Blog

14May 2021 by extrareference

5 Must in the Resort of Punta Prima

5 Must in the Resort of Punta Prima

Europe

Punta Prima is one of Menorca's major tourist destinations and much appreciated by both children and adults. There is a slightly larger selection of everything here, although the tranquility is reminded here as well. Although Punta Prima is synonymous with sunbathing and swimming, there are also a number of other activities to do here. Below is reading about some of them. Punta Prima Beach If you go to Punta Prima, you naturally want to take a turn to the beach the first thing you do. According to Franciscogardening, the beach in Punta Prima is relatively deep and the water is calm, which allows you to snorkel and practice other fun water sports such as kayaking or pedal boating. There are no stones here so you do not have to worry…

07May 2021 by extrareference

Top Sights in Greece

Top Sights in Greece

Europe

1. Corinth Canal Are you wondering how a canal can be a sight? The Corinth Canal has what it takes, as many years ago it brought enormous relief to shipping. The Corinth Canal is only 6.3 kilometers long, but it shortens the sea route by 325 kilometers. The waterway connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. In the past, ships no longer had to sail around the Peloponnese peninsula. Since the canal is not particularly wide (around 24 meters at its widest point) and deep (around eight meters), only smaller ships can pass through it. Because of this, the importance of the Corinth Canal has declined. Nevertheless, you should not miss this sight and see the Corinth Canal from a tour boat. Info and tips: Place / Location:between…

30Apr 2021 by extrareference

Leende Cambodia

Leende Cambodia

Asia

The Kingdom of Cambodia borders Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Our trip to Cambodia offers hospitable people, fantastic culture, beautiful nature, good food, cozy colonial cities, sun, swimming and beautiful beaches. A land in the shadow of the past but with its face facing the future. On our Cambodia trip, we take a deep dive into the Cambodian culture and get to take part in the everyday life of the locals and also experience the classic sights such as the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and the fantastic temple area Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. In addition, we get to enjoy a few days of sunbathing and swimming on Sihanoukville´'s beaches, which are considered the best in the country. Day 1: Travel to Cambodia Flight to Phnom Penh. Meals are included…

23Apr 2021 by extrareference

Sri Lanka and India

Sri Lanka and India

Asia

Welcome to a tour during which you will see the main sights of India and Sri Lanka and experience the diversity that characterizes the region. In India, we travel along the so-called "Golden Triangle" and visit New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, among other places, and see the world heritage sites that are usually on the wish list of most Indian travelers. Then we visit the country's southern state of Kerala with its famous Bakvatten, where we do a relaxing trip by rice boat. In tropical Sri Lanka with its fantastic nature, we spend a few days swimming and sunbathing, but before that we visit Sri Lanka's main cultural heritage and get acquainted with the Buddhist traditions found in the island nation. Among many other things, on this journey you will…

16Apr 2021 by extrareference

The natural wonders of Krabi

The natural wonders of Krabi

Asia

Krabi is a natural place that is still sparsely populated and has not been properly inhabited, even for a long time. Its dramatic hills give Krabi vacation its own unique setting, and especially near the city of Krabi, Noppharat Thara and Railay have iconic Krabi scenery. Many of course go to Krabi for a beach holiday, and the best beaches are in Railay, Noppharat Thara and Ao Nang, which is the busiest beach resort in Krabi. Other natural wonders in Krabi are the darkest in the clouds, and together with the area’s tours, food and diverse entertainment options, they make up the best of the holiday. Khao Khanab Nam There are a few natural wonders near the city of Krabi, and Khao Khanab Nam [ on the map ] is…

