In Photos: South America Hit By Severe Flooding

Men travel on a boat near flood-affected houses in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday.

In the worse affected country, Paraguay, around 90,000 people in the area around the capital city of Asuncion have been evacuated, the municipal Emergencies Office said. Many are poor families living in precarious housing along the banks of the River Paraguay. (Reuters)

Please click the photos for larger images:

Men travel on a boat near flood-affected houses in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

People travel on a boat near flood-affected houses in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Nino, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

A woman looks at a nativity scene on top of her house above flood waters in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

A flood-affected home is pictured in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

Houses are seen partially submerged in floodwaters in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

A flooded home is pictured in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

People travel on a boat near flood-affected houses in Asuncion, December 27, 2015. More than 100,000 people have had to evacuate from their homes in the bordering areas of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina due to severe flooding in the wake of heavy summer rains brought on by El Niño, authorities said on Saturday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

Photos: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Awards 2015

The overall winner of the competition was Canadian photographer Don Gutoski. The judges were moved by his picture of a red fox clutching a lifeless arctic fox in a rare example of the two larger of the two foxes hunting its smaller cousin. The picture was taken in the far north of Canada, where global warming has forced the two species to live in the same areas and compete for the same prey. (Don Gutoski / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London announced their winners.

Dan Gutoski from Canada was the overall winner for capturing a photo of a red fox eating an Arctic fox.

Here are nine of the winners’ submissions:

The ghostly silouette of a fox, taken in a Surrey garden, was the winning photograph in the Urban category. Richard Peters was aiming to capture the relationship between urban foxes and humans, despite not actually depicting either. (Richard Peter / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

In the 11 to 14 year-old photographer category, the top picture was taken in the far north of Norway during summer, when the sun shines 24 hours a day. Photographer Ondrej Pelánek visited with his father, and captured these male ruffs fighting for the attention of the females. (Ondrej-Pelánek / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

Photographer Amir Ben-Dov spent days observing the behaviour of these red-footed falcons in Israel before snapping this moment of interaction. The strange dynamic he caught won him the prize in the Birds category. (Amir Ben-Dov / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

Jonathan Jagot claimed victory in the 15 to 17-year-old photographer category with his shot of a flock of Scarlet Ibis gliding smoothly over a Brazilian sand dune. The birds are usually found in marshes and mangroves, so the sand is an usual background for their flight. (Jonathan Jagot / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

A birdseye view of the Bahia de Cadiz National Park in Spain shows the marshes alive with bright colour, thanks to a bloom of microalgae, salt deposits and orangey-brown sediment. The picture took the top prize in the From The Sky category. (Pere Soler / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

A barn swallow soars through a torn oil painting in this surreal image, captured by Juan Tapia at his farm in Spain. Juan hung the ripped painting in front of a storehouse window, knowing it was a spot the swallows often flew through. The resulting picture took the prize in the Impressions category. (Juan Tapia / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

In Guilin China, big cats are drugged, have their claws removed and are forced to perform in shows by trainers wielding spiked metal poles. Britta Jaschinski won the Wildlife Photojournalist Single Image award by capturing the cruel and surreal nature of the circus show. (Britta Jaschinski / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

A massive Bryde’s whale rips through a shoal of sardines in the picture that won the Underwater category. The whales can eat hundreds of fish in one bite, and the feeding frenzy was captured by photographer Michael AW during the annual sardine run, when billions of sardines migrate along South Africa’s Wild Coast. (Michael AW / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015)

Photos: Germany’s 7-1 Humiliation of Brazil

Germany defeated Brazil in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2014 by 6 goals difference.

It was the biggest win for any team in this year’s FIFA, beating Netherland’s record of 4 goals difference.

Muller’s first goal on the 11th minute.

Muller was the one who took Germany on the lead when scoring a goal at the 11th minute.

After 12 minutes passed, Miroslav Klose scored another goal for Germany which was just a minute before the third goal by Kroos.

Kroos’s first goal

2 minutes later, the results was four-nil when Kroos scored another goal for Germany.

Kroos and Muller celebrating the fourth goal

Then Sami Khedira scored the fifth goal at the 29th minute.

In the second half, André Schürrle scored two goals with only ten minutes difference at the 69th and 79th minute.

At the 90th minute, Oscar from Brazil scored a goal without any celebration after the goal.

