text:
North Vancouver Island

North Vancouver Island is the more remote, northern part of Vancouver Island. Explore it by booking a tour to see orcas or grizzlies, learning about local First Nations or doing a rugged hike through old-growth forest.

Cities

 * — small logging town on the north tip of the island, gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park and BC's central coast. As the largest town in the region it has the most accommodation options and services. There are also some small museums focusing on the local area and First Nations.
 * — a village occupying a third of Cormorant Island, it's a historical centre of First Nations culture. Visit the traditional longhouse and U'mista Cultural Society to learn more about Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture and history.
 * — an old Finnish settlement with some good wildlife viewing.
 * — a former fishing and cannery village that has become a launch point for ecotourism. Rent a kayak to explore the nearby waters or take a grizzly viewing tour. Business is seasonal though, with many places only open May-Oct.

Other destinations

 * — rugged and often wet remote park known for its old growth forest and sandy beaches. It has two notable hiking trails — the 1–2-day Cape Scott Trail and the multi-day North Coast Trail.

Understand
Northern Vancouver Island is a resource- and tourism-based economy that has large portions of wilderness. The people of the northern Vancouver Island are friendly and welcoming, but, just like most people in the world, it does help to be respectful of local customs.

By car
The only highway in and out of North Vancouver Island is Highway 19 (Island Highway). It runs roughly 400 km from Port Hardy, at its northern end, south through Campbell River to Nanaimo. Travel time between Port Hardy and Nanaimo is roughly 4.5-5 hours and 6-6.5 hours to Victoria.

By boat
Ferry terminals:

 * - served by two routes:
 * From Prince Rupert (16-22 hours) via Klemtu and/or Bella Bella (8-9.5 hours). The ferries travel through the beautiful Inside Passage that connect the North Coasts and Central with the Port Hardy. The number of sailings per week varies by season, and depart up to every other day in the summer.
 * From Bella Coola (10 hours). Operates several days per week in the summer only. Otherwise, travelers from Bella Coola can take a ferry to Bella Bella and transfer to reach Port Hardy.
 * - served by one route:
 * Between Port McNeill ferry terminal,, and . Crossing time is 35-45 minutes from Cormorant Island to Port McNeill and 25 minutes from Malcom Island.

By air
Airport has daily flights from Vancouver. This is the only airport in North Vancouver Island with scheduled commercial flights. BC Transit bus route #4 operates a few trips to the airport from Monday to Friday.

Get around
Hitchhiking happens, but it's better if you organize a ride at a coffee house or on the internet.

See

 * See the vast wilderness of the north
 * Learn about Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture at the Umista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay and at Fort Rupert near Port Hardy
 * Leap into the salmon’s world at the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre in Port Hardy to learn about all things salmon

Do

 * Go fishing. Some of the best fishing in the world is on the northern Island. If you are invited (not chartered) to go fishing on someone's boat, bring beer and offer to chip in for gas, as even a generous contribution for fuel is still a lot cheaper than going on a charter fishing trip
 * Go camping or hunting, or do both. Make sure you get your license before you go
 * Go hiking through old growth forest and across beaches at Cape Scott Provincial Park
 * Whale watching for orcas and humpback whales is very popular out of Telegraph Cove and Port McNeil
 * Go kayaking for a few hours or a few days among the archipelago of islands that dot the eastern shore of the island. Kayaks can be rented or tours booked from Telegraph Cove
 * Launch off on a tour to see grizzly bears from Telegraph Cove

Stay safe
Make sure you do not have anything of value in your vehicle if you park it for the night away from you.

Most of the Northern Island is without cell service, so make sure your vehicle is in good order and fuelled up. Pay attention to the road warning signs; they are not there for the scenery enhancement. Don't drink and drive – not even with the excuse that "it's just one beer" or "I had two, but that was two hours ago". BC has the most stringent DUI laws in Canada, and the laws of physics on mountain terrain are enforced without mercy.

Just like all responsible hikers do everywhere in the world, if you go hiking, leave a written trip plan that tells people where you will go and when you are expected to return.

Go next

 * Central Vancouver Island – With beaches and big trees, hikes and kayaking, whale watching and salmon fishing, caves and surfing, the central part of Vancouver Island is a haven for outdoor recreation. Nanaimo, the largest city, is a 4.5 hour drive from Port Hardy on BC Highway 19.
 * North Coast – Untouched wilderness and native culture, and famous for fishing. Head north into the waters of the Inside Passage on BC Ferries to Prince Rupert.

title: North Vancouver Island


text:
Northville

Northville is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan.

By car
You can take a taxi from the airport or take your own car.

Buy
There are lots of shops in the attractive downtown. Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, and Laurel Park in Livonia are very close by.

Go next

 * Livonia
 * Novi

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

title: Northville


text:
North Wales

North Wales (Welsh: Gogledd Cymru) is the northernmost region of Wales, in the United Kingdom, it is mountainous and home to beautiful beaches.

Cities and towns
North Wales has many picturesque towns. Below is a list of the most notable. For others, please see specific county articles.

 * (Gwynedd) — Small university city with a vibrant culture and nightlife and a cathedral dating back to the 6th century.
 * (Gwynedd) — Slate mining town where visitors can take a train underground at Llechwedd Caverns or glide over the quarry on Europe's fastest zip wire. Also the northern terminus of the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway.
 * (Gwynedd) — dominated by its castle and medieval town walls. A symbolic seat to represent English power in North Wales.
 * (Conwy) — medieval, fortified town with impressive castle and quaint shops.
 * (Dinbych) (Clwyd) — a pretty market town and one of the most historic towns in North Wales.
 * (Conwy) — genteel Victorian seaside resort, dubbed the "Queen of the Welsh Resorts".
 * (Clwyd) — on the historic stagecoach route, this small town is notable for its abbey, the spectacular leaping aqueduct that carries the canal, and the fine half-timbered abode of the "Ladies of Llangollen".
 * (Gwynedd) — popular seaside resort with miles of sandy beach. Home to the famous Talyllyn Railway.
 * (Wrecsam) (Clwyd) — the largest population centre in North Wales, with the commercial, transport and sporting infrastructure to match. Granted city status in 2022.

National Parks

 * (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) – great hiking territory, which includes Wales' highest mountain. Eryri (Snowdonia in Welsh) is the second largest National Park in England and Wales.  This area has links with Arthurian legend. For example, the wizard Merlin's dragons supposedly lived at Dinas Emrys, a place name which means "Emrys' City" ('Emrys' being an alternative Celtic name for Merlin).

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Three of Wales' five AONBs are in North Wales.

 * (Welsh: Ynys Môn) – Is one of the most distinctive, attractive and varied landscapes in the British Isles. Anglesey was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 in order to protect the aesthetic appeal and variety of the island's coastal landscape and habitats from inappropriate development. The AONB is predominantly a coastal designation, covering most of the island's 125-mile (200-km) coastline (including Ynys Llanddwyn, a tidal islet off the main island). It contains rocky headlands, golden beaches, dunes, heaths and fine green countryside. Some of the beaches are recognised as being among the best in Europe. The AONB supports a wealth of wildlife such as choughs, grey seals, sea lavender and silver studded blue butterflies. There are also many areas protected for their nature conservation value, such as Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve, and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
 * AONB (Welsh: Penrhyn Llŷn) – The peninsula sticking out westwards into the Irish Sea, beyond Snowdonia, in the north-west of the country.
 * AONB (Welsh: Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy) – Contains the Clwydian range of hills running southwards from the coast at Prestatyn to Llandegla, in Denbighshire in the north-east of the country, close to the border with England. The highest and best-known hill of the Clwydian Range is Moel Famau, and many of the hills are the sites of Iron Age hill forts. Since 2011, it has also contained areas around the River Dee.

Talk
Many parts of North Wales are bilingual. While almost 100% of the people you meet can speak and understand English, you are also quite likely to hear Welsh being spoken, especially as you travel further west within the region. As of 2018, 77% of the people in Gwynedd can speak Welsh. You're least likely to encounter Welsh speakers on the north coast east of Conwy or north-eastern urban areas. Rural areas in North Wales are more likely to have Welsh speakers.

By train
Local train services within North Wales are run by Transport for Wales (TfW, Trafnidiaeth Cymru), with some intercity services from England provided by Avanti West Coast.
 * The North to South Wales Mainline links Cardiff with Shrewsbury, Wrexham and the North Wales coast, via Chester. Services are operated by TfW from Cardiff to Holyhead, with Avanti operating services from Wrexham to London Euston.
 * The North Wales Coast Line links Manchester, Crewe and London (in England) with the northern seaside resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn, the city of Bangor, the isle of Anglesey and the port of Holyhead. Through-tickets to Dublin (Ireland) are available, which include the ferry from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire. Services are run by TfW (from Manchester) and Avanti (from London and Crewe)
 * The beautiful Cambrian Line (TfW) runs from Shrewsbury (in England), across Mid-Wales through Machynlleth, then either southwards to Aberystwyth or northwards (as the Cambrian Coast Line) through the coastal towns of Tywyn and Barmouth, through the south part of Snowdonia, Harlech and Porthmadog, and along the south coast of the Lleyn Peninsula to Pwllheli.
 * The Chester to Shrewsbury Line (TfW; and Avanti from Wrexham only) and sees hourly services from Chester to Shrewsbury (and onwards to Birmingham or South Wales) via all mainline stations in Wrexham County Borough.
 * The Borderlands Line (TfW) sees an hourly service between Wrexham and Bidston (Birkenhead), linking various Flintshire towns and villages with the Wirral, and Wrexham.

By boat

 * Regular ferry services operate between Holyhead and Ireland, (Dublin and Dun Laoghaire), and is provided by two carriers. Stenaline and Irish Ferries both offer multiple daily service between the two ports for passengers and vehicles. Bookings can be made through their respective websites.

