LUXEMBOURG Location Luxembourg Is Located In Europe And Is Bordered By

LUXEMBOURG Location Luxembourg is located in Europe and is bordered by Belgium, Germany and France. On a map, it is located at 50 N latitude and 6 E longitude. Luxembourg is very small. It is only 998 square miles, which is roughly the size of Orange County, California. All the country is inhabited, with most people living in the southern part. The Flag The flag of Luxembourg was adopted in 1845. The colors come from the Coat of Arms of Luxembourg and are red, white and blue. The flag is simply three horizontal stripes from top to bottom. The Land and People Luxembourg has two distinct regions. The Ardennes, or northern region, is mountainous. The Bon Pays, or southern region, is mostly fertile farmland. The climate is cool and moist, with snow in the mountains. There are rich deposits of iron ore creating many jobs in the steel industry. There is also fertile farmland to the south, also creating many jobs in farming. The people of Luxembourg have no native costume. T hey borrow much of their culture from Belgium, Germany, and France. Today, modern Luxembourgers dress like other Europeans. The people of Luxembourg like to eat smoked pork and beans, and sometimes saurkraut. Smoked ham is available all year round, and pastries are a Luxembourg favorite. Some of these pastries include rolls, muffins, cupcakes, and a special dry cake translated "Random Thoughts". Luxembourg makes beer and wine which is sold there and in other nearby countries. The buildings in Luxembourg vary from place to place. Some villages have charming old houses hundreds of years old, though in the cities there are many modern apartment and office buildings. For recreation, a Luxembourger might ride a bike, or hike in the countryside. A favorite sport of the people is volleyball. For transportaion they have railroads and highways for cars and buses. There are bike trails and hiking paths as well. Luxembourg doesn't have a culture all its own, because it ties in with its neighbo ring countries, Belgium, Germany, and France. The natural resources of Luxembourg are: iron ore, which is processed into steel, farm products such as wheat, corn and livestock, and grapes which are grown for winemaking. Technology The main industries of Luxembourg are steel and winemaking. Farming is also an important industry, especially with such crops as corn, wheat and livestock. The steel is exported and crops are exported, as well as used in Luxembourg. Also the wine made in Luxembourg is exported and sold there. Culture There is a lot of culture in Luxembourg. There are many art galleries featuring work from the expressionist painter, Joseph Kutter, and also that of Edward Steichen, a well known photographer. Both of these artists are from Luxembourg. The cathedrals are examples of some of the beautiful architecture found in Luxembourg. In the villages, there are buildings dating back to the 1100's, 1300's, 1700's, as well as the early 1900's. A trip through the villages is like taking a trip through time because of these old homes that are still lived in. As far as music, every village, suburb and town has at least a band, orchestra or choral group. Luxembourgers love parades, and have them often. Every parade has at least half a dozen bands. Their enjoyment of music is so great, that at the end of every summer, Luxembourg has a music competition that involves the whole country. Government The government of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy. The grand duke or duchess serves as monarch and chief executive. The monarchy is a hereditary office, and the sixty-four member parliament, called the Chamber of Deputies, makes the laws. The monarch appoints the prime minister and all of the ten Cabinet ministers to carry out government operations. The twenty-one member advisory body, or the Council of State, are appointed for life. The local government is carried out by dividing Luxembourg into districts, which are headed by the commissioner. The districts are divided into cantons, and these are divided into communes, which are headed by elected officials. The monarch presently in charge is Grand Duke Jean, who has been in power since 1964. Jacques Santer has been the Premier of Luxembourg since 1984. The monarch's

Premature Feedback

Premature Feedback We writers are a needy lot. We cant wait for feedback on our work. And in these days of instant communication via email and social media, we seek it earlier and earlier in the process. Some even ask for feedback on their ideas, before writing the first chapter, as if the other person could have a clue. Yet somewhere out there we can find someone wholl tell us its the grandest idea and destined for record-breaking success. Its like planting a seed and asking others how they think the tomato is going to taste. Someone will tell you they bet itll be phenomenal. The problem with seeking premature feedback is timing. First, the idea isnt fully fleshed out, therefore limiting the quality of the feedback. Without more information (i.e., quality of writing, the consummation of the plot), how in the world can the reader even tell? Second, those folks out there lose nothing in patting you on the head and making you feel good regardless of the concept. They recognize youre fragile, seeking validation for something as fleeting as an idea, so they tell you THAT SOUNDS GREAT and move on. Third, its in this introductory period, when you are the least sure of getting into bed with this idea, that you are the most vulnerable. You arent even sure of what you have. You havent lived with the idea long enough, molded and remolded it sufficiently to even have a form. Hold off asking for opinion. The earlier you ask for feedback, the more likely you are to get deterred from what might be your best writing. The best judge of a good idea is you, but only after youve mulled it over for a long while, or tested it Then theres always this possibility. You request feedback on your idea, and three people give it the thumbs down. Frustrated, you throw away a story that through trial and error, a couple rewrites, and dozen edits later could be Harry Potter, Gone Girl, or Murder on the Orient Express. Nobody on social media can make these types of decisions for you. And you are too vulnerable at this early stage to be asking them to help you do so. You are too easily persuaded to take the wrong path, whether you write a work that will never see the light of day or forget about a concept that could be career-setting. The masses cannot make such personal decisions. Take responsibility for vetting an idea long enough, and deep enough, to understand if it suits you. You have to live with it. They dont.

