Description of flag of Tuvalu
national flag consisting of a light blue field (background) with nine yellow stars in the fly half and, in the canton, the Union Jack. The width-to-length ratio of the flag is 1 to 2.
national flag consisting of a light blue field (background) with nine yellow stars in the fly half and, in the canton, the Union Jack. The width-to-length ratio of the flag is 1 to 2.
The 20km chug along Geirangerfjord:, a Unesco World Heritage site, must rank as the world's loveliest ferry journey. Long-abandoned farmsteads still cling to the fjord's near-sheer cliffs while ice-cold cascades tumble, twist and gush down to emerald-green waters. Take it from Geiranger and enjoy the calm as you leave this small, heaving port or hop aboard at altogether quieter Hellesylt. Prime your camera, grab a top-deck open-air seat and enjoy what's literally the only way to travel Geirangerfjord's secluded reaches.
Few visitors forget their first sighting of the Lofoten Islands:. The jagged ramparts of this astonishing island chain rise abruptly from the sea in summer greens and yellows or the stark blue and white of winter, their razor-sharp peaks stabbing at a clear, cobalt sky or shrouded mysteriously in swirling mists. Postcard-perfect villages with wooden rorbuer (fishing huts) cling to the shoreline, while the A-frame racks for drying fish tell of a land and a culture intimately entwined with the sea.
So much more than merely a means of getting around, the iconic Hurtigruten coastal ferry: takes you on one of the most spectacular coastal journeys anywhere on earth. On its daily path between Bergen and Kirkenes, it dips into coastal fjords, docks at isolated villages barely accessible by road, draws near to dramatic headlands and crosses the Arctic Circle only to return a few days later. In the process, it showcases the entire length of Norway's most glorious coast.
There is no more uplifting natural phenomenon than the aurora borealis:, or Northern Lights. Visible throughout the long night of the Arctic winter from October to March, they dance across the sky in green or white curtains of light, shifting in intensity and taking on forms that seem to spring from a child's vivid imagination. While there's no guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear at any given time, if you are lucky enough to see them, it's an experience that will live with you forever.
The high country of central Norway ranks among Europe's premier summer destinations. Although there are numerous national parks criss-crossed by well-maintained hiking trails, it's Jotunheimen National Park:, whose name translates as 'Home of the Giants', that rises above all others. With 60 glaciers and 275 summits over 2000m, Jotunheimen is exceptionally beautiful and home to iconic trails such as Besseggen, Hurrungane and those in the shadow of Galdhøpiggen, Norway's highest peak. Jotunheimen's proximity to the fjords further enhances its appeal.
Set amid a picturesque and very Norwegian coastal landscape of fjords and mountains, Bergen is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. A celebrated history of seafaring trade has bequeathed to the city the stunning (and Unesco World Heritage–listed) waterfront district of Bryggen:, an archaic tangle of wooden buildings. A signpost to a history at once prosperous and tumultuous, the titled and colourful wooden buildings of Bryggen now shelter the artisan boutiques and traditional restaurants for which the city is increasingly famous.
The subpolar archipelago of Svalbard: is a true place of the heart. Deliciously remote and yet surprisingly accessible, Svalbard is Europe's most evocative slice of the polar north and one of the continent's last great wilderness areas. Shapely peaks, massive icefields (60% of Svalbard is covered by glaciers) and heartbreakingly beautiful fjords provide the backdrop for a rich array of Arctic wildlife (including walruses and around one-sixth of the world's polar bears), and for summer and winter activities that get you out amid the ringing silence of the snows.
The lightly trafficked coastal route: through Nordland is an experience of rare and staggering beauty. You may not have time for the full 650km but a sample (preferably from Sandnessjøen to Storvik) is all but mandatory if you're progressing northwards. It's not a journey to be rushed. The frequent ferry hops offer compulsory, built-in breaks and stunning seascapes, while both inland glaciers and accessible offshore islands – such as Vega, famous for its eider ducks, or Lovund, home to 200,000 puffins – are seductive diversions.
