Red Square Moscow Facts

Red Square in Moscow, Russia, is one of the most famous squares in the world and deserves its status as such. It’s the largest square in Moscow, with an area of 155,600 square feet, but it’s also considered to be one of the oldest public open spaces in Russia and dates back to 1327 AD. Originally called Krasnaya Ploschad meaning Red Place, it was renamed after Lenin’s death to be called Lenin Square and then back to Red Square.

Location

Red Square Moscow Russia. Red Square in Moscow is situated at 0 longitudes and +0 latitudes. The red square in London is situated at 0 longitudes and -0 latitudes. Red square in Kyiv is situated at 0 longitudes and 30 latitudes. Red square in Paris is situated at 0 longitudes and 2 latitudes. Red square Kyiv Ukraine, Red square Paris France, red square Dublin Ireland, red square Amsterdam Netherlands

History

Red Square in Moscow Russia is one of Russia’s most important monuments. It was known as Red Square during Soviet times and it is an important part of Russian history as it houses Lenin’s Mausoleum and Moscow’s iconic Kremlin. As well as being a prominent part of Russian history, Red Square is a popular tourist attraction. It draws large crowds every year to see some of Russia’s most famous landmarks including St Basil's Cathedral, The State History Museum, and The Bolshoi Theatre. Red square's rich history dates back to the 1500s making it one of Russia's oldest monuments. During Communist rule, Vladimir Lenin's Mausoleum stood in the red square until its removal in 1961 by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

Attractions

Red Square Moscow Russia is one of Russia’s most famous attractions. This iconic landmark has been at the center of Russian history for centuries, playing host to ceremonies and protests alike. Red Square is home to many cathedrals and palaces including St. Basil’s Cathedral, GUM, Lenin’s Mausoleum, The Kremlin, and St. Vasilii's Cathedral. This part of Red Square in Moscow also features major government buildings such as The State Historical Museum of Russia and The Diamond Fund of Russia Museum where you can find expensive gems like precious diamonds belonging to Tsar Nicholas II or unique uncut crystals as big as a fist! Some of the buildings include many fine restaurants that offer excellent food from traditional Russian dishes to modern culinary recipes.

Important buildings located on Red Square

The Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, and GUM (Regional Department Store). The square was first mentioned in historical documents in 1493 and was officially called Red Square after its paving stones were colored red during an 18th-century renovation. Despite that, though, some people still call it by its unofficial name of Krasnaya Ploshchad. People come to Red Square for a variety of reasons: to see the Russian flag hoisted or lowered over the Kremlin, to visit Lenin's Mausoleum to pay their respects, and/or just simply to stroll through one of Russia's most historic areas.

Things to remember when visiting Red Square

Red Square is located in central Moscow. It covers an area of ​​250,000 square meters. It is named after the red tiles that cover its facades during tsarist times. Red Square is also one of the oldest squares in the world, having been on the market since 1050 AD. It was later used as a parade ground by Russian monarchs and as a meeting place for Soviet leaders during Communist times. When visiting Red Square, remember to dress appropriately. Specifically, women should cover their knees and shoulders and men should not wear shorts or sleeveless shirts or hats without permission from authorities. The square is also home to many cultural attractions, including the Tian'anmen Square Museum, the Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Great Bell of Tian'anmen, and the Monument to the People's Heroes.

How to Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is the most famous in Egypt, and if you’re going to visit it, here’s everything you need to know. Of course, if you’re traveling with children, be sure to check out the pyramids too! And don’t forget to check out your local travel agency before you go—they can book your flights and hotel rooms at great rates. Here are all of the details on how to visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo!

The Old and New Museums

So how does a tourist get from one museum to another? While both museums are located in Tahrir Square, they’re not connected physically. And while it might be tempting to jump into a cab outside one and have your driver take you over, doing so is quite dangerous; pickpockets are known to work these areas. Instead, visitors should walk across an open plaza (you’ll need good shoes) to find underground passageways that connect them between buildings. The trip takes about 10 minutes, but if you do get lost along the way—and you will likely get lost at some point—there are plenty of locals happy to help navigate you through.

Opening Hours

The Grand Egyptian museum is open from 9 am-6 pm on weekdays and 8 am-5:30 pm on weekends. Make sure you check your time zone so you don’t miss out. It stays open for an hour longer than most other attractions in Cairo, and it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re enjoying yourself (or are captivated by Tutankhamun). The museum closes on Tuesdays.