Critique the Financial Analysis and Research Paper

Critique the Financial Analysis and - Research Paper Example and 122 in Canada. The company employs over 361,000 associates in the United States (Yahoo, 2013). In the U.S. there are about 5,000 department stores with combined revenue of about $120 billion annually (Target, 2012). In the U.S. the discount department store industry is highly concentrated with the eight largest companies accounting for almost 100% of revenues. Wal-Mart and Target are leading the pack. In this industry the main factors driving demand are consumer spending related to economic outlook and population growth. In order to remain profitable in this highly competitive industry driven by ever lower margins companies depend on efficient supply chain management, high volumes, effective merchandising and competitive pricing in order to maintain profitability. Target is following an industry trend of adding and converting major markets stores into supercenters which combine traditional general merchandise with a fully stocked grocery store to help drive store traffic, since c ustomers spend more on groceries more than any other product category (Hoover’s First Research, 2013). 2) There are significant business challenges in this industry which dictate the success of its major players. The industry is characterized by its dependence on high volumes and extremely low operating margins. In order to keep prices low the industry has a heavy dependence on imports in most of their key merchandise categories. In general terms gross margin percentages for discount department stores can be 10-20% lower than traditional department stores. Although there is also growing recent and resistance from communities that perceives giant discounters as a major threat to their local economy and small business community. In terms of economic growth for the industry it is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 1% from 2013-2017 (Hoover’s First Research). We will analyze Target Corp. for its fiscal year ended 2/2/2013 and compare it with the industry averages in terms of overall financial performance, financial ratio analysis and investment potential. In order to gauge the company’s liquidity we will analyze the quick ratio as well as their debt to equity ratio and compare it with the industry. We will look at the inventory turnover ratio to gauge operational efficiency and inventory management compared with the industry. In order to measure management effectiveness, shareholders returns and profitability we will analyze the price/earnings ratio, return on equity, earnings per share and net profit margin versus industry averages (Yahoo). Target Industry Average Quick Ratio .54 .50 Debt to Equity Ratio 91.53 67.6 Inventory Turnover Ratio 6.4 4.4 P/E Ratio 17.24 15.8 Return on Equity 14.84% 11.3% Earnings per Share 3.74 5.2 Net Profit Margin 4.17% 2.7 4) As one of the most successful discount department stores, Target must be extremely efficient in their operations in order to remain profitable. Target has a slightly higher debt to eq uity ratio compared with industry average. The company is effectively managing its levels of financial leverage in order to increase shareholder benefits and maximize growth and stock performance. By analyzing the company's quick ratio it demonstrates that the company has maintained an above average level of liquidity to meet their short and long term liabilities as compared with

Modern Biotechnology and Its Role in European Unions Economy Essay

Modern Biotechnology and Its Role in European Unions Economy - Essay Example This essay stresses that human medicine and healthcare are the most important area where modern technology is highly applied through the biotechnological publications and patent rights with the inventions of new biotechnological products. Modern biotechnology has widespread applications in human medicine and health care, which makes a very important contribution to the economy of the European Union region countries. Modern biotechnology in the medicine and healthcare sector adds to the European Union's gross value addition by about one percent. Furthermore, modern biotechnology provides very effective tools for research and development on biopharmaceuticals, which leads to inventions of new drugs that are sold hence generating revenues to countries within the EU region. This article makes a conclusion that modern biotechnology enhances the competitiveness of the EU companies by enabling them renew their production strategies in the breeding of quality crops, livestock, and enzyme production. The biotechnology sector also contributes to employment to the EU citizens. Highly trained individuals get better-paying jobs in the biotechnology sector as the researchers and developers of the new biotechnological products. Above all, modern biotechnology is creating sustainable ways of growing and developing the European Union economy. Modern biotechnology has become very important in modern day as explained in the paper.

