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30-facts-about-rome-the-city-where-all-roads-lead-for-travellers

Italian Rome is one of the popular tourist destinations. And, in general, it is clear why guests from all over the world tend to visit the Eternal City. Incredible works of art, excellent cuisine, architecture can lure any travel lover, leaving the impression of visiting Rome for a lifetime and giving rise to the desire to return there at least once again.


Why is it said that all roads lead to Rome?


Bemorepanda has collected exciting facts ranging from ancient Rome to today's Rome, which may be the final push to encourage you to put this city on your following trip list. Or you want to learn more about it from other sources - books, online tours, films, which will also be good because knowledge is never extra.


Especially when it comes to a city with such a long history, by the way, if you are still going on a trip, some of our collection's facts will be useful to you, because they will help you protect yourself from violating local laws and traditions.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


1. The law in Rome allows cats to live freely where they were born.


There are rules to protect wild cat colonies, as Italians are fond of cats. Cats are allowed to roam freely anywhere, even in famous historical places. Anyone who harms a cat in Italy can be charged with a crime.


By the way, according to some estimates, the cat population in Rome is 300,000 individuals. For cat lovers, there is a particular part of Rome that is a must-see on any visit. Among the ancient ruins of Largo di Torre, Argentina, is a cat sanctuary that currently houses over 250 cats.


2. Bruschetta originates in ancient Rome when olive growers spread their oil on a slice of bread.


It is generally accepted that bruschetta was created in Italy in the 15th century. However, the origins of this dish date back to Ancient Rome, when olive growers would take their olives to the nearest olive press and taste the freshly pressed oil using a slice of bread. Bruschetta is still a popular appetizer in Rome today.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


3. Rome has over 2,000 fountains


Rome has more fountains than any other city, with over 2,000 in total, including 50 monumental fountains and hundreds of smaller fountains.


4. Nearly 1.5 million euros worth of coins are thrown into the Trevi Fountain in Rome yearly.


You must have heard of the Trevi Fountain coin tradition: with their backs turned to the fountain, visitors must toss a coin over their shoulder, hoping it will fall into the fountain. According to legend, if you throw one cash into the fountain, then you will return to Rome; if you throw two coins, then you will return and fall in love; and if you throw three coins, then you will return, fall in love and get married!


But what happens to all this money? Are other people tempted to take them out of the water? This is the case, as back in 2001, the then mayor of Rome issued a decree that the coins from the fountain would be collected by the municipality and then donated to charity.


Regularly assigned officers collect coins with a brush and a suction hose while police officers are on duty nearby.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


5. In ancient Rome, only freeborn men were allowed to wear the toga, a sign of Roman citizenship.


Putting on the toga was easy, if manageable. A strip of fabric was folded lengthwise; one end was thrown over the left shoulder, the toga was thrown over the back, and the other end was passed under the right shoulder and thrown over the left shoulder in front. Wealthier citizens had a particular slave (vestiplik), which made this challenging task easier for them.


By the way, the length of the toga was from 3.7 to 6.1 m, so it is not surprising that an assistant was required to put it on. However, because putting on a toga was such a complicated matter, and besides, the outfit itself was costly, it gradually fell into disuse, first among citizens of the lower class, then among the representatives of the middle class, and began to be worn by the upper class only on solemn occasions.


6. Rome became the capital of a united Italy in 1870, taking over the title from Florence.


Rome was a candidate for the title of capital because of its symbolic importance in the history of Italy as a territory of the former Roman Empire and its even more advantageous position. The migration to Rome was in full swing when the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


7. St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is the largest Christian church ever built.


Although St. Peter's Basilica is a revered gathering place and the leading tourist destination in the Vatican, it has another purpose. It is claimed to be the final resting place of Saint Peter, whose tomb is said to be under the basilica's main altar.


In addition, several generations of great masters worked on its creation: Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, and Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini - therefore, it is not surprising that St. Peter's Basilica is the most famous work of Renaissance architecture.


