60 interesting facts about the country of Oman

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.

 

 

The official name of this state is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The country is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Florida peninsula. The Bahamas is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the world; tourism profits account for more than half of the state's GDP. Every year, the number of tourists visiting these islands is many times greater than the number of local residents.

 

Facts about the Bahamas

 

The archipelago includes more than 700 islands, but only a small part of them (about 30) has a permanent population. The total area of ​​all the islands is about 14,000 square kilometers, and the population is almost 400,000 people. It is assumed that the first Indian settlements were founded in the 9th century, and the first Europeans visited here in 1492. It was an expedition led by Christopher Columbus.

 

 

1. For a long time, the Bahamas were a colony of Great Britain, they received independence only on July 10, 1973. Currently, the Bahamas are a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is the Queen of England, who is represented on the islands by the Governor General. Residents of the Bahamas are not subject to income tax.

 

2. Gambling business brings a solid income to the state treasury, there are many casinos on the islands that were opened here in the late sixties, when the Bahamas were a colony of Britain. For a long time, only foreigners were allowed to enter the casino; local residents were forbidden to visit such establishments. The restrictions were only lifted in 2013. They tried to organize a National Lottery for local residents, but it was not particularly popular with the islanders.

 

3. Currently, more than 80 percent of the local population are descendants of Africans. The standard of living here is quite high, the Bahamas are even called "Caribbean Switzerland". The average life expectancy in this country is 71 years, and literacy is 96 percent. The annual population growth is more than 2,000 people.

 

4. Eternal summer reigns in the Bahamas, which attracts tourists from all over the world all year round. George Washington, who visited here at one time, called the Bahamas "the islands of eternal June." But, on January 17, 1977, an amazing event was recorded on the island of Grand Bahama - snow fell here. But not many people managed to admire this unexpected natural phenomenon, the snow melted almost instantly.

 

 

5. New Providence Island is not even in the top ten of the Bahamas in terms of territory, it covers an area of ​​​​207 square kilometers. However, almost 70 percent of the entire population of the country lives here. The capital of the Bahamas, the city of Nassau, is also located here. Not far from the city is the largest international airport in the Bahamas, where tourists arrive from the USA, Great Britain, Canada and the Caribbean.

 

6. On one of the islands of the archipelago live pigs that willingly swim in the sea. They spend a lot of time in the water, swim up to tourists in anticipation of food. Many legends are connected with their appearance on the island. According to one of them, sailors brought the pigs here, but did not have time to eat them all, and the remaining individuals bred. According to other information, the pigs got to the island on their own from a wrecked ship near the island.

 

 

7. There are no railways in the Bahamas, this is due to the small area of ​​\u200b\u200bmost of the islands. The main means of transportation in the Bahamas is a car. The total length of highways is about 3,000 kilometers. Most of them are privately owned. Traffic here is on the left.

 

8. At one time, the Bahamas were a haven for pirates who traded in the Caribbean. At the beginning of the 18th century, they were expelled by the British, at which time the Caribbean became an English colony. But, until now, there are rumors about countless treasures that were buried by sea robbers on the island of Andros. Many tourists visit the island not only to relax, but also try to find pirate treasures.

 

9. The most popular seafood is on Sink Island.

 

 

10. The population lives on only 30 of the total number of 700 islands in the Bahamas. New Providence is an inhabited island in the Bahamas with a population of over two hundred thousand.

 

11. While the country is driving on the left, it is surprising to find some cars steering on the left and others on the right.

 

12. The Bahamas is one of two countries whose official name begins with the word "the".

 

13. The Bahamas are right on the edge of the infamous Bermuda Triangle.

 

14. The Bahamas have a wonderful underwater cave system. The sea was low 250 feet from its current level during the Ice Age. Acid rain eroded the limestone on the island and led to the formation of vertical and horizontal caves.

 

15. On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus is believed to have landed on the island.

 

 

16. The slave trade was the main economic enterprise on the island after the departure of the first royal governor of the island, Captain Woodes Rogers. Slavery ended in the island nation in 1838.

 

17. "Linden V" became the country's first prime minister after independence on July 10, 1973.

 

18. During the 1980s, the island became a notorious destination for the drug trade. Almost 90% of the cocaine reportedly entered the US through the Bahamas.

 

19. "Hubert Ingraham" became Prime Minister of the Bahamas in 1992 and served another consecutive term in his chair. During his administration, he noted the creation of jobs and the economic development of the country.

 

20. The Bahamas signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on February 4, 2005.

 

21. There is no railway on the island, and the road network on the larger islands extends over 2,693 km of roads.

 

 

22. Hurricane Floyd caused significant damage to the island, and the country fell into decline in tourism.

 

23. 2004 - and another ferocious hurricane hit the Bahamas: Hurricane Francis, which causes widespread harm to the living and non-living.

 

24. The case has not yet been settled, and they saw another monster hurricane on the island; tearing up houses, uprooting trees, throwing up cars and smashing houses. However, the island is ready to shine again and come back as strong as it needs to be to forget the pain and destruction caused by a natural disaster.

 

25. The Bahamas and an import-oriented economy. However, significant tourism activity and government-provided financial services bring in a lot of foreign exchange to balance the economy. According to the CIA, the economy of the Bahamas is developing and stable.