By plane
There is an air service connecting RAF Valley in Anglesey to Cardiff International Airport in South Wales. For flights from other destinations, Manchester and Liverpool airports (across the border in England) are the closest bet, or Birmingham airport for the Cambrian Coast area.

By car
The main roads into North Wales from England are the A55 which runs along the north coast, connecting with the M56 and M53 near Chester, and the A5, which leaves the M54 at Shrewsbury and heads west to Betws y Coed and then north-west to Bangor.

From South and Mid Wales the A470 runs south to north through the centre of the country, from Cardiff to Llandudno via Dolgellau and Betws y Coed, while the A483 runs south-west to north-east, from Swansea to Wrexham and on across the border to Chester. The A487 runs along the coast to Aberystwyth, Cardigan and St. Davids.

The A55 along the coast and most of the A483 in Wrexham County Borough are the only dual carriageways. Overtaking on the other A-roads is not always possible. If time is of the essence, it is generally a good idea to travel on the A55 as far as possible. If not, the other roads are much more scenic.

By bus

 * National Express operates coach services to North Wales from around the UK. Services terminate at Wrexham and Holyhead.
 * Traws-Cymru cross-Wales services come from Cardiff and Swansea in the south via Aberystwyth or Brecon

By bike
The Wales Coast Path in North Wales follows part of the Reading to Holyhead National Cycle Route 5.

By train
(See also Get In above for details of lines into and across North Wales)

 * The Conwy Valley Line stretches from Llandudno Junction along the Conwy Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and connects with trains on both the North Wales Coast line and the Ffestiniog Railway.

By bus

 * Traws Cymru cross-Wales services converge at Dolgellau, from Bangor in the north-west and Wrexham in the north-east.
 * Services operate across Gwynedd, with longer distance services to Wrexham and Chester

Castles
There are a number of castles from the 12th and 13th centuries spread across North Wales. These date back to the time of the battles by the Welsh Princes of Gwynedd to resist the rule of King John, and more significantly, King Edward I of England. Most of the castles are in the care of Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Assembly Government.
 * Beaumaris - at the eastern tip of Anglesey. The final part of Edward I's "Ring of Steel" around North Wales, provocatively located immediately across the narrow Menai Strait from Garth Celyn, the seat of the Princes of Gwynedd.
 * Caernarfon - planned seat of Edward I's power in Wales. Located in the town of Caernarfon
 * Castell y Bere - Last stronghold of the Welsh Princes, and their most impressive fortress. Stunning location in Bro Dysynni.
 * Chirk - Built in 1295, this National Trust Property is located in the Wrexham county borough.
 * Conwy - built by Edward I to control the strategically significant town and river of the same name.
 * Criccieth - Welsh-built castle near the eastern end of the Lleyn Peninsula
 * Dinas Bran - atmospheric ruin on a hilltop near Llangollen
 * Dolbadarn - Welsh-built castle situated between Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn lakes, close to the town of Llanberis
 * Dolwyddelan - Welsh castle, in the village of the same name on the main A470 road between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Reputed birthplace of Prince Llywelyn the Great. The Disney film Dragonslayer was filmed here.
 * Flint - Edward I's first castle in Wales, in the far north-east close to the English border in Flintshire. Part of William Shakespeare's play Richard II is set within Flint Castle.
 * Harlech - Another of Edward I's "ring of steel". Looks menacingly across Tremadog Bay at Criccieth Castle.
 * Rhuddlan - in the small town of the same name, south of Rhyl. The remains of an older Motte and Bailey castle, Twtil, can still be seen in the grounds of Rhuddlan Castle.

Stately homes

 * Plas Newydd - National trust property located in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales
 * Erddig Hall - National Trust property located on the outskirts of Wrexham

Heritage railways
For many visitors to North Wales, the main draw is the number of historic steam railways in the area. Some, such as the Bala Lake Railway and Llangollen Railway, run on stretches of lines that were part of the national railways network until the infamous "Beeching cuts" closed many lines in the 1960s. Others, including the Talyllyn and Ffestiniog Railways, were built by mine or quarry owners to transport their goods (usually slate) down to a port or to a mainline train station. Most of the railways are owned and run by societies of volunteer enthusiasts.

Standard gauge

 * Llangollen

Narrow gauge

 * Bala Lake Railway
 * Corris
 * Ffestiniog Railway, runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog
 * Llanberis Lake Railway.
 * Snowdon Mountain Railway Runs from Llanberis all the way to the summit of Mount Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain
 * Talyllyn Railway Tywyn. The world's first heritage railway and inspiration for the Ealing comedy film The Titfield Thunderbolt. Features in the popular Railway Series of children's books by Rev. W Awdry as the "Skarloey Railway".
 * Welsh Highland Railway Porthmadog - Caernarfon

Miniature railways

 * Conwy Valley Railway Museum, Betws-y-Coed
 * Fairbourne Railway
 * Rhyl Miniature Railway, The oldest miniature railway still running in the UK.
 * Gypsy Wood Park, Caernarfon - UK's largest miniature G Scale garden railway.

Do

 * Local Adventure Activities. Why not enjoy the rugged natural surroundings by trying out some Sea Kayaking, Rock Abseiling, Cliff Jumping, Sea Level Traversing, Gorge Scrambling or even Mountain Horse Riding. Some local instructors include Shaggy Sheep Wales Activities or ComeAndTry.com.
 * Gypsy Wood Park, Caernarfon - An outdoor attraction well worth a visit on a sunny day. Its a relaxing attraction, with the UK's largest miniature G Scale garden railway and a great family day out with children who love animals.
 * Indoor Karting, Caernarfon - If the weather isn't up to much you could always visit the Redline Indoor Karting centre at Cibyn Industrial Estate.

Eat
The Wales the True Taste campaign has been very successful in promoting the use of local ingredients, and even fairly low-key restaurants and pubs will often have a sign telling you where all of their ingredients are sourced.

Perhaps the most high-profile local ingredient is lamb, and you certainly won't spend long in North Wales before you see your first sheep! Artisan cheeses abound, look out for the Snowdonia Creamery range, among others. Fresh, local seafood can be excellent, especially on the Lleyn.

Drink
There are a number on independent breweries across North Wales, brewing a range of traditional ales. Porthmadog based microbrewery Purple Moose (Bragdy Mws Piws) is well worth looking out for.

Wrexham Lager has re-launched after over a decade and the owners have re-introduced the much loved recipe, which was discontinued when Carlsberg-Tetley took over the brewery. The owners of Wrexham Lager are hoping to bring back the original logo as soon as they possibly can.

Go next

 * The wild mountains and moorland of Mid Wales, and it's spectacular west coast.
 * Liverpool and Manchester, two bustling cities in North West England, are both within very easy reach of North Wales.

title: North Wales


text:
Northwest (Venezuela)

The Northwest is a region in Venezuela.

Zulia

 * — Venezuela's second city is famous for its typical music, big shopping malls and beautiful parks

Falcón

 * — the capital of Falcón state, Coro is one of the oldest Spanish settlements in South America. It has Venezuela's best example of beautiful, colonial architecture in the town center.
 * — the gateway to Morrocoy National Park
 * — a Free Zone of Tourist Promotion, it is the main economic and population axis of Falcón.

Lara

 * — a center of commerce and agriculture for western Venezuela and the country's fourth biggest municipality, known as the musical capital of Venezuela

Falcón

 * — A plethora of islets, coral reefs and sandy beaches make this one of the best beach and diving destinations in Venezuela. The islands are accessible by boat or lancha from either of Morrocoy's two gateways: Tucacas in the south or Chichiriviche in the north.
 * Los Medanos de Coro — This substantial sandbar connecting the Paraguana Peninsula with mainland Venezuela has become its own spectacular 'desert' replete with xerophytic vegetation, and vast sand dunes that are great for freefall jumps and tumbles! Easily accessible from nearby Coro.
 * Paraguaná Peninsula — More beaches on this windy peninsula, including some great spots for kite-surfing.
 * Adicora — The Troja is located in Adícora, east of the Paraguana peninsula in Falcon State, which was born in the dunes of Coro National Park, a city declared World Cultural Heritage. Adicora, is a place of quiet beaches, surrounded by natural beauty esplendorosas, dunes, salt marshes and villages that look great example of Colonial architecture, famous also for the practice of windsurfing and skysurf. Paraguaná is free zone and free port zone, ideal for shopping white, lingerie, footwear, clothing and liquor. http://www.latrojaadicora.com
 * – best known for its sand dunes

Yaracuy

 * Sorte - This mountain is home to the local cult of Maria Lionza, a historical native Indian princess. Followers come to the area regularly for rituals including spiritual cleansing and fortune telling by reading cigar ashes. There is a prominent statue of Maria Lionza in the middle of the main highway in Caracas, depicting her riding a tapir and holding up a pelvis bone toward the heavens.

Get in
Planes arrive at:
 * Maracaibo's La Chinita airport.
 * José Leonardo Chirino Airport
 * Josefa Camejo International Airport

See
Some of Venezuela's best colonial architecture and cobbled streets are found in Coro, all around the historic town center of this. Los Medanos are shifting sand dunes rising 30 m within within walking distance of central Coro. A mini-Sahara, the dunes are the only desert-like area in Venezuela.

Barquisimeto has one of the most modern and original cathedrals in Latin America. Its exterior shape is that of a flower upside down and it has a bell tower outside the building.

El Cabo de San Román is Venezuela's northernmost point. It is on the Paraguana Peninsula, 100 km north of Coro. The small town of Las Cumaraguas is close to the Cape and has some impressive salt flats you can visit.