8. Cinecittà Studios, the largest film studio in Europe, is located in Rome


Roman Holiday (1953), Ben Hur (1959), La Dolce Vita (1960), Cleopatra (1963), Romeo and Juliet (1968), and many other famous films were made at Cinecittà. As you can see, the film studio is used for both American and Italian film production. Therefore, it is very likely that the film you like was made at this film studio!


More than 3,000 films have been filmed here, 90 of which have been nominated for an Oscar, and 47 have won. In the 1950s, several international productions led to Rome being nicknamed "Hollywood on the Tiber."


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


9. Rome has a museum entirely dedicated to pasta.


It makes sense that the world's only pasta museum is in Rome, Italy, as the country is known for its perfect combination of flour, water, and salt.


10. Paris is the only official sister city of Rome.


With the motto “Only Paris is worthy of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris,” Rome and Paris have been the only sister cities since 1956.


Twinning between the two cities is, first of all, a symbol of cooperation and mutual assistance. However, in addition to the character, this partnership allows Parisians free access to many of Rome's museums (Musei Capitolini, Galleria d'arte moderna, Museo Civico di Zoologia, Museo di Roma) and vice versa (free admission for Romans to the typically paid temporary exhibitions of Paris museums).


11. Not a single building in the center of Rome can be higher than St. Peter's Basilica (136 meters) in the Vatican


No building in the central area of Rome, bounded by the walls of Aurelian, can be higher than the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, which rises to 136 meters. Torre Eurosky (Eurosky Tower), a skyscraper built in the EUR area (EUR) in 2012 (outside the prohibition zone), has a height of 155 meters and is the only building exceeding this limit.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


12. There are over 900 churches in Rome


Rome has over 900 churches, which is no surprise given that no other city is so closely associated with the Catholic faith.


13. Trajan's market is believed to be the world's first indoor shopping center. A variety of goods were sold there, including groceries.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


14. There are at least 40 ancient catacombs under Rome.


While many Romans built ornate roadside tombs, Christians buried their dead in the labyrinths of the catacombs. By excavating pliable tuff (light, cemented, porous rock), miles of underground tunnels were laid, which became the graves for many ordinary Christians, saints and martyrs.


15. Smoking is prohibited in all public places in Rome


Smoking is prohibited in closed public places and workplaces, such as government, medical and educational institutions, and places frequented by minors. However, smoking is allowed in designated smoking areas in some public places and workplaces such as bars and nightclubs.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


16. The Spanish stairs are not Spanish


These 18th-century Baroque steps that descend from the Trinita dei Monti church to the Piazza di Spagna below were created by an Italian architect at the request of a French diplomat. The square and the staircase owe their name to the Palazzo di Spagna (Palace of Spain), the residence of the Spanish ambassador to the Holy See in the Vatican.


17. The symbol of Rome is a she-wolf who took care of the brothers Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome


According to the Roman founding myth, the twins Romulus and Remus were left in the forest under the command of King Amulius of Alba Longa. They were fed and protected by a she-wolf until they were found by a shepherd named Faustulus.


The image of a she-wolf breastfeeding twins has been a symbol of Rome since ancient times and is one of the most recognizable icons of ancient mythology.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


18. Women in ancient Rome dyed their hair with goat fat and beech tree ash.


Roman women were very fond of dyeing their hair. The most popular colors were red, black and blond. Even by law, prostitutes had to be blonde to distinguish themselves from ordinary Roman women. However, despite this, the locals continued to dye their hair. Various substances were used to create different colors, including goat fat, beech ash, henna, saffron, and bleach.


Numerous methods for obtaining dyes also included boiled and crushed walnuts, burnt and charred ant eggs, rotting remains of game, or various types of xia with soaked and rotten leeches that were aged in red wine for 40 days.


