Register your own dotCoop domain here. THE GREAT SILK ROAD The first global VoxWorld.Coop Programme & Project is "The Great Silk Road", an amazing and often untold story of powerful and influential Trade Routes which originally faciliated the spread of knowledge; and which still have so much to offer the world today in a Cultural Exchange on the Silk Road. The Great Silk Road once united East and West and brought together people and countries across the so-called Eurasian Continent. Today, it is described succinctly in the words of UNWTO and their Silk Road Project: "For centuries, the Silk Road was travelled by conquerors, traders, missionaries, geographers and more recently, by tourists. It served as a fundamental link between the East and the West, exchanging cultures, crafts, ideas, technologies, beliefs and peoples" UNWTO Silk Road Project. Provide your own unique cultural insights into your amazing world while generating new income for you, your family and your community - through VoxWorld.Coop's unique borderless Travel & Culture programmes and projects - Community Based Tourism. It is said that 'it takes a village to raise a child', and it can also be said that 'it takes a community to raise an entrepreneur', especially a social entrepreneur, bringing together College, Cooperative and Corporate structures to form your own Community Cooperative for provision of globally traded-services. Your Community can be part of it all, link up with your global community neighbourhood - engaging through aid of VoxWorld.Coop Hubs & Outlets franchise formats as the means, where contributing your own cultural gifts ranging from the multi-stranded libraries of culture that make you unique; as well as the great, the famous, or the iconic people, places, or your other cultural differences of yesterday, today or tomorrow; and ranging from either travel & culture to virtual travel in traded-services, or indeed commissioning of community arts in many and varied ways. The opportunities are endless. Join with your Community at VoxWorld.Coop today www.voxworld-coop.ning.com to learn more and we will help make it happen for you. Below is a Pen Picture of each of the 24 x Countries participating in UNWTO's Silk Road Project: ARMENIA | Take a Virtual Tour: "The Marvels of Armenia" | 
| "From ancient times, Armenians have cherished their artistic traditions, which reflect a unique culture and landscape. Aspects of everyday life are expressed in the most artistic fashion, in needlework, embellishments, carvings and design.Architecture is one of the most interesting art forms in Armenia, as, for example, churches bear artistic illustrations in frescoes and reliefs. Sculpting is everywhere - in nearly every city, town, and village in Armenia.Armenians love music, and they have been creating exquisite compositions for centuries........" ARMENIA, THE CULTURE | AZERBAIJAN | Video: "A Land of Magic Colors." | 
| GENERAL INFORMATION ON AZERI CULTURE "One of the world's most ancient nations - the nation of Azerbaijan - has the right to feel proud for its history, material and cultural monuments, literature, arts and music heritage. Wonderful nature, climate, natural resources of the country produced a significant impact on artistic thinking and creation skills of Azerbaijani people as well. In spite of a long and difficult way undergone by different types of arts in Azerbaijan, they still represent a unity and provide outstanding opportunities for the creation of a full idea of fine arts of Azerbaijan. The folk arts of Azerbaijan are multi-colored, complete and rich, as its natural resources. The folk art is connected with daily life of people and daily life occupies a very special life ...."Azeri Culture | CHINA | Travel in China: A Brief Introduction to China | 
| "Situated in eastern Asia，and on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, the People’s Republic of China covers a land area of 9.6 million square kilometers, with an inland and coastal water area of more than 4.7 million square kilometers and an eastern and southern continental coastline extending for about 18,000 kilometers. Its vast maritime territory is studded with 7,600 islands, of which Taiwan is the largest with an area of 35,798 square kilometers. China shares common borders with 14 countries and is adjacent to 8 nations on the ocean. There are 4 municipalities directly under central government administration, 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 2 special administrative regions. The capital city is Beijing......" CHINA IN BRIEF | DPR KOREA | With: Korean Friendship Association | 
