The Great Nile River has its source in Uganda, flowing out of Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water lake in the world and watering and dutifully watering the lands of Sudan and Egypt all year round with un wavering commitment! We of such strategic importance to the Sudan and Egypt that if anything happens to our water bodies, the entire Egyptian civilization will vanish from the face of the earth.

The North Eastern part of this blessed country is the only area that passes for a semi-arid region, yet in comparative terms, it is not a desert. It receives rains sufficient enough to grow draught resistant crops and it is rich in minerals like gold, marble and precious stones. It is in the North Eastern extreme of this country that we find the Kidepo National Park. This is home to the Giraffes, Ostriches, Uganda Kob and thousands of Antelopes. It is also the home to the Karimojong speaking people who have a passionate attachment to a cattle culture.

The Western region on the other hand is even more spectacular. The Rwenzori Mountains offers the biggest tropical contradictions in the world. It has the Equator passing next to its foot, but quite amazingly, its peak, the Margarita, is snow capped with sprawling white glaciers. The base of this Block Mountain spills over to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is here that we have the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park and Home to the mountain Gorillas. There are about 348 Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, DRC and Central Africa living in about 32 families and about 80-100 of these rare animals live in Uganda. Many tourists visit our country to see these Gorillas in their natural habitat

Mountain Gorillas of Uganda

The people of Uganda have a proud history. There are historical sites gazetted for tourist to go and have an insight into our past. In Eastern Uganda, there are Ngero Rock paintings which depict the minds of pre-historic man who lived here long before the present people settled on these lands.

In Central Uganda, the Kasubi tombs where all the Buganda Kings have been buried since time immemorial also attract a lot of people from foreign lands. Buganda was the most significant Inter-lacustrine Kingdom from which Uganda got its current national nomenclature.

In Mubende, there is a tree Called Nakiyima, which is about 800 years old. Legend has it that Nakiyima, wife of one of the Chwezi King's called Ndahura, planted it in about 1200 AD. The Chwezi were the mythical Aristocrats who ruled the great lakes regions in the era shortly before the arrival of the Luo conquerors from Southern Sudan. There is a strong belief in the population that the 800 year old tree which has breasts, does indeed, have mystical powers and the ability to bring good luck to those who pay homage to it. In recent years, it has become a tourist destination and many white tourists regularly visit the tree for good luck.

The Mid Western region of Uganda boasts of some of the most beautiful women in the world. These are Banyankole/Batoro queens whose European-like features make them more Europeans than Africans. They are elegant and refined in their ways. They are highly educated and that is also where the President of the land hails from. Today Power is effectively in the hands of westerners-they are using it to put the West well on the edge of development compared to other regions. Many people think the current Western dominated leaders have failed to provide balanced development in the country but for sure, they have given peace to the Ugandans

Recently huge oil resources were discovered in the Lake Albert regions of Western Uganda. If things continue the way they are at the moment, I dare say that this beautiful country which Churchill, the Former Prime Minister of Britain fondly called The Pearl of Africa will soon become a powerful member of OPEC and we shall not only be seen, but also heard on the world stage.

To get to the Grand Canyon, travel to Phoenix, Arizona first. It is about a 4 hour drive from Central Phoenix to the South rim. The entrance fee to the Grand Canyon is $25 per vehicle to cover maintenance costs. However if you possess a National Parks Golden Eagle pass the cost is reduced.

Importance of the site

The fact that the Grand Canyon is listed as a World Heritage site means a lot to groups and governments involved. Conservationist groups major argument was that the parks wilderness aspect was being exterminated by visitors trampling carelessly and coming too often. The excessive visitors were causing lack of biodiversity. The Grand Canyon met all four requirements of UNESCO World heritage customs thus becoming a World Heritage Site.

Site Management

The US National Park Service managed the sight since 1919 as a National Park. This was before it became a World Heritage Site. There was a site management plan made in 1977 in accordance to the Environmental Policy act of 1969.

Characteristics of the site

This is a natural World Heritage site, not cultural as humans did not make it, the environment did. The sheer spectacular view would leave you speechless. The canyon is a world heritage sight as of 1979. It is revered for historical importance as it tells us history dating back millenniums. It helps in understanding of geological activity in the last 6 million years as nothing but the elements created it.

Location

Located in the state Arizona, in America the Grand Canyon shows millenniums of history. The abyss is nearly 1500m deep.

Climate

At the Grand Canyon the weather varies, and often the north rim and the south rim are different. The temperature can rise or drop dramatically, so be prepared for anything. Also, altitude sickness can occur due to being so high up. The South rim is 7000 feet above sea level, and the North rim is 8000 feet above sea level. At the south rim, June and July are the warmest however it is also the rainiest season. The coolest time is January, reaching down to -8c Celsius. The north rim is generally colder than the south, with the rainfall being higher and the temperature cooler.

The air quality in Australia is always clean. It is not like the other highly populated developed countries which has low quality air with pollutants.

The fun tourist attractions of the state of Queensland are very popular for those who like the warm climates. These include Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Seaworld, and the very wet and wild world. There are also the alpine areas in the south-east regions of Australia. You could ski down at the most famous ski resort in the country, Thredbo. There are also the very big Perisher Blue, The budget friendly Selwyn snowfields, or even ski or slide down Australia's most famous and highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko (koz-si-us-ko) which is 2228 meters high at Charlotte Pass, the highest village in Australia.

The climate in Australia isn't only one, but all five. From the dry deserts of Outback Australia to the hot and wet tropics in North Eastern Australia to the cold alpine regions of South-Eastern Australia or go to the island state Tasmania for very cool rains.

There are many Australian icons in that are very famous all around the world especially the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Ayers Rock (Uluru), the Kimberleys or if you like Opera and Classical Music, go to the Sydney Opera House where you will enjoy music from the Sydney Symphony and Chamber Orchestra.

If your lucky enough, you might stumble on gold at the Bathurst Gold Mines which is 100 km. west of Sydney. There is real gold preserved at the mines. Although I never been there, I know its very famous.

So come on to Australia and experience it!

If your still unconvinced, go to australia.com]]> Sun, 01 Jul 2007 07:49:25 PST