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Northern Lights

The Northern Lights or aurora borealis are a natural phenomenon that can paint the night sky with unearthly, surreal color. The Southern Lights or aurora australis also occur but are not as often observed.

To observers at far-northern latitudes, the Lights are a frequent occurrence, but many who live in more temperate climates have never seen them, even though they are occasionally seen as far south as 35 degrees North latitude. This article will help you improve your chances of seeing the Lights if you journey north. The aurorae are caused by charged particles ejected from the sun. When these particles reach the earth, they collide with gas molecules in the earth's upper atmosphere, energising them and creating a spectacular multi-coloured light show. Charged particles are affected by magnetic fields, so the Lights occur mainly at far northern or southern latitudes near the Earth's magnetic poles.

The Lights look somewhat similar to a sunset in the sky at night, but appear occasionally in arcs or spirals usually following the earth's magnetic field. They fairly often look like moving curtains of light, high in the sky. They are most often light green in color but often have a hint of pink. Strong eruptions also have violet and white colors. Red northern lights are rare, but are sometimes observed.

The Lights are generally fairly dim, but sometimes bright enough that reading a newspaper on a moonless night is possible. Both brightness and how far from the poles they are visible vary according to three factors: time of year, an 11-year cycle in solar activity, and solar storms. These are discussed in more detail later.

Light pollution around cities can mask a dim aurora display. Therefore, areas at least 30 km from cities are preferred for viewing. The trick is to get far enough from cities for good viewing (generally easy, since most northern areas are not heavily populated) without taking undue risks in a climate that can easily kill you.

Understand

Contrary to intuition, seeing the Northern Lights isn't just a matter of heading north. The Lights occur mainly in a circular or elliptical band centered on the earth's North Magnetic Pole, which is not at the same location as the North Geographic Pole.

The exact location of the North Magnetic Pole varies. Until early in this century, the pole was moving slowly (about 10 km/year) north across Ellesmere Island in the nearly uninhabited far north of Canada. Since the beginning of the  21st century, the pole has been moving faster, for reasons scientists are not yet certain of. As of late 2019 it is out in the Arctic Ocean well north of Ellesmere, and moving toward Russia at about 55 km/year. Because of the movement, the advantages of being on the "right side" of the earth are becoming less pronounced, but there is still a slight North American bias in your chance of seeing the Lights.

Auroral displays aren't strongest at the pole; the band of greatest activity is offset from the Magnetic Pole by 20 degrees or so; the magnetic lines of force are curved and the curvature creates the offset. The Northern Lights oval, meaning the area with the highest probability of seeing the Lights, covers most of Alaska, northern parts of Canada, the southern half of Greenland, Iceland, northern Norway and the northernmost areas of Sweden and Finland, as well as the western half of the Russian north. There is a similar oval in the South; see the photo.

Regions such as the central and southern parts of the Nordic countries, southern Canada, the north-central United States and Scotland also frequently see Northern Lights, but not as often as directly under the Northern Lights oval. Svalbard sees Northern Lights less often than Northern Scandinavia, but is a place to observe the fainter Day Northern Lights visible during waking hours in its long polar night.

That said, the actual latitudes of the Lights vary considerably. In times of high solar activity (more on that later), the Lights may be seen in North America at latitudes as low as 35 degrees North, meaning that all but the southernmost parts of the United States may get a display. The offset of the Pole keeps solar storms from benefiting Europe quite as strongly, but most of the countries of northern Europe will get displays during periods of solar storms.

Planning
There is no guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights even if you are in the best areas at the best time, and there is some chance in others areas and seasons. However, a bit of planning will radically increase your chances. In short, pick somewhere on or very near the oval and go in winter.

Time of year

Darkness is required. Most Northern Lights locations are at high latitudes, in areas that get the "midnight sun"; there is no darkness from late April until mid-August, or even longer in far northern locations like Svalbard. Places within eight degrees of latitude south of the Arctic Circle, such as Yellowknife in Canada, experience "white nights", with only a few hours of twilight between dusk and dawn, at this time of year. In this period, no Northern Lights can be observed.

In the most intense Northern Lights areas, right on the oval, the lights are sometimes observed in any season but chances are best when it is dark after 6pm, from late September to late March.

On a yearly basis, the Lights are at their peak around the time of the equinoxes, in September and March. The reasons for this trend aren't fully known, but it's definitely real, not just an artifact of the weather or other viewing conditions. Also, if you are planning to do other activities during the day, this is a good time to visit because you can enjoy twelve hours of daylight and still have a good chance of seeing the aurora at night. Temperatures are also milder than in mid-winter.

Time of day
The time between 6PM and 1AM is the most intense period of the day. The highest probability within this timespan is between 10 and 11PM. However, this is a guideline, and during the Polar night aurorae can be observed as early as 4PM, and all through the night. The most intense displays last some 5–15 minutes each. In periods of strong activity, one can generally expect flares starting in the early evening, peaking around 10pm, and going on into the early morning hours.

Even with good clothing, few travellers can tolerate a long time outdoors in an arctic night and the nights generally get continuously colder from sunset until the morning sun starts to warm things up. Even if there are lights in the early evening, it may be best to set out at 9pm or so (sun time, check your timezone); this gives you a good chance of catching the peak display without being out too long or at the coldest times.

11-year cycle
In the longer term, auroral displays are correlated with an 11-year cycle in sunspot activity and other perturbations of the sun; the more restless the sun, the more aurorae. However, at the most favorable latitudes, the Lights are still likely to be seen even at solar minimum; it's mainly at lower latitudes that they get scarce during the inactive times. There is a maximum in solar activity around 2024.

Solar storms
In addition to these more or less regular variations in frequency of the aurora, there are also less predictable, erratic displays resulting from solar storms. Some of these, particularly near solar-activity maximum, can lead to visible Northern Lights remarkably far south, if you're in an area with clear, transparent night skies. The largest recorded solar storm took place in 1859; the Lights were bright enough to read a newspaper in Boston (42°N) and visible as far south as Mexico. That storm was powerful enough that telegraphs would work without their normal power source, some caught fire. A similar one would probably destroy most electronics.

The Alerts section below will help you stay on top of solar activity and prepare for some viewing when a solar storm does occur.

Clear skies
Last but not least, don't forget the weather forecast — aurora occur very high up in the atmosphere, and if there are clouds in the way you will not see anything. In Northern Scandinavia, the weather is notably better towards the end of the Northern Lights season (February-March), than in the beginning. The weather is probably the most important success factor in the areas under the Northern Lights oval, where there are visible Northern Lights on up to 80% of all clear nights.

Alerts
If you have the luxury of being able to travel into aurora-viewing territory on short notice, you can improve your chances of seeing something by being aware of "space weather," the things going on beyond the earth's atmosphere as a result of solar activity. A good site for space weather information is operated by the (US) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Measurements aboard the NOAA Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite are used for plotting maps of current extent and position of the auroral oval around both poles; see their forecast which predicts intensity and geographical location of the auroral oval based on current solar wind conditions and interplanetary magnetic field virtually in real time. The maps also show the observation limits of current aurorae. The commercial site Space Weather presents much of the same information in digested, more accessible form.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks maintains an Aurora Alert website. For Finland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute has an activity forecast and current data about magnetic activity. The Icelandic MET office provides a lights forecast for Iceland including cloud cover prediction.

Activity is mainly predicted from the readings taken by the NASA Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellites, which give a one-hour warning. Solar wind activity is characterized by three principal figures: the north-south component of the magnetic field (Bz), speed and density. When Bz is negative (southward), solar wind particles are best able to enter the atmosphere and give rise to aurorae. At high velocities, auroral activity may occur despite a moderately negative Bz. In geomagnetic storms, Bz fluctuates rapidly. Overall geomagnetic activity is characterized by the planetary K-index (Kp), for which predictions are issued. A Kp of 5 or higher occurs in storms and generally makes auroral viewing possible well South of the oval in the northern parts of Europe and the continental U.S.

Longer-term estimates can be made by observation of the Sun for bursts. However, the physical models are poorly developed, partly because only two satellites, ACE and DSCOVR, observe the solar wind before it hits the Earth, and the predictions are rather unreliable. The approximate day can be predicted, but whether the burst hits the Earth face-on and exactly when and at what force remains unknown. "Nowcasting" on the ground is done by measuring magnetic field fluctuations, and there are webcams pointed at the sky for directly seeing the aurorae. The NASA Polar and Environmental Satellites (POES) directly measure the extent of the auroral oval, but the satellites pass the pole about 14 times a day and thus the picture can be couple of hours old.

