Forcella Lavardet Mountain Pass, Italy

Forcella Lavardet is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites-Alps range, at an elevation of 1.542m  or 5,000 ft above the sea level, located on the municipality of Vigo di Cadore, Italy. Laid here one of the most dangerous steep and dangerous roads in the world. High Alpine Road Forcella Lavardet has 14 sharp turns that seem to lie on one another, gradually climbing up to the top of the pass. And without that dangerous road damaged by landslides in some areas it is not covered with asphalt and gravel. After a series of accidents on the road pass Forsell Lavardet was closed to motorists. Now it is a popular route for cyclists and hikers. In spite of all the danger from the road looks very interesting and even beautiful. Quietly traveling in alpine serpentine Forsell Lavardet can enjoy wonderful views over the picturesque nature of the Italian Alps.

Image credit alsardin

The beautiful oasis in the Sahara desert

Ubari Lakes in the Libyan part of the Sahara desert on the right are among the most beautiful oasis in the world. The largest of these is Lake Umm Al-Maa, which means "Mother of Waters." The water in it is very salty - concentration can be compared with the water of the Dead Sea. Uniqueness lake also consists in the fact that the lower layers is always very hot water, the temperature sometimes reaches to 100 degrees, and wherein the upper layers are cold. Ubari Lakes - a group of about 20 lakes of the landscape of high dunes and palm trees. To achieve these lakes, tourists usually go to Tkerkiba where excellent camping functions to explore the lake. Depth of the lakes, according to the Libyan Central diving varies from seven meters deep (as in Gabrun) up to 32 meters deep (Ain al-Dibbanah about Ghadames). Some of these lakes are drying up due to drought slowly and artificial drainage. Among the most picturesque lakes Gaberun and Umm al-Maa. Also there are two more beautiful lakes that are rarely visited by tourists. This Umm al-Hisan and Oum El Hassan north Gaberuna.

Image credit virgntn2011

Recent archaeological research has shown the existence of several freshwater lakes in ancient Fezzan, Libya. Some of these lakes were located in the southern regions of the country. Archaeological finds from the area include dark layers of organic matter, shells, axes and other Paleolithic and Neolithic tools and implements, testifying that ancient human activities in Fezzan. These lakes were part of a large network of lakes, including the legendary Tritonis nearby Lake and Lake Chad. The exact dating of the lakes are still not confirmed, but the current study showed that they disappeared about 3,000 years ago. Findings also suggest that the impressive dunes Ubari at least 100,000 years. Numerous lakes covered the eastern and southern regions, and some of them still exist today. The current lake Ubari situated in a little oasis, and represent the remnants of a once great aquatic ecosystem. 

Image credit Dusko Dokosic

Real Gabinete Português de Leitura | Rio de Janeiro

The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (in English: Royal Portuguese Reading Room) has the largest and most valuable literary of Portuguese outside Portugal. Constructed between 1880 and 1887, it has more than 350,000 volumes in a library, fully computerized, which brings together rare books from the 16th, 17th and 18th. The library receives a copy of Portugal for each of the works published in the country according to its status of “legal deposit”. Its incredible architecture beauty and its rich collection transport you to the 19th century when you visit this library in Rio de Janeiro.

Image Credit BORIS G

Stuttgart City Library, Germany

The new Stuttgart City Library by Yi Architects was on October 21, 2011.  After winning a competition for the project in 1999, the new library for Stuttgart in southern Germany has finally been unveiled.  Yi Architects have shared with us the drawings and images of the project. The Stuttgart City Library was chosen in Mailänder Platz, an area that is perceived to be a future city center growing out of the location of the library. With this in mind, the architects chose to physically express the importance of this cultural center by giving the building a grand physical presence. The building takes the form of cube with an edge length of 45 meters. It is constructed out of pale grey fair-faced concrete that visually frames an array of 9 x 9 frosted glass bricks. The shell is designed as a double façade that includes the glass brick level and an inner mullion/transom façade as the thermal building shell.

Image credit PAPFOO

Beautiful Garden Château de Marqueyssac, France

Château de Marqueyssac is located in the Dordogne region, small town of  Vézac, attracts travelers to France due to its tourist attractions - the ancient castle Markizyak and its surrounding grand garden , consisting of a maze of boxwood shrubs that gardeners gave correct and fanciful geometric shapes. Provincial town Vézac (Fr. Vézac) in France is known worldwide for its extraordinary gardens. A unique park landscape, the ancient castle of the 17th century, an observation deck with stunning views of the valley - a place that attracts endless streams of tourists and locals.

