Jairo Mora Sandoval Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge

Jairo Mora Sandoval Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge (), is a protected area in Costa Rica, managed under the Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area, it was created in 1986 by decree. It protects both a land portion as well as a marine portion. In 2013 the refuge was renamed to honour the murdered environmentalist Jairo Mora Sandoval. In 2014 land along the coast containing a number of small towns was removed from the refuge, due to complaints from the local residents about evictions and destruction of property due to strict building codes. It is one of only two places in Costa Rica where manatees still occur. It is located in a coastal beach region, fronted by coral reefs and clothed in tropical forest, with 1950-3000mm yearly precipitation.
The Gandoca-Manzanillo Ramsar site is located in this refuge.
Location.
Located in the Talamanca canton, the Jairo Mora Sandoval Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge is found at the southernmost Atlantic coast of Costa Rica, next to the border with Panama. It has two entrances, the first and main access is at the village of Manzanillo which provides services to this area and is the terminus of Route 256, which has a junction with Route 36, which starts in Limón district.
Route 256 runs along the coastline, and the end of it is almost completely encircled by the refuge -the marine part of the refuge includes the sea, and further inland west of the road is the land part of the refuge. It ends at the small town of Manzanillo, which likewise forms a salient almost completely encircled by the refuge. This area includes hotels, rental homes, mini boutique resorts, restaurants, bakeries and beach bars, as well as a few public beaches at the villages of Punta Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva. These villages were formerly part of the park, but were removed from the refuge to allow for local development.
The second access is near the small town of Gandoca, which can be accessed from Route 36 near the border crossing with Panama over the Sixaola River.
There are at least three small villages or populated areas within the refuge: Punta Mona and Mile Creek along the coast, and Finca Buena Fe along the Sixaola River. The Gandoca-Manzanillo Ramsar site is located in this refuge. There is a macaw rehabilitation centre and a Jaguar Rescue Center abutting the refuge near Route 256. Further inland to the west from the town of Gandoca lies a Bribri reservation, Kéköldi.
The larger area around the refuge is largely devoted to banana and plantain cultivation, both conventional plantations and mixed subsistence plots.
History.
The territory was originally inhabited by the Bribri people.
During the 1700s, Afro-descendant fishermen from the English colonies seasonally migrated up and down the Caribbean coast to hunt for sea turtles. In 1828 one of these fishermen brought his family up to Cahuita Point (now Cahuita National Park) and in the following years the coast was subsequently settled by other families. Some historians allege that when in the early 20th century the US United Fruit Company moved into the country to begin banana plantations in the area, they murdered Bribri leaders and violently forced them off their land, causing them to flee away from the lowlands into the mountains. Other historians say Bribri and Cabécar moved to the area in the 1920s, working as day-labourers on cocoa farms along the coast, eventually settling and establishing their own farms. As measles and other diseases struck the Cordillera de Talamanca in the 1930s, more people moved to the coastal region.
The refuge was created in 1986 by national decree 16614-MAG. When it was created, the reserve originally included numerous small fishing villages along the coast inhabited by a population of the English-speaking Afro-Caribbean minority. The region never saw the historical development as elsewhere in Costa Rica, and flimsy bridges along dirt roads kept the capital city far away during much of the 20th century, which helped preserve the culture and nature.
The 1992 novel "The Madwoman of Gandoca" (), by Anacristina Rossi depicts the fights and efforts to create the refuge from an autobiographical point of view, as there were opposite private and government efforts to develop the area as a travel resort, the book was required reading at high school (secondary level) in Costa Rica.
On 2 September 2013 the refuge was renamed from the 'Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge' to the present name, to honour the murdered environmentalist Jairo Mora Sandoval. The formal posthumous homage ceremony was held in the refuge on 26 April 2014.
Having their lands declared a nature reserve subjected the community which found itself inhabiting the refuge to strict and onerous building codes as well as Costa Rica's Maritime Law, and numerous houses or local businesses were notified of impending evictions and subsequent demolitions of their properties in the early 2010s, leading to resentment towards the refuge and complaints of greenwashing racism. In 2014 the Costa Rican legislature adopted Law 9223, "Recognition of the Rights of Inhabitants of the South Caribbean", by which 900 acres of land along the coast were removed from the refuge in order to rectify this situation.
Importance.
In the early 1990s, the refuge was said to be economically important to local inhabitants for its fishing grounds, as fishing was a main source of revenue.
Flora and habitats.
The refuge protects mangroves, estuaries, seagrass, inundated forests, coral reefs, sea turtle nesting. The palm "Raphia taedigera", locally known as "yolillo", and the trees "Campnosperma panamensis" ("orey") and "Prioria copaifera" ("cativo") are particularly common.
There are some mangroves are present, primarily in a wide channel in the mouth of the Río Gandoca near the village of Gandoca, where there are some 250ha. dominated by "Rhizophora mangle". There are a number of other small patches up and down the coast, many in the process of enlargement.
The beaches along this coast of Costa Rica are completely covered in seawater up to the treeline twice a day at high tide. Much of the coastline suffers from coastal erosion, knocking over trees as the soil below their roots is eaten away. Common trees here are coconut and sea grape. "Morinda citrifolia" and "Terminalia catappa", known locally as "almendro de playa", are introduced species from Asia which have also become common, many of these "almendros" have grown into large-sized individuals.
"Yolillo" is found in extensive palm brakes known locally as "yolillales", where it is the dominant plant. This type of habitat forms on flat lowlands which are inundated by floodwaters for much of the year. Another palm species associated with these "yolillo" palms is the smaller "Astrocaryum alatum" ("coquito"). Other species occurring in these swamps are "orey", "cativo", "Pterocarpus officinalis" ("sangrillo") and "Carapa nicaraguensis" ("caobilla").
A special forest ecosystem of some 400ha. occurs between Punta Mona and Middle Creek called "cativales" or "cativera", which is named after the dominant tree here, "cativo". This occurs in a flat, lowland area where the water level and the frequency of flooding are the greatest. The forest is somewhat open and the trees are short, allowing for a diverse composition of plant species, and enough light to reach the forest floor to allow an understory to develop consisting primarily of dwarf palms.
An open herbaceous grassland swamp also occurs here, spreading over an area of 600ha. Besides grasses and floating vegetation, other common species are the trees "Mimosa pigra" ("uña de gato") and "Dalbergia brownei" ("varilla negra").
Fauna.
Several animals inhabit the refuge, among them:
The refuge includes "Crassostrea rhizophorae", the 'mangrove cupped oyster', these are the only known natural banks found in a coastline reef area.
Three species of dolphin are known in the area. The Caribbean Sea hosts the common bottlenose dolphin and the Atlantic spotted dolphin. The freshwater Guiana dolphin, locally known as , was only recently discovered to occur here. Gandoca-Manzanillo is one of only two places in the country where manatees still occur. In former times they were hunted, using a special technique, for their meat. It is a very delicious animal.
An attempt has been made to reintroduce captive-bred great green macaws to the refuge, with 60 birds released as of 2019. These macaws live in artificial nesting barrels hung from trees.
Tourism.
Access to the refuge is free. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are latrines, drinking water, a picnic area, parking areas, local guides and visitor assistance available. There are restaurants, and hotels and cabins for accommodation, located outside the refuge. There are paved and gravel access roads.
Swimming with dolphins was a popular activity among tourists here, but Costa Rican law banned the practice in 2006 for the sake of the animals' health.
Lionfish, "Pterois miles" and "P. volitans", are an invasive species of fish in the seas off the eastern coast of the country since 2009. The introduction to the environment appears to have displaced the native population of spiny lobsters, previously one of the most important commercial catch species in the area. Despite having poisonous spines, it is quite tasty. The local Southern Caribbean Artisanal Fishermen Association has organised an annual snorkelling and harpooning competition since 2012. It is also caught in (modified, or not) lobster pots. The fish have begun to become popular dishes in local restaurants.
Management.
The refuge is managed by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), a government agency, and is geographically categorised as within the greater Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area.


Gondwana Game Reserve

Gondwana Game Reserve is a game reserve situated near the town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape of South Africa, a malaria-free area.
History.
Gondwana is the first authentic free-roaming Big Five Reserve in the Western Cape, situated on 11 000 ha of fynbos and proteas. Owners, Mark and Wendy Rutherfoord, started Gondwana six years ago, transforming a series of cattle and sheep farms into an 11,000-hectare safari destination. The terrain, restored to its natural beauty, consists of open grassland, undulating valleys, indigenous fynbos and now herds of wildlife. Gondwana has re-introduced endangered species like the Cape mountain zebra and south-central black rhinoceros and has a high diversity of antelope species such as eland, gemsbok, red hartebeest, bontebok, and springbok.
Fauna.
Gondwana has also reintroduced the South African cheetahs onto the reserve. They were sourced from an expansive reserve in the Karoo where they were free roaming and born in the wild. This is the result of Gondwana's continued conservation efforts to utilize its habitat to help sustain endangered species, and the cheetah introduction contributes to increasing their genetic diversity in South Africa. Gondwana plays home to not only the free roaming Big 5 but also to the black rhino, over 10 varieties of antelope, more than the Kruger National Park, and hundreds of head of general game.


Cooltong Conservation Park

Cooltong Conservation Park is a protected area located in South Australia about west of the town of Renmark in the Riverland of South Australia. The conservation park was proclaimed under the "National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972" in 1993 to "preserve quality mallee vegetation and habitat for the mallee bird species that frequent the area, in particular the Malleefowl." As of 2011, the conservation park was described as being "dominated by mallee vegetation, with undulating dunes and shales" and that it is "popular among birdwatchers eager to catch a glimpse of elusive mallee birds." Services provided within the conservation park as of 2011 include bushwalking, picnic grounds and vehicle tracks only accessible by 4WD vehicles. The conservation park is classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area.


