The 10 worst African economies

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Far from "African economic miracle”, some African countries accumulate deficits that are often compounded by disastrous political crises delays. African economic miracle?  No, the continent's economy is not at its best in 2011. The Arab revolutions, the political crisis in Côte d' Ivoire, or the rising price of oil and the resulting inflation, are all reasons why the African Development Bank (ADB ) have to provide an economic slowdown this year .

African economies

The 54 continental states are not all in the same boat. The 2011 ranking in Forbes magazine, which takes into account the whole world, puts Madagascar in the lead of the worst economic damage of the past three years. The Big Island started to sink in 2009, in a political crisis that caused a decline in growth.

To achieve this , Forbes list of the 10 countries in the world that currently have the lowest rate of growth of real gross domestic product ( GDP) (source: CIA World Factbook ) . The same ranking is based on projections by the International Monetary Fund [PDF] (IMF) in 2011, and the rate of corruption (PDF) measured by Transparency International. Because it “affects the whole economic development, not just income," stated a member of the NGO to Forbes.

It is set below as a ranking, not the "worst" world economies such as Forbes, but the "worst" African economies. However, the method is the same as the U.S. magazine: it is based on the clues provided by the CIA, the IMF, the World Bank and Transparency International. In addition, the Human Development Index [PDF] (HDI) is also taken into account. It is calculated by the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP) from the national averages of life expectancy, level of education and standard of living (GDP per capita).

As noted by the author of the Forbes article, Daniel Fisher, do not be surprised not to see it include Somalia. As well as holding the sad record of the most corrupt, it also has indicators showing they are economically and technologically, a less advanced country , however, Somalia now has a more stable GDP growth than in many countries in the "top 10" below.

01 . Republic of Cote D'Ivoire

The post-election crisis in the former powerhouse of West Africa is a major blow to the economy. Already affected by a financial downturn since the end of the civil war in 2003, the growth of the Ivorian GDP, according to the IMF, collapsed drastically. As exporters of cocoa, the country's economic strength had been interrupted during the crisis. After the arrest of incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo on 11 April, the country hoped to find a positive growth from 2012. In this context , France has to remain the " partner of the Ivory Coast ".

9 . Benin

The country was on track until the economic crisis divided the growth in Benin by half. The country's GDP fell dramatically from 2010 due to the world financial crisis. However, the country can rely on the production of cotton, its main strength to regain the ranks.

The economic deterioration of Benin is also embodied in the waves of protests following the re-election of incumbent President Boni Yayi in March 2011. It has been accused of over-indebting of the country by "using public money for electioneering purposes," noted the journalist Marcus Boni Teiga .

8 . Lesotho

The economy of this small southern Africa depends almost entirely of South Africa, where it is locked. Lesotho is however rich in its main natural resource: water, which they sell to the neighboring countries and it's allows them to be independent to 90% in terms of power.

Despite rapid economic growth, the country maintains a low HDI. The failure of the State worsened in 2011 and the country is the 12th least developed state in the world (LDCs).

7 . Eritrea

The second newest state in Africa, which became independent in 1991, It's economy has suffered from the long-term conflict, that opposed to Ethiopia between 1998 and 2000. It is based primarily on subsistence farming.

To take advantage of the situation, the Front for Democracy and Justice Isaias Afewerki (the single party of the president) expressed their “desire to install a true market economy” in Eritrea, wrote to the CIA World Fact-book - the country is actually very favorable of plans to privatize enterprise economy.

6 . Comoros

The islands of the Indian Ocean are the second poorest country in the world in terms of GDP, after Sao Tome and Principe. Growth is expected to stagnate in 2011.

The inhabitants live by fishing and subsistence farming. The Comoros archipelago is rich in vanilla, cloves and ylang -ylang . However, it struggles to feed itself . Thus, remittances from the diaspora actively support the economy.

In addition, the country's president Ikilikou Dhoinine is among the top 20 most corrupt political states.

5. Swaziland

Despite an average HDI, it is difficult to say that the economy is doing well. It is based mainly on the export of sugar. Such as Lesotho, Swaziland is dependent on South Africa, to which it exports 60 % of its production.

IMF projections for this small landlocked country are dire. The country is ranked 8th by taking into account all the continents (Forbes).

4 . Guinea

The Guinean economy has suffered from mismanagement of the military junta in 2009, which led to inflation, corruption and named them the most failed in the world at the head of states.

But Guinea has abundant natural resources it holds two-thirds of the world's bauxite reserves, but also has gold, diamonds, and a large hydro-power potential.

The return to political stability, with Alpha Conde, the first democratically elected president in December 2010 is expected to restart the economy.

3 . Angola

Angola the ex-Portuguese colony, which is part of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since 2006, derives most of its income from oil. This sector contributes to effect 85% of GDP. But the growth rate of the country has fallen drastically, mainly because of lower oil prices.

On the other hand , Angola is the sixth most corrupt country in Africa , according to Transparency International and has a human development index despite a low gross national income ( GNI) per capita high - reflecting a particularly unequal distribution of wealth .

2 . Equatorial Guinea

The two "firsts" in this ranking have in common a negative GDP growth these last years. Such as Angola, the country has suffered from the decline in oil prices. It is also the fifth most corrupt country in Africa.

