If there is a truly heavenly spot on Earth, it is probably located in New Caledonia. At least that's what those who have been here are saying. And it's hard to argue with this - magnificent beaches, snow-white yachts swaying on azure waves. In addition, serene calm always reigns here, not interrupted by various events that periodically shake the world political arena.
Amazing facts about New Caledonia
Even though New Caledonia is located in the Pacific Ocean, de jure, it is considered an overseas department of France. And, like other former French colonies that never gained independence, this country primarily exists thanks to the financial support of the metropolis. It is not so easy for the French to move here to live because they will not receive any social benefits here. The French authorities decided to cut off the flow of their citizens who wanted to wallow on New Caledonian beaches, do nothing and live on welfare.
1. New Caledonia is located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia.
2. This country is one large island in the Pacific Ocean, including a relatively small island group.
3. New Caledonia is a particular administrative-territorial entity of France.
4. About a quarter of the New Caledonian population are Europeans, primarily French.
5. New Caledonia consists of the leading and most significant island, Grande Ter, and several other smaller islands.
6. The total area of the New Caledonia archipelago is 19,060 km². This can be compared to the size of Wales.
7. The famous navigator James Cook first discovered these islands for Europeans.
8. Therefore, the island got its name in honor of Caledonia, an area located in Scotland, which was the birthplace of Captain Cook.
9. From the nearest giant neighbor, Australia, New Caledonia is separated by 1200 kilometers.
10 ... According to scientists, New Caledonia separated from Australia about 66 million years ago.
11. Then, for 16 million years, the archipelago drifted in a northeasterly direction until it reached its current position about 50 million years ago.
12. The first people appeared here about 3.5 thousand years ago. After the discovery of this archipelago by Cook, British whalers and sandalwood traders soon began to appear there.
13. The influx of foreigners brought trade and many diseases that the indigenous population first encountered. Leprosy, smallpox and dysentery led to the mass extinction of the indigenous people.
14. As trade in this place expanded, so did the number of missions, which further eradicated local customs and traditions.
15. The French arrived on the island's territory in 1843 under the pretext of protecting the indigenous population and made it their colony in 1853.
16. But the French needed New Caledonia only to counteract British influence in this region.
17. New Caledonia was a French colony from 1853 until the end of the 1980s.
18. In 1988, the Matignon Accords were signed, according to which the archipelago gained independence but remained under the strong influence of France.
19. The former colonialist retained his powers in defense, currency, public order, justice, and foreign affairs.
20. Despite the new status, New Caledonia depends on France. More than 50% of this country's income is subsidies from France.
21. Europeans first settled in New Caledonia when France established a colony there. In the 19th century, the French sent former prisoners there and gave them land there to farm and build houses.
22. Now, out of 278,500 people in New Caledonia, about 30% have French roots.
23. Of the entire population of the whole country - a little more than a quarter of a million people, about a hundred thousand live in the capital city of Noumea.
24. And about 40% of the local population are Kanaks, representatives of one of the peoples of Melanesia. However, their culture practically disappeared under the influence of France. Even the purely Kanak villages here are more like European than Pacific settlements.
25. In 2018, a referendum was organized on the independence of New Caledonia from France, resulting in the overwhelming majority of voters opposing independence.
26. The local currency is called the French Pacific franc. In addition to New Caledonia, this currency is circulated on the Wallis, Futuna Islands, and French Polynesia.
27. French traditions are decisive here. This manifests itself in architecture, local food, and croissants. But this does not surprise anyone since New Caledonia is an overseas possession of France.
28. Not surprisingly, the official language of New Caledonia is French.
29. Although the locals speak 30 Melanesian and Polynesian languages and dialects.
30. Of course, most of the population speaks French. New Caledonia. But Indonesian, Vietnamese, Tahitian, Welsh, and Chinese are among the archipelago's 30 most widely spoken languages .
31. Since most of the country's population is fluent in two languages, French and one of the 30 most common languages.
32. But most people here do not speak English. Tourists must learn French if they desire to feel comfortable while relaxing in New Caledonia.
33. Most citizens of New Caledonia identify themselves as Catholics.
34. Almost 97% of the local population is literate, which is a high rate for countries in Oceania.
35. Education in New Caledonia is free and compulsory for children between 6 and 16. Primary education lasts five years. Secondary education is divided into two cycles: the first last four years, and the second - is three years.
36. If Caledonian citizens wished to obtain a higher education, they did not have to travel abroad. There are five higher educational institutions in the country.
37. Education in New Caledonia is based on the French curriculum provided by French and French-trained teachers.
38. The national flag of New Caledonia is a rectangular panel with three stripes: blue, red, and green. The blue stripe symbolizes the sky and the ocean. Red is the blood that the patriots shed in the fight for freedom. The red color also represents collectivism. Green is the color of ancestors.
39. Besides the three stripes, the flag has a yellow circle with a spire inside. The ring symbolizes the sun. It became the national flag in July 2010. Before that, it was used as a regional flag, France's national flag.
40. The Kanaks, the indigenous people of the archipelago, have long cultivated yams, Talos (potato-like roots), bananas, and sweet potatoes. Until recently, these products were the main ones in their diet. Also, bats were used as Kanaka meat. Now, these products are leaving their table, replaced by rice (instead of yams and that), frozen foods, beef, pork, and lamb.
41. Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, was built by French colonists and was practically the only major city. About 90% of the population lives in the money, which does not have indigenous roots.
42. The climate here is tropical. There are two seasons: hot and humid and dry and cool. Hot and humid last from November to March. The average temperature is kept within 27-30 degrees Celsius. And the dry and cool season lasts from June to August when the average air temperature reaches 20-23 degrees Celsius.
43. Here in the central mountain range, the highest peaks are Mont Panier (height 1629 meters), located in the north, and Mont Humboldt (elevation 1618 meters), located in the southeast.
44. Despite the compact size of the country's main island, about 3,000 different plant species grow on it.
45. And forests cover about 15% of all New Caledonia.
46. Large tracts of forest have been preserved in the vicinity of Jensen. Severe rocks, framed by picturesque waterfalls, break through the green cover.
47. Near Yengen, there is “the most picturesque cliff in the country” - the “black rocks” Linderalik and Mount Pani. In the town itself, it is worth getting acquainted with the Goa-Ma-Bwarhat Cultural Center - a venue for folklore performances.
