Articles by Richard Monk on ArticleSnatch.com

Hydropower As An Energy Platform

Sun, 21 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Much like solar and wind power, hydropower has been a constant energy source for man. Following is an overview of hydropower. Hydropower As An Energy Platform Hydropower can be defined simply as using the energy of flowing water to generate power. With early man, this power was experienced in the form of propulsion as in moving wheels to grind food materials. With modern man, hydropower is used to turn turbines that produce electricity. In cases such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, this platform can be the basis of providing huge amounts of energy to countries in need. Let’s take a look at an overview of developments in hydropower: Over 2,000 years ago, hydropower was used by the Greeks to turn grinding wheels to turn wheat into flour. In the 1770s, French engineer Bernard Forest de Bélidor wrote Architecture Hydraulique, a four-volume series detailing mechanisms that could be used to convert flowing water into power. 1880 - Michigan's Grand Rapids Electric Light and Power Company showcased the first commercial application for electricity generated from hydropower. The company used a turbine to provide power to a whopping 16 lamps at the Wolverine Chair Factory. **End Summary** Topics: energy]]> power]]> fossil fuels]]> hydropower]]> platform]]> oil]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about energy facts .

An Overview of the Sun

Sat, 06 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The Sun is the centerpiece of our solar system, the gravity force that keeps everything together. Here is an overview of this source of our existence. An Overview of the Sun The Sun is a star, one of billions in the known universe. It is similar to other stars you see in the night sky, but is prominent in our lives because we orbit it once every 365 days. The process pivotal in the creation of the Sun goes on to this very day. Roughly 4.5 billion years ago, a massive gas cloud surrounded by dust began to compress. As one small part gained in density, it started to produce a small gravitational pull. Over time, this sucked the rest of the gas and dust into an increasingly smaller area. Nobody is sure what first set off the gravity movement, but it may have been a supernova. As the disk of material compressed, it created more gravity and sucked in more material. With spin induced, the disk produced heat. Throw in a bit of helium and trace elements and you have a cauldron that eventually became our Sun. The actual process that fuels our Sun is called fusion. **End Summary** Topics: sun]]> solar system]]> hydrogen]]> helium]]> fusion]]> core]]> star]]> stars]]> gravity]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything.

The Olympic Games Were Not Always So Friendly

Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The modern Olympics we see are often held up as a continuation of the first games. While the basic idea of sporting events is common to both, there is much that is different. The original Olympics were actually only one part of four games held during the year. The others were the Nemean, Isthmian and Pythian Games. The Olympics, however, were by far the most famous. These games derived their name from Olympia, were they were held. The Olympics were first held in 776 BC. The games were part of a religious festival in honor of the Greek gods. They were held in the temple sanctuary of Olympia in Peloponnesus, which is located in southern Greece. The games celebrated sporting achievement and excellence as well as victory. In fact, victory was the only thing celebrated and it often stood in place of open warfare between various factions. There was no silver or bronze medal awarded. Every year, the Olympics were held on the second full moon after the summer solstice. This would have put them in July or August of each year. The games lasted for roughly five days. **End Summary** Topics: olympics]]> games]]> greece]]> modern olypics]]> games]]> olympiad]]> pankration]]> foot race]]> olympia]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything.

The Puzzle That Is The Atlantis Enigma

Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400

One of the great mysteries and puzzles of our time is Atlantis. Despite the passage of thousands of years, no one has been able to solve the enigma of Atlantis. The Puzzle That Is The Atlantis Enigma Plato was the person that started all of the trouble regarding Atlantis. In his Timaeus and Critias narratives, he talked of Atlantis in glowing terms. He identified it as a large island located in the Atlantic Ocean. By large, we mean huge. Plato claimed it was the size of North Africa! The people of Atlantis supposedly controlled much of the Mediterranean, but were defeated by the ancestors of the Greeks. Both societies were then destroyed in “a great deluge.” With just these snippets of information, one might assume Plato was taking some liberties in his writing. Then an odd thing occurred. Archeologists discovered Egyptian records detailing Atlantis, its ruling family and a utopian type culture. There are a lot of timing inconsistencies between the two stories, but the race to discover Atlantis has been on ever since. We do, after all, like a good puzzle. So, where is Atlantis? Therein is the problem. **End Summary** Topics: plato]]> atlantis]]> South America]]> Santorini]]> Crete]]> Indonesia]]> egypt]]> turkey]]> antarctica]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything.