09Apr 2021 by extrareference

Graz Travel Guide

Graz Travel Guide

Europe

Graz is a historic city in Austria, surrounded by idyllic nature. Graz is the second largest city in Austria with about 250,000 inhabitants. Graz is especially known for its well-preserved historic center and Castle Mountain, where only the ruins and the bell tower of the ancient fortress remain. GRAZ AS A TRAVEL DESTINATION Graz's beautiful historic architecture The well-preserved historic center of Graz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as are the centers of Vienna and Salzburg. The medieval old town with its Renaissance and Baroque palaces and colorful houses attracts tourists to wander and enjoy themselves in a precious setting. The narrow alleys of the old town are full of restaurants and cafés. In addition to its historical attractions, Graz is a vibrant city of culture, home to many students…

02Apr 2021 by extrareference

SIGHTS OF TURKU

SIGHTS OF TURKU

Europe

Turku Cathedral is one of the city's most important attractions. Turku symbols - church and castle Turku Castle is one of the symbols of the city. The foundations of the castle were built in 1284, and it has served as a medieval defensive castle, an administrative building during the time of Duke John, the court of Count Peter Brahe, as well as a prison. The castle was destroyed by bombing in 1941, and post-war restoration work was completed in the 1960s. The Turku City History Museum has operated in the castle premises since the 1880s. Many of the castle’s rooms have been restored to their original appearance and can be explored for several hours. To the east of the cathedral bridge, tourists are greeted by the cathedral and the Old…

26Mar 2021 by extrareference

Valparaiso Travel Guide

Valparaiso Travel Guide

South America

The street scene in Chile’s Valparaíso is colorful. The city buildings glow in all shades of the rainbow. The designers have really let their imagination fly when designing Valparaiso houses. Some fall in love with the bohemian and colorful atmosphere of Valparaíso, while others want to get out of the shabby and confusing city as soon as possible. VALPARAISO AS A DESTINATION Valparaiso is a bohemian city About a two-hour bus ride from the Chilean capital Santiago, Valparaiso is famous above all for its colorfulness, bohemianism and interesting architecture. The houses of the town, located on top of and at the foot of more than 40 hills, are like being thrown into the landscape of shock, and bright colors have been used unprejudicedly on the facades. Art around almost every corner…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Zimbabwe 2007

Zimbabwe 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Zimbabwe. According to CountryAAH, Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe remained one of Africa's most controversial countries, in constant confrontation with the Western world. Opposition politicians were subjected to repeated police interventions and beatings. One of the few who openly dared to criticize President Robert Mugabe and his government was the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube, who called for street protests and even foreign intervention to overthrow the regime. As a church leader, he enjoyed some protection against physical abuse, but when state media accused him of lewdness and published a picture purported to depict him in bed with a married female parish worker, he was forced to ask for dismissal. The disastrous economic situation persisted. Inflation, which was just over 1,200 percent at the…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Zambia 2007

Zambia 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Zambia. Disagreement over a new constitution characterized the domestic policy debate during the year. The most contentious issue in the new constitution concerns changes in the president's power. The opposition accused the government of delaying the process and directing the work too much. According to CountryAAH, Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia. President Levy Mwanawasa wants the new constitution, after referral work and public debate, to be adopted by a referendum. He threatened those who oppose a vote of treason. In May, a court in London sentenced former President Frederick Chiluba and a number of his associates for embezzling the equivalent of nearly SEK 300 million. He was required to repay 85 percent of the sum to the Zambian state. That a civil case against Chiluba could…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Yemen 2007

