Discovering Africa's jewel - Algeria

There are lots of authentic and captivating facts about Algeria which remains unknown to many. For a fact, Algeria is the second largest country in the African region. It is predominantly a mountainous country covering all the way from the Mediterranean all the way to the Sahara Desert to the south. The mountains are indeed captivating as the hills and slopes are lined up with oak and cedar trees, with a number of them with gigantic size.

Here are other interesting facts about Algeria:

1. Most known city in Algeria is Algiers, which is the capital city by the way. However, this city has the highest cost of living in Northern Africa. Oran in the meantime is the second largest city and is the busy port for Algeria. 

2. Constantine city is a good place to visit the ruins of the Romans. Visitors are surprised to see this region filled with Roman ruins, in fact most of them still in their original condition. Two towns you could discover here are Djemila and Timgad, which are considered world heritage sites by UNESCO. A lot of tourists find these towns the perfect picture of Roman power on colonization as well as African beauty. If you are visiting Constantine, you simply won’t miss the city’s breathtaking views, stunning mosques, suspended bridges, surrounded by mystical and friendly people

3. The Casbah, in Arabic "The Citadel", a city established in 16th century, is a enthralling labyrinth of steep and narrow alley ways. In this city, you will find Casbah’s jewels – where small workshops are still filled with working artisans, crafting jewelries of gold, shoes, copperware and clothes using simple tools.

4. In the last decade, Algeria has been enjoying peace with terrorism only secluded to the eastern Kabylie mountains, southern borders of Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Tourists are still prohibited to visit these places.

5. Ghardaia, which is in Sahara’s northern part, is a desert but home to the remaining sect of Muslim Ibadite. This place is hot but to keep the houses cool, you can find tightly built houses but with shadowed alleys, desert plaster and palm trunks, and some sort of natural ventilation system.

6. There are three spoken languages in Algeria, which is Berber, Arabic and French.

7. With regard to climate, January is the coldest month for Algeria and the hottest month is . From May to September however, a great wind storms called siroccos. The hot wind from the desert blows across the country, filling the air with fine sand. But Algeria has, on the whole, a healthful climate.

8. In terms of the wild, the wild animals that used to exist in Algeria, have already vanished as the country became more populated with people. With this change, these areas have become more safe to live in.

9. In terms of peaks Mount Tahat is the Algeria’s highest mountain peak at 3,003m with huge plains surrounding it.

10. Other scenic attractions in Algeria include Chiffa Gorges and Kabylia, home to spectacular ranges of mountains. Boghni is located next to the enormous and magnificent Jurjura mountains. Laghouat is an oasis town, it is where the Sahara desert really starts. The holy town of Beni-Isguen with its well-guarded gate and auction market, makes for an interesting stop.

11. It many not be known to many but Algeria one of the largest exporter of natural gas and is also known for olive oil called Bertolli's

12 In the last decade, Algeria has been enjoying peace with terrorism only secluded to the eastern Kabylie mountains, southern borders of Mali, Mauritania and Niger.


Truly, there is much you could be amazed by Algeria’s captivating beauty and cultural jewels.

Toledo - Spain's Ancient Marvel

And certainly the world was stunned, Spain becomes the world champion in the recently concluded World Cup 2010!

If you've been to the World Cup and while at Spain, you may want to visit one of Spain's famous city - Toledo. 

Toledo is one of the most beautiful cultural places you can definitely visit. In fact it was chosen as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1986.

Toledo city is near Spain's capital, which is about 1.5 hours from Madrid. In fact, it is a must stop after visiting Madrid. Toledo was the capital of Spain since 1560, then later changed to Madrid. Its great medieval architectures trace back from old medieval history and as a result, Toledo was one of the most important European business centers.

Toledo is actually located on a rocky and dry countryside. Its buildings and medieval towers encircles the city's landscape. A lot of tourists say it's a walled town but with reinforcements surrounding the numerous ancient structures and medieval towers.

If you roam around the city, you can find famous places of interest like the town above the Tajo river and the Alcantara bridge. The Alcantara bridge was built during the Roman times is so important as it was the only link to the town in the old times. This bridge however was damaged in the 10th century and then restructured. The Alcantara bridge was then recognized in 1921 as one of Spain's national monument.

Walking to Toledo's town you will certainly be amazed by the city's steep maze alleys and staircases. A monastery that is popularly visited is Iglesia de San Juan, displaying artefacts and paintings from the Middle times to current day.

In Toledo, you could also find one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in the world, which is the Great Cathedral. This is the second largest church in Spain and is regarded the most significant church not only because of its size and beauty but because of its old history. Inside the church are breathtaking coloured paintings heavenly battles and scultpures of various saints.

The Great Cathedral also has a choir area situated in the main area equipped with two organs that have been there since 200 years. Strangely enough a lot are surprised since these musical instruments are still very much being used and in good working condition.
Another famous church, although small, is the Church of San Tome. This church houses the one of the greatest painting of El Greco called "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" which was painted in 1586

Another place which is surrounded by coffee shops is the city square of Alcazar. Here you can take a sip on a good hot coffee while enjoying the majestic views of Toledo city.

So when visiting Spain, never fail to drop by the ancient marvel of Spain - Toledo city.