The Republic of Iceland located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km2. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik.
Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is volcanically and geologically active on a large scale; this defines the landscape. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterised by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while many big glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate climate relative to its latitude and provides a habitable environment and nature.
Today, Iceland has some of the world’s highest levels of economic and civil freedoms. In 2007, Iceland was ranked as the most developed country in the world by the United Nations’ Human Development Index. It was also the fourth most productive country per capita, and one of the most egalitarian, as rated by the Gini coefficient. Icelanders have a rich culture and heritage, such as cuisine and poetry and the medieval Icelandic Sages are internationally renowned. Iceland is a member of the UN, NATO, EFTA, EEA, UEFA, and OECD. Iceland is the sole partner of the Faroe Islands signatory to the Hoyvik Agreement.
Iceland has been especially badly affected by the current world financial crisis. The nation’s ongoing economic crisis has caused significant unrest and made Iceland the first western country to borrow from the International Monetary Fund since 1976. In February 2009 a minority government took office, headed by Johanna Siguroardottir, the world’s first openly gay head of government in modern times.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Climate of Island
The climate of Iceland’s coast is sub polar oceanic. The warm North Atlantic Current ensures generally higher annual temperatures than in most places of similar latitude in the world. Regions in the world with similar climate include the Aleutian Islands, Alaska Peninsula and Tierra del Fuego although these regions are closer to the equator. Despite its proximity to the Arctic, the island’s coasts remain ice-free through the winter. Ice incursions are rare, the last having occurred on the north coast in 1969.
There are some variations in the climate between different parts of the island. Very generally speaking, the south coast is warmer, wetter and windier than the north. Low-lying inland areas in the north are the most arid. Snowfall in winter is more common in the north than the south. The Central Highlands are the coldest part of the country.
The highest air temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) on 22 June, 1939 at Teigarhorn on the southeastern coast. The lowest was 38°C (-38.4°F) on 22 January, 1918 at Grimsstaoir and Moorudalur in the northeastern hinterland. The temperature records for Reykjavik are 26.2°C (79.2°F) on 30 July 2008, and -24.5°C (-12.1°F) on 21 January 1918.
There are some variations in the climate between different parts of the island. Very generally speaking, the south coast is warmer, wetter and windier than the north. Low-lying inland areas in the north are the most arid. Snowfall in winter is more common in the north than the south. The Central Highlands are the coldest part of the country.
The highest air temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) on 22 June, 1939 at Teigarhorn on the southeastern coast. The lowest was 38°C (-38.4°F) on 22 January, 1918 at Grimsstaoir and Moorudalur in the northeastern hinterland. The temperature records for Reykjavik are 26.2°C (79.2°F) on 30 July 2008, and -24.5°C (-12.1°F) on 21 January 1918.
Continents of the World
Continents are large, continuous landmasses on the earth’s surface. Continents have plains, plateaus and mountains, and are surrounded, or nearly surrounded, by water. Continents make up about 29% of the total area of the earth’s surface. The continents of the world are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia from largest to smallest.
Asia
Asia is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the East by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the West by Europe and the Mediterranean.
Asia includes some of the world’s richest and developed economies like Japan and Korea but is also home to some of the world’s poorest nations. Asia has the highest point in Earth, the Mount Everest in the Himalayas, as well as the lowest place on land, the Dead Sea. Asia also experiences the wildest extremes of weather and climate.
Asia also has the widest variety of plant and animal life; from tropical rainforests to desert scrubland; from the world’s largest reptile, the Komodo Dragon of Indonesia, to the shy and elusive Snow Leopard in the high reaches of the Himalayas.
Asia is not only the biggest continent, and the one with the most people. It is also the most diverse. Asia has some of the highest mountains, the longest rivers, the largest deserts and the thickest forests. The highest place on the earth – Mount Everest – is in Asia. So is the lowest, the Dead Sea!
Asia’s 47 independent nations include some of the world’s biggest nations, and the smallest. The most populated country in the world, China, is the Asia. At the same time, there are vast areas that are uninhabited. There are hot deserts and cold deserts, rugged mountains and fertile river valleys, lush coastal plains and steamy deltas. In fact, Asia is so enormous that it includes all three of the world’s climatic zones: the Arctic, Temperate and Torrid Zones.
Asia includes some of the world’s richest and developed economies like Japan and Korea but is also home to some of the world’s poorest nations. Asia has the highest point in Earth, the Mount Everest in the Himalayas, as well as the lowest place on land, the Dead Sea. Asia also experiences the wildest extremes of weather and climate.
Asia also has the widest variety of plant and animal life; from tropical rainforests to desert scrubland; from the world’s largest reptile, the Komodo Dragon of Indonesia, to the shy and elusive Snow Leopard in the high reaches of the Himalayas.
Asia is not only the biggest continent, and the one with the most people. It is also the most diverse. Asia has some of the highest mountains, the longest rivers, the largest deserts and the thickest forests. The highest place on the earth – Mount Everest – is in Asia. So is the lowest, the Dead Sea!
Asia’s 47 independent nations include some of the world’s biggest nations, and the smallest. The most populated country in the world, China, is the Asia. At the same time, there are vast areas that are uninhabited. There are hot deserts and cold deserts, rugged mountains and fertile river valleys, lush coastal plains and steamy deltas. In fact, Asia is so enormous that it includes all three of the world’s climatic zones: the Arctic, Temperate and Torrid Zones.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
North America
AREA: 21510000 sq. Km
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 523155346
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 7000 km,
North-West: About 8000km
COSTLINE: About 300000 km
HIGHEST POINT: Mount McKinley 6198 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Death Valley, California, 86 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Alaska, Appalachian, Cascade, Coast, Rocky, Sierra Madre, Sierra Nevada.
CHIEF RIVERS: Missouri, Nelson, Mississippi, Yukon, Rio Grande, Arkansan, Colorado, Red, Columbia, Mackenzie, Peace, Snake, Ohio, Saskatchewan, St. Lawrence.
CHIEF DESERTS: Chihuahuan, Colorado, Great Basin, Mojave, Painted, Sonoran, Vizcaino, Yuma.
CHIEF WATERFALLS: Niagara, Ribbon, Silver Strand, Takakkaw, Yosemite.
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES: 23
The third largest of the world's continents, most areas of the North American landmass is occupied by two of the world's most developed nations, the United States of America and Canada. The third major country occupying this continent is Mexico. The continent of North America is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the south by the Caribbean Sea.
It is connected to the continent of South America by the narrow Isthmus of Panama. Comprising of some of the world's oldest rocks North America is also very rich in mineral and other natural resources. National Parks in this continent contain some of the most spectacular and breath-taking sceneries in the world.
Though North America is the third largest continent, in terms of population, it stands fourth, since very few people live in the cold northern parts of the country or in the western deserts. It has a population which makes up about eight percent of the World’s total population.
It is Greenland which has an area of 2175600 square kilometers. It also has the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, which is bounded both by Canada and the United States.
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 523155346
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 7000 km,
North-West: About 8000km
COSTLINE: About 300000 km
HIGHEST POINT: Mount McKinley 6198 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Death Valley, California, 86 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Alaska, Appalachian, Cascade, Coast, Rocky, Sierra Madre, Sierra Nevada.
CHIEF RIVERS: Missouri, Nelson, Mississippi, Yukon, Rio Grande, Arkansan, Colorado, Red, Columbia, Mackenzie, Peace, Snake, Ohio, Saskatchewan, St. Lawrence.
CHIEF DESERTS: Chihuahuan, Colorado, Great Basin, Mojave, Painted, Sonoran, Vizcaino, Yuma.
CHIEF WATERFALLS: Niagara, Ribbon, Silver Strand, Takakkaw, Yosemite.
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES: 23
The third largest of the world's continents, most areas of the North American landmass is occupied by two of the world's most developed nations, the United States of America and Canada. The third major country occupying this continent is Mexico. The continent of North America is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the south by the Caribbean Sea.
It is connected to the continent of South America by the narrow Isthmus of Panama. Comprising of some of the world's oldest rocks North America is also very rich in mineral and other natural resources. National Parks in this continent contain some of the most spectacular and breath-taking sceneries in the world.
Though North America is the third largest continent, in terms of population, it stands fourth, since very few people live in the cold northern parts of the country or in the western deserts. It has a population which makes up about eight percent of the World’s total population.
It is Greenland which has an area of 2175600 square kilometers. It also has the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, which is bounded both by Canada and the United States.
South America
AREA: 1,75,98,000 sq. Km
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 38,43,83,957
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 5,150 km,
North-West: About 7,645km
COSTLINE: About 32,000 km
HIGHEST POINT: Aconcagua, Argentina, 6959 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Valdes Peninsula, Argentina, 40 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Andes, Brazilian Highlands, Guiana Highlands.
CHIEF RIVERS: Amazon, Madeira, Magdalena, Orinoco, Paraguay, Parana, Purus, Sao Francisco, Uruguay.
CHIEF DESERTS: Atacama, Patagonia.
CHIEF WATERFALLS: Angel, Cuquenan.
CHIEF LAKES: Maracaibo, Mirim, Poopo, Titicaca.
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES: 12
Culturally sometimes referred to as Latin America, the continent of South America has the greatest north-south extension and apart from Antarctica, is the only continent with the farthest extension to the south. South America is bounded to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the East by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the south by the icy continent of Antarctica.
South America's high mountains and highland areas extend up to different elevation levels which together contribute to its variety of climate and natural regions ranging from the high Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforests; and the arid Patagonian and Atacama deserts to the sub-arctic climes of its southernmost areas.
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 38,43,83,957
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 5,150 km,
North-West: About 7,645km
COSTLINE: About 32,000 km
HIGHEST POINT: Aconcagua, Argentina, 6959 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Valdes Peninsula, Argentina, 40 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Andes, Brazilian Highlands, Guiana Highlands.
CHIEF RIVERS: Amazon, Madeira, Magdalena, Orinoco, Paraguay, Parana, Purus, Sao Francisco, Uruguay.
CHIEF DESERTS: Atacama, Patagonia.
CHIEF WATERFALLS: Angel, Cuquenan.
CHIEF LAKES: Maracaibo, Mirim, Poopo, Titicaca.
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES: 12
Culturally sometimes referred to as Latin America, the continent of South America has the greatest north-south extension and apart from Antarctica, is the only continent with the farthest extension to the south. South America is bounded to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the East by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the south by the icy continent of Antarctica.
South America's high mountains and highland areas extend up to different elevation levels which together contribute to its variety of climate and natural regions ranging from the high Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforests; and the arid Patagonian and Atacama deserts to the sub-arctic climes of its southernmost areas.
Antarctica
AREA: 1,36,00,000 sq. Km
POPULATION: Uninhabited
GREATEST DISTANCES: Antarctic Peninsula to Wilhelm II Coast – about 5500 km.
COSTLINE: About 31,900 km
HIGHEST POINT: Vinson Massif, 5140 m above sea level Lowest Sea Level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Antarctic Peninsula, Ellsworth, Prince Charles, Transantarctic, Whitmore.
CHIEF GLACIERS: Beardmore, Lambert, Rennick, Support Force.
CHIEF ICESHELVES: Amery, Filchner, Larsen, Ronne, Ross.
Antarctica is larger than Europe and Australia in terms of area. But, it is actually smaller! How can this be? Well. The 2200 metres thick ice cap that covers the continent increases its surface area. Without this ice cap, Antarctica would be the smallest continent!
In any world map, the southernmost and the most remote continent, Antarctica is permanently covered under ice. The difficulties of accessibility have, however, not discouraged several scientific expeditions and initiatives which are being currently undertaken by several nations to this part of the world.Many developed nations and even developing countries like India have set up scientific stations in Antarctica and many of them have made their own territorial claims on this vast icy continent. In addition to the map of world section at Mapsofworld.com, we're in the process of creating interactive world map and world globes. Visit Mapsofworld.com to update yourself on newer map making methods.
POPULATION: Uninhabited
GREATEST DISTANCES: Antarctic Peninsula to Wilhelm II Coast – about 5500 km.
COSTLINE: About 31,900 km
HIGHEST POINT: Vinson Massif, 5140 m above sea level Lowest Sea Level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Antarctic Peninsula, Ellsworth, Prince Charles, Transantarctic, Whitmore.
CHIEF GLACIERS: Beardmore, Lambert, Rennick, Support Force.
CHIEF ICESHELVES: Amery, Filchner, Larsen, Ronne, Ross.
Antarctica is larger than Europe and Australia in terms of area. But, it is actually smaller! How can this be? Well. The 2200 metres thick ice cap that covers the continent increases its surface area. Without this ice cap, Antarctica would be the smallest continent!
In any world map, the southernmost and the most remote continent, Antarctica is permanently covered under ice. The difficulties of accessibility have, however, not discouraged several scientific expeditions and initiatives which are being currently undertaken by several nations to this part of the world.Many developed nations and even developing countries like India have set up scientific stations in Antarctica and many of them have made their own territorial claims on this vast icy continent. In addition to the map of world section at Mapsofworld.com, we're in the process of creating interactive world map and world globes. Visit Mapsofworld.com to update yourself on newer map making methods.
