North
America is a major landmass comprised of the
countries of the United States, Canada and Mexico. While
most Europeans don't consider Mexico
to be a part of North America, the term North America
refers to the Northern portion of what can also be known
simply as "the Americas", or the term it was called in
earlier times: the new World. This continent is the predominant
landmass in the western hemisphere, and the third largest
continent after Eurasia and the African continent. Geographically,
North America is incredibly diverse. In the west, the
Great Plains area covers a great deal of the middle of
the United States, from the Texan Gulf coast to the Canadian
Arctic. The Rocky Mountains spans 3,000 miles from New
Mexico all the way to Alaska. With only an average
density of 4 people per square mile in the region of the
Rockies, its main industry is tourism, being home to some
of the United State's most famous parks; such as the Yellowstone.
The eastern region of the country is an area with a great
deal of physical variety, with the mountains of Appalachia
and the lush Florida Peninsula and the Atlantic sea plains.
Finally, a large, flat area in the northeast of the continent
is known as the Canadian Shield.
United States
In the United States, there are areas that are centers
of commerce and tourism, and are worth mentioning for
visitors wanting to know more about North America. California
is a state that everyone in the country would like to
visit once. It is home to the world famous San Francisco.
Visitors to this state like the take the coastal drive
south, an incredibly scenic drive on route 1 that takes
you to some of the most beautiful scenes in California.
Monterey, Hollywood, and Los Angeles, and San Diego are
cities that dance to the beat of the constant flow of
tourists, making them places you will inevitably be drawn
to on a visit to California. To the east of this state
is Nevada. Only a half-day's drive or an hour and a short
flight from most cities in California, Las
Vegas is a glowing treasure of the desert. A play
land for both young and old, the Las Vegas Strip is lined
with the most elaborate themed hotels, with awesome casinos
to match. In the past century, the city of Las Vegas has
gone from a non-reality to the center of action in the
desert sands boasting an ever-growing population of over
one million. The state of Washington has its own rugged
beauty, making it worth the time traveling north. It has
the well-known city of Seattle, which is the only major
metropolitan area for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles
around. The fallen giant logs and intense evergreen covered
coasts of sea stack dotted Pacific coasts are an exhilarating
view for even the most seasoned of travelers.
Mexico
This country has close economic and cultural ties to its
American neighbors in the north. Large numbers of people
cross the border to travel Mexico
for personal, business and tourism-based activity. Millions
of Americans are immigrants or offspring of people of
Mexican descent. South of the border, this country is
a plethora of environments. Though heavily polluted and
overpopulated in the capitol, this country, which experiences
widespread poverty, has famously beautiful facets, such
as the ruins of Chichen
Itza. The country of Mexico relies greatly on visitors
from the US and Canada, who often take the short trip
south to travel Mexico and experience its coral reefs,
white sand beaches, prime surfing, volcanoes and mountains,
all dotted with Mayan ruins,
the remnants of powerful ancient cultures that left its
mark all over Mexico. Even the names of its modern cities,
such as Oaxaca,
and Mazatlan,
are a challenge to pronounce but still mark these population
centers as they have for thousands of years. Many visitors
like to take a cruise and visit the cities of La
Paz, on the Pacific, as well as Cozumel
and Cabo San Lucas
as part of their Mexico vacation. Some of the best cities
are ports of call for major cruise lines, which make it
easy to visit the Caribbean Islands
and travel Mexico at the same time. Whether you're from
the state or are an overseas visitor, when you include
a Mexico vacation as part of your next trip out of the
country, you will be amazed at the spectacular beauty
and variety of this country.
Canada Canada is a country has its great natural highlights as
well. In the west, the city of Vancouver is a clean, modern
city with a distinct European flair. A two-hour drive
north of Vancouver is the Whistler Ski resort, one of
the top ski resorts in British Columbia, which is the
name of this most westerly province of Canada. To the
north of this city, a coastal rainforest is home to some
of the most pristine wilderness, home to bears, otters,
and migrating Orca whales. Mountain ranges and a vast
plateau are two areas you will pass through as you journey
east while you travel Canada. Quebec also has an international
feel. This province has a foreign flair; the French that
is spoken here is done so in such a different dialect
that even the most patient Parisian will have a hard time
understanding. Montreal and Niagara Falls are places visitors
who travel Canada should not miss, either.
