People sitting at the trendy Nektar restaurant, restaurant of the year in 2005, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

People sitting at the trendy Nektar restaurant, restaurant of the year in 2005, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Chinese new year. Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Chinese new year, Thean Hou Chinese temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Cave temples, 1500 years old, carved in basalt cliff above Waghore River, Ajanta, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Maharashtra, India, Asia

Site of Tushpa, an Urartian city which flourished 3000 years ago, Van, Anatolia, Turkey, Asia Minor, Eurasia

A woman praying during Lhosar (Tibetan and Sherpa New Year festival), Bodhnath Stupa, Bagmati, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Lhosar (Tibetan and Sherpa New Year festival), Bodhnath Stupa, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bagmati, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

New Year celebrations in northern China, Asia

New fountain in front of the Friday Mosque or Masjet-eJam, built in the year 1200 by the Ghorid Sultan Ghiyasyddin on the site of an earlier 10th century mosque, Herat, Herat Province, Afghanistan, Asia

Minaret of the Friday Mosque or Masjet-eJam, built in the year 1200 by the Ghorid Sultan Ghiyasyddin on the site of an earlier 10th century mosque, Herat, Herat Province, Afghanistan, Asia

Friday Mosque or Masjet-eJam, built in the year 1200 by the Ghorid Sultan Ghiyasyddin on the site of an earlier 10th century mosque, Herat, Herat Province, Afghanistan, Asia

Five thousand year-old cave paintings in Lass Geel caves, Somaliland, northern Somalia, Africa

Traditional plant decorations for sale at flower market for Chinese New Year, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, Asia

An eight year old girl running out of the sea during a holiday in France

Opening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral on 850 years anniversary, Paris, France, Europe

Choir in Notre Dame de Fourviere Basilica during the Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights) held every year on december 8, Lyon, France, Europe

Close-up of the limestone terraces formed by volcanic water depositing six inches of calcium carbonate a year, Mammoth Hot Springs and Terraces, Yellowstone National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wyoming, United States of America, North America

Golden Dragon Parade, Chinese New Year Festival, Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, United States of America, North America

Chinese New Year float for the year of the buffalo, Macao, China, Asia

A four year old boy and five year old girl playing in a stream in Devon

Five thousand year old dolmen in Tanum Kommune, Langdosen, Bohuslan, Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe

The 500 year old Sheikh Hanafi Mosque on Massawa Island, Eritrea, Africa

The ancient Pingyao city wall first built about 2700 years ago and expanded in the Ming Dynasty, Pingyao, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shanxi, China, Asia

Chinese New Year parade, Paris, France, Europe

A four year old boy and five year old girl playing in a stream in Devon

Six hundred year old tower, Jiayuguan Fort, Jiayuguan, Gansu, China, Asia

Complex of temple buildings built over 1000 years ago to commemorate a prince of the Zhou Dynasty, Jinci Temple, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, Asia

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

Chinese New Year lights, Macao, China, Asia

Rock carvings between 2000 and 6000 years old on ice striations, Hjemmeluft UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alta, Finnmark, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

Complex of temple buildings built over 1000 years ago to commemorate a prince of the Zhou Dynasty, Jinci Temple, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, Asia

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

An 8-year old girl reading, France, Europe

Chinese New Year float on Leal Senado Square, Macao, China, Asia

Yom Kippur also known as Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people, Paris, France, Europe

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

St. Albans Cathedral, a Christian site for over 900 years, the foundations of the current building date from 1077, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Stonehenge, 5000 years old stone circle, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Golden Dragon Parade, Chinese New Year Festival, Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, United States of America, North America

Reduced water level in Moraine Lake following a dry year, and Wenkchemna Mountains, Banff National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada, North America

Chinese New Year float for the year of the buffalo, Macao, China, Asia

Petroglyphs carved 1000 years ago by Fremont Native American people in the iron oxide 'desert varnish' on the sandstone of Cub Creek Valley in this fossil park, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, United States of America (USA), North America

Petroglyphs carved 1000 years ago by Fremont Native American people in the iron oxide 'desert varnish' on the sandstone of Cub Creek Valley in this fossil park, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, United States of America (USA), North America