Image credit Rich Prime

From the height on which the romantic castle Markizyak, open beauty of the picturesque valley. The real highlight of the garden of the castle can be called Markizyak Dordogne belvedere - a unique viewing platform, which offers great views of the meandering river flowing in the valley. Marqueyssac Castle was founded in the 17th century and was originally built as a residence for the rest, but its construction treated as the creation of a powerful fortress. Even invested in gray limestone powerful roof weighs more than five tons. But the castle is famous not only Markizyak architecture. Leading him stone paths lead visitors to a man-made labyrinth of living green waves and balls. This is the famous  hanging gardens Marqueyssac , which cover an area of about 22 hectares and consists of 150,000 age-old boxwood shrubs.

Image credit jen&co

Structure of Ancient Step well, Chand Baori | Rajasthan India

Chand Baori is a stepwell situated in the village of Abhaneri near Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan.  Abhaneri is a village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan state in India. It is situated at a distance of 95 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road. It is located opposite Harshat Mata Temple and was constructed in 800 AD. Chand Baori is one of the oldest and is considered to be among the biggest in the world, even most attractive landmarks in Rajasthan. It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty between 800 and 900 AD and was dedicated to Hashat Mata, Goddess of Joy and Happiness upon completion.

Image credit MARÍA VICTORIA GUERRERO CATALÁN Trujillo, Extremadura, Spain

Nuclear Plant Transformed Into Amusement Park - Wunderland Kalkar Amusement Park

Wunderland Kalkar Amusement Park, The German Nuclear plant transformed into Amusement Park, cleverly combines a never-been-used multi-million-pound reactor with classic fair rides, including a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, carousel and log flume. A swing ride has even been fitted inside the old cooling tower, while a 130ft-high climbing wall features on the outside. 

In Kalkar in 1972, construction was started on the SNR-300, the first large breeding reactor in Germany. The reactor was designed to use plutonium as fuel and be cooled by sodium. These types of reactors, however, have a much higher potential for disaster compared to a conventional reactor. The neighbors became a bit concerned, and the highly controversial construction was continually delayed.

Image credit Daniel Kinpara

Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan in Azerbaijan

Mud Volcanoes - Gobustan, Azerbaijan is home to more than any other mud volcanoes in the world. There are more than 300 mud volcanoes in Gobustan; more than half the mud volcanoes known to exist in the entire world. The rare formations draw geologists and tourists from around the world to see the spectacles, which can shoot flames more than 15 meters long and drop prodigious amounts of mud in the process. There are also those who seek the mud volcanoes of the Baku area for their medicinal properties. The Firuz Crater, Salyan, and Gobustan are all sought-after destinations for their healing qualities, where tourists plunge themselves into the mineral-laden mud.

Image credit Claire à Taiwan

The Gobustan Petroglyphs at Gobustan National Park date to 10,000 BC and have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a rare distinction bestowed only on sites deemed to possess "outstanding universal value" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. First discovered in 1930, today the ancient cave drawings of Gobustan and its mud volcanoes draw visitors from across the globe to witness the rare mud volcano formations and ancient history which dwells in Gobustan, Azerbaijan. Gobustan is home to more than 300 mud volcanoes, more than half of the known mud volcanoes on the planet and more any other place in the world.

Bimmah Sinkhole in Hawiyat Najm Park, Oman

The Bimmah Sinkhole, located in Hawiyat Najm Park, literally meaning Meteor Fall Park in Arabic, is a sinkhole in Muscat Oman. Bimah sinkhole is beautiful natural landmark - a place of refreshment at the long coastal road of Oman. Bimah sinkhole was formed in limestone by a collapse of large cave chamber. Earlier locals believed that this hole was formed by meteorite ("piece of Moon"). The sinkhole is approximately 50 by 70 m large, 20 - 30 m deep. At the bottom is located deep blue-green lake with a heap of rock - remnants of the collapse. Municipality has developed a park around the sinkhole, there is built concrete stairway leading to the lake. Locals and tourists often enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake. Most likely the sinkhole is connected to the 600 m distant sea. Top layer in the lake is crystal clear, but at the depth of some 8 m water has sulphuric taste due to sulphur oxidizing bacteria and is less clear.

Image credit Dan

World’s Largest Mirrors — Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni (salar is salt flat in Spanish) is currently the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). Actually, some 30,000–42,000 years ago, the area was part of a giant prehistoric lake, Lake Minchin. When it dried, it left behind two modern lakes and two major salt deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the larger Salar de Uyuni. 08 more images after the break...

