North America
Totem Poles of the First Nations in Vancouver Canada. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”
– Eudora Welty
Explore the history, diverse cultures and traditions of the North American countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States. North American culture reflects both the cultures of its indigenous people- the Native Americans as well as the culture that is influenced by European Colonization.
The United States is the third largest country in the world and one of the most culturally diverse countries of the world. Described as the ‘melting pot‘ of North America , amalgamation of different cultures has given shape to the unique U.S. culture.
Mexico is the most populous state of North America and one of the largest city in the world.
Canada is the largest country of North American region and covering more than half of the continent’s area.
Benjamin Franklin gestured dramatically toward the moldering gravestone of the Revolutionary War soldier. “And then,” he proclaimed, pausing for effect, “He killed ‘im dead!”.
Utah beckons nature lovers from around the globe with its five national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and Zion. From towering hoodoos to deep canyons and otherworldly landscapes, each park offers something unique. While Utah's capital, Salt Lake City is often considered an ideal basecamp for exploring the state's abundance of natural wonders, the city itself enjoys its own treasures of nature. Ideally situated between the spectacular Wasatch Mountains to the east and the glistening waters of the Great Salt Lake to the west, nature surrounds the city. With plentiful parks, hiking and biking trails, and the Great Salt Lake folded into the city, outdoor pursuits abound.
For many people, travel consists of marking off a checklist of famous places. I can’t count the number of times I’ve observed people driving up to a beautiful or thought-provoking site, snapping a photo, and driving away. I’ve done that myself a few times.
Experience the extraordinary stories of children who have made and are making a difference in this world at the Power of Children exhibit in the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
When I arrive at Healing Farm, I have an overwhelming sense that I’ve come home. This 18-acre organic farm on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula is everything I love about this part of the world, where I grew up.
Panama City, Florida's vibrant art community tells the city's story well. For some places, art is new. But here it began some 13,000 years ago when primitive people began drawing designs on the pottery found in the long-gone mounds that served as their homes.
Known as a concrete jungle, most visitors to New York City don’t arrive expecting to see an abundance of green space. Well, we have a surprise for you. New York City boasts over 20,000 acres of green space including parks, urban forests, playgrounds, and gardens. These green spaces provide millions of people with meaningful connections to nature.
For those of us taking road trips with our families in the '60s and '70s, a stop at Stuckey's was a fun treat. They were the original roadside stop before Love's, Racetrack, WaWa, or Bucee's. You could get candy, snacks, drinks, souvenirs, enjoy a clean restroom, and fill up the tank.
As the summer sun beat down on the emerald waters of Pasco County, Florida, a treasure hunt unfolded beneath me. We glided through the clear shallows of the gulf waters, our eyes scanning the seagrass below for telltale flashes of blue - the tiny eyes of bay scallops peeking out from their fan-shaped shells.
When we think of Florida’s statehood, the bustling city of Tallahassee comes to mind. But, Florida moved into statehood in a smaller, less-known place. A convention held at St. Joseph, Florida led to the drafting of the constitution for the Territory of Florida on December 3, 1838, and also to the state’s first constitution. On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state. We’re exploring the wealth of attractions in this historic community.
Newspapers have always played a vital part in shaping the history of a place. Often, the now-silent printing presses remain intertwined with their community’s present story. The Panama City Publishing Company Museum in the St Andrews Neighborhood of Panama City, Florida shares one of these stories.
Most of us probably remember from history class that Spanish explorers brought horses to North America in the 14th century. Many people are surprised to learn native horses existed before the Spanish arrived, at least in Canada. Ojibwe Spirit Horses, also known as Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies, are the only known indigenous horse breed native to Canada. Thousands of them lived in harmony with Indigenous communities in (mainly) Northern and Western Ontario and roamed the forests that surround Lac Le Croix.
