Description of flag of Lebanon

horizontally striped red-white-red national flag with a central green cedar tree. The width-to-length ratio of the flag is 2 to 3.

Cayman Islands

• Cayman Islands, island group and overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, situated about 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Jamaica.
• The islands are the outcroppings of a submarine mountain range that extends northeastward from Belize to Cuba.
• The capital is George Town, on Grand Cayman.

Cayman Islands has so much to offer, here are some of the things Cayman Islands is known for.

• Seven Mile Beach: Relaxing at this postcard-pretty white-sand beach, and cooling off in the calm turquoise sea.
• USS Kittiwake: Exploring this sunken US Navy ship starting at 35ft below the ocean's surface.
• Dining out: Feasting on seafood and international dishes in Georgetown, or heading to the East End for local flavors.
• Little Cayman: Marveling at pristine coral reefs, spying on birds and swinging in hammocks on the smallest of the Cayman Islands.
• Bio Bay: Swimming in the dark of night with millions of glowing plankton.
• Cycling: Enjoying the West Bay Loop's smooth roads, scarce traffic and gorgeous seaside scenery.
• Cayman Brac: Stepping back in time on this laid-back island, and hiking or scaling its epic limestone cliffs.
• Pedro St James: Sipping rum and pondering history within the islands' oldest building.

Mexico

• Mexico, country of southern North America and the third largest country in Latin America, after Brazil and Argentina.
• Mexican society is characterized by extremes of wealth and poverty, with a limited middle class wedged between an elite cadre of landowners and investors on the one hand and masses of rural and urban poor on the other.
• But in spite of the challenges it faces as a developing country, Mexico is one of the chief economic and political forces in Latin America.
• It has a dynamic industrial base, vast mineral resources, a wide-ranging service sector, and the world’s largest population of Spanish speakers—about two and a half times that of Spain or Colombia.
• As its official name suggests, the Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States) incorporates 31 socially and physically diverse states and the Federal District.

Mexico has so much to offer, here are some of the things Mexico is known for.

Peerless Palenque

Gather all your senses and dive headfirst into the ancient Maya world at the exquisite Palenque:, where spectacular pyramids rise above emerald jungle treetops and furtive monkeys shriek and catapult themselves through dense canopies. Take your time to marvel at the abundance of reliefs, seek out the tomb of the mysterious Red Queen and her sarcophagus, wander the maze-like palace, gazing up at its iconic tower. Then, pay your respects to Pakal (Palenque’s mightiest ruler) at the Temple of the Inscriptions, perhaps the most celebrated burial monument in the Americas.

Cabo Pulmo

Rediscover the magic of old Baja by visiting the largely undeveloped east coast, discovering world-class diving off Cabo Pulmo:, the only coral reef on the west coast of North America and, at 71 sq km, one of the largest and most successful marine protected regions in the world. In this beautiful place you can expect to see black coral bushes, schools of trigger fish, and yellowfin tuna and snapper. Depending on the seasons and currents, you may also spy hammerhead sharks, huge manta rays and whale sharks.

Mexico City, Cultural Capital

The nation's long-standing political capital: clearly stands at the forefront of Mexico's cultural scene as well. Remember that this is where many of the country's top muralists left behind their most important works, such as Diego Rivera's cinematic murals in the Palacio Nacional and the social-realism work of José Clemente Orozco in the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Art, music, dance and theater are everywhere in Mexico City – even a gondola ride along the ancient canals of Xochimilco wouldn't be complete without taking in a fervent mariachi ballad.

Mexico’s Last Train Journey

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico: (Copper Canyon Railway) remains one of Latin America’s best rail trips. Trains climb from sea level at Los Mochis to Chihuahua’s high desert plains via the sensational rocky landscapes of the Copper Canyon. Vistas from your window include alpine forests, subtropical valleys, Tarahumara villages and glimpses of some of the world’s deepest canyons. Alight at a photogenic stop for 15 minutes along the canyon's edge, or stay for days of exploring, hiking, biking and even zip-lining in one of Mexico's most breathtaking destinations.

The Pyramids of Teotihuacán

Once among Mesoamerica’s greatest cities, Teotihuacán: lies just an hour out of Mexico City. The immense Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon) dominate the remains of the ancient metropolis, which even centuries after its collapse in the 8th century AD remained a pilgrimage site for Aztec royalty. Today it is a magnet for those who come to soak up the mystical energies that are believed to converge here.

