Svůj příspěvek do soutěže s National Geographic nám zaslalo celkem 31 soutěžících. Na některé z nich už čekají výborné knižní ceny z edice National Geographic Footprint Reading Library (viz zde). Nejtěžší úkol bylo vybrat ten nejlepší příspěvek. Nakonec naše porota vybrala soutěžící s přezdívkou Aljosa z Nové Paky. Získává tak celkem tři knížky z této edice dle vlastního výběru.

Další dva výherce nyní vylosuje náš počítač.

Vyhrávají tedy:

Lena 3 - dva tituly dle vlastního výběru
Lara2 - jeden titul dle vlastního výběru

Výhercům gratuluji a děkuji všem, kdo se do soutěže zapojili. Vaše příspěvky byly všechny zajímavé a škoda, že nemohl vyhrát každý.

Níže si teď můžete přečíst všechny soutěžní příspěvky.

Lena 3, id=25119

Fascinating places: Giant water wheels of Hama

Hama is a picturesque town in the west of Syria. The most unique sights that Hama is famous for are Giant water wheels called "Norias". The wooden wheels (up to 20 metres in diameter) are located above the local river current. They are connected with stone aqueducts which used to distribute water to the fields around the town. The system of taking water from the river was based on small wooden boxes fixed around the wheels. The Norias are mostly unused for their original purpose nowadays but still it is remarkable experience to listen to their squealing as they spin around.

Source: wikipedia.org, personal experience

Leiah, id=44115

Florence, the beauty of Tuscana

Florence was founded on shores of the Arno by veterans of romanian troops. Since 13. century economy of the city grew up. There lived a lot of wealthy aristocracy and Florence grew rich. Thanks to the fact that many famous artists came here the city became a important European center of the culture and art. With Dante and Giotto Florence started a new great period. The glory of city increased. Michelangelo created his famous David, Leonardo da Vinci lived and created here... But with renaissance end glory and success of the city declined. Thanks to a lot of historical treasure in many galleries and palaces, Florence is frequented by turists from all the world this time.

Source: Firenze, nuova guida con mappa

lucy8, id=37413

Wolf man - a monster?

You know the stories about werewolves who killed people just for their blood and flesh? Men, who change in the wolves, when full moon comes? But no, this is not about them. This is about Jesus Aceves and his family living in Mexico. They have a genetic defect - hypertrichosis. Their bodies and faces are covered with hair. People are afraid of them and called them - a werewolf or a wolf man. Most of Jesus' family works in the circus, because they can't find any "normal" work. Jesus is married and lives normally with his hairy problem.

zdroj: http://www.blesk.cz/clanek/zpravy-zajimavosti/34647/jsem-chlupaty-jezis.html

chemist, id=46666

Where are the last of the Mohicans?

When it is said "the Mohican" (also Mahican), almost everyone imagines a native american tribe which was famed by the Cooper's novel - The last of the Mohicans - or its film adaption. And most of these people believe (maybe caused just the novel) that this tribe already doesn't exist. But the truth is quiet contrary. After wars with other indian tribes and French settlers and continual migration for a long time they settled in Wisconsin and they are living there on reservation up to this day. Many of them have been converted to Christianity. Their new tribe's name is Stockbridges.

References
http://www.nahkohe.estranky.cz/clanky/mohykani/mohykani
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahican

Januka, id=6950

The most remarkable Czech

This person who I`m writing about is the greatest Czech of 19th century. We know that he was an artist, a playwright, a composer and an inventor. The domain of his interests is very large. So we can meet his works everywhere. For example: he invented the telephone, the cinematograph and the light bulb. Unfortunately the others were first at the Patent Office. He inspired other great person. For example he recommended Mr. Chekov to write about three sisters (no two sisters). Most of us know this man like the playwright. His performances: The messenger from Liptákov, Conquest of the North Pole or The Czech heaven.

MonasMoon, id=46321

Slovakia - a country of caves

Slovak Republic with its area about 49 000 km2 is proud to has more than 3950 discovered caves. It's an amazing number for such a small country and not everybody knows that. Most people know only caves that are available to public. Caves open to the public are visited by 680 thousands of people every year. How cool is that? If you want to visit one of Slovak's famous caves you can choose from 12 caves that are available to public. Five of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage. It's Dobšinská Ice Cave, Domica, Gombasek Cave, Jasovska Cave and Ochtinska Aragonite Cave which is one of the rarest in Central Europe.