Top 3 Longest Places Name

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (57 letters) is a large village and community on the island of Anglesey in Wales, situated on the Menai Strait next to the Britannia Bridge and across the strait from Bangor. This village has the longest place name in Europe and one of the longest place names in the world. The short form of the village's name is Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, also spelled Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll. It is commonly known as Llanfair PG or Llanfairpwll.

According to the 2001 census, the population of the community is 3,040, 76% of whom speak Welsh fluently; the highest percentage of speakers is in the 10–14 age group, where 97.1% are able to speak Welsh.[citation needed] It is the fifth largest settlement on the island by population. 02 more names after the break...

Key Monastery — India

Key Gompa with Spiti River flowing behind. Photo — Link

Key Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on picturesque hilltop at an altitude of 4,166 metres above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. The monastery has the distinction of being the oldest and the biggest in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh and a religious training centre for Lamas. It is home to around 300 lamas who receive their religious education here.

Key Gompa is said to have been founded by Dromtön (Brom-ston, 1008-1064 CE), a pupil of the famous teacher, Atisha, in the 11th century. This may however, refer to a now destroyed Kadampa monastery at the nearby village of Rangrik, which was probably destroyed in the 14th century when the Sakya sect rose to power with Mongol assistance. Nevertheless, it is believed that the monastery is at least a thousand years old. There was even a celebration of its millennium in 2000 in the presence of the Dalai Lama. 11 more images after the break...

Skogafos - The most famous waterfall in Iceland

Photo — Link

Skógafoss is a waterfall situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from Skógar), the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland. 10 more images after the break...

Namba Parks — Japans 8 Level Roof Ggarden with Waterfalls

Namba Parks was conceived when Osaka Stadium closed down, presenting a great redevelopment opportunity for a new commercial district right next to the Namba Train Station, which is just one stop away from Kansai Airport. Since it's one of the first places that visitors to the city might see, owner Nankai Electric Railway asked the Jerde Partnership to envision the new development as a gateway that would redefine Osaka's identity. 11 more images after the break...

Gardens of Maui

Hawaiian Island archipelago is located on the northern tropical circle in the Pacific. Maui is the second largest and probably the most beautiful island in the Hawaiian archipelago. High mountains, deep green canyons, swift waterfalls, amazing black and white beaches, jungles full of life - it's incredible beauty of Maui.

The magnificent beauty of the gardens GARDEN OF EDEN ARBORETUM and BOTANICAL GARDEN, the collection of which there are more than 500 species of plants.This park is also famous for the fact that its territory was removed beginning famous movie "Jurassic Park. 31 more images after the break...

Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses is a site of pilgrimage in northern Lithuania. The first crosses were placed on the former hill fort in the 14th century. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims.10 more images after the break...

Flower Garden — AL-Ain Paradise

The garden had set the Guinness World Records achievement last year with 2,426 hanging baskets. This year however, Akar Landscaping Services and Agriculture (the company responsible for the garden), had decided to expand the garden to make it even more impressive, and hopefully to break their own record. The general Manager of Akar Landscaping Services and Agriculture Est., Abdelnasser Rahhal, today announced that the company will organize a Guinness World Records attempt for the largest number of hanging flower baskets on Monday February 28, 2011 in AL-Ain city, United Arab Emirates. 15 more images after the break...

The Great Wall is not the Same

Beginning in the 7th century BC, a series of massive defensive fortifications were constructed along China's northern border. Built to protect China from northern attacks, the walls stretched out for thousands of kilometers, many joining together to become the Great Wall of China. Over several centuries, the wall and thousands of supporting structures were built across mountains, deserts, and rivers, eventually stretching more than 20,000 kilometers in length. Sections of the wall near large cities are well-maintained, but many remote areas are slowly being reclaimed by nature. Gathered here are images of the Great Wall over the years, from its westernmost pass at Jiayuguan to where it meets the sea in Qinhuangdao. 34 more images after the break...

Setenil de Las Bodegas – The City Built Under the Rocks

 Photo — Link

Setenil de las Bodegas is a town (pueblo) in the province of Cádiz, Spain, famous for its dwellings built into rock overhangs above the Rio Trejo. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 3,016 inhabitants. It has an exact antipodal city: Auckland, New Zealand. 08 more images after the break...

Huge Chewing Gum Sculptures in Venice

Simone Decker is a talented artist who lives and works in Frankfurt. Simone has created a series of unique sculptures that look like a big big chewing gum wads in Venice. 07 More pictures after the break.