Despite the recession, “self-build” homes are still popular. Why? Because they’ve invariably provided better value for money than simply purchasing a house. So what is “self-build”? It’s a property you build yourself, as the phrase suggests! It doesn’t have to mean LITERALLY by yourself, but you place yourself in the position as architect, planner, foreman of your property and allow professional workers do the task you order them to do. “Self-build” is pretty much recession-proof due to the relatively low costs involved (relative to buying a house) – in fact, there are more self-builders in the UK than the total number of properties being built by any single developer. The aim of self-build is to create a property to your exact specifications, not a template that the large developers work to.

Already you’re probably thinking: “But I’m not a builder”. The pleasant news is that self-build doesn’t mean you necessarily have to get stuck in with the actual development (as a matter of fact, only around 5% of self-builders in reality take a role in the actual building of the property). Even the design aspects are often finalised by a professional designer. Self-build, generally, is about you articulating (in plain English), what you need to the property designer – who then develops a design dependent on your prerequisites. This plan then becomes the blueprint the builders work to. Now do you see? It’s not required to have any proactive engagement in self-build. Having said that, the DIY enthusiast can use self-build as a chance to save some notes by helping out with the aspects of self-build they have experience in – it’s up to you how much involvement you want during the build.

Self-build sounds costly, but actually it’s broadly speaking cheaper than purchasing an already built property of the same specifications (up to 30% cheaper). That’s not all, self-built properties fetch a good price too – as much as 25% higher than the development costs, so self-build can be simply an investment, rather than a house to live in.

You must ensure the group of workers you choose are total professionals and that they can build as a squad. For sure, you will require workers with lots of experience, particularly with specific types of building machinery, such as floor saws, wall saws with diamond blades, angle grinders, masonry saws and stihl saws. With a skillful group of workers, you are also maximizing the safety levels of the development.

This article is just an introduction to self-build, and I hope it will inspire those of you who are perhaps a little daunted by such projects. It needn’t be time-intensive, and you won’t need any specific skills, but hire carefully, and you will need to carefully work out the budget of the project.

Machine-accessible sports wagering world wide websites are directly regulated with the assistance of three administrations. These organisations are OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA). O.Brien can return to college coaching

The Offshore Gaming Association are a non-partisan federation which currently monitors the offshore sports betting business in an effort to afford gamblers the capability to easily identify respectable enterprises to play gambling games on, without worry. The association works to support the legal rights of betters, and also they do not demand any affiliation charges. The Offshore Gaming Association is an expert not to mention nonpartisan third party association who assert equitable conclusions, built around customer feedback, nonpartisan studies, phone chats, tips and also imparts inside communication.

The Interactive Gaming Council are a non-profit-making administration. The council was created to supply a platform for worried individuals to discuss matters furthermore to improve common interests in the international online sports betting trade, to ensure impartial not to mention answerable professional instructions and methods that improve consumer confidence in net based gambling merchandise and functions, and to help as the overseas gambling industry’s general strategy advocate and in addition the council operates as an information center.

The IGC has made a regard for dependability, ethical behavior also sincerity via its rigid ethics, and its allure for trustworthy business enterprises. The IGC monitors offshore gambling through upholding a specific ten point code of behavior and also charges gaming internet sites a fee for featuring their logo. Vexed customers may, if they wish, disclose any of their differences of opinion to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was formed in order to set a standard which will upgrade the policies of on-line sports gambling commercial enterprises. The IGC think that by associating solely with partners of good standing, they can create an affiliation of the most fair and professional internet betting businesses world-wide. These are governing bodies which keep an watchful eye on the practises of networked sports gaming and which should hopefully aid to mitigate a few of the insecurities experienced by detractors. On-line sports betting web sites are at present completely safe, in that individual data are not submitted and the rewards and the odds should be equivalent to a standard Vegas-type Vegas style wager. These websites do away with traveling time, but nonetheless retain of a Nevada gambling casino, but today you may play in your own home.

