History of Sao Paulo ( Brazil )

São Paulo, Brazil, is the largest city in Latin America, edging out runner-up Mexico City by a couple million inhabitants. It has a long and interesting history, including serving as home base for the infamous bandeirantes.

Foundation
The first European settler in the area was João Ramalho, a Portuguese sailor who had been shipwrecked. He was the first to explore the area of present-day São Paulo. Like many cities in Brazil, São Paulo was founded by Jesuit Missionaries. São Paulo dos Campos de Piratininga was established in 1554 as a mission to convert Guainás natives to Catholicism. In 1556-1557 the jesuits built the first school in the region. The town was strategically located, being between the ocean and fertile lands to the west, and it is also on the Tietê River. It became an official city in 1711.

Bandeirantes
In the early years of São Paulo, it became the home base for the bandeirantes, which were explorers, slavers and prospectors who explored the interior of Brazil. In this remote corner of the Portuguese Empire, there was no law, so ruthless men would explore the uncharted swamps, mountains and rivers of Brazil taking whatever they wanted, be it native slaves, precious metals or stones. Some of the more ruthless bandeirantes, such as Antonio Rapôso Tavares (1598-1658), would even sack and burn Jesuit missions and enslave the natives who lived there. The bandeirantes explored a great deal of the Brazilian interior, but at a high cost: thousands if not millions of natives were killed and enslaved in their raids.

Gold and Sugar
Gold was discovered in the state of Minas Gerais at the end of the seventeenth century, and subsequent explorations discovered precious stones there as well. The gold boom was felt in São Paulo, which was a gateway to Minas Gerais. Some of the profits were invested in sugarcane plantations, which were quite profitable for a time.

Coffee and Immigration
Coffee was introduced to Brazil in 1727 and has been a crucial part of the Brazilian economy ever since. São Paulo was one of the first cities to benefit from the coffee boom, becoming a center for coffee commerce in the nineteenth century. The coffee boom attracted São Paulo’s first major wave of foreign immigrants after 1860, mostly poor Europeans (particularly Italians, Germans and Greeks) seeking work, although they were soon followed by a number of Japanese, Arabs, Chinese and Koreans. When slavery was outlawed in 1888, the need for workers only grew. São Paulo’s considerable Jewish community also was established around this time. By the time the coffee boom fizzled in the early 1900’s, the city had already branched out into other industries.

Independence
São Paulo was important in the Brazilian independence movement. The Portuguese Royal Family had moved to Brazil in 1807, fleeing Napoleon’s armies, establishing a royal court from which they ruled Portugal (at least theoretically: in reality, Portugal was ruled by Napoleon) as well as Brazil and other Portuguese holdings. The Royal family moved back to Portugal in 1821 after the defeat of Napoleon, leaving eldest son Pedro in charge of Brazil. The Brazilians were soon angered by their return to colony status, and Pedro agreed with them. On September 7, 1822, in São Paulo, he declared Brazil independent and himself Emperor.

Turn of the Century
Between the coffee boom and wealth coming from mines in the interior of the country, São Paulo soon became the richest city and province in the nation. Railroads were built, connecting it to the other important cities. By the turn of the century important industries were making their base in São Paulo, and the immigrants kept pouring in. By then, São Paulo was attracting immigrants not only from Europe and Asia but from within Brazil as well: poor, uneducated workers from the Brazilian northeast flooded into São Paulo looking for work.

The 1950’s
São Paulo benefited greatly from the industrialization initiatives developed during the administration of Juscelino Kubitschek (1956-1961). During his time, the automotive industry grew, and it was centered in São Paulo. One of the workers in the factories in the 1960’s and 1970’s was none other than Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who would go on to become president. São Paulo continued to grow, both in terms of population and influence. São Paulo also became the most important city for business and commerce in Brazil.

São Paulo Today
São Paulo has matured into a culturally diverse city, powerful economically and politically. It continues to be the most important city in Brazil for business and industry, and lately has been discovering itself culturally and artistically as well. It has always been on the cutting edge of art and literature and continues to be home to many artists and writers. It is an important city for music as well, as many popular musicians are from there. The people of São Paulo are proud of their multicultural roots: the immigrants who populated the city and worked in its factories are gone, but their descendants have kept their traditions and São Paulo is a very diverse city.

