Showing posts with label top 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top 10. Show all posts

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Top 10 Internet Browsers 2013


In the simple defination, a internet browser is a software application that enables you to browse the world wide web, locating and accessing webpages.  
The browsers are are ranked based on the in-depth criteria used to evaluate the best internet browsers on the market depending on it's feature set, security speed, compatibility, ease of use and help and support.



And, many of us are using it right now to see this page. So, let' check out this "Top 10 Internet Browsers".  


10 - Avant Browser

Avant Browser is a freeware web browser from a Chinese programmer named Anderson Che, which unites the Trident layout engine built into Windows with an interface intended to be more feature-rich, flexible and ergonomic than Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE). It runs on Windows 2000 and above, including Windows 7As of November 2008, total downloads surpassed 22.5 million. Avant Browser is currently available in 41 languages.

9 - Deepnet Explorer

Deepnet Explorer is a web browser created by Deepnet Security for the Microsoft Windows platform. The most recent version is 1.5.3 (BETA 3) which was Released October 19, 2006. Developed in Britain, Deepnet Explorer gained early recognition both for its use of anti-phishing tools and the inclusion of a peer-to-peer facility forfile sharing, based on the Gnutella network.

8 - SeaMonkey

SeaMonkey is a free and open source cross-platform Internet suite. It is the continuation of the former Mozilla Application Suite, based on the same source code.
The development of SeaMonkey is community-driven, in contrast to the Mozilla Application Suite, which until its last released version (1.7.13) was governed by the Mozilla Foundation. The new project-leading group is theSeaMonkey Council.

7 - Rockmelt

                              

Rockmelt web browser project was backed by Netscape founder Marc Andreessen. Although the browser was launched in private beta on November 8, 2010 for desktop, it is not currently supported on the PC or Mac due to work on the iPad and other mobile releases. Rockmelt is now exclusively for iOS (both iPhoneand iPad) and Android with versions for Windows 8, and desktop planned.


6 - Maxthon

Maxthon, originally known as MyIE2, is a freeware web browser for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X that is developed in China. It is also available on iOS and Android platforms as Maxthon Mobile. Since the release of version 3, Maxthon uniquely supports both the Trident and the WebKit rendering engines.
Maxthon won CNET WebWare 100 Awards in 2008 and 2009, and was #97 in PCWorld’s list of the 100 Best Products of 2011.

5 - Safari
Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included with the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. First released as a public beta on January 7, 2003 on the company's OS X operating system, it became Apple's default browser beginning with Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther". Safari is also the native browser for iOS. It also supported by PC.

4 - Opera
Opera is a web browser and Internet suite developed by Opera Software with over 300 million users worldwide. Opera Mini, which is the third most popular mobile web browser as of March 2013, has been chosen as the default integrated web browser in several mobile handsets by their respective manufacturers.

3 - Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is one of the most widely used web browsers, attaining a peak of about 95% usage share during 2002 and 2003. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year. The latest stable release is Internet Explorer 10, with a new interface allowing for use as both a desktop application, and as a Windows 8 application.

2 - Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser developed for WindowsOS X and Linux, with a mobile version for Android, by Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation.According to Mozilla, Firefox counts over 450 million users around the world.

1 - Google Chrome


Google Chrome is a best web Browser in the world. Google Chrome can be compatible with all operating Systems. Chrome is the light weight flagship browser that originated from an open source project by Google called Chromium and Chromium OS. It is now one of the most widely used browser thanks to the vast ecosystem of extensions and add-on's, a robust JavaScript engine and rapid release development cycle that keeps it on the competitive end of curve.



So there we go! The Top 10 Internet Browsers countdown is complete. Do you agree with our choices? What’s your favorite browser? Comment below!

Top 10 Must Have Android Apps

In this post, we will be going to see the Android apps which every Android user must have. Many Android users have different tastes with respect to the genre of apps we would like to have depending on our requirements. But, below list shows those apps which one may find handy sometime in future. So, it's good to have them in your Droids.

