AGATTI : The coral islands of Lakshadweep seem be places which man and nature have conspired to keep more or less pristine. Each island boasts a magnificent lagoon and coral reef with striking marine life. You can swim, snorkel or dive. Agatti is one of the most beautiful isles in Lakshadweep: milky white sands on the beach and turquoise waters with multicoloured fish. The coconut and palm groves and a reef complete the picture. Agatti also has Lakshadweep’s only airport, which must be among the tiniest in the world. Walk along the eastern beach for brilliant white coral of all shapes and sizes. In the shimmering waters there are schools of colourful fish, live coral, sea anemone, starfish and sea cucumbers. The easiest way to access this amazing world is to snorkel around the reefs or take a glass- bottomed boat ride. Golden Jubilee Museum : This simple museum houses a model of a traditional Minicoy sailboat, and a room full of jars and wooden chests recovered from islands and a few shipwrecks. On the ground floor are two busts of the Buddha (dated between 9th and 12th centuries CE), found on Androth Island, which point to the island’s pre-Islamic past.. Mohiyudean Mosque : Visit the old mosque on the island, built in the 16th century in the style of a Malabar temple, with red Mangalore tiles. A stone panel with Arabic lettering decorates its front cornice . Location In the Lakshadweep Sea, off the Kerala coastline Air Agatti is served by flights from Kochi Sea Connected to Kochi by ship .

BANGARAM : Bangaram and its satellite islands of Thinakkara lie 5 to 6 nautical miles north- east of Agatti. The beautiful lagoon offers calm waters in all seasons and the extraordinary variety of underwater life along the coral reefs attracts divers from around the world . On the sandbars, crabs swarm out of tiny pinholes or larger hideouts with an alarming mand of sand heaped close by. Striped orends crabs hunch their bodies high. A walk in the shallows at low tide gives a more prickly experience of the lagoon. For divers and snorkellers, there is live coral: branch coral tipped with fluorescent blue or lumps stained in patches of red, bread-like growths, brain coral and table coral.

KAVARATTI : Kavaratti the administrative centre of the lakshadweep union territory is a busy place. People are everywhere. In the sea , on the land, in boats, working on the off- shore water pipeline, on the jetty and on the trees. Unlike other islands, Kavaratti’s shore is an apology for a beach. Narrow, busy and littered with waste, it almost spoils the beauty of the magnificent lagoon, which is home to starfish, anemones and sea cucumbers. Take off to the north towards the government-run lakshadweep diving academy is the largest eisure-diving organisation in the world and has certified range of programmes from beginners’ to advanced. Diving bookings must be done through the sports office in Kochi . The museum-cum-aquarium has different varieties of shells, including the cowries once used as money across the Indian Ocean, amazing corals and many, many species of fish.

MINICOY : Minicoy was annexed by the British in 1908 and became a part of the Indian Union in 1956, but the people here speak a different language (Mahl), write in religious sonnets (Thana script), look and dress like the Maldivians (in long toga- like capes), and chew betel like true Malayalis. This beautiful crescent-shaped KA island is the southernmost island in the Lakshadweep Sea. The magnificent Unk lagoon includes a secluded beach comence with a lake surrounded by the on slump of mangroves on the Lakshodweep Islands. A walk through the villages is rewarding, particularly nearer the shore, where one can admire the colourfully painted houses. Look for an old sundial near Aloodi village (which the locals still follow their time being roughly 45 minutes behind IST). Built in 1885, the lighthouse offers unparalleled views. Minicoy’s pride, the Tuna Canning Factory, is where foot-long tuna are processed, canned and pickled. Roughly 50,000kg of tuna is processed from September right until late May.

KADMAT : Unknown and unexplored till the 18th century, Kadmat served as a fishing outpost for the villagers of neighbouring Amini Island, who’d explore its waters during the monsoons, when fishing in the sea became dangerous. To its west lies a large bewitching lagoon and to its east, a rich coral outcrop. The island is ideal for swimming and spending lazy, uninhibited hours of pleasure. Elsewhere on the island, life goes on as usual. There are coconuts to be picked and dried, fish to be caught and coir to be soaked, dried and turned into rope.