48. New Caledonia is a unique oasis of Pacific flora and fauna. The archipelago is surrounded by the most significant 1600 km reef barrier in Oceania, forming a relatively closed ecosystem.
49. For 300 million years, the islands were completely isolated from the rest of the world; this explains the vast number of endemics, especially in the plant world - about 2,500 unique plants make New Caledonia the "first botanical garden" of the entire South Pacific region.
50. The pride of the Caledonian flora is Amborella Trihopoda, the "mother of flowers" on our planet.
51. The animal world here is not very diverse. Only a few species of bats lived in New Caledonia even before the advent of Europeans, deer, and wild pigs, and there are no other mammals. Also, there are no poisonous snakes or frogs.
52. Several species of scorpions and centipedes can be found on the country's territory. It is also curious that many geckos live on the local islands.
53. And up to 100 species of birds are found here, and in New Caledonia, there are 22 species of birds that live only in this region and are not found anywhere else in the world.
54. Although New Caledonia receives a lot of money from France and tourists, the main contribution to the budget is the extraction of nickel, the rich deposits here. Nickel mining in the archipelago began in 1894.
55. Nickel is New Caledonia's main export commodity. According to preliminary estimates, about 25% of its world reserves are in New Caledonia.
56. Horse racing is popular in New Caledonia, as is women's cricket.
57. The visa regime here is quite strict. For example, even holders of French passports must come to terms with the fact that their stay on the island is limited.
58. Salaries here are much higher than in other Pacific countries. Prices, by the way, too.
59. New Caledonia is a hospitable country with gourmet food under palm trees, white sand, chic resorts, and bungalows. If there is a truly heavenly spot on Earth, it is probably located in New Caledonia. At least that's what those who have been here are saying.
60. magnificent beaches and snow-white yachts are swaying on the azure waves. In addition, serene calm always reigns here, not interrupted by various events that periodically shake the world political arena.
The islands of Tonga are practically unknown in the world, more precisely, most people on Earth do not even know about the existence of such a state. Recently, they are gaining popularity only among eco-tourists and downshifters.
Tonga is a tiny island country in the Pacific Ocean. People here live a habitual life that almost does not change over time, and even if they do not live richly, they are calm and quite happy. Here, no one cares about politics or the world economy - life here is limited to the territory of the country itself.
Tonga- top facts
1.Tonga is a small island country in the Pacific Ocean.
The majority of the world's population does not even suspect the existence of this country.
2. This state is located in Polynesia. The official name of the country is the Kingdom of Tonga.
3. The Kingdom of Tonga is an archipelago, it consists of 177 islands. Most of the islands of the Tonga archipelago are of volcanic or coral origin. Of the 177 islands, only 36 are inhabited by people.
4. These 36 islands have a total population of 108,020 people.
5. The total area of Tonga is 748 square kilometers.
6. British explorer James Cook called Tonga "Friendly Islands" and this phrase is used by the country's tourism industry to this day to attract tourists from all over the world.
7. James Cook named these islands after attending a magnificent feast and festival in his honor, organized by the leader of the island of Haapai - Finau Ulukalala. But Cook did not even suspect that the feast was actually a red herring. Finau Ulukalala and members of his tribe wanted to attack Cook and his expedition and rob the ship. But the leader did not dare to do this and abandoned his idea shortly before the start of the feast.
8. The capital of the state is Nuku'alofa. This city was founded in 1795 on the island of Tongatapu. It is now the largest and most populous city in the Kingdom. Nuku'alofa is home to ¼ of the population of Tonga.
9. Tongatapu Island is an atoll with an area of 260 km², it is also the largest and most populous island in the state. About 70% of the country's population lives on the territory of this atoll.
10. The Kingdom of Tonga was created by King George Tupou I. During his reign, the first set of laws was created on the islands, and Christianity became popular. George Tupou I reigned from 1845 to 1893 until his death at 95. Under him, the period of wars and unrest, which lasted from 1799 to 1852, was completed, and a constitution was adopted.
11. Most of the country's inhabitants are Christians. 1/3 of the country belongs to the United Methodist Church, and 1/5 of the country belongs to the Mormons. Due to the fact that there is a small number of inhabitants, it turns out that Tonga is the leader among the countries of the world in terms of the number of Mormons per capita.
12. Tonga is a mono-national country, more than 96 percent of the population are Tongans.
13. Almost the entire population of the country has Polynesian roots. The inhabitants of TongA are closely related to the Samoans and other Polynesians in culture and language, as well as in genetic heritage.
14. The kingdom gained independence from Great Britain in 1970.
15. Life here is limited to the territory of the country itself. No one here cares about politics and the world economy. People here live a habitual life that almost does not change over time, and although they do not live richly, they are calm and quite happy.
16. Due to the lack of suitable stone for construction, almost all buildings in Tonga are made of wood. But the royal palace and the parliament building are made of stone, and building materials were delivered here from other places.
17. The Kingdom is located in the so-called Pacific volcanic ring of fire and has at least 4 active volcanoes on its archipelago. In 2009, there was a strong undersea earthquake measuring 8.3, which, in turn, caused a tsunami. As a result of this tsunami, a large number of villages were destroyed.
18. Over the past two centuries, at least 35 volcanic eruptions have occurred on the islands of Tonga, the last was in 1960.
19. The highest point in the Kingdom is an unnamed place on the island of Kao, towering 1033 meters above sea level.
20. The climate on the islands of Tonga has two distinct seasons - dry and rainy. As for the average annual temperature, it is around 26 degrees Celsius.
21. The Tonga archipelago has two national parks and six reserves.
22. Tonga has two official languages - English and Tongan. But in practice, few people here speak and understand English.
23. Most Tongans are very religious people. The official religion of the kingdom is Christianity.
24. There are some diplomatic missions on the territory of the Kingdom of Tonga.
25. The Kingdom of Tonga maintains diplomatic relations with many countries.
26. The economy of this state is based on agriculture. Agriculture is the driving force in the country. The main export commodities that bring the greatest income to the country's budget are beans, coconuts, bananas, corn, breadfruit, limes, and pineapples.
