Four Volcanic Islands, scattered in the Pacific west of Mexico, make up the island group named after Don Juan Vicente de Guemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo. They are also called "the Mexican Galapagos." The only inhabitants: a military garrison on the largest rock, housing about 250 people. There is no reliable source of fresh water on any of the islands.
San Benedicto is the largest of the island group. It was first called Santo Tomas, but that changed with explorers "re" discovering it.
San Benedicto
Socorro was originally called Innocentes. A second explorer "rediscovered" it and named it Isla Anublada (Cloudy Island), and then it was rediscovered again and renamed to Isla Socorro (after "Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro).
Clarion is semiarid to arid throughout, but like all the islands in this archipelago, has a vibrant underwater profile. The Clarion Angelfish (a juvenile one in the picture - they lose the blue striping when the mature) is endemic to the region. Clarion was originally named Santa Rosa, but was rechristened after the name of the vessel commanded by the explorer that discovered it.
Finally there is Roca Partida - broken rock. No name change for this volcanic chunk poking up out of the sea, no vegetation, the occasional shorebird, and only 3.5 acres in area.
It sounds quiet, doesn't it?
Buckingham Palace is the 775 room residence of Britain's sovereigns (since 1837).
The Queen's Guard stand sentry in front of both this palace and St. James Place. When the Queen is in residence, there are four guards, but when she is away from Buckingham Palace, there are only two.
You always know the Queen is in residence by the flying of her royal standard. If this flag is flying, the Queen is inside.
On the border between Tanzania and Kenya, just south of the Equator, is the tallest mountain in Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro.
Nobody actually knows for sure where the name came from. There are several theories, but each is flawed for various reasons. The name antedates the record of its etymology. It was known about anciently by traders and historians from as far away as China: there are records of a giant mountain inland from Zanzibar, but so far as anyone knows, it wasn't really explored until the mid 19th century.
It's actually three volcanos, two of which are extinct. The remaining peak, the highest, though, is dormant with its magma 1,310 feet below the surface.
The peak of Kilimanjaro is a "sky island" - a piece of land so high up as to be isolated from its surrounding land. It's actually considered an "easy" climb, but because it is so high up, many people get altitude sickness and some have even died from it. If you want to make this climb, take it easy, take it slow, and don't forget to take lots of pictures!
San Benedicto is the largest of the island group. It was first called Santo Tomas, but that changed with explorers "re" discovering it.
San Benedicto
Socorro was originally called Innocentes. A second explorer "rediscovered" it and named it Isla Anublada (Cloudy Island), and then it was rediscovered again and renamed to Isla Socorro (after "Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro).
Clarion is semiarid to arid throughout, but like all the islands in this archipelago, has a vibrant underwater profile. The Clarion Angelfish (a juvenile one in the picture - they lose the blue striping when the mature) is endemic to the region. Clarion was originally named Santa Rosa, but was rechristened after the name of the vessel commanded by the explorer that discovered it.
Finally there is Roca Partida - broken rock. No name change for this volcanic chunk poking up out of the sea, no vegetation, the occasional shorebird, and only 3.5 acres in area.
Of course, there's more to Oman than gorgeous sunset beaches. Oman is about the size of New Mexico, which means there's some interior to this Sultanate. 
