The Americas contain the continents of North America and South America including several of their corresponding islands and regions. Myth refers to Amerigo Vespucci having lent his name to the land, however, this is unlikely because continents take on the second name of the discoverer. In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the continent, believing it was part of the “Indies.” Often referred to as the “New World,” the Americas include a wide range of cultures, languages, and destinations. Made up of mostly the native inhabitants of the Americas, European, and black African ethnic groups, Eastern Europeans, Middle Easterners, and Asians are more recent immigrants who have contributed to the diversity of the land. The main population lives in Latin America which is differentiated from Anglo-America, or Canada and the United States, culturally as well as in language. The “New World” has always inspired adventure and exploration.
The wide range of climates and geographical anomalies encourage an extraordinary experience for all kinds of travelers. Weather it’s the monster surfing waves of Hawaii you crave, or the lush vineyards of Napa valley, whale watching in Alaska or the high roller lifestyle of Las Vegas, the Americas have got it all. Sunny beaches perfect for sunbathers and water lovers alike line the coasts of Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Even the foods range from the spicy flavors of the Latin regions to the subtle, French inspired cuisine of Quebec and Montreal, Canada. The Americas often serve as the watering hole for many worldwide celebrities. The nightlife at some of Florida’s hottest clubs is often embraced by both film and music moguls as well as famous personalities. Las Vegas, Nevada allows the opportunity for visitors to feel as if they’ve visited the entire world at once because of its wide array of themed hotels centered on travels to places such as Egypt, France, and the medieval times in Europe. The Americas also contain some of the worlds most intriguing ancient and modern wonders. Mexico City in Mexico contains the Great Aztec Temple, or Templo Mayor which was the main temple of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City). The temple rose 60 m (197 ft) above the city's ritual precinct, surmounted by dual shrines to the deities Huitzilopochtli (god of war and sun) and Tlaloc (god of rain and fertility). Canada includes the natural wonder of The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. The ebb and flow of Fundy's tides are an untapped source of power equal to the output of 150 nuclear power plants. Canada also has the CN Tower which stands at 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches) and is the world's tallest freestanding structure on land. Located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, it is the signature icon of the city and attracts close to two million visitors every year. Touring the Americas can provide a wide array of experiences for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary. Tours to tropical Belize offer both inland and island adventures which include fishing expeditions. Vacationers can dive the Belize Barrier Reef; the world's second longest continuous barrier reef eco-system in the world, snorkel, visit the mysterious Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal or Explore the great lost Mayan city of Xunantunich. If mopeds and scooters are for you, the island of Bermuda has a maximum speed limit of 20 mph and includes the historical towns of St. George’s and Hamilton along with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If getting to know the history of your travel destination is what gets your blood pumping, the Americas also include some of the worlds best museums. The Southwest Museum in California, United States, allows visitors an intriguing glimpse into the lives, history and cultures of the Native Americans. Casa Nacional de la Moneda in Potosí is where silver was first discovered in the 16th century. Originally a mint, this museum does an excellent job at explaining both the history of Potosí and the process of turning raw silver into money. The United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio claims to be the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. Founded in 1923, the Air Force Museum's collection includes over 300 unique aircraft and missiles. The museum allows for an up close look at many details not usually accessible to the public. The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad in Pioneer Parks at Faibanks, Alaska is a new railroad museum and engine shed expected completion in 2004. In San Diego, California, The Museum of Man lodges several Peruvian mummies, two Mexican Indian mummies, and an entire exhibit of mummies from around the world. The grounds surrounding the museum include The Museum of Aeronautics and include a beautiful park to picnic at. Mission San Francisco de Asis in San Francisco, California was founded on June 29, 1776 and is the oldest intact structure in California. The adjacent cemetery houses the last remains of many historical rigures and includes over 5000 Native American Burials.
The Americas also include some of the best 5 Star restaurants and hotels in the world. In 2006, the Vista Grill in Puerto Vallarta received the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Restaurant and Hospitality Science. Vista Grill offers fine cuisine that combines modern flavors with new Mexican cuisine, a classy atmosphere, and multi-leveled hanging terraces for wonderful sunset dining with an intimate bar and salon area. The Paradisus Playa Conchal Hotel in Costa Rica boasts 2400 acres of golf course and ten restaurants and bars. The Hapuna Beach Prince on Big Island, Hawaii is located on 1,839 acres of oceanfront paradise and has a series of underground springs which adds to the luxury of its 5 star rating. Montreal, Canada also includes some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. The Ritz-Carlton’s four stars ensure a welcoming atmosphere, old-world charm, in case you just cannot leave all of that behind, and is located at the heart of one of the world’s most international and diverse cities.