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"If you want to conquer fear, don't sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy. "

-- Dale Carnegie, motivational expert

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Top 10 Largest Churches of the World

There are millions of churches in the world and people go to a church to worship God. Yes it is true that the size or area is not related in any sense to the feeling of worship or faith. But if you wonder about the largest churches in the world, then here is the list for your question:
10. Cathedral of Saint Sava:
Cathedral of Saint Sava Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
With the Area covered by the church be 8162 square meter, Cathedral of Saint Sava gets the 10th place in our list. It completed its building in 2003. The church is located in Belgrade, Serbia. It is in fact the largest Orthodox Church in the world. Saint Sava was the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Literature and also an important figure in medieval Serbia. It is believed that the Church located on the place where his remains were burned in the year 1595. It is also the most monumental building in the city. And the donations support the finances required for the building of the church.
9. Basilica- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar:
Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
An area of 8318 square meters places it 9th on the list. The building is built between 1681 and 1872 in Zaragoza, Spain. It is a Roman Catholic Church. It is the first Church dedicated to Mary. It venerates Mary, The Blessed Virgin under the title ‘Our Lady of the Pillar’. According to local traditions and belief the history of basilica is related to the Christianity in Spain and it is believed to be for Saint James the Great who brought Christianity to their country. Many of the Kings, Saints and the foreign rulers paid their devotion here. The Architecture of the Church is of Baroque style.
8. Church of the most Holy Trinity:
Church of the most Holy Trinity Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
This church has an area of 8700 square meters and is 8th in the list. The church was completed in 2007 and is located in Fátima, Portugal. It is a Roman Catholic Church built in the shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, The cost approximated in the construction of the church is 80 million Euros. A stone is present inside the church to be seen by the pilgrims which was a symbolic act done by Bishop Serafim Ferreira e Silva, Pope John Paul II who blessed and donated the stone. It was the first stone laid and is a piece of marble from the tomb of Apostle Peter. The Architect for its building was Alexandros Tombazis. The pilgrims’ gifts were paid to him. The church has about 8500 seats and has iconic artworks which have been executed by the artists from various countries.
7. Liverpool Cathedral:  
Liverpool Cathedral Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
This church got the 7th place in the list and it covers about 9687 square meters of area. It was completed in 1978 and it is located in Liverpool, United Kingdom. It is the Anglican Church or The Church of England. It is the largest Anglican Church and the largest Church in Europe. It is built on St James’s Mount and is also the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool.  It is the second longest church in the world with a total length of 189 meters  It is also the third tallest structure in Liverpool. It is open daily the whole year and there are no entrance fees. Sculptures, reliefs and memorials are some of the artistic work that catches everyone’s attention. Giles Gilbert Scott was appointed the sole architect by the cathedral committee.
6. Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń :
Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
The church has the covered area of 10,090 square meters and was built from 1994 to 2004. It is located in Licheń Stary, Poland. The donations made by the pilgrims funded for the construction of the historic building of the church and Barbara Bielecka designed it. The church is also the largest church in Poland and is placed 6th on our list. The icon of ‘Our Lady of Sorrows, the Queen of Poland’ is there in the main altar. The church is dedicated to her. Pope John Paul ll also blessed the church in the year 1999.
5. Milan Cathedral:
Milan Cathedral Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
Milan Cathedral is at 5th place in this list. It has an area of 10,186 square meters and it is located in Milan, Italy. It is a Roman Catholic. The first stone for the construction was laid in 1386 and this Gothic Church took nearly six centuries from the year 1386 to the year 1965 to complete. It is the largest church in the Italian state territory and is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente. The church is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan. The interior of the Cathedral includes many artworks and monuments.
4. Cathedral of Saint John the Divine:
Cathedral of Saint John the Divine Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
The church has an area of 11,200 meters and it is located in New York, United States. However the church is still unfinished and is under-construction and restoration stage. It is the ‘Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese’ of New York.  It has the cathedral disputes with Liverpool Cathedral for the title of the largest cathedral and the Anglican Church as it is still not finished. The design of the cathedral was finalized in 1888 and the construction begun in 1892. Radical Stylistic changes, interruption due to the two world wars happen to be the reason of discontinuity in the construction process. Then there was a large fire in 2001 that caused the closing of the cathedral for repairs. It reopened in 2008 after that.
3. Seville Cathedral:
Seville Cathedral Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
An area of 11,520 places it on the 3rd spot on this list. It is a Roman Catholic located in Seville, Spain. It was completed in 1955. It is also called the ‘Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See’. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Christopher Columbus was also buried at this location. It was built initially to demonstrate the wealth of the city in the year 1248. When it was badly damaged in 1356 by earthquake the members of the Cathedral Chapter took an oath as:
“Let us build a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it will think we were mad.”
Finally the construction started in 1402. After a series of reconstructions it was completed in 1520.
2. Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida:
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
It has an area of 12,000 square meters. It is a Roman Catholic which was completed in the year 1955. It is located in Aparecida, Brazil. Our Lady of Aparecida is the principal Patroness of Brazil and this Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida. Benedito Calixto was the Architect of this world’s 2nd largest Cathedral.
1. St. Peter’s Basilica:
St. Peters Basilica Top 10 Largest Churches of the World
With an Area of 20,139, this Cathedral is at the top of the list and is the world’s largest church. It was built from the year 1506 to 1626. It is located in Vatican City. It is a Roman Catholic. It is also called ‘Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican’. It was designed by Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Michelangelo.  It holds a unique position in the Christian world and is the greatest of all churches of Christendom. It is the burial place of Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. It is a famous pilgrimage place.
Source;