Burden Falls Wilderness

The Burden Falls Wilderness is a 3,775-acre (15.3 km²) unit of the Shawnee National Forest. It is located in northwestern Pope County and southwestern Saline County, Illinois. The wilderness is characterized by road-less second-growth hardwood forest, punctuated by a small, seasonal waterfall on Burden Creek. "Burden Falls" falls 20 feet (6 m) over a sandstone ledge, and the falling creek then descends another 80 feet (25 m) in a series of cascades and cataracts.
Although this is a very small waterfall by the nationwide standards of the United States, Burden Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Illinois. Unlike most of the state, Pope County and extreme southern Illinois escaped glaciation during the Ice Ages, and steep slopes display the effects of lengthy erosion. Similar geological features in other regions of Illinois were ground into oblivion by the ice. Watercourses confined by sandstone ledges, of the sort found in Burden Falls Wilderness, are locally known as shut-ins.
Hardwood trees in the wilderness include blackjack oak, post oak, and white oak, the state tree of Illinois.
Hikers use the "Burden Falls Trail", a 3.5-mile (5.5 km) pathway. The nearest town of any size is Eddyville, Illinois.
The Burden Falls tract was listed as a wilderness under the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990.


Oluwa Forest Reserve

The Oluwa Forest Reserve is located in Ondo State, Nigeria, and covers over . It is part of the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa forest reserves, although it has become separated from the Omo and Shasha reserves (which are still connected as of 2011). The three reserves contain some of the last remaining forest in the area. Although they are biologically unique, they are threatened by logging, hunting and agriculture.
2007 Nigerian Conservation Foundation report.
In 2007, British Gas commissioned the Nigerian Conservation Foundation to report on the feasibility of its proposed protected area in the three reserves. Among the report's findings were:
Its recommendations were:


Simon Property Group

Simon Property Group, Inc. is a real estate investment trust that invests in shopping malls, outlet centers, and community/lifestyle centers. It is the largest owner of shopping malls in the United States and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It owns interests in 203 properties comprising approximately of gross leasable area in North America and Asia. For a list of notable properties owned by the company, see List of Simon Property Group properties.
History.
Simon Property Group dates to 1960, when Melvin Simon and Herbert Simon began developing strip malls in Indianapolis, Indiana. In December 1993, they took their interests public as Simon Property Group in the largest initial public offering of a real estate investment trust to date.
In 1996, Simon Property merged with the newly public DeBartolo Realty Corp., owner of the real estate assets of Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., to form Simon DeBartolo Group.
In 1997, the company acquired The Retail Property Trust for $1.2 billion in a hostile takeover. Also in 1997, in partnership with Macerich, the company acquired 12 malls from IBM's pension plan for $974.5 million.
In 1998, the company acquired Corporate Property Investors and was renamed Simon Property Group. The company also acquired an ownership interest in Groupe BEG, S.A., operator of shopping centers in Europe.
In 1999, the company acquired 14 shopping centers from New England Development for $725 million.
In 2002, in partnership with Westfield Group and The Rouse Company, the company acquired 13 properties from Rodamco North America including Copley Place, Houston Galleria, and SouthPark Mall.
In 2003, Simon acquired a majority interest The Kravco Company, owner of the King of Prussia, for $300 million.
In 2004, the company entered the outlet mall business with the acquisition of Chelsea Property Group Inc. for $3.5 billion.
In April 2007, Simon and Farallon Capital acquired the Mills Corporation.
In 2009, Simon tried to buy malls owned by General Growth Properties. In February 2010, Simon placed a bid acquire General Growth, which was in bankruptcy protection. However, the bid was rejected by GGP. A GGP shareholder filed suit "(Young v. Bucksbaum)" against the company's board of directors for rejecting Simon's bid, alleging breach of fiduciary duty. In April 2010, Simon offered to make a $2.5 billion equity investment in GGP including a $1 billion investment by Paulson & Co. In May 2010, Simon withdrew from the bidding for GGP after GGP favored transactions with Brookfield Asset Management.
In May 2010, Simon acquired Prime Retail's Prime Outlets-Puerto Rico in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico In August 2010, Simon acquired an additional 21 outlet malls, including locations in Williamsburg, Virginia, San Marcos, Texas and Hagerstown, Maryland for a total of $2.3 billion.
In December 2010, Simon made a $4.5 billion bid for Capital Shopping Centres Group plc; however, the offer was rejected and withdrawn in January 2011.
In September 2011, Simon acquired Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota.
On August 1, 2013, Toronto Premium Outlets opened in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. In October 2014, Premium Outlets Montreal, the second Premium Outlet Center in Canada, opened. In May 2018, Premium Outlet Collection YEG opened at Edmonton International Airport.
In May 2014, the company completed the corporate spin-off of Washington Prime Group, headed by Mark Ordan, the final CEO of Mills Corporation.
In January 2015, Washington Prime Group acquired Glimcher Realty Trust and was renamed WP Glimcher. As part of the deal, Simon acquired Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey and University Park Village in Fort Worth, Texas, while WP Glimcher acquired Brunswick Square in East Brunswick, New Jersey from Simon.
In March 2015, the company offered $23.3 billion for Macerich; however the offer was rejected and withdrawn in April 2015.
In September 2016, in partnership with Authentic Brands Group and GGP Inc., the company acquired Aéropostale.
In February 2020, in partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the company acquired Forever 21.
On March 18, 2020, the company announced the closure of its U.S. shopping malls until March 29, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2020, the company discussed repurposing large stores into warehouses and fulfillment centers for Amazon. Also in August 2020, in partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the company acquired Brooks Brothers and Lucky Brand Jeans.
In December 2020, the company acquired Taubman Centers for $3.4 billion. It also acquired J.C. Penney in partnership with Brookfield Asset Management.
Legal record.
In 2007, the company was sued for banning the use of Segways, which the plaintiff claimed was in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
In 2009, the company was sued by a nightclub for racial discrimination for allegedly blocking its main entrance since the majority of its clientele were black.
In 2011, the company was sued for allegedly firing a woman because she was pregnant.
In 2011, the company agreed to pay $125,000 to settle allegations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that Latino janitors working for the company were subjected to daily verbal attacks because of their national origin.


Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park

Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park is a national park in Myanmar covering . It was established in 1989 and is listed as one of the ASEAN Heritage Parks. It spans an elevation of in the Kani and Mingin Townships in Sagaing Region.
History.
In 1893, this mountainous area between the Chindwin and Myittha Rivers was declared a reserved forest and selectively logged for teak. It was little disturbed when surveyors of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Development Programme visited it in the early 1980s, who were invited by the Government of Myanmar to assist in identifying suitable areas for national parks and nature reserves. In 1984, they proposed to establish a tract of as Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park. Its name honours a legendary monk who lived there in historical times. The national park was gazetted in 1989 and demarcated with an area of . Its actual area reported by Myanmar's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is .
Biodiversity.
Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park harbours foremost mixed deciduous forest, evergreen forest and pine forest with 165 tree species and 39 species of medicinal plants.
Asian elephant ("Elephas maximus"), gaur ("Bos gaurus"), Himalayan black bear ("Ursus thibetanus"), sun bear ("Helarctos malayanus"), dhole ("Cuon alpinus"), sambar deer ("Cervus unicolor"), Indian muntjac ("Muntiacus muntjak"), wild boar ("Sus scrofa"), Indian crested porcupine ("Hystrix indica") and black giant squirrel ("Ratufa bicolor") were sighted during a transect survey in January 1999. The elephant population was estimated at between two and 41 individuals in 2003, based on dung surveys conducted over three years.
Wildlife recorded during a camera trap survey in 1999 comprised yellow-throated marten ("Martes flavigula"), Asian palm civet ("Paradoxurus hermaphroditus"), large Indian civet ("Viverra zibetha"), small Indian civet ("Viverricula indica"), hog badger ("Arctonyx collaris"), crab-eating mongoose ("Herpestes urva"), leopard ("Panthera pardus"), Asiatic golden cat ("Catopuma temminckii") and leopard cat ("Prionailurus bengalensis").
In 2000, the bent-toed gecko "Cyrtodactylus annandalei" was discovered in the national park and described as a new species in 2003. It is sympatric with "Cyrtodactylus slowinskii".
Oriental leaf-toed gecko ("Hemidactylus bowringii"), Brooke's house gecko ("H. brookii"), common house gecko ("H. frenatus"), Indo-Pacific gecko ("H. garnotii") and flat-tailed house gecko ("H. platyurus") also live in the national park.


Bannec

Bannec or Banneck, "Banneg" in Breton (from the Breton "bann," "horn", a term often used for sharp summits) is an uninhabited French island in the Iroise Sea close to the city of Brest in Brittany. It is situated at the northwestern end of the Molène archipelago, 4 km (2.5 miles) from the island of Ushant. This island is part of the Parc naturel régional d'Armorique and Parc naturel marin d'Iroise.
Description.
Located two kilometers northwest of the island of Balanec and four kilometers (2.5 miles) northwest of the island of Molène. Bannec has an area of eleven acres and is 800m long by 200m wide (2600 by 650 feet). The island is extended by "Ledenez Banneg", an island connected to the main island of Bannec at low tide, but is separated from it at high tide. To the south, the island of Bannec is extended by two islands: "Enez-Kreiz" and "Roc'h-Hir". The lighthouse Kéréon is on a nearby island called "Men Tensel" ("snarling stone"), in the Fromveur Passage between Bannec and Ushant. Rocky shores predominate, but the south-east coast is a low coast consists of sand and pebbles.
Populated by a large number of birds, Bannec is prohibited to all visitors, except to authorized personnel on scientific missions.
History.
20th Century.
In 1918, the islands Bannec and Balanec were well described by a traveler as follows:
Description of Bannec in 1930.
Pierre Bouis, who visited the islands in the archipelago of Mullein in August 1930, described Bannec in the journal "Ouest-Éclair"
Description of Bannec in 1938.
André Salmon, in the journal Le Petit Parisien, describes Bannec in 1938:
After World War II.
Until the World War II, like its neighbors, Bannec was inhabited by seaweed harvesters. One building remains, which was in ruins after the war, but was restored in 1979, this cabin is now inhabited by Bernard Fichaut noted geomorphologist, as part of an observatory of the famous "blocs cyclopéens de Bannec" (Cyclops Rocks of Bannec).
Bannec was owned by the family of Huon Penanster before it was sold to the company NOEL, which was dissolved on 10 April 1964}. Following a declaration of public utility, the island was purchased by the Department of Brittany in 1971. Bannec was incorporated into the Parc naturel régional d'Armorique on 30 September 1969 and the Finistere department entrusts management to the SEPNB, now known as Bretagne vivante (Brittany Alive) in October 1976.


