Tisata

Tisata ( ) is a nature reserve in south-western Bulgaria. It is situated in Kresna Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province. The reserve is managed by the administration of Pirin National Park despite the fact it lies outside the limits of the park.
Statute and location.
Tisata was declared a nature reserve by Order No. 6633 of the Ministry of Forestry on 5 December 1949 under the name "Tisova Barchina" to protect the largest natural habitat of Greek juniper ("Juniperus excelsa") in Bulgaria. Initially it encompassed a territory of 19 ha but was expanded several times and nowadays occupies 584 ha or 5.84 km2, as well as a buffer zone of 420 ha. The borders of the reserve were determined in 1991.
The territory of the reserve is divided into two separate sections by the southern reaches of the Kresna Gorge on the Struma River. The western section occupies the eastern slopes of the Maleshevo mountain range, while the eastern one is situated on the north-western slopes of the Pirin mountains. The altitude of the reserve ranges between 300 and 700 m. In terms of geology the most common rock type is gneiss. The climate is continental Mediterranean; the predominate soil type are leached cinnamon forest soils. The soils on the foothills of Pirin are partially exposed to erosion.
Flora.
There are 460 species of vascular plants. About 80% of the reserve's territory is covered by forests dominated by Greek juniper, a relict species that evolved in Asia Minor. There trees are 10 to 15 m but some individuals can reach 20 m and a diametre of 1 m. The Greek juniper forms monotypic or mixed forests with trees such as Oriental hornbeam ("Carpinus orientalis"), pubescent oak ("Quercus pubescens") and South European flowering ash ("Fraxinus ornus"). Rarer tree or large shrub species include Jerusalem thorn ("Paliurus spina-christi") and prickly juniper ("Juniperus oxycedrus"). Another important tree species is the evergreen European yew ("Taxus baccata").
There are a number of Mediterranean herbaceous plants such as "Fritillaria graeca", "Colchicum bivonae", "Anemone pavonina", woodland tulip ("Tulipa sylvestris"), etc.
Fauna.
The fauna includes many species that are found in the southernmost regions of Europe. The ornithofauna is very diverse and includes 109 nesting species in the reserve's limited territory. There are 62 species of European conservation importance. In 1997 the reserve, the buffer zone and the Moravska protected area were declared a site of ornithological importance. Of the breeding bird species 30% are characteristic for the Mediterranean biome, including blue rock thrush, common rock thrush, western Orphean warbler, Sardinian warbler, subalpine warbler, olive-tree warbler, black-eared wheatear, black-headed bunting, masked shrike, western rock nuthatch, rock partridge, etc. Important birds of prey include short-toed snake eagle and Eurasian eagle-owl.
The herpetofauna is also varied and includes 11 snake species, such as European ratsnake, Dahl's whip snake, European cat snake, four-lined snake and European blind snake, and two turtle taxa, spur-thighed tortoise and Hermann's tortoise.


Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve

Cayambe Coca National Park is a national park in Ecuador located along the Equator about from Quito. The park encompasses an area of .
The reserve.
The park includes two very different regions of Ecuador, the high altitude sierra with Cayambe volcano and the hot, humid rainforest of the Amazon basin as well as the intervening temperate cloud forest. There are three entrances, and the one chosen by the visitor will reflect which region they wish to visit because there are few tracks within the park. The entrance near the town of Cayambe in Pichincha Province provides access to the mountain. The high level "Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge" is a mountain hut with accommodation for those who wish to climb the volcano, while other attractions include lakes, waterfalls and forests. An entrance near Papallacta in Napo Province provides access to the forests and lakelets in the Andean foothills and the Páramo, an area of tropical, montane vegetation above the treeline. A third entrance near Santa Rosa de Quijos provided access to the formerly spectacular San Rafael Falls, once the highest waterfall in the country.
Fauna.
Large birds such as the Andean condor and variable hawk are commonplace in the skies above the reserve. Spectacled bears, foxes, and deer are some of the larger animals of the reserve. Páramo rabbits and armadillos are among the smaller fauna. There are 106 species of mammals, including the mountain tapir, cougar and culpeo, 395 species of birds, 70 reptiles, and 116 amphibians.
Flora.
Local habitat types include the grasslands of the páramo and montane cloud forests. Bunchgrasses, ferns, and lycopods are common plants. There are over 100 species of endemic plants.
Culture.
There are indigenous communities living within the protected area such as the Quechua people of Oyacachi in the Napo Province and the Cofán people of Sinangoé in the Sucumbíos Province.


Tunari National Park

Tunari National Park is a national park located in the Cochabamba Department, Bolivia. When the Misicuni Dam floods the area, the park will also be flooded.


Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge

The Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge is a Wildlife refuge of Costa Rica, part of the Tempisque Conservation Area, which protects tropical forest and wetlands near the Tempisque River and the town of Rosario, Guanacaste.
It consists of seasonal palustrine wetland and contains habitats suitable for over 60 species of resident and migratory water birds, including black-bellied whistling ducks and jabiru.


Lowe Stand

Lowe Stand is an 18th-century folly built for Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham, and likely originally intended as a hunting lodge. It is situated in the South Yorkshire town of Hoyland, southeast of Barnsley. Today the stand is a Grade II listed building but is in a fairly advanced state of decay. In 2008 the deeds were handed over from the council to voluntary group, the Friends of Hoyland Lowe Stand (now the Lowe Stand Trust). The council has given permission to restore it according to the plan produced.


The Sand

The Sand, also titled Blood Sand, is a 2015 American monster movie directed by Isaac Gabaeff and starring Brooke Butler, Meagan Holder and Mitchel Musso. At least one version of the opening credits reads "Killer Beach," but the closing credits give the movie title as "The Sand."
Plot.
A group of friends are having a party at the beach. A girl named Heather is videoing the party when two of the boys, Vance and Gilbert, find a large ball covered in a strange gooey substance. All the teenagers agree to put their mobile phones in the trunk of a car in an effort to ensure that no one will post compromising pictures or videos online.
The next morning, two of the friends, Kaylee and Mitch, wake up on the lifeguard shack. Kaylee's boyfriend, Jonah, awakens in a nearby convertible next to a girl named Chanda, along with Vance and his girlfriend, Ronnie. Gilbert wakes up, stuck from the waist down in a trash barrel, having been put there as a prank after passing out. A girl named Marsha wakes up, topless, having fallen asleep on top of a picnic table. The rest of the teenagers, including Heather, are nowhere to be found; there are, instead, a bunch of empty sleeping bags in their places.
Marsha accuses Heather of having stolen her top; she leaves the picnic table to find her. Kaylee, witnessing a bird suddenly getting sucked into the sand, tries to warn her, but Marsha doesn't listen and is immediately immobilized by something hidden underneath the beach. Vance attempts to help her, but he falls and has his face eaten off when he touches the sand, and he and Marsha are pulled into the ground. Jonah concludes that the cracked ball from last night must have been an egg, and whatever hatched from it has burrowed under the sand and has wiped out everyone, including Vance, Heather, and Marsha.
The group cannot call for help, as their phones are locked in the car, and the car's battery is dead from their having left the headlights on all night. After some experimenting to determine the creature's reach, Jonah uses two surfboards as a bridge to reach the picnic table. He makes it to the table, but not before the creature has slashed his stomach, leaving a painful wound that starts seeping pus. He notes, though, that the creature won't go near the ashes of the previous night's bonfire, indicating that it hates fire. Ronnie and Chanda attempt to retrieve the phones from the car, but Ronnie gets her fingers crushed under the trunk's lid.
A beach patrolman drives onto the beach. The group warns him, then are shocked to see him walk across the sand unharmed, protected by his boots. The patrolman assumes the group is on drugs and taunts them, but when he drops his keys and tries to retrieve them, the buried creature attacks him. He temporarily fights it off using his pepper spray, but the monster eventually consumes him. Kaylee manages to retrieve his pepper spray, which gives Mitch the idea to reach the truck by putting his flip-flops on and wrapping his feet with towels soaked in pepper spray. Chanda throws him towels from the car, but when Mitch attempts to catch the second towel, the banister breaks and he falls onto the sand, where the creature kills and consumes him.
Taking charge, Kaylee frees Ronnie's fingers from the car trunk, then has Chanda use the broken pieces of the boardwalk as a bridge to get to Jonah on the picnic table. Meanwhile, Gilbert discovers that he has cut his stomach on the edge of the trash barrel, attracting the creature. Kaylee and Ronnie make their way across the makeshift bridge to Chanda and Jonah. At the last step, Ronnie trips and, despite Kaylee's efforts, she is seized and pulled under. In desperation, Chanda follows through with Mitch's plan and runs across the sand to the truck with pepper-sprayed towels wrapping her feet. The group celebrates for a brief moment, but then Gilbert is pulled down through the bottom of the barrel and devoured. The creature, having grown much larger tentacles, bangs against the patrol car, knocking Chanda unconscious.
At nightfall, Chanda wakes up and finds a self-inflatable raft in the back of the truck. She inflates the raft, and Kaylee and Jonah use it to reach the patrolman's car. However, the ground erupts, knocking Kaylee out of the open door and onto the raft. A huge glowing tentacle shoots out from the ground and assaults her. She manages to get on top of the car and, finding two gas cans on the rear rack, uses them to set one of the tentacles on fire. Kaylee, Chanda, and Jonah lock themselves in the car as the creature's tentacles bash it. Eventually, the attacks stop; in the silence, Kaylee and Chanda notice that Jonah has died from his injuries.
The two girls fall asleep huddled together. In the morning, the girls are woken by a man tapping on the car window. Kaylee and Chanda note, incredulously, that the creature is gone, and walk across the sand together, traumatized, as the man calls for an ambulance. In a closing shot, the creature, revealed as an enormous jellyfish, is seen in the water, headed towards Santa Monica Pier.
Release.
Home media.
The film was released on DVD by Monarch Video on October 13, 2015.
Reception.
Critical response for "The Sand" has been mixed, with criticism of the special effects.
Mike Wilson from Bloody Disgusting gave the film a negative review, stating that while the film's admittedly cheap special effects added a certain charm, and the film's death scenes were disturbing and well-executed; Wilson criticized the film's performances, dialogue, and the film's runtime. Kim Newman wrote in his review of the film, "Though well-acted, smartly-written and nicely directed by Isaac Gabaeff to ratchet up the tension, "The Sand" suffers from hit-or-miss CGI effects – even the lo-tech practical monster/gore effects of vintage Corman c Attack of the Giant Leeches or Frank Henenlotter in his Basket Case-Brain Damage mode would play better than the glitchy, cartoony pixel-jumble that passes for a monster here." Naila Scargill from "Exquisite Terror" gave the film a negative review, calling it "arduous", and criticized the lack of screen time of the film's monster, as well as the film's unlikable characters, and special effects. Matt Boiselle from Dread Central awarded the film two out of five stars, writing, ""The Sand" could be good for a midnight watch where goofiness is happily embraced and the need for creature fun is welcome; however, once the sun comes up, it’s best to find a lot of shade from this solar disaster."
Alternately, Michael Therkelsen from "Horror Society" rated the film a score of eight out of ten, calling it "a campy good time", while also noting the film's cheap special effects didn't fit with the rest of the film. Jennie Kermode of "Eye for Film" gave the film three and a half out of five stars, commending the film's quick pacing, and likable characters, writing, "It takes skill to make a cheesy creature feature well. "The Sand" is much smarter than it looks on the surface. Give it time and it will pull you in." Kat Hughes from "The Hollywood News" offered the film similar praise, writing, ""The Sand" takes a silly idea and somehow makes it work, helped greatly by the fact that it has got buckets of charm."