Naga man wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth and bear fur and wearing a tiger teeth necklace, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, bear fur, red dyed goats hair with strap of tiger claws, Lahe village, Naga New Year Festival, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man dancing and playing musical instrument, wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar's teeth, bear fur and topped with hornbill feather, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga lady dancing and playing, Naga New Year Festival, drum, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga lady dancing and playing, Naga New Year Festival, drum, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, bear fur, red dyed goats hair with strap of tiger claws also wearing tiger teeth necklace and ivory arm band, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth and bear fur with Tiger claw straps and wearing tiger teeth necklace, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man with horn used as drinking vessel, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga men at Grand Finale (tribal dancing) in headdresses of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth and bear fur topped with a hornbill feather, with tiger claw straps, wearing tiger teeth necklaces, heirloom ivory armbands and aprons decoratated with cowrie shells, Lahe village, Naga New Year Festival, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga men dancing at Grand Finale wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, bear fur, topped with hornbill feather and tiger claw neckband also tiger teeth necklace, ivory armbands and apron decorated with cowrie shells, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga New Year Festival, Naga people walking to festival ground, the men wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wildboar teeth, bear fur and topped with hornbill feather also with conch shell ear ornaments, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga tribal groups lined up waiting for the arrival of the General, (the shorts are not part of their traditional clothes but supplied by the govenment, for them to wear in place of their traditional loin cloth), wearing headdresses made of woven cane decorated with wildboar teeth, bear fur and topped with hornbill feather, with tiger jaw necklaces, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man, Taungkul tribe wearing traditional headdress made with red seeds, from Sombra village near the Indian border, who walked for five days to get to the Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man wearing traditional hand-woven blanket, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man in headdress of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, Mithan horns (wild cow) and bear fur, wearing conch shell ear ornament with a tiger claw chin strap, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, Mithan horns (wild cow) and bear fur and wearing conch shell ear ornament with a tiger claw, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, Mithan horns (wild cow) and bear fur and wearing conch shell ear ornament with a tiger claw, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Monks offer butter lamps. Bodgaya, india. Monks offer butter lamps in front of mahabodhi temple marks site of buddha’s enlightment twenty-five hundred years. centuries have made pilgrimages across himalayas to sites connected with life of historical buddha. From a tantric perspective, pilgrimage is more than paying homage at sacred sites. Rather, it is that activities performed at these places become a memory of place itself. By attuning oneself through ritual meditation to this timeless presence, similar experiences be evoked

The 400 year-old stone and mud brick house of the Lunpo Alchi (minister of Alchi village) towers above farmhouses topped with fodder, and sits below a latho (god place) marking the presence of a local god. Ladakh, India

Syria, Palmyra Oasis, The Temple Consecrated In Year 32 To God Bel Seen In Silhouette At Sunrise

Algeria, Sahara, Hoggar, Tamanrasset, River Flooding After Heavy Rains First Time After 8 Years Drought

Nepal. Sonam & boom praying at charnel grounds. Humla. Vajrayana is tantric mahasiddha, lives fearlessly in terrifying places like remote jungles charnel grounds. nyingma lamas perform ritual at cremation grounds. lama rattles damaru, a small ritual drum to have origins in - shamanism. damaru, used as a tantric device to summon gods ward evil spirits, once made from human skull bones dried human skin as a reminder of impermanence of body. other lama, boom blows a kangling, a human thigh-bone horn. kangling is used in exorcism is capable of gods demons. Traditionally, best bones a kangling come from brahmans, particularly sixteen-year- brahman girls-or from tigers

Anuradha Koirala, proclaimed winner of CNN Hero of the Year 2010, warmly greeted upon her return. Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. A woman whose group has rescued more than 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery has been named the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year. Anuradha Koirala was chosen by the public in an online poll that ran for eight weeks on CNN.com. ?Human trafficking is a crime, a heinous crime, a shame to humanity,? Koirala said after being introduced as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010. ?I ask everyone to join me to create a society free of trafficking. We need to do this for all our daughters

