Fat cigars, big cars, dirty money, vibrant music, intellectual ferment. Havana, since its creation in 1535, has long offered a unique, bewildering mix of the backward and the hip, the seedy and the sophisticated. In many respects, it shares the characteristics of other colonial or post-colonial cities of the Caribbean and Latin America. But at the same time, Havana created its own niche both as an international city and a dynamic national capital. Despite Cuba's fluctuating fortunes, Havana has always managed to thrive and develop its own unique character as an urban, social, economic, cultural and political site. Havana offers a sweeping account of the city and its cultural development, focusing especially on the last two centuries and on the role played by the city's cultural communities in the search for national identity. The author introduces us to a marginal city with roots in the sixteenth century, taking us through the periods when it was a sugar boomtown, pulled between empires, a decadent metropolis, a site of both cultural revolution and relative stagnation during the development of the Revolution to its revival in the 1990s. He looks at the often creative tensions between external influences (especially Spain, France and the United States) and indigenous cultural pressures. Areas covered include architecture, literature, music, dance, cinema and the press. Cosmopolitan playground and nationalist vanguard, Havana has developed its own style while at the same time both reflecting and directing the complicated politics of the whole of Cuba. This book offers a concise introduction to one of the most intriguing cities of the twenty-first century.

The handy pocket-size guide is packed with useful information, tips and recommendations, accompanied by colour photographs, charts and maps for the first-time traveller who wants to experience the major highlights that Cape Town has to offer. The fold-out map of Cape Town is ideal for tourists and visitors. The highly successful Globetrotter Travel Series, which includes Travel Guides, Travel Maps, Road Atlases, Best of Pocket Guides and In Your Pocket Language Guides, presently covers more than 90 destinations worldwide. The Packs are excellent value, including both a guidebook and a softcover version of the fold-out Globetrotter map of the region, in a printed plastic wallet.

'This is a joy of a book. I know nothing of sweaters and little of Iceland, and this book used pictures and words to open Iceland and its people for me, using Icelandic sweaters and knitting to do it.' - Neil Gaiman In Iceland there's a piece of knitwear that everybody has but no one has bought: the lopapeysa, or 'lopi' for short. This sweater made from unspun Icelandic wool is a treasured piece of the island's culture passed down from generation to generation, used and cherished. In this guide, Joan of Dark and Kyle Cassidy take you on an 800-mile adventure around Iceland's breathtaking landscapes to explore and experience the island's rich knitting tradition and to show you how to make your very own lopi-style knits. By interviewing local experts, wool producers and knitters they trace the history of the patterns and along the way meet rock stars, professors and designers who share their knitting-related stories and reveal some of their country's hidden gems. From isolated waterfalls, hot springs and iconic movie locations to beautiful Icelandic horses, giant glaciers and erupting volcanos, the book is full of stunning photographs at every turn. The journey inspired 12 beautiful lopi-style knitting patterns all presented here with photographs, charts and detailed instructions to carefully guide you through each project whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced knitter. So pick up your needles and spend some time in the land of ice and fire! Work your way through the projects from the traditional sweater to gloves and hats, a cosy jumper dress and stylish headbands all while finding out why the lopapeysa is so special and so individual to Iceland.

This must-have third revised and newly expanded edition of the only single reference source for information about state symbols features over 300 information updates plus three new chapters, updated license plate illustrations, and a newly formatted design for ease of use. Libraries that hold earlier editions of this work need this edition to keep their information on the states and territories current. With the addition of new chapters on state and territory universities, state and territory governors throughout U.S. history, state professional sports teams, and a complete revision of the chapter on state and territory fairs and festivals, the work now totals 17 chapters of essential information that is a treasure trove for students.

This completed redesigned reference work features chapters on state and territory names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitals, flowers, trees, birds, songs, legal holidays and observances, license plates, postage stamps, miscellaneous designations, fairs and festivals, universities, governors, professional sports teams, and a bibliography of state and territory histories. The work features full-color illustrations of every state and territory seal, flag, flower, tree, bird, commemorative postage stamp, and license plate (updated for this edition).

The best of both worlds: that's what you find when you retreat into the countryside in Central Sweden. This is where North and South meet each other, and where big game such as bear, lynx, wolf and moose roam around on the outskirts of the civilized world. Here the colder, northern climate meets the milder, southern weather. You find plants from both colder and warmer regions here. The flat south with its agricultural character flows into a sloping, rougher woodland area, where you can experience real peace, space and tranquility.Walking in Central Sweden provides a combination of everything beautiful that Sweden has to offer. A blend of nature and culture, of quiet and busy, from city to wilderness, from north and south, from big Swedish game to a visit to a cultural and industrial heritage that has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. With 22 routes, useful maps and GPS data, this walking guide will take you to some of the most beautiful spots. Walk, discover and experience it yourself, at your own pace!

The go-to Western Provence walking guide for over 30 years. Strap on your boots and discover Western Provence on foot with the Sunflower Languedoc-Roussillon and Western Provence travel guide. And on the days when your feet may have had enough, enjoy some spectacular scenery on one of our legendary car tours. The Sunflower Western Provence guide is indispensable for hiking in Western Provence or seeing Western Provence by car. We cover an area beginning at Aix-en-Provence, heading west via the Luberon and Mont Ventoux to the great Roman cities and the Pont du Gard. We travel north to the Ardeche, the Tarn and the Cirque de Navacelles and south through Herault to Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, crossing the Corbieres and the Land of the Cathars to the foot of Canigou, holy mountain of the Pyrenees. These are not tough GR routes, but mostly circular treks suitable for moderately fit people. Inside the Sunflower Western Provence guide book you'll find: 76 long and short walks for all ages and abilities - each walk is graded so you can easily match your ability to the level of walk Topographical walking maps - give you a clear sense of the surrounding terrain Free downloadable gps tracks - for the techies Satnav guidance to walk starts for motorists 12 car tours and fold-out touring map - for easy reference on your tour Strolls to idyllic picnic spots - enjoy our recommendations for where to picnic along the way Timetables for public transport - ideal if you want to link two walks or avoid hiring a car on your holiday Online update service for the latest information Whether you decide to tour Western Provence by car or explore on foot we look forward to showing you around.

The city of Las Cruces, situated under blue skies in the Chihuahuan desert, boasts a wealth of Native American and Wild West history. As New Mexico's second largest city, it is a modern metropolis that has held fast to its picturesque past. Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s in search of the Seven Cities of Gold, and after the United States conquered the territory, the area became a transportation hub, blossoming from its adobe beginnings into a permanent, important city. The photographs contained in this volume tell the unique story of this town of contrasts, where historic plazas sit next to modern office buildings and subdivisions sprawl alongside old Indian trails. Many of the original buildings are now restaurants, galleries, and shops, but here readers see them as they once stood, making this book a fascinating reference for those familiar with the city or exploring it for the first time.