Let's check out the top 10 apps-




1) All in One ToolBox - http://goo.gl/rilhG
All-In-One Toolbox provides comprehensive system optimizing techniques, including real-time memory info, one click memory quick boosting, task killer, cache cleaner, history cleaner, and SD file manager etc. It embraces all factors that matter to device performance, and helps to optimize your device to run at optimum speed.

2) Lightning Browser - http://goo.gl/CHcjo

Enjoy Lightning Browser, one of the smallest Android web browsers around. It is a high-performance small-sized browser built for those who don't want the cumbersome slowness or size of Firefox or Chrome. It is based off the Android WebKit Engine. 

3) Write SMS by Voice - http://goo.gl/28RcI
Write SMS by voice (with, per)! It's fast and easy now with Write SMS by voice app!
Write SMS by voice provides you the powerful and easy in use system to write your SMS by voice.

4) My Script Calculator - http://goo.gl/VGIEC
With MyScript© Calculator, perform mathematical operations naturally using your handwriting.

5) Smart Gallery Lock - http://goo.gl/7iTkB
Secure Gallery will lock(protect) your precious pictures and video from other users using a password or pattern!

6) Office Suite Viewer 7+PDF & HD - http://goo.gl/8IUg3
OfficeSuite is a universal document viewer for Android enabling you to open, view, print and share native DOC, DOCX, DOCM, RTF, TXT, LOG, XLS, XLSX, XLSM, CSV, PPT, PPTX, PPS, PPSX, PPTM, PPSM, EML, PDF and ZIP files and attachments ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!

7) Advanced Mobile Care - http://goo.gl/KY7vd
Advanced Mobile Care is an all-in-one Android security and performance optimization app that performs real-time virus scans while also featuring a brand new Anti-theft, powerful Game Speeder, Battery Saver, Call Blocker, App Manager, Task Killer, Privacy Locker, Privacy Advisor and Cloud Backup. 
Advanced Mobile Care is a veritable Swiss Army knife for Android tuning up. It gives Android users an excellent way to protect their smartphones from Android security and performance problems.

8) Pie Controls - http://goo.gl/dbNkw
Touch the left and right edges of the screen. Easy Interface PieControl! 

9) Power Toggle http://goo.gl/yWQLt
Contains 40+ toggles including Wifi,Mobile Data (3G/4G),Bluetooth (toggle, discovery and tether),Flashlight,Custom application shortcut,Custom system shortcuts and many more...
Supports homescreen widgets and notification widget. Also supports expandable notification widget on Jelly Beans. Lockscreen widgets on android 4.2
Many customization options like changing color theme and icons for individual toggles.

10) Photoshop Touch For Mobile - http://goo.gl/SK39X
Bring the fun and creative possibilities of Adobe® Photoshop® software to your phone with Adobe Photoshop Touch for phone. Transform your images with core Photoshop features. Combine images, apply professional effects, and share results with friends and family through Facebook and Twitter — all from the convenience of your phone.


Check Out: Top 10 Smartphones of 2013

So there we go! The Top 10 Must have Android Apps countdown is complete. Do you agree with our choices? What’s your favorite application? Comment below!


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Top 10 Blogs To Make You A Better Blogger-Must Read To Become a Blogging Icon

For every naive blogger or a master blogger it's always good to evolve by reading other blogs. No one can say they are a master blogger. Blogging is a place which evolves everyday. But, the following blogs have become like the silver bullets of hallmark of success. So, let's check who are these top 10 blogs which can help you achieve the zenith in blogging.

