Lake Garda, Italy.

Lake Garda is one of northern Italy's most popular tourist destinations. Tyroleans and Bavarians regard it as a home away from home a few hours' drive to the south, while the advent of cheaper flights to the many nearby airports has increased the attraction for those hailing from the north of Europe.

Take a look at the information about the lake itself:

Those who enjoy the more active style of holiday might want to see what is on offer in the way of sports in the area, while those who enjoy the pleasures in life can sample the local cuisine and wines:


Lake Garda Sports :-

Lake Garda is one of the favourite sporting destinations in northern Italy - to a large degree, because of the range of activities on offer. Four of them are picked out below, but there are also paragliding, horseriding, sailing and plenty of other options on offer - equipment and instruction is available from centres, outfitters and rental shops on the lake.

The north of Lake Garda is a windsurfing mecca, with the resorts of Riva - and especially the neighbouring village of Torbole - extremely popular holiday destinations for windsurfers from all over Europe.

The day is marked by two distinct wind patterns - a colder wind coming out of the mountains to the north (the "peler") in the early morning and a warmer wind which blows from the south in the afternoon (the "ora"). These are created by the rising hot air and sinking cold air in the mountains at various points of the day and night. The "peler" can be quite a strong wind, producing waves suitable for skilled riders.

Kitesurfing is also growing in popularity

Solar Ark, Gifu, Japan.

The Solar Ark is an ark-shaped solar photovoltaic power generation facility which offers activities to cultivate a better appreciation of solar power generation, and thereby benefitting both ecology and science.This 315-meter-wide, 37-meter-tall facility is located in Anpachi, Gifu Prefecture, in the geographical center of Japan, and can be seen from the JR Tōkaidō bullet train, which runs past on an adjacent railway. It has over 5000 panels that produce approximately 530,000 kilowatt-hours on an annual basis and a maximum system power of 630 kilowatts.

Stationed at the center of the Solar Ark is the Solar Lab, a museum of solar energy and one of the more unusual museums in the world. A unique, hands-on, outdoor light exhibition was planned for opening in 2005, for the first time in Japan. The Solar Ark was an enterprise partner with the 2005 World Exhibition, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the largest solar buildings in the world.

HISTORY :-

The Solar Ark was constructed by Sanyo Electric Co. Its development was accidental among other things. Initially, Sanyo Electric had intended to create the largest photovoltaic system in the world, with a 3.4 megawatt output, to mark the organisation's 50th anniversary. By 1998, designers had already been in discussions about the Solar Ark’s appearance. Sanyo had planned on using cutting edge solar technology available to them at the time, using a combination of crystal silicon and thin-film amorphous silicon with 14-15% efficiency. However during the initial planning, Sanyo had to recall several monocrystalline cells, which were the predecessors of the hybrid technology mentioned before, due to insufficient output.

Sanyo Electric Co. still decided to go ahead the Solar Ark’s construction; however, instead of using the previously planned technology, Sanyo instead, used the recalled monocrystalline cells. Sanyo says “We have done this to show our sincere regret that this problem has occurred and to express our willingness and determination to both remember what happened and how important it is to maintain quality.” Construction was completed in December

Fly Ranch Geyser, Nevada.

Fly Geyser is a very little known tourist attraction, even to Nevada residents. It is located right near the edge of Fly Reservoir and is only about 5 feet high, 12 feet if you count the mound on which it sits. The Geyser is not an entirely natural phenomenon, and was accidentally created in 1916 during the drilling of a well. The well functioned normally for several decades, but then in the 1960s geothermally heated water found a weak spot in the wall and began escaping to the surface. Dissolved minerals started rising and piling up, creating the mount on which the geyser sits, offering an eerie, out-of-the-world sight. The mound is still growing

Vale Da Lua, Brazil - The most Luminous are on earth seen from SPACE.

Brazil's Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located in the Chapada dos Veadeiros, an ancient plateau with an estimated age of 1.8 billion years. Based in the Brazilian state of Goias, the Park was created on January 11, 1961 by President Juscelino Kubitscheck, and listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2001. It occupies an area of 655 square kilometres and is maintained by IBAMA.

