Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Time Zone |
Asia/Hebron |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Halstad is located in the Red River Valley region of eastern Minnesota, USA, and is part of Traill County, where it is the county seat. The town is known for its quiet rural atmosphere and deep agricultural roots, with the main economic activities revolving around wheat, soybean, and corn crop farming and livestock. With a population of approximately 900, the community's residents tend to focus on neighborliness and family values, and the area retains its late 19th century pioneer-era architecture, with small businesses, a community center, and historic churches located along Main Street. Holstad is surrounded by a rich natural landscape, the Red River provides irrigation for the surrounding farmland, and the golden wheat fields and blue skies form a unique idyllic picture in the fall, making it a perfect place for travelers looking for a slower pace of life to experience the authentic rural culture of the American Midwest.
Located about 25 kilometers north of Jordan's capital Amman, Rawabi is the first smart city in the Middle East to be planned and built from scratch. The project was initiated in 2005 with the impetus of Jordan's King Abdullah II, with the aim of easing the demographic pressure on Amman through sustainable design.
Rawabi is planned to cover an area of 38 square kilometers and is expected to accommodate 150,000 residents. With a focus on 'green, technology and livability', the city will be developed in a layered concept that integrates residential areas, commercial centers and natural parks. The name "Rawabi" means "high ground" in Arabic, echoing its mountainous geography.
The urban design incorporates 40% green space with solar power systems, rainwater harvesting and smart waste disposal facilities. The transportation network uses light rail as the backbone, combined with bike paths and pedestrian systems, with the goal of achieving zero-carbon mobility. core amenities such as the Rawabi American School and a shopping mall have been built since the first residents moved in in 2015.
Rawabi focuses on the information technology, healthcare and cleantech industries, attracting international companies such as the Microsoft Innovation Center. The city's tax incentives and startup funds have helped transform Jordan's economy, and it has been hailed as a testbed for the "Silicon Valley of the Middle East.