Oaxaca City

This highly individual southern city: basks in bright upland light and captivates everyone with its deliciously inventive version of Mexican cuisine, gorgeous handicrafts, frequent colorful fiestas, handsome colonial architecture, booming arts scene and fine mezcals distilled in nearby villages. Within easy reach of the city are the superb ancient Zapotec capital, Monte Albán, dozens of indigenous craft-making villages with busy weekly markets, and the cool, forested hills of the Sierra Norte, perfect for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

Marvelous Mérida

The cultural capital: of the Yucatán Peninsula, this large but manageable city has a beautifully maintained colonial heart. It's veined with narrow cobbled streets and dotted with sunny plazas, with a wealth of museums and galleries and some of the best food in the region. Just out of town are wildlife reserves, graceful haciendas (estates) and jungle-shrouded cenotes (sinkholes) to swim in. A little further afield, the little-visited Maya sites along the Ruta Puuc allow you to step back in time without the tour groups.

Shopping for Artisan Crafts

Mexico’s super-bright, infinitely varied artesanías (handicrafts:) are today’s successors to the lavish costumes and beautiful ceramics of the pre-Hispanic nobility, and to the everyday handcrafted clothes, baskets and pots of their humbler subjects. Everywhere you go – whether browsing city stores, wandering through markets, or visiting artisans in their village workshops to purchase textiles, silver and turquoise jewelry, ironwood carvings, bead-inlaid masks and more – the skill, creativity and color sense of potters, weavers, metalsmiths, carvers and leather workers delights the eye and tempts the pocket.

Magical San Cristóbal

Saunter the cobblestone streets of hill-ringed San Cristóbal de las Casas:, the high-altitude colonial city in the heart of indigenous Chiapas. A heady mix of modern and Maya, with cosmopolitan cafes and traditional culture, it’s also a jumping-off point for Chiapas’ natural attractions and fascinating Tzotzil and Tzeltal villages. Spend sunny days exploring its churches and bustling markets, or riding a horse through fragrant pine forest, and chilly evenings warmed by the fireplace of a cozy watering hole.

Chichén Itzá

There’s a reason why this Maya site: is the most popular of Mexico's ancient sights – it is simply spectacular. From the imposing, monolithic El Castillo pyramid (where the shadow of the plumed serpent god Kukulcán creeps down the staircase during the spring and autumn equinoxes) to the Sacred Cenote and curiously designed El Caracol, the legacy of Mayan astronomers will blow your mind. Admire the Wall of Skulls and the stone carvings at the Temple of Warriors, or come back at night for the sound-and-light show.

Relaxing on the Oaxaca Coast

After a few days on this 550km sequence of sandy Pacific beaches: you’ll be so relaxed you may not be able to leave. Head for the surf mecca and fishing port of Puerto Escondido, the low-key resort of Bahías de Huatulco, or the ultra-laid-back hangouts of Zipolite, San Agustinillo or Mazunte. Soak up the sun, eat good food and imbibe in easygoing beach bars. When the mood takes you, have a swim, surf or snorkel, or board a boat to sight turtles, dolphins, whales, crocs or birdlife.

Savoring the Flavors

Mexican cuisine is like no other, and every part of the country has its own regional specialties, based on seasonal local ingredients and what’s fresh on the day. For the tastiest travels, try local dishes from restaurants and busy market and street stalls – you’ll lose count of the delicious culinary experiences: you encounter. When it’s time for fine dining, seek out some of the legion of creative contemporary chefs who concoct amazing flavor combinations from traditional and innovative ingredients.

Huasteca Potosina, San Luis Potosí

Gorgeously green, lush Huasteca Potosina:, a subregion of San Luis Potosí (and the wider Huasteca area), offers ruins, fascinating cave visits and wild and wet experiences. You can plunge into, boat to or ogle at a number of stunning waterfalls and rivers. As for color? The turquoises, aquas and greens are as vibrant as any manipulated image. Huastec culture is strong here: don’t miss trying a local zacahuil, a massive tamal. The region, too, is home to surrealist garden, Las Pozas, where gigantic Dalí-esque structures strut their quirky stuff.

