Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and at least the most senior in Western Europe. The first mention of it dates back to the 3rd century BC. Despite this, practically no evidence of this antiquity remains in the city. It's all to blame - the fact below.
Lisbon is the westernmost capital of mainland Europe. Near the city is the famous Cape Roca, from which only the boundless Atlantic Ocean extends.
Facts about Lisbon
1. The city of Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.
2. He is respected in Europe because he is one of the oldest.
3. The first settlements on the site of the modern capital of Portugal appeared earlier than in Rome and Paris.
4. According to most estimates, the city was founded in the 12th century BC, near the Tagus River, providing excellent living opportunities. It turns out that Lisbon is older than Rome by four centuries. In fact, in Europe, only Athens was founded earlier than Lisbon.
5. Lisbon has been considered the capital of Portugal since 1255. However, there are no official documents confirming the fact that Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. The city became the capital by accident when King Alfonso III settled with his court in Lisbon. This made sense since Lisbon was already Portugal's largest and most important city.
6. A long time ago, this region was inhabited by pre-Celtic tribes. Then came the Celts, and then the Phoenicians. The Punic Wars forced the inhabitants of this place to think about building defensive walls. And then they began to build castles and towers here.
7. In the Middle Ages, Muslims came to the city and brought with them a new culture. But their reign ended when the Norwegian crusaders came to Lisbon.
8. Gradually, the city expanded due to its advantageous position. As a result, it became the most important European port, from which the gates to many states were opened.
9. And again, the city wants to capture the enemies. Lisbon survived both the invasion of the Spaniards and the arrival of Napoleon's troops. So Lisbon is a city that has seen a lot in its lifetime. But the most terrible disaster in the city's history was the most powerful earthquake of 1775.
10. It turned out to be so ruthless that the city turned into ruins. But he was not destined to die. With the help of the remaining townspeople, the use of the country's inhabitants was gradually revived.
11. Then, a new city practically rose from the ruins and became one of the most beautiful. Three revolutions took place here in the 20th century. After them, the rapid development of modern capital began.
12. Today's Lisbon is the most beautiful European capital with its sights and legends.
13. Lisbon is the warmest European capital. There are at least 100 rainy days here a year.
THE OLDEST DISTRICT OF LISBON - ALFAMA
14. Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon and the only one that survived and even retained its appearance after an earthquake in the middle of the 18th century. The Alfama district is located in the southeast of the city along the banks of the Tagus River. Alfama is situated at the foot of two of the seven Lisbon hills, one of which crowns the castle of St. George, and the other is the Cathedral of St. Vincent.
15. Its architecture stands out as a bright spot against the background of the rest of the city - chaotically located streets and tiny houses with stairs on the slopes form the image of the Middle Ages, and in general, it looks not like a district, but like a small village in the city. For a long time, it had a reputation as an area where sailors, anglers, etc., lived, that is, simple poor people, but in the Middle Ages, Muslims used the springs in Alfama to improve their health; for this, they came here as a resort.
16. Down to the banks of the Tagus River, the Alfama area is taking on more modern features - the old port warehouses have turned into modern loft spaces equipped with restaurants and trendy nightclubs.
17. The sights of Porto and Lisbon are a unique tandem of two Portuguese pearls that allows you to discover all the most atmospheric places in Portugal, feel its lively character and plunge into the old days.
18. The ancient buildings and centuries-old streets of these cities allow you to go back in time and understand how the state's glorious history developed.
ROSIE SQUARE
19. One of the most iconic places in Lisbon is Rossio Square, which can be classified as a must-see for tourists. It is surrounded by buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, which house numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants today, from modern eateries to fine Art Nouveau establishments.
20. Over the centuries, the square has seen a lot - even the Romans equipped their hippodrome on this place. Bullfights, festivals, military parades, and executions were held in the court. Today, city and public holidays are celebrated here; they study original installations and relax.
21. Locals are sure that Lisbon is associated with Freemasonry since the entire central district of Lisbon Baixa was designed and built on the principles of Masons: there are seven streets (one of which is Golden Street and the other is Silver Street), three squares, two columns near the river, one triumphal arch and many other facts point to this. But it is difficult to say this is true because Freemasonry is covered with a veil of mystery.
22. Ravens have been a symbol of the city since 1173 when they accompanied the body of Saint Vincent to Lisbon, where he was buried. Every coal merchant in the town kept ravens as pets. All these beloved pets have always had the same name: Vicente, in honor of the saint. The raven can always be seen in the castle of San Jorge and below at Se.
23. Lisbon is the first city to import Guinness. It is not in the Guinness Book of World Records, but records from 1811 show Lisbon was the first city to import Guinness beer.
24. O'Gillins and Hennessy's are among the few pubs in Lisbon where you can enjoy a perfectly poured pint of Guinness - continuing a tradition over 203 years old.
TRIUMPHAL ARCH
25. One of the attractions of Lisbon is the Arc de Triomphe. The date of the creation of this architectural structure is the end of the 18th century. The majestic arch was decorated with statues, sculptures of famous Portuguese, stone carvings, bas-reliefs, and column groups. By paying a few euros, you can climb to the observation deck, located on the roof of the building.
26. The Tahoe River stretches for 14 kilometers, winding through the capital.
27. The Tagus River is not the most attractive. No one in their right mind would think of swimming in its waters. But the world-famous oysters were once found in this river.
28. Only five people know the recipe for their favorite Lisbon cake. In a city where almost no one has secrets from each other, one terrible secret is kept - the recipe for Pastel de Belém cake. The secret recipe of Pastel de Belen has never been written down and is transmitted only orally; it has always been remembered and kept in mind. To prevent the formula from being lost, its keepers are not prohibited from flying together in the same plane or driving in the same car.
29. As you know, with great secrets comes great responsibility, and the keepers of this recipe take special precautions: they never travel in the same plane, do not sit in the same car, and do not order the same dish in a restaurant.
ON THE HILL OF GRACE
30. Graça is the highest of Lisbon's hills, but it was excluded from the original and official list. The seven lucky ones lined up in this order: San Jorge, San Vicente, San Roque, Santo Andre, Santa Catarina, Chagas and Santa Anna.
31. Maybe that's why most locals tell tourists that Lisbon is a city of seven hills. But this statement is not valid. They are deliberately misidentified to make Lisbon more like Rome, also known as the city of the seven hills.
CHURCH OF SAINT ENGRAVE
32. One of the most impressive creations of Portuguese Baroque architecture is the Church of Saint Engracia, also called the National Pantheon. This is a magnificent building made of pink marble with a vast dome, at the base of which, at the height of about 80 meters, there is an observation deck overlooking the city and the Tagus River.
33. This temple began to be built in the 17th century but was supplemented and rebuilt over the next three centuries. The construction process dragged on so much that the well-known phrase “construction of Santa Engracia” appeared in everyday life of the Portuguese, which meant an endless delay in work. The church has a design that has not previously been used in any Portuguese building - the interior space is distributed according to the scheme of the Greek cross. Above the entrance are niches with statues, and a beautiful baroque portal leads inside, where two angels hold the Portuguese coat of arms.
34. The city is considered multinational. At the same time, according to the census, 97% of the Portuguese live in it.
35. The Guinness Book of Records writes about a dinner in Lisbon, which 15,000 people attended. This dinner took place on the Vasco da Gama bridge during its opening in 1998.
36. In one of Lisbon's classic cafes, Martinho da Arcada, two tables remain empty and are permanently "reserved" for late writers. One for Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's most famous poet, and one for Nobel laureate José Saramago, Portugal's most beloved writer.
