Tag: turkey

THE 10 GREAT LARGEST BIRD SPECIES IN THE WORLD BY BODY WEIGHT OF SPECIES

by Sree DivyaUncategorizedLeave a Comment on THE 10 GREAT LARGEST BIRD SPECIES IN THE WORLD BY BODY WEIGHT OF SPECIES

Bird is a warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal distinguished by the possession of feathers, wings, a beak, and typically by being able to fly. Birds are from one of six basic animal groups, with the others being amphibians, fish, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles. Most Birds can fly, using powerful muscles to flap their wings, but few bird species do not have strong enough wings to fly, so these birds are flightless. The fossil record indicates that birds are the last surviving group of dinosaurs. Birds have wings whose development varies according to species. Birds are social, communicating with visual signals, calls, and songs, and participating in such behaviours as cooperative breeding and hunting, flocking, and mobbing of predators. Birds range in size and weight from the 5 cm (2 in) and 1.6-2 grams bee hummingbird to the 2.75 m (9 ft) and 104-156 kg ostrich. They are endothermic vertebrates, characterized by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight but strong skeleton. Most of the largest birds in the world are flightless which allows them to have denser bones and heavier bodies. Many species of birds are economically important as food for human consumption and raw material in manufacturing, with domesticated and undomesticated birds being important sources of eggs, meat, and feathers. Recreational bird watching is an important part of the ecotourism industry. Here are the top 10 largest bird species in the world (by body weight).

1.Ostrich

Ostrich is so unique and different to any other animal including members of their own family that is Ratitae Family. The flightless ostrich is the world’s largest bird. Ostriches have an average mass of 104 kg and average length of 210 cm. Male Ostrich has black feathers and the female has grey feathers. It is also thought that Ostrich has the largest eyes of any land vertebrate at 50 mm in diameter. The size of their eyes helps them to easily see predators like lions from a long distance. They have brilliant eye-sight which means they can see an object as far away as 3,5km during the day time. Ostrich is the fast runner of any bird or other two-legged animal and can sprint at over 70 km/hr, covering up to 5m in a single stride. All of the herd’s hens place their eggs in the dominant hen’s 3m-wide nest, though her own are given the prominent centre place; each female can determine her own eggs amongst others. The giant eggs are the largest of any living bird at 15cm long and weighing as much as two dozen chicken eggs, though they are actually the smallest eggs relative to the size of the adult bird.

Eggs hatch after 35–45 days incubation, and the male usually defends the chicks and teaches them to feed, although mums and dads cooperate in rearing the young. When threatened ostriches run although their powerful, long legs can be formidable weapons, capable of killing a human or a potential predator like a lion with a forward kick. Ostriches have inspired cultures and civilizations for 5,000 years in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Ostrich has three stomachs. Ostriches are native to Africa but are farmed all over the world, particularly for their feathers, skin which is used in leather products, and meat. Lacking teeth, ostriches swallow pebbles to grind their food. An adult ostrich carries about 1kg of stones at any one time. One Ostrich Egg can take up to 1, 5 hours to boil. Ostriches can go without drinking for several days, using metabolic water and moisture in ingested roots, seeds and insects, but they enjoy liquid water and frequently take baths where it is available. The ostrich brain weighs about 40 grams. Natural life span is 50 – 60 years. Territorial fights between males for a harem of two to seven females usually last just minutes, but they can easily cause death through slamming their heads into opponents.

2.Cassowary

Cassowary is the largest native vertebrate in Australian rainforests. It is the second heaviest bird in the world to the ostrich. It is the third tallest bird in the world. Cassowary looks like an odd combination of ostriches and turkeys. It has large body covered in black feathers, bluish skin of the head and reddish neck. Upper parts of the legs are blue while lower parts are grey in color. Cassowary has a helmet like crest on the head. It is usually 6 inches long and reaches 6.7 inches in height. Cassowary reaches between 55 and 129 pounds in weight. Females are larger than males. The cassowary egg is the third largest of all birds at about 584g. Cassowary is an omnivore (eats both plants and animals). It usually eats different types of fruit, seeds, shoots, fungi, small invertebrates and insects. There is no chewing in the eating process. Cassowary has excellent eyesight and sense of hearing. They can easily detect low-pitched sounds. Males build nests where females lay between 3 and 8 eggs. Eggs are greenish-blue in color. Female can use several different nests to deposit her eggs. Females are not responsible for the survival of eggs or young birds. Males are in charge for the incubation of the eggs that lasts 50 days. Young cassowaries are brown and covered in stripes. Also, males take care of the chicks until they reach the age of one year. Cassowaries are also excellent swimmers that can swim long distances.

Cassowary is look like a ‘giant prehistoric turkey’, but they are in fact descendants of dinosaurs. Cassowary is referred as the ‘most dangerous bird on Earth’. They will not attack for no reason. Like the emu and the ostrich, the cassowary is another flightless bird. Although they cannot fly, they can surely put up a fight, jumping as high as two metres from the ground, and they can run at a speed of up to 50 kilometres per hour. They use their casque and claw in self-defence. They attack up to 200 people every year. Of these 200, 70% of attacks occur due to people trying to get up close to the cassowary, wanting to feed them, causing the cassowary to feel threatened. The southern cassowary, also known as the double – wattled cassowary, Australian cassowary or two-wattled cassowary have an average weight of 45 kg and are around 155 cm long. Southern cassowaries are found in north-eastern Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea. Northern cassowaries also known as the single – wattled cassowary or golden-necked cassowary, are slightly smaller with an average weight of 44 kg and average length of 149 cm. They are endemic to northern New Guinea. As the Cassowary roams the rainforest they disperse the seeds into a new area of the rainforest in their own special fertilizer formula. Cassowary can survive 12-19 years in the wild and between 40 and 50 in captivity.

3.Emu

The emu belongs to a group of flightless running birds known as ratites, the most primitive of the modern bird families. Emus are endemic to Australia, where they are the largest native bird. It lives throughout most of the continent, ranging from coastal regions to high in the Snowy Mountains. It is the second tallest living birds in the world that can reach up to 190 cm tall. Emus are omnivores. They eat seeds, fruit, bark, nuts and stems. They also eat insects, small reptiles, amphibians and other small animals that they can handle. They require a large amount of water, drinking 9-18 litres daily. Emus are soft-feathered birds with long necks and legs. They weigh an average of 33 kg. Female emus are usually slightly larger than the males and have significantly wider rumps. Emus Have Big Bodies and Tiny Wings. They Are the Only Birds with Calf Muscles. They’re Fast Runners, High Jumpers, and Strong Swimmers. On top of the sheer size of their legs, a few special features help boost their strength.

