Afghanistan
Once an essential part of the hippy trail, friendly, beautiful Afghanistan
has sadly been destroyed by years of war and neglect. Home to plentiful
countryside and the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range, travellers came
for the clear mountain air and to see attractions like the giant Buddha
statues of Bamiyan. However, the statues and many other monuments were
destroyed under the catastrophic reign of the Taleban, a party of Islamic
militants. After 9/11, Afghanistan was accused of harbouring Osama
Bin Laden and faced a heavy bombardment from the US which destroyed
much of the country’s infrastructure.
With thousands of peace-keeping troops still occupying Kabul and pockets
of fighting continuing in the south, it seems it will be some time before
Afghanistan is restored to its former glory. Travellers are strongly advised
against all travel to Afghanistan, as the threat from terrorist or criminal
violence is extremely high. There is also a widespread danger from mines
and kidnap throughout the country. More....
Armenia
Armenia is a trove of history, littered with crumbling churches perched
in spectacular settings. Landscapes transition rapidly from lush forests
to shimmering lakes and stark deserts. But the best thing about Armenia
is the Armenians themselves - ever welcoming and eager to show off their
country to visitors. Christianity arrived in 301AD and Armenia proudly
calls itself the world's oldest Christian nation. Its kings once held
lands as far away as Syria and the Black Sea coast. Lying on the Silk
Road and wedged between Persian, Turkish and Russian empires, the country
has seen its share of passing merchants, holy men and armies. Since the
breakup of the Soviet Union Armenia has seen a revival of nationalism
and traditional culture. The capital Yerevan is the nation's hub of cultural
activity and progressive thought. The city sports impressive museums
and a lively modern arts scene. Cafe culture has been perfected and it's
de rigueur to spend inordinate amounts of time lingering over bottles
of Armenian cognac. Armenian food is another treat - always served hot
and fresh you can expect mounds of grilled meats and vegetables straight
from the nearest garden. Visitors will find mysterious stalactite caves,
forgotten stone carvings and small villages that have barely entered
the 21st century. Just when you think you've seen everything another
old monastery pops up on the horizon. More....
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is an Islamic former Soviet Republic on the Caspian Sea, an
oil rich and strategically important nation that is the key geopolitical
power in the Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s location has always made it
a gateway between east and west, and the country was an important stop
on the Silk Route. Over the centuries, Azerbaijan has been incorporated
into most major regional empires, including the Russian, Turkish and
Persian and has been an independent republic since the breakup of the
Soviet Union in 1991. Taking in the stunning Caucasus Mountains to the
north, the lush green valleys of the south and large swathes of arid
semi-desert in between, Azerbaijan is a beautiful country with superb
scenery, although it remains virtually unknown to the average traveller.
Visitors usually base themselves in the capital Baku, from where it is
easy to visit most of the country’s biggest attractions. More....
Bahrain
With a name meaning ‘Two Seas' it is little wonder that Bahrain,
an archipelago of 33 islands in the Gulf, defines itself in relation
to the water that surrounds its shallow shores. Modern developments those
shallows once harboured a precious trade in pearls; now the same shallows
are being reclaimed for ambitious, high profile developments, such as
the twin 50-story towers of Bahrain's World Trade Center and the 2,787,000
sq m (30,000,000 sq ft) horseshoe of man-made islands at the southern
tip of the country. Oil wealth In the middle of Bahrain, not far from
where the Formula 1 racetrack now draws the crowds, is the point where
in 1932 the Arab world first struck gold - black gold, that is - and
oil has been the mainstay of the country ever since. As visitors travel
the modest length of Bahrain, visiting the ancient burial mounds, forts,
craft markets and potteries, they will run into many reminders of this
momentous discovery, not least in the relaxed affluence of Bahrain's
multicultural residents. More....