Použité zdroje:

http://oddych.sk/jaskyne/
http://www.ssj.sk/
http://www.gemer.sk/jaskyne/jaskyne.html
http://hiking.sk/hk/li/extra-slovenske_jaskyne.html
http://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasky%C5%88a
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovakia#Tourism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_caves_in_Slovakia

dribler, id=46710

Petra, Jordan

Have you ever heard about New Seven Wonders of the World? One of them is really unusual place. Petra in Jordan is really unique because it is city sculpted out of rock. This famous place is located in southwestern Jordan, between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea in the region called Shera mountains. Over 400 thousand tourists visit it every year. They want to see stone monuments, the monastery or only some odd holes ine the rock. Long and rich history attract people from all over the world. For example, Petra was part of the Roman Empire, later the Crusaders built here their fortress.

Zdroje informácií:
petranationaltrust.org
sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra_(Jordánsko)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra
sesternica, ktorá Petru navštívila

Dagee, id=46764

Incredible Animals: Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are record holders in the bird kingdom. The fact testifies the number of entries in the Guinness Book of Records in seven categories: the smallest bird , the fastest flapping wings, the least number of feathers, the laziest male, the smallest eggs, the largest bill in relation to the body and the smallest nest. No other bird can fly in all directions, stop in the middle of its flight or turn right angle. They can flap their wings up to 90 times per second. They eat nectar from flowers and plants with their long beak and must visit every day around 2,000 flowers.

Lucie, id=4048

A DAY IN A MEERKAT'S LIFE

Hi, I am a meerkat. I live in a clan of over twenty meerkats in a desert in Africa. It is quite cold at night so when I get up in the morning I try to catch some sunshine to get warmer. Then I usually find something to eat - insects or scorpions. Did you know I am immune to their venom? I also like to eat little roots or bulbs of plants. Now it is time for changing the guards. I must stand up and watch. When I see a predator I start to make noise and we hide in burrows. Well, it is time to go to sleep. Good night.

Zdroje:
www.a-z-animals.com/animals/meerkat
cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surikata

Gabi75, id=16186

DNA - the key to all living creatures

Deoxyribonucleic acid contains the genetic instructions which are responsible for the development and functioning of all living organisms and some viruses. The importance of DNA becomes even more obvious thanks to the fact that DNA survives for almost one million years so that it enables 'time travelling'. After Jim Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double-helical structure of DNA in 1953, they did not probably realise they had just shed light into many dark spots of science which would be revealing throughout the years and would give answers to lots of questions about 'miracles of life' in the future.

Resource:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA
http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA
http://www.dnai.org

Radulina, id=6986

Incredible Animals - Border Collie

The Border Collie is known all over the world as one of the most intelligent dogs. You can't find a more teachable and whole-hearted dog. The Border Collie is superior in activities such as agility, obedience, fly-ball and also dog dancing. They also usually assist with herding. One of the most amazing things about the Border Collie is they are delighted with all activities they partake in and they are tireless. You will be worn out much faster than the Collie. If you train them regularly, you'll be surprised how much they can achieve. These champions especially outrival any other sort of dog when it comes to obedience.

Aljosa, id=8801

Exciting Activities: The Battle of brains

Two mighty armies stand against each other. To everybody the world seems to be only black and white. Nothing is grey and nobody is the middle man. The only thought everyone has got in mind is to win, to beat the enemy. At last the move of armies has begun. Everyone's heart beats faster. The brains of the armies' leaders work full tilt, considering every step, triyng to answer the key questions "What is the enemy going to do?", "How to defeat him?". One move follows the other, the blood is all over the battle field and finally the smarter ones win. The chess. Such an exciting and just game.

