Amsterdam is one of those cities that perpetuates the idea that it can only be visited on a generous budget. However, we tell you that it is not impossible to find many places and activities that you can do with pleasure and that will not cost you anything.
I Amsterdam - beyond the witty slogan.
With a height of three meters and a width of 23.5 meters, the letters in red and white were one of the biggest tourist attractions and were in front of the 14-year-old Rijksmuseum. The pun "I Amsterdam" had become a city symbol. Hundreds of thousands of tourists posted photos of it on Facebook and Instagram.
In addition, the vast letters were an excellent way to promote the Dutch capital and contributed to the massive growth of tourism, which in recent years has left a negative mark on residents and the city. Therefore, the withdrawal of the sign was also a consequence of the overwhelming increase in the number of tourists facing Amsterdam.
The city with 850,000 inhabitants was visited in 2017 by over 21 million tourists, which led to overcrowding of streets, cafes, and restaurants. "These letters in Museum Square have become a symbol of mass tourism that has negative effects," said Councilor Udo Kock.
It is estimated that over 6,000 selfie photos were taken daily in front of these volumetric letters. The "I Amsterdam" sign also has a dedicated web address.
What is Amsterdam famous for?
Amsterdam is one of the largest cities in the world, with a unique lifestyle and style. Once an artistic and cultural center that rivaled the largest in history, Amsterdam now enjoys a reputation as a fascinating metropolis with a more spicy side.
Not to be missed for any traveler, Amsterdam has a culture in which the classic and the modern elements coexist and work together harmoniously. Amsterdam's attractions include a beautiful 17th-century Baroque architecture that once housed concert halls and merchants and now houses state-of-the-art trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs in one of the most progressive and liberal. Cities of the world.
What are the top things to do in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam, the city of diamonds, canals, bicycles, flowers, and windmills, the cultural capital of the Netherlands, but also a significant financial and institutional center, is a multicultural city, a mosaic of nationalities and religions, whose history is one of freedom, tolerance, and nightlife.
20. Boat trip on the city canals
The best way to enjoy the "Venice of the North" is by boat. A walk on the canals of Amsterdam is a must! During this walk, you will discover many new things about how the city was born, the narrow houses on the shore, and the canals.
As you wander around the city looking for the street artworks of the locals, take a look at the canals you pass. Amsterdam has 165 channels, and dozens of bridges cross them. Their role is to protect the city from the North Sea and is much more than a Nirvana for modern art lovers. On their routes, you will find many of the cafes and shops in Amsterdam, and many of the canals have gained fame just because they are… canals! Prinsengracht stands out through the beautiful trees that guard it and which hide some of the lake houses here, and Brouwersgracht passes by the historic area of the city, the most sought after by tourists after the residential one.
19. Walking through the Jordan
This neighborhood appeared in the 17th century and is known as the home of immigrants and the working class. At that time, Amsterdam was invaded by waves and waves of immigrants from France, England, Spain, etc., due to the political and religious tolerance that the city showed. Because of this, Jordan was initially a poor, overcrowded neighborhood with no running water.
Today, the neighborhood has a different face. It is famous for its typical Amsterdam cottages, restaurants, and canals. Personally, Wesaw this area less touristy and much quieter than the chaos and congestion in the central area. It's well worth a few tens of minutes.
18. A snack in the Foodhallen
Foodhallen is a food court set in a former tram depot. You will find many stands with fresh and delicious food: sushi, pizza, Greek food, hot dogs and burgers, Vietnamese, Iberian, or Mexican food. We were delighted with this place and, as a result, recommend it!
17. Visit a cheese factory
Does it make sense to tell you that We left with 2 kg of Dutch cheese? Gouda and Edam are just two of the best and most famous types of cheese from the Netherlands. We recommend you take a cheese farm tour and taste all the assortments.
Catharina Hoeve Farm in Zaanse Schanse is the ideal place. The farm is more of a museum where you are presented with the history and how this farm produces cheese. In the end, you are invited to a store where you can taste every assortment of cheese.
16. Visit the windmills
And let's talk about the Catharina Hoeve cheese farm. We must also mention the windmills in Zaanse Schans, which is why the Zaan region is so famous.
In the 17th-18th centuries, there were approx—600 active windmills, which positively impacted the country's economy. Over time, their number has decreased significantly, with only ten active in Zaanse Schans. They are used in wood, pigment, or oil processing.
15. Visit the oldest inner courtyard in Amsterdam, but also the narrowest house
Although it is not known precisely when this small charity was founded, most sources say that Beijnhof has its origins around the 1300s, which is why it is considered the oldest part of Amsterdam. After establishing Protestantism in Amsterdam in 1578, the Beijnhof was the only Roman Catholic institution in the city.