Lady Slipper Drive

The Lady Slipper Drive is a former scenic drive located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island, beginning and ending at Summerside.
The Lady Slipper Drive comprised numerous routes along coastal sections of Prince County and measured approximately 300 km in length. It was replaced in 2005 by the North Cape Coastal Drive.
Deriving its name from the Lady's Slipper orchid, the provincial floral emblem which grows in shaded forests, the signs marking the Lady Slipper Drive depicted a red orchid within a red frame on a square white background.
The Lady Slipper Drive was developed as a tourism marketing project during the 1970s in conjunction with the Blue Heron Drive in Queens County and the Kings Byway in Kings County.


Newport on the Levee

Newport on the Levee is a dining and attraction destination located on Third Street in Newport, Kentucky. It is located adjacent to the Purple People Bridge along the Ohio River and boasts views of downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River. The Levee is only one block away from the East Row Historic District and the Monmouth Street Historic District. It is named after the levee that it rests on.
The Levee, as the locals call it, features annual community events like Live at the Levee, Light up the Levee, the Levee Wine Walk, Salute to Service 5K and many more. Some of the featured retail and attractions are the 20-screen AMC Theatres megaplex, DartRush Nerf Arena, GameWorks, Garra Fish Spa and much more. The main attraction at the Levee is the Newport Aquarium. There was a Barnes & Noble Booksellers but it closed in 2019.
Newport on the Levee stands on the site of the former Posey Flats apartments.
In 2017, AMC Newport on the Levee 20 Theater began a revitalization project with a lease extension for AMC through 2032.


Krestovy

Krestovy (; masculine), Krestovaya (; feminine), or Krestovoye (; neuter) is the name of several rural localities in Russia.


Samlaut Multiple Use Area

Samlaut Multiple Use Area is a large multiple use management area in northwestern Cambodia that was established in 1993. It is part of the Cardamom Mountains in Battambang and Pailin Provinces.
Samlout was declared a protected area in 1993 by King Norodom Sihanouk along with other forests and preserves. Samlout is the last remaining tropical rainforest in north-western Cambodia, covering 60,000 hectares. It is home to a wide array of rare vegetation and wildlife, including the endangered Asian Elephant.
Samlout's network of rivers provides the main drinking water, food and health securities for almost 1 million people. Tens of thousands of small farmers rely on its water system to irrigate crops before flowing into the country's largest permanent body of fresh water, the Tonle Sap Lake. Samlout's Stung Sangker River plays an essential role supporting the lake's important fishery and lowland agricultural lands.
Due to the limited financial capabilities of Cambodia, Samlout receives little government support for wildlife management and law-enforcement for nature conservation. In 2003, external funding and cooperation with the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP) opened up for foreign support and assistance for proper protection of Samlaut Multiple Use Area. On 3 October 2006, MJP, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment and the National Park Service of the United States signed an agreement making the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks "sister parks" to Samlaut. The agreement facilitates the sharing of experience, skills, technical knowledge, and professional abilities between the two protected areas.
In 2009, MJP entered into discussions with Cambodian and Thai park officials on the need to create a Transboundary Peace Park between Samlout and 2 Thai border parks (Namtok Khlong Kaew National Park and Kahlong Kreua Wai Wildlife Sanctuary). The three protected areas combined cover nearly 110,000 hectares.
External links.
a


Uvac

The Uvac () is an international trans-boundary river, rising under Golija mountain and Pešter plateau, then flowing through southwestern Serbia and cross into eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina where, after 115 km, it finally meets the Lim river from the right, however, before it empties into the Lim, for a 10 kilometers Uvac forms the border between two countries. Also, while meandering through Serbia, Uvac loosely makes the northern border of the Raška region, too.
Upper course.
The Uvac originates at the Pešter plateau from the Ozren and Ninaja mountains, as "Rasanska reka" (Cyrillic: "Расанска река"). The stream curves around the Ninaja and Pometenik mountains, next to the villages of Tuzinje, Rasno, Dragojloviće and Gradac, where it meets "Brnjička reka" (Cyrillic: "Брњичка река"), enters the Sjenica depression and continues on the western border of the plain while receiving the right tributary Vapa (Cyrillic: "Вапа") in the northern end.
"Vapa" is 25 kilometers long and drains an area of 496 km². It passes next to the villages of Gornja Vapa, Donja Vapa, Čedovo and Krstac, where it empties from the right into the shorter river Uvac.
Lower course.
The Uvac continues to the northwest, enters the Stari Vlah region where it flows in a deep, canyon-like valley, where it receives the "Kladnica" river from the right and generates much power, which is used for three powerful hydroelectric power stations, each one with big artificial lake: "Bistrica" with Lake Radoinja, "Kokin Brod" with Zlatar Lake (7,3 km², altitude 400 m, depth 40 m) and "Sjenica" with Lake Sjenica.
In the lowest part of its course, the Uvac flows between the Zlatar and Zlatibor mountains, next to the villages of Kokin Brod and Radoinja until it reaches the Bosnian border and Varda mountain, makes a sharp, elbow turn to the south and after a short flow next to the villages of Bjelušine and Uvac (both on Bosnian side), the Uvac empties into the Lim, north of the city of Priboj.
The Uvac drains an area of 1,596 km², belongs to the Black Sea drainage basin, and it is not navigable. Its average discharge at the mouth is 18 m³/s.
The river is famous for its gorge, "Kanjon Uvca", the thriving colony of reintroduced griffon vultures and the Uvac Special Nature Reserve, protected since 1971. The river meanders wildly: though long, the straight line from the river's source to its mouth is only .


Kracht Castle Island

Kracht Castle Island is a castle built by Don Kratch, a retired math teacher, on a man-made island outside Junction City, Kansas. Started in the 1990s he has worked by himself to build the castle as a hobby.


Centro Shopping America Trust

Centro Shopping America Trust (formally "Galileo Shopping America Trust") is an investment product part of Centro Properties Group that acquires shopping centers all around the United States. It was acquired by Centro Properties Group in May 2007 from Galileo Property Trust Group (). In October 2007, Centro Shopping America Trust successfully merged with Centro Retail Trust (CER) and was subsequently delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange. Centro Retail Trust is an Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) Listed Property Trust managed by Centro Properties Group (“Centro”). Listed in August 2005, CER offers investors an income return with exposure to quality Australian, New Zealand and United States of America shopping centres. Centro Retail Trusts's portfolio is valued at approximately $8.31 billion (2007). Centro Retail's investment philosophy is to provide investors with access to pure retail property ownership.


