Solo grand mal, aset berharga dikota bengawan

Pada musim lebaran kali ini, bisa dipastikan kota solo akan ramai dikunjungi para pemudik. Biasanya mereka banyak yang datang dari kota-kota besar seperti Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, P.Sumatera, dll. Belum lagi bulan desember ini akan disambut lagi dengan perayaan natal dan tahun baru, bisa dipastikan kota solo akan semakin ramai. Hari libur merupakan hari yang cocok untuk bersantai-ria, bahkan melepas lelah setelah hamper 1 tahun bekerja full waktu. Sekarang berlibur ke kota solo sudah semakin mudah saja, bisa menggunakan jalan darat macam bus antar propinsi atau mengandalkan transportasi kereta api. Kalau mau lebih mudah, bisa juga membeli tiket pesawat untuk penerbangan langsung ke bandara adisumarno solo.

Untuk tujuan berbelanja, solo grand mal bisa menjadi alternative pilihan utama dalam wisata belanja. Mal terbesar di seluruh kota solo tersebut menyediakan berbagai macam kebutuhan dengan lengkap. Terletak dijalan Slamet Riyadi no.273 yang merupakan jalan protocol utama, solo grand mal / SGM mudah diakses oleh berbagai macam lapisan masyarakat. Tampilan bangunannya cukup megah dan menyediakan lahan serta gedung parkir yang luas sebagai penampung kendaraan bermotor para shoppers. Toko-toko yang tersedia didalamnya cukup lengkap, ada gerai sekelas hypermart untuk berbelanja kebutuhan pokok, toko buku, breadtalk, matahari department store (MDS) untuk berburu fashion-fashion terbaru, arena food court yang lengkap dan sampai kebutuhan rekreasi untuk permainan hiburan keluarga macam amazone. Mal besar ini juga mengikuti perkembangan mode seperti di mal-mal utama Jakarta macam plaza Indonesia atau plaza senayan yang selalu mengidentikkan fashion, arloji, sepatu, sebagai trend terdepan dalam perkembangan jaman khususnya yang berhubungan dengan modernitas suatu shopping centre. Akhir kata, nikmatilah wisata belanja anda dikota solo sambil berkunjung ke solo grand mal

Read More......

dubai

Dubai (in Arabic: دبيّ, Dubayy, /dʊ'baɪ/ in English) can either refer to one of the seven emirates that constitute United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, or that emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai city" to distinguish it from the emirate. The modern emirate of Dubai was created with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. However, written accounts documenting the existence of the city have existed at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE. Dubai shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates within a federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civic law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi.[4] With Abu Dhabi, it is one of only two emirates to possess veto power over critical matters of national importance in the UAE.[5] Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. The city's current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE.

Revenues from petroleum and natural gas contribute less than 3% of Dubai's US$ 46 billion economy (2006).[6] A majority of the emirate's revenues are from the Jebel Ali free zone authority (JAFZA)[7] and, increasingly, from tourism and other service businesses. As of 2007, 800 new residents were setting up home in Dubai every day.[8] Dubai has attracted world-wide attention through innovative real estate projects [9] and sports events. This increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub, has also highlighted human rights issues concerning its largely foreign workforce.

Dubai's gross domestic product as of 2006 was US$46 billion. Although Dubai's economy was built on the back of the oil industry,[39] revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for less than 3% of the emirate's revenues. It is estimated that Dubai produces 240,000 barrels of oil a day and substantial quantities of gas from offshore fields. The emirate's share in UAE's gas revenues is about 2%. Dubai's oil reserves have diminished significantly and are expected to be exhausted in 20 years.[40]

Historically, Dubai and its twin across the Dubai creek, Deira (independent of Dubai City at that time), became important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centres were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s. The city of Dubai has a free trade in gold and until the 1990s was the hub of a "brisk smuggling trade" of gold ingots to India, where gold import was restricted.

Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port, Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbour in the world. Dubai is also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as IT and finance, with the establishment of a new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The government has set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as MBC, CNN, Reuters and AP.

