1. Sharks generally have about 45 to 50 teeth – but that’s just the “front row” teeth. They also have, on average, as many as seven replacement rows of teeth behind the front row, ready to move into place if a tooth is damaged or falls out. With all the action a shark’s mouth sees throughout its lifetime, an individual might go through as many as 30,000 teeth.


2. Even though we associate sharks with big, sharp chompers, some species barely need their teeth. Whale sharks and basking sharks, two of the largest species, are both filter feeders and have numerous, tiny teeth – a whale shark might have up to 300 rows of teeth .

3. While sharks don’t use sounds to communicate, they do rely on body language. If you’re snorkeling or diving, it’s good to be aware of the body language sharks use to communicate that they’re uneasy. Hunched backs, lowered pectoral fins, sharp movements (in zig-zag or back-and-forth patterns), and diving down to touch the bottom are all good indicators that a shark is feeling uncomfortable.

4. Some large sharks have dramatically longer lifespans than small sharks. For instance, whale sharks (which generally range from 18 to 32 feet/5.5 to 10 meters in length) can live up to 100 years, while the smooth dogfish (with an average length between 2 and 4 feet/0.6 and 1.2 meters) might only live for 16 years.

5. Whale sharks claim the title of largest shark species, and are also the largest species of fish in the world. The basking shark, the second largest shark (and fish), averages between approximately 22 and 29 feet/ 7 and 9 meters. Pygmy Ribbontail Catsharks are perhaps the smallest, at about 6 to 7 inches/ 17 to 18 centimeters . Other small species include the Dwarf Lanternfish and the Spined Pygmy Shark , both of which are roughly the same average size as Pygmy Ribbontail Catsharks.

6. Sharks have complex and varied ways of giving birth to their young. Some lay egg cases, which have been nicknamed “mermaid’s purses” and sometimes wash up on beaches. However, a majority of sharks give live birth, and a female might give birth to as many as 48 pups in one litter.

7. There are some estimates that for every person killed by a shark, 25 million sharks are killed by people on an annual basis. While estimates vary as to how many sharks are killed, either for harvesting fins, hunting or in incidental “bycatch” in fishing equipment, the figures are all dramatic, ranging from 70 to 100 million. There are 201 sharks on the “Red List” of endangered species, compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Sharks are an essential component in ocean ecosystems, and their rapidly dwindling numbers are a major source of concern among conservationists. Movements like Project AWARE are drawing attention to and fight the over-exploitation of sharks. As an underwater ambassador, you can give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves by signing Project AWARE’s petition to provide protection for sharks and manta rays. Already signed the petition? Spread the word with people you know.

8. Research has helped bust the myth that sharks are attracted to the color yellow – in fact, they probably can’t see color at all. The old saying “yum yum yellow” was rooted in the idea that sharks could see and were more likely to approach divers wearing the color. Because sharks’ eyes were found to lack or have minimal color-sensing cells , it seems to make more sense that what actually draws attention is the contrast in colors, rather than the color itself.

9. Sharks live in all seven of the world’s oceans, but they’re not confined solely to wide-open bodies of salt water. There are species that can survive in mixed salt- and freshwater environments like estuaries and watersheds that connect to an ocean, while other species can live in completely fresh water .

10. Sharks are a living connection to the time of the dinosaurs. Fossilized teeth and scales dating from more than 400 million years ago give us clues about how those ancient ancestors looked. However, what we think of as “modern” sharks appeared around 100 million years ago. The frilled shark, which is rare but still in existence, has evolved very little over the millennia and is considered one of the best examples of what early sharks looked like.

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The Great Pyramid of Giza, located about ten miles southwest of Cairo, was built as a burial site for Egyptian pharaoh Khufu in the 26th century BCE. Standing at 481 feet high, the Great Pyramid was not only the largest pyramid ever built, it remained one of the tallest structures in the world until the late 19th century. Impressing visitors with its massiveness and beauty, it's no surprise that the Great Pyramid at Giza was considered one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Amazingly, the Great Pyramid has withstood the test of time, standing for over 4,500 years; it is the only Ancient Wonder to have survived to the present.