BASILICA - ESTRELA
37. A hill west of Lisbon crowns a majestic building - the Basilica da Estrela, erected by the Queen Mary of Portugal decree. Sometime during the marriage, Mary vowed to build a temple for the nuns of the Order of Barefoot Carmelites if the Lord would grant her a son. After a while, her heir was born, and at the end of the 18th century, the construction of the basilica began.
38. So, a unique building with columns, bell towers, and bas-reliefs grew. A tower complements the dome with a cross, which to this day serves as a guide for travelers - it can be seen from almost any part of the city.
39. Unfortunately, by the time construction was completed, the queen's son had already died from the smallpox he had suffered. The picturesque architecture of the temple combines the Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles; the facade is decorated with sculptures of angels and six allegories. The central dome is surrounded by a terrace from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the capital.
40. Lisbon has the world's only public tie mirror. At least there is no other city with such a mirror in the world. It is located next to door number 115 in Piazza D. Pedro IV. The inscription calls: "Put in order the knot of your tie."
MONUMENT TO THE PIONEERS
41. In Lisbon, there is a monument to the discoverers. It is located on the Belen embankment of the Tagus River. This large-scale 50-meter sculpture was created in memory of the era of legendary geographical discoveries. According to the project, the monument should personify the exploits of the famous navigators of Portugal. At the top level of the monument is an observation deck.
42. Lisbon has one of the smallest bookstores in the world. Bertrand is known as the world's oldest bookstore, a well-known fact. But Livraria do Simao is one of the smallest, with an area of only 3.8 square meters. Meters. However, it holds 4,000 books! It is so small that the store owner usually leaves the premises when a customer enters.
VASCO DA GAMA BRIDGE
43. The Lisbon Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe, its length exceeds 17 kilometers. It is also the largest in Europe. Its appearance marked the 500th anniversary of the opening of the route to India by the great navigator. The construction crosses the river in its widest part, connecting one of the districts of Lisbon with the opposite towns of Montijo and Alcuchet.
44. The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a powerful support, dozens of cables, a curved line of the roadbed over the waters of the Tagus River. It is known that the design of the Vasco da Gama bridge is able to withstand the elements, 4.5 times more powerful than the famous Lisbon earthquake of the 18th century.
PRASA SQUARE - DO - COMERCIU
45. Praça do Comercio in Lisbon is one of the most beautiful European squares, from which the active development of the city began in the 15th century, regarding the famous geographical discoveries. It was during these years that the construction of the port and administrative buildings associated with maritime trade began. During the prosperity of Lisbon, ships with treasures from the Portuguese colonies moored in the port, important royal delegations arrived.
46. And in our time, in the Praça do Comercio area, evidence of past glory remains - monumental monuments, ancient administrative buildings and various interesting places. Ministries, banks and other state organizations work in historical buildings located along the perimeter of the square. The legendary cafe Martinho da Arcada also operates here, where true aristocrats dined.
47. There are many unusual museums in the city: carriages, electricity, ancient art.
AT THE GALUST GULBENKYAN MUSEUM
48. The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a private museum. Usually private museum collections do not attract as much attention as large national museums. The Galouste Gulbenkian Gallery is a special case, with a huge and diverse collection that can outshine any large-scale exhibition.
49. The first part of this exposition presents objects of Greek, Egyptian, Persian art, here you can see the rarest jewelry, precious vases, fragments of Egyptian tombs. The second part is dedicated to European art - these are collections of paintings, carvings, sculptures, and various decor. But the most impressive part is the collection of paintings with paintings by Rembrandt, Renoir, Claude Monet and other eminent painters.
PAVILION OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE PARK OF NATIONS
50. In Lisbon, in the Park of Nations in the Interactive Museum of Science, a thematic pavilion of Knowledge was opened in 1999. It will be interesting to visit it for a person of any age - both kids from 3 years old and pensioners.
51. In the pavilion, divided into separate rooms, you can set up all kinds of experiments, for example, in the field of chemistry or physics, participate in experiments, learn about technological innovations and natural phenomena. Special attention deserves a hall with interactive modules called Escaping Exhibition: here you can ride a rope at a height of 6 meters on a bicycle, or relax at a huge table.
52. An unusual Santa Justa street elevator operates in the city, raising tourists to a height of 45 meters.
53. Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest in Europe. 450 species of marine inhabitants live here.
54. Almost all Lisbon streets look in black and white. Such an unusual coloring is not associated with mourning events, but symbolizes the robes of St. Vincent, who is the patron saint of the city.
55. During World War II, spies arrived in Lisbon from all over the world. The richest European refugees have created a small community around the casinos of the city of Estoril near Lisbon. They spent their days on the beach, dancing the night away, hosting banquets and gambling games where the stakes were very high.
56. The best spies of all Western countries worked hard in these circles. The most famous is Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, who was here in the service of British Naval Intelligence.
57. The April 25 Bridge across the Tagus River is 2.2 kilometers long. It is the largest in Europe among similar suspended transitional structures.
ZOO IN LISBON
58. The Lisbon Zoo is a unique menagerie. It stands out from other zoos in that it does not have cages or enclosures. The inhabitants live in recreated "natural" conditions: a house is built for the rhinoceros in the form of an entire African village, macaques and chimpanzees jump on real trees, tigers and lions rest on the grass of the "savannah".
59. For comfortable observation of animals and organizing picnics, tables and benches are located on the area of the complex. Tourists who come to Lisbon with children should visit this wonderful zoo in the first place.
TRAMS IN LISBON
60. The narrow, uneven streets of the historic part of Lisbon are lined with tram tracks that have existed here for more than 100 years. They are followed by miniature yellow Remodelado trams that appeared in the early 20th century, and today everything inside them, from controls to wooden benches, seems to transport you to a charming era of the past.
61. Tourists who just want to wander around the city, the first thing you should pay attention to is Augusta, the main pedestrian street of Lisbon. It stretches from the central city square of Rossio to the famous triumphal arch and is a pavement lined with ancient mosaics in the form of a fancy pattern. It is a favorite place for walks of locals and visitors, a large shopping area and a popular vacation spot with numerous outdoor cafes, boutiques, exhibitions of local artists and performances by musicians.
62. Tourists are everywhere surrounded by colorful facades of old mansions, and the end of the walking route is crowned by the majestic Arc de Triomphe, which in itself is a separate attraction. The grand building is decorated in a mixture of Baroque, Renaissance and Manueline styles. A spiral staircase and an elevator lead to the top of the arch, where the observation deck is located.
63. The observation deck of San Pedro de Alcantara is a panoramic observation point, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is divided into two levels. At each level there are small restaurants, sculptural compositions, shops, fountains and vegetation. It is here that the local intelligentsia and the youth of the capital gather. Moreover, you do not need to pay for access to this observation terrace in the fresh air.
64. When exploring the ancient quarters of Lisbon, one should not forget about its surroundings, which are no less rich in historical monuments. For example, you can go outside of Lisbon to explore the sights of Sintra - Moorish castles, palaces, ancient monasteries against the backdrop of landscapes immersed in greenery.
65. Tourists say that once they see Lisbon, they cannot forget it or confuse it with another city. And you will definitely want to return there again to wander through its streets and visit its many other attractions.
All sandy beaches are beautiful, but tourists especially invariably love the white sandy beaches of Greece. The gentle sand seems to be created for the relaxation of tourists on it and the long walks along the coast. Here's all the information on white-sand beaches in Greece to choose the right option for you.