Artical Source: http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofbrazil/a/saopaulo.htm

History of Seoul ( South Korea )

The history of Seoul probably started in 18 BC, when it was chosen to be the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. After that it has been the capital of various rulers, which all gave the city a new name.
The importance of Seoul as a city really started during the Joseon Dynasty. Former General Yi Seong-gye chose Seoul to be the capital of his empire in 1392. During the next 10 years Seoul grew into a real city, with 100.000 inhabitants. In that period Seoul was a city lead by the Neo-Confucianism philosophy of the Joseon Dynasty. Buddhism and Catholicism were banned into the mountains and the countryside. Till 1910 Seoul was controlled by this feudal system of kings, aristocrats, peasants, slaves and outcasts.
In 1910, the Japanese invasion took the regime of Korea and the city of Seoul. During the following 35 years Seoul was doomed under Japanese colonial rule. Palaces were destroyed and the Korean culture seemed to fade away.
Korea survived and was released from Japanese rule in 1948. During the Korean war Seoul experienced warfare 4 times, only to become the main capital again in 1953. Since that moment Seoul has been growing rapidly and continuously. The expansion of Seoul symbolizes the economical progress South-Korea has made in the past 50 years.
Nowadays Seoul is a highly modern city with a modern, technologically advanced society. The streets of Seoul are filled with skyscrapers, traffic and 10.3 million people. Seoul is not only the capital of South Korea, but also the city where everything is centered. Throughout the year you can experience cultural, traditional and modern events in this modern metropolis of Korea.

Artical Source: http://www.koreaorbit.com/korea-travel/seoul-south-korea/history.html

History of Mexico City ( Mexico )

The Mexico City population was once the highest of any city in the world and Mexico City has hosted numerous rulers. Hundreds of years ago, the Aztecs claimed the city from smaller indigenous tribes and named it Tenochtitlan. Ingeniously, the Aztecs built a system of damns to keep the city surrounded by clear, fresh water at all times. In the 16th century, however, Mexico City was captured by the Spanish and later became the capital of the new Mexican Republic when the country declared its independence from Spain in the 19th century. Mexico city history is layered and the city itself reflects its changes in the architecture that lines the streets.
Mexico City Mexico has, in recent years, received important attention for its incredible architecture. A mix of 16th, 17th and 18th century European buildings are found with modern day businesses near by. Many districts within Mexico City Mexico have taken advantage of these stylish buildings of the past and the Mexico City of today is full of attractive haunts.

Transportation around Mexico City Mexico is likely to be the best in its area. With an intricate network of extremely cheap bus and metro services, travel in Mexico City is quite pleasant and convenient. Though the Mexico City population no longer makes it the largest city in the world, it remains a major metropolis and travelers should expect all of the usual obstructions to be found in big cities. The last few years, however, have seen an increase in safety throughout Mexico City and the area no longer inspires fear in a wayward traveler.
One of the more popular things to do in Mexico City is to simply hop on a bus and see the sights. A good Mexico City map will come in handy as you travel the streets and there are plenty of neat neighborhoods to explore. The Colonia Condesa is a lovely district with a host of art, cafes and excellent shopping. On your Mexico City map, you might also highlight the Bosque de Chapultepec, a public park with three lakes, a zoo, a castle and the president's palace. You can even rent a boat to venture out onto any one of the three lakes. If you still have energy left after boating in the park, you'll do well to stop by El Zocalo. This is the center of the city, and is hard to avoid if you travel to Mexico City- most of the Mexico City population passes through this square at some point.

Mexico City Mexico is certainly one of the most interesting cities in the world. Referred to by some as the “palace city”, a trip to Mexico's capital will be filled with unique buildings and Mexico City history. A Mexico City map can be purchased online before you travel or at any local travel shop at home or once you arrive in the city itself. No matter how you spend your time, Mexico City is a truly a gem.

Article Source:http://www.destination360.com/north-america/mexico/mexico-city.php

History of Beijing ( China )

Beijing is a city with more than 3,000 years of recorded history and a centuries-old glorious evolution. Evidence of human ancestry dating back to 700,000 years ago has been found in such places as Zhoukoudian in the southwest part of Beijing, where the remains known as 'Peking Man' were found.
While the city's origins can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, its true significance came about in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771 BC). During this time the emperor gave the feudal lords under his rule plots of land. One of these plots of land (or feod), called 'Ji City', was the capital of the kingdom 'Ji' at that time. This city was the earliest in Beijing history. By the time of the Eastern Zhou Period (476 BC-221 BC), the kingdom Ji no longer existed, being replaced by the kingdom 'Yan'. However, Ji was still the capital city at that time.
From the time the Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China in the year 221 BC, Beijing became a strategic place and local kaiserdom center in the northern part of China. From the year 581 to 618 (Sui Dynasty), Beijing was called 'Zhuo' and had a population of 130,000 people. From 618 to 907 (Tang Dynasty), Beijing was called 'You'. During these two dynasties, it was not only a strategic military place but also the major trade center.
In the year 938 of Liao Dynasty (916-1125), the city became the alternate capital of the kingdom of 'Liao' which was founded by the minority ethnic group Qidan who lived in the northeast of China. Because Beijing of that time was located in the south part of their kingdom, it was renamed 'Nanjing' (in Chinese, 'Nan' means 'in the south place').
In 1115, the Nvzhen ethnic nationality perished the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) to set up the Jin Dynasty (265-420) and founded its capital Beijing, which was called Zhongdu of Jin. The golden Imperial Palace, an extremely grand luxurious construction, was established in Zhongdu at that time. This was the first time in Beijing history that the city became a truly significant capital. The world-famous Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Bridge) was built at that time during the Jin Dynasty.
In 1267 Kublai Khan, the leader of the Mongolian ethnic minority, gave an order to construct a new city in the northeast suburbs of Zhongdu. Four years later, Kublai Khan, ascending the emperor's throne in the new city, under construction at that time, established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The building of the city was finished in 1276 and became the capital of the Yuan Dynasty. The Italian traveler Marco Polo wrote in his travel notes that he considered it to be the 'incommensurable city even in the world'.