The Sahara is the world’s largest low-latitude hot desert with an area spread over 3,600,000 sq miles. Emcompassing much of North Africa it covers large sections of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Niger and Tunisia. The Sahara mainly rocky stone plateaus, and large areas covered with sand dunes form only a minor part, though many of the sand dunes are over 590 ft high. Deeply dissected volcanic mountains like the Air Mountains, Ahaggar Mountains, Saharan Atlas, Tibesti Mountains also rise from the desert with the highest peak being Emi Koussi at 3,415 m. The Sahara has only two permanent rivers, the Nile and the Niger and a handful of lakes, but it has substantial underground reservoirs, or aquifers. Typically, the Sahara Desert experiences extremely limited to virtually no rainfall, powerful and capricious winds and wide temperature ranges, where the highest recorded temperature was 57.7°C in 1922 in Libya and falling by nearly 40 degrees at nightfall. A strong wind called the Sirroco at 100 km per hour originates in the Sahara and in fact, sand storms here can be so huge that they are visible from outer space! The Saharan flora comprises around 2800 endemic species of vascular plants like acacia trees, palms, succulents, spiny shrubs and grasses. Altogether, the Sahara hosts some 70 species of mammals, 90 species of resident birds, 100 species of reptiles, and numerous species of arthropods. The most famous animal is the dromedary camel which has been domesticated for thousands of years and used by the desert nomads. It is estimated that the Sahara’s entire population most having Berber or Arabic roots probably equals less than two million people, including those who live near water sources in permanent communities those who move from place to place with the seasons, and those who follow the ancient trade routes as permanent nomads.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, a medieval architecture in Romanesque style, is located in Cathedral Square in Pisa. Its construction began in 1173 and was completed in 1399. Designed by Bonanno Pisano, Gherardo di Gherardo, Giovanni Pisano and Giovanni de Simone, this tower is also known as the Bell Tower of Pisa. The original completed height of the tower was 60 metres. However, after the tilt, it is 56.67 m on the highest side and 55.86 on the lowest side. The outer diameter at the base is 15.84 m., while the width of the walls is 2.44 m. Constructed in white marble, three of its eight stories had been completed, when the uneven settling of the building’s foundation in the soft ground became noticeable. But nothing happened for a century because of war and economic strife and that allowed the tower’s foundation to settle and likely prevented its early collapse. With an approximate weight of 14,500 tons, twin spiral staircases are lined in the interiors, with 294 steps leading from the ground to the bell chamber (one staircase incorporates two additional steps to compensate for the tower’s lean). Over the next four centuries, the tower’s seven bells were installed; the largest weighed more than 3,600 kg (nearly 8,000 pounds). By the early 20th century, however, the heavier bells were silenced, as it was believed that their movement could potentially worsen the tower’s lean. Earth was siphoned from underneath the foundation, decreasing the lean by 17 inches (44 cm) to 13.5 feet (4.1 metres); the work was completed in May 2001, and the structure was reopened to visitors. The tower continued to straighten without further excavation, until in May 2008 sensors showed that the motion had finally stopped, at a total improvement of 19 inches (48 cm). Engineers expect the tower to remain stable for at least 200 years. The Cathedral Square, where the tower is located, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

