Here is AskMen.com's Top 10 Most Desirable Women of 2010 :

1. Emmanuelle Chriqui
Emmanuelle Sophie Anne Chriqui (born December 10, 1977) is a Canadian actress who has appeared on both television and in cinema. She is perhaps best known for her role on HBO's Entourage as Sloan McQuewick, as well as the love interest of Adam Sandler in the movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan.

2. Marisa Miller
Marisa Lee Miller (born August 6, 1978) is an American model best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, and her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret. After a stint shooting with photographer Mario Testino for fashion magazines like Vogue,Miller began working for both companies in 2002. In 2007, she became a Victoria's Secret Angel, and graced the cover of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue to record-setting numbers. Her accomplishments have led to her being dubbed the "return of the great American supermodel."

She is also known for contracts with companies like Harley-Davidson, for whom she is the first spokesperson in the history of the company. Miller is considered a sex symbol; she ranked #1 on Maxim magazine's 2008 "Hot 100" list and in FHM's global 2010 "Sexiest Women in the World" poll. Aside from modeling, she is an ambassador for the American Cancer Society.


3. Kate Beckinsale
Kathryn Romany "Kate" Beckinsale (born 26 July 1973) is an English actress. She first gained notice, while a student at Oxford University, for making her debut in the film adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Throughout the 1990s, she worked on both film and television, most notably by portraying the title character in the 1996 ITV television series Emma. In 2001, Beckinsale garnered international recognition when she was cast as the romantic lead opposite Ben Affleck in her breakthrough film, Pearl Harbor (2001). Since then, she has portrayed a variety of characters in projects such as Underworld (2003), The Aviator (2004), and Van Helsing (2004). In 2008, she earned a Critic's Choice Award nomination for her performance in Nothing But the Truth.





4. Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Corine Ambrósio (born April 11, 1981) is a Brazilian model. Described by Tyra Banks as "the future of the modeling world", Ambrosio is best known for her work with Victoria's Secret and was chosen as the first spokesmodel for the company's "PINK" line. Ambrosio is currently one of the Victoria's Secret Angels and the former face of the UK company Next.

Aside from modeling work, Ambrosio serves as an ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Ambrosio was also selected by AskMen.com as Number 2 out of the "Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2008".







5. Jessica Alba
Jessica Marie Alba (born April 28, 1981) is an American television and film actress.

Alba is considered a sex symbol and often generates media attention for her looks. She appears frequently on the "Hot 100" section of Maxim and was voted number one on AskMen.com's list of "99 Most Desirable Women" in 2006, as well as "Sexiest Woman in the World" by FHM in 2007. The use of her image on the cover of the March 2006 Playboy sparked a lawsuit by her, which was later dropped. She has also won various awards for her acting, including the Choice Actress Teen Choice Award and Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television, and a Golden Globe nomination for her lead role in the television series Dark Angel.





6. Beyonce
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (born September 4, 1981), often known simply as Beyoncé (pronounced /biˈjɒnseɪ/ bee-YON-say), is an American Pop/R&B singer, songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.











7. Penelope Cruz
Penélope Cruz Sánchez (born April 28, 1974), better known as Penélope Cruz, is a Spanish actress.

She was the first Spanish actress in history to receive an Academy Award, and the sixth Spanish actor overall.















8. Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole (born Cheryl Ann Tweedy on 30 June 1983 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England) is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model and celebrity. Cole rose to fame when she was selected to become a member of girlgroup Girls Aloud on ITV's reality television programme Popstars The Rivals in late 2002.













9. Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes (born March 5, 1974) is an American actress. She began acting in the late 1990s, and after a series of roles in several low-end films, she broke into more mainstream Hollywood releases, such as 2 Fast 2 Furious, Hitch, We Own the Night and The Spirit.














10. Miranda Kerr
Miranda May Kerr (born 20 April 1983) is an Australian model best known as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels since mid-2007. She is the first Australian to participate in the Victoria's Secret campaign, and also represents Australian fashion chains Portmans and David Jones. Kerr began modeling in the fashion industry when she was 13, starting at Chaay's Modelling Agency, and soon after winning a 1997 Australian nationwide model search hosted by Dolly magazine and Impulse fragrances.

She is married to actor Orlando Bloom, and they are expecting their first child in January 2011.

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Indonesia has the highest number of volcanoes than any other country in the world, crossed by the ring of fire which crosses through Indonesia and on through the Pacific ocean. Indonesia has over 400 volcanoes, with over 100 of these active.

Here is the top 10 Volcanoes in Indonesia, not based on size but more for activity and spectacular scenery to visit and/or climb.