The current name 'Beijing' comes from more than 500 years ago during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 1403, Zhu Di captured the throne. After that, he moved the former capital to Beiping and then changed its name to Beijing. In 1406, the Ming Dynasty reconstructed Beijing city. The original imperial palace built during the Yuan Dynasty had been burned down during the time when Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Yuan Dynasty. The imperial palace reconstructed in the Ming Dynasty is the Forbidden City at present in Beijing. The construction, design, structure and other aspects of this building epitomize the excellent quality of Chinese architecture in ancient times.

After the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) immediately seized hold of Beijing, the city was called 'Shuntian Prefectural Capital'. During this period, the botanical garden was constructed. The Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace and many other botanical gardens were built at that time. The Summer Palace, that has the beautiful views of rivers and lakes characteristic of small towns of northern China, has retained its appearance. On October 10, 1911, the Bourgeois Democracy Revolution erupted in China, and in next year's February, the emperor of Qing Dynasty was forced to announce his abdication thus ended the last Chinese feudal dynasty and the history of Beijing as the imperial capital was over.
As the important gateway of China, Beijing was military land and the scene of many battles in Chinese history. The chaos caused by war was continuous and the sovereignty of the city was changed many times, making Beijing a city which has undergone much balefulness and adversity.
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was established and Beijing once again became the newborn capital of China. The history of the old city had turned a new page. A city's history is the history of a country. As the imperial capital city of several generations and today's capital of China, Beijing is the miniature of Chinese history and present actuality. Beijing is an archaic city with 3,000 years' brilliant civilization but simultaneously is also a city that glows with beauty and youth. Now Beijing is appearing in the world in its grand, lovely, fresh and modernized guise, and changing with each passing day.

Article Source: http://www.beijingtrip.com/facts/history.htm

History of Colombo ( Sri Lanka )

As the largest city in Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon, Colombo is the financial and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It has been ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.
Julius de Lanerolle points out, in an article in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon Branch, that "Kolamba" (Anglicised "Colombo") is a Sinhalese word; meaning port, ferry, harbour or haven.
Colombo was originally a small seaport used by Moor, Arab, Persian and Chinese sailing vessels.
Following the occupation of the coastal provinces of Ceylon by Portuguese, Colombo became the centre of the Portuguese rulers and after the annexation of Kandyan Territory by the British in 1815 it became the capital of the whole island.
When the Portuguese arrived in Colombo it was spread round the bay, which was not more than three fathoms in depth where it was deepest. The land between the fortress and the interior was at first unoccupied and covered with trees. The Portuguese were compelled to reinforce the garrison to resist attacks by Mayadunne and Vidiya Bandara. The new population needed houses and supplies.
The Portuguese occupation of Colombo ended with the siege of 1656 when the Dutch captured the city.
The Dutch occupied Colombo and other parts of the coastal Ceylon from 1656 to 1796, a period of 140 years.
The British captured Colombo in 1796 but it was not until 1815 that it became the capital city of the whole island.
The administration of the city was in charge of a Collector and John Macdowell of the Madras Service was the first to hold office. After 1833 the Government Agent of the Western Province administered the city until the Municipal Council was established in January 1866.
"They built houses" writes Queyroz , giving rise to the City of Colombo which had within it the mound of St. Laurance and was surrounded by Calapana (Kalapuwa) a lake of nearly three leagues and half in length.
Local Government was not unknown in ancient Ceylon. The great cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa had their own Mayors and Town Councils. In the 5th Century B.C, Anhuradhapura had a fairly complete and efficient system of administration presided over by a Mayor or "Nagara-Guttika" The Village Council is an ancient and familiar feature of rural Ceylon.
It also had the immediate and practical result of relieving the central government of the full burden of city administration and of providing efficient and adequate machinery for supplying the growing needs of an urban community.
Centuries of colonial rule saw a decline of indigenous administration and the Ordinance in 1865 which created Municipal Councils to Colombo and Kandy was conceived as a means of training the Ceylonese in the art and science of self-government.
The Legislative Council of Ceylon, by a Bill constituted the Colombo Municipal Council in 1865 and Council met for the first time on the 16th January 1866. The establishment of the Colombo Municipal Council was perhaps the first substantial step taken by the rulers to give the Ceylonese as a whole the feeling that Colombo was their city and capital.
At the time of the establishment of the Municipal Council, the population was in the region of 80,000.
The revenue of the Colombo Municipal Council in its first year was Sterling Pounds 6,429 and in the year 1872, when Ceylon changed over from sterling to a decimal currency, the Council's income had risen to Rs. 296,494/=. The main sources of revenue of the Council's income in 1866 were the assessment rates, taxation on vehicles and animals, the commutation rate, tolls in streets, bridges and canals, licences of butchers, carriers, wine and retail dealers, gun licences, stamp duty on the certificates of proctors, advocates and notaries, market and slaughter house fees, fines recovered by the Police and Municipal Magistrates and miscellaneous receipts.