| "The trips have become popular amongst our KFA members as well as other people, who are welcome to join, to experience North Korea outside the tourist trail and have interaction with North Korean citizens first hand.A visitor joining the KFA Delegation is not treated as a tourist but as a friend of the DPRK, having access to places, information, insights and events not allowed for regular visitors For businessmen, It is the only gate for successful and effective commerce with government guarantee........." Organized by the Korean Friendship Association (KFA) and the International Korean Business Centre (IKBC) | EGYPT | Explore Egypt: Tour Egypt Interactive Map | 
| "For many, the scope of Egypt's history is difficult to comprehend. Its history covers some five thousand years, and encompasses the origin of civilization, the rise of the Greeks and Romans, the establishment of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions, the colonial era when first France and then the English ruled the country, and finally, a return to independence. Egypt has played an important role through all of these eras, and today one can find monuments that evidence Egypt's role in most of the world's historic events, from the beginning of mankind until the present. More and more, we are not only learning about the history of mankind in Egypt, but also about his prehistory, the way that he migrated and finally began to organize communities that eventually lead to a civilized world....." Pyramids Treasures Guided Tour | GEORGIA | Brochures and Maps of Georgia | 
| "Georgia is the cradle of wine. The oldest seeds of grape and wine make apparatus were found in Georgia, and even the word wine comes from Georgian word g'vino. The highest occupied settlement in Europe is in Georgia: Ushguli (just try to pronounce that one!)More people in Georgia live to be over 100 than almost anywhere else. They say its the yogurt, the organic food and wine and our zest for life. Georgia, has more bio-diversity than some continents. You can hike in one day from subtropical marshes to lofty alpine zones, from glaciers to vineyards. Georgia has one of the largest proportions of land designated as national park, about 25% (in contrast, only 4% of the USA is protected). ....." A Brief History | GREECE | Videos: "You in Greece" | 
| "Civilization is the total sum of the material and cultural achievements of a group of people. Culture and art are two concepts closely interwoven, as art is the characteristic expression of the culture of a given period. Arts such as architecture, sculpture, pottery, weaving, music, jewelry making and painting have a long-term tradition in Greece, where civilizations had already developed in Prehistoric Years.Little is known to date to the Paleolithic Era in Greece, but quite a lot is known about the Neolithic Period that followed (approx. 7th – 4th Millennium B.C.) and its civilization........." Culture & Arts | IRAN | | 
| "Welcome to Iran, Probably the Most Beautiful Country in the World- Iran, Persia, Pars, you have heard them all, a country as old as the history itself and as beautiful as eyes can perceive. Here you can visit glorious ancient structures like Persepolis, you can visit most amazing natural beauties like Harra mangroves, you can climb high mountains like Alborz, or just have a cup of tea in Hāfiz Garden, you can swim in Caspian Sea, or if you want to swim in winter season why not do that in Kish Island, where you can do your shopping too. In Iran you will experience different cultures and religions, with a hospitability you have never seen before. ....World Heritage Sites - Iran is one of the four major civilizations of the ancient worl...." About Iran | ISRAEL | Virtual Tour: "Israel Wonders" | 
| "Explore the Hidden Gems of Israel Few countries pack as many hidden gems into such a small space as Israel. From the energy and excitement of Tel Aviv to the rich cultural experiences of the Dead Sea, the magical mystery of Jerusalem, to the sun and relaxation of Eilat, Israel is the ideal year-round destination.To explore the wide range of exciting holiday possibilities...." Special Attractions | ITALY | Videos of the Italian Regions:"Italia Much More" | 
| "A trip to Italy is always an artistic tour. In this country there are many and so widespread art treasures of every age, that it can really be considered a real art gallery outside. Treasures of culture and art that make Italy precious, the country that has the largest number of sites included in the list of UNESCO heritage of humanity......." ITALIAN GOVERNMENT TOURIST BOARD | JAPAN | Video: "Alluring Japan" | 
| "Japanese gardens are works of art, with the placement of every pond, stream, boulder, tree and bush chosen with as much care as a painter composing a picture on a canvas. Most of Japan's great gardens date back centuries, when they were laid out for the personal pleasure of feudal lords throughout the land or to grace the grounds of huge temple complexes. They figured highly in the aesthetic pursuits of the day, including moon viewing, haiku composing parties, and the tea ceremony. Famous among Japanese master gardeners were Sen-no-Rikyu (1521-1591) and Kobori Enshu (1579-1647), whose works can be enjoyed even today...." Festivals of Japan | KAZAKHSTAN | Virtual Map: " Crossroads of the Worlds..." | 
