n["beaufortwest"][0]="Beaufort West|South Africa|sf|Africa";
n["beaufortwest"][1]="Beaufort West is a major stopover place en route from Cape Town to Johannesburg. There is not much to see in Beaufort West, but to the southwest of town is the interesting Karoo National Park.|There are many hotels and restaurants in Beaufort West. The town is 920 km southwest of Pretoria.";
n["beaumont"][0]="Beaumont|United States|us|North America";
n["beaumont"][1]="Before the Civil War, East Texas' pine forests were the base of the lumbering that began in the region. Later shipbuilding became important too and as livestock raising and rice farming spread in the surrounding area, Beaumont became an important processing and transportation center. In 1901, life in town was revolutionized, when the world's first principal oil gusher came in at nearby Spindletop. The spot is now marked by an 18 m (58 feet) high granite shaft and is a national historic site.|Later more oil wells were exploited and the oil industry became one of Beaumont's major economic forces. The town houses several pioneer and oil museums. There is an art center and events include a horse show, a river festival, and a rodeo. Beaumont is the seat of Lamar University.|A ship channel provides the facilities of a modern deepwater port, with shipyards and large storage tanks. Together with Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the 'Golden Triangle', a vast petrochemical and industrial complex. Other industries are based on the forests and farmlands of the area. There are rice mills, granaries, lumber and paper plants, meatpacking houses and huge metalworks.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Beaumont. The city is on the Sabine-Neches Waterway in the southeast of Texas, 395 km southeast of Dallas and 1880 km southwest from Washington D.C.";
n["begorafalls"][0]="d.write('";
n["beijing"][0]="Beijing|China|ch|Asia";
n["beijing"][1]="Beijing is the capital of China and that is felt throughout the country. No matter in what time meridian other parts of China are, the whole country uses Beijing time, Putonghua, the Beijing dialect is China's national language and every little decision must be verified by Beijing first. The city is well designed, although it might not appear like that when you first arrive there. It has long straight boulevards, crisscrossed by lanes. Many of Beijing's attractions are located on one of the boulevards and easy to find, but some are hidden in a maze of alleyways and narrow roads. Many of the old hutongs (narrow alleys) and buildings are being demolished and new ones are being built instead, along wider, better designed streets.|Beijing's central core was once a walled city and still nowadays you can see its ancient north-south symmetry along the axis that runs through Qianman (Front Gate). The Forbidden City lies in the center of it all, while the new city is built around it. Numerous small villages known as li, used to lie in the area around the city, but they have been integrated over time when Beijing grew. Nowadays the capital consists of 10 districts and eight counties. Beijing is a modern place, where people are busy calling on their cell-phones, working on their pc's or enjoying a night out in a fancy club. Beijing is not at all anymore what it used to be like under Mao.|It is thought the area where Beijing is situated nowadays, was first inhabited some 500,000 years ago. It slowly developed, and around 1000 BC it had become a trading town for Mongols, Koreans and tribes from Shandong and central China. Genghis Khan burnt it to the ground in 1215 AD, but it was soon rebuilt. Gengis' grandson Kublai Khan located is capital of Dadu (Great Capital) there. In 1368, the mercenary Zhu Yanhang took over the city and ushered it in the Ming Dynasty. It was renamed Beiping, which means 'Northern Peace', but it lost its status as capital, as Nanjing served that purpose until 1403. In that year the city's name was changed into Beijing (Northern Capital) and became the capital once again.|It was in that time the Forbidden City was constructed. Later, in the 17th century, the Manchu invaders established the Qing Dynasty and Beijing was expanded. The English and French looted numerous treasures from Beijing's palaces during the 19th century. They left the summer palace was in shambles. During the 1930's China was occupied by the Japanese, who did their bit of destruction.|In 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the 'People's Republic' in Tiananmen Square and the communists immediately started tearing down most of what was left of Beijing's ancient treasures. During that time numerous huge, Soviet style buildings and monuments were constructed. During the 1980's China slowly started opening up to the rest of the world. When students held a massive pro-democracy protest in Tiananmen Square in 1989 to rally for faster progress, the demonstration was brutally cracked down by Deng Xiaoping's government forces.|A lot has changed since then. There are numerous modern (capitalist) features in Beijing. You will see huge shopping malls, expensive cars and modern glass and steel skyscrapers, but the government lags hopelessly behind. Politically Beijing is still stuck in the old days. Missiles were fired into waters just off Taiwan in 1996 and during the island's presidential election in 2000 threats were made against the Taiwanese people, better not to elect a pro-independence candidate. Recently Beijing has had a face-lift in order to have more chance getting to organize the Olympic Games in 2008.|
Places to Visit
|Forbidden City
|Large parts of the forbidden city were built in the 15th century and it was off limits to visitor until the last decades of the 20th century. It is the largest and best-preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used to rule the country from the Forbidden City. Decrees were delivered to the masses by eunuchs and other powerful court officials.|Originally the entire forbidden city was walled, but invading Manchus, the British, the French, the Japanese, Mao's revolution and extreme weather conditions have all taken their toll and large parts of the walls and the ancient buildings were lost. There are still many lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and great halls of the palace that are well worth a visit. They mostly date from the 18th century and are continuously being restored and renovated. A special restoration team does the entire place up in about 10 years, after which they start all over again. The Forbidden City covers some 720,000 m² and includes 800 buildings and 9000 rooms.|Summer Palace
|The remains of the Summer Palace are on the outskirts of Beijing. It sits in a huge, lush park, close to Kunming Lake, which takes up about 75% of the area. There are also numerous gardens and hills and the area is excellent to picnic and soak up some peace and quiet after walking around Beijing.|It used to be the favorite vacationing spot for emperors and Dowager Empresses. The Anglo-French troops damaged it badly during the Second Opium War in 1860. Empress Dowager Cixi, the last of the Qing dynasty rulers, tried to restore it, but failed hopelessly. The disintegration of the Qing dynasty and the Boxer Rebellion caused the project to fail. The only thing that was restored is the marble boat at the edge of the lake.|The palace's main building is more than 700 m long and thus called Hall of Benevolence & Longevity. There are many paintings, but the original murals were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The Yuanmingyuan Ruyi Martial Arts School is opposite the Summer Palace. You can study gongfu (kungfu) and qigong there.|Tiananmen Square
|Tiananmen Square is the world's largest square. It is a vast empty space of pavestones in the heart of Beijing. In imperial times there were numerous government buildings on the site, but Mao decided to flatten it all and create a square. The street leading to Tiananmen Square is Chang'an Jie, another one of Mao's creations. During the Cultural Revolution, massive parades and gatherings took place there, often witnessed by a million people. When Mao died in 1976 another million people squeezed onto the square to pay their respects and in 1989 a pro-democracy demonstration was crushed there by PLA tanks.|Numerous interesting monuments surround the square. They include the Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace), the Chinese Revolution History Museum, the Great Hall of the People, Qianmen (Front Gate), the Monument to the People's Heroes and Mao's Mausoleum, where you can see Mao's body and Mao memorabilia are sold. The Military Museum is nearby. On the square kites are rented, so you can give it a try, just as numerous locals do any time of day.|Tiantan Park
|The Imperial Vault of Heaven in the Tiantan Park is one of the finest examples of Ming architecture in China. All of the buildings in the park, including the Round Altar and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests are carefully thought out paeans to ancient gods and beliefs and built in Ming style. They served as ritual places and fengshui, numerology, cosmology and religion all played a part in their original construction.|The park measures some 267 hectare (660 acre) and is surrounded by four gates at the cardinal points, while to the north and east it is protected by walls. During the mornings numerous city dwellers come there to perform their rituals.|The Great Wall of China
