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As the scorching summer sun approaches, it's time to plan a refreshing getaway with your family. <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="Orion">India</keyword>, with its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offers an array of destinations perfect for a memorable <keyword id="1008104" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Family-vacation" source="Orion">family vacation</keyword>. Whether you seek mountain retreats, serene beaches, or lush greenery, there's something for everyone. Let's explore the 10 <keyword id="21485174" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="places-to-visit-in-India-during-summer" source="Orion">places to visit in India during summer</keyword> for family holidays in the summer of 2024. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pahalgam" comment="subhead" text="Pahalgam">Pahalgam</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="1" msid="109735500" hostid="261" sizebytes="1843202" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Tranquil meadows and snowy peaks: Pahalgam&amp;#39;s serene beauty beckons.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Surrounded by tall mountains and green fields. It's a perfect spot for families who love nature. You'll find snowy mountains, lovely meadows, and flowing rivers here, making it a peaceful getaway from the hot summer weather. Families can have fun riding ponies, going on treks, and having picnics in places like Betaab Valley and Aru Valley, which have stunning views. So, if you're looking for a calm and scenic place to spend time with your loved ones, Pahalgam is one the best <keyword id="16976814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="places-to-visit-in-summer-in-India" source="Orion">places to visit in summer in India</keyword>! Places to visit: Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Lidder River Things to do: Trekking in Betaab Valley and Aru Valley, Pony rides along the meadows, White-water rafting on the Lidder River <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Lakshadweep Islands" comment="subhead" text="Lakshadweep Islands">Lakshadweep Islands</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="2" msid="109735510" hostid="261" sizebytes="1084364" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Crystal-clear waters and palm-fringed shores: a tropical paradise awaits in Lakshadweep&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>If you're dreaming of a tropical vacation, Lakshadweep is one of the best <keyword id="13262161" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="summer-tourist-places-in-india" source="Orion">summer tourist places in India</keyword>. The water is so clear you can see right through it, and the beaches are lined with tall palm trees. It's a paradise for anyone who loves the beach! Families can have a blast trying out water activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Or, if you just want to relax, you can soak up the sun on the sandy shores of Agatti, Kadmat, and Minicoy islands. No matter what you choose to do, you're sure to have an amazing time in Lakshadweep! Places to visit: Agatti Island, Kadmat Island, Minicoy Island Things to do: Snorkelling and scuba diving in the clear waters, Kayaking and paddleboarding around the islands, Exploring coral reefs and marine life Read - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/6-best-islands-in-lakshadweep-you-must-visit/slidelist/106631449.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Best islands to visit in Lakshadweep</a> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Goa" comment="subhead" text="Goa">Goa</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="3" msid="109735527" hostid="261" sizebytes="1797273" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sunny beaches and Portuguese charm: experience the vibrant spirit of Goa&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Famous for its fun vibes, beautiful beaches, and cool buildings from the Portuguese era. Families love coming here for vacations. You can chill on the beaches, have fun with water sports, and even learn about Goa's interesting history by visiting old villages and churches. Don't miss out on exploring spice farms, checking out wildlife spots, and eating yummy seafood at beachside restaurants. There's so much to do in Goa, making it a top pick for families looking for a good time! Places to visit: Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Old Goa Things to do: Water sports like parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides, Exploring the vibrant nightlife and beach parties, Dolphin watching and boat cruises Read - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/article/best-beaches-to-visit-in-goa/articleshow/109728267.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Best beaches to visit in Goa</a> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Wayanad" comment="subhead" text="Wayanad">Wayanad</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="4" msid="109735547" hostid="261" sizebytes="1577763" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Verdant forests and cascading waterfalls: Wayanad&amp;#39;s natural wonders enchant&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Waynad is full of greenery, waterfalls, and tall mountains. Families love exploring here! You can walk through tea and spice farms and even check out old Edakkal Caves. If you're into calm waters, visit Karapuzha Dam. Don't forget about the wildlife sanctuaries like Muthanga and Tholpetty, where you can see animals in their natural habitat. Some must-visit places are the ancient Edakkal Caves, the stunning Soochipara Waterfalls, and the serene Pookode Lake. Places to visit: Edakkal Caves, Soochipara Waterfalls, Pookode Lake Things to do: Exploring the ancient Edakkal Caves and petroglyphs, Trekking through dense forests to reach hidden waterfalls, Boating and pedal boating on Pookode Lake Read - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/top-10-places-to-visit-in-wayanad/slidelist/108325571.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 best places to visit in Wayanad</a> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Gangtok" comment="subhead" text="Gangtok">Gangtok</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="5" msid="109735610" hostid="261" sizebytes="1335823" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Buddhist monasteries and panoramic vistas: discover serenity in Gangtok&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Gangtok sits high up in the Himalayas and is loved for its pretty Buddhist monasteries, lively markets, and awesome views. Families have a lot to do here! You can visit the famous Rumtek Monastery, take a cool ride on the cable car, and walk around Ridge Park, which is full of flowers. If you're up for some excitement, try river rafting on the Teesta River or go trekking in the nearby hills. Places to visit: Rumtek Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Ganesh Tok Things to do: Visiting monasteries like Rumtek and Enchey, Cable car ride offering panoramic views of the city, Shopping for souvenirs at MG Marg <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Darjeeling" comment="subhead" text="Darjeeling">Darjeeling</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="6" msid="109735617" hostid="261" sizebytes="1498449" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Tea gardens and misty mornings: Darjeeling&amp;#39;s allure is timeless&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Famous for its tea estates, toy train, and panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga peak, Darjeeling is a quintessential hill station perfect for a family retreat. Families can ride the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, visit the lush tea gardens of Happy Valley, and take a scenic walk along the Mall Road. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park are also popular attractions. Places to visit: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Tiger Hill, Happy Valley Tea Estate Things to do: Riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train), Trekking to Tiger Hill for a sunrise view of Kanchenjunga, Tea tasting and plantation tours at Happy Valley Tea Estate Read - <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Munnar" comment="subhead" text="Munnar">Munnar</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="7" msid="109735624" hostid="261" sizebytes="1880447" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Tea plantations and rolling hills: Munnar is a green paradise&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Another gem in Kerala's crown, Munnar is renowned for its rolling hills, tea plantations, and cool climate. Families can explore the picturesque tea estates of Kolukkumalai and Tata Tea Museum, go on wildlife safaris at Eravikulam National Park, and enjoy boating at the serene Kundala Lake. Adventure activities like rock climbing and rappelling are also available for thrill-seekers. Places to visit: Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Eravikulam National Park, Top Station Things to do: Tea plantation tours and tea tasting sessions, Jeep safaris and nature walks through the Western Ghats, Wildlife spotting at Eravikulam National Park <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Ooty" comment="subhead" text="Ooty">Ooty</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="8" msid="109735634" hostid="261" sizebytes="1377715" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Toy trains and floral carpets: Ooty&amp;#39;s charm captivates all&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Fondly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations,' Ooty boasts scenic landscapes, colonial charm, and pleasant weather throughout the year. Families can ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, stroll through the botanical gardens, and enjoy panoramic views from Doddabetta Peak. The Ooty Lake offers boating facilities, while the nearby Pykara Lake and Waterfalls are perfect for picnics. Places to visit: Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak Things to do: Riding the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train), Exploring the Rose Garden and Botanical Gardens, Trekking to Doddabetta Peak for panoramic views <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Rishikesh" comment="subhead" text="Rishikesh">Rishikesh</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="9" msid="109735648" hostid="261" sizebytes="2323922" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;River Ganga and yoga retreats: find peace in Rishikesh&amp;#39;s embrace&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Rishikesh sits by the Gangs river, with the Himalayas in the background. It's a place for both spiritual and adventurous activities. Families can try yoga and meditation, watch the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony by the river, and go on exciting river rafting trips. You can also check out cool spots like the Beatles Ashram, Neer Garh Waterfall, and nearby Rajaji National Park. There's lots to do in Rishikesh that's fun and meaningful for families Places to visit: Triveni Ghat, Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula, Neer Garh Waterfall Things to do: White-water rafting on the Ganges River, Attending the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat, Bungee jumping and zip-lining for adrenaline junkies Read - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/top-5-places-to-visit-near-rishikesh/slidelist/109663474.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Places to visit near Rishikesh</a> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Andaman and Nicobar Islands" comment="subhead" text="Andaman and Nicobar Islands">Andaman and Nicobar Islands</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="10" msid="109735653" hostid="261" sizebytes="1763065" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Turquoise waters and pristine beaches: Andaman&amp;#39;s beauty is unmatched&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>For an exotic island escape, head to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, blessed with pristine beaches, coral reefs, and marine life. Families can snorkel at Elephant Beach, visit the historic Cellular Jail in Port Blair, and trek through the lush forests of Havelock Island. The islands also offer opportunities for scuba diving, glass-bottom boat rides, and dolphin watching. Places to visit: Cellular Jail, Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island Things to do: Snorkeling and scuba diving to explore coral reefs and marine life, Glass-bottom boat rides for underwater views, Visiting the historic Cellular Jail and experiencing the light and sound show With its diverse landscapes and cultural heritage, India offers a plethora of options for family holidays in the summer of 2024. Whether you seek adventure in the mountains, relaxation on the beaches, or immersion in spirituality, there's a destination waiting to be explored. So pack your bags, embark on an unforgettable journey, and create lasting memories with your loved ones amidst the beauty of Incredible India! <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently Questions Asked" comment="subhead" text="Frequently Questions Asked">Frequently Questions Asked</cmsannotation> 1: What are some essential items to pack for a family summer vacation in India? Essential items to pack for a family vacation include clothing appropriate for the destination's weather, sunscreen, insect repellent, first-aid kit, snacks, entertainment for children (books, games, etc.), and necessary documents (IDs, passports, reservations). 2: How can I find family-friendly accommodations during my vacation? You can find family-friendly accommodations by searching for hotels or resorts with amenities such as kids' clubs, swimming pools, playgrounds, family suites, and proximity to attractions suitable for children. Reading reviews from other families can also provide insights into the suitability of accommodations. 3: What are some fun activities for families to do together while on vacation? Fun activities for families on vacation include exploring local attractions such as museums, parks, and landmarks, trying outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, or water sports, experiencing cultural activities such as cooking classes or cultural performances, and simply spending quality time together playing games or relaxing at the beach or pool. 4: How can I ensure the safety of my family while travelling? To ensure the safety of your family while travelling, it's essential to research destinations beforehand, follow local safety guidelines and regulations, stay together in crowded areas, keep valuable belongings secure, have emergency contacts handy, and consider purchasing travel insurance for medical emergencies or trip cancellations.