Often cited as one of the world's most beautiful rail journeys, the Oslo–Bergen rail line: is an opportunity to sample some of Norway's best scenery. After passing through the forests of southern Norway, it climbs up onto the horizonless beauty of the Hardangervidda plateau and then continues down through the pretty country around Voss and on into Bergen. En route it passes within touching distance of the fjords and connects (at Myrdal) with the steep branch line down to the fjord country that fans out from Flåm.
As lookouts go, Preikestolen: (Pulpit Rock) has few peers. Perched atop an almost perfectly sheer cliff that hangs more than 600m above the waters of gorgeous Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock is one of Norway's signature images and most eye-catching sights. It's the sort of place where you'll barely be able to look as travellers dangle far more than seems advisable over the precipice, even as you find yourself drawn inexorably towards the edge. The hike to reach it takes two hours and involves a full-day trip from Stavanger.
Norway is the last refuge for some of Europe's most intriguing wildlife:. While you may stumble upon polar bears (in Svalbard), Arctic foxes, Eurasian lynx, wolverine, reindeer and other species, dedicated safaris in the Norwegian interior will take you within sight of the otherworldly musk ox, as well as the rather loveable elk (moose). Along the coast, Norway's birdlife is abundant and filled with interest, while whale-watching outings are a staple of the Nordland coast, especially around Vesterålen and Tromsø. You can also see walruses in Svalbard.
There's no finer way to explore the Arctic wilderness than on a sled pulled by a team of huskies:. Blissfully free from engine noise and the din of modern life, accompanied by a soundtrack of yelping dogs and the scrape of the sled across the snow, dog-sledding (from half-day excursions to multi-day expeditions) takes you out into the trackless world of Norway's far north and allows you to immerse yourself in the eerily beautiful light of the Arctic winter.
All over southern and central Norway you'll come across wooden stave churches. They come in all forms, from the monumental to the pocket-sized and cute. But no matter what form they take, there's something about them that will stir up hazy memories of childhood. That's because the stave churches of Norway, many of which come enveloped in stories of trolls and are adorned with fantastically carved creatures, are without doubt the very definition of fairy-tale churches, none more so than the spectacular Heddal Stave Church:.
Snug, tidy Ålesund: owes much of its charm to a devastating fire that ripped through its wooden structures a century ago, destroying everything except the jail and a church. From its ashes rose a brand-new town, mostly of stone and mostly designed by young Norwegian architects who had trained in Germany. Strongly influenced by the Jugendstil (art nouveau) movement of the time, they designed buildings rich in ornamentation, with turrets, spires, gargoyles and other fanciful elements based on local motifs. The view from above the town is one of Norway's most iconic.
Snowmobiles have ousted sleds and nowadays only a minority of Sami live from their reindeer herds or coastal fishing. But the Sami culture, transcending the frontiers of Norway, Sweden and Finland, lives on and is increasingly accessible to visitors, especially in Karasjok: and Kautokeino; in the former, the Sami Parliament is a masterpiece of traditional design in mellow wood. And Sami identity lies secure in the language and its dialects, traditions such as the joik (a continuously droned rhythmic poem), and handicrafts such as silversmithing and knife making.
Tromsø:, a cool 400km north of the Arctic Circle, is northern Norway's most significant city with, among other superlatives, the world's northernmost cathedral, brewery and botanical garden. Its busy clubs and pubs – more per capita than in any other Norwegian town – owe much to the university (another northernmost) and its students. In summer, Tromsø's a base for round-the-clock, 24-hour daylight activity. Once the first snows fall, the locals slip on their skis or snowshoes, head out of town and gaze skywards for a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Oslo: is reinventing itself. This is a city that is aiming to become nothing less than a world-renowned centre of art and culture. It’s already bursting at the seams with top-notch museums, art galleries and a glacier-white opera house that could make even Sydney jealous, but in the past couple of years it has achieved a striking rebirth of its waterfront district complete with daring architecture, a grade-A modern-art gallery, new restaurants and even a beach. This is a city on the rise and is definitely one to watch.
Nicaragua has so much to offer, here are some of the things Nicaragua is known for.
Granada: is a town of immense and palpable magnetism. At the heart of the city’s charms are the picture-perfect cobblestone streets, polychromatic colonial homes and churches, and a lilting air that brings the city’s spirited past into present-day focus. Most trips here begin and end on foot, and simply dawdling from gallery to restaurant to colonial church can take up the better part of a day. From there, it’s off to explore the myriad wild areas, islands, volcanoes and artisan villages nearby.