Volcán Paricutín

As volcanoes go, Paricutín: is still in its adolescence. Blasting out of a Michoacán maize field in 1943, it’s one of the youngest volcanoes on Earth, and one of only a few whose life cycle has been fully studied by scientists. And the dormant, 410m-high cone is relatively easy to climb. Some rock hop across barren lava fields to bag the peak, others ride horses through hot black sand before dismounting for the final summit scramble over volcanic scree. The goal’s the same: a chance to stand atop a veritable geological marvel.

Pico de Orizaba

Touch the sky high above Mexico on the gruelling climb to the 5611m summit of Pico de Orizaba:, the snowcapped highest mountain in the country. The trek is no walk in the park. You’ll need the help of an experienced local trekking operator, clothing for extreme cold and a sense of adventure as big as the mountain itself. If this all sounds a bit extreme for you, you can enjoy any number of less-demanding trails on the peak's lower slopes.

Costa Maya

Do yourself a favor and get to this region while the going's still good. Unlike the overdeveloped Cancún and Riviera Maya, you can still find quiet fishing villages on the Costa Maya that put a premium on sustainable development, such as Mahahual: and Xcalak, both of which boast some of the best dive sites on the Caribbean coast. Then head inland for Laguna Bacalar, a laid-back lakeside town known for its mesmerizing scenery, a 90m-deep cenote and an old Spanish fortress.

Monarchs in Their Millions

Canopies of golden-orange butterflies cover the forests and hillsides in the Reserva de la Biósfera Santuario Mariposa Monarca: (Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve), perhaps Mexico’s most astonishing yearly natural phenomenon. It’s the kind of annual event to plan your trip around – between late October and March the migrant monarchs cover every surface, weighing down fir tree branches and changing the landscape into a permanent sunset as the butterflies winter far from the freezing Great Lakes. It is one of the planet’s most spectacular migrations and not to be missed.

San Miguel de Allende

This colonial beauty has it all: a fantastic springlike climate, extraordinary light, breathtaking architecture, superb handicraft shopping and some of the best culinary experiences in the country. Its frequent festivities mean that music, parades and fireworks are never hard to find, and its nearby hot springs are a joy to unwind in. Famously a place for retired gringos to spend the winter, San Miguel: has so much more to offer than expat hangouts; spending time here is often a highlight of Mexico for many visitors.

Pacific Coastline

Running from the desert islands of Baja California to verdant coves backed by lush tropical mountains, and from untrammeled expanses of sand to mangrove-fringed lagoons teeming with birdlife, Mexico’s Pacific coastline: is stunning in its natural beauty. Punctuating this primordial grandeur is a series of lively resort towns – Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo and Acapulco – interspersed with world-class surf spots such as Barra de Nexpa, Boca de Pascuales, Troncones and Puerto Escondido, where clear barrels of awesome power batter the shores.

Gregarious Guadalajara

Mexico’s second-largest city: manages to dazzle despite being more a collection of pueblos than a great metropolis. This charmer gets under your skin with colonial buildings, lofty churches, labyrinthine markets, awesome public spaces and wonderful craft shopping in the arty suburbs of Tlaquepaque and Tonalá. The young and middle class party all weekend in hip bars and heaving dance clubs, and there’s nowhere better in western Mexico to eat out, whether you're after local specialties such as spicy goat stew, or chic New Mexican and fusion cuisine.

Espíritu Santo

Part of a Unesco-protected Biosphere Reserve, Espíritu Santo: island is spectacular in every way. Pink sandstone has been eroded by wind and waves into finger-like protrusions, each harboring a beautiful cove. And if this otherworldly beauty isn't enough then you can descend into the endless blue with whale sharks, dive the many colorful reefs, camp under a canopy of stunning stars, watch frolicking sea lions at their island colony and paddle your way along myriad azure bays.

Tulum

Take a world-famous Maya ruin, plonk it down beside the achingly beautiful white sands and turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean and you’ve got the rightly popular Tulum:. Add in accommodations for all budgets, from beachside shacks to top-end resorts, some fantastic restaurants and bars, and numerous attractions in the surrounding area from cenotes (limestone sinkholes) to other Maya ruins, and it’s no wonder many people come for a few days and find themselves staying for far longer.

Puerto Vallarta, Pacific Pearl

Visitors adore colorful Vallarta's: profusion of charms and it’s undoubtedly a more genuine, vibrant place than most of Mexico’s large beach-resort towns. Set on a long bay dotted with lovely beaches, it offers big-city nightlife, small-town friendliness, get-away-from-it-all excursions and a legendary LGBT scene. Beyond its lovely seafront boardwalk, one of the real delights of Puerto Vallarta is the abundance of top-quality street food, counterbalanced by a refined selection of fusion restaurants.

