OLDEST CITIES

1. Gaziantep, Turkey

Coming to the oldest city in the list (you may have never heard of it), a little background would be useful. The city of Gaziantep is in Turkey, and used to be called just Antep. Largely thought to be the oldest cities of the world which were continually inhabited, the ancient Gaziantep Fortress still stands and gives everyone who visits this place a stark reminder of its age. It’s thought to have first been a city belonging to the Hitties, a Bronze Age people who were some of the first to use chariots. With records found of Gaziantep as far back as 3650 B.C., so it officially takes 1st place in the Top 10 Oldest Cities list!

2. Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem has got to be one of the most famous as well as oldest cities in the world. We know lots about Jerusalem and here are a few interesting facts about it. It’s been attacked 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, besieged 23 times, and completely destroyed twice! Despite all this, Jerusalem still stands today and has become an oldest cities turned modern cities which are very popular with tourists. There are lots of sacred religious sites here, including Solomon’s Temple and the Tomb of King David. Religious and political has plagued Jerusalem since the beginning and continues to do so today. Also, thought to have been populated since at least 3000 B.C., the ancient city of Jerusalem takes the silver medal in this Top 10  List of Oldest Cities.

3. Kirkuk, Iraq

Off to Iraq next, and the city of Kirkuk. The modern city that you’ll see if you go there now is actually on the same site as the ancient city of Arrapha, the capital of the Assyrian kingdom. It’s been fought over many times through its history, but was most important around 1000 B.C., when the Assyrians claimed it as the hub of their empire. Now it’s not quite so important, although Kirkuk was given the status of the ‘Capital of Iraqi Culture’ in 2010. It’s changed a lot over the thousands of years that people have lived here, but estimates are that it’s been continually inhabited since around 3000 B.C., so it ranks as the third on the Top 10 oldest cities.

4. Zurich, Switzerland

The Swiss city of Zurich was once named the city with the best quality of life in the world. It is one of the wealthiest as well as oldest cities in Europe, and is a big global financial centre. That aside, it is also really old too, coming long before other European cities. The city was first known as Turicum, then as Ziurichi, and for the last thousand years just Zurich! Funnily enough, the Roman’s used the city as a tax collecting point for goods travelling along the Limmat River, so its ties with money are old too! A city that has been inhabited since around 3000 B.C., Zurich takes 4th place in the Top 10 Oldest Cities list.

5. Konya, Turkey

The Turkish city of Konya is a certain mention when we talk about the oldest cities of the world. Konya, Turkey has been mentioned in the ancient texts of the Greco-Roman world, referred to as Iconium in Latin, and also Ikonion in Greek. Apparently, Perseus drove the natives out by using Medusa’s severed head. Whether that’s really true or not we’ll never probably know, but science has been able to determine roughly what period in history the city of Konya was inhabited. Beating all of the Egypt’s oldest cities, Konya comes in as the 5th oldest cities in the world.

6. Giza, Egypt

Back to Egypt again and to one of the oldest cities that everybody knows about. It’s the city of Giza, and this one is famous for the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, along with all the other smaller pyramids and temples. These astonishing ancient monuments attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. Giza itself has grown to accommodate this influx of tourism, becoming a popular place to live. Dating back to well before 2568 B.C., Giza comes in at number six in the List of Top 10 Oldest Cities list.

7. Xi’an, China

For our next contender on the oldest cities list, we head over to the Far East, and the city of Xi’an in Shaanxi province, China. This city also had a different name to begin with, and used to be called Chang’an. One of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Xi’an is the place to go if you want to see the famous Terracotta Army. Nowadays the city is a massive metropolitan area with more than 8 million inhabitants! In such a crowded and polluted city, some of the local people are resorting to using electric motorbikes to get around. Residents here know better than most to insure a motorbike, because they are a favorite among the opportunist thieves here. The city of Xi’an is believed to have been around since 2205 B.C., ranking it 7th in the oldest cities list.