Colonel Bob Wilderness

Colonel Bob Wilderness is a protected area located in the southwest corner of Olympic National Forest in the state of Washington. It is named after 19th-century orator Robert Green Ingersoll. Lake Quinault lies about 15 miles to the west. Elevations in the wilderness vary from 300 to 4,509 feet above sea level. The highest elevation is an unnamed peak; the second-highest elevation is Colonel Bob Mountain at 4,492 feet. The wilderness is a temperate rain forest with annual rainfall greater than .
History.
In 1984, the U.S. Congress established five wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest:
The Colonel Bob Wilderness sits on the southern flank of the Olympic Wilderness, which was created in 1988.
Recreation.
More than of trails provide access to the wilderness for backpacking, camping, hunting, and mountain climbing. Access by road is via South Shore Quinault Lake Road to the north, or FS Road 2204 to the south. Access by trail is by Colonel Bob Trail #851, Pete's Creek Trail #858, and Fletcher Canyon Trail #857.


Titicaca National Reserve

The Titicaca National Reservation is located in the Puno Region, Peru, in the Puno and Huancané provinces. Its main purpose is to preserve the ecosystems and landscapes of the Titicaca lake and surrounding Central Andean wet puna ecoregion.


Happy Rock

Happy Rock is a roadside attraction in Gladstone, Manitoba, Canada. It is on the northeast side of Highway 16. The large statue also serves as the visitor information centre for the town.
History.
In the late 1970s, the provincial government met with local community representatives to try to find a method of increasing tourism in Gladstone. Since Gladstone was also referred to as "Happy Rock," they decided that it would be a good idea to create something that would symbolize this.
In 1984, the local Chamber of Commerce held a logo contest for the design of a mascot that would represent Happy Rock. The winning entry, submitted by Jerry Wickstead, depicted a literal black and white Happy Rock with a towel in its left hand while its right hand was waving. By 1988, the Chamber decided to pursue a construction of this figure as a statue and visitor information centre.
Fundraising for this project was held between 1991 and 1993. Volunteers held two bingo events, the Chamber held two banquet dinners, and the committee held three cash prize draws. The Community Places Grant Program also provided funding of up to 25% of the total project cost.
The F.A.S.T. Corporation from Sparta, Wisconsin was chosen to manufacture the design of Happy Rock from the blueprints prepared by architects from Winnipeg, who decided to create Happy Rock out of fibreglass. The construction took around four months to complete and was finished in 1993. The cost of the project was nearly $92,000. When Happy Rock was finished, its total height was 36 feet (11 metres) and weighed around 3,000 pounds (approximately 1400 kilograms).
On July 1st, 1993, Happy Rock was officially opened. It is now the symbol of the rural community and an integral part of the tourism in Gladstone.
Happy Rock was depicted on a Canada Post stamp released on July 5, 2010.


Shell Beach, Guyana

Shell Beach, located on the Atlantic coast of Guyana in the Barima-Waini Region, near the Venezuelan border, is a nesting site for four of the eight sea turtle species - the Green, Hawksbill turtleill, Leatherback and the Olive Ridley. Shell Beach extends for approximately 120 km.
Turtles used to be slaughtered for their meat and eggs but are now part of a non-governmental conservation program called the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS), founded by Dr. Peter Pritchard and Romeo De Freitas. Shell Beach was not formally protected, although direct and indirect conservation activities to protect the nesting sea turtles started in the 1960s, when Dr. Peter Pritchard first began annual research visits. Due to his efforts to conserve the turtles in the region, Dr. Peter Pritchard was dubbed "Hero of the Planet" by Time. As of 2011, it is a protected area, and Amerindians from the local communities of Almond Beach, Gwennie Beach, and nine other villages within the area are involved in the programme.


Virginia State Route 263

State Route 263 (SR 263) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known as Orkney Grade, the state highway runs from SR 659 in Orkney Springs east to U.S. Route 11 (US 11) in Mount Jackson. SR 263 connects Mount Jackson with a resort area in the mountains of southwestern Shenandoah County.
SR 263 is a Virginia Byway.
Route description.
SR 263 begins at the eastern end of Shrine Mont Circle, a loop that is designated SR 659 and serves Shrine Mont, an Episcopal Diocese of Virginia retreat that hosts the annual Shenandoah Valley Music Festival. The state highway heads northeast as a two-lane undivided road from Orkney Springs through a narrow valley between Great North Mountain to the west and Supin Lick Mountain to the east. After passing the Bryce Resort, SR 263 veers southeast and crosses the latter mountain and follows Straight Run through a gap in Timber Ridge to enter the Shenandoah Valley, on the west edge of which the state highway intersects SR 42 (Senedo Road). The state highway passes through Mount Clifton and follows Mill Creek to the town of Mount Jackson, which the highway enters at its underpass of Interstate 81. SR 263 passes under the Chesapeake Western Railway before reaching its eastern terminus at US 11 (Main Street).


SkyWalk

The SkyWalk is an approximately 500 metre enclosed walkway connecting Union Station to the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre (SkyDome) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Part of Toronto's PATH network, the SkyWalk passes above the York Street 'subway' and the Simcoe Street Tunnel and runs roughly parallel between Front Street and Bremner Boulevard.
Designed by the IBI Group, the SkyWalk was opened in 1989 as a predominantly indoor connection from Union Station to the SkyDome. The primary purpose of the SkyWalk is to reduce the need for additional parking spaces near the stadium by providing a direct transportation link to the subway and GO Transit regional trains. A post-modern curved metal and glass structure, the SkyWalk was the first major construction project in the former railway lands after the CN Tower.
On 17 July 2014, the Toronto Preservation Board passed a motion recommending that Toronto City Council allow the demolition of the SkyWalk to make way for a 48-storey office and retail tower called Union Centre.
On 6 June 2015, the Union Pearson Express station was opened within the SkyWalk.
Routing.
The SkyWalk begins at the western end of Union Station and first runs through the "York Street Teamway", which runs above and parallel to York Street. It then passes through the second and third stories of the Canadian National Express Building, a heritage listed property completed in 1929, which acted as a terminus for horse-drawn carts delivering goods from Union Station.
The SkyWalk then assumes the form of a long arcade, running parallel to Station Street. Along the southern side of this corridor, the main section of SkyWalk, is the terminus station for the Union Pearson Express rail link to Pearson Airport, which opened in 2015. A GoodLife Fitness occupies the lower floors of the Canadian National Express building and extends beneath the arcade.
At the western end of the arcade, the SkyWalk rises onto an elevated walkway and crosses the rail tracks leading into Union Station and Lower Simcoe Street on a north-south, then northeast-southwest alignment, with a connection to another walkway leading to the Delta Hotel and Southcore Financial Centre. It becomes east-west adjacent to the upper level of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with a direct connection to the South Building and a bridge to the North Building.
The enclosed walkway terminates near the base of the CN Tower, behind the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. From here, a short walk in open air leads to the Rogers Centre and across Bremner Boulevard to Roundhouse Park.
Connections.
From east to west:


Nora Nature Reserve

Nora Nature Reserve () (also Norsky) is a Russian 'zapovednik' (strict nature reserve) on the northeastern part of the Amur-Zeya lowland plain between the Nora River and the Selemdzha River. The reserve is known for its herd of Norsk roe deer, the largest migrating herd in the world, with 5,000-7,000 individuals migrating through every September. The terrain is half forested, and half wetland and bogs, in the meeting zone between Siberian, Okhotsk, and Mongolian plant and animal communities. The reserve is situated in the Selemdzhinsky District of Amur Oblast.
Topography.
The Nora Reserve is roughly triangular shaped, 50 km west-to-east across the base, and 70 km north-to-south. The western border follows the meandering Nora River (running north to south at this point), while the southern border follows the northern edge of the floodplain of the Selemdzha River (running east to west towards the Zeya River). The Nora and the Selemdzha meet at the southeastern corner of the Nora Reserve.
The terrain in the southern half is flat, with some gentle slopes and flat wetlands. The northern half of the site is hilly uplands with some points reaching in height. The Burunda River runs through the middle of the reserve from east to west, into the Nora. A notable land form in the flat areas is "thermokarst", which is a landscape of pothole lakes caused by upheaving domes of underground ice that leave a depression when they thaw in the summer. There are rocky outcrops in places, although most of the flat lands are built on Quaternary pebbles and smaller sediments.
Climate and ecoregion.
Nora is located in the "Da Hinggan-Dzhagdy Mountains conifer forests" ecoregion. This ecoregion is an area of inland plains surrounded by low hills and the Greater Khingan mountain range. It is a forested area connecting China (Manchuria) and Russia (Amur River basin), with southern taiga plant communities in the Russian sections, and Mongolian larch forests with mixed pine and fir in the Chinese forests.
The climate is "Humid continental climate, warm summer subtype" (Köppen climate classification "(Dwb)"). The average temperature in January is -30.4 C degrees; the average in July is +19.4 C degrees. Low levels of rain in April and May often lead to forest fires. Winter lasts 5 - 5.5 months.
Flora and fauna.
Norsky is predominantly forest (54%) and marsh (most of the remainder). The forests are a erous and southern taiga (mixed broadleaf). The main forest-forming trees are dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) and white birch (Betula papyrifera. There are pine forests along the Nora and Burundi rivers. The marshy areas, particularly in the southern plains spreading from the south of the reserve, feature extensive moss (green and sphagnum) hummocks of sedges, cotton grass, and reed grass. There are extensive thickets of wild rosemary and shrub birch. The swampy areas include blueberry and cranberry. There are areas of nemoral forest in the flatter lands, featuring linden, maple, elm, and barberry. Scientists on the reserve have recorded 513 species of vascular plants, representing about 25% of the species found in the Amur region.
The animal life of the reserve includes representatives of four faunal zones: Eastern Siberia, Okhotsk-Kamchatka, Amur, and Daur-Mongolian. As a result, the Nora protected area includes 43% of all mammal species of the Amur and Primorsky (maritime) regions of the Russian Far East. Many of these mammals are living on the edges of their ranges. Characteristic vertebrates include Siberian roe deer, bear, elk, Siberian salamander, Far Eastern frog, gray-sided vole, East Asian mouse, squirrel, chipmunk, sable, and various waterfowl and birds. Two exotic species were introduced in the 1950s - the American mink and muskrat. 232 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. The rich levels of fish in the wetland lakes and ponds attract predatory birds - eagles, ospreys, and fish owls.
Ecoeducation and access.
As a strict ecological reserve, the Nora Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with 'environmental education' purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. The public can look into the reserve from water tours along the river borders, particularly Nora River on the western side of the reserve. The main office is in the city of Fevralsk.


