n["baaatoll"][0]="Baa Atoll|Maldives|mv|Asia";
n["baaatoll"][1]="The Baa Atoll is known for its handcrafts, especially lacquer work and finely woven cotton felis (traditional sarongs). Nearby is the small atoll of Goidu.|The Baa Atoll is about 120 km northwest of Malé.";
n["baalbeck"][0]="d.write('";
n["baalbek"][0]="Baalbek|Lebanon|le|Asia";
n["baalbek"][1]="Baalbek is 70 km northeast of Beirut. The town got its name from the Phoenician god Baal, but later the Greeks renamed it Heliopolis. After that, during the Roman time, Baalbek became the most important center of Jupiter worship in the area. Most people come to Baalbek to visit the fantastic Roman ruins.|There is a large acropolis with two temples. The Arabs later added an enclosure. The Temple of Jupiter was built in 60 AD, but not much more then 6 huge columns remain. They give a good impression of the size the building must have had. The well-preserved Temple of Bacchus was completed in 150 AD. Just next to the acropolis is the beautiful Temple of Venus, a small circular temple.";
n["babelthuapisland"][0]="Babelthuap Island (Babeldaob)|Palau|ps|Oceania";
n["babelthuapisland"][1]="Babelthuap (or Babeldaob) is the second largest island in Micronesia. It is covered by thick jungle and measures some 400 km² (150 sq miles), which is more than four times the combined surface of all the other islands in Palau. Despite of this, the island's population is very small and since most young people migrate to Koror in search of employment, the amount of people on Babelthuap is not increasing. The Melekeok State on Babelthuap was designated to become the location of Palau's future capital, but many doubt if it will ever get that far.|Babelthuap is a volcanic island with rolling hills that are covered by thick jungle. On the island's eastern coast are several beautiful sandy beaches, while the western side mainly consists of mangrove forests. There are numerous small villages on Babelthuap, many of which are still connected to one another by ancient stone paths.|Some of Babaelthuap's most marvelous beaches can be found in the northern Ngaraard State.|Many hillsides on Babelthuap were once terraced into steps and pyramids, but little is left of them. Archaeological excavations suggest that construction of the steps was begun around 100 AD, but is is unknown for what purpose they were built, or why they were abandoned. Only one village was built near the steps, in wide areas around all the other steps are no dwellings whatsoever.|At the northern side of Babelthuap, in Ngarchelong State is a large open space where so-called Badrulchau can be seen. According to legend these large basalt monoliths were placed there by the gods to support an enormous bai.|Palau's international airport is at Airai on the southern end of Babelthuap Island, just across from Koror. Accommodation is available in several villages around the island.";
n["babylon"][0]="Babylon|Iraq|iz|Asia";
n["babylon"][1]="Babylon is the legendary place that was once the capital city of the kingdom of Babylonia. It first reached prominence under King Hammurabi, but it achieved its zenith during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II, between 605 and 56 BC. Babylon was renowned for its high, well-fortified walls and for the magnificence and beauty of its temples, palaces and gardens.|Babylon's Hanging Gardens were built by Nebuchadnezzar for his wife Amytas and were regarded one of the Seven Wonders of the World. According to legend, Amytas was a Mede and her home was in mountainous country, so the King reputedly had the Hanging Gardens built to allay her homesickness.|Nowadays Babylon is in ruins and an important archaeological site. All that remains of the ancient splendor is a large and splendidly carved stone lion.|Babylon is 90 km south of Baghdad and it is best visited on a day trip from the capital.";
n["badajoz"][0]="Badajoz|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["badajoz"][1]="Badajoz lies on the Portuguese border in the southwest of Spain. It is the capital of Lower Extremadura ad it is just a nice place to stroll around in. Its major attractions are its Moorish Alcazaba, the town-walls and watch-towers.|There are several hotels and campsites in and around Badajoz, as well as numerous bars and restaurants. The city has rail and road connections with most other Spanish cities and Portugal. Badajoz is 330 km southwest of Madrid.";
n["badami"][0]="Badami|India|in|Asia";
n["badami"][1]="Between the 4th and 8th centuries AD the central Deccan was rules by the Chalukyan Empire and the town of Badami was its capital. Later several Hindu and Muslim kingdoms ruled the region and they where all inspired by the Chalukyan's Dravidian temples and rock-cut caves when they constructed their own ones. There are numerous cave temples in Badami and they are all hewn in the red sandstone hills and interconnected with flights of steps. There are also several rock-hewn artificial lakes. The Agastyatirtha tank was constructed in the 5th century.|Not far from Badami are the interesting towns of Aihole and Pattakadal, where more Chalukyan temples can be seen. Accommodation is available in Badami, as well as several restaurants. Badami is 1390 km south of Delhi.";
n["badou"][0]="Badou|Togo|to|Africa";
n["badou"][1]="Badou is 50 km west of Atakpamé (170 km northwest of Lomé) and, although there is little of interest in the town itself, the journey from Atakpamé through the mountainous area is superb. The road twists and turns and the scenery of hills covered with tropical rainforest is stunning.|In the village of Akloa, some 8 km away, is a beautiful waterfall. The waterfall is in a small nature park and it takes about 30 minutes to walk there from Akloa. An entrance fee has to be paid, but a guide is included.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Badou.";
n["bafatá"][0]="Bafatá|Guinea-Bissau|pu|Africa";
n["bafatá"][1]="Apart from a market there is nothing to see in this town 105 km northeast of Bissau. There is little accommodation.";
n["bafoussam"][0]="Bafoussam|Cameroon|cm|Africa";
n["bafoussam"][1]="Bafoussam lies about 220 km northwest of Yaoundé. There are two gares routiÚre, one north of the center on Ave. de République for buses heading for Bamenda and the main one is right in the town's center. There are several hotels in Bafoussam and food can be found around the main gare routiÚre in the form of food stalls. Several restaurants are scattered throughout the town.";
n["bafut"][0]="Bafut|Cameroon|cm|Africa";
n["bafut"][1]="Bafut lies about 20 km north of Bamenda. It is a beautiful village with an interesting palace that was built in the early 20th century for the 75 wives of the local ruler know as the Fon.|Most people come to Bafut for the festival that is held on December 18 each year. During the feast, Fon masks and costumes are displayed. If you are being told not to watch a particular dance, take the warning seriously.|Bafut is also a good place to buy woodcarvings.";
n["bagamoyo"][0]="Bagamoyo|Tanzania|tz|Africa";
n["bagamoyo"][1]="The history of Bagamoyo dates back to the 14th century, when Arabs and Shirazis from the Persian Gulf settled in the area. Ruins from that period can be seen at Kaole, just outside Bagamoyo. The name of Bagamoyo comes from the Swahili word 'Bwagamoyo', which means 'lay down your heart', a reminder that it used to be a shipping place for slaves. During the German colonial period, Bagamoyo became the administrative center of the area and capital of Tanzania. Numerous buildings from the colonial still stand in the town center, although they are in a severe state of dilapidation.|The Caotholic Missions houses a museum, where items from the slave trade are on display. The mission is north of town, but don't walk there on your own, as there is a great change you'll get mugged. The Art College of Chuo ya Sanaa is south of the center. You can watch students practice music and dance there.|There is little accommodation in Bagamoyo. The city has bus connections with Dar es Salaam, 60 km to the southeast.|Warning: Be very careful in Bagamoyo, as bandits armed with pangas (cane cutting knives) roam the town. Even if you don't resist them, they won't hesitate to use the knives. Don't expect any help from the police.";
n["baghdad"][0]="Baghdad|Iraq|iz|Asia";
n["baghdad"][1]="Baghdad was founded by the second Abbasid caliph Abu Jafar al-Mansur in 762 AD on the western bank of the Tigris River, opposite an old Iranian village also named Baghdad. The original city was round, with three concentric walls. The innermost wall enclosed the palace of the caliph and the grand mosque, the second wall defined the army quarters, and the homes of the people occupied the outermost enclosure. The merchants' quarters, or bazaars, were located outside the city walls. The city's original name was Madinat as-Salam (City of Peace), but it was more popularly known as the Round City.|The city gradually expanded and caused it to extend beyond the original walls. The city reached its peak of prosperity and influence under the caliphs Mahdi and Harun ar-Rashid, during the 8th and 9th centuries AD. During this period the city expanded to the eastern bank of the Tigris, which later became the heart of Baghdad. The eastern section was called Rusafah and the two parts of the city were joined by a bridge, built of boats. Impressive buildings and magnificent gardens were built that gave it the reputation of the richest and most beautiful city in the world. In the latter half of the 9th century, the Abbasid caliphs' power was weakened by internal strife leading to civil war, but the city remained an important center of trade and culture for more than four centuries. Real decline didn't come until 1258, when Hulagu, the grandson of the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, sacked the city and put an end to the Abbasid caliphate. The caliph was murdered and many buildings and the irrigation system were destroyed. When the area around Baghdad became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1534, the city fell into obscurity and neglect for several hundred years.|It was not until the beginning of the 20th century when some schools and hospitals were built and improvement efforts were made to stop further degradation. In the 1970's the oil boom finally brought wealth to Baghdad again and huge development projects were started. Entire neighborhoods were upgraded with new water lines and sewers. A new airport was built, as well as a network of highways. During the construction work, archaeological excavations unearthed numerous artifacts from more glorious times. Everything came to an abrubt stop with the 1980's war with Iran and the Gulf War that immediately followed it.|Nowadays Baghdad stretches along both banks of the Tigris River, with the district of Rusafah on the east and the district of Karkh on the west. Eleven bridges connect the two halves of the city. Tahrir Square, standing on the river's left bank at one end of the Jumhuriyah Bridge, is the heart of Baghdad and from it the city's main streets radiate. Saddam Hussein's picture, mostly larger than life, is displayed everywhere.|The city of Baghdad has many interesting museums and mosques, which prove fascinating to the visitor.
Allied bombing of Baghdad during the Gulf War, leaves considerable doubt as to the continued intact existence of these buildings.
They are listed below, nonetheless.|The Iraqi Museum is situated in the Karkh district. It has 28 galleries, making it the largest museum in the Middle East. Exhibitions cover a time-span from 100,000 years ago to well into the Islamic period. One of its most fascinating exhibits is a 10,000-year-old pebble with twelve deep scratches on its surface, which is thought to be one of the world's first calendars. Also, a Sumerian seal dating from about 5,000 years ago, shows the first pictorial representation of two people shaking hands. Some of the objects displayed in this museum are reproductions. The originals were removed by conquering nations to be displayed in foreign museums. Other interesting museums in Baghdad are the Baghdad Museum that contains life-size models of the traditional life of Baghdad presented in tableau form and the Museum of Popular Heritage, where a collection of traditional old Baghdadi houses can be seen. It also contains displays of traditional crafts, such as basketwork, carpets, woodwork and metalwork. The Museum of Pioneer Arts is a 1922-built Baghdadi house, with rooms constructed around a central courtyard containing a fountain. It is furnished with traditional old Baghdadi furniture and has an interesting collection of paintings on display. Modern arts can be seen in the Saddam Arts Centre.|The 13th-century Mustansiriyah School used to be an important university during reign of the 37th Abbasid caliph, Mustansir Billah. The Abbasid Palace was built in the same time and in the same architectural style as the Mustansiriyah School. The palace overlooks the Tigris River. The Murjaniya School was originally constructed in 1357, but it was demolished in the early 1900's to be replaced with a mosque, known today as the Marjan Mosque.|Khan Murjan was originally designed as an inn for travelling merchants, and the dwelling place of many university scholars. It was built in the 14th century, and has a central hall more than 45 feet high. The crenellated arches of brick and perforated windows make it a fascinating piece of architecture. The Khan Murjan was reputedly in a state of disrepair for more than 200 years, with waist-high flood water from the Tigris standing in the famous hallway several times. By the mid-1980's it had been restored and was in use as a restaurant.|The Al-Khadhimain Mosque is one of the most important mosques in the Islamic world, with gold-capped domes and minarets rising above its courtyard. The mosque was built on the site of the shrines of the imams Musa al-Kadhim and Muhammed al-Jawad, who are supposed to be descendants of the Prophet. The building dates from the early 16th century.|Baghdad is the center of air, road, and railroad transportation in Iraq. It is the leading manufacturing city of the country, with oil refineries, food-processing plants, tanneries, and textile mills. Among the handcrafted wares produced in Baghdad are cloth, household utensils, jewelry, leather goods, felt, and rugs, which may be purchased in the bazaars that consist of rows of small shops or stalls and have long been a feature of the city. Baghdad has numerous hotels and restaurants.";
n["baghdad"][2]="-33.20|44.24|34|3000000|224|3|y|1|964";
n["baghdad"][3]="9.7|2.3|21.7|1.3|33.9|n/a|24.7|0.3";
n["bago"][0]="Bago (Pega)|Myanmar (Burma)|bm|Asia";
n["bago"][1]="Bago, or Pego, was an important seaport during the Mon dynasty. It was also the capital of Lower Myanmar. In 1757 the Burman destroyed most of Bago, but in the beginning of the 19th century it was partially rebuilt. Later the Bago River changed its course and cut the city off from the sea, making Bago's harbor worthless. As a result Bago never returned to its previous grandeur and importance.|Bago is dominated by the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Other interesting sights include the Hintha Gone Pagoda and the Shwethalyaung Buddha, a 55 m (180 feet) long, reclining statue of Buddha.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Bago. The city is 65 km northeast of Yangon (Rangoon).";
n["bahariyyaoasis"][0]="Bahariyya Oasis|Egypt|eg|Africa";
n["bahariyyaoasis"][1]="The Bahariyya Oasis is situated on an ancient branch of the Nile. There is still an underground supply of water that is being used to develop the area. It is a very large oasis that includes four villages, of which Bawiti is the largest.|There are hot springs in Bawiti, as well as in Bir al Sukhna, 3 km north of town. More springs can be found at Bir al Mattar, 10 km away. The ruins of a temple and settlement from the 17th Dynasty can be visited as well. The Qarat al Firaki is a burial chamber for sacred birds. Some 140 km away are the white sand and rock formations known as the White Desert. Trips can be arranged from Bawiti.|Dress in a respectful manner, as people in the oasis have a traditional style of living that includes women being completely covered. The people are very friendly and there are only few tourists in the area. Make sure to have warm clothes with you if you stay overnight, as it gets very cold in the desert. There are several hotels and restaurants in Bawiti and the other towns in the oasis. Buses run between the oasis, Cairo and Assyut.";
n["bahawalpur"][0]="Bahawalpur|Pakistan|pk|Asia";
n["bahawalpur"][1]="Bahawalpur is one of the most prosperous towns in Pakistan. It is the most southerly town in the Punjab.|Not far from town is the Uch Monument Complex. The mausoleums of Uch are encrusted with sapphire blue, turquoise, and gleaming white tiles. The region's nobility commissioned them in the late-15th and early-16th centuries, when the Mughals ruled the Indus Valley region. The tombs are unique to the Indus Valley and their style, which includes polygonal niches, floral motifs and sculptural terracotta decorations, is precursors of the Mughal styles that followed. It is though that Alexander the Great founded Uch during his Asian campaign. Later it became a river port and in the 13th century it was a defensive stronghold that protected the Muslim kingdoms of central India from invaders. Islamic scholars who fled the Mongols from the north took refuge at Uch and eventually it became a center for religious learning and worship.|At the beginning of the 19th century, most temples were severely damaged by floods. As a result, their structures gradually deteriorated. Efforts to repair them only damaged them more and the use of cement disfigured two of three most prominent tombs.|There are several hotels and restaurants in town and daily flights are available to Islamabad, 505 km to the north. Bahawalpur is a good place to stay if you want to visit the interesting towns and forts in the sandy wasteland of Cholistan, or the wildlife reserve of Lal Suhanra National Park.";
n["bahiadealcudia"][0]="Bahía de Alcúdia|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["bahiadealcudia"][1]="Bahía de Alcúdia is one of Mallorca's most outstanding places. Enjoy the view from Monte San Talaia and don't miss the beaches in the south of the bay, as well as the town of Puerto de Alcudia.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in the region.";
