Topic: Beaches

The beach: sun, sand, and inequality in the Dominican Republic

Urban, man-made beaches are popping up around the world, but they serve as a reminder of the inequality that can prohibit low-income residents from traveling to parts of their own countries.

International Women's Day: Meet the 10 richest women

The day before International Women's Day, Forbes magazine released its annual billionaires list for 2012 headed, predictably, by men. But this year, 14 of the richest 100 were women. In honor of International Women’s Day, here’s a countdown of the Top 10, a list that includes a few mining tycoons, a media mogul, and a pair of Wal-Mart heiresses. Which wealthy woman snagged the top spot?

Top 10 cities where house prices are rising

House prices continue to fall nationwide, but here and there they’ve begun to turn up as Americans return to the housing market. Which 10 metropolitan areas have seen the biggest increase in the past year? The winners, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), include a state capital, a furniture-making center, and a resort that was once America’s foreclosure capital. Can you guess who they are?  

Upheaval in the Maldives: 4 things you should know

The Maldives, an archipelago nation best known for its beaches and resorts, is suddenly making headlines after its president stepped down amid protests.  What's going on in the Maldives?

Will and Kate visit L.A.: Locals' top 10 southern California must-sees

Royal newlyweds William and Kate have a busy, business-first itinerary for their three-day visit to southern California, which begins Friday. If they had asked us, we’d have given them these 10 tips for how to savor the SoCal experience. For every obvious tourist gambit, we’ve thrown in some insider info about where to pan for the best Angeleno cultural gold.

Existing home sales dip, but prices vary wildly. Top 5 most, least expensive cities.

Existing home sales dipped below an annual rate of 5 million in May. Not counting condos and coops, single-family home sales stand at 4.2 million a year, which, if it held for all of 2011, would be lower than the worst of the slump in 2008. But home prices vary dramatically, depending upon where you live in the United States: the average listing for a typical four-bedroom, two bathroom house in the most expensive real-estate market is more than 40 times the average listing in the least expensive city, according to a recent survey of more than 2,300 markets by Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Here are the Top 5 most and least expensive cities. Is yours on the list?

5 romance novels perfect for beach reading

These five novels are shaped by secrets that come close to destroying relationships – and in some cases, lives – and yet honesty wins out.

How well do you know Mexico? Take our quiz.

Most Americans know Mexico for its beach resorts (Cancun, Acapulco) and more recently it's drug war violence. But beyond the stereotypes lies a profound history, a land of legendary indigenous civilizations. Mexico today is a major economic power and home to the world's richest man. How much do you know about Mexico? Take our quiz.

Thailand's coast struggles to balance development with sustainability

The islands of Thailand's previously untouched Andaman Coast are experiencing a tourism boom that has brought chaotic expansion at a cost to the environment.

Seychelles serves up African justice for Somali pirates

The Seychelles convicted 11 Somali pirates Monday and joined other small Indian Ocean countries in asking the European Union to fund a regional naval force to combat piracy. Is this emerging as an African solution?

Rio Christ statue renovations complete

Rio Christ statue: The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro has undergone a $4 million renovation.

BP oil spill spreads toward Pensacola, as wildlife toll rises

The BP oil spill is moving eastward, threatening beaches like Pensacola, Fla., as oil balls wash ashore and Gulf animals die at unusually high rates.

Bangladesh: A new seventh wonder?

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