London to Dar es Salaam

A typical stretch of Ligurian coastline in Imperia - the settlements are perched perilously above the sea with thick forests and soaring mountains behind them.

This satellite image, with Genoa near the centre on the coast, shows the curving Alps and Apennine mountains and the steep sided mountains and valleys across the region.

The beach at Monterosso - the coastline is dominated by steep cliffs, making direct access to the sea a huge advantage for any village or settlement.

From above, the strips of settlements clinging to the coast or winding their way like fingers up the mountain valleys can clearly be seen.

Perinaldo, 12 kilometres inland, sits high atop a steep ridge within the Apennine mountains.

The Apennines provide a huge physical barrier to settlement and development, although mountain towns grow where topography allows.

The Autostrada A26 weaves its way through the Apennine mountains via a series of bridges and tunnels.

The regional flag of Liguria, which includes a sailing vessel and the Cross of St. George, is a reminder of the maritime history and significance of the region.

This satellite image of Genoa and surrounding settlements shows how the population is squeezed into a thin ribbon of towns and villages along the coastline.

1891 - A panorama of the coastal town of Ventimiglia, in Imperia, northern Liguria.

Liguria is made up of four provinces, all of which share similar physical characteristics of coastal settlements bounded by the mountains and the sea.

1891 - The Italian Maritime Alps from the summit of Monte Bellenda (560 metres), northern Liguria.

The coastal villages of Chiavari and Lavagna are just south-east of Genoa, and are built around the mouth of the Entella River, which provides a natural space for settlement.

The bustling modern port of Genoa, as seen from the air - it is the largest port in Italy, handling both passenger and cargo traffic.

1850s - A lithograph of the port of Genoa and the "Lantern", a famous lighthouse built in 1828 which replaced the original lighthouse which dated from the Middle Ages.

Cruise ships dock in the heart of Genoa's modern port, with the famous Lanterna lighthouse in view. Genoa is a hub for many Mediterranean cruises.

An aerial view of Genoa and the port, which includes Genoa's Christoforo Colombo airport.

The famous Lanterna lighthouse of Genoa at night - it is the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean.

1493 - A woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle depicting Genoa in the 15th century: the port and lighthouse can be clearly seen.

Passenger and cargo ships in the Port of Genoa, with the Lanterna lighthouse and the Apennine mountains behind.

A replica frigate, "Neptune" built by director Roman Polanski, is now often to be seen berthed in Genoa's Old Port, reminiscent of its history as a major trading power.

1810 - An aquatint painting of Genoa's harbour and port, including the second lighthouse built in 1543 to guide ships into the harbour.

The Lanterna di Genoa, one of the world's most famous lighthouses. This structure dates from 1543, although there has been a lighthouse on this point since the Middle Ages

Sunset over the Lanterna lighthouse - an ancient monument watching over the cranes and lights of the modern Genoa port.

The modern and old Ports of Genoa photographed from the top of the famous Lanterna lighthouse - the Apennine mountains are in view behind.

A 16th century engraving of Christopher Columbus, the renowned explorer and one of Genoa's most famous citizens.

A view of the harbour and bay at Portofino - a typical Genoese town and considered by many travellers to be one of the most beautiful towns in the world.

Vernazza, one of the stunning Cinque Terre towns from above: settlement is concentrated around the natural harbour with wine terraces soaring above it.

Visitors flock to the popular Cinque Terre beaches - there is a delicate balance to be made between income from tourism and the impacts of overcrowding the small towns.

The village of Corniglia and the typical Cinque Terre landscape - sharp cliffs and drops to the sea with winding stone walls shielding wine and olive terraces behind them.

Vernazza's world renowned beauty brings a huge amount of tourism to the area, investment from this allows locals to continue to maintain local traditions and customs.

From the sea, it is clear how steep the cliffs around the Cinque Terre towns are, and how man-made terraces have been used to level the land for building and cultivation.

The Ligurian coastline from Vernazza: the beauty of the Ligurian sea and countryside is enjoyed by hikers who walk between the Cinque Terre.

Fishing is still an important industry in the Cinque Terre towns and across Liguria - many local speciality foods include various forms of seafood such as squid or octopus.

Traditionally built houses and dwellings still line the grape terraces across the Cinque Terre - both were painstakingly built on steep and rocky terrain.

Lemons from Monterosso for sale outside a house. Lemons have been grown here for generations and are used to make sweet limoncello liqueur.

Residents in the Italian Cinque Terre towns choose to maintain the bright and traditional character of the area by building using traditional styles and colours.

The natural and man-made beauty of Cinque Terre has been recognised through its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marine reserve.

Wine terraces have been hewn into the cliff side by hand across the Cinque Terre region - balancing on the edge of the steep cliffs, grapes have been grown here for generations.