Page not found – A Blog to Phone https://www.ablogtophone.com Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:50:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 What is Neon Clock? https://www.ablogtophone.com/what-is-neon-clock/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:50:09 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=1097 The neon clock is an iconic and timeless piece of decor that combines the allure of neon lighting with the functionality of a traditional clock. With its vibrant colors, eye-catching glow, and retro charm, the neon clock has become a beloved fixture in bars, diners, game rooms, and home decor collections around the world. In this exploration, we’ll delve into the origins, design elements, functionality, cultural significance, and enduring appeal of the neon clock. See night light wall clock.

Origins and Evolution:

The neon clock traces its origins back to the early 20th century when neon lighting technology was first developed. Neon lighting, which uses electrified, luminous gas to produce bright and colorful illumination, quickly gained popularity for its striking visual effects and versatility in signage and advertising.

In the 1920s and 1930s, neon signs began to appear in storefronts, theaters, and businesses, capturing the attention of passersby with their vibrant colors and dynamic motion. As neon technology advanced, manufacturers began to experiment with incorporating clocks into neon signs, creating neon clocks that combined the functionality of a timekeeping device with the visual impact of neon lighting.

Since then, neon clocks have evolved from simple, utilitarian designs to elaborate and artistic creations that showcase the craftsmanship and creativity of their makers. Today, neon clocks come in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes, ranging from classic designs inspired by vintage advertising to modern interpretations that push the boundaries of artistic expression.

Design Elements:

One of the defining characteristics of a neon clock is its use of neon lighting to create colorful and vibrant illumination. The neon tubes are typically shaped and arranged to form letters, numbers, or decorative elements that spell out the name of the business, brand, or logo associated with the clock.

In addition to neon lighting, neon clocks often feature other design elements that contribute to their aesthetic appeal. The clock face may be adorned with decorative patterns, graphics, or artwork that complement the overall theme of the clock. The frame or casing surrounding the clock face may be made from materials such as metal, plastic, or wood, with finishes ranging from polished chrome to distressed patina.

The choice of colors for the neon tubes can vary depending on the desired aesthetic and branding requirements. Some neon clocks feature traditional colors such as red, blue, and green, while others may incorporate custom colors or color-changing LED technology for added visual impact.

Functionality:

Despite their artistic flair and decorative appeal, neon clocks are fully functional timekeeping devices that accurately display the time. The clock mechanism is typically powered by batteries or electricity and features precision movement to ensure accurate timekeeping.

Users of a neon clock can easily read the time by observing the clock face, which may feature traditional clock hands, numerical digits, or digital displays. The neon lighting surrounding the clock face provides additional illumination and visibility, making it easy to read the time even in low-light conditions.

In addition to displaying the time, many neon clocks also feature additional functionalities such as alarm settings, temperature displays, and customizable lighting effects. These features enhance the functionality and versatility of the clock, allowing users to customize their timekeeping experience to suit their preferences and needs.

Cultural Significance:

Neon clocks hold significant cultural importance as symbols of nostalgia, retro charm, and Americana. Since their inception, neon signs and clocks have been closely associated with the vibrant energy and excitement of urban nightlife, evoking images of bustling city streets, neon-lit storefronts, and iconic landmarks.

In addition to their association with urban life, neon clocks also hold a special place in popular culture as symbols of vintage advertising and retro aesthetics. Their colorful illumination and distinctive designs have been featured in movies, television shows, and advertisements, further cementing their status as iconic and recognizable cultural artifacts.

Moreover, neon clocks serve as nostalgic reminders of a bygone era when neon signage dominated the landscape of American cities and towns. For many people, neon clocks evoke memories of family road trips, roadside diners, and other nostalgic experiences from the past.

Enduring Appeal:

Despite the passage of time and changes in technology, neon clocks continue to captivate audiences with their timeless charm and retro allure. Their vibrant colors, mesmerizing glow, and nostalgic appeal make them a popular choice for collectors, enthusiasts, and businesses looking to add a touch of vintage flair to their decor.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, neon clocks also offer practical benefits such as enhanced visibility and brand recognition. Their colorful illumination and eye-catching designs make them stand out in any environment, making them an effective tool for attracting attention and driving foot traffic to businesses and establishments.

Furthermore, the craftsmanship and artistry of neon clocks contribute to their enduring appeal and collectibility. Each neon clock is a unique work of art, handcrafted by skilled artisans who take pride in creating timeless pieces that evoke the spirit of a bygone era.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the neon clock is a beloved and iconic piece of decor that combines the allure of neon lighting with the functionality of a traditional clock. With its vibrant colors, eye-catching glow, and retro charm, the neon clock continues to captivate audiences around the world with its timeless appeal and nostalgic allure. Whether displayed in bars, diners, game rooms, or homes, the neon clock remains a cherished symbol of urban nightlife, vintage advertising, and Americana, evoking memories of a bygone era while adding a touch of retro flair to any space.

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Facts about Yiwu Futian Market https://www.ablogtophone.com/facts-about-yiwu-futian-market/ Sun, 24 Mar 2024 10:47:35 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=1096 Yiwu Futian Market, situated in the heart of Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province, China, stands as one of the largest wholesale markets globally. Renowned for its extensive range of commodities, it has earned the moniker “International Trade City.” Spanning over 4 million square meters, Futian Market is a bustling hub of trade, attracting buyers and sellers from all corners of the world. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricate details of Yiwu Futian Market, exploring its history, significance, layout, and offerings.

1. History and Significance

Yiwu’s trading history dates back centuries, with its roots entrenched in the ancient Silk Road. However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that Yiwu emerged as a prominent player in global trade. The inception of Futian Market in 2002 marked a significant milestone, transforming Yiwu into a mecca for wholesale trade.

Futian Market’s strategic location, coupled with China’s economic reforms, spurred its rapid growth. Today, it stands as a symbol of China’s burgeoning economy and its integration into the global market. With over 75,000 booths and millions of products on display, Futian Market caters to diverse industries, including textiles, electronics, jewelry, toys, and more.

2. Layout and Sections

Navigating Futian Market can be a daunting task due to its sheer size and complexity. The market is divided into several sections, each specializing in specific product categories. Understanding the layout is crucial for buyers seeking particular goods. According to YIWUSOURCINGSERVICES.COM, the main sections of Futian Market include:

  • District 1 (Yiwu International Trade Mart): This section primarily deals with jewelry, accessories, crafts, and small commodities. It comprises five floors, with each floor dedicated to different product categories.
  • District 2 (Yiwu International Trade Mart): District 2 focuses on hardware, electronics, and electrical appliances. It is organized similarly to District 1, with multiple floors catering to various product types.
  • District 3 (Yiwu International Trade Mart): Apparel, shoes, and daily necessities are the main offerings in this section. District 3 boasts a vast array of clothing, footwear, and household items spread across its floors.
  • District 4 (Yiwu International Trade Mart): This section specializes in socks, hosiery, and knitwear. It is a go-to destination for buyers seeking textiles and related products.
  • District 5 (Yiwu International Trade Mart): District 5 is dedicated to imported goods, catering to the growing demand for foreign products in the Chinese market. It features products from various countries, offering buyers a diverse selection.
  • Furniture Market: Situated adjacent to the main complex, the Furniture Market showcases a wide range of furniture items, including home furnishings, office furniture, and outdoor décor.

3. Product Range and Quality

Futian Market’s hallmark is its extensive product range, encompassing virtually every imaginable category. From everyday household items to specialized machinery, buyers can find it all under one roof. The market prides itself on offering competitive prices, making it a preferred destination for wholesale procurement.

Quality standards vary across different suppliers and products. While some vendors offer high-quality merchandise manufactured to international standards, others may provide budget-friendly options with varying levels of quality. It’s essential for buyers to inspect goods thoroughly and negotiate terms to ensure they meet their requirements.

4. Trading Practices and Tips

Engaging in trade at Futian Market requires savvy negotiation skills and a good understanding of local trading practices. Here are some tips for buyers navigating the market:

  • Research and Preparation: Prioritize research to identify reputable suppliers and understand prevailing market prices. Come prepared with a clear idea of the products you seek and your budgetary constraints.
  • Negotiation: Negotiation is a fundamental aspect of trading at Futian Market. Don’t hesitate to bargain with suppliers to secure favorable deals. Keep in mind that building long-term relationships can lead to better pricing and service.
  • Quality Assurance: Inspect goods carefully before finalizing purchases. While many suppliers offer quality products, discrepancies may arise, necessitating thorough scrutiny.
  • Logistics and Shipping: Arrange logistics and shipping well in advance to streamline the procurement process. Yiwu boasts excellent infrastructure for international trade, with numerous freight forwarding companies facilitating cargo transportation.

5. Future Outlook

As China continues to assert its dominance in global trade, Yiwu Futian Market remains poised for further growth and expansion. The market’s adaptability to evolving consumer trends, coupled with ongoing infrastructure developments, bodes well for its future prospects. Additionally, initiatives to enhance digitalization and streamline trade procedures are expected to bolster Futian Market’s position as a leading wholesale destination.

Yiwu Futian Market stands as a testament to China’s remarkable economic rise and its pivotal role in global trade. With its vast assortment of products, competitive prices, and vibrant trading environment, Futian Market continues to attract buyers worldwide, cementing its status as a premier destination for wholesale procurement. Whether you’re a seasoned importer or a first-time buyer, a visit to Yiwu Futian Market offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the endless possibilities of international trade.

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Geography of Craighead County, Arkansas https://www.ablogtophone.com/geography-of-craighead-county-arkansas/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:41:42 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=1094 Geography of Craighead County, Arkansas

Craighead County, located in the northeastern part of Arkansas, is a region defined by its diverse geography, rich agricultural heritage, and vibrant communities. Spanning approximately 713 square miles, it is one of the larger counties in the state. The county is known for its flat plains, fertile farmland, and abundance of natural resources, making it a desirable destination for residents and visitors alike. See mcat-test-centers for colleges in Arkansas.

Geography:

Craighead County is situated within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, also known as the Mississippi Delta, which extends across much of eastern Arkansas. The county’s landscape is predominantly flat to gently rolling, with elevations ranging from around 200 feet above sea level in the southern part of the county to over 300 feet in the northern part. The terrain is primarily covered by agricultural land, including cotton, soybeans, rice, and wheat.

The county is bisected by the St. Francis River, which flows from north to south through the central part of Craighead County. The river and its tributaries, including Bayou DeView and Cache River, provide habitat for diverse wildlife and offer opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and wildlife viewing.

In addition to the St. Francis River, Craighead County is also home to several smaller rivers and streams, which meander through the countryside and provide habitat for fish and other aquatic species. These waterways, including Big Creek, Little Bay Ditch, and Little Cache River, are popular destinations for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore the county’s natural beauty.

Climate:

Craighead County experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild, relatively dry winters. The region’s climate is influenced by its location in the southeastern United States and its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, which brings warm, moist air masses into the area and contributes to relatively high humidity levels year-round.

Summers in Craighead County are typically hot and humid, with average high temperatures in the 80s to 90s Fahrenheit. Heatwaves are common during the summer months, with temperatures occasionally reaching into the 100s. Thunderstorms are also frequent during the summer, bringing heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds.

Winters in Craighead County are mild compared to other parts of the United States, with average high temperatures in the 40s to 50s Fahrenheit. Frost is rare, and snowfall is extremely rare, although occasional winter storms can bring light snow or freezing rain to the area. Most precipitation during the winter months falls as rain, with cloudy skies and cool temperatures prevailing.

Spring and fall bring transitional weather to Craighead County, with fluctuating temperatures and changing foliage. Springtime brings blooming flowers, budding trees, and warmer temperatures, while fall is characterized by cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and the onset of harvest season for local farms and orchards.

Lakes and Reservoirs:

While Craighead County is primarily known for its rivers and streams, it is also home to several lakes and reservoirs that provide recreational opportunities and water storage for the region. Lake Frierson, located in the eastern part of the county, is one of the largest and most popular lakes in the area, attracting anglers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts from near and far. Other notable lakes include Craighead Forest Lake and Lake Hogue, both of which offer opportunities for fishing, boating, and picnicking.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Craighead County, Arkansas, is a region of diverse geography, rich agricultural heritage, and vibrant communities. From its flat plains and fertile farmland to its meandering rivers and tranquil lakes, the county offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities and natural beauty for residents and visitors alike. With its humid subtropical climate, hot summers, and mild winters, Craighead County remains a beloved destination for those seeking to experience the charm and hospitality of the American South.

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Geography of Canadian County, Oklahoma https://www.ablogtophone.com/geography-of-canadian-county-oklahoma/ Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:21:49 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=1086 Canadian County, located in central Oklahoma, is a region characterized by its diverse geography, semi-arid climate, and significant waterways. From its rolling plains and fertile farmland to its meandering rivers and expansive lakes, the county’s geography plays a crucial role in shaping its economy, culture, and way of life. In this comprehensive overview, we’ll explore the geography, climate, rivers, lakes, and other notable features of Canadian County.

Geography

According to Bestitude, Canadian County covers an area of approximately 905 square miles in central Oklahoma. It is bordered by Kingfisher County to the north, Oklahoma County to the east, Grady County to the south, and Caddo County to the west. The county seat is El Reno, while other significant communities include Yukon, Mustang, and Piedmont.

The landscape of Canadian County is primarily characterized by rolling plains, with elevations ranging from around 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea level. The county lies within the Great Plains region of the central United States, which features a mix of grasslands, agricultural land, and small towns. The region’s geography has been shaped by geological processes such as erosion, deposition, and tectonic activity.

Climate

Canadian County experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers and relatively mild winters. The region’s climate is influenced by its inland location, its low elevation, and its proximity to the southern Great Plains.

Summers in Canadian County are hot and sunny, with average high temperatures ranging from the 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit (around 32-38°C). Low humidity levels and abundant sunshine characterize the summer months, although occasional thunderstorms can bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

Winters in Canadian County are relatively mild, with average high temperatures in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit (around 4-10°C). Snowfall is infrequent, although occasional winter storms can bring light accumulations of snow and ice. The region can also experience occasional cold snaps and freezing temperatures, particularly during periods of Arctic air intrusion from the north.

Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with gradually changing temperatures and fluctuating weather patterns. These seasons bring mild, pleasant weather, making them ideal times to explore Canadian County’s outdoor attractions and cultural events.

Rivers and Lakes

Canadian County is home to several rivers, creeks, and lakes, which play important roles in both the region’s ecology and human activities such as recreation, agriculture, and industry.

The Canadian River, the namesake of the county, flows through the central part of Canadian County, providing habitat for diverse wildlife and supporting recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and kayaking. The river is known for its scenic beauty, clear waters, and important role in the region’s history.

Other significant rivers in Canadian County include the North Canadian River, which flows through the northern part of the county, and the South Canadian River, which forms part of the county’s southern border. These rivers and their tributaries provide habitat for various species of fish, birds, and other wildlife, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation and scenic beauty.

Canadian County also contains several lakes and reservoirs, including Lake Overholser and Lake Hefner, which offer opportunities for fishing, boating, and picnicking. These waterways provide additional recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, as well as important habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife.

Natural Attractions

In addition to its rivers and lakes, Canadian County boasts several natural attractions that showcase the region’s beauty and biodiversity.

Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park, located near Hinton, is a 310-acre park that features hiking trails, rock climbing areas, and scenic overlooks. The park is known for its towering red sandstone cliffs, unique geological formations, and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Stafford Air & Space Museum, located in Weatherford, is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of aviation and space exploration. The museum features interactive exhibits, historic aircraft, and artifacts related to the development of flight and space travel.

Conclusion

Canadian County, Oklahoma, offers a diverse array of geographical features, including rivers, lakes, plains, and canyons. The region’s semi-arid climate, natural beauty, and outdoor recreational opportunities make it a desirable destination for residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s exploring the Canadian River, hiking in Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park, or learning about aviation history at Stafford Air & Space Museum, Canadian County invites visitors to experience the best that central Oklahoma has to offer.

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Geography of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana https://www.ablogtophone.com/geography-of-avoyelles-parish-louisiana/ Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:25:09 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=1067 Geography of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

Avoyelles Parish, located in central Louisiana, is a region of rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and abundant natural resources. Encompassing approximately 866 square miles, the parish is known for its fertile farmland, scenic bayous, and unique blend of French, Cajun, and Creole influences. From its sprawling forests to its winding waterways, Avoyelles Parish offers a wealth of geographical features that shape its identity and contribute to its charm.

Topography:

According to beautyphoon, Avoyelles Parish’s topography is predominantly flat, with elevations ranging from around 30 to 100 feet above sea level. The landscape is characterized by gently rolling hills, fertile plains, and expansive wetlands. The parish is situated in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, a vast floodplain that stretches from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico and is known for its rich soils and abundant wildlife.

The eastern part of the parish is dominated by the Atchafalaya Basin, one of the largest river basins in the United States. This vast swampy region is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including cypress trees, alligators, and migratory birds. The basin is crisscrossed by bayous, sloughs, and oxbow lakes, creating a unique and biodiverse ecosystem.

Climate:

Avoyelles Parish experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Summers are typically long and humid, with average high temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit (around 32-35°C) and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are mild, with average low temperatures in the 40s to 50s Fahrenheit (4-10°C) and occasional freezes.

Precipitation is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts in the summer months due to thunderstorms and tropical weather systems. The parish is also prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November. These storms can bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, posing a threat to life and property in coastal areas.

Rivers and Bayous:

Avoyelles Parish is crisscrossed by a network of rivers, bayous, and streams, which play a vital role in the region’s economy, culture, and ecology. The Atchafalaya River, one of the major distributaries of the Mississippi River, forms the western boundary of the parish and serves as a lifeline for communities along its banks. The river provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from near and far.

In addition to the Atchafalaya River, Avoyelles Parish is traversed by several smaller waterways, including Bayou des Glaises, Bayou Boeuf, and Bayou Rouge. These bayous meander through the parish’s countryside, providing habitat for a variety of aquatic species and serving as important transportation routes for commerce and recreation.

Lakes and Wetlands:

While Avoyelles Parish does not have any large natural lakes, it is home to several smaller bodies of water, including oxbow lakes, swamps, and marshes. These wetlands provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including waterfowl, fish, and amphibians. Lake Ophelia, located in the northern part of the parish, is one of the largest lakes in the region and offers opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and boating.

The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest wetland area in Avoyelles Parish, covering over 1 million acres and encompassing a variety of habitats, including cypress-tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, and freshwater marshes. The basin is a critical habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including migratory birds, alligators, and endangered species such as the Louisiana black bear.

Forests and Wildlife:

Avoyelles Parish is home to extensive forests and woodlands, which cover much of the parish’s land area. The parish’s forests are primarily composed of bottomland hardwoods, such as oak, hickory, and sweetgum, as well as cypress and tupelo trees in wetland areas. These forests provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, raccoons, and migratory birds.