Cyprus
Fall in love with Aphrodite’s isle, where legend has it the goddess
of love arose from the waves, and discover ancient UNESCO-listed sites,
wonderful beaches and crystal clear waters. Although compact, this attractive
island offers a rich variety of landscapes from pine-clad mountains to
golden sandy beaches. The best holiday beaches are found around Ayia
Napa and Protaras, where warm turquoise seas lap gently shelving sands
and watersports abound. Thrilling waterskiing and even kite-surfing are
offered at the main resorts along with fun-filled water parks and boat
trips. There’s a buzzing neon-lit nightlife scene in the main towns
and a burgeoning cafe culture in Nicosia, Limassol and on Larnaca’s
mile-long beachfront promenade. Cypriots are happiest when eating so
join them for a mezze, a slow banquet of Cypriot delicacies such as grilled
halloumi, dolmades and kleftiko, lamb slowly baked till it drops off
the bone.
The stunning Troodos mountains with Mount Olympus at its peak is the
place to work up an appetite. With its charming hilltop villages and
vine-blessed slopes, it offers a cool relief from the intense heat in
summer and a chance to enjoy hiking, cycling, bird watching and, in winter,
skiing. Meanwhile, the rugged Akamas National Park is the place to see
unspoilt nature. It’s here that protected loggerhead turtles return
to beautiful Lara Bay each year to lay their eggs. Venetian walls, Crusader
castles and Roman mosaics, which appear at every turn, are testament
to Cyprus’s 10,000-year history. The opening of the border with
Northern Cyprus and removal of the barrier dividing Ledra Street in Nicosia,
put in place when the Turks invaded in 1974, are reminders of its recent
political past. Cyprus has undergone significant modernization following
its entry into the European Union. A modern country with an ancient history,
its stone villages, glitzy resorts, scented citrus groves and perfumed
mountains are waiting to be discovered. More....
Georgia
A large, geographically diverse state in the south-eastern US, Georgia
was founded in 1735 by James Oglethorpe, an Englishman who landed in
Savannah and established the 13th colony in the New World. Visitors can
travel through mountains, white-water rapids and forested ridges honeycombed
with caves in the north, farms and orchards in the south, to the mysterious,
low-lying Okefenokee Swamp in the southeast, and an Atlantic coastline
of tidal marshes. Packed with colourful history, Georgia saw the emergence
of Creek and Cherokee Indian nations and the start of the infamous Trail
of Tears, the wealthy days of cotton plantations fuelled by slave labour
and bloody Civil War battles culminating in Union General Sherman’s
devastating ‘March to the Sea’ and the burning of Atlanta.
The state is still the home of southern hospitality, gracious homes and
a rich history and culture proudly preserved. The booming city of Atlanta
- known as ‘The City in a Forest’ - most dramatically expresses
the transition from Old South to New. Magnolia and dogwood trees still
surround handsome Georgian-style homes, yet only blocks away, dazzling
contemporary buildings add to Atlanta’s ever-growing skyline. Georgia’s
climate ranges from the low humidity of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the
subtropical southern coastal region. More....
Iran
Iran is located in the Middle East, bounded by Turkmenistan and the Caspian
Sea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, Iraq
and Turkey. The center and east of the country is largely barren desert
with mountainous regions in the west. Tehran, the capital, is essentially
a busy and modern city, but the best of the old has been preserved. As
one of the first countries to be occupied by the early Islamic armies
which came out of Arabia in the seventh century, Iran has a rich and
detailed history. The antique sights of Persia, one of the greatest empires
of the ancient world, can be witnessed alongside bustling metropolises
and vast mountain ranges. Several bazaars are just as old and Iran is
the destination for those in search of the most expensive rugs and carpets
in the world. Iran has maintained a distinct cultural identity within
the Islamic world by retaining its own language and adhering to the Shi’a
interpretation of Islam. As a unique Islamic Republic, Iran is ruled
by both supreme leaders and elected presidents. More....