Emus also have an impressive vertical leap, which can quickly carry the large birds up to 6.8 feet off the ground all without the help of wings. They only have 3 toes and a reduced number of bones. The female lays a clutch of eggs in the male’s nest over several days. Males Incubate the Eggs for 56 days and raise the Chicks. They store lots of fat when food is plentiful, providing fuel for leaner times, and also seem to have a sixth sense for finding water, sometimes trekking hundreds of miles to get it. Emu migrations are based on rainfall, according to the SCBI, which notes they mainly rely on the sight of rain-bearing clouds, but may also use other clues like the sound of thunder or the scent of wet ground. Emus are not very social. They have vestigial wings, which they flap when they run to stabilize themselves. They Can Be Helpful to Farmers. The lifespan is 10 to 20 years in the wild and up to 35 years in captivity.

  1. Penguin

Penguins are amazing birds. Most penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere. Large penguin populations can be found in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina and South Africa. Emperor penguins are endemic to Antarctica and are the tallest and heaviest of all living penguins weighing an average of 31.5 kg and measuring 114 cm in height. King Penguins are the second largest penguin species. King penguins weigh 13.6 kg on average and are 92 cm in length. Little Blue Penguins are the smallest type of penguin, averaging around 33 cm (13 in) in height. The fastest species is the Gentoo Penguin, which can reach swimming speeds up to 22 mph. There are 17–20 species of penguins alive today. Penguins live in many locations and habitats. Penguin feet are adapted to walk long distances. According to some animal experts, the penguin is one of the most streamlined animals in the world. Penguins spend around half their time in water and the other half on land. Most birds have hollow, air-filled bones to help them stay light for flight. Penguins adapted with solid bones instead. Penguins have adapted flippers to help them swim in the water. Penguins eat a range of fish and other sea life that they catch underwater.

Penguins ingest a lot of seawater while hunting for fish, but a special gland behind their eyes, the supraorbital gland filters out the saltwater from their blood stream. Like other birds, penguins don’t have teeth. Instead, they have backward-facing fleshy spines that line the inside of their mouths. These help them guide their fishy meals down their throat. Penguins have excellent hearing skills. Many male penguins gift female penguins with rocks in order to woo them. Penguin parents both male and female care for their young for several months until the chicks are strong enough to hunt for food on their own. Penguins are very social animals. Like all penguins, Emperor penguins are flightless but they have adapted to the harsh conditions of their environment which is the coldest for any breeding bird. Feathers provide up to 90% of their insulation and they are able to thermo regulate their core body temperature without altering their metabolisms. A group of penguins in the water is called a raft but on land they’re called a waddle.

5.Rhea

Greater rheas are flightless birds native to South America. Rhea can be found in open grasslands, pampas and woodlands of Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Peru and Brazil. There are two species of rheas: Greater or American Rhea and Darwin’s Rhea. The greater rhea is the largest of all South American birds and is related to ostriches and emus. Greater rheas have an average mass of 23 kg and an average length of 134 cm. A small population of greater rheas has established itself in Germany. Lesser rheas, also known as Darwin’s rhea, are found in South America. It weighs on average 13.5 kg and has an average length of 96 cm. Body of rhea is covered with grey-brown plumage with dark patches on the neck and back. Abdomen and thighs are covered with white feathers. Rhea has strong legs with three toes that are designed for running. Although it is unable to fly, rhea can run very fast and reach the speed of up to 40 miles per hour. Wings provide stability during running.

Rhea is an Omnivore, it consumes both meat and plants. Different kind of seeds, fruits, roots, plants, lizards, insects, reptiles and rodents are normal part of rhea’s diet. Rheas also like to consume agricultural crops. These flightless birds use their long, powerful legs to outrun trouble. Females lay their eggs one every other day for a week or ten days in a ground nest of the male’s design. The male rhea incubates the eggs of all its mates for six weeks and cares for the newly hatched young. They aggressively guard their young during this period. Unlike other animals, males are fully responsible for building of the nest and care of the eggs and chicks after hatching. Rheas live in big flocks except during the breeding season. Sometimes they live with deer and other animals. Farmers often considered them as pests. Rhea eggs are collected for food and many people eat their meat. Their skins are used in the manufacture of leather. Maximum lifespan of the rhea in the wild is 15 years.

6.Turkey

The wild turkey is the largest species of bird that is able to fly. They weigh on average 13.5 kg and have an average length of 124 cm. Turkeys are quiet agile fliers staying close to the ground and flying for no more than 400 m at a time. Domestic turkeys are unable to fly as they are too fat. Individual turkeys have unique voices, this is how turkeys recognize each other. Turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals that are highly social. They create lasting social bonds with each other and are very affectionate; rather similar to dogs. Turkeys have the ability to learn the precise details of an area over 1,000 acres in size. Like peacocks, male turkeys puff up their bodies and spread their elaborate feathers to attract a mate. The male is substantially larger than the female, and his feathers have areas of red, purple, green, copper, bronze, and gold iridescence. Female feathers are duller overall, in shades of brown and grey. The long fleshy object over a male’s beak is called a snood. Turkeys have 5000 to 6000 feathers. A turkey’s gender can be determined from its droppings, males produce spiral-shaped poop and females’ poop is shaped like the letter J. It can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and fly as fast as 55 miles per hour.

There are six subspecies of wild turkey, all native to North America. Male turkeys are called “gobblers,” after the “gobble” call they make to announce themselves to females (which are called “hens”) and compete with other males. Wild turkeys are the same species as the domesticated turkey. They are native to North America but got their name from the domestic turkey which was misidentified as an unrelated species imported into Europe by Turkish merchants. The turkey is believed to have been sacred in ancient Mexican cultures. The Mayans, Aztecs and Toltecs referred to the turkey as the ‘Great Xolotl’, viewing them as ‘jewelled birds’. They can change the colors. Wild turkeys sleep in trees. A Female Turkey lays about 10 to 12 eggs, one egg per day, over a period of about two weeks. The eggs will incubate for about 28 days before hatching. Baby turkeys, called poults, eat berries, seeds and insects, while adults have a more varied diet that can include acorns and even small reptiles. There is one other species of turkey, the ocellated turkey, which can be found on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The meat from domesticated turkeys is widely eaten by people across the world.

7.Swan

This majestic and beautiful animal is well-known for being graceful and quite peaceful to look at. Swans are birds of the family Anatidae within the genus Cygnus. Often seen gliding across lakes, the swan has long represented elegance and refinement. A swan will mate for life. There are six to seven species of swan called the Black-necked Swan, Black Swan, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra swan which includes the Bewick’s Swan and Whistling Swan, and the Whooper Swan. Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are the heaviest of all waterfowl weighing an average of 11.87 kg. They average 100-130 cm in length. Trumpeter swans weigh slightly less at 11.6 kg but are longer at 138-165 cm. Swans live in the flooded grassland, lakes and ponds, rivers and streams and wetlands habitats. The swans are generally found in temperate environments, rarely occurring in the tropics. Black swans are native to Australia. The black swans of Australia and New Zealand, which have been introduced to North America and Europe. Swans can fly as fast as 60 miles per hour. They are found in Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The swans are close relatives with geese and ducks. Swans are herbivores. Swans feed primarily on aquatic vegetation, with their long necks allowing them to feed on plants growing on river beds. They also eat small fish, frogs and worms. A Polish mute swan cob (Cygnus immutabilis), a morph of the mute swan, and a pure white version with pink legs instead of the usual black colour, has been verified as the largest bird to take flight weighing in at 23 kg. Swans have elongated, curved necks.

