Historical Roots and Ancient Mystique Historical Roots and Ancient Mystique (image credits: wikimedia) Varanasi, often described as the world’s oldest living city, pulses with a history that stretches back over three millennia. Archaeological studies and ancient texts like the Rigveda place its origins as early as 1000 BCE, making it a cradle of civilization. For …
Jacqeline Nomora, M.Sc. Biology
The Allure of Abandonment The Allure of Abandonment (image credits: unsplash) The haunting silence and decaying structures of Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone have a magnetic pull for curious travelers. Since the disaster in 1986, the area has become a unique landscape where time appears frozen. In 2024, the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management …
Overview of Vatican City Overview of Vatican City (image credits: unsplash) Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent nation, measuring just 44 hectares, or about 110 acres, tucked inside the bustling city of Rome. Despite its tiny size, it exerts a staggering influence as the spiritual headquarters for more than 1.3 billion Catholics globally. With …
Environmental Concerns Driving Policy Changes Environmental Concerns Driving Policy Changes (image credits: pixabay) The environmental impact of mass tourism has become a pressing issue for the Netherlands. In 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management reported that tourism contributes to increased carbon emissions, waste, and water usage. The government aims to reduce its …
1. Estonia: A Surprising Leader in Environmental Performance 1. Estonia: A Surprising Leader in Environmental Performance (image credits: unsplash) Estonia has emerged as a global leader in environmental performance, securing the top position in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) with a score of 75.7. ([statista.com](https://www.statista.com/statistics/827292/countries-with-the-highest-environmental-performance-index/?utm_source=openai)) This remarkable achievement is largely attributed to the country’s …
Luxembourg: The Wealth Leader Luxembourg: The Wealth Leader (image credits: unsplash) When you think about incredible wealth, Luxembourg almost always tops the list. In 2025, its GDP per capita reached a staggering $120,000, making it the richest nation per person anywhere on Earth. This tiny European country thrives thanks to its powerful financial sector, which …
Switzerland: The Gold Standard of Water Quality Switzerland: The Gold Standard of Water Quality (image credits: unsplash) Switzerland stands out as a global leader when it comes to water quality, often being recognized for its crystal-clear lakes and rivers. The country has more than 1,500 lakes, many of which are fed by pure glacial melt, …
Venice, Italy: The Overwhelmed City Venice, Italy: The Overwhelmed City (image credits: pixabay) Venice is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the overwhelming number of tourists flooding its ancient streets and fragile canals. In 2024, the city reported over 30 million tourist arrivals—almost 15 times the local population of just 260,000. This surge has pushed …
Overcrowding in Major Cities Overcrowding in Major Cities (image credits: unsplash) Amsterdam and other Dutch cities have faced a dramatic surge in tourist arrivals in recent years. In 2023, Amsterdam recorded over 19 million visitors, marking a 10% jump compared to 2022. This avalanche of tourists has placed enormous pressure on the city’s public transport, …
Discovery Location and Context Discovery Location and Context (image credits: wikimedia) A shocking discovery was made in the quiet back office of a respected United Kingdom museum: a book bound entirely in human skin. The find happened during a routine audit, as museum staff checked items that had been stored for decades. No one expected …