Mumbai is a city that is located in India and is the capital of the state of Maharashtra. This city, which was formerly known as Bombay, covers an area of two hundred and thirty three square miles and has a population of over fourteen million people. The earliest known habitation of the seven islands that Mumbai is composed of is the Kolis, a fish village. In the third century BC the Maurya Empire gained control of Mumbai and made it into the center of Buddhist and Hindu culture. Mumbai would later fall under the control of dynasties such as the Vakatakas, Satavahanas, Konkan Mauryas, Abhiras, Chalukyas and Kalachuris from the second century until the eighth century when it fell under the dominion of the Silharas Dynasty.

In the late thirteenth century, King Bhimdev would establish his kingdom in the region. This would result in a large influx of settlers to the islands and a steady growth in the economy of the region. In the mid fourteenth century, the rulers of Gujarat captured the islands and they fell under the rule of the Gujarat Sultanate until the sixteenth century. In the landmark Treaty of Bassein in 1534, control of the islands would be passed to the Portuguese. In 1661, Charles II took possession of the islands as a stipulation in the dowry of Catherine of Braganza who was the daughter of the King of Portugal, King John IV. Charles II in turn leased the islands to the British East India Company in 1668. In the mid eighteenth century the city became a trading hub with trade routes established between Mecca and Basra. Educational and economic development increased in the city, during the nineteenth century, when the first Indian railway line was opened between the city and Thane. After India’s independance in 1947, the city became Bombay.

Today, Mumbai is the economic capital of India. It contributes over forty percent of the countries income tax collections, forty percent of foreign trade and sixty percent of custom duty collections to India. It also contributes over ten billion United States dollars to the Indian economy in the form of corporate taxes. Mumbai is also home to the headquarters of several Indian corporations and financial institutions which include the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, Tata Group, the Indian mint, Vedanta Resources and the National Stock Exchange. Major industries in the city include hotel services, food, automotive parts, pencils, utensils and clothing. It is also home to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Western fleet of the Indian Navy.

The educational needs of Mumbai are serviced by either government run schools or private schools. Government run municipal schools are reputed for their lack of facilities, but are often the only choice available to poorer residents of the city. Mumbai also has an extensive number of universities which include Parshvanath college Of Engineering, University of Mumbai, V.M.P.H. College of Pharmacy, Parshvanath College of Polytechnic, Annasaheb Vartak College of Arts, Dhanukar College of Commerce, Ghanshyamdas Saraf Girls’ College of Arts & Commerce, Kapol Institute Of Hotel Management And Catering Technology, Lala Lajpat Rai College of Commerce and Economics and Mumbai College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology.

Mumbai is a city that is beginning to enjoy a thriving tourist trade. Visitors from all over the world come to the city to experience its culture, sample on its cuisine and take in all the attractions that the city has to offer. One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Gateway of India. This famous monument stands over eighty five feet high and is located in the Apollo Bunder district of Mumbai. This basalt arch was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city. The design of the monument is a mixture between Muslim and Hindu architecure and it was designed by George Wittet. Its composed of concrete and yellow basalt and is located not far from the Elephanta Caves, which are accessible by ferry.

Located on Elephanta Island, just outside of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea, is Elephanta Caves. These caves comprise a Hindu temple and feature stone reliefs of deities important to followers of Shiva. The complex covers an area of over sixty thousand square feet and contains a main chamber, courtyards and shrines. The most prominent statue located in this temple is the Trimurti Sadasiva. This statue stands twenty feet high. The right side of its face is a young person with beautiful lips and is representative of the female side of Shiva. The left side of the face is that of a moustached man, representing the masculine side of Shiva, Aghora Bhairava. The Elephanta Caves were believed to have been constructed during the ninth century of the Silhara Dynasty and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another prominent attraction is the Haji Ali Dargah. The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque located on an an islet off the coast of Mumbai. This mosque was constructed in the fifteenth century by Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and is a prime example of Indo-Islamic architecture. The structure covers an area of over thirteen thousand feet and features an eighty-five foot tower. Its main features include a sculpted entrance, a marble courtyard and a central shrine. As of 2008, this structure is being completely renovated with the addition of white marble and repairs done on the foundation.

