THE VOLCANO

THE VOLCANO

A volcano is a place on the Earth's surface (or any other planet's or moon's surface) where molten rock, gases and pyroclastic debris erupt through the earth's crust. Volcanoes vary quite a bit in their structure - some are cracks in the earth's crust where lava erupts, and some are domes, shields, or mountain-like structures with a crater at the summit.
Magma is molten rock within the Earth's crust. When magma erupts through the earth's surface it is called lava. Lava can be thick and slow-moving or thin and fast-moving. Rock also comes from volcanoes in other forms, including ash (finely powdered rock that looks like dark smoke coming from the volcano), cinders (bits of fragmented lava), and pumice (light-weight rock that is full of air bubbles and is formed in explosive volcanic eruptions - this type of rock can float on water).
Volcanic eruptions can cause great damage and the loss of life and property.
The Word Volcano:The word volcano comes from the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. Vulcan was said to have had a forge (a place to melt and shape iron) on Vulcano, an active volcano on the Lipari Islands in Italy. Extreme Volcanoes:The largest volcano on Earth is Hawaii's Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is about 6 miles (10 km) tall from the sea floor to its summit (it rises about 4 km above sea level). It also has the greatest volume of any volcano, 10,200 cubic miles (42,500 cubic kilometers). The most active volcano in the continental USA is Mt. St. Helens (Iocated in western Washington state).

Natuer in Oman

Natuer in Oman

FALAJ DARIS

There are around 90 afalaj in the area, the most important being Falaj Daris. The Wadi Tanuf Dam, completed in 1989, is designed to increase the supply of subterranean water which feeds the afalaj of Daris and Tanuf. The increased supply has led to an expansion in the agricultural area. The dam is 135 m long and is located on the watercourse of Wadi Tanuf which is famous in the Middle East for its mineral water.














WADIS IN OMAN

A wadi is a dried up riverbed found in the mountain valleys. Wadis come into their own after heavy rains, when the rivers start running again and the vegetation is restored. However, some wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool pools in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents are slow. On the whole, wadis are only accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as the terrain can be extremely bumpy. Wadis are green, lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and flowering shrubs. The villagers often take their cars down for washing and groups of people have great fun splashing around in the clean water.














PARKS IN OMAN

Riyam Park, on Muttrah Corniche, is a favourite park with children. It is a huge, rambling place whose main feature is an enormous incense burner which, when climbed, provides stunning views of the nearby harbour and surrounding seacliffs. A static fairground is open from 4pm each day providing thrills and spills for the young and the young-at-heart.
Khalbuh Park is located a little further along the Corniche from Riyam Park. It has a small, children's play area and an amphitheatre for concerts by local artists and bands.












KHAREEF IN DHOFAR

The Dhofar region is subdivided into 9 wilayats. Its climate is dramatically different to the rest of Oman due to the effects of the monsoon rains (khareef) which arrive during the summer months, creating humidity and moderate temperatures of around 300C. As a consequence, the area becomes lush and green, with waterfalls and rivers feeding the surrounding pastures. The mountain ridge, which receives the most rain, stretches for 400km from east to west. During the khareef, springs gush forth and provide plentiful water supplies for much of the rest of the year. The fresh greenery is ideal for cattle grazing and livestock rearing is an important occupation in the area.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things kids or adults can do to their bodies. Yet every single day nearly 4,400 kids between the ages 12 and 17 start smoking. Why? There's more than just one simple answer. Some kids may start smoking just because they're curious. Others may like the idea of doing something dangerous - something grown-ups don't want them to do. Still others might have grown up around lots of people who smoke and they might think it's the way to act like an adult.
You've probably heard that smoking and tobacco use can cause cancer and heart disease. That's true, but sometimes kids can't really think that far into the future to worry about an illness they might not get for 20 years. So let's talk about the problems that might affect kids more quickly:
*bad breath
*yellow teeth
*smelly clothes
*more colds and coughs
*difficulty keeping up with friends when playing sports
*empty wallet - cigarettes and tobacco products are very expensive!

