Tag: travel

Rhinoceros

~ joannerambling ~ 10 Comments

This week’s hooved animal is the rhinoceros or rhino the word rhinoceros is a combination of two Greek words – rhino (nose) and ceros (horn).

There are five living species of rhinoceros – white, black, greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran. In addition, a number of other animals have rhinoceros as part of their names, including the rhinoceros auklet, rhinoceros beetle, rhinoceros chameleon, rhinoceros cockroach, rhinoceros fish, rhinoceros hornbill, rhinoceros iguana, rhinoceros rat snake, rhino shrimp, and rhinoceros viper. All of them have horn-like appendages on their noses.

They can be found in several countries across both Africa and Asia. In Africa, you can find them in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In Asia, they can be found in India, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. 

The two main species of rhino in Africa are the black rhino and the white rhino. Black rhinos are found in 12 African countries, with the largest populations in Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. White rhinos are found in 11 African countries. 

Asia is home to the greater one-horned rhino, Javan rhino, and Sumatran rhino. You can find them in India, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. 

A rhino’s horn is not attached to its skull. It is actually a compacted mass of hairs that continues to grow throughout the animal’s lifetime, just like our own hair and nails. The longest horn on record belonged to a white rhino and measured just under 152cm or 60 inches, which is five feet, and I am only four foot eleven inches tall.

The rhinoceros’s closest living relative is the tapir. Horses and zebras are also related, but less closely than tapirs. All three belong to the group of odd-toed ungulates, known as Perissodactyla. Really horses and zebras that sounds weird.

The white rhino’s name comes from the Afrikaans word “wyd,” which means “wide” and describes its mouth. Early English settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the “wyd” for “white”. Black rhinos may have received their name from the dark wet mud in their wallows that made them appear black in colour. Both species are gray in colour, the famous Blue Rhino, corporate logo for the well-known propane tank company, is entirely a figment of its founder’s imagination.

After mating, adult male and female rhinos typically go their separate ways. After the calf is born, it will spend a couple of years or more in the company of its mother, and perhaps associate with other females and their calves, but the father rhino is not part of the standard social group.

They are not generally considered friendly to humans, although they are not inherently aggressive. They prefer to be just left alone and will only charge if they feel threatened or are protecting their young. Female rhinos, especially those with calves, can be particularly dangerous in the wild. While they may not intentionally seek to harm humans, their size and power make them a serious threat if they do charge. 

The live anywhere between 35 and 50yrs depending on the breed.

All five species of rhinos are herbivores, eating mainly vegetation. They spend most of their time browsing and grazing through their natural habitat in search of plants and grasses to eat.

Week 20 of 2025

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I had another good night slept all night waking only once to pee at 1am.

Kathy rang me this morning to wish me a happy Mother’s Day.

It is raining this morning; it has rained all day and has been a cold day.

I have felt sad a lot of the day, Jess brought over more Mother’s Day gifts for me, shop bought slippers and a crochet bag for my feet and lower legs.

Steps:6070= 3.4km’s

BGL6.6

I slept for 9hrs & 10mins according to my watch and was awake for only 8mins during the night.

BGL:6.5

Jess came over to drop her work shirts for me to wash, she said she was very tired and just wanted to go to bed but she has to drive Sam to Tafe.

Sue rang around 9.30 to let me know her glasses are in and ask if I would like to go with her to pick them up, so I did.

It has rained on and off all day.

Steps:6,728=3.9km’s

I slept for 7hrs and 32mins and was awake for only 7mins according to my watch.

I did a load of washing and hung it out.

I forgot that Sam wasn’t going to school today as it is the sports carnival.

It is a cold day but mostly a dry day.

This afternoon I am feeling sad and don’t know why, I feel life is so damn hard right now.

I am feeling extremely tired this arvo.

Steps:7712=4.5km’s

I slept for 11hrs and 10-mins and was awake for 29-mins during the night. In fact, I was in bed by 6.35 and pretty much fell straight asleep and slept straight through the night.

