Hoover Dam by the Numbers
Hoover Dam is a concrete structure, built in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, situated on the border of Nevada and Arizona, in the United States. The dam measures 726.4 feet in height (it is taller than the Washington Monument), 1,224 feet in length and is 660 feet thick at the base. At the time of its completion, in 1935, it was the largest concrete structure and the largest electric-power generating station in the world. However, in 1945, the record was taken over by the Grand Coulee Dam, built on Columbia River. Here are some of the interesting facts about the Hoover Dam.

Facts about Hoover Dam

Can you imagine what must be the weight of Hoover Dam? Well! It is 6.6 million tons. It was built with approximately 4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete. The concrete used to build Hoover dam, was cured with cooling tubes. If traditional methods had been used then, it would have taken at least 100 years for completion.

Building the Dam: Purpose and Cost
The main objective behind the Hoover Dam project was to regulate the Colorado River, which at times overflowed, posing a threat to the nearby community. The reservoir created behind the Hoover dam is called Lake Mead, named after Elwood Mead, the head of the Bureau of Reclamation during the time. Today, it is the largest reservoir of the world, with a surface area of 146,000 acres.

It was estimated that about 16,000 people were employed for the construction of Hoover Dam, with about 3,500 employed at a time. The overall construction cost of the Hoover Dam was $49,000,000.

History and Naming of Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam was built by the Bureau of Reclamation, United States. Hoover Dam was previously known as Boulder Dam, as it was to be built in Boulder Canyon. However, for better impoundment, the project was relocated to Canyon Dam.

In February 14, 1931, the name was officially changed to Hoover Dam under the Congressional Act. It was named in honor of Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st President of the United States and a mining engineer by profession, who made significant contributions to the construction of the dam.

In 1981, Hoover Dam was enlisted in the United States National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). However, it was only in 1985 that Hoover Dam was registered as a National Historic Landmark.

Capacity, Records, and Recognition
Hoover Dam has a storage capacity of 9.2 trillion gallons of water in its reservoir, the Lake Mead. Its 17 power generators have the capacity to produce 2,000 megawatts of electricity. To be more precise, it supplies electricity to more than 750,000 people and is a water source to over 25 million people in southwest United States.

One of the amazing facts about Hoover Dam is that it is made up of more masonry than the Pyramid of Giza.

It’s no wonder that the Hoover Dam is considered as one of the seven modern engineering wonders by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). About 4,000 tourists visit Hoover Dam everyday.

Canadian culture has a heavy influence of the British culture and traditions. In recent times however, one can also notice an influence of American culture. Along the years, with the migration of people to this land, there has been a healthy interchange of ideas that has resulted in the development of certain unique characteristics of Canada. Historians have also revealed the influence of Aboriginal cultures and traditions in Canada. A vast region with diverse traditions, Canadian culture and traditions differ from region to region. Read on for a detailed look at the culture of Canada.

Canadian Culture and Traditions:

What Is Canadian Art?
Art:

Canada

has witnessed some of the most glorious works of art during the ancient days. In the year 1930, artists began developing their own individual style. The ‘Group of Seven’ is labeled as the first group of landscape artists that created their own style. Painted in bright hues, these artists created beautiful backdrops of Canada. The Government of Canada played an important role in propagating art by establishing institutes dedicated to impart education in this subject.

Language and Religion in Canada
Language and Religion:

Due to the diverse cultures, Canada has two official languages, English and French. There is no official religion as such, although Catholics form the largest religious group. There are a number of people in Canada who have declared to have no religious affiliation. Although, there are many other groups that follow Protestantism as a religion.

What Defines Canadian Literature?
Literature:

Canadian writers have penned many works that belong to different genres. The literature of Canada basically reflects the cultural melange seen out here. Some of the early works were divided as per the region of Canada. But there also were authors who gave a humorous touch to serious content. Apart from humor, one can notice the frequent reference of nature in the texts. A number of authors have been awarded for their contributions in literature.

