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Friday, July 1, 2011

Antarctica Warming

A team of National Geographic explorers will begin a five-week expedition across the continent's Larsen ice shelf to study how global warming is changing the topography of Antarctica.

Larsen B Ice Shelf Breakup

Over a 35-day period in early 2002, Antarctica's Larsen B ice shelf lost a total of about 1,255 square miles, one of the largest shelf retreats ever recorded. This image, captured by NASA's MODIS satellite sensor on February 23, shows the shelf mid-disintegration, spewing a cloud of icebergs adrift in the Weddell Sea.

Glacier Advance

A stark white lobe of a glacier advances across Antarctica's dry valleys region, so called because of its scarcity of snow. Earth's fifth-largest continent contains more than two-thirds of the world's freshwater in the form of ice, yet some areas receive less than two inches (five centimeters) of precipitation a year.

Penguins on Shore

A group of gentoo penguins nests on an icy shore of Cierva Cove, Antarctica.

Large Iceberg

Global warming is forcing ice shelves to calve, producing icebergs like this monolith jutting into the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Penguin and Chick

An Antarctic gentoo chick stays near its parent for warmth. Gentoos are the fastest underwater swimming birds and can reach speeds of 22 miles an hour

Leopard Seal

A leopard seal plunges through Antarctic waters. Swift and stealthy, adult leopard seals tend to be solitary creatures, hunting alone at the fringes of pack ice.

Neumeyer Channel

Icebergs drift across Antarctica's Neumeyer Channel. The Larsen Ice Shelf Expedition team predicts melting Antarctic shelves and bergs will raise sea levels around the world, flooding hundreds of thousands of square miles and displacing tens of millions of people.

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Ten Most Live-able Cities in the World

In an annual survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, four Australian cities are listed in the top ten of the most liveable cities in the world. Living conditions in these cities were analyzed according to several factors like political stability, environment, health care, culture, education, and infrastructure.

In this beauty contest for cities of some sort, Vancouver emerged as the world’s most liveable city in 2011. If you are looking to find a perfect place to live at Odusee then it would make sense to choose the world’s most live able city.

1. Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) – 98.0

The 2010 Winter Olympics host grabbed the gold medal for an unprecedented fifth straight time by beating other cities as the world’s most liveable city. Despite having murder rate higher than the national average, the hosting of the Olympics may have provided the big boost in the city’s infrastructure and tourism thereby helping Vancouver retain the title.

2. Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) – 97.5

Melbourne, the most liveable city in Australia for the second straight year, has edged out rival Sydney for the top spot. From politics to sports, both cities have vied for Australia’s best but the city still managed to cling into its Marvellous Melbourne heritage by becoming one of the “best” cities in the world.

3. Vienna (Austria) – 97.4

Vienna is the top European city to be included in the list because of its old-world charm and sophistication. If you take a walk into the city’s fairy tale streets and buildings, not to mention the unforgettable sights and sounds, then you will know why Vienna is one good place to live.

4. Toronto, Ontario (Canada) – 97.2

Being one of the most ethnically diverse urban centres in the world, Toronto has emerged as one of the favourite places to live. Unlike their American counterparts, Canadian cities like Toronto have vibrant downtown communities that encourage people to live peacefully.

5. Calgary, Alberta (Canada) – 96.6

Calgary may not a typical large North American metropolitan city but it is the most favoured tourist destination for people who are into winter sports and ecotourism. With a number of major mountain resorts in the city and suburbs.

6. Helsinki (Finland) – 96.2

The picturesque city of Helsinki made it to the top ten most liveable cities in 2011 because of its friendly and hardworking people that made it an interesting place to live. It is a modern city that pride itself for its rich cultural heritage

7. Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) – 96.1

Despite being Australia’s largest city, Sydney has fallen behind Melbourne in the rankings. Unfortunately, the city’s growth was hampered by the policies of the New South Wales government such as the restrictions imposed on land release for housing.

8. Perth, Western Australia (Australia) – 95.9

Being the most populous city in the western end of Australia, Perth has emerged as a surprising entry in the list. It is the country’s fastest growing city brought about its growing tourism sector and music and performance arts scene.

9. Adelaide, South Australia (Australia) – 95.9

Adelaide is a new entry in the list because of its notable festivals and sporting events. Famous for its food and wine, the city remains one of the most liveable cities in the region according to the Property Council of Australia in 2011. Aside from being home to numerous educational institutions and research centres, it is also has leading defence industry complexes.

10. Auckland (New Zealand) – 95.7

Auckland, New Zealand’s capital has been a favourable destination for people who live the peace and serenity of the countryside and the wild and breathtaking outdoor attractions of nature.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Top 10 Most Powerful Countries In The World

A number of surveys have said that the following countries are the most powerful today:

1. The United States of America

This country is the largest economy today and has the strongest army as well as a very powerful democracy. It is also said to be a superpower and its media is very influential as well. It has built itself and its power ever since it gained independence and is only getting more powerful. The country controls international relations and is a part of a number of influential bodies.