Bogoslof Wilderness

Bogoslof Wilderness is a wilderness area in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located within the Aleutian Islands unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, it is in area and was designated by the United States Congress in 1970. It encompasses the entirety of Bogoslof Island and nearby Fire Island.


Plateau Point

Plateau Point is a 3,789 ft-cliff-elevation Point located in the Grand Canyon, Coconino County of northern Arizona, United States. It is about 3.0 miles north-northeast of Grand Canyon Village, and about 2.0 miles north of Grandeur and Yavapai Points, and below the South Rim. Plateau Point, (about 1600 ft above the Colorado River), overlooks the outfall intersection of Garden Creek Canyon, and Pipe Creek Canyon, intersecting from the southeast from Mather and Yaki Points. The point is on the Tonto Platform, and is accessed by the short Plateau Point Trail, from the Tonto Trail, which crosses the west of the Plateau Point platform.
Plateau Point sits on the cliff-former (and platform-former) Tapeats Sandstone, which borders the northwest of Garden Creek Canyon (lower canyon), as well as the northeast. The Tapeats Sandstone sits on rocks of the Great Unconformity, the 1,000 my layer of missing rock and time.
Geology: Tapeats Sandstone, the Tonto Platform.
Plateau Point, a point on a platform of a cliff-formed rock unit, is common of the platforms created in the Grand Canyon. One notable, and highly visible example, are the points created by the upper platforms of the Redwall Limestone. Across the Colorado River and just downstream from Plateau Point, is the Tower of Set, with its beautiful points of Redwall Limestone cliffs and upper platforms.
Plateau Point sits on cliffs of Tapeats Sandstone, approximately 100 ft to 200 ft thick. The Tonto Trail traverses the platform of the Tapeats both to Tonto Trail (east), and to the extreme west, just beyond the Grand Scenic Divide, to Tonto Trail (west).
Overlooking the Garden Creek & Pipe Creek Canyon outfall intersection.
Plateau Point overlooks the Lower Canyon's of the intersection of Garden Creek Canyon and intersecting Pipe Creek Canyon from the southeast. The Tonto Trail is forced to traverse south of this steep canyon region, and continue its traverse eastward towards the East Grand Canyon, as far as the Grand Canyon, East Rim, about 20 mi+ distance, by trail.


California State Route 33

State Route 33 (SR 33) is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California. It runs north from U.S. Route 101 in Ventura through the Transverse Ranges and the western side of the San Joaquin Valley to Interstate 5 at a point east of Tracy. SR 33 replaced part of U.S. Route 399 in 1964 during the "great renumbering" of routes. In the unincorporated sections of Kern County it is known as the West Side Highway. In addition, the California Legislature designated the entire Kern County portion as the Petroleum Highway in 2004. The southernmost portion in Ventura is a freeway known as the Ojai Freeway, while it is known as the Maricopa Highway from Ojai to Maricopa.
Route description.
California State Route 33 begins in Ventura as a short freeway ("Ojai Freeway"). SR 33 then continues north as Maricopa Highway, an undivided surface road, through Ojai, following Matilija Canyon past the easternmost extremity of the Santa Ynez Mountains in Los Padres National Forest, and passing over the Transverse Ranges at Pine Mountain Summit. As SR 33 comes down into the Cuyama Valley, it comes up to a junction with SR 166 east of Cuyama. Route 33 continues with Route 166 as they enter Kern County for about to Maricopa where the routes separate. In Maricopa, Route 33 turns northwest, following the western side of the San Joaquin Valley. Between Taft and Avenal it roughly parallels Interstate 5 and the eastern foothills of the Temblor and Diablo ranges; for the first of the portion following the axis of the Midway-Sunset Oil Field. Northwest of Avenal, it turns due west to enter Coalinga, then turns northeast and soon becomes concurrent with I-5 for . Thereafter, it departs due north near Cantua Creek, turns northwest at Mendota, through Firebaugh and meets State Route 152 in Dos Palos, in which it runs concurrently due west for approximately ten miles. It departs again west of Los Banos, turning north to Santa Nella (where it has an interchange with I-5), and roughly parallels I-5 and the San Joaquin River until its northern terminus at I-5 and Bird Road southeast of Tracy.
When passing through the Avenal/Coalinga area travelers pass near a series of prisons and government facilities. They include: Avenal State Prison, Pleasant Valley State Prison, and the Coalinga State Hospital.
In the portions of the route in Kern and Fresno Counties, SR 33 passes through one of the United States' largest petroleum extraction fields, with hundreds of nodding oil pumps along the highway. Some of the fields visible from the highway include the Midway-Sunset, South and North Belridge, Cymric, McKittrick, Lost Hills, and Coalinga oil fields.
Most of SR 33's route passes through sparsely populated, relatively desolate portions of the San Joaquin Valley. Travelers along it should use caution, since emergency services are typically dozens of miles away. Carrying extra water and coolant is especially advised, since summertime temperatures in the area routinely surpass .
Several segments of this route are part of the California Freeway and Expressway System, but only a small portion near SR 152 is part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. Several segments are eligible to be included in the State Scenic Highway System; however, only the portion from 6.4 miles north of the SR 150 junction to the Ventura–Santa Barbara county line is a scenic highway as designated by Caltrans, meaning that it is a substantial section of highway passing through a "memorable landscape" with no "visual intrusions", where the potential designation has gained popular favor with the community. This scenic segment is also designated as part of the Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway, a National Forest Scenic Byway.
History.
Before the US 399 designation was deleted in 1964, SR 33 followed SR 166 east from US 99 at Wheeler Ridge to Maricopa in lieu of the segment from Ventura to Maricopa, and followed the old US highway from Taft to Maricopa. Today, SR 166 remains on the segment between Wheeler Ridge and Maricopa.
SR 33 used to extend north to Interstate 205 in Tracy, but this segment was relinquished after the segment of Interstate 5 from SR 33 to I-205 was completed.
Major intersections.
, Caltrans has neither posted exit numbers along the freeway portion of SR 33, nor at the very least listed any for SR 33 on its California Numbered Exit Uniform System (Cal-NExUS) web site.


Ghizil-Agaj State Reserve

Ghzil-Aghaj State Reserve (), meaning golden tree, was established on July 3, 1929 by the Committee on Protection of the Ancient and Art Monuments of Azerbaijan on an area of 884 km² on Kyzylagach Bay at the southwestern shore of the Caspian Sea, in Lankaran District, southeastern Azerbaijan.
Creation.
Qizil-Aghaj State Reserve was created for the purpose of protecting, creating conditions for wintering and nesting of migrant, swamp and wild birds in 1929. Along with the reserve, there is also the Little Qizil-Aghaj State Nature Protected area with a total area of 10,700 ha. Qizil-Aghaj is the first reserve in the country according to area, and the third according to date of establishment.
The reserve was included in the list of UNESCO Ramsar convention "On internationally important swampy areas as the birds' residing places" together with Ag-Gel National Park.
Flora and fauna.
Most species of birds included in the Red Book of Azerbaijan are found in the reserve and adjacent areas. The reserve accounts for 248 species of birds. Such mammals as wild boar, wolf, wild cat, badger, sable, fox, etc. populate this reserve. There are 54 fish species including clupea, caspian kutum, common carp, wels catfish, sander marinus, common bream, flathead grey mullet in the water basins of this reserve.


