The Largest Animals in the World


Our world is full of creatures big and small, short and tall. Below the Sifter looks at 15 of the largest animals in the world, classified by various categories such as mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians etc.


The Largest Animal Ever: The Blue Whale

 

 The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a marine mammal belonging to the suborder of baleen whales. At 30 metres (98 ft) in length and 180 metric tons (200 short tons) or more in weight, it is the largest known animal to have ever existed. The Blue Whale’s tongue weighs around 2.7 metric tons (5,952 pounds), about the size of an average Asian Elephant and its heart weighs about 600 kg (1,300 lb) and is the largest known in any animal. Not only is the heart similar size to a mini-cooper car but also comparable in weight.
 




The Heaviest Land Animal in the World: The African Bush Elephant

 

 The African Bush Elephant is the largest living terrestrial (land) animal, with males reaching 6 to 7.5 metres (19.7 to 24.6 ft) in length, 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) in height at the shoulder, and weighing 6 t (13,000 lb). Females are much smaller, reaching 5.4 to 6.9 metres (17.7 to 22.6 ft) in length, 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) in height at the shoulder, and weighing 3 t (6,600 lb). 


The Tallest Land Animal in the World: The Giraffe

 

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal and the tallest living terrestrial animal in the world. It stands 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall and has an average weight of 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) for males and 830 kg (1,800 lb) for females. The giraffe has an extremely elongated neck, which can be over 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length, accounting for nearly half of the animal’s vertical height. The long neck results from a disproportionate lengthening of the cervical vertebrae, not from the addition of more vertebrae.
 
 
 

The Largest Carnivora in the World: The Southern Elephant Seal

The Southern elephant seal is the largest carnivore living today. This seals’ size shows extreme sexual dimorphism, possibly the largest of any mammal, with the males typically five to six times heavier than the females. While the females average 400 to 900 kilograms (880 to 2,000 lb) and 2.6 to 3 meters (8.5 to 9.8 ft) long, the bulls average 2,200 to 4,000 kilograms (4,900 to 8,800 lb) and 4.5 to 5.8 meters (15 to 19 ft) long. The record-sized bull, shot in Possession Bay, South Georgia on February 28, 1913, measured 6.85 meters (22.5 ft) long and was estimated to weigh 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb).

The Largest Land Carnivores in the World: The Polar Bear and Kodiak Bear

 

 The largest living land carnivores are the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) and the kodiak bear, a Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) subspecies. Since they have similar body sizes, it is not clear which is definitively larger. In both species, shoulder height has been measured at more than 1.6 m (5.2 ft) and total length at as much as to 3.05 m (10.0 ft). The heaviest polar and brown bear weights recorded were respectively 1,003 kg (2,210 lb) and 1,135 kg (2,500 lb).


 

The Top 10 Horror Stories

1.“A Warning to the Curious” by M.R. James - No horror anthology would be complete without a contribution by that English master of supernatural fiction, M. (Montague) R. (Rhodes) James (1862-1936). The Cambridge Provost invented the modern ghost story as we know it, replacing the Gothic horrors of the previous century with more contemporary settings and subtle terrors. Although his tales have been much imitated, they have never been surpassed, and amongst the very best is ‘A Warning to the Curious’ which, with its cursed object and doomed protagonist, perfectly exemplifies everything that is memorable about the author’s fiction.

2. “The Call of Cthulhu” by H.P. Lovecraft - Next comes that dean of cosmic horror, H. (Howard) P. (Phillips) Lovecraft (1890-1937). A life-long antiquarian and resident of Providence, Rhode Island, most of his work appeared in the cheaply-produced pulp magazines that he despised. Best remembered for his creation of the much-imitated “Cthulhu Mythos”, his tales of ancient and unimaginable creatures that sought to reclaim the Earth are as powerful today as when they were first written. The author’s key story in this sequence, ‘The Call of Cthulhu,’ contains all the elements that set Lovecraft’s half-glimpsed horrors apart from most other contributors to the “pulps”.