Guanajuato

The glorious World Heritage–listed city of Guanajuato: packs a huge amount into its narrow valley. The former mining town turned colorful university city is a feast of plazas, fun museums, opulent colonial mansions and pastel-hued houses. Snake your way along pedestrian alleyways, people-watch in the squares, mingle with marvelous mariachi groups, or party hard at estudiantinas (traditional street parties) and in the many student bars. The underground tunnels – the town’s major transport routes – make for a particularly quirky way to get around.

Somalia

• Somalia, easternmost country of Africa, on the Horn of Africa.
• It extends from just south of the Equator northward to the Gulf of Aden and occupies an important geopolitical position between sub-Saharan Africa and the countries of Arabia and southwestern Asia.
• The capital, Mogadishu, is located just north of the Equator on the Indian Ocean.

Somalia has so much to offer, here are some of the things Somalia is known for.

• Mogadishu The fascinating streets of the former ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean'.
• Hargeisa A lively gold market where haggling erupts over jewellery.
• Berbera The pleasure of a soft drink and fresh fish while relaxing on white-sand beaches.
• Las Geel This astounding archaeological site, festooned in ancient rock art, tells of Somalia’s mysterious past.
• Raas Xaafun A remarkable vista at the tip of the Horn of Africa.
• Merca Myriad alleyways in this wonderful old Arab coastal town.
• Bajuni Islands A fantastic archipelago blessed with glistening white-sand beaches.

Cyprus

• Cyprus, Greek Kípros, Turkish Kıbrıs, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty.

Cyprus has so much to offer, here are some of the things Cyprus is known for.

Troödos Byzantine Churches

From the outside, the rural churches of the Troödos appear insignificant, but don't be fooled – that's just a front for the spectacular frippery inside. From the 11th to the 16th centuries, skilled artisans went to town in isolated hill chapels such as Panagia Forviotissa: creating some of the most vivid fresco finery of the late-Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods, as a wave of artistic vision rippled through these secluded hills. Today, 10 of these churches appear on the Unesco World Heritage Site list, truly crowning Cyprus as the 'island of the saints'.

St Hilarion Castle

Local lore says St Hilarion: was created by a fairy queen who spent her spare time seducing unwitting shepherds. With its crumbled walls snaking up the craggy cliff, peppered with half-ruined towers, it does indeed look like the castle you conjure in your imagination. Keeping a watchful eye over the Mediterranean for centuries, it was built by the Byzantines with sprinkles of Gothic pomp applied by the later Lusignans. Puff your way up precipitous staircases right to the top for sweeping views across the sea to the Anatolian coast.

Kyrenia’s Old Harbour

Backdropped by jagged mountains and overlooked by a golden-stoned castle, Kyrenia's Old Harbour: evokes an aura of bygone Cyprus. Where merchant ships once fought for space, an armada of bobbing gülets (traditional wooden ships with raised bows) now moor, ushering on packs of day-trippers. Hugging the waterfront, tall stone-cut buildings which once stored raw carob have been reinvented as cafes and restaurants. On a blue-sky day, with sunlight sparkling on the mirror-calm water, it may just be the most photogenic spot on the island.

Meze

Loosen your belt buckle. Grab a few friends. This small-plates feast, made to be shared, is a taste-bud tour of the island's culinary heritage. Sweep up familiar favourites of hummus, tzatziki and taramasalata with bread, and savour seasonal vegetables doused in lashings of garlic, lemon and olive oil. Then get ready for the parade of meat or fish dishes waiting in the wings. It adds up to a lot of food, so siga, siga (slowly, slowly) does it. Sample meze at its best at long-time favourite Zanettos Taverna: in Nicosia.

Lara Beach

The Akamas Peninsula is an area largely unburdened by development and access to Lara Beach: is via a rough road, backed by desertlike scrubland, tinged with dark ochre and studded with gorse, bushy pines and seasonal wildflowers. This beach is widely considered to be the Republic’s most spectacular and thankfully remains relatively untouched by tourism. Cupped by limestone rocks, the sand is soft and powdery and the sea is warm and calm. It’s a magical place at sunset. Tread carefully though – this is prime turtle-hatching ground.

