n["graaff-reinet"][0]="Graaff-Reinet|South Africa|sf|Africa";
n["graaff-reinet"][1]="Graaff-Reinet is one of the most spectacular towns in South Africa. It is situated in a cleft of the Sneeuberg Mountains, on the Sundays River. Since Graaff-Reinet is the fourth oldest European settlement in South Africa, many buildings in town are quite old. Most of them were built in Cape-Dutch style and have been declared national monuments. The nearby Karoo Nature Reserve is worth a visit. The surrounding Sneeuberg Mountains are excellent for hiking.|Accommodation and restaurants are available.";
n["grampiansnationalpark"][0]="Grampians National Park|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["grampiansnationalpark"][1]="The spectacular Grampians National Park consists of four rugged granite and sandstone ranges that are renowned for their native flora and fauna and Aboriginal rock art. The park offers excellent bush-walking and rock-climbing possibilities and there are wonderful lookouts. The best time to visit the park is in spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom.|Grampians National Park is 230 km northwest of Melbourne and 630 km southwest of Canberra.";
n["granada+nu"][0]="Granada|Nicaragua|nu|Central America";
n["granada+nu"][1]="Granada is often referred to as 'La Gran Sultana', which refers to Granada in Spain. The Spanish founded it in 1524, making it the oldest Hispanic city in Nicaragua. Granada is built on the slopes of Volcán Mombacho, on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua. The lake provides Granada access to the Caribbean sea, via the San Juan River and as a result the city has always been an important trade center.|Granada is a laid-back place where you can see numerous colonial buildings, including a Cathedral and a beautiful plaza. In the vicinity of the plaza is Parque Colón, which is a good place to relax. If you fancy a swim, you can always take a dip in Lake Nicaragua, which is not far from the city center. Granada's biggest festivities, the Assumption of Mary, are held on 15 August every year.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Granada. The city is 40 km southeast of Managua.";
n["granada"][0]="Granada|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["granada"][1]="During the period of Muslim rule, Granada was the most beautiful city on the Iberian peninsula and even after that time it has always been an important city. The Muslim legacy includes one of the most magnificent monuments in Europe, La Alhambra|La Alhambra consists of a fortress, a palace and numerous other buildings, as well as beautiful gardens. The whole complex was built in Islamic style and all the walls and ceilings are marvelously decorated. The fortress is called Alcazabra and was constructed between the 11th and 13th century AD. You can climb to its top and it provides fantastic views over Granada. The centerpiece of La Alhambra is the Casa Real. The palace includes the quarters where the Muslim rulers used to live. The Sultans' summer palace is on the same grounds. It is called Generalife and it is surrounded by lush gardens with numerous ponds and fountains.|The old Muslim quarter of Granada also still exists. It is called Albaicín and consists of a maze of narrow winding streets on a hillside opposite La Alhambra, on the other side of the river. You can climb to the top of the hill for excellent views over Granada and La Alhambra.|Another interesting area in Granada is Plaza Bib-Rambla, where you can visit the archaeological museum, housed in Casa del Castril or the Arab baths known as Baños Árabes. The Christian conquerors of Granada, Fernando III and Isabel, drove the Muslims out of Granada in 1492. They are buried in the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel). Adjacent to the chapel is the 16th century cathedral.|The area of Sacromonte consists of a whole neighborhood dug out in a hillside. These 'cave houses' are mostly inhabited by gypsies. They are north of the city center.|Granada is spectacularly situated against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, 370 km south of Madrid. There are numerous hotels, hostels, dormitories and campsites in and around the city. There is also a wide range of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to choose from. The city has rail, road and air connections with most other places in Spain.";
n["grancanaria"][0]="Gran Canaria|Spain|sp|Europe";
n["grancanaria"][1]="Gran Canaria is often referred to as the 'small continent', because of its extremely varied landscapes that resemble European, African and American regions. At the center of the island is a 2000 m high mountain range that is cut by bizarre canyons.|There are few other places on earth, where you can find so many different landscapes and climatic zones in such a compact area. Gran Canaria includes mountain massifs, desert land, tropical forests and sandy beaches. Most beaches are wide and have good facilities. On Gran Canaria you can bake on the beach while looking at the snow-covered mountain peaks of the island's interior.|The island's capital is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Other interesting towns include Agaete, Arinaga, Arucas, Gáldar, Guía, Malpais, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Tejeda, Telde and Teror.|Gran Canaria offers countless marvelous beaches. The most important ones include:
- Maspalomas - Maybe the most beautiful among the fantastic beaches of this island. It has fine white sand and it measures 6 kilometers. At some places, the beach of Maspalomas has a width of up to 1 kilometer. The sea has intensely blue waters. Maspalomas features modern hotel-complexes and sports installations, most of them concentrated on Faro de Maspalomas, where you can also find Pasitoblanco, the most important sports harbor on Gran Canaria. Along the beach of Maspalomas are several oases with palms and a fresh-water lake.
- Playa del Ingés - Next to Maspalomas is Playa del Inglés, which is probably the most famous beach in the Canary Islands. Playa del Inglés measures 2700 meters and offers a wide variety of modern hotels and tourist facilities.
- San Agustín - San Augustín is less-known than the two foregoing beaches. As a result it is also quieter and more relaxing. It is an ideal place to recover from the stress of everyday life.
- Playa de Patalavaca - Playa de Patalavaca is another great beach with fine, gold-colored sand. It has excellent sport-fishing possibilities.
- Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico is a modern urbanization with hotels, apartments and a nice harbor. The great sports installations are one of its main attractions.
- Costa de Bañaderos - Beautiful landscape with romantic small bays.
- Gáldar - Gáldar has a bizarre high coast.
- Sardina del Mar - Sardina del Mar is a picturesque fishing-village with nice beaches.
- Playa de las Canteras - This is a wide beach of sand, with a length of 2.6 kilometers. It is located in the capital of Las Palmas.
- Playa de las Nieves - Nieve means 'snow' in Spanish language and the name of this beach comes from the high mountains, with their snowy peaks, directly behind it.