 


1. ProBlogger – Started by Darren Rowse in 2004, this top site offers advice on creating a successful blog, including blog design, writing content and SEO. The site also hosts a forum, workbooks and a jobs board for bloggers.
2. Copyblogger – Everything you need to know about creating content, copywriting, SEO and internet marketing. Check out their e-books, seminars and webinars.
3. Bloggingtips.com – This site aims to be a community for bloggers, writers and readers to connect. The team of writers offers blogging advice, guides and resources.
4. DailyBlogTips – Covers blogging basics, design, SEO and internet marketing. Check out useful sister site, DailyWritingTips for daily tips on grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. This is one of my favorite sites.
5. Basic Blog Tips – Ileane offers blogging tutorials, including podcasts and scores of YouTube videos.



6. For Bloggers by Bloggers – A roster of top, passionate bloggers offers advice on how to create, sustain and grow a blog.
7. Michelle Shaeffer – Michelle shares her experience – both good and bad – as a successful blogger. Her tag line, Building your visibility, voice and community online, says it all.
8. WPBeginner – If you’re using WordPress as the platform for your blog, this is a great resource. The blog provides tips, tricks, hacks, and other resources for the WordPress community. Check out bobwpand Lorelle on WordPress, also.
9. Moz.com – If you want to go beyond the basic WordPress installation and get advice on how to super-optimize your blog, check out Moz (formerly, SEOMoz).
10. Legal Bloggers – Though they occasionally offer blogging tips, this is less about that and more about lawyers blogging with passion. Three of my favorites are legal blogging veterans Kevin O’Keefe (Real Lawyers Have Blogs), Carolyn Elefant (MyShingle) and Lee Rosen (Divorce Discourse – don’t let the title fool you – this blog is all about practical, insightful advice on running and growing a law practice).
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Check Out: Insert Facebook Like Button In Every Blogger Post

Please leave your comments below.