Yemen 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Yemen. In January-June, battles raged in the province of Sada between government troops and the Shiite militant Young People's Organization (Shabab al-Mumin), also known as the al-Huthi group. In March, it was reported that 416 government soldiers and 136 rebels had been killed so far during the fighting. In June, Qatar intervened and established a ceasefire. According to the agreement, the rebel leaders would go into exile in Qatar where they would be prohibited from engaging in political activities directed against Yemen. Other rebels would be granted amnesty in Yemen. According to CountryAAH, Sanaa is the capital city of Yemen. Eight Spanish tourists and two Yemenites were killed on July 2 in a suicide attack at the Queen of Saba's temple in Marib. Yemeni security forces were reported…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Western Sahara 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Western Sahara. Since the United Nations Security Council in April had voted through Resolution 1754, which required Morocco and the Western Sahara Independence Movement Polisario to launch unconditional talks on the V. conflict, the parties met for the first time in over ten years on June 18-19 in direct talks. The meeting, which also included representatives of Algeria and Mauritania, was held outside New York under the leadership of UN Special Envoy Peter Van Walsum. The parties, which met again in August, were allowed to take part in the UN's assessment of eg. V's natural resources and local administration. Confidence-building measures were discussed. All parties were said to agree that the current situation was "unacceptable", but nothing leaked about any concrete progress. Western Sahara - El Aaiun El…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Vietnam 2007

Vietnam 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Vietnam. In January, the ruling Communist Party decided that the military and the Communist Party should be deprived of control over dozens of companies. At that time, the military owned over a hundred companies, but would only retain control over those directly linked to military operations. According to CountryAAH, Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. The plan was to sell equity interests to private investors. In May, general elections were held for the National Assembly. No political significance would be given to the election, as all 900 candidates were either members of the Communist Party or independent politicians approved by the Party. 493 members were elected for a five-year term. A quarter of them were women, while just under a fifth belonged to an ethnic minority. In…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Venezuela 2007

Venezuela 2007

South America

Yearbook 2007 Venezuela. According to CountryAAH, Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela. Latin America's internationally best-known head of state, Venezuela's controversial president Hugo Chávez, made headlines this year as well. Most notable was the racy exchange at the Latin American Summit in Santiago, Chile in November, when Chávez was in open quarrel with Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, calling his representative José María Aznar fascist; the present Spanish king Juan Carlos I then asked Chávez to "shut up". The rhetorical champion Chávez was not late to point out that the old colonial power of Spain had asked Latin America to shut up for 500 years, but that it was now over. He decided to freeze relations with Spain until he received an apology from the king. The…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Vatican City 2007

Vatican City 2007

Europe

Yearbook 2007 Vatican City. According to CountryAAH, Vatican City is the capital city of Holy See. Pope Benedict XVI has worked since his accession in 2005 to improve relations with China. The Vatican's diplomatic relations with Beijing were broken in 1951 when Communist China expelled all priests and allowed the state to take control of the Catholic Church in the country. In addition, the Vatican City has criticized China for violating human rights. China, in turn, is deeply dissatisfied that the Vatican maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, for the first time in half a century, the Vatican City recognized two bishopric appointments in China during the year, with between 10 and 12 million Catholics. Another important breakthrough in relations with the outside world came in November, when the Pope…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Vanuatu 2007

Vanuatu 2007

Oceania

Yearbook 2007 Vanuatu. According to CountryAAH, Port-Vila is the capital city of Vanuatu. Three people were killed and nearly 200 were arrested in March after ethnic strife broke out in Blacksands, an area on the outskirts of the capital Vila where thousands of people who have moved from other islands in Vanuatu have settled. The government announced a two-week state of emergency when public meetings in and around the capital were banned. It was also prohibited to travel from the smaller islands to the main island of Éfaté. The otherwise unarmed police force was allowed to carry weapons. The brawl should have started with a magician accused of using black magic to kill a rival. People from the islands of Tanna and Ambrym were beaten with machetes and knives. According…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Uzbekistan 2007

Uzbekistan 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Uzbekistan. In April, the Uzbek regime stopped the UN Commissioner for Human Rights from visiting the country. But international criticism of the regime's repression of human rights became fierce during the year. According to CountryAAH, Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan. Human Rights Watch and the UN Committee Against Torture presented reports of harrowing testimony from arrested regime critics of abuse, electric shocks, sexual humiliation and threats of physically harming relatives. There was also evidence that at least one prisoner had previously been killed in a Uzbek prison. Mental torture was reported to be increasingly common against those arrested accused of Islamic extremism. One woman told her her husband had to crawl naked for hours and that prison guards urinated on him and other prisoners when they…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Uruguay 2007

