Political poster honoring country's independence
The Convention Peoples Party combined generalized opposition to colonial rule into a relatively coherent single party, led by Kwame Nkrumah (Prime Minister and/or President 1952-1966). The CPP appealed to nationalism, economic development, and Nkrumah's charisma for its appeal. The poster reads: "United we build a strong nation One Nation - One People - One Destiny Self-Reliance"
The national team has just won a major win. Ghanaians take to the streets and cheer for it.
Royal palm-lined avenue, University of Ghana
Although native to the Caribbean area, royal palms have been planted in other tropical areas, due to their striking height
The Western-style attire worn by members of the wedding party reflects the many centuries of contact between Ghana and western societies
Lush fields of teff and other crops demonstrate the fertility of Ethiopia's highland soil - if there's enough water. Note the large reservoir.
This imposing building stands at the northern [highest] end of Churchill Avenue. It was built between 1961 and 1964, as a demonstration of Ethiopia's increasing modernization
Behind the artist are eucalyptus trees, which are increasingly common around Ethiopia. They were introduced from Australia around 1895 because of the deforestation around the new capital Addis Ababa, caused by the use of wood as fuel
The Tiglachin monument (Amharic: ትግላችን, English: Our Struggle) is a memorial to Ethiopian and Cuban soldiers involved in the Ogaden War. It was built under Mengistu Haile Mariam on Churchill Avenue in Addis Ababa. (It is sometimes erroneously called the "Derg Monument", but the monument does not honor the Derg regime.) The monument is composed of various elements: a central statue, a 50 m tall pillar, two wall reliefs on the sides and two squares where the portraits of Cuban soldiers are visible. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiglachin_Monument)
Old and new means of transport, central Addis Ababa
On Churchill Avenue, a main thoroughfare of Addis Ababa, many different types of transport could be seen in late 1973: pedestrians
and a public bus. Note the absence of private automobiles. Ethiopia was a very poor country then
Religious pictures and other material of the Ethiopian Orthodox can readily be purchased outside the St. George's Cathedral.
Inexpensive color lithographs of Christian topics can be purchased readily in Ethiopia. Christianity became the country's state-sponsored religion in 330CE, a half-century before Nicene Christianity became the state church of the Roman Empire with the Edict of Thessalonica in 380CE.
Menelik II is one of the best-known rulers of Ethiopia, having reigned from 1889 to his death in 1913. He was celebrated for fending off Italian invaders in the 1896 Battle of Adowa and for expanding Ethiopian rule significantly to the south and east
Tourist-oriented items on sale, Ethiopian shop
This poupouri of metal objects, carvings, wall hanging and the like should attract potential purchasers of Ethiopian synbols
This hand-woven wall hanging combines the crucifixion and other Christian symbols with Saint George (lower right), the patron saint of Ethiopia
Although these homes stand close to one of Addis' major hotels, they enjoyed few public services (at least when the picture was taken).
These rugs feature the imperial lion, linked to Emperor Haile Selassie and his ruling circle. Ironically, a few months after this picture was taken, the Emperor was deposed by the military and imperial symbols of this sort largely disappeared
Africa Hall, headquarter of the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, has changed significantly since this image was taken in December 1973. Addis Ababa was far less urbanized at that point. Along with the Addis Ababa City Hall, Africa Hall was one of the two projects designed to demonstrate, in the words of Emperor Haile Selassie, “that it is possible to construct grand buildings here too [in Ethiopia], by erecting a couple of high-profile structures."
The Blue Nile rises in the Ethiopian highlands and flows mostly through deep gorges until merging with the White Nile at Khartoum. These falls are known as Tis Abay in Amharic, or, "great smoke". Water pours over the escarpment in four streams
Near Bahir Dar and Lake Tana, western Ethiopia
The Blue Nile rises in the Ethiopian highlands and flows mostly through deep gorges until merging with the White Nile at Khartoum. These falls are known as Tis Abay in Amharic, or, "great smoke".
Although this plant looks like a cactus, it is actually a euphorbia. This species is native to Southern Africa. The genus has about 2,000 members, making it one of the largest genera of flowering plants.
For most of Ethiopia's history, both ruling dynasties and local leaders were protected from invasion by natural barriers, e.g. rivers or mountain ridges. Bridges were relatively rare until the late 20th century. This one, near the falls of the Blue Nile, dates from 1626.
17th-century palace of Emperor Fasilides
Emperor Fasilides reigned in Ethiopia 1632-1667. He is known for confiscating Jesuit-held lands and restoring the primacy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Emperor Fasilides reigned in Ethiopia 1632-1667. He is known for confiscating Jesuit-lands and restoring the primacy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Teff, an annual cereal grain, forms the basis for injera, a staple of Ethiopian diets. Teff is high in dietary fiber and iron and provides protein and calcium. It is similar to millet and quinoa in cooking, but the seed is much smaller and cooks faster, thus using less fuel.