|The wall was originally built in the 1st century, during the Qing dynasty, to protect the country from invasions by neighboring kingdoms. By the 18th century it had lost its function, but arriving Europeans marveled at this magnificent construction and soon it was to become a tourist attraction. Peasants in rural areas call the Great Wall 'old frontier'. The Great Wall has high and wide ramparts and the parapets and sturdy beacon towers are completely intact at most places.|Most people visit the Great Wall at Badaling, 70 km from Beijing, although it has been spoiled by tourist development. Two slightly better places to go are the Huanghua section, 60km (35mi) north of Beijing, where the wall is a little wilder. A less crowded, but still busy place to visit it is at Mutianyu, 90 km from Beijing.|Simatai Great Wall
|Simatai is one of the places where you can see the Great Wall in all its historical and architectural marvel. The 19-kilometer long section of the wall is an easy day trip from Beijing and it is very interesting to visit the wall without the hordes closer to the city. Some parts of the wall are very steep at Simatai, some stretches as steep as 70 degrees.|Ancient Observatory
|The observatory is mounted on the battlements of a watchtower that used to be part of the city walls, just east of central Zhongshan Park. It dates back to the days of Kublai Khan, when it was situated north of the present site. Khan, as well as the emperors from later Ming and Qing dynasties used to consult the stars at the observatory before making important decisions.|Lama Temple
|The Lama Temple is often referred to as the Tibetan Temple. It stands in a picturesque garden and boasts beautiful frescoes, tapestries and woodwork. In the temple are numerous Buddha statues, but the most impressive one is the Maitreya (future) Buddha It is an 18 m (60 feet) high statue made out of one single piece of sandalwood and stands in the Wanfu Pavilion. When you enter the pavilion you will first see the holy shins, but when you look up you'll see the statue towering above the galleries. The spinning prayer wheels at the statue's head are pigeon-powered and the poor animals have whistles attached to them that make a sweet, harmonious sound. The wheels are known as samsara or Wheel of Life. During the mornings the temple is only accessible for devotees.|Underground City
|At the end of the 1960's, China's government feared a Soviet invasion and ordered its citizens to built an underground network of passageways and rooms under Beijing. Some 2000 volunteers and shop assistants living in the Qianmen (Front Gate) area south of Tiananmen Square, worked on it for about 10 years.|Nowadays it is home to warehouses, hotels, restaurants and a roller-skating rink. The complex has about 90 entrances, most of which are inside shops along Qianmen's main streets. Inside is a fluorescent wall map that shows where you are in the tunnel system.|Drum Towers
|In ancient Beijing, the time was kept with a water clock and the hours were marked by beating huge drums in the towers. During the Cultural Revolution the towers were nearly destroyed, but they survived and are nowadays protected monuments. Just beneath the Drum Towers are numerous junk shops, where you might find good bargains, as well as a hutong fruit market.|Around Beijing
|The city of Tianjin, 105 km to the southeast, serves as Beijing's seaport.|When to go
|During the winter there are no tourists, but it is freezing cold outside. Only during the Chinese New Year Beijing is absolutely packed. The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival as it is sometimes called is usually celebrated in January or February, depending on the year. The festivities start on the first day of the first moon according to the traditional lunar calendar (For example in 2001 Chinese New Year was on 24 January, but in 2002 it is on 12 February). Officially the festivities last only three days, but most people keep celebrating for a week. During the Lantern Festival people walk through the city with colored paper lanterns at night. It is on the 15th day of the first moon. In the winter months there are many ice-skating venues in Beijing. Waters such as Beihai Lake, Kunming Lake, Zizhuyan Park and the moat around the Forbidden City are frozen in winter and serve as rinks.|In Spring the weather is usually not very good and dust storms often plague the city. There are some events in that time of year though. On Tomb Sweep Day people clean the gravestones of their ancestors and commemorate them. 'Ghost money' is burned for the departed to use in the afterworld. Tomb Sweep Day is on 5 April (4 April in leap years). On the first of May (International Labor Day) the entire city is decorated with flowers and especially around Tiananmen Square it's absolutely stunning. The Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the 8th moon is also known as the Moon Festival.|During the summer season from June to August, the capital gets very crowded and accommodation is more difficult to find and more expensive. If you are not interested in any of the festivities, the best time to visit Beijing is between September and November, when the weather is still alright and there are only few tourists.|Transportation
|There are several ways to get around Beijing, but the best one is by bike. Most locals use bikes as a means of transportation, so why not join them? The only way to explore the maze of narrow, spidery hutongs is by bike. A special bike tour set out in the city, takes you past most of the city's tourist sites. Biking is faster than walking and helps you feel a lot more like a local. Bikes can be rented at most hotels, but there are also special bike-hire outfits near tourist attractions.|Beijing's Underground Dragon, or the subway is a fast and convenient way to bridge great distances. It is the best way to move from one district to another. You can also catch a bus, but they are usually very crowded and slow. Beijing has about 150 bus and trolleybus lines, which doesn't make it any easier.|Taxis are fast and convenient, but most taxi drivers don't speak any English, so have your destination written in Chinese characters for you, before you set out.|Beijing's international airport (PEK) is about 26 km (16 miles) north of town and has connections with most of the world's major cities, as well as numerous places in China. The city's main railway station is Beijing Railway Station, east of central Zhongshan Park, but there is a newer one in the west. Beijing has rail connections with most large cities in China. Buses ply the same routes and are usually cheaper.|Places to stay and eat
|Beijing is not a cheap city and accommodation can be hard to find during the tourist season between June and August. During that time prices are often higher than the rest of the year. There are numerous back-alley cafes, where fairly cheap food is served. Other good places to try local dishes are parklands and night markets.|Beijing is in the northeast of China and the municipality includes 10 urban districts and eight counties. It covers 16,800 km² (6552 sq miles) and the city's limits extend for about 80 km (50 miles).";
n["beijing"][2]="-39.55|116.26|n/a|15000000|113|8|n/a|1|86";
n["beira"][0]="Beira|Mozambique|mz|Africa";
n["beira"][1]="Beira is Mozambique's major port and the terminal of the oil pipeline and railway line to Malawi and Zimbabwe. The city center is very compact and easily explored on foot. Many buildings are erected in old Mediterranean style that are prove of the city's glamorous past.|The main square is called Praça. It is surrounded by numerous snall shops, markets and office buildings. At Tchunga Moyo is a busy market where almost everything imaginable is for sale. Another interesting sight is the cathedral close to the city center.|In the old port you can still see many ships that were wrecked during the civil war. North of the city you can see more wrecks washed up on the shore. Also to the north are Beira's better beaches, especially the one at Praia de Macuti is very popular. There is a lighthouse nearby.|There are quite many hotels and restaurants in town and there are also several lively nightclubs. Beira is connected by air with several other cities in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. You can also get there by bus, but it is a long ride from Maputo. Beira is 675 km north of the capital.";
n["beirut"][0]="Beirut|Lebanon|le|Asia";
n["beirut"][1]="Beirut was once one of the most beautiful and advanced cities in the Middle East. Since it was the only big harbor from where oil could be exported to the west and Lebanon had a bank-secrecy, the city was know as the Paris of the Middle East, or Switzerland from the Middle East. After 17 years of civil war in Lebanon, there was not much left of the capital. The city center is rebuilt beautifully, but it will take a long time before Beirut once again may be proud of itself.|Beirut is a very busy city. There are old mansions, mosques and churches with beautiful architecture, as well as concrete skyscrapers. The city has wide avenues and a 4 lane motorway, but you will also find winding old alleys, lined with little shops. You'll be surprised how westernized this city is, though you will find evidence everywhere that you are in a Muslim country.|Most hotels and restaurants are situated in the area called Hamra. There are some great shops in the area and there is a small museum showing Phoenician figures and other historic artifacts, in the American University of Beirut, just north of Hamra. The National museum has an impressive collection as well. Turkish silverware, icons and other contemporary Lebanese art is displayed in the Sursock Museum in east Beirut. It is housed in a 19th century Italian style villa.|The city center was totally destroyed during the civil war in the 1980's, but it has been restored almost completely. All the rubble from the destroyed buildings was dumped into the Mediterranean sea, to gain terrain for a park. Most banks and government buildings are located here, and in the evenings there are small street markets. The center of Beirut is the Place des Martyrs. It has been rebuilt totally except for the Martyrs Statue which is the original. The Grand Mosque was originally built in the Byzantine era as a Crusader church, it was converted to a mosque in 1291.|In this area excavations began after the end of the civil war in the early 1990's. A part with Byzantine arches and some Roman columns can be visited; all the other (less important) excavations have been covered again, and the city center has been rebuilt on top of them.|Locals tend to wander around in the area near the Pigeon Rocks in the afternoons. The rock arches are the most famous natural feature of Beirut. The Corniche is Beirut's coastal road. It is really quiet and nice to walk around on; away from the busy traffic, next to the refreshing Mediterranean sea. Street vendors sell all sorts of items here.";