If a major solar storm develops that is forecast to have a good chance of producing Northern (and Southern) Lights, your time to respond will be measured in hours to a few days, rather than either minutes or weeks. The particles that create the aurora move much more slowly than light, so a storm can be observed well before the particles it produces reach Earth, but the time difference is not enormous. The forecasts will usually include some indication of how far from the magnetic poles the activity is expected to extend. For purposes of travel planning, it's a good idea to plan conservatively and go to a locale somewhat closer to the pole than the predicted maximum extent of the aurora; things don't always work out as forecast, and the Lights may be relatively weak and/or confined to the northern horizon if you're at the southern edge of the activity, either limitation possibly creating difficulties for you in viewing owing to light pollution.

Clothing
Because aurorae are usually visible at night in the colder months of the year, the observers tend to spend long hours in cold darkness. It is essential to dress adequately to minimize the unpleasant side of the auroral experience, and almost impossible to dress too warmly.

In any area that gets severe winters, winter clothing will be widely available, but specialist shops catering to skiers, mountaineers or wilderness backpackers generally offer the best choice. Further south, these specialists may be the only places with winter equipment.

In remote northern locations where food, fuel and equipment have to be shipped in, prices on more-or-less everything can be very high. Major northern cities tend to have better prices than more isolated areas, but still higher than in areas further south. Most travellers should buy much of their equipment before setting out; this gives more time for shopping, saves money, and avoids arriving in summer clothing when it is seriously cold outside.

Some travellers should plan an extra stop for shopping; for example, going from Miami (where good winter gear is likely to be hard to find) to view the Lights in Churchill (where it is likely to be expensive and selection limited), one might stop in Chicago, Toronto or Winnipeg to outfit oneself.

For specific information on winter clothing, see Cold weather. Remember that you will have to use your fingers, so a combination of gloves and mittens can be useful.

Photography
Taking good pictures of the Northern Lights is very difficult, since they're fast-moving, often faint and against a pitch-dark background, all of which befuddles consumer point-and-shoot cameras. Almost any interchangeable lens camera can handle the job, given the right lens, but the typical "kit lens" sold with them will almost certainly not be fast enough and may not be wide enough either.

Long exposures are often required to capture faint lights. Here's what you need for a sporting chance:

 * A camera that supports manual exposure (5 to 40 seconds)
 * A fast lens (aperture f/2.8 or better). Typically, a wide-angle lens is used to get a large area of sky.
 * Fast film (800 ASA or better), or equivalent ISO setting on a digital camera
 * A tripod to hold the long exposure
 * Cable release or self-timer to trigger shots without stirring the camera
 * Even better, for some cameras a remote control is available. Some cameras can use a wireless smartphone connection as remote control, but few smartphones are made for the conditions.

With a digital camera shooting in RAW format (or at least JPG + RAW) is a good idea: if something goes wrong in the field, there is more space for corrections in post-processing that way.
 * Manual focus. It is not recommended to just focus your lens to infinity, instead it is best done by aiming at the Moon or a bright star (ideally in the live-view mode and using the maximum zoom).
 * Multiple spare batteries and memory cards: only having them will ensure they won't be needed. Keep the spares warm.
 * What you don't need is the lens filter: it can cause interference, so better take it off your lens.

Avoid breathing on the lens, the viewer or the display to prevent frosting them up. A light source such as a flashlight or headlamp can be useful when setting up the camera and tripod, and a smartphone is handy for alerts and forecasts. However, you need to get your eyes adjusted to darkness, so it is a good idea to limit use of these and set both phone and camera LCD displays to minimum brightness.

The ideal location has no light pollution, offers some shelter against wind, and is easily accessible. On a cold arctic night, you definitely want to avoid lugging camera and tripod a long distance or standing around in windy conditions waiting for the right shot. Moreover, wind tends to shake the camera, which is a problem in long exposures. A bigger, sturdier tripod helps with that, but is even worse to lug around. If possible, do some scouting by day so you can go straight to a good location at night. It is not always possible to find a great location, but even a reasonable one can give better photos with less discomfort.

Also, try to get something interesting in the foreground; the Norwegian photo below is a fine example. A shot of just the sky and some snow can be a bit boring even if the Lights are good.

Either a zoom (variable focal length) or a prime (single focal length) lens can be used; each type has advantages. Zoom lenses are more flexible; you can adjust quickly for different sizes of light display. Primes are generally significantly faster than zooms, lighter and more compact; in many cases they also give a sharper picture than a zoom lens set to the same focal length.

Wide-angle lenses are the commonest choice for photographing the lights. They give some distortion, even producing "fish-eye" images in extreme cases. The photo to the right was taken with a 16mm lens; the horizon appears curved and the trees in the foreground appear slightly off vertical, but some viewers would not notice this distortion and few would find it bothersome. The Scandinavian photo above used an even wider lens and has more distortion. A slightly longer lens, perhaps 24mm, would reduce the distortion but cover less of the sky. This is where zoom lenses have a significant advantage over primes; with, say, a 16–35mm zoom you can adjust each shot to get the best trade-off between distortion and coverage. In other conditions, you might carry several primes and adjust by swapping lenses, but this is remarkably inconvenient in the field in an arctic night.

A faster lens or a high-ISO camera setting can reduce exposure time, which is good. The photo to the right used an F2.8 lens and 25-second exposure. With F4, it would need 50 seconds, at or perhaps beyond the upper limit for practical shooting. An F1.4 lens would cut the time to around six seconds. This is quite likely to give a sharper photo because the lights move less during exposure, and it allows a bit more control over the shot; if you hit the shutter release when the sky looks particularly interesting, it is more likely to stay that way for a few seconds than over a longer time. This is where prime lenses have an advantage; they are often quite a bit faster than zooms.

Combine a fast lens with a camera that allows high ISO settings and you might get exposure time down under a second, but it is not certain that this would give a better photo. High ISO settings give more noise in the image and you might lose more from that than you gain from the shorter time.

Fast wide lenses are expensive. Checking full-frame Canon lenses on an American vendor's site mid-2013, the cheapest lenses that might be suitable for shooting the Lights are a 40mm F2.8 at about $150 or 35/2.0 near $300; those are not wide enough to be ideal, but they would be usable and anything better is more expensive. More typical choices — for someone with a nice lens collection in hand or a good budget for building one — would be 20 or 24mm F2.8, 28/1.8, or the 17–40 F4 zoom, in the $450 to $750 price range. The ideal choice might be either a 24/1.4 prime or 16–35 F2.8 zoom, but these are high-end products mainly for professional photographers; either is around $1500. An ultra-wide 14mm F2.8 is a very good choice, and while those with auto-focus cost over $2000, some manual focus versions are available for a significantly lower price. Other brands have a different set of products and prices, but the overall pattern is similar. Companies other than the camera manufacturers also offer lenses, but again the pattern is similar.

See travel photography for more general discussion.

Locations
Northern Lights usually form about 100 km (60 miles) above the surface of the earth. In principle, all areas under the Northern Lights oval are good observation points. However, most of these areas are remote and inaccessible, and suffer harsh climatic conditions.

When selecting an observation site:
 * If using a car, stay close to it. A typical car heater cannot actually keep a large metal vehicle warm when it is well below zero outside, but it is better than nothing and a car does provide shelter against wind. In really cold weather, leave the engine running even when you are away from the car, since the engine may have trouble starting again.
 * Try finding accommodation in an area known to be good for viewing the Northern Lights. This may include a cottage, wilderness hut, a heated tent or similar shelter. This avoids long drives late at night to get to and from the viewing area.
 * Avoid locations with light pollution; try to get away from populated areas. If this is not possible, try to have at least the northern view free of light pollution.
 * Avoid steep hillsides or other major obstacles to the north.

Consider bringing a tent or just a portable windbreak to provide some shelter from wind. Also vacuum flasks for hot beverages.

Viewing or photographing the Lights is an activity where hiring a local guide or paying for a tour is often worthwhile. A guide's local knowledge can help in several areas: coping with the weather, finding good sites, choosing good routes, and avoiding close encounters with dangerous wildlife such as polar bears or musk oxen. Also, a guide or tour company will have vehicles and other equipment suitable for the conditions. In remote areas it may not be possible to rent a vehicle or bring your own and, even if it is possible, it is not advisable unless both vehicle and driver are well prepared for winter driving. Some tours offer unusual transport options such as snowmobiles or sleds pulled by dogs, reindeer or horses; few tourists could safely drive those, and no owner of valuable animals is likely to allow a visitor to handle them unsupervised.

Various locations provide some kind of infrastructure, like tours, observation points etc. Here are lists of some major ones, in approximately west-to-east order:

North America

 * Fairbanks, Alaska: famous for aurora viewing, with many tours and sites that cater to aurora watchers.
 * Yellowknife, in Canada's Northwest Territories, also with many tours
 * Churchill, on Hudson's Bay in Manitoba, is right smack dab in the center of the auroral belt, and offers the opportunity to see (lots of) polar bears on the same trip.
 * Isle Royale National Park, Upper Michigan, is a leave-no-trace park with no tours and few facilities, only the possibility for visitors to see the lights themselves in a place with no light pollution.