Ethiopian boys tend to these cattle as they graze in rural Ethiopia
Throughout most of rural sub-Saharan Africa, family homes contain multiple dwellings. They are surrounded by a fence of some sort to keep animals penned at night
Members of rural family by their home ['tukul']
Given the low incomes in rural areas, families build their homes out of low- or no-cost local materials
Communications around Ethiopia are difficult, owing to the deep canyons cutting through the highlands. The high central plateau varies from 1,290 to 3,000 m (4,232 to 9,843 ft) above sea level. Ethiopia's lowest point is the Afar Depression, in the Afar Region −125 m (−410 ft).
Steep ridges separate settled areas in Ethiopia. Note how trees have been cut down for agriculture or firewood
Piped, treated water isn't available in the overwhelming majority of Ethiopia. These girls are taking water from the nearest pond or stream to their homes. Men and boys don't carry out such work.
Traders of all ages gather at the market. Although cold in the early morning, temperatures will rise
These Ethiopians trade food and goods at an open-air market. Don't be fooled: the village in the background was relatively prosperous for the area and era, as witness the metal roofs
Cooking, heating water and the like are done with firewood gathered from the countryside. Women invariably bear the duty of gathering it
When this picture was taken, Ethiopia was suffering from severe drought and famine. This woman is trying to sell mass-produced figurines near a rural airport
The small airport, dating from 1938, is named for a famed aviation pioneer
These open-sided tram cars date from the mid-20th century
To reach the top of 'Hunchback' mountain, the easiest way by far is via the rack-and-pinion tram car. Extending 2.4 miles, it was opened in 1884, and later became the first Brazilian electrified train
To reach the top of 'Hunchback' mountain, the easiest way by far is via the rack-and-pinion tram car. Extending 2.4 miles, it was opened in 1884, and subsequently became the first Brazilian means of transportation to be electrified
Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado mountain, Rio
Constructed between 1922 and 1931, this 100' high statue has become both a symbol of Christianity across the world and a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. It can be seen from practically every part of the city, day and night
Rio's majestic setting and downtown skyscrapers stand out in this photo. The scruffy favelas are far harder to see
Favelas (slums) surround nearly every city in Brazil. They benefit from few if any urban amenities.
Brazil contains more Catholics than any country in the world, with 130 million people, or 64.6% of the Brazilian population, self-declared Catholics (2010 census). Grottoes of this sort are widely distributed through the country.
Only the roar of the falls indicates the proximity of this immense cascade
No less than 275 islands split Iguazu falls. It has the sixth-greatest average annual flow of any waterfall in the world, following number five Niagara
The torrent shown here shows only a fraction of the Iguazu River's volume. At times of heavy rains, no rock can be seen between the sections
Lying on the border between Argentina and Brazil, the falls on Iguazu River constitute the largest waterfalls system in the world.
The number of indigeous groups and their populations are disputed. However, the total seems to be 240 tribes (~900,000 people), or 0.4% of Brazil's population. The overwhelming majority live in the Amazon region.
Low vegegation of this sort marks much of central Brazil, where rainfall is limited and soil fertility low. Sertao can be translated as scrubland.
Apartments in Braslia are grouped around automobile-free superblocks, maximizing recreation and quiet space.
Three angels hover over priests and congregants at the cathedral. It was designed by the famed Brazlian architect Oscar Niemeyer, and opened in mid-1970.
Main stained glass window, Brasilia cathedral
Worshippers are completely surrounded by this glass inside the cathedral. It's concrete-framed hyperboloid structure, appears with its glass roof to be reaching up, open, to heaven
Matching pairs of glass-sided buildings house federal offices. Given the region's heat - the daily average is 73 in January - heavy air-conditioning costs result
Located near the geographic center of Brazil, Brasilia was carved out of the arid sertao (back country) of the country. Its construction started in the late 1960s, and was intended to symbolize Brazil's change of focus from an export- and Europe-orientation to internal development
Palm trees on beach near Salvador, NE Brazil
The city of Salvador looms in the background
Boys diving into South Atlantic, NE Brazil
With its long ocean front, Salvador offers many places for public swimming - although many of them have no lifeguards or safety protection
Elevator between upper and lower towns, NE Brazil
Salvador's upper town stands more than 275' above the lower town. This elevator, built in 1873, connects the two parts. The wealthier sections of the city are located on the higher ground.