The most miniature house has three floors and is about 2 m long. Most likely, each floor is a room.
14. French fries and herring sandwich
Although the french fries come from Belgium, you will be able to enjoy them in Amsterdam as well. There is a stand only with french fries called Manneken Pis on station street.
If you arrive in Volendam, you should try a sandwich with herring, onions, and pickles. We don't promise you that it is the best sandwich you will eat, but it is traditional, and as a result, you should at least taste it.
13. Red Light District
We don't think anyone visited this city without going through the Red Light District or the prostitution district, as it is known, at least once, out of curiosity. The area abounds with shops with all kinds of products (We think you can imagine what kind of "products"), so-called museums and showcases.
You cannot take pictures in the Red Light District, especially in the evening. It's better to know this and not cheat because you don't want a very well-made guard to come to you who might tell you otherwise that you're not allowed to take pictures.
12. Rent a bicycle and go cycling
Cycling is a way of life in Amsterdam facilitated by the unbalanced cycling network and flat landscapes. It is one of the top 10 things to do in Amsterdam because Amsterdam is the greenest city in the world. You'll be surprised to know that there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam! You can take the bike by train to Haarlem and by bike through the tulip fields for a pleasant, refreshing and picturesque experience. There is no better way to explore Amsterdam's streets, canals, museums, and attractions than by bicycle.
11. Feel the adrenaline rush in the "Highest Swing in Europe."
With your toes spinning 100 meters above the IJ, this giant swing built for two on the A'DAM Toren Lookout platform is the perfect fuel for your adventurous soul. One of the best things to do in Amsterdam and a safe, unobstructed adventure, Over The Edge in Amsterdam, will make all these roller-coaster adventure sanctuaries look like children's parks.
10. Go ice skating in Amsterdam in the winter
There is a reason for ice skaters who love Amsterdam. Traditionally, the canals are crowded in the winter, providing the perfect frozen playground for skating locals and travelers. Visit every winter morning, and you will hear the enchanting sounds of skates spinning and cutting fearlessly over the narrow canals. One of the most fun things to do in Amsterdam in December and February is travelers can put on their skates and join the locals in skating for a skating competition while the spectators cheer you up!
9. Go paddle-boarding & ziplining in the Fun Forest
For all those who love nature and adventure, the Fun Forest, located at the northern end of the Bosse Bosse, offers you a combination of both! Fun Park is a fun place for your family or friends. Fun Park gives kids and adults some of the best things to do in Amsterdam - everything from running, jumping, and climbing to challenging rope courses and ziplining. Fun Park is one of the best natural landscapes in Amsterdam, offering the experience of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) at the nearby lake.
8. Go on a Waterland guided boating tour of the Netherlands
Old Holland offers a perfect escape for adventure for water kids wondering what to do in Amsterdam. Overtake in the Waterland area of the Netherlands with a 5-hour canoe experience in Amsterdam. With an expert guide on your side, drive north to Waterland, and see time-warp villages, quaint waterways, and lush pastures, which are enough to tell you why Amsterdam is one of the 30 most beautiful cities globally. Europe!
After boarding the canoe, you will find yourself surrounded by the idyllic roads of this charming landscape, with the sweet sounds of birds that will salt the scents of wild plants hanging in the air. You will glide along the rivers and bordered villages as you talk about the traditional way of life of the region.
7. Get lost in some fluorescent art
Amsterdam is full of weird little museums. One of them is the Ladyland Tweede Leliedwarsstraat Electric Museum, where everything starts to glow in the dark! The subject of the museum is fluorescent geology, and it is one of the few museums in the world where you are allowed to take pictures. A trip to this museum is one of the best options for those wondering what to do in Amsterdam, apart from wild parties and noise clubs. Enter this world of brilliant exposures, which will give you a high level!
6. Go for a beer tasting at a windmill
The Gooyer windmill in the Eastern Islands neighborhood, one of Amsterdam's eight windmills, is not just another windmill. Under the pavilions of this attractive landmark, you will find "t-Brouwerij IJ," an award-winning mini-artisanal minibar with an open-air drinks room and a 30-minute guided tour. Although you will find a vast range of standard and seasonal organic products produced here at the many bars and pubs around the city, nothing will taste as good as the freshly prepared ones in these locations. Go on a beer tasting tour at t-Brouwerij IJ so among the best things to do in Amsterdam for beer lovers.
5. Explore the best museums in Amsterdam
Enter the city's past at Amsterdam's many museums. Visit the Amsterdam Museum to change the evolution of urban life using objects such as 700-year-old shoes. Hop to the Ons Lieve Heer op Solder Museum, recently restored to its 17th-century glory. Then head to the Joods Historical Museum, where photographs, paintings, and artifacts speak volumes about the history of Judaism in the Netherlands.
