Turtle Dove is a lovely spotted pigeon from Europe wjich is the symbol of devotion and affection in the ancient European culture.Turtle Dove has also remained a main feature in the poetic stuff of the Renaissance Europe and the classical European folklore. The Turtle Dove is scientifically known as Streptopelia turtur and it is also named normally as the European Turtle Dove. The Turtle Dove is a member of the bird family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. The natural habitat of the turtle dove is the region of the Northern Africa and Europe but naturally being a migratory bird, the population of the turtle dove is now found in many other countries of Asia as well.

Turtle Dove – AN IMAGE BY Gary Huston – FLICKR

The turtle dove is a bird of open rather than dense woodlands, and frequently feeds on the ground. It makes its nest occasionally in large gardens, but is usually extremely timid, probably due to the heavy hunting pressure it faces during migration. The flight is often described as arrowy, but is not remarkably swift. Smaller and slighter in build than many other doves, it measures 24–29 cm (9.4–11 in) in length, 47–55 cm (19–22 in) in wingspan and weighs 85–170 g (3.0–6.0 oz). the European Turtle Dove may be recognised by its browner colour, and the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck. The tail is notable as the bird flies from the observer; it is wedge shaped, with a dark centre and white borders and tips. When viewed from below, this pattern, owing to the white under-tail coverts obscuring the dark bases, is a blackish chevron on a white ground. This can be seen when the bird stoops to drink and raises its spread tail.

A spotted turtle dove – An image by Ruben Alexander

This lovely spotted pigeon from Europe is although a specie of least concern on the list of threatened species of IUCN, but the population of the Turtle Dove is dangerously decreased on a rapid rate due to the massive farming and destuction of their natural habitat.

It was a time when the shallow waters were crossed through weak and sluggish bridges that were mostly made of wood and stone. But now, with the passage of time the bridge building art has enormously evolved. Modern science and methadology have introduced new tehniques for constructing the bridges. The construction requires lot of creative designing, hard work and appropiate maintenance of the bridges through out their life.

There is a long list of the amazing bridges of the lovely planet; however, we’re trying to bring before you the most noteworthy of them in this series.

These are the images of some more amazing bridges of the world for your interest.

16- The Brooklyn Bridge in the United States

Brooklyn Bridge in the New York City - Image: Rob NYCity

The Brooklyn Bridge is a bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took 14 years to complete.The bridge is one of the most magnificent landmarks in New York.

17- The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge of Japan

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge of Japan - Image: T.Hatta

The Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world which  is an example of  the greatest engineering feat. It took two million workers and ten years to construct the bridge in which  181,000 tonnes of steel and 1.4 million cubic metres of concrete was used.

18- The Chengyang Bridge of China

Chengyang Bridge in China

This bridge is also known as  Chengyang Wind-Rain Bridge which is a famous bridge in  Dong Minority Region in China. The bridge has a total length of 64.4 meters, and its corridor has a width of 3.4 meters. The net height above the river is about 10 meters.The bridge  serves as the link between two populous villages.

19- The Rialto Bridge or Ponte di Rialto

Rialto Bridge in Venice , Italy - Image: Eric Wester

The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal, and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.

20-  The Oresund Bridge in Denmark 

Oresund bridge of Denmark - Image: earlesd

The construction of the Øresund Bridge of Denmark began in 1995, and was finished 14 August 1999. The Øresund Bridge is the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe, and connects two major metropolitan areas: those of the Danish capital city Copenhagen and the major Swedish city Malmo.

This was the forth episode of the most amazing bridges of the world. In the next episode we’ll present before you some other fantastic bridges of the world. Click the following to visit the first and second part of this series ;

In every era of the human life the significance of building the bridges has remained consistent. The marvelous bridges are mostly arches, beam bridges, cable-stayed bridges, cantilever bridges and suspension bridges. The planning and the designs of bridges may vary depending on the function of the bridge and the nature of the terrain where the bridge is to be constructed. There is a long list of the amazing bridges of the lovely planet; however, we’re trying to bring before you the most noteworthy of them in this series.