Swans have streamlined bodies, and their feet are webbed. Swans have beaks with saw like edges that appear like they have teeth. They have very strong wings with a wingspan of 3 meters or 10 feet. The swan has about 25,000 feathers in its body. Their calls consist of a loud, deep, sonorous, trumpet-like honking sounds, as well as peeps, hisses and gurgles. Swans build their nests on land out of twigs and leaves, and the female swan lays between 3 and 9 eggs. Swan eggs take between 35 and 42 days to hatch. The baby swans hatch out of their eggs after an incubation of just over a month. Swans couple will guard their baby swans furiously from predators. The swan’s main predator is the human, who hunts the swan for it’s meat and it’s feathers. A baby swan is called a cygnet. A male swan is called a cob, and a female swan is called a pen. A group of swans is called a bevy or a wedge in flight. The swan song is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song in the moment just before death, having been silent during most of their lifetime. Several species are migratory. Some migratory swans travel to Iceland, Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Central Asia, China, and Japan. Swans live for approximately 20 to 30 years. It can live for up to 40 years in the wild.

8.Bustard

Great bustards (Otis tarda) weigh on average 10.6 kg and are 115 cm in length. Bustard gives an ostrich like appearance. These large creatures are rather shy, behavior varies from bird to bird. They breed in open grassland in Southern and Central Europe and Asia with 60% of the population resident in Spain and Portugal. The Arabian bustard, which lives across Southwestern Arabia and the Sahel region of Africa. They weigh between 4.5 and 11 kg and are therefore quite large, yet smaller than the kori. Kori bustard is large terrestrial bird that belongs to the family of bustards. The Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) is Africa’s largest flying bird and a contender for the heaviest flying living bird weighing an average of 11.4 kg and measuring 150 cm in length. Kori Male Bustards are two times bigger than female Kori Bustards. The kori makes barking sounds to intimidate their potential attackers. The Kori bustard has a very impressive wingspan. The male bird has a wingspan of 230 to 275 cm. The female, considerably smaller, spans 80 cm across its wings on average. Kori bustards are omnivores. Their diet is mostly based on insects, snakes, lizards and small mammals. They occasionally consume berries and seeds. Kori bustards are covered with white, black, grey and brown feathers.

Kori bustards have black crest on the top of a head. Kori bustards have long necks and short bills. Their legs and feet are elongated and end with three fingers. Kori bustards are able to fly, but they spend most of the time on the ground. Kori bustards often walk near the zebras, antelopes and other animals that are gathered in herds to find food. Kori bustards are not migratory birds. They will leave their home ground only when water and food sources become scarce. Kori bustards can survive up to 30 years in the captivity. Kori bustards similarly help other animals. Carmine bee-eaters ride on their back and take full advantage of how the kori bustards stride through the grass. Insects get dislodged from their grassy perches and are quickly picked up by these opportunistic birds. People hunt kori bustards because of their meat. The great Indian bustard is a large ground bird with a height of about one metre, you can find them in India and Pakistan. The Australian bustard, as suggested by its name, you can encounter this bird all across Australia and southern New Guinea. Female lays 1 – 2 eggs in a shallow depression in the ground. Females take care of the eggs and young chicks. Incubation lasts 23 to 24 days. Five weeks after hatching, young birds are ready for independent life.

9.Albatross

Albatrosses are large seabirds which belong to the biological family Diomedeidae. They live in the region of the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. Albatross of the biological family Diomedeidae has 22 species. Out of 22 albatross species, 19 are officially endangered. There are four main species of albatross: Great Albatrosses, North Pacific Albatrosses, Mollymawks and Sooty Albatrosses. Great Albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds. Albatrosses are very large and spend much of their life in the air. Albatross can fly as fast as 60 mph. However, because of their long wings do not have strong muscles, they cannot flap while they fly. Wandering albatrosses spend most of their life in flight and can remain in the air without flapping for several hours at a time. Albatrosses have some of the longest ranges of all birds and some individual wandering albatrosses have been known to circumnavigate the Southern Ocean three times in one year. The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is also known as the snowy albatross, the white-winged albatross and the goonie. It weighs an average 11.9 kg and is up to 135 cm in length. It has the longest wingspan of any living bird ranging from 2.5 m to 3.5 m and unverified reports put the largest wingspans at 4.22 m and 5.3 m. They can coast for several miles in just a single flap. Albatross sleep in flight. The albatrosses ate and found their food at the surface of the sea. The bill is large, strong and sharp. This bill is made of horny plates. Along the sides are the two “tubes”. They are actually long nostrils.

The tubes of all albatrosses are on the sides of the bill. They help the albatrosses develop their sense of smell a lot. The feet have no last toe and the three other toes are all webbed. Their legs are quite strong, and they can walk well on land. All birds have a large gland at the top part of their bill, above their eyes. Albatrosses use them to help take out saltwater, it makes a liquid that makes the saltwater drip out of their nose. The adult albatrosses usually have a dark upper-wing and back, and white undersides when they are getting ready to take flight. They eat squid, fish and krill. Sometimes, they may also eat carrion and or other kinds of zooplankton. Albatrosses come ashore to make their nests, mostly on islands, and usually near the nests of other birds. They have the longest incubation period of any bird. Albatross lay just one single egg every 2 years. The male and female take turns feeding and guarding their chicks until it is large enough to care for itself. Albatross are known to live well into their sixties, even reaching up to seventy years old. Scientists were baffled to discover a 63 year old bird that was still laying eggs and raising chicks. They can live to be over 60 years old. They spend 80% of their lives at sea.

10.Pelican

Pelican is an amazing bird that can be found in all continents except on the Antarctica. The Pelican family is at least 30 million years old. There are eight species of pelicans. The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the largest member of the pelican family and perhaps the largest freshwater bird in the world in length and weight by swans. Dalmatian pelicans are found in lakes, rivers and estuaries in south east Europe, Russia, India and China. They weigh on average 11.5 kg and are 183 cm in length. It has a wingspan similar in size to the great albatrosses and is one of only 4 species of birds having verified wingspans of over 350 cm, the others being the wandering albatross, the southern royal albatross and the great white pelican. The American White Pelican grows a temporary “Horn”. Pelican has the largest bill of all birds. It can reach 18 inches in length. Pelicans technically have nasal openings. However, in all eight species, the nostrils are sealed off, buried under the beak’s horny sheath. Pelicans predominantly breathe through their mouths. Underneath the bill, pelicans have throat pouch that can hold 3 gallons of water.