# 1 Mount Merapi

Gunung Merapi meaning 'Fire mountain' is located close to Jogjakarta in Java. The first recorded activity of Gunung Merapi was in 1548 though historians note that Borobudur was destroyed in the 11th century by a violent eruption. Gunung Merapi still has high volcanic activity. Each year 7 million cubic tones is erupted and added to it's slopes. When it is quiet flights can be organised at night to fly over the volcano to views it's lava flow down the eastern side of the mountain.

Recent background

In late October 2010 the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Geological Agency (CVGHM), (Indonesian language—Pusat Vulkanologi & Mitigasi Bencana Geologi, Badan Geologi-PVMBG), reported that a pattern of increasing seismicity from Merapi had begun to emerge in early September. Observers at Babadan 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west and Kaliurang 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the mountain reported hearing an avalanche on 12 September 2010. On 13 September 2010 white plumes were observed rising 800 metres (2,600 ft) above the crater.Lava Dome inflation, detected since March, increased from background levels of 0.1 millimetres (0.0039 in) to 0.3 millimetres (0.012 in) per day to a rate of 11 millimetres (0.43 in) per day on 16 September. On 19 September 2010 earthquakes continued to be numerous, and the next day CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1–4). Lava from Mount Merapi began flowing down the Gendol River on 23–24 October signalling the likelihood of an imminent eruption.

On 25 October 2010 the Indonesian government raised the alert for Mount Merapi to its highest level (4) and warned villagers in threatened areas to move to safer ground. People living within a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) zone were told to evacuate. The evacuation orders effected at least 19,000 people however the number that complied at the time remained unclear to authorities.Officials said about 500 volcanic earthquakes had been recorded on the mountain over the weekend of 23–24 October, and that the magma had risen to about a 1 kilometre (3,300 ft) below the surface due to the seismic activity

Eruptive events

Merapi erupted three times on Monday afternoon 25 October 2010, spewing lava down its southern and southeastern slopes. Three major eruptions were recorded at 2:04PM, 2:24PM and 3:15PM.On 25 October 222 volcanic seismic events and 454 avalanche seismic events were recorded by Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation monitoring staff at Merapi.

The eruptions on 26 October started at 5:02PM. By 6:54PM pyroclastic activity had begun to subside following 12 eruption associated events being recorded by CVGHM monitors. In the 24 hours of 26 October 232 volcanic seismic events, 269 avalanche seismic events, 4 lava flow seismic events and 6 heat clouds were recorded by CVGHM monitoring staff at Merapi. The eruptive events of 26 October were classified as an explosive event with volcanic bursts of ejected material, visable flame and pyroclastic hot air flows. A column of smoke rose from the top to a vertical distance of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the summit of Mount Merapi.

On Friday 29 October activity including lava ejection and hot ash clouds were reported to be increasing again.

By early on the morning of Saturday 30 October the volcano was erupting again. Sri Sumarti, head of the Merapi section at the Volcano Investigation and Technology Development Institution (BPPTK), reported the eruptions were louder and stronger than the eruptions of the 26 October. Those earlier eruptions on the previous Tuesday killed 34 people. Ash from the eruptions on 30 October fell more than 30 kilometres (19 mi) away and now included ash falls upon the city of Yogyakarta. The morning eruptions lasted for 22 minutes and heat clouds flowed into the Krasak and Boyong Rivers also rising 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) into the air, westward toward Magelang. Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto Airport was temporarily closed from 5AM. to 7AM. On 30 October, Subandrio, head of the BPPTK suggested there would be further eruptions as lava continued to push it's way up into the volcano's lave dome.

On 3 November heat clouds travelled up to 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away from the eruption forcing the government to evacuate people from within the refugee camps set up to accommodate those already dislocated by the volcano. Eruptions on the afternoon of Wednesday 3 November followed a morning eruption that sent hot gas clouds down the volcano's slopes. The volcano spewed clouds of ash and gas 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) into the sky for more than an hour on Wednesday 3 November. The eruptions of that day were reported as being the largest since the eruptions commenced.

"This is the first time that the eruption has continued for more than an hour, so I decided to move the shelters to 15 km away from the summit", Surono, head of Indonesia's vulcanology agency, told Indonesia's Metro TV network on 3 November. The shelters had previously been set up 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. Surono added that the energy from the eruption on 3 November was three times greater than that of the first eruption in the previous week.Bambang Ervan, a spokesman from the Transportation Ministry, said an official warning had been issued to all airlines to “use alternative routes for safety reasons due to the volcanic ash.” From 2 November several airlines including Garuda, AirAsia and Silkair international flights to both Yogyakarta and Solo were either suspended or re-routed due to the eruptive activity.

Casualties

On 26 October at least 18 people, including one 2-month old baby, were found dead due to burns and respiratory failure caused by hot ashes from the eruption.Thousands were evacuated within a radius of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) around the slopes of the volcano.

