Destination 》2011
Below is the list of Countries I visited during the year 2011. Click on any country to view my travel photos and stories.
Germany is a country in Western Europe bordered by Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Germany is one of the most influential European nations culturally, and one of the world’s main economic powers. Known around the world for its precision engineering and high-tech products, it is equally admired by visitors for its old-world charm.
Jamaica, the third-largest island of the Caribbean, has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Taíno peoples, the island came under Spanish rule following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Many of the indigenous people were either killed or died of diseases. The island remained a possession of Spain until 1655, when England conquered it, renaming it Jamaica. The island achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. Jamaica is the birthplace of the Rastafari religion and Reggae music.
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a German-speaking country situated in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. It is Europe’s fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and a population of less than 39,000. Liechtenstein, along with Uzbekistan make up the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world.
Mexico (Estados Unidos Mexicanos), is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is most populous Spanish-speaking nation. It is a federation comprising 31 states and Mexico City, its capital city and largest metropolis. Mexico is a developing country, it continues to struggle with social inequalities, poverty and extensive crime; the country ranks poorly on the Global Peace Index. Since 2006, the conflict between the government and drug trafficking syndicates has led to over 120,000 deaths.
Panama is a country in Central America with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, border by Colombia (South America) and Costa Rica (North America). Settled as a colony of Spain in the early 16th century, Panama gained its independence in 1821. It’s strategically located on the isthmus that forms the land bridge connecting North and South America and controls the Panama Canal that links the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.
Poland, a Central European country that has, for the last few centuries, sat at the crossroads of three of Europe’s great empires. As a result, it has a rich and eventful history. Its heritage is reflected in its architecture, museums, galleries and monuments. With a population of more than 38 million people, Poland is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union. Poland has a developed market and is a regional power in Central Europe, with the largest stock exchange in the East-Central European zone.
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a mountainous landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Since 16th century, Switzerland has maintained a strong policy of armed neutrality; it has not fought an international war since 1815 and did not join the United Nations until 2002. Switzerland is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world and it is the birthplace of the Red Cross, one of the world’s oldest and best known humanitarian organizations.
Window on the World 