Ancient stone windmill, France
© Damocean/iStock/Getty Images Plu
Windmill, France
This ancient windmill, enjoying the sea breeze from the Mediterranean coast in the south of France, is a reminder of a past technological age. Today, modern windmills, called wind turbines, use the wind to produce electricity for many communities, but windmills have a long history. The first practical windmills started appearing by the 9th century in the Middle East and Western Asia. Traditionally, the energy generated by a windmill was used to grind grain into flour and pump water. These structures became popular and widespread in Europe from the 12th century, and there were about 200,000 wind-powered mills in Europe at its peak in the middle of the 19th century. Their use declined due to the arrival of steam and electricity-powered machines, but there are still many photogenic windmills scattered around the world.
Related Images
Río Yukón visto desde el mirador Midnight Dome, en Dawson City, Canadá
Castillo Wachsenburg, en Turingia, Alemania
El volcán Anak Krakatoa en plena erupción, Indonesia
La Torre Guaita, en San Marino
Bosque Uncompahgre, Colorado, Estados Unidos
Lago Trillium, en el Bosque Nacional de Monte Hood, Oregón
Amanecer en el bosque de Ashdown, East Sussex, Inglaterra
Las playas salvajes de Gandoca
Bing Today Images