19. Rome's first university, La Sapienza, founded in 1303 AD, is one of the largest universities in Europe


Sapienza served as the leading educational institution for most of the Italian aristocracy. Numerous Nobel Prize winners, Presidents of the European Parliament and European Commissioners, heads of several countries, prominent religious figures, scientists and astronauts are just some of the notable Sapienza alumni.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


20. Rome was founded in 753 BC.


Romulus and his twin brother Remus are said to have founded Rome on April 21, 753 BC. just in the place where they were nursed by a she-wolf when they were orphaned babies.


21. The Vatican, the smallest country in the world, is located inside Rome


The Vatican, with an area of only 49 hectares, is the smallest country in the world. In addition, it is the only country in the world located inside another city.


The Vatican has religious and cultural attractions such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. They feature some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. The Vatican's unique economy is supported financially by donations from the faithful, the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs, museum admission fees, and the sale of publications. There are no taxes in the Vatican and goods are sold duty-free.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


22. All roads really led to Rome


The idiom "All roads lead to Rome" implies that all decisions, strategies or actions lead to the same result. However, this remark had a more literal meaning throughout the early Roman era. All the important highways of the Roman Empire did indeed lead directly to the capital, which was served by a developed network of roads.


At the peak of Rome's development, no less than 29 great military roads diverged from the capital, and 113 provinces of the late empire were connected by 372 great roads. In total, more than 400,000 kilometers of roads were laid, of which more than 80,500 kilometers were paved with stone.


23. Frascati and Castelli Romani are the most famous white wines in Rome


Frascati wines, the most revered of the nine Castelli Romani (Roman castles), are often called "golden wine" by locals because of their golden hue and high price. The fermentation process that takes place in this area while the grapes are still in their skins is what gives the wine its color.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


24. Italians call their capital Roma


In the Latin used in ancient Rome, the original name of the city was Roma. Most likely, the city owes its name to Romulus, who founded it.


25. The flag of Rome consists of vertical stripes of red and yellow, the two colors of the city.


According to the consummate urban portraitist Renzo Vespignani, the color of Rome is the yellow ocher of burnt bread, which, unsurprisingly, is a combination of red and gold.


26. Oscar Wilde called Rome the "Scarlet Woman" and "The Only City of the Soul"


The already well-known Oscar Wilde considered honeymooning his fiancee Constance in Rome in 1884, but decided to take her to Normandy and Paris instead. Wilde did not spend much time in Rome until almost the end of his life.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


27. There are about 60 museums in Rome


Rome is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and museums are a great way to experience its history and culture. The museums of Rome also contain masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Caravaggio, Cavallini and many others.


28. Rome has only hosted the Olympics once: the 1960 Summer Olympics


The XVII Olympiad, or 1960 Olympic Games, was held in Rome, Italy from August 25 to September 11, 1960. There were many innovations at these Olympic Games, for example, they were shown on television for the first time, the Olympic anthem was played for the first time, and for the first time an Olympic winner ran barefoot!


By the way, the Soviet Union won the most gold and overall medals at the 1960 Games.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


29. Rome Termini train station is one of the busiest stations in Europe, serving more than 180 million passengers annually


Rome Termini is likely to be a stopover on your itinerary whether you arrive in Rome by plane, train or ship. The name of the station comes from the Termini area, which takes its name from the Roman baths (thermae) that once stood there.


Termini Station is the second largest railway station in Europe after the Gare du Nord of Paris, which receives 200 million passengers every year.


30. In 2016, Rome for the first time in its history and an Italian political party) faced nationwide polls two years later, when it received almost twice as many votes as its closest rival.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


31. Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world


Rome tops the list of Italian cities most loved by travelers from all over the world, hosting 25 million foreign visitors annually. The Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Trevi Fountain are just a few reasons why the Italian capital is still considered the Eternal City.


Like other Italian cities, Rome levies a tourist tax that helps maintain public transport and infrastructure. It varies from 3 to 7 euros per person per night depending on the hotel or other type of accommodation used (children under 10 years old are exempt from the tax and the tax is no longer charged after 10 days).