Some of Venezuela's best colonial architecture and cobbled streets are found in Coro, all around the historic town center. Médanos de Coro National Park has shifting sand dunes rising 30 m within within walking distance of central Coro. A mini-Sahara, the dunes are the only desert-like area in Venezuela.

Do
The Sierra de San Luis is a small range of mountains with a refreshingly cool climate, a great place for hiking and seeing nature.

Go Kitesurfing at Adicora, on the Paraguana Peninsula.

Yaracuy is home to several natural attractions, including the Yurubi National Park, known for its cloud and low-mountain forests and high levels of biodiversity.

At Morrocoy, coral reefs and tropical fish are abundant in the waters around the cayos. Dolphins, marine turtles and even some coastal caimans live in the remoter mangroves. Birds include pelicans, flamingoes, egrets and the odd scarlet ibis.

Buy
The Paraguaná Peninsula in Falcon state is a free port, i.e. no sales tax or VAT is charged. This makes it a popular destination for Venezuelans to stock up on whisky or buy consumer goods such as televisions.

title: Northwest (Venezuela)


text:
Northwest Afghanistan

This section covers the northwestern portion of Afghanistan. The Northern Alliance held out here when Taliban controlled the rest of Afghanistan. The main ethnic groups are Uzbeks and Tajiks.

The historic region of Bactria spanned territory that included parts of northern Afghanistan — Balkh was it capital — plus areas that are now in Uzbekistan or Tajikistan.

Official Provinces

 * Balkh Province
 * Jowzjan Province
 * Samangan Province
 * Sar-e Pol Province

Cities

 * — fourth-largest city of Afghanistan, home to the Shrine of Hazrat Ali also known as Blue Mosque
 * — today a small town, Balkh was once a powerful city known to the Ancient Greeks as Bactra.
 * — over 20,000 pieces of ancient gold jewelry and artifacts were discovered in 1979 in the village of Tillia Tepe, just outside Sheberghan.
 * — an ancient city founded by Eucratides I, king of Bactria, developed into a major Buddhist center during the Kushan Dynasty.

Get in
- direct air connections to Kabul, Moscow, Mashad, Dubai and Istanbul. Airlines : Afghan Jet International, Ariana Afghan Airlines, Iran Aseman Airlines, Kam Air, Turkish Airlines

title: Northwest Afghanistan


text:
Northwest Algeria

Northwest Algeria is the mountainous coastal area west of Algiers.

Cities

 * (Arabic: عين تموشنت) — a coastal city founded by Spanish immigrants in the 1800s
 * (Arabic: معسكر) — the birthplace of Emir Abdelkader, one of Algeria's national heroes who lead a movement to resist the French conquest of Algeria
 * (Arabic: مستغانم) — a port city founded in the 11th century
 * (Arabic: وهران) — Algeria's second city has a beautiful seaside boulevard lined with cafés, restaurants, and ice cream shops
 * — the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields
 * — the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields
 * — a commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields, it is surrounded by a wall with four gates and there is a university there. It is 110 km from the Mediterranean Sea.
 * — a center for leather, carpet, and textile industries

Get in

 * Ahmed Ben Bella Airport

title: Northwest Algeria


text:
Northwest Cascades

Northwest Cascades is in the North Cascades region of Washington.

Cities

 * - gateway to the San Juan Islands
 * - county seat of Whatcom County and last US city before Canada on I-5
 * - major border crossing with Canada
 * - a small coastal village at south end of Chuckanut Drive, near Burlington
 * , famous for the local tulips and historic district
 * , Dutch heritage and farming center
 * - county seat of Skagit County a major tulip growing area.
 * - American enclaved community that you have to travel through Canada to reach by land
 * , border town
 * , Dutch heritage and farming center
 * - county seat of Skagit County a major tulip growing area.
 * - American enclaved community that you have to travel through Canada to reach by land
 * , border town
 * , border town
 * , border town

Other destinations

 * Birch Bay State Park, on the coast 20 miles north of Bellingham and 10 miles south of Blaine
 * Bay View State Park, on Padilla Bay, 7 miles west of Burlington and 14 miles east of Anacortes
 * Larrabee State Park, six miles south of Bellingham on SR 11/Chuckanut Drive
 * Mount Baker ski resort, on a mountain of the same name
 * Artist Point on Mount Baker, a stiff hike to 5140', with a grand view at the top.
 * Mt Baker Vista at the end of Glacier Creek Road (Forest Road 39)

 * North Cascades National Park - Jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers adorn the North Cascades National Park
 * Peace Arch State Park (at the Canadian border in Blaine)
 * Rasar State Park, on the Skagit River, 14 miles east of Burlington
 * Rockport State Park, in an old-growth forest 8 miles east of Concrete

Commercial establishments

 * Lake Whatcom Railway, on Highway 9 east of Lake Whatcom and Bellingham
 * Skagit Speedway, Burlington
 * Deming Speedway, a 1/6 mile clay oval auto racing track, 12 miles east of I-5 (Bellingham) on the Mount Baker Highway
 * Skagit Valley Casino, Burlington
 * Swinomish Casino & Lodge, Anacortes

Understand
This subregion consists of Whatcom County and Skagit County

By plane
is the primary airport serving the region., while located a way to the south of Seattle, is the closest national-grade airport in the USA. , while across the border in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada, is sometimes convenient.

From British Columbia
To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences. Most of these cards have Radio-Frequency ID (RFID) chips, which detectors can read when you wave the card in front of them. Some US-bound lanes are marked "Ready Lane" or "RFID". In these lanes you may use either a NEXUS card or another kind of RFID card. In the table below, some of the NEXUS hours actually NEXUS and Ready Lane hours.

There are five land border crossing points, between the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada and the Northwest Cascades region of Washington state, USA. They are referred to by different terms in Canada and the US.

Visitors travelling to Vancouver by car across the U.S. border should be aware that there are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times.

Inform yourself about the waits, and you can either delay your crossing until the lines subside, or choose the quickest crossing, or at least set your expectations. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the Canada Border Services Agency website, and for US-bound traffic on the US Customs and Border Protection website. Washington State also maintains charts of estimated times towards Canada. It can be helpful to view webcams of the border lineups; Canada-bound and US-bound. Two AM stations give regular updates on border lineups in both directions: News 1130 (1130 on the AM dial) every 10 minutes beginning at one minute past the hour, and AM 730 every 10-15 minutes. Electronic signs near the border on I-5, BC 99, #1 BC-11 and BC 15 give the current wait times at both the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings, allowing you to choose the shorter option.

The NEXUS program lets travellers who fill out an application and pass a security check use express lanes through US-Canada land borders by presenting a NEXUS card. When regular lanes have backups, NEXUS lanes usually have much shorter waits. However, the NEXUS lanes impose many restrictions which regular lanes do not; e.g. everyone in your car must have a NEXUS card.

From Seattle and Puget Sound
Head north on Interstate 5 from Seattle. Mount Vernon, Burlington, Bellingham, Blaine and Ferndale are directly on the highway. Other towns are usually a short drive away on local highways: see the individual Get in sections of the towns.

From Eastern Washington
The North Cascades Highway (SR-20) runs from the Okanogan valley area across the Cascades to Burlington and Sedro-Woolley; it is always closed in winter. Two passes across the Cascades further south are usually open all year (except in storms): US-2 over Stevens Pass from Wenatchee and I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass from Ellensburg: when you reach I-5 you will have to turn north to reach this region.

By boat

 * Several towns in the region, including Bellingham, Blaine and Anacortes, have marinas for private boats.
 * Several towns in the region, including Bellingham, Blaine and Anacortes, have marinas for private boats.
 * Several towns in the region, including Bellingham, Blaine and Anacortes, have marinas for private boats.

title: Northwest Cascades


text:
Northwest China

North West China was historically a border region with the beginning of the ancient Silk Road, much desert terrain, and mainly Muslim inhabitants including some nomads and rather fierce tribal groups. It has always had strong Chinese influences, though at times there were also independent kingdoms in the area. Over the past hundred years there has been considerable migration by Han Chinese; they are now the largest ethnic group in most areas. Today it is a rapidly growing region, though still less developed than coastal areas.

Cities

 * , Gansu, with Buddhist grottoes that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List
 * , Qinghai, jumping off point for many trips to Tibet
 * , Xinjiang, historic trading center on the Silk Road
 * , Gansu, provincial capital
 * , Xinjiang, lowest point in China
 * , Xinjiang, provincial capital
 * , Shaanxi, ancient capital with many cultural relics including the Terracotta Warriors
 * , Qinghai, provincial capital
 * , Ningxia, provincial capital

Other destinations

 * (Gansu) - Cliffside grottoes and botanic gardens
 * (Ningxia)- Western Xia Tombs
 * (Qinghai) - migratory bird stop

See
Heaven lake of Tian Shan

Do
Shopping at Urumqi's International Grand Bazaar.

Go next

 * North China
 * Southwest China
 * South China

title: Northwest China


text:
North West England

Heartland of the Industrial Revolution and home to some of the country's most beautiful landscapes, North West England is a diverse region to the north of the West Midlands and west of Yorkshire and North East England. It also shares smaller boundaries with North Wales, the East Midlands and South West Scotland. The south of the region is largely urban and home to the dynamic cities of Liverpool and Manchester. To the north is some of England's best countryside in the Lake District and Lancashire Pennines.

Cities
North West England has many major towns and cities. For others, see county listing.

