Albuquerque is the most populated city in the US state of New Mexico. It is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande with a population of over 500,000. It is only the 32nd largest city in all of America. It was founded in 1706 as the Spanish colonial outpost of Ranchose de Alburquerque, a farming community and the sheep-herding centre of the West and present-day Albuquerque retains much of its Spanish heritage. By 1821 Mexico also had a military presence there.
The climate: Winters are relatively cold with average temperatures at about freezing point and scarce sunshine. Snow cover is common between mid-November and late March. Summers bring plenty of sunshine and the average high temperature can get up to 24 degrees Celsius. Nights, however, can be cold in both Winter and Summer.
Prague was founded during the Romanesque era and was up and flourishing by the Gothic and Renaissance eras. It was not only the capital of the Czech state but also the seat of the two Holy Roman Emperors, making it the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It became the capital of Czechoslovakia after World War I.
The food in Prague is not the healthiest but goes perfectly with the flavorful Czech beer! If you like meat then Prague is the place to be. All over Prague there are restaurants saying that they specialize in traditional Czech food which usually comprises things such as dumplings, goulash and lots of meat. Chicken, duck, turkey, fish, rabbit and lamb are also used in some very tasteful Czech dishes. Beer can be very deer or very cheap, depending on where you’re drinking it.
Something different, entertainment-wise, is the Black Light Theatre – actors perform in a pitch black theatre with florescent costumes and props. You will find posters and ads pertaining to the Black Light Theatre quite easy to find in Prague, they’re everywhere.
Famous cultural attractions in Prague include Prague Castle (highlights worth seeing are St Vitus’ Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane. You can also see the changing of the guard which takes place at 12pm daily), the Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, Old Town Square and Petrin Hill. There are more than ten major museums (including the National Museum, a huge building at the top of Wenceslas Square, home to both permanent and temporary exhibitions and the National Gallery , located on the Old Town Square, it is home to lots of 19th century art) and many theatres, galleries, historical exhibits and cinemas.
The public transport system is modern and connects the city. It’s rich history makes it a very popular tourist destination and 4.1 million international visitors are received on a yearly basis. As you walk around Prague you can see all types of architecture in the buildings, namely Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau.
Some interesting facts about the Czechs: they were master inventors. In the 1960s a student named Jan Palach climbed to the top of a hill facing Wenceslas Square and set himself on fire to protest the Soviet suppression of reform in Czechoslovakia.