California State Route 49

State Route 49 (SR 49) is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California that passes through many historic mining communities of the 1849 California gold rush. Highway 49 is numbered after the "49ers", the waves of immigrants who swept into the area looking for gold, and it is known as the Golden Chain Highway. This roadway begins at Oakhurst, Madera County, in the Sierra Nevada, where it diverges from State Route 41. It continues in a generally northwest direction, weaving through the communities of Goldside and Ahwahnee, before crossing into Mariposa County. State Route 49 then continues northward through the counties of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Yuba, Sierra, and Plumas, where it reaches its northern terminus at State Route 70, in Vinton.
Route description.
SR 49 starts at an intersection with SR 41 near Oakhurst. The road heads west before turning north before the town of Ahwahnee near the Wassama Roundhouse State Historic Park. SR 49 continues north, passing through Nipinnswassee before entering Mariposa County and the Sierra National Forest. Continuing to the west, SR 49 passes through Mormon Bar before running concurrently with SR 140 briefly through the town of Mariposa. Near the town of Mount Bullion, SR 49 passes by Mariposa-Yosemite Airport before turning northwest and going through Bear Valley and the intersection with CR J16. The highway passes by the southern edge of Lake McClure and intersects SR 132 in Coulterville before passing into Tuolumne County.
SR 49 continues north through the town of Moccasin, where SR 120 runs concurrently for several miles to the town of Chinese Camp. SR 49 then turns northeast and runs concurrently with SR 108, intersecting CR E5, into the city of Sonora. SR 49 splits from SR 108 and enters downtown Sonora as Stockton Street, turning north onto Washington Street before leaving the Sonora city limits. SR 49 intersects the north end of CR E5 before passing through Tuttletown and crossing into Calaveras County at the bridge over the Stanislaus River.
SR 49 passes by Robinson's Ferry, a ferry across the Stanislaus River established in 1848. Next is the Birthplace of Archie Stevenot, who helped found the California State Chamber of Commerce and was officially named "Mr. Mother Lode" by the California legislature. SR 49 then enters Carson Hill, where the largest gold nugget in California (195 pounds troy) was found. Passing by New Melones Lake, SR 49 briefly runs concurrently with SR 4 in the city of Angels Camp, which lies in one of the richest quartz mining sections of the Mother Lode and is home of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".
SR 49 continues through Altaville, which was an important foundry town. Fourth Crossing was an important stagecoach and freighting depot that served the Southern Mines until after the turn of the 20th century. The highway continues into San Andreas, where SR 12 terminates. This is where Charles Bolles, also known as "Black Bart", was tried and sentenced. Chili Gulch is the site of the Chilean War. SR 49 continues into Mokelumne Hill, where it intersects with SR 26; Mokelumne Hill was the richest placer mining section of Calaveras County and one of the principal mining towns of California in its heyday.
SR 49 then passes through Big Bar, which is located on the county line between Amador County and Calaveras County. The Mokelumne River was mined at this point in 1848. Established in 1849, the "Whale Boat Ferry" operated until the first bridge was built, about 1852. The Butte Store is the only structure remaining of Butte City, prosperous mining town of the 1850s. Argonaut and Kennedy Mines were two of the highest-yielding gold mines in the state. SR 49 runs concurrently with SR 88 briefly through the town of Martell before intersecting the eastern terminus of SR 104 and passing near (a bypass around Sutter Creek and Amador City was constructed in 2009 )first the city of Sutter Creek and then Drytown. Drytown is the oldest town in Amador County and the first in the county in which gold was discovered.
SR 49 then intersects the eastern end of SR 16 before passing through the city of Plymouth. The highway continues through Enterprise before crossing into El Dorado County and passing through the towns of Nashville, El Dorado, and Diamond Springs (the latter two as Pleasant Valley Road) before entering Placerville. SR 49 traverses downtown on Pacific Street and Main Street before continuing onto Spring Street, where it intersects the US 50 expressway at-grade before continuing north as Georgetown Road.
As it leaves the Placerville city limits, SR 49 intersects the southern terminus of SR 193 before continuing northwest as Coloma Road into the town of Coloma, where gold was first discovered in 1848, sparking the gold rush. It is home of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The highway continues through Lotus before turning north at Pilot Hill and intersecting the northern terminus of SR 193 at Cool. SR 49 continues through the Auburn State Recreation Area before crossing into Placer County and entering the city of Auburn as High Street for a very short distance before turning west on Elm Avenue. SR 49 continues onto I-80 west at an interchange for a very short distance until the interchange at exit 119B where SR 49 departs from I-80. SR 49 then continues almost due north out of the Auburn city limits.
SR 49 continues north, crossing into Nevada County and passing through Higgins Corner and Forest Springs. SR 49 becomes a freeway and enters the city of Grass Valley, where it runs concurrently with SR 20 and interchanges with the northern end of SR 174. Empire Mine in Grass Valley was the richest hard-rock mine in California in its mining history of 106 years (1850–1956). SR 49 and SR 20 continue into Nevada City, where SR 49 exits from the freeway and heads due west out of the Nevada City city limits.
SR 49 continues through the towns of Sweetland and North San Juan, where it crosses into Yuba County and enters Tahoe National Forest. The route goes through Log Cabin and Camptonville. Camptonville is a gold rush town where the Pelton wheel was invented and is a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. SR 49 then crosses into Sierra County, where it passes through Goodyears Bar, Downieville, and Sierra City on its forest journey. After passing near Kentucky Mine Historic Park, SR 49 goes through Bassets and Haskell Creek, then shares a wrong-way concurrency with SR 89 briefly through Sattley and Sierraville. SR 49 then leaves the forest as Loyalton Road, passing through the city of Loyalton and intersecting CR A24 before crossing into Plumas County as Vinton Loyalton Road, where SR 49 ends at SR 70 in the town of Vinton.
SR 49 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System, and from SR 140 to a point north of SR 88 as well as from I-80 to SR 20 is part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. SR 49 is eligible to be included in the State Scenic Highway System, and from the Sierra-Yuba county line to Yuba Summit is officially designated as a scenic highway by the California Department of Transportation. The segment of SR 49 from SR 20 in Nevada City to SR 89 in Sierraville also forms part of the Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway, a National Forest Scenic Byway.
SR 49 is known as the Golden Chain Highway for the entire route. SR 49 is known as the John C. Begovich Memorial Highway from Jackson to SR 88 (honoring the California legislator and U.S. Marshal), and the Mother Lode Highway from Sonora to Auburn.


Tarboro, North Carolina

Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 11,415. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. The town is on the opposite bank of the Tar River from Princeville. It is also part of the Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids CSA. Tarboro is located near the western edge of North Carolina's coastal plain. It has many historical churches, some dating from the early 19th century.
Tarboro was chartered by British colonists in 1760. Located in a bend of the Tar River, it was an important river port, the head of navigation on the Tar just east of the fall line of the Piedmont. As early as the 1730s, a small European-American community developed around this natural asset. Its warehouse, customs office and other commercial concerns, together with a score of "plain and cheap" houses, made a bustling village.
History.
Created in 1760, Tarboro is the ninth-oldest incorporated town in North Carolina. Situated on the Tar River at the fall line in the Piedmont, the town served the area as an important colonial river port. It was a thriving trade center until the Civil War.
Scholars believe that the area around Tarboro was settled by 1733, but Edward Moseley's map of that year indicates only Tuscarora Native Americans, an Iroquoian-language speaking group. By 1750, the area was widely known as "Tawboro", a name attributed to "Taw", the Tuscaroran word for "river of health".
"Tarrburg", as the town was called on maps of 1770–75, was chartered November 30, 1760, as "Tarborough" by the General Assembly. In September of the same year, Joseph and Ester Howell deeded of their property to the Reverend James Moir, Lawrence Toole (a merchant), Captains Aquilla Sugg and Elisha Battle, and Benjamin Hart, Esquire, for five shillings and one peppercorn. As commissioners, these men laid out a town with lots not exceeding and streets not wider than , with 12 lots and a "common" set aside for public use. Lots were to be sold for two pounds, with the proceeds to be turned over to the Howells; however, full payment was not received for all of the 109 lots sold, and some were not sold for the 40 shillings price.
After Halifax County was separated from Edgecombe County in 1758–59, the original county seat of Enfield was within Halifax.
Tarboro officially was designated as the county seat of Edgecombe in 1764. For four years the county government had met in Redman's Field. The North Carolina State Legislature met here once in 1787 and again in 1987. President George Washington is known to have slept in Tarboro during a visit on his 1791 Southern tour. He is noted to have said of the town that it was "as good a salute as could be given with one piece of artillery."
According to the book, "Edgecombe County: Twelve North Carolina Counties in 1810–11", by Dr Jeremiah Battle, the following is an 1810 account of the town:
"Tarboro, the only town in the county, is handsomely situated on the south-west bank of Tar River, just above the mouth of Hendrick's Creek, in lat. 35 deg. 45 min. It is forty-eight miles west by north from Washington, thirty-six south of Halifax, eighty-three northwest of Newbern, and sixty-eight east of Raleigh. It was laid off into lots in the year 1760. The streets are seventy-two feet wide, and cross each other at right angles, leaving squares of each. These squares being divided into lots of , makes every lot front or face two streets.
"There are about fifty private houses in it; and generally from fifteen to twenty stores, a church, a jail, two warehouses, and a large Court House, which in the year 1785 was used for the sitting of the State Legislature. There are several good springs adjacent to the town, but for culinary purposes almost every person or family has a well; and some of these wells afford good water the greater part of the year. This place affords good encouragement to all industrious persons, particularly merchants of almost every description. Sixty or seventy merchants have had full employment here at one time. But such of them as have emigrated to this place have too soon found themselves in prosperous situations, and have betaken themselves to idleness and dissipation."
Due to the development of cotton plantations in the uplands, which were worked by slave labor in the antebellum years, by the 1870s Halifax and Edgecombe counties were among several in northeast North Carolina with majority-black populations. Before being disfranchised by the Democrats' passage in 1899 of a new state constitutions, black citizens elected four African Americans to the US Congress from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. They also elected many blacks to local offices. Congressman George Henry White, a successful attorney, lived in Tarboro. After passage of the disfranchising constitution, he left the state, stating it was impossible for a black to be a man there. He became a successful banker in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided for oversight and enforcement of the constitutional rights of African Americans to vote. They have since been able to participate again in political life in North Carolina.
Hurricane Floyd.
Hurricane Floyd was a very powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that struck the east coast of the United States in 1999. It was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. With its approach, officials ordered the third largest evacuation in US history (behind Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Rita, respectively), and 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes. The hurricane formed off the coast of Africa and lasted from September 7 to September 19, peaking in strength as a very strong Category 4 hurricane—just 2 mph short of the highest possible rating on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Flooding in Tarboro occurred mostly in areas around the Tar River, which exceeded 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches; it crested above flood stage. The Tar River surrounds about half of Tarboro as both the North end and Southern ends of the city have developed along it. Flooding began upstream in Rocky Mount, where up to 30% of the city was underwater for several days. In Tarboro, much of the downtown became flooded by several feet of water. Nearby, the town of Princeville was largely destroyed when the waters of the Tar poured over the town's levee, covering the town with more than of floodwater for ten days. Part of the Tarboro and Princeville city limits are defined by the Tar River.
Tarboro Historic District.
Recognized by the National Park Service in 1977, the 45-block Tarboro Historic District has more than 300 contributing structures, from residences to historic churches to original 19th-century storefronts along Tarboro's Main Street. The gateway to the Tarboro Historic District is the Tarboro Town Common, a park that has a canopy of tall oaks. War memorials are installed here. The Town Common originally surrounded the town and is the second-oldest legislated town common in the country. Initially the location for common grazing of livestock, community gatherings and military drills, the Town Common is the only remaining original common on the East Coast outside of Boston.
Within the historic district is the Blount-Bridgers House, an 1808 Federal-style mansion that is operated as a museum: it holds several important document collections and works by Hobson Pittman, a nationally recognized artist and Tarboro native. Opened to the public in 1982, the Blount-Bridgers House serves as the town's art and civic center. A self-guided Historic District National Recreation Trail, beginning at the Blount-Bridgers House, leads visitors through the scenic older neighborhoods of the town. The district includes five 18th-century homes, with the oldest being the Archibald White house (ca. 1785) located on the corner of Church and Trade streets. The district has more than two dozen antebellum homes built from 1800 to 1860. The largest section is late 19th-and early 20th-century and includes Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical revival, and Arts and Crafts-style homes. The town's walkable downtown is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Program.
Also within the historic district, at the cross of North Church Street and Albemarle Avenue, is the Tarboro-Edgecombe Farmers' Market. The market operates on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 10 am, and Saturdays from 8 am to 11 am. A variety of events, including the Tarboro Commons Festival and the Blueberry Day, are celebrated in downtown.
Additional buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: The Barracks, Batts House and Outbuildings, Calvary Episcopal Church and Churchyard, Coats House, Coolmore Plantation, Cotton Press, Eastern Star Baptist Church, Edgecombe Agricultural Works, Howell Homeplace, Lone Pine, Oakland Plantation, Piney Prospect, Quigless Clinic, Railroad Depot Complex, Redmond-Shackelford House, St. Paul Baptist Church, and Walston-Bulluck House.
Geography.
Tarboro is located at 35°54'10" North, 77°32'45" West (35.902850, −77.545959).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.33%, is water.
Demographics.
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,415 people, 4,565 households, and 2,958 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,025.3 people per square mile (395.9/km). There were 4,993 housing units at an average density of 448.5 per square mile (173.2/km). The racial makeup of the town was 47.2% White, 48.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.9% some other race, and 0.8% from two or more races. 4.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,565 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were headed by married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.
For the period 2010–14, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $34,267, and the median income for a family was $46,884. Male full-time workers had a median income of $32,776, versus $35,013 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,085. 16.0% of the population and 12.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.9% of those under the age of 18 and 11.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Economy.
Chinese tiremaker Triangle Group will be building two manufacturing facilities at a 1,449-acre site in Edgecombe County at Kingsboro Business Park, located between Rocky Mount and Tarboro. Phase 1 of the project is set to open in 2020 and phase 2 in 2022. At $580 million, it will be the largest ever manufacturing investment in rural North Carolina with the creation of 800 jobs and an estimated contribution of more than $2.4 billion to the state's economy. Corning has also constructed a new $86 million distribution center that will bring 111 new jobs, they will be operational in the first quarter 2020.
Largest employers.
Below is a list of some of the largest employers in Tarboro as of 2019.
Education.
Edgecombe County Public Schools' headquarters are located in Tarboro, and the schools serve all cities and towns of the county. ECPS operates a total of 15 public schools: 6 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools. Tarboro is home to seven of the public schools: Stocks Elementary, Princeville Elementary, Pattillo Middle School, Martin Millennium Academy, Edgecombe Early College High School, North Edgecombe High School and Tarboro High School. There is one public charter school in Tarboro, North East Carolina Prep School.
Higher education is provided by Edgecombe Community College. ECC offers more than 130 academic degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Edgecombe also operates a separate campus in nearby Rocky Mount.
Government.
The town of Tarboro has a council-manager form of government. The town is divided into eight wards with a total of eight council members that serve members of the town's council are elected from the town's eight wards for four-year staggered terms. The mayor serves a four-year term. , the town manager is Troy R. Lewis.
Infrastructure.
Transportation.
Interstate 95 and U.S. 64 were constructed near Tarboro, allowing for access to and from the East Coast's major markets, many of which are within one day's drive. The city is east of Raleigh, the state capital; northwest of Greenville, a primary eastern North Carolina hub; east of Rocky Mount; and west of the Outer Banks. Tarboro is convenient to area and regional airports, freight and passenger train service, interstate and intrastate highway systems, and the deepwater ports of Morehead City and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Airports.
Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport: This facility, located north of downtown, has a paved and lighted runway with a approach apron from both ends, accommodating a wide variety of small general aviation aircraft.
Pitt–Greenville Airport: Located south of Tarboro, this airport has a lighted precision approach runway, a lighted non-precision crosswind runway and a unlighted visual approach runway. PGV provides commuter service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport through US Airways Express with 11 daily flights. Jet service is available. All aircraft services are available, including charters.
Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport: Located west of Tarboro, this airport has one runway which is lighted and extends a length of .
Raleigh–Durham International Airport: More commonly known as RDU, this major international airport serves the U.S. and abroad. Located west of Tarboro, RDU hosts numerous major carriers with daily departures. Additionally, numerous commuter carriers connect RDU to the northeast and other southern cities.
Rail.
Tarboro has access to both freight and passenger rail service. Amtrak provides two north and two southbound trains per day at its Rocky Mount station, located west of Tarboro. Service is to Washington, D.C., New York City, Miami and Philadelphia. Freight service is provided by CSX. Trains travel to destinations in eastern North Carolina and also to points west and south of town.
Health care.
Vidant Edgecombe Hospital is a full-service, 117-bed acute care facility where residents of Tarboro, Edgecombe County and surrounding communities receive a wide range of health services close to home. In 1998, Heritage joined University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina which is now Vidant Health. More than 20 specialties are represented by Vidant Edgecombe Hospital's medical staff. In addition to acute care, services include rehabilitation, oncology and outpatient clinics.
Media.
The "Tarboro Weekly" and "Tar River Times" serves as the main daily newspapers for the town of Tarboro and surrounding areas. "The Daily Southerner" was the main daily newspaper for the town of Tarboro and Edgecombe County from 1826 until it ceased publication on May 30, 2014.
The "Rocky Mount Telegram" also serves the town of Tarboro and the entire Rocky Mount metropolitan area.