Khufu (known in Greek as Cheops) was the second king of the 4th dynasty in ancient Egypt, ruling for about 23 years in the late 26th century BCE. He was the son of Egyptian Pharaoh Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres I. Sneferu remains famous for being the very first pharaoh to build a pyramid.
Despite fame for building the second and largest pyramid in Egyptian history, there's not a lot more that we know about Khufu. Only one, extremely tiny (three inch), ivory statue has been found of him, giving us just a glimpse at what he must have looked like. We know that two of his children (Djedefra and Khafre) became pharaohs after him and it is believed that he had at least three wives.
Whether or not Khufu was a kind or evil ruler is still debated. For centuries, many believed that he must have been hated because of stories that he used slaves to create the Great Pyramid. This has since been found untrue. It is more likely that the Egyptians, who viewed their pharaohs as god-men, found him not as beneficent as his father, but still a traditional, ancient-Egyptian ruler.

 

The Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid is a masterpiece of engineering and workmanship. The accuracy and precision of the Great Pyramid astounds even modern builders. It stands on a rocky plateau located on the west bank of the Nile River in northern Egypt. At the time of construction, there was nothing else there. Only later did this area become built up with two additional pyramids, the Sphinx, and other mastabas.
The Great Pyramid is huge, covering a little over 13 acres of ground. Each side, although not exactly the same length, is about 756-feet long. Each corner is nearly an exact 90 degree angle. Also Interesting is that each side is aligned to face one of the cardinal points of the compass -- north, east, south, and west. Its entrance lies in the middle of the north side.
The structure of the Great Pyramid is made from 2.3 million, extremely large, heavy, cut-stone blocks, weighing an average of 2 1/2 tons each, with the largest weighing 15 tons. It is said that when Napoleon Bonaparte visited the Great Pyramid in 1798, he calculated that there was enough stone to build a one-foot-wide, 12-feet-high wall around France. 
On top of the stone was placed a smooth layer of white limestone. At the very top was placed a capstone, some say made of electrum (a mixture of gold and silver). The limestone surface and the capstone would have made the entire pyramid sparkle in sunlight.
Inside the Great Pyramid are three burial chambers. The first lies underground, The second, often mistakenly called the Queen's Chamber, is located just above ground. The third and final chamber, the King's Chamber, lies in the heart of the pyramid. A Grand Gallery leads up to it. It is believed that Khufu was buried in a heavy, granite coffin within the King's Chamber.

 

How Did They Build It?

It seems amazing that an ancient culture could build something so massive and precise, especially since they had only copper and bronze tools to worth with. Exactly how they did this has been an unsolved puzzle perplexing people for centuries. 
It is said that the whole project took 30 years to complete -- 10 years for preparation and 20 for the actual building. Many believe this to be possible, with the chance that it could have been built even faster.
The workmen who built the Great Pyramid were not slaves, as once thought, but regular Egyptian peasants who were conscripted to help with building for about three months out of the year -- i.e. during the time when the Nile floods and farmers were not needed in their fields.
The stone was quarried on the east side of the Nile, cut into shape, and then placed on a sledge that was pulled by men to the river's edge. Here, the huge stones were loaded onto barges, ferried across the river, and then dragged to the construction site.
It is believed that the most likely way the Egyptians got those heavy stones up so high was by building a huge, earthen ramp. As each level was completed, the ramp was built higher, hiding the level below it. When all the huge stones were in place, the workmen worked from top to bottom to place the limestone covering. As they worked downward, the earthen ramp was removed little by little.
Only once the limestone covering was completed could the ramp be fully removed and the Great Pyramid be revealed.

Looting and Damage

No one is sure how long the Great Pyramid stood intact before being looted, but it was probably not long. Centuries ago, all of the pharaoh's riches had been taken, even his body had been removed. All that remains is the bottom of his granite coffin -- even the top is missing. The capstone is also long gone.
Thinking there was still treasure inside, Arab ruler Caliph Ma'mum ordered his men to hack their way into the Great Pyramid in 818 CE. They did manage to find the Grand Gallery and the granite coffin, but it had all been emptied of treasure long ago. Upset at so much hard work with no reward, the Arabs pried off the limestone covering and took some of the cut-stone blocks to use for buildings. In total, they took about 30-feet off the top of the Great Pyramid.
What remains is an empty pyramid, still grand in size but not as pretty since just a very small portion of its once beautiful limestone casing remains along the bottom.

What About Those Other Two Pyramids?