8. Asyut, Egypt

Here comes another Egyptian city that ties with Luxor in the rankings for oldest cities in the world. Visit Asyut now and there is not much left to show that it’s over 4000 years old, unlike other oldest cities in Egypt. In fact, the leaders of Luxor and Asyut had a battle thousands of years ago, and Luxor won, so Asyut wasn’t regarded as an important city after its defeat. Like most ancient and oldest cities, it fell into ruin before being inhabited again, but now it’s transformed itself into a modern city with around 400,000 people calling it home. Reliable records date back to around 2160 B.C. making Asyut the 8th oldest cities in the world.

9. Luxor, Egypt

Egypt may be best known for its Pyramids, but there is much more to the country than the tombs of old pharaohs. Luxor is an ancient city that actually used to be Thebes, and is often referred to as the “world’s greatest open air museum.” The Karnak Temple complex found within the city is the largest ancient religious site in the world. Luxor was once the capital of Egypt but slowly other cities in the country overtook it, and then fell into ruins after being attacked by an Assyrian emperor. Now one of the oldest cities of the world thrives from all the tourists that come to wander around the many different temples here. No-one is exactly sure when Luxor was founded, but it was sometime before 2160 B.C. which makes it the 9th oldest cities of the world.

10. Lisbon, Portugal

The first on our list of top ten oldest countries is the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. It beats Paris, London, and even Rome hands down. Here you can find monuments like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, which are over 500 years old. Lisbon owes much or its status as one of the world’s oldest cities to the Tagus River and the calm, secure natural harbor that its estuary created. It attracted the Phoenician sailors from the Mediterranean as long ago as 1200 B.C. The harbor here has grown into the busiest seaport on the European Atlantic coast. Founded around 2000 B.C, Lisbon, actually called Lisboa in Portugal, ranks 10th in the Top 10 Oldest Cities.

AMERICA IN THE 1920's

The powerful economy might of America from 1920 to oct.1929 is frequently overlooked or simply submerged by the more exciting topics such  and the gangsters, the Jazz Age with its crazies, the kkk etc. However, the strength of America was generated and driven by its vast economic power.

In this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world with no obvious rival. Yet by 1930 she had hit a depression that was to have world-wide consequences. But in the good times everybody seemed to have a reasonably well paid job and everybody seemed to have a lot of spare cash to spend. 

One of the reasons for this was the introduction of hire-purchase whereby you put a deposit on an item that you wanted and paid installments on that item, with interest, so that you paid back more than the price for the item but did not have to make one payment in one go. Hire-purchase was easy to get and people got into debt without any real planning for the future. In the 1920’sit just seemed to be the case that if you wanted something then you got it.

But simply buying something had a major economic impact. Somebody had to make what was bought. This was the era before robot technology and most work was labour intensive i.e. people did the work. The person who made that product would get paid and he (as it usually was in the 1920’s) would not save all that money. He, too, would spend some of it and someone somewhere else would have to make that and so he would get paid. And so the cycle continued. This was the money flow belief of John Maynard Keynes. If people were spending, then people had to be employed to make things. They get paid, spent their money and so the cycle continued.

A good example was the motor car industry. The 3 big producers were Ford, Chrysler and General Motors. 

A boom in the car industry came from Ford’s with the legendary Ford Model -T. 

This was a car for the people. It was cheap; mass production had dropped its price to just $295 in 1928. The same car had cost $1200 in 1909. By 1928, just about 20% of all Americans had cars. The impact of Ford meant that others had to produce their own cheap car to compete. The benefits went to the consumer. Hire-purchase made cars such as these very affordable. But there were major spin-offs from this one industry as 20% of all American steel went to the car industry; 80% of all rubber; 75% of all plate glass and 65% of all leather. 7 billion gallons of petrol were used each year and, of course, motels, garages, restaurants etc. all sprung up and all these outlets employed people and these people got paid. 

To cope with the new cars new roads were built which employed a lot of people. But not everybody was happy with cars. Critics referred to cars as "prostitution on wheels" as young couples courted in them and gangsters started to use the more powerful models as getaway cars after robberies. But cars were definitely here to stay.