Saturday, June 8, 2013

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for Any Couple

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Whether or not you're a romantic guy, your honeymoon should be the most memorable vacation of your life. Although the possibilities are seemingly endless, if you truly want to have the perfect post-wedding getaway, you should choose your destination wisely. Are you a quiet couple that wishes to spend quality time by the beach or in the hotel room? Or perhaps you're a more adventurous, thrill-seeking duo? Whatever the case, here are 10 destinations that will make your woman want to marry you all over again.
No.10 Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
This is a definite honeymoon classic. You can even spend your vacation in two different countries by simply crossing the American-Canadian border over the Falls. What is there to do besides watch all that water? Drop by the impressive Niagara Casino to test your luck as newlyweds, or stroll lazily down the streets of the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (a mere short drive away from Niagara Falls); its shops, cafés and culture are sure to please.
Special attraction: Take a breathtaking boat ride under the Falls in the Maid of the Mist.
No.9 The Islands of the Bahamas
With so many beautiful islands to choose from, it's hard to go wrong with this location. However, if you want to plan a really romantic getaway, there are even "romance directors" that can help you organize your fantasy honeymoon or wedding (on a beach at sunset, on a party boat where you can dance the night away, etc.).
Special attraction: Nassau/Paradise Island's unique blend of international glamour and tropical ease offers you the freedom to do absolutely everything or absolutely nothing. Choose from sophisticated resorts or empty beaches, vibrant nightlife or world-class watersports.
No.8 Nice, France
The French Riviera, with its subtropical climate and beautiful beaches on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is the perfect destination for couples that want to relax and soak up some sun. Just be sure to control your wandering eyes because those southern French women are hot!
Special attraction: If you're there in the winter, don't miss the Nice Carnival, which attracts over one-million people each year. The festivities, which go on for two weeks, include parades, rock and techno concerts, fireworks, and other shows.
No.7 The Turks and Caicos Islands
Located 575 miles (a 75-minute flight) southeast of Miami, these breathtaking islands boast the third largest coral reef system in the world (with 1,000 square miles), making them a premier beach, snorkeling and diving destination. You'll be blown away by the 230 miles of pristine sandy white beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters.
Special attraction: From late December through April, a herd of 2,500 humpback whales pass through the shores; divers can listen to an underwater concert of the whales' songs.
No.6 Aspen, Colorado
For the outdoorsy couples out there, this is an excellent destination for winter and summer sports alike. You can go skiing, snowboarding, golfing, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, and much more. At night, you can either choose to curl up by the fireplace in your lodge or hit the town to experience the Aspen nightlife.
Special attraction: After a tiring day of skiing or hiking, treat yourselves with a visit to the steamy Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves. Approximately an hour drive from Aspen (located in Glenwood Springs), this unique 106-year-old spa offers numerous body treatments like body mud and wraps, and massage.
No.5 Las Vegas, Nevada
If you've always wanted to know what it feels like to run off to Las Vegas to get married like some rebellious rock star, why don't you just plan your honeymoon there? Revel in the glamour of Vegas by visiting the most impressive casinos in the world, catching a show, or renting a cheesy honeymoon suite with a heart-shaped bed and drinking champagne in the Jacuzzi... in Vegas, your imagination is the limit!
Special attraction: Take a romantic gondola ride (complete with serenade) on the canals inside the Venetian hotel.
No.4 Tahiti, French Polynesia
If you really want to feel like you're in paradise, whisk your woman away to tropical Tahiti, also known as "The Island of Love." The awe-inspiring scenery includes high mountain peaks reaching into the clouds, deep green valleys and lush rainforests, waterfalls cascading into cool rivers and streams, as well as mind-blowing beaches.
Special attraction: Feeling adventurous? You could go searching for the legendary Lost Treasure of the Tuamotu, which is said to consist of $1.8 million worth of gold.
No.3 South Africa
Going on a safari is an option for the most adventurous of couples who want to do something truly memorable for their honeymoon. You'll never forget your face-to-face encounters with wild animals.
Special Attraction: Kruger National Park boasts two million hectares of land, making it one of the largest game reserves in the world. Explore it on foot, in a rented Jeep or as part of a larger tour group. If you're looking for animal sightings, stick to the southern section of the park.
No.2 Costa Rica, Central America
There is so much to see in Costa Rica, which is said to be Central America's "special jewel." Visit the Poas Volcano National Park and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, or take a nature cruise (or go rafting) on the Rio Sarapiqui. If you travel inland to the Tilaran Highlands, stay in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where you can visit the amazing Butterfly Garden and hike through the exotic rainforests.
Special attraction: When all the sightseeing has worn you out, relax on one of Costa Rica's fantastic beaches, such as Playa Zancudo (the locals claim that it's the best swimming beach) or Pavones (which offers some of the best Pacific surf).
No.1 Hawaii
Hawaii is the ultimate honeymoon destination, with its beautiful beaches and many islands, each of which has its own personality and attractions. Maui has great weather and an active nightlife while Kaua'i is much less commercial with its scenic valleys, clear waterfalls and dramatic coastline. If you can't make up your mind, you can take a cruise that will allow you to visit all the islands.
Special attractions: The active volcanoes and the black sand beaches of "The Big Island" (Hawaii).

Which do you think is best? Leave your comments below.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Top 10 most spoken languages in the world

Top 10 most spoken languages in the world

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The development of spoken languages is probably the most significant development in communications in the history of the world.  Since mankind first developed language, languages have developed into a multitude of varieties, a diversity which endures to this day.  Here is a list of the top ten languages, grouped by the number of native speakers.

10.  German (over 90 million speakers)

German
German is a member of the West Germanic language family, alongside English.  German is primarily spoken, as its name suggests, in Germany, where it is the official language.  However, it is also the official language of Austria, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, and is one of three official languages of Belgium (alongside Dutch and French) and one of four official languages of Switzerland (alongside French, Italian, and Romansch) and is the official language of Italian province of Bolzano-Bozen.  In addition, it is recognized as a minority language in several countires, including Poland, Denmark, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Common German phrases include Guten tag (Good day), Sprechen sie Deutsch? (Do you speak German?), and auf wiedersehen (Goodbye).