Admission Prices

You will want to purchase a general admission ticket or passport that grants you access for three days. These are fairly expensive but worth it. If you only have one day, skip over it. Many museums in Egypt close on Mondays, so be sure and check their website before planning your trip. The Grand Egyptian Museum is $ 50 per person and gives you free admission to all of its permanent exhibitions, including the famous Tutankhamun gold mask (if it goes well restored by then). Entrance fees range from EGP 100-200 ($8-USD 16) for smaller museums, such as pharaonic temples; those sights charge more for photography and some even require a photography permit for non-members or non-Egyptians!

Entrance Gates

The first thing you should do is purchase your tickets online, as online tickets are cheaper than buying them at a kiosk outside of the museum. The entrance gates are located on Ramses Street, and you’ll need to find someone who can help direct you inside. If you purchased your ticket online and have a printout, it will be easier. Many tourist police will be working at the main entrance gate and can assist with any questions or problems that might arise. When it’s time for your appointment with one of their curators, give yourself an extra 15 minutes or so; these are highly recommended, and book up quickly.

Visiting Tips

The Grand Egyptian Museum is open daily from 9 am until 5 pm. Admission is currently free, though it's possible that could change at some point in 2017. Plan to spend at least two hours there. There are also many restaurants and shops within walking distance of The Grand Egyptian Museum; if you need a break or something to do, look for businesses along Sayed El-Sayed St., Mohamed Mahmoud St., and Qasr el-Nil St. If you have time after visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, consider passing there.

Nile Cruise from Aswan to Cairo

A unique experience. To visit Egypt and not take a Nile cruise would be like seeing America and not taking part in an American road trip. There are several different options for cruises, ranging from sailing on privately owned yachts, sailboats or gulets (wooden ships), traditional dahabiyas, five-star riverboats, or luxury motorboats with casinos and discos. The most famous travel option is a seven-night luxury voyage on a large paddlewheel steamer that starts at Aswan - where it's called The Nile Cruise - and ends at Luxor - where it's called The Nile Festival. This time-honored tradition has been going on for more than 150 years.

Taxi from Downtown Cairo To The Museum

There are many ways to get from downtown Cairo to Giza and (most commonly) from downtown Giza to Downtown Cairo. Taxis are usually the cheapest, costing less than 50 LE for a trip within an hour. This is one of three main options: take a taxi; take Metro Line 2 or 7 (If you're traveling during peak hours, it's best not to go with either of these options); catch a microbus (also called micro-shuttles) outside Youth Hostel at Mohandessin Station.

8 things you probably didn't know about Easter Island

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it’s called in the native language, sits in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean between Chile and Tahiti and is home to around 3,800 people. The island was discovered by Europeans when Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen found it on Easter Sunday in 1722 and named it Easter Island because he arrived during Easter week. For all its popularity these days, there are some things about Easter Island that most people don’t know about the place, so we decided to get the facts straight for you! Here are 8 things you probably didn't know about Easter Island!

1) where it is

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and is a territory of Chile. It's 900 miles (1,500 kilometers) west of Chile. Easter Island is one of the five South Pacific islands that make up French Polynesia. The island covers a land area of just 62 square miles (160 square kilometers). The small island was formed by an extinct volcano rising 2,250 feet (686 meters) above sea level. Easter Island's highest point is Mataveri Peak at 1,344 feet (410 meters).

2) why do people go there

Easter Island is a very special place. One of earth's most remote places, Easter Island is 3,500 miles west of South America and 2,200 miles east of Tahiti. People have gone there for hundreds of years to find peace and create art. Because it was isolated and devoid of natural resources, the settlers settled on Easter Island. It was also a good place for fishermen to trade because it was in the middle of the country and so far away from anyone else that they could be attacked or taken by someone else. That’s why so many people live there and why they don’t want other people to take over their little island paradise!

3) who discovered it

Easter Island was first discovered by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday in 1722. Over time, Easter Island has been claimed and occupied by many countries, including Chile, Spain, and Great Britain. In 1888, Chile annexed Easter Island to its territory and it remains part of Chile today. The island is called Rapa Nui (the native name) or Isla de Pascua (Spanish for Easter Island) in Spanish. Its official language is Spanish but English is also widely spoken throughout much of Easter Island.

4) who controls it today

Easter Island is an overseas territory of Chile. Chile annexed Easter Island in 1888 and made it part of its Valparaiso Region. Since 1985, Easter has had its administrative region called a special territory, which is governed by a council and presided over by a delegate appointed by Chile's president. (source: CIA World Factbook)

5) who lived there originally

Easter Islanders were Polynesians from French Polynesia. These people are also called Rapa Nui and called their home island Te Pito Te Henua, which translates to Navel of The World. To many explorers, Easter Island looked like a giant volcano emerging from an ocean. This is fitting because volcanoes have shaped much of Easter's topography.