27. In addition to these products, Tonga also exports timber, animal meat and fish.
28. Most of the produce grown is consumed by the Tongans, while the rest is exported to the United States of America, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
29. The country also imports products from countries such as Australia, Singapore, USA, Fiji and New Zealand.
30. There are no railways in Tonga.
31. Hard-surfaced roads in Tonga are only about two hundred kilometers long.
32. The total length of roads in Tonga is about seven hundred kilometers.
33. There are only a few car rentals in the country.
34. There is only one international airport here. Flights from Tonga are only available from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.
35. The crime rate in Tonga tends to zero, as in other small island countries like Niue or Kiribati.
36. Like many other island nations lost in the ocean, Tonga is experiencing problems with fresh water. Tongans collect rainwater in special tanks.
37. This country is home to the so-called "disappearing" island of Fonuafoʻou. This is an underwater volcano, which throughout history has repeatedly “peeped out” of the water, and then plunged back in the same way.
38. Between 1781 and 1865, shallow water formed near the volcano. In 1867, he already looked out from under the water. By 1885, it had risen to a height of 50 meters above sea level (at its highest point), and reached a length of 2 kilometers. Then the leadership of the state announced that they had a new island, Fonuafoʻou. However, after a few decades, he again disappeared under water. Two years later, Fonuafo'u reappeared, and its peak point reached 320 meters.
39. The government organized an expedition and wanted to plant the flag of Tonga there and plant some palm trees, but after the volcanic eruption, the island submerged again. Until 1927, he was under water. Then it appeared and existed until 1949, after which it again plunged under water. She reappeared in 1954 and sank again in 1959. Today it is under water at -17 meters above sea level.
40. The Tongan armed forces took part in the First World War, as well as in the peacekeeping operation in Iraq.
41. Bats are sacred animals in Tonga. These are the property of the monarchy and they are protected by law. Therefore, it is forbidden to harm them or use them as pets on the islands. Thanks to this policy, the islands of Tonga are an ideal place for these mammals.
42. The only embassy of Tonga is located in China, in Beijing.
43. In addition to the danger posed by the Pacific Ring of Fire, Tonga also faces a major sea level rise problem. While some parts of the country are quite high above sea level and protected by mountainous terrain, others, flat areas with relatively low altitude, may be flooded in the near future.
44. Grocery stores in Tonga do not have as much variety as one might expect, canned goods of all kinds predominate here. Affects the remoteness from civilization.
45. The national sport in Tonga is rugby.
46. The Tongan currency is called paanga. In everyday life, it is sometimes called the Tongan dollar.
47. Five radio stations broadcast throughout the kingdom.
48. The land area of the kingdom increases from time to time due to volcanic activity, as a result of which new islands rise to the surface of the ocean.
49. The islands of Tonga were practically unknown in the world. Even most people on Earth did not even know about the existence of such a state. Recently, they have been gaining popularity, especially among eco-tourists and downshifters.
50. Many tourists come to this country to swim with humpback whales. Every year from June to October, whales make an amazing journey of 5,000 kilometers from Antarctica to the warm waters of Tonga. They return to Tonga to breed. After their cubs get stronger, the whales return back.
35 cities of the world that are breathtaking in the photo, but in real life they can upset
Not all popular destinations and hyped, advertised cities, places and areas in the world will in reality create an image that has been specially given to this or that locality to attract tourists. Otherwise, tourists simply would not go if there was not an interesting background behind the place of their trip.
Advertised cities that upset many tourists (Reddit users share)
Here's a compilation of Reddit users' thoughts for travel bloggers where people candidly talked about their experiences visiting some of the most famous cities among tourists. And ... they did not like them from the word AT ALL!
The experience, of course, is subjective, but we think you should know about it too, so as not to be too upset about those places where you dreamed of visiting for tourism purposes, but are unlikely to get there in the foreseeable future!
1. Dubai, UAE
“This is the main clickbait of the whole world. “We have the biggest/tallest/most expensive…” and “YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHEN YOU SEE THIS…” It’s really just government propaganda.”
2. Las Vegas, USA
“I once ordered 4 drinks and my bill was $117. And also the heat. And noise. And it's all creepy." — BubotheGunganEwok / Reddit
3. Portland, USA
“I live in Oregon. People constantly say that Portland is the best city in the world. I tell everyone…please visit other cities. Portland is nice, but my God, it's not the coolest city in the world." — lesbyeen / Reddit
4. Athens, Greece
“I was itching to go there because I am Greek. The air here is dirty, polluted, and all the famous ruins are right next to the city buildings that do not match the style. The place looks like part of a third world country." imatiredwoman/reddit
5. Myrtle Beach, USA
"I'm not even saying that this place has a good reputation, I'm just saying that any positive attitude towards it makes it overrated." — ThereGoesJoe / Reddit
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Amsterdam in the summer is too crowded with tourists who come here in search of dubious pleasures. It's much nicer here in the winter, and nearby towns like Delft and Utrecht are just as good if you like beautiful views." — GroundbreakingCow435 / Reddit
7. Birmingham, UK
“I don’t understand how the only thing of interest in the UK’s second largest city can just be a mall?! It's such a gloomy, gray place that's not interesting at all. Every other major city in the UK has its own unique qualities and attractions that make it worth visiting. I haven't seen anything like this in Birmingham yet." — thats_up_top / Reddit
8. Delhi, India
“There are much better places to visit in India. Most Indians from other parts of the country are already aware of this, but in my experience, I am baffled by the fact that tourists almost always go there.” — samurai489 / Reddit
9. Atlantic City, USA
“You go a few blocks from the boardwalk and it’s incredibly depressing. It is quite obvious that this is an area exploited by large casinos while the locals are reduced to absolute poverty, but they are still forced to smile in order to work in the shops that are necessary for the flow of tourists. — juanzy / Reddit
10. American side of Niagara Falls
“The American side of Niagara Falls is bullshit! There are a lot of shabby buildings and banal tourist traps, and it's disgusting." — Zudop / Reddit