n["beirut"][2]="-33.54|35.28|34|500000|94|2|y|1|961";
n["beirut"][3]="13.6|19.1|18.3|5.6|26.7|n/a|23.9|5.1";
n["bejaia"][0]="Bejaia|Algeria|ag|Africa";
n["bejaia"][1]="Bejaia is a very relaxed town on the eastern end of the Gulf of Bejaia. There is a lot of industry, but about 17 km to the east there is a fantastic beach at Tichi. The central square of Bejaia is small and the area lies on a hill. Going down the hill in southern direction you will come to the bus station. Bejaia has a small port, some hotels and restaurants.";
n["belavezhskajapushchanaturereserve"][0]="Belavezhskaja Pushcha Nature Reserve|Belarus|bo|Europe";
n["belavezhskajapushchanaturereserve"][1]="The Belavezhskaja Pushcha Nature Reserve protects some 1300 km² (507 sq miles) of primeval European forest. It stretches north from the town of Kamenyuki, which lies some 50 km north of Brest. Parts of the park are in Poland, which administers it jointly with Belarus.|There are more than 50 mammal species in the park, including beaver, boar, deer, elk, European bison, ermine, lynx, marten, mink, otter, wild horse and wolf badger. The European bison was almost extinct in the 1920's, but now there are more than 1000 of them in the reserve.|Some of the animals, such as bison, deer and boar can be seen in an enclosure and there is also an interesting nature museum.|It is possible to get to the park by bus from Brest, but only several buses ply the route every day, so it is probably better to take your own vehicle if you get a permit for that. Belavezhskaja Pushcha Nature Reserve is 280 km southwest of Minsk.";
n["belfast"][0]="Belfast|United Kingdom|uk|Europe";
n["belfast"][1]="The first settlers arrived in the area around 7000 BC, around the same time when the melting of the icecaps at the end of the Ice Age, separated Ireland from the British mainland. From about 1800 BC Iron Age Celts controlled Ireland and established the province of Ulster. One of their legacies is the Irish language. In 795 BC the Vikings arrived and the region was ruled by various tribes and rulers, until the English entered the area in 1169.|Opposition against the English was based in Ulster, but in the 17th century, when the English started their so-called Plantation program, the province became isolated. The English redistributed the land and the new (English) landowners did not intermarry, like most previous intruders did. They kept their Protestant cultures intact, which angered the poor Irish (Gaelic and Catholic) tenants.|In 1641 this culminated in the murder of a number of Protestants (estimates vary between 2000 and 12,000). Cromwell, as the event is known nowadays, still holds a psychological and symbolic importance. In the 1680's Protestant William of Orange dethroned Catholic James II and this event was the start of a long struggle for power between the Catholics and the Protestants. William finally beat James II's armies at the Battle of the Boyne on 12 July 1690. The 'Glorious Twelfth' is still celebrated each year by Ulster's Orangemen.|After the battle Ulster became more and more isolated from the rest of Ireland, as a result of its geography, religion and because of the Industrial Revolution. Ireland's population was decimated by starvation and massive emigration, but Belfast's largely Protestant population soared from about 20,000 in 1800 to 350,000 a hundred years later. Belfast was the only Irish city to experience the Industrial Revolution and it was home to numerous shipyards and linen factories. Nowadays there are still numerous 19th century buildings in the city center. Because of the industrialization Belfast became closely tied to the British economy and its ties with cities such as Glasgow and Liverpool were much stronger than with Dublin for example. Queen Victoria visited Belfast in 1849 and as a result it was granted city status in 1888. There are still countless streets and monuments named after Queen Victoria.|In 1885 Ulster's Unionist Party was formed by Edward Carson, whose fierce opposition to Irish independence led directly to the country's partition. In 1913 Carson's Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was formed, further alienating the Catholic minority. The Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 granted independence to 26 counties and offered the 6 mainly Protestant Ulster counties the option to choose. Ultimately this resulted in the independence of Ireland in 1949. The links with Northern Ireland were completely cut off.|From 1921 the Northern Ireland Parliament made the important decisions in the region, but in 1972 the British government imposed direct rule. Catholics, who only made up about 30% of the population, were systematically discriminated against, but calls for more equality were met by harsh Protestant opposition from extremists such as Reverend Ian Paisley. In October 1968, a civil rights marsh in Derry was violently broken up by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). This started a long period of tit-for-tat bombings and murders and Belfast became synonym with urban civil war.|In 1994 a cease fire only held for a few months. New efforts were undertaken in 1997 with a cease-fire and in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement, but paramilitary splinter groups, disarmament difficulties and outbreaks of violence cause severe difficulties in establishing a lasting peace.|Despite all the problems, Belfast is a thriving city. Its central area sits on the west bank of the River Lagan and is compact and easily explored on foot. The River Farset also runs through Belfast, but its water is led though pipes, which run under the city, so you cannot see it. In Gaelic the city is called Beál Feirste, which refers to this River Farset. Belfast is surrounded by hills that are excellent for hiking.|Places of interest
|Belfast City Hall
|Belfast's city hall is a good central landmark. The huge neo-Renaissance building dominates Donegall Square and its surroundings. The building includes numerous Portland stone pillars, pediments and parapets and its façade is perfectly symmetrical. Inside it is quite somber, with Italian marble and oak panels. On the City Hall premises are statues in memory of Queen Victoria, the victims of the Titanic and Sir Edward Harland, who founded the Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the steamer was built.|Around Donegall Square are numerous beautiful buildings, including the Scottish Provident Building, which is littered with statues of industrial icons, sphinxes, dolphins and lions' heads. Nearby is the Linen Hall Library, which was established in 1788. Its Irish and local-studies collection contains copies of everything that was written about Northern Ireland politics since 1966.|From Donegall Square walk north along Royal Avenue if you are looking for good shops and northeast to reach the Cathedral Quarter and the Entries.|The Entries and the Cathedral Quarter
|The Entries consist of a collection of narrow alleyways (known as 'entries'). Most of them run off High and Ann Streets and the area is the oldest remaining part of Belfast. The rest of the old city was destroyed by bombardment during WWII. The alleyways used to house laborers and small businesses, but nowadays only the glorious old pubs remain. The White's Tavern was founded in 1630 and is Belfast's oldest pub.|The nearby Cathedral Quarter is a trendy area with numerous restaurants and bars. The district is named for St Anne's Cathedral, where Edward Carson, the architect of Ireland's partition is buried. Also in the area is the Ulster Bank, which was built in 1860 and boasts cast-iron lamps, columns, sculptures and iron railings bearing the provincial symbol, the Red Hand of Ulster. Parts of the old building of the Belfast Bank date from 1769, making it the oldest public building in the city.|Going north from the Cathedral Quarter will bring you to the Albert Memorial Clock Tower with the Harland & Wolff shipyard on the east bank of the Lagan River in the background.|Grand Opera House
|The Grand Opera House is another one of Belfast's major landmarks. It is a Victorian building with an extravagantly decorated façade. The opera opened in 1895 and was restored in 1980 by McKinstry.|He also restored the Victorian pub of the Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street. That building boasts cut-glass windows, marble, mosaic and mahogany details galore, gas lighting, brocade-lined walls and multi-patterned, tiled floors.|Botanic Gardens
