Venice From The Sky

Venice is built on 117 small islands that are separated by 150 canals. People cross the canals by many small bridges. They can also be taken for rides along the canals in a type of boat called a gondola.

The buildings in Venice are very old and attractive, and tourists come from all over the world to see them and the canals. This has made Venice one of the most famous cities in the world. The most famous sights are the Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

1. Venice - one of the popular destinations of cruise itineraries. Local terminal for cruise liners every year serves up a half million passengers. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

2. Intercity transportation in Venice carried on motor boats, gondolas, barges. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

3. Venice Island - a seaside resort, the center of international tourism world-class, the venue of international film festivals, art and architecture exhibitions. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

4. Dense buildings of the historic center of Venice. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

5. Islands of the Venice lagoon, separated by 150 canals and channels, through which airlifted some 400 bridges (including the Rialto and the so-called Bridge of Sighs, both belong to the end of the XVI century). (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

6. Historic Downtown - Saint Mark's Square. It is the center of public life, the heart of Venice, a place of solemn ceremonies, religious and folk festivals. Now, of course, it's hard to believe that many centuries ago, there were green gardens that belonged to the nuns of nearby Benedictine monastery. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

7. The historic center of Venice is situated on 118 islands of the Venetian lagoon. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

8. At St. Mark's Square is the most ambitious building over Venice - Doge's Palace (in the lower left corner). When you look at the Doge's Palace seems that the building tilted foundation up and roof down. Central part of the facade is decorated with two richly decorated balconies. They were built to doge could appear before the people. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

9. Throughout the XX century Venice quickly (up to 5 mm per year) was immersed in the lagoon, as a result of land sank to 23 cm. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

10. Those who arrived in the city on the water should see a square of St. Mark, the Doge's Palace, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Palazzo Grassi, Spanish and Italian Synagogue, walk across the bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, next to the clock tower and bell tower of St. Mark , swim on the Grand Canal. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

11. However, we can say that Venice is living under constant threat. Water, which makes the city unique, it is both a headache. (Steve Jessmore/AP Photo)

12. Venice is gradually disappearing under the water - this fact encountered the ancient settlers who have been forced twice to rebuild the city, going to the higher islands. (Photo clickable)

13. Despite his romantic image of the city, attracting people from all over the world, Venice has got a very dubious list of "most smelly cities in the world." Venice has earned this title because of its far from ideal sewer system, sewage is discharged because of the hundreds of Venetian villas right in the famous canals. (Photo clickable)

14. The main cause of distress served industrial water withdrawals from artesian wells and, consequently, the lowering of the water-bearing layer of earth; the gradual flooding of the city is also affected by increasing pressure from land-based objects: buildings, people, etc. After closing the wells of subsidence has slowed, but not ceased. (Photo clickable)

15. However, construction of dams subjected to severe criticism because of the low efficiency of such flood protection, tested in the Netherlands, and the consequences for the environment (lack of sea water can lead to the extinction of many unique and rare species of living beings inhabiting the lagoon). (Photo clickable)

16. To save this unique city drafted a "Moses", envisages the construction of airtight barriers around the city. The project was approved by experts and was inaugurated in 2003 with the laying of the cornerstone S. Berlusconi . (Photo clickable)

17. Scientists have calculated that Venice could become uninhabitable as early as 2028. (Photo clickable)