";
n["granchaco"][0]="Gran Chaco|Paraguay|pa|South America";
n["granchaco"][1]="The Gran Chaco is a large area of flat plains in the north of Paraguay. The region is home to a large Indian population and there is only one paved highway, the Ruta Trans-Chaco. This road leads to Mennonite places such as Filadelfia, Loma Plata and Neu-Halbstadt.|The Defensores del Chaco National Park is also in the region.";
n["grandanse"][0]="Grand Anse (and Morne Rouge)|Grenada|gj|Central America";
n["grandanse"][1]="Grand Anse is Grenada's main tourist resort area. It boasts fine white sand beaches and there are always some vendors hawking T-shirts, food and spice baskets. Others offer haircuts. If you prefer more peace and quite you should head for the beach at Morne Rouge on the other side of the Quarantine Point peninsula (once a leper colony). A boat connects the two beaches. Grand Anse is 3 km southwest of Saint George's.";
n["grandbahamaisland"][0]="Grand Bahama Island|The Bahamas|bf|Central America";
n["grandbahamaisland"][1]="Grand Bahama is the second most popular destination in The Bahamas after Nassau. The island boasts beautiful sugar-white beaches, lush pineforests that support an abundant wildlife.|The island's most popular area is the resorts of Freeport and Lucaya, mostly referred to as Freeport/Lucaya.|There are countless hotels, apartments and holiday resorts scattered all over Grand Bahama. The island lies some 200 km north of Nassau and 110 km off Florida's (U.S.) eastern coast.";
n["grandbassam"][0]="Grand Bassam|Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)|iv|Africa";
n["grandbassam"][1]="Grand Bassam, 30 km southeast of Abidjan on the Atlantic coast, used to be Côte d'Ivoire's capital from 1893 until 1900. When yellow fever broke out in the area, the French moved the capital to Bingerville near Abidjan. Grand Bassam remained important as the country's main port, until the Vridi Canal near Abidjan changed all that.|There are many neglected old colonial buildings and churches in town. The museum is in the old Governor's Palace. The exhibition consists of African art and culture. Grand Bassam has great beaches.|There is a market in the new part of town and the gare routiÚre is nearby. The old town and the new town are connected with a bridge. There are plenty hotels and restaurants in Grand Bassam.";
n["grandcanyonnationalpark"][0]="Grand Canyon National Park|United States|us|North America";
n["grandcanyonnationalpark"][1]="The Grand Canyon was formed by the erosive force of the Colorado River's waters over a period of millions of years. It is about 1.6 km (1 mile) deep, between 6.4 and 29 km (4 - 18 miles) wide and 349 km (217 miles) long, making it the largest canyon in the world. The Grand Canyon is an excellent place to study the repeated geological sequence of uplift, erosion (due to the river's constant wearing force), submergence and deposition of materials. The multicolored rocks, the steep and embayed rims, and the isolated towers, mesas, 'temples' and other eroded rock forms catch the contrast of sun and shadow and glow with changing hues of extreme beauty. Plant life on the canyon walls varies from subtropical at the base to sub-arctic near the rims.|Hundreds of ancient pueblos dot the lower canyon walls and the rim and the Havasupai people still occupy parts of the canyon. The first European to see the canyon was the Spanish explorer García López de Cárdenas in 1540. In 1869 the U.S. explorer John Wesley Powell became the first person to lead a party through the canyon bottom in a boat.|In 1908, the Grand Canyon was set aside by the U.S. government as a national monument. In 1919 an expanded area of 492,876 hectares (1,217,403 acres) was designated Grand Canyon National Park. The park was enlarged in 1975 to include other areas, such as Marble Canyon and parts of Glen Canyon and Lake Mead. In 2000, an area of 410,670 hectares (1,014,000 acres, almost the size of the park) north of the western portion of the canyon was designated Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.|Along the forested northern rim and the more accessible southern rim are numerous lookouts, and trails wind to the canyon floor. Raft and boat excursions along the canyon's river bottom are popular.|The Grand Canyon National Park is in northwestern Arizona, more than 300 km north of Phoenix and some 3130 km west of Washington D.C.";
n["grandcase"][0]="Grand Case|Saint-Martin (Guadeloupe)|gp|Central America";
n["grandcase"][1]="The small coastal town of Grand Case has a lively beachfront that is lined with countless places to eat. They range from local lolos (sidewalk barbecues) to fancy French restaurants. As a result, Grand Case is often referred to as the 'gourmet capital of Saint-Martin'.|Grand Case has bus connections with Marigot, 5 km to the southwest. Accommodation is available as well.";
n["grandebaie"][0]="Grande Baie|Mauritius|mp|Africa";
n["grandebaie"][1]="At Grande Baie are some marvelous beaches. There is a wide range of accommodation as well as restaurants. Grande Baie is 19 km northwest of Port Louis.";
n["grandecomore"][0]="Grande Comore (Ngazidja)|Comoros|cn|Africa";
n["grandecomore"][1]="Grande Comore is the largest island of the Comoros and often called Ngazidja. It is home to the country's capital Moroni which lies on the west coast, and the country's highest mountain Mount Karthala, an active volcano. Most of the island's coast is raw black lava with a coral reef not far from the shore. On the east of the island the coast is rougher than on the western side. To the north, the coral reef is more extensive.|Going south on the eastern coast, beginning at the northern tip of the island, you will first come to the village of Bangoi Kauni, or Bouni with its two beaches. The area was once the sultanate of Hamahame. The next good beaches are in Chomoni more to the south, near Samba. It lies in a bay and the beaches consist of an unusual mix of black lava and white sand. There are bungalows and palm-tree huts for rent. It can get busy during the weekends. Going further south you will come to the island's third largest town: Foumbouni. The beaches here are excellent and some accommodation is available. Coming to the south of the island you will find Chindini, a small town with yet another good beach and beautiful views. Accommodation is a bit hard to find, but there are many good spots to put your tent. Boats connecting Grande Comore with the island of Moheli leave from Chindini. The western coast is filled with holiday resorts and the interior of Grande Comore consists of grassy plains and some rainforest.|Transportation on the island is done by taxi-brousse (bush taxi), although they are quite expensive. The distance between Moroni and Bangoi Kauni is roughly 85 km, between Moroni and Chomoni, 40 km; between Moroni and Foumbouni, 50 km; and between Moroni and Chindini, 65 km.";
n["grandetangroad"][0]="Grand Etang Road|Grenada|gj|Central America";
