Lake Constance and the Alps, Germany.
Recently I read this interesting survey and would like you to participate of the information. In an US ranking, the 24 „best“ countries in the world were selected. Key criteria in the selection have included sustainability, economic strength, impact on neighboring countries and quality of life.
The header image shows Hamburg, Binnenalster in Germany. Binnenalster or Inner Alster Lake is one of two artificial lakes within the city limits of Hamburg, Germany, which are formed by the river Alster (the other being the Außenalster). The phrase „inner“ refers to the old city walls of Hamburg. The Binnenalster was the part of the lake that was „inside“ the city walls. The lake was originally created to serve as a reservoir for a mill.
Hamburg with the Alster lakes. Alster is coming from the top of the map, running into the river Elbe on the bottom of the map. Map around 1660 (Wikipedia).
The ranking results from the world survey of over 16,000 (sixteen thousand) people. The survey is pretty new, but I doubt, if we ask again today, the same result will appear, with all the problems in Europe and the „Extreme Crazy Election Circus“ in the US.
One of the most visited tourist destinations in Southern Germany, Castle Neuschwanstein. Til now over 61 million visitors. The palace was erected in today’s shape from King Ludwig the II of Bavaria and intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king. Finished in 1886 and opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886.
In the „Best Countries-ranking“ of „U.S. News & World Report“ along with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a consulting firm. Drum roll for the top 10 !
10. Denmark.
Denmark, a country of friendly, open and happy people lands at No. 10.
Copenhagen, the Nyhaven from the 17th century and the The statue of the Little Mermaid, an icon of the city and a popular tourist attraction. Most photographed site in Denmark.
9. Netherlands.
The beautiful capital Amsterdam is known for its many canals.
Famous tulip fields and the „Grachten (canals) of Amsterdam“. Oude Kerk (old church) tower, consecrated in 1306, seen in the background. Expensive to own one are the houseboats in the canals. People love the lifestyle in these little houses. Some are very luxurious and comfortable.
8. France.
Although France economically not very far is according to the study forward, it can still convince with its combination of culture and good quality of life.
The Eifel Tower, constructed as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. And Mont Saint-Michel, a monastery since the 8th century on an rocky island in the Normandie, France. Must See in France.
7. Japan.
The neat land is located in the Asian part of the world. Japan snatched as the third largest economy the 7th place of the best countries in the world.
Japans Fujiyama (Mount Fuji), the highest mountain in Japan, 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft) high and around 100km south-west of Tokyo, one of Japan’s „Three Holy Mountains“ along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. The „Torii of Itsukushima Shrine“ near Hiroshima, one of the Three Views of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Australia.
Australia can score with its high quality of life. Especially the cities Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth bestow Down Under.
Worlds most well known opera house, in Sydney. The cutest Australian animal, the „Koala Bear“. But it is not a Bear, it is a „arboreal herbivorous marsupial“ mammal, common to many other species like kangaroos, wallabies, possums, opossums, and wombats.
5. Sweden.
Now we come to the top 5. Sweden lands by its pronounced civil rights in this place.
Stockholm, Sweden’s metropolis is build on 14 islands. Midsummer festivals take place between June 19 and June 25. The celebration of Midsummer’s Eve (St. John’s eve among Christians) was from ancient times a festival of the summer solstice. One should spend midsummer time in Sweden, its unforgettable.
4. United States of America.
The US has indeed managed only 4th place, but they are allowed to decorate „the world’s most powerful country,“ according to the study entitled.
The Grand Canyon carved by the Colorado river in Arizona is for sure one of the world’s natural wonders, over 800 meters deep – over 440 kilometers long and up to 29 kilometers wide. USS Abraham Lincoln is the fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. Read about this powerful military potential.
3. Great Britain.
The bronze medal goes to Great Britain. The United Kingdom won of its stable economy, the culture and its global influence.
The Tower Bridge, opened 1894 became an iconic symbol of London . The so called Queens Guard or Kings Guard, if the ruler is a male. The British Army has regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards predating the English Restoration (1660), and since the reign of King Charles II these regiments have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign’s palaces. They are not purely ceremonial, despite tourist perceptions to the contrary. The Queen’s Guard are highly trained, operational-duty soldiers armed with functional firearms loaded with live ammunition.
2. Canada.
A tribute to its particularly high quality of life. No wonder, with this landscape.
Calgary, largest city in Alberta and the first one to host the Winter Olympics in Canada (1988), situated at the confluence of the Bow river and the Elbow river, about 80 kilometers away from the Rocky Mountains. Lake Louise, a beautiful glacier lake in-midst the Banff National Park. We had the pleasure to spend a few nights at the Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Canadian hospitality and landscape par excellence.
1. Germany.
Big drum roll for the winner: Germany! The economic power is mainly celebrated as the best country for entrepreneurship and can proudly wear the title „best country in the world“ !! The winner deserves a few more photographs then the other countries, right ? Makes me proud, because I am German – BUT ….
Germany north, the „Holsten Tor“ (Holsten Gate), a Gothic brick gate build in 1464 marking off the western boundary of the old center of the Hanseatic city of Luebeck. Famous chalk rocks of the island of Ruegen in the Baltic Sea. Germany’s largest island and very popular as a tourist destination.
The most wonderful city of Hamburg with its old St. Pauli piers and the Palace of Schwerin .The first records of a castle at this location date from AD 973. Renaissance chateaux’s of the Loire valley inspired Friedrich Franz the II and contributed to the construction from 1843 until 1851, to today’s appearance.
Germany center, Berlin of course and Heidelberg castle. No more words needed.
Germany South, Church St. Bartholomew in the Koenigssee (Kings Lake) and the Inner City of Freiburg.
We won’t forget Munich with its City Hall (foreground) and the Frauenkirche. Also the hundreds of small towns with their half-timbered houses drawing the German picture in the world. Here Ochsenfurt houses from the 13th century.
…. just in case my personal opinion, my favorite, that’s why we live here, is off the survey, so I put it in my own ranking on ZERO.
Montevideo Uruguay.
0. Uruguay.
A little bit sleepy, old fashioned and sometimes too lax in dealing with laws and regulations. But very open and warmhearted people, personal freedom, a wonderful climate and the best place to retire. There are many many more „pro’s“ to mention, but not here and not today. Just one more, the low crime rate (at time), much better then all the countries ranked before !! Remember, most pics supersize, if you click on them.
That’s Uruguay, the climate, the beaches, food (they love their asados and parrillas), fun and life style and not thinking in problems, just living a relaxed life !
Anyway – have a good life, where ever you live.
