Blog - Photations

Qanat

A qanāt (Persian: قَنَات) or kārīz (کَارِیز) is a water system created in ancient Iran to move water from underground sources, like aquifers or wells, to the surface through underground tunnels. This system was developed about 3,000 years ago and works similarly in many areas of Asia and North Africa, though it has different names in other regions. For example, it is called kārēz in Afghanistan and Pakistan, foggāra in Algeria, khettāra in the Atlas Mountains, daoudi-type falaj in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and ʿuyūn in Saudi Arabia.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Persian gardens

In garden design, a Persian garden, also known as an Iranian garden (Persian: باغ ایرانی), is a type of landscape garden that developed during the Achaemenid Empire. Nine historical gardens in Iran have been inscribed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Sites under the name “The Persian Garden” since 2011.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China (traditional Chinese: 萬里長城; simplified Chinese: 万里长城; pinyin: Wànlǐ Chángchéng, meaning “ten thousand li long wall”) is a series of walls built in China. These walls were constructed along the northern borders of ancient Chinese states and the imperial kingdom to protect against groups of people who moved around in the Eurasian Steppe. The earliest walls were built in the 7th century BC and later connected during the Qin dynasty.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Flow Country

The Flow Country (Scottish Gaelic: Dùthaich nam Boglaichean) is a very large area of wetland covered in peat in Caithness and Sutherland, northern Scotland. It is the largest blanket bog in Europe and covers about 4,000 km² (1,500 mi²). The area has deep peat and many small pools, making it an important place for wildlife.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier is a World Heritage Site that includes 17 building projects in seven countries designed by the Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. These sites show how modern architecture was used to meet the needs of society and highlight how this style spread across the world. Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (1887–1965), known as Le Corbusier, was an architect, city planner, and writer who helped shape modern architecture.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven (simplified Chinese: 天坛; traditional Chinese: 天壇; pinyin: Tiāntán) is a group of religious buildings used by emperors and located in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The buildings were first used by the Ming emperors and later restored by the Qing dynasty for yearly ceremonies to pray for good harvests and other seasonal rituals. The Temple of Heaven was added to the list of World Heritage sites in 1998.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu

The Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu, Shandong Province, China, include three main parts: the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion. Since 1994, the Temple of Confucius (Chinese: 孔庙; pinyin: Kǒng Miào) has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called “Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu.” The other two parts of the site are the Kong Family Mansion (Chinese: 孔府; pinyin: Kǒng Fǔ), where direct descendants of Confucius lived, and the Cemetery of Confucius (Chinese: 孔林; pinyin: Kǒng Lín), located a few kilometers north, where Confucius and many of his descendants are buried. Together, these three sites are known in Qufu as San Kong (三孔), meaning “The Three Confucian [sites].”

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Taputapuatea marae

Marae Taputapuatea is a large marae complex located in Opoa, Taputapuatea, on the eastern coast of Raiatea. The site includes several marae and other stone structures. It was once the main religious site of Eastern Polynesia.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

La Amistad International Park

La Amistad International Park, also called Parque Internacional La Amistad in Spanish, was once known as La Amistad National Park. It is a protected area shared between Costa Rica and Panama. Costa Rica manages the Caribbean La Amistad and Pacific La Amistad Conservation Areas, while Panama also plays a role.

April 11, 2026 No Comments

Lugbara cuisine

Lugbara cuisine is a type of food from East Africa and the historical Lado Enclave. The Lugbara people, who live in northwestern Uganda and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, eat vegetable dishes and also consume animals such as goats, cows, and guinea fowl. They also collect insects like white ants or winged termites, which are called nyaka in the Lugbara language spoken in Arua.

April 11, 2026 No Comments