Philippine

The Philippine archipelago consist of 7,107 islands with a total land area of 300,000 square kilometers or 115,830.60 square miles (about the same size as Italy). The 11 largest islands contain 94% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon at about 105,000 km². It is where the capital city of Manila is located. The next largest island is Mindanao at about 94,600 km². The Philippines is approximately 800 km from the Asian mainland and is located between Taiwan and Borneo.


The Philippine islands are divided into three groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon islands include Luzon itself, Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, and other smaller islands. The Visayas is a group of several small islands, the largest of which are: Panay, Bohol, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, and Samar. Mindanao island includes Mindanao island itself and the Sulu Archipelago, composed of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu. Each island group has a Philippine destination worth visiting.


Climate in the Philippines is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5° Celsius. Filipinos generally recognize three seasons:

Summer: March to May
Rainy Season: June to November
Cold Season: December to February (moderate to folks from temperate countries)
Philippine Population: 86,000,000 / Per Capita Income: $4,700
Literacy: 93%
HIV-AIDS Prevalence: less than 0.1%
Electricity: 220V (110V is available, mostly in major hotels)

The islands of the Philippine archipelago are volcanic in origin and are mountainous. The islands are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mt. Apo (2,954 meters above sea level) in Mindanao is the highest peak, while the second highest peak is Mt. Pulog in Luzon. It rises 2,842 meters above sea level. The Philippines have numerous rivers, volcanoes, streams, narrow coastal plains and beautiful sandy beaches which foreign and local tourist enjoy. The country has a total of 36,289 kilometers of coastline.


Travel within the Philippines not difficult, if you don't mind riding the sometimes rickety public transportation. There are all kinds of transportation available to tourist and locals: Airplanes and ferries for inter-island transfers, buses & taxis ply in major cities all over the Philippines and the ubiquitous jeepney can be found everywhere. In Metro Manila, modern light rail transit is available on main roads. In tertiary roads & small rural towns the tricycle is the transport of choice.

The official languages in the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on the Tagalog dialect (the dialect of national capital region), is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education in the Philippines. There are also 76 major local languages and more than 500 different minor dialects throughout the archipelago. 83% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations, Moslems and Buddhist.

This guide previews the more popular tourist spots in the Philippines beginning with the City of Manila, then Baguio City, Banaue Rice Terraces, Batanes Group of Islands, Batangas, Boracay Island, Cebu City, Corregidor, Davao City, Iloilo, Palawan Island, Pangasinan's Hundred Islands, Puerto Galera Beach, Bohol Islands and the World Heritage City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Mabuhay!

PHILIPPINES GUIDE

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

Philippine travel destinations guide gives you an overview of popular tourist spots in the Philippines. On each of the featured tourist destination on this travel guide, you will find places of interest on each destination, things to do and how to get there. We have included a page of travel tips, a list of fascinating Philippine festivals that runs year round, a collection of underwater scuba diving pictures, and a map of the Philippines for your reference.

Communications and getting around the country is easy as most Filipinos understand and speak English. Mobile phones are used throughout the archipelago. Foreigners can buy "pre-paid" SIM cards for their cell phones for temporary use in the country to avoid costly roaming charges. Also, foreign currency can easily be converted into Philippine Peso and all major credit cards are accepted at big department stores, restaurants, bars and major establishments.

Filipinos are a fun-loving and friendly people. Throughout the islands, there are festivals celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome in their homes. Every travel destination on this guide is worth a visit. We have featured the most frequently visited tourist spots in the Philippines: the capital city of Manila; Boracay Beach (see Boracay hotels); Baguio - the summer capital of the Philippines; Bohol Island; Corregidor Island; Cebu City; Davao City; the Islands of Palawan; the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; Puerto Galera Beach; the old Spanish colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vigan in Ilocos Sur; and the breathtaking Banaue Rice Terraces.

