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Hill Stations Of India

If you are on a tour to India, never ever miss a trip to one of the hill stations. India has a lot of hill stations that are very beautiful and serene. Every state boasts of at least one hill station in its geography, except for maybe one or two. You may hear a lot about the beauty and charm of the hill stations when you go to the country and these are places you must check out.

Perhaps the most beautiful place in India is Kashmir. It is quite famous for its beauty even among the people in India. The charm and beauty of Kashmir can enchant you for life, and you can be assured that it will be a very memorable trip. Though it is a highly protected zone due to problems with the neighboring country, it is still a place which is quite beautiful.

The next one would be other hill stations in the north like Kulu, Manali, Ladak, Shimla, and Darjeeling and so on. These are popular tourist places with tourists coming form both outside and inside the country. Shimla and Darjeeling are more popular than the other places as they have been favorite spots for holidaying for a long time.

In the south you would see Ooty, Coorg, and Munnar and so on. Among these Ooty is the most popular one as it is a place where tourism is highly promoted. You should not miss the botanical garden which is spread over acres of land with flora that are very rare and beautiful. The chocolate factories are also worth a visit as they serve delicious chocolate.
The hill stations usually cultivate tea, so you are bound to see a lot of tea gardens when you visit the places. Also there are some floras which only thrive in the conditions that are seen in these places.

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Major Cities of India

The Indian subcontinent is a place where you can see the modern technologies and IT sectors combined with the traditional forms of nature and its beauty to form a unique combination that can charm you to no end. India is a country with varied geography and different climates through the country throughout the year and yet with a unity factor among all the places.

There are five major cities of India which play a pivotal role in the development and advancement of the country. These are Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. All these are important cities which are a supporting place for all the industries you can think of. You can find all the major business players of the world in either all of these cities or in either of them.

Each city mentioned above have international airports which facilitate easy commute for people from various places so that they can carry on their work without any discomfort. There are also important railway and road routes to these places. Each has major areas for various industries like IT, electronics, Telecommunications and so on.

The cultures of the places are mingled with other cultures throughout the country. Since there may be people from various states the cultures of the places cannot be predicted. There are many cultures and heritages mixed together to form a single unique one. You can find both traditional and modern people in these cities.

Every city has their own set of governing parties which strive to improve the conditions of the people living in the area. You can see a marked difference in the class of people in the cities; which is to say that you may find both people with very low social stature to those of the stature of multi millionaires. Each city is special in its own way and can make you comfortable.

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Kerala- God’s Own Country

Female character in a Kathakali performance at...

Image via Wikipedia

Kerala is the southern most state in the country of India and is called the God’s Own Country. It is the label you would see on any tourism advertisement concerning Kerala. Why this place is called so? What is so special about the place that it is dubbed as the God’s Own Country? What are its specialties or what is it famous for?

Kerala is a place with a lot of greenery and wildlife. The first thing you would notice about the place is the green and lovely flora of the place. Since the state has a very stable climate it is perfect for green vegetation. Though not common now, a few years back you could enjoy the paddy field which was prevalent throughout the state as farming was the main occupation.

There are wildlife sanctuaries in the place like Thekkadi and so on which are perfect places to have a holiday at. In fact you can be assured to find a lot of lovely places with grand waterfalls and serene surroundings. You can be sure to see elephants as these are an important class of animals in the culture of the state.

If you are interested in arts then you should probably watch Kathakali which is a special art of Kerala. It is a combination of dance and story-telling combined with hard and difficult to imitate expressions which can leave you highly impressed. You can find a special folk art of each region like the Malabar, Hindu folk and Christian folk each with distinct styles and themes.

Kerala also has plenty of beaches. Since it is a coastal area fish is the main source of food for the people and seafood is an important cuisine. The Kochi beach is especially important both in terms of tourism and the defense of the country. Kochi is called the Queen of the Arabian Sea and lies facing the Arabian Sea on its sides with people of many cultures settled in it. Having a holiday at Kerala can be a treat for many people.

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The Tourist Places Of India

India is a place which can give you a trip to any sort of tourist place you are looking for. No matter whether you are a person who is fond of the water bodies, the snow or hot and humid climates, India has every sort of place you can think of. And when you go back to your country you can be sure to have loads and loads of memos from this beautiful country.
The country has a lot of green places which would enchant you with their beauty. You may find such places in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and so on. In fact each state may have a green and beautiful heaven of its own in the country. But if you are looking for a lovely place full of greenery you should perhaps try Kerala with its lovely landscapes.
Now look at the places with historical significance. India is a land of palaces and religious monuments. This is mainly owing to the fact that the country has seen a lot of rulers from various places during its history. Each has left their mark in their own way which is why there is so much difference in the culture of the people in a way.