Top beaches in Greece
Greece - is a country with a long length from north to south, so the recommendations will vary depending on where you go. The holiday season begins in May and peaks in July-August: there are too many tourists, and the temperature on the southern island reaches 40 degrees, which may not yet play a role on the beach, but it is certainly not suitable for sightseeing. So the best time to relax in Greece is late spring-early summer or September-October.
20. Myrtos beach
To get from Agios Nikolaos, you have to cross the highway in a southerly direction (buses run to Ierapetra) and from Heraklion to the southeast (Shuttle bus to Ierapetra stops in Mirtos). You can quickly get there by car. The beach is located in an open bay. That's why it's windy.
The tourist infrastructure is well developed. There are umbrellas and sunbeds here. The line of taverns and mini-hotels goes almost to the water itself. There is a rental of sports equipment. There is a shower and a dressing room. The cover is with small gray pebbles, rarely sand. The descent into the water is gradual, uniform, and without borders. The bottom is secure, with no holes or sharp depth changes. The resort is ideal for children and guests with reduced mobility, thanks to the accessible beach, the nearby accommodation, and the convenient transfer.
Among the nearest attractions is only the Venetian fortress of Ierapetra. The walls of the defense and the surrounding palms - a good places for selfies. It doesn't make sense to go there just for the city's sake, but you can go on the road or take the time to visit the town completely.
19. Vroulidia
Vroulidia Beach is located in a secluded spot on the southernmost tip of Chios, just 9 km from the beautiful Greek village of Pyrgi. Although the coast is only 100 m, the beach gives the impression of an exotic place due to the unusual combination of colors and landscape. Tall white cliffs surround the quiet, deserted beach of Wroulidia.
18. Skoutaros
Skoutari is a beach located between Kontron and Gifio resorts. It is characterized by perfect cleanliness, many attractions, and a shallow and hot sea. There is a cozy tavern on-site where the best Greek cuisine is prepared and tourists are treated to young wine.
17. Faros
The largest and most beautiful beach on the island of Ikaria is Faros. Its turquoise waves and white sand can often be seen on postcards with typical Greek landscapes. But seeing is one thing, and feeling on your body - every grain of sand and a ray of fragrant sun and the aroma of needles and olives - is entirely different.
16. Gialos
Gialos is a harbor beach with modern infrastructure and lots of fun. It is famous for its white sand, clear water, and good order. There are monuments of Greek architecture, luxury and affordable hotels, churches, and ancient monasteries.
15. Kampos
The beach is located on the north coast of Icaria, next to a small village of the same name. The island's capital, Agios Kirikos, is about 40 miles away and can be reached by car or bus. A few kilometers west is the port of Evdilos, the second largest on the island. Ships depart from it to mainland Piraeus and the islands of Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros. Evdilos is connected to Campos by a road along which you can see the many ruins of ancient buildings and walls.
14. Myrodato
Microdata is one of the best beaches in northern Greece. This comfortable and well-equipped Blue Flag Beach is located near Skala Avdiron, 26 km from Xanthi. The peculiarity of Mirodato is its white sand that shines in the sun, on which it is pleasant to walk and run barefoot. The beach will be an excellent option for relaxing on the sea.
13. Kedrodasos
Another wild beach in western Crete. It is located 20 kilometers west of Palaiochora. You can drive to Elafonisi, where there is tourist infrastructure and parking, and from there, you can walk along the path (a few kilometers to the southeast).
12. Castro
The first beach welcomes guests to the island of Lefkada and its northern part. The most convenient way to get to the recreation area is to rent a car, as a paved road leads directly to the beach. There is also free parking and a bus stop, which budget lovers may not need, as the beach is only 15 minutes away from the city.
11. Kavourotrypes
Kavurotripes (also known as Orange Beach) is a picturesque beach located 5 km from Sarti. It is famous for its orange cliffs, bright blue water, and soft and pleasant sand.
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10. Voidokilia
They are located in the Messina prefecture on the west coast of the Peloponnese. With a bizarrely curved amphitheater, it crowns the picturesque Yalova Lagoon, which is connected to a narrow sandy spit. The local landscapes admire their beauty, and their photographs adorn all the tourist brochures in Greece. Next to the beach is the fresh Lake Divariou, where about three hundred different birds migrate from Europe to Africa. Therefore, the local area is a conservation area under the control of the environmental organization Natura 2000.
9. Navagio
Navagio (or Shipwreck Beach) is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Zakynthos and the whole of Greece. The picturesque bay with a rusty ship on its shore has long been the primary illustration of guides on this Greek island paradise. The name of this attraction is due to the beach. Initially, it was named after Saint George and later renamed "Shipwreck," and the coast itself is often called Smugglers' Beach.
8. Kathisma
Kathisma is one of the most beautiful beaches in Lefkada, which ideally combines scenic landscapes with a highly developed infrastructure. It enjoys the fame of being the most visited on the island. It is located about 15 km southeast of the capital, near the village of Agios Nikitas (just 3.5 km from it). This is one of the longest white sand beaches on Lefkada. There are always a lot of tourists, and the Kathisma coast is considered a natural paradise for a beach holiday for young people.
7. Kriopigi
Kriopigi Beach is one of the most beautiful and unusual beaches on the Halkidiki Peninsula. Its name translates to "cold key," which is due to the numerous sources of ice water in the vicinity. Even swimming in the sea, you can feel the cold courses. It is believed that the waters here are saturated with functional trace elements, and swimming on this beach improves health. There are always a lot of people who want to experience this.
6. Sani
Sani is a snow-white beach in the Kassandra Peninsula. There are two swimming pools at guests' disposal, a photo area, sports fields, and park areas. The beach is popular with newlyweds. Greek celebrities and athletes often relax here.
5. Agios Prokopios
Agios Prokopios is one of the most beautiful beaches in Naxos, most often included in the first lists of picturesque coasts in Greece and throughout Europe. The Greeks constantly claim to keep the charm of this coast clean, preventing its development with modern buildings and entertainment centers. This beach is located about 5.5 km southwest of the island's capital, near Agios Georgios, from where many people go here.
4. Voulisma
It is located on the coast of Crete, near Istro, 12 km from the big city and the port of Agios Nikolaos. There are buses to Istro (the journey takes 15-20 minutes). The beach is located in one of the many bays in the depths of Mirabello Bay and is the largest and most beautiful in the area and the most popular. Mountains and low pilgrims surround the sandy beach. The water is clear, turquoise, slightly sloping bottom with standard depth, no depths, and potholes. The water is usually clean, but storms sometimes bring garbage.
3. Simos
It is located in the southern part of the Peloponnese, on the island of Elafonisos, part of the prefecture of Laconia. The island was part of the mainland, but a strong earthquake that took place centuries ago took it off the land. Despite its convenient location, Elafonisos is one of the best resorts in Greece, and Simos is considered its pearl. The beach is on the Natura 2000 list of nature reserves and is a conservation area in the EU.
2. Egremni
Egremni is a picturesque wild beach on the very southwestern edge of Lefkada, about 40 km from Lefkada. It is considered one of the most beautiful on the island and the Mediterranean. At the same time, the long coastline gives glory to the longest on the Lefkada. Therefore, impressive landscapes can be enjoyed here in relative isolation than on other beautiful but very crowded beaches of the island.
1. Balos
It is located 55 kilometers from Chania, near the Gypsy Cape, on the Korikos Peninsula, at the northwestern tip of Crete. There are waters from the three seas that wash the island converge.