Pouch is mainly used for feeding. They don’t store food in the Pouch on their Bills. Some males have colorful feathers while others have ability to change the color of the pouch, neck and bill into bright colors during courtship. Pelican is easily recognized by its large body, short legs with webbed feet. Webbed feet are used for swimming and diving. They can fly to the height of 10 000 feet using the warm wind currents. It can eat 4 pounds of fish per day. Main food of Pelicans is fish, they can also eat turtles, crustaceans and tadpoles. Very hungry pelicans will even attack and eat seagulls. While diving for fish, pelicans can end up in fishing nets. Brown Pelicans are on the list of endangered species. Both males and females are in charge of the building of the nests that are usually located on the trees near the water. Nests are built using the feathers, leaves and sticks. Female lays 1 to 3 eggs. Incubation period lasts between 28 and 36 days. Young pelicans eat by scooping the food from the bills of their parents. Pelicans can survive between 10 and 30 years in the wild. Pelicans are very social birds. They live in large colonies composed of several hundreds of birds.

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THE 10 GREAT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

by Sree DivyaUncategorizedLeave a Comment on THE 10 GREAT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

The practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products is called Agriculture. Food drives the world. Apart from clean water, access to adequate food is the primary concern for most people on earth. This makes agriculture one of the largest and most significant industries in the world. Agriculture is the primary source of employment, income, and food, and these basic needs fulfilled by agriculture all over the world. Agricultural population is 67% of the total population. Around 11% of the world’s land occupied by agriculture, and about 26% used for animal grazing. Agricultural productivity is also important for the security and health of its population. The following is the list of 10 best agriculture producing countries in the world.

1.China

China is the world’s biggest producer, importer, and consumer of food. Much of China’s land is too mountainous or too arid for farming. Only 13% of land is useful for farming. China’s land is highly employed for agriculture. There is also a long tradition involving agriculture in Chinese mythology. The supply of food grains will be ample in China, and the trend of market-based pricing of rice and wheat will be more obvious. China is the largest rice-producing country in the world. China primarily produces rice, wheat, potatoes, tomato, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed, corn and soybeans. Millet requires very little human intervention to grow. Vegetables are planted in China, on the roads, and on many building walls. The focus of China’s agriculture development shifted from increasing production to improving quality. The production and supply of ecological, high-quality and safe products are increasing significantly. 23% of rice in the world is produced by China.

China’s agricultural sector will be further opened up to the outside world. International trade in agricultural products will become increasingly active, and China will remain the world’s largest importer of agricultural products. Approximately half of the plant remains belonged to domesticated japonica species, whilst the other half were wild types of rice. Evidence of settled rice agriculture has been found at the Hemudu site of Tianluoshan, with rice becoming the backbone of the agricultural economy by the Majiabang culture in southern China. Throughout its history, various methods have been developed or imported that enabled greater farming production and efficiency. They also utilized the seed drill to help improve on row farming. For agricultural purposes the Chinese had invented the hydraulic-powered trip hammer.

2.United States

United States is the largest agricultural exporter. Modern agriculture in the U.S. ranges from hobby farms and small-scale producers to large commercial farms covering thousands of acres of cropland. The United States is known for its agriculture science and provides some advanced agriculture technology in the world. It proves a role model for many countries in the agriculture sector. United States agriculture is developing continually with increasing rates and it is a major industry. The United States produces the highest amount of timber. Approx 70% of the country’s forests officially owned with bounded logging permitted. The eastern, wetter half is a major corn and soybean producing region known as the Corn Belt, while the western, drier half is known as the Wheat Belt for its high rate of wheat production. The Central Valley of California produces fruits, vegetables, and nuts. 80% of total production is occupied by Wheat.

The American South has historically been a large producer of cotton, tobacco, and rice, but it has declined in agricultural production over the past century. Agriculture is a major industry in the United States, which is a net exporter of food. In the United States, corn was the largest crop that produced an amount of 247,882,000 metric tons. And the 2nd one is soybeans with 74,598,000 metric tons. And the 3rd one is wheat that grew an amount of 69,327,000 metric tons. The major crops in the United States are sugar cane, potatoes, coffee, sugar beets, and bananas. Production is spread across much of the country, but the largest food-producing states include California, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, and Illinois. It produces food efficiently. United States is the second largest producer of pork and the largest producer of milk, chicken and beef. Soil Exhaustion was a huge problem in New England agriculture. European agricultural practices greatly affected the New England landscape.

3.Brazil

Brazil is historically one of the best agricultural countries. Brazilian Natives began farming some 12,000 years ago. 41% of Brazil’s land is occupied by agriculture. Brazil is also among the largest agricultural exporters. It is the second largest producer of soybeans in the world. Brazil ranks among the top 5 countries for production of milk, pork and chicken. The Brazilian economy has historically centered on agriculture, particularly sugarcane. Principal products were corn and soybean. It is the globe’s largest exporter of coffee, crop based ethanol, corn and soybean. Brazil ranks second in total beef output. The southern one-half to two-thirds of Brazil has a semi-temperate climate, higher rainfall, more fertile soil. This region produces grains, oil seeds. Brazil is also a major producer of oranges, pineapples, papaya, and coconuts.

⅓ of the earth’s oranges are produced in Brazil. It is in the ninth position to produce Rice. Main concentration of agriculture production is on sweet potatoes, maize, cassava, peanuts, tobacco etc. Brazil produces 600 million tonnes of sugar cane per year. 19% of total agriculture is occupied by Soybean production. The drought-ridden northeast region and Amazon basin lack well-distributed rainfall, good soil, adequate infrastructure and development capital. Both regions are increasingly important as exporters of forest products, cocoa and tropical fruits. Brazilian grasslands are generally suited only for grazing. This country primarily used surface irrigation, followed by overhead and then targeted irrigation. The South represented the largest irrigated area (more than 1.1 million hectares), followed by the Southeast (800 thousand hectares) and Northeast (490 thousand hectares).

4.India

India is among the 15 leading exporters of agricultural products in the world. India is the second-largest food producer in the world In terms of total calorie content. 58% of Indians are involved in agriculture practice. Totally 96mn hectare irrigated area in there in India, it is the largest in all over the world. India is the world’s largest wheat-producing country. Indian is the largest producer of most of the fruits in the world that includes bananas, guava, mango, lemon, papaya, and vegetables including chickpea. It produces spices include ginger, pepper, and chili. India ranked first in the production of milk, second in dry fruits, third in fish production, fourth in egg, and fifth in poultry production worldwide. 60% to overall India’s agriculture GDP only by animal farming horticulture. It also has high classification as producer of chicken and beef.

