Carnival In Rio
History The Carnival in Rio has a long rich history dating back to the early 1700's. It is a four day long celebration before lent when one is supposed to give up pleasures, such as resisting the temptation to consume meat. The Carnival in Rio officially starts on the Saturday…
Panama Canal
History Before the Panama Canal was created, ships and merchants from Europe and Eastern America had to sail around the tip of South America to reach western Asian countries such as China, Japan and India. In 1881, a French company led by Ferdinand de Lesseps began construction on the canal.…
Niagara Falls
History Niagara Falls is a combination of three separate waterfall systems flowing along the Niagara River from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Together, the three waterfall systems form the highest water flow rate in the world. The three waterfalls combine for an astounding 165 feet drop. The most recognizable and…
Dead Sea
History References to the Dead Sea have appeared in many different books in the bible. King David used the Dead Sea as a place of refuge. It also appeared in Greek and Arabic texts and is considered one of the first health spas for its nourishing and body replenishing powers.…
Petra
History Petra is known as the Rose Red City after the rock coloration the city is carved in to. Located in modern day Jordan, Petra was once the crossroads of trade linking the silk and spice trade routes of China and India to Mediterranean countries such as Egypt, Rome, Greece…
Machu Picchu
History When Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in 1911, he revealed an untouched portion of the Incan civilization. Machu Picchu, pronounced MAH-choo PEEK-choo, is located approximately 50 miles northwest of the Incan capital Cusco, on a small remote mountain top overlooking the Urubamba Valley. Macho Picchu is divided into three…
Christ the Redeemer
The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands at the peak of the Corcovado Mountain. Corcovado Mountain is located in the Carioca Mountain Range which lies in the southeast area of Brazil. When standing at the peak of the Corcovado Mountain and at the top of Christ the Redeemer statue, views…
Chichen Itza
History Chichen Itza was a major trading hub for the Mayan civilization. It is located in the Northwest part of the Yucatán Pennisula, approximately 75 from Mérida, the largest city in the Mexican state of Yucatán. Chichen Itza means "at the mouth of the well of Itza." It was a…
Taj Mahal
History Shah Jahan was emperor during one of the most prosperous periods in the Mughal Empire's history. In 1631, the beloved third wife of Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, passed away while giving birth to their 14th child. To show his love for Mumtaz, Shah Jahan comissioned the building of the…
Great Wall of China
History The original walls were built to defend territories between feuding Chinese states. The walls were constructed using a long known technique of stomping ground between two boards. The result was a hard wall made of earth and stone able to withstand small attacks. In 221 B.C., Qin defeated the…