Monday 16 May 2016

Ten Greatest Landmarks on the African Continent

Ten Greatest Landmarks on the African Continent





For the visitor to the great and wondrous continent of
Africa, there exists a great variety of natural and man-made landmarks that
highlight the beauty and wonder of the birthplace of civilisation. Though this
list is by far from the be-all end-all of a traveller’s potential experience on
this continent, it seeks to highlight some of the places that have made and
will make Africa a place of wonder and adventure, now and in the future.


Ngorongoro Crater:


As part of the Ngorongoro conservation area, it is a UNESCO
world heritage site located in the crater highlands of Tanzania. Though not
widely known, it is considered to be the largest unbroken caldera in the world
and it bears the honour of being considered Africa’s Garden of Eden. With its
crater being estimated at 19Km across and two thousand metres above the caldera
floor, it is home for approximately thirty thousand animals.


Okavango Delta:


Located in Botswana, it is a large inland delta that has
formed as a result of the Okavango River reaching a tectonic trough. It is the
largest inland delta in the world, created from flooding that occurs primarily
in the months of July and August. It is a world heritage site that is estimated
to be home to close to 200,000 animals.


Serengeti National
Park


As a national park, it is located in the Mara and Simiyu
regions of Tanzania. It is most well-known for the annual Serengeti migration
that involves the mass movement of an estimated 1.5 million wildebeests,
250,000 Zebras and associated predators through Tanzania and Kenya. It is
considered to be one of the most spectacular events in the world.


Nile River


Though originating in Ethiopia and Uganda, the Nile River is
most commonly associated with Egypt. As one of the longest rivers in the world,
it stretches over 6,650 kilometres through ten countries. It sustained early
Egyptian civilization, allowing it to become a wonder of the ancient world.


Victoria Falls


Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, it flows from
the Zambezi River. This tourist attraction is distinguished by the fact that it
has more Zimbabwean and Zambian visitors than foreign ones. The waterfall is
formed as a result of the Zambezi River encountering the Victoria Falls gorge.


The Ruins of Carthage


Located in Tunisia, the city of Carthage was the heart of a
vast Phoenician trading empire that controlled many parts of the Mediterranean.
At one time their merchant fleet and military were by far the most superior the
ancient world had ever seen. Known through the actions of the great
Carthaginian army general, Hannibal Barca, they fought three wars with Rome
that ultimately resulted in their annihilation.


Mount Kilimanjaro


Consisting of three volcanic cones known as Kibo, Mawenzi
and Shira, it is located in Tanzania. With the exception of Mount Everest, it
is one of the most widely known mountains in the world, with its highest peak
standing at nearly six thousand metres. It is home to enormous biodiversity and
there are seven official trekking routes for those who wish to climb it.


Analamazaotra Special Reserve


Part of the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in Madagascar,
it is considered one of the most under explored wonders of Africa. Due to the
fact that tourism has not yet fully developed in the island nation, it is known
as having some of the world’s most biologically diverse areas. Located several
hours away from the capital, the reserve is predicted to be one of the world’s
best destinations in coming years for wildlife and ecotourism.


The Temples of Abu Simbel


Located in the south of Egypt, they consist of the Great
Temple of Ramesses II and the small temple of Nefertari. Carved almost three
thousand years ago, they were created by Pharaoh Rameses II, who wanted to show
the grandeur of his rule, combined with the desire to put fear into the hearts
of his enemies.


Pyramids of Giza/Giza Necropolis


Consisting of six pyramids, they are one of the oldest
wonders in the world and are the last remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of
the ancient world. Located on the Giza plateau on the outskirts of Cairo,
Egypt, it consists of several structures. These include the three great
pyramids, the sphinx as well as cemeteries, a workers’village and a place for
the manufacture of building materials.


 


 

No comments:

Post a Comment