Delta de la Dranse National Nature Reserve

The Delta de la Dranse National Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located in the delta of the Dranse river. The reserve is located to the east of the commune of Thonon-les-Bains in southeastern France. At long by wide, it covers a small area of at an elevation ranging from . Offering a rich botanic biodiversity, the site was declared a national nature reserve in January 1980 and declared a special "zone of protection" since September 1986.
The beach of the last river delta along Lake Geneva is constituted of alluvium, sand, stones, and pebbles. The sandy beaches and small islands are constantly being formed by the path of the rising torrential river, which has resulted in the expansion of a rich diversity of flora and wildlife. The reserve shelters:


The Big Fish (roadside attraction)

The Big Fish is a roadside attraction located three miles west of Bena, Minnesota in the unorganized territory of North Cass. The 65-foot-long wooden structure takes the form of a muskie fish. The Big Fish was built as a drive-in restaurant in 1958, though it only operated as a restaurant for a few years. The Big Fish Supper Club, located next to the fish-shaped building, was opened in 1972. The Big Fish and the Big Fish Supper Club are located near the south shore of Lake Winnibigoshish, known locally as Lake Winnie.
Midwestern United States cultural historian Eric Dregni described The Big Fish as "uniquely Minnesota" and named it one the state's seven wonders, along with sites such as the Kensington Runestone and the Darwin twine ball. It is a popular spot for photographs for tourists to the area.
Structure.
The Big Fish is 65 feet long and 15 feet wide (, respectively). The structure was built using white ash beams for a skeletal structure, covered with roofing paper and painted with stripes to resemble a muskie. The fish's red eyes were originally fashioned out of round Coca Cola signs.
History.
The idea of constructing a large fish to act as an attraction for tourists was conceived by Wayne Kumpula, owner of a bar on busy U.S. Route 2. Kumpula designed and built the Big Muskie Drive-In in 1958; the restaurant originally served hamburgers and ice cream. Patrons would enter the fish through the open mouth and sit to eat their meal at a counter in the fish's belly. Exposed wall studs mimicked the curving ribs of a fish. There was also a walk-up window in the side of the structure for take-out ordering. In 1963 the restaurant was converted into a souvenir stand. A log building was constructed next door and in 1972 both buildings became the Big Fish Supper Club. After 1972, the fish building was used only as storage space.
The structure was listed on Preservation Alliance of Minnesota's annual list of 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2009 after it fell into disrepair and its frame was in danger of rotting. The Preservation Alliance referred to the fish as "the superlative example of Minnesota's biggest aquatic life form, the muskie." Within months of being listed as endangered, funds were raised for the fish to be repaired and repainted.
The Big Fish appeared on Charles Kuralt's "On the Road" television feature; Kuralt called it his favorite building in America. A postcard image of the fish also appears in the opening credits of the 1983 film "National Lampoon's Vacation".


Edenton, North Carolina

Edenton is a town in and the county seat of Chowan County, North Carolina, United States, on Albemarle Sound. The population was 5,004 at the 2010 census. Edenton is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. In recent years Edenton has become a popular retirement location and a destination for heritage tourism.
Edenton was the birthplace of Harriet Jacobs, an enslaved African American whose 1861 autobiography, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl", is now considered an American classic.
History.
Edenton Colony.
In 1658 adventurers from the Jamestown area drifted through the wilderness from Virginia and found a location on the bank of a natural harbor, the site of present-day Edenton. Edenton Colony was the first permanent European settlement in what is now the state of North Carolina.
Edenton was established in 1712 as "the Towne on Queen Anne's Creek". It was later known as "Ye Towne on Mattercommack Creek" and still later as "the Port of Roanoke". It was renamed "Edenton" and incorporated in 1722 in honor of Governor Charles Eden who had died that year.
Historic Edenton.
Edenton served as the second capital of the Province of North Carolina, from 1722 to 1743, with the governor establishing his residence there and the population increasing during that period.
William Byrd II, who visited the town in March 1729, provides a description of Edenton in his "The History of the Dividing Line":
This town is Situated on the north side of Albermarle Sound which is there about 5 miles over. A Dirty Slash runs all along the Back of it, which in the Summer is a foul annoyance, and furnishes abundance of that Carolina plague, musquetas. There may be 40 or 50 Houses, most of them Small, built without Expense. A Citizen here is counted Extravagant, if he has Ambition enough to aspire to a Brick-chimney. Justice herself is but indifferently Lodged, the Court-House having much the Air of a Common Tobacco-House. I believe this is the only metropolis in the Christian or Mohametan world where there is neither Church, Chapel, Mosque, Synagogue, nor any other Place of Publick Worship of any Sect or Religion whatsoever. What little Devotion there may be is much more private than their vices.
A landmark in women's history occurred in Edenton in 1774. Fifty-one women in Edenton, led by Penelope Barker, signed a protest petition agreeing to boycott English tea and other products, in what became known, decades later, as the Edenton Tea Party. The Edenton Tea Party is the first known political action by women in the British American colonies. In fact it so shocked London that newspapers published etchings depicting the women as uncontrollable. Her home, the Barker House, is open seven days a week, without a fee, and is considered by many as Edenton's living room.
Joseph Hewes, a resident of Edenton and successful owner of a merchant marine fleet, was appointed the first Secretary of the Navy in 1776. John Adams said that Hewes "laid the foundation, the cornerstone of the American Navy." Hewes also signed the United States Declaration of Independence.
James Iredell, also of Edenton, was at 38 the youngest member of the first United States Supreme Court. He was appointed by George Washington. His son James Iredell, Jr., served as the Democratic-Republican governor of North Carolina and then became a United States senator. His home may be toured through the Historic Edenton Visitors Center.
Easy sea access halted with a 1795 hurricane which silted Roanoke Inlet. Completion of the 1805 Dismal Swamp Canal took business elsewhere by diverting shipping to Norfolk, Virginia. Locals rejected construction of a railroad, a lack that impeded the local economy.
Supreme Court Justice James Wilson, a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, died in Edenton on August 21, 1798, at age 55, while riding his judicial circuit.
Harriet Jacobs and her brother John were born into slavery in Edenton in 1813 and 1815, respectively. They, and later Harriet's children, were baptized at St.Paul's. Their early childhood was centered around Horniblow's tavern, the town's only colonial hotel, on the northern side of East King Street, just west of Chowan County Courthouse. Twelve-year old John Jacobs was sold at public auction in 1828, probably at Market House (junction Water Street / Broad Street). Both siblings became enslaved to an abusive master, the local physician, Dr. James Norcom, living with him at his house on West Eden Street. In 1835, Harriet Jacobs went into hiding in the house of her grandmother, a freedwoman, on the northern side of West King Street, a few steps from Broad Street. She famously had to stay there concealed in a crawl space for seven years before she was finally able to escape to New York, where she wrote "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl", now considered an "American classic".
In 1862, during the Civil War, the Albemarle Artillery was recruited at Edenton by a local attorney named William Badham, Jr. Its guns were cast from bronze bells taken from courthouse and churches in the Edenton area. Known as the Edenton Bell Battery, its four howitzers were named the "Columbia", "St. Paul", "Fannie Roulac", and "Edenton". Two of the guns, the "St. Paul" and "Edenton", have been returned to Edenton and can now be seen at Edenton's waterfront park.
Edenton enjoyed an economic revival beginning in 1890 led by lumbering, an 1898 cotton mill, and a 1909 peanut-processing plant.
Edenton is the home of the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse. The lighthouse is called a screw-pile design because of its original support system. Each piling was literally screwed into the river or sound bottom so they would not pull out in heavy storms and hurricanes. The Roanoke River Lighthouse, now located at Edenton, is believed to be the last extant example in the United States of a rectangular frame building built for a screw-pile base. The lighthouse was in commission from 1887 until 1941.
Edenton is home to numerous early houses and public buildings, including the Cupola House. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, a designation also accorded the 1776 Chowan County Courthouse. The courthouse is still used for official court events. The city is home to the oldest house still in existence in North Carolina, constructed in 1719 before the establishment of the city.
Edenton achieved international notoriety for the Little Rascals Day Care sexual abuse case, the subject of journalist Ofra Bikel's award-winning trilogy of documentaries: "Innocence Lost" (1991), "Innocence Lost: The Verdict" (1993), and "Innocence Lost: The Plea" (1997).
Geography.
Edenton is located in southern Chowan County at (36.061855, −76.605766). It sits at the north end of Edenton Bay, just north of the confluence of the Chowan River and Roanoke River which forms Albemarle Sound.
U.S. Route 17, a four-lane expressway, runs along the northern border of the town, with access from five exits. US 17 leads northeast to Elizabeth City and southwest to Williamston. Nags Head on the Outer Banks is to the east by road, and Raleigh, the state capital, is to the west.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Edenton has a total area of , of which is land and , or 3.55%, is water.
Climate.
<section begin="weather box" />
Demographics.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,394 people, 1,983 households, and 1,294 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,076.3 people per square mile (415.7/km2). There were 2,204 housing units at an average density of 439.8 per square mile (169.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 42.86% White, 55.23% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.
There were 1,983 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 24.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 14.3% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,241, and the median income for a family was $34,132. Males had a median income of $27,192 versus $18,281 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,264. About 20.3% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.
Culture.
Located in northeastern North Carolina, Edenton is a small unique town known for its authentic 18th-, 19th- and early 20th-century architecture and the stories about the people behind these public buildings and homes. The Lane House dates from 1719 and may be the oldest house in the state of North Carolina. Edenton played a key role in the development of the colonies, the state and the nation. The Cupola House, a registered National Historic Landmark, was built by Francis Corbin in 1758 on the waterfront at Edenton where it stands today. The 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, another National Historic Landmark, has been used since its construction. The Barker House, home of Penelope Barker, the organizer of the first political action by women in the colonies, is operated as a house museum and to interpret colonial history. The home of James Iredell, Sr., is in Edenton and operated as a North Carolina Historic Site.
Churches.
Edenton has many religious institutions. Some of the churches in the community include:
St Annes Catholic Church c. 1821
First Presbyterian Church of Edenton c. 1946
Sports.
For two years, 1951 and 1952, Edenton's Historic Hicks Field was home to a professional minor league baseball team. The Edenton Colonials played in the Class D Virginia League in 1951 and the Class D Coastal Plain League in 1952. Since 1998 Hicks Field has served as the home park for the Edenton Steamers of the collegiate summer Coastal Plain League.


Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve

The "'Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve", whose site is historically known as Majang, is situated on the Mambilla Plateau in SE Nigeria, covering 46 km2. It can be reached on foot from Yelwa
village past the Mayo Jigawal, from where it is less than half an hour’s walk to the upper edge of the forest. The altitude ranges from up to . Ngel Nyaki was formally gazetted a local authority Forest Reserve under Gashaka - Mambilla Native Authority Forest order of April 1969, but at present it is under the management of the Taraba State Government and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), with the Nigerian Montane Forest Project (NMFP) as a project partner.
In November 2014 a long term monitoring vegetation plot was established in the reserve, funded by Nigerian philanthropist Theophilus Danjuma and administered by the Nigerian Montane Forest Project. The research plot is part of the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) global network operated through the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Vegetation.
The reserve contains a stand of rare dry type montane to sub-montane forest and is the only forest of its type left on the heavily populated Mambilla plateau. The forest is an isolated fragment of approximately 7.5 km2. The forest is diverse in species composition, amongst the most floristically diverse montane–submontane forest stands in Nigeria, and has many tall emergents (e.g. "Pouteria altissima", locally exclusive to this forest). Four tree species are Red Data listed ("Entandrophragma angolense, Lovoa trichilioides, Millettia conraui, Pouteria altissima"), and several, such as "Anthonotha noldeae" are new to West Africa and others new to Nigeria. An illustrated checklist of the flora of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve has been created.
Fauna.
Ngel Nyaki is home to a population of the rare and endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, "Pan troglodytes" subsp. "ellioti". It is estimated that the chimpanzee population in the forest comprises a single interbreeding community of 11–13 adults.
Other primates including putty-nosed monkey ("Cercopithecus nictitans"), mona monkey ("Cercopithecus mona") and tantalus monkey ("Chlorocebus tantalus") also inhabit the forest. Birds such as turacos, the Cameroon olive-pigeon ("Columba sjostedti"), double-toothed barbet ("Lybius bidentatus") and green bulbul are common.
Freshwater crayfish belonging to the genus "Astacopsis" are abundant in the forested streams.
Ngel Nyaki has been classified as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. Species of interest include the IUCN vulnerable Bannerman's weaver ("Ploceus bannermani") and the near threatened Crossley's ground-thrush ("Zoothera crossleyi"). 158 bird species were recorded on the Mambilla Plateau between 13 November – 22 December 2003 by Tony Disley, many of them were within Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve.


Currant Mountain Wilderness

The Currant Mountain Wilderness is a wilderness area centered on Currant Mountain in the White Pine Range of Nye County and White Pine County, in the eastern section of the state of Nevada in the western United States.
The Currant Mountain Wilderness is bordered on the north by the White Pine Range Wilderness, on the east by the Red Mountain Wilderness, and is administered by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The nearest city is Ely, Nevada. Currant Mountain is a habitat for ancient "Pinus longaeva" - Great Basin Bristlecone Pines.


Aymara Lupaca Reserved Zone

The Aymara Lupaca Reserved Zone was a protected area in southeastern Peru, set up in 1996, with an area of around 200,000 hectares. It was expanded in January 2006, but the decree was repealed in 2009.
The zone was established to protect the flora and wild fauna of the Central Andean puna and to preserve the ruins of Tanqa Tanqa of the Lupaca culture shaped by Chullpas, as well as the funeral towers, fortifications and other archaeological sites that could be studied.
This region receives rain between the months of September and March.


Shops at Billerica

The Shops at Billerica (formerly known as Billerica Mall) is a strip mall and former enclosed shopping mall located in Billerica, Massachusetts. It was built as part of a series of malls including the Woburn Mall, and the Mystic Mall. Anchor stores include Burlington and Market Basket. The property is currently going under a massive redevelopment, although the timeline for completion is unknown.
History.
The Billerica Mall thrived in the 1970s up to the early 1990s. In 1998, The Billerica Flick closed down and the space is now a Dollar Tree. In 2005, Burlington Coat Factory closed off their mall entrance. Home Depot tried to locate there and rebuild the mall, but a group called "Billerica First" defeated this proposal in 2007. In 2009, Billerica gave RD Management 1 year to remodel the mall or it would be shut down. Consequently, RD Management announced that the mall would converted ("demalled") into a strip mall. In the summer of 2009, a workers' tools created carbon monoxide which caused the entire mall to be evacuated and aired out. In February 2010, the roof by Kmart collapsed and the mall had to be shut down temporarily.
In mid-2011, RD Management began to add exterior-accessible store fronts and refinished the exterior of the mall with a new tan color scheme. A new sign was installed. On the new sign the mall was renamed "Shops at Billerica".
On November 7, 2019, Sears announced that Kmart would be closing as part of a plan to close 96 stores nationwide. The store closed on February 16, 2020.
Redevelopment.
In mid-2020, RD Management announced plans to redevelop the site. The plans include demolishing the existing Market Basket, reducing the size of the former K-Mart space, constructing a new tenant building across from the existing one, and constructing a multi-story residential component where Market Basket currently stands. The redevelopment plans were approved in early 2021.


Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the critical migration highway called the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, just south of Cambridge, Maryland in Dorchester County, and consists of over 28,000 acres (110 km2) of freshwater impoundments, brackish tidal wetlands, open fields, and mixed evergreen and deciduous forests. Blackwater NWR is one of over 540 units in the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Blackwater Refuge is fed by the Blackwater River and the Little Blackwater River. The name "blackwater" comes from the tea-colored waters of the local rivers, which are darkened by the tannin that is picked up as the water drains through peat soil in the marshes.
Wildlife.
In addition to a wealth of wetlands and forests, Blackwater Refuge is also host to over 250 bird species, 35 species of reptiles and amphibians, 165 species of threatened and endangered plants, and numerous mammals that can be spotted throughout the year in Blackwater's marshes, forests, meadows, and fields. During winter migration, Blackwater Refuge is also home to upwards of 15,000 geese and 10,000 ducks. The refuge is currently host to three recovered species: the formerly endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, the delisted migrant peregrine falcon, and the recently delisted American bald eagle.
Mammals.
Blackwater Refuge is home to a variety of mammals, which until recently included the South American nutria. Introduced to the refuge in the 1930s, intensive trapping efforts starting in 2002 helped nearly eliminate the animal from the area. Among the mammals is also the Delmarva fox squirrel, considered an formerly endangered species. Blackwater forest management programs are working to protect this squirrel.
Mammals found at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge include:
Reptiles and amphibians.
The marshes and swamps of Blackwater provide an ideal living environment for a number of reptiles and amphibians.
Blackwater Refuge's reptiles include:
Blackwater Refuge's amphibians include:
Birds.
Blackwater Refuge is a major feeding ground for migrating birds, most abundant being the Canada goose. Swans, cranes, and more than 20 species of duck can be found in its waters. Also of note is the bald eagle, another of the refuge's protected species. The refuge is home to one of the highest concentrations of nesting bald eagles on the Atlantic coast. In all, the refuge is a resting ground for over 200 varieties of bird.
Some of the more common birds to be spotted in Blackwater Refuge are:
Bald eagles.
The most famous wildlife resident in the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge is the bald eagle. The refuge hosts the largest breeding population of bald eagles on the East Coast north of Florida, and during the winter, many eagles migrate to Blackwater Refuge from northern states and from Canada. The Friends of Blackwater website offers a live Eagle Cam that monitors an eagle nest on the refuge.
In addition, the Friends of Blackwater also offer a live Osprey Cam that follows the adventures of a nesting pair of ospreys through the spring and summer.
Visitor opportunities.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge also offers a wealth of recreational and visitor opportunities for all age groups. Although much of Blackwater Refuge is composed of wetlands, there are still many ways to get close to the wildlife and to enjoy the scenery.
The refuge features a Visitor Center on Key Wallace Drive where visitors will find wildlife exhibits, an authentic eagle's nest, Eagle Cam and Osprey Cam TV monitors, the Eagle's Nest Book and Gift Shop, a butterfly garden, restrooms, and maps and brochures that will help visitors make the most of their visit. On the second floor of the Visitor Center is the "Wild Birds Unlimited Pathways to Nature Observatory," which features bird exhibits and spotting scopes for viewing the Blackwater River, the marsh, and the Osprey Cam platform. (The second floor is accessible via a staircase or a handicap-accessible elevator). The staff at the Visitor Center also offer educational programs for children, as well as frequent organized bird walks and an annual Eagle Festival. The center is open from 8am – 4pm, seven days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Access to the refuge is from dawn till dusk.
The heart of Blackwater Refuge can be accessed via the Wildlife Drive, which is a paved road—approximately 3 1/2 miles in length (or a 6 1/2 mile loop) —that takes visitors along the Blackwater River and offers excellent views of the local wildlife. Visitors can drive, bike, or walk the length of the Drive.
There is a daily permit fee of $3.00 for private vehicles (not including commercial vans or buses) and of $1.00 for pedestrians and bicyclists wishing to access the Wildlife Drive. There are also longer permits and passes available, including a variety of annual passes and a senior citizen pass.
In addition to the Visitor Center and Wildlife Drive, Blackwater Refuge offers three paddling trails, four hiking trails, and hunting, fishing, and crabbing opportunities. There are also other entrances to Blackwater Refuge, making it possible to drive through the refuge without having to take the Wildlife Drive.
About half of the refuge is designated the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument. A portion of the area was transferred to the National Park Service in 2014 as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park.
Staff and volunteers.
The Blackwater Refuge staff is supported by the Friends of Blackwater, which is a non-profit citizen support group that puts in many volunteer hours at the refuge and sponsors various programs and projects throughout the year. In 2003, the Friends of Blackwater were named the "Friends Group of the Year."


