60 Second Geography look at the United States

A Big Thank You to Endless Vacation Rentals for this week’s 60 Second Geography look at the United States!


60-Second Geography
The United States of America
It is not at all surprising that a nation founded by explorers, malcontents, protest(ants) and warriors is today a nation of individualists. E Pluribus Unum is the fitting motto of the United States: “From Many One.” As wave after wave of immigrant arrived in America, the assimilation of so many peoples, both free and slave, has been uneven and incomplete. No other nation in the world has had to contend with such a mixed population, a crucible not only of cultures, but of ideas and ideals. With the recent election of its first African American president, the United States of America demonstrated the actuality inherent in its potential, that a nation of equals can arise out of the rich and complex blend of peoples that have found their way to its shores.
Any visitor to the United States is struck by its diversity more than its unity. North and South, East and West, rural and urban cultures in the United States are enormously divergent.

For five centuries immigrants have brought their respective cultures to the United States, often settling together in regions of the country. The communities they built, the schools they founded, the newspapers they published and read, the churches they attended all gave character to their distinct geographical area.

The stereotypes of these regions hold an interesting mixture of exaggeration and truth, from the “Deep South” to “New England” to the “West Coast“. The rich fabric of the United States tapestry of culture has given rise to both creative and destructive energies, the likes of which the world has never seen. No longer fixed by an isolated geography, United States culture permeates every corner of the globe for both better and worse.

Few destinations offer as great a variety of natural wonders and man-made structures. From the redwood forests of California, to the Grand Canyon, the spires of Bryce Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Smokey Mountains or the coasts of Maine and Florida, there is nearly no end to the natural beauty of the United States.

The United States is comprised of 3.79 million square miles making it the fourth largest country by land area. It is also the largest economy in the world. California, a state, is the 6th largest economy in the world.

The original 13 colonies on the eastern seaboard grew mostly by acquisition of land from England, France, Spain and Mexico.

The rich natural resources of the United States coupled with the free enterprise system have fueled its expansion into world dominance. In addition, the interior of the country is highly navigatable as a result of the extensive interstate highway system, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin.

Alaska is the largest state at 365 million acres and Rhode Island is the smallest at 1,545 square miles, about the same amound of territory burned in the recent California brush fires.


© Copyright 2009 Travmarket. LLC.

Free Dining at Disney World

Who does not love Disney. And what can be better than to experience Disney all over again.
Now to make it even better, How about free dining as a bonus. Disney World Resort is offering free dining for guests who book a five night, six day Magic Your Way package before July 27 and checking in August 27 - October 3.

With the Magic You Way plus dining package, families can choose from more than 100 participating restaurants, such as Disney's newest African themed restaurant, Sanaa which is located in the Kidani Villages at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

For each night of your package you will enjoy one table service meal, one quick service meal and one select snack. With this offer a family of four can buy a five night, six day Magic Your Way package including hotel and theme park tickets for only $1390 and get the Disney Dining Plan at no additional cost.

Free Show Tickets with Air/Hotel Package

Vegas is full of offers at the moment. Here is another can't miss deal. Book a Air + Hotel package of three nights or more to any Mgm/Mirage property except Excalibur or Circus Circus and receve two free tickets to a Cirque Du Soliel show or Disney's Lion King. Additional savings of up to $100 may apply. Travel and show dates 6/21-9/30/09. Blackout arrival dates 7/3,4 and 9/5. Must book by 6/22/09 and reserve show tickets by 6/30/09.