Hong Kong is now one of the most important financial centers in the world, but for most of its history it was just a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages. Only after the British took control of the region in the 19th century Hong Kong grew to become a major trading center between…
During the Late Middle Ages, before the start of the European Age of Exploration, Marco Polo traveled across all of Asia, while Zheng He led several expeditions in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. However, another explorer traveled more than both of them combined: Ibn Battuta. During the 14th century he crossed all of North…
Japan is one of the most ethnically and culturally homogeneous countries in the world, as almost the entire population identifies as Japanese. However, there are a few minorities and two indigenous peoples: the Ryukuans in the Ryukyu Islands to the south, and the Ainu in northern Japan. After centuries of colonization and forced assimilation, only…
Vampires are among the most common and popular creatures in the modern horror genre, but similar figures have been recorded in several cultures across the world for a long time. The typical trait that defines vampires is that they feed on the blood of living creatures, or another kind of vital essence. Other characteristics might
Regarded as one of the greatest military leaders of all time, but also among the most brutal, Timur is the only Mongolian conqueror who came close to reach the power of Genghis Khan. His conquests during the late 14th century united a large portion of Asia, and his rule coincided with the flourishing of art…
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is an island and a territory of Chile located in the Pacific Ocean, extremely far from any other land. In fact, Easter Island is one of the most remote places on Earth, being over 2,000 km away from the nearest inhabited island, Pictairn Island (which only has around 50 residents)…
Currently, the tallest structure ever built is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which stands at 829.8 meters tall. This skyscraper is just the most recent in a long series of structures that have held the title of the world’s tallest since ancient times. However, not all of these fit the modern definition…
Between the 17th and the 19th century, it was a custom for wealthy Europeans to take a trip around Europe, usually in their early 20s. This trip, known as the Grand Tour, was a popular rite of passage during which travelers studied the culture and history of Europe, especially the heritage of classical antiquity and…
Opera is an art form that combines acting and music, and sometimes also dance, with performers taking on dramatic roles. Its name comes from the Latin and Italian word “opera”, meaning work, and indeed this form of theater originated in Italy and it is a key aspect of Italian tradition. Over time, opera evolved to…
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire dominated the production and commerce of silk in Europe. For centuries, silk contributed heavily to the Byzantine economy, while Costantinople was the main silk-weaving center in all of Europe. Byzantine silk was a prestigious commodity sold at high prices, and was known for its bright colors and complex…