11. Dublin, Ireland
“I love Ireland and places like Killarney are incredible, but Dublin is just an average, mediocre city where everything is overpriced.” — AnAwesomeWalrus/Reddit
12. Los Angeles, USA
"It's dirty, it's criminal, it's full of homeless people, it's crowded, it's ugly and it's hard to get around." — Effective_James / Reddit
13. Palm Springs, USA
“There is literally nothing to do here, except go to some 4-star restaurant and play golf. Although there is no normal golf even in Palm Springs. So many celebrities come here as if it's some kind of luxury city, but it really isn't. People here just sip alcohol and vote against all the interesting things proposed.” — Aroused_Sloth / Reddit
14. Niagara Falls, Canada
“I grew up there. The head directs most of the taxes to casinos and tourism with flashy attractions in the style of Vegas. — PretendLibrarian0 / Reddit
15. Cairo, Egypt
"It's beautiful, but there's a new and unusual way to be deceived around every corner." — lordpanda / Reddit
16. Miami, USA
"There's nothing! Sure, there are a couple of interesting places to visit - Biscay is a really interesting place - but if you want to do something that doesn't involve hanging out at the mall or sunbathing, Miami is the void that slowly sucks your thoughts out. Miami is hell that somehow fooled the entire continent into thinking it was heaven." — machu_pikacchu / Reddit
17. San Francisco, USA
“The Golden Gate Bridge and the pier are cool, but the rest of the city is disgusting. Absolutely dirty and very expensive even for a mediocre hotel.” — awkjen / Reddit
18. Albuquerque, USA
"Albuquerque. It's like the bad east side of any city, but the WHOLE city seems like that." — tshirtguy2000 / Reddit
19. Vancouver, Canada
“It's beautiful, but inaccessible to life. It's also quite dangerous, especially in East Hastings in Vancouver. It's like a completely different world." — AmielJohn/ Reddit
20. Clearwater Beach, USA
“Such a dense building that there is almost no beach left. The traffic is TERRIBLE, so plan on 2-4 hours of your beach time just for the ride. Sucks for the locals." — kurnadurn/reddit
21. Pompeii, Italy
“The atmosphere was toxic, the local fair was pretty bland, nothing was showing at the local amphitheater, and it seemed like everyone you visited was asleep.” — GluttonAsteroth/Reddit
22. Austin, USA
"Austin, Texas. Lived there in the 90s and it was pretty cool. Now it's a crowded, expensive city." — DontShootTheFood / Reddit
23. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“There is nothing more beautiful in this city. Now it's just a war zone, people are killing each other for nothing, no one is following the laws, and the state doesn't have enough power to fight the drug lords, so they basically do what they want." — ArthurNeedHelp / Reddit
24. Branson, USA
Branson, Missouri. Just don't go there...”
25. Cabot Cove, USA
Cabot Cove, Murder Capital of the World. Of course, all murders are solved, but would you really want to live in a city with so many easy-to-solve crimes?” —Andvare/Reddit
26. Bali, Indonesia
“Bali has changed so much in the last 10 years. It used to be so beautiful and amazing... now it's full of "digital nomads", overpriced food and other civilizational "goodies". I remember when it was just a cool place to surf with cheap food." — HippoNo9775 / Reddit
27. Beijing, China
"Beijing. I arrived at the end of the Trans-Mongolian Railroad trip after seeing so many incredible places and I think it was just a huge anti-climax. I didn't like being touched and laughed at on the subway (I'm European with very white skin and curly hair). Overall it was really challenging despite some amazing views.” — Teapigs1984 / Reddit
28. Manila, Philippines
"Manila... The traffic was terrible and it was so dirty, beautiful buildings, but the whole experience was tense." — Bigjay_37 / Reddit
29. Ottawa, Canada
"You could die of boredom if Montreal wasn't around." — tshirtguy2000 / Reddit
30. Philadelphia, USA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. No offense to the people who live there, but I felt that everyone was angry, traffic and parking are worse than in Manhattan, and the city does not have any of the redeeming qualities of New York.” – YOLO_SWAG_SATAN / Reddit
31. Bangkok, Thailand
"Literally hell on earth." — vch01 / Reddit
32. Marrakesh, Morocco
“I know that everyone loves Marrakesh, but I hated it. It used to be awesome around 2000, but now it's like a Disneyland style version of their culture to cater to western tourists. Men dressed as Ali Baba pretending to be desert nomads. Their "handmade goods" are just cheap fakes from China and you can't walk five meters without being noticed by the scammers. Literally every block. The whole city seems to be just a facade to attract stupid money tourists. I understand why people love it, but that was my opinion. — legshampoo / Reddit
33. Paris, France
"So... that there is a syndrome named after this city where tourists see what it really is and lose the intrigue." — Alvinmcnoodle1 / Reddit
34. Trenton, USA
“I didn’t actually visit it and didn’t intend to go there, I just passed by on the Amtrak train. I woke up from a nap and saw that the train had just stopped in a place that looked like Raccoon City. Rubbish was everywhere and most of the buildings looked abandoned. The sky was cloudy and literally green. Kind of sickly yellow-green. And the creepiest thing is, I didn't see a single car driving down the street, or anyone walking outside on the bare sidewalks. All shops and restaurants looked closed and empty.
In fact, for a moment, I felt as if I were seized with fear, in a haze after sleep. I just wanted the doors to close and the train to move out of there. No one took the Amtrak in Trenton. I didn't even know if anyone was in this Trenton... As the train started moving and we passed through the city center, a railway bridge across the river caught my attention. On the side was a massive sign that read TRENTON CREATES, THE WORLD TAKES. — tr0nvicious / Reddit
35. Frankfurt, Germany
"Just a kind of boring banking/political city."
Saint Lucia is an island country next to South America. The economy is developed through tourism, agriculture, and foreign investment.
Cosmopolitans obtain second citizenship of Saint Lucia to travel without visas to 145 countries, including the Schengen states, the UK, Andorra, and Singapore.
We tell you where Saint Lucia is located, what is worth seeing in the country, how the local population lives, and how much it will cost to rest on one of the favorite islands of Americans.
Amazing facts about Saint Lucia
1. Saint Lucia is a state located on the same name island in the Lesser Antilles archipelago, a former colony of Great Britain.
2. Saint Lucia is an island nation located between the islands of Saint Vincent and Martinique. The Atlantic Ocean borders the island to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west.
3. Saint Lucia is located northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean.
4. Saint Lucia is currently the only country in the world named after a woman: Saint Lucy of Syracuse. This Christian saint and martyr is the patroness of people with vision problems.