Climate :-

The average yearly temperature is 24-26 degrees Celsius, ranging from a minimum of 4-8 degrees Celsius and reaching a maximum of 40-42 degrees Celsius.

Altitude :-

With altitudes between 600 and 1650 meters, it is the highest plain in Central Brazil. The highest point of the park and of the state of Goiás is Serra da Santana, at 1691 meters above sea level.

Rock formations :-

Its rock formations are one of the oldest on the planet. There are quartz with outcrops of crystals. These rocks are exported and appreciated in Japan and England, where for some decades they were used for industrial work. Nowadays therapists and nature lovers seek energies and the power to cure from the crystals and from places like Alto Paraiso. Rock crystals are present in the soil of the rich Cerrado, or open pasture. Forest growth is also still found in the region, where more than 25 species of orchids can be found, besides other Brazilian species such as Pau d'Arco Roxo, Copaíba (Copa Tree), Aroeira (California pepper tree), Tamanqueira (Cork Tree), Jerivá (a variety of Palm Tree), Buritis (Wine-palm) and Babaçu (Babassu). The main river in the park is the Rio Preto, a tributary of the Tocantins River. Along

Red Sea Star Restaurant - The ONLY Underwater Restaurant and Bar in the WORLD.

In the water of the Red Sea, seventy meters off the shore of Eilat, a unique underwater attraction was created - the Red Sea Star - the only underwater restaurant and bar in the world.

At the Red Sea Star you can enjoy :-

Exotic and delicious seafood and meat dishes in the underwater restaurant, while merging with the amazing underwater sea world in its natural surrounding.A large selection of drinks and beverages in a romantic peaceful atmosphere at the unique underwater bar. Wining, dining and partying in style to the sound of music of the 60s, 70s and 80s in the "Metro Bar" our upper dance bar on the beautiful wooden deck, ten meters above the sea level, overlooking the magical view of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Edom mountains.

Situated on the entrance floor of the Red Sea Star is a modern luxurious auditorium with 90 seats, in which lectures are given to organized groups. The Red Sea Star has been receiving extensive coverage throughout the world since its establishment, especially because of the unique concept it was based on, its exceptional construction process, its fascinating interior design and the fact that it is a "green" project, which contributes profoundly to the preservation of the coral reef surrounding it.

The Red Sea Star was constructed by first line experts using special resources and equipment imported from all around the world. The underwater floor of the complex is shaped like a star, displaying a fascinating marine-world interior design admired throughout the world. The underwater floor functions as an observatory, in which the underwater restaurant and bar are located.

The Red Sea Star enables you to "sense the sea" through a "dry diving experience" and to discover the magnificent and exciting underwater world of the Red Sea. A breathtaking view of hundreds of various tropical sea creatures in the colorful coral garden is seen through 62 panoramic amorphous windows surrounding the observatory, located five meters below the sea level.

The Red Sea Star is probably the only night-observatory in the world. Our guests enjoy the rare sight of the aquatic kingdom at night, when the underwater garden is softly lit, without disturbing the natural inhabitants.
The Red Sea Star is a "green" project. Our marine life experts and skilled divers have been working for years to save, reconstruct, preserve and nurture the coral reef surrounding the project.

The Restaurant is open daily (including weekends and holidays) from 10:00 a.m. till 01:00 a.m.

STRUCTURE :-

A unique, complex construction process involving approximately 6,000 tons of steel and concrete
The Red Sea Star was designed by the architect Sefi Kiryaty. The structural calculations and design were done by the engineers Mr. Moshe Dreemer and Dr. Nitai Dreemer. The "Star's" steel sections were fabricated by the Kadmani Metal Works in the north of Israel between 1995 and 1996, prior

Caves of Crystals, Mexico, Biggest natural crystals cave in the world.