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL VISA

Foreign nationals are allowed to

 enter and travel within the Philippines for 21 days without a visa

provided that they have valid tickets for their return journey to their port of origin or to their next travel destination port and that their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months. Extension of stay is available at thePhilippine Bureau of Immigration after paying a minimal fee. For stays longer than 21 days, a 

Temporary Visitors Visa is required.

Exceptions: Passport holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), British National Overseas (BNO) and Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport holders are only allowed up to 7 days stay without a visa. Foreign nationals from Brazil and Israel are allowed up to 59 days without a visa.

Planning your trip

Planning your trip to the Philippines:

Travel light - limit the things you carry with you when you travel. If at all possible, carry just one 9" x 22" x 14" bag with a maximum weight of 20 pounds. If you can manage to limit your bag to this size, you don't have to check-in your luggage at the airport. Upon arrival to your destination, you can go directly to customs while everybody is waiting for their luggage at the carousel. Pack light and pack smart. When choosing what to bring, think in terms of what you can do without rather than what might be handy for the trip.

When you travel to the Philippines, bring light clothing specially if you're visiting in summer. Cotton Tees, shirts, pants and walking shorts are your best bet. For ladies, a hat with brim will help protect against the heat of the sun. A pair of sunglasses with UV protection is recommended. And if you plan to travel to the countryside or walk a lot, don't forget to bring your comfy sneakers or sandals.

Note that the Philippines uses 220V of electricity. Most 5-star hotels provide 100V outlets but generally, they are not available, specially in the rural areas. So if you're planning to bring some electronic gadgets, make sure you bring a converter with you.

Travel tip for smokers:

 long haul flights can be difficult for smokers. Bring with you a couple of nicotine patches and put one on about an hour before your flight. It is amazing how this small patch can make your craving for a smoke disappear.

Travel Tip on Valuables:

Avoid bringing valuables. A decent watch and faux accessories (optional) are all you need. But in case you did bring some expensive jewellery, deposit them and your other valuables in the hotel safe (most major hotels provide them for free).

Also, a phone is all that is needed to make international calls to your family or perhaps to hear from friends around the world.

Make sure you make a photocopies of your passport and tickets just in case you loose them. Keep the copies in a separate locations - place them in the deep pockets of your luggage.

It is a good idea to use a belt bag to put your money, passport and other valuables when on the road rather than a bag. And position it in front of your body and under your shirt if possible. Better yet, use a money belt and hide it under your clothing.

Never leave your bag and other valuables on the beach or Tipping:

It is customary to leave a tip when rendered a service. On restaurants, a 10% tip based on the total bill is recommended. However, if there is already a service charge on the bill, a tip then becomes optional.

Taxis drivers, bellboys, chambermaids, all expect to be tipped. For a short taxi ride, a P20 tip will suffice. But for hotel bellboys and chambermaids, a P100 tip is more appropriate. Adjust the tip according to your length of stay and service rendered.

Shopping Tips:

If you are about to do some shopping and are scheduled to visit the Philippines, don't. Do your shopping in the Philippines. Even designer clothes are sold cheaper in the Philippines than the countries they are made in. Many Filipinos living overseas come home to see their families and shop at the same time. The savings oftentimes pays for their vacation.

Aside from the goods, you can save substantially by having your medical, dental and cosmetic needs done in the Philippines. Ask for referrals from friends (or the hotel concierge for minor services) and choose the best ones.

Philippine Travel Seasons:

June to August is the typhoon season. Although the temperature is moderate and hotel rates are lower, it is not the best time to travel specially if you intend to see the countryside or cross the islands by sea.

From March to May is summer time and is a good time to see the islands with clear skies and calm waters. You are also assured that no flights or ferry boat trips will be cancelled due to typhoons. Although expect the temperatures to occasionally reach 38 degrees centigrade.

The best time to see the country is from November to February when the weather is cooler. It is also a good time to see the longest Christmas season in the world. Were Filipinos start to decorate for Christmas as early as October.

Accommodation Tips:

It's a good to have an idea of the type of activities you would like to do and the attractions that you would like to see. This will help with your accommodation selection in that you will try to find a hotel that is close to everything that you want to do.