North Atlantic islands

 * Kangerlussuaq, Greenland: very high chance of seeing the Lights from November to March. If dogsled or snowmobile rides are desired, mid-late winter is recommended.
 * Mývatn, Iceland: offers the unique experience of observing aurorae while soaking in a natural geothermal bath. The capital, Reykjavik, serves as a base for many tours.
 * Berneray, Outer Hebrides: this remote Scottish island offers suitable conditions for northern lights observation due to low light pollution.

Europe

 * Abisko, Northern Sweden. A popular place where the northern lights can be watched from the Aurora Sky Station at the top of the mountain Nuolja.
 * Tromsø, Northern Norway, is an easily accessible location with mild weather and numerous excursions. However the coastal location makes it susceptible to overcast conditions. Nearby Skibotn enjoys a dryer climate (very dry for Norway); this makes for better viewing opportunities. Another nearby location is Senja island.
 * Alta, also in Norway but further to the north-east and known for prehistoric rock carvings, is marketed also as a place to watch northern lights.
 * Jukkasjärvi, Northern Sweden, is the site of the original Ice Hotel, with excellent viewing infrastructure.
 * Kilpisjärvi, Inari and Utsjoki in Finnish Lapland all have quite dry weather and little light pollution. The ski resorts Saariselkä in Inari and Levi in Kittilä have accommodation in glass igloos specially designed for enjoying the northern lights.
 * The Kola Peninsula of Murmansk Oblast is Russia's most popular viewing spot.

The likelihood of seeing aurorae rapidly decreases when going south. In Helsinki, aurorae occur about once a month, and are usually masked by light pollution or clouds. Aurorae seen further outside of the auroral belts may also be much less vivid, with fewer colours.

Cruise ships
A luxurious way to see the lights is to take a cruise ship along the coast of Norway or Alaska, or toward Antarctica for the Southern Lights, in the appropriate season. Cruises tend to be expensive, but the costs may be quite reasonable compared to flying to a good site on land and paying for accommodation and tours there. Viewing the Lights by just strolling on deck after dinner is much more convenient than being driven somewhere to stand in the snow, and the chance of encounters with dangerous wildlife is lower.

There may be problems with this; not all cruise lines run in winter and it is extremely difficult to get good photos from a moving ship when the subject requires long exposures, as the lights generally do. If the cruise is not specially for aurora viewing, chances are that light pollution from the ship itself is an issue.

In flight
Many travelers in the northern latitudes find themselves treated to an aerial view of the lights. It's probably not realistic to plan to see them while on a plane, but if you find yourself taking frequent flights in upper latitudes, consider opting for a window seat on the northern side of the plane. If the show is good enough, the captain will usually make an announcement.

If you thought cruises on the seas were expensive, you probably won't be interested in heading up into space, but orbital flight at around $35 million/person is a pretty surefire way to see the lights, both Northern and Southern, with zero light interference, and quite a grand view!

The Southern Lights
Aurorae happen in an oval about the South Magnetic Pole just as they do about the North one, and the South Magnetic Pole is similarly offset from the geographic South Pole. Would-be observers of the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis benefit from the happy accident that the offset of the South Magnetic Pole is generally in the direction of Australia, although the Pole itself is still in Antarctica like the geographic one. The southern parts of Australia and New Zealand get more than their share of Lights relative to their latitude.

In particular, Tasmania and the South Island of New Zealand are places where the Lights can be observed several times a year. If conditions are right, Hobart and Invercargill offer the best chance in places that are quickly accessible from within Australia and New Zealand. Although Christchurch has a geographic latitude south of Hobart, its "geomagnetic latitude" is further north, and aurora there are no more likely than southern Victoria. Check the space weather while you are travelling.

All these locations are still outside the auroral belt itself, so the odds of catching the lights during your trip there are not good. Because of the skew towards the Eastern Hemisphere, it is not reasonable to expect any viewing from Patagonia, and it's not that likely you'll see them even from the Antarctic Peninsula. The best place to view them would be Antarctica's Ross Sea via Macquarie Island (Australia) or the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. The best viewing would be from the boat itself. The closest island to the auroral belt that has a good range of tourist accommodation is Stewart Island.

There is day trip flight from Sydney to see the Southern Lights (A$1,295+).

All of the considerations about maximizing your chances of seeing the Northern Lights apply equally to seeing the Southern Lights, except that the Southern Hemisphere seasons should be taken into account in regards to maximizing the hours of darkness.

title: Northern Lights


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Northern Madhya Pradesh

Northern Madhya Pradesh is in India.

Regions
Northern Madhya Pradesh consists of the divisions of Gwalior and Chambal.

Cities

 * —

 * —

 * —

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Get in
Gwalior Airport

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Northern Madhya Pradesh


text:
Northern Malawi

Northern Malawi lies to the west of the northern half of Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa). It is the least populated region of Malawi. In addition to the lakeshore, it features extensive highlands.

Other destinations

 * and Chisumulu Islands
 * - Mozambique side near Likoma
 * and Chisumulu Islands
 * - Mozambique side near Likoma
 * - Mozambique side near Likoma

title: Northern Malawi


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Northern Mariana Islands

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a territory of the United States in Micronesia, visited mainly by tourists from East Asia. The Marianas' top activity among Americans is scuba diving and snorkeling. In addition to the coral reefs you might expect, the waters around the islands were the scene of fierce fighting during World War II and there are many ship wrecks and even rusting tanks stuck on the seabed. Many Asian (particularly South Korean) visitors come to the CNMI for gambling (especially on Tinian), and karaoke/hostess bars.

History
The earliest settlers in the Marianas chain are thought to have descended from the Malay race and to have migrated from the Malay peninsula via Indonesia or the Philippines. Early Chamorros were farmers, fishermen, hunters, and built their houses on large stone pillars known today as "latte stones" (a few of which still exist on Tinian and Rota).

The first European in these waters was Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, who landed on nearby Guam and claimed the islands for Spain. Not content to claim the land, the Spanish also helped themselves to whatever else happened to be lying around. The natives responded in kind, helping themselves to tools and other items from Magellan's ships. Angry at this, Magellan first dubbed the islands "Las Islas de los Ladrones", (The Islands of the Thieves), but in 1668 their name was changed to Las Marianas after Maria Anna of Austria, widow of Spain's Philip IV.

Nearly all of the islands' native population died out during Spanish rule, but new settlers from modern-day Micronesia repopulated them to some extent. Sold to Germany from 1899, the Japanese took over in 1914 and turned the island into a military garrison. During World War II, the Marines landed on June 15, 1944 and eventually won the bitterly fought three-week Battle of Saipan.

Under U.S. administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the U.S. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the U.S. was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. The Marianas are self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature, but the United States government handles defense and foreign relations. Local residents are U.S. citizens by birth but do not pay federal taxes or vote in the presidential elections, instead they elect a non-voting representative to the U.S. government.

The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese and Korean tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million a year, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. More Korean tourists go to the CNMI than Guam, while more Japanese tourists go to Guam than the CNMI. This change is reflected by a shift in airlines servicing the islands, with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines offering direct service to Saipan from Seoul, South Korea, while JAL and ANA offer direct service from Japan to Guam. Air service is now offered from most major Chinese cities as well (including Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou).

The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production used to be the largest industry, but the last garment factory closed in early 2009.

The northern islands of the CNMI are mainly populated by Caroline Islanders (a group with origins in the Federated States of Micronesia), while the southern islands are populated by Chamorros. The CNMI allows entry to many migrant workers.

Climate
Tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation. Dry season December to June, rainy season July to October. The typhoon, or hurricane, season lasts several months and starts in late August to early September and lasts until January.

Terrain
Southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs. Northern islands are volcanic.

Tourist information

 * My Marianas tourism information website

Get in

Immigration to the CNMI was transferred to the US federal government in 2009. US citizens can enter with proof of citizenship (passport). Entry to the CNMI is permitted to all foreign nationals allowed into the rest of the US: travelers under the Visa Waiver Program & those with a valid US visa.

Travellers from several countries are also allowed visa-free entry to the CNMI:

 * The CNMI (along with Guam) participates in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. This program allows visa-free entry up to 45 days for citizens of Brunei, Malaysia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan (only on non-stop flights from Taiwan), & Hong Kong provided they have a valid passport, proof of return/onward travel, and is only valid to those arriving on commercial, scheduled flights. Citizens of some countries that are eligible for the federal Visa Waiver Program—Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, & the United Kingdom—are also allowed entry under the Guam-CNMI VWP and may enter under either program. Travel to other regions of the US outside CNMI & Guam under the Guam-CNMI V.W.P. is not allowed. Residents of Hong Kong must present a valid HK permanent identity card and are allowed entry with either a Hong Kong S.A.R. passport or British National (Overseas) passport. Residents of Taiwan must present a valid R.O.C. National Identification Card in addition to an R.O.C. passport.
 * Citizens of Russia are eligible for parole (another form of visa-free travel) to enter the Northern Marianas Islands and Guam for up to 45 days.
 * Citizens of China are likewise eligible for up to 45 days visa-free in the Northern Mariana Islands, but not Guam.