Benefits of eating organic foods Essay Example for Free

Benefits of eating organic foods Essay There are many benefits of eating organic foods and the main reasoning for this is because of the way these foods are grown. They are all grown on smaller farms and are cared more for. The farmers use natural soils, get rid of the weeds naturally without using sprays, and they use beneficially insects and birds to get rid of pests and diseases. Using natural resources to grow foods prevents us from eating chemical and in some cases added hormones. Organic foods have more zinc, iron and other vitamins than non-organic foods. They can help reduces your risk for cancer because weed, insect, and mold killers have been linked to the cause of some cancers. The ways these foods are grown also help our environment by creating less pollution. The prices for organic foods are more expensive than non-organic. Non-organic foods are generally more affordable and there are more varieties as well. Non-organic foods do not contain E coli because most organic soil that is animal manure and it can cause E coil in organic foods. Between organic and non-organic foods there are benefits to eating each of them. There are certain foods that you should buy organic over non-organic. These foods are the ones that are more nutritious and contain fewer pesticides. Apples are generally more contaminated with pesticides so buying them organically will reduce the risk of them. Celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines, grapes, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries, kale, and lettuce are all other foods that you should buy organically due to pesticides. There are some foods that are safe to buy non-organically and they will save you money. These foods are onions, corn, pineapple, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangos, eggplant, cantaloupe, kiwi, cabbage, sweet potatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, and mushrooms. Some sources think that organic foods are healthier than non-organic foods and others believe there is no significant difference between the two. Organic foods are grown on smaller private farm and they do not release or consume any pesticides. Organic foods are also more nutritious because they do not contain any pesticides either. The sources I chose were all from the Internet and they were from either a print or web source. I found these sources to be helpful because they were all able to provide me with enough information that I needed. More than half my sources described what foods you should buy organically and what foods you shouldnt buy organically. I found this information to helpful because the list of foods that you should buy organically is shorter than the ones you shouldnt. Fruits are typically the ones that have to worry about having pesticides and that are why more fruits are recommended to buy organically. The pesticides that are used on foods kill the nutrients in foods but it still is able to hold some nutrients but not as much as organic fruits. Composting at the World’s Largest Natural Foods Supermarket Chain. (2004). Biocycle. 45(11). p27. Retrieved on 3-3-05 from Ebscohost. Federal or Government Sources Organic Foods 101: Basic Information about organic foods, national labeling standards and online organic foodsellers. (2002). Retrieved on 3-3-05 from http://www. nrdc. org. The National Organic Program . (USDA). (2002). Retrieved on 3-3-05 from http://ams. usda. gov. Trade Publications Organic Food Facts. (2003). Organic Trade Association. Retrieved on 3-3-05 from http://www. ota. com/organic/mt/food. html Industry Statistics and Projected Growth. (2003). Organic Trade Association. Retrieved on 3-3-05 from http://www.ota. com/organic/mt/business. html Organic foods are getting more popular among the world compare to the bigger consumption of conventional foods. There certain true organic foods may cost a bit more, but most of the people agree, taste and quality are well worth compare to conventional. In today`s supermarket, organic foods are everywhere. There are clearly many benefits to organic foods, but there are specific like: it is healthier, protect the environment, different taste. The organic farming and produce of organic foods has been prevalent from the time agriculture was first conceived. The natural way of growing crops started becoming unpopular and economically less feasible. More crop yields meant higher profits to the farmer and better utilization of the land. The farmers who used fertilizers started growing two crops during the same time-period. That was the begging of fast growing industry of conventional foods. Organic foods are healthier than conventional in many aspects. The nutrients present in organic foods that are not in commercial foods. Organic food for mineral levels, the researchers also looked for the amount of the heavy metals aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury. Aluminum has been implicated for years in the development of Alzheimers disease. Its content in organic food averaged 40% less that in commercial foods. Lead toxicity, which has been in the new a lot lately, can adversely affect our childrens IQ. It averaged 29% lower in organic foods. Mercury, which can cause neurologic damage, averaged 25% lower in organic foods (Crinnion, Walter). The organic meat is healthier compare the conventional gown, full with antibiotics and many other chemicals for fast growing, which goes to us. The healthier means saver way of leaving. People consume more conventional food which evokes more farmers to use pesticides and to double their crops. The pesticides are dangerous for environment and wild life. People should buy more organic foods and lower the production of the conventional. That`s one of the ways to protect and safe the environment and wildlife of the world. Used chemicals kill different insects which are part of our ecosystem. Chemicals go from soil to the water reservoir and again back to us. The organic foods are proven to taste better and different than conventional grown foods. The organic food not only taste better, but doesn`t contains preservatives. The conventional milk, has inspiration date around 2 months compare to the organic one it`s not more than two weeks. The smell and the taste of organically grown tomatoes are totally different. The organic farms will continue to grow and produce more quality foods around the world. The healthier and long lasting life is connected with the consumption of more organic foods, which taste better and than the conventional. The organic farms help to reduce chemicals that are used for produce their crops. Thats the way to save the environment and the wild life of the world. A disadvantage of organic food is the life of the product. Without the preservatives found in inorganic foods nearly all of these products must be refrigerated. Organic farming also yields fewer crops because insects, weeds, and fungi often damage a larger portion of organic crops than conventionally grown crops. Finally, only about half of the states regulate organic foods and little exists to stop organic farmers from labeling any food they wish as â€Å"organic†. There are numerous benefits of organic farming[-0] for the environment, as well. Without pesticide or chemical use, the water contamination and health risks that occur elsewhere are eliminated. Crops on organic farms are rotated constantly, which keeps the land fresher, healthier, and less worn out. They also help to avoid pest problems, erosion of the soil, and nutrient deprivation in the soil. Cover crops are planted prior to the main crop and bring helpful things to the land such as nitrogen and helpful insects (Roth, 2) [-0] .. /essay_search/organic_farming. html.

