Monthly Archives: August 2018

The Netherlands is not to be confused with the region of Holland, or the Low Countries. Capital and largest city: Amsterdam 52°22′N 4°53′E Government seat: The Hague Language. Official languages: Dutch. Official regional languages: West Frisian, Papiamento, English. Recognized regional languages: Limburgish, Dutch … Continue reading →

Capital and largest city: Brussels 50°51′N 4°21′E Official Languages: Dutch, French, German Religion: Christianity 69.7%, No religion 32%, Islam 5.2%, other 2.1% Demonym: Belgian Gorvernment: Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Monarch Philippe Independence from the Netherlands. Declared Oct4 1830. Recognized April 19 … Continue reading →

Faroe Islands Aug 10-12 2018 Capital & largest city: Torshavn. 62°00’N 06°47’W Official languages: Faroese, Danish Ethnic Groups: Faroe Islanders Demonym: Faroe Islanders, Faroese Sovereign state: Kingdom of Denmark Area: 1,399 km2 (540 sq mi) (unranked). Water 0.5% Population (2017): 50,778 (206th). Density: 35.2/km² GDP (PPP): $1.462 billion. Per capita: $33,700 … Continue reading →

Capital & largest city: Torshavn. 62°00’N 06°47’W Official languages: Faroese, Danish Ethnic Groups: Faroe Islanders Religion: Church of the Faroe Islands Demonym: Faroe Islanders, Faroese Sovereign state: Kingdom of Denmark Government: Devolved government within parliamentary constitutional monarchy Monarch: Margrethe II … Continue reading →

Denmark Aug 10-31  2018 Capital and largest city: Copenhagen 55°43′N 12°34′E Official languages: Danish. Recognized regional languages: Faroese, Greenlandic, German Religion: Church of Denmark Demonym: Danish, Dane Government: Unitary pariliamentary constitutional monarchy. Monarch: Margrethe II History: Consolidation – 8th century. Constitutional … Continue reading →

Reykjavik & West Iceland – July 31-Aug 2 Day 6 (continued) THE GOLDEN CIRCLE This is the most popular tourist route in Iceland covering a vast area of geological and historical attractions. THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK This is Iceland’s most important … Continue reading →

South & East Iceland – August 3-9 FJALLABAK NATURE RESERVE The Fjallabak route (F208)is a spectacular alternative to the coast road between Hella and Kirkjubæjarklaustur and gives access to Landmannalaugar, possibly the prime hiking area in all of Iceland, and … Continue reading →

A Muslim Among Israeli Settlers – What happens when a Pakistani American writer goes deep into the West Bank? Wajahat Ali – June 2018 Atlantic Magazine I was here to report on Jewish settlers, the 600,000 citizens of Israel living beyond … Continue reading →

Iceland July 24-Aug 9, 2018 I drove from Amsterdam to Hirtshals, at the northern tip of Denmark to catch the ferry. The 980km drive took me a full 24 hours of sleep and shopping time. The route went east from … Continue reading →

The 9.9 Percent Is the New American Aristocracy The class divide is already toxic, and is fast becoming unbridgeable. You’re probably part of the problem. 1. The Aristocracy Is Dead … For about a week every year in my childhood, … Continue reading →