Author Archives: admin

KYOTO (pop 1.5 million) is the main tourist city of Japan. The Kyoto basin was first settled in the 7th century, and by 794, it had become the capital of Japan and home of the Imperial family until 1868, when it … Continue reading →

JAPAN – Kyusu, South Honshu March 14-20 Another country, my twelfth this winter. Another currency (worth about 100 yen to the $US), driving on the left, another language that I don’t know a word of, and a people who speak … Continue reading →

Capital: Tokyo Government: Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy Area: total: 377,915 km². water: 13,430 km² Population: 127,960,000 (2011 est.) Language: Japanese (but no official language) Religion: Shinto and Buddhism (often both), Christian (0.7%) Electricity: 100V/50 or 60Hz (American plug, commonly … Continue reading →

South Korea March 4-14 I took the bus into Seoul (pop 24 million metro area) but the train would be faster and much cheaper (it was not in my Lonely Planet). Finding my hostel was an adventure as small street … Continue reading →

Capital – Seoul Government – Republic Currency Won (₩) Area total: 98,480 km² land: 98,190 km² water: 290 km² Population 49,044,790 (July 2007 est.) Language Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Religion No organized affiliation 31.5%,Christian … Continue reading →

WATERFALLS – FLOW RATE This is a list of waterfalls of the world by mean annual flow rate, height and width. This list excludes rapids, such as Inga Falls or Livingstone Falls, which have a greater flow rate. Waterfall/Mean annual … Continue reading →

WHY MANY ASIAN MEGACITIES ARE MISERABLE PLACES  And why Shanghai and Tokyo are not Dec 11th 2025| THE ECONOMIST  FOR SEVEN decades Tokyo was considered the world’s most populous city. That was 15 years too long, according to data released last … Continue reading →

*indicates buildings I have been in. 1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai*. 163 stories, 829.8m high Tallest existing structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m or 2,063 ft) Tallest structure ever built: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously Warsaw … Continue reading →

Taiwan Feb 26 – March 4 TAIPAI (pop 2.6 million). It was a nice 3 hour flight to Taiwan with great views of the entire island and its large central mountain range. After landing I caught the city bus 40km … Continue reading →

Capital Taipei Government Multiparty democratic republic with a popularly elected president and unicameral legislature Currency New Taiwan dollar (TWD) Area total: 35,980 km2 – water: 3,720 km2 – land: 32,260 km2 Population 23,354,061 (August 2013 est.) Language Mandarin Chinese (official), … Continue reading →