The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established in March 2000 as a secondary market for trading securities and bonds, both local and foreign. As of Q4 2006, its trading volume stood at about 400 billion shares worth US$ 95 billion. The DFM had a market capitalization of about US$ 87 billion.[37]

The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004–2006. Large scale real estate development projects, undertaken by firms such as Emaar Properties, have led to the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world such as the Emirates Towers, the Pentominium and the world's tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab.[41] As of July 2007, Burj Dubai -also being constructed by Emaar Properties- is already the world's tallest structure and is expected to be taller by several hundred feet, once construction is complete.[42]

Recently, the Land Department set up the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to regulate developers and safeguard consumers from errant parties. All developers are required to register with the RERA, provide documents and verifiable facts about their properties, and setup escrow accounts to protect consumers' money. KM Properties, a member of KM Holding, was the first company to register with the Land Department.

Organisations within Dubai have expressed an intention to invest in medical tourism, including the Emaar group's plans in India [1]. Within Dubai, there is considerable interest in developing this market, and the Dubai Healthcare City is scheduled to open by 2010. [2]. There will be a corresponding increasing need for attention to quality and to quality control in healthcare within Dubai, including international healthcare accreditation.

See also: Developments in Dubai and Tourism in Dubai

from wikipedia

Read More......

Malioboro mall, pusat perbelanjaan dipusat kota yogyakarta

Kalau dilihat-lihat lagi, malioboro merupakan daerah yang cukup istimewa di kota yogyakarta. Jalan 2 jalur tersebut selalu dipenuhi berbagai macam kendaraan dari kelas sepeda sampai mobil-mobil pribadi berkelas. Hal yang sama semakin terlihat ketika ada tanggal-tanggal tertentu yang menarik pelancong dari berbagai kota seperti Jakarta, Semarang dan Surabaya untuk sekedar melihat jalan yang sudah cukup terkenal di Indonesia tersebut. Masing-masing kota memiliki daerah-daerah istimewanya sendiri, seperti misalnya Bandung memiliki jalan Braga dipusat kotanya, yang merupakan kawasan elite dikota tersebut. Semarang punya Simpang lima yang juga merupakan salah satu kawasan elite dan ternama di Indonesia. Belum lagi kota Surabaya yang memiliki daerah Tunjungan sebagai kawasan no.1 nya. Dari masong-masing daerah strategis tersebut, biasanya terdapat pusat-pusat perbelanjaan terkenal seperti Braga citywalk, Plaza Simpang lima, tunjungan Plaza dan malioboro mall. Selain shopping centre ternama tersebut, kehadiran hotel-hotel sudah menjadi kaharusan dan ditambah juga dengan keunikan masing-masing daerah tersebut. Sebagian besar jalan-jalan raya di kota yogyakarta, memang memiliki keunikan tersendiri di banding daerah-daerah lainnya, misalnya saja jarang terjadi kemacetan lalu lintas, kendaraan bermotor roda 4 lebih sedikit dibandingkan jumlah pengguna sepeda motor, angkutan perkotaan juga masih jarang, tidak ditemukan orang-orang berdesakkan memburu angkutan-angkutan umum dijalan raya. Dipusat kota yogyakarta, seperti di daerah malioboro, ke utara sedikit sampai ke tugu monjali dijalan raya monjali memang merupakan daerah lama. Kawasan-kawasan tersebut terlihat kalah bersaing dengan jalanan-jalanan yang ada di utara yogyakarta seperti jalan Adisucipto misalnya. Bisa jadi dalam 1-2 tahun lagi, pusat kota yogyakarta akan berpindah sedikit ke utara untuk mengikuti arus perkembangan modernisasi.