n["grandetangroad"][1]="The narrow Grand Etang Road twists through Grenada's mountainous center. Part of the road runs through the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, where one can some see nice waterfalls. There are several interesting hiking trails in the reserve.|The Grand Etang Road is mostly lined with ferns, bamboo, heliconia and buttressed kapok trees, which are so close to the road that it almost feels like driving through a rain forest. One of the most striking waterfalls near the road is the Annandale Falls, not far from the village of Constantine. It is 10 m (30 feet) high and there is a small pool where one can swim. Also in the vicinity of Constantine is the Grand Etang National Park, which offers good hiking trails and a crater lake. Because it lies on higher ground, the views from the park over Grenada's western coast are excellent.";
n["grandfalls+newfoundland"][0]="Grand Falls (Newfoundland)|Canada|ca|North America";
n["grandfalls+newfoundland"][1]="Grand Falls is on the Exploits River in Newfoundland. There are several large pulp and paper mills in town that produce large amounts of newsprint.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Grand Falls is 260 km northwest from Saint John's and 1560 km northeast from Ottawa.";
n["grandfalls"][0]="Grand Falls (New Brunswick)|Canada|ca|North America";
n["grandfalls"][1]="Grand Falls is on the Saint John River in the west of New Brunswick. The nearby falls in the river and its 1.6 km (1 mile) long gorge attract many visitors. The falls power a large hydroelectric development.|There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Grand Falls is 150 km northwest from Fredericton and 620 km northeast from Ottawa.";
n["grandpopo"][0]="Grand Popo|Benin|bn|Africa";
n["grandpopo"][1]="Grand Popo used to be Benin's busiest port, but nowadays there is not much left of its grandeur. The beach is great though.|Accommodation can be found if you look hard, and there are some restaurants in Grand Popo.";
n["grandrapids"][0]="Grand Rapids|United States|us|North America";
n["grandrapids"][1]="Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan. In 1859, the manufacturing of furniture began and the industry is still important to Grand Rapids' economy. Other important earners include the manufacturing of appliances, electronic equipment, automotive parts, aircraft and space navigation systems and paper products. Grand Rapids is an important distribution, wholesale and industrial center for the surrounding area that yields fruit, dairy products, farm produce, gypsum and gravel.|There are several interesting sights in Grand Rapids, including the Gerald R. Ford Museum, several art and furniture museums, a botanical garden, a symphony orchestra and an opera company. Grand Rapids is the seat of Aquinas College, Calvin College and several seminaries.|There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Grand Rapids is on the Grand River in the southwest of Michigan. It is 90 km northwest from Lansing and 850 km northwest from Washington D.C.";
n["grandriviere"][0]="Grand RiviÚre|Martinique|mb|Central America";
n["grandriviere"][1]="Grand RiviÚre is a lovely fishing village on the northern tip of Martinique. The village is set on a scenic location beneath coastal cliffs, with Mont Pelée as a rugged backdrop to the south. Looking north from Grand RiviÚre you can see the island of Dominica in the distance.|Grand RiviÚre has a small black-sand beach, where colorful fishing boats are lined up. Fish is sold at the fish market along the seafront. At the western end of town, the sea is often good for surfing. It is possible to hike to Anse Couleuvre, some 20 km (12 miles) westwards along Martinique's northwestern coast. There is no road around the tip of the island.|Accommodation is available in Grand RiviÚre, as well as some restaurants. The village is 30 km north of Fort-de-France.";
n["grandtetonnationalpark"][0]="Grand Teton National Park|United States|us|North America";
n["grandtetonnationalpark"][1]="Grand Teton National Park covers 125,503 hectares (309,993 acres) of the most scenic portion of the glaciated, snow-covered Teton Range in northwestern Wyoming. It was established in 1929 and includes Jackson Lake and part of Jackson Hole. Grand Teton is the park's highest peak. It rises 4196 m (13,766 feet) above sea level.|The park is dotted with small lakes and has several glaciers, forests and a great variety of wildlife. The Snake River flows through the park. Hiking, rafting down the Snake, camping and mountain climbing are popular activities in the park. Fur trapping thrived until the 1840's.|Grand Teton National Park is 2850 km northwest of Washington D.C. The town of Jackson is the main gateway to the park.";
n["grandturkisland"][0]="Grand Turk Island|Turks and Caicos Islands|tk|Central America";
n["grandturkisland"][1]="Grand Turk is a 10.5 km (6.5 miles) long and 2.4 km (1.5 miles) wide, brush-covered island. In its center are several salinas, or salt ponds. Salt was the island's premier export product, until the industry collapsed in 1962. Grand Turk's best beaches are at Cockburn Town, Waterloo and White Sands Beach.|Grand Turk is in the east of the Turks archipelago. It hosts the Turks and Caicos Islands' International Airport. There are numerous hotels and restaurants on the island.";
n["grandvalley"][0]="Grand Valley|Swaziland|wz|Africa";
n["grandvalley"][1]="The Grand Valley is a scenic area along the road between the towns of Manzini and Hlathikulu. In the valley is the 65,000 hectares (160,550 acres) large Usutu Forest. An area of indigenous and plantation timber. There are various ancient bushmen paintings and small waterfalls in the valley and it is an excellent place for hiking, as there are many trails. It is best to take a guide, as you can easily get lost in the forest.|Acoommodation is available in several towns along the route.";
n["graskop"][0]="Graskop|South Africa|sf|Africa";
n["graskop"][1]="Graskop promotes itself as the 'window on the Eastern Tansvaal'. The town is on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment and offers spectacular views over the lowland, nearly a kilometer below. Graskop is in the northeast of Eastern Transvaal, 270 km east of Pretoria. One of the entrance gates to Kruger National Park is only 60 km east of town.|There are several campsites and numerous hotels and restaurants in Graskop.";
n["grasse"][0]="Grasse|France|fr|Europe";
n["grasse"][1]="Grasse has been France's perfume production center for centuries. The town is 15 km from the Mediterranean coast, on the slopes of the Pre-Alps. Most buildings in Grasse have orange roofs and of course the whole town is filled with soft aromas from flowers, as well as from the 40 perfumeries. The perfumers, known as nez (noses) have to train for seven years, after which they should be able to distinguish some 6000 different scents.|Only some of Grasse's perfumeries are open to the public, but they are well worth a visit. The most interesting one is the Fragonard, which has cellars full of spices and soaps, used for perfume manufacturing. You can see the nez at work there and you'll be able to buy nice perfumes. The Fragonard is housed in an old 17th century tannery. There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Grasse is 740 km southeast from Paris.";
n["graz"][0]="Graz|Austria|au|Europe";