3. “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper” by Robert Bloch - Best known as the author of the original novel that Alfred Hitchcock based his 1960 movie Psycho on, Robert Bloch (1917-94) was equally at home writing supernatural or psychological horror fiction. In his later years he became a much-respected film and TV scriptwriter in Hollywood, but his stories also appeared in a wide variety of magazines and anthologies. ‘Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper’ skillfully combines both of the author’s fictional styles while casting the historical serial killer as an immortal being. Bloch returned to the “Ripper” theme a number of times, not least for his memorable Star Trek script, ‘Wolf in the Fold’.

4. “Sticks” by Karl Edward Wagner - Although not a contemporary disciple of Lovecraft’s like Robert Bloch was, big, bearded Southerner Karl Edward Wagner (1945-94) was one of the finest modern writers of horror fiction (as well as heroic fantasy), who died at a ridiculously young age. Also an esteemed critic and editor (with his own Year’s Best Horror anthology series), Wagner’s British Fantasy Award-winning story ‘Sticks’ was a chilling tribute not only to pulp magazine illustrator Lee Brown Coye, but also to the type of cosmic horror that Lovecraft popularized in his own fiction.

5. “The Chimney” by Ramsey Campbell - Ramsey Campbell (b. 1946) started his career as a teenager writing pastiches of Lovecraft, but soon developed his own style of urban horror, based around his home city of Liverpool. Aptly described by the Oxford Companion to English Literatureas “Britain’s most respected living horror writer,” Campbell has produced a prolific number of novels and short stories, with most of his work falling into the category of “best in genre”. Choosing a favorite would difficult—there are just so many—but I would go for the World Fantasy Award-winning ‘The Chimney’, one of the creepiest Christmas horror stories I’ve ever read, given an extra poignant twist by the author’s own childhood experiences.

6. “One for the Road” by Stephen King - No list of favorite horror stories would be complete without something by Stephen King (b. 1947), who has arguably been the most successful horror writer of the past four decades. As much as I love his contribution to A Book of Horrors (the final sentence is a killer), I would probably go for his story ‘One for the Road’, a coda-of-sorts to the author’s mega-vampire novel Salem’s Lot. King’s writing style has always been deceptively simple, which allows the horror in his stories to come through loud and clear. Here it is given an extra poignancy by the fate of the family the two old-timers set out to rescue during a blizzard.

7. “The Dark Country” by Dennis Etchison - In my opinion, one of the greatest American short story writers—in any genre—is Californian Dennis Etchison (b. 1943). A lot less prolific than he once was, like King he began publishing in the late 1960s/early 1970s, producing some remarkably lean and disturbing short stories, along with novels and screenplays. Having accompanied him South of the Border on a number of occasions, I would select Etchison’s World Fantasy Award-winning ‘The Dark Country’—not a horror story per se, but one of the best “stranger in strange lands” stories I have ever read. I only wish he would write more these days.

8. “Dance of the Dead” by Richard Matheson - Although widely regarded as a science fiction writer, Richard Matheson (b. 1926) has published in most genres. I have no hesitation in claiming him as a horror author—if only for his novels such as I Am Legend and Hell House, or his quartet of Shock! collections. Like his friend and contemporary Robert Bloch, Matheson also has the ability to add a psychological twist to his darker tales. I guess ‘Dance of the Dead’ is SF due to its futuristic setting, but with its experimental style and grim subject matter, it wouldn’t be out of place in any horror anthology.

9. “The Man Who Drew Cats” by Michael Marshall Smith - A natural successor to both King and Matheson’s lean writing style is British author Michael Marshall Smith (b. 1965), who has gone on to publish a number of successful crime novels under the not-so-secret pseudonym “Michael Marshall.” He won the British Fantasy Award for his first short story, ‘The Man Who Drew Cats,’ which I had the pleasure of originally publishing in an early 1990s anthology. Shamelessly inspired by the author’s love of Stephen King’s work, with its effortless narrative and nasty twist ending the story could easily have come from the imagination of that writer. As it happens, it turned out to be pure Michael Marshall Smith, and he has gone on to become one of the most accomplished short story writers of his generation.

