After photographing women around the world for the last five years, Mihaela Noroc has compiled their images for a new book, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAtlas-Beauty-Photographs-Women-Around%2Fdp%2F0399579958%2Fref%3Das_li_ss_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26linkCode%3Dsl1%26tag%3Dtravel0410-20%26linkId%3D4b58822a60844bd8757cbf327f19e703" target="_blank" target="_blank">"The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits."</a> Her project evolved from her thesis that all women are beautiful and strong, no matter what struggles and discrimination they face. Here are some images she shared with CNN Travel, as she described them in her book.
After photographing women around the world for the last five years, Mihaela Noroc has compiled their images for a new book, "The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits." Her project evolved from her thesis that all women are beautiful and strong, no matter what struggles and discrimination they face. Here are some images she shared with CNN Travel, as she described them in her book.
Mihaela Noroc/Ten Speed Press
<strong>Jodhpur, India:</strong> "India's trains are the country's vital circulatory system," says Noroc. "They transport more than 20 million people every day, in eight different classes of service, reflecting the stratified society. Just imagine 20 million fascinating stories! I wanted to hear hers but the train left after a few seconds."
Jodhpur, India: "India's trains are the country's vital circulatory system," says Noroc. "They transport more than 20 million people every day, in eight different classes of service, reflecting the stratified society. Just imagine 20 million fascinating stories! I wanted to hear hers but the train left after a few seconds."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Mexico City, Mexico: </strong>"I was so fascinated to meet these brave firefighters. Their dedication to save lives, while risking their own, is impressive."
Mexico City, Mexico: "I was so fascinated to meet these brave firefighters. Their dedication to save lives, while risking their own, is impressive."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Tehran, Iran: </strong>"Farnoush lives in two different worlds. In one she is an economist, by profession. In the other, she is an artist, because this is her passion."
Tehran, Iran: "Farnoush lives in two different worlds. In one she is an economist, by profession. In the other, she is an artist, because this is her passion."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Paris, France:</strong> "Gilberte reconditions furniture and doors. She seemed comfortable at this stage in her life, recognizing that age brings a beautiful patina to the wood, just as it improves wine.'
Paris, France: "Gilberte reconditions furniture and doors. She seemed comfortable at this stage in her life, recognizing that age brings a beautiful patina to the wood, just as it improves wine.'
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Central Mongolia:</strong> "It was a day of August when I visited these isolated lands of Central Mongolia, but it was still freezing cold. In this harsh environment, I noticed this graceful woman who was milking a yak. Women shine like stars in all environments. We just have to open our eyes and see the true beauty."
Central Mongolia: "It was a day of August when I visited these isolated lands of Central Mongolia, but it was still freezing cold. In this harsh environment, I noticed this graceful woman who was milking a yak. Women shine like stars in all environments. We just have to open our eyes and see the true beauty."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Amman, Jordan:</strong> "Ala is a student at She Fighter, the first self-defense school for women in the Arab world. In a country where many women face violence in their own homes, and where street harassment is common, this school is changing the norms. When I entered their studio, I discovered an amazing initiative and a splendid sisterhood between women from different environments. All of them told me they gained a lot of confidence after starting these courses. That's real empowerment, not just words."
Amman, Jordan: "Ala is a student at She Fighter, the first self-defense school for women in the Arab world. In a country where many women face violence in their own homes, and where street harassment is common, this school is changing the norms. When I entered their studio, I discovered an amazing initiative and a splendid sisterhood between women from different environments. All of them told me they gained a lot of confidence after starting these courses. That's real empowerment, not just words."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia:</strong> I'm fascinated by the Caucasus, a mountainous region where Europe and Asia converge, with many distinctive ethnic groups and an incredible variety of faces. It's where I met Delyara, who is Ossetian."
Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia: I'm fascinated by the Caucasus, a mountainous region where Europe and Asia converge, with many distinctive ethnic groups and an incredible variety of faces. It's where I met Delyara, who is Ossetian."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>East Jerusalem: </strong>"After studying in the United States and England, this young Palestinian returned home to put her knowledge in the service of Palestinian people. Raya was pregnant with her second baby when I met her, but besides becoming a mother for the second time she was also on a mission to empower Palestinian women through different diverse activities."
East Jerusalem: "After studying in the United States and England, this young Palestinian returned home to put her knowledge in the service of Palestinian people. Raya was pregnant with her second baby when I met her, but besides becoming a mother for the second time she was also on a mission to empower Palestinian women through different diverse activities."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>East Jerusalem: "</strong>Lisa, who is Jewish, teaches in a school for Palestinian children. She dreams of opening her own school someday where both Palestinians and Jews will learn together."