The parish is also known for its diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, and snakes. The Atchafalaya Basin is a particularly important habitat for wildlife, supporting one of the largest populations of American alligators in the United States. Birdwatchers flock to the basin to see a variety of species, including herons, egrets, ibises, and bald eagles.

Agriculture and Farmland:

Agriculture is a major industry in Avoyelles Parish, with fertile soils and a favorable climate supporting a wide range of crops and livestock. Major crops grown in the parish include cotton, soybeans, corn, and sugar cane, as well as vegetables such as sweet potatoes and peppers. Livestock production is also important, with cattle, poultry, and swine being raised on farms throughout the region.

The parish’s agricultural heritage is celebrated through events such as the Avoyelles Parish Livestock Show and the Louisiana Corn Festival, which showcase the achievements of local farmers and ranchers and feature livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, and family-friendly activities. Agriculture plays a central role in the parish’s economy and culture, shaping its landscape and providing sustenance for its residents.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, is a region of rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and abundant natural resources. From its scenic bayous to its fertile farmland, the parish offers a wealth of geographical features that shape its identity and contribute to its charm.

Despite its relatively small size, Avoyelles Parish is home to a variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, and agricultural lands. The parish’s climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters, supports a wide range of outdoor activities year-round, from fishing and hunting to birdwatching and boating.

As stewards of this remarkable landscape, it is imperative to preserve and protect the natural treasures of Avoyelles Parish for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. Whether exploring the bayous of the Atchafalaya Basin, birdwatching in the parish’s forests, or sampling Cajun and Creole cuisine in one of its historic towns, visitors to Avoyelles Parish are sure to be captivated by its beauty and charm.

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What is Amazon DSP? https://www.ablogtophone.com/what-is-amazon-dsp/ Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:14:56 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=1064 When it comes to advertising on Amazon, the abbreviation Amazon DSP has been on everyone’s lips for some time now. But what does the abbreviation mean? We’ll explain it to you!

What is Amazon DSP and what does it do?

According to AbbreviationFinder, Amazon DSP is programmatic advertising designed to reach specific target groups on and off Amazon to increase sales, brand awareness and traffic. On the one hand, the demand side platform helps to achieve goals of profitability and sales growth, but at the same time it also helps to increase brand value and brand awareness through greater reach.

DSP makes it possible to form target groups based on collected data about buyer groups and their purchasing behavior and to address them through display and video ads.

DSP audience targeting strategies can be diverse:

  • Target groups by demographic characteristics
  • Prospective buyers of relevant product categories
  • Targeting and retargeting through relevant competitor products
  • Targeting and retargeting through the previous reach of your own products in order to reach interested parties who have already had contact with your own products but have not yet made a purchase.

Where is DSP available?

Amazon DSP can currently be used in the following countries: Canada, Mexico, USA, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, India and Japan.

Amazon DSP can be used by sellers and vendors who sell their products on Amazon, but also by companies that are not active on Amazon.

How is Amazon DSP different from other forms of advertising on Amazon?

The biggest difference between Amazon DSP and Amazon Advertising Console ads is where the ads are displayed. With DSP, this is possible on both advertising spaces on and off Amazon, meaning the possible reach is much greater.

Billing also differs. While classic Amazon advertising only incurs costs when you click on the ad (CPC = cost-per-click), DSP retailers pay for the display of the ad (CPM = cost-per-mille). Due to these different billing models, other strategies must be considered when planning budgets and campaigns.

How can Amazon DSP be used?

Using Amazon DSP is not necessarily possible or sensible for every retailer. There are basically two ways to get access to the Amazon DSP:

  • Managed service from Amazon: A minimum booking volume of around 10,000 euros is required for this. In this case, Amazon takes over the control and administration of the advertising campaigns.
  • Self-service access: With self-service access, the company or agency itself takes care of the advertising campaigns. However, Amazon is very selective when granting access. Together with our partner BidX, we have access to the Amazon DSP and can therefore offer the service.

Conclusion: Reach your target group early with Amazon DSP

Advertising via Amazon DSP offers companies completely new possibilities. In particular, the option to display advertising on websites outside of the Amazon cosmos has many advantages. This way you can point out your product to your target group before they have even searched for it on Amazon – well at the beginning of the sales funnel.

The data behind DSP advertising is also a big advantage. While Google, Facebook & Co. can only make assumptions about users’ purchasing behavior, Amazon knows exactly who bought what and when or is interested in what. This means that DSP advertisements can be played out particularly precisely, wastage can be reduced and the profitability of the ads can be increased.

Amazon DSP experiences – our requirements

Amazon DSP is not a viable or worthwhile advertising option for every Amazon retailer. But DSP offers unimagined possibilities, especially for larger retailers. For our long-standing customer PinKey, we place advertising via both DSP and the Advertising Console – here are our experiences.

Goals that can be achieved with DSP:

  • higher overall sales (both organic and advertising sales push)
  • Increasing the brand’s market reach
  • Strengthening brand awareness as an essential measure of brand building
  • Increasing cart value and units purchased per order line
  • Strengthen customer loyalty among regular buyers
  • Acquiring new customers
  • Expand competitive advantages over the competition and secure market shares

Our approach as an Amazon DSP agency

For good output, the first step should always be to define a DSP audience targeting strategy that fits the customer goal, the product and the market potential. In a practical context, for example, the focus can either be on purely profitable sales generation or the goal can be to expand reach and brand awareness.

However, these two exemplary focal points do not necessarily have to be in competition with each other: our aim is to be able to reconcile both goals and achieve the maximum output.

With this form of advertising, one must be aware that the success that can be achieved with DSP advertising depends on the general product performance, the financial budget options and the expected objectives of the customer. Practically speaking, this means that for some products, advertising on (ON) Amazon works best via display on competing sites, while other products reach the target when the campaigns are played outside (OFF) Amazon, with a focus on desktop Displays and geo targeting.

Regardless of the strategy chosen, DSP should always be approached in parallel with the entire SEO strategy in the seller account : In order for DSP campaigns to gain momentum and generate sales, the products must have an attractive listing and a stable conversion rate. This is the only way to improve rankings and sales through higher traffic and increased reach.

In principle, DSP campaigns are a major USP compared to the competition, as operating the DSP console is technically more demanding than regular PPC advertising.

DSP also offers a significantly broader range of advertising options with a larger output:

  • Target groups can be defined and targeted in more detail
  • Conquest and cross-promotion strategies can be built
  • Custom lookback windows help evaluate reach, sales and profitability
  • The campaign look can be split up depending on onsite and offsite presentation and visualized individually in the creative design
  • Through day parting, the time, duration and frequency of the draws can be determined

Amazon DSP experiences: Our conclusion after more than 6 months

The biggest hurdle to using DSP is still raising a high minimum advertising budget: In general, the budget required for using DSP largely depends on the product category and the overall goals for the products or brand.

However, while Amazon requires a commitment of more than 10,000 euros for the use of DSP as a managed service, as an Amazon DSP agency we can tailor the budget to your customer benefits at the beginning. This means: Together with you, we will select a budget that you can use without any concerns – as soon as the first profitable results are achieved, we can then scale the performance and adjust the budget individually.

What is Amazon DSP

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Vung Tau, Vietnam https://www.ablogtophone.com/vung-tau-vietnam/ Sun, 12 Feb 2023 13:24:43 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=798 Vung Tau, which proudly bears the name of the “Vietnamese Riviera”, is located 128 km from Ho Chi Minh City. This is a resort with a developed infrastructure, its coastal strip is densely built up with villas that were once the residence of the elite, and then turned into restaurants and boarding houses. By and large, it has two drawbacks: nearby oil drilling platforms and constant, but petty theft on the beach. Check ANDYEDUCATION to learn more about the country of Vietnam.

How to get there

Air-conditioned mini-buses run to Vung Tau from Mien Dong station in Ho Chi Minh City (25,000 dong, 2 hours, 128 km). The bus station is located at 192A Ð Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, local “minibuses” also depart from there to Mulberry Beach (or Black Beach), the fare is about 10,000 dong.

In addition, Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) can be reached by water: by hydrofoil boat Petro Express in 90 minutes and 120,000 dong. Ships arrive at Bach Dang Pier every two hours from 6:30 am. Cau Da Pier in Vung Tau is opposite Hai Au Hotel.

Transport

The best way to travel around Vung Tau is on two wheels. Hotels and guesthouses everywhere rent out bicycles (about $2 a day) and scooters (from $5 to $10).

Vung Tau beaches

The largest and most popular beaches of the peninsula are Shelkovichny, Front and Back. The small rocky beach with the beautiful French name Rocher Noir deserves attention.

Front Beach (Bãi Trước) is located in the heart of Vung Tau, between the Big and Small mountains. Nearby are restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels, as well as a small park, which is called Front Beach Park. People come here to wait out the heat in the shade of trees, as well as for colorful sunsets.

The back beach (Bãi Sau or Thùy Vân Beach) is the only beach in Vung Tau in its normal European sense. It stretches for 3 km from Small Mountain to Paradise Park and is free, but you will have to pay for the use of a sunbed and an umbrella: about 50,000 dong per set per day.

The small Mulberry Beach (Bãi Dâu, aka Black Beach) is located to the west of the Big Mountain. Another nice swimming area is Pineapple Beach (Bãi Dứa), which stretches along Hạ Long Street, near the Small Mountain.

Entertainment and attractions in Vung Tau

Hon Ba Temple, Thich Ca Phat Dai Park, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Vietnam Niet Bat Tinh Sa (translated as “House of Pure Nirvana”), the former royal residence of Bat Dinh, the Hai Dang lighthouse with spectacular panorama of the peninsula, Ming-Darm caves, underground tunnels of Dia-Dao, Chup-Fap-Khoa pagoda. Let’s talk about everything in more detail.

Hai Dang Lighthouse

Hai Dang Lighthouse, perched on top of Little Mountain, was originally built in 1907 before the kerosene lamp went out of business. The lighthouse was rebuilt 4 years later, expanding the base to three meters in diameter, and bringing the height to an impressive 18 meters. Lighthouse lamps are capable of reaching a distance of 35 nautical miles (which is approximately equal to 65 km). Needless to say, the site of the “eternal flame” of Vung Tau offers amazing views of the city and its surroundings? The cost of visiting is about 4 thousand dong.

Thắng Tam Temple Complex

The Thắng Tam temple complex is also noteworthy, which can be reached from the Front Beach along Truong Cong Dinh Street to Tran Hung Dao Park, where you already turn onto Hoang Hoa Tham, which will lead to the elegant architectural monument of Vung Tau. According to legend, the complex was built during the Minh Mạng Dynasty (1820-1840) as a place of worship for the three men who founded the three Thắng villages in Vung Tau. Accordingly, here you can learn about the history of this trinity and the further development of the resort. The architectural ensemble of the complex includes the Tam Quan gate, the sanctuary, the commune building, the meeting room and the stage for the opera, which is distinguished by skillful decoration and engraving.

The city is surrounded by two small peaks, which serve as a favorite place for walking local vacationers. One of them has a huge statue of Jesus Christ blessing the South China Sea.

The statue was erected in 1971 on a platform 10 meters high. Located 129 steps will lead tourists and pilgrims to the shoulders – two specially designed panoramic platforms that can accommodate up to 6 people.

Villa Blanche

Finally, you should definitely visit Villa Blanche (White Villa, Bạch Dinh) on Trần Phú Street. Built by the French in 1898-1916 as the summer residence of Governor-General Paul Dumer, the villa was named after (or at the request of) the Frenchman’s favorite daughter. After that, the locals called her Bạch Dinh – the White Palace. The villa is located on the top of the Big Mountain, at an altitude of 50 m above sea level. Today it houses an exhibition of antiques collected at Cau Islet-Con Dao.

Vung Tau has a large Russian-speaking community of employees of the joint Russian-Vietnamese oil production venture Vietsovpetro. There is even a small neighborhood where shops, administration, a library and an Orthodox parish are open.

Vung Tau, Vietnam

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LOR – Letter of Resignation https://www.ablogtophone.com/lor-letter-of-resignation/ Sun, 05 Feb 2023 05:37:19 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=461 Resignation is a concept that refers to the resignation or abandonment of a job, a position, a commission, etc. The term has its origin in the Latin word dimissio. For example: “The manager did not take Dr. Lurezzo’s resignation well”, “The people gathered in the main square to demand the mayor’s resignation”, “The coach’s resignation surprised the players”.

By resigning, a person is carrying out a unilateral act: whoever holds the position decides to resign. In this way, the resignation differs from a dismissal, where an authority or a hierarchical superior forces the person to leave his position.

In everyday life, however, there are resignations that are not unilateral but consensual. The technical director of a basketball team can meet with the directors of his club after a series of defeats. In the talk, all parties agree that it is best for the coach to step aside, given the impossibility of reversing the situation and to avoid further discomfort among supporters. The DT, therefore, decides to present his resignation.

There are even cases in which the resignation is demanded by an authority, which resembles a dismissal but has different legal consequences (by resigning, a person does not receive compensation). The president of a country is not satisfied with the task of the economy minister. This minister, in addition, usually makes statements to the press that are not to the liking of the president. Faced with this situation, the president asks the minister to resign. According to abbreviationfinder, LOR stands for Letter Of Resignation.

Tips for writing a resignation letter

People often decide to quit their jobs because of problems with their superiors; Among the most common causes are non-compliance with any of the conditions (such as late payment, non-payment for overtime worked and the requirement to perform overtime as if it were an obligation of the employee), the abuse of power (which may include sexual harassment and mistreatment in front of the rest of the workers with the intention of humiliating the employee) and the lack of gratitude or recognition for the efforts made.

No one is obliged to endure any kind of mistreatment by a boss, and in the same way it is not healthy to keep your frustration to yourself and spare the other the bad experience of hearing a series of well-deserved reproaches. However, working life is not like friendships or relationships; a resignation that includes shouting and threats can have repercussions on the professional future of the person resigning, which is why it is very important to stay within the limits of sanity and good manners, even if at the moment it does not seem like the fairest decision.

If the resignation occurs due to serious relationship problems with colleagues or superiors, the letter can include them without this meaning using offensive language, but rather trying to describe the negative situations objectively, so that the resignation seems the only way logical.

In any case, it never hurts to mention “how much we have learned throughout our time at the company ” and “how much it hurts us to be forced to make the decision to leave”, which generates the overlapping of two situations opposite: it places us above the problem, since we are able to express ourselves in a cordial way, and points out that the problem is bigger than us and that it pushes us to leave our post, so it is not us who coldly decide to leave.

Letter of Resignation

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Magdeburg, Germany https://www.ablogtophone.com/magdeburg-germany/ Sun, 18 Dec 2022 01:50:53 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=792 Even those who do not know what country it is in have heard about Magdeburg. Magdeburg Law – the right of individual cities to autonomy – is widely known, but the city is famous not only for this. In the past, it was a famous trading and imperial city, from the former luxury of which the Imperial Cathedral, the monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary and other ancient architectural monuments remained. Modern Magdeburg is a very pretty and green city, there are more than 20 parks, one of which, Herrenkrug, has been preserved since the 17th century.

One of the brightest and most popular city events is the city festival, or Idol Burning Night, which takes place on Easter night, and many tourists come here for this event.

How to get to Magdeburg

According to Wholevehicles, Magdeburg has its own airport, which accepts both domestic and international flights. Leipzig Airport is also located 100 km from the city. Magdeburg is connected to the outside world via the federal highways A2 and A14 and by rail.

Shopping: shops

The main shopping alleys of the city are Breiter Weg, Ernst-Reuter-Allee, as well as shopping arcades on Halberstädter Strasse and in the Sudenburg quarter.

Entertainment and attractions of Magdeburg

On the Domfelsen (Cathedral Rocks) rises the Cathedral of St. Catherine and Mauritius (Dom St. Katharina und Mauritius), founded by Emperor Otto I, the oldest building in the city. Together with the Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Square), the cathedral was once the center of the so-called Third Rome.

The Monastery of St. Virgin Mary (Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen) is one of the main reasons why Magdeburg is called the pearl of the “Romanesque Architecture Route” (Straße der Romanik). The northern part of the monastery borders on Domplatz (Cathedral Square).

In front of the town hall (Rathaus) on Alter Markt (Old Market) stands a copy of the famous monument Magdeburg Horseman (Magdeburger Reiter). The original is in the historical and cultural museum (Kulturhistorischen Museum), which is described below.

Museums of Magdeburg

The Historical and Cultural Museum (Kulturhistorisches Museum) houses a collection of arts and crafts: 40,000 archaeological finds and medieval valuables, 10,000 exhibits about the history of the city, more than 11,000 coins and medals, 1,400 military items, 800 pieces of furniture, about 1,100 paintings, etc. Opening hours: Monday closed, excursions by appointment.

The Technical Museum (Technikmuseum) contains exhibits that tell about the economic and social history of the city. Opening hours: Monday closed, excursions by appointment.

The steamship Württemberg, after its last voyage along the Elbe in 1974, anchored for a long time near the island of Rotehorn. Now it functions as a museum (Museumsschiff), where you can see its interior, an exhibition about shipping on the Elbe.

The permanent exhibition of the Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum) covers works from ancient times to the modern era, German sculpture of the 20th century, as well as contemporary art.

The Jahrtausendturm (Thousand-Year Tower, 60 m), which is located in the Elbauenpark park, is the tallest wooden building in Germany. Here in five exhibition halls you can see: the pyramids of Giza, the ancient Roman road, the medieval swivel crane, Newton’s mirror telescope and fiberglass optical sensors. Opening hours: from April to October, closed on Mon.

The Museum of Art in the Monastery of St. Mary is the most important exhibition hall for contemporary art in Saxony-Anhalt. The collection contains works by: Castellani, Anselmo, Tsorio, Holzner, Brelo and Ikemura. Opening hours: Monday closed, excursions by appointment.

Magdeburg, Germany

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Nara, Japan https://www.ablogtophone.com/nara-japan/ Sun, 11 Dec 2022 13:20:10 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=789 The ancient capital of Japan, Nara, which celebrated its 1300th anniversary in 2010, is located in the Nara Prefecture of the Kansai region. Overshadowed by its more famous “neighbor” Kyoto, Nara is an overlooked tourist destination for those pressed for time. And Nara, however, is home to many significant historical sites and presents its main attractions with much more appeal than Kyoto. Check JIBIN123 for Japan customs regulations and visa requirements.

With its eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Nara is Japan’s second-largest “repository” of cultural heritage.

History

Along with its socio-political development, Nara (the old name of Heijo-kyo) was the capital of Japan in the period 710-784. – flourished under the influence of Buddhism, which led to the creation of a huge number of cultural values ​​ – buildings, works of art, historical chronicles, poetic anthologies and alphabets.