Because of differences in entry requirements, a full immigration check is done when traveling to/from Guam.

The CNMI is a separate customs jurisdiction from the rest of the U.S. travelers (including US citizens coming from a point of origin in the US) pass through CNMI customs on entry.

By plane
The main international gateway into the Marianas is Saipan. There are frequent flights from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, but visitors from the US will have to connect in Guam or transit through the previous countries listed.

By boat
There are no scheduled ferry services to the islands. Occasionally yachts, cruise ships, or military vessels stop in port for a brief visit.

By plane
Scheduled flights on Cape Air/United Express connect Saipan to Guam several times a day and Rota 4 times a week. Freedom Airlines offers twice daily flights to Guam via Rota, in additional to a more frequent Tinian service. Three other islands have airstrips that can serve (expensive) chartered flights.

See
The CNMI has many World War II bunkers, which fall under the National Park Service as "War in the Pacific" parks. There are also memorials on the northern end of Saipan to the Japanese soldiers and civilians who feared capture by U.S. forces and committed suicide by jumping from the cliffs into the ocean.

Do
Cockfighting is a weekend activity at the Saipan Cockpit. Betting on the outcome is legal.

Talk

English is universally spoken, but 86% of the population speaks a language other than English at home, including the native languages Chamorro and Carolinian, both of which are official in the territory along with English. Basic Japanese is also spoken by many in the tourist industry. Tagalog, Chinese and Korean are also used widely.

Money
The CNMI uses the U.S. dollar exclusively ("$", ISO code: USD). It is divided into 100 cents.

Costs and ATMs
The islands are fairly expensive due to their remote location, comparative wealth and the profusion of free-spending Japanese and Korean package tourists, so figure on at least US$100 a day for travel in any comfort (this being also the entry requirement). As in the mainland US, tips of 10-15% are expected.

Major credit cards are accepted at most retailers and restaurants. On Saipan, the major banks, and some restaurants and stores all have ATM machines. Bank of Guam has branches on Tinian and Rota, complete with ATMs.

Eat
While all American and Japanese favorites are readily available, local Chamorro food (or touristy versions of it) is also offered in speciality restaurants. Filipino, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Italian and Mexican dishes are also widely available. Most of the hotels have expensive but good quality restaurants, especially Hyatt Regency in Garapan, Aqua Resort in Tanapag, Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio.But you can also find good quality restaurants not only in hotels, one of this is : "The Coffee Room N-106" in Garapan.

McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell and Winchell's Donuts are all available.

Drink
The main beers available in Saipan establishments are Budweiser and Miller products, usually sold in bottles only. However, a few places do serve Fosters or Victoria Bitter on tap, and a few have Miller Lite on tap as well. Other brands widely sold are San Miguel (Philippines), Tsingtao (China), Sapporo (Japan, bottled in Canada), and Corona (Mexico). Plenty of stores on Saipan have low-priced, good quality wine available, and there are plenty of harder drinks as well as mixers available everywhere.

Sleep

Saipan's accommodation options are concentrated towards giant package hotels. Rack rates are often ludicrous but heavy discounts are available, especially outside the Japanese holiday seasons. Cheap motels are few, hostels are nonexistent, and camping is not recommended due to security concerns. Options are even more limited on Tinian and Rota.

Learn
Northern Marianas College is Saipan's community college option, and they have satellite campuses on Tinian and Rota. Public and private schools are also available for children from preschool age to high school.

Work
U.S. citizens can work freely without needing a permit; however citizens of most other nations need a permit from the Department of Labor. Most businesses prefer to employ Filipinos, and also citizens of Thailand, China, South Korea and Bangladesh. The minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

Stay safe
Natural hazards : active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November).

Crime : people have reported their cars being broken into in Saipan's tourist areas, and some people have also had their apartments or hotel rooms burgled. Don't leave valuables lying around and use common sense when walking around tourist areas, especially at night. That said, Saipan is safer than a lot of other destinations, with muggings and other violent crimes against tourists being extremely rare.

Stay healthy
The Commonwealth Health Center is Saipan's overburdened and understaffed public hospital. There are also many excellent but expensive private clinics. The Seventh-Day Adventist clinic is noted for their dental care and vision centre. Health care on the other islands is scarce.

Authorities say the tap water is drinkable, but it tastes bad and most people don't drink it.

Respect

Veneration of the elderly, ancestors, and departed family members is a large part of Chamorro culture. Always give respect to the older people in the room.

Connect
The Northern Marianas are part of the North American dialing plan. The country code is 1, and the local area code is 670.

Mail is handled by the U.S. Postal Service; the state code is MP and the postal code is 96950. The main post office branch is in Chalan Kanoa, other branches are in Capitol Hill as well as Tinian and Rota. Most hotels can send mail for you. DHL and FedEx also offer courier services.

Internet access is widely available. The top level domain for the Northern Marianas is .mp.

Cope
A few countries maintain a consular presence in the CNMI, including Japan. See Saipan for a list of consulates.

Go next
All departing travellers must pass through US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints; if you are continuing on to Guam, you need a US Passport, a valid US visa, or to be a citizen of a Visa Waiver Country as the US government controls Guam immigration.

Travellers returning to Japan from the Northern Marianas are not allowed to bring any US beef products (including beef jerky) due to current trade restrictions; any such products will be confiscated and destroyed by Japanese customs officials.

title: Northern Mariana Islands


text:
Northern Mexico

Northern Mexico is a vast desert region bordering the United States of America. The north is sometimes referred to as "unknown Mexico" or "lost Mexico" because it is ignored by the vast majority of tourists.

States

 * Chihuahua - The biggest state in Mexico, Chihuahua served as the battle ground between federal and revolutionary forces led by Pancho Villa and has played a crucial role in the development of high-tech enterprises in Mexico.
 * Coahuila - Mexico's top mining state, Coahuila has also been a leader in modern policies such as offering civil unions to same-sex couples and, like Baja California, plays an important role in Mexico's wine production.
 * Durango — The least developed state in Northern Mexico, but still above the Mexican average, Durango is a land rich in mineral and forest resources, a large mountain range, a colonial-style capital and it is the state with the average coldest temperature in the North.
 * Nuevo León - Mexico's industrial heartland, Nuevo León is home to world-renowned companies Cemex, Bimbo and Femsa (Coca-cola in Latin America) and has a high standard of living.
 * Sinaloa - Right under the state of Sonora on the West coast of Mexico. Its music is more influential than any other Mexican state and its climate is unique among the other Northern states since it is mainly tropical.
 * Sonora - Quintessentially northern in lifestyle and traditions, Sonora was the original destination for European immigrants during the Mexican gold rush in late 1800s, the same immigrants that would later spread into the rest of northern Mexico. Sonora also generates the most extreme temperatures throughout Mexico, with snow covering the peaks of Sierra Madre Occidental during winter and heat waves reaching 50 degrees Celsius during the summer.
 * Tamaulipas - Strongly focused on export-oriented manufacturers (maquiladoras), the average wage for an employee in Tamaulipas is the highest in Mexico, and its literacy rate is among the highest.

Cities

 * - large bustling city, capital of the state of Chihuahua, starting point for the famous Chepe train through the Copper Canyon. Second largest city in northern Mexico.
 * - sprawling border town and home to the original "burrito"
 * - popular base camp for adventure travelers and gateway town for treks into the Copper Canyon or to Basaseachic Falls National Park.
 * - capital of the state of Sinaloa. It is located at the center of the state.
 * - a colonial city, capital of the state with the same name, it has a moderate climate and a growing economy.
 * - a large, vibrant, modern city, it is the center of industry in Mexico. Largest city in northern Mexico.
 * - originally called "Rocky Point" by the British, it is the nearest beach resort to Arizona.
 * - small city with colonial charm, capital of the state of Coahuila.
 * - busy port city on the Gulf of Mexico.

Other destinations

 * - extensive canyon system with backcountry recreation opportunities and a world-famous train
 * - protected nature preserve with unique desert oasis ecosystem. Snorkeling and swimming is allowed in some pools.
 * - unusual subtropical rain forest in southern Tamaulipas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
 * - the largest Island in Mexico, located in the Sea of Cortez and a part of the state of Sonora
 * - archaeological site at Casas Grandes in a remote area of Chihuahua. Related to Pueblo culture of southwestern United States
 * - just across the river from Big Bend NP is a largest wilderness area, owned by Monterrey's Cemex corporation; no tourist infrastructure

Understand

This is not the tourist Mexico of the Colonial altiplano or the southern beach resorts. Rather the Norte is the Mexico of popular imagination. A place of vaqueros, horses and small towns, soaring mountains and sweeping deserts. But at the same time with some of the more modern cities in the country. Truly this is a very rich and virgin region. Visit Chihuahua or Coahuila and you will be far off the well worn gringo path. In many ways traveling to the north is like traveling through an old Western movie.