East Jerusalem: "Lisa, who is Jewish, teaches in a school for Palestinian children. She dreams of opening her own school someday where both Palestinians and Jews will learn together."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Montevideo, Uruguay:</strong> "Mariana, 73, owns an art gallery. She also has a black belt in martial arts. Very different kinds of art, coexisting in one woman."
Montevideo, Uruguay: "Mariana, 73, owns an art gallery. She also has a black belt in martial arts. Very different kinds of art, coexisting in one woman."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Pyongyang, North Korea:</strong> "This is a place where bicycles can be seen everywhere. In a country where cars are rare and public transportation is undeveloped, bicycles are the most popular way to get around."
Pyongyang, North Korea: "This is a place where bicycles can be seen everywhere. In a country where cars are rare and public transportation is undeveloped, bicycles are the most popular way to get around."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Cape Town, South Africa:</strong> "While visiting one of the slums of the city, I was fascinated by the gentleness of this lady in such a rough environment. For nearly thirty years, she has been selling meat every day, in exactly the same place."
Cape Town, South Africa: "While visiting one of the slums of the city, I was fascinated by the gentleness of this lady in such a rough environment. For nearly thirty years, she has been selling meat every day, in exactly the same place."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>New York City: </strong>"Looking like a female Jimi Hendrix, Mareko, who is Filipina and African-American, was attracting a lot of attention in Union Square. She got started at age 13 when her cousin was deported to the Philippines and left a basement filled with musical instruments. She is the rare street musician who doesn't ask for money, but just wants to rehearse in front of people to build up her confidence."
New York City: "Looking like a female Jimi Hendrix, Mareko, who is Filipina and African-American, was attracting a lot of attention in Union Square. She got started at age 13 when her cousin was deported to the Philippines and left a basement filled with musical instruments. She is the rare street musician who doesn't ask for money, but just wants to rehearse in front of people to build up her confidence."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Salvador, Brazil:</strong> "Dandara is a transgender woman. As an adolescent, she started to understand that she was very different from the other boys she knew, including her twin brother. She told me that although she was born a boy, her total essence is one of a girl. Growing up in a traditional environment, Dandara was always surrounded by misconceptions. But her passions for dancing and styling have helped her overcome many obstacles and become a confident and happy woman. "
Salvador, Brazil: "Dandara is a transgender woman. As an adolescent, she started to understand that she was very different from the other boys she knew, including her twin brother. She told me that although she was born a boy, her total essence is one of a girl. Growing up in a traditional environment, Dandara was always surrounded by misconceptions. But her passions for dancing and styling have helped her overcome many obstacles and become a confident and happy woman. "
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Berlin, Germany: </strong>"Danielle has Mexican and German origins. She's doing office work now, but her greatest passion is soccer. She grew up in the United States, raised by a single mother, and suffered many financial difficulties, but told me that her love for soccer always kept her out of trouble."
Berlin, Germany: "Danielle has Mexican and German origins. She's doing office work now, but her greatest passion is soccer. She grew up in the United States, raised by a single mother, and suffered many financial difficulties, but told me that her love for soccer always kept her out of trouble."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Idomeni Refugee Camp, Greece: </strong>"This brave woman escaped from her hometown in Iraq, which was under ISIS control. She traveled a long road to Europe with her three children, in hope of a better life."
Idomeni Refugee Camp, Greece: "This brave woman escaped from her hometown in Iraq, which was under ISIS control. She traveled a long road to Europe with her three children, in hope of a better life."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Paris, France: </strong>"Anja is Belgian with Polish origins and dreams [of competing] in the Paralympic Games."
Paris, France: "Anja is Belgian with Polish origins and dreams [of competing] in the Paralympic Games."
Mihaela Noroc
<strong>Istanbul, Turkey: </strong>"During my travels, I've met so many stunning women who told me they don't feel beautiful at all. Influenced by the way the media depicts beauty, many people feel pressured to follow a certain standard of beauty. But that's not the case with Pinar. "She is Turkish Cypriot and has long dreamed of becoming a theater actress. So, she moved from Cyprus to Turkey, worked hard and fulfilled her dream. While she loves playing different roles on stage, in real life, she adores being herself, natural and free. In the end, beauty is about being yourself, something people like Pinar prove to be true."
Istanbul, Turkey: "During my travels, I've met so many stunning women who told me they don't feel beautiful at all. Influenced by the way the media depicts beauty, many people feel pressured to follow a certain standard of beauty. But that's not the case with Pinar. "She is Turkish Cypriot and has long dreamed of becoming a theater actress. So, she moved from Cyprus to Turkey, worked hard and fulfilled her dream. While she loves playing different roles on stage, in real life, she adores being herself, natural and free. In the end, beauty is about being yourself, something people like Pinar prove to be true."
Mihaela Noroc