 * - The gold standard for the Great British seaside resort is famous for its iconic Tower and Ballroom, promenade tramway and the Pleasure Beach theme park. On cold winter evenings, there's the added bonus of the Blackpool Illuminations.
 * - A true frontier town, Carlisle's castle once guarded the Scottish border. Today, the city is an excellent base for exploring both the English and Scottish countrysides.
 * - England's border with Wales is a much prettier affair, with medieval timber-framed townhouses on a scale rarely seen. Outside the city proper, Chester's zoo is reportedly one of the best in Europe.
 * - Lancashire's county town is small but perfectly formed, boasting a wonderfully preserved castle, an impressive town hall and far-reaching views across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District
 * - One of the world's great seaports is now a fast-changing twenty-first century city, with a gorgeous UNESCO-approved historic waterfront and dynamic architecture. Come for The Beatles, stay for Liverpool's impressive cultural offerings and warmly welcoming inhabitants.
 * - If "Cottonopolis" was a grim place of dark satanic mills, modern Manchester is a match of science and the arts made in heaven. World-leading universities, the best museums, galleries and nightlife outside of London, a network of canals and wharfs to get lost in and an exciting hub of alternative lifestyles.
 * - A city that retains a traditional Lancastrian vibe, and hosts a collection of unusual museums, including the Grade 1-listed Harris Museum.
 * - Barely outside central Manchester, Salford is an independent city. While a pilgrimage to Old Trafford is a must for footie fans, you should also head to The Quays for imposing modern architecture, the Imperial War Museum North and a fine collection of L.S. Lowry's "matchstick men" paintings.

Other destinations

 * - a remote and beautiful mountainous area situated in the heart of Cumbria.
 * - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
 * - seaside, rural area and many villages and towns, situated in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Understand
The North West is an area of varied landscapes ranging from beaches to lakes and forests to cities. It consists of the counties of Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire as well as the conurbations of Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The area consisting of Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington is primarily urban. Lancashire and Cumbria are primarily rural with a few large town and cities, and Cheshire is mainly flat agricultural land.

The North West shows a wide diversity in people and language: the most common accents and dialects in the region are Scouse (from Liverpool), Lancastrian, Mancunian (also known as Manc) and the Cumberland dialect (Cumbria). There is also North West English, which is a combination of the above mainly spoken outside the accent areas. Most visitors will be hard-pressed to notice significant differences between the dialects but there are many to the trained ear. The people are generally friendly and do welcome tourists.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the main industry in the North West was textiles, and there is still evidence of this (especially in South Lancashire), but today the textile industry has all but disappeared from the region, giving way for the chemical industry (especially in Cheshire and Merseyside), and defence (especially around Barrow-in-Furness). Many big national and international retailers are headquartered in the region.

The region's weather is mild and wet, with frequent heavy outbreaks of rain. Nearer the west coast, the wind is stronger and can be very bitter. Temperatures on some summer days can reach the mid 20s in degrees Celsius. During heatwaves, temperatures occasionally exceed 30 degrees, especially inland. The coastal strip is usually cooler and scenic spots such as Formby or Crosby become very popular, which often leads to gridlock on local roads. The best advice most of the year, however, is to wear layers (it's very rare to see a North Westerner without a jacket on).

By plane
Most international flights to the region arrive into Manchester Airport (approx 9 miles from Manchester city centre), where most of the regions key tourist destinations can be reached from the airport railway station, with Manchester Piccadilly about 15 minutes away by train.

There are also low cost intra-European flights available from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (approx 7.5 miles from Liverpool city centre) and Blackpool International (about 3 miles from Blackpool town centre).

By car
The North West can be reached from other regions as follows

 * London and South East - M1 then M6
 * Midlands (West & East) - M6
 * North East - A1 then M62
 * North Wales - A55
 * Scotland - M74 then M6
 * South Wales - M48, then M5, then M6
 * South West - M5 then M6
 * Yorkshire - M62

By bus
National Express and Megabus operate long distance coach services to the North West.

By train
The rail backbone of the region is the West Coast Main Line connecting London to Glasgow via the North West, these trains are operated by Avanti West Coast. The hub of all other long distance trains is Manchester Piccadilly, from where you can connect to regional trains (either directly or via Manchester Victoria).

Liverpool, while not as well connected as Manchester still gets direct rail links from London, Birmingham, South Yorkshire, East Anglia and the North East.

Other cities with long distance rail links include Warrington, Chester, Wigan, Preston and Carlisle.

By boat
Birkenhead and Liverpool have ferries to/from the Isle of Man (Isle of Man Steam Packet), Dublin (P&O Ferries) and Belfast (Stena Line). Liverpool Cruise Terminal receives many large cruise ships, on a daily basis in the summer peak. Ferries from the Isle of Man and Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland also dock at Heysham near Lancaster.

By car
The North West is a reasonably compact region and is easy to get around by car. It takes around three hours to travel from north to south and about two hours to travel east to west. There is a dense network of motorways and dual carriageway roads. However certain parts of the area are very densely populated, so traffic congestion is a common occurrence, especially the rush hours of between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6pm. Also, as with everywhere else, the motorway frequently undergoes maintenance works and accidents are an almost daily occurrence, so motorways can suffer congestion at any time.

By bus
Bus services are useful in rural areas where trains do not run, and for short journeys. They are cheap especially if "day tickets" are bought which allow travel all day in an area. There is also a place for buses within the major cities, as buses are fairly frequent. Bus travel can be slow owing to frequent stops and traffic congestion. Long distance coach services are infrequent in the North West apart from on the Liverpool-Manchester-Leeds route.

By train
The North West benefits from a network of commuter and rural trains, most trains within the region are operated by Northern Rail. While trains are not as quick as those seen on mainland Europe, they are normally quicker than travelling by car, and some lines are quite scenic, especially outside urban areas. If you intend on travelling around the region, consider getting a North West Rail Rover, offering unlimited travel within the region on any four in eight days. As of June 2023, these cost £92.20 for adults without a railcard, £60.85 for adults and young people with a railcard, and £46.10 for children.

Eat
The North West is home to wide varied range of foods. If in or near the Lake District try Cumberland Sausage, Cumberland being a former county which is now part of Cumbria. These peppery sausages are very long and are usually presented in a coil shape. Herdwick lamb from the Cumbrian fells is also particularly tasty. When in Lancashire, try the eponymous Hot Pot, which is a dish of meat, often lamb or pork served with sliced onions and potatoes and other vegetables similar to Scouse from Liverpool.

The North West is also home to Lancashire and Cheshire Cheese, both have a crumbly feel and mild flavour both of which can hold their own against so-called 'superior' cheeses.

The coastal regions are a source of great fish and cockles and mussels which can be easily bought from a local chippy or at source in the fishing ports of Morecambe and Heysham. If however you prefer something more filling then there is always the classic fish and chips available in all towns in the North West, which can be eaten with curry sauce, mushy peas or gravy.

Dessert and confectionery includes Blackpool rock, Kendal mint cake, Eccles cakes from Manchester, or Chorley cakes. Of particular note is the Cartmel brand of sticky toffee pudding which can be purchased in the Lake District - this is an absolutely delicious must for pudding lovers!

Stay safe
The North West is safe for the most part. Rural areas are very safe, whereas larger urban areas (Greater Manchester and Liverpool) have the usual "big city" issues like pickpocketing, muggings, and drunken behaviours, though being street-smart will keep you safe.

The region suffered immensely from the fall of heavy industry, leading to some of the country's most deprived areas. Places like Blackpool, Blackburn, and Preston are particularly noteworthy for poverty and other socioeconomic problems.

Go next

 * Isle of Man: ferries to Douglas from Heysham and Liverpool.
 * Belfast in Northern Ireland or Dublin in the Republic of Ireland by ferry from Birkenhead and Bootle (Liverpool) respectively.
 * Scotland is only a couple of hours away by road or train.

title: North West England


text:
North-western Cambodia

Northwestern Cambodia is a region of Cambodia and includes the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and the part of Stoeng Treng to the west of the Mekong.

Cities

 * - grim reminders of the Khmer Rouge in the impressive Dangrek Mountains
 * - a squalid town known for its infamous border crossing
 * - hinterland transport hub with connection to Thailand
 * - the largest city of the region and gateway to Angkor
 * - a transport hub in the middle of nowhere, with its own quirky attractions
 * - a transport hub in the middle of nowhere, with its own quirky attractions

Other destinations

 * - one of the world's great monuments, Cambodia's biggest draw
 * - quiet and remote temple complex
 * - more ruins in this former capital north of Angkor
 * - disputed cliff-hanging temple in the far north bordering Thailand
 * - the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia

Understand
The region's north is hemmed in by the Dangrek Mountains which form a natural barrier with Thailand. To the south is very flat and fertile land which leads towards the great Tonle Sap Lake.

Control of much of this area has often passed between the various regional powers. It is now part of Cambodia thanks to the French, whose sabre rattling forced the Siamese into relinquishing it (along with Battambang) in 1907. The region had been Siamese since 1867, thanks again to the French who gave it (and Battambang) to Siam in exchange for unobstructed French control over the remainder of Cambodia. Before then, a nominally independent Cambodia existed as a vassal state of Siam and Vietnam.

Siem Reap is by far the largest city, Sisophon and Poipet are small towns and Anlong Veng just feels like a large village.

Much of northwestern Cambodia is characterized by poverty. Siem Reap Province is one of the poorest in the country, despite its valuable temples. Infrastructure construction has been booming, though only since around 2008. This makes many older reported journey times and maps outdated. Outside the towns, car batteries provide expensive electricity to village homes.

For now, development means only the blazing of asphalt trails through remote areas. The growth of businesses and expanded tourism will surely follow, so explore off the tourist trail to get an insight into Cambodian life.