How Has Canadian Music Evolved?
Music:

Music in Canada has seen many developments in styles along the way. Many rock groups or musicians from Canada have even made a mark on the global map. From folk music to alternative rock, Canadian music continues to entertain people. The diverse styles are also a result of the mix of cultures. The 1980s was particularly considered an important period as pop and rock music flourished. This was also a time when the media influenced the popularity and spread of music.

Music videos

helped to popularize tracks amongst people. In the recent times, Caribbean music has found quite a fan following in Canada.

Theater and Cinema in Canada
Theater and Cinema:

Film making is a fast growing industry in Canada. Today, many personalities from Canada have tasted success globally in the field of direction. Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are the some of the major centers of film production. ‘Evangeline’ is one of the first films that was shot in the year 1913. Theater also flourished in the early days which is visible from the amount of festivals celebrated in relation to theater. Canada also boasts of some of the most renowned directors such as Robert Lepage.

Today, the general atmosphere in Canada is one that is relatively free from all sort of distinction and divide. The people of Canada have always been proud about their diverse, cultural backgrounds.

History and Discovery of the Lascaux Caves
Lascaux Cave Paintings have made Vezere valley in France a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 1979. It is famous for the surrealistic images of animals that research reveals lived 15,000 years ago. The Lascaux Cave Paintings were part of the discovery made on 12 September 1940. The caves were chanced upon by four teenagers, and their dog. After World War II, the site was opened to the general public. However, the increasing number of visitors resulted in an unprecedented release of carbon dioxide and visible damage to the paintings.

In 1963, the caves were officially closed to the public, with the intent of restoration and preservation of the art. Today, the Lascaux Cave Paintings are monitored regularly and the sites have been segregated on the basis of exhibit into:

Sections of the Lascaux Cave Complex
Great Hall of the Bulls
Lateral Passage
Shaft of the Dead Man
Chamber of Engravings
Painted Gallery
Chamber of Felines
Lascaux II exhibits replication of the artwork depicted in Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery. Lascaux cave painting artwork can also be seen at Le Thot, Center of Prehistoric Art, France. Preservationists from the Archaeological Survey Department have been battling fungus and black mold since 2000. The climatic conditions within the caves are now monitored to preserve the exhibits.

Significance of the Lascaux Cave Paintings
Significance of Lascaux Cave Paintings:

Lascaux Cave Paintings are about 2,000 in all and while 600 of the animal figures can be identified, the rest are a trip back into prehistoric times. Geometric figures of equines, cattle, felines, birds, bears, rhinoceros, humans and stags are dominant. The effect of the ‘bulls in motion’ give us an insight into the precision and dedication of the artists. The Paleolithic cave painters displayed unique perspective in the non-figurative images. The night sky depictions actually correlate with constellations. These ‘visions’ within paintings of humans and the sky also highlight the fact that the artists indulged in the ritual of trance-dancing.

These cave paintings are deduced as beyond ‘decorations’, since research reveals that they did not show any signs of prolonged habitation. This is indicative of the fact that the caves were used for preserving and transmitting information. Archaeological experts spotlight realistic images superimposed for the ‘stampede’ effect. While the images appear linear, the sudden burst of colored and stylized detail speaks volumes for the versatility of brush and dynamic hand movement.

What the Paintings Reveal About Their Creators
The primitive inhabitants immortalized their lifestyle, artwork and crude tools via the exquisite and exclusive renderings. Their hand at foreshortening, contrasting color schemes and three-dimensional illusions brings many a modern painter to Lascaux each year. The Lascaux Cave Paintings tell visitors a lot about the inhabitants of the era and the level of intellect through the fact that they used the cave walls to pass on vital information about animal and human life then and not just for ornamental purpose.

Their sense of aesthetics and prevalent culture crosses all linguistic and social barriers, appealing to even the indifferent-to-art visitor to the caves. The ancient caves give us an idea of the painter’s sanctuary for rites and ceremonies and some serious revelations about their hunting and group strategies. A visit to the site is an intense learning process full of opportunity for the painter to observe and replicate genius in transforming real time agility of the animal world on canvas.

