The land of opportunity, the land of milk and honey, the land of the brave, the land of the melting pot - it is obvious that the United States of America goes by many nicknames. Yet it is precisely this variety that signals this country as one of the most culturally unique and economically powerful.

For centuries after Christopher Columbus' New World discoveries, people in mass droves have given up what they had in order to pursue the American Dream - an action that still holds true today. Only in the United States will you see such a mix of different peoples, tradition, and culture, and it makes for a fascinating impression.

From New York State to California , the United States offers a dazzling array of regional culture, dining, social and political attitudes, and a tendency to fiercely embrace their own. Manhattan 's spectacular skyline, the neon glare of Las Vegas lights, the natural beauty of Seattle ; all of these places have a charm that they can proudly call theirs.

Wide open spaces are the physical trademark of this country - its vast natural beauty make it distinct, with attractions such as the Yellowstone National Park, the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, and the Niagara Falls. Size and territory, however, are not what make this country what it is.

As James Garfield said, "Territory is but the body of a nation. The people who inhabit its hills and valleys are its soul, its spirit, its life." The United States of America is sometimes called "The Land of Opportunity," and in no area is that more true than when it comes to travel.  The 50 individual states of America compare favorably in size and population with the various countries of Europe .  The USA offers a wonderful combination of large cities, smaller towns, farmlands, forests, deserts, mountains, prairies and much more.  The climate ranges from sub-tropical to arctic, although most of the country is temperate, with four distinct seasons.  With a population approaching 300,000,000, the United States is the fourth largest country in the world.

All over the country you find many excellent National Parks, which are great places to go for hiking, biking and other activities.