Why Is Cigarettes So Bad for You?

Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco kill hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. You know those rubber bracelets that were created to bring attention to different causes? The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids created a red one with the number 1,200 on it. Why 1,200? That's the number of people who die each day due to smoking.

The nicotine and other poisonous chemicals in tobacco cause lots of diseases, like heart problems and some kinds of cancer. If you smoke, you hurt your lungs and heart each time you light up. It also can make it more difficult for blood to move around in the body, so smokers may feel tired and cranky. The longer you smoke, the worse the damage becomes.

The Other Cost of Smoking

Using tobacco eats up a lot of money, too. A pack of cigarettes costs $4, on average. That means, even if you buy just one pack a week, you'll spend $208 in a year. Some people smoke a pack a day, which adds up to $1,460! That's a lot of CDs, computer games, and clothes.

What's It Like?

Usually, people don't like smoking or chewing tobacco at first. Your body is smart, and it knows when it's being poisoned. When people try smoking for the first time, they often cough a lot and feel pain or burning in their throat and lungs. This is your lungs' way of trying to protect you and tell you to keep them smoke free. Also, many people say that they feel sick to their stomachs or even throw up.

What if My Friend Smokes?

If you have a friend who smokes or uses tobacco, you can help him or her by encouraging the person to quit. Here are some reasons you can mention:

*It will hurt his or her health.
*It will make his or her breath stinky.
*It will turn his or her teeth yellow.
*It will give him or her less endurance when running or playing sports.
*It's expensive.

Cities And Villages

A city is an urban area that is differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. In most parts of the world, cities are generally substantial and nearly always have an urban core, but in the United States many incorporated areas which have a very modest population, or a suburban or even mostly rural character, are designated as cities. City can also be a synonym for "downtown" or a "city centre".

A city usually consists of residential, industrial and business areas together with administrative functions which may relate to a wider geographical area. A large share of a city's area is primarily taken up by housing, which is then supported by infrastructure such as roads, streets and often public transport routes such as a rapid transit system. Lakes and rivers may be the only undeveloped areas within the city. The study of cities is covered extensively in human geography.

Culture & Heritage of oman

Heritage
A legacy that has been passed on from generation to generation; the art, the culture, the folklore and the artistry has to be seen. But there is much more in the heart of Oman to explore: the sense of respect for time, for people, and for nature. Come and taste a part of Oman's rich heritage, kept alive and uncganged for generations. It may help you understand tomorrow a little better.
For its size, Oman boasts an unprecedented number of UNESCO-classified World Heritage Sites including Al-Blaid; site of the ancient city of Zafar, Bat with its tombs dating back 3,000 years, Bahla Fort, and R'as Al-Hadd; home to the rare Green Sea Tturtle.
Oman's heritage features a prominent sea-faring tradition, as one would expect from a country with 1,700 Km of coastline.
Many museums and galleries around the secluded and historic harbours of Muscat and Muttrah illuminate the importance of the sea and, indeed, of water generally, throughout Oman's 5,000 year-old history.

