The indiscipline among the students is on the increase. This is a fact borne out by daily happenings in schools and colleges. The newspapers are full of reports of unrest and indiscipline among students. It has become one of the serious problems being faced by the country. Students go on strikes, they resort to copying and cheating in the examination, insult their teachers and principals. They tear away pages from the library books or pictures from the magazines, write dirty things on walls etc. and indulge in many other kinds of mischief. They clash with the police, throw stones and brickbats at them and practice violence at any pretext.

This widespread unrest and indiscipline among the students reflect the prevailing indiscipline, lawlessness and frustration in the society. The students alone are not to be blamed. There is too much political interference in schools and educational institutions. The students are misled and misused by various political parties to serve their selfish ends. The postings, appointments, transfers etc. in schools, colleges and universities are made not on merits but other considerations. Corruption and favouritism are rampant in these temples of learning.

The teachers themselves are corrupt. They are greedy and run after illegal means of making quick money. They do not inspire confidence, hope and honesty among students. They indulge in dirty politics and can stoop to any depth to have money. Therefore, there is a crisis of character. Students have no role models to follow. Students find themselves groping in the dark. The cable and TV boom and influence of western ideas and culture have further worsened the situation. The rapid disintegration of families has also contributed to the increasing indiscipline among students. There is neither character, nor values, nor morals in the society. Students imitate their parents, teachers, leaders and elders and behave accordingly.

The education imparted in schools and colleges is totally irrelevant. It is not job-oriented. Students fail to get suitable and early employment after finishing their education and training. There is favouritism and nepotism in employment. One has to pay huge amount of money as bride to secure even a modest job. Students with resources and recommendations get all the good jobs. Reservation of jobs for certain categories of students has further worsened the situation. The merit has been marginalised.

Therefore, students feel cheated, frustrated and disillusioned. When without any hope or employment, they become quite restless and indulge in all sorts of indiscipline. There is no proper guidance, advice etc., in regard to the selection of courses of studies and careers. As a result of all this, much of their energy, time and resources to waste and they become victims of indecision. This leads to more and aimlessness.

The classes are over-crowded. There is no personal contact between teachers and students. There is too much pressure on students as they are always expected to score excellent grades. The system of examination is also very defective. It encourages copying, rot learning and reliance on cheap market notes. A month or so before the examination, the students engage themselves in studies. For the rest of the year they are idle. There are no extra-curricular activities worth their names. Their energies are not properly utilized, and therefore they find expression in violence, unrest and indiscipline. It has been rightly observed that an-empty mind is a devil’s workshop. An ideal hand is still worse.

The problem is grave but is not impossible to check it. It is the duty of the leaders, educationists and teachers to address the problem immediately. There should be no political interference in the running of schools etc. the entire education system should be over-hauled and made job-oriented. It should be linked with industry. The teachers should be given better salaries and allowances. They should be made accountable and responsible for the results and conduct of the students under them. There should be no school without proper facilities for games and sports. More emphasis should be laid on character-building, moral education and extra-curricular activities. Growing indiscipline and unrest among students is a great danger to our society and must be checked with the cooperation of all. The union elections in schools and colleges should not be allowed to be fought on political lines. They must function only as educational associations. The classes and their sections should not be crowded. Only the teachers with merits and good characters to be appointed in the schools. Privatisation of schools should also be encouraged. More money should be spent on education, particularly on primary education. There should be liberal and more scholarships for needy and meritorious students.

Purchasing an Environmentally Friendly Laptop to Save the Earth

Purchasing a laptop is a smart environmental decision when compared with purchasing a desktop pc. The main reason being that a notebook is smaller than a desktop so there is less of an environmental impact at the time of disposal. The slim size of the flat laptop means that there are smaller and less hazardous parts to be disposed of, such as hard drives, cd/dvd drives, flash card readers, usb ports, etc. The manufacturing of smaller and smaller laptop computers also has in indirect effect, in that the processing plants produce less harmful emissions into the environment. Another factor that makes laptops a better environmental decision is the fact that most laptops now comply with European regulations on lead-free computing, such as the WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) and RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances), which are mandated disposal codes in Europe. Lead is used primarily to solder parts together on a computer, but these regulations encourage companies to use other methods for building a PC.