|The Botanic Gardens are south down Dublin Road and just south of Queen's University. The gardens include the Tropical Ravine, an imaginatively designed jungle of tropical plants inhabited by tiny terrapins, as well as a cast-iron and glass Palm House. Just south of the Palm House is the excellent Ulster Museum, where you can see displays on Irish history, Irish linen and glass, industrial machines, Irish paintings and the gold jewelry discovered in the wreck of a Spanish Armada vessel, which sank in 1588. The 1849 Queen's College is also situated in the Botanical Gardens and so is the nearby Union Theological College, where the Northern Ireland Parliament held its sessions until 1932, after which is was moved to the purpose-built Stormont Castle, 8 km (5 miles) away. Adjacent to the theological collage is University Square with its nice terraces and hidden student cafés.|Follow Chichester Street for the Waterfront Hall and Hilton Hotel from there.|West Belfast
|The Troubles' frontline and the barbed wire of West Belfast are separated from the rest of the city by the Westlink motorway. Most buildings in West Belfast date from the heydays of the linen industry and nowadays Catholics mostly inhabit them. One of the main reasons people come to this part of town is to see the Catholic/Republican murals around Falls Road. They first appeared in 1981 in support of the people who where then on hunger strike. Other murals have the Potato Famine, Celtic and religious imagery, the Good Friday Agreement and the cease-fires as themes. Most of the loyalist murals are harder, more militaristic and concentrated on Shankill Road. The oldest loyalist mural dated from 1908 and it depicted King Billy on his white horse. Nowadays' paintings tell about the members of the Ulster Defense Organization and the Derry apprentice boys, who defended Belfast against the Catholics in 1688.|Lagan Weir
|The Lagan Weir launched Belfast's Laganside Development Project, which aims to transform mudflats into a clean, deep river. The revitalized river once again boasts salmon, eels and sea trout. Boat- and fishing trips are available at Lagan Weir. The Lagan Weir area includes a lookout and visitor center, as well as the Waterfront Hall and Odyssey entertainment complexes, riverside apartments and restored warehouse accommodation, all linked by a network of parks, public spaces, pathways and footbridges.|Cave Hill Country Park
|355 m (1165 feet) high Cave Hill is the highest hill in the vicinity of Belfast. From the top there are excellent views over the city and on clear days you can even see Scotland in the distance. At the foot of Cave Hill is Belfast Zoo, which has good views over Belfast Lough.|The Country Park sprawls around the Cave Hill and covers an area of 300 hectares (740 acres), which includes numerous remains of ring forts that date from the Iron Age. Wolfe Tone and his United Irishmen met at McArt's Fort in 1795 and swore to continue their struggle for Irish independence. Not far from the castle are 5 artificial Neolithic caves and further down the hill is the 1870 Belfast Castle.|Malone House
|This 1820's mansion is one of the few remaining Georgian buildings in Belfast. It includes the Higgin Gallery and its painting exhibitions, as well as a nice restaurant and beautiful gardens. Paths across its 41-hectare (101-acre) grounds lead all the way down to the Lagan Towpath. The riverside fields of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park are also worth a visit, just like the City of Belfast International Rose Garden, which includes a garden where the development of the rose is displayed.|Giant's Ring
|The Giant's Ring is about 8 km (5 miles) from the center of Belfast, in the country of Down. The enclosure measures 200 m (655 feet) in diameter and at its center stands a tomb called the Druid's Altar. The tomb was built around 4000 BC. In the 18th century the ring was frequently used as a horseracing track.|Activities in Belfast
|Belfast's central area can easily be explored on foot and organized walking tours are available. The walks will take you past the city's main historical sights and pubs. North from Belfast runs a scenic coastal road, which is perfect for cycling. It runs through the foothills of the Antrim Mountains to the Giant's Causeway. Frequently Gaelic football, hurling, soccer and rugby are organized in Balfast.|The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland on Balmoral Avenue and the General Register Office on Chichester Street are two good places to trace your Irish roots if you have them and you want to find out some more.|When to Go
|During the winter there is rarely ice of snow in Belfast, but the weather is not very friendly and the skies are often gray. Average temperatures hover around 4-8°C (40-45°F) during January and February.|In March the Belfast Music Festival is held. It was established in 1911 to give Belfast youths a change to show their talents. A 4-day carnival culminates in St Patrick's Day on 17 March. In March and April average temperatures go up slowly, but the weather is very unreliable and it rains frequently.|In May the Belfast City Summer Fest takes place. During the festival classical and traditional music is performed, as well as community events and the Lord Mayor's Show. Later in May the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is held. It includes numerous street activities and theatre performances.|During the summer months of June, July and August the days are long and the weather is usually very pleasant with an average temperature of some 15°C (60°F). In August the Belfast Folk Festival is held on selected weekends. Also in August, Ireland's largest community festival, Féile an Phobail is held in the western part of town. The largest cultural event in Belfast is the three-week long Belfast Festival at Queen's.|From September to December the weather gets colder again and the days are shorter. At any time of year it can rain a lot in Belfast. From February to June rainfall averages 60 mm (2.3 inch) per month, while the rest of the year on average some 95 mm (4 inch) falls. Whenever you come to Belfast, bring warm clothing, a raincoat and an umbrella.|Transportation
|Northern Ireland has an extensive bus system, which is operated by Ulsterbus. There is a bus link to Dublin in Ireland as well. You can also get from Belfast to Dublin by train. Other trains run between Belfast and Bangor, Larne and Derry in the North.|There are ferries from Belfast's Donegall Quay to the Isle of Man and Stranraer in Scotland, while it is possible to go to Liverpool from the Victoria terminal, 5 km (3 miles) north of Belfast. If you are staying in Ireland and you want to visit Northern Ireland by rented vehicle, make sure the insurance covers the trip.|Belfast International Airport is Northern Ireland's transportation hub for connections to Europe and North America";
n["belfast"][2]=". The airport is 30 km (18.5 miles) north of the city and has a good Airbus service. Some regional flights to Britain are available at Belfast City Airport, which is only 6 km (3.5 miles) from the city center and has bus and train connections. Both airports are also served by taxis.|Inside Belfast you'll rarely need transportation, as all tourist sights are within walking distance from each other. Destinations outside the center are served by Citybus services that cover more than 60 routes. Taxis are widely available.|Warning
|If you are driving to Belfast yourself, be very careful where you park. For security reasons, unattended cars are not allowed to be left in areas designated a 'Control Zone'. Also remember to lock your vehicle when leaving it unattended.|Accommodation and food
|There are many hotels and restaurants in Dublin. Most accommodation is situated to the south of the city, near the university area. The Golden Mile is the best place to look for restaurants and bars, while the characteristic Irish pubs are mostly located in the Entries.|Belfast has an excellent nightlife scene. There are numerous clubs, pubs and discotheques.|Belfast is 525 km northwest of London and 145 km north of Dublin in Ireland.";
n["belfast"][3]="-54.35|-5.55|n/a|700000|n/a|0|y|28|44";
n["belgianardennes"][0]="The Ardennes (De Ardennen)|Belgium|be|Europe";
n["belgianardennes"][1]="The southeastern part of Belgium is covered by the Ardennes, an area of the deep valleys of the Meuse (Maas), Lesse and Ourthe Rivers and lush pine forests. The region also includes some of the oldest citadels in Belgium. The area was also the place where the Battle of the Bulge was once fought. Tours to the old battlefields and other interesting sites are available.|The best place to stay is the town of Namur (Namen), which has good rail and road connections with the rest of Belgium, as well as Luxembourg.|If you were looking for information on the Ardennes in Luxembourg please click here";
n["belizecity"][0]="Belize City|Belize|bh|Central America";