Karpas Peninsula

With its spine of cliffs tapering out to fields filled with wildflowers and rare orchids edged by beaches where loggerhead turtles nest, the Karpas: is Cyprus at its most rural, wild and woolly. Just a handful of villages are scattered across the skinny peninsula, which stretches up the island's most easterly point where the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas faces the sea. Hike the trails here, laze on the vast stretch of dune-rimmed sand of Golden Beach or simply take time out from modern life.

Shipwreck Diving

Thanks to silted-up ancient ruins, old shallow ports and plain old dodgy navigating, the waters surrounding the Cypriot coastline are a wreck-diving dream. The battered husks of sunken ships which never made it to port are now patrolled by shoals of flitting fish and the occasional octopus acting as crew. Larnaka Bay's Zenobia:, which capsized in 1980, is rated as one of the world's top-five wreck dives. Exploring its innards, complete with cargo decks of trucks, is one of the island's eeriest adventures.

Ancient Salamis

The once-proud beacon of Hellenic civilisation and culture on the island, Ancient Salamis: was the most famous and grandiose of the ancient city-kingdoms. Today the vast site, set beside the sea, is scattered with the debris of all who set their sights on Cyprus; through Mycenaean Greek settlers up to Byzantine rule. Roam the trails which branch out from the grand columned gymnasium to explore Roman villas, mosaic-floor scraps, Byzantine basilicas and a vast reservoir and ponder the passing of empire.

Hiking in the Troödos

The Troödos Mountains: offer an expanse of flora, fauna and geology across a range of pine forests, waterfalls, rocky crags and babbling brooks. The massif and summit of Mt Olympus, at an altitude of 1952m, provide spectacular views of the southern coastline and the cool, fresh air is a welcome respite from summer heat. Ramblers, campers, flower-spotters and birdwatchers alike will be absorbed by the ridges, peaks and valleys that make up the lushest and most diverse hiking and nature trails on the island.

Ancient Kourion

Founded in neolithic times and gloriously perched on a hillside overlooking the sea, Ancient Kourion: flourished under the Mycenaeans, Ptolemies, Romans and, later, the Christians. This is the most spectacular of the South’s archaeological sites, including some well-preserved mosaics, an early-Christian basilica and a theatre with sweeping views down to the shore that still hosts opera under the stars. After exploring the site, take a dip in the sea at nearby Kourion Beach, where you can find ruins of a port basilica dating from around the 6th century.

Cape Greco

Southeast of Agia Napa, the beach-party music fades away and trails lead out along the rocky limestone headland of Cape Greco National Park:. Kayaking around the cape gets you up-close-and-personal with dramatic cliff faces, whittled away by wind and sea, while the coastal walks and cycling tracks, rimmed with wild thyme and low-lying scrub, lead to church ruins, sea caves, beaches and natural rock formations. To cool off afterwards, head down to Konnos Beach, the prettiest strip of white sand in the area.

Pafos Archaeological Site

One of the island’s most mesmerising archaeological sites: is in the southerly resort of Pafos. A vast, sprawling site, the ancient city dates to the late 4th century BC and what you can see today is believed to be only a modest part of what remains to be excavated. The major highlight of the ruins are the intricate and colourful Roman floor mosaics at the heart of the original complex, first unearthed by a farmer ploughing his field in 1962.

Famagusta

Enclosed within the mammoth bulk of its Venetian walls, Famagusta's Old Town: is a ghost of its once grand and gilded past. Wind your way down narrow rickety alleyways roamed by rowdy chickens to find shells of churches, with still-standing walls holding on to scraps of faded frescos. Rising above the dilapidated remnants is the swaggering Gothic spectacle of the Lala Mustafa Paşa Camii (originally St Nicholas Cathedral), standing like a lonely sentinel to the lavish excess of the Lusignan era.

North Nicosia’s Old City

Crossing the Green Line from Nicosia into North Nicosia (Lefkoşa):, the Turkish Cypriot side of the capital, is an extraordinary experience. Leave the smart shops of the Republic's Ledra St behind and enter the altogether more ramshackle world of Arasta Sokak, lined with scruffy bazaar stalls. Within the muddle of alleys here lies some of the city's best-preserved architecture, including the soaring Gothic Selimiye and Haydarpaşa Mosques (originally St Sophia and St Catherine Cathedrals) and the trade-caravan remnants of the Büyük Han.