Sekarang ada 5 mall besar di kota yogyakarta, yang berwujud bangunan fisik yang cukup mentereng, dari yang paling lama yaitu malioboro mall, galleria mall, saphir square, plaza ambarrukmo dan jogjatronik mall. Malioboro mall merupakan mall yang paling berkesan bagi masyarakat yogyakarta. Dahulu, sempat menjadi icon shopping mall di yogyakarta. Kalau dilihat sepintas, mall tersebut memang kalah tampilan dibandingkan dengan Plaza Ambarrukmo / Saphir square, tetapi bagian dalam mall tersebut, masih cukup bagus. Mall dengan 4 tingkat dan 1 lantai basement tersebut berada ditepi jalan raya malioboro, sehingga untuk parkir mobilnya hanya disediakan dilantai basement saja. Mall tersebut tidak memiliki halaman parkir yang luas diluarnya seperti yang ada di supermall karawaci, misalnya. Didalamnya ada supermarket hero dan matahari department store. Ada juga toko buku gramedia di mall terebut. Selain itu ada juga toko-toko fashion terkenal, tempat hiburan seperti kids station, food court dan restoran mc Donald. Keadaan toiletnya juga cukup bersih, karena setiap hari ada petugas yang mengurusinya. Sekali-kali juga ada terlihat orang-orang bule yang berbelanja disana, hal ini dikarenakan didaerah sekitar mall banyak penginapan-penginapan untuk orang-orang barat dan turis-turis asing. Dalam bulan-bulan tertentu, malioboro mall juga banyak mengadakan pameran-pameran tertentu untuk perayaan suatu event.

Read More......

Macau

The Macau Special Administrative Region, commonly known as Macau or Macao, was established on December 20, 1999, as one of the two special administrative regions (SARs) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the other being Hong Kong. For 442 years it was ruled by Portugal, making it the oldest European colony in the history of East Asia.

Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 16th century. After the Opium War in 1841, most of the foreign merchants in Macau left for Hong Kong, and as a result business and economic activities in Macau declined. Administered by Portugal until the handover in 1999, it was the oldest European colony in China. Since then Macau has developed industries such as textiles, electronics and toys, as well as a notable tourist industry, which boasts a wide range of hotels, resorts, stadiums, restaurants and casinos. What remains unchanged through Macau's history is Macau's strong economic links with Hong Kong, one of the East Asian Tigers and the Pearl River Delta region in mainland China. With a good foundation and infrastructure, Macau provides good financial and banking services, staff training, transport and communications support.

Macau's economy is based largely on tourism, much of it geared toward gambling. In view of Macau's small population and limited land resources, the Government of Macau has launched a policy of close cooperation with the Pearl River Delta and the neighboring Guangdong province while expanding trade contacts with the rest of the world. Other chief economic activities in Macau are export-geared textile and garment manufacturing, banking and other financial services. The clothing industry has provided about three quarters of export earnings, and the gaming, tourism and hospitality industry is estimated to contribute more than 50% of Macau's GDP, and 70% of Macau government revenue. Macau is a founding member of the WTO and has a representative office at the organization's headquarters in Geneva. Market-opening pledges largely in the sphere of financial services has been made at the WTO[27] and Macau has maintained sound economic and trade relations with more than 120 countries and regions with European Union and Portuguese-speaking countries in particular. Macau currently participates in the IMF[28] and the World Bank classifies it as a high income economy along with developed economies and some developing economies as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.[29] The average growth rate of economy in Macau between 2001 and 2006 were approximately 13.1% annually. In last two quarter of 2006, the GDP of Macao was grown by 22.05%. The GDP per capita in 2006 was USD $28,436. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the unemployment rate stood at 3.5%.[30]

From 9.1 million visitors in 2000, arrivals to Macau has grown to 18.7 million visitors in 2005,[31] 21.98 million visitors in 2006 and is expected to receive between 24 and 25 million visitors in 2007,[32] with over 50% of the arrivals coming from mainland China. This recent growth has been driven by gambling and related tourism. Tourists from Hong Kong remain numerous, representing about 30% of arrivals. Since the 1999 return to Chinese rule, Triad underworld violence, a dark spot on the economy, has virtually disappeared, to the benefit of the tourism sector. Macau also received the Future Award 2007, for being regarded the most promising future tourism destination in Asia, voted by 26,000 German travel trade members of GoAsia; an association that includes tour operators, airline companies, among many others.[33] Macau has been currently rated as one of the world's top tourism destinations by the World Tourism Organization.[34]
Sands Macau
Sands Macau