The source: My Wednesdays' chess-afternoons with my friend.

aktyk, id=46941

YOGA

One of my hobbies is yoga. One day said me my college: "You have got all the time problems with backbone, my daughter goes to yoga classis, give it a try!" I thought, it was only gym. I like gym, but yoga is philosophy too. It helps me, because my character is very worried and yoga taugh me, when anything wasn't successful said "so was going to be", and didn't worry about it. Thanks yoga I met a lot of good people, found many friends, enjoyed nice whiles, and knew another useful and interesting things like reiki, tai-chi etc.

pajuschka, id=975

Glow worms - incredible insect

Most of us are not big fans of insects. However, worms which glow in the dark, how cool is that! Glow worms are actually the larvae of flies. Their life cycle is divided into 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Although their life-span is approximately 12 months long, the adult fly with no mouth parts starves to death up to 4th day of adult life, their only mission is to reproduce themselves. Larvae grow over period of 11months. What kind of magic makes them glow? By using an ancient chemical reaction involves oxygen and burning off their body waste is produced an amazing blue glow.

Pouzite zdroje: http://www.springbrook.info/glow_worms/index.htm

S.Roxynka, id=46556

Manatee

The manatees belong to the sirenian. Sailors considered the manatees as Mermaids. They are closely related to elephants. The manatees are large, aquatic mammals as known as sea cow. They are built for life in the sea, because they have the cylindrical body shape and heavy bones, which enable them to dive. Also they have forelimb, which changed to flippers. Their tail has paddle-horizontal shape. They live in freshwater and saltwater. They communicate in wide range of sounds. Also sniffing and touching are the ways of the communication. Previously they have been hunted for their oil and meat, but now are protected by law. The Manatees are herbivores.

http://www.zviraatka.estranky.cz/clanky/morsti-zivocichove/kapustnak
http://zivazeme.cz/atlas-savcu/kapustnak-sirokonosy

Dadinka07, id=15728

Hummingbirds or just small helicopters?

Hummingbirds fly quickly and skillfully, not just forward, but also up and down, sometimes from side to side, they can fly even backwards or just stop at the air like a helicopter. One species is able to wave its wings ninety times per second. Another hummingbird (from Cuba) is smaller than moths, measuring just 57 millimeters. Now, imagine you are a rufous hummingbird, measuring about 9 centimeters, flying for hotter places over 3000 kilometers. Crazy, isn't it? These birds also need a lot of nectar. If humans had to receive the same quantity of energy, they would have to eat 150 kilograms of hamburgers!

hledalka, id=45770

New Zealand - The World of Wild Beauty

New Zealand is known all over the world for its unique fauna and flora. There are about fourteen national parks, where you can find tropical rainforests with huge ferns, conifer forests with trees older than thousand years, beautiful waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes which together imagine the land of fantasy. From the animal kingdom I can mention kiwi - not-flying bird, which is one of New Zealand's national symbols or carnivorous kea parrot. Most of plants and animals there are endemic - it means that you can't find them anywhere else in the world. Fantastic is that all these things exist there in beautiful harmony of untouched nature.

Zdroje:
http://exotika.orbion.cz/novy-zeland/

Lara2, id=17961

Disci dance (Exciting Activities)

South Africa is the country of two passions - dancing and football. There is a different way of playing football. It is called Disci (= South African township slang word for football) and it is the kind of dance which was created for an international television advertisement because of highlighting South Africa's 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Disci dance has 5 key moves (Trepa, the Juggle, Header, the Bridge, Table Mountain) which are based on South African's creative style of moving in the soccer. Some time after its presentation in the media (CNN, BBC, Eurosport and others), this dance became very popular as the official dance for tournament. The Disci dance is very funny for local people and the moves are easy to learn.

(There's the link with advertisement for better understanding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzMyqPJQKgk)

Source: http://www.southafrica.net

Lenča , id=25520

The Great Barrier Reef

The origins called this place Waga Gabú. It is the largest coral-reef system in the world. The area is over 344 400 square kilometers. It contains over 900 islands and over 2 900 reefs. It is situated in the Coral Sea in north - east Australia. There is big diversity of life. This is one of the biggest ecosystems in the world. The Great Barrier Reef has been declared The World Nature reserve in 1980. There live over 2 000 kind of fish, 500 kind of sea-grass, many kind of birds. This is also favorite place for tourists. The scientists say that the Great Barrier Reef is disappearing.

