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We hear the term “third world” tossed around with a much greater frequency than the other “worlds.” Based on an outmoded Cold War taxonomy in which the first world consists of capitalist NATO nations and their allies, the second world of the communist Soviet Union and its allies, the third of former colonies/developing nations, and the fourth rarely mentioned world of stateless nations or peoples.

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The Conch Republic in the Florida Keys has declared that is the world’s first “fifth world” nation: “We exist as a ‘State of Mind,’ and aspire only to bring more Warmth, Humor and Respect to a planet we find in sore need of all three.”

In the early 80s, South Florida became a conduit for illegal immigrants and illegal drugs. To stem the flow, the United States Border Patrol set up inspection points on the two roads connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland. Key West City was not happy. The federal government did not respond to their protests, and the mayor of the city, Dennis Wardlow, declared “independence” on April 23, 1982. Interpreting the roadblock as a national border, the city decided to become another nation.

Wardlow, though, is a bit of a joker. His protest was a tongue-in-cheek gambit for attention and a boost in tourism. Though the roadblock was shortly removed, the city continues to joke about its “secession” and hosts an annual Independence celebration each April.

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All residents are dual citizens of both America and the Conch Republic. But non-native Conch Republicans can buy a Conch Republic passport for a very reasonable $100. Though some tourists come for the Conch Republic, most come to see Ernest Hemingway’s House which is also located in the Conch Republic and home to its own oddity, 60 cats descended from Hemmingway’s famous six toed cat. Many of the descendant cats are also six toed.

Dan Ng

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Western tourists and others gathers to photograph Long Tailed Macaque Monkeys at the Lopburi, Thailand, Monkey Festival Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. The annual festival, in its 21st year, began by businessmen as a way of showing appreciation for the long tailed mackak monkeys and the tourism they attract

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Arena is the first thing seen by a circus child. They fall in love, fight and even pay their last tribute to the dead here. The author of these pics was lucky to come and see a real and unique circus wedding. And of course it was celebrated at the arena. It differed from a regular wedding only in one thing – its modesty due to plain conditions of a mobile circus. The first impression is that these circus people are similar to the others. They indeed are, but barring one feature – their devotion to their occupation.

It may sound ironic, but our hard times have caused one useful thing for circus – moved casual people from here. The ones who have left are the real circus fanatics, who continue working for beggarly payments. It’s even embarrassing to say how much these newlyweds get for their job but still they have no thoughts about leaving the arena. If asked a silly question about what the circus is, they’ll answer without any hesitations: “This is life”.

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These amazing pictures were taken by Anatoly Beloshchin in the cave Cenote Angelita, Mexico. Here’s his description: “We are 30 meters deep, fresh water, then 60 meters deep – salty water and under me I see a river, island and fallen leaves… Actually, the river, which you can see, is a layer of hydrogen sulphide.”
It must be an unforgettable feeling once you’re there and see it with your own eyes.

Here are the Seven Wonders of Russia:

The Baikal Lake

Declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1996, Lake Baikal is truly a lake of records. It is the deepest lake in the world, going as deep as 1,637 meters and it holds almost 20% of the world’s fresh-water supply, making it the largest supply by volume on the planet. Research has shown Lake Baikal is more than 25 million years old, which makes it the oldest lake in the world.

Over 1,085 species of plants and 1,550 species of animals live in Baikal Lake and between 80-90 percent of them are endemic to this place. In July of this year Russia has announced it is sending two small submersibles to descend to the bottom of the lake and conduct geological and biological tests.

Valley of the Geysers

This six kilometers basin is the only geyser field in all of Eurasia and second largest in the world. It is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has about ninety geysers and many other thermal springs. It was discovered by Tatiana Ustinova, a local scientist, in 1941 but serious exploration of the area began in 1972. In the 1980s The Valley of Geysers was presented as one of the main attractions of the Kamchatka peninsula, in an attempt to raise tourist awareness. Foreign tourists were allowed access to the valley in 1991.

Mother Motherland monument

Just a strange name to most of us, Mamayev Kurgan is a place of great significance for the Russian people. This dominant hill, overlooking the city of Volgograd (former Stalingrad) saw some of the fiercest combat of all World War II, as it had immense strategic importance. It changed hands several times during the Stalingrad offensive, but the soviets held their positions heroically on the hill slopes until the German forces were finally surrounded and annihilated.

After the battle ended the hill was plowed and mixed with metal fragments, between 500 and 1,250 fragments per square meter. The hill remained black during the conflict because the snow melted constantly due to bombing and it remained this way in the spring after the battle, because nothing would grow. Even today it’s possible to dig up metal and bone fragments buried on the hill.

The huge memorial statue of the Motherland, known as “The Motherland Calls!” was the largest free-standing sculpture in the world when it was built on top of Mamayev Kurgan, in 1967.

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Peterhof

Often referred to as “the Russian Versailles” the palace and park of Peterhof are one of Saint Petersburg’s most popular attractions. Versailles was indeed Peter the Great’s inspiration when he decided to build an imperial palace and many say Peterhof (“Peter’s Court” in German) is even more beautiful than the famous French complex.

Peterhof is an immense, luxurious estate, known as the “capital of Russian fountains”; the Grand Cascade, built in front of the Grand Palace, is one of the largest fountain ensembles in the world. The Upper Garden and Lower Park are also cultural masterpieces and the magnificent Grand Palace was remodeled by the famous architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

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Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Also known as The Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat is considered the most beautiful cathedral in Russia and one of Europe’s most beautiful holy places. It was constructed during the reign of Ivan the Terrible and a legend says the architect was blinded after finishing his creation, so he couldn’t build anything as beautiful again.

Poles of the Komi Republic

No one knows how long ago they were created, but for sure scientists know that only nature could create such a thing. Estimated age is 200 million years and their height is 42 meters at most (~140 feet.)

Elbrus

The mountain is the highest point in Russia and some people believe that it is also the highest point in Europe. Lots of tourists, ski and snowboaring lovers visit this place yearly. Its height is 5600 meters which is 18600 feet.