Europe
AREA: 9,69,9,550 sq. Km
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 72,95,46,0௩௩
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 6,400 km,
North-West: About 4,800km
COSTLINE: About 60,793 km
HIGHEST POINT: Mount Elbrus, 5,633 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Shore of the Caspian Sea, 28 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Alps, Apennines, Balkans, Carpathians, Caucasus, Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada.
CHIEF RIVERS: Danube, Don, Elbe, Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Thames, Volga.
CHIEF DESERTS: There are no deserts in Europe.
CHIEF LAKES: Caspian Sea, Ladoga.
NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES: 47
One of the world’s smallest continents, Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea, and to the east by the Ural Mountains which separate the continent from Asia and the greater part of the vast Eurasian landmass. Despite its internal diversities of culture, language, customs, etc.
Europe has come to represent a epochs of history. Europe is a continent of great physical and cultural diversity and is bestowed with some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes and places of scenic beauty. From the tiny hilltop villages of France to the bustling metropolises of London and Paris; form the ski slopes of the Australian Alps to the sun-kissed beaches of Mediterranean Spain; from the fairy-tale castles of the Scottish Highlands to the Gondolas of Venetian canals; the breathtaking beauty of Europe is a feast for the eyes.
Europe and Asia together form one large landmass called Eurasia. Still, Europe is considered to be a continent because it has well marked borders that set it apart from Asia. In the North, South and West, it is bordered by the sea. In the East, the Ural Mountains form an effective border. In addition, Europe’s culture and history are quite distinct from Asia.
There are a variety of languages-English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Hebrew, being spoken in Europe. There are scores of other languages as well. At the last count, there are over 200, including dialects, or local versions of different languages.
EUROPEAN ART:
The Renaissance was the golden period of art in Europe. It was influenced by the art of Ancient Greece and Rome, but the Renaissance artists high lighted the individual.
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 72,95,46,0௩௩
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 6,400 km,
North-West: About 4,800km
COSTLINE: About 60,793 km
HIGHEST POINT: Mount Elbrus, 5,633 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Shore of the Caspian Sea, 28 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: Alps, Apennines, Balkans, Carpathians, Caucasus, Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada.
CHIEF RIVERS: Danube, Don, Elbe, Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Thames, Volga.
CHIEF DESERTS: There are no deserts in Europe.
CHIEF LAKES: Caspian Sea, Ladoga.
NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES: 47
One of the world’s smallest continents, Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea, and to the east by the Ural Mountains which separate the continent from Asia and the greater part of the vast Eurasian landmass. Despite its internal diversities of culture, language, customs, etc.
Europe has come to represent a epochs of history. Europe is a continent of great physical and cultural diversity and is bestowed with some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes and places of scenic beauty. From the tiny hilltop villages of France to the bustling metropolises of London and Paris; form the ski slopes of the Australian Alps to the sun-kissed beaches of Mediterranean Spain; from the fairy-tale castles of the Scottish Highlands to the Gondolas of Venetian canals; the breathtaking beauty of Europe is a feast for the eyes.
Europe and Asia together form one large landmass called Eurasia. Still, Europe is considered to be a continent because it has well marked borders that set it apart from Asia. In the North, South and West, it is bordered by the sea. In the East, the Ural Mountains form an effective border. In addition, Europe’s culture and history are quite distinct from Asia.
There are a variety of languages-English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Hebrew, being spoken in Europe. There are scores of other languages as well. At the last count, there are over 200, including dialects, or local versions of different languages.
EUROPEAN ART:
The Renaissance was the golden period of art in Europe. It was influenced by the art of Ancient Greece and Rome, but the Renaissance artists high lighted the individual.
Australia
AREA: 76,99,000 sq. Km (Australia/Oceania)
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 3,35,60,095 (Australia/Oceania)
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 3,983 km,
North-West: About 3,138 km
COSTLINE: About 27,948 km (including Tasmania and other Offshore islands)
HIGHEST POINT: Mount Kosciusko, 2,228 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Lake Eyre, 16 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: MacDonnell and Musgrave ranges, Hamersley Range, Darling Range, Flinders Ranges and the mountains of Tasmania.
CHIEF RIVERS: Murray and Darling.
CHIEF DESERTS: Great Victoria, Great Sandy, Gibson, Tanami, Simpson, and Sturt’s stony desert.
NUMBER OF INDENPENDENT COUNTRIES: 14 (Australia/Oceania)
The world's smallest continent, Australia is also regarded by many as the youngest, since civilization started much later here but the history and culture of its original inhabitants, the Aborigines, goes back to more than 50,000 years. With the Pacific and Indian Oceans on either side, Australia's location in the Southern Hemisphere and relative isolation has rendered it with a unique variety of plant and animal life found nowhere else on Earth.
Although, a major portion of the continent's land area is covered by arid desert topography, Australia's natural sights are a big draw for the outside world. From the tropical rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef in the north to the vibrant coastal cities of Sydney and Melbourne in the south east; from the endless straight roads of the arid outback to the spectacular coastal scenery of the Great Ocean Road; from the lonely Ayers rock in the middle of nowhere to the crowded beaches of Bondi and Manly; Australia is a dream come true for many travelers and adventure-loving people.
POPULATION: Estimated 2008 population 3,35,60,095 (Australia/Oceania)
GREATEST DISTANCES: East-West: About 3,983 km,
North-West: About 3,138 km
COSTLINE: About 27,948 km (including Tasmania and other Offshore islands)
HIGHEST POINT: Mount Kosciusko, 2,228 m above sea level
LOWEST POINT: Lake Eyre, 16 m below sea level
CHIEF MOUNTAIN RANGES: MacDonnell and Musgrave ranges, Hamersley Range, Darling Range, Flinders Ranges and the mountains of Tasmania.
CHIEF RIVERS: Murray and Darling.
CHIEF DESERTS: Great Victoria, Great Sandy, Gibson, Tanami, Simpson, and Sturt’s stony desert.
NUMBER OF INDENPENDENT COUNTRIES: 14 (Australia/Oceania)
The world's smallest continent, Australia is also regarded by many as the youngest, since civilization started much later here but the history and culture of its original inhabitants, the Aborigines, goes back to more than 50,000 years. With the Pacific and Indian Oceans on either side, Australia's location in the Southern Hemisphere and relative isolation has rendered it with a unique variety of plant and animal life found nowhere else on Earth.
Although, a major portion of the continent's land area is covered by arid desert topography, Australia's natural sights are a big draw for the outside world. From the tropical rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef in the north to the vibrant coastal cities of Sydney and Melbourne in the south east; from the endless straight roads of the arid outback to the spectacular coastal scenery of the Great Ocean Road; from the lonely Ayers rock in the middle of nowhere to the crowded beaches of Bondi and Manly; Australia is a dream come true for many travelers and adventure-loving people.
Friday, June 26, 2009
History and Usage
Flat-plate collectors for solar water heating were popular in Florida and Southern California in the 1920s. Levi Yissar built the first prototype Israeli solar water heater and in 1953 he started NerYah Company, Israel's first commercial manufacturer of solar water heaters. Despite the abundance of sunlight in Israel, solar water heaters were used by only 20% of the population by 1967. Following the energy crisis in the 1970s, the Israeli Knesset passed a law requiring the installation of solar water heaters in all new homes (except high towers with insufficient roof area). As a result, Israel is now the world leader in the use of solar energy per capita (3% of the primary national energy consumption).
During this time, there was some resurgence of interest in solar heating in North America. Technical innovation has improved performance, life expectancy and ease of use of these systems. Installation of solar hot water heating has become the norm in countries with an abundance of solar radiation, like Cyprus, Israel and Greece, as well as in Japan and Austria, where there is less.
Solar hot water systems have become popular in China, where basic models start at around 1,500 yuan (US$190), much cheaper than in Western countries (around 80% cheaper for a given size of collector). It is said that at least 30 million Chinese households now have one, and that the popularity is due to the efficient evacuated tubes which allow the heaters to function even under gray skies and at temperatures well below freezing.
In 1980, Israel became the first country in the world to require solar thermal systems installation in new construction. 85% of the households today use solar thermal systems and the use of it, saves 3% of the yearly electricity consumption in Israel.
In 2005, Spain became the first country in the world to require the installation of photovoltaic electricity generation in new buildings, and the second (after Israel) to require the installation of solar hot water systems in 2006. Australia adopted the mandatory regulation for solar thermal for new construction in 2006 as well.
Usage
Hot water heated by the sun can be used to:
Generate electricity
During this time, there was some resurgence of interest in solar heating in North America. Technical innovation has improved performance, life expectancy and ease of use of these systems. Installation of solar hot water heating has become the norm in countries with an abundance of solar radiation, like Cyprus, Israel and Greece, as well as in Japan and Austria, where there is less.
Solar hot water systems have become popular in China, where basic models start at around 1,500 yuan (US$190), much cheaper than in Western countries (around 80% cheaper for a given size of collector). It is said that at least 30 million Chinese households now have one, and that the popularity is due to the efficient evacuated tubes which allow the heaters to function even under gray skies and at temperatures well below freezing.
In 1980, Israel became the first country in the world to require solar thermal systems installation in new construction. 85% of the households today use solar thermal systems and the use of it, saves 3% of the yearly electricity consumption in Israel.
In 2005, Spain became the first country in the world to require the installation of photovoltaic electricity generation in new buildings, and the second (after Israel) to require the installation of solar hot water systems in 2006. Australia adopted the mandatory regulation for solar thermal for new construction in 2006 as well.
Usage
Hot water heated by the sun can be used to:
Designs suitable for hot climates can be much simpler and cheaper, and can be considered an appropriate technology for these places. The global solar thermal market is dominated by China, Europe, Japan and India.
The typical 50 gallon electric water heater uses 11.1 barrels of oil a year, which translates into the same amount oil used by a typical 4 door sedan driven by the average consumer.
Electric utility companies often provide electricity by burning and releasing energy from fuels such as oil, coal and nuclear energy. An electrical home hot water heater sits on an electrical grid and may be driving the use of unclean fuels on the other end of the grid.
Solar Hot Water
Solar hot water is water heated by the use of solar energy.
Solar heating systems are generally composed of solar thermal collectors, a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to its point of usage. The system may use electricity for pumping the fluid, and have a reservoir or tank for heat storage and subsequent use. The systems may be used to heat water for a wide variety of uses, including home, business and industrial uses. Heating swimming pools, under floor heating or energy input for space heating or cooling are more specific examples.
In many climates, a solar heating system can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy. This can include domestic non-electric concentrating solar thermal systems. In many northern European countries, combined hot water and space heating systems (solar combisystems) are used to provide 15 to 25% of home heating energy.
In the southern regions of Africa like Zimbabwe, solar water heaters have been gaining popularity, thanks to the Austrian- and other EU-funded projects that are promoting more environmentally friendly water heating solutions.
Residential solar thermal installations can be subdivided into two kinds of systems: compact and pumped systems. Both typically include an auxiliary energy source (electric heating element or connection to a gas or fuel oil central heating system) that is activated when the water in the tank falls below a minimum temperature setting such as 50 °C. Hence, hot water is always available. The combination of solar hot water heating and using the back-up heat from a wood stove chimney to heat water can enable a hot water system to work all year round in cooler climates without the supplemental heat requirement of a solar hot water system being met with fossil fuels or electricity.
Among pumped options, there is an important distinction to be made regarding the sustainability of the design of the system. This relates to what source of energy powers the pump and its controls. The type of pumped solar thermal systems which use mains electricity to pump the fluid through the panels are called low carbon solar because the pumping negates the carbon savings of the solar by about 20%, according to data in a report called "Side by side testing of eight solar water heatings" by DTI UK. However, zero-carbon pumped solar thermal systems use solar electricity which is generated onsite using photo voltaics to pump the fluid and to operate its control electronics. This represents a zero operational carbon footprint and is becoming an important design goal for innovative solar thermal systems.
Solar heating systems are generally composed of solar thermal collectors, a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to its point of usage. The system may use electricity for pumping the fluid, and have a reservoir or tank for heat storage and subsequent use. The systems may be used to heat water for a wide variety of uses, including home, business and industrial uses. Heating swimming pools, under floor heating or energy input for space heating or cooling are more specific examples.
In many climates, a solar heating system can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy. This can include domestic non-electric concentrating solar thermal systems. In many northern European countries, combined hot water and space heating systems (solar combisystems) are used to provide 15 to 25% of home heating energy.
In the southern regions of Africa like Zimbabwe, solar water heaters have been gaining popularity, thanks to the Austrian- and other EU-funded projects that are promoting more environmentally friendly water heating solutions.