Don't forget to visit the world's most fashionable art museum, the Rijksmuseum, which houses the most extensive collection of art and artifacts from the 15th century to the present day. Another excellent addition to the city is the Van Gogh Museum, an art museum dedicated to the work of Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries in Amsterdam. If you think that this whole city has nightclubs and vital parks, you will be surprised to find some of Amsterdam's best things to do in its museums.
4. Visit the famous flower market
When one thinks of Amsterdam, views of stockings, tulips, cheese, and windmills begin to rise. While the endless, multicolored tulip fields are a paradise for photographers and nature lovers, they are sold in abundance at Bloemenmarkt - one of the few floating flower markets lined up in packages with this definitive symbol of Dutch culture. One of the best things to do in Amsterdam in March to enjoy these beautiful flowers is to visit this market. If you want to see these perfect beauties in their original glory, take a short bike ride to the most famous Bollenstreek tulip fields, where these blooming flowers stretch in colorful stripes from the plain areas, it will blow your mind!
3. Go on a picnic in the Vondelpark
The most significant green space in Amsterdam, Vondelpark, is named after the most famous poet Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679) and is perfect for a picnic with your family, children, or partner. From picnicking on checked fruit baskets and buns to smoking and having a drink grill, people can engage in various activities in this park. The park also attracts visitors with several sculptures, including one by Picasso. Blooming in summer, the park becomes a center for music, dance, and activities for children and is thus one of the best places to visit in Europe in summer.
2. Meet giraffes and camels at the Amsterdam Zoo
Giraffes and camels are a queer combination. Why not? This is not the city's zoo, with a few monkeys and tigers in a cage. The Amsterdam Zoo, known as ARTIS, is home to more than 700 different animal species and over 200 types of plants and trees. Here you will find all kinds of wildlife worldwide, such as giraffes, orangutans, elephants, crocodiles, penguins, zebras, antelopes, flamingos, and even camels. In addition, the zoo boasts an impressive butterfly pavilion, a climate-controlled insectarium, a fascinating aquarium with all sorts of marine exotics, and an exhibition where tourists can learn about flora and fauna here.
One of the best things to do in Amsterdam is visit the zoo's planetarium, which will take you on an exhilarating journey into outer space! Visiting this zoo will surely be a unique and unforgettable experience for children and adults!
1. Explore the city's attractions with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus
Exploring Amsterdam has been made much easier by introducing Hop-On Hop-Off buses. They allow tourists to easily visit various places in the city, including famous tourist spots. But then, how is it different from the regular bus service in Amsterdam? Here's how - the HOHO bus service allows you to travel and travel to convenient locations in the city where you can visit some of the famous attractions and pamper yourself with all the exciting things to do in Amsterdam before boarding another bus. from the same station, remade. It's like a subway, just more colorful!
40 photos (and facts) from Japan that will tell you more about this country than encyclopedias
Japan is a non-standard country, an archipelago of thousands of islands, with an unusual way of life, where people live who are not always fully understood by residents of other countries, even of the same Asian region ... let alone Europeans ... Japan is literally different for them planet!
Learned what surprises the Land of the Rising Sun
In Japan, everything is wonderful, as is nature itself with its stunning landscapes full of intricate temple gardens, bamboo groves and, of course, mountains. And that's not to mention ramen, sushi, udon, yakiniku, okonomiyaki, takoyaki and many other dishes that will delight any foodie, no matter where they come from!
But Japan and many of its inhabitants are in no hurry to reveal the secrets of their being and their history. We will try to open a few of them right now. What is pure truth, and what is already half-truth - it's up to you, dear readers! So here it is:
1. Kyu-Shirataki Hokkaido Station
A train station in Japan was scheduled to close, but it was noticed that only a female student used it. For her, they kept the station running until she graduated from high school.
2. Team Japan left their locker room immaculately clean after their historic victory over Germany at the World Cup
3. When you sharpen a pencil, it turns into a frilled lizard.
4. After winning the match, Japanese fans began to clean up the stadium.
5. Kano Jigoro, the legendary founder of judo
Kano Jigoro, the legendary founder of judo. Even though he was smaller in stature, he could throw large men with ease, but only after hard study and practice. On his deathbed he
asked to be buried with a white sash instead of a black one. He wanted to be remembered as a student, not as a master.
6. Totoro San
The Japanese young actress "Mana Ashida" (little Mako) was embarrassed that she couldn't pronounce Guillermo Del Toro's name, so he gave her the go-ahead to call him "Totoro san" instead of his name.
7. Stylized vending machine in the forest
Japanese vending machine, adapted to the old and the environment.
8. Japanese fan at the World Cup
Caption: "My dear boss, thank you for my 2 weeks vacation!"