To date, Nara has the largest number of buildings declared national treasures of Japan.

How to get there

Nara does not have its own airport, and most visitors arrive at Kansai International Airport or Osaka International Airport, which is more charter oriented.

Limousine Buses run every hour from Kansai Airport to both Nara train stations (1 hour 30 minutes, 2050 JPY). Alternatively if you have a Jayaru (Japanese Railways) pass, take the Haruka express train to Tennoji Station, then transfer to the Yamatoji Line train to Nara (1hr 15min, 2360 JPY). Otherwise, it’s cheaper to take the Nankai Line express train to Shin-Imamiya Station, from where the Yamatoji Line train goes to Nara (1hr 30min, about 2000 JPY).

By train

From Kyoto to Nara, trains run on the Nara Line of Japan Railways and trains on the Kyoto Line of the Kintetsu Private Railway Company. At the same time, Nara Kintetsu Station is located more conveniently than Nara Station of Japan Railways. Limited express trains, or the so-called tokkyu (Kintetsu Railway Company), depart from Kyoto twice an hour and reach Nara in 35 minutes. Slower but more frequent express trains, or kyuko, reach Nara in 50 minutes (sometimes a transfer is required at Yamato-Saidaiji station). The trip will cost 620 JPY plus 510 JPY on top of the tokkyu fare. Jayaru Pass holders can use the Miyakoji train (45 min., 710 JPY).

The fastest way to get to Nara from Osaka is to take the Nara Kintetsu Line train from Namba Station. Kaisoku-kyuko trains (something between an ambulance and an express train) run three times an hour and arrive at Nara Kintetsu Station (40 min., 560 JPY). For Jayaru pass holders, the Yamatoji-kaisoku express train departs from Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, and intermediate stations on the Osaka Circle Line. It takes 45 minutes from Osaka Station. and will cost 800 JPY, from Tennoji station – 30 minutes. and will cost 470 JPY.

The Hanshin Private Railway Company operates the Namba Line from Kobe (Sannomiya Station) to Nara Kintetsu Station (90 minutes, 970 JPY). Direct kaisoku-kyuko trains leave three times an hour, otherwise you should change at Amagasaki.

When traveling between Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, consider purchasing the Kansai Pass, which allows unlimited travel for 2 or 3 days on private rail, bus and subway lines (excluding use of Japanese Railways) in the Kansai region.

By bus

Since the sights of Nara are very popular among travelers, a large number of bus routes have been laid between Nara and other cities throughout Japan, the use of which can significantly save on transport.

Buses of several companies run from Tokyo to Nara (journey time 7-8 hours) – these are Japanese Railways buses (from 8800 JPY) and Nara Kotsu buses (from 5980 JPY).

In addition, the low-cost operator Willer Express provides connections to Kyoto, from where you can get to Nara by train. The advantage of Willer Express is that you can buy a bus ticket online, and the pass is valid on all company routes with a couple of exceptions.

Entertainment and attractions in Nara

Nara is the “tourist mecca” of Japan. Most of Nara’s attractions, including numerous temples and shrines, are concentrated in Nara Park, which is also home to over 1,200 wild spotted deer, previously considered divine messengers. After the Second World War, deer were officially deprived of their divine status and began to be revered as a national treasure.

Nara Park, founded in 1880, stretches at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. The park is home to Todai-ji Temple (8th century), the largest wooden building in the world (57 m) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Daibutsu-den Hall, which houses one of the world’s largest Buddha statues (14.98 m). Two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites deserve attention – the Kofuku-ji temple with three golden pavilions (8th century) and the Kasuga-Taisha Shinto shrine (8th century) with the forest (primordial forest) adjacent to it. Here in the park are the Shin-Yakushi-ji temple (8th century) and the National Museum of Nara, founded in 1889, with a collection of Buddhist art, including paintings, sculptures and temple manuscripts. Although the official area of ​​the park is 502 hectares, with the adjacent lands of Todai-ji.

In addition to the already listed 2 Buddhist temples, 1 Shinto shrine and the forest, the UNESCO-declared cultural monuments of Ancient Nara include 3 more Buddhist temples – Gango-ji (6th century), Toshodai-ji (8th century) and Yakushi-ji (7th century BC).), as well as the Heijo Palace, which once served as the Imperial residence.

Yakushi-ji is one of Japan’s most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples, and is especially revered for the Yakushi-nyorai, or so-called Medicine Buddha, who gave the temple its name and is one of the first Buddhist deities brought to Japan from China in 680.

Nara, Japan

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Washington, DC https://www.ablogtophone.com/washington-dc/ Sat, 03 Dec 2022 19:41:24 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=785 According to jibin123, Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States, and is located in the District of Columbia. Together they form one entity. Surrounding it are the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland. Washington itself has 670,000 inhabitants (2021), with an urban area of 6,356,000 inhabitants (2021).

Introduction

The conurbation is located on both banks of the Potomac River. The agglomeration is heavily forested, stretching 55 kilometers from east to west, and 60 kilometers from north to south. The city is about 180 kilometers from the coast, although the various inlets of the Chesapeake Bay reach all the way to the city. The lowest point is therefore sea level. The urban area does not go much higher than 140 meters. The largest suburbs are Arlington and Alexandria, surrounded by numerous smaller suburbs in the woods in Virginia. The urban area is therefore not densely built-up. So are the Maryland suburbs, the largest of which have barely more than 50,000 residents. Housing in Maryland is cheaper than in Virginia.

The Washington metropolitan area has actually grown close to Baltimore, which lies to the northeast. Baltimore, in turn, has become attached to Philadelphia, which in turn is attached to New York, and that in turn to the Connecticut and Massachusetts metropolitan area near Boston. Together, these agglomerations form the so-called Boswash area, the urban area on the east coast from Boston to Washington. Furthermore, Washington is not far from Maryland’s capital, Annapolis.

The climate is humid and subtropical. In winter it can get quite cold with snow. Hurricanes remnants can bring heavy rainfall, and high tides can push the Potomac River to such an extent that flooding is possible. Washington is a city associated with bureaucracy, as the federal government sits here, and many other organizations. This causes a lot of commuting between the suburbs and Washington.

Population growth

The metropolitan area is centered around the District of Columbia, which corresponds to the city of Washington. In Maryland, two counties are suburban, in Virginia there are three counties and 6 independent cities as part of the suburban area. The independent cities are included in the overview below for the relevant counties. In addition, there are a number of exurban counties that are not included in the overview.

Year Washington DC Montgomery, MD Prince George’s, MD Fairfax, VA Prince William, VA Loudoun, VA total
1920 438,000 35,000 43,000 56,000 14,000 21,000 607,000
1930 487,000 49,000 60,000 78,000 14,000 20,000 708,000
1940 663,000 84,000 89,000 135,000 18,000 20,000 1.009.000
1950 802,000 164,000 194,000 304,000 23,000 21,000 1,508,000
1960 764,000 341,000 357,000 539,000 50,000 25,000 2,076,000
1970 757,000 523,000 661,000 773,000 111,000 37,000 2,862,000
1980 638,000 579.000 665,000 883,000 145,000 57,000 2,967,000
1990 607,000 757,000 729.000 1,131,000 216,000 86,000 3,526,000
2000 572,000 873,000 801,000 1,319,000 326,000 170,000 4,061,000
2010 602,000 972,000 863,000 1,430,000 440,000 312,000 4,619,000
2020 690,000 1,061,000 966,000 1,585,000 483,000 423,000 5,208,000
2021 670,000 1,055,000 955,000 1,566,000 484,000 428,000 5,158,000

The city of Washington was without a suburban area before the 1920s, which only started to grow in the 1950s. In 1950 the city also had its highest population, after which a long, but slow decline set in. At the same time, the suburban area began to grow strongly. Growth has slowed somewhat in Maryland since the 1990s, but is still strong, especially in Virginia.

Road network

The highways around Washington DC

The city is served by the Capital Beltway ring road, the I-495. Coming from the south, I-95 rides on the ring road, then continues toward Baltimore and New York. From the west comes I-66, connecting northern Virginia to the city. Other main Interstate routes do not serve the city, I-70 continues north to Baltimore, and I-97 connects Annapolis to Baltimore east of the city. There are, however, plenty of auxiliary routes, such as I-295 and I-395, which serve the southern suburbs, and I-270, which runs northwest, connecting to Pittsburgh. The US 50 also complements this network, connecting Washington with Annapolis.

In addition, there are numerous State Routes and Parkways that complement the network at the local level. The ring road has 2×4 lanes everywhere, but a few incoming highways have a number of bottlenecks with 2×2 lanes. In view of the population, the motorway network is quite undersized. Many highways converge around the Pentagon, creating a complex web of interchanges. There are some toll roads or toll lanes around the agglomeration. Some highways also have HOV lanes.

Washington’s local road network is a grid model, and unlike many other grid-based cities, there are also many diagonal roads that converge at the Capitol. The secondary road network outside of Washington itself is non-grid, with a number of major thoroughfares, and further winding residential streets, so that a lot of traffic takes the highway.

List of freeways

name length first opening last opening max AADT 2012
Custis Memorial Parkway 58 km 1961 1982 177,000
Shirley Memorial Highway 42 km 1952 1965 201,000
Interstate 270 29 km 1955 1960 252,000
Anacostia Freeway 13 km 1964 1964 87,000
Interstate 370 5 km 199x 199x 90,000
Shirley Memorial Highway 16 km 1941 1952 213,000
Washington Beltway (Virginia) 37 km 1961 1964 236,000
Washington Beltway (Maryland) 66 km 1957 1964 227,000
John Hanson Freeway 20 km 1957 1957 146,000
Pennsylvania Avenue 16 km 1970 1970 70,000
Branch Avenue 8 km 1999 2001 123,000
Harry Byrd Highway / Leesburg Bypass 17 km ? 2021 59,000
Washington Boulevard 4 km 1941 1941 105,000
Sully Road 21 km 1988 2011 133,000
Jefferson Davis Highway 4 km 1941 1941 79,000
Intercounty Connector 30 km 2011 2011 35,000
Dulles Toll Road 46 km 1962 1995 132,000
Washington-Baltimore Parkway 24 km 1954 1954 105,000
Clara Barton Parkway 8 km 1964 1973 ?
George Washington Memorial Parkway 22 km 1932 1932 ?
Suitland Parkway 15 km 1944 1944 ?

History

Washington, DC is a planned city, the road network being designed in the L’Enfant Plan of 1791, developed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant (1754-1825) for President George Washington. In the plan, a grid was developed, with literate roads that would run east-west and numbered roads that would run north-south. Diagonal routes were conceived as grand avenues, named after the states of the time. These large avenues intersected the major north-south and east-west roads through ‘circles’ or square intersections.

Unlike New York City, a highway network in Washington DC didn’t get off the ground as early as the 1930s, despite it being quite a large city back then. The oldest plans date back to the 1940s. The George Washington Memorial Parkway that crosses the bank of the Potomac River in Virginia is one of the oldest highway-like roads, opening to traffic about 1932. In 1941, a highway network was built around the then newly built Pentagon, which is home to the US Department of Defense. This “Pentagon Road Network” included portions of what is now State Route 27, State Route 110, and Interstate 395 in Arlington. It was not until the 1960s that these highways were handed over to the state of Virginia. In the 1940s, plans were further made for a number of highways, namely the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the Washington National Pike and the Shirley Highway. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway began construction in 1947, the first section of which opened to traffic in 1950. In 1954, the highway between Washington DC and Baltimore was completed. The Shirley Highway was also constructed between 1945 and 1952, a highway-like road from Arlington to Woodbridge in Virginia, which would later become part of I-395 and part of I-95 south of Washington DC. The third plan was the Washington National Pike, which was later designated I-270. It runs northwest from Bethesda to Frederick and was opened between 1951 and 1960. These three highways predate the Interstate Highway system. In 1957, the John Hanson Highway, a highway from Washington DC to Maryland’s capital Annapolis, opened. This one actually predates the Interstate Highway system as well. Washington DC was thus connected in 4 directions by highway by the late 1950s.

Beginning in 1960, more highways around Washington DC were completed. Chief among these was Interstate 495, better known as the Capital Beltway, the city’s beltway. It opened to traffic in stages between 1961 and 1964. Originally, it was planned to have Interstate 95 go right through Washington DC, as is common in other American cities. As early as the 1960s, it was anticipated that urban traffic would increase sharply, and that plug-ins from the Beltway to Washington DC were necessary. One plan of these was I-270 from Betshesda to the then-planned I-95 through Washington. Both plans fell through in the 1970s. In 1977, I-95 was rerouted outside Washington DC, over the eastern portion of the Capital Beltway. In 1971, the I-95 between Washington and Baltimore was completed, that relieved the old Baltimore-Washington Parkway. One of the biggest bottlenecks to build was Interstate 66 through Arlington. It had been planned since the 1950s, but was finally opened in 1982. It is the only Interstate Highway where HOV restrictions are in effect for the entire highway during rush hour. Trucks and vehicles with less than 2 people are not allowed to drive on the highway. By the 1980s, traffic around Washington DC had increased dramatically due to rapid suburbanization in Virginia and Maryland. The city was known as one of the worst bottlenecks in the United States. Most highways were widened in the 1980s, such as I-95, I-270 and I-495. Later, more highways were widened, most prominently I-395 with a reversible lane, I-95 south of Washington with switch, HOV and HOT lanes, and the widening of the Woodrow Wilson bridge from 6 to 12 lanes. Already in the 1970s it was foreseen that with the guiding of I-95 over the eastern ring road, it would no longer suffice, and a second ring road around Washington was necessary. However, this was never built, although the Intercounty Connector (SR-200) opened in Maryland in 2011 is a possible start.  There have been plans for a second ring road, but most of these would run too far outside Washington to be of use to through traffic.

Congestion

Washington has always had a lot of congestion on the Southern Beltway, because the bridge over the Potomac had only 2×3 lanes. Now 12 lanes are available there, and the Springfield interchange has also been adapted, so that the traffic jams here are a thing of the past. There are quite a lot of bottlenecks on other incoming highways, and long traffic jams often occur here. Travel time in Washington is quite high for commuters nationally, with more than 20% having a travel time of more than an hour. Only 20% have a journey time of less than 20 minutes, the highest number in the country.

Washington, DC

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Merida, Mexico https://www.ablogtophone.com/merida-mexico/ Sun, 27 Nov 2022 07:25:46 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=783 The “White City”, as Merida is called because of the abundance of white buildings, was the first of the settlements founded in the Yucatan by the Spanish conquistadors. An extensive transport network connects the city to archaeological sites, natural parks, and the Gulf Coast, so Merida is a great starting point to start traveling to all these destinations.

Merida is the capital of the Yucatan Peninsula. See ANDYEDUCATION for education and training in Mexico.

How to get to Merida

Mérida’s Manuel Crescencio Rejon International Airport receives direct flights from Mexico City, Houston, Miami, Las Vegas and some European cities.

From Moscow you can fly by airlines:

  • Lufthansa: Moscow – Frankfurt am Main – Mexico City – Merida;
  • KLM: Moscow – Amsterdam – Mexico City – Merida;
  • Air-France: Moscow – Paris – Mexico City – Merida.

One option is to fly to Cancun and from there take a regular bus.

By bus

Merida is a major transport hub of the peninsula, so there are a number of terminals from which buses depart in different directions.

Buses (mostly 1st class) to Mexico City, Palenque, San Cristobal, Villahermosa leave from the CAME terminal (Calle 70). The station has an ATM, a card phone and a left-luggage office.

Cancun can be reached from the Noreste terminal (Calle 67, between Calle 50 and 52). From here there are buses to Tikul, Tizimin, Rio Lagartos and other cities.

If you are going to Uxmal and Ruta Puuk, go to the Terminal de Segunda Clase (Calle 69), also known as Terminal 69.

Be careful when traveling on local buses – cases of theft are not uncommon, especially for night flights.

Buses to Cancun, Campeche, Hethumal and Playa del Carmen leave from the bus stop located inside the Fiesta Americana Hotel (Calle 56A). We go to Progreso from the terminal of the same name (Calle 62 N 524 between Calle 65 and 67).

Car rental

You can rent a car at the airport or on Calle 60 between Calle 55 and 57, where the offices of Budget, Avis and Hertz are located. On Calle 57A between Calle 58 and 60 there is a Mexico Rent-a-Car office.

In places where parking is prohibited, the curbs are painted yellow (do not look for the corresponding signs).

How to navigate in the city

The city was founded according to a certain plan, with the formation of colonies and massifs. Within each colony, the streets (Calle) intersect strictly at right angles. Basically they have no names, only numbers, but even those that have been given a name (major highways) still have their own number.

When an address is indicated, to facilitate orientation, they often write the streets between which the desired one is located. Also on the signs, in addition to the street number and the name of the colony, postal codes are given. Houses are numbered from west to east and from north to south.

Cuisine and restaurants

Like everywhere else in Mexico, the city is full of restaurants and cafes where they cook tasty and very inexpensive. Most of them are located in the city center.

Las Palomas Bistro (near the Opera House) – A restaurant serving local and international cuisine, perfect for a romantic dinner on an outdoor terrace surrounded by tropical vegetation. One of the best fish restaurants is Kantun (Calle 45, between Calles 64 and 66). At La Parilla (on Paseo Montejo), be sure to try Sopa de Lima, chicken lime soup.

Buy fresh pastries from the bakery at Plaza de La Bandera, and when you leave, don’t pass by a family-run business selling home-made tamales, which are especially delicious.

Shopping and shops

Mérida’s main market, Mercado Municipal Lucas de Galvez, is located on the corner of Calle 56A and 67. Here you can buy almost everything from tortillas to hammocks, which are famous for local craftsmen.

A good hammock can be bought for 250-1000 MXN, not dollars, as you may be led to believe.

In the Santa Lucia Park, at the intersection of Calle 60 and 55, on Sundays from 11:00, the Bazar de Artesanias, a handicraft fair, is open. {{}}

Entertainment and attractions of Merida

The Cathedral of San Il de Fonso, one of the oldest temples in Mexico (built 1561-1598), rises from the east side of the Plaza Grande. In a small chapel to the left of the altar, a replica is kept (the original was destroyed during the Mexican Revolution) of the main Christian shrine of Merida – the statue of Christ Cristo de las Ampollas.

On the south side of the square is the house of the city’s founder, F. de Montejo (1549). Currently, Banamex Bank is located here. Pay attention to the bas-reliefs on the facade of the building.

Just behind Hidalgo Park, on Calle 60, stands the Iglesia de Jesus church, built in the 17th century. order of the Jesuits. Like many others on the peninsula, it was erected from the ruined Mayan temples by the forces of the enslaved Indians themselves. If you look closely, on the western side of the structure you can see 2 stones with Mayan symbols that have survived on them.