 

26. The Bahamas have the world's third largest shipping registry.

 

 

27. There is only one stock exchange in the Bahamas, the Bahamas International Stock Exchange (BISX).

 

28. There is no income or sales tax for residents of The Bahamas. Most government revenue comes from tariffs and import charges.

 

29. The Government of The Bahamas provides maternity assistance for every live birth and a 13-week maternity benefit.

 

30. Tourism makes up about 40-45% of the country's economy. It has beautiful beaches, flora, fauna and many recreational and resort facilities.

 

31. Gambling is legal for non-Bahamians who visit the Bahamas.

 

32. A tourist from the US and Canada is not required to carry a passport to the Bahamas for a stay of less than three weeks. Every year, millions of visitors to the country spend billions of dollars. The average cost of staying on the island per day varied depending on the time of year and location. You can expect to spend between $30 and $400 a day during your visit to the island.

 

 

33. The Bahamian dollar is equal to the US dollar and you can easily use US dollars throughout the island as they are freely accepted as cash. However, the United States does not accept Bahamian dollars at its counters. You will have to exchange currency or spend it in the Bahamas before leaving the country.

 

34. More than 90% of Bahamians are followers of Christianity. However, there are also spiritists who worship various spirits, and even followers of the voodoo cult. They are mainly immigrants from Haiti and some African countries, as well as their descendants. However, followers of various religions in the Bahamas get along peacefully, and there are no conflicts on this basis.

 

35. The Bahamas is home to the world's largest colony of pink flamingos, birds that everyone knows. On the island of Big Inagua, which is part of the archipelago, there are about 50,000 of these amazing birds.

 

A world where everything is filled with happiness is a vacation on the islands of French Polynesia. In this realm of perfection of beauty and grace, cherished desires come true, and miracles become possible. The magic of the southern seas lies in the names of the islands of Polynesia. Tahiti - the Queen of the Pacific Ocean, Moorea - the island of flowers and dreams, Bora Bora - the most beautiful island in the world, Hua Hin - the island of ancient ruins of Polynesian temples, Raiatea - the cradle of Polynesian civilization and, according to legend, the birthplace of the gods, and Hiva Oa - a favorite island of many. The names of the islands of French Polynesia are filled with the spirit of legends. Each island has its unique charm - eyes, heart, and soul - everything is open to the perception of new, complete, and vivid impressions.

 

Interesting facts about French Polynesia

 

1. Beautiful country French Polynesia is an overseas community and a constituent country of France.

 

2. True, many do not know where French Polynesia is located. You may have heard that somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. But, probably, many people know at least the names of the Tahiti and Bora Bora islands.

 

3. French Polynesia is located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.

 

4. French Polynesia is an archipelago that includes the Marquesas Islands. This country consists of 118 islands, the largest of which is Tahiti.

 

5. Among all the islands of French Polynesia, the nine most remarkable can be distinguished. These are the islands: Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, Huahine, Fakarava, Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, and Maupiti.

 

6. The development of modern French Polynesia island territories began at the beginning of our era. First, the natives settled in the Marquesas Islands.

 

7. When European travelers first appeared here, the people who lived on the island of Tahiti were the most developed among the population in socio-economic terms. It was ruled by representatives of the royal dynasty of Pomare.

 

 

8. France took these territories under a protectorate in 1842.

 

9. Then, the islands became colonies in the 90s of the 19th century. The archipelago received a new status in 1946. Now, these places have become an overseas territory of France, and all the native islanders have become its citizens.

 

10. Since 2004, the archipelago has been called an overseas community of France.

 

11. Many islands of French Polynesia have second Russian names: Rurik, Lazarev, Raevsky, and others.

 

12. The Tuamotu archipelago has a second name - the Russian Islands. And all because these islands were discovered and described by Russian navigators Bellingshausen, Lazarev and Kotzebue.

 

13. Also, the descendants of the Russian General Leontiev played a significant role in the fate of French Polynesia. His grandson Alexander was elected from Polynesia to the French Parliament, where he helped Polynesia gain internal self-government and later became chairman of the government of French Polynesia (1987-1991).

 

14. The second grandson, Boris, founded the New Star party, which advocated the expansion of the rights of indigenous Polynesians. The third grandson, Igor, became the multiple champion of Tahiti in bodybuilding and the eight-time holder of the title "Mr. Polynesia."

 

 

15. The capital of the archipelago is a small but relatively modern city of Papeete, located on the island of Tahiti, surrounded by natural beauty. The local air is saturated with the pleasant aroma of tropical flowers.

 

16. Papeete is the best example of harmony between virgin nature and urbanism. And the pearl of the capital is the Black Pearl Museum, opened in 1998 by Robert Wang. Numerous museum exhibits will tell tourists about the importance of black pearls and their role in the original history and culture of the islanders.

 

17. French Polynesia is a great place to relax. Nature on the islands of the archipelago is luxurious. Here, aesthetic shock can fall upon tourists. The islands of French Polynesia are indescribably beautiful.

 

18. And the lagoon is bright turquoise. The water is evident. The greenery of the valleys is emerald green. The sky - do not come off. Mountain peaks rise in large-scale teeth on the horizon. And all this combines is a holiday for an esthete, a photographer's dream. And you can sit in warm water forever.