I am coughing and sneezing a lot this morning and suddenly around 6.45 started to feel really cold. The temp was 15C

By midday it had warmed up to 22C and I had to take my long sleeve singlet.

Steps: 5635=2.98km’s

BGL: 7.0

I slept well, I did wake a couple of times to pee but straight back to sleep. I slept for 6hrs and 59mins and was awake for 24mins during the night.

I started to ride the scooter up to wait with Sam for her transport to arrive but while I was stopped out the front of Jess’s it started to rain so I came back and swapped to the walker. I was waiting for Sam to join me and had my back against the letter boxes, well Sam came up behind me and when she touched my shoulders I screamed. I was recording a text for Sue and had to assure her I was ok due to the screaming.

After I got back it started to piss down raining and rained most of the day.

I mopped the laundry, kitchen and bathroom floors. I also changed the sheets.

Sue went to have her tyre looked at and while she was at the tyre place the road out the front flooded, one small red car was nearly covered in water. To leave she had to drive down the footpath, but she managed it.

Tim rang at 5pm to let me know he will be late due to the traffic. As it turned out he was 30-mins late.

BGL:5.8

Steps:7,575= 4.61Km’s

I slept well, 6hrs and 14mins and I was awake for 14mins during the night.

I woke feeling sick in the gut, but that improved after I ate. I also woke to rain.

It has rained on and off all day, Sue came and took me to do some shopping. Thankfully it wasn’t raining when I went to meet Sam this arvo.

Sue said the bras I bought her from Temu fitted well and she is happy with them.

Tim has conjunctivitis in one eye, he said he will see if he can see a pharmacist tomorrow and get some drops for it.

BGL: 5.8

Steps: 9,033=5.59km’s

I slept well, 7hrs & 4min and I was awake for 23mins during the night. It is a cold morning had to get a jacket on as well as turn the heater on, thankfully only needed it on for an hour.

It has been fine all day no rain at all.

Tim rang to let me know he will be late.

When Jess got home from work, she brought over her work shirt for me to wash and to the cleaned re-ironed shirt home with her.

Steps: 8,244=5.13kms

BGL: 6.2

Hobart

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

This week we are looking at Hobart, which is the capital of Australia’s island state of Tasmania, sits on the River Derwent. It has a population of around 56,000.

Nearby is Battery Point, a historic district with narrow lanes and colonial-era cottages. The city’s backdrop is 1,270m-high Mount Wellington, with sweeping views, plus hiking and cycling trails.

Battery Point is Hobart’s first suburb, and widely regarded as the best-preserved colonial-era suburb in Australia.

The Muwinina people are the traditional owners of Hobart, Tasmania. They are one of the four distinct groups of Tasmanian Aboriginal people who lived in southern Tasmania, along with the Nuenonne, Mellukerdee, and Lyluequonny. The Muwinina were known as the “South East People”. The city of Hobart is situated on land that was once the domain of the Muwinina for thousands of years. 

Hobart is Australia’s second-oldest capital city, it was founded in 1804 as a British penal colony, by Lt-Governor Collins. Initially named Hobart Town, it grew from a small settlement to a significant port, driven by industries like whaling and shipbuilding. 

Hobart served as a penal colony, with a significant influx of convicts and a growing reliance on industries like whaling and shipbuilding. 

In 1811 Governor Macquarie ordered a town plan for Hobart, which was developing rapidly, with hotels, shops, and other establishments. 

The 1820s saw increased development with more efficient administrators and a growing number of free settlers and ex-convicts. 

The town became a municipality in 1852 and in 1857 it was designated a secular city. It was in 1881 that the “Town” was formally dropped from its name, leaving it as simply “Hobart”. 

Today, Hobart is a vibrant city with a thriving cultural scene, including the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). It also boasts a dynamic food scene and the famous Salamanca Market. 