n["belizecity"][1]="Belize City is a colorful place and the country's largest city. Belize's former capital has a Caribbean atmosphere with numerous wooden buildings that are periodically damaged by tropical storms. The good thing about the storms is that they also clear out the open drainage canals, which crisscross the city.|Not many people come to Belize City to spend their holidays, but the city is bustling with activity, as it is the country's major commercial and transportation hub, so most travelers end up there anyway.|Haulover Creek, a branch of the Belize River, divides Belize City into two parts. The northern neighborhoods mostly consist of quiet residential areas, while the area south of the creek is the city's commercial center. The Swing Bridge connects the two districts.|Most sights are in Belize City's southern part. Battlefield Park is a busy place, where vendors, loungers and con men try to make a living. Not far from there is St John's Cathedral, which was built in 1847 and is the oldest and most important Anglican church in Central America. The city's cultural center is concentrated on the Bliss Institute.|North of the Swing Bridge are the Fort George Lighthouse and the wood-framed Paslow Building, which houses the city's main post office.|Most budget accommodation is also situated on the northern bank of Haulover Creek, especially around North Front Street. The more expensive hotels can be found at the end of north shore peninsula. Restaurants are scattered all over the city. The main commercial streets, where countless shops and department stores are situated, are Albert, Regent, King and Orange Streets. Be careful, when wandering around Belize City at night, as it can be dangerous. Belize City is 70 km northeast of Belmopan. Belize's main airport of Philip S W Goldson International, is about 10 km northwest of Belize City.";
n["belizecity"][2]="-17.31|-88.11|5|80000|112|-6|n/a|2|501";
n["belizecity"][3]="23.3|13.7|26.7|5.6|27.2|16.3|26.1|30.5";
n["bellemare"][0]="Belle Mare|Mauritius|mp|Africa";
n["bellemare"][1]="Belle Mare is a long beach on the eastern coast of Mauritius, 29 km east of Port Louis. There is a limekiln just inland from town, which has been converted into a lookout tower that provides excellent views over the area. There are many ruins of sugar mills in and around town.|Belle Mare is a perfect place to relax, swim and sit in the sun, as there is not much else to do in town. The beaches in Belle Mare are probably the best in Mauritius.|Accommodation and restaurants are available. Belle Mare has regular bus connections with Port Louis.";
n["bellingen"][0]="Bellingen|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["bellingen"][1]="Bellingen, 20 km inland from Nambucca Heads, is a sleepy place and a gateway to the Dorrigo National Park. This park consists of dense rainforest and is included in the World Heritage list.|Accommodation is available in Bellingen. The town is 420 km northeast of Sydney and 650 km northeast of Canberra.";
n["belmontandrichmondbays"][0]="Belmont and Richmond Bays|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|vc|Central America";
n["belmontandrichmondbays"][1]="The Belmont and Richmond Bays, on the northern side of Union Island boast beautiful, white sand beaches en crystal clear waters.|The beach at Belmont Bay is known as Big Sand. It has excellent views of nearby Mayreau Island and the Tobago Cays.|Richmond's beach is east of Bog Sand. It has better swimming, as it is more sheltered. Both beaches are only about 30 minutes walking from the town of Clifton.";
n["belmopan"][0]="Belmopan|Belize|bh|Central America";
n["belmopan"][1]="Belmopan has been the capital of Belize since 1970. After hurricane Hattie heavily damaged Belize City, the original capital, it was decided that a new capital was to be built: Belmopan. The city's name derives from the first syllable of Belize (Bel) and the name of a Mayan tribe: Mopan. Most government offices were moved to Belmopan, which has a more secure and central location than Belize City. Although Belmopan has been Belize's capital since 1970, it was officially inaugurated two years later. It is located in the center of the Cayo district, about an hour's drive from Belize City, on the crossroads of the Western and Hummingbird highways, Belize's two main thoroughfares. Being an inland city, its temperatures are quite high during the day but much cooler at night.|In the center of town is Independence Plaza. On the square are several administrative buildings, including the National Assembly (or Parliament) Building. Its design was based on Mayan pyramids. There is not much private commercial activity there. Most of the city's inhabitants are government employees and their families, although many workers prefer to live in Belize City or San Ignacio, as there is little to do in Belmopan. The city's archaeological department houses numerous Maya artifacts that were found on sites throughout the country.|Around Belmopan are numerous interesting places, which are all easily accessed. They include the Cayo, Stann Creek and inland Belize districts. Closer to the city are such sites as the Blue Hole and Guanacaste National Park. Most of the activities in these areas are outdoors such as swimming, hiking and caving.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Belmopan. The city is 70 km southwest of the old capital of Belize City.";
n["belmopan"][2]="-17.13|-88.48|n/a|10000|n/a|-6|n/a|8|501";
n["belur"][0]="Belur|India|in|Asia";
n["belur"][1]="The best-preserved temples of the Hoysala dynasty can be found in the towns of Belur and Halebid. The Hoysala dynasty was one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu culture. The temples have beautiful sculptural decorations that can easily match those at the more famous temples of Khajuraho, as well as numerous of Europe's finest examples of Gothic art.|The Channekeshava Temple is Belur's main attraction. Its supporting pillars and lintels are beautifully decorated, but you should bring a flashlight to get a good view of the sculptural decorations that include gods, goddesses and guardian beasts.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in Belur. The town is 1685 km south of Delhi.";
n["bendigo"][0]="Bendigo|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["bendigo"][1]="Bendigo is a former gold-mining center. It still retains some of the reminders of the countless Chinese diggers who lived and worked there.|Accommodation is available in town. Bendigo is 100 km northwest of Melbourne and 540 km southwest of Canberra.";
n["benghazi"][0]="Benghazi|Libya|ly|Africa";
n["benghazi"][1]="Benghazi (or Bingazi) is Libya's second largest city. It is on the eastern side of the Gulf of Sirt, about 660 km east of Tripoli. There is not much historical to see in the city, as it was bombed heavily during WWII and rebuilt with oil money. It is a major trade center so it is a good place to go shopping for souvenirs.|The center of the city is easily covered on foot and there is a lively covered souq. On Fridays everybody seems to go shopping and the markets are really bustling then. The main covered market on Sharia al-Mukhtar is Souq al-Jreed. You can buy all sorts of household goods and clothes there. Nearby there are numerous small bars and shops.|The tomb of Omar al-Mukhtar is in the center of a big roundabout. Omar was a freedom fighter and many people come to pay their respect to him every day.|The area around Benghazi is beautiful. You can go hiking in the Green Mountains and there are many Roman Ruins in the neighborhood. There are also numerous small tourist villages in the vicinity of the city. Benghazi also offers good beaches.|There is a whole range of accommodation in Benghazi and you will also find many restaurants, bars and nightclubs";
n["beni"][0]="Beni|Democratic Republic of the Congo|cg|Africa";
n["beni"][1]="Beni is a good place to stay if you want to explore the Ruwenzori Mountains from the Democratic Republic of the Congo side, although most people do that from the Uganda side. There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Beni is 1685 km northeast of Kinshasa, close to the border with Uganda. There are several shops in town that can supply you with everything you need for treks into the mountains. Also don't forget to try the local spirit, made from sorghum and bananas.";
n["beniabbes"][0]="Beni AbbÚs|Algeria|ag|Africa";
n["beniabbes"][1]="Beni AbbÚs is one of the interesting oasis towns in Algeria, on the southern edge of the Grand Erg. You can climb the sand dunes for excellent views over the Erg. There are some shops in Beni AbbÚs, as well as a bank and a market, but accommodation and restaurants are scarce and expensive.|The town posesses a palmeraie where you can wonder around and relax. It lies at the bottom of the escarpment on the edge of town. There are a zoo with desert animals and a museum in Beni AbbÚs.|The bus station is near the market.";
n["beniisguen"][0]="Beni Isguen|Algeria|ag|Africa";
n["beniisguen"][1]="Beni Isguen is one of the five towns often referred to as Ghardaia. It is the most important religious place in M'Zab. The whole town is closed to foreigners on Fridays, but the other days you are allowed in. Shorts, cameras and cigarettes are not allowed in the town. There is an auction every afternoon, which attracts many locals, as there is little to do otherwise. Beni Isguen has no café's for example.|The town has only one entrance gate, where you get a mandatory guide to show you around. If you walk past the entrance, around the town, you will get to the palmeraie; one of the best ones in the area.|Buses connect Beni Isguen with Ghardaia, although it's a distance that could easily be done on foot.";
n["benincity"][0]="Benin City|Nigeria|ni|Africa";