Uruguay 2007

South America

Yearbook 2007 Uruguay. The conflict with Argentina over the Finnish-built pulp mill on the Uruguay border, which characterized the two countries' relations in 2006, continued this year, despite, among other things. mediation attempt by Spain's King Juan Carlos. Argentine environmental activists, who claim the plant poses an environmental threat to the Uruguay River, continued to block the bridges across the river and hundreds of land steps even on the Uruguayan side in protests at the end of August/September. According to CountryAAH, Montevideo is the capital city of Uruguay. President Tabaré Vázquez, in turn, closed the Uruguayan border stations in early November. A month later, the first shipload of paper left the pulp mill, and from Argentine government circles were heard voices stating that the factory is now in place and…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

United States 2007

United States 2007

North and Central America

Yearbook 2007 USA. In early January, the new congress rallied, both chambers of which were dominated by Democrats after the November election. The President of the House of Representatives was elected Nancy Pelosi, who thus became the highest ranking woman to date in the country's history. Although the Democrats 'electoral victory was largely due to dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq, President George W. Bush decided in January to expand troops' presence in Iraq by more than 20,000 soldiers. The Democrats and some Republicans protested loudly and the House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution criticizing the decision. Later, both chambers of Congress decided to set up a troop retreat as a condition for granting a request for additional war grants from the president. According to the proposal, the majority…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

United Kingdom 2007

United Kingdom 2007

Europe

Yearbook 2007 UK. According to CountryAAH, London is the capital city of United Kingdom. The House of Commons voted in March to renew the submarine-based nuclear weapons system Trident. New submarines would be developed and built by 2024 at a cost of 15 to 20 billion pounds. However, the number of nuclear warheads would be reduced by one fifth. The government needed support from the Conservatives to get its proposal approved as 88 Labor MPs, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru voted no. On March 23, 15 British sailors and navy soldiers were arrested off Iran's coast by Iranian forces. Iran claimed that the British had been on the territorial waters of the country, a claim Britain denied. However, the 15 were released in early…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

United Arab Emirates 2007

United Arab Emirates 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 United Arab Emirates. In November, the human rights organization Human Rights Watch criticized the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon for their treatment of female migrant workers from Sri Lanka. According to CountryAAH, Abu Dhabi is the capital city of United Arab Emirates. The women, who work as maids, are often locked up, beaten and subjected to sexual abuse. Their working hours are rarely regulated and their pay can be equivalent to one or two kronor per hour. Anwar Gargash, representative of the United Arab Emirates government, dismissed the criticism, saying that the United Arab Emirates has improved the working conditions of the maids. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi and France agreed in March that Abu Dhabi would build a branch for the French Art Museum…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Ukraine 2007

Ukraine 2007

Europe

Yearbook 2007 Ukraine. The year turned politically very turbulent and the old contradictions of the Orange Revolution brought Ukraine to the brink of armed conflict. In January, the majority in Parliament voted to cut President Viktor Yushchenko's power. According to CountryAAH, Kiev is the capital city of Ukraine. It was the President's rival Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and the President's former ally, Julia Tymoshenko, who joined forces against Yushchenko. According to Prime Minister Yanukovych, the change meant that the government's work was streamlined, while Yanukovych was accused of taking "monopoly" in power. The president threatened to dissolve parliament and trigger new elections. The conflict developed into a political position war, and at the end of March the supporters of both sides gathered for huge demonstrations in the capital Kiev with…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Uganda 2007

Uganda 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Uganda. Peace talks between the government and the militia movement According to CountryAAH, Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) was held in rounds in southern Sudan. The ceasefire closed in 2006 was renewed in mid-April after expiring February 28. In an attempt to speed up the negotiations, the government made some concessions. Among other things, the circle of mediators was expanded to include representatives of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Mozambique since the rebels expressed dissatisfaction with the South Sudanese government. The rebel soldiers to be disarmed were also allowed to gather in one place in southern Sudan instead of being split between two collection camps. A crackdown in the efforts to secure peace in northern Uganda is the charges brought by…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Tuvalu 2007