It is a frightening feeling any time a doctor tells you that you have any kind of chronic disease. At first your mind wants to deny it, and then you gradually give into the shock of realizing that you actually do have something up with you. Even if you’ve been exhibiting symptoms for a while, your problem just isn’t set in stone till the doctor tells you those fateful words: I’m sorry to tell you, but the tests came back positive.

When the diagnosis is Tardive Dyskinesia, it actually should not come as any surprise. In fact, it may be be a relief, because after you know what the problem is, there are thngs you can do to turn the condition, and you definitely want to do that. Maybe you’ve been afflicted by the embarrassment of your tongue popping out of your mouth every couple of seconds or of making horrible grimaces that are out of your control. You may have had tons of agonizing physical symptoms, like neck cramps or involuntary twisting of joints. Do not accept anybody when they tell you that you may just have to live with the issues, as they would not wish to if they were in your place. Instead, here’s what you can do.

For a start you can learn everything there is to know about Tardive Dyskinesia lawsuit. Sometimes it’s just good to have somebody you can talk to about your condition who will understand and offer suggestions for what you should do next. Contacting the Foundation will put you in contact with caring people who can help. You may also visit their site at www.dystonia-foundation.org.

Another group which will be in a position to offer you the information and help you want is We Move which is a support group for folks with movement disorders. This organization has groups thru the world. You can find the nearest group by going to their site at www.wemove.org. People who have developed Tardive Dyskinesia have filed successful suits, and plenty of other court actions are in process. If you are diagnosed as having TD after taking Zyprexa [ Olanzapine ], Risperdal [ Risperidone ], Seroquel [ Quetiapine ] or plenty of other neuroleptic drugs, you could be able to file a lawsuit seeking compensation to help you suffer due to the losses you incur because of the condition. Lawsuits are often filed successfully against doctors prescribing medicines known for causing TD. However, it’s yet to be seen if legal actions against the giant pharmaceutical companies who produce the drugs will be settled in favor of patients.

There are several doctors who have analyzed TD and know the right kinds of treatments that will reverse the symptoms of the disorder and bring relief to patients. If your folks surgeon isn’t ready to provide you with this type of help, you can contact a psychiatrist instead who has experience working with the complications of anti-psychotic drugs. Additionally, you will find a neurologist can properly treat your Tardive Dyskinesia Issues.

The prospects of scooping up the euro millions jack-pot is a remote one in seventy-six million but the chances of acquiring a money prize is a fairly decent one in 24. When the jackpot is not won on a given lottery draw, it is brought forward to the following week that will result in an ever increasing jackpot value. New regulations added on the 09-Feb-07 define the number of consecutive roll-overs to eleven, with the jackpot rolling down to lower value levels succeeding the eleventh lotto draw when the prize is not collected.

The Euro millions lottery or the Euro Lottery, as it’s normally known, pools the lotto ticket revenues of the 9 partaking European countries presenting a massive Euro Lottery jackpot. With the amount of nations joining the EU on the increase, this will without question will lead to new states partaking in the European lotto. An increase in the number of people partaking in the Euro Lotto will result in a continued increase of the already gigantic Euro Lottery jackpots.

The recent rules also initiated European Super-Draw which come about twice each year and offer jackpots in the region of 100 million pounds. The difference with Super Draws is that the jackpot must be won during the calendar week of the lotto draw; this means, if there is no ticket corresponding, all the drawn numbers then the top prize will be distributed to the lottery ticket bearer(s) on the next winning prize level.

Each and every player has to choose five main numbers from one to fifty and two Lucky Star numbers from one to nine. During the lotto draw, five main and 2 lucky-star numbers are then picked out at random from two draw machines containing numbered lottery balls.

Tourist resorts appeal to the traveler who enjoys the convenience of nearby restaurants, nightclubs and bars, as well as the many on-site amenities provided. But you may have found that the added stress inherent in these overcrowded facilities outweighs the benefits of the hot stone massages you can have there. You’re not exactly antisocial. Perhaps you’ve just had sand kicked in your face one too many times. or you’re tired of dodging Frisbees and footballs on the beach. Now it’s time for some peace and quiet.

