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Overview and Essential Travel Information - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

 This place was Amazing visited Oct 26, 2004

OVERVIEW Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and lies on the great limestone plateau of Nejd in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula, some 2500 feet above sea level. In arabic the name literally means 'Gardens'. Being a former trade centre on the pilgrim route across the Peninsula, Riyadh has been a midpoint of attention for centuries. After the young Abdulaziz gained control of Riyadh in 1902, it was from this base that he gradually established control over a vast area from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. This area became, in 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, Riyadh is a bustling metropolis with state-of-the-art architecture and a modern city infrastructure. SIGHTS Riyadh Museum In the Ethnographic Hall is a large model of the Masmakh Fortress, which is central to the history of modern Saudi Arabia. This was the fort in Riyadh that Abdul Aziz and his followers captured in January 1902, thus returning the Al-Saud to a position of power in their homeland. (They had spent the previous 10 years in exile in Kuwait.) Besides the model of the fort, the display includes carved and painted doors from Qassim, the area north of Riyadh, and Qatif, a town which was once a major port on the Gulf. There are also clothes, musical instruments, weapons, traditional cooking utensils, woven bags and some jewellery. The main hall is well organised with signs in both Arabic and English. The periods covered range from the Stone Age to early Islamic times. In one room, there is an interesting display of Islamic architecture. Masmakh Fortress The fort built of dried mud, is open Saturday to Wednesday from 7.30am to 1.30pm. A permit is required which can be obtained from the museum. This is the fortress which Abdul Aziz and his followers captured in 1902 and which begins the history of present-day Saudi Arabia. There is a well restored traditional majlis on the ground floor. The courtyard contains a well, which is still functional. The courtyard is surrounded by six painted doors which open into empty rooms. On the upper level, there are amazingly carved walls and three columns which support the wooden roof. Murabba Palace Built by King Abdul Aziz in 1946 as a home and seat of government, this combination palace/fortress. King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies Does good exhibits on Islamic art and culture. There is also a permanent exhibition on the treatment and preservation of old books and manuscripts. King Saud University Museum Displayed in the museum are objects from the university's archaeological excavations at Al-Fao and Rabdhah. The former is on the edge of the Empty Quarter (the vast sandy desert in the Kingdom's south-eastern corner) and was a pre-Islamic city between 300BC and AD300. The latter is about 100km east of Madinah and was a station on the pilgrimage road linking Makkah and Madinah to Persia and Iraq. NOTICE This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and originated from World66.com. For more information see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0

posted Oct 26, 2004 | Comments (0)

Overview and Essential Travel Information - Beirut, Lebanon

 This place was Amazing visited Oct 26, 2004

OVERVIEW History Beirut was built on the largest rocky promontory of the coast the near center of the country. Later it would become capital of the modern nation, but in ancient times its deep harbor and central location were not so apparent and the city was overshadowed by more powerful neighbors. Its earliest name was "Birot," a Semitic word meaning "well" or "source" . When the city states of Sidon and Tyre began to decline in the first millennium B.C., Berytus, as it was then called, acquired more influence, but it was not until Roman times that it became an important port and cultural center with its famed Roman Law School. After Roman power waned, Greek influence dominated in the Byzantine period beginning in the 4th century A.D. Later, the Crusaders held the city for some 200 years. It was only at the end of the 19th century, after 400 years of Ottoman rule, that Beirut began to develop and modernize. Modern Beirut, which has well over a million inhabitants, remains the cultural and commercial center of the country. Although the city center was left in ruins by the war, business was taken to other parts of Beirut and commerce continued as usual. In the 1990's, however, plans were made to reconstruct and develop this war-ruined area. Over a period of 25 years the project will turn Beirut into a city that is modern yet retains its familiar eastern flavor. Such landmarks as Martyrs' Square, the Parliament Building, the Serail and the traditional souks are all part of the new design that covers 1.6 million square meters. Extensive archaeological investigations into the city's past are also being carried out under the general redevelopment plan. NOTICE This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and originated from World66.com. For more information see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0

posted Oct 26, 2004 | Comments (0)

Overview and Essential Travel Information - Calcutta, India

 This place was Amazing visited Oct 26, 2004

OVERVIEW Calcutta , also famous as the "City of Joy" is the largest city of India and the capital of West Bengal.It is a city made famous by its people and its culture. However, being one of the most populated cities in the world , it is very dirty and has several other problems. Still all Calcuttans regard it as a "fascinating , bewitching and bewildering" city and it is well worth a visit. Calcutta is known to a lot of people because of mother Theresa and her charity works. Although she passed away, the helping of the poorest of the poor still continues. Popular belief is that Calcutta was an obscure village before 1686 , when Job Charnock, a British merchant decided to make a settlement there . However, recent studies suggest that Calcutta was an area of pilgrimage in the medieval age. Durga Puja, which is celebrated every autumn , is the main festival of Calcutta and it is a good time to visit Calcutta and get the essence of the city. For five days, the city is all lit up and resonant with the sound of drums. The pandals (where the festivals take place) and the idols of the gods and the goddesses are great works of art. Besides that, there are some good museums and interesting sights, such as the Fort William, to visit. SIGHTS Botanical Gardens The Botanical Gardens are the largest and the oldest in India. This lovely picnic spot is located on the other side of the river Hooghly and is famous for its 250 year old banyan tree whose circumferance is 982m. It can be reached either by a ferry across the Hooghly or by bus. GETTING THERE Calcutta is connected by domestic air flights to other major Indian cities. It is well connected by rail to other places in Calcutta. There are several international flights to Calcutta like British Airways, Singapore Airlines , KLM etc. NOTICE This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and originated from World66.com. For more information see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0

posted Oct 26, 2004 | Comments (0)

