Have you ever imagined how living in a quaint, laidback style on the shores of a pretty lake feels? Banks of rivers have always been cradles of civilizations and attracted huge number of praises through the ages, closely followed by sea coasts. Lakes however have silently contributed their share in development of towns and cultures. We all are well acquainted with the Great Lakes of the North American continent and the existence of the awe inspiring city of Venice . Now let us take a walk into some of the other incredibly lovely lakeside cities of the world.
5.
Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt is a sparkling lake valley in upper Austria which had been in an intimate relation with salt. Life here revolves around the salt mine in the mountains of this valley and the lake serves as the central lifeline. The Hallstatt Period derived its nomenclature from this place in Europe.
Traces of ancient Romans inhabiting this tiny hamlet are sometimes found in the pages of history. In 1734,a fully preserved body of a prehistoric miner was encountered in its salt mines.The village is peaceful and the best way to soak in its beauty is by taking a boat ride in the subterranean salt lake of Hallstatt. Such is the inspiration of this heaven on Earth that, spellbound by its graceful splendor,a Chinese mining company established a life-sized replica of this quiet sentinel in China. While in Hallstatt, do not forget to slide into the salt reserves or take a nature walk.
4.
Ganvie, Benin
Ganvie has the most interesting history and the weirdest geography of all the lakeside cities in this list. It is not just a mere lake city but an entire dwelling established on water. Referred frequently as the Venice of Africa, the village of Ganvie floating on Lake Nokoue was founded by the African Tofinu people.
In the seventeenth century the powerful Portuguese were looking out to capture the African people and enslave them. In an interest to save their own selves, the Fon tribe hatched a deal with these Europeans. The pact required the Fon race to capture people of other tribes and trade them against their own freedom. Thus began the agony of the other tribes and their fight to defeat the more powerful Fons did not yield much result. However, the members of the Tofinu tribe came up with a brilliant idea to evade the Fons.
The Fons were religiously forbidden to attack people living in water. And thus was born this peculiar settlement in Ganvie. All the buildings here stand on stilts. The sudden small patches of islands peeping out of the lake are used by the locals of Ganvie to keep their cattle. Obviously in this part of the globe, boats are as important as oxygen!
3.
Uros Islands, Peru
Imagine walking about on a floating land, knitted by intertwined reeds, on a gigantic and panoramic lake! This is life in the lake lands of the Uros in Titicaca, off the coast of Puno in South-eastern Peru. All the islands of the Uros tribe are made by tying the totora reeds which grow at the bottom of the shallow lake. Boats made out of these reeds, previously used by the Uro fishermen, are nowadays only employed to provide pleasant trips to the tourists. The reeds are also served as local delicacies!
The pre-Incan Uro people have an unclear history regarding their origin, but all the probable hypotheses point to the fact that these people did not share a warm bond with the Incas. One legend states that the Uro people on the lake existed during the dark days much before the birth of the Sun but they lost their status as super-beings when they mixed with the humans. The theory cannot be sealed with certainty, but that does not make the Uro people or their lifestyle any less attractive. It is the perfect blend of mystery and awe. source; about.com .
2.
Chapala, Mexico
Chapala, a dream sentinel by the shore of Lake Chapala is a place where nothing ever goes wrong . It is endowed with oodles of optimistic energy. The national geographic quoted Chapala as the city having the second best climate of the world . The pleasant temperate climate of the city makes life easy but obviously the best part about this town is its warm friendly Mexican population.
These residents always greet people with broad smiles and stand by each other when times are rough. Here random strangers offer lifts to tired pedestrians walking with heavy loads. Travelers who experience this generous city refuse to leave and in course of time shift their base to Chapala. Nature in Chapala is wildly colorful . Flowers spring out from each nook and corner of this city. To match their pace, even the buildings paint themselves with bright hues .
1.
Geneva, Lakeside Cities of Switzerland
If you are searching a city with the right mix of business, intellect, history and nature then your search should end at Geneva. The plush cosmopolitan city is unique in many ways. The diplomatic capital of the world rests on the bank of Lake Geneva, Europe's largest alpine lake .It is the hub of most of the international agencies and United Nation programs.