Sandia Cave

Sandia Cave, also called the Sandia Man Cave, is an archaeological site near Bernalillo, New Mexico, within Cibola National Forest. First discovered and excavated in the 1930s, the site exhibits evidence of human use from 9,000 to 11,000 years ago. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. The site is open to the public, up a difficult half-mile trail off New Mexico State Road 165.
Description.
The Sandia Cave is located on a steep side wall of Las Huertas Canyon, on the north side of the Sandia Mountains northeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The public trailhead to access the cave is on the east side of NM165. The site is rather difficult to reach, as it is requires traversing ledges and a steep metal staircase.
History.
The cave was discovered in 1936. Archaeologists argued about claims associated with this site for decades, making it difficult to determine its importance. The site was excavated in the 1930s and 1940s by Frank Hibben while at the University of New Mexico.
Both Folsom and Sandia hunting points were recovered, with the hitherto unknown Sandia points interpreted by Hibben as being much older than any other evidence of man in North America. Faunal remains included extinct, Pleistocene mammals. Later study of stratigraphy and radiometric dates corrected serious earlier misinterpretations, leaving "Sandia Man" as definitely younger than earlier claimed.
Faunal remains recovered by Hibben and others include such extinct forms as mammoth, mastodon, sloth, horses, and camels, as well as many mammal and bird species that survived the end of the Pleistocene, making this one of the most important Pleistocene paleontological sites in northern New Mexico.


Audubon National Wildlife Refuge

Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge in the U.S. state of North Dakota. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is the centerpiece of the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes numerous other refuges in the region. Originally designated as the Snake Creek National Wildlife Refuge in 1955, the refuge was renamed in 1967 in honor of the artist and naturalist John James Audubon. Most of the refuge area is a lake known as Audubon Lake which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Audubon Lake has one hundred islands which provide nesting habitat for birds. Another consists of wetlands crucial to numerous bird and mammal species. Of particular interest are the Baird's sparrow and Le Conte's sparrow, which nest here in enormous numbers during the late spring and summer. Between 1956 and 2007, 246 bird species have been documented. Additionally, 34 mammal species, five reptile species, four amphibian species, and 37 fish species have been observed.
Activities.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge features a visitor center with exhibits on prairie wetland and grassland habitat, migratory birds, night life of the Refuge, John James Audubon, and the history of the refuge. There is also a gift shop. Outside the visitor center is a 1-mile, self-guided gravel trail through grasslands and along wetlands. The center is located 3 miles north of Coleharbor, North Dakota.
There is an 8-mile gravel auto tour route that winds along the south shoreline of Lake Audubon. Visitors can also use the photography blind to observe or take photographs of birds on a quiet bay of Lake Audubon.
The refuge is open to hunting for deer, pheasant, grouse, and partridge. Since late 2020, it has hosted a 14-mile segment of the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail - the nation's longest hiking trail. The NCT through Audubon crosses a diversity of habitats and features numerous access points. Ice fishing is permitted in the winter.


Morais Natura 2000 Site

The Morais "Natura 2000" Site (PTCON0023) is located in the northeast of Portugal. With an area of 12878 (ha) almost entirely in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros (12219 ha), partially integrates the Azibo Reservoir Protected Landscape, extending itself thru the neighboring municipalities of Bragança (546 ha) and Mogadouro (114 ha).
This average altitude mountainous area, has in its core the Morais Ophiolite Complex, one of the most representative areas of ultramafic rocks, and the largest continuous units of serpentinite in Portugal. Covered with several endemic species and communities, the site has high geological, botanical and zoological interest.


Stara Reka Reserve

Stara Reka (, meaning "Old river") is one of the nine nature reserves in the Central Balkan National Park in central Bulgaria. Stara Reka was established on 19 March 1981 to protect the unique ecosystems of the Balkan Mountains. It spans an area of 1974.7 hectares, or 19.747km2.
Geography.
The reserve is situated a few kilometres to the north of the town of Karlovo in the northern section of Plovdiv Province. It covers the southern slopes of the Balkan Mountains sprawling from Levski Peak (2166 m) and Golyam Kupen Peak (2169 m) on the main ridge of the mountain range south along the valley of Stara Reka river and its tributaries.
The altitude of the reserve varies between 1000 and 2169 m. The southern slopes of the Balkan Mountains have a milder climate with a snow cover lasting for an average of 120 days annually. The soil types are diverse ranging from mountain meadow soils in the highest areas to brown forest and cinnamon soils at lower altitudes.
Flora.
The forest habitats in Stara Reka Reserve usually include four to five tree species. The lowest parts of the reserve are covered by sessile oak ("Quercus petraea"), European beech ("Fagus sylvatica"), South European flowering ash ("Fraxinus ornus"), European hop-hornbeam ("Ostrya carpinifolia") and Oriental hornbeam ("Carpinus orientalis"). Mixed beech and fir forests along with field maple ("Acer campestre"), Heldreich's maple ("Acer heldreichii") and silver birch ("Betula pendula") grow at higher altitudes. Forests of Norway spruce ("Picea abies") grow at the highest altitudes.
The reserve is rich in rare species. 45 species are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria, of them 20 are endemic to the country, such as "Primula frondosa", "Centaurea kerneriana", "Campanula trojanensis", "Stachys alpina", etc.
Fauna.
Stara Reka Reserve contains the westernmost population of chamois along the southern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. It is also an important sanctuary for the brown bear, gray wolf, wildcat, European pine marten and Eurasian otter.
The avifauna is represented by many species of birds of prey such as Eastern imperial eagle, golden eagle, booted eagle, long-legged buzzard, European honey buzzard, northern goshawk, Eurasian sparrowhawk, saker falcon, Peregrine falcon and Eurasian eagle-owl. Other birds of conservation importance are hazel grouse, white-backed woodpecker, black woodpecker, etc.