Northern Mexico is one of the country's most wealthy and modern regions. Maquiladoras (foreign owned factory warehouses) are located in many northern states. America's music, television, and other forms of entertainment are present near the American border. A lot of Mexicans cross the border to shop or work.

Talk
As in the rest of the country, Spanish is the predominant language. The variety of Mexican Spanish spoken in the region distinguishes itself from the rest of the country with its strong intonation, contraction of words, and tendency to end every sentence with a pejorative. Due to its proximity to the United States, it receives a great deal of influence from English. For example, English words such as troca (truck), and lonche (lunch) are of common usage.

Education in English is widespread among the middle and upper economical classes of the population, albeit with varied degrees of fluency. Students and business people would the best bet if you need to ask something in English on the street.

Northern Mexico has the lowest concentration of indigenous communities of all regions in the country. There is no a single indigenous language that surpasses 100,000 speakers. Some of the most significant indigenous languages include Tarahumara, Mayo, Huichol, and Paipai. It is not necessary to learn any of these languages unless you go into a very remote area or you want to be immersed in the local culture. The great majority of indigenous people are bilingual in Spanish as well.

Bus
Buses are an economical way to cross the border and many options are available. Greyhound has buses that will take you from southern U.S. cities to northern Mexico cities and many Mexican bus lines offer trans-border service to the interior of the U.S. or the interior of Mexico. See the main article for Mexico for details about using the buses.

Get around
Northern Mexico has the best highway system in the country. Additionally, the area's sparse population means heavy traffic congestion is seldom an issue (outside of the Monterrey area). As a result, taking the bus or finding a few friends to carpool with are probably the best option for getting around. If you are short on time there are many regional flights between the larger cities. If you have plenty of time buying a horse or bicycle would really allow one to slow down and absorb the region's unique scenery, culture and lifestyle; it could be the travel experience of a lifetime.

Do
Explore a largely overlooked area that is several times the size of Spain.

Buy
Northern Mexico is home to several folk art traditions (artes populares) that offer meaningful souvenirs you can treasure for generations. No need for plastic junk sold in cheap souvenir shops when there are authentic pieces of local heritage at often shockingly affordable prices. Some of the most representative folk art traditions of Northern Mexico include:

 * pottery and ceramics - many regions of Mexico have ceramic art traditions, and Northern Mexico's most famous ceramics are from the workshops of Juan Quezada in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua. Quezada is internationally famous for re-creating the ceramic techniques of ancient Paquime, a civilization dating back far before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors. The unique pottery is often sold as Mata Ortiz pottery. The pottery workshops welcome visitors, but Paquime is very remote and its more likely you will find Mata Ortiz pottery in artesania markets or in upscale decorative arts galleries throughout Mexico. It is well worth seeking out.
 * sombreros - Northern Mexico is home of the charros --- cowboys in the English vernacular, though horsemen might be more appropriate. And where would a Mexican charro be without an impressively ornate and impossibly wide sombrero to keep the searing sun off his face and neck? Don't accept cheap souvenirs. The best sombreros are made of high quality materials and feature elaborate embroidery. The worst are made of straw, have "Mexico" stitched sloppily across the front, and are on sale in airport gift shops. Vicente Fernandez would never be caught dead in a straw sombrero! Sombreros are sold widely in Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Durango, and Coahuila.
 * blankets - Many travelers bring home inexpensive cotton blankets, but the most emblematic blanket in the region is the brilliantly colorful light blankets from Saltillo called sarapes. (The sarape is such an icon of Saltillo that their local AAA minor-league baseball team is the Saraperos!)
 * baskets - baskets are widely available in markets throughout Mexico, but there are baskets and then there are baskets. In Northern Mexico, you will often find handmade baskets crafted by local Seri and Tarahumura indigenous peoples. Seek them out. Excellent Indian-made baskets are most often found in Chihuahua and Sonora and indigenous people often sell them at stops for the Chepe train through the Copper Canyon.

Eat

 * Coyotas - Round, flat and oversized sugar cookies filled with brown sugar and traditionally prepared at Villa de Seris, Sonora.
 * Tortillas de Harina - The most popular tortilla in Northern Mexico. Unlike corn tortillas, a traditional flour tortilla is at least twice the size of a corn tortilla.
 * Machaca con huevo - Traditional scrambled beef and egg dish served with flour tortillas.
 * Quesadillas - Tortillas grilled with white cheese and salsa.
 * Burritos - flour tortilla wrapped around cheese, beans and meat, the dish originated in Juarez.
 * Cabrito - Young goat.
 * Ensalada Cesar - originated at Tijuana's Hotel Cesar, it's a romaine lettuce with croutons salad mixed with olive oil, sliced garlic, wine vinegar, lemon, raw egg yolks, parmesan cheese and Worcester sauce.
 * Asado de chile colorado - Pork with ancho and guajillo chilies and cumin.
 * Charro beans - Cowboy-style beans with bacon and chilies.
 * Coahuila sausage - Made of pork seasoned with ancho chiles.
 * Enchiladas de olla - Ancho chili, tortillas, poblano and grated cheese.
 * Menudo norteño - Tripe soup with ancho and guajillo chilies.
 * Cajeta de membrillo - Carmelized milk candy flavored with quince.
 * Empanadas de Santa Rita - Stuffed with pork fried with onions, almonds, raisins.

Drink

 * Wines: You might wish to try L.A. Cetto Wine, world-renowned wine produced in Baja California and known for its outstanding quality of Merlots and Cabernets. Casa Madero in Coahuila is the oldest winery in the Americas.
 * Beer: Several major beers are produced in Monterrey, including Dos Equis and Tecate. See the Monterrey article for more info.
 * Sotol: A unique distilled spirit that is similar in character to mezcal (but made from a different type of plant) is produced only in the state of Chihuahua.
 * Bacanora: Distilled spirit similar to tequila (but made from agave pacifica, not agave weber (blue agave)) produced only in the state of Sonora.

Go next
Go south! Explore the beaches of the Pacific Coast. Head down the Gulf Coast toward Veracruz, or catch a flight to Mexico City.

title: Northern Mexico


text:
Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan should not be confused with the Upper Peninsula. Although a bit inaccurate, the term "Northern Michigan" is used to refer to only the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan... the "fingers" of that mitten-shaped body of land.

Northern Michigan is popular for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including Michigan's premiere ski slopes, hunting, fishing, golf courses, and beaches.

Cities

 * -- Home of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
 * - Luxurious Destination situated on five miles of Lake Michigan shoreline
 * -- Charming coastal city with vast waterfront and unique homes
 * -- Where The North Begins
 * -- Home to two ski resorts, Nub's Nob, and Boyne Highlands
 * -- Less expensive, modern alternative to staying on Mackinac Island
 * -- Home of the National Cherry Festival - Traverse City Film Festival
 * -- Where The North Begins
 * -- Home to two ski resorts, Nub's Nob, and Boyne Highlands
 * -- Less expensive, modern alternative to staying on Mackinac Island
 * -- Home of the National Cherry Festival - Traverse City Film Festival
 * -- Less expensive, modern alternative to staying on Mackinac Island
 * -- Home of the National Cherry Festival - Traverse City Film Festival
 * -- Home of the National Cherry Festival - Traverse City Film Festival
 * -- Home of the National Cherry Festival - Traverse City Film Festival

Other destinations

 * -- Car-free location of the world-famous Grand Hotel
 * -- Car-free location of the world-famous Grand Hotel
 * -- Car-free location of the world-famous Grand Hotel
 * -- Car-free location of the world-famous Grand Hotel
 * -- Car-free location of the world-famous Grand Hotel

See

 * The Mackinac Bridge - known as the "Mighty Mac" or (against the wishes of a certain burger merchant) "Big Mac", is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.
 * Fort Michilimackinac - Founded in 1715 as a French fur-trading village and military outpost, Michilimackinac was later occupied by the British who abandoned it in 1780 to establish a new fort on Mackinac Island. What you see today on this site is a reconstruction of how the fortified village appeared in the 1770s, based on evidence gathered during the nation's longest archaeological excavation.

Do

 * The Northern Michigan area is home to some of the best skiing in the Midwest including Nub's Nob Ski Resort, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain. All of these ski resorts are located around the Petoskey/Harbor Springs/Boyne Falls area.
 * - located in Boyne Falls

title: Northern Michigan


text:
Northern Mindanao

Northern Mindanao is a region of the Philippines.