North of the Iglesia de Jesus is the pompous building of the Teatro Peon Contreras, an opera house built and decorated by Italian architects during the Heneken boom. El Paseo Montejo – a picturesque green street with many cafes – the best place for an evening promenade.

A 30-minute drive from the city is Hacienda Yaxcopoil – one of the plantations restored and open to tourists, where in the early 20th century. they grew agave or heneken – a plant from which bast fiber is obtained. Thanks to the production of this fiber (sisal), Merida then reached an unprecedented economic prosperity. On the territory, in addition to the estate, there is an exhibition hall with Mayan cult and everyday life items discovered nearby, a souvenir shop and a cafe.

Artists in Mexico (Calle 60, No. 405, between 43 and 45, Santa Ana Merida, Colonia Centro) – a place where you can not only see the process of creating art objects, but also take part in it directly – teachers of contemporary art will help you discover your talents. Classes (in English) are held on Thursdays and Fridays. There is also a gallery where you can buy your favorite works.

Merida has a zoo with inhabitants of the fauna of the peninsula, as well as some exotic species. Corner of Avenide Itzaes and Calle 59, open from 06:00 to 18:00.

Museums of Merida

Archaeological and Historical Museum of Yucatan (corner of Paseo Montejo and Calle 43). Open to visitors from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00, on Sunday – from 8:00 to 14:00. Monday is a day off.

Contemporary art galleries:

  • Macayon Pasaje de la Revolucion, between Calle 58 and 60, next to the Cathedral. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00, admission is free
  • Merida on Calle 59, No. 452-A, between 54 and 52, Mejorado, Centro. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00

Developments

The main event of Merida – the annual Carnival, the largest in Mexico – is held in March.

Almost every evening in numerous parks in the city center there are concerts, creative evenings, folklore performances, which you can enjoy completely free of charge. For example, an orchestra plays on Thursdays in Santa Anna Park, and everyone can dance.

And in the city zoo on Thursday at 16:00, the musical program “To remember is to live” begins – dancing to the music of the 30s and 40s.

Merida, Mexico

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Hanoi, Vietnam https://www.ablogtophone.com/hanoi-vietnam/ Sun, 20 Nov 2022 14:47:21 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=780 Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and the former capital of French Indochina, has many names. In the 11th century, it was called Thanglong – “Soaring Dragon”, then Dongkikh – “Northern Capital” and only in 1831, having temporarily lost its capital status, did it receive its current name, meaning “City in the bend of the river.”

Hanoi really stands on the Red River, the water in which from time immemorial has a dirty brown color. It owes its diversity to a 1000-year history that has absorbed the traditions of the West and the East. Its Old Town, saturated with exoticism, looks like one big market. And just a short walk away is the French Quarter with green boulevards and the Opera House, modeled on the Parisian Grand Opera. Someone will find a socialist reserve here with monuments to Lenin and the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, someone will find an ideal city of colonial times. And for everyone, Hanoi is the gateway to Halong Bay, a UNESCO site and one of the most stunning landscapes in Southeast Asia. For Vietnam climate and geography, please check TopPharmacySchools.

How to get to Hanoi

The capitals of Russia and Vietnam are connected by Aeroflot, which operates daily flights to Hanoi, and Vietnam Airlines, which depart every other day. Do not discount flights with transfers. Comfortable transfers with transfers in Dubai and Doha from Emirates and Qatar Airways, although they will increase the total travel time by several hours, will allow you to save a little.

Transportation

About 60 bus routes have been laid in the city and the district, along which clean, comfortable and air-conditioned cars run. Fare payment – to the conductor or driver at the entrance to the bus. A trifle is better to prepare in advance. Fares vary on different routes. With a large number of trips, it is more convenient to issue a monthly Xe Buyt pass for all routes. This can be done at the final stops, for which you need to fill out an application, submit a photo, pay the required amount and receive a ready-made travel card in 3 days. To understand the intricacies of the roads, Hanoi’s land transport scheme – Xe Buyt Hanoy (in Vietnamese), which is sold from conductors in buses and kiosks at terminus stops, helps. You can download it online in PDF format or install the Hanoi Bus app (in English) on your smartphone.

Taxi in Hanoi is a popular and inexpensive form of transport, the cost of a trip around the city is 60,000 VND, payment is cash only.

A great way to explore the center of Hanoi and its surroundings is by bike or scooter. Most hotels and guest houses offer them to their guests for rent: a non-motorized pedal (aka a bicycle), buzzing and needing gasoline (aka a scooter).

The only caveat: the traffic in Hanoi is crazy, there are few traffic lights and parking lots, but there are a lot of thieves and reckless drivers who do not comply with traffic rules.

Hanoi Hotels

The number of different hotels in Hanoi is amazing, especially in the Hoan Kiem area around the legendary Lake of the Returned Sword. To the south of the lake lies the French Quarter – once the administrative center of French Indochina with wide streets, a regular layout and 4-5 * hotels. Among them are the international Hilton Hanoi Opera, Sofitel Legend Metropole, etc. They attract with high-quality European-level service and developed infrastructure.

A labyrinth of tangled streets to the west of the lake is the picturesque Old Town, dominated by 2-3* hotels and youth hostels like the Hanoy Party Backpacker. Living conditions here are sometimes spartan – as a rule, without pools and saunas, in half of the cases – without air conditioners and restaurants. Regardless of the number of “stars”, the undoubted advantage of Hanoi hotels is the availability of free Wi-Fi and affordable prices.

A double room in the “five” can be rented for 2,000,000 VND, in the “treshka” – for 600,000 VND, a place in a shared hostel room costs 110,000 VND.

What to bring

Visiting Hanoi and not visiting one of its markets is like not climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Find everything imaginable at Hang Da (Phung Hung, Duong Thanh and Ly Nam De streets). Secondhand clothes, animals, insects, plants, food, household goods, a genie lamp and a viper’s eye in skunk syrup are in stock and for pennies.

At the Cho Hom market, you can buy equipment and factory goods – from extra-class for sane money to fakes, terrible even for Vietnam, for ridiculous pennies. Trade is appropriate. Wholesalers and those interested can look at the collapse of Dong Xuan. And, finally, you should definitely visit the night market, which, as a rule, opens not earlier than 19:00.

The most popular Hanoi souvenir is strong tinctures with snakes, scorpions and other reptiles, which are considered a powerful medicine. They are found everywhere – from expensive supermarkets to markets, and the place of sale does not affect the quality of the drink.

In the markets, it is worth taking a closer look at carved caskets, wall decorations, trays and mahogany figurines. There you can also buy a cone-shaped hat “nonla” – plain or varnished. Quite original are the “Ho Chi Minh sandals” – ordinary-looking flip flops that leave footprints backwards.

Large shopping centers are preferable when buying pearl or sapphire jewelry – they are cheaper on the market, but can easily turn out to be a fake. The same applies to clothes and accessories made of silk, shoes, bags, belts and purses made of crocodile skin, which are accompanied by quality certificates.

Scorpion with Cobra tincture 0.5 l costs VND 400,000, pearl bracelet – VND 200,000, silk robe – VND 250,000, handmade mahogany box – VND 500,000, crocodile skin bag – VND 1,100,000.

Souvenirs for the sweet tooth are toffee-like candies with coconut milk and candied fruits. For connoisseurs of tea – a variety of tea blends with lotus, ginger, mountain herbs. The best gift for yourself and your loved ones is the elite coffee Kopi Luwak, which is sold in specialized stores. Its grains, which have been in the stomach of the palm marten, are saturated with musk, which gives the drink a unique taste.

Cuisine and restaurants in Hanoi

Half of the local cuisine consists of all sorts of variations on the theme of rice and noodles. The second half is meat, seafood, vegetables and everything else that can be put in the mouth without risk to health. In a form adapted for tourists, you can join it in expensive restaurants in the French Quarter.

Those who want to get acquainted with all the diversity should look into the restaurants and cafes of the Old Town, which seem to have no number. Their menu will definitely include the traditional beef soup “pho bo” with noodles and ginger, noodles with minced meat “boon cha”, “bankuon” flatbread stuffed with meat and mushrooms. Cozy coffee houses with delicious coffee and fresh pastries, which are a dime a dozen in Hanoi, are a great option for breakfast or an afternoon coffee break. For an on-the-go snack, banh mi are French baguettes stuffed with meat, cheese, fish and seafood from countless street carts.

Light breakfast in a coffee shop – VND 40,000 per person, lunch in a cafe – VND 240,000, a good dinner with wine in an expensive restaurant – VND 800,000, street fast food – VND 20,000.

For a real exotic, head to Nhattan Street in the Taiho district with establishments specializing in dog meat dishes, or to the snake-breeding village of Le Mat 5 km east of downtown Hanoi. The menu of local restaurants includes dishes from cobra meat – raw, boiled, stewed with vegetables, in batter, fried to a crisp on the grill, in the form of a filling for sweet pancakes. From drinks – a mixture of cobra blood and vodka. True, the price of a “snake” dinner is quite high – 1,000,000 VND per person.

Hanoi, Vietnam

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IP – Internet Protocol https://www.ablogtophone.com/ip-internet-protocol/ Sun, 13 Nov 2022 07:22:11 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=383 The idea of ​​address can refer to a domicile. In the specific case of computing, it is an expression made up of letters and/or numbers that alludes to a location in the memory of a computer. IP, on the other hand, is the English acronym that refers to Internet Protocol (“Internet Protocol”).

According to Abbreviationfinder, an IP address, in this framework, is a number that allows the identification of a network interface of a computer, a smartphone or other device that uses the mentioned protocol. This address can be static or dynamic.

It can be said that the IP address is the identification that enables computing devices to connect with each other. Those that need a permanent connection require a static (fixed) IP address so that they can be located on the network: a server hosting a website, an email server, etc. In order for users to remember the location of Internet sites, domain names that are linked to IP addresses are used.

A computer that is assigned a dynamic IP address, on the other hand, does not have a fixed number. That is why the identification in question changes periodically.

In short, the IP address can be understood as a label that identifies the interface of a device in a network that is governed by the IP protocol. These identifications, at present, are made up of four numerical blocks, each one formed by numbers from 0 to 255. For example: 205.45.128.30 could be an IP address.

In addition to everything established, we cannot ignore another series of singularities and important aspects about the aforementioned IP address, such as the following:

-No one can proceed to surf the Net without an IP.

-In the same way, it must be established that no web page can be online correctly if it is not associated with an IP.

-Sometimes, the IP is often confused with the MAC. However, the latter is the identification that is given individually to the so-called network cards.

In addition to the public IP address we have to establish that there are also private IP calls. These are the ones that are used, for example, when several devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network in a house. In that case, each of those (mobile, tablet, computer…) has its own IP.

No less relevant is knowing that in terms of that numbering we can highlight that there are thousands of combinations. However, it is no less true that there are three ranges that are reserved exclusively for what are private IPs:

-Class A, from 10.0.0.0. to 10.255.255.255, which is reserved for large networks such as large multinationals.

-Class B, from 172.16.0.0. to 172.31.255.255, which is used for what are more medium-sized private networks, such as a university network.

-Class C, from 192.168.0.0. to 192.168.255.255, which is used for what are smaller private networks, such as home networks.

IP - Internet Protocol

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SWOT – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats https://www.ablogtophone.com/swot-strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-and-threats/ Sun, 23 Oct 2022 05:02:35 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=382 According to Abbreviationfinder, the SWOT acronym refers to weaknesses, opportunities, strengths and threats. The concept appears in a type of analysis applied by companies to find out their best internal characteristics and the risks that come from abroad.

SWOT analysis is also known as SWOT and SWOT, depending on how the words that make up the expression are ordered. You can also find the English acronym SWOT for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Developing a SWOT analysis makes it possible to discover the situation of a company or a project and, based on this diagnosis, favors the planning of a strategy. This tool, devised in the early 1970s, serves to identify competitive advantages and apply them in the market.

SWOT is an acronym that refers to the weaknesses, opportunities, strengths and threats of a company.

SWOT analysis items

Regarding these acronyms, we can determine that:

-Weaknesses, are the aspects in which the company in question is at a disadvantage.

-Opportunities, come to be the market spaces that have not been taken into account and that can give rise to a very interesting area for the company’s progress.

-Strengths, which are the aspects in which the company has a clear advantage compared to its rivals.

-Threats, which are the possible obstacles that the company may encounter and that come not only from consumer opinions but also from government regulations and even market fluctuations.

An example

If we take a candy manufacturing company as an example, the SWOT analysis could be as follows:

-Weaknesses: it needs more personnel, there is machinery that is somewhat outdated…

-Opportunities: it is close to different supermarkets and commercial areas.

-Strengths: it has a brand image consolidated by its tradition and history.

-Threats: other factories of the same type of products are appearing in the same area.

A SWOT analysis can contribute to decision making.

SWOT Analysis Stages

To carry out this analysis, the first two stages consist of conducting the external study (to detect opportunities and threats) and the internal study (with the aim of determining strengths and weaknesses). With these results, the SWOT matrix is ​​made and then the strategy to be used is established.

Opportunities and threats are given by the political context, import and export regulations and tax legislation, among other factors. Strengths and weaknesses, meanwhile, depend on things like product varieties, customer service, and technical support.

The identification of the obstacles that can affect the fulfillment of the objectives, the exploration of the solutions to the inconveniences and the study of the different directions that the enterprise can take are some of the possibilities offered by the SWOT analysis.

The look on the individual

As a general rule, the SWOT is used to analyze and manage companies. However, there is also the personal DOFA. This is used to ensure that workers can achieve their goals and contribute to the general good of the one they work for.

Thus, undertaking this specific analysis, the employee’s weaknesses such as his laziness or shyness will be taken into account, opportunities such as external aspects that allow him to achieve his objectives, strengths such as his knowledge and threats such as the circumstances that surround him.

SWOT - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin https://www.ablogtophone.com/milwaukee-wisconsin/ Sat, 15 Oct 2022 18:33:18 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=768 Downtown Milwaukee.

According to Ehuacom, Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. The city has 569,000 inhabitants and an agglomeration of 1,566,000 inhabitants (2021). However, the metropolitan area is dwarfed by nearby Chicago.

Introduction

According to mcat-test-centers, Milwaukee is located on Lake Michigan on the eastern side of the state of Wisconsin. The city is built in an almost perfect grid, and has straight municipal boundaries almost everywhere. This also applies to most suburbs. The city has a fairly large metropolitan area, which merges into that of Chicago fairly unnoticed. Some parts of the Chicago metropolitan area are closer to downtown Milwaukee than Chicago. South of Milwaukee are several larger towns on Lake Michigan that form the transition area between the two conurbations. The conurbation measures approximately 55 kilometers from north to south and 35 kilometers from east to west. In addition to Lake Michigan, the city is also located on the Menomonee River.

Like many northern Midwestern cities, Milwaukee has lost population, but nothing spectacular. In 1960 a population of 741,000 inhabitants was reached, after which this fell to 595,000 in 2010. However, the decline has slowed down after 1990. Milwaukee has fairly warm summers but cold winters, and is the coldest city of the 50 largest cities in the country after Minneapolis.

Road network

Milwaukee’s highway network.

Milwaukee has a fairly small highway network for the size of the metropolitan area. However, this is partly compensated by the fact that the street network has been well developed. I-43 comes from the southwest and heads north. I-94 comes from the west, and runs south, a rather unique situation, because it’s in the way of Lake Michigan. I-794 provides a short connection between downtown and an industrial zone on Lake Michigan. I-43, I-94 and I-794 converge at the Marquette Interchange. I-894 forms a bypass southwest of Milwaukee. US 45 also forms part of that bypass. US 41 is the northwest approach road. However, a good ring road is missing, but the traffic intensities are not extremely high.

History

Milwaukee was one of the larger cities in the United States where no highway-like roads were built before World War II, although nearby Chicago also had no highways and was a lot bigger. The urban area had 1 million inhabitants in 1950, but all traffic had to be handled on the city roads. In the early years after World War II, traffic in Milwaukee doubled, and studies were conducted in the early 1950s on highways similar to those developed elsewhere in the country. In 1952 a small network of freeways, 35 kilometers long, was proposed, costing about $150 million. Immediately after, construction began on the first highway, a short stretch that replaced 43rd Street near Milwaukee County Stadium (State Route 341).). The highway and stadium opened to traffic in 1953. The Milwaukee County Expressway Commission was also established that year.

The first thing the Milwaukee County Expressway Commission did was draft a highway plan, released in 1955, with projected completion in 1972 at a cost of $221 million at the time. A year later, the Interstate Highway system was created, and a number of projected highways were incorporated as Interstate Highways, especially I-94 west and south of downtown, a stretch of I-43 along and north of downtown, and I- 894 as a western bypass for north-south traffic. On September 4, 1958, Wisconsin’s first Interstate Highway opened in the Waukesha suburb. Construction of new highways then started quickly, especially between 1962 and 1967 many new highways opened, on average 15 kilometers per year. Since Milwaukee was already a fairly large city, significant areas of built-up area had to be purchased for highway construction.

By 1967, substantial portions of the Milwaukee highway network were completed and 13 highways were planned by the Milwaukee County Expressway and Transportation Commission;

  • Airport Freeway (I-894) as an east-west route in southern Milwaukee
  • Airport Spur (SR-119) as a link road to the airport in southern Milwaukee
  • Bay Freeway (SR-16) as an east-west route through northern Milwaukee
  • Belt Freeway as western and southern bypass of Milwaukee
  • East-West Freeway (I-94) as an east-west route from Milwaukee to Madison
  • Fond Du Lac Freeway (SR-145) from downtown to the northwest
  • Lake Freeway (I-794), a north-south route along Lake Michigan, from downtown to Chicago
  • North-South Freeway (I-43/I-94) as a north-south route along the west side of downtown throughout the city
  • Park Freeway as an east-west route from downtown to the Stadium Freeway
  • Rock Freeway (I-43) as an east-west route from the Airport Freeway to Beloit
  • Stadium Freeway (US 41) as a north-south route through the western boroughs of Milwaukee
  • West Bend Freeway as a north-south route west of the North-South Freeway in the north of the region
  • Zoo Freeway (I-894) as a north-south route in the western suburbs

From the late 1960s, opposition to freeways increased, causing many plans to be scrapped in the early 1970s. The construction speed decreased sharply after 1969, to an average of 3 kilometers per year. In particular, there was opposition to the construction of highways in existing urban areas. In a referendum in 1967, however, there was still a clear majority to build the highways in Milwaukee. In particular, the Lake Freeway and the Fond Du Lac Freeway were scrapped fairly quickly. In 1974, 98 kilometers of the planned 180 kilometers of highway had been completed. This amounted to 54% of the planned lane kilometers.

