Wednesday, February 25, 2009

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.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Saturday, February 14, 2009

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.