An interesting player in the eco-friendly laptop market is the “one Laptop Per Child” project. Their missions is to produce a low cost laptop – the “XO Laptop” – in order to revolutionize the way the world’s children are educated. The purpose of the project is to get laptops in the hands of people in third world countries that would not otherwise have access to this technology. But the project is also proving that laptops can be produced for a very low cost – laptops which weigh less than one kilogram and rely on no electricity.

But despite the advances in the world of green laptops, there are still many issues that need to be addressed in order to manufacture an even more eco-friendly laptop. In the 2009, sales of laptops worldwide are expected to surpass desktop pcs for the first time ever. The average person will keep a laptop for only three years before it is tossed in the closet or tossed in the garbage, which presses the issue for an even more recyclable laptop. Some issues that still need addressed and some possible solutions:

1. Problem: Petroleum-filled plastic. Solution: Produce laptops from corn using bioplastic-polymers. The main issue at the point is creating a heat resistant polymer that can withstand the heat from a laptop.

2. Problem: Power Supply. Solution: Use the power of the sun the recharge your laptop. Solar powered chargers are in the works.

3. Problem: Lead products in the waste. Solution: As mentioned above, the European Union has enacted legal restrictions on lead. President Bush has also followed suit with standards for American lead use.

4. Problem: Spinning hard drives. Solution: Future laptops could reduce their energy use up to 10 percent by replacing hard drives with flash memory, which has no watt-hungry moving parts. Dell debuted a laptop with a 32-gigabyte solid-state drive this year.

Some recent awards winners for laptops that are friendly to the environment include: XO Laptop, Toshiba Portege R500, HP 2710p, Lenovo Thinkpad X300, and the Dell D630.

So, you are sponsoring or have been given a new initiative, organizational change, or system/application roll out that you need to implement in your organization. You know that the new system will create disruption, but you are not sure how much. You also know from listening to other colleagues that a change management process will be useful to improve the probability of success. You have not budgeted much for the change management side of the equation, as the project’s “hard” costs have eaten up most of it. Your boss has said, unequivocally, there is no more money this year. The major problem you face is that virtually no communication with the end-users has been done to this point, and you fear that the project will fall flat on its face.

What is the likelihood your project will succeed? What should you do? Well, to be blunt, the likelihood of your succeeding without a change management process is about the same as flipping a coin – actually, in your case, much less. In truth, one of the most frequent causes of new initiative failure is lack of planning, little or no meaningful involvement of stakeholders, and haphazard execution. If the benefits are not believable; or stakeholders are not “on-board” or at the very least not diametrically opposed to it; or there is a real or perceived perception that the initiative is poorly thought through then you have a very big problem. At this point, money or budgetary limitations will become background noise within your “worry hierarchy”.

At this point, you, as the project manager or sponsor, will be feeling significant amounts of fear, mixed with frustration, and possibly even anger that your hands have been tied and that you are not supported in this task. Do not fear, as all may not be lost.

If the project or initiative is ready to “go-live” and nothing has been done to prepare your target audience, then you may have a problem that is outside of the advice I am offering. However, if at least some of your audiences (primary, secondary, and tertiary users) are aware and some engagement has occurred, then you are “ahead of the game”. Remember Lewin’s change paradigm: Unfreeze – Change – Refreeze.

The following steps can be used to minimize the damage that will inevitably occur as a result of your (organization’s) poor planning regarding this change. Your thoroughness in following these steps will determine the extent of the discord and disruption that will occur. Make no mistake; if you do nothing, then the probability of massive disruption will be high. However, if you do something, anything, the disruption will be decreased. Though it may seem like anything you try results in a fire, remember that if you had not acted, your situation would be far worse than it is.

