CGTN’s Post

Real Estate Interesting Fact - WHALE BUILDING: Simonoseki, Japan The “Whale Building” in Shimonoseki, Japan, is a significant landmark tied to the city’s rich history with whaling. Shimonoseki has long been known as a “whale town,” with its whaling industry dating back to the Meiji period (1868-1912). The building itself was constructed by the Toyo Whaling Co., which evolved from the Nippon Enyo Gyogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Japan Distant-water Fishery Co., Ltd.)1. The building, a simple yet elegant Western-style wooden structure, symbolizes the ambition and courage of early modern whalers. Shimonoseki played a crucial role in Japan’s Antarctic whaling operations, which began in 1934. During World War II, whale meat became a vital source of protein for the Japanese people1. Today, the Whale Building stands as a reminder of Shimonoseki’s historical and cultural connection to whaling, reflecting both the industry’s past significance and the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve its maritime heritage1.

#virgieUpdate The only country located in all four hemispheres When people think of civilization, their minds often conjure images of cities and vast landscapes that form part of entire countries and territories. But one lesser-known nation goes against this convention: the Republic of Kiribati. This unique place stands as a testament to culture and what it takes to live while surrounded by the vast expanse of the ocean. Geography Kiribati is an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, consisting of 33 atolls (ring-shaped islands) and reef islands that are spread over 1.4 million sq miles (3.5 million sq km) of ocean. Only about 130,000 people live in Kiribati. A small space Despite its vast maritime area, Kiribati’s total land area is only about 313 sq miles (811 sq km), which makes it one of the smallest countries in the world. Creation The islands were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. As dozens of volcanoes erupted in the ocean, deposits of ash and magma cooled and created the general shape of the islands. But time caused the volcanoes to collapse inward and sink beneath sea level, while coral continued to grow upward. This is what created the unique ring shape of the atolls. Location The country’s islands are divided into three groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. All of the atolls are spread out over the area where the equator and the International Date Line meet, making it the only country in the world that exists in all four hemispheres. Gilbert Islands These islands make up most of the nation of Kiribati. Indeed, the country’s capital city of Tarawa is located on one of the atolls in this group, where more than 50% of the nation’s population resides. Line Islands The Line Islands are made up of 11 atolls, but only eight of them belong to Kiribati. The remaining three are territories of the United States. Interestingly, there is a 12th unconfirmed atoll that is shown on some maps, but the existence of the island is heavily disputed. Phoenix Islands Also known as Rawaki, the Phoenix Islands consist of eight atolls that lie west of the Line Islands and east of the Gilbert Islands. All but one of the atolls in this group are actually uninhabited and form part of the third largest marine protected area in the world. International Date Line The International Date Line–which is the line that divides the western and eastern hemispheres, and also separates one calendar day from the next–used to cut the nation of Kiribati in half. This changed in 1995, when the country unilaterally moved the line far to the east, which is why the line in this area has such a strange shape! Earliest history Records show that the islands were once occupied by Austronesian people sometime around 3000 BCE. The islands were a central location for many voyagers from Samoa and Fiji, which resulted in a mixing of cultures. **click to read more..💛

Voronya Cave, the closest point to the center of the Earth. Voronya Cave, also known as Krubera Cave, is the deepest cave in the world. The cave, Krubera-Voronya, is considered the “Everest of Caves”. The total length of the cave passages reaches 13,232 m, the depth is -2,197 m. It is located in Abkhazia (Georgia) near the Sea black. The elevation difference between the cave entrance and its deepest explored point is 2,197 ± 20 meters (7,208 ± 66 feet). It became the deepest known cave in the world in 2001, when the expedition of the Ukrainian Speleological Association reached a depth of 1,710 m (5,610 feet), which surpassed the depth of the previously known deepest cave, Lamprechtsofen, in the Austrian Alps, by 80 meters (260 feet). In 2004, for the first time in the history of speleology, the expedition of the Ukrainian Speleological Association reached a depth of over 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) and explored the cave up to -2,080 m (-6,824 feet). The Ortobalagan Valley extends along the Berchil'sky anticliminal ridge, which descends gently northwestward. The entrances to the caves are lined along the anticlinial ridge, but the caves are controlled by longitudinal, transversal and oblique faults and include complex winding patterns in the plant view, remaining largely within and near the ridge area anti-clinical. Caves are predominantly a combination of shallow wells and steep snake passages, although in some places they cut seemingly ancient fossil passages at different levels. #beautiful #beautifuldestinations #cueva #bestvacations #travel #travelblogger #traveling #travelling #traveltheworld #lugaresconencanto #lugares #caves #monijovel #amazingplace