32. Rome has one of the smallest inhabited islands in the world.


Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island), a small island in the Tiber River, is located in Rome. It is tiny and barely reaches 270 meters in length. However, the Ponte Cestio and Ponte Fabrizio bridges make it easier to access.


30+ Facts About Rome - The City Where All Roads Lead (For Travellers)


33. Rome ranks 4th in terms of population in the European Union - 2.8 million people live within the city


In addition, Rome held the title of the largest city in the world for 550 years, from 100 BC. to 450 AD This includes a 250-year period at the beginning of the first millennium, when the population of the Italian capital reached 1 million.


The municipality of Rome is made up of 15 districts, each with over 100,000 inhabitants, while its metropolitan area is made up of 120 municipalities and has 4.4 million inhabitants, more than in other major European metropolitan areas.


34. The mayor of Rome officially opens the Christmas season by lighting the Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia.


The celebration of Christmas in the city officially begins with the lighting of the Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia. All this marks the beginning of the holiday season.



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25-interesting-facts-about-the-marshall-islands-the-unbelievable-beauty

The Marshall Islands is a small state lost in the endless ocean. Few people in our country were closely interested in him, and it was completely in vain - this is the land of insane beauty.


The islands were discovered by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century and were explored by British Captain John Marshall (1788), from whom they received their name. Between 1885 and 1914 they were under German protectorate, and during World War II the area was part of the Japanese first line of defense. In 1944 the islands were conquered by the Americans, who administered them until 1990, when the country gained its independence. On Bikini and Enewetak Islands, the U.S.A. they conducted nuclear experiments.


The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an island state in the Pacific Ocean, north of the Equator, between the Caroline and Hawaii archipelagos, with an area of ​​181 km.


The territory of the country occupies several hundred islands (32 atolls, 867 reefs), arranged in two rows: Ralik in the west and Ratak in the east.


The climate is equatorial, determining a tropical (tree) vegetation, dominated by banana and palm trees, but also a fauna rich in birds, fish.


Bemorepanda collected some more interesting facts:


1. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is actually under the control and jurisdiction of the United States.


2. The archipelago, on which the republic is spread, includes 5 islands and 29 atolls.


3. The Marshall Islands were discovered in 1526.


4. The land area of ​​this state is about 181 square kilometers.


5. Nuclear weapons were tested on two atolls.


6. There are no nature reserves in the Marshall Islands.


7. There are paved roads only on the two largest atolls of the archipelago.


8. The maximum height of the Marshall Islands above sea level is ten meters.


9. The country gained independence only in 1983.


10. It is here, on the Kwajalein Atoll, that the world's largest lagoon is located.


11. In the northern part of the archipelago, the climate is so arid that it receives about the same amount of precipitation as in the American deserts.


12. The Marshall Islands have two official languages ​​- Marshall and English.


13. The currency of the Republic is the US dollar.


14. 98% of the population of the islands are Marshalls.


15. The Marshall Islands maintains diplomatic relations with many countries. With Russia too.


16. Also the Marshall Islands is a member of the United Nations.


17. Subsidies from the United States and other countries account for a large share of the state 

budget.


18. On the territory of the Marshall Islands there are more than two thousand kilometers of highways.


19. Internet and mobile phones are available in the two largest atolls, but they are very poorly distributed.


20. The Marshall Islands publishes two newspapers, one private and one public.


21. The country's islands are significantly distant from each other.


22. In total, the Marshall Islands is home to just over fifty thousand people.


23. The most popular sport in the country is basketball.


24. In 2008, athletes from the Marshall Islands took part in the Olympic Games for the first time, but did not take prizes.