The great paradox is that Equatorial Guinea is one of the highest GDP per capita in the world thanks to oil revenues capita, but is among the least developed countries (LDCs) under the poverty of the population.

1 . Madagascar

All the economic indicators of the Big Island are currently in the red : negative growth, a low HDI , a low per capita GNI , a failed state and a crisis of confidence on the part of foreign investors from the takeover of the former mayor of the capital.

The economic potential of Madagascar is untapped despite abundant natural resources. In the countryside, the population still lives on shifting cultivation, exacerbating the problem of deforestation on the coasts and in natural reserves, tourists are expected, and more generally, the forces of the country prefer to wait for the return to political stability to engage in projects.

20 outstanding facts about our planet

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Papua New Guinea - Languages 

The country with the largest number of languages s Papua New Guinea. Although English is the official language, and is spoken by only 2% of the population. In this state of Oceania over 820 different languages re used, representing 12% of all the world's language.

Lying just south of the equator, 160km north of Australia, Papua New Guinea is part of a great arc of mountains stretching from Asia, through Indonesia and into the South Pacific. With a vibrant and colourful Papua New Guinea culture, more than 600 islands and 800 indigenous languages

Tokyo - Most populated city

The world's most populous city since 1965 is Tokyo metropolitan.

This modern and amazingly organized metropolitan city has a population of 37 million. Tōkyō (東京) is the capital of Japan. Tokyo is the core of the most populated urban area in the world, Greater Tokyo. This huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.

Vatican City - Least populous city

The city and least populated country in the world is the State of the Vatican City, or Holy See, with only 842 inhabitants. 

Vatican City State was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. These were ratified on June 7th 1929. Its nature as a sovereign State distinct from the Holy See is universally recognized under international law...

Death Valley in California - Warmest place

The warmest place in the world, according to the World Meteorological Organization, is the national park Death Valley in California, USA, where the temperature in July 10, 1913 was recorded a temperature of 56.7 ° C. 

The Death Valley National Park is a United States National Park that is located primarily in the Southern California Desert, with a small portion extending into Nevada. Many potential visitors ignore the park due to the misconception that it is simply a lifeless, empty landscape, but this 3.4 million acre (14,000 km2) park is not only the largest national park in the contiguous 48 States of the USA (although Adirondack state park in NY is larger) but also arguably one of the most striking specimens of Mother Earth. Nearly every major geological era is elegantly exposed here in what sometimes appears to be one of her greatest tapestries, gloriously presenting her full spectrum.

Eastern Antarctic - Coldest place

According to scientists, East Antarctic Plateau is the coldest place on earth that has a record low temperature ranging between minus 92 and minus 94 degrees Celsius (minus 134 to minus 137 degrees Fahrenheit).

The place is located on the highest section of a 1,000km-long swath of a remote ice plateau in East Antarctica, scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) revealed.

The temperature was recorded between 2003 and 2013 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor on board Nasa's Aqua satellite and during the 2013 Southern Hemisphere winter by Nasa's and US Geological Survey's new satellite, Landsat 8.

The record low temperature breaks previous record of minus 89.2 degrees Celsius (minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit) measured in 1983 at the Vostok Research Station in East Antarctica.

Malta - Largest number of citizens outside its borders

The country with the largest number of citizens outside its borders is Malta. This is due to several waves of emigration caused by the economic crisis and the sharp increase in the birth rate. 

Malta is a group of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Only the three largest islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited. The terrain is low and rocky with coastal cliffs.

Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilizations with a history stretching back thousands of years.

Tokyo - Richest city

The richest city in the world is the capital of Japan, Tokyo, with a GDP of about 205,554,000 dollars. Great things come from small beginnings, or so the old adage goes. And it is the case for Tokyo, Japan. The city’s origins start from being a little fishing village and becoming the country’s seat of power when  Tokugawa Ieyasu ascended to power as Shogun and chose Edo as the location of his headquarters. Edo is the former name of Tokyo. The city suffered a turbulent past – an earthquake in 1923 almost levelled the city which was also the receiving end of extensive bomb runs during the Second World War. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, Tokyo went to rebuild and grew into the most progressive city in the world today. Tokyo’s leading industries are electronics, telecommunications and publishing.

Kinshasa - Poorest city

The world's poorest city is the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, with a GDP of just $ 55,000. Its people trying to survive on less than a dollar a day. 

The African country generated up to 70% of its export revenue from minerals in the 1970s and 1980s, and was particularly hit when resource prices deteriorated at that time. By 2005, 90% of the DRC's revenues derived from its minerals (Exenberger and Hartmann 2007:10). The country's woes mean that, despite its potential, its citizens are among the poorest people on earth, the Congolese being consistently assigned the lowest, or near lowest, nominal GDP per capita in the world. The DRC is also one of the twenty lowest ranked countries on the Corruption Perception Index.

Desert in northern Chile - Driest place

The driest place in the world is the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. From October 1903 to January 1918 not one single drop of rain was registered in the area, setting the record for the longest period without rainfall in the world.

Northern Chile is home to the world’s most arid desert and its salt flats, hot springs and geysers as well as large deposits of copper and other minerals and mines in Chuquicamata, Calama and other parts of the altiplano. It also boasts fertile ravines and oases whose unique fruits make for excellent culinary tours and is inhabited by some of the country’s native peoples. Both Incan and Spanish influences can be seen in its villages and religious festivities, which attract visitors throughout the year.