6) what they built

Easter Island was colonized by Polynesians, who arrived around AD 1200. They carved giant statues called moai out of stone to honor their chiefs and ancestors. The largest of these statues is 33 feet (10 meters) high and weighs 82 tons (72,000 kilograms). There are over 900 moai on Easter Island; nearly half stand in a single group near the Rano Raraku crater. One massive statue, called Paro, lies toppled face down in one of Easter Island's lakes; it is so large that researchers believe it would have required a team of 80 men more than 10 years to carve.

7) who attacked them

The native Easter Islanders were attacked and enslaved by people from neighboring islands. Europeans are thought to have visited Easter Island in the early 1000 CE, although they may have arrived in the 16th century. Dutch sailor Jacob Roggeveen was one of the first Europeans to visit Easter Island in 1722. However, there is no concrete evidence of European occupation before that time.

8) how their statues were moved

Easter Island is famous for its huge, ancient stone statues. And if there’s one thing most people probably don’t know about Easter Island, it’s how those statues were moved from place to place. As it turns out, carving and building an eight-foot-tall statue of a person—much less transporting it to a different location—isn’t easy. But that didn’t stop Easter Islanders from moving their stone giants. For starters, they had a small island at their disposal.

Petronas Twin Towers Facts, What is inside Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas Twin Towers, also known as Petronas Twin Towers Malaysia, are the tallest twin towers in the world. What are Petronas Twin Towers famous for? This article will guide you on all Petronas Twin Towers facts, including what’s inside Petronas Twin Towers and how tall are Petronas Twin Towers. You can also learn about who owns Petronas Twin Towers and other interesting facts about the buildings themselves. When was it built? Are there any other buildings like it around the world? Read on to find out!

Petronas Twin Towers Building Information

The world’s tallest twin towers are The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Each tower has 88 stories and a total length of 452 meters (1,483 feet). The towers house offices and are considered part of Malaysia’s national symbol. The twin towers were designed by Argentine architect Cesar Pelli who also designed Taipei 101 in Taiwan. They have become iconic symbols for Malaysia and are an important part of the city skyline.

The History Behind Petronas Twin Towers

The history of Petronas twin towers Malaysia began in 1979 when Malaysia decided to grow its oil and gas by building a new oil and gas processing plant. The project would go on for years in construction stages but finally started operating in 1999. In 1996, at an estimated cost of RM9 billion (USD2.5 billion), making it one of the most expensive buildings built by a single entity in Malaysia.

How Tall Is the Top of Petronas Twin Towers?

At 452.9 meters (1,483 feet), it’s a little taller than Willis Tower in Chicago but not quite as tall as Taipei 101 in Taiwan. However, it’s only half of a building that stands about twice as tall: 828m (2,717 feet) tall and with 89 stories. That top you see when looking at photos from space? It is simply a cylinder on top of one tower connected to the other by an internal bridge — not a literal part of any tower. If you measure from sea level to any point on its roof, Petronas towers are roughly 150m taller than their Chicago counterparts.

Things to See Inside Petronas Twin Towers

1. At street level (open to the public) you will find plenty of shopping and dining options, as well as a large open-air plaza. 2. The underground space has been turned into an 11-level shopping mall (called Suria KLCC) which features more than 400 retail outlets. 3. The car park level has been turned into a giant aquarium - popular with kids! 4. The open-air Skybridge on Level 6 offers some great views of KL, including Jalan Bukit Bintang; while up on Level 7 there’s an observation deck with 360-degree views of Kuala Lumpur and beyond from 228 meters (750 feet) high!

When Can I Visit This Amazing Structure?

Ever wondered what it was like to work in a skyscraper? Now you can. The owner of Petronas Twin Towers Malaysia just announced they're opening up their two-tower business structure to tourists for three days during Mid-Autumn Festival in Malaysia. Starting on September 19, visitors can ride a glass elevator 738 meters up to visit either tower's roof and take pictures from some of Southeast Asia's best viewpoints. You can also see unique works of art and architecture that have gone into building one of the world's tallest twin towers. But remember! It is only for three days, so book your tickets now before they run out.

Who Owns Malaysia's Most Famous Landmark?

You might be surprised to learn that Malaysia's most famous landmark isn't a mosque or a royal palace; it's a pair of skyscrapers. The Petronas Twin Towers have become synonymous with Kuala Lumpur and are now iconic around Asia—and even in parts of Europe, thanks to an appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Today these towers dominate Malaysia's skyline as one of its most famous landmarks. Read on for fun facts about these iconic buildings!

How Much Did it Cost to Build PETRONAS Buildings?