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The official name of this state is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The country is located in South America, its territory is 916,000 square kilometers, and its population is just over 30 million. Most live in the coastal area of the country. Europeans are believed to have first landed on the coast of modern Venezuela in 1499; they were members of a Spanish expedition led by Alonso de Ojeda. And Venezuela got its name thanks to the Italian Amerigo Vespucci; the Indian houses on stilts reminded him of his native Venice.
Top facts about Venezuela
The capital of Venezuela is the city of Caracas, home to over 2 million people. In the old days, Indians of the Karaka tribe lived in this place, hence the name of the city. It was founded on July 25, 1567, on the day of St. Iago Leonski. The full name of the capital of Venezuela is Santiago de Leon de Caracas. The crime rate in the capital of Venezuela is very high.
1. Venezuela is a country located in the very north of South America.
2. The full name and official country are the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
3. The name of this state means "little Venice."
4. Christopher Columbus was the first European to set foot on the territory of modern Venezuela.
5. Venezuela gained independence from Great Britain in 1830.
6. More than 28 million people live in this South American country.
CITY OF CARACAS - THE CAPITAL OF VENEZUELA
7. In the capital of Venezuela, the city of Caracas, there are a lot of cars, and there are even more traffic jams than in Moscow.
8. Venezuela, like many other Latin American countries, has a high percentage of poverty, a huge external debt and a terrible record of corruption. All these social problems are exacerbated by a number of natural disasters, in particular floods.
9. The population of this state mainly consists of four groups: mestizos (mixed Europeans and Indians), they account for about 67% of the population; whites (citizens of European origin, mainly Spaniards, Italians and Portuguese) - about 21%; blacks (persons of African and Caribbean origin) - about 10%; Indians (these are Native Americans) - 2%.
RESIDENTS OF VENEZUELA
10. These groups are mostly localized: mestizos and whites mostly live in cities; the Indians live in the hinterland of the Guianan and Amazonas; blacks live along the Caribbean coast.
11. All whites in Venezuela are a priori considered Americans. And most Venezuelans do not like Americans.
12. The official language in the country is Spanish. It appeared on the territory of Venezuela in the 16th century.
13. In addition to Spanish, there are 25 other indigenous languages spoken in Venezuela that belong to three language families: Caribbean, Arawakan and Chibcha.
14. Venezuelans consider it important to learn English, as it opens up new perspectives for them.
15. The vast majority of Venezuelans (about 90%) are Catholics. There are also significant Jewish communities in Caracas and Maracaibo. The country also has a small number of Muslims.
GENERAL SIMON BOLIVAR
16. The main national symbol in this state is the image of the famous fighter for the independence of Venezuela, General Simon Bolivar. He led the movement that liberated Venezuela and the neighboring countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia from Spanish rule.
17. The walls of almost all houses in Venezuelan cities are painted with graffiti, and most of these graffiti are drawn very professionally.
18. In general, the climate in Venezuela is hot, but at an altitude of one and a half kilometers above sea level it can be called moderate. That is why most of the major cities here were built on high ground.
19. Thermometers in this country show the temperature in degrees Celsius, and air conditioners in degrees Fahrenheit.
20. Venezuela is dominated by a patriarchal society. Men always hold important political positions and are more successful at work, while women are more housewives.
21. Patriarchy is more pronounced in the city, while in the countryside it is not so pronounced. Although, based on the constitution, men and women have equal rights.
22. The country has the largest oil reserves on the planet. Now they are more than 48 billion tons.
23. The Venezuelan economy is 95% based on the production and export of petroleum products.
24. Petrol is very cheap in Venezuela. It's practically free.
25. Thanks to subsidized policies, gasoline costs only $0.01 per liter (64 kopecks per liter). This is incredibly cheap, given the average cost of gasoline in the world - 0.97.
NATURE OF VENEZUELA
26. The country has many beautiful landscapes, there is magnificent tropical weather.
27. The government takes care of the preservation of flora and fauna. Venezuela occupies a leading position in the world in terms of environmental protection. More than 53.9% of its territories are under state protection.
28. In this regard, other countries are far behind Venezuela. For example, in the UK, only 28.4% of the territories are protected, while the global average is 14.8%.
29.Venezuela belongs to a small list of countries with a huge number of endemic animals.
30. About 23% of reptiles and 50% of amphibian species living in the territory of this country are endemic to it.
ANGEL WATERFALL
31. On the territory of this country is the highest waterfall on the planet. It's called Angel. Its height is 979 meters (and according to some sources 1054 meters). The height of continuous free fall is 807 meters.
32. This waterfall is located in the tropical forests of the Venezuelan state of Bolivar, in the Canaim National Park. Canaim Park was included in the list of UNESCO national heritage sites in 1994.
33. The Venezuelan health care system includes a large number of public and private hospitals and clinics. However, despite the fact that medical care in this state is better than in other South American countries, it is far from ideal.
34. There are still long queues of patients in public hospitals, there is a shortage of qualified personnel, who, by the way, have rather low wages.
35. This state has rather low defense spending, approximately 1.5% of the country's GDP. The Venezuelan army has about 80,000 soldiers who serve in the navy, ground forces and aviation.
LAKE MARACAIBO
36. Local Lake Maracaibo is the largest in South America.
37. In every city here you can see the square of Simon Bolivar - the man thanks to whom Venezuela gained independence.
38. The Venezuelan currency, the sovereign bolivar, was named after Bolivar.
39.Also, the airport in Venezuela is named after Simon Bolivar.
40. Statues of Simon Bolivar are found in almost all cities of the country.
41.The State provides every citizen of the country with free primary education. As for higher education, only 20-30% of the population study at universities. Higher education takes four to five years, after which you can get the degree of licenciado (Licentiate).
42. Venezuelans are famous for their sociable and cheerful nature. This is noticeable in their behavior. When meeting even strangers, Venezuelans will kiss him twice, on the right and left cheeks. Women greet both men and women in this way, while men only kiss women. A firm handshake is accepted between men, the same as we have in Russia.
43. Printed newspapers are still very popular among the citizens of Venezuela.
44. The Internet sector in Venezuela is underdeveloped. Only large companies have their own websites. Home internet here is expensive and very slow.
45. Asteroid 9357 is named after Venezuela.
46. The most popular sport in Venezuela is baseball, not football, as in all other Latin American countries.
47. At night, the movement on the streets of the cities of this country becomes extremely dangerous due to the high level of crime. In all of Venezuela, it is unlikely that you will be able to find at least one person who has never been robbed.
48. In provincial towns and villages, local residents usually deal with criminals on their own, rarely resorting to the help of the police.
49. Venezuelan girls have won more beauty pageants than girls from any other country.
50. The nature of Venezuela is amazingly beautiful, but the lack of a normal service in the European sense and the dangers that await tourists scare away most fans of eco-tourism.
If you want to spend your time in Sri Lanka as fun, safe, and exciting as possible, you should get to know the locals better, the features of their way of life, and other things. It is also worthwhile before the trip to figure out what is accepted on the island and what is better not to do.
We invite you to discover 50 exciting facts noted by researchers and travelers who have repeatedly visited the tea island.
Top facts about Sri Lanka
1. Sri Lanka is a hot tropical country located in southern Asia.
More precisely, the country of Sri Lanka is located on the island of the same name in the Indian Ocean.
2. Previously, the European name of the island on which this state is located was used - Ceylon. This name of the country existed until 1972.