Total food grain production in the country is estimated at 144.52 million tonnes for 2020-21. Gross Value Added by agriculture, forestry, and fishing was estimated at Rs. 19.48 lakh crore in FY20. Agriculture and allied sectors in gross value added (GVA) of India at current prices stood at 17.8 % in FY20. Indian food and grocery market is the world’s sixth largest, with retail contributing 70% of the sales. The Indian food processing industry accounts for 32% of the country’s total food market, one of the largest industries in India in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth. The agriculture sector in India is expected to generate better momentum in the next few years due to increased investment in agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation facilities, warehousing and cold storage.

5.Russia

Russia produces 70% of the total grain of the country. About half of the cultivated land area is covered with grain cultivation. The cereals are rye, barley, oats, and maize. It is mainly engaged in the Industrial economy, and it has a huge agriculture industry. The Russian agriculture industry provides 16% of the employment opportunities to the general population. Russia, one of the world’s leading countries for acres of land used for agricultural production, ranks among the largest producers of milk, beef and pork in the world. 20-23% of global wheat exports are done by Russia. Wheat is the most famous food crop all around Russia. Two-thirds of the world’s poor rely on agriculture for their incomes, making the sector key to economic development. Certain crops with high market value like coffee, cocoa, and others can bring especially large increases to farmers’ incomes. In Russia, 13% of agricultural lands captured for the production of sugar beet, wheat and potatoes. Over 23 million hectares of land is cultivated in Russia. In 2018, It was the world’s largest producer of sugar beet; 4th largest world producer of potato; largest world producer of barley; 2nd largest world producer of sunflower seed; world’s largest producer of oats; 2nd largest world producer of dry pea; 3rd largest world producer of wheat; 2nd largest world producer of buckwheat.

Russia experiences extreme temperatures in winter and summer, and summer precipitation is low. Many regions of Russia experience six months of snow cover each year and in these places the subsoil can often be frozen permanently. The most fertile regions are in the southern parts of the country between Kazakhstan and Ukraine called “black earth” in Russian. During 19th and 20th century, Despite having a greater population than the rest of Europe at a time, most of which lived in rural agricultural communities, Russia could not compete in terms of its industrial and economic development. Still, while its European neighbours and the Free Economic Society were dedicated to improving their farming techniques, Russia managed to become one of the largest crop exporters, especially wheat. In 21st century Russian agriculture has undergone an intensive modernisation process. This was underpinned by developing macroeconomic factors, among which increased integration into international trade, expanded technology transfer and foreign agricultural investments. With Saline agriculture, food is produced on salt affected soils and salt water is used for irrigation.

6.France

• France has the largest agricultural production in the European Union 18.1% of the total European Union production comes from France. The economy of France is highly developed and free-market-oriented. It is the world’s seventh-largest economy by 2020 nominal figures. France was the largest Foreign Direct Investment recipient in Europe, Europe’s second largest spender in Research and development in 2020. France ranked among the 10 most innovative countries in the world by the 2020. It was the most represented European country in 2020. It became the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world. France has around 730000 farms, about 7% of the population earn from agriculture or similar sectors that are fishing or forestry. The actual income from agriculture enhanced by 4% in the past period. France is also the most visited destination in the world.

All over the European Union, France is the top producer of oilseeds, cereals, sugar beets, milk, wine, and beef. It ranks among the top 20 countries for chicken and pork production. France is the largest exporter of alcoholic drinks and beverages. An ample fish supply in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea provides an additional resource. France’s extensive land area of which more than half is arable or pastoral land and another quarter is wooded presents broad opportunities for agriculture and forestry. Rainfall is more throughout most of France. In France almost everyone is occupied in agriculture-related activities that include producing agricultural goods, etc.

7.Mexico

Both historically and politically agriculture in Mexico is crucial for the country’s economy. In Mexico 15% of land is occupied by agriculture and about 50% of occupied land is used for livestock. 50% of agriculture output of Mexico comes from crops. Sixty percent of Mexico’s agricultural exports go to the United States. Production of livestock in Mexico is done in a considerable amount that consists of poultry, eggs, beef, and milk. Mexico produced avocados, beans, tomatoes, peppers, maize, blue agave, sugar cane, sorghum and other tropical fruits etc. This country is known for its agricultural exports too. Mexico’s exports include fruits, coffee, vegetables, and sugar. It also produced squash, cotton, vanilla, cocoa etc. Domestic turkeys and Muscovy ducks were the only domesticated fowl in the pre-Hispanic period. Spanish introduced more plants and the concept of animal husbandry, principally cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, goats and sheep, and barn yard animals such as chickens and pigs.

The tradition of planting corn, beans and squash together allows the beans to replace the nitrogen that corn depletes from the soil. The three crops together are sometimes referred to as the Three Sisters. Although silver mining brought many Spaniards to Mexico and silver was the largest single export from New Spain, agriculture was extremely important. There were far more people working in agriculture, not only producing subsistence crops for individual households and small-scale producers for local markets, but also commercial agriculture on large estates to supply Spanish cities. Mexico’s agricultural history stretches back thousands of years, and today farming continues to help shape the country’s environment, economy and culture.

8.Japan

Crop production is vital to Japan despite limited arable land (13% of the total area) and the highest degree of industrialization in Asia. The economy of Japan is a highly developed free-market economy. Japan agriculture contributes only 2% of GDP and around 10% of the country’s people live on farms. It is the third-largest in the world by nominal GDP. Japan is the world’s third-largest stock exchange by market capitalisation. In 2018, Japan was the world’s fourth-largest importer and the fourth-largest exporter. Japan is the world’s third largest automobile manufacturing country, has the largest electronics goods industry. 20% of rice production is decreased in the past years. Agriculture exists in every part of Japan, but is especially important on the northern island of Hokkaido, which accounts for 10% of national production. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is the government agency responsible for the fishing industry. Agriculture, farming, and fishing form the primary sector of industry of the Japanese economy together with the Japanese mining industry, but together they account for only 1.3% of gross national product. It produces grains, fish, vegetables, mountain plants, and others. It is also among the top 20 countries in production of milk , pork and chicken. The daily food that is milk, other dairy products, and meat has risen exceptionally. 10% of the Japan’s people live on farms. Over the past decade, Japan has reduced its support to agriculture, but more recently the change in support levels has been moderate.

Land in Japan has distinctive characteristics which make it suitable for organic produce. They have instead been paying enormous sums of money to incorporate Western protein rich foods. Average area covered by farms are only 1.2 ha (3 acres). In Japan, approximately 2 lakh hectares of land is idle, and rice production decreased by 20% in the past years. In response to challenges in March 2020 such as the decrease of farming population and the implementation of new large-scale trade agreements, the plan aims to strengthen the agricultural production base regardless of farm size or its hilly and mountainous condition. By making greater financial resources available to producers and exporters of agricultural and food products, the Japanese government aims to expand agricultural exports from 922.3 billion yen (US$8.5 billion) in 2020 to 2 trillion yen (US$18.5 billion) by 2025, and 5 trillion (US$46.1 billion) by 2030. In Japan, there are two significant types of agriculture fields which are siden and tambo. The revision is expected to play a significant role in helping to promote exports given the large investments that are needed in infrastructure systems, overseas marketing and advertising, and human resources development. The Japanese consume mainly rice, fish, and eat less meat compared to citizens of the United States and the European Union.