 

19. The climate on the islands is tropical; sunny days prevail here. The average air temperature is +27C, and the water in the lagoons warms up to +26C on average. There is no sweltering heat here; the air is refreshed by constantly blowing winds from the ocean.

 

 

20. The year is divided into two seasons: from December to February, it is hot and humid here, and from March to November, the dry season reigns, not so hot.

 

21. In French Polynesia, there are differences in climatic conditions. This is due to the origin of the islands; some of them are of volcanic origin, and others are coral.

 

22. Volcanic islands have rivers, lakes, and a wide variety of flora and fauna.

 

23. Due to the lack of fresh water, coral atolls have less vegetation and no rivers.

 

24. But nature on the coral islands is delightful in its way: a magnificent climate, beautiful beaches, impenetrable thickets of exotic vegetation, the beauty of the indigenous inhabitants of the islands - all this is typical of French Polynesia.

 

25. Despite the apparent seclusion, the island's population already exceeds 280 thousand people. Some may think the island's area is small, but it is not. It reaches four thousand square kilometers.

 

26. Remoteness allowed the inhabitants of the islands to maintain their identity. It will be interesting for tourists to watch the local wedding ceremony, the aborigines walking on hot coals, and the aborigines meeting the sunrise of the daylight.

 

 

27. The archipelago islands are inhabited by people distinguished by modesty, honesty, and diligence. The hospitality of the population is especially distinguished. Although the official languages ​​​​of the archipelago are French and Tahitian, most of the staff of hotels and restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues know English.

 

28. Tolerance here is an exceptionally natural phenomenon. Some may not like this, but in most people's minds, the fat, the thin, the Chinese, the whites, the poor, the rich, and so on, have the right to be treated equally. Russians, Germans, or Poles - Polynesians welcome everyone without a difference. They have only one requirement: everyone must follow the community's rules and live with everyone in peace.

 

29. Since French Polynesia is part of France, French everyday culture, French courtesy, French education, and French safety rules in providing tourist services prevail here.

 

30. But what you can appreciate here more is French food, with a selection of cheeses, semi-finished products, pastries, oysters, and wines.

 

31. The culinary traditions of the archipelago can be safely called unique, the ancient recipes of the tribes living in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, combined with the traditions of French, Italian, and even Chinese cuisine. The local cuisine is rich in fish, which is served in any form.

 

 

32. You can try exotic dishes in luxurious restaurants - many on the islands and in ordinary cafes. Following thousands of years of tradition, local dishes are prepared in pits dug in the ground and lined with stones. Food wrapped in banana leaves is placed on hot coals or rocks and baked for hours.

 

33. Dishes cooked in such ovens are called “Samaria.” Tourists can enjoy their unique taste in a simple village tavern and a fashionable metropolitan restaurant.

 

34. The most demanded are smoked fruits of a fantastic breadfruit tree, a salad made from papaya, Tahitian pork, all banana dishes, suckling pig, marinated Poisson cru fish, small shish kebabs (they are prepared from meat, fish, seafood), pork in curry sauce, a variety of steaks, fried chicken.

 

35. The primary way to travel between the islands is by plane. Airports are available on all major islands. Flights are operated by the local airline Air Tahiti, which has organized flights between 47 islands.

 

36. During the day, regular public transport is available on two islands: Tahiti and Moorea. Between the islands of Tahiti and Moorea, you can travel by boat or passenger catamarans. You can also use private air transport: by plane or helicopter.

 

37. On the island of Rangiroa, belonging to the Tuamotu archipelago, there is the only vineyard growing on a coral atoll. The idea to grow grapes here was brought to life by the French. And now, the atoll produces the only wine brand Du Tahiti from Domaine Dominique Auroy Winery.

 

 

38. The white flower Tiare Apetahi grows exclusively on the island of Raiatea and only in one place - on Mount Temehani. The flower gives off a wonderful fragrance. Men and women wear it as an adornment. Despite numerous attempts by botanists to transplant it to other places, the flower did not take root anywhere.

 

39. According to legend, the Tiare Apetahi flower came from the hand of a fisherman's wife, who, having quarreled with her husband, decided to commit suicide. Climbing to the top of the mountain, before committing suicide, she cut off her hand and stuck it in the ground, and then committed suicide. In the morning, the whole mountain was covered with white fragrant flowers.

 

40. French Polynesia is home to the most photographed island in the South Pacific, Motu Tapu. It is located near the island of Bora Bora and is famous for its virgin white sands and turquoise water lagoon. Once upon a time, the Polynesian Queen Pomare IV found refuge in it.

 

41. And there is also a Catholic church built of coral. In the center of the Fakarava coral atoll of the Tuamotu archipelago is not only the second largest lagoon but also one of the oldest churches in Polynesia. It's called Jean de la Croix. The entire interior decoration of the church, striking in its beauty and luxury, is made of corals.

 

42. The French provided French Polynesia with a European level of medical services with the presence in Tahiti of a vast modern hospital with specialists in various fields. Each island has a medical center and a helicopter evacuation program for outlying islands.

 

 

43.47 of the 118 islands of French Polynesia are served by the local domestic airline Air Tahiti, which allows you to reach the most remote islands that makeup French Polynesia.