Article Source: http://www.cmc.lk/History.asp

History of Tokyo ( Japan )

The history of the city of Tokyo stretches back some 400 years. Originally named Edo, the city started to flourish after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa Shogunate here in 1603. As the center of politics and culture in Japan, Edo grew into a huge city with a population of over a million by the mid-eighteenth century. Throughout this time, the Emperor resided in Kyoto, which was the formal capital of the nation. The Edo Period lasted for nearly 260 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and imperial rule was restored. The Emperor moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo. Thus, Tokyo became the capital of Japan.
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Japan began its avid assimilation of Western civilization. Buildings made of stone and bricks were built on the sites of the mansions of feudal lords, and the roads of major cities were paved with round stones. In 1869, Japan's first telecommunications line was opened between Tokyo and Yokohama, and the first steam locomotive started running in 1872 from Shimbashi to Yokohama. Western hairstyles replaced the traditional topknot worn by men, and bowler hats, high collars, and bustled skirts were the height of fashion. In 1882, Japan's first zoological gardens were opened in Ueno. In 1885, the cabinet system of government was adopted and Ito Hirobumi became Japan's first prime minister. With the promulgation of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan in 1889, Japan established the political system of a modern nation-state.
During the Taisho era (1912-1926), the number of people working in cities increased, and an increasing proportion of citizens began to lead consumer lifestyles. Educational standards improved, and the number of girls going on to study at higher schools increased. Performing arts such as theater and opera thrived.
In September 1923, Tokyo was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake. The fires caused by the earthquake burned the city center to the ground. Over 140,000 people were reported dead or missing, and 300,000 houses were destroyed. After the earthquake a city reconstruction plan was formulated, but because the projected costs exceeded the national budget only a small part of it was realized.
Beginning shortly after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Showa era (1926-1989) started in a mood of gloom. Even so, Japan's first subway line was opened between Asakusa and Ueno in 1927, and in 1928 the first general elections for the House of Representatives of the Diet (or Parliament) were held. In 1931 Tokyo Airport was completed at Haneda, and in 1941 the Port of Tokyo was opened. By 1935, the resident population of Tokyo had grown to 6.36 million, comparable to the populations of New York and London.
However, the Pacific War which broke out in 1941 had a great impact on Tokyo. The dual administrative system of Tokyo-fu (prefecture) and Tokyo-shi (city) that had existed was abolished for the war, and the prefecture and city were merged to form the Metropolis of Tokyo in 1943. The metropolitan administrative system was thus established and a governor was appointed. In the final phase of World War II, Tokyo was bombed 102 times. The heaviest air raid was on March 10, 1945, in which there was great loss of life and material damage. The war came to an end on August 15, 1945 when Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. Much of Tokyo had been laid waste by the bombings and by October 1945 the population had fallen to 3.49 million, half its level in 1940.

In May 1947, the new Constitution of Japan and the Local Autonomy Law took effect, and under the new system, Seiichiro Yasui was elected the first Governor of Tokyo by popular vote under the new system. In August of that year, the present 23 special-ward system* began in Tokyo Metropolis.

The 1950s were a time of gradual recovery for the nation. Television broadcasting began in 1953, and Japan joined the United Nations in 1956. Economic recovery was aided in particular by the special procurement boom arising from the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. This led to Japan's entry into a period of rapid economic growth in the 1960s. Due to technological innovations and the introduction of new industries and technologies, this period saw the beginning of mass production of synthetic fibers and household electric appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. As a result, the everyday lives of the residents of Tokyo underwent considerable transformation. In 1962, the population of Tokyo broke the 10 million mark. In 1964, the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, the Shinkansen ("Bullet Train") line began operations, and the Metropolitan Expressway was opened, forming the foundation for Tokyo's current prosperity.
Entering the 1970s, the strain of rapid economic growth became apparent as the country was beset by environmental issues such as pollution of the air and rivers, as well as high levels of noise. The Oil Crisis of 1973 brought the many years of rapid economic growth to a halt.
In the 1980s, Tokyo took large steps in economic growth as a result of its increasingly global economic activity and the emergence of the information society. Tokyo became one of the world's most vital major cities, boasting attractions such as cutting-edge technology, information, culture, and fashion, as well as a high level of public safety. On the other hand, these rapid developments led to a slew of urban problems such as environmental degradation, traffic congestion, and insufficient disaster preparedness. From 1986 onwards, land and stock prices spiraled upwards, a phenomenon known as the "bubble economy."

Japan enjoyed tremendous growth under the bubble economy, but with the burst of the bubble at the beginning of the 1990s, sinking tax revenues caused by the protracted economic slump led to a critical state in metropolitan finances.