Virginia State Route 354

State Route 354 (SR 354) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known as River Road, the state highway runs from a dead end near Bertrand north to SR 3 near Litwalton in western Lancaster County.
SR 354 is a Virginia Byway north of Ottoman.
Route description.
SR 354 begins at a dead end on Whitehouse Creek, an estuarine tributary of the Corrotoman River. The state highway heads west and northwest along the peninsula between the Western Branch of the Corrotoman River to the east and the Rappahannock River to the west. SR 354 passes through the hamlets of Bertrand, Senora, and Ottoman, the last the site of a free ferry across the Western Branch. North of Mollusk, the state highway meets the southern end of SR 201 (White Chapel Road). SR 354 continues through Somers, which lies between Nuttsville to the east and Belle Isle State Park to the west on the Rappahannock River. The state highway passes through Litwalton and crosses Balls Branch of Lancaster Creek before reaching its northern terminus at SR 3 (Historyland Highway). The SR 3 junction is just east of where SR 3 crosses Lancaster Creek into Richmond County.


Pioneer Cabin Tree

The Pioneer Cabin Tree, also known as The Tunnel Tree, was a giant sequoia in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, California. It was considered one of the U.S.'s most famous trees, and drew thousands of visitors annually.
It was estimated to have been more than 1,000 years old, and measured in diameter; its exact age and height were not known.
The tree was topped before 1859. It fell and shattered during a storm on January 8, 2017.
History.
The Pioneer Cabin Tree got its name from its distinctively hollow trunk, partially burnt by lightning strikes and forest fire.
It had small compartments as in a log cabin, with the tree's burnt core as a chimney, and a small opening as a backdoor.
In 1857 it was noted that the "top half" of the tree was broken off at about 150 feet, and that the tree was hollow.
In the early 1880s,
a tunnel was cut through the compartments by a private land owner at the request of James Sperry, founder of the Murphys Hotel, so that tourists could pass through it.
The tree was chosen in part because of the large forest fire scar. The Pioneer Cabin Tree emulated the tunnel carved into Yosemite's Wawona Tree, and was intended to compete with it for tourists.
Since the 1880s and for more than 50 years, visitor graffiti was encouraged, but this practice was prohibited in the 1930s. At first only pedestrians were allowed to pass through the tree.
Later, for many years, automobiles drove through it as part of the "Big Trees Trail". It was one of several drive-through trees in California.
Subsequently, only hikers were allowed to pass through the tree's tunnel as part of the North Grove Loop hiking trail.
Fall.
The Pioneer Cabin Tree fell during a rain storm and flooding on January 8, 2017. It was the strongest storm to hit the area in over a decade. The flooding, combined with the shallow root system of giant sequoias, likely caused it to fall. A park volunteer reported that the tree had been weakening, becoming brittle and leaning to one side for several years, with only a single branch remaining alive. It had been weakened by the severe damage caused by the tunnel carved through its trunk. The tree shattered on impact with the ground.
After the fall of the tree the park trail closed for a cleanup operation. Some sections of the tree remained intact, but the park's preservation policy prevented them from being cut up, for example to determine the tree's exact age.
At least one observer suggested that the tree fell victim to the profit motive and greed, not just a storm. It was one of several trees that were mutilated to promote tourism. California State Parks supervising ranger Tony Tealdi said that today the hollowing out of a tree would not be permitted.
Drive-through and other noted trees.
This was one of several trees that were hollowed out for the amusement of tourists.
The two giant sequoia drive-through trees have both fallen:
Two walk-through giant sequoia tunnel trees still stand:
Two others have edifices carved within:
Tunnel Log is a fallen giant sequoia tree in Sequoia National Park. The tree, which measured 275 feet (84 m) tall and 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter, fell across a park road in 1937 due to natural causes. The following year, a crew cut an 8-foot (2.4 m) tall, 17-foot (5.2 m) wide tunnel through the trunk, making the road passable again.
There are three coast redwood trees that can be driven through near US 101 in northern California, namely: Klamath Tour Thru Tree; Shrine Drive-Thru Tree; and Chandelier Tree.
The loss of the Pioneer Cabin Tree occasioned an encomium to other important trees that still remain.


Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area

The Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area is a national scenic area (NSA) covering the area surrounding Loch Rannoch, Glen Lyon, and the Ben Lawers ranges of mountains in Scotland. It is one of 40 such areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development by restricting certain forms of development. The Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA covers 48,625 ha, most of which lies in the council area of Perth and Kinross, with a small portion lying in Stirling.
National scenic areas are primarily designated due to the scenic qualities of an area, however NSAs may well have other special qualities, for example related to culture, history, archaeology, geology or wildlife. Areas with such qualities may be protected via other national and international designations that overlap with the NSA designation. Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon includes a National nature reserve at Ben Lawers, and there are three Special Areas of Conservation and one Special Protection Area within the NSA.
Creation of the national scenic area.
Following the Second World War, a committee, chaired by Sir Douglas Ramsay, was established to consider preservation of the landscape in Scotland. The report, published in 1945 proposed that five areas (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the Cairngorms, Glen Coe-Ben Nevis-Black Mount, Wester Ross and Glen Strathfarrar-Glen Affric-Glen Cannich) should receive a level of protection. The government therefore designated these areas as "national park direction areas", giving powers for planning decisions taken by local authorities to be reviewed by central government. Following a further review of landscape protection in 1978, additional areas, including the hills and glens to the east of Rannoch Moor, were identified as worthy of protection due to their landscape qualities. Accordingly, in 1981 the direction areas were replaced by the national scenic area designation, which were based on the 1978 recommendations and thus included the area entitled "Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon". The defined area remains as originally mapped in 1978, but was redesignated under new legislation in 2010.
Although the national scenic area designation provides a degree of additional protection via the planning process, there are no bodies equivalent to a national park authority, and whilst local authorities (in this case Perth and Kinross Council and Stirling Council) can produce a management strategy for each one, only the three national scenic areas within Dumfries and Galloway have current management strategies.
Geography.
The designated area covers much of the historical province of Breadalbane, and covers landscapes ranging from flat, fertile farmland up to exposed mountain summits. Ben Lawers, at 1214 m, is the highest point in the highest and most extensive mountain massif in the southern part of the Scottish Highlands. Schiehallion, an isolated peak lying in the east of the NSA, is one of the most prominent mountains in Scotland.
The area is drained by two tributaries of the River Tay: the River Tummel (which drains Loch Rannoch) and the River Lyon, which flows through Glen Lyon. Most human settlement and activity has been concentrated along these two rivers; many of the smaller side glens also contain visible signs of previous occupations, for example in the presence of old shielings. The area contains fragments of the ancient Caledonian pinewood, along with areas of native birchwood.
Other conservation designations.
There are a number of other protected areas that overlap to some extent with the national scenic area.


Upper Taz Nature Reserve

Upper Taz Nature Reserve () (also Verkhne-Tazovsky) is a Russian 'zapovednik' (strict nature reserve) at the geographic center of the Russia Empire. It is on the upper reaches of the Taz River, on the east-central edge of the West Siberian Plain, about 700 km north of the city of Tomsk. The reserve is one of the largest in Russia, and is an important spawning ground for fish such as salmon and trout, and also protects fur-bearing animals such as the sable and ermine. It is divided into two forests - Pokolskoe and Taz, protecting the left bank of the Ratta River. The reserve is situated in the Krasnoselkupsky District of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Topography.
The Upper Taz Reserve protects the basin of the Ratta River, which enters the Taz River at the northern border of the reserve. The boundaries stretch 150 km north to south, and 70 km west to east. The terrain is typical of the Upper Taz hills: hilly moraine ridges (on average 50 meters), in a strongly dissected landscape of rivers and streams. The territory is bounded on the north by the Taz, and is to the west of the basin of the Yenisei River. Besides the Ratta, the other major river of the area is the Pokolku River. The tributary rivers have many rapids and shoals. The Upper Taz reserve includes the highest point in the surrounding Siberian ridges, at 285 meters above sea level.
Climate and ecoregion.
Upper Taz is located in the "West Siberian taiga" ecoregion, a region that covers the West Siberian Plain, from the Urals to the Central Siberian Plateau. It is an area of extensive conifer boreal forests, and also extensive wetlands, including bogs and mires.
The climate of Upper Taz is "Humid continental climate, cool summer" (Köppen climate classification Subartic climate(Dfc)). This climate is characterized by mild summers (only 1-3 months above ) and cold, snowy winters (coldest month below ).
Flora and fauna.
The reserve is about 75% forest, 15% swamp. The forests are light, with pine trees on the sandy terraces making up 60% of the trees, cedar 17%, larch 12%, birch 7%, spruce 3% and aspen 1%. The understory is relatively clear, mostly pine. To the extent a shrub layer exists, it is found in sparse clumps of juniper and rosehip.
The most common mammals are brown bear, otter, American mink, ermine, and fox; the moose population in the territory numbers perhaps 300 individuals. Wolves appear in the fall as the elk are migrating through. The upper reaches of the Taz escaped most logging, and forest animals of the Euro-Asian boundaries have found refuge in isolated areas. Scientists on the reserve have recorded 68 species of vertebrates, and 98 species of birds. Most of the bird biodiversity is in the floodplains. The upper reaches of the Taz are important spawning and wintering grounds for salmon and whitefish.
Ecoeducation and access.
As a strict nature reserve, the Upper Taz Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with 'environmental education' purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. There are a number of 'ecotourist' routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public, but require permits to be obtained in advance. The main office is in the village of Krasnoselkup, which is far from the territory itself. Guided ecotours are conducted by boat, snowmobile, and on foot.