Sources:
www. wikipedia.cz
www. bestofbest.estranky.cz

jablunka, id=38599

Vatican-The God's state

Even though Vatican is the smallest state in the world it is really famous. Every year millions belivers and atheists come here to see the nices place in the world. There are a lot of legends about Vatican, which is tempting for many historians and adventurers. When you visit Vatican, you have feeling that you enter another world. Behind of the big walls there is something diferent, something so impressive, that you are very excited. Literally Vatican can be call The God's state. In the center of Vatican is a catedral of saint Peter, that loom over other buildings like a hight mountain. You are really small in comparisonto this place, and you feel great respect. No doubt, that everybody feels God's presence. Vatican is the most fascinating place you can visit.

Elisabeth.S, id=47151

Madagascar cuisine

You surely know Madagascar as an exotic island where great deal of animal species live. The country, despite amount of natural resources, is poor. The natives haven't much money so they must use them wisely. Let's have a look what the local cuisine is like. Lasopy is a vegetable soup. It contains vegetable full of vitamins and minerals like carrot, turnip, tomato and scallion together with veal bones. Vary Amin Anana is a meal from rice (which is used often in Madagascar) and vegetable like watercress, spinach and mustard greens. It accompanies Lasopy scrumptiously. Finally let's mention a beverage made from burned rice which is in fact the cooking spin-off.

Zdroje:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuisine_of_Madagascar
www.africa.upenn.edu/Cookbook/Madagascar.html

klár, id=16429

Tour guides and tourleader

These are remarkable people for me. Why? They are working 24/7. Free time? It's the word they nearly don't know, because they are still on the phone ready to help. Dealing with people's requests everyday, handling and solving their problems and not having time for themselves.
They are not working just as tour guides and tourleaders, but as well as doctors, photographers, psychologists, weather forecast and more. They are the first people to shout at if there is some problem during your vacation and they are praised only sometimes. But still, they are doing their work with love and commitment. That's why they are remarkable people to me.

JankaAda, id=47207

AOTEAROA

KIA ORA! Such an amazing greeting from small - big country. Yes, I am talking about New Zealand about the most beautiful land with two islands near pretty warm Australia. The New Zealand's islands are quite different. My favorite is the South Island that one was explored with my and with my smart boyfriend last Summer. The area seems small but still is famous with big hearts very friendly "kiwi" people. The Nature, culture, language is so unique. It was an amazing experience to be quite far from my Europe. Somewhere, away from civilization , somewhere, in the middle of rain forests and wild bushes. See pure weather in lakes, huge waterfalls near roads, big plants, trees or palm, also chick birds like Kia, Kaka, Veka, Kiwi or Tui and learn their Maori names with book guide in hands was great for everyone. Very interesting names are Pivakavaka / Fantail/, Kereru /Wood pigeon/ or Kekeno what does mean Seal, are not they? Sometimes was hard to found the right words for describing how nice were there. What you can do it there is - no thinking too much, just sit down, take a look around, to share time with someone and then you can hear the right word in the air. The word is Aotearoa - the Land with white clouds...

Candy1991, id=47269

Sokolov's manor house

My name is Petra and I live in Sokolov. It is not big city, but our manor house is unique. Have you ever seen a pink sightseeing in the middle of a city? If not, come in Sokolov and have a look! There is a library for children and adults, so if you borrow a book, you could sit on a bench and read. Around our manor house in a beautiful little garden with many species of flowers. So, if you want to fell like a princess, our manor house is the best for you. And then you can have a drink in the nearest pub

andul, id=46256

Meerkats - simply the most cute animals in the world!

Hi! I'm Meerkat - a small, brown and really cute mammal! I live in southern Africa, in the Kalahari Desert - that's because I need a warm clime. I've got a long body, long tail, short legs and a funny-looking face. I live in a group, which contains about twenty meerkats. Most of the day I spend by scrambling (no, no, I'm not a madman, I can find some food in sand). I eat for example lizards and some very small rodents. "Hey, let's bask with us, we're waiting for you!" Oops, I'm afraid I must go because I have an important work!

Oakey, id=25951

Colours of Provence

Provence is a magic area in the south-east of France. Lots of artists, mainly painters, ended up here because of the colours and the unique light. The sun shines here most of the year, the sky is brightly blue not to mention the azure colour of the sea. Violet fields of lavender will flutter your heart. Orange is the colour of land and facades of houses. Green are plane-trees that line streets and channels. Scents of lavender and herbs like thyme, rosemary can hit you wherever you go. That is the place where you want to return again and again.