An Overview of Norway for Travelers

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Norway is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe and a beautiful place. Following is a summary of background information you should know before taking a trip. An Overview of Norway for Travelers The official name of Norway is the Kingdom of Norway. The country covers an area of mainland and accompanying island territories. The total size of Norway is approximately 150,000 square miles. For comparison purposes, this makes the country slightly larger than the State of New Mexico in the United States. The capital of the Kingdom of Norway is Oslo, which is also the biggest population center with over 520,000 residents. Other major cities of note include Bergen with just under a quarter of a million residents, Trondheim with 150,000 residents and Stavanger with roughly 110,000 residents. The terrain of Norway can be described as extreme with high plateaus, steep fjords, mountains, and fertile valleys. The climate is temperate along the coast, but much colder inland. With its far north location, Norway experiences very long days during summer months and equally long nights during winter. During summer, it can stay light until close to midnight. Citizens of Norway are known as Norwegians. **End Summary** Topics: norway]]> fjords]]> oslo]]> scandanavian]]> europe]]> vikings]]> bergen]]> trondheim]]> stravanger]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts on Norway .

An Overview of France for Travelers

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Throughout history, France has always played a pivotal role in Europe. From Art to Politics to Architecture, it is a fascinating place. Here is some background information to consider before your trip. An Overview of France for Travelers The official name of the country is the French Republic. The French Republic covers an area of 220,668 square miles. This makes it the largest country in Western Europe, which is about 80 percent the size of Texas for comparison purposes. The capital of France is Paris. Other major cities of note include the port city of Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Nice, Rennes, Lille and Bordeaux in the famous wine region of the same name. If you have ever watched the Tour de France, you know the terrain in France varies from majestic mountain peaks to flat plains to beautiful coast line along the southern and western borders of the country. This gives the country various climatic conditions ranging from very cool in the mountain areas to downright hot in the southern beach locations such as Nice. Citizens of the French Republic are designated with the name French. The total population exceeds 62. **End Summary** Topics: france]]> europe]]> western europe]]> paris]]> french]]> lyon]]> nice]]> cannes]]> Marseille]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about France .

An Overview of Poland for Travelers

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Poland has a unique history in Europe, often pulled between Russian and Western interests. It you are planning a trip to Poland, here is some background information your should know. An Overview of Poland for Travelers The official name of the country is the Republic of Poland. It covers an area of roughly 120,000 square miles, about the same size as the State of New Mexico in the United States. The capital of the country is Warsaw, which is also the biggest city by population with nearly 1.7 million residents calling it home. Other cities of significance include Lodz with a population of just fewer than 800,000, Krakow with 760,000 residents and Gdansk with 460,000 people. The terrain of Poland is primarily flat although mountains can be found in the region along the southern border of the country. Citizens of the Republic of Poland are known as Polish. The most recent census found there 36.8 million people living in the country, though some are undocumented aliens. The annual growth rate for the population is stagnant, neither growing nor declining sufficiently to be considered to be changing from a statistical point of view. **End Summary** Topics: poland]]> warsaw]]> krakow]]> gdansk]]> polish]]> pope]]> lodz]]> republic of poland]]> europe]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about Poland .