Puerto Lopez - Wettest place

The wettest place on earth is the small Colombian fishing village, Puerto Lopez, who, according to the Colombian National Weather Service receives 12,892 mm of annual rainfall.

The precipitation data for Puerto Lopez began in April 1960 and continues to date although we do not have statistics for the site later than February 2012. However, looking at the data for the last official POR (period of record) 1981-2010 there is data for all but five of the 360 months (the missing months were Nov-Dec 1999, Nov 2003, and June-July 2004). Even without those months the average annual precipitation for the 30-year POR came to 12,897.6 mm (507.78”). This works out to an average monthly rainfall of 1,074.8 mm (42.31”). If we calculate that this may have been the amount of rainfall for those five missing months then the average annual rainfall for the 30-year POR (1981-2010) would be slightly higher at 13,076.8 mm (514.83”). For the 1971-2000 POR the average was drier with 12,189 mm (479.88”). However, these earlier POR’s had many more months missing than the latest 1981-2010 POR so the figures are more of an estimation using average monthly rainfall figures.

Singapore - Most expensive city

Replacing Tokyo, which topped the list in 2013. The most expensive city on the planet today is Singapore, leaving behind another Asian giant, Tokyo. For example, cars in Singapore are worth 4 or 6 times more than the same model cars in the USA and in the United Kingdom.

Singapore has topped 131 cities globally to become the world's most expensive city to live in 2014, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

The city's strong currency combined with the high cost of running a car and soaring utility bills contributed to Singapore topping the list.

It is also the most expensive place in the world to buy clothes. 

Other cities making up the top five most expensive cities to live in are Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney, with Tokyo falling to sixth place. 

Mumbai - Cheapest city

The world's cheapest and at the same time richest city in India is Mumbai. For example, bread in this city cost 91 cents compared to $ 3.36 in Singapore.

In a finding that may baffle many Indians, Mumbai has emerged as the world's cheapest city to live in, followed closely by New Delhi at third place.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2014 'Worldwide Cost of Living' survey, Singapore, on the other end of the spectrum, is the world's most expensive city.

The reason for the Indian cities scoring high on the lower end is attributed to inequality between the richest and poorest in India's major cities which keeps wages and prices low, while spending is also stifled by government subsidies.

The 'Worldwide Cost of Living' is a twice-yearly EIU survey that compares more than 400 individual prices across 160 products and services.  These include food, drink, clothing, household supplies and personal care items, home rents, transport, utility bills, private schools, domestic help and recreational costs.

Damascus - Oldest city

The oldest city in the world is the Syrian capital, Damascus, with a history of over 11,000 years blending cultures and eras.

Founded in the 3rd millennium B.C., Damascus is the oldest city in the world. In the Middle Ages, it was the centre of a flourishing craft industry, specializing in swords and lace. The city has some 125 monuments from different periods of its history – one of the most spectacular is the 8th-century Great Mosque of the Umayyads, built on the site of an Assyrian sanctuary.

London - Most visited city

The most visited city in the world is London, which receives over 18 million tourists a year filling the coffers of the country with 19,000 million dollars annually.

London has overtaken Paris to become the most popular city with foreign tourists in the world, after a bumper 2013 saw it receive more visitors than ever before in its history.

San Pedro Sula - Most dangerous city

The most dangerous city in the world is San Pedro Sula, Honduras, recording at least three homicides a day. The murder rate here is 169.30 cases per 100,000 population, with a total population of 719,447 people.

Hundreds of murders sparked by gangs and drug cartels in San Pedro Sula, where the economy is weak and poverty is rampant

The city is followed by Acapulco, Mexico, and Caracas, Venezuela. In the last three years, Honduran prosecutors have received over 200 formal complaints about death squad-style killings

Police have long been accused of operating more like assassins than law enforcement officers in Honduras, but few cases have been investigated

Monaco - Highest life expectancy

The tiny tax haven of Monaco - with its notoriously wealthy inhabitants and compulsory state-funded health service - has the highest life expectancy at an average of 89.68 years, five years higher than anywhere else on earth, according to the CIA World Factbook. The country with the worst life expectancy is the African state of Chad at a shocking 48.69 years.

Life expectancy in America ranks 51st in the CIA's table at 78.49 years - lower than Canada (81.48), Australia (81.90), New Zealand (80.71), Japan (83.91), the UK (80.17) and much of Europe.


Sierra Leone - Shortest life expectancy

Sierra Leone, or the Republic of Sierra Leone (its official name), is a country located in West Africa. Its borders include Guinea (northeast), Liberia (southeast), and the Atlantic Ocean (southwest). It is a Constitutional Republic, has a directly elected president, and is a Unicameral Legislature. It is also further divided into four regions namely the Eastern Province, Northeastern Province, Southern Province, and Western Area. These regions are subdivided into 14 different districts. Freetown is the largest city here and it is also the capital. Sierra Leone has a life expectancy at birth of 41.24 years.