Tokyo overcame its financial crisis and now continues to strive toward becoming the attractive city it envisages.

Article Source: http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/overview01.htm

History of Dubai ( United Arab Emirates )

Dubai, a world business hub, is one of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven Sovereign Sheikhdoms (emirates) - six of which, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman - formed the present federation in 1971 when the British withdrew from the Gulf as part of the 'East of Suez' policy. Ras Al Khaimah joined a year later.

Although little is known about the ancient history of this area, archaeological finds suggest that humans have been living here since at least 3000 BC. Other evidence links the peoples of what are now the UAE and Oman to the mysterious Bronze Age Magan civilization. Magan ships sailed to Babylonia, Mesopotamia and beyond, trading copper from Oman and pearls from the mouth of Dubai Creek with the heavyweights of the Bronze Age economy. The Magan civilization waned around 2000 BC, but Dubai's instinct for trade remained.

Excavations at Jumeira, about 10km south of Dubai, recently unearthed a 6th-century AD caravan station, proving that the area's population was still keeping the trade routes well oiled. Around this same time, the Sassanids, a Persian dynasty who had inhabited the mouth of Dubai Creek since 224 AD, were driven out by the Umayyads, who came to stay and brought Islam with them.

Exploiting their prime location between the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, the new inhabitants, working with the old, began reestablishing old trade routes and spreading the word of Allah, all the while making folks fantastic deals for the lowest everyday prices in the Gulf. As trade began to match pearl diving's importance to the local economy, merchant dhows (ships) sailed as far as China, returning with silk and porcelain for Middle Eastern and European markets. This maritime madness reached its peak between 750 and 1258 AD.

Soon everyone wanted a piece of the Gulf's action. By the late 16th century the Portuguese were attempting to control local trade. Their success was limited, and they retreated when faced with French, Dutch and British attempts to take over the ancient trade routes. The British finally gained control of the region's waterways in 1766. Dubai was caught between local power struggles and the Europe's imperial dreams, but somehow turned this bad situation to its advantage, expanding its pearl trade through every channel.

Dubai had grown gradually from a fishing village inhabited in the 18th century by members of the Bani Yas tribe. Its origins, however, go back into the far more distant past. Dubai Museum, situated at Al-Fahidi Fort, thought to be Dubai's oldest building, displays a rich collection of objects found in graves of the first millennium BC at nearby Al-Qusais, while a caravan station of the sixth century AD was excavated in the expatriate suburb of Jumairah.

By the turn of the 20th century Dubai was a sufficiently prosperous port to attract settlers from Iran, India and Baluchistan, while the souk on Deira side was thought to be the largest on the coast, with some 350 shops. The facilities for trade and free enterprise were enough to make Dubai a natural haven for merchants who left Lingah, on the Persian coast, after the introduction of high customs dues there in 1902. These people were mostly of distant Arab origin and Sunni, unlike most Persians, and naturally looked across to the Arab shore of the Gulf finally making their homes in Dubai. They continued to trade with Lingah, however, as do many of the dhows in Dubai Creek today, and they named their district Bastakiya, after the Bastak region in southern Persia.

Meanwhile a flourishing Indian population had also settled in Dubai and was particularly active in the shops and alleys of the souk. The cosmopolitan atmosphere and air of tolerance began to attract other foreigners too: by the 1930s, nearly a quarter of the 20,000 population was foreign, including 2,000 Persians, 1,000 Baluchis, many Indians and substantial communities from Bahrain, Kuwait and the Hasa province in eastern South Arabia. Some years later the British also made it their center on the coast, establishing a political agency in 1954.

The international trade which flowed from Dubai’s cosmopolitan contracts was the basis of rapidly increasing prosperity. This gave the city an early start in development before the beginning of oil production in the late 1960s. Like the other towns along the coast, Dubai had been severely affected by the decline of the pearling industry, due to competition in the 1930s from Japanese cultured pearls, and by the drop in trade in the Second World War. But Dubai contacts and mercantile skills increased resilience and the ability to profit from favorable conditions for entrepot trade with Persia and India after the 1939-45 war.

The successful early development was due in large part to the foresight of Dubai’s rulers. During the 20th century, the city has benefited from the stabilizing influence of two exceptionally long rules: that of H H Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum from 1912 to 1958, followed by that of his son, H H Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed al-Maktoum. For many years prior to his father’s death in 1958, Sheikh Rashid has played a leading role in directing the state. Since then he has guided Dubai in its expansion from a small, old-world town to a modern state with excellent communication, and industrial infrastructure, and all the comforts of contemporary life. Since 1980 Sheikh Rashid has played a background role due to ill health but his four sons have continued his policies in exactly the same mould.

The above-mentioned sheikhs and their late brother Sheikh Maktoum have honored their father’s memory by creating one of the world’s most impressive cities. They have done this by following the Al Maktoum tradition of encouraging businesses to invest in and operate from Dubai by offering incentives and establishing free trade zones, and by making Dubai one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who presided over the transformation of the small Middle East kingdom into a thriving modern state, died in Australia in 2006 at the age of 62.