By Wednesday 27 October the death toll had risen to at least 25. The death toll included an elder,Mbah Maridjan (grandfather Marijan), known as the volcano's spiritual gatekeeper who was found dead at his home approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the peak. The Yogyakarta Palace subsequently confirmed his death. The 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) exclusion zone remained in place at the volcano with evacuation and ongoing search and rescue activities continuing at the site in an attempt to locate further victims of the previous days eruptions.

Later reports on the 27 October revised the toll upward to 30 persons recorded at Yogyakarta's Dr. Sardjito Hospital with 17 hospitalized, mostly with burns, respiratory problems and other injuries. Earlier on 27 October two of the 28 bodies at the hospital had been identified. Yuniawan Nugroho, an editor with the vivanews.com news portal, was reported to have been killed while conducting reportage on the night of Tuesday 26 October, the other was later identified as Indonesian Tutur Priyanto, a 36 year man working for the Red Cross as a volunteer on the mountain. Tutur Priyanto had been retrieving and escorting residents from the slopes of the mountain. After making many trips he returned for a further ascent at 3:00PM to assist others to come off the mountain and died during one of the subsequent eruptive events. As of 1 November, 2010, the death toll from Mount Merapi's blasts had climbed to 38.

Lava Dome deformation

During the 4th week of October 2010 deformation measurements were performed by Electric Distance Measurement (EDM), utilising reflectors mounted around the summit of Mount Merapi. The measurement results Indicated a rapidly increasing rate of growth of the lava dome in the build up to the eruptive events of 25–26 October 2010.

At the end of September 2010, the peak inflation rate of the lava dome at Mount Merapi was measured by EDM at an average growth rate of 6 millimetres (0.24 in). The subsequent rate of inflation up until October 21, 2010 reached 105 millimetres (4.1 in) per day. The inflation rate then increased very sharply, reaching 420 millimetres (17 in) per day by 24 October 2010. By the 25 October the average grow rate, measured from 6 EDM points over 24-25 October had risen to 500 millimetres (20 in) per day, the top of dome having by then reached a height of 6,858.635 metres (22,502.08 ft) above sea level.

The information gathered at the site indicated that the distension of the mountain’s slopes was much more rapid this during the current event than that observed during the 2006 event.

On 26 October the head of the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Surono, repeated his earlier statements that the greatest concern was the pressure building behind a massive lava dome that has formed near the tip of the crater. "The energy is building up. ... We hope it will release slowly," he said. "Otherwise we're looking at a potentially huge eruption, bigger than anything we've seen in years".Surono also said that said the distension of the mountain’s slopes was much more rapid this time around, indicating a higher-pressure build-up of gas and hence a much more explosive eruption and speculated that Merapi may erupt explosively, as it did in 1930, and not just eject gas as in 2006 eruptions.

# 2. Mount Rinjani

Lombok is home to one of the most impressive volcanoes in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, at 3726m high, not just because it is Indonesia's second highest volcano but for it's scenery as well. Mount Rinjani is surrounded by a spectacular cobalt blue lake. It is a popular 3 day hike stretching from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the cobalt blue crater lake and then on to Sembulan Lawang. The trek has superb ocean and mountain views and the chance to spot barking deer, macaques and civets.


# 3 Mount Bromo

Gunung Bromo (2329m) is located in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in Java close to Surabaya. You can ride miniature Tennggerese ponies to it's rim through the night to reach the summit in time for a magic sun rise over Java's scenic landscape.





# 4 Mount Semeru

Gunung Semeru is Java's highest volcano at 3676m. Known locally as Mahameru or great mountain. Hindus consider Mount Semeru as Indonesia's most sacred mountain, the father of Bali's Mount Agung. Legend tells the story of gods moving Semeru from the Himalayas, scattering other peaks all through Java. It is an active volcano though is still able to be climbed if you are prepared for the 3 days hike.



# 5 Mount Anak Krakatau

Gunung Krakatua or Krakatau (813m) is probably the most famous volcano in the world after it's massive explosion in 1883. 4600Km away people thought they heard loud gunfire. The explosion was heard in Sydney Australia with an estimated force of 10,000 Hiroshima bombs.

Since the explosion in 1883, which ripped apart the mountain the volcano has been growing in size every year spawning what is called now Anak Krakatua (Baby of Krakatau). It is now larger then when it exploded in 1883. In the last few years volcanic activity has been increasing and there is now a 1km zone around the island to prevent people from approaching, so no longer can you gain access to the island.