n["benincity"][1]="Benin City is an interesting place, some 250 km east of Lagos, 360 km southwest of Abuja. In the area, a kingdom flourished for centuries, until the arrival of colonialism. A large collection of artifacts from that kingdom can be seen in the National Museum and, although the British took most of the artifacts to the United Kingdom at the end of the 19th century, the museum still houses Africa's largest collection of such artifacts. (The rest can be seen in the U.K., in the British Museum and the Museum of Mankind). It is also possible to visit Oba's Palace in Benin City, but that has to be arranged in Abuja or Lagos first. Right around Benin City is the most noticeable historical landmark - The Moat (iya) - intended as a means of warding off invaders. At one point in time, it was the world's largest earthworks executed without modern machinery. The building of the IYA was in several stages. Oba Oguola supervised the building of the First Moat in 1280 AD, and the Second Moat was begun in 1290 AD. The Third Moat, which encircles the city, was dug by Oba Ewuare in 1460 AD. Large parts of the moat have fallen in disrepair, but extensive renovation of the historical site is currently being undertakenthe.|There are quite many hotels and restaurants in Benin City. The bus station is on Mission Road.|About 70 km southwest of Benin City, at the town of Okomu-Udo is the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many species of primate, including the rare and endangered white-throated monkey.";
n["beniounif"][0]="Beni Ounif|Algeria|ag|Africa";
n["beniounif"][1]="Beni Ounif is the first Algerian place you will get to when you arrive from Figuig in Morocco. There is not much to do or see. Bus connections to Oran and Béchar are available. There is little accommodation.";
n["beograd"][0]="Beograd (Belgrade)|Serbia|sr|Europe";
n["beograd"][1]="Beograd has been destroyed many times over its 2300 years of existence. The result is that the city is nowadays a vibrant mixture of everything. You will find historical buildings, ugly concrete skyscrapers, restaurants, street cafes and a sort of northern European atmosphere in many places. Accommodation is very very expensive though. The capital's main boulevard is the Kneza Mihaila. It is a pedestrian street with numerous bars and cafe's that runs northwest through the old town. At the southern end of the boulevard the bus and train stations are located.|The Kalemegdan Citadel is a fort that was founded in Celtic times; it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times and most of what is left of it nowadays, was constructed in the 17th century. It includes medieval gates, Orthodox churches, Muslim tombs and Turkish baths. There is a Military Museum on the battlements of the citadel. The adjacent park is very quiet and relaxed; many people come here for an evening stroll.|The oldest part of Beograd is Stari Grad, which is situated next to the Citadel. The capital's best museums are found in this area. Especially good is the National Museum that has a display on archaeology and paintings. It you are interested in Serb costumes and customs, visit the Ethnographical Museum. The Gallery of Frescoes has a collection of full-size paintings from remote churches in Serbia and Macedonia. The Palace of Princess Ljubice is an authentic, beautifully furnished not-to-be-missed Balkan-style palace.|The best park in the city is Ada Ciganlija. It is actually an island in the Sava River not far from the city center. You can swim, rent bikes, have a drink in one of the many cafes, or just relax after a few days in the city.|Accommodation in Beograd is very expensive; this includes even the camping site in the southern part of the city, and the hostels. The most inexpensive option is to sleep on the night-train that takes you to the city. Food is a lot cheaper, and the best places are located around the Kneza Mihaila. In the Bohemian quarter there are folkloric restaurants that offer dishes from different parts of Serbia, but they are more expensive.";
n["beograd"][2]="-44.84|20.28|138|1100000|79|1|y|11|386";
n["beograd"][3]="0|4.1|12.5|5.6|22.5|4.8|13.3|6.9";
n["bequiaisland"][0]="Bequia Island|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|vc|Central America";
n["bequiaisland"][1]="Bequia is the country's second largest island. It is a wonderful, hilly place, covered with lush vegetation and it was once an important shipbuilding and whaling center. Nowadays it's an important yachting destination, with most people heading for the commercial center of Port Elizabeth on Admiralty Bay. On the island's southern coast is the tourist resort of Friendship Bay.|Accommodation is available in most towns on Bequia. The island is 10 km south of the country's main island if Saint Vincent.";
n["berastagi"][0]="Berastagi|Indonesia|id|Asia";
n["berastagi"][1]="Berastagi is a wonderful hill station, high up in the Karo Batak Highlands of northern Sumatra. The town sits at an altitude of 1300 m (4260 feet) above sea level and as a result, the climate is cool and refreshing, compared with that of lower lying places in the region. Berastagi has a relaxing atmosphere. Berastagi is famous for its flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the 'Marquisa' passion fruit that can be obtained from the lively market.|Most people come to the town to learn more about the culture of the Karo Batak people, as well as for trekking in the nearby Gunung Leuser National Park. Guided treks to the nearby volcanoes of Gunung Sinabung and Gunung Sibayak are available in town.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Berastagi, as well as a golf course. The town is 75 km south of Medan and 1360 km northwest of Jakarta.";
n["berat"][0]="Berat|Albania|al|Europe";
n["berat"][1]="Berat is the second most important city in Albania. It has many red-roofed houses that boast countless windows and for that reason Berat is sometimes referred to as the 'the city of a thousand windows'. There are several interesting sights in Berat. The citadel was built in the 14th century and sits on a ridge above the gorge. The citadel shelters several small Orthodox churches, including the Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Church of the Evangelists.|The old Muslim quarter of Mangalem is on the slope below the citadel, while the Christian quarter of Gorica is on the other side of the gorge and can be reached by a stone bridge with seven arches. There are some interesting mosques in Berat, such as the Leaden Mosque, the King's Mosque and the Bachelor's Mosque. The Alveti Tekke is a smaller shrine where Islamic sects like the Dervishes once practiced.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Berat. The town is 75 km south of Tiranë (Tirana) and can be reached by bus.";
n["berbera"][0]="Berbera|Somalia|so|Africa";
n["berbera"][1]="Berbera is approximately 935 km north of Mogadishu in northern Somalia. The city lies on the Gulf of Aden and has a very hot and humid climate. People are friendly, but be discreet when taking photographs of them.|There is some accommodation in town. Food can be purchased from small eating-places that can be found all over Berbera.";
n["bergama"][0]="Bergama (Pergamon)|Turkey|tu|Europe";
n["bergama"][1]="Bergama, once a great center of culture, is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Turkey. The Acropolis lies on top of a hill overseeing the area. You will find a huge theatre, the temples of Trajan and Dionysus, the altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium and the Agora.|Southwest of the city, the Asclepion, a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepios, the god of health, is found.|In the town itself the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum is worth a visit. The site of a temple dedicated to Serapis is located nearby. It became one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse and was subsequently converted into a basilica by the Byzantines.|Bergama's harbor town is Dikili. Cruise ships visit this tiny port frequently to bring visitors to Pergamon.";
n["bergen"][0]="Bergen|Norway|no|Europe";
n["bergen"][1]="In 1070, when Bergen was a small port settlement, it was granted municipal status by Olav Kyrre. The town grew rapidly and by 1240 it became Norway's capital and the town grew very prosperous. It became a Hanseatic city in the 14th century. When the capital was moved to Oslo, the importance and wealth of Bergen diminished. But when oil was struck there in the 20th century Bergen boomed again.|During the Hanseatic times the Germans established a Kontor in Bryggen. It became a busy trading center and many of the old wooden houses on the waterfront were built in the original Hanseatic style. The waterfront of Bryggen was placed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 1980. The fish market is next to the waterfront, but not only fish is sold, all sorts of handicrafts as well as fruit and vegetables are also available there. The Rozenkrantz Tower was built by Erik Rozenkrantz, the governor of Bergen Castle during medieval times. He incorporated existing defensive structures that dated from the 13th century. Bergen has a very nice aquarium.|There are countless museums in Bergen, including the Bergen Art Museum, the Bergen Museum, which has displays on the city's cultural and natural history and the Maritime Museum. There are also numerous churches in town, of which the Romanesque St. Mary Church (Mariakirken) is the oldest. It actually is the oldest building in town and dates from the 12th century.|There are many hotels and restaurants in Bergen and the city has good rail and road connections with the rest of Norway. Bergen is 310 km west of Oslo, on Norway's southwestern coast.";
n["bergen"][2]="-60.24|5.19|43|250000|n/a|1|y|5|47";
n["bergen"][3]="1.7|20.1|6.9|11.2|16.4|13.2|8.6|23.4";
n["berlin"][0]="Berlin|Germany|gm|Europe";