Wine Villages Around Omodos

The far-reaching vineyards of the krasohoria (wine villages) dominate the surrounding slopes of Omodos:. Navigating this region, where every house was once said to have its own winemaking tools, is an adventure that requires discipline and good use of the spittoon. Boutique wineries now number over 50 here, spread across six or seven traditional villages, with a vast array of wines and grapes for the connoisseur’s choice. The most famous indigenous varieties derive from the mavro (dark-red grape) and xynisteri (white grape) vines, along with another 10 varieties.

Windsurfing

With this much coastline, and every kind of wind and wave condition a water-sports junkie could want, it's no surprise that Cyprus has become a top windsurfing spot. For total beginners Pissouri Bay:, with its calm, sheltered waters, is one of the best places on the island to learn the ropes. Once you've conquered wind-god Aeolus' lighter blows though, the high wind conditions off Lady's Mile Beach make it the local in-the-know place for serious flat-water-blasting fun.

Petra tou Romiou

Also known as Aphrodite’s Rock and Beach:, this is where myth says the goddess of love emerged from the sea before setting off on her bed-hopping romps. Unsurprisingly, the romantic connections and cliff-fringed coastal view make it possibly Cyprus' most famous photo stop, particularly at sunset. Take the time to stroll along the pretty pebble beach, lapped by delightfully cool water and loomed over by its striking sea stack, to admire Aphrodite's dramatic choice of an entrance up close.

Neolithic Site of Choirokoitia

Unesco World Heritage Site Choirokoitia: is one of the most important and best-preserved prehistoric settlements in the Mediterranean. It dates to around 7000 BC and offers an incredible insight into the lives and living conditions of some of the first Cypriots. Visitors can wander the ruins of the cylindrical flat-roofed huts, which sit on a protected hillside within the boundaries of an ancient wall. Using original methods, archaeologists have helped construct five replica huts on-site, which further enliven the experience.

Cyprus Wine Museum

A winery tour is an increasingly attractive proposition for tourists here, as Cypriot winemaking continues to improve and expand. A trip to the wine museum: in Lemesos is a good way for novices to be introduced to the history, methods and, most importantly, the taste of leading local wines. The tour includes several options, mainly depending on how much tasting you want to do. There’s also a short film and a museum that explains how the island’s wine trade has developed over time. Cheers!

Nicosia’s Hammam Baths

The Hamam Omerye: Turkish baths stand in the centre of Nicosia’s old city and offer a soothing respite from city strolling and sightseeing. Dating from the 16th century, the baths sport a luxurious, stylish design: all glossy marble, subtle scents and flickering candles. Omerye offers a choice of massage, body scrubs and hot-stone treatments as well as traditional steam and scrub packages. There is a small tetería (tea shop) where you can relax while sipping aromatic teas after your bathing experience has finished.

• Swaziland is located in Africa.

• Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, island country lying in the Indian Ocean and separated from peninsular India by the Palk Strait.
• It is located between latitudes 5°55′ and 9°51′ N and longitudes 79°41′ and 81°53′ E and has a maximum length of 268 miles (432 km) and a maximum width of 139 miles (224 km).

Sri Lanka has so much to offer, here are some of the things Sri Lanka is known for.

Stunning Beaches

There are long, golden-specked ones, there are dainty ones with soft white sand, there are wind- and wave-battered ones, and ones without a footstep for miles. Some have a slowly, slowly vibe and some have a lively party vibe, but whichever you choose, the beaches of Sri Lanka really are every bit as gorgeous as you’ve heard. In a land where beaches are simply countless, consider the beaches of Tangalla:, each with its own personality, and each beguiling in its own way, yet all easily visited in a day.

Travelling by Train

Sometimes there’s no way to get a seat on the slow but oh-so-popular train to Ella:, but with a prime standing-room-only spot looking out at a rolling carpet of tea, who cares? Outside, the colourful silk saris of Tamil tea pickers stand out in the sea of green; inside, you may get a shy welcome via a smile. At stations, vendors hustle treats, including some amazing corn and chilli fritters sold wrapped in somebody’s old homework paper. Munching one of these while the scenery creaks past? Sublime.

Uda Walawe National Park

This huge chunk of savanna grassland centred on the Uda Walawe: reservoir is the closest Sri Lanka gets to East Africa. There are herds of buffalo (although some of these are domesticated!), sambar deer, crocodiles, masses of birds, and elephants – and we don’t just mean a few elephants. We mean hundreds of the big-nosed creatures. In fact, we’d go so far to say that for elephants, Uda Walawe is equal to, or even better than, many of the famous East African national parks.

