Enormously diverse, America harbors an astounding collection of natural and cultural wonders, from teeming cities to rugged mountains. The United States comprises 50 states, as well a federal district. For the purpose of this list we divided these states into 10 distinct regions. An overview of what the US has to offer:
flickr/cwwycoff1The Midwest is a region of the United States of America known as “America’s Heartland”. The region is home to farmland, forests, picturesque towns, industrial cities, and the Great Lakes, the largest system of freshwater lakes in the world.
flickr/ElliotphotosHome to gabled churches, rustic antiques, and steeped in American history, New England offers beaches, spectacular seafood, rugged mountains, frequent winter snows, and some of the nation’s oldest cities, in a territory small enough to tour in a few weeks.
flickr/papalarsThe Northwestern United States is an informal geographic region of the United States. It includes the Pacific Northwest, best known for its beautiful coastline and green interior, the rugged states of Idaho and Montana, and Wyoming home to the US first national park: Yellowstone National Park.
flickr/TrodelSeparated from the rest of the country by Canada, Alaska reaches well into the Arctic, and features mountainous wilderness, including North America’s tallest mountain, Mount McKinley (or Denali), and Native Alaskan culture unseen elsewhere in the United States. It is by far the largest state in the USA, larger than the size of California, Texas and Montana combined.
flickr/PrayitnoMore than any other part of the US, the South has an identity all of its own with a sense of regional pride, a musical way of speaking, a complicated political history and a shared culture that cuts across state lines. There are a wide range of sights and attractions to be found here, from the gorgeous architecture of Savannah and the live music bars of Memphis and Nashville to the backroads of the Mississippi Delta.
flickr/takahi rockRanging from New York in the north to Washington, D.C., the Mid-Atlantic is home to some of the nation’s most densely populated cities, as well as historic sites, rolling mountains, the indescribable power of Niagara Falls and seaside resorts like the Long Island beaches and the Jersey Shore.
flickr/faungg's photoThe Southwest contains more than its fair share of natural wonders: Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are only three of the most famous natural attractions that draw people from all over the world. The region is also home to a wonderful and vibrant mix of Anglo, Latino, Hispanic, and American Indian traditions.
flickr/baekkenKnown as “The Sunshine State”, Florida’s climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. The warm weather draws about 60 million visitors to the state every year. The beaches are the most popular attractions, along with some of the world’s best known theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld.
flickr/levorkHawaii is an archipelago of over nineteen distinct volcanic islands located over a geological “hot spot” in the Central Pacific. There are eight major islands, six of which are open to tourism. The natural beauty of the islands continues to be one of Hawaii’s greatest assets. Honolulu is the state’s capital, largest city, and cultural hub.
flickr/Don GrahamCalifornia offers something for everyone: Southern California is home to such popular attractions as Disneyland, Hollywood and the beaches in Malibu and Santa Monica, while the northern part of California offers the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the vineyards of Napa Valley. Outside California’s major cities one finds some of North America’s most rugged national parks and incredible outdoor opportunities.