The present ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is committed to his father's dream of making Dubai one of the foremost cities in the world, as are his brothers, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police & Public Security Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

While this development has been greatly facilitated by the discovery of oil and its production from the 1960s, oil revenues in Dubai have always been a fraction of those in Abu Dhabi, so Dubai’s growth has always depended partly on the inhabitant’s own entrepreneurial abilities.

Dubai and its twin across the Dubai creek, Deira, became important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centers were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s.

Today, Dubai is an important tourist destination and port (Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbor in the world), but also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as IT and finance, with the new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Transport links are bolstered by its rapidly-expanding Emirates Airline, founded by the government in 1985 and still state-owned; based at Dubai International Airport, it carried over 24 million passengers in fiscal year 2005.

The government has set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, now combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms and media. Dubai Knowledge Village (KV),an education and training hub, is also set up to complement the Free Zone's other two clusters, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, by providing the facilities to train the clusters' future knowledge workers. Dubai has also launched Dubiotech. This is a new park to be targeted at Biotech companies working in pharma, medical fields, genetic research and even biodefense. The aim of this park is to foster the growth of this sector in Dubai and to utilize the region's talent in addressing this rapidly growing sector.

The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service- and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable, resulting in the property boom from 2004. Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

Today, world-class tennis tournaments, boat and horse races, desert rallies and one of the largest air shows in the world attract millions of visitors to the city. Other high-profile events, such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, bring hordes of tourists into town. Tourism matches trade and oil in importance to the emirate's economy.

The story of Dubai reads like a rags-to-riches tale, and indeed, it is hard to imagine anywhere else in the world a city that has developed at such a pace, in such a short time, for so many different people.

Article Source:http://propdubai.com/articles/22/index.php

History of Islamabad ( Pakistan )

The city of Islamabad lies against the backdrop of Margalla Hills. On the basis of archaeological discoveries, archaeologists believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau as far back as 3000 years.

The material remains found on the site of the city prove the existence of a Buddhist establishment contemporary to Taxila but less celebrated than its neighbors. It appears that the city went into oblivion as a result of the Hun devastation. The first Muslim invader, Mahmood of Ghazni (979-1030 AD), gifted the ancient city to a Gakkhar Chief, Kai Gohar. The town, however, being on invaders' route could not prosper and remained deserted until Jhanda Khan, another Gakkhar Chief, restored it and gave the name of Rawalpindi after the village Rawal in 1493 AD. Rawalpindi is still a sister city of Islamabad and both are known as twin cities.

Islamabad in contrast to its sister city Rawalpindi is lush green, spacious and peaceful. The decision to build Islamabad was taken in 1958 under President Ayub Khan. Karachi, the capital since Independence in 1947, and Pakistan's largest city and only port, proved unsatisfactory because of its distance from many parts of the country and because of its debilitating climate. Islamabad on the other hand, offered a healthy climate, plenty of water and a central position on the Grand Trunk Road, close to Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. That nearby Rawalpindi was the headquarters of the Pakistan army was another consideration. Finally the site had historical connections because of its proximity to nearby Taxila, for many centuries the regions main city.

A Greek firm of architects, Doxiadis Assosciates, drew up a master plan, triangular in shape based on a grid system with its apex towards the Margala Hills. The planners envisaged Islamabad eventually absorbing Rawalpindi entirely and stretching well to the west of the GT Road. The city was divided into eight zones : the diplomatic enclave , the commercial district, the educational sector, the industrial area and so on, each with its own shopping area and park. Construction began in 1961 and the first residents moved in two years later. Meanwhile, government offices were temporarily moved up to Rawalpindi. The city came to life on 26 October 1966, when the first office building was occupied.

Article Source: http://www.asiatravelling.net/pakistan/islamabad/islamabad_history.htm

History of Karachi ( Pakistan )

The area of Karachi has been known to the ancient Greeks by many names: Krokola, the place where Alexander the Great camped to prepare a fleet for Babylonia after his campaign in the Indus valley; 'Morontobara' port (probably the modern Manora Island near the Karachi harbor), from where Alexander's admiral Nearchus sailed for back home; and Barbarikon, a sea port of the Indo-Greek Bactrian kingdom. It was also known as the port of Debal to the Arabs, from where Muhammad bin Qasim led his conquering force into South Asia in 712 AD. According to the British historian Eliot, parts of city of Karachi and the island of Manora constituted the city of Debal.

The present city started its life as a fishing settlement where a Sindhi fisherwoman by the name of Mai Kolachi took up residence and started a family. The village that later grew out of this settlement was known as Kolachi-jo-Goth (The Village of Kolachi in Sindhi). By the late 1700s this village started trading across the sea with Muscat and the Persian Gulf region which led to its gaining importance. A small fort was constructed for its protection, armed with cannons imported from Muscat. The fort had two main gateways: one facing the sea, known as Khara Darwaaza (Brackish Gate) and the other facing the adjoining Lyari river known as the Meetha Darwaaza (Sweet Gate). The location of these gates corresponds to the present-day city localities of Khaaradar and Meethadar respectively.

