MUST SEE BRAZILIAN LANDMARKS

A country is often defined by its memorable and impressive landmarks. Brazil is no exception. Here are the must-see natural, and man-made landmarks that make Brazil unique.

Cristo Redentor

This is the large statue of an outstretched Jesus Christ that sits upon Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. The statue, over the years, has became an icon for the city. It can be easily accessed via the city bus that starts off in the Santa’ Teresa neighborhood.

Patio do Colegio

This small Jesuit College may not look too grand, but it is the founding site of Sao Paulo itself. Based on history and folktale, if this building was not built by Jesuit monks, the city of Sao Paulo would not be around today.

Amazon Rainforest and River

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest and most biodiverse area of tropical rainforest in the world. Contained within it is its life force, the Amazon River, which is the lar gest river in terms of volume and discharge (排水量) in the world. Together, these two giants create the most spectacular natural wilderness that one should visit.

Iguacu Falls

This churning (漩涡的) white water with thundering sound is a sight to behold. The name of the falls comes from the Guarani word meaning ‘water’ and ‘big’。 The falls themselves are separated into numerous smaller falls, and one large impressive drop, called the Devil’s Throat.

Watch out, Lionel Messi. ARTEMIS is here.

Standing at 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 85 pounds, ARTEMIS is a first-of-its-kind soccer robot that University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) mechanical engineers developed, and it is ready for the game.

Using cutting-edge technology, ARTEMIS, which stands for Advanced Robotic Technology for Enhanced Mobility and Improved Stability, can maintain its balance against heavy kicks and pushes, stand objects being thrown at it and is capable of running. But what sets ARTEMIS apart on top of that is its ability to kick a ball.

“If your robot cannot even play a game of soccer, how would you be able to use these robots for more important things, such as saving people’s lives?” said Dennis Hong, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at UCLA, which developed ARTEMIS.

The technologies used for soccer-playing robots are also being used for other applications like firefighting and disaster relief, said Hong. While ARTEMIS may not be at the next FIFA World Cup, Hong’s team will unveil its full soccer capabilities at RoboCup in Bordeaux, France, in July.

The robot’s major innovation is that the engineers custom-designed its actuators (驱动器) to behave like biological muscles. They are springy and force-controlled, rather than the rigid, position-controlled actuators that most robots have.

ARTEMIS’ actuators are also unique in that they are electrically driven, rather than controlled by hydraulics (液压装置). That means it is quieter and operates more efficiently, while also being cleaner, because hydraulic systems are not welcomed for leaking water.

RoMeLa student Justin Quan said his personal goal is engineering robots that improve people’s lives. “Seeing these robots helping push the robot technology to that next level is really rewarding because you have the dream, and it gets closer,” he said.

In most parts of the world, storm clouds would be greeted with a frown. But in India, it’s said that when the monsoon rains come, a billion people smile. Monsoon season, also known as the rainy season, is closely tied to India’s economy. The abundant rains bring life to India’s farmland, which provides hundreds of millions of jobs to farm workers and helps feed its vast population.

While monsoon season is traditionally a joyful and important time for Indian agriculture, it affects the tourism industry in a very different way. During this time, the number of travelers to India can drop by half. Understandably, very few tourists want to spend their holiday in the rain. But there has been a government push over the past few years to convince them otherwise: that India’s rain is to be celebrated and not avoided.

Various states have risen to the challenge. Goa (a popular holiday destination near Mumbai) and Kerala in the south have begun offering “monsoon packages“. They say the monsoon brings other benefits besides low off-season prices. For one, the rain brings with it lush, green landscapes. Goa has beautiful islands, waterfalls, lakes, dams and wildlife sanctuaries that can be enjoyed during the monsoons.

Travel writer Alexander Frater spent one monsoon season following the rains up both the east and west coasts of India. In his book he describes the unique energy and traditions surrounding the monsoons in different regions and cities. Frater noticed that many people travel to western India during the monsoons seeking physical and spiritual healing. He quotes a local from Mumbai who describes the monsoon as a metaphor for cleansing and rebirth. “The wind drops, it gets very dark, there is terrific thunder and lightning... Suddenly, the air is very cool and perfumed with flowers. It is a time for rejoicing and renewal.”