Since 1850, gambling has been licensed and has always been an important source of earning for the government. In the early 1960s, gambling provided 50 percent of official revenue. Starting in 1962, the gambling industry had been operated under a government-issued monopoly license by Stanley Ho's Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau. The monopoly was ended in 2002, and several casino owners from Las Vegas attempted to enter the market. With the opening of the Sands Macau, the largest casino in the world as measured by total number of table games,[35][36] in 2004 and Wynn Macau[37] in 2006, gambling revenues from Macau's casinos were for the first time greater than those of Las Vegas Strip (each about $6 billion),[38][39] making Macau the highest-volume gambling centre in the world.[40] In 2007, The Venetian Macau, the second largest building in the world, opened its doors to the public. Other casinos and hotels slated to be opened through 2009 are: Four Seasons (2008), MGM Grand Macau (2007), Ponte 16 (2007), Far East Consortium Complex (2007), Grand Hyatt (2009), Galaxy Cotai Megaresort (2008), City of Dreams (2008), Oceanus (2008), Mandarin Oriental (2009). The first Phase of Macau's Cotai Strip is scheduled to open in 2007 and will include 19,000 guest rooms throughout seven resort hotels,[41] with the $1.8 billion Venetian Macao serving as the anchor.[42] The head of Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson is in the latter stage of negotiation to secure land in Macau, where he is going to set up a US$3 billion casino resort complex.[43] As a result, Macau's economy is growing rapidly due to gambling related tourism and construction from the new casino entrants.

Along with Bermuda, British Virgin Islands or Bahamas, Macau is one of the best known offshore financial centres[44] and tax havens in a worldwide sense.[45] Banco Nacional Ultramarino, Bank of China, Seng Heng Bank and Tai Fung Bank are among the most influential banks. There are also many foreign banks registered and established in Macau as well, including Bank of America - Macau and HSBC - Macau. Macau is a free port with low-taxes and no monetary control policy imposed.[46] Operations of offshore service businesses are feasible in Macau because of related offshore law that has been in effect since 1999. The offshore finance business is regulated and supervised by the Monetary Authority of Macao,[47] while the regulation and supervision of the offshore non-finance business is mainly controlled by the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.[48] Moody's Investors Service upgraded Macau's foreign and local currency government issuer ratings to 'Aa3' from 'A1', citing its government's solid finances as a large net creditor. The rating agency also upgraded Macau's foreign currency bank deposit ceiling to 'Aa3' from 'A1'[49]

[edit] Transportation
Bus in Macau.
Bus in Macau.

Main article: Transportation in Macau


Buses and taxis are the major modes of public transport in Macau. Bus services are frequent and inexpensive,[50] linking the Macau peninsula, Taipa, Cotai and Coloane with Transmac and TCM being the sole operators of Macau's bus services. Most hotels(four-starred or above) and gaming venues operate their own fleet of shuttle bus service between the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal or Porta do Cerco (Macau's border to mainland China) and their premises.

Taxis are plentiful near the airport, the Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal, and major gaming venues/hotels in the city [51] though it is rather hard to get one during rush hours on the streets. There are two types of livery on Macau's taxis - one is a black body with cream color top (the black cab) and the other is yellow on the whole (the yellow cab). Radio taxis are available, and there are two hotlines for the black and yellow cabs respectively.

In order to enhance the quality of taxi services, such as eliminate the language barrier between taxi drivers and passengers, the Tourist Office has provided most taxis with a destination guide which includes the names of the most requested destinations in Chinese, Portuguese and English.
Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal.
Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal.


In a few years time, the city of Macau will have a new mode of public transport, the Macau Light Transit System, in service. The proposal is currently under public consultation and a decision will be made on the design route and its operation after the consultation ends. The Macau Light Transit System is a planned mass transit system, similar to the Singapore Light Rapid Transit. The tracks will be a mix of elevated guideways and underground tunnels, ensuring a dedicated right-of-way separated from road traffic. When completed it will serve passengers from the Macau Peninsula, Taipa island, the Cotai reclamation and Macau International Airport. The Government of Macau introduced the proposal to the public in October 2006 [52], with a revised version announced in July 2007 after further adjustments and improvements had been made with reference to comments by the public.


The trishaw, a hybrid of the tricycle and the rickshaw, is a unique mode of transport in Macau, though it is mainly for sightseeing purposes. They can easily be found next to Hotel Lisboa, waiting for passengers.