Residential solar thermal installations can be subdivided into two kinds of systems: compact and pumped systems. Both typically include an auxiliary energy source (electric heating element or connection to a gas or fuel oil central heating system) that is activated when the water in the tank falls below a minimum temperature setting such as 50 °C. Hence, hot water is always available. The combination of solar hot water heating and using the back-up heat from a wood stove chimney to heat water can enable a hot water system to work all year round in cooler climates without the supplemental heat requirement of a solar hot water system being met with fossil fuels or electricity.
Among pumped options, there is an important distinction to be made regarding the sustainability of the design of the system. This relates to what source of energy powers the pump and its controls. The type of pumped solar thermal systems which use mains electricity to pump the fluid through the panels are called low carbon solar because the pumping negates the carbon savings of the solar by about 20%, according to data in a report called "Side by side testing of eight solar water heatings" by DTI UK. However, zero-carbon pumped solar thermal systems use solar electricity which is generated onsite using photo voltaics to pump the fluid and to operate its control electronics. This represents a zero operational carbon footprint and is becoming an important design goal for innovative solar thermal systems.
Jokes
Rajesh: Why are you heating the knife.
Sekar: To do Suicide.
Rajesh: But why are you heating it?
Sekar: To prevent infection.
Mani : Why did god make women so beautiful?
Priest: So that you will love them.
Mani: But why did god make them so dumb?
Priest: So that they will love you.
Girl friend to Boy friend: Now it is time we should marry.
Boy: That’s ok, but who will marry us.
Kamala has to sell his dog.
Vimala wants to buy it.
Vimala: Is this dog faithful?
Kamala: Yes, I have sold it 3 times earlier also. It is so faithful, every time it returned back to me.
Yoga teacher: Has yoga any effect over your husband’s drinking habit?
Women: Yes, an Amazing Funny Effect!! Now he drinks the whole bottle standing upside down over his head.
A Dog thinks: My owners feed me, love me, provide me with a nice house, and take good care of me... They must be gods!
A Cat thinks: My owners feed me, love me, provide me with a nice house, and take good care of me... I must be a god!
India Prime Minister: We are sending Indians to the moon next year.
US President: Wow! How many?
India Prime Minister: 7 OBC, 5 SC, 8 ST, 3 Handicapped, 2 Sports persons, 3 Terrorists Affected, 3 Kashmiri migrants, 2 MPS and 1 Astronaut.
Sekar: To do Suicide.
Rajesh: But why are you heating it?
Sekar: To prevent infection.
Mani : Why did god make women so beautiful?
Priest: So that you will love them.
Mani: But why did god make them so dumb?
Priest: So that they will love you.
Girl friend to Boy friend: Now it is time we should marry.
Boy: That’s ok, but who will marry us.
Kamala has to sell his dog.
Vimala wants to buy it.
Vimala: Is this dog faithful?
Kamala: Yes, I have sold it 3 times earlier also. It is so faithful, every time it returned back to me.
Yoga teacher: Has yoga any effect over your husband’s drinking habit?
Women: Yes, an Amazing Funny Effect!! Now he drinks the whole bottle standing upside down over his head.
A Dog thinks: My owners feed me, love me, provide me with a nice house, and take good care of me... They must be gods!
A Cat thinks: My owners feed me, love me, provide me with a nice house, and take good care of me... I must be a god!
India Prime Minister: We are sending Indians to the moon next year.
US President: Wow! How many?
India Prime Minister: 7 OBC, 5 SC, 8 ST, 3 Handicapped, 2 Sports persons, 3 Terrorists Affected, 3 Kashmiri migrants, 2 MPS and 1 Astronaut.
Sardhar Jokes
Sardhar Ji: Why have you increased speed a car?
Laloo: Break has failed. We should reach home before accident.
A funny Account visits a museum with a sardhar Ji.
Accountant: This painting is 500 years and 20 days old.
Sardhar: Amazing! Where did you get this exact information?
Accountant: I was here 20 days ago. This guide told me that the painting was 500 years old.
Kids Joke
Teacher: Kid, you essay on “My Dog” is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy from him?
Student: No teacher. It’s about the same dog.
School Teacher: What is common between Buddha, Jesus, Mahavir and Guru Nanak Dev Ji?
Student: All of them were born on Indian Centre government holidays.
Mayawathi was beautiful college student in her young age.
Once maya comes late to class.
Teacher: Why are you late?
Maya: One boy was following me, teacher
Teacher: So what?
Maya: That boy was walking very slow.
Laloo: Break has failed. We should reach home before accident.
A funny Account visits a museum with a sardhar Ji.
Accountant: This painting is 500 years and 20 days old.
Sardhar: Amazing! Where did you get this exact information?
Accountant: I was here 20 days ago. This guide told me that the painting was 500 years old.
Kids Joke
Teacher: Kid, you essay on “My Dog” is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy from him?
Student: No teacher. It’s about the same dog.
School Teacher: What is common between Buddha, Jesus, Mahavir and Guru Nanak Dev Ji?
Student: All of them were born on Indian Centre government holidays.
Mayawathi was beautiful college student in her young age.
Once maya comes late to class.
Teacher: Why are you late?
Maya: One boy was following me, teacher
Teacher: So what?
Maya: That boy was walking very slow.
Funny Jokes
Museum Administrator: That’s a 500 year old statue you have broken.
Funny Sharma: Thanks God! I though it was a new one.
Santa: Why do you close your eyes while playing the Piano?
Banta: I can’t see the agony of the audience.
Peter’s Son: Dad, how much does it cost to get married.
Peter: I never calculated. I am still paying for if.
Kumar: What is you fees?
Lawyer: Rs 500/- for 3 questions.
Kumar: Isn’t it too high?
Lawyer: Yes, it is. What is your third question?
Divorce Jokes
Judge: Now that your parents are getting divorced do you want to live with your mummy?
Kid: No, My mummy beats me.
Judge: Well then, I guess you want to live with your daddy?
Kid: No, My daddy beats too.
Judge: Well then, who do you want to live with?
Kid: I want to live with the Indian Cricket team, they never beat anybody!!!
Santa: I got married because I was tried of cooking, cleaning home and washing clothes.
Banta: Amazing, I got divorce for the same reason.
Funny Sharma: Thanks God! I though it was a new one.
Santa: Why do you close your eyes while playing the Piano?
Banta: I can’t see the agony of the audience.
Peter’s Son: Dad, how much does it cost to get married.
Peter: I never calculated. I am still paying for if.
Kumar: What is you fees?
Lawyer: Rs 500/- for 3 questions.
Kumar: Isn’t it too high?
Lawyer: Yes, it is. What is your third question?
Divorce Jokes
Judge: Now that your parents are getting divorced do you want to live with your mummy?
Kid: No, My mummy beats me.
Judge: Well then, I guess you want to live with your daddy?
Kid: No, My daddy beats too.
Judge: Well then, who do you want to live with?
Kid: I want to live with the Indian Cricket team, they never beat anybody!!!
Santa: I got married because I was tried of cooking, cleaning home and washing clothes.
Banta: Amazing, I got divorce for the same reason.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Planet and Mercury
A planet, is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.
Planets are generally divided into two main types: large, low-density gas giants, and smaller, rocky terrestrials. Under IAU definitions, there are eight planets in the Solar System. In order from the Sun, they are the four terrestrials, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, then the four gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The Solar System also contains at least five dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto (originally classified as the Solar System's ninth planet), Makemake, Haumea and Eris. With the exception of Mercury, Venus, Ceres and Makemake, all of these are orbited by one or more natural satellites.
Mercury
Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet in the Solar System, orbiting the Sun once every 87.969 days. The orbit of Mercury has the highest eccentricity of all the Solar System planets, and it has the smallest axial tilt. It completes three rotations about the axis for every two orbits. The perihelion of Mercury's orbit precesses around the Sun at an excess of 43 arcseconds per century; a phenomenon that was explained in the 20th century by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Mercury is bright when viewed from Earth, ranging from −2.0 to 5.5 in apparent magnitude, but is not easily seen as its greatest angular separation from the Sun is only 28.3°. Since Mercury is normally lost in the glare of the Sun, unless there is a solar eclipse, Mercury can only be viewed in morning or evening twilight.
Comparatively little is known about Mercury; ground-based telescopes reveal only an illuminated crescent with limited detail. The first of two spacecraft to visit the planet was Mariner 10, which mapped only about 45% of the planet’s surface from 1974 to 1975. The second is the MESSENGER Spacecraft, which mapped another 30% during its flyby of January 14, 2008. MESSENGER will make one more pass by Mercury in 2009, followed by orbital insertion in 2011, and will then survey and map the entire planet.
Recorder observations of Mercury date back to at least the first millennium BC. Before the 4th century BC, Greek astronomers believed the planet to be two separate objects: one visible only at sunrise, which they called Apollo; the other visible only at sunset, which they called Hermes.
Planets are generally divided into two main types: large, low-density gas giants, and smaller, rocky terrestrials. Under IAU definitions, there are eight planets in the Solar System. In order from the Sun, they are the four terrestrials, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, then the four gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The Solar System also contains at least five dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto (originally classified as the Solar System's ninth planet), Makemake, Haumea and Eris. With the exception of Mercury, Venus, Ceres and Makemake, all of these are orbited by one or more natural satellites.
Mercury
Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet in the Solar System, orbiting the Sun once every 87.969 days. The orbit of Mercury has the highest eccentricity of all the Solar System planets, and it has the smallest axial tilt. It completes three rotations about the axis for every two orbits. The perihelion of Mercury's orbit precesses around the Sun at an excess of 43 arcseconds per century; a phenomenon that was explained in the 20th century by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Mercury is bright when viewed from Earth, ranging from −2.0 to 5.5 in apparent magnitude, but is not easily seen as its greatest angular separation from the Sun is only 28.3°. Since Mercury is normally lost in the glare of the Sun, unless there is a solar eclipse, Mercury can only be viewed in morning or evening twilight.
Comparatively little is known about Mercury; ground-based telescopes reveal only an illuminated crescent with limited detail. The first of two spacecraft to visit the planet was Mariner 10, which mapped only about 45% of the planet’s surface from 1974 to 1975. The second is the MESSENGER Spacecraft, which mapped another 30% during its flyby of January 14, 2008. MESSENGER will make one more pass by Mercury in 2009, followed by orbital insertion in 2011, and will then survey and map the entire planet.
Recorder observations of Mercury date back to at least the first millennium BC. Before the 4th century BC, Greek astronomers believed the planet to be two separate objects: one visible only at sunrise, which they called Apollo; the other visible only at sunset, which they called Hermes.
Venus and Earth
Venus is the second-closest planet to the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Except for the Moon it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6. Because Venus is an inferior planet from Earth, it never appears to venture far from the Sun: its elongation reaches a maximum of 47.8°. Venus reaches its maximum brightness shortly before sunrise or shortly after sunset, for which reason it is often called the Morning Star or the Evening Star.
Classified as a terrestrial planet, it is sometimes called Earth's "sister planet," because they are similar in size, gravity, and bulk composition. Venus is covered with an opaque layer of highly reflective clouds of sulfuric acid, preventing its surface from being seen from space in visible light. Venus has the densest atmosphere of all the terrestrial planets, consisting mostly of carbon dioxide, as it has no carbon cycle to lock carbon back into rocks and surface features, nor organic life to absorb it in biomass. A younger Venus is believed to have possessed Earth-like oceans, but these totally evaporated as the temperature rose, leaving a dusty dry desertscape with many slab-like rocks. The water has most likely dissociated, and, because of the lack of a planetary magnetic field, the hydrogen has been swept into interplanetary space by the solar wind. The atmospheric pressure at the planet's surface is 92 times that of the Earth.
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the largest of the terrestrial planets in the Solar System in terms of diameter, mass and density. It is also referred to as the World, Blue Planet, and Terra.
Home to millions of species, including humans, Earth is the only place in the universe where life is known to exist. The planet formed 4.54 billion years ago, and life appeared on its surface within a billion years. Since then, Earth's biosphere has significantly altered the atmosphere and other abiotic conditions on the planet, enabling the proliferation of aerobic organisms as well as the formation of the ozone layer which, together with Earth’s magnetic field, blocks harmful radiation, permitting life on land.
Earth's outer surface is divided into several rigid segments, or tectonic plates, that gradually migrate across the surface over periods of many millions of years. About 71% of the surface is covered with salt-water oceans, the remainder consisting of continents and islands; liquid water, necessary for all known life, is not known to exist on any other planet's surface. Earth's interior remains active, with a thick layer of relatively solid mantle, a liquid outer core that generates a magnetic field, and a solid iron inner core.
Both the mineral resources of the planet, as well as the products of the biosphere, contribute resources that are used to support a global human population. The inhabitants are grouped into about 200 independent sovereign states, which interact through diplomacy, travel, trade and military action. Human cultures have developed many views of the planet, including personification as a deity, a belief in a flat Earth or in Earth being the center of the universe, and a modern perspective of the world as an integrated environment that requires stewardship.