The Colosseum, located in Rome and also known as the Flavian amphitheatre, is the largest amphitheatre ever built. The construction began between 70 and 72 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was inaugurated in 80 AD by his son, Titus. It is located just east of the Palatine Hill, on the grounds of what used to be Nero’s Golden House . This 50,000-seat Colosseum was clad in travertine and covered by a huge canvas awning held aloft by 240 masts. A freestanding structure of stone and concrete, measuring 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 metres), the Colosseum has a complex system of barrel vaults and groin vaults. Spread over 6 acres, its vaults span between eighty radial walls to support tiers of seating, passageways and stairs. Its façade is 48.5 m. high and the outer walls have three levels of arches, framed by decorative columns topped by capitals of the lonic (at the bottom), Doric and Corinthian (at the top) orders. The upper level, with windows and slender Corinthian pilasters, had supports for the masts that held the awning over the arena, protecting the spectators from sun and rain. The 80 entrance arches, known as vomitoria, allowed the spectators to enter and occupy their seats in a matter of minutes. The Colosseum’s interior was divided into three parts: the arena, cavea and podium. The arena had a wooden floor covered in sand to prevent the combatants from slipping and to soak up the blood. The cavea, for spectator seating, was divided into three tiers: magistrates and senior officials sat in the lowest tier, wealthy citizens in the middle and the plebs in the highest tier. The podium, a broad terrace in front of the tiers of seats, was reserved for emperors, senators and VIP’s. With the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the Colosseum was abandoned. In the Middle Ages, it became a fortress occupied by the powerful Frangipani family. Later, it was robbed of its precious travertine, and the marble stripped from Colosseum was used to decorate notable buildings such as the Palazzo Venezia, Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Cancelleria. Though two-thirds of the original Colosseum has been destroyed over time, this amphitheatre remains an iconic symbol of Rome and its long, tumultuous history. This, the most recognisable of Rome’s classical buildings, is also one of the new seven wonders of the world.

One of the coldest and most uninhabited places in the world is also one of breath taking beauty. The white continent of antartica is the fifth largest continent in the world and covers the south pole .It wasn’t until 1820 that this continent was first discovered. Also a cold desert situated within the antarctic circle and surrounded by southern ocean the continent stretches over 14 million sq kms . Of this 98% is covered with thick ice sheets antartica has 70 % of all the world’s freshwater frozen as ice and 90 % of worlds ice . In fact the antarctic ice sheet is the single largest mass of ice on the planet . The remaining 2 % of ice free areas are where you would find research stations which are about 4000 in short summer and 1000 in winter . In 1983 antarctica recorded the lowest ever temperature on earth of -89 c . The continent is witness to many unusual spectacles. Like the aurora australis a curtain of red or green light that appears in the sky . Another beautiful phenomenon is diamond dust . This occurs when water vapour condenses in the cold air and forms tiny ice crystals . When the sun rays glint off these crystals as they fall to the ground it presents a lovely sight . Hiding under the antarctic ice is an entire freshwater lake . Lake vostok is buried beneath 3.7 kilometers of solid ice . This world of ice and snow is a nestling ground for variety of wildlife. Like migratory birds , penguins and many marine animals like seal , whales , krill and fish . Penguins are most common bird in antarctica and live in large colonies . Each of these animals have different adaptive features for surviving the continents extreme cold . The lack of moisture and low temperature make it hard for plants to grow . There are no trees or shrubs and only two species of flowering plants are known to grow here . However some species of lichen , moss and algae that can survive the hash conditions are found here . Like the artic to the north most of the continent is completely dark during the winter . But during summer more sunlight reaches the south pole than over a similar duration at the equator. 

The red fort complex or lal qila complex in delhi was built by mughal king shahjahan in mid 17 th century. Enclosed within the massive red sand stone walls which stands 75 feet high punctuated by turrets and bastions is a complex of palaces , entertainment halls , projecting balconies , baths indoor canals , geometrical gardens as well as an ornate mosque . Among the most famous structures of the complex are the hall of public audience ( diwan -i- am ) which has 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof and hall of private audience ( diwan – I- khas ) which is smaller with a pavilion of white marble. The planing of the palace is based on islamic prototypes but each pavilion demonstrates architectural elements typical of mughal building reflecting a fusion of persian , timurid , and hindu tradition. Spread over 255 acres this whole complex was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 .