Hobart is one of the best places to visit during Summer, with average temperatures ranging from 11.5 – 21°C (52.7 – 69.8°F). The months of January and February are also the driest, and beaches are warm enough to swim. 

Autumn has many calm, sunny days, with average temperatures between 8.9 – 17.3°C (48 – 63.1°F). The city is blanketed in deep red and yellow hues as the trees begin to change.

During Winter the island feels the southerly winds from the Antarctic and experiences some of Australia’s coolest temperatures. Mount Wellington is dotted with snow and average daily temperatures range from 5 – 12.3°C (41 – 54.1°F). Overnight temperatures can drop as low as 3°C (37.4°F).

In Spring, average temperatures range from 7.8 – 16.9°C (46 – 62.4°F). This is the wettest time of year (168.7mm / 6.6 inches), however it should be noted that Hobart is Australia’s second-driest capital city (after Adelaide).

Hippo’s

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This week we are looking at hippo’s aka hippopotamus they are what some refer to as stout and naked-skinned. They are semiaquatic artiodactyl mammals, possessing three-chambered stomachs and walking on four toes on each foot. While they resemble pigs physiologically, their closest living relatives are the cetaceans. They are sometimes referred to as hippopotamids.

Their hooves are different from other ungulates, as they are more like fingernails. Their feet are webbed, which helps them move about in water.

They are found in the heart of Africa’s wetlands. These semi-aquatic creatures live in and around lakes, rivers, and grassland swamps. There are two species of hippopotamuses, the common river hippopotamus and the smaller pygmy hippopotamus.

Common river hippopotamuses are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They live in waterways like rivers, lakes, swamps, and estuaries. These semi-aquatic mammals can be found in various African countries, with populations in both East and West Africa.

Pygmy hippos, unlike their larger relatives, are found in the tropical rainforests and swamps of four West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Their slightly smaller bodies have adapted to allow them to easily navigate the vegetation in rainforests.

Hippos must keep their skin wet with mud or water for most of the day to stay hydrated. While they don’t have sweat glands, they secrete a red substance called blood sweat. This helps protect their reddish-brown, thick yet sensitive skin from sunburn and keeps it moisturised. Despite their need to spend most of their time in the water, hippos can’t swim. Instead, they run or walk along riverbeds. When they’re rafting—napping while submerged in water—a subconscious reflex keeps them near the water’s surface.

They are formidable creatures and considered the second largest land mammal, smaller only than elephants. The average male hippo can weigh around 3,200 kilos (7,000 pounds, they’re typically around 3.5 metres (11 feet) long and 1.5 metres tall (5 feet).

While adult pygmy hippos stand about 75–100 cm (2.46–3.28 ft) high at the shoulder, are 150–175 cm (4.92–5.74 ft) in length and weigh 180–275 kg (397–606 lb). Their lifespan in captivity ranges from 30 to 55 years, though it is unlikely that they live this long in the wild.

Hippos have bulky, barrel-shaped bodies, short and stout legs, large heads, and enormously powerful jaws. Their jaws can open to 180 degrees and their bite is three times stronger than a lion. They have incredible sharp teeth that can grow up to 50cms long, which are used for eating and defence. The common hippopotamus has four webbed toes adapted to support them on land and in water. On the other hand, pygmy hippos tend to have less webbing and slightly longer legs. A hippo’s eyes and nostrils sit on top of its head, which helps it stay mostly submerged in water while breathing and keeping an eye on its surroundings. Although hippos can’t breathe underwater, they can hold their breath for up to five mins.

Hippos exhibit strong social bonds and typically live in groups of anywhere between 40 to 200, known as bloats, pods, or herds.

They are territorial creatures and use their dung to mark their territory. Male hippos have been known to flick their dung around to assert dominance. This dung is actually important to their aquatic ecosystems, as it transfers vital nutrients from land to water, allowing insects, plants, and other microorganisms to flourish. 

They play a crucial role in the ecosystem it inhabits in other ways, too. These herbivores graze on the vegetation surrounding wetlands, helping prevent overgrowth, which can clog water sources, disrupt the natural flow of water, and threaten the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. 