n["graz"][1]="Graz is Austria's second largest city. Since the 15th century Graz had been continuously under arms for the defense of central Europe against the Turks. For that reason it was rendered far more secure that Wien (Vienna), which led to the flowering of the arts in the 17th century. The Baroque style appeared in Graz long before it spread to the rest of Austria. During the last years of the Imperial Empire, Graz was a popular retirement place for ageing officers and civil servants, because of the region's mild climate. Nowadays it is a culturally rich city and home to some 30,000 students from its university.|The city center is easily explored on foot and most sights are withing walking distance from the Hauptplatz, the market square in the center of town. On the square stands a statue of the Habsburg Archduke Johann. South of the square is the Landhaus, a 16th-century town hall. It is on Herrengasse, as well as the adjacent Zeughaus, an armory, where many weapons that were used to keep the Turks out are on display. West of Herrengasse is the Landesmuseum Johanneum. Other parts of the museum are housed in different locations. The museum boast interesting pieces, such as paintings by Michael Pacher and Bruegel.|The Mausoleum of Ferdinand II is a fine example of early Baroque style. Its construction began in 1614, when Ferdinant was only 36 years old. The Domkirche, next door, is immediately south of the Burg, an erstwhile imperial residence, which now houses offices of the local government. From the Burg, the street of Hofgasse descends to Sporgasse; a bustling shopping street. At no. 25 is the Saurau palace, which features a Turkish figure throwing himself from a small window.|The Neue Galerie is housed in the 17th century Herberstein Palace. It exhibits 19th and 20th century art. From Schlossbergplatz a balustrade stone staircase runs up to the Schlossberg hill, from which you'll have nice views over Graz. The Schlossbergbahn funicular will get you up there, but it is also possible to walk. Originally a Schloss (castle) topped the hill, but Napoleon destroyed it in 1809. Only two features survived; the Uhrturm (Clock tower) and the Glockenturm (Bell tower), both built in the 16th century. Graz's Stadtpark (City park) is south of the Schlossberg. It provides a green belt separating the old city from the residential suburbs.|Schloss Eggenburg is 4 km west of the town center. It was built in 1625 for Hans Ulrich of Eggenburg, Ferdinand II's First Minister. Tickets include a guided tour of the staterooms as well as the Schloss' museums. The prehistory exhibition features the Strettweg chariot, a wheeled platform fro mthe 8th century.|There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Graz. The city is 145 km southwest of Wien (Vienna).";
n["graz"][2]="47.05|15.22|n/a|300000|n/a|1|y|316|43";
n["greatbarrierisland"][0]="Great Barrier Island|New Zealand|nz|Oceania";
n["greatbarrierisland"][1]="Great Barrier Island lies at the mouth of the Hauraki Gulf. On the eastern coast of the island are numerous white sandy beaches, while on the western side you'll find sheltered deep-water inlets. The center of the island is rugged and several steep ridges run across it. The island is a nature reserve and there are several hiking trails across it. The trails run on the routes of old logging trails and tramways. Great Barrier Island has hot springs and unique kauri forests.|Great Barrier Island has air connections with Auckland, 90 km to the southwest. Great Barrier Island is 560 km north of Wellington.";
n["greatbarrierreef"][0]="Great Barrier Reef|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["greatbarrierreef"][1]="The magnificent Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's greatest assets. It runs along nearly all of Queensland's coast and it is considered one of the world's natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef is the most extensive reef system on earth and the planet's largest structure, made by living organisms.|The northern part of the reef is virtually continuous and it lies about 50 km offshore. To the south there are more individual reefs that are located up to 300 km from the coast. There are hundreds of islands in the reef system, of which some 20 have tourist resort facilities. You can camp on many of the others.|The underwater world around the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most amazing sights and if you go diving there you will encounter numerous of the colorful, exotic and bizarre sea creatures that live there. The best diving facilities are available on the islands of Heron, Lady Elliot and Lizard. There are expensive and secluded resorts on Bedarra, Hayman, Lizard, Green and Orpheus islands. The cheaper islands to stay on include Lady Elliot, Magnetic and Hook. Good camping facilities are available on Dunk, Great Keppel and Hinchinbrook. Great Keppel and South Molle are mass market destinations. The best beaches are found on Great Keppel and Lizard.|Environment
|The Great Barrier Reef, just like all other reefs, was formed from the accumulated skeletal remains of zillions of marine polyps of the Coelenterata family. New polyps grow on the lime-based structure and are continually added to the reef. Coral needs a number of delicate conditions to ensure healthy growth, or even survival. The water temperature should be very stable and not drop below 17.5°C. Coral has a very low tolerance factor and only one or two degrees difference in the water temperature can be catastrophic. Sunlight must be able to penetrate the water, which must be clean and salty.|Between the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian coast is a lagoon of deep water that is dotted with islands. Reef islands, or cays, tend to be low-lying and very small. The larger islands that you'll find in the region are actually the tops of flooded mountains, which were previously part of the coastline. As a result, their vegetation is similar to that on the mainland.|The Great Barrier Reef starts in the Torres Strait, just south of Papua New Guinea and it runs 2000 km down to the Tropic of Capricorn, just off the coast from Gladstone. It covers some 344,000 km². The reef environment is extremely fragile and pollution, power-boat agitation, fuel deposits, changes in water temperature and even human sweat can irretrievably alter and damage its ecosystem. There are also biological threats, including the notorious crown-of-thorns starfish. Reef-walking is particularly damaging and should only be done in resort areas where the reefs have already been damaged so much that more harm can hardly be done. Dead and broken coral, especially in the southern areas, can often be seen. Studies are currently underway to gauge the extent of the situation and it is clear that practical recommendations need to be put in place in order to control tourism and to prevent further damage.|Another big problem is the effect of global warming. It is thought that it causes the so-called 'El Niño' effect, which is the source of large variations in sea temperature. Since the coral is very sensitive to temperature-changes, global warming is threatening the reef.|The coral structure is made up of both dead and living creatures. The living polyps give the coral its colorful appearance, while, when the creatures die, they form the reef's white substructure. The full beauty of the living coral is best seen at night. Soft corals also exist and are equally varied.