2. Russian Federation

The Russian Federation has the second most powerful army and controls a number of states in the Central Asian area. It has a very large population and immense world area. These factors allow it to stay independent and prevent external forces from meddling in the political, economic and financial issues of the country. Because of its size, Russia has the resources to become a superpower.

3. Peoples Republic of China

Peoples Republic of China is said to have the 4th largest GNP in the world. It has gained supremacy only recently over Britain and France. It has a large army and immense potential to become the most powerful country in the world.

4. France

France is a part of the UN Security Council and is said to be the fifth most powerful country in the world. It is a great nuclear power and influences many African nations. The French have a large army which helps in maintaining law and order. It is a G7 economy and part of the European Union.

5. Britain

Britain is part of the UN Security Council as well. It has powerful nuclear weapons and the democracy is considered to be the most stable as well. As a G7 economy and as a leading country in areas like music, films and media, the country has immense influence when it comes to world politics. It is a part of the European Union as well

6. Japan

Japan has an extremely large economy and is a leading democratic power. The population of the country is large but since the competition is intense, it features below USA, China, France and Britain.

7. India

India is very populous and has a well-known democracy which gains its power from the detailed Constitution of India. The economy is growing at a staggering rate and the nuclear weapons are becoming more and more powerful.

8. Germany

Germany has the third largest economy in the world and features in the list of the most powerful European Union members. However, it was greatly affected during the two World Wars which hampered its influence over the world.

9. Pakistan

Pakistan has a very large Muslim population and powerful nuclear weapons. It is a united country but since it spends a hefty sum on military dictatorship, it has not become truly powerful. In addition to that, even though it has good resources, the battles with India have made the country very weak in these terms as well. Therefore, if it can replenish these resources and find a way to balance its political standing, it will be able to become more powerful.

10. Brazil

The Republic of Brazil is very large and is part of Latin America. It is said to hold the largest Portuguese speaking population in the world. In addition to that, the media of the country is quite stable and its relations with the rest of the world are quite secure.

Monday, June 13, 2011

"Bodies" Fill Underwater Sculpture Park

The installation is the first endeavor of a new underwater museum called MUSA, or Museo Subacuático de Arte.

Created by Mexico-based British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Caribbean installation is intended to eventually cover more than 4,520 square feet (420 square meters), which would make it "one of the largest and most ambitious underwater attractions in the world," according to a museum statement.

Visitor From Above

More than 400 of the permanent sculptures have been installed in recent months in the National Marine Park of Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc (map of the region) as part of a major artwork called "The Silent Evolution."

"Lucky" Statue

The people in "The Silent Evolution" were created from live casts of a wide sample of people, most of them locals—including Lucky, a Mexican carpenter (center).

School of Rock

The sculptures (pictured in December) are made of a special kind of marine cement that attracts the growth of corals, according to creator Taylor. That in turn encourages fish and other marine life to colonize the reef.

Blowing Bubbles

"The manifestation of living organisms cohabiting and ingrained in our being is intended to remind us of our close dependency on nature and the respect we should afford it," according to a museum statement.

Face-to-Face

An activist comes face-to-face with an underwater "Silent Evolution" statue in December during a campaign for action on global warming.

Deep in Thought

Already the exhibition (pictured in December) is drawing more divers, and area dive-tour providers are hoping the underwater museum boosts business and supports reef health, according to a museum statement.

Work in Progress

Taylor works on a cast of Charlie Brown, a 67-year-old Mexican fisher with Chinese ancestors, at the sculptor's studio in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, in February 2010. The sculptures are made from cement, sand, micro silica, fiber glass, and live coral.

Casting Call

Portraits of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, residents hang on the wall of Taylor's studio in February 2010. To make the Caribbean underwater sculptures, Taylor is choosing a wide variety of local residents and creating molds of their bodies.

Sculptures-in-Waiting

Before being taken underwater, "Silent Evolution" sculptures stand on a Cancún, Mexico, beach in September 2010. Upon the installation's completion, the total weight of the statues will total more than 180 tons, according to a museum statement.

Into the Drink

Silent Evolution" sculptures are lowered into the waters off Cancún in late 2010. Along with creator Taylor, a team of artists, builders, marine biologists, engineers, and scuba divers are working together to complete the installation.

Bottom Dwellers

Silent Evolution" sculptures (pictured in October) sit in just 30 feet (9 meters) of water, which allows visitors in glass-bottomed boats to also observe the artwork, according to a museum statement.

Caribbean Cancún

Placing the statues (bottom) off the shores of Cancún (above) was a strategic move, according to a museum statement.

Heavenly Plea

"Kelly," modeled from a U.K. social housing officer (pictured in December 2010), was rendered looking up, with his hands open to symbolize questioning or prayer, according to Taylor. MUSA, the underwater museum, plans to add sculptures as funding becomes available.