Archive for the ‘Asia’ Category
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Uzbekistan Travel
Uzbekistan is located in the central part of Central Asia. The Pamir-alay Mountains lie in the southeast and The Kyzy-Kum Desert is across the Northern half of the country. Although Uzbekistan has ancient history to discover, it also has modern characteristics. Western culture and Eastern culture has come together to have an agreeable existence. There are many different ethnic communities throughout the country, which create a collection of cultures. Uzbekistan is a safe country to visit with hospitable and friendly people to greet you.
Uzbekistan has a distinguished history with a rich heritage. Located right in the middle of the Great Silk Road, for centuries, caravans made their way across the desert. Excavations revealed of Margiana civilization that up to just recently was unknown. Uzbekistan has many historical and ancient sights to be explored in the towns of Merv, Nisa and Koneurgench.
Uzbekistan’s economy is made up of energy resources, which are gas, coal, oil, and hydro. Agriculture is important which employs 26 percent of the labor force. Some of the products that are grown are wheat, jute, cotton, vegetables and fruit.
The climate of Uzbekistan is continental with cool winters and hot summers. The average temperature in the summer will often surpass 40 degrees Celsius, while the winter temperature will average –23 degrees Celsius but can reach lows as much as –40 degrees Celsius. July and September there is little rain so vegetation does not grow during these months.
The best time to travel to Uzbekistan is in between the months of April till the end of June and August to the end of October. The temperatures are extremely hot during July and August and will make sightseeing very tiring to say the least.
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Myanmar/Burma Travel
The Union of Myanmar was renamed from Burma in 1989. Located in Southeast Asia, Burma is the largest country in the area with surrounding countries of Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh, Republic of China and India. The beauty of this country is indescribable until you visit and see the history behind this ancient civilization. It has been an isolated country but has become more available to travelers from around the world. Keep in mind when traveling around Myanmar, it can be difficult as the roads are not well developed and means of transportation are not always reliable.
With many years of isolation from other countries, Burma has one of the poorest economies in Southeast Asia. For many years when Burma was under British administration the country was one of the wealthiest countries in the Southeast Asia being one of the largest exporters of rice. They also had natural resources and supplied the world with 75% of teak. But with mismanagement with the country the economy of the country fell drastically.
The climate in Myanmar can vary throughout the country. The average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius but can range from 38 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius. Myanmar has three seasons, which during March to May is hot. June to October is the rainy season with November to February being the cooler season.
The best time to travel to Myanmar/Burma is during the cooler season where the temperatures are more comfortable ranging between 20 to 24 degrees Celsius. In the regions of the mountains, temperatures are usually lower.
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Mongolia Travel
In the heart of Asia lies the country of Mongolia. This country has a small population with a vast countryside. The landscape has not changed much since the early days of Genghis Khan. Mongolia is untouched with fresh air to breath in and as far as the eye can see, vast wilderness to take in. Mongolia has beautiful forests, glacial mountains and cold clear lakes. The history and diversity of the land and its people is a discovery for the traveler to experience.
The economy of Mongolia is based on agriculture, livestock and mining. Mongolia has deposits of copper, molybdenum, coal, gold, tungsten, and tin. Mongolia is the world’s second export of cashmere with 21 percent of the world’s production. The economy has seen improvement just recently and is still recovering.
Mongolia is known for its long cold winters and short summers. Most of the precipitation occurs in the north and in the south much less. In the extreme south, which is the Gobi (desert), they receive no precipitation in years. Through November to March the temperature is below freezing. During January and February the temperature averages at –20 degrees Celsius during the day and nights of –40 degrees Celsius. In the Gobi region, the temperatures in the summer reach 38 degrees Celsius. Most of the country is covered with permafrost, which can hamper construction of roads and mining.
The best time to travel to Mongolia is between May to September, which is the peak season for tourists. If you want to visit the Gobi, the best time is during June to September.
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Maldives Travel
If you are contemplating a vacation in the Maldives, you will not be disappointed. These once coral reefs that became coral islands is a geological work of nature. The Maldives have become a popular destination for travelers across the nation, escaping their hectic lives to take in the beauty of the cobalt blue waters and the sparkling beaches. This beautiful part of the world with bright blue skies will become your Shangri la, which will make you never wanting to leave this paradise.