9. Kuchisabishii 口寂しい
"Kuchisabishii" 口寂しい ("lonely mouth") - that irresistible desire to put something in your mouth, to chew, even when you are not hungry.
10. Japanese Bullet Train System
In the more than 50-year history of Japan's bullet train system, which has carried more than 5.3 billion passengers, not a single passenger has been killed or injured in a rail accident.
11. Doctors In Japan Prescribe 'Forest Therapy' To Treat Depression And Anxiety
In Japan, doctors prescribe "forest therapy" to treat depression and anxiety. The aroma of trees increases the activity of natural killer cells, which strengthens the immune system, which increases resistance to stress.
12. Keeping the same price for 25 years
Japanese ice cream maker Akagi Nyugyo once filmed a 60-second commercial publicly apologizing for being forced to raise the price of its popsicle from 60 yen to 70 yen for the first time in 25 years. The commercial, in which the president of the company as well as employees bowed to the audience and expressed their remorse, was broadcast on national television.
13. Hanako is the oldest recorded koi.
Born in Japan in 1751 and died on July 7, 1977 at the respectable age of 226, the Hanako koi was the oldest koi fish ever seen.
14. A Japanese diver was assigned to watch one of Japan's Shinto shrines, which is located below the surface of Tateyama Bay.
Over the decades, he befriended one sea creature that lives near the shrine, an Asian reticulated toothed wrasse named Yoriko.
15. Here are just some of the flavors of KitKat in Japan
16. Japanese lantern, also known as Chinese lantern or winter cherry, is a popular symbol of "life within death."
The "Chinese or Japanese lantern" is a popular symbol for "life within death". It blooms in winter, but when it dries up in spring, the "rind" falls off, revealing red or orange fruits that grow inside its "skeleton".
17. Mirror Selfie
This mirror selfie was taken in Japan a century ago.
18. Takeko Nakano, the last female samurai warrior, was born in 1847. She fought and died during the Boshin War in 1868 (Japanese Civil War)
Age 21 years.
19. The Japanese team left a thank you note in Japanese and Arabic.
20. Shiba Bat Curry..
21. Fukui City Temporary Road Construction
Temporary road around the landslide.
22. Nishikigawa-Seiryu Railway
In Japan, in the middle of nowhere, there is a train station that has no entrance or exit. The station is called Seiryu-Miharashi, and it is only accessible to passengers who pass through it by train. It exists only so that passengers can get off and admire the
In Japan, in the middle of nowhere, there is a train station that has no entrance or exit. The station is called Seiryu-Miharashi, and it is only accessible to passengers who pass through it by train. It exists only so that passengers can get off and enjoy the view of the Nishiki River and the surrounding forest of Honshu.
23. Deer of the city of Nara in Japan
24. Meeting Neko Kandre
25. Some of the Hosen-In, Yogen-In, Shoden-ji, Genko-an and Kosho-ji temples share the same bloody secret
In Kyoto, Japan, there are 5 temples with blood-stained ceilings. The ceilings are made from the floorboards of Fushimi Castle, where Torii Mototada and his remaining 380 samurai warriors committed suicide in 1600 after 11 days of confrontation with an army of 40,000.
26. You realize you've lived in Tokyo too long when a giant Gandumesque robot drives by on the back of a large truck.
27. Japanese Airlines employees in Vietnam bow to passengers due to flight delay due to storm
28. These roads are in the regions of Hokkaido, Wakayama, Shizuoka, Okinawa, and Gunma in Japan, and they all play different tunes.
29. Flight over Mount Fuji
30. Shii-go-san - traditional Japanese initiation ceremony on November 15
Shichi-go-san (Jap. 七五三, lit. "seven-five-three") is a traditional holiday and festival in Japan, timed every year to November 15 (in cold Hokkaido - a month earlier, to October 15). On this day, five-year-old and three-year-old boys, as well as seven-year-old and three-year-old girls, are dressed in festive clothes and taken to Shinto shrines.
31. Ice Cream Kyoto
32. Hachioji, Tokyo
Higashimachi Interchange in Hachioji, Japan.
33. Sword of Kohoki
This 12th century Japanese Koki sword, made during the Heian period, was discovered in the Kasuga taisha attic storage.
Sanctuary in Nara. This is one of the oldest samurai swords in existence, probably a family heirloom of a samurai family, passed down from generation to generation.
34. Early 1900s. "Real geisha hair" before styling
The longer the hair, the better. After World War II, geisha began to wear wigs (known as katsura) instead of styling their own hair, a trend that continues to this day. Geisha usually wear shimada-style wigs known as geigi.
35. Winter is Coming
36. Japanese athlete
Yes, she is the same person. Yui Sasaki, Japanese freestyle wrestler.