5. Corresponding the name of the island on which this Caribbean state is now located was given by French sailors who were shipwrecked next to it on the day of this saint's holiday (December 13). This holiday is celebrated to this day in Catholic and Protestant countries.
6. Contrary to the earlier opinion, Christopher Columbus did not discover this island. True, the island was indeed part of the route along which the world-famous explorer walked, but the Columbus team did not land on it.
7. The first people on this island were not Europeans. According to the results of research by historians and archaeologists, the island was initially inhabited by the Arawak Indian tribe during the settlement from the continental part of South America.
8. The Arawaks inhabited the region from the 2nd millennium BC to the 1st millennium AD. The population of these Indians began to decrease significantly with the arrival of Europeans in America, who brought smallpox and other deadly diseases to the natives.
9. In 1550, the French pirate Francois Le Clerc founded the first European settlement on Pigeon Island, located near Saint Lucia and now part of the country of the same name.
10. Saint Lucia has 158 kilometers (98 miles) of coastline.
11. The area of the Caribbean state is 617 square kilometers. This is approximately 1.5 times less than the area of Kyiv (839 square kilometers) and two times larger than the area of Minsk (349 square kilometers). Also, the size of St. Lucia is 3.5 times larger than the Washington, DC (USA) area.
12. The population of Saint Lucia is about 188 thousand people. This is almost 800 times less than in the Russian Federation.
13. The local population accounts for only about 0.002% of Earth's total population. The country is in 193rd place in the world ranking of countries in terms of population (between Samoa and Kiribati).
14. The island often changed hands. The French were the first European settlers to settle on the island. In 1660 they made a peace treaty with the native Indians.
15. At the same time, the island has a long colonial history. In the 17th and 18th centuries alone, control of the territory changed hands between the British and the French 14 times. As the island frequently changed hands between British and French colonists, Saint Lucia was also known as the "Helena of the West Indies."
16. In 1814, the British finally took control of this place. Between 1958 and 1962, the island was a member of the Federation of the West Indies. In 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations, an organization created by the United Kingdom.
17. Saint Lucia declared independence from the British Empire (now the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on 22 February 1979. The islanders celebrate this holiday very actively since many of them witnessed the proclamation of the independence of their homeland.
18. Like most Caribbean countries, Saint Lucia is part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is still considered the head of this state, represented by a governor-general. According to the constitution, it can be any citizen of the Commonwealth, appointed by the will of the monarch. A local native is usually selected for this post based on the country's head of government's recommendation.
19. The Royal Police Force includes a special forces unit and the Coast Guard.
20. Administratively, the country is divided into 11 parishes. There are local self-government bodies - city and village councils and administrations.
21. Having a volcanic origin, the island of St. Lucia is more mountainous than most other islands located in the Caribbean.
MOUNTAINS IN SAINT LUCIA
22. Rising 950 meters, Mount Jimi is the highest point among the ridges of wooded mountains that divide the island from north to south.
23. Two other large local mountains form the Piton chain, the most famous landmark of Saint Lucia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
24. Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two mountains that rise sharply from the Caribbean coast and surround a small bay. The Piton Mitan ridge interconnects them.
25. The low mountains located in the central part of the island are covered with forests in which many orchids grow. Numerous rivers and streams flow down from the hills, forming small waterfalls.
26. The climate of the island is tropical, with trade winds. The average monthly temperature is around 26°C. The dry season lasts from January to April and the rainy season from May to August. In September-October, "Indian summer" comes, reminiscent of "Indian summer" in Russia.
CASTRIES - THE CAPITAL PORT OF THE STATE
27. The bulk of the population are blacks and mulattoes - the descendants of enslaved people brought from Africa after the extermination of the Indians.
28. The official language is English, although a large part of the population speaks Patois, the local dialect of French.
29. The modern symbol of this country is a parrot; the past one is an iguana. Since 1980, the national symbol of Saint Lucia has officially been a parrot, found only on the same name island. A parrot with a green plumage color, a blue-violet forehead, and front of the head, blue head, ears, and cheeks inhabits the island's tropical forests, living on mountain slopes at an altitude of up to 1 thousand meters above sea level.
30. Now, this bird is on the verge of extinction. The damage to the bird population was caused by many years of felling and uprooting old trees, replacing forests with plantations, and hunters and birders. At the end of the last century, about four hundred individuals were in the wild. Now parrots are under state protection.
31. Interestingly, before the arrival of Europeans, a completely different animal was the island's symbol. The first inhabitants of St. Lucia, among the Arawaks who arrived from South America, called this place Ioanalao. It means "land of the iguanas."
32. Most islanders live in the coastal part of Saint Lucia at the foot of the mountain range. About 60 thousand people live in the island's northern region, mainly in the capital city of Castries. The Indians have descendants. And even today, ancient Arawak languages are spoken by a small number of people from Saint Lucia, as well as neighboring island nations such as Grenada, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
33. Multilingualism is a common socio-cultural phenomenon in the Caribbean island. Although the official language of Saint Lucia is English, Patois Creole and Queyol French are spoken by 95 percent of the population.
34. In this regard, the islanders bypass most other peoples. Indeed, according to the latest research, only about 75% of the world's population speaks two or more languages (multilingualism) to one degree or another.
35. Although plantation slavery was abolished in the island nation as early as 1834, Saint Lucia remained an island dependent on agricultural production and cheap manual labor for a long time.
36. Agriculture was concentrated on the cultivation of sugar cane. In 1964, sugar cane plantations were converted to banana production.
BANANA PLANTATIONS
37. Bananas are still the main crop on the island to this day, complemented by the production of coconuts, cocoa, citrus fruits, spices, cassava, and sustainable fishing industry.
38. But Saint Lucia is not a "banana republic." Rapidly developing since the 70s of the last century, tourism is vital to the economy of the Caribbean state.
39. The most significant number of tourists visit the island by sea on cruise ships through one of the five major ports. The completion of the construction of a new terminal for Quantum-class cruise ships gave an enormous impetus to the development of cruise tourism.
40. Ports are connected with the capital and other cities by a ring road that runs throughout the island. Tourists here can rent not only cars but also yachts or helicopters.
41. Islanders lived long in warmth and were surrounded by lush vegetation. The average life expectancy in Saint Lucia is 72 years. The officially registered literacy rate of the local population is about 67 percent of the people.
