Mecca - the most visited city in the world.

MECCA - the holy city of all Muslims, the full name of Al-Makkah Al-Mukarramah, which means "brilliant Mecca".

Mecca is located in the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the historic Hejaz region, located about 75 km from the Red Sea. Mecca is at an altitude of 300 meters in a valley surrounded by low mountains.

Mecca is known from the IV century AD. In Mecca, 570, was born the founder of the Islamic religion - prophet Muhammad (Muhammad). Here, about 610, he began to preach his ideas on the basis of which arose a new religion - Islam. In the 624, while in exile in Medina, the Prophet Muhammad introduced a rule according to which his followers, which was called "Muslims" should seek in prayer toward Mecca. (Before that, for several years, Muslims turned prayeing towards Jerusalem). In 630, when Muhammad after the exile returned to Mecca, he cleared the Ka'bah of pagan idols (and according to legend, these idols have been 340) and proclaimed it to the main shrine of Muslims . Since Mecca is the spiritual center of Islam, a sacred city for all Muslims. "Mother of cities" - Mecca is called in the Qur'an.

Century have passed away... Today Mecca is a modern city with a population of over 1 million people. But today, just as many years ago, life is connected with Mecca, the Muslim holy sites - and the Ka'ba was built around the Haram. Holy Haram Mosque (Al-Masezh al-Haram, which in Arabic means "Sacred Mosque"), located in the heart of Mecca.

Inside the building mosque is equipped with an the high level. It is enough to say that the building has 7 escalators and air is conditioned in rooms. There are special rooms for prayer and committing ablutions, and these rooms are divided into male and female.

Haram Mosque can accommodate up to 700 thousand people, true believers are placed at the same time, even on the roof of the building, which, however, for this and specially designed.

In the center of the mosque on the square, lined with marble slabs, is a sanctuary Kaaba, which Muslims are often referred to as al-Bait al-Haram, which means "sacred house".

Kaaba is a cube-shaped stone building, whose base is 10 m by 12 m and height is 15 meters (Incidentally, the word "Kaaba" comes the word "cube".) Corners of the Ka'ba are oriented to the cardinal. Kaaba is covered with a black silk cloth, having a special name "kiswa". The veil is changing every year. The upper part of the curtain is decorated with gold-embroidered sayings from the Koran. Maxims from the Koran adorn the veil, closing the door to the Kaaba. This door, by the way, is made of pure gold and weighs 286 kg.

Mecca and its environs are considered sacred ground: are forbidden the wars, cutting trees, killing living beings, except for slaughter of animals for food and sacrifice. Haram ( "Sanctuary") sometimes called the Mecca of all the surrounding areas.

Mecca is probably the most visited city in the world. At present only during the hajj Mecca is visited by 2 million people. Therefore, virtually all life in Mecca associated with servicing the pilgrims visiting the city. For the pilgrims in Mecca are built modern hotels, many of which are located in the vicinity of the Haram. However, during the Hajj pilgrims, most people are living in tents in special camps.

Jerusalem - is one of the most unique cities in the world...

The Jewish word "the Jerusalem" means "place of peace", the Arabic name of the city "Al Quds" is translated as "holiness" - the city is the most sacred city on earth for the three great religions of the world: for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Tourists tend to Jerusalem because of the world's religions: the Western Wall, the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher, Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque: famous historic sites and colorful bustling bazaar - everything is right in the Old City (formerly East Jerusalem). In the part of the city, which formerly was called West Jerusalem, all the attractions appeared after the establishment of Israel: the Knesset, Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, the Hadassah Hospital. To the east of the Old City is the ancient Mount of Olives Jewish cemetery, it is better to go through the Garden of Gethsemane.

Wailing Wall or Kotel Ha-Maaravi (Western Wall) is the remains of Herodian structures strengthen the Temple Mount in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Wall 15-meter height above ground and below ground - is 7 m, the upper part is composed, apparently, in later periods of the Crusaders and later. The wall was built of huge blocks without any cement, and stones were very precisely adjusted to each other.