Currently, over 150 sea-crossing services are scheduled daily between Macau and Hong Kong [53], and the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal serves as the major terminal for Macau's passenger traffic by sea. The route is served by high speed catamarans (with passenger capacity of 400 max) and jetfoils (with passenger capacity of 260 max) and the journey takes approximately one hour. There are also daily scheduled ferry services between Macau and Shenzhen. At present the services are operated by TurboJET and New World First Ferry Macau. Apart from the sea routes there are also regular scheduled helicopter services between Hong Kong and Macau, which are operated by Heli Express. The trip takes approximately 20 minutes.

A few years ago a new sea-crossing service was launched by TurboJET which travels between the Hong Kong International Airport and Macau. This differs from the above Macau-Hong Kong route since travelers who arrive in Hong Kong by air do not have to go through Hong Kong immigration's passport control and can board a direct ferry to Macau through a special transfer terminal within the airport. On the return trip, travelers can directly reach the Hong Kong International Airport by ferry (a dedicated check-in desk for the service is available at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal) and arrive at the airport without going through Hong Kong immigration's passport control, though airline check-in has to be done within the airport prior to boarding a plane.

A new ferry terminal, which is adjacent to the Macau International Airport, is under construction and upon completion (probably in early 2008) some of the passenger traffic by sea will be diverted to the new facility. It is expected to act as a major hub for passenger transfer between the Hong Kong International Airport and the Macau International Airport.


The Macau International Airport, located at Taipa, serves as the terminal for Macau's international air traffic. There are regulars flights between Macau and major cities in Northeast and Southeast Asia, for example Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Osaka, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, etc. Owing to its relatively low landing fees and the business opportunities brought by the booming gaming industry in Macau, the airport has attracted several Asia's low-cost carriers such as Air Asia, Viva Macau, Tiger Airways, etc. to establish regular flights between Macau and several major cities in Southeast Asia, and recently Sydney as well. As a result it has been gradually developing into a major hub for low-cost air travel within the region. Other traditional carriers, such as the local flag carrier Air Macau, the Taiwanese carriers EVA Air and TransAsia Airways, and even carriers which operate similar routes from Hong Kong, are facing potential challenges from these newcomers.

Unlike traffic in mainland China which drives on the right, traffic drives on the left in Macau, which is the same as in Hong Kong. Roads are generally narrow at the heart of the city and parked cars are always found on both sides of the road. Traffic congestion has been a major problem throughout the day owing to the lack of efficient mass transit system and a relatively high car/population ratio.

The Macau Maritime Museum[54] used to have two sailing vessels (which were based on the ancient "junk" form but were remodeled) serving for touring trips between the inner and outer harbours. Along the trip, the crew would introduce the general lifestyle and customs of the local boat dwellers. However, due to the land reclamation works in the harbour and the maintenance of the boats, all trips have been suspended. The exhibition building and the open-air café esplanade of the Maritime Museum are open as usual (though closed on Tuesdays).

Read More......

Supermal Karawaci, mal lengkap ditengah kota modern

Mal yang didirikan pada tahun 1997 ini merupakan mal terbesar pertama di pinggiran ibukota. Terletak didalam kompleks terpadu Lippo Karawaci, mal ini hadir sebagai mal modern pertama didaerah serpong, kabupaten Tangerang, arah barat Jakarta. Keberadaannya menjadikan Lippo Karawaci sebagai kota terpadu yang memiliki segala kelengkapan dari berbagai aspek kehidupan. Diapit ditengah-tengah kehidupan metroplis, shopping centre ini menarik untuk dikunjungi banyak orang. Mereka yang datang dari arah jalan tol Jakarta-Merak, langsung dicegat oleh kehadirannya yang cukup megah, begitu juga yang datang dari arah Tangerang Kota hendak ke Serpong, bisa datang dulu ke mal ini. Masyarakat yang datang ke mal ini cukup beragam, kemungkinan terbesar adalah para mahasiswa yang kuliah di universitas pelita harapan, para eksekutif muda dari daerah Lippo dan Serpong, serta kaum muda yang ingin bersantai-ria bersama teman-temannya. Dilengkapi pula dengan kehadiran Benton Junction sebagai tempat nongkrong favourite, penampilan luar mall ini cukup besar.