In 1974 a second referendum was held to build five highways. The referendum was held in a wider area – 5 counties, and was approved by the population. Remarkably, in the neighborhoods where there was the most vocal opposition to the construction of highways, 3 out of 5 cases still voted for the construction of the highways. Despite this, political opposition to the construction of new highways increased, and in the late 1970s, highway construction more or less came to a halt, as was the case in many American cities. No new highways were opened at all between 1977 and 1987. In particular, the Belt Freeway and the West Bend Freeway died a silent death, none of which have been built. The Bay Freeway also did not enter a concrete phase.

Stagnation and population decline in both the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County made the construction of new highways less urgent in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2002-2003, the only constructed mile of the Park Freeway on the north side of Downtown was demolished and replaced by a city road with traffic lights. Since the rest of the route was not built, the Park Freeway was nothing more than a glorified exit from I-43.

Although the population of the region stagnated, traffic gradually increased, so that the traffic jams slowly increased in size. In the mid-1990s, a study was conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to improve Milwaukee’s highways, but not much came of it. An exception was the large-scale reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange between I-43, I-94 and I-794 on the outskirts of Downtown between 2004 and 2008. This was the largest reconstruction project in Wisconsin history at the time. In 2015, US 41 (Stadium Freeway) was renumbered as State Route 175. US 41 was also routed over the west ring, which is also double-numbered with Interstate 41. Through southern Milwaukee, three Interstate Highways over the Airport Freeway have since been numbered, I-41, I-43, and I-894.

Congestion

Because there are not that many highways, which are often outdated, there are regular traffic jams in Milwaukee. However, the situation is not nearly as serious as in Chicago, for example. In addition, Milwaukee has very little through traffic, as it usually takes I-90 through Madison, Rockford and Chicago. Crowds are mostly near downtown and on I-894.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Los Angeles, California https://www.ablogtophone.com/los-angeles-california/ Sun, 09 Oct 2022 10:29:13 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=764  

Los Angeles
City in the United States
Location
State California
County Los Angeles County
Coordinates 34°3’N, 118°17’W
General
Surface 1,302.15 km²
– country 1,214.03 km²
– water 88.12 km²
Residents
(2020)
3,979,576
(3278 inhabitant/km²)
– agglomeration 17,786,419 (2012, CSA)
Politics
Mayor Eric Garcetti (D)
Website lacity.org
Skyline and photos

According to act-test-centers.com, Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles and commonly abbreviated to LA, is a large and sprawling city on the west coast of the United States. It is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest in the United States. According to the 2019 census, 3,979,576 people lived within the city limits. Los Angeles is the center of the Greater Los Angeles Area, a metropolitan area in Southern California that has nearly 18 million residents. In addition, Los Angeles is the capital of Los Angeles CountyCalifornia ‘s most populous and ethnically diverse county.

The city was founded on September 4, 1781 by the Spanish governor of Las Californias, Felipe de Neve (1724-1784). In 1821 the settlement became part of Mexico and 27 years later, after the Mexican-American War and the Peace of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the city came into American hands. Los Angeles was incorporated as a city on April 4, 1850, five months before California was admitted to the Union as a state. With the advent of transcontinental railroads and the discovery of oil, the city grew rapidly.

Today Los Angeles is a metropolis with a large port and busy airport. Los Angeles, and more specifically Hollywood, is the center of the American and by extension Western film and television industry. Many of the city’s landmarks, such as the Getty Center, Hollywood Boulevard, TCL Chinese Theater, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, are related to the entertainment industry. In addition, Los Angeles is strong as a production center for, among other things, aerospace technology.

History

The area where Los Angeles is now was originally inhabited by the Tongva (or Gabrieleños) and Chumash peoples. The first Europeans arrived in 1542 led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese who claimed the area as the City of God for the Spanish Empire. He continued his journey without doing anything further with the area. The next contact did not come until 227 years later, when Gaspar de Portolá reached this region with the missionary Juan Crespí on August 2, 1769. Crespí wrote that this area could become a large settlement.

Los Angeles between 1890 and 1905

In 1771 the Spanish Franciscan friar Junípero Serra built the Misión San Gabriel Arcángel near the San Gabriel Valley. In 1777, the new governor of California, Felipe de Neve, was advised by Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursúa, viceroy of Spain, to turn the area described by Juan Crespí into a village. The village was officially founded on September 4, 1781, by a group of forty-four founders known as “Los Pobladores”. It was named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula(“The Village of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of the Porciúncula River”). The founders came from Spain. Three quarters of them were mulatto or mestizo and had an African or Amerindian background.

During World War II, on the night of February 24-25, 1942, there was widespread panic in Los Angeles when rumors spread that Japanese planes were attacking the city. It turned out to be a false alarm, but the events were later cited as the Battle of Los Angeles.

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean: hot dry summers (April to October) with temperatures up to 35°C and mild winters (November to March) with maximums around 15°C.

Weather Averages for Los Angeles
Month Jan Feb Mar April May jun july aug sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average maximum (°C) 20 20 21 22 24 26 29 30 29 26 22 20 24.1
Average minimum (°C) 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 18 17 15 11 8 12.7
Source: Climate info

Population

Los Angeles ‘ Chinatown

Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and it is the second largest city in the United States; only New York is bigger. The city has approximately 4 million inhabitants, the agglomeration of Los Angeles has approximately 17 million inhabitants. 44% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. They come mainly from Mexico and Cuba. 25% of the population is white. Among them are also many retired people from the northern states of America. 15% of the population is of Asian descent. These are mainly people from Korea, which has led to ‘Koreatown’. Also China, Japan, Vietnam and Laosare well represented. 11% of the population is African American. 3% of the population is of other origin. 2% of the population is of mixed descent. [source?]

17% of the population is older than 65 years. 26% of the population is single. 13% of the population lives below the poverty line. 6% of the population is unemployed. [source?]

Religion

Because Los Angeles is a fusion of cultures, adherents of all world religions can be found in this city.

The city is home to America’s second largest Jewish community (after New York). Los Angeles has its own Roman Catholic Archbishop, and is the largest archdiocese in the country. Cardinal Roger Mahony is Los Angeles’ Archbishop.

There is a large community of Mormons in Los Angeles: their third largest temple is located in this city. Los Angeles can be called the cradle of modern Christian fundamentalism. Between 1908 and 1959, the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA) was located in Los Angeles. BIOLA published the book The Fundamentals in 1913, the extremely conservative interpretation of the Bible that would give fundamentalism its name. Various fundamentalist groups and television pastors have their home base in Los Angeles. Fundamentalist cartoonist Jack Chick was also born and raised in Los Angeles.

Asian immigrants brought Buddhism to Los Angeles; the city has more than 300 Buddhist temples, making it one of the largest Buddhist centers in the world. Various gurus, alternative religions and sects find their home in Los Angeles, including Theosophy, Kabbalah, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi movement and the Church of Scientology.

Culture

Architecture

Los Angeles from the air, with Downtown LA in the distance . Relatively few high-rise buildings in this sprawling metropolis

It is mainly the vastness of the metropolis that stands out in Los Angeles. Although the center has relatively many high-rise buildings, Los Angeles is mainly a low-rise city. Stevenson Ranch is a good example of such a ‘family-oriented neighbourhood’. Notable buildings include the 310-foot US Bank Tower (Los Angeles’ tallest building), the distinctively styled Westin Bonaventure Hotel, and the modern Walt Disney Concert Hall. These buildings showcase the diverse architecture of Los Angeles, from modern to classic to rural.

The more hidden architecture, the residential architecture, also has a rich history in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Modernist and postmodernist architecture in particular has found a foothold in the city, and has been represented by many of the big names in the post-war architecture scene. Persons like Richard Neutra, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler, Pierre Koenig, and John Lautner have made Los Angeles one of the world’s largest and most important architectural cities. Also figures such as the brothers Greene & Greene contributed by – mainly in the nearby city of Pasadena (California)- display their craftsmanship in the arts and crafts movement.

Some major residential buildings in Los Angeles:

  • Bailey House (1948), Richard Neutra
  • Schindler House (1922), Rudolph Schindler
  • Hollyhock House ( Barnsdall Art Park) (1925), Richard Neutra, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler
  • Lovell House (1929), Richard Neutra
  • Ennis House (1924), Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Howe House (1925), Rudolph Schindler
  • Chemosphere (1960), John Lautner
  • Sheats Residence (1963), John Lautner

Sights

The Hollywood Sign

There is a lot of film industry: Beverly Hills, Hollywood with its Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theater. However, the real media industry is spread across four districts adjacent to Los Angeles: Burbank (NBC, Warner Bros., Disney), Century City (20th Century Fox, MGM), Universal City (Universal Studios, NBC Universal), and Culver City (Sony Pictures Entertainment). Also the beaches of Santa Monica, Malibu, Venice and Huntington Beach, are popular.

The original Disneyland is located in Anaheim, south of Los Angeles.

North of downtown Los Angeles is Griffith Park. This includes the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, a museum about life in the western United States. It is a merger of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West, and the Women of the West Museum.

Museums

The Hammer Museum

Los Angeles County has 841 museums. Below a number of large and important museums, including many art museums.

Founded in 1910, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has a collection of more than 100,000 works of art. Another important art museum is the Hammer Museum, which has Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art and work by Rembrandt and Titian in its collection. The Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on contemporary art. Also worth mentioning are the Getty Center, the Craft and Folk Art Museum, and the California African American Museum. As a musical center it also houses one of the Grammy Museums, namely theGrammy Museum at L.A. Live.

One of the most famous American sculpture parks is the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden on the UCLA campus.

Sports

Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympics twice: the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics. It will also host the 2028 Summer Games.

Los Angeles was host to the 1994 World Cup with the Rose Bowl stadium. For example, Brazil played the final against Italy after penalties.

Los Angeles is also home to the NBA Lakers and LA Clippers basketball teams, as well as the NHL ‘s LA Kings ice hockey team. All of these teams are home to the Staples Center in Los Angeles . The LA Dodgers and Anaheim Angels baseball clubs, LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC football clubs, and LA Rams and LA Chargers football clubs, which play in the MLB, are also from Los Angeles.

Board

Los Angeles City Hall

Government

The current mayor, since July 1, 2013, is Democrat Eric Garcetti.

In addition, various government officials are directly elected, such as the attorney general (city attorney) and the so-called city controller, who controls the expenditure of the municipality and functions as a municipal ombudsman.

Administrative division

Los Angeles is divided into fifteen city council districts. A representative is elected from each district for four years; together they form the municipal council. This system was introduced in 1889, at the time with nine district members. Six districts were added in 1925.

Education

Los Angeles has a number of good universities. The best known of these is UCLA, the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles. Other universities include the University of Southern California, California State University, Loyola Marymount University, Caltech, and Pepperdine University.

Traffic and transport

Nighttime view of Los Angeles

Road transport

The Los Angeles region has one of the largest highway systems in the world. In California, these highways are called “freeways.” There are twenty-seven intertwined freeways in the region, used by millions of motorists for commuting, covering approximately 160 million kilometers each day. Los Angeles is the metropolis with the highest density of cars in the world, with 1.8 vehicles for every resident with a driver’s license.

Because there is little public transport, and drivers often have to travel long distances to get to their destination, there are many traffic jams. During peak periods, on weekdays between 6 am and 9 am and between 3 pm and 7 pm, the roads are overcrowded and there are long traffic jams. Also at other times there is often a lot of traffic.

As a result, Angelinos are used to spending a lot of time in their car every day. Many radio stations attract listeners by regularly broadcasting traffic reports.

Major intercity express links are Interstate 5 (north to Sacramento and south to San Diego), Interstate 15 (north to Las Vegas and south to San Diego), U.S. Route 101 (north to Santa Barbara), and Interstate 10 (east to Phoenix).

Public transport

The primary regional public transportation agency is the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), commonly referred to as the Subway or the MTA. The organization, which provides bus, light rail and subway services, averages 1.6 million transit trips per weekday, making it the third largest transportation company in the United States. Other municipal transportation organizations in Los Angeles County (LADOT, Long Beach Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Norwalk Transit, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus, Santa Clarita Transit, Torrance Transit andTransit Foothill) provide an average of 405,000 trips on a weekday.

Metro Rail

The Metro Rail is a public transport system consisting of two metro lines and four light rail lines. The total length of the system is 139.7 km, with 93 stations. The number of passengers is 316,000 per day on weekdays (as of February 2012). The first connection was opened in 1990, the last in 2016.

Rail transport

Los Angeles’ main station is Union Station. Amtrak, the American national rail company, offers several train services from this station. There is the regional Pacific Surfliner (San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo) and long-distance trains such as the Texas Eagle to the east (Houston, New Orleans, Chicago).

Air transport

Encounter Restaurant, with LAX. control tower in the background

Los Angeles’ main airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the fifth busiest commercial airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States.

LAX handled 61 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo in 2006. LAX is a hub for United Airlines and American Airlines.

Other nearby major commercial airports are:

  • (ONT) LA/Ontario International Airport
  • (BUR) Bob Hope Airport
  • (LGB) Long Beach Airport
  • (SNA) John Wayne Airport
  • (CPM) Compton/Woodley Airport
  • (PMD) Palmdale Regional Airport

One of the busiest general aviation airports in the world is also located in Los Angeles: the Van Nuys Airport (VNY).

Town twinning

Los Angeles maintains 25 city ties with:

  • 1959 Eilat (Israel)
  • 1959 Nagoya (Japan)
  • 1962 Salvador (Brazil)
  • 1964 Bordeaux (France)
  • 1967 Berlin (Germany)
  • 1968 Lusaka (Zambia)
  • 1969 Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 1971 Auckland (New Zealand)
  • 1971 Busan (South Korea)
  • 1972 Bombay (India)
  • 1972 Tehran (Iran)
  • 1979 Taipei (Taiwan)
  • 1981 Guangzhou (China)
  • 1984 Athens (Greece)
  • 1984 Saint Petersburg (Russia)
  • 1986 Vancouver (Canada)
  • 1989 Giza (Egypt)
  • 1990 Jakarta (Indonesia)
  • 1991 Kaunas (Lithuania)
  • 1992 Makati City (Philippines)
  • 1993 Split (Croatia)
  • 2005 San Salvador (El Salvador)
  • 2006 Beirut (Lebanon)
  • 2006 Ischia (Italy)
  • 2007 Yerevan (Armenia)

In addition, there are also four friendship cities:

  • ódź (Poland)
  • London (United Kingdom)
  • Manchester (United Kingdom)
  • Tel Aviv (Israel)

Nearby places

The figure below shows nearby places within 10 miles of downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles

Beverly Hills (2 miles)

Burbank (11 km)

Culver City (9 km)

Glendale (15km)

Inglewood (15 km)

Ladera Heights (11 km)

Marina del Rey (14 km)

Santa Monica (12 km)

View Park – Windsor Hills (11 km)

West Hollywood (0 km)

Los Angeles, California

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Tucson, Arizona https://www.ablogtophone.com/tucson-arizona/ Sun, 02 Oct 2022 11:54:53 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=761 With a population of nearly one million, Tucson is the largest city in southern Arizona and the second largest in the state. In earlier times, there was only a military base of the Spanish Empire, later Tucson became the capital of Arizona. Today, Tucson is the seat of Pima County. The English name Tucson comes from the Spanish name of the city of Tucsón, which comes from the language of the O’odham tribe, and in this language it means “at the foot of a black hill”. This name refers to the black volcanic mountains called Sentinel Peak.

The landscape is characterized by slightly rolling hills, which are dotted with saguar reserves, from which grow huge cacti. It is cacti that are evidence of a dry but healthy desert climate. Tucson is so popular with American retirees who want to spend their old age here. The opposite of this aging generation is the ubiquitous students of the University of Arizona.

According to iamaccepted.com, the Tucson city center is the historic center called El Presidio Historic District, which has many cafes, galleries and several houses built between 1850 and 1907, which have great historical value. This neighborhood with distinctive colorful architecture gives the city of Tucson a fresh look.

One of the most sought-after monuments in the city is the former Spanish fortress Tucson Presidium. Today, it houses the important Tucson Museum of Art, which houses a number of historically valuable buildings as well as an extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian finds. In Presidio Park, there is the Pima County Courthouse, which is particularly interesting for its colorful decorations and striking blue walls. The Tucson Convention Center has a visitor center where you can purchase detailed maps of the city and surrounding area.

The most valuable monument to the presence of the Spaniards is the beautiful and still functioning mission station Mission San Xavier del Bac, located 16 km south of downtown. It is located in the San Xavier Indian Reservation, home to members of the Papaga Indian tribe. The tower building of the mission is plastered with snow-white stucco. It was founded in 1699 by the Jesuit Eusebio Francisco Kino, who gave up a promising career in mathematics at the University of Ingolstadt in the name of spreading the Christian gospel in the New World.

Small size Tumacarori

Tumacácori National Historical Park is a place where the Jesuits came and founded missions in 1691. Founded in 1908, the park now protects three Spanish colonial ruins, which, in addition to Tumacácori, are also located in Guevavi and Calabazas. They are located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert in northern Arizona, so it is warm and dry most of the year. During the winter, however, you can also encounter snow here.

The San José de Tumacácori Mission was founded in 1691 by Eusebio Francisco Kino and other Jesuits. It is the oldest mission in Arizona and the oldest church building was also built there. The area has excellent conditions for accommodation and camping. A Visitor Center was built here for visitors, where they can get the necessary information, see the museum and get acquainted with the history of this place.
The Juan Bautista de Anza trail passes through the park, ideal for hikers, bird watchers and horse riding enthusiasts. You can make a pleasant trip of 4.5 miles. A large number of mammals, such as coyotes, banded bakers or raccoons, have found their home in the park. There are also 24 species of reptiles and amphibians, countless species of insects, spiders and colorful birds.

Tuzigoot National Monument

About 65 miles south of Arizona, Flagstaff are the remains of an old Native American village built by the Sinagua Native American tribe. Pueblo can be found on a small limestone ridge, above the river Verde. Tuzigoot – as the village was called, provided a home for a hundred Indians. It is estimated that at the time of its greatest expansion, it had up to 100 rooms. Some of them were even part of two-story stone buildings.

According to archaeological excavations that took place here, it was found that the oldest parts of the pueblo date from around 1000 AD. The Indians lived here for 400 years, but then, for unknown reasons, they all went nowhere. Maybe it was the long-lasting drought that made people’s lives more difficult. The Sinagua Indians were peasants and farmers with broad trade ties. They sold their wares on a trail across present-day Arizona.

Today, visitors to the Tuzigoot National Monument can see the remains of the perimeter walls or the high-rise building, which has a renovated ceiling and provides pleasant shade even during the hot summer. The nearby Visitor Center exhibits numerous Native American artifacts found here. You can get acquainted with traditional Native American culture and lifestyle. From the visitor center, you can take a walk along the paved sidewalk around the pueblo and see it from all sides.