So what to do? Pack a picnic lunch, a good read and a swimsuit (or not!) and head for the road less traveled. Here’s a list of undiscovered beaches to help you navigate that road. And where does it lead? Away from the crowds. Wear sunscreen and enjoy your book!

1. Croatia’s best beach for bathing in your birthday suit – If you’re a sun worshipper who prefers to bathe sans swimsuit, Croatia boasts some 20 official naturist resorts as well as numerous naturist beaches and hidden coves. Nudist Camp Beach, Vrboska, Hvar, has a bistro and grocery store as well as a pleasant pebble beach. Take the ferry from Trogir and get off at Starigrad. Go straight out the exit road and look for signs. A friendly, multi-purpose beach, this place attracts Czech, Danish, German and British visitors, but is rarely crowded. Wind surfing in the buff? Why not give it a whirl?

2. France’s best strolling tan – The secluded, sandy beaches of Belle Ile en Mer are accessible by ferry from Quiberon. Located just off the coast of Brittany, this is the largest of the French islands in the Atlantic; its powdery sand beaches, freshwater creeks and excellent water-sports conditions are unsurpassed in the region, yet the area tends to be relatively uncrowded. The beach at Locmaria has delightful footpaths along which visitors can explore the coastal landscape at their leisure-while getting a remarkable tan.

3. Germany’s sunny secret – Germany’s East Frisian Islands, along the North Sea coastline, have miles of sandy beaches frequented mainly by nude sunbathers. Few visitors are aware of this stretch and, as such, you’re likely to have a beach to yourself. These islands also have quaint fishing villages, seal watching opportunities, as well as an ancient language and culture.

4. Greece: What Greek locals know – While most of Greece’s beaches are pebbly, Skiathos boasts soft sand as well as a quaint Old Town section. What’s more, this area is relatively undiscovered when compared to touristy Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu. As a result, Skiathos is said to be the Greeks’ favorite island. It is one of the Sporades group in the northwestern Aegean and can be reached by ferry from either Kimi or Volos.

5. Italy: Sardinia’s best bronzing – Far from the crowds and about 31 miles southwest of Cagliari, La Costa del Sud has unspoiled beaches and many hidden coves to explore. The area also boasts crystal clear water and a temperate climate. Torre di Chia beach is easily accessible by bus from Cagliari. Capo Spartivento-the next beach over-is quite a bit larger and has two lovely islands on which to bronze oneself.

6. Spain’s shy person’s pick – If you’re in need of some quiet time away from the crowds, head for the Costa Brava. This rugged coast, which stretches from Blanes to the French border, boasts rocky cliffs and miles of sandy beaches. The drive along this coastal road is spectacular: Greek, Roman, Phoenician and Arabic ruins dot the landscape as do fortified villages from the days of the pirate invasions. The beaches along the route are the country’s most secluded.

7. Spain’s original (and still best) nude beaches – Ibiza was the first place in Spain to offer nude beaches and it still has some great beaches for those who like to let it all hang out! El Cavallet in Cabo Falcon-with it’s rolling sand dunes and many secluded areas-offers great sunbathing. Families flock to the northern end, while the south is a popular gay hangout. Another beach worth donning the birthday suit to is nearby Aguas Blancas. Be warned, it can get very crowded in July and August.

8. Ireland’s rugged best – Just seven miles from Wexford Town, Curracloe Beach is an unspoiled and sandy white strand. Adjacent to a protected pine forest, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The water here is like champagne and the beach is rarely crowded. If you’ve seen Saving Private Ryan, you may feel a sense of déj vu as you stroll along the strand: the D-Day Normandy landing scenes were filmed here.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Travel

Williamsburg and James City County are premier locations for boating and fishing enthusiasts to live and visit in Virginia. The James River is just a short distance from the Chesapeake Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. Marinas near the James River are a wonderful, restful berth for boaters and offer the amenities, and sometimes- dining. Inlets and coves used since colonial times and perhaps longer allow the boater a pleasant respite from the busy James River channel, which carries boats from the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to the piers of Richmond, Virginia. There are several well-maintained public boat launches in the area that lead into the James or Chickahominy Rivers, or allow access to lakes or reservoirs.