No visit to Mumbai would be complete without a stop at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. This luxury hotel was built in 1903 and is listed as a World Heritage Site. Its designed in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and has over five hundred and sixty-five rooms. This elegant hotel has been visited by many famous politicians and celebrities including Hillary Clinton, The King & Queen of Norway, The Prince of Wales, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke & Duchess of Kent. Other prominent celebrities include Roger Moore, Joan Collins and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

Seville is the financial and cultural capital of Spain. Its also the governing capital of Andalusia. It is located on the River Guadalquivir and has an elevation of twenty three feet above sea level. Seville covers an area of fifty-four square miles and has a population of seven hundred thousand residents. This makes the city the fourth largest metropolitan area in the whole of Spain.

Seville history stretches back more than two thousand years to pre-Roman times. It was originally known as Hispalis and was a province of the Roman Empire. The only remnants left from that period are some aqua ducts that are located in the city. The city only remained a province of Rome for a few hundred years when it was finally overtaken by the Visigoth tribes of the fifth and sixth centuries. In the eighth century the city was conquered by the Moors and renamed the city Isbiliya, a name which would later evolve into the name Seville. The Moors exerted a definite Muslim influence on the city that can be seen through the Moorish architectural features that dot the city. After the Reconquest of the city, its economic development began to rise. The Alcazar, a residence for royalty was erected in the Moorish architectural style. Later on a Gothic cathedral would be erected in the fifteenth century. Seville’s economic status would continue to rise as the city became an important trade route between the Spanish Americas and the rest of the world.

Seville is a city replete with monuments and attractions of significant historical and cultural value. One of the most popular attractions in the city is Seville Cathedral. This massive Gothic cathedral was started in the fifteenth century and took more than a hundred years to complete. This cathedral was placed on the site of the Almohad mosque, which was torn down to make room for it. All thats left of the original mosque is a minaret known as La Giralda. The inside of the cathedral contains over forty-four chapels and many works of art which included flamboyant altarpieces and gilded panels. This is considered to be one of the largest medieval cathedrals in the world, both in terms of volume and area. The cathedral contains a large statue at its top known as El Giraldillo. The inside of the tower was built with ramps rather than stairs, to allow the guards there to ride on horseback to the very top.

Another prominent tourist attraction in Seville is Alcazar Palace. This Moorish palace has been occupied by the governing rulers of the city since Roman times and it was also a residence of Spanish kings during the Middle Ages. This palace was erected in the seventh century and has been continually added to and restored ever since. The first ruler to make enlargements to the structure was Al-Mu’tadid of the Abbadids. This ruler was known to keep a large harem of over eight hundred women and decorate the palace with the skulls of the enemies he had defeated.

The Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla or Museum of Fine Arts of Seville, is one of the grandest collection of Spanish art covering a period from the medieval period to the twentieth century. The museum was built in 1839 and has works from the entire region. This museum contains works from artist such as Esteban Murillo, Juan de Vales Leal, Francisco de Zurbaran and El Greco. But, the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla isn’t the only museum in the city. Other museums include The Andalusian Contemporary Art Center, The Army Museum, The Maritime Museum, The Carriages Museum, The Flamenco Art Museum, The Bullfight Museum, Casa de Pilatos and Centro Velázquez. Also there are two museums located in the María Luisa Park, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Traditional Arts and Costumes.

Maria Luisa Park is located on a half mile area of land in the southern portion of Seville. The beautiful park is populated with orange trees, palms, elms and Mediterranean pines. There are also lots and lots of flowers strategically placed all over the park. Maria Luisa Park was built during the 1920′s and contains a beautiful mix of Mudejar and Art Deco architecture contained within its many pavilions and ponds. Located not far from the park is the Royal Tobacco Factory, which is now part of the University of Seville.

