Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is the southern region of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, United States. The region occupies roughly the same area as the Santa Clara Valley where it is centered. It is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations as well as thousands of small start ups. The term originally referred to the region's large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers, but eventually came to refer to all high-tech businesses in the area, and is now generally used as a metonym for the American high-technology sector.

Despite the development of other high-tech economic centers throughout the United States and the world, Silicon Valley continues to be a leading hub for high-tech innovation and development, accounting for one-third (1/3) of all of the venture capital investment in the United States. Geographically, Silicon Valley encompasses all of the Santa Clara Valley, the southern Peninsula, and the southern East Bay. With the rapid growth of the technology sector, the term "Silicon Valley" is frequently used to include other parts of the Bay Area, such as San Mateo County, San Francisco, and parts of Marin County.

Blueberry

  BLUEBERRY 

 

 

Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath (Ericaceae) family whose other members include the cranberry and bilberry as well as the azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from that of a small pea to a marble. They are deep in color, ranging from blue to maroon to purple-black, and feature a white-gray waxy "bloom" that covers the berry's surface and serves as a protective coat. The skin surrounds a semi-transparent flesh that encases tiny seeds. Cultivated blueberries are typically mildly sweet, while those that grow wild have a more tart and tangy flavor. 

Health Benefits

Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and flavor, yet very low in calories. Recently, researchers at Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals.

 

 

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle is a triangular shaped area located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The area is noteworthy because of the number of unexplained disappearances that have occurred there. (For those who never heard about it) – Ships and aircrafts have gone off the radar after sailing or flying into this zone, never to be heard from again. The mystery deepens when remnants of these vessels are never found.

In an attempt to explain the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle, theories abound. Such theories include everything from aliens to government cover-ups yet none have been proven 100% conclusive.

In recent years more attention has been focused on the reports of disappearances, crashes, and sinking’s. Through careful research, many of the reports have been proven to have been exaggerated and still others have been discounted completely. Comparatively, the destruction by an inside source, such as the entire crew of a ship has been reviewed and is represented one possible answer to the disappearances. Monetary gain would be the most likely motivating factor allowing the crew to split the bounty and then simply disappear.

          In addition many believe that the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle are no more mysterious than any other location in the vast ocean. Catastrophes of this nature occur throughout the ocean, and when compared the triangle does not represent a more dangerous area than other locals.

Scientifically, the reasons behind the disappearances points to the idea of underground volcanoes that release a natural gas known as methane. These volcanoes or hydrates have the potential to erupt simultaneously and cause destruction to watercraft. The resulting debris would then be carried away from the area quickly, leaving no visible evidence. This theory however, does not explain aircraft that are lost in the area.

Weather has also been described as possibly playing a role in the legend and would account for destroying not only water vessels but also aircraft. Hurricanes are capable of producing the power needed to sink a ship as well as sheer wind velocity could bring down a small aircraft.

Lastly, a theory proposed by the United States Coast Guard concerns compass direction. In their report it was stated that there is a difference between magnetic north and truth north by nearly 20 degrees. This difference could account for ships being lost or located milks from their destination. This theory produced a lot of controversy and has since been discounted. The idea that seasoned ship Captains could become disoriented and then disappear due to a mere 20 degrees difference was found to be ridiculous.These are only a few of the many theories that abound regarding the Bermuda Triangle.

Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples

 

                     Indigenous peoples are peoples defined in international or national legislation as having a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and their cultural or historical distinctiveness from other populations that are often politically dominant. The concept of indigenous peoples defines these groups as particularly vulnerable to exploitation, marginalization and oppression by nation states that may still be formed from the colonizing populations, or by politically dominant ethnic groups. As a result, a special set of political rights in accordance with international law have been set forth by international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Labor Organization and the World Bank. The United Nations have issued a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to guide member-state national policies to collective rights of indigenous peoples—such as culture, identity, language, and access to employment, health, education, and natural resources. Although no definitive definition of "indigenous peoples" exists, estimates put the total population of post-colonial indigenous peoples who seek human rights and discrimination redress from 220 million to 350 million.

THE THREATS
 ● State discrimination, such as withholding citizenship or rights afforded other citizens, the tactical use of violence to intimidate and control, and legislation that defines basic Indigenous activities as illegal and punishable by imprisonment, torture and death.
● Eviction from our native lands, carried out by governments, so that our assets can be exploited by outside interests.
● The physical removal or “stripping” of our natural assets, including mineral resources, timber, water, and agricultural lands for business interests.
● Eviction from our native territories in the name of conservation.
● Exploitation of intellectual property, such as our stories, traditional ways and artwork, without compensation because we do not have access to patents or other legal framework for ownership.
● Few countries recognize Indigenous Peoples as legitimate groups, leading to our exclusion from political forums in which to defend our rights.
● Denial of access to legal avenues to secure and defend our rights.
● Exclusion from philanthropic, state and charitable funding and support.
● Benign neglect by civil society.

 

 

The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole

 

The Great Blue Hole - a hole in the world's largest blue - is a big drain on the coast of Belize. It is located near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of mainland Belize. This hole perfectly round, more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) and depth of 480 feet (146 meters).

 The Blue Hole is the result of repeated ruins of a limestone cave system that formed during the sea level lower during the last ice age journey.
Geographical phenomena remarkable this is one the most spectacular dive sites in the world, made famous by Jacques-Yves Cousteau who declared it was one of the best scuba diving the best of the 4 sites on Earth. In 1971, he took ship and submarine Calypso to the hole to the depth chart and examine stalactites hang suspended from the wall.

Contrary to rumors, Cousteau was not losing his son Philippe in here - he died elsewhere in a helicopter crash. Cousteau also did not use explosives to destroy the patch reefs at Calypso navigation at the Blue Hole.
Depth creating indigo blue color that causes such structures is known as the 'blue hole.

Pederson's cleaning shrimp that inhabit everywhere and surrounded by prominent anemone, and the neon gobies advertise their cleaning services from various coral heads. Angelfish, butterfly fish, hamnlets, and small groupers are also frequently seen. Elkhorn coral is growing to the surface and sweeping purple sea fans in calm water surface, they look rich shimmering colors.
The walls are thin from the surface to a depth of about 110 feet (44 meters) where you begin to discover the actual formation of stalactites back angle, which allows you to dive under the overhang horrible. Water movement and visibility approaching 200 feet (61 meters).
The deeper areas in the Blue Hole does not have abundant life because of the walls that limit, resulting in a lack of water circulation and light.

Local residents feel this should be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. And now protected by the Belize Audubon Society and the Belize National Monument. It became a World Heritage site in 1997.