-AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPHER EDITOR JOURNALIST-
Michael Friis Johansen
PHOTO ESSAYS
Polluted, noisy, overcrowded and congested, Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta has an elusive, but tenacious charm that defies first impressions. Despite preferring, by far, country life to city life, I found myself somehow falling in love with one of the world's largest urban conglomerations. See photos.
Cambodia's capital is a city with a young population, but old infrastructure. Having gradually emerged from the nightmare years of the Khmer Rouge - during which the cities were emptied and millions died - Cambodia is striving for prosperity even as it struggles to keep hold of its fragile democracy. See photos.
Mexico is both Latin America's northernmost country and North America's southernmost. With deserts along the border with the United States and jungle by the frontiers with Guatemala and Belize, Mexico's geography is as varied as it's vast. No less varied are the Mexican people, as welcoming as they are dangerous. Mexico is a fascinating place to visit, but one that requires great care. See photos.
Canada is perhaps its own worst enemy. It is the second-largest country in the world, but it seems to always be trying to split itself into smaller pieces. It has an abundance of the planet's most valuable treasures - almost pristine nature - but its small population is trying to squander it as quickly as possible for short-term gain. It boasts liberty, prosperity and equality, but hides dark veins of prejudice and discrimination. Canada has many faults, but also much beauty in both its peoples and its lands. See photos.