n["berlin"][1]="Berlin is a city with a very moved history. It was the focus point of the East-West division during the cold-war, but after the wall fell and east and west Germany got reunited massive construction efforts have erased most memories of that period. A clear difference between the eastern and western parts of the city can still be seen though; especially in the outskirts the difference is huge. In the west of the city buildings are in good shape and well taken care of, but in the eastern part, the mismanagement of the past is still very visible. Apart from this, Berlin is a sparkling vibrant city with lots of thing to do and see.|To fully enjoy Berlin you have to know a little of its past. The area has been inhabited since medieval times and has since been an important strategic, cultural and economic place. It has always been a place of industrial development and cultural and intellectual spirit. German's capital has been devastated several times, because of different wars including the Thirty Years' War and WW II. Despite of this there are still enough monuments left to make Berlin well worth a visit. If you're not into culture or architecture there are always the numerous terraces, cafés, bars and nightclubs to keep you going.|Berlin lies on the Spree River that cuts it virtually in half. The municipal area includes beautiful parks and forests, lands treasured by west-Berliners during the years of the cold-war. A good focus point in the city center is the Fernsehturm (TV tower), that can be seen from almost anywhere. The main street in the city center is Unter der Linden that lies between the Brandenburger Tor (west of the Tor the avenue is called Strasse des 17. Juni) and the Schlossbrücke (east of this bridge the avenue continues to Alexanderplatz and beyond as K.-Liebknecht-strasse) Many of the city's museums are located on or in the direct surroundings of this avenue. The Schlossbrücke connects the city with Museuminsel in the Spree, the original center of the metropolis. To the west of the Brandenburg Gate, a massive park called Tiergarten provides space to relax after running around the busy city. In the center of this park you can see the Siegessäule (the Victory Column). The Reichstag lies at the eastern edge of the park, close to the Brandenburger Tor. On the west of Tiergarten you can visit the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-kirche, Germany's main monument to remember the victims of WWII. Accommodation is mostly concentrated around the area west of Tiergarten and north of the Central Business District, but you will find places to stay in other areas as well. The are several camping ground in the outskirts of Berlin, but they all have good bus or metro connections to the city center.|Places to Visit
|Brandenburger Tor
|The Brandenburger Tor was built in 1791 by architect Carl Gotthard Langhans, as a symbol of peace. Later, a winged victory goddess and four-horse chariot were placed on top of it, turning it into a showpiece of Prussian might. The goddess and her steeds were removed by Napoleon in 1806 and brought to Paris, but later they were returned. The Tor has been the center of rallies and processions until 1961. In that year the wall was erected and access to the Tor prohibited. The Brandenburger Tor stood in no-men's land until November 1989 when the border between the two Germanys was reopened and the wall taken down. Nowadays pieces of the wall are being sold in numerous stalls around the Tor, but if you didn't chop your own bit of wall in 1989, don't buy them, as there is little change the pieces sold today are authentic.|Deutscher/Französischer Dom
|This church lies south of Unter den Linden. It has copper domes and is one of the few structures that survived WWII virtually unharmed.|Fernsehturm
|This TV-tower has a restaurant and viewing-platform at the top, that provides excellent views over the city. It is located close to Alexanderplatz, but is it very easy to find as it dominates central Berlin's skyline.|Europa-Center
|A shopping mall that has a unique liquid-and-glass-pipes clock inside. The device will keep you focused for hours.|Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche
|Bombed by the British in late 1943, this church was left in its state of ruin. A modern concrete and blue stained glass tower was erected next to it. It is a weird monument to remember victims of WWII, but it's worth a visit as it features some fine work by Chagall.|Kreuzberg
|Kreuzberg, South of west Berlin's CBD, is Germany's cradle of trendy anarchists. It's a very lively area where Turkish immigrants owe great cafés. There are interesting bookshops and an underground art and music scene. The punk movement has its own bronze statue on a prominent street corner.|Kurfürstendamm
|Kurfürstendamm is the main street if you want to go on a shopping spree. It runs southwest from the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-kirche. Many good restaurants are situated there.|Museums
|The Dahlem Museums are several museums, situated on Museuminsel. The better part of the former Prussian art collection collected by Friedrich the Great can be found here in the Gemäldegallerie. During WWII all the art was evacuated and spread all over the country. After the war Germany divided and the art collection stayed in the western part of the country. The Gemäldegallerie has an exhibition of old paintings, sculpture, ethnographical exhibits and Indian, Oriental and Islamic art. It is one of the best museums in the world.
Several other museums are located on Museum Insel, such as Altes Museum, Bode-Museum, Nationalgalerie and Pergamonmuseum.|Other interesting museums that are situated in other parts of the city include: Ãgyptisches Museum, that exhibits Egyptian artifacts; Antikenmuseum; Berlinische Galerie; Bröhän Museum; Deutsches Historisches Museum im Zeughaus; Kunstgewerbemuseum; Museum für Verkehr und Technic, a technical museum; Neue Nationalgalerie and Staatliche Kunsthalle Berlin.|The Checkpoint Charlie Museum lies near former Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between the two Germanys that was demolished after the wall fell. The museum shows the history of the wall as well as a display of all sorts of ingenious devices people have used to escape the former East Germany, resulting in 80 deaths altogether. Checkpoint Charly Museum is very very overpriced (actually it's a rip-off!). Just west of the museum a chunk of wall is preserved as a memory of the dark past.|Potsdam
|Southwest of Berlin, straddling the Havel River, lies Potsdam. Thios town has been residence of German leaders and other important people ever since the 17th century. All of them built palaces and castles that excelled in grandeur and excellence. Friedrich the Great liked the French way of expressing grandeur and stateliness so much, that he built Schloss Sanssouci in the mid-18th century as an exaggerated copy of a French castle. The mansion of Wilhelm II, used by the Allies in July 1945 to determine what should happen with a defeated and devastated Germany in the famous Potsdam Conference, can also be visited.|Reichstag
|Since the German government moved back from Bonn to Berlin, the Reichstag has regained its original function as Parliament Building. It has been thoroughly reconstructed and a futuristic glass and steel dome has been placed on top of it. It lies close to the Brandenburger Tor on the Spree river east of Tiergarten.|Schloss Charlottenburg
|Schloss Charlottenburg lies west of Tiergarten and is a castle in the style of Versailles.|Stasi Headquarters
|The Stasi was the former German Democratic Republic's secret police force. Their headquarters lies in the gray East Berlin suburbs and can be visited. There is not much to see, but it is interesting because of what went on in here during the cold-war. The Stasi used to have a huge network of full-time staff, part-time informers numbering in the millions and average East-Germans informing on fellow citizens. The Stasi infiltrated East German life so thoroughly that people used to be afraid to express themselves freely even within their own family.|Tiergarten
|Tiergarten is the huge central park area situated between the Brandenburger Tor and the Hochshule der Künste, the art-university. Inside this area you will find the Congress Halls, Siegessäaule (the Victory Column) and Berlin's Zoo including a fantastic aquarium.|Entertainment
|There are several papers available in Berlin that give information on cultural events. The most important ones are Checkpoint (in English), Tip and Zitty (both in German). There are several operas in Berlin, including Deutsche Oper Berlin to the west; and Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin to the east of Tiergarten. Schedules can be obtained from the theatres directly as well as from the Berlin Programm; an information monthly on opera and musicals.|Cinemas can be found in complexes near the Zoo station west of Tiergarten and along Kurfürstendamm. As on German TV most foreign productions are dubbed, into German; if you prefer the original version, check for the 'O.m.U' sign which indicates that the film is subtitled. Nightlife starts really late in Berlin, so don't go to a disco before midnight as it will be empty. Most clubs can be found in the CDB. In the eastern part of the city the parties start a little earlier. Around Alexanderplatz and Prenzlauer Berg, north of it, many alternative cafés and clubs can be found.";
n["berlin"][2]="-52.27|13.18|57|3500000|137|1|y|30|49";
n["berlin"][3]="-0.8|4.8|8.1|4.3|18.1|7.9|8.9|4.3";
n["bermagui"][0]="Bermagui|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["bermagui"][1]="Bermagui is a relatively undeveloped, small, but beautiful town on the south coast of New South Wales. It is surrounded by large forested areas.|Accommodation is available in town. Bermagui is 300 km south of Sydney and 145 km southeast of Canberra.";