Canada - Most educated population

According to the Education at a Glance 2012 report issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Canada maintains its leadership as the world's most educated country. In fact, the percentage of our population with a tertiary education has risen from 40 per cent in 2000 to 51 per cent in 2012. In 2010, when the report was last issued, Canada was the only country with more than half its population having tertiary (post graduate and graduate) education. It remains as such.
 
"Canada has managed to become a world leader in education without being a leader in education spending, which totaled just 6.1 per cent of GDP in 2009, or less than the 6.3 per cent average for the OECD," said a summary that appeared in Wall St. 24/7. 

Nigeria - Most unstable country

The most unstable country in the world is Nigeria as their GDP, level of violence, unemployment and corruption.

Growing levels of conflict, terrorism, higher chance for social unrest to exacerbate economical instability, and the toppling of regimes in Nigeria, as well as political violence and instability both in the country's security and human rights aspects, are driving a rise in political instability in the country.

Norway - Most prosperous country 

The most prosperous country in the world is the scandinavian country Norway. The country leapt five places in the index's Entrepreneurship and Opportunity category, after it saw rapid development in internet bandwidth and per capita mobile phone ownership. But it saw a worsening performance in the safety and security category, dropping four places to sixth place.

27 Amazing Places To Visit Before You Die

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27 / The Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole is a world-class destination for recreational scuba divers attracted by the opportunity to dive in crystal-clear waters and see myriad species of marine life including tropical fish and spectacular coral formations. The marine life in these areas includes nurse sharks, giant groupers, and several types of reef sharks such as the Caribbean reef shark and the Blacktip shark. Dive excursions to the Great Blue Hole are full-day trips, that usually consist of one dive in the Blue Hole and two additional dives in nearby reefs.

26 / Tulip fields, Netherlands

From the end of March until the second week of May the flowers in the bulb fields bloom. It goes without saying that the exact period depends on the weather. Generally speaking, the best time is the second half of April. At the end of March the crocus season starts. The daffodils and early and small tulips are next, from the beginning of April. From mid-April the daffodils and the hyacinths bloom. Finally, from mid April until the first week in May the tulips show off their glorious colors.

The bright red, pink and yellow colors are overwhelmingly beautiful and are a must see, or should we say, a must experience!

Olgysha / Shutterstock

Olgysha / Shutterstock

25 / Zhangye Danxia landform, Gansu, China

Large areas of northwestern China are sparsely populated, and contain stunning scenic locations unheard of by outsiders. On this trip, the highlight is the Danxia Landform of Zhangye—magnificently multi-coloured mountains, valleys, hills, and cliffs that ripple away towards the horizon. While facilities can be rustic and flights expensive, visits to these remote, off-the-beaten track areas are very worthwhile. You’ll be going somewhere comparatively few people have gone before, and you’ll see things in a more natural state, before the inevitable development for tourism.

1. Zhangye Danxia en Gansu, China.jpg

24 / The Hang Son Doong cave, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam

on Doong cave(Vietnamese: Hang Son Doong) is world's largest cave, located in Son Trach, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh province, Vietnam. It is found by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1991 and was recently discovered in 2009 by British cavers, led by Howard Limbert. The name "Son Doong" cave means "mountain river cave", It was created 2-5 million years ago by river water eroding away the limestone underneath the mountain Where the limestone was weak, the ceiling collapsed creating huge skylights. Son Doong cave is more than 200 meters wide, 150 meters high, and approx 9 kilometers long, with caverns big enough to fit an entire city street inside them, twice as large as Deer Cave in Malaysia (currently considered the world's largest with 90 meters wide, 100 meters high and 2 kilometers long). Son Doong cave was classified as the largest cave in the world by BCRA (British Cave Research Association).

CARSTEN PETER/National Geographic Creative

CARSTEN PETER/National Geographic Creative

23 / Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki, Japan

Hitachi Seaside Park, located in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, next to the Ajigaura Beach, is a flower park and a popular tourist destination. The park covers an area of .5 hectares and the flowers are amazing all year round. Each season you will find a different variety of flower blossoming over the "Miharashi No Oka", a hill commanding a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The park is particularly famous for blue nemophilas. Nemophilas are annual flowers with transparent blue petals. During spring, more than 4.5 million blue nemophilas bloom all over the park. The blooming period is called “Nemophilia Harmony” and attracts many visitors.

22 / Mendenhall Ice Caves of Juneau in Alaska, United States

Beautiful cave, simply the easy way to visit a glacier. Totally worth the Kayak trip in and the ice climbing over the Glacier. You need an experienced guide. Ice gear, warm layers etc. No food or bathroom once you leave the shore.

Flickr: 25949441@N02

Flickr: 25949441@N02

21 / Mount Roraima in Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana

Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pakaraima mountain chain in South America and one of the world’s most extraordinary natural geological formations. The 31 square kilometer summit area of Mount Roraima is defined by 400 meter tall cliffs on all sides and includes the borders of Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana. The tabletop mountains of the Pakaraima’s are considered some of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to over two billion years ago.  

20 / Ancient Region of Anatolia in Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is the ancient name of a large region in the center of Anatolia, although when we speak of Cappadocia today we refer specifically to the valleys of Goreme and Urgup, with their natural pinnacles and rock churches. In this survey of Cappadocia’s historical geography, the region will be examined in its entirety.