These are the images of some more amazing bridges of the world for your interest.

11- Stari Most Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Stari Most Bridge in Mostar - Bosnia & Herzegovina ( Kim Kays Photo )

Stari Most is a historic and Ottoman bridge of the 16th century built in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This bridge crosses the river Neretva and connects two parts of the city. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on November 9, 1993 by Bosnian Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak War.

12- Khaju Bridge of Isfahan, Iran

Khaju Bridge in Iran ( Hamed Saber's Image )

Khaju Bridge is considered as the most important recognizing emblem of the province of Isfahan in Iran.  This bridge was constructed by the Persian Safavid king, Shah Abbas II around 1650 C.E., on the foundations of an older bridge.

13- Tower Bridge of London

The historic Tower Bridge in London - UK. Image by hjjanisch

Tower Bridge was built in 1894 in London, England over the River Thames. This bridge is basically a combined bascule and suspension bridge situated near the Tower of London. The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in length with two towers each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers. The Tower Bridge is considered as  the iconic symbol of London.

14- The Helix Bridge of Singapore

Helix Bridge in Singapore - Jensten's Image

The Helix Bridge, previously known as the Double Helix Bridge, is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South in the Marina Bay area in Singapore. The Helix is fabricated from approximately 650 tonnes of Duplex Stainless Steel and 1000 tonnes of carbon steel used in the temporary structure and also helping the bridge to get the helix shape.

15- The Vasco da Gama Bridge of Portugal

Vasco Da Gama Bridge in Lisbon, Portugal - F Mira's Photo

 Vasco Da Gama Bridge of Portugal is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts and rangeviews that spans the Tagus River near Lisbon, capital of Portugal. It is the longest bridge in Europe with a total length of 17.2 km (10.7 mi), including 0.829 km (0.5 mi) for the main bridge, 11.5 km (7.1 mi) in viaducts, and 4.8 km (3.0 mi) in dedicated access roads.

This was the third episode of the most amazing bridges of the world. In the next episode we’ll present before you some other fantastic bridges of the world. Click the following to visit the first and second part of this series ;

Amazing Bridges Of The World -1

Amazing Bridges Of The World-2

Mama Earth is inhabited by people of different cultures and gentilities. In the recent era the signs of ethinic and historic ties are being eliminated on a rapid rate due to the adaptation of modern and mainstream political and cultural systems by these groups of people. Mainly, the indigenous people are defined as being indigenous with reference to some particular region or place. The association with some speicific piece of land does not actually mean that the region was originally inhabited by such people, but it is also probable that the descendants of such people might have arrived to such terrritory hundreds or thousands of years ago. Today, although there is much awareness for the recognition of the rights of the indigenous people around the globe, however still they are deprived of their land rights for the aquasition of their valuable resources or on the base of other conflicts.

According to an estimate, there are more than 400 million indigenous people in the world who live in more than 70 countires. After the transformation or colonization of their respective areas into a nation or state, their traditional and cultural values are gradually affected. Many of them are already being wiped out as a result of annihilation, hatred and genocide. The issues related to indigenous people are often highlighted on many forums or media, but still much is needed to address their problems. Following are some exquisite photographs of some indigenous people of the world who belong to different regions.

1- Indigenous People of Sakhalin Island ( North Pacific )

Indigenous People of Sakhain Island ( North Pacific )

2- An indigenous Bodi woman of Omo Valley, Ethiopoia

An indigenous Bodi woman, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopoia ( Image: By BoazImages )

3- A Berber Boy from South Tunisia 

An Indigenous Berber Boy of North Africa ( Tunisia ) Image: Makis Siderakis

4- The indigenous Kirghiz people of China

Indigenous Kirghiz People of China ( A UN Photo )

5- An indigenous Mongol Eagle Hunter

An Indigenous Mongol Eagle Hunter ( Image: By Hildehaab )

6- The Indigenous Taureg burning the fire

An Indigenous Tuareg Man on fire ( Image: Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak )

7- Some Indigenous Russian Children

Some Indigenous Children of Russia ( Image by Aksana )

8- The indigenous Baloch tribesman from Pakistan

The Indigenou Baloch Tribesmen from the Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan - Image: Sarfraz Hayat

9- Indigenous Sri Lankan Women

Some Indigenous Sri Lankan women working in the fields ( Image: Caroline Gluck )

10: Indigenous Canela People of Brazil 

The Indigenous Canela People of Brazil ( Image : Tatiana Cardeal )

11- Indigenous Samburu Ladies of Africa 

The Indigenous Samburu Ladies from Africa

12- Sami people ( Only indigenous people from Europe ) 

The Indigenous Sami people from Europe ( Minority Rights Group International Image )

This is really hard to understand the philosophy of nature. We are sometimes the beneficiaries of Nature and sometimes the victims of its aggression. The history of the human development is filled with the catastrophic acts of Nature. Nature becomes furious sometimes in shape of the harassing oceans, sometimes with the calamitous tsunamis and sometimes by the disastrous earthquakes.

By : Trey Ratcliff ( A fantastic image of the ruins of Pompeii with the Mount Vesuvius)

In Europe, Italy is well known for its marvelous archaeological heritage. Pompeii is one of it’s the most renowned historic ruins. This famous site is actually a sepulcher town which was a center of the Roman civilization, culture, art and customs. This ancient city was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption almost 1700 years ago. It was an unlucky day of 79 A.D when the Mount Vesuvius exploded ash and lava that destroyed the prosperity of the people of Pompeii and their amazing cultivation forever.

The Historic Pompeii Ruins ( Image: JAMES MARSHALL D )

It was not possible for the people of Pompeii to get any idea about the eruption of Vesuvius at the time of the disaster. People were busy in their day to day affairs and they were damn sure that the volcano is inactive for more than centuries so it would never explode again. They were totally unaware of the fact that a longer inactivity of a volcano coupled with mounting seismic activity is a pure sign of forthcoming fiasco. Although they had firm belief in the might of their gods and their ability to predict about the future, but they remained blind about the happenings of 24^th August of 79 A.D. On this day Mount Vesuvius detonated its massive lava and within no time the whole city was buried under a 20 feet layer of ash and pumice. The whole population and the architecture of Pompeii were covered in up to twelve different layers of tephra, in total 25 meters deep, which rained down for about 6 hours. Rest of the world was totally oblivious about this tragedy until the rediscovery of Pompeii in 1738 by some laborers, who were working in the construction a summer palace for the then King of Naples. However, Pompeii was properly found again as the result of intentional excavations in 1748 by a Spanish team.

A dead body of Pompeii inhabitant ( Image: CameliaTWU )

However, after this many excavation activities were executed in order to bring out the appropriate facts about Pompeii. The different theories of the historians suggest that Pompeii was inhabited with more than 20,000 people at that time and it was an ideal town where the Romans spent their holidays. Pompeii was located near the modern day Naples in Campania region. The construction style adopted by the people of Pompeii was luxuriant and they possessed a very opulent way of life. The walls, pavements and floors of their villas were embellished with magnificent mosaics.

POMPEII - ITALY ( Pavement ) Image Courtesy : Ggarner

Pompeii is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the archaeologists from all over the world have made tremendous research on the remains of Pompeii including the Greek-inspired buildings, cobble-stoned streets, brothels, frescoes and numerous artifacts. These all remained under ideal conditions of preservation when they were out of sight. The lack of air and moisture were the main contribution factors that safeguarded these objects from deterioration. However after their rediscovery they are on the verge of rapid decay due to the both natural and man-made forces. Weathering, erosion, light exposure, water damage, poor methods of excavation and reconstruction, introduced plants and animals, tourism, vandalism and theft have all damaged the site in some way. For the last 250 years, Pompeii, the historic ruins of Italy are attracting millions of visitors annually to visit this phenomenal site and it is one of the most popular tourist sites of Italy.