# 6 Mount Agung

Bali's most active volcano, Gunung Agung (3142m) is entwined in Balinese culture. Most temples in Bali has a shrine dedicated to Mount Agung. There is an annual festival during the 10th lunar month at the Pura Basakih ('mother temple') on the slopes of Agung. It's a relatively easy hike to the top. Most treks leave at 10pm to make it to the summit for sunrise.



# 7 Mount Kerinci

Gunung Kerinci is Sumatra's highest mountain at 3805m, located in the Kerinci Seblat National Park close to Jambi. Recent years has seen an increase in volcanic activity preventing trekking to the summit. There is a 1km exclusion zone around Mount Kerinci preventing hiking any closer though many people still climb it regardless of the warnings.








# 8 Mount Sumbing

Midway between Jogjakarta and Semarang in Java, around 125km away from each, Gunung Sumbing (3371m) is considered the husband volcano of Gunung Sundoro (3136m). It is a perfectly shaped cone which holds the remains of one of the holy men that brought Islam to Indonesia. At the end of Ramadan, Idul Fitri is celebrated and devotees trek to the top to show their respect. It is a difficult climb to the top with steep slopes and sulphuric gas escaping from vents along the route to the top. From the top there is a spectacular view looking down over clouds atop the Javanese landscape.


# 9 Mount Batur
Gunung Batur (1717m) is the female counterpart of Gunung Agung (3142m). Both located on the island of Bali. At the bottom is a crater lake 11km in diameter. There is great views to the mountain and over the lake from Penelokan. There is an easy hike down to the base of Gunung Batur where there are hot springs with believed healing properties. Recent activity has made climbing to the top of this volcano extremely dangerous.



# 10 Mount Sibayak

Mount Sibayak (2100m) over looks the town of Berastagi in North Sumatra just a 2 hour bus trip from Medan. At most times there are vents of steam seeping from the top of Sibayak. It's a fairly easy 3 hour walk to the top and stone steps to find your way down. At the bottom of Sibayak are hot springs to relax in after the climb.




Volcanoes of Indonesia

Gunung Kerinci (3805m) Jambi

Gunung Rinjani (3726m) Lombok

Gunung Semeru (3676m) Java

Gunung Sumbing (3371m) Java

Gunung Dempo (3159m) Lampung

Gunung Agung (3142m) Bali

Gunung Sundoro (3136m) Java

Gunung Ciremay (3078m) Cirebon

Gunung Pangrango (3019m) Bogor

Gunung Merapi (2968m) Yogyakarta

Gunung Gede (2958m) Bogor

Gunung Talakmau (2919m) Bukittinggi

Gunung Marapi (2891m) Bukittinggi

Gunung Geureudong (2885m) Sumatra

Gunung Singgalang (2880m) Bukittinggi

Gunung Patah (2817m) Sumatra

Gunung Peuet Sague (2801m) Sumatra

Gunung Tambora (2722m) Sumbawa

Gunung Talang (2597m) Sumatra

Gunung Sumbing (2507m) Sumatra

Gunung Bukit Daun (2467m) Sumatra

Gunung Tandikat (2438m) Sumatra

Gunung Sinabung (2400m) Berastagi

Gunung Bromo (2329m) Surabaya

Gunung Kembar (2245m) Sumatra

Gunung Salak (2211m). Bogor

Gunung Kunyit (2151m) Sumatra

Gunung Sorikmarapi (2145m) Sumatra

Gunung Sibayak (2100m) Berastagi

Bukit Lamah Balai (2055m) Sumatra

Gunung Hutapanjang (2021m) Sumatra

Gunung Belirang-Beriti (1958m) Sumatra

Gunung Kaba (1952m) Sumatra

Gunung Besar (1899m) Sumatra

Gunung Lubukraya (1862m) Sumatra

Gunung Soputan (1825m) Sulawesi

Gunung Sibualbuali (1819m) Sumatra

Gunung Seulawah Agam (1810m) Sumatra

Gunung Batur (1717m) Bali

Gunung Lokon-Empung (1580m) Sulawesi

Gunung Imun (1505m) Sumatra

Gunung Dua Saudara (1351m) Sulawesi

Gunung Awu (1320m) Sulawesi

Gunung Mahawu (1311m) Sulawesi

Gunung Rajabasa (1281m) Lampung

Gunung Tongkoko (1149m) Sulawesi

Gunung Anak Krakatau (813m) Lampung

Gunung Weh (617m) Pulau Weh

Gunung Colo (508) Sulawesi

Gunung Banua Wuhu Sulawesi

Gunung Ruang Sulawesi

Gunung Karangetang Sulawesi

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Lost Inca Gold

This legend began in the 16th century. Commander of the Spanish Francisco Pizarro had captured Inca king named Atahualpa. Pizarro promised to release Atahualpa if the king give a number of pure gold. Atahualpa come and collect all the gold they could find. Part of the gold has been transferred to Pizarro, but before the other half delivered Pizarro deny his words and King Atahualpa was executed. It is said that those who are loyal to Atahualpa treasure buried in a mountain cave.