n["bermudatriangle"][0]="Bermuda Triangle|Bermuda|bd|North America";
n["bermudatriangle"][1]="The Bermuda Triangle consists of a zone stretching south of Bermuda to Puerto Rico and west to the coast of Florida, where some 100 ships and planes have vanished during the 20th century. Some blame the mysterious disappearances on atmospheric disturbances, erratic magnetic forces, or volcanic activity, but time warps and extra-terrestrial kidnappings have also been mentioned. Others think that the usual combination of mechanical failure, bad weather and human error have caused them.";
n["bermudianlanding"][0]="Bermudian Landing|Belize|bh|Central America";
n["bermudianlanding"][1]="The endangered black howler monkey only lives in Belize and the best place to see them is the Community Baboon Sanctuary in the village of Bermudian Landing. The sanctuary was set up by villagers in order to protect the primates from extinction. It includes a visitor's center, where you can learn more about the black howler monkey, as well as some 200 other animal species that roam the park.|The sanctuary is about 35 km west of Belize City and 45 km northeast of Belmopan.";
n["bern"][0]="Bern|Switzerland|sz|Europe";
n["bern"][1]="According to tradition, Bern was founded as a military post, in 1191 by Berchtold V of Zähringen. Emperor Frederick II made Bern a free imperial city in 1218, when Berchtold died without an heir. Bern's population and power grew, and in 1353 the city joined the Swiss Confederation. It soon became the confederation's leading member. In 1415 the territory of Aargau was conquered and in 1536, Vaud was added. The city accepted the Reformation in 1528.|Until 1798, when Switzerland was invaded by the French, during the French Revolution, the region around Bern was governed by an autocratic urban aristocracy. During the French occupation, Bern's treasury was pillaged and its territories dismembered. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Bern failed to recover Vaud and Aargau, but received the Bernese Jura (the former Bishopric of Basel). In 1831 a liberal constitution was adopted and in 1848 Bern became the capital of the Swiss Confederation.|Bern has countless sandstone, medieval buildings, including guild halls, the 15th-century town hall and a noted Minster that was begun in the 15th century as well. One of Bern's major sights is its medieval clock tower. Bern is one of Europe's finest examples of medieval civic architecture and the city's old town is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Bern is the seat of the Swiss government.|Thanks to 6 kilometers of arcades, Bern boasts one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe. Under the arcades and on squares and side streets are dozens of restaurants and cafés, as well as countless shops.|The Aare River snakes around the old town and is perfect for refreshing summer dips. You can stroll along the riverbank under leafy trees, which provide the city with a green artery. The railway station is only a few minutes' walk away.|One of the city's most interesting museums is the Museum of Fine Art, which houses the world's largest collection of Paul Klee works. Einstein lived in Bern and developed his special theory of relativity there.|There are plenty of hotels and restaurants in the Swiss capital. Concert hall and municipal theatre are all within walking distance from the old town. Modern dance performances, jazz concerts and other events are organized frequently, making Bern one of Switzerland's most important cultural centers.";
n["bern"][2]="-46.57|7.26|572|250000|n/a|1|y|31|41";
n["bern"][3]="-0.8|4.8|8.6|7.6|18.3|11.2|9.2|8.9";
n["berneroberland"][0]="Berner Oberland (Bernese Oberland)|Switzerland|sz|Europe";
n["berneroberland"][1]="The most interesting part of the Berner Oberland region is the area around Lake Thun. On the lake's northern end lies the town of Thun, which boasts an interesting castle.|Another excellent castle is Schloss Oberhofen, which was built in the 13th century and once held by the Habsburgs. The castle houses an interesting collection of grand furniture, portraits and weapons, as well as a Turkish smoking room. It is surrounded by beautiful 19th-century gardens.|Not far southeast of Thun is the town of Hilterfingen, where you can visit Schloss Hunegg. It was built in the 1860's and only 40 years later it was completely renovated. The castle is a mix of neo-Renaissance and art nouveau styles.|Boat trips to all three castles are available in Thun.";
n["berry"][0]="Berry|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["berry"][1]="Berry is about halfway between Kiama and the dairy town of Nowra. It is a quiet place that gets busy on weekends, as it is popular with people from Sydney.|Berry is a good place to stay if you want to visit the beautiful Kangaroo Valley, or the spectacular escarpment leading to Fitzroy Falls.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Berry. The town is 110 km south of Sydney and 160 km northeast of Canberra.";
n["bertoua"][0]="Bertoua|Cameroon|cm|Africa";
n["bertoua"][1]="Bertoua is 260 km northeast of Yaoundé. The best food stalls are near the gare routière and there are a few hotels in town.";
n["beslan"][0]="Beslan (ÃÃ¥ñëà í)|Russia|rs|Asia";
n["beslan"][1]="Beslan is a dilapidated provincial town in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. The town made headlines in September 2004, when Chechen terrorists held more than 1000 hostages in a school. The siege ended with the deaths of some 350 people, half of which were children.|There is nothing of interest in Beslan. Accommodation is available. Beslan is some 1400 km south of Moscow.";
n["betancuria"][0]="Betancuria|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["betancuria"][1]="Betancuria is the oldest settlement on Fuerteventura. Jean de Béthencourt arrived on the island in 1405. He settled on what he thought to be the best place on the island and it is his name that over time corrupted into Betancuria. Nowadays several hundred people live there, mostly descendents of the original population, the Guanches. Jean's house, as well as a small chapel from that time can still be seen there. The ruins of Fuerteventura's first monastery can be found in Betancuria. The Franciscans built the monastery, but pirates that operated from nearby Morocco destroyed it. In 1593 they also destroyed the gothic Iglesia de Santa María that was originally built in 1410 and the church you can see nowadays is a replica that was built in the 17th century. It boasts beautiful works in Mudejar-style and painted choir-stalls of the wood of the Canarian pine. The cathedral sits in the town center and nearby is the interesting Museo de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art), where relics and golden items are on display. Guanche artifacts can be seen in the Casa Museo de Betancuria, the town's Archaeological Museum.|The Mirador de Morro Velosa is several kilometers north of town. It offers great views over the area. South of Betancuria is Vega del Río de Palmas, a small settlement on the edge of a dry riverbed. Ground water comes close enough to the surface though to keep numerous palm trees alive. There are several hotels and restaurants in Betancuria.";
n["bethlehem"][0]="Bethlehem|West Bank|we|Asia";
n["bethlehem"][1]="Bethlehem is centered on Manger Square. According to the Bible, Bethlehem was the place where Jesus Christ was born and that fact draws thousand of tourists to the town each year. Apart from Manger Square you will also find Manger Street, Star Street, Shepherds' Street and two Shepherds' Fields, as well as numerous 'Christmases'.|The Church of the Nativity is one of the world's oldest churches. It is built on the spot where Jesus was said to have been born. The Milk Grotto Chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, while Rachel's Tomb, on the edge of town, is one of the most important sacred shrines of Judaism, but it is also revered by Muslims and Christians.|There is little accommodation in Bethlehem, but most people stay in Jerusalem anyway and visit Bethlehem on day trip. Bethlehem is 10 km south of Jerusalem.";
n["bettendorf"][0]="Bettendorf|United States|us|North America";
n["bettendorf"][1]="Bettendorf was settled around 1840. Its growth in the late 20th century led to its displacing East Moline as one of the so-called Quad Cities, a regional economic unit. The others are Davenport, Moline and Rock Island.|In Bettendorf transportation equipment, asphalt, pools, spas and electronic products are manufactured. There is also metal processing.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Bettendorf is on the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, some 260 km east from Des Moines and 1165 km west from Washington D.C.";
n["beveridgereef"][0]="Beveridge Reef|Niue|ne|Oceania";
n["beveridgereef"][1]="The Beveridge Reef is one of Niue's three outlying reefs (the other two are Antiope and Haran). The reef is a fabulous spot for scuba diving and includes a deep lagoon, surrounded by a pristine 5 km (3 miles) long stretch of white sand beaches. Beveridge reef is topped by the wreck of an old tune fishing boat. The corals and sea life around Beveridge Reef are colorful and vibrant, but be careful, as there are plenty of sharks.|Beveridge Reef is about 300 km (186 miles) southeast from Niue and the only way to get there is by private yacht. The journey from Niue takes about 16 hours.";
n["beyin"][0]="Beyin|Ghana|gh|Africa";
n["beyin"][1]="Beyin is the location of Fort Appolonia. It is on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, 275 km west of Accra.";