Do your research on the Internet and look around for accommodation packages that will suit your needs. There are many hotel reservation sites online that offer very competitive deals and so it makes it hard to make a decision on which one to choose.

Once you have found a few hotels you like, don't forget to look through the amenities and facilities. Make sure your room is air conditioned because it can get really hot especially in summer.

General Philippine Travel Tips:

Filipinos (as with most Asians) are mostly conservative. Act, speak and dress modestly, more so when going to the countryside. In most places, wearing shorts, tees, sleeveless shirts, sandals or sneakers are fine - specially in summer.

Avoid talking about religion and politics specially to people you have just met. Especially when drinking (alcoholic beverages) this sometimes lead to heated arguments or worse.

If you are going to Mindanao (southern Philippines) where some areas are predominantly Muslims, dress conservatively - specially the women. And don't call Muslims Moros. It's considered rude.

When travelling overseas, its always a good practice to get a travel health insurance. Travel health insurance offers peace of mind when abroad. Also, check with local health authorities for any concerns when going to remote villages. And drink only bottled water or canned beverages when unsure of the local water supply.

Filipinos are a very friendly and welcoming people. The Philippines has a lot to offer its visitors. Discover the country, get to know the people and their culture. Enjoy your visit to the Philippines and Mabuhay!

Australia, Sydney

Amazon River

Amazon River Trans

Subterranean Amazon river ‘is not a river’

BY DAVID TWOMEY · 
BUSINESS, CLIMATE, INDUSTRY, NEWS, POPULATION, SCIENCE, TRAVEL, WATER ·TAGGED: AMAZON, BBC, BRAZIL, BUSINESS, CARBON EMISSIONS, CLIMATE, CLIMATE CHANGE, ECONOMY, EMISSIONS, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, ETS, GOVERNMENT,GREENHOUSE GASES, GROUNDWATER, RESEARCH, RESOURCES, RIVER, SUSTAINABLE

A massive subterranean ‘river’ said to be flowing beneath the Amazon region of Brazil is not really a river in the conventional sense, even if its existence is confirmed.

The so-called ‘river’, named the River Hamza, has received wide media coverage following the presentation of a study on it to a Brazilian science meeting last week.

However, BBC news in the United Kingdom says the researchers involved have since clarified that water was moving through porous rock at speeds measured in centimetre a year, not flowing.

Another Brazilian expert said the groundwater was known to be very salty.

Valiya Hamza and Elizabeth Tavares Pimentel, from the Brazilian National Observatory, deduced the existence of the ‘river’ by using temperature data from boreholes across the Amazon region.

The Brazilian oil company Petrobras in the search for new oil and gas fields dug the holes, and Petrobras has since released its data to the scientific community.

The BBc report says that using mathematical models relating temperature differences to water movement, the scientists inferred that water must be moving downwards through the ground around the holes, and then flowing horizontally at a depth of several kilometres.

They concluded that this movement had to be from West to East, mimicking the mighty Amazon itself.

A true underground river on the scale suggested, 6000km long, would be the longest of its kind in the world by far.

Professor Hamza told BBC News that it was not a river in the conventional sense.

“We have used the term ‘river’ in a more generic sense than the popular notion,” he said.

In the Amazon, he said, water was transported by three kinds of ‘river’, the Amazon itself, as water vapour in atmospheric circulation, and as moving groundwater.

“According to the lithologic sequences representative of Amazon [underground sedimentary] basins, the medium is permeable and the flow is through pores, we assume that the medium has enough permeability to allow for significant subsurface flows.”

The total calculated volume of the flow, about 4000 cubic metres a second, is significant, although just a few per cent of the amount of water transported by the Amazon proper.

The underground flow could be confirmed with coastal measurements, scientists suggest

At the same time the speed of movement is even slower than glaciers usually display, never mind rivers.

Jorge Figueiredo, a geologist with Petrobras, disputes whether water really is transported right across the region in this way.