37. Ramen Noodle Serving Expert
38. In Tokyo, cycling is faster than driving on most trips under 50 minutes.
In Tokyo, a bicycle is faster than a car for most trips under 50 minutes.
39. Such a beautiful island and deer
40. Pikachu has gone to work... He's a very busy mascot in Japan
Interesting facts about Bangladesh are an excellent opportunity to learn more about South Asia. This country was a British colony for a long time, and only in 1971 received independence from it.
Bangladesh is a small but very densely populated country located in southern Asia. Much has it in common with neighboring India- culture, traditions, customs, and the peoples themselves inhabiting Bangladesh. This state, along with China, is one of the leading suppliers of cheap labor - a vast number of various things sold worldwide are made in Bangladesh.
Facts about Bangladesh
1. Bangladesh is a small country located in southern Asia.
2. Bangladesh as a country did not exist until 1971. Indian, Turkic, and Mongol tribes ruled its territory and the British for centuries.
3. This country was a British colony for a long time, and only in 1971 receive independence from it.
4. Bangladesh has many things in common with neighboring India - culture, traditions, customs, and the people who inhabit the country.
5. This state, like China, is one of the leading suppliers of cheap labor. A vast number of various things that are sold around the world are made in Bangladesh.
6. Bangladesh is the most populous state on the planet - 1154 people per 1 km².
THE CAPITAL OF BANGLADESH IS DHAKA CITY
7. The capital of Bangladesh is the city of Dhaka. It is the 5th largest city in the world and the most densely populated.
8. The area of Dhaka is 304 km2. About 10 million people live in this area. Compared with Moscow, its area is 2561 km2, and the population is slightly more than 12.5 million people.
DHAKA BY NIGHT
9. There is incredible movement due to the high population density in Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka. Here, those caught in a traffic jam will need about 30-40 minutes to drive 1 kilometer. Dhaka also has deplorable roads, so traffic rarely exceeds 75 km/h.
10. In addition, the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, is very polluted. In addition to lousy air, car sirens constantly sound, unpleasant odors are present, etc.
11. According to a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Dhaka is the second most uninhabitable city on the planet.
COPY OF THE TAJ MAHAL IN BANGLADESH
12. In the vicinity of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the local oligarch Asanullah Moni built a life-size copy of the Taj Mahal. This building is located on the territory of his possessions. one
13. In 1757, the territory of this state was conquered by Britain (previously, it was under the control of the Mongols).
14. In 1857, there was a sepoy uprising, which led to the transfer of the region to the British Raj.
15. In 1947, the British Raj gave up territories due to a decade-long independence movement. At the same time, the countries of India and Pakistan (East and West) were created. Bangladesh was "East Pakistan" and became an independent state only in 1971.
16. On the country's territory, many archaeological sites and artifacts are over 4000 years old, dating back to 2000 BC.
SOMAPURI VIHARA MONASTERY
17. Somapuri Vihara Monastery, built in the 8th century, is one of South Asia's most significant archaeological sites. The complex is spread over an area of more than 11 hectares.
18. After the division of British India into Bangladesh, a unique enclave of the third order was formed - Dakhala Kagrabari.
19. The territory of India was surrounded by the lands of Bangladesh, which, in turn, were surrounded by the possessions of India, and those were again located within the borders of Bangladesh.
20. This terrible mess was only resolved in 2015 when the two countries' governments signed an agreement on exchanging territories.
21. Bangladesh ranks 10th in the world in terms of population.
22. Bangladesh is a monistic country with 98% of Bengalis.
23. But a large number of citizens of this country, approximately 7.5 million people, live outside their country.
24. Almost half of this number live in India, about 1 million in Saudi Arabia, and the rest in the Middle East.
25. The Bangladeshi diaspora has contributed enormously to their country's economy as foreign workers constantly send remittances home. Approximately 5% of Bangladesh's GDP is remittances from citizens abroad.
26. Most Bangladeshi citizens are engaged in agriculture. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the population is farmers. Without farming, many people in this country could not survive.
27. About 96% of the country's income comes from selling clothing and fabrics. Moreover, many popular brands manufacture clothes in Bangladesh due to low labor and production costs.
28. Approximately 90% of the population is Muslim. Among Bangladeshi Muslims, 96% are Sunnis, 3% are Shiites, and about 1% are Ahmadis.
29. Bangladesh is the world's fourth largest Muslim country. This state is second only to Indonesia, Pakistan, and India.
30. The official language in the country is Bangla, known as Bengali. Also, many people speak English, especially in urban areas.
31. Some non-Bengali Muslims speak Urdu as their first language.
32. Despite its small size, Bahrain has unique places and sights in every corner of the city or village.
33. The country's sights are diverse and unique, and each architectural monument has an exciting history. Interesting places in Bangladesh are located mainly in the city of Dhaka and Chittagong.