The wealth gained by the Roman Catholic church led to lovely structures like this. Bahia gained its wealth early in Portugal's occupation of Brazil from the sugar trade
Priest conducting mass in the São Francisco Church and Convent
The wealth gained by the Roman Catholic church led to lovely structures like this, often heavily decorated with gold
Replicas of human parts inside Bahia church
Should a person with a serious illness be cured, their family may well place a replica of the healed limb or organ inside this church. The complex mingling of Roman Catholicism with other beliefs in healing take shape here
Small-scale entrepreneurs take their goods to busy streets, especially ones with numerous tourists
Because of its high summer heat and humidity, cloistered walkways were common features in this part of Brazil.
Boys practising capoeira amid collapsing buildings
Streets serve as playgrounds, for soccer, jump rope, or even capoeira. However, the city's economic problems is suggested by the prop for the building.
Children playing in the street of Salvador
Bahia, in Brazil's northest, became the country's first capital in 1539. Enriched by slave labor, sugar exports and the like, city leaders (religious and secular) built lovely structures.
Youth, middle age and death - all in one picture
Coffins stand against the wall of this coffin-maker's stop. The boy and parrot give no attention to the fact of death.
These dolls symbolize a happy event in the family, most likely a wedding or young woman's birthday celebration.
Bandeirantes' recreating Brazilian history
Bandeirantes', drawing their title from the Portuguese word for flag, extended Brazil far inland, starting in the 17th century. They made Brazil almost as large as the rest of South America combined.
Brazilians enjoy dressing for special occasions, particularly at Mardi Gras. Vivid colors and the rhythms to which this woman is dancing indicate the African origins of much of Bahia's populace
Capoeira developed among slaves brought to Brazil from Angola in the 16th century. It combines dance, acrobatics and music.
The large beaches of Rio teem with volleyball players, sun bathers, business people informally negotiating, and families - especially on weekends.
Vendors show their melons are ripe by slicing them for potential patrons.
This carefully-constructed stone sidewalk has clearly suffered from lack of maintainence, although it is less than two blocks from the Copacabana beach, one of Rio's most fashionable areas.
Americans are often surprised by political posters on monuments in other countries. Brazil at this time - 1982 - was cautiously emerging from a period of military dictatorship.
The Democratic Workers Party (PDT)'s informal campaign tent contrasts with the splendor of the late 19th-century Municipal Theater.
This boy splashes in the bay, undeterred by potential health risks in the water and the majesty of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado ('Hunchback) mountains in the background.
Earthen wall around multi-structure traditional dwelling
This wall encloses several separate buildings, likely including one for each wife and her children, a common cooking area, and perhaps a pen for livestock
Traditional-style tropical African home converted into shop
The artistan who lives here combines his studio with display space
Only natural materials were used to construct these homes: thatch
Muslim men in northern Nigeria customarily wear fez-like hats of this sort
The owner of the dye pits (background) explains the indigo dying process to an American tourist
Women selling a variety of foods seek the shady side of the street
The mountain slopes around Rio include some park areas
Sign reads: "Known as Place d'Armes from around A.D. 1768, it was renamed Columbus Square in 1893 in honour of the discover of the New World. The court house and the market were formerly located here. About 1838 Governor Sir Dudley Hill had it planted with ornamental trees (note the old saman tree). Measurements E-W 336 fee, N-S 292 feet."
Palm trees stand out against the twilight clouds
Palm trees fringe this quiet beach in the Rio outskirts
Standing more than 2300' above sea level, Corcovado ('hunchback') dominates the skyline of Rio. It is known globally for the statue of Christ atop it.
Cocoa grows in an unusual fashion. It flourishes in very warm, shady places. Pods appear on the trunks of shrubs [kept clipped to facilitate harvesting]. When they are orange and thus ripe, they are cut down
and further processing occurs. Professor Welch appears in the picture.
Mammoth brewing vessels, Heineken brewhouse
Industrial scale brewing can be seen here, as thousands of liters of Heniken's beer are prepared in these giant tanks.
Rembrandt lived in this ornate house from 1639 to 1656. Its size and location indicate the author's wealth. Inside, the visitor can find a recreation as the studio existed in Rembrandt
s day, while next door a detailed collection of his etching is on display.
These uncomfortable clogs, although cheap and durable centuries past, now serve as tourist items
Despite signs to the contrary, these pigeons are being well-fed!
Rijksmuseum (Royal Museum), Amsterdam, with canal
This massive 1885 building houses some of the world's masterpieces, including numerous canvases by Rembrandt, Vermeer or Frans Hals.
The hooks at the top of each home serve to move furniture or other large items to upper floors, using the extra large windows. The size of the windows also brings much-wanted light during the winter.
Founded in the late 1300s as a Béguinage, a community for unmarried or widowed women with limited means, this lovely Amsterdam square has become one of the city's main tourist attractions.
Although he's outside his home country, this British Socialist defends his viewpoint to a very small Dutch audience, late on a chilly spring afternoon.