The Largest Swimming Pool in the World

San Alfonso del Mar, a seaside resort in Chile, houses the biggest artificial swimming pool in the world. San Alfonso del Mar is situated on Chile’s southern coast, 100 km west of the capital Santiago.

San Alfonso del Mar has already been attracting people from all over South America and this artificial lagoon and swimming pool, eight hectares in size and with an incredible 250,000 cubic meters of water, is intended to turn it into a must see for virtually all people. Acknowledged by Guinness World Records as being the world’s largest swimming pool, the lagoon trounces all other record holders in the category, including the Orthlieb pool in Casablanca, Morocco, itself a huge 150 meters by 100 meters – the San Alfonso pool is 1km in length.

The unique clear water artificial lagoons, transparent to a depth of 35 meters and unprecedented in design and construction methods, are the work of Crystal Lagoons founder, biochemist and Chilean businessman Fernando Fischmann. It is equivalent in size to an incredible 6,000 normal backyard pools. The lagoon, cost an estimated $US1.5 billion ($1.74 billion) to build. The pool itself took five years to build and the annual maintenance bill will be £2million. It can harvest, filter and permanently recirculate ocean water by itself.

The water in summer is kept at 25 degrees Celsius, around nine degrees warmer than the chilly Pacific Ocean nearby. The man-made lagoon large enough to allow guests make use of small kayaks boats to ferry around the pool.

The lagoon technology can “harvest, filter and permanently recirculate ocean water,” according to the Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann who heads Crystal Lagoons Corporation, the company which developed the technology.

The man-made saltwater lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo since its opening. Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear that you can see the bottom even in the deep end.

The Youngest Mother in the World: Lina Medina, Peru

Born at full term at Lima's maternity clinic, Lina Medina's child was taken through a caesarian operation done by Dr. Lozada and Dr. Busalleu.

Lina's son was weighing 2,700 grams at birth, was in good wealth and well formed. The baby and his young mother were able to leave the clinic after only a few days.

Lina Medina (born 27th of September, 1933, in Paurange, Peru) is the youngest confirmed mother in medical history, giving birth at the age of 5 years, 7 months and 21 days.

Lina Medina was brought in 1938 to a local hospital by her parents at the age of 5 years because of increasing abdominal size. She was originally thought to have had a tumor, but her doctors determined she was in her 7th month of pregnancy. Dr. Gerardo Lozada took her to Lima, Peru, prior to the surgery to have other professionals confirm that Lina was in fact pregnant. A month and a half later, on 14th of May, 1939, she gave birth to a boy by a caesarean section necessitated by her small pelvis. The surgery was performed by Dr. Lozada and Dr. Busalleu, with Dr. Colareta providing anaesthesia. Her case was reported in detail by Dr. Escomel to La Presse Medicale, along with the additional details that her menarche had occurred at 8 months of age, and that she had had prominent breast development by the age of 4. By age 5 her figure displayed pelvic widening and advanced bone maturation.

Her son weighed 2.7 kg at birth and was named Gerardo after the doctor who delivered gim. He was raised believing that Lina was his sister, but found out at the age of ten that she was his mother. He grew up healthy but died in 1979, aged 40, of a disease of the bone marrow.

Lina Medina never revealed who was the father of her child, nor the circumstances of her impregnation. Dr. Escomel suggested she might not actually know herself by writing that Lina "couldn't give precise responses". Lina's father was arrested on suspicion of incest and rape, but was later released due to lack of evidence. Medina later married Raul Jurado, who fathered her second son in 1972. They live in a poor district of Lima known as "Chicago Chico" ("Little Chicago"). She has never spoken to the press and has not given any details on the cirmunstances she became pregnant.

In young adulthood she worked as a secretary in the Lima clinic of Dr. Gerardo Lozada, the doctor who performed her caesarean section. Lozada gave her an education, and helped put her son through high school.

Rezultatele parţiale la BAC 2009

Au fost publicate primele rezultate parţiale ale bacalaureatului 2009. Dupa proba A si B - limba română şi limba străine, prob orale - situaţia stă aşa

bacalaureat.edu.ro/2009/rapoarte/index.html

The King is Dead! Long Live MICHAEL JACKSON!

The King of Pop has passed away. Michael Jackson, 50, died on Thursday at local time 2:26 in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California.
It seems that a heart attack was fatal to him as he had already had major health problems. His career was extremely prolific. In 1982 he sold more than 57 million copies of his album Thriller. The exact cause of his death is still unknown, but Jacko might have died from a pain killer over dose (Demerol).
In recent years his fortune and wealth went down. He intended to go on a tour of 50 concerts in the UK this summer, starting from July 13.
Michael Jackson has greatly influenced the history of music in general. His name will be always associated with success and talent.
May God rest him in peace!

Romania - Transylvania (Ardeal)