The Romans were the first famous settlers of this city and they greatly contributed in enriching Geneva's culture. Throughout the middle ages, the city served as an important seat for trade. The attractive setting of the lake city amid its rich nature has drawn numerous admirers who strived to make Geneva a part of their kingdom. It is the capital of the 'Republic and Canton Of Geneva' and at the same time a neutral territory. When the rest of the world fights to combat terrorism, violence against women, financial scams and civil wars, the gravest trouble faced by the people here is dog droppings! link .
Hallstatt is a sparkling lake valley in upper Austria which had been in an intimate relation with salt. Life here revolves around the salt mine in the mountains of this valley and the lake serves as the central lifeline. The Hallstatt Period derived its nomenclature from this place in Europe.
Traces of ancient Romans inhabiting this tiny hamlet are sometimes found in the pages of history. In 1734,a fully preserved body of a prehistoric miner was encountered in its salt mines.The village is peaceful and the best way to soak in its beauty is by taking a boat ride in the subterranean salt lake of Hallstatt. Such is the inspiration of this heaven on Earth that, spellbound by its graceful splendor,a Chinese mining company established a life-sized replica of this quiet sentinel in China. While in Hallstatt, do not forget to slide into the salt reserves or take a nature walk.
Ganvie has the most interesting history and the weirdest geography of all the lakeside cities in this list. It is not just a mere lake city but an entire dwelling established on water. Referred frequently as the Venice of Africa, the village of Ganvie floating on Lake Nokoue was founded by the African Tofinu people.
In the seventeenth century the powerful Portuguese were looking out to capture the African people and enslave them. In an interest to save their own selves, the Fon tribe hatched a deal with these Europeans. The pact required the Fon race to capture people of other tribes and trade them against their own freedom. Thus began the agony of the other tribes and their fight to defeat the more powerful Fons did not yield much result. However, the members of the Tofinu tribe came up with a brilliant idea to evade the Fons.
The Fons were religiously forbidden to attack people living in water. And thus was born this peculiar settlement in Ganvie. All the buildings here stand on stilts. The sudden small patches of islands peeping out of the lake are used by the locals of Ganvie to keep their cattle. Obviously in this part of the globe, boats are as important as oxygen!
Imagine walking about on a floating land, knitted by intertwined reeds, on a gigantic and panoramic lake! This is life in the lake lands of the Uros in Titicaca, off the coast of Puno in South-eastern Peru. All the islands of the Uros tribe are made by tying the totora reeds which grow at the bottom of the shallow lake. Boats made out of these reeds, previously used by the Uro fishermen, are nowadays only employed to provide pleasant trips to the tourists. The reeds are also served as local delicacies!
The pre-Incan Uro people have an unclear history regarding their origin, but all the probable hypotheses point to the fact that these people did not share a warm bond with the Incas. One legend states that the Uro people on the lake existed during the dark days much before the birth of the Sun but they lost their status as super-beings when they mixed with the humans. The theory cannot be sealed with certainty, but that does not make the Uro people or their lifestyle any less attractive. It is the perfect blend of mystery and awe. source; about.com .
Chapala, a dream sentinel by the shore of Lake Chapala is a place where nothing ever goes wrong . It is endowed with oodles of optimistic energy. The national geographic quoted Chapala as the city having the second best climate of the world . The pleasant temperate climate of the city makes life easy but obviously the best part about this town is its warm friendly Mexican population.
These residents always greet people with broad smiles and stand by each other when times are rough. Here random strangers offer lifts to tired pedestrians walking with heavy loads. Travelers who experience this generous city refuse to leave and in course of time shift their base to Chapala. Nature in Chapala is wildly colorful . Flowers spring out from each nook and corner of this city. To match their pace, even the buildings paint themselves with bright hues .
If you are searching a city with the right mix of business, intellect, history and nature then your search should end at Geneva. The plush cosmopolitan city is unique in many ways. The diplomatic capital of the world rests on the bank of Lake Geneva, Europe's largest alpine lake .It is the hub of most of the international agencies and United Nation programs.
The Romans were the first famous settlers of this city and they greatly contributed in enriching Geneva's culture. Throughout the middle ages, the city served as an important seat for trade. The attractive setting of the lake city amid its rich nature has drawn numerous admirers who strived to make Geneva a part of their kingdom. It is the capital of the 'Republic and Canton Of Geneva' and at the same time a neutral territory. When the rest of the world fights to combat terrorism, violence against women, financial scams and civil wars, the gravest trouble faced by the people here is dog droppings! link .
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