The Maldives (or Maldive Islands), officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation consisting of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is located south of India’s Lakshadweep islands, and about seven hundred kilometres (435 mi) south-west of Sri Lanka. The twenty-six atolls of Maldives’ encompass a territory featuring 1,192 islets, two hundred and fifty islands are inhabited.

The name “Maldives” may derive from Maale Dhivehi Raajje (”The Island Kingdom [under the authority of] Malé”). Some scholars believe that the name “Maldives” derives from the Sanskrit maladvipa, meaning “garland of islands”, or from mahila dvipa, meaning “island of women”, but these names are not found in ancient Sanskrit literature. Instead, classical Sanskrit texts mention the “Hundred Thousand Islands” (Lakshadweepa); a generic name which would include not only the Maldives, but also the Laccadives and the Chagos island groups.[citation needed] Another theory suggests that the name “Maldives” derives from the Tamil “mala tivu” meaning “a garland of islands.” Some medieval Arab travellers such as Ibn Batuta called the islands “Mahal Dibiyat” from the Arabic word Mahal (”palace”).” This is the name presently inscribed in the scroll of the Maldive state emblem.

The inhabitants were Buddhist, probably since Ashoka’s period, in the 3rd century BC. Islam was introduced in 1153. The Maldives came then under the influence of the Portuguese (1558) and the Dutch (1654) seaborne empires. And in 1887 it became a British protectorate.

In 1965, the Maldives obtained independence from Britain (originally under the name “Maldive Islands”), and in 1968 the Sultanate was replaced by a Republic.

The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of population. It is also the smallest predominantly Muslim nation in the world.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives
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Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft). The original name of the island in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning “First Born”; an early transcription found in 18th- and 19th century accounts, is Bolabolla (or “Bollabolla”).

The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon. The products of the island are mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and coconut trees, which were historically of economic importance for copra.

During the August 2007 census, the population on the island was about 8,880 people.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_bora
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According to Dr. Beach, who is director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research. He uses many criteria in selecting the best beaches — for instance; water and sand quality, facilities and environment…etc.

1. Caladesi Island State Park in Clearwater, Dunedin, Fla.

2. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii.

3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.

4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

5. Coronado Beach, San Diego.

6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

7. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii.

8. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.

9. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

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The 45.5 carat Hope Diamond is an exquisite steely blue. Said to be stolen from a statue of an Indian goddes, it has passed through the hands of many owners, including King Louis XIV, Pierre Cartier, King George IV, and Harry Winston. Winston donated it to the Smithsonian, where it continues to dazzle.

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Nemrut Dagi, Central-Eastern Turkey. 2000 year old statues at the altitude of 2000m built by Antiochus II (69 to 34 B.C.). He built a colossal funerary sanctuary dedicated to himself & to the Greco - Persian ancestors. Colossal statues of seated figures are Apollo, Zeus, Hermes and Hercules . The setting is impressive, with the peaks of high mountains spreading out in every direction. The heads are outstanding works of art, and in that setting seem as mysterious as the figures on Easter Island. The peak of Nemrut Dagi itself is capped by the great shrine and the undiscovered tomb of Antiochus I. Attempts to penetrate the secret of this great tumulus pyramid where the burial vault lies have been in vain. The east and west terraces are particularly interesting with their colossal statues measuring some ten meters high. The heads of the statues have fallen to the ground as the result of earthquakes.

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