|About 2000 species of fish dwell among the coral of the Great Barrier Reef. They range from tiny gobies to large whale sharks. Many fish boast fantastic colors and can be seen when you go scuba diving, or snorkeling around the reef. Trips with glass-bottomed boats are also available. More variety is added by shells and shelled creatures, echinoderms (such as sea urchins, starfish and sea cucumbers) and crustaceans (such as crabs, shrimps and lobsters). If you are lucky, you might also see dolphins, humpback whales, dugongs and turtles.|The islands in the southern part of the reef are home to huge colonies of birds that come there to breed. On Dunk and Bedarra you can see huge, bright blue Ulysses butterflies. Wallabies can be found on Hinchinbrook Island and koalas and possums on Magnetic Island.|The Great Barrier Reef lies in the tropics and the temperature increases as you head north. From Cairns northwards the water is pleasant year round. The best time to visit the region is during the winter, although, in the extreme south it can be chilly between June and August. During the summer it is extremely hot and thunderstorms and cyclones often occur. The months of February and March can be extremely wet. Rainfall is heavier in the northern parts of the reef. The division of seasons into just two, dry and wet, is also more noticeable in the north.|The Islands
|There are more than 600 islands on and around the Great Barrier Reef. Some of them have expensive resorts, while others are uninhabited national parks, or not much more than a sand bank. Fresh water is available on a handful of islands only. If you plan to camp on one of the islands, make sure you bring everything you need to be self-sufficient. Guidelines and camping permits are available from the Queensland National Parks & Wildlife Service.|The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) administers the reef and has classified it into zones. The reef's zones include preserved, scientific research, marine national park and recreational and commercial general use areas.|The reef is further divided into the Southern Reef Islands/Capricorn Marine Park, which is offshore from Gladstone and includes Lady Elliot and Heron islands, as well as the Bunker and Capricorn groups of islands; the Mackay/Capricorn Section, which includes the Great Keppel Island resort; the Central Section is offshore from Townsville and includes Magnetic Island and the Whitsunday group; the Cairns Section, with secluded Lizard Island, the Dunk Island resort and Hinchinbrook Island and the Far Northern Section, which is the reef's least touristy area).";
n["greatbarrierreeffarnorthernsection"][0]="Great Barrier Reef Far Northern Section|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["greatbarrierreeffarnorthernsection"][1]="North of Lizard, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is more convoluted and closer to the shore than south of the island. The northern part of the reef has no resort islands though. Between Lizard Island and Thursday Island in the Torres Strait there are no hotels or restaurants on the reef at all.|There are islands between Lizard and Thursday, but they are windswept and barren and not as attractive as those further south. Safe anchorages are hard to find in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef and it depends very much of the weather if you can visit the islands or not on any given day. The region is always busy with cruising yachts, prawn trawlers, container ships and bulk carriers though and two cruise ships operate regular return trips from Cairns to Thursday Island. They make stops at a number of islands along the way.|The Howick group of islands boasts mangrove-filled reef flats and low-lying landforms. The islands are some 50 km northwest of Lizard. On the way to the wildlife magnet of Raine Island, you will pass the Flinders group, Morris Islet sand cay and Night Island. Despite its small size (Raine is less than 1 km long and less than half a km wide) and its complete lack of trees, the island attracts huge populations of birds and turtles. It is a major breeding ground for the green turtle and in some years the animals arrive in numbers up to 100,000.";
n["greatbearlake"][0]="Great Bear Lake|Canada|ca|North America";
n["greatbearlake"][1]="Great Bear Lake measures about 31,800 km² (12,275 sq miles), making it Canada's largest lake and the fourth-largest in North America. Great Bear Lake is some 310 km (190 miles) long and between 40 and 177 km (25 to 110 miles) wide. With 413 m (1,356 feet) it is also one of North America's deepest lakes, but its waters are frozen about eight months each year. The lake is drained to the west by the 160 km (100 miles) long Great Bear River, which flows into the Mackenzie River.|Around 1800, Great Bear Lake was explored by traders of the North West Company. Later, a trading post was established ion the lake's shores. In 1825, British explorer Sir John Franklin built Fort Franklin on the southwest shore. The fort was later renamed Déline. In 1930, rich radium ores were discovered on the eastern side of the lake. Much mining activity resulted in the years immediately following. The ores are now exhausted. The Eldorado Mines, at Port Radium, were located there.|Great Bear Lake is on the edge of the Canadian Shield in Canada's Northwest Territories.";
n["greatcarrotbay"][0]="Great Carrot Bay|British Virgin Islands|vi|Central America";
n["greatcarrotbay"][1]="Great Carrot Bay is a small town on the southern coast of Tortola Island. It boasts the North Shore Shell Museum, where you can see thousands of shells, as well as boats and various dibbets of craft crammed in among scores of homilies painted on driftwood.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Great Carrot Bay. The town is 5 km southwest of Road Town.";
n["greatfalls"][0]="Great Falls|United States|us|North America";
n["greatfalls"][1]="Great Falls is the second-largest city in Montana. It sits at the confluence of the Missouri and Sun rivers, not far from the Great Falls that give the city its name. Great Falls is a trade center for a farm and livestock district, irrigated by the Sun River project. Not far outside the city is Giant Springs, which discharges a large flow of water into the Missouri River.|Great Falls is popularly called the 'Electric City', as it is the center of extensive hydroelectric power development. You can also find flour mills and a copper reduction plant in town. The surrounding area holds deposits of coal, natural gas, silver and lead. Industries include printing, publishing, and meatpacking and the manufacture of feeds and fabricated metal products.|The College of Great Falls and the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind are in the city, which also serves as the headquarters for Lewis and Clark National Forest. Tourists come to see the annual rodeo and state fair, as well as the log cabin of the cowboy artist Charles Russell, which is preserved as part of a museum complex.|Accommodation and restaurants are available in Great Falls.";
