Visa to Mongolia Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to visit Mongolia. But it is still worthwhile to issue a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip in advance. Can a child go to Mongolia without parents Customs Import of foreign currency is possible in an amount not exceeding 2000…
Category: Asia
Central Asia – Silk Road at the time of Marco Polo (1254-1324)
The Silk Road between China and the eastern shore of the Mediterranean is one of the most famous trade routes in history. Primarily an important trade route, it also served an intensive cultural exchange. Antioch, Palmyra and Beijing were the starting and ending points of a system of routes that stretched over thousands of kilometers. They led from China through the Takla Makan desert, over the high mountains of the Pamir, through Persia and then to Syria. Silk was the namesake of these trade routes, but numerous other valuable goods were also transported.
The history of the Silk Road goes back to the 3rd century, when rulers of the Chinese Han dynasty tried to connect to the existing trade routes of Central, West and South Asia, which gradually resulted in regular trade contacts between China and the Middle East developed. Camel caravans with silk and perfume, spices, precious stones and glassware overcame the snow-covered slopes of the Pamir and the dry heat of the desert areas of the Tarim Basin. It probably took the traders two years to get there and back, and according to some sources even longer. Trade, which peaked in the 7th century, brought economic prosperity to many cities along the Silk Road.
At the end of the High Middle Ages, contacts arose between the Christian West and the Mongol empires because the Pope viewed the Mongols as useful allies in the fight against Islam. Clergymen have been sent to Asia on diplomatic missions several times. For more information about the continent of Asia, please check naturegnosis.com.
Medvezhyegorsk, Russia
In addition to Zaonezhye, in the Medvezhyegorsk region northwest of Medvezhyegorsk, on the Segozero reservoir, there is a historical area of residence of the Segozero Karelians with villages where historical buildings have been preserved. North-east of the Povenets Bay there is a place where the Vygoretskaya hermitage once flourished. Since the end of the 17th century,…
Jordan Travel Tips
According to a2zcamerablog, Jordan is the most stable and secure Arab country in the Middle East. There is almost no crime, police patrols are often found on the streets of cities, but due to the great influence of tribal traditions, the Jordanians themselves maintain order in their village, so there are usually no difficulties in…
Sights of Thailand
According to 3rjewelry, Thailand is called the “land of smiles” for a reason. The Kingdom of Siam pleases with excellent weather and warm sea, delicious cuisine and friendliness of local people. The main attractions of Thailand are associated with Indian culture and Buddhism, which had a huge impact on Thai architecture, sculpture, and painting. Thailand…
Sri Lanka Cinematography
In the Sri Lanka (until 1971 Ceylon, colony of Portugal, the Netherlands, Great Britain and independent since 1948), cinema, mainly due to competition from Indian productions, only developed at the end of the 1940s, after independence of the country; it had a commercial character, but there was no lack of interesting and original works of…
Palestine Defense and Security
The assessment of the Palestinian security forces is particularly difficult. Compared to the complicated situation that followed the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority, characterized by a multiplicity of militias and commands, today the framework of the security forces seems to have been relatively simplified, thanks to the establishment of a power center in Gaza….