 

44. Here, mostly clean and tidy, transparent springs flow from the mountains, fish frolic in the water, and you can safely sit on the sand. Residents sweep the street in front of their houses, showing miracles of enthusiasm in the fight for cleanliness, with leaves and fruits constantly falling from numerous trees.

 

45. French Polynesia, with its sparkling blue lagoons and high mountain peaks, gives the impression of a promised land. But in fact, these places are much more unique.

 

46. ​​The masters of French Polynesia created the overwater bungalow. The first overwater bungalow appeared on the island of Moorea in the 1960s; such houses, which attracted tourists worldwide, began to be built throughout the country.

 

47. Residents' income mainly depends on tourism, and here they are also engaged in the extraction of shark fins and pearls from the bottom of the sea, and plantations of coconut palms are planted.

 

48. The word "tattoo" comes from the Tahitian tattoo. Linguists say the locals used this word as early as 1500 BC. Tattoos were an indispensable element of body decoration in Tahiti and symbolized rank, wealth, and belonging to a particular tribe or group of families.

 

 

49. French Polynesia provides many opportunities for lovers of traditional entertainment. There are entertainment centers, casinos, and nightclubs on the islands. In the evenings, you can enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants, relax in a chic lounge, try to beat the casino, or spend time in the entertainment center.

 

50. While in Polynesia, you must go on excursions to the islands and visit the pearl museum.

 

51. Diving in French Polynesia islands amazes tourists with its high level and unique features. All conditions are created here for both beginners and professionals in this field.

 

52. International-class instructors work in local diving clubs. Divers can admire the myriad and varied shapes and colors of exotic fish swimming on the ocean floor.

 

53. Many hotels have privately owned coral reefs, and their guests can spend hours looking at the inhabitants of the deep sea. The main diving centers are located on the islands of Manihi, Tikehau (Krusenstern Atoll), Tahaa (Vanilla Island), Raiatea, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tahiti.

 

54. To commemorate the holidays, French Polynesia brings products of residents from sea shells and shells, mother-of-pearl jewelry, and fruit liqueurs with the aromas of exotic fruits.

 

55. Tahitian black pearls are highly valued - on the island, they cost half or three times cheaper than the price tags in Moscow stores. French Polynesia differs from other countries with fixed prices. Bargaining is inappropriate here; residents consider it an insult, a doubt about the seller's honesty.

 

 

56. Regarding security, French Polynesia is at its absolute height. And safety, both natural and social. There are no poisonous plants and animals here. There are no snakes here, except for moray eels, which are a bit similar to them, but they live on a reef and prefer to hide between stones and not mess with people.

 

57. There are no poisonous spiders on the islands and no other harmful insects except mosquitoes. Also, midges or sand flies may disturb tourists, but their bites are not fatal.

 

58. Of course, there are sharks in Polynesia, but they are full due to the variety of games. Shark attacks on people on the Community Islands, which include the most famous islands, have not been recorded. Walking through the jungle is relatively safe.

 

59. To say that there is no crime here, of course, would not be accurate. But it is so minimal that any tourist can feel calm. And not because both French gendarmes and Polynesian police officers guard the peace. But simply because it happened so historically.

 

60. Cultural and architectural phenomena are not produced here “for tourists” but are the authentic fruit of people's lives. The dances that will be shown at the hotel are danced in the same way for oneself, the soul. A Polynesian will play the ukulele regardless of whether the hotel pays him or not; the attendants will smile at you not because he earns tips (which, by the way, are not expected here) but simply from the heart, almost anyone will greet you with the same smile passerby on the street.

 

 

61. Here, people do not turn their identity into a beautifully packaged product for tourist consumption; they live and proudly show their achievements to guests.

 

62. In French Polynesia, since prehistoric times, women have been equal to men, sometimes becoming queens, the country has a strict labor code that reflects the labor code of France, and indeed, the country lives according to the laws of the French constitution.

 

63. Ecology is the most important direction of the country's domestic policy, a permanent element of education. Calls for environmental responsibility are heard from every corner here. Tourists will be pleased to know that the bathing water here is spotless, there is a lot of fish, and the jungle is in all its glory.

 

64. French Polynesia is an expensive country. Polynesia has everything, and the quality of life here is relatively high. But, you have to pay for the remoteness and isolation. French Polynesia is an expensive, even costly country. Here are expensive products, expensive hotels, expensive fruits and vegetables in the market, and expensive jewelry in shops. It is also expensive to fly here.

 

65. The remoteness of the islands, many consider not a disadvantage but a big plus. Here you will not meet crowds of tourists who prefer not such long trips. And a very long flight is fully compensated by the pleasure received during the rest.

 

 

Interesting facts about Macedonia are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Balkan countries. Today, this state cannot boast a strong economy and influence on the world stage. However, the government had significant political and military power in ancient times.

 

The Republic of Macedonia is a state in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. Member of the UN as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

 

Interesting facts about Macedonia

 

 

1. Macedonia is a country located south of the Balkan Peninsula.

 

2. Macedonia is a small European state located on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece.

 

3. There are several Macedonias: the Pirin is a region in southwestern Bulgaria, Aegean is a region in northern Greece, and Vardar partly belongs to Serbia.

 

4. The modern state of the Republic of Macedonia is located between all these countries. It occupies an area historically called Vardar Macedonia - after the name of the Vardar River.