10 incredible Indian destinations for family summer holidays in 2024

As the mercury plummets and the latest weather forecast predicts fresh rounds of <keyword id="10265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Snow">snow</keyword> across the Indian mountains, a gleeful crowd from home and abroad goes traipsing upon the ethereal <keyword id="918784" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ski-slopes">ski slopes</keyword>. Heading off to the <keyword id="23693" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Swiss-Alps">Swiss Alps</keyword> or <keyword id="2005582" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Val-dIsre">Val d’Isère</keyword> in <keyword id="6354785" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="France">France</keyword> might be the classic choice of many, but <keyword id="2005583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Powder-skiing">powder skiing</keyword> in the <keyword id="52569" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword> is getting increasingly popular among local and <keyword id="1704954" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="global-tourists">global tourists</keyword> in love with <keyword id="1614562" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="winter-sports">winter sports</keyword>. India is now home to a dozen or so <keyword id="2005584" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ski-areas">ski areas</keyword> and plans are afoot to build several international standard <keyword id="78303" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ski-resorts">ski resorts</keyword>. 
 <keyword id="90842" type="SPORT" weightage="100" keywordseo="skiing">Skiing</keyword> took off in the country during the days of the <keyword id="81273" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="British-Raj">British Raj</keyword> when two army officers first started the <keyword id="2005578" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ski-Club-of-India">Ski Club of India</keyword> in <keyword id="108228" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gulmarg">Gulmarg</keyword> back in 1927. Fast-forward to 2014 and you will find improved facilities, along with the eternally breathtaking <keyword id="6439698" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="mountain">mountain</keyword> views, the best <keyword id="2005590" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Powder-snow">powder snow</keyword> and the vast, undulating <keyword id="2005591" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Snowy-tracks">snowy tracks</keyword> – from <keyword id="2005592" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gentle-slopes">gentle slopes</keyword> and <keyword id="2005593" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Groomed-trails">groomed trails</keyword> to <keyword id="2005595" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Steep-bowls">steep bowls</keyword>, <keyword id="2005596" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chutes">chutes</keyword> and <keyword id="2005598" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tree-runs">tree runs</keyword> spilling off the magnificent ridges. Gulmarg in <keyword id="23412" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jammu-Kashmir">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</keyword> and <keyword id="484044" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auli">Auli</keyword> in <keyword id="44522" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uttarakhand">Uttarakhand</keyword> are the showpiece destinations, especially Auli, which features the <keyword id="2005599" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Second-largest-slopes-in-Asia">second largest slopes in Asia</keyword>. A research survey by the <keyword id="2005579" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alpine-Tourism-Promotion-Council">Alpine Tourism Promotion Council</keyword> (ATPC) considers Auli’s slopes to be the best in the world. 
 <keyword id="2005600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Heli-skiing">Heli-skiing</keyword> in the Himalays is another fabulous experience as the chopper flies one to spectacular heights and the <keyword id="105846" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Skier">skier</keyword> rides down the unexplored slopes – the perfect setting for this great <keyword id="6739232" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Adventure-sport">adventure sport</keyword>. The thrill-hunters can also go <keyword id="2005604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yak-skiing">yak skiing</keyword> in <keyword id="6363190" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manali">Manali</keyword> – an <keyword id="2005608" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Extreme-snow-sport">extreme snow sport</keyword> only meant for the brave hearts. Those looking for <keyword id="2005609" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Off-season-skiing">off-season skiing</keyword> would not be disappointed either. There is <keyword id="2005611" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Grass-skiing-in-summer">grass skiing in summer</keyword>, held on a 120 meter-long grassy slope in <keyword id="569617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solang-Valley">Solang Valley</keyword> where one can use special <keyword id="2005612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Skis-fitted-with-wheels">skis fitted with wheels</keyword>. If you are already feeling excited and want to chill out among the snow, slopes and the wild <keyword id="383218" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="slides">slides</keyword> and <keyword id="95340" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tumbles">tumbles</keyword>, here is a look at India’s 7 <keyword id="2005614" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Best-skiing-destinations">best skiing destinations</keyword>. 
 
Image: Wikipedia

Time To Celebrate The Snow: Check Out These 7 Ski Destinations
In India

<ul><li>One in every 10 Indian travellers say that they seek an adrenaline rush. </li><li> As adventure sports are turning popular, Booking.com reveals the top 5 places where people can go paragliding, skydiving, and others. </li><li>Here are the top 5 places around the world for adrenaline junkies</li></ul>One in every 10 Indian travellers say that they seek an adrenaline rush. As adventure sports are turning popular, Booking.com reveals the top 5 places where people can go paragliding, skydiving, and others. Here are the top 5 destinations: Kalimpong, India 
	
 


 
	
 
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 Kalimpong, a Himalayan hill town set in West Bengal, is ranked as one of the top paragliding top destinations by Booking.com travelers. It has many hotspots for paragliding and <keyword id="3474767" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="hang-gliding">hang gliding</keyword> including Deolo Park with its green landscapes and a view of the town and hills. It is also known for Dhok Palri Phodang, a Tibetan Buddhist temple located at the top of Durpin Hill. Boituva, <keyword id="6355226" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="brazil">Brazil</keyword> 
	
 


 
	
 
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 Boituva with dramatic green landscape in São Paulo - is a popular destination for skydiving. And it has a lot more to offer than adventure sports — like watching the birds in flight at the Parque Ecologico Eugenio Walter. It is home to a vast array of birds such as peacocks, swans and Macaws. <keyword id="8362608" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mulwala">Mulwala</keyword>, Australia 
	
 
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Mulwala is located in New South Wales, Australia. The area is best known for water skiing, wakeboarding and canoeing along the <keyword id="8362607" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Murray-River">Murray River</keyword>. The town also has a Water Ski Club that provides travelers with a vast array of aquatic fun. Birgi Vecchi, Italy 
	
 
	
 
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Located in the province of Trapani, Birgi Vecchi is popular for kitesurfing. The winds in the move from three directions, North, Northwest and South, creating the perfect conditions to kitesurf. Birgi Vecchi has a variety of kitesurfing schools which aid those who are novices. It also has Lo Stagnone, the ‘Kitesurfing Gym’, a place where travelers can safely practice whilst exploring the waters. San Pedro, Belize 
	
 


 
	
 
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 San Pedro, a town in the southern part of Ambergris Caye, has a vast array of water sports-- scuba diving, snorkeling and dive sites. Its home to exotic sea life and the Great Blue Hole, a marine sinkhole which is (400 feet deep. Its bustling marine life includes various species of sharks-- like Nurse Sharks, Bull Sharks and Hammerhead. Travelers can go for a whale diving trip.