The mighty himalayan chain stretches from arunachal pradesh in north east india to jammu and kashmir the northern most tip of india . Generally the himalayas the karakoram and the hindu kush are considered to be a part of one chain . However when one makes a reference to the indian himalayas . It more often than not refers to that part of the himalayan chain which falls within indian territory. Starting from the east the indian himalayas originate from a knot between china and india where the brahmaputra river enters arunachal pradesh . The chain continues until the borders of bhutan . Beyond that lies sikkim which is home to many peaks including the third highest peak in the world khangchendzonga . The himalayan ranges to the west fall within nepalese territory until the border of kumaon and grahwal. From here the ranges extend without a break in indian territory- kinnaur , spiti , kullu, lahaul , zanskar , ladakh , and east karakoram . The ranges further west are part of pakistan and afghanistan. A climbing or trekking trip in the indian himalayas can be more enjoyable if you acquaint yourself with the regions rich geography , history and biodiversity. 

Regions of the indian himalayas broadly consists of following regions:
1 . Kumaon ( Central Himalayas Uttarakhand State ) 
2 . Garhwal ( Central Himalayas Uttarakhand State ) 
3 . Kinnaur ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh) 
4 . Spiti ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh) 
5 . Kullu ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh) 
6 . Lahaul / Northern Valleys ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh ) 
7 . Kishtwar ( Western Himalayas) 
8 . Kashmir ( Western Himalayas) 
9 . Zanskar ( Western Himalayas) 
10 . Ladakh ( Western Himalayas) 
11 . East Karakoram ( Western Himalayas) 
12 . Sikkim ( Eastern Himalayas )
13 . Arunachal Pradesh ( Eastern Himalayas )

The himalayas have played an important role in shaping indias history in many ways the two are inextricably linked . For thousands of years the himalayas have protected the indian subcontinent from marauding central asian tribes .Their height prevent the moisture rich clouds of the south western monsoon from completely by passing the country .The mountains also black cold wings from central asia that would have turned the great indian plains into a cold desert . All the great rivers in north india originate from glaciers high up in thee mountains .The rivers also carry rich alluvial soil from these ranges down to the plains which result in extremely fertile soil that support high agricultural yields .

Located in old locality on hyderabad . Built in between 1590 and 1591 the charminar is a true masterpiece of qutub shahi architecture and is now used to represent hyderabad pictorally . Made out of limestone and mortar the charminar has four imposing arches each 11 m wide and 11.5 m high . Above the arches lies the first floor with arcaded balcony that runs around the structure with openings to both its interior and exterior sides . There are accounts of the first floor once being used as madrasa and chambers here are meant for students.  On the second floor is a mosque with five arches that display exquisite stucco designs . The mosque has prayers hall’s that can accommodate 45 people in all . A large open space in front of it was utilised during friday prayers . On the eastern end of the mosque a dome and petal shaped flutings  

The pentagon the headquarters of the us dept of defence located just outside washington in arlington. Virginia is one of the world’s largest office buildings. The building was designed by americian architect george bergstrom and has five sides five floors above the ground two basements levels and five ring corridors per floor with a total of 17.5 mi ( 28.2 km ) of corridors . The central five acre ( 20,000 sqm ) pentagonal plaza is nicknamed ground zero on the presumption that it would be a prime target in a nuclear war . Completed in jan 1943 after 16 months of construction the complex has 19 escalators , 284 restrooms , 691 water fountains three times the floor space of the empire state building and houses about 26000 employees. In the buildings main concourse is the hall of heroes a room dedicated to people who have received the medal of honor the united states highest military decoration. The pentagon memorial also known as the 9 / 11 memorial located outside was built to remember the people who lost their lives in the attacks of 9 / 11 .

Venice spread over 118 islands and founded in the 5 century became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city and its lagoon is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains work by some of the world’s great artists such as giorgione , titian , tintoretto , veronese etc . The most famous place in venice is piazza san marco , or st marks square the centre from which rises the homonymous , five domed st marks basilica . Bronze horses dominate its main entrance while the interior is covered in mosaics ( mostly in gold ) that recounts scenes from the bible.  Next to basilica is ducal palace which has the elaborate and lavish higher council hall . The bell tower in front was constructed in 1902 . Bridges here are distinctly different such as rialto bridge and bridge of sigh . The city of venice and its lagoon which covers 50, 000 sq km were designated a unesco world heritage site in 1987 .