Cities

 * — the capital of the province, it has an old Spanish fortress
 * — a small city on Iligan Bay
 * — home to many waterfalls, springs, and beach resorts
 * — also called CDO, it is famous for its whitewater rafting and kayaking adventures along the Cagayan de Oro River
 * — the "vacation city of Misamis Oriental"
 * — a small unspoiled city, with friendly people and a mild climate
 * — a typical Philippine city near Lake Apo (a crater lake) and the Kasanayan Cave

Other destinations

 * — the Kitanglad mountain range has numerous peaks: the more prominent ones are Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Kaatuan, Mt. Maagnaw and Mt. Dulang-Dulang

Understand
Northern Mindanao is one of the more peaceful regions of Mindanao. It is a progressive region, with large tracts of land available for agriculture and industry. It is blessed with natural wonders: large, protected forests, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and sheltered bays rich with aquatic life. It is accessible and a strategic location for trade.

Most of Northern Mindanao's inhabitants are Cebuano speakers and have Visayan ancestry. In Lanao del Norte, the Muslim Maranao people form a majority alongside the Christian Visayans. Indigenous ethnic groups are the Bukidnon, Kamigin, and the Subanen.

By plane
The primary and only airport with commercial service in the region is Laguindingan Airport, served by PAL Express, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. There are flights from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao.

By bus
Orange Rural Transit buses connect the region with Zamboanga Peninsula to the west and Davao to the south, while yellow Bachelor Express buses run from Butuan to the east, both terminating at Cagayan de Oro.

Philtranco also operates a Manila-CDO service, which takes the ferry between Leyte and Surigao.

By car
Three major highways connect Northern Mindanao with other regions.

 * Rte 9, the main east-west highway, connects with Butuan in the east and Zamboanga del Sur to the west.
 * Sayre Hwy (Rte 10 and AH26) connects with Davao City via Bukidnon.
 * Rte 77 from Lanao del Sur

By ferry
Cagayan de Oro has ferry services from the Visayas and Manila. Iligan and Ozamiz also have ferry terminals, and Camiguin is connected to Bohol by RORO ferry.

Get around
Most transportation within Northern Mindanao is by road. Major highways are Rte 9 and Sayre Highway: the former runs along the north coast and the latter from CDO to Bukidnon.

There are plenty of bus service between cities and towns, with the hub at CDO. Major bus companies are Rural Transit, Bachelor Express, Super Five and Pabama Transport. Rural Transit provides most service out of CDO's western bus terminal, while Bachelor Express dominates routes out of the eastbound terminal. Super Five and Pabama meanwhile competes with Rural Transit on services out of CDO to Iligan and Bukidnon, respectively.

Camiguin is connected to the mainland by RORO ferry and pump boat.

title: Northern Mindanao


text:
Northern Mongolia

Northern Mongolia is a region in Mongolia.

Cities

 * – the capital of Bulgan Aimag
 * – Mongolia's third largest city, on the Trans-Mongolian Railway.
 * – second largest city and home to the massive Erdenet Copper Mine.
 * – the capital of Hövsgöl Aimag, is near Hövsgöl Lake and the Dukha (Tsaatan) people.
 * – on the Russian border, is the capital of Selenge Aimag.
 * – on the Russian border, is the capital of Selenge Aimag.

Other destinations

 * – one of the 3 largest monasteries in Mongolia and it mostly survived the purges of the 1930s. Located in the Iven valley near the Selenge River, the monastery is about an hour off the main paved road connecting Erdenet and Darkhan. The isolated site surrounded by miles of sparsely populated steppe make it seem as though you are seeing it as it was before the rise of communism and modernization. The monastery was constructed between 1727 and 1736 on orders of the Manchu Emperor Kang Xi in honor of Zanabazar, the 1st Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, or leader of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia, who invented the Mongolian Soyombo script and is one of Mongolia's most famous artists and influential leaders. Zanabazar's body was interred here in 1788. At its peak, the monastery had 3,000 monks and 40 temples laid out with symmetrical unity according to exacting design specifications by the Emperor of China. The communists closed the monastery, killed several of the monks, and destroyed 10 of the temples in 1937. Luckily, 26 of the temples survived and have been partially restored through help from UNESCO and the Indian government. Several new stupas and a large statue of Buddha have been added to the neighboring hills. As of 2012, about 60 monks live in the monastery.
 * – the 2nd largest freshwater lake in Asia by volume is one of the most scenic places in Mongolia, with the reindeer herding Tsaatan tribe living along its shores.

Get in
Northern Mongolia is the easiest region to travel outside of the capital, with most of the cities reached by paved road and rail lines. The 2nd and 3rd largest cities in Mongolia, Erdenet and Darkhan respectively, have almost hourly bus service from Ulaanbaatar and between each other, as well as stops on the Trans-Mongolian line of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Sühbaatar also is a stop on the Trans-Mongolian. All cities in the region have at least daily bus service from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar. Due to the ease of travel in the region, only the furthest city of Mörön has regular flights, with as many as 3 flights a day from UB from all 3 domestic airlines during the peak summer travel period.

title: Northern Mongolia


text:
Northern Mozambique

Northern Mozambique is a region in Mozambique. It includes the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa.

Cities

 * - in Niassa Province, mostly used as a transport hub, as it is on the railway line from Nacala Port to Malawi (throw Entre-Lagos a small village of Mecanhelas district) and Lichinga
 * - was the capital of the country under Portuguese rule, now a quiet and beautifully atmospheric island town in Nampula Province. It is a World Heritage Site.
 * - a temperate town with an international airport, it is the capital of Niassa Province
 * - a wonderful small town on the shores of Lake Malawi (Lake Niassa) in Niassa Province, the administrative centre for the Lake District and the gate way to Cobue and the Manda Wilderness Project.
 * in Cabo Delgado Province, well-known for its beaches and potential for scuba diving, and has an international airport receiving flights from nearby African countries
 * a non-descript town in Nampula Province, the largest in the north of the country, but with little of interest to the traveler
 * - a border town in Cabo Delgado Province for backdoor crossing into Tanzania

Other destinations

 * Quirimbas Islands - a chain of nearly 30 beautiful islands, part of the Quirimbas National Park, including:
 * , boasting intriguing historical and fascinating sites. Since 1761 it was used as a springboard for trading in slaves and ivory. Now a colonial ghost town, with the island featuring mangroves, coral and palms.
 * 100km north of Pemba and approximately 2400 hectares in size. It has palm groves, palm vegetation and pristine beaches and well as two indigenous villages. The island features the upmarket Matemo Island Resort, which offers flights to and from Pemba, included in the price of accommodation.
 * - private island 1 hour north of Pemba by aircraft

 * Lake Niassa - Untouched and unexplored Africa, crystal clear waters and sugar white sands.
 * - a truly wild part of Africa, ideal for the adventurous traveller.

Get in
Pemba Airport

Get around
Cabo Delgado Car rental - http://www.pembarentacar.com

Go next

 * Tanzania - cross from Mocimboa da Praia into the remote south of this amazing country (see warning box above)
 * Malawi - from Cobue it's sometimes possible to take a dhow to Likoma Island where you can catch an onward ferry to the Malawian mainland or a charter flight to Lilongwe.

title: Northern Mozambique


text:
Northern Myanmar

Northern Myanmar is a region of Myanmar.

Cities

 * – The capital of the Kachin State.
 * – The capital of the Sagaing Region.
 * – A lake and nature reserve.
 * – Township near Tamu (for India).
 * – Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) headquarters, bordering China
 * — an important village on the way to the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina via Bhamo Hwy, about 20 km from Laiza.
 * – A rebel-run casino-laden border boom town. Although it seems that the casino has been converted to a university now.
 * – A town famous for its two huge statues of Buddha and a golden pagoda.
 * – The border town and gateway to India's Manipur state.
 * – A town famous for its two huge statues of Buddha and a golden pagoda.
 * – The border town and gateway to India's Manipur state.
 * – The border town and gateway to India's Manipur state.

Understand
Kachin State has been de facto independent from central government's control since 1962, when the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) unilaterally seceded from the Union of Myanmar. A peace deal struck in 1994 after a government army offensive made the arrangement more or less permanent, with the KIO-controlled area formalized as Kachin State Special Region #1, although KIO promptly split up into squabbling factions and the internal situation remains precarious at best.

Unlike much of predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, the Kachin people are predominantly Christian.

Talk
In Special Region #1, Mandarin will get you a lot further than Burmese (or English).

Get in
Getting in depends on where you're going. For access to government-controlled areas like the capital Myitkyina, there are direct flights from Yangon, although the adventurous may also opt to travel by train from Mandalay (24-30 hours). For the rebel-controlled north, you'll either have to battle your way through massive bureaucracy to secure permits, or take the easier way by entering via China.

