United States - The Hawaiian Islands

United States | Waikiki Beach

Foto: Waikiki Beach (bron: -)

United States - The islands are volcanic in origin, located on a so-called hotspot where magma rises from the Earth’s interior as lava. As the crust moves over the hotspot, a chain of islands formed from west to east, with the oldest, extinct volcanoes in the west and the youngest, active ones in the east. Currently, the volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa on the largest island, Hawaii, remain highly active; Hualalai may also be active. Mauna Kea is dormant. Kilauea, in Volcanoes National Park, erupts almost continuously and is a popular tourist attraction. Mauna Loa erupts roughly every 20 years, and Mauna Kea every 4,000 years, though not guaranteed. Haleakala (House of the Sun), a volcano on Maui, is especially popular with tourists. It is easy to drive the 55 km road to the summit. At the top, there is a parking area, and many visitors go to watch the sunrise or sunset. The volcano is part of Haleakala National Park.

Empire State Building

United States | Empire State Building

United States - Anyone visiting New York for the first time cannot ignore the Empire State Building. This skyscraper on the corner of 34th Street and 5th Avenue towers over the Big Apple. Entering the building at street level, I realize that it also houses regular office ...

Gambling in Las Vegas

United States | Gambling in Las Vegas

United States - We drive to Las Vegas via the highway. On both sides, a dry desert landscape stretches out, with small bushes dotting the sandy rocky ground. By late afternoon, the Las Vegas skyline appears. It is strange that such a large city exists in the middle of ...

Grand Canyon

United States | Grand Canyon

United States - When we arrive at the viewpoint, we look down into the depths of the Grand Canyon. Wow! One and a half kilometers below, the river flows through the gorge. We take the park’s shuttle bus to the west side, where the sunset views are best. The last rays ...

Key West in Florida

United States | Key West in Florida

United States - Key West is an island in the Florida Straits. It is the southernmost point of the Florida Keys, about 150 km from Cuba. The island measures roughly 6.4 km long and 3.2 km wide. One of its main attractions is a concrete replica of a buoy at the corner ...

Monument Valley

United States | Monument Valley

United States - Monument Valley is perhaps the most striking example of the overwhelming beauty of the desert landscape in the American Southwest. The silhouette of the solitary red rocks, surrounded by a vast, empty plain, has served as a backdrop for dozens of films ...

The Statue of Liberty in New York

United States | The Statue of Liberty in New York

United States - The Statue of Liberty is a monument located in New York Harbor. It stands as a symbol of welcome—not just for tourists but also for Americans themselves. The statue is 93 meters tall and weighs 225 tons. The nose is 1 meter long, the eyes have a circumference ...

The White House in Washington DC

United States | The White House in Washington DC

United States - The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, with the exception of George Washington, who died before it was completed. Its strategic location near the National Mall was selected in 1790 by President Washington ...

Wandering around Chicago

United States | Wandering around Chicago

United States - Today, I have the whole day to explore Chicago. It's Saturday, the Saturday before Labor Day. That means it's extra busy—pleasantly busy. The weather is beautiful as we leave our hotel. Our first mission is to officially complete Route 66. Just like ...

Yellowstone National Park

United States | Yellowstone National Park

United States - Yellowstone is one of the world’s most important sites for studying and appreciating the evolutionary history of the Earth. The park has an unparalleled collection of surface geothermal activity worldwide, thousands of hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, ...

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