When Columbus first returned to Europe from the Caribbean, he presented King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella with exotic parrots, tropical flowers & bits of gold. The search for riches spurred Columbus & others to voyage the oceans with similar ambitions & these seafarers continued to return with mysterious specimens encountered in the New World. Curiosity began to percolate through Europe. The Church, long fearful of challenges to its authority, could no longer suppress the mantra ” Dare to know!” Recounting the triumphs & mishaps of these explorers, Joyce Appleby`s book follows the naturalists, both famous & obscure, whose investigations of the world`s fauna & flora fuelled the rise of science & technology that propelled Western Europe towards modernity. ...

Shorong
- Hinku region of Nepal at 1:50, 000 on a waterproof & tear-resistant map in the famous Schneider series, revised in
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Short Breaks from & within the UAE by Explorer Publishing offers ideas for visiting some of the world’s most exciting cities & resorts, & unique experiences which are located less than a five-hour flight from (or a short drive within) the UAE. Featuring 20 destinations, from emerging cities to iconic landmarks in South Asia, Africa, Eurasia & the Middle East, this guide presents each location with flight & transfer times, essential information, highlights, h&-picked places to stay, day trips, & defining experiences, all with matching inspiring images. The places featured in the book can be easily explored in just three to four days & feature varied activities from diving with whale sharks in Praslin, exploring Roman ruins in Paphos to seeing the Big Five on safari in Kenya, relaxing in a hammock in Goa & more. The guide also offers information where to go when, & what to see. ...

Shoret Breaks in England in the Landmark Visitor Guides series, exploring a range of places in Britain, Europe & the Caribbean, with a particular expertise in UK destinations. Each guide presents the reader with detailed, wide-ranging & accessible overview of the region or area, with a particular focus on history & culture, notable local attractions, the landscape, local events & family activities. A series of recommended walks & guided car tours exploring the region are also included in each title. The guides are arranged geographically by region & are ideal both for short & longer breaks, with practical guidance on recommended routes & tourist attractions, in addition to insightful inset boxes into local history, culture & traditions. Information on accommodation, restaurants & day-to-day information are more limited, though a compact Directory at the end of each guide provides basic listings of recommended accommodation & restaurants, as well as tourist information contacts & regional event calendars. International destinations also carry climate & country facts, basic phrases & other general travel practical guidance for travelling to the region. The British titles in the Landmark Visitor Guides series are highly recommended, covering titles that are rarely available from other publishers. ...

Short Breaks in Wales in the Landmark Visitor Guides series, exploring a range of places in Britain, Europe & the Caribbean, with a particular expertise in UK destinations. Each guide presents the reader with detailed, wide-ranging & accessible overview of the region or area, with a particular focus on history & culture, notable local attractions, the landscape, local events & family activities. A series of recommended walks & guided car tours exploring the region are also included in each title. The guides are arranged geographically by region & are ideal both for short & longer breaks, with practical guidance on recommended routes & tourist attractions, in addition to insightful inset boxes into local history, culture & traditions. Information on accommodation, restaurants & day-to-day information are more limited, though a compact Directory at the end of each guide provides basic listings of recommended accommodation & restaurants, as well as tourist information contacts & regional event calendars. International destinations also carry climate & country facts, basic phrases & other general travel practical guidance for travelling to the region. The British titles in the Landmark Visitor Guides series are highly recommended, covering titles that are rarely available from other publishers. ...

Short Circular Walks on the River Stort Navigation by John Merrill is a guidebook to walking along one of the smallest canals in Engl&. The 240 year old River Stort Navigation is full of history, with fifteen locks & a fascinating array of interesting villages, towns & inns bordering its side
- making rewarding walking. This guide lists eight short circular walks ranging between 5 to 8 miles, covering the whole navigation. One final walks of 18 miles explores the whole navigation in one unforgettable walk. Each walk section is accompanied by a route map & provides route instructions, walk distance & estimated walk time. Information on public transport, parking facilities, available maps, pubs & cafes & places of notable interest is also provided. There are also sections on the countryside code & suggested walking equipment, & the guide is accompanied by maps, illustrations & photographs.
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First of two volumes describing 35 of the waymarked paths & tracks in Murcia which constitute a network of short hiking routes established by the Mountaineering Federation of Murcia. Each of the route itineraries is presented in Spanish & English text & is supported by a map extract from the Spanish topographic survey & an elevation profile diagram. A system of symbols gives an at-a-glance summary of route characteristics eg. the degree of difficulty presented by a route, harshness of the environment, extent of route waymarking.A table of information for each route also indicates relevant survey maps, start & finish point geographical references, distance & duration, waypoints of connecting routes. Authors: Juan de la Cruz Lorente Jara & ...

From an inauspicious start as a muddy backwater of Imperial Spain to a global trading economy, Colin M. Lewis traces the rise & fall of Argentina in this authoritative history. At the heart of this survey is the theme of paradox: why has a country with such enormous economic potential, & such cultral sophistication, suffered so badly in recent years? Focusing particularly on the 19th & 20th centuries, the author outlines the key events, from Independence to the ”dirty war”, & from the Falklands conflict to the economic & political crises of 2001. He also traces the tumultuous careers of such figures as Rosas, Roca, the Perons & Carlos Menem. Offering an insight into Argentina, this text explores the paradoxes of economic growth & instability, of corruption & democracy, of aspiration, achievement & disillusionment that characterize this land of the conquistadores. ...

Laos, perhaps the least known country in mainland Southeast Asia, stands at the region`s crossroads. This small ”land in between” is surrounded by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Burma
- countries that, in pre-modern times, provided Lao kings with a field for territorial expansion. But more often, Laos has been a bridge between these powerful neighbours, & an arena in which they & their allies have interfered. In this book, Grant Evans brings Lao history into focus. From ancient times when the dynastic states of the region waxed & waned, to the 20th century & the turmoil of independence from France & the Vietnam War & its aftermath, Evans traces the compelling story of the emergence of Laos as a modern nation. The book is an ideal introduction to Laos for travellers, businesspeople & students. For those familiar with Lao history, Evans investigates key events in new ways & presents serious challenges to conventional views about Laos` intriguing history.
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South Africa is popularly perceived as the most influential nation in Africa
- a gateway to an entire continent for finance, trade
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