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

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

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

A Chinese small family business selling fruit in colorful gift boxes during the Chinese New Year holiday, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Asia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chinese New Year, Paris, France, Europe

Chinese New Year lights, Macao, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

74 year sadhu stands on meditates. Nepal

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.

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.

Grubbed out Olive trees that no longer have water to irrigate them near 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.

Dead and dying Almond trees in Almond groves in Wasco in the Central Valley of California after the irrigation water ran out following the four year long drought in the Western USA. 80% of the world's almonds are grown in California, and it takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow each nut. Many farms have run out of water, and $2.2 Billion has been wiped off the agricultue sector annually. Currently one third of all children in California go to be hungry, as a direct result of job losses connected to the drought. 428,000 acres of farmland have been taken out of production as a result of the drought, in the Central Valley.

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.

Almond groves being chopped down as there is no longer water available to irrigate them, in Wasco in the Central Valley of California following the four year long drought in the Western USA. 80% of the world's almonds are grown in California, and it takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow each nut. Many farms have run out of water, and $2.2 Billion has been wiped off the agricultue sector annually. Currently one third of all children in California go to be hungry, as a direct result of job losses connected to the drought. 428,000 acres of farmland have been taken out of production as a result of the drought, in the Central Valley.

A water charity in Porterville supplying bottled water to houses who have had no running water for over five months, near Bakersfield, California, USA. Hoses in the East of Porterville, many of which are on private wells, have run completely out of water as the water table has dropped catastrophically. 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.

Dying Olive trees that no longer have water to irrigate them near 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.

Almond groves being chopped down as there is no longer water available to irrigate them, in Wasco in the Central Valley of California following the four year long drought in the Western USA. 80% of the world's almonds are grown in California, and it takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow each nut. Many farms have run out of water, and $2.2 Billion has been wiped off the agricultue sector annually. Currently one third of all children in California go to be hungry, as a direct result of job losses connected to the drought. 428,000 acres of farmland have been taken out of production as a result of the drought, in the Central Valley.

Irrigation pipes near Wasco in the Central Valley of California following the four year long drought in the Western USA. Many farms have run out of water, and $2.2 Billion has been wiped off the agricultue sector annually. Currently one third of all children in California go to be hungry, as a direct result of job losses connected to the drought. 428,000 acres of farmland have been taken out of production as a result of the drought, in the Central Valley.

A pumping station sends water uphill over the mountains on the California aquaduct that brings water from snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada mountains to farmland in the Central Valley. Following a four year long catastrophic drought, irrigation water is in short supply, with $2 billion annually wiped off the agricultre sector.

Almond groves in Wasco in the Central Valley of California that are vulnerable following the four year long drought in the Western USA. 80% of the world's almonds are grown in California, and it takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow each nut. Many farms have run out of water, and $2.2 Billion has been wiped off the agricultue sector annually. Currently one third of all children in California go to be hungry, as a direct result of job losses connected to the drought. 428,000 acres of farmland have been taken out of production as a result of the drought, in the Central Valley.

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. This shot shows the boat launching jetty, that has been taken as far down the ramp as possible, and is still nowhere near the water level.

Almond groves being chopped down as there is no longer water available to irrigate them, in Wasco in the Central Valley of California following the four year long drought in the Western USA. 80% of the world's almonds are grown in California, and it takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow each nut. Many farms have run out of water, and $2.2 Billion has been wiped off the agricultue sector annually. Currently one third of all children in California go to be hungry, as a direct result of job losses connected to the drought. 428,000 acres of farmland have been taken out of production as a result of the drought, in the Central Valley.

A water charity in Porterville supplying bottled water to houses who have had no running water for over five months, near Bakersfield, California, USA. Hoses in the East of Porterville, many of which are on private wells, have run completely out of water as the water table has dropped catastrophically. 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.

Abandoned dead and dying Orange trees that no longer have water to irrigate them near 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.

Dead and dying grape vines 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.

Almond trees being irrigated in California's Central Valley, which is in the grip of a four year long drought. The catastrophic drought means that no crops will grow without increasingly scarce irrigation water. Many areas of farmland have been abandoned due to the drought. 80% of the world's almonds grow in California, each Almond takes 1 gallon of water to produce, water that is increasingly unavailable.

A water charity in Porterville supplying bottled water to houses who have had no running water for over five months, near Bakersfield, California, USA. Hoses in the East of Porterville, many of which are on private wells, have run completely out of water as the water table has dropped catastrophically. 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.

A water charity in Porterville supplying bottled water to houses who have had no running water for over five months, near Bakersfield, California, USA. Hoses in the East of Porterville, many of which are on private wells, have run completely out of water as the water table has dropped catastrophically. 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.