34. The sights of Bangladesh are the great pride of the Bengali people. Most people here are believers, so there are many mosques and Buddhist temples in Dhaka.
MOSQUE BAITUL MUKARRAM
35. The Baitul Mukarram Mosque was built in 1960; its style resembles the famous Kaaba, the main shrine of all Muslims. Of course, it also has its characteristics, for example, the painted elements on the walls are made in a modern style, and at the entrance to the mosque, the most beautiful reservoir greets visitors.
36. The history of Bangladesh began 4 thousand years ago, during which time the people of the republic had to endure many wars and revolutions. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the country, the monuments of Bangladesh are literally "at every turn."
MEMORIAL MONUMENT SHIKHID-MINAR
37. Memorial monument Shahid-Minar, located in the central part of the capital. In the mid-1950s, residents staged a peaceful demonstration in support of the preservation of the Bengali language. The government of Pakistan decided to suspend the rally, resulting in a significant clash between civilians and law enforcement agencies.
38. Students of the city of Dhaka erected a temporary monument in memory of the tragedy, which was destroyed. The final restoration of the memorial was possible only after the last international recognition of the independence of Bangladesh.
39. Bangladesh is known to many as a charming country that boasts beautiful nature. Glittering rivers, stunning mountain ranges - all this is available in Bangladesh.
PINK PALACE
40. This country is home to the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans. This forest has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. Its area is 10,000 km2, of which 6,000 km2 are located in Bangladesh, the remaining 4,000 km2 in India.
41. Most of the republic is located only a few meters above sea level. Several researchers claim that 10% of the territory of Bangladesh will be flooded if the sea level rises by at least 1 meter.
42. A very unusual phenomenon can be observed in Barisal. For inexplicable reasons, you can hear sounds reminiscent of artillery shots. In this regard, this phenomenon was nicknamed "the guns of Barisal."
BANGLADESH NATIONAL MUSEUM
43. The museums of Bangladesh have several departments: ethnographic, department of natural history, department of world civilization, etc. The National Museum of Bangladesh was built at the beginning of the last century. Its archive contains more than ten thousand exhibits: ancient relics, paintings, weapons, sculptures, tapestries, and much more.
44. Bangladesh has competed in every Olympic Games since 1984 but has failed to win a single medal.
45. The national flower of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the lily, and the animal is the Bengal tiger.
46. The building of the National Assembly of Bangladesh is one of the unusual objects in the capital due to its design structure. The design of the building combines concrete, water, and light. Appearance - these are geometric shapes folded together: squares, triangles, circles.
47. The main difference between the seasons in the country is the amount of rain. This is because the air temperature in Bangladesh almost does not change.
COX BAZAR BEACH IN BANGLADESH
48. Bangladesh has the longest beach in Asia. It's called Cox's Bazar. The beach is located in the Bay of Bengal, in the southwestern part of the country, and is the longest in Asia and the 3rd in the world. The length of Cox's Bazar is 120 kilometers.
49. Citizens of Bangladesh are exceptionally hospitable. For this reason, they may invite any stranger into their home. The guest must try all the treats on the table, as refusing food here will be regarded as disrespectful to the hosts.
50. Despite poverty, the country has a relatively high literacy level. Among adults, about 76% of men and 70% of women are literate. Among young people, the figures are even higher. About 92% of the country's young population aged 15 to 24 are educated.
Saint Lucia is an island country next to South America. The economy is developed through tourism, agriculture, and foreign investment.
Cosmopolitans obtain second citizenship of Saint Lucia to travel without visas to 145 countries, including the Schengen states, the UK, Andorra, and Singapore.
We tell you where Saint Lucia is located, what is worth seeing in the country, how the local population lives, and how much it will cost to rest on one of the favorite islands of Americans.
Amazing facts about Saint Lucia
1. Saint Lucia is a state located on the same name island in the Lesser Antilles archipelago, a former colony of Great Britain.
2. Saint Lucia is an island nation located between the islands of Saint Vincent and Martinique. The Atlantic Ocean borders the island to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west.
3. Saint Lucia is located northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean.
4. Saint Lucia is currently the only country in the world named after a woman: Saint Lucy of Syracuse. This Christian saint and martyr is the patroness of people with vision problems.
5. Corresponding the name of the island on which this Caribbean state is now located was given by French sailors who were shipwrecked next to it on the day of this saint's holiday (December 13). This holiday is celebrated to this day in Catholic and Protestant countries.
6. Contrary to the earlier opinion, Christopher Columbus did not discover this island. True, the island was indeed part of the route along which the world-famous explorer walked, but the Columbus team did not land on it.
7. The first people on this island were not Europeans. According to the results of research by historians and archaeologists, the island was initially inhabited by the Arawak Indian tribe during the settlement from the continental part of South America.