Zdroj: http://provence.tripidipi.cz

Jindrusa, id=36829

snails called ACHATINA

I had some snails called ACHATINA at home. You must think they are not interesting, but if they were members of your family, you would think so. Their home is the tropical rainforest of Central Africa. From their eggs, about 3-4 mm big, they can grow up to 15 cm. Mine loved vegetables and fruit , but they eat almost everything except meat. You could say, they were undemanding. At Easter they layed a lot of eggs and we were exited. After some time we had about 60 tiny snails. However, one day my son put four little snails called Koprivacek from our garden into the terrarium and after about 14 days, all Achatinas died. Only the garden snails lived.

tethalka, id=33774

The Valley Hell - Snowflake's Heaven

Near the town Česká Lípa there is beautiful valley called Hell, which is 4 km long "rock gap" between sandstone rocks. The spring is special time for it, because it's full of small and white bell-shaped flowers - snowflakes (Leucojum vernum). You can see them everywhere near the stream called Robečský potok. In the 19th century was Robečský potok canalized and aristocracy was very interested in sailings. In the end of 20th century there lived a signer of Charta 77 Ladislav Lis in the valley Hell. I like this place because of its serenity. In my childhood it was my favourite aim for a trip.

Calwen Sandor, id=47460

Earlier, now dwarf planet Pluto

Pluto's discovery dates back to the 18th February 1930. Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh saw him in the systematic observation of the sky. Pluto was classified as the ninth planet until 2006, when it was the astronomical congress in Prague from the list of planets removed with the adoption of the new planet definition of the term. Pluto's path around the Sun has a large eccentricity, Pluto is usually the outermost planet from the Sun. At orbital time 248 years to 20 years to get a shorter distance from the Sun than Neptune. Pluto has three months, called Charon (1978), Nix (2005) and Hydra (2005).

Zdroje:
http://planety.astro.cz/trpaslici/1873-snimky-trpaslici-planety-pluto
http://www.vesmir.info/slunecni-soustava/pluto-je-v-katalogu-asteroidu.htm
http://www.obloha.webzdarma.cz/pluto.php
http://astro.physics.muni.cz/download/documents/skripta/F2252.pdf

Elafrela, id=30206

Northern White Rhinoceros

Northern white rhinoceros is beautiful animal whose population was reduced by poachers. In 2006 there were only last 4 in the wild. But they haven't been seen since so they are considered to be extinct. The only living white rhinoceroses live in captive - 6 of them in Dvůr Králové ZOO a 2 in the USA. But captive population rarely reproduce. Last birth was ten years ago. The only chance was to transfer them to their natural habitat where they would have better conditions for reproduction. Four rhinoceroses from Dvůr Králové moved to Ol Pejeta Reservation where they live and are 24 hours heavily guarded because of poachers.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rhinoceros#In_Zoos
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8423243.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4179027.stm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091221-rare-white-rhinoceros-kenya-czech-zoo.html
http://olpejetaconservancy.org/wildlife_conservation/northern-white-rhinos
http://www.northernwhiterhinolastchance.com/Home_Page.html

OZ, id=17699

Forty Shades of Green

Johnny Cash wrote this song about Ireland fifty years ago. Country is known as Emerald Island, too. The green colour is a symbol of Ireland. You can see all shades of green in rural landscape. Green is St. Patrick's Day, national flag, Irish soccer team, shamrock, and many others.
The song is still alive. You can visit picturesque towns and small harbours like Dingle and Donaghadee, walk along the waterfront of river Shannon, visit Skibbereen with exhibition commemorates The Great Famine. But Ireland it is people at first place. The song is about them. Nice, friendly, lively people. If you have known them you miss those most of all.

Použité zdroje:
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/johnny_cash/forty_shades_of_green.html

Sponzor soutěže:

Články ze stejné rubriky:
Vyhodnocení soutěže o knížky National Geographic
Vyhodnocení soutěže o seriál GLEE (soutěž, úroveň neurčena)
Soutěž o seriál GLEE na DVD (soutěž, úroveň neurčena)
Vyhodnocení soutěže o seriál PRISON BREAK (soutěž, úroveň neurčena)