Step 1: Scan your audience, environment and interrelationships between the two

Do a scan of your primary, secondary and tertiary audiences and profile them immediately. Identify their age, gender, overall belief system (i.e. adventurous or change-averse), length of service, union or non-union, trust/distrust of management, autonomous or highly supervised, general level of knowledge about their jobs, interactions between formal and informal levels in the workplace hierarchy (could also include corporate v. regional), supervisor-subordinate relationships, and knowledge of the imminent change initiative.

The more information you can gather at this time, the more effective your strategies will be as you begin executing.

Step 2: Identify the general level of knowledge and acceptance

If the audience has a general knowledge of the change, then this is good. If they have no knowledge of the change, then this is bad. Let’s’ assume they are somewhere in the middle. Even if they have some knowledge, they will not know the specifics of how the change will affect their roles or the roles of their work-unit or the organization in total. It is up to you to figure out (through whatever means or informational sources possible) how the change will affect the people in your organization (beginning with those directly affected by the initiative). If people can prepare (are exposed to information) in a meaningful, constructive way, and are allowed to “step up to the plate” and take control, even if the situation seems chaotic and unmanageable, then they will be more comfortable with their situation and will adapt more quickly than if they are given no information.

Remember the following formula that provides a general rule regarding overcoming the resistance to change (Beckhard & Harris,1987):

D (dissatisfaction) x V (vision) x F (first steps) > R (resistance to change)

If your audiences are collectively dissatisfied with the status quo; the vision you paint is realistic and achievable and perceived to get you to a “better place”; the first steps you have taken are reasonable, effective, and move toward the solution; and these factors taken collectively are greater than the aggregate resistance to change, then your job as a change manager will be simpler than if the reverse is true of any one or more of these factors.

Step 3: Articulate the vision (no BS, just plain truths) on what to expect

Develop a clear, concise, real-world scenario that is laced with practical examples of what will occur when the dust settles. Make it believable and “relatable”, so that people can visually see and conceptually understand what it is they will experience. Understand that people learn differently, and that some are more conceptual while others are more visual. Also, the vision should include both an intellectual as well as an emotional component, both of which should supplant the current fear-based, poorly informed vision that has likely evolved in the minds of your target audiences by default.

People respond to honesty. They may not like the message or the messenger, but when the dust settles, they will almost always say: “At least she/he was honest with us”. So, based on the previous two situational analyzes, develop a clear, concise, positively framed but realistically delivered message (for each target audience) in language that each audience understands and can relate to. Do not use phrases like: “strategic importance, sound decision-making, service improvements, rationalized service delivery networks”, or anything that will confound or obfuscate (do not use “obfuscate”) the true nature of the changes or what can be expected. The strategy here is to make sure that you “provide enough information; the correct information; tailor-made for the specific audience and delivered in a positive way.

Step 4: Identify your change agents and deliver the message

Remember, “no one is an island”. Immediately identify a small group of change agents who can assist you in your goal. This is important for a number of reasons – too numerous to explain here and discussed at great length in team-related literature. The point is, just do it as you’ll be glad you did. But be careful with your selections.

Change agents can be for or uncommitted to the change initiative. The most important pre-condition is that they understand it. If they are for the initiative, then your job is easy. Simply key in on the message and deliver it clearly and specifically (repeat as necessary). The change agents will need to be people who are respected for their knowledge and will hold “sway” or influence over other people in the department. Ideally, these people will be good at what they do, i.e., technically sound and personable. For those who do not embrace change or be committed to change, build on the seed of the potential positive impacts of the change. Make sure you keep an “ear to the ground” regarding interactions amongst the people you bring into your inner circle. Be very careful whom you select and how they are performing. Change agents are usually “organization” focused and supporters of organizational improvements. Change agents may or may not be formal leaders, but they are certainly leaders.