Many have tried to recover the treasure. In 1886 Barth Blake claimed that he found the legendary Inca treasure. He writes: "There are thousands of pieces of gold and silver and pre-Inca Inca crafts, a goldsmith of the most beautiful work you can not imagine." He also described "gold vase filled with emeralds" and giant sculptures made of real gold. Blake plans to raise funds for a major expedition, but tragically died at sea before he got a chance. Since then many people have claimed to have seen the place, but there is no real evidence exists and those who claim to have discovered it is not able to show the place.


El Dorado

El Dorado is a legendary city in South America made entirely of gold. Legend appears on the 16th and 17th centuries with the rise of the New World. Many people ventured into the wilderness of South America to find this town, most of the expedition ended in death. One explorer had his son was killed while searching for El Dorado. guilt that prompted him to commit suicide.

This legend does have real roots. When Spanish explorers first arrived in the New World they were told stories by the other tribes about a king who has abandoned His people precious jewels into Lake Guatavita to appease the gods who live below the water surface. Spain tries to drain the lake and found some gold, but could not drain the lake enough to achieve a larger amount of gold that supposedly located in deeper waters.

This is a very persistent legend, and many speak as if the legendary city of gold is still there. Although logic dictates otherwise, many want to believe that there is a city made of gold. They want to believe that there is a chance for them to find their riches beyond my wildest dreams in the form of a long-lost city.


Atlantis

The story of the lost city of Atlantis is one of the legends that have survived throughout the centuries. The legend of the origin comes from the Greek philosopher Plato. Plato tells of a great city that was created by a race of half-god and half human. The city is home to exotic wildlife and is the most civilized civilization that ever existed. Plato tells a fantastic tale in 360 BC and the story continues to this day.

Most scholars believe that the story is the story of Plato's philosophical allegory or warning that a civilized society can never really conquer nature but some believe that Atlantis is very real. There are many theories about exactly where Atlantis is located starting from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

It is not out of the question that Atlantis was based on a true story. The story quotes an ancient, now constantly destroyed by floods and volcanic eruptions. This is a very real possibility that the great city at one time existed but was taken by nature.


Crystal Skulls

The legend is a bit different because there is a crystal skull artifacts, but their purpose remains a mystery. The skull did not even rare, but this horrible waste of an ancient civilization is too mysterious to be ignored. This skull was found all throughout Mexico and is believed by some archaeologists have carved tens of thousands of years ago by an ancient Mesoamerican civilization. What this mysterious skull? Some believe that they are artifacts of Atlantis and others cite the skull as proof that aliens are visiting Earth in the past.

Many stories in today believe that the skull has magical powers. They say that the skull can enhance psychic abilities and that they also have healing powers. Legend popularity got a boost when Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of Crystal Skull was released back in 2008, shows that people are still fascinated with Crystal Skull.


The Fountain Of Youth

Many cultural legend similar to the story waterfall that made immortal. There are rumors that when Alexander the Great approached his death he was hunting for a legendary river that will cure old age. There is also a European legend that tells of a great king who led a kingdom that has a spring that will give eternal life. With the discovery of a new world in the 16th century many people attracted by the ageless legend waterfall and then popping up again. This time the waterfall is said to lie in America. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon started looking for waterfalls in places that are now in St. Augustine, Florida.

The odd thing is that no records exist that detail de Leon's expedition to Florida, has caused many scholars believe that the story might have been made by de Leon or some contemporaries de Leon. Regardless, the legend continues and as popular as ever. There is a tourist attraction in Florida who claim to be the fairytale waterfalls to stay young. Unfortunately, this waterfall is a bit misleading the people who drink and do not become immortal.

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Oil is a commodity that is very useful for all countries, including Indonesia. Houses in Indonesia too much to require the oil to power generators during power outages by PLN's turn. Many countries that save oil reserves for emergency purposes such as state of war and in part. Then, which country has the largest oil reserves in the world? Certainly almost all of us will really answer it! Saudi Arabia which was already known as the king of oil is the holder of the world's number one for the oil reserve.

Simak

Baca secara fonetik

According to OPEC's website, the list of countries with the largest proven oil reserves in the world until the end of 2009 and are:

* Saudi Arabia: 264.59 billion barrels (24.9%)
* Venezuela: 211.17 billion barrels (19.8%)
* Iran: 137.01 billion barrels (12.9%)
* Iraq: 115 billion barrels (10.8%)
* Kuwait: 101.50 billion barrels (9.5%)
* United Arab Emirates: 97.80 billion barrels (9.2%)
* Libya: 46.42 billion barrels (4.4%)
* Nigeria: 37.20 billion barrels (3.5%)
* Qatar: 25.38 billion barrels (2.4%)
* Algeria: 12.20 billion barrels (1.1%)
* Angola: 9:50 billion barrels (0.9%)
* Ecuador: 6.51 billion barrels (0.6%).