By plane
The region is served by Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport  which has frequent domestic flights from Phnom Penh and is linked to the following destinations:

 * China: Guangzhou, Shanghai
 * Korea: Seoul
 * Laos: Pakse, Vientiane, Luang Prabang
 * Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
 * Singapore
 * Taiwan: Kaohsiung, Taipei
 * Thailand: Bangkok, U-Tapao/Pattaya
 * Vietnam: Danang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City

By land
The following roads are all paved:
 * National Highway 5 runs southeast from the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border crossing to Sisophon (1 hr), Battambang (2-3 hr) and on to Phnom Penh (a further 5-6 hr)
 * Hwy 6 runs from Sisophon to Siem Reap (2 hr) and on to Phnom Penh (a further 6 hr)
 * Hwy 67 runs south from the Choam border crossing with Thailand via Anlong Veng to Siem Reap (2 hr)
 * Hwy 68 runs south from the O'Smach border crossing with Thailand via Samraong to Kralanh (2 hr), where it joins Hwy 6 for Siem Reap

By boat
Hydrofoils ply the route across the Tonle Sap Lake from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (6 hr), stopping stopping at Kampong Chhnang, US$20–25/person.

One boat daily runs between Siem Reap and Battambang in the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains region (5-8 hr, depending on the water level, boats can become grounded in the dry season).

Get around
If you're only making your way between towns in the region, then the days of rough, impassable roads and adventure are over. Most main routes are now paved, with the exception of only a few.

By bus
There is a range of bus companies serving all towns large enough to be worth visiting. The larger the town, the more regular the service.

By taxi
Where the bus companies don't go, one should usually be able to travel by taxi. For the best chance of success, organise your taxi the night before, otherwise an early start may be needed to secure a place in a share-taxi.

By pick-up truck
It's not as simple to organize a pick-up truck as it is a taxi, but they have a different target market. Used for passengers and cargo, pick-up trucks head everywhere, providing a broad network, linking most every lonely village. If it weren't for these banged up wagons, most of the region wouldn't have access to affordable transport. Simply stand on the edge of the road, and flag the first one down.

By kuyon (tractor)
Short trips outside towns can be made by hitching a ride on a slow, rustic, local tractor. Just flag down the first one heading your way. This is effectively hitch hiking, and comes with the usual dangers. US$0.75 per 15 km would be appropriate.

See

 * Angkor Archaeological Park - These magnificent ruins of several ancient Khmer cities cover some 400 km2 and house one of the world's great monuments, Angkor Wat. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.
 * Banteay Chhmar - A remote, but de-mined temple complex 60 km north of Sisophon. The road is unpaved but easily passable in the dry season, this puts many people off and makes the trip more rewarding for those that make it.
 * Koh Ker - If Angkor doesn't sate your temple appetite, this pre-Angkorian, landmine-free site 90 km northeast of Siem Reap is worth a day trip.
 * Tonle Sap - The largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, of major conservation importance, and home to several floating villages.
 * Kompong Kdei Bridge - The largest Angkorian era bridge in the country, and still completely intact. 60 km south east of Siem Reap just off Route 6.

Do
Siem Reap hosts a vast array of things to do beyond its temples. Ride horses, elephants, jeeps. Visit museums. Take cookery classes. Shoot things. Watch apsara dances. Get massaged. Take a boat on the Tonle Sap. Learn Khmer.

Outside Siem Reap the main pastime is marveling at being in the middle of nowhere (much of Cambodia's development is focused on its southeast): watch rice fields being burnt, planted, harvested. Stare at starry skies away from city light pollution.

Eat
Siem Reap hosts the region's gastronomic centre. All tastes and budgets are catered for. Elsewhere it's the usual provincial fare of soups, fruit, rice, meat, and veg.

Drink
Similar to the dining scene. Dry martinis can only be found in Siem Reap and the casinos near the border crossings. Every two-bit hut will serve cold water, cola and beer; local style coffee (cold and sweet) can be found just about everywhere.

Stay safe
Northwest Cambodia is home to the K5 mine belt, a 700 km long, 500 m wide band of land mines that runs parallel to the Thai border. Although parts have been cleared, much remains. When travelling in remote areas, never stray off the road or track. It's just not worth the risk.
 * Landmines

Thailand
Three of Cambodia's six overland crossings with Thailand are in this region:

 * Aranyaprathet/Poipet — the busiest land crossing into Cambodia on the Bangkok-Siem Reap road. Long the stuff of nightmares, the roads are now paved all the way from Poipet to Siem Reap, Battambang, and Phnom Penh.
 * Chong Sa-Ngam (in Si Saket Province)/Choam (near Anlong Veng) Anlong Veng is only 2 hr from Siem Reap by bus.
 * Chong Jom (in Surin Province)/O'Smach (near Samraong) O'Smach is connected by bus, as is Samraong (2 hr to Siem Reap).

Cambodia
Battambang, the main city of the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains region is 3-4 hr away from Siem Reap by bus or a trip on a boat.

The Mekong Lowlands and Central Plains are best reached on Hwy 6. The first major town in that region is Kampong Thom.

Cambodia's rugged east is best reached via Kampong Thom. The hardy should be able to cross the Mekong directly from the northwestern region to Stung Treng on a trip via Tbeng Meanchey.

title: North-western Cambodia


text:
Northwestern Colorado

Northwestern Colorado is a region of the state of Colorado in the United States of America. It is a diverse area of both red rock mesas and snow-capped mountain peaks, as well as the headwaters of the Colorado River. This Rocky Mountains region includes a majority of the state's most popular ski resorts, places like Breckenridge, Aspen and Vail. It is also home to the Western Slope's biggest city, Grand Junction.

Cities

 * - trendy ski town known for its celebrities.
 * - most popular ski resort in the U.S.
 * - known as the "Elk Hunting Capital of the World" by many sources, it is home to one of North America's largest elk herds.
 * - home of Lake Dillon and convenient base for a half dozen ski resorts.
 * - town offers massive geothermal pool and touristy charm.
 * - the only real city in the region and the largest regional airport.
 * - a small orchard and grape growing town, home to many vineyards.
 * - small town and a growing base for state's gas fields. Home of Rifle Gap and Rifle Falls State Parks and Rifle Mountain Park.
 * - laid back Western ski town famous for its champagne snow.
 * - largest single mountain ski slopes in North America
 * - a small orchard and grape growing town, home to many vineyards.
 * - small town and a growing base for state's gas fields. Home of Rifle Gap and Rifle Falls State Parks and Rifle Mountain Park.
 * - laid back Western ski town famous for its champagne snow.
 * - largest single mountain ski slopes in North America
 * - largest single mountain ski slopes in North America
 * - largest single mountain ski slopes in North America

Other destinations
Normally, this section is reserved for places of scenic natural wonder, as well as geologic interest. Here are a few of the region's highlights:

 * Flattops Wilderness Area - Near Rifle. Nearly 12,000 ft (3658 m) at its highest, Colorado's second largest wilderness area offers hiking, fishing, camping and a variety of recreational activities.
 * Grand Mesa National Forest - Near Palisade. The largest flattop mountain in the world, home to a ski resort, scenic byway and plenty of outdoor activities.
 * Hunter Frying Pan Wilderness - Near Carbondale. Holding the headwaters of Hunter Creek and the Fryingpan River, as well as the unnamed peaks of the Williams Mountains.
 * Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area About 10 mi (16 km) east of Grand Junction. This is an area known for its wild mustang herd. See a wild remnant of the "Old West"
 * Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness - Near Snowmass Village. Jagged, purple colored mountain range mirrored in a still, high alpine lake. One of the most photographed peaks in the Rocky Mountains.
 * McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area - Near Grand Junction. Rugged canyon country and location for Kokopelli's Trail, a slick rock trail much loved by fat tire enthusiasts.
 * Routt National Forest - Home to the ski slopes of Steamboat Springs.
 * Sandwash Basin - one of the last remaining herds of wild mustangs has been living here since 1986
 * Routt National Forest - Home to the ski slopes of Steamboat Springs.
 * Sandwash Basin - one of the last remaining herds of wild mustangs has been living here since 1986

Understand
Broadly, this region is bounded on the:
 * North, by the Wyoming state line;
 * East, by the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains; This contours along the Continental Divide, an imaginary line that marks the flow of precipitation. Rain falling on the west of the Divide makes its way to the Pacific Ocean. Rain on the east makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
 * South, The southern borders of Mesa, Pitkin and Summit Counties. This is an arbitrary line 50 to 100 miles south of the east-west running Interstate 70, stretching roughly from the western portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel in the east to the Utah state line in the west.
 * West, by the Utah state line.

Region boundaries in Colorado tend to be somewhat controversial (even in day-to-day life in the state) and are done in an ad-hoc way here. If you're expecting to read about some destination in this article and can't find it, check in the neighboring Front Range, Southwestern Colorado, and even South Central Colorado sections to see if it's covered there.

This area is dominated by its geology. It is fairly evenly divided between some of the highest, snow-covered peaks in the Rockies and the beginning of the sandstone canyon and mesa country that is typical of the high-desert Colorado Plateau. The two biggest geologic features in Northwestern Colorado are the Western Slope of the Continental Divide and the mighty Colorado River, fed by the mountain snow of the Rockies and eventually carving out the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

The mountains are still growing, thrust upwards by a subducting tectonic plate that scientists hypothesize is situated at an odd angle. It explains why Northwestern Colorado is curiously free of any volcanoes similar to the Cascades in Washington and Oregon. (Although there has been volcanic activity in the past, and Northwestern Colorado is dotted with geothermal pools in places like Steamboat Springs and Glenwood Springs). Northwestern Colorado boasts Mount Elbert near Aspen. It rises 14,433 ft (4268m) above sea level and is the highest mountain in the entire Rocky Mountain range.