An Overview of China for Travelers

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

China is often left out of discussions of early civilization which is a mistake since it was one of the first. If you are taking a trip to China, here is some background information your should know. An Overview of China for Travelers The official name of the country is the People's Republic of China. China covers a land mass of over 3.7 million square miles, making it a large country indeed. The capital is Beijing. Other major cities include Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Harbin, and Chengdu. With such a massive land area, you can image that there is a wide variety of terrain in the country. Generally, one can find plains, deltas and hills in the east, while mountains, high plateaus and a vast desert exists in the west. The climate ranges from tropical in the far south to arctic cold in the far north on the border with Siberia, Russia. The people of China are known as Chinese. The most recent population study put the total number of Chinese at over 1.3 billion people, more than four times as many people as found in the United States. **End Summary** Topics: china]]> chinese]]> mandrin]]> Shanghai]]> Tianjin]]> Shenyang]]> Wuhan]]> Guangzhou]]> Chongqing]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about China .

Overview of Colombia for Travelers

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Until roughly 30 years ago, Colombia was a peaceful country. Rebel groups and the influence of cocaine production have changed that. Here’s an overview of Colombia for travelers. Overview of Colombia for Travelers The Spanish first colonized Colombia in 1525. Full independence was claimed in 1813. In 1819, Greater Colombia was formed which included modern day countries Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. This conglomeration fell apart fairly quickly. In 1978, political disputes and corruption led to rebel groups pursuing violent insurrection attempts. The primary groups were the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Democratic Alliance/M-19 (M-19). These two entities have subsequently pursued a civil war against the federal government, often controlling parts of the country. Since 2000, the rebel groups have lost much of their ability and no major attacks have occurred. Starting in the late 1970s, the cocaine industry became big in Colombia. Cartels formed to control production and became rich and powerful in the late 80s. Efforts by the government to control the cartels led to open violence and massive corruption. In the late 90s, the massive cartels were finally broken up. **End Summary** Topics: colombia]]> south america]]> columbians]]> cocaine]]> cartels]]> spanish]]> colony]]> medellin]]> calicolombia]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts Columbia .

Overview of Costa Rica for Travelers

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The Republic of Costa Rica is located in Central America and is an amazingly beautiful country. Following is an overview of the past and present of Costa Rica for travelers. Overview of Costa Rica for Travelers Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica and the indigenous people living there in 1502. The Spanish subsequently colonized it. The name of the country, Rich Coast, comes from their mistaken belief that gold was prevalent. It wasn’t, but the name stuck. In 1821, Costa Rica joined other Central American countries in declaring independence from Spain. True independence didn’t occur till 1838 when Costa Rica broke away from a federation of Central American countries. In a major departure from many Central America countries, Costa Rica has largely been a free and peaceful democracy since 1899. It has a system of checks and balances similar to the United States, but more power is invested with the President and executive branch. The President and congressional members are elected to 4-year terms. Costa Rica covers an area of 19,730 square miles. The capital is San Jose, which has a population of 2.1 million people. **End Summary** Topics: costa rica]]> central america]]> ticos]]> costa ricans]]> christopher columbus]]> tamarindo]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Costa Rica facts .

An Overview of Belgium for Travelers

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Located on the European mainland, Belgium often is short-shifted in discussions of Europe. Following is an overview of Belgium for travelers. An Overview of Belgium for Travelers Belgium is located on the coast of the North Sea between Holland, German and France. The name comes from the Belgae, a celtic tribe. Belgium’s geographic location places it at the crossroads of much of Europe, particular in relation to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. As a result, the country has been heavily influenced by the powers that be in Europe during certain periods of times. You can find aspects of Romans, Celtics, Germanic, French and Spanish influences. Ruled by various European empires, the cities of Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp were major commercial trading posts. They also produced some of the more spectacular artists in Europe, including Eyck and Rubens. In modern times, the country is really three separate states with significant autonomy. The country is divided up into Flemish, Walloon and a smaller Germanic area. The Flemish are Dutch speaking while the Walloon are oriented to French. The divisions between these areas are significant and they have significant autonomy from the federal government. One might argue they are countries unto themselves. **End Summary** Topics: belgium]]> flemish]]> walloons]]> brussels]]> europe]]> rubens]]> united kingdom]]> holland]]> germany]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Belgium facts .