OPEC member states recorded over 1064 billion barrels (79.60%) of the world's proven oil reserves, while non-OPEC which controls the remaining 272.9 billion barrels (20.41%).

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Batik secara historis berasal dari zaman nenek moyang yang dikenal sejak abad XVII yang ditulis dan dilukis pada daun lontar. Saat itu motif atau pola batik masih didominasi dengan bentuk binatang dan tanaman. Namun dalam sejarah perkembangannya batik mengalami perkembangan, yaitu dari corak-corak lukisan binatang dan tanaman lambat laun beralih pada motif abstrak yang menyerupai awan, relief candi, wayang beber dan sebagainya. Selanjutnya melalui penggabungan corak lukisan dengan seni dekorasi pakaian, muncul seni batik tulis seperti yang kita kenal sekarang ini.

Jenis dan corak batik tradisional tergolong amat banyak, namun corak dan variasinya sesuai dengan filosofi dan budaya masing-masing daerah yang amat beragam. Khasanah budaya Bangsa Indonesia yang demikian kaya telah mendorong lahirnya berbagai corak dan jenis batik tradisioanal dengan ciri kekhususannya sendiri.

Perkembangan Batik di Indonesia

Sejarah pembatikan di Indonesia berkaitan dengan perkembangan kerajaan Majapahit dan kerajaan sesudahnya. Dalam beberapa catatan, pengembangan batik banyak dilakukan pada masa-masa kerajaan Mataram, kemudian pada masa kerajaan Solo dan Yogyakarta.

Kesenian batik merupakan kesenian gambar di atas kain untuk pakaian yang menjadi salah satu kebudayaan keluarga raja-raja Indonesia zaman dulu. Awalnya batik dikerjakan hanya terbatas dalam kraton saja dan hasilnya untuk pakaian raja dan keluarga serta para pengikutnya. Oleh karena banyak dari pengikut raja yang tinggal diluar kraton, maka kesenian batik ini dibawa oleh mereka keluar kraton dan dikerjakan ditempatnya masing-masing.

Dalam perkembangannya lambat laun kesenian batik ini ditiru oleh rakyat terdekat dan selanjutnya meluas menjadi pekerjaan kaum wanita dalam rumah tangganya untuk mengisi waktu senggang. Selanjutnya, batik yang tadinya hanya pakaian keluarga istana, kemudian menjadi pakaian rakyat yang digemari, baik wanita maupun pria.

Bahan kain putih yang dipergunakan waktu itu adalah hasil tenunan sendiri. Sedang bahan-bahan pewarna yang dipakai terdiri dari tumbuh-tumbuhan asli Indonesia yang dibuat sendiri antara lain dari : pohon mengkudu, tinggi, soga, nila, dan bahan sodanya dibuat dari soda abu, serta garamnya dibuat dari tanah lumpur.

Jadi kerajinan batik ini di Indonesia telah dikenal sejak zaman kerajaan Majapahit dan terus berkembang hingga kerajaan berikutnya. Adapun mulai meluasnya kesenian batik ini menjadi milik rakyat Indonesia dan khususnya suku Jawa ialah setelah akhir abad ke-XVIII atau awal abad ke-XIX. Batik yang dihasilkan ialah semuanya batik tulis sampai awal abad ke-XX dan batik cap dikenal baru setelah usai perang dunia kesatu atau sekitar tahun 1920. Kini batik sudah menjadi bagian pakaian tradisional Indonesia.

Batik Pekalongan

Meskipun tidak ada catatan resmi kapan batik mulai dikenal di Pekalongan, namun menurut perkiraan batik sudah ada di Pekalongan sekitar tahun 1800. Bahkan menurut data yang tercatat di Deperindag, motif batik itu ada yang dibuat 1802, seperti motif pohon kecil berupa bahan baju.

Namun perkembangan yang signifikan diperkirakan terjadi setelah perang besar pada tahun 1825-1830 di kerajaan Mataram yang sering disebut dengan perang Diponegoro atau perang Jawa. Dengan terjadinya peperangan ini mendesak keluarga kraton serta para pengikutnya banyak yang meninggalkan daerah kerajaan. Mereka kemudian tersebar ke arah Timur dan Barat. Kemudian di daerah - daerah baru itu para keluarga dan pengikutnya mengembangkan batik.