| "All over the world every nation has its own customs and traditions. Nation’s way of life, its habits, and national peculiarities made influence on them. The most remarkable tradition of the past, which has come to our days, is hospitality that relates to norms common to all mankind and is considered a positive feature of the civilized society. The Kazakhs were always famous for their hospitality, an integral and the most important feature of steppes dwellers. A Kazakh aspired to perform five main ancestry’s precepts; one of them was to meet a guest as God’s messenger. It is proved by a proverb: ...." The Silk Road | KYRGYZSTAN | Guidebook: "Community Based Tourism" | 
| " 'Community based' means supporting products, services, knowledge and practices found in local communities and offered by local stakeholders. The following definition is used by the World-wide Fund for Nature (WWF):“Community Based Tourism is a form of tourism where the local community has a substantial control over and involvement in its development and management; and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community”.Community based tourism (CBT) is the practice of providing natural, value-packed travel services that utilize local accommodation, food, music, art, crafts and traditions. CBT is an excellent value and travel experience that supports rational and sustainable development. ...." The Great Silk Road | MONGOLIA | Featured Video: "Mongolia" | 
| "Mongolia is located in the heart of Asian Landscape in which has immeasurable huge grass of steppes, sand dunes, rocky and forest Mountain ranges. Traditionally, Mongolian lifestyle is based on nomadic lifestyle in which consists of vary kind of nomadic tribes. Moreover, we are the people who live under the blue sky that is remarkable sunny country enjoying 280 sunny days per year. The climate is such extremely wide open and because of the location, Mongolia is far from seas and oceans in the lee of surrounding ....." Events and Festivals | PAKISTAN | Travel Guide: "PIA Overseas Offices" | 
| "For centuries, the Silk Route remained the main trading route between the South Asia and the Central Asia. After the construction of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in 1982 along the same alignment, joining Pakistan with Chinese Muslim autonomous region of Xinjiang, the ancient trade link has been revived. The KKH has provided a great opportunity for international travellers to explore the un-spoilt natural beauty, unique culture and ancient traditions of the Northern Pakistan together with the other Silk Road countries like China, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan....." Fairs and Festivals | REPUBLIC OF KOREA | Vision: Nation of Elegant Culture | 
| "Whenever you come to Korea, there are always things to do and see. From fascinating pre-historic sites and old palaces, to the stunning natural beauty of golden beaches, islands and mountains, Korea has so much to offer.Seoul, the capital city, is where both the traditional and modern aspects of Korean culture can be explored. Here, visitors can find traces of its 5,000 year history in its centuries-old temples, palaces and city gates, while state-of-the-art buildings show off how rapidly the country has developed.Historical sites including UNESCO...... " Seoul: Asia's Hidden Treasure | RUSSIAN FEDERATION | View: "Interactive Map of Russia" | 
| "Russia’s territory stretches for 10 000 km from east to west and almost for 3 000 km from northern latitudes to subtropical areas in the south. A variety of landscapes provides opportunities to develop many types of tourism. Russia has sea resorts at the Black Sea in the south and the Baltic Sea in the north-west which makes it suitable for beach rest, medical treatment and rehabilitation. Ultima Thule gives visitors a chance to observe polar lights or take an ethnic tour to northern peoples, or take part in deer safari on tundra lands.The presence of mountains provides opportunities for mountaineering (rock climbing, caving, hiking, rafting along rapid mountain rivers and skiing, mountain biking and delta plane sports) as well as rehabilitation at mineral water resorts.Full-flowing and wide rivers like the Volga, the Yenisei or the Lena ...." Main Types of Tourism | SAUDI ARABIA | Exhibition: "The Louvre" | 
