Latest news with #ChristopherColumbus


National Geographic
3 days ago
- National Geographic
Looking for adventure? This untamed island is the Caribbean's best-kept secret
Located 28 miles from St. Maarten, the five-square-mile island of Saba isn't the first place that springs to mind when it comes to adventure travel. Draped in wild greenery from every angle, this volcanic island looks almost vacant from afar. With no traffic lights, no high-rises, no beaches, and no crowds, it remains relatively under the radar as one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Caribbean. However, that same remoteness is exactly what once made Saba both uninviting and intriguing. In 1493, the island caught the eye of Christopher Columbus, who chose not to stop there due to its craggy coast. Ironically, what deterred explorers later drew in outlaws: The island eventually became a favorite hiding place for pirates and smugglers, who found refuge in its steep cliffs and secluded coves. Climb Mount Scenery Seen from both the land and the sea, the dormant volcano of Mount Scenery is the pinnacle of Saba and the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Though there are several trails to follow, the most strenuous is the 1,064 stairs to the summit—certainly not for the faint of heart. Although much of the land remained unused until the 20th century, the gentler slopes were actively farmed up until the 1960s, when construction of the Mount Scenery Trail began. 'My task was carrying cement and water on my father's donkey. Four men and four donkeys. I started in 1969 and completed the steps to the very last in 1970,' recalls local and guide, James 'Crocodile' Johnson. Along the trail, wild flora and fauna hug the path on every side and Giant Taro, or 'elephant ears,' act as shelter from tropical downpours. Near the summit, two narrow paths lead hikers into the heart of the cloud forest, where a cool-mist is welcomed and the area is dense with mahogany trees. There are more than 30 protected diving sites around Saba. Photograph by / Alamy Stock Photo (Top) (Left) and Photograph by D. Holden Bailey / Alamy Stock Photo (Bottom) (Right) Visit the top dive sites The peak of an extinct volcano in the northern Lesser Antilles, Saba is surrounded by sea cliffs and bays which lead to spectacular dive sites. The island is particularly renowned for its pinnacles and seamounts (underwater volcanoes) that rise to within 85 feet of the surface. Here, there's more than 30 protected dive sites just minutes from the harbor and it's also home to the Atlantic Ocean's largest submerged atoll. (This tiny island is the best place to dive in the Caribbean) The ring-shaped reefs are formed by the eruption of seamounts that spill lava and create oceanic islands. Tiny corals then cling to these islands to create the exoskeleton of the reefs. With a thriving biodiversity of whales, sharks, dolphins, turtles, and fish, the Saba Bank National Park was named a national park in 2010. Located at the eastern end of a horseshoe-shaped seamount, the Third Encounter has a maximum depth of 110 feet and is a short excursion to the mysterious Eye of the Needle. Rising to 90 feet below the surface, the pinnacle is home to Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, manta rays, various schools of fish, and a friendly Nassau grouper named Charlie. Saba's famous hot sands and dramatic overhangs can be found at Babylon, where hawksbill turtles and nurse sharks glide gracefully alongside lava flows and sand chutes. A little farther south, the Hot Springs highlight the island's active volcanic origins with an array of marine life and coral-encrusted boulders. The Crispeen Trail takes hikers through Saba's secondary rainforest. Photograph by frans lemmens / Alamy Stock Photo Where to go hiking Solitude can be found across the island of Saba. Waking up to the gentle hum of hundreds of tree frogs daily. Untouched nature at every turn. With its winding streets and mass of greenery, strolling around Saba feels like a hike in and of itself, but there are also a slew of well-maintained hiking trails around the island. The view atop Mount Scenery is breathtaking, with wispy cloud coverage and glimpses of distant civilization, but there are also 20 other well-kept hiking trails for every level of hiker. Starting at the same location in Windwardside as the Mount Scenery hike, the Crispeen Trail passes through Saba's secondary rainforest. You'll spot numerous bird species, insects, and vibrant flora. (Why Puerto Rico should be your next food destination) Challenge your balance along the Ladder Trail—about 800 steps along the coast, this route once served as the main route for transporting goods. Carved into the rock, the steep climb offers sweeping views of the ocean and is a humbling experience. Tranquil pools and roaring waves, the Tidepools Trail is a circus for the senses. The easy trail takes around 25-minutes one way along the shoreline, and is a special way to observe old lava flows and vibrant ecosystems. Where to go snorkeling The untouched seas and volcanic remnants draw in an abundance of marine life to Saba's surrounding reefs. Primarily an island for divers, snorkelers are often ushered toward the shallower reefs (Torrens Point, Tent Reef, and Hole in the Corner) for safety. The Saba Marine Park contains more than 30 dive sites and a few snorkeling sites that are easy to reach. The shallow waters of Wells Bay are alive with a variety of juvenile species and interesting underwater structures. It's actually one of the only places on the island where you can snorkel directly from the shore thanks to its wandering beach that comes and goes, depending on the swell. Another