Holidays in Thailand
According to toppharmacyschools.org, Thailand is considered one of the most interesting places on the planet for a perfect holiday. Here tourists are expected by graceful beaches with light golden sand, picturesque greenery of the jungle, magnificent local landscapes and friendly people. Holidays in Thailand are remembered by its guests for a long time, because there…
Turkey Attractions
Ruins of Xanthos The ruins of Xanthos in southern Turkey, along with the temple district of Letoon, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. An eventful history shaped the most important place of ancient Lycia. Systematic excavations uncovered the remains of temples, Lycian monuments and tombs. Sarcophagi with richly decorated reliefs and sculptures…
Vietnam Geography and Climate
Vietnam is a country located in Southeast Asia and has long been the end for the rest of the world, but in the 2010s the country has opened up for tourism and this has led many to travel there to see the unique nature and historical and cultural sites. The country borders Laos, Cambodia and…
Cities and Resorts in South Korea
Busan Busan is the second largest city in Korea. It is the main port city of Korea, with many sea routes to Japan and other countries of the world. In the western part of Busan, the Nakdong River flows, and the southern part of this city is washed by the sea. Sea beaches, high mountains…
Sights of Laos
LUANG PRABANG: This is the oldest city of Laos, its ancient capital, and now the cultural and religious center of the country, its main attraction, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The city is located about 400 km north of the capital Vientiane on the banks of the Mekong River, at an altitude…
Philippines Modern History
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s expedition in 1564 had secured the Philippine archipelago to Spain (see Exploration); and in 1571 a fortress was built in Manila, on the island of Luzon, which became the seat of the government. From there numerous partial expeditions then radiated to conquer the other islands, while the Portuguese fought, tending to…
Ankara, Turkey History
The oldest settlements in and around the city belong to the Hattian civilization, which flourished during the Bronze Age. Artifacts discovered in the city have shown that the Hittites named the city Ankuwash before 1200 BC The city grew significantly in size and importance under the control of the Phrygians, from around 1000 BC Subsequently it…
Turkey Government
The attempt by the Allies and Greece to divide the country after World War I, led to the Turkish War of Independence, led by Mustafa Kemal. The 29 of October of 1923 the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed; in 1924 the religious courts were abolished and in 1934 women won the right to vote. Multi-partyism began in 1946, when the newly founded Democratic…
Turkey Territory and Population
Territory and Resources The calcareous tuff terraces of Pamukkale (Turkey) constitute one of the most attractive landscapes in western Anatolia. The healing effects of its springs were already known in ancient times. The main area of Turkey, known as Anatolia, is located in Asia, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea. Turkish Thrace in Europe covers about…
Russia Prehistory
Name by which a region of the ancient world is known which in the course of history, as a consequence of the progressive expansion of the state formed by the Russians of Moscow in the century. XV, formerly heir to Kijev’s Russia, gradually expanded to include a large part of the European section of what…
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya, about 70 km north of the capital Bangkok, was once one of the most important, richest and cosmopolitan metropolises far and wide. Today only numerous more or less well-preserved ruins are a reminder of the former glory of the city. Many of the sights have been extensively restored and give an idea of the…
Seokguram and Bulguksa Temples (World Heritage)
The Seokguram cave temple and the Bulguksa temple are masterpieces of Buddhist architecture and of great religious importance. The Bulguksa Temple was built in the 8th century at the foot of Mount Tohamsan. It is especially famous for its two pagodas. The Seokguram Temple is located in an artificial grotto on the top of the…
Culture and Sights in Cambodia
Cambodia’s culture is deeply rooted in the culture of the ancient Khmer Empire. The strong Indian influence at this time is evident in architecture and iconography, but also in religion, dance and literature. Today’s Khmer still identify with their ancient culture and at the same time use it as a figurehead for tourism. Therefore, the…
Top 10 Most Beautiful Islands in the World
Islands have their own special charm, but what makes them so special? Which islands are among the most beautiful in the world and why? Where are the whitest beaches and the most beautiful diving paradises around the islands? To answer these and other questions, various criteria have to be assessed. In addition to beach and…
Cambodia Culture
Angkor Wat and the Khmer heritage The cultural heritage of the Khmer dynasties is of great importance not only to Cambodia but also to Southeast Asia as a whole. From the Angkorian high culture (9th to 15th centuries) only the largest buildings are preserved today, among which Angkor Wat stands out as the largest sacral…
Best Time to Visit Cambodia
If you want to travel the country in Southeast Asia in perfect weather conditions , I recommend the months of November to February as the best travel time for Cambodia . The constantly high temperatures allow travel all year round, but outside of the best travel time, all other values are suboptimal. In November, December,…
Hotels in Cambodia
Khemara Battambang Hotel Battambang Battambang is the second largest city of Cambodia. It is a charming city that you also can travel by bus from Phnom Penh, from the borders, Poi Pet, Pailin, by bus or by boat from Siem Reap Angkor. Battambang province has many things to visit such as French colonial houses,ancient Khmer…
Transportation in Krabi Part II