A geological formation characteristic of the mesa portion of the region are the Bookcliffs that are shown to good advantage around Grand Junction. A legacy of this geology is that the region is famous for its Jurassic-era fossils, found throughout the Morrison Formation. Dinosaur National Monument, along the Utah state line and extending into that state, was formed to preserve the enormous fossil beds found there, which are still yielding remarkable paleontological discoveries. Delta, just south of the region in Southwestern Colorado, as well as Grand Junction have large fossil quarries.

There is an economic divide, as well. Northwestern Colorado is a region of both small, struggling towns and high-end ski resorts (some of the richest and most expensive in the world). The ski resorts are a playground for jet-setting millionaires and billionaires, with multimillion dollar mansions and high costs of living. Outside of these pockets of excess are large rural areas, home to ranches and orchards. Northwestern Colorado is also where Colorado's Wine Country is located, the state's answer to Napa and Sonoma in California. Sizable portions of Northwestern Colorado are public lands owned by either the federal government or the state. So there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, rafting and other forms of recreation.

History
Between 250 and 1300 AD, the Fremont people were the area’s first inhabitants. Their culture can still be glimpsed today in the many petroglyphs and pictographs they created on canyon walls in the mesa portion of the region. Circa 1500, the Ute nation moved into Northwestern Colorado.

With the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Central America in 1521, the Spanish formed the Viceroyalty of New Spain and claimed a large part of North America for themselves, including a nebulous region around Northwestern Colorado. The borders were not firmly fixed on a map, and the Spanish only managed to settle as far as South Central Colorado.

During the 19th century, the area was very much in dispute with a young nation, the United States. After the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the U.S. claimed all the land south and west of the Arkansas River. Spain declared a large trade zone around its colony of Santa Fé de Nuevo Méjico, a claim the U.S. challenged. In 1806, Zebulon Pike led a U.S. Army expedition into the area, "discovering" Pike's Peak in the process, but Pike never reached as far as Northwestern Colorado. A contingent of Spanish cavalry apprehended and arrested the Pike expedition in South Central Colorado, eventually expelling them from New Spain. The U.S. relinquished its claim on the region as part of the purchase of Florida from Spain with the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819.

In 1821, the Viceroyalty of New Spain successfully revolted, splitting with the Spanish crown. Northwestern Colorado may have become part of Alta California, a province in the new nation of Mexico.

Hoping to develop the area, Mexican officials opened the land up to mountain men, trappers and traders. Between 1821 and 1840, explorer Antoine Robidoux ventured through the region in search of beaver pelts. With this influx of adventurers and speculators came many of the men who would later lead U.S. Army expeditions and Government Surveying parties through the area: Kit Carson, "Pathfinder" John Charles Fremont and Captain John Gunnison.

In 1846, the U.S. Army invaded and defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American War. With the Treaty of Guadalupe y Hidalgo, the U.S. gained control of Northwestern Colorado, as well as California, Nevada, Utah, and portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming.

In 1849, the Mormons established the Provisional State of Deseret, which included parts of Northwestern Colorado, a claim the U.S. refused to recognize. For the next 20 years, the Mormons refused to settle east of the north-south running Green River.

While the U.S. was busy expanding its territory, the Utes were fighting a rear guard action, with intermittent settler encroachments on their lands. Friction between the Utes and whites over resources was inevitable. In 1868, the U.S. Government and the Ute Indians signed a treaty that designated Northwestern Colorado as part of the Ute reservation. But the area's rivers offered both a reliable source of water and arable land. This was compounded by the discovery of gold and silver in the San Juan Mountains to the south. There was also a missionary spirit amongst the whites, who saw it as a God-driven destiny to convert the nomadic Utes to Christianity and an agrarian way of life. These factors proved to be too great for the settlers to resist. Determined to turn them into farmers, the head of the government's Indian Agency, Nathan Cook Meeker, approached the Utes with a mixture of arrogance and hostility. He plowed up a Ute horse-racing track to plant a field, and later engaged in a fist fight with the owner of the race track. In 1879, Meeker telegraphed for military assistance, and the Federal government responded with around 200 soldiers to police the area. The situation was handled with mutual mistrust on both sides, and several skirmishes occurred. The crisis culminated with the Utes killing several whites at the Indian Agency (including Meeker) and launching the so-called Ute War. Initially successful, the Utes were forcibly relocated to Utah, and Southwestern Colorado, near Cortez.

The Uncompahgre Reservation was opened to settlers in the fall of 1881. Settlers poured into the area. Towns like Paonia, Grand Junction, Meeker and Craig were rapidly established. For the next 80 years, farming and ranching were the staples of the region's economy. Mining towns like Aspen, Breckenridge and Leadville capitalized on the silver and gold bonanzas.

Post World War Two ushered in an area of unprecedented prosperity for Northwestern Colorado, with the founding of area's modern ski resorts. The second half of the 20th century witnessed the birth of Snowmass Village, Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Vail, and Keystone. Grand Junction grew into a regional hub to service the ski towns, as well as a boom and bust community of uranium and oil shale mining, and natural gas exploration. The population of this region continues to grow as people fall in love with its natural beauty and many recreational opportunities.

Talk
The area is largely English-speaking, with a handful of Spanish speaking communities like Minturn near Vail. There is a wide circle of Spanish speaking laborers who are the working class backbone of the mountain resorts, energy, construction and hospitality industries. At the opposite end of the spectrum are Central and South America's moneyed ruling class, who flock to Vail between Christmas and New Year's. See the Spanish phrasebook for more information on how to better engage both groups.

Also, within the ski towns, there are large, developed exchange programs with college-age students from Europe and South America. You will find them running the ski lifts and equipment rental shops, so hearing French, German, and Italian is not uncommon during the ski season. All, however, are required to speak English.

Get in
To visit Northwestern Colorado, travelers are going to have fly and/or drive.

By plane
There are major airports in Denver and Grand Junction, and regional airports in Aspen and Vail.

 * Grand Junction Regional Airport,, otherwise known as Walker Field, is served by six airlines with nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Some service is seasonal. For private pilots, it is also possible to fly your small plane into the airport and leave it while you tour the area. Taxi service is also available at the airport.
 * Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, (also known as Sardy Field) ). Major carriers to Aspen include United, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines. ASE is a small airport for small planes only, and traffic tends to stop in any inclement weather.
 * Vail/Eagle County Airport . Phone: +1-800-225-6136, Located 20 minutes west of Vail in Eagle.
 * Yampa Valley Regional Airport , (also known as Yampa Valley Airport) ). Major carriers to Steamboat include American, Delta, Frontier, and United. Some service is seasonal.
 * Yampa Valley Regional Airport , (also known as Yampa Valley Airport) ). Major carriers to Steamboat include American, Delta, Frontier, and United. Some service is seasonal.

By car

 * Aspen - About 4 hours from Denver on Interstate 70. There are two major routes from Denver - through Glenwood Springs or through Independence Pass. Independence Pass is only open in the summer months, but provides spectacular views and can be a bit faster than the longer route through Glenwood.  To take this route, travel south from Copper Mountain and exit off I-70 to Leadville.
 * Breckenridge - About 90 minutes west of Denver. Travel on I-70 West for 71 mi (114 km). Take exit 203 for CO Hwy 9 South toward Breckenridge/Frisco. At the traffic circle, take the 4th exit onto CO-9 heading to Frisco. Travel 10 mi (16 km) to Breckenridge.
 * Grand Junction, Clifton and Palisade - Palisade and Grand Junction are on Interstate 70, about 40 minutes east of the Utah border and 4 hours west of Denver. From the South, (Telluride, Delta and Montrose), drivers can travel US 50 north.
 * Steamboat Springs - Typically 3 to 4 hours away from Denver by car in good winter conditions. If heavy snow, there are a couple of passes (including Rabbit Ears Pass) which become much more difficult and slow going. The most direct route from Denver to Steamboat is I-70 west to Silverthorne. From there, take Hwy 9 North to Kremmling where you meet up with US 40. Then drive west on US 40 over Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat. With no traffic or snow, the drive can be as quick as 2.5 hours.
 * Vail- 100 mi (161 km) west of Denver on Interstate 70, and about 130 mi (160 km) from Denver International Airport.

By train
Amtrak serves Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago. Amtrak and AAA partner to run several Wine Trains between Denver and Grand Junction each spring.

By bus

 * Grand Junction, Clifton and Palisade

By car
The major artery through the region is Interstate 70. Weather-wise, there are three distinct micro-climates along I-70 in Northwestern Colorado. Conditions are highly variable depending on both the altitude and terrain. The weather can be blizzard conditions on the Eastern Slope of the Continental Divide in South Central Colorado, cloud cover on the Western Slope, and sunny west of Glenwood Canyon near Glenwood Springs.

During the winter, heavy ice and snow are a concern on the mountain passes, which can make driving difficult and slow going. Always check the weather and road conditions before heading out. Even on a clear winter's day, make sure your vehicle's wiper fluid reservoir is full. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) spreads both sand and magnesium chloride on the roads, which makes for an impenetrable, gluey mess on your windshield.

In the summer months, it's not uncommon to see the shoulders of the highways littered with broken-down vehicles that could not handle the steep grades and high altitude air of the Rocky Mountains. If you are venturing from a lower altitude, make sure your car can handle mountain driving. Thinner air means you will be burning more gasoline. Also, with so many steep grades, expect to gear down to avoid unnecessary friction to your brake pads.

During peak times, I-70 can get very crowded and it is not unheard of for a trip from Eagle and Summit Counties to Denver to take 3 hours or more (Allow for 5 from Pitkin County). Peak times are weekend afternoons (2PM- 6PM) both in the summer and winter. Plan accordingly and either leave in the morning, or leave after 5PM in the winter.

By bus
The majority of the ski towns offer bus service around the resorts and to the slopes. Grand Junction and Meeker have public transportation, as well.

