Research at Sea - An Amazing Collection of Interesting Topics

Venice: The Floating City

By: Steven Cronin  

For a millennium, Venice has provided inspiration for artists and writers. This coveted city is made up of 118 islands linked by 453 bridges. Each corner of town exhibits individual architectural magnificence, the city combining as one to form a spectacular theatrical stage set.

Beautiful churches adorn the banks of the Grand Canal as she snakes her way through the city. This main artery is at the centre of a myriad of canals running throughout the town.

The lifeblood of Venice is its tourism, a magnet for over 12 million visitors a year. Catering for this influx of visitors, the cities population of 70,000 people continue their daily lives, working the bars, cafes and restaurants.

Despite all this however, it seems that Venice is slowly sinking at the rate of approximately 2 inches every century. Terrible floods in 1966 caused much doom mongering and many people feared that Venice was about to be taken off the map.

The threat to remove funding for vital restoration projects gave serious cause for concern and prompted an urgent response to save the city. It was feared imminent flooding could completely destroy the city; preventative measures were high priority.

The efforts of the past two decades have had considerable success. Reduced pollution, shipping and the restoration of natural sandbanks have all contributed to the cause.

The first settlers of Venice were those fleeing the Barbarians around 400 AD. To create solid foundations for their buildings they drove timber into the mud and began creating a community for their people.

The city's emblem, the winged lion, derived from Saint Mark the Evangelist. The first significant church of Venice was built in the ninth century to house the relics of Saint Mark, and his emblem was soon adopted.

Venice’s trade brought great wealth and prosperity to the city and for many centuries it continued to grow. The city thrived on its colonies and invested its riches wisely. Churches and palaces became commonplace, as were museums to house many newly acquired works of art.

For the past couple of centuries however, the obvious lack of development space meant the city found it difficult to advance further. Wars with Turkey were a drain on the resources and so Venice was content to consolidate.

Despite this, Venice does not rest on its laurels. Every visit offers something new, a fresh experience to take home. Each region of the city has an individual charm, giving the sense there is always something special around each corner.

About The Author Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For more information please visit http://www.sargas.co.uk.

This article was posted on March 22, 2006  

Return to Main Index

Technology, Science and Engineering

Free Information, Latest News and Direct Web Site Links

Main Information Categories
Technology

Popular Search Terms

Network Monitors | Network Printer Accessories And Consumables | Network Products | Network Services | Network Starter Kits | Network Systems | Network Termination Equipment | Network Test Equipment | Network Tools | Neurological Loggers | Neuron Dye Markers | Neurosurgical Patty | Neurotransmitter Measurers | Neutralisers | News agencies | Newsagents | Newspaper | Newspaper and magazine publishers | Newspaper Handling Equipment | Newsprint Paper Import Merchants Or Agents | Newsprint Paper Merchants | Newsroom Equipment | Nibbling Machines | Nibbling Services | Niches | Nickel Alloy Bars | Nickel Alloy Billets | Nickel Alloy Blanks | Nickel Alloy Components | Nickel Alloy Fabrications | Nickel Alloy Flanges | Nickel Alloy Foil | Nickel Alloy Ingots | Nickel Alloy Plate | Nickel Alloy Powder | Nickel Alloy Producers | Nickel Alloy Rods | Nickel Alloy Sheets | Nickel Alloy Slabs | Nickel Alloy Stockholders | Nickel Alloy Strips | Nickel Alloy Tapes | Nickel Alloy Tube Fittings | Nickel Alloy Tube manufacturers | Nickel Alloy Tube Stockholders | Nickel Alloy Tubes | Nickel Alloy Wires | Nickel Chrome Cobalt Alloys | Nickel Chrome Tapes | Nickel Chrome Wire | Nickel Chromium Alloy Components | Nickel Chromium Alloy Fabricators | Nickel Chromium Alloys | Nickel Copper Alloy Equipment | Nickel Cutting Services | Nickel Forgings manufacturers | Nickel Forgings Stockholders | Nickel Hard Chrome Plating Services | Nickel Iron Alloys | Nickel Merchants Or Agents | Nickel Plating | Nickel Plating Services | Nickel Recycling | Nickel Refiners | Nickel Silver Alloy Strips | Nickel Silver Bars | Nickel Silver Pressings | Nickel Steel Bar | Nickel Steel Castings | Nickel Steel Coil | Nickel Steel Plate | Nickel Steel Section | Nickel Steel Sheet | Nickel Steel Strip | Nickel Stockholders | Nickel Super Alloys | Night Bombing Systems | Night clubs and discotheques | Night Sights | Night Vision Equipment | Nightdresses | Niobium | Niobium Powder | Nippers | Nipples | Nips | Nitric Acid | Nitride Case Hardening Services | Nitrile Rubber nbr | Nitrile Rubber nbr Foam | Nitrile Rubber nbr Sheet | Nitrile Rubber nbr Sheeting | Nitrile Rubber nbr Sponge | Nitrobenzenes | Nitrogen Cylinders | Nitrogen Generators | Nitrogen Ionisers | Nitrogen Production Plant | Nitrogen Services | Nitrosamine Analysis Services |