One of the greatest wonders in the world, the Taj Mahal, is located in the capital city of Delhi. It is one of the most beautiful structures in the world built completely from white marble. It also has a very romantic history, of an emperor Shah Jahan building it in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal because she was the one and only love of his life and her death left him shattered.

There are a lot of architecturally important and interesting structures to see in the country. The iron pillar is one such structure, a pillar which has been standing for centuries but has not corroded till now. There are many interesting structures like this in the country. You may have to spend a lot of time in the place to know about all the cultures.

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The Culture Of India

India is a country in which you won’t find the same set of cultures and traditions in the same state, much less the whole country. It is a country with rich and diverse cultures that can sometimes make you wonder whether you are in the same country, because each of them is quite different from the other. The heritage of India is very rich and infinitely interesting.

From the tip of Jammu and Kashmir to the southern most tip of Kanyakumari you will find millions of cultures, some of which have been recognized and are quite popular, while others which are very quite or have a low profile but important nonetheless. While you would find that each state has its own culture, it is also interesting to note that each district in the states have some characteristics of their own as well.

There are some very popular arts and artifacts which you can find that are typical to a region. For example, you would find that Kathakali is a specialty of Kerala while Bangra is a dance popular in Punjab. The Bharathanatyam is the cultural dance originated in Tamil Nadu while Kuchipudi is the specialty of Andhra Pradesh.

The arts are not the only attraction of the country. You must have heard about the Cashmere fabric which is exclusively made from the breed of sheep from Kashmir. Or the Kanchipuram Sarees have originated from the place called Kanchipuram. The Chanderi fabric is famous throughout the country and it is the specialty of a region called Chanderi in Delhi.

The country also has a rich and diverse flora and fauna. You can get enchanted with the heavenly beauty of the hill stations in the country like Manali, Shimla and so on. If you are looking for a historical place with lots of mysteries Rajasthan is the place for you with its fairy tale castles and palaces with centuries old architecture and designs. If you haven’t visited India yet, you are missing out a lot of things in life. India is known for the rich culture.

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The Geography Of India

If you are looking for a country which can offer you any sort of culture, climate or other conditions prevalent all over the world, it is India. There are no words which can describe the beauty and the diversity of the Indian subcontinent. There may be some of you who might have noticed the words Indian Subcontinent being used in many places, and it has a reason of its own.

India is a land of great diversity. When you observe the topography of India you would find that it has all sorts of landscapes you can think of. There is the plateau landscape, like the Malwa plateau, Deccan Plateau and so on. There is a plain as well, one of the greatest in the world, the Indo-Gangetic plain which is significant on its own.

The country is full of rivers and other water bodies. The main and the most important river is the Ganga which originates in the Himalayas and is associated both with religion and with providing water to various people across the nation. It divides into a lot of tributaries each with a significant role of its own. India has the Bay of Bengal in the southeast and Arabian Sea in the southwest, and the Indian Ocean in the south.

The country has a desert as well. The state of Rajasthan is a desert and the Thar Desert which is one of the largest deserts in the world. It has a number of coasts and wetlands which have done significant contribution to the culture and development of the country. With such varying topographies, it is not a surprise that the country has varying climatic conditions as well.

India is a country of varying cultures and one of the factors for this is the various geographical landscapes the land has. Each geographical region has contributed towards developing the culture and traditions of the people as it is seen today. In fact, each place boasts of its own culture and traditions entirely different from that of the others. Know it well.

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Ways to Travel into Africa for Adventure and a Lasting Experience

Many people spend their lives dreaming of going to Africa, but don’t realize the number of options that they have. You can take a safari through some of the continent’s most beautiful preserves, take the hunt of a lifetime or immerse yourself in the culture of the various countries within its borders.

Safaris are on of the first things that come to your mind when you consider African travel, and there are numerous opportunities for you to explore. For those who love the thrill of adventure, you can take a tour into some of the less traveled areas of the continent. You can go to such places as Mount Kilimanjaro, Namibia or through Uganda’s rainforests. Africa has a broad range of climates and weather that you can experience. You will get to see lions at their natural best or watch gorillas romping through the rainforest.

Another way to enjoy this continent is by train, where you can travel in comfort while taking in wild regions out your passenger windows. Along the way, you can stop in various areas, exploring cities and cultural life of the various peoples along your route. You can often work with a travel agency to plan a specialized tour with stops of your preference. You also have the option to travel alone or as part of a small group.