Iraq
The media depiction of Iraq is of a place where humanity is found at
its most ugly; a land of violent insurgency, kidnappings and religious
intolerance and extremism. Yet this is also where humanity at its most
tremendous once lived. The core of modern Iraq was Mesopotamia, at the
heart of the Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian empires between the seventh
century BC and AD100. Many great civilizations were cradled in often
verdant arms here - amidst huge and unforgiving desert terrain snakes
stupendous rivers such as the Euphrates and Tigris. This country supposedly
contained the glorious Garden of Eden and Babylon’s bountiful Hanging
Gardens. Ancient Baghdad was a focal point of learning, a major stop
along the Silk Road. The museums of Iraq were once testament to these
cultural learning’s, crammed with astonishing artefacts and relics,
but sadly many of these were damaged or looted following the conflict.
However, Iraq has been blighted by resurgent conflict: from the Arab
Caliphate to Mongols, and from the Timur Empire to the Ottoman Empire.
In 1920, the Hashemite Amir Faisal ibn Hussain was proclaimed king; independence
came in 1932. In 1958, the Hashemite Dynasty disintegrated via murder
and coup. Iraq’s final coup in recent history came in 1968, bringing
the Ba’ath Party to power. In 1979, Saddam Hussein became president
and party leader of the Ba’ath Party. Iraqis hoped to resolve a
long-running territorial dispute with Iran over the Shatt al-Arab waterway,
and a full-scale invasion of Iran was launched in 1980. The war degenerated
into one of attrition, lasting until 1988, when the two exhausted nations
sued for peace. Despite minor territorial gains, the Iraqi economy was
crippled and incurred an enormous foreign debt, mainly owed to neighbouring
Kuwait. Insistent Kuwaiti demands for repayment, Iraq’s historical
claim over Kuwaiti territory, and a dispute over oil reserves provided
the main pretext for the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The US-led
response to the invasion, with firm backing from the UN, ensured that
Iraq suffered a massive defeat. The Iraqi regime was seriously threatened
by armed opposition elements among the Shia of southern Iraq and the
Kurds in the north. However, the superior firepower of Iraqi troops and
the Western refusal to provide effective backing for the rebels resisted
this. Thereafter, the USA and others used several means to constrain
Iraq, such as a complete trade embargo - excepting a strictly controlled
regimen of oil sales with which the Iraqi government could buy food and
medicine. Arguably, ordinary Iraqis were worst hit by such sanctions.
A few years later, the USA would lead the war against Iraq that has generated
such fiercely mixed reactions, from relief that Hussein’s brutal
regime was toppled, to anger at the alleged existence of weapons of mass
destruction and Hussein’s alleged connections with Al-Qaeda. With
time, it is hoped the shackles of war will be dismantled, and Iraq shall
pave itself a future as grand as was its past. Note: Iraq continues to
undergo a period of transition following the end of the US-led war against
Saddam Hussein’s regime in March/April 2003. Most of the country’s
political, social, physical and economic infrastructures have, by and
large, been destroyed and need to be rebuilt, are in the process of being
so, or have only just initiated recovery. As a result of the uncertain
situation, some of the information in this guide cannot be relied upon.
All travel to Iraq is ill-advised and visas are currently only being
issued to aid workers, journalists and certain business people. Any nationals
travelling to Iraq for essential reasons should register their presence
with their embassy. More....
Israel
Israel means many things to many people. For millions of travellers around
the world, this is the ‘Holy Land', spiritually sacrosanct for
the three great monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Archaeology buffs, eco-tourists and beach bums all find their own reasons
to visit. For others, Israel evokes images of war, suicide bombings and
broken peace treaties. However you view the country; Israel is an undeniably
beautiful slice of the world, with alternating scenes of sea, desert,
ancient towns and verdant nature reserves. Israel's past Weeding through
Israel's convoluted history is both exhilarating and exhausting. There
are crumbling temples, ruined cities, abandoned forts and hundreds of
places associated with the Bible. One minute you're snooping around the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the next you're amid dancing rabbis
at the Western Wall. A short itinerary will leave you breathless. And
while a sense of adventure is required, most sites are safe and easily
accessible. Urban centres Israel's three big cities each have a distinct
character and atmosphere. Jerusalem is forever holy and the domain of
the ultra-religious. In Tel Aviv you're more likely to spot latte-sipping
liberals, internet entrepreneurs and late-night ravers. Haifa has a gritty
industrial feel but, as the world center for the Baha'i faith, it has
an added complexity making it all the more intriguing. From the Dead
Sea to the sea grottoes at Rosh HaNikra, there is plenty to see in between.