Dikelilingi oleh jalan protokol, sehingga memudahkan para pendatang untuk masuk ke mall ini dari berbagai pintu. Halaman parkirnya cukup luas dan lapang, tersedia gedung parkir dengan lantai basement sebagai kelengkapan tempat parkirnya. Bagian dalam mall ini masih terlihat cukup baik, tersedia toko-toko fashion dari merk-merk terkenal. Kehadiran anchor tenant Hypermart dan electronic city semakin memanjakan para shoppers untuk betah berlama-lama didalam mall ini. Jalan-jalannya cukup luas dan panjang, tersedia beraneka macam toko dikiri-kanan, keadaannya semakin ramai dan semarak, khususnya pada malam minggu dan perayaan hari-hari besar. Dilantai dasar, dekat Rimo department Store, telah hadir ACE hardware, toko perkakas terlengkap ditambah kehadiran toko buku gramedia dengan desain dan tata letak yang lebih baru. Arena food court nya cukup luas dan semarak, cocok untuk berlibur santai bersama anak-anak dihari-hari senggang. Ada juga sarana olahraga untuk bermain bowling, sambil diselingi nonton bioskop 21 di arena food court ini.

Dari sisi kelengkapan fasilitas, seperti arena bermain anak TimeZone,. Kenyamanan berbelanja, adanya Hypermart dan suasananya yang luas dan lapang, mall dengan 2 lantai utama dan 1 lantai basement ini layak disebut sebagai mall terbaik didaerah Serpong.

Read More......

Las Vegas metropolitan area

The Las Vegas metropolitan area, includes the Las Vegas Valley, a 600-square-mile (1600 km²) basin, and surrounding areas, that are part of Clark County in southern Nevada. The area contains the largest concentration of people in the state. The history of the Las Vegas metropolitan area largely coincides with the history of the city of Las Vegas. "Las Vegas" is often used generically to describe the entire area covered in this article. In 2007, the Las Vegas brand was the second most-recognized brand behind Google.[1] In 2005, the valley hosted 34.7 million visitors.

The area is part of the Las Vegas-Paradise Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is by defined by the United States Census Bureau to include all of Clark County.[2]


History

Main article: Las Vegas history

The area was previously settled by Mormon farmers in 1854 and later became the site of a U.S. Army fort in 1864, beginning a long relationship between southern Nevada and the U.S. military. Since the 1930s, Las Vegas has generally been identified as a gambling center as well as a resort destination primarily targeting adults. Relatively inexpensive real estate prompted a residential population boom in the Las Vegas Valley in the 1990s and continues to the present day.

Nellis Air Force Base is located in the northeast corner of the valley. The ranges that the Nellis pilots use and various other land areas used by various federal agencies limit growth of the valley to the north.

[edit] Boundaries

The Las Vegas Valley is an area generally defined by the Spring Mountains on the west, Sheep Mountains to the north, Muddy Mountains, Eldorado Range and Lake Mead to the east, and the Black Mountains to the south.[citation needed]

[edit] Geography and environment
Las Vegas viewed in false color, from 438 miles (705 km) by TERRA satellite. Grass-covered land, such as golf courses, appears in red. The picture bottom is just south of Sunset road and the airport, the Spring Mountains on the west and Sunrise Mountain on the east
Las Vegas viewed in false color, from 438 miles (705 km) by TERRA satellite. Grass-covered land, such as golf courses, appears in red. The picture bottom is just south of Sunset road and the airport, the Spring Mountains on the west and Sunrise Mountain on the east

The land in the Las Vegas Valley is sandy desert with mountains in the distance.