When choosing the type of trip that you want to go on, make sure that you are considering the weather, time of year and your own personal health. Some of the more alternative tours that go out into less traveled areas require you to be more physically fit. You may also want to consider get traveler’s insurance, which can cover medical expenses and related costs. If you are ready to take the adventure of a lifetime, consider traveling through the gorgeous and exciting continent of Africa. It is an experience that you will long remember.

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Terror at Tsavo in the 1800′s

Tsavo is an area both beautiful and host to a terrifying aspect of its history. It all started with construction of a bridge to accommodate the rail line that the English were laying through the area. The bridge would eventually provide a train crossing over the Tsavo River, which is found in eastern Africa. Once construction began, 135 workers disappeared from the camp, reportedly having been taken by two man eating lions.

Various attempts to keep the lions at bay by workers failed, and building of the bridge was stopped temporarily. They made fencing to surround the camp from thorned vegetation, but it did not deter the lions. It came down to Lieutenant Colonel John Patterson to find the lions and kill them in order to get the project back on track. Through various attempts, even going to the effort to build a homemade trap, he finally succeeded on December 9, 1898. The second lion fell a short time later. One of them measured a staggering nine feet long.

Reasons for the lion’s behavior are still to be determined, but such theories include a lack of other food sources and related issues. The bridge was eventually finished, and Patterson took the skins with him from the two animals. He later sold them in 1924 to The Field Museum in Chicago. The skins were restored, stuffed and are on display to this date. The story has been recreated in books and film over the past decades, and made Patterson famous.

Though these lions were man eaters, the Field Museum states that this type of lion behavior is rare. Tsavo is still a beautiful area that offers visitors incredible wildlife view, culture and history. But the man eaters of Tsavo remains a fascination to many who read the tale of this troubled incident.

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Tips for Traveling to Africa

Africa is a broad continent that has varied climates, environments and weather. There are important things to consider when traveling here, and can affect your choice of where and when to go. One of the first things you have to consider is the weather. The seasons in Africa are opposite of those that we experience here in North America. The season when rain is common is often not the most advantageous time to go, but does carry certain advantages. The biggest advantage here is that you can save a lot of money on motels, plane tickets and various activities you will take part in.

You will also need to be aware of international regulations for traveling into the country. This means making sure you have the proper vaccinations for diseases, have your passport current and in order. If you plan to bring any souvenirs or other items home, you need to be knowledgeable about what can come back into the country. Your packages will be inspected by customs officials at the airport and you will have to account for what you purchase. You will not be allowed to bring certain items into the country.

The primary health issue you may face in coming to Africa is malaria. Once again, getting immunized properly by your doctor is very important. Keeping the insects away is very simple if you follow these steps. Insect repellent is a good starting point, and covering your skin with an adequate clothing can also help keep them away. What you sleep at night in certain areas, a mosquito net will help to keep you bite free.

If you are going to be going on a safari or out into wilder areas, make sure you have a portable emergency medical kit in your bag. Sunscreen and common sense can go along with you to ensure that you have an enjoyable time while traveling in Africa.

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The Culture of the Swahili

The Swahili people of Africa live near the eastern coastal region of Africa, who speak the Ki-Swahili language. Their culture has an interesting mix that is derived from traditions of both the Arabs and from their native Africa. This happened when Swahili men commonly married Arab women, bringing aspects of both cultures together. Their lives on the eastern coast of the continent were intertwined with trade, agriculture, city life and wealth.

The trade that occurred here brought no only wealth, but the rich cultural mix that makes the Swahilis so unique. One item that was traded commonly was ivory, which was sought after and highly prized throughout the world. It was so valuable due to its inherent properties, such as being simple to carve and for its wide variety of functional uses. In Africa, elephant tusks were a major source of ivory for traders. Other parts of the animals were also used for various purposes, including fighting. Ribs, tusks and horns were often taken into battle as weapons.

The Swahilis lived from the Mogadishu area in Somalia down to the Rovuma River near Mozambique in earlier times, giving their people a widespread presence on the coast. The area they lived in, with its mixed culture, made for a continual flow of ideas and knowledge. They created gorgeous architecture, cloth of all types and rich food. Their trade capability also gave them greater power to buy whatever they needed.

These proud people had contact with the Middle East far earlier than many other areas of the world did, and thus are closer to them in culture and traditions. They are further in kind from the cultures of the central portion of the continent. The Swahili have a proud history, full of fascinating tales and rich tradition that should not be forgotten.

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