25. There are only two hospitals in the country.

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50-interesting-facts-about-the-city-of-rhodes

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

 

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

 

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

 

Facts about Rhodes

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

CITY WALLS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ELEMENTS OF THE ACROPOLIS IN RHODES

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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35-interesting-facts-about-the-bahamas-that-you-need-to-know-this-summer

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

 

Facts about the Bahamas

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

9. The most popular seafood is on Sink Island.

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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top-75-interesting-facts-about-the-country-of-kiribati

The island state of Kiribati is located immediately in Polynesia and Micronesia. At present, the small country is successfully developing despite scarce natural resources.

 

Amazing facts about Kiribati

 

Of all the countries in the world, only Kiribati is located in all hemispheres of the planet at once - Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern. All 33 atolls belonging to the republic are scattered at a considerable distance from each other, while only 13 of them are permanently inhabited. At the same time, Christmas Island, the largest atoll in the world, accounts for about 48% of the state's total land mass.

 

 

1. Kiribati is a tiny island country located in the Western Pacific Ocean.

 

The name of the island nation of Kiribati comes from the distorted English "Gilbert Islands".

 

2. Kiribati is the only country on Earth located in all hemispheres at once - Northern and Southern, Western and Eastern.

 

3. The Republic of Kiribati in the northwest borders on the territorial waters of two states, namely the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. In the southwest and west, Kiribati has maritime boundaries with Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands and Nauru.

 

4. In the southeast and south - with the waters belonging to Tokelau, the Cook Islands, as well as French Polynesia. In the northeast and north, the republic borders on the Outer Small Islands, which are part of the United States, as well as on Pacific neutral waters.

 

5. The coastal strip of Kiribati has a length of 1143 kilometers.

 

6. Little is known about how the islands of Kiribati were settled. There is an assumption that the ancestors of modern local residents moved to the Gilbert atolls in the 1st millennium AD. from eastern Melanesia. But the Phoenix and Line archipelagos remained uninhabited by the time they were discovered by the Americans and Europeans.

 

 

7. Nevertheless, on these atolls one can find traces of the presence of a person who lived here in the distant past. A similar fact allowed scientists to assume that the local population for some reason left these archipelagos. One of the most popular versions explains this by small land areas, remoteness from other islands, an arid climate and a constant shortage of fresh water. Due to all these factors, it was difficult to live on these atolls. Most likely, the people who settled the islands soon left them.

 

8. The discoverers of the archipelagos located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean are American and British expeditions. Their ships visited these places in the period from the end of the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th century.

 

9. Initially, the atolls were called the Gilbert Islands. It happened in 1820. The name of the islands was given by the Russian traveler and Admiral Krusenstern in honor of the British captain T. Gilberg, who discovered these lands in 1788.

 

10. The first settlers from Britain arrived on the islands in 1837. In 1892, these territories became a protectorate of England. Christmas Island joined the colony in 1919 and Phoenix became part of it in 1937.

 

11. The land area of ​​the Republic of Kiribati consists of 33 atolls. This is the name of the coral islands, which have a ring-shaped shape. This state also includes small coral islands.

 

 

12. The country of Kiribati is located on atolls, one of which, Banaba, is raised. According to the theory put forward by Charles Darwin, the formation of such formations was facilitated by the subsidence of volcanic islands and the gradual fouling of their surface with corals. This process led to the emergence of fringing reefs, and then barrier reefs. Thus, land appeared in this part of the Pacific Ocean.

 

13. The distance from the easternmost to the westernmost island of the state is 4 thousand kilometers.

 

14. In the waters of the Pacific Ocean, all these small areas of land are spread over an area exceeding 3.5 million square kilometers. According to this indicator, the country of Kiribati has the second largest exclusive economic zone in the Pacific Ocean. But the entire land area of ​​the country does not exceed 811 square kilometers.

 

15. Although this Pacific nation has 33 atolls, only 13 of them have permanent population.

 

16. The island state of Kiribati is located immediately in Polynesia and Micronesia.

 

17. The country consists of island groups. These are the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line Islands. The last of them, by their location, belong to the southern part of the Hawaiian Islands.

