Author: Tom

Baghdad, once the largest city in the world.

Baghdad was founded as a capital in 762 AD and, within a short time, evolved into a cultural and intellectual centre of the Muslim world. It housed the House of Wisdom and several key...

Iraq, with a people trying to rise again

Iraq has had more war and struggle than most countries. After years of dictatorship, neighbouring wars and inventions led to a civil war. This is about what most people know about Iraq. Most countries’...

São Paulo became rich in coffee.

Today, São Paulo is South America’s biggest and most prosperous city and Brazil’s financial capital. It is also a cosmopolitan blend of people. This was my first stop in Brazil on my four-week travels....