“First of all, the word ‘river’ should be burned from the work, it’s not a river whatsoever,” he told BBC News.

Water and other fluids could indeed flow through the porous sedimentary rock, he said, but would be unlikely to reach the Atlantic Ocean because older rock deposits that would form an impermeable barrier separated the sedimentary basins containing the porous rock.

“The main problem is that at depths of 4000m, there is no possibility that we have fresh water, we have direct data that this water is saline,” said Dr Figueiredo.

Press reports suggested Professor Hamza was optimistic about confirming his results over the next few years using more direct methods.

But, he said, this was not the case.

He said it may be possible to examine directly sediments transported into the Atlantic by the subterranean flow, he said, noting that a zone of relatively fresh water extends into the ocean near the mouth of the Amazon.

BBC News says the research, Indications of an Underground “River” beneath the Amazon River: Inferences from Results of Geothermal Studies, was presented at the 12th International Congress of the Brazilian Geophysical Society in Rio de Janeiro, and has not been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

old course different land uses and the harbour amazon river

Beauty of Great Amazon River 

Amazon River

Amazon River
The Eight Most Important Things to Know About the Amazon River

Amazon River The "Meeting of the Waters" occurs about 8 miles from Manaus, Brazil, when the "white" Solimoes River meets the "black" Rio Negro, forming the Amazon River.

The Amazon River in South America is an amazing and important river for the planet and therefore, you need to know about it. Here are the eight most important things you need to know about the Amazon River:

1. The Amazon River carries more water than any other river in the world. In fact, the Amazon River is responsible for about one-fifth (twenty percent) of the fresh water that flows into the world's oceans.

2. The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world (the Nile River in Africa is the longest) and is about 4,000 miles (6400 km) long. (In July 2007 a group of scientists reportedly determined that the Amazon River might just be the longest river in the world, taking that title from the Nile River. It will take further studies to substantiate the claim and for the Amazon River to be recognized as the longest.)

3. The Amazon River has the largest watershed (area of land that flows into the river) and more tributaries (streams that flow into it) than any other river in the world. The Amazon River has more than 200 tributaries.

4. Streams that begin in the Andes Mountains are the starting sources for the Amazon River.

5. Most of the runoff of Brazil flows into the Amazon River along with runoff from four other countries: Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador.

6. Due to the vast amount of water as well as sediment that are deposited where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the color and salinity of the Atlantic Ocean are modified for nearly 200 miles (320 km) from the delta.

7. For much of its path, the Amazon River can be as much as one to six miles wide! During flood seasons, the Amazon River can be much, much wider; some report it is more than 20 miles wide (32 km) in certain places.

8. The Amazon River taken different routes since it began to carry water. Some scientists have determined that the Amazon River even flowed west at one time or more, into the Pacific Ocean.

The Amazon River is the second longest river (it is just shorter than the Nile River in Egypt) in the world and it has the largest watershed or drainage basin as well as the most tributaries of any river in the world. For reference, a watershed is defined as the area of land that releases its water into a river. This entire area is often referred to as the Amazon Basin. The Amazon River begins with streams in the Andes Mountains in Peru and flows into the Atlantic Ocean about 4,000 miles (6,437 km) away.

The Amazon River and its watershed encompass an area of 2,720,000 square miles (7,050,000 sq km). This area includes

the largest tropical rainforest in the world - the Amazon Rainforest. In addition parts of the Amazon Basin also include grassland and savannah landscapes. As a result, this area is some of the least developed and most biodiverse in the world.

Along its length, the Amazon River flows through three countries and its basin includes three more. The following is a list of these six countries that have claims to the Amazon region arranged by their area. For reference, their capitals and populations have also been included. All information was obtained from the CIA World Factbook .