The wall was built by Herod without permission of Rome. Herod, being subservient to the Roman emperors, was obliged to seek permission for such construction, especially after the emperor Octavian Augustus desired to put in the Jerusalem Temple's own statue, which was avoided only with great difficulty. Herod went to the following trick: he sent a messenger to Rome for permission, and meanwhile, began construction. While the messenger reached the city, yet had an audience with the emperor, much time has passed, and the reconstruction was completed. In a response letter to the Emperor, it was stated that: "If you began to build, it is not operational. If you started - destroy it. If finished - leave everything as it is. "

At the southern corner of the wall - later (Crusaders) hole for tying up horses. Partially preserved aqueduct, carved in stone. Prophet Jeremiah predicted that the Temple would be destroyed, but the Western Wall will remain for centuries, so the Wailing Wall, though is not exactly a wall of the Temple, but was closest to her, and is considered sacred Jewish people. Received its name because it is the Jews mourn the First and Second Temples, destroyed both in one day - 9 th of Av in different years. In the area of the Kotel many excavations, and continuing today - Ophelia and the Hasmonean Tunnel. Kotel released June 7, 1967 There is a modern tradition of stuffing between the stone walls of paper with references to the Almighty, it is believed that these requests come to it quickly.

Jerusalem - is one of the most unique cities in the world, UNESCO heritage city. Just imagine the streets of this city where Jesus went on! Even for people who believe, rather superficially, these words mean a lot. Shrine of 3 religions, Jerusalem today is astounding, and tours in Jerusalem is always in demand. Who is buying tours to Jerusalem? Ordinary people, tired of life, and seeking answers to their questions. A curious young people, trying to understand the precepts of antiquity and even for a moment closer to this culture. Married couples, who grant a trip to each other on the anniversary of the wedding.

It seems that Jerusalem - is really a city where dreams can come true. Everything here is unusual and fabulous. Trip to Jerusalem - a visit to the Old World. This is an opportunity to see old churches, magnificent architectural ensembles, live next to the ancient buildings, which are located close to hotels in Jerusalem. Hotels in Jerusalem deserve separate praise. Nowhere will you find such respect for the guests, such unexpected elegant architecture and such a great morning coffee. The best hotels in Jerusalem, located near the popular sightseeing places, and ordering tours in Jerusalem, you can pre-negotiate the most convenient location. If you want to get into the best hotels in Jerusalem, it is wise to book rooms in advance.

Wise and generous Jerusalem skillfully combines traditional values and mores of our time. Your fabulous trip to Jerusalem certainly spill into an exotic, which are matched only by the European week of sales. Here you can find everything your heart desires: and stylish jeans, and scarves handmade, and ecclesiastical objects, and skilled gold ornaments. Ask your guide to what area of the city you'd better to go shopping and where to buy the most interesting souvenirs.

Israel - is the cradle of world civilization, the Holy Land of three world religions.

This is a country that each person should visit at least once. This is one of the most fascinating countries in the world where a tiny area fits unimaginable combination of Europe and Asia, mountains, forests, deserts. Israel - is the cradle of world civilization, the Holy Land of three world religions. Israel - is ancient, millennia-old tradition, one of the intersections in the dramatic history of the last century and opened in the future dynamism of modern development.

What attracts tourists in Israel? This is of course the worship of the holy places of three religions, the sacred pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Nazareth, the ancient Bethlehem, Tel Aviv unique, beautiful beaches and hotels of Eilat and Netanya, treatment and rest at the Dead Sea, ruins of the biblical settlements, wine, diamonds, exotic world of Orthodox Jews. It was on this earth formed 3 major religions. Israel combines the 3 continents: geographically it belongs to Asia, its culture now has more in common with Europe, and the climate can be compared only with the African. In Israel, you will see 4 of the sea - the Mediterranean, Red, Dead and Galliley. Travel to Israel, as a rule, include visits to world cultural heritage under UNESCO protection: the old city of Jerusalem, the ancient fortress of Nazareth, the Old City of Acre, the white city of Tel Aviv, the biblical hills, "incense road" in the Negev desert. Do not leave you indifferent and the fortress-city of the Mediterranean - Haifa, Akko and Caesarea. Welcome to the unique and blessed land - Israel!

Artificial archipelago «The World»

Artificial archipelago «The World» - an exclusive project in the UAE, where only the really rich people can afford to buy an island or a villa.

Dubai is known not only as a major world metropolis and chic resort city, but also as a place to put into practice the most crazy architectural projects. One such ambitious projects is known as «The World».

