and cargo ships, and vehicle parts.

Tagged : biggest / great / harbours / in / the / world

THE GREAT 10 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS IN THE WORLD

by Sree DivyaSeptember 14, 2020September 14, 2020UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Mountain is generally considered to be steeper than a hill. To measure the hight of a Mountain above the sea level, Waugh’s surveyors used a method called triangulation. Observers examined the peak from several points and Knowing the distance from the points to the mountain to calculate the mountain’s actual height above sea level. The observers themselves had to know their own elevation above sea level.
1.Everest Mountain

scenic view of mountain — Photo by Philip Ackermann on Pexels.com

Everest is known as “Sagarmatha” in Nepal and “Chhomolongma” in Tibet. Everest is located in Nepal standing on the Nepal-China border with the height of 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) above sea level. In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society, as recommended by Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India, who chose the name of his predecessor in the post, Sir George Everest, despite Everest’s objections. Mount Everest attracts many climbers, some of them highly experienced mountaineers. There are two main climbing routes, one approaching the summit from the southeast in Nepal. Climbing Mt. Everest is probably one of the biggest adventures in the world. it takes nearly 2 months to climb Mount Everest. Despite the fact that climbing Everest is close to the deadliest experience, there are daredevils who are climbing inspirations to the climbing enthusiasts. Although reaching the top of the world is an arduous and potentially deadly undertaking due to the extreme altitude, avalanches, icefalls, and other hazards, the mountain lies quite close to the equator, at a latitude of approximately 28 degrees. 17 different routes have been pioneered to the summit of Everest. Everest’s summit has approximately one-third the air pressure that exists at sea level, which significantly reduces a climber’s ability to breathe in enough oxygen. Because of this, scientists have determined that the human body is not capable of remaining indefinitely above 19,000 feet. Earth scientists estimate that Everest is 50 to 60 million years old by geological standards. Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

K2 Mountain

landscape photography of mountains covered in snow — Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Someone had once said that happiness comes in peaks and valleys. K2 Mountain lies in Pakistan in the Karakoram Range of the Himalayas. K2, Chinese Qogir Feng, also called Mount Godwin Austen, called locally Dapsang or Chogori, the world’s second highest peak with 28,251 feet (8,611 metres) height above the sea level. The glacier- and snow-covered mountain rises from its base at about 15,000 feet (4,570 metres) on the Godwin Austen Glacier, a tributary of the Baltoro Glacier. There are many peaks in Karakoram range, the second peak, K2 is the highest point of the Karakoram Range and the highest peak in Pakistan. K2 is known as the “Savage Mountain”. K2 is the deadliest and approximately one person dies on the mountain for every four persons, who reach the summit. Occasionally known as Chhogori, or Mount Godwin-Austen, other nicknames for K2 are “The King of Mountains” and “The Mountaineers’ Mountain”. American climber George Bell famously wrote: “It’s a savage mountain that tries to kill you. It’s so deadly because of the combination of elements. It is about 800 feet lower than Everest, but the topography is much tougher. While climbing Everest you have stretches that are steep, then it flattens off. K2 is prone to frequent and severe storms that make the already treacherous climbing conditions on its slopes even more challenging and humans find functioning at such high elevations difficult. It is one of the world’s most difficult mountains to climb. The number of people to have reached the top constitutes only a small fraction compared with how many have successfully climbed Mount Everest. K2 is surrounded by five of the world’s 17 highest mountains. K2 is widely believed to be one of the most dangerous mountains and most grueling climbs in the world.

Kangchenjunga Mountain

Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest peak in the world with the height of 28,169 ft (8,586 m). The views of the mountain and the entire range are spectacular. Even the first sight of it makes you feel so proud. One of the most precious thing on earth, every time you see it you will fell in love with the view. Mr. Joe Brown and George Band of British Expedition team on 25 May, 1955 climbed this peak for the first time. Kangchenjunga is the highest peak in India, and also the name of the surrounding section of the Himalayas. It Kangchenjunga was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world, but calculations based on various readings and measurements made by the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1849 came to the conclusion that Mount Everest, known as Peak XV at the time, was the highest.
The meaning of ‘Kanchenjunga’ is “The five treasures of the high snow. “The Five Treasures of Snows”, as it contains five peaks. The treasures represent the five repositories of God, which are gold, silver, gems, grain, and holy books. Other Kanchenjunga climbing milestones include the first woman to reach the summit (Briton Ginette Harrison in 1998), the first solo ascent (Frenchman Pierre Béghin in 1983), and the first ascent without the use of supplemental oxygen (Britons Peter Boardman, Doug Scott, and Joe Tasker in 1979). Some of the factors that make the job of mountaineers even more difficult are unpredictable weather conditions and the possibility of a snow slip at every step. Low oxygen level and bitter cold are also key factors. Many of those who have died had developed symptoms such as confusion, a loss of physical coordination and unconsciousness, which suggest high-altitude cerebral edema, a swelling of the brain that results from leakage of cerebral blood vessels. Once you are fatigued you become slow and since the oxygen supply is limited, there is a risk. “Kanchenjunga is three times tougher than Everest.”