 

5. Macedonia is the only country that gained independence from Yugoslavia peacefully. It became a separate state in 1991

 

6. Although Macedonia is now a very small state, it used to be the greatest empire that conquered most of the world.

 

7. This is one of the oldest settlements in Europe. The first settlements on the territory of this country date back to 5000 BC. However, the first traces of organized cities date back to 808 BC, when the Argead dynasty controlled the area.

 

8. The name of the country comes from the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, which was named after the ancient Macedonians. The name Μακεδόνες (Makedónes) comes from the ancient Greek adjective μακεδνός (makednós), which literally translates as "high". Perhaps the Macedonians got this name because of their physical characteristics, or their mountainous habitats.

 

 

9. More than five centuries, until 1912, Macedonia was part of the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, some local traditions, dishes and even music are reminiscent of Turkish ones.

 

10. The Macedonians have always wanted to gain independence, so they often heroically rebelled against the Turks.

 

11. In memory of one heroic uprising, a huge monument was erected - “Macedonium” in the city of Krushevo, where the Ilinden uprising broke out in 1903, as a result of which the Krushevo Republic was created. The republic did not last long - ten days later the Turks dispersed this uprising, killing all the revolutionaries. The revolutionaries became heroes, their names are heard in the national anthem, and August 2 (Ilya according to the church calendar, “Ilinden”) is celebrated on a grand scale every year.

 

12. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Macedonia did not have statehood, and its fate was decided by its neighbors, who defeated the Turks in the First Balkan War and then quarreled with each other.

 

13.Macedonia is the second most mountainous country in the world. About 85% of the territory of this state is covered with mountains. It is second only to Montenegro, whose territory is 89% mountains.

 

14. There are 34 mountains in the country, the height of each of which exceeds 2000 meters above sea level.

 

 

15. Macedonia is a country with a territory of 26 thousand km2, and a population of just over two million people, of which about 500 thousand live in the capital, Skopje.

 

16. The city of Skopje has experienced many devastating earthquakes throughout its history. The most serious earthquakes occurred in 518 and 1963. These earthquakes almost completely destroyed the city.

 

17. Now Skopje has been completely restored and has the unofficial name of the "city of monuments", since on its territory there are monuments at almost every step.

 

18. In Skopje, there is the Church of the Holy Savior with a unique iconostasis dating back to the 6th century.

 

19. Skopje is a city where it is colder in winter than in the rest of Macedonia, and hotter in summer. Macedonia has a warm and dry climate, with 300 sunny days a year. In winter, the temperature is not lower than -5, usually from 0 to +5, in summer - +25+35, sometimes up to +40. If there is a thunderstorm, lightning is sure to strike.

 

20. In the mountains of Macedonia it is colder and there is snow. Ski resorts: Mavrovo, Krushevo, Popova Shapka. The Mavrovo National Park is open to tourists in the summer as well.

 

 

21. In the mountainous northwestern regions of Macedonia, there are quite large areas of forest vegetation. The lower slopes are dominated by deciduous forests. At altitudes up to 2000 meters above sea level, coniferous forests predominate.

 

22. These forests are home to a large number of wild animals such as wild pigs, wolves, bears, lynxes and others.

 

23. About 67% of the inhabitants of Macedonia are Orthodox Christians, 30% are Muslims.

 

24. Orthodox Macedonian ancestors were Slavs who, as the local history textbook says, came from beyond the Carpathians in the 6th-7th centuries AD. e.

 

25. Macedonians speak Macedonian. There is such a language. Everyone understands and freely communicates with Serbs, Croats, Montenegrins, Bulgarians, these are different languages, but they are similar. The younger generation in the cities speaks English. The older generation once learned Russian at school, but, as a rule, no one remembers anything.

 

26. Despite the modest size of the country, there are many different dialects of Macedonian, which can be very different from the literary one.

 

28. Formal languages ​​such as Greek and Church Slavonic were often used for writing by these people. The Macedonian alphabet was created only in 1945.

 

29.Now the Macedonian language is one of the most difficult languages ​​to learn.

 

 

30. Macedonia is a predominantly agricultural country, fully self-sufficient in food. The main crops grown in this country are tobacco, fruits (mainly apples and grapes), various vegetables, wheat, rice and corn. Viticulture is quite developed in Macedonia.

 

31. Here everywhere, among the hills and low mountains, along the valleys and along the roads, fields and vineyards stretch.

 

32. Ohrid is a small town in the southwest of the country. There are 365 churches in this city (one for each day of the year). Several of these churches have been abandoned, but Ohrid is still the city with the largest number of churches, if not in the world then at least in Europe.

 

33. August 26, 1910 in Skopje was born Agnes Gonje Boyadjiiu, who is now known to the whole world as Mother Teresa. Today, in the center of the capital, you can visit her house-museum.

 

34. At 30 kilometers from the city of Kumanovo, at an altitude of 1030 meters, there is the oldest observatory in the world - Kukino. Its age is about 4 thousand years. This is the most important archaeological site discovered in Macedonia.

 

35. The Millennium Cross in Skopje is the highest in the world. It has a height of 66 meters and is located on the top of Mount Vodno (1066 meters). It was built for the 2000th anniversary of Christianity in Macedonia.