Please click here for the highlights…

Photos: Breathtaking World Heritage Sites

Iguacu Falls

Iguacu Falls. (Photo Credit: Dmitry V. Petrenko/Shutterstock)

At 490 feet wide and nearly 3000 feet long, Iguaçu Falls is filled with falls of every size and intensity, most notably Devil’s Throat, where water drops from a height of 270 feet. With the highest flow of water on record, Iguaçu easily topples its equally famous sisters, Victoria and Niagara Falls. Ample viewing opportunities are available: Argentina offers close-up action shots with walkways that lead visitors into the action—feeling the power of the water is unforgettable. Brazil features all-encompassing panoramas and sweeping vistas of the falls’ network, allowing you to appreciate their sheer size.

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands,off the coast of Ecuador.  (Photo credit: sunsinger/Shutterstock)

A utopian universe of 19 volcanic islands comprises the Galápagos archipelago, roughly 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean. Watch your step on islands Isabela and Fernandina, where endemic marine iguanas are protected and thriving, each reaching up to five and a half feet long. Swim with sea lions, sharks, and giant turtles—all playful and curious, having never faced threats from humans. 

Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Republic of Palau. (Photo Credit: howamo/Shutterstock)

The term “picturesque” must have been coined with Palau in mind. The 200-kilometer chain of islands forms the archipelago, geographically part of Micronesia. Out of eight islands and 250 islets, Palau’s limestone Rock Islands jut out as if positioned on pedestals. Erosion has transformed them into towering umbrella shapes, bases fringed by fronds, reefs, coral walls, caves, and planes and ships—remnants of World War II. With pristine waters, visibility reaches almost 200 feet below the surface. Inhabited for over 4,000 years, the islands are home to ancient burial grounds and drawings.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay, Vietnam. (Photo Credit: John Bill/Shutterstock)

This iconic group of evolving stone islands casts different shapes and colors, depending on the light and time of day, onto the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. The oldest is 280 million years old. Around half of the 2,000-odd limestone and schist islands are named after the shapes they project, such as Hon Rong (“Dragon Islet”). Halong Bay comprises the southwest islands, where eagles soar around forested peaks. Natural grottoes and caves punctuate the intricate and elaborate mesh of islands.

Meteora

Meteora, Greece.  (Photo Credit: Gabriela Insuratelu/Shutterstock)

Precariously perched atop pinnacles of sandstone, 1300 feet high, Meteora’s six Greek Orthodox monasteries tower over the city of Kalambaka in central Greece. They’re centuries old—dating to the 9th century—from a time when Byzantine hermit monks, who lived in Meteora’s caves, were forced to move to safety at these heights.

Borobudur Temple Compounds

Borobudur Temple Compounds, East Java, Indonesia. (Photo Credit: Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock).

Mysticism shrouds dawn in Borobudur. Giant faded pink bell structures cap a giant stupa, representing the micro cosmos, and shimmer through a misty golden sunrise. It’s an ethereal scene that radiates ancient spirituality. The world’s largest Buddhist monument, dated to the 9th century, can be found here. One million tourists pour into Borobudur’s grounds annually to marvel at the balustrades, relief panels, and Buddha statues. The stonework features an interlocking design—an architectural feat for its time.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre,  Italy. (Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock).

Serrated mountains host olive groves and lush terraced vineyards, nestling five vivid villages that are carved into the coastline. Each is crammed with a distinctive ambiance, connected by wildflowers and butterflies, steeples, and a confectionary of colorful buildings. The cliffs of Cinque Terre seemingly slip into the sea—a protected marine area. Villages are reached solely by train, through a series of tunnels along sheer cliffs.

New Stonehenge 

New Stonehenge visitor centre set to open.

The English Heritage chief executive, Simon Thurley, says Stonehenge has now got “the exhibition and the museum that it deserves”, as part of the ongoing £27m project to improve facilities at the site.

Fishing For Arapaima, Brazil’s Living Fossil – Photos

Villagers from the Rumao Island community carry part of their catch of arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, after fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 25, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Fishing for a living fossil?

Reuters reported that a type of fish named arapaima or pirarucu is considered by biologists to be a living fossil.

Arapaima is the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world,

Catching the arapaima, a fish that is sought after for its meat, is only allowed once a year by Brazil’s environmental protection agency.

The minimum size allowed for a fisherman to keep an arapaima is 1.5 meters. 