Cave paintings discovered at Lascaux, France offer the visitor an understanding of the development of intercultural communication between group hunters centuries ago. The cave walls display the versatility of the painter through preserved sophistication of hue and choice of location.

France’s Geography and Economy at a Glance
Spread over an area of about 211,209 square miles, the French Republic is home to over 65 million people. It is the fifth largest economy in the world, and the second largest trading nation in Europe. Besides its strong economy, the country has maintained its distinct cultural heritage. Its pristine beaches, architectural marvels like the Eiffel Tower, Cathedral of Notre Dame, and the Louvre are major tourist attractions for their architectural excellence. From being ruled by Julius Caesar, to developing as the hub of the aerospace industry, France has a rich historical legacy that makes way for some interesting facts about this country.

Interesting Fun Facts about France

Quick Facts and Trivia About France
Although only the size of Texas, France has seven mountain ranges and five major river systems.
It is the largest nation in Western Europe, with countries like Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra and Monaco sharing its boundary.
France is home to 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Mont St. Michel Abbey, Versailles Palace, and the Chartres Cathedral.
It has nearly 3000 miles of seashore, with three major water bodies: the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel.
It is also referred to as L’Hexagone, which means the hexagon, due to the geometrical shape of the country.
While all the stripes of the official French flag are of equal width, the one used by the navy has bands that increase in width from blue to red.
The marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine with the future king of England, Henry II led to British rule in France for about 300 years.
French people love cheese. Though traditionally there are around 350 to 400 varieties of French cheese, there are in fact over 1000 different types available in the French market.
French wine is immensely popular all over the world. The country is one of the largest wine producing nations in the world. There are 17 distinct wine producing regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire and Provence that continue with the tradition of wine making in France.
An amusing fact about France is that while beer is considered a luxury drink saved for special occasions, wine is free with most meals.
France is also home to the only Disneyland in Europe, located near Paris.
An underground rail tunnel, known as the Chanel Tunnel, joins England and France. It runs beneath the English Channel, connecting Folkestone, Kent in England and Coquelles, near Calais in France.
The Tour de France, the most famous bicycle race in the world is an annual bicycle race of France, in which cyclists cover over 2100 miles in 23 days.
The first flight of the Concorde took place in 1969, from the French city of Toulouse, one of the centers of the aerospace industry in Europe.
The concept of jean clothing was born in the Languedoc-Roussillon city of N’mes, France, from where it was imported by Levi Strauss to California to make tough clothes for gold diggers.
The Statue of Liberty, one of the most widely recognized structures of US, was made in France. It was then gifted to the US in 1886 to celebrate its centennial. In fact, the face of the Statue is believed to have been modeled on Eugene Boyer, the wife of Isaac Singer, the famous sewing machine manufacturer.
April Fool’s Day is believed to have originated in France, in 1564, when the country started following the Gregorian Calendar. Those that did not know about the switch in the calendars, were mocked on this day as they continued to believe that 1st April was the first day of the French new year.
France is the home of the TGV – Train — Grande Vitesse, French for high speed train. A TGV test train set the record of being the the fastest train when it reached a speed of 357 mph on April 3, 2007.
Another interesting French fact is that a number of words in the English Language have originated from French individuals. For example, the word ‘chauvinism’ is believed to have originated from Nicola Chauvin, a soldier in Napolean’s army whose loyalty to the emperor was legendary. The word ‘sadism’ originated from the name of Marquis de Sade, a French nobleman who led the life of a libertine and wrote sadistic novels.
France is also home to the Louvre, one of the largest art museums in the world.
France is where the Gothic Art and the Baroque style of architecture were born. This is the reason why there are numerous cathedrals and buildings that are fine examples of Gothic Art.
From the French Alps to the marvelous beaches lining the azure waters in the French Riviera, France is one of the most visited countries in the world. In 2007, it attracted as many as 81.9 million tourists. This number was greater than its population!
Why France Continues to Draw Visitors
France is an amazing nation. The old world charm that it still preserves in its architectural splendors, along with the dizzying modernity, allures people from all over the world to this country that is a beautiful amalgamation of cultural heritage and economic progress.