Jamestown Yacht Basin (757)-229-8309

http://www.jamestownyachtbasin.com

If it is convenience to the James River you are searching for, the Jamestown Yacht Basin is located on Powhatan Creek, nearby Historic Jamestown, just a five-minute boat ride from the James River. Speed boats and jet skis are permitted to launch from this marina. Boats coming via the Colonial Parkway, on trailers, have a 12 foot height restriction, due to tunnels. The Yacht Basin has 125 wetslips, but they are usually booked, so call ahead. The fully functional marina has a boat launch and stocks boat supplies, ice, gas, and marine fuel. Fish caught in the immediate area include catfish, croaker, striped bass, and large mouth bass. Jamestown Yacht Basin is the only covered marina in James City County.

Kingsmill Marina (757)-253-3919
http://www/kingsmill.com/recreation/marina.asp
If docking and dining is on the plan for the evening, Kingsmill Marina is a pleasant place to unwind. It’s also an opportunity to experience all there is to do at Kingsmill Resort & Spa, including golfing, tennis, other recreation and traditional spa treatments such as massage and facials. Kingsmill has a full-service marina with 15 transient boat slips equipped with water and power connections. Concrete floating docks make embarking and disembarking easier, and the convenience of full-service dockside fueling may be welcome for some boaters. Have a bite to eat at The Deck at the Marina – with light fare and live entertainment complemented by a panoramic view of the James River. The marina store stocks boating and fishing supplies and other provisions. To access Kingsmill Resort & Spa’s Marina, which is just 35 miles upriver from the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, look for channel marker #40 on the James River.

Two Rivers Country Club Marina (757)-258-4863
http://www.tworiverscountryclub.com/CountryClub/YachtClubStory.cfm
Two Rivers Country Club is located in a protected, private harbor nearby the intersection of the James and Chickahominy Rivers One hundred boat slips can be housed at this Yacht Club with exclusive membership. There are 78 slips at the 25-50′ depth range. There are 8 transient slips at the Yacht Club. A maximum of 50′ boats are permitted. Water, electric, and boat dock boxes are included with all slips. Amenities include a boat launching ramp, fuel service, a terrace with a covered awning and tables, an office, shop, laundry, bathroom, showers, and ice.

Waller Mill Park, Williamsburg (757) 220-6178
http://www.ci.williamsburg.va.us/dept/rec/parks.htm#waller
This fishing lake is maintained by the City of Williamsburg Parks and Recreation and only rowboats, canoes, pedal boats and kayaks are allowed. No gasoline boats are permitted in Waller Mill Park, but electric motors are permitted, and they are available for rental for $15-20 per day. This is a great fishing lake — well stocked with striped bass, large mouth bass, blue gill, yellow and white perch, catfish, and red-earred bream. Fishing is only permitted from boats. Waller Mill Park is Williamsburg’s 2700-acre park situated around its reservoir and has been open to the public for 24 years. The 343-acre lake has a tunnel connecting the upper and lower sections of the lake. To get to Waller creek, take Airport Road (Rt. 645), which connects I-64 and Rt. 60 West.

Chickahominy Riverfront Park (828)-258-5020
http://www.jccegov.com/recreation/chickahominy_park.html
At the mouth of the Chickahominy River, approximately 1/2 mile from the James River is Chickahominy Riverfront Park which offers a four wide boat ramp. Speed boats and jet skis are permitted to launch here, and boats are also available for rental. For directions, log on to http://www.jccegov.com/recreation/directions.html#Anchor-Chickahomin-40400.

Diascund Creek Resevoir
This public boat launch, Diascund Landing is overseen by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and is right in James City county. From Williamsburg, Go West on Rt. 60 at past Norge for 8 miles until the intersection of Route 603 north. Boat access is 1/2 mile on the right.

Marine Weather Reports
For any jaunts on the Rivers near Williamsburg and in James City County, always remember conditions can change. It’s a great idea to check the weather report before heading out for a boat cruise with family and friends. Here is a the National Weather Service Forecast, with a base in Wakefield, Virginia, just across the James River from Williamsburg. Consult the NOAA site for direct weather information: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/forecasts/VAZ090.php?warncounty=VAC095&city=Williamsburg.