Classified as a terrestrial planet, it is sometimes called Earth's "sister planet," because they are similar in size, gravity, and bulk composition. Venus is covered with an opaque layer of highly reflective clouds of sulfuric acid, preventing its surface from being seen from space in visible light. Venus has the densest atmosphere of all the terrestrial planets, consisting mostly of carbon dioxide, as it has no carbon cycle to lock carbon back into rocks and surface features, nor organic life to absorb it in biomass. A younger Venus is believed to have possessed Earth-like oceans, but these totally evaporated as the temperature rose, leaving a dusty dry desertscape with many slab-like rocks. The water has most likely dissociated, and, because of the lack of a planetary magnetic field, the hydrogen has been swept into interplanetary space by the solar wind. The atmospheric pressure at the planet's surface is 92 times that of the Earth.
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the largest of the terrestrial planets in the Solar System in terms of diameter, mass and density. It is also referred to as the World, Blue Planet, and Terra.
Home to millions of species, including humans, Earth is the only place in the universe where life is known to exist. The planet formed 4.54 billion years ago, and life appeared on its surface within a billion years. Since then, Earth's biosphere has significantly altered the atmosphere and other abiotic conditions on the planet, enabling the proliferation of aerobic organisms as well as the formation of the ozone layer which, together with Earth’s magnetic field, blocks harmful radiation, permitting life on land.
Earth's outer surface is divided into several rigid segments, or tectonic plates, that gradually migrate across the surface over periods of many millions of years. About 71% of the surface is covered with salt-water oceans, the remainder consisting of continents and islands; liquid water, necessary for all known life, is not known to exist on any other planet's surface. Earth's interior remains active, with a thick layer of relatively solid mantle, a liquid outer core that generates a magnetic field, and a solid iron inner core.
Both the mineral resources of the planet, as well as the products of the biosphere, contribute resources that are used to support a global human population. The inhabitants are grouped into about 200 independent sovereign states, which interact through diplomacy, travel, trade and military action. Human cultures have developed many views of the planet, including personification as a deity, a belief in a flat Earth or in Earth being the center of the universe, and a modern perspective of the world as an integrated environment that requires stewardship.
Mars and Jupiter
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. It is also referred to as the “Red Planet” because of its reddish appearance, due to iron oxide prevalent on its surface.
Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts and polar ice caps of Earth. It is the sire of Olympus Mons, the highest known mountain in the Solar System, and of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon. Furthermore, in June 2008 three articles published in Nature presented evidence of an enormous impact crater in Mars’ northern hemisphere, 10,600 km long by 8500 km wide, or roughly four times larger than the largest impact crater yet discovered, the South Pole-Aitken basin. In addition to its geographical features, Mars rotational period and seasonal cycles are likewise similar to those of Earth.
Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are small and irregularly shaped. These may be captured asteroids, similar to 5261 Eureka, a Martin Trojan asteroid. Mars can be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Its apparent magnitude reaches -2.9, a brightness surpassed only by Venus, the Moon, and the Sun, although most of the time Jupiter will appear brighter to the naked eye than Mars.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass slightly less one-thousand that of the Sun but is two and a half times more massive than all of the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Together, these four planets are sometimes referred to as the Jovian planets.
The planet was known by astronomers of ancient times and was associated with the mythology and religious beliefs of many cultures. The Romans named the planet after the Roman god Jupiter. When viewed form Earth, Jupiter can reach an apparent magnitude of -2.8, making it on average the third-brightest object in the night sky after the Moon and Venus. (Mars can briefly exceed Jupiter’s brightness at certain points in its orbit.)
Jupiter has been explored on several occasions by robotic spacecraft, most notably during the early Pioneer and Voyager fly by missions and later by the Galileo orbiter. The most recent probe to visit Jupiter was the Pluto-bound New Horizons spacecraft in late February 2007. The probe used the gravity from Jupiter to increase its speed and adjust its trajectory toward Pluto, thereby saving years of travel. Future targets for exploration in the Jovian system include the possible ice-covered liquid ocean, on the moon Europa.
Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts and polar ice caps of Earth. It is the sire of Olympus Mons, the highest known mountain in the Solar System, and of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon. Furthermore, in June 2008 three articles published in Nature presented evidence of an enormous impact crater in Mars’ northern hemisphere, 10,600 km long by 8500 km wide, or roughly four times larger than the largest impact crater yet discovered, the South Pole-Aitken basin. In addition to its geographical features, Mars rotational period and seasonal cycles are likewise similar to those of Earth.
Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are small and irregularly shaped. These may be captured asteroids, similar to 5261 Eureka, a Martin Trojan asteroid. Mars can be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Its apparent magnitude reaches -2.9, a brightness surpassed only by Venus, the Moon, and the Sun, although most of the time Jupiter will appear brighter to the naked eye than Mars.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass slightly less one-thousand that of the Sun but is two and a half times more massive than all of the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Together, these four planets are sometimes referred to as the Jovian planets.
The planet was known by astronomers of ancient times and was associated with the mythology and religious beliefs of many cultures. The Romans named the planet after the Roman god Jupiter. When viewed form Earth, Jupiter can reach an apparent magnitude of -2.8, making it on average the third-brightest object in the night sky after the Moon and Venus. (Mars can briefly exceed Jupiter’s brightness at certain points in its orbit.)
Jupiter has been explored on several occasions by robotic spacecraft, most notably during the early Pioneer and Voyager fly by missions and later by the Galileo orbiter. The most recent probe to visit Jupiter was the Pluto-bound New Horizons spacecraft in late February 2007. The probe used the gravity from Jupiter to increase its speed and adjust its trajectory toward Pluto, thereby saving years of travel. Future targets for exploration in the Jovian system include the possible ice-covered liquid ocean, on the moon Europa.
Saturn and Uranus
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn, along with Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune, is classified as a gas giant. Together, these four planets are sometimes referred to as the Jovian, meaning “Jupiter-like”, planets.
Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturnus (that became the namesake of Saturday), equated to the Greek Kronos (the Titan father of Zeus) the Babylonian Ninurta and to the Hindu Shani. Saturn’s symbol represents the god’s sickle.
Saturn has a prominent system of rings, consisting mostly of ice particles with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust. Sixty-one known moons orbit the planet, not counting hundreds of “moonlets” within the rings. Titan, Saturn’s largest and the Solar System’s second largest moon (after Jupiter’s Ganymede), is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the Solar System to possess a significant atmosphere.
Uranus
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun, and the third-largest and fourth most massive planet in the Solar System. It is named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky Uranus (Ancient Greek:) the father of Kronos (Saturn) and grandfather of Zeus (Jupiter). Though it is visible to the naked eye like the five classical planets, it was never recognized as a planet by ancient observers because of its dimness and slow orbit. Sir William Herschel announced its discovery on March 13, 1781, expanding the known boundaries of the solar system for the first time in modern history. This was also the first discovery of a planet made using a telescope.
Uranus is similar in composition to Neptune, and both have different compositions from those of the larger gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. As such, astronomers sometimes place them in a separate category, the "ice giants". Uranus's atmosphere, while similar to Jupiter's and Saturn's in being composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, contains a higher proportion of "ices" such as water, ammonia and methane, along with traces of hydrocarbons.
Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturnus (that became the namesake of Saturday), equated to the Greek Kronos (the Titan father of Zeus) the Babylonian Ninurta and to the Hindu Shani. Saturn’s symbol represents the god’s sickle.
Saturn has a prominent system of rings, consisting mostly of ice particles with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust. Sixty-one known moons orbit the planet, not counting hundreds of “moonlets” within the rings. Titan, Saturn’s largest and the Solar System’s second largest moon (after Jupiter’s Ganymede), is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the Solar System to possess a significant atmosphere.
Uranus
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun, and the third-largest and fourth most massive planet in the Solar System. It is named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky Uranus (Ancient Greek:) the father of Kronos (Saturn) and grandfather of Zeus (Jupiter). Though it is visible to the naked eye like the five classical planets, it was never recognized as a planet by ancient observers because of its dimness and slow orbit. Sir William Herschel announced its discovery on March 13, 1781, expanding the known boundaries of the solar system for the first time in modern history. This was also the first discovery of a planet made using a telescope.
Uranus is similar in composition to Neptune, and both have different compositions from those of the larger gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. As such, astronomers sometimes place them in a separate category, the "ice giants". Uranus's atmosphere, while similar to Jupiter's and Saturn's in being composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, contains a higher proportion of "ices" such as water, ammonia and methane, along with traces of hydrocarbons.
Neptune and Pluto
Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. Named for the Roman god of the sea, it is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third-largest by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth and is slightly more massive than its near-twin Uranus, which is 15 Earth masses and not as dense. On average, Neptune orbits the Sun at a distance of 30.1 AU, approximately 30 times the Earth-Sun distance.
Discovered on September 23, 1846, Neptune was the first planet found by mathematical prediction rather than by empirical observation. Unexpected changes in the orbit of Uranus led astronomers to deduce that its orbit was subject to gravitational perturbation by an unknown planet. Neptune was subsequently found within a degree of its predicted position, and its largest moon, Triton, was discovered shortly thereafter, though none of the planet's remaining 12 moons was located telescopically until the 20th century. Neptune has been visited by only one spacecraft, Voyager 2, which flew by the planet on August 25, 1989.
Neptune is similar in composition to Uranus, and both have compositions which differ from those of the larger gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. Neptune's atmosphere, while similar to Jupiter's and Saturn's in that it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, along with traces of hydrocarbons and possibly nitrogen, contains a higher proportion of "ices" such as water, ammonia and methane. Astronomers sometimes categorize Uranus and Neptune as "ice giants" in order to emphasize these distinctions. The interior of Neptune, like that of Uranus, is primarily composed of ices and rock. Traces of methane in the outermost regions in part account for the planet's blue appearance.
Pluto
Pluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System (after Eris) and the tenth-largest body observed directly orbiting the Sun. Originally classified as a planet, Pluto is now considered the largest member of a distinct population called the Kuiper belt.
Like other members of the Kuiper belt, Pluto is composed primarily of rock and ice and is relatively small: approximately a fifth the mass of the Earth’s Moon and a third its volume. It has an eccentric and highly inclined orbit that takes it from 30 to 49 AU (4.4–7.4 billion km) from the Sun. This causes Pluto periodically to come closer to the Sun than Neptune.
Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, are sometimes treated together as a binary system because the barycentre of their orbits does not lie within either body. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has yet to formalise a definition for binary dwarf planets, and until it passes such a ruling, Charon is classified as a moon of Pluto. Pluto has two known smaller moons, Nix and Hydra, discovered in 2005. Like Uranus, Pluto rotates on its "side" relative to its orbital plane, and the Pluto-Charon system does also. From its discovery in 1930 until 2006, Pluto was considered the Solar System’s ninth planet.
Discovered on September 23, 1846, Neptune was the first planet found by mathematical prediction rather than by empirical observation. Unexpected changes in the orbit of Uranus led astronomers to deduce that its orbit was subject to gravitational perturbation by an unknown planet. Neptune was subsequently found within a degree of its predicted position, and its largest moon, Triton, was discovered shortly thereafter, though none of the planet's remaining 12 moons was located telescopically until the 20th century. Neptune has been visited by only one spacecraft, Voyager 2, which flew by the planet on August 25, 1989.
Neptune is similar in composition to Uranus, and both have compositions which differ from those of the larger gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. Neptune's atmosphere, while similar to Jupiter's and Saturn's in that it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, along with traces of hydrocarbons and possibly nitrogen, contains a higher proportion of "ices" such as water, ammonia and methane. Astronomers sometimes categorize Uranus and Neptune as "ice giants" in order to emphasize these distinctions. The interior of Neptune, like that of Uranus, is primarily composed of ices and rock. Traces of methane in the outermost regions in part account for the planet's blue appearance.
Pluto
Pluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System (after Eris) and the tenth-largest body observed directly orbiting the Sun. Originally classified as a planet, Pluto is now considered the largest member of a distinct population called the Kuiper belt.
Like other members of the Kuiper belt, Pluto is composed primarily of rock and ice and is relatively small: approximately a fifth the mass of the Earth’s Moon and a third its volume. It has an eccentric and highly inclined orbit that takes it from 30 to 49 AU (4.4–7.4 billion km) from the Sun. This causes Pluto periodically to come closer to the Sun than Neptune.
Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, are sometimes treated together as a binary system because the barycentre of their orbits does not lie within either body. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has yet to formalise a definition for binary dwarf planets, and until it passes such a ruling, Charon is classified as a moon of Pluto. Pluto has two known smaller moons, Nix and Hydra, discovered in 2005. Like Uranus, Pluto rotates on its "side" relative to its orbital plane, and the Pluto-Charon system does also. From its discovery in 1930 until 2006, Pluto was considered the Solar System’s ninth planet.
The Mountains
A mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them. The study of mountains is Orology.