Nevis Tiger Muskie

The Nevis Tiger Muskie is a sculpture located at 114-122 Bunyan Trails Rd, Nevis, Minnesota.
The sculpture is known as the world's largest tiger muskie. It is a representation of the tiger muskellunge, a carnivorous fish found in local waters. It is 30 feet and 6 inches long, and made of cedar and redwood covered with cement scales.
The fish was built in 1949 by the Nevis Civic & Commerce Chamber as a tourist attraction, joining the ranks of several other large fish statues across the state of Minnesota. It was dedicated by Minnesota governor Luther Youngdahl on August 22, 1950 to all tourists visiting Minnesota. In 1991 it was covered by an awning to keep the elements at bay and is stationed in front of a pavilion with picnic tables and a small playground. The sculpture and its pavilion are located on the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The area is a noted tourist attraction and provides a station for numerous photo opportunities and an easily identifiable landmark in the small town of Nevis.
In September 2012, the Nevis Public School considered returning their school mascot back from "Tigers" to the original "Tiger Muskies".
This roadside attraction lends its name to the annual Nevis Muskie Days, held every July since the inaugural celebration in 1950. The event includes the Muskie 5K run, a street dance, and numerous vendors.


Endless Caverns

Endless Caverns is a commercial show cave located south of New Market, Virginia, United States. The cave is a limestone solution cave.
History.
According to the tour operators, the cave was discovered by two boys in October 1879, while hunting rabbits on the property of Ruben Zirkle. The boys cornered a rabbit behind an outcropping of limestone rocks, and began moving some of the loose stones to flush the rabbit from his hiding place. After doing this they discovered a hole in the ground and ran back to the house to grab some ropes and candles. After going into the hole the boys found that there were many chambers and rooms. Not long after the discovery, the Zirkles began doing candle lit tours through the cave. In 1919, the cave was bought by Colonel Brown who had the cave fully electrified for the August 1920 grand opening with a lighting design by Phinheas Stephens. In 1928 more electric work was done in collaboration with Samuel Hibben and W.A. Oglesby. There is a campground site with hookups for recreational vehicles at Endless Caverns.
Wildlife.
Endless is home to colonies of bats, primarily little brown bats, that are visible on the tour route.
Extent.
The present mapped extent of Endless Caverns is , making it the 20th longest cave in Virginia and the 176th longest in the United States. Its deepest measured point is below the surface.


Strict nature reserves of Finland

Strict nature reserves () are specific areas in Finland which have been established for scientific reasons. Their primary purpose is the conservation of nature and research. The regulations for the nature reserves are much stricter than those for the national parks of Finland. It is usually not permitted to travel inside the areas, although some areas have trails open for the public. The strict nature reserves cover a total area of 1,530 km².
There are a total of 19 strict nature reserves in Finland. 17 of them are managed by the Metsähallitus and 2 by the Forest Research Institute Metla.


List of national parks of Uruguay

The following is a list of some of the National Parks in Uruguay.


Riserva naturale dello Zingaro

Riserva naturale dello zingaro was the first natural reserve set up in Sicily in May 1981, located almost completely in the municipal territory of San Vito Lo Capo. It stretches along some seven kilometers of unspoilt coastline of the Gulf of Castellammare and its mountain chain, the setting of steep cliffs and little bays.
The Zingaro Reserve has a large variety and abundance of rare and endemic plants, as well as a rich fauna. The highly varied ecological niches give a great diversity which is not easily found in others parts of the island. In the Zingaro Reserve at least 39 species of birds nest and mate, mainly birds of prey, including the peregrine falcon, the common kestrel and the common buzzard. The area has also a rich archaeological past; for example the spectacular was one of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily. The reserve has a complex network of paths, shelters, water taps, picnic areas, museums, carpark, and other amenities; there are no roads and it can only be visited on foot.
The Zingaro Reserve incorporates not only the land and beaches, but also the adjacent sea. The beautiful beaches, pebbled and lapped by the clear blue sea, can be reached along various rather steep paths.


Brownsberg Nature Park

Brownsberg Nature Park is a nature reserve located in Suriname. The site measures 12,000 ha and is located in the district of Brokopondo around 130 km south from the capital city Paramaribo. The 500 meter high Brownsberg is the central point of the park. The site is located near the Brokopondo Reservoir. The park is managed by STINASU. Often the people of Suriname use the word "Brownsberg" as simple variant of Brownsberg Nature Park. Local people also write it as "Bruijnsberg", pronounced as "Braynsberg".
History.
At the end of the 19th century gold miners entered the area now known as Brownsberg Nature Park. One of the first was John Brown after whom both the park as well as the mountain ("berg" meaning mountain in Dutch) are named. After the miners left there was a failed attempt to mine bauxite.
Since 1969 the site has been a nature reserve and has been managed by STINASU.
Gold mining is known to have occurred again since 1999. Action against the illegal miners was taken periodically, but high gold prices have led them to return.
Geography.
The geomorphological history of the area led to the current biodiversity of the park. It also left the gold deposits. The Brownsberg, located on the Mazaroni plateau, overlooks the Brokopondo Reservoir.
Flora and fauna.
The park is in the Guianan moist forests ecoregion.
It has an estimated 1450 species of plants and 350 species of birds. Amongst the species present are howler monkeys, grey-winged trumpeters, toucans and red-rumped agoutis.
Threats.
In 2012 the World Wide Fund for Nature published a report on the nature park which stated that it was severely threatened by illegal gold mining. The organisation found fifty illegal sites of gold miners in three weeks. The number of illegal gold miners was estimated between 1500 and 2000 in the immediate years preceding 2012 by the head of the committee of Gold Mining Regulation. The number has risen due to higher gold prices. Mercury also attained the soil of the park.
Tourism.
The park receives around 20,000 visitors each year. Near the mountain there are several sleeping accommodations, an information center and restaurant. Starting at the mountain there are several paths leading to waterfalls and other waters.


Al Lith

Al Lith () is a city in the Tihamah region on the coast of the Red Sea south west of the holy city of Mecca. It is the fifth largest city in population in Makkah Province, and it is one of the large sea ports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, and Miqat Yalamlam is located north of it. The estimated population of Al Lith is over 72,000 people.
Geography.
It is located 180 km to the south west from the holy city of Mecca, and 190 km south of Jeddah. Its northern villages are just 90 km away from Mecca. It extends to Hejaz mountains and Adham and Taif cities to the east and extends as far south as Al Qunfudah city. The international coastal road Jeddah - Jizan passes by it.
Climate.
Al Lith has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification "BWh").
History and profile.
Al Lith got its name from the Valley of Leith, which is located at the east of it near Ghumayqah village. Al Lith today is a commercial port that receives pilgrims and goods from all corners of the world. In the past, it used to be a large commercial port that receives ships from Jizan, Yemen, and the coast of Africa and exporting those goods after that to Mecca and Jeddah.
Al Lith is one of the underwater diving sites.


Ikorongo Game Reserve

The Ikorongo Game Reserve is a game reserve in Tanzania. The reserve was established in 1993. The site has an area of . It is located along the left side of the northern part of Serengeti National Park.
The Ikorongo is rich in species of wild animals as the reserve have several rivers crisscrossing. Elephants, Rhino, Giraffe, Buffalo, Greater and Lesser Kudu, Hyena, Baboon, Zebra, Lion, Wild dogs, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, Topi, Warthog and Duiker can be found here. Of the plants there are Riverine, wooded grassland and acacia.


Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast

Shuya () is the third largest town in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia; located on the Teza River. Population:
History.
The first record of Shuya is dated by 1393. Since 1403, the area was held by a branch of the House of Suzdal, which got their name "Shuysky" after the town. In 1539, the town was sacked by Safa Giray of Kazan. In 1566, it was taken by Ivan the Terrible as his personal property into Oprichnina. In 1722, the town was visited by Peter the Great, who launched textile manufacturing there. Town status was granted to it in 1778. By the 19th century, Shuya was developed into a major flax-processing center, although it has been since superseded in importance by the neighboring town of Ivanovo.
Administrative and municipal status.
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Shuya serves as the administrative center of Shuysky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the Town of Shuya—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the Town of Shuya is incorporated as Shuya Urban Okrug.
Architecture.
Nikolo-Shartomsky Monastery, situated from Shuya, has one of the largest monastic communities in Russia. It was first mentioned in 1425. It has a cathedral from 1652 and a refectory church from 1678.
The belltower of the Resurrection Cathedral in Shuya is the tallest freestanding bell tower in the world.
Notable people.
Notable people from Shuya include peasant Feodor Vassilyev, whose first wife still holds the world record for most children ever born (sixty-nine). Mikhail Frunze led textile workers in the town in a strike action during the Revolution of 1905.


Savio River Reserve

The Savio River Reserve extends along the River Savio in Italy. The River has preserved its natural course and its high-water bed is one of the few original landscapes left unchanged in the area around Cesena. The Reserve "merges" with urban area of Cesena, entering the town between the two historical bridges, the "Ponte Vecchio" (Old Bridge) and the "Ponte Nuovo" (New Bridge).
A depress area is assigned to the creation of meadows for the nesting. The meadows will be accessible on foot or by canoe and guided tours will also be available.


