The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang. For over 2,000 years, an underground army of life-sized terracotta warriors secretly guarded the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, until a chance discovery in 1974 unlocked the mysteries of a vanished empire. The Terracotta Army is part of a much larger necropolis. Ground-penetrating radar and core sampling have measured the area to be approximately 98 square kilometers. The necropolis was constructed as a microcosm of the emperor’s imperial palace or compound, and covers a large area around the tomb mound of the first emperor. The earthen tomb mound is located at the foot of Mount Li and built in a pyramidal shape, and is surrounded by two solidly built rammed earth walls with gateway entrances. The necropolis consists of several offices, halls, stables, other structures as well as an imperial park placed around the tomb mound.
credit: johnsons531
Tags: China, Qin Shi Huangdi, Shaanxi, terra-cotta, Terracotta, terracotta-army, terracotta-warriors, Visiting, Warriors, Xian, xinfeng-town
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Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a seaside city of beautiful islands and great green parks. Officially, the area of Helsinki consists of 2/3 of the Baltic sea and 1/3 of land. The sea area is clustered by 315 islands Sweden’s King Gustavus Vasa founded Helsinki on the mouth of Vantaanjoki River in 1550 to compete with Tallinn for Baltic Sea trade. Helsinki is one of the coldest cities in the world. It does not receive sunshine for about consecutive 51 days in winters. The city has around 101 average annual days of snow and an amazing 169 average annual number of days below 0 Celsius or 32°F. Maple is the symbol of Helsinki and the city uses squirrel as its symbol as well.
Uspenski Cathedral
Parliament House of Finland
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
Main Post Office
Kyösti Kallio and Parliament House of Finland
Finlandiatalo, Finlandia House
Helsinki Music Center, Musiikkitalo
Merihaka buildings
Love Bridge, Katajanokka
Sail Boat
White Church, Tuomiokirkko
Aleksanterinkatu
Main Railway Station
City Center
credit: tomilattu
Tags: city, city center, Finland, finlandia house, Helsinki, helsinki city, kiasma museum, love bridge, parliament house, uspenski cathedral, Visiting
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Corsica is an island and region of France in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of France and west of Italy. The island’s pleasant climate and the beautiful mountain and sea landscapes make it a popular destination among the French and other Western Europeans. Perched atop 200-foot chalk cliffs, The town of Bonifacio lights up the southern tip of Corsica. It is only major harbor of the southern coast. It provides gorgeous views over the Mediterranean Sea.
Bonifacio view from southeastern cliff
Small chapel east of Bonifacio
Bonifacio cemetery
German WWII bunkers in Bonifacio
Heraldry in Bonifacio
Eglise Sainte Marie Majeure in Bonifacio
View on Bonifacio harbour
Fishing boat in harbour of Bonifacio
Limestone cliffs at Bonifacio
Limestone cliffs at Bonifacio
Citadel of Bonifacio
Bonifacio perched on top of limestone cliffs
Bonifacio perched on top of limestone cliffs
credit: paularps
Tags: bonifacio, city, corsica, France, limestone, Mediterranean, Mediterranean Sea, tuscany, Visiting, WWII
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The Tsimanampetsotsa National Park lies in the south-west of Madagascar. The area is known to be one of the most beautiful southern sites of Madagascar. The region covers 90 percent of all species living within the Park. They are endemic to the area. Some features of this environment are 2,000-year-old quat baobab trees, the radiated tortoise, and the Grandidier’s mongoose. It comprises a blue 15-km long saline lake populated by pink and dwarf flamingos and other wading birds. The Emande circuit leads you to visit old tombs and explore the wild landscape where lemurs, reptiles, and water birds are found.
credit: Frank Vassen
Tags: Commerson’s Leaf-nosed Bat, Greater Flamingos, Hipposideros commersoni, Madagascar, Madagaskar, Mahafaly plateau, National, Pachypodium, Park, Radiated Tortoise, See in Madagaskar, Tsimanampetsotsa, Visiting
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