There is no universally-accepted definition of mountain. In the United States, the following points of measurement have been used and taught in geography classes:
Other definitions of "mountain" include:
Local (radius 7km) elevation greater than 300m, or 300-1000m if local (radius 7km) elevation is greater than 300m
By this definition, mountains cover 64% of Asia, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the Earth's land mass is mountainous and 10% of people live in mountainous regions. Most of the world's rivers are fed from mountain sources, and more than half of humanity depends on mountains for water.
The 50 tallest mountains in the world are in Asia.
Exogeology deals with planetary mountains, which in that branch of science are usually called montes (singular - mons). The highest known mountain in the Solar System is Olympus Mons on the planet Mars (elevation 21,171 m).
There is no universally-accepted definition of mountain. In the United States, the following points of measurement have been used and taught in geography classes:
- Flat to 500 feet, base to highest point - Rolling Plain
- Highest point 501 to 999 feet above base - Hill
- Highest point 1000 feet or more above base - Mountain
Other definitions of "mountain" include:
- Height over base of at least 2,500m
- Height over base of 1500-2500m with a slope greater than 2 degrees
- Height over base of 1000-1500m with a slope greater than 5 degrees
Local (radius 7km) elevation greater than 300m, or 300-1000m if local (radius 7km) elevation is greater than 300m
By this definition, mountains cover 64% of Asia, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the Earth's land mass is mountainous and 10% of people live in mountainous regions. Most of the world's rivers are fed from mountain sources, and more than half of humanity depends on mountains for water.
The 50 tallest mountains in the world are in Asia.
Exogeology deals with planetary mountains, which in that branch of science are usually called montes (singular - mons). The highest known mountain in the Solar System is Olympus Mons on the planet Mars (elevation 21,171 m).
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, as measured by the height above sea level of its summit, 8,848 metres (29,029 ft). The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal, and Tibet, China.
In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest, then known as Peak XV, at 29,002 ft (8,840 m). In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India at the time. Chomolungma had been in common use by Tibetans for centuries, but Waugh was unable to propose an established local name because Nepal and Tibet were closed to foreigners.
The highest mountain in the world attracts climbers of all levels, from well experienced mountaineers to novice climbers willing to pay substantial sums to professional mountain guides to complete a successful climb. The mountain, while not posing substantial technical climbing difficulty on the standard route (other eight-thousanders such as K2 or Nanga Parbat are much more difficult), still has many inherent dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind. By the end of the 2008 climbing season, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit by about 2,700 individuals. Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to US$25,000 per person. Everest has claimed 210 lives, including eight who perished during a 1996 storm high on the mountain. Conditions are so difficult in the death zone that most corpses have been left where they fell. Some of them are visible from standard climbing routes.
In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest, then known as Peak XV, at 29,002 ft (8,840 m). In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India at the time. Chomolungma had been in common use by Tibetans for centuries, but Waugh was unable to propose an established local name because Nepal and Tibet were closed to foreigners.
The highest mountain in the world attracts climbers of all levels, from well experienced mountaineers to novice climbers willing to pay substantial sums to professional mountain guides to complete a successful climb. The mountain, while not posing substantial technical climbing difficulty on the standard route (other eight-thousanders such as K2 or Nanga Parbat are much more difficult), still has many inherent dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind. By the end of the 2008 climbing season, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit by about 2,700 individuals. Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to US$25,000 per person. Everest has claimed 210 lives, including eight who perished during a 1996 storm high on the mountain. Conditions are so difficult in the death zone that most corpses have been left where they fell. Some of them are visible from standard climbing routes.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.
The original name given to the mountain by the first Khoi inhabitants was Hoeri 'kwaggo ("sea mountain").
Prehistoric people first left evidence here more than 600,000 years ago. Evidence tools of these Early Stone Age hunter-gatherers were found in a depression near the Cape of Good Hope. The Middle Stone Age inhabitants (dating from 200,000 to 40,000 years ago) also left evidence of their life on the Peninsula. Fossils from around 8000 BC indicate that by that period the inhabitants of the region had developed bows and arrows which they used to hunt.
San (or Bushmen) hunter-gatherers relied on the seashore for most of their food. This resulted in the Dutch naming, Strandlopers (beach combers). About 2000 years ago the Khoikhoi migrated from the north, displacing the San, bringing with them their herds of cattle and sheep. It was the Khoikhoi who were the dominant tribe when the Europeans sailed into Table Bay.
António de Saldanha was the first European to land in Table Bay. He climbed the mighty mountain in 1503 and named it 'Table Mountain'. The great cross that the Portuguese navigator carved in the rock of Lion's Head is still traceable.
In 1796, during the British occupation of the Cape, Major-General Sir James Craig ordered three blockhouses to be build on Table Mountain: the King's blockhouse, Duke of York blockhouse (later renamed Queen's blockhouse) and the Prince of Wales blockhouse. Two of these are in ruins today, but the King's blockhouse is still in good condition and easily accessible from the Rhodes Memorial.
Between 1896 and 1907, five dams, the Woodhead, Hely-Hutchinson, De Villiers, Alexandria and Victoria reservoirs, were opened on the Back Table to supply Cape Town's water needs. A ropeway ascending from Camps Bay via Kasteelspoort ravine was used to ferry materials and manpower (the anchor points at the old top station can still be seen). There is a well-preserved steam locomotive from this period housed in the Waterworks Museum at the top of the mountain near the Hely-Hutchinson dam. It had been used to haul materials for the dam across the flat top of the mountain. Cape Town's water requirements have since far outpaced the capacity of the dams and they are no longer an important part of the water supply.
The mountain became part of the new Cape Peninsula National Park in the 1990s. The park was renamed to the Table Mountain National Park in 1998.
Fires are common on the mountain. The most recent major fire came in January 2006, destroying large amounts of vegetation and resulting in the death of a tourist. A charge of arson and culpable homicide was laid against a British man who was suspected of starting the blaze.
The original name given to the mountain by the first Khoi inhabitants was Hoeri 'kwaggo ("sea mountain").
Prehistoric people first left evidence here more than 600,000 years ago. Evidence tools of these Early Stone Age hunter-gatherers were found in a depression near the Cape of Good Hope. The Middle Stone Age inhabitants (dating from 200,000 to 40,000 years ago) also left evidence of their life on the Peninsula. Fossils from around 8000 BC indicate that by that period the inhabitants of the region had developed bows and arrows which they used to hunt.
San (or Bushmen) hunter-gatherers relied on the seashore for most of their food. This resulted in the Dutch naming, Strandlopers (beach combers). About 2000 years ago the Khoikhoi migrated from the north, displacing the San, bringing with them their herds of cattle and sheep. It was the Khoikhoi who were the dominant tribe when the Europeans sailed into Table Bay.
António de Saldanha was the first European to land in Table Bay. He climbed the mighty mountain in 1503 and named it 'Table Mountain'. The great cross that the Portuguese navigator carved in the rock of Lion's Head is still traceable.
In 1796, during the British occupation of the Cape, Major-General Sir James Craig ordered three blockhouses to be build on Table Mountain: the King's blockhouse, Duke of York blockhouse (later renamed Queen's blockhouse) and the Prince of Wales blockhouse. Two of these are in ruins today, but the King's blockhouse is still in good condition and easily accessible from the Rhodes Memorial.
Between 1896 and 1907, five dams, the Woodhead, Hely-Hutchinson, De Villiers, Alexandria and Victoria reservoirs, were opened on the Back Table to supply Cape Town's water needs. A ropeway ascending from Camps Bay via Kasteelspoort ravine was used to ferry materials and manpower (the anchor points at the old top station can still be seen). There is a well-preserved steam locomotive from this period housed in the Waterworks Museum at the top of the mountain near the Hely-Hutchinson dam. It had been used to haul materials for the dam across the flat top of the mountain. Cape Town's water requirements have since far outpaced the capacity of the dams and they are no longer an important part of the water supply.
The mountain became part of the new Cape Peninsula National Park in the 1990s. The park was renamed to the Table Mountain National Park in 1998.
Fires are common on the mountain. The most recent major fire came in January 2006, destroying large amounts of vegetation and resulting in the death of a tourist. A charge of arson and culpable homicide was laid against a British man who was suspected of starting the blaze.
Mount Feathertop
Mount Feathertop is the second-highest mountain in the Australian state of Victoria. It rises to 1,922 metres (6,306 feet) AHD. Snow remaining in the summit gullies in spring give the appearance of feathers - hence the name "Feathertop".
Vegetation
Mountain Ash forest predominantly covers the lower slopes, transitioning to snowgums above 1,000 metres. Above the treeline there is alpine grass and herbs.
Access routes
The main access routes are the Razorback, Bungalow Spur and the North-West Spur. The Razorback is a very popular walk in summer and it is a spectacular ski tour in winter. The Razorback starts near the Mount Hotham ski resort and is the shortest route. The proximity of the mountain to this ski resort has led to Mount Feathertop becoming a popular back country skiing destination. The Bungalow Spur track starts near Harrietville. It starts at an elevation of only 480m and after the first few kilometres has steep switchbacks up most of the mountain.
Mountain huts
There are two huts on the mountain. Melbourne University Mountain Club (MUMC) hut is situated on the North-West Spur close to the tree line. It has a unique dome shape, and has an upstairs sleeping area. Federation Hut is situation at the top of Bungalow Spur near Little Feathertop, and was rebuilt in 2005 after it was destroyed by the 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires.
From 1925 to 1939 Feathertop also boasted a ski lodge, the Feathertop Bungalow, where visitors in summer and winter could get a bed and a meal.
Vegetation
Mountain Ash forest predominantly covers the lower slopes, transitioning to snowgums above 1,000 metres. Above the treeline there is alpine grass and herbs.
Access routes
The main access routes are the Razorback, Bungalow Spur and the North-West Spur. The Razorback is a very popular walk in summer and it is a spectacular ski tour in winter. The Razorback starts near the Mount Hotham ski resort and is the shortest route. The proximity of the mountain to this ski resort has led to Mount Feathertop becoming a popular back country skiing destination. The Bungalow Spur track starts near Harrietville. It starts at an elevation of only 480m and after the first few kilometres has steep switchbacks up most of the mountain.
Mountain huts
There are two huts on the mountain. Melbourne University Mountain Club (MUMC) hut is situated on the North-West Spur close to the tree line. It has a unique dome shape, and has an upstairs sleeping area. Federation Hut is situation at the top of Bungalow Spur near Little Feathertop, and was rebuilt in 2005 after it was destroyed by the 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires.
From 1925 to 1939 Feathertop also boasted a ski lodge, the Feathertop Bungalow, where visitors in summer and winter could get a bed and a meal.
Pilot Mountain
Pilot Mountain, a quartzite monadnock rising to a peak 2,421 feet (738 m) above sea level, is one of the most distinctive natural features in the state of North Carolina. It is a remnant of the ancient chain of Sauratown Mountains. Its original Native American name is Jomeokee, for "great guide" or "pilot." The Saura were the earliest known inhabitants of the region. The distinctive formation guided the Native Americans as well as the early European hunters through the region.
The town of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina is situated near the mountain. The city of Mount Airy, North Carolina, known for its rock quarries and for being the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith, is just a few miles north. Mount Airy was the basis for the fictional town of Mayberry on the TV classic The Andy Griffith Show. The fictional city of Mount Pilot, which was often mentioned on The Andy Griffith Show, was named in honor of Pilot Mountain.
Pilot Mountain has two distinctive pinnacles, named Big and Little Pinnacle. Big Pinnacle (also called "The Knob") has 200 feet (61 m) high bare rock walls, and a rounded top covered in vegetation, reaching a height of approximately 1,400 feet (430 m) above the surrounding terrain. Trails on the mountain (as well as a paved road) allow access to Little Pinnacle, and the Jomeokee Trail leads around the base of Big Pinnacle; Big Pinnacle itself is closed to climbing. The Ledge Spring Trail is named for the ledge whose base it follows, with a series of springs, and is a popular location for rock climbing. Other trails include the Sassafras trail.
The rise to the Little Pinnacle, followed by the down-and-up slope to the Big Pinnacle, make the entire mountain look vaguely like a saddle from a distance.
Pilot Mountain is part of the Pilot Mountain State Park, which also extends to the Yadkin River and is closely associated with the nearby Horne Creek Farm historical site. Other interesting rock formations lie a few miles east, at Hanging Rock State Park.
The mountain was also once called Pilot Knob. U.S. Route 52 passes by this mountain, and also passes nearby another Pilot Knob, near the northern extremity of this highway, in the vicinity of Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
The town of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina is situated near the mountain. The city of Mount Airy, North Carolina, known for its rock quarries and for being the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith, is just a few miles north. Mount Airy was the basis for the fictional town of Mayberry on the TV classic The Andy Griffith Show. The fictional city of Mount Pilot, which was often mentioned on The Andy Griffith Show, was named in honor of Pilot Mountain.