The University of Seville was built during the fifteenth century and known as the Colegio de Santa María de Jesús or The School of Blessed Mary of Jesus. Pope Julius II allowed the school to teach degrees in Theology, Philosophy, Law, Medicine and Arts starting in 1505. Forty six years later the city granted a Estudio General to the school which allowed it to become a university.

Overlooking the Guadalquivir River, is the Torre del Oro. This magnificent tower was erected during the thirteenth century and used as a military prison during the middle ages. Since then the tower has been renovated many times and it now serves as a naval museum. Works contained here include letters, models, instruments and historic documents of a maritime nature. This museum chronicles the rich naval history of the city of Seville.

Isla Mágica is the theme park of Seville. This theme park was opened in 1997 and features many rides including an inverted roller coaster called El Jaguar, a 4D cinema called Dimension 4, a log flume ride called the Anaconda and a river rapid ride with a fifteen hundred foot track called the Rapidos del Orinoco

Seville is a city that is known for its hotels, cafes and especially its restaurants. This city is a food lovers paradise with a menu designed on seafood, olive oil and sherry. A big tradition in the city is the tapas scene. This is where people go from one restaurant to another sampling tiny dishes called tapas, a word which means lids in Spanish. This city also serves traditional main courses which include foods such as squid, swordfish, lamb’s kidneys and gazpacho. Desserts served in the city include polvorones, mantecados, pestinos, magdalenas and tortas de aceite.

Dijon is a city that is the capital of the Cote-d’Or departement of eastern France. This city covers an area of fifteen square miles and has a population of over one hundred and fifty thousand residents. Dijon can trace its history to the Roman Empire when it was a settlement named Divio. Since it was located on the road from Lyon to Paris, St. Benignus is said to have introduced Christianity in the city before becoming a martyr. As such, St. Benignus is the patron saint of Dijon. From the eleventh century until the fourteenth century, Dijon was the home of the Dukes of Burgundy. It was also a very wealthy city that was an European center of education, science and art. During World War II, Dijon was occuppied for four years by Nazi forces and was liberated by Allied forces in September of 1944.

Dijon’s main economic activity is in the service sector. The service sector accounts for neary three quarters of the city’s economic activity. This is mainly represented by the tourism, which is bolstered from visitors from the United States, Japan and the rest of Europe. The other quarter of the city’s economy is made up of the construction and industrial sectors. The industrial sector of Dijon produces electronics, machinery, electrical supplies, optical supplies and cars. The city is also in the forefront of packing and pharmaceutical production. Another key portion of Dijon’s economy is its educational system. The educational needs of the city are serviced by several schools which include the University of Burgundy, Ecole nationale des beaux-arts de Dijon, Europe Centrale et Orientale de Sciences Po Paris and the Etablissement National d’Enseignement Superieur Agronomique de Dijon.

Dijon has many attractions to lure tourist from all over the globe, but the most prominent event in the city is the International and Gastronomic Fair that is held in the city every year. It features over five hundred exhibitions and draws over two hundred thousand visitors each year. It is considered to be one of the top ten fairs to visit in all of France. Visitors can get a taste of some of the best French cuisine in the world at this fair. Some of the dishes that can be found at this fair are food dishes such as Bouillabaisse, Steak frites, Foie gras, Boudin blanc, Pot au feu, Poulet frites, Coq au vin, Andouillette and Blanquette de veau. Tourist can also sample the many different types of French breads which include baguettes, ficelle, pain poilane and flutes. Dijon is also known for producing some of the best wines in the world such as the Gevrey-Chambertin and the Vosne-Romanee. Dijon is also known for a black currant liqueur called creme de cassis. This liqueur is mixed with white wine in a drink known as Kir. And of course, the city is known worldwide for its mustard. There are Dijon mustard shops all over the city which features all types of Dijon mustards, including ones that are a bit unusual, such as Dijon fruit flavored mustard.