8. The Arawaks inhabited the region from the 2nd millennium BC to the 1st millennium AD. The population of these Indians began to decrease significantly with the arrival of Europeans in America, who brought smallpox and other deadly diseases to the natives.
9. In 1550, the French pirate Francois Le Clerc founded the first European settlement on Pigeon Island, located near Saint Lucia and now part of the country of the same name.
10. Saint Lucia has 158 kilometers (98 miles) of coastline.
11. The area of the Caribbean state is 617 square kilometers. This is approximately 1.5 times less than the area of Kyiv (839 square kilometers) and two times larger than the area of Minsk (349 square kilometers). Also, the size of St. Lucia is 3.5 times larger than the Washington, DC (USA) area.
12. The population of Saint Lucia is about 188 thousand people. This is almost 800 times less than in the Russian Federation.
13. The local population accounts for only about 0.002% of Earth's total population. The country is in 193rd place in the world ranking of countries in terms of population (between Samoa and Kiribati).
14. The island often changed hands. The French were the first European settlers to settle on the island. In 1660 they made a peace treaty with the native Indians.
15. At the same time, the island has a long colonial history. In the 17th and 18th centuries alone, control of the territory changed hands between the British and the French 14 times. As the island frequently changed hands between British and French colonists, Saint Lucia was also known as the "Helena of the West Indies."
16. In 1814, the British finally took control of this place. Between 1958 and 1962, the island was a member of the Federation of the West Indies. In 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations, an organization created by the United Kingdom.
17. Saint Lucia declared independence from the British Empire (now the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on 22 February 1979. The islanders celebrate this holiday very actively since many of them witnessed the proclamation of the independence of their homeland.
18. Like most Caribbean countries, Saint Lucia is part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is still considered the head of this state, represented by a governor-general. According to the constitution, it can be any citizen of the Commonwealth, appointed by the will of the monarch. A local native is usually selected for this post based on the country's head of government's recommendation.
19. The Royal Police Force includes a special forces unit and the Coast Guard.
20. Administratively, the country is divided into 11 parishes. There are local self-government bodies - city and village councils and administrations.
21. Having a volcanic origin, the island of St. Lucia is more mountainous than most other islands located in the Caribbean.
MOUNTAINS IN SAINT LUCIA
22. Rising 950 meters, Mount Jimi is the highest point among the ridges of wooded mountains that divide the island from north to south.
23. Two other large local mountains form the Piton chain, the most famous landmark of Saint Lucia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
24. Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two mountains that rise sharply from the Caribbean coast and surround a small bay. The Piton Mitan ridge interconnects them.
25. The low mountains located in the central part of the island are covered with forests in which many orchids grow. Numerous rivers and streams flow down from the hills, forming small waterfalls.
26. The climate of the island is tropical, with trade winds. The average monthly temperature is around 26°C. The dry season lasts from January to April and the rainy season from May to August. In September-October, "Indian summer" comes, reminiscent of "Indian summer" in Russia.
CASTRIES - THE CAPITAL PORT OF THE STATE
27. The bulk of the population are blacks and mulattoes - the descendants of enslaved people brought from Africa after the extermination of the Indians.
28. The official language is English, although a large part of the population speaks Patois, the local dialect of French.
29. The modern symbol of this country is a parrot; the past one is an iguana. Since 1980, the national symbol of Saint Lucia has officially been a parrot, found only on the same name island. A parrot with a green plumage color, a blue-violet forehead, and front of the head, blue head, ears, and cheeks inhabits the island's tropical forests, living on mountain slopes at an altitude of up to 1 thousand meters above sea level.
30. Now, this bird is on the verge of extinction. The damage to the bird population was caused by many years of felling and uprooting old trees, replacing forests with plantations, and hunters and birders. At the end of the last century, about four hundred individuals were in the wild. Now parrots are under state protection.
31. Interestingly, before the arrival of Europeans, a completely different animal was the island's symbol. The first inhabitants of St. Lucia, among the Arawaks who arrived from South America, called this place Ioanalao. It means "land of the iguanas."
32. Most islanders live in the coastal part of Saint Lucia at the foot of the mountain range. About 60 thousand people live in the island's northern region, mainly in the capital city of Castries. The Indians have descendants. And even today, ancient Arawak languages are spoken by a small number of people from Saint Lucia, as well as neighboring island nations such as Grenada, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
33. Multilingualism is a common socio-cultural phenomenon in the Caribbean island. Although the official language of Saint Lucia is English, Patois Creole and Queyol French are spoken by 95 percent of the population.
34. In this regard, the islanders bypass most other peoples. Indeed, according to the latest research, only about 75% of the world's population speaks two or more languages (multilingualism) to one degree or another.