9.  Japanese (132 million speakers)

Japanese
The Japanese language is a member of the Japonic language family (which also includes the Ryukyuan language spoken on the island of Okinawa).  Most Japanese native speakers live in Japan and its territories, but native Japanese speakers also live in Korea, the United States and Europe.  Japanese is the official language of Japan, and it also enjoys official status in Palau.
Common phrases in Japanese include konichiwa (hello), arigato (Thank you), and sayonara (goodbye).

8.  Russian (144 million speakers)

Russian
The Russian language is a member of the East Slavic family of languages, a family which also includes the Belarusian, Ukrainian, and Rusyn languages.  Most of Russian’s 144 million speakers live in Russia, where it is the official language.  Other countries with large Russian-speaking populations include Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.  Russian is written in the Cyrillic alphabet.
Common Russian phrases include ????????????. (ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh; hello), ??. (dah: yes), and ???????. (spuh-SEE-buh; thank you).

7.  Portuguese (178 million speakers)

Portuguese
The Portuguese language is a member of the Italo-Western branch of the Romance language family.  Like the other Romance languages, it is a descendant of Latin (“Romance” referring to Rome).  It is the official language of both Portugal and Brazil, where most native speakers live.  In addition, it is the official language of Angola, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe, and is a mandatory subject of study in schools in Uruguay and Argentina.  It is currently the fourth most learned language in the world, with 30 million learners.
Common Portuguese phrases include Bom dia (Good day), Como está(how are you?), and Nã(No).

6.  Bengali (181 million speakers)

Bengali
Bengali is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family, alongside languages such as Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.  Most of its speakers live in the country of Bangladesh, where it is the official language.  Speakers also live in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam.  Speakers also live in Europe, the United States, and even Saudi Arabia.  Bengali has a rich literary tradition and is a focal point of Bengali nationalism.  Bengali is written in the Bengali script, which is related to the Sanskrit and Hindi scripts.
Common Bengali phrases include Nômoshkar (Hello), Apnar nam ki? (What is your name?), and Ektu (please).

5.  Arabic (221 million speakers)

Arabic
Arabic is a member of the Semitic language family, which includes Hebrew Neo-Aramaic languages such as Syriac and Neo-Chaldean.  Arabic is most often identified with the Middle East and North Africa, and is the official language of 26 countries.  It sits alongside Hebrew as the official language of Israel, and has large populations of speakers in both Europe and North America.  Additional, its classical variant is the language of the Qu’ran.  Arabic is written in the Arabic script.
Common Arabic phrases include as-salaamu ‘alaikum (Peace be with you, a formal greeting), Na’am (yes), and ismaHli (excuse me).

4.  Hindi-Urdu (242 million speakers total)

Hindi Urdu
Hindi-Urdu is a member of the Indo-Aryan family, alongside Bengali.  It is a pluricentric language and has two official forms, Standard Hindi and Standard Urdu, although the two forms are nearly indistinguishable from each other.  Hindi is the official language of India, whilst Urdu is the official language of Pakistan.  Urdu and Hindi are also spoken in parts of Europe and North America with heavy Indian and Pakistani immigrant populations.  It is written in both the Hindi alphabet and the Arabic alphabet (for Urdu due to Islamic influence).

3.  English (328 Million speakers)

English
English is a member of the West Germanic language family.  It originally sprouted from the Anglo-Saxon language (Old English) and borrowed heavily from Latin and French due to the Norman conquest of England.  Though it developed in the British isles, the largest population of English speakers lives in the United States, with about 309 million speakers.  English is the official language of 53 countries, includingIreland, Canada, South Africa, Jamaica, and New Zealand, and is the de facto language of the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.  It also has large speaking populations in several African and Oceanian countries, and is a “subsidiary official language” in India.
English is also an official language of several organizations, including the UN, NATO, and the European Union.