Tuzigoot is one of the best preserved puebelles of the Sinagua Indians, but the visit will not take you more than an hour. Together with Montezuma Castle & Well NM, it forms a unique example of preserved Native American monuments in Arizona.

Tucson, Arizona

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Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.ablogtophone.com/olympic-national-park-washington/ Sun, 25 Sep 2022 10:22:30 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=759 According to existingcountries, Olympic National Park is located in the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington state. It covers an area of 3492 square kilometers and is a kind of pearl among the national parks of the United States. In the Olympic area, completely different types of landscape are found in close proximity to each other. Wild and inaccessible mountains, alpine meadows, glaciers, coniferous and rain forest, enchanting beaches, lakes and watercourses are characteristic.

Due to the high humidity, the park is shrouded in coastal fog for most of the year. The primeval forest located here is perhaps the only temperate primeval forest of its kind. Over three thousand millimeters of precipitation falls here annually, which is approximately six times more than in the Czech Republic. Therefore, water is found here in almost all its forms – in the form of the sea, fog, rivers, streams, numerous waterfalls and even hot springs. However, the climate becomes drier towards the interior.

The Olympic Mountains range between 1,500 and 2,400 meters above sea level. The peaks are therefore covered with snow for most of the year, and the rocky slopes are also covered by over 60 glaciers. Except for the mountain tops, it rarely freezes in winter. Summer, on the other hand, is cooler and the mercury on the thermometer rarely exceeds 26 degrees Celsius. The park is only about 145 km from the city of Seattle, so it is easily accessible. It is open to tourists all year round and also provides ample accommodation facilities. French lumberjacks at the beginning of the 20th century were responsible for the discovery of this area. Olympic has been a national park since 1938.

The only main road passes through the park, along which grows the Big Cedar Tree, which is a huge cedar with a circumference of about 20 meters. The crown of an old tree provides shelter for many species of animals. The park also features massive Sitka spruces, western Hemlock conifers and Douglas firs. If you take the Hoh River Trail, you will reach the very heart of the dense and impenetrable vegetation called the Hoh Rain Forest. It is the biggest tourist attraction, because this section of the forest is the greenest part of the reserve. The Hoh Visitor Center is located nearby. The Hoh River Trail is 48 km long and ends at Glacier Meadows at the foot of Mount Olympus. If you plan to climb to the top, you must first register at the visitor center.

Another winding path leads through the so-called Hall of Mosses to the interior of the impenetrable forest, where almost no sunlight penetrates the dense treetops. Fallen logs often replace the soil here, and new ones grow directly from the decaying wood. If you need to stock up on food or gas during your wanderings through the park, or stay overnight in a cheaper motel, visit the port of Port Angeles, which is a kind of gateway to the park. From here, the road also rises to Hurricane Ridge – the high point of the reserve with a panorama of sixty active glaciers and the highest mountain, Mount Olympus, which reaches a height of 2427 meters above sea level.

Many hiking trails also cross the Sol Duc Hot Springs area, where you’ll even find a pool that’s heated by the thermal springs. With a bit of luck, you can observe herds of moose here. Other interesting places in the park include Ozette, Mora, Kalaloch and the Queets Indian settlement.

Olympic National Park, Washington

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Wyoming https://www.ablogtophone.com/wyoming/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:35:27 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=688 Introduction

Wyoming (abbr.: WY or Wyo), state of the United States of America, 253,597 km2, with 453,000 inhabitants, capital: Cheyenne.

Physical Geography

Wyoming is one of the highest states in the United States (average altitude 2000 m). The lowest point (945 m) is in the northeast, where the Belle Fourche exits the state. Wyoming is three quarters of the Rocky Mountains and covers almost the entire Central Rockies, consisting of a number of large and high-lying basins, enclosed by mountain ranges, the highest of which is the Wind River Range (Gannett Peak, 4207 m, Fremont Peak, 4185 m)., Mount Bonneville, 3,821 m, Atlantic Peak, 3,884 m). The south and southwest of the state is formed by the large Sweetwater Basin, a basin located at an altitude of 2000 to 2300 m, which is divided into smaller basins by low mountain ridges. The most spectacular part of Wyoming is the northwest; here on the Yellowstone plateau at 2373 m altitude lies the large Yellowstone Lake (360 km2) in a beautiful, cool landscape. In the approximately 9,000 km2 Yellowstone National Park (partly located in Montana and Idaho), post-volcanic phenomena such as geysers, hot springs and limestone terraces occur. South of this park is the Teton Range with the 4,196 m high Grand Teton and at the foot of it Jackson Lake; this area is also protected as Grand Teton National Park (approx. 1250 km2). The eastern fourth of Wyoming belongs to the Great Plains.

The continental divide runs through Wyoming from Yellowstone National Park. The southwest belongs to the area of ​​the Green River with its tributaries. The Teton Range drains through the Snake River. Northern and eastern Wyoming belong to the Missouri River Basin. To prevent runoff and for irrigation, many dams have been built in the rivers in the dry area, creating large water reservoirs there as well. Wyoming has a continental climate with an annual amplitude greater than 30°C and a diurnal amplitude that is often greater. With the height of the mountains, the temperature decreases rapidly. Precipitation is generally low (average 400 mm), but there are large differences. Most rain falls in early summer.

Population

The average population density is 2 inhabitants. per km2. About 65% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are the capital Cheyenne and Casper. See top cities in Wyoming.

Economy

Mining is the main economic sector and petroleum is the main mineral; in addition, the state (as well as Colorado and Utah) has significant quantities of oil shales; the stock of petroleum from these shales is estimated for Wyoming at more than 6.7 billion m3. In addition, natural gas and coal are extracted. Agriculture, especially livestock, is the second most important economic activity (cattle and poultry, sheep). The main crops grown are: hay, barley, sugar beet, wheat. More than 50% of the value added by industry comes from the sector that is based on mining (mainly on oil extraction). There is also food production. Tourism is the third important economic sector.

Sights

Tourist attractions include Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks; the Big Horn, Black Hills, Bridger, Medicine Bow, Shoshone, and Teton National Forests; Hot Springs State Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument. Wyoming has large herds of gaff antelope and wapiti; there are also gray and black bears, coyotes, pumas and the like. There are several ski areas. The historic routes of the Overland Trail, Oregon Trail, Bridger Trail, and Pony Express are lined with trading posts, military forts, and stopping places.

History

Whether the De la Verendrye brothers were the first Europeans to reach the area as early as the 18th century is uncertain. It is certain that since the beginning of the 19th century fur traders explored the country. In 1832 Captain Bonville traveled through the area with an expedition of 110 men, and in 1842/1843 Fremont explored the land for the United States government. Shortly afterward, the great influx of pioneers came, heading for Oregon and Utah. The first to settle permanently in the area were the Mormons (1847). More intensive colonization occurred after the discovery of gold in 1867. In 1868, Wyoming was organized as a territory. At the same time, the Indians were expelled or placed on reservations, sometimes after bitter fighting (Fetterman massacre, Dec. 21, 1866). Wyoming was incorporated into the Union as the 44th state in 1890.

Wyoming History

National Parks Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park

In 1872, Yellowstone National Park was established, making it the first national park in the entire United States and the world. At the same time, it is also one of the largest and most visited parks in the United States. It covers an area of ​​8,987 km² and straddles the territory of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The center of the park consists of a wide volcanic plateau formed from solidified lava. Other well-known features of the park include geysers, hot springs, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and a number of huge waterfalls. In 1988, the park was hit by a massive wildfire that reduced 321 acres of forest to ashes. The park is also home to the famous Old Faithful geyser which every so often produces tall fountains of scalding hot water. Hotels and campsites where you can stay overnight can be found at all the major attractions in Yellowstone National Park. Many attractions in the park are accessible by car, but not all.

Grand Teton National Park

In 1929, the park was established to include a few mountains and a lowland landscape, but in 1950 the Jackson Hole National Monument was added. In 1972, the Rockefeller Parkway was built that runs from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park. Within the boundaries of the park lies much of the Grand Tetons Mountains, which contain numerous lakes, alpine weeds and streams. Moose are very common in the park, as are gaff antelopes, black bears, grizzlies, coyotes, beavers, weasels, bighorn sheep, mule deer and bison. The Grand Teton Lodge Company is the place to stay and it is very close to the park nearby.

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Wisconsin https://www.ablogtophone.com/wisconsin/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:34:58 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=700 Introduction

Wisconsin (abbr.: WI or Wisc.), state of the United States of America, 145,438 km2 (excl. share of the Great Lakes), with 4.8 million inhabitants; capital city: Madison.

Physical Geography

Wisconsin is predominantly a gently undulating landscape, clearly showing the hallmarks of the Pleistocene ice cover. The older subsoil is covered by thick packs of glacial deposits, coupled with a weakly undulating relief and the presence of many lakes. The lowest part of the state is along the coast of Lake Michigan (177 m), the highest point is Timms Hill (595 m). In Lake Superior the Apostle Islands belong to Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan the islands around Green Bay, such as Washington Island, Chambers Island. Despite its location on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, only a small portion of the state drains into the lakes. In the north, the Montreal flows into Lake Superior, in the northeast flows the Menominee, Peshtigo, Oconto and the Fox river (which connects the largest lake, Lake Winnebago,

Virtually the entire state drains into the Mississippi; the state’s main river is the Wisconsin. To the west, the Trempealeau, Chippewa, and Black are direct tributaries of the Mississippi. In addition to portions of the Great Lakes, there are more than 8,000 other lakes within state borders, the largest of which is Lake Winnebago (555 km2). Wisconsin has a distinct continental climate; the influence of the great lakes tempers the extreme temperatures, but to a small extent. The average January and July temperatures are resp. –6 °C and 21 °C, the maxima and minima respectively. 40 °C and –31 °C. Precipitation averages 800 mm with a clear summer maximum. Winter precipitation falls in the form of snow. The country is covered with snow for more than 90 days of the year in the north, and about 45 days in the south. The north has only 120 frost-free days, to the south this increases to 180 days. The ports on Lake Superior and Green Bay are frozen from mid-December to early April.

Population

The average population density is 29 inhabitants. per km2. About 66% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Milwaukee and Madison. See top cities in Wisconsin.

Economy

Despite continuing industrialization and the closure of many farms, agriculture is still an important economic activity. The state is primarily an important dairy and meat producer (more than half of the companies specialize in this); also important fur products and production of honey. The main arable crops are maize, hay, wheat, barley, potatoes, soybeans, tobacco and cranberries. The state has a lot of heavy industry, especially in Milwaukee and the surrounding area. The main industrial product groups are non-electrical machines, foodstuffs, metal products, electrical machines and transport equipment. The production and processing of wood (eg paper) are important; 42% of the state is covered with forest. Wisconsin is a major energy producer; there are 152 power stations (of which 87 are hydroelectric) with a total installed capacity of 10.6 million kW. The main mining products are sand, rock, gravel, lime and taconite. Also copper, gold and silver. Tourism is the third most important economic sector.

Sights

Attractions include the various state parks (First Capitol, Kettle Moraine, Lost Dauphin), the zoo in Milwaukee, the Apostle Islands in Lake Upper, ancient Native American settlements and the 1843 Villa Louis near Prairie du Chien. Near Spring Green is Taliesin East, the home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The state has several winter sports areas.

History

The French invaded the area in the 17th and 18th centuries and built the fur trade on it. In 1763 the area became British. Wisconsin officially passed into American hands in 1783, but it wasn’t until the War of 1812 that the British left. Wisconsin became a territory in 1836 and a state in 1848. The state thrived on high immigration from Scandinavia and played an important part in the northern war effort in the American Civil War. After that, Wisconsin developed into a very progressive state. In the early 20th century, the state came to prominence through the progressive administration of Governor Robert La-Follette, who achieved national fame as leader of the Progressives. Recently (1993), the state suffered greatly from the flooding of the Mississippi and other rivers in the Midwest.

Wisconsin History

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West Virginia https://www.ablogtophone.com/west-virginia/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:34:36 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=694 Introduction

West Virginia (abbr.: WV or W.Va.), state of the United States of America, 62,629 km2, with 1.7 million inhabitants; capital city: Charleston.

Fiscal Geography

The state is predominantly closed in shape with narrow panhandles to the north and east. Located in the Valley and Ridge Region of the Appalachian Mountains, the eastern spur has sharp ridges and broad valleys. This area is closed to the west by the Alleghenies, which reach their highest point here (Spruce Knob, 1482 m). From this ridge, the undulating Cumberland Plateau extends westwards beyond the border. Only the rivers in the northeast find outflow into the Atlantic through the Potomac; While the Cheat, Tygart, and West Fork flow north through the Monongahela, the latter bends beyond West Virginia to the Ohio, which forms the state’s northwest border and is also where the rivers of the southwest portion flow: the Kanawha, the Guyandot and the Big Sandy River. The climate is quite rough; the average January temperature is 0 °C, the average July temperature is 24 °C, but the maximum and minimum temperatures are respectively. +41 °C and –33 °C. The precipitation amounts to about 1000 mm in the west and about 1250 mm in the Alleghenies. In the mountains, a large part of the precipitation falls in the form of snow.

Population

The average population density is 29 inhabitants. per km2. About 36% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Huntington and Charleston. See top cities in West Virginia.

Economy

Industry, which is the main sector of the state’s economy, primarily produces all kinds of chemical products. In second place comes the metal industry, furthermore for glass, wood products, textiles and machines. Mining mainly includes the extraction of coal (under about 55% of the surface of the state, the soil contains coal); the state is also a major producer of natural gas, petroleum, salt, sand, gravel and clay. Agriculture is of little importance (varied livestock, hay, grain and fruit production). Forestry is important.

Sights

Tourist attractions include: the Monongahela National Forest; a prehistoric landmark, the Grave Creek Mound, in Moundsville in the northern panhandle near the Ohio border; the Blackwater Falls State Park; the Hawks Nest State Park. The Civil War is commemorated in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, among others.

History

Originally, West Virginia was part of Virginia. In the 18th century a socio-economic contradiction emerged in Virginia between the coastal area, which was based on slavery, and the western mountain area. When Virginia joined the Confederate States in 1861, the mountain residents convened a constitutional convention and seceded. In 1862 Congress recognized this secession and in 1863 the state of West Virginia was incorporated into the Union, making it 35 states. Charleston became the capital in 1885. The coal mines initially brought prosperity; later they became the cause of serious economic problems.

West Virginia History

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Washington https://www.ablogtophone.com/washington/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:34:14 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=686 Introduction

Washington (abbr.: WA or Wash.), state of the United States of America, bordered by Canada (British Columbia), Idaho, Oregon (border river: Columbia River) and the Pacific Ocean (partly: Strait Juan de Fuca, Straits of Georgia and Puget Sound), 176,617 km2, with 4.8 million inhabitants; capital: Olympia.

Physical Geography

Extending from south to north along the Pacific Coast are the Willapa Hills (900 m) and the Olympic Mountains with rounded peaks (Mt. Olympus, 2415 m). The Cascade Range divides the state into an eastern and a western part. A large fault runs along the eastern edge of this plateau, which has created volcanoes that rise up to 1000 m above the Cascade Range. In total there are 57 peaks above the snow line (which is 2300 m here). The main peaks are Mt. Rainier (4,392 m, Washington’s highest point) in the Mt. Rainier National Park, Liberty Cap (4301 m) and Point Success (4313 m). The volcano Mt. St. Helens (2,940 m), which had been inactive since 1857, had a powerful eruption in 1980. The western slope of the Cascade Range is heavily forested. The eastern slope consists of unforested radial ridges, descending to the Columbia Basin. Between two of these ridges, the Sawtooth Ridge and the Chelan Range, stretches the narrow, 90 km long and 440 m deep Chelan Lake. The eastern part of Washington is occupied by the Columbia Basin, a vast lava plateau. To the north lies the unforested Okanogan Mountains (1900 m), to the southeast are the forested Blue Mountains with peaks to almost 2000 m. Washington’s main river is the Columbia River. The tributaries are deeply cut into the lava plateau; canyons have formed in many places. Major lakes in the state include Lake Chelan and the reservoirs behind dams in the Columbia River, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake (Grand Coulee Dam) and Banks Lake (Dry Falls Dam). The western part of Washington has a temperate maritime climate with a precipitation maximum in winter. Wynoocke, at the base of Mt. Olympus, with about 3600 mm, has the highest average precipitation in the United States. The eastern part of the state has a continental steppe climate with a precipitation of 250 to 500 mm.

Population

The average population density is 26 inhabitants. per km2. About 76% of the population lives in urban areas. The main cities are Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. See top cities in Washington.

Economy

Although the state’s economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, forestry, mining and fishing, industry has boomed since World War II and has been the largest employer since the late 1950s. The main arable products are grains; also fruit (main apple producer in the United States), asparagus, potatoes, hops, peas, sugar beets. Livestock includes dairy cows and other cattle, sheep and pigs. Washington is one of the leading producers of lumber and wood pulp in the United States. Fishing and related industry (canning, freezing, etc.) has traditionally been an important element of the state’s economy: salmon and halibut catching and canned salmon production. The main mining product is coal; furthermore natural gas, sand, gravel, zinc, cement, lead and uranium ore. The industry is mainly concentrated in the west. The main industries are manufacturing of aircraft and spacecraft (Boeing), timber and wood products, food, machinery and chemical products; other important sectors are shipbuilding, printing and publishing. Washington has the greatest potential for hydroelectric power in the United States. The abundance of hydroelectric power has enabled the development of two major manufacturing industries: aluminum and plutonium (by the Atomic Energy Commission) are produced here. The state owns about 20% of the total hydropower potential of the United States and ranks first in installed hydroelectric capacity.

Sights

There are three major national parks in the state: Olympic National Park in the northwest (approx. 4000 km2) and North Cascades National Park (approx. 2000 km2). Southeast of Seattle is the Mount Reinier National Park (approx. 1000 km2). Seattle is also a major tourist attraction. Also, sites reminiscent of the aboriginal and pioneer days include Whitman Mission National Historic Site at Walla Walla, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, San Juan Island National Historical Park, and the Makah Cultural and Research Center on the Olympic Peninsula.

History

Already in the 16th century Spanish and English explorers explored the northwest coast, but a real discovery was not made until in 1792 Captain Robert Gray sailed the coast with the ship ‘Columbia’ and named the great river he found after his ship. The Americans based their claims to the area on Gray’s discoveries. From 1804 to 1806 the Americans Lewis and Clark explored the interior. Colonization by whites did not come until 1836 when missionary Marcus Whitman settled among the Indians in Walla Walla. Shortly thereafter, the great migration to the Oregon Territory, to which Washington belonged at the time, began. In 1846 agreement was reached with Great Britain on the definitive boundary along the 46th parallel. Separate organization of the Washington Territory took place in 1853. The Indians were subdued in the War of 1855–1856. Then the area flourished. In 1889 Washington was admitted to the Union as the (42nd) state.