Get around
Myitsone (Mali Zup), a confluence of the Mali and Nmai Rivers, a naturally splendid hangout.

title: Northern Myanmar


text:
Four-O region

The Four-O region (after its administrative divisions Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Omusati) is a region in central northern Namibia. It is Namibia's most densely populated area though still primarily rural.

Cities

 * — a trading town on the Angolan border
 * — capital of the Oshikoto region
 * — amidst the dramatic scenery of the Kaoko and Damara regions, in the vicinity of Etosha National Park
 * — capital of the Oshana region and one of Namibia's largest cities
 * — on the border with Angola, it is Namibia's busiest border post
 * — home to a famous baobab tree, whose huge hollow trunk has been used as a post office, a chapel, and a coffee shop, and now houses a craft shop
 * — the "gateway to the north" of Namibia, and the closest town to the Etosha National Park

Other destinations

 * — the second largest of Namibia's game reserves; its waterholes attract animals in this dry land

Understand
The region is also known as Ovamboland, although this name reminds some Namibians of the South African regime, as this was the name of the bantustan for the Ovambo people, Namibia's largest ethnic group. When Namibians refer to "the North" they also usually means this region, although other regions are just as far north as the Four-O.

Four-O borders Angola in the north, and the Namibian regions of Otjozondjupa in the southeast, Kunene in the south and west, and Kavango in the east.

Get in
Due to the scarcity of other options, most travellers will arrive by car. There are two major highways in the region. The B1 connects the capital Windhoek to Tsumeb and Ondangwa, and the B10 connects Okongo to Rundu.

By rail
While there is a railway line from the capital Windhoek to Ondangwa, the much-celebrated Omugulugwombashe Express packed up after a few weeks of service in 2006 and has not been scheduled since.

By air
Ondangwa has a regional airport with scheduled flights to Windhoek and Walvis Bay.

By public transport
Between towns you can catch a minibus. Oshakati and Ondangwa are on the route of the big coaches that travel between Windhoek and Lusaka.

Get around
The B-roads are tarred and in very good condition. The C45 to Eenhana, the C41 from Oshakati to Okahao, and the C46 from Ondangwa to Ruacana are tarred as well. All other C-roads are gravel roads and in fair condition, easily passable with an ordinary sedan. Other roads (D-roads and those without letters or numbers) tend to be rough, sandy, heavily corrugated, and will further deteriorate after rainfall.

Sleep
Apart from the Etosha National Park the region is touristically not well developed. However, as it is a rather densely populated area and an economic hub, there is plenty of accommodation, suitable for the business traveller. So instead of walking tours or wildlife observation the typical offer on top of bed and breakfast is to iron your business attire.

Stay safe
All of northern Namibia is a Malaria risk zone. Take the necessary precautions.

Go next
Four-O shares a border with Angola in the north. Domestically, the following regions of Namibia border with Kavango:
 * Otjozondjupa region in the southeast
 * Kunene region in the south and west
 * Kavango region in the east

title: Four-O region


text:
Northern Netherlands

Obscure among foreigners, the Northern Netherlands can be a pleasant surprise. This sparsely inhabited region is home to some stunning historic fortifications, lovely cities, great museums and excellent watersports opportunities. Its nature varies from vast heathlands to beautiful lake areas.

As soon as winter shows its face, the odd chance of the "eleven-city-tour", a major ice-skating event passing 11 pretty towns in Friesland and last held in 1997, becomes the talk of the day in all of the country. Although nature rarely allows for the tour to be held, it seems to have become part of the Dutch identity. There's a small chance you'll find yourself caught in the middle of that massive event (estimations state that, would the tour be held, it would become the biggest single event in the history of the country), but the region is a lovely destination even in high summer.

Most of the Northern Netherlands consists of a flat polder landscape, with the exception of Drenthe, which lies on a plateau and consists of heathlands.

Cities

 * — Famously home to the Dutch TT Circuit, and therefore a prime destination for any MotoGP enthusiasts
 * — Stunningly restored historic fortified town and an excellent day trip in the region
 * — Friendly harbour town and once every five years the scene for the bustling Delfsail boating event
 * — Home to one of the most well-known zoos in the country
 * — By far the biggest city of Northern Netherlands. Lively student city full of historic heritage and home to a top-notch museum
 * - A charming harbour town with a light house among its many historic monuments
 * — The sports capital of the Northern Netherlands and home to the famous indoor ice-skating arena Thialf
 * — Scheduled to be European Capital of Culture in 2018, this provincial capital is full of modern and historic culture
 * — At the heart of the Frisian Lake region and a centre for sailing and other water sports

Other destinations

 * — chain of islands along the Netherlands' Northern coast
 * — Second World War transit camp, now a museum and several monuments
 * — 24 interconnected lakes in Friesland, ideal for sailing
 * — rural area at the heart of the Northern Netherlands

Understand
Outside settlements, Friesland and Groningen mostly consist of meadows and arable land. Also, they are great areas for water-based activities such as sailing. Drenthe is a little different in that it also boasts large forests and more hilly terrain. Finally, the West Frisian Islands have a character all of their own.

Life is generally lived at a somewhat slower pace than in the west. Drenthe in particular is popular with people looking to move to a more quiet area after their retirement. Conversely, many young people leave the region looking for work.

Talk
Dutch is spoken in all three provinces, but in Friesland Frisian is an official language and widely spoken. Frisian is a unique language that is somewhere in between Dutch, English and the Scandinavian languages. Frisians won't expect foreigners do have any knowledge of the language, but knowing some basic sentences might give you a conversation topic. In Frisian towns, Stadsfries is spoken, a Dutch dialect that has been influenced by Frisian.

In Groningen and Drenthe, local dialects are used that are sometimes grouped together as "Dutch Low Saxon". The locals would use the name of their province or hometown as the name of their dialect, or they call them "Plat". In the south-east of Friesland, a Dutch Low Saxon variety known as "Stellingwerfs" is spoken. However, Dutch and English are universally understood in the whole region.

Get in
There are several highways heading north, and forming a backbone for the road system in the region. The A7 motorway takes you over the Afsluitdijk, and entering the Northern Netherlands from the North Holland Peninsula. Then there's the A6, running north from Amsterdam via Flevoland, and the A28 from Utrecht and the Eastern Netherlands. From Germany, there is the A7 from East Frisia leading into Groningen, and the A37 from the Western Plains leading into Drenthe. For the rest, a good network of provincial roads make the region well accessible by car, motorbike and even bike, as apart from the highways, you'll find plenty of bike lanes.

All domestic train connections to the Northern Netherlands run via Zwolle. For the major destinations you will not have to change, however, as intercity trains run straight through from Leeuwarden and Groningen to destinations like Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam. Typically, two intercity trains run north every hour. In addition, there is a regional railway from Germany (the town of Leer) leading into the Northern Netherlands. However, due to a damaged railway bridge, the railway border crossing is not operational (there are replacement bus services).

There are several bus routes that may be used to enter the Northern Netherlands. Bus route 350 is a bus connection over the Afsluitdijk, and if you want to get from Alkmaar to Bolsward or Leeuwarden, this is your fastest option (2 hr, €17). This bus can get pretty crowded during rush hour. For most other points of departure, trains are typically more convenient and faster to get to the major places. Long-distance bus routes are served by companies including Flixbus. Such long distance buses connect the city of Groningen (a transport hub for the Northern Netherlands) to Amsterdam, Enschede and Eindhoven, as well as international destinations including Oldenburg, Bremen, Hamburg. Berlin, and Brussels.

As for options via the air, Groningen Airport Eelde in Tynaarlo, just south of Groningen, has international flights to holiday destinations, as well as year-round scheduled flights to/from Copenhagen, London, and Gdansk. Other options include the airport in Bremen, Germany, for low fare carriers, or of course Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for a myriad of international connections (the train from Schiphol to the Northern Netherlands takes about 2 hours, e.g. a direct 2 hr 10 min train to Groningen).

Get around
Flat and wide, the Northern Netherlands are highly suited for biking and hiking, and many visitors explore at least a bit of the area that way. There are many ready-made routes, some indicated along the way and others to be bought at the tourist information centres you'll find in every mid-sized or larger town. As the Dutch love biking in general, there's also an abundance of route information online. However, with countless bike lanes and other biking facilities around, you'll have no trouble at all making your own way between the destinations of your choice, so hop on and get going! In most larger places you'll be able to find a rental bike; check the individual articles for listings.

The extensive public transport system serves virtually every corner of the region and leaves very few places truly unreachable by public transport. Trains are operated by NS (Dutch national railways: key connections to other parts of the country) and by Arriva (regional trains in Groningen and Friesland provinces). Although this region is remote in the eyes of the Dutch living in the Western Netherlands, it has over 60 train stations. Most are small, but they are a great help in terms of accessibility. Note however that there will be no staff of offices at most of these village stations.

