Students' Hometowns or Countries

Mohamad's Hometown: TRIPOLI

Tripoli is the second largest city in Lebanon following Beirut. It is located in the north of Lebanon and it is the capital of the Northern provinces of Lebanon. Tripoli has a population of about 700,000 and is increasing very rapidly. It is one of the oldest cities in Lebanon along with Saida. The main and the first language spoken in Tripoli is Arabic. However there are minorities that speak English and French.

The centre of the city is called the "Tell" and it is in the entrance of the city in "El Nour Square". Its historical value has given it many historic monuments and sites, like the "Tripoli Castle" and the narrow lanes and streets holding the old shops that vary from original soap making workshops to tailor shops.

There are many important industries in Tripoli, there are also many manufacturing companies, like clothes factories and jewellery workshops, that have grown in recent years. Tripoli also has a main port called the "Minaa", which is always busy with ships arriving and departing, making Tripoli one of the most important cities in the Middle East for import and export of fruit and vegetables. The Minaa is also the site for the departure of boats to the sanctuary island called "rabbits Island". The tourism and recreational industries are growing in Tripoli and have proven to be important factors in its growth. Its growth in these areas allowed it to be one of the hosts of the 2000 Arabian Olympic Games.

Esraa's Jordan

Jordan is in the Middle East in south-western Asia. The city has a population of about 5 million people.

The main geographical features in Jordan are deserts (eastern deserts), the Jordan river and the Gulf of Aqaba and the highest pint is Jabal Ramm, in the south.

There are many beautiful places like Roman theatres in Amman, Petra is the legacy of the Nabataens, and industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago, and Madaba, the city of Mosaics, home to the famous 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

The principal ethnic majority are the Jordanians of Bedouin Arab origin. The Palestinian Arabs account for 40% of the population and the Bedouins represent 5%, while Arabs as a whole constitute 98% of the population.

The Jerash Festival, held in July every year transforms the ancient city into one of the world's liveliest and most spectacular cultural events. The festival features folkloric dances by local and international groups. ballet, concerts, plays, opera, popular singers and sales of traditional handicrafts.

Thanapha's Hometown

My hometown is Khonkaen. I was born and brought up there.

Khonkaen is a big city of about 2,000,000 inhabitants, located in the north-eastern part of Thailand. It has the rivers Poq and Shee. Khonkaen doesn't[t have land bordering the sea. Most people work in the fields or have businesses the city.

Khonkaen is very far from Bangkok, about 700 km. It has 3 seasons: January-March is winter, April-June is summer, July -October is rain. November and December start winter. When the summer is very hot it gets to about 37°C, people go to the river for swimming.

Khonkaen is a big city. It provides most of the services for the province. There is a hospital, schools, university, museum, and a big dam. It has many goods made by hand. It is very famous for its silks, it is the best silk in Thailand. Every year it has many tourists coming to Khonkaen to travel and to buy some goods, foods and silk.

Every year we have one Festival on 12-15 April. We enjoy going out. In the morning we go to a Thai temple. In the afternoon it's very hot. We enjoy being together. We play splashing water to make everybody wet. At night we have celebrations about the goods and food, and silk till midnight.

The people of Khonkaen are warm and friendly. They are happy and welcome tourism and people form other cities come to visit Khonkaen.

Olga's Hometown

Khabarovsk is in the north of Russia, near the border of China . Khabarovsk is the capital city of the Russian Far East. It has a population of about 800 thousand. It is a young city which was only founded in 1848.

The city is situated on the right coast of the Amu river. It is a river at the border shared by Russia and China. The Amur, and its headwaters, is the second longest in Europe. Every Autumn salmon migrate to spawn caviar on the Amur river.

Khabarovsk's climate is continental, which means hot summers above 30°C. At this time of year Khabarovsk appears to a visitor as a cosmopolitan city. Shrubs flowering around one of the city's main squares and potted plants. But it has very cold winters. The temperature often falling to 38° below zero. All he buildings, streets and trees are covered in a white coat. People go skating and skiing. Men like winter-fishing and take big fish from under the ice.

Khabarovsk is surrounded by taliga. There are also a variety of different animals, the Siberian tiger-the largest cat in the world- the snow leopard, bears, moose, deer, lynx, antelopes, foxes and a variety of forest birds.

Khabarovsk is mostly a centre of culture and science on the far east of Russia. There are six universities, many colleges,, schools, three theatres, museums, art galleries, and a winter circus. There are many green parks and children's parks with attractions. There are many places of historical interest in the old city centre, like its three cathedrals, two churches and many old buildings. There is a wide variety of restaurants, and nightclubs.

WELCOME TO KHABAROVSK! It's the best city in the Far East.

Noha'sAlexandria

Alexandria has had a long history as one of the most culturally important cities on the Mediterranean littoral. It was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 before Christmas. It is located on the north coast of Egypt. It's the main port of Egypt.

Alexandria has many landmarks,such as beautiful beaches, the Roman museum, Qaitbey Castle, and the biggest ancient library in the world.

Alexandria attracts many tourists due to its attractive sites and climate. The average winter temperature is 10-20°C. This comfortable weather allows people from everywhere to come to Alexandria to enjoy the beautiful weather.

The religion in Egypt is Islamic and Christian; the Muslim and Christian people live in harmony and are tolerant of each other.

The Population in Alexandria is about 8 million people. To get to all Alexandria many places of interest there's a good network of trains, trams and buses. Alexandria also has a number of suburbs which are very crowded and with heavy traffic.

The average income is not enough to get everything you need.

As I'm from Alexandria and love it, I invite you to spend time there. You will remember it for ever.