n["bahiadearta"][0]="Bahía de Artá|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["bahiadearta"][1]="The Bahía de Artá boasts several interesting sights, including one of the most beautiful bays on Mallorca, the Cala Millor. Ses Paises, known for its important megalythic findings and the Cuevas Naturales de Artá, are worth a visit too. Capilla de Betlem offers fantastic views over Bahía de Alcudia. The inland town of Artá is the region's main hub.";
n["bahiasolano"][0]="Bahía Solano|Colombia|co|South America";
n["bahiasolano"][1]="Bahía Solano is a holiday resort on the Pacific coast of the Chóco department. There are excellent beaches and boat trips up the Atrato River are available in town. It is also possible to take excursions into the surrounding tropical forest, which is teeming with wildlife. Dolphins and whales can be spotted at the Isla de Salomón in the nearby Parque Nacional Ensenada de Utría.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Bahía Solano. The town is 410 km northwest of Bogotá.";
n["bahirdar"][0]="Bahir Dar|Ethiopia|et|Africa";
n["bahirdar"][1]="Bahir Dar is a boring town on the southern shore of Lake Tana. Except from the weekly Saturday market, there is nothing to do in Bahir, but the surrounding area hosts a vast amount of interesting places, so the city is a good point to start day trips from.|Lake Tana measures 3600 km² (1404 sq miles) and there are many small islands in it with monasteries on them. Most of these monasteries were built before the 16th century and some date back to the 11th century and bibles written in Ge'ez are kept in most of them. The walls of most monasteries are painted in typical Ethiopian religious styles. Boats take you to the islands, and most people visit the monasteries of Debre Maryam, Kidene Mehret and Kebran Gabriel that doesn't allow any women inside. Try to get a small group together to share boats, as rides are pretty expensive.|Another main sight in the area are the beautiful Blue Nile Falls. About the only way to get to them is a 45-minute bus ride from Bahir Dar. The 400 m (1312 ft) wide and 50 m (164 ft) high falls are known locally as Tis Isat (or Tisissat). The best time to visit the falls is between October and December as they carry much more water.|Bahir Dar lies just over 300 km (186 miles) to the northwest of Addis Ababa. There are many hotels in Bahir (the cheapest are found near the bus station) and also restaurants and food bars are easily found. Bahir can be reached by plane from the capital, but if you have time it is much better to take a coach through the fantastic Blue Nile Gorge. Another bus line connects the city with Gonder, 120 km to the north, on the other side of Lake Tana.";
n["baiadostigros"][0]="Baia dos Tigros|Angola|ao|Africa";
n["baiadostigros"][1]="Baia dos Tigros means 'Bay of the Tigers'. It was named after the surrounding dunes, which have black stripes on them. The dunes are very high and offer nice views from their tops. The island on which Baia dos Tigros sits, was originally a peninsula, but the sea has slowly eroded the connecting land away during the 19th century.|There is no accommodation in Baia dos Tigros. The town is 880 km south from Luanda.";
n["baiedetamarin"][0]="Baie de Tamarin|Mauritius|mp|Africa";
n["baiedetamarin"][1]="The Baie de Tamarin is a nice place where you can stay in small bungalows near the beach. It is 23 km southwest of Port Louis, near the town of Tamarin.";
n["baiedetombeau"][0]="Baie de Tombeau|Mauritius|mp|Africa";
n["baiedetombeau"][1]="At Baie de Tombeau you will find some of the nice beaches on the northwestern side of Mauritius. There are several places where you can stay and eat.";
n["bainloti"][0]="Bain Loti (Loti's Pool)|French Polynesia|fp|Oceania";
n["bainloti"][1]="Bain Loti (Loti's Bath or Pool) is only several kilometers inland from Papeete, in the vicinity of the Fautaua River. It is a pleasant place and a popular swimming spot for the locals.|A bust of writer Pierre Loti stands nearby. In Loti's 1880 novel The Marriage of Loti, the main characters meet at the pool.";
n["bairut"][0]="d.write('";
n["bajacalifornia"][0]="Baja California|Mexico|mx|North America";
n["bajacalifornia"][1]="Baja California has numerous nice beaches, bays and high cliffs. The province is undeveloped and has always been a good place to hide from the authorities. Baja California was refuge to Magonista revolutionaries and mercenaries, as well as drinkers trying to get around the Prohibition in the USA.|Nowadays tourists head for the remote Jesuit mission village of San Borja and the volcanic plateau of the Sierra de San Francisco not far from San Ignacio, where you can see natural rock-art. The area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Sierra de la Laguna is a botanical area on the southern tip of the peninsula. It boasts aspens, cacti, oaks and palms, as well as a scenic landscape that is excellent for hiking.";
n["bakau"][0]="Bakau|The Gambia|ga|Africa";
n["bakau"][1]="Most western tourists come on package holidays to the beach resorts of Bakau, Fajara, Kotu and Kololi. They are actually just one 10 km (6 miles) long stretch of Atlantic Coast with hotels, apartments and golf courses. The area is some 10 km east of Banjul.|Bakau is the northernmost of these resorts. There is a shady botanical garden that was established as a playground for the happy few during colonial times. Locals come to pray at the Kachikaly Crocodile Pool, as crocs are regarded sacred by some tribes in the country.|Fajara is just south of Bakau and the area around the two towns is home to many locals that work in the capital.|More to the south are Kotu and Kololi. The Bijolo Forest Park is at Kololi's southern tip. You can walk on well-marked trails through dense rainforest-like vegetation and there are various sorts of monkeys and birds.";
n["baku"][0]="Baku|Azerbaijan|aj|Asia";
n["baku"][1]="Baku is the largest city in the area around the Caucasus Mountains, with around 20% of the total Azerbaijan population living there. The city is well designed and lies on the 70 km long Apsheron Peninsula on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Most of the time the weather in the area is very pleasant, but Baku every now and then, is struck by khazri, a gale-force coastal storm.|Azerbaijan's capital is a very old city. The Old Town (or Inner City) of Baku is called Ichari Shahar and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in the Middle East. Burial chambers that have been discovered date from the Bronze Age.
The Old Town consists of a maze of narrow alleys and it is the most interesting area of Baku to explore. The Maiden's Tower is a key-shaped building that provides magnificent views from its top. It was built in the 1100's and the walls are 5 meter (15 ft) thick at some places. There is a small museum inside that has an exhibition of artifacts from the area.|The 15th century Palace of the Shirvan Shahs with its beautiful domes and mosaics, is also located in the Old Town. It was built for the shahs when the capital was moved from Shamakhy to Baku. The palace consists of various buildings that can all be visited; they include a mausoleum, a Turkish bath and law courts called divan-khana. Sometimes folk-dances are performed on the palace grounds.|If you are interested in handcrafts, you should visit the Museum of Carpets & Applied Art which is situated in the Dzhuma Mosque. Woven and knotted Azerbaijani carpets, jewellery, metalwork and carved wooden items are all on display.|Just outside the Old Town you will find the Azerbaijani History Museum which has an exhibition of archeological artifacts and Stone Age relics.|Baku has a good and cheap subway system, but during rush hours it's best to avoid it. If you decide to get around by taxi, be sure there is a taximeter in it, otherwise you'll most likely get ripped off.|
Around Baku
|There are numerous smaller towns on the Apsheron Peninsula around Baku that offer exciting attractions. One of the most amazing things to go and see is the Atashgah Temple in Surakhany, about 25 km east of Baku.|There are some medieval castles on the peninsula of which the ones at Ramana, Nardaran and Mardakyany are the best. They were probably built around the 14th century by the Shirvan shahs to defend the area. In Ramana, apart from the castle there is a site where the remains of old oil fields can be seen; in Nardara you can visit a carpet factory and in Mardakyany, where 2 castles can be visited, there is also a 15th century mosque and a botanic garden. In the mosque an exhibit on the castles is on display.|The town of Qobustan is an open-air museum where ancient rock paintings can be found.";
n["baku"][2]="-40.22|49.53|n/a|2000000|n/a|4|n/a|12|994";
n["balabakk"][0]="d.write('";
n["balatachurch"][0]="Balata Church|Martinique|mb|Central America";
n["balatachurch"][1]="The Roman-Byzantine Balata Church is a scaled-down replica of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. It is less than 10 minutes driving from Fort-de-France and the views across Fort-de-France, to the Pointe du Bout resort area are stunning.";
n["balatonfüred"][0]="Balatonfüred|Hungary|hu|Europe";
n["balatonfüred"][1]="Balatonfüred is the oldest and most popular resort on Lake Balaton's northern shore. Already during the 19th century it was popular with the region's cultural leaders and politicians and by 1900, the country's middle class used it as their favorite summer retreat.|In Balatonfüred you'll find a beautiful promenade, several nice museums, warm-water springs and a cable-ski installation.|There are countless hotels and restaurants in Balatonfüred. The town is 105 km southwest of Budapest.|Not far from Balatonfüred is the historical village of Tihany, while the Badacsony region with its beautiful scenery, wine-producing towns and hiking trails, stretches east of Balatonfüred.";
n["balfourtown"][0]="Balfour Town|Turks and Caicos Islands|tk|Central America";
n["balfourtown"][1]="Balfour Town is a historic place that boasts various old two-story homes with wide verandas and windows with jalousies. The most striking building in town is the stately salt-merchant's manor known as the White House. It was built in 1835 using ballast stone that was used by the empty ships that arrived from Europe to stay balanced. The ships returned with a load of salt and the ballast stones where left behind. Next to the White House is the old wooden Treasury Building. It used to be the place, where salt-workers where paid. Also in the vicinity are Saint John's Anglican Church and the District Commissioner's Office, which houses the town's jail.|Balfour Town has some excellent beaches, as well as several hotel and restaurants. Balfour is on Salt Cay, 20 km southwest of Cockburn Town.";
n["bali+cm"][0]="Bali|Cameroon|cm|Africa";
n["bali+cm"][1]="Bali is located southwest of Bamenda. It is best known for its festival that is held between 20 and 22 December each year. During the celebrations, people dress in traditional costumes to honour the Fon (the local ruler).";
n["bali"][0]="Bali|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["bali"][1]="Although only few traces of Stone Age people were found on Bali, it is almost certain that the island was inhabited very early in prehistoric times. Bali's oldest written records date from the 9th century AD and consist of inscriptions on a stone pillar not far from Sanur. Indian traders brought Hinduism to the Indonesian archipelago, but little is known about this period. The religion came to Bali in the first half of the 11th century, probably from Java. During that period the rock-cut memorials at Gunung Kawi were sculpted.|The Javanese Singasari dynasty conquered Bali in 1284, but the dynasty collapsed not long after and Bali regained its autonomy. On the island the Pejeng dynasty rose to power. Their central administration was in modern-day Ubud. In 1343 the Pejeng king was replaced by the great Majapahit dynasty from Java. In the 15th century, when Islam started spreading throughout the archipelago, the Majapahit kingdom collapsed and many of its intelligentsia moved to Bali. Many of them were priests, who introduced many of the complexities of Balinese religion and artists, dancers and musicians, who diversified and enriched the island's culture.|Foreigners have visited Bali ever since the 15th century, when the Majapahit dynasty retreated from the island. The first Europeans that came to the island, where Dutch seamen in 1597. Some sailors fell in love with the island and refused to return to Europe, when the ship's captain prepared to set sail. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Dutch had established trade treaties with Javanese princes. By that time, the Dutch had also wrestled control of the spice trade from the Portuguese, but they were only interested in their profits and didn't care about the island's culture and natural beauty.|In the early 1900's, the Dutch tried to gain more control over the archipelago, by means of a divide-and-rule policy. In 1846 they used Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks as a pretext to land military forces in northern Bali. The Dutch teamed up with the Sasaks of Lombok to defeat the rajahs of Bali, but the Sasaks changed their minds and the Dutch were slaughtered. That event angered the Dutch so much that they invaded northern Bali with a heavy military force and as a result, local Balinese rulers lost their control over Lombok. In 1904 another salvage dispute triggered a Dutch invasion of the southern half of the island.|When the Balinese royalty and religious leaders were surrounded by the Dutch, they decided to take the honorable path of a suicidal puputan, a fight to the death, rather than surrender. They burnt their own palaces and marched into a certain death, wearing their finest jewelry and waving golden daggers. The Dutch, with their modern weapons, begged the Balinese to surrender, but the locals didn't accept that and some 4000 of them were slaughtered.|When remaining local kingdoms capitulated and others were defeated, the Dutch gained control over the entire island and Bali became part of the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch didn't do much to develop an exploitative plantation economy on Bali and the common people continued to lead the same miserable life they had experienced under the rule of the rajahs. The Dutch didn't rule Bali for long; In WWII, Indonesia fell to the Japanese.|After WWII, the Indonesia leader Sukarno proclaimed independence, but the Dutch did not want to lose their colony and a four-year long independence struggle initiated. In the beginning, the Dutch booked some successes. In 1946, a Balinese resistance group was wiped out in the Battle of Marga, for example. In 1949, the Dutch finally accepted Indonesian independence. After that, the only event of major importance was an attempted coup in 1965. The attempt was blamed on communists and it eventually led to Sukarno's downfall. General Suharto suppressed the coup and emerged as a major political figure, who would rule the country for 30 years.|Suharto outlawed the Communist Party and initiated a wave of anti-communist reprisals. On Bali, local communists who had called for land reform and an end to social repression were perceived as a threat. Religious traditionalists took advantage of the post-coup hysteria to get rid of communist sympathizers and mobs clubbed suspected communists to death. The Chinese community was particular victimized and an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people were killed before the army stepped in and restored order on Bali. At that time the island's population totaled 2 million and almost everyone on the island lost family members or friends in the killings.|Suharto looked to the West for alliances and investments. Under his rule, economic growth and dramatic improvements in infrastructure were achieved on Bali, mainly by expanding the island's tourist industry. Countless hotels were constructed, but in the process thousands of locals had to be displaced and many traditional communities were disrupted.|Although Bali has largely been spared the destruction that ravaged the rest of Indonesia in the wake of the 1998 economic fallout, tourism took a downturn. Nevertheless Bali is still a popular destination and it is far more crowded with visitors than most other islands in the archipelago. Most tourists don't just come to see Bali's marvelous landscape. It is an interesting place for the people's culture as well. Most locals live in traditional houses and participate in a timeless round of religious rituals and rice cultivation. They know surprisingly well, how to handle tourism. Despite of centuries of foreign influences, the Balinese have retained rich traditions of music, dance, visual arts, architecture and religion.|Bali is probably Indonesia's most picturesque island. Most hillsides are covered with rice paddies and look like giant steps. There are also numerous lush, tropical forests on Bali, as well as high volcanoes. Bali's beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The island is a true paradise, but that paradise has largely been polished by the international tourist industry. The Balinese themselves don't even have a word for paradise in their language and many of them live in poverty.|Balinese Culture
