Visitor numbers to the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) increased dramatically during the first five months of 2009. More than 350,000 people visited the park and AWPR projects this number will swell to 800,000 by the end of the year.
Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort is home to about 4,300 animals, and it is estimated nearly 30% of these are endangered. AWPR was established in 1968 by the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan and will occupy 900 hectares of land by 2013. Managing Director of the AWPR said they are extremely pleased with their progress and “The AWPR is an important component in Al Ain’s long term desire to experience economically sustainable growth, and establish itself as an attractive tourism and resort destination, both regionally and internationally.”
A white elephant is burdensome possession which cannot be disposed of, and whose upkeep far outweighs its usefulness. Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is a perfect example of a white elephant. Construction began in 1973, and was not completed until 1987. It was barely opened in time for the Olympics, but the tower and retractable roof (which has never actually retracted) remained unfin...
Baalbek is perhaps Lebanon’s greatest treasure. During Greek and Roman times it was known as Heliopolis, or City of the Sun, though the area had been settled for thousands of years prior. It was made part of the Roman Empire in 64BC as General Pompey conquered the region. Construction of the Temple of Jupiter began shortly thereafter, and the city began to grow because of its location on import...
Nostalgia about an era gone by (the 19th century in particular) is evoked in this rather interesting museum. Tourists are able to learn from the exhibits and galleries showcasing Oman’s unique relationship with France, a former colonial power. The pictures of early French diplomats are also on display along with an interesting collection of postage stamps. This museum was opened in 1992 in a house...
The Presidential Palace, as it was once known, has changed a great deal over time with each new President or first lady making changes. Not many people realize the White House was not originally white. It was restored and painted that color after the British gutted the building in the War of 1812. Concerns for the safety of the President make the White House off-limits to the public these days ...