Pilot Mountain has two distinctive pinnacles, named Big and Little Pinnacle. Big Pinnacle (also called "The Knob") has 200 feet (61 m) high bare rock walls, and a rounded top covered in vegetation, reaching a height of approximately 1,400 feet (430 m) above the surrounding terrain. Trails on the mountain (as well as a paved road) allow access to Little Pinnacle, and the Jomeokee Trail leads around the base of Big Pinnacle; Big Pinnacle itself is closed to climbing. The Ledge Spring Trail is named for the ledge whose base it follows, with a series of springs, and is a popular location for rock climbing. Other trails include the Sassafras trail.
The rise to the Little Pinnacle, followed by the down-and-up slope to the Big Pinnacle, make the entire mountain look vaguely like a saddle from a distance.
Pilot Mountain is part of the Pilot Mountain State Park, which also extends to the Yadkin River and is closely associated with the nearby Horne Creek Farm historical site. Other interesting rock formations lie a few miles east, at Hanging Rock State Park.
The mountain was also once called Pilot Knob. U.S. Route 52 passes by this mountain, and also passes nearby another Pilot Knob, near the northern extremity of this highway, in the vicinity of Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
History of Taj Mahal
The history of the Taj Mahal tells us "why was the Taj Mahal built" and many other myths and facts associated with this wonderful structure. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) met Mumtaz Mahal (then Arjumand Banu Begum) at the age of fourteen and fell in love at the first sight. She was a Muslim Persian princess and Shah Jahan was the son of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Five years later, in 1612, they got married. As you read further you will come to know more about the history of the Taj Mahal at Agra…
Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that during her last moments, Mumtaz Mahal obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. But this has not been proven to be true, till date. However, Shah Jahan did indeed build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her wife, which we today know as the "Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan, himself also, lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.
The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 and it took approximately 22 years to build it. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. However, the history of Taj Mahal of India still has some gaps. For example, there are many theories regarding the architect of this magnificent monument.
Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that during her last moments, Mumtaz Mahal obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. But this has not been proven to be true, till date. However, Shah Jahan did indeed build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her wife, which we today know as the "Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan, himself also, lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.
The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 and it took approximately 22 years to build it. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. However, the history of Taj Mahal of India still has some gaps. For example, there are many theories regarding the architect of this magnificent monument.
Taj Mahal Story
Male Protagonist: Shah Jahan (Prince Khurram)
Female Protagonist: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum)
Shah Jahan met Mumtaz Mahal and fell in love. He married her after five years and they were leading a very happy life. While giving birth to their last child, Mumtaz Mahal died due to some complications. A few years later Shah Jahan built the world's most beautiful monument "Taj Mahal" in the memory of his wife.
One of the wonders of the world "Taj Mahal" has a beautiful love story behind its construction. Taj Mahal love story is about Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan, initially named Prince Khurram, took birth in the year 1592. The son of Jehangir, the fourth Mughal emperor of India, he fell in love in Arjumand Banu Begum at first time. At that time he was 14 years old and she, a Muslim Persian princess, was 15. After meeting her, Shah Jahan went back to his father and declared that he wanted to marry her. Read on to know more about the love story behind Taj Mahal of Agra…
The match got solemnized after five years i.e., in the year 1612. Shah Jahan became the Emperor in the year 1628 and entrusted Arjumand Banu with the royal seal. He also bestowed her with the tile of Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the "Jewel of the Palace". Though Shah Jahan had other wives also, but, Mumtaz Mahal was his favorite and accompanied him everywhere, even on military campaigns. In the year 1631, when Mumtaz Mahal was giving birth to their 14th child, she died due to some complications.
It is said that Shah Mahal was so heartbroken after her death that he ordered the court into morning for two years. Some time after her death, Shah Jahan undertook the task of erecting the world's most beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved. It took 22 years and the labor of 22,000 workers to construct the monument, which is also said to be the last wish of Mumtaz Mahal. This magnificent monument came to be known as "Taj Mahal" and now counts amongst the Seven Wonders of the World.
This is the true story of the Taj Mahal of India, which has mesmerized many people with its bewitching beauty.
Female Protagonist: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum)
Shah Jahan met Mumtaz Mahal and fell in love. He married her after five years and they were leading a very happy life. While giving birth to their last child, Mumtaz Mahal died due to some complications. A few years later Shah Jahan built the world's most beautiful monument "Taj Mahal" in the memory of his wife.
One of the wonders of the world "Taj Mahal" has a beautiful love story behind its construction. Taj Mahal love story is about Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan, initially named Prince Khurram, took birth in the year 1592. The son of Jehangir, the fourth Mughal emperor of India, he fell in love in Arjumand Banu Begum at first time. At that time he was 14 years old and she, a Muslim Persian princess, was 15. After meeting her, Shah Jahan went back to his father and declared that he wanted to marry her. Read on to know more about the love story behind Taj Mahal of Agra…
The match got solemnized after five years i.e., in the year 1612. Shah Jahan became the Emperor in the year 1628 and entrusted Arjumand Banu with the royal seal. He also bestowed her with the tile of Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the "Jewel of the Palace". Though Shah Jahan had other wives also, but, Mumtaz Mahal was his favorite and accompanied him everywhere, even on military campaigns. In the year 1631, when Mumtaz Mahal was giving birth to their 14th child, she died due to some complications.
It is said that Shah Mahal was so heartbroken after her death that he ordered the court into morning for two years. Some time after her death, Shah Jahan undertook the task of erecting the world's most beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved. It took 22 years and the labor of 22,000 workers to construct the monument, which is also said to be the last wish of Mumtaz Mahal. This magnificent monument came to be known as "Taj Mahal" and now counts amongst the Seven Wonders of the World.
This is the true story of the Taj Mahal of India, which has mesmerized many people with its bewitching beauty.
Taj Mahal Architecture
A beautifully laid out walled garden encloses the magnificent monument "Taj Mahal". The entire Taj complex consists of five major constituents, namely
· Darwaza (The main gateway)
· Bageecha (The gardens)
· Masjid (The mosque)
· Naqqar Khana (The rest house)
· Rauza (The main mausoleum)
Taj Mahal architecture is a kind of fusion of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. The main gateway, with its domed central chamber, is situated at the end of the long watercourse. On one side of the Taj Mahal is the Mosque and on the other, the Naqqar Khana, built mainly to maintain its symmetry. The main building, that of the Taj itself, stands on a raised, square platform with its four abridged corners, forming an unequal octagon. The architecture of Taj Mahal of Agra has made use of the interlocking arabesque concept.
As per this concept, each element maintains its own identity and yet perfectly merges with the main structure. The principles of self-replicating geometry, along with symmetry of architectural elements are also seen in the design and layout of Taj Mahal. The four 162.5 feet minarets have been consciously shortened a bit to emphasize the faintly spherical dome. The central dome, 58 feet in diameter and 213 feet in height, stand bordered with four subsidiary domed chambers.
A shadowy burial crypt inside the Taj Mahal houses the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Above these tombs is the main chamber that has the false tombs, typical of mausoleums of the Mughals. Perforated marble screens were used to transmit light into the central chamber. A major irony behind Taj Mahal is that the man who got this magnificent monument built is himself responsible for disturbing its symmetry. His tomb, which lies next to that of Mumtaz Mahal, was never planned and deranges Taj's interior.
· Darwaza (The main gateway)
· Bageecha (The gardens)
· Masjid (The mosque)
· Naqqar Khana (The rest house)
· Rauza (The main mausoleum)
Taj Mahal architecture is a kind of fusion of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. The main gateway, with its domed central chamber, is situated at the end of the long watercourse. On one side of the Taj Mahal is the Mosque and on the other, the Naqqar Khana, built mainly to maintain its symmetry. The main building, that of the Taj itself, stands on a raised, square platform with its four abridged corners, forming an unequal octagon. The architecture of Taj Mahal of Agra has made use of the interlocking arabesque concept.
As per this concept, each element maintains its own identity and yet perfectly merges with the main structure. The principles of self-replicating geometry, along with symmetry of architectural elements are also seen in the design and layout of Taj Mahal. The four 162.5 feet minarets have been consciously shortened a bit to emphasize the faintly spherical dome. The central dome, 58 feet in diameter and 213 feet in height, stand bordered with four subsidiary domed chambers.
A shadowy burial crypt inside the Taj Mahal houses the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Above these tombs is the main chamber that has the false tombs, typical of mausoleums of the Mughals. Perforated marble screens were used to transmit light into the central chamber. A major irony behind Taj Mahal is that the man who got this magnificent monument built is himself responsible for disturbing its symmetry. His tomb, which lies next to that of Mumtaz Mahal, was never planned and deranges Taj's interior.
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan was the son of Mughal Emperor Jehangir and was originally known as Prince Khurram. After being declared as the Emperor officially, he assumed the title of Abul Muzaffar Shahbuddin Muhammad Sahib-i Kiran-i Sani. However, he was known as Shah Jahan. The first aggression he faced after ascending the throne was from Jujhar Singh, son of Bir Singh Deo, the Bundela chief. After an initial surrender, he rebelled again and was finally killed by the Gonds. A major revolt for Shah Jahan came in the year 1628 by Khan Jahan Lodi, who united with the ruler of Ahmednagar and revolted.
By the year 1630, Khan Jahan gave up the revolt and died near the fort of Kalanjar. Another thing that changed with Shah Jahan's accession was the Deccan policy of the Mughals, which resulted in a suspicion of their alliance with the Shia rulers of Persia. The problem solved with the death of Malik Ambar. In 1631, Mughal army laid a failed siege on Bijapur and in 1633, won the fort of Daulatabad. Read on this Shah Jahan biography further to know more about this great emperor…
The most significant part of Shah Jahan life history is building of the one of the world's most beautiful monument "The Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan fell in love with Arjumand Banu Begum at first sight, when he was in his teens only. Five years later he married her and gave her the name of "Mumtaz Mahal". From that time onwards, she became his inseparable companion, accompanying him even on military ventures. After she died while giving birth to their 14th child, Shah Jahan undertook the work of constructing world's most beautiful monument in her memory. This monument, which entombs Mumtaz Mahal as well as Shah Jahan, came to be known as "Taj Mahal".
Shah Jahan fell ill in September 1657 and taking advantage of this opportunity, one of his son's, Aurangzeb, took over the throne and imprisoned him. Shah Jahan died in 1666 in captivity only and was entombed, along with his favorite wife, inside the Taj Mahal.
By the year 1630, Khan Jahan gave up the revolt and died near the fort of Kalanjar. Another thing that changed with Shah Jahan's accession was the Deccan policy of the Mughals, which resulted in a suspicion of their alliance with the Shia rulers of Persia. The problem solved with the death of Malik Ambar. In 1631, Mughal army laid a failed siege on Bijapur and in 1633, won the fort of Daulatabad. Read on this Shah Jahan biography further to know more about this great emperor…
The most significant part of Shah Jahan life history is building of the one of the world's most beautiful monument "The Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan fell in love with Arjumand Banu Begum at first sight, when he was in his teens only. Five years later he married her and gave her the name of "Mumtaz Mahal". From that time onwards, she became his inseparable companion, accompanying him even on military ventures. After she died while giving birth to their 14th child, Shah Jahan undertook the work of constructing world's most beautiful monument in her memory. This monument, which entombs Mumtaz Mahal as well as Shah Jahan, came to be known as "Taj Mahal".
Shah Jahan fell ill in September 1657 and taking advantage of this opportunity, one of his son's, Aurangzeb, took over the throne and imprisoned him. Shah Jahan died in 1666 in captivity only and was entombed, along with his favorite wife, inside the Taj Mahal.
Mumtaz Mahal
Mumtaz Mahal was the third wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was in her memory that he built the magnificent monument of love and romance, known as the "Taj Mahal".
Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian Princess, was originally known as Arjumand Banu Begum. So enthralling was her beauty that Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) fell in love with her at the first sight. Their marriage was solemnized five years later and from then on, started one of the most popular love stories of the world. Although she was the third wife of Shah Jahan, but at the same time, she was also his favorite. He even bestowed her with the name Mumtaz Mahal and the highest honor of the land - the royal seal, Mehr Uzaz.
Mumtaz Mahal became an inseparable companion of her husband till her death. She even accompanied him on his military endeavors and provided him with her counsel. Infact, she was a pillar of support, love and comfort to the emperor. Mumtaz Mahal gave birth to fourteen children of Shah Jahan. It was during the birth of their 14th child only that she left for the holy abode. It is said that she obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. Whether this was true or not, but, Shah Jahan did build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her life. Today, it counts amongst the Seven Wonders of the World and is known as "The Taj Mahal".
Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian Princess, was originally known as Arjumand Banu Begum. So enthralling was her beauty that Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) fell in love with her at the first sight. Their marriage was solemnized five years later and from then on, started one of the most popular love stories of the world. Although she was the third wife of Shah Jahan, but at the same time, she was also his favorite. He even bestowed her with the name Mumtaz Mahal and the highest honor of the land - the royal seal, Mehr Uzaz.