Anuradha Koirala holds up her CNN Hero of the Year 2010 award as she is warmly greeted upon her return. Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. A woman whose group has rescued more than 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery has been named the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year. Anuradha Koirala was chosen by the public in an online poll that ran for eight weeks on CNN.com. ?Human trafficking is a crime, a heinous crime, a shame to humanity,? Koirala said after being introduced as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010. ?I ask everyone to join me to create a society free of trafficking. We need to do this for all our daughters

A painting of Bakula Rinpoche hangs behind his reincarnation, a six year old boy from Nurla, at Samkar Tashi Gatsal House. Ladakh, India

Foulshaw nature reserve, a lowland raised bog in South Cumbria, UK, planted by the forestry commission, years ago, it is now being restored to its former condition.

Nepal. Ritual, sonam/boom. Lobsangs cremation. Humla. traveler reached of journey! In freedom of infinite he is free from sorrow, fetters that bound thrown away, burning fever of life is no more,oesays dharmapada. Lobsang having spent whole life preparing moment of death, finds liberation on february 14, 1986. Extensive ritual follows cremation-traditionally a forty nine period, sonam lama rattles damaru. A small ritual drum to have origin in - shamanism. damaru, used as a tantric device to summon gods ward evil spirits, once made from human skull bone dreid human skin as a reminder of impermanence of body. Boom lama blows a kangling, a human thigh-bone horn. kangling is used in exorcism is capable of gods demons. Traditionally, best bones a kangling come from brahmans, particularly sixteen-year- brahman girls-or from tigers. On makeshift altar rest chhome, votive lamps filled with butter, cups of water, grains, tormas, holy food made of barley meal decorated with medallions of butter offered to gods. Alone, boom lama continues prayers of deceased

A traditional tent camp springs up around a site where ordinary mongolians exploring gold. Ninjas have been mining gold past 10 years, exhausting 10-hour days norm here. Sarangol valley, northwest of capital city ulan bator, mongolia

Trulshig rinpoche, blesses. Tulshig rinpoche blesses. Tulshig rimpoche s followers believe that he, like many other lamas, reassumes a human body after death in order to return to disciples. previous incarnation of tulshig rimpoche spent several years at dzarongpu monastery (highest monastery in world located at 16,500’ within sight of northern side of mt everest) served as of ngawong tenzin teachers. He promised to return in next life, so at tulshig s death ngawong tenzin norbu sought found reincarnation. current tulshig rimpoche then came to monastery studied with ngawong tenzin norbu. relationship between teacher student, in which a teacher returns to study from former student, maintains lineage over generations. Bhutan

A yellow diamond embedded in a piece of kimberlite. Kimberlite is the igneous stone in which diamonds are found and was formed in the Earth's crust between 100 and 1000 million years ago.

Vietnam yen mo tu commune primary school, ninh binh province. this is one of several schools in this region of northern vietnam where crs in cooperation with the local education authorities has implemented inclusive education practices, whereby children with mental or physical disabilities are integrated into the normal primary schools. crs provides special training for the teachers to help them. the image shows 13-year-old pham thi bich ngoc (in pink jacket) who suffers from cerebral palsy and is intergrated into a class of 11-year-olds. her teacher nguyen thi mund is seen here helping her with an alphabet exercise

Indonesia laboratory testing drinking water. Photograph taken in meulaboh, aceh province -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devastated much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour. terchnician : every house well gets tested. Unicef originally helped up to support other ngos in area, helps staff salaries provides us with equipment. coordinates activities with local government. water in local wells is quite contaminated, especially with arsenic, as well as nitrates, nitrites, iron, manganese fluoride. water became salinated after tsunami. We test here both water from shallow deep wells

Indonesia mother child built in banda aceh by. Baby receiving immunization shot. Photograph taken in banda aceh, -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devasted much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Dragon dance, Chinese New Year, Beijing, China, Asia

Chinese New Year Dragon Dance, Sao Paulo Church, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Macau China, Asia