35. Although plantation slavery was abolished in the island nation as early as 1834, Saint Lucia remained an island dependent on agricultural production and cheap manual labor for a long time.
36. Agriculture was concentrated on the cultivation of sugar cane. In 1964, sugar cane plantations were converted to banana production.
BANANA PLANTATIONS
37. Bananas are still the main crop on the island to this day, complemented by the production of coconuts, cocoa, citrus fruits, spices, cassava, and sustainable fishing industry.
38. But Saint Lucia is not a "banana republic." Rapidly developing since the 70s of the last century, tourism is vital to the economy of the Caribbean state.
39. The most significant number of tourists visit the island by sea on cruise ships through one of the five major ports. The completion of the construction of a new terminal for Quantum-class cruise ships gave an enormous impetus to the development of cruise tourism.
40. Ports are connected with the capital and other cities by a ring road that runs throughout the island. Tourists here can rent not only cars but also yachts or helicopters.
41. Islanders lived long in warmth and were surrounded by lush vegetation. The average life expectancy in Saint Lucia is 72 years. The officially registered literacy rate of the local population is about 67 percent of the people.
42. This Caribbean island nation is the same size as Islay in Scotland. And if Islay is known for single malt Scotch whiskey (Laphroaig or Lagavulin), then St. Lucia has become famous for slightly different alcoholic beverages. We are talking about popular varieties of rum, such as Chairman's Reserve and Rodney's Reserve.
43. To attract more wealthy guests to the island, its authorities periodically arrange large-scale cultural events. So, the islanders hold a variety of sports festivals.
44. An annual jazz festival is also held there, attracting tourists and musicians from all over the world to the resorts of St. Lucia. The festival's grand finale takes place on Pigeon Island, located to the north of the country's main island of Saint Lucia, also called similarly.
DEREK WALCOTT
45. Despite a relatively modest population, this country can boast of having two Nobel Prize winners among its citizens at once. Sir Arthur Lewis, born in Saint Lucia in 1915, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979. Derek Walcott, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992, was born in Castries in 1930.
46. As a result, Saint Lucia ranks second in the world rankings regarding the ratio of Nobel Prize winners compared to the total population. Only the Faroe Islands (one Nobel laureate out of 49,000) have a higher density of Nobel laureates.
47. Orchids and a range of other exotic plants will grow in the lush rainforests of this island country. Saint Lucia is also adorned with pristine white and black sand beaches. The average annual temperature there is around 27ºC.
48. The islanders did not win the Olympics, despite their love of cricket. There are no Olympic medals in the piggy bank of Saint Lucia athletes. None. The most considerable Olympic achievement of the islanders was the performance of a team of six successfully qualified athletes at the Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA) in 1996.
49. But this does not prevent Caribbean athletes from keeping their bodies in good shape. Fortunately, there are more than enough sports infrastructure facilities in Saint Lucia. And, of course, we are talking not only about the numerous pools next to the no less numerous local hotel complexes. The island also has several grounds for playing cricket, which is widespread and very popular.
50. Tourism and bananas are the primary sources of foreign exchange for Saint Lucia.
51. Society in Saint Lucia is matriarchal rather than patriarchal. On this island, women are usually entirely responsible for running the household. They manage the home and raise their children. And in most cases, they do it with little or no help from men.
52. From a very early age, girls on the island receive more education from their parents than boys. This continues in school and colleges. For this reason, more and more women are taking on leadership roles, making careers while men continue to do unskilled work.
53. Many islanders practice the use of traditional therapies and alternative medicine. The island even has several relevant medical facilities. Some locals have a wealth of experience using plants and herbs combined into various tinctures, poultices, and remedies.
54. There are also practicing shamans in the country (locally known as Obeah or Tchenbwaorzeb). With the help of spells, these people treat not only medical ailments but also mental disorders and troubles of a supernatural origin. But even with traditional medicine in Saint Lucia, everything is in order.
55. Saint Lucia is a trendy destination for weddings and honeymoons.
56. The island state is also considered a natural paradise for divers. The waters of the jurisdiction offer them multi-layered underwater walls, shipwrecks, and coral reefs that form unique ecosystems with very colorful inhabitants.
57. There are two airports in St. Lucia - St. Lucia Huanora and Castries George Charles. The airport in Castries is intended for local airlines, while Huanora serves international flights connecting the island with New York, London, Toronto, Miami, Chicago, Montreal, and other major cities.
58. Citizenship in this country gives many bonuses. For example, being the owner of her passport, you can easily open bank accounts worldwide and freely invest in different parts of the world.
59. Saint Lucia is also an excellent base for expanding business globally.
60. Saint Lucia is part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. It is a member of the UN and its specialized organizations, the Organization of American States and the Organizations of the Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Community, and the Caribbean Common Market.