|Music, dance and drama are all closely related in Bali. Many of the Balinese dances are vary nice to watch. They are very precise, but seem to look jerky, shifting and jumpy and they are usually accompanied by gamelan music. In most tourist centers, dances are performed virtually every night, but if you want to see the original thing, you will have to be in Bali during one of the island's temple festivals.|Balinese dances often include clown figures who are a welcome counterpoint to the staid noble characters. Every movement of wrist, hand and fingers is important, but only experts would see these details. For ordinary tourists these technicalities go by unnoticed. Most Balinese dances involve some confrontation of good and evil and the crowds usually cheer good characters and cringe when demons appear.|The Balinese music that accompanies the Balinese dances is usually based around an ensemble known as gamelan. A gamelan can comprise anything between 4 and 50 instruments and the music is heavily percussion based. As a result it is quite easy to understand for Westerners, unlike many other forms of Asian music. The gangsa, a xylophone-like instrument with bronze bars on bamboo resonators, is the main instrument of the gamelan. A hammer is used to hit the keys and player dampens the sound with is free hand.|Another important part of Balinese culture is the shadow puppet play of wayang kulit, which is popular all over Indonesia. The puppets are believed to possess great spiritual powers and the dalang, the puppet master, is almost adored like a mystical figure. The wayang kulit is usually based on the struggle between good and bad and most stories are derived from the great Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Shadow puppet plays often last as long as 6 hours. The puppets are made of pierced buffalo hide. They depict legendary characters that every Indonesian knows. The puppets' shadows are cast onto a screen by an oil lamp. This gives them a romantic effect.|Balinese painting is very distinctive, compared with work from other parts of Indonesia. It has a crowded or layered style and usually depicts narrative tales from classical stories, or scenes from everyday life. Up until the 1930's, painting and other decorative arts, such as carving, were only used to adorn temples and festival trappings. But after Westerners started arriving in larger numbers, the Balinese were prompted to see the paintings and sculptures as truly artistic creations. Most Balinese crafts that are sold to tourists are of very poor quality, as the manufacturers just want to make quick money.|Most stone sculptures in Bali are made for the local market. The works often depict legendary figures from Balinese Hindu mythology. Balinese artisans also make excellent masks, jewelry and weavings.|When to Go
|The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, between April and October, when the weather is not so hot. Unfortunately, during that period countless tourists arrive and especially from July to early September, during the European summer holidays, Bali gets very crowded and prices go up. During these months, accommodation can be difficult to find.|The rest of the year it is more humid and cloudy and frequent rainstorms occur, but the weather is still good enough to enjoy your holiday. During that period there are far less tourists and prices are generally lower. The only exception is the period from Christmas until the end of January, when numerous Australians arrive. Many Indonesians also visit Bali around Christmas.|Balinese festivals and holidays are celebrated throughout the year, so you don't have to worry about coinciding your holiday with the events. There is always something going on, but you should be prepared to travel around the island, as not all events take place in every town.|Most Balinese events are based on one of the two local calendars that are used. The Hindu saka and the wuku, which is used to determine festival dates. The wuku calendar is quite complicated. It uses 10 different weeks, each one of which is between 1 and 10 days in length. Apart from that, all 10 weeks run simultaneously. It is impossible to figure it out yourself, during your stay. The best thing to do is to go to a tourist office and ask which festivals and celebrations can be expected.|Bali's most important event is the Galungan Festival, which is celebrated all over Bali. The 10-day long festival takes place once every wuku year. Locals believe that during the Galungun Festival all the gods come down to earth to join the festivities. According to legend, mythical lion-dog creatures, known as barongs, prance from temple to temple and village to village during the festival. The last and most important day of the Galungun Festival is Kuningan. Because the wuku calendar is used, the dates of the Galungun vary from year to year. For example, in 1998 it took place in April and November, while a year later it was celebrated in June.|The most important festival of the saka calendar is Nyepi, which takes place on the last day of the saka year, which is normally at the end of March, or the beginning of April. The day before that is used for purification and the night before people go out on the streets to chase away evil spirits, banging on drums, gongs and cymbals and flaming torches. On Nyepi itself, everyone is very quiet, so, when the evil spirits descend, they think Bali is uninhabited and leave the islanders in peace for another year.|Places of Interest
|There are many interesting towns and sights on Bali. Some of the most popular destinations include Amlapura, Denpasar, Kuta, Legian, Lovina, Pejeng, Sawan, Singaraja, Tenganan, Tirtagangga, Tirtha and Ubud. The region around Kuta Bay is one of Bali's major tourist destinations. There you will find several resorts and plenty of accommodation. If you want to see some wildlife, you should visit the Bali Barat National Park and the area around Bali's highest volcanic cone of Gunung Batur is one of the island's most spectacular natural sights.|Other Activities
|Most tourists come to Bali to enjoy a holiday, lazing on one of Bali's beaches. The water of the Indian Ocean is nice and warm and along Bali's western coast, especially around Ulu Watu and Kuta Beach, there are good surf possibilities. Other good surfing spots along Bali's western coast include Padang, Bingin, Belangan, Canggu and Medewi, while Nusa Dua and Sanur on the island's eastern coast can also be tried. Windsurfing can be done anywhere on Bali's coast, providing there's wind. At many places you can only go out during the high tide, which covers the reefs.|Bali boasts some of the world's nicest coral reefs, which is home to an enormous variety of marine life. The best scuba diving possibilities are found around Sanur, Nusa Dua, Candidasa, Padangbai, Lovina Beach, Tulamben and the island of Nusa Penida, not far off Bali's southwestern coast. The reefs at Nusa Dua, Sanur and Lovina Beach on the northern coast are the best places to go if you just want to do some Snorkeling.|Bali is densely populated and as a result there are few remote areas, where one could go trekking, but it is nice to visit different villages on foot. If you are exploring the island's interior, it's a good idea to climb the volcanic cone of Gunung Batur (Mount Batur) for excellent views over the area. The best Rafting possibilities are on the Ayung River, not far west from Ubud and on the Unda River near Klungkung.|Transportation
|Most tourist arrive at Bali's International airport of Ngurah Rai, 15 km southwest of Denpasar. Bali has direct air connections with Jakarta and other domestic destinations, such as Java, Lombok and several outlying islands. There is also a number of international flights, to places such as Tokyo, Seoul, T'ai-pei and Hong Kong, as well as a number of European capitals and most cities in Australia. Bookings should be reconfirmed at least 72 hours before departure, to avoid over-bookings. Taxis ply the route between Bali's airport and the town of Kuta, 2.5 km (1.5 miles) to the north. In Kuta, buses and bemos (minibuses) to several other cities on Bali are available. There are two types of taxis, ones that work with a fixed price (negotiate before you get in) and metered taxis. It is also possible to walk along the beach from the airport to Kuta.|You can easily get from Bali to Java and Lombok, as numerous ferries ply the route every day. One ferry shuttles between Gilimanuk in the west of Bali and Ketapang in eastern Java, while there are two ferries a day between Padangbai on eastern Bali and Lembar on the west coast of Lombok. A ferry from Benoa in southern Bali and Lembar on Lombok operates twice a day as well. Boat/bus combination tickets to travel between Denpasar on Bali and several Javanese cities are available.|The best way to get around Bali is by bus or bemo (minibus). They run on set routes, between towns and are cheap and quite convenient. There are also comfortable tourist shuttles between the major tourist centers, but they are expensive. It is also possible to rent a car or motorbike, or to charter a bemo for the day. Balinese traffic is on the left and also quite noisy, as everyone seems to use his or her horns frequently. It is also possible to rent bicycles on Bali. In the island's congested southern region the traffic is horrendous, but once away from there, traffic is relatively light and biking is very good. The roads on Bali are good as well.|Accommodation and Food
|It is difficult to give an indication of the cost of traveling in Bali, as the Indonesian currency and the political situation can be unstable. The Indonesian rupiah once valued 2400 rp to the US dollar, but it has been as low as 10,000 too. Many hotels in Bali try to quote rates in US dollars, rather than in rupiahs. Remember that most hotels add a 10 to 21% service charge on top of the bills. Outside the tourist areas, you might be able to negotiate a lower rate. Especially in places with a lot of competition and only few tourists, you can bargain for the lowest price.|Apart from the tourist season between July and early September and the time around Christmas, Bali receives remarkably few tourists and there are plenty of empty rooms available. There are also numerous restaurants, including those that serve original Balinese dishes. Local food often consists of cold steamed rice, vegetables, some nuts or prawn crackers and a little chicken, pork or fish. Many dishes bear Chinese influences and in most restaurants you will find nasi goreng (fried rice, sometimes served with meat or vegetables), mie goreng (noodles with meat or vegetables), cap cai (mixed fried veggies), gado gado (steamed vegetables in a spicy peanut sauce), nasi campur (steamed rice topped with a mix of veggies and meat) and sate (tiny kebabs served with a spicy peanut sauce). If you are traveling to Bali, don't miss two of Bali's most favorite foods: babi guling (spit-roasted suckling pig) and betutu bebek (duck roasted in banana leaves). Tipping is not expected in Bali, but most workers have miserable wages, so if the service is good, you could always leave some small change.|On Bali it requires fierce bargaining to pay a reasonable price for souvenirs, such as clothing, arts and crafts. Travelers' cheques can be cashed in most banks on the island, but rates vary, so you will have to shop around for the best deal. Moneychangers work faster, but have worse rates. In most tourist areas, most credit cards are accepted without any problem, but in smaller towns with few tourists, that can be more difficult. It is best to have small bank notes, when traveling to towns in Bali's interior, as change is often unavailable in these places.|Bali is in the south of Indonesia, immediately east of Java.";
n["balibaratnationalpark"][0]="Bali Barat National Park|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["balibaratnationalpark"][1]="The Bali Barat National Park covers almost 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) of coastal savanna, as well as 7000 ha (17,290 ac) of coral reef and coastal waters on Bali's western tip. Apart from some scattered trees on the savanna, there are patches of dense forest that include more than 200 species of plants. Animals that roam the Bali Barat National Park, include barking deer, black monkeys, buffalos, iguanas, Java deer, leaf monkeys, macaques, mouse deer, pythons, sambar deer, squirrels and wild pigs. There are also more than 200 bird species, including the marvelous Bali starling.|Some of the park's major attractions are its hot springs and the uninhabited Deer Island, which is excellent for scuba diving. Guided jungle treks are also available.|The park's headquarters is at Cekik, not far from the port of Gilimanuk. You can get to Cekik, by bus or bemo from Gilimanuk. Gilimanuk has bus connections with Denpasar, while ferries run between Gilimanuk and Banyuwangi on Java. Bali Barat National Park is 900 km east of Jakarta.";
n["ballarat"][0]="Ballarat|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["ballarat"][1]="Ballarat is the largest former gold-mining town in Victoria. It is a bustling regional center and the town's main street is lined with beautiful Victorian buildings, which bely the wealth that was once generated from the area's rich quartz reefs.|Ballarat's major attraction is its reconstruction of the Sovereign Hill gold-mining township. Ballarat has also historical connections with the Eureka Stockade Rebellion abd it boasts one of Australia's oldest and best provincial fine art galleries. Other sights include the lakeside botanic garden and the monumental tree-lined Avenue of Honour, which is the main drag when entering Ballarat from the northwest.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Ballarat. The town is 100 km northwest of Melbourne and 540 km southwest of Canberra.";
n["baltimore+ei"][0]="Baltimore|Ireland|ei|Europe";
n["baltimore+ei"][1]="Baltimore is a small coastal village,";
n["baltimore+ei"][2]="situated 13kms south-west of";
n["baltimore+ei"][3]="Skibbereen. A popular summer";
n["baltistan"][0]="Baltistan|Pakistan|pk|Asia";
n["baltistan"][1]="The Pakistani region of Baltistan is excellent for mountaineering and trekking. The scenery is fantastic.";
n["balurannationalpark"][0]="Baluran National Park|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["balurannationalpark"][1]="Baluran National Park is advertised as 'Indonesia's African Safari Park' and it is Java's most accessible wildlife sanctuary. The park is situated around Gunung Baluran, a 1247 m high solitary mountain on Java's easternmost tip. Animals that roam the park include civet cats, deer, feral water buffalo, leopards and monkeys, as well as birds such as bee-eaters, green jungle fowl, kingfishers, owls and peacocks. Baluran National Park is somewhat reminiscent of parts of Australia or African savannah, with dry grasslands and mangroves along the coast.|The Ijen Plateau, northeast of Baluran includes a marvelous, turquoise sulfur lake and is excellent for trekking.|Baluran National Park is 860 km east of Jakarta.";
n["bam"][0]="Bam|Iran|ir|Asia";
n["bam"][1]="Bam is an oasis city, where you will see loads of palm trees, as well as eucalypts. Most people came to Bam to visit its ancient city. The ancient city consisted of an area that covered 6 km² (2 sq miles). The city was home to 13,000 people during its heyday in the Safavid period from 1502 to 1722. In that year it was abandoned following an Afghan invasion. Later it was slowly repopulated, but in 1810 invaders from Shiraz caused it to be abandoned again. After that it was in use as an army barracks and since the 1930's it has been totally deserted. Many structures had survived remarkably well, including some that must have been built even before the 12th century. In the early morning of 26 December 2003, however, a powerful earthquake destroyed about 80% of Bam, including the city's historic quarter, which was completely destroyed.|The anciient city was circled by clay walls that could be climbed by narrow and steep stairways. There were good views over Bam from the walls. You could see the icehouse, which held large blocks of ice that melted during the summer and provided the city with drinking water. The ancient town was dominated by the inner citadel. The garrison had a unique echo than could be heard all over the ancient city. It is thought it was used as some sort of warning system.|There were many hotels and restaurants in Bam, but many were destroyed in the earthquake of December 2003. The city has air connections with Tehran and buses run to most other cities in the region. Bam is 980 km southeast of Tehran.";
n["bamako"][0]="Bamako|Mali|ml|Africa";
n["bamako"][1]="Bamako is the hot and dusty capital of one of the poorest countries in the world. It is a very busy place full of people, traffic and a cacophony of sounds and music. The city has many wide boulevards, built by the French in colonial times, but the city center is quite compact and it is easily explored on foot. The center is in the area that lies within the triangle formed by Ave de Fleuve, Blvd du Peuple and Ave van Vollenhoven.|The Grand Marché (market) is in the center of this triangle. It used to be in a colonial-style building, but it burnt completely in 1993. Until it is rebuilt, people put their stalls in the streets around the burnt building. There is not much that can't be bought there and it is an excellent place to get an original souvenir from Mali.|The Musée National is on the road to the zoo, north of the city center. It has interesting exhibitions on ethnographic and architectural features. The museum is one of the best in Western Africa.|There is an Artisans's Market on the junction of Boulevard du Peuple and Place de la République, where some good handicrafts can be found. Nearby is the city's main mosque. A cathedral can be found just behind Ave de Fleuve|One of the most interesting suburbs of the capital is Lafibougou in the west, where you can see beautiful cliffs, as well as a bustling market.|Bamako boasts a whole host of hotels and pensions. Food can be purchased from street stalls, but there are also numerous restaurants and bars. The railway station is just north of the city center, while the airports is to the south, on the other side of the Niger River. The gare routiÚre is 6 km from the center, while the main taxi station is near the railway station, but there are several more taxi stands all over the city. You can also get around by minibus, which is cheaper. Trips on the Niger River can be booked in Bamako as well.";
n["bamako"][2]="-12.39|-7.58|340|1000000|148|0|n/a|Not required|223";
n["bamako"][3]="24.4|n/a|31.9|1.5|26.7|27.9|27.8|4.3";
n["bamenda"][0]="Bamenda|Cameroon|cm|Africa";
n["bamenda"][1]="Bamenda is a beautiful town in the highlands, about 280 km northwest of the capital. There is a good market with lots of different artifacts for sale. The museum of the town is small but has a very good exhibition. An artisans' supermarket sells craftwork that can be purchased at reasonable prices if you bargain hard for it. Most people speak very good English in Bamenda. There are many places that sell books in Bamenda and good maps are easily found.|Bali west of Bamenda and Bafut 20 km to the north are two small villages where festivals are held in December. Even further north lies the Kimbi Game Reserve. Bamenda is a good central place to stay if you want to visit these places.|There is a lot of accommodation available in Bamenda and there are many restaurants as well.|The motor park is quite far from the center, but taxi's that bring you there are widely available.";
n["bamingui-bangorannationalpark"][0]="Bamingui-Bangoran National Park|Central African Republic|ct|Africa";