Completed in 1998, PETRONAS Towers became one of the world's most impressive landmarks in Malaysia. The two towers rise to a height of 452 m (1,483 ft) and were named after Petroleum Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Malaysia’s national oil company. It was constructed for more than $1 billion and contains over 73 elevators and 4 escalators. Towers cost about $ 850 million each to build the equivalent of 634 million euros today. Around half a million people visit PETRONAS twin towers every year with most coming from South East Asia. Tourists love visiting PETRONAS Towers as they provide excellent views across Kuala Lumpur as well as being an architectural masterpiece in their own right.

How Many Canals Are There in Venice and Why Do They Smell?

How many canals are there in Venice? Why do the canals in Venice smell? What are the canals in Venice famous for? What are the names of the 3 main canals in Venice? Before I tell you about the canals in Venice, you should know that the city is divided into 6 areas based on their location and the types of communities living in each area.

The History of the Venetian Canal System

The Venetian canal system is not just a series of canals that run through one of Italy’s most famous tourist destinations. The canals are what make Venice stand out as unique and why tourists flock to it from all over the world. Understanding a bit about how and why those canals were built, along with some of their history, can help you better appreciate one of Europe’s truly amazing cities. Here are three interesting facts about these historic waterways

Venice Italian

The city of Venice, Italy is located on a lagoon known as the Venetian Lagoon. The island of San Giorgio Maggiore is also considered part of Greater Venice. In all, 118 smaller islands make up Greater Venice. More than one hundred channels connect these islands to the mainland (the Terraferma).

The Modern Importance of the Canals

If you were to describe, in detail, an Italian city – from its architecture to its culture – one of your first descriptors would be Venice. The same is true for canals. Ask any individual about Italy, and chances are that one of their first questions will be, Do you have canals there? This innate curiosity comes from Italy’s unique history: it has more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) of navigable inland waterways. Italy is among just three countries with more than 1% of its territory made up of water (the other two are Finland and Sweden). While most tourists associate Italian canals with Venice, they exist throughout much of northern Italy as well. But what exactly is a canal?

Interesting Facts About The Venetian Canal System

Venice is full of canals which is why it’s often called The City of Water. The city was built on a group of 117 small islands. To connect the islands, there are about 400 bridges and 118 miles of waterways. It wasn’t always like that though. Originally, most Venetians used boats as their primary form of transportation. Then they started building bridges because they were easier to use (and less expensive) than connecting boats with poles and ropes!

The Smell - Causes and Reasons

Just as a house has its distinct smell, so does each of Venice’s many canals. You can tell which district you are in just by taking a whiff. The majority of them (there are 118) have their unique scent. Most believe that it is due to stagnant water or algae but they may be wrong on both counts. The canal smells like sewage because it is sewage. Yes, that’s right; Venice dumps all of its waste into its canals – human waste included! It’s not quite as bad as it sounds though because there are two wastewater treatment plants located at either end of town where most of the filth gets cleaned up before being dumped into the sea. So if you don't mind a bit of poop with your Venetian experience then go ahead and take a dip!

The Names of The Main 3 Canals

The 3 main canals of Venice are Grand Canal, Giudecca Canal, and Rio di Palazzo. The grand canal is one of 2 main canals. It runs through Central Venice about 1.5 miles (2.4 miles) about half the length of the whole of Venice. At regular intervals, you’ll find gondolas as well as other water taxis traveling back and forth from one end to another end of its route. This canal is also known as il Canal Grande or Grand Canal in English. The second main canal, known as Rialto Bridge Canal or Rialto Canal, starts at Piazzale Roma (Rome Square) and ends at Santa Lucia Train Station. This canal system was created during Roman times when they built a bridge over it to connect the two banks of Italy. This bridge was known then as Pons Aemilius or Ponte Emilio.

10 Facts You Didn't Know About the Galapagos Islands

A little over 1000 miles west of the coast of Ecuador lies an island archipelago known as the Galapagos Islands. These islands are probably unknown to most tourists and travelers, but they are one of the most diverse in the world, thanks to their wildlife. Here are ten facts you may not have known about the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy!

1) The name originates from Galápago, which means saddle in Spanish.

The name Galápagos is a Spanish word meaning saddle and refers to a colossal island in the Galápagos Islands. This name comes from Ferdinand Magellan who was credited with discovering these islands on March 13, 1535. The Spanish galleon San Cristobal was wrecked off Floreana Island in 1560, and survivors used planking from its hull to build a smaller vessel which they named San Pedro. During their escape from pirates, one of their ships met them there with supplies. The captain decided to put into Puerto San Julian for repairs, where he became friendly with locals who informed him about Guayaquil.