 

36. Macedonia is landlocked, but has many lakes, of which the most famous is Lake Ohrid.

 

37. Lake Ohrid is the oldest and deepest in the Balkans, it is located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level, a depth of about 300 meters, according to scientists, it is about five million years old. Also, more than 200 endemic species of animals live in Lake Ohrid.

 

 

38. The water in Lake Ohrid is very clean. Wastewater is not drained into it, even the river that flows into the lake is cleaned of debris before that.

 

39. The waters of the Crni Drin River, which flows into Lake Ohrid, do not mix with the waters of the lake, and from a height you can see how it flows through the turquoise water with a black ribbon and flows out from the opposite side.

 

40. The city of Ohrid, on which the lake is located, is famous for the first Slavic university, a large number of churches, a beautiful monastery that rises above the water, and an ancient amphitheater. The city of Ohrid and its lake were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.

 

41. Every wealthy Macedonian has a house or apartment in Ohrid, where they come for the weekend, but they prefer to spend their holidays in Montenegro or Greece, because the sea is warmer than the lake.

 

42. Ohrid resembles the Adriatic coast: a beautiful promenade, many restaurants and hotels. The beaches are located outside the city. There are sun loungers for vacationers by the water, restaurants and cafes right behind them, modern toilets are equipped every 50 meters, which have never been paid. Sun loungers are also free, you just need to order drinks in a cafe. There are wild beaches, but they are unpopular.

 

43. Local residents are very friendly. They are very fond of tourists. Many offer accommodation to tourists. Others take tourists on a boat. Souvenirs, soda, baked corn, glazed donuts, books, antiques are sold on the embankment.

 

 

44. Many Germans, Belgians, Swiss, Danes, tourists from the Baltic countries and Scandinavia.

 

45.After Macedonia became an independent country in 1991, the small village of Vevkani, located in the mountains north of Lake Ohrid, declared itself the first micronation in the Balkan Peninsula, even though the inhabitants of Vevkani were all ethnic Macedonians. The inhabitants of this village had their own flag and currency, but the so-called "republic" did not last long.

 

46. ​​In this state there is a system of caves Vrelo, located near Skopje, the depth of which reaches 230 meters. These are currently the deepest caves in the Balkans and the second deepest in Europe.

 

47. Alexander the Great was an ancient Macedonian, not a Greek. The Greeks even refused him participation in the Olympic Games, referring to the fact that only Greeks have the right to take part.

 

48. The Greeks managed to force the Macedonians to change their coat of arms, arrogating to themselves the rights to the "Sun of Alexander". But the patriots still decorate their premises and even make tattoos with the coat of arms and various phrases, the meaning of which is: “we will die, but we will not change our name.”

 

49. In the center of Skopje, a huge monument to Alexander the Great was recently erected, but in order not to anger the Greeks, they called it “Warrior on Horseback”.

 

50. In the city of Bitola, the ruins of Heraclea, the palace of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, have been preserved.

 

 

51. Very often in this country, the construction of any object, house or garage is interrupted due to an accidental important find and archaeological excavations begin instead. There is even a joke like this: “Don’t piss me off, otherwise I’ll plant an amphora in your garden, and in the morning you will receive archaeologists.”

 

52. Macedonians are very patriotic citizens. Each house has a flag, souvenirs or clothing with national symbols, they love their cuisine, music, football team and believe that everything Macedonian is the best.

 

53. 20:00 - time for the evening news, all of Macedonia falls to the TV screens. The population is especially happy about news from other countries with the mention of Macedonia, even if someone just found their state on the map.

 

54. Macedonians make unique blankets from sheep's wool, which look like the skin of a bear, they are called yamboli. They are painted in different colors and laid on the sofa, and when the yambolia wears out, they are thrown on the floor instead of a rug.

 

55.There are three types of popular music in Macedonia: folk popular music, popular music and children's music.

 

56. Macedonian folk music is very patriotic, reminiscent of the wedding music of Western Ukrainians and Moldovans.

 

57. The children's stage consists of several festivals where children of different ages perform, all this is shown on local television. Thus, children have their own, children's idols, favorite songs on children's topics.

 

 

58. The city of Struga every year becomes the venue for poetry evenings, which attract poets from all over the world.

 

59. The city of Prilep is known for its summer beer festival, where Balkan pop stars perform.

 

60. Socialism in Yugoslavia differed significantly from the Soviet one, land was not taken away from people, private enterprise was allowed. In Macedonia, many family businesses were inherited by the current owners from their grandfather-great-grandfather, these are all sorts of workshops, vineyards, shops, as well as land.

 

61. In central Macedonia, growing tobacco has been a popular form of income since the 18th century. They collect it, string it on long needles, then on threads two meters long and dry it on the street, after which they keep it in the attic until winter, and in winter they rent it to a tobacco factory. This is very hard work. All family members are involved in this work, starting from the age of 4-5.

 

62. Macedonians grow more than 40 types of peppers of different sizes, colors, shapes, tastes and pungency. It can be said that this is one of the main food products along with wheat, feta cheese and tomatoes.