n["bamingui-bangorannationalpark"][1]="This park doesn't have any special topographical features; it is mostly woodland savannah and it is an ideal place for viewing game. The park houses the 'big four' (elephant, lion, leopard and rhino), but you can also see giraffes, buffalos, hippos, monkeys, baboons, cheetahs, crocodiles, warthogs, pelicans and a all sorts of buck. The park's game density is quite low, as poachers kill large numbers of animals annually. There used to be some 80,000 elephants in the north of the country for example, of which only 3000 remain. Most people go to Saint Floris National Park instead of Bamingui-Bangoran as it is better equipped to receive visitors.|It is best to fly to the park, as driving takes a lot of time on bad roads with numerous difficulties, such as fuel shortages etc. The park is some 400 km northeast of Bangui.";
n["bamingui"][0]="d.write('";
n["bamiyan"][0]="Bamiyan|Afghanistan|af|Asia";
n["bamiyan"][1]="Bamiyan is the location where the two largest standing Buddhas in the world used to be. The two Buddhas, the earliest of which was thought to have been carved into the sandstone cliffs of Bamiyan in the third century A.D., where destroyed by the Taliban regime in March 2001. The largest of the statues was 53 meters (175 feet) tall and the other one was 36 meters (120 feet) tall.";
n["banabaisland"][0]="Banaba Island|Kiribati|kr|Oceania";
n["banabaisland"][1]="The island of Banaba lies just south of the equator and is one of the westernmost islands of the Gilbert archipelago. Phosphate mining has destroyed most of Banaba and the landscape consists of stark coral pinnacles protruding from burning white rock during the mining process. The island is littered with rusted mining equipment. Only a small fringe of the island has not been mined and there, some vegetation supports a few hundred souls. Most of Banaba's original population has been resettled on Rabi Island in Fiji at the end of WWII. There, they had to buy plots of land, so they wouldn't return to Banaba. The remaining population clings fervently to their culture and maintain links with their kinsfolk on Rabi.|Facilities on Banaba are very limited, so you'll need approval from the island council before you arrive there. The only way to get to Banaba is by private yacht. The island is 310 km southwest of Tarawa.";
n["banaue"][0]="Banaue|Philippines|rp|Asia";
n["banaue"][1]="The town of Banaue sits in an area of spectacular rice terraces that were carved out of the hillside by Ifugao tribespeople the last millennium BC. The terraces look like giant stepping stones to the sky and some of them reach altitude of 1500 m (4920 feet).|Accommodation is available in Banaue. The town lies in north Luzon, 300 km north of Manila.";
n["bancdarguin"][0]="d.write('";
n["bancdarguinnationalpark"][0]="Banc d'Arguin National Park|Mauritania|mr|Africa";
n["bancdarguinnationalpark"][1]="The Banc d'Arguin is a major resting area for birds migrating between Europe, northern Asia and Africa. Many species use the area for breeding as well. The park covers a huge coastal, roughly between Nouâdhibou, in the north of Mauritania, and Nouamrhar, 150 km northwest of Nouakchott.|The large part of the Atlantic Ocean that is also included in the park is very shallow (only about 3 m (10 feet) deep up to 25 km (15 miles) from the coast), and the water is crystal clear. There are numerous sandy islands of which Tidra Island is the largest.|Since most birds forester on the islands, the only way to see them is by boat, but you'll need special permits from the park service, a guide and your own boat. On top of that you will need a 4WD vehicle to get there, as the journey involves driving some 200 km (125 miles) along the sandy beach and through the desert. Make sure your vehicle is not on the beach when the tide comes in. Entrance to the park is not allowed during the bird's mating seasons (twice a year). The park is best accessed from the south.";
n["bandaaceh"][0]="Banda Aceh|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["bandaaceh"][1]="Banda Aceh, on Sumatra's northernmost point, is a relaxing, friendly place with a rich history, although some violence occurs at times, as the Free Aceh Movement continues to fight for an independent Islamic state. The Aceh province is Indonesia's most staunchly Muslim and is run under Islamic law, although indigenous groups also embrace animism. Offerings and rituals continue to play an important part in their lives. Because of its northern location, Banda Aceh has always been an important trading port and as a result, the city's population is a mixture of Indonesian, Arab, Tamil, Chinese and indigenous groups. The people in Banda Aceh are generally taller than those in other parts of Indonesia.|One of the city's major landmarks is the Grand Mosque. Interesting sights around Banda Aceh include the nearby island of Pulau We, with its laid-back atmosphere and the deserted beaches of the rugged west coast. Further south is the Gunung Leuser National Park. Organized excursions to the park are available in Banda Aceh.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Banda Aceh. The city is 1775 km northwest of Jakarta and 435 km northwest of Medan.|Most of the city was destroyed in the aftermath of an earthquake and resulting tsunami on Sunday 26 December 2004.|Warning: Anyone traveling to Aceh should check the safety situation with their embassy in Jakarta as there has been a resurgence of violence since April 1999, by the Free Aceh Movement fighting for an independent Islamic state in the region.";
n["bandarseribegawan"][0]="Bandar Seri Begawan|Brunei|bx|Asia";
n["bandarseribegawan"][1]="Bandar Seri Begawan or Bandar as most locals call it, is a clean modern city with wide roads and huge public buildings. It has only about 60,000 inhabitants, but it looks a lot bigger because of the grand building style. You will notice that the city is sometimes referred to as BSB.|One of the most impressive modern mosques in Asia is the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque that was built in 1958. The mosque stands close to the Brunei River in an artificial lagoon. It boasts a golden dome and its interior features Italian marble walls, luxurious carpeting and an elevator.|About 3 km west of the city center, also on the banks of the Brunei River are 28 so-called water villages. The ancient villages are built on stilts and known as Kampung Ayer.|Exhibits on the water villages' architecture and the technologies used by the people who live in them can be seen at the Malay Technology Museum|Other interesting museums in Bandar Seri Begawan include the Brunei Museum, which has a good collection of traditional tools and artifacts and Istana Nurul Iman, the palace of the Sultan. It can only be visited at the end of Ramadan. Not far from the palace is the Pulau Ranggu, which houses large numbers of proboscis monkeys. You can rent a water taxi for the best look at the monkeys.|The people in Bandar are generally very friendly. In the evenings there is little going on in town and most streets are completely deserted after 9.00 PM or so. There are no nightclubs, bars or discos in Bandar, but accommodation is available.";
n["bandarseribegawan"][2]="-4.55|114.55|3|60000|121|8|n/a|2|673";
n["bandarseribegawan"][3]="26.9|37.1|27.8|24.9|27.5|22.9|27.5|36.8";
n["bandiagara"][0]="Bandiagara|Mali|ml|Africa";
n["bandiagara"][1]="Bandiagara is a hot and dusty town in the Falaise de Bandiagara, 510 km east of Bamako. The town is a good starting point for treks through the area. There are many people offering to be a guide. There is a market in Bandiagara every Monday. You can also visit the mosque in town.|There is little accommodation and there are not many restaurants either.";
n["bandiagaraescarpment"][0]="d.write('";
n["bandung"][0]="Bandung|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["bandung"][1]="Bandung is the capital of West Java. It sits at an altitude of 750 m (2460 feet) above sea level and as a result it has a cool, refreshing climate. It is Indonesia's third largest city, but despite of that it is a relaxed place without any hassles. The majority of the people in the region around Bandung are native Sundanese, who are known as easy-going people, especially if you compare them with the extremely refined Javanese. The Sundanese have their own ancient culture, which is zealously guarded. If you are interested in Sundanese culture, you should definitely visit Bandung.|The countryside around the city is absolutely marvelous. You can hike to the Tangkuban Prahu volcano and along the way you will have to cross various streams and rivers. In the northern suburb of Cilimus, ram-butting fights can be experienced.|There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Bandung. The city is 120 km southeast of Jakarta.";
n["banfora"][0]="Banfora|Burkina Faso|uv|Africa";
n["banfora"][1]="Banfora lies about 400 km southwest of Ouagadougou and 60 km from the border with Côte d'Ivoire. There is not much to do in this sleepy town, but the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Burkina Faso. Most people stay in Banfora to hike around the area, or to take a glimpse at the hippos in Lake Tengreia, 10 kilometers away. Local fishermen will take you out on the lake in their pirogues for a little money. Out on the lake the strange shaped Sindou rock formations can be seen.|The Karfiguéla waterfalls are 13 km from the town and they are an interesting site to visit, but they are best seen during the rainy season. The cascades are a refreshing change from the rest of Burkina, which is dry and dusty. Be careful when swimming at the falls, as bilharzia has been found in the water. Only drink bottled water. An interesting hiking place not far from the falls is the escarpment known as Dômes de Karfiguéla.|Accommodation in Banfora is easily found and so are place to eat|Banfora is has rail and bus connections with the capital, although you can also take the minibus to Bobo Dioulasso and do the rest by train. The area around Banfora is best explored by moped or bicycle, which are rented in the town.";
n["bangalore"][0]="Bangalore|India|in|Asia";
n["bangalore"][1]="Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state. It is a modern city with a thriving technology industry that has earned it the name 'Silicon Valley' of India. It has been Asia's fastest growing city for years and road congestion problems, as well as power failures start becoming a problem.|The main attraction in Bangalore is Vidhana Soudha. It was only built in 1954, but it is one of the country's most striking government buildings. There are also an old fort and a wooden palace that belonged to Tipu Sultan. Bangalore like to call itself 'Garden City', but the only gardens are the Cubbon Park and the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, which are both of little interest.|Since it is the area's major transportation hub, you might end up in Bangalore and it is a good place to stay if you want to explore the Karnataka region. Trips to several of the state's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be arranged in town.|Most accommodation is concentrated on MG Road. In the same district you will also find numerous restaurants, bars, travel agencies and shops. There is also a good market in Bangalore. The city is 1695 km south of Delhi.";
n["bangassou"][0]="Bangassou|Central African Republic|ct|Africa";
n["bangassou"][1]="Bangassou lies about 500 km east of the capital Bangui, on the banks of the Ubangi, the border river between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It used to be a busy border crossing point with a ferry shuttling people between the two countries. But traffic is shifting to Mobaye 190 km to the west.|There is a market in Bangassou where all different sorts of meat are sold, including anteater, buffalo, bush pig, gazelle, monkey and warthog. Wild animals such as leopards, lions and elephants can come within the vicinity of town. The 500 km between Bangassou and the capital take about 2 days to cover by minibus.";
n["bangkok"][0]="Bangkok (Krung Thep)|Thailand|th|Asia";
n["bangkok"][1]="Krung Thep is better known as Bangkok and it is one of Asia's most interesting cities. Before it became Thailand's capital in 1782, Bang Makok (Place of Olives) was an outlying district of Thonburi, a town that was founded as a trading post around 1550. The town was of strategic importance because of its proximity to Ayutthaya, which was the capital of Siam. In the 18th century a fort was constructed on the banks of the Chao Phraya and an iron chain hung across the river to prevent unwanted ships from entering the region.|In the second half of the 18th century, the Chakri Dynasty was founded and soon, in 1872, King Rama I decided that the capital was to be Bangkok, on the other side of the river, as he thought it would be easier to defend. City walls were built, using thousands of Khmer prisoners of war as laborers. The canal system was extended and numerous temples were erected. In 1785 the construction works finished and the city was renamed. Originally the name comprised 164 letters, but later it was shortened to Krung Thep (City of Angels), although the rest of the world still uses the old name of Bangkok.|During the first half of the 19th century, then ruler Rama III built countless new temples, while his successor constructed the city's first road, which ran alongside the river, in 1861. By the end of the 19th century carriages and rickshaws had replaced boats and other watercraft as means of transportation throughout the city.|In 1932, Thailand's constitutional government was established and Bangkok became ever more important. The Japanese briefly occupied some parts of Bangkok during WWII, but they didn't do too much damage. After the war Bangkok continued growing and modernizing and in the 1960's, sex tourism started springing up, as the city became a popular place for foreign troops to have a break from the Vietnam war. The sex trade still exists nowadays. During the 1980's Bangkok boomed, but the economic crisis that swept through Asia in 1997 hit hard.|Nowadays Bangkok is an important financial center and it has become a huge metropolis, including all the annoyances such as traffic-jams and pollution. Bangkok has sticky weather all year round and experiences annual floods, but it is a modern place with an interesting political and cultural life. It continues to expand rapidly, as rural people keep moving to the capital in search of a better life.|The original city lies in a fertile rice producing region on the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River, but it has expanded to the western shore as well. Metropolitan Bangkok covers 1569 km² (612 sq miles) and it is crisscrossed by a system of natural and artificial canals that are all connected with Bangkok's major transportation artery, the Chao Phraya River. The city is sinking at a rate of some 90 cm (36 inches) every year.|In Old Bangkok, on the eastern bank of the river, numerous temples and palaces are situated, as well as the Chinese and Indian districts. The area lies between the river and the railway. East of the railway are the main business, tourist and residential districts. This area is known as New Bangkok, although other 'new' areas continue to expand on all sides of the city.|When to Go
|Bangkok can be visited all year round; there are no great differences in weather conditions, although between November and February, extreme heat and rain are less frequent. In April it is usually extremely hot and in October it rains more often. Most tourists come to the city in December and in August, while the months of May, June and September are more quiet.|There are countless beliefs and religions in Bangkok, all of which have their own festivals and celebrations. Especially during the cooler months between November and February you'll run into a religious or cultural event of some kind.|The most important festivities are Coronation Day, on 5 May, during which the royals can be seen at Wat Phra Kaew and the King's Birthday on the 5th of December. During these celebrations some residents erect temporary shrines outside their houses or businesses. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May, is an ancient Brahman ritual that marks the official opening of the rice-planting season. In September the Thailand International Swan-Boat Races are held on the Chao Phraya River. Most people watch the spectacle from the Rama IX Bridge that spans the river.|Places of Interest
|National Museum
|The National Museum in Bangkok is the largest such museum in Southeast Asia. It sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Old Bangkok and it houses an interesting collection of Thai art from all styles and periods, ranging from Dvaravati to Ratanakosin. There are also exhibitions of musical instruments from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia, as well as Chinese weaponry, ceramics, clothing, woodcarving and textiles. English-speaking guides are available. On the museum grounds is a beautifully restored Buddhaisawan Chapel, which was originally built in 1795.|Jim Thompson's House
|Jim Thompson was a somewhat mysterious silk entrepreneur. His former residence at the end of an undistinguished lane next to Khlong Saen Saep is a marvelous example of authentic Thai residential architecture and boasts some interesting Southeast Asian art. Thompson was an architect in New York, who served as a spy in Thailand during WWII. After the war he stayed in Bangkok, working as an architect and slowly built up a worldwide clientele for the special building-style also used for his residence in Bangkok. You will see that each wall of the building has its exterior side facing the building's interior, exposing the walls' bracing system to residents and guests.|In 1967, Thompson disappeared mysteriously in Malaysia and that same year, his sister was murdered in the U.S., fuelling several conspiracy theories of who was behind all of it, spies, rivaling architects or just some sort of coincidence?|Chinatown
|In Bangkok's Chinatown you will find an amazing collection of jewelry, hardware, wholesale food and automotive and fabric shops. Prices are usually lower than anywhere else in the capital. Chinatown has been a permanent Chinese-Thai residential area since 1782. By the end of the 19th century the district comprised some 245 opium dens and countless pawnshops, gambling houses and brothels. Nowadays things have eased up a little, but you can still see some of these places in Chinatown. The annual Vegetarian Festival is held in Chinatown, while more kinds of exotic food than you could ever imagine is available all year round.|Pahurat