Domica Cave

The Domica cave is situated on the south-western border of the "Silicka planina Plateau" south-east of Plesivec in the Rožňava District of the Košice Region in southern Slovakia and in combination with the Baradla cave represents the most significant section of the "Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst" cross-border cave network that continues into the (Aggtelek National Park) in Hungary.
These vast limestone passages, that had formed during the Middle Triassic and are rich in speleothems were discovered in 1926 by Ján Majko. A section of its total length of is publicly accessible since 1932.
As an element of the "Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst" the site has been induced into the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.
Exploration.
The site belongs to a complex variety of formations that include 712 caves, many of which were well known among the local population for centuries. Bartholomeides, a priest from Ochtiná documented his first systematic excursions into the "Certova diera Cave" in 1801. His conclusions that a number of local caves are simply parts of a bigger entity were corroborated by the explorer I.Vass, who surveyed the Baradla cave in 1821. E.Nyari took up archaeological work in 1881 and suggested a connection of the "Certova diera" and "Baradla Cave" as did K. Siegmenth in 1891. Only the extensive work of Jan Majko in 1926 confirmed the interconnection of several local caves and lead to the discovery of the Domica cave on October 3, 1926. J. Majko penetrated from its bottom through a 15 m deep abyss into large underground spaces in 1926 where plenty of archaeological discoveries were made later.
Description.
The Domica Cave is situated in the Slovak karst and consists of light limestone of the Middle Triassic. The passages were shaped by the waters of an underground river, called "Styx". Speleothem decoration is omnipresent and very impressive, including cascades of stalactite lakes, variously shaped stalactites domed temples and notably bat guano, that had diffused into sinter crusts accounts for unique forms and textures of surface decoration.
Karst processes have over tens of millions of years created diverse structures and habitats that date back to the Late Cretaceous. Subsequent periods of temperate, glacial, subtropical and tropical climatic conditions excellently demonstrate karst formation under varying conditions. Biologists, geologists and paleontologists are confronted with a rich set of various conditions, that affect sedimentation, evolution and fossilization in a geological time frame.
Human occupation.
Jaroslav Böhm directed excavations during the 1930s. Human presence has been documented dating back to the Paleolithic. The cave had presumably been a casual refuge for the oldest Neolithic inhabitants of Eastern Slovakia. However, the cave has been frequented by Neolithic humans of the Bükk culture, who might even have manufactured their distinct thin-walled pottery inside the cave. The original entrance of the Domica Cave was blocked by debris after Paleo-humans had abandoned it and the cave became inaccessible.
Post holes from dwelling objects and fireplaces were discovered in several places of the cave. More than 200 reconstructed containers from sherds as well as a terrace-dug slope in a fine-grained loam on the Styx bank with imprints of stone axes are evidences of ceramics manufacture in the cave. Irons, awls, arrows, the oldest comb in Europe, ring, decorated cylinder bracelet and fishhook represent the peak of Neolithic processing of bones. Also pendants from shells and animal teeth were preserved.


Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the U.S. State of Arizona.
Access.
The wilderness is administered by the BLM and is located northeast of Mammoth, Arizona in Graham and Pinal counties, about southeast of Phoenix. Pedestrian access to the preserve is allowed only with prior authorization from preserve staff. The area is popular for its recreation, especially its hiking trails and off-roading. Visitors can hike to the abandoned cabin at the Parsons Grove site in the Aravaipa Canyon Preserve as of 2013. Travel in the canyon requires wading in Aravaipa Creek.
Geography.
The Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness forms the northwest border of the Galiuro Mountain range. The wilderness includes the long Aravaipa Canyon, the surrounding tablelands and nine side canyons. The Nature Conservancy's Aravaipa Canyon Preserve protects 7,000 acres (28 km2) of private land and is contiguous with the BLM wilderness area.
Permits and fees.
A permit and fee are required to enter Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. Use is limited to 50 people per day. Permits can be obtained from the BLM.


Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park

The Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park () collectively are a marine park and a coastal park located along the reef and coast of Harmers Haven, Cape Paterson and Inverloch in the South Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. Collectively, the parks are located approximately southeast of Melbourne, between Coal Point in the west to Wreck Creek in the east, and are used for walking, picnicking, boating, education and research.
The Bunurong Marine Park comprises two separate areas along of coastline and was gazetted on . The broad rock platforms and underwater reefs of Bunurong Marine Park support a remarkable range of habitats, containing a diverse array of plants and animals.
The Bunurong Coastal Park includes the narrow strip of public land adjacent to Bunurong Marine Park and Bunurong Marine National Park, between the eastern boundary of the Cape Paterson Foreshore Reserve at Undertow Bay in the west and Wreck Creek in the east, and was gazetted in June 1984.
Both parks draw their name from the Australian Aboriginal Bunurong people who are the traditional owners of the land and water in the region.
Etymology.
The Bunurong parks are named after the Bunurong Aboriginal people who owned this stretch of coast for thousands of years prior to colonisation. The Boakoolawal clan lived in the Kilcunda area south of the Bass River, and the Yowenjerre were west of the Tarwin River along what is now the Bunurong Marine and Coastal Parks near Wonthaggi. Middens containing charcoal and shellfish mark the location of their campsites along the coast.
Features.
The principal features of the park are the striking rock formations including the large rock structure called Eagles Nest, located adjacent to the coastline at the eastern end of the marine national park. Eagles Nest also resembles the top half of a map of Australia. Other attractions include Flat Rocks where there are large rockpools for rockpool rambling and direct access from Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road. The Bunurong Marine National Park is accessed at many different points along this coast, a popular one being near Cape Paterson caravan park on Surf Beach Road as it has a modified rockpool for swimming. Direct and more difficult access to the marine national park is via car parks off Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road. Exploring, snorkelling and scuba diving are popular. There are boat launching facilities at Inverloch on Anderson Inlet.
Australia’s first dinosaur bone, the Cape Paterson Claw, was discovered in 1903 by William Ferguson at what is now Bunurong Marine Park at Eagles Nest beach in Inverloch. Since then more than bones and teeth of small dinosaurs, mammals, birds, turtles and fish have been excavated. There is a dinosaur exhibition at the Inverloch Shell Museum.
Ecology.
Together with the Bunurong Marine National Park, the Bunurong Marine and Coastal Parks support many marine animals including seastars, featherstars, crabs, snails, 87 species of fish, whales and seals. It has the highest recorded diversity of intertidal and subtidal invertebrates in eastern Victoria. The range of seaweed species is large.
Restrictions.
It is prohibited to kill or take any matter (i.e., catch fish, collect seashells or kill or take any sea or land creature, living or dead) from the Bunurong Marine National Park, but fishing (only with a rod) is permitted in the Bunurong Marine Park.


Artemano Canada

Artemano is a Canadian home furnishing company that was founded in October 2002. They are headquartered in Longueuil, Quebec, where their warehouse & distribution centre is located. Artemano Canada sells its merchandise through its retail branches on Le Corbusier street in Laval, the DIX30 lifestyle centre in Brossard, on St. Joseph Blvd. in Quebec City, in Toronto, Ontario, in Ottawa, Ontario and in Longueuil, Quebec.
References.
Kiefer, L. (2003, March 15). Mobilier - les «indiennités» d'artemano. Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/non-classe/22362/mobilier-les-indiennites-d-artemano
Paquet, H. (2004, October 24). Meubles et décor - Découvrir Le Corbusier. Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/66739/meubles-et-decor-decouvrir-le-corbusier
La maison de : maxim lapierre - variété de meubles antiques. (2009, May 6). Retrieved from https://archive.is/20130115145933/http://ft1.tqs.ca/videos/maison-de-maxim-lapierre/2009/05/la-maison-de---maxim-lapierre---variete-de-meubles-antiques-44695.php
Episode 3 - la maison de jacques villeneuve. (2009, September 21). Retrieved from http://vtele.ca/emissions/lamaisondejacquesvilleneuve/episodes/saison-2/episode-3/videos/episode-3---partie-1-1828/