Ke timur batik Solo dan Yogyakarta menyempurnakan corak batik yang telah ada di Mojokerto serta Tulungagung hingga menyebar ke Gresik, Surabaya dan Madura. Sedang ke arah Barat batik berkembang di Banyumas, Kebumen, Tegal, Cirebon dan Pekalongan. Dengan adanya migrasi ini, maka batik Pekalongan yang telah ada sebelumnya semakin berkembang.

Seiring berjalannya waktu, Batik Pekalongan mengalami perkembangan pesat dibandingkan dengan daerah lain. Di daerah ini batik berkembang di sekitar daerah pantai, yaitu di daerah Pekalongan kota dan daerah Buaran, Pekajangan serta Wonopringgo.

Perjumpaan masyarakat Pekalongan dengan berbagai bangsa seperti Cina, Belanda, Arab, India, Melayu dan Jepang pada zaman lampau telah mewarnai dinamika pada motif dan tata warna seni batik.

Sehubungan dengan itu beberapa jenis motif batik hasil pengaruh dari berbagai negara tersebut yang kemudian dikenal sebagai identitas batik Pekalongan. Motif itu, yaitu batik Jlamprang, diilhami dari Negeri India dan Arab. Lalu batik Encim dan Klengenan, dipengaruhi oleh peranakan Cina. Batik Belanda, batik Pagi Sore, dan batik Hokokai, tumbuh pesat sejak pendudukan Jepang.

Perkembangan budaya teknik cetak motif tutup celup dengan menggunakan malam (lilin) di atas kain yang kemudian disebut batik, memang tak bisa dilepaskan dari pengaruh negara-negara itu. Ini memperlihatkan konteks kelenturan batik dari masa ke masa.

Batik Pekalongan menjadi sangat khas karena bertopang sepenuhnya pada ratusan pengusaha kecil, bukan pada segelintir pengusaha bermodal besar. Sejak berpuluh tahun lampau hingga sekarang, sebagian besar proses produksi batik Pekalongan dikerjakan di rumah-rumah. Akibatnya, batik Pekalongan menyatu erat dengan kehidupan masyarakat Pekalongan yang kini terbagi dalam dua wilayah administratif, yakni Kotamadya Pekalongan dan Kabupaten Pekalongan.

Pasang surut perkembangan batik Pekalongan, memperlihatkan Pekalongan layak menjadi ikon bagi perkembangan batik di Nusantara. Ikon bagi karya seni yang tak pernah menyerah dengan perkembangan zaman dan selalu dinamis. Kini batik sudah menjadi nafas kehidupan sehari-hari warga Pekalongan dan merupakan salah satu produk unggulan.

Hal itu disebabkan banyaknya industri yang menghasilkan produk batik. Karena terkenal dengan produk batiknya, Pekalongan dikenal sebagai Kota Batik. Julukan itu datang dari suatu tradisi yang cukup lama berakar di Pekalongan. Selama periode yang panjang itulah, aneka sifat, ragam kegunaan, jenis rancangan, serta mutu batik ditentukan oleh iklim dan keberadaan serat-serat setempat, faktor sejarah, perdagangan dan kesiapan masyarakatnya dalam menerima paham serta pemikiran baru.

Batik yang merupakan karya seni budaya yang dikagumi dunia, diantara ragam tradisional yang dihasilkan dengan teknologi celup rintang, tidak satu pun yang mampu hadir seindah dan sehalus batik Pekalongan.

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Tidak lama lagi bakal ada hotel ekslusif di luar angkasa. Pemerintah Rusia serius menggarap proyek ambisius tersebut bersama perusahaan kontraktor terkemuka. Diberitakan Reuters, pembangunan hotel ini murni dilakukan untuk menarik pasar turis yang ingin berwisata di luar angkasa. Biaya yang dikeluarkan tentu saja tak sedikit.

Hotel ini nantinya akan bisa menampung tujuh orang per stasiun dan memberlakukan pelayanan bak hotel berbintang. "Pesawat luar angkasa komersil sedang dibangun di seluruh dunia, mereka harus terbang ke suatu tempat," kata Alexander Derechin, desainer kepala proyek tersebut.

Para konglomerat sudah merespons rencana pembangunan hotel ini. Bahkan rencananya, perjalanan ke luar angkasa bagi para turis mulai bisa dilakukan pada tahun 2011. Ada beberapa fasilitas yang ditawarkan dalam hotel tersebut. Mulai dari kebutuhan penelitian ilmiah, media dan hiburan. Kapal luar angkasa yang bisa mengangkut para turis juga telah disiapkan.