An old image of MA Jinnah Road Karachi from 1889

In 1795, the village became a domain of the Balochi Talpur rulers of Sindh. A small factory was opened by the British in September 1799, but was closed down within a year. After sending a couple of exploratory missions to the area, the British East India Company conquered the town on February 3, 1839. The village was later annexed to the British Indian Empire when the province of Sindh was conquered by Charles Napier in 1843. Kolachi was added along with the rest of Sindh to the jurisdiction of the Bombay Presidency.

The British realized its importance as a military cantonment and a port for exporting the produce of the Indus basin, and rapidly developed its harbour for shipping. The foundations of a city municipal government were laid down and infrastructure development was undertaken. New businesses started opening up and the population of the town started rising rapidly. Karachi quickly turned into a city, making true the famous quote by Napier who is known to have said: Would that I could come again to see you in your grandeur!

In 1857, the First Indian War for Independence broke out in the subcontinent and the 21st Native Infantry stationed in Karachi declared allegiance to revolters, joining their cause on September 10, 1857. However, the British were rapidly able to reassert their control over Karachi and defeat the uprising. Karachi was known as Khurachee Scinde (i.e. Karachi, Sindh) during the early British colonial rule.

In 1864, the first telegraphic message was sent from India to England when a direct telegraph connection was laid down between Karachi and London. In 1878, the city was connected to the rest of British India by railway line. Public building projects such as the Frere Hall (1865) and the Empress Market (1890) were undertaken. In 1876, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was born in the city, which by now had become a bustling city with railway, churches, mosques, courthouses, markets, paved streets and a magnificent harbour. By 1899 Karachi had become the largest wheat exporting port in the east (Feldman 1970:57). The population of the city had also risen to about 105,000 inhabitants by the end of the 19th century and was a cosmopolitan mix of Hindus and Muslims, European traders, Jews, Parsis, Iranians, Lebanese, and Goan merchants. By the turn of the century, the city faced street congestion, which led to India’s first tramway system being laid down in 1900.

Frere Hall - a prime example of colonial architecture built during the British Raj

By 1914, Karachi had become the largest grain exporting port of the British Empire. In 1924, an aerodrome was built and Karachi became the main airport of entry into India. An airship mast was also built in Karachi in 1927 as part of the Imperial Airship Communications scheme, which was later abandoned. In 1936, Sindh was separated from the Bombay Presidency and Karachi was made the capital of the new province. By the time the new country of Pakistan was formed in 1947, Karachi had become a bustling metropolitan city with beautiful classical and colonial European styled buildings lining the city’s thoroughfares. Karachi was chosen as the capital city of Pakistan and accommodated a huge influx of migrants and refugees to the newly formed country. The demographics of the city also changed drastically. However, it still maintained a great cultural diversity as its new inhabitants arrived from all parts of the subcontinent.

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History of Paris ( France )

Paris is more than 2,000 years old. Gauls of the Parisii tribe settled there between 250 and 200 BC and founded a fishing village on an island in the river that is the present-day Ile de la Cité -- the center around which Paris developed.

Known as Lutetia (Lutece) in ancient times, Paris was conquered by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, and existed as a regional center under the Romans and in the early Middle Ages. In 987, HUGH CAPET, Count of Paris, became king of France, and under his successors, the CAPETIANS,

the city's position as the nation's capital became established. Often characterized as spirited and rebellious, the people of Paris first declared themselves an independent commune under the leadership of Etienne Marcel in 1355-58. The storming of the Bastille in 1789 was the first of a series of key actions by the Parisian people during the FRENCH REVOLUTION. Paris also played a major role in the revolutions of 1830 and 1848. In 1871, during the FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR , the city was besieged for four months until France surrendered. After German troops withdrew, French

radicals briefly established the COMMUNE OF PARIS. During World War I the Germans were prevented from reaching Paris, but they occupied the city during World War II from 1940 to 1944. Paris was again the scene of violence during the student riots of 1968.

Paris today maintains its importance, character, and charm, though its appearance is being transformed by structures such as the BEAUBOURG and by the ambitious grands projets building program carried out under the presidency of François Mitterrand. In addition to the La Défense arch and the Bastille Opéra, Mitterrand's projects have included the renovation of the Louvre by architect I. M. Pei, the La Villette complex on the northeastern edge of the city, and, in the southeast, the Bibliothèque de France, a great computer-age library.

Planning for Paris and the Paris Basin region includes consideration of large land areas in the Seine River valley all the way to the mouth of the river. New towns, parks, industrial locations, and expanded functions of existing towns are contemplated for this corridor on both sides of the Seine.

ArticleSource: http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Paris_history.shtml

History of Washington ( U.S.A )

The location of the nation's capital was a source of contention from the beginning. Just as cities now vie for professional athletic teams or maybe the Olympics, in the 1780's the great prize among the states was the national capital. Philadelphia, the wartime capital, was the leading contender. The powerful Virginia delegation wanted a location on the Potomac, with numerous other alternatives suggested.