Israel's people Most of all, Israel is about its incredibly diverse population.
Jews come from all over the world to live here while about 20% of the
population is Arab. Politics are hard to get away from in Israel as everyone
has an opinion on how to move the country forward - with a ready ear
you're sure to hear opinions from every side of the political spectrum. More....
Jordan
Petra, the jewel in the crown of Jordan’s antiquities, has been
declared by popular ballot one of the ’new’ Seven Wonders
of the World. The magnificent rock-hewn city of the Nabateans hardly
needed further billing (since Jean Louis Burckhardt discovered it in
the 19th century, it has been a favourite destination for Europeans)
but at sunset on a winter’s day, when the rose-pink city catches
alight, it’s easy to see why it has charmed a new generation of
visitors. Not to be outdone by Petra’s success, Wadi Rum, that
epic landscape of Lawrence and Lean - ’Arabs’ man’ and
moviemaker - is a contender as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the
World. Two such weighty accolades would be entirely disproportionate
to the minimal size of Jordan. But Jordan, once an important trading
center of the Roman Empire and straddling the ancient Holy Land of the
world’s three great monotheistic religions, is no stranger to punching
above its weight. Stand on Mt Nebo, newly consecrated by Pope John II,
and survey the land promised to Moses; unwrap a scarf or two at Mukawir,
where Salome cast a spell over men in perpetuity; float in the Dead Sea,
beside a pillar of salt, reputed to be Lot’s disobedient wife -
go just about anywhere in Jordan and you’ll find every stone bares
a tale, and those of Madaba’s legendary mosaics tell more tales
than most. With so much history wrapped up in this tiny desert kingdom,
it’s easy to overlook the modern face of Jordan - something the
new king is trying to address in ambitious developments at Aqaba and
along the Dead Sea. In the meantime, the Bedouin still herd their sheep
across an unchanged landscape in living continuity with the ancient past. More....
Kuwait
Kuwait constitutes a puzzling but intriguing mix of Western liberalism
and strict Islam. The capital, Kuwait City, is a bustling metropolis
full of the high-rise buildings and luxury hotels. Yet the country is
also host to elaborate and opulent mosques and palaces, and its religion
is an integral part of its affairs. This juxtaposition perhaps stems
from Kuwait’s marrying of Islamism with oil-wealth, mostly traded
with Western superpowers. Upon independence from Britain in 1961, Sheikh
Abdullah assumed head of state, adopting the title of Emir. The large
revenues from oil production allowed independent Kuwait to build up its
economic infrastructure and institute educational and social welfare
programs. In the early 1990s, the emir established a National Assembly
(Majlis), which placed limits on the power of the ruling family. Since
then, the national assembly has clashed several times with the emir and
the cabinet (which is still dominated by the al-Sabah family) over misuse
of state funds and poor management of the all-important oil industry.
Underlying these disputes is the growing impression that the aging and
increasingly infirm al-Sabah clan is no longer capable of running the
country. However, they continue to dominate Kuwaiti policies. Surrounded
by three major Middle Eastern powers, the main threat to the country
came from the renewal of Iraqi territorial claims over Kuwait (along
with the overdue repayment of some US$40-60 billion on the part of Iraq),
which led to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The Kuwaitis later
recovered their country by virtue of a US-led, UN-backed multinational
military force. After a period of euphoria, the Kuwaitis had to address
a number of difficult questions; the future security of the country was
dealt with by the signing of defence and security pacts with the USA,
the UK and Kuwait’s Gulf allies. More recently, Kuwait was one
of the first countries to join Operation Iraqi Freedom following the
US-led war against Iraq, and provided aid and support during Iraq’s
(ongoing) process of reconstruction. More....