popular snorkel site sits at the northern end of Wells Bay. The protected waters and clear visibility of Torrens Point make great conditions for a shallow dive or more experienced snorkel, with depths ranging from five-to-30 feet. A more common option for visitors is to take a boat tour out to some of the snorkeling sites, with the help of a guide. Sea Saba will ferry guests from the harbor to locations such as Well's Bay/Torrens Point, Cove Bay, and Ladder Bay. (Liquid sunshine: everything you should know about Caribbean rum) Hayley Domin is a British travel journalist and marketing manager in the hospitality industry. A solo travel advocate and founder of Hayley on Hiatus, she shares destination guides and travel tips to inspire independent exploration. Her work has been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic, Business Insider, AFAR, the New Zealand Herald, and more.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
What will the Earth be like in 500 years?
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you'd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@ What will the Earth be like in 500 years? — Lotte, Brookline, Massachusetts Scientists can make some pretty accurate forecasts about the future. But predicting what the Earth will be like 500 years from now is a difficult task because there are many factors at play. Imagine Christopher Columbus in 1492 trying to predict the Americas of today! We do know that two main types of processes change our planet: One involves natural cycles, like the way the planet rotates and moves around the Sun, and the other is caused by life forms, especially humans. The Earth is constantly changing. It wobbles, the angle of its tilt changes and even its orbit changes to bring the Earth closer to or farther from the Sun. These changes happen over tens of thousands of years, and they have been responsible for ice ages. Five hundred years isn't very long in terms of geology. The second big influence on the planet is living things. The effects of life on the planet are harder to predict. Disrupting one part of an ecosystem can knock a lot of other things off kilter. Humans in particular are changing the Earth in many ways. They cut down forests and break up important wildlife habitats to build cities and grow crops. They move invasive species around the planet, disrupting ecosystems. They also contribute to global warming. People are causing the climate to change, mostly by burning fossil fuels that release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the planet and atmosphere can handle. Normally, greenhouse gases trap heat from the Sun the way the glass of a greenhouse does, keeping Earth warmer than it would be otherwise. That can be useful – until we get too much. The result of too much carbon dioxide is that temperatures rise, and that can lead to dangerously hot summer days and melting ice in Greenland and Antarctica. Melting ice sheets raise the oceans, causing coastal areas to flood. That's what Earth is facing right now. These changes could lead to a very different planet in 500 years, depending in large part on how willing humans are to change their ways. A warming planet can also contribute to extreme weather like heat waves, storms and droughts that can change the land. All of Earth's living forms are at risk. Looking back at the past 500 years, the living part of the Earth, called the biosphere, has changed dramatically. The number of humans has increased from around 500 million people to over 7.5 billion today. More than 800 plant and animal species have become extinct because of human activities over that period. As the human population grows, other species have less space to roam. Sea level rise means even less land, and rising temperatures will send many species migrating to better climates. Not all of Earth's changes are caused by humans, but humans have worsened some of them. A major challenge today is getting people to stop doing things that create problems, like burning fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. This is one global problem that requires countries worldwide and the people within them to work toward the same goal. Getting back to Christopher Columbus, he probably couldn't have imagined a highway full of cars or a mobile phone. Technology will no doubt improve over the next 500 years, too. But so far, tech solutions haven't scaled up fast enough to solve climate change. To keep doing the same things and expect someone else to fix the mess later would be a risky, expensive gamble. So, the Earth in 500 years may be unrecognizable. Or, if humans are willing to change their behaviors, it may persist with its vibrant forests, oceans, fields and cities for many more centuries, along with its most successful residents, humankind. Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you'd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@ Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live. And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you're wondering, too. We won't be able to answer every question, but we will do our best. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Michael A. Little, Binghamton University, State University of New York and William D. MacDonald, Binghamton University, State University of New York Read more: Scientists understood physics of climate change in the 1800s – thanks to a woman named Eunice Foote Extreme heat waves in a warming world don't just break records – they shatter them Coral reefs are dying as climate change decimates ocean ecosystems vital to fish and humans The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
What will the Earth be like in 500 years?