Healthy wetlands act as effective carbon sinks and remove excess carbon from the atmosphere. By maintaining the balance of these delicate ecosystems, hippos help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Hippos are facing several threats to their survival as a species. Global conservation efforts are critical to ensuring the well-being of the species and the ecosystems it inhabits. 

Dominica Pt 2

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This week we are looking at a few more facts about the country of Dominica.

Their national animal is the Sisserou parrot, also known as the Imperial amazon or Dominican amazon. It is an endangered species, endemic to Dominica, and appears on the national flag and coat of arms.

The national flower is the Sabinea carinalis, commonly known as Carib Wood or Bois Caraibe. It’s also referred to as Bwa Kwaib. 

They have an official national dish called Callaloo soup. This hearty, thick soup is made with dasheen leaves, coconut milk, and often includes yams, peppers, onions, salted meat or crab, and green bananas. It’s a staple in Dominican cuisine and is often served during special occasions. 

The coat of arms was adopted on July 21, 1961. It consists of a shield with two guardian sisserou parrots bracing the shield atop of which is a lion passant. The quarters of the shield depict a canoe, a banana tree, a palm and a frog of the native species known as the mountain chicken.

The country has made strides in protecting women’s rights through legal frameworks and international commitments, but challenges remain, particularly in areas like workplace discrimination and access to reproductive health services. The government has enacted legislation addressing violence, including domestic violence and sexual offenses, and has ratified international conventions like CEDAW. However, gaps exist in areas like employment discrimination and the availability of emergency contraception.

The age of consent for sexual relations is 16. The law prohibits using children for commercial sexual exploitation, including child sex trafficking, and related activity may be prosecuted under laws against prostitution or trafficking.

Dominica has a Westminster-style parliamentary government, and there are three political parties–the Dominica Labour Party (the majority party), the Dominica United Workers Party, and the Dominica Freedom Party. A president and prime minister make up the executive branch.

It is considered one of the safest Caribbean countries for travelers. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a same-sex couple, or a family with children, the island’s progressive laws, including legislation decriminalizing same-sex relations on 22 April 2024, ensure a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all demographics.  However, visitors should exercise caution at all times. Regarding outdoor activities, most beaches in Dominica are safe for swimming and snorkelling.

Adelaide

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This week we are looking at the town of Adelaide the capital of South Australia, it has a population of around 1.4 million.

It is unique in Australia for being a planned city established as a free settlement, not a penal colony. Founded in 1836, it was named in honour of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, wife of King William IV. The city’s layout, designed by Colonel William Light, features a grid pattern surrounded by parklands, making it a “city within a park”.

It was the first Australian city to be linked by telegraph to London (1872), and the first to allow women to vote (1895). 

It is also known as the “City of Churches” due to the presence of numerous religious buildings. 

The River Torrens, flowing through the city, played a significant role in its development and is a landmark feature. That being its ring of parkland on the River Torrens is home to renowned museums such as the Art Gallery of South Australia, displaying expansive collections including noted Indigenous art, and the South Australian Museum, devoted to natural history. The city’s Adelaide Festival is an annual international arts gathering with spin-offs including fringe and film events.

The traditional owners of the Adelaide region, specifically the Adelaide Plains, are the Kaurna people. They are recognized as the custodians of this land, with their traditional lands extending from Port Broughton to Cape Jervis. The City of Adelaide formally acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. 

The traditional Kaurna name for Adelaide is Tarntanya, which translates to “red kangaroo place”. The Kaurna people are the Traditional Owners of the Adelaide Plains, and Adelaide was their central gathering place and area of movement and activity. While the city of Adelaide is now known by its European name, the Kaurna name is increasingly recognized and used, particularly in signage and dual naming efforts. 