And speaking of French cuisine, Dijon is a city that is home to some of the finest restaurants in France. Notable restaurants in the city include Joel Perreaut’s Restaurant des Gourmets, Le Pre aux Clercs, Les Oenophiles, Stephane Derbord, Restaurant Les Jardins de la Cloche, Salle De Seminaire Dijon, Restaurant Le Central Grill, Brasserie Amiral Roussin, Restaurant Taj-Mahal, La Dame d’Aquitaine and the Pourquoi Pas Sarl. And many hotels in the city of Dijon also have fine restaurants listed as amemnities. Popular hotels in the city of Dijon include Hotel Le Jura Dijon, Hostellerie Du Chapeau Rouge, Hotel Ibis Dijon Central, Hotel Thurot, Hotel des Congres, Lysdor, Hotel des Allees, Hotel Le Chambellan and the B&B Hotel Dijon Nord.

One of the main attractions in the city of Dijon is the Cathedrale Saint-Benigne, known commonly as Dijon Cathedral. Dijon Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral that is dedicated to St. Benignus and is a national monument of the country of France. This Gothic style cathedral was built in the fourteenth century and is the final resting place of Philip the Good. Other prominent churches in the city include Notre Dame de Dijon, St. Etienne, and St. Michel. Another popular attraction in Dijon is the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy (also known as palais des ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne). The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is an architectural assemblage that was built during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It once held the Burgundy estates, but is now home to Dijon city hall and the Musee des Beaux-Arts. The Musee des Beaux-Arts is a museum that houses a large collection of paintings and other works of art. Artists represented in its collection include Georges Rouault, Charles Le Brun, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Robert Campin, Rubens, Jacopo Pontormo, Juan Gris, Titian, Melchior Broederlam and Claude Monet.

Other popular attractions in the city of Dijon include Maison Milliere, Maison Maillard, Mustard Museum, Owl’s Trail, Musee Archeologique, L’Imaginarium, Musee d’Historie Naturelle, Abbaye de Citeaux, Musee et Parc Noisot, Rue de la Chouette, Musee Rude, Philippe le Bon Tower, Fromagerie Gaugry, Musee Magnin, Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne, Chateau Andre Ziltene, Paroisse Saint Michel de Dijon, Musee d’Art Sacre, La Boutique Maille, Rue des Forges, Musée des Arts et Traditions des Hautes Cotes, Le Cercle Jamaique and the Le Beverly Pub.

Wise tourists to the city of Dijon might want to pick up the Cote de Nuits Pass. The Cote de Nuits Pass gives visitors to the city a whole host of benefits. These include unlimited public transportation, free admission to a whole range of museums, free admission and wine tasting to the Cote de Nuits vineyards, discounts on bicycles and segway rentals and discounts at several Dijon souvenir shops. Dijon is a city that is steeped in history and is well worth the visit. Its large collection of architecturally signifigant buildings, museums, fine restaurants, hotels and museums make this city a place to visit at least once in their lifetime.

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. It is also the largest city in the country with a landmass of almost thirty-three square miles and has a population of over two million people in the metropolitan area. Greater Lisbon is known for its diverse network of primary and secondary schools. These include the Saint Dominic’s International School, Saint Julian’s School, the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, Deutsche Schule Lissabon, Instituto Espańol de Lisboa and Lycée Français Charles Lepierre. It is also home to three major universities; The New University of Lisbon, University of Lisbon and the Technical University of Lisbon.

The first inhabitants of the area that Lisbon sits on are the Iberians of the Neolithic Period. These people built many fotifications and megaliths, some of which can still be found in the countryside surrounding the city. Little is known of these tribes until the Indo-European Celts invaded their settlements around the first millennium BC. These invaders intermarried with the indigineous people and produced what would become the Celtic speaking known as the Cempsi. The next historic landmark in the timeframe of this city occurred around the year 205 BC. This is when Julius Caesar placed it uder Roman rule and named it Felicitas Julia. It then fell into the hands of various Germanic tribes from the fifth century until the eighth century when it was capture by the Moors. Their rule over the city lasted for two hundred years, until Afonso Henriques conquered the city for Christianity in 1147. Ever since it has been the main economic, political and cultural hub of Portugal.