42. This Caribbean island nation is the same size as Islay in Scotland. And if Islay is known for single malt Scotch whiskey (Laphroaig or Lagavulin), then St. Lucia has become famous for slightly different alcoholic beverages. We are talking about popular varieties of rum, such as Chairman's Reserve and Rodney's Reserve.
43. To attract more wealthy guests to the island, its authorities periodically arrange large-scale cultural events. So, the islanders hold a variety of sports festivals.
44. An annual jazz festival is also held there, attracting tourists and musicians from all over the world to the resorts of St. Lucia. The festival's grand finale takes place on Pigeon Island, located to the north of the country's main island of Saint Lucia, also called similarly.
DEREK WALCOTT
45. Despite a relatively modest population, this country can boast of having two Nobel Prize winners among its citizens at once. Sir Arthur Lewis, born in Saint Lucia in 1915, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979. Derek Walcott, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992, was born in Castries in 1930.
46. As a result, Saint Lucia ranks second in the world rankings regarding the ratio of Nobel Prize winners compared to the total population. Only the Faroe Islands (one Nobel laureate out of 49,000) have a higher density of Nobel laureates.
47. Orchids and a range of other exotic plants will grow in the lush rainforests of this island country. Saint Lucia is also adorned with pristine white and black sand beaches. The average annual temperature there is around 27ºC.
48. The islanders did not win the Olympics, despite their love of cricket. There are no Olympic medals in the piggy bank of Saint Lucia athletes. None. The most considerable Olympic achievement of the islanders was the performance of a team of six successfully qualified athletes at the Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA) in 1996.
49. But this does not prevent Caribbean athletes from keeping their bodies in good shape. Fortunately, there are more than enough sports infrastructure facilities in Saint Lucia. And, of course, we are talking not only about the numerous pools next to the no less numerous local hotel complexes. The island also has several grounds for playing cricket, which is widespread and very popular.
50. Tourism and bananas are the primary sources of foreign exchange for Saint Lucia.
51. Society in Saint Lucia is matriarchal rather than patriarchal. On this island, women are usually entirely responsible for running the household. They manage the home and raise their children. And in most cases, they do it with little or no help from men.
52. From a very early age, girls on the island receive more education from their parents than boys. This continues in school and colleges. For this reason, more and more women are taking on leadership roles, making careers while men continue to do unskilled work.
53. Many islanders practice the use of traditional therapies and alternative medicine. The island even has several relevant medical facilities. Some locals have a wealth of experience using plants and herbs combined into various tinctures, poultices, and remedies.
54. There are also practicing shamans in the country (locally known as Obeah or Tchenbwaorzeb). With the help of spells, these people treat not only medical ailments but also mental disorders and troubles of a supernatural origin. But even with traditional medicine in Saint Lucia, everything is in order.
55. Saint Lucia is a trendy destination for weddings and honeymoons.
56. The island state is also considered a natural paradise for divers. The waters of the jurisdiction offer them multi-layered underwater walls, shipwrecks, and coral reefs that form unique ecosystems with very colorful inhabitants.
57. There are two airports in St. Lucia - St. Lucia Huanora and Castries George Charles. The airport in Castries is intended for local airlines, while Huanora serves international flights connecting the island with New York, London, Toronto, Miami, Chicago, Montreal, and other major cities.
58. Citizenship in this country gives many bonuses. For example, being the owner of her passport, you can easily open bank accounts worldwide and freely invest in different parts of the world.
59. Saint Lucia is also an excellent base for expanding business globally.
60. Saint Lucia is part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. It is a member of the UN and its specialized organizations, the Organization of American States and the Organizations of the Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Community, and the Caribbean Common Market.
Interesting facts about Bangladesh are an excellent opportunity to learn more about South Asia. This country was a British colony for a long time, and only in 1971 received independence from it.
Bangladesh is a small but very densely populated country located in southern Asia. Much has it in common with neighboring India- culture, traditions, customs, and the peoples themselves inhabiting Bangladesh. This state, along with China, is one of the leading suppliers of cheap labor - a vast number of various things sold worldwide are made in Bangladesh.
Facts about Bangladesh
1. Bangladesh is a small country located in southern Asia.
2. Bangladesh as a country did not exist until 1971. Indian, Turkic, and Mongol tribes ruled its territory and the British for centuries.
3. This country was a British colony for a long time, and only in 1971 receive independence from it.
4. Bangladesh has many things in common with neighboring India - culture, traditions, customs, and the people who inhabit the country.
5. This state, like China, is one of the leading suppliers of cheap labor. A vast number of various things that are sold around the world are made in Bangladesh.
6. Bangladesh is the most populous state on the planet - 1154 people per 1 km².
THE CAPITAL OF BANGLADESH IS DHAKA CITY
7. The capital of Bangladesh is the city of Dhaka. It is the 5th largest city in the world and the most densely populated.
8. The area of Dhaka is 304 km2. About 10 million people live in this area. Compared with Moscow, its area is 2561 km2, and the population is slightly more than 12.5 million people.
DHAKA BY NIGHT
9. There is incredible movement due to the high population density in Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka. Here, those caught in a traffic jam will need about 30-40 minutes to drive 1 kilometer. Dhaka also has deplorable roads, so traffic rarely exceeds 75 km/h.
10. In addition, the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, is very polluted. In addition to lousy air, car sirens constantly sound, unpleasant odors are present, etc.
11. According to a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Dhaka is the second most uninhabitable city on the planet.
COPY OF THE TAJ MAHAL IN BANGLADESH
12. In the vicinity of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the local oligarch Asanullah Moni built a life-size copy of the Taj Mahal. This building is located on the territory of his possessions. one
13. In 1757, the territory of this state was conquered by Britain (previously, it was under the control of the Mongols).
14. In 1857, there was a sepoy uprising, which led to the transfer of the region to the British Raj.
15. In 1947, the British Raj gave up territories due to a decade-long independence movement. At the same time, the countries of India and Pakistan (East and West) were created. Bangladesh was "East Pakistan" and became an independent state only in 1971.
16. On the country's territory, many archaeological sites and artifacts are over 4000 years old, dating back to 2000 BC.
SOMAPURI VIHARA MONASTERY
17. Somapuri Vihara Monastery, built in the 8th century, is one of South Asia's most significant archaeological sites. The complex is spread over an area of more than 11 hectares.
