Lima, the capital and largest city of Peru, is situated in a unique physical environment. Despite its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, this South American city is located entirely in a desert, making it the world’s second-largest desert city (after Cairo). The interaction of the ocean and the land creates an interesting climate. Lima is usually cloaked in fog or clouds, and the temperature remains in the 60-70 degree range year-round even though it is a tropical desert region. This eScapes video features Lima’s Costa Verde and one of its common sights: paragliders. The cliffs on the coast provide updrafts ideal for paragliding for those looking for the thrill– or relaxation– of flight. Candy Dulfer has

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee has been a Great Lakes port since 1835, and its port has been important through the city’s long history as an industrial powerhouse. Over the past decade, Milwaukee has created a more postindustrial economy, but the Port of Milwaukee is still an important transport center for the city and the entire western Great Lakes region, including Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The waters around the port are important to recreation and the city’s developing tourism industry. The Milwaukee Boat Line’s Iroquois, seen in this video, is the oldest passenger vessel still operating on the Great Lakes, and offers a variety of entertainment excursions. Walter Beasley is a contemporary jazz saxophonist and a full professor at Boston’s

Los Angeles City Hall

In a city where skyscrapers are taken for granted, Los Angeles City Hall still manages to turn heads. This seat of L.A. city government was the city’s tallest building for forty years, as new constructions were limited by building codes and earthquake stress concerns. In 1968, City Hall finally lost its title, and is now only the 28th tallest building in Los Angeles. Still, the dated art deco architecture of the building makes it prominent in a field of generic steel-and-glass towers. At night, the white masonry of the building makes it stand out even more against a dark sky. Also illuminated and the featured in this video is the Court of Historic American Flags, lining

Istanbul, Turkey

Built around the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul uniquely sits on two continents– Europe and Asia. This location, at the nexus of various cultures and trade routes, has had a great impact on the city’s history. Originally a Greek city, it was conquered by the Romans, who sought to make a “new Rome” on its desirable location. It was then conquered by the Ottoman Empire, who held it until the end of World War I. Today, Istanbul is the largest city in the independent republic of Turkey, but its frequent changes in ownership have made a lasting impression on its architecture. For example, the prominent Hagia Sophia– once the largest cathedral in the world– was built as an

Seattle at Night

This beautiful night view of Seattle might only be outdone by the view from the top of the famous Space Needle, prominent in the skyline. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle was designed to have a futuristic Space Age theme. This design is reflected in tower’s “flying saucer” top and even in the names the builders gave to its paint– names like “Re-entry Red” and “Galaxy Gold.” On the nearby Elliott Bay, ferries transport people to and from suburbs separated from Seattle by the many waterways of the Puget Sound. Elliott Bay is also a popular route for dinner and entertainment cruises. Paul Hardcastle is an English musician who crosses genres with his

Warsaw, Poland

Situated between Germany and Russia, Poland saw more than its share of turmoil and warfare during the 20th century. Warsaw– Poland’s capital and largest city– was especially stricken. During World War II, the German army methodically demolished about 85% of the city in retaliation for a strong-willed resistance to Nazi occupation. After the war, the people of Poland rebuilt Warsaw, even recreating its historic buildings. Warsaw is now experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity. This eScapes scene highlights the city’s nightlife. A prominent landmark featured in this video is the curved Złote Tarasy– a shopping center, entertainment venue, and office building. The high view of the city is taken from the Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science, a

The Acropolis at Dawn

Settlement and construction on the Acropolis of Athens dates back to thousands of years BC, but most was destroyed by Persians when they invaded Athens in 480 BC. The Greek statesman Pericles led its rebuilding during Athens’ “Golden Age” to create the buildings that stand today, including the Parthenon, the iconic landmark of Greece, and one of the most famous landmarks in Europe. Originally housing a 40-foot-tall statue of the goddess Athena and a treasury, the Parthenon has survived many threats and uses imposed on it over the millennia. It has been a brothel, a Christian church, a mosque, and an armory for the Turks. In 1687, a Turkish gunpowder cache exploded and ruined much of

Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossoms

Just as cherry trees feature in the traditional stories of George Washington, they have become a tradition in the capital that bears his name. In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 flowering cherry trees to the city of Washington, D.C. Since then, periodic gifts of trees between Japan and the United States have been symbolic of goodwill between the two countries. Every spring, the blooming Yoshino cherry blossoms perfectly frame the monuments near Washington’s Tidal Basin with their distinctive white and pink petals. The occasion is complemented by celebrations, special events, and thousands of visitors looking to enjoy the ambience in their own way. In 2012, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will be observing the

Moscow (Red Square at Night)

For centuries, the city of Moscow has been a seat of political influence and a focus of global attention. In the heart of Moscow lies the historic Red Square, lined with dazzling government buildings that have survived the test of time– as well as occasional war and unrest. Some of the sights here include the State Historical Museum, the St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the fortified Kremlin compound, which was originally protected by little more than a wooden fence. Ironically, the term “Red Square” does not refer to the color of the buildings or from the square’s history as a communist capital. The name comes from the Old Russian word krasnaya, which used to mean “beautiful.” However,

Chicago at Night

The skyline of Chicago is one of the most distinctive in the world and it’s especially beautiful when seen from the city’s Northerly Island peninsula. This vantage point provides an unbroken panorama of the cityscape. As always, the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower (best known by its former name, the Sears Tower) are standout landmarks. The round Shedd Aquarium can be also be seen in the foreground. The most-visited cultural attraction in Chicago, the Aquarium needed 160 rail car trips to carry a million gallons of salt water from Key West for its opening in 1930. Another brilliant vista of the city featured in this video is the cityscape from Navy Pier. The carnival-like atmosphere