Artificial archipelago «The World» is one of the world's largest archipelago, consisting of a collection of artificial islands, equipped luxury villas, fields, golf and many resort areas. Similarly, a project in Dubai is the largest not only in the UAE, but worldwide archipelago of artificial islands Palm Island, which includes the three islands, each of which has the shape of palm trees: Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and the Palm Deira.

«The World» is located in the United Arab Emirates - 4 kilometers from the coast of Dubai and consists of 300 artificial islands. The uniqueness of this project lies in the fact that the shape of the archipelago repeats form the continents and the continents of the globe.

Project is realized by the company Nakheel Properties - one of the largest developers in the world. However, by the idea of creating the archipelago «The World» - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum).

Project «The World» was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed in May 2003. Islands have been completed in January 2008, namely: at 8 am on Jan. 10, 2008 was laid the last stone - one of the 34 million tons of stones that were used to construct 28 km of breakwaters surrounding the more than 300 artificial islands that make up the «The World . Islands in the archipelago «The World» vary in their area from 14000 to 42000 square. meters.

This solemn moment marked the completion of the first stage of the project, including the creation of mounds of sand volume of 320 million cubic meters of sand and the creation of breakwaters, the surrounding islands total length of 9 km in length and 7 km wide. The next stage involves the transfer of the islands to developers for the design and construction of infrastructure.

Archipelago «The World», despite the fact that is completely surrounded by water, is designed in an extremely reliable - artificial islands could disappear under the water no earlier than 800 or 4 thousand years old, wrote Prian.Ru with reference to the Arabian Business.

According to Sean Lenegana, adviser on environmental issues the company Nakheel, the island will go under the water no earlier than 800 years. "Over the past hundred years the water level in the Arabian Gulf rose by 12 cm even in a hundred years it will grow in the range of 12 to 50 cm each century," - said Mr. Lenegan. - "We took into account these factors in the construction of our islands and build Palm Jumeirah at a height of 4 meters above sea level.

By January 2008 it was sold for 80% islands, 20 of which were sold during the first four months of 2007. The cost of the islands range from 7 million to 1.8 billion dollars.

One of the islands of the archipelago have bought Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. "According to rumors, star couple is going to realize on the island belonging to the artificial archipelago «The World» environmentally friendly project in order to coerce other people to" greener "lifestyle" - wrote Prian.ru.

Sheikh Mohammed

The governor of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed used to go round their possessions behind the wheel without the security. Sometimes he walks into a cafe, where he is welcomed by his homagers. Why without security? "Why should he be afraid - everybody loves him," - explain the locals. Try to understand, why the Arabs have such a reverence to the monarchy, but their country have 7 - one for each of the emirates, which in early 1970 after gaining independence from Great Britain decided to create a new state. The most influential - are the rulers of Abu Dhabi (part-time president of the country) and Dubai (part-time prime minister).

Of course, the sheikhs were lucky: the indigenous population is small, and the territory of the country compared with neighboring Oman and Saudi Arabia appears to be relatively small - 82.9 000. kilometers. Thus, if we consider only the citizens, the UAE fall into the category of the richest countries in the world. This free education (including higher), huge salaries for civil servants, the Arabs, the villa as a gift to a young family and love, shown to the governor in a cafe, where guest workers do not go.


Colossal social stratification makes the UAE to set stringent barriers for foreigners who wish to become citizens. The French experience has shown that citizenship should not simply provide, otherwise sooner or deter but migrants or their children will find themselves in the country hosts. Arabs do not need it. But migrant workers second-class existence in the UAE does not bother: the homeland is still worse. And in the UAE can be tolerable earn - the benefit of working hands like hot cakes.



















9 months and escrow accounts. In 4 years Dubai is hardly recognizable - whole new areas have grown since then. What is the secret of this speed? Traditionally, the Arabs believed that the house should be built for no longer than a woman bears a child. That is 9 months. Rule works and now - with the exception for particularly complex projects such as skyscrapers.

Simply building boom is unlikely to have made Dubai so attractive place. So, on that bet the local sheikhs - and partly by their colleagues from wealthier Abu Dhabi - can be called "economies in surprise." Absolute uniqueness of major projects - is not only a traditional Arab desire to put the wealth of show. It is also investments which typically pay for themselves directly. Yes, and will provide marketing effect for many decades.