2) Unfortunately, most animal species found on the islands have gone extinct due to human interference.

The living things on these islands are just as unique as those that have gone extinct. It's estimated that there are over 1000 unique species of animal and plant life in some way connected to the islands. The reason for their lack of extinction? These islands have been uninhabited by humans since they were first discovered by Europeans in 1535. Despite being discovered, it wasn't until 1832 that Charles Darwin visited and his journey inspired his famous Origin of Species. A few years later in 1959, Ecuadorian President Camilo Ponce made them a national park to preserve their wonderful biodiversity. Darwin's finches have been studied extensively since they were first discovered here. These small birds vary in size, shape, color, and beak structure and are often used as models for studying evolutionary change.

3) However, there are still some wildlife species that have survived, like giant tortoises.

The main reason why many of these animals live is that they can live on islands. They have turned to them, with their names specific to their species and appearance. It's not surprising then that humans have always been fascinated by these peculiar animals, so much so that UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site in 1979. Did you know? There are 5 types of giant tortoises found only in The Galapagos Islands! These subspecies include yellow-footed, Forster's, nelsoni, darwini, and Townsend.

4) Currently, all original native species (excluding insects and microbes) can be found here.

The total area of land in all of these islands is less than 1,000 square miles (2,600 sq km). Because of its biological diversity and isolation, National Geographic named it a world wonder in 1986. When Charles Darwin visited during his famous five-year voyage aboard The Beagle, he brought back many new species. His studies here led to his theory of evolution by natural selection. To date there are more than 1,000 animals that are endemic to Galapagos: only found here and nowhere else on Earth. It is thought that one-third of all plant and animal species can be found nowhere else on earth besides these islands.

5) The archipelago is famous for its unique variety of wildlife.

The archipelago is famous for its unique species of animals that were not found anywhere else in the world. Their isolation has enabled them to develop unusual features, such as being able to grow only one kind of teeth or losing their natural predator (the land-dwelling mammals). Some species, like finches and tortoises, have adapted so well to their new environment that they have lost much of their ability to fly or swim. These adaptations helped them survive in one of the most remote places on Earth.

6) Sadly, several species became extinct after humans started interfering with them.

Due to their remote location, humans were unaware of what was happening in Ecuador’s Galapagos islands for a long time. Sadly, by the time it was discovered how detrimental humans could be, several species had already become extinct. Humans caused these extinctions through hunting and introducing foreign species to compete with native ones. If you’re interested in experiencing these unique creatures first-hand, there are a few ways to visit them while they remain protected from any further human interference.

7) Some descendants of these rare animal species can now be seen at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Many of these descendants are rare and are only found in small groups. For example, one such animal is a subspecies of giant tortoise that is endemic to a single island, Española. This particular subspecies was very likely once common throughout all of Santa Cruz Island but now exists in only small numbers on Española. The tortoises have been cross-bred with other subspecies to help save them from extinction. Another famous animal is Darwin's finches: Found across nearly all islands, finches play an important role in helping us understand how adaptation occurs over long periods due to environmental pressures.

8) Because there's little light pollution here, star-gazing here has been ranked as some of the best stargazing spots in the world.

The lack of light pollution is one of many reasons why stargazing here has been ranked as some of the best in the world. What most people don’t know is that when you take a boat from Ecuador to The Galapagos, you have to bring your food and drink! There are no stores on these islands, but fortunately for you, it’s quite easy to do a little bit of research before arriving at your destination so that you can be prepared with all of your supplies. Don’t forget your hiking shoes—there are a lot of things to see while walking around on these islands!

9) Because there were no predators here, most native species were herbivores.

Because there were no predators here, most native species were herbivores. This is likely why their diets are so unusual, which you'll notice as soon as you disembark your boat for a hike through one of many unique habitats. If a visitor is fortunate enough to see some wildlife on a journey, it will likely be a bird or a sea creature. More than 90 percent of all animal and plant species on San Cristobal are endemic—meaning they can only be found on these islands. Several other animals live here as well, including giant tortoises.

10) Humans came late to these islands and brought with them lots of devastating diseases that killed many native birds as well as land mammals such as giant tortoises.

That’s right! Humans came to the Galapagos hundreds of years ago, but they didn’t stay in big groups as they do now. Instead, they arrived just a few at a time, staying on just one island before moving on to another and so on. As a result, diseases and other harmful substances introduced by humans became extinct to eradicate all life on time. But that didn’t happen right away; in fact, most of these endemic species thrived for thousands of years until modern humans showed up. Still, though, it didn’t take much for hunters to come along later and start killing off many of these species for food or sport.