| "The SCTA is concerned with providing the best services to all tourism service providers and is working with all tourism agencies around the country to meet their aspirations and desires, which confirms its keenness to support the tourism sector, which is a principle and important component to the economy of the Kingdom. The SCTA being the umbrella of the tourism sector in KSA, provides the most important tools used by local and international tourist,. offering thirty-six (36) guides for tourism services providers, each containing integrated and up-to-date data concerning all tourist facilities of the various regions of the Kingdom. The guide is published in both Arabic and English...." Saudi Arabia's Heritage Dimension | SYRIAN ARABIC REPUBLIC | View: "Virtual Tour of Syria" | 
| "You are where history's voice can be heard, where the soil holds the imprints of the world's oldest civilizations, some dating back to the fourth millenium BC. The names of sites evoke the story of mankind at its beginnings: Mari, Ebla, Ugarit, Amrit, Apamea, Doura-Europos, Palmyra, Bosra, Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Latakia…Agriculture first appeared in Syria thousands of years ago, when man discovered the possibility of growing hundreds of new plants from seed. This discovery made it possible for civilization, as we know it, to begin. Men abandoned their caves and began building houses, and establishing settled communities. They embarked on journeys of self-discovery, observing the heavens and singing the earliest-known hymns. They tried their hand at painting and sculpture.In ancient Syria, the secrets of metallurgy were also discovered...." In the Footsteps of St Paul | TAJIKISTAN | Map: "Tajikistan" | 
| "The best developed areas of tourism are hiking, cultural sightseeing, and mountain-climbing. Hiking is mostly done in the vicinity of Dushanbe and surrounding districts (Varzob, Karatogh, Shirkent and Romit Gorges), and in Kuhiston (the region covering Turkestan, Zarafshon and Hissar ranges). The Fan Mountains (Payron, Marguzor, Alauddin lakes, Iskandarkul Lake) are situated to the west of Kuhiston and there are dozens of tourist routes and several permanent hotels and camps established in Dushanbe, Varzob Gorge, on Iskandarkul, Alauddin and Marguzor lakes, and on the shores of the man-made Qayraqqum reservoir near Khujand (formerly Leninabad).Cultural sightseeing is most common....." Information About Tajikistan | TURKEY | Films: "Promotional Films of Turkey" | 
| "A Country For All Tastes. Turkey has so much to offer her visitors: breathtaking natural beauties, unique historical and archeological sites, steadily improving hotel and touristic infrastructure, a tradition of hospitality and competitive prices. It is not surprising therefore that this country has recently become one of the world's most popular tourism destinations. Due to Turkey's diverse geography, one can experience four different climates in any one day. The rectangular shaped country is washed on three sides by three different seas. Its shores are laced with beaches, bays, coves, ports, islands and peninsulas. The summers are long...." St Pauls Trail | TURKMENISTAN | Videos: "Tourism Turkmenistan" | 
| "Turkmenistan is well-known all over the world as a native land of the ancient civilization given us the rich cultural tradition as a heritage. In the past being an important part of the Great Silk Road our country was named on a crossing of seven world roads. Tourists are greatly interested in the architectural monuments of the ancient Merv, Kuneurgench, Nisa, Dekhistan, Abiverd and others. There are the monuments of Merv, Kuneurgench and Nisa in a list of the world heritage of UNESCO. Turkmenistan is known its natural zones. They are the followings: one of the largest world deserts, the Garakum, the Caspian Sea with its total water, the beauty Kopetdag and Koytendag with its caves......." Official Events | UKRAINE | Videos: "Ukraine" | 
| "Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and shares its borders with seven countries, including Russia. It is partially bounded by two bodies of water - most notably, the Black Sea. Ukraine is delineated into 24 provinces (called oblasts) and Crimea, which is an autonomous republic. Kiev is the capital of Ukraine and the largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odessa. One of the most famous cites in Ukraine is Yalta where the Yalta Conference was held in 1945....." Activities | UZBEKISTAN | View: "Uzbekistan at a Glance" | 
| "Great Silk Road — an original phenomenon of the history of developing of humanity, its aspiration for union and exchanging cultural wealth, conquest of the living spaces and markets for goods. In the East they say: “sitting man is a mat and walking man is a river”. Motion is a life, and traveling, learning of world always was a driving force of progress.This, the biggest transcontinental trade road in history of humanity had been binding Europe and Asia and in the old time was stretching from antic Rome to ancient capital of Japan Nara. Of course, trade between East and West was from time immemorial, but it was a separate piece of future Great road. ...." Traditions & Festivals |
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