In recent history the Maldives have experienced some disasters. El Nino brought on coral bleaching and then in 2004 the tsunami hit this small nation. Although in there past they had hard times, this friendly country is very independent and proud. The dictatorship of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has shown human right abuses plus police brutality, which has been disregarded, around the world.
Much of the Maldives economy is with tourism and fishing. They have marketed their islands with beautiful beaches, water and tropical fish. Tourism alone brings in 600 million. Because the soil is not the best in Maldives has limitation on agriculture. Some crops that are grown are mangos, bananas, coconuts, taro, chilies, onions, sweet potatoes and betel. Manufacturing provides boat building and handcrafts.
The best time to travel to the Maldives is during the months of December to April. This is when the traveler will enjoy the dry monsoon, low humidity and with little rain. The Maldives temperature stays consistent with it being around 30 degrees Celsius.
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Malaysia Travel
Malaysia is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia with many attractions and sights to see. This country has a vast range of activities from cosmopolitan shopping to a wide range of history to explore. Malaysia has much to offer for any traveler around the world. Malaysia is also known for their crystal waters with their beautiful beaches. If you are a nature or cultural buff, this country will tempt you with their charisma and charm.
The climate of Malaysia is tropical year round, but never too hot with a year round approximate temperature from 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Malaysia experiences humidity due to the waters that surround them. Although Malaysia is a tropical country the monsoon season is from November to February. The wettest month on the west coast is during the month of August. The weather in Malaysia is very agreeable making it comfortable for the traveler.
The economy of Malaysia saw a boom in the 1970s as a raw materials producer. It is known for their natural resources with agriculture, mining and forestry. Many of their industries are electronics, chemicals, metal, electrical products, food and apparel. International trade plays a big part in Malaysia’s economy.
Being a popular tourist destination, Malaysia is a wonderful place to visit year round, however, the best time to travel is from late December to mid January and during the summer months of June and August. The peak season is a busy time with tourists, so it is best to book early when making Malaysia your destination.
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Laos Travel
The popularity of Laos is making tourism to be one of the largest industries that has hit this county. Lao is situated in South-East Asia and shares borders with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China. The charming and friendly people will welcome the traveler to their land of unspoiled beauty. Here you can discover the many temples and activities that await you.
Many people migrated to Laos from southern China in the 8th century. During the history of this country, the first Laotian state was formed in which the Lan Xang kingdom ruled the country. In the 18th century the kingdom was split into three kingdoms ruled by Thai and then became a French colony.
The economy of Laos is of a poor county. Most of the occupation of the people of Lao, is in agriculture. Many of them work in rice farming. Some of the other crops that they grow are tobacco, coffee and sugarcane. Because the country is at the mercy of the elements of the climate the production can suffer. Lao is subject to floods and droughts, making the growing conditions unfavorable. With the many forests, timber, teak, benzoin and cardamom are harvested.
Lao has three seasons where in the hot season; the temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius. The hot season is during the months of March to May. The wet season is cooler occurring between the months of May to October. Tropical rains and downpours take place with temperatures ranging at 30 degrees Celsius. The dry season is between November and March and temperatures are as low as 15 degrees Celsius.
The best time to travel to Laos is during November and February. There is less precipitation and the temperatures are more comfortable for the traveler.
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Kyrgyzstan Travel
Located in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is known for its natural beauty and its mountainous landscape. Also known as “Switzerland of Central Asia, this country has much to offer the traveler. The people of Kyrgzstan are known to be friendly and helpful, which makes traveling in this country very refreshing. The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek, which is the travel center of the country where most travelers start out to see this green and friendly country.
Going back into the History of Kyrgyzstan, the native Kyrgyz settled in the mountains of Tien Shan. The Russian settlers were given much of the best land, which led the Kyrgyz people to a destructive rebellion in 1916. In 1991 Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union.
Agriculture and animal farming make up for a large percentage for the economy of Kyrgyzstan. Services and industry make up the other half. During the early 1990’s the economy was greatly affected by the downfall of the Soviet Union but Kyrgyzstan has seen an upswing but difficulties still remain in there way.