9.Germany

In Germany, ½ of the area occupied for land cultivation. 10% of the Germans engaged in organic farming. Around 80% of the country’s land occupied by forestry and agriculture. Approximately 87% of Germany farmers farm on land of 124 acres. Agricultural food of Germany includes pork, poultry, potatoes, milk, cereals, beef, sugar beets, cabbages, corn, barley, and wheat. Germany is the third largest producer of pork and also has a high milk and beef production. Germany ranked 4th largest beer producer in the world. In Germany most of the regions agriculture includes vegetables, fruits, and wine grapes. The poorer soils of the North German Plain and of the Central German Uplands are traditionally used for growing rye, oats, potatoes, and fodder beets. In both the western and eastern sectors, chickens, eggs, pigs, and veal calves are concentrated. In Western German cities, crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers are grown. The warm lowlands of the southwest favour tobacco and seed corn. By the beginning of the 21st century, however, large farms represented about half of the total agricultural area in western Germany and some two-thirds in eastern Germany.

In Germany, southern and western parts of river valleys covered with vineyards. With the availability of chemical fertilizers, light soils have become more highly valued because of their suitability for machine cultivation; for example, fodder corn is now widely grown on the North German Plain, replacing potatoes. Germany’s agricultural products differ from area to area. It has relatively few domestic natural resources. In all industrialized countries, water supply is a constant problem. The filtration of water on riverbanks is one source. Germany is home to a huge manufacturing sector. It is a market with numerous opportunities for companies all around the world. Most of the people live in the urban areas like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. This makes Germany one of the biggest and demanding markets in the world of goods and services. Germany ranked 3rd in the world in agricultural goods export. Around ⅓ of the products exported from Germany.

  1. Turkey

Turkey is the 1st flour exporter in the world. Turkey has 23.2 million ha agricultural land and 5.1 million ha arable land. Three million people work in the agriculture industry. There are 3,076 million agricultural enterprises in Turkey. Approximately 20% of employment is provided by agriculture. It has the fertile & arable lands and favourable climate. Wheat is the most produced grain in Turkey. Different fruits and vegetables grow in different regions of Turkey, and most of the population in the rural areas earn their income from agriculture. Turkey is one of the top 10 producers of apple, cotton, wheat, barley, almond, sunflower and tobacco. Turkey is the top producer of hazelnut, apricot, fig, dried raisin, and cherry. Turkey is one of the top 5 producers of melon, watermelon, cucumber, lentil, pistachio, quince, sour cherry, chestnut, pepper, honey, and green beans. Most of the global agri-food giants are present in Turkey. It mostly produces milk. It is the sixth-largest producer of tobacco.

Turkey has high production of chicken meat. Also, it is among the top 20 countries in beef production. Sugar beet is the second produced commodity. Turkey is the 2nd largest country in Europe and the 9th largest country in the world in terms of the agricultural economy. It has one of the highest export growth rates in the world. The second production forecast by the Turkish Statistical Institute, issued in October 2020, estimated the 2020 cereal output at 36.6 million tonnes, about 7 percent more than the average of the previous five years, including 20.5 million tonnes of wheat, 8.3 million tonnes of barley and 6 million tonnes of maize. In the 2020-21 marketing year aggregate cereal imports, mainly wheat grain for processing, are forecast at 11.5 million tonnes, about 30 percent below the level of the previous year, but 12 percent above the average. The Russian Federation is historically the leading supplier of wheat. Turkey’s agriculture-based exports have increased by 6.3% year on year in the first nine months of 2020. The agriculture industry in Turkey has always been a strong and developing industry for the country. The industries and service sectors are increasing constantly.

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10 Great places to visit in the world

by Sree DivyaUncategorizedLeave a Comment on 10 Great places to visit in the world

The world is filled with such a wide variety of wonderful destinations and beautiful places to visit, it can be quite difficult to compile a list of the best ones. Thinking about a traveler who, for whatever reason, has never set foot outside his or her home town, where would be the first places they might visit?

The list of the world’s best places to visit has to include great cities, like New York, Paris, London, and so on, each of which is filled with a multitude of individual sites or must-see places to visit. The list also includes specific sites, monuments, and locations, each also worthy of a visit in their own right.

For more ideas on where to go and what to see, read our list of the top places to visit in the world.

  1. Machu Picchu, Peru
photo of machu picchu
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Machu Picchu is located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru, on a 2,430-metre  mountain ridge.It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District, above the Sacred Valley, which is 80 kilometres  northwest of Cusco. The Urubamba River flows past it, cutting through the Cordillera and creating a canyon with a tropical mountain climate.

Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often mistakenly referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, it is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period and remained unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Intihuatana, the Templeof the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of how they originally appeared. By 1976, 30% of Machu Picchu had been restored and restoration continues.

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll.

Machu Picchu built in the 15th century AD and abandoned less than a 100 years later, the remote site continues to amaze with its perfectly joined, mortarless, intricate stonework. Huge multi-ton blocks of stone are perfectly joined with each other, without the use of mortar or cement.

The journey to Machu Picchu typically starts in the mountain city of Cusco, which was the capital city of the Inca Empire. Cusco is a fascinating place to explore-be sure to spend a few days there before or after your Machu Picchu adventure. It’s possible to hike the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

  • The Grand Canyon, Arizona
grand canyon during sunset
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The Grand Canyon is an awesome place. Its overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape make it without question one of the seven marvels of the natural world.

While it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is unmatched throughout the world for the vistas it offers to visitors. Geologically it is hugely significant because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks that are beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent.

Most of the 5 million annual visitors to the Grand Canyon arrive at the South Rim and experience its beauty from the many overlooks along the canyon edge. There are many miles of paved and unpaved walkways along the rim. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon shares similar outstanding views from a vantage point 1000 feet higher than on the South Rim. Here too are walkways and overlooks that let you take in the grandeur of the canyon.

Strong hikers can climb down to the Colorado River via the Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail. For a less exhausting experience, mule pack trips use the same trails to take their riders down and up canyon.

With geology formed over the past two billion years, yes billion, the 277 mile-long canyon itself is believed to have been started around five to six million years ago. It was formed by the flow of the Colorado River, which still flows through it and continues to erode the geology along its course. The Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide in places and up to a mile deep. Imagine standing on the edge, looking down a sheer rock wall almost a mile to the river below.

Most visitors come to the area referred to as the South Rim, and there is a range of accommodations available, from tents to a rustic luxury canyon-side resort built from logs. There are a few accommodations on the remote North Rim, and these are reserved years in advance.

