Interesting Tourist places and things

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Greenest Cities in the World

Reykjavik, Iceland



The city had just been trusted to hold the first winter olympics in earth with theme is sustainable or sustainability. The Comittee was using electronic waste as a medal and build a stadium which is very “green”. But this is not just a business because of the winter Olympics. Vancouver has been settled long ago. 90% of electricity needs in the town is supplied by hydroelectric. Meanwhile wind, solar, wave and tidal energy has been used extensively to keep the environment conservation in this city.


Malmo, Sweden

This is one of the international city that focus on green space. Famous for their gardens, but also on sustainable urban development. It’s one of the largest cities in Sweden and really beautiful city. They have changed their environment to be environment-friendly area.In this city you will find a lot of people cycling in the city because many roads built specifically for those who ride. This town really appreciate their green sky and did not want their green sky became polluted. Today approximately 20% of the population of Malmo come from different countries, making it the most cosmopolitan city in Sweden. This has contributed to the cultural life of the rich and the opportunity to enjoy lots of delicious and exotic food. These days the old industrial city has been replaced by suburban area of the modern middle class, residential neighborhoods and environmentally friendly.

Curitiba, Brazil


Curitiba is a city in southern part of Brazil and the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state (estado) since 1854. The city was founded in 1654 as a gold mining camp. Population: 1.8 millions (2007 estimate). From the early 19th century, it has received many immigrants from Germany, Italy, and Poland, and immigration continued during the 20th century with the arrival of Syrian and Japan, and the entry of massive migrants from rural areas.

The city has many green spaces like parks and very beautiful botanical gardens such as Alemâo Bosque, Bosque de Portugal, Italiano Bosque, Bosque do Papa, Gomm Bosque, Bosque Gutierrez, Capão da Imbuia Bosque, Bosque da Fazendinha, Boa Vista Bosque, Bosque Reinhard Maack, Bosque Vista Alegre, Jardim Botanico, Memorial Ucraniano, Barigüi Parque, Parque Tanguá, Tingüi Parque, Parque das Pedreiras, Passaúna do parque, Parque São Lourenço, parque do Iguaçu e Zoo, Parque da Barreirinha, Parque dos Tropeiros, Parque do Bacacheri, Basseio público, Unilivre, and Vilinha. The city is focused to become the greenest city in the world. So residents advised to leave their cars at home.


Portland, Oregon, US

The City, the home of Portland Blazzers NBA team, is really very active in welcoming new world filled with green and healthy to live. Although many US cities now prefer to use the fast lane, this is the first city to focus on alternative transit with light rail and bike path network extensively to encourage people to leave their cars at home. Also one of the first cities that pledged to reduce emissions and begin to use the sustainable building materials.

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Lotus Lake, Taiwan



Lotus Lake is a man-made lake and popular tourist destination on the east side of Tsoying District in Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan. Opened in 1951, it is famous for the lotus plants on the lake and the numerous temples around the lake, including the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, and the Confucian Temple.



Lotus Lake was the site for several water sporting events for World Games 2009, including canoe polo, water ski, and dragon boat.

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Belchite - Ghost Town in Spain



Belchite is a village in Zaragoza province, Spain, about 40 km southeast of Zaragoza. It has a population of about 1,647 (2007).



On June 15, 1809, French and Spanish forces in the Peninsular War fought
the Battle of MarÃ*a near Belchite.



Between August 24 and September 7, 1937, Republican and Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War fought the Battle of Belchite in and around the town. After 1939 a new village of Belchite was built adjacent to the ruins of the old, which remain a ghost town as a memorial to the war.


The remains of the old village have been used as filming locations in some Spanish and Hollywood movies.

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Secret Places ON Earth

Vatican Secret Archives



Vatican Secret Archives, which are as vast as they are old. Headed by a cardinal like the Vatican Library, another rumored storehouse of secrets, they partially open today to a few approved scholars who are let in only with specific purposes and with permission of the Pope.


Club 33

Since 1967 Disney’s Exclusive Club 33, Walt Disney felt that he needed a special private place where he could entertain sponsors and other guests. After he had died Disney Land decided to make Club 33 open only to special members. As of June 2007, the membership waiting list was 14 years.


Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center


Just 46 miles from Washington DC, a mysterious and secretive underground military base exists, located deep inside a mountain near the rural town of Bluemont, Virginia. Said to be equipped with all amenities of life. In the event of nuclear war, declaration of martial law, or other national emergency, the President, his cabinet and the rest of the Executive Branch would be “relocated� to Mount Weather.

Room 39


Room 39 is one of the most secret organizations in arguably the world’s most secretive state. Its mission is to obtain foreign currency for Supreme Leader of North Korea. The powerful entity, which has existed for decades, is believed to raise funds through business ventures, some legitimate and some not. Room 39 is believed to be located inside a ruling Workers’ Party building in Pyongyang.

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Secret Places ON Earth

White’s Gentlemen’s Club

It was established in 1693 to sell hot chocolate, a rare and expensive commodity at the time. Now its membership is reserved for the wealthiest and most influential members of society.


Moscow Metro-2



Metro-2 in Moscow, Russia has a secret underground metro system which parallels the public Moscow Metro. It is said to connect the Kremlin with the FSB headquarters, the government airport at Vnukovo-2. In the late 1940s Stalin had created the tunnels in the event of a nuclear war.

Area 51



Area 51 which is known for its secretive nature and undoubted connection to classified aircraft research, together with reports of unusual phenomena, have led Area 51 to become a focus of modern UFO and conspiracy theories. Located at Groom Lake, it is a large secretive military base.

Ise Grand Shrine



The Ise Grand Shrine which is located in Japan is considered arguably one of the most sacred, holiest and important places in Japan. Shrine is demolished and Rebuilt once every twenty years. The only people who are able to access the shrine are the Japanese imperial family and the high priestesses and priests.

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Secret Places ON Earth

RAF Menwith Hill


Known for its connection with Echelon spy network. The Menwith Hill spy base near Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest electronic monitoring station in the world. It has been the key link in a worldwide eavesdropping network.

Mezhgorye



Russia’s massive secret underground facility at Yamantau Mountain and the city of Mezhgorye is rumored that the Yamantau Mountain project was associated with the so-called ‘Dead Hand’ nuclear retaliatory command and control system for strategic missiles.

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Laxmi Vilas Palace Vadodara - Royal Residence

Right from its imposing façade to its ornate interiors, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara, is always on its way to impress the visitors to no end. Vadodara's Laxmi Vilas Palace was constructed during the period from 1878 to 1890. The construction of this palace was commissioned by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. The total cost of its construction amounted to a whooping sixty lakh.



The palace is still served as the royal residence. The interiors of the palace exude opulence and are graced with marble mosaic, fine stone and valuable furnishings. The palace features a grand Durbar Hall that boasts of an italian mosaic floor. The walls of the Durbar Hall are beautified with brilliant mosaic decorations.



The palace sprawls for about 700 acres and incorporates a number of buildings. The Moti Bagh Palace and museum need a special mention. The museum was constructed for the Maharaja's children for educational purposes. Today this museum houses a large number of art works belonging to the Royal family. Among all the works of art, the paintings of Raja Ravi Verma stand out on the virtue of the skill of the artist that is clearly reflected in them.




Another popular highlight of Laxmi Vilas Palace is the zoo. Today nothing remains of the zoo except a pond that is inhabited by a number of crocodiles. If you are lucky enough you might also find peacocks strutting about the palace compound or langoors hanging from the tree branches.