ITALIAN CULTURAL AND TRADITIONS HISTORY

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The history of the italian traditions is rich and varied, with a lot of attention reserved to food traditions.

Italians have not simply a relationship with their food, but an indissoluble bond: this is surely to be traced back to when Italy started to develop its “gastronomy” as opposed to an already established set of “nutrition” habits.

But there is more to this, much more.

One that was not aware of the forces and events that shaped and transformed the italian peninsula would probably believe that all over the Nation people are just following a consolidated habit.

This is what italians themselves could sometimes do, unaware, for example, of why they are still following a (much appraised!) “antipasto-primo-secondo-contorno-dessert” sequence when having a meal... this is one of the founding italian traditions!

Knowing italian food traditions is essential to understand a number of other italian traditions: after centuries, different populations have come and gone, others have settled and their descendants are still present, others belong to the past.

But all of them (be sure of it) have left their visible traces: in the language, in the history, in some typical italian products, in the places around the peninsula.

Being Italian, I happened (and do it still today) to travel through my Country, always able to find something new and surprising, still with a decisive flavor of times long past.

I have always been fond of history and research (and of food naturally!), and this is why I decided to share my passion and the direct experience from my peregrinations with all the other fellow passionates who will read my pages.

Italy is (since the past) one of the main destinations for tourists worldwide: when you visit, you want to make the best of your time there and, most of all, you want to be a savvy tourist and “feel” the culture you are immersed in.

WORLD FAMOUS CITY VENICE

With its gondolas, canals, amazing restaurants, and unforgettable romantic ambiance, Venice is definitely a city for one's bucket list. Waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches make drifting down the Grand Canal feel like cruising through a painting. To really experience Venice you must go to the opera or to a classical... more

Map of Venice

We are travelers from Europe and this year we spent 2 months in little paradise place Venice Florida. There are a lot of different restaurant and small coffee place to go to.Our favorite Bone Fish and Starback. Famous beach Casperson and Sharkies restaurant we can not get enough and we collected a lot of sharks teeth.Near by is cute Venice Beach with live entertainment,Casey key in Nokomis with wooden walkways to watch sundown and Beach In Englewood with umbrellas and grills. There is a circus to have some trill experience. Live theater is by North bridge and Frank Theater(cinema) on 41.Every Saturday ...

Venice (©4Corners, Mar 2013)

EIFFEL TOWER IN PARIS

Once the tallest structure in the world, the Eiffel Tower is probably Europe's best known landmark and Paris's most famous symbol.

You couldn't possibly visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Even if you do not want to visit this world famous structure, you will see its top from all over Paris. The tower rises 300 meters tall (984 ft); when it was completed at the end of the nineteenth century it was twice as high as the washington monument at the time the tallest structure in the world.

1889 World Exhibition

The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition in 1889, held in celebration of the French Revolution in 1789.

The construction was only meant to last for the duration of the Exposition, but it still stands today, despite all protests from contemporary artists who feared the construction would be the advent of structures without 'individuality' and despite the many people who feared that this huge 'object' would not fit into the architecture of Paris.

Today, there is no such aversion anymore among the Parisians, and one could not imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, in fact it has become the symbol of the City of Light.

Gustave Eiffel

The man behind the Eiffel Tower was Gustave Eiffel, known from his revolutionary bridge building techniques, as employed in the great viaduct at Garabit in 1884. These techniques would form the basis for the construction of the Eiffel Tower. He was also known for the construction of the s. of l. iron framework.

The structure took more than two years to complete. Each one of the about 12,000 iron pieces were designed 

separately to give them exactly the shape needed. All pieces were prefabricated and fit together using approx. seven million nails.

The Tallest

Inaugurated March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower would be the tallest structure in the world until the completion  in 1930.

WORLD WAR 1ST.