With no cars and no noise, just white-sand beaches and secluded coves mixing with the crystal-clear Caribbean, Little Corn Island: is the paramount place to take a break from the big city. There is plenty to keep you occupied during the day, including diving with hammerhead sharks or through underground caves, kitesurfing the stiff breeze or scrambling over jungle-covered headlands, and there's just enough to do at night. Add some great food to the mix and it's no surprise that many find it so hard to leave.
A royal city with revolutionary undercurrents, León: both enchants and baffles the legions of backpackers and adventure seekers who gravitate here. Within the city, you’ll find an artsy, slightly edgy vibe originally fueled by the Sandinista revolution and now by the university and a 120-horsepower party scene. Come sunrise, you can spend a good day exploring the cathedral, museums and downtown area, before heading further afield to honey-blonde beaches, volcanoes, brokeback cowboy towns and open-faced experiences with some of the friendliest people you’ll find anywhere on earth, period.
Lago de Nicaragua’s beloved centerpiece, Isla de Ometepe: has it all. Twin volcanoes, lush hillsides cut by walking tracks, archaeological remains, ziplines, monkeys and birdlife, waterfalls, lapping waves at your doorstep, and a laid-back island air that keeps travelers in the now as they step, kayak, bike and climb their way through this once-lost paradise. At the heart of the island’s charms are the cool hostels, camping areas and peaceful traveler scenes. From high-end luxury lodges to groovy-groupie hippie huts, Ometepe is big enough for all kinds.
As you approach the dozen tiny islands ringed by snow-white sand and brilliant Caribbean waters that make up the Pearl Keys:, you will enter the realms of the ultimate shipwreck fantasy. Fortunately, you'll be marooned with a capable Creole guide who will cook a spectacular seafood meal and source ice-cold beers from a mysterious supply, leaving you heaps of time to swim, snorkel, spot sea turtles, or just lie back in your hammock and take in the idyllic panoramic views.
Once favored by both pirates and prospectors as a sure path to riches, today the Río San Juan: is exalted by nature lovers. All along the river, scores of birds nest on branches overhanging its slow surging waters while its lower reaches are dominated by the Reserva Biológica Indio-Maíz, an impenetrable jungle that shelters jaguars and troupes of noisy monkeys. The only human-made attraction along the river's entire length is the grand Spanish fort over the rapids at El Castillo.
A visit to Nicaragua's coffee zone is about more than just sipping plenty of joe, it's about getting out and seeing where it all comes from. Hike among the bushes shaded by ethereal cloud forest around Jinotega: and pick ripe cherries alongside your hosts in a community farming cooperative near Matagalpa. And why stop there when you can follow the beans to the roasting plant and then learn to identify flavors in a cupping session. After this, you'll savor your morning cup in a whole new way.
Nicaragua sparked into international stardom on the wake of tanned-and-toned surfer dudes and dudettes. And the surfing scene north and south of regional hub San Juan del Sur: remains cool, reefed-out, soulful and downright brilliant. The stars of the scene are the long rideable waves that fit the bill for surfers of all abilities, but the relaxed surf camps, beach parties and cool breezes add to the vibe, ensuring a great beach vacation for everybody in your crew (even the boogie boarders).
Hovering above the artisan villages of Nicaragua’s Central Plateau, the smoldering Volcán Masaya: and its surrounding national park are a singular highlight not to be missed. This is one of the region’s most active volcanoes, and it’s pretty exciting just to see the sulfurous columns of gas billow toward the sky as you relish the million-dollar views. Come here to gaze into the maw of hell at night, when lava bubbles restlessly in the crater. Nearby, cool off with a dip in gorgeous Laguna de Apoyo, an extinct crater lake.
Head to Nicaragua’s southern Pacific coast between July and January to witness sea turtles by the thousands come to shore to lay their eggs at Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor:. There’s a decent beach here, as well, but the highlight is a night tour (generally from nearby San Juan del Sur), where, if you’re lucky, you’ll see a leatherback or olive ridley mama come to shore to lay her eggs at the end of one of nature’s most inspiring and remarkable journeys.