Lisbon is a city that has been long known for its beautiful and diverse architecture. The architectural styles represented in this city include Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Manueline and Traditional Portuguese. Lisbon is also a city where the major thoroughfares intersect with many historical boulevards and are lined with some of Portugal’s greatest tourist attractions and landmarks. One of these major attractions of Lisbon is the National Museum of Ancient Art. This museum was founded in the middle of the nineteenth century and is situated near the Targas River. The museum has a richly diverse collection of paintings, drawings, textiles, sculptures and metalwork from the middle ages all the way through the nineteenth century. The artist represented here include Garcia Fernandes, Francisco de Holanda, Cristóvăo Lopes, Francisco Henriques, Jorge Afonso and Cristovăo de Figueiredo. Other prominent museums in Lisbon include the Museu do Azulejo and the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian covers works of art that include Egyptian, Islamic, Greco-Roman, Armenian and European art that spans from ancient times all the way to the eighteenth century. This museum’s collection includes over six thousand works of art, of which only a thousand are on display at any given time.

A very interesting Lisbon museum is the National Coach Museum. Inside visitors will find one of the largest collections of historical carriages assembled in one place. This museum is located in the old Horse Riding Arena of Belém Palace, which was formerly a Royal Palace and now is the official home of the President of Portugal. The museum was established in 1905 to showcase the carriages of the Portugese Royal Family and contains pieces from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. Other museums in Lisbon include the National Museum of Costume and Fashion, Berardo Collection Museum, Museu da Farmácia and the Museum of the Orient.

Another prominent attraction in Lisbon is the Lisbon Oceanarium. This oceanarium was built in 1996 and is shaped like an aircraft carrier. Inside is a diverse collection of marine species which include fish, mammals, birds and cnidaria. In the heart of the buildng is a large three thousand square foot tank and an even large fifteen thousand square foot tank. These tanks contain four large one hundred and fifty square feet windows. Located inside these tanks are creatures such as sharks, sting rays, barracudas and sunfish. The collection here includes over sixteen thousand animals from over four hundred and fifty different species.

Lisbon is also home to a great number of famed opera houses. The most popular of these is the Teatro Nacional de Săo Carlos. This opera house was built in 1793 by Queen Maria I and is located in the Chiado district. This opera house was named after Princess Charlotte of Spain and its architecture has some very distinctive features. The front of the building has the Portuguese coat of arms, a highly decorated clock and a portico. Also on the front is an inscription in Latin dedicating the theater to Princess Charlotte. The main room of the opera house is elliptical and seats over eleven hundred people. The main stage was painted by Cirilo Wolkmar Machado and the ceiling done by Manuel da Costa. The Belém Cultural Center is yet another complex dedicated to the arts. This huge building has a twenty one thousand square foot exhibition area, meeting halls and a large auditorium. This building is over four hundred thousand square feet and was built in 1992. Other prominent music centers and opera houses in the city include the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II and the Gulbenkian Foundation.

A prominent attraction that is known worldwide is the Cristo-Rei. This monument is not in the city limits of Lisbon. It is located across the river in the town called Almada. But, because of how it stands, the ideal location to view the monument is Lisbon. This monument features a two hundred and forty-six foot arch on which stands a ninety-two foot statue of Jesus Christ, which was designed by sculptor Francisco Franco de Sousa. Located on the base is an observation deck where visitors can get a great panoramic view of the city of Lisbon. Last but not least, Lisbon is a city that features some of the finest Portuguese restaurants in the country. This city also has a large collection of shopping venues, cafes and hotels for the curious tourist to visit and explore.