Kyrgyzstan
The main attraction of Kyrgyzstan lies in the breathtaking landscape
of mountains, glaciers and lakes; their isolation ensures that they have
been almost forgotten by the crowds. The lakes and mountainous terrain
provide excellent opportunities for trekking, skiing, climbing, sailing
and swimming. For more ambitious travellers, it is possible to follow
the route of the old Silk Road to Kashgar in China, crossing the border
at the Torugart Pass, near Lake Chatyr-Kul. Trekking tours and adventure
holidays in this region are offered by a growing number of companies. More....
Lebanon
Lebanon’s diverse patchwork of Mediterranean-lapped coast, rugged
alpine peaks and green, fertile valleys is packed into a parcel of land
some 225km (140 miles) long and 46km (29 miles) wide. Once known as the ‘Paris
of the East’, Beirut commands a magnificent position, thrust into
the Mediterranean. Behind the city are towering mountains, visible when
the traffic haze settles down. The Corniche seafront boasts beaches,
restaurants, theatres and a dazzling variety of shops and restaurants.
Beirut suffered greatly from Lebanon’s 16-year civil war, but following
an impressive and ongoing process of reconstruction, the city was poised
to become one of the most popular tourist and business destinations in
the Middle East before the Israeli attacks of 2006. Outside of the capital,
several UNESCO World Heritage Sites await, many of which reflect the
country’s various ancient civilizations. Phoenician tombs, Roman
temples, Crusader castles and Mamlouk mosques can be found in the cities
and ruins of Baalbeck, Byblos and Tyre. The town of Aanjar in the Bekaa
Valley contains an Umayyad site from the 8th century - a unique historical
example of a commercial center that was inland. Within the mountainous
interior of the Kadisha Valley, ancient monasteries and churches can
be seen, including a chapel built into the rock face. More....
Oman
Mountain villages clutched against canyon walls, clusters of dates weighing
heavy in the plantation oases, a ribbon of sand blown across the dunes,
a lone camel padding across the limitless interior - these are the kinds
of images afforded by the beautiful and enigmatic country of Oman. In
years gone by, Oman was rich with copper and frankincense, and enjoyed
an extensive East African empire. Then, in the early 20th century, a
deeply conservative ruler, Sultan Said, chose deliberately to isolate
the country from the modern world. His son, peace-loving Sultan Qaboos,
assumed the throne in 1970 and that date now marks the beginning of the
widely celebrated ’Renaissance’ in which the country has
been returned to an age of prosperity and progression. What makes Oman’s
renaissance somewhat unique in the region is that the transformation
has been conducted with great sensitivity towards traditional values
- there are few high-rise buildings in the capital, Muscat; the country’s
heritage of forts (numbering over 2,000) are meticulously restored; ancient
crafts like weaving are actively supported. Moreover, traditional Arabian
values, such as hospitality and practical piety, are still in evidence
making Oman somewhere to experience Islamic culture at its best. More....
Qatar
Forget the 20th-century stereotype of a rich Arab Gulf state, of hastily
thrown up tower blocks, chaotic streets and bafflingly tacky urban sculpture:
Qatar - or at least the capital, Doha - has metamorphosed into a self-confident,
elegant entrepôt that gives the UAE a run for its money. Occupying
a flat peninsula jutting into the oil-rich waters of The Gulf, Qatar
is one of the richest per capita countries in the world - a wealth exhibited
in high-profile projects, such as the new Museum of Islamic Art, built
to house the largest such collection in the world. With 50% of Qatar’s
population living in the capital, the country is a virtual city state.
But for those not content with jogging around Doha’s fine corniche,
a string of beaches beckon for rest and recuperation, and the magnificent
dunes of Khor al-Adaid help even up the odds between God and Mammon. More....