So, what is the town known for well, its vibrant arts and cultural scene, particularly its extensive festival calendar. It’s also recognized for its high-quality education and beautiful natural landscapes, including beaches and wine regions. Furthermore, Adelaide is a city known for its charming architecture, exceptional coffee, and artisan produce.

The Adelaide region has a Mediterranean climate, characterised with cold to mild wet winters and warm to hot dry summers. Most of the region’s rainfall occurs from mid-autumn to mid spring (April to October), which coincides with southern Australia’s wet season.

In May 1899, in a break with the common international practice of setting one-hour intervals between adjacent time zones, South Australia advanced Central Standard Time by thirty minutes after lobbying by businesses who wanted to be closer to Melbourne time and cricketers and footballers who wanted more daylight.

Melbourne

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This week we are looking at the town of Melbourne.   Greater Melbourne’s area of approximately 9900 km² of suburbs spread more than 40 km to the south, 30 km to the east, 20 km to the north and sprawl across vast, flat basalt plains to the west.

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city’s centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.

Melbourne’s population is estimated to be around 5.39 million people.

Melbourne is situated on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples, part of the Eastern Kulin Nation. These First Nations peoples have a strong connection to the land, water, and community, and their history and culture are integral to Melbourne’s identity. 

Melbourne has always been an important meeting place for events of social, educational, sporting, and cultural significance for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and their Eastern Kulin neighbours. 

The Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples continue to have a strong connection to their land, water, and community, and they are actively involved in cultural preservation and community engagement. 

Melbourne offers opportunities for visitors to learn about and experience Aboriginal culture through organizations like the Koorie Heritage Trust, Museums Victoria (Bunjilaka), and other cultural initiatives. 

Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate, also known as a mild temperate climate. This means it experiences warm summers, cool winters, and relatively consistent rainfall throughout the year. It’s also known for its unpredictable weather, with locals often saying they can experience four seasons in a single day. 

The town’s location on the coast and its proximity to the Southern Ocean contribute to its changeable weather. It’s also located on the boundary of hot inland areas and the cool Southern Ocean, which further contributes to its unpredictable conditions. 

Melbourne is widely known for its vibrant street art, bustling laneways, world-class coffee culture, diverse culinary scene, and thriving arts and culture scene. It’s also renowned as a major sporting city, hosting major events like the Australian Open and Australian Grand Prix. Additionally, Melbourne is recognized for its liveability and multiculturalism, making it a popular destination for both residents and visitors. 

Melbourne’s history begins with its founding in 1835 by settlers from Tasmania who established a settlement on the Yarra River. The city was named in honour of the British Prime Minister, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. Melbourne experienced significant growth due to the 1850s Gold Rush, which brought in a large influx of people and fuelled economic prosperity. 

In the 1850’s the discovery of gold in the region led to the Gold Rush, dramatically transforming Melbourne into a bustling metropolis. The city’s population quadrupled, reaching 80,000 within three years.  

In 1851 Victoria separated from New South Wales and became a separate colony, with Melbourne as its capital. 

Between 1850 and 1880 Melbourne became a major trading and industrial centre, with the development of infrastructure like railways and the Melbourne Harbour Trust.  During 1901 and 1927 Melbourne served as the seat of government for the Commonwealth of Australia. 

Melbourne hosted the Summer Olympics in 1956, becoming the first city outside of Europe and North America to do so. 

During the 1990’s and 2000’s Melbourne continued to evolve, with the development of major infrastructure projects like CityLink and the construction of Federation Square.

Melbourne is also famous for The Melbourne Cup which is a horse race held on the first Tuesday in November. It is an annual race held at the Flemington Racecourse. It is the richest two-mile handicup in the world and one of the richest turf races. The event starts at 3:00 pm on the first Tuesday of November and is known locally as “the race that stops the nation”.

The Melbourne Cup has cemented itself as a part of Melbourne and Australian culture, having been run every year since 1861 except for an intermission during both World Wars.

The day of the race has been a public holiday for much of Victoria since 1876.

Cuba Pt 2

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This week we are looking at Cuba’s national things.