Transylvania, or Ardeal as it is also called, is an old Romanian province inhabited by the Romanians starting with the first centuries of our era. During the Middle Ages the Romanian majority population fought for national identity and at the same time different ethnic communities joined them. Nowadays the mixture of peoples is of an outstanding variety. Many important events for the modern Romania took place here. I want to mention Michael the Brave’s success in uniting the three Romanian principalities in 1599 and the Great Union. Today according to the 2002 census 7.2 million people live here and the local economy is the most developed in the country.
After a general introduction about Ardeal I considered to be of interest a presentation of three towns – Sibiu, Sighişoara and Alba Iulia - that can give the reader an idea about how this region really is. I have to mention here the contribution to the development of Transylvania of the German and Hungarian settlers who came here centuries ago.
Sibiu is situated near the geographical center of Romania. The city was founded in 1190 by German settlers, near an ancient Roman settlement. The museums such as Astra or Brukenthal Museum and the wonderfully preserved medieval fortifications and churches recommend it as a tourist destination for those who enjoy discovering the past. In 2007 it proudly welcomes visitors and artists from all over the world as the European Capital of Culture.
Sighişoara is the oldest inhabited citadel in Europe. Its German founders took great care of this fortress that was situated on important commercial routes and transformed it into a marvel of military defense. The medieval festival held here each year in July comes as a natural continuation of its historic past. The Clock Tower and the Museum of History hosted here or the house where Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes) was born attract visitors who have a first hand experience in a medieval town.
Alba Iulia is considered by many to be the spiritual capital of Romania. On the 1st of December 1918 the representatives of all the Romanians gathered here and decided to bring together in a single state the historic principalities of Transylvania, Moldavia and Walachia. Not only then it proved its importance but also in 1599 when Michael the Brave made it his capital. Built on Roman ruins, in the Middle Ages it played an important role in the history of Transylvania, being the capital of the region between 1541-1690. The churches and the historic places make Alba Iulia an enjoyable tourist attraction.
I am sure my paper can provide the reader with a clear view about Transylvania and its past and present. A region of the present day Romania, full of the marks of the past, it fully proves its European vocation as part of a proud nation and country.

Mothers-in-law. Behaviour and characteristics.

Mothers-in-law, also called “her mother”, are a unique and distinct human species. Unfortunately they do not disappear, this is the problem most married men encounter. They do not live either as normal and natural humans. They simply interfere with honest men’s life, they bother young honourable gentlemen and husbands who want to have some fun late at night in a pub or refuse to take their newly born baby out for a walk.
A typical mother-in-law is 40 or 50 years old, retired or on her way to retirement, a good looking, or on the contrary, a one in a thousand ugly woman, who has no other concern than to take care of her beloved child. The fact is most mothers-in-law totally forget that their babies are frown-ups, young responsible persons who want to enjoy at least a moment of peace and quiet. A mother-in-law leaves you no break: she is a pain in that part of the body- If you got a training session to become a SWAT, you would have more free time for yourself and your wife. But your mother-in-law might be even tougher and more challenging.
How does she behave?
On a typical day she phones you to ask if you have fed the baby and if you have bought flowers for aunt Mary’s birthday. (Who’s this aunt Mary after all?!) You did not? Oh my God!!! YOU PIG! You should go and buy some at once! She will be at your place at 12 p.m. Unlucky you, this was supposed to be your free day. The guys were coming to see a football match on TV. At 12 p.m. sharp, she knocks at the door. Your place is a mess – in her opinion – the baby cries and you stink. Your wife told you to do this and that, but you did not, she knows that and nothing can make her believe something else. Yet, the day is saved once more by your mother-in-law. She actually drives anyone crazy – and brings what she calls “order” to other people’s lives.
She starts doing the housework and claims you should do the same. Whatever, helping her is just a stage in your life. But the fact is nothing is well done. Eventually leaving home is a decision to be made. At 7 p.m., when you are back, your life is ruined. The wife knows you are lazy, drunkard and ignore the child.
And above all mum wanted to help but got no support from anybody in the house. Is it any use to get angry with her? No, there is not. She is just another pain there-
At least she makes good food, which is not the case with her daughter.

Definition of the EU

What is the European Union?

A unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries.
What are its aims?

Peace, prosperity and freedom for its 498 million citizens — in a fairer, safer world.
What results so far?

Frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls, millions of opportunities to study abroad … and much more besides.
How does it work?

To make these things happen, EU countries set up bodies to run the EU and adopt its legislation. The main ones are:

* the European Parliament (representing the people of Europe);
* the Council of the European Union (representing national governments);
* the European Commission (representing the common EU interest).


The flag of the EU

This is the European flag. It is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe.

The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.



History of the flag

The history of the flag goes back to 1955. At that time, the European Union existed only in the form of the European Coal and Steel Community, with just six Member States. But a separate body with a larger membership - the Council of Europe - had been set up several years earlier and was busy defending human rights and promoting European culture.

The Council of Europe was considering what symbol to adopt for its own use. After much discussion, the present design was adopted - a circle of twelve gold stars on a blue background. In various traditions, twelve is a symbolic number representing perfection. It is also, of course, the number of months in a year and the number of hours shown on a clock face. The circle is, among other things, a symbol of unity. So the European flag was born, representing the ideal of unity among the peoples of Europe.

The Council of Europe then encouraged other European institutions to adopt the same flag and, in 1983, the European Parliament took up the call. Finally, in 1985, the flag was adopted by all EU heads of State and government as the official emblem of the European Union - which, in those days, was called the European Communities.

All European institutions have been using it since the beginning of 1986. The European flag is the only emblem of the European Commission - the EU's executive arm. Other EU institutions and bodies use an emblem of their own in addition to the European flag.

The Anthem of the EU

This is the anthem not only of the European Union but also of Europe in a wider sense. The melody comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.

For the final movement of this symphony, Beethoven set to music the "Ode to Joy" written in 1785 by Friedrich von Schiller. This poem expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers - a vision Beethoven shared.

In 1972, the Council of Europe (the same body that designed the European flag) adopted Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme as its own anthem. The well-known conductor Herbert Von Karajan was asked to write three instrumental arrangements - for solo piano, for wind instruments and for symphony orchestra. Without words, in the universal language of music, this anthem expresses the ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity for which Europe stands.

In 1985, it was adopted by EU heads of State and government as the official anthem of the European Union. It is not intended to replace the national anthems of the Member States but rather to celebrate the values they all share and their unity in diversity.

Europe Day
On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.

This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.

Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.