18. After the division of British India into Bangladesh, a unique enclave of the third order was formed - Dakhala Kagrabari.
19. The territory of India was surrounded by the lands of Bangladesh, which, in turn, were surrounded by the possessions of India, and those were again located within the borders of Bangladesh.
20. This terrible mess was only resolved in 2015 when the two countries' governments signed an agreement on exchanging territories.
21. Bangladesh ranks 10th in the world in terms of population.
22. Bangladesh is a monistic country with 98% of Bengalis.
23. But a large number of citizens of this country, approximately 7.5 million people, live outside their country.
24. Almost half of this number live in India, about 1 million in Saudi Arabia, and the rest in the Middle East.
25. The Bangladeshi diaspora has contributed enormously to their country's economy as foreign workers constantly send remittances home. Approximately 5% of Bangladesh's GDP is remittances from citizens abroad.
26. Most Bangladeshi citizens are engaged in agriculture. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the population is farmers. Without farming, many people in this country could not survive.
27. About 96% of the country's income comes from selling clothing and fabrics. Moreover, many popular brands manufacture clothes in Bangladesh due to low labor and production costs.
28. Approximately 90% of the population is Muslim. Among Bangladeshi Muslims, 96% are Sunnis, 3% are Shiites, and about 1% are Ahmadis.
29. Bangladesh is the world's fourth largest Muslim country. This state is second only to Indonesia, Pakistan, and India.
30. The official language in the country is Bangla, known as Bengali. Also, many people speak English, especially in urban areas.
31. Some non-Bengali Muslims speak Urdu as their first language.
32. Despite its small size, Bahrain has unique places and sights in every corner of the city or village.
33. The country's sights are diverse and unique, and each architectural monument has an exciting history. Interesting places in Bangladesh are located mainly in the city of Dhaka and Chittagong.
34. The sights of Bangladesh are the great pride of the Bengali people. Most people here are believers, so there are many mosques and Buddhist temples in Dhaka.
MOSQUE BAITUL MUKARRAM
35. The Baitul Mukarram Mosque was built in 1960; its style resembles the famous Kaaba, the main shrine of all Muslims. Of course, it also has its characteristics, for example, the painted elements on the walls are made in a modern style, and at the entrance to the mosque, the most beautiful reservoir greets visitors.
36. The history of Bangladesh began 4 thousand years ago, during which time the people of the republic had to endure many wars and revolutions. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the country, the monuments of Bangladesh are literally "at every turn."
MEMORIAL MONUMENT SHIKHID-MINAR
37. Memorial monument Shahid-Minar, located in the central part of the capital. In the mid-1950s, residents staged a peaceful demonstration in support of the preservation of the Bengali language. The government of Pakistan decided to suspend the rally, resulting in a significant clash between civilians and law enforcement agencies.
38. Students of the city of Dhaka erected a temporary monument in memory of the tragedy, which was destroyed. The final restoration of the memorial was possible only after the last international recognition of the independence of Bangladesh.
39. Bangladesh is known to many as a charming country that boasts beautiful nature. Glittering rivers, stunning mountain ranges - all this is available in Bangladesh.
PINK PALACE
40. This country is home to the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans. This forest has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. Its area is 10,000 km2, of which 6,000 km2 are located in Bangladesh, the remaining 4,000 km2 in India.
41. Most of the republic is located only a few meters above sea level. Several researchers claim that 10% of the territory of Bangladesh will be flooded if the sea level rises by at least 1 meter.
42. A very unusual phenomenon can be observed in Barisal. For inexplicable reasons, you can hear sounds reminiscent of artillery shots. In this regard, this phenomenon was nicknamed "the guns of Barisal."
BANGLADESH NATIONAL MUSEUM
43. The museums of Bangladesh have several departments: ethnographic, department of natural history, department of world civilization, etc. The National Museum of Bangladesh was built at the beginning of the last century. Its archive contains more than ten thousand exhibits: ancient relics, paintings, weapons, sculptures, tapestries, and much more.
44. Bangladesh has competed in every Olympic Games since 1984 but has failed to win a single medal.
45. The national flower of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the lily, and the animal is the Bengal tiger.
46. The building of the National Assembly of Bangladesh is one of the unusual objects in the capital due to its design structure. The design of the building combines concrete, water, and light. Appearance - these are geometric shapes folded together: squares, triangles, circles.
47. The main difference between the seasons in the country is the amount of rain. This is because the air temperature in Bangladesh almost does not change.
COX BAZAR BEACH IN BANGLADESH
48. Bangladesh has the longest beach in Asia. It's called Cox's Bazar. The beach is located in the Bay of Bengal, in the southwestern part of the country, and is the longest in Asia and the 3rd in the world. The length of Cox's Bazar is 120 kilometers.
49. Citizens of Bangladesh are exceptionally hospitable. For this reason, they may invite any stranger into their home. The guest must try all the treats on the table, as refusing food here will be regarded as disrespectful to the hosts.
50. Despite poverty, the country has a relatively high literacy level. Among adults, about 76% of men and 70% of women are literate. Among young people, the figures are even higher. About 92% of the country's young population aged 15 to 24 are educated.
The Indian city of Delhi, the noisy multinational capital of this country, is able to shock an unaccustomed tourist. It is often referred to as New Delhi, although in fact only one of the city's districts bears this name. However, New Delhi can be called one of the most decent areas of the capital. It is noticeably cleaner and quieter here, while the typical Indian flavor is more than enough here.
Delhi's long and colorful history begins around the 6th century BC, and since then it has been repeatedly attacked, occupied, sacked, and rebuilt over the centuries. The medieval period was especially turbulent, and throughout its history, it has been the capital of many different empires.
Interesting facts about Delhi
1. The Indian capital of Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world
2. It is not known exactly when the city of Delhi was founded. It is believed that this happened about 5000 years ago.
3. When founded, this city was called Indraprastha.
4. Delhi is not only the capital of India, but also the second largest city in the country after Mumbai (former Bombay).
5. During the history of its existence, this city has seen the rise and fall of several civilizations.
6. In the past, Delhi managed to visit the center of various states of antiquity, and the Indians themselves romantically call this city “the capital of seven empires”.