Sejumlah investor telah menanamkan modalnya dalam proyek ini. Nilainya menacpai USD 100 juta hingga USD 1 miliar. Beberapa bahkan sudah meneken kontrak. "Saya tidak berfikir kami bisa menyelesaikannya sebelum 2015 tapi kami harus cepat-cepat karena kompetisi terus berkembang," tambah Derechin.

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Tera Patrick (ist.)

Bintang porno asal Amerika, Tera Patrick akan segera bermain di film produksi Indonesia. Rencananya, bintang porno yang mengawali karirnya sebagai model itu akan memulai syuting akhir tahun ini.

Hal tersebut diungkapkan oleh KK Dheeraj, Produser K2K yang berhasil mengajak Tera bermain di film produksinya. Menurut Dheeraj, pihaknya telah berusaha merayu perempuan kelahiran 25 Juli 1976 itu selama 16 bulan. Ia juga menekankan kalau film produksinya bukan film porno.

"Mereka udah confirm. Mulai syuting secepatnya," ujar KK Dheeraj saat dihubungi detikhot via telepon, Jumat, (1/10/2010) malam.

Namun, Dheeraj belum bisa bicara lebih jauh soal film yang akan dibintangi Tera Patrick, termasuk judul film tersebut. Ia hanya bisa membocorkan sedikit soal biaya yang harus dikeluarkannya untuk memboyong bintang porno terkenal itu.

"Yang pasti besar. Senilai dengan biaya produksi 1,5 film di Indonesia," ungkap produser yang pernah mendatangkan bintang film dewasa asal Jepang, Yuzuki, untuk bermain di film 'Rayuan Arwah Penasaran'.

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Antartika merupakan termasuk dari enam benua paling besar di dunia yang mempunyi area sangat luas sekitar 14 juta km² yang sebagian besar tertutup oleh es atau 98 persen dari area tertutup es.

Tempat Paling Panas di Dunia

Tempat paling panas di dunia diduduki oleh Gurun Sahara. Gurun Sahara terletak di benua Afrika bagian utara ini mempunyai luas area 9 juta km². Dan merupakan gurun pasir terluas di dunia.

Puncak Paling Tinggi di Dunia

Pegunungan Mount Everest atau yang di biasanya disebut dengan Sagamatha merupakan puncak tertinggi di dunia. Tingginya bila di ukur dari permukaan laut sekitar 8.850 meter atau 29,035 kaki. Nama Sir George Everest merupakan nama yang di pakai untuk puncak tersebut sebagai tanda penghormatan. Puncak ini membentang antara Sagarmatha Nepal sampai Tibet di China.

Sungai Paling Panjang di Dunia

Sungai Nill merupakan sungai paling panjang di dunia, sungai ini melalu 9 negara di benua Afrika. Aliran sungai Nil dibagi jadi dua yaitu Sungai Nil Putih (The White Nile) dan (The Blue Nile), Awal sungai Nil Putih ini merupakan aliran dari danau victoria, Uganda kemudian mengalir sampai ke Sudan dan Mesir. Sedangkan Sungai Nil Biru dimulai dari Danau Tana, Ethiopia dan mengalir sampai Zaire, Kenya,Rwanda,Tanzania dan Burundi. Sungai Nil ini mempunyai panjang kira-kira 5.584 km atau 3.470 Mil.

Batu Karang Terbesar di Dunia

Barrier Reef merupakan batu karang yang paling besar di dunia yang terdiri dari 3.000 jenis individu batuan karang kecil dan 900 yang berbentuk pulau-pulau kecil. Barrier Reef ini terletak di lautan Australia yang mempunyai panjang 2.600 km dan mempunyai luas sekitar 344.400 km².

Gunung Aktif Paling Bahaya di Dunia

Gunung Kilauea merupakan gunung yang berada di kepulauan Hawaii. Apabila sampai meletus gunung ini mengeluarkan 90% lavanya yang panas.

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Peneliti menemukan harta tak terduga saat menjelajahi bawah air Sangihe Talaud lepas Indonesia dalam ekspedisi INDEX 2010 bulan Juli 2010.

Dengan menggunakan teknologi bawah air yang canggih, ‘Little Hercules’ menemukan berbagai spesies baru, termasuk laba-laba laut sebesar piring dan hewan spons berbentuk bunga pemakan daging.

Diperkirakan sebanyak 40 spesies tumbuhan dan hewan baru telah ditemukan selama ekspedisi tiga minggu yang berakhir di bulan Agustus.

Sangihe Talaud adalah sebuah kepulauan di barat laut pulau sulawesi, dekat dengan pulau mindanao wilayah filipina. Sangihe Talaud memiliki luas wilayah sebesar 2.263,95 km², dengan jumlah penduduk sebanyak 300.000 jiwa.

Berikut adalah gambar-gambar dari biota-biota laut tersebut.

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