Many visitors access the canyon via the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which runs from the town of Williams, Arizona. The 64-mile rail line provides an entertaining way to get to the canyon with food and live music onboard. For those driving, the canyon is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive north from Phoenix .

3. Rome, Italy

colosseum rome italy
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The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum is a rectangular forum  surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.

The Eternal City is more like a giant, living museum. Visitors are immersed in and surrounded by thousands of years of history. It include the Colosseum and adjacent Roman Forum; the Pantheon; and Vatican City, a separate country in the middle of central Rome.

Take some time to explore the outskirts of Rome, too. Consider a hike along a tomb-lined section of the Appian Way, the ancient Roman superhighway, and a visit to one of the aqueduct ruins outside the city.

For centuries the Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city’s great men. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million or more sightseers yearly.

Many of the oldest and most important structures of the ancient city were located on or near the Forum. The Roman Kingdom‘s earliest shrines and temples were located on the southeastern edge. These included the ancient former royal residence, the Regia , and the Temple of Vesta , as well as the surrounding complex of the Vestal Virgins, all of which were rebuilt after the rise of imperial Rome.

Other archaic shrines to the northwest, such as the Umbilicus Urbis and the Vulcanal (Shrine of Vulcan), developed into the Republic‘s formal Comitium (assembly area). This is where the Senate as well as Republican government itself began. The Senate House, government offices, tribunals, temples, memorials and statues gradually cluttered the area.

Over time the archaic Comitium was replaced by the larger adjacent Forum and the focus of judicial activity moved to the new Basilica Aemilia . Some 130 years later, Julius Caesar built the Basilica Julia, along with the new Curia Julia, refocusing both the judicial offices and the Senate itself. This new Forum, in what proved to be its final form, then served as a revitalized city square where the people of Rome could gather for commercial, political, judicial and religious pursuits in ever greater numbers.

4. Maui, Hawaii

shore during sunset
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The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is the best island in the world. Travelers around the globe favor “The Valley Isle” so much, they’ve named it a top destination and the best island.

Possessing a luxurious and hip image, Maui hosts world-class resorts, exciting activities and championship golf, all surrounded by staggering natural beauty. The islands’ “aloha spirit” and native host Hawaiian culture provides an unparalleled vacation experience.

In addition to relaxing by the resort pool or on the beach with a great book and the iconic fruity cocktail, visitors can take advantage of activities such as golf, sailing, eco-tours, shopping, ziplining, wine tasting and farm tours plus so much more.

Points of Interest The central Maui town of Kahului/Wailuku is the island’s business center, while West Maui hosts sprawling beaches, upscale hotels of Ka’anapali and the historic whaling town of Lahaina. South Maui is home to a high-end resort district, Wailea plus offers a good spot for snorkeling, diving and wildlife watching. Maui’s best area to explore underwater is the lava rock crescent-shaped Molokini, so take a 25-minute boat ride and explore.

Iao Valley, reposing between the volcanoes near Kahoolawe, is a place the modern world seems to have left behind. There is fascinating and dramatic history here, much of it violent, with the Iao Needle rock pillar having served as a natural altar.

In the case of Hana, the journey may be as important as the destination. With giant waterfalls, artist hamlets and rainbows along the way, make it a day trip and stop for picnic supplies in Pa’ia. The infamous Road to Hana is curvy and minimally maintained. Thank goodness development of this isolated town has been limited so visitor’s can enjoy a truer sense of Hawaii.

This Hawaiian island offers a wide range of experiences for visitors. You can surf, enjoy a meal on the beach at a five-star luxury resort in Wailea, ride a horse across a dormant volcano in Haleakala National Park, or hike through a rainforest in the West Maui Mountains. The natural scenery is amazing-it’s truly one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

When it comes to accommodation, there is something for everyone here, from rustic hippie bungalow bed and breakfasts to five-star luxury resort hotels. Wailea has all the luxury

5. Maasai Mara, Kenya

group of man on a desert
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Maasai Mara is one of the most famous and important wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, world-renowned for its exceptional populations of lion, African leopard, cheetah and African bush elephant .

Maasai Mara, also known as Masai Mara, and locally simply as The Mara, is a large national game reserve in Narok, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who migrated to the area from the Nile Basin. Their description of the area when looked at from afar: “Mara” means “spotted” in the local Maasai language, due to the many short bushy trees which dot the landscape.

Kenya’s Masai Mara is an incredible bio-diverse area and a popular safari destination. It’s an opportunity to see the “big five” animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) all during one trip .

Maasai Mara is one of the most famous and important wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, world-renowned for its exceptional populations of lion, African leopard, cheetah and African bush elephant. It also hosts the Great Migration, which secured it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and as one of the ten Wonders of the World.

The Greater Mara ecosystem encompasses areas known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Triangle, and several Maasai Conservancies, including Koiyaki, Lemek,  Mara North, Olkinyei, Siana, Maji Moto, Naikara, Ol Derkesi, Kerinkani, Oloirien, and Kimintet

The protected Masai Mara National Reserve park area is huge, over 1,500 square kilometers of mainly grassland, extending all the way to the Serengeti plain of Tanzania. The popular times to visit are during the twice-yearly migrations, the main one being in July and August. Over a million wildebeest and other animals cross the area in huge groups to go from one feeding area to another. Most visitors fly into Nairobi, then take a small bush plane to the Mara.

6. Montreal, Canada

high rise buildings
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Montreal is the second largest French speaking citiy in the world, after Paris. However, most Montrealers – especially in downtown – are bilingual. Many more speak a third language. In downtown stores, shoppers are greeted with a confident BonjourHi, a term which is becoming more and more popular, indicating bilingualism.

As you listen to the sound of French being spoken around you and explore Old Montreal, wandering down its narrow cobblestone streets-you might think you’re in France. The historic area is filled with quaint shops and cafes; this Canadian city can be a chance to experience a bit of Europe in North America.

The city also has a thriving food scene, with several popular farmers markets, including the Atwater Market and the Jean Talon Market. It’s also known for its bagels, cooked hot and fresh by several iconic must-visit bakeries.

Be sure to visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica and take a drive up to Mount Royal, the big hill (or low mountain) the city is named after. You’ll be rewarded with some amazing views extending all the way to the port.

Montreal has the highest number of restaurants per Capita in Canada and the second in North America after New York. Montreal’s restaurant scene is very cosmopolitan with menus from literally around the world, with an often added French touch.

Montreal is the first North American city to have been designated UNESCO City of Design by the Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity in 2006. With this honor, Montreal’s effort and enthusiasm as well as the city’s potential for economic and social development in the field of design is recognized.

Montreal is build around Mont Royal, from where the city received its name. Mont Royal Park, located on the mountain, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same person who designed New York City’s Central Park. No building in Montreal can be taller than the famous Cross found on Mont Royal!

