The Grand Canal

"White phantom city, whose untrodden streets
Are rivers, and whose pavements are the shifting
Shadows of palaces and strips of sk..."

- H. W. Longfellow, Venice

Illustration: The Grand Canal, J. M. W. Turner, c. 1835, public domain

The Cloister

"Solitude is independence."

--Hermann Hesse

Picture copyright © Jigzone.com

Carlsbad Caverns

The bat population of Carlsbad Caverns has declined drastically over the years -- from an estimated 8.7 million in 1936 to about 200,00 in 1973. No one knows exactly why, but it is assumed that chemical pesticides are primarily to blame.

Photo: Carlsbad Caversn, National Park Service Photo, Public Domain

Bumper Cars

The largest bumper car floor is the Rue Le Dodge, located at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. It measures 51 feet, 9 inches by 124 feet 9 inches.

Picture copyright © Jigzone.com

Antarctica

"I am hopeful that Antarctica in its symbolic robe of white will shine forth as a continent of peace as nations working together there in the cause of science set an example of international cooperation. "

-- Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Quotation is inscribed on the Byrd Memorial at McMurdo Station, Antartica.

Photograph: Ben Holt Sr., NASA/GRACE team, public domain

Paris, 1493

This woodcut of Paris is from the Nuremberg Chronicle, one of the first printed books, published about 1493.

Ross Island, Antarctica

This photo of the full moon over Observation Hill at McMurdo Station, Ross Island, Antarctica was taken by the National Science Foundation, and is in the public domain. The cross on the horizon is a tribute to members of the Sir Robert Falcon Scott Expedition, 1911-1912.

Fremont Bridge

"Bridges are America’s cathedrals."

-- Author unknown

Picture copyright © Jigzone.com

Shwedagon Pagoda

According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda is 2500 years old. It contains relics of the past four Buddhas: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Konagamana, a piece of fabric from the robe of Kassapa, and eight hairs from Gautama.

Illustration: The Shwedagon Pagoda, from an 1825 lithograph, public domain.

Neuschwanstein Castle

The Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany served as the inspiration for Disney's vision of the Cinderella Castle in the animated film. This photochrom -- a colorized image made from a black and white negative -- was taken in the 1890's, not 10 years after the castle was completed.

Image: from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs Division, public domain

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is the most popular tourist attraction in India, attracting between two and three million visitors a year.

Photograph by Samuel Bourne, ca. 1860, public domain

Totem

The word totem comes from an Ojibwa word indicating a kinship group. Contrary to popular belief, the totem pole does not have a religious meaning -- it is used more as an illustration of a story or legend.

Picture copyright © Jigzone.com

Buenos Aires

With 12.4 million people living in the metropolitan area, Buenos Aires is the most highly populated city in Argentina.

Photograph: Buenos Aires by Night, photographer unknown, public domain.

Venice, Aqua Alta

Aqua Alta, a temporary flooding of some parts of the city during the high tide seasons, is usually mild, and taken in stride by the residents of Venice.

Photograph: Paolo da Reggio, released into the public domain.

Lake View

Voyageurs National Park is located in norther Minnestota, and is known for its remarkable water resources.

Photo credit: National Park Service