Mumtaz Mahal became an inseparable companion of her husband till her death. She even accompanied him on his military endeavors and provided him with her counsel. Infact, she was a pillar of support, love and comfort to the emperor. Mumtaz Mahal gave birth to fourteen children of Shah Jahan. It was during the birth of their 14th child only that she left for the holy abode. It is said that she obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. Whether this was true or not, but, Shah Jahan did build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her life. Today, it counts amongst the Seven Wonders of the World and is known as "The Taj Mahal".
Monday, June 22, 2009
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing toward an ocean, a lake, a sea or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including stream, creek, brook, rivulet, and rill; there is no general rule that defines what can be called a river. Many names for small rivers are specific to geographic location; one example is Burn in Scotland and North-east England. Sometimes a river is said to be larger than a creek, but this is not always the case, due to vagueness in the language.
A river is part of the hydrological cycle. Water within a river is generally collected from precipitation through surface runoff, groundwater recharge, springs, and the release of stored water in natural ice and snow packs (i.e., from glaciers).
Rivers have been used as a source of water, for food, for transport, as a defensive barrier, as a source of hydropower to drive machinery, and as a means of disposing of waste.
Rivers have been used for navigation for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of navigation is found in the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in northwestern Pakistan around 3300 BC. Riverine navigation provides the cheapest means of transport, and is still used extensively on major rivers of the world like the Amazon, the Ganges, the Nile, the Mississippi, and the Indus.
In some heavily-forested regions such as Scandinavia and Canada, lumberjacks use the river to float felled trees downstream to lumber camps for further processing, saving much effort and cost by transporting the huge heavy logs by natural means.
Rivers have been a source of food since pre-history. They can provide a rich source of fish and other edible aquatic life, and are a major source of fresh water, which can be used for drinking and irrigation. It is therefore no surprise to find most of the major cities of the world situated on the banks of rivers. Rivers help to determine the urban form of cities and neighbourhoods and their corridors often present opportunities for urban renewal through the development of foreshoreways such as Riverwalks. Rivers also provide an easy means of disposing of waste-water and, in much of the less developed world, other wastes.
A river is part of the hydrological cycle. Water within a river is generally collected from precipitation through surface runoff, groundwater recharge, springs, and the release of stored water in natural ice and snow packs (i.e., from glaciers).
Rivers have been used as a source of water, for food, for transport, as a defensive barrier, as a source of hydropower to drive machinery, and as a means of disposing of waste.
Rivers have been used for navigation for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of navigation is found in the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in northwestern Pakistan around 3300 BC. Riverine navigation provides the cheapest means of transport, and is still used extensively on major rivers of the world like the Amazon, the Ganges, the Nile, the Mississippi, and the Indus.
In some heavily-forested regions such as Scandinavia and Canada, lumberjacks use the river to float felled trees downstream to lumber camps for further processing, saving much effort and cost by transporting the huge heavy logs by natural means.
Rivers have been a source of food since pre-history. They can provide a rich source of fish and other edible aquatic life, and are a major source of fresh water, which can be used for drinking and irrigation. It is therefore no surprise to find most of the major cities of the world situated on the banks of rivers. Rivers help to determine the urban form of cities and neighbourhoods and their corridors often present opportunities for urban renewal through the development of foreshoreways such as Riverwalks. Rivers also provide an easy means of disposing of waste-water and, in much of the less developed world, other wastes.
Brahmaputra River
The Brahmaputra, also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, is a trans-boundary river and one of the major rivers of Asia.
From its origin in southwestern Tibet as the Yarlung Zangbo River, it flows across southern Tibet to break through the Himalayas in great gorges and into Arunachal Pradesh where it is known as Dihang. It flows southwest through the Assam Valley as Brahmaputra and south through Bangladesh as the Jamuna. There it merges with the Ganges to form a vast delta. About 1,800 miles (2,900 km) long, the river is an important source for irrigation and transportation. Its upper course was long unknown, and its identity with the Yarlung Tsangpo was only established by exploration in 1884-86. This river is often called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river. The average depth of river is 124 feet (38 m) and maximum depth is 380 feet (120 m). In Bangladesh the river merges with the Ganges and splits into two: the Hugli and Padma River. When it merges with the Ganges it forms the world's largest delta, the Sunderbans. The Sunderbans is known for tigers, crocodiles and mangroves. While most Indian and Bangladeshi rivers bear female names, this river has a rare male name, as it means "son of Brahma" in Sanskrit (putra means "son").
The Brahmaputra is navigable for most of its length. The lower part reaches are sacred to Hindus. The river is prone to catastrophic flooding in spring when the Himalayan snows melt. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore.
From its origin in southwestern Tibet as the Yarlung Zangbo River, it flows across southern Tibet to break through the Himalayas in great gorges and into Arunachal Pradesh where it is known as Dihang. It flows southwest through the Assam Valley as Brahmaputra and south through Bangladesh as the Jamuna. There it merges with the Ganges to form a vast delta. About 1,800 miles (2,900 km) long, the river is an important source for irrigation and transportation. Its upper course was long unknown, and its identity with the Yarlung Tsangpo was only established by exploration in 1884-86. This river is often called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river. The average depth of river is 124 feet (38 m) and maximum depth is 380 feet (120 m). In Bangladesh the river merges with the Ganges and splits into two: the Hugli and Padma River. When it merges with the Ganges it forms the world's largest delta, the Sunderbans. The Sunderbans is known for tigers, crocodiles and mangroves. While most Indian and Bangladeshi rivers bear female names, this river has a rare male name, as it means "son of Brahma" in Sanskrit (putra means "son").
The Brahmaputra is navigable for most of its length. The lower part reaches are sacred to Hindus. The river is prone to catastrophic flooding in spring when the Himalayan snows melt. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore.
Amazon River
The Amazon River (Portuguese: Rio Amazonas; Spanish: Río Amazonas) of South America is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total river flow greater than the next eight largest rivers combined. The Amazon, which has the largest drainage basin in the world, accounts for approximately one fifth of the world's total river flow. During the wet season parts of the Amazon exceed 120 miles (190 km) in width. Because of its vast dimensions, it is sometimes called The River Sea. At no point is the Amazon crossed by bridges. This is not because of its huge dimensions; in fact, for most of its length, the Amazon's width is well within the capability of modern engineers to bridge. However, the bulk of the river flows through tropical rainforest, where there are few roads and even fewer cities, so there is no need for crossings.
While the Amazon is the largest river in the world by most measures, the current consensus within the geographic community holds that the Amazon is the second longest river, just slightly shorter than the Nile.
The Amazon basin, the largest drainage basin in the world, covers about 40 percent of South America, an area of approximately 6,915,000 square kilometres (2,670,000 sq mi). It gathers its waters from 5 degrees north latitude to 20 degrees south latitude. Its most remote sources are found on the inter-Andean plateau, just a short distance from the Pacific Ocean.
The area covered by the water of the Amazon River and its tributaries more than triples over the course of a year. In an average dry season 110,000 square kilometres (42,000 sq mi) of land are water-covered, while in the wet season the flooded area of the Amazon Basin rises to 350,000 square kilometres (135,000 sq mi).
The quantity of water released by the Amazon to the Atlantic Ocean is enormous: up to 300,000 m³ per second in the rainy season. The Amazon is responsible for a fifth of the total volume of fresh water entering the oceans worldwide. Offshore of the mouth of the Amazon, potable water can be drawn from the ocean while still out of sight of the coastline, and the salinity of the ocean is notably lower five hundred kilometres out to sea.
While the Amazon is the largest river in the world by most measures, the current consensus within the geographic community holds that the Amazon is the second longest river, just slightly shorter than the Nile.
The Amazon basin, the largest drainage basin in the world, covers about 40 percent of South America, an area of approximately 6,915,000 square kilometres (2,670,000 sq mi). It gathers its waters from 5 degrees north latitude to 20 degrees south latitude. Its most remote sources are found on the inter-Andean plateau, just a short distance from the Pacific Ocean.
The area covered by the water of the Amazon River and its tributaries more than triples over the course of a year. In an average dry season 110,000 square kilometres (42,000 sq mi) of land are water-covered, while in the wet season the flooded area of the Amazon Basin rises to 350,000 square kilometres (135,000 sq mi).
The quantity of water released by the Amazon to the Atlantic Ocean is enormous: up to 300,000 m³ per second in the rainy season. The Amazon is responsible for a fifth of the total volume of fresh water entering the oceans worldwide. Offshore of the mouth of the Amazon, potable water can be drawn from the ocean while still out of sight of the coastline, and the salinity of the ocean is notably lower five hundred kilometres out to sea.
Ganges River
The Ganges is 1557 miles long (2506 km).
The Ganges Valley, or basin, is 200 to 400 miles (322 to 644 km) wide.
The river starts in an ice cave on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, some 10,300 feet (3,140 meters) above sea level.
It flows eastward and empties into the Bay of Bengal. Its mouths forms a vast delta. At the delta it is joined by the southward-flowing Brahmaputra River. Their combined delta is the largest in the world.
The delta begins more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) from the Bay of Bengal and lies mostly in Bangladesh. It is largely a tangled swampland.
There are two major dams on the Ganga. One at Haridwar diverts much of the Himalayan snowmelt into the Upper Ganges Canal, built by the British in 1854 to irrigate the surrounding land. This caused severe deterioration to the wateflow in the Ganga, and is a major cause for the decay of Ganga as an inland waterway.
The other dam is a serious hydroelectric affair at Farakka, close to the point where the main flow of the river enters Bangladesh, and the tributary Hooghly (also known as Bhagirathi) continues in West Bengal past Calcutta. This barrage, which feeds the Hooghly branch of the river by a 26 mile long feeder canal, and its water flow management has been a long-lingering source of dispute with Bangladesh.
Sheer volume of waste - estimated at nearly 1 billion litres per day - of mostly untreated raw sewage.
Also, inadequate cremation procedures contributes to a large number of partially burnt or unburnt corpses floating down the Ganga, not to mention livestock corpses.
DAMS ON THE GANGA
There are two major dams on the Ganga. One at Haridwar diverts much of the Himalayan snowmelt into the Upper Ganges Canal, built by the British in 1854 to irrigate the surrounding land. This caused severe deterioration to the wateflow in the Ganga, and is a major cause for the decay of Ganga as an inland waterway.
The other dam is a serious hydroelectric affair at Farakka, close to the point where the main flow of the river enters Bangladesh, and the tributary Hooghly (also known as Bhagirathi) continues in West Bengal past Calcutta. This barrage, which feeds the Hooghly branch of the river by a 26 mile long feeder canal, and its water flow management has been a long-lingering source of dispute with Bangladesh, which fortunately is likely to be resolved based on discussions held with the new Hasina government in Bangladesh in 1996 when I.K. Gujral was the Foreign Minister in India, Failure to resolve this has caused harm to both sides of the border for nearly two decades now. Bangladesh feels that the lack of flow in the summer months causes sedimentation and makes Bangladesh more prone to flood damages. At the same time, proposals for linking the Brahmaputra to the Ganges to improve the water flow in the Ganges is hanging fire. Also, the water management problem may actually involve a number of other riparian countries such as Nepal (where there has been tremendous deforestation, leading to greater silt content). (Click here to read about causes of floods in Bangladesh [long].)
A branch of the Hooghly, the Damodar, flows south and enters the Bay of Bengal at the growing port of Haldia. It has the large hydroelectric dam called Damodar Valley Project, built on the lines of the Tennessee Valley Authority. There is also a controversial dam at Tehri, on the Bhagirathi, one of the main source river of Ganga.
Another dam is proposed to be built on the upper reaches of a tributary of the Ganga, Mahakali, This Indo-Nepal project, the Pancheswar dam, proposes to be the highest dam in the world and will be built with US collaboration.
The upper and lower Ganga canal, which is actually the backbone of a network of canals, runs from Haridwar to Allahabad, but maintenance has not been very good and my personal experience is that it probably trickles out into a small river a little beyond Kanpur.
The Ganges Valley, or basin, is 200 to 400 miles (322 to 644 km) wide.
The river starts in an ice cave on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, some 10,300 feet (3,140 meters) above sea level.
It flows eastward and empties into the Bay of Bengal. Its mouths forms a vast delta. At the delta it is joined by the southward-flowing Brahmaputra River. Their combined delta is the largest in the world.
The delta begins more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) from the Bay of Bengal and lies mostly in Bangladesh. It is largely a tangled swampland.
There are two major dams on the Ganga. One at Haridwar diverts much of the Himalayan snowmelt into the Upper Ganges Canal, built by the British in 1854 to irrigate the surrounding land. This caused severe deterioration to the wateflow in the Ganga, and is a major cause for the decay of Ganga as an inland waterway.