Ancient Anatolia or Asia Minor, the large peninsula where modern Turkey is located, consists of several regions. One of the most important was Cappadocia. Originally this region encompassed today’s provinces of Kirsehir, Nevsehir, Aksaray, Nigde, Kayseri, Malatya, the eastern part of Ankara, the southern parts of Yozgat and Sivas, and the northern part of Adana. 

Flickr: blieusong

Flickr: blieusong

19 / Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island, Maldives

Vaadhoo Island is one of the popular group of islands which are considered as the heaven on Earth.This island has lots of surprises,specialties which are revealed at night time.The splendid water in the sea just looks like a reflection in the mirror reflecting the stars sparkling from above the sky.

The Vaadhoo Island is located on the equator to the south west of Sri Lanka in Indian Ocean of Maldives which is a unique place for an unforgettable experience which is inhabited in the Raa Atoll Island.This contains of many number of islets which spreads over 900,000 square kilometers and they are decorated with white sand and surrounded by warm waters with rich marine life.

DOUG PERRINE/Barcroft Media /Landov

DOUG PERRINE/Barcroft Media /Landov

18 / Victoria Falls, bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia in Africa

"Victoria" — is one of the most spectacular attractions of Africa and one of the most unusual waterfalls in the world. It is created by the Zambezi River that suddenly plummets into a narrow, 100-meters deep chasm. At the same time, Victoria — is the only waterfall in the world that is over one kilometer wide and over one hundred meters deep. 

Its roar can be heard from 40 kilometers away, while the spray and mist from the falling water rises up to 400 meters and is visible from the distance of 50 kilometers. Even the rainbows are incredible here — they are of the "moon" kind: produced by the light reflected off the surface of the Moon.

17 / Trolltunga, Hordaland, Norway

Trolltunga is a spectacular example of the geological oddities that dot the Norwegian landscape.
The fittingly named 'Troll's Tongue' sticks out of a vertical mountain side above a 350m drop. It offers a magnificent view of Skjeggedal near town of Odda.
The location is far less know than some other spectacular geological oddities in Norway, and therefore, much less crowded, however still quite accessible. You can take a funicular up part of the way, though it isn't always functioning. It is roughly a 3-4 hour hike to the 'trolls tongue'.

Flickr: opedal

Flickr: opedal

16 / Whitehaven Beach at Whitsunday Island in Australia

As soon as you step onto the gleaming white sand of Whitehaven Beach, you’ll agree with similarly smitten visitors who’ve named it one of the world’s best beaches.

Whitsunday Island’s famous beach stretches for 7 kilometres, washed by the sea’s rainbow swirls of turquoise, blue, green and azure. That stunning contrast of crystal-clear sea and bright white sand is due to Whitehaven’s sparkling white grains of sand, made up of 98 per cent pure white silica.

15 / The Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States

The Grand Canyon is on almost every traveler's bucket list. Indeed, Theodore Roosevelt called it "the one great sight which every American should see." The Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails offer stunning views, but if hiking's not your cup of tea, rent a bicycle or take a scenic drive through the park.

14 / Marble Caves at General Carrera Lake in Patagonia, Argentina and Chile

Carved into the Patagonian Andes, the Cuevas de Mármol are located on a peninsula of solid marble bordering Lake General Carrera, a remote glacial lake that spans the Chile-Argentina border. 
Formed by 6,000-plus years of waves washing up against calcium carbonate, the smooth, swirling blues of the cavern walls are a reflection of the lake's azure waters, which change in intensity and hue, depending on water levels and time of year. 
Located far from any road, the caves are accessible only by boat. Thirty minute tours are operated by a local company, weather and water conditions permitting.

13 / Tunnel of Love, Klevan, Ukraine

Tunnel of Love is a beautiful spot in Klevan, Ukraine. A three kilometer railway section leads to the fibreboard factory.

The train goes three times a day and delivers wood to the factory. However, the trees make a green corridor, which attracts many couples, as well as photographers for its eye catching avenue.

It is said that if you and your beloved come to the Tunnel of Love and sincerely make a wish, it will come true. This might be a new romantic place to discover.

12 / Salar De Uyuni in the Potosí and Oruro departments of southwest Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, located in Bolivia. Photographers flock here to capture the unique landscape. It is often visited as part of a 3 or 4 day tour of South West Bolivia, described below.

Salar de Uyuni comprises over 10,000km² in the Potosi region. The salt is over 10 meters thick in the centre. In the dry season, the salt plains are a completely flat expanse of dry salt, but in the wet season, it is covered with a thin sheet of water that is still drivable.
The standard tour heads south toward the southwest corner of Bolivia, by many fluorescent-coloured lakes that are created from a collection of different minerals from runoff from the surrounding mountains.

11 / Enchanted Well at Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, Brazil

Take a landscape of mesas, weird and fantastic rock formations aboveground, a system of quartzite caves with crystal clear lakes and underground rivers, and you have the setting for some of the wildest eco-adventures in Brazil.

Add in an historical diamond boom, prospectors, natural monuments and you have the 152,000 hectare Chapada Diamantina national park in the northeast state of Bahia. . Orient yourself with this interactive map from Expedia.

10 / Antelope Canyon in Arizona, United States

The sprawling Navajo Nation has no shortage of magical places, but the most photogenic might be Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, located just outside Page, Arizona. They are a testament to the power of water and time, as over the years, flash flooding has created deep, gorgeous passageways—called slot canyons—that you can walk through.