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you'd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@ What will the Earth be like in 500 years? — Lotte, Brookline, Massachusetts Scientists can make some pretty accurate forecasts about the future. But predicting what the Earth will be like 500 years from now is a difficult task because there are many factors at play. Imagine Christopher Columbus in 1492 trying to predict the Americas of today! We do know that two main types of processes change our planet: One involves natural cycles, like the way the planet rotates and moves around the Sun, and the other is caused by life forms, especially humans. The Earth is constantly changing. It wobbles, the angle of its tilt changes and even its orbit changes to bring the Earth closer to or farther from the Sun. These changes happen over tens of thousands of years, and they have been responsible for ice ages. Five hundred years isn't very long in terms of geology. The second big influence on the planet is living things. The effects of life on the planet are harder to predict. Disrupting one part of an ecosystem can knock a lot of other things off kilter. Humans in particular are changing the Earth in many ways. They cut down forests and break up important wildlife habitats to build cities and grow crops. They move invasive species around the planet, disrupting ecosystems. They also contribute to global warming. People are causing the climate to change, mostly by burning fossil fuels that release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the planet and atmosphere can handle. Normally, greenhouse gases trap heat from the Sun the way the glass of a greenhouse does, keeping Earth warmer than it would be otherwise. That can be useful – until we get too much. The result of too much carbon dioxide is that temperatures rise, and that can lead to dangerously hot summer days and melting ice in Greenland and Antarctica. Melting ice sheets raise the oceans, causing coastal areas to flood. That's what Earth is facing right now. These changes could lead to a very different planet in 500 years, depending in large part on how willing humans are to change their ways. A warming planet can also contribute to extreme weather like heat waves, storms and droughts that can change the land. All of Earth's living forms are at risk. Looking back at the past 500 years, the living part of the Earth, called the biosphere, has changed dramatically. The number of humans has increased from around 500 million people to over 7.5 billion today. More than 800 plant and animal species have become extinct because of human activities over that period. As the human population grows, other species have less space to roam. Sea level rise means even less land, and rising temperatures will send many species migrating to better climates. Not all of Earth's changes are caused by humans, but humans have worsened some of them. A major challenge today is getting people to stop doing things that create problems, like burning fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. This is one global problem that requires countries worldwide and the people within them to work toward the same goal. Getting back to Christopher Columbus, he probably couldn't have imagined a highway full of cars or a mobile phone. Technology will no doubt improve over the next 500 years, too. But so far, tech solutions haven't scaled up fast enough to solve climate change. To keep doing the same things and expect someone else to fix the mess later would be a risky, expensive gamble. So, the Earth in 500 years may be unrecognizable. Or, if humans are willing to change their behaviors, it may persist with its vibrant forests, oceans, fields and cities for many more centuries, along with its most successful residents, humankind. Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you'd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@ Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live. And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you're wondering, too. We won't be able to answer every question, but we will do our best. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Michael A. Little, Binghamton University, State University of New York and William D. MacDonald, Binghamton University, State University of New York Read more: Scientists understood physics of climate change in the 1800s – thanks to a woman named Eunice Foote Extreme heat waves in a warming world don't just break records – they shatter them Coral reefs are dying as climate change decimates ocean ecosystems vital to fish and humans The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
&w=3840&q=100)

India.com
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
From Slave To Superpower – How The U.S. Rose From British Colony To Global Warlord
