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Today, Mada’in Saleh is an archeologically important site withmajestic ruinsthat are often compared with those of Petra. Photo credit Qasr al-Farid means the lonely castle, so called because it stands completely isolated from the others. But despite its fanciful name, Qasr al-Farid is only a tomb. The heavily chiselled surface of the lower third documents how these tombs were fashioned from the top down. Qasr al-Farid is just one of ninety-odd such monumental tombs carved here during the heyday of the Nabataeans....

The mural shows the evolution of practitioners, techniques and buildings throughout more than 400 years of history. It was inaugurated in 2003. Source:Encylcopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America

Houses are packed close together with high walls and ceilings, maximizing shade at ground level. The heat of direct sunlight is also minimized with small windows that face away from the sun. Another element that Persian architects incorporate in their structures are windcatchers. Wind catchers at Madinat Jumeirah.Photo credit Windcatchers functions pretty much like modern air conditioning system. At the top of the windcatcher are several directional ports usually four open towards four direction....

His attention to detail is amazing. Soon his work attracted people from around the world drawn to the art of miniatures. Born in Karbala, about 100km from Baghdad, Alamedy spent his childhood with his mother and aunt. At sixteen he bought his first computer and began searching for 3D software. Alamedy has been making models ever since.

The Okotoks Erratic, also known as the Big Rock is the world’s largest known glacial erratic. The Athabasca River valley glacier was then deflected to the southeast becoming parallel to the mountain front. When the ice melted, the erratics were left behind. The Big Rock has a large split down the middle. Suddenly, the weather changed and Napi became cold as the wind whistled and the rain fell. Napi asked the rock to return his robe, but the rock refused....

There is a Christian cross, the Muslim crescent, the Star of David and the Chinese dome. However, no ceremonies are performed inside because it is not a functioning temple. It was started in 1992 and is still under construction. Khanov plan is to eventually build 16 cupolas corresponding to the 16 major world religions. Unfortunately Ildar Khanov will not see its completion for he passed away in February 2013. It was then, according to Ildar Khanov, he embarked on his journey as an artist and healer....

Omotesando is a single neighbourhood with more buildings by great modern architects than anywhere else. Walking down the street of Tokyos Champs-Elysees is both an impressive and humbling experience. Here are some of the highlights of Omotesando. At night, the stacked layers of the 30-metre-tall design glow with different intensities. An atrium stretching three floors above and below ground level cuts through the commercial space. The name Gyre itself means twist or spiral....

About 230 amphitheatres have been found across the width and breadth of the Roman Empire. As in all amphitheatres, Verona Arena held famous gladiator fights and the hunts of fierce exotic animals. The arena in Verona measures 140 metres in length and 110 metres in width. The arena has 64 entrances and had a capacity to hold 30 thousand people. The amphitheatre is 132 meters long and 105 meters wide, and has a capacity of 23,000 spectators....

But this time Vincent convinced his pilot to take him to a still further height 8,799 feet. Nobody had photographed Las Vegas at night from this high altitude before. The most remarkable thing about Vegas isn’t the strip itself to me. It’s the pattern of perfectly rectilinear streets given the modern and basic layout of the city. I’ve never seen anything like it from the air, the photographer toldStorehouse. It absolutely looks like a computer motherboard or a memory chip from the air....

Among them are two majestic cathedrals built between the 12th and 18th centuries. The cathedrals vaulted stone ceilings contain graceful paintings and its sandstone walls are intricately carved. But one element is peculiarly out of place and out of time. Apparently, the astronaut isnt the only contemporary symbol added to the cathedral’s facade. He is also accompanied by an ice-cream eatinggargoylegrotesque, a lynx, a bull and a crayfishamong others.

In fifteen years, Bonaire had been mostly depopulated. Photo credit Sources:Bonaire Travel Guide/Geographia/Uncommon Caribbean

It is estimated that the display generates about 46,500 kWh of electricity a year. Photo credit Greetings to the Sun is accompanied by another fine installation by the same artist - Sea Organ.

Even more peculiar is the interior. In 1909 a second building was constructed, and it served as a school house. And at one time, it housed three adults and eleven children. In April of 1957, he officially opened it as the Salty Dawg Saloon. It started exploding in the early 90s, when tourism started to pick up. Today, its hard to find a spot where there is no money. Sources:Wikipedia/Salty Dawg Saloon - Official Website/Alaska....