2.  Spanish (329 million speakers)

Spanish
Spanish is a member of the West Iberian branch of the Romance languages, closely related to Portuguese.  Spanish is one of the most widely distributed languages in the world; it is the official language of over 20 countries, and is the official language of nearly every state in Latin America, excepting Brazil, Belize, etc.  Additionally, large populations of native speakers have immigrated to the United States, and Spanish is now one of the most common languages in the American southwest.  It is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
Common Spanish phrases include hola (hello), Que pase un buen día (Have a good day), and ¿Cómo te llamas? (What is your name?).


1.  Mandarin (over 845 million speakers)

Chinese
Mandarin is often called Chinese by non-speakers, but it is in fact only one of many Chinese languages, which include Cantonese and Xiang, in the Sino-Tibetan language family.  Mandarin is the largest of the Chinese languages, and is the official language of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.  It is also one of four official languages of Singapore (the others being English, Malay and Tamil).  In addition, large scale immigration from both mainland China and Taiwan have brought large populations of Mandarin speakers to the United States and Europe.  Mandarin has two writing systems; Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.
Common Mandarin phrases include N? h?o! (Hello!), W? míngzi jiào… (My name is…), and Hu?nyíng! (You’re welcome!)

Monday, June 3, 2013

Top 10 Abandoned Places In The World

Abandoned Places: 10 Beautiful Modern Ruins

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Abandoned Places | We humans are explorers by nature.  The quest for discovery, both old and new, is part of what separates us from rest of the animal kingdom.  Since the world we live in has been largely mapped and plotted, we urban adventurers turn our sights toward the relics of old and the ruins of the recent past.  If you find beauty in urban decay, in the crumbling and abandoned places of yesteryear, you’ll want to read on.  Here are 10 of the most amazing, beautiful and creepy abandoned places in the modern world.

Abandoned Submarine Base, Ukraine

In a bay on the northern shores of the Black Sea, the Soviet army maintained an elaborate submarine base throughout much of the Cold War.  Now a museum, this abandoned submarine base in the town of Balaklava, Ukraine is often explored by locals and tourists alike.  During the war, Soviet submarines were constructed elsewhere, transported to this base by rail, then deployed into the Black Sea and beyond for covert underwater operations.  The tunnels of the submarine base reached far and deep into the mountain above, providing enough room for many submarines and their crew up through the end of the Cold War. [images via russos]
Abandoned Submarine Base Gallery
  
  

The Ruins of Detroit by Marchand and Meffre

In the United States, few cities have felt the burn of urban decay more than Detroit.  To capture its slow fade into history, photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre explored some of Detroit’s dying landmarks for their photo series The Ruins of Detroit.  As the industrial revolution came to a close and race riots crippled a once bustling city, many buildings throughout Detroit fell into disrepair and eventual abandonment.  Today, visitors to Detroit can experience two sides of the city– the revitalized, re-invested downtown area, and the high-rises and industrial complexes which crumble around it.
Ruins of Detroit Gallery
  
  

Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin

It is rare that a ruin like this should decay so gracefully and without the marks of vandalism.  The Beelitz Military Hospital in Berlin is in great condition for a ruin, perhaps for the history it represents.  In 1916, a young Lance Corporal in the German army recuperated here after taking a bullet in the Battle of the Somme during the First World War.  That injured soldier was none other than Adolph Hitler.  Walking these empty halls and cavernous rooms may not recall memories of that fearsome dictator, but a calm and unobstructed view into Germany’s often difficult history.
Beelitz Military Hospital Gallery
  
  

City Hall Subway Station, NYC

Under the busy streets of New York City rests a perfectly preserved monument to that city’s transportation history.  The City Hall Subway Station was first constructed over 100 years ago, a part of New York’s earliest underground transport network.  It was shut down in 1945, where it lay dormant and untouched until a one night public exhibition on the station’s centennial.  NYCSubway.org and photographer Fred Guenther have documented this event with a great collection of photos, showing this amazing abandoned place in all its pristine, untouched glory.
City Hall Subway Station Gallery
  
  