The top 5 destinations you can visit for paragliding, skydiving, kitesurfing and other adventure sports

It’s one of the world’s best Tech company, and <keyword id="10387" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword> proves it just beautifully with one of the most employee-friendly environment it nurtures. 
 
It’s not just about easy and flexible working hours, but the company goes a lot beyond to ensure the comfort and leisure activities of the staff here. 
 You may feel jealous but how about let's just face it! Employees get 10% discount on stock, 15 paid time offs and 10 sick days, and 8 weeks of parental leave. We will give you a full list of other such provisions, but it’s important to note here that <keyword id="1057250" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Microsoft-employees">Microsoft employees</keyword> usually do not have strict professional rules to follow. They can work from office or home, schedule their meetings and plan out their day in the best possible manner. They set goals with the help of team managers and are expected to be on their own in planning how to best achieve them. There are no strict punching in or out mechanism in place therefore. Isn’t it just great? 
 
From dropping off your dry cleaning, joining in a pickup soccer, basketball or cricket game on the sports fields to playing an impromptu round of Xbox with co-workers, believe it or not, but here’s why this company has almost everyone wanting to become a part of it: 
 
Gyms and fitness: 
 
It offers paid memberships to full-service gyms or extra dollars in the pocket of employees to spend on their own fitness program. Btw, it gives free membership at its Sports PRO Club. 
 
On-campus retail shops and sports fields. 
 
Work is not just work, but work and play. Microsoft US has a in-campus social hub, The Commons, which offers a salon and mini-day spa, mail center, bank and 11 different restaurants. If you love adventure sports, imagine spending your free time browsing through retail shops for the latest bike and ski gear within the campus. 
 
Sports equipment check out. 
 
If you need a break, check out Frisbees, basketballs, soccer balls, bocce balls, footballs, volleyballs and even bicycles to enjoy the most the campus has to offer. 
 
On-campus cafes and kitchens. 
 
The Redmond campus alone has 33 cafes, 37 espresso stands and 500 kitchenettes stocked with 35 different types of free beverages. WOW!! Microsoft employees eat 35,000 meals a day, and this company is the only “3 star green” corporate dining operation in the world! 
 
Microsoft Connector shuttle and bus fleet. 
 
55 wi-fi and power-enabled coaches and shuttles transport employees from their Seattle-area homes to work and back, saving 2,00,000 car rides per year. Once on campus, the shuttles make hopping from building to building quick and easy. India is still far is getting this service from any company. 
 
l clubs. 
 
From dodgeball to photography to theater, Microsoft has probably got the social club for you. If it hasn’t, it says, start one! 
 
Discounts. 
 
Employees enjoy substantial savings on purchasing Microsoft products through their company store at throwaway prices. They can take advantage of tons of nationwide and local lifestyle discounts, like restaurants, travel, spa services, pet care, and car repair. They also get special offers and discounts for technology, arts, entertainment and sporting events. 
 
Flexibility. 
 
Whether you are an early bird or a late riser, flexible work hours allow you to work here when you are at your best. The best part is - Dress code is simple: You have your own style; we expect you to bring it – the company says. 
 
And the last one is Electric car charging stations. 
 
This is just awesome. Employees access the ChargePoint Network, an open-platform network of electric vehicle charging stations which have been laid out throughout the Redmond campus as well as all Microsoft offices around the globe.