 

 

18. The Republic of Kiribati as a state appeared in 1979, having gained independence from Great Britain.

 

19. The total population of Kiribati is a little over 115 thousand people.

 

20. About 90% of the population of Kiribati are representatives of the people of the same name. Its other name is tungar.

 

21. The official language of the country is English, but few people speak it. The majority of the population speaks Kiribati.

 

22. Modern writing in Kiribati uses the letters of the Latin alphabet.

 

23. In 1983, a friendship agreement was signed between the United States and Kiribati, according to which the United States renounced claims to 14 islands, recognizing them as part of Kiribati.

 

24. Kiribati does not have its own army. The defense of the state is carried out by the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand.

 

 

25. The United States in the 20th century tested atomic bombs on two atolls belonging to Kiribati.

 

26. This island nation has a weak economy, because it is far from world markets for its products.

 

27. Agriculture dominates the country, which negatively affects the vegetation cover of the islands, which are gradually being deforested.

 

28.Overpopulation, soil erosion and lack of fresh water are considered to be the main problems of Kiribati.

 

29. The United Kingdom periodically allocates funds to the development of the education system in Kiribati, and France to the health sector.

 

30. In Kiribati there are only 2 fresh, but about 100 small salt lakes. Some of them reach a diameter of several kilometers.

 

31. Freshwater lakes can be found only on two islands of the state. This is the atoll of Christmas and Teraina (Washington).

 

32. There is not a single river in Kiribati either.

 

 

33. The highest point of Kiribati is 81 meters above sea level. It is located on the Banaba Atoll. This is quite a lot, especially when compared with the Maldives, also located on the atolls, where the highest point is at a height of less than 5 meters.

 

34. The soils on the islands of Kiribati, due to their coral origin, are very poor and highly alkaline. Most of them are porous and do not retain moisture well.

 

35. The soils of Kiribati are very low in mineral and organic matter. The only exceptions are magnesium, sodium and calcium. Phosphate soils are widespread throughout the republic.

 

36. There are also brown-red soils on the islands, formed from guano, which is the decomposed droppings of sea birds, as well as bats.

 

37. The lack of water bodies on the islands is due to their small area, low altitude, and also the porosity of the soil.

 

38. The only source of fresh water on the atolls are the so-called lenses, formed by rainwater that seeps through the soil. You can get to the moisture by digging a well.

 

39. Such lenses are the only source of fresh water in most of the atolls of Kiribati. After the rains, local residents extract moisture for themselves from the leaves of coconut palms.

 

 

40.Since 28 January 2008, the Phoenix Island Group has been the world's largest marine reserve. Its area is 410.5 thousand square kilometers.

 

41. The Kiritimati Atoll, which is part of this country, is the largest coral atoll on Earth. It accounts for about 80% of the entire landmass of this country.

 

42. Christmas Island, one of the atolls that make up Kiribati, is the largest atoll in the world. Christmas Island is home to more bird species than any other island in the world.

 

43. The relatively young geological age of the atolls, their remoteness from the continent, as well as unfavorable weather conditions, have contributed to the fact that only 83 species of native plants in Kiribati exist. And none of them is endemic.

 

44. In addition, it is believed that several species of plants were introduced to these areas by Aboriginal people. Among them are: taka pinnatifid; breadfruit of two kinds; yam; giant taro; tarot; swamp giant taro.

 

45. Plants such as the coconut palm and the roofing pandanus most likely have a dual origin. On some atolls, they were brought by man, while on others they are indigenous representatives of the flora.

 

 

46.Four plant species, namely pandanus, breadfruit, coconut and taro, played in the past and continue to play today a leading role in the nutrition of the inhabitants of this island country.

 

47. The main representatives of the marine fauna are pearl mussels, holothurians (sea cucumbers), cones, tridacna, palm thieves and lobsters. There are a lot of fish in the ocean near the islands, of which there are from 600 to 800 species.