Kintail

Kintail () is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, located in the Highland Council area. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie; its boundaries, other than Glen Shiel, are generally taken to be the valleys of Strath Croe and Gleann Gaorsaic to the north and An Caorann Mòr to the east. Although close to the west coast the mountains lie on the main east-west watershed of Scotland, as the northern side of Kintail drains via Glen Affric to the east coast.
Kintail gives its name to the Kintail National Scenic Area, one of the forty national scenic areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development. The designated area includes the mountains of Kintail proper, as well as the southern side of Glen Shiel from the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel west to the shores of Loch Duich, and extends west to as far as Dornie on the north shore of Loch Duich. The designated area covers 17,149 ha in total, of which 16,070 ha is on land, with a further 1079 ha being marine (i.e. below low tide level), consisting of the sea loch of Loch Duich. The area is considered to encapsulate the scenery of the west highlands, being composed of ridges and peaks that rise steeply from narrow glens and the sea.
The main settlement within Kintail is Morvich, located to the northwest of the mountains, just off the A87 road. Morvich serves as the location of the base for Kintail Mountain Rescue Team, as well a campsite operated by The Caravan Club.
Mountains.
The hills to the north-east of Glen Shiel are known as the Five Sisters Of Kintail (Gaelic: "Còig Peathraichean Chinn Tàile", although the name is not derived from the Gaelic), and form a high ridge some long rising steeply from Glen Shiel to a maximum height of 1,067 metres (3,501 feet). According to legend, the five sisters are the oldest of seven sisters, as the youngest two sisters fell in love with two Irish princes who washed ashore during a storm. Their father would only allow them to marry once the older sisters has also been married, and so the princes agreed to send their other five brothers once they had returned to Ireland with their new wives. Although the princes failed to appear, the five sisters continued to wait, eventually turning into mountains to extend their vigil into eternity. The five distinctly pointed summits (Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe, Sgùrr na Càrnach, Sgùrr Fhuaran, Sgùrr nan Saighead and Sgurr na Moraich) are a well-known landmark and a popular hillwalking expedition. Three of the Five Sisters, which are all over 3,000 feet, are classified as full Munros, with the other two being subsidiary Munro tops.
The ridge containing the Five Sisters continues unbroken to the east where it takes in a further three Munros (Sgùrr a' Bhealaich Dheirg, Sàileag and Aonach Meadhoin) which are often known as the Brothers of Kintail. Beinn Fhada (Ben Attow) is the other main mountain in the area.
Ownership.
Most of Kintail is owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). The Trust's Kintail and Morvich estate covers and includes the Falls of Glomach, one of the highest waterfalls in Great Britain. The estate was purchased for the NTS in 1944 by Percy Unna, the Scottish Mountaineering Club president who also acquired Glen Coe for the Trust. NTS operate an outdoor education centre in Morvich, which provides accommodation for groups such as school parties undertaking field studies and outdoor pursuits.
Wildlife and nature.
Bird species found within Kintail include golden eagles, merlins and black-throated divers. Otters are relatively common, and pine martens also inhabit the wooded parts of the area, whilst red deer can be seen on the lower slopes of the mountains. Kintail is also home to herd of feral goats, thought to be descendants of goats first brought to Britain in around 3000 BCE by neolithic farmers. Due to this origin they are considered non-native, and as there are currently no top predators for goats NTS are considering a cull to reduce the herd, which currently numbers around 100, in order to reduce pressures on vegetation and allow the area of land covered by native woodland to increase.
Historical landmarks.
A 1.75 m high, 2,000-year-old standing stone known as Cill Fhearchair stands within a burial ground near Shiel Bridge.
A large boulder lying on the steep southwest slopes of Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe is known as "Prince Charlie's Stone", as it the place where Charles Edward Stuart spent a day in the summer of 1746 hiding from government troops. At the time he had a £30,000 bounty on his head after fleeing after the Battle of Culloden.


Ala Archa National Park

The Ala Archa National Park is an alpine national park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, established in 1976 and located approximately 40 km south of the capital city of Bishkek.
History.
In Kyrgyz, the "archa", which gives the park its name, is a bright or many-colored juniper which the Kyrgyz people have traditionally held in special esteem, using smoke from its burning wood to chase away evil spirits. However, the archa is not supposed to be planted near the home, because it is believed gradually to sap the energy from human beings living close-by.
Geography.
The park covers about 200 square kilometers, and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Semenov-Tian-Shansky Peak, the highest peak in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range of the Tian Shan. There are more than 20 small and large glaciers and some 50 mountain peaks within the park.
Two smaller rivers, the Adygene and the Ak-Sai, originate from these glaciers' melting waters. The Adygene gorge is a wooded valley with waterfalls, springs and abundant trout.
The park includes the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding it.
Mountains.
Mountain climbing is a popular activity within the park, which offers several peaks in the 4000m class:
Biosphere.
A small reservoir on the Kargay-Bulak river was built to study the Amu Darya trout. Other wildlife includes the very rare snow leopard (in Kyrgyz: "ilbirs") on the alpine meadows and snowfields above 2,500 m elevation, wild goats, roe deer and marmots.
The snow leopard has been photographed by the park's camera for the first time in May 2017.
Many plants can be found in the park, including the Crocus alatavicus.
Tourism.
The park is a destination point for weekend picnickers, hikers, horse trekkers, skiers as well as mountain climbers looking for ice, rock and mixed routes. The park is open year round, although the most popular season is late summer and early fall. Every May 1, hundreds of people camp out in the valley and climb Mount Komsomolets for the Alpinada festival.
There is a nominal fee for entering the park. Past the gate, the road continues 12 km to a small collection of buildings, including one newly renovated lodge. At the end of the road, up a trail to the left (East), lies the Ak-Sai Glacier, where remains of a Soviet climbing base indicate the high quality mountaineering within the park. The region's most famous peaks rise from the Ak-Sai glacier, including Korona Peak (4860m) and Free Korea Peak (4740m). To the west of Ala Archa Valley is a trail to the Adygene valley where a climbers' cemetery is located. A third main trail continues down the center of the Ala-Archa valley for 10 km to an old, now abandoned, ski area and numerous other 4000m peaks.
In December 2016, a map of every country's most popular tourist site published by TripAdvisor indicated that the Ala Archa Gorge was the most popular destination in Kyrgyzstan.


Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is an island located southeast of Bali, Indonesia. It is part of a group of three islands that make up the Nusa Penida district, of which it is the most famous. This island group in turn is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Administration.
Administratively, the island is part of a district of Klungkung Regency. Nusa Lembongan is one of three small offshore islands which make up this district, the others being Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Lembongan has the vast majority of the tourist infrastructure within the districtr and is a popular side destination for visitors to mainland Bali and Lombok .
Geography.
Nusa Lembongan is approximately 8 square kilometres in area with a permanent population estimated at 5,000. Twelve kilometres of the Badung Strait separates Nusa Lembongan from Bali Island. The island is surrounded by coral reefs with white sand beaches and low limestone cliffs. Nusa Lembongan is separated from Nusa Ceningan by a shallow estuarine channel which is difficult to navigate at low tide. There are no permanent waterways on Nusa Lembongan. There is a suspension bridge linking Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan which takes foot and motorbike traffic only.
There are three main villages on the island. Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay are the centres of the tourist-based industry and activities on the island whilst much of the permanent local population resides in Lembongan Village.
To the east, the Lombok Strait separates the three islands from Lombok, and marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan realm and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia. The transition is known as the Wallace Line, named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who first proposed a transition zone between these two major biomes.
The north-eastern side of the island is flanked by a relatively large area of mangroves totalling some 212 hectares.
Nusa Lembongan is served by regular direct speed-boat services, mostly from the east-coast Bali resort town of Sanur. Crossing time is approximately 30 minutes and services run at regular intervals during daylight hours. Larger cargo boats also run daily from the Bali port town of Padang Bai.
The island is populated by very few cars. For its main source of transportation is by scooters and foot, due to the small size of the island.
Local economy.
The economy is largely based on tourism and Nusa Lembongan is the only one of the three neighbouring islands to have any significant tourism-based infrastructure. There is also subsistence agriculture and fishing on the island and used to be a seaweed farming micro-industry, until as recently as 2015, when due to tourism and pollution it became unviable.
The island also contains a number of guesthouses and even a small gym.
Conservation issues.
Marine conservation is considered extremely important to sustaining future levels of tourism on the island and in February 2009, a local NGO from Nusa Lembongan, facilitated by The Nature Conservancy Coral Triangle Center, opened a community centre on Nusa Lembongan. The waters around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida have at least 247 species of coral and 562 species of reef fish.
Other conservation initiatives include a release programme of critically endangered olive ridley turtles from Sunset Beach on the south western coast.


Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Porteau Cove Provincial Park is a provincial park located along the eastern shore of Howe Sound in British Columbia, Canada.
Situated along the Sea to Sky Highway, park is 50 hectares in size, and offers picnicing, camping, swimming, windsurfing, and a boat launch. Porteau Cove is a very popular area for scuba diving, with a series of artificial reefs including two sunken vessels. It has 44 drive-in campsites and 16 walk-in sites. 80% of the campsite may be reserved through Discover Camping, April through September. The park is maintained and operated by Sea to Sky Parks, based at Mount Seymour in North Vancouver, BC.
On July 29, 2008, a large rockslide took place at the Porteau Bluffs, just north of Porteau Cove. No one was injured, however access to Whistler was hampered. The highway and the rail line run tightly together at the base of the bluffs, which is composed of slab-like chunks of granite, which formerly overhung the highway until scaling reduced some of the mass of the bluff. The slide has renewed concerns about the geotechnical safety of the route, and was a security issue during the 2010 Olympics events in Whistler. Communities north of the slide, including Whistler, are often isolated by such slides, but a "back door" paved route exists via Lillooet and the Fraser Canyon.
A ferry terminal exists at the park for emergency use. If ever a landslide or avalanche occurs between Porteau Cove and Vancouver or Porteau Cove and Squamish, the BC Government could send in a ferry to detour cars around the slide to Darrell Bay Terminal in Squamish or to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Since slides occur so rarely on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the dock is open to the public as a promenade wharf. The pier is owned by BC Parks, but the ferry ramp and accessories is owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Prohibited activities.
Fishing, shellfish harvesting or removal of other marine life is not allowed.
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings
Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Firewood is available for sale, or park visitors may opt to bring their own. Collection and burning of driftwood is prohibited. Beach wood is an essential component of the inter-tidal zone. Collection and burning of woody debris such as leaves, branches etc. is also prohibited. Beach fires are not permitted.
Scuba diving from the pier and washing dishes are prohibited.
Nude sunbathing is prohibited in the camping area.


Tenorio Protected Zone

Tenorio Protected Zone (), is a protected area in Costa Rica, managed under the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area, it was created in 1976 by decree 5836-A.