Most peaceful states

 The Institute for Economics and Peace recently issued the first ranking of peaceful states in the United States. Rankings were based on factors such as violent crime, incarceration population and the costs associated with violence. Check out the 10 most peaceful states in the nation.


Washington

 Known for its picturesque mountain views, Washington rounds out the 10 most peaceful states at No. 10. A leader on the West Coast, Washington ranked most peaceful in the Pacific division.

Iowa

 Once mistaken for heaven in an Oscar-nominated film, Iowa ranks as peaceful state No. 9. In the 18 years of conducting the study on peaceful states, Iowa has never fallen out of the top 10.

Rhode Island

 The small coastal state of Rhode Island saw a decrease in homicides from 4.28 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 2.94 in 2009. This helped land the state at No. 8 on the most-peaceful list.

Massachusetts

 Massachusetts  ranking seventh, showed significant decreases in both violent crime and homicide rates, and the incarceration rate has remained one of the lowest in the country. It’s home to a peace-promoting organization.

Utah

 Widely known as the Friendly State, Utah ranked most peaceful in the West region and the Mountain division and No. 6 overall.

North Dakota

 The Peace Garden State, named after the state’s treasured International Peace Garden, was ranked the most peaceful state for the first nine years of the study. Slight increases in violent crime moved North Dakota into the No. 5 spot.

Minnesota

 Ranked fourth peaceful, Minnesota has the third-lowest incarceration rate and fifth-lowest number of homicides. It recently launched a new system to notify violent-crime victims when offenders are released from prison.

New Hampshire

 Though the study indicated that peace was not linked to political affiliation, New Hampshire is famous for its role in the U.S. political process. The No. 2 most peaceful state has the lowest homicide rate in the country.

Maine

 Vacationland is the perfect nickname for the most peaceful state, which ranked first on three of the tested indicators of peace.

Vermont

Vermont attracts visitors and residents alike with its beautiful scenery and inviting ski slopes, not to mention this sweet industry. This peaceful state ranks third based on low homicide rates and a decreasing violent-crime rate.

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History’s biggest mysteries

History’s biggest mysteries The origins and meanings of some of the world’s most baffling historic places and events are the stuff of legend. Some involve theories about sorcery, alien encounters and unexplained structures.
Stonehenge

This huge stone monument in the English countryside (find it on a map) has been puzzling people for centuries.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

The 240-foot-long limestone statue of this mythological figure overlooks the bank of the Nile (here), but exactly when it was built and why has been up for debate. Also, where’s its nose?

Lost Colony of Roanoke

A group of 16^th-century British settlers and their dwellings are said to have completely vanished from their early Virginia colony

Easter Island

Eighteenth-century Dutch explorers stumbled upon this remote South Pacific island (find it on a map) and were stunned by the hundreds of huge stone statutes erected there (what are they called?). Natives died off — here’s one cause — before key questions about their origins and methods were answered.

Lost Island of Atlantis

A revered Greek philosopher told of an island that was once a seat of great power, but plummeted into the depths of the ocean.

Chichen Itza

The ancient Mayans erected elaborate monuments in this city in the Yucatan Peninsula (where in the world?), then abandoned them.

The Shroud of Turin

Locked inside an Italian chapel (where?) is a cloth some say was placed on the body of Jesus Christ when he was buried. Some dismiss it as a forgery.

Pumapunku

This ancient Inca temple complex (found here) was constructed with puzzle-like pieces of stone cut with laser-like precision (see photos).

Coral Castle

In this southern Florida town (see a map) stands the 1920s home of a Latvian-American recluse. What makes it mysterious? He claimed to have built the vast “castle” all by himself (what did he call it?) using pieces of limestone that weighed tons.

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Top world cities

 If you're making travel plans, consider visiting some of these global hotspots and less-visited geographical gems, ranked at the top by Bing.



Houston

 Houston, the fourth-largest city in the nation (map), is home to the Astros, the Rockets and a NASA hub, so it's no wonder the town touts an out-of-this-world nickname.

Singapore

 Singapore, the Malay Peninsula city-state (where in the world?) is a multicultural metropolis that also goes by a kingly moniker.

Orlando, Fla

 Tourists flock to this sunny central Florida city (map) for dolphins and Disney, but what was Orlando's  former claim to fame?

Paris

 France's capital city (map) has captured hearts around the world, thanks to must-see attractions for history buffs, foodies, art lovers and fashion fans.

Stockholm

 The capital of Sweden (map) is a financial and cultural hub as well as the seat of royalty. See photos of the palace and the royal family.

Savannah, Ga

 The Georgia seaport of Savannah (map) boasts a nickname that exudes as much charm as its most affable resident (watch her in action).

Venice

 Don't wait too long to visit Venice -- it's sinking! Once every two years, the art world flocks to this northern Italian city (map). What's the main attraction? That event draws film fanatics, too -- find out why.

Austin, Texas

 The capital city of the Lone Star State (map) offers thrills for live music fans, football tailgaters and foodies (vegetarians and meat lovers alike).

Santa Barbara, Calif

 Santa Barbara, home of the Gauchos (who?), stretches from the beach to the mountains, with plenty of California history in between

Rome Italy

 The ancient Italian city of Rome (map) houses some of the grandest historical structures -- from an ages-old amphitheater to one of the world's most famous fountains (photos).

Vancouver, B.C

The British Columbia city of Vancouver (map) has a new feather in its cap: What is its impressive title? This Canadian metropolis offers snow-capped mountains (photos), sandy beaches and one of the continent's largest urban parks.

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 It's amazing blue water, sand, and all this surrounded by  impregnable  cliffs. Many have seen pictures of the bay, but not many know that this Navajo Bay in Greece