Have a pleasant cruise on these Virginia rivers. If you are looking for a permanent home for your boat with a dock, contact me at 757-288-4685. I’d love to show you some waterfront property in this area. Don’t forget to visit http://www.voncannonrealestate.com for other articles on the Tidewater/Hampton Roads area or for more information.

Elaine VonCannon is a Tidewater native and works with residential, commercial and investment homebuyers and sellers. She also has vast experience in property management. Elaine specializes in relocation and retirement real estate in the Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Isle of Wight County and York County. To learn more about how Elaine can help you find the right property for the right price visit http://www.voncannonrealestate.com

We have all heard people talk about writer’s block and quite frankly you must over come this if you are an online article writer, because not only must you watch out for your quality, but you must also be concerned with quantity. If you are using the online article venue to propel your business or driving targeted traffic to your website then you must indeed continually write more articles if you wish to have success in this venue.

Now then, I ought to know as I have now written 7150 articles and put them online and my traffic count is scary. And it started to get a little overwhelming for me at about 750 articles. How can you write more online articles to help you? Well why not set a goal for 1-2 articles per day and a goal to increase that by one article per day each month for three month. Then you will be writing 3-6 articles each day in 3-months. You can do this and you must set a pace and a cadence.

You must set a pace as if you were bicycling in competition, running a marathon, swimming the 500-meter breast-stroke or writing online articles. Think of your online article writing and output as a long-distance sports event. You must commit to a strong pace and cadence and then you will get there. Additionally I see similarities in canoeing and so many other sports also. Trust me on this, but more importantly trust yourself to get this done and you will be glad you did. Consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Something that is often toward the bottom of the list whilst planning a college education is medical insurance for students. Students are generally in the mindset where the need for a health insurance policy is the final thing on their mind. When you are in your teens you will usually believe that you will live forever so naturally you will not develop an illness.

Regrettably, this is rarely the case however well an individual might appear. An appropriate student health insurance policy isn’t simply for those with a stack of money, it’s an essential. For those students fortunate to be covered under a parent’s insurance policy, most family insurance policies should cover a college student up to the age of twenty three. For students who don’t have cover through their family plan, an essential part of budgeting for school has to be researching inexpensive medical insurance.

So what must you look out for in a policy designed specifically for college students? So what is a deductible? It is a nominal yearly sum you have to pay before your health benefits start kicking in, very similar to an auto deductible. For instance, if your deductible is 500 dollars, you have to pay that sum prior to receiving any payment from the policy.

What is your co-pay? When the deductible is met, most policies ask that you pay a percentage of the bill for each doctor’s visit, medication or operation. This, in a nutshell is co-pay.

What is your area of cover? Most insurance policies include Health Maintenance Organization and Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). This may mean particular doctors may possibly not be included in your “network” and may not be included by a insurance policy. A extensive list of participating health providers should be provided with your insurance policy, before you make a choice make sure you study this list thoroughly. Catastrophic coverage: Limitations are commonplace in health insurance designed for students especially with reference to catastrophic illness, the extent of coverage provided in virtually all student medical insurance is in general less than a regular plan.

Limitations: Student health coverage policies frequently have certain limitations. It is crucial to read your insurance policy thoroughly to check precisely what is and is not covered.

Have all of your medical insurance papers nearby everywhere you travel. It is not only not possible to predict an accident or illness, but they are unfortunately likely to come about when it’s least expected. Familiarize yourself with the parameters specific to your policy even should you be included in your family insurance plan.

Home Drug Test Kit

Drug test has become a common phenomenon across the globe. Many parties perform drug trials on freshly employed individuals or active employees to reassure a drug-free environment at work.

Insurance agencies and courts guide drug screens on a frequent basis on distrusted individuals. The key query that comes to your brain, when you go for such test is how to beat a drug test?

Online web sites such as How To Beat Hair Drug Test offers up the up-to-date detox products including eternal cleansers, man-made urine products, and saliva clean products, herbal drinks and home drug screen kits.