 

63. There is no buckwheat and herring in Macedonia. Herring in Macedonians is disgusting.

 

64. In the mountains of Macedonia there are villages where there are thousands of times more sheep than people.

 

 

65. There are deposits of marble in Macedonia. Whole marble mountains. Therefore, the completely marble central square of a small town is not uncommon, here it is not expensive. In the process of marble extraction, a lot of marble scrap remains - curved slabs of different sizes, marble chips. Local residents lay out their yards with slabs; you can often find an ordinary house with a beautiful marble yard.

 

66.The Macedonian diaspora exceeds the population of the country itself. Most Macedonians live in the USA, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Germany. They emigrated in several waves, starting from the 19th century, fleeing poverty and Ottoman oppression.

 

67. Foreign Macedonians, as they are called in the country, come to their homeland regularly, marry the same foreign Macedonians, met “down” (“below”), in their homeland.

 

68. Macedonians will proudly show a foreigner their house, their neighbor’s house, the city, and the history of the country, and all this with pride.

 

69. They treat Russians with respect. Russians consider all citizens of the CIS countries. And the Russian mafia scare small naughty children.

 

70. What cannot be expressed in words is the atmosphere in the country. The unhurried pace of life of self-proud Macedonians. Magical sunrises and sunsets against the backdrop of endless mountains. Sweet smells of hot Macedonian summer. Macedonia needs to be felt, and for this you need to come here.

 

 

The island of Rhodes belonging to Greece is not only an extremely popular place among tourists, but also a real paradise for lovers of history and ancient Greek culture. A great many ancient monuments, monuments and other buildings of the ancient Greeks have been perfectly preserved here, which will never leave an inquisitive tourist indifferent.

 

Most of the interesting facts about Rhodes are connected with the myths and monuments of Ancient Greece. Any guide to the island will attest to this. We propose to dig deeper and find out what else attracts travelers to this amazing place. The Mediterranean pearl, Rhodes, rightfully bears the title of the most beautiful of the islands of Greece.

 

It is located in the south of the Aegean Sea and belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago. The mild tropical climate and picturesque nature attract tourists from all over the world all year round. And for lovers of ancient history, this is just a real gift. What else do you need to know about the island, going there?

 

Facts about Rhodes

 

 

1. The city of Rhodes is a pearl and one of the largest historical centers of Greece.

 

2. This ancient port is located in the north of the island of the same name, on the coast of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

 

3. The ancient city of Rhodes is considered one of the most unique corners of Hellas, the main city of the Dodecanese Islands and the center of the island of the same name.

 

4. The first settlements appeared here several millennia BC. e. This is evidenced by archaeological finds.

 

5. Rhodes is one of the most ancient cities on the planet. Historians call 408 BC the date of the founding of Rhodes ... According to Greek legend, the ancient Telchin magicians were the discoverers of the island. They were endowed with magical powers and were excellent blacksmiths. The magicians gave the sword to the god Kron and the Trident to the sea lord Poseidon. Despite the gifts, the grandchildren of Poseidon drove the wizards off the island.

 

6. The history of Rhodes is replete with interesting facts, fascinating events and sights, some of which have survived to this day, and some have remained only in legends.

 

7. It was in this policy of Ancient Greece that the famous Kolos of Rhodes was located - one of the 7 wonders of the world. In 226 BC. e. As a result of the earthquake, the city was almost completely destroyed, and the world-famous landmark was wiped off the face of the earth.

 

8. Finally, the city fell into decay 170 years after the death of Caesar.

 

 

9. Convenient geographical position attracted the attention of Byzantium to Rhodes. Between the 4th and 14th centuries, the old city was a naval base and a strategically important port, the capital of the Theme of Kivirreota.

 

10. Since 1309 Rhodes was ruled by the Order of the Knights, in 1522 the Ottomans captured the Greek land, and at the beginning of the 20th century the Italians ruled here.

 

11. As a result of this, modern Greece has received a unique city that combines the features of antiquity, Byzantine style, baroque and gothic, a cultural capital and a powerful military base.

 

12. During its history, the city of Rhodes has been subjected to strong earthquakes several times. So, in 515, he lost almost half of the territory, and after the disaster of 1481, there were practically no ancient temples left in the city.

 

13. The city of Rhodes in antiquity earned itself prestige in the trading circles of the Mediterranean, as evidenced by the surviving records.

 

14. During the V-IV centuries BC. e. Rhodes was known for its political struggle between democracy and the oligarchs, several times power passed from the people to the owners of great wealth.

 

15. The heyday of the city falls on the III-II centuries BC. e., when a stadium, numerous temples, a theater, fortifications, sewerage and water supply were built.

 

16. Not everyone, even an ancient city, can simultaneously boast one of the 7 wonders of the world, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and an abundance of ancient monuments.

 

 

17. The entire territory of the Island of Rhodes and the city of the same name is filled with sights, stories and legends, dating back to the Neolithic times. But especially many events occurred in the period of antiquity and the Middle Ages.

 

18. The city was founded by people from the island policies of Kamir, Ialis and Lind. This event took place in 408 BC.

 

19. Due to its convenient geographical position, ancient Rhodes in the Mediterranean became a major center of transit trade. According to historical data, earlier there were as many as 5 ports in the city. However, only three of them have been located so far.

 

20. Medieval Rhodes got its interesting facts thanks to the arrival of the Knights of St. John (Hospitallers) to these lands. In 1309 the city became the seat of the order.