|Bangkok is a cultural and ethnic melting pot, which is most visible in the district of Pahurat, close to the Chao Phraya River, west of Chinatown. In the small Pahurat area you will find an astonishing amount of small shops where all sorts of Indian goods, silks and Thai shoulder bags are on sale. You will have to haggle fiercely over the prices, but it you're good, the bargains can be unbelievable. There are also numerous food stalls and shops, as well as places that sell household items in the districts many little alleys.|Ko Kret
|Ko Kret sits on an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River, in the northern part of Bangkok. It is one of Thailand's oldest Mon settlements. The Mon people dominated Thai culture between the 6th and 10th centuries. Their ancient crafts, such as pottery are very famous and countless visitors from all over the world come to the island's Ancient Mon Pottery Center every year. The center displays a wide variety of local earthenware and you can also see the potters creating their work. The center also includes a shop where the finished products are sold.|Other Sights
|Bangkok has numerous surprisingly quiet escapes in the form of wats (temple-monasteries). There are some 400 of them and they are scattered all over the capital. Some of the most impressive ones include Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Wat Traimit is also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha and home to a 3 m tall, 5,500 kg solid gold Buddha image. The Wat Sai floating market in Thonburi is also worth a visit, though it is a bit touristy. Also worth a visit are the Saovabha Institute Snake Farm and the Oriental Hotel. Boat trips through Bangkok's are a very nice way to experience the city.|Around Bangkok
|Ayutthaya
|The ruins of Thailand's former capital are very interesting and well worth a visit. Ayutthaya is 75 km north of Bangkok and can easily be visited on a day trip from Bangkok.|Meuang Boran
|Meuang Boran, or the Ancient City is billed as the world's largest open-air museum and includes more than 100 copies of Thai monuments. Mueang Boran is about 30 km south of the city center.|Activities
|As in every large city, countless sporting and fitness possibilities are available in Bangkok. There are golf courses, swimming pools and places where you can practice squash, bowling and polo, as well as numerous gyms. Courses to learn traditional arts, such as Thai cooking, Thai martial arts and Thai massage are widely available, while the latter is also very relaxing to experience.|Transportation
|Bangkok international airport is in the Don Muang district, about 25 km (15 miles) north of the city center. Bangkok is a very good place to look for flights to other destinations worldwide, as the city is one of the world's cheapest places to fly out of. International flights are available to almost any place in the world, while domestic traffic departs from the nearby Don Muang airport. Both airports have good bus, taxi and train connections to the city center.|It is also possible to travel from Bangkok to several destinations in Thailand's neighboring countries by bus or train, although trains are usually cheaper, faster and more comfortable. Most trains that leave Bangkok depart from Hualamphong station.|Transportation within the city is quite efficient, but very slow, as a result of the unbelievable traffic jams. The average speed during commuter hours is 13 km/h. Many sights can easily be reached via the river or the canals (khlongs), but the cheapest way to get around is by bus. The light elevated-rail Bangkok Transit System (BTS) crisscrosses the city. All of its lines converge at the Central Station.|Be very careful on busy buses and trains, as thugs operate that try to 'razor' tourists. They will cut open your bag and remove your wallet.|Other than public transportation, you can rent a car or motorbike, but because of Bangkok's sheer volume of traffic it is probably wiser to hire a taxi or tuk-tuk. There are also motorcycle taxis, but you should only use them if you have a death wish. River taxis cover Bangkok's extensive canal system.|Accommodation and Food
|There are numerous budget hotels and hostels around Khao San Road in Banglamphu, while in the area around Sukhumvit Road you will find a wide selection of hotels that are slightly more expensive. The districts of Banglamphu and Thewet are the best places to look for inexpensive traditional Thai restaurants and food stalls, but in Chinatown and Pahurat are also countless places that offer exotic foodstuffs.|There are many pubs, discos and go-go bars in Bangkok, especially in Patpong, but Bangkok also offers other entertainment such as Thai boxing and classical dance. Bangkok also has a reputation as a cheap place to get laid and unfortunately Child prostitution still thrives in the city. The night markets behind Ratchaprarop Road in Pratunam are an excellent place to go if you want to experience something different than a night out dancing and partying. Shopping in Bangkok is excellent and there are great bargains, especially if you are good at haggling.";
n["bangkok"][2]="-13.44|100.30|16|8000000|108|7|n/a|2|66";
n["bangkok"][3]="25.6|0.5|30.3|5.8|28.3|17.5|27.8|25.1";
n["bangor"][0]="Bangor|United States|us|North America";
n["bangor"][1]="Bangor was settled in 1769 and it was known as Sunbury. During the War of 1812 it was occupied by the British. In the 19th century, Bangor was a shipbuilding center that carried on an extensive coastal and overseas trade in lumber, stone and ice. The city has a theological seminary, a conservatory of music and three colleges. Bangor International Airport, part of which was once Dow Air Force Base, has one of the longest runways in the United States.|Bangor is a port of entry to the United States. It is an important commercial center and gateway to an extensive resort and lumber region. Major industries include the production of shoes, pulp and paper, as well as wood products. There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Bangor is in the south of Maine, at the confluence of the Penobscot and Kenduskeag rivers, 95 km northeast from Augusta and 930 km northeast from Washington D.C.";
n["bangui"][0]="Bangui|Central African Republic|ct|Africa";
n["bangui"][1]="Bangui is a pleasant shady town. On the south, the city is bordered by the river, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the other shore. The rest of Bangui is surrounded by green hills. There are many things to see in the city, so take some time when you visit it.|Bangui was founded in 1889 by the French, who named it after the nearby rapids. Be very careful in the city, as thieves and pickpockets are around day and night. At night NEVER walk through the city, always take a taxi.|The Place de la République is the square that marks the center of the city. There is a huge triumphal arch, one of the legacies of Bokassa. Two blocks to the southeast, not far from the port, you will find the central market (Marché Central. The presidential palace is northeast of the square, also nearby. From the square there are streets leading in different directions. Leading west is the city's main shopping street, the Avenue Barthelémy Boganda. It runs from the square to the Rond-Point Boganda, or km 5 as it is known locally. South to the Boganda Avenue lies the Avenue David Dacko. The famous Hôtel Minerva and the US Embassy are situated on this avenue. If you plan to go to the south of the country you will have to take this avenue. From the square towards the golf club in the north of the city lies the Avenue de l'Indépendance. On this avenue you will find the Centre Artisanal (artisan's market), where bead necklaces are for sale, the national assembly and the golf club. This avenue is the direction, traffic to destinations in the east of the Central African Republic takes.|On Avenue de la France is the Musée de Boganda that has an excellent exhibition on pygmy tools, artifacts and, very interesting, as you are allowed to try them out yourself, musical instruments from the area. Former dictator Bokassa's palace is in Kolongo, about 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Bangui heading for M'Baïki. After Bokassa fled the palace was looted, but it is still an interesting place to visit.|100 km northwest of Bangui are the Boali Waterfalls. Trips can be arranged from the capital.|The liveliest part of the city is the African quarter, where you will find many bars, discotheques and a large market. It is the area around intersection km5 or 'K-cinq', an intersection 5 km (3 miles) from the city center.|The area around km5 is the best place to find nice food from food stalls. Another area where many restaurants are located is around the Place de la République. Accommodation is scattered all over the city. The airport is north of Bangui and the gare routiÚre where buses to the west of the country can be found, is 4 km from the center on Avenue de l'Indépendence.";
n["bangui"][2]="-4.22|18.35|n/a|n/a|n/a|1|n/a|n/a|n/a";
n["banijamrah"][0]="Bani Jamrah|Bahrain|ba|Asia";
n["banijamrah"][1]="Bani Jamrah is known for its weavers, who produce cloth in many different patterns. The distinct material can be purchased from shacks, a few hundred meters out of town. This was done to keep too many tourists from entering the town itself. Demonstrations of weaving can be seen at various shacks, but the one opposite the cemetery seems to be the most popular.|You can get to Bani Jamrah by taking the bus from Manama to the Ad-Diraz Temple and walk the last few hundred meters. Bani Jamrah is 10 km (6 miles) west of Manama.";
n["banjaluka"][0]="Banja Luka|Bosnia and Herzegovina|bk|Europe";
n["banjaluka"][1]="Banja Luka is an important crossroads on the Vrbas River in northwestern Bosnia, but there is much of interest to tourists, as the local Serbs destroyed all of its 16 mosques in 1993. About the only remaining sights of any interest are the 16th-century fort next to the river and the city's amphitheatre, which was badly damaged during the war, as locals used its benches for firewood to heat up their homes during the war, as no fuel was available. During the war, the Serbs regarded Banja Luka as the capital of their Republika Srpska and nowadays the presidential palace in the center of town is the seat of the Bosnian Serb government.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Banja Luka. The city is 140 km northwest of Sarajevo.";
n["banjul"][0]="Banjul|The Gambia|ga|Africa";
n["banjul"][1]="Banjul was founded by the British as an administrative center for the British colony of Sierra Leone before becoming the capital of the British Colony and Protectorate of The Gambia. Until 1973, Banjul was known as Bathurst. The city lies on a small island at the mouth of the Gambia River that was purchased by the British from Tumami Bojang, King of the Kombos in 1816 for a sum of about $45 US. Banjul is separated from the mainland by swamps and mangrove creeks, so the city cannot grow anymore, making it one of the continent's smallest capitals. With its neglected roads and decaying colonial buildings, it looks more like a sleepy village than a vibrant capital. Many people who come work in the capital every day, actually live in nearby Bakau/Fajara or Serekunda. Banjul is connected to the mainland by a bridge in the northwest and has a good beach on the Gambia riverfront.|The most lively part of the city is the Albert Market, where you can buy clothes, food and local handicrafts. On nearby MacCarthy Square are the War Memorial and a Fountain in commemoration of the 1937 coronation of Britain's King George VI.|The Gambia National Museum next to the Anglican Cathedral has good history and ethnology exhibitions. One interesting part of the exhibition is about West Africa and events that led to the Gambia's independence. One of the tallest buildings in the Gambia is the Arch near the museum. It is 35 m (115 ft) high and it was built to commemorate the military coup of 22 July 1994. Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh who led that coup then became the country's president. Since it is much taller than most other buildings, it provides good views over the city.|You can explore the mangrove creeks (bolong as the locals call it) west of the city by pirogue (motorized wooden canoe). The main water separating Banjul island from the mainland is called Oyster Creek. Just east of Banjul's harbor is a ship-graveyard, where unused vessels are left to rust away.|Accommodation is widely available and restaurants can also be found everywhere. Most long-distance buses leave from nearby Serekunda. You can get there by minibus or taxi.";
n["banjul"][2]="-13.21|-16.40|27|60000|112|0|n/a|Not required|220";
n["banjul"][3]="23.1|0.3|25.6|n/a|26.7|28.2|26.9|10.9";
n["bankas"][0]="Bankas|Mali|ml|Africa";
n["bankas"][1]="Bankas is a good starting place for hikes through the Falaise de Bandiagara. The town is 510 km east of Bamako. The market is a good place to buy blue Dogon cloth.|There is little accommodation and there are not many restaurants either.";
n["banking"][0]="Banking|Switzerland|sz|Europe";
n["banking"][1]="There are over 600 domestic banks in Switzerland, as well as more than 200 foreign banks. One of the country's best-known institutions is that of 'numbered bank accounts'. These bank accounts are identified by a number only, assuring the account holder anonymity. As a result, the money in large parts of these accounts is of dubious origin.|Numbered accounts were introduced in WWII, in order to provide escaping Nazis with secret funds. Swiss bank accounts have been a favorite destination for funds stowed away by corrupt figures, ever since. Apart from this, there are of course massive flows of legitimate money as well. The Swiss banking business contributes heavily to the country's GDP.";
n["banso"][0]="Banso (also known as Kinbo, Kumbo & Nsu)|Cameroon|cm|Africa";
n["banso"][1]="The Banso area is inhabited by the Banso tribes. (BA means: people of, NSO is: the tribe). The Nso are ruled by their own Fon (local ruler), while the sub rulers are called Shuu-Fai or Fais. Each one of them heads around 150 people. Fais have colorful necklaces, they always wear a hat and they carry a walking stick, weather they need it or not. Shaking hands with the Fais is regarded an insult.|There is some accommodation in the area.";
n["baraawe"][0]="Baraawe (Brava)|Somalia|so|Africa";
n["baraawe"][1]="Baraawe (Brava) is 170 km southwest of Mogadishu, about 5 km off the main road from the capital to Kismayu. It is a beautiful old Arab town that is famous for its leather tannery, where you can buy leather sandals.|There is little accommodation in town and there are no reasonable places where you can eat.";
n["baracoa"][0]="Baracoa|Cuba|cu|Central America";
n["baracoa"][1]="Baracoa was founded by Diego Velázquez in 1512, making it the oldest European settlement in Cuba. Up until the 1960's, Baracoa could only be reached by boat, but a road was built that connected it with the rest of the country. Baracoa is a quiet place that boasts an abundance of palm trees. There are three forts in Baracoa that remind of the Spanish period. The museo municipal is housed in the Fuerte Matachín, while the Fuerte de la Punta is a restaurant. The third fort of El Castillo de Seboruco has been converted into a hotel.|There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Baracoa sits on a headland on Cuba's easternmost point, Cabo Maisí, 875 km southeast of Havana.";
n["baragoi"][0]="Baragoi|Kenya|ke|Africa";
n["baragoi"][1]="Baragoi is 340 km north of Nairobi. It is a very small village with some shops and lodges. There are also several places where you can camp and you will find a few bars in town.";
n["barahona"][0]="Barahona|Dominican Republic|dr|Central America";
n["barahona"][1]="Barahona is a seaside town, where most people make a living from mining and sugarcabe farming, instead of tourism. It lies on a bay, on the Pedernales Peninsula and is backed by the Sierra de Neiba. The bay is excellent for scuba diving and you will see lots of groupers, nurse sharks and manatees. Barahona is a good place to stay if you want to visit the Reserva Científica Laguna Rincón (Corner Lagoon Scientific Reserve), which is not far from town.|There are only few hotels and restaurants in Barahona. The town is 130 km west of Santo Domingo.";
n["baraqish"][0]="Baraqish|Yemen|ym|Asia";
n["baraqish"][1]="Baraqish used to be the capital of the ancient kingdom of Ma'in. It sits on a wadi in northern Yemen. Around 400 BC it was an important center that was protected by massive city walls and watchtowers.|There is little left of Baraqish and apart from the city walls, most of the settlement is in ruins. In the center of town are the remains of a mosque and a temple.|There is no accommodation in Baraqish, as the town is completely deserted. The best place to stay is Al Hazm, several kilometers to the north, although many people prefer to stay in Ma'rib, where more facilities and transportation to San'a are available. Baraqish is 100 km northeast of San'a.";
n["barbadoswildlifereserve"][0]="Barbados Wildlife Reserve|Barbados|bb|Central America";
n["barbadoswildlifereserve"][1]="The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is a small zoo, where animals roam freely. Wildlife in the park includes green monkeys and red-footed turtles. The is also a caiman pond. Cockatoos, macaws, peacocks and pelicans can be seen at the park's aviary.|Around a kilometer or so north of the park is the Saint Nicholas Abbey. The old plantation house was built in the 17th century, making it one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the Caribbean.|The reserve is 25 km (16 miles) northeast of Bridgetown.";
n["barbar"][0]="Barbar|Bahrain|ba|Asia";
n["barbar"][1]="At Barbar is a complex of three temples that date from 3000 to 2000 BC. It is thought the temples are dedicated to Enki, the God of Wisdom and the Sweet Waters under the Earth. There are walkways through the site, which offer excellent views of the excavated ruins.|Barbar is about 10 km (6 miles) west of Manama and can be reached by bus. You will have to get off at the Ad-Diraz Temple and then walk to Barbar. This walk will take about 30 minutes.";
n["barberton"][0]="Barberton|South Africa|sf|Africa";
n["barberton"][1]="Barberton is 290 km east of Pretoria and 45 km south of Nelspruit. It is an old mining center and the miners used to refer to it as the Valley of Death.|There is little of interest in Barberton. There are several hotels and restaurants in town.";