[edit] Climate

The Las Vegas Valley lies in a relatively high-altitude portion of the Mojave Desert, and this can result in drastic changes of temperature between seasons, and even between day and night. The Valley generally averages less than five inches (130 mm) of rain annually. Daily summer temperatures from June through August typically exceed 100 °F (38 °C). While low ambient humidity tempers the effect of these temperatures, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sun stroke can occur after even a limited time outdoors in the summer. The interiors of automobiles often prove deadly to small children and pets during the summer and surfaces exposed to the sun can cause first- and second- degree burns to unprotected skin. The late summer, especially in July and August, is marked by "monsoon season" when moist winds from the Gulf of California soak much of the Southwestern United States. While raising humidity levels, these winds develop into dramatic desert thunderstorms that cause flash flooding.

Winter temperatures are very mild with lows of around 30 °F (-1 °C). Snow accumulation at the valley floor is rare but the surrounding mountains receive as much as ten feet (3 m) in the winter.

[edit] Air quality

Being located in a desert valley creates issues with air quality. From the dust the wind picks up from disturbed desert, to the smog produced by vehicles to the pollen in the air, the valley can have some bad air days.

Pollen can be a major issue several weeks a year with counts occasionally in the 70,000 plus range. Local governments are trying to control this by banning plants that produce the most pollen.

The dust problems usually happen on very windy days, so they tend to be seasonal and of a short duration.

Smog on the other hand gets worst when there is no wind to move the air out of the valley. Also in winter it is possible to get an inversion in the valley air that actually traps any smog in the valley.

The county is working to control these problems and has shown some success over the years. The constant tightening of Federal requirements for allowable particles in the air, make the task of meeting air quality standards difficult.

[edit] Water

The native flora does little to help the soil retain water. During the intense rains of monsoon season or (relatively) wet months of January and February, a network of dry natural channels, called washes or arroyos, carved into the valley floor allows water to flow down from the mountains and converge in the Las Vegas Wash which runs through the Clark County Wetlands Park. The wash system used to form a large natural wetlands which then flowed into the Colorado River until the construction of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River led to the creation of Lake Mead. Further development in the 1980s and 1990s made Lake Las Vegas, which required directing the Las Vegas Wash into tunnels which run under Lake Las Vegas and into Lake Mead.

The Las Vegas area is limited to about 300,000 acre feet (370,000,000 m³) of water each year from Lake Mead, with credits for water it returns to the lake. The allocations were made when Nevada had virtually no people or agriculture. The allocations were also made during a wet string of years which overstated the available water in the entire watershed. As a result, precipitation that is below normal for a few years can have a major impact on the Colorado River Reservoirs.

Early Vegas depended on the aquifer which fed the springs, but the pumping of water from these caused a large drop in the water levels and ground subsidence over wide areas of the valley. Today, the aquifers are basically used to store water that is pumped from the lake during periods of low demand and pumped out during periods of high demand.

[edit] Urbanization

The population doubling time in the greater metropolitan area was under ten years since the early 1970s and the Las Vegas metropolitan area now has a population of over two million people. This rapid population growth led to a significant urbanization of desert lands into industrial and commercial areas, but, by and large, low-density, single-family tract homes (see suburbia).

[edit] Economy
Interior of a casino. A major part of the city economy is based on tourism including gambling.
Interior of a casino. A major part of the city economy is based on tourism including gambling.

The driving force is the tourism industry. In the past the casinos were the one major attraction. Now shopping, conventions and fine dining are also major forces in attracting the tourist dollar. With about 130,000 hotel rooms, as of 2005, to fill, the conventions help fill the hotels, destination restaurants, and shopping malls on the Strip.

There is a balance between all of the tourist operations in town. The conventions need hotel rooms, dining, and entertainment options. The hotels need the conventions, and tourists to fill their rooms. The restaurants depend on travelers in the hotel rooms to fill their tables. Everyone depends on a good road system to get travelers into town as well as available and reasonably priced airline seats.

Over the past few years, retirees have been moving to the valley driving businesses that support them, from housing to health care.

Las Vegas has been trying to expand its manufacturing and research base. There have been some positive signs from the World Market Center being developed in the city and opening of Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Institute in 2007 in addition to many smaller businesses.

While the cost of housing spiked up over 40% in 2004, the lack of business and income taxes still makes Nevada an attractive place for many companies to relocate to as well as expand into. Being a true 24 hour town, call centers have always seemed to find Vegas a good place to find workers willing to work at all hours.