Montreal has an Underground City, which is a series of interconnected tunnels beneath the city that run for over 32km. The tunnels connect shopping malls, over 2000 stores, 7 metro stations,universities, banks, offices, museums, restaurants and so on. Unlike what is commonly believed, Montrealers use the underground tunnels mostly in the heat of the Summer rather than to escape the cold in Winter!

7. New Zealand

scenic view of the mountains
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Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf to the east, then extending in Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitakere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The surrounding hills are covered in rainforest and the landscape is dotted with 53 dormant volcanic cones. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have a harbour on each of two separate major bodies of water.

The isthmus on which Auckland resides was first settled c. 1350 and was valued for its rich and fertile land. The Maori population in the area is estimated to have peaked at 20,000 before the arrival of Europeans.  After a British colony was established in 1840, William Hobson, then Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, chose the area as his new capital. He named the area for George Eden, Earl of Auckland, British First Lord of the Admiralty. Maori–European conflict over land in the region led to war in the mid-19th century. Auckland was replaced as the capital in 1865 by Wellington, but the city continued to grow, initially because of its port and logging and gold mining in its hinterland, later from pastoral farming , and manufacturing in the city itself. It has throughout most of its history been the nation’s largest city. Today, Auckland’s central business district is New Zealand’s leading economic hub.

The University of Auckland, founded in 1883, is the largest university in New Zealand. The city’s varied cultural institutions—such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Museum of Transport and Technology, and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki—and national historic sites, festivals, performing arts, and sports activities are significant tourist attractions. Architectural landmarks include the Harbour Bridge, the Town Hall, the Ferry Building and the Sky Tower. The city is served by Auckland Airport, which handles around one million international passengers a month. Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Auckland is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities, ranked third in the 2019 Mercer Quality of Living Survey.

With its striking natural beauty, friendly citizens, and recent popularity due to its use as the filming location for the Lord of the Rings films (as well as many others), this island nation is one of the world’s great places to visit. The biodiversity here is amazing-it’s believed New Zealand was one of the last places on earth to have human inhabitants.

Start your visit off in the capital city of Auckland, with its culture, history, and museums. Spend some time on the water and at the beach-Waitemata Harbour has beaches, along with a range of sailing and boating activities.

Visit the Rotorua area to learn about and experience indigenous Maori culture and head to Queenstown to experience the country’s wide range of outdoor extreme action sports. Remember, this is where bungee jumping was invented.

8. Istanbul, Turkey

brown concrete dome building at night
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Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

The city held the strategic position between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It was also on the historic Silk Road. It controlled rail networks between the Balkans and the Middle East and was the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. In 1923, after the Turkish War of Independence, Ankara was chosen as the new Turkish capital, and the city’s name was changed to Istanbul. Nevertheless, the city maintained its prominence in geopolitical and cultural affairs. The population of the city has increased tenfold since the 1950s, as migrants from across Anatolia have moved in and city limits have expanded to accommodate them. Arts, music, film, and cultural festivals were established towards the end of the 20th century and continue to be hosted by the city today. Infrastructure improvements have produced a complex transportation network in the city.

Turkey’s capital city is another destination that offers a great mix of culture, food, and history. There are thousands of years of history here, starting with Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans and leading up through the Ottoman Empire.

It’s an Islamic country with a secular government, so it’s a good place for Western tourists to experience Islamic culture. There’s a mix of the new and the timeless here unlike anywhere else. You can spend the night at a wonderful restaurant eating great Turkish food and dancing to Turkish music, then rise (very early) in the morning to the sound of the Ezan or morning Islamic call to prayer. It echoes across the rooftops as it’s broadcast from loudspeakers set atop the minarets of the city’s mosques.

Istanbul has excellent public transit, which means it’s easy to get around and explore all the major sites and monuments. Must-see places include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapi Palace.

9. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

man looking at an ancient temple
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Angkor Wat, temple complex at Angkor, near Siemreab, Cambodia, that was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113–c. 1150). It is the world’s largest religious structure, covering some 400 acres (160 hectares), and marks the high point of Khmer architecture.

It is located just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world. It was created originally as a Hindu temple and mausoleum for the Khmer ruler in the early part of the 12th century and was converted to a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th century. Just part of a enormous ancient city. Angkor Wat is the temple area, Angor Thom was the city and palace area. There are hundreds of other ruin sites in the area, all part of the ancient capital of Angkor.

Siem Reap and its temples and ruins are now very easily accessible via daily flights from Hong Kong and other large Asian cities. Accommodations range from inexpensive guesthouses to lavish luxury resorts, with everything in between.

10. London, England

city view at london
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Several bridges named London Bridge have spanned the River Thames between the City of London and Southwark, in central London. The current crossing, which opened to traffic in 1973, is a box girder bridge built from concrete and steel.

Throughout its history, London bridge has been a busy thoroughfare, and was once lined with shops. The road over the bridge was only about 4m wide between the shops. It was so narrow it often jammed with people, horses and carts.

The Old London Bridge of nursery rhyme fame dates from 1176, when Peter, a priest and chaplain of St. Mary’s of Colechurch, began construction of the foundation. Replacing a timber bridge (one of several built in late Roman and early medieval times), Peter’s structure was the first great stone arch bridge built in Britain. It was to consist of 19 pointed arches, each with a span of approximately 24 feet (7 metres), built on piers 20 feet (6 metres) wide; a 20th opening was designed to be spanned by a wooden drawbridge.

The stone foundations of the piers were built inside cofferdams made by driving timber piles into the riverbed; these in turn were surrounded by starlings. As a result of obstructions encountered during pile driving, the span of the constructed arches actually varied from 15 to 34 feet in the width of the protective starlings was so great that the total waterway was reduced to a quarter of its original width, and the tide roared through the narrow archways like a millrace. “Shooting the bridge” in a small boat became one of the thrills of Londoners.

In 1205 Peter of Colechurch died, and three other London citizens completed the bridge by 1209. Almost immediately the bridge became not only an important commercial crossing but also a choice business and residential site. Shops lined both sides of the roadway between the fortified gates at either end; houses were built above the shops, with 138 premises being recorded in 1358. Walkways and additional rooms were extended between the buildings, transforming the roadway into a tunnel-like passage through which merchants and other travelers bustled. In the 1580s, during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, water mills were installed that added to the uproar.

This historic English city is another destination just filled with incredible places to visit. A trip to London is an opportunity to visit iconic places like the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London.

Take advantage of the city being a cultural center as well by seeing a West End theater show or watching a musical performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Modern London is also a city of fine dining, luxury hotels, and world-class shopping.

Don’t miss the museums, the vast British Museum is free, and usually quite crowded. Make time to visit The Wallace Collection, a free museum on Oxford Street. It has one of the world’s greatest collections of furniture and porcelain, along with some important Old Master paintings.

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