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BERLIN

Berlin brings to one’s min the great divide (or wall) that divided the city into two different political entities. However, the new rejuvenated and reunited Berlin is marching ahead into the future post millennium. It is casting itself as the most important new and modernistic city of Continental Europe.

Berlin’s dark past as Hitler’s capital of Nazi atrocities and as the capital of Cold War in the later years, has not escaped the psyche of the local population or the visitors. The popular opinion says that Berliners do not know where they are going, but know their past, and do not want to go back there. After being completely annihilated in the WW II bombings, Berlin has since optimistically rebuilt itself as a modern structure of glass and steel.

The scars still remain, mostly as a tourist attraction. For example the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church displays the shell of the bell tower that remains, in striking contrast to the modern church constructed to the west, fondly nicknamed “lipstick and powderbox” because of the design.

The contrast between East and West Berlin before the wall fell is still evident since East Berlin proud of its cultural heritage rebuilt its museums and churches whereas West Berlin built new museums and theatres. East and West are still coming together to form a whole Berlin and the process will take its time.

Berlin being the new German capital is living up to its reputation as the dynamic hub of continental Europe, with nightlife being the most exiting and wild. The city after accommodating the German Government as the seat of the new capital has undergone a major facelift with new streets, sky scrapers and rail lines at a whopping cost of more than $100 billion. Most of this has gone into the central district (Mitte) which houses glittering luxury hotels and shopping arcades. The effort in restoration of Unter den Linden to its pre war glory and Hotel Adlon, the most famous hotel in pre war Germany and Europe has been notable. The chic district of boutiques and cafes, the Prenzlauer Berg, had not faced the damage of WW II bombings and resoration of this part has been relatively easier. This flurry of restoration and activity has caused a spiraling effect in the real estate market with sharp increase in prices as well inconveniences of living around construction sites for Berliners. Most famous buildings of Berlin have been restored in this process. Reichstag got a new glass dome topped with the Eagle (national symbol) replacing the old imperial hunter. The Oranienburger Strasse synagogue

The Oranienburger Strasse synagogue (also known as Neue Synagoge Berlin-Centrum Judaicum/The New Synagogue), bombed beyond salvage by Allied bombers, has been restored to its old splendor. Likewise, Berlin Cathedral and the five state museums on Museum Island have been restored to their original glory. The natural beauty of Berlin has been enhanced with the few gardens and farms covering about 1/3rd of the total area, which further beautifies the city.

The Berlin Tourist Information Center, Europa Center handles all information regarding Berlin in general and Hotel bookings. The best and easier way to access the information is from the site www.berlin-tourism.de.

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Wish For Bangladesh

Wish For Bangladesh

Bangladesh Informations

Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country in 1971 following a ninemonth war of liberation. It is one of the largest deltas of the world with a total area of 147,570 sq. km. With a unique communal harmony, Bangladesh has a population of about 142 million, making it one of the densely populated countries of the world. The majority (about 88%) of the people are Muslim. Over 98% of the people speak in Bangla. English, however, is widely spoken. The country is covered with a network of rivers and canals forming a maze of interconnecting channels.
Bangladesh has a glorious history and rich heritage. Once it was known as ‘Sonar Bangla’ or the Golden Bengal. The territory now constituting Bangladesh was under the Muslim rule for over five and a half centuries from 1201 to 1757 AD. Subsequently, it came under the British rule following the defeat of the sovereign ruler, Nawab Sirajuddaula, at the battle of Palassey on 23 June, 1757. The British ruled over the Indian sub-continent including this territory for nearly 190 years from 1757 to 1947. During that period, Bangladesh was a part of the British Indian provinces of Bengal and Assam. With the termination of British rule in August 1947, the sub-continent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Bangladesh formed a part of Pakistan and was called ‘East Pakistan’. It remained so for about 24 years from August 14, 1947 to March 25, 1971. Bangladesh liberated on December 16, 1971 following the victory of the War of Liberation and appeared on the world map as an independent and sovereign country.The country is the pioneer in micro-credit concept for poverty reduction, which brought the Nobel Prize in Peace for the country in 2006. The founder of world reputed Grameen Bank Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is the Nobel laureate.

The Natural Beauty Of Bangladesh

Have you thought of a dream holiday where you see yourself on that very attractive magical coastline with very beautiful features like those in the fairy tales? Did you know that such features really exist on this very planet?

Talking of wonderful eye-catching sites let us take a trip to the North Eastern part of south Asia and land safely in one of the most beautiful countries on the planet: Bangladesh. The country is surrounded by some of the most prominent geographical features studied worldwide. To the north of Bangladesh are the famous Himalayas while the bay of the Bengal borders her from the South. To her East is the hilly region of Tripura, India and Myanmar. Finally to her West lies the west Bengal. Together these features form a low lying plain in between that is the country in their midst; Bangladesh.

The plain between all these features has plenty of rivers flowing across it forming a nice natural beautiful pattern of rivers and streams network. Padma, Meghna, Kamafull and Brahmaputra are the major rivers in this very beautiful land.

History goes hand in hand with the Natural Beauty of Bangladesh. Talking of historical sites she has quite a number of rich archeological sites to offer. This includes the Paharpur, Maianamati, Sonargaon among many others.

It also has a historical mosques and monuments. The sixty Dome mosque built in the 15th century is the largest historical in Bangladesh as well as the words heritage is situated in Bagerhat. It is also upheld for an outstanding architectural value. However, the Shait Gombuj mosque is the most magnificent and the largest brick mosque surviving in the country.

Bangladesh is not just named a natural beauty for nothing this is a title that it has fought for through its great and eye catching extraordinary features. She happens to be the home to the world's longest natural beach in the whole world. The land is mainly covered by plant cover as most of the people practice Agriculture.

Apart from the natural beauty of Bangladesh brought forth by the flora in the country, the country also has a great deal of wildlife. She is the home of the dhole; the most endangered Asiatic top predator that is on the edge of extinction. It also has the Asian elephant which is the largest mammal. Finally she has the Bengal tiger which is the national animal of the country. The next time you thinking of spending time in a beautiful place where you will be able to watch and appreciate nature's beauty, think of Bangladesh.