The Benefits and Perks of Working with Microsoft

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">ShutterstockThe Dubai Mall as seen from the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, which is part of the complex.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/dubai">Dubai</a> has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dubai-mall-worlds-second-largest-mall-2018-11">65 malls</a> in a city of just over 3 million people, with 10 more under construction, including Dubai Square, a megamall set to be the biggest in the world when it is finished.</li><li>Despite the number of shopping destinations, Dubai residents I spoke to explained that the number of malls is not because the population is so shopping-obsessed, but because the city is unbearably hot for much of the year.</li><li>Because malls are large, open, climate-controlled spaces, they act as de-facto community centers and public squares where Dubai residents can gather, enjoy entertainment, or experience social events.</li></ul>If you are the type of person who likes to explore a country's "authentic" culture, traveling to Dubai can be a bit dizzying.Everywhere you turn, there is another mall or shopping center. There's the Mall of the Emirates, with its icy indoor ski slopes, the faux-Venetian Mercato Mall, and the ornate Ibn Mattuta Mall, modeled after the travels of the famous Moroccan Berber explorer, to name a few.In total, Dubai has about 65 malls in a city of just over 3 million people, with 10 more on the way. One of those currently being built is Dubai Square, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/dubai-square-mall-dubai-creek/index.html">set to become the world's largest mall</a> when it's completed.Which all begs the question: why?As if reading my mind as we walked through Deira, the oldest neighborhood in Dubai, Nada Badran, a Jordanian who has lived in Dubai for most of her life, offered an answer."Everyone thinks we're such shopping addicts. But really there are so many malls because we need spaces that are comfortable to be inside. It's so hot in the summers," Badran, who hosts Wander With Nada on CNN Arabic, told Business Insider.Related: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dubai-mall-worlds-second-largest-mall-2018-11">Dubai has a $20 billion megacomplex with the world's 2nd-largest mall, the world's tallest building, an aquarium, and 1,200 stores. I can't imagine why any tourist would want to visit.</a>During Dubai's long summer stretching from mid-April through October, temperatures make it unbearable to be outside for more than a few minutes. Temperatures <a href="https://services.dubaiairports.ae/dubaimet/MET/Climate.aspx">are regularly around 105 degrees Fahrenheit</a> (41 degrees Celsius) and have gone as high as 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius), with plenty of humidity. Malls offer an escape. "The malls in Dubai play a role more than just a shopping center. The malls are like community centers where entertainment and social events happen," Ali Shamsi, a financial trader an entrepreneur based in Dubai, wrote <a href="https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Dubai-full-of-malls">on Quora</a> in March. "Besides, it's too hot to do activities outdoors in summer."While most of Dubai's malls have shops that would be familiar to any American or European traveler - everything from Bloomingdales to Adidas to Gucci - their orientation is more akin to miniature indoor cities than outright shopping centers."[T]he mall is a social space, not just a shopping space," Justin Thomas, an associate professor of psychology at Zayed University wrote for <a href="https://www.pressreader.com/uae/the-national-news/20140414/282230893675225">The National</a> in 2014. "The mall is where three generations of the same family take an evening stroll; the mall is where the Abu Dhabi Readers (a book club) meet to discuss works of literature."The most iconic of Dubai's malls is the simply named <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dubai-mall-worlds-second-largest-mall-2018-11">Dubai Mall</a>, a St. Peter's Basilica of capitalism: 1,200 stores, hundreds of restaurants, a movie theater, a luxury hotel, an Olympic-size ice-skating rink, a virtual-reality theme park, and an aquarium all stuffed into one <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/05/world/meast/an-exclusive-peek-inside-largest-mall/index.html">$20 billion</a> megacomplex ranked as the second-largest in the world. The mall is so big it has its own neighborhoods like Fashion Avenue, designed to mimic Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and "The Village," an open-air "street" with chic clothing boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Dubai HoldingsA rendering of "The Boulevard" at Dubai Square, currently under construction.</div></div></div>The currently under-construction Dubai Square is <a href="https://www.arabianbusiness.com/retail/401410-revealed-dubai-square-project-set-to-dwarf-dubai-mall">set to construct the Middle East's largest Chinatown</a>, a four-lane "boulevard" that mimics a wide city street, a piazza, and an entertainment center for concerts and theater shows.Related: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emirates-airline-airbus-a380-economy-class-review-new-york-dubai-2018-11">I flew 13 hours nonstop on the world's biggest passenger plane, the $446 million Airbus superjumbo jet, and it's about as good as economy can get</a>The heat is not the only story behind Dubai's malls. The city <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/dubai-plans-to-be-world-s-most-popular-tourist-destination-by-2025-1.776970">aims to be the most popular tourist destination</a> in the world by 2025, as it seeks to develop an economy not reliant on oil. It is currently the fourth most-visited city in the world, with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2018-9">a projected 16.7 million visitors</a> this year, <a href="https://newsroom.mastercard.com/press-releases/big-cities-big-business-bangkok-london-and-paris-lead-the-way-in-mastercards-2018-global-destination-cities-index/">according to Mastercard's Global Destination Cities Index</a>. Of the 15.8 million people who visited Dubai last year, 2.1 million came from India. And Dubai's fastest-growing tourist market is China, with 764,000 visitors last year. The number of Chinese visitors <a href="https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/401047-chinese-tourists-to-dubai-more-than-double-since-2014">could top 1 million this year</a>. Russian tourists is another growth market for the country.What all those cultures have in common - in addition to many Middle Eastern cultures - is that shopping is viewed as a leisure activity. For many without easy access to luxury goods, traveling halfway across the world to visit a mall or luxury stores is the attraction. Dubai is positioned to capitalize on that.Emaar Malls, The Dubai Mall's developer, said recently that the property had seen <a href="http://www.tellerreport.com/life/--dubai-mall-welcomes-more-than-80-million-visitors-annually-.SJ1w0k637.html">over 80 million visitors annually for the past four years</a>, making it the most-visited mall in the world. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/smart-palm-tree-charge-phone-free-wi-fi-public-dubai-2017-10">These smart palm trees in Dubai can charge your phone and provide free Wi-Fi</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Dubai has more than 65 malls in a city of 3 million people, and it's not because they're obsessed with shopping