Main articles: American entry into World War I and United States home front during World War I

American Cemetery at Romagne-sous-Montfaucon

As World War I raged in Europe from 1914, President Woodrow Wilson took full control of foreign policy, declaring neutrality but warning Germany that resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare against American ships supplying goods to Allied nations would mean war. Germany decided to take the risk and try to win by cutting off supplies to Britain; the U.S. declared war in April 1917 American money, food, and munitions arrived quickly, but troops had to be drafted and trained; by summer 1918 American soldiers under General John J. Pershing arrived at the rate of 10,000 a day, while Germany was unable to replace its losses

The result was allied victory in November 1918. President Wilson demanded Germany depose the Kaiser and accept his terms, the fourteen points wilson dominated the 1919 Paris Peace Conference but Germany was treated harshly by the Allies in the Treaty of Versailles (1919) as Wilson put all his hopes in the new league of nations. Wilson refused to compromise with Senate Republicans over the issue of Congressional power to declare war, and the Senate rejected the Treaty and the League.

Women's suffrage

Further information: Women's suffrage in the United States

The women's suffrage movement began with the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, and the declaration of sentiments demanding equal rights for women. Many of the activists became politically aware during the abolitionist movement. The women's rights campaign during "first-wave feminism" was led by Mott, Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony, among many others. The movement reorganized after the Civil War, gaining experienced campaigners, many of whom had worked for prohibition in the women's christian  T  . By the end of the 19th century a few western states had granted women full voting rights,^[108] though women had made significant legal victories, gaining rights in areas such as property and child custody.^[109]

Around 1912 the feminist movement which had grown sluggish, began to reawaken, putting an emphasis on its demands for equality and arguing that the corruption of American politics demanded purification by women because men could not do that job.^[110] Protests became increasingly common as suffragetteAlice Paul led parades through the capital and major cities. Paul split from the large  (NAWSA), which favored a more moderate approach and supported the Democratic Party and Woodrow Wilson, led by Carrie Chapman Catt, and formed the more militant National Woman's Party. Suffragists were arrested during their  S. S. pickets at the White House, the first time such a tactic was used, and were taken as political prisoner.

The old anti-suffragist argument that only men could fight a war, and therefore only men deserve the right to vote, was refuted by the enthusiastic participation of tens of thousands of American women on the home front in World War I. Across the world, grateful nations gave women the right to vote. Furthermore, most of the Western states had already given the women the right to vote in state and national elections, and the representatives from those states, including the first woman Jeannette Rankin of Montana, demonstrated that woman suffrage was a success. The main resistance came from the south, where white leaders were worried about the threat of black women voting. Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment in 1919, and women could vote in 1920

NAWSA became the League of Women Voters, and the National Woman's Party began lobbying for full equality and the Equal Rights Amendment, which would pass Congress during the second wave of the women's movement in 1972. Politicians responded to the new electorate by emphasizing issues of special interest to women, especially prohibition, child health, and world peaceThe main surge of women voting came in 1928, when the big-city machines realized they needed the support of women to elect al smith a Catholic from New York City. Meanwhile Protestants mobilized women to support Prohibition and vote for Republican Herbert Hoover.^[115]

PRINCESS KATE MIDDLETON

I thought it would be easier than usual to pickAfter all, what with recovering from the morning sickness that hit her hard in the early stages of her pregnancy through to maternity leave and bringing up the baby king in waiting, we've not seen as much of the former Kate Middleton as we usually do.

But although Kate's public appearances have been more limited in 2013, narrowing down her best outfits to just ten is pretty hard, mostly because the duchess looks so great whatever she wears. I'm not surprised she's hit the international best dressed lists AGAIN this year - I'd be more shocked if she didn't make them. And with even  saying she takes fashion inspiration from Kate, it's been another vintage year for British fashion's biggest ambassador. Here are my top ten Kate

For once, all eyes weren't on Kate when she walked into the Chapel Royal of St James' Palace in October for of Cambridge's christening. But while George channeled cute vintage in his (replica) Victorian lace gown, the royal yummy mummy went totally modern in cream Alexander McQueen. I don't know what else says 'I've lost all the baby weight and then some' better than a pale, tight waisted jacket with ruffles but if it existed, I'm sure Kate would make that look fab too.