El salvador family of teresa de jesus perez, 36, hiv+, left with three sons, one of whom, 8-year-old raphael, is also hiv+. they are supported by contra sida, san salvador. teresa supports herself and family by sewing blouses and dresses at home, shown here with sons raphael, who is hiv+ (on left) and jose, who is not infected

Indonesia a kindergarten in banda aceh which lost many of children to tsunami, been rebuilt. schools director halimah anwar bustam (seen here in foreground) describes horrors suffered: area kids came from completely flattened by waves. On that fateful sunday children were in their homes, or many were already on beach having. So many died that morning. It devastating. Only we getting things back together, very grateful to helping with reconstruction of damaged building. staff give up a portion of their (already) salaries to sponsor poor children from outlying villages to come to school. structure includes offices staff, a library, prayer room wheelchair accessible classroom.__ Photograph taken in banda aceh, -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devasted much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Indonesia boy taking a bath at a crs provided tap in paloh village, pulo aceh, aceh. 2 years after the tsunami

BOLIVIA Visiting the farm of Wilfredo Castro, his wife Vicencia Choque and uncle Manuel Villalobes in Colonia 7 Estrellas, near Caranavi. They are exemplary benefeciaries of the FUNDAWI project, gropwing many kinds of aromatic and medicinal herbs, as well as the usual food crops such as maize, beans, fruit and vegetables, ertc. Their cash crop is coffee. Originally from La Paz and the Alti Plano, they have lived in the yngas for over 20 years as successful farmers. Daniel Tarqui (red and blue shirt), FUNDAWI technician, and Delia Cruz Condori (left) giving advice

Vietnam yen mo tu commune primary school, ninh binh province. this is one of several schools in this region of northern vietnam where crs in cooperation with the local education authorities has implemented inclusive education practices, whereby children with mental or physical disabilities are integrated into the normal primary schools. crs provides special training for the teachers to help them. the image shows 13-year-old pham thi bich ngoc (in pink jacket) who suffers from cerebral palsy and is intergrated into a class of 11-year-olds. her teacher nguyen thi mund is seen here helping her with an alphabet exercise

A view of Swayambhu Stupa with full moon marks the 2554 years of Lord Gautam Buddha's birth. Nepalese and Tibetan pilgrims lit lamp at the Stupa with the hopes of peace in country. Despite of the on going political turmoil about non-formation of Constitution, Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday) was celebrated throughout the nation in peace. Kathmandu, Nepal. 2010-May-27

CAMBODIA Grandmother and baby in hammock. Don Tok village, Kampot, lies beside a river estuary and is often flooded by sea water, a consequence of climate change during the last few years. CRS is studying the problem through its partner agency, SCW (Save Cambodian Wildlife). These people have to endure the inconvenience of daily flooding around their homes. photo by Sean Sprague

Zambia 7-year-old constance mabo of chikwela village, chongwe, with her grandmother rita, in front of her house

Zambia kaunga mashi village, shangombo district (near the angolan border). Seed distribution project by catholic relief services. Face of farmer waiting to receive free seeds to grow crops. This follows 2 years of serious famine in the region

Indonesia growth monitoring (baby weighing) at a posyandu, or mother-child temporary health post in village of paya lumpat. Photograph taken in meulaboh, aceh province -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devastated much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Zambia girls hoeing field together. Kaunga mashi, shangombo district. The area had suffered drought and severe food shortages during the previous 2 years

74 year sadhu stands on meditates. Nepal

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Solar panels amongst Badland scenery in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Solar panels at the Furnace Creek Visitor Centre in Death Valley. Death Valley is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Lake Success near Porterville, Bakersfield is at 7% capacity. Ten years ago the water was so high you couldnt get a boat under the bridge. Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Lake Isabella near Bakersfield, East of California's Central valley is at less than 13% capacity following the four year long devastating drought. The reservoir has dropped so low, that the water level is below the outflow pipe.

Lake Isabella near Bakersfield, East of California's Central valley is at less than 13% capacity following the four year long devastating drought. The reservoir has dropped so low, that the water level is below the outflow pipe.

The dried up river bed of the Kern River in Bakersfield, California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.