In the southern half of Kyrgyzstan, the climate is sub tropical, while the largest part of the country experience a temperate climate. The average temperature during the hot season of July is 23 to 26 degrees Celsius and in the winter (January) the temperature ranges between –3 to –4 degrees Celsius.
The best time to travel to Kyrgyzstan depends on what area you want to visit. If you are looking to travel to Northern Kyrgyzstan, June to September is a great time to visit, as everything is in full bloom. Southern Kyrgyzstan, March to October is a great time for moderate temperatures. In the heat of the summer the temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius in the city of Bishkek.
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Kazakhstan Travel
Situated in Central Asia is the country of Kazakhstan. To many people this land is not well known to most. This country has snow-capped peak mountains, with glaciers and lakes and has miles of plains and deserts. Almaty was once the capital of Kazakhstan and is known for their modern architecture and breathtaking views of the mountains. The capital now is Astana.
The history of Kazakhstan is very interesting to say the least. There are many remains of monuments and petroglyphs. There is belief that the Amazons originated in this country and the Genghis Khan is buried somewhere in Eastern Kazakhstan. With more and more studies on the history of Kazakhstan becoming public, people are flocking to this great country.
Kazakhstan economy has seen many changes since the early days when they were part of the Soviet Union. There economy has grown and become more steadfast and self contained. It is known for the fossil fuel reserves, plus metals and minerals. There vast plains are accommodating for grain production and livestock. They also created framework for launches to the International Space Station for the Space Shuttle.
The best time to travel to Kazakhstan is in the spring or in autumn. During these two seasons the temperatures are mild and comfortable for the traveler. The spring brings flowers and foliage alive and in the autumn brings the harvest of Kazakhstan’s wonderful fruits. In the winter the average temperature is –16 degrees Celsius in the north and the temperature in the summer is 27 degrees Celsius.
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Japan Travel
Traveling to the country of the “Land of the Rising Sun” can be an exhilarating experience. This vibrant nation has so much to offer the traveler, from the hard working people, to the beauty of this impressive country. Japan offers the traveler sight seeing in some of the most famous places as Mt. Fuji and the cherry blossom trees that will leave a glorious image in your mind forever. There are temples and shrines to visit with an ancient history to experience. Japan is an adventure that will have you telling others for years to come.
Japan’s economy is the second largest in the world behind the United States. Many of the Japanese exports are computers, cars, and electronics. Japanese trade partners are China and the USA with Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Germany and Thailand. Japan’s major industries consist of real estate; manufacturing, construction and communication are a few. Rice is also a resource that is exported to many countries.
The climate in Japan is usually very temperate with four seasons. The Northern part of the country the temperature can be on the average in the winder –6 degrees Celsius. In the south, the climate is sub-tropical with humid and hot summers. The average temperature in Naha in the summer is 22.6 degrees Celsius.
Every season in Japan is enjoyable so any time is the best time to travel. The New Year is a popular time for travelers to Japan. During the month of January, the weather is usually sunny and dry with airfares being low. Many of the major of attractions are not busy with tourists, making it much easier to get around.
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Indonesia Travel
There is so much to excite the traveler when Indonesia is their destination of choice. Consisting of 17,504 tropical islands, Indonesia is known for their beautiful white sandy beaches. It is the largest archipelago in the world which is located between the Pacific and Indian oceans. They have many well-known and traveled islands, but the most well known island is Bali. Indonesia has islands that still to this day have not yet been explored. With green rainforests, mountain views, and beautiful beaches, Indonesia is a favorite destination for travelers from every walk of life.
The history of Indonesia has shown that archipelago have inhabited these islands since prehistoric times making it one of the oldest known having lived there over a million years ago. Evidence has shown that trade between the islands, China and India have been dated back to the first century AD. Islam is the most popular religion in Indonesia since the 13th century.
Indonesia’s economy is the largest in Southeast Asia and is a market-based economy, which the government plays a role in 164 state-owned businesses and companies. The government dispenses prices on goods such as rice, electricity and fuel.
The climate in Indonesia is tropical and consists of two seasons, dry and rainy. The dry season is between the months of June to September with the rest of the months being rainy. The dry season is the best time to travel with plenty of sunshine to enjoy. The temperature in Indonesia can be very hot with high humidity, so when traveling through this wonderful country bring lots of sunscreen and water.