For Archipielago » Other – Destinations

Build An Island

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:19:09 +0000

Funny, but building an island is not really that uncommon. For centuries countries have built their own man made islands. Basically they dump tons of materials into the water, preferably somewhere a little more shallow than normal and continue to fill it up until they end up with an island. Usually these areas are not as bothered by high and low tide problems and major waves and so on. They are usually built in more calm waters.

In Dubai they have built many of these islands. They look amazing from the air in the shape of the globe or a palm tree. These islands cost a small fortune to build though.

Haiti, An Island Devastated

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:34:49 +0000

In January of 2010, yet another island has been devastated by a huge earthquake. A 7.0 earthquake hit the heart of Haiti, toppling buildings and killing thousands of people. The death toll there continues to rise as volunteers and residents try and dig out those who have been buried underneath tons of rubble. The search efforts now seem to find more dead than alive. Even the presidential palace was completed flattened by the huge earthquake.

This can happen anywhere in the world. But many times islands tend to be near a major fault. These faults can give way at anytime and cause major natural disasters without any warning. Experts try to understand and predict when these may occur, but in the end they are left scratching their heads as to why they cannot figure out when the next big one will hit and where.

No matter what, islands can be very dangerous places to live. They have to deal with the possibility of earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. When something like this happens, much of the world sits and waits to hear how many will end up dying and how many will end up having to wait long periods of time to find out whether or not their loved ones are safe.

Ellis Island

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:40:53 +0000

Many people have heard of Ellis Island but really do not understand what it really is and the role that it plays in our history. It was opened on January 1, 1892, and ended up becoming the United States main federal immigration station. It closed down around the year 1954 and did see and process over 12 million immigrants. This country saw most of its settlers come through this small island at one time or another. It is also said that over 40% of this country’s current residents can trace their ancestors and start here through this island.

In 1990 a museum honoring the island opened there. This can be a great place to visit and look into how history truly changed for this nation through the small island.

The American Family Immigration History Center also calls this island home. They can trace the over 25 million visitors to the island from the years of 1892 to 1924. For those that want to know more about their family history, this can actually be a great place to start. The center has be a good way for families needing to fill in missing pieces of their family trees to do so.

Maldives Underwater

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:44:10 +0000

The Maldives is an island like so many in the world. Reading various articles I did learn that they are different in many ways though. For one, the officials there decided to hold an underwater meeting. Why? Basically it has been predicted that in 100 years or less the island could be submerged in water. This would leave about 400,000 people homeless. They would all be refugees.

They are trying to lead the way for climate changes. Changes that they say can only be made by the rest of the world’s inhabitants.

Their claim is that global warming is ruining the earth and that their island will meet its tragic end in the near future. Their hopes with regards to this meeting were to make aware the dire need for the world to make the necessary changes to improve the planet’s eco systems. Looking around where I live, people really do not care about recycling, saving on gas or cutting the use of items that pollute our world. If the world’s leaders do not step in, it could be too late.