Taxis Krabi also has normal taxis , and there are especially many of them in Krabi Town and Ao Nang. “Taxi Service” is a place where you can see fixed prices and where you can take a taxi or order it in advance. You can also order one from the hotel, but it is a…
Transportation in Krabi Part I
Krabi is a fairly large area, but it is surprisingly easy to move from place to place and it is possible to travel there even after dark has descended better than in some other Thai resorts. The walk is very successful, especially in the city of Krabi, Ao Nang and the nearby resorts. In Railay,…
Yemen 2011
Yearbook 2011 Yemen. According to Countryaah official site, peaceful demonstrations, civil war and militia attacks shook Yemen this year to a point when much of the country was no longer under the control of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Only then, on November 22, did he give up and sign an agreement to resign. In January,…
Vietnam 2011
Yearbook 2011 Vietnam. When the Communist Party held a congress in Hanoi in January, a new trio of leaders was elected. At the Prime Minister’s post there was no change, Nguyễn Tân Dung was re-elected for a new five-year term. New President became Tru’o’ng Tân Sang, while the former Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyễn…
Uzbekistan 2011
Yearbook 2011 Uzbekistan. According to Countryaah official site, President Islam Karimov visited Brussels in January for meetings with EU and NATO leaders, for the first time in nearly six years. Karimov signed an agreement on energy cooperation with the EU, but it was security cooperation with NATO that was the main topic. NATO’s unsafe transport…
United Arab Emirates 2011
Yearbook 2011 United Arab Emirates. According to Countryaah official site, the country remained largely untouched by the Arab Spring. In a manifesto addressed to President Khalifa ibn Zayid Al Nayan in April, intellectuals and human rights activists demanded free elections and legislative powers for the country’s parliament. The manifesto, which was signed “your loyal children”…
Turkmenistan 2011
Yearbook 2011 Turkmenistan. At the beginning of the year, President Gurbanguli Berdimuchammedov gave the impression of wanting to liberalize the closed political system. He called on Parliament to finalize the work on a bill that would open to multi-party systems. In July, he declared that political dissidents in exile should return and stand in the…
Turkey 2011
Yearbook 2011 Turkey. On June 12, the ruling Islamist AKP (Justice and Development Party) won its third straight parliamentary election with 49.8% of the vote. The second largest was the secular CHP (Republican People’s Party) with 26%. These two parties advanced compared to the previous election, while the third, the right-wing extremist MHP (Nationalist Party…
Thailand 2011
Yearbook 2011 Thailand. Since the parliament adopted in February a couple of constitutional amendments on changed rules for the distribution of seats in elections, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva promised to announce new elections until later this year, provided no new unrest erupted. Visit ABBREVIATIONFINDER for the acronym of THA that stands for the country of Thailand….
Tajikistan 2011
Yearbook 2011 Tajikistan. In January, Tajikistan agreed with China in a century-old border dispute. The settlement meant that Tajikistan gave up a thousand square kilometers of land to China, which was said to be one-twentieth of what the Chinese demanded. But the opposition said that Tajikistan bowed to China, which is the largest investor in…
Taiwan 2011
Yearbook 2011 Taiwan. A general, Lo Hsien-che, was arrested in January on suspicion of spying on China’s behalf. He was reported to be the highest ranking officer arrested for spying for over 40 years. Lo was indicted in a military court and sentenced in July to life in prison for selling military secrets. According to…
Syria 2011
Yearbook 2011 Syria. The year was marked by the regime’s brutality against the protesters who, in the spirit of the Arab Spring, demanded the departure of President Bashar al-Asad. The protest rallies broke out in March when some teenagers were arrested in the city of Daraa in the south where they spread political slogans on…
Sri Lanka 2011
Yearbook 2011 Sri Lanka. The aftermath of the long civil war between the army and the Tamil guerrillas continues to poison relations between the Sri Lankan government and the outside world. Visit ABBREVIATIONFINDER for the acronym of LKA that stands for the country of Sri Lanka. According to Countryaah official site, the commission appointed by UN…
South Sudan 2011
The peace process The peace negotiations on South Sudan began in 2002, but only in 2005, after international mediation, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed, with several agreements and protocols signed over a longer period. Negotiations were led by the regional organization Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); Norway and the US also played a…
South Korea 2011
In a few decades, South Korea has become one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The Hangang River crosses the Metropolia of Seoul of ten million people, whose past can be glimpsed in the courtyards of the restored Imperial Palace or in the Historical Museum. The surroundings of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of…
Singapore 2011
Yearbook 2011 Singapore. According to Countryaah official site, the government decided to announce parliamentary elections in May, one year before the term of office expired. The position was advantageous in terms of opinion; Singapore was one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with growth in 2010 of almost 15%. Visit ABBREVIATIONFINDER for the acronym of SGP…
Saudi Arabia 2011
Yearbook 2011 Saudi Arabia. According to Countryaah official site, the Arab Spring meant no revolution in Saudi Arabia. But some regime-critical demonstrations were held, including around the city of al-Qatif in the country’s Shiite-dominated eastern part where four protesters were killed in November. The human rights organization Amnesty International strongly criticized the arrest of several…