9 / Mount Everest, Nepal

Being famous worldwide for being the worlds tallest mountain (26,035 ft.), beauty can easily be found in the towering view of Mount Everest. The Tibetan word for this peak is Chomolungma which translates to “Mother of the Universe”. For those brave and capable enough to reach its peak and witness its unbelievable views first hand, the phrase “mother of the universe” is definitely fitting for a mountain as grand and mighty as Everest, perhaps one of natures most impressive creations. For those willing to push themselves to the edge to experience beauty, Mount Everest will provide a reward that is definitely worth the effort required.

Mount_Everest.jpg

8 / The Sundarban, Southren Bangladesh

The Sundarban is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The forest lies in the vast delta on the Bay of Bengal formed by the super confluence of Padma, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers across Southren Bangladesh It is a world heritage site announced by UNSCO. The natural diversity of this jungle is also very majestic. About 70% of the jungle is located in Bangladesh and rest of jungle area is in India. 

The Sundarbans.jpg

7 / Largest cedar forest in the world, Middle Atlas, Morocco

Atlas cedars are justifiably famous. The largest and most beautiful plantings are in the central Middle Atlas, from Ifrane to Zad Pass, covering about 75,000 ha. There were far more of them in the past, but exploitation, aggravated by overgrazing goats, caused severe damage until the decision was taken in 1916 to protect the forest. Don't miss the "Gouraud cedar", identifiable by its huge candelabra-shaped branch, with a circumference of nearly 10m at the base.

Pristine snow.jpg

6 / To Sua Ocean Trench, Lotofaga village on the south coast of Upolu, Samoa

Tosua actually means a “Gigantic Swimming Hole”. It is believed  that lava field blow holes making thees tide pools and walking paths along the shore and near the ocean’s edge. it is about 30 meters down from the ground level, one must climb down a long ladder to the natural pool. The pool is situated close to Lotofaga, which is a village on the south coast of Upolu island in Samoa. 

5 / Bamboo groves of Arashiyama in Kyoto, Japan

If you’ve been planning a trip to Kyoto, you’ve probably seen pictures of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – along with the torii tunnels of Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine and Kinkaku-ji Temple, it’s one of the most photographed sights in the city. But no picture can capture the feeling of standing in the midst of this sprawling bamboo grove – the whole thing has a palpable sense of otherness that is quite unlike that of any normal forest we know of.

4 / Glowworm Caves in Waitomo, New Zealand

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, located just outside the main Waitomo township on the North Island of New Zealand, is a famous attraction because of a sizeable population of glowworms that live in the caves. Glowworms or Arachnocampa luminosa are tiny, bioluminescent creatures that produce a blue-green light and are found exclusively in New Zealand.

3 / Sands of Time, Western Sahara, Morocco

A fount of solitude and the desert of childhood imaginings, the Sahara Desert is like nowhere else on earth. It is the world’s largest desert, at once continental in its scale and exquisite in its detail, from a sand sea the size of a small European country to an orange sand dune sculpted to perfection by the wind.  The southern province of Morocco, the western sahara is just where this amazing gold dunes desert mixes with the atlantic sea, a desert covering a territory roughly equivalent to the United States, the Sahara crosses around 20 lines of longitude and encompasses at least ten countries.

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2 / Cenotes of Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

A cenote is a natural phenomenon, a sinkhole in the Earth’s surface. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico has an estimated 7,000 cenotes because it is primarily made up of porous limestone. For millions of years, rainfall slowly ate away at the limestone and a huge system of underground caves and caverns was formed. Many filled with water from rain or from the underground water table. When the roof of a water filled cave collapses, a cenote is born. The water found in a cenote may be fresh water, salt water, or both. Structurally it may be completely open, like a lake, almost completely closed with just a small opening at the top, or somewhere in between.

Cenotes of Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.jpg

1 / Kelimutu crater lakes, Flores Island, Indonesia

Kelimutu is a small, but well-known volcano in central Flores Island of Indonesia, close to the small town of Moni about 50 km to the east of Ende. At the summit of the volcano there are three crater lakes of varying colors. Although they share the crest of the same volcano and are practically side-by-side, the lakes periodically change colors from red and brown to turquoise and green, independent of each other. The peculiar colors and thick mist surrounding the volcano have earned Kelimutu a supernatural reputation.

Local villages believe that the spirits of the dead go to rest in one of the lakes based upon the deeds performed on Earth. Consequently, the lakes are named Tiwi Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Lake of Evil Sprits, or Enchanted Lake).

Top 30 best movie posters of science fiction

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Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, Terminator or Avatar are just some of the big titles that introduced us into worlds where adventure is a way of life.  

The coincidence of Transformers: The era of extinction and Guardians of the Galaxy, without forgeting Elysium, Pacific Rim, Prometheus, Godzilla, Star Trek...   

Science fiction has never gone away, but now it seems more topical than ever with this avalanche of titles and, in particular, the promise of that Star Wars Episode VII that many see as a rematch, or a settling of accounts with respect to Lucas prequels. 

To celebrate this new golden age of the genre we present a selection of 30 posters of some of the most iconic films the last 40 years. The list could be extended to 40, 50 or 100. Who are your favorite posters? Enjoy and may the Force be with you.

