Vacations in United States of America
Often
referred to as the U.S.A. or even the U.S. in short, the United States of
America is sandwiched between Canada in the north and Mexico in the
south. With the Pacific Ocean to the west and Atlantic Ocean on the east.
It is approximately half the size of Russia and South America with the
total area of 9,826,630 sq km which made it large, complex, and diverse.
The climate in America is mostly temperate but in Florida and Hawaii, it
is tropical while artic in Alaska.
Population in America is estimated to be over 300 million people as at
July 2008 and achieved its independence on the 4 July 1776 from the Great
Britain. It has both densely populated cities as well as vast uninhabited
and naturally beautiful sceneries. America is made up of mass immigration
from all over the world, dating back as far as the 17th century. With its
citizens decended from so many diverse immigrants, there is no single
universal American culture, thus earning it a true cultures of "melting
pot.
The United States of America has more than 10,000 great cities, towns and
villages with some of the most notable like Washington DC, Boston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle, San Francisco
and others. Washington, DC is the capital and United States of America
consist of 50 states covering six time zones.
Besides having great cities, United States also boasts of having some of
the finest natural beauties and wonders in the world like The Grand
Canyon in Arizona, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite
National Park in California, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North
Carolina, just to name a few.
United States Dollar (symbol: $) is the official U.S. currency which is
divided into 100 cents (¢). Currency conversion rates vary daily and are
available online. Although some major hotel chains may accept travelers
cheques in other currencies, these foreign currencies are mostly never
accepted.
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American Flag |
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Autumn
colors of New England
Autumns in the north-eastern seaboard
of America are known for their vibrant autumn leaf changes. It is the
equivalent of nature showing off. The timing for the changing of the
leaves is dependent on the weather. |
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Badlands National Park
- South Dakota
A desolate moonscape of saw-tooth
spires, eroded buttes and ragged ridges. Spring and Autumn are the
best times to visit. Summers are extremely hot and winters extremely
cold. |
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Big Sur
A stunning area of natural beauty
along the Pacific Coast. Named by the early Monterey settles, Big Sur
is great for hiking, kayaking, dining, camping or just to enjoy the
view and scenery. |
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Carmel-by-the-Sea
Gorgeous coastline dotted with pretty
beaches, world-class golf at Pebble Beach and the magical '17 mile
drive'. Walk on the beach, play golf, swim, shop in the many
boutiques, surf, dine and sightsee. Clint Eastwood was once mayor of
this beautiful seaside town. |
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Charleston
A lovely historic town in South
Carolina. Charleston has inspired many novels including Pat Conroy's
Prince of Tides. The best time to visit is March to November. |
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Custer
State Park
A National park that is home to
spectacular landscapes and historical monuments. Located between
Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park. |
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Fallingwater
A famous architectural masterpiece by
Frank Lloyd Wright. Fallingwater is the most acclaimed American
architectural work promoting harmony between man and nature. Since
its opening as a museum in 1964, there have been more than 2 million
visitors. |
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Florida
Everglades
The third largest National park in the
United States of America and located in Southern Florida. Best time
to visit is November to March. This is the only place on earth where
alligators and crocodiles cohabit. |
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Giant
Redwoods
The tallest trees in existence, and
located in Humboldt County, California. There are three species of
giant redwood trees in the world, and tow of which can be seen in
California. |
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Grand
Canyon
One of the seven natural wonders of the
world at the desert highlands of Arizona. See the amazing 322 km (200
miles) of stunning landscape and wonders. It is one of the United
State's most famous landmarks and a designated National Park. |
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Hollywood
The quintessential tinsel town known
for its cinematic glamour with film studios, the Walk of Fame,
Grauman's Chinese Theatre are some of the must visit. It is in Los
Angeles, California and enjoys year-round sunshine, but the most
beautiful weather is in early spring when the wildflowers are in
bloom. |
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Kauai
One of the most stunning islands in
the Hawaiian archipelago. Also known as 'The Garden Isle'. Large
parts of Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island, Raider's of the Lost Ark,
the original King Kong and 6 Days and 7 Nights were filmed in Kauai. |
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Lake
Tahoe
A spectacular lake surrounded by the
High Sierra Mountains in the northern California on the Nevada
border. An alpine resort area, and is home to casinos, skiing,
hiking, sailing on one of the world's most stunning lakes. |
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Las
Vegas
The gambling center of the United
States of America. Summers are hot here, but everything is air
conditioned, making this a year round center of entertainment of all
kinds. Also known as the Sin City or the entertainment capital of the
world. |
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Mesa
Verde
The largest archaeological site in the
United States. The park entrance is located on US 160, 16 km (10
miles) east of Cortez in Colorado. It is the only national park
devoted entirely to the works of humans. |
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Miami
South Beach
An art-deco inspired, Cuban-influenced
strip of hotels and cafes along the waterfront of Miami Beach. Also
known as South Beach or 'SOBE'. Every season is party season in South
Beach, but summers are humid and prone to tropical storms. |
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Monument
Valley
The quintessential desert landscape
defining the American West. It is at South-eastern Utah, Moab.