Cave of the Crystals or Giant Crystal Cave (Spanish: Cueva de los Cristales) is a cave connected to the Naica Mine 300 metres (980 ft) below the surface in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico. The main chamber contains giant selenite crystals (gypsum, CaSO4·2 H2O), some of the largest natural crystals ever found. The cave's largest crystal found to date is 12 m (39 ft) in length, 4 m (13 ft) in diameter and 55 tons in weight. The cave is extremely hot with air temperatures reaching up to 58 °C (136 °F) with 90 to 99 percent humidity. The cave is relatively unexplored due to these factors. Without proper protection people can only endure approximately ten minutes of exposure at a time. A group of scientists known as the Naica Project have been heavily involved in researching these caverns.

Geography :-

Location :- Naica, Saucillo Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico
Coordinates :- 27°51′3″N 105°29′47″W
Depth :- 300 m (980 ft)
Length :- 27 m (89 ft)
Discovery :- 2000
Geology :- Limestone
Hazards :- High temperature (58 °C) and humidity (~ 99 %)
Access :- Privately owned

Formation of the Crystals :-

Naica lies on an ancient fault and there is an underground magma chamber below the cave. The magma heated the ground water and it became saturated with minerals, including large quantities of gypsum. The hollow space of the cave was filled with this mineral-rich hot water and remained filled for about 500,000 years. During this time, the temperature of the water remained very stable at over 50 °C (122 °F). This allowed crystals to form and grow to immense sizes.

Discovery :-

In 1910 miners discovered a cavern beneath the Naica mine workings, the Cave of Swords (Spanish: Cueva de las Espadas). It is located at a depth of 120 m, above the Cave of Crystals, and contains spectacular, smaller (1 m long) crystals. It is speculated that at this level, transition temperatures may have fallen much more rapidly, leading to an end in the growth of the crystals.The Giant Crystal cave was discovered in 2000 by miners excavating a new tunnel for the Industrias Peñoles mining company located in Naica, Mexico,while drilling through the Naica fault, which they were concerned would flood the mine.[8] The mining complex in Naica contains

Angel Falls , World's Highest Waterfall.

Angel Falls (Spanish: Salto Ángel; Pemon language: Kerepakupai Vená, meaning "waterfall of the deepest place", or Parakupá Vená, meaning "the fall from the highest point") is a waterfall in Venezuela. It is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft). The waterfall drops over the edge of the Auyantepui mountain in the Canaima National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Canaima), a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar State. The height figure 979 m (3,212 ft) mostly consists of the main plunge but also includes about 400 m (0.25 mi) of sloped cascades and rapids below the drop and a 30-metre (98 ft) high plunge downstream of the talus rapids.The falls are on the Gauja River (alternatively known as the Kerep River or Kerepacupai), which flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River.

Location :- Auyantepui, Canaima National Park, Venezuela, Bolivar State.
Coordinates :- 5°58′03″N 62°32′08″W
Total height :- 979 m (3,212 ft)
Number of drops :- 47
Longest drop :- 807 m (2,648 ft)
World height ranking :- 1

Origin of Name :- 

The waterfall has been known as the "Angel Falls" since the mid twentieth century; they are named after Jimmie Angel, a US aviator, who was the first person to fly over the falls. Angel's ashes were scattered over the falls on July 2, 1960.The common Spanish name "Salto Ángel" derives from his surname. In 2009, President Hugo Chávez announced his intention to change the name to the purported original indigenous Pemon term ("Kerepakupai Vená", meaning "waterfall of the deepest place"), on the grounds that the nation's most famous landmark

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania , Dormant Volcano.

Mount Kilimanjaro, is nicknamed the roof of Africa and is proud to be the highest mountain in Africa.  The mountain is located in northeastern Tanzania, near the border of Kenya.  Kilimanjaro was first climbed in 1889 by German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountain climber Ludwig Purtscheller, long before W. H. Tilman and C. Houston made the first ascent from the south of Everest in 1950.  Ever since it has been a coveted climb by tourists and professional climbers around the world.