3. Sri Lanka is in many ways related to India, but at the same time quite noticeably different from it, this is especially striking if you spend at least a month there and there. There are plenty of similarities, though.
4. Translated from the ancient Sanskrit language, “Sri Lanka” means “Blessed Land”.
5. Sri Lankans - this is how the inhabitants of Sri Lanka are officially called.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
6. The actual, but not the official capital of the country is the city of Colombo. The official capital is the city of Sri Jayawardenepuru Kotte.
7. The name "Colombo" comes from the Sinhala "kola-amba-thota", which means "mango harbour".
8. Sri Lanka was a British colony until 1948. English is very popular on the island.
9. Sri Lanka will make anyone believe in heaven on earth. This is a real gem of South Asia. It is impossible not to admit that this tropical island is really beautiful.
Galle Lighthouse
10. As in all Asian countries, there is a high population density - 308 people per square kilometer. The population of Sri Lanka is approximately equal to the population of Beijing.
11. Two languages here have the status of state - Tamil and Sinhalese. English, on the other hand, has a special status and serves for communication between representatives of different ethnic groups living in Sri Lanka.
12. The main religion of Sri Lanka is Buddhism, it is followed by 70% of the population here. The remaining 20% are Hindus and 10% are Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
13. The Tooth of the Buddha - one of the most revered Buddhist shrines is located in the city of Kandy and is kept in the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
14. The leadership issued a wise law to avoid conflicts between believers. All religious holidays of all religions practiced by residents are days off for everyone. Therefore, there are more than half of the holidays in the year.
15. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on such days. On weekdays, alcoholic beverages can only be bought at specially designated places.
Sigirya Mountain
16. One of the most popular places for tourists here is Mount Sigiriya, on the way to the top of which you need to climb a staircase of 1001 steps.
17. The most popular dessert treat in Sri Lanka is ice cream. They are sold literally on every corner.
18. Buffalo milk is popular here along with cow milk. On the palate, if you are not a professional taster, there is no noticeable difference.
19. Smoking in public places in Sri Lanka is subject to a decent, and by local standards even a huge fine - about $ 37, or 5 thousand local rupees.
20. The national flower of Sri Lanka is the Star Lotus.
Fruits in Sri Lanka
21. Due to the warm and humid equatorial climate, Sri Lanka has an abundance of a variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. Bananas are harvested up to six times a year.
22. Bananas are not the same as on the shelves of our stores (large, feed varieties), and small bananas are baby. They have a thin skin, yellow flesh and are very sweet, with a high content of trace elements and vitamins.
23. Sri Lanka is thoroughly saturated with the smell of spices and incense. The main spice is cinnamon, and it is considered the highest quality in the world. Scientists believe that Sri Lanka is the birthplace of cinnamon.
24. There are also dangers awaiting tourists in Sri Lanka. These are monkeys. Among the inhabitants, they are considered a sacred animal, but they often behave very aggressively. It is better to keep the windows closed and things under supervision.
25. There is also an abundance of insects here, it is imperative to use special creams and ointments. And walking in the evening, you need to wear closed clothes and closed shoes from snakes.
Elephants in Sri Lanka
26. Here, the inhabitants treat elephants with love. The elephant is the symbol of the country. The punishment for killing an elephant is life imprisonment.
27. Divorces in Sri Lanka are very rare - 1%. Maybe the reason is that after the divorce, the husband is obliged to pay the ex-wife 50% of his salary throughout his life.
28. Here, when a daughter is married, she should be given a house and a car as a dowry. Therefore, as soon as a girl is born, parents begin to earn and save for a dowry.
29. The youth of Sri Lanka study at 11 universities, in terms of the quality of education they are not inferior to other universities in South Asia.
30. Here the literacy of the population is 92%. This is higher than in any other country in Southeast Asia, with the exception of Hong Kong and Singapore.
31. Schools in the country are free, however, for 300 rupees per month ($ 2.5) you can allow your child to study at an international school with the study of English.
Tangalla city beach
32. The beach in Tangalle, located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, is popular because you can watch both sunset and sunrise from it.
33. The biggest danger in this country is swimming in the waves of the ocean. The strength of the ocean surf and waves is significantly different from the sea. It can carry a person into the ocean like a grain of sand. Therefore, it is necessary to relax on the beaches here in places specially equipped for this. No need to try to conquer the waves on wild beaches.
34. All working women in the country are required to wear national clothes - saris. Many men here wear skirts.
35. Numbers 9 and 12 are considered the luckiest here.
36. Tea, which Sri Lanka is so famous for, was brought here by the British. Before that, there were no tea bushes here.
Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka
37. Now Sri Lanka ranks third in the world in tea production, second only to India and China. The famous Ceylon tea is grown here.
38. In total, about 10% of all tea in the world is produced here, which is more than 300 thousand tons annually.
39. One of the most visited places on the island by tourists is tea plantations. There you can see the process of making tea, as well as taste it.
Ramboda waterfall
40. Alut Avurudu - the Sri Lankan New Year, associated with the lunar cycles. It begins in accordance with the calculations of astrologers and is celebrated in April.
41. Sri Lankans do not use toilet paper, but it is sold for tourists and costs 2 times more than in India and 4 times more than in Russia.
42. Instead of toilet paper, Sri Lankans use a hygienic shower, or even a ladle and a bucket of water, just like in Thailand.
43. There are practically no fat people in this state.
Royal Botanical Garden
44. The Royal Botanical Garden with an orchid greenhouse in Sri Lanka is considered the largest in Southeast Asia.
45. The export of currency (Sri Lankan rupee) outside the country is strictly prohibited.
46. Sri Lanka is a major exporter of precious stones. Sapphire, emerald or ruby can be bought here inexpensively.
Sinhalite stone
47. The most expensive gem here is sinhalite(more expensive than a diamond). It got its name in honor of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka.
48. The inhabitants of this island-state are very respectful of the people of the white race. They are very hospitable and friendly to tourists. Instead of a handshake, it is better to use the greeting of the locals: - fold your palms on your chest with a “house” and bring them to your forehead. In return, you will receive a radiant smile!
Bentota beach
49. Among local residents, it is considered prestigious to know the Russian language. It brings in a good income from tourists.
50. Russian tourists are found in Sri Lanka, but not very often, while this country is not yet strongly covered by compatriots, although Sri Lanka is one of the best places for a winter holiday.
Cobras are among the most dangerous and venomous snakes in the world. They are found on the territory of many countries and invariably instill fear in the locals. Who does not recognize this silhouette with an open hood? However, you can find an approach to cobras if you know how. Catchers of snakes have already proven this many times.
Top facts about cobras
There are many famous snakes worldwide, but cobras stand apart, mainly because they are perhaps the most recognizable reptiles in the world. There are many more poisonous snakes in the world than cobras, but the habit of these creatures opening the hood in the event of an attack made them very memorable. And does it make any difference to a snakebite victim how deadly poisonous the snake that bit her is if the venom of any cobra is usually enough to kill any living creature on Earth?
1. Cobras are large snakes known for their venom and their peculiar way of puffing out their hoods.
2. This name means, first of all, representatives of the genus of real cobras, as well as the king and collar cobras related to them. Despite its name, the king cobra does not belong to true cobras, it forms a separate genus.
3. Cobras live exclusively in the Old World - in Africa (across the continent), Central and South Asia (in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka).
4. In total, scientists distinguish 16 different types of cobras, and all of them are poisonous and they all belong to the aspid family and are related to other, no less poisonous species - deadly and cruel snakes, kraits and asps.