1) Brazil
• Area: 3,287,612 square miles (8,514,877 sq km)
• Capital: Brasilia
• Population: 198,739,269 (July 2010 estimate)

2) Peru
• Area: 496,225 square miles (1,285,216 sq km)
• Capital: Lima
• Population: 29,546,963 (July 2010 estimate)

3) Colombia
• Area: 439,737 square miles (1,138,914 sq km)
• Capital: Bogota
• Population: 43,677,372 (July 2010 estimate)

4) Bolivia
• Area: 424,164 square miles (1,098,581 sq km)
• Capital: La Paz
• Population: 9,775,246 (July 2010 estimate)

5) Venezuela
• Area: 352,144 square miles (912,050 sq km)
• Capital: Caracas
• Population: 26,814,843 (July 2010 estimate)

6) Ecuador
• Area: 109,483 square miles (283,561 sq km)
• Capital: Quito
• Population: 14,573,101 (July 2010 estimate)

References
Center for Global Environmental Education: Hamline University. (n.d.). Rivers of Life: Profile - the Amazon. Retrieved from:http://cgee.hamline.edu/rivers/Resources/river_profiles/Amazon.html

Rosenberg, Matt. (14 June 2010). Amazon River - Overview of the Amazon River. Retrieved from: http://geography.about.com/od/specificplacesofinterest/a/amazonriver8.htm

Wikipedia.org. (14 October 2010). Amazon River - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_River

Sphinx

Sphinx

Sphinx

There are two creatures called a sphinx.
1.One sphinx is an Egyptian desert statue of a hybrid creature. It has a leonine body and the head of another creature -- typically, human.

2.The other type of sphinx is a Greek demon with a tail and wings.

The 2 types of sphinx are similar because they are hybrids, having body parts from more than one animal.

Mythological Sphinx and Oedipus:
Oedipus was made famous in modern times by Freud, who based a psychological condition on Oedipus' love of his mother and murder of his father. Part of Oedipus' ancient legend is that he saved the day when he answered the riddle of the sphinx, who had been ravaging the countryside. When Oedipus ran into the sphinx, she asked him a riddle she did not expect him to answer. Should he fail, she would eat him.

She asked, "What has 4 legs in the morning, 2 at noon, and 3 at night?"

Oedipus answered the sphinx, "Man."

And with that answer, Oedipus became king of Thebes. The sphinx responded by killing herself.

Great Sphinx Statue in Egypt:

That may have been the end of the most famous, mythological sphinx, but there were other sphinxes in art and some of them still exist. The earliest is the sphinx statue made from the native bedrock in the desert sands at Giza, Egypt, a portrait thought to be of Pharaoh Khafre (fourth king of the 4th dynasty, c. 2575 - c. 2465 B.C.). This -- the Great Sphinx -- has a lion body with a human head. The sphinx may be a funerary monument to the pharaoh and of the god Horus in its aspect as Haurun-Harmakhis.

Winged Sphinx:
The sphinx made its way to Asia where it gained wings. In Crete, the winged sphinx appears on artifacts from the 16th century B.C. Ahortly thereafter, around the 15th century B.C., the sphinx statues became female. The sphinx is often depicted sitting on her haunches.

Giza Plateau Computer Model
As part of an investigation of the construction of the Giza pyramid complex. the Oriental Institute has been involved in a computer model. Here are a wireframe and a renderedmodel of the sphinx temple.

Great Sphinx
This InterOz site says "sphinx" means "strangler," a name given the woman/lion/bird statue by the Greeks. Site tells about repair and reconstruction efforts.

Guardian's Sphinx
Photographs and physical description of the Great Sphinx which is thought to have been commissioned by the Fourth Dynasty's King Khafre.

Saving the Secrets of the Sand
Interview and article on Dr. Zahi Hawass, director of the Sphinx Restoration Project, by Elizabeth Kaye McCall. See Recent Interviews for more information from Dr. Hawass.

Remnants of a Lost Civilization?
Zahi Hawass and Mark Lehner explain why most Egyptologists ignore the early dating theories of West and Schoch -- West and Schoch ignore the evidence of Old Egyptian society.