 

48. As for fish, it has always been the main food for local residents. In coastal waters, reef perches, albuls, hanos, large-headed mullets, sultans and horse mackerels are caught. There are several varieties of sea turtles near the islands.

 

49. Rich coastal waters of Kiribati and corals.

 

50. The animal world of the atolls is rather poor. During an American scientific expedition at the beginning of the 19th century, researchers discovered here only the only representative of land mammals - the Polynesian rat. Today, the inhabitants of the islands breed pigs and poultry.

 

51. But the world of avifauna in Kiribati is very diverse. There are 75 species of birds in the country, one of which is endemic. This is a warbler bird. She lives on Christmas Island.

 

 

52. Most of the landmasses of the Phoenix and Line archipelagos host large-scale bird colonies. That is why the islands of Starbuck and Malden, as well as part of the Christmas Atoll, have been declared a zone of marine reserves.

 

53. An additional source of income for Kiribati in recent years has been the issuance of licenses to fish in the Special Economic Zone.

 

54. The bulk of the republic's population lives on the Gilbert Islands. And most of them are located on Tarawa Atoll. Here is the capital of Kiribati - the city of South Tarawa. About 50 thousand inhabitants are registered here.

 

55. In addition to the capital, the city of Kiribati, there are 9 more settlements, the number of which exceeds 1.5 thousand people. The residential areas of the capital of Kiribati are located on several small islands, interconnected by bridges and dams.

 

56. South Tarawa comprises four municipalities. Their names are Betio and Bairiki, Bikinibeu and Bonriki. All these municipalities are located on the islands of the same name, being part of the capital of the state of Kiribati. It is on their territories that all the main commercial, government and educational institutions of the country are located.

 

57. So, in Betio there is a power plant operating for the entire atoll, a Maritime Institute and a port. Interestingly, this island is almost flat and devoid of vegetation. Its entire central part is occupied by a wide strip of the Hawkins airfield. It is in this place that the sights of Kiribati are located, which are military relics of the period when the famous battle for Tarawa took place.

 

 

58. Among the monuments reminiscent of the fierce battle on Tarawa are the Memorial Chapel built in the village of Abaroko.

 

59. And also the Memorial to the Heroes of the Outpost, which commemorates the memory of 22 British servicemen killed by the Japanese in October 1942.

 

60.The most important feature of Betio are military cemeteries, which can impress anyone with their numerous rows of wooden tombstones, because on the island, which is only 3 kilometers long, more than 5.5 thousand war victims are buried.

 

61. Kiribati has two radio stations of its own, government and private.

 

62. Road signs here are often drawn by hand on suitable surfaces.

 

63. Athletes from Kiribati take part in the Olympic Games.

 

64. The average annual temperature in Kiribati ranges from +26, +32 ⁰C.

 

65. On the Caroline Atoll, located in the Line Archipelago, people are the first to celebrate the New Year (outside of Eurasia and Antarctica). This happens due to the fact that this island is the easternmost piece of land located in the 12th time zone.

 

 

66. Among the local villages there are London, Paris and others. Locals like to call their villages after European capitals.

 

67.The production of postage stamps generates significant revenue for the public treasury. Stamps are very popular among philatelists from various countries.

 

68.There are two official currencies in circulation in the country - the Australian dollar and the equivalent Kiribati dollar.

 

69. The Kiribati one dollar coin has a dodecagonal shape.

 

70.At present, the small country is developing successfully despite scarce natural resources.

 

71.Kiribati is a member of the UN.

 

72.The world's only diplomatic mission of the Republic of Kiribati is located in the Fiji Islands.

 

73. The British Consulate is usually in charge of the diplomatic affairs of Kiribati.

 

74. Kiribati is an amazing country. In addition to the natural beauty, it is also notable for the fact that 99.99% of the world's population has no idea about its existence.

 

75. Kiribati is the least visited country on the planet by tourists. Only the most desperate tourists reach the remote islands of the country of Kiribati.

 

 

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