Woman in doorway of a 200 year old beehive house in the desert, Ebla area, Syria, Middle East

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

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

New Year celebration, Xining, Qinghai, China, Asia

2555 monks gather in Soi 55, Sukhumvit Road to mark the end of Buddhist year 2555, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

2555 monks gather in Soi 55, Sukhumvit Road to mark the end of Buddhist year 2555, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Cherry blossom trees with Lai See Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year, Hong Kong, China, Asia

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

One thousand year old plane tree, trunk has circumference of 14 metres, Isagarada, Pelion, Greece, Europe

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

A five year oldgirl and four year old boy walking together in Devon

American black bear (Ursus americanus) COY (cubs of year), on the road to Mendenhall Glacier, Southeast Alaska, United States of America, North America

New Year Bear Dancing Festival, Comanesti, Moldova, Romania, Europe

The mihrab in 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

Bronze doors in the courtyard 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

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

Naga man wearing tiger jaw necklace and headdress made of cane decorated with wild boar teeth and bear fur, dancing at grand finale, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), 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

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

Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights) held every year on december 8, a night procession from St. John's cathedral to Fourviere Basilica, Lyon, Rhone, France, Europe

New Year celebrations in northern China, Asia

A Somaliland soldier stands guard at the 5000 year-old cave paintings in Lass Geel caves, Somaliland, northern Somalia, Africa

New Year celebration, North China, China, Asia

Naga New Year Festival, Naga ladies dancing, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Chinatown, during Chinese New Year celebrations colourful lanterns decorate the surrounding streets, Soho, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

A four year old boy running across a field in Wiltshire, England

Decorations at a Temple Fair at Donyue Temple during Chinese New Year Spring Festival, Beijing, China, Asia

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

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

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

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

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

An 8-year old girl reading, 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

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

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

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

Chinese New Year parade, Paris, France, Europe

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

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

Chinese New Year lights, Macao, China, 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 dolmen in Tanum Kommune, Langdosen, Bohuslan, Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe

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

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

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

Chinese New Year, Paris, 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

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

Pema chunzum, born february 14, in year of earth monkey, kathmandu nepal

Naga man wearing belt with dao holder also known as Dhama (a type of machete) Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man with spear wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, Mithan horn (wild cow) red dyed goats hair and hornbill feathers, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Back view of Naga man's belt with dao holder also known as Dhama (a type of machete) with ceremonial baskets with tassles of human hair, 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, also wearing heirloom head-hunting necklace with two brass heads indicating the owner had 'taken' two heads, 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, 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 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 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 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 men wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, red dyed goats hair and hornbill feathers, also wearing belt with dao holder also known as Dhama (a type of machete) 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 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 people wrapped up in traditional blankets watching the Grand Finale - tribal dancing round a bonfire, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, 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 men dancing at Grand Finale wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, Mithan horns (wild cow) and bear fur topped with Hornbill feather with Tiger teeth necklaces and conch shell ear ornament, Lahe village, Naga New Year Festival, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga man dancing at Grand Finale wearing headdress of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, bear fur, topped with hornbill feather, and tiger claw neckstrap, also tiger teeth necklace and conch shell ear ornament, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga men at Grand Finale (tribal dancing) wrapped up in traditional blankets wearing headdresses of woven cane with wild boars teeth and bear fur, 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 lady wearing conch shell necklace, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga men wearing headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, bear fur, red dyed goats hair topped with hornbill feather, and wearing tiger teeth necklace, Naga New Year Festival, Lahe village, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Naga lady dancing and playing drum, Naga New Year Festival, Sagaing Division, Lahe village, 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 tribes sitting on bench seating whilst the dignitaries make their speeches, they wear headdress made of woven cane decorated with wild boar teeth, and bear fur, 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

Portrait of a 90 year old Wakhi woman, Bakti Mo, Bulmit, Bojal, Pakistan, Asia

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

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

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

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

Siberian or amur tiger, panthera tigris altaica. Portrait of one year old tiger in snow; winter

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

Religion, ethiopia. 64-year-old meregeta zewde tadesi, a scribe who was trained in gondar, writing a prayer book, bilbala village, near lalibela. A detail of the master writing. He always squats on his haunches and writes on his knee, in the traditional style

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

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