Aztec Pyramid

Aztec Pyramid

Aztec warrior

The Aztecs were an ethnic group with a rich mythological and cultural heritage, who lived in the Mexican valley between the 12th and 16th century AD. An extremely religious race, they believed extensively in the practice of human sacrifice. Their architectural grandeur reflected the values and beliefs that existed in those times.

Aztec architecture is best described as colossal, intending chiefly to manifest their power, while simultaneously adhering to strong religious beliefs. Chiefly influenced by the Toltecs of Cohuacan, the Tepanecs of Atzcapotzalco, and the Acolhuas of Tetzcoco, the Aztecs relied on their architecture to endorse their military strength. The most amazing aspects of it were the magnificent Aztec pyramids, which were built in order to worship their various deities and most importantly, to offer human sacrifices. According to their beliefs, human sacrifices were necessary to repay God’s blessings, and it was conducted periodically. Essentially sun and moon worshippers, the pyramids were positioned incredibly like a giant celestial calendar, and when the planets line up, it was possible to see the respective celestial body, when atop the corresponding pyramid. These pyramids also represented mountains, a source of life-sustaining water and fertility, and they were also considered as abodes of ancestral spirits, since most important people were buried within them.

The Great Pyramid In Tenochtitlan

The capital of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan, an overwhelming city, where the most impressive and monumental Aztec architecture, The Great Pyramid rose majestically, 60m above the city. The pyramid was a colossal structure, possessing a natural sense of order and geometrical symmetry. It consisted of four step-like platforms built on top of each other, and they related to the four cardinal directions. Atop it was the main temple of Tenochtitlan, which was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and sun, and Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility.

The Appearance Of Aztec Pyramids

A Serpent Head On Aztec Pyramid

The appearance of most temples was similar due to its symmetrical terraces and steep steps with ornamental balustrades, rising from the centre and pointing towards the heavens. Serpent heads made of stone were significantly placed at the end of the stairs, chiefly to ward away evil spirits. The wide platform itself was decorated with sculpted stone blocks and human skulls. The temples and the staircase always faced the western direction. Flat plateaus or sacrificial blocks were built on the top of the pyramids, with an adjacent chamber for the idol and an antechamber for the priest. The Aztecs used bas-reliefs, walls, plazas and platforms effectively to represent their gods. Other smaller structures associated with the temple formed a closely placed complex formation around its base.

Another striking feature of the Aztec pyramid temple is the stone-representation of an eagle that is considered to be the form of Huitzilopochtli-Tonatiuh, as can be seen on temples at Tepoztlan, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Xochicalco, the round temple of Cempoala, and the temple of Ehecatl in Calixtlahuaca.


Archaeology and historical records reveal how these temples were the main centers of the Aztecs, as it was here that most of their myths came to life through the process of elaborate rituals. The Great Pyramid, one of the finest testaments of Aztec architecture, was destroyed in 1521, along with the whole Aztec empire, by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.© Aztec History. All rights reserved.

The Aztecs were rather religious in nature. This term is used in reference to the ethnic groups of people that lived in the central parts of Mexico. These groups of people were particularly dominant during the 14th, 15th and the 16th century. Perhaps, it is their extremely religious behavior, which is why we see the presence of Aztec pyramids, which are dominant structure that reflect the kind of beliefs this group had back then. These pyramids thus had many other significant roles to play in the lives of the Aztecs. Here is a look at some details associated with Aztec pyramids.

Aztec Pyramids:
The one noticeable feature about the Aztec pyramids was the step pattern incorporated in the design. These Aztec pyramids were mainly built for religious purposes. As mentioned before, the Aztecs were a religious group of people. These pyramids were therefore used to worship their Gods as well as to offer a sacrifice. The temple area on the top of the pyramid often had flat spaces, which played the role of a sacrificial block.