Overview of Peru for Travelers

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Peru is located on the upper west coast of South America. If you are considering Peru as a travel destination, following is an overview of the country. Overview of Peru for Travelers Historically, Peru was the location of the dominant early cultures in South America. The city of Caral has pyramid remains dated to between 2000 and 2600 BC, which may make it the oldest city in the world. Peru is also the home of the Nazca Lines, the football field size drawings in the ground that are only apparent from the air. The Incas are a mysterious civilization, but one that was clearly dominant during its time. The Incas were based in modern day Peru. Although it was not a major city, Machu Picchu is the best known archeological remains of the Incas. It was discovered in 1911. The Spanish defeated the Inca Empire in 1533, who remained in control for nearly 300 years. In 1821, Peru declared independence, but wasn’t able to defeat the Spanish until 1824. In fact, Peru was the last Spanish colony in South America. Peru has seen periods of relative stability and near civil war since gaining its independence. **End Summary** Topics: Peru]]> incas]]> inca]]> south america]]> Caral]]> nazca lines]]> shining path]]> tupac amaru]]> Titicaca]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and more facts about Peru .

An Overview of Austria for Travelers

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Although Austria is rarely in the headlines these days, it was once part of a dominant European power. Following is an overview of this postcard country. An Overview of Austria for Travelers With its prime location in mainland Europe, Austria was a major player in economic, military and political terms when it was known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Alas, this role was significantly diminished after World War I when victorious allies divided the empire. A much smaller Austria came onto the scene and has developed into an ideal travel and relocation destination. Famous Austrians dot the historical record. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven were mavericks in music. In psychology, a certain Sigmund Freud made just a slight impact. Currently, the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was born in Austria. The official name of the country is Republic of Austria. It covers a relatively small area of land, 32,000 square miles. The capital is beautiful Vienna, which has a population of just over 1.6 million people. Other cities of note include Salzburg and Innsbruck which has hosted a winter Olympics. **End Summary** Topics: Austria]]> Vienna]]> Salzburg]]> Mozart]]> bach]]> freud]]> Austrians]]> Innsbruck]]> Schwarzenegger]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and more facts about Austria .

Overview of Greece for Travelers

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

From the Olympics to My Fat Greek Wedding, Greece has always been a cultural centerpiece in the history of man. Summing up its contribution requires a small library, but here is an overview. Overview of Greece for Travelers Greece was home to some of the earliest advanced civilizations. From the Minoans of the second BC millennium to Mycenaeans who established the basis of the current language, the country has produced cultural, philosophical, political and sport advancements unrivaled by others. The modern Greek state obtained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. It has carried on what seems like a constant conflict with Turkey and was also involved in both World Wars. In 1981, Greece joined the European Community that eventually evolved into the European Union. The official name of Greece is the Hellenic Republic. Greece covers an area of roughly 51,000 square miles. Athens is both the capital and largest population center with roughly 3.5 million inhabitants. Thessaloniki is the second largest population area with just over one million people. The terrain of Greece ranges from mountains in the north to flat plains in the south and beautiful islands off the coast. **End Summary** Topics: Greece]]> Athens]]> greeks]]> Europe]]> greek islands]]> Olympics]]> Hellenic Republic]]> Minoans]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and more facts on Greece .

Overview of Brazil for Travelers

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

The Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in South America. Following is an overview of fun loving Brazil for travelers. Overview of Brazil for Travelers Indigenous peoples have populated for a long, but undetermined, period. European influence began with Pedro Alvares Cabral when he claimed Brazil as a Portuguese colony in 1500. In a little known development, Brazil actually became the location of the Portuguese government in 1808 when Napoleon chased the royal family out of Portugal. While in Brazil, the family ruled from Rio de Janeiro until 1821 when it returned to Europe. This move was motivated by a declaration of independence by Brazil, led by Dom Pedro. As with many South American countries, Brazil has seen its ups and downs from a political perspective. In 1989, it finally completed a transition to a popularly elected government when Collor de Mello won the popular vote. Less than three years later, he was forced to resign under the cloud of corruption charges. In 2002, Luiz Inacio da Silva rose to the position of president. Lula, as he is known, represents a major change in Brazilian politics. He is the first leader from the working class. **End Summary** Topics: Brazil]]> sao Paulo]]> rio]]> rio de janeiro]]> hydropower]]> lula]]> Brazilians]]> south America]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and more facts of Brazil .