Buses are operated by Arriva in the north and west of Friesland, and by Qbuzz in the remainder of the region, and include local, regional and fast interregional Qliner services. Large destinations like Groningen, Leeuwarden and Assen are typically served by a wide variety of bus services, and make good starting points to get to smaller towns. The website 9292.nl provides a route planner for all public transport.

Roads are good and extensive, although the network of major highways is not as tight as it is in the west. If you're on your way to smaller destinations you may have to take the somewhat smaller N-roads, which are fine but have a speed limit of 80 or 100 km/h rather than 120/130. On the bright side however, roads are typically far less crowded than they are in other parts of the country.

See
Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover or an arts fan; there's plenty of sights well worth visiting. Having survived the test of time, the massive stones of prehistoric dolmen are a silent reminder of the early inhabitants of the region. Some 54 of these Hunebedden (as the Dutch call them) remain and make for an interesting stop when exploring the region. If you want to know more, head for the one near Borger, as it is the largest one and has an archaeological museum next to it. Although there's no dolmen at the spot, the Drenths Museum in Assen also has information and a fine collection of prehistoric artefacts, including well-preserved bog bodies.

There's a lot of heritage from later times. The magnificent Fort of Bourtange is not only well restored, but also houses a history museum. There are several other fine examples of strongholds, including the Fraeylemaborg near Slochteren which is also a museum. The city of Groningen has a beautiful historic centre, with the tall Martini tower as a major landmark. If you have any interest in arts, don't miss the renowned Groningen Museum with ever changing but typically excellent collections of modern and classic arts. Of the many charming smaller historic towns, Appingedam with its hanging kitchens stands out, as does Franeker, with its monumental city hall and tiny but great 18th century orrery.

Wonderful nature can be found on the extensive heathlands in Drenthe, the tranquil Frisan Lakes area and on the northern coast line. Hop on a boat to spend the night on Texel or another one of the small islands in the Waddensea, all popular holiday destinations for the Dutch. Visit the earless seal rescue centre at Pieterburen or watch animals at the Emmen zoo.

Do
Landscapes in the Northern Netherlands are wide and flat, making for perfect outdoor activities.
 * Hiking and biking is popular, as the countryside offers anything from heathlands to forests and agricultural fields to lake areas. The rural areas are dotted with villages and the meadows with cows hold some typically Dutch vistas. Whether you're a trained biker or just rented a bicycle to explore some of the natural surroundings, the lack of hills and mountains offers great routes for everyone.
 * Mudflat hiking deserves a mention of its own. At low tide, as the shallow Wadden Sea pulls back, it's temporarily possible to walk from the northern coast to one of the Frisian islands. These activities are best undertaken under the guidance of a professional guide. It's an activity unsuited for anyone with mobility problems, and it's a good hike, but it requires no special training. Good starting points include Pieterburen and Holwerd.
 * Boating and sailing are enormously popular. The Frisian Lakes are an excellent starting point, but an extensive network of water ways and of course the Wadden Sea to the north make it possible to explore large parts of the Northern Netherlands by boat. Good places to start tours of the Frisian lakes include Sneek, Grou and Lemmer, although virtually every village on the lake sides has boat rental options.
 * Ice skating is a major passion throughout the region. Slightly colder than the rest of the country and rich in natural waters as well as artificial ice skating tracks, the first opportunities for outdoor iceskating in the country often appear in the Northern Netherlands. Even if you're not planning on any ice skating for yourself, join one of the competitions when you can, as they're usually a fun way to encounter Dutch culture.

Eat
The coastal areas and the West Frisian Islands obviously have a long tradition of sea food dishes. The Wadden Sea shrimps and oysters are especially worth a try.

Going just a bit further land inward, however, traditional staples are typically heavy, nutritious goods like beans, grains and potatoes. As in many places, sweet dishes from these areas seem to have survived the test of time best and remain common both in family homes and on restaurant menus. Dúmkes, cookies with nuts, are popular on mainland Friesland and on the island of Ameland. Poffert, with varieties in Friesland known as boffert is a simple cake, holding the middle between brioche and cake and served in slices. Oudewievenkoek (or old lady's cake) is a spiced cake with a taste of anise seeds widely available in the region.

There's a growing interest in locally produced goods and the region is rediscovering old traditions as well as establishing new ones. The island of Texel is famous for its mutton, which you might find on menus all over the country. Sheep cheeses are local specialities traditionally produced there and in other parts of the Northern Netherlands, including the heathland areas of Drenthe. Dried and spiced sausages are another popular regional product.

Drink
Beer is popular anywhere in the Netherlands, but in terms of production, bitters and gins play a much larger part in the Northern Netherlands. One of the largest distilleries in the country, Hooghoudt, was founded and still has its main offices in Groningen. Its products are favoured throughout the Northern Netherlands. It produces a wide range of liquors and gins, and adopted several traditional alcoholic drink recipes from the Northern Netherlands. Remarkably, it also produces a range of non-alcoholic lemonades.

Although originally from Amsterdam, the popularity of berenburg (made of Dutch gin and herbs) was initially larger in the Northern Netherlands. Regional varieties include Sonnema Berenburg and Weduwe Joustra. A Dokkumer coffee is the regional interpretation of an Irish Coffee, and consists of coffee with berenburg and whipped cream. The Frisian islands have their own kinds of bitters, called a Juttertje (on Texel) or Schylger Jutters-Bitter (on Terschelling). Less popular but surely traditional is Fladderak, a liquor flavoured with lemon and cinnamon.

Go next
The Netherlands are small and any other part of the country is just a few hours away at most. Cross the 32 km Afsluitdijk, the major causeway connecting the Northern Netherlands to the Western Netherlands, with all its famous Dutch attractions. Much less known, the Eastern Netherlands border the region to the south and have some unexpectedly good sights, including pleasant historic cities and rural castles. Alternatively, head east and cross the border into Germany, where you'll find yourself in Lower Saxony. Alternatively, you could drive straight through there and in less than 4 hours from the city of Groningen, you'd be at the Denmark border.

title: Northern Netherlands


text:
Northern Nevada

Northern Nevada consists of dry, mountainous, sparsely populated landscapes. Most of the towns are dotted along the Humboldt River, Interstate 80, and the railroad, all of which cut across this part of Nevada from west to east, running next to each other for much of the way.

Other destinations

 * - A city of 70,000 people during the annual Burning Man festival at the end of August, wide open desert during the rest of the year.
 * - A state park hidden in the Nevada desert between Lovelock and Winnemucca. Conditions are good for swimming.

Understand
The emigrants who plotted their way across the vast expanse of present day Nevada and the makers of the Central Pacific Railroad and Interstate 80 that followed probably weren't thinking too much about scenery, because hoo-boy, the cut Interstate 80 makes across the state will probably have you twitching in your seat from boredom by the time you get from Wendover to Reno. But thankfully, there are towns or shells of towns to keep your mind in focus just as it's about to go into a state of mindlessness.

Actually, as you snake along the path of the Humboldt River that so many have followed over the past 150 years or so, you at least have the reassurance of knowing that you'll be somewhere safe and sound in a few hours, not stranded in your Conestoga Wagon in the 40-mile desert with a broken axle.

Vegetation mostly consists of the high desert favorite child, sagebrush, with some saltbrush and rabbitbrush thrown in, and sometimes you'll see a mining or mill relic fly by.

Get in
Elko Regional Airport

The California Zephyr train route, between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area via Salt Lake City and Reno, passes through northern Nevada with stops in Elko and Winnemucca.

Do
Some places in northern Nevada have more going on than others.

 * Gambling
 * Hiking

title: Northern Nevada


text:
Northern Niger

Northern Niger covers Niger's Saharan territory.

Cities

 * — the largest city in Saharan Niger.
 * — the second largest city in the region.
 * — gateway to the remotest reaches of the Ténéré Desert.
 * — gateway to the Djado Plateau.

Other destinations

 * — beautiful desert landscapes that have long been a major draw for travelers in Niger, although it is not safe for travel.

Get in
Mano Dayak International Airport in Agadez receives flights from the capital, Niamey.

Do
If visiting in mid-September, just after the rainy season, be sure to participate in the Cure Salee, translated as the Salt Cure because of the nearby salt flats and also known as Festival of the Nomads. It's a yearly gathering by the nomadic Tuareg and Wodaabe peoples that inhabit northern Niger and Mali taking place at the village of In-gall, 115 km west of Agadez. The festival is part market, part social gathering. For the Wodaabe peoples Cure Salee is the most important guérewol, or courtship ritual, of the whole year. The guérewol is a much fascinating, that is for the western traveller, ritual where the men perform dances that can go on for days wearing elaborate make-up for women to courting a potential husband.

Stay safe
See the warning in the Niger article for information on the security situation.

title: Northern Niger