Jersey Travels

Did you know- Present-day Angola has had an independent foreign policy since the 1990s. Currently, the modern state of Angola maintains close diplomatic relations with the United States of America. It also has excellent ties with Brazil and the People’s Republic of China. In December 2008, the country’s ruler Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a Soviet-trained-engineer, arrived in Beijing, China’s capital, for an official visit. During the Cold War, in the 1970s and early 1980s, it had had rocky relationship with the White House. During that time, Luanda forged strong links with the Soviet Union (modern-day Russia), Cuba, Bulgaria and the German Democratic Republic (now Germany). Due to its anti-American policy, the Angolan rule, along with other pro-Soviet states, boycotted the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, CA.

Tourism

Did you know- This land has important scope for exploiting its potential in fishing, and eco-tourism. There are several virgin beaches -unknown in the world– with spectacular landscapes and a favorable climate.

Geography

Did you know- This former Portuguese colony is Africa’s seventh-largest country, after Sudan, Algeria, Libya and other countries. Otherwise, the African nation of Angola shares borders with Namibia (former South African territory) and Zambia (ex British dependency), as well as Congo ( ex French territory), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire).It is one of the most diverse nations on the Planet, from tropical jungles, and savannahs to mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and deserts.

Economics

Did you know- Thanks to oil exports, between 1994 and 2004, the country boasted one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, ahead of several Asian and Latin American nations.

Modern History

Did you know- Like many Portuguese colonies on the African mainland, the modern country of Angola, once the seat of an ancient kingdom, gained its national independence in the mid-1970s. Then, in the succeeding years, it, with Soviet/Cuban backing, became a Marxist republic in the Third World, alongside states like the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (also known as North Korea), Laos, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Benin (former Dahomey). In the subsequent decade, Angola, under the rule of Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, the country’s ruler since 1979, abandoned Marxism-Leninism, along with Benin, Ethiopia, and Sao Tome & Principe.…

Algiers is located on the Mediterranean coast and is the capital and largest city of Algeria. Algeria features glistening white buildings with remarkable architectural beauty. The city has distinct modern and historical areas and boasts a population of more than 3.5 million people. Even though the local terrorist groups have been creating problems, Algiers is still a preferred North African tourist destination. When visiting Algiers, you will want to make sure you visit the following attractions.

Notre Dame d’Afrique is located on the plateau of Bouzaréah at 120m above sea level. It is the most important Cathedral and spiritual site in Algiers. The beautiful basilica, featuring a statue of the Virgin and walls filled with many small memorial plaques, was founded in 1872. The statue was crowned as ‘Queen of Africa’ by the Pope.

Visit the Casbah of Algiers in the remarkable old town area. It’s an important UNESCO world heritage site. This unique Islamic neighborhood that got its name from an Arabic word meaning “citadel” offers plenty for the site-seer. There are old palaces, mosques, Ottoman-style buildings, ancient water fountains and doors as well as the famed Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. The massive 16th century Citadel in the Casbah port area saved the city from various enemies and wars is a notable sight. See the series of cannons at 188m above sea level in Algiers’ stronghold.

Dar Hassan Pacha is a great, historic mansion and a popular attraction. The huge house with numerous large windows, beautiful balconies and elaborate plasterwork is particularly notable for its European-style. The Emperor Napoleon and Empress stayed in this house that bears the name of its original owner, Hassan Pacha.

To learn the history and ethnology of the place, visit the famed Bardo Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography. The great museum located in a grand, 18th century country residence holds an amazing collection of fossils, Neolithic pottery, paintings, rock carvings and old chariots. The various urban artifacts displayed in the ethnography division are amazing. Also, see its central pool in the upper courtyard and pretty gardens. The National Museum of Bardo, presenting lots of native artifacts from different parts of the country is another interesting site. The museum located in a gorgeous Moorish style building has a praiseworthy collection of local ornaments, dresses, weapons, leatherwork as well as the city’s unique tin helmets.

The picturesque Jardin d’Essai is the renowned public garden in Algiers and is the ideal place to stroll and unwind. Jardin d’Essai started as a model farm by the French in the 1830s and is now the best-known natural hothouse. It has streets of palms, various exotic trees, numerous plants and much more to enjoy. Tour The famous Palais des Rais, featuring a row of various waterfront mansions built in the glorious Ottoman style. The beautiful Palace 18, built in 1798, and the art gallery, Centre des Arts, are the major attractions here. Visitors can also watch a lot of impressive shows in the grand compound.…

The remnants of the Roman Empire are scattered across much of western and southern Europe, with small sites being dotted all over the place. However, there are a number of quite remarkable sites spread across the ancient superpower’s territory that are still standing today.

Whether it is in Britain, Spain or Algeria, ancient structures continue to live on outside of Italy. Here are three of the top places to visit if you’re interested in visiting some ancient sites:

Hadrian’s Wall, North England

There are plenty of Roman ruins and buildings scattered around Britain, but Hadrian’s Wall is the most famous, and it’s described by English Heritage as ‘the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain.’ Built at the orders of the Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD, the seventy four mile long wall had the intention of protecting the northern boundaries of the Roman occupation.

Most of the wall still stands today, although at a lower height than the frequent five to six metres tall that it stood in ancient times. The wall has regular forts along its length, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Particularly prominent ruins are the Vindolanda Praetorium and the Vindolanda bath house. The wall was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Tarragona, Spain

This Catalonian city was the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior, which covers most of modern Spain. While the city is thought to have been founded by the Phoenicians, the Romans took a particular liking to it, especially the Emperor Augustus, who bestowed many marks of honour on it.

Today two of the top buildings left by the Romans are a magnificent seven hundred metre long aqueduct, which spans a valley about a mile away from the gates. There is also the Tower of the Scipios (La Torre dels Escipions) which is an impressive funeral monument built in the first century AD.

The city is about an hour’s drive to the west of Barcelona, so it’s ideal for a daytrip if you’re visiting that city for the holidays.

An especially good time to visit if you’re a history fanatic is between 10th and 20th May, which is the date of the Tarraco Viva, one of the world’s biggest Roman enactments.

Leptis Magna, Algeria

Located in the city of Al Khums on the coast of Algeria, the ruins of Leptis Magna are some of the most spectacular and unspoilt ruins in the Mediterranean. The city was conquered by Rome in the Third Punic War against Carthage, but didn’t come under the full control of the Empire until the reign of Tiberius in 14 AD.

It achieved its greatest prominence, however, when Septimius Serverus became Emperor. As he was born in the city, he took a particular liking to it, and he consequently lavished much of his wealth on making it one of the most important cities in Africa.

Today some of the most spectacular ruins include the market place, the Severan Basilica, a theatre, and what used to be a circus. For some of the most complete ruins outside of Rome this is the place to visit.…