Windcatcher
2 December 2024 | Author/Destination: Asia / Asien | Rubric: General, Architecture Reading Time: 10 minutes A windcatcher, wind tower, or wind scoop is a traditional architectural element (Persian architecture) used to create cross ventilation and passive cooling in buildings. Windcatchers come in various designs, depending on whether local prevailing winds are unidirectional, bidirectional, or multidirectional, on how they change with altitude, on the daily temperature cycle, on humidity, and on how much dust needs to be removed. read more…First anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel
7 October 2024 | Author/Destination: Levant / Levante | Rubric: General, Union for the Mediterranean Reading Time: 14 minutes
© Ecrusized/Rr016/cc-by-sa-4.0
Yazd in Iran
23 May 2023 | Author/Destination: Gulf States / Golfstaaten | Rubric: General, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time: 7 minutes
© flickr.com – Ninara/cc-by-2.0
Shushtar in Iran
26 January 2023 | Author/Destination: Gulf States / Golfstaaten | Rubric: General, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time: 7 minutes
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System © Razie Amirian/cc-by-sa-4.0
Carpet Museum of Iran in Tehran
1 November 2022 | Author/Destination: Gulf States / Golfstaaten | Rubric: General, House of the Month, Museums, Exhibitions, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time: 7 minutes
Very interesting. While a Persian carpet with the motif of an orgy can be admired in the museum, thousands of women are currently being abused, raped and/or killed outside the museum because they no longer want to wear a headscarf and stand up for women’s and universal human rights. It is not against Islam, but against the repressive mullah regime, a completely legitimate request that is supported by millions of activists (especially exiled Iranians) around the world.
Picture © Wojciech Kocot/cc-by-sa-4.0
Golestan Palace in Tehran
3 April 2020 | Author/Destination: Gulf States / Golfstaaten | Rubric: General, Palaces, Castles, Manors, Parks, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time: 6 minutes The Golestan Palace is the former royal Qajar complex in Iran‘s capital city, Tehran. One of the oldest historic monuments in the city of Tehran, and of world heritage status, the Golestan Palace belongs to a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran’s arg (“citadel”). It consists of gardens, royal buildings, and collections of Iranian crafts and European presents from the 18th and 19th centuries. The complex of Golestan Palace consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls. Almost all of this complex was built during the 131 years rule of the Qajar kings. These palaces were used for many different occasions such as coronations and other important celebrations. It also consists of three main archives, including the photographic archive, the library of manuscripts, and the archive of documents. read more…The Gulf States: Bon voyage!
9 February 2019 | Author/Destination: Gulf States / Golfstaaten | Rubric: General, Dubai, Editorial, Bon voyage, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time: 134 minutes The Arabian Gulf (the Arab states call the west side of the Persian Gulf Arabian Gulf) is a mediterranean sea in Western Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Oman) through the Strait of Hormuz and lies between Iran to the northeast and the Arabian Peninsula to the southwest. The Shatt al-Arab river delta forms the northwest shoreline. The gulf has many fishing grounds, extensive reefs (mostly rocky, but also coral), and abundant pearl oysters. The body of water is historically and internationally known as the Persian Gulf. Some Arab governments refer to it as the Arabian Gulf. About 200 million people are living in the Gulf States, with Iran being the most populous country with 80 million inhabitants, followed by Iraq (38.7 million), Saudi Arabia (32 million), Yemen (38 million), United Arab Emirates (9.4 million), Oman (4.4 million), Kuwait (4.1 million), Qatar (2.6 million) and Bahrain (1.5 million). Tourism is an increasingly important factor for the smaller countries of the region, but Iran and Saudi Arabia are developing this sector more and more either. While the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain are suitable for less experienced travelers, traveling to other countries in the region requires quite a few preparations. Relevant links to the U.S. Department of State can be found at the end of each country portrait. With the exception of Yemen and Iraq because of travel warnings for EU citizens (there are additional travel warnings for other Gulf States for US citizens), all Gulf States can be visited without difficulties, as far as the rules, way of living and habits of the respective host country are respected. read more…Transatlantic relations
2 June 2018 | Author/Destination: Knut Wingsch | Rubric: General, Editorial, EU blog post series, European Union Reading Time: 609 minutes

Transatlantic symbol: A hybrid of the European flag and the Stars and Stripes © Patrikpluhar/cc-by-sa-3.0