Tuvalu 2007

Oceania

Yearbook 2007 Tuvalu. According to CountryAAH, Vaiaku is the capital city of Tuvalu. The countries that emit the most greenhouse gases must compensate Tuvalu for the effects of warming. This was stated by the country's deputy prime minister, Tavau Teii, at the UN Climate Summit in New York in September. Tuvalu is only an average of two meters above sea level and the islands are disappearing into the sea. According to some studies, the country is gone in 30-40 years. Tuvalu signed an agreement in 2001 with New Zealand, which promised to receive 75 tuvaluans a year threatened by homelessness. However, the fact that the islands are decomposed depends not only on global warming but also on human environmental impact, for example. tree shredding and the removal of sand from…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Turkmenistan 2007

Turkmenistan 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Turkmenistan. In February, Gurbanguli Berdimuchammedov was elected Turkmenistan's new president. He succeeded "the father of all Turkmen", the dictator Saparmurat Nijazov, who had died the year before. According to CountryAAH, Ashgabat is the capital city of Turkmenistan. Berdimuchammedov was said to have received close to 90 percent of the vote, and participation was said to be over 98 percent. But this was the first time Turkmenistan held presidential elections with several candidates, and European election observers said that although it was not a free and fair election, it was a step forward in view of the authoritarian rule that prevailed in the country so far. President Berdimuchammedov gave the outside world some hope for political openness. He reintroduced pensions, maternity benefits and sickness benefits which the former leader…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Turkey 2007

Turkey 2007

Asia, Europe

Yearbook 2007 Turkey. The year was marked by elections, constitutional crisis and arms rattle. A crucial battle was around the presidential post. The president is elected by Parliament and has been the strongest guarantor of the secular state since Turkey was founded. The ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party AKP's candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah G邦l, failed in the first round of voting on April 27 to get the two-thirds majority required. According to CountryAAH, Ankara is the capital city of Turkey. The vote was also annulled because not enough members had been present when the secular Republican People's Party (CHP) had boycotted the session. On May 6, a new vote was held, which the CHP also boycotted, whereupon Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to secure a more stable majority, announced…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Tunisia 2007

Tunisia 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Tunisia. Police hit several times during the year along with people suspected of being militant Islamists. In January, twelve people were killed - according to the government terrorists - in fighting four miles south of the capital Tunis. Fifteen people were arrested. In April, about 1,000 people in the past two years were reportedly arrested in Tunisia for terrorist offenses. According to CountryAAH, Tunis is the capital city of Tunisia. A number of Islamists were said to have been convicted during the year, but the reporting on this was scarce and reached the outside world mainly through Arabic-speaking media abroad. Three people, who were extradited from Syria in 2005, were reportedly sentenced in May to up to eleven years in prison for attempting to join militant Islamist groups…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Trinidad and Tobago 2007

Trinidad and Tobago 2007

North and Central America

Yearbook 2007 Trinidad and Tobago. When Trinidad and Tobago went to parliamentary elections on November 5, the ruling party People's National Movement (PNM) triumphed over the opposition Alliance United National Congress (UNC) with 26 seats against 15. Thus, Prime Minister Patrick Manning could remain as prime minister for another five years. The turnout was 66 percent. According to CountryAAH, Port-of-Spain is the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago. PNM's clear victory was primarily attributed to the country's good economy in recent years. The oil-producing country had benefited from high oil prices on the world market. In addition, a failed outburst attempt was made within the opposition, when a UNC politician jumped off and formed the new Party of the People's Congress (COP). While the PNM mainly has support among the…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Tonga 2007