Drug Natural Passing Remedy Test

Pass The Drug Test offers master support for every product, with support offered by drug test professionals whom are highly veteran with assorted types of drug testing methodologies and issues. Support is available by electronic mail and telephone. Shipping is fast, with complete secrecy assured, using plain and discrete boxing materials to sustain absolute customer secrecy.

Tip For Passing A Weed Drug Test

Included on the new website is a extensive order of products for detox and examination intentions. Permanent cleansers are provided in 3, 5 and 7, 10, 14, 21 and 30 day systems, with a assortment of herbs, roots, barks and minerals that are well-known lipides destroyers which make to break down fat cells and extinguish toxins altogether. Phoney urine is proposed, which accommodates all ingredients usually seen in piss, particularly balanced for pH with specific gravity, creatin and other urine features. A saliva cleansing mouthwash is offered will eliminate toxins from the mouth with merely 3 minutes of use. We have a range of herbal drinks, each bearing the most working herbs and fiber to help rid the body of toxins that may have piled up.

If you use Yahoo to look the net for us here are 10 Fantastic words to utilize to encounter our website.

Vicodin Drug Testing

Employee Drug Test besides provides drug screening kits including saliva, hair and piss based tests to find out that detox programs are effective. For more information, visit Home Recipe To Pass A Drug Test If you have any questions, please call us at: 800-616-6298

Tobacco Everywhere

For making cigars, tobacco is grown all around the world, from Poland to South Africa, from Argentina to Canada and, westbound, from Philippines to Mexico. But cigar tobaccos are mainly grown in the intertropical areas.

Tobacco Origin

Tobacco is known as a plant originally from America. Some species were identified in South Pacific. There are many species and varieties. Not all of them are used in smoking products. Many are grown as ornamental plants as they are frequently blooming, showing colors from white to dark red and purple.

Here are some of the countries in which tobacco is grown, to produce your cigars.

Argentina

Argentina grows dark air-cured tobacco in the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes, and flue cured tobacco in the area of Salta. Misiones has also a production of Burley type. These tobaccos are mainly for cigarettes but Corrientes is appreciated for short filler cigars because of its smooth taste. Argentina used to be a big producer and exporter but changes in the economic and income tax policies have seriously damaged the production, making the tobacco too expensive to be competitive on the international market. Consequently, production volumes have decreased.

Brazil

Brazil is one of the largest world’s tobacco producers. The East Central State of Bahia is an important cigar tobacco growing area, about 100 miles west of the state capital, Salvador da Bahia, an active port on the Atlantic Coast. The Northern State of Alagoas hosts a production around the city of Arapiraca where maduro cigar wrappers are grown. The Southern states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina produce tobacco for cigarettes and pipe.

Cameroon

Cameroon cigar wrappers are grown in the East part of the country. The growing area spreads over the eastern border, into the Central African Republic. Wrappers are air grown, without fertilizers and pesticides, by small farmers. The average plantation size is about one acre. The seed is originally from Sumatra, introduced in the country just after WWII. Grown first for French Monopoly needs, the tobacco was offered on the international market when production was too large for this single use. Well appreciated by European manufacturers and large American cigars companies, Cameroon wrapper production dropped down during the late 1980s, due to poor management. Today, quantities are small and quality could be better.

China

China is by far the biggest tobacco producer, with approximately 5 millions metric tons. USA follows with about 1 million metric tons. Chinese tobacco is a flue-cured type, not aromatic and a bit sharp in taste. This tobacco is not suitable for cigars. It is mainly used for local cigarette consumption. A small quantity is exported. Cigarette industries import the tobacco and use it as a neutral and cheap filler.

Connecticut, USA

The Connecticut Valley, in the Northeast of the USA, is well known for its bright yellow cigar wrapper. Because of a very hot and sunny summer, the tobacco is shade grown. Whoever has flown over Hartford, CT, seated next to the window, could not fail to have seen the huge white acreage of land standing all around: the tobacco fields covered with white clothes to protect the plants from the direct sun radiation. And the huge barns, large like cathedrals, ready for the flue curing. Impressive!