The other dam is a serious hydroelectric affair at Farakka, close to the point where the main flow of the river enters Bangladesh, and the tributary Hooghly (also known as Bhagirathi) continues in West Bengal past Calcutta. This barrage, which feeds the Hooghly branch of the river by a 26 mile long feeder canal, and its water flow management has been a long-lingering source of dispute with Bangladesh.
Sheer volume of waste - estimated at nearly 1 billion litres per day - of mostly untreated raw sewage.
Also, inadequate cremation procedures contributes to a large number of partially burnt or unburnt corpses floating down the Ganga, not to mention livestock corpses.
DAMS ON THE GANGA
There are two major dams on the Ganga. One at Haridwar diverts much of the Himalayan snowmelt into the Upper Ganges Canal, built by the British in 1854 to irrigate the surrounding land. This caused severe deterioration to the wateflow in the Ganga, and is a major cause for the decay of Ganga as an inland waterway.
The other dam is a serious hydroelectric affair at Farakka, close to the point where the main flow of the river enters Bangladesh, and the tributary Hooghly (also known as Bhagirathi) continues in West Bengal past Calcutta. This barrage, which feeds the Hooghly branch of the river by a 26 mile long feeder canal, and its water flow management has been a long-lingering source of dispute with Bangladesh, which fortunately is likely to be resolved based on discussions held with the new Hasina government in Bangladesh in 1996 when I.K. Gujral was the Foreign Minister in India, Failure to resolve this has caused harm to both sides of the border for nearly two decades now. Bangladesh feels that the lack of flow in the summer months causes sedimentation and makes Bangladesh more prone to flood damages. At the same time, proposals for linking the Brahmaputra to the Ganges to improve the water flow in the Ganges is hanging fire. Also, the water management problem may actually involve a number of other riparian countries such as Nepal (where there has been tremendous deforestation, leading to greater silt content). (Click here to read about causes of floods in Bangladesh [long].)
A branch of the Hooghly, the Damodar, flows south and enters the Bay of Bengal at the growing port of Haldia. It has the large hydroelectric dam called Damodar Valley Project, built on the lines of the Tennessee Valley Authority. There is also a controversial dam at Tehri, on the Bhagirathi, one of the main source river of Ganga.
Another dam is proposed to be built on the upper reaches of a tributary of the Ganga, Mahakali, This Indo-Nepal project, the Pancheswar dam, proposes to be the highest dam in the world and will be built with US collaboration.
The upper and lower Ganga canal, which is actually the backbone of a network of canals, runs from Haridwar to Allahabad, but maintenance has not been very good and my personal experience is that it probably trickles out into a small river a little beyond Kanpur.
Congo River
The Congo River (also known as the Zaire) is over 2,720 miles (4,375 km) long. It is the fifth-longest river in the world, and the second longest in Africa - second only to the Nile River in North eastern Africa. The Congo River flows primarily through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the People's Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and partially through Zambia, Angola, Cameroon, and Tanzania. The Congo ranges in width from 0.5 to 10 miles (0.8 to 16 km) depending on the location and time of year.
[An error occurred while processing this directive] The Congo River forms in the southern-most part of the DRC where the Lualaba and Luvua Rivers meet. The Congo then flows to Stanley Falls, near Kisangani, a point just north of the Equator before taking on a counterclockwise course. The Congo loops first to the northeast, then to the west, and then to the south before reaching an outlet into the Atlantic Ocean, feeding a river basin that covers over 1.6 million square miles (4.1 million sq. km). At the outlet into the Atlantic Ocean, the Congo can dispose of up to 1.2 million cubic feet (34,000 cu m) of water per second.
Within the Congo's banks can be found over 4,000 islands, more than 50 of which are at least 10 miles (16 km) in length. It is because of these islands that some stretches of the Congo are unnavigable. It has been estimated that almost 250 mi (400 km) of the Congo are unnavigable due to these islands plus a number of cataracts, in particular at Livingstone Falls.
Due to the fact that the Congo has many tributaries, the Congo River is the biggest transportation source in Central Africa. The Ubangi River is a major tributary, along with the Aruwimi, Kasai, and Lomami Rivers. The Congo River and all the streams that contribute to it together account for over 9,000 miles (14,500 km) of navigable routes across Central Africa.
[An error occurred while processing this directive] The Congo River forms in the southern-most part of the DRC where the Lualaba and Luvua Rivers meet. The Congo then flows to Stanley Falls, near Kisangani, a point just north of the Equator before taking on a counterclockwise course. The Congo loops first to the northeast, then to the west, and then to the south before reaching an outlet into the Atlantic Ocean, feeding a river basin that covers over 1.6 million square miles (4.1 million sq. km). At the outlet into the Atlantic Ocean, the Congo can dispose of up to 1.2 million cubic feet (34,000 cu m) of water per second.
Within the Congo's banks can be found over 4,000 islands, more than 50 of which are at least 10 miles (16 km) in length. It is because of these islands that some stretches of the Congo are unnavigable. It has been estimated that almost 250 mi (400 km) of the Congo are unnavigable due to these islands plus a number of cataracts, in particular at Livingstone Falls.
Due to the fact that the Congo has many tributaries, the Congo River is the biggest transportation source in Central Africa. The Ubangi River is a major tributary, along with the Aruwimi, Kasai, and Lomami Rivers. The Congo River and all the streams that contribute to it together account for over 9,000 miles (14,500 km) of navigable routes across Central Africa.
The Animals!
The animals that inhabit our planet are all amazing creatures. Each have their own behaviours and life cycles that continue to create fascinating animal, bird, reptile and insect life. Discover the mammals that nurture their young as we humans do, insects that go through the process of metamorphosis, an amazing transformation of egg, larvae and pupae. Our dinosaur relatives, the reptiles, lay eggs, just like birds. Take a look at Animal Corners animal kingdom.
British Wildlife - our British Wildlife section includes many animals that live on the British Isles, including: Atlantic Puffins, Badgers, Deer, Hedgehogs, Mice, Stoats, Weasels and many more!
World Wildlife - discover the animals that survive the plains and savannahs of Africa and Asia. Find out about endangered species and conservation programs helping to save these amazing mammals. World Wildlife features animals such as Camels, Elephants, giraffes, lions, Monkeys and many more!
Venomous Animals - venomous animals have been found to present far less danger than is popularly believed. Many will only deliver a venomous attack if frightened or threatened. In our venomous animal section you can discover lots of information about Venomous Mammals such as the Shrew, Platypus and Cuban Solenodon. Also featured are Venomous Snakes and lots of Venomous Spiders!
Endangered Animals - more and more animals throughout the world are becoming endangered species. Our endangered animals section features threatened and endangered insects, marine, mammals and birds from Britain, including birds such as: Aquatic Warblers, Corncrakes, Ospreys and Skylarks, mammals such as Hares, Otters, Squirrels and Voles. There is also listed some of those that are critically endangered around the world and listed on the IUCN.
Animal Biomes - a new section featuring the natural biomes on our planet. A biome is defined by its animal and plant life. Many animals have adapted to various different biomes and include the Elk and Ibex of the Alpine biome, the Lynx and Moose of the Boreal biome and the Addax and Puma of the Desert biome, plus many more.
British Wildlife - our British Wildlife section includes many animals that live on the British Isles, including: Atlantic Puffins, Badgers, Deer, Hedgehogs, Mice, Stoats, Weasels and many more!
World Wildlife - discover the animals that survive the plains and savannahs of Africa and Asia. Find out about endangered species and conservation programs helping to save these amazing mammals. World Wildlife features animals such as Camels, Elephants, giraffes, lions, Monkeys and many more!
Venomous Animals - venomous animals have been found to present far less danger than is popularly believed. Many will only deliver a venomous attack if frightened or threatened. In our venomous animal section you can discover lots of information about Venomous Mammals such as the Shrew, Platypus and Cuban Solenodon. Also featured are Venomous Snakes and lots of Venomous Spiders!
Endangered Animals - more and more animals throughout the world are becoming endangered species. Our endangered animals section features threatened and endangered insects, marine, mammals and birds from Britain, including birds such as: Aquatic Warblers, Corncrakes, Ospreys and Skylarks, mammals such as Hares, Otters, Squirrels and Voles. There is also listed some of those that are critically endangered around the world and listed on the IUCN.
Animal Biomes - a new section featuring the natural biomes on our planet. A biome is defined by its animal and plant life. Many animals have adapted to various different biomes and include the Elk and Ibex of the Alpine biome, the Lynx and Moose of the Boreal biome and the Addax and Puma of the Desert biome, plus many more.
Reptiles
Reptiles - ancient reptiles were known as the dinosaurs. Today, reptiles are much smaller than their larger relatives. Find out about many of these creatures and their lifestyle in the modern world.
Reptiles are cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers.
Reptiles are 'tetrapods' (vertebrate animals that have four feet, legs or leg like appendages) and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane and members of the class Sauropsida.
Amphibians, reptiles, dinosaurs, birds and mammals are all tetrapods and even the limbless snakes are tetrapods by descent.
The earliest tetrapods developed from lobe-finned fish, into air-breathing amphibians in the Devonian period. There are around 8,225 species of reptile on our planet. Today they are represented by four surviving orders:
Ancient reptiles were known as the dinosaurs. Todays reptiles are much smaller when compared to the gigantic sizes of the Diplodocus or the Brachiosaurus.
However, they are all descendants of these magnificent beasts that survived millions of years ago.
Reptiles have existed since the beginning of time. Even snakes were around in the Cretaceous period.
Modern reptiles inhabit every continent except for Antarctica, although their main distribution comprises of the tropics and subtropics. There are many species of reptile that survive in Rainforests throughout the globe.
Reptiles are cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers.
Reptiles are 'tetrapods' (vertebrate animals that have four feet, legs or leg like appendages) and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane and members of the class Sauropsida.
Amphibians, reptiles, dinosaurs, birds and mammals are all tetrapods and even the limbless snakes are tetrapods by descent.
The earliest tetrapods developed from lobe-finned fish, into air-breathing amphibians in the Devonian period. There are around 8,225 species of reptile on our planet. Today they are represented by four surviving orders:
Ancient reptiles were known as the dinosaurs. Todays reptiles are much smaller when compared to the gigantic sizes of the Diplodocus or the Brachiosaurus.
However, they are all descendants of these magnificent beasts that survived millions of years ago.
Reptiles have existed since the beginning of time. Even snakes were around in the Cretaceous period.
Modern reptiles inhabit every continent except for Antarctica, although their main distribution comprises of the tropics and subtropics. There are many species of reptile that survive in Rainforests throughout the globe.
Pets and Marine
PETS
Pets - we all have our favourite pets. Visit our pet section and you can find out useful information about dogs, cats, Mice, Rabbits, nocturnal Hamsters and lovable Guinea Pigs.
We all have our favourite pets that we love and cherish dearly. We want to care for them and keep them as healthy as we can.
At Pets at Animal Corner we bring you lots of information and advice about keeping your pets in tip top condition aswell as lots of other interesting information you might like to discover about your pets.
Included are some of the most popular pets around including cats, dogs, mice, rabbits, hamsters and Guinea Pigs.
Cats
Dogs
Guinea Pigs
Hamsters
Mice
Rabbits
Marine
Marine - our oceans are teeming with life from playful Dolphins to man eating Sharks. Discover strange looking Crabs, large Manatees and graceful Seahorses, the only species in which the male becomes pregnant!
Marine Life at Animal Corner
The worlds oceans cover two thirds of our planet. As we take a dive from the rocks or paddle out from the beach, we are entering a place which is teeming with marine life.
From fish to crabs to octopuses or even sea creatures that have not yet been discovered, the oceans and its coastlines are an amazing and interesting foray of water wildlife.
Take a journey and discover some of the animal life that thrive around our coastlines or dive into the deep and visit some of the sea creatures that choose to live beneath the waves.
Pets - we all have our favourite pets. Visit our pet section and you can find out useful information about dogs, cats, Mice, Rabbits, nocturnal Hamsters and lovable Guinea Pigs.
We all have our favourite pets that we love and cherish dearly. We want to care for them and keep them as healthy as we can.
At Pets at Animal Corner we bring you lots of information and advice about keeping your pets in tip top condition aswell as lots of other interesting information you might like to discover about your pets.
Included are some of the most popular pets around including cats, dogs, mice, rabbits, hamsters and Guinea Pigs.
Cats
Dogs
Guinea Pigs
Hamsters
Mice
Rabbits
Marine
Marine - our oceans are teeming with life from playful Dolphins to man eating Sharks. Discover strange looking Crabs, large Manatees and graceful Seahorses, the only species in which the male becomes pregnant!
Marine Life at Animal Corner
The worlds oceans cover two thirds of our planet. As we take a dive from the rocks or paddle out from the beach, we are entering a place which is teeming with marine life.
From fish to crabs to octopuses or even sea creatures that have not yet been discovered, the oceans and its coastlines are an amazing and interesting foray of water wildlife.
Take a journey and discover some of the animal life that thrive around our coastlines or dive into the deep and visit some of the sea creatures that choose to live beneath the waves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)