Whatever you do, do not choose a change agent who has taken a position against the change initiative, regardless of how much “sway” they hold. In my experience, and despite what many textbooks tell you, co-opting people with negative dispositions overall or orientations toward the initiative is a high risk proposition. Often these people have a great deal to lose if they are persuaded to support the initiative and then the initiative falls flat. They will always…repeat, always…default to the “I told you so” or “sabotage” the project at some point if their own personal needs for power, control, or acceptance are not met. At a minimum, they will absolve themselves of any responsibility by taking the retro-active position that “they tried to tell you so, but you wouldn’t listen”. Be careful.

Step 5: Continue messaging and supporting your change agents

Continue to articulate the message and support your change agents in their efforts. By now, you will have repeatedly informed everyone associated with the project in an honest, direct, positive way that that disruptions will occur, and that they will be manageable and brief. Your audience will be aware of the sorts of things that will happen and that some learning will be required. When people are not surprised, but expect and are prepared to deal with anticipated or known problems (notice, I do not say “challenges”) in a change initiative, they tend to handle it. Your goal here is to create a sense of competence and ownership or the “routineness” around problem-solving. Part of your job will be to manage surprises that occur (some may even surprise you). If your audiences are surprised by something major, then they may panic. Try to avoid panic wherever possible, and treat each problem as something that can and will be solved. Almost everyone likes to solve problems, so creation of this type of environment will improve the probability of success.

Step 6: The magic of time

During the change initiative, keep stressing that the “fullness of time” will see an evolution of the current disruption as being simply another “day in the life”. The new initiative will be woven into the organizational culture (or may become the culture) and that the benefits of the new way of doing things will far in a way outweigh the costs. Also, those who managed during the change will have a new set of skills to rely on when future changes occur in the organization occur. Change is a part of the working world now. The days of 30 years service in the same company, without any change are over – economics, technology, social and environmental factors have seen to this. Make sure you consistently stress that problems arising now will be long-over at some point – likely sooner than later – and refocus on the benefits the new environment/system offers will improve and eclipse the “old way” of doing things.

Good luck in your change initiative. If you need assistance, please call Busby & Associates, and we would be pleased to assist you in your current and future change exercises.

There are some things that the passing of time just couldn’t change. And the joy of being blessed with children is just one of these things. Generally speaking, children can be considered as God’s most special gifts to couples. However, it is sad to note that at least ten million people in the United States alone cannot enjoy this blessing. They simply do not have the capability to bear children.

It is sometimes bewildering to imagine that at least one out of every six couples of childbearing age in this country will not enjoy the joys and wonders of parenthood. With such a staggering number of couples affected by this situation, it is surprising that the issues surrounding infertility are rarely discussed. What is even more surprising is that even in this technologically advanced era, this condition is understood even less.

Infertility may come as a shock to most couples that desperately wanted to have their own flesh and blood to complete their union. And why not? With the world preoccupied with population issues, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies and controlling the ballooning population in some countries, nobody would expect that some couples simply could not bear their own children. Infertility can be defined as the inability to conceive after trying so for about a year or more. It can also be referred to as the inability to carry pregnancies up to a full term. When such problems take place, it is necessary for couples to undergo a lengthy and quite expensive series of tests called an “infertility work-up” to pinpoint the exact cause (or causes) of the problem.

However, due to the limitations in financial resources, time and motivation of some childless couples, the problem becomes a concern mainly of those who can afford such a lengthy and expensive procedure. Hence, the problem of infertility becomes an issue for the middle and upper-middle class.

If you are taken aback by the sheer number of childless couples today, you will be more aghast by the prediction that infertility will continue to create anguish in many more numbers of couples in the next few years! A good number of people who have postponed marriage and childbearing in favor of their careers may eventually find it difficult or even impossible to have their own children.

