Jürgen Sorges

For sober thinking geologists, the formation of mountains (orogenesis) goes back to plate tectonics. The shifting of the continental plates causes mountains to form, erosion removes them again. Even the longest mountain range on earth was formed in this way: from Alaska to the Andes, the American Cordilleras form the eastern part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 452 volcanoes rise. And indeed, fire-spitting giants and bitterly cold worlds of ice are the main reasons for the fascination composed of fear and reverence that mountains exerted on early mankind. Mountain peaks were home to the oldest weather gods. In fact, mountains are meteorological divides and watersheds and determine the climate, and their diverse and unique vegetation zones are life-givers. Only hesitantly did people approach colossal holy mountains like the Annapurna in the Himalayas, the “Goddess of food and nourishment”. But curiosity won out, ice mummies in the Alps, Andes and Altai prove it: hunters, shepherds and priests were drawn early to these heavenly places. The highest archaeological site on earth is on Llullaillaco (6,739 m/22,109 ft): on the border between Argentina and Chile, the Incas were already building temples before 1500 AD. The disenchantment of the peaks of the gods began around 1850 with the beginning of modern mountain sports. Today, almost all peaks from Aconcagua to the Zugspitze have been climbed, on the Eiger as well as on Everest the most difficult passages have been mastered thanks to experienced climbing skills. But the mountains have never lost their magnificent magic.

Gently rolling hills and golden sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, brown-red peat bogs and crystal clear lakes and rivers teeming with salmon and trout: The 84,079 km2 (32,599sq miles) Atlantic island in north-western Europe has immense attractions. It also justifiably bears the title "Emerald Isle": lush green fields and pastures characterize the landscape, with spots of color from yellow broom or red rhododendron setting accents. And yes, sometimes it even rains. In Dublin, Galway, Cork and Belfast, the famous rapid weather changes are taken with composure: "Just wait a minute!" Only a short time later, sunrays breaking through the clouds bathe the island in an even more fascinating, mystically beautiful light. The Republic of Ireland covers five sixths of the island, the rest being Northern Ireland, which has been separated again by the EU's external border since 2020. Ireland's accession to the EU in 1973 in particular brought prosperity to the Republic: even the economic crisis of 2008 only slowed down the "Celtic Tiger" decade of success. In 2018, per capita income made the Republic the second richest nation in Europe and the fifth richest in the world. And Northern Ireland also experienced a huge upswing despite the civil war-like troubles. Gone are the days of poverty and need. What remains are the Irish people's wistfulness and pride in their history: myths and romantic legends live on in literature and music, which resound in pubs with whiskey. And of course Gaelic is spoken again on the island: "Failte", "Welcome" to the Emerald Isle!

Mighty mountain ranges like the Andes, or the Himalayas with the highest mountains in the world, shape and form whole continents. Each mountain range is unique in itself and creates habitats for animals and plants that survive even in the most inhospitable areas. This title shows the breathtaking beauty of the world's mightiest mountains in over 400 impressive pictures.

Tuscany captivates with its gently rolling hilly landscape, its cypress avenues and pine forests, its magnificent castles, palaces, and country villas amidst of blooming vineyards and olive groves. Cities like Pisa, Florence, or Siena with outstanding cultural treasures, tiny mountain villages, and last but not least "la dolce vita" make the region one of the most popular in Italy.

Tuscany captivates with its gently rolling hilly landscape, its cypress avenues and pine forests, its magnificent castles, palaces and country villas amidst of blooming vineyards and olive groves. Cities like Pisa, Florence or Siena with outstanding cultural treasures, tiny mountain villages and last but not least la dolce vita make the region one of the most popular in Italy.

Viac než 400 výnimočných fotografií zobrazuje život vo svete na prelome 19. a 20. storočia. Snímky „starého sveta", vyznačujúceho sa hojnosťou a stabilitou, kontrastujú so zábermi rýchlych zmien, ktoré so sebou priniesol turbulentný začiatok 20. storočia.