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Capitals and landmarks wallpapers
A
landmark is a recognizable natural or man-made feature used for
navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible from long distances.
In modern use, the term can also be applied to smaller structures or features, that have become local or
national symbols.
Etymology
In old English the word
landmearc (from
land +
mearc (mark)) was used to describe an "object set up to mark the boundaries of a kingdom, estate, etc.".
[1]
Starting from approx. 1560, this understanding of landmark was replaced
by a more general one. A landmark became a "conspicuous object in a
landscape". A
landmark literally meant a
geographic feature used by
explorers and others to find their way back or through an area.
[citation needed] For example the
Table Mountain near
Cape Town,
South Africa, is used as the landmark to help sailors to navigate around southern tip of
Africa during the
Age of Exploration. Other than natural geographic feature, man-made structures are sometimes built to assist sailors in naval navigation. The
Lighthouse of Alexandria and
Colossus of Rhodes for example are ancient structures from antiquities built for this purpose, to lead ships to the port.
In modern usage, a landmark includes anything that is easily recognizable, such as a
monument,
building, or other
structure. In
American English it is the main term used to designate places that might be of interest to
tourists due to notable physical features or historical significance. Landmarks in the
British English sense are often used for casual
navigation, such as giving directions. This is done in American English as well.
[citation needed]
In
urban studies as well as in
geography,
a landmark is furthermore defined as an external point of reference
that helps orienting in a familiar or unfamiliar environment.
[2] Landmarks are often used in verbal route instructions and as such an object of study by
linguists as well as in other fields of study.
[
Types of landmarks
Landmarks are usually classified as either natural landmarks or
man-made landmarks, both are originally used to support navigation on
finding directions. A variant is a
seamark or
daymark, a structure usually built intentionally to aid sailors navigating featureless coasts.
In modern sense, landmarks are usually referred to as
monuments or distinctive buildings, used as the symbol of a certain area, city, or
nation,
Natural landmarks can be characteristic features, such as
mountains or
plateaus. Trees also serve as local landmarks, such as
jubilee oaks or
conifers. Some landmark trees may be nicknamed, examples being
Queen's Oak,
Hanging Oak or
Centennial Tree
A capital city or capital town (or simply capital) is the municipality enjoying primary status in a state, country, province, or other region, usually as its seat of government. A capital is typically a city that physically encompasses the offices and meeting places of its respective government; the status as capital is often designated by its law or constitution. In some jurisdictions,
including several countries, the different branches of government are
located in different settlements. In some cases, a distinction is made
between the official (constitutional) capital and the seat of
government, which is in another place.
Terminology
The word capital derives from the Latin caput, meaning "head".