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">AFPPeople play polo on a field in the city of Dalian in China's Liaoning province on July 5, 2014.</div></div></div>Gripping his mallet, Peng Zhichun gallops towards goal on a Chinese polo field, one of a growing number of the country's wealthy elite discovering the joys of the saddle and the whip.
"New clubs are opening, people are more into equestrian sports, into polo, there are more international players coming, so it's growing really fast," the young man, dressed in an expensive leather helmet, boots and white trousers, said after dismounting.
Peng, who was taking part in a luxury lifestyle event in the northern port of Dalian earlier this month, spent several years in the United States and is typical of China's emerging upper class, with a keen interest in travel and Western leisure activities.
Among the privileged minority, chosen sports are indicative of status -- usually tennis and golf to start off with, graduating to skiing or riding.
It is fertile ground for luxury brands such as the Swiss watch manufacturers for which the country has become a major market.
In June, Shanghai hosted a stage of the Longines Global Champions Tour for the first time, a five-star showjumping event, the highest in the International Equestrian Federation's rankings.
At Beijing's Tango Polo Club members are "select" and wealthy, says deputy chairman Chen Xie, and their numbers are growing steadily.
"Polo is special. Members have to be rich enough to afford the membership. Courage is also needed as you can see, the sport is quite fast, intense and dangerous on the field," he told AFP.
"The major customers are those above white-collar workers, say, entrepreneurs, or at least 'golden-collars'."
It is undoubtedly a rich man's game. Club members have spent as much as three million yuan ($500,000) on a polo pony, and in one case 80 million yuan on a racehorse, Chen said -- sums which are lifestyle expenses rather than investments.
"Horses are like humans, they go down in value when they pass their peak."
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">AFP</div></div></div>Betting ban</h3>
China has a long equine history, with the first cavalry troops recorded in the Spring and Autumn Period of 770BC-476BC and ceramic horses unearthed alongside the later Terracotta Warriors.
Chen also claims polo had its origins in Tang dynasty China before a British army officer imported it from India, although he acknowledges that "We all agree modern polo started from England."
Nonetheless indigenous Chinese horse breeds are too small for many modern equestrian disciplines, he admits.
The country's main equine stock is descended from Mongolian strains, but for centuries the animals of the steppe were bred primarily for stamina, rather than explosive speed.
Most polo ponies are imported -- with three-quarters of the animals at the Tango club coming from Argentina.
China imported fewer than 300 horses in 2005 but the number has risen tenfold in less than a decade.
Now the country has about 500 riding clubs and half a million amateur enthusiasts, according to Wutzala, an ethnic Mongolian who uses only one name and runs the www.horse.org.cn website.
But equestrian sports are far beyond most people's budgets, he says, with riding courses generally costing "250 to 400 yuan per hour plus coaching fee" and needing 30 hours to complete.
For more populist disciplines -- in particular racing -- the picture is different.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">AFP</div></div></div>
Gambling is illegal in China except where it is run by the government or the proceeds donated to charity, and the state-sanctioned lotteries do not offer betting on foreign horse races, unlike football games.
The ruling Communist Party associates racing with what it sees as the decadence and national humiliation of foreign occupation in the first half of the 20th century.
In Shanghai, the colonial-era racecourse, once one of the largest in the world, was replaced by People's Square -- the site of the local government headquarters -- and a park.
The global industry salivates at the prospect of a vast new market opening up, and in recent years French gambling representatives have visited China several times to promote Tote-style betting on races, with the bookmakers financing the sport.
But while rumours of a relaxation in the rules have seen entrepreneurs invest in infrastructure, they have been left with abandoned courses hosting neither races nor spectators.
Hong Kong group Desert Star Holdings had ambitious plans for a $1.7 billion "Horse City" in Tianjin including a racetrack, an international equestrian college and a 4,000-place stable, but the project has been postponed and some doubt it will ever see the light of day.
"Chinese people enjoy betting," said Chen, adding that pure sports fans were not a sufficient market to develop racing.
"With no betting there will be few participants."
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">AFP</div></div></div>
<div class="nc_footer">
Copyright (2014) AFP. All rights reserved.
</div>

China's Elites Are Now Playing Polo

America and its friends benefit from falling oil prices; its most strident critics don't
IN EARLY October the IMF looked at what might happen to the world economy if conflict in Iraq caused an oil-price shock. Fighters from Islamic State (IS) were pushing into the country's north and the fund worried about a sharp price rise, of 20% in a year. Global GDP would fall by 0.5-1.5%, it concluded. Equity prices in rich countries would decline by 3-7%, and inflation would be at least half a point higher.
IS is still advancing. Russia, the world's third-biggest producer, is embroiled in Ukraine. Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and Libya, oil producers all, are in turmoil. But the price of Brent crude fell over 25% from $115 a barrel in mid-July to under $85 in mid-October, before recovering a little (see chart).
<div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="The Economist" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/544d39f3ecad04b444f0f663-960/screenshot%202014-10-26%2014.12.31.png"></a>The Economist</div></div>
Such a shift has global consequences. Who are the winners and losers?
The first winner is the world economy itself. A 10% change in the oil price is associated with around a 0.2% change in global GDP, says Tom Helbling of the IMF. A price fall normally boosts GDP by shifting resources from producers to consumers, who are more likely to spend their gains than wealthy sheikhdoms.
If increased supply is the driving force, the effect is likely to be bigger--as in America, where shale gas drove prices down relative to Europe and, says the IMF, boosted manufactured exports by 6% compared with the rest of the world. But if it reflects weak demand, consumers may save the windfall.
Today's falling prices are caused by shifts in both supply and demand. The world's slowing economy, and stalled recoveries in Europe and Japan, are reining back the demand for oil. But there has been a big supply shock, too. Thanks largely to America, oil production since early 2013 has been running at 1m-2m barrels per day (b/d) higher than the year before.
Other influences are acting as a brake on the world economy (see "The dangers of deflation: The pendulum swings to the pit"). But a price cut of 25% for oil, if maintained, should mean that global GDP will be roughly 0.5% higher than it would be otherwise.
Some countries stand to gain a lot more than that average, and others, to lose out. The world produces just over 90m b/d of oil. At $115 a barrel, that is worth roughly $3.8 trillion a year; at $85, just $2.8 trillion. Any country or group that consumes more than it produces gains from the $1 trillion transfer--importers, most of all.
China is the world's second-largest net importer of oil. Based on 2013 figures, every $1 drop in the oil price saves it an annual $2.1 billion. The recent fall, if sustained, lowers its import bill by $60 billion, or 3%. Most of its exports are manufactured goods whose prices have not fallen. Unless weak demand changes that, its foreign currency will go further, and living standards should rise.
Cheaper oil will also help the government clean up China's filthy air by phasing out dirty vehicle fuels, such as diesel. Lighter fuels are dearer and, under current plans, drivers could pay up to 70% of the extra; lower prices will soften that blow.
More generally, says Lin Boqiang of Xiamen University, lower prices should support the government's efforts to reduce subsidies (it has already freed some gas prices, and electricity prices are expected to follow next year).
The impact on America will be mixed because the country is simultaneously the world's largest consumer, importer and producer of oil. On balance cheaper oil will help, but not as much as it used to. Analysts at Goldman Sachs reckon that cheaper oil and lower interest rates should add about 0.1 percentage points to growth in 2015. But that will be more than offset by a stronger dollar, slower global growth and weaker stockmarkets.

