The fifty states are commonly categorized into regions.  Each one is unique in terrain, cuisine, cultures, music and more.  The New England States on the north east coast include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.  They are known for fantastic seafood, rugged mountains and forests, quaint communities and rich American history.  The Mid-Atlantic States are Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.  The Southern States are among the most popular with tourists and consist of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.  The south is known for its laid back way of life, southern cuisine and its music, primarily blues, country and jazz.  The Midwest States are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, known for its farmland and big industry as well as their avid college football fans.  North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma make up the Great Plains region.  The Rocky Mountain region is comprised of Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming and is the best place for rugged outdoor adventures such as skiing and white water rafting.  Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah make up the Southwest states. This region consists of large expanses of desert but are well known for their flourishing cultures and natural wonders. Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest offer a surprising mix of landscapes and adventure opportunity.  Alaska, Hawaii, California, Florida and Texas are regions in themselves.  Alaska has endless miles of untamed wilderness and often frigid temperatures. Hawaii offers its own unique Aloha spirit, exotic natural beauty and active volcanoes. California is the land where dreams come true and has countless eclectic communities to visit. Beautiful beaches and spectacular attractions are Florida’s hallmark. In Texas you’ll find country music, cattle ranching and football are all a way of life here. They are all places you could visit again and again and never see all they have to offer.

The United States is probably best known by its major cities. These cities are all vastly different but all represent the heart and soul of the American people. Washington,D.C. is perhaps one of the most well known cities in the world as it is the nation’s capital. New York City is also famous. It is the United States’ largest city, is extremely culturally diverse and home to the finest of everything including gourmet dining, shopping, theatre, art and entertainment. Everyone has heard of and seen Los Angeles through TV, film, magazines and books. It is home to the film industry and the most famous celebrities as well as beautiful scenery. Las Vegas; who hasn’t dreamed of hitting it big in this city? It is the ultimate in entertainment with glitzy casinos and hotels, big name shows, first class dining and shopping and is one of the wedding capitals of the world. Another major city in the USA is Miami, home to breathtaking beaches and first rate nightlife as well as large and dynamic Latino and Cuban communities. New Orleans is a city known for its easy-going nature and festive spirit. Perhaps that is why it is also called “the Big Easy.” The French Quarter and Mardi Gras draw tourists here in droves. There are many other cities with notable reputations such as Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix and San Francisco but with over 10,000 towns and cities, it is impossible to list them all.

The United States is also a place with a vast array of natural splendors and historical remembrances. The USA is home to 390 national parks as well as many other protected areas. To explore any one of these parks is an awe-inspiring experience and should not be missed. A few of the favourites are Everglades National Park in Florida, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California and Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Camp, hike, walk or paddle these parks but do not forget your camera. The history of the United States has been turbulent at times but there have also been times of great achievement. Throughout the states you will find monuments and remains of events and eras. A few of the most fascinating places to visit are Ellis Island in New York where many immigrants experienced freedom for the first time from 1892 to1954, Pearl Harbour in Hawaii where the United States was attacked in 1941 by the Japanese army, the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, site of the famed battle against Mexican troops or Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota where the faces of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson have been immortalized in the mountains. Mount Rushmore has become a symbol of America and of freedom. No matter where you go you are sure be surprised by all the United States has to offer. The United States generally enjoy a temperate climate with a few exceptions. Alaska is an arctic tundra region while Hawaii and Southern Florida enjoy a subtropical climate.  The southern states enjoy hot, humid summers and mild winters including Texas and Florida.  The southwest states enjoy hot, dry summer and spring like temperatures during the winter as does California.  The rest of the country typically has varied temperatures throughout the seasons but is cold in the winter. Many states receive a great deal of snow in these months and warm to hot temperatures in the summer months.  Spring and autumn are great times to visit any of the states.