New Delhi: The United States now sits at the head of the global table. It calls the shots, launches wars, controls currencies and decides who gets sanctioned. But rewind the clock by 250 years, and this self-declared leader of the free world was itself under foreign rule – a British colony like so many others. Every year on July 4, America celebrates its Independence Day. But the road from colonised to coloniser was paved with rebellion, blood, betrayal, expansion and an unrelenting appetite for power. The story of America's rise is about how quickly the freed can become the masters. The Empire That Owned America In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail looking for India. He landed in the Caribbean instead and told Europe about this 'new world'. What followed was a flood of European colonists, traders and soldiers. Among them were the British, who built 13 colonies across the eastern coast of North America and ruled them under the British crown. Native Americans, the original inhabitants, were pushed out, taxed and slaughtered. By the 1700s, discontent had boiled over. Britain taxed the colonies for sugar, tea and alcohol. American anger rose with every shipment. In 1776, the 13 colonies declared independence. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, signed by leaders like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Roger Sherman. War, Resistance and a New Nation The fight was not easy. The British Empire did not let go without a war. With determination, rebellion and local support, the Americans broke free. By the end of the 18th century, the United States was born – a union of former colonies, now calling itself the 'land of the free'. George Washington became its first President. Benjamin Franklin became a symbol of its intellectual rise. The United States now had its flag, borders and ambitions. From Fields to Factories In the 19th century, surrounded by colonial powers like Britain, France and Spain, the new republic knew it had to arm itself economically and militarily. Agriculture gave way to machines. Steamships, railroads and industrial factories became the engine of growth. America became a land of inventors, investors and immigrants. By 1850, it had taken over several islands across the Caribbean and the Pacific. It was no longer hiding behind its Atlantic border. The War That Changed the Game In 1898, the United States clashed with Spain over control of Cuba. Spain sank an American battleship. America retaliated. Cuban revolutionaries joined in. Spain lost. America gained Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. It also annexed Hawaii. The American flag now flew over distant lands. The empire had quietly begun. World War I: The Global Arrival When World War I broke out in 1914, the United States stayed away at first. But in 1917, Germany sank American ships and plotted with Mexico. That was the trigger. The United States entered the war, fought on the side of the allies and helped them win. Washington now a global player. The Sleeping Giant Wakes The real shift came in 1941. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,400 Americans. The United States went to war. It dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan, ending World War II. But this time, it did not retreat home. It stayed as a superpower. By the war's end, Europe was broken. America was not. In fact, its economy had doubled during the war. The dollar became the anchor for global currencies. The United States gave loans to Europe and Japan. It helped form the United Nations, the World Bank the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). It was no longer just one of the powerful. It was the power. The Cold War and Control Post-war, the Cold War started. The United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) divided the world into blocs. In South Korea, the United States backed democracy. In the North, the Soviets backed dictatorship. In Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Syria, America backed or broke governments depending on oil, allegiance or arms deals. In Vietnam, Afghanistan, Latin America, American hands pulled strings. Often, they built; often, they destroyed. Either way, they never let go of control. The Moon, The Gulf, The Markets In 1969, the United States put a man on the moon. In the 1990s, it dominated the Gulf after crushing Iraq. Wall Street controlled global finance. Silicon Valley controlled technology. Hollywood controlled culture. The Business of War Today, America runs the world's biggest weapons industry. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States is the No. 1 arms exporter. On some days, it makes over Rs 7,500 crore ($900 million) just selling weapons. Sometimes, it sells to both sides in a war. It helps allies with aid, then sends bombs too. Friends become buyers. Enemies become clients. The game continues. Digging Into Nations, One Conflict at a Time Look closely, and you will find American fingerprints everywhere. The United States backed the split of Korea. It interfered in Iran, invaded Iraq, bombed Libya and destabilised Afghanistan. In Syria, it claimed to fight terror while funding groups. In Ukraine, it offered aid and weapons while turning the country into a geopolitical pawn. In Israel, it funds Tel Aviv's strikes while Palestine bleeds. Somewhere, behind every collapsed state and every foreign-backed coup, is a strategy – sell weapons, win contracts, set rules and stay dominant. Freedom, Power and the Price of Influence America's story began with colonial rule, with British taxes and rebellion. But in rising, it became the very force it once fought against. Its independence became influence. Its diplomacy became dominance. Every July 4, fireworks light up the sky across the United States. But behind the glitter is a long and ruthless history – one where freedom was won with a fight and power was preserved through pressure. From being a British colony to building military bases across the planet, the United States did not only grow. It took charge. And that charge continues.