Life Goes On in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart :: Things Fall Apart essays

Things Fall Apart and Life Goes On Achebe often centers on the conflicts of man within himself and with his culture. Things Fall Apart is no exception. Achebe’s story is about a strong man, Okonkwo, whose life is dominated by fear and anger. The fear of the main character, Okonkwo, is generated first by fear of failure and then by a fear of the unknown. The unknown in this story is the oncoming of the English into Africa. A religion is brought to the villages, and new ways of thinking arise. Overall, the African village Okonkwo knew and grew up in slowly begins to disappear. Okonkwo is not only afraid for himself but for his entire village. He is afraid that his culture will vanish and be forgotten by the younger generations. Achebe is able to show the reader his intentions at the very beginning of the book by including a quote from W.B. Yeats’ poem "The Second Coming": Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world. Achebe lets the reader know from the beginning that Nigeria's rich cultural heritage is falling apart and that there will be no happy ending. The life of Okonkwo symbolizes the life and richness of the tribe and village. As the story progresses Okonkwo’s life begins to go downhill and so does that of the village. The story ends with the death of Okonkwo and the death of an entire civilization. The colonials have taken over the village; the children no longer believe in the old ways. Things fall apart and no one wants to put them back together. Life goes on with the invasion of the English, but never will it be the same. Achebe was born and raised in a large village in Nigeria. He was also educated in Nigeria. After a short career in radio, Achebe began to lecture abroad and settled for a while as an English professor at the University of Massachusetts.

Proposal for Multimedia Project Essay

A self-declared grey hat hacker has leaked credit card information from Visa and MasterCard. In a Pastebin statement, ‘Reckz0r’ said that he targeted the credit card giants for ‘curiosity and challenge’ and was only leaking a portion of the credit card information as he could not leak everything, as it was ‘too large’. He said: â€Å"I’m also censoring the credit card information such as CC number, secret code, expiry date for security measures, I also edited the way the information will look, the original one looked bullshit. The document includes the card owner’s name, address, telephone number and email address. Speaking on Twitter Reckz0r said that he did not hack Visa and MasterCard, but several banks. He later tweeted that he had ‘penetrated over 79 large banks’ and had been targeting these banks for three months. In a web chat, Reckz0r told SC Magazine that the total data file was 50GB and it mainly consisted of credit card data and ‘contained data of company-owners, for example (LinkedIn co-founder) Reid Hoffman’. He declined to answer a question on how he hacked the two companies, but when asked if he found flaws to make this hack easier, he said yes and admitted that he had also hacked into the FBI, Pentagon and US Navy websites and ‘leaked some of their staff emails’. In this instance, Reckz0r chose to reveal personal details of customers. Asked why he chose not to hit the credit card companies directly, Reckz0r said: â€Å"I’ve took down mastercard. com a year ago and Visa. This time, I did a leak. I hacked a few banks and leaked the information. The full leak is 50GB containing 500,000 citizen’s information. He confirmed that he was involved in the attack on MasterCard and Visa in December 2010, when Anonymous declared support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after PayPal permanently restricted the account used by WikiLeaks. This led to attacks on PayPal and other sites who chose not to support Assange or the whistle-blowing website. Reckz0r said that he was involved in the Visa and MasterCard attacks with two others. He said: â€Å"We’re just showing that when LulzSec was over, people thought it’s the end of Anonymous, it isn’t actually. † He also said that he was working alone as he had been before. Tal Be’ery, web research team leader at Imperva, said: â€Å"Having looked at the files that were posted, it doesn’t look credible. If anything he hacked a website and downloaded credit card details that contained Visa and MasterCard – along with American Express. But it is highly unlikely that he hacked both Visa and MasterCard directly. † Asked what he would say to people suggesting it is not genuine credit card data, Reckz0r said: â€Å"They’re a bunch of haters, if I wouldn’t censor the data and leak the whole 50GB data, I’d be noticed as a black hat. †