5. All types of cobras are quite large, one of the smallest - the Angolan cobra - reaches a length of 1.5 meters, and the largest king cobra, or hamadryad, reaches a length of 4.8 and even 5.5 meters.
6. The king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world, reaching a size of 3-4 meters, but there are some recorded individuals in length over 5 meters, weighing up to 10-12 kilograms.
7. Despite its large size, its body does not look massive (like pythons or boas, for example), in general, these reptiles are characterized by high mobility.
8. King cobras grow all their lives, and their average life expectancy reaches 25-30 years.
9. When meeting, the king cobras stand in a combat stance and measure their height. The shorter one admits defeat and crawls away.
10. The king cobra is the only snake in the world that, on occasion, willingly feeds on other snakes, including poisonous ones.
11. King cobras are rarely kept in zoos and terrariums due to aggressiveness.
12. Unlike other snakes, the king cobra can control the dose of poison. She often bites people without poison at all, so as not to waste it on someone who is not suitable food for her.
13. Cobra swims well, and the speed of its movement on land is 6 km / h. However, this snake does not usually chase a human.
14. Sometimes these poisonous snakes are found even in the mountains, at an altitude of up to 2.5 kilometers above sea level.
15. The poison of some species of cobras is used in medicine.
HEMACHATUS COBRA
16. The collared cobra is the only one that does not lay eggs, but gives birth to live cubs, and sometimes up to 50-60 at a time.
17. Collared cobra is considered one of the greatest "actresses" of the snake world. In case of danger (if spitting poison did not help), she turns her belly up and, opening her mouth, deftly pretends to be dead.
18. The habitats of cobras are diverse, however, arid places are more to their taste. A typical landscape for a cobra is bushes, deserts and semi-deserts, a number of species are found in the jungle, along river banks, but these snakes avoid very wet places.
RINGED WATER COBRA
19. Like all reptiles, cobras live alone, but Indian and king cobras are the rarest exception to this rule. These snakes are the only reptiles that form stable pairs during the mating season.
20. Unlike their other poisonous snakes, cobras do not ambush the enemy, but allow themselves to be discovered. They stand upright, open their hood and sway, as if warning that they are not to be trifled with, in order to frighten the enemy and force him to retreat.
CENTRAL ASIAN COBRA
21. These animals are thermophilic and do not occur where snow falls in winter, with the exception of the Central Asian cobra, whose range in the north reaches Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
22. The poison of all types of cobras is deadly to humans, but its strength varies from species to species. The poison of the Central Asian cobra is “not too” strong, death from its bite occurs after a few hours or even days, but the poison of the king cobra can kill a person in half an hour, moreover, there are cases when even elephants died from its bite.
EGYPTIAN COBRA
23. During the hunt, cobras do not swallow the victim alive, as many people think, but first paralyze them with their poison, wait for some time until the prey dies, and only after that they start eating.
24. In a calm state, cobras do not stand out among other snakes, but in a state of irritation, they raise the front of the body and swell the neck.
25. A more or less pronounced hood is a distinctive feature of these reptiles, such a structural feature is no longer found in any other snakes.
ANGOLAN COBRA
26. Angolan cobra is the smallest of these snakes. The length of an adult usually does not exceed 1.5 meters.
27. The color of cobras is mostly nondescript, it is dominated by yellowish-brown and black-brown tones, but some species may have a bright color. For example, red spitting - brown-red, South African shield - coral.
28. Also, cobras are characterized by the presence of transverse stripes, especially pronounced on the neck.
INDIAN COBRA
29. The famous Indian cobra or spectacled snake got its name from the two spots that are visible on its swollen hood, these snakes have individuals with one spot, such cobras are called monocles.
30. Among the cobras there are a number of specialized species that practice a special way of hunting. They do not bite their prey, but ... shoot it with poison.
31. The Indian spitting cobra is considered the most accurate shooter, and black-necked and collared cobras from Africa also possess this skill. In these species, the opening of the poisonous channel is not located at the bottom of the tooth, but on its front surface, with special muscles the cobra compresses the poisonous glands and the deadly liquid flies out under pressure, as if from a syringe.
32. At one time, the cobra is able to fire several shots (up to a maximum of 28). The snake can shoot at a distance of up to 2 meters, and from such a distance it hits a target with a diameter of a couple of centimeters. Such accuracy is not accidental, because to kill the victim, a simple hit in her body is not enough. The poison cannot penetrate the covers of the prey and kill it, but it can have a strong irritating effect on the mucous membrane.
33. Therefore, spitting cobras always aim at the eyes, the jet of poison irritates the organs of vision and the victim loses orientation, but even if she is lucky to escape, she is doomed. The poison causes irreversible changes in the proteins of the cornea and the victim goes blind. If the poison gets into the eyes of a person, it can only be saved by immediately washing the eyes with plenty of water.
34. African spitting cobras are capable of spraying poison at the enemy up to 30-40 times in a row in a short period of time.
PHILIPPINE COBRA
35. The Philippines is home to the second most venomous cobra, whose venom can kill an adult in half an hour. She is especially dangerous because she does not need to bite - she also belongs to the spitting.
36. Distinctive features of the cobra - six shields on the head. True, when meeting with her, there is usually no time to look at them.
37. Despite its poisonousness, the cobra is quite edible, and in a number of Asian countries it is considered a rare and expensive delicacy.
38. Cobras breed once a year. Sexual intercourse in cobras can last two to three days. Male king cobras have two penises instead of one.
39. The breeding season occurs more often in January-February (for example, in the Indian cobra) or spring (in the Central Asian), the females of these species lay their eggs in April-May or June-July, respectively. The fecundity of cobras is highly dependent on the species and can range from 8 to 70 eggs.
40. Cobras lay their eggs in crevices between stones, heaps of fallen leaves and similar shelters. Females usually guard the clutch.
41. The behavior of the royal and Indian cobras is especially interesting. Their females not only protect the eggs, but also build a nest for them. This seems surprising when you consider that snakes are completely devoid of limbs. To do this, the cobra rakes the leaves with the front part of the body into a pile, laying eggs, it remains to guard them. Moreover, the most active part in the protection of the nest is also taken by males, who do not leave their chosen ones until the offspring hatch.
SNAKE CHARMER
42. During this period, Indian and king cobras can be very aggressive, actively driving animals and people away from their nest. This was the reason to accuse these snakes of unpredictable attacks on humans, in fact, such behavior is observed only during the breeding season.
43. Hatched serpents are completely independent and already have poison, however, due to its small amount, they initially hunt the smallest prey and even insects.
44. Young cobras are usually striped, and the black and white cobra even got its name from the color of the young.
45. The life expectancy of cobras in nature has not been precisely established; in captivity, one black-and-white cobra lived for 29 years, which is a very high figure for snakes.
46. Cobras are more active during the day and are generally very resistant to overheating. In most people's minds, cobras are aggressive, but in fact, these snakes are quite calm and even a little phlegmatic. Knowing their behavior, they are easy to control, which is often demonstrated by "charmers" of snakes.
47. Cobras feed on small rodents, birds (passerines and ground-nesting, for example, nightjars), lizards, frogs, toads, smaller snakes, and eggs.
48. The king cobra feeds exclusively on reptiles, and eats lizards extremely rarely, and more often hunts other snakes. Its victims are usually the most poisonous species and the closest relatives of cobras - kraits and asps.