Saudi
Arabia
There is a veil hung over Saudi Arabia that distorts the reality that
resides behind it. Lift the veil, however, and you will find that many
conceptions of Saudi Arabia are misconceptions. It is a country with
many areas of beautiful oases and dramatic mountain-tops, beaches and
rivers. Its cities, although having no nightlife, do have plenty of cafes
and restaurants. There are also shops galore, from the souk to the huge
department store. Indeed, Saudi Arabia’s major cities are generally
very modern, with amenities of a high standard. In the year AD622, Prophet
Muhammad launched a successful campaign to recapture Mecca from the Persians,
who had made it a province of their empire. Afterwards, the Muslims would
continue their expansion across the Arabian peninsula and into Syria,
Mesopotamia (Iraq), Persia, and westwards into Egypt and North Africa.
As the birthplace of Muhammad, Saudi Arabia contains the holiest cities
of Islam. The Saudis take the responsibility for protecting the integrity
of this holy land with utmost seriousness, and Islamic laws are strictly
enforced by the mutawwa (religious police). To the non-Islamic eye, Saudi
Arabia also succeeds in being beautiful and praiseworthy. This complex
country is likely to remain a significant part of the worldwide map for
some time. More....
Syria
The Syrian Arab Republic revels in its antiquity, having been inhabited
for tens of thousands of years - and in the variation and cultural riches
that such antiquity has brought it. This is a country that preserves
scores of relics documenting the rise and fall of different civilizations,
and which continues to welcome such diversity. Syria was once regarded
as a frontier region, bordered to the east by the Arabs and Persians.
The Persian invasions were repulsed but Syria eventually fell to the
Muslims in the mid-seventh century. From then on, Syria was to be firmly
part of the Muslim world, although retaining Christian and Jewish populations.
Muslim control of Syria was vital to the defeat of the Christians and
their expulsion from Jerusalem. Even when the terrifying force of the
13th century Mongols was unleashed on Syria, their massive Hulagu army
was eventually defeated at the Battle of Goliath’s Well – a
victory that, in retrospect, must be seen as one of the world’s
most decisive military engagements, preventing both the Muslim world – and
the Christian one – from certain doom. Today, Syria’s Islamic
identity is as central to the country as its Arab roots. Such doctrine
over-spilled into Arab nationalism in the 1950s - indeed, Nasser’s
revolution in Egypt prompted Syria to join Egypt in the United Arab Republic.
However, the alliance was short-lived, Syria seceding in 1961 to form
the Syrian Arab Republic. Since then, Syria has been ruled at the head
of a tightly controlled dictatorship. Even when General Hafez al-Assad
of the Ba’ath Party (or Arab Socialist Renaissance) died in 2000,
and his son Bashar assumed headship, Western hopes that the country would
pursue a more pro-Western line proved misguided – in the vocabulary
of the US Bush administration, the Syrian Arab Republic is a ‘state
of concern’ (one level below the ‘axis of evil’). Although
Syria pulled its forces out of Lebanon in 2005 after being implicated
by a UN report for the assassination of former Lebanese premier, Rafik
Hariri (Syrian troops have remained there ever since the 1973 Arab-Israeli
war, in a (successful) attempt to prevent the expansion of Israel, and
to counterbalance Israeli military might in the region), relations with
numerous Western states remains fragile. In short, the Syrian Arab Republic’s
long history is littered with dramatic episodes, from being subsumed
into past empires (Babylonians, Canaanites, Assyrians, Phoenicians, and
so on) to more recent events, such as Napoleon’s campaign in 1799/1800,
the Egyptian invasion in the 1830s and the insurrection in 1860-61. However,
such battles and scrambles over territory have translated into a catalogue
of staggering cities full of stunning monuments, from the entire city
of Damascus to the country’s many mosques. The events have also
failed to impair the character of the Syrian people who – surprisingly
to some – exude friendliness and warmth, and are justly proud of
their land. More....
Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s mountainous terrain is ideally suited to the adventurous
trekker, while the ancient Silk Road routes, incorporating some of the
country’s most stunning landscapes, offer a glimpse into a more
prosperous era. The Tajiks come from an ancient stock – the inhabitants
of the Pamir Mountains claim to be the only pure descendants of the Aryan
tribes who invaded India over 4,000 years ago, and that the Saxon tribes
of western Europe also originated there. Tajikistan’s inaccessibility
has protected it from most invaders, although Alexander the Great founded
a city on the site of modern-day Khojand, calling it Alexandria Eskate
(Alexandria the Furthest). Tajikistan was established as a sovereign
state in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The ensuing
power struggle led to civil war in late 1992, resulting in about 30,000
deaths. In 1994, Russian troops were brought in at the request of the
beleaguered regime. Moscow also brokered negotiations between the government
and the United Tajik Opposition (UTO). It is now some time since the
opposing parties signed a 1997 peace agreement that brought the Tajik
civil war to an end, and the political situation is currently stable.
Tajikistan was never well-equipped with a comprehensive infrastructure
for tourists, and some sites were destroyed in the civil war, but there
is still much to see. More....
Turkey
Turkey proudly sits astride two continents: a position that has given
rise to a culture that reflects both East and West. It is a country where
European aspirations sit comfortably alongside Asian traditions and the
volatile atmosphere of the Middle East morphs seamlessly into the relaxed
outlook of the Mediterranean world. Turks have only lived here since
medieval times when they arrived as land-hungry nomads from Central Asia.
Before that it was Byzantine territory and Istanbul - then Constantinople
- was the political center of a vast Christian empire. Romans, Persians,
Lycians and Phrygians were former occupants of the same territory, and
earlier still, Hittite tribes had built an Anatolian empire before collapsing
around the time of the Trojan Wars.
Such a rich history has left an indelible mark and Turkey abounds with
historic sites and archaeological wonders set in a varied and beautiful
landscape. The Mediterranean coastline is punctuated with well-preserved
Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamom and Ephesus, while the austere and
rugged Anatolian plateau has cave churches hidden away in the improbable
fairytale landscape of Cappadocia. Istanbul, still very much the pulse
of the nation, has even more to offer, with Roman aqueducts, Byzantine
churches and Ottoman mosques and palaces. With history at every turn,
it is tempting to portray Turkey as a quaint, time-locked country that
adheres to tradition but this is far from the truth. The modern republic's
first leader, Kemal Atatürk, saw to it that Turkey was reinvented
as a modern secular state following the demise of the Ottoman Empire.
What you see today, thanks to Atatürk's comprehensive modernization,
is a healthy combination of ancient tradition and contemporary outlook.
This outlook sees little contradiction in having modern European ways
tempered by Islam and time-honored traditions of hospitality. More....
Turkmenistan
The territory of what is now Turkmenistan provided the bedrock for many
of the most powerful empires of their age. The Parthians, the Seljuks
and the Khans of Khoresm all based their empires at various points on
the edge of the Kara-Kum Desert, while Alexander the Great conquered
the region during his epic campaign of the fourth century BC. The influence
of Islam dates from the seventh century AD, when the region was under
Arab control. Modern-day Turkmen are descended from tribes that migrated
to the area in the 10th century from the northeast. Almost all the attractions
lie around the fringes of the desert and in ancient ruins such as Merv
(now Mary). The capital, Ashgabat, is a modern city. It replaced the
one founded in 1881, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1948. The
Sunday market here is the best place to buy Turkmen carpets. Mary, due
east of Ashgabat, is Turkmenistan’s second city and lies near the
remains of Merv, which was once the second city of Islam until Ghengis
Khan’s son Toloi reduced it to rubble in 1221. Turkmenistan’s
harsh desert conditions and terrain mean that tourism has been relatively
undeveloped. Another reason is that since independence from the Soviet
Union in 1991, the country has remained largely closed to the outside
world under the rule of President Niyazov, who died in December 2006.
It is effectively a one-party state, governed by the Democratic Party
of Turkmenistan, which comprises mostly former communists. Although the
country benefits from from its oil and gas deposits, its economy remains
underdeveloped due to the low presence of foreign investors. It remains
to be seen whether Niyazov’s death will bring about the changes
needed to encourage foreign investment and tourism. More....
