The New York Botanical Gardens, located just outside of Manhattan and the hustle and bustle of downtown traffic and five star New York hotels, in the heart of the Bronx, has long been known for their dedication to the protection and preservation of the not only the native plant life and ecosystems of the Eastern United States, but to the environment and preservation of the worlds ecosystems and flora and fauna as a whole.  The Garden, which is in the middle of a renovation project that will span the next three years, with four years already completed, takes great care in not only the various gardens themselves, but in educating the public as well.

Amongst the beauty, and perhaps because of it, there is inspiration as the garden is the site for the rescue and rehabilitation of confiscated orchids.  Orchids are beautiful and mysterious and exotic and thus, are often smuggled into the United States illegally from countries such as Peru, Mexico, India and Thailand.  Upon being seized many of these plants are in need of care, and through a program set up by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora the New York Botanical Garden is now responsible for that care.  Employing horticulturists and botanists, the garden has provided the necessary space and equipment for research into the climatic needs to ensure the recovery of the seized flowers.  They have all been collectively responsible for nurturing these various species of orchids back to health.  And the best way to educate, is to exhibit.  The garden teamed up with well known landscape architect, Raymond Jungles, a name appropriate for a man with extensive knowledge of the tropical environments of Florida and the Caribbean.  He designed the orchid exhibit at the Garden, and has remained dedicated to the protection and the preservation of species indigenous to those areas.  While he has been designing residential and corporate gardens for many years, this is the first time he has worked with the city of New York.

Orchids comprise 75 percent of plants illegally transported into the United States and unless the illegal transport is stopped their survival is threatened.  Many varieties of orchids are running the risk of extinction presently due to the over collection of them and the illegal smuggling, and until the activity is stopped there will be a shelter and rehabilitation center in the form of the New York Botanical Garden.

Sanctuary for Orchids is a post from: The Map Seeker

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Cape Town is the capital of South Africa’s Western Cape province.  It is ideally situated at the north end of the Cape Peninsula, which features a dramatic “spine” of mountains that jut southward to the Atlantic Ocean. The city itself is cradled in the “bowl” between mountains and ocean, offering a wonderful variety of landscapes, views, and recreational activities for city denizens and visitors.

The city has more than 70 peaks that rise above 1000 feet within its official borders and even more just outside the city limits.  Table Mountain, which was once an island, Lion’s Head, and Devil’s Peak are a few of the more well-known mountains that are popular with tourists.

Many of the city’s suburbs are located on the Cape Flats, a large plain that joins the peninsula to the African mainland.  This area is categorized as a rising marine plain and is comprised mostly of sand.

Cape Town’s location at the meeting point of two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, provides an abundance of beaches and ocean activities. Many of the Cape Town South Africa hotels are located near the water, but still in easy distance of mountain attractions.  The waters on the Atlantic side tend to be a bit colder than the Indian Ocean, due to the Benguela Current. However, surfing and scuba diving are popular sports as are kayaking, boating, and related activities.  The area is also idea for whale watching and even great white shark expeditions.

The climate here is similiar to that of the Mediterranean. Winter (which is May to September) can see heavy precipation and strong winds with coll temperatures. Summer time (November to March) tends to be dry and warm, though the mountain topography can create dramatically different rainfall in specific areas. Strong south-east winds known as the Cape Doctor can clean the city’s air by blowing off pollution.

The Geography of Cape Town is a post from: The Map Seeker

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