These pyramids were often symmetrical in their appearance. The structure rose from the center and pointed towards the sky, which holds true for all pyramids. The sides had steep steps and there was always the presence of a temple on the top. Such step pyramids were also built by other cultures although their styles may have varied. Archaeologists have unearthed that these temples were also a place where elaborate rituals were performed based on certain myths. Their superstitious beliefs can be seen in many features associated in the design of the Aztec pyramids. Discoveries have revealed, the Aztec pyramids also have specifically designed serpent heads that were placed towards the bottom of the stairs. This symbolized the Snake Mountain- Coatepec (the birth place of the main God of the Aztecs). The reason for this was only to keep evil spirits away. These carved serpent heads were always made of stone. The Aztecs also used bas-relief as a way to represent their Gods.

These Aztec pyramid temples also symbolized mountains. Mountains, for the Aztecs represented the heart of the city – a major source of water and fertility. For the Aztecs, symbolism was incorporated into every form used to decorate these pyramids. One can see the presence of sculpted stone blocs and even skulls that were used on the edges of the balustrades. The stones used for the pyramid were often carved in geometrical shapes.

Symbolism was the main characteristic of their architecture. They used various patterns and even colors to signify different meanings. For example, the color black would represent north where as the color blue, symbolized the direction of south. This was also in relation to the particular God that ruled the direction as well. White represented the direction of west and east was symbolized with the color red. Each God that represented these 4 directions was worshipped because they held a great amount of significance to the Aztecs.

The Templo Mayor is a fine example that best represents Aztec pyramids. This temple was the main temple of the Tenochtitlan. Also known as the Great Pyramid, it rose to a majestic height of about 60m. Unfortunately, Hernán Cortés destroyed it in 1521. Findings by archeologists have revealed that the temple atop this pyramid was in honor of Huitzilopochtli (God of war and sun). This temple was unearthed during the years, 1978 – 1987.

These were some of the many interesting details associated with the Aztec pyramids. These magnificent structures stand testimony to the architectural wonders of that era!

The life of Aztec warriors was one of constant battle. The primary purpose for this continual Aztec warfare was to take prisoners to be sacrificed to their gods. As the Aztec empire expanded, however, another major purpose of Aztec wars was to expand the size and power of the empire.

Becoming an Aztec Warrior

Young Aztec men became warriors at the young age of 17. Aztec warriors were expected to be brave and noble. Yet, both free commoners and nobility underwent military training. Those who were of noble lineage, however, also received training in religion, politics, or history by the priests. The priests, too, engaged in warfare, as the overall purpose of the Aztec warriors was to serve and pay respect to the gods. The pride the Aztecs felt in warfare was even made evident by their system of government, which required new rulers to prove themselves first on the battlefield.

The Jaguar and Eagle Aztec Warriors

Those Aztec warriors who demonstrated the most bravery and who fought well became either jaguar or eagle warriors. Of all of the Aztec warriors, they were the most feared. Both the jaguar and eagle Aztec warriors wore distinguishing helmets and uniforms. The jaguars were identifiable by the jaguar skins they wore over their entire body, with only their faces showing from within the jaguar head. The eagle Aztec warriors, on the other hand, wore feathered helmets including an open beak.

Aztec Weapons and Dress

The Aztec warriors carried a variety of weapons, including stabbing javelins, wooden spears, ob sidian knives, and clubs. In addition, they flung firestones at their enemies using slings made of wool. Most of the Aztec weapons were actually designed to stun and capture opponents rather than to kill them. In this way, opponents could be easily brought back to the temple for sacrifice. To protect themselves, Aztec warriors used round shields, which they fringed with feathers. The remainder of the costumes worn was dependent upon military ranking of the Aztec warrior.

Military Ranking of Aztec Warriors

Aztec warriors could move up in ranking by capturing enemies. After capturing four enemies, they were eligible to become either a jaguar or eagle Aztec warrior knight. These military orders were primarily comprised of nobility. Warriors who were of a commoner background, however, could enter into the ranks of nobility by capturing enemy warriors. But, this form of promotion was uncommon. In addition, there were two orders of Aztec warriors,otontin and cuahchicqueh. These Aztec warriors were considered to be elite and vowed to never retreat from battle.