Friday, March 27, 2009

Four Great Places to Viisit When You Travel

By Paul Erikson

Historical sites are the wonders of the world. These ancient sites were constructed by our ancestors and give us windows into our past. They help tell us where we come from, how we though, and how we developed. They gives us information about societies long since dead but not forgotten. There are many historical sites in the world but the four best are Machu Picchu, Tikal, Angkor Wat, and the Pyramids. Each of these places, spread out around the world, are the remnants of once vast and powerful cultures.

Machu Picchu- This world heritage site is under siege by the tourist who visit it each year. With millions of people visiting this place each year, it is getting worn down and there have been a number of efforts to preserve the site from tourism lately. This place is located high in the Andes mountains and was part of the Incan empire. Many theories about it exist but it was most likely a summer home for the Incan king.

Tikal- Situated within the Central American jungles, Tikals archeology and architecture, flora and thick forests are a popular tourist destination. Tikal is a world heritage site with beautiful temples that give us a peak into the lives of 7th century Mayans. Tikal was one of the biggest city states in the region and was once the most powerful Mayan state. It was lost to the jungle for centuries and has only been excavated over the last few decades. Many of its buildings still remain under the forest. The crowds here dont come until mid-day so in the mornings, this wonderful place is all yours.

Angkor Wat- Angkor Wat and the Angkor temple complex are the most visited tourist attractions in the world. People come from all over the world to see the remains of this lost city. It has been featured in many movies and everyone is familiar with it. Located in Cambodia, Angkor was once the capital of the Khmer civilization. Built in the 12th century, there are hundreds of temples and structures here to explore. The most famous is the main temple of Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Te Phrom, the last being featured in the movie Tomb Raider. Make sure you come early to beat the crowds.

The Great Pyramids- Located in Egypt, these structures are one of the most visited sites in the world and give us a lot of history about one of the oldest cultures in the world. They were built by people who an advanced understanding of geometry and astronomy. For a small fee, you can even explore the insides of the structures. They are one of the oldest and greatest wonders of the world.

There are many historical sites in the world that are important and should be visited by tourists. However, these four are by far the most popular and the biggest. They see the most tourists and get the most fame. Tourism is very beneficial to places in the world but its also important to remember to conserve and protect these sites too. When you go visit, make sure you do your best to keep these places safe for future generations.

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