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The Americas
Aruba - Original Official Travel Guide - Aruba is a small, desertlike island just off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is part of the Dutch realm. Formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba was on its way to independence. However, in 1990, Aruba requested and received cancellation of the Netherlands' agreement to give independence to the island in 1996. Aruba's official language is Dutch. Its 85-degree weather and white sand beaches make it a favorite vacation spot. If you like sailing, scuba diving, or windsurfing, you'll love Aruba.
Embassy of Uruguay in Washington, D.C - Discovered by the Spanish in 1516, it was a century later before colonization gained a foothold. This was partially because of strong resistance from the natives, and partially a lack of interest in colonization due to the fact that precious metals had not been discovered. Look for more historical facts here along with information on geography, culture, recipes, tourist tips, and even some tips on how to speak to a Uruguayan: "Never say, `I am an American.' Uruguayans are Americans, too."
Escape - To Saskatchewan! - Sure, you'll find lots of information about tourism in this province. The sharp-tailed grouse is the official bird, and the western red lily is the flower. How did this province get its name? According to this site: "Plains Indians are credited with originating the name Saskatchewan. Their word was `kisiskatchewan'--meaning the river that flows swiftly--in reference to the most important waterway running through their territory."
Explore Manitoba - A Visitor's Guide - This official site offers information on Manitoba's fishing and other outdoor activities, but you'll also find material on urban attractions and historical sites. You can also learn about the official emblems. The great grey owl is the official bird, the crocus is the flower, and the white spruce is the official tree. The province has an official tartan cloth; according to this site: "Each colour has its own significance: Dark Red Squares--natural resources of the province; Azure Blue Lines--Lord Selkirk, founder of Red River Settlement (Winnipeg); Dark Green Lines--the men and women of many races who have enriched the life of the province; and Golden Lines--grain and other agricultural products."
Geographia.com-Latin America - Central and South America, a region of the world that has long been the stuff of legend in the annals of exploration. The glorious empires of the Inca and the Aztec arose here, amid a natural world no less magnificent. At the heart of South America lies the Amazon rainforest, the realm of one of the world's greatest rivers and the richest ecological region on our planet. Along the continent's spine are the Andes, a spectacular wall of snow-capped peaks and sulfurous volcanic turmoil. Add to this some of the world's most fabled resorts and it becomes easy to see why the last few decades have witnessed an exponential growth in travel to Latin America.
GORP - Bolivia: Tourist Information - The Andes Mountains dominate the western part of Bolivia. They contain three of the highest mountain peaks in South America. Lake Titicaca, on the western border, is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, at 12,506 feet above sea level. The 12,000-foot central plateau puts a large portion of this country higher than many of the rest of the world's mountains!
Information Services of the Brazilian Embassy - The Brazilian embassy, in Washington, D.C., presents this comprehensive collection on the government as well as a large selection of links. Try its jumpstation to information on Brazilian culture, tourism, and education. Maybe you will find a link about capoeira, a ritualized martial art combined with dance and music, or samba schools and the eagerly awaited thematic parades at Carnival.
Lonely Planet - Destination Argentina - This South American country is home to "los Gauchos" --Argentinian cowboys. Argentinians eat a lot of beef per person compared to the rest of the world, so they have many ranches to raise lots of cattle. Argentina is also known for the famous Latin dance, the tango! At this site, you can learn about the history, culture, music, and people of Argentina.
Lonely Planet - Destination Belize - Belize was once part of the 4,000-year-old Maya empire. It was taken over by the Spanish in the sixteenth century and then by Britain in the nineteenth century. Belize gained its independence from Britain in 1981. Along Belize's coast are numerous cays, islands, atolls, beaches, and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. What this really means is that there are more water-related activities available than you can imagine.
Lonely Planet - Destination Bolivia - Visit Bolivia, the "Tibet of the Americas"! It's also a great place to see wildlife. Some of the animals you might see there include the spectacled bear, jaguar, vicun'a, llama, alpaca, anteater, tapir, capybara, turtle, alligator, rhea, and condor. Bolivia's La Paz is the highest capital city in the world (11,929 feet). Did you ever wonder about the bowler hats the Bolivian women wear? According to this source, the hats are worn to the side if the wearer is single and on top if she's married.
Lonely Planet - Destination Chile & Easter Island - Described by some as an extravaganza of "crazy geography," Chile is characterized by a little bit of everything, from fertile river basins to snowcapped volcanoes to some of the driest desert on Earth. Zoom in and out of the interactive map. Read facts about Chile's climate, history, and culture. Or just flip through the photo album to view some of the most spectacular mountain peaks you'll ever see. If you're planning on more than a virtual visit to Chile, be sure to bring warm- and cold-weather gear! Are you still looking for more adventure? Take a detour to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), the world's most remote inhabited island.