Lhotse Mountain

It is located at the border between Tibet (China) and the Khumbu region of Nepal. Mount Lhotse was first climbed in 18 May,1956 by Mr. Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss from Switzerland. It consists of three summits, the highest one is Lhotse I at 27,940 feet (8,516 metres). Lhotse lies just south of Mount Everest, to which it is joined by a ridge at an elevation of about 25,000 feet (7,600 metres). It is sometimes considered part of the Everest massif. E1 was the original survey symbol (denoting Everest 1) for the mountain. On May 18, 1956, Fritz Luchsinger and Ernest Reiss, two Swiss climbers, made the first ascent of Lhotse I. Himalayan programs are recognized worldwide as simply outstanding, with a reputation for our highly professional staff of leaders, climbers and guides, first-rate logistics and our resulting record of success on the mountain.
Team will fix the route all the way to the summit, but there is steep ice and rock in the Lhotse Couloir, so you need to be very fit and capable. On summit bid you will be provided 7200 liters of climbing oxygen (same as Everest climbers) with 1800L at C3, 3600L at Col, 1800L higher on the climb. The trek to Everest BC is one of the world’s classic human powered adventures. We have three trekking departures to Base Camp. Nelson’s already heavily marked belt. She’s one of about 10 women who have skied the world’s highest peaks those exceeding 8,000 meters and she’s the only woman who has skied more than one. She skied Cho Oyu in 2005 with no supplemental oxygen or assistance. The South face raises 3.2 km and is 2.25 km wide making it the steepest face of this size in the world.

Makalu Mountain

Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak in the world rising to 27,838 feet (8,485 meters). It is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas19 km (12 mi) southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and China. Makalu is an isolated peak whose shape is a four sided pyramid. Its size alone is impressive, but its perfect pyramid structure with four sharp ridges makes this mountain all the more spectacular. The name of the mountain was probably taken from the Sanskrit word Maha-Kala, which means Big Black and is a by-name of Shiva, one of the most important gods of Hinduism. The mountain has another name in the local dialect – Kumba karna, which means The Giant. Makalu has proved to be a challenging climb. The climb is technical, involving steep snow, ice, and rock at high altitude. This mountain is notorious for its steep pitches and knife-edged ridges that make the climbing Makalu very open to the elements. Makalu was first summited on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco. Franco, G. Magnone and Sirdar Gyaltsen Norbu summitted the next day, followed by Bouvier, S. Coupe, Leroux and A. Vialatteon the 17th. The French team climbed Makalu by the north face and northeast ridge, via the saddle between Makalu and Kangchungtse (the Makalu-La), establishing the standard route.

Cho Oyu Mountain

It is located in Nepal-China border in Nepal. Cho Oyu is the world’s sixth highest mountain and considered to be the easiest of the fourteen 8,000m peaks. Cho Oyu, mountain, one of the world’s highest with 26,906 feet (8,201 m) height above the sea level. It is in the Himalayas where the cen¬tral Asia plateau meets the Indi¬an sub-con¬ti¬nent on the NepaleseTibetan (Chinese) border about 20 miles (30 km) northwest of Mt. Everest. There is a beautiful meaning the Goddess of Turquoise, owing to its colours in the setting sun. Cho Oyu is known as being one of the easiest peaks due to its straight forward approach and lack of objective dangers. Mount Cho-Oyu was first climbed on on October 19, 1954 by Australian Joseph Joechler, Herbert Tichy (Italy), Pasang Dawa Lama (Nepal).
The expedition provides a perfect entrance into the world of high-altitude Himalayan climbing. Our route is composed of snow slopes with short sections of ice and rock scrambling. Some of our past Cho Oyu climbs have had 100% summit success. The peak offers views which are equally splendid as the name. This makes it the second most climbed eight-thousander in the world, giving ground only to Mount Everest. Climbers are also encouraged by the fact that most attempts end in reaching the summit of Cho Oyu.