Extracting oil from shale is expensive. So when the oil price drops, America is one of the places most likely to pull back (Arctic and Canadian tar-sands producers are even more vulnerable). According to Michael Cohen of Barclays, a bank, a $20 drop in the world oil price reduces American producers' profits by 20%, and only four-fifths of shale reserves are economic to extract using current technology with Brent around $85.
How quickly production will fall as a result, though, is unclear, since producers' costs vary and some have locked in prices via hedging. The impact will also vary by region. "If I'm in California, it's pretty clear-cut that this is a good-news story," says Michael Levi of the Council on Foreign Relations, a think-tank. "If I were in North Dakota [the biggest shale-oil state], I would be a lot more nervous."
America is a net importer, so lower prices mean Americans get to keep more of their money and spend it at home. But the stimulative impact is less than it used to be, since imports are becoming less important, and oil is shrinking as a share of the economy.
The Energy Information Administration, an independent government agency, expects net oil imports to drop to 20% of total consumption next year, the lowest share since 1968. In the early 1980s, when oil accounted for over 4% of GDP, a 1% price drop would boost output by 0.04%, says Stephen Brown of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. That had fallen to 0.018% by 2008, and he reckons it is now about 0.01%.
Cheaper oil could make more of a difference to monetary policy. Inflation expectations have become more stable since the 1980s, which means that the Fed feels less need to act when oil prices shift. But with inflation below its 2% target, it will fret that falling oil prices could be pushing expectations down, making it harder to keep inflation on target. It could decide to keep interest rates at zero for longer, or even extend its bond-buying programme ("quantitative easing").
Fears of deflation apply with greater force in Europe. Energy imports into the European Union cost $500 billion in 2013, of which 75% was oil. So if oil prices stay at $85, the overall import bill could fall to under $400 billion a year.
But the benefits would be muted twice over. First, inflation in the euro zone is even lower than in America. Mario Draghi, the head of the European Central Bank, claims that 80% of its decline between 2011 and September 2014 was caused by lower oil and food prices.
Oil at $85 could lead to deflation, provoking consumers to rein in spending further. Second, European energy policy is only partly to do with price and efficiency. Europeans are also trying to reduce dependence on Russia and to cut carbon emissions by turning away from fossil fuels. Cheaper oil makes these aims slightly harder to achieve.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
<h3>Reaping the benefits</h3>
But one group of countries gains unambiguously: those most dependent on agriculture. Agriculture is more energy-intensive than manufacturing. Energy is the main input into fertilisers, and in many countries farmers use huge amounts of electricity to pump water from aquifers far below, or depleted rivers far away.
A dollar of farm output takes four or five times as much energy to produce as a dollar of manufactured goods, says John Baffes of the World Bank. Farmers benefit from cheaper oil. And since most of the world's farmers are poor, cheaper oil is, on balance, good for poor countries.
Take India, home to about a third of the world's population living on under $1.25 a day. Cheaper oil is a threefold boon. First, as in China, imports become cheaper relative to exports. Oil accounts for about a third of India's imports, but its exports are diverse (everything from food to computing services), so they are not seeing across-the-board price declines. Second, cheaper energy moderates inflation, which has already fallen from over 10% in early 2013 to 6.5%, bringing it within the central bank's informal target range. This should lead to lower interest rates, boosting investment.
Third, cheaper oil cuts India's budget deficit, now 4.5% of GDP, by reducing fuel and fertiliser subsidies. These are huge: along with food subsidies, the total is 2.5 trillion rupees ($41 billion) in the year ending March 2015--14% of public spending and 2.5% of GDP. The government controls the price of diesel and compensates sellers for their losses.
But, for the first time in years, sellers are making a profit. As in China, cheaper oil should reduce the pain of cutting subsidies--and on October 19th Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, said he would finally end diesel subsidies, free diesel prices and raise natural-gas prices.
The <keyword id="6356001" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="international">International</keyword> Energy Agency, an oil consumers' club, reckons that the global cost of subsidising energy consumption (mostly in developing countries) is $550 billion a year. The fall in the oil price should reduce that, all else being equal, to about $400 billion. That means many countries face a choice: seize the moment to dismantle subsidies, or keep on handing out goodies that now cost less? Either way, they will benefit--by ending an economic distortion (though with some risk of a consumer backlash), or by reducing its fiscal cost for a while.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="The Economist" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/544d39f3ecad047948f0f662-960/screenshot 2014-10-26 14.12.14.png"></a>The Economist</div></div></div>The choice is particularly stark for oil importers in the Middle East (see chart).
Energy subsidies cost Egypt 6.5% of GDP in 2014, Jordan 4.5%, and Morocco and Tunisia 3-4%. A 20% fall in the oil price would improve the fiscal balances of Egypt and Jordan by almost 1% of GDP, says the IMF. But, fears Mr Baffes, the efficiency gains may not be enough to persuade regimes, especially shaky ones, to cut subsidies that mostly benefit the politically influential middle classes.
Many other countries are also wrestling with energy subsidies. Indonesia spends about a fifth of its budget on them. Gulf oil exporters are even more profligate: Bahrain spends 12.5% of GDP and Kuwait, 9%. Brazil wants a high oil price to attract investment to its ultra-deep offshore (pré-sal) oil reserves.
But cheap oil is a boon to its farmers, and in the short term to Petrobras, its state-controlled oil firm, which has been forced to import at world prices and sell at a government-capped rate in order to keep inflation artificially low. For the first time in years, it is no longer making a loss on the imports it sells.