10. “Homecoming” / “The October People” / “Uncle Einar” by Ray Bradbury - Like his friend Richard Matheson, most people probably think of Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) as a science fiction writer as well. And they would not be wrong in that assessment. But while, as a young man, Bradbury was cutting his teeth in the SF pulp magazines, he was also contributing an equal number of tales to such periodicals as Weird Tales. To read Bradbury is to read imaginative prose at its very best. His fiction can transport you to other worlds or far futures, or just as easily bring you back to Earth with a shudder and a bump (in the night). I would recommend his novelSomething Wicked This Way Comes to any young reader as an introduction to the horror genre, and I adore his stories about the Eternal Family—a sort of literary precursor to The Addams Family and The Munsters. Collected together in From the Dust Returned, these stories are in turns lyrical, poignant and chilling. I would recommend ‘Homecoming,’ or ‘The October People,’ or ‘Uncle Einar’. Take your pick—they are all as wonderful as each other.

Best Car Insurance Companies

Knowing you have selected a good car insurance company is peace of mind you will want to have before you get in an accident, have your car stolen, or encounter any number of situations that involve you having to make a claim. You don't want to find out too late that your car insurance provider isn't up to par.

This list contains the top ten best auto insurance companies based on affordability, value of services, and responsiveness. Because, after all, what good is having a rock bottom rate if you don't get enough in return or can't get the help you need when you need it.
 
1. Liberty Mutual

They are the BEST out there! I have gone to different ones and had to come back to them because they are so honest, so friendly and so professional. They are not ripping you off with those 6 month policies and with a bunch of other fees. Do your research... Call around and you will be shocked at how many of those other companies are charging for their premiums (double what Liberty Mutual charges) and then once they get you the first year with somewhat low rates, they hike them back up the second year! Do your research and you will realize that Liberty Mutual is the best all around!

2. GEICO

I love GEICO, they have EXCELLENT customer service! They are always great, they're always so personal, they are always there to help all day and night and weekends and you don't have to worry about someone being on vacation or sick because there's always more and great agents there to help. Plus they work with other outside companies and you can get discounts other places just for being with them. I just wanted to say I think GEICO is worth calling and getting a quote if you don't already have a policy.

3. Esurance

I was tired of my insurance payments going up and up and up, so thought it was time to start shopping for new insurance. I had tried over the Internet before but hadn't a clue what I was doing, so I just gave up. I had my previous insurance elsewhere and came to find out I was paying way, way too much. I am saving $750. 00 a year by switching to Esurance! I could not believe it! I immediately started the process of switching, and I am now a new Esurance customer and a very happy one! Today, I received my policy and cards via email just as promised and am glad I switched!

Best Home Security System Companies

With thousands of home security companies to choose from, how do you choose which one is right for you? 

Most people make this decision based on who is standing at their front door trying to sell them a system. But the security of your home and family is not something you should leave to chance.

This top ten list has been created to help you make an informed decision about how you will protect your home, your family, and your business.

1. Frontpoint Security

As far as I've been able to find (and I've searched high and low) no other security and life-safety company offers a bigger bang for the buck that Frontpoint's Interactive monitoring package does.

What I like most is the technology, pricing/value, portabilility, convenience, full-service, low/no pressure sales, knowledgeable employees, short hold times, transparent pricing, and short contract periods (optional).

Most of all, I appreciate the stellar customer service. Investigate yourself, and you'll see. Their own website is a great resource to start with... fantastic website. Then do some Google searches.

2. Protect America (GE)
 
Using GE technology as the base for their security monitoring service, Protect America offers some of the most reliable monitoring on the market. Protect America offers numerousdifferentconfigurations that can be installed using existing phone lines or wirelessly, and you can even install the system yourself.

Not only is it Protect America reliable, it's also affordable, with monitoring services coming in at 20 less than most home security companies. Their terms are also very flexible. If you choose to, you can even install your security system yourself, thereby reducing the terms of the contract you sign for service.

3. Vivint

This system should be ranked #1 over Front point! Why it is not is a mystery to me. Vivint has everything Front Point has and has more. Can't get locks, can't get thermostats, and the two way cell monitored panel is ancient compared to the state of the art panel Vivint uses. Vivint has the fastest response time in the industry. 

In fact the only thing Front point has that Vivint currently does not have is an outside camera. That's because the outside camera front point has is wired. 

