Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sydney


Arts and culture



Highlights

A diverse and vibrant cultural calendar
Sydney’s arts and culture line-up is one not to be missed. With internationally acclaimed performances on the city's many stages, award-winning festivals, and a number of exhibitions across the city’s many galleries and performance spaces, there’s something for everyone.
  • Sydney Film Festival
  • Sydney Opera House, Vivid Sydney

Arts, culture and heritage in Sydney

Matilda the Musical, Sydney Lyric Theatre
Sydney boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with many galleries, museums and performance venues in the centre of the city and throughout inner Sydney.
Iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera HouseState TheatreSydney Theatre Company and the Belvoir St Theatre host an array of great shows year-round. One of the highlights this season is Matilda the Musical, showing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Based on Roald Dahl’s famous children’s book, ‘Matilda’ has received rave reviews. With music and lyrics by the brilliant Australian comedian and composer Tim Minchin, this multi-award winning musical is not to be missed.
Be sure to check out the two major public Galleries in Sydney, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), which sits between The Rocks and Circular Quay, and the Art Gallery of NSW, which is located on the edge of The Domain in Woolloomooloo. Spread over five levels, the Art Gallery of NSW houses an extensive range of Australian Art, including one of the largest collections of Aboriginal Art in Australia.
The MCA lives up to its name, with a vibrant collection of contemporary works ranging from painting and photography to sculpture, installations, and time-based art from Australian and International artists. It is free to browse the main collection at both galleries, although special exhibitions usually require ticket purchase.
There are also plenty of fantastic museums to visit, ranging from the historical to the family-friendly. The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo focuses on creative, interactive and scientific displays, with 12 permanent exhibitions complemented by a rotating program of dynamic temporary exhibitions; it's a great day out for the whole family.
The Australian Museum is a natural history museum which sits on the eastern side of Hyde Park. It was established in 1827 and is Australia’s first museum, showcasing extensive collections of cultural and historic artefacts. The Museum of Sydney, built on the site of the first Government House, focuses on Sydney's people, places and cultures from ancient times through to modern.

Muldive Island




Republic of the Maldives is a sovereign archipelagic nation positioned in the Indian Ocean. Notably the South Asian Island nation has no counterpart in the entire world in terms of its unique geography and topography.
The Maldives encompass more than 99 % of the sea and less than 1 % of the land. The 99 % of the sea is home to one of the most diverse marine treasures of the world. Less than 1 % of the land is a masterpiece in natural landscaping.
The Maldives comprises of 26 natural atolls consisting of dual island chains. Incidentally the Maldivian language has the distinct pleasure of contributing to the English word “atoll”, which was derived from the Maldivian word “atholhu”.
There are channels of various sizes between the atolls used for navigation. For efficient administrative functioning, the 26 natural atolls are categorised into 20 administrative divisions. Particularly the island nation is located in a strategic area with access to major international sea routes in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives, located on top of a vast underwater mountain range have around 1190 islands and sandbanks. The pearl string like islands covers a land area of no less than 298 km2.  All the islands are encircled by a lagoon blessed with crystal clear water. These islands are protected by a reef structure, housing one of the most exclusive and spectacular underwater life.
Quick Facts:
Map Coordinates:  3 15 N, 73 00 E
Continent: Asia (South Aisa)
Total Area: 90000 km2
Land Area: 298 km2
Coastline: 644 km
Total Islands: 1190
Inhabited Islands: 187
Resort Islands: 106
Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 nm