Characteristically, the solution was found in a compromise. Alexander Hamilton was floating a scheme for the new Federal government to assume the war debts of the individual states. Having hosted most of the war, Northern states had larger debts than their Southern cousins. Southern states were understandably reluctant to take on debts they didn't see as their own. The compromise came with the Southern states agreeing to assume the debts, and the Northern delegations allowing a capital in the south.

The city was of course named Washington, and placed in a federal District of Columbia. The Constitution specifies a 10 mile square parcel, placed under direct control of the Congress. George Washington selected the site, a few miles up river from his home at Mt. Vernon.

The French born Pierre L'Enfant was chosen to design the new city. The Baroque layout he adopted was primarily a grid system, overlaid with diagonal streets that converge to form spokes at important points in the city. Although the system doesn't always lend itself to modern traffic flow, the streets were, mercifully, made very wide.

Grandeur wasn't apparent to early residents coping with the near wilderness of muddy streets and swarms of mosquitoes, and the capital was derided as one of monumental open spaces. Government officials and foreign delegations alike frequently wished to be somewhere more civilized, like New York or Philadelphia.

Washington suffered a potentially fatal setback during the War of 1812 when it was burned by the British. There were suggestions to build elsewhere. But the buildings were replaced and the city grew, although slowly. As late as the Civil War many considered Washington to be a miserable little place.

The Civil War cemented Washington in the popular mind of the country as the capital, and after the war great efforts were made to make the city more accurately reflect that status. Beginning in the late 19th century the federal government began to assume a larger role in the life of the nation, and the capital grew along with it.

Governance of the District has been a point of contention for many years. Until the 23rd Amendment was ratified in 1961, citizens weren't able to vote in national elections. Further reforms gave the district non-voting representation in Congress. Of more controversy has been the attempt to establish home rule. In stages residents, have been given the right to elect a mayor and city council, whose actions have always been subject to a veto by Congress. The Democratic Party has even pushed for statehood for DC, no doubt coveting the two extra Democrat Senators such a move would certainly bring.

Such plans seem like fantasy now that the city's government has collapsed on itself. With a declining population, confiscatory taxes, an oversized and corrupt bureaucracy, and a decaying infrastructure, something had to be done. Braving cries of racism, Congress has been forced to remove most of the power from the local officials and install commissions and overseers. Even a Democratic President has acknowledged the need for such a move by watching silently. Hopefully, those appointed to clean up the city will be successful in the attempts to make Washington the city it can be.

Article Source: http://www.ego.com/us/dc/history/index.htm

History of Chicago ( U.S.A )

1673 - First Europeans discover Chicago area1781 - First permanent settlement by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable1832 - Chief Black Hawk defeated1837 - Chicago is incorporated as a city 1871 - The Great Fire1885 - The first skyscraper1893 - World Columbian Exposition1909 - The Chicago plan1943 - Chicago's first subway opened1973 - Sears Tower completed.

Louis Jolliet, a Canadian explorer and the French-born Jesuit Jacques Marquette were the

first Europeans to discover the Chicago area in 1673 with the help of local indians.

The first permanent settlement was founded in 1781 by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, an African American from Santo Domingo. The location at the mouth of the Chicago river was chosen for its strategic value for a trading post as the river connected the Lake with the Mississippi river. Later the area at the mouth of the Chicago river was occupied by a military base, Fort Dearborn. The Fort was regularly atacked by Native Americans, until Chief Black Hawk was defeated in 1832. One year later, Chicago was officially incorporated as a town and four years later, when the population reached 4170, as a city. Its name was derived from the native indian's word describing the area.

With the arrival of the railroads, the city of Chicago really started to boom reaching a population of 300,000 in 1870. One year later, disaster struck with the Great Chicago Fire laying the city in ashes. The fire destroyed about 17450 buildings, but the Chicagoans quickly started to rebuild the city. Just 6 weeks after the fire, construction of more than 300 buildings had already begun. And in 1893 Chicago had recovered well enough to host the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, commemorating the discovery by Columbus of America 400 years ago.

The foundations of todays Chicago were laid out by some of the leading architects reconstructing the city after the Great Fire.Daniel Burnham designed the first visionary urban plan for a city, the 1909 Chicago plan. It was nicknamed 'Paris on the Prairie' and included wide boulevards and parks.
At the end of the 19th century the land prices had risen dramatically, which lead to the construction of higher buildings. In 1885, William Le Baron Jenney built what is known as the first skyscraper in the world : the Home Insurance Building. Demolished in 1931, it was 55 meters tall and included 9 stories, later extended to 11. It was built with a load-carrying structural frame, which would be the basic structure for all later skyscrapers. This building marks the start of Chicago as a pioneering architectural city. Many famous architects like Louis Sullivan and later Mies van der Rohe would set new standards for urban architecture in Chicago.

Article Source:http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago/chicagohistory.htm