United Arab Emirates
From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of
the souk, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a kaleidoscope of attractions
for visitors. In recent years, the country has rocketed to the forefront
of the international tourism stakes. Dubai has led the way with phenomenal
investment in opulent hotels and infrastructure and is now firmly established
as one of the world’s top short break and holiday destinations.
But Abu Dhabi is also developing fast, helped by its new airline, Etihad,
and several other emirates are following suit. The space age image of
the UAE’s modern cities is in marked contrast to its comparatively
recent past prior to the advent of the oil industry, when these seven
sheikdoms were a sleepy backwater reliant on fishing and pearls. Abu
Dhabi City is a modern and sleek city, filled with skyscrapers. The UAE’s
capital, located on an island connected to the mainland by two bridges,
is increasingly developing visitor attractions. And dazzling Dubai is
a tourism honeypot, with superb shopping and rich cultural life. The
UAE is a federation of seven states (emirates) - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman,
Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain - formed in 1971
after independence from Britain. More....
Uzbekistan
The country boasts some of the finest architectural jewels among the
Silk Road countries, featuring intricate Islamic tile work, turquoise
domes, minarets and preserved relics from the time when Central Asia
was a center of empire and learning. Good examples of this architecture
can be found in the ancient walled city of Khiva in Urgench, the winding
narrow streets of the old town of Bukhara and Samarkand, known locally
as the ‘Rome of the Orient’. The Ferghana Valley, surrounded
by the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains, still produces silk and is well
worth visiting for its friendly bazaars and landscape of cotton fields,
mulberry trees and fruit orchards. Uzbekistan’s mountain ranges
attract hikers, cyclists and backcountry skiers, while experienced mountaineers
come to climb some of the world’s highest peaks. The territory
of modern-day Uzbekistan and its close neighbors have seen many empires
rise and fall. The Sogdians, the Macedonians, the Huns, the Mongolians,
the Seljuks, the Timurids and the Khanates of Samarkand, Bukhara Khiva
and Khorezm all held sway here at one time or another. Central Asia really
came of age with the development of the Silk Road from China to the West.
Samarkand and Bukhara lay astride this, the most valuable trading route
of its day. The riches that it brought were used to build fabulous mosques
and madrassars, most of which were destroyed by the Mongol hordes in
the 13th century. Much of the damage was repaired and new cities were
built by Timur the Lame in the 14th century.
The Russians had had their eyes on the lands over their southern border
since Peter the Great sent his first military mission to Khiva in 1717.
It was to be another 150 years before they started to make any considerable
headway. In 1865, General Kaufmann took Tashkent and signed agreements
with the Khans. There were Russian client Khans in Khiva until 1920.
The Bolsheviks were resisted in Central Asia by bands known as Basmachi
until the 1930s; they were finally suppressed and Moscow took control.
Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Today
Uzbekistan is bordered by Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan. More....
Yemen
Yemen has established itself as a tourist destination, attracting travellers
with its striking scenery and spectacular Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture.
Yemen boasts hugely varied landscapes, from magnificent mountains to
lush fruit-growing valleys to semi-arid plains and wide sandy beaches.
The towns and cities hide souks and spice markets, mosques and ancient
city walls. To the Romans, Yemen was Arabia Felix, whose mountains and
fertile areas distinguished it from the barren desert of the rest of
the Arabian peninsula. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Yemen came
into the seventh century under the influence of Islam. It remained within
the orbit of various regional powers until, in the 15th century, it became
a flashpoint in the struggle between the Egyptians and the Ottoman Empire.
During the early 17th and early 19th centuries, the struggle for control
was between the Europeans and the Ottomans. Split in two by political
and civil warfare throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Yemen was finally
reunited in 1990 under Ali Abdullah Saleh. The country is home to numerous
significant archaeological sites, while adventure travellers can enjoy
camping and trekking in the unique Socotra archipelago, which counts
over 270 endemic species among its enormous range of wildlife and plant
life. More....
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