Mata do Bacurizal e do Lago Caraparu Ecological Reserve

The Mata do Bacurizal e do Lago Caraparu Ecological Reserve () is a municipal ecological reserve in the state of Pará, Brazil.
Location.
The Mata do Bacurizal e do Lago Caraparu Ecological Reserve is in the municipality of Salvaterra, in the northeastern portion of the island of Marajó in the state of Pará.
The reserve is just from the municipal seat, and includes the Bacurizal Forest and Lake Caraparu on the shore of the Bay of Marajó.
The lake has dark waters, and empties into Marajó Bay.
It was created to protect the coastal environment, to preserve natural resources, support scientific research, environmental education and ecotourism, while allowing the traditional fishing communities to make sustainable use of the resources.
The ecological reserve is managed by technicians and environmentalists of the municipal prefecture of Salvaterra.
The municipality is contained in the Marajó Archipelago Environmental Protection Area, a sustainable use conservation unit established in 1989 to protect the environment of the delta region.
Environment.
The forest has a well-preserved environment that includes many examples of local flora and fauna, including the "bacurizeiro" tree, after which it is named.
This tree is of considerable economic value for its fruit and its fine wood used in furniture making.
The forest has many trails giving access to the mangroves, the Tapera Campina fishing port and the São João beach.
The interior of the forest, with its many tall trees, is dark, cool and damp.
The local people extract seeds, roots and sap for medicinal purposes.
There are diverse fauna including various types of primate, many birds, and fish and crabs in the mangrove waters.
The reserve is important as an area for feeding and reproduction of many migratory birds, including the endangered scarlet ibis ("Eudocimus ruber").


Ballyarr Wood

Ballyarr Wood is a national nature reserve of approximately located near Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Features.
Ballyarr Wood was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1986. The wood features one of north-west Ireland's best and largest semi-natural deciduous woodlands. It contains old sessile oak woods, with holly and hazel trees. Other habitats include scrub, wet grassland, wet woodland, and wet heath. It is also a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, listed in Annex I of the Directive.
As part of the management of the wood, grazing livestock have been removed from the area, allowing a natural regeneration of the trees such as rowan and oak. During the winter months, small horses are grazed there in keeping with local tradition to eat rushes, grasses and sedges to open up ground for tree saplings to grow. The hazel trees are coppiced, and non-native trees are being removed from the site.
Badgers, stoats, and foxes are known to inhabit the wood, and occasional visitors include deer. Buzzards and ravens nest in the wood, and many native Irish woodland birds also inhabit the area.


Virginia State Route 46

State Route 46 (SR 46) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway begins at the North Carolina state line near Valentines, where the highway continues as North Carolina Highway 46 (NC 46). SR 46 runs north from the state line to SR 40 in Blackstone. The state highway serves as the main north–south highway of Brunswick County, where it intersects U.S. Route 58 (US 58) in Lawrenceville and both Interstate 85 (I-85) and US 1 near Alberta.
All of SR 46 in Brunswick County is a Virginia Byway.
Route description.
SR 46 begins at the North Carolina state line south of the community of Valentines. The roadway continues southeast as NC 46 toward Gaston. The Virginia state highway heads north as Christanna Highway through southern Brunswick County, where the highway passes through Valentines and Brunswick. SR 46 passes to the east of the remains of Fort Christanna before crossing the Meherrin River. The state highway meets US 58 (Governor Harrison Parkway) at a diamond interchange and begins to run concurrently with US 58 Business. The two highways enter the county seat of Lawrenceville on Hicks Street. After passing over a rail line, SR 46 and US 58 Business turn east onto Meredith Street, then north onto Main Street. The highways separate when SR 46 turns west onto Church Street. The state highway veers northwest onto Windsor Street while passing along the edge of St. Paul's College.
SR 46's name again becomes Christanna Highway as it heads northwest toward the hamlet of Cochran west of Alberta. In Cochran, the state highway intersects US 1 (Boydton Plank Road) adjacent to the Christanna campus of Southside Virginia Community College and has a partial interchange with I-85 that allows access in the direction of South Hill. Access to northbound I-85 toward Petersburg is provided via US 1. SR 46 continues northwest to the village of Danieltown, where the highway meets the eastern end of SR 137 (Danieltown Road). SR 46 enters Nottoway County when it crosses the Nottoway River on the Kennedy Bridge just east of the Nottoway Reservoir. The state highway, now known as Brunswick Road, passes through the southwestern portion of Fort Pickett before reaching its northern terminus at SR 40 (Kenbridge Road) just south of the town of Blackstone.
VA 46 Truck.
Virginia State Truck Route 46 in Lawrenceville, Virginia is overlapped by US 58, also known as the Governor Harrison Parkway between the Hicks Street and Lawrenceville Plank Road interchanges. From there, it follows US 58 Bus into downtown to rejoin mainline SR 46.


Nature Reserve Bosco di Alcamo

The Nature Reserve Bosco di Alcamo is  a natural protected area of Regione Siciliana established in 1984, and located on the top of monte Bonifato, which  dominates the town of Alcamo.
History.
Until the 19th century the Natural Reserve Bosco di Alcamo was covered with a broad-leaved wood which disappeared because of man's action. Since 1921 it has undergone a reforestation work with Aleppo'pine, cypress and umbrella pines. Later there was the gradual reappearance of species of local broad-leaved plants.
Territory.
The protected area is dominated by mount Bonifato, a pyramid-shaped calcareous mount 825 metres high s.l.m. near Alcamo, which has an area of 199 hectares. The surrounding landscape is agricultural and with the predominance of  vine growing.
Flora.
In ancient times on Mount Bonifato  there was a wood which was destroyed by the continuous fires and cutting down of timber.  The present forest, deriving from an old reforestation, expands on the northern side of the mountain and it is characterised by the presence of two species of pine, the maritime pine ("Pinus pinaster") and Aleppo's pine ("Pinus halepensis"). ). There are also poor remainders of evergreen mediterranean forest among the rocks and in some strips of land, not influenced by human activities:  the holm oak, the ash tree, and the downy oak, the native essences.
There are also the typical  grassland and ampelodesma (or "disa"), which in the past was used to tie vines and realize ropes and baskets. Other important plants for the local handicraft are the Ferula (used  for the realization of chairs, stools and small tables), the dwarf palm tree (used to realize brooms or fill in matresses) Sicilian sumac . used for tanning skins and for dyeing works)[5] and the ash tree (from which they extracted manna).
Besides there is a remarkable presence of Euphorbia, Peony and orchidis (among which visitors can see the rare "Orchis commutata" and "Orchis brancifortii").
There are also different aromatic plants, such as shrubby thyme, Egyptian rue, pennyroyal, rosemary, sage, absinth and oregano.
Fauna.
The forest hosts various kinds of birds such as: woodpigeons, jays, turtledoves, kestrels, thrushs, blackbirds, great spotted woodpeckers, robins, buzzards, woodcocks, great tits, greenfinches, serins, tits and goldfinches.
Among the  reptiles are found the rat snake, the endemic common snake (called  "serpe nivura" in dialect), the viper, the lizard and the green lizard.
There are also many mammals such as:porcupines, foxes, weasels, wild rabbits, hedgehogs.
Historical interest.
Inside and near the reserve there are remains of historical-cultural interest, among which:
Footpaths.
The reserve is crossed by 3 footpaths:
Accommodation.
A building on the edge of the pine wood should carry out an activity of environmental education within the institutive ends of the reserve.


Heimkehle

The Heimkehle is one of two great gypsum caves in Germany that are accessible as show caves. It lies on the southern edge of the Harz Mountains between Rottleberode and Uftrungen, east of Nordhausen, right on the state border between Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. The cave may be visited as part of a 45-minute-long guided tour.
Description.
The Heimkehle is a gypsum cave with a length of about 2000 metres, 750 metres of which are normally part of the guided tours. However, due to construction work at present (2008) only 600 metres are accessible. The largest cavern is 65 metres long, 65 metres wide and 22 metres high. As a result of the high solubility of gypsum there has been intensive karstification and a resulting formation of voluminous cave systems. Because it is close to the water table many of the room are or were filled with water. The cave receives an average of 20,000 visitors a year.
History.
The Heimkehle was first mentioned in the records in 1357. In 1649 the Prince of Anhalt visited. But not until 1920 was the cave opened up by Theodor Wienrich who had electric lighting installed. On 12 September 1920 the show cave was opened. Because the largest part of the Heimkehle was covered at that time with a contiguous lake, it was negotiated in boats.
From 1944 the German Army turned the cave into a bombproof production site for the Dessau Junkers Factory, who had parts for the Ju 88 and other products manufactured here. V-weapons were also supposed to have been produced here. Initially large parts of the lake were concreted over and three production halls and several tunnels built, of which the largest could even be used by lorries. The tunnels and access galleries were able to be cut in a relatively short time due to the softness of the gypsum. Prisoners from the Rottleberode satellit of the Mittelbau concentration camp were drafted in to man the underground facilities. Due to the brutality of the SS guards and the climatic conditions in the cave the death rate amongst the prisoners was very high. Towards the war's end the cave was evacuated and the prisoners were sent on to other work camps. A large number of them died as a result.
After the war the cave was considered as a military installation by the Allies due to its production facilities. In 1946 they had all the access galleries blown up. The cave suffered heavy damage as a result of roof and side wall collapses. From 1953 the Heimkehle was opened up. New entry and exit galleries were driven and the structures that had not already been destroyed were removed. Hardly any traces of buildings may be seen in the cave today. The concreted lakes could not be uncovered because the thickness and quality of the concrete used by the Nazis did not allow it to be removed. More demolition work would have caused further destruction of the Heimkehle. So the cave may now be visited on foot. In 1954 it was re-opened as a show cave. In the small cathedral ("Kleiner Dom"), where there had also been production facilities, East German authorities built a memorial to the concentration camp inmates. In the Great Cathedral ("Großer Dom"), in which only a few traces of the production site can still be see, a laser show was installed in 1990. The formal opening of the karst museum took place in 1979.
Harzer Wandernadel.
The cave is checkpoint no. 214 in the Harzer Wandernadel hiking system.


Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Protection Area

Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Protection Area is a protected area located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island in South Australia about south west of Kingscote. It was established in 1993 on land previously part of the Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park. The following qualities have been identified by the government agency managing the wilderness protection area: The area is prime coastal wilderness with high ecological and aesthetic integrity. It is undulating country that has an excellent cover of mallee vegetation and diverse coastal landscapes with high scenic and habitat value. Wilderness quality is evaluated as high in all of the Wilderness Protection Area except a narrow strip on the east coast where it is affected to a minor extent by the presence of a rough track along the eastern coastline.
The wilderness protection area is located within the following gazetted localities (from west to east) - Seal Bay, MacGillivray and D'Estrees Bay. It is classified as an IUCN Category Ib protected area.


Zeya Nature Reserve

Zeya Nature Reserve () (also Zeysky) is a Russian 'zapovednik' (strict nature reserve) located over the mountainous headwaters of the Zeya River, on the eastern end of the Tukuringra Range, where it joins the Dzhagdy, in the Amur Region of the Russian Far East. It was created in part to serve as a "reference plot" for the study of the ecological impact of the Zeya Dam and the Zeya Reservoir which were built in the 1960s and 1970s. The ground cover in the reserve is primarily taiga, of mostly larch and Mongolian oak. The reserve is situated 13 km north of the city of Zeya, in the Zeysky District of Amur Oblast.
Topography.
The Zeya Reserve about 150 km north of the border with China, on the northwest bank of the Zeya river, which is a left tributary of the Amur River, which is flowing east at this point. The reserve is rectangular in shape, running in a northwesterly direction for about 60 km up the Tukuringra Ridge with a width of about 20 km. the Tukuringra Ridge is part of a system of ridges ("Janka-Tukuringra-Soktahan-Dzhagdy"). The altitudes above sea level in the territory are 40% below 700 m, 35% from 700-000, 18% from 1,000-1,300 m, and 7% greater than 1,300 meters. There are over 200 streams and small rivers spread evenly over the territory. They have the character of mountain waterways: steep narrow valleys, sharp drops and rapids. In the winter they freeze to the bottom. The main rocks are gneisses, and the soils the product of weatherized gneisses.
Climate and Ecoregion.
Zeya is located in the "Da Hinggan-Dzhagdy Mountains conifer forests" ecoregion. This is a region of inland plains surrounded by low hills and the Greater Khingan mountain range, a forested area connecting China (Manchuria) and Russia (Amur River basin). Trees are southern taiga in the Russian sections, and Mongolian larch forests with mixed pine and fir in the Chinese forests.
The climate of Zeya is "Subarctic climate, dry winters" (Köppen climate classification "(Dwc)"). This climate is characterized by long, very cold winters, and cool summers. but with little snow in winters. Average temperatures in the reserve are -28.8 C in January, and +19.7 in July. Average rainfall is 515 mm per year. Winds are from the north-northeast in autumn and winter, and from the south-southwest in spring and summer.
Flora and fauna.
Over 90% of the reserve is forested, with trees characteristic of the transition zone from southern to northern taiga. Altitude zoning determines the predominate trees at different heights. From 350 to 500 meters the dominant trees are oak and black birch. From 500 to 1,000 meters the dominant trees are larch, with stands of birch, spruce and aspen. The under-story of this larch forest is mostly cranberries, wild rosemary marsh, Dahurian rhododendron and mosses. From 1,000 to 1,300 is a belt of dark taiga, mostly spruce and fir. Above the dark taiga, the ridgetops are covered with cedar, and accompanying Siberian juniper and rhododendron. For animals, the ridges of the region act as meeting zones and highways for representative species of many faunal complexes - East Siberian (Angara) fauna, Manchu, Daur, Mongolian, Okhotsk-Kamchatka and fauna of the Far Eastern highlands.
Ecotourism.
As a strict nature reserve, the Zeya 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 three 'ecotourist' routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public, but require permits to be obtained in advance. The three are:
The main office is in the city of Zeya.


Mars Cheese Castle

Mars Cheese Castle is a specialty food store, delicatessen, and taproom which sells a variety of consumable products in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Located along Interstate 94, the shop is popular among Wisconsin visitors and has been called a "cheese landmark", "one of Wisconsin's most recognizable cheese stores", and "an icon for generations of I-94 travelers". While the store is best known for its cheese, it also sells sausages and other foods, beer, wine, specialty condiments, soft drinks and Wisconsin souvenirs such as cheesehead hats.
The store is the oldest cheese shop located at what the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called "Wisconsin's most visible cheese interchange"; the junction of Interstate 94 and Wisconsin Highway 142 had three cheese shops until 2009 when it was reduced to two.
The in-store deli offers burgers, bratwurst and other sandwiches. A variety of draft and bottle beers are available in the taproom – including imported European beers and Wisconsin microbrews. There is also a bakery on site.
History.
Mario Ventura, Sr., opened Mars Cheese Castle in 1947. The shop's name was inspired by its owners, as the name Mario comes from the Roman god Mars; the "Castle" part of the name was inspired by a castle in Italy owned by Ventura's mother. Kenosha artist George Pollard designed the store's logo; the project was Pollard's first job. The original store, which featured a large beer bottle on its roof, burned down in 1957; a new store was built nearby.
In 2011, a project widening Interstate 94 forced the store to relocate away from the freeway. The new store, over twice as large as the previous building, was designed to more closely resemble an actual castle; it features a watchtower holding the store's wine and an entrance which resembles a drawbridge. A special statute passed by the Wisconsin Legislature allowed the store to keep its sign at its new location despite a state law prohibiting signs that tall.
Mars Cheese Castle has attracted a number of celebrity visitors. Rock band Weezer held a record signing at the store in 2001, and Al Hirt, Al McGuire, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Cash have all visited the store. U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden also stopped at the store while campaigning for the 2012 presidential election.


Northup Trail

The Northup Trail is a Louisiana Scenic Byway that follows several different state highways, primarily:


The Grotto, Victoria

The Grotto () is a sinkhole geological formation and tourist attraction, found on the Great Ocean Road outside Port Campbell in Victoria, Australia. Wooden steps wind down the cliff face to the bottom, providing visibility of the sea beyond a pool at low tide.


Nevada State Route 488

State Route 488 (SR 488) is an east–west state highway in White Pine County, Nevada. The route covers Lehman Caves Road connecting the town of Baker to Great Basin National Park. The route existed as State Route 74 prior to 1976. SR 488 has been designated a Nevada Scenic Byway.
Route description.
SR 488 begins at a cattle guard on Lehman Caves Road, east of the Lehman Caves Visitor Center and main roadway entrance to the developed areas of Great Basin National Park. From there, the route travels easterly through desert terrain, roughly paralleling the course of Lehman Creek as it travels down towards the town of Baker. The highway ends at an intersection with Baker Road (SR 487) in Baker.
History.
An unimproved road connecting Lehman Caves to the state highway system first appears on official Nevada state highway maps as far back as 1937, although this road traveled more northeasterly than the current alignment of Lehman Caves Road and connected to Baker Road north of the town. This early iteration of State Route 74 was shown on some maps. However, the state's tourist maps did not show the existence of State Route 74 until 1942—by then, the highway route had been changed to its present-day alignment, meeting then-SR 73 at Baker. The new route was upgraded to a gravel road by 1948, and was fully paved by 1949.
SR 74 was eliminated from the state highway system as part of a mass renumbering of Nevada's state routes. State Route 488 was designated to replace SR 74 on July 1, 1976. This change in highway numbers was first seen on the 1978–79 edition of the state highway map. Since its re-designation as SR 488, Lehman Caves Road has not undergone any significant changes.
The Nevada Department of Transportation designated State Route 488 as a Nevada Scenic Byway on March 27, 2000, simultaneously with SR 487 and a nearby portion of U.S. Routes 6 and 50.


Okanogan Trails Scenic Byway


Walter Mart

Walter Mart (stylized as WalterMart) is a Filipino chain of community shopping malls located in Metro Manila, Central and South Luzon. The chain operates its anchor stores that include Walter Mart Supermarket, Walter Mart Cinemas, Abenson Appliances, Homeplus Furniture, Electroworld and SB Furnitures. Filipino retail stores such as Watsons, Ace Hardware, Robinsons Department Store and W Department Store are also occupying most of Walter Mart's branches.
Walter Mart's corporate headquarters are located in North EDSA, Quezon City.
History.
Walter Mart was founded in the 1990s by Wilson Lim, at the time of the economic crisis when the major players were not expanding aggressively. The company saw that there was an opportunity to expand in developing communities and uplift their standards of living by providing gainful employment to the locals and improving their shopping experience.
In January 2013, SM Retails and SM Prime Holdings entered into a joint venture agreement with Walter Mart to co-manage the operations of WM-branded community-based malls located in the provinces of Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and cities in Metro Manila.
In February 2016, the SM-Waltermart group rescinded an earlier deal to jointly develop shopping malls with 8990 Holdings as these may take business away from SM's own shopping centers.
Walter Mart Supermarket.
Walter Mart Supermarket is located within most Walter Mart malls. The first supermarket started in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City In 1995, the owners entered into a partnership with International Grocers Alliance (IGA), making it the only supermarket chain in the Philippines to become a member of the organization. Currently, it is now one of the youngest and fastest-growing supermarket chains in the Philippines with 28 more locations in Metro Manila, Central and South Luzon.
W Mall.
W Mall is a community mall of Walter Mart that was open last April 26, 2018 at Macapagal Boulevard corner Coral Way, Pasay. The mall anchors Walter Mart Supermarket, Miniso, Kidzoona, Abenson Home, and SB Furnitures.