It might seem that the country which is the world's largest exporter must lose out. With oil at $115 a barrel, Saudi Arabia earns $360 billion in net exports a year; at $85, $270 billion. Its budget has almost certainly gone into the red. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, an influential businessman, called lower prices a "catastrophe" and expressed astonishment that the government was not trying to push them back up.
But Saudi Arabia's long-term interest may in fact be served by a period of cheaper oil. It can afford one, unlike most other exporters. Though public spending has risen in recent years, its foreign reserves have risen more. Net foreign assets were 2.8 trillion riyals ($737 billion) in August--over three years' current spending. It could finance decades of deficits by borrowing from itself even if oil were cheaper than it is now.
Over the past year production by non-OPEC countries, such as Russia and America, has risen from 55m b/d to 57m b/d. The Saudis might conclude that the main beneficiaries of dear oil have been non-OPEC members. Some of the new output is high-cost, unlike the Saudis'. A period of cheaper oil could drive some high-cost operators to the wall, discourage investment in others and let the Saudis regain market share.
In the mid-1980s Saudi Arabia cut its output by almost three-quarters in an attempt to sustain prices. It worked and other countries cashed in--but the Saudis themselves suffered a big loss of revenues and markets. They see little reason to make such a sacrifice again.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
<h3>Blowing windfalls</h3>
Saudi Arabia can survive low prices because, when oil was $100 a barrel, it saved more of the windfall than it spent. The biggest losers are countries that didn't. Notable among these are three vitriolic critics of America: Venezuela, Iran and Russia.
"However low the oil price falls," Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's president, declared on October 16th, "we will always guarantee...the social rights of our people." The reality is quite different. Hugo Chávez, his predecessor, dismantled a fund intended to squirrel away windfall oil profits, spent the money and ran up tens of billions of dollars in debt. That debt is now coming due.
Earlier this month a hefty service payment took Venezuela's foreign reserves below $20 billion for the first time in a decade. Every dollar off the price of a barrel cuts roughly $450m-500m off export earnings. By Deutsche Bank's calculation, the government needs oil at $120 a barrel to finance its spending plans--higher than before the recent tumble.
So, unlike other oil exporters' budgets, Venezuela's was already in trouble. Last year's fiscal deficit was a reckless 17% of GDP. In response, the government printed bolívares, pushing inflation (even on official measures) over 60%. Industrial production is grinding to a halt and Standard &amp; Poor's, a ratings agency, downgraded Venezuela's debt to CCC+ last month.
Analysts have long thought it would move heaven and earth to avoid default--not least because it has overseas assets that creditors could seize and depends heavily on financial markets. But the "d" word is increasingly often heard.
The impact of Venezuela's oil-related travails may be felt beyond its borders. The country runs a programme called PetroCaribe, which provides countries in the Caribbean with cheap financing to buy Venezuelan oil.
For Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Nicaragua annual deferred payments under PetroCaribe are worth around 4% of GDP. But it costs Venezuela's government $2.3 billion a year. So if Venezuela decides to cut back on its largesse, the shock waves will be felt throughout the Caribbean.
Iran is even more vulnerable than Venezuela. It needs oil at $136 a barrel to finance its spending plans, most of them inherited from the profligate and inefficient government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Last year it spent $100 billion on consumer subsidies, about 25% of GDP. Sanctions mean it cannot borrow its way out of trouble.
Hassan Rouhani, who took office last year, has re-established a degree of macroeconomic stability. The central bank said the economy grew in the second quarter of 2014 for the first time in two years. But he was elected on the promise of improving living standards.
It is not yet clear whether lower oil prices will force further reforms, and increase pressure for a deal with America over Iran's nuclear programme, or whether falling revenues will boost support for conservatives who are already making trouble for him.
For Russia the impact will be less dramatic, at least at first. Its draft budget for 2015 assumes oil at $100 a barrel; below that, it will be harder for Vladimir Putin, the president, to keep his spending promises. Something similar happened when the oil price fell in the mid-1980s, leaving the indebted Soviet Union cash-strapped.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
But Russia now has reserves of $454 billion to cushion against oil-price fluctuations. More important, the rouble has fallen. Next year's budget assumes a dollar is worth 37 roubles, so it balances with oil at 3,700 roubles. A barrel currently costs 3,600 roubles (a much smaller fall than the dollar price), because the currency has plunged 20% this year. With oil at $80-85 a barrel Russia would probably run a budget deficit of only about 1% of GDP next year.
All the same, the country will suffer a slowdown. For years, real incomes rose, thanks to wage increases in the state sector. The increased spending went on imports made cheaper by a strong currency. So the slide in the rouble is cutting living standards by making imports dearer. Western sanctions have closed capital markets to Russian firms, even private ones.
Business activity is waning. A senior finance-ministry official says the share of non-oil-and-gas revenues in the budget is shrinking, making Russia more dependent on oil. Some analysts think growth in 2015 will be just 0.5-2%, compared with about 4% a year in 2010-12. Inflation is 8%. Russia, it seems, is headed towards stagflation.
For most governments--Venezuela's is a possible exception--cheaper oil is likely to have a modest impact at first. Even Mr Putin may be able to ride out stagflation for a while. But over time, the consequences are likely to grow.
The years of $100-a-barrel oil also saw the rise of a "Beijing consensus" towards more economic interventionism. Perhaps a period of $85 oil--if that were to happen--might usher in another shift in attitudes, assumptions and policies.
Click <a href="https://subscriptions.economist.com/nwcd">here</a> to subscribe to The Economist

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