The rich culture of India is full of exquisite colors, dances, dresses, music and fantastic festivals. Every state of India has its own specialty in its culture and traditions. Rajasthan, which is the largest state of the Republic of India is also culturally a very rich region. The traditional and ancient way of life of the Indians is also reflected in Rajasthani culture.

Ghoomar dance : Image by Surinder Midha

Ghoomar is also one of the most popular traditional women’s folk dance of Rajasthan, India. This dance was introduced by the Bhil tribe who are also settled in the Tharparkar region of Pakistan. Historically Bhils were residing in the deep forests and they were also famous for their expertise in hunting. Later, many other communities also adopted Ghoomar dance in their tradition. Ghoomar dance is performed by groups of women in swirling robes and accompanied by men and women singing together. The other spectacular feature of the Ghoomar dance is the dress of the dancing women who wear bright colored “Ghaghara” dress which is actually a long skirt of the Rajasthani women.

The women of Rajasthan in Ghaghara dresses in Ghoomar

Ghoomar dancers also hide their faces with veils and snap their fingers and sing while moving in circular directions. Ghoomar dance is also much dependent upon the rhythms created by the beautiful tempo of the musicians. In the country sides of Rajasthan, the women of all ages participate in the traditional Ghoomar dance of Rajasthan.

Trakošćan castle of Croatia is one of the best historic sites of Croatia. The classic building of Trakošćan castle is well preserved and maintained which was constructed in the 13^th century. The remains of the originally constructed structure of Trakošćan castle are found in the walls of the north-east wing, the central tower and the entrance tower on the south-east side. Trakošćan castle was built as a defense fortification network of the Zagorje principality and in the beginning the Trakošćan estate was in the possession of Jan Vitovec and after that it was taken over by Ivaniš Korvin who presented it to his deputy Ban (Vice-Roy) Ivan Gyulay. In 1566, Trakošćan castle was taken over by the Royal Treasury. After this, the king granted the estate to Cardinal and Croatian Ban Juraj Drašković who remained its hereditary owners until World War II.

Trakošćan castle of Croatia

Trakošćan castle has also been used as a fortification and as a housing unit which is comprised of a small fortified yard, and a massive high tower.The location of Trakošćan castle is magnificent which makes it more glorious.

Trakošćan castle of Croatia : Image by Borisfrkovic

Presently Trakošćan castle of Croatia houses a large group of portraits showing more than ten generations of the Drašković family and their relatives. Moreover, the collection features an interesting group of Drašković army officers from the time of the Seven-Year War which may be judged as a good example of the 18th century popular painting. There is also a group of works called “The Four Continents” by Mihael Stroy, the best-known Biedermeier painter in this part of the world.In 1953, Trakošćan castle of Croatia was established as the Museum with collections on permanent. Presently, the castle is today owned by the Republic of Croatia.

In the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, a wonderful island country exists. We are talking about Malta which is officially known as the Malta Republic. The island is world famous for its unique production of honey. So, people also call it as “ land of honey “.

The Maltese Flag. Photo : WolfinHeart

Malta is situated 80 km south of Sicily, 284 km east of Tunisia and 333 km north of Libya, with Gibraltar 1,755 km to the west and Alexandria 1,508 km to the east.

Maltese honey bee. Image : Wikipedia

Malta is considered as one of the smallest states on the planet earth. The total area of the Malta Republic is only 316 km² (122 sq mi) in land area.

The Maltese Folk

Malta is also one of the most densely populated countries worldwide. The national languages of Malta are English and Maltese. The total length of the coastline is almost of 140 Km.

St. Johns Co Cathedral, Valletta ( Malta )

Malta has the mild Mediterranean climate. The winters are rainy and the summers are hot and dry. The terrain consists mostly low and rocky conditions. The natural resources of the Malta Republic include limestone and salt reserves and arable lands.

Malta, Kottonera

The capital of Malta is Valletta and the country owes the Parliamentary democracy system. The Legal system of Malta is based on English Common Law and Roman Civil Law.