The Islas Solentiname: are straight out of a fairy tale. You simply must visit in order to experience the magic of this remote jungle-covered archipelago where a community of exceptionally talented artists live and work among the wild animals that are their inspiration. It's a place where an enlightened priest inspired a village to construct a handsome church alive with the sounds of nature, and shooting stars illuminate the speckled night sky. Even after having been there, you will still find it hard to believe it's real.
What goes up must come down. But why walk when you can strap on a custom-built volcano board and rip-roar your way down a slope of fine volcanic ash? That’s the genesis of volcano surfing. And one of the best spots on the planet to dig this new adrenaline sport is atop 700-plus-meter Volcán Cerro Negro in northwestern Nicaragua’s Reserva Natural Pilas-El Hoyo. Tour operators in León: will even provide you with cool jumpsuits before you begin your dusty-bottomed descent.
From the colorful parakeets flying over busy Managua to ubiquitous iguanas scratching across your hotel roof, exotic wildlife is everywhere in Nicaragua. Dedicate some energy to the pursuit and you'll discover some truly phenomenal natural spectacles. Head into the rugged rainforest-covered mountains of the Bosawás: to spot three types of monkeys, toucans and tapirs, while reptile fans will not want to miss getting close to the alligators of Los Guatuzos. Wherever you go, keep your binoculars handy – a wild encounter is never far away.
It's a bumpy ride from Rivas to the remote beaches of Popoyo:, famous for their surf breaks. The reward: huge, hollow breaks, laid-back surf lodges, sandy shores strewn with vibrant pink shells, looming rock formations and miles of empty shoreline where you can walk for an hour without seeing another person. While new surf lodges and guesthouses have popped up in recent years, the village communities are down-to-earth and friendly and these beaches still feel wild. Bring your board, or a good book.
The Reserva Natural Estero Padre Ramos: is a vast nature reserve located in the far northwestern corner of Nicaragua. The largest remaining mangrove forest in Central America, the reserve is home to ocelots, alligators and a universe worth of birds that call the forest home. While this is a wild corner of Nicaragua, boats and kayaks will get you into the spider-webbing mangrove forest, to the beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs and good surf dominates, and into local communities.
Here are a few popular Libyan dishes. Please share your favorites as a reply.
Algeria is located in Africa.
Algeria is located in northwestern Africa. More specifically, Algeria is the Maghreb Region of Africa. As a country that is almost entirely surrounded by land, Algeria's borders are shared with seven other African countries. In the northeast, Algeria is surrounded by Tunisia. With Morrocco to the west and Libya to the east, Algeria is also bordered by Mauritania, West Sahara, and Mali in the southwestern part of the country. Niger borders Algeria in the southeast. Algeria's only coastal border is along the Mediterranean Sea in the north.
The GPS coordinates of Algeria are comprised of a latitude and a longitude. The latitudinal coordinate of the country is 28.0339° N. This coordinate shows that Algeria is positioned above the equator, in the northern hemisphere. The longitude of Algeria is 1.6596° E, placing the country in the eastern hemisphere.
The most extreme point of Algeria in the north is located in a cape called Bougaroûn. With a latitude of 37°05' N, the most extreme point of Algeria's northern region is in the city of Skikda. Of all the northernmost points of every country in the world, Algeria's most extreme point to the north ranks as the sixty-seventh most northern point. The southernmost point of Algeria is situated on the border that Algeria shares with Mali. The latitudinal coordinate of this point is 1 8°58' N. The southern point of extremity in Algeria is in commune of Tin Zaouatine, which is part of the Tamanrasset Province.
In the east, Algeria reaches a point of extremity at a longitude of 12°00' E. The easternmost point of Algeria is at the exact location where Libya, Algeria, and Niger intersect. This tripoint falls within the boundaries of the Illizi Province. In the other direction, Algeria's westernmost point has a longitude of 8°40' W. At this position, Algeria's western point of extremity sits on the border that separates Western Sahara, Morocco, and Algeria.
As a country made up of forty-eight distinct provinces, Algeria's total area is 2,381,741 square miles. Algeria ranks as the tenth largest country based on total area. The population of Algeria is 42,362,606 people. From there, by dividing the population by the total area, the population density of Algeria comes to about 18 people per square mile.