n["greatkeppelisland"][0]="Great Keppel Island|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["greatkeppelisland"][1]="Great Keppel is a 14 km² continental island that has a lot to offer. There is a resort on the island that is popular with families that come to enjoy the fantastic white-sand beaches. Great Keppel's beaches are among the best on any of the resort islands in the Great Barrier Reef. Great Keppel Island is a long way from the reef, but, nevertheless there is a lot of coral to see. Shell and coral collecting is not allowed though. Diving and snorkeling possibilities around the island are good. Cruises are also available and Great Keppel has many opportunities for bushwalks and beach strolls. Mount Wyndham is the highest 'mountain' on the island. It is 175 m high and offers nice views from the top. There are 17 smaller islands around Great Keppel, some of which are national parks and excellent for camping. Make sure you bring all your supplies, including fresh water, as the surrounding islands have no fresh water. As a result they are virtually undeveloped.|Great Keppel is one of the few islands in the region that caters for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a youth hostel, a lodge with motel-style units, cabins and campsites. Food is available from the resort. There are a pizza place, a snack kiosk and a restaurant. The kiosk has basic supplies too, although it is better to bring everything from the mainland, especially if you plan to stay on one of the surrounding islands.|Activities on Great Keppel Island include squash, tennis, golf, archery, volleyball, lorikeet-feeding and skydiving. Night-time entertainment is also popular. Great Keppel is one of the easiest islands in the Great Barrier Reef to get to. There are at least two flights daily from Rockhampton and ferries and cruises leave from Rosslyn Bay Harbor on the Capricorn Coast, south of Yeppoon. The anchorages around the island are reasonable but rather unprotected. Great Keppel Island is 13 km from the Australian mainland. Rockhampton is the nearest center.";
n["greatmasurianlakes"][0]="Great Masurian Lakes|Poland|pl|Europe";
n["greatmasurianlakes"][1]="There are numerous lakes in Central Masuria, covering some 15% of the total area. Sniardwy and Mamry are the two main lakes. They are interconnected by several rivers and canals and also have water-connections to many other lakes in the area, making the Masuria excellent for boating. There are numerous towns where boats and canoes can be rented and maps are available. The most important towns are Gizycko and Mikolajki.|Apart from exploring the area by boat, the Masuria region is also excellent for cycling.|Accommodation is available in many of the towns that dot the area, but Mikolajki has the best facilities. Gizycko has rail connections with Warsaw and Gdansk.";
n["greatoceanroad"][0]="Great Ocean Road|Australia|as|Oceania";
n["greatoceanroad"][1]="The Great Ocean Road runs along Victoria's southwestern coast and it is one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the world. The road runs along tall bluffs and ragged cliffs and it passes through thick rainforests and areas of tall eucalypts. There are countless windswept beaches along the route.|The most interesting part of the road runs through the Port Campbell National Park. Another highlight is the section that runs through the forests of the Otways Ranges, between Apollo Bay and Lorne.|Lorne is one of the most interesting towns along the route, although the historic town of Port Fairy, west of Warrnambool, is also worth a visit.|The Great Ocean Road officially starts at Torquay and ends at Warrnambool, but it continues along the coast to Portland.";
n["greatplains"][0]="Great Plains|United States|us|North America";
n["greatplains"][1]="The Great Plains consist of an extensive grassland region on the continental slope of central North America. They extend from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba south through the western part of the central United States into western Texas. In the United States the Plains include parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.";
n["greatsiegetunnels"][0]="Great Siege Tunnels|Gibraltar|gi|United Kingdom";
n["greatsiegetunnels"][1]="Gibraltar's Rock has some 70 km (43.4 miles) of tunnels hewn out in it. A small part of these tunnels, that were gun emplacements hewn out by hand by the British during the 1779-83 siege, are open to the public. They are known as the Great Siege Tunnels and can be reached from the Military Heritage Center, which is not far from Princess Caroline's battery. The battery is about 30 minutes downhill in northern direction from the top cable-car station on the Rock. Nearby is the Tower of Homage, which is all that remains from Gibraltar's Muslim castle. The castle was originally built in 1333.";
n["greatslavelake"][0]="Great Slave Lake|Canada|ca|North America";
n["greatslavelake"][1]="Great Slave Lake is the second-largest lake in Canada. It is about 480 km (300 miles) long and between 19 and 109 km (12 to 68 miles) wide. The lake covers 28,400 km² (10,980 sq miles). At its deepest point it is 614 m (2,015 feet) deep, making it the deepest lake in North America. British fur trader Samuel Hearne explored the lake in 1771. On the northern shore, gold was discovered in the 1930's and the town of Yellowknife was established as a mining center.|The region is still important for gold mining. Yellowknife, Fort Providence, Hay River and Fort Resolution are the most important towns on the lake. There are numerous commercial fisheries on Great Slave Lake. The lake was named for the Slave, or Dogrib, a tribe of Native Americans.|The Hay River and Slave River are the lake's chief tributaries, while it is drained by the Mackenzie River. The western shores of Great Slave Lake are wooded, but the long east and north arms reach into tundralike country.|Great Slave Lake is in the south of Canada's Northwest Territories.";
n["greatzimbabweruins"][0]="Great Zimbabwe Ruins|Zimbabwe|zi|Africa";
n["greatzimbabweruins"][1]="The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are the remains of the largest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. Artifacts found on the site provide evidence that the level of civilization reached in ancient Africa was subsequently higher than suspected before. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, the city that must have had between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants were the religious and secular capital of a realm, which covered an area presently represented by eastern Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa.|The oldest of the structures of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins is probably the Hill Complex; a series of royal and ritual enclosures. The Valley Enclosure includes a series of 13th century walls and daga hut platforms. Large part of the more important archaeological finds has been made there. The largest ancient (still standing) structure in sub-Saharan Africa, is the elliptical Great Enclosure. It is nearly 100 m (330ft) across and 255 m (840ft) in circumference. The walls surrounding the site are mortar less, and rise 11 m. In some places they are about 5 m (16 ft) thick.| The site was probably used as a royal compound. The solid 10m (33 ft) high Conical Tower is thought to have served as a ceremonial structure. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins is also the site where a tiny statue of a bird-like figure was found. This figure nowadays symbolizes Zimbabwe and it is found in the country's flag.|The site is easily reached by public transport from Masvingo and lies about 280 km south of Harare. There is a camping ground and a hotel at the ruins.";
