California's long association with the Spanish-speaking world is reflected in much of its architecture along with other ways of life.
Hacienda de la Paz in Southern California's Palos Verdes Peninsula in the Rolling Hills is typical of the Spanish style.
The hacienda (Spanish for estate), comes with a price tag of US$53 million and reflects a well-heeled neighbourhood.
The residential Rolling Hills has a per capita income of $111,031, according to the 2000 census.
With a population of around 8,000, the area has a history that dates back to the first Spanish rancho land grant in California in the late 18th century.
Perched on a hill, Hacienda de la Paz's infinity pool offers a sweeping view of Los Angeles below, across to the San Gabriel Mountains and Santa Monica Bay's white beach.
While the property itself covers 8 acres of land, the residence spans more than 50,000 square feet.
The entrance is through an open courtyard as in traditional Spanish homes and comes with attached stables that have been fashioned as guest quarters. Mediterranean plants and flowers add to the atmosphere of open spaces.
There is another guest house - in adobe - with Spanish grass sashes outside the windows.
The property, including the nine-bedroom and 25-bathroom house, is decorated with materials and by craftsmen from Spain, Portugal and Italy giving rise to the details on the murals and frescoes, inlaid tile work and vaulted ceilings.
Rafael Manzano Martos, a curator for King Juan Carlos of Spain, oversaw the work, which took 17 years to finish. Artisans who restored the Spanish missions in California were roped in for the tile roofing of the house, which also has a private chapel and customised door and window fixtures.
Wood from heart pine trees reclaimed from southern Georgia's rivers were used for the flooring. Similar wood was used in George Washington's residence Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, according to Christie's real estate website, which lists the property.
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure'
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