The Great Pyramid at Giza now sits with two other pyramids. The second one was built by Khafre, Khufu's son. Although Khafre's pyramid appears larger than his father's, it's an illusion since the ground is higher under Khafre's pyramid. In reality, it is 33.5-feet shorter. Khafre is believed to have also built the Great Sphinx, which sits regally by his pyramid.
The third pyramid at Giza is much shorter, standing only 228-feet high. It was built as a burial place for Menkaura, Khufu's grandson and Khafre's son.
The help protect these three pyramids at Giza from further vandalism and disrepair, they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.


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The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a large and ornate mausoleum built both to honor and hold the remains of Mausolus of Caria. When Mausolus died in 353 BCE, his wife Artemisia ordered the construction of this vast structure in their capital city, Halicarnassus (now called Bodrum) in modern Turkey.  Ultimately, both Mausolus and Artemisia were buried inside.

The Mausoleum, considered one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, retained its grandeur for nearly 1,800 years, until earthquakes in the 15th century destroyed part of the structure. Eventually, nearly all of the stone was taken away to be used in nearby building projects, particularly for a Crusader castle.

Who Was Mausolus?

Upon the death of his father in 377 BCE, Mausolus became the satrap (a regional governor in the Persian Empire) for Caria. Although only a satrap, Mausolus was like a king in his realm, ruling for 24 years.
Mausolus was descended from the indigenous herdsmen of the area, called Carians, but appreciated Greek culture and society. Thus, Mausolus encouraged the Carians to leave their lives as herdsmen and embrace the Greek way of life.
Mausolus was also all about expansion. He moved his capital city from Mylasa to the coastal city of Halicarnassus and then worked on a number of projects to beautify the city, including building a large palace for himself. Mausolus was also politically savy and was thus able to add several nearby cities to his realm.
When Mausolus died in 353 BCE, his wife Artemisia, who also happened to be his sister, was grief stricken. She wanted the most beautiful tomb built for her departed husband. Sparing no expense, she hired the very best sculptors and architects that money could buy.
It is unfortunate that Artemisia died just two years after her husband, in 351 BCE, not seeing the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus completed.

 

What Did the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus Look Like?

Built from about 353 to 350 BCE, there were five famous sculptors that worked on the exquisite tomb. Each sculptor had a portion that they were responsible for -- Bryaxis (north side), Scopas (east side), Timotheus (south side), and Leochares (west side). The chariot on top was created by Pythis.
The structure of the Mausoleum was made up of three parts: a square base on the bottom, 36 columns (9 on each side) in the middle, and then topped by a stepped pyramid that had 24 steps. All of this was covered in ornate carvings, with life-size and larger-than-life statues abounding.
At the very top was the piece de resistance -- the chariot. This 25-foot-high marble sculpture consisted of standing statues of both Mausolus and Artemisia riding in a chariot pulled by four horses.
Much of the Mausoleum was made out of marble and the entire structure reached 140 feet high. Although large, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was known more for its ornate sculptures and carvings. Most of these were painted in vibrant colors.
There were also friezes that wrapped around the entire building. These were extremely detailed and included scenes of battle and hunting, as well as scenes from Greek mythology that included such mythic animals as centaurs.

 

The Collapse

After 1,800 years, the long-lasting Mausoleum was destroyed by earthquakes that occurred during the 15th century CE in the region.  During and after that time, much of the marble was carried away in order to build other buildings, most especially a Crusader fortress held by the Knights of St. John.  Some of the elaborate sculptures were moved into the fortress as decoration.
In 1522 CE, the crypt that for so long had safely held the remains of Mausolus and Artemisia was raided. Over time, people forgot exactly where the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus had stood. Houses were built on top.
In the 1850s, British archaeologist Charles Newton recognized that some of the decorations at Bodrum Castle, as the Crusader fortress was now called, could have been from the famous Mausoleum. After studying the area and excavating, Newton found the site of the Mausoleum. Today, the British Museum in London contains statues and relief slabs from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.  

Mausoleums Today

Interestingly, the modern word "mausoleum," which means a building used as a tomb, comes from the name Mausolus, for whom this wonder of the world was named.
The tradition of creating mausoleums in cemeteries continues around the world today. Families and individuals build mausoleums, both large and small, in their own or others' honor following their deaths.  In addition to these more common mausoleums, there are other, larger mausoleums that are tourist attractions today.  The world's most famous mausoleum is the Taj Mahal in India.  read more →

THE LEOPON
A cross between a leopard and lion.