Overview of Argentina for Travelers

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Located in South America, Argentina is a beautiful and passionate place. Following is an overview of Argentina for travelers. Overview of Argentina for Travelers Argentina covers roughly 1.1 million square miles and is the second largest country in South America. Due to its unique location, practically every climate imaginable can be found in some part of the country. The people of Argentina are known as “Argentines.” The total estimated population is 38.6 million and grows at half a percent each year. The ethnicity of Argentines is 97 percent European and 3 percent non-white. Argentines are overwhelmingly Roman Catholics, with 92 percent members of the faith. The primary language spoken is Spanish and the literacy rate is 97 percent. The life expectancy rate is 75.8 years. History Europeans arrived in Argentina in 1502 with the arrival of Amerigo Vespucci, the individual after whom the Americas are named. Spanish navigator Juan Diaz de Solias visited what is now Argentina in 1516. Spain pursued colonization 80 years later, establishing the city of Buenos Aires. In 1816, the Buenos Aires colony obtained independence. The country we now know as Argentina wasn’t established until 1861. **End Summary** Topics: Argentina]]> south America]]> Buenos aires]]> Patagonia]]> economic problems]]> juan peron]]> eva peron]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and more facts about Argentina .

An Overview of Switzerland for Travelers

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

The official name of Switzerland is the Swiss Confederation. If you are considering visiting Switzerland, you should know something about the country. An Overview of Switzerland for Travelers Switzerland is uniquely positioned in Europe because it sits on the crossroads of many routes. Although not as important in modern times, the geographic position explains the odd situation where the official languages of the country are German, Italian and Romansch. French is widely spoken in the west and English is prevalent throughout the country. There is no language unique to Switzerland…Switzerish perhaps. Switzerland is a very modern country rating at or near the top of all living standards in the world. Literacy rates are near 100 percent, 25 percent of adults hold diplomas from higher education and religious freedom is guaranteed. Switzerland has one of the highest usage rates of computers and the Internet, not to mention a high per capita income level. Health care services are outstanding and nearly all Swiss are insured. Historically, Switzerland was first inhabited by Helvetic Celts. It eventually came under the rule of the Roman Empire. **End Summary** Topics: switzerland]]> europe]]> swiss]]> neutrality]]> roman catholic church]]> zurich]]> basel]]> geneva]]> celts]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about Switzerland .

An Overview of Japan for Travelers

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

For such a tiny total landmass, Japan has left an undeniable stamp on human history. If you are considering Japan as a destination, here is an overview of the country. An Overview of Japan for Travelers Extending along the eastern coast of Asia, Japan is a country consisting of a collection of islands. The mainland, as we think of it, is the island of Honshu. There are three other large islands, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and roughly 3,000 much smaller islands comprising what we call Japan. Put together, the total land mass is slightly smaller than California. The geography throughout the islands is mountainous, best exemplified by Mt. Fuji at 12,385 feet. As you might expect, the island country is inherently recognition of a volcanic are and Japan experiences earthquakes fairly frequently, some on a large scale. Japan is an extremely urbanized country with most people living in major cities. The two prominent religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The belief systems are harmonious and often share the same temples. Per legend, Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu around 600 BC. The current emperor is a descendent of the first. **End Summary** Topics: japan]]> asia]]> japanese]]> emperor]]> world war I]]> world war II]]> allies]]> toyko]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Facts about Japan .