See

Itineraries

 * Buffalo Pass - Near Steamboat Springs. Only road crossing the Continental Divide through the Park Range. Offers great views of the Yampa River Basin. Dirt road popular for fat tire bike rides and four wheel drives.
 * Canyon Pintado - Driving tour of Fremont petroglyphs and pictographs, near Rangely.
 * Glenwood Canyon - View rugged canyon walls along a masterfully engineered highway. Bike and hiking trails parallel I-70. Near Glenwood Springs.
 * Independence Pass - High mountain drive is only open in the summer months. Between Leadville and Aspen.
 * Loveland Pass - Before the I-70 Eisenhower Tunnel was built, this above timberline road was the original highway over the Continental Divide to get to the ski resorts. Between Georgetown and Silverthorne.
 * Rattlesnake Canyon - Hike along a red rock mesa top and through several natural arches. Next to the Colorado National Monument.
 * Shrine Pass Road - Between Minturn and Vail. Mountain meadows, summer snow and views of the Gore Range and Mount Holy Cross, a peak with snow-filled crevasses that form a giant crucifix.

Do
There is no shortage of summer or winter activities in this diverse wilderness area.

 * Arrange for a horse-drawn sleigh or dog sled ride. Usually comes with hot chocolate or spiced cider. Aspen, Vail and the resorts around Summit County have outfitters who will take care of everything for you.
 * Go ice skating on an outdoors rink or groomed municipal pond.
 * Ride a ski lift, quad chair or gondola to the top of one of the ski slopes in the summer months. Many resorts, like Vail's Eagle's Nest, offer modest grilled food at the summit. You can then hike, bike or ride the lift back to the bottom.
 * River runners will enjoy the various rapids along the Yampa, Colorado, Frying Pan, Eagle and Roaring Fork Rivers. There are outfitters in all the resort towns, Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs.
 * For wine tasting tours, head to Palisade or Grand Junction, home of the Grand Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA).
 * - located in Wolcott

Health
There's no reason to fear the mountains, as long as you approach them with proper respect and preparation. As with anywhere else, recklessness and a lack of forethought can get you into trouble, especially in Colorado's vast back country.

 * Altitude sickness - Can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, even blackouts and pulmonary edema. Give your body a few days to adjust to the high altitudes before going full throttle with your hiking or skiing.
 * Dehydration - When you engage in strenuous outdoor activities, be sure to replenish your fluids as you go. You may be losing moisture through your mouth and nose and through sweating, but be completely unawares due to the arid mountain air. May result in dizziness, intense thirst and elevated heart and breath rates.
 * Giardia - Drinking untreated water from regional streams is not a good idea owing to Giardia parasites, but tap water is not a problem.
 * Hypothermia - Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in confusion, a slowed heart rate, lethargy, even death. Dress warmly in non cotton clothing to allow any sweat to wick away from your body and evaporate. Otherwise, it may thoroughly chill you later in the day when temperatures drop.
 * Frostbite - During periods of severe cold, your circulatory system pulls all your warming blood into the core of your body to protect your vital organs. This makes your extremities such as your ears, fingers and nose especially vulnerable. Wear a face mask, insulated gloves and other heavy gear on the worst winter days. It gets cold sitting still on those ski lifts!
 * Sunburn - Lather up with sunscreen, even if there's cloud cover. Colorado's high elevation means you have less protection to the sun's powerful ultra violet rays. This can be compounded while skiing or snowboarding, when the rays are reflected off the snow and hits the underside of your jaw. Don't forget to wear UV-rated goggles or sunglasses, as well. There's nothing more painful than sunburned eyeballs.

Safety

 * Avalanches - Colorado claims about a third of all avalanche deaths in the U.S. The ski resorts have groomed slopes that are safe, but it is extremely dangerous to ski or snowboard outside of the designated terrain. It's popular amongst daredevil skiers to "run the chutes," steep, shaded slopes that funnel into tight gullies. These are classic avalanche zones. Far more common (and deadly) are slab avalanches that break along a fault line and bury unsuspecting snow mobilers or skiers. Always wear a homing beacon and check the conditions at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center before heading into the back country.
 * Lightning - This is especially deadly in the high country above timberline when no shelter is nearby. If you hear crackling or hissing sounds, or your hair begins to stand on end, squat down immediately in the "lightning desperation position" - feet together and your hands clapped over your ears. Remember, a tent and inflatable mattress offer no protection from a lightning strike. Avoid the high ground, or solitary objects like trees that stick out higher than the surrounding terrain (they may act like natural lightning rods). For more information, see the safety tips at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA).

Go next

 * Arches National Park - Largest concentration of natural arches in the world, just northeast of Moab in Utah, as well as other strange sandstone formations, such as pinnacles, cliffs, mesas, and gorges.
 * Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - 12 miles of a spectacular and scenic gorge.
 * Canyons of the Ancients National Monument - In Southwestern Colorado. Contains more than 6,000 archaeological sites, representing Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures.
 * Canyonlands National Park - Large, spectacular wilderness of sandstone cliffs, narrow gorges, canyons, plateaus, bluffs, and other strange and beautiful formations east of Moab.
 * Great Sand Dunes National Park - Includes North America's tallest dunes, which rise over 750 feet high against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Near Alamosa.
 * Hovenweep National Monument - Near Cortez. Protects six Ancestral Puebloan villages spread over a twenty-mile expanse of mesa tops and canyons along the Utah-Colorado border. Iconic to the monument are the multi-storied ruins.
 * Mesa Verde National Park - Home to Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Near Cortez.
 * Yucca House National Monument - Near Cortez. An entire unexcavated city of Ancestral Puebloan houses, built between 1150 and 1300 A.D.

title: Northwestern Colorado


text:
Northwestern Georgia

Northwestern Georgia is a region of the country of Georgia.

Cities

 * – The "capital" of Svaneti
 * – The capital of Samegrelo, and mostly gateway to Mestia and Abkhazia.

 * – Black Sea villages nearby Zugdidi (34 km). During the last few years these villages have become fancy, touristic resorts. Some high class hotels, pubs and casino were built. It's a good place to enjoy the Black Sea.
 * – A small town with a couple of excellent attractions nearby, like the Enguri Dam, the Omune Observation Tower, the Intsira Waterfall, and the Lia fortress ruins.
 * – Popular for canyoning and whitewater rafting.
 * – A stunningly beautiful mountain village. The starting point for Svaneti Mount Ushba trekking.
 * – A fairly uninteresting port city, albeit one with an interesting ancient history. Headquarters of the Georgian Navy. Also serves as an entrance point to Kolheti National Park.
 * – Perhaps the most picturesque Svan village, at the bottom of Georgia's highest mountain, it is also a.

Other destinations

 * Three of the seven components making up the natural world heritage site Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands;, and  are in this region (the others are in Southwestern Georgia).

Understand
Northwestern Georgia coincides with the administrative regions and  of Georgia. Svaneti is divided into two parts, Upper Svaneti and Lower Svaneti, separated by the tall Svaneti Mountain Range.

Northwestern Georgia is a very diverse region, which, due to its many languages, cultures, and even governments, can feel like several different countries. The Svans of Svaneti and the Mingrelians of Samegrelo are Christian, Georgian sub-ethnic groups who have cultures and languages distinct from, but closely related to Georgian. The Abkhaz, however, are a completely unrelated South Caucasian people, who for much of their history were predominantly Muslim, until the Russian Empire's "Muhajarism" practice in the 19th century of mass deportation of Muslim Caucasian peoples, which cleansed the region of nearly all non-Orthodox Abkhaz.

The culture of Svaneti is intriguing, offering some of Georgia's most solemn and mysterious dances, and the most complex polyphonic singing in the Caucasus—a tradition dating back over two millennia. There are absolutely no regular performances of any kind, and there are no performance venues besides the open air under the Greater Caucasus, or perhaps in someone's modest home. You are more likely to experience Svan performances in Tbilisi, but a really great guide may set something up with the help of local friends.

History
Since Georgian independence in 1991, Northwestern Georgia has been a hotbed of complicated political violence and conflict. The first president of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, was an ethnic Mingrelian with ties to Samegrelo. His presidency was intensely controversial within and without Georgia and sparked a civil war, which quickly resulted in a murky coup d'etat in late 1991. Conflict between pro-Gamsakhurdia and anti-Gamsakhurdia forces continued as a new separatist conflict exploded in Abkhazia in 1992. The Abkhaz military, fighting alongside paramilitaries from the North Caucasus (and possibly with help from the Russian government) defeated the Georgian military in September 1993, allowing the Abkhaz government to establish de facto independence.

In an even more strange and convoluted twist, Gamsakhurdia then returned to Georgia from Chechnya in late 1993, set up a government-in-exile in Zugdidi, and began a full scale civil war with the central government, relying on the support of Samegrelo and Abkhazia. Gamsakhurdia's war was very successful and his forces routed the Georgian military and threatened the capital. But the resulting instability threatened Russian interests and the Russian government sent its military to the aid of the central government, resulting in a quick defeat for Gamsakhurdia's forces, the firm establishment of Georgia's Shevardnadze government, and the mysterious death of Gamsakhurdia himself. But Northwestern Georgia never really accepted the Shevardnadze victory, leaving the Samegrelo region into a turbulent, volatile center of unrest. The central government struggled to control the Samegrelo region throughout the presidency of Eduard Shevardnadze (1992–2003). Moreover, the wide-scale ethnic cleansing of Abkhazia's ethnic Georgians led to continued low-intensity warfare between Mingrelian paramilitaries and the Abkhaz military. Stability in the region is further undermined by an influx of refugees from the Abkhazian war zone, who are mostly Megrelians.