The Age
11-06-2025
- General
- The Age
Forget pineapple, these pizza topping crimes are especially heinous
Opinion The tropical fruit evokes thousands of anguished 'mamma mias', but other ingredients deserve closer attention from the Italian food police. Do you have strong opinions about pineapple on pizza? Do you believe that getting mad about Italian food is a substitute for an actual personality? Fanatical traditionalism over Italian food is a modern trope. Self-appointed 'carbonaranieri' (Italian food police) constantly attack minor variations in any dish of Italian origin, and through doing so, hope to resurrect the glory of the Roman Empire. To the carbonaranieri, one ingredient is hated more than any other: pineapple. Italian explorer Christopher Columbus brought pineapples to Europe at the same time as tomatoes, but while one fruit is considered a cornerstone of Italian food, the inclusion of the other anywhere in the cuisine will be met with a thousand anguished 'mamma mias'. If you have decided that opposing pineapple on pizza is your religion, consider coleslaw on top of a curried ham and banana pizza proof that God is vengeful, and that He has forsaken you. In fact, pineapple on pizza is a heartwarming story of multicultural success. It was created in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek migrant to Canada who applied flavours from Chinese sweet and sour pork to Italian pizza and named it 'Hawaiian' after an American brand of tinned fruit. It was a huge success, and now graces the menus of pizzerias worldwide. Adam Liaw's all-in pizza dough (pictured above) To the carbonaranieri, however, the very existence of Hawaiian pizza is a grave insult to the Italian people. Slavish devotion to authenticity is something I struggle to understand. Cuisines change constantly over time; you can't just pick a single moment and call it authentic. I have Chinese heritage, and Chinese cuisine has always welcomed adaptation. If you want to deep-fry ice-cream and call it Chinese food, we're all good with that. Beef and broccoli? Broccoli wasn't grown in China until the 1980s but it sounds pretty good all the same. We literally invented oranges (look it up), but we don't try to gatekeep how you eat them. I'm not sure why pineapple evokes such strong condemnation from Italian traditionalists, but there are arguably far more heinous pizza crimes out there. Here are a few that deserve closer attention from the carbonaranieri. Coleslaw Scandinavia is a world leader in the consumption of two things – coffee and frozen pizza – and the way it consumes both of them would make the average Italian weep. Sweden's Africana is topped with ham, banana, curry powder and peanuts, but that's not even the worst of it. Scandinavians love putting cold stuff on pizzas. Swedes top their pizzas with pizzasallad, a kind of chilled coleslaw. Norwegians like their pizzas with a cold garlic and sour cream sauce. If you have at any point decided that opposing pineapple on pizza is your religion, consider coleslaw on top of a curried ham and banana pizza proof that God is vengeful, and that He has forsaken you. Everything Japan does to pizza While the carbonaranieri was distracted by pineapple on pizza and cream in carbonara, on the eastern front, Japan gained territory in a relentless war to absolutely humiliate Italian food. Its most popular pizza toppings include mayonnaise, corn, tinned tuna and fish sperm. I'm not even kidding. Currently, in Japan you can order an entire pizza topped just with pickles and camembert sauce. French fries and hot dogs 'Pizza con patatine' and 'pizza ai wurstel e patatine' might sound molto Italiano, but what you are actually getting is pizza topped with French fries, and potentially also hot dog wieners. A favourite among Italian children, these home-grown adaptations might be abominations to traditionalists, but they are entirely Italian creations. Sometimes the call is coming from inside the house. America invented both Super Mario Brothers and stuffed pizza crusts. Pizza Hut's first stuffed-crust pizza was marketed in a campaign featuring Donald Trump, and just yesterday, NASDAQ listed chain Papa John's announced the world's first ever 'croissant pizza' to a conspicuous lack of global outrage. There are dozens of extremely weird US state-based pizza variations that vary from deep pastry cases filled with cheese and sausage in Chicago and burnt wafers in New Haven, to pretentious Californian varieties with toppings like 'Thai chicken', caviar, and smoked salmon. In comparison to one guy in Canada deciding, correctly, that pineapple on a pizza might be nice, the list of American pizza crimes would seem both longer and far more monstrous. Dessert pizzas The thought process for dessert pizzas is pretty much just substituting savoury ingredients for sweet ones of roughly the same shape or texture. Nutella instead of pizza sauce. Banana instead of pepperoni. It's a question of doing what can be done, rather than what should be done.