The 10 largest cities in the world

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This is a list of the world's largest cities in population, ordered by several ranking methods. Determining the world's largest cities depends on which definitions of "city" and "size" are used, and how those definitions are applied. The "size" of a city can refer to its land area, but it is more typically the population.

How one defines the land area of a city, however, is key to determining its population. 

1) Tokyo, Japan

Metropolitan area: 34 million people Population: 12.5 million Tokyo is by far the largest urban area in the world. Despite its size and complexity, it has a network of highly efficient public transport accounting for nearly 80% of all megalopolis daily trips.

2) Mexico City, Mexico

Metropolitan area: 22 million people Population: 8.7 million Mexico is ten times larger than what it was in 1940. Now, with nearly 22 million people in the metropolitan area, the Mexican capital contributes about a quarter to the country's wealth. However, with a low population growth of 0.99%, it is expected that the number of retirees will grow rapidly in the coming decades.

3) New York, United States

Metropolitan Area: 21.9 million people Population: 8.2 million New York City, especially Manhattan, is a role model for balancing dense development with good public transport and access to open spaces. Different in many ways, New York is the American city where most households do not have a car.

4) Sao Paulo, Brazil

Metropolitan Area: 19.6 million people City: 11 million people Sao Paulo, the sixth largest metropolis in the world, is also the richest city in Brazil and the most important financial center in Latin America. Poverty and crime, however, remain a big problem. An average of 6,000 people is killed each year.

5) Shanghai, China

Metropolitan Area: 17.8 million people Population: 9.8 million people With the increase of interior gross production and the economic capacity of China, Shanghai has become the financial and commercial center of the country with one of the world’s busiest ports largest bus system, with about a thousand lines.

6) Jakarta, Indonesia

Metropolitan area: 15 million people Population: 9.3 million Jakarta had to suffer major setbacks during the last decade due to the 1998 economic crisis and natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Since 2005, Jakarta has experienced a significant economic recovery, boosting the economy of Indonesia to a growth rate of 6%.

7) Moscow, Russia

Metropolitan Area: 13.4 million people Population: 11.3 million people For the second consecutive time, Moscow was named the most expensive city for expatriates in 2007. With a subway passenger whose amount exceeds that of New York and London combined, it is considered the public transport network the most widely used, circulating more than 9 million people a day.

8) Seoul, South Korea

Metropolitan Area: 23.9 million people Population: 10.3 million Seoul has grown rapidly since the war between the two Koreas (1950-1953). Today, almost half of the population lives in Seoul and its suburbs. In recent years, Seoul has modernized the transport system of the city and created a lot of public green spaces.

9) Mumbai, India

Metropolitan area: 21 million people City: 13 million people Mumbai -also known as Bombay until the name was officially changed in 1995- is the most populous city in the world. With high birth rates and the constant influx of immigrants, it is expected that the population of this city will experience a tremendous growth over the next ten years.

10) Los Angeles, United States

Metropolitan Area: 17.9 million people Population: 3.9 million Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States for its size in square kilometers. It has an extensive network of roads, streets, avenues and small neighbourhoods in the center of the city.

The 12 cleanest cities in the world

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Following the huge population growth and overexploitation of natural resources during the last 30 years, the world has experienced severe environmental degradation, fortunately, we are witnessing a global trend to take measures against the impact of climate change.

Applying this concept especially in cities, we developed what is known sustainable urbanism. Some of the cleanest cities in the world include in their environmental programs strategies for economic growth and job creation.

Beyond the beauty of the natural and urban landscapes, culture or even food, there are enough reasons to visit these cities; cleanliness is a bonus that we can not ignore. Each year we take a quality of life surveys that take into account factors such as water availability, waste removal, sewage systems, air pollution and traffic density. Based on this information, we list below the cleanest cities in the world.  

Brisbane Australia

12) Brisbane (Australia)

Area: 2,297 sq miles (5,950 km²) 
Founded: 1824 
Weather: 75°F (24°C), Wind NE at 1 mph (2 km/h), 72% Humidity
Population: 2.043 million (2010)

It is the third largest city in Australia. It is organized, clean and secure. Living in Brisbane is a privilege for its high quality of life globally recognized. Although it is not next to the ocean, the municipality is responsible for creating an artificial beach across the river in front of the city centre. This area is called Southbank and is very popular among locals and tourists. There are many weekend activities such as art fairs and cycling races.

Curitiba Brazil

11) Curitiba (Brazil)

Area: 166.4 sq miles (430.9 km²) 
Weather: 68°F (20°C), Wind N at 4 mph (6 km/h), 94% Humidity 
Population: 1.752 million (2010).

Curitiba is not only an ecological model for the world, but also a city populated by people with a different reasoning that we might call environmental mindset. It is a city that recycles even spaces while mixing them with culture. The wooden posts that were once used to power lines now support a majestic building: the Free University of Environment. In Curitiba, environmental awareness is supported by government and society. Its people have changed their outlook on life and have emerged with a general motivation based on developments in harmony with the environment.

Singapore

10) Singapore

Area: 274.1 sq miles (710 km²) 
Weather: 83°F (28°C), Wind E at 9 mph (14 km/h), 70% Humidity 
Population: 5.312 million (2012) World Bank 
Official languages: English Language, Malay Language, Tamil, Standard Mandarin.