n["barcelona"][0]="Barcelona|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["barcelona"][1]="It is thought Carthaginians founded Barcelona around 230 BC. After that it was first invaded by the Visigoths and then by the Muslims. In 801 AD, the Muslims were pushed back by armies from what is now France. By then, the people that lived in the plains and mountains to the northwest and north of Barcelona had developed their own language and customs and could be identified as 'Catalans', although the earliest written documents that refer to that term, only date from the 10th century. Nowadays the language that is closest related to Catalan is the langue d'oc, the old language of southern France.|After the fall of the Muslim caliphate of Córdoba, in the 12th century, Barcelona started gaining importance and wealth. The Catalans managed to keep their creative forces alight through to the 14th century. By that time, Barcelona ruled a mini-empire that included Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, Valencia, the Balearics, the French regions of Rousillon and Cerdagne and parts of Greece. By the 15th century, bank crashes, the plague and the Genoese invading the Spanish markets with their products, had diminished Barcelona's importance again. The Catalans entered a union with the kingdom of Castile, in the hope to receive needed cash, but the heirs to the Castile and Aragón were only interested in juicing Catalunya to finance their own imperial ambitions.|In 1462 a rebellion against King Joan II started. In 1473, it ended in a siege of Barcelona. As a result, large parts of the city were devastated. After the siege, Barcelona was annexed into the Castilian state, but did not receive any of the artifacts that were plundered from the Americas and that brought fantastic riches to 16th-century Castile. Disaffected Catalans, including the peasants, resorted to arms several times. During the last revolt, in the War of the Spanish Succession, Catalunya sided with the British and the Austrians against Felipe V, the French contender for the Spanish throne. The armies of Felipe V defeated the invading powers and Barcelona fell after a fierce siege in 1714. Felipe built a huge fort, the Ciutadell to control the city and he also banned the use of the Catalan language.|After 1778, Catalunya was given permission to start trade with America and the city slowly regained some of its former glory. Barcelona was the cradle of Spain's first industrial revolution, which was based on cotton, wine, cork and iron industries. By the 1830's the Catalan language and the region's culture were on the brink of disappearing, but the European Romantic movement virtually rescued them. The Catalan Renaixença, or Renaissance, was led by poets and writers who successfully revived the popularity of the people's language. As a result, a nationalist movement sprang up and was embraced by all the parties of the political spectrum.|In 1800, Barcelona had about 115,000 inhabitants, while; in 1900 this had risen to more than half a million. This rapid growth of the city's population was followed by a violent period, in which anarchists, Republicans, bourgeois regionalists, gangsters, police terrorists, political gunmen called pistoleros and centrists in Madrid all took part of the action. By 1930 Barcelona had more than a million inhabitants, mostly people flocking the city in search for industrial jobs. Some 80% of the industrial workers joined the anarchist CNT and in 1919-1920 this resulted in a wave of strikes. Employers hired assassins to kill union leaders.|In 1931, Spain's Second Republic was formed and within days, Catalan nationalists declared a republic within an 'Iberian Federation'. After the leftist Popular Front won the Spanish general election in February 1936, Catalunya gained genuine autonomy. Barcelona was ran by the revolutionary anarchists and the POUM (the Workers Marxist Unification Party), but infighting between communists, anarchists and the POUM resulted in three days of street fighting in May 1937, in which more then 1500 people died.|Similar infighting occurred in many places in Spain, eradicating any chance of defeating Franco's fascist militia. Barcelona was the last stronghold of the Republicans, but in January 1939, it too fell to Franco's forces. The civil war ended several months later and thousands of Catalans fled into France, Andorra and other countries.|Franco immediately banned the use of the Catalan language and expressions of Catalan culture, such as the sardana, a public circle dance. He flooded the region with impoverished immigrants from Andalucía in an effort to outnumber the Catalans and reduce the possibilities of new independence movements gaining ground. The plan soured, as the migrants' children and grandchildren turned out to be even more in favor of independence than the Catalans themselves.|When El Supremo died, Catalunya's independence movement immediately stepped up in an effort to recreate the region as a nation. Catalan was revived and the Generalitat, or local parliament, was reinstated. Nowadays, people gather in various places all over Barcelona several times a week to dance the sardana. Talks of independence continue to mark Catalan politics. Barcelona has become Spain's second-largest city and its most important port. It is the country's hippest town, with loads of happenings and festivals going on throughout the year, the week-long festa in the summer being the most important one. Barcelona offers a wide variety of architecture, food, style, fashion and music.|Many of the city's buildings feature work of the eccentric artist Gaudí and Barcelona is also home to significant collections by Picasso and Miró. The art collections, architecture and Catalan culture will fascinate any visitor to Barcelona, as will its inhabitants with their duende, their persistent egalitarianism and clamor for a separate identity.|In short, Barcelona is one of the most dynamic and exciting cities on the western Mediterranean seaboard. It is a truly European metropolis that is inconceivable until you get there. You will be surprised that an industrial city boasts so many sights and has so many things going on. Barcelona is a place you will never forget once you have been there and there is a big chance you would want to go visit it again.|Barcelona's coastline runs from the northeast to the southwest and many of the city's streets run parallel or perpendicular to it. There are two major hills in the city, which provide good landmarks, when browsing the streets. They are Montjuïc and Tibidabo. The main boulevard is 1.25 km (0.77 miles) long La Rambla, which runs slightly uphill from Port Vell (Old Harbor) to Plaça de Catalunya and is always packed with people. The Plaça de Catalunya marks the edge of the Ciutat Vella (Old Town). L'Eixample, the city's 19th-century answer to overcrowding in the city's confines, stretches north, east and west of the Plaça de Catalunya. Montjuïc is about a kilometer southwest of Port Vell, while Tibidabo, which boasts a landmark television tower and a golden Christ statue, is 6 km (3.8 miles) northwest of the city center.|When to go
|Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers. If you want to enjoy the sun and most of the city's celebrations, you should visit in May, June, or September. In July and August the heat can be harsh, with temperatures often reaching 37°C (98.6°F). Between October and April the weather is cooler and rains often occur. During that time there are less happenings and celebrations.|Although Barcelona offers less festivities than many other Spanish cities, it still has its share of parties and celebrations. In February/March Carnaval is celebrated. It lasts for 10 days and there's plenty of singing and dancing going on. Dia de Sant Jordi, the Day of the Book, is celebrated on 23 April to commemorate Catalunya's patron saint. On 23 June, the midsummer celebrations of Berbena de Sant Joan, also known as La Nit del Foc, or Fire Night, offer a lot of drinking, dancing and fireworks.|More music, dance and theatre can be enjoyed during the Festival del Grec, which is held from late June to August. Around 15 August, the Festa Major de Gràcia fills the decorated streets of Gràcia with dancing and music. The last festival of the summer is the Festes de la Mercè. It is celebrated around 24 September and includes concerts and dancing, as well as a swimming race across the harbor and a correfoc, or fire race. From late October to the end of November Barcelona's International Jazz Festival is held. The weeks between Christmas and 6 January are also an interesting time to visit the city.|Places to visit
|Port Vell (Old Harbor)
|Port Vell boasts one of Europe's largest aquaria. It also has two marinas. At its northeastern end is the old sailors' quarter of La Barceloneta. Further northeast from there are beaches and a pedestrian promenade that stretches all the way to Port Olímpic, a harbor that was built for the 1992 Olympics. Port Olímpic is home to numerous lively bars and restaurants.|Ciutat Vella (Old Town)
|Barcelona's Ciutat Vella is a warren of narrow streets, centuries-old buildings and budget accommodation. It spreads on both sides of La Rambla. At the lower half of the boulevard's eastern section is the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), which is the heart of the Old Town. To the west is El Raval, while the Old Town's southern part is formed by the seedy red-light district of Barri Xinès (Chinese Quarter). Be alert, when walking around in El Raval.|La Rambla
|La Ramble is often referred to as Las Ramblas. It is a tree-lined boulevard, which is divided into seven different sections, each with its own name and has a wide pedestrian part in its center. The boulevard is always packed with buskers, living statues, mimes and itinerant salespeople selling everything from lottery tickets to jewelry. Walking down La Rambla from the Plaça de Catalunya you will first come to the section, called Rambla de Canaletes, after the fountain of Canaletes. According to legend, any visitor who drinks from the fountain will one day return to Barcelona. On the second block, known as Rambla dels Estudios, is a noisy bird market and nearby is the Palau de la Virreina, a grand 18th-century rococo mansion, with arts and entertainment information and a ticket office. Next door to that is La Rambla's most interesting market, the Mercat de la Boqueria. The 1970 Mosaïc de Miró punctuates the pavement just south of the market. One of the tiles was signed by the artist.|Further down La Rambla is the famous 19th-century opera house, known as the Gran Teatre del Liceu. The next section of La Rambla is called Ramble dels Caputxins. There you will find the Palau Güell (Güell Palace), which was designed by Antoni Gaudí and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. On the left of that section of La Rambla is the 19th century Plaça Reial, where a stamp and coin market is held every Sunday. Below the Plaça Reial, La Rambla becomes seedier, with strip clubs and peep shows. This part of the boulevard is known as Rambla de Snata Mònica. It is wider and there are no trees. The boulevard ends at Port Vell, or the Old Harbor, where the 50 m tall Monument a Colón (Columbus Monument) stands. You can ascend the monument by lift for a good view of the area. West of the monument, on Avinguda de les Drassanes, stand the Reials Drassanes, or the Royal Shipyards. It is the largest and most complete shipyard in the world that has survived from the Middle Ages. Construction was initiated in 1378 and it is one of the best examples of Catalonian civil Gothic architecture. The Reials Drassanes is home to the fascinating Museu Marítim, where you can see intricate reproductions of old ships, as well as an important collection of ancient drawings and maps, paintings, ships' figureheads and 16th-century galleys. Tourist boats, known as Golondrinas depart from the Drassanes wharf.|Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
|The Gothic Quarter is only a few blocks east from La Rambla. It is a maze of dark streets that connect squares with each other. There are also many cafés and bars, as well as the cheapest accommodation in town. Most of the buildings in the barri date from the 14th and 15th century, when Barcelona was at the height of its commercial prosperity. The Gothic Quarter contains a concentration of medieval Gothic buildings, including well-preserved Roman Walls. Parts of these walls that were later incorporated into other structures, can still be seen around the Catedral, one of Spain's greatest Gothic buildings. The City History Museum or Museu d'História de la Ciutat is right next to the cathedral. Underneath the building you can walk through some excavated Roman and Visigothic ruins. The spacious square of Plaça de Sant Jaume serves as the center of the Barri Gòtic. It is the site of a bustling market and one of the venues for the weekly dancing of the sardana. Two of Barcelona's most significant buildings line the square: the Ajuntament (Town Hall) and the Palau de la Generalitat (Regional Government). Most nightly activity takes place in the Barri Gòtic and there are many nightclubs and discotheques in that area.|Museu Picasso
|The Museu Picasso is in the Ribera Quarter. It is housed in three strikingly beautiful stone mansions on the Carrer de Montcada, which served as an approach to the port in medieval times. It is Barcelona's most visited museum. The museum has many works of Picassos's early years from the 1890's, especially from the artist's so-called Blue Period, as well as ceramics. On the second floor are many works from Barcelona and Paris that Picasso painted between 1900 and 1904 and include many of his impressionist-influenced works.|La Sagrada Família
|La Sagrada Família is probably Barcelona's most important structure. It is in the area known as l'Eixample, or the 'Enlargement', Barcelona's solution to overcrowding in the city's confines. Even if you don't have much time in Barcelona, you should at least try to visit La Sagrada Família. The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family was initiated by Antoni Gaudí and it is practically his life's work. Gaudí died in 1926 before his masterwork was completed and ever since, controversy has continually dogged the building program. Still, the cathedral is unfinished, but work on the nave, which was started in 1978, is now progressing. La Sagrada Família has three main façades, representing the Nativity on the east and the Passion and the Death on the West, while the Glory is planned on the south. The scheme of four 107 m high spires on the Nativity and Passion façades represents the Twelve Apostles, while the dome that crowns the apse symbolizes the Virgin. The spires' swelling outlines were inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat. The naves are supported by a complicated system of inclined columns and parabolic arches. Organic forms decorate the wall of the apse, as well as the Nativity façade.|The cathedral is still unfinished, but construction continues by a group of architects that is following Gaudí's original design. Some say the cathedral should have been left unfinished, as a monument to the architect, but today's chief architect argues that the task is a sacred one, as it's a church intended to atone for sin and appeal to God's mercy on Catalunya.La Pedrera (Casa Milà)
|La Pedrera, or Stone Quarry, is another Gaudí masterpiece. It was built between 1905 and 1910 as a combined apartment and office block and it used to be known as the Casa Milà. The authentic abstract building has an uneven gray stone facade that ripples around a street corner and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The building has elaborate wrought-iron balconies. Two of the Pedrera's courtyards can be visited, as well as the roof with its fantastic array of multicolored chimney pots and ventilators. During weekend nights in the summer, the roof is eerily lit and provides nice views over Barcelona. One floor below the roof is a modest museum dedicated to Gaudí's work. La Pedrera is on the Passeig de Gràcia in the district of l'Eixample.|Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló
|The Casa Amatller and the Casa Battló are two striking buildings further down the Passeig de Gràcia. The Casa Amatller is a neogothic building that was built by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. It is decorated with polychrome ceramic on the façade.|The Casa Batlló is probably even more unique. It is a work of Gaudí and boasts a sparkling mosaic façade with dragon-like forms and it is punctuated with round ceramic plaques.|Gràcia
|The district of Gràcia starts at the northwestern end of the Passeig de Gràcia. It is one of Barcelona's most satisfying outlying areas. It has traditionally been the center of strong artistic and political communities, students and intelligentsia, but also to a population of average people, giving the district a down to earth atmosphere. One of Gràcia's most interesting places is the Plaça del Sol. It is surrounded by numeorus 19th century buildings that house nice cafés. The square is a popular meeting place, during the night.|Parc Güell
|Parc Güell is the place where Gaudí experimented landscaping, with spectacular results. The park is laid out on a hill to the northwest of the city center. At the highest point of the park is a statue that provides fantastic views over Barcelona. There are huge ceramic benches, giant decorative lizards, ceramic mosaics and pavilions of contorted stone, giving the area the atmosphere of a fairy-tale. The Banc de Trenadis is a tiles bench curving sinuously around the perimeter of a broad open space. Beneath the pace is the Sala Hipóstila, a forest of 84 stone columns that was originally intended as a market. To the right of the space is the spired house, known as the Casa Museu Gaudí, where Gaudí lived for most the last 20 years of his life. It can be visited and it houses a small souvenir shop, where Gaudí memorabilia can be purchased.|Montjuïc