n["greenbay"][0]="Green Bay|United States|us|North America";
n["greenbay"][1]="In 1634, Jean Nicolet established a trading post at the mouth of the Fox River on Green Bay. Soon many notable French explorers and missionaries settled there. In 1701, a permanent settlement was established, making Green Bay the oldest city in Wisconsin. Green Bay became an important fur-trading center, as held the key to the Fox-Wisconsin water route and thus an entry to the Midwest. In 1717, the city was occupied by the French. The British occupied Green Bay in 1761 and in 1816 the Americans followed. With the settlement of the Old Northwest after the War of 1812 and the decline of the fur trade, Green Bay became the trade center of a lumber and farm area.|There are many historical buildings in Green Bay, including the Tank Cottage, which dates from 1776. Another interesting place to visit is the National Railroad Museum. A branch of the University of Wisconsin and a technical college are in the city, which is also the home of the Green Bay Packers professional football team.|Green Bay is an important Great Lakes harbor. It is a port of entry to the United States and it boasts heavy shipping and a large wholesale and jobbing trade. Green Bay's industries include papermaking, food and dairy processing, meatpacking and auto part manufacture.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Green Bay. The city is in the northeast of Wisconsin, 200 km northeast from Madison and 1120 km northwest from Washington D.C.";
n["greenmountains"][0]="d.write('";
n["greenriver"][0]="Green River|United States|us|North America";
n["greenriver"][1]="Several rivers in the United States are named Green River.|1 - The Green River is 595 km (370 miles) long. It ruses in central Kentucky and flows generally northwest through Mammoth Cave National Park into the Ohio River near Evansville, Indiana. Locks and dams make the Green River navigable upstream to the park.|2 - The Green River is 1,175 km (730 miles) long. It rises near the Continental Divide in the west of Wyoming and flows generally south through the west of that state, northwestern Colorado and eastern Utah to the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park in the southeast of Utah. The Green River is the largest tributary of the Colorado River. Most of its course flows through deep canyons, including Canyon of the Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument. The White, Yampa and San Rafael rivers are its main tributaries. The Colorado River storage project of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has extensively developed the Green River basin for irrigation, mining and hydroelectric power. The Flaming Gorge Dam in northeastern Utah is the major unit in this project.";
n["greensboro"][0]="Greensboro|United States|us|North America";
n["greensboro"][1]="Greensboro was settled in 1749. Nowadays, the city has an important textile industry and foundries and it is a financial, insurance and distribution center for the region. Other manufactures include motor vehicle parts, electronic and telecommunications equipment, as well as food and beverages industries. Among its educational institutions are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro College, Guilford College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Bennett College.|Not far from town is the site of the Revolutionary War battle of Guilford Courthouse, which has been declared a national military park. Dolley Madison, O. Henry and Edward R. Murrow were all born in Greensboro.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Greensboro. The city is in central North Carolina, 110 km northwest from Raleigh and 410 km southwest from Washington D.C.";
n["greenville+mississippi"][0]="Greenville (Mississippi)|United States|us|North America";
n["greenville+mississippi"][1]="Greenville is on Lake Ferguson in western Mississippi, 150 km northwest from Jackson and 1410 southwest from Washington D.C. The city has a deepwater harbor adjoining the Mississippi River. It is the trade, processing and shipping center of the Mississippi-Yazoo delta, a fertile region, where soybeans, oats, corn, timber and above all cotton are produced. Livestock raising is also an important economic activity. Greenville is an industrial city as well. There are many factories, where processed foods and wood, metal, rubber and paper products are manufactured. Not far from town is a Native American mounds historic site.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Greenville. The city is about 1400 km southwest from Washington D.C.";
n["greenville+northcarolina"][0]="Greenville (North Carolina)|United States|us|North America";
n["greenville+northcarolina"][1]="Greenville was founded in 1786, on the Tar River in eastern North Carolina. It grew as a tobacco center and tobacco-processing and -marketing are still a major economic force. Apparel, processed foods, pharmaceuticals and fishing boats are also manufactured in Greenville. The city is home to East Carolina University and Pitt Community College.|Accommodation and restaurants can be found in town. Greenville is 115 km east from Raleigh and 390 km south from Washington D.C.";
n["greenville+ohio"][0]="Greenville (Ohio)|United States|us|North America";
n["greenville+ohio"][1]="General Anthony Wayne built a fort at the location of present-day Greenville in 1792. Three years later he negotiated a treaty with Native Americans, who relinquished a large part of their land in the old Northwest Territory. After that, the fort was abandoned and settlement of Greenville began around 1808. In town you will see a memorial that marks the site where the treaty was signed. In the rotunda of the state capitol hangs the famous mural depicting the event.|Greenville sits in a farm area in western Ohio, 140 km west from Columbus and 660 km west from Washington D.C.";
n["greenville+texas"][0]="Greenville (Texas)|United States|us|North America";
n["greenville+texas"][1]="Greenville is in a prosperous black-land cotton region in eastern Texas. Among its manufactures are electronic systems, plastics and oil-field equipment. A branch of Texas A&M University and Lake Tawakoni State Park are nearby.|Accommodation and restaurants are available. Greenville is 75 km northwest from Dallas, 350 km northwest from Austin and 1850 km southwest from Washington D.C.";
n["greenville"][0]="Greenville (South Carolina)|United States|us|North America";