The most powerful force shaping the region today is the protracted separatist conflict between Abkhazia and the Georgian central government. The current situation is more or less a stalemate. Georgia's president has vowed to reintegrate Abkhazia into Georgia, but only by peaceful means. The Abkhaz government demands nothing less than full de jure independence from Georgia. And the ever important Russian government, which still has peace-keeping troops in the region, gives tacit support to its Abkhaz client government while trying to avoid renewed regional conflict.

Climate
The climate of Northwestern Georgia ranges from subtropical (Samegrelo) to high alpine (Svaneti), and is one of Georgia's greenest, lushest, and wettest regions.

Samegrelo's climate is subtropical with frequent rains. The coastal areas have many marshlands despite the Soviet Georgian authorities' efforts to dry them up. These marshlands contain many rare birds and animals not found in other parts of the country. For this reason, substantial part of the territories is protected by the Georgian law as part of the Colchetian Nature Reserve.

Talk
Although the Georgian languages of Mingrelian in Samegrelo and the unwritten Svan in Svaneti are widespread, Georgian is the main language in the region.

Much of the older generation speak Russian as a second or a third language and the younger generation is increasingly speaking English due to hostility towards Russia, and also because English is taught in schools since independence and has replaced Russian as a second language in schools nation-wide.

When in need for help, look for younger people, as they are more likely to know some English. Speaking Russian is recommended in areas where non-Georgian minorities live. Basic tourism vocabulary is widely understood in Mestia, the regional capital.

By marshrutka
Marshrutkas head to Zugdidi and on to Abkhazia from the bus stations in Batumi and Kutaisi, and Tbilisi. Poti is the easiest destination to get to, and is widely served by public transport. Marshrutkas also make the long, steep climb from Kutaisi and Tbilisi to the Svan capital, Mestia.

By train
Night trains (8 hr) between Zugdidi and Tbilisi are co-ordinated with early morning (06:00-08:00) marshrutka departures (15 lari) from Zugdidi to Mestia, which take a bit over 3-4 hr. Booking in advance for the train recommended.

By plane
Queen Tamar Airport offers flights to Mestia that are operated by Serviceair.

By marshrutka
There are basic and inconvenient marshrutka services between towns, but it's generally easier to hire taxis. Most of the drivers will not speak English, but if you state your destination they will usually point you in the right direction.

On foot
In Svaneti, hiking from town to town is possible, and considerably more exciting, There is a flagged path from Mestia to Ushguli passing through several villages, the tourist information in Mestia can give additional information as well as some very detailed hiking maps.

By car
There are reasonably good roads in the region with a new highway built to connect with Mestia. If you have your own transport it will be easy to get around.

See
In addition to the breathtaking ancient villages of Svaneti filled with imposing stone watchtowers, there are some spectacular mountain vistas of Europe's highest mountains. Look especially for Mount Ushba and Mount Shkhara.

The Tower of Love between Mestia and Ushguli is a Svan Tower with a special purpose.

The Enguri Canyon near Totani north of Jvari, before and after Totani village, is worth a stop along the road, when the water from the dam is out.

Near Martvili are the Martvili Canyon, a place of waterfalls, where you could swim, and see the footprints of dinosaurs, and the Dadiani summer palace in Salkhino.

Head to Tsaishi, south of Zugdidi, to experience traditional village life. It has hot mineral springs, the Museum of Iona Meunargia, a Georgian poet and well known public person, a cathedral, picnic on the mountain Urta with amazing views of the Great Caucasus chain, and Djegeta mountain with old church and impressive nature. The hot springs are not maintained by anyone, and only holes in the grassland are available for a dip—you better head to Nokalakevi, whose nearby springs are a real gem.

Other natural sights:
 * Skuri caves and mineral water springs
 * Mukhuri caves in the middle of the wild Georgian woods with moss rocks and river (swimming place)
 * Shurubumu Caves near Jvari
 * Lugela waterfalls

Churches and castles:
 * Chkondidi (residence of the head of the Orthodox church, a unique monastery, the centre of royal land from the 10th century (near Martvili)
 * Nokalakevi Archaeopoliss near Martvili
 * Monastery of Khobi near Zugdidi
 * Kheta fortress

Various other sights:
 * Chkhorotskhu region and its Lebarde resort with mineral waters
 * Dida Kirsa, an archaeological place with nice site seeing panorama
 * Nodjikhevi, an archeological area with an old fortress and traditional Georgian village atmosphere near Khamiskuri

Do

 * Religious feast of Kvirikoba, on 28 July in Kala, is the best time to visit. Since a lot of people are in the area, you can feel pretty safe in traveling here independently—although it may be difficult to find accommodation. And food at feasts in this part of the world is good.

 * Papantskhvili is lake in mountains where according the legend local priest house with his family drowned. Old Soviet villa of politicians.

 * Mt. Urta, south of Zugdidi, has more than 200 caves, waterfalls, and mountainous rivers, including the Pokori river with waterfalls where you could swim.

 * Nokalakevi Geothermal Park near Martvili is a hidden gem with sulphur fountains, white cascades, and hot river pools.

Hiking
Northwestern Georgia provides some excellent hiking opportunities, and is a good way to see the natural scenery of the region.

Eat
The food differs from region to region within Northwestern Georgia, but its Mingrelian cuisine is perhaps its most famous, which is notably spicier than most Georgian food, and is just generally delicious.

Kubdari are a local delicacy from this region. These are khachapuri made with spiced mince meat.

Drink
The local wines are actually made of grapes from the Racha region, but any place is a good place to drink them! The best local wines are red, Barakoni and Khvanchkara. The latter was allegedly Stalin's favorite.

Sleep
There are several homestays and guesthouses in and around Mestia and Ushguli, Svaneti. The Tourist information in Mestia has a list of families in other villages (especially between Mestia and Ushguli) which offer a homestay, speaking Georgian or Russian might be an advantage but is not necessary. Georgian and Russian speakers won't have any problem to find a place to sleep by asking people in the villages for an opportunity. Most homestays ask 30 lari (2008) for one night with dinner and breakfast, it may be negotiable. There are guesthouses in Mazeri, Mestia, Zhabeshi, Adishi, Iprali and Ushguli, open during the summer season June until September, catering to eco tourists and hikers.

Stay safe
Northwestern Georgia is generally a safe travel destination. The Abkhazia conflict caused some destabilization in the region, but this has largely been settled (not in Georgia's favour). Samegrelo took in a number of the "refugees" from the Abkhazia conflict, but apart from stretching government, education and health resources this has not led to any ongoing security issues. A tourist in Samegrelo should experience no worse problems than in the rest of the country.

Svaneti was largely untouched by the conflict to its west. Never truly subdued by any foolhardy invader, even the Soviets failed to subdue the fierce Svan mountain tribes who inhabit these high mountain fortress-villages. Georgians themselves claim to be a little afraid of the natives here. The Svans were once renowned as being an aggressive and insular group, however, this has changed as tourism has boomed. Now the biggest problem tourists will face is rising prices, especially if you are a foreigner or don't speak the local language. On the other hand, if accepted as a guest of a Svan, the Svans are renowned for their legendary hospitality. The security situation improved somewhat after Saakashvili came to power. You should not have any security concerns when visiting Svaneti; it is far too wonderful a travel destination to miss. Travelling to Svaneti is not a big safety risk anymore and is possible for backpackers. However, common security precautions should be taken.

Nervous passengers may want to brace themselves for the marshrutka ride there—the drivers' speeds on the mountain roads certainly aren't for the faint of heart.

Go next
From Svaneti, there is a lonely and poor quality mountain road leading east to the beautiful and safer mountain region of Racha. If you are a hardy trekker, and know what you are doing, you could also head into upper Racha by foot, over mountains. There are routes heading North into Russia's North Caucasus and into Abkhazia, but this should not be attempted. Both borders are closed (although enforcement is impossible), and if caught by the Georgians or the Russians, you will find yourself in trouble and alone in a strange and often cruel land.

title: Northwestern Georgia


text:
Northwestern Indiana

Northwestern Indiana is in Indiana.

By car
This area deals with plenty of traffic thanks to Chicago, so be prepared for occasional delays. I-65N heads in from Chicago, I-94S heads in from Michigan. I-90/80 is also part tollroad that heads east/west through the area. I-65S heads north through the area from central Indiana.

By bus

 * Greyhound
 * Gary - 100 W. 4th Ave. +1 219 886-3041
 * Hammond - 3600 Calumet. +1 219 933-6700
 * Michigan City - Always Business Services, 132 Dunes Plaza (Hwy 421 & 20). +1 219 879-5050

By train

 * Amtrak
 * Dyer - 913 Sheffield Ave.
 * Hammond - 1135 Calumet Ave.
 * Michigan City - 100 Washington St.
 * Rensselaer - 619 N. Cullen St.
 * South Shore Line +1-800-356-2079
 * Hammond
 * East Chicago
 * Gary
 * Miller
 * Portage/Ogden Dunes
 * Chesterton/Dune Park
 * Beverly Shores
 * Michigan City

Eat
Lake Perch is a local favorite that a traveler isn't going to find outside the Great Lakes regions. That being said, several locations in Northwest Indiana serve quality lake perch fresh from the Great Lakes.

title: Northwestern Indiana


text:
Northwestern Karnataka

Northwestern Karnataka is a region in Karnataka.

Cities

 * — village with hundreds of surrounding temples

 * —

 * Bankapura

 * (Belagavi) —

 * (Vijayapura)

 * (Hubballi–Dharwada) —

 * —

 * —

title: Northwestern Karnataka


text:
Northwestern Minnesota

The Northwestern region of Minnesota is where the western prairies, the northern conifer forests, and the eastern hardwood forests converge. It includes Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, and Wilkin counties.

title: Northwestern Minnesota