49. Despite the strong poison, cobras also have enemies. Young animals can be attacked by larger snakes, monitor lizards, and adults are preyed upon by mongooses and meerkats. Although these animals do not have innate immunity to cobra venom, they are so clever at distracting the snake's attention with false attacks that they manage to seize the moment and deliver a deadly bite to the back of the head. A cobra caught in the path of a mongoose or a meerkat has no chance of survival.
50. For protection, cobras have a number of devices. Firstly, this is the famous stand, which performs a signaling role. Although a cobra that puffs out its hood is extremely dangerous in a person’s mind, in fact, this behavior allows you to avoid an unexpected encounter with a snake and bypass it. Cobra, in turn, achieves just such a reaction. Secondly, if a cobra is caught or annoyed, it does not immediately go on the attack. Often in such cases, the snake connects additional means of intimidation - loud hissing and false attacks, during which the snake does not let in poisonous teeth. And only if this does not help, the cobra can bite.
These amazing animals, seals, just seem clumsy. Yes, on land they appear to be such lumps, but in the water, they are swift, strong, and graceful. However, much still depends on the specific species to which the seal belongs - many of them differ vary significantly from each other. But it was thanks to these animals that such a colloquial word as "seal" appeared, that is, to wallow, relax and do nothing. But what, after all, these marine animals really often allow themselves to relax and unwind, although, of course, their life does not consist of continuous rest.
Fun facts about seals
1. Seals belong to the family of true seals.
2. Depending on the species, they can live in both salt and fresh water of the arctic, subarctic or temperate zones.
3. Currently, three types of seals are known: two of them are marine, and one is freshwater.
4. All seals, especially freshwater ones, are living relics that have been preserved on Earth since the end of the Tertiary period.
5. Seals are similar to seals, they have a spindle-shaped body, a small head and limbs that have evolved into flippers, thanks to which the seals are excellent swimmers and divers.
6. The neck of the seal is weakly expressed, sometimes it may even seem that it does not exist at all, and the body simply passes into a small, head with a flattened skull, smoothly turning into a slightly elongated muzzle.
7. In general, the seal's head is a bit similar in shape to a cat's, except for the fact that its muzzle is more elongated. The seals have no ears, they are replaced by auditory canals, which are invisible from the outside.
8. The eyes of this animal are large, dark and very expressive. The eyes of seal cubs seem especially large: huge and dark, they seem even more contrasting against the background of light wool and give the little seal a resemblance either to an owlet or some kind of alien creature.
9. Thanks to the third eyelid that seals have, they can swim and dive without fear of damaging their eyes. However, in the open air, the seal's eyes tend to water, which gives the impression that the animal is crying.
10. In the body of the seal there is a large fat layer that helps this animal survive in the harsh conditions of a cold climate and not freeze in icy water.
11. The same reserves of fat can help the seal survive a temporary hunger strike during a period of starvation, and thanks to them, the animal can lie for hours and even sleep on the surface of the water.
12. The skin of the seal is very strong and strong. It is covered with short, dense and harsh hair, which also protects the animal from hypothermia both in cold water and on ice or on the shore.
13. Between the fingers of these animals there are membranes, and on the front flippers, in addition, there are also powerful claws, thanks to which the seal makes holes in the ice in order to get to land or in order to rise to the surface of the water for a sip of fresh air.
14. The coat color of the seal, depending on the species, can be dark silver or brownish, while it is often covered with darker spots.
15. There are three types of seals. The ringed seal inhabits the temperate waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Arctic Ocean.
16. In Russia, ringed seals are found in all northern seas, as well as in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea.
17. The Caspian seal is endemic to the Caspian Sea.
18. The Baikal seal is not found anywhere else in the world, except for Lake Baikal.
19. Some scientists suggest that all types of seals are related to each other by a common origin, moreover, the ancestor of the Caspian and Baikal species is called the ringed seal, which migrated to Baikal and the Caspian about two million years ago and there evolved into two new species.
20. However, there is another version, according to which the ringed and Baikal seals simply had a common ancestor that appeared later than even the Caspian seal.
21. All three species differ from each other in color and, in part, in size.
CASPIAN SEALS
22. The Caspian seal is the smallest of them, its dimensions are approximately 1.3 meters in length and weighs about 86 kilograms.
23. The Caspian seal is found along the coastline and on the rocky islands of the Caspian Sea, in winter it can also often be seen on drifting ice floes. In the warm season, it can even swim into the mouths of the Volga and the Urals.
24. Caspian seals eat fish and crustaceans that live in the Caspian Sea. They are especially willing to eat small herring and sprat - these are the types of fish that make up the bulk of their diet. The proportion of crustaceans is small - it is approximately 1% of the total amount of food.
25. One of the species of these animals, the ringed seal, was named so because of its unusual color, in which the dark rings on its skin have a light border.
26. The ringed seal, or akiba, is the most common species of true seals in the Arctic: according to conservative estimates, there are about 4 million ringed seals in the world.
27. Akiba is distributed in the seas of the Arctic Ocean from the Barents and White in the west to the Bering Sea in the east, it lives in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Baltic Sea, the Tatar Strait, the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga, and sometimes rises along the Neva to St. Petersburg.
28. This seal lives both in the coastal zone and in the open ocean, but more often it keeps in bays, straits and estuaries. This species does not make large regular migrations. In winter, the seal lives on the ice.
29. Subspecies of ringed seal: Baltic ringed seal, White Sea ringed seal, Ladoga ringed seal, Okhotsk, or Far Eastern ringed seal, Saimaa ringed seal.
30. Subspecies of the ringed seal live mainly in the polar or subpolar regions.
HISPIDA SEAL
31. The White Sea seal lives in the Arctic and is the most common seal in the Arctic Ocean.
32. The Baltic seal lives in the cold waters of the northern regions of the Baltic, in particular, it can be seen off the coast of Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia. Sometimes this animal even swims to the coast of Germany.
33. Two other subspecies of the ringed seal - Ladoga and Saimaa, are freshwater and live in Lake Ladoga and Lake Saimaa.
34. The body length of adult ringed seals reaches 1.5 meters, weight 40-80 kilograms. Baltic specimens are even larger - 140 centimeters and 100 kilograms. Males are usually somewhat larger than females.
35. Akiba has excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell, which help the animal find food for itself and hide from predators in time. These seals feed on crustaceans, molluscs and fish (spiny goby, Greenland goby, pike, navaga, salmon, salmon).
36. Ringed seals never form colonies. Most often they stay alone, although sometimes they gather in small groups, which, however, are not very stable. All year round they spend at sea, for which their body is very well adapted.
37. The Baikal seal is not only an endemic of Lake Baikal, that is, it is found only here, but the Baikal seal is the only mammal of Lake Baikal. According to morphological and biological features, the Baikal seal is close to the ringed seal that lives in the seas of the Far North and the Far East. There are some signs of similarity between this seal and the Caspian species.
38. The origin of the seal in Baikal remains an unresolved issue to this day. Most researchers adhere to the point of view of I. D. Chersky that the seal entered Baikal from the Arctic Ocean through the Yenisei-Angara river system during the Ice Age simultaneously with the Baikal omul.
39. But there is another point of view - that the entire family of true seals, to which the Baikal seal belongs, originated in large freshwater reservoirs of Eurasia. And only then did the resettlement of three sister species begin: the Caspian seal mastered the Caspian Sea, the ringed one - the Arctic Ocean, and the Baikal one - the deepest freshwater lake.
40. However, there is no doubt that the seal owes its prosperity and high numbers in Baikal to its deep water and food web features.