Overview and Essential Travel Information - Hyderabad, India

 This place was Amazing visited Oct 26, 2004

OVERVIEW Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is a big, lively, overcrowded city. Situated on the banks of the river Musi, the city gives travellers fascinating glimpses of past splendours – the legacy of its four hundred year old history. The city is better known as the Istanbul of India. On every street corner, you will see its dualistic character, the coming together of Muslims and Hindus. It boasts of examples of Qutb Shahi architecture - the Jami Masjid, Toli Masjid and the Hyderabad symbol, the Char Minar. The Char Minar is sometimes compared with the Arch the Triomphe and is located in the heart of the city. The minar is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of market life and the visitors of the Mecca Masjid. Hyderabad also claims to have one of the largest Buddha statues. Some ten kilometres away from the city, the marvellous Golconda Fortress and the tombs of the Quatab Shahi Kings can be visited. Hyderabad has a pleasant climate, a fascinating amalgam of cultures, magnificent cuisine, splendid shopping areas and a variety of things to see and do. It all contributes to making this trip into a memorable one. SIGHTS Tank Bund Tank Bund Hyderabad's most popular promenade, the Tank Bund dams the Hussain Sagar lake. It is lined with 33 statues of famous personalities of the state. Ever Sunday cultural programmes are conducted in the evenings and admission is free for the public.Recently installed is the monolith of Buddha at the centre of the lake. This lake is the venue of many a water sporting event. A new park near Tank Bund, called Lumbini Park has musical fountains that are popular with both locals and travellers form elsewhere. Show at 6.30 p.m.and 8 p.m. Birla Mandir Overlooking the Tank Bund, the Birla Mandir presents an arresting sight when illuminated in the evening. This magnificent structure built entirely out of marble from Rajasthan, stands atop the Kala Pahad, the twin hillock of the Naubat Pahad. Built by Birla Foundation over a span of ten years, the main temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. Char Minar Standing across the main thoroughfare of the old city of Hyderabad, Charminar is the best known landmark of the city. It was built in the 16th century by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. The monument is lit at night during important festivals. Lad Bazar Close to the Char Minar is the Lad Bazar or the bangle alley with rows of shops selling lacquer and glass bangles. Mecca Mosque Standing very close to the Char Minar is the most impressive mosque of the city, Mecca Masjid. The construction of the mosque was started by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, in 1614 AD but it was completed in 1687 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It's noteworthy aspects include the lofty colonnades and arches made of single slabs of granite. The largest mosque in the twin cities, it can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers at prayer. Close to the mosque are tombs of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Golconda Fort West of the city lies the historic Golconda Fort. The fort lies deserted and can be visited by taxi. Nearby are a series of interesting tombs. Osmania University Dominating the well laid out campus is the imposing Arts College building showing a blend of Ellora paintings on the first floor and Sarcenic-Moorish arches on the second floor.The huge gateway has been designed on the patterns of buildings in Damascus. Various colleges are situated on the campus along with a picturesque landscaped garden and an auditorium. NOTICE This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and originated from World66.com. For more information see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0

posted Oct 26, 2004 | Comments (0)

Overview and Essential Travel Information - Bangalore, India

 This place was Amazing visited Oct 26, 2004

OVERVIEW Bangalore is famous for its booming IT and Internet industry. The town has a large Anglo-Indian minority and is considerably more westernized than many Indian cities. The fact that Bangalore is a high-tech place does not mean that it has no interesting sights. It's simply an all-round place. You might want to visit the Palace of Tippu Sultan, once home to the south Indian king famous for battling the British, the Bull Temple, the Indian Institute of Science and other scientific research institutes, Cubbon Park, and the 240-acre/100-hectare Lal Bagh botanical garden with its pools terraces fountains trees and herbs are highlights. Bangalore is also an excellent starting point for exploring Southern India and the state of Karnataka in special. Bangalore is 855 km southeast of Mumbai. It lends itself well for a day-trip to Hampi. There are also a number of organized day trips to Mysore, the historic capital of the state during British India, when it was the princely state of Mysore. SIGHTS These are many sights in Bangalore. It's up to you to decide whether you want to visit one of the temples, such as the Bull Temple, go to one of the museums or relax in the park. After all, you've come to the garden city and it would be a shame to miss out on the quiet oases. Tippu Palace Bangalore's Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tippu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. Nearby is The Palace Hyder Ali began and Tippu completed. Resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carving and paintings. Seshdari Iyer Memorial In the Cubbon Park are the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library, the High Court and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre, is a recreational, hobby and educational centre for children. LalBagh Botanical Gardens Hyder Ali laid out these famous botanical gardens and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The gardens today have over 1000 species of flora. The Glass House, modeled on London's Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400-acre park. Friday Mosque The oldest mosque in the city is an imposing one. Tall ornamented granite pillars adorn the elevated prayer hall. NOTICE This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and originated from World66.com. For more information see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0

posted Oct 26, 2004 | Comments (0)