Ryugyung Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea

The Ryugyung Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea is one of the 20th century’s greatest architectural failures.  Initially designed as a beacon of progress and power for this misunderstood peninsula nation, the Ryugyung Hotel was unable to sustain construction when the North Korean government simply ran out of money.  Ground was broken in 1987, construction was halted in 1992, and the pyramid-style spire sat dormant and empty for sixteen years.  Not a window or an interior fixture graced this skeleton of concrete and metal, it stood only as a reminder what could-have-been for Pyongyang, but instead resulted in failure.  Fortunately, the Ryugyung hotel may not be abandoned much longer, as construction resumed in 2008 and the building now has windows and a nearly-completed exterior.  Due to the secrecy of the North Korean government, however, it is hard to say if the updates are merely cosmetic or reach further inside this lonely building.
Ryugyung Hotel Gallery
  

Pripyat, Ukraine – Chernobyl Ground Zero

It’s difficult to find a greater metaphor for the rise and fall of the Soviet Union than Pripyat, Ukraine.  In a span of sixteen years, the population of Pripyat grew from zero to 50,000 and back down to zero, following the greatest nuclear power disaster in human history.  Pripyat was billed as an atomic city, built  into the forests south of Kiev in 1970 to house the families of workers at the Chernobyl nuclear facility.  After the the Chernobyl failure, the city was abandoned, where it lays empty and closely guarded by police.  The only heartbeat remaining in the city of Pripyat is the rustly click measured by visiting Geiger counters. (if you’d like to see more beyond the gallery below, there are plenty of compelling images on flickr, especially those by Pedro Moura Pinheiro)
Pripyat, Ukraine Gallery
  
  

Abandoned Beach Resort City, Varosha, Cyprus

Decades ago, Varosha (Famagusta) on the island of Cyprus was the top resort destination in the eastern Mediterranean.  In 1974, the Turkish intervention in Cyprus brought the area under Turkish control, where it remains off limits to modern Cypriots.  While the seaside resort buildings remain mostly in tact, the streets and beaches of Varosha remain empty, save for a single Turkish-only resort along the coast.  We saw many amazing abandoned structures in our research, but we never expected to see a completely abandoned beach resort.
Abandoned Beach Resort City Gallery
  

Abandoned Water Park, Russia

A massive, indoor water park was planned for the children of Russia, one towering many stories high with a myriad of rides within.  Yet before this park could be completed, the developer went belly up and couldn’t afford its completion.  The structure was to house many pools, water slides and other water-based fun, and appeared to be just months away from completion.  The now abandoned water park houses only concrete, metal, graffiti and the curiosity of freelance “urban archaeologists”.
Abandoned Water Park Gallery
  
  

Abandoned Cathedral, Gary, Indiana

Much like the city of Detroit, Gary, Indiana has been hard hit by the fall of the industrial revolution.  While many of its massive industrial factories still operate, hope in the area is very hard to find.  Perhaps representative of this lack of faith is this amazing abandoned cathedral.  While this church is now empty, its beauty remains.  The arched, cathedral ceiling, the grand architecture of the exterior and the religious iconography carved within might suggest that man has turned their back on religion here, but the opposite is not necessarily the case. (these images come courtesy of the community at opacity.us, one of the best places for exploring abandoned structures across the entire internet)
Abandoned Cathedral Gallery
  
  

Abandoned British Sea Forts

During the Second World War, the British Royal Navy constructed a series of sea forts for an advanced line of defense against inbound air raids and potential sea invasions from the Axis powers.  The Maunsell Sea Fortsstill stand today, silent and abandoned a few meters above the North Sea.  One, however, remains inhabited, now a nation of its own referred to as the Principality of Sealand.  These sea forts are a favorite of maritime explorers, a lonely collection of stilted fortresses not far off the coast of eastern England. [see more photos of the Maunsell Sea Forts by slimmer jimmer]
Abandoned British Sea Forts Gallery
  
  
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We hope you enjoyed this collection of abandoned places from the world’s recent history.  If you’ve ever explored an abandoned place and wish to share your story, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below.