Top 10 Smallest countries


Top 10 Smallest countriesIt’s a common proverb that size matters; but sometimes it doesn’t. To prove this example in a new way, we have brought you the list of top 10 smallest countries of the world. There are total 236 countries in this world and most of them are very well known as on the basis of their total area, population, development, technology and forces. There are many countries we might not be aware of and not have even heard their names in our life. They are represented by mere specks on the map and their names cover more area on the map that the country itself! Asking anyone about the largest countries of the worldwould result in quick and accurate replies but if we ask which the smallest ones of the world are, you’ll be astonished to know that among ten only one person knows the correct answer! Enjoy the list and share the knowledge.


10. Maldives

Maldives
Deep in the Indian Ocean lays a wonderful paradise that is called Maldives. Maldives consists many of islands and these islands are blessed with year-round sunshine and delightful pristine blue waters. It is a country with temperature controlled swimming pools, endless beautiful beaches and splashing ocean waves in its breezy islands. The hotels and resorts of Maldives are ones which we have always dreamed of but never seen! As far as the total area of Maldives is concerned, the total area of Maldivesis based on 115 square miles. It is counted in the list of top 10 smallest countries and is considered to be one of the best tourist destinations all over the world. The total population of Maldives is around 330,000.

9. Seychelles

Seychelles
Seychelles is 9th in the top ten smallest countries of the world list and is based south west of the Indian Ocean in form of many 115 islands among which some are small and some are very huge. Seychelles is surrounded by over almost one and a half million square kilometers of water. The overall population of Seychelles is just 80,000 spread over the pristine blue Indian Ocean. The people of Seychelles are humble, friendly, nice natured and their hospitality level is outstanding which cannot be denied by anyone. The most unique and interesting thing about Seychelles islands is that all the islands are different and that’s the joy of Seychelles. The total area of Seychelles is 107 square miles. Seychellesis also called the dream destination of island lovers and it consists some of the finest beaches of the world.

8. St. Kitts and Nevis

St.Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis are 2 islands which combine together to form a country called St. Kitts and Nevis. The population of St. Kitts and Nevis is round about 50,000. If we look at the history, we will come to know that it has a very violent past full of power struggles. St. Kitts and Nevis have many monuments which represent the human aggressiveness over land, territory, culture and national pride. St. Kitts and Nevisis also very popular all over the world because of its soft romantic music, food and exotic resorts around the beaches which can be the best place to spend vacations. The total area of this small country is 104 square miles.

7. Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands is 7th in the top 10 smallest countries of the world list. Marshall Islands are often referred to as the place where the sea meets the sky. A total of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands make up the Marshall Islands. The population of this small country has increased with quite a pace since the last 5 years and at the current situation, the total population is around 67,000. Although Marshall Islands is a small country, the people always open heartedly welcome the tourists and treat them more like relatives than visitors! Marshall Islandshas gone through many political hurdles before coming in to existence and finally it proved itself a separate country with a land area of 70 square miles.

6. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is the 6th smallest country of the world. If we look at it from the historic point of view, almost 2 centuries ago there were many separate states in the German speaking era but today there are only 4 and Liechtenstein is one of them. Located between the valleys of Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is one of the best examples of extraordinary natural beauty. The most astonishing thing about this small country is that it has no airport or seaport within its boundaries. The population of Liechtenstein is around 35,000 people who are mostly German speaking and catholic. The total land area of Liechtensteinis 62 square miles.


5. San Marino

San Marino
San Marino is the 5th smallest country present in the world which is totally surrounded by Italy. One of the most interesting things about San Marino is that more than half of the economy of this small country comes from tourism. The total sales tax in San Marino is almost half of the taxes as compared to surrounding nations and that’s one of the main reason tourists prefer purchasing different things from San Marino rather than the surrounding countries. San Marino may be counted in the list of smallest countries but the hearts of the natives are very big and completely full of hospitality and affection. With a total population of almost 32,000, San Marinooccupies land area of 24 square miles.

4. Tuvalu

Tuvalu
Tuvalu is currently the 4th smallest country present in the top ten smallest countries list and is totally surrounded by water. Tuvalu is only 5 meters above the sea level and because of this natural factor, the entire island on which Tuvalu is located is at a high risk because any sudden high wave could engulf the entire island! In the last 15 years, a huge amount of work has been done for the development of Tuvalu in terms of construction and education. The people of Tuvalu have a great potential to learn about the way things are going on in the world. The handcrafted items of the Tuvalu people are quite famous and are one of the major sources of income of the Tuvalu people. With the total population of almost 10,544, Tuvaluoccupies total of 9 square miles.

3. Nauru

Nauru
Nauru is a small country based on a tiny potato shaped island located between Hawaii and Australia. One of the most interesting things about Nauru is that the people of this small country are counted in the Top ten list of the fattest people all over the globe! The majority of the population is way much heavier as compared to other nations’ average weight and that’s why it is also called as the fattest country of the world. It takes about 17 to 20 minutes on average basis to travel the entire island boundary line in a vehicle. One sad thing to know is that Nauru has the highest level of diabetes on overall country level on this planet. The population of Nauruis around 10,000 and the land area of around 8.2 square miles.

2. Monaco

Monaco
Monaco is the 2nd smallest country of the world located in the middle of Italy and France. The lifestyle of the Monaco people is very expensive and Monaco is also counted in the Top richest countries of the world. The only expression to convey the luxurious life standards of the Monaco people is “Ooh La La”! Albert II the Prince of Monaco is one of the richest personalities of the world. A unique and interesting fact about Monaco is that there is no income tax. Although Monaco is very expensive, even then it is visited by tourists from all over the year in huge numbers. Another thing which might explain Monacobetter is that it’s the favorite place for all those who love Ferrari or F1 racing. With the overall population of around 35,000, Monaco occupies a land area of 1 square miles.

1. Vatican City

Vatican City
In the top ten list of the smallest countries of the world, the one which gets to hold the title is Vatican City. A part from being the smallest country of the world, Vatican City also holds the title of having the biggest church of the world which has become the main distinctiveness of this country. It may sound strange that the entire Vatican City is located in a boundary of just 0.2 square miles but this is true. Although the population of Vatican City is just around 850 people,  the total number of tourists visits every day on average basis is around 17,000 which totals up to more than 6.2 million for a year. Vatican City is one of the holiest places on earth for the Catholics. One of the most interesting things about Vatican City is the colorful and stylized uniform of Vatican Military which is indeed very stunning and has become a prominent source of attraction among people.
 Source;http://top10hm.com/top-10-smallest-countries/