Beautiful view of the island city of Malta

The currency of Malta is called Maltese Lira and the Maltese people celebrate their independence day on the 21^st September every year. The largest religion of Malta is Roman Catholic.

The artisan market of Malta

The Maltese people are mostly the descendant of the ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians. The influence of the Mediterranean and the Italian stock can also be observed in the people of Malta.

The cliff jumping from a fabulous Maltese beach

The Maltese economy is also mostly dependent upon the tourism industry. Malta is a popular tourist destination, with 1.2 million tourists every year. Three times more tourists visit than there are residents. Malta is also one of the world’s financial centers.

Traditional wedding of Malta

The cultural study of the Malta republic suggests that the culture of Malta reflects the predominance of the islanders and the Mediterranean people. Overall the culture of Malta is “rich pattern of traditions, beliefs and practices as an outcome of long process of adaptation, assimilation and cross fertilization of beliefs.

Malta - Gozo " The Blue Hole " Photo : Danilopace

The Government of Malta has provided the compulsory and free Education between the ages of 5 and 16 years to their people. Similarly, Malta has both a public healthcare system, known as the government healthcare service, where healthcare is free at the point of delivery, and a private healthcare system.

Awesome Malta

Malta, the land of honey has no big fresh water reservoirs in the country. Geographically, Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean.

BEST OF MALTA

In the Northern part of Africa , a very lovely state lies which is known as the Tunisian Republic.

Tunisian flag on the Medina of Hammamet. Photo : Alex Palex

The total area of Tunisia is almost 165,000 square kilometers (64,000 sq mi), with an estimated population of over 10.4 million.

Landscape - Tunisia

Tunisia is a republic and out of the total population the Muslims are more than 98% with Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%.

Awesome Tunisia

Tunisia, the North African Paradise is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. The majority of the Tunisian speak the Arabic language.

Wedding dresses of Tunisia

The capital of the Tunisian republic is also called as Tunis and the other prominent cities include Sfax, Susah, Kairouan, Bizerte and Gabes.

Desert_hockey in Tunisia : Photo by Craig Pershouse

Tunisian government is a friendly in nature just like Tunisian people who have developed cordial relations with both the European Union—with whom it has an association agreement—and the Arab world. Tunisia is also a member of the Arab Maghreb Union, the Arab League, and the African Union.

Sbeitla, Tunisia

Tunisia got freedom from France in 1956 and the freedom movement was led by Habib Bourguiba and after the independence, he also became the first president of the Tunisian republic.

Sousse, Tunisia

In 2011, the Tunisian republic went through an extraordinary agonizing movement. The people of Tunisia who were fed up of corruption, unemployment, nepotism and unavailability of basic health, education and food facilities gathered for their civil liberty and lodged a nationwide massive campaign. Ultimately, this all forced President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down on 14 January 2011, after 23 years in power.

Tunis, revolt

Tunisia is a constitutional republic, with a president serving as chief of state, prime minister as head of government, a bicameral legislature and a court system influenced by French civil law.

Cooking items from Tunisian Market

The economy of Tunisia is dependent upon agricultural, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors.

Hzem ; This swiveling and twisting hip Tunisian dance.

The Tunisian cuisine is a fabulous collection of Arabian , Turkish, French, African and Barberian tastes. Tunisia offers a “sun cuisine,” based mainly on olive oil, spices, tomatoes, seafood and meat (primarily lamb).

Tunis grilled food

The history and culture of Tunisia is an outcome of thousands of years multi-ethnic influx. With the passage of time, the land of Tunisia has observed the development of tremendous civilizations. Thus, the Tunisian people proudly offer their unique and ancient cultural heritage to the rest of the world.

Tunis culture

Tunisia, the North African Paradise is a tourist friendly country who earns a major portion of their GDP from tourism. There are numerous spots in the country which carry ultimate tourism attraction.

Tunisia – An informative video

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