Diplomat
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New Arrivals – Summer 2013
Julio Antonio Garmendía Ambassador of Cuba Mr. Garmendia has a degree in Russian literature and translation and a degree in political science. He joined the foreign service in 1975 and soon became head of the department of state’s committee on economic cooperation. His first posting came in 1982 as deputy economic counsellor in the Soviet […]
Top world heritage sites in Canada
(1) Nahanni National Park, N.W.T. Located in the southwest corner of the Northwest Territories along the South Nahanni and Flat rivers, this mountainous park is a fine example of the desolate beauty of Canada’s North. (2) SGang Gwaay, B.C. Sitting on a small island off the west coast of Haida Gwaii, this abandoned Haida village […]
Most difficult UNESCO heritage sites to visit
(1) Surtsey, Iceland Created by volcanic eruptions between 1963 and 1967, Surtsey is a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, it offers invaluable insights into several natural processes. It is possible to see the island from tour boats. (2) Henderson Island, Pitcairn Island, U.K. Part of the remote Pitcairn Island Group made famous by […]
World’s best educational sites
(1) Musée du Louvre, Paris Visiting this repository of artistry may be a daunting experience, if only for the large crowds (8.5 million annually) that flock to it. But when one looks at the big picture, so to speak, the long lineups to see immortal pieces such as the Mona Lisa are minor inconveniences. (2) […]
Best sacred sites
(1) Ta Prohm, Cambodia Located in the Angkor region of Cambodia, not far away from Angkor Wat, this Hindu temple was deliberately left in a state of decline following its rediscovery. Swamped by roots, Ta Prohm reconciles the divine with the imperceptible but unrelenting grip of nature. (2) The Ka’ba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia The most […]
Most threatened world heritage sites
(1) Timbuktu, Mali Founded in the 5th Century, Timbuktu reached its economic and cultural peak in the 15th and 16th Centuries, when it was an important centre for the diffusion of Islamic culture through the University of Sankore, parts of which Islamist radicals destroyed during a recent city occupation. (2) Florida Everglades Rich in biological […]
World’s top ancient ruins
(1) Great Wall, Badaling, China By their very purpose, walls protect, but also acknowledge limits, physical and otherwise. The sheer size and scope of this structure (8,850 kilometres), built by millions of slaves across centuries, makes the Great Wall a subject worthy of our study. (2) Colosseum, Rome, Italy An iconic symbol of Imperial Rome, […]
World’s best natural sites
(1) Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina A land of ice and snow punctuated by soaring peaks, Patagonia in southern Argentina is home to Los Glaciares National Park, an area of exceptional beauty, said to be the best place to see glaciers in action. (2) Great Barrier Reef, Australia The largest living structure on Earth, the […]
Top 10 global entertainment attractions
(1) Times Square, New York City, U.S. Once synonomous with nightmarish decline and decadence during the 1970s, Times Square long ago morphed into a waking dreamland of flickering neon lights. A mass gathering place in the heart of Manhattan, this attraction is particularly popular on New Year’s Eve when revellers gather to watch the ball […]
Cuba’s reforms: necessary and well-received
Diplomatic relations between Canada and Cuba are more than a half-century old, characterized by respect and sincere dialogue. Canada is among Cuba’s main trading partners as seen in tourism numbers alone — more than a million Canadians visit each year, drawn by the beauty of the landscape and its people’s hospitality. However, misinformation about the […]
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