2.9


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==2.9 With the help of the school librarian, identify and describe well-known sites, events, or landwards in at least three different countries from which students' families come and explain why they are important. (H, G, C) ==

 Click here for the world's most famous landmarks. Includes pictures and locations.

Examples of famous locations: = Europe =

__ Italy __
Click here for a 360 look of the Colosseum Click here for an interactive look at the Colosseum
 *  The Colosseum [[image:800px-The_Colosseum.jpg width="480" height="270" align="right" caption="The Colleseum"]]
 *  Located in Rome, Italy
 *  50,000 person amphitheater
 *  Opened in AD 80
 *  Mainly used for gladiator shows
 *  Partially destroyed by fires and earthquakes
 *  Mostly made up of arches
 *  Has 3 levels
 *  Spectators were separated by class
 *  The spectators were packed together very tightly
 *  The Colosseum is a symbol of the Roman architecture and gives an example of ancient Roman culture
 *  For more info, click here

__ Greece __
For a virtual tour, click here. Click here for more information on the archaeological site of Olympia
 * Olympia
 * Site of the first Olympic games in 776 BC
 * Continued there for about 12 centuries until pagan traditions were banned
 * The games were linked to a celebration of Zeus
 * The site was a religious area that had temples and shrines as well as athletic fields
 * Its main temples were for Zeus and Hera
 * The games were supposed to show off the strength and power of young people while also promoting good relations among Greek cities
 * Importance of religion and athleticism in Greek society
 * For more info, click here or here.

= Asia =

__ China __
Click here for a 360 look at the Great Wall. Click here for a link to a website that contains a virtual walk on the Great Wall.
 * Great Wall of China
 * Most of the wall was constructed between the 14th and 17th centuries
 * Different emperors ordered for various additions
 * Created to prevent invasions of China
 * The people who built the wall were mainly criminals and soliders
 * Many people actually died while making the wall, around 400,000
 * More than 3,000 miles long
 * Has guard towers spread throughout the wall
 * Certain sections today are falling apart, others have been cut through for roads
 * For more information, click here.

__ Japan __
Click here for photos that include Hiroshima before and after the war. = Africa =
 * Hiroshima
 * August 6, 1945 the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan
 * Destroyed 90% of the city
 * Killed 80,000 people instantly, more died later from radiation
 * Dropped at 8:15am
 * Japan surrendered at noon on August 15, 1945
 * Most of Hiroshima was rebuilt after the war, except one section
 * This remains as a reminder of the effects of war and the atomic bomb
 * There is now a museum dedicated to peace, including a peace park and memorial
 * For more information, click here.

__ Ethiopia __
Click here for a youtube video on the Kingdom of Aksum
 * Aksum
 * Also known as Axum
 * Kingdom in Ethiopia
 * Home to many elite
 * Had natural resources, such as gold and ivory
 * Was a connection between the Roman Empire and India
 * Had a high literacy rate, made its own coins, and created unique architecture
 * Was rumored that the Ark of the Convent was being held in Aksum
 * One of its obelisks was looted by Benito Mussolini and not returned to Ethiopia until 2005
 * For more information, click here.

__ Ghana __

 * Independence Square[[image:739px-Independence_Arch.jpg width="499" height="437" align="right" caption="Independence Arch, Ghana"]]
 * Celebrates the independence of Ghana
 * Every year on Ghana's Independence Day, March 6th, a Ghana holds a large festival in Independence Square
 * 2nd largest city square in the world
 * Contains Black Star Gate, Independence Arch, and a Liberation Day Monument
 * For more information, click here.

Click here for a photo album of Independence Square