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Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” - China

Mount Songshang is considered to be the central sacred mountain of China. 
At the foot of this 1500 metre high mountain, close to the city of Dengfeng in Henan province and spread over a 40 square-kilometre circle, stand eight clusters of buildings and sites, including three Han Que gates - remains of the oldest religious edifices in China -, temples, the Zhougong Sundial Platform and the Dengfeng Observatory. 
Constructed over the course of nine dynasties, these buildings are reflections of different ways of perceiving the centre of heaven and earth and the power of the mountain as a centre for religious devotion. 
The historical monuments of Dengfeng include some of the best examples of ancient Chinese buildings devoted to ritual, science, technology and education.








Paraiba

Paraíba is one of the 26 states of Brazil. 
Paraiba is located in the NE of Brazil and borders the state of Rio Grande do Norte to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Pernambuco to the south and Ceará to the west.








Sunday, October 29, 2023

Albi - France

On the banks of the Tarn river in south-west France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination of a medieval architectural and urban ensemble. 
Today the Old Bridge (Pont-Vieux), the Saint-Salvi quarter and its church are testimony to its initial development (10th -11th centuries). 
Following the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heretics (13th century) it became a powerful episcopal city. 
Built in a unique southern French Gothic style from local brick in characteristic red and orange colours, the lofty fortified Cathedral (late 13th century) dominates the city, demonstrating the power regained by the Roman Catholic clergy. 
Alongside the Cathedral is the vast bishop’s Palais de la Berbie, overlooking the river and surrounded by residential quarters that date back to the Middle Ages. 
The Episcopal City of Albi forms a coherent and homogeneous ensemble of monuments and quarters that has remained largely unchanged over the centuries.








Potosi

Potosí is one of the nine departments of Bolivia, in the southwest of the country. 
The mining town of Potosí is the capital of this department.









Friday, October 27, 2023

China Danxia

China Danxia is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). 
The inscribed site comprises six areas found in the sub-tropical zone of south-west China. 
They are characterized by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls. 
These rugged landscapes have helped to conserve sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many species of flora and fauna, about 400 of which are considered rare or threatened.








Yellow-billed duck

The yellow-billed duck, also called yellow-billed duck, is a bird in the Anatidae family. 
The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1839 by Alain Dubois.








Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi - Vietnam

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet.
It was constructed on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi. 
It was the centre of regional political power for almost 13 centuries without interruption. 
The Imperial Citadel buildings and the remains in the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site reflect a unique South-East Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley, at the crossroads between influences coming from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.








Hạ Long Bay - Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is a bay near the city of Hạ Long in northern Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, near the border with China. 
The bay has a coastline of 120 km and the area covers about 1500 km2. 
Vịnh Hạ Long means Bay of the Descending Dragon in Vietnamese.








Sunday, October 22, 2023

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. 
The property comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. 
These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. 
The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.








Silversmith

A gold and silversmith is a professional who designs, shapes, manufactures and/or repairs jewelry, utensils and/or objects made of (precious) metals, possibly enriched with gemstones and other materials. 
The most common designation of the craft is Gold and Silversmith.