==== Beautiful Beirut ====
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في كل ماثلة تمر بعينه عبرا تعرفه الإله الأعظما
Who thought that desert would grow up too fast !
and
Yes its another pic of the towers !
but i just thought of having my own version :)
Petra (Arabic: البتراء, Al-Batrāʾ; Ancient Greek: Πέτρα), originally known as Raqmu (Nabataean Arabic: الرقيم), is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Petra lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah valley that run from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Established possibly as early as the 4th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra's proximity to the trade routes by establishing it as a major regional trading hub.
The trading business gained the Nabataeans considerable revenue, and Petra became the focus of their wealth. The earliest recorded historical reference to the city was when an envious Greek dynasty attempted to ransack the city in 312 BC. The Nabataeans were, unlike their enemies, accustomed to living in the barren deserts, and were able to repel attacks by utilizing the area's mountainous terrain. They were particularly skillful in harvesting rainwater, agriculture and stone carving. The Kingdom's capital continued to flourish until the 1st century AD when its famous Al-Khazneh facade was constructed, and its population peaked at an estimated 20,000 inhabitants.
Encroaching troops of the Roman Empire in 106 AD forced the Nabataeans to surrender. The Romans annexed and renamed the Kingdom to Arabia Petraea. Petra's importance declined as sea trade routes emerged, and after a 363 earthquake destroyed many structures. The Byzantine Era witnessed the construction of several Christian churches. By 700, the city became an abandoned place where only a handful of nomads grazed goats. It remained an unknown place until it was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812, sparking renewed interest in the city.
The city is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved. It is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage
The flight from Tehran to Mashhad takes about 2 hours and passing by the barren mountains. This picture was captured while I was in the plane.
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait (i /kuːˈweɪt/; Arabic: دولة الكويت, Dawlat al-Kuwayt) is a sovereign Arab nation situated in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, and Iraq to the north. It lies on the northwestern shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the Arabic "akwat", the plural of "kout", meaning fortress built near water.[5] The emirate covers an area of 17,820 square kilometres (6,880 sq mi) and has a population of about 2.7 million.[6]
Historically, Kuwait’s history is significantly tied in with Iraq’s history, from the days of Mesopotamia until the Neo Babylon Empire. The region was the site of Characene, a major Parthian port for trade between India and Mesopotamia. The Bani Utbah tribe were the first permanent Arab settlers in the region and laid the foundation of the modern emirate. By the 19th century, Kuwait came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire, and after World War I, it emerged as an independent sheikhdom under the protection of the British Empire. Kuwait's large oil fields were discovered in the late 1930s.
After Kuwait gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, the nation's oil industry saw unprecedented economic growth. In 1990, Kuwait was invaded and annexed by neighboring Iraq. The seven month-long Iraqi occupation came to an end after a direct military intervention by United States-led forces. Nearly 773 Kuwaiti oil wells were set ablaze by the retreating Iraqi army resulting in a major environmental and economic catastrophe.[7] Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt.[8]
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, with Kuwait City serving as the country's political and economic capital. The country has the world's fifth largest oil reserves[9] and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income.[10] Kuwait is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita and has the highest human development index (HDI) in the Arab world.[11] Kuwait is classified as a high income economy by the World Bank and is designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.[12]
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Camera: Nikon D3X
Lens: Nikon 16-35mm f/4 G ED VR
Focal Length: 16mm
Aperture: f/10.0
Shutter Speed : 0.125 sec (1/8)
ISO: 50
Exposure: Manual
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Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة) is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The emirate covers 2,600 km² (1,003 mi²) and has a population of over 800,000 (2008). The emirate of Sharjah comprises the city of Sharjah (the seat of the emirate), and other minor towns and enclaves such as Kalba, Dibba Al-Hisn and Khor Fakkan. Sharjah also claims two islands, Sir Abu Nu’ayr and Abu Musa, with the latter claim being disputed and the island being controlled by Iran.
Historically, Sharjah was one of the wealthiest towns in this region with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years. In the early 18th century Al Qasimi clan (Huwala tribe) established itself in Sharjah, c. 1727 declaring Sharjah independent. On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like four of its neighbours, Ajman, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognized as a salute state.
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens: 28-300mm; Focal length: 28.00 mm; Aperture: 22; Exposure time: 8.0 s; ISO: 100
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Boats and peaceful coastline of Zaytun beach in Qeshm island by the Strait of Hormuz along the northern shore of the Persian Gulf in Iran.
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This delightful woman agreed to pose for me. She was having a picnic with her family in a village near Muscat. I loved her frank gaze and strong features.
American built oil burning "Middle East" 2-8-2 No. 46232 on the daily 07.40 mixed train from Elazig to Tatvan. 11 April 1975.
Oman - Wadi Bani Awf - Balad Sayt village.
Wadi Bani Awf is a wadi (gorge) in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region of Oman. all Al-Aufi people are originally from Wadi Bani Auf.
Bilad Sayt: Tranquil mountain hamlet.
Deep in Oman's countryside are many villages that still retain their traditional charm and sense of rural solitude. Perhaps the most appealing of these is Bilad Sayt, a tranquil mountain hamlet tucked away in the protective embrace of Al Rostaq's rugged hills.Every year scores of local and foreign tourists make the bumpy journey by 4WD and on foot for a glimpse of this remote village and its picturesque settings. They marvel at its unspoilt beauty and traditional character, which is a world away from the bustle and stress that generally characterises life in urban areas. Bilad Sayt's old-world appeal lies in its cluster of stone-and-mud dwellings laid out like steps along the slope of a rocky hill. It is a typical Omani communal-style settlement, not very different from the old neighbourhoods of Al Hamra, Nizwa and Adam where homes are built in a tight huddle. A labyrinth of narrow pathways connects these atmosphere dwellings, some of which are even two or three storeys high. A formidable square tower, now in poignant ruin, stands on top of the hill overlooking Bilad Sayt. A verdant swathe of date palms and a patchwork of terraced fields accentuate the scenic beauty of this natural setting. All around are the impressive profiles of mountains that are a part of the Jebal Shams range.From somewhere deep within these mountains emerge crystal streams of water that eventually feed the village's two main aflaj. These nurture the area's lush heritage of date palm gardens and farms below. The overflow ends up in the wadi that skirts Bilad Sayt and meanders on for about 7km, cutting a deep swathe through the surrounding mountains.