Tonga 2007

Oceania

Yearbook 2007 Tonga. At the beginning of the year, more than 600 people had been arrested in connection with the violent demonstrations in the capital Nuku'alofa in November 2006, when seven people died and a large part of the shops and public buildings in the center were destroyed. According to CountryAAH, Nuku’alofa is the capital city of Tonga. Most suspects were released, but some of them, including elected MPs, were charged with incitement and more. In October, the Supreme Court released six of seven men charged with, among other things, participation in riots, arson and injury. The seventh person was found guilty, but only for burglary. The state of emergency, which was introduced after the riots in 2006, was repeatedly extended until September 2007. During the year, the destroyed business…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Togo 2007

Togo 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Togo. After almost four months of delay for technical and organizational reasons, general elections were held in October. For the first time since 1990, the leading opposition party was running. According to CountryAAH, Lome is the capital city of Togo. The Union of Change (UFC), led by fugitive politician Gilchrist Olympio, boycotted a series of elections in protest against organized cheating and violence against oppositionists. However, since the new President Faure Gnassingbé took office in 2005, Togo has taken significant steps towards peace and reconciliation. Government Party The Togolese People's Assembly (RPT), with the most well-oiled electoral machinery, won big with 50 of Parliament's 81 seats. The UFC received 27 seats. Negotiations on cooperation became unsuccessful and the unifying government that led the country since 2006 was replaced…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Thailand 2007

Thailand 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Thailand. In June, the Constitutional Court ordered the former ruling party Thai straight Thai ('Thais love Thais') to be dissolved for cheating in general elections in 2006. At the same time, its 111 most prominent leaders were banned from working politically for five years. One of those excluded from the political arena was former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has lived abroad since he was deposed in a military coup in September 2006. A few days later, the ban on normal political activity was lifted for the country's other parties, which could thus start preparing for the job. the new election promised by the military government in December. According to CountryAAH, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. A new constitution was adopted in a referendum in August.…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Tanzania 2007

Tanzania 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Tanzania. According to CountryAAH, DDodoma is the capital city of Tanzania. Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro was appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the UN in February. She had been Foreign Minister for just one year, before that she was responsible for rural development, gender equality and children's rights for four years. The human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Tanzania to suspend the banishment of up to 60,000 people of Rwandan origin and an unknown number with a background in Burundi. The ban began in 2006 and, according to Tanzania, affects people who have illegally resided in the country. However, many of those affected have lived in Tanzania all their lives and have previously been considered citizens. HRW criticized the indiscriminate selection methods and the often brusque treatment…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Tajikistan 2007

Tajikistan 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Tajikistan. At the beginning of the year, President Imomali Rachmonov declared that Tajikistanis would cope with the old crackdown on family names in the country. The president decided to delete the ending -ov in his own name and urged the people to follow and abolish all Slavonic names. However, the name change was said to be voluntary. In April, the president announced a plan to make Tajikistan the world's leading hydropower producer. He hoped that the country would attract foreign investors for the construction of 80 new hydropower plants. According to CountryAAH, Dushanbe is the capital city of Tajikistan. The regime in Tajikistan expects the export of electricity from hydropower to lift the economy of the poor country. According to experts, the mountainous Tajikistan with its many rivers…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Taiwan 2007

Taiwan 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Taiwan. At a solemn ceremony on January 17, the Sakizaya people were officially recognized as Taiwan's thirteenth indigenous people. Scientists long believed that sakizaya, who lives in the eastern part of the country, died in the ethnic cleansing that took place after a battle against a Chinese army in 1878. It now seems as if the entire people "went underground" by pretending to to belong to another people group, ami. As ethnic rights began to gain more attention in Taiwan, in 2005 sakizaya launched a movement that eventually led to its recognition as a distinct Taiwanese people. In political life, the many corruption scandals continued to hail. In February, it was Ma Ying-jeou, the leader of the large opposition party Guomindang, who was allowed to resign after being…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Syria 2007