Ancient Anuradhapura

At Anuradhapura:, big bits of Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage sprawl across 3 sq km. In the centre is one of the world’s oldest trees, the Sri Maha Bodhi (more than two thousand years old). That it has been tended uninterrupted by record-keeping guardians for all those centuries is enough to send shivers down the spine. The surrounding fields of crumbling monasteries and enormous dagobas (stupas) attest to the city’s role as the seat of power in Sri Lanka for a thousand years. Biking through this heady past is a thrilling experience.

Soaring Sigiriya Rock

The rolling gardens at the base of Sigiriya: would themselves be a highlight. Ponds and little man-made rivulets put the water in these water gardens and offer a serene idyll amid the sweltering countryside. But look up and catch your jaw as you ponder this 370m rock that erupts out of the landscape. Etched with art and surmounted by ruins, Sigiriya is an awesome mystery, one that the wonderful museum tries to dissect. The climb to the top is a wearying and worthy endeavour.

Bundala National Park

With all the crowds heading to nearby Yala National Park, its neighbour to the west, Bundala National Park:, often gets overlooked. But with the park’s huge sheets of shimmering waters ringing with the sound of birdsong, skipping it is a big mistake. Bundala has a beauty that other parks can only dream of and is one of the finest birding destinations in the country. Oh, and in case herons and egrets aren’t glam enough for you, the crocodiles and resident elephant herd will put a smile on your face.

Adam’s Peak Pilgrims

For over a thousand years, pilgrims have trudged by candlelight up Adam’s Peak: (Sri Pada) to stand in the footprints of the Buddha, breathe the air where Adam first set foot on earth and see the place where the butterflies go to die. Today tourists join the throngs of local pilgrims and, as you stand in the predawn light atop this perfect pinnacle of rock and watch the sun crawl above waves of mountains, the sense of magic remains as bewitching as it must have been for Adam himself.

Kandy Cultural Capital

Kandy: is the cultural capital of the island and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, said to contain a tooth of the Buddha himself. For the Sinhalese, this is the holiest spot on the island, but for tourists Kandy offers more than just religious satisfaction: there’s a pleasing old quarter, a pretty central lake, a clutch of museums and, in the vicinity, some beautiful botanical gardens. In case you need further blessings from the gods, there’s also a series of fascinating ancient temples.

Unmissable Galle Fort

Man and nature have joined forces in Galle Fort: to produce an architectural work of art. The Dutch built the streets and buildings, the Sri Lankans added the colour and style, and then nature got busy covering it in a gentle layer of tropical vegetation, humidity and salty air. The result is an enchanting old town that is home to dozens of art galleries, quirky shops, and boutique cafes and guesthouses, plus some splendid hotels. For tourists, it’s without doubt the number one urban attraction in the country.

Surfing at Arugam Bay

The heart of Sri Lanka’s growing surf scene, the long right break at the southern end of Arugam Bay: is considered Sri Lanka’s best. From April to September you’ll find surfers riding the waves; stragglers catch the random good days as late as November. Throughout the year you can revel in the surfer vibe: there are board-rental and ding-repair joints plus plenty of laid-back cheap hangouts offering a bed or a beer or both. And if you need solitude, there are nearby breaks up and down the coast

Feeling the Healing Ayurveda

If you start to feel the burden of the centuries while in Sri Lanka, let ancient history have the opposite effect at one of Sri Lanka's restorative Ayurvedic spas:. Some Ayurvedic treatments date back more than 2500 years and devotees of Ayurveda claim enormous benefits from its treatments. Herbs, spices, oils and more are used on and in the body to produce balance. Some people go on multiweek regimens in clinics; others enjoy a pampering afternoon at a luxury spa. The west coast, particularly around Beruwela, is rife with these treatments.

Whale-Watching at Mirissa

People once visited the beaches of southern Sri Lanka to laze under palm trees and maybe go and peer at a few little fish on a diving excursion. Then somebody realised that the deep blue was home to more than just schools of workaday fish. It turns out that the waters off Sri Lanka are home to the planet’s biggest creature, the blue whale (not to mention the nearly as huge sperm whale). Now, every morning in season, boats leave Mirissa: in search of creatures like no other.