Possible Causes of Infertility in Males – Both men and women who are seemingly in the best of health may find themselves incapable to bear their own children. For males, impotence and low sperm count can be considered as the main causes of infertility. Impotence accounts for less than five percent of all the cases of male infertility and can result from a number of possible causes. However, some sexually active men may also be in for an unwelcome surprise. A significant number of men will be shocked to learn that they have low sperm counts; or perhaps their sperms are just not active enough to effect a conception.

Possible Causes of Infertility in Females – Some women, on the other hand, may inadvertently suffer from endometriosis, a condition in which parts of the uterine lining seed themselves in various places along the reproductive tract. This condition was once labeled as the “working woman’s disease” since it is a very common finding in American women past 30. The fact that the medical community still has no conclusive studies to indicate the real causes of this disease adds a sad note to this situation. Another factor that plays a significant role in the increasing cases of infertility in today’s women is the pill. Taking the pill indiscriminately for quite a long period of time may affect a woman’s ability to conceive and bear children.

Some cases of infertility can be corrected. Just do your research and work closely with your doctor to know what options are available for you and your partner.

Experience the glorious past and the vibrant present of FC Barcelona through pictures and news readily available online. Apart from the official club website, exciting and breathtaking FC Barcelona pictures are in abundance in several blogs, news sites, and websites dedicated to the club. Check out the latest FC Barcelona news in the top news sites in the world as well as in the official and other unofficial websites.

Futbol Club Barcelona, nicknamed Barça, is not as much as a football club as it is a Catalan institution. Founded in 1899, it is one of the best Spanish clubs with Real Madrid as its closest rival. At present, it home to other sports teams apart from the football club.

FC Barcelona is said to be the most popular football club in the whole of Europe. Some surveys show that it has a fan base of 44.2 million fans in the football-crazy continent alone. Hence, FC Barcelona news and Barça rumors are in great demand online. Fans are also racing to shoot photos of their beloved club during matches and sell them online. Online buyers are faced with several options.

Track Record

Barça is among the big three Spanish football club. Alongside Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, it has never been relegated or demoted from the La Liga, the premier league in Spain. All in all, the club has lifted 18 La Liga titles, a record of 24 Spanish Cups, two League Cups, and seven Spanish Super Cups.

In European leagues, FC Barcelona has won four UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups, two European Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, and three Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.

Camp Nou

The home stadium of Barça is Camp Nou, also referred to as “Nou Camp.” Constructed in 1957, it has witnessed hundreds of football matches against visiting clubs since 1857. Camp Nou is rated by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) as a five-star stadium. It can hold up to 98,772 people and is the biggest European football stadium.

Camp Nou is one of the preferred hosts of UEFA Champions League Finals. The club won their very first game at their new stadium in 1957. They thrashed Legia Warsaw of Germany, 4-2.It was built from 1954 to 1957 and was designed by a group of three architects. The stadium has also been the venue for several major music events.

There are plenty of FC Barcelona pictures with Camp Nou as the background available to fans. They come in colored and black-and-white. Sometimes, the pictures are able to capture the club in their most intense action. There is drama, joy, love, and passion in pictures. You could also easily find group and individual photos.

Latest News

In the most recent Barça news, the club bulldozed Malaga in a pre-weekend La Liga match. The resounding win catapulted the club to the topmost position in the league standings, six points ahead Real Madrid. They are slated to next face Valladolid but their recent triumph over Malaga is bound to boost their spirits prior to their anticipated UEFA Champions League quarterfinal fixture against Germany’s Bayern Munich. Browse online for photos and the latest news of the match.

Known among many as the “Island of Love”, Cyprus is one of the most famous tourist destinations and the 3rd largest Mediterranean island attracting thousands of tourists every year. There are many reasons why so many people opt to buy a property in Cyprus.

As well as the warm climate which prevails throughout the year; Cyprus is home to many breathtaking beaches, world class cuisine and conditions suitable to peaceful living.