Cuba

Tobacco grows all across Cuba. Your premium cigar has been made, I hope, out of tobacco coming from the West province of Vuelta Abajo, where a really good material is harvested. In Central and East Cuba, the provinces of Remedios and Oriente yield tobacco that is not supposed to be acceptable for what everybody calls a Havana!

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic is a traditional tobacco-growing country. In the 60’s, a Cuban seed was introduced and the resulting tobacco (Piloto Cubano) became famous as a good substitute of the Cuban tobacco that was no longer allowed to enter the USA. Exiled Cubans did a great job there. Piloto Cubano is a full bodied tobacco but, maybe, is missing some aroma. Blended with Olor dominicano type, more aromatic, Piloto Cubano makes the 100% dominican cigar a very decent cigar. Both Dominican types are good components for multi-origin blends.

East Mediterranean Countries

The Eastern countries of the Mediterranean Sea are devoted to the culture of Oriental type tobacco, which is sun-cured. Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria are the main producers, but Lebanon, Syria, Macedonia, and Romania are also growing. This tobacco has tiny leaves, which are sometimes only 2 inches long. The sun curing gives them a yellowish color and high sugar content. Aroma is generally rich and a small proportion of oriental tobacco in a blend brings a lot in the taste. This tobacco is not used for long filler cigars, but only in short filler cigars and cigarettes.

Ecuador

Ecuador is the perfect place to grow wrappers, because it is located on the Equator! And it has rich soils too. The weather conditions, with a nearly permanent cloudy sky, provide a natural shade, protecting the wrapper plants from sunshine and allowing the tobacco to grow thin and light. Ecuador supplies Connecticut and Sumatra type wrappers to many cigar factory in the world.

Honduras

Honduras has built up a good reputation in making premium cigars. The country is a rather small tobacco producer and the cigars are mainly made out of imported leaves. However, Honduras has a pretty good potential for growing tobacco, especially wrappers, and could become a major player in the future.

Indonesia

Tobacco is grown in many islands of the Archipelago but, as far as cigars are concerned, Sumatra and Java are the ones. Sumatra Wrappers are known worldwide. Central Java (Vorstenland) and East Java (Besuki) produce fillers and wrappers in abundance. Indonesia is a key country for cigar tobacco.

Mexico

Dark air cured tobaccos are produced in Mexico, mainly in Vera Cruz and Tampico provinces, on the East Coast along the Golf. There is also some production in Yucatan. Previously a state-owned operation, it is now handled by private individuals and cooperatives. Mexican tobacco is very dark and the best leaves can be used as maduro wrappers. In San Andres de Tuxtla (Vera Cruz), there is a very interesting production of Sumatra seed wrappers.

Philippines

In Philippines, tobacco growing is concentrated in the Northern part of the main island of Luzon. Traditionally, dark tobacco for cigars was grown and Philippines’ cigars were very famous, under the powerful Compania General de Tabaccos de Filipinas. They probably declined because they were too mild. Today, Philippines still grows dark tobacco and has developed a production of flue-cured tobacco for blond cigarettes.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is among the top three countries for high quality flue cured tobacco (with the USA and Brazil). The embargo that hit the country, when it was still Rhodesia, did not hurt the production. It made the Rhodesians more inventive and they went on producing. At this time, Zambia and Tanzania, the neighboring countries were selling a lot! When the embargo was lifted in 1980 allowing us to deal directly, we discovered a fascinating organization and equipment, the best in the world. Tobacco was the top activity of the country and getting a job in tobacco was a challenge for many young men. The actual Zimbabwean agrarian policy , which we won’t discuss here, will probably strike this country off the list of tobacco producers. Cigar industry will not suffer as flue-cured tobaccos are mainly concerned. Brazil should be the major beneficiary of this situation.

John Payne is the Publisher of Web Marketing Ezine, and the Founder of Enviro-Friendly Products.

Patrice Hirschfeld has spent a lifetime in Tobacco, and is the Proprietor of the Online Cigar Shop- Voila CIgars. John provides Marketing Consultancy to Voila Cigars.