n["greenville"][1]="Greenville was laid out in 1797 on the Reedy River in the Piedmont area, not far from the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern South Carolina. It was incorporated as a city in 1907. Greenville is a trade and processing center for agriculture and livestock products. There are many textile mills, garment factories and farm-produce-processing and -packing establishments in the city. Greenville has plants where metals, paper, rubber products, motor vehicles, chemicals and electronic equipment are manufactured.|Textile Hall is the scene of the biennial Southern Textile Exposition. Greenville is the seat of Furman University, Bob Jones University, Greenville Technical College and a Shriners' hospital for children. It has an art museum, a symphony orchestra, a zoo and the popular Little Theater. Tourists are attracted to a historic park in the city, as well as to the two state parks and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.|There are many hotels and restaurants in Greenville. The city is 160 km northwest from Columbia and 670 km southwest from Washington D.C.";
n["greenwich"][0]="Greenwich|United Kingdom|uk|Europe";
n["greenwich"][1]="There are several interesting landmarks in Greenwich, including the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Naval College, which is housed in a late 17th-century building that was designed by the architect Sir Christopher Wren. The Queen's House was built in 1616 by Inigo Jones for Queen Anne, wife of King James I.|Greenwich is the site of the prime meridian, or 0° longitude. This line runs through the Greenwich Royal Observatory, which was founded by Charles II in 1675. The clipper ship Cutty Sark, built in 1869 and the sailing yacht Gipsy Moth IV that was used by Sir Francis Chichester to complete the first solo circumnavigation of the earth in 1967 are both moored in the small harbor near the observatory. Nearby is the failed tourist attraction of the Millennium Dome.";
n["greenwich"][2]="-51|0|n/a|250000|n/a|0|y|n/a|44";
n["greenwich"][3]="";
n["grimseyisland"][0]="Grímsey Island|Iceland|ic|Europe";
n["grimseyisland"][1]="The tiny island of Grímsey is the only part of Island that lies within the Arctic Circle. There are numerous steep cliffs, often more than 100 m (328 feet) high, where thousands of birds have their nests during the summer. Grímsey is 45 km (27 miles) north of the mainland of Iceland and 325 km northeast of Reykjavík.";
n["grodno"][0]="Grodno (Hrodna)|Belarus|bo|Europe";
n["grodno"][1]="The area around Hrodna has been settled since ancient times and the city was founded in the 11th century. In the 14th century the city was incorporated in Lithuania and large defensive constructions were built. All that remains of Hrodna's Stari Zamak (Old Castle) are a few sections of wall. On the castle grounds is an interesting museum. When the Polish took over, they built a palace and several churches. During WWII the city fell quickly into German hands and suffered little structural damage during the fighting. As a result Hrodna is probably one of Belarus' most picturesque cities. Many of its historic buildings survived WWII undamaged, although most of the city's population was deported and killed. Nowadays Hrodna is an industrial city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It is also one of Belarus' cultural centers.|The Vulitsa Savetskaja is one of Hrodna's main drags. The cobblestone street is lined with shops and cafés and at its southern end is a lush park. There are several interesting churches in the city, including the Baroque Farny Cathedral, with its ornate altars and saints, the Renaissance Bernardine church & Monastery and the wooden Church of Saints Boris & Hlib, which dates from the 12th century and is the second-oldest building in Belarus.|The History of Religion Museum is housed in an 18th-century palace and has displays of Polish Catholic and Russian Orthodox artifacts, as well as a few Jewish displays. In 1737 Novi Zamak (New Castle) was built, not far from Stari Zamak (Old Castle). It houses a museum, a library and the main office of the Ministry of Culture.|There are several hotels and restaurants in Hrodna. The city is in the west of Belarus, 245 km west of Minsk, not far from the Polish border.";
n["grootconstantiavineyard"][0]="Groot Constantia Vineyard|South Africa|sf|Africa";
n["grootconstantiavineyard"][1]="The Groot Constantia Vineyard is the largest vineyard in the Cape. It was built in 1692 and nowadays it is owned by the government that tries to develop it into a tourist center. The homestead is about 13 km south of central Cape Town. It is much easier and convenient to visit than the wine lands around Stellenbosch, which make it worth a visit.|Tours around the beautifully restored homestead include wine tasting and are surprisingly cheap. Accommodation is in Cape Town.";
n["grosislet"][0]="Gros Islet|Saint Lucia|st|Central America";
n["grosislet"][1]="The town of Gros Islet boasts many wooden houses with tin roofs. Painted wooden boats lie scattered on the shore and when the catch is brought in, conch shells are blown. One of Gros Islet's most interesting sights is the Saint Joseph's Church on the northern end of town. There is also a small market, where fish is sold.|Accommodation is available in town. Gros Islet is 7 km north of Castries.";
n["grossglocknerroad"][0]="Grossglockner Road|Austria|au|Europe";
n["grossglocknerroad"][1]="The Grossglockner Road is a scenic toll road that leads to the Pasterze Glacier at the foot of the 3797 m high Grossglockner mountain. The 50 km long road was constructed between 1930 and 1935 on the same route as a trading route between Germany and Italy that had been in use since the Middle Ages. Large parts of the area are included in the Höhe Tauern National Park, which offers dramatic views of the mountains.|The Grossglockner Road is open between May and November. The best way to drive there is to start in Zell am See and end in Heiligenblut.";
n["grozny"][0]="Grozny (Грозный)|Russia|rs|Asia";
n["grozny"][1]="Grozny is the capital of Russia's Chechnya Republic. Separatists in the republic declared independence in September 1991 and proclaimed Grozny their capital, but the republic is not recognized by any country and Russian forces have been fighting in the republic ever since.|Grozny lies in the Caucasus foothills and the area has large oil reserves and pipelines and railways link it with the Caspian and Black Seas. Before fighting started, Grozny was a major producer of equipment used by the oil industry, refined petroleum and chemicals, but nowadays most of the city is in shambles.|There are no places to stay and no restaurants in Grozny, as the city has almost completely been destroyed.";
n["grytviken"][0]="Grytviken|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|sx|South America";
n["grytviken"][1]="South Georgia's first whaling station was built at Grytviken in 1904 and during its peak, some 300 men were employed there. Whaling operations at Gryviken continued until the 1960's and during the period it operated, some 175,000 whales were processed there. The largest animal ever recorded was a 33.5 m (110 feet) female blue whale that was caught in the waters around South Georgia.|Nowadays the buildings at grytviken are open to the public. Some of the buildings that can be seen there include the whalers' church and several rendering halls. You can also visit the South Georgia Whaling Museum, which is housed in the former plant manager's residence. The museum's exhibitions show the social and working lives of the whalers in detail and include displays on the island's wildlife and history. On the nearby cemetery, numerous of the station's workers are buried, as well as Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.";