Vivint is committed to a totally wireless system.. Price wise, 400 bucks got me 2 wireless camera a, 2 key fobs, 2 wirelessly controlled door locks, 2 thermostats, 2 extra mobile alarm panels, 12 of the new energy saving light bulbs with the light control system, a siren for the upstairs (we have three floors), and smoke and fire detector.

All this under their home automation package. 68 bucks a month.. If you add cameras to Front Point $54. BEST DEAL IN THE INDUSTRY. Work your sales man though.

4. ADT Monitored Security System

We've had ADT for many years and have had zero problems. I had to learn my lesson the hard way with one of the local companies. I was broken into on Christmas day and they were closed! No dispatch! They cleaned me out! 

I was so furious but there was nothing that I could do (they did let me out of my contract... ) I learned that day that you get what you pay for. That's why I chose to go with the industry leader b/c they have the long time reputation as being the best (who else has 130 years experience? ) I couldn't be more pleased.

On a side note, I did have a salesman come by my house from one of the other companies trying to upsale me on why I should go with their new home automation/ security system. 

I really don't understand all of the hype with these new faceted gadgets. I bought a programmable thermostat from Lowe's for $50. Does almost exactly the same thing. 

I also have enough common sense to set my alarm system before I leave the house. I don't understand the big deal about being able to turn my alarm off and on from work. 

I also believe that when you make a system too complicated that you increase the odds of a malfunction. I did look online and saw where ADT also offers these features as well.

5. Pinnacle Security



Potentials of after school programs

With children becoming the primary focus of society, ways and means to
ensure their safety and development are being researched. The Government
too has pooled in to make a success of such programs. Here are some of the
reasons why after school programs have become so popular:

1) Preventing Juvenile Delinquency, crime and violent victimization:
About 10% of juvenile crimes happen between 3 P.M. - 4 P.M. Children need
to be kept safe and out of trouble at such times

2) Preventing alcohol, drug and tobacco use.
Risk-taking behavior that seeks to establish superiority in a clan is
mostly seen in 'latchkey' children. Children in their pre-teens, if they
have a meaningful relationship with a mentor, are less likely to indulge
in these kinds of destructive behavior

3) Decreases appetite for Television:
An average child watches about 23 hours of TV per week. When enrolled for
some activity, the child utilizes his mental and physical skills to meet
challenges. 

4) Improving academic achievements

5) Improving school attendance:
More confidence in self and increased interest in school leads to greater
attendance in school. A program that helps children with their homework
also gives the child a much-needed feeling of self-achievement. 

6) Improved behavior and inter-personal skills
Children who attend after school activities handle conflict better and
cooperate more with authority figures. 

7) Closer family and community ties.


Top 10 Best Dressed in 2012

10. Princess Stephanie’s Elie Saab Wedding Gown

 Proving that Kate Middleton isn’t the only one who can turn heads with a gorgeous royal wedding dress, Belgian countess Stephanie de Lannoy chose a stunning Elie Saab gown for her Oct. 20 nuptials with Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg. The custom dress, which Saab labored over for 3,200 hours, was straight out of a fairy tale: three-quarter-length lace sleeves, a silk tulle veil and a dramatic 12-foot train were just some of the details that made it a gown befitting a princess.
top10_bestfashion_princessstephanie.jpg


9. Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

 Jessica Chastain joined the ranks of red-carpet royalty when she arrived at the Academy Awards in a black and gold Alexander McQueen gown. With six films that opened in 2011, Chastain was an emerging fashion star by the time the Oscars came around. Many fashion bloggers thought she would wear Armani Privé for the evening (she was in the front row at the label’s show when she learned of her Best Supporting Actress nomination for The Help). Instead, she surprised in McQueen and was named best dressed by several critics the next day.
George Pimentel / WireImage / Getty Images


8. Anna Wintour at the Met Gala

 Ever the fashion diplomat, Anna Wintour managed to honor both subjects of this year’s Costume Institute Gala — Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada — in one spectacular dress. Designed by Prada, the flashy white number featured a jeweled lobster design, which paid homage to Schiaparelli, whose 1937 “lobster dress” is an icon in the fashion canon.
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7. Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham

 On May 11, Kate Middleton attended a gala for the Olympic Games wearing a teal Jenny Packham gown with a lace-panel back and delicate button details that were reminiscent of her royal wedding dress. Since becoming the Duchess of Cambridge, Middleton’s fashions have veered toward conservative. She has always looked perfectly appropriate and put together, if not a little too modest — which is why we loved the glamour and elegance of this Packham number.
ALASTAIR GRANT / AFP / Getty Images


6. Ann Romney in Oscar de la Renta


Throughout the campaign season, Ann Romney never got as much attention for her sartorial choices as First Lady Michelle Obama, despite her apparent love of fashion. That changed on the night Romney delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, for which she wore a bright red belted Oscar de la Renta dress. Romney’s look was universally praised by fashion critics, who also noted the significance of her choice: de la Renta famously chided Obama for wearing too casual an outfit to meet Queen Elizabeth II in April 2009, and she has yet to wear his designs for a public event since becoming First Lady.

Daniel Acker / Bloomberg / Getty Images



5. Lena Dunham’s Leggy Look

When the Girls creator, star and executive producer wore a long teal blouse over supershort shorts to a charity event on Sept. 29, fashion bloggers quickly panned her “pantless” look. A week later, Lena Dunham responded to the flak at a panel discussion at the New Yorker Festival, suggesting that if an actress with “tiny thighs” had worn the outfit, critics wouldn’t have been so quick to judge her — or the ensemble — so negatively. Dunham was right, and her willingness to call the fashion press out on its superficial snark was a fantastic moment for the industry.
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4. Blake Lively in Zuhair Murad

  Her statuesque figure makes it easy for Blake Lively to pull off pretty much any outfit, and the actress is a perennial name on best-dressed lists. Her choice of Zuhair Murad for the Los Angeles premiere of Savages, however, was a standout because the gown was so different from her usual preference of solid-colored flowy dresses with a high slit. Instead, Lively opted for old Hollywood glamour in the form-fitting striped column dress, which was one of the most memorable red-carpet outfits of the year.


Jeffrey Mayer / WireImage / Getty Images

 

3. Kate Hudson in Prabal Gurung

 On Oct. 11, Kate Hudson dazzled in a bold red dress by Prabal Gurung at the amfAR Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles. Fashion bloggers unanimously applauded the look, and Women’s Wear Daily put it on the cover of its Style section a few days later. That honor was one of many this year for Gurung, who has also dressed Kate Middleton. He is likely to achieve mass recognition next spring, when he is scheduled to debut a collection for Target.
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2. The Obama Women on Election Night

 Everyone was anticipating what Michelle Obama, whose personal style has been documented more than any other First Lady, would wear on election night. But when the Obama family took the stage after the President was re-elected on Nov. 6, it was apparent that Malia and Sasha Obama were also budding fashion icons. Malia wore a black top over a pleated blue skirt that was accessorized with a hot pink belt, while Sasha chose a green printed Chris Benz skirt that was previously worn by her sister. With her cropped gray cardigan, Sasha looked like a mini version of the First Lady, who wore a cropped cardigan over a magenta Michael Kors shift that she had debuted in 2010. The dress was one of several repeat outfits Obama wore on the campaign trail this year, which, according to many critics, was a decision made to show restraint and frugality.
JEWEL SAMAD / AFP / Getty Images


1. Raf Simons’ Debut at Dior

 In April, more than a year after Dior dismissed John Galliano for anti-Semitic remarks, the company finally appointed a new creative director, Raf Simons. As soon as the news was announced, the fashion community was abuzz with speculation about how the young Simons, who did a seven-year stint at Jil Sander as its creative director, would continue the legacy of one of France’s most famed fashion houses. Simons made his debut for Dior in July during Haute Couture Fashion Week. In what was the most anticipated runway show of the year, he presented a collection that seemed simultaneously innovative and rooted in the brand’s history. After opening with a modern take on Dior’s classic “Bar jacket,” Simons showcased a number of sculptural gowns with floral motifs that nodded to Christian Dior’s love of flowers. The collection was highly acclaimed by editors, designers and critics, and the New York Times’ Cathy Horyn wrote, “He gets the most and the best out of couture, and this is just the start.”
FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP / Getty Images









Smartest Countries in the World 2012

      I think intelligence is subjective and not necessarily defined by educational achievements and I say that as an honours University graduate. I’ve met people with PhD’s that seemed a bit dim to me and others who didn’t finish high school that were sharp as a tack. So even though I have proudly waved my Canadian flag when writing about placing 5th in the World Happiest Report and 1st in the Forbes Best Country for Business Report, I’m a little hesitant with this one.