 

CITY WALLS

 

21. The Rhodes knights significantly strengthened the defense capability of the settlement. The city was surrounded by a high and thick stone wall, the length of which was 4 kilometers. The fortification was equipped with watchtowers and 7 gates, near which there was an armed guard.

 

22. From the inside, the city was also divided by a wall. A smaller part, it was called Collachio, was completely given over to knighthood. It housed the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Cathedral, a hospital and other administrative buildings.

 

23. For the most part, Burgo, or as it was also called Hora, was settled by ordinary people. Houses, markets, churches, public buildings, etc. were erected in this area.

 

24. Chivalry helped the townspeople defend Rhodes and fight off foreign raids for more than two centuries. But in 1522, the Hospitallers were defeated during the siege of the city by the Ottoman troops. So Rhodes fell under the rule of the Turkish ruler Suleiman the Great.

 

25. As a result of the change of power, local residents were forced out of the city walls. The expelled townspeople had to settle down in a new place, and this is how the New Town (the modern part of Rhodes) got its development.

 

26. The name of the city in Greek means "island of roses".

 

 

27. Now the city is home to almost 60 thousand people employed in tourism, fishing and agriculture.

 

28. The city is territorially divided into two parts: Burg and Kollahiy.

 

29. Ordinary residents lived in Burg. The main street of this area is filled with shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. Kollahiy has always been the abode of knights and masters.

 

30. The Palace of the Grand Masters, built in the 14th century, managed to be well preserved to this day, despite the explosion of 1856. Enthusiasts restored the architectural masterpiece in the 20th century according to old sketches.

 

31. The Palace of the Grand Masters is now one of the visiting cards of the city. Two castle exhibition halls are dedicated to the historical and cultural heritage of Rhodes.

 

32. Some parts of the ancient city were discovered as a result of excavations. You can visit them and admire the man-made works of art: architecture, sculpture and crafts.

 

33. Temples, sculptures, and other ancient structures have been preserved in the city, which have been restored to date and receive tourists.

 

34. In addition, many items of ancient life have been preserved. But the paintings remained only in fragments due to the destruction caused by the earthquake.

 

 

35. The appearance of the modern city was influenced by the Italians, who rebuilt the city during the Italian occupation of the islands.

 

36. The cult of the sun god, Helios, is widespread not only in the city, but throughout the island. It was believed that he is the patron of the island, as he carried it out of the depths of the sea on his own hands. This territory was named after the nymph Rhodes, whom Helios loved. The locals also revered other gods, though to a lesser extent.

 

37. The emblem of Rhodes is a deer, the statues of which are on the columns left after the destruction of the giant statue of Helios.

 

ELEMENTS OF THE ACROPOLIS IN RHODES

 

38. Of the ancient monuments, the most valuable for the world and the country are the interesting ruins of the temple of Athena Poliada and the stadium, which is an analogue of the stadium in Olympia. To date, this is the only antique copy that has survived to this day.

 

39. Street of the Knights in the Old Town of Rhodes is a unique medieval street with a length of 200 meters. Laid in the XXIV century, it still retains its original appearance.

 

40. On the territory of the city, some elements of the acropolis and medieval buildings have been preserved. For fans of the era of medieval piracy, the siege of medieval castles, Rhodes will be a discovery.

 

41. Most of the region's income comes from the tourism business. Of course, first of all, people come to the city of Rhodes to see the ancient sights, but a beach holiday is also available here.

 

42. Therefore, tourists come here not only to see ancient monuments, but also to relax under the gentle Mediterranean sun on comfortable beaches.

 

43. In the northern part of the city, on the Mediterranean coast, there is one of the best beaches in Rhodes Greece - Elli. There are always a lot of vacationers here, half of them are local youth.

 

44. Life is in full swing on the beach around the clock: during the day, the main attention is paid to the calm and clear sea, and at night - to the nearby cafes and discos that are held in it.

 

45. Ella has a well-developed infrastructure. There are sun loungers and umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, a rental area, many water activities and a free jumping tower located 25 meters from the sand and pebble coast. Entry into the water on Ella is convenient, but there is music playing around the clock, so this place is not the best option for families with small children.

 

 

46. ​​And the beach near the village of Kalawarda is an ideal place for a secluded holiday, especially for not the most picky tourists. There are no umbrellas or sun loungers, shops and entertainment areas, but all this is compensated by the clean sandy coast, calm water and beautiful nature.

 

47. It is also a great place for children, as there is a shallow bay on Kalavard with a convenient entry and always calm water. There are several toilets and showers on the beach, and an excellent restaurant is a 10-minute walk away.

 

48.A pebble-sand beach, located in the center of Rhodes, will provide you with everything you need for a good rest. It is well equipped and has all the necessary amenities. But compared to Elli Beach, located nearby, there are much fewer people here. Akti Miauli is located on the coast of the Aegean Sea, the water here is warm and clean, but in summer it is constantly windy and waves rise.

 

49. Modern Rhodes is distinguished by a combination of ancient civilization, interspersed with medieval architectural monuments and modern buildings, recreation areas and beaches.

 

50. The city of Rhodes is an interesting and unusual place. Here you can feel the atmosphere of ancient Greece and enjoy the rest on two seas at the same time.