People say Cyprus is the place to go when one is retiring. It allows a simple and a leisurely life where people devote a greater part of their time to meeting friends and relatives, organising social gatherings and other pleasures in life. Cypriots are a friendly people who welcome visitors warmly. It is an ideal country for those who want a slow paced peaceful life.

Cyprus is an unpolluted country and buying a property in Cyprus can be a great investment since the property value is considerably higher than other European countries. Buying a property can be intimidating and a time-consuming task which can deter a lot of people. However, people can seek the assistance of property sellers and resellers based in Cyprus who are experts when it comes to buying a property there. The most practical and advisable procedure is to check out the options with them.

Whether it’s a beach-front property, a convenient town house within easy access of all the local amenities or a peaceful country house in the suburbs, property sellers can easily find the best location for you.

Owing to the improvements in international trade, tourism, public services, education and medical facilities, a recent survey has shown how the economy of the country has improved dramatically. In addition, there is a highly developed transport infrastructure so one doesn’t have to worry about getting around.

One reason why most people opt to buy a property in Cyprus is the low cost of living and with the entry of Cyprus in to the European Union more benefits have been added in relation to human rights.

Cyprus is a haven for those who love fun and entertainment. Night life is active in major towns and restaurants and cafeteria are in abundance. Cyprus is home to a large number of sites listed in UNESCO. Tourists fall in love with the wonderful beaches, mountains and scenic locations. It is also a great location for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing, bird watching and walking. Among the most famous sites are Akamas national Park, the Troodo Mountain range with Mount Olympus, the Church of Ayios Lazaros, Stavrovouni Monastery, the Byzantine Museum, Tamassos – ancient city kingdom and many Tombs of the Kings.

Considering the above attractions and advantages, it is no wonder why so many people vie to have their own property in Cyprus.

Most people who visit Cyprus land at the Hermes Larnaca International Airport, through which more than five million travelers pass each year. But there is so much to see in Cyprus that those wanting to fully appreciate what this beautiful island has to offer need to know their options for getting from place to place. Taxi and chauffeur driven services are ideal for many travelers.

Since it became part of the European Union, Cyprus has experienced a large increase in tourism and has had to expand the Larnaca Airport more than once to accommodate the increased numbers of visitors. However, even though Cyprus’ road infrastructure is good and is improving all the time, Cyprus has some catching up to do in terms of public transport, though it is making progress. Therefore, getting around the island is best done by car.

Some visitors to Cyprus rent cars and drive themselves, but others don’t want to bother, or are wary of driving on the left-hand side of the road. Fortunately, taxi services in and around Larnaca are readily available, and many journeys are done at fixed rates, making it easier for visitors to factor the costs into their travel budget. Getting taxi transfers from the airport to a hotel is simple, with taxis stationed outside the main entrance to the airport around the clock. And many people phone ahead for a taxi, some of which send drivers into the arrivals terminal to meet and assist travelers.

Taxi and chauffeur services are also available within Larnaca and between Larnaca and other cities in Cyprus, including areas in the north. The best taxi services are well-versed in baggage handling and delivery and regularly drive visitors on excursions throughout the island. Another thing that many tourists find reassuring is that the best taxi services have fully licensed drivers who are also fluent in English, making communications easier.

Within the major cities on Cyprus, taxis can be hailed directly from the street, though calling to book in advance is recommended to ensure a taxi is available at the time needed. Taxi fares in Cyprus are regulated by law, with daytime tariffs in effect from 06:01 to 20:30 (8:30 p.m.) and night tariffs, which are higher, in effect from 20:31 to 06:00. Some public holidays result in a supplemental fare, so check in advance. Drivers handle up to 12 kg of baggage with no extra charge. A typical taxi fare from Larnaca Airport to the city center is around €15.

Some Cyprus taxi services can be booked online as well as by phone, and though most taxi drivers prefer to be paid in cash, many accept major credit cards as well. Taxi and chauffeur driven services within or between Cyprus cities are part of everyday operations for many Cyprus taxis, as are airport transfers. So unless you are planning to hire a car to drive yourself, you will gain the most from your visit to Cyprus by utilizing the country’s top taxi services to get around.

