NAINITAL

Based in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand surrounding the volcanic

lake Nani, Nainital is adored by millions and is often referred as the

‘Lake District’ of India. It is a destination for all, whether you are looking

for a perfect family outing, or a romantic getaway. It is well connected by

the major cities and offers a lot to rejuvenate your body and soul.

Nainital Mountaineering Club; the name is enough to cheer the

adrenaline seekers. With the variety of treks and the picturesque

locations, Nainital is surely a must visit location.

Nainital About this sound pronunciation (help·info) is a popular hill

station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital

district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Situated at an

altitude of 2,084 metres (6,837 ft) above sea level, Nainital is set in a

valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in

circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are

Naina (2,615 m (8,579 ft)) on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m (7,999 ft)) on

the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m (7,474 ft)) on the south. From the tops

of the higher peaks, "magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain

to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the

great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas

SHIMLA

The once summer capital of the British, now the capital of Himachal

Pradesh, is surely a delight for the eyes. With its spectacular vista,

Shimla is a region that is highly appreciated for its ethnic culture and

eternal beauty. “Nati”, a local form of dance could be seen performed by

the ever-friendly jubilant locals. Shimla is also an architectural paradise,

flaunting many splendid colonial architecture buildings.

After the reorganisation, the Mahasu district and its major portion was

merged with Shimla. Its name is derived from the goddess Shyamala

Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Kali. As of 2011 Shimla

comprises 19 hill states; mainly Balson, Bushahr, Bhaji and Koti, Darkoti,

Tharoch & Dhadi, Kumharsain, Khaneti & Delath, Dhami, Jubbal,

Keothal, Madhan, Rawingarh, Ratesh, and Sangri.

Shimla is home to a number of colleges and research institutions as well

as multiple temples and palaces. The city's buildings are styled in the

Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era.

Owing to its steep terrain, Shimla hosts the mountain biking race MTB

Himalaya, which started in 2005 and is regarded as the biggest event of

its kind in South Asia.

First humans originated in Africa's Great Rift Valley, a large lowland area

caused by tectonic plate movement that includes parts of present-day

Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Human ancestors traveled in all

directions, constantly in search of abundant food resources and new

places to inhabit. Scientists believe there were numerous migratory

routes out of Africa by human ancestors but the latest migration by

Homo sapiens is thought to have occurred in the last 60,000-100,000

years.

Shelter from the Elements

Human beings have proven themselves very capable of adapting to their

environments. The ability to make and use tools, our control of fire and

our knack for finding shelter from the elements all contribute to our

collective knowledge. Sites like Blombos Cave, shown here, have given

scientists evidence about how early humans lived and what they were

capable of.

Blombos Cave

Blombos Cave, on the South African coast east of the Cape of Good

Hope (the Southern tip of Africa), is an important archaeological site with

evidence of human habitation from about 95,000 to about 55,000 years

ago. Materials found at the site can tell us a lot about early human life.

Shore Dinner

Shell fragments found outside of Blombos Cave indicate that the site's

inhabitants used shellfish as a significant source of food energy. There is

some evidence that human inhabitants of this site also went deep sea

fishing for larger prey. Some shells were made into beads that have

been dated at 75,000 years old, an indication that these early humans

were also interested in adornment, a form of symbolic expression.

Old Stone Age Writing?

These pieces of ochre (a mineralized form of iron oxide) were found at

the Blombos Cave site. Some archaeologists have gone so far as to

claim that the geometric markings on the stones are a form of writing, or

recording of information, but there is little doubt that these 75,000 year

old pieces at least demonstrate an early form of symbolic thought.

Hafting

Hafting, the construction of tools that combined stone heads or points

with wooden handles or shafts, is considered to be an important

innovation by early humans. Resin (such as the sticky sap or "pitch" you

might find on a pine tree) and/or sinew (cured bands of animal tissue)

was used to secure the sharpened stones to their wooden counterparts.

Humans are thought to have begun making hafted tools between

100,000 and 200,000 years ago.

Big Game

Innovations in tool technology proved extremely important for hunting

large game, such as the wooly mammoths shown here. Early humans

used stone and hafted tools to bring down the game and then to cut the

meat and skins for food and clothing.

The Bushmen

The Bushmen, a foraging people of Southern Africa, continued with the

hunting and gathering lifestyle well into the 20th century. Today,

diminishing open lands and increasingly limited public access to stocks

of wild food sources have caused most Bushmen like the two hunters

shown here to take up a sedentary life. Foraging cultures still exist in the

most remote parts of the world but they are few, and far between.