9. Baby on board

Back in March, just when the morning sickness was settling down, the cambridge accompanied the Queen on a visit to London Underground to mark its 150th anniversary. While the teal coloured coat with black trim that Kate chose for the event was, for me, quite ordinary, I just loved the duchess sporting a 'baby on board' badge. Kate has been criticised before for a lack of personality but this look shows that sometimes duchesses just want to have fun.

8. Casual works best

I think that some of Kate's best looks are when she's not trying so hard and her visit to a scout camp this spring is the perfect example. Kate donned jeans, a khaki jacket and a tweed cap for a trek in the snow with members of the Scout Association. I loved this look, mixing relaxed with royal and Kate even managed to 

US WELCOMES IN JAPAN DEFENSE COOPERATION

"Reaching this milestone is a clear demonstration to the region that the alliance is capable of handling complex, difficult problems in order to deal effectively with 21st century security challenges," Hagel said in a statement.

"Our alliance has helped underwrite regional peace, stability, and prosperity for more than half a century, and resolving these years-long issues will enable us to take our relationship to the next level as we revise the guidelines for US-Japan defense cooperation," he said. Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel on Friday praised a decision by Japanese officials to allow the relocation of a US air base in Okinawa, calling it a "milestone" for relations with Tokyo.Hagel welcomed the approval of the long-delayed move of the US Marine Corps base, which he said would permit a redeployment of American forces in the area and bolster Washington's strategic "rebalance" to the Asia-Pacific region.After more than 17 years of debate and political wrangling, the local government in Okinawa has given a green light to moving the Futenma air station from a densely populated urban area to a new facility to be constructed on the coast.

Hagel said he had told Japanese officials that the Pentagon was "committed to working with the government of Japan to build a strong and sustainable US military presence with less impact on the people of Okinawa."

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US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks to reporters on December 10, 2013 at Al Udeid Airbase, 

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PRINCE CHARLES

Prince Charles was born Charles Philip Arthur George on November 14, 1948, in London, England. The son of Queen Elizabeth II and , Charles, prince of Wales, ascended the royal hierarchy at an early age. His mother became queen when he was only three after the death of his grandfather King George VI. As her oldest child, Charles became the heir apparent to the British throne and received the title of Duke of Cornwall.

In 1956, Charles went to the Hill House School in West London before heading off to boarding school at the Cheam School the following year. In addition to his school work, he had increased responsibilities as he was made the Prince of Wales at the age of nine. Beginning in 1962, Charles changed schools again to go to Gordonstoun in Scotland. He also studied in Australia during his time there.

A strong student, Charles studied archaeology, anthropology and history at Trinity College, part of the University of Cambridge from 1967 to 1970. In addition to his studies, he was active in campus life, involving himself in several activities, such as playing on the polo team. After receiving his degree in 1970, Charles began a military career.

Military Service

After six months of aviation training with the Royal Air Force, Charles joined the Royal Navy in 1971. He served as a helicopter pilot and even commanded a ship before leaving the military in 1976. That same year, Charles established The Prince's Trust, a charitable organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of Britain's disadvantaged youth.

Marriage to Diana

As a public figure, Charles came off to many as intelligent, aloof, and a bit awkward. He was used to having every move he made scrutinized by the press, but even he could not have been imagined what a sensation his relationship with Lady Diana Spencer would cause. The two had known each other when they were young but were reintroduced in the late 1970s. Despite a 13-year age difference as well as divergent interests, the couple became engaged in February 1981. The public took a strong liking to his shy, former kindergarten teacher fiancée; they found her more accessible than the reserved prince. They were married on July 29, 1981, in a lavish ceremony that was broadcast around the world and watched millions of people.

Divorce and Tragedy

Charles and Diana had two children together. Their first son, Arthur Philip Louis, was born on June 21, 1982, and their second son nry "Harry" Charles Albert David, was born on September 15, 1984. Unfortunately, their common love for their children was not enough to hold the fairy tale marriage together.