An Overview of Liberia for Travelers

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

The Republic of Liberia was on of the more stable African countries until a massive civil war. For extreme travelers, the war is over and Liberia is back on the map. Here’s a look at where the country has been and where it is going. An Overview of Liberia for Travelers Liberia means the land of the free. It is a fitting name considering the country was established by freed slaves from the United States in 1820. Referred to as Americo-Liberians, the freed slaves established Monrovia which is named after U.S. President James Madison. Although there were minor disputes throughout Liberia’s history, it was generally saved the problems faced by much of colonized Africa. Indeed, Liberia was known for its hospitality, strong education system, booming rubber industry and strong liberal arts. Unfortunately, political unrest led to a brutal civil war from 1989 till 1996 during which the country fell apart and over 200,000 Liberians were killed. Prior to 1980, the country was ruled by the True Whig Party, which consisted ostensibly of descendents from the freed slaves. **End Summary** Topics: liberia]]> africa]]> freed slaves]]> james madison]]> charles taylor]]> liberians]]> civil war]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Liberia Facts .

An Overview of South Africa for Travelers

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

The Republic of South Africa was once the home to apartheid. A movement and a man, Nelson Mandela, changed that. Here is an overview of the country for travelers. As recently as 1991, apartheid was the rule of law in South Africa. The term means separate and effectively divided the country along racial lines in practically every element of society. The Portuguese were the first to land in South Africa in 1488, but didn’t claim a colony. The Dutch East India Company arrived in 1652, with Dutch and Germans moving to the country. These whites became the Afrikaners and eventual dominate class of South Africa. In 1779, the British moved in on the proceedings and the Afrikaners moved north. Known as the Great Trek, this shift put the Afrikaners in conflict with Zulu tribes and warriors. The Zulus won most of the conflicts following their legendary leader, Shaka. In 1828, Shaka was assassinated and momentum turned. Diamonds were discovered in 1870 and gold in 1886. Europeans immigrated like mad to the area. **End Summary** Topics: south africa]]> africa]]> arartheid]]> nelson mandela]]> anc]]> diamonds]]> gold]]> portuguese]]> boers]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about South Africa .

An Overview of Kenya for Travelers

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Kenya is stunningly beautiful African country that has seen its share of good and bad times. If you are traveling to Kenya, the following information will give you a head start. Kenya is a crossroads country in Africa, which means a little bit of various African countries reside there. More than 40 languages are spoken and as many as eleven different ethnic groups can be identified. The religious breakdown is also very diverse. Despite this variety, the country has a fairly harmonious existence. The national slogan is harambee which loosely translates to lets pull together. Compared to other sub-Saharan countries, Kenya has historically been advanced in infrastructure and general living standards. During the colonial period, England controlled the country and developed the area. Kenyans were not allowed to participate in government, much like South Africa. As you might expect, Kenyans rebelled and eventually became independent on December 12, 1963. The Kenya People’s Union then became the only political party and ruled until 2002. In October 2002, the National Rainbow Coalition dominated elections. Following independence, Kenya continued to grow economically and the standard of living was the envy of much of Africa. **End Summary** Topics: kenya]]> africa]]> kenyans]]> saharan]]> england]]> ethnic groups]]> colonial]]> corruption]]> economy]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Kenya Facts .

Overview of Egypt for Travelers

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

From Pyramids to the Valley of the Kings, the Arab Republic of Egypt oozes history. If you are considering traveling to Egypt, you should know the following about the country. Egypt has plenty of land, but much of it is sparsely inhabited. This leads to a situation where the vast majority lives within relatively compact urban places. As the most populous Arab nation, nearly all of people live along the Nile River, particularly in Cairo and Alexandria. Cairo in particular is one of the world’s most densely populated cities with a whopping 3,800 people per square mile and roughly 18 million in the extended city. Traffic jams are legendary to say the least. Travelers to Egypt are almost always going to see the pyramids and various archeological remains of the Pharaohs. Just so you can sound like you know what you are talking about, here is a very brief history on the rule of the Pharaohs. Around 3,100 BC, Mena united Egypt and became the first Pharaoh. 30 dynasties would follow and are categorized as the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and New Empire. In 525 BC, the last Pharaoh was overthrown by the invading Persians. **End Summary** Topics: egypt]]> pharaohs]]> pharohs]]> cairo]]> alexandria]]> nasser dam]]> valley of the kings]]> giza]]> pyramids]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about Egypt .