Construction is strong. New strip casinos take years to build and employ thousands of workers. The same could be said of the housing boom with new home sales around 15,000 units in 2004. With the introduction of Turnburry Towers several years ago, developers discovered that the was a large demand for high-end condominiums. At the end of 2004, it was estimated that as many as 80 major condominiums were in various stages of development.

[edit] Housing

Slab-on-grade foundations is the common base for residential buildings in the area.

Traditionally housing consisted primarily of single family detached housing. Apartment complexes generally were two story buildings. There have been exceptions, but they were few and far between. In the 1990s, Turnberry Associates constructed the first high rise condominium. Prior to this there were only a handful of mid rise multi family housing.

By the mid 2000s, there was a major move into high rise condominiums which had a noticeable impact on the skyline, especially in the area around The Strip.

[edit] Las Vegas Neighborhoods

* Alliante
* Alta Drive/Scotch 80's/Rancho Circle/Rancho Bel Air
* Anthem
* Blue Diamond
* Centennial Hills
* Desert Shores
* Green Valley
* Lake Las Vegas
* Los Prados
* Painted Desert
* Paradise Palms
* Mountains Edge
* Queensridge
* Rancho Sierra Estates
* Seven Hills
* Southern Highlands
* Summerlin
* The Lakes
* West Las Vegas — area bordered by Carey to the North, Bonanza to the South, MLK to the West, and I-15 to the East. Contains many "letter" streets, streets named after Presidents, and streets named after jewelry.

Read More......

Plaza IBCC, istana building commodities centre

Plaza IBCC (istana building commodities centre), terletak di Bandung Utara. Tepatnya dijalan Jendral Ahmad Yani no 296. Diresmikan kurang lebih pada bulan July tahun 2006, plaza ini mendapat sambutan yang cukup antusias oleh warga Bandung. Sebelumnya, hypermart telah membuka gerai kedua di kota bandung, tepatnya di Metro Trade Centre yang terletak di wilayah Gede Bage, jalan Soekarno Hatta, Bandung Timur. Metro Trade Centre / MTC merupakan mall tematik yang berbeda dengan mall-mall kebanyakan. Mall ini sebenarnya mengusung konsep baru didalam tata letaknya. MTC terletak di sebuah komplek pertokoan yang banyak terdiri dari ruko-ruko / rukan-rukan baru yang berjejer didalam jumlah yang cukup banyak. Selain itu MTC juga dekat dengan perumahan Metro. Kemingkinan pengembangnya ingin membuat suatu konsep pusat perbelanjaan yang baru di kota Bandung, yaitu menggabungkan fungsi perumahan, perkantoran / bisnis dan trade centre / shopping mall menjadi suatu kesatuan yang terintegrasi. DiBandung Utara pembangunan mall cukup pesat, dalam waktu yang hamper bersamaan hadir pula Paris Van Java yang merupakan icon baru kota Bandung. Mall ini mengusung konsep resort lifestyle place, gaya hidup ditengah resort modern. Kekurangannya karena mungkin terletak dijalan Sukajadi yang rawan macet itu. Tetapi didaerah itu pula yang banyak disenangi oleh kaum-kaum pecinta lifestyle di kota Bandung. Kembali kepada plaza IBCC, plaza ini lebih diperuntukkan untuk pusat-pusat penjualan barang dalam bentuk grosir, bukan lifestyle. Misalnya banyak took perlengkapan computer / furniture di plaza tersebut. Seiring dengan perkembangannya, telah ada anchor tenant terbesar untuk perlengkapan rumah tangga, furniture, dan electronic, yaitu ACE HOME CENTRE, INDEX FURNISHING, DAN ELECTRONIC SOLUTION. Kedua anchor tenant pertama menempati areal seluas lebih dari 10.000m2 didalam plaza tersebut. Dengan hadirnya ketiga anchor tenant tersebut, maka semakin banyak masyarakat yang tertarik untuk datang kesana, bukan saja sekedar untuk santai, tetapi untuk melihat perkembangan terbaru yang telah hadir di Kota Bandung. Pantaslah kalo Bandung mendapat julukan Paris Van Java, kota wisata belanja yang tidak pernah kehilangan pamor.

Read More......