Munich
is the provincial capital of the state of Bavaria. It has 1,3 millions of residents and is the largest city in Bavaria, also the third largest city of Germany. München is one of the most important and thriving cities in Germany and also in Europe, regarding the economics, transportation and culture. It is the head of the administrative center of Bavaria. The beautiful landscape and the close-by alps with its mountains, lakes and meadows are internationally well-known and a beloved area.

Pittsburgh
is the second largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is the seat of Allegheny County. It is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers where they merge to form the Ohio river. The downtown area is located on the triangle parcel where the three rivers meet. Pittsburgh is known for its 446 bridges of all types and is called "The City of Bridges“ or "The Bridge Capital“ of the United States.

The region’s industrial era began with the War of 1812, sparked by Pittsburgh‘s rich seam of bituminous coal and aided by its three rivers to transport finished products. During the Civil War (1861-1865), Pittsburgh‘s iron factories supplied the Union army. In 1873, Andrew Carnegie opened his first steel mill, the Edgar Thomson Works. Pittsburgh maintained a strong manufacturing economy during the next 100 years.

With the ending of its steel industry in the 1980s, Pittsburgh suffered great job losses, but at the same time became a model for economic diversification and environmental restoration. The primary industries have shifted to high technology, health care, nuclear engineering, tourism, biomedical technology, education and finance. Pittsburgh is reinventing itself as a leader in sustainable, clean technologies, boasting the first "green" convention center and world’s largest "green" building. It offers an affordable, healthful lifestyle as home to one of 17 National Scenic Heritage Trails in the U.S.—The Great Allegheny Passage. Pittsburgh represents a HOT SPOT in urban transformation from an industrial, oil-dependent economy to a locally based, diverse economy fueled by renewable energy and a green vision. http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/

Dubai
Dubai is one of the seven emirates and the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. Dubai's current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE.

Electricity, telephone services and an airport were established in Dubai in the 1950s, when the British moved their local administrative offices from Sharjah to Dubai. In 1966 the town joined the newly independent country of Qatar to set up a new monetary unit, the Qatar/Dubai Riyal, after the deflation of the Gulf rupee. Oil was discovered in Dubai the same year, after which the town granted concessions to international oil companies. The discovery of oil led to a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Indians and Pakistanis. As a result, the population of the city from 1968 to 1975 grew by over 300%, by some estimates.

Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. The sandy desert surrounding the city supports wild grasses and occasional date palm trees. Desert hyacinths grow in the sabkha plains east of the city, while acacia and ghaf trees grow in the flat plains within the proximity of the Western Al Hajar mountains. Several indigenous trees such as the date palm and neem as well as imported trees like the eucalypts grow in Dubai's natural parks. The houbara bustard, striped hyena, caracal, desert fox, falcon and Arabian oryx are common in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on the migration path between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more than 320 migratory birds pass through the emirate in spring and autumn. The waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish, including the hammour.