7. The city is located at the foot of the Aravali ridge - in the northwestern part of the country, on the banks of the tributary of the Ganges.
8. This is a large densely populated metropolis, in which different nationalities and cultures are mixed in a bizarre way. The urban agglomeration of Delhi is the third largest in the world in terms of population after the agglomerations of Tokyo and Mumbai.
9. The name of the city comes from the Persian "dakhliz", which means "border" in translation. According to an alternative version, the name comes from the name of Raja Dilli, who founded his capital here.
LAKSMI NARAYAN TEMPLE IN DELHI
10. Although there is no consensus on the number of settlements on the territory of the Indian capital, according to one theory, 16 successive cities existed here. The first of them - Indraprastha - was founded as early as 3000 BC. The Indian capital received its modern name after the construction of the city of Dhillika.
11. Often this city is called New Delhi, although in fact this name is only one of the urban areas.
12. By the way, New Delhi can be called one of the most decent areas of the capital. It is noticeably cleaner and quieter here, although there is enough typical Indian flavor here.
DISTRICT OF NEW DELHI
13. All metropolitan functions here are concentrated in the New Delhi area.
14. About one and a half times more people live in Delhi than in Moscow, and this is only according to official statistics, but the real number is higher - no one simply counts the inhabitants of the slums.
15. Including the suburbs, Delhi has about 27 million people, about 5 times more than in Finland or Slovakia.
16. Since India's independence from Great Britain, the population of Delhi has increased by more than 10 times. The population density in Delhi exceeds 11 thousand people per square kilometer.
17. Delhi has long been in the top 5 most populous cities in the world. In all of India, this city is second only to Mumbai in terms of population, but fewer people live there.
18. The area of Delhi reaches 1483 km². This is approximately 660 times the area of the Principality of Monaco.
19. Delhi is considered one of the centers of world tourism, which is not surprising - there are 60 thousand monuments with a thousand-year history, and some of them are over 2000 years old.
TEMPLE COMPLEX AKSHARDHAM
20. Temple complex Akshardham Hindu culture in Delhi is one of the most visited attractions, included in the Guinness Book as the largest Hindu temple in the world.
21. Since about 20% of the population of Delhi is illiterate, signs here often use not only words, but also drawings, which can be used to understand what exactly is being advertised.
22. In just 60 years, the population of Delhi has increased tenfold. This increase is due to migration that occurred after the declaration of independence in India.
23. Everyone rushed to the capital in search of work, and such overpopulation provoked many social problems in the city, in particular, slums, in which, according to statistics, several million people live, most often unemployed.
24. Slums are a serious social problem of this metropolis, because people live in conditions of complete unsanitary conditions and an increased crime situation. There are practically no modern communications there.
IRON COLUMN IN DELHI
25. Delhi's unique and mysterious attraction is the Iron Pillar, which is a pillar weighing 6 tons, 99.7% iron. According to some reports, the column is more than 2 thousand years old, and there are no signs of corrosion on it, its secret has not yet been unraveled.
26. There is a belief that one who wants to be happy should clasp the pillar with his hands, leaning his back against it, so that the tourists in their perseverance polished the metal to a shine.
27. The most densely populated area of Delhi is the Old City. Here the population density is several tens of thousands of people per 1 square kilometer.
28. About 80% of the inhabitants of Delhi are Hindus, 10% are Muslims, and another 10% are all the rest, mostly Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs.
29. In different states of India, different languages have official status, and Hindi and English are official for the whole country.
30. In Delhi, the Punjabi and Urdu languages also enjoy similar status.
31. The local population communicates in Hindi, but more than 20 spoken languages are in use. In writing, English prevails, and few people use it in oral speech.
32. On the streets of Delhi, a variety of outfits are mixed, from barefoot hermits and ladies in national saris to office workers in suits and foreign tourists in shorts and flip flops.
33. There are many more men in Delhi than women, as many of them come here from all over India in search of work.
34. In Delhi, there is a special female taxi, with female drivers. It only serves women and couples, not single men. This is due to the high risk of rape in India.
MINARET QUTUB MINAR IN DELHI
35. The Delhi Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world.
36. The heat record in Delhi is +48.8 °C, and during the daytime temperatures here usually fluctuate between 30 and 40 °C depending on the season of the year. And once there was even recorded a temperature below 0 ° C! More precisely, -0.8 °C.
37. In December-January, the average daily temperature in Delhi usually drops to 8-9 degrees Celsius, so it's not always hot here. Cold air comes from the Himalayas, and the whole of Delhi is plunged into a thick fog.
38. The ecological situation here leaves much to be desired. A huge amount of transport emits a lot of pollutants into the atmosphere, and a hat of smog often hangs over Delhi.
39. In Delhi, rickshaw cabs are prohibited, which carry customers, harnessing themselves to the carriage.
40. Traffic jams on Delhi roads are very big. Moreover, a brand new Mercedes and a horse-drawn cart can stand nearby.
41. The most popular and common transport here is tuk-tuk, (auto rickshaw, or three-wheeled motorcycle taxi). But tuk-tuks and cycle rickshaws are not allowed to enter the city center.
42. According to the results of the latest census, almost 20% of the inhabitants of the Indian capital are not literate.
SLUMS IN DELHI
43. A significant part of the population of Delhi lives without access to running water, sewerage and electricity.
44. In Delhi, only 54% of the population is known to have access to purified piped water. The rest are forced to use private and public artesian wells, which cannot but lower the level of groundwater.
45. In Delhi, you can try any dish of Indian cuisine - Punjabi, Muggle, Rajasthani, Mararashtran, Hyderabad and others.
46. The Indian city of Delhi, the noisy multinational capital of this country, is able to shock an unaccustomed tourist.
47. Unfortunately, despite the large army of policemen, Delhi still retains a leading position among the country's most criminal metropolitan areas.
48. Everything is here - sparkling skyscrapers, and luxurious villas, and ancient temples, and an eerie-looking slum.
49. Among the sister cities of Delhi, major cities of the world are Chicago, London, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Moscow, St. Petersburg and others.
50. Many tourists say that you can see the "real India" in the old parts of the city, where there are many bazaars, ancient temples and other things. And New Delhi is a quite respectable business center.