|Montjuïc is the landmark hill that overlooks Barcelona from the southwest. It boasts some fine art galleries, leisure attractions, soothing parks and the main group of 1992 Olympic sites. The most interesting way to approach the area is from Plaça d'Espanya. On the northern side of that square is the former bullring of Plaça de Braus Les Arenes. Behind it is the Parc Joan Miró, which includes Miró's highly phallic sculpture of Dona i Ocell (Woman and Bird). The huge Palau Nacional up the hill houses the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where you can see an impressive collection of Romanesque art. In front of the Palau Nacional is a series of terraces and fountains. The biggest fountain is La Font Màgica, which was designed by Buïgas and offers a free lights and music show on summer evenings.|In the northwest of Montjuïc is Poble Espanyol, or the 'Spanish Village'. It is an enclosed area where you can see copies of buildings from all of Spain's regions. It is a sort of tourist trap, but it nevertheless provides a good overview of Spanish architecture. Nearby is the Fundació Joan Miró, which houses the world's largest single collection of Miró's work. Miró was the greatest Catalan artist of the 20th century.|Further up Montjuïc is the Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring), a group of sports installations where the main events of the 1992 Olympic games were held. If you walk all the way up Montjuïc you will come to the Montjuïc Castle, which affords a wonderful view of Barcelona and the pains of Baix Llobregat. The castle houses the Military Museum. Nearby is the Miramar Esplanade with its magnificent lookout platform over the port and the Mediterranean Sea. You can also go to the castle from the Poble Sec, near Port Vell, or the Old Harbor. A Funicular runs up from there, while a cable car covers the last part to the top of Montjuïc.|Tibidabo
|Tibidabo rises 542 m (1778 feet) above Barcelona. It is the highest hill in the wooded range that forms the city's backdrop. The hill provides excellent views over the city, especially when the weather is clear. Most locals come there to visit the Parc d'Atraccions (amusement park). The glass lift that goes 115 m (126 yards) up to the visitor's observation area at Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower, is much more hair-raising though. Nearby is the Temple del Sagrat Cor, which is Barcelona's version of Paris' Sacré Coeur. Some say it is even more beautiful than the building that inspired it. It actually consists of two churches, one on top of the other. The top one is surmounted by a giant Christ and has a lift to the roof. Tibidabo can be reached by funicular.|Around Barcelona
|There are various interesting sights in the region around Barcelona. One of the most visited places is Montserrat, 50 km (31 miles) northwest of the city. The spires of the Sagrada Família were inspired by the mountains of Montserrat. In Montserrat is also a monastery that can be visited.|Another interesting place, not too far from Barcelona, is the town of Vilafranca del Penedés.|Other Activities
|There are plenty of good beaches in the vicinity of Barcelona, but if you want to escape the crowds, you should head out further from the city. Bullfighting is not very popular in Catalunya, but during the summer, fights are sometimes organized on Sunday afternoons. If you like soccer, Barça is one of Europe's best teams. During local town festivals you might see castellers erecting human towers. There are several good markets in Barcelona, including the second-hand market of Els Encants Vells on Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, the antiques market on Plaça Nova and the crafts market, which can be found on Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol.|The main tourist office is on Plaça de Catalunya. You will have to cross the road to the middle of the square and go downstairs at the i sign. The problem is that the sign is not the usual blue one and you have to look carefully in order to locate it.|Transportation
|Barcelona's airport is at El Prat de Llobregat, some 14 km (8.7 miles) southwest of the city center. It is an important international and domestic destination, where direct flights to many cities throughout the world are available. The A1 Aerobús service connects the airport with the Plaça de Catalunya via Plaça d'Espanya. The trip takes about 40 minutes. You can also take the suburban buses EA, or EN, which are slightly cheaper and take about 50 minutes to reach the Plaça d'Espanya. The Rodalies (Cercanías) train line 1 also connects the airport (zone 4) with the city center (zone 1). Trains run every 30 minutes daily from 6:13 to 23:15. It only takes 17 minutes to Estació Sants and 23 minutes to Catalunya station.|Estació Sants is the main railway station. It is 2.5 km (1.6 miles) west of La Rambla. Some trains also stop at Catalunya station on Plaça de Catalunya. Estació França, 1 km (0.6 miles) east of La Rambla is used by a handful trains only. The main intercity bus station, Estació del Nord, is 1.5 km (0.9 miles) northeast of La Rambla, close to Arc de Triomf metro station.|The metro is the fastest way to get around the city, although you don't see anything along the way. Some places are only served by buses or suburban trains. Buses run frequently all over Barcelona. Multiple-trip tickets offer worthwhile savings. The ticket system is not very clear though. Be careful that you buy the right ticket, as trains and metros don't use the same ones. There are also regional rail companies that use their own tickets.|Taxis are widely available all over the city and car rental is very easy. Barcelona has good air, rail and road connections to all parts of Spain.|Accommodation and Food
|There is a wide range of hotels, hostels, dormitories and apartments, as well as thousands of bars, cafés and restaurants in Barcelona. The cheapest places can be found in and around the Barri Gòtic, although many reasonable places can be found in l'Eixample too. Barcelona is 510 km northeast of Madrid.";
n["barcelona"][2]="-41.24|2.09|95|2000000|146|1|y|93|34";
n["barcelona"][3]="9.4|3|14.2|4.6|23.9|3|18.1|8.6";
n["baringo"][0]="d.write('";
n["baris"][0]="d.write('";
n["barka"][0]="Barka|Oman|mu|Asia";
n["barka"][1]="Barka is a town on Oman's Batinah Coast. Its main attractions are a fort and a restored house that show how wealthier Omanis lived several generations ago.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Barka. The town is 70 km west of Masqat. Some 30 km inland from Bark is the nondescript town of Nakhl (Nakhal).";
n["barnstable"][0]="Barnstable|United States|us|North America";
n["barnstable"][1]="From colonial times until the middle of the 19th century, Barnstable had a prosperous coastal and overseas shipping trade. Nowadays it is a resort town. Barnstable is on Cape Cod and comprises seven villages, including Hyannis. There are several interesting sights in town, including the home of the Revolutionary War patriot James Otis, which is in West Barnstable and the John F. Kennedy Memorial, in Hyannis. There are several nice 18th-century buildings in town. The main industries are tourism, fishing and cranberry farming.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Barnstable is in the southeast of Massachusetts, 90 km southeast of Boston and 600 km northeast of Washington D.C.";
n["barossavalley"][0]="Barossa Valley|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["barossavalley"][1]="German immigrants, fleeing religious persecution in Prussia and Silesia settled the gently sloping Barossa Valley in 1842. Nowadays it's Australia's best known wine-producing region, while it still has a distinct Germanic flavor. There are more than 50 wineries in the valley, most of which offer visitors the possibility of tasting and organize cellar sales.|The best way to really appreciate the area is to get off the main roads and explore the narrow back-roads between settlements. Most people visit the Barossa Valley in the months of March, April and May, when the grapes are harvested. Between July and October the region is less scenic, because the vines are heavily pruned during the winter months. The region's central town is Tanunda, about 100 km, northeast of Adelaide. It's just over an hour's driving to get there.|There are several other wine-growing regions in South Australia, especially in the state's southeastern corner around Penola, Coonawarra and Padthaway. Also in the Clare Valley, north of the Barossa and around McLaren Vale on the Fleurieu Peninsula, wine is produced.|Barossa Vaööey is more than 130 km north of Adelaide.";
n["barra"][0]="Barra (and Tofu beaches)|Mozambique|mz|Africa";
n["barra"][1]="The area around Tofu and Barra has some of the best beaches in Mozambique. At Tofu there is some accommodation, but at Barra the beach is much more beautiful. The water is crystal clear and there are pristine sand dunes, mangroves and palm groves. Several species of monkeys and numerous birds inhabit the area. The only way to get to Barra is by 4WD vehicle.";
n["barre"][0]="Barre|United States|us|North America";
n["barre"][1]="Barre was settled in the late 18th century. In the early 1800's, granite quarrying began in the surrounding area. The quarrying is still an important activity. The manufacturing of railroad equipment, machines and machine tools also takes place in Barre. The city is a center for winter sports, hunting and fishing.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Barre is in central Vermont, 10 km southeast of Montpelier and 700 km north of Washington D.C.";
n["barringercrater"][0]="Barringer Crater|United States|us|North America";
n["barringercrater"][1]="Some 50,000 years ago, a huge iron-nickel meteorite, hurtling at about 40,000 miles per hour, struck the rocky plain of Northern Arizona with an explosive force greater than 20 million tons of TNT. It is estimated that the meteorite was about 150 feet across and weighted several hundred thousand tons. Within a few seconds, the impact caused a crater 700 feet deep and over 4000 feet across. Large blocks of limestone, some the size of small houses were heaved onto the rim. Flat-lying beds of rock in the crater walls were overturned in fractions of a second and uplifted permanently as much as 150 feet.|Nowadays, the crater is 550 feet deep, and 2.4 miles in circumference. This means that twenty football games could be played simultaneously on its floor, while more than two million spectators could be observing from its sloping sides.|In 1902, Daniel Moreau Barringer, a Philadelphia mining engineer, became interested in the site as a potential source for mining iron. He later visited the crater and was convinced that it had been formed by the impact of a large iron meteorite. He further assumed that this body was buried beneath the crater floor.|In 1903, Barringer formed the Standard Iron Company and had four placer mining claims filed with the federal Government, thus obtaining the patents and ownership of the two square miles containing the crater. Barringer spent the next 26 years attempting to find what he believed would be the giant iron meteorite. Barringer never found what he was looking for, as the meteorite underwent total disintegration during impact through vaporization, melting and fragmentation. He did eventually prove to the scientific community that the crater was the site of a meteorite impact.|The topographical terrain of Meteor Crater so closely resembles that of the Earth's moon and other planets, NASA designated it as one of the official training sites for the Apollo Astronauts. The U.S. Government deemed the crater a Natural Landmark in 1968.|The land that includes the crater is still privately owned by the Barringer family. They lease the crater to Meteor Crater Enterprises, who operates the visitors center at the rim. Meteor Crater's Visitors Center includes a Museum of Astrogeology and an Astronaut Hall of Fame, gift shop and snack bar. Meteor Crater's Museum of Astrogeology provides visitors with a casual self-guided tour of exhibits and video presentations vividly portraying how the meteorite impacted, the devastation that resulted, and the significant role that the Crater plays in the study of earth and space sciences. A 1,406-lb. meteorite, the largest ever found in the area, is on display for visitors to view and touch. You can view the crater from three different look-out points, and a guided rim trail hike, weather permitting, is included in the price of admission, which runs daily from 9:15 am to 2:15 p.m. Meteor Crater Visitors Center is open 365 days a year.|The Barringer Crater is in northern Arizona 200 km northeast from Phoenix and more that 3000 km southwest from Washington D.C.";
n["bartica"][0]="Bartica|Guyana|gy|South America";
n["bartica"][1]="Bartica is a small mining town and a good place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding gold and diamond fields or make the two-day truck ride and trek to the Kaieteur Falls, 170 km to the southwest.|Bartica lies on the Essequibo River, which provides good swimming possibilities. There is a colorful market in Bartica.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Bartica is 70 km southwest of Georgetown.";
n["basaseachicfalls"][0]="Basaseachic Falls|Mexico|mx|North America";
n["basaseachicfalls"][1]="The Basaseachic Falls are the highest waterfalls in Mexico. They plunge some 298 m (980 feet) into the depth. To get there includes a bumpy three-hour ride in a 4WD vehicle and another three hours on foot from Creel, but it is well-worth the effort.|The Basaseachic falls are 1360 km northwest of Mexico City and 140 km northwest of Creel.";
n["basilicadisanpietro"][0]="Basilica di San Pietro (Saint Peter's Basilica)|Vatican City (Holy See)|vt|Europe";
n["basilicadisanpietro"][1]="Saint Peter's Basilica is built on the place where originally a Roman stadium, as well as another Basilica used to stand. The original buildings dated from the 4th century. Over the centuries, numerous architects have enlarged and amended the complex, including masters such as Bernini, who build the baroque baldacchino (canopy), which is made of bronze from the Pantheon. The Basilica's superb Pieta and its marvelous dome were designed by Michelangelo, while di Cambrio made the statue of St Peter himself. The Basilica holds the cloth of St Veronica, as well as a piece of what is said to be the True Cross, on which Jesus died.|Of the basilica's chapels, the Sistine Chapel, last on the right, is the most marvelous one. It is the Pope's personal chapel and contains fantastic frescoes, as well as the tombs of popes Sixtus V and Pius V.";
n["basra"][0]="Basra (Al Basrah)|Iraq|iz|Asia";
n["basra"][1]="Basra is Iraq's second largest city and main seaport. The city was founded in 637 AD to serve as a military base for the army of Caliph Omar. In the 16th century it became an important departure point for Arab trading ships sailing to the Far East. Basra is strategically located and controls the area north of the Persian Gulf, as well as traffic on the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Because of that it has seen many battles. Especially when the area was part of the Ottoman Empire there was a lot of fighting between the Turks and invading Persians or Marsh Arabs.|Caliph Ali Pasha, successfully countered a Persian attack in 1624, after which a period of stability ensued. Basra became an important cultural and educational center, but when fighting against the Marsh Arabs resumed under the rule of Ali Pasha's son, Basra's revival was dashed.|Nowadays the city can be divided into three main areas:- Ashar, the old commercial center where the Corniche and the bazaars are situated
- Margil is mainly occupied by modern residential areas, but it is also home to the city's massive port
- Basra proper is the old residential area, where most of the city's beautiful, old-style houses are located
|There are several museums in Basra, of which the Floating Navy Museum, with its war relics; the Basra Museum, where Sumerian, Babylonian and Islamic objects are on display and the Museum for Martyrs of the Persian Aggression that displays the sufferings of the ordinary people of Basra during the Iran-Iraq War, are the most interesting.|The Bazaar is in the Ashar district. It is full of old houses with balconies leaning over into the narrow streets, as well as numerous beautiful wooden façades in the style of old Arab architecture. It contains a gold bazaar, where fine pieces of gold jewelry are sold|There are many hotels and restaurants in Basra. The city is 450 km southeast of Baghdad, some 100 km north of the Persian Gulf.";
n["basse-casamancenationalpark"][0]="Basse-Casamance National Park|Senegal|sg|Africa";
n["basse-casamancenationalpark"][1]="Basse-Casamance National Park is a small park, 25 km south of Oussouye and 270 km southeast of Dakar, in the southwest of Senegal, only several kilometers from the border with Guinea-Bissau. There are some buffalos, hyenas and monkeys, as well as several bird species.|Camping is sometimes allowed inside the park.";
n["basse"][0]="d.write('";
n["bassesantasu"][0]="Basse Santa Su|The Gambia|ga|Africa";
n["bassesantasu"][1]="Basse Santa Su is the country's easternmost town of any size. It is where the tarmac road from Banjul ends. Locals mostly refer to it as Basse. It is also the last place where you can cross the river when traveling east. Basse has a lovely waterfront and there is a lively market. In the evenings grilled meat is sold at food stalls and small shops and stalls open where you can get drinks. It is a very nice atmosphere.|There is a museum in a 1916 colonial warehouse. In the same building you can also buy handicrafts from the artisans cultural center. More handicrafts are sold on the weekly markets (lumo) in surrounding villages.|You can get to Basse by road or by boat and there are several hotels, although it is a lot cheaper to ask around and stay with locals. Food is available at several restaurants and the nightly food stalls.";
n["basseterre"][0]="Basseterre|Saint Kitts and Nevis|sc|Central America";
n["basseterre"][1]="Basseterre is the small capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It lies on a large bay and it is backed by green hills. Although Basseterre is only a small town, it is home to about half the population of Saint Kitts. Basseterre means 'low land' in French and it is one of the few remaining memories of French settlement in the country. The British have left a far more important legacy. The layout of Basseterre's streets and many of the city's buildings reflect a British influence.|Although a fire destroyed most of Basseterre's historic buildings in 1867, there are still countless examples of British colonial architecture left. You might notice some of the beautiful Victorian stone block buildings topped by wooden second stories that are marvelously decorated with fancy latticework and gingerbread trim. Independence Square used to be Basseterre's slave market in colonial times. Nowadays it is a small public park, with a water fountain in its center. Next to the square is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. It has twin towers and it was built in 1927. At Saint Christopher Heritage Society you can see a display of old photos that depict Basseterre's history. It also houses Amerindian conch-shell tools and pottery shards.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Basseterre. The town is on the southeastern side of Saint Kitts.";