The coat of arms of Cuba features a shield prominently displayed in front of a fasces crowned with a Phrygian cap. The shield is supported by an oak branch on one side and a laurel wreath on the other. This heraldic design, created by Miguel Teurbe Tolón in 1849, is the official symbol of Cuba.

The national bird of Cuba is the Cuban Trogon, also known as the Tocororo. This vibrant bird features a green back, a blue crest, a red belly and beak, and a white throat and chest. Its distinctive colours mirror those of the Cuban flag, which is why it was chosen as the national symbol. 

The national flower of Cuba is the white ginger lily, also known as the White Mariposa or Butterfly Jasmine. Its scientific name is Hedychium conarium. 

The national dish of Cuba is Ropa Vieja, which translates to “old clothes” in Spanish. It’s a flavourful stew made from shredded beef, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and spices. The dish is often served with rice, black beans, and plantains. 

While Cuba doesn’t have a single officially designated national drink, the Mojito and the Cuba Libre are widely recognized as its most iconic and popular cocktails. The Mojito, a blend of rum, mint, lime, and sugar, is a classic Cuban drink often associated with the country’s hot weather and vibrant culture. The Cuba Libre, a simple mixture of rum and Coca-Cola, is another beloved beverage that symbolizes Cuba’s struggle for independence and remains a symbol of Cuban identity. 

The national colours of Cuba are red, white, and blue. These colours are prominently featured on the Cuban flag, which consists of three blue stripes, two white stripes, and a red triangle with a white star. 

Symbolism of the Colours:

  • Blue: Represents the country’s maritime location and the ideals of its people.
  • Red: Symbolizes the blood spilled by those who fought for Cuban independence.
  • White: Represents the purity of the revolutionary cause. 

The national sport of Cuba is baseball. While football (soccer) is also popular, baseball has a strong cultural significance and is considered the national sport. It was introduced in the 1860s from the United States and quickly became a beloved pastime. 

Darwin

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This week we are looking at the town of Darwin which is the capital of the Northern Territory and has been since 1911 when the area was transferred from South Australia to the Commonwealth of Australia. The handover also included a renaming of the city from Palmerston to Darwin.  Darwin was also given city status in 1959.  It was a former frontier outpost.

The traditional owners of Darwin are the Larrakia (saltwater) people. Larrakia country runs far beyond the municipal boundaries of Darwin, covering the area from the Cox Peninsula in the west to the Adelaide River in the east. The Larrakia people established the first trade routes in the region, trading with the Tiwi, Wagait, and Wulna people as well as with Indonesian fishermen. Their stories, songs, and ceremonies echo the strong connection and understanding they have with the saltwater country.

Darwin is a gateway to massive Kakadu National Park. Its popular waterfront area has several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park. Also near the water is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, displaying Southeast Asian and Pacific art, plus a pearling lugger and other seafaring vessels. 

In 1839, the HMS Beagle with Lt. John Lort Stokes aboard sailed into the waters of what is now known as Darwin harbour. Stokes named the harbour after his former shipmate British evolutionist Charles Darwin but contrary to popular rumours, Darwin himself never visited the area.

Darwin was originally founded as Palmerston in 1869, although the port was always known as Port Darwin. The town’s growth was accelerated when gold was discovered at Pine Creek in 1871. 

In 1939 a Darwin Town Management Board was formed comprising three Commonwealth Government officers and a Citizens’ Advisory Committee. However, it ceased when Darwin was bombed during World War II.

Between February 1942 and October 1943, the Japanese launched more than 60 air raids over Darwin.

Since the early 1960s, Council has hosted a service on 19 February to commemorate the Bombing of Darwin. In 2011, the Governor General of Australia officially declared the 19 February ‘Bombing of Darwin Day – A National Day of Observance’.

When Darwin returned to civilian control after the war, a new Town Management Board was formed comprising officials and a representative group of residents.