Please click the photos for larger images:

Villagers from the Rumao Island community carry part of their catch of arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, after fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa, about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 25, 2013.(REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villager Diomesio Coelho Antunes (R) from the Rumao Island community drags from his canoe an arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013.(REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villager Edson de Souza from the Rumao Island community pulls into his canoe an arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villager Diomesio Coelho Antunes from the Rumao Island community clubs an arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

A villager from the Rumao Island community holds a young arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, before releasing it back to the wild while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villager Diomesio Coelho Antunes from the Rumao Island community clubs an arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villagers from the Rumao Island community carry part of their catch of arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, after fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 25, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villagers from the Porto Novo community load into their canoes arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in Poco Fundo lake along a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 26, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villager Edson de Souza from the Rumao Island community spears an arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villagers from the Rumao Island community paddle their canoes loaded with arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. Catching the arapaima, a fish that is sought after for its meat and is considered by biologists to be a living fossil, is only allowed once a year by Brazil’s environmental protection agency. The minimum size allowed for a fisherman to keep an arapaima is 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). Picture taken November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villagers from the Rumao Island community paddle past a line of arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, while fishing in a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa, about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 24, 2013. Catching the arapaima, a fish that is sought after for its meat and is considered by biologists to be a living fossil, is only allowed once a year by Brazil’s environmental protection agency. The minimum size allowed for a fisherman to keep an arapaima is 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). Picture taken November 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

Villagers from the Sao Raimundo do Jaraua community clean their day’s catch of arapaima or pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish species in South America and one of the largest in the world, after fishing along a branch of the Solimoes river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, in the Mamiraua nature reserve near Fonte Boa, about 600 km (373 miles) west of Manaus, November 27, 2013. Catching the arapaima, a fish that is sought after for its meat and is considered by biologists to be a living fossil, is only allowed once a year by Brazil’s environmental protection agency. The minimum size allowed for a fisherman to keep an arapaima is 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). Picture taken November 27, 2013. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly)

25th National Geographic Travel Photo Contest Winners

 

 

First Place: Dig me river – I was in Manaus/Amazon during the Brazilian Aquathlon (swimming and running) championship in . This river is called Rio Negro (Black River) due to water color. Rio Negro is the largest left tributary of the Amazon, the largest blackwater river in the world. While the name Rio Negro means Black River, its waters aren’t exactly black; they are similar in color to strong tea. The dark color comes from humic acid from incomplete breakdown of phenol. I photographed it from the water and my lens got completely wet, but there was so energy in this boys that I just didn’t worry about that.Photo and caption by Wagner Araujo/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

The 25th National Geographic Travel Photo Contest’s winners had been announced!

(Please click here for: ‘2013 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest’)

National Geographic Traveler magazine received more than 15,500 entries from skilled photographers from around the world for its 25th annual photo contest.

Taken in locations from Brazil to Kenya, the winning pictures show everything from quiet landscapes to surprising moments.

 

Please click here for the winning images.

Amazon Pink River Dolphin

A pink dolphin shows off for the camera in Brazil

Tourist Michel Watson found this pink dolphin making a splash in Brazil.

The unusual creature, which hides deep in the Rio Negro river, was spotted leaping out of the Amazonian water brandishing its bizarre bright bubblegum colour.

Weighing in at nearly 300 pounds, the curious animal, known as an Amazon Pink River Dolphin, looked unusually agile as it rose above the waves.

Please click here for more photos:

In Photos: Gauchos (Cowboys) In Action

Today I learn a new word which – gauchos.

In the U.S.A. people call them cowboys but in Latin Americas they are called  ‘gauchos’.

These gauchos from all over Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil visit Montevideo to participate in the Criolla Week to win the best rider award.

(Please click here for the images)

Sebastian Vettel, Formula 1 Grand Prix 2012 Champion

Sebastian Vettel had accomplished a nice and awesome hattrick after winning the Formula 1 tonight in Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, São Paulo, Brazil.

He finished sixth and his closest opponent, Alonso was second.

But he has 13 points advantage coming into this final circuit for the year 2012.

So the champion of the 2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix is, Sebastian Vettel with 281 points and Alonso with 278 points.

Plane Crashes, Explodes In Brazil, Kills 16

Yesterday at Sao Paulo, Brazil an airplane crashed and exploded shortly after take-off.

The plane was flying to the city of Natal from the city of the Recife in Brazil.

The Air Force said that the plane that crashed was a Noar Airlines’s L-410.

This is a disaster.

The disaster killed all the 16 people on the plane.

According to the accident database of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which tracks incidents globally, four other accidents involving the same model of plane were reported, all in Latin America and taking place in 2000 and 2001.