Sunday, February 28, 2021

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal - India

Pattadakal, in Karnataka, represents the high point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. 
An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen there. 
One masterpiece from the group stands out – the Temple of Virupaksha, built c. 740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory over the kings from the South. 

5 photos.








Vancouver - Canada

Vancouver is a city in Canada, it is the center of the conurbation of the same name and by far the largest population concentration in the province of British Columbia. 
The city is located on the Strait of Georgia, part of the Pacific Ocean. 
A resident of Vancouver is called a "Vancouverite" in English. 

5 photos.








Saturday, February 27, 2021

Gros Morne National Park - Canada

Situated on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland, the park provides a rare example of the process of continental drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth's mantle lie exposed. 
More recent glacial action has resulted in some spectacular scenery, with coastal lowland, alpine plateau, fjords, glacial valleys, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and many pristine lakes. 

5 photos.








Oresund Bridge - Sweden

The Oresund Bridge is the most striking part of the 16 km long connection for road and rail traffic across the Oresund between Denmark and Sweden. 
George Rothne designed the bridge and the engineering firm Arup drew the structural design of the bridge.

5 photos.








Friday, February 26, 2021

The Great Living Chola Temples - India

The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched over all of south India and the neighbouring islands. 
The site includes three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples: the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. 
The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in 1035. 
Its 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) has recessed corners and a graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur. 
The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva. 
The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting. 

5 photos.








Curitiba - Brazil

Curitiba is a city and municipality in the southeastern region of Brazil. 
It is the capital of the state of Paraná at an altitude of 934 meters and has approximately 1.8 million inhabitants, making it the largest city in the south. 
Curitiba was founded in 1654 and was given the title of 'village municipality' on March 29, 1693. 

5 photos.








Thursday, February 25, 2021

Elephanta Caves - India

The 'City of Caves', on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Bombay, contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva. 
Here, Indian art has found one of its most perfect expressions, particularly the huge high reliefs in the main cave. 

5 photos.








Oruro - Bolivia

Oruro is a city in the eponymous department of Oruro in Bolivia. 
The largest religious statue in South America was unveiled in the Bolivian mining town on February 1, 2013. 

5 photos.








Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Dja Faunal Reserve - Cameroon

This is one of the largest and best-protected rainforests in Africa, with 90% of its area left undisturbed. Almost completely surrounded by the Dja River, which forms a natural boundary, the reserve is especially noted for its biodiversity and a wide variety of primates. 
It contains 107 mammal species, five of which are threatened. 

5 photos.








Eurasian ibis - Geronticus eremita

The hermit ibis or bald-headed ibis or waldrapp is an endangered bird from the ibises and spoonbills family. 
It now only occurs in a western population in southwest Morocco and a very small eastern population in Iraq and Turkey. 

5 photos.