Syria 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Syria. In the April 22-23 parliamentary elections, the ruling Bath Party and its allies in the National Progressive Front (six parties, all of whom referred to themselves as socialist or communist) received 172 out of 250 seats. The other mandates went to independent candidates. The turnout was said to have been 56 percent. In a referendum on May 27, 98 percent voted for Bashar al-Asad as president for another seven years. The turnout here was said to have been 96 percent. According to CountryAAH, Damascus is the capital city of Syria. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Javier Solana, visited Syria in March and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in April, both to try to persuade Syria to contribute to Middle East peace by ceasing its support…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Switzerland 2007

Switzerland 2007

Europe

Yearbook 2007 Switzerland. According to CountryAAH, Bern is the capital city of Switzerland. Immigrant issues were again at the top of the agenda during this year's election campaign, which became unusually fierce and loud. The xenophobic Swiss People's Party (SVP) ran an election campaign that a UN reporter described as "racist". One of several controversial election posters showed three white sheep on a Swiss flag; one of them kicks out a fourth black sheep. The picture symbolized SVP's demand that foreigners who commit crimes should be expelled along with their families. Opponents feared that the anti-immigrant sentiment would create fragmentation in the country, where one fifth of the residents lacked citizenship. They warned that Switzerland's reputation for tolerance and consensus could be damaged. Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin attracted attention when…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Sweden Energy

Sweden Energy

Europe

Energy The size of energy use in Sweden has changed slightly between 1970 and 2017. As the population increased during the same period, this means that per capita energy consumption has decreased. This is due to more efficient use and that the composition of the business community has changed. The use has to some extent shifted from industry and housing to transport. The share of the major energy raw materials in the total energy supply has changed during the same period; the supply of oil and oil products has been halved since 1970, while natural gas and, above all, nuclear energy have been added. Biofuels have gradually been given a more important role. Fossil fuels account for a significantly smaller share of Sweden's energy use than is the case throughout…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Suriname 2007

Suriname 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Suriname. According to CountryAAH, Paramaribo is the capital city of Suriname. A UN committee set up to resolve the protracted border dispute between Suriname and Guyana came on September 21 with its ruling; both countries received half of the disputed offshore land area, where large oil deposits are believed to exist. Both governments said they were happy with the results, but Guyana is believed to have received most of the oil deposits. Another border conflict came to light in July when a Native American protest protested that the French army had prevented Indians from fishing in an area on the border between Suriname and French Guiana. Both countries claim rights to the area, but France has unilaterally created a 2 million hectare national park there. In May 1991,…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Sudan 2007

Sudan 2007

Africa

Yearbook 2007 Sudan. In January, 14 UN agencies reported that their humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region risked collapsing unless security was improved. According to CountryAAH, Khartoum is the capital city of Sudan. The situation in Darfur engaged the world community throughout the year, but despite the fact that 2.5 million people in the region lost their homes and over 200,000 were killed since 2003, this year no significant progress was made in efforts to stop the violence. The conflict in Darfur also affected the situation in the eastern parts of Chad and led to some border fighting on some occasions. In May, the governments of both countries pledged to work with the UN and the African Union (AU) to stabilize the entire region. The Sudanese regime was pressured to…

05Mar 2021 by extrareference

Sri Lanka 2007

Sri Lanka 2007

Asia

Yearbook 2007 Sri Lanka. Hard battles were fought throughout the year between the army and the separatist guerrilla Tamil Eelam's Liberation Tigers (LTTE) both on land and at sea in the country's northern and eastern parts. The guerrillas were slowly driven to retreat and reportedly lost their last fort in the east in July. However, its ability to strike back was unbroken, and during the year LTTE conducted several air strikes against military targets both outside the capital Colombo and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north. The fact that the guerrillas had gained flight seemed to confirm the suspicions the army had long had for light planes smuggled into the country in small parts and assembled on guerrilla-controlled land. According to CountryAAH, Colombo; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the capital…