BAIKAL SEALS ON THE USHKAN ISLANDS
41. The Baikal seal is widespread throughout the lake, but it is especially abundant in its northern and middle parts. The most favorite habitat for seals is the Ushkany Islands, located on the territory of the Zabaikalsky National Park.
42. The basis of nutrition of the Baikal seal is golomyanka and gobies. She eats about a ton of fish a year. In search of food, the seal dives to a depth of 200 meters and remains under water for 20-25 minutes.
43. Previously, it was believed that Baikal seals cause great damage to the whitefish population, but, as it turned out later, they come across them only by chance and the total number of sturgeons in the seal's diet is no more than 1-2%.
44. The seal is called the symbol of Baikal, the same as the famous Baikal omul, its images are used on the emblems. This is an interesting object of ecological tourism.
45. Every year, many wildlife lovers come to Baikal to see and, if possible, photograph it. The main flow of ecotourists goes to the Ushkany Islands, where the conditions for shooting are prepared.
46. It is believed that the Baikal seal has no natural enemies in nature: only humans are a danger to it. However, not often, but it happens that these animals are hunted by a brown bear.
BAIKAL SEALS
47. Baikal seal cubs are usually safely hidden inside the den, because in the absence of a mother who has retired in search of food, they can become prey for foxes, sables or white-tailed eagles.
48. The ringed seal living in the ice of the Arctic has much more enemies. It is seals that are the main part of the diet of polar bears, and arctic foxes and large polar gulls prey on their cubs. In the water, killer whales and Greenland polar sharks pose a danger to ringed seals. Sometimes they can be hunted by walruses.
49. All seals are animals leading a mostly solitary lifestyle. Only during the breeding season do they gather in flocks. But even so, each seal tries to keep apart and drives away its relatives with an indignant snort.
LADOGA SEAL
50. The smallest among the subspecies of seals is the Ladoga seal, which lives in Lake Ladoga itself, has a body length of no more than 135 centimeters and a weight of 40 kilograms.
51. The seal spends most of its life in the water. She dives superbly and can spend up to 70 minutes underwater depending on the species. While diving, the animal's ear canals and nostrils are closed, so that under water it can breathe only thanks to the large volume of its lungs and the supply of air that fits in them.
52. Often these animals even sleep on the surface of the water, and their sleep is surprisingly strong: it happened that people, having swum up to sleeping seals, turned them over on purpose, and they did not even think of waking up.
53. The seal spends winter under water, only occasionally rising to the surface of the water in order to take a new breath of fresh air. On ice or on land, these animals begin to get out closer to the beginning of spring, when the breeding season begins.
54. Moreover, as a rule, seals have favorite places for rookeries, where they gather in order to continue their race.
55. Seals only on the ground can seem clumsy and clumsy creatures. In water, they are active, energetic and almost tireless. Under water, the speed of movement of the seal can be 25 km / h, although in a calm environment these animals swim much more slowly.
56. On the shore, seals move with the help of their front flippers and tail, sorting through them. In the event of danger, they begin to jump, while loudly slapping on the ice or ground with their front flippers and pushing off a hard surface with their tail.
57. Sea seals of cold latitudes, unlike freshwater ones, regardless of the time of year, prefer to spend most of their time on the ice or on the shore, and not in the water, where they dive only in case of danger or in order to get food.
58. Sexual dimorphism is externally expressed in the fact that individuals of different sexes differ from each other in size. Moreover, if the females of the Baikal seal are larger than the males, then the Caspian seal, on the contrary, the males are larger.
59. Depending on the species and gender, seals reach sexual maturity at 3-7 years of age, and males mature later than females. These animals bring cubs either annually or 2-3 years after the previous birth. Female seals usually give birth to one cub, but sometimes 2-3 cubs at a time.
60. It happens that a certain percentage of females after mating do not bring offspring. As a rule, 10-20% of the Baikal seals have such "vacations" every year.
61. The reasons for this still remain unclear: either this is due to the natural regulation of the level of livestock numbers, or simply not all females that have temporarily suspended the development of embryos resume it after a while. It is also not excluded that this phenomenon may be associated with some diseases transferred by the female or unfavorable living conditions.
62. Seals usually mate in the spring, and then the gestation period continues for 9-11 months. Females give birth on ice, at this time they and their newborn cubs are very vulnerable to predators and hunters.
63. The color of babies differs from the color of adults: for example, the cubs of the Baikal seal are born white, from which their name comes - pups.
64. At first, the mother feeds the baby with milk, after which the cub is gradually transferred to an adult diet consisting of fish and invertebrates. By the time this happens, he manages to completely shed and change the color of the fur to the one that is inherent in adults.
RINGED SEAL WITH A BABY
65. Even before giving birth, Baikal seals build special dens from snow, where they feed their cubs exclusively with milk for a month or a half. Depending on weather and temperature conditions, lactation can last from 2 to 3.5 months.
66. The seal is the only animal that can deliberately suspend and resume the intrauterine development of its future cubs. Most often this happens during long and very cold winters, when babies born at term simply cannot survive.
67. Males do not take any part in the upbringing of offspring, while females continue to take care of the babies until they learn to live independently. After the cubs are weaned, the female seal can mate again, but sometimes the breeding season for her comes earlier: when the previous cub is still feeding on milk.
68. In summer, ringed seals keep mainly in coastal waters and in some places form small haulouts on stones or pebble spits. In autumn, as the sea freezes, most of the animals leave the coastal zone deep into the sea and stay on drifting ice.
69. A minority of animals stay for the winter near the coast and keep in bays and bays. In this case, even at the beginning of the freezing of the sea, the seal makes holes in the young ice - loopholes through which it emerges from the water.
70. There are also smaller holes, used only to breathe through them. Often the hole in the hole is covered with a thick layer of snow, in which the seal makes a hole without an outlet to the outside. In such a convenient place, she rests, being invisible to enemies, mainly polar bears.
71. The seal is a valuable object of fishing. She gives fur skins, fat and meat. The meat of the seals is fed to Arctic foxes, hats are made from fur, and it is used to pad hunting skis.
72. Seal meat is eaten, especially tender meat in young seals, and seal flippers boiled in water are considered a delicacy. In the old days, seal fat was used in leather production and in soap making.
73. Fishing seals and eventually led to a reduction in the number of these animals. And, although every effort is currently being made to prevent the seals from disappearing, one of their species is threatened with complete extinction.
74. At present, two types of seals - Baikal and ringed, belong to quite safe species and they have been assigned the status of "Cueing Least Concern".
CASPIAN SEAL
75. But the Caspian seal is not so lucky: due to human activities leading to pollution of the Caspian Sea, this species is endangered. And, although all efforts are currently being made to restore the former number of Caspian seals, their number is steadily decreasing year by year.
76. Seals can live on average 40-55 years. Sexual maturity occurs at 4-6 years of age. Females are able to bear fruit up to 35-40 years.
77. The age of seals can be easily recognized by the annual rings on their fangs and claws. And this is their unique feature, not characteristic of any other animal in the world.
78. The largest concentrations of seals are observed in the spring on drifting ice during puppies, molting and mating. This is especially true for the seas of the Far East, where in one day of swimming in the ice you can observe many hundreds, and sometimes thousands of animals. More often, seals lie in groups of 10-20 heads, but there are clusters of a hundred or more animals.
79. Seals are amazing animals. They have a lively and curious nature and are easy to train.
80. In natural conditions, they like to swim up to drifting ships and follow them.