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Akemi Kito and Hiroshi Matsuoka wed inside a chapel made of ice at the 'Igloo Village' on Lake Shikaribetsu on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.

During a mini-marathon celebrating the New Year, grooms run with their brides in Sanya, in south China's Hainan province. 

 

A bride and a groom sit on a beach in Lima before a ritual with shamans for Saint Valentine's Day.

 

Tomohiro Shibata and Satoko Inoue are wed in Tokyo by a humanoid robot named "I-Fairy."

Yulia Tagil sits on the backseat of a bike as she arrives for her wedding ceremony in Tel Aviv.

Fang Jing hangs off a cliff next to her husband in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China.

Joey Bayo and his wife Lea plant a mangrove tree after their wedding in San Jose town, Puerto Princesa, Palawan city, western Philippines.

An engaged couple poses on a pedestrian bridge on Valentine's Day in central Beijing.

Kong Qingyang and his bride Shen Likun sit on a forklift-turned-wedding car in Xingtai, Hebei province in China.

Prasit Rangsiyawong and his bride Varuttaon Rangsiyawong fly while attached to cables during a wedding ceremony in Prachin Buri province, east of Bangkok, Thailand.

Sorawich Changtor and his bride Rungnapa Panla run to escape a man dressed as a pirate in Prachin Buri province, east of Bangkok, Thailand.

Prasit Rangsiyawong kisses his bride Varuttaon Rangsiyawong in Prachin Buri province, east of Bangkok, Thailand.

Gerhard Pyper and his wife Jan stand in the English Bay after taking part in the 89th annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Erin Finnegan and Noah Fulmor got married in the first weightless wedding aboard a specially-equipped Boeing 727, while flying over the Gulf of Mexico.

Sine Andersen and her husband Rune Jamrath wed at the World Santa Claus Congress at an amusement park north of Copenhagen.

Melessa and Rick Clark exchanged vows in Times Square on New Year's Eve.

Chinese bridal couples travel on a public bus to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany to repeat their wedding vows.

Ramoncito Campo and his wife Hernelie Ruazol Campo stand in a flooded street during a southwest monsoon in Manila in the Philippines.

Marisela Matienzo and Carlos Munoz got married at a McDonald's in the suburb of San Pedro Garza, neighboring Monterrey in Mexico.

A Chinese couple poses for a wedding photo on a busy alleyway or 'hutong' in Beijing.

A man pulls a rickshaw carrying his wife as it snows in Weihai, Shandong province in China.

Cyclists ride past these newlyweds during the second stage of the Giro d'Italia in Italy.

Divers pose as "Bride and Groom" in an aquarium during an event to celebrate the month of June, the most popular month to wed in Manila in the Philippines.

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Public statue or sculpture is one of the most important part of impression of a city/town. They commemorate important events, reminds us of greatest people, or just some artistic work. Thousands of them have been made but only a few of them are really extraordinary and picture-worthy. Below we are presenting a list of top 23 most creative statues and sculptures around the world. Lets have a look.
1. Expansion by Paige Bradley, New York, USA

2. The Knotted Gun, Turtle Bay, New York, USA

3. People Of The River By Chong Fah Cheong, Singapore

4. The Monument Of An Anonymous Passerby, Wroclaw, Poland

5. Black Ghost, Klaipėda, Lithuania

6. Salmon Sculpture, Portland, Oregon, USA

7. Les Voyageurs, Marseilles, France

8. De Vaartkapoen, Brussels, Belgium

9. Break Through From Your Mold By Zenos Frudakis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

10. Sinking Building Outside State Library, Melbourne, Australia

11. Man At Work, Bratislava, Slovakia

12. Kelpies, Grangemouth, UK

13. Nelson Mandela, South Africa

14. The World War Scene With Real-Size Statues, Eceabat, Turkey

15. Underwater Sculpture, Grenada

16. Telephone Boxes, London

17. Stainless Steel Wire Fairy, UK

18. Coffee Kiss Sculpture, Hong Kong

19. A,A University of Houston

20. Recycled Tire Sculptures, Korea

21. Sneaky Photographer- Bratislava, Slovakia

22. Space Cow – Stockholm, Sweden

23. Melting Cow, Budapest Downtown

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