Washington History

Washington National Parks

Mount Rainier National Park

This park was established in 1899 and is located in the Cascade Range. The landscape is controlled by the Mount Rainier volcano. The top of Mount Rainier is covered in snow and there are twenty-seven glaciers. When it’s warm, a beautiful spectacle of snow, ice and rock can be seen falling down. On the walls of the volcano, coniferous trees grow to a height of 1.5 kilometers. Camping is possible on the specially landscaped areas in the park, but hotels can be found in Longmire.

North Cascades National Park

This national park was created in 1968 and consists of two parts: the North Unit and the South Unit. The park is not accessible for cars so you will have to travel further into the park on foot or on horseback.

It was created to preserve one of the largest mountain ranges in North America, the Cascade Range. The Cascade Range consists mainly of volcanic cones covered with snowfields and glaciers. The park is an ideal area for rock climbers, as there are more than 300 glaciers and many canyons. You can spend the night in the small towns that surround the North Cascades National Park.

Olympic National Park

An area of ​​80 kilometers along the coast of the Pacific Ocean is supposed to represent the Olympic National Park and it looks beautiful too. Rugged mountains, alpine meadows, glaciers, lakes, streams and forests of conifers are some examples of the beautiful nature in the park.

It also includes part of the Olympic Mountains and in the western part of the park (on the other side of the Olympic Mountains) there are rainforests, because there is 3600 mm of rainfall annually. This makes this national park one of the wettest areas in the entire United States. The summers are warm and beautiful and the autumn and winter are a bit on the cool side with many fog banks in the autumn. You can spend the night at the campsites in the park or in the hotels and cottages in Sol Duc, Lake Crescent, La Push and Kalaloch.

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Virginia https://www.ablogtophone.com/virginia/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:33:56 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=706 Introduction

Virginia (abbr.: VA or Va.) state of the United States of America, 105,716 km2, with 6.1 million inhabitants. (48 inhabitants per km2); capital city: Richmond.

Physical Geography

The eastern part consists of a 100 km wide and sandy coastal plain with many lagoons and in the south on the border of North Carolina a large swamp, Great Dismal Swamp. The length of the coastline is 5334 km, while the coast is only 180 km as the crow flies. The Potomac, Rappahannock, York and James rivers divide the coastal plain into large peninsulas with their 5 to 10 km wide mouths and gather in the 30 to 50 km wide Chesapeake Bay. The Delmarva Peninsula, which belongs to Virginia but is attached to Maryland, largely closes off Chesapeake Bay, the southern part of which belongs to Virginia. Off the ocean coast are numerous islets; in the Chesapeake Bay, Tangier, Watts, and Fox Islands belong to Virginia. The coastal plain ends at the Fall Line, the rift-defined transition to the Piedmont, the eastern fringe. It is an undulating landscape, consisting of an old crystalline subsoil, covered with layers of clay. The Blue Ridge (1200–1500 m high), which rises with an 800 m sheer ridge above the Piedmont, is strongly folded and consists of crystalline rock. West of the Blue Ridge is the Ridge and Valley area; broad valleys are separated here by sharp ridges. The valleys are on average 300 m high, the ridges rise above 1200 m. To the south is Mount Rogers (1746 m), the highest point in Virginia. This is where the Shenandoah National Park is located. To the west, this area is closed off by the 500 m high escarpment of the Allegheny Mountains. In the extreme southwest, part of Virginia belongs to the 1600 m high Appalachian Plateau. Except for the coastal plain, all the areas mentioned belong to the Appalachians. The Great Valley drainage goes north through the Shenandoah; it empties into the northern border river, the Potomac. The Jackson and Cowpasture flow south to the James River, which meets the North and Appomattox east of the Blue Ridge. In the south, the Roanoke also breaks through the Blue Ridge, but flows south of Virginia. A large dam has been built in this river on the border with North Carolina, creating a reservoir (John H. Kerr Reservoir, 200 km2). The Rappahannock and its tributary the Rapidan rise on the east side of the Blue Ridge. The Pamunkey and its tributaries rise on the Piedmont. The rivers are navigable up to the Fall Line, where the rapids begin. Virginia has many hot springs. Virginia has a maritime climate in the east; to the west the temperature differences become greater. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, with a maximum in the summer months; in the Great Valley precipitation is significantly less than elsewhere. At Richmond, the average monthly temperatures in January are 2.5 °C and in July 25.5°C; the annual precipitation is 106 cm.

Population

The average population density is 56 inhabitants. per km2. About 69% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond and Newport News. See top cities in Virginia.

Economy

The main sectors of the economy are services, industry and trade. Public service (local, state, and national) employs a large proportion of the workforce; about half of these are in federal (military or civilian) service. Besides the Pentagon (at Arlington, opposite Washington) there are a large number of other military institutions in the state. The Port of Hampton Roads (Norfolk) is one of the major ports of the United States. The industry produces chemical products, cigars and cigarettes, food and transport equipment, plastics (especially synthetic fibres), also textiles, paper and furniture. Agriculture mainly produces tobacco, maize, hay, fruit (apples) and groundnuts; the livestock includes cattle (dairy production), poultry and pigs. The main mineral is coal; furthermore, there are o.

Sights

Tourism is of great significance, with attractions such as the Arlington National Cemetery, the Colonial National Historical Park with the restored town of Williamsburg, and the Jamestown Settlement, Shenandoah National Park (782 km2), from which the Blue Ridge National Parkway towers over the ridge of the Blue Ridge leads southwest into North Carolina, and the Civil War battlefields of Manassas, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg.

History

Virginia, named after the English ‘virgin queen’ Elizabeth I, is the oldest English colony in North America. It is therefore nicknamed The Old Dominion. The first settlement of settlers took place in 1607 under Captain John Smith. The hardships were initially great. The situation improved, however, when a good economic basis was found in the cultivation of tobacco in 1614. In 1619 Virginia already got its own parliament (‘House of Burgesses’). In the same year the first slaves were imported. In 1622 the Indians in the area revolted in vain. In 1624, King James I revoked the charter of the Virginia Company. Virginia became a crown colony and the colony flourished, especially under the governorship of Sir William Berkeley (1642–1652; 1660–1672).

Virginia flourished in the 18th century. The western boundary of the state was unclear; settlers who penetrated into the Ohio Valley area clashed with the French there. The French threat disappeared after the ‘French and Indian war’ (1755–1762) and after that the Indians could also be defeated in 1774 (Battle of Point Pleasant). With Massachusetts, Virginia played a leading role in the American Revolutionary War.

Conventions, meeting in 1774–1776, assumed sovereignty. In 1776, a Bill of Rights was passed, which would serve as an example throughout America. There was fierce fighting on the territory of the state; at Yorktown the final capitulation of the English troops took place (1781). Virginia also played a large part in the further development of the new Union. Jefferson (designer of the Declaration of Independence), Madison (Father of the Constitution), and Washington (first president) were from Virginia, as were all presidents between 1801 and 1825. Virginia joined the Union in 1788 as the tenth of the original 13 colonies.

The backlash came through the slavery issue. As early as the 18th century, the contradiction between the coastal area floating on slavery on the one hand and the western mountainous region rejecting the slavery system on the other had already become apparent in the state. In 1831, the last open debates on the issue of slavery took place in the Legislative Assembly. In the same year, Nat Turner’s failed slave revolt took place. After that, there was no longer any freedom and Virginia became the heart of the slave region. It joined the Confederate States in April 1861. The Capital (since 1779) Richmond now became the capital of the entire South. Virginia suffered greatly during the American Civil War. The western highlands remained loyal to the Union and seceded as the separate state of West Virginia. After the Civil War, the occupation by the North and the Reconstruction followed. In 1870, Virginia was readmitted to the Union. It has remained an extremely conservative state ever since, ruled by a white oligarchy, which eliminated not only the Negroes, but also most of the poor whites in the political process. The state’s foremost leader of the 20th century, Governor (1926–1930) and Senator (1933–1965) Harry Byrd, had long reigned supreme through his political “machine,” a tight-knit organization. When the racial problem became urgent in the 1950s, Virginia, led by Byrd, embarked on a policy of massive resistance, which had to be abandoned in 1959. In the 1960s, the Byrd machine came crashing down as a result of the massive extension of suffrage through the new 1965 electoral law, which opened the way for democratic development. Since then, both Democrats and Republicans have been in power. In 1989, L. Douglas Wilder won the gubernatorial election. He became the first black governor in United States history.

Virginia History

Virginia National Parks

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in northwestern Virginia. In the park you can enjoy the beautiful hilly landscape, the many rivers and the huge waterfalls. The Shenadouh River flows through the Shenadouh Valley, giving the park its name.

The climate in the park is very rough and rain often falls despite the hot summers. The winters, on the other hand, are harsh and there is always a chance of snow. Lodging can be found in Stanley, Luray, New Market, Elkton or Waynesboro.

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Vermont https://www.ablogtophone.com/vermont/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:33:27 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=692 Introduction

Vermont (abbr.: VT or Vt.), state of the United States of America, 24,887 km2, with 563,000 inhabitants; capital: Montpelier.

Physical Geography

Nearly the entire state is occupied by geologically ancient mountain formations, the Green Mountains (highest point Mount Mansfield, 1,339 m), which are a continuation of the easternmost fold ridge of the Appalachians. To the southwest, the Taconic Mountains form a high plateau-like partition to the low-lying Valley and Ridge area. Of these, the depression along the western boundary lake, Lake Champlain, is the only significant depression in the state. About 70% of the area is covered with forest. Southwestern Vermont belongs to the Hudson River basin, the east to Connecticut, and the rest to the St. Lawrence. Lake Champlain (160 km long), which contains a number of islands, is the largest lake east of the Great Lakes. Of the approximately 330 smaller, statewide lakes, most of them were created by glaciation and deposition in moraines in the Pleistocene epoch. The most important are Lake Willoughby, Dunmore, Bomoseen, Whitingham, St. Catharine and Memphremagog. Summers are short and cool, winters long. In Burlington, on Lake Champlain, the average temperature in January is -7 °C and in July 20 °C. Most rain falls in July and September. Much precipitation falls in the form of snow (often from December to April), an average of 165 cm. Most rain falls in July and September. Much precipitation falls in the form of snow (often from December to April), an average of 165 cm. Most rain falls in July and September. Much precipitation falls in the form of snow (often from December to April), an average of 165 cm.

Population

The average population density is 23 inhabitants. per km2. About 32% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Burlington and Rutland. See top cities in Vermont.

Economy

Agriculture and forestry occupy an important place in the economy of the state, as does tourism, which employs a large part of the labor force. The largest part of the agricultural area is occupied by livestock farms (milk and milk products). Arable farming, mainly practiced in the lower parts of the state, where the soil is better, mainly supplies grass and hay for livestock, and also maize, potatoes, oats; apples and maple syrup are the most important horticultural products. Forestry supplies wood to more than 500 sawmills; The trade in Christmas trees is important. The main minerals are granite, marble, slate and tallow. The industry mainly produces machines; furthermore for foodstuffs, electronics, marble products, textiles, wood products.

Sights

The state, one of the states of New England, is excellently accessible for tourism; there is opportunity for fishing, golf and skiing. Green Mountain National Forest covers over 2000 km2 of the Green Mountains (from which the state gets its name; v. Fr. verts monts = green mountains). In Bennington, a battle in the Liberation War is commemorated and works by Grandma Moses hang in the museum. Arlington has a permanent exhibition of work by the illustrator Norman Rockwell.

History

Located on the border between the colonies of England and France, the area was a constant battleground in the wars between these two countries in the 18th century. The first settlements arose in the middle of the 18th century; in 1777 the inhabitants declared their independence from England. In 1791, Vermont became the first new state to be admitted to the Union of Thirteen States. Vermont again became a battleground in the War of 1812 against England. In the American Civil War, the state sided with the Union.

Vermont History

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Utah https://www.ablogtophone.com/utah/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:33:07 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=697 Introduction

Utah (abbr.: UT or Ut.), state of the United States of America, 219,932 km2, with 1.8 million inhabitants; capital city: Salt Lake City.

Physical Geography

Utah forms the transition area of ​​three landscape types of the United States:

  1. The western part is formed by the edge of the Great Basin, a drainless dry plateau with various deserts, including in the north the Great Salt Lake Desert, large parts of which are covered with salt layers. The freshwater Utah Lake (approx. 390 km2) drains via the Jordan to the large terminal lake Great Salt Lake (varying from approx. 3000 to approx. 4000 km2; salinity fluctuating between 30 and 15%). To the south are two more desert areas: Sevier Desert with the salty, dry Sevier Lake and Escalante Desert with the Little Salt Lake.
  2. The central part consists of an offshoot of the Rocky Mountains, the Wasatch Range, a 250 km long skewed mountain plaice, which is sharply separated from the Great Basin by a large fault. The west-east running Uinta Mountains separate the Central and Southern Rockies; Kings Peak (4123 m) is the highest point in the state.
  3. The southeastern part, part of the Colorado Plateau, is a dry plateau of mainly sandstone, in which deep canyons have been cut by the rivers (now a national park or national monument). In southeastern Utah, a few ‘domes’ have formed in the flat plateau; magma in the form of laccolites has superimposed the horizontal layers: Henry Mountains, Abajo Mountains and La Sal Mountains.

The main river is the Colorado, with its two tributaries, Green River and San Juan River. A dam in Arizona pushes the Colorado into Glen Canyon (Lake Powell). The southern part of the Wasatch Range is drained by the Sevier into Sevier Lake; the northern part drains into the Great Salt Lake via the Jordan, Weber and Bear. Small dams use a lot of water for irrigation.

The climate is generally dry, especially in the west, where precipitation rarely exceeds 100 mm per year and in some years none. 370 mm falls annually in Salt Lake City, on the western slope of the Wasatch Range about 1000 mm (in the highest parts in the form of snow). The average temperature in Salt Lake City is -2°C in January and 24°C in July.

The vegetation in Utah is sparse everywhere, only the higher parts of the Wasatch Range, Uinta Mountains and the domes in the southeast are heavily forested.

Population

The average population density is 8 inhabitants. per km2. About 87% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo. Approx. 70% of Utah’s population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). See top cities in Utah.

Economy

Since the Second World War, public services, trade and industry have been the main economic pillars (together accounting for more than 70% of income). The industry is in the most dynamic sector: the metal, machine and food industries are the most important. Also petrochemical industry and manufacturing of transport equipment, electronics, publishing, printing. Hardly less important is mining (mainly oil, copper and coal; also magnesium, gold, asphalt, lead, silver and zinc). Agriculture and horticulture produce grain, sugar beet, potatoes, fruit. Livestock includes sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry.

Sights

Attractions are the national parks and natural monuments. In the northeast, on the border with Colorado, is Dinosaur National Monument, where giant Cretaceous fossils have been found. To the southeast are Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument (where Uinta Creek has carved three natural bridges) and Rainbow Bridge National Monument (with 94 m height and a span of 85 m the largest natural bridge in the world). Further west are Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park; especially in the latter, the strong vertical erosion has created a fascinating landscape of thousands of pink, white and purple rocks in whimsical shapes. In addition, the Great Salt Lake, the so-called Monument Valley in the Navaho Reservation on the border with Arizona, with beautiful erosional landscapes and remains of Native American cave habitation, and various monuments of the Mormons (mainly in and around Salt Lake City). Nature also offers ample opportunity for all kinds of outdoor recreation. Around Salt Lake City, for example, there are a number of beautiful winter sports areas.

History

The Spaniards, led by Coronado, were probably the first whites to enter the area around 1540. It was not attractive to settlers. In 1776 two Franciscan monks wintered. After that, it was a transit area for explorers and pioneers heading west. The country would not develop until the Mormons settled in 1847. The Mormons who had emigrated from the United States under the leadership of Brigham Young organized the state of ‘Deseret’ in 1849. The federal government in Washington was suspicious of the new community, including on the grounds of officially permitted polygamy, and rejected applications for entry into the Union. Utah was formed in 1850. A theocratic state emerged in Utah with Young as dictator. Outside slander enticed U.S. President Buchanan to invade in 1857. The panicked Mormons armed themselves and staged a gruesome raid on a group of pioneers crossing their country. This resulted in 120 deaths (Mountain Meadows Massacre, Sept. 1857). A backsail was then removed from both sides. Contradictions between Mormons and non-Mormons in Utah subsequently unleashed more politically; the Mormon People’s Party and the anti-Mormon Liberal Party faced each other in the Legislative Assembly. The opening of the east-west railroad in 1869 led to an influx of immigrants and great prosperity. But Mormon rule persisted and prevented joining the United States as a state. Only when polygamy was revoked in 1890, the way was clear and in 1896 Utah was admitted to the Union as the (45th) state. Since then it has developed calmly and steadily.

Utah History

National Parks Utah

Arches National Park

Stone arches (arches), rock columns, spires, pedestals and other sculptures are the most attractive features of Arches National Park. These natural structures have the ability to change color due to the amount of sunlight that falls on them. By default, the stones have a red sandstone color that is caused by erosion. Wind and water were the main natural forces that caused all kinds of strange shapes to be carved into the sandstone. From May to August it is possible to look at wild flowers in the park, because only then they grow. There are also animals such as the prairie wolf, deer, foxes, ground squirrels, rabbits, scorpions, rattlesnakes and many species of birds. The park is an ideal place to take a walking tour,

Bryce Canyon National Park

Southwestern Utah is home to Bryce Canyon National Park, which was created in 1928. To get to the rim of Bryce Canyon you will have to make a long trek through the woods to find a nice view. The sandstone found in Bryce Canyon can also change color as the amount of sunlight increases or decreases. Ground squirrels, prairie dogs, lynx, badgers, coyotes, cougars, and mule deer are the largest critters roaming the park. The Bryce Canyon Lodge is the ideal place to stay between May and the end of September as it houses a hotel and restaurant.

Canyonlands National Park

This is one of the roughest national parks in the United States and consists of a maze of gorges and canyons that can reach a depth of 300 meters. The Colorado River and the Green River converge in this park and then collapse together into the abyss of Cataract Canyon. This whitewater road is seen by the Americans as the most difficult of the United States. Canyonlands National Park was created in 1964 and covers an area of ​​1,367 km². The national park has a desert climate and therefore the temperatures are very high in the summer and still quite pleasant in the winter. To stay overnight in the national park, you are referred to the camping areas at Squaw Flat or Willow Flat. To get to know the park well, it is best to take a trip by canoe,

Capitol Reef National Park

Much like Canyonlands National Park, this park was created to preserve the natural rock formations created by erosion and to protect Native American heritage. The park takes its name from the Capitol Dome. That is a large rock that is very high and resembles the dome of the Capitol in Washington DC. Two parts divide the park, namely Capitol Gorge to the south and Cathedral Valley to the north. Capitol Gorge is a narrow gorge that traverses Waterpocket Field and Cathedral Valley is a valley in which large rocks 150 meters high rise from the ground. It is best to spend the night in one of the following towns: Torrey, Bicknell, Loa or Fremont.