The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a report on the state of global education and MSN.com used that report as the basis of this top 10 ranking of the smartest countries in the world. In the last twenty years the number of people pursuing a post-secondary education has risen some 200%. In the World Happiness Report, education and the opportunity to pursue education factored greatly into the happiness of citizens in any given country. This means that education has added impact than just the obvious opportunities it represents for students’ futures.

The top ten list below is mainly based on countries who have the highest percentage of university and college educated citizens:

10) Denmark. Even though the state pays citizens to go to school, the sum depends on financial and living situation. Within those boundaries 34% of the population pursue post-secondary education.

9) Luxembourg & Switzerland. Luxembourg may be a small European nation with only one university but 35% of the population attended. In Switzerland despite the brain trust that resides in Geneva they share the spot with Luxembourg 
-->  (the least populated country on the list) with 35% of its population attending.

8) Estonia. They have a tradition of formal education that dates back to the 13th century and 36% of their population holds a university degree.

7) Norway, Finland, England, Australia. In all of these countries 37% of the population holds a post-secondary degree. In Norway post-secondary education is free, even to foreign students.

6) South Korea. Though education is strict, 39% of the population hold a degree. Unlike the western education system the most strenuous part of their education is the middle and high school years, and university training is the easier part.

5) New Zealand. With an impressive 99% adult literacy rate it is no wonder that 40% of New Zealanders hold a college or university degree.

4) United States. They boasted a total of “4,495 colleges and universities” according to 2009-10 data and some 41% of the population have post-secondary certification.

3) Japan. 44% of their 127.9 million citizens have obtained a post-secondary education. Also, “the country has produced 15 Nobel laureates in fields like physics, chemistry and medicine.”

2) Palestine . 45% of their population has obtained a post-secondary education. This is astounding fact considering “in 1948, there were about 1,600 students who enrolled in post-secondary education. By 2004-2005, that number skyrocketed to 206,000.”

1) Canada. Half of the Canadian population holds a post-secondary degree. “In 2010, 52 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and over had a post-secondary education. And more women — 71 per cent — than men — 65 per cent — aged 25 to 44 had completed their university or college education.”

All of the countries listed invest heavily in education in relation to their GDP. To put this into perspective the United States spends the second most while Canada ranks fourth on post-secondary education funding. 

Education is vitally important because of the opportunities both in the job market and in life it creates. Not to mention that according to economists it is now a factor in rating the happiness of citizens in any given country.

Top 10 cities we're talking to on Twitter

The touristry boards of cities, states, and countries square measure currently living on-line and investment each platform at their disposal to share photos, future events, and eating place recommendations. whereas every has its purpose, Twitter is that the solely platform that provides touristry boards the chance to hunt out potential guests and answer queries in real time whereas the total world listens.

Best place to induce a taco? Any concerts springing up in 2 weeks?

Some square measure investment the new media to wash the cobwebs off paper pamphlets and truly have interaction with guests and locals.

Using statistics collected from SkiftSocial, we have a {tendency to|we tend to} checked out however and the way usually ten U.S. cities tweet and visit guests.

Top ten
The 10 most well-liked U.S. cities on Twitter, supported the amount of followers, square measure as follows:

San Francisco (@onlyinsf)
New York town (@nycgo)
Las Vegas (@vegas)
Miami (@miamiandbeaches)
Philadelphia (@visitphilly)
Chicago (@choosechicago)
Portland, Ore. (@travelportland)
Los Angeles (@discoverLA)
Columbia, S.C. (@columbiasc)
Louisville, Ky. (@justaddbourbon)


Image: Cities using Twitter