Lonely Planet - Destination Colombia - Like the other Lonely Planet sites, you will find a map of Colombia and just the basics here. But you'll learn about the country's geography, history, population, and culture. Be sure to check the photo journal for some great shots of the Andes Mountains, a pre-Colombian stone statue, beautiful Spanish architecture, and more. Need some trivia tidbits to pique your interest? The jungle of Colombia's Pacific coast holds the record for the highest rainfall. There are more than 1,550 recorded species of birds (more than in the whole of Europe and North America combined), ranging from the huge Andean condor to the tiny hummingbird. Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 for his book, "One Hundred Years of Solitude." And if you think you're an adventurous eater, you might want to try Hormiga Culona , a "sophisticated Colombian dish." You'll have to visit this site to find out the main ingredient, but here is a hint: It has six legs.
Lonely Planet - Destination El Salvador - Did you think that the only pyramids were in Egypt? Guess again! There are ruins of ancient pyramids in El Salvador, too. Take a look at these Central American designs and compare them to those in Egypt. Volcanoes, lakes, and beaches are a part of the landscape of El Salvador. You'll find lots of background information on the country here.
Lonely Planet - Destination Honduras - Do you know Spanish and have a love of adventure? Then you might want to visit this country in Central America. There are still primitive tribes living in some areas of the rain forest but you may need to paddle a wooden dugout canoe in order to visit them! Or maybe a visit to the ancient Maya city of Copan would suit you. There are more questions about the Maya than there are answers. Maybe you could help solve the puzzle.
Lonely Planet - Destination Nicaragua - Ten thousand years ago, humans and animals ran toward the lake of Lago de Managua to escape nature's onslaught (we know because their footprints have been found buried under layers of volcanic ash). Another nearby lake, Lago de Nicaragua , is the largest lake in Central America. In it lives the world's only freshwater shark species. From its warthogs and boas to jaguars and howler monkeys, from its rain forest jungles to its plains, Nicaragua is a land waiting to be explored. Why did the Sandinistas come to power? Why did the Contra rebels fight them? What was Irangate? Come to this site and learn of the history and culture of this beautiful tropical country.
Lonely Planet - Destination Panama - A little-known fact about Panama mentioned on this site is the excellent snorkeling, bird watching, and deep-sea fishing located there. The hundreds of islands in the area provide a rich environment for the sea life that makes these activities possible. This site has country facts and some interesting stories about Panama's history.
Lonely Planet - Destination Paraguay - These pages define tranquilo as a "state of mind that lulls you into a cheery, relaxed peace." Maybe tranquilo is found in the Chaco. The Chaco is one of South America's great wilderness areas and makes up 60 percent of Paraguay's landscape. In it live Indian peoples who trace their ancestry back to the 1500s. Animal life abounds: jaguar, puma, ocelot, and other wildlife. It hasn't always been cheery in Paraguay, though. Years of dictatorship and isolation are only recently giving way to brighter days.
Lonely Planet - Destination Suriname - The original inhabitants of this South American country were Carib Indians. The English founded a settlement there in 1650 and established sugar and tobacco plantations. Twenty years later, the Dutch traded New Amsterdam for Suriname in order to take over and develop the plantations. What was New Amsterdam is now called New York City.
Lonely Planet - Destination Venezuela - Venezuela is home to a strange variety of animals, such as the jaguar, ocelot, tapir, armadillo, anteater, and the longest snake in the world, the anaconda. Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall (16 times the height of Niagara Falls) is there, and the Amazonian jungles are full of beauty and mystery. Designed for travelers looking for exciting places to visit, the Lonely Planet Venezuelan page is chock-full of fascinating information about the country.
Official Site of the Government of Quebec - This is the official site of the province of Quebec. It is also a jumpstation to other departments; for example, try the Department of Tourism, where you can take a Virtual Tour of the 19 different tourist regions of the province. Find a city or tour that interests you? It's easy to have a brochure sent to you via postal mail.
Parbo - Paramaribo is Suriname's capital and home to two-thirds of the population. Visit this site and discover what Suriname is all about. Since the 1970s, 250,000 Surinamese have emigrated to Holland (most of the population is of Dutch descent). Read more about the people, culture, religion, and the government of Suriname.
Prince Edward Island Information Centre - What do Avonlea, Kindred Spirits, and Lover's Lane all have in common? You can find them all on Prince Edward Island, the birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the universally beloved book, Anne of Green Gables , first published in 1908. Her story was inspired by the land, the sea, and the people around her. Anne of Green Gables is so popular with young (and old) readers that it has been translated into 15 different languages and put on film. You'll enjoy all the stops on the "Anne" tour at this site, especially the Green Gables Farmhouse in Cavendish, which is preserved as a national museum. Check out the L. M. Montgomery literature links, and before you leave, don't forget to look through the IslandCam, Prince Edward Island's mobile digital camera located in Charlottetown.
Republica Argentina - Secretareda de Turismo - Argentina has a diverse geography, including grasslands, glaciers, rain forests, and the sea. This site contains a wonderful virtual tour of the country and many pictures showing the beauty of the area. Some pages may be slow to load, but we think it's worth the wait.
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