Let me tell you about my beloved Azores, my ancestral home and nature's own climate regulators. These 9 volcanic isles, part of Macaronesia, are more than just paradise—they're the conductors of an atmospheric symphony. The Azorean High, a semi-permanent pressure system, orchestrates weather patterns for Europe and North America. But as our planet warms, this delicate dance falters. The islands, lush with subtropical forests, volcanic caverns, waterfalls & flowers stand at the crossroads of Atlantic life. They offer refuge to migrating whales, sharks, and birds, their importance echoing through millennia for many beings. Fabled to be the tops of mountains from the flooding of Atlantis, archeological records & my ancestor's bones whisper of history predating Portuguese arrival by at least 700 years. The Guanches, the sea nomads of Macaronesia, likely knew these shores well before colonial records began, all they had to do was follow the migration of the fish, whales & birds. As I write this love note to the Azores, a cyclone batters our shores & tiny Corvo is enduring 60-foot waves—a stark reminder of nature's power and fragility. The Azorean High is protecting us, and pushing storms full of moisture from rising oceanic temperatures further inland with devastating results. The great AMOC current is faltering, disrupting ancient rhythms of marine life & weather patterns relied upon in Europe & North America. These aren't just statistics; they're etched in the worried faces of fishermen and the changing patterns of island life. Yet, the Azores have always been a beacon of resilience. Born of fire, shaped by wind and wave, they've weathered centuries of change. Today, they stand as a testament to the delicate balance of our blue planet and the urgent need for environmental stewardship. May we listen to the wisdom of these islands and become better guardians of our shared home. May the Azores High always bless us. #Azores #ClimateAction #MarineConservation #IslandLife #Sustainability #Myfamily #Açores

Sunrise - Bocas del Toro, Panama - From the lush embrace of the tropical rainforest to the kaleidoscopic wonder of the coral reefs and the tangled mysteries of the mangrove forests, this land and sea is where diversity reigns. Here, amidst the emerald canopy of the rainforest, the air hums with the symphony of unseen life, their voices echoing through the verdant depths like whispers of ancient secrets. Each leaf and vine teems with life, a testament to nature's raw power and beauty. Venture beneath the waves and a world of wonder unfolds. Coral reefs, vibrant and alive, stretch like underwater cities, teeming with colors and creatures small and large. Amidst the ebb and flow of the tides, life flourishes in all forms, from the delicate dance of seahorses clinging to coral to the majestic grace of dolphins gliding through azure depths. And then there are the mangroves, where Earth meets water in a symbiotic dance that nurses life at sea. Around every corner, there is another story, and each breath above and below reminds me of the wondrous fragility of life on Earth. We must protect it, care for it, and ensure the survival of that which sustains us - nature. Learn more about this splendid place through the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Bocas del Toro Research Station. https://lnkd.in/gPss3cvy

Voronya Cave, the closest point to the center of the Earth. 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 👉 Weird, Bizarre and Strange World Voronya Cave, also known as Krubera Cave, is the deepest cave in the world. The cave, Krubera-Voronya, is considered the “Everest of Caves”. The total length of the cave passages reaches 13,232 m, the depth is -2,197 m. It is located in Abkhazia (Georgia) near the Sea black The elevation difference between the cave entrance and its deepest explored point is 2,197 ± 20 meters (7,208 ± 66 feet). It became the deepest known cave in the world in 2001, when the expedition of the Ukrainian Speleological Association reached a depth of 1,710 m (5,610 feet), which surpassed the depth of the previously known deepest cave, Lamprechtsofen, in the Austrian Alps, by 80 meters (260 feet). In 2004, for the first time in the history of speleology, the expedition of the Ukrainian Speleological Association reached a depth of over 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) and explored the cave up to -2,080 m (-6,824 feet). The Ortobalagan Valley extends along the Berchil'sky anticliminal ridge, which descends gently northwestward. The entrances to the caves are lined along the anticlinial ridge, but the caves are controlled by longitudinal, transversal and oblique faults and include complex winding patterns in the plant view, remaining largely within and near the ridge area anti-clinical. Caves are predominantly a combination of shallow wells and steep snake passages, although in some places they cut seemingly ancient fossil passages at different levels. #beautiful #beautifuldestinations #cueva #bestvacations #travel #travelblogger #traveling #travelling #traveltheworld #lugaresconencanto #lugares #caves #monijovel #amazingplaces #everyone

Turkey’s Cappadocia region is famous for its otherworldly landscape created by millions of years of volcanic activity, erosion, and tectonic shifts. This beautiful place is filled with whimsical fairy chimneys, subterranean cities built right into the area’s rock formations, and mountains and valleys. Read on to learn more about this gorgeous destination!

WE HAVE JUST PUBLISHED OUR 100th BLOG ON THE Snoogle.ai WEBSITE! It's about one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world! Check it out here. https://lnkd.in/dvPzT7Hg #lakebaikal #tourism #naturalwonders #100 #briefbioblogs #snoogle #snoogle.ai

Short but True

Discover 10 interesting facts about Mongolia, known for its vast steppes, nomadic culture, historic Genghis Khan legacy, and the harsh but beautiful Gobi Desert.