Dhaulagiri Mountain

It is located just north of central Nepal. Dhaulagiri is reflected as one of the most fascinating peaks to climb. In 1958, Swiss climber Max Eiselin found a better route and made plans to climb the mountain, landing a permit for 1960. Dhaulagiri was first summated by an Austrian, Swiss and Nepali expedition on May 13, 1960. The name of Dhaulagiri is Dhawala means “Dazzling, White Beautiful” and Giri means “Mountain”. Many of Dhaulagiri’s snow and glacier covered peaks exceed 25,000 feet (7,620 metres), including Dhaulagiri I, II, III, and IV.
The tallest, Dhaulagiri I, reaches an elevation of 26,795 feet (8,167 metres) and is the world’s seventh highest mountain. Upon its discovery in 1808, Dhaulagiri was thought to be the world’s highest mountain, displacing Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador. Dhaulagiri stands over the great Kali Gandaki Valley, which by some measures is the deepest gorge on earth. The Annapurna I, which is 34 km east of Dhaulagiri I, in between these two giants a gorge is formed, known as Kaligandaki Gorge, This gorge is deepest gorge in the world and Kaligandaki River flows in this gorge. The Gandaki, a tributary of the Ganges River, is a major Nepalese river that flows south through the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The deep canyon, which plunges between Dhaulagiri on the west and 26,545-foot Annapurna I on the east, is the world’s deepest river gorge if measured from the river to the summits.

Manaslu Mountain

landscape photography of snowy mountain — Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Mount Manaslu, is the world’s eighth-highest mountain, reaching a lofty 8,163m/26,781ft. It is located in the Mansiri Himal in the west-central part of Nepal. It is located forty miles east of Annapurna and dominates the Gurkha massif. The mountain’s long ridges and valley glaciers offer feasible approaches from all directions, and it culminates in a peak that towers steeply above its surrounding landscape, and is a dominant feature when seen from afar. This mountain was previously known as Kutan l. Its name, which means “Mountain of the Spirit”, comes from the Sanskrit word Manasa, meaning “intellect” or “soul”. Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of a Japanese expedition. The Manaslu region offers a variety of trekking options. There are a half dozen established routes on the mountain today, the south face being arguably the toughest in climbing history. It is the 4th most dangerous 8000m peak. All routes to the base camp of Manaslu begin in Kathmandu. Expedition time is approximately 62 days. It is a serious high-altitude mountain where climbers lose their lives every year. It is a longer climb but similar to Denali in spirit in that you climb on steep snow slopes most of the time but obviously at a significantly higher altitude. Also you are using fixed ropes continuously from Camp 1 on. It is a great training climb for aspiring Everest climbers to see how their body reacts to high altitude 8,000m. According to the Himalayan Database in 2012, The success rate is about 60%, about half summit without using supplemental oxygen.

Nanga Parbat Mountain

scenic view of mountains during dawn — Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

It is located on southern side of Indus River in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Nanga Parbat lies in Pakistan with the height of 26,660 feet (8,126 meters) and it was known as “Killer Mountain” till the first half of the twentieth century. It is less dangerous to climb, but still very difficult. The name Nanga Parbat is derived from the Sanskrit words nanga and parvata which together mean “Naked Mountain”. Nanga Parbat, also called Diamir the “king of the mountains”, situated in the western Himalayas 17 miles (27 km) west-southwest of Astor, in the Pakistani-administered sector of the Kashmir region. The mountain’s steep south wall rises nearly 15,000 feet (4,600 metres) above the valley immediately below, and the north side drops about 23,000 feet (7,000 metres) to the Indus River. Bahl from Australia was the first one to ever climb Nanga Parbat in 1953. It has three vast faces. The Rakhiot (Ra Kot) face is dominated by the north and south silver crags and silver plateau. The Diamir face is rocky in the beginning. The Nanga Parbat peak was discovered in the nineteenth century by Europeans.
10.Annapurna Mountain

Annapurna is a series of peaks, the highest of which is called Annapurna I, with the height of 26,545 ft /8,091 m. The peaks in the Annapurna range are some of the world’s most dangerous to climb. The mountain is located in Nepal along a 55-kilometer (34-mile) ridge just east of the Gandaki River, which has carved one of the deepest river gorges in the world. The Annapurna massif contains six major peaks, Annapurna I (8091m/26,545ft) Annapurna II(7937m/26,040ft) Annapurna III(7555m/24,786ft) Annapurna IV (7525m/24,688ft) Gangapurna (7455m/24,457ft) Annapurna South (7219m/23,684ft). The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several world-class treks, including Annapurna Sanctuary and Annapurna Circuit. On June 3, 1950, the French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna, making it the first eight-thousand meter peak ever successfully climbed. The rocks that make up Annapurna’s summit – limestone formed at the bottom of a warm ocean – are a reminder of the powerful tectonic forces that pushed up the world’s highest mountains.

Tagged : 10 / great / highest / in / mountains / the / world

The10Great

Tag: the