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. “Nama” means bow, “as” means I, and “te” means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”

To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word “Namaste” is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.

We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.

Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class. Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow-the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

©2008 Aadil Palkhivala

This article highlights some of the most fascinating facts about Malta, which is sometimes referred to as the Mediterranean’s best kept secret.

If you’re familiar with Malta, it wouldn’t take you long to figure out why thousands of visitors each year fall in love with the island. Because where else can you find over 7000 years of history, breathtaking beaches, friendly locals and the oldest free standing structures in the world?

But for those who know very little about the Maltese islands, things may be different.

First things first, where is Malta located?

Malta is a tiny island right in the heart of the Mediterranean. Sicily is just 30 minutes away by plane. Over the years, the Maltese islands were invaded and occupied by many nations. Ranging from ancient Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, French to name a few and in fairly “recent” history the British, the Maltese islands today enjoy independence and in 2004, Malta became a member of the European Union.

How big is Malta?

Just 316 sq km. But in those 316 sq km, visitors often discover what is perhaps one of the most welcoming and relaxed lifestyle in the Mediterranean.

Due to its abundance of historical sites and monuments, Malta has been dubbed an open-air museum! The sheer smallness of the place (you can cross the island from one side to the other in about 1 hour by car) makes it even more evocative and captivating to visitors.

Valletta – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Valletta earned this well-deserved place on this prestigious list for its outstanding role in history, as well as for its grand fortifications, palaces, museums and its many other monuments and historical sites.

Interested to discover more facts about Malta? Then read on.

New Stone Age Temples

Malta is also home to the oldest free standing structures in the world. Yes, you read that right – the oldest. Older than the pyramids of Egypt. The Neolithic temples found on the Maltese islands, continue to baffle archaeologists and researchers to this day. Perhaps the most impressive of all are Ggantija temples, found in Gozo (Malta’s sister island). Legend has it that these New Stone Age temples were built by giants!

Beaches, beaches and more beaches!

Malta beaches are renowned for their crystal clear blue waters. Worthy of note here are the magnificent Blue Lagoon in Comino, Ramla Bay on Gozo island and Mellieha Bay in Malta. The fact that the Malta weather is warm and welcoming almost all year round (except for some cold spells usually in January and February), make Malta the ideal destination for beach lovers as well as diving enthusiasts.

Of course, these are just a few facts about Malta that visitors find fascinating. Malta is all yours to discover.

Why is it that visitors flock to the island of Cyprus? This Mediterranean holiday destination seems to offer so much to tourists that it’s no wonder that many visitors even decide to make it their home.

When you look at Cyprus on a map, you may be surprised to see exactly where it’s located. Although a member of the European Union, the country has a geographical location that puts it considerably closer to many Middle Eastern countries than to western Europe.

This is important because it helps to explain both the climate and the history of this unique island. As the second largest land mass in the Mediterranean, it also offers more variety than you might imagine.

So many of the activities that take place on Cyprus have been made possible because of its climate. Visitors look forward to long, hot summer days and the island provides them with amazing regularity.

This means that lazy days can be spent relaxing by the pool, or on one of the many golden beaches. When combined with the surrounding sea, it also helps to create the perfect conditions for water sports, with diving being a particular favourite for many.

What do the locals make of the large visitor numbers? Tourism has undoubtedly provided a large boost to the Cypriot economy and this can clearly be seen in the coastal resorts.

Further inland, a more traditional way of life still exists. Much of the land is used for agriculture and some point out that there is a more relaxed feel as you move further inland, away from the bustle of the coast.

Don’t forget that the island boasts many historic sites too. These are ignored by too many visitors, but can help to add to any visit to Cyprus.

This golden island will certainly continue to attract people from far and wide. It offers so much that it’s easy to see why it retains such popularity.