Mount Kilimanjaro is actually a dormant volcano. Its two peaks stand about 11 km (about 7 mi) apart and are connected by a broad ridge. The highest peak, Kibo, rises to 5895 m (19,340 ft) above sea level, and the summit of Mawensi is 5149 m (16,892 ft) above sea level.Although Kilimanjaro is only 3 degrees south of the equator, an ice cap covers the crater of Kibo year-round.  This mountain and it's ice cap was the inspiration for Ernest Hemingway's famous novel:  "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" (1938).

Geology :-

Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo 5,895 m (19,341 ft); Mawenzi 5,149 m (16,893 ft); and Shira 3,962 m (13,000 ft). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo's crater rim. Kilimanjaro is a large stratovolcano. Two of its three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo (the highest peak) is dormant and could erupt again. The last major eruption has been dated to between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago. Although it is dormant, Kibo has fumaroles that emit gas in the crater. Several collapses and landslides have occurred on Kibo in the past, one creating the area known as the Western Breach.

Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro :-

There are six official trekking routes by which to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, namely: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain, which can be done in six or seven days. The Rongai is the easiest and least scenic of all camping routes with the most difficult summit night and the Marangu is also relatively easy, but accommodation is in shared huts with all other climbers. As a result, this route tends to be very busy, and ascent and descent routes are the same.
People who wish to trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro are advised to undertake appropriate research and ensure that they are both properly equipped and physically capable. Though the climb is technically not as challenging as when climbing the high peaks of the Himalayas or Andes, the high elevation, low temperature, and occasional high winds make this a difficult and dangerous trek. Acclimatisation is essential, and even the most experienced trekkers suffer some degree of altitude sickness. Kilimanjaro summit is well above the altitude at which high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) can occur. All trekkers will suffer considerable discomfort, typically

The abandoned Wonderland Amusement park outside Beijing, China !

In Chenzhuang Village, China, about 20 miles northwest of central Beijing, the ruins of a partially built amusement park called Wonderland sit near a highway, surrounded by houses and fields of corn. Construction work at the park, which developers had promised would be "the largest amusement park in Asia," stopped around 1998 after disagreements with the local government and farmers over property prices. Developers briefly tried to restart construction in 2008, but without success. The abandoned structures are now a draw for local children and a few photographers, who encounter signs telling them to proceed at their own risk. Reuters photographer David Gray visited the site on a chilly morning earlier this month and returned with these haunting images of a would-be Wonderland.

The entrance to an abandoned building leads into a derelict amusement park called 'Wonderland', on the outskirts of Beijing December 5, 2011. With local governments often dependent on land sales to fund payments on a staggering 10.7 trillion yuan ($1.7 trillion) of debt, Beijing worries that a collapsing property market will trigger a wave of defaults that in turn will hit the banks.

Footsteps in fresh snow are seen across a walkway leading to the entrance of a derelict amusement park called 'Wonderland', on the outskirts of Beijing December 5, 2011.

A sign warning people about potential poisons in the soil is pasted on a pillar of an abandoned building that was to be part of an amusement park called 'Wonderland', on the outskirts of Beijing December 5, 2011.

Nara Dreamland in JAPAN !

Nara Dreamland was a theme park near Nara, Japan which was built in 1961 and inspired by Disneyland in California. On August 31, 2006, Nara Dreamland closed permanently.

Layout:

The entrance to the park was designed to look almost identical to Disneyland, including the Train depot, a Main Street, U.S.A. and the familiar Sleeping Beauty Castle at the hub. It also had a Matterhorn-type mountain (with a Matterhorn Bobsleds-type ride, called Bobsleigh), and the skyway running through it, as well as an Autopia-type ride and a monorail. The park also had its own mascots, Ran-chan and Dori-chan, two kids dressed as bearskinned guards.

Attractions:

The park contained several rides prior to closing, including:

* Aska, a wooden roller coaster based on The Cyclone at Coney Island
* Screw Coaster, an Arrow Dynamics designed double corkscrew steel roller coaster
* Bobsleigh, a steel roller coaster modeled after the Matterhorn Bobsleds
* Fantasy Coaster
* Kid's Coaster
* Monorail
* Other rides included a carousel, a small powered coaster, a Jungle Cruise styled ride, and a log flume.