Probably the most famous images from the desert south-west.
Incredible scenic views and desert vistas close to a number of area
National parks. |
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Mount Rushmore Memorial
An enormous sculpture on the side of Mount
Rushmore. Located at the Back Hills of South Dakota. You can see the
faces of former presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore
Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson. |
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Mount St
Helens
A remarkable volcano that erupted
causing the largest avalanche ever recorder. The volcano is still
active, some areas nearby are not open and roads may be closed at
short notice. |
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Museum
of Modern Art
One of the world's premier collections
of modern art and design. Located in the New York City. It is also
known as MoMA. You will see arts from masters ranging from Dali,
Money, Picasso, Eames and Naguchi to Mondrain and Kahlo. |
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Painted
Desert
A spectacular area of natural beauty.
Stretching south-east from the Grand Canyon to the Petrified Forest
National Park. A stunning ever-changing landscape offering
spectacular views. |
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San
Antonio
The first settlement in Texas. The
city is on the northern edge of the South Texas region and south-east
of the Texas Hill Country. Summer is the most popular time to visit
but it is hot. Spring and autumn are even more pleasant. |
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San
Diego
A beautiful city on the Pacific Ocean
at the southern coast of California. San Diego enjoys mild, sunny
weather throughout the year. Top Gun was filmed in San Diego. |
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San
Francisco
One of the most scenic and highly
visited cities in the United States. Awe-inspiring scenery,
world-class dining, an extensive range of outdoor activities,
cultural and historic landmarks, including, of course, the Golden
Gate Bridge. |
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Santa Fe
The capital of New Mexico. The city is
a mecca for artists, it is not far from scenic Taos and there's also
a local ski area. Santa Fe enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, but
temperatures are most hospitable in spring and autumn. |
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Sausalito
A scenic coastal town on the San
Francisco Bay. Located on the north side of the Golden Gate
Bridge. Stunning bay views and an attractive waterfront promenade with
boutiques, cafes and galleries. |
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Savannah
A stunning historically significant
southern town, the first planned city in America. Savannah enjoys a
subtropical climate that makes outdoor activities possible
year-round, the summers are hot and the winters are mild. |
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Sedona
A stunning city made of red sandstone
formations, the red rocks of Sedona. Found between Coconino and
Yavapai Counties in the Verde Valley north of Phoenix. Sedona is home
to the world's only McDonald's with turquoise arches. |
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St
Augustine
The oldest city in the United States
at the Central north-east of Florida. It is also the longest
continually occupied European settlement in the continental United
States of America. Also known as the 'Ancient City'. |
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Taos
An enchanting town with historical
monuments, excellent skiing and famous artist colonies. The word taos
means 'Red Willow' in Tiwa and the name Taos, Tua-Tah, means 'our
village'. |
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The
Florida Keys
An Archipelago of 1,700 islands off
the coast of Florida. Relax on one of the fabulous beaches, go sport
fishing, have a romantic seaside meal, swim with dolphins, look for
manatees or relive. |
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The
National Air and Space Museum
The largest collection of historic air
and spacecraft in the world. There are two facilities, one on the
National Mall in Washington DC and the other at the Stephen F.
Udvar-Hazy Center just outside the city on Route 270. |
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The
Smoky Mountains
The most visited national park in the
Eastern United States and located on the border of Tennessee and
North Carolina. Also known as The Smokies. |
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The
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
A national monuments serving as the
gateway to America, they define the country's culture and history.
Situated at the New York harbor. They are symbols of the American
ideal of freedom, liberty and democratic justice for all. |
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The
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A memorial to those who were killed in
the Vietnam War. It is an aid to healing the conflicted emotions felt
by Americans about this war and an ode to those who lost their lives
or went missing. It is in the Constitution Gardens, Washington DC. |
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Washington DC
The capital of United States of
America. Situated on the eastern seaboard bordered by Maryland and
Virginia. A historical city, Washington DC is home to some of the
nation's best museums, art galleries, restaurants and scenery. |
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Wounded
Knee, South Dakota
A battlefield in Wounded Knee, South
Dakota. It is located at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This is
the site of the last major clash between American Indians and US
troops in North America. |
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Yellowstone National Park
The world's first national park
largely in Wyoming, but extending into Montana and Idaho.
Fantastically diverse geological features, particularly Old Faithful
geyser, and stunning scenery. |
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Yosemite
National Park
A national park famous for its scenic
mountain vistas in northern California. The park is gorgeous all year
round. Spring shows off the massive waterfalls at their best and is
when the wildflowers are in full bloom. |
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