n["basseterre"][2]="-17.17|-62.43|n/a|20000|n/a|-4|n/a|n/a|0";
n["bassinsbleu"][0]="Bassins Bleu|Haiti|ha|Central America";
n["bassinsbleu"][1]="The Bassins Bleu consist of three cobalt-blue pools that are connected by spectacular cascades. The falls' distinctive color is caused by minerals that are dissolved in the water. According to legend, the grottos around the falls are inhabited by water nymphs who sunbathe on a rock in Palm Lake, but of course you can never see them, as they disappear at the sound of footsteps...|The trip to the Bassins Bleu, 12 km (7.5 miles) from Jacmel, is usually done on horseback.";
n["bata"][0]="Bata|Equatorial Guinea|ek|Africa";
n["bata"][1]="Bata is the sprawling, lively capital of Equatorial's mainland region of Rio Muni. It has wide, clean streets and it's much larger than Malabo. There are busy markets and both accommodation and restaurants are widely available.|The city still has a colonial charm, but that is vanishing as the area developes. Most people come to Bata to use it as a base for trips to interesting small villages in the area. Islands not far from the mainland can also be visited from Bata.|Bata's main attractions are its beaches, which are said to be the most beautiful in the world. Bata lies about 240 km southeast from Malabo, across the Gulf of Guinea. The cities are connected by air services and ferry-links.";
n["batangduri"][0]="Batang Duri|Brunei|bx|Asia";
n["batangduri"][1]="Batang Duri is an Iban longhouse on the Temburong River. You can visit it, but you should introduce yourself to the chief first. From Batang Duri, it is possible to catch a boat to the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Center, where tropical rainforest species are researched. It is set amid a tropical rainforest, which houses countless animal and plant species. Walking trails run through the forest and there is also a zoo, where you can see civets, monkeys and otters, as well as various birds. The zoo is called Taman Batang Duri.|Batang Duri is about 40 km southwest of Bandar Seri Begawan. At the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Center, limited accommodation is available.";
n["bateman'sbay"][0]="Bateman's Bay|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["bateman'sbay"][1]="Bateman's Bay is a fishing port on a beautiful estuary. The town offers nice beaches and is a popular place with holidaymakers from Canberra. South of Bateman's Bay are several relatively undeveloped, small coastal towns that are separated by large tracts of forests. Bateman's Bay itself is surrounded by bushland.|There are many hotels and restaurants in town. Bateman's Bay is 225 km southwest of Sydney and 105 km southeast of Canberra.";
n["bath"][0]="Bath|United Kingdom|uk|Europe";
n["bath"][1]="Bath is best known for its Roman Baths, which are enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the 18th century Bath was a gathering place for the British aristocracy. They brought the country's best architects to construct the Palladian terraced housing, circles, crescents and squares that can be found all over the city.|Places of interest in Bath include the Bath Abbey, which is beautifully located, the Roman Baths, the Pump Rooms and the Pultney Bridge, which is lined with shops. Bath can easily be explored on foot. There are numerous alleyways and nice houses in the center of town, but during the summer it gets quite busy with tourists. You can rent a boat and row right through town on the River Avon.|There are numerous hotels and restaurants in town. Bath is 155 km west of London.";
n["bathwaysbeach"][0]="Bathways Beach|Grenada|gj|Central America";
n["bathwaysbeach"][1]="Bathways is an undeveloped beach of speckled coral sands, on the northeastern corner of Grenada Island. There is a visitor's center, which has an interesting display on shells, coral and ecology. Off the coast are three small islands: Sugar Loaf, which is privately owned, but there is a cottage that can be used by visitors; Green Island, which has no beach whatsoever and Sandy Island, which includes an abandoned hotel and a nice beach. Fishing boats to the islands can be chartered in Sauteurs.|Bathways Beach is 23 km northeast of Saint George's.";
n["batinahcoast"][0]="Batinah Coast|Oman|mu|Asia";
n["batinahcoast"][1]="There are numerous interesting places on Oman's coastal strip, known as the Batinah Coast. Some of the most interesting towns in the area are ar Rustaq, Barka, Nakhl and Suhar.";
n["batna"][0]="Batna|Algeria|ag|Africa";
n["batna"][1]="Batna lies in a wide valley, surrounded by the AurÚs Mountains. It has a nice refreshing climate because of its altitude of more than 1000 meters. There is not much to do in Batna, but it's an excellent place to start trips to the ruins of Roman Timgad, 40 km to the east.|The bus station is huge and lies in the center of the town. Accommodation is available not too far from the bus station, and so are several restaurants. There is a market in Batna.";
n["batonrouge"][0]="Baton Rouge|United States|us|North America";
n["batonrouge"][1]="Baton Rouge is the state capital of Louisiana. It sits on a bluff along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River in the southeast of the state. Baton Rouge was founded in 1719, when the French built a fort on the strategic riverside location. The settlement was ceded to Great Britain in 1762, captured by the Spanish in 1779 and acquired by the United States in 1815, following a brief period when it was a part of Spanish Florida. It became state capital in 1849. In the Civil War, Baton Rouge was captured by David Farragut after the fall of New Orleans in May 1862. A Confederate attempt to recover it three months later failed.|Baton Rouge has a fine collection of antebellum houses. The old capitol dates from 1882. It was built in the Gothic style of the original, which was burned in the Civil War. A new 34-storey capitol was completed in 1932. Other interesting sights include the governor's mansion, the old arsenal museum and the grave and memorial of Huey Long, a former governor of Louisiana. The city has an arts and science center with a planetarium, several museums, a zoo and a symphony orchestra. Baton Rouge is the seat of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.|The city is a busy deepwater port and an important point of entry to the United States. It is also an important transportation, distribution and commercial center for large oil, natural gas and farm area, as well as a major oil-refining hub. There are large petrochemical facilities and the oil industry is one of Baton Rouge's major employers. Manufactures include concrete products, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, chemicals, plastics and resins.|There are many hotels and restaurants in Baton Rouge. The city is 1610 km southwest of Washington D.C.";
n["battambang"][0]="Battambang|Cambodia|cb|Asia";
n["battambang"][1]="Battambang is Cambodia's second largest city. It is an elegant riverside place that boasts some of the country's finest examples of colonial architecture, including numerous beautiful old French shop houses along the riverbank. There are also several wats (temple-monasteries) in Battambang, as well as a small museum, which has an interesting collection of artifacts from Angkorian times.|Just out of town are some hilltop temples, a lake and more wats. Battambang is a good place to stay if you want to explore some of the villages in the region.|There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Battambang and the city is a stop on the main railway between Thailand and Cambodia. Battambang has air, rail and road links with Phnom Penh, 260 km to the southeast.";
n["battlecreek"][0]="Battle Creek|United States|us|North America";
n["battlecreek"][1]="Battle Creek is at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers in the south of Michigan. It was settled in 1831 and incorporated as a city 28 years later. Battle Creek is an agricultural trade center and especially known for its cereals. Automotive parts and accessories, moldings and paper products are manufactured there. Battle Creek Sanitarium was founded by Dr. J. H. Kellogg in 1866, as the Health Reform Institute. The city is also home to a natural history museum, an arts center and a zoo. The annual Cereal City Festival is held in June.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Battle Creek is 70 km southwest of Lansing and about 800 km northwest of Washington D.C.";
n["batumi"][0]="Batumi|Georgia|gg|Asia";
n["batumi"][1]="Batumi sits on the Black Sea coast and used to be known as Pontus Euxinus (Hospitable Sea) during the time the descendants of the Argonauts inhabited the area, around 500 BC. The port city has an exotic atmosphere, with numerous box trees, cypresses, magnolias, oleanders, palm trees, thuja and both lemon and orange trees lining its wide avenues.|Batumi is an industrial city and there are not many especially interesting sights in town, though overall it's a nice place. Two places you could visit in Batumi are the dolphinarium and the botanical gardens.|Batumi is probably the first city in Georgia you will come to, when arriving from Turkey. There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Batumi is 260 km west of Tbilisi and the two cities are connected by air.";
n["batupunggul"][0]="Batu Punggul|Malaysia|my|Asia";
n["batupunggul"][1]="Batu Punggul is an adventure-style resort, not far from the border with the indonesian province of Kalimantan. Activities that can be undertaken there, include jungle walks, canoeing and cave visits. You can get to Batu Punggul by boat only. The are around the resort is inhabited by longhouse-dwelling tribes.|There is a good variety of accommodation in Batu Punggul. The town is 1640 km east of Kuala Lumpur.";
n["batusangkar"][0]="Batusangkar|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["batusangkar"][1]="Batusangkar is the largest town in Sumatra's Tanahdatar area and an important center of the ancient Minangkabau culture. Fascinating historical sites abound in Batusangkar; among them Pagaruvung, home to the ancient inscribed stones at Batu Basurat, which literally means 'Inscribed Stone'.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Batusangkar is 510 km southeast of Medan and 915 km northwest of Jakarta.";
n["batzanvalley"][0]="Batzan Valley|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["batzanvalley"][1]="The view-point Batzan offers a wonderful panorama over the entire Batzan Valley. The most important town in the valley is Eliozondo, located on the Batzan river. The town boasts beautiful manorial houses, as well as some small palaces.|Accommodation is available in the valley.";
n["bauchi"][0]="Bauchi|Nigeria|ni|Africa";
n["bauchi"][1]="Bauchi has nothing of interest for travelers, but the surrounding country is beautiful. Most people come to Bauchi to visit the nearby Yankari Game Reserve, where some of Nigeria's last wildlife can be seen.|There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Bauchi is 835 km northeast of Lagos and 322 km northeast of Abuja.";
n["baukau"][0]="Baukau (Baucau)|East Timor|tt|Asia";
n["baukau"][1]="Baukau, or Baucau, is the second-largest city in East Timor. It is a charming seaside place and the drive from Dili to Baukau along the coast is spectacular.|Baukau was severely damaged during the struggle for independence in 1999, but some hotels and restaurants are available again. Baukau is 100 km east of Dili.";
n["bauska"][0]="Bauska|Latvia|lg|Europe";
n["bauska"][1]="Bauska's main sight is the town's castle. The imposing building was constructed between 1443 and 1456 to serve as a stronghold for the Livonian knights. In the 16th and 17th centuries the castle was destroyed in several battles, but it was rebuilt every time. In 1706, during the Great Northern War, it was blown up and restoration was only started in 1976. Nowadays the castle houses a museum where artifacts, found when archaeological excavations were made during the restoration, are on display. There is also a small collection of 16th and 17th century art. During the summer months, several music festivals are held on the castle grounds.|The 18th-century Rundale Palace is one of the most interesting architectural features of provincial Latvia. The baroque building was designed and built Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Italian architect who created many of Saint Petersburg's (Russia) finest buildings.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Bauska. The city is in the south of Latvia, 65 km south of Riga on the main road between that city and Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Bauska is not far from the Lithuanian border and has good bus connections with Riga.";
n["bawiti"][0]="d.write('";
n["bayamo"][0]="Bayamo|Cuba|cu|Central America";
n["bayamo"][1]="Bayamo is the capital of Cuba's Granma Province. The area is known for two major historical facts: the first War of Independence started there, after Creole planter Carlos Manuel de Céspedes freed his slaves in October 1868 and Fidel Castro and 81 rebels arrived there at Cabo Cruz, on 2 December 1956. Their airplane was called Granma, hence the province's name.|As a result there are countless historical sites around Bayamo, including the place where José Martí was shot.|Bayamo is centered on the shady park of Parque Céspedes. In the park are numerous statues of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and Perucho Figueredo, who composed Cuba's national anthem in 1868. In front of the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), on the park's northern edge, Céspedes proclaimed independence for Cuba in 1868.|Bayamo is a good place to stay if you want to visit the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra (Sierra Maestra National Park), just south of town. There are several hotels and restaurants in Bayamo, but the town receives very few tourists. Bayamo is 670 km southeast of Havana.";
n["baycity+texas"][0]="Bay City (Texas)|United States|us|North America";
n["baycity+texas"][1]="Bay City is a shipping and industrial center for the surrounding region, where oil, gas, salt, beef cattle, rice, cotton and grains are produced. Plastics and chemicals are produced in the city. Bay City is home to a county museum and nearby are Matagorda Bay and several nice Gulf beaches.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Bay City is in the south of Texas, not far from both the Colorado River and the Gulf of Mexico. It is 220 km southeast of Austin and 2090 km southwest of Washington D.C.";
n["baycity"][0]="Bay City (Michigan)|United States|us|North America";
n["baycity"][1]="Bay City was originally a lumbering center, but after 1830, when the surrounding forests were depleted, it turned to diversified manufacturing. In 1859 it was incorporated as a city with the consolidation of several settlements along the river. Nowadays Bay City is the industrial, marketing and transportation center of a rich farm area that yields sugar beets, potatoes and dairy products. Shipbuilding is also important and the city's harbor handles traffic on the Great Lakes, as well as ocean shipping. Saginaw Valley State University is in the nearby University Center. A state park and two state forests are in the vicinity.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in Bay City. The city is a port of entry to the United States. It sits on the Saginaw River at its mouth on Saginaw Bay, which is an inlet of Lake Huron. It is in the south of Michigan, 115 km northeast from Lansing and 760 km northwest from Washington D.C.";
n["bayonne"][0]="Bayonne|United States|us|North America";
n["bayonne"][1]="Dutch traders came to the site of present-day Bayonne around 1650. The British gained possession in 1664. In 1875, the first oil refineries were opened. The city has huge oil and chemical industries, as well as textile and machinery manufacturing. In 1942, the large Military Ocean Terminal was opened on Bayonne's waterfront. It operated until 1999, when it was closed. Bayonne is connected to Staten Island in New York by the noted steel-arch Bayonne Bridge. It is 511 m (1,675 feet) long and was opened in 1931.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Bayonne sits on a 4.8 km (3 miles) long peninsula in the northeast of New Jersey. It is 80 km northeast from Trenton and 320 km northeast from Washington D.C.";
n["bayrut"][0]="d.write('";
n["baytal-faqih"][0]="Bayt al-Faqih (Beit al-Faqih)|Yemen|ym|Asia";
n["baytal-faqih"][1]="Bayt al-Faqih possesses the largest and best traditional Friday market in Yemen. In the 1700's Bayt al-Faqih was a coffee trading post and during that time the weekly market started taking shape. In northern Yemen, weekly markets are a tradition, where fruit, vegetables, meat and handcrafts, as well as imported goods are sold and about every town has one.|The Friday market at Bayt al-Faqih is enormous. There are more than 1000 stalls, which are grouped together according to the products they sell. Parts of the market are covered. Bayt al-Faqih is a good place to buy coffee, Yemeni pottery, Tihami clothes and baskets, fruits and vegetables, but if you are interested, camels, donkeys, chickens and grains are also on offer.|There is little accommodation in Bayt al-Faqih, but apart from the Friday market there is little of interest, so it is better to just go there on a day trip. Buses and taxis ply the route between Bayt al-Faqih and San'a, via al-Hudayda. Bayt al-Faqih is 135 km southwest of San'a.";
n["bazarutoarchipelago"][0]="Bazaruto Archipelago (Marine National Park)|Mozambique|mz|Africa";
n["bazarutoarchipelago"][1]="The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the most beautiful places in Africa. The water is crystal clear, the coral reefs are unspoilt and there are endless sand beaches. The islands are situated some 10 km (6 miles) off the coast from Vilankulos. In that town transportation to the archipelago is available.|There are several lodges on the islands.";