Culture
If you are someone who has an understanding and appreciation of history, arts, architecture and the intricacies of a civil society, Oman is the place for you. From the ancient city of Nizwa to the towns along the coast to the Capital to Salalah, all seeped in history, you can experience Oman's sense of timelessness.
The Sultanate enjoys an unspoiled culture and traditional lifestyle in almost every aspect. Even in its modernity, Oman is distinctly Arabic and offers many unique old-world wonders.
The Omani culture has its roots firmly deep in the Islamic religion. Oman developed its own particular form of Islam, called Ibadhism, after its founder, Abdullah ibn Ibadh who lived during the 7th century AD. Not all Omanis are Ibadhis however; there are also Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. Omanis are not only tolerant of the beliefs of different Muslim divisions, they are also tolerant towards believers of other faiths, who are allowed to practice their religion in churches and temples.
Muslims are required to pray five times each day after the call to prayer by the Imam. Beautiful, ornate mosques are found throughout the Sultanate, but they are not open to non-Muslim visitors. The holy month of Ramadan is a time of fasting and praying. For around 29 to 30 days each Islamic year, Muslims refrain from smoking, eating and drinking during the hours of fasting (from sunrise to sunset). Ramadan advances 10 to 11 days each year as it is governed by the lunar calendar. Out of respect, non-Muslim residents and visitors to the Sultanate are expected to observe the same principles in public.
Dress Code for Visitors:The dress code is fairly liberal in Muscat, although decency is still expected. Women should wear, for example, tops with sleeves, and long skirts or trousers. Men are required to wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Swimwear should be restricted to the beach or pools.

Animals

Oryx
These large African antelopes prefer dry, near-desert conditions and can survive without water for long periods. The smallest species, the Arabian oryx, is now almost extinct, and another, the scimitar-horned oryx of the Sahara is on the endangered list. Oryxes live in herds of up to 60 animals. Newborn calves are able to run with the herd immediately after birth. Both males and females possess permanent, narrow, straight horns. The female’s are slightly longer and slimmer than the male’s. These horns are quite lethal, and the oryx has been known to kill lions with them. They are also the reason this animal is sometimes called the sabre antelope.

Ostrich

Of the 8,600 bird species which exist today, the ostrich is the largest. They are still found in the wild in certain parts of Africa, and are very well adapted to desert life, getting water from the plants they eat.
These huge birds, which sometimes reach a height of 2.6 m and a weight of 135 kg, cannot fly, but are very fast runners. Their small, flat heads and long necks are downy and their plump bodies are covered with soft feathers. The male’s body plumage is glossy black, and the wings and tail feathers are white.
The females and young males are greyish brown. If threatened while sitting on the nest, which is simply a cavity scooped in the earth, the hen presses her long neck flat along the ground, blending with the background. Ostriches, contrary to popular belief, do not bury their heads in the sand.
The male ostrich has from two to six females in his flock. The eggs each weigh about 1.5 kg. Ostriches have been raised in captivity as a source of food, and some people have even tried to ride them -- a risky business.

SALALAH

HealthY FooD

If you are a teenager and you're worried about your weight, you've come to the right place. Over the past 20 years or so, I've talked with tons of young people just like you, and helped a very high proportion of them to lose weight. I can't change your weight for you - only you can do this - but I will help you to make the right decisions that will help you to achieve the weight you want. Just as important, I'll tell you about the weight loss methods that DON'T WORK.


Eat a variety of foods
Balance the food you eat with physical activity
Choose a diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables and fruits
Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
Choose a diet moderate in sugars and salt
Choose a diet that provides enough calcium and iron to meet their growing body's requirements



You can also help promote good nutrition by setting a good example. Healthy eating habits and regular exercise should be a regular part of your family's life. It is much easier if everyone in the house follows these guidelines, than if your child has to do it alone. You should also buy low-calorie and lowfat meals, snacks and desserts, low fat or skim milk and diet drinks. Avoid buying high calorie desserts or snacks, such as snack chips, regular soft drinks or regular ice cream


Healthy eating for teens means the same thing as healthy eating for adults, such as eating three meals a day with snacks in-between, eating foods from the different food groups, and eating when hungry/stopping when full. Eating well helps teens to maintain enough energy for school, sports and other activities, and to reach their full height potential.

The Center for Young Women’s Health offers

a number of excellent healthy eating tips for teens, including.
The same tips are helpful for those who enjoy TV snacking at home. If you don't want to give up nibbling while watching your shows, keep low calorie foods close by, because it is very easy to eat too much when you are entranced by your favorite drama, football game or cooking show. Eat crisp raw vegetables with your dip instead of greasy chips.