The East's Undiscovered Beaches

Truly magnificent beaches in Sri Lanka's east and north are luring travellers away from their more famous counterparts in the west and south. Horizon-reaching ribbons of white sand are just awaiting discovery – and your footprints. A prime place to start is in Nilaveli:, just north of the nascent traveller hangout of Uppuveli. Perfect white sand shaded by palms stretches on and on. There are no cafes, guesthouses or people. Pick any dirt lane off the lonely coast road for your private patch of paradise.

Savouring Rice and Curry

Venture into a large Sri Lankan market and you’ll see and smell the nation's rich diversity of foods and flavours. An average Sri Lankan cook spends hours each day tirelessly roasting and grinding spices while mincing, slicing and dicing all manner of foods. The seemingly humble rice and curry can consist of dozens of intricately prepared dishes, each redolent of a rich and, yes, at times fiery goodness. You can enjoy splendid rice and curries across Sri Lanka; Galle's Spoon's Cafe: is wonderfully typical.

Horton Plains and World’s End

The wild, windswept Horton Plains:, high, high up in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, are utterly unexpected in this country of tropical greens and blues, but they are far from unwelcome. You’ll need to wrap up (a morning frost isn’t uncommon) for the dawn hike across these bleak moorlands – it’s one of the most enjoyable walks in the country. And then, suddenly, out of the mist comes the end of the world and a view over what seems like half of Sri Lanka.

Visiting a Tea Plantation

It wasn’t really all that long ago that Sri Lanka’s Hill Country was largely a wild and ragged sweep of jungle-clad mountains, but then along came the British, who felt in need of a nice cup, so they chopped down all the jungle and turned the Hill Country into one giant, verdant tea estate. Sri Lankan tea is now famous across the world. Visiting a tea estate such as the Lipton-built Dambatenne Tea Factory: near Haputale and seeing how the world’s favourite cuppa is produced is absolutely fascinating.

Jaffna and the Islands

In Jaffna:, everything seems different, especially the language: the rapid-fire staccato of spoken Tamil is a real change from singsong Sinhala. So too is the cuisine: singularly spiced and, in season, complemented by legendary mangoes. The city has never looked better, with new hotels and energy. Sights include its vast colonial fort, leafy suburbs and ancient relics of a lost kingdom. Get a bike and catch a rickety ferry to the nearby islands like Neduntivu, where you can get lost in their end-of-the-earth appeal.

Colonial Legacy

Yes, the Brits were chased out at independence in 1948, but their legacy lives on in much more than an often impenetrable bureaucracy addicted to forms. The heart of Colombo, Fort, is where you’ll see the structures of the empire at its most magnificent. Along the capital's wide, tree-shaded streets, the National Museum: building evokes the British Empire. You’ll find colonial legacies of the Dutch and Portuguese as well, not just in Colombo's popular Dutch Hospital but in old fortresses that ring the nation's coasts.

Polonnaruwa’s Stupendous Structures

Arrayed around a vast grassy quadrangle like the chess pieces of giants, Polonnaruwa’s: intricately carved buildings and monuments offer a visitor-friendly briefing on what was the centre of the kingdom some thousand years ago. Handy plaques are loaded with information, although you may find the buildings too extraordinary to switch your concentration to signage. Catch sight of the ruins at sunrise and sunset, when rosy rays of light bathe the complex in a romantic glow.

Shopping in Colombo

Part of the magic of Colombo is plunging into the shopping maelstrom of the city. The timeless markets of Pettah: heave with goods and just general chaos. Shouting porters will knock you aside even as a laden cart bears down on your back. It's not for the faint-hearted, but it's a sensory overload that will leave you bewildered – and thrilled. And if you’d like something calmer and more stylish, the city has a growing collection of chic boutiques, stores and malls, and lovely quarters like Cinnamon Gardens.

Here are a few popular Liberian dishes. Please share your favorites as a reply.

• Liberian Peanut Soup (Soup)
• Liberian Cabbage Stew (Stew)
• Liberian Rice Bread (Bread)
• Liberian Chicken Gravy (Stew)
• Dumboy (Side Dish)
• Torborgee (Stew)
• Collards and Cabbage (Vegetable Dish)

• Cayman Islands Stock Exchange opens at 07:05 - 12:25 (EST)

Description of flag of San Marino

horizontally divided white-blue national flag; when displayed by the government, it incorporates a central coat of arms. The flag has a width-to-length ratio of approximately 3 to 4.