Singapore The Cleanest city in Asia. Singapore is very popular with its cleanest and safety. Yes, that is why you really want to go to Singapore. Singapore is the model in Asia for what a modern city look like. It is clean, it is structured, it is comfortable, and it is safe. This lion city will give you all the amazing experiences that will make you fell the fun all the time during your time at this city. However there is a big warning for you to keep your attitude clean at this city. There is a myth, that if you carelessly spited at this beautiful city, the cop would arrest you. Well it is  a myth of this lion city, you better prove it yourself. Go here with your friend, pay his or her accommodation but she or he has to spited carelessly. See when the cop arrest your friend. Sound nasty and fun isn’t it?

Iceland

9) Reykjavik (Iceland)

Area: 106 sq miles (274.5 km²) 
Founded: 1786 
Weather: 37°F (3°C), Wind E at 10 mph (16 km/h), 45% Humidity 
Population: 118,488 (2010).

The purity of its air and high environmental awareness of the population reflect the fact that it is one of the cities with lowest car density of in the world per square kilometer.

Ottawa

8) Ottawa (Canada)

Area: 1,073 sq miles (2,778 km²) / Weather: 24°F (-4°C), Wind S at 1 mph (2 km/h), 69% Humidity / Population: 883,391 (2011).

A city expert in environment care, chosen by UNESCO as the ideal place to test its eco city Biosphere. Recycling programs are advanced, in addition to being one of the most beautiful and clean cities.

Kobe

7) Kobe (Japan)

Area: 213.2 sq miles (552.3 km²) / Weather: 43°F (6°C), Wind N at 13 mph (21 km/h), 58% Humidity / Population: 1.544 million (2010).

The city has a drainage system independent of the waste water that prevents severe storms from affecting residual storm water treatment. She stands in a privileged place concerning life expectancy and culture.

Adelaide

6) Adelaide (Australia)

Area: 213.2 sq miles (552.3 km²) / Weather: 43°F (6°C), Wind N at 13 mph (21 km/h), 58% Humidity / Population: 1.544 million (2010).

The city has one of the best urban designs of the country. In Adelaide, you have access to one of the largest wine regions, beaches and national parks of Australia. The city center is surrounded by green areas and contains historic buildings, wide streets, cafes and restaurants. The region has moved away from dependence on landfill as part of its strategic plan for 2007 to minimize waste and encourage recycling.

Wellington

5) Wellington (New Zealand)

Area: 112 sq miles (290 km²) / Weather: 56°F (13°C), Wind SW at 9 mph (14 km/h), 72% Humidity / Population: 200,100 (2011).

The capital of New Zealand is an outright jungle. 33% of people are travelling by bus, a rather interesting number that reduces automobile pollution since most public transport function ecologically. Temperatures are generally high, but the wind can generate enough air to reduce heat.

Honolulu

4) Honolulu (Hawaii)

Area: 68.42 sq miles (177.2 km²) / Weather: 72°F (22°C), Wind NE at 4 mph (6 km/h), 83% Humidity / Population: 374,658 (2009).

The Hawaiian city is the most popular and one of the busiest in the North Pacific. It is notable for its lush colorful vegetation. Although Hawaii has a condition known as "volcanic smog", Honolulu is considered one of the greenest and cleanest cities, with an air of impeccable quality.

Helsinki

3) Helsinki (Finland)

Area: 72.24 sq miles (187.1 km²) / Founded: 1550 / Weather: 37°F (3°C), Wind S at 12 mph (19 km/h), 93% Humidity / Population: 614,074.

Its main feature is the cleanliness. Finns are totally committed to protecting the environment and this is reflected in the city. To reduce the energy of the city to a minimum consumption, a complex system has been designed to generate heat by electricity. It should be noted that temperatures recorded during winter are very low, thus being directly related to energy consumption.

Ifrane Maroc

2) Ifrane (Morocco)

Population: 40,104 / Elevation: 5,460 ft (1,665 m).

Having no industries, the air quality is optimal. It is considered one of the cleanest cities in the world. Ifrane is a stay that you won't forget. It is reminiscent of certain Swiss villages! It is the perfect place to top up your reserves at altitude. When the weather is good, walk close to the Vittel spring and its waterfalls shaded by the poplar and maple trees. Its national park contains one of the largest cedar plantations in the world, where mischievous monkeys, which are used to seeing people, will welcome you. The lakes and rivers are crammed with pike and trout.

Ifrane has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa, -24 °C in 1935. Animals to be found in the vicinity include the threatened Barbary Macaque. Among the local tree species are the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced London plane.

Calgary

1) Calgary (Canada)

Area: 280.5 sq miles (726.5 km²) / Weather: 1°F (-17°C), Wind 0 mph (0 km/h), 79% Humidity / Local time: Sunday 4:21 AM / Population: 988,195 (2006).

Calgary, in Alberta, is the cleanest city in the world! This large "ecological city" is very important for the flow of pure water and the proper use of it. It has a central wastewater purifying up to 100 million litres of water per day. The 75% of the city is powered by renewable energy. It includes a program to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. A city absolutely determined on material recycling.