On 1 July 1957 the people of Darwin elected for the first time a Mayor and 12 Councillors. There was much enthusiasm at the time for granting of self-governance with a voter turnout of more than 85 per cent on Election Day, 29 June 1957. Council’s first elected Mayor was Lucius (Bill) Richardson.

In May 1975, Darwin elected its first female Mayor, Dr Ella Stack, who also played a strong role in the Darwin Reconstruction Committee.

In 1978 the Commonwealth passed The Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978 establishing the Northern Territory as a distinct political entity under the Crown, with limited state-like powers, effective on 1 July 1978.

In November 1979 Dr Stack became Darwin’s first Lord Mayor.

Darwin was the scene of the biggest airlift in Australian history after Cyclone Tracy devastated the city in the early hours of Christmas Day 1974. Cyclone Tracy killed 66 people and injured thousands more. Many of those who died or were injured were struck by flying debris.

More than 30,000 of the city’s then 43,000 people were evacuated to cities and towns all over Australia immediately after the devastation of Tracy. But for many Darwin was a hard place to stay away from and people returned to resume their lives in the capital city of the Northern Territory. After the cyclone, the Darwin Reconstruction Commission (DRC), made up of Federal, Territory, and Local Government representatives, was involved with the running and rebuilding of the city which gradually turned Darwin into the most modern capital city in the nation.

The estimated usual resident population of Greater Darwin in 2021 was 139,902. This makes Darwin Australia’s smallest capital city. The city has nearly 53% of the Northern Territory’s population. 

Cuba

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This week we going back to North American counties, there are 23 countries in North America, each with its own history and culture.

This week’s country is Cuba.

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, and 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the northern Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean meet.

The capital is Havana it has Spanish colonial architecture in its 16th-cecntury Old Havana core which includes the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a fort and maritime museum. The National Capitol Building is an iconic 1920s landmark. Also in Old Havana is the baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal and Plaza Vieja, whose buildings reflect the city’s vibrant architectural mix.

The population is around 11 million and the language is Spanish.

In Cuba, religion is a vibrant and diverse aspect of culture, with Catholicism being the largest single religious group. While the government has a history of promoting atheism, today, religion thrives with a mix of Catholicism, Protestant Christianity, Afro-Cuban religions like Santería, and other syncretic practices.

The Cuban peso also known as moneda nacional, is the official currency of Cuba. The Cuban peso historically circulated at par with the Spanish-American silver dollar from the 16th to 19th centuries, and then at par with the U.S. dollar from 1881 to 1959. one and the country now has a single-currency economy. Until 1st January 2021, Cuba had spent nearly 20 years living and working with 2 currencies, the CUP ( Cuban Peso ) and the CUC ( Cuban Convertible Peso )

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The Cuban flag, officially called the Bandera nacional de Cuba, features five alternating horizontal stripes of navy blue and white, with a red triangle at the hoist (the side with the pole) bearing a white five-pointed star in its centre. This design reflects Cuba’s history, particularly its struggle for independence and the unification of its regions. The flag was officially adopted on May 20, 1902.

Symbolism of the Colours:

Blue: Represents the country’s maritime location and the ideals of its people.

Red: Symbolizes the blood spilled by those who fought for Cuban independence.

White: Represents the purity of the revolutionary cause. 

Cuba is constitutionally defined as a single party Marxist–Leninist socialist republic with semi-presidential powers.

iguel Díaz-Canel. Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (Latin American Spanish: [miˈɣel ˈdi.as kaˈnel]; born 20 April 1960) is a Cuban politician and engineer. He has served as the 8th first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba since 2021 and as the 17th president of Cuba since 2019.

The current Constitution of Cuba was adopted in 2019 after a public referendum, and it is considered the last socialist-inspired constitution with Soviet influence. The 2019 constitution aims to become a “normative constitution,” ensuring direct application of its principles, a challenge given Cuba’s history of weak legal culture. The constitution emphasizes socialism, communism, and the exploitation of man by man, while also promoting environmental protection and responding to climate change.