Zion National Park

The Zion Canyon is the main attraction of this national park. This canyon is 24 kilometers long and over 800 meters deep. The rocks and other natural formations were formed over 200 million years ago. The area is home to over 230 species of birds and consists largely of forests of pine, aspen, silver pine and Douglas fir. It can snow in Zion National Park between the end of December and March, so the roads will be impassable for some time, but they are usually cleaned. The average temperature in winter is 12 degrees Celsius and in summer between 32 and 39 degrees Celsius.

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Texas https://www.ablogtophone.com/texas/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:32:41 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=687 Introduction

Texas (abbr.: TX or Tex.), state of the United States of America, 692,407 km2, with 17 million inhabitants; capital city: Austin.

Physical Geography

Texas consists of three plains, which rise in terraces to the west. The approximately 250 km wide coastal plain is parallel to the strongly articulated coast. The rivers have formed deep bays. Off the coast are elongated sandbanks behind which vast lagoons have formed. To the west, the coastal plain is closed off by the Blacklands, a rich agricultural area, beyond which rises the Balcones Escarpment (200 to 900 m) at the beginning of the prairie area of ​​the Great Plains, the central part of which consists of the Llano Estacado or Staked Plains, a dry steppe area, partly with a desert character, that rises to 1500 m. The western part, Trans-Pecos-Texas, is a rough plateau. Here rise the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with Guadalupe Peak (2667 m, the highest point in the state). The northern border river Red River, in which the large reservoir Lake Texoma (approx. 450 km2) is located near Denison, is a tributary of the Mississippi. Virtually all other rivers flow directly into the Gulf of Mexico; from east to west the most important are: Sabine, Brazos, Colorado and the 3030 km long Rio Grande with its left tributary the Pecos. The climate differences in this vast state are very large. The southeast is subtropical, the northwest has a continental climate. The state suffers greatly from tornadoes and in winter from cold northerly winds, the Northers. Most rain falls in the summer half of the year, but because of the strong evaporation, Texas is very dry.

Population

The average population density is 24 inhabitants. per km2. About 80% of the population lives in urban areas. More than a quarter of the population is of Hispanic (Mexican) background. The largest cities are Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso and Austin. See top cities in Texas.

Economy

Texas is the most important mining state in the United States (petroleum, natural gas, also cement, salt, helium, gypsum), but also one of the most important agricultural states. The main crops are cotton, grains and sorghum; further to pecan and groundnuts and fruit. Livestock includes cattle (largest number in the United States), sheep, and pigs. Since the 1930s, Texas industry has grown exponentially. Most important is the processing of minerals (petroleum refining) and agricultural products (canned meat). Also of importance are the production of chemical products (including synthetic rubber), the food industry, the manufacture of transport equipment (especially aerospace) and machinery, printing and publishing houses. The main industrial centers are Dallas and Houston.

Sights

The state is home to many natural landmarks, including Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Padre Island National Seashore, Caddo Lake State Park, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, and Longhorn Cavern State Park. There are a number of well-preserved or restored 18th-century missions, especially in and around San Antonio.

History

As early as 1519, the Spaniard Alonso de Pineda explored the coast from Florida to Mexico. The area became a Spanish province, but there was hardly any colonization, as the land was barren and dry and there was a constant threat from Indian tribes. It was not until the 19th century that there were real changes. In 1821, American settler leader Moses Austin received a charter from the Provisional Hispano-Mexican government to bring two hundred families to Texas. In 1825 Mexico, which had meanwhile become independent, opened the area completely to colonization; the Americans were now flocking in. Since 1830, the Mexican government has hindered immigration and sought to abolish slavery. This led to skirmishes with the settlers. After suffering a number of defeats in 1835, The settlers led by Sam Houston managed to inflict a decisive defeat on Mexican dictator Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836). The settlers now proclaimed the independent republic of Texas, with Houston on Oct. 1836 became the first president. The United States immediately recognized the new republic. Since Texas was pro-slavery, the North of the United States prevented Texas’s desired affiliation. It was not until March 1, 1845, that then-President of Texas, Anson Jones, and US President Tyler succeeded in pushing through the annexation. Texas was directly incorporated as a state (the 28th) into the Union, ie. it was not first given the usual territorial status. It also ruled that slavery was allowed in Texas.

In the new state, Houston initially regained the lead. Against his wishes, Texas chose the Confederate States and secession in 1861. After the Civil War, Texas remained occupied until 1870 and maintained a rule of “carpet baggers” until 1874. With this term the Texans referred to the people from the north who arrived with all their possessions in a single bag (carpet bag). In the last decades of the 19th century, Texas experienced a major boom through livestock farming, later especially through drilling for petroleum. However, the mass of the population lived in poverty. The Populists therefore acquired a strong following. The fact that poor whites came to power led to certain reforms at the beginning of the 20th century, but also to a further decline of the black population (segregation measures; revival of the Ku Klux Klan ca. 1920). Picturesque, corrupt figures often dominated the political scene. Yet the picture was not all bleak. Reforms came about and Roosevelt’s New Deal aroused much admiration in addition to much resistance. The fact that Texas is not only a state in the deep south of the United States, but also a state in the west with a more liberal tradition, became clear especially after 1954. The integration of blacks in the schools was done with considerably less conflict than in the rest of the south.

Texas History

National Parks Texas

Big Bend National Park

The Big Bend National Park can be found in the largest bend of the Rio Grande and Big Bend means “big bend” so that is where the park owes its name. The park is really little more than a big desert with canyons and rock formations that appear out of nowhere. Cars and RVs are welcome virtually throughout the park, and overnight stays are available at the campgrounds at The Basin, Castolon, Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The Guadalupe Mountains completely surround the park and therefore it consists entirely of mountains. The park also contains a gigantic gorge, the McKittrick Canyon, which penetrates deep into the earth’s crust. It borders the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and, like there, has a semi-desert climate. The closest campgrounds are in the cities of Carlsbad (New Mexico) and Van Horn (Texas) and hotels are located near the cities of Whites City (New Mexico). Mexico) and Dell City (Texas).

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Tennessee https://www.ablogtophone.com/tennessee/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:32:21 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=684 Introduction

Tennessee (abbr.: TN or Tenn.), state of the United States of America, 109,412 km2, with 4.9 million inhabitants; Capital: Nashville.

Physical Geography

Tennessee consists of six different areas, the first three of which belong to East Tennessee: 1. The eastern mountain region along the eastern border, mainly formed by the Unaka and Great Smoky Mountains (part of the Appalachians), consists mainly of granite. The ‘Smokies’ are largely located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Clingmans Dome, 2025 m, highest point in the state). 2. The 50 to 100 km wide valley of the southwest flowing Upper Tennessee and its tributaries. 3. In the west, the valley changes abruptly into the approximately 350 m higher Cumberland Plateau, also part of the Appalachians. 4. To the west this plateau merges into a lower, almost flat area, the Highland Rim, which occupies much of central Tennessee. 5. The Highland Rim saves approx. 125 m deep elliptical lowland plain, the Nashville Basin, one of the state’s most fertile agricultural areas (“Garden of Tennessee”). 6. West Tennessee consists of an undulating plain that spans the area between the Tennessee (which re-enters the state here and bisects the state from south to north) and the Mississippi, and from which extends at the edge of the Mississippi Valley a loess range of hills, the so-called Bluffs, exalted. The Mississippi (which forms the border with Missouri and Arkansas) has created numerous dead arms (bayou’s) and swamps here. There are no significant natural lakes, but a large number of reservoirs, such as Watts Barlake, Chickamauga Lake and Kentucky Lake in the Tennessee River, and Lake Barkley, Old Hickory Lake and Dale Hollow Lake in the Cumberland River in the north of the state.

Population

The average population density is 45 inhabitants. per km2. Approximately 61% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga. See top cities in Tennessee.

Economy

The vast majority of the workforce works in industry. The main other occupational categories are services, retail and agriculture (still in first place in 1940). The main crops grown are cotton, tobacco, grains and soybeans; further to potatoes, vegetables and fruit; livestock accounts for about 50% of agricultural income and includes sheep, cattle and pigs. The forest area comprises about 40% of the total area of ​​the state. Sawwood is the main product. The main mineral is coal. Tennessee is the country’s first producer of clay, zinc, and pyrite. Other minerals include phosphate, copper, marble, mica and cement. The manufacture of chemical products (including plastics) is the main industry.

Sights

Most visitors flock to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for its scenic beauty, and the cities of Nashville and Memphis for its music. The state has a large number of natural caves. Historical monuments mainly remind of the Civil War.

History

Tennessee was originally home to the Cherokee and Shawnee. It is assumed that Hernan(do) de Soto was the first European to explore the area in 1541, but substantial exploration did not take place until the end of the 17th century by the French, who descended the Mississippi (including La Salle) and the English, who came east. The entire area fell to the English at the end of the Seven Years’ War (1763). In 1769, the first permanent settlement was founded, from Virginia. In 1784, settlers in eastern Tennessee formed the state of Franklin, which existed until 1789. In 1790 the whole area was organized as a territory, in 1796 as a Union state (Tennessee was the 16th state to accede). West Tennessee developed into a quintessential southern cotton area with slavery, the mountainous east to a land of small farmers. Politically, this led to a sharp contradiction, which became apparent when the American Civil War broke out. The west stood behind the secession, the east fought on the side of the Union under the leadership of the future President A. Johnson.

Next to Virginia, Tennessee was the area where the fighting was most intense (Battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Nashville). After the war, Tennessee escaped occupation by the North because it immediately signed the 14th Amendment. The fact that there was later resistance to the North can be deduced from the fact that Tennessee, like the other Southern states, showed a close connection with the Democratic party (with the exception of the mountain people) and at the end of the 19th century the segregation measures against the Negroes. The generally poor and backward area experienced a major boom with the Tennessee Valley Authority (1933), which was created as part of the New Deal. Politically, the state also emerged from its rigidity;

The moderation of the state was confirmed in the calm way in which the integration of the schools was generally accepted after the Supreme Court decision in 1954. Important to the revival of Tennessee was the cultural impetus emanating from the capital Nashville and the Vanderbilt University has been located there since 1873. An important group of poets, the Fugitives, manifested themselves here in the 1920s. In their classic work I’ll take my stand (1930) they preached an agrarian idealism with a conservative tint, but their performance represented a powerful renewal that made itself felt throughout the South. During this same period, Nashville developed as a center for country-and-western music.

Tennessee History

Tennessee National Parks

Badlands National Park

In 1978 this area was declared a national park, because it has beautiful gorges, small hills and countless gullies. The name Badlands was coined by the Indians and trappers because that’s what they called the dry deep gorges in the highlands of South Dakota. The area has become famous for the discovery of fossils of animals from prehistoric times. Today, the bison is back grazing in Badlands National Park after a long absence. Some other animals that occur are the prairie dog, deer, eagles and hawks. In the summer you have to watch out for the prairie rattlesnake, because this snake is poisonous. The park entrance can be found at the Cedar Pass Visitor Center.

Wind Cave National Park

This park can be found on the southern side of the Black Hills. The park was established in 1903 and takes its name from caves through which a lot of air is pushed by the change in atmospheric pressure. Now and then you can hear a real wind blowing through the cave with a whistling sound. The rest of the park consists of mixed grasses, various wild flower species and a quarter of the park consists of pine forests. Summers are very hot in the park and temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and winters are exceptionally harsh. The park is accessible through the town of Hot Springs in the south and through an entrance in the east. You can spend the night at the campsites in the park or in the town of Hot Springs, which also has restaurants.

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South Dakota https://www.ablogtophone.com/south-dakota/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:32:02 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=701 Introduction

South Dakota (abbr.: SK or S.Dak.), state of the United States of America, 199,552 km2, population 696,000; capital: Pierre.

Fiscal Geography

South Dakota is part of both the Central Lowlands and Great Plains of the United States and is divided into an eastern and a western part by a highland called the Coteau de Missouri. The low eastern part is characterized by low hills and hundreds of lakes. The soil mainly consists of fertile black soil. The higher western part is part of the Great Plains. Far to the west are the north-south running Black Hills (180 km long, 90 km wide); highest point (also in the state) is Harney Peak (2207 m). Southeast of the Black Hills, a landscape has eroded into the fine-grained rock (Badlands), where deep ravines and rocks of fantastic shapes have arisen (Badlands National Park). The main river, which bisects the state approximately in the middle from north to south, is the Missouri. Within the South Dakota area, this river is divided into elongated reservoirs (Lake Oahe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis and Clark Lake) by four large dams to prevent silt transport. The climate has a strong continental character.

Population

The average population density is 3.5 inhabitants. per km2. About 50% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Sioux Falls and Rapid City. See top cities in South Dakota.

Economy

South Dakota is one of the most agriculturally retained states in the United States, although industrialization is increasing. Livestock is the main agricultural activity and includes cattle, sheep, pig and poultry farming. The main agricultural crops are maize, wheat, oats, rye and alfalfa. Forestry is concentrated in the Black Hills. Of the – not so extensive – mining, gold mining is the most important; furthermore for oil extraction, sand and gravel, uranium. The main branches of industry are food processing and manufacture of electronic and agricultural equipment; printing industry and publishing houses.

Sights

The mountain regions are important recreational areas, with extensive ski accommodation in the Black Hills, among others. There are also a number of parks (including Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park) and game reserves (including Custer State Park, Norbeck Preserve). Worth seeing is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, southwest of Rapid City, where the (20 m high) heads of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt are carved into a high granite rock. In the vicinity, since 1948, the Crazy Horse Mountain Carving (170×195 m), depicting Sioux chief Crazy Horse on a horse, has been worked on. Deadwood is home to an old gold mine, historical museums and a number of casinos.

History

Before the arrival of the Europeans, the region was inhabited by several Indian tribes: the Arikara along the Missouri, an agricultural tribe, constantly at war with the mainly nomadic tribes of the Sioux. Dome-shaped burial chambers point to earlier occupation in prehistoric times. In 1742–1743, French explorers, the La Vérendrye brothers, invaded the area, burying a lead slab in the ground as proof of France’s claims to this land (discovered in 1913). In 1794 Truteau, a Frenchman in the service of the Spaniards, traveled north along the Missouri and wintered. In 1804 Lewis and Clark passed through. Now the fur trade began to focus on this area; Pierre Chouteau Jr. took a steamer up the Missouri in 1831 and built a fort on the site of the later capital, which is named after him. The war with the Sioux in 1862 drove out most of the settlers who had arrived at the time. In the winter of 1875–76 there was a gold rush to the Black Hills, which had been promised to the Indians as a residence, which led to a war. In 1889, the Dakota Territory was divided into two states, North and South Dakota (39th and 40th state of the Union, respectively). In 1890, a final war with the Indians was waged at Wounded Knee. The agricultural economy was severely affected by the 1993 floods in the Midwestern United States (around Missouri River).

South Dakota History

National Parks South Dakota

Badlands National Park

In 1978 this area was declared a national park, because it has beautiful gorges, small hills and countless gullies. The name Badlands was coined by the Indians and trappers because that’s what they called the dry deep gorges in the highlands of South Dakota. The area has become famous for the discovery of fossils of animals from prehistoric times. Today, the bison is back grazing in Badlands National Park after a long absence. Some other animals that occur are the prairie dog, deer, eagles and hawks. In the summer you have to watch out for the prairie rattlesnake, because this snake is poisonous. The park entrance can be found at the Cedar Pass Visitor Center.

Wind Cave National Park

This park can be found on the southern side of the Black Hills. The park was established in 1903 and takes its name from caves through which a lot of air is pushed by the change in atmospheric pressure. Now and then you can hear a real wind blowing through the cave with a whistling sound. The rest of the park consists of mixed grasses, various wild flower species and a quarter of the park consists of pine forests. Summers are very hot in the park and temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and winters are exceptionally harsh. The park is accessible through the town of Hot Springs in the south and through an entrance in the east. You can spend the night at the campsites in the park or in the town of Hot Springs, which also has restaurants.

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South Carolina https://www.ablogtophone.com/south-carolina/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 18:31:42 +0000 https://www.ablogtophone.com/?p=696 Introduction

South Carolina (abbr.: SC or S.Car.), state of the United States of America, 80,432 km2, 3.5 million inhabitants; capital: Columbia.

Physical Geography

The extreme northwest of the state is part of the Appalachian Mountains (Blue Ridge Mountains; highest peak in the state: Sassafras, 1085 m) and rises about 400 m above the Piedmont, the undulating landscape that descends slowly to the southeast to approx. 150 m. The crystalline rocks of the Piedmont merge with a sharp edge, the fall line, into the coastal plain, which comprises about 2/3 of the state. The rivers are navigable from the fall line. Three major rivers flow southeast through the state: the Pee Dee in the northeast, the Santee in the middle, which is formed by the confluence of several rivers, and the Savannah, which forms most of the border with Georgia in the southwest.. Dams have created a number of large reservoirs, such as Lake Murray, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. The estuaries consist of lagoons and lakes, connected parallel to the coast by channels (Intracoastal Waterway), due to the presence of sandbanks, swamps and islands with dunes. The climate ranges from temperate in the northwest to subtropical in the southeast.

Population

The average population density is 42 inhabitants. per km2. About 55% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Charleston and Columbia. See top cities in South Carolina.

Economy

In the 20th century, South Carolina has changed from a predominantly agricultural state to a distinctly industrial state. The textile and clothing industry are by far the most important. Also important are the production of chemicals, foodstuffs, industrial machines, pottery, rubber, plastics, metal products, electronics, transport equipment and products of the wood processing industry (timber, paper, wood pulp, etc.). Tobacco is the main crop, followed by soybeans and corn. Furthermore, for vegetables, fruits and cotton. Livestock includes cattle, pigs and poultry. The main mining products are gold, cement, kaolin, clay, sand and gravel, vermiculite.

Sights

Major attractions in South Carolina include the cities of Charleston and Georgetown, with their historic districts, and along the coast, the area around Myrtle Beach, known as the Grand Strand, and Hilton Head Island. In a number of places there are reminders of the Freedom War and the Civil War (including Fort Sumter National Monument).

History

The area was colonized by the French in 1562, but only definitively by the English in 1670, when the city of Charleston was founded. The colony prospered through the fur trade with the Indians and later through the importation of slaves for agriculture. After the American Revolutionary War (the state joined the Union as the 8th state in 1788), it became the leading state of the South in the defense of slavery. In the American Civil War, South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union in 1860. The state suffered greatly from the war, the capital Columbia was completely destroyed by Sherman. In 1890 the power of the old planter aristocracy was broken by the peasants’ party, which brought some social reform but was strongly anti-black and enforced strict segregation.

South Carolina History

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